, 1858-05-21
The Northern Minss-GOOd and Practicable
Routes Thereto.

1
our own Territory, to which the attention
Of its citizens, as well as those Of CalifOrnii
and Oregon generally. are directed, w
shall endeavor to point out, in as brief and
concise manner as possible, few routes BY
which they probably can be reached al
present, through our Territory, other thar
that generally heretofore taken ria Frazer's
river. It's navigation, from oil accounts, is
at best, tedious as well as dangerous one,
and at this time utterly impossible from the
swollen nature Of that stream, its rapids
dangerous eddies, &c. Our knowledge OF
this subject, as well as upon the routes
which we shall point out, is entirely Dor
rOtocd, but obtained from perfectly reliable
men, well informed on the subject, from per
sonal knowledge, obtained by residence OF
travel through that region Of country.
In this connection, we will commence the
subject by directing the attention of the
gold seeker" packer, &C., to the "NAcHEs
Pass over the Cascade range-beiug the
most southern route ioahiH the Territory
over those mountains, Of which we can
speak confidently as being not only practi-
cable bat as a route presenting few (if any
impediments to travel. This pass, it will
be remembered by our earlier residents, is
the one which was selected some FIVE years
since by our citizens as the most feasible
route to be adopted by immigrants desir-
ous Of coming to the Territory direct. On
this route the sum Of six thousand dollars
Contributed by the citizens Of Pierce and
Thurston counties for this purpose) was ex-
pended to clear it Of distractions With
this sum sufficient was accomplished to rem
der II good. passable, mountain road
preferable to the immigrant road over the
same mountains in Oregon, being devoid
Of such PERCEPTIONS hills or declivities as the
Laurel Hill" which is encountered on
that route. The result was that thirty or
more families safely arrived in the settle
meuts, meeting with no accident or serious
difficulties, and in due season. All the
wagons were brought in, save two, which
the owners were compelled to leave behind
in consequence Of the weakness or loss Of
their teams Both these, however, were
brought in the next season, and were not,
as stated in the Oregonian, some weeks
since, dashed TO pieces and rendered useless.
Such reports are solely published with a
view TO prejudice the public mind. We
can perceive no other motive in them, as
they do not bear even the semblancs ol
truth.
It will further be remembered, that since
that time this pass has been adopted as
the route for the military road from Fort
Walla-wallA to SteilacoOm, and $25, ,OOO
appropriated by Congress for this purpose,
expended thereon, at a rate not exceeding
"a per day, or over 5000 days labor be-
slowed thereon, to render 1t practicable fol
the transportation Of munitions of war
Further, that since the completion Of the
road as above, Col. Saws command, con,
sisting of $50 men and over 400 animals,
with subsistence to last three months, pass.
cd over this road about two years since,
and arrived at Walla-walla safely, having
lost but ons pack animal. This, we be.
lieve, will therefore settle the question as
to whether the route can be made available
for packing purposes. The distance from
Steilacoom to the eastern base Of the noun
tains-tQothe plateau Of the Spokane-ii
about ITO miles; from the most distant set
Elements Of our Territory to the west, 70
miles. Arriving in the Spokane valley, you
have an open country before you, and if the
route ria the DallS, in Oregon, possesses
any Of the advantages claimed for it by the
newspapers of that Territory, we share in
those equally with themselves, as this is the
most direct route that can be pursued from
thence, the mines bearing north from this
point, and distant, on a straight line, not
exceeding ITO miles. 1t is not presumed
by us, however, that the mines can be reach
ed in that distance. Projecting spurs ol
the mountains, and other impossible OBJ
structiOns, will undoubtedly frequently pre-,
sent themselves, which will render circuit,
Gus travel unavoidable, but with this ad,
vantage TO those who adopt this in prefer.
ence to the route by way of the Dals, that
on arrival at the eastern base one-half the
journey has been accomplished.
The next point to which we would direct
attention is the 'SNooUALlnE PASS, bearing
almost directly east Of Seattle, and about
20 miles north of the former. This pass is
represented as about 1000 feet lower than
the Nsches, the altitude of the former be-