Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-11
Washington Territory.

TO the emigrant from the Atlantic States a
those east of that continental barrier. Kansa
and Nebraska would be quickly outstripped ii
tne rapldlty OF their settlement by the distan
territories of Oregon and Washington for thes
latter In addition to the productive soil and fin,
climate which all new territories boast. add tt
the list of their attractions treasures Of vircir
goio, all the conyeniences for commercial enter
prise, and prolific ocean fisheries.
10 such list of natural resources it woulf
be difficult to add further similar advantages
anu they Will no doubt, ere many years, prove
OF sufficient potency to counterbalance the OBJ
stacles OF distance and lack of speedy commune
ca'ion which now forcibiy operate on tho mine
OF the emlgrant. We are reminded of thes,
circumstances by recently published letter
written by Fayette McMullen, the present GOV
ernor OF Washington Territory, in which tht
peculiar characteristic of that country are con
eIsely but strongly set forth The letter is con.
tanned in circular issued by Isaac |. Stevens,
the Territorial delegate in Congress, which EN-
braces full directions for reaching the territory
by various routes.
Like Oregon, Washington Territory is very
unequally divided by the Cascade Mountains,
wilich traverse it from north to south at an av-
eraSe distance of about one hundred miles from
the sea coast. The bulk of the country. there
fore, lies east of this mountain range ; but the
principal settlements are on the western or coast
side which comprises an area of about seventeen
thousand square miles. The larger portion of
this land it is said will compare favorably in
point Of fertility with most of the Atlantic
states, both for grazing and tillage. The pre-
valling feature of this portion of the territory
is dense forests Of majestic frs and cedars, inter-
spersed with valleys and prairies
| The climate is mild, and much narrower in
It's range than that Of New England, being
neither 50 cold in winter nor 50 hot in summer.
Meteorological observations taken at Fort Steil-
accom- for four years, from 1850to 1854, inclu-
slve, show that the lowest average temperature
during that period in winter was 80 degrees
above zero, and the highest average in summer
66 degrees. This is said to give fair idea of
the climate west of the Cascades Throughout
the winter months stock substs almost entirely
by grazing, the winter rains starting the grass
atresll' Although the country is well adapted
to agriculture, farming cannot be proftsbly pur-
sued at present, owing to the scarcity and dear
ness of labor The common laborer received
~ so to SO per day, and female labor where it
can bo had, commands from $50 to $40 per
month. The entire white population of the ter
ritory does not exceed 1000, while the Indians
number 10000. The hostilities of the latter
have completely checked immigration into the
territory for the last year OF two.
As in all new countries, farm stock is scarce
and high, beef cattle being worth So per cwt.
on foot; oxen per yoke, $3.50 to 5000; cows
$40 to S75; sheep for the market, $l2 50 per
cwt. Corn appears to be the only crop common
to the northern and middle States which do
not thrive in the Territory, the nights during
summer being too cool for its field cultivation.
Wheat, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat and peas
yield abundantly. The pure dry atmosphere of
the summer months is said to be great pro-
lection to grain crops agains rust. Fruit grows
exceedingly well, particularly apples.
A peculiar feature of the western portion of
Washington Territory, aswill be observed on re-
ference to map of the country, is the intru-
sion OF the sea completely into the centre of the
territory, from the North. This body of water
is known as Admiralty Inlet and Puget's Sound
and is 2lO miles in length, 1t forms the great
of the central and northern por-
tlon of the territory lying west of the Cascade
Islands are numerous, but the
is otherwise unobstructed and the
water is deep enough for the largest ships. Up
on the banks of the Sound, and easy of access
for shipping, are immense forests of large and
line timber, chiefly cedar and fir, the latter often
reaching height of three hundred feet
There is excelant water power on the Schutes
river, as well as on the various streams which
have their sources in the mountains, while in
'xhaustible beds of superior coal have been open
I'd at different points convenient for shipping,
Limestone also abounds. Numerous varieties
If excellent fish are abundant in the waters on
he coast, and last but not least-in the minds of
many, no doubt-east of the Cascades, on yari-
'us tributaries Of the Columbia, are gold mines
which report says yield we'll. The Indian diff
ulties have prevented their full development.
II the characteristic of the territory are
ruthfully represented in the letter from which
We have quoted-and as they agree substantial
y with other accounts, we presume they are
y fashington territory offers many solid adyanta-
es to energetic and industrious cmigrants.
d. o. Ia