, 1858-12-10
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
FsllOlO Citizens of The
Legislative Assembly: j.:

FelLOt0 CHlzeRS of the
Legislative Assembly:
In the absence Of the Executive, have
the honor to respond TO your call; not, how
ever, under the same circumstances as when,
three years ago, this duty devolved upon me
with an Indian war in our midst-the
country wasted and desolate-and the peo-
pie gathered together in forts and block
houses-but now with bright aud cheering
prospect before us.
I congratulate you, fellow citizens, on the
present aspect of affairs. Our Territory, SO
long ignored, and even geographically known
to but comparatively few, has emerged
from its unmerited obscurity, and at once
sprung into Importance. The brilliant re-
ports of gold on Fraser's and Thompsons
rivers have had their natural effect upon
the popular mind, and thousands have flocked
to the new El Dorado of the north. Ships
from the cities of the Atlantic sea-board,
and from various other parts Of the globe,
are advertised, as direct for this portion Of
the world, and heavy overland emigrations,
in the ensuing spring, are credibly reported.
In this great influx of population, it may
reasonably be expected many will find a new
home within our Territory.
From the exaggerated reports that were
first circulated, thousandsat once rushed to
the new fields Of fortune-ignorant Of the
nature Of the country, its rivers, and its eli
mate,-and, many Of them, of the nature of
the occupation they had entered upon.-
Consequent upon this undue excitement, was
reaction, and many have returned dis
couraged, in proportion as they had been
previously elated. Gold, however, is there.
From the conflicting nature of the reports,
it is difficult to say in what quantities or
how accessible The best information l
have been able to obtain, leads me to believe
that good wages can he made,-and this is
confirmed by the fact that several thousand
miners have remained there, with the inten-
tion Of spending the winter in that region.
In reference to the restrictions imposed
upon the free navigation Of Fraser's river,
the introduction of merchandise into the
interior, and the general rights Of American
citizens in that quarter, have to state that
the general government have sent out as
Special Agent, the Hon. John Nugent, by
whom these and all other grievances OF our
citizens will be investigated, and referred to
the proper Department,-and we can rest
assured that so important a matter will
meet with the attention which it deserves,
and the international intercourse be placed
upon such basis as to prevent all further
annoyance.
In this connection, will call your atten-
tion to the necessity Of new port Of entry,
at some point to the north, near the boun-
Diary line. Fort Langley, near the mouth
Of Fraser's River, has been selected as the
seat of Government for British Columbia,
and is to be made port Of entry. As a
matter of facility and convenience to Amer
icau commerce and navigation, it is expe-
dent that there should bo some point near
the British possessions where vessels could
effect clearance without being necessarily
compelled to go out of their way to the
present Custom House at Port Townsend
suggest this as a subject for memorial.
In the interest that is being manifested
in the mines to the north of our boundary
line, the resources within our own limits
should not be neglected. Mining has al
ready been carried on successfully in the
neighborhood of Fort Colvlle, and gold is
known to exist on the Yakima and all its
branches. The Indians reduced to peace and
subsection, and the country thoroughly pros
pected, it is not hozarding too much to say
that we anticipate the development of mines
which will equal in richness those of the
British Possessions.
Consequent upon the gold excitement
miners began to pass through the interior
section of the Territory on their way to tn,
mines. This, as in 1855, became the occa
sion for Indian robberes and murders Col
Steptoe advanced into their country, ant
was utterly routed. Active and vigorou
measures were at once taken by Gen Clarke
Commanding General of the United State
Army for the Pacific coast, and ample forces
under the command of Col. Wright ant
Maj. Garnett, were sent into the field. Al
ter a series Of brilliant and successful en-
gagements, the Indians were completed
routed, and reduced to submission-thei
property destroyed, and hostages given 70
their future good behavior. Peace ha
been established 1t may, however, b
doubted whether permanent peace, sucI
as shall, for time to come, render the lif
of q white man sacred, can be effected with
out either winter campaign, or tho move
ment Of troops at all seasons of the year
through their country, and the establishment
of permanent posts in their midst-in orde