, 1858-04-23
For the Pioneer and Democrat.
About BeIlingham Bay, SC.
BELLINGHAM BAY, March 20, Is.

MEssRs. EDToRs:-It would seem strange
that amidst the rapid growth of most of
the towns on the Sound, this place remains
in s,atu quo. Whether owing to the fear
people may have Of settling here on ac-
count Of IndAns-whether owing to the
place being but little known, or whether
owing to the incidence Of the people who
are here, in not bringing the resources Of
the place to light, is hard to tell; but GER
tain it is, that with natural advantages for
building up a country, unsurpassed, if not
uuequaled by any in the territory, our pop
ulation remains about the same it was in
l'53. Our fisheries are as good as any on
the SouDd-our timber and water-power
for mill purposes inferior to none, besides
rich farming and grazing lands from the
bay totthe 49th paralel-pronounce supe-
rior to any in the territory by men compe-
tent to Judge; add to this our ineXhaust-
bic coal.felds, which have been practically
tested and proved TO he fit for steamers
and will soon bo worked on q large and ex-
tensive scale, and you will sum up source
of wealth which few Of our counties can
successfully compete with. But new
source of wealth has lately appeared
amongst us which bids fair to eclipse all
others-namely, Tie gold mines. About
three years ago, gold was discovered in the
region of Fort Colville; much excitement
arose throughout the territory, and many
of onr citizens went to seek their fortune;
but because they did not succeed according
to their ardent expectations it was pronoun.
ced humbug. The Indian war succeed
ing, necessarily prevented the mines from
being prospected thoroughly, which they
otherwise would have been long before
now; but late accounts show that geld does
exists in quantities sufficient TO afford a
profitable return for labor; this being the
case, it is evident that large number OF
men will soon flock there to work in the
mines, and the question naturally arises,
where is the best point to form ocean com
munication with the mines? To that ques-
ton wish to draw the attention OF the
public.
The people Of Oregon will naturally en-
deavor TO have the travel 20 by way Of
the Dales; but let us look at the facilities
they can offer to people coming from Cali
fornia. A vessel coming to the Columbia
river may be detained several days outside
the bar, which is u great drawback; beside
the danger at all times attendant on sailing
vessels, especially, on crossing the bar dur
ing heavy weather. After reaching the
river in safety, her goods and passengers
must be transferred to steamer to convey
them to the Cascades; then, five miles over
land then re-shipped on a steamer for the
DalleS; they have then $50 miles to travel
before they reach Fort Colville crossing
some dangerous rivers on the way, and then
they are from so to l20 miles from the
tuining region. Now let us see what the
people at the head of the Sound eau boast
OF. True they will tell you there is road
from Stciacoom, but, great heavens! what
road Rivers, some Of them very deep
and rapid, to be crossed over q hundred
times, beside the danger OF swimming anl-
mails across the Columbia; the minimum
distance which has yet been given to that
road is $50 miles from Steilacoom to Fort
Colyile, and then the distance from Col
vile to the mines Turn, now, to Beling-
ham Bay and see what we can offer. Tie
town OF Whatcom is II miles South from
the 49th parallel. Fort Colvlle is about
80 miles south Of the same parallel, aud
about ISIS miles in a straight line from
Whateom. The boundary commission is
about commencing to run that parallel
They must, Of necessity, cut road on, or
as near to the line as practicable. BY cut
ting q road II or 20 miles, we will inter
sect their road and following it lis or 200
miles will take US into the heart OF the gold
region, thereby saving $50 miles from the
nearest other point, beside the distance
from Fort Colville to the mines, for What
com is as near to the gold region as it is to
Fort Colyiile. And we have a haFbor
here, large aud eommodious, which vessels
can safely enter night and day, at all sea-
sons of the year.
But leaving the Fort Colville region, let
us look at tue SuSwap, Ceautaw, and
Thompson river regions. People may say
that is all humbug. Allow me TO unde-
ceive them on that point; and first, would
call teihr attention TO the proclamation is
sued by Gov. DoCGLAs of Vancouver's Is
land. Had he issued that proclamation
without being certain their was some trulh
in the reports Of gold being found in those
regions, he would have laid himself open to
ridlcule, and all who know him will admit
he is not the man to do that; be must have
been satisfied in his own mind, that gold
; actually did exist there, and in quantities
sufficient to bring large amount of people
there, or he never would have taken that
step. But any doubts that did exist, are
now removed by the letters received from
the parties who have already gone there
Now, where will be the best starting point!
Thompson's river is about n. by f., distant
from Is TO 80 miles from Whalcom, over a
country through which good road could
be cut, passable at all seasons Of the gear
From Bellingham bay to Frazer's river
there is no point at which landing could
he effected, Semiamoo bay accepted, and
there, / understand, the back country is SC
!. svamnv that n GOOD road could not be