The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-11
NOTES ON WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

Np1EHo YIN w NASHlNGION TERRITORY.
\ correspondent of the Sacramento Bee. who
processes to write in great measure from personaI
knowledge, and at the same time ''not for nav or
newspaper notorlety;" gives the first part of
Sketch OF Washington Territory" as follows:
The Territory is bounded on the North by that
part of British America, of late called Columbia:
on the East by the Rocky Mountains. which sena-
rate it from Nebraska; on the South bv Oregon;
and on the West by the Pacific Ocean, Its area is
1880 square mes-ncarlv twice that Of VIRGINIA
1t extends from 46 deg. of north latitude and
from lO2 degrees to l24 degrees of longitude west
from Greenwich. Its width is therefore about
2OG statute miles, and its greatest length is about
$50 miles. Antecedent to the settlement of tho
Northwest boundary question between the United
States and Great Britain, during President Polk's
Administration, the region of country which is now
Washington Territory was then claimed to be Brit
ish soil and was called by the Uudson's Rav Com
pany New Georgia. From the settlement of the
boundary question until the year 1852 it constitu-
ted part of Oregon. In the latter wear the Ter
ritory Of Oregon was, by act of Congress, divided
and a territorial Goyernment for the Territory of
Washington was established. Previous to the late
influx the population of the Territory was cstma-
ted at $500 souls.
The present organized counties of Washington
Territory are fifteen, Clallan Island. Sawamsh,
Chchaliis, Pacific, Wahkiacum, Cowlitz. Clarke
Skamania, Lewis, Thurstoa. Pierce, Jefferson.
King, WhatcOm, and Walla-Walla
The Cascade Mountains, which appear to be
continuation OF the Sierra Nevada chain, extend
across Tue country from North to South, nearly par
alc with the coast, and about $50 miles east of it.
Mount Baker, i'll this chain, is but short distance
south of Fraser's river, and its summit is II 900
feet above the level Of the The average alti-
tude OF the Cascades, however, cannot be much
above 1000 feet, while the SnnGualmic Pass in the
same chain, is only $500 feet above tide water.
The Olympic Mountains. another lofty chain ey-
tend North and South across the Westerly end of
the Territory, but at distance east of the coast
These mountains commence to rise short distance
north Of the Columbia River, and terminates at the
Straits of San Juan de Fuca. Another range of low
mountains, called the Cmur d. 'Anes crosses the
country parallel with, and about one hundred miles
west of, the Rocky Mountains.
The rivers are numerous. The principal ones are
all, however, cast of the Cascade Mountains Those
rivers are the Columbia and its infinite number
OF branches, the ackma, and the Bitter Root
The valley, which lies on both sides of the Sound
between the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. is
drained by an almost endless number of limpid
streams, but, with two exceptions too rapid and
shallow for navigation.
The great inland sea which pcnctrates in all di-
re"tions that portion Of the territory living west of
tn cascade Mountains, is one of the most remark
able sheets of water in the world. This remark
able body of water extends inland and parallel with
the main ocean coast, from Puget's Sound. in 4G
deg. 30 min. ", to Lynn Canal, in Russian Amer
lea, in so deg. NJ, distance of nine hundred miles
Its average width is about fifty miles, and it is con-
nected with the by the Straits of Fuca Queen
CharlOtte's Sound, Dixon's Entrance, Clarence
Straits aording in almost any of t. Sc atitudes an
easy and safe ingress and egress to ne largest ships
in the world.
That portion of this sheet of water which lies in
American territory is completely mettled up with
islands, portion of which are exceedingly fertile
and valuable, but the greater number of which are
dry, rocky and barren.