, 1858-04-09

mercal activity on this continent have been tersely
aud ably set forth in recent speech, delivered in the
House OF Representatives, BY tho Hon. CHARLES BIZ
LINGHURsr Of Wisconsin. lie shows from the reports
OF Governor Stevens, Lieutenant Mullen, and Ar.
Tinkham, that the SHOWS 10 that region arc not su
cently deep 10 eard the construction and operation
Of raroad and points triumphantly 10 the railroads
Of the New England States and Of Russia as eonolu-
sve evidence that the communication by steam can
may be maintained almost uninterrupiedly over the
northern route When this time arrives, but few
days will separate us from our Pacific friends, and we
may interchange visits with scarcely less loss OF time
than our fathers spent in making journey to New
York.
The Territory, whose government was organized
under the direction OF Governor Stevens, comprises
that portion Of the United States, bordering on the
Pacific lying South Of British America, and North Of
the Columbia River, which forms the Northern boun-
Diary Of Oregon Territory. Although lying between
the 45th and 4gth parallels OF latitude, its climate is
mid that ploughing Is seldom prevented by frost
before the middle Of December, ard wheat Is often
sown in February. Duriug the years 1850, 81 50 and
So the mean temperature for January at Fort Stella
eoom above the 41th parallel 3s deg During the
winter OF 53-4, snow fell at that place but eleven
times and the greatest depth that fell on any day was
| 2 81 inches.
aGovemor Mclfullin, who succeeded Gov. Stevens
and is the present Governor Of the Territory, in let
ter dated November 18th, 1851, states that labor j.
Excessively high being for common laborers 81 so and
50 per day, and female labor when it can be had at
$50 to $40 per month. Wheat, oats barley and rye
arc easily raised and yield abundantly. Fruit trees
grow rapidly coming into bearing at two years Of age
Vegetables arc grown easily, and Of fine quality
Fish arc found In great abundance and in great varc
u. Slm0n are abundant that they constitute the
Indians chef food. Cod halbut, bass, &c. are
caught on the coast, while wild fowl In the bays and
nets and game In the forests, richly repay the eXer
iions Of the hunter and the sportsman. The reward
which this Territory offers TO the industrious husband
man and mechanic are large, and cannot fail TO enrich
well directed effort Stock requires but little care
ftonn t7eart IN vaar nd n
give abundant material for the manufacture Of lumber
Of the dnest quality. Coal and limestone are among
the minsral products; and water power is found in
great abundance IN every section Of the Territory.
''with such internal claims to the attention of emf
grants this section hardly fail to gather rapidly
a hardy and industrious population. But there are
other considerations which are ably presented by Gov
Stevens 10 the merchant and the capitalist.
"Washington seems TO furnish, by It's beds OF coal
the desirable point for steam communication with
China and Japan, and this treasure alone will have
powerful effect in determining the channel OF trade be
tween the eastern shore Of the two continents build
ing up the rival Of New York. that queen city Of the
world yet 10 be born, whose seat Is to be at Puget
Sound, on the eastern shore OF the majestic Pacific.
Our limits will not permit to-day 10 copy from Gov
Stevens able report Of his explorations for the
Northern Railroad route his considerations" showing
the Importance Of the proposed road as an avenue oI
the trade OF Asia, but we hRrtly commend them to
the attention of our readers who will find them quot
ed In Governor McMuln's letter above referred TO-
from the first volume Of the work published by the
War Department upon the surveys for a railroad to
the Pacific.
"The prosperity Of this Territory has been much re-
tarded by the Indian wars and much controversy has
arisen respecting the conduct Of the settlers and par
tcularly respecting the pursued by Governor
Stevens The report of j. Ross Browne, Esq, special
agent Of the Indian Department, must be exceedingly
gratifying 10 Governor Stevens II certainly is to
bis numerous fiends since il not only removes from
him all imputation Of blame, but awards him the
praise Of having negotiated important treaties with
the Indians under disadvantages which have scarcely
ever been metby Governors and Indian Superinten-
dents In our western Territories.
"But we have wandered from the purpose with
which we commenced this article 1t is not strange
that have done 80, since the public journals have
been filed with animadversions on the conduct Of
Governor Stevens, whose we are glad To find
has not only been approved by the people OF the Terri
tory as eynced by their election Of him their dele
gate to Congress- but fully sustained by the officer ap-
pointed by the government 10 examine fully into his
administration Of the Indian affairs Of that quarter"