, 1858-04-23
From the Boston Journal, March jth.
About Washington Territory.

Were the new lands lying between the
/ Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean
as accessible TO the emgrant from the At
lantic States as those cast of that conti-
mental barrier, Kansas and Nebraska would
be quickly ontstripped in the rapidity oI
their settlement by the distant territories
OF Oregon and Washington; for these lat
ter, in addition TO the productive soil and
fine climate which all new territories boast,
add to the list Of their attractions treas
ures Of virgin gold, all the conyeDienceS for
commercial enterprise, and prolific ocean
! fisheries.
To such list Of natural resources it
would be difficult TO add further similar ad-
yantages and they will no doubt, ere
many years, prove Of sufficient potency to
counterbalance the obstacles Of distance
and lack Of speedy communication which
now forcibly operate on the mind Of the
emigrant. We are reminded Of these cir
cumstances by recently published letter
written by Fayette McMuIlin, the present
Governor OF Washington Territory, in
which the peculiar characteristics of that
country are conesely but strongly set forth.
The letter is contained in a circular issued
by Isaac l. Stevens, the Territorial dele
gate in Congress, which embraces fall
directions for reaching the Territory by
various routes.
Like Oregon, Washington Territory is
very uneqnally divided by tho Cascade
Mountains, which traverse it from north
to south at an average distance of about
one hundred miles from the sea coast. The
bulk of the country, therefore, lies east of
this mountain range bat 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 gra-
zing and tillage. The prevailing feature
Of this portion Of the Territory is its dense
forests of majestic frs and cedars, inter
spersed with valleys and prairies.
The climate is mild, and much6uarrower
in its range than that of New England,
being neither SO cold in winter nor so hot
10 summer. Meteorological observations
taken at Fort Steilacoom for four years,
from 1850 to 1858, inclusive, show that
the lowest average temperature during
that period in winter was 32 degrees above
zero, and the highest average in summer
20 oegrses' ,.aI.I r. ssid 70 give a fair
Throughout the winter months stock sub
sists almost entirely by grazing, the winter
rains starting the grass afresh Although
the country is well adapted to agriculture,
farming cannot be pro6tably pursued at
present, owing 10 the scarcity aud dearness
Of labor. The common labo-er receives
81 SO to So per day, and female labor,
when it can be had, commands from $50
to $40 per month. The entire white popu-
lation Of the Territory does not exceed
1000, while the Indians number 5000.
The hostilities of the latter have completely
checked immigration into the Territory for
the last year or two.
As in all new countries, farm stock is
scarce aud high, beef cattle being worth
So per cwt. on foot oxen per yoke, $3.50
to 5000; cows $40 to SIS sheep for the
market, $l2 so per cwt. Corn appears
to Le the only crop common to the north
cru and middle States which does not
thrive in the Territory, the nights during
summer being too cool for its field cultiva-
lion. Wheat, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat
and peas yield abundantly. The pure dry
atmosphere Of the sumWer months is said
to 10 q great protection to gSain-~crops
against rust. Fruit grows exceedingly
well partcularly apples
A peculiar feature of the western por-
ton Of Washington Territory, as will be
observed on reference 10 the map Of the
country, is the intrusion of the sea com
pletely into the centre Of the Territory,
from the North. This body of water is
known as Admiralty Inlet and Puget
Sound, and is 2l0 miles in length. 1t forms
tho great thoroughlare Of the central and
northern portion Of the Territory lying
west of tie Cascade mountains. Islands
are numerous, but the navigation is other
wise unobstructed and the water is deep
enough for the largest ships. Upon the
banks of the Sound, and easy of access for
shipping, are immense forests of large aud
line timber, chiefly cedar and fir, the latter
often reaching hight of three hundred
feet.
There is excellent water power on the
Schutes river, as well as on the various
streams which have their sources in the
mountains, while inexhaustibls beds Of supe
rior coal have been opened at different
points convenient for shipping Limestone
also abounds. Numerous varieties Of ex
ceIent lish are abundant in the waters OIL
the coast aud last, but not least-in The
minds Of many, no doubt-east Of the Cas-
cAdes, on various tributaries Of the Colum
/, bia, are gold mines which report sayi
yield we'll The Indian difficulties have
prevented their full development.
If the characteristics Of the Territory
are truthfully represented in the letteI
from which we have quoted-and as they
agree substantially with other accounts, W.
presume they are-Washington Territory
offers many solid advantages to energetic
and industrious emigrants.
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