Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-21
csrepeaaeuee j ne y9urual Of Commerce.
WAsHfYGroN. Jan. IL.

VT WAsHfNGToN, Jan. Ii.
So rapid is the progress of this country,
that new and extraordinary Developments OF
its resources may fail for while to command
attention. Thus It happens that, without
creating any special wonder. new Australia
has been discovered in the heart of our ter
ritory. We have found an Ell Dorado
on this side of the Rocky Mountains, and
within our organized territories. Such is the
Territory now known here as Colona, so call
ed hv its inhabitants, in honor of the memory
of Columbus. or Colon. Mr.. Graham, the de-
legate from this Territory, has not endeaVor-
ed to produce any excitement in relation to
its gold fields, nor to encourage immigration
into IL, on that account, well knowing that
the immigration is TO be greater than will be
desirable until law and order shall be secured
by the organization of Territorial govern
ment. Bat the facts Of the ctse are such as
will. when they shall become known, eoncen-
trate as large a number of adventures and
settlers near the south fork of the Platte as
can be supplied, at present, with necessary
provisions.
The extent of the gold regions, so far as
prospected by Mr.. Graham himself. and those
on whom he can rely, is a hundred miles
from North to South. and thirty miles from
East TO West-but that it extends much
further may be imagined from the geographic
al Indications of the country. This region
furnishing great facilities for gold working.
The adventures. thus far in cold weather
and short days and in hours spared from other
necessary emploYmcnts, make. with COM
mon pan, about five dollars a day and upward.
If with pan they can make five dollars a
day TO a hand. they can make fifty with proper
means for separation. The rush TO this region
from Kansas, Iowa. Missouri. Nebraska, and
other quarters, next spring, will be of an I'M
heard of extent. Even in Indiana men are
selling their farms and stock and preparing
TO dig gold in Colona. The journey is easy
and inexpensive in comparison with one to
California or Arizona. From the mouth of
the Platte to Cherry creek, on the South Fork
the distance is about six hundred miles, and
may be traversed in wagons in twenty days
the road being free from any obstacles. The
country is not sterile. but considerable por-
ton of it consists of arabic land. Of this
region we have no accounts in Spanish re-
cords. and no traditions. and yet it is probably
the chief auriferous region of the American
continent.
The Superintendent of the Mint reports
that he has lately assayed some parcels OF
gold taken from various places within ten or
fifteen miles of Henry Creek and the South
Fork of Platte river. which proved to be ola
fineness eqnab968. 1000; and that it was worth
a fraction over twenty dollars an ounce troy.
Thus, he says. it is finer than California gold,
ana equal IN flncneSS 10 jH;lt OF AtSlralid
1t would seem TO be necessary. in every
point of view. to organize this territory with
out delay, and in anticipation of difficulties
that may arise from the rush of people into
the territory in the spring. If precautions
be not taken in advance of the establishment
of law and order among them, we may wit
ness there scenes of disturbance and strife
such as have disgraced the country in other
territories. A government is necessary to
protect those who are Obedient to the law, and
to restrain those who are lawlcSs. With the
best government that can be given them and
an armed force besides, there is 10 doubt that
scenes of violence and disorder will occur. 1t
is quite as necessary to organize this territory
as that of Arizona or Dacotth and for the
same reasons. The territory lies in the route
OF travel and trade to the Pacific, and its set
Element will greatly tend 10 secure safe
emigrant rOute, and facilitate railroad
communication with the Pacific at some future
time.
The bill which the Territorial Committee
rejected was one introduced by Mr.. Colfax, |
before the arrival of MIR. Graham with the |
petition of the inhabitants of the Territory, |
and with the statement of facts upon which |
it is based. A new bill will be introduced. |
Mr.. Graham proposes a name for the Terri |
tory, not COlOna, because its SYNONYM is too |
common. but a name identified with the |
abrorigines of the region, viz: Aripaho.