Daily national Democrat., 1859-02-01
FROM WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Indian r.-Settlers--PrOminent LOcali-
ties--Politics, etc.
.he National Democrat.

VANCOUVER, W. T., Jan. IL.
EprroR NATIONAL DEMocRAr:-In the hope,
which, however, is not very vivid, that a
line from an old friend, resident at the above
named point may not be utterly devoid of
interest, drop you short communication
from these northern attitudes. If you have
ever essiyed to write a communication for a
distant newspaper when you had but limit
ed stock of items and ideas on hand, the re
membrance Of that occasion will give you
an idea of the present embarrassment which
in the present article meet me in imine
Our Indian war, concerning which so much
has been written. and in which SO precious
little was done, Is supposed to be at au end;
at any rate our gallant soldicry, after a pro.
tracted campaign of few months, in which
they captured some cold meat and few
squaws. with an intrepidity that confers i'm
mortal honor on the American flag, and after
our gallant officers, contrary to commands
from headquarters, had bespattered them
selves with the highest praise in very indif-
ferent grammar, through the newspapers,
have withdrawn to the different posts, and
are now patriotcally engaged in drawing
their regular pay and rations. Thsis there
fore a closed source of interesting matter to
me- l am credbly informed that when Gen.
Harvey arrived here, he expressed the opin.
ion that nothing had been done, and that the
amount of fighting accomplished was scarce
ly enough to put the Indians in a fret There
will no doubt be another campaign this
summer with more important results Gen.
Harney has invited settlers into the Walla
Wallis country, and in consequence they are
settling that valley, by far the largest in the
Territory. by hundreds. and when spring
fairly opens there is no doubt but that very
large population will congregate there, and
as that is the favorite hunting ground Of
these red devils in the winter, it is easy to
foresee the consequence.
Gen. Harney has been ordered home and
will leave in the spring. overland. carrying
with him the 4th Infantry now stationed at
this place. This | regard as a misfortune,
for he is just the man to fight these Indians.
Vancouver as you are aware, is situated
on the Columbia, about one hundred miles
from the mouth, and about twenty miles from
Portland, o. T., and is a thriving, bustling
town, and is improving very fast. Here is the
headquarters for the Military Division U. 5.
A., for Oregon and Washington, the seat of
q very flourishing Catholic school, the head
quarters of the Hudson's Bay Company for
Washington and Oregon, all of which, in ad
.dition to the agricultural resources of the
country surrounding it. give it no little
prominence. 1t is consequently expected
that in few years 1t will be the largest town
in this section Of country.
Politically Of the country. 1 caanot say
mucn. The power of the Federal Govern
ment is felt so directly and forcibly in a Ter
ritory, that but few trouble themselves to
think beyond the reigning Administration.
Though now, in response to the Douglas
clan cry, the true Democracy Of these Terri
tories are giving no faint response. Allow
me, dear Ridge, across many a snowy noun
tain, and many an intervening hill and dale,
to grasp your hand, and give it cordial and
hearty shake in gratulation of the glorious
news from Illinois and the other States to the
East of US. Tile truth has triumphed! and
surely one can be excused, if ut an hour like
that which halls its success, he is more than
ordinarily jubilant. All, me, some we wot
of, who, through the bigotry and proscrip
tiveness Of Administration zealots, had been
walking so long time with blistered feet
over burning ploughshares. to-day have tAeir
reward. What has become of the overwhelm
ing Administration, and its head, whose name
could only be mentioned with ones lips in the
dust Is it possible that it has dwndled to
"A miserable faction SO it is 1t will pass
down self-emasculated to loathing posteri
ty. as one of the black spots of our history
that subserved no good end, beyond allow.
ing our people, at great cost and travail. 10
snow that they were not yet corrupted. II
is not from this period that some future Glib
bon will date our decline and Fall" The
South will rally as a man to the support of
Douglas ! know that people and know that
they take no title by fraud, nor Go they en-.
dorse individual or governmental rascalitv
such as the Lecompton thimble rig Consti.
tuition. am glad to see your paper steadily
maintaining the bold and. to your enemies,
defiant stand 1t so proudly assumed last sum
mer. That's right keep it bows on" and
you are all right Has mt there been many
sucking politician - embryo Congressman
Governor. DC, for instance, to whom office
had whispered hopes to Boners" swamprd
and indefinitely deferred in your State ?
Gods wotl What can he done with the Gus
tom House attaches now, that b. F. Wash.
ingtons desire, which heard him announce.
that Lincoln should defeat Douglas. has been
frost bit? Of verify, "the axe is laid at
his root"
The Legislatures Of Oregon and Washing
ton are now in session. In that of Washing
ton. no business of interest has been brought
forward. The Legislature of Oregon is ex
ercising itself somewhat over a project to
remove t seat Of government from Salem
to Portland 1t will not pass BY the way
| saw an old codger named Walton, who
used to be connected with paper in your
town, and was the Legislative reporter for
the Bulletin, in 81, doing service for the
Territory of Oregon not long ago. He had
bracelets on his ankles and seemed unhappy.
The DemocrGtic STANDARD. published by
James OMcara, formerly of the San Fran
cisco Custom House, and we'll known around
your Legislature, has ceased to exist. Cause,
atrophy of the exchequer.
l will write you again when have any
thing to say of real interest. You will, |
hope pardon this rambling communication.
Believe me yours, CHARLIE.