, 1859-07-15

Bear prairie. Our route to-day, has been
and fallen timber, making it very bad traV-
cling. The steam, along the lower part, is
narrowly confined between the hills, so
much Sc that blasting, to a small extent.
would have to be resorted to in order TO
make road; however, this could be avoid
ed for the present, by making the road
along the top Of the ridge, which is easy of
ascent and decent, and lying Immediately
south and parallel with the stream.
Wednesday, June 22nd Travelled in the
same direction, W. N w. passed through
Bear prairie, which contains about 100 or
more acres of wet land, richly set in excel
lent grass Continued about 2 miles down
valley, about 80 rods wide, OF alder.
muck-land, very slight decent, which
brought MS to the upper Nisqnally valley,
which is formed below where the river
breaks forth from the southeastern side Of
Mount Rainier. From this point, our
course was nearly due west, until Saturday
evening, when we arrived at the mouth Of
the south fork of the Nisqually river. Our
last three and a half days travel was down
the Nisqually valley, which is from TO 10
miles wide, sometimes through old burned,
then green timber; now over point Of
hill, then to the valley again--sometimes
close to the river, next 2 or miles from
the river ...,.t,
Sunday, June Goth. Left south fork,
Travelled in nOrth-westerly direction, pass
ing the bald bills, and late in the evening
arrived at the residence of Mr.. Longmyre,
on the Yelm prairie, well fatigued. Thanks,
however, TO Mr.. Longmyre's good lady, we
were soon furnished All excellent supper,
which revived us very much, and to which
we did ample justice. 49,
/ have new given q short but correct
account of our return trip, which was ae-
complished in days, over very bad route
so far as brush and timber could make II.
We suppose the distance to he about SO
miles, reckoning from IA to is miles per
day, for us 10 have Travelled.
Now the question may he asked, can
good road bo made on this routei To
which / will answer, there can be FIRST
rate wagon-road made with little expense,
save that of moving timber; bat ! am Of
the opinion that to move the timber for
wagon-Foad will cost more than the citizens
Of this section Of our Territory will beable
10 pay soon, unless the war debt is paid
soon; yet l think that the citizens could
send ont 10 or Is men and open out pack
trail the coming iall without seriously feel
ing the cost. That, you know, Mr.. Editor
would open the way, so that when Govern
.ment explorers come this way, they can
get ont into the mountains, examine the
route aud make a report to the proper de-
pariments at Washington, and then gov
eminent might take the matter in hand
and make . good road. ees st--l9 d
Some may be anxious to know II we de-
sign going out and marking the road as re-
quired by law. To such l will say, that
that depends altogether on the wish Of the
people; we viii hold ourselves ready 10
mark the ronte whenever the action Of the 5
citizens is such as to prove TO rs that they
wish it done. / will further say, that
would willingly head party OF ten or &c
teen men, sent by the citizens, for the puF-
pose Of opening paek-,rail over the above
mentioned route. n esa q 10 .01
l am, respectfully,
Yours, &c.
W WILLIAM PACKW0OD.
Nisqually, July 9th, 1859. .a fsa