The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-25
Development of Oregon and of Washing
ton Territory.
THE INTERESTS OF THE WEST.


ing the Missouri and Columbia rivers, and the
other upon the publication Of geological re-
port, the result of several years exploration by
DIR. Evans, under the orders Of the Government,
of the State Of Oregon and Territory of Wash
ington.
To exhibit these votes, with some brief com
ments upon the differences which they naturally
suggest, is the purpose Of the present paper.
For the purpose of showing the military i'm
portance, and even necessity, of the construc-
fion of road from Fort Benton on the Mis-
souri,, near the Great Falls of that river, to Fort
Walla-Walla on the Columbia, the following
extracts are made from a letter from the Sec
Rotary of War 20 the House Military Committee,
under date Of January 20, 1859:
"The numerous tribes Of Indians in the Ter
ritories of Washington and Oregon, which
have lately caused us serious war, will un-
doubtedly require the presence there, for many
years to come, of large bodies of troops, for
the purpose of maintaining the quiet of the
country and the safety of the settlers.
"a similar necessity will compel us to main
tain considerable force in the region along
the upper Missouri and Red river of the North,
to control the large bands of Dacotahs, AS.
sineboins, and Chippewas. With the present
force of the army, it will probably be impos-
sible TO maintain, in each section, force sufii-
Gent to prevent the occasional outbreaks
which may ocenr and the constant movement
Of troops will have to be kept up as heretofore.
Troops In either of these sections can be
moved across the country, by the route pro-
posed, much more efficiently than by the cir
cuitous route from either section to the ada
cent seaboard, thence by water transportation
to the other seaboard, and thence, by a con-
siderable inland Journey, TO the place where
they may be required. The advantages which
q FL -. tb,e ofa ba
stantly increasing with the advance Of the
settlements up the Missouri and Columbia,
already taking place.
" The opening of the road through the noun
tain section would greatly increase the facili-
ties for the settlement Of the region and
communities would eventually be found suffi-
GENTLY strong for their own security, and thus
dispense with the necessity Of military occu-
patton. The passage Of the troops from the
East to the West, or the reverse, would be
through the country Of the most powerful OF
our Indian tribes, and by the moral effect OF
such transit would in a great measure pre-
vent the occurrence of those wars, which are
always attended with heavy expense.
"The neal approach to each other of the
nayigable waters of the Missouri and Colum-
bia rivers requiring, probably, land transport
alton for only about five hundred miles, will, in
the event of foreign war, make this route the
most available in our territory for a wagon
road, by which to transport the heavy supplies
and munitions of war, as well as troops with
which to guard the northern portion of the
Pacific shore; while affording, in time of
peace, facilities for the transportation of troops
and supplies to that section with great rapid
ity, and at cost immensely below that of the
means at present used.
Regarded as a measure of economy alone,
this road possesses decided advantages To
move the ninth regiment of infantry from
Fort Monroe, Virginia, to Fort Vancouver,
on the Columbia, cost $l50,000; and before
the troops arrived at the scene of their duties
in the interior, the amount reached 100000.
-Four regiments are now stationed in the region
of country with which the road connects. To
keep the ranks filed, and to supply casualties,
such as deaths and desertions, more than the
equivalent of one regiment would have to be
sent out annually, as recruits for the average
term of service, allowing for re-enlIstments,
would be less than four years. To move these
troops from Fort Benton to Fort Walla-Walla
would not take more than month, and the cost
Of the movement would not exceed 100000 !;
while the men would reach their destination
in good health, and fully prepared for service,
by their daily duties on the march, instead of,
after suffering the diseomforts of long sea
voyage, through the tropics, for nearly five
weeks, without drills and without discipline,
in a condition unfit to take the field.
" 1t would seem, therefore, to be sound mill
tary policy TO build the proposed road.
1.-The former appropriation of $4,000 for a
road from Fort Benton to Fort Walla-Walla,
made by the act of February 8, 1850, was
quite inadequate to accomplish that object
1t is in this section that large portion of the
difficulties of the proposed route are to be
found; and the amount asked for in the bill
$3.50, 900, is not deemed too great to effect the
object designed.
"The effort was made, during the past sea
son, TO commence the opening of the road be
tween Fort Walla-Walla and Fort Benton
but proved nnayailing, in consequence of the
Indian hostilities in Washington Territory"
Twenty-Five days afterwards, on the oath o
February, the Secretary of War addressed the
following letter TO the Senate Military Com
mittee:
Attaching much importance to the miltar,
road from Fort Abercrombie, on Red river o
the North, to Seattle, on Puget Sound, should
the committee not feel warranted in recon
mending the whole amount Of the appropria
ton asked for, $350,000, / would ask that al
appropriation be made for that portion be
tween Fort Benton and Fort Wala-Walla.
will take two seasons to complete the work
and economy will require that the part
making the road should winter on the line o
operations, during which time the party woul,
be engaged in getting out timber fer bridges
and other work of similar character.
{" From the best estimates that | have beel
able TO procure, estimate that 100000 vii
be required TO complete this work, one-half O
which viii be sufficient to carry on operation
until the meeting of the next Congress.
Regarding this road very important on
in military point of view, recommend it +
the favorable consideration of the committee.
Upon these military reasons, which had Ion,
governed the War Department, and which ha
led 10 the appropriation of 100000 made Feh
ruary s, 1855, but unexpended account c
Indian disturbances, the Military Committee c
the Senate, through its chairman, Mr.. Davis c
Mississippi, on the Goth of February, reporte
the following addition, as an amendment, to tn
army appropriation bill;
aFor the construction of military road fror
Fort Benton to Wala- Walla, 100000"
Mr.. Davis is q sectional man, but he is
military man, and he was fresh from the &C
manifestation of the Department, in which tn
necessity of this road is specially felt. He, i
fact. stated this necessity more strongly tina
1t was stated by the present Head of tha
Department; even saying, that without til
proposed road, " 1t soouJd be impossible TO con
zmnnicate, in time of ,oar, pith San Francis
and the Columbia riDer, 6y any Of the mear
zoe nosc hare"
The amendment proposed by the Milital
Committee was agreed to in the Senate, withol
objection.
In the House, the several amendments mao
bv the Senate were referred to the Committee
Ways and Means, who reported thereon, advisn
the House 10 non-coneur in this appropriate
for the Walla- Walla road.
The Committee of Wavs and Means consiste