, 1859-01-07

north and south, and at least sixty to eighty
east and west Within these limits are to
be found extensive tracts Of productive
lands, not inferior to the lands in other
portions of the territory. 1t will be found
in tracts sufficient in extent to afford a
heavy population. For instance, the val.
ley of the SkakOmish river, emptying into
the elbow of Hoods Canal, averaging some
three miles in width, and from twelve to
fifteen in extent, containing at least thirty.
six square miles of as fine aud equally pro-
ductive lands as is to be found any where in
the territory. 1t is covered with uadsr
brush, consisting of vine maple, alder.
elder, bear briers and rushes, Of the most
luxuriant growth. The larger timber, cen.
sisis Of fur, cedar and maple-mostly the
latter-from one to six feet in diameter.
There is only about twenty or thirty quar-.
ter sections as yet taken up in this valley.
About ten or twelve miles west from tha
head Of SkSokum Bay, commences an ex-
tensiVe tract of country, bounded by Gray's
Harber and the Pacific coast, that is very
little known to white men. Enough il
known, however, to know that it is 4 very
rich agricultural country, mostly hsavy
timbered On the western slope Of this
section is situated the celebrated Queaoith
Lake, and river of the same name, in which
is found immense quantities of fish, inclu-
ding salmon, not inferior in quality or
qality to any other pOrtien Of the territory.
On and around Skookum Bay, ia found
some of the most desirable locations for
settlements that can be procured; bssuti-
fully situated for orchards and fruit grew
ing-a branch Of business in which the citi-
zens are taking great interest. We look
forward to the time, at no very distant
day, when our fruit farmers will be iustly
celebrated for their quality and quantity.
This bay, for eight miles in extent, is
more like river than otherwise; being en-
an average, not more than one-fourth Of =
mile in width, opening to near q mile In
width toits source, containing some twenty
five TO thirty miles Of coast containing
quantities Of fish, oysters and clams.
Emptying into this bay, we have Eve coed
mill streams, Of which one only is Improved,
except by the beaver trapers, who have
carried their system of internal improve
msnts in slack-water navigation to an sx-
tent and perfection that renders them Justly
celebrated for industry and enterprise.
They have ever been distinguished for their
fine furs so suitable for the hattsrs TO
manufacture and put on the block-hats"
for block-heRds to wear. But in this
country, more SO from the extent Of thsir
slack-water improvements for miles in Sx-
tent, covering extensive tracts of low lands,
made remarkably rich by the decayiug Of
u new and luxuriant growth of vegetable
matter every year Whenever these gGa-
tlemen are driven from their homes by tho
intrusion Of the whole universal Yankee
nation, these extensive tracts Of land will
be improved aud made valuable for bay
farmers and vegetables.
Oyster Bay is much larger in size and
extent, and like Skeokum Bay, contains
numerous beautiful and very desirable loeA-
tions for the farmer of lands of an excellent
quality. This bay contains large fields Of
excellent oysters, not inferior to any other
oyster fields found in the waters Of the
Sound, and offers inducements to eyster-
men rarely found on the coast. 1t contains
some valuable mill streams as yet unim-
proved. Little. Skookum Bay, emptyinR
into Oyster Bay on the west side, is cels-
brated for its rich agricultural lands-1beau-
tifuly situated for the farmer, mechanic, or
man Of pleasure. 1t, too, has its good
mill privileges unimproVed Squakson pas
sage, about sixteen miles in extent, TO the
head of North Bay, were is situated an OK
cellent saw mill, turning off its 5000 feet Of
lumber daily when in proper order-the
property Of the two brothers, JosEPH and
WARREN SHERWOOD. Along this passage
will be found many desirable locations In
the central portion Of the county will be
found several gravelly prairies and opsn
grass lands, excellent for the raising Of
stock, On all Of these islands, bays, ana
main land, is TO be found inexhaustibls
quantities of the finest timber for ship spars
and for lumbermen, and very many desir-
able and valuable locations for steam saw
mills, open to men Of enterprise. Every
portion Of the county has its good natural
advantages Tor important places Of busi-
ness, and when the county becomes settled
and improved, will, as natural consequence,
be made manifest The head Of Skookun
Bay is the geographical center Of the
county proper, having ship and steamboat
navigation opening out to the main SouRd
on the east Hoods Canal is net less than
sixty miles in extent from its entrance late
or near the Straits Of Fuca to its source,
and is, on an average from two to three
miles in width. Vessels Of the largest
class can sail in to near its source and out
to sea once 10 every twenty-four hours-itS
situation afording at all times north or
south wind. The elbow of tho canal is
only ten miles from the head Of Skookun
Bay, the center of the county proper.
This very imperfect sketch, for we are
unable to do it justice, will 90 to show Ss-
vanish county to be ona of the most de-