, 1859-12-16

surrender are entertained.
Whether any legislation is necessary for
the preservation of peGce, and to uphold the
integrity of the Territory, pending the joint
occupancy, is respectfully submitted to your
superior wisdom.
From statement furnished by the Surveyor
General, It appears that the number Of miles un-
der contract at the beginning Of the present sur
veying season, was. ................... .2,764
No. Of miles, Meridian and standard paral-
lei lines surveyed. d.................. 100
No. Of exterior and sub-divisiOnal lines. 1889
Total 2 9,sss
No. Of miles under contract remaining un-
surveyed. ....... ........... 100
No. Of acres surveyed during the year :. G20, 900
No. of acres surveyed in the Territory 2, ,040 900
The surveys executed during the past year
have been chiefly upon the peninsula in the
vicinity Of Teekalet; along the shores Of
Puget Sound; from Seattle to Puyallup
Bay; on Bellingham Bay, and Gulf of Geor-
gia; Comono, and Whidby's Island; the
lower Chehalis; the level lands to the north
and east of Gray's Harbor, and the COlum-
bia River bottom in the vicinity Of the Cas-
cades.
The Puget Sound guide meridian has been
extended north to within few chains of the
northern boundary, and standard parallels
run therefrom to the Gulf Of Georgia and Ro-
sario Straits.
The estimate Of surveys for the next year
includes 1000 miles of exterior and sub
divisional lines west Of the Cascade noun.
tains, and 400 miles Of meridian and stan
dard parallel, and 1000 miles exterior and
sub-divsional lines east Of the same.
II is expected that the initial surveys east Of
the Cascades, consisting Of meridian and stan
darl parallels, will be commenced early in the
spring.
From statement Of the Register Of the Land
Office, It appears that in the aggregate, 1855 do
nation and 352 presumption claims have been
filed, and there are about two hundred settlers
claiming under the pre-emption laws upon lands
not yet surveyed.
The Receiver reports that twenty-iour persons
claiming under the donation laws, taking in the
aggregate, 4,259 acrrs, and paying therefor, five
thousand three hundred and twenty-five dollars,
($j, ,82J,) and twenty-five pre- omption claimants,
taking 1920 acres, and paying three thousand
six hun lred and forty dollars, ($s,64O) and
twentyfour Of the attef class, taking g. los acres,
paying in land warrants, have avail d themselves
Of the privilege Of entering their lands.
Some remarks upon the finances Of the Terri
tory, and defects in existing laws, were intended,
bur unable to procure the data necessary 10 their
profitable discussion, have thought proper to
omit them Your attention is, however, particu-
larly called to the report Of the Auditor, upon
the laws, &c, connected with his duties.
The importance Of the military road now be-
ing constructed from the Walla Wala to Fort
Benton on the Missouri, as q stage route and
.. ~.
mated by our iellow-citizens.
This work, under charge Of its efficient super
intendent, Qieut Mulan, assisted BY Capt. De-
Lacy) is now favorably located to the valley Of
the Bitter-root, and during the next spring and
summer, will be pushed on to the Missouri.
And with an extension west from Walla Walla
10 the Sound, will, in connection with the road
from St Paul to Fort Benton, afford direct
route for immigration or other travel to our Ter
ritory.
The explorations of Lieut.. Mulan have devel-
oped large bodies Of farming and grazing lands,
hitherto unknown, and a route thus far practical
bic for Railroad. During the present winter,
observations will be made upon the climate, and
Information, necessary to determine the further
practcabity Of the route for that purpose through
the mountain passes, obtained.
Lieut. Mulan proposes to explore route from
Helrs.gate, in the Rocky Mountains, to Fort
Laramie, with a view to the construction Of a
road to that point; there to receive tho immigTa-
ton coming up the Platte, and Afford them route
to our Territory and Northern Oregon, some four
hundred miles nearer than by way Of Salt
Lake.
To complete these roads will require an addi-
tional appropriation, foe which a memorial Is
recommended.
Before taking leave Of this subject, Il Is due to
~
Of the Military Department Of Oregon, to ac-
knowledge the efficient disposition made Of the
forces under his command. In addition to the
admirable arrangements for the opening Of roads
and the protection Of our widely dispersed popu-
latiOn; TO his timely movement Of troops TO the
Salt Lake road, large body Of emigrants were
indebted for protection 10 their lives and property,
and our Territory for handsome addition to its
population, (which would otherwise Of necessity
have gone SOUTH and should he be continued in
command affords just ground for confident hope
that Indian depredations upon the emigrant in
Washington and Oregon are at on end.
Without going into detail, It Is deemed suiIi-
cient to say that heartily concur in the recon-
mendations Of my immediate predecessor, (Gov.
Mason) as to the necessity for placing the ln-
dian tribes upon reservations; the appointment
Of q separate superintendent Of Indian affairs for
this Territory. The total extinguishmcnt Of all
claims Of the Puget Sound Agricultural Co.,
Chose Of the Hudsons Bay Co having expired
with its Charter); tho creation and location Of
additional land Offices; for additional roads
through the Territory; a national coal depot in
our waters; additional lights in the Sound; and
upon the subject Of land patents from the general
government Your attention is again respect.
fully called TO his views upon each Of these sub.
jects.
The public arms are in excellent condition, and
with those received the present season, are as
arms (damaged); 600 muskels; carbines; 4
howtzers with fixtures complete; Is Abres. In
addition to these, 10ss have been distributed to
A.. Noa,ts..