Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-03-14
The Territories.

The Territories.
The vexed territorial questions which
have so long agitated the country are now
apparently about to be finally and concus-
lively settled Kansas has been admitted
into the Union. No question has been
raised in regard to the probable destiny of
Washington and Nebraska. The troubles
about Utah have grown out of the institu-
ton Of Mormonism, with its abominable
accompaniment of polygamy, and not out
of the slavery question. New Mexico con-
tains a sufficient population to entitle her
to admission into the Union under the
present ratio of apportionment, and her
Legislature has already authorized her peo-
pie to elect delegates to Convention which
is to form State Constitution. Even in
the absence Of Congressional enabling
act, she may soon obtain the position of a
sovereign State, if her people desire to
emerge from the Territorial condition.
Thus, there is no substantial ground for a
protracted and embittered controversy in
regard to the existing Territories. The
agreement Of the Peace Conference, too,
upon dividing line of 36 degrees 80 min
utes, north of which slavery was to be pro-
hibited, and south Of which it was to be
allowed, although it was not adopted by
Congress, indicated a strong desire on the
part Of prominent representatives of North
ern and Southern States to adopt that plan
of adjustment if further action is needed
MeaRThile, one Of the closing acts of
Congress was the organization of three
new Territories-Colorado, Nevada, and
Dakotah, on the popular sovereignty system,
there being no express prohibition or pro-
lection OF the institution of slavery within
their limits. Although the Republicans
possessed decided majority in the House,
they did not insist upon the adoption of an
anti-slavery restriction, and Mr.. Buchanan,
Notwithstanding his peculiar proclivities,
signed the bills, waving all objection to
the absence of Congressional protection to
slavery.
The new Territory of Colorado includes
parts Of Kansas, Nebraska, and Eastern
Utah. 1t contains an area Of about 100 600
square miles IN extent, and population Of
about $4,000 souls 1t includes the IA
nous Pixies Peak mining district Not
withstanding the many contradictory and
discouraging reports in regard to the miner
al wealth, there is strong probability that
it will prove profitable gold producing re-
gion.
The Director Of the Mint, in his last an
nual report, for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1860, said that it had sent to the Uni
ted States Mint 1922, 600 during the pre-
vious year, and that there were indications
that the supply of gold bullion from thence
will hereafter be increased He also re-
ferred to the fact that at Denver City a
private mining establishment has been set
IN operation, from which pieces of ten and
five dollars are issued SO that a consider
able portion of the Colorado product was
probably retained in the vicinity in which
it was discovered, as a circulating medium
The Territory of Nevada is taken from
Western Utah and California, and includes
the new silver-mining Washoe district. 1t
also contains the famous Carson Valley, the
beauty and fertility of which have been
the themes of much deserved praise from
explorers and tourists.
The Territory of Dakotah formed part Of
Minnesota before its admission into the
Union, but was detached from it at that
time. 1t lies Immediately south of Brit
lSh America, west of Minnesota and Iowa,
and north and east Of Nebraska. 1t has
an area of about 10000 square miles.