, 1861-04-26

SSi HHu uuoOiiI uhiuoNl NluStSu. GHh uul-
ish county sends to the same convention
DR.. Elston.
Spokane County is for Gov. Stevens. Mr. Smith
is delegate to Vancouver.
The news from the Wenatchcs mines is good.
Ney dggings hsIe been discovered at Rock Greek.
I p0-The letter below from Lieut. John
Mulan to Col. Baker, United States Sena-
tor, has been kiudly furnished US for publ
cation. We would be pleased to receive
an accurate itinerary of the journey from
St. Paul to Fort Wnlla Walla ria Fort
Benton. for the general information Of emf
grants.
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 4, 1861.
Col Z. d. BAKER, U. S. SENArE-My
Deqr Sir:-In accordance with your de-
sires to learn something specific relating to
the opening up Of new lines Of communica-
ton to the North Pacific, and fearing may
not have the leisure to lay before you in
person such points as you request, and
which present themselves to me at the pres
ent time, would submit to you in writing a
few suggestions that look towards the
movements and protection Of emigrants to-
wards Oregon and Washington Territory
during the coming season.
The Congress having passed nm appro-
priation Of $4,000 for the protection Of
immigrants towards the Pacific during the
present season, would refer more particu-
larly to movements of companies Of emil
grants towards Oregon and Washington
Territory, and in this connection l would
respectfully recommend that as the amounts
are to be expended on the three routes,
Northern, Central and Southern, that the
question should assume the form Of the
most advantageous method Of so arranging
the movements that the greatest protection
be had for those who desire to make their
homes in the North Pacific.
The emigrants for Oregon and Washing
ton can start from two points-the one, say
from St. Paul, on the Mississippi, and the
other from Leavenworth or some other
point on the Missouri. The one following
the usually Travelled route via Forts Lara
mie aud Hall through the South Pass, and
the other the route pursued by Gov. Stcv-
ems in 1858, and the two lines coming to-
gether at Fort Walla WAlla on the Colum-
bia. For the protection Of the immigra-
tion by each Of these lines l would suggest
the organization Of body Of one hundred
and fifty recruits, who, on arriving in the
northern portion Of the Department Of the
Pacific, would Gil the vacancies daily occur
ring III the companies and regiments now
therein stationed, and thus be direct and
an economical route and method by which
to send troops into the Department Of the
Pacific.
The transportation taken by these respec-
tive commands will go materially to replace
the old and much used transportation now
in use in that Department. This movement
would not only supply vacancies in the reg
iments in that region, but would add Ell.
cheney to the men, and as facts and figures
prove, save great expenditure 10 the gov
crnment, and be the means at no distant
day of peopling the highway via the Co
lumbia and Missouri rivers.
For movement from St. Paul, my own
idea would be to assemble not later than
the l5th day Of May, a command Of $50
recruits, and let it be generally known that
this body will form an escort to move to-
wards Oregon and Washington on a speci-
fed date, for the protection Of an overland
emigration. l would give to this military
command transportation sufficient for sup
plies for two months, which would take
them to the Yellowstone, at which point
their supplies could be replenished by stores
sent from St. Louis on steamers via the
Missouri river, which supplies could again
be replenished at Fort Benton, ample to
take them to Fort Walla Walla, or to the
settlements short Of that place.
For those who go by the Platte and
South Pass route, their supplies could be
sent out from Fort Walla Walla, to meet
the trains at or near Fort Boise. If the
details of the movements in the hands of
discreet commander be well dgested, am
sanguine to believe that the movements will
not only be successful in themselves, but
be the means of initiating under favorable
aus spices a great project and enterprise that
looks forward to the peopling the rich-and
numerous mountain valleys that lie between
the navgable waters Of the Columbia and
Missouri rivers, and which must belt with a
continuous line Of settlements the routes
from St. Paul and Leavenworth to the Pa
cifc.
Hoping, sir, that the general outline
herein given may be endorsed by you, and
by you laid before the proper Departments
to be by them arranged as to Its details,
and trusting that the ends it aims at, the
peopling the North Pacific, may in time be
attained.
am, Sir,
Truly and respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,
JOHN MULLAN,
Lieut.. U. s. A.
Tho snecial Washin0fon corraSnondhnca