, 1862-02-01
masbinQton Statesman.
SATURDAY MORNING, FEB. 1, 1862.
Line of steamers to Fort Benton

We see by the papers that a company of
capitalists are about organizing in st. Louis,
Mo, for the purpose of establishing line
of steamers from St. Louis to Fort Benton,
to go into operation the coming spring
The existing difficulties in the Atlantic
States, together with the rich gold discOv-
cries in this country, will without doubt
induce large immigration hither next
summer; and as the route by Fort Benton
will be the most expeditions, we may ex-
pect a large proportion of the emigrants to
come that way. The fact that the Missouri
river is navigable to the point mentioned,
has been sufficiently we'll attested to insure
investments in the proposed line of steam
ers, and the only thing now required to
make it a permanent, paying institution, is
the assurance of travel over the line. This
we believe is guaranteed in the facts above
cited and more: the late gold discover
les on the eastern side of the Rocky noun
tains, above Fort Benton, and the certainty
that good mines exist all along the western
slope of said range, will attract thousands
thither, and the surrounding country will
soon become thickly settled with mining
population. This will create a market for
goods and supplies, which the old traders
in the Flathead and Bitter Root country
assert can be brought up the Missouri at
less expense than by any other route. But
be this as it may, we have faith that the
experiment will soon be tried +; and we be-
ieve that the next decade will witness al
most as large en- emigration by this route
as the past has by way of the Isthmus to
California.
A line of stages from Walla Walla to
Fort Benton will follow this movement,
and the Mullan road, which some have
gravely asserted would never be used to
any purpose, will yet become one of the
most extensively travelled thoroughfares on
the western slope. This line once fairly
established, it will not only be an important
one by reason of the westward bound trav-
elers passing over it, but thousands of re-
turning oOyageurs will prefer it to the more
dangerous trip by way of the Isthmus. Be-
sides, the time occupied in passing over it
can be but little more than that consumed
by the ocean route, while the expense will
not be so great.
Situated as Walla Walla is, in the most
important valley this side of Fort Benton,
and at the western terminus of the road, it
is but natural that it should reap many ad-
vantages by reason of the travel passing
through it. In fact, these advantages will
be of permanent nature, and we feel safe
in asserting that they will be of more real
value to the country than those derived
from the travel to the mines. However, we
cannot estimate these latter too highly but
with the two combined, and they certainly
will be, who that has any idea of the re-
sources of this country can doubt that it has
bright future before it? 1t will be to the
mining region round about, what Oregon
was to California in early years-the source
from which must go many necessary sup
plies,-and the farmers and merchants here
will find an excellent home market for all
their products and wares; and in travel
ing point of view, our young city will be-
come to Portland what Sacramento is to
San Francisco. There are those of course
who will hoot at this idea, and perhaps they
may be cons cientious in their opinions, but
the future will prove to them their error
The natural advantages are all in favor of
this locality; and though temporary excite
ments may for a time attract attention to-
wards other points, they must ultimately
rebound to the benefit of Walla Walla