, 1862-01-03
Letter from the Dalles.

DALLEs, Dec 81, 1861.
MEssRs. EDTORs-I promised to write YOU
from this place, but have delayed somewhat in
fulfilling it. Probably this neglect is accounted
for on the doctrine that men are actuated and in
huenced more by surrounding circumstances than
by native intuition, and is attributable to the gen.
eral dulness of things down this way in compari-
son to the life and energy manifest in your thriv-
ing and wide-awake town. In my recent trip up
country, l was highly pleased with Wala Walla
and its surroundings, and the impression forced
itself upon my mind that the town was destined
to flourish and become in time populous and
thriving city. Whatever may be its prospects in
a commercial point of view, it has advantage
in situation, entirely irrespective Of foreign sup
port, such as but very few towns possess. The
dense, settled population which will in few years
surround it on all sides will be found to be far
greater means of It's substantial prosperity, than
the support of mining localities, however contin-
uous that support may be. Commerce alone may
build up town under certain peculiar circum-
stances but without the aid of its hand-maid
agriculture. the instances are rare indeed that
towns flourish and become of any particular note
We have been literally raincd in here for the
past month, and bat for an unexpected "cear up''
the other day, | should have thought, as did the
celebrated John Phenix, that after raining con-
stantly month or two, it had commenced for a
long storm. Such continuous rainy weather is
equaled only by the famous land of w ebfoot.
Much excitement is evidently being created
here relative to the Grand RonGe country and
the prospect of a road from this town by way of
that valley 10 the Salmon river mines Some
confidence seems to be entertained here that
route has been found through that country which
will throw other routes in the shade but owing
to my information and knowledge on this subject,
| am still ncredulous. 1t certainly would not be
prudent nor wise for any person to take that route
at present, nasmuch as it is not yet determined
that successful passage has been found over the
mountains from the Grand Ronde to the mines.
l notice that the Mountaineer and Times have
locked horns" on this subject, and are indulg-
ing bit of spicy comment Leland's figures, ad-
duced in support of his opinions regarding the
distances of the routes, were a stumper to the
Mountaineer. as he has failed to answer the argu-
ment
The people of the Dalles regard all rival ad-
vantages with jealous eye, and exhibit some en-
terprise in the way of placing their town upon a
secure footing. But, somehow or other, most of
their movements in this direction seem to prove
abortive in the end. There has been some inter-
est felt here of late in regard to a movement to
put a line of steamers direct between San Fran
cisco and this town. 1t was reported some weeks
since that arrangements had been completed for
carrying this project into operation, and that one
or two steamers were ready to commence regular
trips Such an attainment by the merchants and
business men of this town, would do more to en-
hance its prospects than any other scheme now on
foot for this purpose. 1t would place the people
at once in direct communication with San Fran
cisco, and would relieve them of the tribute they
now pay to the larger business houses below.
But will close, promising that if find any,
thing Of interest to communicates YOU shall have
it. Yours truly, TRAVELLER.