, 1862-01-30

The following communication should have sp-
Peared last week, but the manuscript was mislaid,
and did not again come to light until yesterday.
The writer is one of the most sensible and prac-
tical men on Puget Sound, and his views are
therefore entitled to consideration and respect.
We commend them to the attention of Victor
Smith and the Department:
! To the Editor Of the Puget Sound Herald:
SEATTLE, JAN l4th, 1862.
| In my former letters lendeavored to illustrate,
by practical observation and experience the diff:
| fcultics and inconvenienccs attendant on Port
Townsend as the "seat of Custolns;" and in my
last assured your readers that the revenue could
be collected at one.haf the expense now paid,
and the rising commerce of our Territory fnstered
by creating six additional collection districts.
Olympia being now, and, as hope, ever will
remain, the capital Of our enormous errtOry-
located at the head Of navigation, occupying a
central position, equi-distant between Columbia
! River, Gray's llarbor, Shoalwater Bay, Hoods
Canal and Puget Sound-it possesses facilities
for the seat Of Customs pre.emincnt above all
| other places in our Territory. Government hRv-
ing wisely located the Executive, Legislative, Ju-
dicial. Indian, Land and other FedC al depart
ments here, it follows that the Sub-Ireasnry or
Custom. House, where the treasure is collected,
should be located here also, as the drafts of the
Government are always drawn on the revenue
deposit, or SubTrcaSury, in favor Of its disburs-
ing agents. The Custom-l1Ouse or Sab Treasury
should be well protected from all and every dan
ger, and Olympia not only affords such protec-
| ton in an eminent degree, but also affords the
sAfpgt and quickest fiOn With lha (,nv
ernment at Washington.
As to the present and prospective commerce
| Of Gray's larbor or ShOawater Bay, l am not
posted sufficiently to give an opinion Of the pro-
priety Of establishing coll ction districts there at
the present time. will assert, however. that
whenever the commerce Of those plac IS shall r.
| quire the fostering care Of Government, then
(believing with Jefferson shat government is
created for the benefit Of the governed'O the
CustOm-House and every other department Of
government shall and must be adapted to the
wants Of those people.
Steilacoom, on the Sound, occupies an exc !
lent position, and offers unusual facilities for
commerce and navigation. Having much lumber
trade, foreign aud domestic, together with live
stock and produce, which find markets In Van.
couver's Island and British Columbia, II is high
time that collection district should be created
there A surveyor and inspector have been sta
toned there ct an expense Of over two thousand
dollars per annum without affording any ACCOM-
mediation whatsoever to the trade or commerce
Of the place. An excellent business man can be
now had to discharge the duties Of d,puty col
lectOr at the modest salary Of twelve hundred
dollars per annum, including rent, fuel, &c.
Port Madison also possesses excellent facilities
for commerce and navigation. Having an i'm.
mense trade, foreign and domestic. it should be
created immediately into collection district.
We happen to know that sterling business man
can be had here to perform the duties Of deputy
collector at the snug sum Of twelve hundred dol
lars per annum, including rent fuel, &c.
Teekalet occupies q central position on Hoods
Canal, nearly equi-distant between Scabcck, Port
Ludlow and the SnOhomish country. Having an
extensive and growing trade, both foreign and
domestic, collection district should be immedi-
ately established here. Like other places, above
mentioned, an excellent man can be had here to
perform the duties Of deputy collector al The nice
sum Of twelve hundred dollars per annum, in.
cluding rent, fuel &c
Port Townsend, the present seat Of Customs
has for years been fattened on the spOils Of the
Government, so nuch so that its people Jared
sumptuously, and their "eyes stuck out with
fat" ] perceive that tempest in teapot" Is
now raging there, with the lvrocity Of 1he cele-
brated Kilkenny cats. all for the purpose Of boil
storing mp this rotten borough" at the expense
Of nne .;s;n,, oo,on,.-o. p,,t 4 r.ss h., D..
T..D. ~. .,I''s Is's - % q W pass " ~. ~.
.., lon nso.u - Mou'u .ue su'1'poA' hNHs
nel',rer sl'e. 7, snenHfage nor "a'eI' 40 "HAt
Dungeness Is the gardrn Of our Territory. and,
considering its bolndless productions, and lis
'ien ~. 1nu ProSpeeuve cohulerce, no une
snouu 0e 10Y. ~ constituting y couecnon uls-
nc.' n Oeculyng ce';5rn i",s'uSh .r, oetwssn
r"rl u'seoyery, SCUM pay Nnu Eneroore, "
. .hnao'snes nave oeen too 'eng u'pINeu " .nsn
Just rlgnts. An excellent business man can De