The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-10-13
WOnaet for the NOrtbaUest.

WOnaen for the NOrthaOest.
Mr. A. S. Mercer, resident of Wash
ington Territory, by an act of the leglsla-
ture, was sent, last winter. to the Eastern
States, to procure young lady emigrants
to that territory. 1t is well known that
the male population greatly preponderates
over the female in all newly settled coun-
tries. The scarcity Of women in Wash
ing territory has been serious evil, their
want not only being felt for the usual la
Dor performed by the sex, put they were
needed for wives and companions.
Mr.. Mercer came to Massachusetts
where the women are far in excess of the
men in numbers, and has secured a ship
load of about 900, which is to start from
New York some time the present week for
voyage of three months to the Eden OF
the Northwest The terms which he held
out to passengers are most liberal. The
wives and daughters of slain Union SOL
diers are furnished passage for S25, they
finding their own bedding other orphans
and poor girls are given passage on the
same terms, provided that they agree to
refund the actual cost to Mr.. Mercer on
their being able to do so. The rate of fare
for those not included in the above, is fix
ed at 5000 In almost every case, how
ever where the would-be emigrant (if a
relative of slain Union soldier) is desti-
tute of means. she has been granted pas
sage free, upon the simple promise that she
will refund to the agent (who, individual
ly, bears all the expense) the actual cos.
to him, when she shall have saved it from
her earnings in her new home.
Most of the ladies who have agreed to
accompany Mr.. Mercer, are from lG to
20 years of age many are beautiful and
accomplished and nearly all are used to
habits of frugal industrv-in a word.
young Yankee girls, whose hands have
grown nimble in mighty factories; whose
industry has grown useful on farms and in
farmers households. They do not 90 to
the Pacific coast merely to get married,
but rather to better their general condi-
ton in life-to earn decent wages, move
in respectable society tone of the peculiar
advantages in this inStance), and win for
themselves homes of comfort and happi-
ness. If they. at the same time and in
the course of broadening fortunes, should
also gain the hearts of good and honest
men,-certainly they should not the less
have the God-speed Of every citizen, East
or West.
The region for which the emigrants are
bound Is that salubrious and diversified
portion of Washington Territory lying be-
tween the mountains and Puget's Sound
and the rest of the coast. The climate is
one of the most delightful in the world,
with a temperature varying, the year
round, from So to So Fahrenheit.
1t is rapidly becoming settled, and has al
most boundless resources. 1t has already
a vast lumber trade. Beside this, the ag-
ricultural and manufacturing advantages
OF the country are enormous, while the de-
posts of gold in the mountains are only
surpassed by California and Oregon, and
those of coal probably altogether unequal
ed. This region contains number of
thriving towns and villages, the principal
of which are Olympia, the capital of the
Territory; Steilacomc, Seattle, Port Mad
ison, Teekalct, Port Ludlow, Coupeyille,
Utsaladdy, and Port Townsend, formerly
the seat of the Custom-House.