The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-18
THE EXODUS OF WOMEN.


ment 60 Emtgrate, ana the Enemies of
the Prof set DisappOi ated New Eng
landeFs-DepaKture Of the Continental.
The necessity for a larger proportion OF women
in the population of Washington Territory has
been so severely felt by certain men who deer
mined to make that portion of the West their
future home, that one OF them was mpelled to
make an effort to supply the demand, by import
ing ing an VINO were willing to accept homes on the
too greatly blessed with the presence OF temi-
nine graces and influences.
An experiment on a small scale, made In the
spring OF 1864. by Mr.. A. ). Mercer, at that time
member OF the Territorial Legislature, perhaps
suggested the idea of another attempt upon q
larger scale; and the gentleman who, eighteen
months ago, gave the addition of thirty or forty
females TO the population of Washington Terri
tory, was sent here with the authority, as IS al.
legged, OF the Territorial Government, for the
purpose OF taking back with him ship-load of
the feminine youth and beauty that graced the
towns, cities, and homes OF the East.
ENEMIES OF THE ENTERPRISE.
Delay, often unavoidable and always danger
Gus, in the present instance proved almost fatal
to the enterprise. The difficulty of procuring
transportation grew with the passage of time,
and the Government ship which the emigrant
agent expected, was finally refused, and he was
compelled to purchase vessel expressly for the
purpose. The money was advanced by Mr.. Ben
iamin Holiday, of California and the steamer
Continental secured.
Another enemy of thesenterprise recently ap-
peared upon the flank OF the agent, while he was
manGuvnng with the Secretary OF the Navy in
front, in the person of Miss Anna Il. Dickinson,
who used the full force of her earnest inyectye
IN New England and elsewhere, against the de
sign OF Mr. Mercer. Her arguments induced
many TO abandon the project and return to the
duties 10 which they were accustomed here.
THE INDUCEMENTS.
The inducements offered to female emigrants
were principally based upon the fact or rather
the assertion. that fhp nrOnOrfiOn N rDalas n
females IN Washington Territory as ten to one.
This suggested matrimOny, always interesting
to the feminine mind and heart; and visions OF
homes, happiness, and maternity floated beWil-
deringly before their mental eyes. Female labor
OF all kinds, but more especially as seamstresses
and housekeepers, being greatly in demand
naturally commands higher wages, and the cost
OF living being less there than here, made
pecuniary consideration of no little weight.
These were the arguments used in favor of the
emigration OF women, and that they have not
been more successful is doubtless because the
proof OF the existence Of the facts was not sutfi-
ciently conclusive.
DEPARTURE OF THE CONTINENTAL"
Tuesday afternoon the Continental left her
moorines at Pier No. 2 North river, and steamed
down the bay short distance where she re-
mained until the following day, when she took
her departure for Seattle, W. L. About I25 pas.
seneers sailed with her, 70 OF whom were women
Last August Mr.. Mercers prospects seemed
admirable for cargo of 1000 feminine souls; but
as Ilme passed GnCY became - smaller by degrees
and beautifully less" until at the time of 1eav-
ing, he had scarcely 1.-THE of the number and
it Is more than probable that if he had remained
a tew weeks longer, he would have been COM
pc.--.. 20 MAKE vie Journey aIone.
A PARTY OF DISAPPOINTED NEW ENGLANDERs.
An hour or two after the departure of the
Continental, half dozen women who came 10
this city last summer from Maine, and exhausted
their means while waiting for the vessel to be
made ready for the voyage, informed us that
they had been put ashore by the captain OF the
ship, who told them the agent had paid the pas
sage of seventy-fve persons, and they were not
among the number. They complained bitterly of
Mr.. Mercer, and considered themselves duped
through his representations. Whether their
statements are true or not, we have, of course,
no means of determining; but as the affair was
purely private enterprise, and large amount
of money had been expended because OF the
delay, we suspect the women have good reason
to feel aggrieved.
TEE VOYAGE
The enterprise has proved failure in almost
every respect and we have little doubt that the
few who have embarked will regret it, unless
the mere novelty OF the voyage should prove
compensation.
The Journey, which will be entirely by sea, no
doubt will prove quite sn agreeable one after
the first sea-sickness shall have been conquered.
The summer season south of the equator, with
its long days and moonlit nights, the scenery in
the Straits OF Magellan, 1.-THE opportunity to visit
Rio Janeiro, Valparaiso, and San Francisco,
together with the library, which has been fur
nished for the use OF passengers, will tend TO
make the expedition, while en- route, both enter
tainlng and Instructive,
The adventuresses are now on their way; but
what hopes are throbbing, what fears beating in
their hearts, cannot be told. What awaits them
after they shall have reached Seattle, will be
developed only by Time, the Edipus that reads
all riddles; but since they have departed, we
can only wish them smooth seas, placid skies,
kindly stars, and unbounded success.-N. 7.
Tr1b1Ine