The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-05-04

and cod fishing in the waters Of Russian
America, and the disadvantages under
which oul fishermen have labored.-
Great however, us these drawbacks we're,
they have pot becp able 70 deter American
enterprise. At present. there il a much
larger American than Russian interest in
these northern waters. What this inter-
est might become IL the Territory were
coded 10 the United States, it Is difficult
to estimate but there is no doubt 4 would
add immensely TO the tonnage and com
merce OF San Francisco. The night which
which accrue TO our fishermen TO make use
ofthe shore, would develop the fisheries to
an extent that eau only be realized by
those who have been engaged in the bust
ness. Industries which arc now dormant
under the lcthargic rule OF the Fur Com
pany, would speedily spring into active
life. At present .he walrns 10 found in
immense numbers AROUND the Islands TO
tho north, yet no use whatever is made
of its skin and oil. The rivers arc liter
ally swarming with fish Of the most pala-
table character, yet the first effort has to
be made to convert.thcm into nm article Of
commerce. Copper, specimens Of which
are at present IN San Francisco, has been
discovered OF almost unparalleled richness
yet no mine has been developed. Coal ia
found in various parts. but especially
along Cooks Inlet, YET beyond supplying
some passing steamer, il has never been
utilized. As for the more valuable min
eral-gold-it has been found in quaint
ties, which, if the country had belonged
to the United States, would have ensured
a most efFcctual exploration within a
twelve .months. At present the mainland
is almost as little known 10 the Russian
as it is to the outsider; the Indians being
of 80 warIikc a character az TO present an
effectual barrier It the small civilized pop.
ulatonE aich Is settled along the shore. 1t
is indeed TO the enterprise and daring of a
few California miners that the Russians
have been made aware Of the existence ol
remunerative diggings in the Interior
Gold has been found at various times BIS
both the Russian and the aboriginal, but
mining has never been practically follow.
cd out. 4 number Of Daiitornians, how.
ever. went With their picks aud pans NJ
the chilkat AMI Taku rivers, rather aided
than molested by the Indians. and sue.
coded in establishing themselves on good
pay ground" During two years they
iabored on these rivers aud did extremely
well, but on being discoyered by the Ful
Company, were obliged to leave. Here
then, will be a new field for the .hones
miner" Of California, yho is not likely L
be deferred from prospecting" by the
fact that the Indians are .'~warlikc." II i
just possible that in this northern region
famed for its earthquakes and eruptions
gold mines yill yet be brought to ligh
that viii throw u less disturbed country
completely into the shade. As VIC hay,
said but little is known Of the interior
We cannot, therefore, speak of It's agricul
tuTal capacity; from letters written b,
some OF the telegraphic explorers, it woul'
appear that the climate as well as the soil
is much superior to that of the coast o
the islands. Along the latter the weaihe
in the spring and autumn is exceedingly
boisterous and rainy-in fact, about a
| disagrecable as can any where be found
During the summer aud winter, however
| nature makes amends. Looking at tn
| latitude and character of the country
/ however, an agricultural capacity canno
be expected, bu. If nature has been rathe
niggard in this gift, she has we beliey
made up the deficiency in other sources G
wealth. She has given. besides the min
eral deposits and fisheries, a coast line @
timber as good ms can be found on Puge
| Sound, Surveying this country ffor
whatever standpoint we cannot its pur
chase by our Government in any othe
! light than that of true statesmanship.-
: The American territory of the Pacif
! seems to require just snch an adjunct t
: assist it at tho present time in building u
its trans Pacific trade, and the sooner thes
? possessions are under the stars and stripe
the better.-[S. F. Times.
i