Year: 1860

In conformity with the practice adopted each annual meeting
the Legislature has become my duy acting Governor
cate to you information upon the present condition Of Territory and
to recommend such may deem cxpcden for your action


But few years have elopdnot than nine ycarsnc the
interior of our Territory known only tappcr
Although magnfcnce scenery it was believed to
be almost wholly uninhabtab vapcs purposes ag
culture


How great has been the chang inhabitants numbered
by thousands In proportion area Washington Territory west of the
Cascade mountains contains much good arabic land any other por
ton of our country west of the Missouri river The soil of
bic fertility and all the cereals fruits vegetables tenn
peatc climate thrive we'll In other portion country can stock
raising and wool growing be poftaby followed numbering
the shores of Puget Sound known throughout the


fisheries the best the Pacific and coal Of superior quality
found in great abundance


In addition TO these ineXhauble wealth the Territory is
known be rich the precious metals During the past
gold dggg have been the and Clearwater


rivers tributaries of the Columbia and the valleys the Smkamecn
and Okanagan and from the reports surveying and
peng parties there be doubt of the gold in large
quantities all the rivers and of the mountains
Traces gold have also been found along the
and Waa Wala road the Big Backoo river Flint
neze creeks.


regret to inform you that in the September last party
of immigrants attacked by band of the Snake the vcn
W of Salmon Falls of the Snake and killed
Happily the first umors that reached this place to the number
proved to have been much exaggerated Immediately upon receiving
the report of the massacre Colonel Wright commanding Department
Oregon dispatched hundred mounted with proceed
along the emgnt for the of survivors, the punish
ment the Indians Colonel Wright to me under
date of October 20h the opinion that
danger the settlements immigration need be apprended these
Indians They have always been pndcrg maaudg collection
bands without however the disposition attack parties capable of
resistance The Colonel informs that the Spring an expedition
will be fitted out carry the against these saages actively
vigorously


The feeling insecurity naturally created by these repeated attacks
cannot fail to retad overland immigration upon which mainly
depend for large accession population Thus the vital
Of the Territory are at stake and it becomes duty again call
the general for the immediate adoption measures for the
permanent protection of the emigran routes


In dispatch General Scott October 1860 Colonel
Wright says From the nature and country through
which the immigrants have will be years they
do without military escorts saonng posts alone accom-
ph the end post has been recommended and ordered
ay of War to be placed the Boise region It will be scr
vabe for various reasons but will dispense with the necessity
moving coamn Troops must travel with the immigration time
of their leaving the Salt Lake country until they reach the settlements
announced that military leave Utah about the
18th of July and 18th of August annually from Waa
Wa the post when established about the 18th of August
18th of September believed that all who desired could easily avail
themselves Of such opportunities safety and thus the YEARLY
immigration be perfectly protected"


Concurng fully in the foregoing the Colonel commanding


would respectfully recommend that his suggestions be embodied in the
form of memorial the War Department and that Congress be asked


appropriate the money that will required the transportation
supplies and other expenses incident to this service


AS further protection immigration would call your attention
to the necessity for the establishment of military post


The selection of that obedience order from the Secretary of
War directing the establishment Of there deferred by
prov order that better knowledge subject of the most eligible
mmgrantronte from the southeast point the Territory settle
ment should have been obtained by explorations Exploring parties were
sent out but the hostility the Snakes caused the junction
for the purposes of campaign 1t estimated Colonel command
ing this department that $3.50 900 will be necessary for building post
five companies Fort Boise Congress be asked
to make the necessary appropriation


Among the appropriations of greatest Importance the Territory
those for the construction military roads In addition facilities
afforded for travel and communication these present great
ments for settlement and every throughout length
is brought under cultivation Their Importance military point of
view, known and appreciated by the War Department


1t affords much pleasure state that the military from Fort
Benton to Wala Waa completed to allow the passage
wagons the entire On October last military
command under Major Blake arrived from by this road
making the trip fySeyen days by Lieut. Muan the
able and energetic officer charge construction of this road that
with the work of two more will be completed In connection
with this road would call your proposed by Lieut.
Muan from Fort Laramie TO the Deer Lodge valley Captain Rey
nod under instructions from the War Department exploration
of portion this line during the past summer reported that


raverses emnenty and beautiful region opened will
shorten the present emgran miles enabling the
emgran reach their homes early suggest
that the War Department be memoazed examination of
this route.


1t of great Importance that direct communication be opened
tween Puget Sound and Waa Waa with the tue