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Show 18 WASHINGTON TERRITORY, ITS MATERIAJ.J to assume proportions that do honor to the former growth. Thus nearly as rapidly as is the axe laid at the root of the tree, will others grow into place, so quickly does the fir tree grow in Pug~t Sound climate. It is fair to presume that, as we now manufacture over a hundred million feet per annum, with so small a population, when the coast generally, and our own Territory in particular, multiplies its people by a hundred, the production will increase in like proportion. · There is a large amount of curly maple, and red alder, upon our low vales, that is well suited for the manufacture of furniture; but in this department none have ventured. Cedar and fir, we have in abundance, suited for barrel staves. CHAPTER XI. MINERALS. Gold, silver, iron, lead, copper, and coal, are among . the minerals of the Territory. Gold mines are being worked at various places on streams tributary to the Columbia, and rising in the Cascade mountains. More or less pay has been obtained for the last three or four years, and each year new indications are formed. Some silver bearing quartz leedes have been found in the Cascade mountains, and hopes are entertained of their being successfully worked. • Iron is known to exist in several localities, but no effort bas been put forth to establish a furnace, or even prospect the outcropings. Coal is very abundant in various localities bordering the Sound, and is quite extensively worked at Bellingham Bay, or Whatcom. The Bellingham Bay coal is good for fuel, and is fair steam coaJ, but so light that steamers going long voyages, can not carry sufficient for consumption, however, it is not generally used by steamers. At Clallam Bay, and Fuca Strait, a company is working a mine, but with varying success. During the winter of 1863-4, a very fine coal mine was discovered in the vicinity of Seattle, and upon being tested, proved to be the best coal yet found on the coast. A very good article. In many other places coal outcropings are found, and no doubt there will be other mines worked ere long. All coal yet found lies in stratas at an angle of about thirty-five degrees. The .. RESOURCES AND CLAIMS TO EMIGRATION. 19 minerals of the Territory will add materially to her wealth, when properly developed. CHAPTER XII. FISH AND FISHING. Within the waters of Puget Sound, there is great wealth in the finny tribe. All the varietieR of cod most plentifully abound, as do salmon, herring, smelt, sardines and halibut. All these varieties run up all the channels and bays of the Sound, where they may be caught in great quantities. However, this is not true of the halibut, as it rarely comes farther inland than Port Townsend. Banks exist off the Strait of Fuca, whereon halibut and cod " do most abound;" and off Vancouver and Queen Charlotte's Island, still greater banks are found, and upon them as fine cod, and in as great abundance as those upon the . Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Smaller banks abound "in shore," where small craft may safely venture. There are many reasons why our fisheries are naturally better than those of New-England. The climate is les¥evere; the fishing season longer; the banks more favorably )ocated, not being in the course and wake of a great line of ships and steamers, as the Grand Banks are, a less distance to sail in order to reach fishing ground, and in better· market. Another consideration should be, a more desirable climate in which to make a home on shore ! CHAPTER XIII. WHALE FISHING. As coal oil and petroleum have not destroyed whale fishing, nor suspended the use of all other oils, it may be well to en11.merate the ad vantages of Puget Sound as a whaling port. First, the harbors are secure, and always accessible. Second, all the material for building, and outfitting ships, abounds, so far as lumber, spars, knees, etc., are concerned, and an abundant· water power will enable us to make all the cordage, from the raw material our lumber ships may carry to us at low freights. The productions of the Sound district are so numerous, and can be supplied at so cheap a rate, that most a~ticles necessary for whalers, can be more cheaply furnished on 'Puget Sound than at |