Cowlitz Landing
May 16, 1853
The Olympia Columbian

A few very warm days in in succession has melted the snow in the mountains, that it  has swelled the Cowlitz to much more than its usual size, and caused it to foam and rush down it precipitous course in great  wrath, rendering it exceedingly difficult for even canoes to force themselves up from below.  Consequently but few families have arrived here since my last writing. We hear, however,  that there are families on their way, waiting for the fury of the river to subside.

We trust they will not have to wait long, as the the water is falling daily. From all the indications at this point from all I see and hear, I am satisfied that Washington Territory is bound to rank high among the territories of the United States. The salubrity of our atmosphere, the richness  of our soil, our mineral wealth, surely yet to he developed, our commercial advantages,  our fishing privileges, and our lumber facilities, can but make us, under  the indefatigable energy and perseverance of the thousands of strong and enterprising men who are passing into it to make it their home, one of the richest and noblest of Territories.

And there is room for the thousands and tens of thousands who will seek a home here in coming years. There is yet much land to he possessed. The land up the Cowlitz, on either side to this place, is of the richest quality, and though mostly timbered, there is much of it which might. be cleared at a trifling expense. It is no more difficult to clear than most of the lands in northern Ohio, and it far exceeds the land there in richness of soil. 

The timber consists chiefly of alder and vine maple. Efforts are now being made, by voluntary contributions, to open a wagon road from the mouth of the Cowlitz to Capt. Drew's mill, about two miles from this place. The route has been examined and found practicable, and men are already at work, under the direction: of a few enterprising persons, in opening the road. Such a road completed will greatly facilitate immigration from Oregon here. 

Many of the old settlers in Oregon are even now anxious to sell their claims and move to this Territory. And many will do it. I speak advisedly on this point. I am personally acquainted with scores of families who would sell tomorrow if they could, with a view of moving here. The Cowlitz, however, in the lion in the way, and if a good wagon can be obtained, as we have encouragement now there soon will be, the lion will be shorn of his mane and deprived of his ugly teeth.

And now, Editors how comes on the road across the Cascade range? Is there a way to be opened for the ten thousand emigrants who have “Puget Sound" labeled on their wagons, now struggling their  way across the mighty plains? How beats the pulse of liberality about the Sound? Gentlemen, this in a work that must be done. It is a question in which every man in the Territory has an interest. 

This accession to the population. and wealth, and enterprise of our Territory we must have. We cannot afford the loss. If every man in the Territory were to lose a cow worth $100, the loss would be a trifle in comparison to the loss we shall sustain If we loss this emigration. Where are those subscription papers? Why have not some of them been poked out this way? For my part I am poor l have a large family, have not been in the Territory but a few weeks, have not got a claim, but, God willing, I mean to have.  I mean to make this territory my home and the home of my children so you may  just mark me down for $50, providing the work goes ahead.

And now, Mr. Editors, a word about big trees, and I will trouble you no more at this time. I understand you have very large timber on the Sound, and I am coming over one of these days to look at it. In the meantime, permit me to say that there are some tolerably good sized trees on the Cowlitz.  One tree lying prostrate on the earth about one hundred yarda from this place, I had the curiosity to measure, and herewith and you the dimensions. At the root it is 10 feet in diameter 100 feet from the root it measures 6 feet 4 inches in diameter. The whole tree in 266 foot in length.

Yours truly, 
Observer