Letter from Vancouver Island
Black race
Inflammatory letter to the editor from a British subject in Victoria who believes that the negro riot in the Colonial Theatre shows that the black race is not ready to be integrated into society. This excited and angry description of the "riot" suggests that Victoria blacks were asserting their right to equal seating in the theater, rather than to seating in a set-aside section.
The recent escape of slave Charles Mitchell from Olympia to Victoria forms part of the context for this article. Victoria blacks had arranged the "underground railroad" by which Mitchell escaped.
"A British Subject"
Pioneer and Democrat
Olympia, Wa.: Edward Furste
newspaper
Another Letter from Puget Sound: Legislative Doings
Politics and government
The Legislature's offices were still not complete. The Public Printer position is being linked with the issues of the move of the capitol, the division of the Territory, and the relocation of the Penitentiary. On the 180th ballot the Territorial Council finally elected a Sergeant-at-Arms. Governor Pickering sent a message declaring the office of Public Printer vacant. He appointed a temporary replacement. Seven candidates then applied.
"An Occasional Correspondent," "Juno"
Daily Evening Bulletin
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Bulletin Company
newspaper
GT300081637
Letter from Puget Sound: Odds and Ends
Economy
Sundry activities going on in the Territory, including a new route to be run by the steamer Eliza Anderson; Steilacoom fundraising for wounded and disabled soldiers; price, supply and demand for beef cattle to Victoria; shortage of wheat; the Supreme Court is now in session.
"An occasional correspondent", "Juno"
Daily Evening Bulletin
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Bulletin Company
newspaper
Article GT3000186922
Another Letter from Puget Sound: As to the Division of the Territory
Politics and government
The Legislature debates the division of the Washington Territory. The new Territory of Idaho might be organized soon. A new county - Boise County - was formed where new gold discoveries were recently found.
"An Occasional Correspondent", "Juno"
Daily Evening Bulletin
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Bulletin Company
article
GT300081637
Letter from Puget Sound: Scraps
Politics and government
The editor of the Washington Standard, Dr. A.H. Henry, went to Washington D.C. to help effect a division of the Territory and to refute charges against him.
The Legislature passed an act to punish parties who refuse to take Legal Tender Notes at the value expressed on their face. The punishment for depreciating the Government money is 6 months imprisonment and a fine of $500. (An earlier report stated that the punishment for depreciating the Government money was 6 months imprisonment but a fine of only $5.)
A contract for carrying mail on the Sound was awarded to P. Keach.
"An Occasional Correspondent", "Juno"
Daily Evening Bulletin
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Bulletin Company
newspaper
Article GT 3000082194
From our Portland Correspondent
Democratic Party (U.S.)
A Republican account of a Democratic political meeting. Describes Isaac Ingalls Stevens as a self-proclaimed Union man who nevertheless called Joseph Lane "a dear friend." (Stevens had managed the southern Democratic ticket - John C. Breckenridge for President and Joseph Lane for Vice President.) The writer, Antiochus, makes clear that in the wake of Breckinridge's defeat, there is little trust in Stevens.
Report says, "Jo Lane's followers are scarce here" and that Stevens got little support. Members voted for Columbia Lancaster, Union Democrat, to run for territorial delegate.
"Antiochus"
Washington Standard
Olympia, WA: John M. Murphy
article
A234
Letter from Puget Sound: Two Territorial Secretaries
Politics and government
More drama involving the Territorial government. Elwood Evans, recently appointed as Secretary of the Territory to replace L.J.S. Turney, tried to take office, but Turney refused to turn over authority to Evans.
"Coming Along"
Daily Evening Bulletin
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Bulletin Company
newspaper
The Puget Sound Indians
Indigenous people
This article shows the author's racism. The Indians of the Puget Sound are described as not like the rest of the Indians west of the Mississippi. The Siwashes are physically "put together"; they have fortitude; can bear adversity; have much skill at construction, harvesting, fishing; care of the sick; but are cowed by the "superior race" of the white man. Roused, they might be formidable warriors.
Their chief Seschi was bold, daring, sagacious, and duplicitous. Toward the close of the war of 1856-57, he was taken prisoner and executed.
Although the "Siwash" are still formidable warriors, they seem to be submitting to the superior whites. Many families employ Indians as servants, and their cabins near houses of whites "suggest a certain institution generally supposed to exist south of Mason's and Dixon's line." The author consigns the natives to history, suggests that the Indians deserve their new subservient status, and urges the conquerors to be magnanimous.
"Coming Along", "An Occasional Correspondent"
Daily Evening Bulletin
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Bulletin Company
newspaper
Article GT 3002305183
Letter from "D"
Newspapers
The author, "D," writes that Murphy "thinks republicanism pays best, and presto! he is an ardent republican." He argues that Murphy was once a Democrat, and has become a Republican because of the changing opportunities of administration patronage.
"D"
The Union Flag
Vancouver, Washington Territory
article
An Historical Contrast
Slavery
A well-reasoned argument concerning slavery that goes back to 1790, when the population of the North and South was the same. The North abolished slavery. "This kind of labor was no longer suited to their industry, in which labor was valuable just in proportion to the intelligence with which it was guided." The North surged ahead, "showing the superiority of their social organization." The South cannot catch up, so "they now seek to break up a Government which, as a minority, they can no longer control."
"Ex"
Washington Standard
Olympia, WA: John M. Murphy
article
A234