tmces of therinal currents in the Columbia basin are u fixed as 
in a frost no matter liow deep the snow or hard the frost, they 
vanish quickly before the “ Chinook winds.” Mr. Garfield only 
“ follows in the footsteps of illustrious predecessors,” when he 
ascribes the cause of those changes to the south winds from the 
tropics. If that theory holds good, how can he account for the 
dereliction of those winds in passing heedless over the frigid 
sections fringing the Sierra Nevadas to the southward, and 
withholding tropical moisture; if the south winds have such 
power over our climate why do those intertropical breezes with¬ 
hold their thermal powers from the frozen regions in the 
States to the south? We enter our earnest protest against this 
theory as not only clashing with physical laws, but also in work¬ 
ing rank injustice to the mild and genial climate of Washington 
Territory. In other portions of this work we have demonstrated 
the origin of the “ Chinook winds,” which will bear repetition 
here. The northwest winds accompanying the Japanese current, 
strike our shores with much force, enter our valleys, pass through 
the Cascade Mountains, fan the basin of the Columbia, pene¬ 
trate the passes of the Rocky Mountains, and subside in the 
labyrinth of valleys in those regions. This “ gulf stream,” 
traversing the central plateau of our continent, laden with 
moisture, dissolves ice and snow, stimulates grass, and imparts 
the appearance of green fields and budding orchards to the 
country traversed. This accounts for the warmer climate pre¬ 
vailing on Puget Sound and the Columbia basin, than that found 
in Oregon and northern California. 
Oriental Commerce. The commerce of eastern Asia opens 
profitable channels to our shipping and stimulates shipbuilding 
on the northwest coast. The chief commodities produced in 
China and Japan—silks, opium, indigo, sugars, spices and 
dyes, average high prices in proportion to bulk, and will be 
transported to our shores in powerful steamships connecting with 
the North Pacific Railroad on Puget Sound. This high circle, 
traversing an even temperate lane, over which the finest teas may 
be carried without the loss of taste or flavor, affords speedy 
transit, saving time and interest, enabling merchants to make 
quick sales and obtain immediate returns. This short route, 
offering little wear to men or vessels, and a much lower premium 
on marine risks. The winged messengers of commerce will 
enter the broad Strait DeFuca in sunshine or moonlight, and 
