U) 
Softools m founded on a substantial basis $ Congress granted 
the sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections within our territory for 
the support of common schools. Our pioneers have taken a 
lively interest in the matter; in every settlement, neat, commo¬ 
dious school-houses have been built, in which the young ideas 
are taught to shoot. In the principal towns private schools have 
been established, in which the higher branches are taught at 
reasonable prices. Congress has also provided a munificent do¬ 
main for building and maintaining a University, which has been 
located at Seattle ; a large wooden structure with the necessary 
outbuildings has been erected and furnished with globes, maps, 
books and other useful apparatus. This institution is in suc¬ 
cessful operation, and affords good facilities to the young. 
Churches are liberally sustained, and clergymen of different 
denominations are domiciled in our territory; the consolation 
of the Christian religion is freely dispensed among our people 
and very generally appreciated. 
Press. The pioneers on the Pacific slope are earnest read¬ 
ers and liberally patronize newspapers. In our sparsely pop¬ 
ulated territory the press is freely encouraged, some twelve 
weekly papers being issued, cheerfully sustained and eagerly 
perused. We have several circulating libraries in towns and 
settlements. 
Hotels sufficient to accommodate the public are convenient 
in every village, town or city; board and lodging are obtained 
at lower rates than on the eastern slope. 
Enterprise. In new countries development is checked by 
the scarcity of capital and high rates of interest. Our prosper¬ 
ity has been obstructed for want of means; notwithstanding 
this mueh progress is manifest—getting out timber, manufac¬ 
turing lumber, preparing spars, building vessels, and mining 
operations—all create a lively demand for oxen, and the pro¬ 
ducts of the soil, dairy, forest and the waters. Our calm sea is 
constantly ploughed by swift steamers of various dimensions 
and power; some thirty find remunerative employment either in 
towing vessels, rafts and scows, transporting passengers, mails, 
merchandise or stock, and for other purposes. Our placid sil* 
very waters afford attractive inducements to the smaller classes 
of steamboats, as fuel and water are omnipresent. 
Founderies are located in various places, in which iron, cop* 
per and other metals are worked. Stoves are manufactured to 
