the territories are here arranged in the order of seniority, the one which first received a territorial government taking the lead. the district of columbia is older than any of them as acknowledged national property, the louisiana purchase having been made since it was ceded to the general government; but it was the last to receive a territorial organization, congress governing it directly without giving it representation until 1871. it is placed last for that reason.
new mexico
was visited at an early period by spaniards, who, excited by the success of the followers of cortez and pizarro in discovering rich mines of gold and silver, sought the wealth in the dangers and hardships of travel which is more often, if more slowly, found as the reward of patient toil. an expedition from florida made the formidable overland journey to new mexico, in 1537; and another from mexico, after visiting the gila river, passed eastward beyond the rio grande in 1540. in 1581 its mineral wealth became known and a mission was attempted; but no settlement was made until 1600, when formal possession was taken by an adequate army. the missions now became very successful and the mines were worked. many of the natives were considerably advanced in some of the arts of civilization. in 1680 the natives revolted, from the severe servitude to which they were subjected, and drove the spaniards out of the country. they only recovered it in 1698. it was never very numerously peopled by whites. in 1846 it was conquered by general kearney, and in 1848 ceded to the united states by the treaty of guadalupe hidalgo. the[538] difficulties of transportation and the wild and lawless character of the inhabitants has prevented any extensive emigration to it by americans. it is an elevated table-land, nearly 7,000 feet above the surface of the sea, crossed by several ranges of mountains sometimes rising 10,000 feet above the general surface of the country. the atmosphere is dry; little rain falls; and agriculture is usually successful only with irrigation. in the valleys, where this is employed, the fertility of the soil is marvelous. often two crops are raised, on the same land, in the year. wheat and other grains are raised in great perfection. cotton is successful in some parts, fruit can be raised in abundance, and the soil is said to be specially favorable to the grape, the wine rivaling that of france.
gold and silver abound, but the mines have never been effectively worked for want of transportation and the requisite capital. stock raising is a profitable occupation in this territory. much of the land unfit for cultivation produces grass which cures in drying during the hot months, and preserves all its nutritious qualities. sheep and mules are extensively raised. when the pacific railroad shall open the country to immigration, and order, industry, and capital make the most of its resources, it will be ranked among the favored parts of the union.
it has many natural curiosities, and much wild and beautiful scenery. the length of the rio grande, in its windings in the territory, is about 1200 miles; and its valley from one to twelve miles wide. its territorial government was organized in 1850. the population, in 1870, was 91,878. many tribes of indians roam over the territory and through texas, arizona, and northern mexico. most of the people are roman catholics. it includes an area of about 100,000 square miles. every free white male inhabitant living in the territory at the time of its organization had the right of suffrage, that right being regulated in other respects by its legislative assembly.
[539]
utah
was formerly a part of the mexican territory of upper california, and was acquired by the united states in 1848, by the treaty of guadalupe hidalgo. it was too distant, desolate, and dangerous a region for much settlement by mexicans, and has little known history anterior to the explorations of fremont between 1843 and 1846.
the first american settlement was made by the mormons, in july, 1847, and was supposed by them to be out of the territory of the united states, and beyond the reach of possible interference. here, in the depths of the desert, they determined to build up a peculiar religious society embracing customs abhorrent to the views and institutions of modern civilized states. their success was a surprise to the world, and probably to themselves; the capacity of the depths of the great american desert, as it was called, for cultivation, exceeding all previous expectation. but the war with mexico, then in progress, threw this, before inaccessible, desert into the limits of the american union; and the discovery of gold in the neighboring territory of california, throwing them almost midway between the old western settlements and the new eldorado, subjected them to contact with, and interference by, the tide of modern civilization, as it flowed toward the setting sun; and in ten years from their first appearance in the great central basin of the continent, they came again into hostile conflict with the established authorities they thought to have finally escaped. though their conflict with the united states government, imbued with the habits and prejudices with which they antagonized, was deferred by the troubles which precipitated the civil war, and their institutions remained substantially intact until that was past; the pacific railroad was then built through their territory, and, if they are no longer persecuted, and their peculiarities opposed by deadly force, the moral influence and dissolving power introduced by numbers is more surely wasting away the foundations of their political and religious edifice.
[540]
utah was organized as a territory by act of congress sept. 9th, 1850. brigham young, the head of the mormon church, became the first governor. in 1854 it was vainly attempted to remove him; and in 1857 an army was sent to enforce federal authority. a final conflict was avoided by compromise. in 1862 the mormons attempted to get admission into the union as a state, with their “peculiar institutions,” but failed. a territorial government exists, but has little force, or vitality, while the mormons are large in numbers. according to the habits of our people, conflict is avoided so far as possible, to await the more peaceable and natural solution of the difficulty by moral forces.
utah is unique in one respect; though lying nearly a mile above the surface of the sea, and having a complete system of lakes and rivers, there is no visible connection of these with the ocean. it is a continent embosomed within the depths of a continent. the great salt lake is 100 miles long by 50 broad, and its waters are very salt—three parts of the water producing one of pure salt. no fish can live in it. it receives the contents of many considerable streams. whether they are kept in subjection by evaporation alone, or have a concealed outlet to the ocean is unknown. the soil, though in its natural state an apparent desert, is extremely fertile when irrigated, and produces wheat and other cereals in great profusion. its mountains are believed to be rich in silver and gold; but the mormons have discouraged mining, and very little has been done in that direction.
cotton is highly successful in the southern settlements, and experiments with flax and silk culture have been very favorable. the climate is mild and healthy.
utah is a highly promising section of our national domain. its population in 1870 was 86,786; its area about 87,500 square miles.
washington territory
was organized in 1853, and then contained a much larger area. it was at first a part of oregon, and its meagre early[541] history was the same. the straits of san juan de fuca were visited and named by a spanish navigator in 1775. the english government claimed the territory north of the columbia and for some years there was a joint occupation by both nations by special agreement. the difficulties concerning this boundary came near involving the two nations in war, but it was settled in 1846, giving the united states the territory to the 49th parallel of latitude. vancouver island was assigned to great britain.
washington is estimated to contain, west of the columbia river, where it flows down from british america, 22,000 square miles of arable land. there is much that is adapted only to grazing, and vast quantities covered with forests in the wild mountain regions of the eastern part of the territory.
it has an almost inexhaustible supply of coal, and more or less of the precious metals. the great distinction of washington territory is its forests. the warm ocean currents from the indian ocean, after traversing the eastern coasts of asia, are thrown across the north pacific against the western shores of north america, and effect an important modification in the severity and humidity of the temperature of our pacific slope. the climate is much milder and more equable than in the same latitude east of the mountains, and the moisture is highly favorable to forest growth. it is the best ship building timber in the world. the trees are immense, often reaching a height of 300 feet with a diameter of 8 to 12 feet.
the portion of washington territory lying west of the cascade mountains is rich farming land, heavily timbered; while east of the cascades the country is open prairie, well watered, with small and thinly wooded valleys. the land immediately about puget sound is sandy, not valuable for farming though producing timber, but a little way back is unrivaled in richness.
corn does not thrive well, but wheat, oats, potatoes, &c., are very prolific. large quantities of butter, cheese, and wool are produced. there is little snow in the winter and that soon melts away, except far up in the mountains. washington[542] shares with oregon the possession and use of the columbia river. there are fine fisheries on the coast and excellent oysters, and these produce a considerable trade. immense quantities of lumber are exported to all parts of the pacific coast of both north and south america, and even to buenos ayres on the south atlantic. the french come here for their best and cheapest masts and spars. thus we see that this corner of the republic brings to the common stock of national treasures some of its best and most valuable material of wealth, and is prepared to whiten the pacific with the sails of the unlimited commerce which is already beginning to grow up between us and the asiatics. puget sound can float with ease the navies of the world on its peaceful bosom. the northern pacific railroad will originate here, probably, another great commercial emporium. washington will, in due time, become a great and wealthy state.
its area is about 70,000 square miles; and the population in 1870 was 23,901.
[543]
dacotah.
this territory received an organization and government in 1861. it contains 240,000 square miles; and is greater in extent than all new england together with the great and wealthy states of new york and pennsylvania; and possesses some peculiar advantages.
the missouri river passes from southeast to northwest diagonally through it, navigable for its whole length, a distance of more than a thousand miles; the red river of the north skirts its eastern line, its valley being unrivalled for its richness, and adaptation to the growth of wheat. except the extreme northern part it is said to have the dry, pure, and healthy climate of southern minnesota, with the soil of central illinois.
it is free from the damp, raw, and chilly weather prevailing in iowa and illinois, and from the embarrassments to agriculture often experienced in these states from excessive spring rains; while, in late spring and early summer, copious showers supply sufficient moisture to promote a rapid vegetable growth. the surface east and north of the missouri is an undulating prairie, free from marsh, swamp, and slough, traversed by many streams and dotted with innumerable lakes, of various sizes, whose woody and rocky shores and gravel bottoms supply the purest water, and lend the enchantment of extreme beauty to the landscape.
it has all the conditions of climate, soil, and transportation, for the most profitable production of the two great staples of american agriculture, wheat and corn. west of the missouri[544] the country becomes more rolling, then broken and hilly, until the lofty chain of the rocky mountains is reached. these mountains cross the southwestern section. a most desirable stock raising region is furnished here, and mining will flourish in the mountains. in 1870 it had a population of 14,181. yankton is the capital.
arizona.
the spaniards visited the valley of the colorado at an early day; but the distance from mexico, and the warlike character of the indians, did not favor settlement beyond what was gathered about the few missions that were constructed so as to answer for fortresses.
the part of this territory lying between sonora, (of which it formed part,) and california was acquired to the united states by the gadsden treaty, made with mexico dec. 30th, 1853. the american government paid $10,000,000 for it. a territorial government was organized feb. 24th, 1863, and embraced part of new mexico, containing, altogether, an area of 121,000 square miles, or 77,440,000 acres.
efforts had been made previously to settle the country and develop its mines; and an overland mail stage route was established. this proved a success; but the fierce hostility of the apache indians, and the desperate character of such whites as had gathered there, fleeing from justice in california and sonora, discouraged the immigration of law-abiding citizens; and the breaking out of the civil war withdrew the soldiers in garrison there for the protection of the country. after the war the main stream of emigration followed the line of the newly opened pacific railroad. the development of the mines required capital and machinery and, though they are thought to be the richest in the world, nothing could be extracted from them by individuals without means. so the population has increased slowly, the census of 1870 giving 9,658.
it is a strange and somewhat fearful land; in great part a region of desolate mountains and deep canons. there are[545] many sections susceptible of cultivation that would produce immense returns under irrigation, but most of the efforts in this direction have miscarried from the desolating ravages of the indians. the rainless season reduces the whole country to the semblance of a desert. it is, however, declared to have more arable land in proportion to its surface than new mexico, or california; and will probably, in time, have a large and prosperous farming community. cotton is easily cultivated, and sugar cane, in the lower parts, produces abundantly. grains, vegetables, and melons are produced in the greatest possible perfection, and mature in an incredibly short space of time.
when the apaches are subdued, and society is reduced to order, it will become a favorite resort of the thrifty farmers of the older states, and the diligent german and other foreign immigrants.
it contains many traces of a race that has disappeared; some of their dwellings yet remaining in a partially ruinous state. they were probably aztecs, the race that ruled mexico before the conquest by cortez, or are more ancient still. hideous idols are found, and various indications of a barbarous worship.
the completion of the southern pacific railway will introduce the hum of industry among its desolate mountains and along its numerous fertile valleys, and the acquisition of the mouth of the colorado, a large river opening into the head of the gulf of california, will give it a profitable commerce. arizona lies south of utah, to which it is superior in the number and size of its streams, its larger quantity of timber, and the amount of rain-fall in some parts, which is deemed, in some sections, sufficient to dispense with the necessity of irrigation.
idaho.
this territory was organized march 3rd, 1863. it originally embraced a vast territory lying on both sides of the main chain of the rocky mountains; but the eastern portion has since[546] been erected into the territory of montana. it has about 90,000 square miles of territory, and had, in 1870, 14,998 inhabitants.
idaho has very little history prior to the organization of its territorial government. its chief attraction to settlers lies in its mines, as yet, and the population is floating, and, in large part, rough and sometimes disorderly. the difficulty of reaching it has prevented its rapid growth. it is exceedingly rich in the precious metals and this will, in time, attract a large population. the eastern and northern parts are very mountainous, abounding in wild and striking scenery and in natural curiosities. the soil in the southern, central, and western parts, is fertile, producing wheat and other small grain, and vegetables very successfully, but is unfavorable for corn from the late frosts of spring and the early cold of autumn. snow falls to a great depth in the mountains; but the streams are numerous, and there is much choice farming land, which may, ultimately, serve to support its mining population.
it runs from the northern boundary of utah to the south line of british america; washington territory and oregon, lying west. when railroads shall render it accessible, and open the way for its treasures to a market, it will be filled with an industrious and hardy population who will find all the elements of a prosperity as great as any section of the union enjoys. it has three beautiful lakes—the coeur d’aline, the pen d’oreille, and the boatman—of some size, and navigable for steamers. boisé city is the capital.
montana territory
was organized may 26th, 1864. it lies among the rocky mountains, in part on the western slope, but extending into the eastern valleys; and contains the sources of the streams forming the missouri river; while idaho lies west among the blue mountains where the tributaries of the columbia rise.
montana abounds in mines of gold and silver; and these are said to be much richer than those of california. the average[547] yield of ores in the latter state is $20 per ton, but the average in montana is stated to be four times that amount. great as is the yield of gold mines here it is declared that the ease with which silver is separated from its combinations in the ore will make that branch of mining more profitable. copper also abounds. this territory has several eminent advantages over other mining districts. it is reached by steamboats on the missouri river, from st. louis, without transhipment: navigation being free to ft. benton, in the heart of montana. the river voyage from st. louis to ft. benton, is made in 28 days.
there is a large and constant supply of water, a point of great difficulty in most of the other mining regions; and the country everywhere furnishes easy natural roads, the principal range of the rocky mountains not presenting the broken and rugged character of most other ranges. associated with this point is the important fact of great agricultural capability. it is one of the best grazing regions west of the mississippi. small grain and fruit are grown with the greatest ease, as also the more important vegetables. there is abundance of timber for all purposes of home consumption.
the area is stated at 153,800 square miles. the population in 1870 was 20,594.
alaska territory
was acquired to the united states by treaty with russia in the year 1867, for $7,200,000. it is a vast region containing 394,000 square miles, with 24,000 inhabitants.
it was first explored by command of peter the great of russia in 1728. a government was first established on kodiak island in 1790. in 1799 the russian american fur company was chartered by the emperor paul.
the northern portion is a tolerably compact body of mainly level country about 600 miles square, and a line of coast runs south for a long distance, including many islands. the aleutian group of islands is included. the principal value of the region to russia was the fur trade. the annual export of these[548] amounted to only a few hundred thousand dollars. american thrift will probably make much more of it.
the country is much warmer than its high latitude would seem to imply—sitka in the southern part having about the same mean temperature, by the thermometer, as washington! it is, however, extremely damp. in one year there were counted only 66 entire days without rain or snow. the coast is broken with mountains. the peninsula of alaska has some very high mountains—mt. st. elias and mt. fairweather being estimated at 15,000 to 18,000 feet above the sea. the islands of the aleutian group are volcanic in origin. there are several rivers, the largest, the yukon, or kwickpak being 2,000 miles long, and navigable for 1,500 miles. there are vast supplies of timber, much being pine, found nowhere else on the pacific coast. vegetables, and some grains, may be raised without difficulty, and the soil, in parts, is rich. abundant supplies of coal are believed to exist. the precious metals and iron, it is thought, are to be found there, but the country has been very imperfectly explored.
in the lively and extensive trade that is likely to grow up with japan, china, and the east indies, it will no doubt be found of great value, and its resources contribute to the wealth of our country.
wyoming territory
was organized by act of congress july 25th, 1868, and is the youngest of the territories. its area is stated at 100,500 square miles, and it had a population, in 1870, of 9,118.
the pacific railroad passes through it, to which its settlement is probably mainly due. montana lies on the north; dacotah and nebraska on the east; colorado and utah on the south, with the northern part of utah and idaho on the west.
the main chain of the rocky mountains crosses it from northwest to southeast which maintain here the same general characteristic as in montana, viz.: that of a rolling upland. its outlying ranges are more broken. most of the country is[549] good arable, or grazing land, sufficiently fertile to give excellent returns for labor, though, in large part, requiring irrigation. a few regions are remarkably sterile, but they are limited in comparison with the fertile lands.
gold mining has been successful, to a considerable extent; coal is extremely abundant and accessible; the supplies for the pacific railroad being obtained in this territory. iron has been found in considerable quantities, together with lead and copper ores. oil and salt springs promise to be productive.
thus without, as yet, developing any eminent specialty, the resources of this territory seem to promise all the requisites of prosperity to a large population; while the climate is mild and extremely healthy, and the great thoroughfare between the east and the west furnishes all necessary facilities for transporting its supplies to the best markets. more intimate knowledge of its mineral deposits may perhaps give it a higher rank as a mining state.
the district of columbia.
the first congress convened under the new constitution in 1789, held its session in new york. the seat of government was then removed to philadelphia. there was much dissension as to where it should be permanently located. the north and the south, were each equally obstinate in their desire to locate it in their own section, and the quarrel threatened a rupture of the confederacy. the great political question of the time was the debts of the states contracted in carrying on the war of independence. the south, disliking a strong central-government, opposed giving the charge of the finances of the country into its hands; while the north, strongly approved the plan of clothing it with authority to concentrate the strength of the nation to a reasonable extent, so that it might be able to act with vigor, and make the country formidable to its enemies. the reservation of as much power as possible to the individual states was a vital question with the south, since it wished to maintain slavery, and it was always[550] foreseen that the north must preponderate, ultimately, in the general government; and the north was unfriendly to slavery. the constitution could make its way in the south only by compromise as to slavery.
the question was a very difficult and delicate one to adjust, but with much tact jefferson and hamilton, usually antagonists in politics, united to urge a compromise; the north conceding the location of the national capital, and the south the assumption, by the general government, of the state debts. this was accomplished in 1790, and washington selected the site on his own potomac, virginia and maryland uniting to give a tract ten miles square, extending to both sides of the river. a new city was laid out, and buildings erected which were occupied for the first time in 1800. this small territory, the government and control of which was lodged wholly in congress, was called “columbia.” this possession of its own capital was considered important in order to avoid a possible conflict of federal and state authority.
the capital city was located on the maryland side, and called washington. the territory on the virginia side was, in 1846, re-ceded to virginia. on feb. 21st, 1871, the district was made a territory, with a legislature for its internal government, and the right to be represented by one member in the house of representatives.
the population in 1870 was 131,706. washington is adorned with many immense buildings erected for the various departments of the government, and the capitol itself is one of the largest in the world, and cost $5,000,000. it is worthy of the great nation represented in its halls.
