CARSON CITY, The capital, is situated at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, about four miles west of Carson river. In 1864, the silver mines at this place yielded upwards of one million dollars. In 1865, the population was about two thousand five hundred. The other important places are Nevada City and Gold Hill. The population of Nevada City is about three thousand six hundred. That of Gold Hill in 1860, was six hundred and thirty-eight. CHAPTER V. TERRITORIES. The territories of the United States are ten in number, viz: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Indian territory; the greater number of which are traversed by the Rocky mountain system, commencing in New Mexico, extending in a north-west direction across the North American continent, and terminating near the mouth of the Mackenzie river. The name Rocky mountains is, however, applied to only that part of the system within the United States. To this system belong the Sierra Madre, Wasutch, Bitter Root, Black Hills, and others. The great breadth of the base, and the gentle acclivity render the Rocky mountains more easily traversed than any others of the same altitude. The Union Pacific railroad crosses them at Bear mountain summit, eight thousand seven hundred and ninety feet above the level of the sea. WASHINGTON Is bounded on the north by British America, on the east by Idaho, on the south by Oregon, and on the west by the Pacific ocean. This territory was separated from Oregon by an act of Congress in 1853. A large portion of the surface is mountainous, and abounds in romantic scenery. Washington has a great coal trade, and gold has been found on the Columbia river, and on the east side of the Cascade mountains. The eastern and central portions are peopled by various Indian tribes. The white inhabitants live west of the Cascade range. Olympia, the capital, is on Shute's river, at its entrance into Puget sound. Steilacoom is one of the most important places. IDAHO Was organized in 1863. It is bounded on the north by British America and Montana, on the east by Montana and Wyoming, on the south by Utah and Nevada, and on the west by Oregon and Washington. The surface is rugged and mountainous; the scenery picturesque and grand. In this territory is Fremont's peak, the highest of the Rocky mountains in the United States, having an altitude of thirteen thousand five hundred and ten feet. Gold and silver, the chief minerals, are found in large quantities, and mining is actively engaged in. Boise City, on the Boise or Big Wood river, is the capital. MONTANA Formed a part of Idaho until 1864, when it was organized as a territory. It is bounded on the north by British America, on the east by Dakota, on the south by Wyoming and Idaho, and on the west by Idaho. The surface is rugged, mountainous, and in some places shows signs of volcanic action. Silver and iron exist in large quantities, and gold has been found to some extent. The Missouri river has its source in Montana. In the northeastern part of this territory is Fort Union, on the proposed northern railroad route to the Pacific. Montana was organized as a territory in 1863. The principal towns are Virginia City, the capital, Bannock City, Laburge City, Gallatin City, and Nevada. DAKOTA, The largest territory, was organized in 1861. It is bounded on the north by British America, on the east by Minnesota and Iowa, on the south by Nebraska, and on the west by Montana and Wyoming. This territory presents every variety of surface, elevated table lands, rugged hills, plains, and sand hills. The Missouri river traverses nearly the entire length of this territory. On it are built several United States forts, among which are Forts Berthold, Clark, Sully, and others. Yanktown is the capital, and Pembina the oldest city. (See views in Dakota.) WYOMING, The latest organized territory, is bounded on the north by Montana, on the east by Dakota and Nebraska, on the south by Colorado and Utah, and on the west by Utah, Idaho and Montana. Through the central part of this territory passes a ridge of the Rocky mountains. In the south-eastern part occur the Black hills, the principal of which are Laramie peak and Mount Pisgah. South-west of this range of hills, and between them and the Rocky mountains, are the Laramie plains, on which are found huge red sandstone rocks. This territory formerly belonged to Dakota, from which it has recently been separated. UTAH Is bounded on the north by Idaho and Wyoming, on the east by Wyoming and Colorado, on the south by Arizona, and on the west by Nevada. It was originally a part of California territory, ceded to the United States by Mexico in 1848. It became a separate territory in 1850. The general surface is mountainous, and the most barren and sterile region in the United States. Some of the villages are six thousand feet above the level of the sea. The climate in summer is hot and in winter mild, but subject to sudden changes. Great Salt Lake, in this territory, is the most remarkable body of water in the United States. This lake is in the northern part of the territory, about four thousand two hundred feet above the level of the sea, and so bitterly salt that no live animal can exist in it. It has no visible outlet, but four rivers empty into it, one of which is the river Jordan, connecting it with Utah Lake. The water of Salt Lake is so buoyant that one finds difficulty in wading in it, floats with ease, and would be in no danger of drowning, except by strangling. Three gallons of water produce one gallon of pure salt; and, during hot weather, the shores of the lake are covered with a thick incrustation of salt, caused by solar evaporation. The lake is one hundred and twenty miles long and forty miles broad. Utah Lake is about thirty miles from Great Salt Lake. It is a clear, fresh body of water, twenty miles wide and thirty-five miles long. SALT LAKE CITY, The capital of Utah, is about twenty miles from Great Salt Lake, and is situated near the Jordan river. The city was laid out by the Mormons in 1847, contains about twenty thousand inhabitants, and publishes three daily and one weekly papers. Camp Douglas, a garrisoned post of the United States army, restrains the despotic power of the Mormon church, affords shelter to all those who abandon that faith, and sends them to the states under military escort. Brigham Young, the president of the Mormon church, is popular among the "saints," and rules them with ease. His dwellings, the Lion House and the Bee-hive House, are in the heart of the city, surrounded by a wall eleven feet high, built of bowlders laid in mortar. In the city are four public squares, in one of which a magnificent temple is being erected. (See views of Salt Lake City.) COLORADO, Organized in 1861, is bounded on the north by Wyoming and Nebraska, on the east by Nebraska and Kansas, on the south by Indian Territory and New Mexico, and on the west by Utah. The general surface is mountainous. Within this territory are some of the highest peaks of the Rocky mountains, the most noted of which are Long's Peak and Pike's Peak. The |