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Simpson to Carter, Weekly Corvallis Gazette (Corvallis, Oregon), 15 February 1878, 2, NADP Document D175.

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[Page 2]       We take the liberty of making the following extracts from a private letter, written by Hon. Ben. Simpson, though not intended for publication. The letter is dated Washington, Jan. 23d. 1878:
      W.B. CARTER "Dear Sir: * * * * I have been here for some three weeks. I find it very quiet, much more so than last winter. The weather has been fine – it is now quite cold. Congress has had under consideration, Women Suffrage, the Silver question, and Railroad interests generally, ever since they met, after adjourment. I am happy to say, that on the last named question Oregon comes in for her full share of attention. I have heard several arguments before the Railroad Committees of both Houses, and I have heard much said in regard to those matters outside of congress, and from all that I have heard, both in congress and out, I am now of the opinion that what is known as the "Mitchell bill" relating to the Salt Lake and Northern Pacific, will pass. I am sure that Oregon is fast becoming a power in congres. I have been here for the last four winters, and I think I [...] a continual gain in influence. I enclose with this, two resolutions introduced yesterday in the U.S. senate by Senator Mitchell. They will explain themselves. – {We gave them below. – ED.}
      You will see that they are in the right direction, and I hope they will be favorably considered. Senator Grover and Congressman Williams will, of course, do all they can for their passage. Senator Mitchell, also a day or two ago, introduced a resolution on Indian matters that I regard as expressing just what we want. I hope you will urge the adoption of the proposition.
      * * * * I have been expecting to meet Col. Hogg here but as yet have not. I am anxious to do all in my power for Corvallis and Yaquina Bay railroad. The removal of the Indians from Siletz Reservation is under consideration as foreshadowed in the Mitchell Resolution, a copy of which no doubt you have received, as I heard him direct his clerk to send you one. {For some reason, not come to hand. – ED.} Those other resolutions, in relation to Cape Foulweather and Alsea river, are both favorable to your long desired enterprise – the Yaquina Railroad.

I am respectfully,
BEN SIMPSON.

      In the Senate of the U.S. Jan. 22, Mr. Mitchell asked, and by unanimous consent, obtained leave to introduce the following bills, which were read twice and referred to Committee on Commerce:
      A BILL making an appropriation for a survey of the waters of the Pacific Ocean at Cape Foulweather in the state of Oregon, with a view of determining the practicability and cost of constructing a harbor of refuge at that port.
      Bill composed by the Senate and House of Representives of the United States of America in Congress passed. That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, instructed to cause a survey of the waters of the Pacific Ocean at Cape Foulweather, in the state of Oregon, to be made, with a view of determining the practicability and cost of the construction at that point of a harbor of refuge for ships of commerce; and for such purpose there is hereby appropriated, out of the moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of thousand dollars.
      A BILL providing for the survey of Alsea River and Harbor, [conveying] the same.
      Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the sum of three thousand dollars be, and the sum is hereby appropriated out of the money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to enable the United States Coast Survey to make a survey of Alsea River and Bay, Oregon, and for the purpose of [...] the same.