W. H. RUFFNER LEXINGTON, VA., Dec. 13, 1880. SEATTLE, W. T., Jan. 9, 1889. DR. W. H. RUFFNER. _Dear Sir_: In relation to your request for such additional data as may be of interest in connection with your Report, especially such data as relate to the changes in population since the time of your visit here a little over a year ago, likewise relating to new developments in the plans of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway Co. and other matters of interest, I respectfully state the following: The immigration into Washington Territory since December, 1887, has been very heavy, and while there are no statistics showing the number of immigrants, except such as have taken up their residence in the towns and cities, I am, I feel sure, not far from the truth, when I estimate their number at 65,000. Of this number, Spokane Falls has received about 8,000 Seattle " " " 10,000 Tacoma " " " 7,000 The remaining number may be assumed to have been distributed about as follows: To the various small towns east of the Cascade Mountains 7,500 To the various small towns west of the Cascade Mountains 6,000 To the agricultural and mining regions east of the Cascade Mountains 16,000 To the agricultural, timber, and mining region west of the Cascade Mountains 10,500 The usual proportion between the populations of country and towns in Western States and Territories is as three to one (roughly estimated); this would indicate that the towns and cities have received more than their fair proportion of the entire immigration, and this is true. The consequence will, therefore, undoubtedly be that of the immense immigration predicted for the year 1889 a correspondingly larger percentage will reach the rich agricultural, mineral, and timber lands of Washington Territory, and thus restore the proper balance. Since Mr. Whitworth's report and yours, an additional cable railroad and an electric street railway have been started at Seattle, and quite a number of new enterprises have been commenced.