When the country was explored, and a sprinkling of pioneers had spread themselves in the most favorable localities, tidings of the complication between our government and Great Britain reached them. War clouds were hanging in the air prognostic of determining the ownership of their terra firma. An amicable settlement, however, was brought about and the present boundary between Washington and British Columbia was fixed. A petition was sent to Congress praying for closer relationship in the Union, and in 1853 the Territory of Oregon was organized. The flux of immigration fast settled the attractive sylva on the Sound and the rolling prairies east of the Cascades. The Territory being too large, and the country north of Columbia was sliced off and made to struggle for itself. The promoters of the scheme were vigilant and got things to move their own way, and after all, they didn't do anything worse than to give this vigorating child of Uncle Sam the ever-cherished appellation _Washington_. MY WASHINGTON. Beautiful Evergreen, home of the free, Sunshine of my fancy thee, Where fragrance swells the breeze, And freedom rings from rocks and trees. My Washington, sweet gem of the sea, Land of the future, and home of the free. I love thy peaks in twilight hue, In silver rays rear to my view, I love thy brooks, thy laughing fjord, Thy waving fields in grain of gold. My Washington, sweet gem of the sea, Land of the future, and home of the free. I love thee, my land, I'll serve thee true, I'll look for thy wants, I'll be with you, Through sun and storm my heart is thine, Sweet hills of fir and vine. My Washington, sweet gem of the sea, Land of the future, and home of the free. We've plenty of soil, silver and gold, Aye, fields and forests of wealth untold, Only our hearts for thee could rise, Of thee I sing, my paradise. My Washington, sweet gem of the sea, Land of the future, and home of the free. [Illustration: MOUNT INDEX--ON THE GREAT NORTHERN LINE, WASHINGTON.] The scenery of Washington is grand and inviting. The Cascade runs through the bosom of the state, cutting her in twain, and throws his rugged spurs into Oregon and California. The majestic Rainier rears through the clouds to a height of 14,444 feet, wearing a hood of perpetual snow, which changes to a verdant fringe as it runs downward, clothing his feet with evergreen. Mount Adams has pushed his head upward 12,902 feet, and Baker has reached an elevation of 10,814, while St. Helen stopped 9750 feet above sea level.