Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-04-06

Company some poEtant facts have been transmitted from the war department, with regard to the ge- ography and climate of the country, andthe monlpo- ly of the British Fur companies, which, heretofore have been but little known. It has long been prevailing opinion, that the Rocky Mountains Ire, in great measure, impossible, and hence, that hey must form material barrier to the westward mach of the United States population. Agreeably tothe documents to which we have referred this opiton appears wholly groundless. They have lately lken passed in several places, between latitude 42 and 45 without the least obstacle It is stated that wans and carriages may cross them, in state of natire without difficulty, and with but little delay in diys journey. Some parts are very high, but the gradual rise of the country in the vast slope from the Msss- sippi to the foot of the mountains, makes consde- rable elevation without perceptible increase, and then the gaps Impressions let you through almost on q level The soil of the country is generally in- feror to that which lies the east side of the noun tains The upper regions, which are drained by the waters flowing into the south side of the Columbia produce some fertile valleys, and few beautiful lakes. The middle region is mostly sandy desert plain, wholly unfit for cultivation. The region bor- dering on the Pacific is heavily timbered and inter mixed with considerable fertile soil The climate of the whole country west of the mountains is much mider than the corresponding latitude and elevation in the Mississippi valley in the Atlantic States. In the mountaneous region, even where the mountains covered with perpetual snow, the valleys hre comparatively mid
 Next to the sea, rains and mists are heavy andin- cessant from fall to spring. but the progress of ese towards the interior is in measure, arrested by the ranges ,of mountains which skirt the coast md extend about sixty miles from the sea Ice and snow are seldom seen; the summer is mild and vim ter is bnrdly distinct season: this region extends to the head of tide water, about 160 miles from the sea- It is here, with all the advantages of climate and navigation, opposhe the mouth of the Multna- mak, ard with the rich low grounds of that river ihe Columbia and the Coreliske, that the Hudson's hay company, under the protection of Great Britain, have founded their settlement, and fort Vancouver. The authority shown by Great Britain, for forming settlements and building Notifications in the terrto- y by virtue of the treaty of 1S1e, the third article of which applies to the joint occupation of the try west of the Rocky Mountains, by the British md Americans; and was intended to grant reciprocal privileges. The words of the convention ara: - "Thaf any country af may te claimed Ly eifher iarty on Me nOrth-,cest coast of America srestrard fMe and oreks and Me navigation of aH rirers rithm the same be free and open for the tenn cf ten gears from he date o the signature of e present cOnrenfitn to the vessels, citizens and subjects o he ttco poers c.
 By. this fhraseology it would be understood Il at both parties were possessed of territory west pfthe Rocky Mountains, which was drained by navpable rivers, and supplied with harbors, creeks andbays when the fact is, tie territory owned by the United States is alone so drained and furnished. Tie con- vention of ISIS has been continued, but not tnarg- ed, and its termination depends on years ndice to be given by either party in the meantime lays open the country claimed by each power, to the tra- ders and hunters of each but the British hay. reap ed all the benefits thus far, ulting from the reaty They have spread over the whole region west oftie Rocky Mountains, even to the Mexican possessions, while no American has gone west of the Columbia river, As trader he could not come in fair compe- tition with tke British, because the American pays duty every thing he in the trade, as high as 60 per cent, while the British import every thing by the mouth of the Columbia and pay nothing
 At Fort Vancouver the goods for the Indian trade are imported from London and enter the territories of the United States, paying duties; and from the same point the furs taken on the other side of the moutains, are shipped. The amount of beaver skins annually shipped from these places, is estimated at about thirty thousand besides otter skins and small fnrs The beaver skins alone, at New York prices, are said to be worth about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Thus, if this course should be pur an5 n % hses e qTis 'n ibe T States possession, where beaver urs of any quantity can be obtained. The inequality of the convention of 1918 With Great Britain, we are told is most gar ing and apparent and it's continuance is great and manifest evil to the United States The interests of our country require that the convention should be speedily terminated and each nation confined to its OWL HnltS lHe inHucnCe WuiCH uit DHtish are dally acquiring the Indans and the prospect of British colony united with the military stations on the Columbia, considerations sufficient to demand the termination of the convention of 1913. Fort Vancouver al the head of tide water it appears, the importantofthe British Notifications west of the mountains, but it is satisfactorily ascertain. ed that regular line of forts and posts construct ed by the Fur companies, under authority of Great Britain, from Hudsons bay, to the mouth of the Co., lumbia; thus circumscribing our limits, and appa- renty pursuing the same system was practised by France. previous to the French war, the British Colonies. " The political advantages of all these events, considerable in time of peace, and must become infinitely more so in time of war" The in- jury that must result to the United States from the British getting control ofal the Indians beyond the mountains, building and reparing ships in the tide waters of the Columbia, and having safe harbor there for their prvateers and ships of war, form sons for the termination of the treaty. too conclusive in opinion, to be long disregarded by the people of the United States.
 From the National Banner.