The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-27
FOR THE SETS SPY
OREGON COUNTRY

Multitudes who have explored this country be-
ieve it TO possess a mild and heathlul climate :.
and, in many parts, fertile soil which together
with It's navgable waters, and rich contiguous
markets, give it paramount advantages for trade
and commerce over other parts of America Cir.
cumstances render it of transcendant importance
thst these truths be general. known. Some few
vino know nothing of the country in question. affect
to disbelieye them, and to denounce the territory
as barren and unfit for the occupancy of civilized
people. The English settlers are thankful that
any among entertain opinions so unfavorable
They have been, for more thar 90 years, accumu-
lating fortunes in it-are fast increasing in NUN
bers-are Enjoying, in security and comfort, their
wefcutivnted larins-they would not resign Meir
peaceful homes and this delightful country for any
other spot on the earth.
With a view to settle this difference of opinion
and TO enlighten the public generally upon the
subject, the following extracts have been made
they bear testimony from Congressional documents
the accounts o. Golernnent Agents, and other in
| telligent persons, who have resided in Oregon
| They show the physical character OF the country
within 3uO miles of the ocean; and the vast differ
! ence Of Climate and forests in that region, and
of those in the most favored sections of the u
States. That the reader may examine the author-
ties for himself reference is made to book and page.
| CLIMATE. Senate documents. I'd session, 2lst
Congress. Capt Pitcher observes. that the third
! or Underwater region has climate of its own Ice
or snow is seldom seen the heats are never
great and winter is hardly distinct season. Next
TO the sea, rains and mists frequent from fall till
spring but the progress of these towards the inte-
rior is arrested by the ranges of mountains, which
skirt the coast and extend about sixty miles from the
sea- Within that, and to the head of tide water the
country is altogether healthfu. 1t is here with all
the advantages of climate and navigation opposite
the mouth of the Multonmah, and with the rich low
grounds of that river, that the Hudson Bay Com
| hava daA thntr
great city and powerful nation will eventually
grow up.
Cox's adventures on the Columbia river D. 49,
The climate at the mouth of the river, and thence
to the rapids, is mild. The mercury seldom falls
below the freezing point, and never rises above 81
degrees l.. 1856. The climate of Mutnomah is
remarkably mild, and not SO moist as that on the
coast.
Lewis and Clarke, vol. II, p. l6f. The horse is
principally confined to the great plains of the CO.
lumbia. The natives suffer them 10 run at large
on the plains, the grass of which affords them their
only winter subsistence, the soil and climate appear
to be perfectly well adapted to the nature OF this
animal.
Manuscript Journals of Capt r. GRAY and Judge
Provost The frost seldom appears till January,
and is then so slight as scarcely TO impede the
progress of vegetation. At the mouth of the CO.
lumba, the severity of the weather is better deter
mined by the quantity of water that falls than by
lts cohGelauoh IN the MIDDLE OF February, benign
spring commences. In March, nature has put on
her loveest dress In April, a mild summer leat
obtains, shrubbery is in blossom, and vegetation
proceeds briskly. In June, all kinds of wild fruit
are ripened, and weather delightfully."- pleasant sue
ceeds. VERITAs
Capt. Gray commanded the brig Columbia,
which ilrst hoated on the waters of that river,
Judge Provost was the government agent, who in
1918 took the formal surrender of Astoria His in,
i,eeresting account of the country IS in the State
| Department.