The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-10-12
From The Northern Light.
THE OREGON TERRITORY.

IHE OREGON TERRITORY.
In commercial, agricultural, and military
point of view, the Oregon Territory is one Of the
most important and valuable portions of our coun
try; and sound policy, and the interests of the u
nited States imperiously require its speedy settle
ment and military occupation. Ablo and lumn
Gus reports from committees OF both Houses Of Con
gress heretofore submitted, conclusively show the
immense value and importance of this territory to
the United States.
The Columbia, or Oregon river, is one of the
largest and finest rivers, in the world. Ii is now
navigable for ships one hundred and twenty, and a
canal around its falls would render it navigable for
steamboats, more than 600 miles
The right of the United States TO all the terrific
ny bordering the Pacific, from latitude AZ to 40
north, Is undoubed; and ii is questioned by a.
ny nation except Great Britain. The climate west
of the Rocky Mountains is mild and steady and
is decidedly better than that fany portion OF our
territory east of these mountains.
Mr. Irving, in his ASTORIA, speaking on tn is sub
Ject, ys,-"The rigorous winters and sul,ry sum
mers, and all the caprioous inequalities of tempera
ture, prevailing the Atlantic side of the noun
tains, is but little felt the western decllviles
The country between them and the Pacific is bles-
sembhng the climate in parallel laiiludes in Eu-
rope"
Mr.. Provost. speaking of the climate in latitude
46 IL on the Pacific, says,-"The rains commence
in the beginning of November, and continue to
fall partially until the beginning OF April;--a be-
nign spring succeeds, and when the summer heat S
obtain, they tempered with showers as sell
dom TO suspend vegetation. l found it luxuriant
the LIST Of October and during fortnight's stay,
experienced no change of weather relard its pro
gresa'
From the late tour of the Rev. Samuel Parker, it
appears that the upper portion of the territory
tans extensive praries, where horses are numer-
Gus, which subsist, winter and summer upon Inc
pasture afforded by them, and that on these prai-
ries, cattle To any amount might be raised, without
labor or expense. The other portions of the terri
tory abound in wood and timber, and produce the
finest OF wheat, corn oats, potatoes, barley. PEAS,
&c. sc. The country from the ascends by
regular terraces 10 the SUBMITS of the Rocky Noun
tains, and presents every variety of soil, which
will be found adopted TO every variety of culture,
and is watercd by the noble river Columbia, and
It's numerous tributaries.
Mr.. Slacum, special agent appointed by Presi-
dent Jackson 10 examine this territory, speaking Of
the southernmost portion OF it, IN latitude 43 north,
says: g From the IN formation received of Mr..
Young and other trappers, am told that the river
Umpqua is nearly ofthe size as the Willha
mel, Ga tributary of the Coumbia) The lands
equally good and well tnbered. The river
called Ragues, and sometimes Smiths river "a
bounds with the finest timber west Of the Rocky
Mountains and 1t may fairly be estimated that the
of w he ia.
dicon OF the United States, contain at least four
teen millions of acres of land of the first quality
equal to the best lands of Missouri and Illinois,
Such is the Oregon Territory, which, owing to
the supineness ofour government may he said TO be
possessed, or ruled, by the Hudson Bay Company,
and from which it draws an annual income from
the fur trade alone, of nearly million of dollars.
This company has its principal establishments
of the Rocky Mountains, few miles below
the falls on the Columbia river and clearly with
in territory, where it has fost, saw mill, a
grist-miII various kinds ofmechanics. large boat
house, steamboat and other shipping, an enclosed
farm OF 8 900 acres, on which produced annual
ly about 900 bushels of wheat, and large quaint
ties of corn barley, oats, potatoes, &c. &c, with
population, mostly Canadians, Of about $50 per
1t has also several other establishments
near the source of the Columbia river.
The title Of the United States to all the territory
south of the Columbia, and to the middle of the
channel of that river, has been virtually acknowl
edged by Great Brtan that is, from latitude AZ to
a. IL norh and ou- title from AZ to 40 north lati-
tude the Pacific, is undoubted, although claim
is set up by Great Britain all The erritor, north
of the Columbia river The grounds of that pre-
tended claim are perfectly understood by the gov>
eminent ofthe United States, and VIGOROUSLY
antenabIe. 1t is, therefore, unnecessary to enter
into an examination of them; and the claim the
part of that power, only goes to show, if that at
this day could be necessary, the Unsuitable avar'ce,
and the grasping disp osion of that ambitious ma
ton. ~, tarf .4,... .-, ,-..s.. =.
They already possess in North America, 435, 200