The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-12-30
From the Cincinnati Chronicle.
Oregon Territory.

The position of Oregon is eminently
favorable to commercial purposes, as may
be seen by any one who will take the
trouble to glance at the map. 10 the
South of it, at the distance of eight days
sail, is California, a country which
abounds in cattle and wheat, and in the
vicinity are other countries, which are
filled with the precious metals, and whose
shores furnish the pearl-produclng oysters.
The costs of Peru and Chill are within
three days sail; the Sandwich Islands
are about the same distance, and China
and the East Indies within seventy or
eighty days sail. The Pacific Ocean,
which is the highway Of communication
with these regions, is hardly ever rullled
by a storm. Should sieam-nayigation be
resorted to--as on this and other accounts
it undoubtedly will be-the distances
which we have estimated will be much
shortened, and Oregon brought within a
few days travel of The richest countries
on the globe.
The costs of Peru and Chia are inden-
ted with fine bays and harbors, and these
countries, stretching III long narrow line
along the ocean, would necessarily become
commercial were they only supplied with
ship timber. They must be dependen,
on any country which can furnish it.
Oregon bounds in timber Of The most
valuable kinds, situated along and at a
short distance from the coasts, and easily
accessible, and therefore command their
market. The Sandwich Islands produce
sandal-wood, sugar-cane, tropical fruits,
and may easily be made to grow cotton
and coffee. For these products they wan
in exchange timber and -four, with which
they are already supplied to a considerable
extent by the British establishments, II
Oregon, and might be to any amour
were there only hands to cultivate the
soil. Then there is the vast Fur Trad,
with China and the East Indies, to whicl
we need only alude.
Were Oregon barren rock, like ST
Helena, it would still be valuable as a de
pot for our extensive commerce in tn
Pacific. But it has great resources With
, itself 1t abounds in the raw materials q
commerce, and is adapted to almost ever
! variety of productive labor. The farmer
J the grazier and the manufacturer ma
, alike thrive within its limits, and Will
) they are enriching themselves, be col
= stantly developing the capabilities Of til
: country. We say the manufacturer, an
: this reminds us that we have forgotten t
r mention the numerous mill sites which al
e scattered up and down the rivers, an
S which greatly ENHANCE the value of III
t territory. The British, il is true, hay
= shown their sagacity in occupying the be-
OF these, but we trust they are lmprovln
4 them onl for the ultimate benefit of The
a rlghiful owners and future POSSESSION
G These combined advantages of production
+ situation and neighborhood, must one da
It make Oregon sort Of depot for the con
c merce Of the world.
l. Is not this fair region prize wort
IS con'endng for. more especially when o,
IS right 70 it is beyond dispute And if
a be worth an effort, shall we wait long,
e without making one : We have only
take possession formally and eiIeciuall,
7, and notify Great Britain OF our purpos
d and tho work is done,