Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-08
THE ROAD TO THE OREGON.

A recent number of the st. Louis (Mis.) Re-
porter gives an interesting account of an expe
| dition just despatched by the U. $. government
under instructions from the War Department
to explore the country between the Kanzas ant
| the head waters of the Great Platte River, and
the Southern Pass OF the Rocky Mountains, with
a view to a line of posts from the frontier Of
Missouri to the Columbia River. The explor.
ing party consists Of 90 men under Lieut.. Ere.
mont, of the Typographical Engineers, well
equipped with astronomical and ether nstru.
mcnts, and Daguerreotype apparatus for taking
views. The expedition seems to have grown
out of the bill introduced into the U. 8. Senate
by Mr.. Linn, from Missouri, for the occupation
olthe Oregon Territory. The Reporter says:
The great river Platte is the most direct line
of communication between this country and
the mouth of the Columbia, and that route is
known to be practicable and easy. 1t therefore
becomes important to ascertain the general
character Of that river and the adjacent coun-
try and the facilities it will be likely to afford in
prosecuting the contemplated settlements in
Oregon. The Southern Pass, or dispersion in
the Rocky Mountains, is near the source of the
extreme western branch of the River Platte,
and affords an easy passage for wagons and
other wheel carriages which have frequently
passed over the mountains upon that route,
without difficulty or delay: and it is important
that the latitude of thi, point should be ascer-
tanned, as it is thought that it will not vary
much from the line established between the
United States and Mexico, by the treaty with
Spain OF 1919. If this Pass should fall south
OF that line, Che AID degree of north latitude
it may beceme necessary to examine the coun-
try north off t: the line of the Yellowstone, and
south branch OF The Columbia, would it is tho't,
afford the next best route.
The day is not far distant when, if the Gen.
eral Government shall do its duty in the matter,
Oregon will be inhabited by hardy, industri-
Gus, and intelligent population, and the enter.
prise of our citizens find a new channel of trade
with the islands in the Pacific, the western coast
of this whole continent, and perhaps with East.
ern Asia. Notwithstanding the many obstacles
at present in the way of the settlement of this
territory, emigrants are rapidly pouring into it
and only demand of Government that protection
which is due to all cur citizens, wherever they
may choose to reside. While negotiations are
pending at Washington TO adjust all existing diff
iicultes between this country and Great Britain
our right to this territory should not be forgot
ten. At present, it may seem a small matter tC
the ncgotiators; but they should remember tina
every years delay will only render the final ad
iustment of the disputed Northwestern boun
Diary more difficult.
We are pleased to learn that the proper au
thorties at Washington evince a disposition tc
do something towards encouraging the early oc
cupatlon Of Oregon by permanent American set
tiers. 1t is known that many of the islaads il
the Pacific have already been settled by Amcri
cans, and profitable business is carried on will
the Indian tribes on the Northwestern coast o
America, and with the East Indies and China
There is nothing to prevent trading establish
ments in Oregon from ultimately securing larg'
share of the trade, and adding much to the wealtl
and prosperity of the whole.