The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-04-04


The people of Columbus, Ohio, appointed a COM
mtteo 10 collect such information about the great
Oregon country, as would enable them to determine
on the expedency OF securing its possession to our
Government as well as on the proper time and mode
o. proceeding to effect that object. The committee
'hereuPon reported history Of Oregon, aud the
country lying on the overland routen TO that Ter
ritory and, IN view Of its great vase and impor-
lance TO the United States and the facilities afford
cd by delay to foreign encroachment recommended
immediate and energetic action. According 10 their
apprehension OF things, England stands ready, with
Unsuitable appetite that grows by what il feeds on,
to swallow up, in her capacious NAV the whole
habltabe world. With vivid imagination, they de-
Pct her in the sublime attitude Of huge Colossus,
with one foot upon the banks of the Ganges and
the other upon those Of Oregon, besridng China and
the Polynesia" and bawng out for more worlds to
conquer.
The Oregon Territory, comprising the vast extent
Of country between the summit of the Rocky Noun
tans, and the Pacific Ocean, and extending from tho
Russian possessions on the North to the 42d degree
OF latitude on the South containing upwards of $780,,
600 square miles, and third large the twenty
SIX United States, possesses great natural advantages
and resources, OF which Government will doubt
less avail Itself, provided it can do with upright
ness and honor.
The eloquent descriptions of MIR. Irving, in his &C.
count of the adventures Of Captain Bonneville, have
rendered familiar the vastness and variety Of the OBJ
jects OF natural scenery in this partially explored re-
gion the grandeur OF its lofty mountains with their
rugged detles and foamng torrents relieved by the
contrast OF Deep solemn vallies, and calm, beautiful
lakes--thc landscape declining from their base into
the DIM and hazy distance towards the Western
Ocean--its extensive plains Of outstretched prairie
covered with nnumerable flowers, bordered by TO-
rests Of pine trees rising 10 the incredible height of
three hundred feet above the SOIL or terminating in
sandy deserts destitute of living objects--and its
mighty streams rolling onward in almost unbroken
solitude We know, too, OF its rich ftrs and the fa
cities which its occupation would afford to our peo-
pie for trade with the Western coast OF Mexico and
South America, with the Islands of the Pacific and
Indian Oceans, and with China. But it is only of
late that the nexhaustbe fertility Of much OF its
soil has been developed and found especially adapted
to the production Of all the great staples of life
The wheat raised in Oregon is said to be equal to
that of California, reputed the best in the world.
The grain is full, bright and heavy The temperate
and equable climate OF the country is peculiar favo-
rable to its growth II is neither exposed to blight
from frosts in winter, nor from dry parching heat
in summer, nor from immoderate moisture in the
spring.
II is greatly desired by the few adventurous set
tiers there, that our Government should extend its
jurisdiction and protection over them. The course
pursued by the Hudson's Bay Company is IN gene
raj oppressive but they have in some instances be-
rayed design to monopolize, by erecting little huts
in the best and most valuable parts of the district,
and on the ground Of prior occupation, though their
cabins not tenanted forbidding any body else to
settle in the same neighborhood.