Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-03-01

Mr.. Douglass, were from twelve 10 fifteen inch
es in length, resembling in size and form sugar
loaves. Oak timber Of various kinds, is abun-
dani along the river, as well as the bui,onwood
balsam poplar, ash, sweet gum, beach, and
many other useful kinds, but no hickory OF
walnut.
The Governor of Fort Vancouver, who is an
active agriculturalist, has exerted himself for
adapted 10 the soil. Wheat, rye. barley, peas,
culinary vegetables Of all kinds are raised in
ample quantity.
Fruits of various kinds, apples, peaches,
plums, &c, do remarkably well. remember
being particularly struck, upon my arrival at
Vancouver in the autumn, with The display OF
apples in the garden of the fort. The trees
were crowded with fruit, so that every limb
required 10 be sustained by prop. The ap-
pies were literally packed along The branches,
and SO closely tha. compared them TO nothing
more apiy than 10 ropes of onions.
In the vicinity Of Wala-W Walla, or Ney
Perces Fort, the country, in every condition
for.many miles, exhibits an arid and cheerless
prospect. The soil is deep sand. and The plain
upon which The fort stands produces nothing
but bushes of dry aromatic wormwood. Along
the borders of the small streams, however the
soil is exceedingly rich and productive and on
these strips of land the superintendent raises
his corn, and The vegetables necessary for the
consumption Of his people.
The prong horned antelope occasionally
ranges these plains; the black tailed or mule
deer is found in the vicinity grouse of several
species are very abundant, and The large prairie
hare is common. In the autumn and winter,
in The vicinity of Fort Vancouver, ducks.
geese, and swans swarm in immense numbers.
These are killed by the Indians and taken 10
the fort as articles of trade. For a single
duck, one load of powder and shot is given
for goose, two and for a swan four loads.
For deer, len loads of ammunition or botlle
OF rum is the usual price.
Early in May Inc salmon are first seen en-
tering the river, and the Columbia and all its
tributaries TEEN with these delicious fish. The
Indians take erea. numbers BY various modes
subsisling almost wholly upon them during
their stay, and drying and packing them away
in ,haiched hWs 10 be used for winter store.
The salmon also forms chief article Of food
for the inmates of the fort, and hundreds Of
casks ale salted down every season
Abou, twenty miles above this, in The Wal
ammet valley, is the spot chosen by the Meth
odst missionaries for their settlement, and
here also considerable number Of the retired
servants Of the company have established
themselves. The soil Of this delightful valley
is rich beyond comparison, and the climate
considerable mder than that OF Vancouver.
Rain rarely falls, even in the winter season,
bu. the dews are sufficiently heavy TO compen.
sale for its absence. The epidemic of the
country, ague and fever, is rarely known here.
In short, The Wallammet valley is terrestrial
paradise, to which have known some exhibi,
So strong an auachmen, as 10 declare that,
notwithstanding the few prirations which me-
cessarily are experienced by the settlers Of a
new country, no considerations ever induce
them TO return 10 their former homes.
J. K T.
WASHINGTON, JAN 26, ls43.