The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-05-10
Oregon and California.
NEw-MADRlD, Mo-, March, 10, 1914,
IL. III. n q,

NEW-M ADRlD, Mo-, March, 10, 1874.
To The Editor cf The 81. Louis .NtU Era:
Dear Sir,-I have recently arrived in the |,
United States from Oregon, via California, /
the city Of Mexico and Vera Cruz was !
of the party that left the United States for |
Oregon in the spring Of ls42. Upon arriv
ing here, find very great interest mani
tested by many Of eur citizens in reference |
to those countries; have therefore thought !
that it might net only be proper, but per-
haps it might be duty incumbent upon me
to state SEINE facts within my knowledge,
especially in reference TO those of the coun-
tries through which have 50 recently iraV.
eled, 10 which many Of eur enterpriZing and
valuable citizens are annually emigrating.
Much has recently been written in refer
ence to the Oregon; it is therefore, perhaps,
only necessary for me 10 state the present
condition of that country, and to refer these
interested TO the Report of Lieut.. Wilkes,
the Report Of DR.. White, Indian Agent in
Oregon, and the travels of Mr.. Farnham,
for the details.
arrived in Oregon on the 5ih day of Oc-
tober, 1912, with party of 100 persons.
spent the winter principally at the Falls Of
the Wallammette. During the winter, the
lquestion in reference to an Organization was
fully discussed; many were in favor of an
independent government, but the majority
were favorable to government dependent
upon, and subject to the control of the Uni
ted States fer a limited time-fvs years, per-
hapa-when, if the United States had not
extended her jurisd ction to that country,
they were favorable TO declaring themselves
independent, not only of the United States,
but of all powers of the world. This dis
cussion resulted in determination to orga-
nize government subject to the control Of
the United States; and in the spring follow
ing, in accordance, with that determination
an organization took place. The various
officers were elected-a Supreme Judge,
members of the Legislature, Sherilfs, usti-
ces Of the Peace, Constsbles, and the differ
ent Secretaries and ProIhonoiaries. They
elected no Executive, consequently their
, government must be very inefficacious.-
Their Legislature was convened in the
spring of 1843, and when left, they had a
government in full operation. This seems
not TO sustain the conclusion 10 which Lieut.
Wilkes arrives. "W hen there" he says
IT made particular enquiries- whether laws
were necessary fer their projection; and
am fully satisfied that they require meme a
present besides the moral code il is their du
lty to inculcats, might be substituted for I
civil code, net only in Oregon, but through
out the world, were man governed by {
sense Of duty to his God and TO his fellow
man; but all experience seems to prove tina
: a civil code 10 necessary TO enforce that emo
> raj code.'' Ne more can be expected from
Oregon in this respect, than from the residue
Of the world.
When l left that country, Improvement
were rapidly progressing at the Falls of thu
J, Walammettse; two saw mills were erected
one of which was in operation; two iourinJ
mills were in contemplation, the frame Q
one of which was completed; there wer
q q three stores, and another has since been es
n tabIished; in all there were about thirt
ne buildings. This is a very favorable site fe
o town. The dOcter (McLaughlin) has al
i'll ready caused a town 10 be surveyed; it
so called sOregon City," As yet this is the on
20 " town in the territory, with the excepto
Of that in connection with Fl. VancouvTe
DR.. Mclaughlin has expended a very cons
derabe amount Of money at Oregon City
presume not less than seven or eight thou
sand dollars. After having surveyed TIL
T y site, he permitted all persons whO wished
VT do so, 70 take gratuitously as many lots {
cy they would build upon and improve. It
We net true, az some have stated, that the De,
TT tor claims any reference or right TO that PR
Law Perty by virtue of any supposed right
Ar claim of Great Britain to that territory.
Oh Whatever claim or preference he has, /
- claims to acquire by virtue Of the claim an
20 laws Of the United States. The gantleme
OI tu6 I1uOoOu Day NSlApe1 olS uVluS
cry thing in their power to encourage ar
facilitate emigration, and TO advance improv
menis throughout the country. Of this "a
Lieutenant Wilkes bears testimony. sThey
. he says afforded US every assistance til
was in their power, both in supplies al
means to accomplish eur duties. There a
ano many persons in the country who bear ties
my mony te the aid and kindness rendered the
re- in their outset; and of their hospitality il
be needless to speak, for it has become prove
Oe. bal" The party to which belonged, u
59;p en- arriving in the country, received me
go attention from these gentlemen than "a
y" would have done at home. DR.. McLaugh
re- kindly preferred to render them any ass
!. lance in his power Of the aid Of the d.
tor the people were very happy 70 av
- themselves, without which they would ha
been unable 70 have projected themselV
God against tbs iRclemsncy Of the approach
on winter.
a. left Oregon for California on the both
= Of May, 1843, with party Of IS persons;
= arrived in California on the 10th day of j
following. A few facts in reference 70 g
fornia may Be deemed Of some importan
as many Of eur citizens are also emigratine
gper that delightful country.
:. Upper California, 81 which / speak
+ bounded on tie East BY the Rocky Mo-