Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-08-30
IRON OREGON
TwALAT1SE PLAINS, OEEcoN. :
November 9th, lS40. )

November 9th, lS4S.
DEAR SIR:-I avail myself Of an oppor-
,uniy offered by one Of the vessels belon-
ging to the Hudson Bay Company 10 for
ward you few lines.
The emigrants have not all arrived tho
more than half are here and the remainder
may be looked for in few days, all
were at the Methodist Mission abou, $50
miles distant, near the Dalls. On last
week several Of the families arrived with
in few days a, Fort Vancouvre and the
w alamat,e Falis-some by water and
others over the Cascade Mountains. The
Wagons will be brough. from the Dalls
by water as The season is now too Tar adj
vAnced to open road through the noun
,ains. Tins expedition establishes the
prac,icabili,y beyond doub. of Wagon
road across the continent by the way Of
the southern pass in the Rocky Nouns
tains. We have had no difficulty with
the natives although we have had tedi-
ous'journey. We have had less obstacles
in reaching here than we had right TO
expect, as il was generally understood be.
fore leaving the States that one third of
the distance, to wit: from Fl. Hall 10 this
place, was impossible with wagons
Great credi. however is due 10 the energy,
perseverance and industry of this emigra-
ting company, and particularly 10 DR..
" hiiman one Of the Missionaries at Wal
la WaIla Mission, who accompanied us
out. His knowledge of the route was
considerable, and his exerllons Tor the IN
teresss Of the company were un,iring.--
Our Journey may now be said TO be at an
end. and we are now in the Walammette
Valley. have been here near three
weeks, having left my Wagon IN charge
of The ,eams,er, and proceeded on horse
back from Fort Hall in company with
some so persons principally young men.
Your frs, questions now Will be: how are
Won satisfied with the country! Is il wor-
,hy of the notice ,ha. Congress has giveE
it? would answer these in the affirm.
tive. Perhaps there is no country IN tiic
world of its size tina, offers more induce
men,s to enterprise and industry than Dr.
egon. The soil in this valley and in ma,
ny other portions of the Territory IS equal
TO lha, of Iowa or any other portion OF the
United States, in point Of beauty and fer
| ,iliiy and It's productions in many ari'-
ces are far superior, particularly IN regard
to wheat, potatoes. beets and ,urn'ps. Inc
| grain of the wheat is more than one third
| larger than any have seen in the States.
Potatoes are abundant and much better
than those in the States. measured
beet tina, grew in Dr.. Whi,man's garden
which measured in circumference inch
es shor. of 3 feet, and there is now grow
ing in the field Of Mr.. James Johns, IN
less than mile from the place where |
write you. .urnip measuring in clrcm-
ference 4 l.2 feet. and he thinks it will
exceed five feet before pulling time. In.
deed every thing here is in flourlshins
condi,ion--.rade brisk. and every body
doing well. The emigran.s generally. or
all are as far as know, satisfied. Wages
for commons hand is from 81 TO 81 per
dav. and mechanics from 50 10 a. Wheat
is quite abundant and sold to ships or en-
| igrauts al 81 per bushel Flower is from
50 to 10 per barrel. Potatoes and Tur.
nips SO cts. per bushel Beef from = to
8 els. per lb. American cows from % TO
90. The prairie is coa'ed WIN T'c'
green grass perhaps the mos. nutritious IN
The world and am told tina. the winter
is never SO severe or the grass so scarce
tina. poor horse will no. fa''en IN me
space OF one month. Nothing IS wanted
bu, industry to make this one OF the rich
est little countries in the world. ! say ~.
lie because the fertile part OF i IS small
impaired with the very extensive terlile
', countries in the valley Of the Mississippi;
We, we have country sufficient in extent
, and resources to maintain in lucrative oc'
, cupa,ions millions Of inhabitants. It's great
hydraulic power Immediately on the sea
shore, the advantages for stock growing OF
|; wool growing. its fertile soil and indeed
) lis very isolated situation from competition
,, with The rest Of the civilized world. al
combine with other circumstances 70 make
/ !, one Of the mos, desirable countries t''-
: der the sun for industry and enterprise.
s am very respectfully.
!. Your obed't servant,
: M. M. McCARvER.
nopcr