Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-04-19

The following letter is from the Newburyport
(Mass.) Herald. The facts stated and the view it
presents of the population of the Oregon Terrific
ry, its growth character and social condition, are
exceedingly interesting in themselves, and they
furnish in our judgment, most pointed and
conclusive argument in support of the position
that the question of occupancy by the United
States, should be left as it now stands, and that
time and events are doing far more to give effect
to the American claim, than could possibly be
done by the direct action of our government. In
deed, we have no doubt that notice, as proposed
by Senator Benton and the immediate occupation
party, to the British government to put an end to
the existing Convention on the subject, would be
the very worst course that could be adopted, be-
cause it would Immediately change the present
quiet progress of American settlement in that ter
ritory; would introduce measures to disturb the
present tranquil growth Of American interests and
power, by an active promotion of British settlement
accompanied most probably by inducements to the
Indian tribes OF that quarter to place themselves i'll
an attitude of hostility to the settlements of our
people; and would thus tend directly to embroi
the present amicable relations OF the two countries
Let the whole subject so far as the action of the
two governments is concerned, remain as it is, and
the progress of emigration and settlement from the
" States' will quietly decide the whole question in
our favor, without disturbance or expense TO the
public.-.dlJa1y .4dv.
Extracts of letter dated Oct. 20, l643, at Will
lamatte Falls, on the river of that name which Is
! branch of the Columbia river:
"You will be much surprised when l tell you
t that within six months there have been erected
, here two flour and two saw mills, and between
thirty and forty dwelling houses, frame two ant
three stories high, painted white,) &c. 1t begins
e to look very much like the commencement of {
e city, | can assure YOU There is a great waite
!, power here, which, no doubt, will soon be accupi
ed by mills and factories, and of course will coec
g a large population around them. The population
OF this country, exclusive of the party Of 200 per
sons now coming in from the States, has Increases
e at least one third during the past year. Their
It were thirty thousand bushels of wheat raised her
d the past season; SO that you can Judge something
/ of what our people are doing here. wish larg
i party of emigrants from the Eastern States cou
5, be induced to come here and settle. If they onl
y knew the advantages Of this country they n
h doubt would come. The fact is any man with
e reasonable degree of industry can in two year
ID make himself perfectly independent The cmat
&c is good we have no sickness Of consequence an
N plenty of employment at 81, to $3.50 per day ft
o. mechanics
le Unfortunately most of the emigrants who hay
A. come to this country as yet, are Western men, VII
;e have been used to live upon "hog and hominy
ly and they are not content with any country wheI
ie corn and pork are not the staple products. BIZ
w sides they are not industrious or moral as OF
at New Englanders. Some of them complain th
;" they cannot get the necessaries Of life, such
le whiskey, &c., but fortunately for us we have IL
lis Spanish province of California near us, which al
W. swers the purpose of safety valve TO let oil thes
BY uneasy spirits; and besides, We arc pretty tn
Id roughly organized here now, SO that we shall pro
ably be able to keep these gentlemen in good O
er der land if uncle Sam does not do something
h the way of taking possession of the country
to he may expect to receive, before long, Mnist
no with proposals for treaty between the Unit