Polynesian., 1844-06-08

from the effects of winter, than in the same
l%atituues on the Atlantic side ofthe continent.
Notwithstanding these appearances, frosty
nights occur as late as May, | believe, almost
every year.
The banks of the Columbia, from the sea
inland to a distance of about $50 miles, are
thickly wooded. The principal timber is of
the evergreen kind; fir, spruce, cedar and
pine. There is also u small portion of oak,
ash, soft maple, birch and alder, and some
other kinds, of less Importance. After pass
ing out of the heavily timbered country,
there is still some timber of the various kinds
mentioned; but it becomes thinner and thin
ner, and finally, at a distance of $50 miles
from the coast, the banks are bare, and tim
Der is only seen on the distant heights of
land, and on the small streams which empty
into the Columbia.
In passing up the river, we find it divided
into several channels by a great number Of
islands, some of which are miles in length,
but so low as to be overlooked almost every
year by the f~reshets, and rendered useless
for agricultural purposes; though | doubt
not some of them would afford excellent fish
cries for salmon. We also observe on the
banks, and contiguous to the river, prairies
of various dimensions, from a few acres, to
thousands of acres in extent. These are
covered with a rank species of grass, of a
poor quality for cattle; and many of them
are overlowed occasionally, though not ev-
cry year, by the rise of the Columbia. The
beautiful prairie on which Fort Vancouver is
situated, is sometimes overlooked to the very
gates of the fort, Notwithstanding an embank-
ment has been thrown up on the rivers side,
to guard against such an event: and the
crops on that prairie are often injured, or en-
tirely swept away, by the flood.
Although a river of great length, the Co
lumbia can only be assembled, by a ship of
800 tons, a distance of about 100 miles from
the ocean; and the head of tide water is but
a few miles higher up, or at about 100 miles.
l95 miles fromthe sea occurs the first rapids,
and in this vicinity the first portage, where
all goods, and even the boats and canoes,
have to be carried over by land, a distance
of half a mile. From this point, the riv-
er is again navigable about 100 miles, where
another portage has to be made; and from
this, to the highest point of my observation,
rapids occur frequently, but no other portage
has to be made,-eXcept at the falls,-for a
long distance.
AT a distance of so miles from the sea, the
Willamette or Weeltnomale river enters the
Columbia. There is however, another branch
which enters the Columbia about 90 miles
below, forming a long island of that length,
between it and the Columbia. 1t is upon
this river, at a distance of 80 or 60 miles from
the Columbia, that the principal settlement
in the whole country is located. The river
is navigable for salmoners and small briggs to
the falls, % miles up from the Columbia.
About the same distance above the falls,
commences the settlement, which is c%ontinu-
ed along the river, for an equal distance.
And many have also taken up land back from
river, on the beautiful p%raries which are found
in the broad valley of this stream.
The valley of the Willamette is beautifully
diversified with p%rairies and woodland, well
w%atered, with a good soil, and affords facili-
ties for agricultural operations rarely sur
passed. But it is yet questionable whether
the climate is equally favorable with the soil.
The winter and spring months are usually