Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-01-05
FROM OREGON,


etter from gentleman belonging to
Methodist mission in Oregon, from which
make the following extrac,s.-St. Lou
Republican.
am stationed at the Willamette Falls.
This is rather romantic spot, yet man
things conspire to render It rather pleasa
than otherwise. It's advantages for wat,
power are very little, If any, exceeded t.
those of Rochester. There are a, this plac'
now coopers shop, two small stores cstai-
lished this season, by two Americans nam,o
Briggs. Ono is to be permanent If circur.
stances will Justify. 1t is established by N .
Gushing, Of Ncwburyport, Mass. undo,
stand he takes deep interest in the af1ai
| of Oregon. We have two mission building
A saw mill is raised, and iouiing mill
in contemplation by milling compan,
| formed in the country for the purpose of i'm
provcmrnr. The Hudson Bay COMPANY
have two houses tor their convenience. 81
that we have quite village.
What Of the climate, water, soil, timber
in word, advantages and disadvantages a.
Oregon, and what encouragement does thu
country hold GU, to cmigrans? The cli-
mate is mild, tic summers generally fin,
though in the middle oflhe day rather warn.
The nights arc cool, and very little rain i,
summer. This summer, however, we llay,
been favored with some rains it has been
difficult TO secure the harvest; no, muc.
however, will be lost. This is prolific sea-
son here; crops are very good.
There will probably be fifty or NOR,
thousand bushels Of produce in the countr>
this ycar-Las, year the Hudson Bay Con-
panv shipped, probably 10000 bushels ft:
the Russian dominons and other places, d:
sixty cents Per bushel. The winters al
generally rainy, though there is some pleas.
ant weather, sometimes little snow. Ca,-
tie, however, keep fat all winter, wilhou,
foddrrng. This is destined to be one oi
the best grazing countries in the world
There are now large herds of cattle here,
and more nrc annually being driven fror'
California. Beef and pork are becoming
abundant. Beef 5 to 6 cents per pount.
pork to 10 cents, wheat 60 cents to 81
peas about the same; corn is scarce, 81 +,
81 so per bushel. Garden vegetables ar,
also raised. Horses are numerous. know
of no country where there arc so many cat
tie and horses for the population as in Ore
gon. Some Indians are said to own l5U
head of horses.
This summer there have been six or sew.
c drovos by my house to the settlement, TO
exchange for cattle. These are mostly from,
the upper country. These Indians will soon
be rich in cattle, &c. There are domesti,
animals, such as have already mentioned,
and cats, dogs, and hens; no tame geese, Of
very few, though there are thousands wild !;
also the swan, bald and gray eagle, vulturc.
buzzartl, the crow Of diifrrcn, kinds, FISH,
kawk, hen-hawk, pigeon-hawk, owl, black
bird. robin, wren, and various kinds Of oihe,
birds; some Of which have never seen il
the States. We have the elk, deer, bear,
panther, fox, raccoon, wild cat, wolf, suuir-
rcls Of different kinds, rats, (bushy tail
mice. molrs, beaver, otter, muskra,, mink,
weasel, snakes, rattle snakes in some place.
adder, lizards, and creeping and flying lo,
Gusts Of various kinds and colors. Water 5
abun1an; and GOOD.
The streams arc generally clear as crys-
tai; some, which rise in the mountains 90
perpetual snow, are cold all SUMNER
There arc several snow mountains in view
from almost every point, and greatly, in my
opinion, add to the beauty and grandeur q
the country. The soil is generally pood !.
some dark loan mixed with clay. some san.
dy, crayplly. red soil: all productive very
well 50 far AS they have been tried. Wbea:
is sowcd here from wear 10 wear. One ma,
i, is sail. Ina. raised seven or ciobt crons =,
wheat in succession from, the same crnuni
and the las, is said to have been tie hes.
; and all were good. Il is frequently tie cas-
= that when when, shells co, sidernblv in h,r.
y vcs,ing, what falls is left on the Ground un.l
! the mex, season rood cron is realized
know of no country whore man can ma a.,
. = farm easier Than in Oregop. or where H.,
n can live casicr.
i Mills are rather scarce. ,honrh the nroe.
i, meet is increasingly favorable. Thrrc ar.
q m REGULARLY laid ou, roads and the oene,a
d mo|c of travelling is on horseback, or by ca
noce, The nros.ect of commercial inter,
% cours, with the Sandwich Islands and Cain.