The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-08-23
Twala,ine Plains, Oregon Territory, }
November 9Th, 1913.

DEAR SIR: | avail myself Of an oppor-
tuniry offered by one Of the vessels be-
longing to the Hudson's Bay Company
to forward YOU few lines.
The cmigrants have not all arrived
though more than half are here. and the
remainder may be looked for in few
tays--all were at the Methodist Mission,
about lJ0 miles distant, near the Dalls.
On last week several Of the families arri-
we'd within few days of TT. Vancouver
and the Wallammattc Falls--sOme BY wa
Ter and others over the Cascade Noun
lains. The Wagons will he brought from
the Dalls by water, as the season is now
too far advanced to open a road through
the mountans.-This expedition esiab-
fishes the praclicabiity beyond doub; of
a wagon road across the continent by the
way of the southern pass in the Rocky
Mountains. We have had no difficulty
with the natives although we have had a
tedious iourncv.-We have had less OBJ
stlcles in reaching here than we had
right to expect, as ii was generally under
stood before leaving the States that one
third Of the distance, TO wit; from TT.
Hall to this place, was impossible with
Wagons. Great credit however is due
to the energy, perseverance and industry
of this emlgratng company, and partcu.
larry to DR.. Whitman one Of the Mission
aries at the WaIla Walla Mission, who
accompanied us out. His knowledge Of
the route was considerable, and his exer-
tons for the interest OF the company were
untrlng. Our journey may now be said
to be at an end, and we are now in the
Walammatte Valley. have been here
near three weeks, having left my Wagon
III charge OF the teamster, and proceeded
en- horseback from Fort Hall in company
with some 80 persons, principally young
men. Your first questions now will be {;
how are you satisfied with the country
Is it worthy of the notice that Congress
has given it! would answer these in
The MISUNDERSTANDING there is no
country in the world of It's size that offers
more inducements 10 enterprise and in
dustry than Oregon. The soil in this
valley and in many other portions of the
Territory is equal to that of Iowa or any
other portion, of the United States, in
point of beauty and fertility; and its pro-
auctions in many articles are far superior,
particularly in regard to Wheat, potatoes,
beets and turnips. The 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 that
grew in Doct. Whitman's garden which
measured in circumference 2 inches shor,
Of feet, and there is now growing in
the field Of Mr. James Jones, in less than
mile from the place where write you,
a turnip measuring in circumference d.
feet he thinks it will exceed five feet be-
fore pulling time. Indeed every thing
here is in hourshing condition-trade
brisk, and every body doing well. The
emigrants generally, or all as far as |
know, are satisfied. Wages for a COM
mon hand is from 81 TO so per dav,
and mechanics from 50 TO A. Wheat is
quite abundan, and sold to ships or emf
grants at 81 per bushel. Flower is from
80 to 10 per barrel. Potatoes and ,Tur-
nips so cts. per bushel. Beef from 6 to
s cts. per lb.-American cows from $50
to 20. California from SIS to %. The
prairie is coated with rich green grass
perhaps the most nutricous in the world;
and | am told that the winter is never so
severe or the grass so scarce that poor
horse will not (atten in the space of one
month. Nothing is wanted but industry
TO make this one of the richest little coun-
tries in the world. | say little, because
the fertile par, Of it is small compared with
the very extensive fertile countries in the
valley OF the Mississippi; yet we have a
country sufficient in extent and resources
to maintain in lucrative occupations mil
lions of inhabitants. Its great hydraulic
power Immediately on the sea shore, the
advantages for stock growing or wool
growing, its fertile soil and indeed, its ve-
nv isolated situation from competition
with the rest of the civilized world, all
combine with other circumstances TO
make il one of the most desirable coun-
tries under the sun for industry and enter
prise. am very respectfully,
Your obed'l servant,
Nj. NJ. McCARVER.
Hon. A. G.. DopGE.
who is that lovely girl 2 exclaimed