Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-04-13
FROM OREGON.

lhe 81. LOUIS New Era publishes long
letter dated at New Madrid on the 4 9th ult.
from gentleman recently arrived in the
U. States from Oregon, by way OF Califor-
MIA, the City Of Mexico and Vera Cruz
The writer says:
I" spent the winter (l842,) principally
at the falls Of the Willamette. During
the winter, the question in reference TO an
organization was fully discussed many
were in favor Of an independent govern.
ment, but the majority were in favor Of a
government dependent upon, and subject
to, the control Of the United States for
limited time-five years, perhaps when, il
the United States had not extended her ju.
rlsdiction to that country, they were favor
able TO declaring themselves independent
not only Of the United States, but Of all
powers Of the world. This decision re-
suited in determination 10 organize gov
eminent subject 10 the control Of the Uni
ted States; and in the spring following, 10
accordance with tina, determination, an OIL
ganzation took place. The various off
GERS were elected-a supreme Judge, mem.
bers OF the legislature, sheriffs, justices oil
the peace, constables, and the different Sc
cretaries and prothonotaries. They elect
ed no executive, consequently their gov
eminent must be very inefficacious. Their
legislature was convened in the spring OF
l843, and when left, they had govern
ment in full operation. This seems not to
sustain the conclusion to which lieut.. vii.
kes arrives. "When there, The savs,)
made particular enquiries whether laws
we're necessary for their protection; and
am fully satisfied that they require none at
present besides the moral code il is their
duty to inculcate." 1t is true that "moral
code" which it is the duty of man every
where 10 incucate, might be substituted for
a civil code, not only in Oregon, but through
out the world, were man governed by a
sense of duty to his God and to his fellow.
man; but all experience seems to prove
that civil code is necessary to enforce
that "moral CODE" No more can he ex.
pected from Oregon in this respect, than
from the residue of the world.
s'This is a very favorable site for town.
DR.. Mclaughlin has already caused one tc
be surveyed; it is called Oregon City.
" 1t is not true rs some have
stated, that the doctor claims anv prefer
ence of RICH, TO that property by virtue o
any supposed right or claim of great Brit.
ain to that territory. Whatever claim or
preference he has, he claims TO acquire by
virtue Of the claim and laws OF the United
States. The gentlemen of the Hudson
Bay Company are doing every thing in their
power TO encourage and facilitate emigra.
ton, and to advance Improvements through
out the country. The party TO which
belonged, upon arriving in the country, re.
ceived more attention from these gentle.
men than they would have done at home
Dr.. Mclaughlin kindly profered to render
them any assistance in his power. Or the
aid Of the doctor the people were very hap
py TO avail themselves, without which they
would have been unable to have protected
themselves against the inclemency of the
approaching winter.
supper California, is bounded on the
east by the Rocky mountains, on the south
by lower California and Sonora. on the
west by the Pacific ocean, and on the norti
by Oregon, (,he AID degree OF north lati
tude.) The appearance Of this country i:
really attractive. There is an elevated
|
this section Of country is, however, inter.
spersed with beautiful and fertile valleys, o
rather limited extent. Immediately cas-
OF this range Of elevated lands is vas
plain, averaging from 90 to $50 miles in
width from east 10 west, and extending the
whole extent Of the country from north tC
south. This plain extends from the higf
lands on the coast 10 range Of mountains
in the interior. 1t is beyond a doubt one
of the most fertile sections Of country in
the world, producing oats, clover, and flax
spontaneously, in great abundance and o
an excellent quality. 1t is generally, how
ever, covered with short kind OF grass o.
which horses and cattle are very fond. The
oats, IN many parts Of this valley or plain
are found five or six feet in height. The
clover generally grows about two or three
feet high; 1t very much resembles our com
mon red and white clover. The flax is o
an excellent quality. The soil Of all thi
valley, is generally black, deep, vegetable
loan; that Of the hills and mountains is usu
ally light brown loan or vegetable earth
The sub-soi is generally gravel and sand
or unctuous clay. Immediately at the east
ward of this range Of mountains is anoihe
valley, Of more limited extent, but equa
in fertility to that just described. This
also bounded on the east by another rang
of mountains, at the eastward Of whic
there is also another valley Of considerable
extent, which is also very fertile. Thes
valleys all run parallel with the coast, s.