The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-03-28
From he Ithaca journal.
-" ]Sz"S"
OREGON.

| j he fOllpWing IS an extract from "a
Eletter receiveda fawd days since BY G en-
I'D. Miner, Of Lansing, from Dr.
White, Of Oregons The action 81
Congress on the Oregon question, and
the increasing importance Of that coun,
try, render any communication from
there replete with interest.
OREGoN Cry, July 8. 1914.
Dear Sir: The colony is rapidly in.
creasing in numbers, and lpropotiona-
bly, rising in importance. O.egon. City
(as the little town is called at the falls
Of the Willalbeite) contains a popula-
ton Of several hundreds, four respect.
able stores, three saw-mills, two -four.
mills, one Of which has FIVE run, of
stone, and is worth at least $4,000. 1t
is stupendous building put up in the
hest MANNER, and all the running gear
is Of cast iron.
The surrounding country is rising
and improving correspondingiy. We
have now regular colonial form of
government, we'll administered five
distinct counties, represented by thir-
teen members. The legislature closed
a quiet but effective session Of eight
days, week before last, having passed
twenty-five bills, all in due form, and
several Of them Of considerable length
and much Importance -one OF which
though only a lobby member, by prof
fering to pay $40 into the treasury, ]
had the privilege voted me of speaking
upon. This bill was to preventive in
tioduction, manufacture, or sale of ar.
dent spirits in the Territory. Being
deeply interested, pleaded hard, and
had the happiness to see it pass by
unanimous vote into law Of the land
every member coming up to the
mark like man of moral courage,
though but one Of the number com
municant of IA religious body. Peter
Barnett, esq, late from No, abe it said
to his honor," introduced the bill, and
spoke to it in a maslerly manner. 1t
was proud day to US, and the bill is
popular.
Since my arrival several artfuI at
tempts have been ni,de to introduce il
among US; but the great majority of
the people being with me, we have tri-
umphed thus far, though under the ne
cesslty in two instances of imposing
heavy bonds, and once of throwing a
distiIlery in the Willamette river. Our
Judge, with hprobate powers, is supreme
IN his department, visiting each county
twiceannually. Our executive IS com
posed Of IL committee Of three; bu, one
sheriff, a colonel, with several captains,
and constableS, constitute
the machine of our smbIe but effective
government.
This Is only got up in the absence Of
all law from our mother Country, to
meet present necessities, and proves
most serviceabe to me in regulating
intercourse between whites and lnd-
ans. We have now general quiet all |
abroad, and have for this year, or for
tile last few months, much less 10 OPP
pose lhan heretofore. Though in sew
eral instances hav- narrowly escaped
from the Indians, and in one, from the
pistol OF white savage, yet believe
both parties have now concluded to
suffer Inc to live while longer, and !
am probably quite as favorab'y regar-
ded generally. as could be expected.
My post IS now becoming less diff
cult, trying, and dangerous, as the pre-
misses are laid, and we understand each
other better. Crops Of all kinds come
in iavorabIy this season, and the late
are delighted with the coun-
Of the " illametle that it is bv !
far the finest country they have ever
seen; and really, General, | can myself
hardly avoid saying that | belive it one
Of the most healthy. delightful, and pro-
nlsing districts Of country on the globe;
md depend upon it, dear sir, Oregon
will soon take an honorable stand |
'nong the nations of the earth. If il
please God, ] hope to see you and my |
lear fami'. of whom you made so hon
'rable mention, next year.
E.. WHITE.