The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-09
LETTER FROM OREGON.
To The Editor of the Ohio Statesman.

The communication of August l843 referred to
in the following letter, accompanied by short
sketch of The proceedings of the Oregon convention
of July, 1S43 II requested no answer, but assured
the emgrants, then on their way, that every exer-
ton would be made to induce Congress to extend
to them immediate protection.
IL nothing more can be done, there exists an ur-
gent necessity for Congress to attach the country
south of the Columbia to Iowa, or the contemplated
territory of Nebraska; though the only true policy
is at once to extend our laws over the whole Of
Oregon, accounts in the assurance that the
people Of Oregon have determined to establish an
independent government if there is much longer de-
lay in giving them the benefit of our own. In doing
so, they would no doubt, receive encouragement
from England, whose efforts and interest, as in the
case of Texas, will be to create an independent gov
eminent on the Pacific ocean.
The late opposition to the annexation of Texas
by President Jones and others, gives ofthe
fact, that in all communities there are lille men,
who will sacrifice any and everything to their own
real or supposed pecuniary or political advance
ment. Itwould not them be strange ifsuch men were
to be found in Oregon, and, though there could be
ultimate doubt as to the decision of the people in
favor Of our republic, yet, fa government was once
organized, foreign relations opened, and debt in
Cured, many difficulties would be created which do
not now exist.
The only true policy is for Congress to push a
railroad up the Platte without delay. In an imme-
date conflict, (and collision sooner or later is in
evtable,) we might lose the mouth Of the Columbia
for a while; though this is by no means certain, as
before next winter, there will, no doubt, be more
than 5000 Americans in Oregon able to bear arms
and, if proper inducements offered at least 600
more will follow next summer. The road is very
practicable for the heaviest artillery; and if England
gets ahead of us, it will be our own fault As to
the owning Of Fort Vancouver, it is only another
specimen Of English faith, and should at once be re-
buked by our government in way not to be mis-
understood. Yours, &c.
T.W.
FALLArRY PLAINS, April 18th, l845.
DEAR SIR: Your letter dated August 18th, ls43,
addressed to the Oregon emigrants, was received al
Willamette Falls, December 5th, 1884, and read
with much interest by many of our citizens; and as
the undersigned, after some inquiry, has not been
able to ascertain whether it has been answered or
not on consultation with several citizens at the falls
and these Plains, though no public meeting has been
held, we have decided to it, stating nearly
possible the state Of affairs in Oregon at the pres
ent time.
We will first briefly state, through you, to Messrs
w. w. Southgate, Samuel Medary, E. d. Mans
field, and other commissioners, appointed by the
Oregon convention held at Cincinnati, July 5th
l843, and to the friends of Oregon generally that
this portion of it has a salubrous climate, with a
soil as fertile any of the western States. Here
fine large praires surrounded with thick groves
of pine, fir, white oak, and button-wood timber,
while its natural advantages for the propulsion Of
machinery by water-power are not surpassed by
any portion of the globe. 1t possesses, too, com
mercial advantages by the deep water Of the Coum.
bia, also the excellent harbors of Paget's Sound
and other of the straits of Fuca, scarcely equal
led by any Of the Atlantic States in consequence Of
our proximity to the Sandwich and other islands OF
the Pacific, and to the Chinese empire. The scenery
around us is at the same time calculated to improve
tho IN cheer he ito
ua pursuits and moral enterprises, whether in view
ing the course ofour mighty and majestic rivers, the
green praries, and tall forests around US, or the
sublime spectacle of Mounts Jefferson, Hood, and
St. Helens, towering above the clouds, and crown.
ed with eternal SHOWS.
dull dependency comes irresstibly over the mind
of every true American, which renders him restless
and disconnected here. 1t arises from the fact that
he finds himself surrounded by British subjects
who, though gentlemen of intelligence, and liberal
and obliging as private individuals, exerting all
their influence and vast wealth, backed by the Brit
ish government to render the residence of American
citizens unpleasant here, that no more may emf
CRATE to the country; and that thus Oregon more
especially all that portion Of north ofthe Colum-
bia, may f, into the hands of England.
The Hudson Bay Company, in whose employ
most Of these influential men from England are en-
gagged, are now fortfying Fort Vancouver by
very well Judge, as the Indians are all at peace with
us, though the company have had some trouble
with the Spanards in California. We therefore So
licit Of you to forget American citizens in Ore
gon, who are still looking with great anxiety to the
States for immediate protection; and permit US also
to state that if aid and protection come at ALL they
must come soon, by means of a "naval force" or
we fear they may come too late.
CHARLES sANRoN,
DAVID HILL, and others.
Gen. Il. WoRTHINGToN,
Chairman of the Oregon Commissioners.
P. S. The census, is now being taken, in accord
ance with an act of the legislature Of the provision
al government at its session last December. The
white population is estimated at 5000, including,
besides those on the Willamette and at the Falls,
1000 the Plains, and $50 in the klackamus coun-
try: OF the unmarried population, nne-tenths are
males
There is no ammunition in the country at the
command of Americans, as the Hudson Bay Com
pany will not sell over pound of powder at time;
and would Congress send to the mouth of the CO.
lumba ammunition and rifles, and also common
oooda such M thick oboea voollen clOtha nannela