The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1845-05-23
From the albany Argus.
The Territory of Oregon.

n Inc American Ink, end the BTIiiSl
F" Claim.
y A, this time, when the Oregon terri,or,
Justly exciting so much Of the attention
OF the people, il seems not unwise 10 draw
a orief sketch Of the situation, climate, unt
other advantages of that region of the Uni
1 ted States west oftho Rocky Mountains nov
claimed by Great Britain.
B First then as 10 lis extent-alvays as
\ sumIng that &C are speaking of the coun
try between the AID ind 54h parallel o
north latiude-ou the esst il skirts 500
g miles along the Rocky Mountains, on tn
1 south AGO miles along the Snowy Noun
iains, on the west 700 miles along the Pa
cific Ocean on the north $50 miles along
the n. American possessions Of Russia anc
England. This area or immense valley
, contains 100000 square mlles-capsbo
undoubtedly Of forming seven States as
large us New York, or forty states Of The
dimensions Of Massachusetts.
Some OF the islands on the coast are very
large-sufflcien TO form a state by them.
selves. These are situate north Of the
parallel Of AS. Van COVERS Island, 900
miles in length and so 10 breadth, contains
l20eO square mlles--an area larger than
Massachusetts and Connecticut. Queen
ChaFlott's or rather Washington Island,
$50 miles in length and 80 in breadth, con-
lalns 1000 square miles. On both of these
immense islands, though they lie between
the high parallels of as and 81 degrees, the
soil is SAID TO be we'll adapted 10 agricul
iure. The straits and circumjacent waters
abound IN fish Of the finest quality. Coal
of good quality, end other veins Of minerals
have been found.
The region between the parallels Of AZ
and 40 degrees, is undsnlaby a splendid
and desirable country. 1t possesses that
variety of sell and climate and productions
so necessary TO form a desirable whole
consisting Of prairie and woodland, in rich
protusion and variety. The forest trees are
igan;lc-from 5 10 30 feet 10 circumler.
ence, and from 100 TO over 500 feet in
height This may seem incredible, but
these facis are vouched by every traveller
from the time Of Lewis and Clark to the
present day. The trecs "-'--:--"-
IGaou"v 'sIaIes this may seem strange
growth Of timber for fertile soil. Mr.
Franhsm, who spent some months there,
and who describes with great power but
perhaps with some exaggeration, remarks
for the country north and between the Co.
lumbia river and the straits of Juan de fu.
ca, that " The forests are so heavy and so
matted with brsmbles, as to require the arm .
Of Hercules to clear a farm oil 100 acres .
in an ordinary life time and the mass oil
timber ia so grea, that en- attempt 10 sub I
due il by girding would result IN the pro.
duclion Of another forest before the ground
could be dlsencumbered Of what was thus
killed. The small prairies among the
woods are covered with wild grasses, and
are useful as pastures. The coil of these,
like that Of the iimbered portions, is sege-
table mould, 8 or 10 inches in thickness,
resting on a stratum Of hard blue cl0y aud
gravel"
The Columbia takes it's rise in the Rocky
Mountains, as high as the 54'h parable !
and in its various winnings traverses dis
lance of 1900 miles. 1t enters the Pacific
Ocean at the latitude Of 46 degrees. Fra.
zer's river (340 miles in ength) enters the
strait Of Juan dc Fuca at the 59yh parallel.
One hundred and fifty miles south oil the Co
lumbla, the Umpqud river enters the Paclfc'
This stream is about 100 miles IN length
G, its mouth, three fourths of a mile wide,
with ) feet water on the bar-ihe tide sets
I'D for 80 mies-abovc that, il is unnaviga'
bic on account Of falls and rapids. Forty |
miles south of the Umpqua, the hfdnef nv
or lin latitude AZ, 40) enters the Pacific. lis
length is 80 miles. Mr.. Franham remarks,
as sopeihiug peculiar, The pine and &C.
da disappear Upon this stream, aud instead
of them are found a myrtsceous tree OF
small size, which when shaken by the
least breeze, dffuses delicious fragrance
through the groves.
On the south of the Columbia there Is
more prarie than wood land. This is sta
ted to be the finest agricultural section 10
Oregon. The trees (piue and cedar) on
the hollands are of the Same enormous SIZE
as they are on The banks of the Columbia
r,yer. The .alest and heaviest trees in
the Atlantic states seem mere saPlIngs IN
I, is singular, though i, is so stated, that
Indian corn will not thrive in any part even
of southern Oregon. This seems scarcely
credible, for they can raise wheat, barley, |
oats, and even the most tender garden
vegetable in a great portion OF the terrific
nv, as we'll as the finest variety OF apples,
pears aud strawberries. The dry chilly /
nights in summer, even when the days are
very warm, r1e represented as the cause OF
its non adaptation to corn. /
In relation to the general aspects of the
Oregon territory, taken as whole, Mr..
Franham remarks:
"The mineral resources Of Oregon have
not been Investigated. Great quantities OF
bi,uminous coal have however been dis
covered on Puge.'s Sound, and on The
Willamette. Salt springs also abound
and other fountains highly impresnated
with sulphur, soda, iron, &C., are numef-
Gus.
"There are many wild fruits in tbs ter
L l.. NlN