Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-06-19
From fbs Albany Argus.
THE OREGON TERRITORY,

other advantages OF that region OF the
United States west ofthe Rocky Noun.
tains now claimed by Great Britain.
First then as to its exten. always as.
suming that we are speaking Of the coun-
try between the AID and 5iih parallel Of
north laiiiude-on the East it skirts 500
miles along the Rocky Mountains, on the
South 400 miles along the Snowy Noun.
tains, on the West 700 miles along the
Pacific Oceon, on the North $50 miles
along the North American possessions OF
Russia and England. This area or inn
mense valley contains 100000 square
mles-capable undoubtedly oil forming
screen States as large as New York, or
forty States Of the dimensions of Massa.
chusetts.
Some Of the Islands on the coast are
very large--sufficient TO form State by
themselves. These are situate north of
the parallel of AZ. Van Couver's Island,
260 miles in length and so in breadth,
contains 1900 square miles an area
larger than Massachusetts and Connec,i-
cut. Queen Charloue's orrather Wash
ington Island, $50 miles in length, and
80 in breadth, contains 1000 square miles.
On both OF these immense Islands, though
they lie between the high parallel of As
aud 81 degrees, the soil is said 10 be well
adapted to agriculture. The straits and
circumjacent waters abound in fish Of the
finest quality. Coal o. good quality, and
other veins Of minerals have been found.
Ths region between the parallels of AZ
and 40 degrees, is undeniably splendid
and desirable country. 1t possesses that
variety ofsoil and climate and productions
so necessary TO form desirable whole
consisting Of prairie and woodland, in a
rich profusion and variety. The forest
trees are gigantic from Is to 20 feet in
circumference, and from 100 to over 800
feet 10 height! This may seem incredi.
Bile, but these facts are vouched by every
from the time of Lewis and
Clarke TO the present day. The trees are
principally pines, cedars and frs. To
farmers in the Atlantic States this may
seem a strange growth Of timoer for fer
tile soil. Mr.. Farnham, who spent some
months there, and who describes great
power but perhaps with some exsgeration,
remarks Of the country north aud between
the Columbia river and the straits of Juan
de Fuca, that "The forests are so heavy
and so matted with brambles, as to require
the arm of Hercules 30 clear farm of
100 acres in an ordinary lifetime; and the
mass of timber is so great that an attempt
to subdue it by girdling would result IN
the production OF another forest before the
ground could be disincumbered of what
was thus killed. The small praries
among the woods are covered with wild
grasses, aud are useful as pastures. The
soil Of these, like tina. Of the timbered por-
tons is vegetable mould or 10 inches in
resting on a stratum of hard
blue clay and gravel"
The Columbia takes lis rise in the Roc
ky Mountains, as high as the 54th paral-
in its various windings traverses
a distance of 1900 miles. Ii enters the
Pacific Ocean at the latitude of 46 de-
grees. Frazier's river (350 miles il
length enters the strait Of Juan de Fuca
at the 49ih parallel. One hundred and
fifty miles south of the Columbia the
UMPoUA river enters the Pacific. This
stream is about one hundred miles n
length-at its mouth, three fourths of a
mile wide, with fifteen feet of water on
the bar--the tide sets up for 80 miles
above that, it is unnavigable OK account
Of falls and rapids. Forty miles south OF
the Umpqua, the KLAMEr river Gin lat-
tude d., 40) enters the Pacific. Its
length is $50 miles. Mr., Farnham re.
marks, as something peculiar: THE
pine and cedar disappear upon this stream,
and instead of them are found myrta.
clous tree of small size, which, when sha-
ken by the least breeze, diiluses delicious
fragrance through the groves"
On the south Of the Columbia there is
more prairie than woodland. This is
stated to be tie finest agricultural section
in Oregon. The trees {pine and CEDAR
on the uplands are Of the same enormous
size as they are on the banks OF the Co.
lumbia river. The talest and heaviest
trees in the Atlantic States seem mere
saplngs in comparison.
1t is singular, though ii is stated, that
INDIAN Com 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 vegetables in great por.
lion Of the territory, as well as the finest
varieties of apples, pears and strawberries.
The dry chilly nights in summer, even
when the days are very warm, are rep.
resented as the cause of its non. adapta-
ton TO corn.
In relation to the general aspect OF the
Oregon territory taken as whole, Mr..
Farnham, remarks:
"The mineral resources Of Oregon
have not been investigated. Great guam.
Titles of btuminous coal have however
been discovered on Puget's Sound, and
on the Willamette. Salt springs also
abound and other fountains highly I'M
pregna,ed with sulphur, soda, iron, &C.,
are numerous.
There are many wild fruits in the terri.
ory that would be very desirable for cul.
ivatlon in the gardens of the States.
Among them are very large and delicious
service berry--a kind
Il. Il