Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-07-09
OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.


To the Editor of the ST. louis Netc Era
:. DEAR SIR: have recently arrived in the U.
States from Oregon, via California, The city OF
Mexico aud Vera Cruz. was of the party that
left The United States for Oregon in the spring OF
1912. Upon arriving here, fad a very great
interest manifested by many of our citizens in ref
ence to those countries; | have therefore thought
that it might not only be proper, but perhaps it
might be duy incumbent, upon me TO state some
facts within my Knowledge, especially III refer
ence to those of the countries through which
have so recently travelled to which many of our
eaterprizi0g aud valuable citizens are annually en-
igratng.
Much has recently been written in reference 10
Oregon; it is therefore, perhaps. only necessary
dor me to state the preseu, Condition of that
try, aud TO refer those Iuieresed to the Report of
Lieutenant Wilkes the Report of DIR. White, In
dian agent in Oregon, and the Travels ef MrFaEn
han, for the details. .
arrived in Oregon on the 9Th day of October,
1912. with parth OF $50 persons. l sPett the
winter principally at the fails of WalIammeiie.--
During the water, the question in reference to all
organization was fully discussed; many were 10
favor of an independent government, but the ma
jprily ware favorable 10 a government dependent
upon, and subject TO, the control OF the T. States
for limited iIme-ive years perhaps-when, if
ahe United States had moi extended their iurisdc-
ton TO that country, they were favorable to de-
cIaring themselves independent, not only the u
States, but of all powers Of the world. This dis
cussion resulted determination To organize
government subject TO tie control Of the u. States
and in the sprIug following. accordance with
the determination, an organIz atom took place
The various officers were e!ecIed-a Supreme
Judge, member Of The Legislature, SherfIs, Just-
ces of The Peace Consia bles, a,d the different
secretaries and proti onotaries. They elected no
Executive, consequently their government must be
very nefficaous. Their Legislature was con-
vened in The Spring of l543. and when lef they
had government full operation. This seems
not to sustain the conclusion to which Lieut. Will
kes arrives. when there" he says, IL made
particular enquiries whether laws were necessary
for their protection AID | am fully satisfied that
they require none at present besides the moral
code il is their duty to ilcucate." Ii is true that
the .moral code" which it Is the duty of man every
where to incucate, might be be substituted for a
civil code, not only in Oregon, but throughout the
world, were men governed by sense Of duty to
his God aud 10 his fellow man but all expert
ence seems to prove that civil code is necessary
to enforce that moral code.' No man can expect
more fromOIegon in lhis respect than from the res
idue of the world.
When left that country, improvements we're
rapidly progressing at the falls of the Wallam-
mette; two sawmills were erected, one of which
was in operation two Touring mills were in con-
temptation, the frame of one of which was COM
pleied there were three stores, and another has
since been established in all there were about
thirty buildings. This is a very favorable site for
a town. The Doctor (McLauphin1 has already
caused town TO be surveyed; it is called " Ore
gon City," As yet this is the only town in the
territory, with the exception of that IN connexion
with Fl. Vancouvre. DIR. Mclaughlin has ex
pended very considerable amount of money at
Oregon City, presume not less than seven or
eight thousand dollars. After having surveyed this
sne, he permitted all persons who wished to do
so. to take gratuitousy many lots as they would
build upon and improve. 1t is not true, as some
have stated, that the Doctor claims any prefer.
ence or right to that property by virtue OF any sup
posed right claim of Great Britain to that terri
tory. 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 Hud-
sons Bay Company are doing every thing in their
power 10 encourage and facilitate emigration, and
10 advance improvements throughout the country.
OF this fact, Lieutenant Wilkes bears testimony
They he says, Stafford US every assistance that
was ia their power both in supplies and means to
accomplish our duties. There are many persons
IN the country who bear testimony to the aid and
kindness rendered them in their outset: and of their
hospitality il is needless 10 speak, for il has become
proverbial." The parry TO which | belonged,
ssasssesa e s5gs,ss $ D