New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-09-11
From the Chicago Democrat OF sept ,
From the Oregon Emigranfs.



Hon John Wen'rorfh
DEAN SIR: Many of my friends in Du Page and Name
counties requested to give them description OF the
country through which We pass on the way 10 oregon
Territory. and feeling sensible that tins communication
through the columns OF your paper may interest many
of your subscribers and particularly those tna thnK u
emgraling TO that country (and II evident thal per
sons wishing 10 emgraic 20 that country should nave
some information in r. gard 10 the mode OF fitting out FOR
this long and iatguing Journey have thought proper
to forward II 10 you.
The road from independence far. has been good.
with the exception Of deep rRvines which try the
strength of our wagons The soil and productions re-
sembic those Of Illinois, until We arrive ON the flae
river bottoms there nature seems 10 have changed the
soil from black muck % quicksand The water as"
changed Il milky color. The rivef varies IN width rom
one 10 three miles filed with succession OF small ssnd
islands. The grass has generally been good IN some
places however been obs ed 10 make twenty and twenty
eight miles per day FOR want OF grass We have been
two months from Independence We are one month
ahead of the company OF a. The deep wagon rui-
show the nave been wet. God has favored u
believe The weather has been fine and the streams
low MANY had fears Of the Indians but they have been
generally friendly. The Pa~nees. one night stole tgnt
OF our horses. They want them TO chase buffalo, We
found plenty OF buffalo sixty miles up the rveF and ante
opes deer mountain sheep elk wolves, sc. are very
plenty Our hunters md plenty OF amusement in the
chase To-day OF the Sioux chiefs with their attend
ants came o. camp. We al joined 10 prOFldln-
them a good dinner. After dinner one Of the chiefs
made q speech. lie said he had been taught BY hi
grand father 70 court the friendship VI the whites. IL Il
said this chief saved a small party OF whites last year
from the scaping knife The Indians dress very rich
Their dress of the skins II animals with beautiful
bead 4 company Of Dragons commanded by
Col kearney consisting Of two hundred and my sol
diers and rfiy prvaes accompany us-s0ne o the sol
l,rs are stationed here the others have gone south
They will return soon To the States Their business 10
US Is unkaOws. IL probably Is 10 protect the oregon
emlgranis Our wagons are mostly sound ms Ga!
has been spent in repairing making pokes and setting
tires All wagons for this journey should be OF heavy
and excellent wOfkmanshp-~agons should be wide OF
track Furniture such dishes, should be Of tn OF
sheet iron tin coffee basins should D. without handles
80 that one may be- placed into the other - they take
less room. We are divided INTO eight companies IN
All We number over three thousand souls one birth
has taken place and four deaihs-ihrse were infants
Many Of the heavy stock owners wish Their cattle were
left IN the States. disease svery prevalent amongst
them called foot all many have been leii behind "heh
lot able To drive. Many Of The ens ants are ncn ol
large families and carry considerable money with which
they intond make considerable imprOs emeni. No-i
IT our company young composed Of farmers
doctors lawyers merchants and mechanics We AZ,
regulated IN Kind q military order sirici guard Is
Kept during the night This we are obliged 70 do o.
keep the Indians from robbin- US ~ tins pace sugar
: worth : per pound. coffee do, tour cents per
mound The officer ~ the Fort informs that twelve
thousand packs OF buffalo robes VIII be- sent last ih-
season This evening while writing. some of the CON
pany are engaged in debate. We md this % De- al
interesting wsy o. pass the hours u i thirteen wee K
since eft nav home al McMAlens Grove, ia Page coun
H. | am in company with Major VIM. 4. CulneTt.on
me If your friends and " N Card. Of Geneva They
send their best RESPECTS 10 you hoping throush your
influence with other friends OF the Democratic cause
tha Oregon vii soon b, divided into states AID come
under the protection Of our gov.rnment Gun. SC
JAMES II. McMlILEN.
P.S There are bu; very few Wings in our company
and no Abolltioni'Is