Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-11-08
From the Platte Argus.
LETTER FROM OREGON.
FaNatiae Plains, Oregon,l
nrc g 19AI

DEC. 6, 1874
Hon. DAVID R. ATcHlsoN,
DEAR SIR:-Our old acquaintance and
friend, John Thorp, has shown me letter
from YOU. addressed 10 him, IN which my
name is mentioned with great Kindness
TO be remembered with respect, by my old
friends in Missouri, and especially by my
old comrade in the practice Of the law, and
Judge before whom have so often appear
ed. is 10 me, ia this far distant land, source
Of great congratuIatlon.
GAS exiles view, mid gushing tears,
The wales they must resign;
So we look down the steep Of years,
To Aud lang syne.'
In YOUR letter you request me to see that
the Americans are not imposed upon by the
British. " This | ,cW do, or try" But
there is no danger OF that. We are too
strong; and besides, the intelligent men who
govern the II. B. Co. are most prudent and
even forbearng. We are here in the
midst Of English, Scotch, Irish, Canadians,
French and half breeds from Lord Seklrk' S
Colony on Red river; and yet we get along
in great harmony. Natioral anmosiIles
are not entertained by any, and the subjects
of Great Britain seem DESTROYS 10 live under
the government of the United States.-
They seem to look to that government as
free and harry, and as most likely to be II,
beral in her legislation. | have seen and
hastily examined Hughes Bill 10 organ re
a territorial government here. see that
the only persons who can claim any thing
under its provisions, are" free white males
Perhaps he was not informed in regard &c
the character of the population in this coun
try. will give you some information IN
regard 10 that matter, which you may rely
upon as correct; leaving it TO you, and ou
friends in Congress, to do what may bt
deemed just under the circumstances. Per
: haps one third OF the population OF Oregon
consists of Canadian French, and person
, from Red river, most OF whom are more
less mixed with the Indian blood. Upoi
the Willamette, near the Methodist MISSION
there is large settlement! OF French, VII
have generally fine farms, well cultivated
large bands of cattle, horses, hogs, and som
sheep. They grow a great deal of whea
e and are considered good citizens. In thes
plains, all around me, there ale numbers
persons from Red river. lhave found ther
"A pelerauy INDUSTRIOUS HOHSSNs "HN -
J. good neighbors. Most of them as well
the French, have Indian or half bree
= wives. Besides these classes OF population
lie we have many persons from the Unite
States who were for years engaged as ira
= pers or traders in the Rocky mountain
~ These men are among our best citizens
Many of them while in the mountains, ma
- ried squaws, by whom they have chlldre
k. and they still live with their wives, and a
is raising half breed children. For myseI
as matter of taste, do not admire the
choice of wives; but at the time they we
married, there were no other women
lis marry; and since they have determined
settle in this country, they were too hone
- able 10 abandon their wives and children
the mountains. BY the laws OF our &c
eminent here, we have admitted all the
classes to the full benefits of citizensh
al and have given them precisely the sal
rights and privileges as others, Any Ii
that would take from them their farms,
-, labor of years, would most deeply mort
~ all persons in this country. think c
safely say that all persons here are ankle