The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-18
WESTWARD, Ho.-BoUND FOR OREGON

WESTWARD, HO!-BOUND FOR OREGON
We are indebted TO Colonel Laughlin, Of Ap
city, for the following interesting letter from cil
gen of the East, now vending his way to the West
It shows the strength and the tone Of the expedt
ton. 1t shows another ihing,-it develops trait
in the American character, which binds us to each
other. This is the age and the country of adventure
The spirit of enterprise, which formerly sent tho
hardy pioneer of the West into the distant recesse
beyond the mountains, and then into the valley i
the Mississippi-which tempted Daniel Boone 10
penetrate the forests of Kentucky--is not yet
extinct. 1t is now prompting many hundreds and
thousands to cross the Rocky mountains, todsRend
the Columbia, and some of them even to wander
far as the shores Of the Pacific; but il is delightful
to find, from the following artess lines, and IN he
unanimous sentiment which it ascribes to thes. ID
venturous pilgrims of the West, that they are csI
rying with them those warm and devoted feeGng
for their own dear countryside United States
which are never likely to slumber in their bosomi
The chain lengthens as they wander; but it bind
them still to their own native land
TAeir heart, untrammeld, fondly turns to thee
Some persons have expressed a fear lest the pes
pie of Oregon, in establishing a temporary govern
ment for their own convenience might forget us, and
indulge the dream of setting up an independent ~
risdiction for themselves. Read the following letter,
and dismiss your doubts:
NEBRASKA TERRiToRY, July 8, 1916
MY DEAR SIR: | am now at the Upper Crossings
Of the North fork of the Platte river, about eight
hundred miles from the western boundary Of Mls.
souri,, and more than eleven hundred from my late
home in Charlton, in that State 1t is about two
hundred miles from this place to the great South
Pass Of the Rocky mountains, by which route Our
company intend to proceed in our cheerful pilgrim
age to Oregon. We expect to arrive at the pcnsdt
land, and to take actual possession of some small
| portion of it,as American citizens, some time %
October. In the command VOLUNTARILY bestowed
Of company Of brave, hardy, and enterprisinge en-
| igrants from Missouri--many Of them having ant
lies--l left Charlton on the 2S,h of April on Jour
ney Of adventure, which many persons may be DIV
| posed TO deem truly arduous. So far, being 'w
western man, born in the western portion Of them
Dominion, have found the trip highly gratifying
in many particulars. A wish to explore the true
far West, and to improve somewhat impaired
state of health, by leading real pioneer woodmans
life, instead Of voyage south, as advised oy ono
or two grave doctors, has been the chief induce
ment Of my present undertaking. As we have
travelled by regular and rather easy stages, ny
health has improved every day; and, in getting nui
| far, have passed over and through hundreds o
miles of rs fine lands, yet in the perfect wldnes
OF nature, as the blessed sun ever shone upon
better, better far, than the choicest portions Of '
county OF Lee, where spent my boyhood
The tide Of emigration to Oregon is truly gea'
Within my own knowledge, besides what IS repoNi,
ed OF others, there are upwards Of six hunaEu
wagons now on the road from and through Ms
souri,, accompanied by upwards of twenty-five rn'
dred souls. About one-third of the whole nnmee
as estimated, is composed of stout, able-boaleu
midde-aged, and young men, capable Of pesl'ns
arms; and all determined to take and Hold posi-
sion OF Oregon as part and parcel OF the oneI
States. ! have heard of no man who dreams
such thing as expatriation. All consider 'nem '.
selves as only removing from section or uI's
ION OF our blessed Union to another; and ai "
with anxiety and confidence to the speedy acuCr s
government for our protection and security i ~
most implicit confidence is reposed in presu'"
FOLK by all. 1 have never conversed win uI ri
belonging TO any company Of emgrants, who y,
not readily quote, and express full faith IN ,neu n
laratlon contained in his inaugural, in regard =
country to which these hardy bands OF freenpils
many of them highly intelligent and lndePenu .u
IN property---are vending their way. II all ores .r
or only part, ia ours, we should have what Is QUIZ
without delay. No man, however, with wn ,:I, !,
have ever for years past doubts OUT ho0
every foot Of territory up TO the designateu wv
dairy above the 54th degree of north latitude. .,
The company with whom ] am associates
out determined to maintain our title. Arden, :, am
desires of all to establish themsevesn lie Pr
suit of happiness and prosperity in the new .Vt /,
try; yet am fully satisfied, that if il were h.w n
lieyed to be possible for the country TO be snI"
to England, every man and family would urn
and retrace their steps TO Missouri. NO pID% aov
no actual donation Of lands from the BRUSH III
| eminent, however liberal, could induce a a,
man Of US TO take protection under any osu. wv con
than our own glorious stars and stripes v" e,o,r,
slider ourselves, however, ss going to eoap IN
already enthusiastically our own; ana lna' Ill
title to il, and the rights and interests OF os' an
zens now settled and settling in II, never cs"'
never will, be surrendered by our government. ,snt
| l write hastily, on my knee, sitting 10 " ~,
tsupposing you would be pleased to near "'''