The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-13
THE OREGON COUNTRY.


DR.. Elijah White, who was appointed four years
Oregon and was deputed by to bear
their eloquent memorial to the Congress ofthe United
States, Is now in this city. He promises to furnish
with series Of short but instructive letters upon
the character of that interesting territory. We lay
the first letter this evening before our readers.
LETTER.
To the Editor Of The Union:
Sin: The territory Of Oregon, extending from the
Rocky mountains TO the Pachc ocean, distance OF
over thousand miles and from 400 to $40 Az north
latitude, may to the general features of the coun-
try be conveniently brought under three great divi-
sions The first or eastern division is the most ex-
tensive and least valuable 1t is steri in many por-
tons but owing the mildness Of the climate and
the righteousness of the grass, vast herds of buffalo
have there summered and wintered from times inn
memorial. Domestic herds have, at Fort Hall and
elsewhere, done the same and large caravans ofladen
horses have annually passed through il in the most
unfavorable seasons of the year, well subsisting
upon the grass Indigenous to the country-astening
the conviction, that eastern Oregon must be Of
much value as one Of the best and most extensive
grazing districts in the world. The water
courses from the eastern extreme to the Pa
cihc ocean are rapid in their descent, not ad-
lnlttlnS OF an extensive naVlgatl0n-eNen tne
Columbia being navigabe for only 1876 miles. Their
frequent interruptions by the cascades and rapids
have produced water privileges Unlimited to ex-
tent and power, warrantng the conclusion that this
country is destined, by the facilities furnished by
nature, to become large manufacturing country;
more particularly as wool may be grown cheaper
and easier than in any other portion of the known
world Upon Bear river between the Rocky noun
tains and Fort Hall, and considerable district about
and embracing that fort-some eight hundred miles
from the Pacifc--we find favorable surface,
fine grass, pleasant scenery, and good soil but the
country is sparsely timbered with trees of stinted
growth. forbear dwelling upon the value and in
teresting character Of the soda springs in ts REGION
intending to devote to them more extended notice
hereafter. Following the great emigraion-road at
Frcmontp Pass, and pursuing its direct and onward
course over a most favorable surface for highway,
we como to another portion of Oregon more valua,
BILE for civilized man to dwell in.
The scenery in the neighborhood Of the Boisee
river, is varied, grand, and imposing; the vaes ia
playground, and hills wel-grassed; the timbers Of
better growth, and here and there little district
better adapted TO agriculture We now come TO that
portion embracing the Blue mountains, the Grande
Ronde and all that district from Burnt river to the
Cascade mountains, covering an extent of country
of about 400 miles from east to west. Here the
climate is remarkable for its extreme salubrlty; the
wooded districts are well tmbered with cedar, fir,
oak, &c the scenery peasingly diversified; and all
nature around the locations of the pous missionary
establishments planted there, is wearing mder and
more agreeable aspect.
ELIJAH WHITE.
W,sutNnrou Decenober "a lSA5