Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-08-07
The Oregon Territory.

We find in Hunts Merchants Magazine for June
sketch of the character climate and resources of
the Territory of Oregon, brief and yet so comprehen
sive in its Details to afford to the reader good
idea of the fair domain sought to be wrested from
by Great Britain. 1t also tends to show how neces-
sary is the Territory the u States in promoting
security at home and equality abroad As the writer
remarks its possession secures to the u s. the control
of the commerce of the world, and enables them to
contend even-handed with Great Britain for the SUI
premacy of the Seas" while it will add neither pow
strength to the latter Below is the sketch
which we allude.
"Oregon extend from AZ to 80 deg 40 min. north
latitude 1t is bounded north by the Russian possess
sions the coast, and the British possessions in
the interior; on the cast by the Rocky mountains,
which separate it from the acknowledged territory of
the United States on the south by Mexico, and ON
the by the Pacific ocean, 1t is estimated that it
contains $4,000 square miles, equal to 24,000,0O0
acres.
"On the coast for about 40 miles inland, the eli
thate is mild and equal. There is seldom any snow
or severe frosts, and farmers plough and in the
winter. The nights excessively cold, but other
wise the temperature resembles that of the middle
States of the Union. 1t is to have any rain in
June, July, or August, and but little from April to
October. During the winter, rains frequent In
1888, the coolest winter known, for thirteen days in
January, the thermometer averaged nineteen degrees
above zero.
Mountains more nearly resembles that of New Eng
land; there is however, much less snow, and cattle
are usually able to Craze the whole season. Even in
this region, by the tenth of March, spring has far
advanced, that flowers in blossom, and vegetation
is full six weeks earlier than in the Atlantic States
The quantity Of rain is much less than the coast
The least desirable part of the country lies betwixt
the Blue and Rocky mountains. 1t is from 300 to
$50 miles IN width, and extends the whole length of
the Oregon territory. The atmosphere is. extremely
dry there being no dew except in the vicinity of the
mountains, and but little ram during few days in
spring. The temperature is variable The nights
are cold, the days warm. The thermometer at sun
rise is sometimes Is degrees, and before evening at
81 or ~ degrees above zero. MIR. Wyeth's Me-
moir.) One general remark will apply 10 the whole
which is, that in each region, the mdness of the
sons is infinitely greater than in the corresponding
ATTITUDES and elevations in the valley of the Missis-
| sipp, or in the Atlantic States. In the mountain
region even, when the highest peaks are covered
with perpetual SHOWS, the valleys at their feet
comparatively mild pitchers Narrative) Although
the climate cannot be considered desirable whole
there is nothing which will materially retard its set
tlemen or prevent Its becoming the rival of the At
lantc States.
The soil of Oregon is not uniform. The whole
country is marked with volcanic action. The region
between the California mountains and the Pacific /:
best adapted to agriculture. The productions ar,
wheat, barley, oats, rye, peas and potatoes. Corr
does rot succeed, and with few exceptions is an un
profitable crop Some portions of the country ar,
very FERTILE and rival the best lands of the Mssissip
pi valley but these tracts are limited to the banks
4 fhe rivers.
The second division of Oregon, between the Cali
fornia and Blue ridges is not well adapted for agri
cultural purposes; but it is suited for grazing,
must become an important partof the country. Witt
moderate number of inhabitants, it will produce
great quantity of pork, beef tallcw and hides, for
port domestic 1t is supposed that sheep vii
flourish as well here in any part Of the world