Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-02-27


face is besides 80 strongly ilnpregnated with
salts as to render cultivation almost impossible.
Ia this region are the chef branches Of the
Golumbia, the northernmost rising near the 54th,
aud the shonthernmost near the 42d parallels
latitude. There are many lakes in this sec
rlon, some of which communicate with the Co
lumbia, and others having nc outlet are SALT
The largest of the salt lakes is Lake Youta,
of which the situation and extent areimperfect-
ly known. The northern part of this region
is less barren than that just described, henc,
more valuable. The valleys are wider, the
rains more frequent, and the soil is freed from
salt by the numerous streams which traverse
II. The country east of the Rocky Mountains
is for more than two hundred miles dry and
barren, affording no manner of support for pop
ulation, except in the immediate vicinity of
streams. and offering formidable obstacle to
the settlement of the western territory
These three regions comprise the Oregon
territory now in dispute between the United
States and Great Britain. Ii derives its chief
value from the Columbia River. The north
enmosi branch of this great stream is Canoe
river. which rises near the 54th degree of lati
tude. Near the SD, in its progress South, it
is joined by two others, at place called by the
traders Boat Encampment. Of these two, one
flows from the South along the base of the
Rocky Mountains; the other rises in a great
gorge Of that chain, near the line of So degrees
and in the immediate vicinity of the highest
land on the Western Continent Travellers
describe the scene as one of terrific deSolatinn
From this point the united streams run South
200 miles, where the Columbia receives Nc
Giilivray's river, and soon after Clarke's, both
flowing from the Rocky Mountains Clarke's
river, which is nearly as large as the Colum-
bla, rises near the head waters of the Missouri
the intervening ridge is not very high, and ii
must form one of the great channels of future
communication, The Clarke rushes into the
Columbia over ledge of rocks, and then beth
pass the Blue Mountains at Kettle Falls. Just
below which, in latitude 48 deg 81 min., is
Fort Colville, one Of the principal establish
ments of the Hudson's Bay Company. The
country in the vicinity is very fertile and a.
greeable. Thence the Columbia flows due
west, receiving the Spokan from thesoutheast,
about 100 miles, to the junction with the O.
flanagan, large stream from the North where
the Hudson's Bay Company have another
Fort. Thence the Columbia runs South to
the latitude of 46 deg. s min. and then joins
the Le,cis to Snake river. This river rises in
the angle formed by the Rocky and Snowy
Mountains, between the 42d and 18th parallels
near the sources of the Colorado, the Platte.
the Yellow Stone and the Missouri;-fows
westward through the Snowy Mountains to
Salmon Falls; thence northwest to its junction
with the Columbia. The Columbia. below
the junction, receives the Walla- walla, the u
matala, John Days river, and the Falls River
from the South, and then passes though the
range OF mountains nearest the Pacific, under
the 10th parallel of latitude. Below the Wal
la-walla the Columbia forms many rapids some
OF which are impossible at low water, but pas
sable at high water, both up and and down.
Five miles below the Falls are are the Dalles.
or narrows, where the river rushes through
space not more than $50 feet wide; walled in
by basaltic columns on both sides and Sc
miles lower are the Cascades, WHICH are i'm
passable at all times. This point is 1875 miles
from the ocean; the tide comes up to it, and the
navigation is good for vessels drawing not
more than fourteen feet ofwater. At a distance
of about 100 miles from the Pacific on the
north side of the Columbia stands Fort Van
conver, the principal establishment of the
Hudson's Bay Company west of the Rocky
Mountains. 1t consists of number of wood
en- buildings within stockade, a saw mill and
grlst mill, and the number of inhabitants is a.
bout $40; seveal hundred acres of land are I'M
der cultivation. The Wallamet enters the
Columbia from the South about 20 miles below
Vancouver; it is navigable for small vessels 20
miles from its mouth. At the head Of its nav
lgation is delightful valley, Were two settle
ments have been made, one by retiring servants
of the Hudson's Bay Company; and another
by American citizens chiefly from this CITY,
Astoria is on the Columbia, eight miles from
Its mouth. The Columbia enters the Pacific
between two points of land, one on the north
called Cape Disappointment or Cape Hancock,
and the other Point Adams. From each sand
bar runs into the water, above which the waves
of the Pacific on one side and the torrents of
the Columbia on the other, meet with terrific
violence, forming line of breakers, which
renders the entrance and departure of vessels
always hazardous, and often impossible The
depth of water between the bars is 80 feet at
the lowest. The river abounds in fish, espe
cially salmon, which form the principal support
of the 10000 savages who inhabit the first and
middle regions of Oregon.