The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-04
Letter from Charles Saxton,

Lsttsr from Charles Saxfon a
NOTICES OF OREGON, &C., sc,
WAsnsGIoN, January 81, 1886
DEAR SIR: | have the pleasure Of sending
herewith a collection Of minerals, &c, which
gathered in the years l844-I5, while ex-
ploring the Oregon territory, some Of which
were taken from that interesting and valuable
portion of our domain, the Willamette valley,
for the National Institute, which have been keep.
ing for some time ready for your directions, and
which now send you, knowing you have ever A-
ken lively interest in everything that pertains to
the northwest coast Of America. You will, there
FORE be so kind TO present personally to the M
tioBal Institute the containing this collection.
The Oregon territory extends westward from the
Rocky mountains to the Pacific OCEAN, and from 42o
to $40 40 north latitude. II is in length about $50
miles, with an average breadth of $50; area about
450, 900 square understanding the whole Of the
southern States in extent by about 81, 900 square
miles. In the delightful valley Of the Willamette
are seen several snow-capped mountains in the Cas-.
cade range $4,000 feet in height above the sea- which
beautifully contrast with the evergreen prairies GOV.
cred with many varieties Of flowers in the great val
ley between them and the ocean.
ID The Rocky mountains are 1850 feet in height
above the level of the Gulf Of Mexico. Notwhh.
standing the great height Of these mounfsiss they
are crossed without dfhculty--the pass being from
Is to 20 miles wide, and gradual 10 ascent from
the high plains on either side, that it il difficult 10
ascertain precisely It's eliminating point and travel
ling vehicles of any kind may pass through with -
much ease as along the most level road.
The horn ladle send was given me by chief Of
the Pawnees, tribe Of Indians which resides On
the Platte river about 800 miles from its source IN
the Wind River chain Of the Rocky mountain. v
ing the highest ridge Of this pile of barron rocks
North America. I was robbed by these Indians u
all my provisions, cooking utensils, clothing, ana
firearms, and my most valuable specimens; and hn
ladle was the only article had to eat my food with
which consisted entirely Of parchcd or boiled corn
for fifteen days while travelling 400 miles to West
port, Missouri The CARED horn is buffalos HON
which inhabts the plains Of the Platte. The tcrkd
horn is an antelope's horn found in the region
The potash taken from lake two miles in length
and on an average Of half mile in width, near To-.
dependence rock, on the Sweetwatcr, a tributary OIL
the Platte and is used by the emigrants for salsra'
tus on their journey TO the Willamette valley. The
insect was Obtained on high mountain on Bear
river, in the country inhabited by the Bnnack IN
dams, and is eaten by them for food. The thrs
chte specimen, were taken from the sediment Of tm
soda water at one of the soda springs on Bear rya
The ptfried antelope horn was taken at small spring
a tributary of the Colorado river, where were great
abundance Of them. The creased specimen is piece
of wedding-cnke made Of the comes root, and CAME
from the hand Of an Indian bride, married on ih
26th Of August, l645, in the Wascopum tribe OF n'
dams, who reside at the falls on the Columbia The
sir specimens Of petrfaction were presented to me p
Mrs Brewer, lady Of the Methodist mission o.
Wascopum, or the DaIls, and were obtained near thai
place. They are supposed to be Of the fr trr,
which grows to an amazing size--trces from 200 70
$50 feet in hegth and from 90 to 30 feet in crcnn'
ference being common in the country. The Yttr
mon Of iron wes found in the Black hills, about "
miles from Fort Laramie, situated ON tributary o.
the Platte. The other three specimens obtained n
the upper portion of the Willamette valley, @O
miles above the settlement on that beble river. =,
From the extent Of the Oregon territory, you wi
perceive great field is open for our scientific ana
enterprsing citizens; il being rich in minerals, ssPr
cially Vancouver's island, which is near 300 NIL"
m length, and from 40 to IS miles wide--being tvS
thirds OF the sire Of Ireland and possessing excl
lent coal. Oregon has a most salubrious climate
and fertile SOIL well watered and timbcrcd; and II
devoutly to be wished that tho day il not far remote
when the lopg-disputed question will be settled sy
our government deciding to protect by our Who'll
some laws that portion Of the American dous'aa
which legally and rishtfs,iy belongs TO the Uniod
States. l am, deer sir, ,'|
Your obedrent servant,
CHARLES sAxToN
To Fs.so, Mlsxor, jr., esq. no ..