The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-13
PRODUCTIONS AND RESOURCES OF OREGON.
FIom the Platte Argus, extra, March n
LATEST FROM OREGON.
GOOD NEW. poa rHE ImoRASr.

GOOD NEWS Foa rHE EmoRAsr.
We have been shown a letter from Hugh Burns
formerly Of this county, TO Allen MLsne, ESQ
dated March 18th, l845, which came by the Sand.
wich islands, The substance Of il we give below
nearly in Mr. BIS own glowing language We re-
greet to be compelled to abridgc il at all.
Mr.. Burns (who, by-the-by, can be relied on)
represents the country as equal to any other for
raising small grain and vegetables; "should i've
thousand come here next fall they will find abund-
ance OF everything necessary for their comfort.
There is steady demand for produce, and yet plen-
ty to supply ali demands" He thinks il is the
healthiest part of the globe. During his residence
of two years and halt, not moro than half dozen
have died out Of the white population, numbering
in the fall Of l6l2, four hundred, including his
company, and now 1--WE thousand, according TO tho
census taken under an act Of the last Oregon legss
ture) The increase Of wealth and comfort has
kept pace with the growth Of population"
"The last winter has been warmer than the two
preceding winters, but more rain; no main the last
Ave weeks, and during that time many thousand
bushels Of wheat and other grain have been put in
the ground II is astonishing To see the large farms
that made here in short time. Men came here
last December that will, by the LIST of May, have
under cultivation $50 acres, and this all poughed
with the oxen that came from the States last fall
having nothing TO eat but the grass Of the plains
which is ricb, strong, and ever green. The farmers
bring fresh beef to market now land have done so
| all winter) that is good as ever saw in upper
Missouri; in summer II 10 better than any ever
saw anywhere"
| In reference to account unfavorable to Oregon
said to have been given by Hastings, (author Of a
work on California; Mr. B. states that seven fami
lies out Of nine in Hastngs's company remained in
Oregon and have done well. "About sixty of US ="
he continues, stopped here, Cat the falls Of the
Willamette and do not know one of that num-
Der who is worth less than $500 dollars" Allud-
ing to former letter Of his own, he says: 81 wish
every poor man in the United States could see it,
and follow my example,"
There ten mills in active operation, and by
next fall, five more will be added and situated in all
parts Of the settlement.
He recommends future emgrants TO start in
April-bring light strong wagons drawn by mules
or oxen, and plenty of provsions-ten wagons in Il
company--no generals or captains. The wagons
can come as far as the Dolles, then by water the
balance of tbs way. y-a fy7r--- .... ...tl. ...
His concluding paragraph no doubt reflects tru-
| ly the feeling Of the Oregon poneer--not longer
we trust, to be neglected by the American govern
ment; .s.a..
"We are the healthiest and happi-st people in ex-
istence, and only need the protecting arm ofthe
United States government; which, hope, will soon
be extended; for there is a spirit Of selfdepen-
dence growing here, which, if not tempered by
the extension ofthe laws Of the United States over
US, will end in the loss Of this country to the repub
lie; and fso, it will be everlasting disgrace to the
Union"
LETTER FROM PETER II. BURNETT
DR.. B. S. Long has also shown US a letter dated
January ID, l845 from our old and much esteemed
friend, Peter H. Burnett, from which we make an
extract:
81 am well pleased with this country, and am
contented and happy. Since ! have been here,
there being little call for my professional services)
have beenat hard work improving my farm. |
have one Of the best claims in Oregon The soil is
most fertile, about good the land in Missouri.
Z, h,, Il
at the distance of three miles with tall mountain
ridge, covered with majestic frs and cedars haul
my timber about two miles, and would rather do
this than have any timber my place, for the
son that place in the middle of one Of our small
praries, is always the most fertile. A farmer can
improve place with half the labor he can in Mis-
souri,. You can break prairie land with two yoke
| of oxen, and many persons break it with two good
horses, using very light plough.
Charming is exceedingly profitable here. You
raise any number of cattle, horses sheep, and hogs.
Pork is good, and as easily grown here it is in
Missouri. Pork is so, beef, $6, cows, $50, horses
from $50 to $50; breeding SOW is worth 500, pigs,
IS each. The first year it is expensive living, but
after the first year, you can make your own pro-
| visions.
"Thc country is improving rapidly in every drec-
! ton. $685.. . ,'.t a'i
s'Of all the climates in the world, this is certainly
the most agreeable--no sudden changes, no ex-
tremes The coolest weather we have yet had this
winter was hard frost. Turnips, cabbages, car
rots and beets stand out all winter and never Freeze
but continue growing all the time. The prairie now
is as green as wheat field and we feed nothing but
our sows and pigs.
"Ths 10 beyond dispute the first wheat country in
the world, both to the quantity and quality Of the
article. For the sake Of your
children especially you ought to come here.
Bring some apple gratis: cut them of in the winter
put them up in a tin box air tight, and then put
that in a wooden box, and they will come safe.
There are no good apples yet in this country"