The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-09
COMMUNICATIONS.
To the Editor Of the Union:

Permit me, through the medium Of the Union, to
reply TO remark in the closing Of the Hon. Mr..
MeDufhe's speech, Of the 9th inst stating that he
was informed, had said within a month, that
Oregon wasnot worth FIX for agricultural purposes
My sentiments have been expressed too freely,
and sent abroad too widely to have any, who know
me, credit the assertion, except il should refer
suppose was intended, 10 the disputed part north
OF 4so, OF which | am not very clearly or salts
factorhy informed but so far as | have been,
Il certainly does not speak very distinctly in favor
OF that portion Of the territory in agricultural
point OF view Nor is II very important to the
general interest Of the whole, that this should
be such, in view Of the surprising fertility of all
the southwestern portion Of territory; and, while
! may have made remark admitting this fact,
have at no time intimated that the disputed part
was Of ittle worth 10 the American government, or
an unimportant portion Of the Oregon territory.
Indeed, the importance OF that northern portion
can hardly be over.e.timated FOR me extent, safe
~, and value Of its excellent harbors refer all To
the very able report Of Capt Wilkes, commander OF
the late Pacific exploring squadron. W.
of the beauty, fertility, important position and
great worth Of Vancouvers island, need not speak
OF It's salmon, and other fisheries too much can
hardly be said in lis favor And while, in truth, we
have TO admit that the general features Of that north.
ern region arc against Il for agricultural purposes, II
Is most gratifying 10 be able to remark. that for
grazing and manufacturing purposes, Sowing TO the
mdness OF the climate and the rapidly and ever-du-
ring quality OF tho streams it is OF the utmost impor-
lance This will be the more clearly seen and readily
acknowledged, when we take into account the fact
that upon the shores Of the Pacific, at so 40, we
have an Atlantic climate at least az mild as that OF
30. For grass, Oregon everywhere, abounds with
species, 30 far as have observed peculiar to that
country, nowhere surpassed for nutrition or adap-
tstion To all classes Of domestic herds.
or the value Of its immense forests and choice
LOFTY nmbers conEidering the destituton Of the
Sandwich islands, the increasing demand OF Chi
ma, and the general scarcity OF nearly all the
islands Of the Pacific, and countries bordering upon
II, need not say word, it must be apparent
to all.
But must close; not, however, without humbly
expressing my honest, hearty conviction that il our
title Is not clear and UNREASONABLE to all of that
country as far north $40 40 II is nearer so, or
better title than possessed by any other civilized
power on the globe; and, believing that our const
tuition is the best. and our institutions more
wisely calculated to promote human happiness,
doub, the correctness Of the principle OF yielding it
up to any other power, for saying nothing OF its
far greater value to us than any other, am clearly
Of the opinion we are morally bound as far as we
can bonoraby, to transmit, to posterify, and the
World the rich legacy Of our freedom purchased and
given to US at the expense OF the blood Of 30 many OF
our illustrious ancestors.
ELIJAH WHITE.
WARRINGTON, April g, 1886