The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-28


last few days, received news from the far west,
which gives better insight ints the situation
of its Inhabitants than we have before been pos
sessed OF, and we must acknowledge we are
little surprised the rapid strides being made by
them to commercial and political importance
From our natural ideas of new country, and
the various discussions arising from this one par
ticularly, we should almost have imagined that
what few settlers there might be, were a sort of
demi-savage race, living on game, fighting with
Indians, and scattered about, without any more
law or clothing than nature had originally given
them; but in truth. to judge from our late ac-
counts, we find that the inhabitants very
quiet, intelligent, public spirited set Of beings,
working industriously through the day, attending
balls or theatre in the evening, and sleeping
soundy and undisturbedIy at night.
There are now in the Oregon Territory over
5000 Americans grist and 8 saw mills. and a
large surplus of agricultural products. brisk
commerce is carried on with the Sandwich
Islands. AT Pagets Sound, party OF emgrants
had settled on tract ofland, which is represented
exceedingly productive for the distance OF sixty
miles but the best specimen OF the state OF the
country we find in the growing importance OF
Oregon CITY This city now possesses 5UO souls,
about so houses, two churches, two blacksmith
shops, four tailor shops, halter tannery, three
hoe shops, two slversmiths, four stores, two -four
ing and two saw mills, and a lath machine. A post
office has beenestablished, which conveys 80
miles for Is cents and the Cry OF Oregon itself has
obtained an act OF incorporation upon winch the
editor OF the sem-monlhly Qor there will always
be an editor and newspaper where there Is one
Yankee to write and another to ready admonshes
the corporators as follows: " Gentlemen, dig up
the stumps, grace the streets, tax dogs, prohibit
hogs, and advertise in the paper. New York
might avail herself of the same advice. The taxes
allowed TO be paid in wheat, deliverable at
certain depots, among which the warehouses OF
the Hudson's Bay Company are mentioned along
with those of the American traders.
Another very agreeable feature connected with
their growing prosperity, is the good feeling exist
ing between our own countrymen ana the Eng
lish. The Americans during Their national iestl,
vals invite the British officers to their parties and
their balls in return, the English gentlemen from
Fort Vancouver take turn with the naval oihcers
in dancing with the pretty Ameriran girls on board
Her Majesty's ship Modesto The utmost extent
of concord prevails, and very seldom even an al
luson to any probability OF hostile feeling or hos
tile collision. The most exciting topic seems 10
there, as with us, whether the state should or
should not prohibit the use and manufacture oil
ardent spirits. Meetings were held by both par.
ties one demanding that the will OF the majority
should govern the appettes OF the lew, ana the
minority proclaimipg any prohpinon unconsutu-
tional.
Personal controversy for pl,ce is not entirely
unknown, nor does the difference oil Longitude
appear TO make any great change IN the character
pute. Thus we find that ]. l.. Meek, ex-Sheriff
of Oregon, like all other Ex's, demands nothing
but Justice.
The Provisional Government has been orga-.
n,zed by choosing George Abernethy, formerly OF
New York, Governor; John =. Long, from Men
lucky, Secretary; Peter II. Burnett, from Mis-
son-i, Circuit Judge.
The first message of the first governor of Ore
gon we give at length, as it will show the Posiuon,
resources and expectations of the territory -
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To the Honorable the Legislative assembly % oregon
FELLOW CITIZENS Allow me to congratulate you on
your return to this place. again to enter on tue
duties assigned to you by your constituents
By the latest dates have from the United states
are informed that the affairs Of Oregon stu remain un
settled arrangement having yet been entered into
between the United States and Great Britain, fixing the
boundary lines between the two Governments
In my last message suggested several alterations in
the militia law, and would again call your attention
should any thing requiring the aid Of the military
everything should be ready for immediate and prompt
action
The is another subject which you will be
called to act Th.t legal tender should be provided
for the payment OF liabilities besides gold and silver
are all aware The precious metals very in
this country and by most not to be had What
shall be the legal tender important question for on
to decide all the articles produced raised and
featured in the country, made legal tenders, per-
will sell thing he has to dispose of unless there
is special contract drawn up. designating how and in
what manner the seller is to receive his pay this will
cause much Inconvenience to both parties Wheat, in
my opinion should the only article used in this coun
try legal tender in addition gold and silver 1t u.s.
at present the staple article OF countrycan be
disposed of by the merchants and Others and is not
perishable article
The next question is where shall the article or arti
ces made legal tender be delivered II the debtor is
allowed the privilege of delivering wheat any point
on the navgabe rivers, and thereby dischargn his
debt il ill throw all the trouble Of getting it market
the receivers this should not be the trouble should
doyoive the one who, by delivering his produce, is
the business Place ana for the cenveneDce Of al par
ties, would, in my opinion be the best depot for the
be agreed upon between parties who are transactng
business together Our business is TO provide for man.
Who beng debt to another is pressed for silver and
must in some way provide to relieve him from this diff
Guilty; but, in doing this we should be cautious not to
throw the door too wide OPEN for in doing may
break down all confidence, and do more injury than
good.
other purposes think would be well to have off,
appointed reside the mouth of the river whose
ee Of
to the sale &c. of ardent spirits many complaints have
stating tina, spirituous ouor. have been distributed
among the Indians from different vessels causing much
excitement among the Indians and in one case leading
pected that stranger his arrival should be acquainted
with the law this subject and he may deal out to
Indians, and Others enough to do great deal Of mis-
chief before he becomes acquainted with it, unless
steps are taken by you to inform him. The oicer SO
Captain then persist in selling liquor the necessary
steps to enforce the law could then be taken.
There should be a Sealer Of Weights and Measures
appointed and weights or measures used in the
colony excepting such as are stamped by him. BY this
be brought about and source of complaint removed
The boundary Lines between Of the districts have
not been Defined and persons living the borders Of
such districts, do not really know in which district they
reside. would call your attention to this subject that
you examine into it, and define the boundary lines
will be to decide upon and locate the
Of government the present session ! would recommend
thai COMMITTEES be appointed BY your body, at early
day. to take this matter into conside alton.
large emigration has this yea. crossed tho Rocky
Mountains, and the individuals who compose it
in midst, and make with us, at err passing
through many scenes Of difficulty and prvaton There
has been more suffering than usual among the emgrans
the present season. perhaps IN owing to
the argeness OF the party, which numbered two
thousand persons but principally owing to attempt
made by some Of them TO shorten the way they failed
in their object and many OF them persisted in conse