Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-10-03

and th,ir tributaries: the Cowliiz rmp-
tying into the >olumoia river from the
north The Chahalps running into a
small bay north Of the Columbia
The Nesqualla rising near the sources
of the Cowlitz and running north into
! Puget's Sound. Frazier's river north
iof this, and several smaller ones not
named. On the Cowlitz, Nrsquella
and Fraz!er's rivers. the Hudson Bay
Company have large establishments,
and producing vast quantities of wool.
beef, pork, and all kinds Of grain, for
British whale ships which frequent
the harbors. Besides these establish
ments, they have extern ave FIRMS and
herds at Vancouver. in the Walla-
mettc valley and Colvile, and trading
posts on Vancouver Island, at the
mouth of the Columbia river, imp
qua. Vancouver. Walla Walla. Okan-
akan and Colvile, Bose and Fort Hall
with very MANY at the south Some
of these are strongly fortified. and are
being well supplied with cannon and
other munitions Of war. by almost eve
~. ship which arrives; so | have been
informed by persons from these ships.
With the extensive valley by the
Willamette and its numerous tribuia-
ries. yon are better acquainted than
~, self, having never visited that coun-
try. ! cannot. however. deny mysr lf
of the pleasure of expressing my o.
pinion Of the country, formed from in
formation derived yearly from scores
of persons who have dwell long in, or
travelled more or less through its ex-
tensve territory at all seasons of the
year. On the ives, the great valley is
separated from the Pacific by low
ranges of well timbcrcd mountains
that give rise TO numerous streams and
small rivers. some Of which are lately
found sufficient to admit vessels. On
the east il is bounded by the Cascade
or Presidents range. every where "a
bounding with white pine and cedar.
The Willamette river rises in latitude
40, and rms north and emptics into
the Columbia river. SIS miles above its
mouth. The falls of the Willamette,
some thirty miles above its mouth.
must ever add vast interest to the
country. The power for mills and
machinery that. may be erected on
each side of the river and on the L.
land in the middle Of the falls. is adj
equate for almost any conceivable de-
maud. Oregon city. situated at the
falls on the east sile Of thr river, con-
tairs over five hundred souls. about so
house,. viz: two churches, two taverns,
two blacksmith shops, four tailor
shops. one ha'ter's shop, one tannory.
three shoe shops. two silver smiths,
four stores, two Touring mills, two saw
mills. and "a hath machine. Directly
opposite on the west side are two
towns laid out, and buildings are going
up. The face Of the country In the
Willamette valley is rolling. very
equally divided into prairie and tim
bercd countries with frequent oak
openings. Wheat produces well, corn,
potatoes, &c.. produce well in some
places, probably would every whore
do well with good 'ltivation, soil
everywhere considered Of superior
quality. Less snow during the winter
season than in the middle district, but
y uch more rain. with fogs on the low
lands during the summer. which rem
ders-the country les healthy than this
middle region, but still the country
cannot be considered unhealthy. The
face Of the country is ever, where COW
cred with bunch grass, and animals
feed out through the winter, as IN the
middle region.
The rivers Umpqua, Rose and Cla-
met which empty into the Pacific, are
said 10 water extensive fertile countries
hut as yet very little is known Of these
regions. Ships come up the Walla-
mclie river within few miles Of Ore
gon city. Tie Columbia river has
been frozen nearly 10 its mouth twice
since have b en- 10 this country -
Concerning the road for wagons con
menced south of Mount Hood, a: d
which il TO be completed This summer
to be in readiness for the next cmigra-
ton, you are better acquainted than
myself.
J am happy to recommend 10 future
rmigrstions your directions and adj
vice as to tie best mode Of travelling
number Of wagons desirable to travel
together. quantity of provisions re-
quired for each person, best route, dis
lance 10 be travelled each day. You