The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-31
FROM THE FAR wEsr-PSoyss Of Oregon.
Extract Of a letter from Oregon city, February IL,
1916

FROM THE FAR WESr.--Progrsss Of Oregon
Extract Of a letter from Oregon city, February IL
1876
81 have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt Of
your esteemed favor Of the 18th April last, by Mr.
Ogden and was happy 10 hear from you, and to
see by Captain Wilkes's work that the little at
tentions which il was our good fortune 10 have in
our power, and our pleasing duty to show him and
the officers of the expedition, and to which they
were fully entitled, (and to if in power TO
do more) has been mentioned in a manner most
gratifying to our feelings.
"snce we had the pleasure Of seeing you, this
country has undergone great change. The pop
ulauon is now about seven thousand and have been
all very industrious and quiet, which attribute in
great measure 10 their not having ardent spirits;
but am sorry to say that, in spite Of the law passed
against its Introduction and mandatory by the
organization il is said that some will attempt TO
dstll whiskey; but most certainly the great majority
of the community are opposed 10 It's Introduction.
al have now here two saw-mills and grist-mil,
with three run OF stones, and a barley-mill,
which will bear comparison with most mills; and
all we want now is sale for our -four, and which
think we could afford to supply your naval squad
ron in the Pacific fully cheaper Than il costs you
TO send il round Cape Horn, and which would be a
great benefit 10 the country.
"Bslieye me TO be, with the greatest respect, your
John MCLAUGHLIN.
We have before US the second number Of
the "oregon Spectator" which was FIRST estab-
lished in February last. II is a small, but neat
sheet, published semi-Wesky at Oregon city, by
John Fleming, at IS in advance. Il is thus that the
press becomes everywhere in America the handmade
and pioneer Of civilization. Many of the articles in
the Spectator are dedicated to illustration Of the
localities Of Oregon; and among others, is the follow
ing account of the territory north Of the Columbia
river and south OF the 18th parallel of latitude This
country seems to surpass in value and fertility all
the descriptions which had been hitler TO given
of it. Some have represented the valley o.
the Willamette as the only portion Of Oregon which
was worthy Of any consideration.
From the Oregon Spectator Feb. 10, lsas.
NORTH oF THE COLUMBIA
We are informed by a respectable gentleman,
who has just returned from exploring the north side
Of the Columbia river and Puget's sound, that the
exploring party are highly pleased with the coun-
try. North Of the Columbia, particularly in the
vicinity Of Pugets sound, the country susceptible OF
settlement is much more extensive, and the soil
much better than before represented. Splendid
praires surrounded with the finest Of hr pine, and
cedar, with great many beautiful water courses,
sufficiently large for steamboat navigation, and
possessing water power well calculated to propel
any kind Of machinery of these, Frazer's, Snoho-
mus, Puyalup, Cowlitz, Chehalus, and Nesqualla,
are the most considerable. The last named stream
empues into the sound, which forms one OF the best
harbors on the Pacific. Hitherto the country has
been UNEMPLOYED by emigrants wishing to settle.
We are we'll satisfied, from the information re-
ceived that that region Of country north Of the Co
lumbia, as far as Frazer's river, will, in a short
time, be populated with the enterprising emigrant,
who anticipates and intends to realize the advan-
tages Of location at or the harbor Of Pugets
sound. To show that the above conclusions are
we'll founded we are informed, since writing the
above, that FIVE families have already located imme-
diately on the sound.