Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1846-02-07
The Oregon Country.
LETTER ".

The Oregon Country. uaf
LETTER v.
TO the Editor ofthe Union: aa4 visgii ai
SlR: As my object in writing was avow-
edly for the information of such as might
be inclined to emigrate to Oregon, allow
me to treat little more fully Of the Valley
Of the Willamette, as that, for length oI
time, will probably be regarded as the hear,
and centre Of operations in that country.
One Of the motives that induced me to
explore the upper district, was, that
might be enabled to speak from actual ob-
servation, not only in reference to its gen.
eral features, but what population it could
well sustain, and what number, emigrat-
ing there could be conveniently accommo-
dated with good timber, water and prairie.
The more carefully to arrive at correct
conclusions, | divided my party daily into
three handsome to keep along near The
base Of the mountains, and occas ionally Ia
penetrate into the hills; a second to travel
in the vicinity Of the river; while myself
generally moved in central position; all
observing carefully the kind and quantity
Of timber, the water privileges. and Of
what description, the character Of the soil,
the kind Of herbage, grass, clover SC. and
where best produced, each reporting in the
evening the days observation. s
/ Soon after leavingsh Oregon Institute,
some fifty miles south Of the Willamette
falls, on our way up the valley. we were
all most agreeably struck and impressed
with the general aspect Of the country
The fern, SO common in the lower part Of
valley was no longer met with, and aside
from the fact that now and then meeting
with little district or patch somewhat
gravelly, there appeared every where
spread out beiore US a combination Of beau
ty and excellence have no where OBJ
served.
As have not met with description Of
this remarkable scenery, allow me to at
tempt sketch Of it, which certainly must
be faint indeed. . eraa
The river flats are from two to six miles
in width; the table ground, from thirty to
one hundred feet higher, stretches off usu-
ally from FIVE to fifteen miles, followed BY
the undulating, or rolling ground, which,
gradually sw elling eastward, councils with
the hilly region onward beyond which we
gaze upon the stupendous Cascade ridge,
from the centre and in the midst Of which
are thrown up in full view FIVE Of the most
remarkable mounds Of earth, covered with
perpetual snow for many thousand feet,
and thrown up in manner strikingly re-
sembling country haystack, to the fearful
height OF from fifteen to seventeen thou
sand feet above the level Of the sea. TSee
Capt. Fremont's report Of the height Of
Mount Hood. The fertility Of these fats
Of rich alluvial deposits, covered either
with woodland or herbage, the buffalo or
bunch grass, clover or timothy with flow
ers Of every hue. impresses one ,nest as-~.
ably. The table ground, with an occasion.
al old orchard oak scattered here and there,
underneath which and all abroad, was OBJ
served smooth surface richly covered
with the most nutricious grass, commingled
with strawberry vines, clover, herbaee,
and flowers Of great variety, is not less
pleasing 10 the eye and mind Of the observ-
er than the fertile wales below.
The hilly districts will hardly be found
less charming, interesting, or valuable
Here the oaks increase in number, com
mingled with an occasional lofty fir, with
now and then cluster Of pine underneath,
over all which gentleman's coach may be
driven at pleasure, over every rising and
descending grounds Of smooth surface, in
the midst of a scenery spread out before
the eye, enlivened by the variety Of wild
fowl and herds Of bounding deer, that de-
fes description. s
Here, too, as in the higher districts,
we meet with laurel, cedar, maple, &c.,
with shrubbery Of blackberry, raspber-
ry, thimble, goose service and whortleber-
~; and every patch Of rich ground richly
clad with herbage Of some description
The higher regions, more difficult Of as
cent, for a considerable distance, part prai-
rie and part woodland, as witnessed in the
astounding growth Of timber and quality Of
grass, give indications Of an excellent soil,
doubtless enriched BY the wash Of the east
ern mountains above, to whish this district
is attached. s's 4o ftste
But l must hasten down to the valley;
not forgetting to say, however, to any west
ern emigrant hunter, that these mountains
teems with game, from the rabbit upward
to the lofty bounding elk. More upon this
subject in another number. sg tit
must here close for to-day, not without
saying, Oregon abounds in singular ex-
tremes, furnishing in my humble opinion,
some Of the finest districts Of country on
earth, but much m"re Of little beauty or
worth; the largest growth Of timber, while.
as whole, 1t is sparsely timbered, little
variety, and all Of the eastern portion Of
stunted growth.
But Of the Willamette and Umpque val
ley, district Of country capable OF sus-
tanning several millions Of inhabitants, it
will be found, holds forth as many and
strong inducements to enigrants, either as
10 agriculture, herding, manufacturing, or
for commercial purposes, as any part Of our
wide domain.
.s ELIJAH WHITE.
WAsHIxoToN, Dec. lS, 1845. asA..e
- ia t3stlaAtAt2s - 9 : afSf1-fl aSef
LETTER vi. E e7a@1 1
To Tie Editor Of TIE Union.
Slk: Pardon me for wandering from my
4