Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-08-01
From the Oregon Spectator.
WILLAMETTE RIVER.

IL VIII pro0aoly be interesting TO many,
and particularly so to those who anticipate
visiting Oregon al some future time, to know
something OF the willamette, the Great Falls
OF which are now SO rapidly coming into no.
tlce, and to learn something Of the many
cities that are sprnging up in the neighbor-
hood OF the most importan, water privilege
west of the Rocky Mountains.
The Willamette river takes its rise in the
California mountains, in about as degrees Of
north latitude; its course is nearly north,
winding through beautiful fertile prairies,
now and then skirted by lofty forests OF fir,
pine, and cedar, receiving many considera.
be tributaries both on the cas-, and west
all Of which have traversed their whole
length through rich and fertile country,
and, in many places we nigh, say, bounded
with beautiful and luxuriant meadows, en-.
crcled with the lofty fir, and interspersed
with beautiful groves OF oak.
But TO describe the Willamette ia its de-
scent, time and space will not permi, US TO
enter minutely either into description Of
the river or the country adjoining. On ar
irving near the Fails, "the river spreads out
INTO wide, deep basin, and runs slowly
and smoothly until within half mile of tho
Falls, when its velocity increases, its width
dimlnlshes, eddies are formed, in which, the
water turns back as if 10th 10 make the
plunge; but is forced forward by the water
IN the rear, and when still nearer, it breaks
upon the volcanic rocks scattered across the
channel, and then, as if resigned 10 its fate,
smoolhs its agita,ed surges, and precipitates
down an almost perpendicular of twenty
hve ieet presenting somewhat whitened
column" The rising mist, on pleasant
day, forms, in the rays Of the sun, a beauti-
ul bow--the whole forming sight the gran
deur Of which has 10 be seen 10 be appreci-
ated.
Below the falls, for the distance OF half
mile, the channel oil the river is confined by
Lodges Of basaltic rocks 10 about two hun
dred yards in width. About one mile be-
low the falls enters the Cackamas river from
the e ,st, which takes its rise near Mount
Hood, one Of the perpetual snow peaks of
the Cascade mountains. Here are the
Clackamas rapids, another obstacle in the
navigation Of the Wamette; but the diff.
cuties here presented are OF minor impor-
,ance--at almost any stage Of water, the
boats OF the Hudson Bay Company ascend
and descend with but little difficulty. From
this place to the mouth Of the willamette,
distance o! twenty-five miles, navigation
is good, as the tide runs up TO the loot of
the CIackamas rapids. The Willamette,
'unning It's whole course from south 10
north, enters the Columbia in about latitude
"46 dogs. 80 min. north, longitude 90 dogs.
20 min. west"
On the east side OF the Willamette, at the
als, the land is claimed by DR.. John Nc.
Laughln, who laid out Oregon City in the
year 1912. The many advantages present.
ed Tor the growth and prosperity OF manu-
featuring city, is manifest 10 the most casual
observer. We are informed that where Or
egon City now stands, it was, three years
ago, dense forest of fir and underbrush.--
The march Of improvement has been with
gigantic stride. The city is now incorpo.
aled with population Of not less than 500
souls, and about eighty houses, to-wt:-
Two churches, two taverns, two blacksmith
shops, two cooper shops, two cabinet shops,
our taylor shops, one halter shop, one tan
merry, three shoe shops, two si!versmlhs, and
number OF other mechanics; four stores,
two Touring and two saw mills, together
With the latch machine, were erected and
put IN operation by company OF American
citizens, associated together under the name
'i the ''Oregon Milling Company" and un.
nj within few weeks past, the Touring mill
was conducted as public null, grinding for
the settlers Tor toll, however, has been
hanged from doing custom work to that
II exchange, giving certain number OF
pounds o! flour tor bushe Of wheat. The
mill owned by DR.. John Mclaughlin has
never done any custom grinding, but ex.
changes flour tor wheat.
We are satisfied that the march OF i'm
provemen, would have been much greater
Il! Oregon city, il nails and paints could
have been obtained sufficient to meet the
demands OF the citizens.
On the west side Of The river, immediate.
Y opposite the falls, the land is claimed by
Robert Moore, Esq. Who has also laid
1ut city. called Linn city, and improve
ments are gong ahead. We are informed
hat Mr.. Moore has sold one half of the in
crest he claims in the water power at the
falls, TO Mr.. Palmer OF Indiana. From
our acquaintance with Mr.. Palmer, we feel
warranted IN saying that he will, at an
early time, prosecute, with energy, the err
Getting OF machinery on the west side Of the
river, unless prevented by the government
81 the United States, reserving the water
power at the falls. Linn City contains ono
tavern, one chair mandatory, one cabinet
shop, one gunsmish shop, and one wagon
shop.
Next on the list OF cities comes Multno.
nah City, laid on, by Hugh Burns, Esq, i'm
media,eIy adjoining Linn City, and oppo-
site 10 OREGON Civ Multnomah CITY ia 10 :.