Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-09
MHSTO RIG AL.
Dr. Whites Letters from Oregon.
MOI,

To the Editor of the Union:
SIR: The territory of Oregon, extending
from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean
distance Of over thousand miles, and Gom
40 to "a . 40 north latitude, may, as to the
general features of the country, be conveniently
brought under three great divisions The first
or Eastern division is the most extensive and
least valuable. 1t is sterile in many portions
but owing to the midness of the climate and
the nutrousness of the grass, vast herds of Buff
faIo have there summered and wintered from
time mmemoriaI. Domestic herds have, at
Fort Hall and elsewhere, done the same; and
large caravans Of laden horses have annually
passed through it in the most unlavorable sea-
sons of the year, well subsisting upon the grass
indigenous to the country--fastening the conylc-
ton that even Eastern Oregon must be Of much
value as one of the best and most extensive
grazing districts in the world.
The water-courses from the Eastern extreme
to the Pacific Ocean are rapid in their descent,
not admitting Of an extensive gaton-even
the Columbia being navigable for only 1876
miles. Their frequent interruptions by the cas-
CduCS anu ldpluo nave pI'uuOCu NdlCt PRIV lCSGS
unlimited as to extent and power warranting
the conclusion that this country is destined by
the facilities furnished by nature, to become a
large manufacturing country; more particularly
as wool may be grown cheaper and easier than
in any other portion of the known world. Upon
Bear River, between the Rocky Mountains at
Fort Hail. and considerable district about and
embracing that fort-some eight hundred miles
from the Pachc-we find favorable surface,
fine grass, pleasant scenery, and good soil;
but the country is sparsely tmbered with trees
of stinted growth. lorbear dwelling upon the
value and interesting character of the soda
springs in this region, intending to devote to
them more extended notice hereafter Fol-
lowing the great emigraton-road at Fremonts
Pass, and pursuing its direct and onward course
over most favorable surface for a highway we
come to another portion of Oregon more vaua-
bic for civilized man to dwell in.
The scenery in the neighborhood of the Boisee
River is varied, grand and imposing; the wales,
battle-ground and bills well erased; the timbers
of better growth, and here and there little dis
trict better adapted to agriculture. We now
come to that portion embracing the high Blue
Mountains, the Grande Ronde, and all that dis
trict from Burnt River to the Cascade Noun
tains, covering an extent of country of about
400 miles from East to West Here the eli
mate is remarkable for its extreme salubrty the
wooded districts are well tmbered with cedar,
fir oak, &c. the scenery pleasingly diversified,
and all nature around the locations of the pious
missionary establishments planted there, is wear
ing mder and more agreeable aspect
ELIJAH WHITE.
Washington, December 10, 1S45.
LETTER No 9.
To the Editor of The Union:
Sir:-I observed, in running over your yesterdays
paper that the clerk in copying my first number, had
altered little my phraseoogy thereby, perhaps, at
taching much importance to the Eastern portion of
Oregon pastura district for Notwithstanding the
facts quoted are demonstration of its value-and, in adj
dton, it might have been said that and my compan-
ions met during the present season large emgrating
party who had just passed through this district with
herd of horses mules and CATTLE estimated at less
than 10 to 10000 head, all passing the same road, and
well subsisting by the wayt is but just to say, such
are the rugged features and the altitude of this part of
the country, that it never yield much in quaint
ty as or compared in quality with, the Middle and wes
tern portions of the Terrtory which, far we are
informed, from the North to the South from the Bois
co to the Cascades, yields generally rich coat of
most nutricious grass throughout the year.
This part of the country, Judging from the united
statements of the gentlemen attached to the Missions,
and from the concurrng testimony of others who have
gone out on exploring exneditons during the last few
years. possesses much interest In the discharge ofmy
official duties, was once in the midst Of Winter, obi
ged to travel many hundred miles in the central and
Nort-Eastery part of this district and found from the
Dalles of the Columbia to the Waawala, and thence
to Waulatpu, Dr. Whitman's station, among the Key
use Indians and onward to the Clearwater station &C.
cupied by Rev. Mr.. Spading among the Neoperces
tribe, numerous herds of horses and some neat stock
scattered along throughout appearing every where in
good condition and was assured by Mr.. Spaldng
that not only horses but cattle and sheep, owing to
the quality Of the grass and mdness of the climate,
kept throughout the Winter in good state even for
4 slaughter