Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1846-11-17
From the Springfield Journal.
From Oregon.
AN INTERESTING LECTURE.


Mr.. A. L, Davidson, late Of Iowa Ter
ritory, now of Oregon, left the Walla-
mette valley in Juno last, and arrived in
the States some days since. He has been
an explorer of Oregon for Is months, and
seems to have thorough knowledge of
the Willamette valley, and, indeed of all
the country in Oregon south of the Co
lumbia river. He has made his claim
and has now come to the States for the
purpose of returning with his parents.-
Mr.. d. was in this city last week, on Tues
day night, at the request ofseveral of orr
citizens, delivered lecture at the B.
Church in which he gave general des-
crption Of the Oregon Territory, its ad-
vantages for settlement, and the route of
emigrants from the South Pass to the
Willamette valley.
Mr.. Davidson expressed his decided
preference Of the valley of the Walla-
mette over every other portion of the ter
ritory. at present, for settlements. He
said that the valley was two hundred
miles long and averaged one hundred
and fifty miles in width. He commenced
his description of this valley at the
junction of the Willamette with the
Columbia river, passing up the wes-
torn side, noticing the settlements, the
soil, the timber, the general appearance
of the country, the creeks, &c, until he
reached the three forks of the Willamette
about 100 miles above the falls, and
where its navigation terminates. The
whole extent of the west bank of that riv-
er lie represented as happily diversified
with prairie, timber, and creeks. The
creeks. ran with pure, soft and clear wa
ter, and furnished mill seats as often as
could be desired. He stated that on Yam
Hill river there were furnishing settle
ments-good improvements, and excel
lent society, The usual crop of wheat
there was 80 bushels to an acre, but 50
bushels has been raised to the acre,
weighing 65 pounds TO the bushel. He
had himself cut down fir tree in the
Yam Hill country, which measured 800
feet in length. Trees had been cut which
made twenty lengths of rail cuts, Of elev-
en- feet each. The country was agreea-
bly, rolling, and the best roads could be
made. The uplands were fertile, as well
as the vallies of the creeks. The scene
ry on these creeks was beautiful, and with
the pure atmosphere, and glowing health
here exhibited, impaired an energy and
cheerfulness to the people, which he had
not seen ont of Oregon. This was man.
ilest in their improvements. which were
more advanced in one and two years,
than could have been accomplished in
the Western States within three times
that period.
This description of the Yam Hill coun-
try, with little variation, will apply to all
that extensive country from Yam Hill riv-
er on the west side of the great valley. TO
the Forks of the Willamette. But few
claims have been made south ofthe Yam.
Hill country. That beautiful region in.
vites to its possession the energetic An
glo Saxon race.
Mr.. Davidson then took his audience
to the east side of the Willamette, and
commencing with the Clackamus creek,
few miles below Oregon, city, he pro
ceeded up the east side of that river to
the great Forks describing the interven-
ing country. I'll land of hills and VAL
lies, plains and creeks, generally resem-
bling the country on the western side. 1t
was however. selected by the French for
their early settlement, and the Methodists
for their mission establishment. The
French settlement commences some dis
lance above Oregon city. The settlers