The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-21
oRIaos Trnmroar, Feb. 8, 1886.

OREees TEHRIroHr, Feb. 8, 1886.
The return of my friend Mr.. Palmer, of Franklin
county, Indiana, offers me an opportunity, which
fondly accept Of again writing you briefly in rela-
ton TO this country and the trip to be performed in
getting here.
We arrived in this, the first division of the terri.
tory, safely on the last day of September-though
that was much in advance Of the emigration gene.
rally. In company with a few others. with only
five wagons, we procured two boats at Fort Mes
perces, OF Walla Walla, and descended the great
river Of the west TO Linnton placed named in hon
or Of the late celebrated senator from Missouri,
who took 30 active and earnest part in everything
that related TO the interest OF this territory. By
this method Of travelling we were enabled 10 out
strip the balance of the company. and arrived here
more than month earlier than any preceding emf
grafton; and even two months earlier than some Of
the companies for the year. In fact, some Of the
cmgrants arc yet at the Dalles, and intend coming
down the Columbia in the spring, soon they
can cross the Cascade mountains with their cattle
There rs as yet no wagon route or pass discovered
IN these mountains. small party Of about thirty
wagons made the attempt 10 cross over them, but
failed in getting through with their wagons; some
OF them remained in the mountains until December,
and, leaving their wagons, came over on pack
horses. The Cascades are agreat barrier TO the set
tlement Of this country from the fact that there
yet no facilities for passing down the Columbia
river, except few very small boats; consequently
a large emigration will be unable 10 get through in
the year. Many Of this years. emigration have
taken winter quarters in the Seeena DIVISION il is
called-thai is, above the falls.
Our emigration very large, yet made the
trip in good time, and with less difficulty than ex
pecled although the distance actually travelled is far
greater than supposed Agreeaby TO the account
which have carefully kept, the distance is about
=, 600 miles from here 10 Knoxulle-about /, 500
n aaI.
country; yet tho travelled road is not difficult as
is generally supposed by those who have been
over IT, The trip can easily be made from any OF
the western States in sax months, with a careful
lection OF teams and proper outfit.
On arriving in this division Of the territory, and
making careful examination Of the country
must say that was very agreeaby disappointed.
Instrad OF finding the country barren waste or des-
ert, find Il rich and fertile any part Of Iii.
nois. The whole Of this division Of the territory,
so far as have made personal observation, and
even the highest hills mot mountains) is unsur-
passed in fertility. The land here produces NOR,
per than il does in any part Of illinois. For
the growth Of wheat there is certainly no part OF
the world equal to Oregon. All kinds of small grain
grow better here than in the States and for garden
vegetables IL is decidedly the finest have
There certainly is no country where stock Of ali
kinds do as finely as here. Cate are good beef al
all seasons Of the year. Grazing is fine all winter
Stock is never granted in this country. The oxen
We drove n the teams from the States are now fat.
This winter is said to be colder than usual, yet
there has been but few mornings that the mercury
has been below freezing, and we can plough any
time in the winter. Speaking Of the winters
reminds me Of what have often heard in the States
that is, that in Oregon il rains constantly for fou
months, lin tho fall and winter seasons.) This how
ever, have heard disputed, and being anxious to
settle the matter for myself as well as TO be able to
answer the inquiries Of others having interest in
49, .w.as Law. La,f a.. -k.zl
ployed on farm,) and the time have lost is as
follows: November days, December 2, and Jan
uary4 l have never seen any country where q
man could do as much work in the winter as in
Oregon.
As regards the health of this country, there is
but opinion: it is remarkably healthy. The en-
igraton must Of necessity be much exposed after
leaving comfortable and well provided homes in the
States, and performing so long trip to settle here
first with few Of the comforts and conveniences
TO which they were accustomed; yet, so far as
have been informed, the new emigrants enjoy unin-
terrupted health and are in fine spirits and vigor,
and all appear well pleased with their new homes
Our last years emigration numbered 4,240. Many
of them have left their families in the States, pre-
Stunning to satisfy themselves before breaking up
their old homes So far as | am acquainted, they
all intend bringing their families to Oregon. Such
know is the intention Of Mr.. Palmer, the late rep
Tesentative of Franklin county, Indiana.
wrote you letter by DIR. White when we were
trailing up Burnt river, which l expected would
reach you early in December The doctor is our
Indian agent, and was on his way to Washington
city. We have just heard that White and his par
ty were all murdered by the Sioux Indians. Mr.
Grant, the agent of the Hudson Bay Company al
Fort Hail. has written to DR.. Mclaughlin, Of Van
couver, that such is the fact. We still hope, how
ever, that may be otherwise. His loss would be
much lamented. He had large packet of letters
from private individuals, as well as much matter
for Congress, from the legislature Of the Territorial
government Of Oregon; for we have government
usual county officers. Law and good order are no.
where more punctuay observed. We have print
ing press, churches, and numerous schools. In
ne, this country has all the elements, and that in
high degree, Of geographical, physical, political,
and moral grandeur and progression. |
On the first day of January, 1886, after travelling |
3 1000 miles, stood on the shores of the great Pa
cifc, and with unmingled delight gazed upon the |
mighty deep.
/ have been on the Columbia from Fort Nesper- |
,es, which is situated at the mouth of the Wala |
Walla river, to its mouth, at the Pacific The CO.
umbia from Nesperces down, has many falls, or
-apids, some of which are impossible. About one
hundred miles below Fort Nesperces, are what is
,aled the Great Falls. Here the water of the great
liver of the west rushes through numerous chasms
n the rocks, with perpendicular falls, their naviga
ion being impossible with any kind of craft. short
body of the river runs through what is called a
nena, narrow space Of $50 feet, walled in by ba-
llic columns of perpendicular rock on either side
Fifty miles below, and on the north bank stands
Fort Vancouver, the principal establishment of the
Hudson Bay Company. 1t consists Of a number of
buildings within stockade, and numbers several
hundred inhabitants. The Willamette enters the
Columbia about seven miles below Vancouver. The
Willamette valley embraces very nearly the whole
IF what is called the first division of the territory
he south side Of the river Columbia, and is abou,
100 miles wide, by $50 or 300 in length, with nu-
nerous tributaries, afording the most abundant
privileges Of extensive water power. The Walla- |
nette river is navigable for steamboats, near two
hundred miles from its mouth, except the one OBJ |
the celebrated falls around which canal
s now being built
The Columbia is much contracted at the mouth, |
md falls into the Pacific between two high points or
apes Of land, one on the right called Cape Disap-
continent and the left Point Adams. From each OF
hese sand bar extends into the water. Here the
waves Of the Pacific are met in angry violence by
he rolling current Of the Columbia, forming heavy
inc of Breakers which renders the entrance and de-
- ~ -N k1El