Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1846-01-17
The Oregon Country.
LETTER. 2,

To the Editor of The Union:
SIR-I observed, in running over your
yesterdays paper, that the clerk, in copy
ing my first number, had altered little
my phraseology, thereby perhaps attach
ing too much importance to the eastern
portion of Oregon as a pastoral district;
for, notwithstanding the facts quoted are
demonstrations of its value-and, in addi-
ton, it might have been said that and
my companions met during the present
season a large emigrating party, who had
Just passed through this district with a
herd of horses, mules, and cattle, estimated
at no less than ten to twelve thousand head,
all passing the same road, and well sub
sisting by the way,-it is but Just to say,
that such are The rugged features and the
altitude Of this part of the country, that it
can never yield as much in quantity as,
or compare in quantity with, the middle
and western portions of the territory;
which, so far as we are informed, from the
north to the south, from the Boisco 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 at
tached to the missions, and from the con-
curing testimony Of others who have gone
out Oh exploring expeditions during the
last few years, possesses much interest.
In the discharge Of my official duties,
was once, in the midst Of winter, obliged
to travel many hundred miles in the CEN
trail and north-easterly part of this district
and found, from the Dalles Of the Colum-
bia to the Wallawalla, and from thence tc
Waulatpu. DIR. Whitman's station, among
the Keyuse Indians, and onward to the
Clearwater station, occupied by Rev. Mr.
Spalding among the Neoperces tribe, nu-
merous herds Of horses, and some nea,
stock, scattered along throughout, appear.
ing every where in good condition; and
was assured by Mr.. Spalding that not only
horses, but cattle and sheep, owing to the
quality Of the grass and mildness or the
climate, kept throughout the winter in !
good state even for slaughter. aa ~
He mentioned few extreme cases, de.
monstratlng this clearly, and presenting il
in strong light; and really, in corrobora.
Ftion, can hardly avoid saying, never die
/ witness, at the same season Of the year
all kinds of herds in SO fine condition
he assuring me that probably, owing to ths
mildness Of the climate, sheep produced
uniformly twice year; and that disease
was as yet unknown among the herds o.
the country. Ifound the country undulat
/ ing, and admirably watered, and particu
larly from Wallawalla eastward, wei
grassed-the blue mountains. stretching t,
the north and south, affording a rich sup.
ply Of timber TO meet the demands Of
large district Of country on either hand, 0
an inviting character.
In 4 future number, the localities 0
these missions will be described, their do
ings and prospects dwelt upon, and th'
movements OF the Hudson Bay Compan,
properly explained. In my next, the low
er country, embracing the Willamette val
lev and seacost, will be considered, cen
Icerning which we are . little more salts
aaotorily informed, though it is proper t
say that only small portions Of it have bee,
duly explored; and | earnestly hope, 70
I the sake Of future emigrating parties, 70