The Arkansas banner., 1846-02-11
Ffcm h Bni3a, THE OREGON COUNTRY.
T . T T . - le E9ii0y. 0f{jte Union.

LETTER Y.
 Io fEe Ediior ofHc Uaion.
 SIR: As my object in writing was aYow- edly for the instruction of such as might be inclined to emigrate to Oregon, allow me to treat liale more fully of the valley of the Willamette, as final, for d length of lime, will probably be regarded as the heart and centre of operations in that country.
 One of the motives that induced mc to ex- plorc ihe upper district, was, that l might be enabled 10 speak from actual observation, not only ia reference t5 Its general featnres,as but what population t coald well sustain, and what number, emgrating there, could be con- ycniently accommodated with good timber, water, and prairie
 The more carefully to arrive at correct conclusions, divided my party daily into three bands-one to keep along near the base of the mountains, aad occasionally to pene- trate in the hills; a second 10 travel in the vicinity of the river; while myself generally moved in a central position; all observing carefully the kind and quantity oltimbef, the water privileges, and of what description, the character of the soil, the kind of herhage, grass, clover Sc, and where best produced, each reporting in the evening the days ob- Scrvation.
 Soon after leaving the Oregon Institute, some 50 miles south of the Willamette falls, on our way up the valley, we were all most agreeabIy struck and impressed with the gen. eral aspects of the country. The iron, so common in the lower part of the valley, was no longer met with; and aside from tine facl of now and then meeting with little district or patch somewhat grayelly, lhere appeared every where spread out before us combi- nation of beauty and excellence have no- where else observed.
 As have not met with discripton o this remarkable scenery, allow me to attemp sketch of it, which certainly must be lain indeed.
 The river flats are from two to six miles in with; the table ground, from 30 to JOG feet higher, stretches off usualI y from to l5 miles, followed by the undulating, or rolling ground, which, gradually swelling eastward connects with the hiily region, onward be- yond which we gaze upon the stHpendous Cascade ridge, from the centre and in the midst (which are thrown up in full view five of the most remarkable mounds of earth covered with perpetual snow for many thou sand feet, and thrown up in manner stri- kingly resembling a country hav-sack, tc the fearful height of from l5 to IF thousand feet above the level of the sea. See Captain Fremonl's report of the height of Noun Hood. The fertility of these flats of rich alluvial deposits, covered either with wood l,, l,-, .I,. r.
 clover, or timothy, with flowers of every hue, impresses one most agreeably. The table ground, with an occasional old orchard oak scattered here and there, underneath which, aRd all abroad, we observed smooth surface richly clad wiih Gac most nutricious grass, commingIed with strawberry vines clover, herbage, and flowers of great variety. is nnt less pleasing to the eve and mind oI the observer than the fertile Yales below.
 The hiily districts wifi hardly be found less charming interesting. CT valuable. Here tho oaks increase ia number, comlnngled with an occajonal lofty fir, with now and thsn cluster of pine underneath. over all of which genilemau's coach may be driven at pleasure, over gently rising and descending grounds of smooth surface, in the midst of a scenery spread out before the eve, enliyened by the variety of wild fowl and nerds oi bounding deer, that defes description.
 Here, too, as in the higher districts, wo meet with laurel, cedar, maple, Sc, with a shrubbery, of blackberry, raspberry, thimble, goose, service, and whortleberry; and every patch of open ground richly clad with her bage of some description. The higher re- gions, more difficult of ascent, for consd- erable distance, part prairie and part wood- land, as witnessed in the. astounding growth of timber and quality of grass, give indica- tions of an excellcnt soil, doubtless enriched by the wash of the eternal mountains above, to which this disnict Is attached.
 But must hasten down to the valley, not forgetting to say, however, io my western