The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-01-24
Description of the Oregon
Country.

The little which is known of this territory,
and the present excitement respecting it, in
duces us to give the substance OF three let
tiers of DR.. White, published in the Washing
ton Union" Dr. White has visited Oregon,
and resided some years in it
Sir: The territory of Oregon, extending
from the Rocky mountains to the Pacific
Ocean, a distance of over a thousand miles,
aud from AZ degrees to 81 degrees 40 min
utes 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 por-
tons; but owing to the mildness of the eli
mate and nutritousness of the grass, vast
herds OF Buffalo have there summered and
wintered from time immemorial. Domestic
herds have, az Fort Hall and elsewhere done
the same; and large caravans of laden horses
have annually passed through it in the most
unfrvorable seasons of the year, well subSist-
ing upon the grass Indigenous to the country
fastening the conviction that even East
ern Oregon must be ofmurh value as one of
the best and most extensive grazing districts
in the world.
The water-courses from the Eastern ex-
treme TO the Pacific Ocean are rapid in their
descentLot admitting ofan extensive navigu-
tion-even the Columbia being navigablc for
only l35 miles. Their frequent Interruptions
by the cascades aud rapids have produced
water privileges unlimited as TO extent
and power, warrantng the conclusion
that this country is destined, by the
facilities tiirnised by nature, to become Il
large manufacturing country; more particu-
larly as wool may be grown cheaper and en-
sipr than in any other portion of the known
world. Upon Bear River between the Rock
v Mountains and Fort Hall, and a considcra-
bile distance about and embracing that fort
some 500 miles from the Pacitic-Se find Il
favorable surface, fine grass, pleasant scenery,
and good soil; but the country is sparsely
tmbered with trees or stinted growth. | for
bear dwelling upon the value and interesting
character of the soda region. intending TO de-
vote to them more extended notice hercaf-
ter. Following the great emigration-roRd ut
Fremont's Pass. and pursuing its direct and
onward course over most favorable
surface for a highway, we come to another
norton of Oregon more valuable for civilized
man 10 dwell in.
The scenery in the neighborhood of the
Boisee River is varied, grand and imposing;
the valcs, table ground and hills well grassed:
the thinkers ofbetter growth, and here and
there little district better adapted to agricul-
ture. We now come TO that portion embra-
cling the little Mountains, the Grande Roude,
and all that district from Burnt River to the
Cascade Mountains, covering an extent of
country ofahout 400 miles from East to West.
Here the climate is remarkable for its ex-
treme salubrity; the wooded districts are
we'll timbered with cedar, fir, oak, &c; the
scenery pleasngly diversified; and all nature
around the locations of the pious missionary
establishments planted here, is wearing
milder and more agreeable aspect.
| observed, in running over your yester-
days paper that the Clerk, in copying my first
Number had altered a little my phraseology,
thereby, perhaps, attaching too much impor-
lance to the Eastern portion of Oregon as n
pastoral district; for Notwithstanding the facts
quoted are demonstration of its value-and
in addition, it might have been said that and
my companions during the present season
met large emigrating party who had Just
passed through this district with herd ofhor
ses, mules and cattle, estimated at no less than
10 10 $4,000 head, all passing the same road,
an well subsisting by the way,--it is but just
to say, 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 COM
pare in quality with the Middle and Western
portions of'the Territory; which so far rs we
are informed, from the North to the South,
from the Boisco to the Cascades, yields gen
orally rich coat of most nutritious grass
throughout the year.
This part of the country, Judging from the
united statements of the gentlemen attached
to the Missions, and from the concurring tes-
timony of Others who have gone out on ex-
ploring 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