The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-04
To The Editor efA Union:

DEAR Sir: Having treated as fully as time will
admit upon the general features OF Oregon, and
touched upon all parts save the southern district
we will no briefly glance at that, aud then proceed
to consider its past and present condition, and
of the that have led to this remarkable
change.
So far as we are informed concerning the country
from California to the valley Of the Willamette
considerable portions Of which have visited, II
must be regarded, "as WHOLE" as an uneven, billy
OF mountainous district, well wstervd, heavily tim
bered and the prairie portions admirably grassed.
The Umphqua valley ID extremely verdant and
beautiful and a most inviting district to the agncul-
turist, we TO the herdsman; but, unfortu.
natey, il is not Of great extent, and the river is TOD
rapid for easy safe navigation.
Most, then, Of this southern district, from its
unfavorsblc surface and rapid streams, "notwiti.
standing its excellent soil, is better adapted to
hcrIing and manufacturing purposes than agrcul-
ture. Very possible, from indications, it will he
found to be rich in minerals; though Of this VIC
have no certain knowledge or positive proof.
The Willamette valley, then, must be regarded
as the largest connected portion, and most portan
agricultural district of the territory, and at present
the heart and centre Of operations III that country
four-6fths of the colony being comprised within q
distance of sixty miles in length, and half that r
breadth. And here, where twenty years age
naught was seen heard but the busy otter, the
working beaver, the timid deer, or bounding elk
mingling the war-whoop with the dismal howIing
of beasts of prey, nowis seen the fruitful fields
the howery gardens the domestic herds, the quiet
homes, the cheerful schools, Christian temples, and
the voice of melody and thanksgiving in that de-
lightful valley. rt. . ..r-. ..
Yes, sir, we now grow all the fruits and grains
peculiar to the northern and S,ateshsve the
choicest gardens, with vegetables of every descrip-
ton; and the cheerful prairies are eliyened by
thousands Of domestic herds, roaming at pleasure,
and luxuriatng upon natures own bountIful pro-
vision, both summer and winter. We now num-
Der, in all, somewhere in the vicinity of seven thou
sand--have seven grist-mills and ten mills in
operation; Ave neat church edifces, some eight or
ten common schools, one large academical in:titu-
ton, well conducted; four American and two Eng,
lish stores; colonial library worth several thou.
sand dollars; valuable printing press; town at the
falls of the Willamette of Ave hundred inhabitants;
and peaceable, happy, orderly people in town
and country, living without, brandy or alcohol, un-
der laws oftheir own making; and in obtaining the
good things of this life, they are getting forward
most commercially. ,.aa.T. 81. q. aa..amu5p :.
Our foreign commercial relations are not well
established, and a circulating medium is much
needed as gold and silver is scarce but in the alb
sence of both, for reasons to be assigned hereafter
our colony in Oregon has more rapidly advanced
their state than any heretofore planted. Nj aag,
...,..s. E. WHITE.
WILMINGTON Feb 9, 1886. ...-r. a.E