The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-01
News from Oregon.

Oregon, arrived at st. Louis on the 18th
inst. One of them, Mr.. Palmer, be-
longs to Indiana; the other, Mr.. Smith,
is from Ohio. From the latter gentle
man, the Republican has obtained some
information of a very interesting char
acter, as exhibiting the prospects Of the
American population in that quarter.
These gentleman, in company with
some fifteen others, left Oregon City on
the 5th of March. and DR.. Whitman's
Missionary establishment, on the Wall
awalla river, on the 14th ofApril. This
missionary establishment is represent
ed as being in flourishing condition,
and enjoying the confidence of the In
dians. Oregon City contains popu-
latlon of about eight hundred. II con-
tains two churches, one Methodist
and the other Catholic church--two
flour mills, and threw saw mills. Ore
gon City is now the residence Of DR..
Mclaughlin, who has resigned his post
in the Hudson Bay Company, and is
actively employed in measures for the
Improvement Of the territory. The
canal around The WiIlemette Falls, for
the erection Of which a bill passed the
Oregon Legislature last year, it is now
proposed to convert into railroad, and
it is expected that this will be done in
year or two. The territory of Ore
gon itself, is represented to contain a
population Of about 1000, all prosper.
ously employed; and those who went
to that country last year, are represent
ed as well satisfied with their situation.
The intercourse between the Hud-
son Bay Company and the Americans,
was of a very friendly character, though
great interest was manifested on both
sides as to the pending negotiations for
the adjustment of the question of boun-
dary. 1t is the impression of our in
formant, that the treaty arrangement
will not be satisfactory to the Ameri-
cans, but the Hudson Bay Company
seems to have anticipated very accu-
rately the boundary which has been
established. The country north Of the
Columbia. which has been generally
represented as of very poor and in
different quality, is not SO regarded by
our informant. 1t is susceptible Of cul-
+tiyation, and is cultivated to a very con-
siderable extent by the Hudson Bay
Company, who find a market for Whea!
at $3.50 per bushel, in the Russian pos
sessions.
This party pursued the usual route,
returning home. 1t is broadly mark
ed wagon road, some of the difficulties
of which, are soon to be obviated by
contemplated movements, in the re-
gion of the Cascade mountains.
Mr.. Smith gives most melancholy
account of the progress and sufferings
of the st. Joseph's Company Of emf
grants, which left in l845, under the
pllotage of Mr., Meek. This company
lost their way and endured incredible
hardships. They were out forty days
longer than usual, and before their ar
rival at the Dalles of the Columbia,
some seventy-6ve Of the company had
died. A short supply Of provisions,
and that of the worst quality-very
poor cattle--produced what was cal
led the "Camp Fever" Frequently, too,
they were twenty-four hours without
water for the children or the sick.
On their return, the party met the
advanced company of the Oregon emf
grants at Fort Laramie. They were
getting on pretty well, but were suffer
ing from the depredations ofthe lndi-
ans upon their cattle. The Pawnees
were principally concerned in these
outrages, and on one occasion, attack
ed and killed one Of the emigrants who
| was out in search Of his cattle. The
person killed was from Henry county,
Iowa. by the name of Edward Trim.
Bile. He and a companion by the name
of Harrison, were fred upon from the
grass, and Trimble killed, and Harrison
taken prisoner. They were, however,
discovered by two others of the party,
raised the shout, and the Indians fled.
IMr. Trimble's body was not found.
He ha. left wife and four small chill
dren. They would have returned with
this party, but were prevented from
doing so, by peculiar circumstances.
Mrs. Trimble's friends may expect her
return as speedily as possible.
/. During the last winter, four Amer.
can whales were lying at Vancouver's
/ Island. OF the number, one was the
ship Morrison, of Massachusetts,, and
another the Louvie, Of Connecticut.
ISix OF the men belonging to these ves'
| sells stole whaling boat, and run away
with it. The Indians on the Island
would not permit them to land. They
were compelled to put to sea--a storm
arose, aad three Of them were drowned