Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-09-03

established territory oil our country u oiinterest-
The roll Of emigration, trayersng scross the CONT
nen,. when it reaches the Pacific, finds limit
The prospects OF the settlers in this new country
have been variously estimated, but we have seen
none more fair than those presented by letter from
aMr Wesley Shannon, some one Of the north
western states to his father, who has communicate
ed ito the Washington Union. Il is dated at
Oregon Territory, February 8, 1876, and conveys
much useful information to those who intend TO
follow after him -
We arrived in this the first division Of the terrific
ny, safely, on the last day Of September Though
that was much in advance Of the emigration gener-
ally In company with few others, with only
FIVE wagons we procured two boats at Fort Mes
Perces, or Wallawala, and descended the great
river Of the West to Linton place named in honor
Of the late celebrated Senator from Missouri, who
took so active and earnest part in every thing
that related to the interest of this territory
BY this method oftrayeling. we were enabled to
ouisrip the balance Of the company, and arrived
here more than a month earlier than any preceding
emigration and even two months earlier than some
of the companies for the year. In fact, some of
the emigrants are yet at the Dalles, and intend
coming down the Columbia in the spring as soon
as they cross the cascade mountains with their
cattle. THERE'S as yet no wagon or pass dis
covered in these mountains. A small party Of
about thirty wagons made the attempt to cross over
them, but failing in getting through with their
wages, some Of them remained in the mountains
until December, and, leaving their wagons, came
over on pack.horses The cascades are great
barrier to the settlement Of this country, from the
fact that there are as yet no facilities for passing
down the Columbia river, except few very small
boats; consequently large emigration will be
able to get through inthe same year. Many of this
years emigration have taken winter quarters in the
itvtat0 20 ell hat .ko al.
falls
Our emigration was very large, yet we made the
"trip in good time and with less difficulty than ex-
pected although the distance actually travelled is
far greater than supposed. Agreeably to the
account which have carefully kept, the distance
is about 2600 miles from hero to Khoxrille-about
1900 Of which is through broken and mountain.
country; yet the Travelled road is not so difficult
as is generally supposed by those who have never
been over 1t. Thetrip easily be made from
any of the western states in six months, with a
careful selection ofteams and proper outfit.
On arriving in this division OF the territory, and
making careful examination of the country,
must say thatI was very agreeably diappointed.--
Instead Of finding the country barren waste or
desert, find it as rich and fertile as any part of
Illinois. The whole Of this division ofihe territory,
SO far as have made personal observation, and
even the highest hills mot mountans) is unsurpass
ed in fertility The land here produces more per
acre than II does in any part Of Illinois. For the
growth oil wheat, there is certainly part OF the
world equal 10 Oregon All kinds Of small grain
grow better here than in the staies aud for garden
vegetables it is decidedly the 6nes. | ever have
seen.
There certainly is no country where stock Of all
kinds do as finely as here Cattle are good becfat
dl seasons Of the year. Grazing is fine all winter.
Stock is never granted in this country. The
oxen we drove in the teams from the states now
fat.
This winter is said to be colder than usual. vet
there has been but few mornings that the mercury
has been below freezing, and we can plough any
time in the winter Speaking of the winters re-
minds me Of whatd have often heard in the states
that is that in Oregon it rains constantly for foul
months, lin the fall and winter seasons.) This
however, heard disputed and being anxious to
settle the matter for myself well be able to
answer the inquiries of others having interest in
this direction, have KEEP, day-bool, (being en-
ployed farm,) and the time have lost is as fol-
lows: November, two DAYS December two, and
January four. l have never seen any country
where man could do much work in the winter
as in Oregon.
As regards the health Of this country, there is
but one opinion it is remarkably healthy The
emigration must Of necessity be much exposed az
ter leaving comfortable and we-provided homes in
the States, and performing long trip to settle
here, at first with so few Of the comforts and con.
veniences to which they were accustomed yet SO
far as have been informed, the new emgrants en-
Joy uninterrupted health and are in fine sprirs and
vgor, and all appear we'll pleased with their new
homes. Our last years emigration numbered A.
240. Many them have left their families in the
States presumng satisfy themselves before break.
ing up their old homes. So far as am acquant-
ed, they all intend bringing their families to Ore
gon. Law and good order are nowhere more
punctually observed. We have a printing press,
churches, and numerous schools In fine, this
country has all the elements and that in high de-
gree of geographical, physical, political and moral
grandeur and progression
On the first day of January 1916, after travelling
5000 miles, stood on the shores OF the great Pa
cihe, and with unmingled delight gazed upon the
mighty deep.
have been on the Columbia, from Fort Mes
Perces, whchis situated at the mouth Of the w al
iawalla river, to its mouth at the Pacific The Co.
iumbia, from Mes Perces down, has many falls or
rapids, some of which are impossible About one
hundred miles below Fort Mes Perces, are what is
called the Create Here the water Of the great
river OF the West PUSHES through numerous chasms
inthe rocks, with perpendicular falls, their naviga-
ton being impossible with any kind Of craft A
short distance below this is the Dalles, where the
entire body Of the river through what is called
nepa, narrow space of one hundred and ffy
'eei, walled In by baltic columns of perpendicular
rock on either side. Fifty miles below, and on the
north bank, stands Fort Vancouver, the principal
establishment OF the Hudson's Bay Company. Ii
consists OF number OF buildings within stockade
and numbers several hundred inhabitants The
Willamette enters the Columbia about seven miles
below Vancouver The Willamette valley EN-.
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