The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-15
Late from Oregon.

In the Indiana State Sentinel of December 6, we
find the following letter from MIR. William p Bry-
ant, dated Oregon City, August Is.
TO the Editors Of He Indiana State Sentinel:
Enclosed send you the message Of our mutual
friend, Gov. Lane, to the Legislative Assembly of
the territory oi Oregon
The governor is very prompt in defending the
Indians III their fisheries and other rights, essential
to their comfort and subsistence, and on the other
hand cxacts from them more respect TO the rights
of our citizens than one not accustomed 10 them
would suppose them capable of yielding. We have
had no late difficulties with them and believe his
policy will secure against any future difficulty.
The governor Is almost constantly engaged IN
hearing their petty grievances, and redressing
them in a plain and summary way; that makes
them pay respect TO the rights Of one another, and
abstain from deprcdations upon the citizens. Our
Legislature is in session, They are men of good
sense, and well understand the wants Of the people
of the territory.
week held court in Linn county, in this, in Cham
poeg, and next week will hold court in Cackamus,
and week after in Vancouver, which will end my
circuit. | found but little business TO do. The
grand jury found four five indictments for small
offences such hog stealing, and stealing horses
from the Indians, &c, at Champoeg. Such things
will happen at first but think, Judging from the
mass OF the citizens, who are mainly very orderly
and honest, that these awless characters will not
long remain amongst us.
] was up this, the Willamette valley, US far ms
the Calapooa settlement. | never saw a richer
valley OF land and the mountain scenery is capt.
vatng. The health OF the country lis good, and the
harvest is abundant. This is the greatest country
for wheat on the continent. have seen finer
wheat grow than we have this year in Oregon, not
near all of which will be saved, for the want of la
borcrs. The ordinary wages for laborers in the
harvest-tield is SIS per day to each man.
Every kind of labor commands nearly any price
asked for it, The packers, in advance of the emf
grafton, arrived to-day. They report s 900 wagons
on bn uIn for
residue for California The cholera had been fatal
out from Missouri to Blue river, about 400 miles;
about 700 deaths occurred, when il abated; but
there was much sickness of ievers among the emf
grants, and some deaths. We anticipate much
sickness and distrogs among the land emigration.
The packers arc OF opinion that they rushing
and pressing their cattle hard in order to get out
to the mines, that they will break them down.
If the twentieth part of the protection given
to the trade of this river that is extended TO the
mouth of the rivers in the States, the Columbia
would be found to be much better bar than that Of
most rivers in the States of its size The lumber
trade OF this river is quite an important trade; of
the wheat and flour.
Our people are returning from California every
day with large of gold, the product of the
mines. | have before me a statement showing the
arrivals and departures of vessels coming in and
going out with freight over the Columbia bar,
which has heretofore been considered impossible.
Since the It'll OF May ships of every size from forty
tons to seven hundred tons burthcn amounting to
fifty eight up to the 18th of this month, and not
single accident of u serious character has happened.
The legislature were this evening engaged in de-
vising alleviate the suflerings Of the emf
grants. Many of them will not be able to get
through, il is believed with the best assistance
can give them.
We have paper published in this territory, and
cannot furnish you with printed copy of the
Governors message He is quite well left here
this morning for the Umpqua valley, accompanied
by Lieut.. Talbert, with escort to examine A1ices
bay and to the Indians of that part of the terri
tory. IL turns out that there several good har
bors ON the coast below the mouth of the Columbia
river, although il has heretofore been reported an
IRON bound coast. Yours, truly,
VIM. p BRYANT