The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-24
Affairs In Oregon.


Affairs In Oregon.
THE SOIL, PRODUCTS, AND GENERAL RESOURCES OF
THE TERRITORY.
Correspondence of the Boston Courier
Fokr VANCOUVER. Or ECON TERRITORY, Oct II, lS4e.
have just arrived here, from the States, overland,
across the Rocky Mountains which may with truth
be called the most tosome journey that can be made
left the Rifle Regiment with which have been
eeeded by express to the Daes Mission of the late
DR.. Whitman which point reached in three days,
travelling on horseback distance of POS miles Major
Gross, Chief Quartermaster United States Army
on this coast, Capt Lindsey and an Escort Of three
men and myself constituted the whole party with
the exception Of guide and the senior chief of the
Cayuces tribe. This trip, without any exception,
was the hardest portion of our long journey. We
followed the Indian trail. which courses through
some Of the most dreary and desoate parts of this
barren country We frequently found ourselves pass
ing along the brink OF some steep precipices, thou
sands Of feet high, nearly perpendicuar, the trail
just wide enough to permit to pass along in single
file Ii either of our faithful animals had stumbled
both rider and horse would have fallen headoBg into
the yawpipg abyss below us Several times was
afraid to ride these dangerous places, and would
dismo unit but the guide and old Indian chief would
us to remain seated in our saddle the safest
mode of getting over these tremendous chssms. Oc-
overhanging bluffs would break its hold, aud come
dssbiDg down across our path carrying every thing
before 1t. One Of our loose animals stu mbed and fell
fifteen hundred feet Into the rushing stream of
the Columbia, and was soon carried down by the
powerful current. We had no provisions after the
first days travel except pork. having lost all
bread in crossing the Umanta; this we cooked on
stick. We obtained on the third day little fresh
horse meat from the Csyuces, which was most accep
table to We slept, of course, the open air.
with only one blanket each, which to the traveller
acr oss the mountains is no novelty but ut our fret
camp In the vicinity Of the Blue Mountains, we suf-
fered most severely from the cold.
hardly know what language to use in describing
this barren land Its extent is almest unmitet-but
Of all the accounts have ever yet seen Of the dreary
and sandy deserts Of Arabia, have never yet seen
anything that would come up to the reality Of the i'm
barren deserts bet Fort Hall aud this psint
most especially along the banks Of the volcanic Snake
river. Select out the Blue Noun tains which TO be
sure are clothed with the finest timber, and the
Grande Ropde and the remainder Of the country Is
incapable Of the least cuti alton or improvement.
The coll 10, randy unfit for grazing barren Of timber
Of every description. The weared traveller will not
find dozen trees shrubs In distance Of six hun
dred miles sufficiently large to shade him from the
burning sun The artemisis Is the only verdant thing
at thrves in this whole tract OF all the countries
that have ever passed through or ever have read Of
this bears the palm for sterility.
The name Of Dslles is derived from emigrant who
attempted to settle here many years ago but finding
Ii too serious job to transport his stores from the
fort finally abandoned the place The Columbia river
here, for some three four miles passes through
hundred feet the tides being nearly perpendicula
and most Of the distance fifty yards apart. At
the head OF the Dslles where the whole mass Of the
Columbiss waters issue the width Is not twenty
thirty feet The current here is powerful aod
detes all sttem pit at navigation. The Indians have
drawn chinook canoe through the gulf after labor
ing hard fifteen hours
cept two Catholic priests To each OF these kind and
courteous clergymen sm under special obligations
for u supply Of food They have built tw. very com
Portable cabins have made some little attempt ut Gull
tvstion and also keep cows sheep, pigs aud horses
Back from the river come four i've miles, there
a fine grazing region. The FIRST range OF the Cascade
Mountains here commences They are covered with
the moet valuable timber many OF the trees three
hundred feet hiph and sixteen in diameter have
one that measured twenty.four feet.
This region will never become settled. Between IL
and ocean communication the Cascade mountains Lift
their htads TO height that foTbds all land intercourse
be river navigation IL nothing the Cascades
obstruction that cannot be removed. They forty
five miles below here. ard extend nearly five miles.
Every article must be carried this portage by
hand There formerly . wagon road but 10 has be-
filed up by the trees aud rocks constantly falling
from the cliffs that hang it. The actual fall in
the river the whole distance cannot be over forty feet
but the water is exceedingly rough, aud the channel
hll,d with INN rocks The current dsshes through
and thete rocks at astonishing rate The nrst
falls OF the rapids present most charming view to the
eye. never saw finer landtcaps than the one pre-
seDted to my eyes on the morning left them. IL
the first time that had had clear view the whole
country having been enveloped in thick smoke
since L reached IL, till this time Mount Hood with
lite lofty peak covered with eternal snow, was visible In
the distsnce the left. The highest range OF the
Cascade Mountains seemed to have opened their ma
jesc cliffs just vide enough 20 permit the flowing
tiers q the Columbia to pass through. The innuner-
abb. little isles just above the fathe towering bluffs
TO be seen In every drection-sil combine TO form
most magnificent picture.
The fret Of the rife regiment reached the Dslles
the msrnipg Of the Esd Of September. notia Of
eleven boats received - many OF them on board as
they could take B.ins anxious to reach California
finished my association sith Msjer Cross In the Quar-
temssters department hts senior agent aud Joined
the fret detachment that vent down under command
Of Major Ruiz We we're forced to lay 70 often, ON &C
osust Of head winds. IL always blows up or down the
river and generally very strong. especially a. the
Wind River Mountain and point known as Cape
/ Horn
lief the troops at the Cascade Falls s7d proceeded
down the river In canoe. with seven Indians aud DIR
Steele, Of Osvego From the upper falls vas Induced
to enter the and psss the loser rapids nd
| fsls-s feat that have no deposition TO repeat,
although the Indians seemed delighted at the speed.
aud we Iutbsd along the tumultuous waters Of
this mighty river like an arrow,
! reached Vancouver on the 2sth September. The
advanced corp. Of the rifles reached mi. place on the
/ 18th October, and harder looking Get Of men you
never saw. The return volunteers from Mexico, Ia.
GLIDING ovn regiment. did not look ~ used NJ
With the exception Of one company, the whole rsgi-
msnt has been dismounted since we left Fort Hall
Many Of the poor soldiers have Been obliged to this
distance barefootsd. ! have frequently seen them
into camp tive four and six hours after the train
had arrived, with their feet bleeding from the cuts
are 20 encsmp here until the whole command reaches
this place aud to be quartered during the winter a.
Oregon city. Major Hathaway has t~o companies OF
the I'd ARTILLERY in the Territory, one Of which d.
stationed at Vancouver in the Of the fort q the
Hudson Bsy Cempsny's quarters; the other at Nes
| qusIly Vancouver 10 on the north bank Of the co.
lumbis IL contains about hundred houses mostly
the Hus.op "a, compspy rbicb are sasoSea 10 IN.
| parapet of the port There lie Catholic church at
tsch.d to the Hudson Day COMPANY which is the only
cipsy South Sea Islanders In the employ Of the com
psny The place cannot beast Of store Of any kind
excepting that Of the fort but this would be mos
capital location for an enterprisns young trader
Goods Of every kind command the most sxorbitsn
prices cotton shirt sold In the States for 80 cents
brings 81 readily; boots s12; caps 81 blankets 81
per pair, such o. sold In the States for S..
Provisions are high Potatoes, 81 per sushel toms
toes very sbusdant, but they sell quick for IS pc
buthel -four lie worth Sli to the barrel While Their
Thousands Of acres Of wheat roting In the fields
with no persons to harvest IT.
The gold fever bs. created perfect revolution II
this whole country You will not end poor man II
the territory Every has either been to the mines
Of the family, and generally brought bac
from two to Eve or ten thousand dollars each. Agri
culture has been entirely abandoned The finest farm
here have not raised city dollars worth Of producs
when At the present prices man could easily hav
brought forth two thousand dollars.
The Hudson Bay Company respins rich hsrves
from this peculiar state Of AFFAIRS They have no com
petition TO prevent them keeping mp their prices
and they are daily advancing upon all their dcmesti
goods
have not had an opportunity Of visiting the vale
dths willsmette regret II much II is rcputed :
be the richest part OF the whole territory In agr
cultural point Of view Vancouver veil situated q
mercantile city. The river at this point Is vide en-
affords very good anchorage for vessels Of any draf
think Astoria Vancouver will be the principal