The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-15

Proposition TO remote Indians Transition state of
Oregon Commerce 'oiM California Adoantages
Of the Country 10 Farmers aud Merchants-Ifud-
sons Bay Company The propriety Of buying them
SLIDER Fr Ttads eaiinet,Pugsts Sound
and the Columbia Ricr-IAe Neip Channel at the
Mouth qf the latter Points Of Obstruction aboue
44sforia-Situation Of Astoria-' Pacific City
n building for Hospital aud also a Pier need
ed-Ne,o Decision Of Indian Districts Indian Su-
peJiateadent.
AsToRiA, o. T., August Is, 1885,
1t is understood that proposition is now before
Congress to remove the river and coast Indiana to
the country east Of the Cascade range, on the Co.
iuinbia and Snake rivers. Such measure is sim
ply equivalent to destroying them. The character
of the two sections ia different the forests OF
Canada and the sands Of Carolina. East of the
Cascades unbrokcn desert, on which no tree
grows, through which the few rivers wander in
caIions of volcanic rock, and where vegetation is
parched thrvcs only in bitter shrubs, extends to
the foot of the Blue mountains. West of the Cas-
cades on the contrary, the forest of frs is unbroken
except in the narrow valleys intervals of land
on the rivers. Scattered among the trees on the
edges Of these the remnants Of what was once
numerous population live in detached villages, on
salmon, roots, and berries. Their number is now
not over twelve hundred. They injure no man;
fishermen, and aborers. To take these people
from their ancient homes and transfer them to
desert land, where the wretched inhabitants feed
on insects ON dead fish, and often on one another,
would be an outrage on humanity. There
abundant streams the coast, lying in the mar
row valleys which interscct the coast range of
mountains, to which they could be, if necessary,
transferred and watched over until such time as
they disappear in the natural course of things But
in selecting such position, Government should be
careful how they appoint persons entrusted in their
management or ignorant Of their wants. The In
dans of this river from necessity aquatic and
fishing race. Tho canoe is at once their dwelling
place and their coffin. The fur trade is here
tinct OF game there ia little; but though the sal
mon, it is true, follow the Columbia and the Snake
to the great falls, yet the country through which
those rivers pass is desert, and ts inhabitants the
most wretched of the The river Indians, on
the contrary, are all well clothed and even rich,
and are, in fact, among the best customers Of the
traders here. They raise potatoes, and could cast
ly, if directed be made agricultural.
Oregon is at present in a transition state. The
first emigrants were either missionaries, who full
filled their mission only far as concerned them
selves, and did no more good to the Indians than
was necessary to make useful servants of few, or
men who had become tired of the amount Of labor
requisite in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri to sup
port life. These latter preferred packing their
property, such as it was in their OK wagons, and
wandering two thousand miles to unbroken
forest. which, in its dcsolation presented the para
disc of western Imagination. A few hardy and
restless hunters, the guides of these companies,
settled among them, if moving from year to year
be called settling, and happily illustrated MIR.
Irvings description of the Yankee character. Scat
tered rcsidences-one party at the mouth of the
Columbia, small sandy plain reclaimed from
the ocean, another body in the beautiful and richer
valley of the Wahamet, the principal loca-
tions. They found the country in the possession
of the Hudson's Bay company, who, when it was
ascertained that they could not be kept out, used
them so far they could, and pretty well, upon
the whole; that ID to say, they sold them what they
absolutely required, and took all their crops in
exchange. The missionaries, finding trade pro-
ftable, put in for their share of it, and issued
paper currency, payable in store produce or goods,
based upon capital of the articles sent out for dis
tribution among the heather. Such was the state
of things when what is called, properly enough,
the gold fever broke out. The country was wretch
cdly poor; the inhabitants generally possessed only
the bare necessaries Of frontier life The news OF the
discovery of that metal in California worked
luton in the Territory. The left their homes in
a body, and, being among the first to arrive, en-
ured to fatigue and hardship, they were among
the most successful adventures. They brought
back both money, and, what was more wanted,
household goods. A stimulus given to activity
of all kinds, in particular the lumber trade, for
which western Oregon is admirably fitted, both by
its forests and it's water power. was entered upon,
and capital very considerable for the country in
vested in it, +Li
Lately the arrival of lumber in vast quantities
from the States has partially checked the exporta
ton to California except of such kinds as more
easily procured from herc-as heavy plank piles,
and timber and even tbcse sent in diminished
quantities; but these sources dried up, the in
ternal traffic Of the country has increased. Small
settlements, bearing the imposing names CT cities,
arc rising everywhere, and competition among
them for every petty advantage seems destined to
create exhibition OF the prevalent mania of
the Stntcs in 1885, or of what exists in Cafor-
mia. The prices which the crops have commanded
have enriched the farmers, and yet strange to say,
but very trifing amount has been exported. AT
this time the emigration has turned from Cafor.
mia here. and already part of those who came
overland during this season, dissatisfied with the
success of the mines, have entered the river. 49,.
In regard to the advantages and prospects Of this
country. believe them to be great TO two classes
chants. Mechanics and laborers can always OBJ
tain good wages; but the great profits of the coun-
Try cnurc TO the others. Any well-suppliod store,
at "a good position, can command handsome trade.
Hitherto in Job lots goods have been taken at from
to one hundred and fifty per cent. over New
York prices, and at retail from to FIVE hundred
per cent. Sales Of fifty to hundred dollars
day arc not unusual in the retail trade. That this
will be permanent is not, however, 20 be expected.
Unless Oregon finds some new articles Of export,
labor falls to a degree that will enable her to
compete with the States, she must cease buying in
some measure. II is, in my opinion, 10 an i'm
creased population that she must look 10 her pros
pcrity, and that with her healthful climate and
fertile soil she will find IL DO not doubt
The real policy of tho government ms regards The
Hudson's Bay company ] consider doubtful point.
/ at first inclined to think that il useless to
buy II out, but now question the correctness Of
that opinion. Independent of the questions which
continually arise to their rights, commercial and
agricultural, rather posscssory, their trade, in
= - l.