The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-25

pany could not, when he wished to leave, be made
up for that purpose. He many persons who
had visited and explored the valley. 1t was repre-
sented by them the best portion of Oregon The
valley was twenty five and fifty miles wide. The
buttes or hills in the valley rising beautifully from
the plain, were covered with timber, while between
them tracts OF fine prairie were often found en-
bracing several sections. The country was well
watered with fine living streams. There were sal.
mon fisheries on the river, and the tide rose for
| some 10 miles inland. The climate was more mild
than in the Enthusiastically healthy-and the
scenery exceedingly beautiful. Some settlements
had already been made in the valley. While the
country was productive in grain, it was considered
70 be still better calculated for the raising of stock
A man there, with hundred head Of cattle would,
IN a lew years, be wealthy His cattle would re-
qulre but little care, and he need only raise grain
enough ior his own consumption. The Messrs.
Applegates, who had explored the Umquah valley,
had removed into it from the Willamette valley.
These are shrewd men, and their movement was
llkely to be followed by other emigrants
Z" In very short period MIR. C.. thinks that fine
settlements will be found in the Umquah valley.
The location being on the road from the Willamette
to California. the market of both countries will
be open for their cattle. The Indians on the UNI
quah are not troublesome, and it is believed that
treaties can be formed with them which will pre-
vent all further difficulties. II has been understood
that there Is barbor at the mouth Of the Uinquah
which has never been explored by whites. Some
time ago small vessel tried to enter, but ii ran
among the breakers and was lost. The Indians who
they were master Of endeavored to induce the cap
tain to change his course into the channel, at the
moment he was bearing directly for the breakers !;
but he was suspicious oftreachery, and pursued his
way to the loss OF his vessel.
g Some portions of the Umquah country abound
with the wild fruit common to the country below,
as choice variety OF grapes and plums
1t ID the opinion OF emigrants TO Oregon that
better route than some portions of the present road
to the Willamette valley can be found. The mis-
haps which attended early emgrants seeking new
routes have sufficiently admonished their success
sors to keep present travelled roads. The road from
the South Pass to Fort Hall--it will be seen by an
examination of any good map-makes large cir
cut. ii is possible that a more direct route from
the Pass to Fort Hall may be discovered The fact,
however, can only be determined by actual explo-
ration. A more direct road would be Of vast value
TO emigrants.
GA short distance from Fort Boisie is the road
taken by Meek's company, several years ago, with
design of proceeding directly West, crossing the
heads of the streams which fall into the Columbia,
and passing through the Cascade mountains into
the upper part of Willamette valley. Disaster at
tended this attempt; but Mr.. Meek (who is an old
mountaincer) is still of the opinion that practica-
Bile route can be found in the direction stated This
fact, too can only be ascertained by actual explo-
ration. The value Of n route from Fort Bosie in
the direction spoken of can hardly be estimated
passage through the Cascades near the Columbia
river has been found, and the appearance of the
range South presents no more apparent difficulties
to be overcome.
dividuals in Oregon explored what is now called
the Southern route to Oregon. 1t is a practicable
route but is not much, If any, superior TO the North
ern route. IL passes from the Willamette valley
over the Calapoosie range into the Umquah valley;
thence to Rogue river valley thence into the reat
Basin, striking the California trail Humboldt
river, and preceding upon the same trail TO Fort
Hall. While this route is thronged with California
emigrants, there will be a want OF grass, and Ore
gon emigrants are not likely TO go through upon
1t. Some five years ago, Mr.. Lemuel H. ldc, a
well-known citizen of this county, passed over this
route to California, and be says that there was an
abundance of grass upon it, and the road not a
difficult one.
''The discoveries of gold in Oregon, added to the
Inducements which that country offers TO industry,
ambition, and enterprise, will cause very large
emigration TO that region from the States for many
years 10 come. From present appearances there
will be larger emigration 10 Oregon next spring
than any which has preceded IL; and we regard II
as the duty OF paterna government TO furnish all
reasonable faciliues-in the exploration of roads,
and other obvious means-for the settlement, i'm
provements, and development Of the resources Of
the territory"