Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-10
lFr0m The wsshing,on Union.l
Oregon.

As all eyes are turned to tho Pacific coasf .nd
everything that relates to its commerce. navigation and
the development OF the resources OF that Interesn~
portion OF extended republic worthy of
We insert the suboi letter from officer high 10
command IN the coast survey party now operating the
coast Of Oregon:-
U. s. SURVEYING ScHooxrR EWING.
Astoria, July IS, 1850.
| DEAR CousrN:-Since my last letter to yourself
have made trip to Puget's Sound, Admiralty Inlet
floods Canal the Island OF Vancouver and Nisqualy
ihIs part of my voyage made by water on board
the United States mail steamer Carolina.
The straits of ST. Juan dc Fuca is arm Of the sea
literally, throwing out It's branches il extends inland
In numerous directions and retaining over one hundred
fahoms depths-in many hundred miles fron,
the sea, at which places the width of canal is reuuenf
ly not greater than half mile. The Navigation of
these waters is perfectly free from distractions the
greatest difficulty being find good anchoragcs on ac-
account oil the great depth of water AS far as safey
is concerned the whole of Pugets Sound may be con-
sldered sale harbor from extremity the other
There are numerous little bays and roads into which
vessels may run, in order anchor The fact is
that vessels may tie (amost anywhere) the trees
the Sound
| The timber in this region is the finest have ever
seen. Spruce hemlock, FIR, pine and cedar commino-
ing, form thick forests OF gigantic trees Many YES
sells already visiting the Sound pursuit of lumber
which speedily destined to become article of export
TO great extent. In fact, the timber is so very fne
that has tempted the cupdy OF English vessels
who have had the holiness commit depredatons on
orr side OF the ne by cutting timber for spars to be ta
ken to England. One vessel seized in San Francis
co some months sinee and other in Pugets Sound
and which was placed under my charge for time This
ship called the Albion and was to have been broubt
to the mouth of the Columbia River; but suitable
crew could not be obtained She seized and still
under seizure by the collector of this district by whom
she will be held till the is tried.
came from Nisqualy tc the head of the Cowlitz by
land Our first days journey to the Chehales Riv-
er, twenty-eieht miles from Nisqualy. The country
through which we passed well watered, and well
calculated land
and pralres about equal portions Yet the soil is
very rich and quite gravclly do not deem il good
farming land Many good situations, however, could be
selected for taee This, however, is rather an excep.
ton than rule. Our next days journey terminated at
the Cowz settlement twenty miles from the Che
hales. This day we passed through the beautiful
country have ever seen; the prairie and woodland d.
viding the land about equally and in small alternate
patches of first and the other The land observed
had become gradually but almost mperceptbly better
since left Nisquay, and was of the finest possible
quality for tllage. We passed through several small
settlements chiefly consisting of Canadian French far.
mers whose houses fat cattle and beautiful farms
we stopped at the house of old Mr.. Prmondeau an old
Canadian, who has been in this country over thirty
years! He entertained until late by recount
ing many of his adventures during the early settlement
of the whites.
The Cowltz country probably superior to any part
of Oregon for agricultural purposes excepting
far-lamed Willamette valley
Our third day was consumed in descending the Cow
litz river in canoe At arrived the june
tion of the Cowz and Columbia rivers cannot tell
anything of the country through which passed as the
forests pushed themselves the very banks Of river
On the fourth day reached Astoria; you have al
ready perused too many accounts Of the Columbia river
render it necessary that should say word on the
subject.
The next time make journey, you shall have
account of it. In the time Just say to the people,
that if they feel crowded just tell them
Oregon, to bran-span new country, where they may
kill many elk, deer, BEARS Sc. as they please and
| he ofe fhay r1av ehoo from he
neighbors. This you know is a sweet privilege many
western people.