The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-05
VIEW OF THINGS IN OREGON.
Correspondence Of the California Courier.
ORrcos, EtTv Lilo 1sE,

et''S ana mann faS' orIa"|S$ - -" - -
there is no doubt by any who have ever seen i,
fertile valleys and magnificent waterfalls Asa
lumber country 1t is superior to any ever visited
the extent and magnifcence of its forests towering
almost to the clouds aud these forests being All
in the western part Of the territory and on the
banks OF the rivers, give il a peculiar advantage
in the department of commerce above all Others
Did the people of California know of the easy &C.
cess Of those forests, and their coptguity TO wa
terfalls and navigable rivers, they would no Ion.
ger have any occasion to send TO the States for lum
Der, for there is more in Oregon than sufficient 10
build up all the cities that are needed on the
Pacific coast. But shall foil to give any adequate
idea Of those forests they must be seen to be re-
allied.
The first emigrants who arrived in Oregon set
tied in that beautiful valley, the Willamette,
which is the garden of Oregon, and may say Of
the world. The Willamette river is the great
southern tributary Of the magnificent Columbia
The valley through which it runs, in point Of ex-
tent, richness, beauty and fertility stands promi-
nent above all others on the great American con
tinent The length of the valley, from north to
south, is about $50 miles, its width from the
NIT Of the Cascades to the summit Of the coast
range is about 90 miles the width of the arabic
portion Of the valley is about 40 miles and through
the centre of this extensive valley the Willamette
river pursues its meanderng course, being aug
mented by streams every few miles running down
from the mountain on each side, thus watering the
great extent of country, and giving it that luxu-
rance and beauty which it is impossible to de-
scribe. The mountains on each side are covered
with tall pines, cedars, fir, hemlock, &c, &c,
which make these streams that run down their
sides invaluable not only for supplying water to
the valley below, but for mill sites. The valley is
about two-thirds prairie, beautifully interspersed
with timber auttlcipuf for all faru,in1
No wonder that the first emigrants stopped here
for here they could exclam, Eureka! The river
is navigable for steamboats, about one hundred
miles, and for six months of the year about one
hundred and fifty miles above the falls Of the
Willamette, where Oregon City is situated, being
about thirty miles from its mouth.
The Umpqua valley, which is south of the Viii
lamette, running east and west is in extent equal
to about half, and is watered by magnificent
river Of the same name, which makes its way
through the coast ridge of mountain and empties
into the sea.
This valley iscapable of sustaininga dense pop.
ulation, as the farms are very rich and fertile,
particularly the river bottom. There are but few
settlements, and its extent is, rs yet not fully
known, never having been explored only by par
ties crossing it at different points. see there 10
a company organizing in this city to explore its
mouth and make settlement, and hope they viii
uSCtEahIu Inc cAttHt hnu Cdptbllit1es OF the
magnificent valley.
II these two valleys were all that Oregon con-
tanned, they would be enough TO make one of tho
richest states in our glorious Confederacy. But
this is but small portion of Oregon. | have said
nothing Of the Columbia valley, and that great
river which rises in the Rocky Mountains, run
ming through district of country more than a
thousand miles in extent before it empies into the
ocean.
The advapta oas nossoaoed in Oraoon 90 a man.
ufacturing country, are surpassed by none
count of its extensive water power. At Oregon
City, where the waters of the Willamette take
perpendicular descent of about twenty-five feet,
are advantages for manufacturing purposes far
Rochester, New York
On the Columbis river at the Cascades, about
100 miles from its mouth, is another favorable
point for mills, marked out by nature, where that
river takes descent Of some twelve or fifteen
feet. These two places alone will give sufficient
power to turn machinery enough for our whole
country.
But the water power is not confined to these
places; it is scattered all over that great and
tensive country. There is no country 80 well
watered, where rivers, streams, and rivulets are
In such great abundance as Oregon, and the
position of the country being mountaiu ous all the
smaller streams of course must be rapid conse
luently producing great advantages for mills
As a mineral country have no doubt that Or
egon is very rich, but yet it has never been
examined. In this day, where nothing but gold
will satisfy men will not stop for minerals of less
value. That here are gold mines, there is no
question, for they are now successfully worked in
The southern portion of Oregon how extensive
hey may prove to be, remains yet to be seen The
report with regard to gold on the Columbia, in
The Spoon country, has come authenticated,
hat | cannot doubt 1t for moment, yet would
not vouch for it, not having seen it. But il it
should be true that gold is found away at the ex-
RENE north line Of the territory, can see no
reason why the Cascade ridge should not be as
rich as the Sierra Nevada, for IL is the same con-
nued ridge of mountain.
But we are rich enough without gold. Oregon
possesses natural elements of greatness enough to
make her by far the greatest country on this coast
md ! am glad to see attention beginning to turn
hat way towns and cities are beginning to spring
INTO existence at the different prominent points on
he rivers and elsewhere; exertions are now be-
ng made to give them that influence and benefit
o the country which their position demands.
soon we shall see the majestic steamboat naviga-
ing these noble rivers, and soon we shall see
,ty on the shores Of that beautiful bay at the
mouth of the great Columbia, which will give to
Oregon what she has long needed seaport town
uitsble for a commercial depot for that ereat
country. Americans have taken hold Of IL In
arnset, and that is q sufficient guarantee
From the Pacific News
SAN Francisco, June II, 1850
None familiar with the extent and peculiar
estures of Oregon, but must be impressed that
hree great and important towns must necessari-
y spring up in her midst. The first has already
ONE into coneideratiS in my last article namely,
oregon City, at the Falls Of theWillamettc. The
econd is situated at the cascades Of the Columbis,
nd the third at the mouth of that great river,
he natural outlet for all the products Of Oregon.
Is Oregon City is 10 the great aud extended
alleys of the Willamette and Umpqus, so Is
'ascade City to all the upper valleys Of the Co
nmbis II is situated at the foot of the cascades,
here the Columbia river takes an almost
descent Of twelve or fifteen feet,
bout 1870 miles from its mouth, and some 40 miles
bove the mouth of the Willamette, the great
,uthern tributary.
This, like Oregon City, must be regarded as
be natural distributing and manufacturing point
nd although both the Columbis and Willamette
ivers are nsvigahle for sailing vessels OF The
srgest size, to the cascades on the Columbia, and
, Portland on the Willamette, aud thence nearly
D Oregon City, yet steamboats, are about TO claim
heir proper province and transact oil the bust
ess on these formidable waters
In the immediate vicinity Of this place, which
as been but recently surveyed, are extensive
bal beds, specimens Of which are now exhibited
|, this city, and BY lis brilliancy and specific
ravity 10 believed 10 be q superior quality. Mr.
Oh nson the principal proprietor, speaks favor
bly, Of the extent and easy access of this i'm
ortans mine. This adds considerably to the
spoftAnce Of this position.
bsSi6e CITY, - the little hamlet OF nucleus OF
commercial town IL called, Is situated at the
ortheru entrance Of the Columbia. The import
nee Of this postiou can hardly be over. estimated
the Columbis 10 the only feasible and natural
atlst Of the whole Of Oregon, for rendering this