The New York herald., 1850-09-17
Our Oregon Correspondence.
PORTLAND, OREeos TKRRIToRY, !

July Is, 1850.
Weather in Oregon-Retwned Califor~,ans-G Gold
Regions Success axd Pr0spects-Seisure Of Bri-
ttsh Vessels, &c.
There is a wrong impression among the people
OF the United States, and more especially their re-
presentatives in Congress, in relation to the wealth
of our citizens. On the first discovery OF the gold
mines in California, large proportion OF the inha-
bitants took up the line Of march for the Sacra-
mento Valley; goodly number have returned,
perhaps three-quarters Some of them have done
well, others done nothing. We may safely calcu-
late that seven-eghhs are in but little better con-
dition than they would have been under ordinary
circumstances. Every body has enough for his
daily wants, and knows il he has not that he has
but to ofler and he canIhnd plenty OF work at good
prices. This state of affairs not necessary to
make the old settlers (who did no, in former years
see dollar, except when attacked by very danger
GUS diseaees) feel independent of all the world and
the Hudson Bay Co.; for think there must be
something in the climate which makes us all feel
rs if we could whip any and everybody before
breakfast had thought the adventures in Cali
fornia were free and easy, do-as- you-are mind
todo sort Of people, but Oregonians young and old,
can beat them; this may be easily accounted for,
~
upon their own resources and abilities, TO defend
themselves in d wilderness like this. The pioneers
in this country have had TO suffer many hardships,
and but little TO encourage them. Our government
left them TO take OF themselves and fight their
way through almost insurmountable obstacles, with
not even kind word to help them; and when it
did act, what was done! few civil officers were
sent TO govern the people and administer the laws,
but without the means TO carry out their instruc-
tioDs, end in many cases not even their salaries
furnished 10 them. Look al the appropriation
for public buildings. Five thousand five hun
dred dollars! Not enough at thet time, and
barn. Our people feel all this deeply; they accuse
the government with wilful neglect, ana that for a
series OF years, and facts will bear them out in il.
But q thing, past, enough for the present.
General Lane, presume you are aware, has re-
signed his office as Governor Mr.. X. Pritchett,
formerly Secretary Of State, is acting until the ar
rival OF John Z. Gaines, now daily expected. Gen.
l.. was much liked by all parties, and was and 10
an able and honest man. He is now, with large
party, exploring the Umpqua and Rogue river
mines, but, by the last accounts, with Indifferent
success.
There has been considerable excitement here, in
consequence OF the Indians bringing in geld from
Upper Columbia, VS.. ogden, Esq, young
New Yorker, and "A few others, have been up, but
find gold in but very small quantities. The waters
were high, however, and they could do but little.
They represent the country on the north of the
Columba-say the Spokan, Yukma and Naches
COunlTy-hs Dcbk IDprt NdlbaDle pOItOu VI
Oregon, so far as climate, farming and more esps-
cially grazing, is concerned. Other parties are
now out who will explore more thoroughly, and
go through to Puget's Sound. From the various
reports, am very doubtful about gold being found
there in quantities to justify mining operations.
The resources OF this country are being rapidly de-
veloped, and will, il government encourage us, be
of immense value to the Union.
On the 9th inst, the first steamer built in Oregon
made her appearances in the waters Of the Will
lamete, and, before the year is out, we shall have
several more. The Massachusetts, with the sur.
veyinR corps, left here on the 18th, and is now
above Vancouver. The report Of the board for
selecting ports, harbors, Ne, when il appears, will
be Of great Importance, and go far to enLghten the
Ttople Of the States in relation 10 the capacities of
Oregon.
The Hudson Bay Company's ship Albion was
seized by the revenue officers, at New Dungeness,
about the 10th Of April last. There is something
wrcng there. The Collector at Astoria is probably
in trouble snd in relation TO the seizure of the
Albion, and the seizure and release, without trial.
Of The Hudson Bay Compeny's schooner Cadboro,
at Nesqually, there will probably be an animated
correspond. nee between our government and that
Of Great Britain. ! am promised the details, and
the correspondence between the Collector and the
officers who made the seizure, in season for the
neat steamer, and shall forward il. NowIrxAR.