The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-14

u'nn OF water of the Niagara Falls. Having beer
the first who had ever taken the trouble to exam
| Inc them carefully, and wishing to change the
| name said TO have been given by a priest many
| years since, they decided on that of the Great
Shosbonie Falls, instead Of Canadian as being the
| most appropriate
"Ihe road does not pass there and probably its
| nearest point Is not less than eight or ten miles
which is probably the reason why il ID 80 little
known, Tor have never seen il mentioned by those
who have trapped in this country for years; for
their time is generally occupied. and they take nc
interest in riding, much less walking, twenty miles
out OF their way 10 river tumble rocks OF
any height and besides, they are generally iguor-
ant Canadians, who have but very little curiosity
to notice such things
COLUMBIA RIVER,
"Sept. 1.-THE days ride had brought me to
the banks of the Columbia river, after four months
and eleven days since leaving Washington city.
We had gone through much fatigue and many
Perpexites; we had escaped the cholera and sur
mounted many difficulties, and when we reflected
that we had at last reached the Columbia river,
though not at the end of our journey it filled each
ones breast with feelings which cannot be easily
described. We began TO think, by a little
more perseverance,, our journey would soon be
brought to an end, and the fatigue endured would
only render the trip more interesting when we look
back on il hereafter; il would be source of plea
sure to reflect on the hardships endured, and what
we had encountered during period of FIVE
months"
RAPIDS OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
"The Cascade, or Great fails of the Columbia
river, are not more than three quarters of mile in
length, and there ID no part where the water has
perpendicular fall. AT the commencement of the
rapid, the rocks project from the left bank, and
form reef partly under water, until it nearly
crosses TO the upper island This is the first ripple,
where the water receives an increased velocity,
and glides swiftly down for about quarter of mile,
when it passes high rock and, in short distance,
meets with some half dozen more, where it COM
menccs to boil and foam with all its fury. The
river between the Island and left bank contracts
considerably, and the whole column of water of the
Columbia river passes down masses of rock,
forming in its way whirlpools through the whole
distance, which cause the water to roll up as if
there were some immense pressure below. 1t
makes magnificent scene; the sublimity of it can
hardly be described or surpassed"
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COUNTRY.
"The country on the Columbia river, think,
has been much exaggerated, and that portion of it
from the Dalles to the Pacific ocean does not come
up to my expectations. The mountains approach
the river that it leaves neither valleys nor
plains OF any Importance, except in the vicinity Of
Fort Vancouver, which is extremely beautiful.
The country between this point and Oregon city
is of light rich soil, rolling enough to make it fine
for cultivation, and is covered with timber of the
largest kind, which extends from the Columbia to
the Willamette; and the land from the base Of the
Cascade mountains to the junction of the two
rivers will bear comparison with any in the
States"
RETURN HOME.
"My duty having ended, ] left Fort Vancouver
on the nth Of November, and, owing to the great
foOa w hich nreYail during the "a III and on