Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-20

F N. 49, Il 2
10 tae honorable the Sen1e and House Of Representatives.
the United States in Congress assembled:
The memorial Of the undersigned Officers Of the United
States Army stationed in Oregon Territory, respectfully show
eth That your memoasts have been to this Territory on
public service the line Of their duty that in addition to
the prvatons and harshps which they knew must exist at
extreme frontier Stations in country but recently opened LOT
settlements they find themselves in circumstances OF the most
character without other hope OF relief than
such as an appeal your honorable body may afford them
They would respectfully state that condition Of things
prevails here precisely similar to that known % exist 10 Ca-
orna and arising the cause.-The discovery OF the
gold mines and the consequent deterioration OF the value Of
money in their vicinity the Columbia river being but from
four to six days sail from San Francisco, California
The pay and allowances of the army were established ior
meridian where very different state Of things asto wants and
prices, prevailed. Here where the common necessaes Of
life are from four hundred two thousand per cent higher
than in the United States and the ordinary comforts OF life
are within the reach only the weahy those whose trade
or profession has kept them up with the advance Of labor and
pces where uxues beyond the reach Of all but the
fortunate of these they find their pay utterly inadequate
to their support Rigid economy scarcely exc out v-
ing on stipend fixed under circumstances so different
Without relief they must suffer great prva'lons, such as
would not comport with the character OF great nation TO
require Of her in time OF peace or contract debts
beyond their resources and thus bring disgrace upon the
service.
They cannot enumerate here all the facts which would
render apparent the necessity Of the relief asked 1 but would
resp ctuy refer the annexed price current and the state
ments of Of the principal citizens OF the Territory by
which will be that the pay OF the commanding ofcef
Of the department is not equal that of those whom the
ordinary branches Of industry opens and that Of captain
subaern is not much as common day labor would
YIELD their expenses being much greater than engaged IN
those pursuits.
While your rnemoas ask that such increase may be
made Of their pay and allowances will afford them
living they would also state that although the soldier
having his allowances ood and cothng furnished him IN
kind here as in the United States cannot feel the difference
in his position much his officer, still the inducements to
desert great that economy would suggest liberal IN
Of his pay, and thus by rewardng those who remain
faithful to their coors prevent the less 10 Government OF ine
services Of many whose account have beer In
cured And your memorialists will ever pray, DC.
Sgned by the Officers Of the United States Army station
| ed in Oregon Teroryl
Statement of his Ezcellency Governor Joseph Lane
know we'll that the officers Of the army duty in Oregon
cannot live upon their pay, fixed by law; their salaries
be increased or they must bring to their support o,heI
means than their pay The good of the service well as
justice the officers serving in Oregon, will hope be
sufficient appeal to Congress for prompt increase OF pay
am also well satisfied that the pay Of the soldier serving in
Oregon ought to be increased, and unless it done will be
' 0 JOSEPH LANE.
OREsox CIrr, December IL, ls49
Statement of DR.. Jao Mclaughlin Er Governor Of the
Hudson's Bay Company.
feel confident that fully acquainted with the price Of
labor and article Of provisions and goods sold IN the
country and certain that IS Impossible or civil OF
military officers to support themselves their pay and the
high price Of labor here and in California is such an induce
men soldiers DESERT that unless measures are taken
make it their interest stick to their coors it will be ex
tremely difficult perhaps impossible, to maintain military
force in the country, and certainly military force
required JNO. MCLAUGHLIN.
[Appended to the original memorial other and simla
statements made by citizens Of the Territory]
| OREeoS CrTY, 20. T1 December 5th ls49.
Flour $40 per barrels So SO per bushe; potatoes
so So per bushel beets S5 per bushel onions S5 pc
bushe eggs rs cents ST. per dozen milk 20 cents pc
quart poultry 81 81 SO per pair; cheese 75 cents pc
pound sugar (brown) % cents per pound sugar (whi
40 cents per pound beef 2a cents per pounds pork Q
per pound mutton l6 cents pound butter Sl
ST. 25 per pound windsor chairs S36 Fer dozen common
dinner plates S. per dozen tea cups S3 to IS
dozen umblers (fnt) 81 SO per dozen common
knives and forks S5 per dozen britannia spoons large
50 SO per DOZEN britannia spoons sma 81 so per dozen
boots soga $40 per pair coarse shoes 50 Fer pair
domescs IL go per yard carpenters labor $40 pc
day common day labor 81 making drock coat (unifrm
$50 rock coat complete (uniform) $685. making panta
looms $40; making yes, So making shirts 50 washln
Es3 per dozen.
/ CAMPBELL & SMITH, Oregon City.
The above is moderate statement of the prices current
MANY Of the articles this time held at higher prices
| 8. M. HOLDERNESS.
| H. LEE e. Co.
| #s... A. LEE LEWIS, H. b. Co.