Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-19

Fai0y' II IS llttle singular tnat tney are q
peace with tie wolves, which are very numer
Gus, and will kill full grown OK or horse, bu
will never moest man or sheep. The wilt
animals are numerous but not Troublesome
Native horses of small size are abundant in the
the interior, and are second to none for riding
Sixty miles per day is their common speed ant
| have never seen horse in Oregon that mani
tested the least sign of defect or disease, which
is so common to New England horses. There
are several large herds of Spanish cattle in the
valley, but the farmers are now reducing their
numbers as fast as possible, to give place for
American stock. Elk and deer are found in
abundance, but they are becoming wild, and are
retreating to the mountains.
| have thus far given you history of some
of the characteristics of our Territory, which
are as true as they are inviting to the emigrant
But now let US look at the reverse of the picture
for a moment. There are circumstances which
present discourageing aspect to emigrants on
their first arrival here. In the first place, they
find the most valuable Ind already occupied
The Land Bill allows every settler who complies
with its requirements to hold GAO acres "a square
mile) OF course, the best land would be first
entered upon and monopolized; and for this
reason nothing but second or third rate chances
are now offered to settlers. Reason, with the
least bit of experince, will teach any man thai
$40 acres of tillable land are more than any fam
lily require or can improve; but the law having
given that quantity 10 settlers now here, new
comers become disheartend at the poorer pros
pect open to them, and soon pack off to the
gold mines in hopes of making fortune there
Again, it is hard times in Oregon now, af
well as in California. Four months since bust
ness was lively, and people lavish in their expen,
ses. Capitalists were making extensive improve
ments at an enormous cost. But now the SOUND
of the hammer is scarcely to be heard in town
and the fields are deserted by the laborers. An(
why this change? The reason is simply this
nearly every thing that is consumed in the
country is imported, while the exports as yet are
In fact nothing. The farmers produce scarcely
enough for their own home wants, knowing al
they do that two days work in three weeks will
afford them good living. You may question
this statement, but it is true. A crop of whea
sown this year will yield fifty bushels per acre
Novf ,,aor n { ,,oluntaor1 nron enrinnu Un auf
without any encouragement on the part of the
farmer, will yield him twenty-five bushels. Po
atoes will continue to grow without being re
planted every year, as they are not frozen il
winter. Turnips and other roots the same. Stock
as have already stated, is not a tax upon thu
labor of the farmer. In short, his entire living
as far as food is concerned, costs him but ,
mere triAe. His time may be chiefly devoted
to study if he choose, or may be spent in seek
ing to improve his residence and grounds fo
his comfort and convenience. But it is mort
customary here to spend lin amusements, sucl
as sporting, gaming, &c.,
In California and Oregon knowledge is power
and money is indeed the root of all evil. LIE
any one come here, and very short time wi
suffice to convince him of this fact But tht
the people of Oregon are much in advance c
the Calfornians in society affairs yet perso
from New England would have good cause {
complaint against us--inasmuch as we have tn
experience of all the States to profit by, an
ample means to make any improvement, sti
there is no effort made to organize and protet
good society and to promote education, con
pared with the expense of time and money lai
out upon matters of far less importance. HoV
ever, this will be remedied when people con
to Oregon with view of settling permanent
And, by the way, such are the only ones wi
ought to come at all, as there is already qui
too large J." floating population" here. I'll
market is overstocked with goods of all kind
while potatoes are worth $500 per bushel, al
beef 1G cts, per pound. And these prices a
readily paid, although the articles are SO easi
produced. Farming is the best business tn
can Uc lolloWeu HelO, uhu 0VeI Will De' loE Ilo
who can content themselves to remain in L
country, and Withstand hard time, or an G
casional excitement about the gold mines.
Speaking of the latter, we have advices fro
the Clamath river of late. The miners we
generally doing well, although like all others
that occupation, many were not making enou
to pay their expenses.
Some inquiries have been made of me in rC
erence to the business Of school.keeping in {
egon. This present season the right kind
teachers are doing well. The common pri
per scholar is $40 quarter, and the price
good teachers is not likely to be less 500 |
: month. Yours truly,
, J. L. BROWN