The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-28

ourH OF THE COLUMBIA RIvsn

Asceter from Ore8ons
MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA RIvsn,
ORxooN TERRIroRy Jan. 18th, 1851
The present condition Of affairs at this point, and
the interest of large and interesting Territory,
now fast filing with families containing many
children. my excuse for addressing you.
frequently hear the remark, 'If those in power
and Congress could situation as il il, some
amendments would be made that would better our
condition"
shall attempt to give you a plain and correct
statement of the condition and prospects of this
peculiarly situated country. Oregon Territory has
rich, fertile soil, mild and uncommonly healthy
climate, 10 well watered and tilnbered. and will
soon be the ruined
gold seekers in the mines of California. Oregon
Ia destined to afford permanent and pleasant
homs TO thousands Of families otherwise ruined.
The large quantity of land granted to each fami.
ly will prove adverse to the interests of educaton
parents see and deplore this fact already The
time required by the Land bill before any part of
the mile square be sold increases the difficulty
Population will be too sparse and disiointed for
school and social purposes. The rising generation
will suffer Could the bill be 90 amended az to give
to families, and those actually emigrated to Ore
gon, right to the land and disposal of it without
requiring four years. occupancy, would not the
cause Of humanity be the better subserved? Many
OF tho early pioneers to Oregon, who by privation
and hardship. made this country valuable, feel
themselves aggrieved by that clause in the Land
bill which prevents them for 30 long time from
selling that part of their land which they do not
want or need for their own use; which they cannot
cultivate, and which must remain in a wild state
till after the patent il obtained. Professional men,
teachers, and clergymen cannot hope to avail
themselves of the land donation, without abandon
ing their professions, and becoming farmers. A
grant of land so donated as to become at once
available might induce teachers to emigrate and
become citizens, which would be of great moment
to the rising generation.
That section Of the Land bill which prevents the
proprietors Of town sites from selling town lots
after the passage Of the act till the obtaining tho
patent, will prove adverse to the growth Of towns
and villages, and thus operate against the COM
mercial interests Of the whole Territory.
The Columbia river, and especially its mouth.
is at present creating no little interest, and the
permanent establishment of its port and CONNER
cial metropolis is Of great importance TO the peo-
pie of Oregon.
To the skilful and accustomed mariner, the Co
lumbia is not difficult of entrance for ships of the
largest class far as Bakers bay.
As you enter the mouth Of the river and round
Cape disappointment, Bakers extensive bay
spreads out in the form of half moon ON the
north. The anchorage in this bay is good. 1t
makes a safe harbor for two or three hundred YES
sells in its natural state and in the opinion of navi-
gators, when improved with docks and piers, will
accommodate several hundred more. There are
two entrances to the river, the north and south
channels The north contains by far the larger
amount of water. Capt. Baker, an experienced
navigator from New Jersey, who is now in the bay
with bis vessel, and who has for some days been
engaged in the sounding of this channel for fifteen
miles or more up the river, is satisfied that the
channel is better, wider, and safer than has been
represented.
Bakers bay, with shoal water, forms valuable
peninsula, containing fifteen or twenty sections Of
land, covered mostly with a splendid growth of
spruce pine, commencing at Cape Disappointment.
This peninsula is mostly claimed by settlers. At
the cape lighthouse 10 much needed. The frat
point, including the cape, is claimed and in the
possession of Mr.. Ogden, member of the Hud-
son Bay Company, and British subject. The next
half-section is claimed by Mr.. Schuddcr, me-
chnnic. He has built upon it and il improving it.
This claim Of Mr.. Schudder's contains portion of
the best location for city near the mouth of the
river. Next north Of il il the site of the town of
Pacific city, which il already surveyed into town
lots many of which have been sold by the proprie-
tor, and improvements are gradually progressing.
water communication, connecting the two bays
and making an island Of the peninsula, can be ac-
complished with trfling expense.
At Astoria. about fifteen miles hia her up, the
river becomes much narrower and affords no ia
cilities for anchorage except unsafe roadstead.
General Adair has removed the custom house and
post Office about mile above the old site of As.
toria and commenced new town.
Much anxiety is manifested by those locating
near the mouth of the river, and by the people
generally, as regards the action of the General
Government in reference to adjustments hero. 1t
is Of great importance to the settlers on Baker s
bay, that they should know at an early date as
practicable what reservation tho Executive will
make at the immediate mouth of the river. II is
the general impression here that the General Gov
ernment will not require more than half section
for lighthouse and militia purposes.
have made these representations at the request
ofseveral of our citizens. The people Of Oregon
feel somewhat oppressed by some Of the restrictions
of the Land bill. The country is rapidly filling up
with emigrnnts from California. They naturally
look to Congress to relieve their anxieties. Thoy
grateful for the interest manifested towards
them but they need and ask little more freedom
in the use of the bequests granted.
Commission ON Claims aUnlnst Nfexsca