The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-23
Oregon.

The rapid growth and golden attractions of
California have cast the unpretendhg territory
Of Oregon somewhat into the shsde in public
attention; but, Judging from such facts as are
contained IN the following extract of a letter
dated at Columbia river, on the 931 of May,
which is published by the Boston Traveller,
there will ere long be another new State knock
ing at the door of the Union
"Oregon is fast becoming State; its in
crease is as rapid as is consistent with durability.
The census taken last fall shows THE population
to have been 10000, and, allowing 1000 for
that portion of the late emigrationnot included
in the above, we have 10000. BY Advices from
the frontier, and the constant influx from Cali
fornia, we may safely calculate upon an increase
of 10000 during the past year. Thus you see
the time is not far distant when we shall be
knocking at the door of tie Union for admission.
And valuable acquisition we shall prove. Ore
gon is not only unsurpassed as an agricultural
region, but she is rich in minerals. Vast beds OF
coal of an excellent quality have teen discovered
on the Cowlitz and in Puget's sound. Iron ore
is abundant on the Columbia, and gold, platina,
copper, lead, pumbago, sulphur, and salt are
among those already found in this but little
gigantic timber, and her valleys need only the
with golden crops.
sThe commerce of Oregon is rapidly inereas-
ing already three lines of ocean steamers con-
| meet us with our more southerly neighbours and
sail vessels are fast multiplying. The overland
emigration of the present year will be enabled
to avoid very difficult part of their journey by
line of steamboats, that will play above and
below the Cascades, being come. ted by a rail-
road around the Falls. This will obviate the ne
cessity of climbing the preciptous and barren
road that winds around Mount Hood.
sThe land bill passed at the last session OF
Congress is far from being satisfactory. That
clause which makes it necessary to reside upon
| the land for four successive years acts very I'M
! fairly upon the merchants, mechanics, mariners
teachers, g., who, from the nature Of their cal.
ings, are obliged to live in towns; so that in
fact the land is only donated to farmers This
with many other parts, meets with universal con.
domination.
1The young ladies' sent out by Gov. Slade az
teachers have arrived and, notwithstanding the
bond Of FIVE hundred dollars imposed on them
in case of marriage within year, they have
created quite sensation among the unmarried
gentlemen. And as the land bill makes every
lady worth three hundred and twenty acres, !
taken before December next, you will be quite
safe in believing that Oregon will soon be with
ont teachers, unless another supply is dispatched
Immediately. The board of Indian commissioner
will leave on the 2sth to visit several of the grea
tribes living in the northeast"
While we are pleased with the exhibitions o
! American enterprise upon the shores Of the Pa
ciic, we cannot but regret that the Wilmot Pro
viso, signed by Southern Democratic President
! has shut out Southern men from the growing
territory Of Oregon. For our own part, great a,
the country Is becoming ev.ry day in territorial
dimensions, We would rather see Il cut down e
the limits Of the "Old Thirteen" than advancing
at the expense of justice to any section, and a
the sacrifice Of the mutual confidence and hsr
mony of the people, We regret the day wher
the nation entered upon career Of eterrto:ia
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT" and il we are not mistaken
some Of those who were the chief advocates o
that policy o already disposed 10 rue the hou
when they "set that ball In notion"