The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-06
OREGON LETTER.
OREsoN CITY, OREGON TERRITORY,
tCEn

OREsoN CRY, OREGON TERRITORY,
October 8, 1850.
Mr. EpIToR-DEAR SIR | arrived in the Co.
lumbia river the second day Of last March. | am
now travelling the Yam Hill circuit and am a
member of the Oregon and California Mission
Conference. ] have been up and down the Co.
lumbia river, the Willamette river, and have
crossed and recrossed several others which empty
into the Willamette and the Columbia rivers;
have also been through the principal valleys, over
the hills and mountains therefore | have some
correct knowledge Of the country. And what
now state will be strictly true. First, this is a
much, very much better country than California.
| think Oregon to be the most beautiful country in
the world at least 80 far as | have seen, and
have seen much Of Europe and America, yet
these valleys and plains, hills and dales of the
Willamette valley surpass in picturesque beauty,
and Eden-like places for residence anything
have ever seen. The soil is very rich and easy
of cultivation. Springs Of pure water abound
everywhere and many beautiful little streams
run through the rich valleys Indeed, sir, this is
most desirable country to live in. Here family
can live with comfort, health, and comparative
ease | consider it the best, yes, the very best
wheat country on the globe. Two and sometimes
THREE crops Of wheat have been raised from ONE
sowing the two last crops are called volunteer
crops, and yield from thirty to fifty bushels per
acre. | saw this season the second crop of oats
cut from the first sowing, and it was middling
good crop. Potatoes grow to great perfection
Irish Beets, onions, turnips, and almost every
other vegetable, does well. The climate is truly
fine, and believe the best on the Continent true,
the summers are dry, but they are pleasant for
the nights are cool and pleasant. The winters
are mild, but wet we have what is called the
rainy season; it is generally about this time, but
more fully next month"; and continues till March !;
but during this time Say from November to
March, the weather is mild sometimes little
snow falls, say or inches deep perhaps some
winters much more; yet, upon the whole our
winters are pleasant and healthy. You know, ]
suppose, the Government is expected to grant a
section of land to man and his wife, and half
that quantity to one man or woman There are
thousands Of good claims in this valley unoccu-
pied and in other valleys there are good claims
TO be obtained. Therefore the sooner you get
here the better, as the best claims Tor most of
them will be taken up in twelve months from this
time. Upon the whole, can freely invite you to
this country, as rich, lovely, and healthy coun-
try. II you or any of your friends conclude to
come on, do 30 forthwith and il you come by land
start soon, and procure good teams, and good
light wagons, but don't load too heavy fifteen or
or eighteen hundred pounds is enough to wagon.
The tire should be two inches wide, three quar-
tiers of an inch thick, and put on rs tight as pcs
sible-let the tires be fastened on with small screw
bolts through the tires and centre Of the felloes
lock chains to both hind wheels and if you have
OK teams take care to have good yokes, seven
inches wide on the neck, and rounded to about
the form of the ball of the thumb But il you
come by the Isthmus of Panama, you will arrive
at San Francisco, and from thence to Oregon in
the steamer, which runs twice month between
San Francisco and Portland, on the Willamette
river, twelve or fourteen miles below the city the
price of a cabin passage is $780, steerage passage
$50, from San San Francisco to Portland
Yours, respectfully, ISAAC McELRoY'