The republic., 1851-03-13

place is that of the whole Territory. Improve
Inents of every kind entirely ceased while the gold
fever ragged, and the population Of the Territory
rather diminished than increased. But the Orego-
mans, although very successful the first year. were
generally unsuccessful at the mines last season and
will not return there. They have nearly all got home
and most of them have already gone upon their
farms and into their former places OF business, ana
the commencement Of a new for the country
is plainly visible. The delay Of Congress IN pass
ing the land bill Though think II probable that
it passed the last session, and that the next mail
will bring US the news) has also retarded the
growth of the country.* As soon as the claimants
get title to their lands, their improvements VIII
assume a more permanent and substantial charac-
| ter and there will be no inclination to leave the
! farm for the gold mine Those few farmers who
remained upon their "caims,' have In almost
every instance done better than those who went to
California. l do not know a single farmer who
has been in the country three years, and remained
upon and improved his farm, who is not worth
from five TO ten (and even more) thousand dollars
Yet the expense and trouble OF coming here and
getting well started upon farm is considerable,
though the immigrant is soon remunerated for
both.
The winter rains have not yet set in, and the
weather has been enchantingly fine since my ar
rival-much the peasantest fall lever experienced.
In of the low lands there are occasional cases
Of fever and ague. but in the high grounds II is
neven heard Of In this place the malady s entire
ly unknown. and sickness Of any kind Is far more
uncommon than in any place of its size ever be-
fore lived in The country. a whole, ia exceed
ingly healthy, much that it 10 said when peo-
pie here get tired OF living they go back to the States
to die.
Father Leslie, who formerly preached in West.
field, resides at Salem, fifty miles above here, in
| the Willamette valley, and is represented to be
wealthy. He lost his wife after coming into
the Territory, but has since married younger
one He has also lost three daughters and SON.
| in law since he came here. Ono OF the daughters
died at the Sandwich Islands, where she was at
tending school, and the other two, with the in
law, carried over the falls at this place in an
| Indian canoe, and drowned. The old man seems
somewhat weighed down by his manifold Affections,
yet the fire of his intellect burns bright ever.
| The missionaries Of all denominations, who were
| sent out here in former years, have generally
avaied themselves of the superior advantages the
country offered to amass property, and are nearly
all wealthy.
Manageable women (they are manageable
here at II l4) rather scarce. 1t would be a
fine thing for the country, and equally fne for the
ladies, to import Lowell some other feminine
burgh. They would draw better than the gold
mines did, and give much better satisfaction.
The arrival Of half dozen young ladies overland
| the other day created such an excitement about
town as has not been witnessed since the Indians
were hung. poor fellow stands no sort of chance
here who proceeds in the usual tardy why Of court
ship. He finds his dearie engaged and married to
another before he has got half through with the
| premnaries. OF course don't speak from expe
rience. But am half inclined to make dash al
next fals immigration, and head them all by going
i out and meeting it in the mountains. am sntis-
fed from this seasons observation that it is not safe
| to await its arrival in the settlements.
You have heard of the large trees Of Oregon.
saw at Milwaukee, a few days since. a house bull
| by q man who came from the East last summer
| entirely from tree The builder also sold o
| considerable quantity of lumber from the same
4 tree, and has fire. wood enough left to last him
through the.winter. They really have awful trees
| here. ASAHEL BUSH.
| "A law was passed by Congress, last session,
| making grants of land to those who may become
actual settlers in Oregon; hundred and sixty
acres to every single man, and three hundred and
| twenty acres to every married man.