Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-06

The suboined letter addressed months ago to
the New York Courier by o gentleman Of that city 1t
contains interesting description Of an important and
growing section of the American Union.
10 the Editors of the Courier d Enquirer.
read in your paper of to-day very capital letter from
of San Francisco correspondents in relation
the Umpqua Valley in Oregon. Few people on this side
possess any definite idea in regard to the Incompatible
climate and fertile valleys on the Pacific, both in Califor
mia and Oregon.
Having resided nearly three years in California during
which my position gave access to the valuable
and authentic of noraton in all that pertains
to the agricultural well mineral resources of that
State and Oregon Territory vouch for all that your
correspondent has said Of the Umpqna Valley and much
that is well understood here deep interest to
all who seek for homes under genial skies,
where nature has done much to lessen human labor
and to increase the means of human happiness
Two years ago little was known of the country lying be-
tween the Columbia river and the frontier settlements of
California northwardly of San Francisco. The Klamath
and Umpqua rivers were known only by name, and the
point Of debouchure of both into the Pacific
solved question for the old charts have, by the
explorations been proved defective and unreliable The
first expedition to search for bays and rivers to the north
ward with view to settlement well as to find
and better route to the rich gold region the head
waters of those streams, which had been tprospeced"
by parties of adventurers who crossed in the fall Of
ls49, by way of the Upper Sacramento Valley, got
UP by SAM. BRENNAN, Esq, to fit out which large
Der of prominent citizens Of San Francisco subscribed
This expedition sailed in March, 1850 but further
north than Port Trinidad, and failed in its principal OBJ
ject which to discover the mouth of Trinity river
would here say that this then ascerained
to be simply branch Of the Klamath
In April May following another expedition was got
up by my brother and fitted with all the appliances for
settlement and scientific surveys 1t was absent till Au
gust during which the Klamath and Umpqua both
entered, and found to be fine navgable streams
siderable distance into the interior, and of volume
large larger than the Sacramento The Klamath could
be navgated by steamers drawing not four Ave
feet to the Fork of the Trinity fifty sixty miles,
and the Umpqua for thirty miles, where rapids obstruct
further progress but furRishe at the time any
ceivablo amount of pewer for mile other
chinery.
AT the mouth of the river town plot was surveyed
called Umpqua city, where now is the nucleus Of i'm
portant seaport report with maps Of the country
were made by my brother, and forwarded to Hon. Mr.
THuRsToE, Delegate in Congress from Oregon, who
to obtain favorable action the part Of Congress Ump
qua City made port of entry and the Of fifteen
thousand dollars appropriated for lighthouse at the
mouth of the river. The collector Colin WILSON ESQ.,
reached that place in July last and entered upon the dis
charge Of his duties considerable number of building
already erected and the mail steamers touch regu
larry the way and from the Columbia River monthly
At the head Of navigation another town laid of
called Scottsburg, which will be important place
transhipment Of merchandise and produce. road Of
few miles has been cut through the hills when the lovely
and fertile Umpqua Valley appears to the eye Of the
chanted behoder This valley is larger and far better
adapted to agriculture and grazing than that Of the Viii
lamette much and justly cItolled for its rich soil
and beautiful scenery Above the mouth Of Elk River
situated old Fort Umpqua SO long occupied trading
station for the gathering Of furs by the Hudson Bay
Company, and believe by the Russians.
In the midst Of this extensive valley where the great
Oregon trail for California the river sections
Of land purchased by the company, by whom the
expedition fitted out, and town laid off and survey
ed by Mr.. FINE to which was given the Of WIN
CHESTER. The Importance Of this situation may be est
mated when say that large has been the travel from
the rapid settlement Of the Valley that the Of
the ferry to the first of August to which date had
letters before leaving San Francisco honsan
dollars and building lots rapidly advancing in value
For twenty thirty miles AROUND large portion Of thu
Valley had been taken up under the provisions Of the
Of Congress granting to actual settlers each section
land
The Valley is watered by the Umpqua and its numer
branches which oil have their rise in the Cascade
Mountains Beautiful knobs, gently sopng ELEVATIONS,
rising to several hundred feet and from hundreds
of in extent dotted all the Valley These
eminences covered with fine timber while the bottom
Springs and small streams abundant and the climate
in milness and beauty all that could be desired In
few years this the West Valley Of Oregon win be TEEN
ing with active population combining with its
passed fertility Of SOIL refreshed by frequent showers du
the months unlike the Willamette Valley and
California its proximity to gold mines rich any
the Serras must inevitably attract the hardy pioneer and
render it, as nature designed, very garden Of Eden.
Those who wish to acquire home on the Pacific viii
make no mistake in choosing the Umpqua Valley.
w..
Slow JusrIcy-Our readers may recollect the trial in
Lowndes county, Miss years SINCE of two young
men, named Mccain and Toand for the murder Of the