, 1852-09-25
M29 9@G4A q



Fe'iolo- CiH,eas i propose to address
you, through the columns Of the " Colun
bian," upon a subject Of great, may saw
paramount, importance TO all Of us residing
north Of the Columbia river. refer to an
early division of the territory. This is an
object of direct and immediate personal in
tercst to us oil, and for the attainment of
which, ] trust no one of us will hesitate to
lay aside all personal, local, or sectional
prcjudices and feelings il will requirc our
united action aud cooperation, for it is by
such union alone, tlat we can reasonably
hope for It's carly and eaectual accomplish
ment
Oregon, as now bounded, contains, in
square miles, more than five times as much
as the State Of Missouri, six times as much
as Illinois, seven times as much as New
York, and five times as much as all of the
New England States together, with five
hundred and ffty Mills Of coast on the largest
OCEAN in the world.
That country Of such vast extent, so
geographically situated, and Of such great
prospective importance, should remain under
ons territorial government, constituted as it
Is at pres mt, is, we believe, destructive to
our own interests as citizens, and injurious
to those of our general government. Ma
ture has pointedly divided the territory by
the Columbia river; that portion south Of
this river, easy Of access to the immigrant,
rch in agricultural land, and mines Of the
precious metals, has hitherto, and continues
to, receive all the fostering care Of, all the
benefits arising from, the act Of Congress,
approved August H.. 1913, establishing the
Janitorial government Of Oregon - while
that portion north Of this river, rich also in
fertile lands, in mineral resources, in fisher
les aud in noble forests, but difficult of ac-
cess to the Immigrant by land, has been ut
terly neglected, and the sturdy effort of the
pioneer, anxious to carry the habiiation of
the American ciizcn to tho limits of Ameri-
can soil, have been completely unnoriced and
virtually paralized. Tho way worn travel
er seeking a resting place for his starving
family and iamished stock, after long and
tolsome journey across the plains, at length
finds a resting place for his wearied foot in
the valleys Of the Columbia or Willamette
rivers overjoyed at any termination of his
PIgrimage, which enables him to settle down.
almost exhausted in money, patience, and
courage, and reeommenco, after an interval
OF months, his daily labor for the support Of
ms family he finds excellent vacant land
which he at once occupies, unGor the dona-
ton law Of Sept. 1850, being unable or un-
willing, from variety Of causes, to hitch up
again, and come further north, where he
might have a larger field for selection. This
was one Of the first operating causes which
effected the earlier settlement of the Will
lamolte valley under the provisional govern
ment and man being by nature sreqari-
Gus animal, it became BY degrees the aim,
the object, the practice Of the residents II
southern Oregon to use all means, even 90.
ing so far as depreeiating and vilifyinq
northern Oregon-of which they were pro-
foundly ignorant, - to detain new immi-
grants and induce them to settle in then
vicinity. OF such selE-interested action, be-
ing perfectly natural and of daily universal
occurrence, we of the north should not com.
PLAIN, but looking at the result, should de-
Tend ourselves BY an application for imme-
dlate separation; we have a fine, lovely, in.
vlhng district Of country, and in proclaim.
ing this it is unnecessary to say aughtagainst
an portion Of the initial Statgs, all We ask