Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-24
NORTHERN OREGON AND PUGET SOUND
YoR rHS NATIONAL INrELLIGENoER.

that portion Of Oregon Territory north Of the Columbi
river and particularly Of that part Of the country border
ng on and in the vicinity Of Puget Sound. Thinkin
many of them would be pleased to learn something
this new and comparatively unknown country, hav
yentured to attempt its description believe that Their
are many persons those to whom the thought ha
occurred change their place Of residence who
nevertheless feel deep interest in the progress of civil
ration westward and in the development of and
splendid fields for the activity abode and enjoyment
their fellow -countrymen.
That portion of Oregon Territory bounded the nortl
by the 10th parallel the south by the Columbia river
the east by the Okonagan river and on the west by
the Pacific ocean, is in my opinion the most desirable
part of the Territory for those who wish select home
in the far West and is destined at very distant day
to form an additional State in the American Union.
Although there is great deal of level land in this part
of Oregon yet II is by destitute Of mountains
and hills. 1t may be called mountainous country We
have the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range which
in many places covered with perpetual snow From
these mountains numberess streams of greater less
volume supply the land with water Perhaps country
is equally supplied with abundance of pure COOL
and healthy water There several districts of land
in this country highly priced by the farmer of
their productveness these the valleys of the Cowtz
the Chehas, the Snohomus the Soquamish and others
of less extent Whitbys Island in Puget Sound is about
eighty miles long, averaging fifteen miles in width, and
from the excellence of its SOIL has justly been styled the
Garden of Oregon" Besides these the east side of
the Cascades and north Of the Columbia the Yakamah
country, which, for fertility of soil and salubry Of climate
is not surpassed by any other portion of the Territory
The fertility Of the soil of this part of the country is
nearly the that south of the Columbia, and in
speaking of it and of agricultural products is
my intention to enter into detail of those mammoth
vegetables which have become justly celebrated The
fame of large Oregon potatoes turnps and wheat
crops has been repeated in nearly all the papers in the
Union The soil is excellent, and is not surpassed il
equaed by any portion of the continent in its adapta
ton to the growth of wheat rye, oats, grass potatoes
and other vegetables PGhtoes produced in great
abundance with little cultivation they Of superior
quality and the potato rot has yet appeared in Ore
gon. Owing to our peculiar climate, wheat natures
slowly and hence the grain always full and plump, and
the straw unusually solid and elastic. This is the
that wheat in this country is subject to none Of those
diseases and uncertainties peculiar in the States and
is iarariaby a certain crop.
Puget Sound may be called inland sea- 1t is about
$50 miles long, averaging from five to ten miles in width
and is connected with the by the Straits of Juan
de Fuca affords the best and safest harbors for
sells to be found the Pacific coast not excepting
the Bay of San Francisco. The water deep, entirely
free from rocks other submarine impediments and
safe anchorages to be found in almost any part of it.
The Straits about ten miles wide at their narrowest
part the water very Deep and vessels from the
ocean into the Sound in gale without risk In this and
many other respects the Straits differ from the mouth of
the Columbia. Vessels destined up that river are fire.
quently obliged lay out for weeks in order to
avail themselves of favorable wind and then with
careful and experienced pilot board, the entrance is
perous. When consider the sand bar at the mouth
Of that river the number of vessels that have been there
wrecked, and the consequent loss of human life, and
when reflect that the Columbia river is the only
by which penetrate the interior of
Southern Oregon through which its products find
foreign market forced to the conclusion that the
valley of the Willamette compete with Northern
Oregon in commercial point of view and that nature
has destined Puget Sound to be the grand commercial
depot of the Northwest Coast
The Sound is perhaps the majestic inland sheet of
water in the world for navigation by steam vessels In
fha fSc
when, its waters being rued only by the most gentle
breezes, little nothing be done by sail vessels
The timber of this country, of which there is super
abundance is composed principally of the cedar and the
r The advantages of the country for furnishing this
kind Of lumber is unsurpassed by any other part of the
continent.
The shores of the Sound generally thicky studded
with timber in places however the spots of prairie
land in which this country abounds extend down to the
The land from the Sound towards the mountains
is generally level An active trade is carried on by
number Of in supplying the San Francisco market
with hewed timber, spars, and piles The settlements in
this part Of the country quite young. There
several small towns growing up the Sound and 0lym-
pa Budds inlet at the southern end of the Sound is
the largest town in Northern Oregon We have but few
saw mills yet the Sound; but there are several
others in process of erection and when they get proper
y into operation there is doubt of an extensive trade
in lumber with San Francisco the Sandwich Islands, and
China
Besides advantages for commerce. agriculture and
lumber, must not forget the fisheries In the Sound
almost every kind of valuable fish may be taken in album
dance Among these although do not pretend to
merate ALL might mention the salmon, the Goldfish her
ring, and halibu besides oysters clans, crabs, &C.
Whales frequently into the Straits and are caught
The Sound affords the most favorable ports the Pacific
for whaling vessels to obtain supplies and spend the
winter.
On the Goth of March last the schooner Exact re-
turned from Queen Charlottes island with number Of
specimens Of gold and gold quartz board. At the
time write she is lying in harbor, and reports
abundance Of the precious metal the island Puget
Sound being the nearest point in American territory from
which vessels fit out for that place, will command
advantage all other ports the Pacific should min
ing operations ever be extensively prosecuted that
| island.
From the preceding statement Of facts in relation TO
the surface Of the land from northern latitude and
geographical position would naturally conclude that
ours was healthy country This is emnenty the fact
We have none OF that fever and ague malaria which is
TO be found in Southern Oregon and which prevailed
Hudsons Bay Company at Nasqually, DIR. Tolmie, has
lived the Sound for the last nineteen years. with al
ways considerable number Of in his employ, and
he tells me that he has known Of single OF
fever and ague originating in the country. No country
OF the latitude the continent possesses mild
climate. During the past winter, which was unusual
y cold one the thermometer ranged about seventeen
degrees above and prairies covered with
green grass Here the farmer is not compelled to tot
during the provide for his stock during win
ter. Cattle Craze throughout the year, and hav
pucked bouquets Of wild flowers in the months Of Janu
airy and February.
One word about the Indians Of this country Their
are about 5000 Indians in Northern Oregon about 00
OF whom Puget Sound They entirely differ
emit in character from those that once inhabited the States
They possessed Of that proud naughty spirit
tLa