Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-02-12
OREGON.
Circular from the Delegate, I'm
H ference to the settlement,
Soil aud Climate ef Ore
gOm Territory.
OREGON.
WAsHIsoTos CRY. Jan. 1, ls5

lie gfeat UuulUeI Oi ieNerS am con-
sianily receiving, making inquiries in
reference To the Territory OF Oregon, has
induced me To embody in The form of a
circular, such information as is usually
desired, that may thus be enabled 10
furnish j, more promptly & more in detail
than due attention to my other public
duties would allow me, were to endear.
or TO give a written answer to each. ]
hope this course will not oe considered
discour.eous to my correspondents, for
in pursuing il, will more effectualiy and
satisfactorily eerve them, which is ny
chief desire.
Oregon 10 q mountainous country, in.
terspersed with many extensive. rich.
and heaulitl valleys. watered by cool,
pure streams, having their sources among
its snow-clad mountains. |. is exceed
ingly healshy--n country is more SO
The atmosphere is pure. and The climate
delightful. especially during the summer.
From April to November there is but
iiule rain; but cool, gentle breeze blcws
almos, perpe,ualiy from the North
The winters are rainy, but mild, for, dn.
ring this season, warm South winds con-
s'sn,ly prevail.
The country is we'll watered. and the
soil very ferule, and well adapted to the
growth Of all the small grains, grasses,
potatoes, and other culinary vegetables
which is not regarded as successful
crop. Many OF tie hills aud mountains
are covered with inexhaus,ible forests Of
fne timber, generally fir and cedsr.-
Those forests frequently skirt the valleys
and streams.
As is well known, The Columbia is
the only greatriver on The Pacific slope,
and stretches from the sea-coast TO the
Rocky mountains. From its mouth TO
the Cascades. distance Of about one
hundred aud fifty miles, there is an unin-
.errup.ed navigation for vessels of the
larges, size. The Willamette empties
into the Columbia about ninety miles
from its mouth. This river is also nav.
igatle for the largest vessels TO Portland,
fifteen miles from lis mouth. and many
have aecended as high as Milwaukee.
seven miles further,
At The rick of some little repetition, il
may not be deemed improper or unnec-
essary TO give more detailed and min
ute description Of the valley of .fis and
some Of the other steams of Oregon.
The Willamette valley is bounded by
the coast moun,ains on the west, and the
Ca 'cade range on the east. Tbs soil is
excellent, and is not surpassed, if equal
led by any portion Of the con.inen, in
its adaptation to the growth of wheat,
rye and oats. Potatoes are produced in
great abundance, and are Of superior
quality while wheat is invariably GER
tain crop, subject to none Of the diseases
and uncertainties peculiar TO in the
States; il n atnres slowly. hence the grain
is always full and plump, and the straw
unusually solid and elastic. and no, sub
jeci to fall. In consequence OF the cool,
dry summers. and the entire absence Of
rain during the haryes, season, the far.
mer is enabled to gather in his grain
withou, waste. =
This valley is abou. one hundred and
fifty miles in length, and ,hir,y-6ve in
breadth. and is sparsely settled through
Out its whole extent. Many fine loca-
tcns are yet unoccupied, which will
richly repay the labor of the thrifty hus-
bandman. Natural meadows, as yet uu-
touched By the hand Of civilization. az
ford abundsnt and rich pasturags for i'm
mehse herds Of cattle. The valley 10
mostly prairie. skiried by beautiful
groves Of timber, while through its GEN.
ire runs The Willamette river.
The Umpqua valley is distant from
the Willamette about twelve miles. and
10 separated from il by the Calapooe
mountain. Il is about ninety miles in
length. and varies from five to thirty five
miles in width. II is made up of sue
cession of hills and dales, furnishes but
little timber, yet abounds in a natural
luxuriant growth of the richest grass.
North and South Umpqua rivers run
through This valley. and form Junction
about forty miles from the bay of the
same name. The entrance To this bay
is found 10 be practicable. as many ships
and steamers have crossed the bar a, lis
mouth, finding from three 10 three and
a half faihoms Of water upon il. without
the aid of pilots, buoys or lighthouses.
A few slight accidenu. however. have
occurred for the want Of such improve
merits. A port Of entry has been estab-
lished here. and appropriations have