Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1852-02-10
DELEGATE FROM OREGON,
In reference TO the settlement, soil, and eli.
mate of Oregon Territory.

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SANITY receiving, making inquiries in reier-
ence 10 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 TO furnish i! more
promptly and in detail than due attention
TO my other public duties would allow me,
were to endeavor TO give written answer
10 each. hope this course will not be con-
sidered discourteous to my correspondents,
for, in pursuing it, Can more cffec,ually
and satisfactorily serve them, which is my
chief desire.
Oregon is mountainous country, inter-
spersed with many extensive, rich, and beau
,ful valleys, watered by cool, pure streams,
having their sources among its snow.clad
mountains. 1t is exceedingly heallhy-no
country is more so. The atmosphere is
pure, and the climate delightful, especially
during the summer. From April to No
vember there is but little rain but COOL
gentle breeze blows almost perpeluaily from
the Nonh. The winters are rainy, but
mild, for, during This season, warm South
winds constantly prevail.
The country is well watered, and the soil
is fertile, and we'll adapted to the growth of
all the small grains, grasses, potatoes, and
other culinary vegetubes-a yielding most
ubundanlly, excepting Indian Corn, which is
not regarded as successful crop. Many
of the hills and mountains are covered with
inexhauslblo forests Of fine timber generally
fir and cedar. Those forests frequently
skir the valleys and streams.
AS is well known, the Columbia is the
only great river on the Pacific slope. and
stretches from the sea coast TO the Rocky
Mountains. From its mouth to the Cas-
cades, distance of about one hundred and
fifly miles, there is an uninterrupted navi-
CATION for vessels Of the largest size. The
Willamette empties in the Columbia about
ninety miles from its mouth. This river is
also navigable for The largess vessels 10
Portland, fifteen miles from its mouth, and
many have ascended as high as Milwaukee,
seven miles further.
AT the risk OF some lille repetition it may
not be deemed improper or unnecessary TO
give more detailed and minute description
Of the valley of this and some Of the other
streams Of Oregon.
The Willamette valley is bounded by the
Coast Mountains on the west, and the Cas-
cade range on the east. The soil is excel
lent, and is not surpassed, if equaled, by
any portion of the continent in its adaptation
10 the growth Of wheat, rye and oats. Po.
tatoes are produced in great abundance, and
are of superior quality; while wheat is in
varaby certain crop subjec. to none Of the
diseases and uncertainties peculiar TO it in
the States: it natures slowly, hence the
grain is always full and plump, and the straw
unusually solid and elastic, and not subject
to fall, in consequence Of the cool, dty
summers, and the entire absence of rain du.
ring The harvest season, the farmer is ena.
bled 10 gather in his grain without waste.
This, valley is about one hundred and
fifty miles in length, and ihirty.fve in
breadth, and is sparsely settled throughout
its whole extent. Many fine locations are
yet unoccupied which will richly repay the
thrifty husbandman Natural meadows, as
yet untouched by the hand Of cultivation,
afford abundant and rich paslurage for i'm
mense herds of cattle. The valley is most.
y prairie, skirted by beautiful groves Of
timber, while through its centre runs the
Willamette river.
The Umpqua valley is distant from the
Willamette about twelve miles, and is sepa-
rated from it by the Calapooe mountain. 1t
is about ninety miles in length, and varies
from five TO thirty.fve miles in width. 1t lis
made up Of a succession Of hills and dales,
furnishes but little timber, yet abounds in a
natural luxurianI growth Of the richest grass,
North and South Umpqua rivers run
through this valley, and forms junction
about forty miles from the bay of the same
name. The entrance TO this bay is found
to be practicable, as many ships and steam
ers have crossed the bar at its mouth, finding
from three 10 three and half falhoms OF
water upon it, without the aid of pilots,
buoys, or lighthouses. A few Sigh. acci-
dents, however have occurred for the want
Of such Improvements. A port Of entry
has been established here, and appropria-
,ions have been made for Iigh, house and
fog signals.
This bay is destined 10 be an important
point TO the southern portion Of Oregon;
here will be the outlet for The produce ol
the Umpqua valley, and, consequently, here
will be its commercial CITY, Many pack
trains are already employed in the transpor.
iation Of goods and provisions from this
point TO the "gold diggins" on Rogue
| ChaEte and Scott Rivers