Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-31
OREGON AS TT |

the families had suffered but little from sickness
though many had lost property from Indian thefts
and few lives had been taken by the sayages
| Oregon is destined to become an important State
in the Union, and the tide of emigration thither will
be annually increased Those who have been long
est in the Territory write the most fattering letters
of their success and all concur in representing it
healthy, productive, and growing country. For the
information of such are looking for still further
West, we lay before them the recent circular OF
Hon. JOSEPH LANE, Congressional Delegate from
Oregon in reference to the settlement SOIL and eli
mate of Oregon Territory. The information given
| is just the thing wanted.-Scioto Gazette
WASHINGTON, JANUARY l, 1862.
The great number of letters am constantly receiving
making inquiries in reference to the Territory Oregon
has induced embody in the form of circular such
information is usually desired, that may thus be en-
abed to furnish it promptly and in detail than
due attention my other public duties would allow me-
were to endeavor to give written to each
hope this win not be considered dscourteous to
my correspondents; for, in pursuing it, will eiec
tuay and satisfactorily serve them which is my chief
desire.
Oregon is mountainous country, interspersed with
many extensive rich and beautiful Valleys watered by
cool, pure streams having their among its snow
clad mountains. 1t is exceedingly healthy country is
more The atmosphere pure and the climate delight
full especially during the From April ID No
vember there is but little rain but cool gentle eeze
are rainy but mild for during this south
winds constantly prevail.
The country is well watered and the soil very fertile
and well adapted to the growth of al the small gr1ns
grasses, potatoes and other culinary yegetabes-a YIELD
ing most abundany, except Indian corn which is not
regarded successful crop Many of the hills and
mountains covered with inexhaustibe forests of ne
timber generally fir and cedar. The forests freouety
skirt the valleys and streams.
As is well known the Columbia is the only great river
on the Pacific SLOPE and stretches from the seacoast tohe
Rocky Mountains. From it's mouth to the Cascades
distance OF about hundred and fifty miles there an
uninterrupted navigation for vessels Of the largest ze
The Willamette emphes into the Columbia about ninty
miles from its mouth This river is also navigabefor
the largest vessels to Portland fifteen miles from its mouh
and many have assembled as high Milwaukee, sewn
miles further
AT the risk of little repetition it may not be deem
ed improper or unnecessary to give detailed AM
minute description of the valley of this and some of
other streams of Oregon
Willamette valley is bounded by the Coast mountans|
the west, and the Cascade range the The soil
is excellent and is not surpassed, If equaled by any
portion OF the continent in its adaptation to the growth Of
wheat rye, and oats Potatoes produced in great
abundance and of superior quality while wheais
invariably certain crop, subject to 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 fall
In consequence of the cool dry summers and the entire
absence of rain during the harvest the farmer is
enabled to gather in his grain without waste.
length and thrtyve in BREADTH and is sparsely settled
throughout its whole extent Many fine locations yet
unoccuped which viii richly repay the labor of the thrifty
husbandman Natural meadows yet untouched by the
hand of cultivation afford abundant and rich pasturage for
immense herds of cattle The valley is mostly prairie,
skrted by beautiful gloves of timber while through its
centre runs the Willamette river.
The Umpqua valley is distant from the Willamette
about twelve miles, and is separated from it by the Ca
lapooe mountain 1t is about ninety miles in length and
varies from FIVE to thirty miles in width 1t made
of succession Of hills and daes furnishes but little
timber yet abounds in natural luxurant growth of the
richest grass
North and South Umpqua rivers through this val
ley and form junction about forty miles from the bay
OF the The entrance TO this bay is found to
be practicable soops and steamers have crossed
the bar at its mouth, finding from three to three and
half athoms of water upon it. without the aid Of pilots
buoys, Lighthouse few slight accidents, however
have occurred for the of such improvements.
port Of entry has been established here and appropra
tons have been made for lighthouse and fog signals
This bay is destined to be important point to the
southern portion of Oregon. Here will be the outlet of
the produce of the Umpqua valley and here consequent
ly, will be its commercial city Many pack trains are
already employed in the transportation of goods and pro-
visions from this point TO the gold dggngs on Rogue,
Rogue river valley which takes its from the river
which passes through it, is about seventy miles by the
main travelled route from the Umpqua. The valley is
watered by neverfailing streams; the soil Is generally
good and it skirted and nterspersed with groves of
fine timber. As ii Borders upon rich gold region, ii
eventually become densely populated As yet how
ever il contains white settlement but is occupied by
the Rogue river Indians who have rendered it the seat Of
much trouble and suffering from their depredatons.
There is portion of the Territory and indeed may
almost add of the world better adapted grazing than
this Wiley. In extent 1t is about fifty by thirty miles.
Surrounded by mountains the eye seldom rests upon
more beautiful picturesque, and romantic spot II ex-
tends to within few miles of the boundary between Ore
gon and California These valleys all lie Of the Cas-
cade mountains, and south Of Columbia.
here vail oh and forfiIa In
this part Of the Territory aordng good inducements
settlers, and which doubt will be speedily occupied
soon as suitable protection be extended them by
/ the Government
Avery interesting portion Of Oregon lies north of the
Columbia, and is being rapidly settled The Cowlitz,
which rises in the Cascade mountains north Of the Co
lumbia runs through large tract Of fne arabic land,
entering the Columbia forty fifty miles from its
mouth.
French settlement Of many years growth commences
near this river about thirty miles from its mouth and
now embraces some large and valuable farms. Ameri-
cans also have within the last six years. settled between
IT and the Chahales and doing well. The country is
level and fertile and beautifully interpreted with praries
and timber.
The valley Of the Chahaes also fertile and wen adapt
ed 10 cultivation Between il and Puget Sound the
try is level and well tmbered with occasional small pra
RES This Sound is Of the safest and best barbors in
the world 1t affords fine ship navigation into an mpor
tant part Of the Territory Surrounded by large district
Of country rich in soil with immense forests or the finest
timber in the world and combining many advantages
agricultural and commercial il is destined be- at
distant day. Of the most important points the
Pacific coast low pass in the Cascade Mountains offers
aroue for good road from the Sound Fort Waawaa
on the Columbia Such road would be important Cor
military purposes and would also be great saving of
distance and time to emgrants going the Chahales
river, Pugets Sound other point north of Co