Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-20
INTERESTING FROM OREGON.

Public from intelligent sources, and especially from
quarters Of our country Of which comparatively little
is vet known describing the characteristics of the
different regions Of thewide domain included within
our limits with their geographical and geological
features, their climates, natural products, progress
of settlement, state Of society, &c,
An acceptable communication Of this description
has Just reached us from reliable quarter in the
distant Territory Of OREGON, which we at once
spread before our readers with the to the
writer that his avors of this sort can be other
wise than welcome to our columns
PORTLAND, OREoos, FEDRuARY s. 1852
Messrs. EDIroRs have thought line from this dis
tant region might read by your readers with in
terest the attention Of world has been directed
Pacacward for period going back little beyond the
gold discoveries The short stay have made will trust
be sufficient apology for the few facts opinions
braced in my letter.
In looking at Northern Oregon is struck with the
grand expanse Of waters of the Inlet and Sound constu
ing what indeed inland seas in which the united nayies
of the world could foat with safety connected with the
ocean by wide deep strait where vessels of any draugh
in all weathers. night day. securely ride The
country surrounding these waters has all the elements for
strong, wealthy, and independent communities Rich
SOIL genial climate deep water waterpower, exemption
from storms inexhausble forests of the best ship tim
bers the leading characteristics There is here at
Steiacom military post on the eastern main shore.
There are several settlements the principal one
Olympia at the south extremity of the Sound Some fine
sawmis have been in operation the Sound for year
The Hudson Bay Company post, at Nisqually,
is also here have before at the wharf fine little
schooner the Mary Taylor taking in party Of emigrants
from this place for the Sound Many of these families
have been in Oregon year two and done well, but
having become somewhat /" crowded" here seeking
new homes in that promising region The commercial
advantages there superior to those of this portion OF
the Territory in the facility and cheapness Of the navga
ton 1t costs vessel in and out Of the Columbia to this
or any port above from $500 $780, in potage tow
age other charges exclusive of the detention. In
and out of the Sound will the description Of
expenses nothing road from Olympia to the Columbia
would enable all Northern Oregon and large portion of
the Columbia and Walanet* valleys receive supplies
cheaper than by the rivers Such road is already sur
veyed and win probably be pushed through the ensuing
year Another road in the direction east towards the
Dalles the accommodation of the emgrants to the
Sound, is also in contemplation.
The extraordinary physical feature is the extreme
fertility Of the soil of this whole country 1t true in
localities, continued cultivation may diminish the
present yield by exhaustion such places yet
known admitted half suspect there has not yet been
that perseverng and thorough test applied many por-
tions inamuch the slightest labor is sufficient for
abundant crop any where
This exuberance will undoubtedly retard thorough cul-
tvation remote period and may induce thrftess hus
bandry and make Indifferent farmers The southern por
tions Of the Territory the Upper waamet Umpqua and
Rogue river regions excelled grazing districts
BY any portion Of the earth Hence ninetenths Of the
property and exchangeabc commodities there viii be cat
tie horses mules sheep and hogs There has been so
few mills that little encouragement existed heretofore for
the raising Of recently several have been built and
many projected for the ensuing year. that -four is like
ly to become leading export The expense Of tranpor-
tation owing the high rates of wages will be great
impedent to business Of every kind Notwithstanding
this obstacle the extension Of steam operations has been
remarkable within the year. In August 1850, the Co.
lumbia small steamer built at Astoria, started the
Columbia to the astonshment Of the natives Of all the
races, bped, quadruped, 6nny and hairy. The "LO
whitcomb," elegant boat was launched at Milwaukee
the succeeding Christmas Shortly after the steamship
Columbia entered for her trips from San Francisco
tcra During the feet Of steam craft succeed
ed Of all sizes and kinds including half dozen it'll
propellers called the Musquito feet" Two fine boat
are running above the Wallamct Falls the Multonomah
built at Newcastle, Delaware for which indebted
to the enterprise and public spirit Of few naval officers
who serving their country quite efficiently in fresh
ter and the Canemah built the incipent city Of tn
same at the falls These boats ascend the river
points within hundred mcs above the Mls thus bring
ing the vast productions Of the older settled parts
the valley The Flint is another good boat built abov
the Cascades, now running below Freights here vii
surprise Of frcsh-water sailors at home From
Portland interior points goods cost from fifty to eight
dollars ton freight wagonage, &C. Pack trains to tn
mines fitted out here with provisions goods, &C. Tn
trade increases in this direction owing to the prevalence
Of deep SHOWS between Sacramento and Charta
That Oregon is no longer manifest destiny, but lv
ing fact and present reality Of the largest PROMISE al
must admit. The world tends hitherward by an,
land The "blossoming" Of "the wilderness" is not
yet exactly roseke for fir the forest and tai
grass the prsiries But, after this gloomy world of &
shall fall beneath the FIRE and axe there is little doub
that roses odorous graced Cashmere win bloom
all over Oregon Then there are Of mora
and religious blessings most cheering in promise Som
four five respectable schools for boys and girls som
with college charters in operation and doing well
These schools under the patronage Of churches ant
N .@ +
*I prefer this spelling 1t distinctly expresses th
name the river and valley pronounced by that vene
rblc gentleman whose vocstion is chrsten ali places
besides remembering higher foods scverer winters
and no more dreadful accidents than have recently occur
red. the Oldest nhabitant." Mr. Wilkes erroncousl
adopts the French Willamette: Lieut. Col. Fremont /
nearer the true sound Wahamefx. should be happy