The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-17
Communicated.

WASHINGTON, April Is, 1855


Ss: There is an attractive, welliimbered, and fertile
area of country lying Immediately west OF the Rocky
mountains in mild, temperate ATTITUDES, TO which. Tor The
nurpoees OF distinct alusion may apply the above alb
original term This area is about fifty miles broad and
lies paralle TO the Rocky mountains for distance OF
several hundred niles 1t gives rise TO both OF the main
and 10 the numerous higher subaf1nenis OF The Column
ba river. 1t is high plain, which is cut through by
these auents OF most fertile character, bearing trees,
and in some places high grass and while the streams
create abundant water. power for lumber and grain mills
and machinery, they free, nearly free, from
ds,ions OF their banks This district probably compre-
hends twenty five thousand square miles, and if it's
pac,ies of production have been correctly estimated
would sustain population greater than some OF the
eastern and Atlantic States According 10 the recent act
organizing the Territory of Washington, it lies chiefly
il not wholly, within the boundaries of this govern
men I, is altogether genial country, and des-
tined TO form link of connection, by ordinary Of
transit, with the Missouri valley, through the Yellow
Stone Ii may be noticed that while the eastern foot oil
the Rocky mountains presents vast sand deserts and buff
fao plains the fertile lands in this reach TO the very
tops of its western eminences
Lewis and Clark, on their return from the mouth oil
the Columbia in 1905, passed through the district
have mentioned in the month OF May. They observe
The country along the Rocky mountains, for several
hundred miles in length ard about fifty wide, is high
level plain in all parts extremely fertile and in many
places covered with growth Of tall, long eafed pine
This plain is chiefly interrupted near the streams OF
Ter where the hills steep aud lofty; but the soil ID
good being unincumbered by much stone, and possess
ing more timber than the level country. Under shelter
OF these hills the bottom lands skirt the margin of the
rivers ans, though and confined, still fertile
and rarely inundated Nearly The whole OF this wide
spread tract is covered with profuson OF grass ans
plants, which at this time as high as the knee
Among these are variety of escuent plants and roots
acquired without much difficulty and yielding not only
nu,ricous but very agreeable food. The air is pure
and dry the climate quite MIDI if not milder than the
same parallels of latitude in the Atlantic States, ant
must be equally healthy, for all the disorders which
have witnessed may fairly be imputed to the nature
Of the diet than any ntemperance OF climate Th.
general observation s Of TO be qualified since in
the OF country the degrees OF the combination
OF heat and cold obey the influence of situation. Thus
the rains Of the low grounds our camp SHOWS
in the high plains. and while the shines with intense
heat in the confined bottoms. the plains enjoy much
colder air. and the vegetation is retarded tleast fifteen
days. while at the foot OF the mountains the SHOWS
sull many feet in depth that within twenty miles o.
our camp observe the gors OF winter cold, the COO
air Of spring. and the oppressive heat of midsummer
Even the plsins, however, where the snow has fallen
il TO do but little injury 10 the grass and ohe
plants, which, though apparently tender and susceptible
are still blooming at the height Of nearly eighteen inches
through the snow In short. this district affords many
advantages TO settlers and If properly cultivated woul,
yield every object necessary for the subsistence and
fort OF civilized man"
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
' HENRY r. SCHOOLCRAFT.