The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-01-20

&c &c. Can YOU not assist us, by calling at
tentiOn TO the meeting of such Convention IN
your paper
A good idea--by all means let 1t be acted
upon-Ed Era
DIPLOMATIC SALARIES,
Certain facts interesting to aspiring diplo-
matists have been brought to light in letters
from our Ministers and Charges abroad, in an
swer to a circular from Mr. Webster The Hon.
Abbott Lawrence thinks that the salary of the
Minister to England should be 5000 His
own expenses exceeded that amount. Mr.. Rives
thinks a Minister at Paris with decent re-
gard to his position" ought to spend at least
$4,000. Mr.. Neil S. Brown, living as a bach
elor at St Petersburgh, spends $4,000. and
thinks the salary should be increased to
$4,000. He also says the Secretary of Lega-
ton has not sufficient salary. Mr.. Folsom,
residing at the Hague, estimates his yearly ex-
penses at Sl3,47986 Mr.. Barringer reckons
his annual expenses at Madrid at IS 5ls, after
an original outlay of $4,000. Mr.. Schwartz,
United States Consul, estimates the necessary
expenses of Charge at Vienna at ST, $50. Mr..
Barnard, at Berlin, found himself on the 10Th
of December, 1852, s2,50a beyond his salary
MIR. Schroeder, at Stockholm, considers the
resources provided for the Charge PAfaires at
this place to be sufficient Mr. Bayard puts
down his annual expenses at Brussels So SS4
Mr.. Schenck, at Rio, whose children are in the
United States, thinks he may save $4,000 a
year. MIR. Marsh thinks the Minister at Con-
stantinople ought to have his salary increased
This information has been ELECTED in reply
to a circular of Mr.. Webster, sent in compli-
ance with resolution passed by the United
States Senate.
The gentleman to whom the following letter
was addressed, has sent it to US for publica-
tion.-Ed Era
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR OREGON Emu
GRANTS
TABLE Rock CITY JACKSON Co.,
OREGON, Sept. 20, 1852.
DEAR FRIEND: Your letter of cath June ar
rived here by express on the 18th inst, and
will reply to your numerous interrogatories in
regular order, without again repeating them.
1t seems there are many persons on the West
ern Reserve, who contemplate emgrating to
this far famed country and what information
| may communicate is designed for all "Do
like Oregon?" do, for the following rea-
sons. The inducements for farmers are so
great. No expense is necessary for wintering
stock. A farmer, with thirty COWS running at
large, has the surest prospect of fortune The
increase of stock will pay heavy interest on
the money invested. The trouble of raising
stock is but little, there being plenty of grass
both summer and winter 1t is one year this
day since my arrival in this Rogue River val
ley, sometimes mistaken for Shasta,) and the
climate has been as follows: From September
to January, the climate much resembled the
fall weather in the States--occasio showers
of rain, but neither frost nor snow January
and February were dry snow fell twice about
one inch, and froze half inch but the sun dis
posed of it in twenty -four hours In March,
April, and May, considerable rain fell which
made the growth of crops sure. July, August,
September, were very dry. The soilis exceed
ingly productive. A neghboring farmer can
pick from his garden one thousand onions,
which will weigh one thousand pounds, and
will now sell at fifty cents per pound Two
yoke of strong cattle will do all the breaking.
Wheat is considered a sure crop, for from thir-
ty to fifty bushels per acre The nights are too
cool for corn it does not do we'll, and is not
considered necessary crop. Potatoes and
oats grow very Justify, are sure, and exceeding
ly profitable
Our market is in the mines which consume
more than Oregon can supply. The prices are
as.iollows, and vary but little during the year,
in this valley. Flour and potatoes, from rs to
30 cents per pound onions, SO; pumpkins, / 0 !;
turnps, Is melons, from so cents to SO a
piece Butter, from 80 cents to 5 so per pound :;
cheese, ST. beef, Is cents-live weight 10 :;
dried fruit 40 These are the retail prices
Grass supplies the place Of hay. Your poor
stock just off the plains little hay would not
be amss during the cold rains They can do
without. The mountains are covered with
grass end timber. The buttes are covered with
rich foliage of grass The country south of
this river is principally prairie, susceptible of
cultivation, and generally well supplied with
spring water There are no swamps The
streams are all lined with timber, and general
ly rapid, owing to the short distance from the
mountains to the ocean. Some streams are
filed with trout" others with salmon. At
Puget Sound there are plenty of oysters and
this undoubtedly will be the point of attraction
eventually. The rush of emigration is at pres
ent to Southern Oregon, and the choicest
claims are generally taken, though plenty for
sale
The emigrants are generally well pleased
with Oregon on arriving. 1t is here as in other
parts occasionally you meet dissatisfied, home
sick man but small regiment could not run
me from the country. This city is one year old,
and contains 1000 inhabitants out of this
number, there have been three deaths. Two
were sick before coming, and one died with
dissipation We have one mill in operation,
another building A grist mill will be in oper-
alton next summer.
Many kinds of plOws are used, but the cast
iron is the best All kinds of farming utensils
can be obtained cheaper than to bring them.
Bricks are used for chmneys in some parts,
but none used here yet Cooking stoves are to
be had at Salem and Oregon City, for $40 and
upwards In this valley, no schools have been
organized. There are some very efficient schools,
both high and low in the Willamette valley.
We are situated near the mining region-of
course, rs yet without the pale Of law, which
causes gambling and dri~king to exist to some
extent though not to interfere with the pursuits
of the inhabitants
Agriculture and stock raising is the prnci-
pal employment Many spend a part of their
time in the mines Cattle all run at large and
some good stock has been introduced by emf
grants. Good hogs are common; there is a
SOW and pigs running at large here, worth $500.
Flies and mosquitoes are not troublesome; a
few are found lurking about water.courses
There is but little variation Of soil and produc.
tons in the different valleys, though this pleases
me best being nearer the best market Some
of the miners are doing well some Jumps are
found weighing $40, and occasionally a man
throws out from $500 to $500 day.
| will now recommend the outfit necessary
for the journey. Your clothing may be such
as YOU commonly wear in the States both for