, 1853-02-19

| NV ocean. St0t the CaSCads range Ol
mountains il has been Observed in extensive
beds IN the Umpqua valley in the highland,
bordering Clalsop Plains; along the range
OF highlands seven miles back Of Tualitin
Plains, and in several localili $ in the valley
OF the Willamette. IIydlaaic Limestone
has also been found in the hast named val.
ley. A tliu stratum of n'arly pure carbon.
ate Of limo has been found IN Kings vale,
near St. May's mountain.
CoAL.-No rocks OF the age Of true Goa
formation have YET been discovered in Orc.
gon. But bed of brown coal or Ignite o.
considerable extent is found on the Cowlit7
aud several Of its tributaries on several
streams emptying into Pug Sound. a bed
of biluminous Ignite more compact than
any Of the lignitcs previously discovered
was observed Oh the Skookum Chuck, and
in several localities in the highlands border
lng that stream. The stratum is eight feet
in thickness, and does not crumbic on cx-
Posure TO atmospheric influences as far as
observation has been made. A small spc.
cimen of coal found by Maj Goldsborough
of Olympia, about twenty miles up The Steil-
aqnamish river, is believed to be not mucl
inferior TO the Skookum Chuck coal, al
though not quite so compact in IFS structure
Coal is also found in thin seams in Kings
valley near Port Oxford on the Columbia
river near its mouth and in several local..
lies in the Willamette valley.
LEAD-Has been observed in the Spo-
kane country near the British line; and
there is reason TO expect that farther re-
search may show that some Of these veins
extend into our own Territory.
IRoN-Ores of good quality have been
obtained in the Spokane and Bitter Root
ranges ofamounlains and ores Of Copper
are found in the southern portion of the
last named range. Specimens of Iron ard
Copper ores have also been collected in the
Umpqua valley They will not doubt be
found in other localities.
SALINE AND CHALYBrArE SPRlNGs-Ex.
ist throughout the Willamette valley; and in
the valley of the Umpqua along the Coast
range Of mountains and in fact in almost
every portion Of Oregon that has been visited.
GoLD.-The Gold mines near the south
crn boundary of the Territory are being
wrought 10 considerable profit and gold in
small quantities has been found on nearly
all the tributaries of the Columbia healing
on the Eastern slope of the Cascade range
Of mountains. There is considerable analo-
" between talcose and allied rocks of the
Umpqua region and the gold bearing rocks
in California aud gold has been found on
the south Umpqua river on the south fork
Of the Santiam cast Of the meridian line
on the Calapooya creek, a tributary Of the
Willamette and on several other streams
heading in the Cascade range of mountains.
Puget Sound is beginning to awaken, and
from its high importance jus'ifies, the earn
est attention Of the enterprising and capi-
talisl.
A large district Of land lying on the north
side OF the Columbia liver, and well adapted
in many portions to agricultural purposes,
must, at no distant day, find its market and
seek its supplies at tie various ports in that
arm Of the sea. II contains harlors com
bining beauty, spOcou,urss and security, in
numbers fully equal 10 the wants Of the
county, when it shall have reached that de-
gree Of advancement looked for by its most
sauguine friends Forests there exist in
proximity TO the water, from which incx-
haustble supplies Of lumber and ship timber
can he obtained.
Whales and other fish abound in its wa
lcrs, and ! entertain no doIbt that prohta-
BILE fisheries might be established in that re-
gion. From the great natural advantages
which there exist--from the fertility and
extent Of the ncighboring soil, and its vari-
Gus productions and capaciIies--and from
the general salubriiy Of the climate, Puget
Sound must soon become one Of the most
important commercial points on the Pacific.
! ak your serious attention whether il is
not advisable for your body TO express to
Congress an opinion of the necessity Of mod
flying some Of the features of the land bill.
The growth Of towns, as the law now stands,
must be seriously retarded for some time TO
come from the inability TO give secure titles
or TO make valid contracts for the sale Of
town property. Whilst any thing that will
stimulate the growth Of towns beyond the
Just wants Of the country should be discour-
aged, they should yet be made to keep pace
with its necessities. The farmer must have
his necessary supplies of merchandise, and
to enable him 10 make payment therefor he
looks to the disposition Of his surplus pro-
duce, But if all are producers and no con
sumers. there can be no inducemenl 10 the
agricuhuralisI to raise upon his farm more
than will satisfy his own wants. Towns,
therefore, commensurate with the condition
Of the country arc Of as much importance
10 the agricultural as to any other interest
Besides creating competition IN Trade by
which the farmer is enabled to get greater
variety Of articles OF merchandise and at rea-
sonabir rates, th,y at the same time make a
market for bis produce. The benefits Of the
land law are practically denied 10 large
and most useful body Of eilL.ns. mean