The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-08-08
correspondence Of the Journal.
SALEM, Oregon, June 10, 1853.

New Orleans, l arrived at Portland, Oregon,
from which place have proceeded leasurily
to Salem, taking every opportunity OH the
way to view and inform myself about the |
The result OF my observations and |
the information derived from others will en- }.
deavor to give you and your readers.
The first appearance of Oregon, as we en-
ter the Columbia river, has nothing about it
or inviting. On either side of the
river are high bluffs shooting up from the
waters edge to height varying from fifty
to two hundred feet, and covered from their
base to the summit with stunted fir trees'
which give to the scenery SO somber and
gloomy an aspect, that the thoughts of the
traveller Involuntary turn homewards, and
he almost curses the hour that he left the smi-
ling banks of La Belle Riuiere for this faded
sterile, and frowning waste.
The first place that we reach on entering
the Columbia is the famous Astoria. The
inhabitants of Santa Fe, we are told, believe,
in their ignorance, that Independence is the
Capitol and largest city of the United States.
Many people in the States, having heard so
much of Astoria, fancy that it is the principal
town of Oregon. What would be the sur
prise of such, on entering the Columbia, to
find it small insignificant village of thirty
five houses, hemmed in by hills, and appear
ing SO isolated and lonely, that we might al
most imagine Sir Walter Scott to have had it
in his mind when describing the cells of her.
mits, and the solitary nests of aquatic birds
on the black and rock-bound coast of Scot
land Leaving Astoria, and ascending the
Columbia, we saw nothing for many miles
but one gloomy monotory of bluffs and fir
fresno town, no human habitation, no i'm
provement, no place where the hand of i'm
provement dare grapple with these rugged
wilds. One object alone relieved the eye
from the painful sameness of rock and fir,
which on every side meeting the view, seemed
as intermnable, as the rude and giant cot
ton-wood of the Mississippi, and producing a
far more depressing effect on the mind. That
object was the snow-covered summit of Mount
St. Helens, distinctly visible at the distance
of eighty miles, but appearing to be not more
than twenty. 1t was the first snow covered
mountain many of US had ever seen, and it is
impossible to describe the mingled emotions of
admiration and awe with which we gazed up
on it. when the steamer in rounding bend in
the river, its glittering summit bright as burn
ished silver, first burst upon our view. There
it stood in all its lovely grandeur and mag
nifcence, towering high above the clouds.
wrapped in It's shining mantle of snow, the
rays of the setting sun glancing from its daz-
zling crest as from the oriental queens dia-
dem of pearl. 1t is almost worth trip to
Oregon TO see this noble mountain.
Passing the small aud growing villages Of
| St. HeleIs and Vancouver, we entered
the mouth of the Willamette, and in an
hour and half arrived at Portland. THIS
town is the largest in Oregon, but by no
means pleasantly situated, its site being low
and surrounded with dense forests Of lofty fir
trees, which give it somewhat gloomy ap-
peerance. Besides, the mud here in winter,
suppose, would render it very uncomfortable
as place of residence and not add much to
its heathfulness. Notwithstanding these
disadv antages it is thriving town, and will
probably continue, as it is now, the principal
commercial place of Oregon, being so situa-
ted as TO form the outlet of the Willamette
valley. Oregon City is smaller place than
Portland and is not improving. Situated at
the falls of the Willamette it enjoys unrivalled
A
day become large manufacturing city.
The appearance of the country begins to
improve as soon as we, enter the Willamette.
The hills recede rapidly from the river the
higher we ascend, until we find ourselves a
few miles above Oregon City, in the midst of
level and beautiful Countrywide most beau
titul that can be imagined, far surprising any
thing had expected, though my expectations
had been raised very nigh. This part of Or
egon comprises the counties of Marion, Linn,
Benton, Yarnhill and Polk, and is said to be
the most desirable portion of the Territory,
although some persons express preference
for the Umqua. The county of Marion, of
which Salem is the county-seat, is regarded
as the best county in the territory. Certainly
no part of the United States that l have seen
can compare with it in beauty of scenery and
apparent fertility of soil. The accounts
have heard of its productions, particularly of
small grain, turnips, potatoes, &c, seem al
most incredible. Corn does not grow so well
as liz the States; but am told that from 20 to
40 bushels to the acre can be Produced; and
in some localities more.
The climate of Oregon, if | may judge from
the short time have been in the territory
deserves all that has been said in its praise.
1t is true that have arrived here at time
when the climate would be likely to make the
most favorable Impressions; but all the old
settlers say that the weather now is fair
specimen of the weather during the entire
summer, and the winters, though more wet,
are very mild and pleasant. | find the peo-
pie here well satisfied with the country. None
of them would be willing to leave and return
to the States-at least none with whom
have conversed. The invariabe answer TO
my question "Are you satisfied to remain in
Oregon!" is would not live any where else"
This universal contentment of the people |
regard as conclusive of the desirableness of