The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-08
Oregon.
A correspondent of the New York Trib.

SSSoVuh
correspondent of the New York Trib.
uae speaks as follows:
The emigrants Of 1889 are generally
greatly discouraged in Oregon. A large
majority OF them are entirely broken up,
and would fain return whence they came,
but this, in their present condition, is i'm.
possible. Here they must stay, and put
up with their condition. l may be con.
sidered a disinterested witness in this case,
rs am not an old Oregonian, or an emf.
grant of so. My o,n success in Oregon,
since 1851, has been beyond my tallest
expectations. | attribute my success to
my own crertions, and not from any fa.
vors shown me here. deeply regret that
there is a division Of feeling here between
the old Settlers or one hand, and the Emil
grants Of 81 and '52, on the other hand.
The Emigration of 1853, added to those
oil 81 and '52, will outnumber the former
settlers, and give tone to the doings here
in another year.
The passage of the late amendments TO
the Oregon Land bill in Congress, gave
general satisfaction to the people here.
Lands will be given away or donated to
actual settlers in Oregon, till Dec. 1, 1856.
by that time there will be no desirable land
lett untaken remaining west of the Blue
Mountains in this Territory. But, by the
time that people arrive on the Overland
Trip here, and lose and suffer what they
do, on that mos, dreary and desolate road,
they pay dearly tor every foot of land they
receive here Many have represented it
as a mere pleasure trip from Missouri
River to Oregon City. The wealth Of all
Oregon would not induce me again to take
that trip under the same circumstances.
And yet, being here. l am pleased with the
country, | do not desire to return to the
United States.
Summer, with all its beauty and fresh
ness, is now with as. We have only two
seasoas, which are termed the rainy sea-
sen add the dry season. About the mid
de of October, and later, the timber and
shrubs here Except the evergreen species)
shed their leaves, cloudy weather sets in,
and frequent rains remind the people OF
the approach of high waters. By Christ.
mas the earth is filed with water, and
travelling almost ceases. Sometimes there
are occasional clear days all through De-.
cember and January. During February
the weather is clear, calm and delightful.
March is some wet and clustering. April
is delightful as May in the States. Then
sets in The most delightful season, perhaps,
known in all North America. The sky is
clear and transparent, the sea breeze
springs up every afternoon, tempering the
heat, and the dews are heavy. A diversi.
~ Of sentiment prevails in the United States
with respect to the health Of Oregon. From
an extensive inquiry and acquaintance in
Oregon since September, 1851, | am able
to say that Oregon, as a whole. is a re.
markably healthy country. And yet, on
oil the large rivers. such as the Columbia
and Willamette, the fever and ague pre-
walls TO a great extent every year. l live
ten miles back from the Willamette river.
On beautifully rolling. rich land. we'll tim
bered and watered, and ihickly settled, and
health is as good as among the mountains
Of New York or Virginia.
The winter, which lately closed here.
was exceedingly hard for this climate.
There was much sno and cold rain, and
grass was very poor. AT the Dolles the
snow fell five feet deep, and lay on the
ground seven weeks. which killed 1000
head OF cattle and horses there. About
one-half Of these belonged to spectators.
and the remainder TO emigrants, who were
induced to leave their stock there 10 win.
ter. But few cattle died west of the Cas-
cade Ranee. great many pack animals
died ION the way to the Oregon mines) in
the mountains. Stock commands enor-
nous prices here at this time. An i'm.
mense amount Of stock for speculation
will start from the States this year for Ore
gon and California. This will cause o
great scarcity of grass on the Plains. A
repetition Of last years destruction of life
and property will certainly follow. There
cannot be subsistence had here for all who
viii arrive, unless large shipments are
made front the United States, Of provisions.
&c. Wheat looks very promising here
now. but there is not halt enough sowed
to supply the demand for bread and seed
the ensuing year. But my sheet is filled.
and l must close my letter for the present.
More anon. u. N.