, 1853-04-23

MLssEs. M,ELRON BEEGE-A jour
ney from the Sound to the willamette val
lev affords one gratifying evidences Of the
increasing prosperity Of Northern Oregon.
We found a good and safe bridge over Shules
river at New Market, and had the pleasure
Of being the first 10 cross it with a horse
Several claims have recently been taken
along the road, and several new houses erect
cd-and upon nearly oil Of the prairies are
seen herds Of cattle grazing.
There is also a spirit Of inquiry awaken
ed in the willamette valley, as well among
the old settlers as the recent immigrants, in
regard to Northern Oregon, aud many are
turning their course in that direction. 1t
cannot, ii is true, as yet be said that North
ward " The star Of empire takes its way"
foe the large body Of the immigration are
still turned south, or are compelled TO re-
main in the Willamette valley from ncccs-
sity. In hundreds Of instances that neces.
sity arises on account Of the absence Of a
wagon road from the Columbia river TO the
head of the Cowlitz. People here express
the utmost asionishment that we DO not
make such a road, when it is Of such vital
importance TO our prosperity. At first
was disposed 10 excuse ourselves by saying
that our population was as yet sparse, our
Country new, and we had so many roads 10
open, that it could not be expected of us 10
do more than we have accomplished. But
upon reflection ] am compelled to admit
that we might long since have opened the
road if we had united in proper spirit and
made an effort. There is vast power in
that word try. There is no doubt but that
the people of Lewis county alone could very
soon open such road if they had the cour-
age to try; and the people at the Sound
could assist very much if they would try.
And further, will venture TO add, that
with the present facilities for travelling, that
few men in the Willamette valley would
fail Of reaching Puget Sound with family
if they wish, if they would only try in ear
nest. A the present time a road over the
Cascade mountains is probably Of paramount
importance. From accounts this years
immigration is going TO be large, and it would
be great saving and advantage to them TO
be enabled 10 go direct to the Sound. 1t is
not probable that our appropriation Of $780,
900 will be expended in time 10 open the
road this season and if the northern coun-
ties should consent to lay the tax as proyi-
ded by the last legislature, enough would
be raised to make a passable wagon road
over the mountains, and then the appropria-
tion could be applied to complete it, and in
that way we would obtain the best road ever
made over the Cascades. II my memory
serves me right, DIR. Lsnsdale's estimate Of
the distance to be opened-ihe route he ex-
pored last lall-fTom the open country on
the Sound to the open country on the Yak.
ina, was eighty miles, and be was Of the
opinion that a man could open a mile day
upon an average, so that eighty days work
would, as he thought, enable wagons 10 pass
direct from Walla walla to the Sound, and
IS quick and as easily as they could reach
the Dalles Surely that amount of labor,
or four times that, could be raised if the
people could agree where and when to be-
gin. But to leave this road subject and re-
turn 10 my journey.
Travelling up the Willamette river you
see nothing by way of comparison unfavora-
bic to Northern Oregon. The navigation
Of the river is uncertain and precarious-
the portage around the falls al Oregon City
is tedious and expensive then above the
falls boats are constantly liable to get
aground, even at this season of the year.
II is apparent that the river can never be
made to do the business OF this upper coun-
! try There mustbe railroad. This state
Of things, together with the fact that the en-
trance of the Columbia river is both difficult
and dangerous, leads 10 the irresistible CON
clusion that our noble and capacious Sound
is destined TO bear upon its bosom the COM
meTce of Oregon ; and when the Pacific rail-
road terminates there, it will have a far
more noble destiny to fulfill
And then the poor water Of Portland and
other plaees-and the great feast the people
Of Salem have out Of few oysters, or a few
suckers; and even taken with the ague at
church, and news brought to tho congreea-
tion there will be no service as the minister
has got a chill. All these things make one
think of the pure water, cold, sparkling
spring water at the Sound, our countless
myriads Of fish, oysters by the peck, and
clans by the bushel--wiih health waited to
us on every breeze.
Many now acknowledge that We have the
best country, every thing considered, and
it is with some pride that have heard the
Columbian called the best newspaper in
Oregon. Washington Territory is now
much talked about. On the 22d Of Fcbru-
ary at the celebration at Portland, a gun
was fired for every State and Territory, and
double shot for the new Territory north
Of the Columbia river re
nTWe learn from San Fr,,o;s,o. ,..-