, 1857-05-01

gon are in the most hourishing condition,
and. although the frost may have COM
mitted considerable injury TO the fruit
crop, yet it is anticipated that it will be
abundant-almost equal TO the united crop
Of the past four years. Almost every perma-
nent resident, in town and country, has his
orchard or garden nursery.
Oregon City is not improving; and were
it not for the business transacted at the
various mills in the neighborhood, would,
we think, look quite deserted. Milwaukee
remains unchanged. We should say,
Judging from appearances, that both places
are in their decline.
Crossing the Willamette and Columbia
rivers into our own territory, the evidence
of change-the hand of improvement, be-
comes, il possible, more plainly apparent
than in Oregon.
What ,ods Vancouver. four years ago,
consisted exclusively Of the dingy, weather
beaten, antiquatcd fort and buildings Of the
Hudson's Bay Company, relieved in the
distance by the U. S. garrison. Now the
foundation of a hourshing city has been
established on perhaps the most beautiful
location in either territory, and D class
Of citizens as generous and hospitable as
live beneath the sun. A very considerable
amount Of business-commercial and local
is transacted at Vancouver and al
though the place is steadily, not to say
rapidly improving, were it not for that eye
sore, the claim Of the Hudsons Bay Com
pany, we doubt not but it would advance
with mu,h moro rapid strides.
Cascade City, PhGnix-lke, has sprung
from the ashes, to which, over one year
ago, it had been reduced by the hands of
the hostile Indians. Mills are being erected
in the vicinity, a steamboat is on the stocks,
and nearly completed, and VIC are told that
it now contains moro buildings, (includingi
an excellent fort) than before demolished
by the late desolating Indian war. Busi-
ness, there, too, is active and aourishing.
Rainier, on the Oregon side, continues to
hold its own. We observed that the wharf
Of Mr.. MooDY was crowded with produce,
intended for shipment to San FRANCISCO on
the CommodOre-the p. NJ S. S. Co., hav-
ing refused to land steamer at that place
for several years, for freight or passengers
accumulated or congrcgated there.
At Monticello, mouth Of Cowlitz river,
but slight change is observable. The heavy
growth Of timber in the vicinity of Cow
litz Landing has disappeared, with which
exception, and the erection of few build
ings and an excellent fort, its appearance
remains unchanged. An immense quan.
tity Of pork has been made in Lewis county
the past year and although the product
iveness of its soil, for agricultural pursuits,
is unsurpassed by any in the territory, yet
the trouble aud expense Of getting the
surplus products to u market is SO great
that but slight inducement is held out 20
the farmer to raise larger crop than
what is requisite for home consumption.
BY placing upon the Cowlitz steamboat,
peculiarly adapted to the navigation of that
rapid stream, the resources Of tina, fertile
section Of country would be speedily and
largely developed, and the projectors Of
such an enterprise, We doubt not, would be
most liberally rewarded Why do not
some capitalists turn their attention in that
direction?
o. the east side. Of the Cowlitz river,
from the landing to the forks, an excellent
trail has been opened, Of sufficient width
for good wagon road; and it now only
requires tho removal Of few logs
a little bridging and grading to render it
entirely practicable to DO traversed by any
description Of teams. Three or four hands
in one weeks time, could accomplish this,
and we are told that like expenditure of
labor on the west side, from the forks to
Monticello, would make the trail there
equally favorable. Along the river, on Ell
ther side, the timber aud matted under
growth of vine maple. g., is diappearing,
and at intervals, dotted along the shores,
the eye is arrested by the abodes Of civili-
zation. But more on this subject at an
other time.
On the entire route between the Sound
and the Columbia river, the country bears
ample evidence Of having been besieged; +;
and instead of the picketing being dis.
placed, We observe that most Of the new
country residences are being erected of
hewn timber-provsion for portfolios hav-
ing been made for their defence