New-York daily tribune., 1858-12-29
OREGON As A HOME FOR THE EMk-
GRANT.

From Our Own Corespondeni.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 1s5S.
One of the greatest facts in American history,
and a fact which distinguishes our progress as a
nation from that OF every other people, is the regu
lar ADVANCE Of settlement across great wilderness
gong at the rate of about seventeen miles year.
Since the Revolution the food Of population has
poured over the AlIeghanies, and filled in one by
one what are now the States of Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, &c.
Ire food continues TO pour; the fountains will
long continue to Ovo rtOw. The Eastern Sta es arc
prolific as ever; Europe is still crowded almost to
death. "lio fer .he great West is still the cry
OF all who long for political and social freedom.
who are willing to brave toll and danger for tho
love of adventure the hope Of fortune. Hereto
fore the settlers bourd westward have fa'na an
abundance OF fertile, most fertile land east of the
Rocky Mountains, but they will not find it much
longer They have now advanced about 800 miles
Ia the westward of the Mississippi River, and there
only remains unoccupled strip 100 miles wide;
for AGO miles west of the Father of Waters lies
great desert, stretching from British America to
Mexico, and from the meridian of Fort Kearney to
the Sierra Nevada. Much of the unOccupied strip
of 100 miles is Indian Territory and not open to
settlement; and other portions of il are rendered. Of
comparatively little value by rcmoteness from
market or by other causes; s0 that good locations
for pioneers east of the Rocky Mountains are be-
coming rare
But on the Pacific there il still wide extent of
unOccuped and fertile land, extending from latitude
BE to 49'a distance Of nearly 200 miles. pro-
pose to speak briefly Of the advantages and disad-
vantages OF Oregon home for the emigrant
the man who is willing TO brave danger for the
sake OF getting into new country where Land is
cheap and labor dear, wbere-no matter how poor
he may be- vii be received, if honest man,
es an equal by the best, and where the growth OF
the country viii bring riches to himself.
Heretofore peculiar difficulties have prevented
the settlement OF Oregon The gold mines OF Cali
fornia have thrown everything into confusion on
the coast, ard drawn away attention from the sgT-
cultural districts. They have increased the cost of
trayt ling, and drawn all the travellers 10 themselves
And ,ben the Mormon and Indian troubles in the
midst OF the continent cut of all Immigration over
land--the only route by which Oregon can hope -
obtain her population. Fortunately, however, tho
Mormons have now consented To wear the yoke Of
y Gentle Governor, and American troops arc
posted in Salt Lake City. Peace has been con-
quercd in the Valley OF Snahe River, and there is
not now on the road between Oregon. Washington
and Caliiorns on the west, snd Missouri ON the
east tribe which Wiil again dare to defy the
power OF lut lI4ttd Slttts ne EOdl. tEtTrlof',
is permanently open: the emigraIt can again safely
venture upon the plain with his wagon, his ca.tle,
his household goods, and his household gods, his
wife and his children.
Oregon extends three degrees or 80 miles from
rcrth 10 SOUTH and II degrees Or go miles from
east To wet. This Is the extent 0f Oregon, politi-
caly consldered but the settled portion OF Oregon,
and the only portion likely 10 possess much i'm
portsnce for many years, is that district vast Of
fla sg ad. Maintains and puly lDu fuilgs .rofp
east 10 west. The district east # he Cascades is
entirely different IN eli late, soil. vegetation pres
EFT condition anu future prOsepcts, and should be
cut of al once and united with the kindred eastern
district OF Washington Territory.
Western Oregon between the Cascades and the
Pacific, il. made up chiefly Of three valleys, thos,
ofthe " illame.te pronounced Wil-ltm -ette) Ump.
qua and Rogue Rivers The hrst-named stream
begins in the Cascade Mountains, runs wes. go
miles then turns northward, runs 40 miles and
empties into TIE Columbia. The last two begin III
the Cascades and run westward to the ocean.
There are. perhaps. several thousand mlnorr, IN
Guiding Cinnamon, in the Rogue River Valley; but
nearly the whole pernaDent farming population is
in the Valley OF tie willamette. This valley,
taking the word in lis more restricted sense of the
low land is from 70 To 40 miles wide and 20 miles
long This may he said Ia be- The whole OF agricul-
tural Oregon. II is beautiful. fertile, WELL
wstered plah. with little timber along tho
streams, aud great deal 10 the mountains on eacn
side. The soil is grsyely clay, covered near the
creeks ard rivers with rich sandy loan. The
vegetation of the valley ia composed OF several
indigenous grasses = number of Towering plants
and feIas. the latter being yery abundant snd ex-
ceeding trouble "a the farmer account OF Its
extremely tough vitality.
Tie tributary streams of the Willamette arc
yerv numerous and their course in the valley is
usually crooked. ~ the main stream Itself ID,
having many sIoughs" bayous." or arms"
rs hey are differently called. IN some places the
land j, marshy aud everywhere moist. Droa,h
viii never be- known ia Western Oregon; its
cl,nat, is very Wet both summer I'D Wi-ter the
latter season being one long ra.o, aud the former
consisting of many short ones, with little sun
shine intervening. The " niers Are Wsrln, and
the Summers rather cool-too cool TOR growing
melons, inAlze and sweet potatoes Wheat, oats,