The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-28
COMMUNICATED.
THE POPULATION OF OREGON.
THE SOUTH

MEssRs EDIroRs Ny attention has lately been called
to several paragraphs in the newspapers containing so
much Misrepresentation, and calculated to produce
impression in regard to the population of
Oregon that feel called to make brief statement
on the subject to which most earnestly ask the aten-
ton of every who desires correct information the
basis OF his action the question of admitting that Ter
tory into the Union at the present session of Congress
Oregon has been organized Territory since the "a OF
March, lS49 at which time reached there, having been
commissioned as governor by President Polk and pro.
oeeded to set the territorial government in operation
Previous that time the people, wholly neglected by the
federal government had lived under provisional gov
ernment of their creation They repeatedly and
earnestly solicited from Congress the establishment of
territorial government but this denied them until
near the close of Mr. Folks administration; though
the measure several times strongly recommended in
his annual messages.
In 1850 the population embraced within the boundaries
of the proposed State of Oregon little 10 900
In 1855 again taken and though the
was quite imperfect {some settlements being entirely
omitted it showed population of 49, 700. Probably
900 or TO- 900 people, actual residents of the Territory
were not included in this Estimating the present
population according to the rate of increase from 1850 to
1885, the number would far exceed the ratio required for
sending representative to Congress | admit that In
dian hostcs, during the years 1855 and 1856, have
operated partial and temporary check to- the growth
of population but not to the extent which seems to be
generally supposed. There has been steady immigra
ton by sea since the wealth OF the Pacific first began
attract the attention of the people of the Atlantic States
Indian hosities have changed the course but have 10y
no means stopped the wof the current OF immigration
Since the victories acheyed over the by the regular
troopsand gallant younteersi in 1885, condenccn
the security of life and property In Oregon being restored
San hac
been very large Hundreds of families from the Allan
tic States and thousands of Calornians who preferred
agricultural pursuits to mining, attracted by the fertility
of the soil have sought homes in Oregon New mines
of surprising richness lately discovered in the southern
and middle part Of the Territory have, of course,
brought large accession 70 our mining population The
Fraser river excitement, ending in disappointment to
thousands of enerprising but delued adventurous has
contributed to swell our numbers. Nor these the
only sources from which the Territory has derived in
crease of population It is well known that the natural
increase of population the increase by births
is very considerable in all parts Of this country. What
must il be IN Oregon where nearly every settler is the
head of family and where, from the great salubity of
the climate both adults and infants are exempt from
most Of the diseases fatal in the Atlantic States The
infant population of the States is annually deoi-
mated by some fatal epidemic The settler in Oregon has
little to fear for his offspring from this cause If another
emignt frop abroad should never enter the limits of
Oregon the institution of marriage the rapid increase Of
population by births under the influence of genial eli
mate as favorable to the multiplication of the human
species 1t is to the development Of animal and vegea-
Bile life in all their varied forms, would make Oregon
populous and powerful State.
In view of these facts these several causes for our in
crease of numbers, think may set down the present
population of Oregon at near 90, 600 How unjust
han IN hiatt has only ef,t