, 1859-03-18
From "our own" Correspondent

From Tour own" Correspondent.
We received a letter q few weeks ngo
from q gentleman who for several years has
been a resident Of Dalles, Oregon, (and
who, by the way, we are proud to recog'
Mise as an old friend and acquaint- nee, } in
which he discourses somewhat rapturously,
but we doubt not truthfully, Of the future
prospects of the country east of the Cas-
cadc mountains. We take the liberty Of
subjoining a few extracts.
That the Dalles, in Oregon, and Van
couver, in Washington Territory, are des-
tined "in the fullness Of time" TO take
high rank, and swell into commercial i'm
portance beyond the dreams of the most
visionary enthusiasts Of few years ago, is
clearly pointed ous by their relative posi-
tions, and the natural tendency with which
all things are now conspiring to bring
about such n result. Men of much fore
sight and practical business experience,
assert that Vancouver will inevitably be
the commercial queen city Of the Colum-
ba, in either territory, below the Dalles,
and that the latter will reign almost
without a rival or a throne" as the great
emporium of re-Shipping for oil the vast
country east of the Cascades in that direc-
tion, passing through the Columbia. or
course Cascade City must necessarily,
always be place very far from being in
significant when compared with either, as
it holds the key midway of river naviga-
tion.
Nor is the new route from the Dalles TO
Salt Lake City, referred to by our cores
pondcnt q myth or delusion. With Gen
Harvey, oil things are stubborn realities
and from the following article, taken from
the Ala California, OF late date, it ap-
pears that that officer has determined to
open n new road and establish line of
posts upon it, which will bring the two
places referred within between FIVE and six
hundred miles of each other, instead Of
800 by the old route.
at will give satisfaction to the citizens Of the Pa
ciic coast learn that the facilities for communica
ton with the Western States about to be still fur
ther extended bya new line Of communication that
will soon be opened between Salt Lake City and the
lower portion Of the valley Of the Columbia Gen
llarnsy, in Command of the army Of Oregon and
Washington Territories. partly as a measure of mill
tary defence and partly to confer protection on the
Large bodies OF emgrants who, 1t is expected will
crowd the various ranscOntincntal avenues Of travel
during the coming spring, has determined to open
new road from Salt Lake City to the Dalles aud is
projecting line of military posts TO he established at
convenient distances from each other along the new
route.
The road ordinarily Travelled by emigrants from
Salt Lake to Oregon and Washington Territories was
dcwn the valley Of Snake river to Burnt river, thence
across the Walla-wala river, which was followed to
its mouth, and thence down the Columbia the road
being long, crooked and in many places very rough
The new road Is TO start from Salt Lake CITY, run as
near Ia straight line as possible to the Dales pass
ing the Blue mountains where the Malheur river
breaks through them. Between the mountains and
the Daes the road will be in the valley Of the Des
Chutes river The greater portion Of the new route
has already been travelled over with pack animals so
that Is known TO be practicable. As soon as the
spring opens corps Of engineers will be dispatched
to make an examination Of the foute and determine
the best point for the estabshmentof military posts.
line is about $50 miles, and by the road will le
so miles further whereas by the present road It Is not
less than 500; that 200 miles, an important item for
emigrants, will be saved by the Malheur route"
Is it not reasonable to suppose that in
the construction and defense of this route,
II spirit of reciprocity Of trade and more
general intercourse would likely spring up
between the citizens Of the mountain
plains" and those of these territories, which
might perhaps lead to one of peace and
friendship, Pecnniayily beneficial to both?
And is it not likely, in the event referred
to, that hereafter the army in Utah would
receive their supplies by way of the aeest
instead of the saa2 We think eoonomp
would say "yes" Our readers can compre.
hend, as well as we can tel them, the many
advantages that would be a consequence Of
the opening Of this route Let it be opened
as an outlet to the surplus productions Of
Utah, and as means of supply for that
territory. Should such trade ever amount
to sufficient indscement, Puget Sound
can easily tap it.
But we had quite forgotten " our cor
respondent He says:
NDMLEs, OREGON,
February 10, 1859.