, 1859-01-07
Letter from an Oregon Senator.

Hon. DELAZoN smith, U. .. OehatOF
from Oregon, has arrived in Washington,
and, under date of Nov. Is, writes to the
Oregon Statesman, from which we make
the following extracts:
1 perceive that part OF the newspaper
press of Oregon are opposing our admission
as q State, and for obriOuS reasons; and
another portion are predicting our defeat
The Oregon papers seem determined to mix
our application up with Kansas" And
vet here nobody really expects Kansas to
trouble Congress this winter; and here no.
body doubts the admission Of Oregon.
do mol, and predict that Oregon will be a
State within the Union by the time this
letter reaches you! l have conversed free
" with members Of Congress, editors. news
paper reporters, and many others, since !
arrived in New York, in regard to our ad.
mission, and | have yet to meet the first
nan who is opposed to our speedy admission!
Every body here speaks of Oregon as a
Stale, as much so as though she was al
ready in the Union. 1t is reserved for Il
portion of the California press and a quasi
California press in Oregon, to oppose our
admission. In neither case is public opin-
ion represented. Three fourths Of the peO-
pie of Oregon have declared, in the most
deliberate manner, that they want State
government; and the people of California
want Oregon in the Union, and for the
most obvious reasons; and whilst the two
Senators and the two Representatives from
that State are divided apen other ques-
tions, all four are zeGlously advocating the
admission of Oregon. Neither the Presi-
dent or any member of his Cabinet will
oppose our admission The Committee on
Territories in the House will report the
Senate bill for our admission back to the
House at an early day in the session, with
q recommendation that it pass-and IL t0iH
pass, or am greatly deceived. But,
enough Of this; timo will tell.
1t is impossible to tell whether our war
debt will be paid this winter or not The
Secretary Of War, in his annual report,
will renew bis recommendation in fuvCr Of
our claims, and urge upon Congress the
Justice Of our demands, aud the propriety
Of payment The chief obstacle in our
way is an empty Treasury. But, if we are
admitted, it is probable that we will get
Pacific Senator on the appropriate commit
tee, and as we can then be heard, both in
the Senate aud House, we may indulge
hope Of success find an excellent feeling
existing generally towards Oregon, except
amongst q comparatively few monomaniacs
of the Greedy stripe--en the subject Of
negroes and Indians.
Gen. Lane is confined to his room with
iadispositon. He is afflicted with neural
gia 10 the head He suffers much aud can.
not bear excitement His physicians in.
tsrdict exciting topics. 1t is probable that
the General will be up again soon. lie is
on the meud
The indications now are that there will
be q very large emigration to Oregon and
Washington Territories in the spring. So
mote it be.
Yesterday dinsd with our good friend
Gov. Stevens. He is o gentleman Of great
Industry, Of much influence here and warm
friend Of Oregon. The people of Wash
ington Territory, IN my Judgment, have
manifested much wisdom in sending the ex-
Governor here; and if their wisdom abideth
they will keep him here.
Both Administration men and Douglas
men here are hoping aud looking for re-
oonciliation this winter Senator Stewards
late stump speech will do the Democratic
party an infinite amount of good; as will,
also, very different kind Of a speech by
Senator Hammond, Of South Carolina.
Tue weather, ever since landed in New
York, has been nearly as cold az our &C.
Verest winter weather in Oregon. really
believe that Oregon has the best aud most
healthy climate of any portion Of the con-
tinent. There is no better country on earth
than Oregon Kiud salutations to my
friends.
Respectfully and truly yours,
.H.e DELAZON SMITH.