, 1859-01-28

poses Of security and protection, that the
first emigrants to this region should form
themselves around these posts, which, at
that day, became the nuclei Of thrifty set
Elements and which to-day form the large
and lourishing cities of Portland, Oregon,
Salem, Vancouver, Corvallis, Olympia, and
a number of others that dot with civiliza-
tion and progress that far-distant region.
Such being the case, we to-day find the
principal portion of the population of the
two territories west of this range-not by
virtue Of better or greater inducements to
settlements necessarily, but from the causes
above mentioned
But now, ia the section west of the Cas-
cndes, the country is becoming so fast set
tied up, that even from here an exodus is
taking place, and to-day are they looking
forward for new homes in that broad ex-
panse Of territory between the Cascades
aud Rocky mountains. This region is an
open rolling prairie country, intersected in
every direction by-streams trickling down
from the mountain sides and flowing
through rich alluVial bottoms which are
marked in this ocean of prairie by the
strips and fringes of timber along their
borders. Here must be the great grazing
lands Of the Northwest The grasses here
have two growths-the first in early spring
the second in the autumn; this last natures
in the stock, which affords for the largest
bands of horses, cattle and sheep, the finest
grazing in the world The soil in the uu-
merous valleys through this region is rich
and fertile, and l have seen here growing
as fine grain and cereals as are found in our
fertile fields of the Illinois and Ohio bot.
toms. These valleys are sufficiently extern
siVe aud agriculturaly capable to support
large population of graziers; and with
mild, genial climate, such as allows cattle
and stock Of every character to Craze out
all winter, with the facilities of communica-
tion by land and water of marked nature
and markets near at hand, this region is
not destined to lOug remain the uuinbabi-
ted wilderness that it now is.
The facilities for communication are be.
ing increased day by day, both by land and
water. The libeTality Of the general gov
ernment has not been wanting-true, not
on as an extensive scale as it would seem
TO merit, but yet sufficiently liberal to add
to the many inducements that are already
possessed by these regions for settlement.
A steamer has just been launched to ruu on
the Columbia river from Fort DaIles to
Fort Walla-walla, which, doubtless, may
be the pioneer of the long line Of steamers
that, at no distant day, may be seen plough
ing the waters Of the Columbia frem the
coast to the Rocky mountains.
The advantages possessed by the Colum-
bia river are not fully appreciated. Rising,
as it does, in the main chain of the Rocky
mountains, it is the only large stream that
breaks through the coast range and empties
into the Pacific. 1t flows for distance of
twelve hundred miles through the heart of
the two territories, through many regions
Of fertility. For miles along its upper
waters it is fringed with beautiful groves
Of pine, cedar, and fir; whiIo iu the noun
tains and spurs through which it flows are
found large beds Of limestone and granite,
and the deposits Of gold, lead and copper,
are already attracting the attention Of
thousands, inviting them towards its
borders.
These are facts which time is developing
that are becoming patent to the country
and would not leDgthen letter that
might be swollen to a volume to give in de.
tail the advantages held out for populous
settlements by these tive territories, and the
great part which, from their geographical
position, they are destined to play, at nc
distaut day, in the great commercial drama
that is being now enacted on the Pacific
coast; but would limit myself to stating
that for climate, soil, fertility, health, and
general prosperity, they hold out more than
ordinary inducements TO the emigrant.
The agricultural and grazing advantages
of this region do net alone give them their
only recommendations, but the newly dis
covered gold fields on the Fraser, Thomp-
son, Yakima, and Pend d'Oreiles rivers in
Washington Territory have already given
new -impetus to trade aud travel that
must soon pour into their laps dense popu.
lation.
With regard to the richness of these
mines, notwithstanding the many conflict.
ing opinions held in reference to them, |
can say, on the authority of men who have
been in and worked in them, that they
have averaged from FIVE to fifteen dollars
per day. But the first rush of emigration
to the mines was so great that, for the
want of proper preparations made for their
reception, there was much suffering on their
arrival, and, owing to the unsettled con-
ditiOn of Indian affairs, much danger was
to be apprehended on all the lines Of travel
thither. But, Notwithstanding these many
and serious disadvantages, sufficient in
themselves to diminish, if not deter, an emf.
grafton thither, not less than eighteen thou.
sand men visited these different mines du.
ring the past summer, and not less than
four thousand miners have determined to
winter in the mines, building their own
homes and there forming the nuclei of fu-
ture towns and settlements.
These things being the case, the only
question that arises is as to the best, cheap