, 1861-12-20
Letter from Portland.

PORTLAND Dec. Is, 1861.
MEssRs. EDIToRs-Through the kindness of a
friend, have been able to get hold Of copy of
your paper. How you came to miss sending me
a copy directly, considering that it circulates SO
extensively about town, is more than can mag-
inc. However, 1 suppose you did not wish to be
put in the list of bummers" for newspapers. by
adopting impertnent means for its circulation,
and | will excuse you provided you place my
name on your books and send the paper to my
address hereafter. like tie appearance of the
Statesman very much, and if its auspicious COM
mencement is fair criterion by which to correctly
Judge its future, am satisfied you will be enabled
to make a good paper-such an one as will be
read with interest at least by all your subscribers
at this place. You may permit an old friend to
express the hope, in common with that of many
friends in this city, that you may meet with the
best of success in the newspaper business. The
people of your section will certainly stand by you,
inasmuch as by contributing to your efforts to
make good paper, they will do something to
benefit themselves also.
We have had severe times here of late and in
deed have not been able as vet to estimate the
extent of the damage done by the great food. 1t
is thought by the old residents that the water has
never been high before, and it is certain that it
has never before been the cause of so great loss
of property and life. From as high up the river
as we have been able to learn anything, the facl-
tiles of communication having been cut off by the
high water, the food has done its devastating
ri e n,
on the river and small streams, residences in too
close proximity to the stream, or situated on low
grounds, have been lifted irresistably from their
foundations, and swept away by the swelling wa
ters. Portland has suffered immense damages,
but | suppose nothing in comparison to places
situated higher up on the river. Most of the
splendid wharves which had Just been completed,
and others in progress, will have to be rebuilt /;
and fe~- it will require long time to repair the
damages done even mere. notice by rne repo.>,
of committee appointed to estimate the damage
done to Oregon City, not including the loss caused
by the removal of goods, etc., that the sum has
been set down at $4,000, which is a very great
loss to town of that size, but think the figures
are not too high. You will no doubt get the full
particulars through the papers, and / will not
trespass by repeating them in detail. The losses
sustained will be confined mostly to business firms,
and will not affect the farmers materially, except
ing those situated on the river. Just at the time
of our seeming prosperity, an unforeseen cloud
darkens the picture and temporarily suspends the
hour of our general rejoicing. This will be nearly
as great hindrance to our progress as the non
payment of our war debt.
Aside from the engrossing topic of the flood,
there is not much news in town. The water is
falling, and We expect that the mails will soon be
regular again. The first mail we have had for
twelve days from the South, came down yester-
day. The steamer Cortes is in, but brings no
very important news.
Yours truly, p BIS.