Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-14

'AtENfi jan - if'-s
De1r Fse Pros
Loyal citizens in New England and Oregon
alike, have interest in, aud anxiety about, this
rebellion. But think that We are perhaps more
troubled AMI anxious than you The nows we get is
what to believe-snd are Hever able 20 form any
certain judgment upon which to found TN assured
hope as to the result. l believe that certainty
that the South would secure their indepead nee,
would be less hsrassing than he present uncer-
tainty. But let US all beware of being Influenced
in our action by such feelings. We have been Of
late veIed with rumors Of English interference.
Probably we here should soon feel the exercise of
her power, for we exposed to any assault
which she might be disposed to make. Still,
doubt II the nation, as a whole, was ever better
prepared TO wage a war than now, and instead Of
Oregon becoming British, her new province Of
Columbia might become American.
1t is almost pity, by the way. that President
Polk did not stick to that maxim, " 81 49, or
fight" We should haze thus secured great sec
tiOn that seems to belong to the Columbia River
vail ey, viz the valleys Of the Frazcrs and Thomp-
sons Rivers. These valleys, with the country on
the Pacific Coast West Of them, cover an area Of
$50 miles from North to South, and $50 miles
from East to West, and containing 200, 900 square
miles. The soil and climate is hardly if any in
ferior to Central Northern Great Britain, while
the rich gold rivers will soon bring large popu-
lation there. The English government ia alive to
the richness Of these possessions and would hardly
like to lose them-a. she will probably do if she
the Eastern portion Of this State and in Washing
ton territory, are amazing. These mines have
never been surpassed in richness any uS,re, while
the extent Of country on which the gold has been
found, and the accessibility Of the country. makes
them particularly attractive.
The consequences whieh are to follow these dis
coveries, fill melville there Is mors or less un-
Certainty as to the exact form these consequences
will take with sort of awe, as l anticipate
them Such rush Of men has rarely been seen
as viii axe place next Summer. Tens Of thou
sands Of miners will leave California alone Almost
all the male population will leave western Oregon,
while as rumor exaggerates the reports,-Whioh
it can hardly do-in their progress Eastward, tens
Of Thousands will start for the de stinstion.
I say ruuor can hardly exsggeFIte. Three Of
my townsmen have a claim that pays 500 pei
| day to the hand; $1,000, and more have been Ia
ken out in a day in particular cases. During the
Winter aud through deep snow, on the mountaiI
passes, men are starting for the mines. could
give you many facts if it were worth while. Mer
can earn from SIS TO sc per day with board, L,
| hired hands, in the mines which have been thor
oughiy tested during tho past Summer, but which
have been almost deserted for the richer prospect
in the Salmon river. These latter mines ar
about 100 miles east Of tho mouth of the Col
umbia River. A direct consequence oftheso dis
eoveries is perhaps to bc greater than they-th
growth Of great commerce direct with the Col
umbia River, and the influx, in consequence 0
this, Of large population of buliness men an
farmers. We shall soon sec a great change in tb
face of society, and Of these beautiful plains an
valleys of Western Oregon. The development Q
California has not been 60 rapid will be that G
the valleys of the Columbia
Yours. :.