bo convinced that it is not chimerical, it is
not exaggerated, but that it is iinpossiblo to
half estimate its result.
I ask who cuii oppose it? No mnn's
Tights to be abridged ? No man's taxes in
creased, and not even one cent asked for
from any man. All I ask is that which
is now a great part of it useless, and
over must be without this road ; and I
do not ask that without pay in money, for the
wholo cost of the road is to be expended for
materials and labor, and tho products of
ilio. earth to sustain the labor among,
and paid over to tho people, to whom tho .
lands belong, i noiign n (iocs not go mm
the treasury of the United Stales, it goes into
the pockets of tho people, directly to whom
that treasury belongs, and i sum too, more
than double of that which will he received
for the same lands in any other way. I call
on you, and upon all to examine and inves.
tigatc this subject, and to support me in it, so
far as I am right, and no farther; it is to
tin nrnss I look for aid and sunnort in brinu-
inn this subject fullv before the people.
It is not a political question, it is not sec
tional, it is one in which nil parties can art,
and all interests be benefitted ; it is no stock
jobbing or gambling scheme, there being no
company to manage it ; no stock to specu.
late upon ; no one can be deceived or di -frauded.
And the only question seems to
be, do we want such a road ? Is it desira
bio ? Will it be a national benefit, and will
not tho whole world be benefitted by it ? It
appears to mo that these questions cannot be
answered but in the affirmative. I believe
that the whole human family are to be bene,
fitted by this road, the ignorant enlightened,
tho destitute raised to industry, comfort, use.
fulness and virtue and who can say nay ?
If I cannot from the lands build the road,
tho people still have the lands, they do not
Eart with one inch, that is not applied to it,
ut if I build the road, then they gain nil I
have promised yea, far more.
I shall remain here a few days, then pass
through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and l'cnnsyl
vania, and hope to be in New York by the
middle of next month, when I will give in
person more full particulars of my exploration.
- Immediate action is necessary ; this ones.
ject must be decided by next Congress the
i- r. l,n Intro tn tlm At is!inni nre
IUI1US iiuiii iiiu - - rr --
fast being taken up, and will soon be isi
mitMi ne to defeat the obiret. Iowa rtiul
Wisconsin will soon be made States, which
will bo an objection. Oregon, so much in
terested in, and so entirely dependent upon,
this road for its membership of. nnd connec
tion with our government, calls for nction.
Truly yours, A. WHITNEY.
Exercises in Grammar. A country
schoolmaster summoned his grammar class
to parse tho sentence, " there is a bullfrog
snoring in the pond." "Jemmy," Miid tho
pedagogue, with a brow as severe as that of
Juniter Tonans, "Jemmy, parse the word
Imlfrog." " BulLfrog is a noun"- '-ut here
Jcmmv stuck fast. " What kind of a noun ?"
demanded the knight of tho ratan. "A
bloody noun, sir," innocently replied the ju
venilo grammarian.
(Kr Bernadottc, King of Sweden, speak
ing of his own warliko disposition and ap
pearance, once remarked, that whenever ho
looked in the glass ho was afraid of himself.
Thoro are many who are afraid to look in
tho gloss, not so much on account of their
warlike, as their particularly ugly appear
ance. Anger. It is a passion fitter for flies and
insects, than for persons professing nobleness
and bounty. It is troublesome, not only to
those that suffer it, but to those that behold it.
BvWBHlH
THE SPECTATOR.
Orvuoii City, February IN, 1S-I7.
oro. i ctmav, editor x. w. coi.wklv, n
H.
O The iark Toulon ami tho schooner Cadbo-
krough crowed the bar and went out to sea on tho lfcth
ultimo.
To CoR.rtrsrnNiir.vrs. Our correspondent 'J. II. P.
is informed ilmt wo were k unfortunate a to lose his
last letter, und the one previously received, containing
with other poem, nil unpublished one, entitled, " To
one I Love." lie will do us the favor to forward an
other cony.
' V. h. V.' was received too late for insertion in this
number.
' W. T. N.' if inadmissible.
We have received a communication in relation to
the iin.-iiigrniit und the houtheru route, the publication
'-which, in cotwcpienceof its length, has been nee-
fwurily put on file for our next.
Acrvici by " Nedgo," shall ap)car in our ne.xt.
Thcv were received too lalo for insertion this week.
ITT The publication of all the enactments of the
last session of the Legislature, i concluded in this
number of the Spectator.
Grvtifyimi. We have received a gratifying in
crease to our sub.-criplion lit for the new year, from
Vancouver county : our friends in that section will ac
cept our acknou ledments for the zeal they have man
ifested in behalf of the Spectator.
Srtiiir.N Dkvtii. A correspondent informs us that
.Mr. John Ilorrczan, commonly called Paddy Roland,
ivu found dead in his bed, in Champoeg, on the
morning of the Kith iut. The verdirt of the Coroner's
inquest wa.s, death occasioned by intoxication. Wc
regret to state that tho deceased has left u wife and
four.cluldrcn, helplers and honnliM. This is the first
death that wc have heard of in Oregon, from such a
cause ; let it sulTicu uu n warning to other.
cause ; let it sullicu uu u warning to oil
' . Puntim:. .Mr. Paul Kane, a Cnnai
(Kr The two most precious things on this
nido of tho grave, are reputation and life.
But it is to be lamented that a eomtomptible
whisper may deprive u. of tho one, and the
weakest weapon of the other.
0r "Does smoking offend you ?" said a
landlord to his newly arrived boarder. " Not
at all, sir." "I'm very glad to hear it, as
you will find your chimney fire constantly
given to tho practico."
Otr "Let us lay no temptation jn tho
path of youth," as the frog said when he
popped his head under water on fleeing a
poy pick pp a stone. K-ehvg !
nadian gentleman,
has been in our city recently, engaged in putting upon
canvas, some of the interesting scentry of our locality.
He is an artist of great merit, and has made, several
faithful and beautiful pictures of this city and the
Falls. His pjiutings ure in oil colors, cxrcmcly at
tractive and strikingly correct. W understand that
it is Mr. Kane's intention, during a 'ojouni of several
months, to touch with the magic of his elegant art,
various points of the wild and sublime scenery of Ore
gon, and on his return to the States, to publish the re
sults of his labor. Our counlrjmcu on the eastern
slojx) of the itocky mountains, entertain imperfect no
tions, doubtless, of the uppearunce of Oregon and its
settlements, but we can assure them that in the
achievements of .Mr. Kane, they may behold correct
delineations of the country.
Eiiltation. l'uhlie Schools. Wo have received
a letter from the Itev. J. S. Griffin, containing the
very gratifying information of tho orgunirution of the
citizens of Tualitin Plains, for purjKwes of education.
A board of trustees was established, of which, Mr,
Griflin is secretary, " empowered with the responsibili
ties of securing approved teachers, importing from
time to time, all necessary books, embracing late Im
provements in teaching, and as the agents of the peo
ple, to tuko such general superintendence of matters
as will be best calculated to secure tho permanency,
utility, und prosperity of school ojicrations." These
trustees aro to hold their office for one year, and it was
made " their duty to call meetings of the school com
munity, near the close of the year," for the purpose of
of reorganizing said board of trustees, and to call
other general meetings for counsel and instruction, as
occasion may require. It was likewise made tho du
ty of the secretary, In addition to tho usual duties of
such an officer, " to muke such importation of books,
stationary, and school appaiatus us the board hall
order."
We are glad to notice this movement that has taken
place in Tualitin county, and sincerely hop that it
may be followed by similar action in other Motions of
our Territory. "Tho Oregon Printing Association"
have published a large edition of the Elementary
Spelling L'ook, which may be obtained at a very low
price, which will render material aid to such laudable
endeavors. Let tho seeds of knowledge be sown
broadcast throughout the land, and wa shall ever have
a vigorous, industrious asd happy population.
JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES
ITS EXTENSION OVKR UNRUON.
An extension of the jurisdiction of tho United
Slates over this country has been long and most do
voutly desired by ever)' American within it limits.
Theitf wp of the settlement of our boundary question
seemed to promise us nu immrdmto gratification of our
I hopes, und evur since the reception of this news have
1 we been looking forwunl anxiously fur the consiimmii-
tion of our wishes, expecting mid expecting, till we
are now utmost heart-sick with disapsiiiitiucnl. What (
is tho policy of our Government I What is her inten
tion Why hus she. not given her peoplo 'hi the far-1
ofl' wilderness, tho protection of her grcut uulhoritv
Ilmt protection so long and unaeronntably withheld '
These and similar questions are dail) propounded by
our citizens without satisfactory reply.
In tho histories of countries we can find no paral
lel to that of Oregon ; rapid m Us growth, mature in
its development, mixed in itsiiopulation, circumstances
have con-pired to render ils history peculiar and inter
esting. Years without government or law of any
kind, except the law of love inherent in the hu
man heart, its industrious inhabitants still iH-acrfull)
labored uu, although one of the great brunches of in
, terprise was entirely cut oil' at that -noil, from the
I American trade, by a (powerful iiioiiiniI). Time
brought change and the necessity of hum.in govern
ment nnd law. Henee originated the social compact
and provisional government under which we now live,
with that anomaly of nn oath tu which all of our ex
ecutive officers are obliged to subscribe, as follows:
.1 " I do solemly swear that I will Mippurl.thr rg "'
Laws of I ho. provisional government of Oregon, hi
far as said Orguuic Laws are consistent with in) du
ties us a citizen of the United Mutes, or a subject ol
Great llntain, and faithful!) demean in self in office.
So help me God."
Notwithstanding the iuiperfcriioai of thi govern
ment, thus far it has been faithfully observed, which
redounds to the honor of our citizens. The intrii-e
anxiety with which the government is looked for.
which uu extension of the laws of the I'mird Slates i
will give us, at present atmot absorbs every oilier con-
sideration. It is wished for, prayed for, daily and
iiirvlilW' n4 it rfMiiptle fnr litnri'iiNtnt' frnrvallrm mid '
........... -j - ... .. !
the grand means of tx-rmameut prosperity. It would
i give miH)rtaneu und churarter to Ihe country fresh
impulse to trudc and the various branches of nidn-trj. i
and satisfy the public mind uniii the subject nf land '
claims. In short, it would do so much good, that we
nrn vtvpil In lliililc tlinttlin limp, hvpii U'litn ui sllllll
have it is uncertain, in consequence of the short-
sighted policy which seems to control the actions of
the general Government. Wc will have news very
soon, however, that will uflbrd us clearer and more
certain information in relation totlus subject, we hope ;
though, in the mean time, we may be coniiellcd to
tax our patience greatlj, still, let us trust our expecta
tions will be abundantly gratified.
Wamiisoton's IIihtii Day. The anniversary of
Washington's birth day occurs on .Monday next ; it
would bo a happy occasion for the exhibition of u little
patriotic feeling in Oregon. Let us commemorate it
in a manner that will testify the high ress ct and pro
found reverence we entertain for the memory of the
Father of Ins country.
Illustrious spirit of the reverenced dead,
Freedom's blest refuge when sweet hope seemed (ltd.
When Mercy ravished, her meek power defied,
And foul Oppression ruled in bloody pride ;
When impious men broke Justice's high lawr,
And Virtue mourned her violated cause ;
When fair Columbia tottered to her full,
War's sulphurous canopy her threatened pall ;
When Kuiu wildly held supreme her sway,
And fierce Destruction clamored for his prey ;
I God smiled in goodness on the wounded earth,
And raised thee, armed invincible in worth !
, Man's noble champion Glory's chosen son !
Our country's matchless chieftain Godlike Washing
ton i
Farhkr's Mrktino. Wo ore informed that an
adjourned meeting of the farmers of Tualitin county, ,
for tho purpose of determining upon the best mode of i
disposing of their productions, which was numerously i
attended, resulted highly v satisfactory to all con-1
cerned. Wo understand that the conclusion arrived
at was adverse to the formation of u chartered com
pany. A committee was appointed to select some
competent person in Oregon City, to act aa agent for
each and all, In the shipment of their produce and the
importation of such goods as may be desired by them.
The full proceedings of the meeting will be published
in the next Spectator.
ExriaiNO Partt. Quite a number of onr citi
tens are preparing to leave for Puget's Sound in tho
ensuing Spring, some for the puqwao of exploration.
A friend suggests the propriety of a union of effort,
with thb object of thoroughly exploring the country
lying between the Sound and Wallawalla, and estab
lishing permament settlement in that section, if prac
ticable. Tba Wea is worthy of coasidsnUoa.
For tho Oregon Spectator.
NEW ROADS TO OREGON. No. 1.
Mu. I'iMToii III the lust twonumlmrsoftho
Oregon .Spectator, I have perused with Mimo
attention and interest, two coinmunicaiionn
over the signature of " Z," the writer of
which, I think, in the main, is entitled to
some credit ; but when this mead is granted,
I think it does nut altogether shield him from
theelmrgnnf erruhility. Mis object ill view
appears eoiiiuienilalile und that is, (lie dis
covery of the nearust, best, nnd most feasi
ble wugon route from the United Slates to
Oregon. Hut in relation to.thc approprintn
manner of accomplishing thrs object, jiidg
ing from his published articles, doubtless ho
and mvself would materially diller. I can
not eli'ectunlly persuade myself that thesiir
est mid most successful method of obtaining
an improved and tolerably good road to Ore
gon, is to (juote it page or twu from Mr.
Fremont's journal, (a man who always trav
eled with pack animals.) where he has de
scribed some parts of the old road as almost
impassable, nnd who did not accompany
miioiis over any portion of the road : n itlier
can I persiiade'iiiN self that it is t onsiimmati'
wisdom to disparage and underrate the old
road so excessively as this writer has done,
until a better one can be found. ' Praise
the hridue that carries you safely over," is
nu old adiijie. and worthy of consideration in
this case; for thousand of immtanutH now
resident in the WillmitMIe valley, have Imen
sttfelv earned over this old road, anil that
too, when various attempts have been made
in obtain a nearer and better route, but with
out success, ,fc
' '. " sitvs that "a considerable sum vurV
raised by subscription for Mr. Harlow's ben
elit." to enalib him to complete his rond.
I understand, Irom an authentic source, that
Mr. Hailuw has receiv, d lite enormous sum
of thirty dollars mi this subscription for open,
hit! and improvinu this L'l'eat thoroughfare
The writer of the article under review ufs
says, that after some little improvements up
on the road, "no nitv.criil improvement.!
upon the around can hereafter be ellected."
I would be verv irlad to be informed by this
sage writer, why improvements cann t be as
teailiU mu tborotiL'lilv cH'ccted utsm the
I, . .!... VIM .... .. '
oiu route, us upon iiny uuiit. i muii -
u ill discover a shorter, better, and more?
t practicable road, which will admit of " ma-
terial improvement," than the old one. ami
' Mr. Harlow's, then will I advocate his claims
... ...... .,-..-.. ... .
to a share out of the enormous sum which was
raised by subscription for .Mr. Harlows ben
efit ;" but until this is accomplished, I think
.Mr. Harlow is entitled ull the profits arising
from this subscription, nnd in addition to this,
a considerable amount of approbation and
credit, for the victory he has achieved in
finding a wagon road leading into the Wil
iumcttc valley.
Hy the foregoing remarks, I would not
wish to be understood as diseouragiiiL' any
laudable attempt to discover and i .xplorc a
nearer, safer, and better rond than the old
fine : on the contrary. I am decidedly a siren
uoiis advocate for continued and unremitted
explorations of the various portions of the
country, where there is any possible chance
for a passable rond, until nnerjiiivncal evi
denee shall be adduced, that tiie best nnd
most desirable route t hut ever can bn asccr
tained lending to Oregon, has been discover
ed. I cannot fully acquiesce in the senti
ment warmly expressed by some persons,
that becaus" a larce amount of suffering
and many deaths have been occasioned by
Mr. Aleck's attempted cut-off in 18-lJi, and"
by Mr. Applegato and his associates attempt
ing to bring a part of the immigration
of 1810 over the southern route into tho
Willumette valley, therefore all attempts at
discovering and improving any now routes,
should hereafter forever cease. For it must
be confessed by all, that comparatively littlo
hicKncss anu KUiienng irom extreme expo
sure, anu out low (leainsuavcuccurruu ujiuu
tho old routo. But in all new countries, time,
perseverance und repeated attempts at ex
ploration and discovery, alone can accomplish
tho great object of asccrtaing tho preferable
and most practicable routo for a road. And
tho American peoplo aro peculiarly noted
for this species of enterprise. Tho peculiar
situation of this country undoubtedly re
quires several different roads terminating at
various points for tho convenience of future
immignnts, nnd tho inhabitants generally..
Rut whilo 1 would strongly advocate tho dis.
covery of now routes, I would wish it to be
distinctly understood, that I am positively
" im
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