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About Oregon spectator. (Oregon City, O.T. [i.e. Or.]) 1846-1855 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 1847)
K r f Tfyfrfi ftr.ttAA.w1 te Ant n....ht .rt inltit ,l.n tyinjiwit iu UIJJT llliuillri ll lll'Jl.w (IIIJ A7ntnrt.j immiurantHto travel ovorMiiu now route dur ing tlio wimo ynnr of iiH discovery. Lot the road bo thoroughly Niirvoyod und properly improved, before any iniJiiermentH nro pro. Rented to immigrants to undertake to travel over it. Hut in relation to " ZV opinion about the probability that a prauticublo and even tola, rably gwd route itmy bo discovered, leading from Malheur river in u westerly direction, following Crooked river to its mouth, thence striking the head waters of the river Santi nm, nnil thence leading into the Willamette valley, I fulliiml heartily concur. I have long been impressed with the opinion that a fcusihle route, uniting the two extreme points above mentioned, uoiihl ultimately be found. And this opinion has been strengthened by having received the eoneurrent "sentiment's of many of my fellow citi.'-nts who have endeavored to inform themselves upon this subject . j Those persons who traveled under the guidance of Mr. Meek in m.", tesiifv, that when at Silver Lake, tbe entire landscape lying south of them, presented an immense Hcope of level or gently undulating country, as fur as the vision of the eye could esten'd. There the entire company changed their course, and from thence truveled in nearly a northerly direction. After huving progress. ed in a northerly course during the space of three or fourduys, they came in contuct with ' some friendly Indiuns, who einleuvnred to dissuade them from the further prosecution of their northerly direction, und to persuade them to tukcu westerly course. The.se In dians assured them, tliut it was onlv five days' ride to .Mr. Lee's house. This Mr. Lee alluded to by them, was uiidoubKdly the late llev. Jason Lee, uho wus formerly superintendent of the .Mission alfuirs at Sa loin. They apparently munifesti d the strong est solicitude for the welfare of" the conipu ny, and endeuvored to impress upon the mindH of t the immigrants an idea of the cer tninty of their finally arriving at .Mr. Lee's house, if they would only take the direction Tirid trail which they pointed out. The prob. ability is, that this trail pointed out by these Indians, is thojono concerning which Copt. . J?4inoBMr !!., whwphn ,y.-,'. . uinll troj takes olF through the pra'iric, towards a low pint in the range, and perhaps thcro is hero a pass into the Willamette vr.llov." OREGON'lAN. For tlio Oregon Spectator. ROGUE RIVER VALLEY. Mr. Editor Through tho medium of your paper, I wish to address a few words to my fellow immigrantsf the present year, in regard to the most advantageous settlements now to be made in this country. Huving arrived at the end of our journey, and mudu temporary provisions for the comfort of our families, it is naturul we should now take a survey of this our udoptcd laud, und see how far it meets our expectations, and will rente dy tho evils and disadvantages which we hoped to obviate by the long journey. y coming hcrt; we were led to expect a hcalthior country, u milder climate, and by i the vicinity of tin ocean, greater facilities of commerce, and a better price for the pro-ducts-of lubor, than we enjoyed in the Uni ted States, and I think before setting our stakes upon a vacant spot, or " buying" out a former settler, we should first inquire how far such location will meet the objects for which wo left our homes in tho U. States. For my part, I am so fur without a claim, und in some respects, disappointed in my expecta tions of tho country. ThTrWtllu'metto vol ley, though the soil is apparently good, and tho country healthy, has not that "vernal beauty" I dxpected to find. "Tho green hills and flowery meads" havo given place to bleak mountains and frozen marshes, and instead of tho " milk and buttor and fat beef," said to bo abundant in tho valloy, I find tho farmers generally without theso lux uries, and instead of fut cattle, they serious ly apprehend losing their stock for want of food. Though this scarcity of grass is said to tiq uncommon, yet it is so this year, and may be -to again when tho country has a larger population, and tho greater number of animals inorcaso tho evil. But tho state of trade is a much moro discouraging sub. ject than even "tho nakedness of. thViund," Wheat mado perfectly cloan and of the beat quality, delivered on tho Willamette t! certain nointa below the mouth of tho Ifamhill. and on that rivnr near its mouth. l,v-.-- - - --" T-- ...- , &" . (s rcceivodin forrferbytho British and Amor. icau merchants for goods. Tho barter given by tho British, being considered tho best, is for tho imperial bushel, (a measure larger thun thun the American) they allow in goods, at an advan;o of 100 per cent, on tho cost, the sum of ()'.) cents ! ! and for other products of tho farm and dairy no regular price is fixed, as there is none as yet exported. Tho settlements already extend up tho Willumctto 100 miles ubovo tho highest twint at which merchants will rcceivo wheat, even at these ruinous rates; tlio river, if mudc navigable nt all, will be dangerous, und freights on it high at pn.scnt it is not attempted, und consequently the upper set tlers of the Willamette valley have no market for their produce, und must ever suf for a ruinous druwback from expensive trans portation. From this cause, I find there is no neces sity for those of the lu!o immigrunts who have the means to purchase, tukiug up infe rior cluirns, or sitting down upon buck scats, as the old settlers are generally discontent ed, und some of he best farms und most eli gible situations may be hud at very low pri ees. The "Sound" und the "south" up. peur to he the points of attraction, und to one or the other place the farmers of the Willumette are much more inclined to immi grate, thun to remain contentedly on their present location. If those who have by experience become acquainted with the udvuntages and disud vantages of tho country, are anxious to give up the h' t locations and remove elsewhere, it will be well for the newly arrived .immi grant to pause und exumine well the country before investing his money in improvement, or improving u claim, which u better ac quaintance with the country may make him anxious to leave. IJuget's Sound appears to offer the advan tage of a good harbor for shipping, and be yond this, is said to have few other attrac tions. The surrounding country is of small extent and inferior soil ; it receives no navi gable river, und is further burred from the interior by the Cascade mountains. Its'feori). merce v tist therefore be limited to the pro ducts ol the immediate vicinity. Tho ut most expectations of the settlers must bo lim ited to a trade in lumber to the Sandwich Islands, and the sale of fresh provisions to the shipping that may visit this port. I fcur few ships will hereafter visit this port, because, by the late treaty between Great Britan and the United States, the navi gation of the Sound remains free to both na tions forever, and without un artificial com muuicution with the interior, or with the U. States, the trade must be iusiguificent, und it is not to be supposed that the government of the United Stutes will so fur overlook its in terest as to construct railrouds or other ex pensive improvements for the benefit of our commercial rival. The southern point of the Sound is in about forty-seven, and the entrance of the Straits of Juan do Fuca in about forty eight and a half degrees north latitude. If the Willumctto valley so much south of it suffers occasionally from sevc,' frosts in tlio growing season, anl is covered ten inch in snow on a frozen surface in winter, as i ho cuse at present, it is but reasonable to sup pose thut country will be liable to tho samo evil and to much greater extent. From l'uget's Soup-' to the ocean, there is a crook cd chunuel. id in some respects u difficult navigation ofjieur 200 miles, and vessels are sometimes dVkrog beating up the Straits of Juun do Fuca and Admiralty Inlet, as in hailing from Cupo Flattery to the Sandwich Islands a steum tug may removo this diffi cuity, but the towing will cost money. While tho British havo numerous bays and harbors in Vancouver's Island, opening immediately on tho coast, und tho Americans havo access to Gray's Harbor and tho Co lumbia, it is not reasonable to suppose ves sels will loso the time, or incur tho exDcuse of visiting tho Sound"for a few bushels of jiuuiiui ur-umur urucies oiprovisions WHICH farmors, in despite tho poverty of tho soil and coldness of tho climato, may have to spare. I am partial to the " sunny south :" as I camo through tho southern rbuto.from Fort Hall, I passed through tho southern valleys of this Territory, and while not inforior in point of soil to tho Willamette, they bear ovideneo of a much moro genial climate boing the native land of tho vino and many fruit not foujnd in Ibis valley. . As we, though ch delayed in openintr tho road, arrived tho Rokuo rlvor vallov earlv in October. ith our animals in good condition, and with t little toss, I am satisfied that hereafter, migrants Irom tlio United States will reach t valley in tlio month of September. Of n vailoy, all who havo seen it, speak in the ghest praise. It is second in size only to Willamette ;l tho land, timber, and wa are well distributed for settlement : the zinir is superior and tho climato delight- 1. It being the(middh region, it is thought win not o sumeci io ine extreme wci oi e Willamette, or the occasional droiitlfc of of California. -1 havo also been informed by good author ity, that the open country runs down this riv er to the ocean, and that tho mouth is a good harbor for ships. If this be true, of which I have little doubt, as it has a fine country to back it, why will not claims near tho mouth of this river be valuable ? As it is not only tho most accessible, but tho nearest point on tho Pacific, what place in Oregon is more likely to bo the terminus of the great railroad from tho United States? .As there can bo no difficulty in shipping from the Columbia, provisions and all other necessary articles for the establishment of a settlement on tlite river, will it not be better for us to explore tho Rogue river to its mouth, und if we find the country, the land and the harbor of tho value it is represented, to form a company sufficiently strong for its settlement, rather than take up an outside or remote place, or give the little misfortunes have left us, for a farm in this valley which may not suit us ? (Kr A party will start for the United States by the southern route in March or April ; the opportunity will be favorable for us to go with them as far as Rogue river, and at once determine for ourselves and tho friends who may follow us. AN EMIGRANT. MARRIED At Oregon City, on tho 9th of Feb., 1847, by Rev.Gco.Gar-, Mr. PFTER H. HATCH to Mix S. C. LOCEY, all of this place. Accompanying thii notico came one of the pretl tiest, sweetest, richest, roundest little pound cakes we have seen or tasted, for many a day. We with the happy couple alt that can be desirable, and a lifetime lengthened hy the sweet enjoj incut of eonlcuL J. W. Nmmitiu Marc. A. Foac NESHITH k FORD, Atterner aael Counsellor at law, AND SOLICITORS IN CHANCERY, WILL practico in all the Courts of Oregon. Residence Rickreall valley. !Cr Iliwinww entrusted to either, will receive the nttpfitinn nf hntli. Rickreall, Feb. 5th, fB47. Iy2 Notice. ALL persons having demands against the sub scriber, will present them for settlement, as he niiri.tuH lenvitifr the countrv for a short time thoso finding the balnnce the other way, will oblige by sot- time tlio accounts as soon as possioie. J. G. CAMPBELL. Oregon City, Feb. I5th, 1847. It2 Administrator's Notice. NOTICE is hereby given, that the sulaciiber has been duly appointed Administrator of the estato of Zuchariah Hawkins, lato of the United States, deceased, emigrating to the territory ol urc gon, atiJ has taken upon himself that trust by giving bonds us the law directs, und all persons having de rounds upon the estate of the said Zachariah Haw kins, are required to exhibit the same, and all persons indebted to the said estate, aro called upon to make payment to THOMAS M. READ, 412 Administrator. Oregon Territory, Polk county, Jan. 6th, 1847. Prrm If. Buaxrrt? ' A. L. Lotsmt. BURNETT & LOVEJOY, Attorney! and Oonnienoxi tt $aw, And flollcltem la CluMKWrf, , WILL practice in civil cases la tho ereralCir cuit Courts in Oregon Territory, and fat !& Supreme Court at Oregon City. ' Jan. 1st, 1847. SStf Notice. THE Secretary of the Territory will be ready to test nnd seat all Measures that may be present ed to him, for that purpose, on and after tie 8th day of February present Oregon City, Feb. 4th, 1647. 3tl FREDERICK PRIG 0, Secretary. Caatlea. THE SUBSCRIBER would hereby caution alt persons against receiving a Note of hand given by me sometime towards the last of November, lfidG, In favor of J. C. Avery or bearer, due on the first of Jan. 1847, to tho amount of fifty-two dollar., as I have never received any'Valno for said note, and shall therefore not pay the sum expressed upon the . face of said Note. WILLIAM WHEELER. Jan. 9th, 1847. 3t26. Tavern and Tannery. NOTICE is hereby given to the citizens of Oregon, that the undersigned is now occupy ing the stand formerly kept by Mulky, on the west side of the river, and hopes to give general satis faction to all who may call on him. Term Ready pay, 25 cents per meaL Price for horse over night, 75 cents. All kinds of produce will be received for tho same. Also, Hide which lie will reerise .asdUn on shares. Places of deposit Joseph McLoughlin, near the nvt.h of Yamhill river, and at the Tannery, also, at my Tavern Hand. ' C. D. SMITH. Linn City, April 30, 18467tf. Farm for Sale. The subscriber oners his valuable claim, in Tualaty plains, for sale. There are on tho claim eu acres in cuuivnuon, unoer i fence, with a log-cabin thereon, nnd also timber for a framed dwelling and bam, a quantity of shingles, &c. Persons wishing to purchase a good farm, will do well to visit the above, as it will be sold on good terms. VA. Ai-4knnHif.,ilnni. inmiln of Wm. Burrows on the adjoining claim, or of the subscriber, at Portland. Mayaa, itHb-au yw T New Arnutgeaieat- HK niutjmornnl will famish the best I i.m .. ...... tm dauon in bis power, to, bow mam sj su ii and will charge nothing at 4slwiil expert Pbrnalleasesv .ft sr mm iw m mssamj V H SITnn t ft, mnn ftrrin sraisTsif fit for Horses, or payment of outstanding acoeonai. Willamette Falls, Nor. 26, 1846. aatf. Wagon and Cart Tire. BAR IRON, suitable for Wagon and Carl Tire, assorted sizes, for sale at the Brick Store, Ore gon City. Oct 15, 184C. 19tf PORTLAND TANNERY. THIN establishment is situated in the midst of plenty of hemlock, the only good tanbark which can bo procured in the Territory in sufficient quantity to succeed well iu tanning. The subscriber is now en larging his yard and has on hand, and will continue to manufacture at tho shortest notice, SHOES, SOLE, UPPER, AND HARNESS LEATHER. He will receive any quantity of HIDES delivered at the yard, or at either of the following stand., vit.j Caleb Wilkins, on the east side of Tualitln Plains : Joseph Gales, on the west side of the samo! ; Eli Perkins, near the falls of Yamhill river; Mr. Matheny, ut his ferry on tho Willamette; James WhiteV at his ferry opposite to Salem ; and Mr. Bennet, on his) boat any where be tween Salem and Oregon City aW for which he wilt . Mhru.. T(iir. nr Htora nav-Xor tan for custom ers, one half for the other, and wtutaJhe leather of the same when finished, to the stands where the Hideo were received. Being ready to wow id sunnus as soon as they are received, all who have Hides will do well to send in immediately, at the leather thould come out early for the next Fall D. H. LOWN8DALE. PorttoBd, Feb. 18th, 1847: - v 5t3 JT. B. IttcClurg & Co. SJEHHP fflEAiJHDIM8B, GENERAL AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS. J AES B. McCLURG, 1 Hovo.nu Oaiiu ALEXANDER G. ABELL, 1.5 HENRY CHEVER, Sahdwicu Island. Nov. 12, 1846. Sltf Farm For Sale. THE SUBSCRIBER offers for sale his valuable country seat, about seven miles above Oregon City, near the Willamette,, in llakers prnine. 1 ncro arc over three hundred acre of prairie, and one hun dred ready for cultivation, surrounded with good fence. Upon the Twrn is a good log house, 20 by 30 feet, a well of good water, being woll calculated by nature for raising cattle orsheeu. LOTS. FIVE TOWN LOTS in Oregon City, with buildings on them that pay a rent of $20 per month. Also, his interest in tho undisposed Town Lots in Clackamas City. Any persons wishing to purchase property of this kind, may do welt to call on the Subscriber on Water Street If any person wishes to pay specie, I will make a discount of fifty per cent A. HUSTED. Oregon City, Jan. 7, 1847: 25tf Prime Ohenook Salmon. OR SALE 40 Barrels Prime Cheaook Sal mon Terms, Cash or Wheat delivered at the Bute Granary, or at Oregon City. Inquire atrt&e Store of . JNO. II. COUCH. Oregon City, Jan. 7, 1847. gtf Notice. THE undersigned have this day fortaed part nership for the transaction of General Commis sion Business at Oregon City and Portland, under the. name and etyle of F.V. Hpgm J- A V WlfJUlN. DAVID McLOUGHLIX.U, Oreroa City, Nov. 10th, 1846. . t rP&S WAGON AND CART BOXW, 'is"i the Brick Store, Oregon CUytl y taiijtli- h Oct. 16, 1848. ... ;ykt F .$ iWtii At n ji -A 1 1 ',- i'S . "Ttt Ju& JH