X
'4t2
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, POBTLAOT, DECEMBER 18, 190-1.
Encouraging Emigration to Oregon in 1831
Its Advantages, as Set Forth by the Boston Society, in 1
a Circular That Has a Place in National History.
By sood fortune- and the pajiireat
of a biff price, a prominent Oregon
plostrer, a resident of Portland, came
Into possession of an original copy of
thr first publication that called at
tention to Orcjroa Territory a a desir
able country tor settlers. Only three
or four copies are In existence. The
circular is here republished In full,
together -with facsimiles of the title
page, a page of the text, a map of
Oreicon Territory, and of the East Side
of Portland. These reproductions are
rtll worth preserving by those who
are Interested In the history of the
Pacific Northwest.
It has been for many years in serious
contemplation to settle with a free and
enlightened, but redundant population
from the American Republic, that por
tion of her territory called Oregon, bor
dering on the Pacific Ocean, and laying
between the 42d and 49th parallels of
X. latitude.
The American Society, instituted at
Boston. Mass., for this purpose, would
hereby respectfully advise the friends of
the settlement of that .country, relative
to its physical character, its resources
and adantages over all other uncultivat
ed countries for the occupancy and pros
perity of a civilized and active people;
and present to them a general view of
the plan of operations; and likewise the
means, by which persons of good char
acter may secure a participation in the
enjoyments and blessings of the most
pleasant and healthful part of the globe.
The countrj' is represented, by the con
current testimony of those who have ex
plored it, to be in general uneven; nev
ertheless, a large proportion of the terri
tory within 200 miles of the ocean is ac
counted feasible farming land, and ex
tremely fertile, remarkably mild in cli
mate, so much so that the Ice was never
known to be entirely formed over the
large bays and rivers; nor the frost in
the severest days of the Winter to stop
the progress of vegetation on the bottom
lands.
Mr. Pllcher. in a recent communication
made to Congress, through the Hon. J. H.
Baton. Secretary of "War. remarks that
in 1620 he visited the Columbia River,
and "found the mildness of the seasons
infinitoly gleater than In the correspond
ing latitudes and elevations In the valley
of the Mississippi, or in the Atlantic
States. The Winters are less cold and
the Summers less hot As a proof of this,
may be mentioned, the state of the grass,
which is green and juicy nearly all Win
ter, affording excellent pasture for
horses, on which those animals not' 'only
sustain themselves, but the poor and lean
get in good order." 'The section of the
countrj' called by him, the middle re
gions or plains, he says "is remarkable,
for a mild climate, a clear sky, a serene
atmosphere, and a soft and brilliant sun
shine. The nights, when the moon is
near full and the hemisphere studded
over with stars, are Indescribably beau
tiful. The tide water region has a cli
mate of its own. Ice or snow Is seldom
seen; the heats are never great; and Win
ter is hardly a distinct season."
For a particular account of the natural
geography of the countrj", of its soil, cli
mate, productions, aborigines, etc, the
narrow limits of this work oblige a refer
ence to a pamphlet, published by Hall J.
Kelley. A. M.
The project of opening the Oregon coun
trj to the overflowing inhabitants of the
"United States, is not visionary. Its vo
taries "are not mad. most noble Misan
thrope, but speak forth the woTds of
truth and soberness." Ib Is full of reali
ties and interest to every man; and hu
manlty requires the truth to be fearlesly
told. It gives the philanthropist full
scope, for the exercise of the best feelings
of his heart. It furnishes him the work
of patriotism, and active benevolence;
and in the succes of his labors, he may
witness the melioration of the hard con
ditions of thousands of his fellow citi
zens, and the prosperity and elory of his
country.
Right of Settling.
The title to the Oregon territory, and
the exclusive right of occupancy, yet re
mains vested In the aborigines. The be
nevolent work of enlightening and civil
izing that rude and suffering people, is a
prerogative of sovereignty, belonging to
the nation which may have first discov
ered their wants, and possess the means
of giving them the conveniences and
comforts of refined society, and such
concomitant benefits, as diversify and
adorn human life.
It is evidently the intention of the God
of Nature, that the white man and the
Indian should have a common and mu
tual right to occupj the earth, to use its
productions, .and profit by the blessings
of society; and that individuals, who
mostly share in the favors of Providence,
should be most "ready to communicate"
tf the good, to his neighbors. This com
GENERAL
TO
PERSONS OF GOOD CHARACTER,
WHO WISH
TO
ORmoN thrrttoh y.
SlfBRACIKG SOME ACCOUNT PF THE CHARACTER AND
ADVANTAGES OF THE COUNTRY ; THE RIGHT
AND THE MEANS AND OPERATIONS IV
WHICH IT IS TO BE SETTLED;
' AND
hh NECESSARY DIRECTIONS FOR BECOMING
dUY EJfHGRJZJYT
BT ORDER OF THE AMERICAN
(b SETTLEMENT of tb
IKTITUT1D IN BOSTON, A. D, 182t.
CHARLESTOWN:
MI-fTZB ST -1TIZ.X.IXX w. axfeiLBoi'.
X. T. k. C. WILLI ASiSJfblTOJ.
lSSU
TITLE PAGE OF THE CIRCULAR.
mon law of our nature, this common con
cern of mankind. Is no less imperious, in
Its obligations, "on nations than Indi
viduals. These few pages do not admit of a dis
cussion of this question; nor is it neces
sarj since from an Investigation of facts,
on other occasions, it has been so clearly
deduced, that the duty of protecting the
rights and of cherishing and sustaining
the interests of the Oregon Indians, de
volves on the American Nation; and con
sequently in her is the right of sovcr-cigntj-.
The import of this word is some
times misunderstood. It Is mistaken for
government or jurisdiction Itself; whereas
it is only a right, which one country has
In preference to another, to establish a
government, territorial, colonial or any
other. It is a matter ot deep regret that
the United States have not exercised
this right of extending jurisdiction over
the territory In question, and of putting
up barriers against the extension of
British jurisdiction.
The right claimed by our citizens to
settle is Identified among their many
privileges, as social beings, of doing acts,
within the precincts of a rightful sover
eignty, not repugnant to the principles or
justice and equality, and the laws of
the countrj. The establishment of a ju
risdiction by the English, west of the
Rockly fountains being a nullity; and
the United States having enacted no
statute, for the benefit of the inhabitants
of either color, in that country, there Is
no Justly constituted jurisdiction. It,
therefore, follows that settlers, in the
pursuit of their proper and laudable
business, violate no law or right of the
Government of the "United States.
Resources of the Country.
The natural advantages of the country,
fpr trade and commerce, foreign, inter
nal and coastwise, are paramount to
those found in other parts of America.
The confluence of the many navigable
rivers, opening into, and beautifying
every section of the countrj. forms the
grand river Colombia, whose gentle wa
ters may be traversed by ,large vessels.
200 miles. from the sea; whoso either bank
affords inlets safe and commodious for
harbors. Nature furnishes many clear
indications that the mouth of this far-,
spreading and noble river is soon to be
come the commercial part of that hemi
sphere, the great business place of na
tions. Interchanging the commodities and
productions of Western America and the
Bast Indies.
Much of the countrj' within 200 miles
of the ocean is favorabJe to cultivation.
The valley of the Multnomah Is partlcu
larlj' so, being extremolj fertile. The
advantages, gencrallj. for acquiring
propertj are paramount to those on the
prairies of the West, or in any other
part of the world. In relation to this last
point, the following fact evinces more
than a hundred doubtful conjectures.
The Oregon is covered with heavy forests
of timber, and within the distance of a
coasting tradel boards bring from 550 to
$90 per 10C0, and such is the market that
no considerable reductions of these prices
can ever be reasonably' expected. The
production of vegetables, grain and cat
tle, will require comparatively- but little
labor; these articles, together with the
spontaneous growth of the soli, and the
fruits of laborious Industry, in general,
will find a market, at home, and there
by comfort and enrich the settlers. Sur
plus staple articles may be shipped from
their doors to distant ports, and return
a vast profit in trade. Lumber, ship
timber, etc, may be sent to tho western
coast of South America, the islands In
the Pacific; breadstuffs, furs, salmon and
many articles of domestic manufactures,
to the Bast Indies.
It is the circumstances of a good home
market, that gives anj country Its great
est value, and must give the Oregon
country Immense advantages for settle
ment; advantages unknown in the West
ern States, whose market are as remote
as the shores of the Atlantic. It is not
the consideration of good land alone that
justifies the occupancy of a country dis
tant from the sea coast, for with its
abundant productions, it may yield but
few of the comforts and conveniences of
life. For instance, a champaign country,
with a clayey soil, causes an unhealthful
atmosphere; and In the proportion of its
approximation to a vertical sun, yields
sickness and death, -q
The want of value to the farmer's sur
plus produce is his povertj; and has
made shipwreck of the fortunes of
thousands, who have settled in Ohio. In
diana, etc. This remark Is made under
the Influence of no motive, which does
not regard alike the interest of every
citizen of the Republic.
Incalculable are the advantages, which
agriculture, commerceand manufactures
in this country, will derive from .the per
ennial resource of a trade with, the Ore
gon settlement. The staple commodities
of the South, manufacturer in the North,
and then exchanged in the great market
of the Oregon, will better promote the
three common Interests of the states than
any sjstem of Imposts or revenue duties,
which a wise and patriotic people can
adopt. Commerce spreading more can
vasssailing Into new and broader seas
visiting distant shores of Inexhaustible
CIRCULAR
ALL
TO EMIGRATE
THE
SOCIETY FOR ENCOURAGING
OREGON TERRITORY.
JtteTXA
Sc
r ...
MAP OF THE OREGON TERRITORY
wealth, will conduct home the fulf tide
of a golden traffic.
1 National Advantages.
In tho following memorial, offered at
the present session, for the considera
tion of Congress, are some of the Na
tional advantages which may accrue
from a permanent possession of Oregon.
To the Honorable, tho Senate and House of
Representatles, in Consress Assembled:
The American Society Tor encouraglnR the
SCALE.
400 rods, to 1 inch."
LOTS OF LAND.
40 Acres, 40 by 160 rods.
160 Acres, 80 by 320 rodi."
MAP OF WHAT IS
Settlement of the Oregon Territory, Instituted
in A. D. 1S29, and Incorporated by the Com
monwealth of Massachusetts, actuated by a
faithful regard to duty, have cheerfully en
gaged. In tho work of opening to a civilized
and virtuous population, that part of West
ern America, called Oregon.
They are convinced that if that country
chould be settled under the auspices of the
Government of the United States of America
from :such of her worthy sons, who have
drank of the spirit of those civil and religious
institutions, wblch constitute the living foun
tain, and the very perennial source of her
National prosperity, great benefits must re
suit to mankind. They believe that there
the skillful and persevering hand of Industry
might be employed with unparalleled advan
tage; that there science and the arts, the In
valuable privileges of a free and liberal gov
ernment, and the refinements and ordinances
of Christianity, diffusing each its blessing,
would harmoniously unite In meliorating the
moral condition of the Indians, in promoting
the comfort and happiness of the settlers,
and in augmenting the wealth and power of
the Republic.
The uniform testimony of an intelligent mul
titude have established the fdet that the
country in question la the most valuable of
all the unoccupied parts of the earth. Its
peculiar location and facilities, and physical
resources for trade and commerce; Its contig
uous markets, its salubrity of climate, its
fertility of roll, its rich and abundant produc
tlonr, Its extensive forests of valuable timber,
and its great water channel, diversifying, by
its numerous branches the whole country, and
spreading canals through every part of It.
are sure Indications that Providence has de
signed this last reach of enlightened emigra
tion to be the residence of a people whose
singular advantages will give them unexam
pled power and prosperity.
These things have excited the admiration
of every observer, and, have settled In the
policy of the British nation the determined
purpose of possessing and enjoying them as
their own, and have induced their Parliament
to confer on the Hudson's Bay Company
chartered privileges for occupying with their
settlements the fertile banks of -the Colum
bia, wblch settlements have been made, and
are flourishing, in rapid growth, under tre
culture cecured by the provisions of a colonial
government.
The society conceive It clearly deduced,
from all the facts in the case, that the right
of sovereignty over the Oregon Territory is
Invested In the Government of the United
States of America, consequently, in her is
the exclusive right of colonizing that countrj".
and -of introducing into it the various busi
ness and benefits of civilized life.
The expense and labor necessary to the ac
compllihment of this work, planned by Provi
dence, made easy by nature, and urged and
encouraged by the persuasive motives of
philanthropy, are in no degree commensurate
with the National blessings to be derived
from It. among which are enumerated the
followihr. vis.:
Tho moral condition of the aborigines. If
blessed by the Influences of a refined and re
ligious community, will be improved. The
attempt to enlighten tbs minds and to dig
nify the nature of this unfortunate race may
no longer be defeated by Injudicious plans.
Their unjust and unequal alliances with an
other nation may be broken, and their friend
ship secured to this.
By me&ns, thus honorable, that vajtub't
urn snts, ohhjsbw
.l ot
3 . --u J
talllii '
I" 1 " II i II "' lyj
10.13 y 09T i
: V WCri&J V .kn) vsftMf &
ATTACHED TO THE CIRCULAR, SHOWING
OF THE WILLAMETTE.
territory -would be held from the possession
of an unfriendly power.
Ports of entry, and ship and navy yards
might be established with sreat advantage
on the waters of Orecon, and thereby the
trade and commerce of both the Pacific and
Atlantic oceans would become extended and
enriched. Capitalists and mariners might pur
sue, with more profit and safety, the whale,
and other fisheries In the "Western seas, and
the salmon trade on the Columbia.
A -portion of the virtuous and enterprWns,
but not least faithful population, whom mis
fortunes have thrown out of employment, -and
who throng our villages and ueaporta, and
NOW THE EAST SIDE.
seek a better home, might there And opportu
nities, under the paternal kindness of (he
Government, to succeed to a happier condi
tion, and: to greater usefulness to themselves
and to their countrj'.
These are objects so obvious, so vast and
valuable, as need not be urged by your mem
orialists, and wem, necessarily embraced
within the scope of a wise pollcj. They are
yet deemed practicable. Another season their
possession will be thought expedient but not
so easily wrested from the grasp of British
power.
The society view with alarm the progress
which the subjects of that nation have made
In the colonization of the Oregon Territory.
Already have they flourishing towns, strong
fortifications and cultivated farms. The domi
cile is made the abode of domestic comforts
the social circle is enlivened by the busy wife
and the prattle and sport of children. In the
convention of 1S18, England secured for her
subjects the privilege of a free trade, that of
buying furs of the Indians; but, at first, they
practiced trapping and hunting; now they
practice buying and improving- lands, and as
slduously pursue the buslnesu of the farmer
and mechanic. Their largest town is Van
couver, which is situated on a beautiful plain,
in the region of tide water, on the northern
bank of the Columbia. At this place, saw
and gristmills are In operation. Three ves
sels have been built, one of about 300 tons,
and are employed in the lumber trade. Nu
merous herds and flocks of horses, horned
cattle and sheep of the best European breeds
are seen grazing in their ever-verdant fields.
Grain of all kinds, in abundant crops, are the
productions of the coll.
Everything, either in the organization of the
government, or in the bus and various op
erations of the settlements, at this place, at
Wallawalla, at Fort Colvllle. and at Da
Fuca, indicate the intentions of thn English
to colonize the countrj'. Now. therefore, your
memorialists, in behalf of a large number of
the citizens of the United States, would re
spectfully ask Congress to aid them in carry
ing Into operation the great purposes of their
institution to grant them troops, artillery,
military arms, and munitions of war. for the
defense and security of the contemplated set
tlementto incorporate their society with
power to extinguish the Indian title, to such
tracts and extent of territory, at the mouth of
the Columbia, and at the Junction of the Mult
nomah with the Columbia, as may be adequate
to the laudable objects and pursuits of the
eettlers, and with such other powers, rights
and immunities as may be at least equal and
concurrent to those given b Parliament to
the Hudson's Bay Company; and such as are
not repugnant to the stipulations of the con
vention, made between Great Britain and the
United States, wherein it was agreed that any
country on the Northwest coast of America,
to the westward of the Rocky Mountains,
should be free and open to the citizens and
subjects of the two powers., for a term of
years; and to grant them such other rights
and privileges as may contribute to the means
of establishing a respectable and prosperous
community.
Tour memorialists are pledged to one an
other, to their children, to their friends, and
to mankind, to sustain by all Just and possi
ble means, the Interests of their country, and
to co-operate 'in advancing its prosperity.
They love their native land, and will ever
continue Us devoted friends, and most grate
ful and gladdening would it be to receive
SALT LAKE AS THE HEADWATERS
v
for the settlement the protection and foster
ing care of Congress.
Survey and Division- of Lands.
As soon as the settlement has consum
mated, their title to Indian lands, meas
ures will be adopted for building on
Gray's Bay, and at the mouth of the
Multnomah River, commercial towns,
where It Is believed vessels from every
sea will come to trade, repair and take
outfits.
This bay opens into the northern bank
of the Columbia, about li miles from its
mouth. It furnishes deeper soundings,
better shelter and generally greater ad
vantages for a harbor, than any other
opening on the river. Flv-miles square
of territory at this place will be laid
out Into the necessary configuration and
divisions for a seaport town.
Of the streets, one, 200 feet wide, will
run from the water, in a northwesterly
direction, bisecting at the distance of
six squares, an area of ten acres of pa
rade or pleasure ground, which area la
forever to remain open and unoccupied,
with buildings. The center of this street,
for the width of 100 feet, will be devoted
to the purposes of a market. Streets
crossing this, at right angles, are intend
ed to be 100 feet wide; those parallel to
It, 50 feet, The squares are to be 400
feet on a side, each including IS lots, 50
by 100 feet each. From the 100-foot
streets and the public lands, no plant or
tree Is to be removed or destroyed with
out consent of the municipal authority.
The valley of the Multnomah will be
occupied for agricultural and manufac
turing operations, where, likewise, two
miles square will be appropriated for a
trading town. This rich tract of terri
tory is situated about S3 miles up the
Columbia River. In this delightful region
will be introduced all the business of sci
ence and art.
The commercial town, at the junction
of the Multnomah and Columbia rivers,
will be about two miles square. A sec
tion of the land adjoining the town, will
be surveyed into lots, 40 by 160 rods, of 40
acres each, making the number of these
divisions equal to the whole number of
emigrants, over 14 years of age, not in
cluding married women. Next to these
will be other lots of 160 acres each, mak
ing up the compliment of 200 acres to
each emigrant. Lands for public uses,
and to meet the demands of the stock,
will be Included In this last division.
Roads, as far as practicable, will be laid
out In right lines. Intersecting each other
at right angles.
In the Oregon, it Is proposed that all
geographical surveys and divisions , of
farming lands be made by the method,
which, two years ago, was suggested to
Congress examined, approved of and
recommended by General Bernard, then
at the head of the corps of civil engl
neeers. This method is not public known
or practiced, but has many advantages
over that In common use. It Is more
easily performed; numerous errors of the
compass are avoided; the interests of the
land proprietor better promoted, and, the
wide door for litigation, which often
costs him his freehold, effectually closed.
All boundaries of towns, and lots of
land, will be identified with meridian
lines, and parallels of latitude, npt by
the parallels as found on the surface of
the earth, where they are as crooked, as
the hills and depressions make them
uneven; but by such, as they would he,
provided the surface was smooth. It is
confidently believed that -this Is the only
simple method, by which westerly or
easterly lines can be run with accuracy,
and that It is attended with as much
certainty as the high operations of trigo
nometrical surveys.
It Is, however, true, 'that the divisions
of land, as they lay south of each other.
Increase In quantity, in proportion to the
divergency of the meridian lines; never
theless, their boundaries will be dis
tinctly marked, and their contents exact
ly known. A country thus surveyed gives
the advantage of ascertaining, without
admeasurement, the relative position or
distance of any one place from another,
consequently the latitude and longitude
of the metropolis being determined, those
of any other place are known.
Civil Government.
The Oregon territory lies beyond the
civil jurisdiction of the United States of
America. It becomes, therefore, a matter
of great moment that the settlers take
with them some form of government,
provided either by Congress or some
other competent body. Fatal to their
happiness would it be, for them to go
without' the means of subjecting the cor
rupt principles of depraved natures.
Laws made efficient, by the highest vir
tues and 'energies of the people, are ne
cessary to the encouragement of virtue,
the punishment of vice, the enjoyment of
life and liberty, the acquisition of prop
erty and security of comfort and safety;
as likewise, to the suppression of the
restless spirits of aspiring and unprinci
pled demogogues, 'who infest every politi
cal society, have ever aimed at civil com
motion and usurpation, and have ever
been ready to make the fairest spot of
earth tho theater of their lawless am
bition. "Whatever may b the frame of gov
ernment. It should be built upon the
most finished Improvements of others.
Whether the settlers aro to be consid
ered children of mature age. made free,
and setting up for themselves, constitut
ing, in some degree, an independent
province, the friend and ally of the
mother country; sharing in her generous
and maternal solicitude; pr whether they
are to be a colony, planted, cherished
and protected by her. depends entirely
on Congress. That the latter should be
the case is the prayer of a memorial, at
the present time before that august as
semblage of talents, virtue and wisdom.
Should the emigrants fail of that char
ter, which reason and justice dictate, and
humanity calls for, they will attempt to
make for themselves just and equal laws,
under the provisions of a form of government,-
so far made a free democratic
representative, as will be consistent with
an unequivocal recognition of the sover
eignty of the American republic. It will
be In most respects, a transcript of the
government of Michigan Territory. The
Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and
Board of Land Commissioners, being the
appointments of the society. It will con
tinue two years, unless Congress, before
the expiration of this time, prescribes a
substitute.
The emigrant citizens will leave the
land of their fathers, under no circum
stances of oppression, and with no feeling
of discontent, resolved still to cultivate
only the fields of civil and Religious free
dom, where life Is made the most easy
and felicitous, and civilized man attains
his greatest power, and his most digni
fied superiority over the man In Ignor
ance or in vassalage; still animated by
the holy and unextlnguishable fire, kin
dled with that of the best lovers of
American independence, they must, they
will continue free.
Religion.
The religion of the settlement. It is
hoped, will bo the religion of conscience,
and the king of heaven. 2so people can
long continue free and happy, without
acknowledging, with pious reverence and
obedience, the laws of Jehovah, giving
full toleration to all communities of his"
consciencious worshippers, however vari
ous their forms, and feeling due respect
for him. who administers' at tho sacred
altar, "and is accounted, a worker to
gether with God, in labors that succeed
unto eternal life."
The settlers will loso none of their re
ligious privileges and comforts. Churches
of different denominations will be organ
ized before emigration, who will take
with them, respectively, their pastors.
There will be given, in Oregon, en
couragement for pious and well educated
young men, who regard the interests of
others as their own, to engage In the
great work of Imparting moral and re
ligious instruction to the Indians.
Education.
The education of youth, being the safe
guard of a free government, and the
basis of its most valuable blessings, be
comes of transcendant Importance. In
order, then, to diffuse elementary and
scientific Instruction, both among the
children of the settlers and of the Indian
tribes, some efficient and appropriate
system of education will be adopted; and
whatever will best civilize the manners,
reform the morals, enlighten, the mind
and free it rom the grasp of supersti
tion, will be parts of this system.
Schools of every grade will be opened,
as soon as the settlement is effected, and
temporary buildings provided. Agricul
tural and classical Institutions, and col
leges succeeding common and primary
schools are deemed practical systems of
education. These will be established: and
in them red, as well as white, children
will bo taught the rudiments of learn
ing, the sciences, farming Industry, and
that knowledge of men and things which
at once enlighten and dignify the mind.
Persons of good education will find many
Inducements to emigrate, some "apt to
teach." to share in the business of In
struction; others, versed in law., and pol
ity and. acquainted with the principles ot
legislation, to sustain offices in the ad
ministration of government.
Emigrants.
The ultimate success of the settlement
depends on the virtuous qualities of Its
members. If its elementary principles
are defective, the result of its operations
will be uncertain, and productive of but
little good, if not entirely abortive. The
settlement ought not, therefore, to be
made the receptacle of vicious characters
or drones too Indolent to pursue any hon
est or useful occupation of cunning per
sons possessing talents without virtuous
principles, of idle dreamers of power and
riches, who, faithless to good order, are
often ready to sap the foundation of
morality and religion; these are all a
burden and a curse to society. Men. or
steady habits, virtuous intentions, en-
deavoring tp cultivate practical knowl-
to" Increase " iheproportion of those enlislTngnJ
whose characters are combined science skill and
integrity, to sustain offices in the gov-ernment.C
Enlistments should be made of properly educa
ted persons, to fill the civil, military and literary
rolls of Clergymen and Physicians of persons
possessing a .scientific knowledge of the different
branches of mathematics and natural philosophy
to constitute corps on engineering, surveying, as-j
tronomy, geology and botany of farmers of the
following mechanics, viz. master shipbuilders, mill-'
, -wrights, wheelwrights, carpenters, blacksmiths,
; tinmen, tanners, curriers, shoemakers, tailors, hat
ters, &c; of capitalists, taking with them vessels
suitable for the lumber trade, and whale and sal
mon fisheries, both of which pursuits are, and for
many years will continue, vastly profitable; of cap
italists, who will carry out the iron parts of grist
mills, sawmills, of nail-making machinery, 6lc. who
will establish a. paper mill, a printing press, a manu
factory of window glass, and a foundry of fron ware.
Each emigrant, who is entitled to receive gratu
itously, a lot of land, is required to advance a
pledge of 20 dollars, that he or she will make the
emigration, without disappointment to the society.
On payment of the pledge, the following certificate
will be given They may be obtained, together
with this pamphlet, of any of the Agents named at
the end of this pamphlet.
NO.
This Certijies that
EL. S
has paid Twenty Dollars to the American
Society for encouraging the settlement of
the Oregon Territory, as a pledge for the
faithful performance of obligations, to be
stipulated and defined by Covenant be
tween him and the said Society.
JPrteuLcnt
Secretary.
Tho following are the
S AMPLE PAGE OF
N. B.
edge and honest industry, will be deemed
worthy of the enterprise, and such, per
sons may, In Oregon, secure to them
selves a pleasant home and competency
of good things; subserve individual happi
ness, and sustain tho groat objects of
founding tho settlement. Before embark-
ation it will be required of all proposing
to emigrate, to satisfy the society by cer
tificates or otherwise, of good moral
character and industrial habits.
Emigrants, who go to the Oregon coun
try in the manner, and under the en
couragements annunciated in this pam
phlet, each to receive, gratuitously, most
of the expenses of emigration and a
landed estate, valued from $2000 to 510,000,
situated where the healthfulness of cli
mate, the good market for every product
of earth or of labor, and the enjoyment
of a free and liberal government will
conspire to make life easy.
Poor children, and children of charity
institutions, can be admitted. These.
with the means of moderate labor, may
find a good living, and an honorable re
treat from disgrace and suffering.
Each emigrant, over 14 years of age.
not including married women, and each
child that is an orphan, or without a
parent In that country, will receive a lot
of seaport land, containing 5000 square
feet, or two farming lots In the valley
of the Multnomah, containing respective
ly, 40 acres and ISO acres. These lands,
excepting what the English settlers have
under cultivation, are covered with a
heavy growth ot valuable timber, and
will be drawn hy settlers, individually, as
soon as surveyed. "
The society contemplate opening; that
country only to enlightened emigrations,
and they are actuated by no other mo
tives than those of philanthropy and
patriotism. They own no landed estates
In Oregon, and expect no interest thence.
that may not bo commoa, to any Ameri
can citizen, who will associate with them.
It Is not their desire to urge, the enlist
ment of any person, however his condi
tion may be improved by it; and far ba
it from them to deceive In their repre
sentations. The enterprise is replete with,
motives for emigrations. It is desirable,
however, to Increase tho proportion oC
those enlisting, in whose characters are"
combined science, skill and integrity, to
sustain offices in the government.
Enlistments should be made of properly,
educated persons, to fill the civil, mili
tary and literary rolls-i-of clergymen, and
physicians of persons possessing a scien
tific knowledge of tho different branches
of mathematics and natural philosophy,
to constitute corps on engineering, sur
veying, astronomy, geology and botany
of farmers of the following mechanics,
viz., master shipbuilders, millwrights,
wheelwrights, carpenters, "blacksmiths
tinmen, tanners, curriers, shoemakers,
tallers," hatters, etc; of capitalists, tak
ing with, them vessels suitable for.tha
lumber trade, and whale and salmon
fisheries, both of which pursuits are, and
for many years will continue, vastly
profitable; of capitalists, who will carry
out the iron parts of gristmills, sawmills,
of nail-making machinery, etc, who will
establish a paper mill, a printing press, a
manufactory of window glass and a foun
dry of iron ware.
Each emigrant, who is entitled to re
ceive gratuitously, a lot of land, is re
quired to advance a pledge of ?20, that
he or she will make the emigration, with
out disappointment to the society. On
payment of the pledge, the following cer
tificate will he given. They may be ob
tained, together with, this pamphlet, of
any of the agents named at the end of
this pamphlet.
'NO.
Thi3 certifies that
Ij. S. has paid $20 to tho American Soci
ety for encouraging the settlement of tho
Oregon Territory, as a pledge for the
faithful performance of obligations to be
stipulated and defined by covenant be
tween Mm and tho said society.
President.
Secretary.
N. B. The following' are tho principal con
ditions and stipulations ot the covenant, viz.:
That the emigrant shall give oath or affirma
tion to obey and support all Just and equal
laws and regulations made and provided for
the settlement by the society, the same being
not repugnant to the Constitution and laws of
the United States of America.
That all the common and public property
and revenues of the settlement shall ba held
liable to the payment of all debts that may
be incurred on account of said settlement;
and that, in all other respects, he shall truly
and faithfully demean himself a peaceable and
worthy member of the Oregon community.
That the society shall defray all expenses
of the first expedition from St. Louis, except
ing arms, knapsacks, clothing' and blankets,
which are. to be supplied, by the emigrants
respectively.
That the society allow to each emigrant
agreeable to tho terms o their first circular,
a lot of seaport land, or 200 acres of farmi
Ins land, provided he or his assigns continues
to occupy it two years from the time of re
ceiving said lot; the society will guarantee
his or her right to a. free enjoyment of re
ligious and civil freedom, and an equal par-,
tldoatlon in all the privileges and immunities
1 of a member of the Oregon settlement.
It is proper, under this head, to. no-
principal conditions and atiptria-
THE CIRCULAR.