OREGON TEN YEARS AGO.
-"When Goldsmith wrote Mat prophetic line
" Westward the star of empire takes its way"
he could have had but a- faint conception of the won
derful manner in uliich its truth would be illustrated
in such a comparatively brief space of time. A new
world has sprung into a prosperous existence, whose
commerce whitens every sea with its heavily laden
carriers of peace and plenty to mankind whose moral
influence has gone abroad and is felt in the uttermost
parts of the earth whose tide of population, flowing
westward, has rolled over the rocky barriers of civili
zation, and is causing the wilderness of the Pacific "to
blossom as the rose" to open its unsunned depths to
the glorious light of- day, and the almost magical
achievements of cultivation. Truly the veriest "rhap
sodist" might well be satisfied with the rapid advance
ment of his race, and the increasing magnificence oA
freedom's ocean-bounded home.
But ten short years since civilization had scarcely
made a settlement in Oregon, excepting the few and
limited occupations of the Hudson's Bay Company, and
the Missionary lccalion at what is now Salem. Silence
and solitude held undisputed possession of waste and
wild; forests covered the town-sites; uncultured vege
tation filled (he fields, and the rustling waters of the
many streams that mademusicin their seaward course,
gave power to neither grist or saw-mill, nor bore for
ward the barge loaded with the rich fruits of produc
tion. In such a contemplation of the situation and con
dition of this country a few years ago, we are very
naturally brought to a consideration of
OREGON AS IT IS.
A country with a civilized population of upwards of
sixteen tnousanu souis, vvnicn js rapiaiy increasing,
notwithstanding its isolated position, and remoteness
from the crowded portions of the globe. Its settlements
extend south as far as the Umpqua valley, and north
along the waters of Puget sound. The character of its
soil for production, and the extent of its agricultural
opeialions, arc exhibited most conclusively in its luxu
riant harvests. The wheat crop alone of Oregon, ex
hibits an annual yield of two hundred thousand bush
els, and the prospect mis year is a mucn greater yield.
Oats, barley, and other grain, is equally productive, ac
cording to the manner and amount of their cultivation.
VLVhile the soil, as a general thing, is so excellently
vvell calculated to advance the interests of the agricul
turalist, there are portions of it most admirably adapt
ed to grazing purposes; indeed, the grasses of Oregon
are of the highest nulricious quality, which, together
with their constant and prolific growth, render them
unsurpassed.
The church, the school-houc, and the comfortable
dwelling, arc to bo found in every settlement; and the
bum of industry resounds throughout the land. The
white wings or commerce have been folded and un
folded in our harbors and rivers with the happiest re
sult, while everything seems to promise that
OREGON, ?EN YEARS HENCE,
will have exceeded the most sanguine expectation.
The steamboat and the railroad, "those annihilators of
time and distance," vVill plow her waters and inter
sect her prairies, through which means the enrichiiig
returns of commerce and agriculture will be conveyed
with greater certainty and despatch. Judging from Ihe
history of the past, large and splendid cities, teeming
with populousness, will flourish within her borders;
temples of the sciences and arts will abound, encour
aged and most heartily cherished a high order of civi
lization will exist, and happiness be enjoyed with
ft. There are many things that will be wrought out,
so to speak, for the' good of Oregon, in ten years sn
mauy that we cannot properly even allude to the most
probable of them in the compass of this article,. Will .
there not be a continuous chain of railroad from (he
"Willainelto Valley , across the desert and the mountains,
to the homes of fiir childhood that the people of a great
country, stretching from ocean to ocean, may be brought
closer together in the social compact that they may
sympathise, and knowing no differences, be as one.
These railroads, steamboats, and electro-magnetic tel
egraphs, are great moral agents great reformers.
They are helping man work out his moral as vvell as
political redemption, and the ten years to come will
have a tendency to illustrate the point in reference to
this country, whose destiny, linked with our common
country as it is,' cannot but be brilliant.
Something New. Our friend Trucsdale has finished
his boat steam-boat, we had nearly said but that
wouldn't do, for it's a "horse boat" that is to say, its
wind, its steam, its motive power is furnished by hor
ses. It is 82 feet long 18 ft. wide,and 80 tons burthen.
It will make an experimental trip to-day.
Marine. The Brig Eveline, for the Islands, went to
sea on the 7lh inst. The Sch'r Mary, for San Francisco,
is on her way down the river. The Bark Janet, for
California, will probably leave Portland next week.
DIED,.
On the 9th inst., of Cholera Infantum, Patrick Henry
Magruder, aged 3 years, 10 months, and 21 days.
Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade,
Death came with friendly care,
The opening bud to Heaven conveyed,
And bade it blossom there.
ANNOUNCEMENTS.
FOR REPRESENTATIVES.
The name of Philip Foster is announced as a can
didate for Representative for Clackamas county, at the
ensuing election.
Mr. Curry
Sir Through the solicitation of many friends,
James I). Holman has consented to become a' candidate
for Representative of Clackamas county.
We are authorized to announce the name of Wm.
J. Berrv as a candidate for Representative oi Clacka
mas county at the ensuing election.
FOR SHERIFF.
Thomas A. Brown, at the solicitation of his friends,
has consented to become a candidate for the office of
S her ill' of Clackamas county, at the ensuing June elec
tion. George E. Fraser will be a candidate for the office of
Sheriff of Yamhill county at the ensuing June election.
P. G. STEWART,
Clock and W'ATcn Makes. '
ALL orders executed with neatness and despatch -on
reasonable terms.
t)regon City, April 7. its.
TVAULT and THURSTON.
Attorneys and Counsellors at Lav,
And Solicitors in Chancery,
W ill practice in the Supreme and Circuit Courts of
Oregon Territory. Office in Oregon City. Is.
KILBORN, LAVVTON, and CO.,
General Commission' Merchants,
And Dealers jn Oregon Produce.
A GENERAL assortment of merchandize constajntljr
on hand. v
Noyes Smith has retired; as a partner, from- the con
cern, and the business will bo continued as heretofore.
Oregon City, April 7. it.