WSw
THE SPECTATOR.
U. A. O. UK, KMTOs rUHMKO, FK.
Orem City, April M, MM.
BXMoat of the individuab composing the companies
which have started for the states thU spring, may bo
considered retumttle, If we may judge from their
word and action, moat of them having (elected claims,
recorded and improved them to the extent the law re
qnirea, aad la many instances appointed agcnta to set
Ue the absentee tax, thereby evincing a confidence in
the stability of our aoclal compact, highly flattering to
ovr eMaena. Aa the object of their long journey b to
fetch their famines, and auch description of property as
i beat adapted to the country, it U to be hoped their
reliance ca the law'a protection, will aecure them their
chosen locations on their return. We understand it b
the intention of two of their number to bring back aa
large a drove of aheep aa b compatible with the nature of
the journey "a conanmmation devoutly to be wished.'
QQTlt ie with pleaeure we learn that meat of tho late
immigrant! who have located themselves in Tolk coun
ty aad the upper Willamette, cxprtM themselves high
ly delighted with that section of the country, and have
already made apparent, by the extent and number of
improvements, how highly tho western emigrant in
qualified for the settlement and advancement of a nc
country. That portion south of the Santyam b also
filling with occupants, who represent the soil aud situa
tion among the beat in the valley; and should the n
terprise of obtaining a southern pass for wagons in that
neighborhood succeed, (which we doubt not,) tho loca
tion cannot fail to be highly desirable. Where all ex
tol their individual selections aa the best and choicest,
wo moat coadade, either that the country abounds
with vahwble apsis, that the land la generally good, or
that we are a happy race of morula.
Political We would invite the attention of our
t
politicians pad statesmen, and especially those who ex
pect a seat in the next house of representatives, to '.:
policy of the folowiug, which we copy from the " St
Louis Weekly Reveille;" because it involves a princi
ple which we think worthy the consideration of our
" knowing ones," and one that has alreaJy been call
ed up in our legislature; and although it was then, af
ter a partial discussion, condemned, yet we are inclin
ed to think a more full, deliberate and enlightened in
vestigation, might result in the return of a different ver
dict The right of trial by jury is one of those essen
tial guards which have been thrown around tho lives
and liberties of freemen, without which there would be
little aeoarity to either. It should therefore, ititlf, bo
well guarded, and never suffered to become oppressive
to any part of the community. It was ouce the policy
of some of the states to compel their citixeus to serve
on juries for a mere nominal per diem allowance
not sufficient to pay half their unavoidable expenses,
to say nothing of that " full compensation for their ser
vices" promised ia most of their constitution; thus ren
dering the tbial by juar a burthen to the community.
But this oppressive policy has been made to feel the
force of the correcting power inherent in our form of
government Jurors are paid in most, if not all the
ftatea, a reasonable compensation, and the only remain
ing question is, from what source shall we raise the
uvceaaary funds?
Mr. Bassett's plan, as will be seen below, proposes to
raise a jury fund first, by limiting the amount of fees
accruing to certain.officera, and appropriating tho over
plus to that purpose; and secondly, taxing litigation.
This last method ia that to which the attention of our
political friends is especially solicited. Let those who
are candidates, and who, of course, fcxpect to figure in
the next legislature, consider well our present jury sys
tem and the difficulties with which government has
met from that quarter, and weigh them with tho ob
jections to taxing litigation.
" LscisLATiVB-In the house, on the 13th, Mr. Ha
sett latfoduced a jury law for St Louis county. It pro
vides far tho distnbution of jury service, pays each ju
ror 75 coats per day, and provides that all fees of tho
sheriffover 6,000, und all the fees of the clerks of the
circuit court aad court of common pleas over 03,000,
and of the orlsbss! court over 2,000, and of marshal
over 3,500, ana), of law commissioner over 1,000,
sfaall bo paid hate, the county treasury to form a jury
fund. It also UBMbM a tax of 3 on each cause tried
in court, to be MsW(i the jury fund."
Auuui! QaJto.aa aifeitoment was created in the
Toalaiy plaiaa last week by the lepott that tho ludians
wenverectiaf a fortification, with the Intention of com
mencing BoetMee again the whites. Un repairing
to the spot, however, it was discovered Umt the dread
ed fortification waa merely .a cow-pen. Tho gentle
man who had originated the report, being more ac
quainted with the tea than tho land, must be excused
for his mhloVtCommuniciUd,
APPOINTMENT BY THfi GOVERNOR.
AMU. 14.
Jambs P. Maktin, sheriff for Champocg county,
vice William P. Hvoiiks.
Westward, Hot
The St Louis Gazette names the Lagrange (Texas)
Herald as the most western newspaper in America.
Tho above b doubtless correct, but the " Platte Ar
gus" b the most western paper in the United States.
We shall soon have to give in our eundown position to
some enterprising typo who will be toting a press to
Oregon. How funny it will seem to bo termed " our
eastern cotemporary." Platte Argue, 1645.
The " Spectator" caps tho climax, and tho predic
tion b fulfilled, with tho exception, that tho enterprise
belongs to tho citizens of Oregon. Our " eunrite co
temporary" may therefore experience lib droll feelings
at tho catliest opportunity.
To CosswroNDKSTB. It b expected that ull who
forward communications to us for publication, will give
us their proper names, and that on such on they for
ward by mail they will pay the postage.
We acknowledge the receipt of a I0114; communica
tion from "A Friend to Truth and Juetiee," in reply
to the rejoinder of J. L. Meek, which we decline pub
lishing, for no other reason than that, enough has been
rn-Jd on n subject of so little general intercut to tho
community.
We arc pleased to see tho answer of ' L'nns Populi"
to "A Funner," although we cannot assent to the cor
tvctiiem of his iuteipretation of the 4th section of the
lund law, yet we believe dbcumon b tho most direct
roud to the discovery of truth, and that correct views
and principles have nothing to fear from invcrtigution.
PfUMftgc BoalH ot the Willamette.
In the march of improvement in our infant rotony,
that of boat conveyance u fast progressing. Wu beg
to call the attention of the public to two well built and
commodious boatj.artdVf sucrior mould, low employ
ed between Oregon "City nml Champocg. These ply
twice a week upon our beautiful stream, exporting the
"staff of lifufrojn.our fertile plains above, and im
porting returns from below. But it b to the accom
modation afforded by them to our fellow-citizens, and
settlers, that we at present speak. We have paid a
visit to the ' Mogul" and " Franklin," and can testi
fy to tho umplo and roomy pace, allotted abaft, for
the comfort of from 15 to 20 pussengers, and from what
we have heard expressed by thoso who have made the
passage, und our own personal knowledge of the Cap
tain of tho " Greut Mogul," much is added to the pleu
sure of the trip through lib kindness, polite attention,
and urbanity. The passage averages, during all weath
ers, from seven to ten hour. Tho sailing und Hilling
qualities of these craft ure also first rate. The Mogul
goes swiftly "on a icind" the Franklin beating
" clute hauled." Tho fare (50 cent) wo consider very
moderate, considering there b no opposition. Wu con
clude by assuring our readers lliut the piusuigo b ren
dered perfectly sufc, through tho uauticul knowledge
of Cuptain Flouke of the " Franklin," who b an ex
perienced pilot through all thedlioub, rocks, and snag
of the river. We leuni Umt the Captain ha secured
for lib next trip, a curgo of oak turUNQS fur the
" Modeste."
U"A munlierof the officers of her II. M. & Modeste
have been enjoying themselves during tho post wee
speculation has prevailed nt ull timoH nml in
ull countries. It in rilo lioro! mu so mug
m the Tnalaty plains. We are pleased to see them 1 as restrained by u proper sense of justice
visiting, and joining In the rural amusements of our among men, it is beneficial to society livubl.
fanners, asnone are more willing to extend the rights . ing M hUiiiuIuh upon tlin energies ol HI ll-
' . I - I . . .. I . . a 1...A lint a liuill.ilillllllll I It I LI Btlfi'lfl
of hospitality to strangers than themselves. Ono of
them had a most interesting chaso after a beautiful lit
tle animal, denominated nkunk! He did not sue
ceed in catching the animal, but ho caught nil awful
phew ! Never mind; lietter luck next time. Experi
ence tenches wisdom Communicated.
Uppkii Willamkttk, April 'J 1, 1H 1(1.
Mr. Lee Sir : You will confer u great fa
vor on mo ly publishing the following letter
for tho licnclit of my creditors.
It is duo to my creditors uh well us myself,
that I should make 11 stntcment, through the
columns of the Sncctator, in explanation of
K " " UIIIIIMIHI' nrs MM' w.q- I
viduals ; but when it transcends this circle,
or, to speak with more propriety, whcnjt
falls beneath it, and you givo it tho protect
tion of tho law, it becomes a wild nud tin
ehninablo monster, whose keen oyo ever rolls
in vigilance, and whoso glory and delight it'
is to ruin und destroy the happiness of others
to glut its own unhallowed and iusutiablo uva-
rice.
I will now advert to the second amendment
as proposed by the legislature, viz : "to itmvmf
the laud law so as to permit claimvnls to hold
sir hundred (teres in the prairie, and forty oeres
in the timber, though said tracts do not join,"
my conduct. The reason of my leuvmg tho which " A farmer considers " rather a lit
country, is plain to every ono acquainted with 'Mibject of amendment than serious argu
my business. My contract with Mr. Welch ; ment." Here I must again beg leave to dif
is'well known, and it is as well known that J f,.r with him. I regard this tunc iiduiunt as
lie is less ublc to lift my paper now, tliun ut a meusiire which, if ratified by the people,
any former time. His losing on his log eiui- will promote, in u more eminent degree, the
tract has cut oft" all hopes of his being able, Imppmessof neighborhoods and tho prosjM'ri
thouuli his will Ik) ever so iskxI. For me to ty of Oreuon in ireneral, than any thing else
I remain here, with an officer at my back, tin- .lt proposed or enacted by the legislature.
' til I should make Vi or 91500 ut the liench, Uvery one who has travelled much over tho
would bo 11 burden too heavy for me to think Willuincttc valley, knows that there are 11111
of contending with, when I can go to the tly lurge and fertile districts of country ul
Spuuish country where there arc ojivniiigs , most entirely destitute of limber, and that the
for mo in the red wood, where I can make present wild and unclaimed state of these
the amount I urn owing in Oregon in half the j xirtions of the valley will bo co.extoiMve
time 1 could by staying and making the at. .villi the duration of the existing luw, win.
tempi. I (telling individuals to locate the whole of their
My course may be considered dishoiioru- sections in one undivided body ; no one wh
Lie by some, but I have bought my outfit f ( thiiikn rightly can indulge a doubt, it Mould
animals, ami gave my paper for their value, ( lt do uright blinilnesMiiul folly in uny man
and for some T have given double the amount to locate in any of the large prairies, w ithout
tliev arc worth. I have always suiil no man bavin;! t-cuiircd to himself usullicicncv of tim-
shouiu 1,'ver lose a nouar oy me. 1 utn nen
known to some of the community as being a
man thut will pay when he can. I shall send
cattle and horses every opitortunity, until ev-
L-ry cent is paid, with "ood interest.
Yours, witli respect,
M. M. WOKNHOl'Ul
ITJ" Columbus was the first who conceived the idea
of going treat to arrive at the Eaet India. lib dis
covery of America was owing to thut idea. He was
in seaich of a western passage to the coast of Asia
when he was arrested hy ou unexpected intervention
of the American continent. Nor I- d he any idea that
he hod found a new world. He Hived himself 011
tho coast of India, und under that belief gavo the
name of Indians to the inhubituuts u name wliicli
they have retained ever since, although tho error on
which it was founded has long sinco exploded. Rob-
itun. '
The United Family. a puizlk.
We ure a large family, united by the firmest and
closest bonds of friendship, and so much attached to
each other, that a separation always causes pain to the
wholo circle; and seldom are any of us affected by din.
ease, but it extends to the most distant of us. We did
not make our appeararoo in thb world at the same
time, neither do we finish our career together, as va
rious accidents and horrid cruelties tear us from each
other, and when dragged from our native place, we
are cast away as useless ; though, when united, we
form one of the greatest ornaments of tho human race,
Uuid nreat twins are taken to nreserve us in a state of
health and beauty. Wo are not famed for oratory, yet
wo greatly assist a very near neighbor in, lib delivery
of speech, both in public and private; and, without our
friendly aid, bb most persnasivo accents would fail In
their effect Though small in size, yet such b our
strength that we cuu perform work, with ease to our
solves, which could not bo so well done by tho nicest
machinery. Tho art of man has done much to form
imitations of us, yet never can he compete with na
ture, in combining beauty, usefulucMi, and durability,
such us we possess. Young readers, tuko care of these
precioiu treasures while you liavo them, for never can
you purchase such again. Communicatee.
-oa tiik srecTATos.
Mr. Editor i beg leuve, through the col
umns of your puter, to suy 11 few words in
reply to the communication of ",1 Farmer,"
which appeared in tho "tli No. of the Specta
I tor. I shall puss over what he has said in re-
lation to the irregular and unprecedented
manner in which tho amendments to the Or
ganic law are promised, as these are ques
tions which do not, in the smallest degree,
affect the soundness and wisdom of tho stli
cy in which the amendments are founded,
and confine my reflections to the proposed
amendments themselves.
1 most heartily approbute the amendment
proposed to tho fourth section of tho laud law.
As that section now stands, there is danger
of its licing productivo of consequences which
would bo fatal to the good of tho country.
For what would be the effect of allowing sev
oral persons to form themselves into privuto
I
corporations for tho purpose of holding lum
claims, but to allow them to mono)oli.e all
the important locutions in the section of coun
try where thoy might choose to settle? For
example, a company of ten inert would go to
tho Clumet, one make a claim ut tho mouth
of the river, unother at tho heud of nuvigu
tion, und the others select the best mill pri
vilegeKr&c, and ull reside at the same place,
for there is nothing in the law to prohibit them
from doing this. The proviso in tiiu fourth
section merely says, that " no member of tho
partnership shall hold a sepurate claim at the
time of the existence of snid partnership;"
which will admit of no other fair and reason
able interpretation than that he shall hold no
other claim than the one which ho holds in
common with tho other partnors ; and it isf.UNtain them in everv act which would re
..... . -. a II 1.
inimatonal whether tho claims W contiguous douiuj to tho interest und welfare of tho:oun
or not distanco and locality aro quite out of
tho question. Now, the injustice of this sort
of operation must bo apparent to every ra
tional thinker. It would bo giving to u few
an incalculable advantage over thoso who
would follow, for thoy would find tho hands
of the monopoly upon almost every situation
giving promise of valuo and importance
whereas, if not nioro than two woro allowed
to hold claims in partnership, there would Iki
a more cquitablo division of chancps.
But these ure not tho only evils growing
out of tho case abovo instanced. It would,
in ovory w'uy, be prejudicial to the interest
and welfure of tho country. Tho favored
inonoiwly would rise to wealth and grandeur,
and, like tho fabled Bohon Upas, shed blight
and desolation on all around. Tho spirit of
Imr fur Itiiililiii'r. iiiiciii". and other iiulUucii-
-able farming purpose.; and as In ".I rar
mers" suggestion of the propriety of debar
ring any one of the privilege of making a In
cation wholly in the timlicr, such enn never
be the law of the land as long as the tcopIe
and the legislature remain in the o-fM-itiit
of their reasoning faculties; but it uill ever
Ik jtiit what it now if a erode suggestion.
No real fnrmrr would ever hug t bis ho.
Mini the delusion that the fir-covorcd hilN
could long be depended upon by him fir tim
ber unless he as invested with miiiio better
title than that of a men right in common
with his ncigbiiors ; for tho eye of hpeculii
tion is never closed; and us soon as the prai
ries would begin to be occupied, the timber
ed districts would be seized upon for tho pur
Ohc of speculation to be Mild off in parcels,
at exorbitant prices, to those who Mould In
compelled Mther to purchase or to abandon
their prairie locations.
If this amendment be rejected by the pen
pie, wiine of the fairest ami richest Kirtion
of this lovely valley will long remuin unoc
copied; but if it should Is- adopted, it will
not lie long before we will e log cabins
rising, aud the virgin turf yielding to the
plough. sliure in the very heart and centre of
our large prairies, as well as along the tiiu
hcrcd streams and at the foot of the hills.
Then, ami not till then, will wo have dense,
ly populated neighborhoods and good schools;
then will Oregon prosper, and contentment
prevail among her Citizens! This is n ques
tion iisiu which the attention of,-thc people
should be aroused ; nud as it is of vital im
portance to them and to Oregon, they should
give it their sedate consideration, that they
may cast their votes wisely and judiciously.
Notwithstanding the legislature may have
fallen into some errors, and done somo fool
ish things, the second proposed uincudmcut
to the lund law is clearly an act of wisdom;
and us wo 1 enrecatc their lollies, we mioiiKI
trv.
Unws 1'oi'Ui.i.
Ac'rlcuUtirul CliviiiiKtry Nlinplif led,
rKOM I.IKSIU AMI OTIIKIIIt. NO. I.
Tho following, it is hoped, will nttract tho
attention iif our renders to subjects which so
well merit their consideration tho now views
und discoveries, which have been eagerly em
braced by tho agriculturists of tho eastern
world, and which cannot fail to lie of impor
tance in their practical applications. When
ever tho languago of tlio author has boon do
parted from, or condensed, tho object has lieon
to render it moro intolligiblo to thoso who havo
not made this interesting department of sci
onco their peculiar study. I3n.
Porfect agriculture is the foundation of aU
trade, and industryi! is tho foundation of
I
I