Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 4/Number 4 documents
DOCUMENTS.
Letter of fur traders Jedediah S. Smith, David E. Jackson, and Wm. L. Sublette—1830.
Gives an account of the taking of the first wagons to the Rocky Mountains and of the Hudson's Bay Company post, Fort Vancouver, and its operations in the Oregon Country. An argument for the termination of the convention of 1818.
St. Louis, October 29, 1830.
Sir: The business commenced by General Ashley some years ago, of taking furs from the United States territory beyond the Rocky Mountains has since been continued by Jedediah S. Smith, David E. Jackson, and William L. Sublette, under the firm of Smith, Jackson, and Sublette. They commenced business in 1826, and have since continued it, and have made observations and gained information which they think it important to communicate to the government. The number of men they have employed has usually been from eighty to one hundred and eighty; and with these, divided into parties, they have traversed every part of the country west of the Rocky Mountains, from the peninsula of California to the mouth of the Columbia River. Pack horses, or rather mules, were at first used, but in the beginning of the present year, it was determined to try wagons, and in the month of April last, on the 10th day of the month, a caravan of ten wagons, drawn by five mules each, and two dearborns, drawn by one mule each, set out from St. Louis. We have eighty-one men in company, all mounted on mules, and these were exclusive of a party left in the mountains. Our route from St. Louis was nearly due west to the western limits of the state and thence along the Santa Fé trail about forty miles, from which the course was some degrees north of west, across the waters of the Kanzas, and up the Great Platte River, to the Rocky Mountains, and to the head of Wind River, where it issues from the mountains. This took us until the 16th of July, and was wished the wagons to go, as the furs to be brought in were to be collected at this place, which is, or was this year, the great rendezvous of the persons engaged in that business. Here the wagons could easily have crossed the Rocky Mountains, it being what is called the Southern [South] Pass, had it been desirable for them to do so, which it was not for the reason stated. For our support, at leaving the Missouri settlements, until we should get into the buffalo country, we drove twelve head of cattle, beside a milk cow. Eight of these only being required for use before we got to the buffaloes, the others went on to the head of Wind River. We began to fall in with the buffaloes on the Platte, about three hundred and fifty miles from the white settlements, and from that time lived on buffaloes, the quantity being infinitely beyond what we needed. On the fourth of August, the wagons being in the meantime loaded with furs which had been previously taken, we set out on the return to St. Louis. All the high points of the mountains then in view were white with snow, but the passes and valleys, and all the level country, were green with grass. Our route back was over the same ground nearly as in going out, and we arrived at St. Louis on the 10th of October, bringing back the ten wagons, the dearborns being left behind; four of the oxen and the milk cow were also brought back to the settlements in Missouri, as we did not need them for provision. Our men were all healthy during the whole time, we suffered nothing by the Indians, and had no accident but the death of one man, being buried under a bank of earth that fell in upon him, and another being crippled at the same time. Of the mules, we lost but one by fatigue, and two horses stolen by the Kanzas Indians; the grass being, along the whole route going and coming, sufficient for the support of the horses and mules. The usual weight in the wagons was about one thousand eight hundred pounds. The usual progress of the wagons was from fifteen to twenty-five miles per day. The country being almost all open, level, and prairie, the chief obstructions were ravines and creeks, the banks of which required cutting down, and for this purpose a few pioneers were generally kept ahead of the caravan. This is the first time that wagons ever went to the Rocky Mountains, and the ease and safety with which it was done prove the facility of communicating overland with the Pacific Ocean. The route from the Southern Pass, where the wagons stopped, to the Great Falls of the Columbia, being easier and better than on this side of the mountains, with grass enough for horses and mules, but a scarcity of game for the support of men. One of the undersigned, to wit, Jedediah S. Smith, in his excursion west of the mountains, arrived at the post of the Hudson's Bay Company, called Fort Vancouver, near the mouth of Multnomah River. He arrived there in August, 1828, and left the 12th of March, 1829, and made observations which he deems it material to communicate to the government. Fort Vancouver is situated on the north side of the Columbia, five miles above the mouth of the Multnomah, in a handsome prairie, and on a second bank about three quarters of a mile from the river. This is the fort as it stood when he arrived there; but a large one, three hundred feet square about three quarters of a mile lower down, and within two hundred yards of the river, was commenced the spring he came away. Twelve pounders were the heaviest cannon which he saw. The crop of 1828 was seven hundred bushels of wheat, the grain full and plump, and making good flour, fourteen acres of corn, the same number of acres in peas, eight acres of oats, four or five acres of barley, a fine garden, some small apple trees, and grape vines. The ensuing spring eighty bushels of seed wheat were sown. About two hundred head of cattle, fifty horses and breeding mares, three hundred head of hogs, fourteen goats, the usual domestic fowls. They have mechanics of various kinds, to wit, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, carpenters, coopers, tinner, and baker. A good saw mill on the bank of the river five miles above, a grist mill worked by hand, but intended to work by water. They had built two coasting vessels, one of which was then on a voyage to the Sandwich Islands. No English or white woman was at the fort, but a great number of mixed blood Indian extraction, such as belong to the British fur trading establishments, who were treated as wives, and the families of children taken care of accordingly. So that everything seemed to combine to prove that this fort was to be a permanent establishment. At Fort Vancouver the goods for the Indian trade are imported from London, and enter the territories of the United States paying no duties, and from the same point the furs taken on the other side of the mountains are shipped. The annual quantity of these furs could not be exactly ascertained, but Mr. Smith was informed indirectly that they amounted to about thirty thousand beaver skins, besides otter skins and small furs. The beaver skins alone, at New York prices, would be worth above two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. To obtain these furs, both trapping and trading are resorted to. Various parties, provided with traps, spread over the country south of the Columbia to the neighborhood of the Mexican territory, and in 1824 and 1825 they crossed the Rocky Mountains and trapped on the waters of the Missouri River. They do not trap north of latitude 49 degrees, but confine that business to the territory of the United States. Thus this territory, being trapped by both parties, is nearly exhausted of beavers, and unless the British can be stopped, will soon be entirely exhausted, and no place left within the United States where beaver fur in any quantity can be obtained.
The inequality of the convention with Great Britain in 1818 is most glaring and apparent, and its continuance is a great and manifest injury to the United States. The privileges granted by it have enabled the British to take possession of the Columbia River, and spread over the country south of it; while no Americans have ever gone, or can venture to go on the British side. The interest of the United States and her citizens engaged in the fur trade requires that the convention of 1818 should be terminated, and each nation confined to its own territories. By this commercial interest there are other considerations requiring the same result. These are, the influence which the British have already acquired over the Indians in that quarter, and the prospect of a British colony, and a military and naval station on the Columbia. Their influence over the Indians is now decisive. Of this the Americans have constant and striking proofs, in the preference which they give to the British in every particular.
In saying this, it is an act of justice to say, also, that the treatment received by Mr. Smith at Fort Vancouver was kind and hospitable; that, personally, he owes thanks to Governor Simpson and the gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay Company, for the hospitable entertainment which he received from them, and for the efficient and successful aid which they gave him in recovering from the Umquah Indians a quantity of fur and many horses, of which these Indians had robbed him in 1828.
As to the injury which must happen to the United States from the British getting the control of all the Indians beyond the mountains, building and repairing ships in the tide water region of the Columbia, and having a station there for their privateers and vessels of war, is too obvious to need a recapitulation. The object of this communication being to state facts to the Government, and to show the facility of crossing the continent to the Great Falls of the Columbia with wagons, the ease of supporting any number of men by driving cattle to supply them where there was no buffalo, and also to show the true nature of the British establishments on the Columbia, and the unequal operation of the convention of 1818.
These facts being communicated to the Government, they consider that they have complied with their duty, and rendered an acceptable service to the administration; and respectfully request you, sir, to lay it before President Jackson.
We have the honor to be sir, yours, respectfully,
Jedediah S. Smith,
David E. Jackson,
W. L. Sublette.
To the Hon. John H. Eaton, Secretary of War.
The Missouri Republican, July 5, 1831.
The American Society for encouraging the settlement of Oregon Territory, propose to enlist 1000 men for the purpose, to rendezvous in this city January next. Each man will receive gratuitously a lot of land. There is said to be "an immense water power up the Wallamott or Mulnomah."
Republican, November 8, 1831.
An unlucky little paragraph of ours in relation to the prosperous colony at the mouth of the Columbia River has been the source of much trouble to us. We have been frequently addressed both by letter and in person for information upon the subject, without having the means of replying satisfactorily to querists. * * * We cannot now state whether the plan has been abandoned, but time has passed by when the adventurers were to have assembled here. The project originated in Boston, where, we believe, the principal officers of the society reside.
Republican, April 24, 1832.
OREGON COLONY.
Thirty-six persons attached to this colony arrived in this city Friday last. They have since proceeded on their way.
St. Louis New Era, February 14, 1843.
OREGON, THE NEW ELDORADO.
We derive from a long letter in the National Intelligencer the following sketch of the Territory beyond the Rocky Mts., which is now the theme of debate in the U. S. Senate.
Newark Advertiser.
"Within a few years several Americans, of whom the writer is one, have crossed the Rocky Mts., to the mouth of the Columbia, with objects entirely unconnected with trade or commerce. Mine was a desire to see a new country, a love of adventure for its own sake, and an enthusiastic fondness for natural history. The party with which I traveled left Independence, Mo., about the latter part of April, 1834, and arrived at the British Fort, Vancouver, in September, having performed the whole journey on horseback. From this time until October, 1836, with the exception of the first winter which I passed at the Sandwich Islands, my residence was in the Territory of Oregon. Dr. McLoughlin, chief factor, treated me with uniform and singular kindness, supplying all my wants and furnishing me with every facility in the prosecution of my plans. This is, I believe, the uniform character of the Superintendents of British forts in that country. Travelers, naturalists, and all who are not traders are kindly and hospitably treated, but the moment a visitor is known to trade a beaver skin from an Indian, that moment he is ejected from the community. The company has a sum of money amounting to several thousand pounds sterling, laid aside at Vancouver for the sole purpose of opposing all who may come to interfere with its monopoly, by purchasing at exhorbitant prices all the furs in possession of the Indians, and thus forcing the settler to come to terms or driving him from the country. If it be an individual who is thus starved into submission he then usually clears a piece of land on the Willamette River, takes an Indian wife, and purchases furs of the natives, which, by previous contract, he is bound to sell to the company at an advance which is fixed by the governor.
Ft. Vancouver, the principal trading post of the Oregon, stands on the north bank of the river, about 90 miles from the mouth. The fort consists of several dwellings, storehouses, workshops, etc., all of frame arranged together in quadrilateral form, and surrounded by a stockade of pine logs about 20 ft. high. The Ft. has no bastions, and contains no armament. There are, to be sure, 4 great guns frowning in front of the governor's mansion, 2 long 18s and 2 9-pounders, but two of them have long been spiked and the others are unfit for service.
The rainy season begins here about the middle of October and continues until the first of April. During this period the weather is almost uniformly dull, foggy, or rainy. Sometimes rain falls incessantly for the space of 2 or 3 weeks. Occasionally, during the winter months, there will be a light fall of snow, and in the winter of 1835-6 the river was frozen over. The intensity of cold, however, continued but a few days and was said to be very unusual. The general range of the thermometer, (Fahr.) during that season was from 36-48 degrees, but for 3 or 4 days was as low as 25 degrees.
In the vicinity of Ft. Vancouver, the cattle graze during the whole winter; no stabling or stall feeding is ever requisite, as the extensive plains produce the finest and most abundant crops of excellent prairie grass. In choosing a site for settlement on the main river, it is always necessary to bear in mind the periodical inundations. Ft. Vancouver itself, though built on a high piece of land at a distance of 600 yards from the common rise of the tides, is sometimes almost reached by the freshets of early spring. The soil here, on both sides of the river is a rich black loam, the base being basaltic rock.The face of the country from Ft. George, (Astoria,) to Vancouver, a distance of 80 miles, is very much of a uniform character, consisting of alluvial meadows, along the river-side, alternating with forests of oak, pine, etc., while behind are extensive plains, some of which receive estuaries of the river, while others are watered by lakes or ponds. The pine forests are very extensive, the trees being of great size, and the timber extraordinarily beautiful. All the timber of the genus pinus is gigantic. I measured with Dr. Gairdner, surgeon of the fort, a pine of the species Douglass, which had been prostrated by the wind. Its height was above 200 ft., and its circumference 45 feet. Large as was this specimen, its dimensions are much exceeded by one measured by the late David Douglas. The height of this tree was nearly 300 ft., and the circumference 56 ft. Cones of this pine, according to Mr. D., were 12 to 15 inches long, resembling in size and form sugar loaves. Oak timber of various kinds is abundant along the river, as well as button wood, balsam, poplar, ash, sweet gum, beech, and many other useful kinds, but no hickory or walnut. The governor of Ft. Vancouver, who is an active agriculturist, has exerted himself for several years in raising whatever appears adapted to the soil. Wheat, rye, barley, pease, and culinary vegetables of all kinds are raised in ample quantity. Fruits of various kinds, apples, peaches, plums, etc., do remarkably well. I remember being particularly struck, upon my arrival at Vancouver in the autumn, with the display of apples in the garden of the fort. Trees were crowded with fruit, so that every limb had to be sustained with a prop. Apples were literally packed along the branches, and so closely that I could compare them to nothing more aptly than ropes of onions. In the vicinity of Walla Walla or the Ney [z] Perce's Fort, the country in every condition for many miles exhibits an arid and cheerless prospect. The soil is deep sand, and the plain upon which the fort stands produces nothing but bushes of aromatic wormwood. Along the borders of the small streams, however, the soil is exceedingly rich and productive, and on these strips of land the superintendent raises his corn and the vegetables necessary for the consumption of his people. The prong-horned antelope occasionally ranged these plains; black-tailed or mule deer is found in the vicinity; grouse of several species are very abundant, and large prairie hare is common. In autumn and winter, in the vicinity of Ft. Vancouver, ducks, geese, and swans swarm in immense numbers. These are killed by the Indians and taken to the Ft. as articles of trade. For a single duck, one load of powder and shot is given; for a goose, 2; and for a swan, 4 loads. For deer 10 loads of ammunition, or a bottle of rum is the usual price. Early in May salmon are first seen entering the river, and the Columbia and all its tributaries teem with these delicious fish. The Indians take great numbers by various modes, subsisting almost wholly on them during their stay, and drying and packing them away in thatched huts to be used for their winter store. Salmon also forms a chief article of food for the inmates of the fort, and hundreds of casks are salted down every season.
About 20 miles above this, in the Wallamet Valley, is the spot chosen by the Methodist missionaries for their settlement, and here also, a considerable number of retired servants of the company had established themselves. The soil of this delightful valley is rich beyond comparison, and the climate considerably milder than that of Vancouver. Rain rarely falls, even in the winter season, but dews are sufficiently heavy to compensate for its absence. The epidemic of the country, ague, is rarely known here. In short, the Wallamet Valley is a terrestrial paradise, to which I have known some to exhibit so strong an attachment as to declare that notwithstanding the few privations which must necessarily be experienced by settlers of a new country, no consideration would ever induce them to return to their former homes."
J. K. T. [Townsend].
Washington, Jan. 26, 1843.
St. Louis New Era, Tuesday, February 28, 1843.
OREGON.
The following is an extract from a letter dated Honolulu, Oct. 30, 1842. "The town is now full of strangers, the Chenamus having brought some 19 passengers from the Oregon, who are returning home, disgusted with the people and the country. Then again, the Victoria brings a few families here on their way to the river to settle. They must be encouraged by meeting so many here, returning."
New Era, Thursday, March 9, 1843.
(Contains notice of "Travels in the Great Prairie Wilderness, the Anahuac and Rocky Mts., and in Oregon Territory," by T. J. Farnham; said to contain full account of a journey overland and the Methodist missions in the Territory. Notice copied into "Era" from N. Y. Tribune, from which office it is issued.)
Republican, July 22, 1843.
We learn from Maj. Albert Wilson who has just returned from the Mountains, that he met the Oregon emigrants on the big Arkansas [Platte], one month after they had left the settlements, and that they were cheerfully wending their way onwards. There were 1150 emigrants, 175 wagons, and a great number of cattle, horses, mules, etc., etc. Lord Stewart and his party of pleasure, consisting of 100 persons, were three days in advance of the Oregon emigrants.
Copied into Rep. from "Liberty Banner." Republican, August 7, 1843.
A letter received from the emigrants, at Iowa City, some days since:
OREGON EMIGRATING CO.
June 10, 1843.
The return of a company of mountain traders to the settlements presents an opportunity for writing which I feel much inclined to embrace. We are now between 2 and 300 miles west of Independence, on the Blue river, a tributary of the Kansas, in good health and spirits. I regret to say that a division has taken place in the company, in consequence of the number of cattle driven by some, those having no cattle refusing to stand guard over stock belonging to others. The result of all this was that Capt. Burnett resigned command of the company, and the commander, in accordance with our regulations, ordered a new election, and so altered the by-laws that the commander should be called colonel, and also authorized the election of 4 captains, and 4 orderly sergeants. The cattle party selected myself as their candidate, those opposed selected Mr. Wm. Martin, an experienced mountaineer. There being a majority in opposition to the cattle party, Mr. Martin was elected, and a division of the company ensued. About 50 wagons, with those who had large droves of loose cattle, now left, with a general request that all in favor of traveling with them should fall back. I was particularly solicited to leave Martin's party, but as it would travel much the fastest, and Col. Martin was a very clever fellow, I declined. The new company, it is expected, will be commanded by Capt. Applegate. Our roads, since leaving the settlements have been very fine, except within the last few days, during which period they have been almost impassable in consequence of the tremendous rains, but they are again improving. We have had no trouble with the Indians, with the exception of horse and cattle stealing, and this business they have carried on pretty lively. I had a very fine mule and an ox stolen from me on the Kansas river, and we lost in all some 8 or 10 head of horses and mules. I believe there is not a case of sickness in camp, though old Mr. Stout, from Iowa, has a violent swelling in his eyes. Tell the boys from Iowa to come on with all the cattle and sheep they can get, and a company large enough to drive them.
Truly yours, etc.,
M. M. M. [McCarver].
P. S.—My friend, Mr. Henry Lee, from Iowa, has just been elected Capt. of one of the divisions. While writing, news has been brought in of the discovery of a dead Indian about one mile from this place, and freshly scalped, and nearly all the company have gone to see him. He was shot with arrows and is supposed to be a Pawnee, killed by a party of the Kansas Indians whom we met the other day, consisting of 200, with fresh scalps and fingers, which they said had been taken the day before.
Republican, Friday, September 6, 1843.
We have been favored with the perusal of a private letter from Bent's Fort, dated July 26. The writer is one of Mr. Fitzpatrick's party, and says that thus far their trip has been a severe one. The party has been delayed since the 14th inst., waiting for the arrival of Mr. Fremont, who left them on the 17th of June with 18 men. After progressing ahead some distance, he despatched an express back, requesting the rear party with Fitzpatrick not to move until he joined them, alleging as a reason that there were hostile Mexicans on their route. On the morning of the date of the letter, the writer says, they were dividing into two parties again, with the intention of meeting at Ft. Hall, Oregon, in about 4 days [weeks]. Fitzpatrick's party intended crossing the Platte that morning, and would take up its line of march over the mountains. He speaks of a slight difficulty with the Indians, but furnishes no particulars.
Republican, Friday, September 29, 1843.
We have received from Mr. Edward Hutwa a very handsome, and, as far as we have any means of judging, a correct lithograph map of the Oregon Territory, as claimed by the U. S., with a portion of the adjacent territory. The principal rivers, mountains, routes, trading depots, and the trading depots and forts of the Hudson's Bay Co., are laid down with accuracy. To those migrating to the Columbia, or to those wishing to study the topography of the country, this map will be of importance.
Republican, Wednesday, December 13, 1843.
A postscript to a letter from a gentleman in the Indian country, dated October 19, received by a gentleman of this city, says: "Ft. Hall, on the Oregon has been delivered up to Lt. Fremont, and it is believed that Ft. Vancouver soon will be." How far the report is reliable, we have no means of knowing, except that he and his party are in Oregon by the authority and direction of the United States Government.
Republican, Thursday, December 14, 1843.
We yesterday noticed a postscript of a letter from the Oregon country. We have since seen letters from Lt. Fremont and other men of his party, written at Ft. Hall, and bearing date of 20th September, which do not confirm the report alluded to. The silence of these letters as to the surrender of Ft. Hall is full assurance to us that the report is not correct. The letter before us, the statements of which are corroborated by Lt. Fremont, himself, says:—
"I arrived at this place (Ft. Hall) on the 13th inst., with my part of the caravan all safe and in tolerable order. * * * (Unimportant part skipped). Lt. Fremont, whom I parted with on the South fork of the Platte, and expected to meet at this place, joined us yesterday after making a survey of the Salt Lake, which he has done much to his satisfaction. The exploration and new routes which we have taken have made our trip tedious and very laborious, but, I hope it will be satisfactory to the Department. We leave tomorrow for the lower country, and find it necessary to let some of our men off on account of the scarcity of provisions, which are not to be had at this place. The full objects of the expedition, will, I hope, be completed ere we return. I shall leave the party in a few days for Walla Walla, or perhaps lower down, to provide necessary supplies for the completion of the business in that quarter. I can not say what time we will return to St. Louis; it is to be hoped before the adjournment of Congress. The emigrants passed this place some short time since, pretty well worn down and scarce of food. The Indians on the Columbia are expected to become troublesome to these newcomers. It is supposed they are induced to acts of violence by some persons as yet unknown. They have already burned Dr. Whitman's mill, and I fear it is not the last spark which will be kindled in the settlement and occupation of this country. The Hudson's Bay Company are improving and pushing their business, perhaps with greater energy than usual, Dr. McLoughlin is laying off towns on the Willamette, selling lots, etc. This is the report, and you can see that the Dr. is in advance of Dr. Linn's bill."
The foregoing is the latest news from Oregon, and may be relied upon as correct. Not the least interesting part of it is that which relates to the disposition of the Indians towards the emigrants. We have always believed that the Indians, backed and incited as they will be by agents and emissaries of the Hudson's Bay Co., and furnished as they doubtless will be, with arms and means of warfare from some source, would oppose the emigrants in making their settlements. That the country must be conquered before it is attained, we hardly entertain a doubt, and if we did, the supineness of our Government would only strengthen the belief. Why is it that our Government is so indifferent to the claims of the nation upon this territory, its wealth and possessions?
St. Louis Reveille, Oct. 21, 1844.
"When I first came here, 19 months ago, there were but 4 or 5 houses, now there is upwards of 80 good buildings, nearly all of two stories, and 4 or 5 of three stories high. If there had been plenty of nails we should have had a number more up. If a supply of nails reaches us this spring, we shall have 200 houses before this reaches you, and some of these of brick, for a company from Baltimore are now building a brickyard. A tanyard is also being established. The fact is, we have mechanics of all kinds here, though not a tenth of the number of each kind required. The winter is past, but it was no winter. It was rather a blooming spring, for we had but little rain and no snow, and grass green all the time. We have had but two days' rain in the last 45. I saw cattle yesterday which had run all winter, in finer condition than I ever saw any in your state. Uncle Sam had better be doing something for this country, for if not, within three years it will be too late. You laugh, but if you live you will see it. Therefore stir them up, Mac, for we do not want trouble here, and would all rejoice if the star-spangled banner embraced us within its ample folds. Our flag flying by authority would make a vast difference here.
An Indian committed some outrages lately, and our sheriff endeavored in vain to arrest him; then offered $100 reward for the Indian, and went to his own house, 30 miles from this place. On Monday the Indian came into Oregon City, close to Dr. McLoughlin's mill, where some 25 or 30 men were at work. Winslow and some white men went to take him, and got close to him. He saw Winslow, fired his gun, which missed its mark, the ball lodging in a tree on this side of the river within 2 feet of me, for I was at work at my garden at the time. The Indian then fired his pistol, 2 balls from which lodged in the shoulder of G. W. LeBreton, clerk of the court, tearing his arm dreadfully. Mr. LeB. seized the Indian with the other hand, and then threw him down. Winslow then ran up and knocked out his brains. In the meantime, 5 other Indians fired their guns, and then their arrows, and wounded two men."
Reveille, November 4, 1844.
NEWS FROM OREGON.
The Western Expositor of Saturday last announces the arrival of Mr. Wm. Gilpin, formerly of this place, from Oregon. Mr. Gilpin passed the winter among the American settlements of the Willamette and the adjacent sea coast, and he describes them as enjoying prosperity when he left them in April last. The emigrant party of '43, which he accompanied, arrived at their destination in November last, "after having braved and overcome unparalleled dangers and difficulties from savages, from hunger, from thirst, crossing parched treeless plains, fierce angry rivers, and forcing their wagons through 1000 miles of mountains, declared impassable by the most experienced guides and voyageurs."
This accession swelled the population of Oregon to upwards of 2000, and they had formed a government, elected officers, established courts, and a record of land titles. "Farms," he says, "freckle the magnificent plains, towns are springing up at convenient points upon the rivers, a dozen of excellent mills supply lumber and flour for home use and export; the fisheries are not neglected, and lands are surveyed. A college, numerous schools, and several churches are scattering education amongst the young. Money has been sent from New York for a printing press and steam engine, cattle and stock of all kinds are accumulating and rapidly increasing under a mild climate and unfailing pastures. Provisions of all kinds are abundant, of most excellent quality and moderate prices."
Mr. Gilpin passed the trading fort of Bridger and Vasquez on the 19th of August. This fort is 100 miles west of Green River, and exactly half way from Independence to the Willamette. The American trappers scattered among the mountains had there collected to meet the emigrants of last spring; an advanced party of 30 of whom, with their wagons and cattle, passed on the 17th, two days later than the emigrants of the preceding year. Two larger companies behind, under the command of Gen. Gilliam and Col. Ford, passed subsequently, and all in good time reached the settlements before the setting in of winter.
Reveille, January 20, 1845.
OREGON.
We learn from a letter published in the Weston Journal, dated at the Sandwich Islands, that the Oregon emigrants who went out during the past season, have made great changes in business, money now circulating, and everything begins to assume the appearance of the civilization, business, trade, and refinements this side of the mountains.
Republican, February 8, 1848.
OREGON.
We see it stated in up-country papers that the late arrivals from Oregon furnished information that two parties of emigrants, dissatisfied with their prospects in that country, attempted to return home last winter, but were prevented by the difficulties of road and weather. We have never entertained a doubt that this disposition was uppermost with all the best portions of the emigration to that region; but obstacles are presented of such a character as to deter many persons from attempting to return. Emigrants from the states find the greatest difficulty in descending the mountain declivities into the valley of the Columbia River, but then their wagons have been relieved of a great part of the provisions and surplus weight, and they do get along. If they should attempt to return to the United States, however, a different prospect is presented. They must start amply provided with provisions and everything necessary for the journey, and thus loaded it has been deemed impossible to get wagons along over the mountains which they necessarily have to ascend in their progress. This cause alone has deterred many persons from making the attempt, and they have been compelled to accommodate themselves to a country and a condition of things in no respect better than they originally left. No man, in our opinion, who has a comfortable home in any of the states can be justified in giving it up in the expectation of bettering himself in Oregon. If he has a family, he does a gross injustice to them in exposing them to the hardships of so long and perilous a journey with no prospect of returning to their friends, should they become discontented; and even if an emigrant has nobody to care for but himself, he had better stay at home and earn an honest living, than go to Oregon and run the risk of working out a precarious one. For this reason we have never countenanced any one for whom we had the least respect in a journey to Oregon or California with a view to a fixed residence there. Neither country presents half the inducements to be found in any one of the Western states, and an adventure of this kind is prima facie evidence of a restless and discontented spirit, not likely to be pleased anywhere.
Republican, May 19, 1848.
On the 20th of November the Governor appointed Columbia Lancaster to be Supreme Judge of Oregon Territory, in place of J. Quinn Thornton, resigned. From some proceedings of the legislature of a subsequent period, we infer that Judge Thornton had left Oregon on a visit to Washington City, as a sort of general agent, to attend to the distribution of offices in the new territory. Of his arrival we have not heard, and it is probable that Mr. Meek may reach Washington before him.
[Then follows proceedings of legislature, resolutions, etc., intended to keep J. Q. T. from leaving the territory, quoted in full. Also Governor's message, expressing the disappointment at the failure of Congress to extend jurisdiction over that country, etc.] Republican, July 26, 1848.
ARRIVAL OF MR. KIT CARSON FROM CALIFORNIA.
Information has been received by Gov. Mason in California of the difficulties between the Oregon settlers and Indians, but it does not appear to come down to a later date than that which we have received from Oregon direct.
Republican, August 2, 1848.
LATE FROM OREGON.
[General account of defense of Oregon regiment against Indians; death of Col. Gilliam, etc.]
NOTE—A CORRECTION.