The Oregon Co ulatry.
LETTER 3.
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10 me Editor OF the Union:


SIR-I now come to the description O
that portion of Oregon, lying west Of til,
Cascade mountains, embracing not only
the Willamette country, but the great val
ley-if it be so called-bound east by tn.
Cascade mountains, and west by the Pa
ci6c, and including, from north 10 south
the whole Of our territory, averaging, from
east to west, lao to l5o miles. Of the
north portion Of this district we know lit.
tie else satisfactorily, than that large sec.
tions are heavily timbered, the soil being
represented as in most places, sandy, thin,
and impregnated with magnesia; whilst
there are said 10 be considerable portions
along the coast and near the base Of the
mountains Of the choicest description Of
high rolling prairies, beautifully clad with
fine grass, wild red and white clover, va
nous herbages and charming flowers. Yet
the general aspect Of the country is hilly,
rngged, and rather uninvitlng in its fea-
lures.


ought here to say, that the valley of the
Cowerlitz, which river empties into the
Columbia some 40 miles from its mouth.
is fayorably represented by the colonists
planted there and said TO produce well the
various crops peculiar to the northern and
middle State: and the fact of the little col
ony of about two hundred, being rapidly
advancing and in fourishing state, is cor
scborative to IFS statement. During the
last year, Rev. Alvin +. Walter, accom-
panied by two or three other respectable
gentlemen, and other small exploring par
ties, have penetrated into the northern and
northeastern district of this country, ex-
ploring the country east and west of the
Cascade mountains; and all unite in more
favorable representations of the country,
both as TO grazing and agricultural pur-
poses. Several large valleys and districts
are not only well watered, timbered, and
grassed, but present an agl eeablc undulat-
ing surface. Yet on the whole, the weight
OF testimony is against the larger portions
Of The territory north of the Columbia, as
ut for agricultural purposes, but as pas
turai and manufacturing district, in view
Of the inildness Of the climate, and Of its
excellent water privileges, conceive too
much cannot be said in its favor. l re-
serve to show its immence commercial ad-
vantages, it's harbors. its importance as
mineral district, in future number.


The valley Of the Columbia, though its
soll has been strengthened by rich alluvi-
a deposits, is, owing to annual inundatiens
IN the most favorable seasons Of the year,
untitled for agricultural purposes, except
4 Vancouver and few other places, oc-
casionally met with upon the north and
south side Of the river. The Willamette
tiver, emptying into the Columbia, ninety
iour miles from its mouth, is estimated to
Be some three hundred miles in length,
with ship navigation from its entrance
ior about thirty five miles. Of this val
ley we shall treat at some length in our
next number. -


77i ELIJAH WHITE. 1


