The Oregon Country.
LETTER ".
{"newspaper_name": "Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": "TO the Editor of the Union:"}
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10 We Euu0f 0J fhe Cnt0n:


SIk:-The valley Of the Willamette Is.
In extent, variously estimated from $50 to
to 100 miles in length, and from so to 100
miles in width. The river, rising in the
Cascade mountains, and stretching through
several degrees in northerly direction.
emp'ies into the Columbia 94 miles from
the mouth. M f


Nearly all that portion lying forth Of
Oregon city; at the fall. of the Willamette,
distant about 35 miles from the Columbia.
and extending one hundred miles from east
to west, is heavily wooded with valuable
timber, savel,ere and there patch Of prai-
rie, which is generally Of an excellent char
ac'er, and conveniently skirted with wood
land. The timber consists Of red and white
fir, pine, cedar, cotton wood, ash, maple,
laurel, elder, yew, &c. The surface is va
ried, and the soil generally good, as will
hereafter be shown.


The value and extent of the water-pow-
er, caused by the perpendicular fall Of the
river Of thirty-eight feet at Oregon CITY,
will be hereafter considered. The coun-
try, commencing at the falls and extending
south for one hundred miles, is an admira-
bic mixture of woodland and prairie--the
woodland lessening and the prairie enlare-
ing as we advance southwardly.


The district comprises four-fifihs Of the
present strength Of the American and
French population; and, as will appear
from an array of facts, well has the tlier
and herdsman been rewarded for their toll
and care, no people perhaps having, with
SO limited means, advanced their state so
rapidly since the colonization of America.
We will now turn out attef;tion to The up
per, and by FAR the most Interesting portion
of this magnificent valley. Large numbers
coming in with accounts SO glowing, in
duced me to make thorough exploration
OF that part of the country, and not only
sweep around and approach the base Of the
mountains, but to ascend and penetrate into
the region of perpetual SHOWS, in the stu.
penduons Cascade ridge, thence TO explore
the source of the Willamette; from whence
returning to the settlement on the opposite
side Of the river, keeping near the Pacific
ridge Of the mountains; discovered sim
gnlar depression in the mountains, which
leading from the heart and centre of The
valley, to the Pacific, over distance Of not
more than fifty miles, presents most eli
gible route for the construction of a rail-
way, BY keeping alongside the banks ol
the Oagee river, at the mouth of which
stream there was discovered safe and
quiet little harbor, having at ebb-tide an
estimated depth Of from nine to twelve feet
water over the bar.


OF this valley, and especially of the up
per half of it, for uniformity of strength and
depth of soil, for purity of water, and ex.
tent Of water-privileses, for convenience
Of timber " ith p,airie ground, for variety
Of lovely scenery, for mildness Of salHbriiy
Of climate, it is believed, saying nothing al
present Of its commercial advantages, the
earth presents few equals.


ELIJAH WHITE.
WAsHISGToS, Dec. II, l845.