A letter by the Rev. Alvan F. Waller to his brother at Elba, New York.
It was first published in the _Christian Advocate and Journal_.
Taken from the _Ohio Statesman_, March 10, 1843.
WALLAMETTE FALLS, April 6, 1842.
DEAR BROTHER: Your last came duly to hand and very much
refreshed our spirits. Write every opportunity, being
assured that intelligence from our friends is to us in this
land like cold water to thirsty souls. You will see by my
letter where I am stationed. This is in some respects a
pleasant though laborious field of labor. This is and is
destined to be, the great emporium of the interior of this
country. Its water power for manufacturing purposes is
probably not rivaled in the States; at least, few and far
between are the privileges which equal or excel it; besides
here is an excellent salmon fishery. As to the country,
taking it all and all, it is a good farming and grazing
country. The winters are so mild that the cattle and horses
do well without feeding. The country is well watered, and
the inhabitants are, in general, healthy. The ague and fever
is the most prevalent disease, although other diseases
occur. On the sea coast I believe it is more healthy than
back in the country. So far as I and my family are
concerned, we have been as healthy as we ever were in the
States. Our little ones are quite as hearty and as lively as
the fawns that skip over the plains.
Produce of all kinds, except corn, does well here, so far as
it has been fairly tried. Some corn has been raised. Wheat,
peas, and oats, I believe, so far as quality is concerned,
can not excel in any country. Potatoes are tolerable, and in
some parts excellent. Indeed, it is my candid conviction,
that an industrious and economical man can live as well
(fruit excepted) and make property as fast as in almost any
country, and far easier than in any part of the State of New
York where I have lived. Let him bring with him a few
hundred dollars in cash or property, his farming utensils,
etc., and settle on one of these delightful plains and the
first year he can support his family from the soil, as he
has nothing to do but fence, plow, and sow, and prepare a
shelter or house for his family; yet he will have to
encounter some difficulties incident to all new countries.
Our mills are few and far between, and not all of the first
order, but rather multiplying and improving; though a good
millwright is very much wanted, as well as apparatus for
building mills and a great many wholesome settlers,
embracing some capitalists who will open trade with the
Islands and China, which can be done from this coast with
great facility. But first of all, our government ought to
extend its jurisdiction and protection over this country.
The state of the country in this respect (especially for
Americans), as well in respect to a currency, is unpleasant.
The Hudson Bay Company seem determined to monopolize as long
as possible; yet in many respects they are quite
accommodating, at least, so far as it is to their interest.
They profess to claim many of the best and most valuable
parts of the country by putting up a little hut without
habitation and forbidding any one settling in those places.
They made a claim at the Falls, on the side where I now am,
about twelve years since, hewing a quantity of timber, etc.,
and a few years since they put up a small hut and covered it
with bark.
Last fall an American took possession of a small island in
the falls, but no sooner was it known at Fort Vancouver than
a company of men was sent off with boards to put up a hut,
and soon the governor of the fort came up, greatly incensed,
called the man a pilferer, and anything but good; he,
however, went on! A cooper wished to build a shop near me,
but was informed, by orders from the fort, that if he built
his shop would be torn down. He, however, went on and built;
his shop still stands. These are naked facts; and others of
the same kind, if necessary, can be forthcoming. By this you
will have some clue to the state of things in this country
in this respect.
I have written in great haste, as this is to be off early
to-morrow morning. Besides, I have plenty of company, a
number of men being here to buy salmon, of which I have the
care. Others are on their way down the river. Indeed, my
house is at times, as to travelers, more like a public house
than a Methodist preacher's.
Your affectionate brother,