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A letter by Titian R. Peale to Thomas Morgan, Esq., of Washington,
Pennsylvania:
WASHINGTON, D. C., February 6, 1843.
DEAR SIR: Observing the interest you have taken in the
"Oregon Bill," now before Congress, I conclude that a few
notes, coming from one who has recently traveled through a
portion of the Oregon territory, will be acceptable to you,
and probably be of use to some of your neighbors, who may
feel disposed to profit by the inducements offered, should
the bill pass and become a law.
Being a member of the Scientific Corps of the United States
Expedition, in 1841, I had the misfortune to be wrecked, in
the ship Peacock, at the mouth of the Columbia River, and
subsequently traveled that portion of the country south of
the Columbia River, known as the Wallamette Valley, and
thence across the mountains to California.
The soil, we observed, generally on that route, although not
as rich as that of the Mississippi Valley, was still
sufficiently so, when cultivated, to produce from twenty to
forty bushels of wheat to the acre, of as good quality as
any I have ever seen in my native State (Pennsylvania),
which, added to the facilities for settlers in finding the
land ready for the plough, without the labor of clearing,
while sufficiency of the finest timber is found on the banks
of the numerous streams, is alone sufficient to invite to
the further settlement of the country when known. But this
is not all. The winters are so mild that it has never yet
been found necessary to house cattle, or provide winter food
for them. They thrive and multiply beyond expectation.
Salmon are procured in great profusion in almost all the
streams, and ready markets are found for them, as well as
all the other products of the territory, in the markets of
Mexico, South America, and the numerous islands of the
Pacific Ocean. Thus, from its position in the Pacific, it
has all the advantages which we possess in the Atlantic
Ocean; gaining in the China what might be considered as
partly lost from the European trade.
The tract of country to which I have more particularly
alluded is about two hundred and fifty miles long, including
the mouth of the Columbia River, and reaching to about one
hundred and fifty miles from the coast. This tract of
country I considered quite equal, if not superior to
Pennsylvania, both in commercial position and capability in
agricultural product, and much superior in its advantages
for raising cattle, etc., being generally interspersed with
prairie and woodland.
Would the above hasty notes prove satisfactory to you or any
of your friends, or if they only serve to awaken a spirit of
inquiry, it will always be a source of pleasure to me in
having communicated them.
With great respect, I have the honor to remain, yours truly,