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178 nal as substituting for reasons and ideas "nick-names and vulgar personal abuse, for which the Oregon press has always been too much noted."

By the politeness of the gentlemanly proprietor, Capt. Whitcomb, who extended to us an invitation to join the pleasure party on the new Steamer "Lot Whitcomb of Oregon," on her first trip down the rivers, we were permitted to enjoy the pleasure of the excursion. The party was composed of ladies and gentlemen from Oregon City, Milwaukie, Fort Vancouver, Cathlamet, and Pacific City. On the evening previous to leaving Milwaukie, the party assembled on board,. . . partook of refreshments, and enjoyed a dance in the cabin throughout the evening. The steamer left Milwaukie at about 11 o'clock, A. M. on the 25th of January, and made her trip to Portland, 6 miles, in 25 minutes. Stopping at Portland about an hour, we turned and ran back up the river above Portland a short distance and passed down by the town. . . and, as we passed the steamer Gold Hunter, Capt. Hall gave us a gun and three hearty cheers. Portland has so much advanced in improvements, since we were there four months ago, that we should have hardly known the place. It shows every evidence of prosperity, which we are extremely happy to see in every town in Oregon.