Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/387

 CORRESPONDENCE 369 It seems to me that I cannot stay at home any longer. If there is any prospect that your Society can occupy the Sound by two practical, common sense, pious ministers, I would not fail to explore that region this fall. But if I must spend six or eight weeks of the best of the season in exploring the coun- try, perhaps preach twelve or fifteen sermons and leave the territory two years more before a man is sent to break up the ground and preach the gospel of the Kingdom, it would seem that we had better attempt to cultivate the already too wide and neglected field in the Willamette Valley. In the absence of any positive instruction from you on the subject, I shall try and look to the Great Head of the church for direction, and you will not be surprised to hear from! me in Washington Ter. in six or eight weeks after the receipt of this. I may be able to receive all the reliable intelligence necessary to enable me to give you a general view of the demands of that very impor- tant portion of the country, but as yet I have nothing reliable since I last wrote you on that subject. The Dalles is fast coming into importance and, although at this time there is not more than one hundred or one hundred and fifty white people in its vicinity, it is an important trading point and must ever be the key to the whole country of the Columbia River above the Cascade Mountains, and at no distant day must become a populous city. At this time there are five dry goods stores at that place. I think I shall try and visit that place this fall, while the immigrants are there, and spend one or two Sab- baths. This place has such a commjanding position that I know of no place where an effort will be so sure to be attended with permanent results. Another important town will rise up at the Cascade Falls of the Columbia, 40 miles below The Dalles, and at the head of ship navigation on the Columbia, Respectfully yours, EZRA FISHER. July 19th, 1854. Dear Brother Hill : I am in need of some funds to defray my traveling and family expenses and have an opportunity of exchanging $150