Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/79



CORRESPONDENCE 71

youth. These inconveniences must be remedied by the habitual efforts of every philanthropist and Christian.

Yours truly, E. F.

Received May 6, 1848.

October 31, 1847. Dear Br. Hill:

We are all in health. Winter rains are just commencing. Crop of wheat in the upper country is light by means of an unusually dry summer, but on the coast all crops are usually good, droughts seldom affecting the coast seriously. The present immigration is numerous, the number of wagons be- ing generally estimated at about 1,000, and about 4,000 souls. 135 Perhaps they have had more than a usual share of sickness and suffering on the road. Hundreds are yet on the last part of the journey. More than 1,200 or 1,500 wagons should never attempt to cross the mountains in one year, and they should not be incumbered with more loose cattle than is necessary for ample teams and milch cows. Sheep stand the journey best of all domestic animals and are the most useful when here. Emigrants from the eastern and^ middle states should come by water, if they can submit to a long sea voyage. Please enter the enclosed letters in the post office immediately upon reception of this. I send you a package of three sheets, by Captain Gelston, containing my report from August first. Shall spend some time during the rainy season in writing you.

Our general prospects in Oregon are brightening. Com- merce is increasing rapidly and a general impulse is given to every branch of business. We earnestly hope the U. S. Congress will provide for us a_ government the coming ses- sion. 136 I trust your Board will provide for California imme- diately on the U. S. securing that territory to her jurisdiction. A colporter preacher jointly sustained by the A. Bapt. Publica- tion Society and the H. Mission Board, with a supply of books and tracts, would be an invaluable accession- to Oregon. I

135 Bancroft says the number of persons was between 4000 and 5000. Hist, of Ore. I: 623.

136 Oregon was given a territorial government in 1848.