Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/84



74 C. F. COAN

and Prairie, conveniently situated for farms make up the western portion of the tract, and upon the North, or Columbia side of the country, as well as adjoining the Willamette on the West, are extensive and rich river bottoms, there is much of this kind of land also on a considerable stream, washing the base of the Cascade range of Mountains called "Sandy river" (which joins the Columbia near the North East part of the purchase).

The Clackamas river, which empties into the Willamette just below Oregon City, is a dashing, never failing stream, upon which are many mills, affording besides these, power for many more; there are now in operation about twenty mills in different parts of the tract. I will mention that instances have occurred where farming lands have been sold for fifty dollars per acre; this was of course upon the western or best settled portion of the purchase.

The whole eastern side of the Clackamas lands is covered with a dense growth of Fir and Cedar timber, and has not been much explored ; at least not sufficiently for me to give a minute description in these papers.

I was induced to negotiate this treaty, although there was an informality connected with it, but which I hope will not prove a serious obstacle to its ratification. I allude to the fact of there having been no one associated with me on the part of the United States. In conformity to the Act of Feb- ruary last, you did associate with me Henry H. Spaulding and Beverly S. Allen, but the first named having been removed and his successor not having conferred upon him the power to act with me. and Mr. Allen declining the Office, left me the responsibility of acting alone on the part of the Government.

At first many unsuccessful efforts were made to negotiate with them owing to demands made by them, which were un- reasonable, and even impossible to comply with ; at several of our meetings, they refused to sell the most valuable part of