Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/70



a barren height, and traverse many a sun scorched plain, ere the green Oasis glads his eyes. Those who have emigrated to the country, have had uncommonly good health. Notwithstanding the great exposures which the Emigrations of 1843 and 1844, were necessarily subjected to, in making, and after having made, a long and toilsome journey through a wild, and desert wilderness; in preparing shelters from the rains, and obtaining the means of subsistance; there were fewer instances of sickness in either than is common among a like number of people, in the most healthy portions of the United States. But to describe the climate of Oregon, with the greatest exactness, in the fewest words, is, we think, to compare it with France; which laying between precisely the same parallels of latitude, and occupying exactly the same position, on the Eastern Continent, that Oregon does on the Western, boasts a climate which has long since and universally been acknowledged, one of the finest on the Globe. —The situation.of Oregon, in regard to commerce, every one who knows any thing about the geography of the world, is already acquainted with. Its location is convenient to all the shores and Islands of the Pacific, the Western portions of South America; and as all the numerous groups of Islands in the great Pacific Ocean, are ready of access; they will furnish much for profitable commerce, as they lie mostly in the tropics. The people who have emigrated to Oregon, have organized a Government, deeming it right and necessary, situated as they were, in an Indian country, and so far removed from the influence of any law; not only as a means of personal safety from the natives, if they were disposed to be hostile; but also, for the protection of life and property, against evil-doers among themselves; and for the distribution of equal justice in all their intercourse with each other. This Government, however, is intended only to be temporary, and subject to the disposition of the Government of the United States, whenever she extends her jurisdiction over the Territory. The people of Oregon, generally, have no disposition to set up an independent government; but on the contrary, they are exceedingly anxious to be taken into the care and under the protection of the United States. They expect to receive grants from the government, and under this expectation, they have all located land claims of a section each; and these claims are of course respected and protected by the existing provisionary government. This government was organized in 1843, and previous to the