THE QUARTERLY OF THE Oregon Historical Society. (continued 3)

The next emigration will get their cattle and wagons through quite easy, if they will start early and travel constantly though slow; they must not push.

Persons on the north side of the Missouri should rendezvous on the south side of the river, opposite the Blacksnake Hills, and go up the Nemaha and strike the Platte near the Pawnee village; by so doing they will avoid crossing the Kansas, and avoid some bad roads, and go 100 miles nearer.

We were not troubled with the Indians in the dangerous part of the country, for this reason, I have no doubt,—we kept a strong guard in nighttime and a sharp lookout in daytime. After we passed Green River we abandoned guarding and broke up into small companies, though advised to the contrary, and in passing from the Blue Mountains to the valley some of the emigrants were imposed on, in fact, some of them were robbed, though it was their own fault for not sticking together. You should start with some medicine, for you will have more or less sickness until you get to Fort Hall. Be sure and take good care not to expose yourself unnecessarily, for people have to go through a seasoning on the road, which makes the most of them sick. We are now eating apples which grew at Vancouver. They are now gathering their apples, peaches, and grapes, etc.; these are the only fruits tried as yet; they are fine.

The missionaries here have done more toward Christianizing the Indians in five years than has been done in the States in twenty years. Numbers of them who can not speak one word of English hold regular family worship. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. I am convinced it is in consequence of not being able to get liquor. The Hudson Bay Company and missionaries and settlers have taken a bold stand against the introduction of ardent spirits into this country, and I am convinced while they continue this praiseworthy course we all will see more satisfaction and pleasure, and our little colony will profit thereby.

S. M. GILMORE.

From Weston Journal, April 5, 1845.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Mr. Editor: I desire to recommend, through your paper, to all emigrants to Oregon, to pass by the Council Bluffs. The road from Weston to the Bluffs is now in fine order. All the streams are bridged or have ferries, so that there is no obstacle to cause an hour's detention until the company shall reach the Bluffs. The best route is that crossing the Nishnebatona at Huntseeker's Ferry; thence by the residence of Major Stephen Cooper to Port au Poule, where a good ferry-boat is now in preparation to cross the Missouri. From the Missouri, at that point, to the Pawnee villages, the road is much better than on the lower route, and the distance is about the same.

ONE WHO KNOWS.

Weston, April 2, 1845.

From Weston Journal, March 15, 1845.

OREGON! OREGON!! OREGON!!!

Mr. Editor: I wish to give notice, through your paper, to all those parties who intend to emigrate to Oregon, that arrangements have been made to cross the Missouri River at two different points, the one in Andrew, the other in Buchanan County. Some of the citizens of Andrew have made an arrangement with the Sacs Indians for the privilege of range, wood, and water, opposite Elizabethtown.

They have promised the Indians six two-year-old beeves, to be paid by that portion of the Oregon company which may cross at Elizabethtown. This point is very suitable for crossing the Missouri River. The rates of only about half what is usual at the common ferries on the Missouri.

The company expect to rendezvous in the Indian country, opposite Elizabethtown, between the first and tenth of April. A number of excellent citizens expect to cross at this place. This is the point from which a portion of the Oregon company started last spring. Taking all things into consideration, this is probably the best route to cross the Missouri at Elizabethtown (where there is an excellent large, new ferry-boat), and fall over on the Platte, opposite the Pawnee village, and thence pass along up the south side of the Platte River.

A MEMBER OF THE OREGON COMPANY.

March 8, 1845.

From Cherokee Advocate, Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, February 27, 1845.

LATER FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND OREGON.

Advices are to September 4th. The United States ship Warren, Hull, sailed on the 8th of August from Honolulu for Mazatlan, by way of California. The Delaware, Carter, which arrived at Honolulu with naval stores from Valparaiso, September 1st, reports having seen a large vessel, probably the United States ship Savannah, entering Honolulu Bay. The Polynesian contains intelligence from Oregon to August 2d.

The legislature of Oregon adjourned a few days before the 3d of July, having passed some important laws. One of its acts is: "Any person who shall make, sell, or give away ardent spirits in Oregon, south of Columbia River, shall forfeit and pay $100 for each and every such offense." The legislature is called the "Legislative Committee," and consists of nine persons elected by the people. The officers of the Oregon Territory consist of three governors, called the Executive Committee, a Supreme Judge, and a Legislative Council. The laws are the same as those governing the Territory of Iowa. The government is purely democratic republican. Doctor Babcock is the supreme judge. The name of only one of the governors, Doctor Bailey, is mentioned. On the 1st of August a Belgian brig arrived at the Oregon city, having on board a number of nuns and several Catholic priests from Antwerp, sent out to Oregon by the church of Rome.

The colony is in a most encouraging condition. The crops were giving promise of an abundant harvest.

People were coming into the territory in large numbers, and the country is filling up with thriving and energetic colonists. Doctor Babcock, "the supreme judge," went to Oregon as physician to the Methodist mission family. Doctor Bailey was from this city, where his family now resides.—New York Evening Post.

From Cherokee Advocate, February 27, 1845.

A large company of emigrants are expected to leave Independence, Missouri, about the first of May for Oregon.

From Cherokee Advocate, Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, February 27, 1845.

PRINTING PRESS FOR OREGON.

We see by the Commercial that the proprietors of that paper forwarded one of Hoe's best printing presses to Oregon last week, with type, printing ink, paper, etc., for the newspaper about to be established in Oregon. The paper is to be connected with the missionary station there.—New York Sun, 27th ultimo.

Missouri Statesman, September 1, 1843.

The Western Expositor is the name of a new Democratic paper published in Independence. Editor, Robert G. Smart, Esq. It takes the place of the Western Missourian.

CORRECTION.

Note.—"William Marshal," on page 11 of the March Quarterly, should read "James Wilson Marshall."