WCTURE OF OREGON AS IT 18. 259 



In general structure it corresponds with most of the other trading estab- 

 lishments in the country. It was built by Capt. Wythe of Boston, in 1832, 

 for the purpose of furnishing trappers with their needful supplies in ex- 

 change for beaver and other peitries, and also to command the trade with 

 the Snakes. Subsequently it was transferred to the Hudson Bay Company 

 in whose possession it has since remained. 



Mr. Grant, a gentleman distinguished for his kindness and urbanity, is at 

 present in charge, and has some sixty Canadians and half-breeds in his em- 

 ploy. 



This post is in the immediate vicinity of the old war-ground between the 

 Blackfoot, Snake, and Crow Indians, and was formerly considered a very 

 dangerous locality on that account. Its early occupants were subject to 

 frequent losses from the hostile incursions of the former of these tribes, and 

 on two or three occasions came very near being burnt out * by their un- 

 sparing enemies. 



The country in the neighborhood of Fort Hall affords several extensive 

 valleys upon the Snake river and its tributaries, which are rich, well tim- 

 timbered, and admirably adapted to the growth of grain and vegetables. 



The adjoining prairies also, to some extent, possess a tolerable soil, and 

 abound in a choice variety of grasses. Back from the valleys and plains, 

 the landscape is extremely rugged and mountainous, poorly timbered, and 

 bears the character of general sterility. 



My stay at the Fort brought me in contact with gentlemen from various 

 parts of Oregon, who kindly imparted to me all the information in their 

 possession relative to the nature and true condition of tiiis interesting and 

 highly important section of our national domain. With the data thus ob- 

 tained, assisted by subsequent personal observation and intelligence derived 

 from other sources, I am enabled to arrange the following brief outlines of 

 its geography, geology, climate, and soil, including a description of its pro- 

 ductions, inhabitants, natural advantages, inducements to emigrants, &c., 

 which the reader may rely upon as strictly correct in every essential par- 

 ticular. 



With the northern extremity of Bear river valley, the traveller enters the 

 Boutheastern hmits of Oregon Territory. By referring to the map 

 it will be seen that this country is bounded upon the north f by the British 

 and Russian possessions, east by the Rocky Mountains, south by Upper 

 California, and west by the Pacific. It is not my present purpose to argue, 

 or endeavor to sustain, the claims of our Government to the wliole area em- 

 braced in the above ; but conceiving the matter now settled, I shall proceed 

 to the task in in hand without further preliminary. 



Oregon, hke California, is possessed of many important rivers and hap- 



• A. portion of the Fort was formerly constructed of wood; — it is now built of 

 "adobies" hke other trading estabUshments of the country. 



t The treaty now in process of negotiation with Great Britain, relinquishes to that 

 fovemment all above the 49th deg., and consequently admits its claims to the entirt 

 BorUiem boundary, to wit : from 48^ to the Russian possessions. 



