376 KINDNESS OF THE H. B. COMPANY. 



ascend for a distance of one hundred miles or more. The country con- 

 tigous iB unsurpassed in fertility, and will undoubtedly soon acquire a 

 dense population. 



Another town, called Linnton, has recently been commenced upon the 

 south bank of the Columbia, near the mouth of the Wallammette river, and 

 bids fair to become of some importance. 



The settlements in the valley above, and at the Fualitine Plains, are scat- 

 tered like those of the farming sections of our Western States ; — the 

 same observation may also be applied in reference to those upon the Ump- 

 qua river. 



The settlement at Vancouvre is more compact, and assumes the air of 

 a flourishing village. It is near the falls of the Columbia, at the head of 

 ship navigation, and is made the great co:amerciai dei;ot of the Hudson 

 Bay Company for the articles required in their trade. 



Connected with the Fort is an extensive flouring mill, and also a saw 

 mill, which i^ said to do a very active and lucrative business. 



The number of bui.'dings at Vancouvre is not far from sixty. The site 

 is a most admirable one for some future emporium of trade and manufac- 

 tures. Its water privileges are almost without limits, while its other advai- 

 tages are equally inviting. 



The geographical condition of the country is such that, as it becomes 

 settled, an enormous amount of commercial interest must necessarily con- 

 centrate here ; and, doubtless, a more favorable locality for a city could not 

 be selected upon the Columbia. It is destined to command almost the 

 entire trade of Eastern and Middle Oregon. 



The ag-ents of the Hudson Bay Company at present are of great advan- 

 tage to emigrants. They extend to tliem every reasonable assistance by 

 selling goods and necessaries on credit at very low prices, and receiving 

 their various products in payment upon most favorable terms. They fur- 

 nish seed-corn, wheat, potatoes, and other articles of like nature, to the set- 

 tlers, to be returned in kind at the end of the year, with a small additional 

 amount by w^ty of interest. 



This company is equally accommodating in other respects. It afforda 

 employment to numbers at a fair compensation, and supplies them with 

 cattle, hogs, horses, and implements of agriculture for their farms. Iti 

 agents and factors seem much disposed to encourage the influx of emi- 

 grants, and are never backward in evincing a friendly disposition by their 

 acts. 



