Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/55

of the coast, it appears to run through a narrow Canion, affording no outlet from the Valley to the Pacific. The soil of this valley, is generally of a very inferior quality; but along the streams, and at the foot of the Mountains, it is good. The rest is a kind of dry, light, dusty and sandy land, producing but little vegetation. The surface of the Valley, is generally quite level, and a large portion of it is open. There are a few scattering Oaks, in places through it, and some Pine; but the timber is, principally, the Fir growing along at the base, and on the sides of the Mountains. The Clamuth Indians are numerous, and quite hostile. Their character and condition is much the same as that of the Rascals. This Valley is situated near the parallel of 42 deg., and we are not certain whether is is in Oregon, or California. These Southern Valleys of Oregon, though in their present state of nature, so lonely, so wild, and so secluded: though they now threaten the travelers who pass, at intervals of years, with dangers from the rugged mountain path, the swollen torrent, and the savage arrow: though many a gloomy glen, and rocky gorge, and dark and tangled wood,which have been stained with conflict, or storied by some savage ambuscade, still stand to awaken terror in the passer by; yet, these Valleys, notwithstanding their wildness and dangers, offer inducements, (deadly to the fated native,) for which, ere long, the stronger hand of the white man will beat back the present wild and implacable inhabitants, and make them the homes of civilization. Each of these Valleys, is probably of sufficient extent to make several large counties; and, but for their detached postion, and their being so separated from the sea-board as they are, or appear to be, they would doubtless be the most desirable part of the Oregon Territory. The general fertility of the soil, is favorable to the agriculturist; the richness of the grasses, to the stock raiser; the vast beds and piles of stone, and the broad