tion in its war aspect; and while he deprecated such a calamity, yet he preferred war to having" the country dishonored in the settlement of this question, by yielding- to the unjust demands of England. He maintained that that power dare not go before the civilized world in a war against us, for asserting- our rights to that territory to the 49th degree of latitude. He argued that it was not her interest to go to war without us, even if she had to yield all her pretentions.
[From the Picayune, March 13, 1844.]
A communication has appeared in a paper published in Independence, Missouri, from Moses Harris, contradicting certain statements made by the traveler Farnham in relation to Oregon and the road to that important and, at this crisis, very interesting region. Farnham had promulgated some just and very valuable information in regard to the extreme West, but as far as his representations refer to the nature of the roads from the States, and in some other particulars, he has most assuredly fallen into error, and Mr. Harris has seized upon just the point, with which he is himself thoroughly acquainted by long years of experience, to set the public right. He has traveled the route over and over again, and knows every tree, creek, spring, hill and hollow that lies in the way of the traveler. The statements of Farnham are well calculated to fling a discouraging influence over the adventurous throngs of emigrants now preparing to start for that country in the spring; and, though we by no means wish either to encourage or discourage these people, yet, knowing the contradiction of Mr. Harris to be correct, we are bound to second him in advancing the truth. Farnham declares that there were distances of many daystravel where no wood can be obtained and where travelers are sure to suffer. Now, it is only along the South Fork of the Platte, and even there for not more than two or three encampments, that wood can not be obtained. Besides, except in rainy weather, the bois de vache supplies every use for which wood is needed. In short, with an experienced mountaineer to direct, no party need fear ever being out of wood, for on entering an untimbered district they can pause and tie all the fuel they want upon their wagons. Let the emigrants secure a good guide and they are safe enough.
[From the Picayune, March 17, 1844.]
From Washington correspondence, dated March 7, 1844:
Mr. Semple's resolution to give notice to the British Government of discontinuing the convention for the joint occupancy of Oregon was taken up in the general orders. Mr. Miller of New Jersey spoke against it for two hours, after which the senate adjourned.
