We find the following letter from the Oregon Emigration in the Iowa Gazette of the 8th instant (July):
OREGON EMIGRATING COMPANY.
Kansas River, June 3, 1843.
* * There are over 3,000 and perhaps 5,000 head of cattle, mules, and horses attached to the company. Captain Applegate has over 200 head, and others over 100 head. This has been a bone of contention with some of the emigrants and very nearly divided the company. Indeed, I am not certain but it will be the means of a split yet, as there are a number without cattle who refuse to assist in guarding them. The dissatisfaction is not quite so violent now, as the cattle owners have agreed to furnish the company with beef, (in case of scarcity of buffalo meat,) work cattle and milch cows, the former at a price to be fixed by the committee, and the cows and oxen without charge. The company have agreed to this proposition, and the former law, limiting each individual to three head of loose cattle, is thereby repealed. The number of cattle is quite too large. It is impossible to guard them at night, and the Indians at this place have already commenced stealing horses and killing cattle. The company which leaves next spring for Oregon should keep strict guard on their cattle and horses at the crossing of this river, as some eight or ten horses and mules have been stolen in one night from our company. Doctor Whitman from Walla Walla, who is in our company, advises that the company divide into three or four parties, for speed and convenience, as there will be no danger from the Indians.
[The name of the writer of the above letter is not given. The letter, however, indicates that he came to the emigration from Burlington, Iowa, and evidently lived there, as his letter was printed first in a Burlington paper. He was chosen a member of the "cabinet advisers" of the captain—nine persons. Probably these points will serve to identify him. Was he M. M. McCarver?]
LETTERS DESCRIPTIVE OF OREGON COUNTRY AND ITS EARLIER CONDITIONS.
A letter by the Rev. Alvan F. Waller to his brother at Elba, New York. It was first published in the Christian Advocate and Journal.
Taken from the Ohio Statesman, March 10, 1843.
Wallamette Falls, April 6, 1842.