The Promised Land of North River

A correspondent of the Oregonian gives the following description of the country bordering on Shoalwater Bay, in Pacific county: Permit me to again call the attention of emigrants and all persons wishing to secure homes, to the advantages of North river valley. I have asserted there were good government lands, mostly alder and vine maple bottoms, easily cleared, sufficient for two hundred families; that the lower part of this valley was within two miles of navigable water on the North river, where boats could come at common high tide drawing five feet of water; that a wagon road could be constructed at a small expense to any part of the valley above; that the soil was a rich, sandy loam, and would produce all kinds of cereals equal to the best lands in Oregon or Washington Territory. I know of no place upon the Pacific coast where there is the same amount of vacant land possessing as many natural advantages as the North river valley. Everything in fact appears destined by nature for the convenience and prosperity of a large and thriving settlement. Let two hundred families settle in the North river valley, each having 160 acres of land; say this land produces 40 bushels of grain per acre, the total amount produced per year would be 1,280,000 bushels. Let the sound of the sturdy woodman's ax break the solitude, the blue smoke from his cabin and clearing ascend to the sky, the lowing of herds and the sound of busy life be once heard, and but a short time will elapse ere the clash and buzz of machinery will follow.