LIEUTENANT HOWISON REPORT ON OREGON, 1846 55
cove on the eastern side affords secure landing for loaded boats, flats, and rafts coming down the river, without the exposed navigation around the promontory. Mr. Shortiss, an Ameri- can, "claims" two miles along the river and half a mile back, including all this point, by virtue of the organic law of Oregon, and an hereditary title acquired through his Indiari wife, who was born somewhere hereabouts. The policy of confirming all these land claims it is not my province to discuss ; but it may be necessary to observe that few of those who are now in pos- session of the land could by any means be made to pay even a dollar and a quarter an acre for it. In the first place, they have 'not the necessary funds; and in the second, they feel that they have fairly earned a title to it, by assuming posses- sion while it was uncertain to whom it belonged, and that this very act of taking possession at the expense of so much toil and risk gives an increased value to what remains unoccupied, which will indemnify the government for the whole. The President's suggestions to Congress on this subject will, it is hoped, be acted on, and a law framed to meet the exigency.
Many allowances should be made in favor of these people. They come generally from among the poorer classes of the western States, with the praiseworthy design of improving their fortunes. They brave dangers and accomplish Herculean labors dn the journey across the mountains. For six months consecutively they have "the sky for a pea-jacket," and the wild buffalo for company; and during this time, are reminded of no law but expediency. That they should, so soon after their union into societies at their new homes, voluntarily place them- selves under any restraints of law or penalties whatever, is an evidence of a good dispositiori, which time will be sure to im- prove and refine. If some facts I have related would lead to unfavorable opinions of them, it will be understood that the number is very limited by no means affecting the people as a mass, who deserve to be characterized as honest, brave, and hardy, rapidly improving in those properties and qualities which
