CORRESPONDENCE 443
poses. It is said that they have from forty to sixty acres laid out in town lots. We have similar proposals for taking schools under our care upon town sites upon the banks of the Willamette. If we had a few young men of prudence and en- ergy, with a sacrificing spirit, to throw into our county seats in the valley above us, no doubt, with the blessings of the Great Teacher, an incalculable amount of good might be ac- complished.
The overland immigration is large and mostly in the valley and in the Cascade Mountains and will be in in eight or ten days. 249 Its number is estimated at from four to five thou- sand souls. We are constantly receiving accessions by wa- ter, so that it is thought that our white population by the first of March will be at least 30,000.
Brs. Chandler and Read will enter upon their duties as teachers week after next. We expect they will supply this church and one or two out stations in the vicinity. Money is scarce and crops of wheat and vegetables abundant. I have not yet learned whether my appointment as missionary is con- firmed, but I have been acting with that expectation and shall venture to order you to put me up some family clothing and books, in a few days. I am receiving the Christian Chronicle regularly and, if it is charged to me, I wish you to arrange the matter with the editors and charge that amount to me.
We fear that Br. Failing will become discouraged in busi- ness and leave for N. Y., but still hope God will otherwise direct. He is much needed in Oregon.
Yours in gospel fellowship,
EZRA FISHER. Received Nov. 19, 1851.
249 See note 154.
