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a division of the United Canadas into departments or states, each having its local legislative arrangements, be less hazardous to the permanent dominion of England.

To return to Oregon. There is an unseen element at work in the remote wilderness of the Oregon, whose success is guaranteed by all the precedents of history; it is the agency of the Catholic Church; the Missionaries of that Faith made Canada French; and they will make the Oregon American. If the limited powers of the United States Government admitted of their granting a million of dollars annually to the Roman Catholic Bishop of New York, that energetic and enlightened Prelate would make it theirs in less than three years; and he would return it to their hands, organized both civilly, morally, and religiously. The Pope by dividing the Territory into an Archbishopric and eight Bishoprics, of which three Prelates are already consecrated, has done more to establish the right and power of occupancy for the Americans than any thing they have done, or could have done, for themselves. The Irish and German Emigrants will flock thither in innumerable hordes;

and already the Indian Tribes begin to hail "the beautiful feet of the messengers of glad tidings upon the mountains."

In a subsequent part of this work, I shall cause to be printed the description and announcement of the College of Notre Dame du Lac, in the State of Indiana, which institution I have visited; and which, I presume, will be the model upon which similar establishments will be formed in the still more distant West. A review of his wishes and intentions with respect to the College and its future enlargement, will also accompany the sketch of the life of M. Sorin, the Superior. The French Jesuits stand pre-eminent, as they ever have done, in the work of civilization; I have perused with delight many of the relations of these Missionary Fathers; and, in particular, the Letters of the accomplished Father de Smet, whose efforts extend to the improvement of his barbarous converts,* in the

* The French still call the Indians Sauvages and Sauvagesses; originally Salvages. The French nation, whether as Missionaries or Settlers, have always been more popular with the Indians than any other Europeans, probably from their happy manner and cheerful endurance of inconveniences. The finest race of half breeds is acknowledged to spring from the intermarriages of the French and Indians.

useful arts of agriculture, carpentry, &c. as well as in religious knowledge; he travels through this wilderness with a quantity of ploughs, hatchets, and other instruments, which he distributes among them. These Letters have the two-fold interest of convincing us of the truthfulness of the narratives of the first explorers of these wilds, whose religious and adventurous spirit their successors in the field inherit; and of proving that all difficulties are to be overcome by zeal and faith, united with discretion. The modern Missionaries possess one mighty and marvellous ally which the early labourers in the vineyard never dreamed of. Steam, and the vast machinery it actuates; Railroads are the wings of the Catholic Church in America; for they are constructed by the European emigrants who, most generally, are of that suffering religion. Wherever there is a body of Catholic workmen assembled, there also is a Priest to succour and counsel them; and soon he raises an altar unto God; and however humble be the tenement, it bears the sacred symbol of the Cross, and is looked upon with reverence by the worshippers, and with benignity by Him, whose temple is in their hearts.

One remark more. The American project of carrying a Railroad from the Great Lakes, or from St. Louis or elsewhere, from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains, is virtually to take possession of the Oregon; little doubt remains of its practicability, and it is a far more legitimate mode of obtaining the country than that of planting on its hills by fierce and horrid war, the banner of the Republic whose acknowledged constitutional policy is peace within her own bosom, and peace with all the world.*

* ANOTHER ARRIVAL FROM OREGON.-The Independence Expositor, of the 3rd inst. says:-Mr. W. B. Bonney, of Oxford, Ohio, arrived in our town* on Wednesday last, from Oregon. He left Oregon on the 13th May, and represents the people there as being prosperous and generally well satisfied with their new homes. The elections were to take place in June, for members of the Legislature of Oregon; and considerable interest was felt as to the result. The grand question at issue was whether the sale of ardent Quite a new spirits should be permitted in the territory, or not. question for a new country. Mr. Bonney brought in 125 letters for persons in various parts of the Union, principally from the Oregon and California emigrants, who started the present year. He says the emigrants he met were generally healthy and in good spirits, and their teams looking well. He met 500 wagons on his route in. Some were going to Oregon and some to California. The emigrants to the points above named separated at Independence Rock, on the 12th July last. Mr. Bonney is now on his way to Ohio, where he resides.

* Probably St. Louis.

THE HONOURABLE CHARLES JARED INGERSOLL,

MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM PENNSYLVANIA,

AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN RELATIONS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND how shall I describe my pleasant Guardian? Amiable, sensible, brilliant, and witty; Ingersoll is charming at sixty three.

That gentleman on the Speaker's left, dressed in the old revolutionary costume of buff and blue is the Chairman of Foreign Relations; by reason of which Office, his own true grace and favour, and

my

free will and duty, he assumed the responsibilities of my Guardianship; and in consequence became my almost constant companion during the greater portion of my residence in Washington. In conversation he eminently excels, and is the delight of every dinner party; he is extensively acquainted with English and French literature, an excellent

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