Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-08-07

Netrs from the Selkirk Settlement,
a'Oay up North in the British Pos
sessions, betiOesn fee and sic hun
dred miles from 81. Paul.
Our readers will remember an in
teresting account we published in
February last, Of the arrival Of dog
train and mail, under charge Of two
voyageurs, from Selkirk. One OF the
voyageurs, James Mckay, a very in
telligent and noble specimen of a
Northman, arrived here on Saturday,
twenty days from Selkirk. He
brought down Capt. v. Foss, ofthe
British Army, who has been three
years at Fort Gary. and now returns
to England. They came with two
Red River carts and six horses. The
crops at Red River looked remarkably
we'll when they left. The spring had
been earlier than usual. There had
not been an excess Of rain nor high
waters, like those of last season.
They raise large crops of barley, oats,
spring wheat, potatoes, cabbages,
urnips, beetS, melons, onions, and
all kinds of garden vegetables that
grow in temperate ATTITUDES. The
corn crop is not relied on; it is a pre-
carious crop, though raised in every
| garden for table use.
The Scotch Presbyterians are erec-
ting church building. They expect
clergyman from Canada. Mckay
will take him up. He is expected
here shortly.
The population of Selkirk Settle
ments is about 1000, excluding In
dians. They enjoy good health and
are rapidly improving in circumstan-
ces.
Capt. Foss thinks that il the facil-
tiles for emigration TO that region
were greater, that the population
would Increase rapidly from that
source. The ice in the rivers disap-
Peared early in April. They plant
early in May. They usually have
frosts till the first of June, and again
in September. The season is long
enough to fully mature the crops.
Their rivers usually freeze over by
the middle of November.
The Oregon Emigrating Company.
which left here some weeks ago, star
ted from SelEirk on Dist OF June
were all in good health-had enjoyed
pleasant trip--were pleased with
the route. At Selkirk, they procured
horses, carts, and provisions. They
intend to follow James Sinclair's
route TO the head waters of the CO.
Iumbia river. They will there dis
pose of their horses and carts, and go
down the river in canoes to Oregon
city. This is represented TO be the
most pleasant overland route yet dis
covered to the Pacific, as well as the
most expeditions. If it were more
generally known, there would be a
large amount Of travel by that route.
The site Of Pembina is about to be
abandoned, it being too much exposed
to high water. A new town, another
saint town of ST. Josephs, has been
laid by Mr.. KIttson, partner in
the Fur Company, in beautiful sit
uation, at the foot OF the Pembina
mountains, about thirty miles from
Pembina. Some buildings have al
ready been erected--in all completed
and in process of building, about
dozen. Mr.. Kntson has a store there,
and the Rev. Mr.. Bellcourt his resi-
dence and chapel.
w. Ross, Esq, Sheriff of Selkirk,
and merchant there, arrived on Fri
day. He goes TO St. Louis to pur-
chase goods. Also, the Rev. Mr..
Smithers, Episcopal Missionary al
Upper Lake Winnepeg, who has
been there twelve years, and now re-
turns TO England.
A large number Of the hall-breeds,
from the British side Of the line, have
crossed over to the American side,
for the purpose of being ready to
treat with Gov. Ramsey for the sale
of the Pembina land. Then Uncle
Sam will have a chance to boy Amer
ican lands Of British hall-breeds-
men OF straw, enticed there by the
American Fur Company, as ruse TO
get money out of the public treasury.
H. H. Sibley & Co., have great SYM
pathy for these imported Pembinese,
and Governor Ramsey, so far as the
Fur Company is interested. is just the
man TO make a treaty with them.
The great Red River Caravan will
be here on Thursday or Friday. II
consists Of I02 carts ladened with
buffalo skins, moccasils, legings,
coats, ornaments, and curiosiiies,
made by the hall-breeds Of Selkirk-
and pemmican, which IS dried hash
of buffalo meat, lean and fat mixed,
choice dish among the Indians.
Heretofore the people of Selkirk have