Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-08-27

from Selkirk, James Mckay, very intelligent
and noble specimen of a Northman, arrived here
on Saturday, twenty days from Sekirk. He
brought down Capt V. Foss of the British Ar
my, who has been three years ut Fort Gray, and
now returns to England. They came with Two
Red River carts and six horses. The crops at
Red River looked remarkably well when they
left. The spring had been earlier than usual.
There had not been excess of rain nor high wa
tcrs, like those Of last season. They raise
large crops of barley, oats, spring wheat, pota-,
toes, cabbages, turnips, beets, melons, onions
and all kinds of garden vegetables, that grow
in temperate ATTITUDES. The corn crop is not
relied upon-it is precarious crop, though raj
sed in every garden for table use.
The Scotch Presbyterians are erecting
church building. They expect Clergyman
from Canada. Mr.. Mckay will take him up.
He is expected here shortly.
The population of Selkirk Settlement is a.
bout 1000, excluding Indians. They enjoy
good health and are rapidly improving in cir
cumstances. Capt Ross thinks that if the IA
cilties for emigration to that region were great
er, 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 crop. Their rivers
usually freeze over by the middle of November.
The Oregon emigrating Company, which left
here some weeks ago, started from Selkirk on
the 2lst 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 intended to follow James
Sinclair's route to the head waters of the CO.
Ia b,o Tbo,, 81 Al -.
horses and CARTS and 90 down the river in ca
noes to Oregon City. This is represented to
be the most pleasant overland route yet discov-
cred to the Pacific, as we'll as the most expedi-
tious. If it were more generally known, there
would be large amount of travel by that route
The site of Pembna is about to be abandon
ed; it being too much exposed TO high water
IA new town, another Saint town Of st. Jo-
sephs, has been laid out by Mr.. Kittson, partner
in the fur company, in beautiful situation, at the
foot of the Pembna mountains, about thirty
miles from Pembina. Some buildings have al
ready been erected-in all completed and in pro-
cess of building, about Dozen Mr.. Kitson
has store there, and the Rev. Mr.. Becourt his
residence and chapel.
W. Ross Esq, Sheriff of Selkirk, and a
merchant there, arrived on Friday. He goes to
st. Louis to purchase goods. Also the Rev.
Mr.. Smithers, Episcopal Missionary at Upper
Lake Winnepeg who has been there twelve
years, and now returns to England.
A late number of half breeds, from the Brit
ish 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 lands Thus Uncle Sam will have a
chance to buy American lands of British half
breeds-men Of straw, entced there by the
American Fur Company, as ruse to get mon
ey out of the public treasury. Fl. Fl. Sibley
81 Co., have great sympathy for these "impor-
ted'' Pembinese, and Gov. 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. 1t consists of 1O2 carts
laden with buffalo skins, moccasins, leggings,
coats, ornaments and curiosities, made by the
half breeds of Selkirk-and premium which
is dried hash of buffalo meat, lean and fat
mixed, a choice dish among the Indians.
Heretofore the people of Selkirk have had
but two or three mails year from the civilized
world. They have now, (since the lst of Ju-
ly,) monthly mail from st. Paul, VIA Pembi-
ma. Our intercourse with them must become
more intimate, as we have no doubt it will be
mutually pleasant and profitable.
Minnesota Democrat.