The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-16
Tour 10 Ms River Rs.ligoueAs.


igouche OF all my wilderness expeditions this has
been by far the most fa ung, and its anxeles have by
no means been aesa,si by the companionshp OF wo-
msn-slbe my fellow travellers have borne their trials
brsvely and with uncommon ortilude But before pro-
eesdinx with my narrative, must record what have
picked up respecting the great and ouolthe-way PENN
sula Of Gaspe which have just crossed and partially eA
plored.
Although this district belongs by nature TO New Bruins
wick il il the property and under the Iursdcton OF Inc
government OF Lower Canada From what circumstance
il derives it's name cannot tell but know mat 'he Ola
French authors called Gaehtps and tradiuoh eAai
"A the effect that the original Inhabitants the Gaspeslans
were remarkable for their civzahon that they were ac
ouapted with The points OF the compass and The position
Of the stars and at the time worshppers OF The
sun.
AS stated above the distance directly the PENN
sula 10 one hundred miles, while its coast extending
from the head OF the Bay OF Chaleur 10 this point the
ST. Lawrence is estimated at more than five hundred
miles The interior country is sill in wild and uncut
tya,ed conditions but. far il is known, the northern
shores generally low while through the interior and
along It's southern shore are two ridges Of high
tains, which beyond oil question the northern
spurs OF the Allegheny range whose EXTREMIST southern
peaks look down upon the Gulf Of Mexico The dis.
lct well wooded, but while the interior is exclusively
covered with the pine and kindred trees, informed
tina, The entire district il skred with belt from eight TO
and other hard wood trees Here and there elevated
valleys. where the soil is rich, aad when properly cult
vaied yields The fruits of the earth abnndan,ly
and IL well waered with beautiful lakes and rivers
For about four months in the year the climate delight
full. The inhabitants chiefly French Acadians
Whose hsbatlons are sparngly scattered all along the
southern coast from the Resgouche 10 the eastern ex-
tremily OF the Cape Though simple in their manners
they always treat strangers with kindness, and are quite
content with their lot, provided the cod and herring do
not fail TO make them ANIMAL visit, and their small
fields are not monopolzed by the more than eight
months out OF the twelve AT those points where some
thing like town makes i,s appearance, especially
place called Carlisle, the population is composed OF
class OF Americans and British notorious for their
bal rather than their good principles and habits The only
roal worthy Of the through the extended set
Element already mentioned and many portions OF this
lie directly upon the beach but the great highway
OF the is theirs, and here in small vessels OF
their own building. they are quite at home. The
oldest, largest and mos, picturesque settlement is
that Of Perez. which derives its name from the
rocky island here'ofore mentioned and which looms
out OF the sea IN its vincinity The hamlet OF
Peice entirely supported by the fishery busness and
directly in its rises very high granite mountain
cape. which il considered the utmost northern limit OF
the Allegheny mountains The character Of the scenery
here is wild ard terrific. especially in the and
winter, and associated with some of the cliffs looking
wrecks, where the more supestiious Acadians fancy
they a, times hear the waing OF those who have been
long drowned The principal harbor and one of the best
in the world, is that Of Gaspe. named after the district il
SELF II il hiny populated, and. in addition the more
common kinds OF fish, lis Inhabitants do a small but
thriving business in the way OF capturing whales which
OF the k1mpbak species, yield from three to eight
tons OF OIL hunted in scbooners aud hapooned after
fashionl which the local fishermen obtained from the
whaemen Of Nantucket. So much for the district OF
Gaspe.
On reaching the Restg ouche and there declaring my
intention OF crossing over 10 the ST. Lawrence. WAS in
formed that. attended | was by ladies' the Journey
was impraccrble and even hazardous. The road
represented to me no better than forest trail that
the distance could not be accomplished less than FIVE
days; and thai there accommodate whasoeve
was aso told that nearly parallel with this land route
and touching it Al several points, com NUM-
cation ~ the Natapedia river, and advised il de-
iermned TO proceed, to travel in canoes My iondness
for this mode OF Travelling settled the matter my
mind. and its move ~ 10 my companions made them
ious 10 Try the experiment. and we determined 10 take
the waler Two email birch canoes, manned each by
two Micmac DdisOs, secured; into one oil which
was placed DOR luggage and into the other when ready
we embarked ourseives The men were TO receive one
dollar per day each for their services and found and
one dollar per day 10 be allowed Tor The canoes
They 10 take only abou, sixty miles 10 the head
days and as we would have TO spend three nights in
camp. all the NECESSARY requirements in the way of
benkets. extra clothing and provisions, were kindly
farnshed for the occasion by the Fereusons A large
party Of friends came 10 Of and pushed from
shore on one OF The ovelies, OF mornings We ascendcd
the ResGoushe about miles, alternately by means
OF the paddle and Tie pole, and enjoyed 10 perfection
nlands, The desp black pools. and the mountains on
either side OF the river On approaching The Maapeda
We oand thas Il bad TIRES mouths outlets on en-
ternG the prucra one OF ihese were met by several
loss and pieces Of timber which booming down on
The bosom 81 6ood, and the paddcs gave place to the
spiked poles. The chief canoe shook his head and
began Iee sck At heart. The river full of ssnon
and they were esPing out OF the water in all directions
il delighted a The fullnsss OF The river The wind
began to blow. and presently shower OF rain and bail
passed ovrr U.s. The rapids in the stream. which were
mnally sumounted with ease. demanded the strain.
ing Of evesY nsrve and OF the poles OF The pas
senger csnse was broken, resulting in being thrown
upon rock. and rendered unsafe on account OF hole
knocked through its bottom, whereby we scrambled
ashore ~ best could and then uni,edly fell into
profound contemplation the pleasures OF travelling
A msiier Of course determined to return TO The
place whence bad departed in such line spirits only
lev hours before; and while the canoe was being r..
paired. sueted the nerves Of the ladies' with a CUP of
tea and saa'saed our several appees with bit of bread
and the shoulders Of q salmon trout baked in The Indian
fashon. which bad been speared by one Of Id. Indian.
las' - We 6st turned into the Maapeda and si "A tho
sfn was setting. while yet the unruaed and
the surrounding mountains ba,hed in ,of, nurne
amoaphes, landed the pleasant beach in from, nj
Aho House, and were warmly welcomed by It's mos,