, 1855-11-23

ter from Judge Yantis, an old and well
known citizen of this territory and whose
character for vcracty and good judgment
needs no Recommendation from us. From
all accounts, there is no longer much doubt,
but that good diggings exist in that region
of country, and, sooner or later, must add
to the resources and wealth of our young
but prosperous territory:
FoRT CoLvILLE, Oct. lst, 1855.
Mr.. A. b. Moses,
Dear Sir: You will doubtless have had
bad account Of the Colville Mines, as, on
arriving at this place about a month since,
met Col. Anderson, Judge Hays, and
many other gents from the Sound, return
ing-sOme of them much disgusted not
only with the country generally, but with
the mines also, inasnuch, that several of
my own party returned with them Not
withstanding the beggarly accounts given,
the balance Of my party determined that
they would visit the mines in person, aud
satisfy themselves by personal observation.
Accordingly, we set out, visited Sheep
Creek, a small stream on the opposite side
of the Columbia, and about thirty miles
above this place. We prospected it from
its mouth about twenty-five miles up, find
ing gold at almost every point for twenty
miles, but not in quantities that would JUS
tify us in stopping. From this placeiwc
assembled the Columbia to the mouth of the
Pend d'Oreile distance of about ten miles;
here we crossed the Columbia, aud found
about twenty men ut work, making from
two to ten dollars day. l then left the
company and visited the upper bar OIL the
Pend dOreille, finding very many bars, that
had the appearance of having been pros
pected, but in no case do think thorough
ly, but enough is known to satisfy me that
several Of them would pay well with quick
silver machines. returned TO the mouth
of the river, and on the next day COM
pany Of Canadians returned from bar on
the south side Of the river, and about six
miles from its mouth with the news that
they had found very fair prospect on the
bar, but the country so rough and mountain
Gus that it would be impractieable to at
tempt to take animals with packs to it,
They therefore left for Oregon, whereupon
our company set out, and in few days
opened trail to within half a mile Of the
bar Here we unpacked our animals, and
packed our provisions to the bar, and spent
some six or eight days at mining with very
fine success-InakiDg from four to nineteen
dollars TO the hand. Our claims began to
fail, and being anxious to get home, most
of the company left-leaving only few
Americans on the bar, who will probably
spend the winter in the country, and l am
well persuaded will do well, as the waters
are fast subsiding, exposing many bars
that have not been prospected at all, and
l find that the nearer the water l mined,
the better was my success. Descending the
Columbia l found many bars, that, with
properly constructed quicksilver machinery,
good wages could be made but with the
ordinary rocker, the gold Is too fine to be
saved. W 'i i-''aI ai
Reports by Indians, are almost daily
coming in, that other diggings have been
discovered, but do not rely much on In
dian rumors Walker, the half-breed, who
made the first discovery Of gold on the
Pend d'Oreille, is now said to be at work at
the mouth of Spokan river, and doing we'll.
From my knowledge Of the man am sure
that IT he is there at work. the prospect Is
good, Tor he VIII not work when inc pay y
not good. .lIL.
In conversation with MI MeDonaiu,
the clerk Of the il. Is; Company, gay OF
two since, he expressed the opinion 70 me
that there was better prospect some Sky
or seventy miles north oI the Oolum0la
than on this side, and rom whai can DC
seen from the mountains on thls sue, am
Inclined to the same oelici, as the country
appears extremely rough ana oroken. ne
says that he Will prospect the country IN
the spring. II he can spare, the time IRON
his business, ana i nope some norougn,
going Yankee will accompany him.. as l