, 1857-08-07
F0rt Cal1illr Mines. Indians, &c.

EOIt tVlNlllC mtuSsf iuuiunAi wv
We are kindly permitted to make the
following extracts from letter, received
some time since, by a gentleman of this
place from a relative in the Colvillc coun-
try, who is engaged in trading and mining
in that region. The letter was written on
the 18th of April last, and dated at. the
Pen D'0riIle river-the party with which
the writer was in company, having arrived
there about two weeks previously. The
party had no trouble in passing through
the hostile country, and the few Indians
which they met on their journey on this
side of the Spokane country, seemed very
friendly, although the Pen D'0rilles and
Spokanes are very saucy. The writer is
of opinion that they will join the hostile
party if Kamiakin does not make treaty
of peace with the proper government au-
thorities this summer or fall. 1t appears
that they want to treat for their lands or
6ght. The settlers in the Colville valley
were becoming somewhat alarmed at their
demonstrations for renewal Of hostilties,
and are assisting in putting pickets around
the Hudson's Bay Company establishment
The Hudson's Bay Cos fort is built in
their own territory, one mile above the
mouth of the Pen D'Orillc river, on the
north side of the Columbia. The writer
then goes on to say:
1--WE are living near our old diggngs,
(Pen D'Orille,) twenty miles from its
mouth, our company consisting of twelve
men. We are engaged in digging ditch
10 small stream, distant about two miles
from this place, which We expect to ac-
complish in three or four weeks; and tha
prospect is that we will then do very well.
We will only work together in cutting the
ditch, and then the company will divide up
in convenient partieS-say three or four,
each.
"If men will come here and work the
mines, as they do in California, with sluices,
&C., they will be found equal to those Of
the celebrated Golden State" If this is
any encouragement for miners to come and
"squap amongst us, would advise them
to bring any quantity Of sugar, coffee, ba-
con and salt, along with them. We found
ready market for our surplusage Of the
three aforementioned articles at 81 90 per
pound.
"The ditch that we are bringing to the
river, is the FIRST one that has been under
taken. There is another company which
proposes to bring in ditch, at the mouth
of the river.
"There have been new mines discovered
on Thompson river, in the "Shu-swaps"
country, about $50 miles north of this
place, on the north side Of the Columbia,
and running into the same. 1t is reported
that they are very rich. l saw, few days
since, some gold that came from that region,
which is very coarse. A company Of
French and half-breeds, very recently
started in that direction. If they bring
back favorable reports, some of us will go
over and take look at the prospect"
and if the diggings there hold out sufficient
inducement to justify it, some of US will
remove there. Yours, &c. "H."
1t is asserted that the most favorable
months for mining are those between the
last of July and the Grst of April, ensuing;
from that time, until July again, the water
is too high to do much. From August
until the winter sets in, is the most favor
able mining season. The winters are quite
severe, and those who remain during that
season, must expect 10 turn their attention
to something else besides mining for two
or three months, or remain idle until spring.
Ed