The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-31
Exploration In North America.

4
time past been anxious to explore some
$4,000 square miles, extending from the
head waters Of the Assiniboin River to the
foot Of the Rocky Mountains, and from the
northern branch OF the Saskatchewan TO
the 49th parallel Of latitude, were fortunate
enough in accidentally stumbling on a
gentleman in every way qualified to con.
duet, and, as the sequel proved, successfully
carry out this desidernted undertaking We
quote from the London Aiheneua, Journal
devoted to science, literature and the fine
arts, the following interesting account of
the country surveyed upon this OCCASION
Our sightseeing friends will be rejoiced to
learn that there is something yet Tor them
to do in order to drive away ennm in the
shape Of falls, in some measure outrivalling
the far famed Niagara, and that the mi
admUar, fine gentlemen Of the present day
have not altogether used up nature and
her beauties
| Il was the intention Of Mr.. Palliser. one Of
those lmr0ds which Great Britain sends Ocea-
| sionally out TO those regions. and whose bear.
shooting exploits are well known, to proceed,
at his own expense. IN order to explore this
| region. He therefore made apple alton to the
Royal Geographical Society for advice and in
formation as to what was desirable TO be
known-the result Of which was that the Coun.
Gil strongly recommended her Najesty's Gov
| eminent to aid the undertaking. The conse.
quence Of this application was a grant Of
! e., eS@ - - 70 Saskse Mr.. raissf' 30 30 10.
companied by Lieut.. Blakiston of the Royal
| Artillery, on the recommendation OF the Presi.
dent OF the Society. to conduct the astronomi.
| cal and physical observations; Mr.. BOurgeau,
| an experienced botanist, and DR.. Hector, who.
beside knowledge Of his profession, has that
Of geology and geology. Mr. Palliser was the
leader Of the expedition. from his previous sue
/ cess in dealing with the Indians; and the chief
| objects VI the exploration were set down rs
| follows:
| FIRST: To survey the water parting between
the basins Of the Missouri and Saskatchewan
also the course Of the south branch Of the Sask.
atehewan and its tributaries.
| Secondly: To explore the Rocky Mountains,
| Tor the purpose OF ascertaining the most south
crly pass across TO the Pacific within the British
| territory.
| thirdly: To report on the natural features
and general capabilities of the country. aud 10
construct map Of the routes.
The expedition was delayed some time in con.
| sequence VI the illness Of Mr.. Palliser, but at
length he sailed on the 9TH Of May. with his
| companions, and, after arriving at New York,
/ proceeded TO Lake Superior, which on the llth
| OF June they found covered with masses OF
floating leo. which would have jammed their
| frail canoes, but they engaged TO be taken in a
! steamer through the ice floating about, TO
about four hours distance from the Isle Royale
and arrived At Fort William. The following
day, the 18th OF June, they recommended their
journey in canoes, and then went up the White
! Fish River, where they found the scenery mag
nhceut, but very difficult of nav cation aud
their labor severe; the rain fell ia torrents, and
on the second day tree fell upon the anoe Of
Mr. Palllser, and he escaped by jumping out
AMI they encamped during the night IN rain.
They sent two boats down the river nh one
/ OF the Indians TO the main camp at the IaOUth
/ Of the White Fish River to 60 around 20 the
| Falls OF the kababaka while Mr. Palliser and
/ DR.. Hector, accompanied by two Indian lads
started 10 make their way across the forests by
compass course for the Falls. which Journey
was accomplished without material difficulty,
the swollen rivers being crossed by cutting
down trees and stepping along them. They ar
rived at the Falls guided by the loud roar Of
the water, and passing through the wood,
climbed on u high ledge, from which they saw
them to the greatest advantage. The height
was measured very accurately, which proved
TO be III feet inches; and these Falls, although
not 40 extensive as those Of Niagara are, &C
eording to Mr.. Palliscr's orrespondence much
wilder aud great deal higher. lie thinks them
/ far inner than those OF the American side Of Nj
sgara which have too much the appearance of
an oyergroHn mill-dam. On this table land
they were surprised to find two glaciers Of hard
snow on the 18th ~ June. The camp was very
! picturesque, surrounded by torren's aud moua
I tains, and in the midst OF eyergreeDs.
/ They then began their arduous canoe route
/ rising al three IN the morning, padding til
! eight, then camping Tor breakfast, going on til
I one then camping for dinner, and az the pad
de again from three till eight ia the evening
/ the navigation being often prevented By severe
portagss. where everything must be carried
/ canoe aud all, which is doar By two men at a
I time, relieved every eight or ten minutes and
/ this sometimes FOR = space Of three or -four
/ miles. Mr.. Psllser was shown one place where
/ a man fell with the bow end Of ~ snoe on
! his shoulder, and his head was completely sew
/ cred from his body. Thunder storms we're also
severe one on the 18th II January struck an
Indian tent close 10 their camp. and Killed a
man, three women and cat, one body being
I fearfully burned. actually ch,rred but the 9th
ers not externally injured. Nor 10 human life
! entirely sale from the Indians. two Instances of
given, who had been shot by the Sioux Indians.
The Red River settlement il pronounced to be
a curious example OF the impossibllity Of as
sisting people who will do nothing for them
selves. The people, who are OF Indian origin,
are starving in fertile country rom sheer IN
dolence. From the Red River they went to
pembina with dificu lty, by horses used 20 run
ming bufaoes. bat not 90 drauKht Al Penbi.
ma. which 10 . wretcted place on the frontier.
Mr.. Palliser fouad an American post once. A
wooden pos, driven into the ground and mark.
ed the frontier, and Was found TO be correct in
latitude BY the expedition. The further route
was TO be to the saskstche van River. previous
to wintering a, Carlton House fort. The sum.
mer Of ls5s Is to he employed in trsyers.ng the
country Of the Rsckfoot and Bloei Indians be-
tween orthern and SoaihernSA.kateheuan IN. and
IN tracing the southern branch up TO its sources,
IN order TO get knowledge oi tAs practicable
passes in the Rocky Mountains, with view TO
access to the Pacific, indepenasn. 81 wha, Is
within the American frontier OF ineony enis MI y
TO the north on oar own territory. The time
must come when the coast opposite vancos.
al ill - s.4 ~.sk IA