The Kanzas news., 1858-01-09
Exploration in North America.

tufe or any lnconsIderable strength
Exploration in North America.
The settlement of the boundary between
ourselves and the United States-the inn
portance attached to Vancouyer's Island,
as well as the gradual extension of our pop
ulation In the northwest of Canada makes
us desire to become acquainted with the
countries lying to the north of the newly
defined frontier, and Sir Roderick Murchi
son, in his address at the anniversary meet
ing of the Royal Geographical Society this
year, points out a region, including at least
| 112, 600 square miles, extending from the
head waters of the Assiniboin river to the
foot of the Rocky Mountains, and from the
north branch OF. the Saskatchewan to tkr
49th parallel of latitude, our boundary with
the United States, which had remained al
most completely unexplored- n
It was the intention. of Mr.. Palliser, one
of those Nimrods which Great Britain sends
occasionally out TO those regions, and
wkosebear-shoeting exploits are wen known,
to proceed, at his own expense, in order to
explore this region. He, therefore, made
application to the Royal Geographical Soci-
ETY. for advice and information as to what
was desirable to be known-the result of
which was that the Council strongly recon-
mended her Maiesty's Government to aid
the undertaking.. The consequence of this
application was grant of $4,000, so as to
enable Mr.. Palliser to be accompanied by
Liest. Blakiston,s of the Royal Artillery,
on the recommendations of the President of
the Royal Society, to conduct the astro-
nomicA and physical observations Mr..
Bourgeau, an experienced botanist, and DIR.
Hector, who, beside knowledge of his
profession. has that of geology and zoology.
Mr.. Palliser was the lea1ar of the expedi-
| ton. from his previous success in dealing
with the Indians; and the chief objects of
the exploration were set down as follows
Fsrst :: To survey the water parting be-
tween the basins of the Missouri and Sas-
katchewan; also the course of the south
branch Of the Saskatchewan and its trib-
utaries.
Secondly To explore the Rocky Mount
aims, for the purpose of ascertaining the
within the British territory.
Thirdly: To report on the natural feat
ures and general capabilities of the country
and to construct a map of the routes.
The expedition was DELAYED some time in
L
but at length he sailed on the 9Th of May,
New York, proceeded TO Lake Superior,
which, on the 18th of June they found
covered with masses of floating ice, which
] would have jammed their frail canoes, but
| they engaged to be taken In steamer,
through the ice floating about, to about
four hours distance from the Isle Royale,
and arrived at Fort William. The. follow
ing day, the 18th of June, they re-com-
| nenced their journey in canoes, and then
went up the White Fish river, where they
found the scenery magnificent, but very
difficult of navigation and the labor severe !;
the rain fell in torrents, and on the second
day tree fell upon the canoe of Mr.. Pal
liser, and he escaped by jumping out, and
they eneamped during the night in rain.
They then sent the two boats down the
river with one of the 1Rlians TO the main
camp at the mouth of the White Fish river
to, ge round to the Falls of the Kaksbaka,
while Mr.. Palliser and DR.. Hector, accom-
panied 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
arrived at the Falls, guided by the loud
roar of the water. and pushing through the
9ood. climbed on high ledge, from which
they saw them 10 the greatest advantage.-
The hight was measured very accurately,
which proved to be III feet 8 inches; and
these Fails, although not so extensive as
those of Niagara, are. according to Mr..
Palliser's correspondence, much wider and
great deal higher He thinks them far
| finer than those of ths American side of
Niagara, which have too mach the appear
anee of an overgrewn mill dam. On this
table-iand they were surprised 10 find two
| glaciers of hard snow on the 18th of June.
The camp was very picturesque, snrrouHd-
ed by torrents and mountains, and in the
midst of evergreens.
/ They then began their arduous canoe
route, rising at three in the morning, pad
! ding till eight, then camping for breakfast,
| going on tllone, then camping foE dinner,
and at tie paddle again from three till eight
lin the evening. the navigation being often
1 prevented BY severe portages, where every
thing must BE- carried. canee and ali, which
| is done by two men at time, relieved eve
~ eight or ten minutes, and this sometimes
/ for a space Of three or four miles. Mr.
Palliser. Nas shown one place where man
| fell with the bow end OF the canoe on his
| shoulder. and his head Was completely sew
cred from his body Thunder storms were
also severe one on the 9TH of. July struck