The Nevada Democrat., 1858-05-19
NEVADA CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 49, 1853
The shuswap Mines.

BY the arrival of the steamer Columbia, the
San Francisco Herald of May 9th, is put in pos
session of the following intelligence from a pri
vate source, in relation to the Shuswap Mines
These mines are situated about 500 so lati
tude, and about go miles eastward from Frazer
River, in the British Possessions. They are
about ninety miles in nerthwesterly direction
from the mouth of Frazer River, and about one
hundred aud ninety miles from Bellinghan
Bay. He writes that no one should attempt to
go by Puget Sound. There are two thousand
emigrants now collected at Bellngham Bay,
who can get no farther, aud are represented 10
be in q most deplorable condition of want, be-
ing almost in a state of starvation. Seven mi
ners had arrived at Portland, Oregon, who
came overland from Puget Sound, having re-
solved TO take the Columbus River route. Our
correspondent advises that no one should at
tempt to go to the mines without having from
sevcnty-fve to one hundred dollars as an outfit
Horses can be procured at the Daiies for from
twenty five to fifty dollars, and there is fine
open country from thence to the mines, will
good grass for animals. The following infor
nation is derived from reliable sources-amone
others, from akgentleman who has been in the
country for twenty years, and has visited the
gold region mentioned. . ..s .4.-I. es,i
There is no doubt of the existence of the pre-
cious metal in large quantities IN the Shuswap
mines, which embrace the tributaries of ThOmp-
sons River, but there is no GUidenee Of the eria-
ence Of gold on Frazer's Ricer. Parties have re-
turned to Portland, Oregon, within few days
past, who came down Frazer's River, aud they
agree in describing the trip down as one con-
tinued scene of peril and difficulty. Having
consumed nearly all their provisions at the
mines, aud lost their animals, their only mode
of getting away was trusting their lives in ca
noes, and they esteem themselves peculiarly
fortunate in not being drowned. They say thai
the river is running with extreme rapidity and
! Ii is out Of the question to attempt to &c up by
means Of boats or canoes during freshet.-
| Even during low stage of water, it is u matter
of imminent risk to attempt it. The mines arC
located two hundred miles up the river, which
is obstructed by continued succession Of fall
and rapids, and large bouders in the bed o
the stream. The river is also confined for miles
by walled canons, the mountains on both sidc
rising many hundred feet almost perpendicu
larly These facts will give some idea of The
difficulties that besct the traveller by this route
! The gentleman before alluded to as having re-
sided for twenty years in the country, says that
be estcems ii criminal to induce any one to at
tempt to go to the mines by Frazer's River, as
it must end in starvation and death. He pos
scsses an ample fortune, and no interest what
ever in any of the routes and his statements
are entitled to consideration The gentlemen
attached to the Hudsou's Bay Company, when
appealed to- have, without an exception, stated
that, by the Columba, the Dalles au the Okc-
magaa River is the only practical route Des-
pite these facts, the tide of emigration sets
through Puget Sound, where difficulties of seri-
GUS character await them. The party of mi
ncrs who arrived from Frazer's River are fit
ting out in Portland for the Shuswap mines
and intended to go by the Columbia River
route7-a tolerable proof of their opinion in tn,
matter. The above statements can be reliet
on, as we are personally acquainted with the
gentleman from whom they are obtained ant
will vouch for his truth aud disinterestedness.