, 1858-03-05
EngIIsh ExpIOraLIOn IN lhe NOrth Kest.

The settlement of the boundary line be-
tween the British possessions in the North
west and the United States-the movement
Of the Canadians for a repeal of the 'Hud
son Bay Company's charter, and the impor-
tance attached to Vancouver's Island, have
created desire among intelligent English
men to become better acquainted with the
countries lying north of the newly defined
frontier Sir Roderick Murchison, in an
address before the Royal Geographical So
ciety, pointed out region, including at
least ll2 900 square miles, extending from
the head waters of the Assinbone River
to the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and
from the northern branch Of the Saskatch-
evan to the 49th parallel Of latitude, the
boundary with the United States, which
had remained almost completely unexplored
This immense region, as we learn from
the London Atheaeum, Mr.. Palliser, one of
those Nimrods whom Great Britain usually
sends out to such regions, proposed to ex-
plore at his own expense, and appli led to
the Royal Geographical Society for advice
and Information as TO what was desirable
to be known. The result was the council
strongly recommended the government to
aid the undertaking, and the sum Of $4,000
was granted, so as to enable Mr. Palliser
to be accompanied by Lieut.. Blackiston, to
conduct the astronomical and physical OBJ
servations-Mr. Bourgea, an experienced
botanist-and DR.. Hector, who, besides a
knowledge of his profession, has that Of
geology and zoology. The chief objects Of
the exploration were set down as follows:
First. To survey the water parting be-
tween the basins of the Missouri aud Sas-
katchewan; also the course of the south
branch of the Saskatchewan aud its tribu-
taries.
Secondly To explore the Rocky Noun
tains, for the purpose of ascertaining the
most southerly pass across to the Pacific
within the British territory.
Thirdly. To report on the natural feat
ures and general capabilities Of the coun-
try, and to construct a map of the routes.
The expedition sailed from England on
the 9th of May, and after arriving at New
York, proceeded to Lake Superior, which
on the 1lth Of June they found covered
With masses of floating ice. Preceding to
Fort William by steamer, they on the 18th
of june started in canoes up the White
Fish River, where they found the scenery
magnificent, but the navigation very diff
cult, Mr.. Palliser's canoe being destroyed
by falling tree, and himself narrowly es-
Gaping destruction. Gu the 18th the ca
noes were sent down to the mouth Of the
White Fish river by Indians, to go round
TO the falls Of the Kakabaka, while the
party made their way across the forests by
compass course for the falls, which journey
was accomplished without material Difficult
ty. They arrived at the falls guided by
the loud roar of the waters.
The height Of the falls was measured very
accurately, and proved to be Ill feet 9
inches; and these falls, although not SO ex-
tensive as those Of Niagara, are, according
to Mr.. Palliser's correspondence, much
wilder and higher. He thinks them much
(ner than those of the American side ol
the Niagara, which have ito much the ap,
pearance Of an overgrown milldam."
After completing their observations at
this point, the expedition started on their
arduous canoe journey, in which they met
and oyercame many obstacles natural to
the undertaking. From the Red river they
went to Pembina, where they were last
heard from. The further route was to be
to the Saskatchewan river, previous to win.
tering at Carlton House fort. The sum
mer Of 1858 is to be employed in travers
| ing the country Of the Blackfeet and Blood
Indians between the northern and southern
Saskatchewan, and in tracing the southern
branch up to its sources, in order to get 8
knowledge of the practicable passes in tht
Rocky Mountains, with view to access tc
the Pacific, independent of what is within
the American frontier or inconveniently tC
the north on British territory.
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