The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-29
NEWS FROM THE MINES.

NEWS FROM THE MINES
DusceIsneoas correspondcnceI
yfcrortA yancouver's Island June 20.As 70 the ex-
tent and richness of the mines of Frazer river abundant
evidence every side here to prove the truth OF the
extayagant stories before related have talked freely
with number of my friends who have worked on the
river banks and have had exhibited to hundreds OF
ounces of the dust collected there before the waters
menced to rise As the Hudsons Bay Company have had
the monopoly Of supplying provisions to the miners up
the river the gold washed out by them has passed into
their hands for such supplies as they needed; and this
fact readily the absence of the precious stuff
in the hands of traders at San francisco
VICTORIA June 2l--I understand that hereafter pas
sengers will be tcketed through to the head OF navga
ton on Frazer river from San Francisco.
The Surprise has the privilege Of navigating Frazer
river for the next ninety days. after which it will only be
open for English bottoms The steamer Sea Bird is
making another attempt to reach Fort Hope and
she succeeds opposition line will be established with
reduced fare She will take passengers at Bellngham
Bay and run over Victoria to get out custom house
papers, miners licenses, &C., whence she will go up the
river. , ~ @ 81 f ftaei.' h5a5
Ponr HorE June 26--Iaived here after my trip from
Whatcom 10 Victoria where many of our lunatic Cali
fornians building English town. and In my opin
ion where many of them will regret having spent
dollar. There some five hundred or one thousand
people at Whatcom but they do not brag of the treat
ment received by them not only by the H. b. Company,
but their people. We left Victoria the steamer
Surprise with four hundred passengers, many of whom
refused to pay their license when demanded of hem the
consequence the Surprise ordered by the British
corvette Satellite to stop, and each covy who had not
procured license had to pony be set ashore by about
two dozen Marines who boarded for that purpose
finally all set went on, and at night anchored about
twenty miles above Fort Langley. The river up this
high is beautiful the bar at the entrance and it
with great difficulty that any ordinary vessel enter,
the channel changes often there is plenty of water
the only difficulty the channel is not buoyed and never
can be. -t
that hare from,
to $40 per day 1.-THE river has fallen but little, and 1t
still rains Many leaving here for higher up the
river, and for Thompsons river The great difficulty is
want of provisions. The Hudson Bay Company do not
furnish the people with provisions and will not allow
private parties to do Unless there different
rangcmens made suffering will be the consequence. Fort
Hope is pretty place, and would make the very place
spectators hunting for. The country above is
rather abrupt and on each side of the river solid wall
of rock, over which, am told, portion of the trail
passes. At Fort Hope some 200 whites and about
hundred Indians welcomed us The trail is now open
nearly so, to Whatcom, 30 am informed BY party
who have just in from they say it is very good
far learn depredations have been committed
on the Coville route.
vIoroRA June 2s.-This place is growing like wild
fire, and every man busy bec and has scarcely
time to breathe. Many going to the diggings the
river, which rich beyond doubt and will staggcr
Caornians when they hear Of the rich strikes below and
about Fort Yale. have seen and talked with men from
the dggngs and when expressed my doubt at the
eme richness Of the river they get angry at it. Their
opinion is that gold and rich strikes will be
made this summer the Frazer river than
made in California. ei.sze.s.N
The bars undoubtedly far above those of California
As instance of it, would state that both Capt Hun
tngdon and Purser Wech told that raising the
anchor of the Surprise Fort Hope, there
siderable dirt clingng to it, and in washing that they got
dollar and half off what brought up on the
flukes. Think of that ye California miners. 9sae
The river has reached its highest point, and is
cedng and expect shall have millions of dust
ebndr arlo fn Ca and flo
am all excitement with the news and am getting
ready fast as can to depart for Fort YALE where
have friend who has washed out several ounces per day
PoRT TowNsnND June 24.--I have Just disposed of my
interest here, and going to Semiano Bay, which
town is building, which think is bound to
grow, it is much to the river than Victoria
Port Townsend and Whatcom At the island Of yancor
there is great excitement but principally among
Spectators purchased lot there but have little
faith in them. think the English and the Hudson Bay
Company will make good large town somewhere the
Sound, but the place cannot be told now.
had been up to the mines the river and think they
rich has been told and tho excitement up here
is great as in California. For my own part think
large numbers will be mistaken in their search the
ore, think they only work four months in the
year, and lay by for the balance. This is my view and
would really advise all who in California, doing any
thing to stay where they are to rsing their lives and
fortunes up here. have hard times since
left you two months ago. and have eaten clans for sub
siscnce, and been forced to lie down wherever could
find the shelter of friendly roof tree. More in the
future. ~ A
VICTORIA, june 27.-One half of our population are
crazy with the townlot fever while the other half are
asleep The consequence is the first class who are new
comers that have got hold Of all the desirable property
frighen off settlers of small by the outrageous
prices at which they hold property while the second
class stpcfed by surrounding that the
dozens Of opportunities for starting small kinds of bust
Needed and pass unimproved Do not let this however
invite bakers, drnymen, &c. rush here imagining