The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-30
NEWS FROM THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST.

and q Naval British Depot at VictOria-
English Engineers and Troops arrived Mt
Puget Sound, In Vessels or War, to Survey
Line for a Railroad from Fraser River
to Halifax.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
VICTORIA VANcouvERs ISLAND, Oct %, 1853.
We in high state Of excitement at this place, both
in consequence Of the continued discovery Of rich gold
pacers our vicinity Fraser river, and the arrival
here in waters OF an English fleet with two
hundred Royal Engineers under Capt Parsons, who
preparing for survey Of line through British Columbia
for railroad from Fraser river to Halifax This party
is to cooperate the Rocky Mountains with party
that started from Montreal last spring, and who will
winter this year the South fork OF the Saskatchewan
The country is represented emnenty practicable and
the idea Of extreme cold and deep SHOWS is laughed at by
the Hudson Bay Company, and others who know the
character OF the country and who say that they
that this frozen idea has already frightened Brother
Jonathan ona northern track.
The British ship Ganges carrying "a guns the Satellite
carrying 40 and the Plumper carrying 90 guns,
in the harbor sent out TO protect English and
English laws during the gold excitement Fraser
river. The from the mines is new encouraging
and four thousand miners have gone work build their
houses and homes and preparing for the winter
at Forts Hope, Yale and langley, and there is every
prospect Of these mines yielding richly during the winter
Our interests here and the richness Of the mines
been greatly underraed by persons whose interests
and prejudice it TO do So but we have evidence
enough before to convince all that gold to great
throughout this whole region. The only thing
we need a large hardy overland emigration, and
soon will build up in the Northwest second Cali
fornia.
Victoria contains some thousand people, and
the large amount of shipping the haroor the busy mars
Of trade the grading Of streets and the rush of business
all bespeak large and growing city The British
ship Ganges brought out 200 troops, under Colo
mel Hawkins, who engaged in building
barracks this place The Royal Engineers under Capt
Parsons, who have just arrived from England will
main here until early spring. when, having completed
their outfits and preparations they will start their
land trip for survey Of railroad line Halifax This
railroad scheme has been put on foot by company Of
British capitalists, who, in view Of the opening Of the
ports of China the free trade Of the world have deter
mined to build up second Liverpool at Victoria, Van
couvers Island and direct If possible the trade Of the
East British territory by line Of railway which
will with the Great Trunk Railroad through the
Canadas Victoria has fine harbor well sheltered, and
beautiful or healthy site for city could not be
selected. The land the island is ofexremo fertility and
the beautiful Or and pine forests nerspcrsed with oak and
large beds Of coal here found will spring up
malt--ony miles distant-is, however, better
than Victoria Its deeper and equally well shell
tered with broad, bold shores, and affords fine site for
| a large city.
The Pacific Mail Company have purchased here several
OF ground, and engaged in building at the
principal landing their storehouses, Offices, &c The
British fleet anchor in this harbor. We have had
recently several arrivals from Shanghae Canton and
the Sandwich Islands, and We look forward to daily in
crcasng trade with China, japan Russia and the islands
OF the Pacific trade from here the mouth Of the
Amoor river Is now exciting degree Of attention.
Mr.. Karchcfski, Russian, and who q member Of
the Russian commission forming the treaty and boundary
between China and Russia, and who rs bearer Of dc
spaches from Russia 10 Washington has arrived here
his way New York, where he will contract for three
steamers TO run the Amoor river and he gives the
most gratifying evidences OF the liberal spirit pcrvadng
Russia at the present time, and the marked anxiety 70
open up trade in the North Pacific between Russia and
the Cnted States. This started, may, dis
ant day build up at this point great commercial mart
and depot OF trade; and but regret that while
the British government exertng every nerve and leav
inc no stone unturnod 20 build up Liverpool OF the PA
chc, that we are dormant and dead To our own In
,ercsts in this quarter. With the beautiful
hay Of Puget Sound, with fine deep water and
safe harbors hipbuidng material that finding way
10 every foreign market the world with agricultural
lands in abundance, and rich gold neds tributary 10 It,
what may we not be enabled to do f government
would only direct It's region 20 much
neglected. We feel in ,ss region, in comparison the
British government, that interests and rights
not cherished respected, and while each Enghshmsn
4
crcsts VIC arc neglected and interests uncared for
Let government turn its attention TO this quar-
ter let II build up great naval depot IN the
magnificent bay Of Puget Sound let II hold out sum.
cicnt Inducements and protection ~ its citizens let
Il invite a overland emigration in a liberal spirit,
and many years shall have passed away
shall rule the trade Of the Pacific But British
rests in the ascendancy, and when tho line of
steamers preparing for the route from Liverpool
Victoria Panama shall be put In full operation
expect 10 In this region impetus ~ the trade Of
Pacific that In 10 reyout onize the commercial world
new governmental regime has boon naugurated for
this country The whole of the region heretofore
the British Possessions has recently received tho
hands Of Parliament colonial government, aud Ia
known British Columbia.
Governor Douglass, o the Hudsons Bay Company has
been sppcnie Governor Tor the colony appoint
ment which meets with general satisfaction, and
the Judges for the Courts Of Admiralty and
criminal Jurisdiction, marshss and other officials who
have been appointed by the crown daily expected by
every steamer from England.
Roads being opened buildings, public and private
being erected and the general plan Of strong Brith
dependency being carried out the northwest border
of our country.
What the great political and commercial issues Of this
state OF things 10 be- the future aono dsyeope
but only express satisfaction that we were not
fortunate enough In negotiations with Britain
these valuable poeseesions now, least,
maintain and the great key 10 the trade Of the North
west and the East that Possession and position Of
Puget Sound afford NONTNDOORPHIIIST.