Daily national Democrat., 1858-10-19
OCTOBFR
DAILY DEMOCRAT DAILY DEMOCRAT

STORIES ABOUT QUEEN CHARLoTTE's ISLAND.
week ago canoe arrived at this port from
Queen Charlottes Island, with some startling
reports respecting the gold diggings there
abouts. 1t is not improbable that quite an
excitement will spring up next year respect
ing Queen Charlotte's Island; but not this
winter, as the trip is not an inviting one du-
ring the cold weather In the spring of
1852, an expedition was fitted out from San
Francisco, lured by the accounts received
from that island, to the effect that gold had
been discovered there. The schooner Susan
Sturgis, Capt. Rooney, with thirty five ad-
venturers, arrived at Mtchell's Harbor. on
the western coast of the island. There thew
landed, and remained a month or six weeks.
but did not prospect to any great extent,
probably for fear of the Indians who Justly
have the reputation of being extremely saw
age and warlike.
AT last, most of the party growing dissat-
lshed, all but eight returned, who were to
await the return of the schooner with SUD-
plies. She sailed, and in due time returned,
to find those who had remained quite dis
heartened. They accordingly embark, d, and
determined to take a cruise around the island
and trade with the Indians, before returning
to California. While thus engaged, the yes
sci was boarded by large number of the
savages, with apparently friendly intentions,
but who, in an unguarded moment, took DOS.
session other, and made slaves of the expe-
ditionists. They were fortunate in not sha-
ring the fate Of Jewett's companions at Moot
ka Sound, in 1904 as recorded in his celebra-
ted narrative. The Indians at last sold their
captives to the Hudson Bay Company for
goods amounting in value to about $50 to
oh mo nd - Al,
soming them, performed one of its few char
table actions.
The schooner was burned and pulled to
pieces by the Indians, for her iron work,
which they highly prize. This is the only
expedition known to have been undertaken
to Queen Charlotte Island, and its unfortu-
nate termination discouraged all further at
tempts. Since the Fraser river fever, the
subject has again come into prominence
Specimens of rich quartz have been exhibited
from there, which were said to have been
thrown out at a single blast of gunpowder,
near the beach, &c The arrival thence, to
which L have above referred, has caused
caused some the more eXcitablc to contem-
plate formal mining expedition next year.
My informant states that the H. b. steamer
Beaver is now trading on that coast, aud that
they carefully conceal all their knowledge of
the island and its resources. 1t is situated
about hundred miles northwest of Vancou-
yer Island, and lying to the main land in
similar relative position. SO fierce and treach-
erous are the Indians, that, in trading with
them, the trafficking is done through a port
hole, from which a morrow passage way com.
with the shore. Only a few In
dams can approach at time who make
their bargains select their goods in exchange,
and when satisfied, return to make room for
Others. There are now shown in town num-
Der of fine specimens of gold quartz, silver
ore and bismuth, said to have been brought
from thence, and probably were. People,
however, are getting shy of everything in the |
shape of gold story, and who can blame
them?- Victoria co. of AHa.