The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-15

really ravishng. | could not detlch my
regards from that superb picture until the
nascent obscurty had obitera,ed its per.
fiction" Such is the graphic and glowing
picture given to US Of the Saskatchewan
country, by one of the earlier travellers,
and as it first presented itself to the eye of
the wanderer, the experienced voyageur,
and practical man.
From these notes it appears that it takes
thirty-eght days to ascend the Columbia,
eight days TO cross the Rocky Mountains,
thence along and across numerous rivulets
and streams northward 10 the Saskatchewan.
down the valley of that river and through
Lake Winnipeg, lorty-one days more; in all,
eighty.seven days to Bas do la Rivere, near
the Red river settlement.
When we take into consideration the dit
iiculty OF the ascent Of the Columbia, and
the ,ortuous and tardy march at the eastern
base OF the mountains, before entering the
main valley OF the Saskatchewan, we are
iorcibly led TO the conclusion that twenty or
even twenty five days should be deducted
from the time expended on the whOie route.
That length OF time would be amply suili.
cient for large train TO reach Red river
settlement, where guides and hunters could
be procured will out much difficulty. addi.
tional supplies of the proper kind OF food,
such as pemmican, buiscult and flour could
be purchased at reasonable rates. Ameri-
can horses could probably be exchanged for
Indian ponies. and the common wooden carts
OF the colony obtained for the journey
through the valley of the Saskatchewan.
At the mountains, these cheap carts should
be abandoned and pack saddles substituted
to cross the mountains and complete the
journey There would be no difficulty in
ascertalnng ut the colony which OF these
two routes by the Saskatchewan would bc
the preferable one, but unless we have come
to erroneous conclusions and have been
misled by information derived from sources
which we believe 10 he reliable in the main,
we think the most northern route will be
found the most practicable, as it certainly
is more direct than the one by the koo-
tanais pass, and would no, exceed IN length
the estimate made nj our former meeting, Of
1860 miles, from st. Paul.
Allowing for delays and difficulties which
cannot be forcsccn in journey OF such
length through country comparatively
but little known, we think that IN three
months from 81 Paul large train would
reach the gold digging region near 1homp
son and Frazer rivers a small train would
in all reasonable probability reach there in
seventy five days, hut more reliable data, on
which to found practical conclusions Of this
nature 80 very desirable now, would doubt
less be learned at the colony OF the Red river
settlement.
Col. .JoHS II. STEVENS, Of Glencoe, being
called upon, expressed the opinion that the
Frazer River discovery would lead TO a
knowledge Of the interior OF British Amer
ica, which would make the navigation OF
the Red and Saskatchewan rivers a very
important commercial fact. How few OF
preciate that steamer can depart from up
mouth Of Sioux Wood River, at about the
central point Of the western boundary The
Minnesota, and thence descend distance Of
500 miIes TO Lake Winnipeg. then pass 300
miles through that mighty inland sea, and
ascend the Saskatchewan 10 the base OF the
Rocky Mountains--at least 5000 miles Of
inland navigation, including the north and
south branches Of the Saskatchewan. Ten
days Of slow land travel suffice 10 connect
from the point thus reached with the navi-
gable channel of the Columbia at Boat En-
campment When, in addition to tbcse
facts, the fertile character OF the Immense
district thus drained, and the measures now
on foot for its colonization are considered
the subject rises 10 dignity and importance
far beyond any ordinary scbeme Of explora-
ton and occupation
Not town or farm in Minnesota but ia
interested 10 bringing prominently before
the emigration OF Europe and America
the facts hitherto 30 unfamiliar in regard
10 the western portion Of British America.
lie cordially asgn'ed TO the suggestion Of
the late meeting. that relations Of reci-
procity should al once be establisbsi with
our American people. Our crops are TO
be abundant--Our markets are cheap-our
merchants can furnish full outfits a, reason
able prices, and he entertained 10 doubt
that the towns Of Minnesota were the most
advantageous points for departure To the
Frazer and Thompson River dstric's.
wv Ihth5kr, FIS i"""'y '"''' I" .
responded by reminding the audience tia, It
il 10 the recollection u men now living
when all the trade Of the valleys of the
Ohio and Mississippi wa' carried on pack
horses by the way Of For Pf' nov Pitr-
burgh) across the AIIeghany Mountains 70
Phiiadelpbis.
The immeDs region wt<, T the Allegbs-
bie~ has, 10 the period Of seventy Eve years.
grown W immensely, that the basibeas which
a, that time vas carried 90 by primitive
modes ofuaosportA,ion, nov employ, great,
er length IN miles ofrailrosd- and ls,g'r too
mage of s,eamboau. than all the res; Of the
Union.
The immenss area wes, Of The Red River
and SOuth Of Athsbasca, With climate not
inferior In o1r own, II capable according 10