San Andreas independent., 1858-08-21
VICTORIA, August llth, 1853.


Mr.. Editor Being in possession of reliable
accounts of the mines on Thompson and Fra
ger rivers, l will submit them for consdera-
ton to that portion of the readers of the Lnde-
pendent, who are contemplating visit to those
mines. Mr.. Joseph Miller, a gentleman well
known in San Andreas, arrived in this place
yesterday, direct from the mines. To him,
am indebted for the following facts in relation
to the mines on Thompson and Frazer rivers ::
He left this place about the first of July,
taking steamer passage for Fort Hope, on
Frazer river. He found mining at that place
impracticabe on account of the high stage of
water Consequently he [Old Joe,- of Ours,
in company with Bob Hubbard Jack Sweeney
and four others, started overland for Thomp-
sons river, each being packed with his blank
cts and about seventy pounds of provisions
After travelling and struggling under their
load, for ten days, they arrived at Thompson s
river, about forty miles above its junction with
the Fraser. They found no white men on this
river but discovered Indians at work digging
for gold in different places on the river they
told them that there was hi-ce (plenty of gold
there they were very saucy and showed a
and provisions; Miller says they would have
done so had his party not manifested deter
mined resolution to protect themselves, which
they did by leveling their pistols at them on
Colts revolver, in the hands of Californian
is more effective than a whole Company of
Infantry. Miller and company prospected all
along Thompson's river towards its mouth,
but with as little delay as possible, for their
grub was fast diminishing, and no place at
which they could replenish their stock until
they again reached Fort Hope. The river was
very high but they found some very good pros
poets. Miller says he found many places where
he could have made Sic, 90 per day. The gold
is much coarser than that found in the vicini-
ty of Fort Hope. On nearly all the bars which
the party prospected they found, what would
be called, in California, paying prospect. Of
course, at low water, much better prospects
could be obtained-as they were unable to
prospect but little below high water mark
They followed down Thompson's river to its
junction, thence down Frazer; here they dis
covered white men prospecting-some at work
on located claims. The Indians were little
troublesome, occasionally taking from the mi
ners their blankets and clothing. They found
the prospects on this river, much the same
as those they had obtained on Thompson's.-
But the water was high, and they were COM
PEELED to hurry back, as their grub was nearly
exhausted. With as little delay as possible
they made their way back to Fort Hope. The
trail for the last 40 miles is very rough Over
this animals cannot travel, and even men have
to be free from the encumbrance of any load.
Mr.. Miller left his party TIT. Hope, and came
down to this place to purchase pack-animals
with provisions sufficient to last them two or
three months, and return to Thompson's river
He had with him or ounces of dust, most
of which he obtained from the Indians in the
way of trade. He says the river is falling
very slow, and thinks it will be two months
before canoes will go through the canon on
Frazer river.
Every one here, and will venture to say,
every one in San Andreas, where Mr.. Miller
has lived, who is acquainted with him, will
credit every word of his statement. AS many
of the San Andreas delegates have returned
it is hardly necessary for me to tell YOU that
Frazer river stock is below par at present.
But confidently believe that it will command
a premium in few months. The Govern
ment is going ahead with the trail, and the
general beliefis that it will be finished in sir
weeks. Yours, H. NJ. RIDER.