, 1858-07-02
The Northern Gold RegiOn-The SnOqual-
mic Pass Scarcity Of Provisions al The
Head Of the Sound, &C., &c. .

Late intelligence received from the gold
mines on Frazer's and ThOmpson's rivers,
continue to be received of the most fatter-
ing charaeter-amply confrmatory Of all
that has been said and written of their al
most fabulous richness and boundless extent
Already as We observe by the papers Of
that city, the golden stream in a small rivu-
let has reached San Fancisco, and the pros
pect bids fair, when the high waters on the
bars of those rivers shall have subsidized to
their wonted level, that bounteous harvest
will be garnered up by the thousands Of ad-
venturers, on either side of the Cascade
range, who, as yet, have been compelled to
rest quietly upon their oars, until such time
they can advantageously commence profita-
bic operations.
No person at present, we believe, pretends
to doubt, but that rich diggings extend
throughout large extent Of country north
ward, in our own as well as in the British
possessions. Were it otherwise, the ten to
fifteen thousand persons who have been lur-
ed thither from Oregon and California, will
have spent very proGtless season, besides
heavy outlay, in gaining access to the ex-
pected Ell Dorado IL cannot, tce think, be
OthcrtOise, but that the gold is there, but it
would seem that nature, miser-like, and as if
jealous Of having her boarded Golfers ruth
lessly assailed, has so carefully locked up
her precious treasures along 1uted rivers,
in canlons, raVines, and mountain fastness-
es and so carefully concealed the key, that
it would seem as a matter almost next to
impossible to obtain anything like convenient
access to her glittering store-house The
gold is there, but the difficulties and pcriis to
be overcome in reaching il, and supplying the
thousands aoih stores, IS The great dratOGaek
the misfOrtHHe. Of what aVails the hid
den treasures Of the ocean if it cost as much
to resue it to usefulness, as it is worth when
found2
The last mail from Bellingham Bay brings
no news that to US is satisfactory, concern
ing the opening of the projected pack-trail
from WhatcOm or Sehome TO Thompson's
river, east Of the Cascade mountains. We
have conversed with a gentleman who in
forms us that he had been favored with the
perusal of the last letter received from Mr..
DeLacy-(the gentleman charged with the
location of the trail)-priOr to the depar-
ture OF the steamer Constitution from Bel
lingham Bay, and that Mr. Del. writes in
substance thus: That his Indian guides in
form him, that he has reached the summit Of
the mountains, and he so believes himself
that his guides inform him that between his
camp and Thompson's river, no serious OBJ
sticles intervene, which he also believes;-
that the trail is partially constructed, and
blazed out to the supposed summit that
much Of the trail passes over marsby and
swampy ground f; that large parties be ad-
vised not to start until more labor has been
expended upon it, lest they return and pro
nounce it impracticable Although we sim
cerely hope the Bellingham Bay trail may
not prove impracticable or failure, yet we
cannot at present recommend it to the gold
ward adventurer. Unless we are thorough
y satisfied that pack-trains can be got safe
ly through, we will not lend ourself as an
instrument to humbug the public concerning
any trail We have already been grossly
deceired in the premises, and shall be more
careful and guarded for the future.
OF the SnOqualmie trail and pass, the
most Of our citizens know something more
definitely. 1t is well known that Mr.. TINK-
HAN and party, Connected with the North
ern Pacific Railroad Survey crossed from
the eastern to the western base of the Cas-
cades, through this pass--N MD-w1NrER =
that Indians cross and re-cross the noun
tains through it, at oil seasons Of the year
that Maj. Van BoKKEIN, during the pro
gress of the late Indian war, reached the
summit of the pass, with pack animals
Besides, we have Just been informed that
some seventeen of the citizens of King coun-
ty have, for the past two weeks, been enga-
ged in removing distractions from the trail,
shortening its direction, &c, and that per
haps to-day a party will leave Seattle for
the gold region ria the Snoqualmie, which
will be followed, it is alleged, by OK teams
with stores by the first Of August
We regard the Snoqualmic and Nah-ches
passes as at present the only " "fred facts "
whereby adventurers can reach the gold
fields, east Of the mountains, starting from,
and lying over American soil, this side of the
Columbia river A considerable party have
been fitting out at this pace, for the Sno-
qualmie, for the last ten days or two weeks,
which, in connection with those who pro-
pose to join from Steilacoom and Seattle,
-:u -ryoll kbo ,,;onoar oonpanu fO OF laoct