The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-13
THE CALIFORNIA NEWS.
BY THE ST. LOUIS AT NEW YORK

FRAZER RIVER

FRAZER RIVER.
During the past fortnight Frazer river matters
have continued to monopolize public attention.
For the first few days after the departure OF the last
eastern mail the emigration to the north continued
unabated. The news then brought from there was
considered az unfavorable. and up to the present,
this has continued to be the character of the ntel-
gence. The consequence has been the Immediate
cooling down of the fever that ragged so violently
throughout the State for the past six weeks. The
tide thitherward has received sudden check, and
at present writing the number OF Frazer river emi-
grants to be met is not very great.
This is perhaps, exceedingly fortunate. The
number of Young men who have hurried off from
State to the new mining region approxmatcs
to $4,000. Many of these were badly provided
with means to exist for any length of time in
country where the commonest necessaries of life
exorbtantlv expensive. The waters of Frazer river
and its tributaries still continue too high to allow
of their beds being worked. Consequently, great
suffering and desttution already begin to manifest
themselves in the new mines; and the probability is
that much more will be felt before the mining sea-
son begins.
/ In the meantime, matters Frazer river con-
tnue really in the condition that all well informed
people expected they would be at this time The
river is very high and is kept up by the melting of
the mountain during the present summer
weather in that region. This snow, after while,
will be exhausted or if not, when the cold sets n
it will freeze, and the river will go down, and ena
BILE the miners to work the bars on which the rich
placers are believed to exist. How long it will be
Is
the question under discussion. Two months at
| farthest, say the sangune. The Responding say
when the snow freezes the rainy season will have
| set in-thus supplying the stream all the year
round with an abundance of water. ... - .......s
So little reliable information about this country
is in possession of the whites yet, that nothing
else is left but wait patiently the operation of
time for the solution of this disputed point. About
the existence of rich mines Frazer river and its
tributaries there to be dispute. The diff
| fculty is that these mines are now covered with
water, and are kept so by the melting SHOWS in the
mountains. Ittt a
| 1t is said that ''dry diggings' have been dscov-
cred at a few places; yet the extent of these and
| the general character for richness and facility
of working can only be determined by 'future pros
! pecting." At present the vast body of miners on
Frazer river are kept together in few camps, by
the desire to possess themselves of "clams on the
rich bars when the stream falls, and by the dread
| of hostile Indians molesting small parties who
might traverse the wilderness in search of dry dig
! gings. .l
PoLIcY OF THE HUDsox BAY CoMpANY-In the
| Victoria Gazette we find report of conference
| held on the tenth June between Gov. Douglas and
! Counseors John Work and r. Finlayson, on the
part of the Hudson Bay Company, and Speaker
Helmcken, T. j. Skinner, S. Yates, j. D. Pember-
ton and J. w. Mckay on the part of the Legislative
Assembly of Vancouver frrtf
His Excelency commenced the Conference by sta
ting that any information in his possession would be
cordially given to those present. but that portion
of it must be considered confidential and not to be
! made public. eu# .H
! l. With regard to rights of Hudson Bay Com
! pany. ..r 1
These rights were granted to them by license.
The Speaker suggested that this license referred
to trade with Indians only, and not with white
men,. r.-.r .| -. ..-. H.. ..
His Excellency replied, that, at the time of the
! granting OF the license, there We're white men
/ residents in the Territory; and added that he had
received advices from the Home Government which
left no doubt that the Hudson Bay Company
did possess the exclusive right of navigation and
! trade. - 4-t r-t atf.t- g..
| 2. Whether the Executive had assumed any au-
thority over Frazer River. tt
His Exceency replied that he had not assumed
any such authority but as the representative of the
| Crown, had taken measures to preserve law and
order, and had made regulations enforcing the
igation laws Of Great Britain. He had allowed
persons to go up the river, and had granted them
licenses to Mines had appointed custom-house off
and justices of the peace, and had called upon
H. NJ S. Satellite to assist in preventing any viola
/ tions of the navigation laws. sa'i sI.ha'- q.
| The speaker desired to know whether, having tax
| en- undertaken, the government of Frazer river,
F . b H I'D