Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-12-24
THE SASKATCHEWAN.

AT the eastern base Of the Rocky Mountains,
near the 50th parallel, a river takes its rise,
flowing in an easterly direction to Lake Winni-
peg. 1t is the Saskatchawan-a noble stream
draining an immense territory. The country
around it is called the Saskatchewan country
containing an area of territory which would
make ten States as large as Iowa or New York
This section of the world, hitherto, has been
but little known; but it is soon to be, in the
probable progress of human events a populous
section. Lake Winnipeg body of water as
large as Lake Erle-lles near the center Of this
vast territory, and it receives, in addition to
the Saskatchewan, the Red River of the North,
which rises in the territory of Minnesota, and
flows through as rich and fertile valley as
any on the American continent. In this valley
Is the Selkirk Settlement Pembina, Fort
Garry 1t is a deep stream, running due
North $50 miles, navigable for large steamers.
There are numerous other streams flowing
through that section, but these are the prin-
cipal
This vast section of territory is beginning to
fillup rapidly with settlers. 1t is an inviting
region, if all reports are true. West of Winnie
peg, the climate is as mild as that of Massa-
chusetts. The whole ofthis section is adapted
to wheat culture, and although it is so far
North, Indian corn can be successfully cultiva-
ted In the Southern part. A recent traveller
has published in the Hamilton Spectator the
result Of tour of six to seven hundred miles
through the Swan river region. After de-
scrlbing the general features of the country as
rich prairies, interspersed with belts Of heavy
oak and elm, he says u am afraid that in
descending the rich valleys Of the Swan River
and the AssinibOine, seem to have been in
dulging in romance, when the fact is, that l
have in reality, fallen short of the truth All
the banks and braes that have been written of
could not exceed those of Swan River, and all
the groves, law plantations, ever laid
out by genius an -Ould find something
more beautiful in winding slopes of the AS
siniboine," The valley of the Red River is de-
scribed as a boundless level plain, elevated
about thirty feet above Lake Winnipeg, and
for a distance of about one hundred miles in a
due South direction rising so imperceptibly,
that only by instrumental measurement, its
inclination was not apparent" Both the Red
and Assiniboine rivers are heavily timbered on
their banks for a quarter of a mile deep.
Fruits are raised in abundance. Melons and
tomatoes rpen in the open air. The settle
ments already formed on the Red River run
for about fifty miles on its immediate banks,
the houses being generally built quite close to
the stream, the farms Of from fifty to two hun
dred and fifty acres stretching backwards in
long strips into the prairie.
4OhdIuS lllI5 leIIllOIy our AAluCTlCdn lilies OF
railway are reaching. The distance from St
Paul, Minnesota, to the navigable waters of the
Red river of the North, is 200 miles, over an
elevated plateau. Sixty miles of this road is
under contract to be completed in 1859, and
measures are being taken to push it on rapidly
over the line surveyed by Governor Stevens
for the North Pacific road that the settlements
on the Red river may be brought into connec-
ton with st. Paul. The New York Chamber
Of Commerce has wisely taken notice Of this
section of the country. In the report of the
Committee on Canal Navigation by steam, ap-
pointed by that body, the matter is exhibited
in a clear light as Of great importance to this
country, They say truly that ''when this road
shall be completed, another grand division of
the continent, comprising half million square
miles, will be open to settlement, in which COM
munities will spring up with the rapidity which
has marked the marvellous growth of our
own country, possessing all the elements of
= prosperity and of an extensive commerce.
This commerce will be added to that we now
receive from the Great West if we welcome
it with such facilities as will enable the grains
and meats Of the eastern slope of the Rocky
Mountains, and the north shore of Lake Win
nepeg, to be set down upon our docks at rates
which will yield good return to the producer,
though transported more than 1000 miles No
cOntinentcan show aparallel, as none can show
such stupenduous works for the facilitation of
commerce by people in the griste, and not
yet ripened in the bone of manhood"
England is directing her attention to this
subject. Parties are now traversng the plains
of the Saskatchewan surveying the line of
the great Pacific railway, WHICH bids fair to be
constructed while we are quarreng in our
Jealousy over routes to the Pacific. The flu
ture of that section is full Of interest. Adapt
ed to the culture of wheat, it is to be a part of
the worlds granary. Its connection with the
United States by way Of trade must be more
intimate than with the Eastern Canadas. 1t
is eminently wise, and prudent and important,
that our Chambers of Commerce should assist
by all honorable and proper means in extend
ing facilities of trade, and travel, towards that
vast and fertile region.-Boston Atas