Polynesian., 1858-05-22

Apropcs of the British possessions in North America
it has been officially announced that the British Gov
ernment intend to assume forthwith certain portions
of the territory hitherto held by the Hudson's Bay
Company. We informed that the Red River settle
ment will now be constituted a Province, with Mill
tary Governor, and that Vancouver's Island will be
placed under the government of the Admiral command
ing the station The London papers are even discuss
ing the feasibility of Pacific Railroad through the
British possessions at the North. The London GkO6e
ministerial print and special organ Of Lord Palmers-
ton, in an article on the subject says that if these
territories had belonged to the United States the anx-
iOusly desired railway of the Pacific, terminating at
Vancouver's Island would ere this, have been made
Ii only requires 900 miles Of rails to accomplish it.
when by steam China could be reached in thirty days
from Liverpool. Ten millions sterling would defray
the COST and the sale gift of the lands would reim
burse the interest if not the prime COST
NEWS FROM THE ARMY IN UTAH
Our latest adyices from the Army of Utah. at Camp
Scott to the 18th January at which date Mr. John
Haitwe Secretary of the Territory le arrived here
day or two since. He reports that when he left, Lieut.
Smith, of the infantry, the only officer the sick
list and only four deaths had occurred in the camp
The troops had plenty to eat, and blessed with
pleasant weather. At time had the been more
than five or six inches deep there. theatre under
canvass Of the most popular of amuse-
ment for the troops, and it was well attended. Col
Johnston was very popular with his command.
All intercourse between The Mormons of Salt Lake
Valley and the troops at Camp Scott ceased after the
lst Of January. 1t however, well established that
the MormOns actively employed in forfying the
most important passes leading Salt Lake City, and
that they intended TO offer resistance to the advance
Of the army upon their city 1t is admitted that the
canons, fortified and the possession Of determined
men, offer very great, if not insurmountable obstacles
to the march Of the troops and it seriously dis
cussed in camp, whether the march upon Salt Lake
City should not be made by the Bear river route q
hundred miles longer in distance but presenting fewer
distractions, and those of serious magnitude This,
it supposed would be done, as reinforce
mens, supplies, and particularly animals could be OBJ
taned. Col Johnston calculated upon receiving this
aid by the latter part of May or first of June. He
had ordered the troops Fort Laramie and Kearny to
join him at the earliest possible period this spring. and
they will move, it is understood forage suf
fcient for the animals can be obtained.
The celebrated American bark Adriatic which es-
capped from Marseles and then from French man-oE-
in the Gulf Spezzia arrived safely ut Savannah on
Thursday last
PANAMA, March 26, 1858.
POSITION OF SHIPS OF WAR.
You will perceive by the South American news that
the O. S. steam -fgate MeTTinlac, and SarGEdc, and
the lst of March. The MsrTimac would sail immedi-
aely for Callao. She had been unavodably detained
twenty days at Valparaiso. The Decatur is still here
and the Jamesto1cn is at Aspinwal; the SqHehGHnGh
is at Greytown, and the Fulton is used dispatch
steamer between Aspinwall and GreytOwn. The Brit
ish frigate Harannah is in this port.
Further from the Frazier and Thomson River
Gold Mines.
Capt. A. L. Hyde, of the Revenue Cutter Jeff. Da-
Uis which vessel arrived the 14th from Washington
Territory informs that the reports which have been
in circulation relative the gold mines Frazier aud
Thompson rivers, substantially true. A few days
before he left, Capt Connor of the steamer Sea Bird
arrived at Victoria, Vancouver's Island, who informed
him that the day he left, the Hudsons Bay Company
had shipped two hundred pounds weight of gold to
1 I1V1 kol aTs Al.
traders from the Indians Fort Hope since Jan lst
| 1858. The gold discoveries had caused q general
stampede at Vancouver's Island for the mines Capt.
Hyde further informs that he has number Of
letters from parties who have gone to the mines this
this spring. and who can be relied upon. They write
ayorably and advise all their friends to follow them,
but to be sure and bring provisions, they very
scarce and high. They write also that they max
| ing from So to $50 per day at surface dggings As
yet they had nothing but pans to wash with. They
think that with toms they could average high $50
per day.
Capt II. has doubt, from all the information he
has collected but that these mines will prove extensive,
and be found the American side rich they
the British side and that they will remunerate any
person who goes them with the intention of working
He informs that the discoveries have caused great
excitement in Washington Territory, well at VAN
couvers Island Farmers are leaving their farms with
but half crop in. The hands employed at the various
mills on Puget Sound have all caught the fever, and
a large portion Of them bound for the mines He
has doubt but that the discovery of gold in this
ton will open both to the business man. mechanic Ia
bOrer and farmer great field, wages must advance
and the demand for every article increase rapidly.
For the week previous to Capt. Hydes sailing from
Port Townsend, there not day but one two
small boats fitted out for the mines from that place,
making in all parties Of sixty who had left. He
would advise all parties wishing to go to the mines
go to Port Townsend, and from thence take their
start The mines by the present route about 35
miles from Port Townsend, and can be travelled in
boats and canoes to within II miles Of the dggngs.
Capt Hyde has in his possession Of the gold dust
also some quartz from that region. The quartz was
given to him by Mr. McCurdy, who took il from the
bed rock 1t is very rch and is said that it can be
found in any quantity-BuIletin, Apr. IL.
FORREST CRY, April II
fire broke out in this place Saturday night about
II O'Clock, in the house Of John Lanning situated in
the lower portion Of the town. The fire spread rapid
y and resulted in the entire destruction of the business
part of the town-boh sides Of Main street from the
bridge across Oregon Greek by Lorngs Livery Stable
on one side-and to the dwelling house Of Owen Nc
Donald on the other side The loss is estimated at
Sl75,000.
ReliZioss ReViVaIs I'm the U. States.
| RELIGIOUS REvIvALs.-One of those periodical re-
ligous excitements which sweep over the United
States about once every Is 20 years at present
in full blast in various portions of the Atlantic bor-
der. Great numbers have been converted. among
them some of the most notorious "roughs" in the
country, and also others occupying high social and
professional positions
In New York prayer meeting is daily held op-
posite the Tombs and convenient the Five Points.
| in the Mission Church, Centre street. Preachers
prav five minutes at a time, their hearers shout, and
converts daily made by hundreds.
| Old John street Church, New York was daily
crowded with business men between the hours of
twelve and two o'clock. and the number of CONVEX
siOns which were made in it astonished all who