Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-25
STEAMBOATS, ON the Red River ofthoN orths
the Saskatchewan and Lake Wtnnipcr.

the Saskatchewan and Lake Winnipeg.
We had the pleasure Of an in,erview a
day or two since with Captain Blakeley, the
the we'll known pioneer Of 3steamboatins on
the Upper Mississippi. During the past
season Captain B. visited the Red River of
the North to ascertain by personal cxam;-
nation and observance, whether that stream
may be successfully navigated by steam
boats. The result Of his observations was
highly Satisfactory, there being in h;s,opin :,
on sufficient depth Of water fSr casy& naviea.
ton throughout the season, from Lake Win.
nipes to the mouth Of the Cheyenne River,
distance Of about $50 miles.
We have observed statement in so,ne Of
the newspapers, representing that ;Optai,
Hlake'ey will put a steamer upon the Red
River next season. At present We think he
entertains no such purpose. Should the
Hudson Bay Company be expelled from the
country watered by the Red, tho Assinibo;n,
aud the Saskatchewan rivers, a provincial
government will be organized, and that
whole region be thrown open by the British
Government to immigration-a all this
within three months-thcn it would not
surprise US at all if Captain B.akcIey,s
steamer should be blowing the Red River
next season. But such speedy action is not
to be expected from that government Down,
ing Street has just begun to learn somc:'
thing OF the real character Of the British Pos
sessions lying West Of Canada; and possibly
Downing Street interests arc not unrepre-
sented in the Hudson Bay Company. But
whether 20 represented or not, the Crculn-
IOcutiOn Oifice must tako its time. Then,
there is another matter, to be adjusted before
American steamers will be placed on Red
River. The provisions of the Reciprocity
Treaty must be extended thithcr, and this
will require moro time. s.t'!s!" IL = 80 yIsE
We had supposed that steamers designed
to navigate Red River would have to b. built
uponits banks, but Capt Blakeley informs
US that they may he taken across from the
Minnesota River. Tho portage is only a.
bout half-a, mile, and the expenditure Of one
or two thousand dollars viii open q chanel
across sufficiently deep to float a steamer in
times Of high water. In 1928, the crops
having been destroyed in the Se.kirk settle,
ment by high water, three Macknaw boats
loaded with grain were taken from Prairie
dl Chen by this route, passing from the
Minnesots to the Red River with but very
slight difficulty. Whenever the time does
come, therefore, for placing steamers upon
the latter river. it will be, comparatively, ar
easy matter to transfer them from the Mir.
nesota river. .F"t Hasa aU
Should the gold discoveries on the Frazer
Bridge and Thompson Rivers, prove to lie o
much value, the movement Of the British
Government will doubtless be accelerated
with respect to organizing governments fol
its North western possessions. The easiest
and, ifimproved,. the cheapest route to that
rigioi,, either from Great Britain, or from
Canada and the United States, lies direct
ly through British Territory. The RED
River, Lake Winnipeg and the Saskatcha
wan River, furnish navigable water line o
about 400 miles Of distance. If the col,
OF Frazer River, proves abundant, the inmi
grafton for some years will be large, and j
only requires the organization of a provincial
government over the valleys the Red ane
Saskatchewan Rivers. the presence Of a ,sutf
Gent force to hold the Indians in suborain
alton, and the planting Of settlements alon,
tho course Of these streams, to make tn
route indicated the great thoroughfare O
Of travel. d n s-adf 10 s.q>f .fsH
While on Red River, Captain Blakele,
uaA repeated opportunities to make inquire
touching the navigability Of the Saskatcha
wan, OF those who had for years been famili
ar with it, and he is entirely satisfied tina
steamers may ply upon a distaco of 7O(
miles above Lake Winnipeg. He says til,
reports which he obtained upon this subjec
ore not halfso discouragng rs those he re
ceived from the trappcrs aud traders respect
ing the navigation Of the Upper Mississippi
before he took the first boat up tho latte
river. It is expected, however, that an OK
perienced steamboat man will pass over tn
entire length Of the river, from the Lake t
the Rocky Mountain House. next season
with the view eftesting the matter thorough
ly.i We have the utmost confidence tina
tho result will be in the highest degree salts
factory. If the British Government Shout
pursue wise and comprehensive policy Il
the management Of her Northwestern pos
sessions, within less than ten years this vii
become great trans continental thorough
fare, along which will collect prosperou
and populons communities, and new worl
b made to sub'er the purposes of human
ity and civilization.-Chic'go Press d. r.
bunc. ijt< ..sl int7H+' rs @u 4 .tF:G'