The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1858-08-04
FraZer'S River.

In the year lOlU, JOnn JdcOo hSlOT aL-
tempted to form a colony at the mouth Of
the Columbia River, between ten and eleven
degrees OF latitude north of the present city
of San Francisco. His idea at the time was
chiefly the formation of a Fur Trading Com
pany. But for the war of 1912 he would
probably have doubled or trebled his fortune
by this idea. That war, however, and the
jealousy Of the Hudson's Bay Company
broke up the concern, and Astoria, in the Pa
cifc, is now known more by the interesting
volumes of the popular author who has made
that settlement the subject Of his versatile
and able pen, than in any other way.
Yet it turns out that could Mr.. Astor but
have held on to his original idea, his family
might now have been in the course of be-
coming one of the very wealthiest, not only
in the United States, but in the whole world.
Old Frazel's River, right in the territory in
which the Pacific Fur Company had propos-
ed to establish themselves. are now discover
ed the richest gold diggings at the time
known in the world. California turns quite
pale before it, and Australia itself loses color
and caste. Not gold alone, but eperyth;aC
conspires to make this region Of vast prom
Use.
Though seven hundred miles north of San
Francisco, it is still one or two degrees south
of the latitude of London, and apparently
with climate of mildness from all extremes
both of heat and cold equal to that Of the
southern shores of England. One hundred
and fifty miles back from the Pacific indeed,
there lies a range of noun aims reaching up
to the regions Of perpetual snow. But be-
tween that and the coast the average tenn
perature is fifty four degrees for the year
round. Snow seldom lies more than three
days. Fruit trees blossom early in April,
and salad goes to head by the middle of May,
on Vancouver's Island. In parts Of this re-
gion, wheat yields twenty to thirty bushels
to the acre. Apples, pears, peas and grains
of all kinds do well. The trees are of OIL
gantic growth. Iron and copper abound as
does coal, in Vancouver's Island, SO that alto
gether, it bids fair to be early settled by an
enterpr:sing and various population. Be-
tween the years 1910 and 1850. We gained
California by one treaty with Mexico, and
gave up all pretensions to that part of Ore
gon lying north Of fortynine degrees by
another treaty with Great Britain.
The nominal sovereignty of Frazer's Riv-
err is, however, matter of but little impor-
lance either way. The settlers will be the
real sovereigns here AS in Australia, and all
attempts at keeping off settlers, whether
English or American, by the Hudson Bay
Company, will and must prove utterly abor-
tive. The fact that gold is to be obtained
there in immense quantities will be sufficient
Settlers from all countries will flock there,
and will do about as they find most advanta-
geous in developing the resources of the
country. California and Australia will both
be considered old and acorn out countries
now for gold bearing.
| This new discovery must tend to make the
Western shore of the American Continent
increasingly attractive. From Frazers Riv-
er, down to Peru, the rivers all bear down
treasures Of wealth perfectly inestimable.
Emigration must and will continue to flow
and take new start. The most successful
operators will be those who, having learned
the way to 90 things in California, move
there early. The least successful will be that
loating, drinking, swearing crowd of broken
down spectators and gamblers who have
not succeeded in California because they can
succeed nowhere. ru this will be the very
race who will be the most disposed to adj
venture themselves on Frazer's River fore
mos, of ALL There will, however, at once
be ample room for far different class from
either of these. e. for men who know how
to farm it, and are wiling to 90 with their
families, purchase land, and raise provisions.
Or men who. knowing nothing of gold dig
ging, have got pair OF stout bands and
brawny arms. Gold digging is soon learned,
and there will and must be an immense de-
mand for every kind of hard labor at almos,
fabulous prices.-Phila, Ledger.
EDIToR OF THE UNIoN-PREsENrAr1o
OF Boors.-1he Detroit Advertiser is re.