The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-10-21
steam NAvigatio" upos she sa.ks,chewa"
River.
To the editors CT the Ssening Post,


To the editors Ct the Svsnns Post
The river Saskatchewan, flowing from
the Rocky Mountains eastwardly into Lake
Winnipeg, is ascertained to embrace within
its sources and tributaries al ARIA of more
than 100000 square miles, rs habi,able as
the adjacent State Of Minnesota. This
stream, il navigable for steamers, may bear
an important relation to the development OF
British America. In late article you
quote tho testimony Of Sir George Simpson,
before the Parliamentary Committee, which
implies, rather than asserts, the innavigabil'
ity OF the Saskatchewan. lie lays stress
upon the swift current and occasional rap
ids. A hasty inference from similar facts
would pronounce the Missouri innavigable.
Sir George Simpson is the author Of 4
book, Overland Journey Around the
World" Allow me to quote from this vol.
ume. A portion OF his route was north
westwardly from the Selkirk Settlement on
the Red River Of the North. After twelve
days travel, be crossed the Bow River or the
south branch OF the Saskatchewan, (which"
using his own words, takes its rise in the
Rocky Mountains near the international
frontier, and Is Of considerable size, without
any impediment Of any moment. At the
crossing place the Bow River was about
third Of mile In width, with strong cur.
rent, and about twenty miles below, falls
into the main Saskatchewan. whence the two
streams flow toward Lake Winnipeg, form.
ing at their mouth the Grand Rapids OF
about three miles in length"
In latitude $50 longitude 1859, the north
branch OF the Saskatchewan was crossed,
these portsges were in batteaux, drawing
about four feet Of water) by Governor Simp.
sons party. "The Saskatchewan" he re-
marks. is here upward of u quarter OF a
mile wide, presenting, ~ its name implies, a
swift current. II is navigablc Tor boats
this term means o Mackinac boat, OF about
four feet draught) from the Rocky Mountain
House. in longitude ll6' TO Lake Wlrni.
peg, upwards Of seven hundred miles in
direct line but by the actual course OF the
stream. nearly double that distance. Though
above Edmonton the river is much obstruct.
ed by rapids, yet IRON that tort to Lake
Winnipeg, i, is descended withou, portage,
while even on the upward voyage. the
only break in the navigation Is the Grand
Rapids, already mentioned
As resident of st. Paul, will add to
the foregoing description the personal tesii'
mony Of Mr.. James Mckay, AN intelligent
partner Of the Hudson Bay Company who
is in charge of Fort Ellcs, trading post,
situated about five days journey beyond the
Minnesota frontier. lie insists that both
arms OF the Saskatchewan arc are ~ navi'
gable as the Mississippi at Saint Paul, quite
to the vicinity Of the mountains He &C
companied Captain Palliser, 10 gentleman
who has led an exploring party " the
Rocky Mountains, under the auspices Of the
London Geographical Society, assisted by
the English Government far up the Bow or
South Saskatchewan, and he fully confirms
Governor Simpsons original statement, add
ing that he has even passed the Rapids, near
Lake Winnipeg, with loaded batteaux. To
the same effect are the assurances Of many
residents of the Red River settlement.
In this connection permit me To repro
duce, in the columns OF the Eunug Post
the statements Of committee Of the Min
nesots Legislature 10 support Of the propo
sition that the western districts OF Mime
sofa may be connected by continuous steam.
boat navigation with point at the eastern
base Of the Rocky Mountains, which ID only
eight days journey from the gold districts
Of British Columbia.
/ THE head Of steamboat navigation on the
Red River Of the North Ia 10 about lat. 41:23
/ The river flowing from south 10 north u. accord
ing to Captain John Pope, Ave feet deep at the
/ mouth Of Sioux Wood River six feet, twenty
/ miles north. and the site Of q military post pro
/ posed by Major 4. Woods, 9th Infantry, In lst3,
/ and nov occupied a. Fort Abercronbie thence
/ to the shayenns River, six feet from sbayenns
! to Goose River, nine feet, but with an interye
/ ming rapid one mile long, with i've feet upon
| IL from Goose River 70 Red Lake River, twelve
! feet from Red Lake River TO Pembina and
Lake Winnipeg, sixteen feet deep.
/ Lake Winnipeg IL two hundred and fifty
mile. long. nsvigsble by . propeller or any
/ class Of vessels. From its northern extremity
! the Saskatchewan II nayigable seven hundred
| miles west, on IN AIR line, tmneb further by
J the windings Of the stream,) with no mate.
! rial obstacle except the Rapids at the mouth o.
/ the river. The traveller may ascend the north
I and south branch Of the saskstcbe wan by
either route. reaching the immediate vicinity of
fAyOfsbIs passe. through the Rocky Mountains.
! II al this moment these links u International
{ HAugaJD0 w Fes""i-s WV pfrf
. land journey TO the head waters Of Frazer River
, could be made in twentyfo days. The sol
un. and depth Of the Saskatchewan IL faily
equal 70 the Mississippi above Caro-.
These facts ore important, with reference
10 10 an emigration route from Minnesota
10 British Columbia bat the events Of the
las, ninety days clearly indicate that Gr'a,
Britain has no more avorite measure IN
der coossderailon-aike by goyernment,
press and peopIe-thsn railroad and tFIe-
graph from Lake Superior To Puge, Sound
on ~ near the latitude u fity degrce- north.
Wagons and steamboat. will constitute the
first stage Of such .n eDtrprlse, but the IN
tere.ts Of the future confederation Of British
America demand powerful provinces and a
ppp1lOus naval ard commercial station On
The North Pacific And 20 secure thee
objects speedily-within the Dext FIVE years
"a contiueutal railroad. Constructed With
the AID u liberal and locations and guar
ab,y q fixed income BY til Imperial