The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-09
Railroad Survey from Puget sound to
81. Paul and H.iif.x-Asiaiic Trads az
V"ns Nsws from
the Mines

the Mi"ts.
From the Vancouver co-rspondence OF
the New York Herald OF the Both ult., we
have gratifying information Of the pro.
gress Of things in tha. quarter. Victoria
was 10 high state Of excitement 10 conse
quence Of the continued discovery Of rich
gold placers on Frazer River; and the arri-
val in the bay OF an English feet with two
hundred Royal Engineers, under Capt. PAR.
SONS, who are preparing for the survey Of
a line through British Columbia, for a rail.
road from Frazer River to Halifax. This
party is to cooperate across the Rocky
Mountains with party that started from
Montreal last spring, and who will winter
this year on the south fork of the Saskatche
wan. The country is represented as emin.
entity practicable, and the idea Of extreme
cold aud deep SHOWS is laughed at by the
Hudson Bay Company, and others who
know the character Of the country, and who
say that they are aware that this frozen idea
has already frightened Brother Jonathan
of north'rn track.
The royal engineers will remain at vic:o-
ria until early spring, when having completed
their outfit and preparations, they will start
on their great overland survey, along the
valleys OF the Saskatchewan and Red Rivers
to Lake Superior, and il practicable, around
the lakes 10 connect with the Grand Trunk
road, through the Canadas. This railroad
scheme has been put on foot by company
Of British capitalists, who in view of the
opening of the ports Of China to the free
trade Of the world, have determined TO build
up u second Liverpool at Victoria on Van
COVERS Island, and direct, if possible, the
trade of the East across British territory by
a line of railway which will connect with the
Grand Trunk Railroad through the Canadas
Victoria has fine harbor, well sheltered,
and a more beautiful or healthy site for n
city could not be selected. The-Iand on the
Island is Of extreme fertility, and the beauti
fnl FIR and pine forests, interspered with oak
and large beds Of coal here found, will soon
cause to spring up an immense trade from
this quarter. The hlrbor Of Esquimalt--
only two miles distant--is, however. even
better than Victoria. Its water is deeper
and equally well sheltered, with broad, bold
shores, and affords fine site for large city.
There have recently been several arrivals
at Vancouver from Shanghai, Canton and
the Sandwich Islands. The trade from there
to the mouth Of the Amoor River on the
Asatic coast, is exciting great attention.
A Russian Commissioner had arrived at
Victoria, on his way to New York, where
he is to purchase three steamers for the
AMOR River and gives the most crafty
ing evidences Of the liberal spirit pervading
Russia at the present time, and the marked
anxiety to open upa trade in the North Pa
clhc between Russia and the United States
The colonial government has been fully
organized in British Columbia. Governor
DouGLAs, Of the Hudson Bay Company,
having been appointed Governor. Roads
are being opened, bridges, private and pub
lie buildings erected. and the general plan of
British dependency is being carried out
The news from the mines is encouraging
The Herald correspondent says:
-Four thousand miners have gone TO work TO
build their houses and homes and commence
preparing for the winter At Forts Hope. Yale
and langley, and there is every prospect Of
these mines yielding richly during the winter
season. Our interests here and the richness Of
the mines have been greatly moderated t y per
sons whose interests and prejudice it was to do
so; but we have evidence enough before US 10
convince all that gold to a great extent exists
throughout this whole region. The only thing
we now need is a large hardy overland emgra
lion and soha We will bu ia up in the North
west second California.
We intend to send the desired emigration
through ST. Paul, mex, season.