The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-15


respect, and agriculture was not limited by
the necessity OF irrigation, A glance Il
the map would show the immense river sys.
tens thus comprised. The basins OF the
Columbia, the Upper Missouri, the Yellow
Stone, the James, the Sioux, the Minnesota,
the Red Rivcr,of the North, the Upper
Mississippi. tho ST. Louis and the 81. Croix.
are evidently adequate for the organization
Of ten first class States oi the American
Union; while north Of tho International
line similar river systems, to-wit, the basins
of Frazer and Thompson rivers, the Upper
Columbia, the Athabasca. the Saskatchc-
wan, the Asiniboin and the Red River Of
the North, (the last namel divided with
Minncsota.) are now well understood to be
no less adapted 10 settlements. The present
discussion, az had been previously observed
was no lcss question than the dedication
TO Anglo-Saxon civilization Of one million
square miles OF the globe; an area as large
aud almost identical in physical respects,
with the continent Of Europe.
Mr.. TAYLOR, in further illustration oi the
geological topic, referred with some minute
ness 10 the relative position OF Minnesota
The limestone bluffs at 81. Paul were lower
silurian, and the sandstone beneath would
be found resting directly on tho granite.
Indeed this primary rock was found IN place.
as we descend still farther through tho geo
logical basin toward st. Cloud and the val.
| ley Of Sauk river. Thence northwest, we
arc rising, and on the head waters OF the
Red river, "a short distance below tho outlet
Of Otter Tail lake, Prof. Owen observed
fossils identical with ,ho@ discovered in the
limestone bluffs below 81. Paul. Here,
silurian rocks renppcar and by all analogics
the coal measure shou ii be found by going
northwest Accordingly, maps Published by
! the British Parliament reveal an immense
silurian development. embracing the ltcd
River valley, and the Saskatchewan, except
the vicinity Of Its sources near the Rocky
Mountains, where the coal measures appear
aud are estimated TO occupy an area OF 200
miles 10 diameter, while the mountains
themselves are mighty upheayal Of prim-
tive rocks. ns already stated. Doubtless,
the fact that the Saskatchewan plains are
of such gentle elevation as 10 average lea
than mean Of 200 feet above the sea.
may serve to explain this vast range Of the
silurian formation as well AZ the similarity oi
climate TO what VIC enjoy in Minnesota.
While the difference in altitude between
thu Saskatchewan valley, and The United
| States Territories il great, materially al
f,cting climate, the circumstance may not
be without influence gcologically. The
plateau Of the Upper Missouri. although
| much lower than corresponding longitudcs
Of X ansas, Utah, and New Mexico, greatly
cxccods IN mean elevation any portion IL
Minnesota aud Saskatchewan. While,
therefore, the silurian rocks are developed
on "a vast scale in the districts last namo'I,
NicolIct and others testify that the banks Oi
the Missouri, at Fort Pierre, due wcst from
st. Paul, pres,n, the Crctaceous Formation.
| 1his rs dbovs fhe ooh and, Of course, coal
must be found either IN Minnesota or the
future territory of Dac0iah, since the MH-
sissippi bluffs are well known " be situated
Jelotc the coal measures Whether on tho
James, the Sioux, the Upper Minnesota, or
the Tributaries ol the Blue Earth these ynl.
liable deposis may he concealed, will soon
be asccrtaiDed.
To return from this DEPRESSION. While
the natural features Of British Oregon pre-
pare us for the recent intelligence. there Is
evidence that the actual discovery has been
for some years the secret oia corporation.
Gov. Stevens. Of Washington Territory,
speaks Of successful gold mining on the
| American side Of the boundary; and wit
meas before the Parliamentary Committee
states explicitly that two years ago, Amer
leans were on the bars Of 1bom~ons river,
making, occasionally. twenty dollars pr
day. Why, then. II may be asked, has not
gold broke out" TO uye California
phrase long since and the obvious reply
IL, that the lIudsons Bay Company have a.
ways, until tie present. tune, discouraged en-.
igratio,, whether for agriculture, mining, or
any purpose. This was 10 be expected from
an association Of fur traders. Except ~ IA
wilderness spsrsey occupied by the em-
ployees Of the Company. the country would
he useless 10 them. Now, however. there is
reason 10 believe that the policy Of the
Company, in regard 10 the belt oi country
bet weeu latitudes 40 and 80 will be- totally
changed, and that hencciorth. the coop'rs
tion Of the Company in all measures for sct-
tlemeDt, may be anticipated.
The explanation Of this change Of policy
in powerful and sagseious corporation. ~
the liudsons hay Company uDquestionably
ia, may be- found in the events ~ the last
two years, and an event which will occur
Dext year For two year, past the Cana
dian and British pubic-, In view Of the ex-
pira,ion 10 1859 n the Compapy's lease Of
Vancouver Island. and Of their exclusive
license 10 trade with the Indians west Of the
Rocky Mountains. have gone into 9 rigid
scrutiny of the charter and territorial claims
Of the COMPANY. Public opinion in Cana.
ds Sems To b. an unit and highly e1cited
sl-o in opposition To the charter, ~ invalid
and long since suIerpsled and, Of course. 10