The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-26
Steamboating on the Red River OF the North.
the saskatchewan. and Lake Winnipeg.

From the Chicago Press Dec. II
We had the pleasure Of an interview day two since
with Captain Blakcy the well known pioneer OF steam
boating on tine Upper Mississippi During the past
Captain r. visited the Red river OF the North TO asccr
by personal examination whether that stream may be
successfully naygated by steamboats,. The result of his
observations highly satisfactory, there being, in his
opinion, suicient depth Of water for easy navigation
throughout the from Lake Winnipeg the month of
the Cheyenne river, distance OF about $50 miles,
We have observed a statement in some OF the news
papers, representing that Captain Biakely viii pu,
steamer on Red river next season. AT present
think he entertains no such purpose Should the lud
sons Bay Company be expelled from the country water
cd by the Red the Assiniboin, and Saskatchewan
rivers, a provincial government be organized, and
that whole region be thrown open by the British
government. TO immigraton-and all this within the
next three months-then il would not surprise us
all Captain Bakcy should be pou Ching the
Red river next But such speedy is
be expected from that government Downing has
just begun TO learn something OF the real character OF the
British Y0Ss lying west Of Canada, and possibly
Downing street interests not unreprcsencd ~ the
Hudsons Bay Company. But whether 50 represented
not, the Crcumocltion Office take its time. Tncn
tnere another matter 10 nc adjusted before American
steamers will be placed upon Red river The provisions
81 the reciprocity treaty be extended hither, aud
this viii require more time.
We had supposed that designed TO navigate
Red river would have TO be built upon It's banks but Capt
Bakey informs us that they may be taken across from
the Minnesota river. The portage is only about half
mile, and the expenditure OF two thousand dollars
will opeL a channel sufficiently deep 10 Goat
times oil high In 1928 the crops having
been destroyed III the SeIkirk settlement by high
water three Mackinaw boats loaded with grain
route, passing from the Minnesota 10 the Rcd river
with but very slight difficulty Whenever the time does
come, therefore, for placing steamers upon the latter
river, X will be comparatively easy matter 10 trans
fer them from the Minnesota river
should the gold discoveries the Fraser Bridge and
Thompson prove be Of much value. the move
ment OF the British government will doubtless be accae
rated with respect to organizing governments for its
northwestern possessions The easiest aud, Il improved,
the cheapest route TO that region. either from Great
Britain from Canada and the United States lies direct
~ through British territory The Red river Lake winni-
peg. and the Saskatchewan river furnish navigablc
water line OF about i 400 miles Of the distance II the
gold of Fraser river proves abundant the immigration for
years will be large and only requires the orgaIi
zatioD OF provincial government the valleys Of the
Red and Saskatchewan rivers the presence Of sufficient
force 70 bold the Indians subcr dnaton aud the plant
ING OF Settlements aoag the of these streams
make the route indicated the great horougharc travel
While on Red river Captain B!akeiy had repeated op
portuntes to make inquiries touching the naygbilty OF
the Straightforward OF those who had FOR years been ami
liar with II, and he is entirely satisfied may
ply upon distance OF zoo miles above Lake Winnipeg
lie reports which he obtained upon this subject
not hall dscoaraeng those he received from the trap
peTs ami traders respecting the nay1abty OF the upper
Mississippi before he took the first boat the latter river
II Is expected, however tha experienced steamboat
Will pass the entire length of the river from the
lake 10 the Rocky Mountain House next season, with the
view Of testing the matter thoroughly We have the ut
confidence that the result viii be in the highest de-
gree satisfactory II the British government should pur-
sue a wise and comprehensive policy the management
OF her northwestern POSSESSION, within less than
years this viii become great transconincn' thorough
fare, along which viii collect prosperous and popuious
communities and world made 10 subserve the pur-
poses OF humanity and OF civilization