The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-15
VOL. X-NO. Is.
FRAZER RIVER GOLD MINES:
The Overland Emigration Route 20 Brit
ish Oregon.

The Overland Emigration Route 60 Brit
ish Oregon.
SECOND ADJOURNED MEETING, IN THE HALL OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IN ST. PAUL,
JULY 10, 1858.
A large assembly convened, as above, AT
4o'clock, p. NJ. Long before the organiza-
ton of the meeting, groups were engaged in
the examination of maps which were sus-
pended upon the walls for the sake of geo.
graphical illustration. One was large map
published from the Land Office of Canad u
upon which both the northern and southern
Saskatchewan routes were delneated. Else
where Colton's map Of the United States
was suspended, with scheme of ten States
between Minnesota and the Pacific, marked
with colors and even described by names,
and which was part of a plan for the subdi.
vision of all the present territory of the
Union into new States. A map Of the
Globe had broad red line drawn across its
face on the latitude Of AL, degrees north,
with aview Of exhibiting howlarge por-
ton Qt the Pacific coast, as well as of Eu-
rope, lies north of the southern boundary of
Minnesota.
The Chair was occupied by Col WV. II.
MOBILES. j. A. WHEELOcK, Esq, acted as
Secretary.
The Chairman briefly referred to the OBJ
jects OF the meeting. lie had long been in
terested in the project of Northern route
to California, and while engaged in the pros
ecution Of an enterprise having for its OBJ.
iect the connection of the head waters Of
the Mississippi with the Bay of San Fran
CISCO by route which he believed to have
advantages over all Others, his attention,
years ago, was repeatedly called To the still
greater advantages of more northern route,
terminating at the magnificent harborage Of
Puget Sound, and he had only deferred
scheme OF exploration, which was long since
proposed to him, till he had finished his en-.
gagements with the Government on the
California rOute. lie spoke of the interest
which had been everywhere excited by the
proceedings of the previous meetings held
on this subject, and read several letters Of
enquiry from agents of parties at Chicago,
and elsewhere, who wished to take this
route to Frazer's River, and in conclusion,
laid before the meeting the proposition of a
gentleman to make an exploration OF the
whole route.
The committee appointed at previous
meeting, having under consideration the
commercial relations of Minnesota with the
Red River settlements, and the bearings Of
the system of trading posts on the question
of routes, asked for more time for the col
lection OF data on the commercial subjects
involved, which was granted, and at the re-
quest of the chairman, Hon. MARTIN Nc.
LEGD, Gov. RAMSEY was appointed its
chairman. In relation to the feasibility OF
the various proposed routes, Mr. McLEoD
submitted the following informal report
Mr. Nc LgoD : REPORT.
1t will be recollected that, at the meeting
held at the Fuller House, on the 9TH inst,
a resolution was passed in reference to the
choice Of three routes for the emigrant road
from st. Paul to Frazer river gold mines in
British Oregon. "lst, by Pembina, Red
river settlement and the north branch OF the
Saskatchewan. ID by the south Saskatch-
evan and the ootanais Pass. Sd, by Gov.
Stevens railroad route on the American
side of the international boundary"
For the practical information Of those de-
sirous Of undertaking the journey, | have
hastily prepared some brief notes gathered
from the journals Of voyaging and scientific
parties of exploration, by various routes,
through that region.
For small party Of ten to fifteen persons
hastily gotten up, the Stevens route appears
to be the least favorable Of the three routes,
not only az to distacce, but also a. TO the
features OF the country. character and num-
Der Of the Indians tribes through which they
would unavodably have TO pass. The dls-
tance from st. Paul TO Vanconoer on the
Columbia is 1864 miles, 10 Settle. port on
the east side Of Puget Sound by the Coum-
bia route 2O25 miles, ll52 miles Of which
is through an uncultivable region, afford.
ing but little game at uncertain seasons, and
At late season, not q sufiiciency Of grass
for animals. We will then dispose Of this
route, with the remark that however practI-
cable OF desirable it may be--as being all
within our own bounday-for a large and
strong party. leaving St Paul not later
than the 18th Of May-it cannot be recon-
mended for small party starting from here
at late season. We have then the choice
Of the two routes by the Saskatchewan, and
TO give something like correct idea OF that
region. and the features OF the routes usual
ly travelled by the voyageurs Of the Hud,
sons Bay Co, l will quote from the journal
Of o1r expedition from the Columbia up
that river by it, north branch, thence to
the tributaries OF the Saskatchewan, and
down that stream and the valley by water
and by land to Bal de Ia riv'ere, . days jour
ney from Fort GARY. Red river settlement.