, 1858-12-31
ARRIVAL OF THE SANTA CRUZ.
Latest News from Frazer River.


The steamship Santa Cruz, Capt FAuNT. 10y,
arrived here yesterday morning from Victoria, via
Bellingham Bay. ...
We are indebted to Purser WYNAN and WILLIAM
O'SHAUGHNEssY Esq, for files of late Victoria papers
Mr. wYMAN has kindly furnished US the following
memoranda:
Since last trip to Fort Langley, Frazer river has
become free of ice and communication has again
been resumed. The steamer Maria which for the
past few weeks has been aground below Harrison
river has been Oated oil by an unexpected rise in the
river, and is now safely moOred at Fort Langley,
The steamer Enterprise Is to commence her trips up
the river to Forts Hope and Yale about the Sd prox
Large quantities Of goods are in waiting at Fort
Langley for transportation. Those remaining upon
the river seem sanguine that the raining portion OF
the winter will prove favorable for mining The San
Ia Cruz brought down about 60 passengers this trip
large portion Of whom intend spending few weeks
in Victoria and returning again TO the mines.
The steamers Pacific and Panama brought up some
70 so passengers destined for Frazer river, with
large amount OF freight.
Capt. DAVID McLAuGHLIN, who went out in com
nand of company from the Dalles to Frazer and
Thompsons river last summer, came passenger on the
Santa Cruz his return to Oregon. Capt. Mel. is
direct from the Forks having left there on the 18th
ust and reports that much suffering exists amongst
the miners along Frazer, in consequence OF the ex
treme cold weather and scarcity of provisions. Tie
has gained a knowledge from report that some ter
or fifteen deaths have occurred from freezing and
how many more have occurred will probably never bt
known. He thinks that there has been more suffer
ing between Forts Hope and Langley than above
Many had their feet and other parts frozen to ex
tent which would render them helpless for life. Al
one time the Thermometer at the Forks stood at 2j'
below the freezing point, in doors. When he left
however, the weather was modenting, and it wal
thought the worst was over. He thinks that abou
onehalf OF the miners that were on the river in 0cto
Der and November, are still in the mining region
Everything was quiet, both among the Indians AMI
miners, and most Of those who had taken claims hav
determined to hold them until the spring opens
Provisions were very high. At the time he left tn
forks, -four and bacon was selling at wholesale for 81
cts, and retailing at 81 90 per pound. Most of th
miners have plenty of dust, and have high expecta
tons Of doing well the coming season. All the wuter
were low, but of course everything being frozen for
bid operations consequently all were idle. For SOM
ten days the river entirely blocked up with Ice
| forbiddng all communication from the month up, o
navigation upon it, When Capt. Mel. came down
however, lin a boat) all distractions from point t.
point, were removed. Capt Mel. heard from Il
Fouutaine (about so miles above The forks the da
before he left and reports from there represent tn
miners as doing remarkable well, Gen. PiRMEu, VIII,
drove band Of stock from Oregon last summer il
that direction, is there-has built housegonO int
winter quarters and is disposng of his provisions t.
good advantage Drowning and smashing up of canoes
was, as heretofore, Of almost daily occurrence.