The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-19

infsrmatisn for Overland Enigrants.
We yesterday had the pleasure Of meet
ing Captain BLAKrsroS Of the British
Royal Artillery who passed through this
city on bis way to England-bav.
ing Just returned from British Colum-
bia, by the way Of Red River. Captain
BLAxInos has been engaged for two years
in the service Of his government in the ex.
ploration and survey Of the Hudson Bay
Company's Territories-in conjunction with
the expedition under Capt. PALLIssER,
though on different routes Of observation.
from those followed by the latter. Capt
PALLIsKR, it will be recollected, passed up
by the Rainy River route, followed the
south bank OF the Saskatchewan, and FOL-
lowing the Bow River, traversed the noun
tains through Pass Of which be considered
himself the discoverer. Capt. BLAKIsroS,
however, says, that this is an old and well
known Pass, familiar to the voysgeurs as
the Emigrant's Pass-through which two
or three parties Of emigrsnts from Red
River long ago reached the shores of the
Pacific. Capt BLAKrsroS reached the
country through Hudson's Bay
ascending Nelson's River-and the Sas-
katchewan through its north branch to
Carlton, whence he made the circuit Of the
submoutane steppes and plains between the
northern and southern branches Of that river,
where he met Capt. PALLIsxR's party, which
crossed the mountains by the Emigrants'
pass already mentioned, while Capt. BLAK.
lnos explored the more southern or the
Kootonais and Boundary passes. We are
indebted to Captain BLAKIsroS for infor.
nation Of the utmost value, at this juncture,
to the proposed expedition to the Pacific
now on foot, and so detailed in its instruc.
lions a. to form q complete guide for emf.
grant parties DESTROYS to reach the gold
fields OF Frazer river by the shortest route.
These instructions which are printed from
the autograph notes kindly furnished us by
the Captain are appended, and the members
Of the expedition will find it to their inter-
est to preserve the article for their
future guidance. Allusion, it will be seen,
is made in these notes to map. Reference
is had to a map Of the described route,
and of the surveys Of Capt. BLAKisroS,
prepared by him to accompany his report to
his Government and a partial copy Of which
can be made available to the expedition by
application at this Office. Captain BLAKIs.
TON informs US that there will be no difficulty
in the proposed steamboat ascent Of the
Saskatchewan as far as Edmonton. if the
Grand Rapids at the mouth of the river can
be overcome His representation Of the
character Of these Rapids differs from that
entertained here. They are usually regard
ed as deep and offering no obstacle to the
passage Of boat except the rapidity Of the
current. This is true Of part Of the dis
lance to be traversed, but it is proper to
know that the Rapids terminate in q shoal
ledge Of limestone stretching across the
mouth Of the stream, Q width Of 500 yards.
On this the water is usually from one and
half to two ieet in depth, and in extreme
low water, less. The long keel boats, some
thing like our Mackinac boats, used in the
navigation Of the Saskatchewan, with about
30 feet keel, carrying from 1000 to 10000
pounds, and drawing from 4 to 2 feet of
water, in running over these Rapids as they
do in the descent OF the stream, are often
broken in pieces on the shallow ledge at the
month. The Captain, however thinks it
very probable that at high water the volume
Of water ct the foot OF the Rapids where
this rocky shoal exists, will be sufficient to
admit Of the safe passage Of steamboats,.
The period Of high water, according to our
informant, is from the middle Of June, when
the water begins to rise, to the first Of Au-
gust, when it begins to fall rapidly. In the
interval the volume is replenished by the
melting SHOWS Of the mountains.
Beyond the Grand Rapids, although light
rapids intervene occasionally, even at the
usual stage Of water, they offer no obstacle. to
steamboats, Of light draught. The portage
at the Grand Rapids is the only one made
10 the ascent Of the stream by the Compa.
ny's bat,eaux as far as Edmonton, and for
a considerable distance beyond that point,
and the Arson Nor,hrup does no, draw
more water than these batteauI.
| The route described in the appended notes
is, in the Captains view by far the best
overland route TO Frazer River. Ii has
this prominent advantage That in two. or
at the utmost. three weeks, party travel
ling at the slow pace usual with voyageury.