The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1859-04-14

We have later intelligence from Victoria
and Frazer River, contained in letters from
the missionaries Of the Canadian Wesleyan
Church, who, o few weeks since, passed
through New York on their way to British
Columbia. They arrived. after rapid pas.
sago, at San Francisco, and took the first
steamer for Victoria, and were compelled to
take Oregon in their route. They left San
Francisco on Thursday. the Sd OF February,
and entered the harbor Of Victoria on Wed
nesday the 9th. We give an extract from
letter written at Victoria. on the llth Of
February, which gives an interesting view
Of the state OF things there and the prospect
Of affairs on the Frazer river:
VICTORIA. February H. Yesterday
morning, under clear sky anil surrounded
by an atmosphere a. clear as q Winter day
In Canada, We cast anchor in the harbor OF
Victoria. On either side the coast seemed
very similar to tho rockbound shores Of our
mother land, and indeed everything around
much reminded me OF home. The entrance
TO Victoria is by u narrow and circuitous
bay. On tho right is the Indian buryiug
ground with its ancient tombs and figure
heads," and on the left 10 their village held
by reservation. Compared with our Cana
dim Indians. they are far below par, and
they have learned most of tho white man q
vices with but few OF their virtues. The
indians Of the interior are much more manly
and warlike. and exhibit traits of character
Tar above those with whom the white man
has come more frequently in contact.
Victoria Is pleasantly situated on an ac.
civity, and tho nominal area Of the town ia
a. large ~ Bellvillc, but In plnces the houses
are lew and far between. The principal
streets are being mscadamissd. and when
completed will bear comparison with the
STREETS Of any city in Canada. Tho houses
are far beyond my expectation, and species
OF comior, is evident IN all. The house We
occupy has dining room. kitchen. five rooms
on the second tloor. and u large room above
this and n house opposite this is a. large
IA many ot the better houses on King street
Looking out Of my window see the Union
Jack and the Stars and Stripes hann,ing
side by side, An emblem suppose Of the
lov, aud union prevailing, although caus-
tic observer might see in these things the
palpablc evidence OF present nationalities.
Policemen In blue uniform walk the streets,
aud everything seems orderly. The water is
brought in from little distance by horse
power, aud | anticipate this will soon be
remcdicd, as plentiful supply is near at
hand. Governor Douglas and Colonel
Moody arc both here. the latter Commissioner
of Crown lands and Lieutenant Governor.
The news from the gold fields are encour.
aging, and" new diggins. OF richer quality
are being discovered. Mr., P.dwcll, who is
. srhewd man. says the gold Of Columbia
will be more beautiful than in either Aus.
tralis or California, Last night he showed
usa piece OF quartz lro1 Upper Frazer.
impregnattd with gold, thus intima,ing tina,
there must bc gold on the island
The city is for permancn, British settlers,
and no, for thrif,les. diSsa,is6 i, aoatng
population-m who ARE content with as
many dollars here Us they caruei shillpgs al
home. are the men they want, When cir
cumstauccs warrant it, as hope they will.
| ,rus, our Canadian a. well aS the lmpcr.
al government, will forward to US q race OF
men. and women too, who shall give 10 the
future OF this colony truly British stamp.