Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-07-09
Red River Correspondence.
First Trip OF the AnsOn NOrthruP.

To the Editors ofhe Mnnssotian:
A steamer running on the Red river OF the
North! Such is the all-important news from
the Northwest, and such the subject matter
of a few lines from your present cores
pondent.
The great fact then must be chronicled that
a steamboat is now plying the waters of the
Red river, between Graham's Point and Fort
Garry. 1t has successfully performed Its
first trip, and is now lying at Fort Abercrom-
bic, preparing for second tour to Selkirk
settlement. ANsoN NoRTuRUP is the name OF
the boat, after the name of it's excellent cap |
tain and proprietor, Anson Northup, Esq, OF
St. Anthony 1t is 80 feet long and % wide
one hundred horse power. 1t formerly ran
on the Mississippi, above St. Anthony, by
the name of the "North Star" Last Janu-
ary, however, it was taken to pieces, and,
amidst cold, and storm, and snowdrift, was
transported to its second cradle-a short
distance below Graham's Point. There the
reconstruction proceeded to rapid compile
ton, and the boat undertook its first trip to
Fort Garry on the 9th Of June, exactly four
months after they began to take it to pieces
The energy and courage indicated by this
fact is surely creditablc to Capt. Rorthfup.
1t set out for Fort Garry on the 9th and
reached there on the 10th, thus taking but
four days. As it was the first trip, and as
they had made no arrangements for wood
supplies along the way, they had to cut all
the wood they required. Nor did they travel
by night, lest through inexpesience Of the
river they might endanger the boat. Both
circumstances being taken into account, we
may safely say that, had they had sutfi'
cheney of wood ready for use by the way, and
had they travelled by night as well as by day,
they would have reached Red River Settle
ment in SO hours! This is something new
for the country through which the Red river
flows, and something at which the friends of
progress and civilization will rejoice.
was a passenger on board the Ansop
Northrup from Selkirk, and being resident
of that place, l will give you my sentiments
when regarding this enterprise from my own
stand point!
The vast extent of country commonly
known as the Hudson Bay Co.'S territories" :"
has always labored under this great difficulty
that it has been far inland, without any
means of communicating easily with the
civilized world. Red River Settlement-the
only semblance of a colony in these territories
, is but a kind of scattered township, though
in existence for nearly 40 years. 1t is not
, unlike one of the back settlements of Lower
Canada Beyond this, there is no attempt at
civilization, although many parts, Ito speak fig
uratively,O STOW with milk and honey" Now,
why this state of things? Why, such lack
, of energy and of improvements Because
t there was no means Ct getting into, or out Of
the country. Enterprising emisrants, who
c might desire to try their fortunes there, were
f deferred by the difficulties of the route II
t the colonists had anything to export, the
: expense of transportation to foreign market
r was too heavy to make it remunerative. I'm
e ports were limited for the same reason, and
:. also, because there being but few in the coun
: try, the consumption was small. This state
h of things engendered spirit Of ease, and par
alyzed industry.
: The long standing routes to the country
: have been first, that by Hudson Bay and Lake
e Winnipeg, and second, the one by Lake Su
perior and Rainy Lake, or Lake of the Woods
Both are almost impracticable, and have beer
t used simply because necessity compelled
The tripping to York Factory or Hudson Bay
for supplies from England, is about as de-
\ grading a business as can we'll be entered
5 into by free national men. Ibelieve the Other
D route is about to be greatly improved by 8
, company formed in Canada, known as the
4 "Northwest Transit Co." But am speak
ing of the st. Paul route. Of late years youl
D market has been much in vogue among US
Many have ceased 10 import from England