Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-04-30

The North.west.-Genera DESCRIPTION
OF the Country Between Lake superb
GRAND the Red River. I'a
Prom the Toronto Globe
The region through which Interpretations
have extended embraces two sections of coun-
try widely different in physical character
The first, extending from Lake Superior to
Lake Winnipeg, is Of the primitive or crystal
line formation. In its general aspect it is
billy and broken country, interesected by
rapid rivers and widespread lakes. The
mountains, however, do not rise to any great
elevation, except on the immediate borders
of Lake Superior, and there several fine allu-
vial valleys, the most extensive Of which is
that of Rainy River, which has been SO Of
ten referred to in previous reports. The
lakes and rivers present long reaches OF navi-
gable water, the principal of which, extend
ing from Fort Frances to the western extrem-
ity of Lac Plat, is 1913 miles in length. Dense
forests cover the whole of this region, and
the most valuable kinds of wood are seen in
various places and in considerable quantities.
Elm is to be found on the Rainy River, and
white pine of a fair size and good quality,
abounds on the borders of the streams which
rush down the steep declivity of the eastern
slope to Lake Superior but is still more
abundant on the western slope, on the waters
which flow towards Rainy Lake. On the Sa-
geinaga River, and on the Seine. and Maligne,
there are extensive forests of red and white
pine. Occasional white pines appear too in
the beautiful valley of Rainy River and on
the islands in the Lake of the Woods, but
on proceeding westward they become more
rare, and on nearing Lake Winnipeg disappear
altogether.
When the pine forests in the neighborhood
of Rainy Lake are considered in connection
with the fertile region to the westwardof Red
River, where there is but little wood fit for
ecoonmic purposes, and regarded in reference
to what extensive district, they assume an
Importance not to be overlooked in estimat-
ing the resources of this part of the coun-
try.
Of the lakes in this section, the Lake of the
Woods is the most extensive. From Lac Plat,
which may be regarded as its western ex-
tremity to White Fish Lake, which is some
what similar extension in an opposite direc-
ton, the distance is not far short of 100 miles,
and from the mouth of Rany River, at the
entrance of the Lake to it's outlet at Rat Por.
tage, in lat. 40 deg. AZ min. North, and long.
"a deg. A min. West, the distance is about
20 miles, so that altogether it may occupy an
area of sixteen hundred square miles This
extensive sheet of water, like all the other
lakes on the line of route, is interspersed
with islands, and on some of these the Indi-
dams have grown maize from time immemori-
al and have never known it to fail, so that the
climate cannot be unfavorable for agricultur-
al operations. To what extent the country
on the main land may be fit for settlement
can only be ascertained on further exploration;
for, except onthe borders of Lac Plat, it has
not been at all examined. 1t would be diff
cult to conceive anything more beautiful of it's
Kind than the scenery of this lake. Islands
rise in continuous clusters, and in every varie-
ty OF form. Sometimes in passing through
the prospect seems entirely shut in soon
again 1T opens out and through long vistas a
glance is obtained of an ocean-like expanse,
where the water meets the horizon. Not
trace of civilization is anywhere observable,
but the Indians arc numerous, and, indeed,
this lake seems to be their favorite resort, in
summer; the wild rice on it's borders, and
the fish which abound in its waters, affording
them an easy means of subsistence, not to
mention the maize which they grow on the
islands. They are fine looking race, and if
ASiiONOu iO1A IiAC uutIldIllZlIlS Influences vi
civilization, they are also strangers to the
vices which it's brings.
The men are generally tall and well formed,
and some OF the women remarkably comely,
but they are not very Clearly in their habits,
and there can be nothing more suggestive of
Incidence than their mode of life, which, how
ever, has one feature to recommend it in the
entire exemption from C Ire with which it seems
to be attended. Gliding in their light canoes
from island to island, basking in the sunshine
on some pebbly strand, and merely exerting
themselves to an extent sufficient to supply
their immediate wants, the future affects
them not, and they appear to be supremely
happy; but the winter brings its troubles,
and they have then to betake themselves to
the forests in single families, where having on,
ly game to depend upon, they are sometimes
sadly straitened.
From the Lake of the Woods to Lake Win
uipeg, the Winnipeg River presents success
sion of lake-like expanses and foaming catar
acts, making altogether descent of about
800 feet in distance of 16O miles. The
shores are in general rocky, but there is
nothing to warrant the assumption that there
may not be good land at some distance from
the river ; for on making inquiries of the In
dians who were familiar with the country, W,
learned that the region inland was compare
lively level, or rising only in undulation.
which scarcely deserve the name of hills. II
explore it, however, would be mere waste O
time, as it is not on the line of route which
instead of following the Winnipeg, must strik'
across the country from the Lake of tn,
| Woods to Red River.
Some of the Falls on the Winnipeg are re
markably beautiful, and acquire additiona
interest from the wildness of the surroundin,
scenery. The Silver Falls, Pointe Gu Boi
and Chute Jaquot are all very imposing
more especially the latter, which is one of tn
few places where the whole volume of tn
whole volume of the Winnipeg can be seen
In general, however, the scenery is compare
lively tame. High rocky bluffs, woody islet
and lakes, compose picture pleasin,
enough in itself, but wearisome in its monot
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