The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-07-21
From Red River..Amertean iIation OF
the Selkirk Settlement.

Ma. JAMES Ross, loyal subject Of Queen
Victoria, and withal gentleman Of obser-
vation, communicates the following to the
Toronto Globe. Mr.. r. Is evidently fearful
the fillibusteriug interest in this State, will
make q diversion into British America.
He is right. But instead ofSharpe's rifles,
Bowies, and Colts, our fllibusters will 60
armed with the steam engine, printing press,
and patent reapers and mowers. With
these formidable implements, welded by
intelligent heads and brawny arms, and a
complete commercial reciprocity, We will
make British America as much tributary
to Minnesota as if the Star Spangled ban
ner foated from the flag staff at Fort Garry
instead OF the red cross fSt. George.
Mr.. Ross writes as follows to the Globe !:
As you have already intimated, steam.
boat is nov running on the Red River, be.
tween Fort Garry and Fort AbercOmbie.
It's arrival at the settlement completely
surprised US. On the morning Of the 10th
Of June, without any previus intimation, it
came wh'stling and steamiDg up to Fort
Garry. Some feared it was war vessel
sent to capture the Fort, especially as there
was firing of cannon. All the cannonade
was in hoDnor Of its arrival, and not the
sign Of attack or defence. The British flag
WAS hoisted to greet its sister Of the Stars
and Stripes" the great bells Of ST. Boniface
cathedral rang merriy and every possible
method was adopted to express the joy Of
the Selkirkites on the occasion. Capt.
Northrup, who commands the boat spoke in
highest terms of the Red River. Doubts
had long been entertained as to whether the
river was naygablc above Pembina-that
is to say, navigable in the part that lies
within Minpesota- this first trip has
removed all doubt. From Fort Garry it is
navigable southwark 800 miles, the head OF
navigation being opposite to point on the
Mississippi, to which boats can go at any
time between May and November From
Fort Garry to Toronto, therefore, all is
water communication, except the traverse
from the Red River to the Mississippi--a
distance OF abuut 100 miles. believe there
will be canal or railroad across the prai-
rie, at some future day, but meanwhile we
are satisfied with very excellent line OF
stages, started by Burbank 4 Co.. Of st.
Paul. My table Of time and distances
would be as follows:
Fort Garry to Fort Abercrombie. 800 miles
three days.
Fort Abercrombie to the Mississippi straight
across), 100 miles; one and half days.
Swan River on Mississippi to st. Paul, 100
miles: day and half.
st. Paul To Toronto, ,036 miles. two days.
Making altogether, from Fort Garry TO To.
ronto, $50 miles eight days.
Now, Sir, two things occur to me as
write. Frst-this is the great step that has
been taken towards opening up the vast aud
fertile country through which the Red River
flows. Plans have been discussed, and
schemes propoundel towards this great end,
but thus far there has been little else than
planning and proposing. Here, however,
the Americans have presented us with some
thing which must greatly benefit both Min
nesota and the lludsoD's Bay territories.
Our great drawback has always been this
that we are far inland and have no means Of
easy and speedy communication with the civ
ilized world. This is the real secret Of the
slow progress which the Red River colony
has made. Some attribute it TO the influ.
ence OF the Hudson's Bay Company mono
poly, Others to the soil and climate, others
to the downright Incidence Of the people ;
but ! believe the great underlying cause has
been, the want OF good route into, and out
Of, the country. This would have helped
immigration, helped exporting of produce,
and helped the importing OF supplies. A
second remark wish to make is this This
steamboat enterprise has done more to Amer
icanize US than anything that has yet taken
place. Several circumstances have turned
our sympathies towards Minnesota, but this
most OF any. We are beginning to feel that
if ever We are to get on. it must be through
connection with the United States. The
route by Hudson's bay, in its present condi.
ton, il perfectly uncomfortable that by Fort
William and Rainy Lake, though very
natural and desirable route, cannot be SER
vlceable except at q considerable outlay.
We are, therefore, driven from sheer neces-
sity to seek an outlet by the Red River and
Mississippi have no sympthies with
American institutions per sc, at least, in so
far as they are distinctively American; but
# by joining the States we can best advance
our own country, you can easily see how
strong the temptation is. don't say, nor
do suppose, that our joining the States de-
ponds upon our own wishes. Still, it should
be the desire OF the Imperial Government to
receive wiling obedience and allegiance
rather than a compulsory one. Apart from
the spontaneous feeling which is springing
up in favor Of the United States, you must
take into account the influence exerted from
ST. Paul. Territorial aggrandizement occurs
10 the minds of some in the West as wei a.
in the South Of the Union. and il the Ore
eon boundary dispute assume any magni.
,nde it may prove to De only part OF wider
scheme.
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