The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-12
Voyage from Saint Paul to the Rocky
Hountains..Another Argonsutic Ex.
pedition..The true Golden Fleece.

Voyage from Saint Paul 70 the Rocky
Hountains.-Another Argonautic Ex.
pedition- The true Golden Fleece.
We hope in few days to be able to an.
nouncs that the Jeanette Roberts, of ll2
tons burthen, has started from Saint Paul
on her way to Fort Edmonton on the head
waters on the Saskatchewan, at the foot of
the Rocky Mountains.
Captain Roberts has offered to place this
boat upon the Red River, running her up
on the interlocking foods Of the Minnesota
and Red River, and deliver her at Shayenne
on the latter river, for $4,000. This propo-
sition is seriously entertained by several of
our citizens. FRANKLIN STEELE and j. G.
BURBANK will be two Of any ten men-we
are indebted to second hand authority for
the statenent-who will subscribe 81 600
each for this purpose.
The project Of running boat from the
Minnesota into the Red River by water will
surprise no one who is familiar with the
topography Of the adjacent basins, and with
the effect Of the extraordinary Spring floods
which are repeated at intervals nearly
periodical-in extending the navigable water
line Of these rivers.
In the highest water, the Minnesota river
presents no obstacle to navigation for boats
of the size Of the Jeanette Roberts up to the
farther extremity Of Big Stone Lake-an
expansion Of the Minnesota upon our West.
ern boundary. Within mile of Big Stone
Lake, Lac Traverse discharges its waters
into the Red River by the narrow channel
Of the Sioux Wood, now swollen to q navi-
gable volume in breadth and depth sufficient
for steam navigation. The intervening
space between Big Stone Lake and Lac
Traverse is occupied by low marshy sur.
face showing marks OF an ancient connection
between the lakes. Many years ago at an
ordinary stage OF water, large Mackinac
boat from Prairie du Chen laden with pro-
visions for the Selkirk Settlement vas car.
ried over this intervening portage on rollers,
and launched again in the waters of the
Sioux Wood, went on her way rejoicing.
This was the first and las, through voyage
by the channels of the Minnesota and Red
Rivers. 1t is well known that in the high.
est water, the intervening barrier Of land
between these Lakes is obliterated-
and the portage overfowed to depth
sufficient to carry steamboat Of light
draught without difficulty. The Minnesota
and Red River are now higher than they
have been for years, and through these in
terlocking waters, over the narrow portage
now efaced by floods, it is proposed TO run
the jeanette Roberts, down the Red River,
across Lake Winnipeg, and up the North
Saskatchewan to Fort Edmonton at the
foo, of the Rocky Mountains, within five
days march Of the gold fields Of Frazer
river. Such voyage as that in the splen-
dor Of its Achievements Of discovery and ex-
ploration-i in its marvellous marriage OF d.
verse systems Of rivers-in the extent and
freshness Of the wondrous panorama which
twould unroll-in the startling significance
OF the new volume Of commerce and civiliza.
ton which il would open in the depths Of
the wilderness-wouh be without a parallel
in the history OF the world, II would be
the realization of the fabled voyage Of the
Argonsu,s-wi,h such golden fleece real
gold to reward The ADVENTUROUS Jason as
Argos never dreamed Of in her golden age.