Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-01-29

two hundred miles distant-may be regarded
as its extreme Southern limits. Pembma and
the international frontier, the Northern, while
the lonetndeIof Red Lake on the East, and y
or Spirit Lake on the West, are
convenient designations of the remaining boun-
DIARIES. This area would extend from about
lat. 46 to AZ, and from longitude 50 30 to 80
deg. '5'L'--1- .- .'s2-1, leg 8
Capt. Pope, in his exploration Of 1849, re-
marks that for fifty miles in all directions
around Otter Tail Lake, is the garden Of the
Northwest. The outlet Of the Lake, constitut-
ing the source of the Red River of the North,
has been very favorably described by DR..
Owen, of the United States Geographical Sur
yey. It presents succession of lakes and
rapids, while at other points rolling praries ex-
tend from its banks crested with beautifully
dispersed groves of timber. It was in this Sec
ton of Minnesota that the magnetism lime
stone containing silurian fossils, identical with
those in the bluffs of the Mississippi below St.
Paul, was recognized by DR.. Owen in sitl--
showing that the primary formation, winch
divides Minnesota from Northwest to South
west, is succeeded to the Northwest by the
ascending series of sedimentary rocks:
MANY OF OUT ClIIZCIlo law ASduShay eA"'
ersed the district just named, and their testi-
mony is, that Westward from Otter Tail Lake
for at least one hundred miles, and Northward
to Red Lake, if not beyond, no more favorable
distribution of beautiful prairies and forests
can be imagined. The lakes are numerous
but small, and almost invariably skirted with
timber, the sugar maple largely preponderat-
ing. Seldom is the traveller out of sight OF
these groves, while the soil is unsurpassed.
From Dr. Owens Geological Report, it APP
pears, that between the head Of navigation the
Western bank Of the Red River is avast plain,
but ON the East, where the coutry is level,
timber is more abundant on the river banks ;
the soil is congenial to the ash which attains
large size below the mouth of Red Lake Riv-
er strong chalybeate springs ooze from the
clay banks saline springs are also found, and
all accounts concur that hardly an acre but is
eminently adapted to the cultivation of wheat.
This great staple with the aid of machinery,
will hereafter be cultivated more advan-
tageously over the Northwestern areas of the
continent, than in the Mississippi basin.
AssINIBoIN.
We believe that this is the official designa-
ton of the district of British America occu-
pied by the Selkirk Settlements. 1t embraces
the lower or northern section of the Red River,
and the productive valley of the Assiniboin.
Here is civilized and interesting community
magistracy, and successful agriculture. Its
trade, consisting largely of the exchange Of
furs, is concentrating at st. Paul, and is esti-
mated during the year 1868, to have amour
to 81, 100000. -. =.
Co. ,1la do
tails in regard to the community at Selkirk, to
the numerous publications recently made The
most important of these is document circu-
lated by the Canadian Government-the Re-
port of an exploring expedition-which among
other interesting statements, shows that the
soil and climate are even more favorable to
agriculture than the vicinity of Toronto. The
Minnesota farmer recognises in these details a
remarkable coincidence with his own exper-
fence. r-.--a 's--..- -
'i.''- CUMBERLAND ..l
But north Of the RIDE River Settlements, is
a region, almost discovery of recent explo-
rers, which is even more attractive than the
prairie district contiguous to the Red and AS
siniboin rivers. Immediately west of Lake
Winnipeg, are Lakes Winnepigoas and Mani
toba, with an outlet flowing into Lake Win
nipeg in latitude 50 deg. Tributary to Lake
Winnipigoas, are the Red Deer and Swan
rivers, which drain country of rare beauty
and fertility. A traveller, writing to Cana
dian newspaper, describes it's general features
as rich prairies, interspersed with belts ofheavy
oak and elm, while the itinerary of Sir George
Simpson affords most glowing picture Of
the sources of Swan River. Under date Of
July I4th, he observes, In this part of the
country we saw many sorts of birds, geese,
looms, pelicans, ducks, cranes, two kinds Of
snipe, hawks, owls and guils; but they were
all so remarkably shy that we were constrained
to admire them from distance. In the after.
noon we traversed beautiful country with
lofty hills and long valleys, full of sylvan lakes
while the bright green of the surface, as far
as the eye could reach, assumed foreign
tinge, under an uninterrupted profusion o.
roses and blue bells. On tho summit of one
of these hills we commanded one Of the few
extensive prospects we had Of late enjoyed
One range of nights rose behind another, each
becoming fainter as it receded from the eye
till the farthest was blended in almost undis
tinguishable confusion with the clouds, while
the softest wales spread panorama of hang
ing copses and gli.tering lakes at our feet"
As Cumberland House is situated north o.
ahe valley of Swan River, upon the Saskatche
wan, its name has been chosen to designate
the district between lopgitudes 100 deg. and
los deg. and from latitude 80 deg. to 55 deg
An equal area Immediately south, and be-
tween the parallels of 40 deg. and SO deg, is
no less attractive and fertile.
SASKATCHEWAN.
There remains, from longitude los to lii
and from latitude 40 to IS, the respective val
leys of the North and South Saskatchewan
ample in area and resources for four States o
the extent of Ohio. We propose to consider
the whole interval westward from the junction
of the two rivers to the Rocky Mountains
without subdivision, as, indeed, it is presented
by Coltons Map of North America
The prairie districts adjacent to the South
Saskatchewan, are described by the Canadian
explorers, as fully equal to the rich alluvial
plains of the Red and Assiniboin rivers
while Sir George Simpsons sketches of his
are suggestive Of superior agricultural re-
gion. During his first days route, he de.
scribes the country ''as SO picturesque in its
character that almost every commanding po-
sition, presented the elements of picturesque
panorama. The next day he encamped near
large large lake and on successive dates he
refers to Islands of buffalo in all directions to
the number of about five thousand" "abun-
dant game" "bold scenery" delicious wild
fruits, +" "luxuriant crops of the reich or wild
PEA, almost as nutritious food for cattle and
horses as oats" "a seam of coal ten feet in
thickness" &c. ID.
But there is an authority in regard to the
more western portions Of the Saskatchewan,
whom the committee are solicitous to bring
prominently before the public We refer to
Father De Srnet, the devoted Jesuit mission
airy to the Indians Of Oregon. mentioned by
Gov. Stevens, in a recent address before the
New York Geographical Society. as "a man
whose name is tower of strength and faith, %
possessing high scientific attainments and
great practical knowledge of the country
HE U0raoop~ NicSiOnco &c a r,,LJ;oo t;o,, ~