, 1859-07-29
The Great West and NOrlhKr,i.


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The Great West and Northwest.
There are men still living in our midst
who can remember when The boundaries Of
the mysterious West were ut Piltsburg,
and when the Northwest was talked Of as
region existing in the imagination alcue.
Bul the march of population has progressed
with rapid, steady STEP until now the West
is ut the base Of the Rocky Mountains, and
the Northwest among the siIvery lakes
which sparkle over that vast extent Of
country bordering on the British posses
Sions on the North and West. Westward
from the ocean to St. Paul, Minnesota, the
country is known between that and Fort
Thompson, on Fraser's River, il is com
paratively unknown, and this is region
comprising the valleys of the Minnesota
the Red River Of the North, the ASsine-
boiu, the Lake Winnebeg country, and the
VeTleys Of the North and South forks Of
the Saskatchewan. Beyond this is the
Rocky Mountains, at the Western base Of
which is Fraser's River, and South some
three degrees from the mouth Of this stream
is that of the Columbia River. With
view Of exploring this vast regioa, and
opening it to migration, au expedition is
now being organized iD ST. Paul, and will
set out Oh the 25th inst. Il was started
as private enterprise, but has since been
given an Official standing by the action oI
the City Council of st. Paul. The route
Of the expedition will he from ST. Paul to
the head Of navigation on the Red River
Of the North by steamboat 10 Pembinaj
thence Northwestwardly to the Elbow Of
tue Saskatchewan thence Wesswardly to
the sources Of that river, in the Kootonais
Pass Of the Rocky Mountains Thispass
is at about 90 degrees North latitude. -
Is proposed here 10 explore the Eastern
base Of the mountains, prospecting for gold
lars Of the soil, water, timber and mineral
resources, as far north as Edmonton. on
tho North Saskatchewan. The expedi-
tion will make this prominent point a
the route, because it is believed that
the vicinity Of the Rocky Mountains,
between their SUBMITS and the limits Of
navigation on the Saskatchewan river, en-
bracing o hundred miles from east to west,
aud Eve degrees Of latitude, will be found
more desirable for settlement than even
the famous valleys Of the Red River Of the
North. e5.
From Edmonton the expedition will fol-
low the express route Of the Hudson Bay
Company 10 The sources Of Thompson riF.
er, where, Il It be deemed expedient, Il will
divide, one portion going TO the Pacific
Ocean, the other undertaking 10 explore
the sources OF the Columbia River, and
the region occupied by the Kootonnis In
diaus, returning by Lewis aud ClaTk's pass,
the falls Of Missouri, the valley Of MIX
river to Fort Dandan, and via Big Stone
Lake and Fort Ridgeley TO St. Paul In
addition to this expedition an attempt 4
about being made 10 reach the same region
by water. The route is up the Minnesota
and through Big Stone Lake aud the marsh
aforesaid, now full from recent rains, and
into Lake Traverse. Then there is plain
sailing, By the Red River, Lake Einnepeg,
and the north fork Of the Saskatchewan
far westward beyond Edmond House, to
the very base Of the Rocky Mountains, g.
900 miles from the Gulf Of Mexico, and
within Eve days journey by land. Of the gold
mines Of Fraser and Thompson's rivers.
Many portions Of the vast area Of terri
tory about being visited by this expedition,
Is described as being beautiful, abounding
in forests, plains, prairies, lakes. streumu,
and mineral springs. the soil favorable for
the production Of barley, corn, potatoes
and beans, while minerals. such as coal,
lead, iron, copper and saltpeire, are to be
found in great abundance. When once
these facts are definitely ascertained, as
they will be by this expedition. the hardy
pioneer will soon push forward, and in a
short time new territories will be established
where now the foot Of the white man has
seldom il ever rested.--PennsyiraHiau.