The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-23
From the Northwestern EXPLORING
Expedition.''

This is the high>sounding title with which
the Saskatchewan and Frazer river expedi-
ton, which left this city last summer, under
the leadership Of Col. MOBILES, was honored.
The party, after suffering innumerable hard
ships, and having achieved fondness for
roast dog and billed mule, in default of
more acceptable nourishment, arrived, as
we have before stated, at Fort Walla-
Walla, on the upper Columbia, in Deem
Der last. A private letter from one of the
party, who is now at Portland, Oregon,
furnishes some particulars of the labors and
stupendous results of the exploring expedi-
ton, so racy, that we cannot refrain from
printing few of them:
"PoRTLAND, Oregon, Feb. 4, 1860.
'Ho! The last sad remains Of the North
Western Exploring Expedition brought up
on this coast, about two months ago. The
first point of civilization we struck was Walla.
Walla, little sort of mining town, about
800 miles above here, on the upper Columbia.
And when we struck that town, old boy, we
didn't hurt it very much. The Northwestern
Exploring Expedition just about that time
was hungry. Our supply of dog meat and
horse meat gave out some days before, and we
were sadly in need of grub when we got among
the Walla. w allowers.
"Col. Mobiles left US at Fort Ellice.
Not one of our party would have left St. Paul
had they not been told by him that he would
guide us all the way through. When we start.
ed from the Fort, we were at least six weeks
later in the season than we should have been,
and were compelled to cross the mountains, as
consequence, too late in the season, for either
comfort or safety. We had hard old time of
it. The beautiful valley of the Saskatchewan
along the banks of which j. W. Taylor envied
us our summers jaunt, is humbug-a gross,
unmitigated, damned humbug! I am sorry
that so good man as j. w. T. should throw
should have accompanied US. Isuppose, how
ever, that Hamilton, clothed as he was with
authority from Col. Mobiles, TO lead the party
'on, to explore the tract of country lying to the
northwest of Fort Ellice, and to report on the
same," ETC., ETC.. will, by the aid of dome
tiers, muleometers, hogometers, a mammoth
compass, with variation to the east-a pecu.
liar kind of compass, only known to renowned
explorers like Col. ny spy-glass Every useful
in stirring fires) revolver. double barrelled
shot gun, Sharpes rifle, (Which he didn't
have) beside half barrel of gin cocktail,
(Which we didn't have either, but wanted very
much), say with all these advantages and
aids, Hamilton will be able to give a minute
description of that tract of country etc. Our
observations of the great northwest will be of
thrilling interest to man and beast; Of course
they are too numerous to enumerate, but let
me give you few of the startling results of
the great Northwestern Exploring Expedition:
rive are compelled to omit these, but they most.
ly relate to the capllaceous and physiological
peculiarties of the Indian and Buffalo, We
all got flattered into the idea that we would
become sort of a second John G. Fremont
that we would eat dog meat, run for President
and all that sort of thing. We have already
realized the dog meat part of the programme;
the rest is in the future.
S. sThe news from the mines is good.
Parties are starting every day from here; but