Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1870-03-12
British Columbia and Her Prospects.
Correspondence to the oregonian.l


broaght two parties ia the field who
sought, In converse ways, il is true, the
same objects, viz immediate relief to
theNcommRnity in general. [ further
fntimated that the designs of both par.
ties would be materially affected by the
developments made at Peace River dur,
ing the ensuing summer. If those de-
velOpments are satisfactory, then, as
matter of course, those advocating
Confederation with Canada, will caater
over the course; if unsatisfactory,
then it 10 impossible to tell to what ex-
tent the doctrine of annexation with
Ameries will be adopted, or the de-
gree of power it will have over all
classes in the community.
TO show; therefore, the precise pros
poet of these political parties, I have
simply 70 show upon what grounds our
hopes of rich general diggings being
opened on Peace River during the next
season are based.
I'm the first place you must under
stand that the existence of gold in pay
ing quantities over a large portion of
that extensive district, is not matter
of recent discovery As far back as
1861 the existence of gold at Omineca
was proved beyond doubt. From that
time up to last year, there has been no
heightened period without our receiv-
ing, in one way or the other, and
through sources as varied as reliable,
confirmatory reports of the truth of
the original statements. Different ex-
peditions were organized in the mean
time, BY different parties, all of which,
SO far as the discovery of gold in guam
tity went, were successful. The de-
tails of these expeditions, with their
peeuniary results, are to be given in
full, find, in the next Weekly Colo
mist; and as large number will be
sent over to Portland, it relieves me of
the necessity of writing them up. as
your people will thus be enabled to
learn the whole particulars. | find the
CoiOnist people are far better posted
than | am on the matter and | can
safely recommend the perusal of the
"History of the Peace River Mines"
appearing in the Coloaist during the
last four or five days, and which as al
ready stated, is, am told, to be re-
priated in the weekly tomorrow, for
general distribution ct home and
abroad.
With reference to the final success
of these mines, upon the final triumph
of the political issues which now in no
small degree exercise this people, / am
happy to be able to confirm the partic.
uiars given by the writer in the Colo
mast to the fullest extent. He follows,
i'm fact, the precise course for them,
intended TO follow for you, with this
difference, that his information is both
more exact and copious than mine.
am told to-day, that q committee of
mercantile gentlemen of this city have
been intrnsted with the publication In
question, and that they hold themselves
responsible for every statement made.
In this case, you need not fear to use
the scissors freely if you feel so dis
posed.
There can be no doubt from the In
formation in the hands of these gentle.
men, that we are on the eve of the
greatest gold discovery ever made in
this colony, or perhaps upon the entire
coast. Some of the expeditionists fit
ted out last summer at the public ex-
peDse, new acknowledge that Omineca
win prove, as far ss rich general dig
gings go, second aCalifophia with an
Australia thrown in. Half of it will
be enough to make us all prosperous
again, and build the country up beyond
future reverse. OF course, Portland
will come in for the lions share of the
trade-that is, if she docs not allow the
San Francisco men to get ahead of her,
for we are told they are already making
arrangements in that grasping city to
do SO. You must not forget that that
once proud and tyrannical city is stand
ing in great need of business jnst now.
have spoken with Mr. John Adair,
who. individually and by family con-
neotion, ia 90 well known in Oregon,
upon the subject, and, he says, the
statementa in the Coloaist are correct,
especially in connection with the expe-
dition fitted out last summer by public
contributions to test the district thor
Oughly, making $4,000 for six men in
thirty-five days crude work, and that
the gross amount of native silver in
small pieces obtained during that period
from the sluioe boxes, was, as stated in
the Colonist, over 35 ounces. / have
also seen the two ounce piece of native
silver now in Mr.. Adair's possession.
1t 10 really q magnificent specimen.
he also assured me that its fneness
runs very high. Whether Omineca
will prove second California, with an
Australia piled upon it, time must
prove; but one thing is certain, in my
opinion, that if the right sort of Amer
ican prospeotors go thither this suns
mer, there is d big chance of second
Washoe being struck, irrespective of
the placer diggings.
You may be assured, in conclusion,
~