The New York herald., 1870-01-15

their cathedral and converts &c. at Boniface would
be credltable TO any country. Unfortunately fof
Canadians coming to this country, they impressed
WIN the idea That half breeds are sort OF hafand-
nalI specimens OF humanity, hardly entitled to the
privilege OF being called rational beings This idea
OF the people Of this country is not only unfortunate
but uncaled for, as those who come here to Judge
Tor themselves soon see The word hai-breed merely
sghles Where there Is tnge more or less OF Indian
blood; but whoever started the term "breedu ought
TO have been choked before he had time to ap-
ply u 10 human beings. There are very few OF
US nowadays who nave not mixture or
blood In our composition-our mother perhaps
being an EngshWoman and our father a Scotchman
or lrshman-therefore the term IS as much appca-
Die TO us rs to those who have Indian blood In their
VEINS ana for this reason would advise strangers
to attach no erroneous idea to 1t, for have as
good haltbreeds as have seen white men. Some
OF the finest ladies In the settlement have Indian
blood In their veins, and more lady-like courteous
and pleasant gentlewomen Inever met In my life.
THE ENGLISH HALF-BREEDS
are more settled IN their habits than the French ana
are more inclined to farming ana trading. Their
houses ana barns look thrifty, ana their families
educated, intellgen. and hosptable. Their religion
is principally Episcopal, although the Catholic,
Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches are
all represented
THE SCOTCH SETTLERS
are the most steady going and conservative OF all.
Their farms are models OF careful management ana
their community Is better educated nan any others
IN the settlements
AMERICANS
nave settled In some districts, and doing well.
The characteristic enterprise or the Yankee cmlgrant
has made MIN success III Red River, as well az on
the western prairies, and Americans are becoming
quite popular throughout the settlements. They
have not yet taken any part In the difrcultles
lately naugurated and are looked upon In friendly
ment is well aware that American sympathy Is all
ias ftKi HOUSES
are generally bnlt OF logs, mudded with the clay
from the river banks, which hardens and sticks FAST
when dry, to the sides OF the house In the fall 1t
Is customary to whitewash the dwellings, and then
they present clear and tidy appearance; thatch is
fully tried, as the clay found in the settlement is OF
very fne quality, and the best description OF brick
can be made from IL. Stone S not found In abun-
dance but there enough for ordinary purposes for
some time to come. Lumber Ii scarce, but Lake
winnipeg aDounds Win spruce ana other timber,
and some 0l the tributaries OF Red river are heavily
wooded.
OF the settlements iS governed almost entirely BY
the fur business. The surplus Of grain provisions
over what Is required Tor consumption by the settlers
themselves, is taken by the HUDSON Bay Company
and FUR traders at fair prices from the farmers and
used IN leedlng the many men VINO are engaged In
bringing In the furs. great deal Of money il ex-
nendea among the people III paying for freighting
Fort Garry to the interior posts Of The Hudson Bay
Company. The money OF the settlement is kept
abroad, chiefly in England. The hudson i;sy Com
paAy issue their notes for live shlliIngs and one
pound sterling, as the currency OF the country,
which they redeem BY granting bills Of exchange at
nv Sonv gay ssns ana on TO e meet 0uss ssese b
rs well as other liabilities for goods, to
carry on their NORTHWEST trade, the company shil
home their furs 10 London, which always meet with
ready cash sale, go that everything In the way or
cash, with the exception OF the little gold ana snver
in circulation consists altogether OF drafts on ac-
count Of 'Iurn shipped abroad either on Hudson
Bay Company or private account. There are, OF
course, sales OF fur IN the United States and Canada
but It amounts to the same thing; the only manner
III which Red River people can meet their liabilities
is through drafts drawn against fur sold or unsold.
GENERAL VIEW.
But the actual settlements OF Red River are not
OF so much Importance III connection with the
rebellion against Governor McDougall and the New
Dominion as are the vast tracts OF fertile soil
still un0ccupied In that country Or referring
to the map 1t will be seen that an immense area OF
lakes aud water courses indicates low allu-
vial surface, which must be inexhaustiblc
In fertility. Scientific research mas revealed
that ali the country adjacent TO the eastern
slope of the ROCKY Mountains was once great
sea- with rivers moving westwardiy from the
Allegheny slopes into 1t. The Minnesota river now
flows east along the bed OF river which once ran
west and emptled into that great sea- AT later pc.
riod the Red River country was all covered with
water forming a lake mucn larger than any now In
existence on this Continent, and the wa,ers OF this
Inland sea lowed 70 the Gulf through the channel OF
the Mississippi The gigantic changes Ia the face OF
NATURE which upheaved the Western prairies and
made an ncxhansuDle territory for the husbAndrhen
finally transformed the more northern country In the
same manner, and now the explorer Of Rupsypi