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SALEM, OREGON, T&ESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1 860
VOL. 9. ilO. 49.
WHOLE NO -465
V
"' ' riXt ' 5 V'
.. ' ... -.' I
- - - -!-!
4-
-.
f:
. TDB OLD C0TTAC3 CLCCO., "
IT riMlUIWll.
Ok ! die old dark for Uie hoawhoM Hock
Was ths bnhtcM thiiut ami demrMt ; .
. Its t " -. though old, bad a touch of .gold,
And ita chime nut; aull Ike cfeareat.
Tau monitor, too, though ita words were few,
Yet they Kvcd through the nation afterH ;
And its voice, still strong, warned oU and yovne
When the Toiee of frendohip ftilteied ! .
"Tick, Urk," it said "quick, quick to bed .
For ten I re given warning :
l"p, nn, and go, or eW too know.
You'll never rise aoon in the morning."
A friendlv voice was that old, old dock,
Aa h stood in the corner smiling;.
And blessed the time with a merry chime -'.---
Tlie wintry hoars beguiling ;
Bat a cross old voice was tlutt tiresome clock.
As h called at day break boldly,
"When the dawn looked gray o'er the misty way;
And the early air blew cvhily :
- Tick, tick," it said ''quick, oat of bed,
IV Hv. lv viven tnniutar:
Yoa'll never have health, you'll never have wealth.
I a less yon re np soon in tne morning.
Still hourly the soa-'d goes round and round,
With a tone that ceases never ; ,
While tears are shed for brijrlit days fled,
' And dw old friends lost forever !
. Its heart beau on thongs hearts are gone
That warmer beat and winger ;
Its hands still move though hands we , v-i
Are clasped on earth no longer ! v
"Tick, tick," it said "to the churchyard bed,
The grave hath gicrn warniaa "...
I'd. bp and rw, sad look to the skisav - ,"
And prepare for heavenly morningr'
AlOrT THE SULK
Oak. lax rs Douglas Co.,
Oojc.,
January ". IStiO. C
Eds. Statesman I noticed in the States
man of Jan. 0th. an article on the subject of
Mails." from which I quote the follow ing from
Rosteburg correspondent :
The last number of the Statesman has not
arrived here yet. although it came aa fur as the
Locust Grove office, and as there is no office
open at Winchester, I conclude it must have
1een laid aside by the postmaster or deputy at
Oakland. dec
Injustice to the PM. and his deputy at
Oakland, 1 will state that the altove allusion to
them is entirely gratuitous. Some of the news
papers published north of Corvallis, including
the Statesman, were not regularly received at
Roseborg for weeks prior to the time at which
your correspondent wrote, I admit, but the de
tention of those papers was not caused at any
pofttofSce in this valley. "The last number of
the Statesman has not arrived here yet, altbo
it eame as far as the Locuut Grove postoffiee,"
as stated by your correspondent, is true, and it
is rqnallr true that neither the Oakland pack
age nor host-burg package passed the Locust
Grove office in the mail which brought that
Statesman to the Locust Grove office.
There are two routes from the north to Oak
land one by the way of Corrallis and Long
Tom. commonlf called the west route ; another
by the way of Eugene City, and known as the
east, or "coast fork route. At some office at
or north of Corrallis. mail matter for the south
ern part of the State is divided between the
two routes, and sometimes without reference to
that which is due to way offices on the west
route. The cause of this delay in the trans
mission of mail matter from the north to Oak
land, is now easily explained. The mail by the
way of Eugene City frequently disconnects with
the southern or Rosebnrg route, and the west
ern or Scottsburg route, and when such is the
case, mail matter which has failed to arrive in
time to be forwarded by connecting mail, lies
over at Oakland one week. I will here add.
that there have been weeks w hen the States
man has failed to arrive at either place, Oak
land or Koseburg the week that yonr corres
pondent refers to was one in which the Slates
man did not arrive at Oakland. I have said
that mail matter is distributed somewhere in
th north without reference to thai w
L.n n war ,.ffiitm nn the west route. Last
Oakland, bat did
-ot sirrivo at 1 .iM-nt (irovp. an office srtret
rf north ptOakl frequently some of
svwnnnu papers cotne 10 mis piace ny tile
of Lnrvue CUV, and have to be forwarded
lorth again br the west route, on which they
ought to have leen started at the distributing
ofhee. It is the impression with many that the
fault lies at Corvallis.
Von will observe, then, Messrs. Editor, that
bo long as the mail via Eugene City disconnects
with the southern route at Oakland, people
south may expect to suffer delay in the receipt
of mail tuatter, and if no effort is made to cor
rect this evil, and the evil doer continues to
send large packages doe southern offices ria
Eugene City, for tlie purpose of delaying them
a week, or under the pretence of dividing the
bulk between the two routes, then I would re
spectfully request your correspondent at Kose
burg to take to himself plenty of leisure, and
"pitch into" the partr who is alone responsible.
rather than those who are entirely innocent of
the reflection he makes upon them. The so
called Winchester portoflice" has been re
moved to Wilbur, two miles north.
Yours, &c., P. 0.
Corvallis, Feb. 2. I860.
A. Bush Sir : I notice a communication in
ronr paper of the 31st u!t., from E. C. Lord, P.
Si. at Oakland, in regard to the detention of a
portion of the mails at Oakland, which I have
no doubt occurs on account of the mails being
large, and the roads heavy. I am compelled
to send a portion via Eugene Citv, and accord
ing to schedule, they are required to arrive at
Oakland on Thursday, at 4 o'clock, P. M-,
whereas, the mail on route No. 12704. direct, is
required to arrive at Oakland at 6 o'clock, P.
on Thursday ; consequently yon will see
that the fault lies with the contractors on route
Xo. 12705, to Oakland via Engeiie City. The
last named contractors are always from one to
two and a half hours behind their schedule
time for leaving this office, and. as a matter of
course, cannot expect to make their lime.
I hope that these explanations will in some
degree exonerate the postmasters from the
blame that has been attached to them, and fix
it where it justly belongs.
Respectfully. M. II. BELL, P. M.
FIVE HIOCH C.TIXff.
New York. Dec. 20, 1839.
Me. R. C. Geer Dear Sir : We have our
Wee (Morgan Black Hawk and Paul Jones)
here, and expected to starr by this steamer ;
bat they had so much stock engaged before us
we had to lay over. Bat we will be with you
in time, if we are compelled to come by land.
We have just what is wanted in any country
where they want to improve stock. A two
year old Morgan Black Hawk trotted three
fourths of a mile at the Fair in Buffalo, in
2.47. His colts all trot, and are broke to har
ness as soon as foaled; they never refuse to
go. Keep your friends posted, and we will not
disappoint you. . Respectfullr .yours.
JOSEPH LANE.
This letter is not from Gen. Lano, as will
be inferred by the omission of God bless you.
This Joseph Lane is a citizen of Wisconsin.
ty "General Olympia, of Albany, has our
thanks for Legislative proceedings. He says
Delusion has been peddling his Delazonian
among the Republicans. He quarreled with
B , and R , two prominent members of
that party, because they would not subscribe
for it : "You, sir, and you. sir, must take my
paper, and. sirs, you must pay for it. If this
enterprise shoold fail, sirs, away goes fifty dol
lars apiece, hard cah planked out, and no div
idends. A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
."This is as it should lie." Delazonian.
This is noi as it should be." Beef Baler.
W might refer to the fact, that it was throogh
his (Mr. Bush's) aeency, direct and indirect,
that the State finds herself with but ono Sena
tor in Cnnarress. and the Statutes of Oregon
without a law providing for the election of a
member to the House of Representatives !
Delusion.
If there is oo law, as you admit, for elect
ing a Representative in Congress, wiiy are you
engaged in the plot Tor voting for one in June I
Why not wait CI the legislature enacts a law,
in September, o until Congress does it, as re
commended by the President, in his late roes-
sage ? As the member will not be entitled to
his seat until December. 1861, almost tin years
from tliis time, why the propriety 6f voting for
one now, "withoot a law providing for the elec
tion t"
If "it was through Mr. Busl.'s agency that
the State find herself relieve' from the fur
ther disgrace of ronr shameles? ? condition and
conduct, and its interests at the federal capitnl
lightened -of their criislting weight, he is cer
tainly cut itled'to, an4 will receive the thanks
of all who liave at heart the hoimr and pros
perity f Oregon.' .
"It was through your abandoned career
"that the State last w inter found herself with
one Senator in Congress" that she had better
never have had a Senator who not only in
flicted dishonor' upon her young fame, but w ho
retarded and weighed down her interests.
When we introduced a series of resolutions
in the legislature in defense of the war, com
plimenting the officers and soldiers, vindicating
the Federal officers and the people, and urging
the recognition and payment of the expenses
bv Congress, Bush deuountcd us as a dema
gogue and onr resolutions as demagogical.
JJcluswm. .
We did no such thing, and you know better.
Yon know some mutual friends did, and w ere
so much disgusted with you that they ridiculed
your Munchausen's trumpet resolutions," as
they were called, from your introduction of a most
ludicrous figure of "frozen notes in Munchau
sen's trumpet.' J5e far, from Bush's denounc
ing you, yon know, too miserable ingratc, that
he labored to persuade those disgusted friends
to continue to support yon. But, if it will do
you any good to know what we thought of those
resolutions w hich you characterize "with such
high sounding offices, we will sav that we re
garded portions of them as very ridiculous, and
the introduction of them by you as entirely
demasnwrical. Yon cared nothing: for the war.
anybody concerned in it, or the debt growing
out of it, except as you thought it could be
prostituted to your political aggrandisement.
And to thought nineteeu-twentietlis of the
memln-rs of that legislature; and, besides hav
ing a vast deal of fun privately over your
"trumpet" (it w as Delusion's trumpet instead
of Munchausen's, that you were blowing) reso
lutions, they struck out the "note freeiing"
part of them before passage.
The list, a published by Bush, contains the
names of Messrs. Lane. Chapri.an, Geary, and
Adair, neither of whom owned one dollar of
stock. Delusion.
They may owu no stock," but they did
cTTTncjmn Phase of yonr pits?. Lane
gave yon ?250; be was too smart, we suppose
to own any stock ; yon miht want another as
sessment upon it, or misht involve him for thr
debts of the concern. Yonr denial is but
play npon the word "stock, and is, in essence, '
a fait chood.
Johx Hkown's Carefk is Kansas. We
copy from the Cincinnati Gazette the subjoined
extract from the Kansas correspondence of the
Indianapolis Journal. It will attract attention
as associating the late John Brown w ith an atro
cions act in Kansas coneernins- which there lias
recently been some controversy iu a portion of
the public press:
Lawrence, Kansas, Dec. 17, 1S."9.
A " John Brown " anti-slaverr meeting was
held in Lawrenee. last evening, Dec. 10.
After some of the speakers hud landed llrown
as a second Jesus, and one of them alluded to
the Pottawatamie massacre, which has been
laid at John Brown's door
Mr. Stevens said he did not believe John
Brown bad anything to do with it; but there
was a gentleman present w ho could testify to
the fact. "Name him, name him," several
called out. ' It is Capt. Walker," (now sher
iff of Douglas county and one of the bravest
of the Free 8tate leaders.)
Capt. Walker rose and said, "Gentlemen,
there is no nse in keeping back the truth or
perverting facts. John Brown told me himself
that ho was present at flic murder of thone men
on Pottawatamie Creek" (This startled like
a thunder clap the defenders of Brown.) He
Sroceeded : I am ready to take an oath that
ohn Brown made such a statement to me. I
know more about this matter than I can rtate,
especially as it would implicate as actors in
that murder some persons now in this room.
John Brown had those men in his power, and
be could have kept them prisoners. For him
self he never could justify taking a man pris
oner and then deliberately cutting his throat.
Old Titus, whom he took prisoner, had threat
ened to cut his throat, had inenlted his w ife and
threatened her life, yet he never felt justified
in taking his life when his prisoner."
Gov. Charles Robinson also said that he be
lieved John Brown had acknowledged to him
he was present and approved of the killing of
those men on Pottawatamie Creek. He had not
and could not justify the excesses committed
by Free State men after they had the civil pow
er in their hands.
Dr. Adair, a nephew of John Brown, was
questioned in reference to John Bro n's con
nection with the Pottawatamie massacre. He
said John Brown had told him that he was
present at the killing of those men. But there
were palliating circumstances connected w ith it.
I may add that there is no question w hatev
er, from what I have heard from persons who
knew the facts, that John Brown planned and
carried out that massacre. The facts come to
me from men who stand among the most truth
ful of any in Kansas. The truth is, the less
Republicans lionize Old Browu the better.
Kansas.
AD V EHT1SEJI EXT.
Hoi.LOWAY'S Pi 1X8 A word to Families.
It should be understood that the operation of
these famons Pills is not limited to the cure of
those violent internal distempers for which they
are successfully ml ministered in this country
and all others. They act also as an immediate
corrective in the minor ailments incident to
both sexes. Wc commend them most unre
servedly as the very ..Best family medicine in
existence. If given to children suffering from
colic, constipation, worms, or any disorder of
the stomach or bowels, they invariably afford
immediate relief. In fact, they ought to be
considered everywhere a domestic staple, for
sickness, whether of a slight or serious charac
ter, cannot long retain its hold in any household
where they aru always at hand.
letter rno.n uek. jokl, imlmkb. for the winter in the fear it being soon ex
Daytos, Oregon, i i hatwted, and suffering cncquciith eimuing.
January 28th, 1860. J The general feature of the w hole country is
EnrroR Statesman: On account of the mountainous : mostly timbered: the more elc-
grrat interest manifested by the people of this : Tated parts with scrubby spruce nine, often in- ;
fetate in relation to the gold mines North, I pro- i termixed w ith nspen; the lower dopes and val- j
pose giving to the public, through the medium ; leys w ith firnndyellow-jiiie and some hemlock. '
of the press, a. description of the ler-Frazer j Along the streams, lake and marshes (which t
and Quenelle river's miuimr districts, with the are numerous) Balm of GUend and Cottonwood I
mimmr
relative merits of the various routes to be trav
eled in reaching these mines, as well as those
recently discovered in the Si mil-ka-meeii val
ley; ami, also, to impress upon our people the
importance of making efforts to secure a mar
ket in those districts for a portion, at least, of
our surplus products.
It is known to many that I have spent the
tmst two seasons in traveling and trading iu
British Columbia, and duriug that period have
traversed the country in almost every direction
between the Willamette valley and the upper
Frazer and Thompson rivers; and, notwith
standing the repeated representations that Fra
zer river gold mines were a humbug. 1 jiiii pre
pared to assert that they are. on the 'contrary, a
reality i and tr in . .British Columbia d
Wahiiitnn Tc4.orv,her are extensive cold
fields which, with frwirVptinn. exist in pavr
ing nnnmittea- ssWrtisTjituwy mini tne Totli to the
inir nnansitiesf fttrimnrnnv
54th parallel rof North latitude, and probably
even North of that line. Already, at short in
tervals, and over the eutire district extending
from the Rocky mountains to the Cascade
Range, between these, two parallels, rich de
posits of gold have been found j North of the
49th parallel it has been discovered in nearly
every stream emptying into the Ocean or Gulf
of Georgia.
A series of desultory prospecting were made
on my expedition of"lt!5J? travelling with ox
teams via the Dalles. Walla Walla. Okinakauc
and mouth of the Si-mil-ka-uieen river and
along the great Okinakane Luke to Thomp
son's river in British Columbia and gold was
f-nnd nt almost every point from thence to
Thompson's river. Thorough examinations
were not made, however, at any point On the
route, still sufficient to warrant the conclusion
that gold does exist throughout this entire re
gion. From the Yackima river. Northward,
as far as mv travel led. the country strongly in
dicated a gold-bearing character. During the
past year, in passing up the Columbia we pros
pected a flat bar near Fort Okinakane. and
found as high as thirty -two pnrtieles in a single I
snovei iuii oi eann; ami tne results oi several
prospects on the Si-mil-ka-meeu river, discov
ered gold iu every instance.
As to the mines ntmut the l houtpxon and
lower Frazer rivers, it is perhaps unnecessary
fur me to speak, as they are pretty generally
Kuown ; I mav, however, state that neu Uetxw
its have been struck between Fort Hope and
noston liar a point above r ort l ale. t roln
this Bar to Fort Alexander, a distance of about
3."0 miles, the river-bars have been pretty w ell
prospected: ; and those with the slopes ol the
liver-bank, have generally paid experienced
miners from five to twenty-five dollars per day.
I doubt whether there is a spot of one hundred
tet t in leiiffth aIon t!ie nver where earth can
be found, which receives the wash of the river,
but will produce five dollats per day to the
hand, w ith a rocker arranged so as to secure
the fine gold. Miners have more ceiierallv
made ten dollars per day, and many instances
have occurred almis this line, where for a i
riod, as much as titty dollars per dav to the
hand, has been realized. Ou the tributaries of
Thompson and Bruise rivers very emid ininiuir
claims have bceu opened ; those ou the former
have hceu part tit Ly worked lor almttt sixty
miles from its mouth, the latter for about twen
ty miles. Some coarse cold has been found on
both of those streams, but it is generally of a
fine character, leading miners to believe that it
is the wa-iliiiig from some parent source where
it exists in larger pieces and more abundant.
Acting upon this natural suggertion. miuers
slnrted with boats up r razer im r last ntfer
and enriy Spring. hai:!mg their boats, at linn s,
for miles iki tin- if: n. wnhhur at favorable
points oil the nay, timlin the pil.l of the Bailie
character n that found lower down on the
river. In this way thev had by cnrlr Hpriuir.
ascended to Fort Alexander, a tnidimr post of
lao lttitison s lsav company about .VaJ miles
aluive Fort Vale. From this point Northward,
me river assumes a more lavorable character
for boat navigation the lower part Wing
wedged in between liiji'i and rugged ranges ot
mountains, nud t'ae stream itself almost a con
tinuous succession of cascades, rapids ami
dalles.
About forty miles nlmve Fort Alexander, a
stream of 7.J to 100 yard iu width, heading
from the south-east, called QuenelU rirer,
empties into Frazer river. Ascending this
stream some sixty miles it forks: the south fork
is the outlet of a lake, and is but about twelve
miles in length from the lake to its confluence
with the other (N. E.) fork : the lake is said to
be 35 to 40 miles in length beyond which the
Quenelle again assumes its river form for some
distance, and again spreads out into another
lake of greater size, into w hieli numerous small
streams discharge their waters. The north
eal fork of the tiuenelle is also the outlet of a
lake distant about twenty miles from tiie I n't.
I saw no one who had been to the bead of this
hike; but it was reported that parties had been
np and prospected with success. On this river
and its tiro forks are, perhaps, the richest gold
mines yet discovered in Jiritish Columbia.
There is considerable fine gold, but on man
of the bars, iu the gulches, on the banks, anil
particularly in the bed-rock are found what is
known as coarse gold. I did not visit this dis
trict in person, having advanced uo further
than Fort Alexander the present depot for the
Quenelle mines ; but I saw, and traded with a
number of persons who had proseeted and
mined on that river, and am fully satisfied that
it will yield from one to six ounces per day, to
the hand ; pieces of gold are frequently found
weighing a quarter of an ounce. Numerous
bars ou Frazer river, between Forts Alexander
and George (about one hundred miles apart)
have yielded from thirty to forty, and Some
times as high as fifty dollars ver day to the
hand. Parties have prospectud up the river as
high as the foot-hills of the Kocky Mountains,
and nave louin! gold at all points. It is conli
dently believed, bv th'.Me who operated on the
I
Quenelle and Upper-Frazer riers. that the j advantages as an Agricultural country, and ex
coming season w ill disclose au extensive mid j tensive coal beds. Upon carefully considering
rich gold-field, well rewarding those who may
apply themselves to that kind of life. No gold
bearing quartz-leads of any extent have yet
been discovered ; but a number of pieces of
gold aud quartz-mixture have been found nn
the bars aud in the gulches. The richest dig
gings were not discovered until quite late this
last fall, and as w inter set iu bv the 1st of Xii-I
veinber. it gave but little time for a full know 1-
edge of their richness.
In consequence t;f the high price of provi-
sions, and other necessary supplies, miners gen-
erally prefer returning to the lower country to
winter. There are probably but seventy-five
to one hundred men wintering on the Quenelle
and Frazer rivers above Fort Alexander whoso
stocks of provisions were laid iu at about the
follow ing rates : flour, beans, rice, at 43 to 50
cents pi r pound ; bacon 65 to 75 cents, sugar
55 to G5 cents, coffee GO to 70 cents, tea, SI 00
to $2 00, and tobacco at $1 50 per pound
Brandy and whisky rates at lour dollars nyr
bottle ; but these fast named articles cross too
many streams on their long journey to do much
harm to the consumer. The distance to travel
aud the limited number of animals engaged
during the past season in packing, have kept
up the price of provisions at rates discouraging
to those engaged in prospecting, and the small
Etyck on hand wnrul'd a largfc uumb'c'r to return '
abound;' Arouiid some if the lakes, and occa
sionally on water courses.' spots of considerable
extent of open prairie huid nie found, and arc
well set with line buii'li Jrass; the marshes
haven coarser kind, nod many of the forest
districts are eon ted with nne rass. Vegetation
seldom commences befoi -My, 4nd to but lit
tle purpose before June. .iinHdoses about the
1st October. It is said 1 lat the suow seldom
falls more than six inche dep before the mid
dle of January; the hi stviiyt fall usually iu
February, and rarely -scceds three Feet, i
There are a few localities - there horses and cat- j
tie find winter pasturage t- - '' i
The routes now travele 'b'tiiiiiers and pack- j
ers are first : from Vict rut' to the mouth of
Frazer river, bv steame.'. I from May to, any. '
t5tn September, steamboats can rqii to Port
Jj'ttutlaa t-hp .outrider of tot- jear onjy to the
ruuuui oi r i
razer river thence m open boar;
or canoe ten nines np Harrison river to Harri
son. Lake, thence forty miles to Port Douglas,
at the head of Harrison Lake, thence about '
forty miles, by pack trail across the portage, to
the foot of Lilliwitt Lake, thence in open boat,
across the Lake about fifteen miles to Port
Fembertou, the head of Lilliwitt Lake, thence
by pack trail, thirty miles across the second
portage (a divide in the Cascade Mointains) to
Anderson Lake, thence in open boat, across the
Lake sixteen miles, theuce, by wagon, one and
a half mile to Senton Lake, thence in open
boat eighteen miles across the Lake, thence by
fiack trail five miles to Kayooshe Flat, on the
tank of Frazer river, about six miles below the
mouth of Bridge river nud eight or nine miles
below the Fountain." At Kayooshe Flat
there are some 12 or 15 trading houses with 6
or 8 restaurant, or eating houses, and 20, or
more, bachelor dwellings. This is the depot
for the upper mining districts and is di-tant
about 200 miles from Fort Alexander. The
trail crosses Frazer river at this point, follow
ing up to the Fountain' ! miles, where it
connects with the trail from the forks of Thomp
son and r razer rivers, or Lvtnn, as it is called.
,t.ieiice to Farillion Creek VI miles ; here the
route leaves the river and follows np this creek
by the main trail to Fort Thompson, or Cam-a- i
loops, through a gap iu the mountains, to lino- J
naparte creek (a tributary of Thompson river)
thence np Buonaparte creek nntil it unites with
the Hudson's Bay Brigade trail from Fort Hope
to new Caledonia, which forks after going up
the creek 15 or IS miles; the eastern branch
ascends the mountains te the eastward and
strikes a creek, the outlet of a lake, follows up
the lake (which is. about 12 miles long) to its
head, w hen it bears to the left or uorth, near
the summit of w hich it unites wi;h the Brigade
trail before mentioned. The other, or northern
trail follows up Buonaparte creek to a point
where the Brigade trail crosses and leaves that
stream. There is still another trail traveled by
some, which leaves Pavillioti creek 4 or a miles
from its mouth and ascends to an elevated plain
to the north, and unites with the Brigade trail
at Williams lake, about 3 miles from Alex
ander. I'robably about one half the dtstauce
from where these trails leave Buonaparte creek,
is a forest country, yet so distributed as to af
ford suitable ami pleasant camping grounds at
convenient distances. And still another trail
was traveled during the early part of the past
summer, which, leaving. Kayooshe Flat follows
up Frazer river ou tlie west sido nud crosses
Bridge river at its mouth, w here it forks ; one
fork a-H.cn 'ling the mountain and billowing a
divide unrtkerly, stnnw forty miles. Tails npoii
the river again. The other follows np the river
Some sixty miles, eutlillg points, to the II' iZ
Bar, w here it crosses thu tir and unites w ith
the Brigade trail at Wilhaisi lake.
A limited supply of provisinis was also taken
tip, in boats, by way of the river, in early
spring, and parties were mining diriug the en
tire season, at various Hiuts iioug the river,
between Knymislie Flat and hurt Alexander,
Wli:g supplied by packets ruining exclusively
for them.
While the main portion of supplies carried
into the uppvr mining sectous have been
brought through the Harrison aver route, there
is yet quite, an extensive biuiuess mid trade
carried over the Forts Hope it id Yule routes.
Steamboats run as high tip tie river as Fort
Hope during three-fourths of the year, and
open boats, except during very ligh wuter, take
freight to Fort Yale ; for a fart of the year
quite a number of Wats run np as far as the
forks. There is likewise n trail from Fort
Hope, over the mountains, ki Boston liar,
which is above the canon. Iluring the fall,
winter and spring, when not f-ozen up,' freight
can be taken in boats, but iu summer, during
high water, it is packed oret the trail to the
bar. There has been, and stil remains a con
siderable mining population WMecn Hope and
Litton. The amount of trade with the people
and the desire of competing widi the Harrison
river route for the upper districts, has induced
parties iu the sections of Bop and Yale to
contribute largely the requisite means in re
moving the natural obstacles in that direction.
A number of pack trains have been engaged
from Fort Yale to the "Forks" md onward to
the ' Fountain," where the trail unites with
the Kayooshe and Alexander trails. The sup
plies for the Thompson river mines, also, go by
the w ay of Forts Hope and Yalo.
The prices of supplies at Litton, or the (
" Forks." arc about the same as at Kayooshe 1
Flat, and will likely continue so; for. whatever !
additional facilities calculated ts lessen the cost
of transportation on the route, will be met by
the other with corresponding effort?. Explura"- j
tious have been made during the past season
by direction of the Colonial Government
starting from Fort Simpson across the country,
Stewart's Lake and Frazer river, striking the
river above Fort George. This route has been
represented by Major Downey, the explorer, as
iracticable, and holding out inducements as a
ine of communication to the mining districts
over any other route ; besides possessing great
the route, I cannot concur with Major Downey.
an I must express my belief that there exists
but little probability of a line of communica
tion being opened iu that direction to clfect the
price of supplies in the Quenelle river district ;
for, according to the Major's statement, it w ill
require tweiiiy-one uays iroui r oi i cioipsou to
Frazer river, atter the route shall have been
Vpened, and there will then remain a distance
iw over 150 miles to reach the Quenelle miin ar
The cost, of transportation from Victoria to
New Westminster, the port of entry for British
Columbia, varies from 3 to 5 dollars per ton, as
the spirit of opposition may run, thence to Port
! Douglas 25 dol ars per ton, thence by pack
j train, across the first portage 8 cents per pound,
j thence across Lilliw itt Lake, in open boats, 10
dollars per ton. theuce by pack traiu over the
! second portage 5 cents per pound, theuce over
Anderson Lake, in opeu boats, iu dollars iter
ton, thence to Seatou Lake, by w agons, 15 dol
lars per ton, thence over the hike, in open
boats, 10 dollars per ton ; thence by pack train
to ivayooslie tlat dollars per ton, maumg a
total from Victoria to Kayooslie flat of seventeen
and three quarter cents per pound. The rates ;
for packing from this point to Alexander, have )
varied from 17 to 25 cents per pound the past i
season ; tins year it win, proouoiy, ue nteen
rtr.fei which added tb the uboVe gives the cVst
of tn.npportation nt thirty two and three quar
causes of these high rates for packing oyer thtf
id ..1. I . .. 1 .... r if
nig their mules with barley shipped from Cali-1
foraia, there beiug uo grazing along this portioti
of the route. It is snpNed. these ratesi
may be reduced in a short time, as the Colonial
Government is now. engaged in opeuing and
grading a wagon road over the portages ; and.
besides, parties ore constructing small steamers
to bo lisvd on the lakes.
- I have how given the routes by which sup
plied from Victoria must be taken through
British Columbia to the. miuing districts, and
the cost mid mode of its transportation ; the
question remains, is Vuere not 'already, of ch i
there not be found another rptttt opened by which
supplies may be taken from Oregon to these
mining districts at a less cost than over the
routes specified I have no hesitation, in say
ing that we can have routes - (already partly
open) over which we may successfully compete,
a carriers, with any line which may lie estab:
lished through British Territory, starting from
the sea-board. But. what is of still greater im
portance to ns.'by thus opening a route through
the interior we secure to ourselves a market for
ourimrplng products beroud the possibility 'of
being butdone by it rival! .'" . ' "
Let us now compare the cost of the trans
porting 8Upplu:s,...M--horehtfui'u uiinin mtttl,
with that on the route by way of the Columbia
river. Dalles. Walla Walla, ' Priest's Rapids
and Okinakane to Forts Thompson and Alex
ander ; the rates now charged are from Fort
land to the Dalles 30 per ton ; from Dalles to
Deschutes 15 per ton; from Deschutes to
Priest's rapids 40 per toil, making from Port
land to Priest's rapids 883 per ton or four and
a quarter cents per pound ; aud from Priest's
rapids by paek mules, over the present trails to
Fort Alexander nt 20 to 22 cents per lb, mak
ing a total of twenty-six and a Quarter cents
per pound : being six and a half cents per
pound less than by razer river. It is. moreo
ver, reasonable to look at the probability of a
reduction iu these rates when boats are placed
on the Columbia river abore the rapids, aud on
iaKc UKinaKane; nesides, tin rates ot transpor
tation now charged between Portland and
Priest's rapids mav be considerably lessened
in the event of an increased trade. Steamboat
owners and parties interested w ill doubtless see
their own advantage in its true light by taking
the initiative, and making reductions "on their
respective routes as an incentire to such in
crease, thereby securing the transportation and
travel w tticti is now unnaturally diverted from
the channel of the Columbia. The plan in
contemplation, of making the trip from Port
land Vi rough to thr Dalles in one day must like
wise operate greatly in favor of travel by this
route, and it is hoped will be adopted as'earlv
as possible this season, and the unnecessary de
tention aud expense on the Cascade portage be
thus avoided.
Br explorations of the country between the
head of lake Okinakane aud the Quenelle ricer
district I have no doubt that a practicable trail
may be found that will reduce tin distance of
travel by the present trail from full seventv-five
to oue hundred miles a verr materia! item in
couriering the cost of transportation by pack
I.. . 'I't. . . f . . r . - . .
in ;i ii s. nc counirn oetxeeen iitese lira notnts.
1 am confident in the beiirf, is as rich in gold
mines as is tie (Jnenelie : and should, and
doubtless will be fully explored and prospected
the coming season.' With a co!iiparative!y
smai! outlay in improving the wagon routes be
tween points of steam navigation, I am ofopiu
ion that tlie cost of transporting supplies would
be lessened to such extent as wotilil give tt us
much of the carrying trade, thereby most di
rectly securing to us a market for tlie products
of our valleys ; for it is evident that, if trade
continues by the war of Victoria and Frazer
river, nearly the entire amount of supplies Mill.
as thev have been, continue to be ir.irehased in
an Krnm l.-co.
In the event of the Similkameen mines prov
ing ns productive as rejmrts would indicate,
witlnaita reduction of the present rates from
Portland iu that dirt etimi, v. care in great dan
ger of losing even that trade. The main val
ley of the Siaiilkauieeu cannot be in.ire than 150
ii:i!cs from Fort Hope, and it has lietn shown
t!i it freight from. Victoria to the fort has been
carried br per ton. and as soon as the
snows ore incited from lite mountains, packers
can convey supplies to the mines for teu et-uts
per pound ; it is not likely that freights w ill be
iess than that rale from "Priest's rapids to the
iimlkameen, hence the precarious tenure by
w hich we now hold the trade and transportation
to these tifwly discovered mines.
It is believed that steamers could run le
tweeu Priest's rapids aud Okinakane: at all
events, there is but oue difficult point the Ille
d'Pere rapids and that may, probably, W
overcome. Should this part of the river, how
ever, be found unsuited to steam navigation, a
good wagon road could be opened between the
two points at a trilling expense the tiistauce
is about one hundred "miles. It is then about
sixty-live miles to the mouth of Similkaiueen
river, ami from thence to the foot of lake Oki
nakane -between thirty-five and forty miles.
This lake is a beautiful sheet of water for
steam navigation of eighty or ninety miles, but
is believed to be wholly in British Columbia.
It has been observed that freights will prob
ably be about ten cents per pound from Priest's
rapids to the Siinilkaineen mines during the
coming season ; at its opening it may be twelve
or fourteen cents. Packers and miners may
start from the Dalles early in March, aud if it
be a favorable season, teams might leave bv
.the middle of thnt month. Those starting from
the Willamette valley so ns to leave the Dalles
earlier than the middle of May, must necessa
rily be compelled to procure transportation on
steamers to the Dalles, w hich at the present
rates would be as follows say : .
8 head of oxen, at $3 each,
1 wagon rated at one ton,
3IKHJ pounds freight, at $30 per ton.
Passage of teamster aud one extra
man, $11 each,
A. probable detention of one day at
the Cascades board and feed
for cattle. Sic, say
$64 00
ao 00
45 oo
22 00
10 00
Making in the aggregate, $171 00
From the Dalles two routes are open : one
by way of Walla Wdla aud the mouth of
Snake river to Priest rapids, aud the other by
way of Siineoe, striking the Columbia alwve
the head of Priest rapids, and following up and
cpnssmg above the ' Point of Rocks." The
route b waj of Sinicoe has a decided ad van -
teller in foul!, to meminc, tr,-iMvro tovriv is al
ready a good wagon road as far as Simcoe; it
is then au opeu prairie country to Priest rapids,
and no serious obstacle to overcome. Iu trav
eling that route early in the season, it would be
necessary to take the canyon road so as to avoid
the snow ou Simcoe mountain. It may also be
necessary to ferry the Yackima river. The
crossing of the Columbia above the point of
rocks is by no means diilicult not more so
thau Snake river.
In taking the Walla Walla route there is a
toll-bridge over the Des Chutes, and some
times, a ferry over John Day's river, and one
at the crossing of Snake river. Iu addition to
these, the travel from a point sonm twenty
miles above the mouth of Suake river leads for
a distance of over thirty miles through a sue
cession of heavy sand hills, in a circuitous
route, with heading ravines and rounding river
blulls, very fatiguing to animals. The rocky
point, some twelve miles above Priest rapids,
hr-another objection-to this route, as-k is im
practicable lor wagons, for about three quar
ters fcf a milti, without scrub tUusidcrul3ii labuY.
Last year wc convefed our TragoTj-innfrei'-ht
arouuu uiw noiqijTii canoes, luvev -Tuvmrs,
sand hills and rocky points prasen.t tyo "serious
obstructions, however, ts pack trains.' From
the Point of Rocks jie road iblIoc along tlie
river flats, -cutting a few liands, for about tw en
ty miles, when it again jtscendf the klnff,whieh
it follows ten niiles.-Hnu then turns U the east
ward, 'enters and fellows j a ravms4nd,' final
ly, over .v high ridge; when jt again torus tb tlie
north and enters iliff. Lit tlo Coi&e'-hich is
probably tweutv-"ciht or thirty miles, from the
point ui usceuuing tueoiunnn;', muu. om .
follows northerly, "through the Coule,. about'
twenty miles to Alkali lake, which is 'one mile
long. Along the narrpw margin Of this lake is :
a little marshy bottom, rry difficult ibrnVfous
to pass until late in the season-;: it may be
avoided, however, by ascending the-blaff to the
right, about one, mile twore reaching the lake.
From this bike, tin? distance to the Cpintrtbfss
river is twenty-three or four miles. 'AftCT de-.?-iceiiding
tt lilL towards the Columbia, tfto
road u difficult for two niilef pas-.-ing down, a j
deep ravine. Uu reaching, the river, loijmy. M, r
down aliout six miles, where will W .brand t hi;
crossing-at. Fort Okinakane;- in tbi-Mstaufe . -are"
several deep cttts; the hills of vr 7ill re- :
uuire rtorltin lM-fortts na.-vcs --y vv " v
, .Oar mode orwossisfg tae Coludibia "with
wagons. Was to procure two canocs.of as equal
size as possible, placfng them side by side, at
distances corresponding with tEs width of the
wagons, then la-htug poles across the ends to
keep them steady, we placed them endwise' to
the bank, aud after laying dow ii boards in the
bottoms of the canoes to prevent the tires from
cutting or splitting them, lifted and rolled the
wagons into them, hating previously taken out
their loads. If the canoes are of ordinary size,
the loading may then be put into the wagon,
or in the bottom of the canoe, as may lie most
convenient. In this way, one person in eaeh
end of the canoes with a paddle, can take them
across the Columbia in perfect safety. We
found two canoes at Okinakane iu which we
crossed three wngons. in this, manner, at one
load, together w ita several large boxes of goods.
Passing Okinakane aome five miles the trail
forks; with our wagons we followed the Okina
kane river trail, which is a very good one. with
the exception of about oue mile over drifting
sand hills. The other trail cuts a bend iu the
river and, though several miles shorter, would
be difficult to travel with wagons. It is proba
bly aliout fifteen miles to where they nnite on
the bauk of the river h then follows up. pass
ing several diilicult points, to near.M'Laugliliirs
battle canon, w here we crossed the river. With
the exception of one stony point.' it is a good
wagon road onward to the mouth of Similka
uieen, di-tant from Okinakane about sixty-five
miles. Pack trains need not cross the river,
but may continue on to the forks. Good camp
ing grounds arc found all along the river. I
am not advised as to the particular location of
the newly discovered mines, but suppose them
to be within twelve or fifteen miles of the forks
of the Siinilkaineen and Okinakane. From
this point there are several trails- w hich have
In-eu used in reaching the mines on Frazer and
(Quenelle river. The one which we took in
July, 16 j-j?. with our wagons, leads northward,
up "the valley of Okinakane to the Great lake,
and along the western shore to its head ; some
times parsing through gaps in the mountains
ranges both iu the river and lake sections ; it
then turns eastw ard aud strikes a stream called
Salmon river the southern fork of Thompson
river, where it again diverges to the uorth and
intersects Thompson river about twenty miles
above Fort Thompson, bearing nearly dae
west. Another trail and the one I traveled
going out last Spring with a pack train, follows
up the Okinakane valley eleven or twelve miles,
where it crosses a ridge and falls upon the Si
uiilkamecu, foilows np this valley some eightr
miles, when it asiffForks ; one andtiie near
est, turns to the riHLand lcaJs jnmnyi m gp
iii' tlie mountains, striking the Hudson's Bay
Urignde trail from Fort Hope to Fort Thoiup
son aud N ew Caledonia : probably eighty or
ninety miles south of Fort Thompson, ai.d fol
low ill"; thi? trail to Alexander. The other fork
which is the Colvilh and Fort Hope trail
keeps up the Siinilkaineen a short distance, and
then leads over tlie mountains uniting with the
Ibigade trail about thirty miles to the southward
of the other fork.
It may be w ell, here, to remark that the peo
ple of ashington Territory have, I conceive,
a deep interest in the establishment of routes
thiougii her Territory to all those mining sec
tions, tending, is they must, to the develop
ment of her rich iniueral resources. She pos
sesses likewise quite extensive Agrienhurardis
tricts east of the mountains which have; hitherto
leeii considered by many as barren " wastes
The valley of the Okiuakaue is, of itself, capa
ble of sustaining a population equal to two
counties; producing all the cereals and vege
tables usual to that latitnde, is well watered
and a large portion conveniently accommodated
with timber. For grazing purposes it is excel
lent. The Siinilkaineen valley 'ah contains
considerable fine agricultural l;d,5wVh sup
plied with timber. Tracts ofgrasjug land of
some extent are also found bt-rycen tktftr'oule
and Okinakane. 3r ' "f
There are several practicable and easy pass
es through the Cascade range, for instance the
Snoqualame and the Xachez, through which
traders can transport merchandise, aud the
products raised west of the mountains may be
taken to these northern mines, connecting with
the routes from the Dalles.
I have before touched upon the, possibility of
supplies for the new miners at Similkameen,
being furnished from Fort Hope. It is well to
consider some of the advantages we possess
over those who may engage iu transportation
on that line. Our main point must, however,
be predicated npon the supposition that our
Government will be equally as vigilant in the
in the assessment and collection of duties as
are our neighbors iu British Columbia ; I mean
the payment of duties on merchan
dise and live stock. But on articles carried
into British Columbia they may possess a
trifling advautage, for whilst our Government
might assess a duty upon all foreign goods and
products, it is not to be presumed it would re
sort to the system of levying au additional tax
upon those goods for the purpose of defraying
the expenses incident to its collection, aud
whilst we now arc compelled to pay a duty of
one dollar per head for every animal that cross
es the line, that tax would be avoided by those
engaged on the Frazer river route. With this
dilli-rence, it may be said that we are on an
equal footing with those who might convey sup
plies by that route.
It is proper to advise our people of the
amouut of duties, aud the mode by which taxes
arc levied upon parties trading and traveling
into British Columbia by the Okinakane trails,
so that they may be prepared to meet t hose de
mands. There is a duty of one dollar per
head on live stock of eccry description ; one
dollar aud fifty cents on each gallon of spiritu
ous liquors ; twelve cents per pound upon to
bacco ; salt is free ; all other merchandise or
produce bears a duty of ten per cent, on the
value at the port of entry. Xew Westminister
is the only port of entry as yet. In additiou to
these duties, as above, the Deputy Collector of
customs, stationed at Fort Thompson, or Cam
aloop, was instructed to collect, aud djd col
lect from parties coming that route, an amouut.
in additiou to the regular duties, sufficient to
defray the expenses incident to. such' Service,
including Ins salary." This uimlftqf-assessntieiit
gave good grounds to apprchcnd-Vr&r.'i-i, (or
there beiug no specinc amounts designated; at:d
the agent being iguoraut of the number of an
imals, ut amount tr value If mCiruhatidfi'c like-
ly to come that way, parties were compelled f
to'gnlimit to whatever snra, in the shape of V-
such additional duties or tax, the avarice or en- ,
nidify of the agent might see' fit to demand.
The reason assigned for this tax,- was that Fort
Thompson not being a port of entry, the ap
pointment of a Deputy Collector was a matter
of conrtesy extended for the benefit bf traders
coming in that direction. A trading license is
also required to be obtained, the tax on which
is at this time seven dollars and fifty cents per
month. These J duties and taxes or lejies, are '
liablq to be changed .at any time, ai it is simply
requisite that the Governor shall issue his proc
lamation to give the force of law to any meas
ure he, may deem necessary. The amount of
taxes assessed against me on my two trips, in -addition
to the regatar dnfieay tt iched the sum
of 8245. - In the collecttoTfof mfc?-" 'nd .
taxes, no discriminatitiisf Mrtl8"Tei.. rit '
islt-fnbjebts and 'American citizens, or Li vor c.
of English manufactures . over - American, or
other foreign goods; the toIh-cUon of revenue
set-ins to beiheonlr oliject in view. " .
Very respeetfa'lly, - JOEL PALMER.
"J-- -. m '. -
ATiJtTiciiEW'i'tdspeAReB tet.
"I?T Tract & we received 7 : papers
man. republican, lacked three vt.Mfs'. of xna . -jority.
McCIernand, Douglas democrat, of H-
lirtois, had -the next Iiighest- 33 votes. The
northern democrats were generally Toting for
McCleroacd, and the vote of the southern dem
ocrats was scattered among a great many can
didates. The southern knownothings were
votiug for Gilmer. : The last vote was as fol
lows : -
Whole Dumber of rotes, 207
Necessary to a choice, 104
For Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, (Bep.,) 101
For Mr. McCIernand. of Illinois, (Dem.,) 33
For Mr. Gilmer, of X. Carolina, (Amer.,) 14
For Mr. Davis, of Indiana, (Indep., 9 .
For Mr. Yallaudingham, of Ohio, (Dem.,) 12
The remainder were scattering.
Illinois. The Democratic State Conven
tion elected Delegates to the Charleston Con
vention, aud instructed them to nse all honora
ble meaus to secure the nomination of Stephen
A. Douglas for the Presidency. Resolutions
were adopted reaffirming the (1'ii.oinuati plat
form iu the word and spirit in which it was
adopted ; utterly repudiating such new tests aa
the revival of the slave-trade, or a Congres
siomd slave code for the Territories ; denying
that slavery derives its validity from the. Con
stitution of the United States ; declaring the
position of the Democracy of Illinois to be that
of Mr. Buchanan, in his letter of acceptance;
deuying the interpretation which the Kepubli
caus give to the Dred Scott decision, that it de
nies the right of the people to regulate the
Slavery question to suit themselves ; deprecat
ing the foray of John Brown into Virginia, and
attributing such invasions to the teachings of
the Republican party ; instructing the delegates
to vote for tiie readoption of the Cincinnati
Platform, and declaring their determination to
abide by the decision of the Charleston Con
vention. Negro Insurrection nt Missouri. The
citizens of Bolivar, Mo., were aroused one night
recently, by the shouting and throwing of stones
on the public square. A large crowd soon con
gregated, and tound that a gang of negroes had
attacked a few white men. When a sufficient
number of whites were collected, they attacked
the negroes, driving them into the woods. The
negroes threatened to burn the town before
morning. A vigilant watch was kept, and all -attempts
failed. One negro was dangerously
wounded by a pistol ehot. Several were cap
tured aud confined iu jail. The citizens held a
meeuug-auJ appwtuMru a iguujjtre tOUlllilUee,
mho sere taktug active measures to discover
those engaged iu the riot. A mounted compa
ny was ranging the woods iu search of negroes.
Tue ow uer of some rebellious slaves was badly
wounded, and ouly saved himself by Sight.
Scveriil blacks have been severely punched.
The greatest excitement prevailed, and every
man was armed 'and prepared fur a more se
rious attack.
In the recent Democratic State Convention
of Mississippi, it was resolved that the Demo
Crane party asserts the obligation of the gen
eral government to provide adequate protection
for slaves aud ali other property iu the terrrito
ries and wherever it has rightlul jurisdiction-
In case the Charleston couveutiou refuses to
endorse this pnuciple, or nominates a candi
date hostile to it, tne Central committee is au
thorized to take such action aa may be de
manded by the exigencies of the occasion.
Hon. Jefferson Davts was declared to be the
first choice of the Convention for the Presi
dency. The State of Arkansas has enacted a very
stringent measure against free negroes, w hich
w ill go into effect the 1st of January. AU free
negroes found in the State at that period are to
be sold into slavery. In Mississippi, a law
adopted on the 7th lust- provides that free ne
groes shall leave the State on or before the 1st
of July, l?l0; or, if they prefer to remain,
that they shall be sold into slavery, with a right
of choice of masters, at a price assessed by
three disinterested slaveholders, the proceeds
to go into the treasury ot the county in which
the provisions of the bill may require to be ex
ecuted. Vice President Breckinridge made a speech
at Frankfort. Ky. He took strong ground
against popular sovereignty, and said that if
the Soutu finds the present laws insufficient
for the protection of slavery iu the territories,
then Congress should pass laws that will be suf
ficient. He believed, however, that existing
laws gave all the protection needed. He de
nounced filibustering and the re-opening of the
slave trade as Southern isms." which the
South should discountenance before she com
plained of the isms of the North.
Omission. It is a singular fact that the Presi
dent's message contains not the least reference
to the grave condition of Utah. The Secreta
ry of V ar makes the most alarming statements
with regard to this Territory. He says that
the preservation of right and justice there has
been found to be impossible, and that the Ter
ritory is governed, practically, by a system
w hich is in total disregard of the laws or Con
stitution of the land." Murders and robberies
of the most atrocious character have been per
petrated upon our citizens, journeying to and
irom the Mates, and the Secretary says that
persons best qualified to judge believe that
these murders are the work of the Mormon peo
ple themselves, sanctioned, if not directed, by
the authority of the Mormon church."
Thirty-eight settlers had been driven out of
Madi'sou county, Kentucky, by the slaveholders
of the surrounding -comities. The most of the
thirty eight were natives of Kentucky. Tennes
see aud North Carolina, aud had been settled
many years iu Kentucky, owning lands, saw
mills, ice. They were tree State men, and had
a settlement oi their own. 1 uey avow mat .
they regard slavery as a moral w rong, but say
they never interfered w Uh the institutions in
Kentucky, aud were not in favor of doing it-
But the other citizens declared that, in view of
the Harper's Ferry raid, tiieir presence amongst i
their slaves was uaugerous. iueeiue nere i
iu Cincinnati, aud great excitement existed
there and elsewhere ou account of their expul
sion. Gov. Magoffin, oi" Kentucky, was ap
pealed to to protect them, belore leaviug. He
replied that they had better leave the
btate, but that he would guarantee that they
should not be molested iu putk-uig out, nud Uiac
tLfcir I'rojdctsy' tiitfuld Ko tfttitMttd:
'
i
1