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Northwest Emigration—Col. Nobles*Exploration.We had the satisfaction yesterday of meeting Col. W. H. Nobles, who returned on the previous evening (Sept. 27) fromhis summer’s work of exploration northwest of Minnesota.IAs already stated, the party arrived at j Fort Ellice about the middle of August, haviDg pursued a direct route from Pem-. bina. It was the wish of Col. Nobles to diverge from the Red River of the North at Shayenne, and avoid the circuit even by Pembina, believing that the route via ! Miniwakan or Devil’s Lake to the Koo-tonias Pass, would have greatly the advantage in distance, and perhaps otherwise; but a large majority of the party were destined to the Frazer River mines, and the Colonel deferred to their natural solicitude to overtake the trail already opened west from Fort Garry to the mountains. The party, with few exceptions, consented, however, to the work of exploration from Pembina, by St. Joseph and Turtle Mountain, to Fort Ellice on the headwaters of the Assiniboin River ; and this district, hitherto undescribed by any reliable publication, has been thoroughly examined during the present season.West of Fort Ellice, the route to Koo-tonais Pass is well defined ; and the report of J. W. Hamilton, Esq., who leads the party to the Gold District of British Columbia, will be looked for with much interest by all who know that gentleman. lie is competent, by education and talent for composition, to do full justice to the natural and engineering features of the route. These Pacific adventurers are probably crossing the Rocky Mountains at the present time.From Fort Ellice, Col. Nobles, accompanied by our editorial associate, and Mr. Marble, repaired to Devil’s Lake and vicinity, ascertaining, beyond all doubt, that on or near the international boundary, there extends a range of wooded elevations, (they are termed “ mountains,” but the word does not properly define them.) which present great facilities, not only of surface, but in consequence of numerous springs and lakes at their base, for a wagon road. We anticipate, with much satisfaction. Mr. Wheelock’s descriptions of this region, as well as Col. Nobles’detailed report.Tables of distancee, as measured by odometer, have been carefully collected. These include an itinerary of the route from Pembina to Otter Tail Lake, never hitherto ascertained except by conjecture.The presence of Dr. C. L. Anderson, of Minneapolis, on the whole route to Fort Ellice, thence (only accompanied by an Indian in a canoe) down the Assiniboin to Fort Garry, and by the Pembiua and Otter Tail trail to Crow Wing, has been a for-tuuate circumstance. Dr. Anderson is a competent geologist, and an enthusiastic botanist, and his zealous observations will prove of great value. The Smithsonian Institution will doubtless^publish details— meanwhile, we are rejoiced to learn, that in a communication to Col. Nobles, a general statement of the natural history of the country traversed, animate and inanimate, may soon be expected for publication.We should not omit to mention that Col. Nobles received, as a present from the Master of Fort Ellice, a buffalo cow, which had been domesticated at the post for two years, (its age three years next spring,) which, for the present, is recovering from the fatigues of an uusual journey at Mr. Larned’s in Anoka, but will probably be in attendance at the State and County Fair to be held at Minneapolis next month.Fiom I he Ktd River Settlements,We are informed by Mr. J. W. Taylor, who arrived in St. Paul on Saturdav,•I 7from Fort Garry, that the steamer Anson Northrup is laid up for repairs at Gloucester, ten miles below, and north of Lower Fort Garry. Captain Blakeley, with the crew of the boat, are on their way by the Plain route, proceeding by a train of cart.s to Goorgetown, and thence, by stage, to St* Paul.The boiler of the steamer leaked, and much is required to be done to the hull and cabins. A ship carpenter is now employed, and during the full and winter it is expected that the boat will be piaced in a condition to give full satisfaction .to freighters.The navigation of Red River is interrupted for about half the season by shallows at the mouth of Goose River. Here the difficulty of making the last trip was encountered, and which was only overcome by extraordinary exertions on the part of Captain Bell and his crew, aided by the suggestions of Captain Blakeley. This obstacle might be removed by wiog dams, and probably will be, next season.Mr. Taylor left Selkirk on the 2d of September, having passed the month of August in the Settlement greatly to his satisfaction. The wheat crop of Red River is excellent—a much greater area having been cultivated thap usual. Flour at Fort Garry was selling at 80 a hundred weight. Great interest prevails in the expected legislation of Great Britain, organizing a new government for the region between Luke Winnepeg and the Rocky Mountains.N. W. Kittson, Esq., is at Fort Gariy, but will start for St. Paul about the 1st o; October.Col. Nobles’ party had reached Fort Ellice in safety, whence, under the direction of J. W. Hamilton, two-thirds of their number have struck nearly west for the Ivootonais’ Pass and the Frazer River mines. Col. Nobles, with Dr. Anderson. of Minneapolis, and Messrs. Wheei.ock and Marble, returned Irom Fort Ellice to Pembina, by way of Devil’s Lake. The two lust named proceded from Pembina to Fort Garry.Captain Easton and Colonel Wait have returned from their exploration for a suitable site of a United States fort on the Red River.Mr. Taylor’s return route was by Red Lake River and Otter Tail to Crow Wing— thence by stage to St. Paul. His notes, gathered during thirty days passed in the Settlement, will be given to the public atan early day, and in such form as may seem best calculated to advance the subject of a communication with Northwestern America through the State of Minnesota.The Cotton Crop.The statement of the cotton crop of the United States for the year ending August 31, 1850, shows that the total receipts of cotton at all the ports of the year were 3,851.481, bales being 323.630 bales larger than any previous crop in in the history of the country. New Orleans ieceived much more than any other port— 1,GG9,274 bales. The largest previous crop was in 1855-6 the crop now completed shows an excess of 737,510 over the previous year (1857-8.) and 911,962 over the crop ofl85G-7. Of the total there were received overland 47.175 bales at New York, 20,463 at Philadelphia; and 8,683 at Baltimore. The crop as made up above, comprises only the total received at the seaboard, to which must be added the estimated southern consumption to make the total production. Tli's brings the total
Newspaper Details
Saint Paul Weekly Pioneer and Democrat
Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
Fri, Sep 30, 1859
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA 27 Jul 2020
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