SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. 229 



The colony planted by the Earl of Selkh-k occupies two 

 positions on the banks of this river, one at the confluence 

 of the Assiniboin, usually called Fort Douglas, and the 

 other about sixty miles above, called Pembina. The 

 amount of population at both places, exclusive of those in 

 the immediate employ of the Hudson's Bay Company, 

 does not exceed one thousand souls, about three hundred of 

 whom, principally meiifs of French and Indian extraction, 

 reside at Pembina, within the limits of the United States. 

 This village is situated on both sides of the river, at the dis- 

 tance of about two miles below the mouth of Pembina river. 

 The settlements at the confluence of the two rivers above 

 mentioned, are scattered through a considerable tract of 

 country embracing an extent of about twenty miles along 

 the bank of Red river ; here are two stockade works, viz. 

 Forts Gerry and Douglas; the former called the Hudson's 

 Bay Company's fort, and the latter the Colony's; also the 

 remains of two others of a similar character, one Catholic 

 chapel, and one church for Protestant Episcopalians; a 

 more particular account of which has been given in the 

 preceding narrative. 



Agriculture has been commenced at both these places, 

 and is attended with success. Wheat, barley, millet, pulse, 

 together with potatoes and other culinary roots, have been 

 cultivated to great advantage. Maize is cultivated in small 

 quantities, but, at best, it is of a very stinted growth, and 

 affords a very scanty and uncertain crop. Black cattle 

 have been lately introduced, and succeed well. As yet 

 they have no sheep, and but few swine ; of the success of 

 the latter there can be little doubt, however the climate, 

 may counteract that of the former. Their horses are hardy, 

 which is almost the only excellence they possess ; the ser- 

 vices of this animal in the sledge are superceded by the 



Vol. H. 30 



