I have the honor to forward Copy of the latest report
               which has been received from the 
Kootenay Gold Mines.  The
               financial Statements alluded to have not reached me.
               
               2.  
Mr Young's report refers
to
 to a winter of unprecedented
               severity coming upon a Mining community but a few Months
               established on the 
Kootenay.  While I regret the privations
               which have been suffered, I allow myself to think that the
               next winter will find the people better prepared in every
               way to endure its rigour, should it even, contrary to all
               suppositions, prove as severe as that from which we are just
               emerging.  It is clear from all reports that Gold is plentiful
               on the 
Kootenayand
 and 
Columbia, and that the Country, unlike the
               
Cariboo district, is admirably adapted for farming purposes.
               
               3.  You will be gratified to see how well conducted the
               Mining population continues to be.
               
            
            
               4.  
Mr Young's report mentions anticipated arrivals
               of pack trains and goods from different places, but I am
               sorry to say that every one of these places is in the United
               States.  This dependence of our new Gold fields
upon
 upon foreign
               markets is an unconvenience to the Government and a loss to
               British Merchants.  I am happy to say, however, that I have
               now succeeded in opening the trail over the 
Cascade Mountains
               at 
Hope.  You may judge of the nature of the Country when I
               say that, in this latter part of 
May, the road has, for many
               miles, still seven feet of snow on either side.  By the end of
               
July I expect to have the trail
completed
 completed through British
               Territory from the 
Fraser to the 
Kootenay.