Note 62 — {194} CHAPTER XII

Simon Fraser, on his first expedition west of the Rocky Mountains (1805), gave the name “New Caledonia” to the region of Stuart and upper Fraser rivers, whose numerous lakes, lying among the bold and craggy mountains, reminded him of the Scotch highlands. The following year, accompanied by John Stuart, he farther explored the country and established St. James post, on Stuart River. For some time the boundaries of New Caledonia were indefinite, but its southern limit was always over two hundred miles north of Okanagan post. After it was erected into a district of the Hudson’s Bay Company, it extended from 51° 30′ to 56° north latitude and from 124° 10′ west longitude to the Rocky Mountains. Fort Alexandria (established 1821), on Fraser River, one hundred and seventy miles north of Fort Okanagan, became the principal trading post of the district.—Ed.