The southern press., 1851-12-27
Ior Me sol.thtrn P,ess.
Fof Mt boiathtTfl Pres.
IntersommuIie Ali0n between the United
states and Canada.


national lines Of communication, by means Of
railroads, passi through the Eastern States I
the shores OF the Atlantic, has suggested 10
mind, the adoption OF plan, by which the v
fare of both countries would be permanently
promoted and which, ii carried out, would tend
eifectually to allay the apprehenslons OF con
sequences which, IN The present state OF things,
would follow a disruption OF those peaceful re-
lations that at present exist between England
and America; 10y which, should war at any future
time occur It's effects would be ueutraZed, so
far, at least as respects the territory in the Vi
cinlty Of the boundary line, between The North
ern States and Canada and New Brunswick
whose inhabitants could possess no other inter
est in the contest, than that which would have its
origin in principles Of loyalty aud attachments
to their respective governments.
My attention was called 10 this subject during
the last year, when the treaty relative To the
Nicaragua canal was made publicly which the
entire route is to be considered as neutral terri
tory, together with such portions of he adjacent
coast at its termini, might hereafter be agreed
upon; which treaty is To have full force aud ef
feet in this particular, notw outstanding war
should occur between the two contracting par
ties. Hence, il has occurred 10 me, that slui
lar arrangement might be entered into with ref
erence TO the railroads and canals that are at
PRESENT. in existence or which may hereafter be
constructed, intersecting the British Provinces
and United States.
Not only would such an arrangement be con-
sonant with the dictates of humanity, but it
would form an additional inducement with men
of wealth, in both countries, to invest their cap.
ital in works of general utility which the pres
ent state of public affairs may otherwise prevent
q.
the rayages of war
There is at present much and increasing good
feeling existing amongst the Inhabitants of both
countries, in the neighborhood of the American
frontier; which has manifested itself on several
recent occasions, in very gratifying manner
in the reciprocal interchange of courteous and
social intercourse.
Owing to the boundary line, under the Ash.
burton treaty, penetrating between New Bruins.
wick and Canada, until it strikes the GrandFals
on the river st. John, and the eastern territory
of Maine at the North, running parallel with, and
at no great distance from the post road between
st. Andrews and theFalls and for several miles
near the river, predatory warfare is much to
be apprehended there; and an attempt was made
a few years since by the Provincial government,
to open road on the opposite side of the st.
John, but which after much expense had been
incurred, had to be abandoned, owing to the
natural obstacles which the route presented
Even during the late survey ola route for the
proposed railroad from Halifax to Quebec, the
danger that would result in case of hostility.
haunted the mind of the engineer, and was one
of the main reasons which led him to recon-
mend route deviating from direct line, and
sweeping round the Bay de Chaleurs, as far
north as the Restigouche, thence proceeding to
Quebec in the vicinity of the St Lawrence. Still
the same objection there presents itself as the
road approaches It's termination, where it must
necessarily pass in the vicinity OF the American
lines, which in some places, believe, are not
more than thirty miles distant from that river
and which in case of hostilities, could at any
time be destroyed by hostile demonstration or
enterprise; to guard against which.
British troops must be placed in positions cacu
lated to repel invasion and protect the line, or
to threaten Houlton and other vulnerable points;
and thus transfer the seat of war TO the soil
tudes of Maine.
The most eligible route from Halifax TO Que.
bee, after arriving at the head of the Bav of
Fundy would be as directly across the country
as the nature of the ground would permit, to
the shores of the 81. Lqwrence, or until it in.
tersected Woodstock, which is twelve miles
from lIoulton and thence continue it Jointly
with the people of Maine, through that State
by the most favorable route to Qnebec. There
is at present railroad in progress from st An.
irews, near the entrance of the Bay of Fundv
10 Woodstock; and it seems probable, that il
will ultimately be continued by the line | have
into Canada. It is much the shortest
route, and 81. Andrews is an excellent shipping
port, open at all seasons of the year.
There is also in the course of construction.
and near completion, a railroad from Montreal
10 Portland in Maine; and another is proposed
10 connect il by means of branch with Quebec;
both of which would be utterly useless, with
reference TO the main object in view-a commu
nication with the Atlantic, were war under
present circumstances 10 occur
Then, again, the people of Portland finding
that that port will not answer for a terminus. by
which TO secure portion of the European trade.
which now passes their doors and goes to New
York, have formed n company TO extend the
Montreal railtoad to Halifax, the nearest point
TO Europe, where secure harbor, and one of
'afe approach, can be found The people of st.
John, in New Brunswick, are decidedly favorable
TO this enterprise, and the Legislature of that
province stands pledged to its support.
The British government, however, seem al
length to have determined to have line exclu
sively within the British provinces, from Quebec
to Halifax, to which ] have already adverted
md have agreed to advance lhirry-iye millions
Of dollars, or TO guarantee the interest upon
certain conditions, to which the legislatures OF
Canada and Nova Scotia have agreed, and to
which the government of New Brunswick has
itself il being understood that por
ton of that sum is TO be expend on the Hall
fax and Portland route. | cannot conceive how
the British government can lend its sane ton to
a scheme, the success of which depends upon It's
with line extending for consid.
erable distance through the United States, and
which would certainly be defeated were bostili
ties to occur between the two countries, unless
some such permanent national convention ~
have alluded to, should be entered into between
the two nations.
ltappears to me, therefore, it only requires
that public attention, and that of the govern
ments of the United States and Great Britain.
should be drawn TO this subject to produce an
by which n defined space on ench
side Of the railroads alluded to, should be de
clared to be neutral territory in perpetuity; thus
securing them from hostile attacks and by