The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-29

hdHIohus arc sih the great subject OF discussion
IN our Canadian newspapers. Our own line from
Quebec, to join the Portland and Montreal, at
Richmond has, regret to say, been delayed ia its
operations, by the corporation demanding that two
different routes, which have each troops OF friends
shall be surveyed at the joint expense of themselves
and the company, and that the best shall be chosen.
The great difficulty in building the road ARISES
from the crossing the st. Lawrence during tho
winter months. Opposite Quebec, and for thirty
miles above as far up as the tide runs, there il no
ce bridge, except at very rare intervals-the last
was in lS47-and there had not been enc for many
years before. The crossing is accomplished ia
large canoes, and is exceedingly difficult and dan
gerous, on account of the large masses Of floating
ice, over which the have to be dragged when
there is no opening tits indeed extraordinary
how dextrous the voyage1s are in the Management
Of their frail barks. They carry over an immense
quantity of market stuff, and even live stock.
Horses are somewhat difficult to manage, be-
heve but their legs tied together, and they are
deposited on the bottom Of the canoe, feet upwards
Now, there is party who propose TO carry the
railroad from the city up the north bank Of the
river, about forty miles, where there is an ice
thence to carry il to Richmond. The others say
that II would be very expensive on account Of the
great elevation of the land the north side, and
wish to cross about nine miles above, which thew
cay is the next best place, and. moreover, one Of
the narrowest; so that when we shall become rich
above we may he able to build bridge for it. So
stands our railroad When the surveys are made,
which will be very soon, we shall know more
about il. The main line from Montreal to Port
land, the government engineer has been examining,
TO see whether the conditions upon which govern.
ment guarantees one half of the expense Of con.
struction have been complied with. The next in
order 10 the Bytown and Prescott, which 10 about
to be surveyed An American contracting firm
Messrs. Walker d ChambeIain-who built largo
portion of the Ogdensburgh Railway, have offered
TO construct the road and take payment for one.
fourth In stock This road is from Prescott on the
81. Lawrence, opposite Ogdensburgh, to Bytown,
the capital of the great numbering country of the
Ottawa. II runs through a very fine country, and
the ground, believe, is very favorable. The con-
tract is signed with Messrs. Story d Co., Of New
to some pert on Lake Huron, distance Of 80 miles,
which it ID said will cost some $2,000,000. This
great western road to run, from the Niagara river
isrIy the MichganIC Central stock hoidera are deeply
interested, Is fairly commenced. Advertisements
have been issued calling for contracts for potion
Of the work. So stand the railroads which have
made some progress by the formation of companies.
great scheme IL, however, on the taps, which may
Yet be finished II is proposed to run road right
up from Montreal to Hamilton, along the lake.
II would passsthrough twenty prosperous villages
and towns, and twenty fine townships, the muni.
cpal bodies Of which might be expected TO contri-
butte towards its construction. think the money
might be got; but question if the road would pay
directly atom gside the lake, which freight is
canied for a trfe. Until our fast business travel
in winter and summer becomes greater than il 10,
think we could do without this road The efforts
of the Canadians should be first directed towards
opening up their back country which Is not tapped
by navigable waters.
The trade returns of the year are being made UP;
and from what we have already seen of them, we
led TO form the most favorable opinions OF the
state Of the country, and the business which il has
transacted during the season just closed So far
as this section OF the country is concerned, there
n "A prC ri mi
Der business-the great trade Of the port has been
in very healthy state, in consequence OF the de-
mand from your side OF the lines for our white
pine, which has kept up the price Our traffic with
the lower ports, as they called on the st: Law
renee, and in Newfoundland, Prince Edward
Island. New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, has been
increased to very great extent. We have sent
them more Hour and provisions, and have received
more hsh, oil, and coal, than We have ever done
before. As ysu aware, this trade has been al
most monopoized by Portland, Boston, and New
ship flour from Lake Ontario, direct to Halifax,
cheaper than we send il through your canals;
and we have, besides "a preferential duty ia New
Brunswick and Prince Edward Island We now
provinces, In your western ports.
Another very favorable result from this years
business, the Canadians are glad TO notice Ii is
reduction of the rates of freight from the ST. Law
renee 10 Great Britain, by foreign vessels being
allowed to compete. Formerly the trade was con-
fined TO the British ship owners, and like most
the consequence was that the vessels were bad, i'll
manned and differed, and the rates high. This
state OF things had been considerably altered within
a few years back, bu; the result of this seasons
trade will totally change the face Of matters. We
have had great many smart American ships, with
smar' captains, who have taken freights at lower
rates than were ever taken before. timber, which
was last year charged 32s. per load has this sea-
son been carried Tor Dos, and there is a correspond
ing decrease on other ARTICLES. All this is 81 much
gam TO our umberers, and agrcultunsts, and pro.
ducing classes. The rates OF insurance on the ST.
Lawrence route have also been reduced this year;
enothei step towards making our river as cheap an
avenue Tor the trade OF the west AS the Hudson.
But perhaps the best proof Of our prosperity is
The immense increase In our trade with the United
States For many years bach the balance Of trade
has be entirely against U.s. and we have annually
shipped large quantities Of specie In 1919 we sent
you she, .S2, while during the first nine months
OF ls5O we have cent you only S3i, 1928, and have
no reason 10 suppose that the last quarters export
VIII exceed any previous Our imports Of your
have been Increased, but IL Is a.
nothing compared with your imports from our side.
Mr.. Meritts retirement from the cabinet is now
the political nine days wonder Mr.. Merritt Is
very energetic, persevering man, and as the pro-
pnetor OF the Welland canal and its principal pro-
moter, he Is entitled TO great credit; but he is vain
man, who dreams great dreams, and cares little
about the practical means OF carrying them out.
such men may do to lead a mnistry-to 90 before
them-but not to act with them. He has resigned.
or has been removed, on account OF certain great
financial changes and reductions which he pro-
pounded 10 committee OF the House last session,
which not one OF his colleagues approved Of
Mr.. Hacks, the Inspector General, has gone to
Washington TO look after the Reciprocity bill Mr..
ii. Is the best figure man in the country-actiye,
industrious, shrewd, and thoroughly informed on
all financial affairs. IL he does not persuade your
legislators that is for your interest to grant re-
ciprocity OF trade, no one else can believe that
should the negotiations fail, there will be cry
raised for diiierenial duties in favor
81 the 81 Lawrence route, and am afraid il would
be successful | cay afraid, because am a free
trader in the broadcast sense OF the word, and dis
like all duties, no matter for whose benefit they
are imposed. There would be a keen opposition
to IL IN the upper province; but with the protec-
tionsts there and in the lower province and the
anti Amencan feeling everywhere, | think IL would
be successful. Are you prepared TO give up all
with usl