The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-04-07

WHAT ARE THE BRITISH DOING !--The st.
Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad Company have made
their eighth annual report, from winch il appears
that on the Canada side of the line, from Montreal
to Portland, the portion in actual operation is ninety
six miles; the distance from its present terminus at
Sherbrooke To the provincial boundary is thrty-o
miles; and from that point Island Pond, in the
State of Vermont, it is sixteen miles, which will be
constructed by the Montreal company.
The Portland company have had their trains run
ming FOR time to o-Northumbcriand, on the Con-
nectIcut river and the remaining distance to Island
Pond. which route has been selected TO secure the
uaihc OF the Connecticut valley nOrthwarl, is under
contract TO BE- completed this winter. The entire
line between Portland and Montreal, It is expected,
will be in operation by the first of July next.
The of the railroad from Montreal to Island
Pond is estimated at S4.55l ,33. Cars have been
running during the Ia. three months TO Sheibrookc,
and during the preceding nine months, twO-thirds OF
that distance. One-haif of the estimated of the
railroad has been met by provincial guarantee bonds
on the part of the Canadian government, which have
been negotiated in England, the extent Of 50 000-
900. distinct loan of $3.50 800, for the Island
Pond section, has also been negotiated in that conn
y, at per cent interest; and the President Of
the company is at present in London, for the purpose
of dsposing of the balance of the provincial bonds
amounting to 1887 500
The local traffic on this road has exceeded the
most sangnine expectations that were formed. The
gross receipts for the year. arising from nine months
Of seventy miles road to Richmond, and three
IN average gross return oi S2,240 from each mile,
per The transporting of frey wood and sawed
lumber Is proceeding on an extensive scale, and it is
found that squared timber can be advantageo
brough, forward by the road for export to the United
States, and large quantity is being prepared with
this object. Slate quarries have been extensively
opened, and slaves, and handspikes being
manufactured for market, branch line having been
commenced between Point Levi, opposite Quebec,
and Richmond.
The object Of the projectors Of this road was TO
supply thc Eastcrn States and the British Provinces
with the produce of the West; and companies have
been ior:ncd in Maine and New Brunswick to extend
the line 10 St. John, for which purpose the Provin-
cial aid has b en libcrally granted while the assist
Of Congress has been sought in this country
1t Is also proposed to erect bridge the st.
Lawrence at Montreal, to connect with the main
trunk !me the north side OF that river, which gov
ernnient intend constructing, extending westward.-
This bridge, however, will not be required until that
is completed, which it will require probably six
eight weeks TO accomplish. Meantime produce may
be shipped on Lakes Michigan and Erie sent h ough
the Weland canal, and landed at the terminus oppo-
site Montreal, where extensive storehouses are IN
course OF erection. The British Government have
adopted Portland the winter resort for the Cana
dian steamers, which will commence running to Que
bee and Montreal early in the spring.
The Nova Scotia government are about TO contract
for line Of railroad extending iiom the habor Of
Halifax TO the Bay Nertc, in the Straits OF Northum-
route 10 Quebec; also line branching off at dis
tance of twenty miles from that city, extending to
Windsor, and thence to Victoria Beach, on the Bay
of Fundy, opposite st. John; and another branch
line to the haibpr Of Pictou. An English house has
rendered to complete these lines, at an average Of
SO 500 per mile The Portland line to New fruns
wick, after passing through st. John, will connect
with the Haitian Inc at BAY Nerte; and IL is
tempated TO extend il to the M,r'michi river.
At the other extremity the Canadian government in
tend opening railroad from Quebec to River dc
Loup---ab,ut 80 miles below that city, the south
side of the ST Lawrence and contemplate extending
it to the boundary line at the Bay of Chaeur, in
the expccaton that the British Government viii
construct llnc OF the Intermediate distance between
tha, point and Mirmich river. In the western part
Of the province, railroads have been commenced 10
connect Detroit with Lake Ontario, at Hamilton and
Lake Erie. in the vicinity Of the Falls of Niagara
also Toronto with Georgian Bay. at the head OF Lake
Huron, Connect by steamboat with Lake Superior
--Nec ort Herald.