Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-07-02
CANADIAN INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

we nave been quite surprised find by an arcein the
New York Courier des Etats Un that gigantic enter
prise ison foot in Canada and England to unite the East
ana western possessions of her Britannia Majesty on
this continent and connect them with New Yort and
Boston by railways The last session of the Canadian
Parliament authorized the fusion into one consolidated
ne OF all the principal railroads already built or 10 be
built in that country This enterprise embraces the i'm
provement which connects Portland with Montreal while
to eformed in England carry the whole plan
into execution The Courier informs us that when finish
ed, the united work will comprise IL miles Il viii
cross Canada, Maine Vermont, and New Hampshire and
win link Portland with Lake Huron. The region em.
braced IN its iron band contains three millions Of people
At Portland the line will find connection already made
by other works which terminate in the North at Halifax
and IN the South at New York, through Boston From
the frontier at Richmond there VII be branch
70 quebec connecting that capital with Montreal by
Journey or six hours In time this lateral mprov
may be extended to Tro5- and even
TO hahiax; and when the line touches Montreal II will
connect with three railroads radatng thence to Boston
and New York. -
But this isnot the end of the schSme West Of Montreal
this great artery will feed the line to Bours the
vast woodland districts of the Oowa and unite with the
railroad to 0gdensburgh and with the lines Rane and
Cape Vincent, in New York From Kingston to Toronto
1t Will traverse the rich region north Of Lake Onario
while at Toronto it viii join the railway oS the Ontario
Simercoe and Huron line, Of which one hundred miles
completed towards Georgian bay on whose bor
der il terminates In the city it will also connect
with the depots of the Great Western Railroad from
Hamilton to Detroit two hundred and forty miles long,
communication with the southwest Of Canada, and
with the railroad from Detroit to Wisconsin, through
Michigan and Illinois. The Great Western line Of the
Mississippi will also, in all likelihood, connect with this
immense Canadian highway.
OF the two hundred and ninety miles betwixt Portland
and Montreal two hundred and fifty are already under
way, and the remainder will be completed Judging
by the receipts of the Canada and Ogdenshurg ne H is
calculated that the finished sections will yield revenue
nf in we
current expenses and $500 900 for Of the roads to
Portland sufficient will still be efttoPay the mort
gage debt Of the company It is proposed 10 oniid
bridge the Saint Laurent at Montreal for the transit
of the Messieurs Peto Brassey and jackson, OF
London have become contractors for this spcndd aud
important enterprise.
The entire capital of the company will amount TO
47 900 000 of which So 900 already subscribed
besides SO eos 900 borrowed on notes and sflS8 0G0
embarked in the consolidated companies This supplies
present active capital Of Sll,270o0o The balance Of
$780, 900 is designed to raise stock credits anu
mortgages payable in twenty five years The shares are
alleged to be already at eight per cent premium IN tue
London market.
The reader will be struck by the magnitude and daring
character Of this work when he reflects that II i cheh
the great American termini OF it-east, west, ana
south-that il must rely for profit the enormous out
lay We that Canada is rapidly improving IN
agriculture and commerce. yet doubt whether the en-
tsrpse in question will be able TO encounter competition
during iong ureary winter Win tne more
ern improvements territory. Sull, we nope
tical ecu1oaAy .sa@ -. ~rv-raca iand. But when
viii thenions Of acres in Canada become sources Of
fear from such causef railway like this, with ire
auent branches to the lakes and the Notherr forests
cannot fail seduce many burdened laborer of North
Europe who possesses property and prefers to main
tain his loyalty British institutions. The rica agri
cultural emigrants it is likely will continue 10 settle
Canada. The poor of Ireland and Scotland will seek
denser and richer population among the cities OF hI
Union.-BdfimoTt American