The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-08-05

The following letter from an influential
member Of the Canadian House OF Parlia-
ment, was received by q member Of the
Minnesota House Of Representatives. 1t
shows that our Canadian friends are aware
Of the great field which lies open TO them
on Frazer River, and mean, if possible, to
secure it
TORONTO, Canada, July %, 1855.
Sir MIR. Brown has handed me your
letter Of the 9th instant. You must have
perceived that for some time past we 10
canada have been agitating the subject of
the claim Of the Hudson Bay Company,
with view OF opening out to trade, &c,
that vast tract Of country over which that
Company exercise control.
have been one Of the chief promoters
Of the agitation against the Company, and
at this moment am seeking to obtain char
ter for the formation OF q company having
in view the very objects which your letter
suggests, 10 relation to the making Of q
highway for travel from the Red River TO
the Rocky Mountains. Since that we have
assumed the position that the charter under
which the Hudson Bay Company claim con-
troll is invalid this fact is admitted, that
it Is so, and some months ago we took the
intiatory steps towards opening out the
Western country, with view of ultimately
creating traffic direct across the continent.
forward TO you a pamphlet, and bill
which we now have before the House. The
bill will pass into law in the course of
few days. These will explain TO you what
we are doing, and what are the objects con-
tcmplated.
II is extraordinary that the knowledge
possessed by the old Northwest Company,
relative to almost every mile Of country
from Lake Superior to the Pacific shores,
should be almost now forgotten. Within
short time past, have become possessed Of
sixtysix folio volumes, in manuscript, kept
from the year 1890 up to 1921, at the time
Of the union OF the two Companies.
The feasibility of carrying steam from
far up the Red River TO not only up both
branches of the Saskatchewan to the foot of
the Rocky Mountains, but by taking
course leading of the Mex enzie and thence
by the Peace river actually through the
Rocky Mountains, to within 375 yards OF
the head waters Of Frazer river, and this
was the old course Of the Northwest Com
pany when they sent Carver from Montreal
TO the Pacific.
Now that the discovery Of gold has been
made, new impulse is given to our exer-
tons which will enable us speedily to accom-
pish that which we had commenced.
BE assured that the sentiments expressed
by you relative TO the opening out Of that
country to traffic and trade, and consequent
ly to production, must meet with our most
cordial cooperation. Also, will take this
opportunity Of adding that some of the most
influential parties in England are co operat-
ing with US here with the understanding that
We will engraft upon our present scheme
plan for an international railroad to the Pa
cifc, should the United States not refuse US.
cannot attempt just now to give an out
line Of the plan. Our object is, first to get
our bill through the House.
We are aware OF the facilities which OK
ist for afIordng transit for goods, &c, via
the Mississippi to the Red river, and thence
either to the Pacific or Arctic seas, by the
Mckenzie, which is navigable for seven
months in the year, a distance Of 200 miles,
for the largest class Of steamers, and 400
tor lesser; from the Mckenzie by Peace
river to Frazer on the route TO the Pacific.
II is rather singular that my friend Mr.
j. ). Macdonald, the gentleman to whom
your letter refers, is the only man in the
House who opposes our Bill. His idea is
absurd. One is, that we will enter into col
lision with the Hudson Bay Company. and
thereby throw the Province into difficulties.
Another is, that we will bring on a war
with the United States. Our idea is this,
that instead OF leading TO that, il will ere
ate unity Of interests between the West.
ern States and Territories, thereby placing
both countries under heavy bonds to keep
the peace.
would feel exceedingly obliged for any
information which you could from time TO
time send me, relative 10 the advance and
progress Of your own Western State, and
traffic between il and the Western country.
! remain Sir,