Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-05-08
European Correspondence Of tho MINI
nesOtian. ...NO. IL.


OTTAWA CRY, Canada West, March 20.
As this place has been selected for the fu-
ture Capitol of Canada, if not British North
America, 1 shall give you longer sketch
of it than otherwise should.
his City is situated on the right or south
bank at the head of the longest stage OF nav
igation on the Ottawa River; 1t was first
laid out for a town in 1927, in that year the
British Government commenced the construc-
ton of the Rideau Canal which connects
Lake Ontario with the Ottawa River, and
empties into the latter at this place; this
Canal was built as much for military, as for
commercial purposes; so that in case of war
with the United States, they might have
communication with the interior OF Canada.
1t is well built, and large enough that steam
boats play on it in tho navigable season ; IL
cost five million dollars; one Colonel Bay
had the entire charge of this work, ard he
laid out the town, which was called after HIM
Baytown 1t retained that name until 1854;
at that time it had 10000 inhabitants, just
enough to get City Charter, according to
the laws of Canada and with the applica-
ton for City Charter the people petitioned
to have the name changed to Ottawa City,
which was done. Baytown was not incor-
porated as q town until lS47, although at
the completion of the Canal in 1881, it had
1000 inhabitants, mostly laborers aud RATS
men, or those engaged in numbering from
1881 to 1851, it was to use a polite term, per-
feet hell hole" Many of the old settlers can
tell of bloody scenes enacted here, oftentimes
on religious grounds. The Catholics being
in the ascendency used their authority with
high hand until 1851, when they and the
Protestants had regular fight. The people
tell me there were 80 or 40 killed and if it
had not been for a body of troops stationed
here, and who took possession of a bridge,
and so kept the belligerents apart, it is
thought they would have been like the Kill
kenny cats, who fought until there was moth
ing left but their tails.
Since that time it has been the most order.
ly place in Canada this seems strange to
me, for there is a larger number of porter
houses according to its size than any place L
was ever in. The city is we'll laid out for a
Canadian city the streets are all particu-
larly wide, but some of them are too short !;
most of the blocks are oblong squares, and
run regular lengthways for three or four
blocks, and then run lengthways the other
way, and so cut off some of the Streets
The greater part of the city is built short
defiance back of the river, and as the banks
are rather high. in some places l should judge
upwards of $50 feet, but very little of the
| city can be seen fro m the river.
The government has reserved quite tract
of land all along the banks of the river in
| front Of the city. On the highest bluff called
Government Hill are the Barracks, which are
at present in dilapidated condition, pre-
sumo the best portion has been burnt down
some time ago, as the remaining walls testify;
the barracks are at present Inhabited only
by few old pensioners; all the present build
vi I'llS I'LL VIII Dc iCulOfSu W way
for new and extensive Notifications. The
Capitol will also be built on the bluff over
looking the river; believe there is upwards
IF 30 acres of government land left, that
will in all probability be used for the Capitol
grounds the building when finished is sup
posed will stand high enough to overlook the
country as far as Montreal 100 miles.
The city is divided into upper and lower
town, the canal which runs through the CEN
tire being the dividing line. The only COM
municatiOn between the two is over the ca
nal bridge, which is at present entirely too
narrow for the traffic over it. The upper
town is more modern than lower At the
| western boundary line of the city, which is
upper town, is situated the Chaudiere Falls,
ny think that these falls ar prettier than the
falls Of Niagara but do not think so, al
though they are beautiful. The river is
quite wide above the falls, ] should Judge
half a mule, and the water runs over ledge
of rocks, in some place falling into chasms.
The largest and highest fall is about % or
80 feet, and is called the Kittle, which be-
lievc is the meaning of the word Char ediere;
In the Kittle they have not found bottom at
three hundred feet. 1t is supposed there is
subterranean passage which conveys great
body of water under tie river for about q
mile, when it comes up in the river again. l
am inclined to believe this is SO, for there
don't appear to be near the body Of water
below the falls as there is above.
The water power here is immense; l should
| think far greater than that of St. Anthony.
| There are already seven saw and three grist
mills, sash and door factory, and large
iron foundry on the city side. On the other
side, which is called Hull, are three saw
mills, pail, tub and broom, and match
factory. Some of these mills and factories
are very fine; being built of stone. There is
a beautiful suspension bridge across the riv-
err at the falls, built by the government at q
cost Of $G5, 900. Government still Owls
great portion OF the water power here. This
part of the city is often called the Yankee
part, on account Of many those mills and
factories being owned and worked by citizens
of the United States. am told that one
Fourth of July they raised the u S. Flag,
but the city authorities compelled them to
take it down. One Of the American mill
owners is Alderman of the city, and think
from what little | saw OF him that he is pay
ing'particular attention to the Public Schools
Notwithstanding there is considerable preju-
dice against the United States, the people
generally acknowledge that they are indebt-