The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-23
Northern Pacific Railroad Movement In
Canada.

ion that the most feasible route for a rail.
road To the Pacific, lies partly through
Minnesota and Dakota, and partly through
the British possessions. This route pos.
sesses the double advantage OF easy grades
and Of being adapted to continuous line OF
settlement throughout It's entire extent
Passing from ST. Paul TO the Rcd River of
the North. over an unusually level country,
aud from thence across 10 the SaSkatche-
wan River, up the valley of which. by a
gentle ascent to the foot OF the Rocky Noun
tains, more than ninc.tcnths Of the distance
is accomplished without the intervention of
tiers of the Saskatchewan. II is only two
hundred miles across 90 Fragers River.
along the valley Of which practicable
route can doubtless be formed 10 Pugcts
Sound. For the whole distance the soil is
arabic, The climate quite Us mild Ia that OF
Canada and the northern States Of Europe,
aud water and fuel abundant
Wlthin "a abort time movement has been
initiated in Canada, and participated in by
citizens OF the United States, leoking to the
extension Of the Canadian System Of railways
along the westcrn shore OF Lake Huron.
across the ST. Marys River, md so on to
conncc, with the 81 Paul and Pacific road.
These parties have presented u petition 10
the Canadian Parliament asking the grant
Of charter. by the uame of the Northern
Pde.fc RdilIcdg Company, with authority
to consolidate under ono charter and into
single company all charters previously
granted over or along any portion Of tho
route with full authority to construct and
muiutan n continuous line Of railway from
the city OF Montreal 10y the way Of 5ytown
and the valley Of the Ottawa, 10 the western
boundary OF Canada with the further right
TO construct aud maintain for the usc Of such
railway "a bridge across the 81 Mays
River, at some practicable ana convenient
aud Lake Huron. with The further right 10
enter into engagements. with any 'thcr
Railway Company or Companies IN Canada
or the United States. for connecting their
respective lines. IN such n amer and on snch
terms aa may bc found most advantageous.
aud hesl calculated To- accommodate the bu
sincas Of such railway aud the public travel
The chief difficulties IN the way Of this
route lie in Canada, and immediately west
of the st, Mary's river. When these ARE
once fairly overcome the route stretches
away iof nearly fifteen husdred miles
through country such IN We have ,les.
cribcd above. Should the EnglslrGoyorn.
,nent drive out tho Hudson BAY Company,
aud organize colonies IN the valleys VI the
Rcd River. the Asaiuiboin and tho Sas.
ka,cbewap rivers, aud should English CAPT.
talis's take hold Of this railway scl cme Ia
earnest. It Ia impossible TO vcr-csiiinatc tho
Transforming effects that would speedily en-.
sue throughout the entire habitabIc country
10 the northwest OF III.
TO show that we are not alone 10 the high
estimate which W. place on the country
through which this projected railroad route
lea. We copy the following extract from u
speech delivered before the New York
Chamber OF Commerce. on Thursday last,
by Hon. i. A. Conklng Of that city, on
the occasion Of celebrating the succsslul
trial OF steam upon the Erie Canal Said
Mr.. C0ukling
With the valley Of the Mississippi and ~.
Lawrence rivers, we have been accustomed
" regard the era Of the northern and cen.
trail portions Of our continent, available fur
agriculture, az exhausted. We limited our
vision ~ the ground VIZ stood upon. But
no sooner have We flied up one grand divia
ion, thip another opens before Us. There
is. IN he heart Of North America \ dis.
tinct subdivision, Of which Lake Winnipeg
may be regarded m the centre. This sub.
division. like the valley Of the Mississippi.
IL distinguished for the fertility Of is soil
and Tor the extent aud gentle slope OF lis
great plains, watercd by rivcrs Of great *.
tent aad admirably adapted Tor steam pavi-
cation II has climate not exceeding In
severity that Of many portions of Canada
aud the Eastern Sta,cp. II will Ia all res
pects, compare layorsbly with some Of the
most den,ely peoplci portions Of the Con-
tinent II Europe. In other words. II is
admirably fitted 10 become tho seat Of q
numerous, hardy, aud prosperous commu-
nifty II has M era equal to ak or eight OF
our first clas States. Its great river, the
Saskatchewan, carries navjgable water
line 10 the very base u the no Ky Noun.
taina. II 10 not at oil Improbable that the
'aiFJ W WV '''''s H'"y ~ 'h'' 'pS OrN
route Tor railroad 70 the Pacific. The
nayigable water Of this great subdivision
in,erlock with ih@e Of the Missasippi. The
Rcd River 81 tbs north IN connection with
Lake Winnipeg into which !, fails, forms
nasigable water line extending directly
north and roath nearly eight hundred miles
The Rid River ia ono Of tie b 1t adapted
10 the use oi steam IN the word, having
from twelve % fifteen feet oil water Tor near
~ its cBtlro course. rome 40 miles. II
waters one Of the dnsst prairie regions on
the Continent Between tic highest point
ut which u IL uayigable, and r. Paul. the
head Of navigation on the Mississippi, 4
railroad !. 10 progress 81 Construction, 90
nils OF which will b. completed The com
Ing year. The entire distance 10 be built Is
only 200 mil,s Wbcn this rad shall b.
completed another grand division Of the
Continent will as before stated, he OPEN Ia
settlement. IL which commpaiiies will spring
up with the raIddliy which has marked the
Amazing groSth I on own country. pos
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