The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-08
from the London Herald, Oct. 1871

Inc mOuern project OF uniting all the BrltSn
North American Territories under single federal
government so as to create q counterpoise to the
growing ascendancy of the United States, il excit
ing intense interest among Canadian politicians.
Federalism, combining the principle of local indie
pendence with that of central authority, seems ad
mrably adapted to vast continents destined to re-
ceive immense populations. II prevents the exis-
tence OF international jealousies, which experience
shows have always grown up where separate king
doms have been established in oOntiguity to
each other, leading to wars which have re-
tarded the civilization of Europe and loaded it with
debts Under federalism all the parts obey the whole,
and the whole is bound to protect all the parts.
Each State has its own local Legislature within its
own boundary, and is a member of the Congress
which binds the whole confederation. When an
outlying territory advances in population 1t is not
subdued a conquest but admitted within the pale
Of the federation. Thus political fraternity Is re-
cognized, which prevents all unworthy motives to
cupidty or ambition. This is one Of the causes
of the rapid growth of the United States Had the
constitution of the original thirteen States been
exclusive new populations would never have
massed themselves around their borders, fearing
TO be enslaved or annexed when they became
wealthy; but no such fears were entertained, in
dustry being certain of its reward and the
small capitalist and laborer assured that the
land which they had reclaimed would in due
time be erected into an independent State,
and form a coordinate and coequl part of
the common republic. In some such condition
now is the North American territory, which
contains One-nnth of the whole area of the globe,
Canada measures 400 900 square miles; New Bruins
wick 2s 900; Nova Scotia, 1900; Prince Edwards
Island 1000; and Newfoundland, 37,000-in the
whole, 4SG 900 square miles. From the Atlantic to
the Pacific are 1000, 900 square miles of territory
Europe only contains ,70s 900, or 292 900 miles less
The great province of Canada alone is equal in size
to Great Britain, France and Prussia; and the mari
time provinces of British North America cover
Sc 900 square miles of territory. For the future
settlement of this immense country craftsmanship
is now called upon to provide and Sir Bulwer Lyt-
ton has commenced the gigantic task by founding
British Columbia either to remain separate king
dom or form an integral part of mighty confede-
ration.
Several attempts have been made to explore the
territory and much scattered information has been
collected. Sir John Colborne sent party to pene-
trate into the Nipissing country, but the arrange
ments were defective. The travellers started from
Lake Simcoe, and reached the southeast banks of
Nipissing Lake, but they suffered severely from
fatigue and privation that their narrative was
colored by the painful recollection of their misfor-
tunes Mr. Thomas Simpson journeyed from Fort
Garry to Athabasca, and reported favorably of
many districts he traversed, and many others have
borne testimony to the fertility of the soil, the
abundance of the minerals, and the value of the
timber. The latest intelligence is contained in blue
book published by order of the Canadian govern
ment, entitled Report on the Exploration of the
Country between Lake Superior and the Red River
settlement and it is the first statistical contribution
of the Government Surveying Expedition, under
the charge of Messrs Gladman and Dawson and
Professor Hind Under the auspices ofthesc highly
competent gentlemen. copious and accurate infor-
nation will be obtained respecting the Northwest
Territory which offers unriyaed facilities for settle
ment. Mr.. Dawson, speaking of the Saskatchewan
country, says-"There Is not, perhaps, on the globe
so great extent Of territory 80 little broken by
barren tracts; there is not in the universe finer
field of colonizaton; mild il the climate in the
south branch of this great river, that the In
dians hunt the buffalo on horseback all winter;
and little snow is said TO fall that snow
shoes are seldom used The Assiniboine river
M -. E..r% and A.tx3
numbered miles of the richest prairie SOIL The val
lev Of the Red river j. described "a boundless
level plain, elevated about thirty feet above Lake
Winnipeg, and for distance OF about one hundred
miles, in due south direction " rising so imper-
ceptiby that, except by instrumental measurement,
its inclination not apparent" Both the rivers,
the Red and the Assinibone, are heavily timbered
on both their banks for quarter of a mile deep.
On the Assinibone Professor Hind says that sugar
il made from the maple; that species Of grape
grows in profusion, while melons and tomatoes
rpen in the open air. These facts ought TO dis
abuse the English mind Of the prejudice entertained
against the climate OF Canada.
| Half way between Lake Superior and Red river
9 Rainy river, where the soil is described as rich
/ black 1oam and the vegetation was 40 abundant
that the progress Of the surveyors was impeded by
| the dense growth of grasses The whole valley IL
| marked by fertility and beauty. The poplar mea-
sures sixteen and half feet in circumference, the
ems are three feet in diameter the oak hourishes,
and in some districts the yield of wheat averages
thirty bushels per acre. The settlements already
formed on the Red river run for about fifty miles on
its immediate banks, the houses being generally
built quite close to the stream; the FARMS of from
fifty 10 two hundred acres, stretching backwards
in long strips into the prairie, TO what il called
the boundary line Of the lots The members Of
the government expedition observe that many
hundred thousands Of acres, which cannot be sur
passed for fertility-rich prairie mould from
eighteen inches TO two feet deep-lie free and
unoccupied on the banks Of the Red river and its
tributaries inviting settlement To the facts
tanned In the blue book of the Canadian Legisla-
ture we may add the remarks Of private traveller.
published in the Hamilton Spectator the result of
tour Of six TO seven hundred miles through the
swan river region. After describing the general
features Of the country rich prarics interpreted
with belts Of heavy oak and elm, he says, :. am
afraid that in describing the rich valleys OF Swan
river and the Assinibone, have been indulgng in
romance when the fact Il that have, In reality,
fallen short Of the truth. All the banks and braes
that have been written Of could not excel those Of
Swan river, and all the groves, lawns and panta.
| tons ever laid ont by genius and art would find
somethngeven more beautiful in the winding slopes
| Of the Assinibone.
| The more enterprising Of the Canadian merchants
are now earnestly considering how they may best
utilize the Northwest Territory, and "a a com
fnencement the Northwest Transportation Compa-
| ny has been formed. The first improvement 20 be
| effected Is the general communication between
Red river and Lake superior. by facilitating the
| transit over the portages. II the company slum-
| her over its duties, their claims are forfeited by
the terms OF the charter that no obstructive mo-
nopoly has been created and others viii be allow
| ed to supersede those who have failed This pre-
| caution shows that the Legislature are fully intent
| on opening the passage, and its completion can
| ouk be a work Of time. The benefit TO be derived
from ts execution u fully appreciated.
| The Canadians are asking themselves, "Can
we not have q West as valuable to rs
| a. Illinois has proved TO have been TO
| New York;" This question they answer in the
affirmative, insisting that the Red river, the Swan,
the Assinboine and the Saskatchewan have praries
on their hanks as fertile any the Mississippi
and Missouri. Moreover, their energies have been
| quickened by the spirited move Of Sir Bulwer
| fytton in founding the colony OF New Colum.
bia the terminus on the Pacific OF the grand
| railway which ought 10 commence al Halifax and
| run 10 Quebec. thence crossing over the whole
British territory 10 Vancouver. This enterprise,
| az least that portion 81 II connecting Halifax
| and Ouebec was mooted in Parliament by the
| nrnsent nnke Of NeMcastle in 1919. and he