The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-27
From the Journal of Commerce -
CONFEDERATION OF THE BRITISH NORTH
AMERICA


The disbandpg of the Hudson's Bay Company
and opening of its territory to settlement; the
Fraser river excitement and the rush of population
Westward and Northward to which it gave RISE
and possibly some indications of uneasness among
the British Canadian provinces, which might finally
result in alienation annexation or something else
prejudcial to British interests in that direction
prompted the home government to dispatch Lord
Bury on special mission with instructions as is al
legged, to ascertain the feelings of the people of
Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, on the
subject of ''union"-a project which has recently
occasoned animated debate in the provincial legis-
atures. Soon after his arrival, Lord Bury took oc-
casion, at public banquet in Toronto, TO disclam
exercising any official functions. In strictness of
language, such may have been the fact; but the i'm
portance attributed to his mission by the English
press, shows that it was regarded with no ordinary
interest. Lord Bury, on the occasion referred
to, said, "you want three things principally"
viz: more rapid of communication,
an organized system of emigration, and
some means of annihating, so far as practicable,
the distance separating the colonies from the moth
er country. He also announced that he was con-
nected with line of European steamers now hav-
ing its Western terminus at New York, but which
might be transferred to Quebec if sufficient in
ducement offered, and he was authorized to treat
with the provinces for the construction of line
of railway from Halifax to Quebec "Canada" he
thought, "must eventually become the great car
ryiDg power of the world The grand project of
connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which
towards which consummalion this is the first step,
is not only affecting British interests in the
Orient, but will directly operate to bind the North
American provinces inseperaby to each other and
to the British crown. The three great mail routes
to her possessions in the East which England will
ultimately possess, may be stated assfollows:
Southampton to Bnrmah via Suez 600 miles weeks
to to dhina Adataila BF.Sa1i fasalaal9 SSS GOO
The rapid transit to be accomplished by this last
route, aifording the most expeditions intercourse
with China and the East, commanding the North
PaeiGe and eeunteractiag the influence Of apssia,
(Vanconver's Island affording all needfnl supplies
of coal, considerations of controlling weight,
saying nothing of other objects of an Importance
not at all inferior, affecting the integrity of British
territory. 1t is therefore matter which need ex-
cite no surprise, should it appear that great in
ter-oceanic highway through British America
stitutes the basis of comprehensive scheme for
consolidating the empire of Great Britain, and
binding its remote parts in one harmonious system.
We cannot better exhibit the views entertained in
England in regard to this matter, than by making
the following extracts from late papers:
From the London Neacs
Sooner or later it seems to inevitable that
federal relations of some kind must grow up be-
tween the Canadas, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
and Newfoundland. All we venture to think that
clearly in the matter is that these relations
should be allowed to grow freely and ndspontaneously,
and that no temporary purpose either local or i'm
perial should be sought for in their premature de-
veopment. In legisating for Australian Colonies
some years ago, the Government of Lord John
Russell introduced provisions whereby those COM
munties were enabled to establish federal union
amongst themselves whenever they saw it de-
caratory act of the Imperial Legislature is hardly
requisite to assure our American kinsfolk that no
objection would be raised by public opinion in this
country to their doing likewise. But were we to
hazard an opinion on the subject, we should be in
cined to say that the wisest and most timely work
which they have at present before them is the COM
pletion, rapidly prudence will permit, of those
M Int mir tiNr tphfo oh fho.r
widely extended territories so much need; and the
practical effect of which, far beyond all political
influences and effects, must inevitably be the
tion of oneness among them. Remoteness and mu-
tual ignorance the prolific parents of distrust
and disagreement between communities, and any
thing that contributes egitimately to interchange
of ideas and social fusion, helps in the best of all
ways to facilitate the establishment of sound polit-
cal institutions.
From, the London Globe of Dec. IL
The time is not arrived, although at hand, for the
the construction OF railway to the Pacific; but
there is reason why nter-colonial RAILWAYS
should not be commenced at once, and with inter
colonial railways must come federation-that great
desideratum of our North American colonies. Bri-
tish capitalists must be by this time pretty well
sick of United States RAILWAYS and our colonies
have the advantage of offering good investment
in honest ventures, honestly conducted. Let us
have by all means a railway to the seaboard
through British territory, and a railway to the
Pacific must follow when it is demanded bv the
Bury, that these are political we'll as CONNER
cial objects, but the North Americans will find that
their interest in them is not less than ours. To
make the empire strong and compact is to give ad-
dtional strength and compactness to British North
America, and to draw more closely the bonds that
knit us to each other is to ensure to our colonies
not only greater share in glory, but in our
wealth in commerce, art, and civilization
From the liverpool Post
All we have to consider is-the effect on the
world Of strong British State, nominaly colo
ny, really nation, loyal and yet practically re-
public, rising up there. The territory is as large
as as Europe: Its resources are inexhaustible. In
fifty years it would be full of people 1t would be
United States, and United States clear of the
curse of slavery. 1t is prospect which every
man of British blood would like to dwell on; and
superb it is, it appears to us to he the planes
proSe,--the natural and inevitable future.
Further confirmation of the views advanced above
respecting British designs in North America ap-
pears in letter from Victoria, (V. l. J, published
in the Illinois State Journal, which speaking of the
corps of engineers recently arrived there, Ito com
mence the survey of a railroad to Halifax in the
spring, remarks as follows: This railroad scheme
has been put on foot by company of British capi-
China to the free trade of the world have deter
mined to build up second Liverpool at Victoria
on Vancouvers Island, and direct, if possible the
trade of the East across British territory by line
of railway which will connect with the Great
Trunk Railway through the Canadas."
NORTHERN ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC.
Mr.. F. W. Lander, General Superintendent of
the South Pass Wagon Road, and for many years
a railway engineer, has submitted a report upon
the construction of railroad to the Pacific. He
gives his conclusions in the following extract
The whole conclusion of this paper is that Con-
gress, by authorized agents, without danger of
loss to the country, and with great prospect of
gain, contract for the transportation of military
supplies from some point on Missouri river to Fo TT
Laramie. The transportation to be furnished by
Railroad in three (S) years from the commence
ment of the work. On the passage of train over
the first one hundred (l00) miles of road, a pay
ment to commence upon the terms of whatever
contract has been the result of proposals issued
These payments to extend ten years, by which time
the route will have become populated, the expan-
sion of the road taken care of itself, or the line
worn out and superseded by more direct and per-
nent one. In reference 20 the wooden road from
Fort Laramie to the plains of the Great Basin with
its intermediate sections of iron, eventually reach
ing the eastern boundary of California, Congress
further safely contract for the carriage of mails
throughout the year by Railroad, from the point
on Missouri river in twenty days to California,
quirng sufficient surety for the performance of the
work, and, in view of the Importance of the great
advantages gained, paving such price as will JUS
tify the wooden rail being extended at once.
The Importance of this road in reference to the
proposed new Territory of Carson and the solution
of the Mormon question, is obvious. The expan-
sion of the wooden road to a steam carrying line
need not be Immediately provided for by Govern
ment. In reference to this expansion, but out of
the limits of treatment of report relating to rail
roads through the South Pass, may remark that
north of the Wind river mountains lies route to
the Snake river through less elevated region of
country. This route may, exploration, offer
greater facilities for railroad workage during win
ter and regarding difficulty from snow than that of
the South Pass. 1t extends through pass used by
the Shoshonee tribe of Indians in returning from
buffalo during the winter season. | have reason to
suppose that the explorations of Lieutenant War
rem, an able and scientific Typographical engineer,
will be extended so near this pass as to permit of
the connection oft with the base line of his system
of examination. The resources of the country will
undoubtedly engage his attention.
SCHEDULE OF LINES FROM THE VALLEY OF THE PLATTE
TO THE WATERS OF SNAKE AND BEAR RIVERS.
The Wind River mountains, breaking down to
fiat plain at the South Pass, divide the waters of
the Atlantic from those of the Gulf of California
its aff1uent Green river.
The Wahsatch Mountains divide the waters of
Green river from those of the Great Salt Lake, and
its afluent, Bear river.
This range also divides the waters of Green river
from the Great Snake. just north of the Wind
River Mountains, latitude 43o 30, the Bufa-
10 Gap, atfording passage to a breakdown of the
Wahsatch Mountains at the head of Green river,
and to the tributaries of the Snake.
RAILROAD LINES TO THE SNAKE OR COLUMBIA RIVER.
line from the South Pass, skirting the southern
base of the Wind River Mountains, to the head of
Green river and Onion Greek, to the Snake.
A line from the South Pass, skirting the southern
base of the Wind River Mountains, and by Little
Jackson's river, to the Snake
A line from the South Pass to Marsh Creek, and
through McDougaPs Gap, to the Snake. This is
the direct route of parallel 4So. 1t reaches Great
John Gray's river, main tributary of the Snake,
nv f1On ofn half rOt1a nd c a IN nor