New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-11
vRom HAEuFAx TO QUEBEC.

FROM HALIFAX 10 QUEBEC,
Ii is about twenty three years since the
opening of Transatlantic STANDARDIZATION be-
tween this continent and Europe, and on its
complete establishment the British Government
directed its attention to the subject of the
best method Of opening communication be.
tween Halifax and Quebec. 1t was decided
tina. a railroad was the most feasible mode,
aud 80 important was il even then held that
some communication should be established, that
a survey was ordered in 1876. Two years later
this survey was completed, and early in lo49
report was made to Parliament in favor OF
building tho road, Nothing more was done,
however, till 1851, when the Colonial Minister,
Lord Grey, pledged either the imperial guar
anty, or to advance the money from tho British
Treasury, on an estimate that the line would
cost only G5OOO,0OO sterling, or about
S25, 900, 900. The next year this pledge was
renewed by the new Ministry, but the Govern.
ment was not called upon to redeem it.
because, it is said. there was some difference
on the question Of route. But the offer oil
G5, 200, 900 may have had something to do
with tho neglect, as that sum would seem TO
be hardly sufficient, even on tho American
estimate Of cost per mile, 10 build and equip
such a road on any practicable route lying
wholly within the British ProYinces-a proVis-
ion which if disregarded would make the road
altogether useless. The pledge, however, has
never been withdrawn, and since that time
Canada has built ia miles Of q line from
Quebec toward Halifax; New-Brunswok has
built 10 from Shediac to st. John, and
Nova. Scotia 60 miles from Halifax TO Truro,
making altogether $50 miles Of the distance,
leaving only $50 miles to DO built. That it is
estimated, can DO done for 100000 sterling
Ia 1853 however, the three Provinces asked
for aid Of the Imperial Government. But they
granted to her Majesty 600 900 per annum,
and all the ungrnnted lands for ten mile, each
side Of the proposed road, and free right of
way through all private property. provided the
Government would complete the road, either on
its own account or by private company, and
tho Government was asked to pay 100000 per
annum for tho carriage of mails. military
stores and troop: between Quebec and Hall
fax, it being beloved that with such aid and
the grant guaranteed for Il series OF years the
requisite capital can DO raised 10 complete the
road Within the last year the prayer from
tho three Provinces TO tho parent Government
for aid has been renewed, and the executive
power of each Province has resolved to urge
upon their respective Legislatures to renew to
her Majesty tho offer of 100000, the grant of
land, and tho right of way made in 1853 pro
vided her Majesty's Government viii complete
the road or procure its completion by a private
company. A strong influence is brought to
bear upon the subject in England. Petitions
numerOusly signed by merchants, bankers, aud
others in London, Liverpool, Manchester
Glasgow, and Bristol, in favor of the addresses
of the Provinces, were presented to Parliament
in Nay last and in Juno deputation CON-
posed Of twenty-five members of Parliament,
the managers and representatives of British
American Land and Mining Companies, the
Bank Of British North America, and other
bodies, had conference with the Duke Of
Newcastle, with which they expressed them.
selves entirely satisfied
Thus the case stands at present, but it is
evident that attention is fully awakened, both
in the Provinces and in Great Britain, to the
Importance of this road. Now the Canadas are
cut OF from oil communication with tho mother
country except through the United States, for
half the year. This state of things requires
the keeping Of considerable body of troops in
Canada, the expense Of which might BIO saved
il there was open communication within ten
days. at all times. with England; while, after
all, the expensive establishment now kept there
would really be Of little avail in case of the
breaking out of hostties, on this side the
ocean, in the Winter season. And il is main
tanned that such q road would be of immense
commercial advantage to the Provinces, giving
them 400 miles Of continuous railroad, which
would eventually DO carried through to the Pa
cillc; opening new lands and new inducements
to immigration; binding its Provinces together;
knitting them anew to the parent Government;
and rendering them entirely Independent, by
their easy communication with England, of the
United States. We certainly do not think its
importance ia over. estimated nor will its sue.
cess DO without some grave consequences to
the people of this country. especially to those
Of tho State Of Maine