The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-25
The land 10 the North of Us,

Few of our citizens know or think of the
existence to the northwest of the United States
of a great expanse of fertile territory, de-
voted at present to the buffalo and beaver,
and owned by the famous Hudson Bay Fur
Company. From it all are excluded emigra-
tion is not allowed, settlers are driven of,
and the wilderness preserved. Hence it is
only natural that popular attention should
not be generally turned towards it. But the
thinking minds Of the country, the sagacious
statesmen and anticipators of the future
necessities Of our nation, are already looking
at this world of nature, and devising means
TO secure its annexation to the United States.
AS the magnitude of the subject is more and
more generally appreciated, the eminent pro-
priety of our securing it will become univer-
sally evident. The tenure on which
the whole Of this land is held is
curious one and is illustrative Of how
slight may be The present foundation of
great future evil. King Charles II gave to
Prince Rupert and number of nOblemen all
the land lying north of a certain line of longi-
tude, on condition that they should give to
him or his successors two beaver skins
whenever he or they should enter the terri
tory. OF course even this rent has never
been paid, for 1t is hardly possible that the
King or Queen of Great Britain should visit
the land in question, unless, indeed, the same
fate should be in store for them as the merry
Charles had himself previously experienced.
British law has decided this grant to be good,
and hence this quarter of a continent has for
two hundred years been deprived of all the ad-
vantages of civilization and, we may add, of
Christianity. Reports, however, which come
to us from time to time, imperfect as they are,
testify to the fertility of the region, and the
curious as well as valuable fact, to which Mr..
COnnell has invited attention, that in that
latitude the deep snow storms which render
SO dangerous the success of winter travel over
the Pacific Railroads, do not exist, and for the
entire year the roads are open. This alone is
sufficient to make us covet this region, and to
envy the bears and beavers their homes.
It's subject worthy of craftsmanship whe-
ther it will not pay the United States to secure
possession of the territory and turn it into
land of civilization. 1t is not a cold, desolate
region. 1t is fertile, well watered, and healthy,
and could be made the residence of millions of
happy people. Shall this vast land, SO near
us, and to which we have title, be kept dead
and torpid because Charles IL exhibited his
after dinner jollity by giving it to his boon
companions? We think not. The destiny of
the United States is to govern that country,
and the present is an opportunity for success.
We have claims against England which are
being eaten up through the cuisine of Lord
Stanleys and Mr.. Laird's cooks and which
will, we fear, be frittered away in an inter-
change of elegant compliments. Let the
United States offer to assume these claims,
and receive as reoompense the lands of the
Hudson Bay Fur Company. This is feasible,
and, If properly put before the Cabinet Of
Great Britain by the Cabinet of President
Grant, would receive attention and probable
assent. The land to England is wilderness--
to us, with Alaska on one side and Oregon on
the other, it will complete the connection OF
all eur possessions and aid the great march OF
our national improvements.