New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-21
PROGRESS IN THE NORTHWEST PROVINCES.

PROGRESS IN THE EORTH-wEsT PROVINCES.
To the Editor Of The Tribune,
SIR: The Narrative of the Red River Ex-
petition of 1870" has just been published by the
BlackwoOds, and the almost nsuperablo dihcutes en-
counered by that expedition showsi 'ononsyely that
very little can be hoped from the Rainy Lake route
I'm the wayof connecting Canada with the northwestern
portions of the Dominion. From Janes's Bay down to
Lake Huron. and from the Winnipeg region to Canada
West tho country north OF Lake Superior is so broken
and difficult to be next to mpassable and, as the
uniusted by the results The true route To the North
west from the Atlantic side of the continents by way of
tho great chain Of Lakes; and 1t has long
been perceived that Lake superior must be the base Of
any railroad which would n, the shortest line across
the continent bring that vast inland territory, north
OF the 43d parallel ana west OF the Mssspp Into per
the conformation OF this territory and closely are all
its parts related TO each other III the way OF climate
soil productions, and water systems, that the Northern
Pacific Railroad, now building westward from Lake Su-
perior just below the boundary line will render the adj
acent British Provinces of the Northwest not less de-
pendent upon IL commercially than those portions or our
own territory which IT raverses The great 0pportun-
and the promising future which, through the agency
Of this enterpi,c are openng before our New Hort
cal or geographical Where the ROAD crosses tne heu
River North ii strikes miles OF river naYiga
nearly the whole of British America Of Lake Supe
rior; and Of its branches, which viii he speedily
border whence it be easily extended to Fort carry
the capital Of " the Winnipeg region" ,-,...
IL already making itself felt while as yet the Eastern
Division Of the main road Is scarcely finished Canada
mas been trying for years To attract immigrants 10 her
Northwest Territory Various inducements we're offered,
but in almost every case those who did not settle IN
Canada proper found Larger advantages in the United
States. Now, however with the definite commencement
of an enterprise which promises to reyoutonize the
condition of affairs the whole Northwest the atrac-
lions these Provinces appear To have gained atten
tiOn and movement Ul population has already set III
toward Manitoba, which promises largely to augment
that River trade. which will be one OF the profitable
sources of the Northern Pacis business The cOnylc
ton among the PTUyncals that new career Is prepar
ing for them Is given expression 70 by Gov Archibald OF
Manitoba in the speech with which he recently closed
the first session of his Legislature. He says: "Great
changes impending In the material circumstances Oh
this country. The arrival In your midst, within few
DAYS, of "a new and webuit steamship constructed in
view these changes and to meet the wants which they
create laden its first voyage TO its utmost capacity
with passengers and freight, heralds the events which
are at hand and closes the history OF your ISOLATION
IL Canada really wishes to relieve the Isolation" OF
her Western Provinces she will act wisely In abandoning
her QuixotC scheme Of an lnteroceanc Railway and
giving hearty encouragement To our Northern Paenc
Road Under the new Treaty she can make good com
mercal use OF its advantages. Yours, L.
hetD- York. June TO- 1871.