New-York tribune., 1872-06-17

connect her with the Atlantic This was eged ny the
Commissioners as a sane qua nOn and reluctantly con-
ceded by the Government Contingenty remote as u
NAV have appeared then under the hands OF shrewd
taotioian like Sir John A. Macdosad, the Washington
Treaty has been manipulated as TO render the build
ing Of the road possible and az some obscure perod
nrobabe of accomplishment The a25OO 600 sterling con-
ceded by the Imperial Government as consideration
for the surrender of Canadian rights TO the Fisheries VIII
undoubtedly be applied to the redemption OF the
obligatton the Dominion made to British Columbia.
Irresrective Of this sudden realization Of things hoped
for the praccabty OF such an undertaking mas iof the
past fifteen years been mooted question that found an
attentive ear in the legislative halls, and ready re-
sponse the shape of appropriations to test It's feas
bity The explorations which were persistenty made
to obtain some positive information as to the sealed
regions held In sacred seclusOn by the Hudson Bay
COMPANY all tended to atter the idea that selisus-
tanning road might be built at some future period
In 1861 Mr. Dawson made elaborate report to the
then Provincial Parliament 10 the result OF an eS-
tended survey covering term of two years. which he
had made under authority of the country Immediately
west and northwest of the old Red River settlement
the lands drained by both branches of the
and its compeer length the Assiniboine, ana It's lo
utaries reports led to other more extended sur
veys all OF which were persstenty opposed oy inc
most influential corporation in England, the Hudson
Bay Company. Hine, Sir william Logan, the Govern
ment geoogst and several minor authorities are TO be
found who give the most promising records as TO the Ia
eutes and advantages Of the line Especially Is en-
found in the recital OF two Engsh gentle
| men-Dr. Cheade and VscOunt Mlton-wh0 consumed
an entire Winter and far into the following spring
in walking over the proposed route from Fort Garry 10
Vancouver Subsequent TO this, the extngmshment OF
the Hudson Bay;Companys title by the Crown, which in
voved consideration to the New Dominion OF mloh
and half dollars the so-caled rebellion OF Rel and MS
followers and the formation of territorial government
and province Of Manitoba, have afforded every facility
to fair and easy estimated as 10 the practbhty OF
| the route and its chances In a competition WIN the
| American proposed lines.
The starting point of the Canadian route is varousy
stated to be either Montreal OF Toronto but as the ecc
ton former would receive the powerful influence
Of the Ottawa people and be backed by line OF ROAD al
ready in process of building called the North shore Is
most probable the first sections will be run up what Is
| known as the Ottawa Valley, extending from Ottawa
City TO the French River Lake.HurOn OF this portion
Of the route II 10 believe the reports OF the
Hon. William MacdOugal, the ex-Commssioner OF Crown
Lands nothing verylencouragng can be expected He'
conformity with staff of provincial land surveyors,
made an expedition up this same valley which he char-
acterzes as sterile mberstripped, re-ravaged, and
wholly uncultvable land; he went so far as 10 assev-
crate with emphasis that there are not two acres oil good
land in the region Along the shores of Lake Taniscam-
ngue those Of Taminstaqua, he makes just eXcep
ton but the line of the road dverge to strike the
latter Thelne debouches the north shore OF Lake
SUPERIOR abouthe 49h parallel and, skrtng the south
ern shore of NipigeOn, intersects the weRnoWn and
obstructive region of Rainy Lake. making, with slight
divergence a due course TO Fort Garry. This north
shore section is rich to unknown extent in valuable
ores copper and silver having been discovered and
worked, while along portion OF the route nara Woou
| land is reported,tO exist.
Fort Garry occupies prominent place IN the scheme,
as here this line topped by the Northern Pacific Rail
road and on leaving the wilderness is left behind and
the promised land great fertile belt which Is said 10
be in fertility and richness far superior TO our own
praries is entered. From Fort Garry the road runs
along the banks of the Assnbone to Fort Eice and in
doing touches the margin OF coal beds thence goes
TO Cumberland House and so TO Fort Edmonton, leaving
which enters the dense and almost tmpassabe forests
and mountain passes that constitute the banks OF ie
Columbia, and to ts terminus. Paul Kane the arust
rambed with the Indians through these Wllds lor
MANY years gives about the best idea OF this country
though records OF the Hudson Bay Oncers are repee
information Ii ia difficult TO imagine now, IN tne
face OF such obstacles, railroad could be contemplated
1 After the road leaves Fort Garry II would de
! mend upOn the coal beds for fuel, Tor neltler
the Assinibone the Saskatchewan are heavily
wooded and there but little fuel on the route through
the fertile belt At present the entire region Is occupied
nv the descendants Of the old Sekrk settlers and the
mixed up halfbreeds, with sprlnkng OF Upper cana
djans The halfbeeds beaTa large prep0nderance they
are vain, quarrelsOme huntngOylng people, 10 whom
hard labor is an adherence, that labor would nave 10
he Transported for construction most 'pTObably from
Lower Canada. IL took the Government two years 10
construct wagon road from Fort William 10 Dog Lake,
| a distance of 40 miles, owing 10 the dhculty OF prOcu
ing abor The IntercOOnial Rawa has been six years
already in construction, and is still far from cOnpleOn
II would save the Canadians much they were 10 adopt
tbe suggestion offered by the Northern Pacle ana make
use their branch which Is to be extended up he hed
River 10 Fort Garry, and thus their millions for
some more practicable and profitable scheme Of internal
Improvement