, 1878-05-03
MORE ABOUT ALASk 4.
W Int Our Cosetous british NrighbOrs
Think.

| We quote the following from the
last issue of the Victoria weekly
"Standard." 1t is from the proceed.
! lings of the House of Commons, and
shows that the ideas we have hereto.
fore expressed relative to Alaska's
real value are endorsed and shared
by others to whose opinions great
deal of weight must be attached
Mr.. DeCosmos moved tor copy of the
report, with accompanying map, of the
engineer who was employed last year in
determining the probable boundary line
between British Columbia and Alaska, and
also copy of his Instructions, with acopl
of the treaty or convention between Great
Britain and Russia respecting the said
boundary. He said ! G considers that hi,
information ought to be placed in the Ses-
sional Papers. to give every Hon. Men,
bcr of this House q clear idea OF our rt
tiOn with the United States, so far rs l.lc
boundary line of Alaska was concerned.
1t was necessary that this boundary should
lie defined, to prevent conflict in the
civil and criminal jurisdiction of the two
countries. There was at this moment a
great excitement IN British Columbia with
respect To mining, and valuable quartz
lodeS had been fonnd on the Alaska side OF
the boundary. IT, at any tue hereafter,
quartz lodeS were found near the supposed
boundary, it might create more or less cX-
cltcmcnt Of IN unpleasant character be-
tween the two countries. 1t was neceS-
Sary that, IN connection with the bound
AIRY, on the Stickecn River more particu
larry, an arrangement should be made be-
| tween the two Governments TO determine
a certain point as the limit of their rcsprc-
tive Jurisdictions. He was assured that
at thc American town Of Wrangel, situated
opposite the mouth Of the Stirkren River,
IN Alaska, sales We're made to men en-
plovcd on the British side Of the Stickeen
during the year. TO the amount. in round
numbers. OF 100000 worth of merclan-
die. When lr drew the attention OF the
| Government. and especially OF the Hon.
the Minister of Customs the other day, to
the duties paid at Stickeen, it was with
the view Of ascertaiEing whether some
evidence could be Obtained to COrrObOratc
the statement made TO him by steamboat
captains aS TO the trade on the Stickeen.
BY the nOn-detinition of the boundary, !
even temporarily, by the two Govern
mcnts this trade was thrown into Amer- |
can hands instead OF into British Colun-
bla hands. lie was assured that. If the |
boundary proposed by Mr.. Hunter, who |
was sent there by the Government last year
were adopted, and a Custom House sta
tiOn placed there, Canadian steamships |
would proceed there. and the miners who
visited them during the winter season.
would make their headquarters on the
British side of the line. As the matter
was now, they were eally contributing to
buiNd up the American side and to the sup
port OF American steamers passing from
Portland to Alaska and carrying Oregon
produce Instead OF British steamers which
might pass the mouth OF the Stickeen into
British Columbian territory. He hoped
the Government would bring down MIR.
Hunters report and maps, and any addi-
tionaI information, which would show the
the outline OF Alaska IN front of British
territory, the inland included.
Mr.. Bunstcr. in rising to second this
motion, said it would have afforded him
much greater pleasure il the motion had
been for the purchase OF Alaska. Hon.
gentlemen might laugh, but looking ut
the matter from national point OF view.
!c fully meant what lie said from his
knowledge of the country, that the terri
tory of Alaska possessed II more genial
L innate than Ottawa. notwithstanding It's
latitude, while its natural resources and
capabilities were more valuable thar peO-
pie had any idea OF. As early as the
months of January and February, garden
ing operations were commenced. He
questioned very much ifthey coud do that
IN Ottawa. Vegetation was rapid during
the Summer season, but Inc must acknOw-
ledge not so rapid as here at the Capital
When Hon. Members Of this House sneered
at Alaska, he had Il right to speak from
his own personal knowledge, and tell
them they We're mistaken; and the dny
was not Tar distant when, from the geo
glaphlcal position oil this COnntry, they
would see the force Of his remarks Oh this
subject. They could not but recognize the
great fact, that British Columbia was the
centre OF the British Empire. between
Australia, Europe and Canada Hence
he felt that the province occupied a proud
position: and that it was the duty OF every
British Columbian to keep his fellow
COuntrymen here well informed on British
Columbia. He remembered when Sir
John A. Macdonald brought British Co
lumbia into the Union, much to her detri-
ment, because the contract was not car
ried out, that it was considered foolish
bargain, but to-day the Americans tclt
proud Of their Alaska bargain. Seven
millions in cash were paid for that, but
not not dollar was paid for British Co
lumbia Let the House contrast the diff
ference aud see what mistake Canada
made during the Crmean war, in not lay
ing hold of the country. The lease Of
Alaska was more than enongb to pay one
million dollars annually. 1t was the best
Investment the United States mad ever
,nntln