The New York herald., 1879-10-29
A CANADIAN In THE NORTHWEST.


HERALD reporter he said that he had just returned
from trip to Minnesota and Manitoba.
~ descended the Red River Valley" said he 'pass-
ing through the northern part Of Minnesota and
through Manitoba as far north of the international
boundary line as Selkrk. the point where the Cana
dian Pacific Railway crosses the Red River. / also
travelled westward through Manitoba. from the city
Of Winnipeg. following the regular road up
the valley of the Assnaboine River almost
to the western boundary OF the Province.
The valley of the Red River is the finest country
that ever travelled over in my life. all the way
from point eighty miles north Of st. Paul to
Winnipeg. distance of some ive hundred miles,
four-hfths of which lies in northern Minnesota.
From the Red River westward for about forty miles
the land is excellent but requires drainage; west or
that the soil is of unrivalled fertility.
''Is not the valley of the Red River frequently
flooded by the spring freshets?"
..That do not know anything about All can
say is that saw nothing in Minnesota or Manitoba
that would excite suspicion in my mind that either
country was not good one to settle in-nothing
that would prevent me. if were an emigrant seek
ing for home. from locating there"
THE SETTLEMENT THE COUNTRY.
s.Is the settlement of the country advancing
rapidlyY'
..Yes, very rapidly in Northern Minnesota. be-
cause of the railway facilities there and the speed
with which new roads are constructed and opened
for trafic. The railway from St. Paul to Winnipeg
passes for four hundred odd miles through fertile
prairie ft for the plough. 1t is no unusual cir
cumstance to traverse largo tract OF country where
three years ago there not an inhabitant and to
numerous teams at work breaking up the prairie
sod."
'Is tho settlement of tho country advancing as
rapidly north of the boundary line as in Mime.
sotaY'
II think not. Manitoba is moro remote than
Minnesota, and 1t is difficult expensive for
emigrants to get there. Besides that. the American
railway companies, with sharp eye to business
endeavor to intercept many of them they can
aud get them to settle in Minnesota. Very
frequently they succeed in persuading emi
grants route to Manitoba to settle on their
own lands instead. Another reason has been the
terms of settlement, which until lately have not been
favorable in Manitoba in Northern Minnesota
and Dakota, South of the boundary line settler
receives grant of 100 of land and has tho right
to pre-empt equal quantity. while in Manitoba
only half as much was gwen. The Canadian govern
irent by recent order in council has reinedied that
by making the terms Of settlement in Manitoba
favorable they are in the adjoining State and Ter
ritory. II the Canadian railways were vigorously
pushed forward the settlement Of Manitoba would
increase with great rapidity.
'Did you visit the Indian country"
mo; did not go so far west as the Indian coun-
try; but saw some of the Sioux in Western Mani
topa engaged in agricultural pursuits"
Eyes; peacoable, active and industrious. That is
the character that their employers of them.
At Portage La Prairie saw Sioux ut work between
the handles OF plough. His employer told me he
had turned over two acres of land day with
ordinary plough. He paid this Indian $15 month.
with board
SITTING BULLS BAND.
"Has there been any difficulty with Sitting Bulls
bandY'
"None whatever. The Indians understand that
the Canadian government will treat them fairly, but
that they Will not allow them to violate tho laws or
Tho 1lfrV far nvpplf on Nf unyk kind hru
far the policy Of toward the Indians
has been successful In no case have the lands which
they claimed been taken from them without their
icousent. They have been taken under treaty and
our government have religiously fulfilled every
OF their treaty obligations"
"rhere were some reports recently of Indian
troubles in the Northwest We're tlese troubles
serious?'
.As far as can learn there was no foundation for
such reports. There was some little delay at one OF
the stations IN the distribution of food; but there
was no difficulty OF any moment"
To what do you attribute the peaceable disposi-
tion of the IndiansY
ro the strict observance of our treaty obligations
and to the tact that they less interfered with by
white men than the tribes south of the boundary
line. They have pcrfe.t confidence in the Canadian
government. and the government endeavors to en-
force through its agents strict and honest fulfil
ment of all it's treaty engagements"
"Dd you visit the coa fields of Manitoba?'
"No; but saw very good specimens from the
bed recently discovered at Pembina Mountain.
about one hundred miles from Winnipeg. rail-
way company has been organized to build road
from Winnipeg to tho coalheds, and the work of
The Canadian Pacific Railway viii run south of
Lake Manitoba. and not only pass through the mag
nifcent country at Portage La Prairie but will also
run through the coalfelds which see by
late despatch to the HERALD have been discovered in
tho Assinaboine Valley. There will be no lack of
are developed
What Is the principal production of the Red
"wheat Of the finest quality known northern
flint wheat 1t is worth III the Chicago market seven
to eight cents more than wheat grown i'll the South
arn urdA 1la SfafA 10 WArfh huf rfatfn Ia
Prairie about fifty cents bushel. while at the
boundary line 1t was selling when was there at
about eighty. The difference i'll price Is caused by
the absence OF railroads in Manitoba and the
Quent high cost of transportation"
els any portion OF the Pacific Railway open for
Eyes. the pembina branch, which connects the st.
Paul and Pacific with the main line of the Canadian
Pacific Railway, but 1t is in anything but good
condition. From st. Boniface eastward. on the main
line OF the Pacific Railway. for 40
miles, though the road is not actually open tor traffic
yet"
'Have any explorations been made with view of
asccrtaining the extent OF water communication by
the rivers amt lakes OF tho Northwestg'
Eyes, and something more has bocn done. Light
draught steamers arc actually running about six
drcd miles up the Saskatchewan. With very slight
outlay the Saskatchewan could be IN ide navigable
for 200 miles There are steamers upon Lake Win
nipcg and Red River. of course"
THE CANADIAN TARIFF.
'What has been the effect of your now tariff p
lit has not been in operation long enough to
produce any very decided results but the protection
which 1T affords TO our Industries ls already becon-
ing apparent in the building of manufactures in
midst. In other words instead of being mere
market for the manufacturers of the United States,
Canada now affords field in which they safely
invest their capital. What we desire is to attract
American genius, capital and enterprise to our coun-
try--to furnish employment for our people ut homo
instead of letting them go abroad to seek it,
"Was not tho tariff designed as retaliatory
measure against tho United StatesY'
mot ut all. 1t was designed u remedial measure.
Since the repeal of the Reciprocity Treaty in 1865
We have repeatedly tried to get renewal of 1t or
new treaty with tie United States. but without sue
coss. American manufacturers made Canada n
slaughter market for their surplus productions and
crushing the life out OF infant industries.
protective tariff. therefore. became matter OF
sef-preservation to Canada. The object was not to
rcalate against the United states, but to save our
own industries from being ruined"
'What IN the effect OF tho now tariff on importa-
lions from Great Britainy'
1.-THE effect must necessarily bo to diminish the
value of importations from Great Britain well
the United States and lead to home production"
ain frnininn tho fnriH did vou .nt liacrirlinntn