Year: 1873




MONTREAL, Sept. 16, 1879


The Congressional and State delegations left
Burlington, Vt, at six A. NJ, by steam yacht to
Plattsburg, and breakfasted there, where large
number OF leading citizens met them. After
breakfast the party took the cars for Montreal,
where they arrived at one O'Clock. They were
met at the depot by Sir Hugh McLennan President
OF the Board OF Trade and large delegation of city
merchants. Carriages took the entire party TO the
steamboat Bohemian, where she was lying in the st.
Lawrence Canal. While proceeding down the canal
tseven miles long) an international banquet was
partaken OF, after which speeches were delivered,
in the OF which indications were given for the
nrst time by the Transportation Committee of a
policy likely to be recommended. The feeling was
most fraternal and enthusiastic. After dinner q
voyage along Lachine Rapids was taken, to the
great delight OF the large and distinguished COM
pany on board, and the route of proposed canal
pointed out.


SPEECH OF MR. MLENNAN, PRESIDENT OF THE NON


TREAL BOARD OF TRADE.


We are favored at this time with company of
gentlemen who have come on a VISIT We wish to
give them cordial and hearty welcome, and any
time that we may be again so favored it
will delight us to extend welcome to
them. Many OF us have united upon
previous occasions where we have enjoyed their
hospitality, and whenever We have been brought
together we have united in good fellowship. There
are peculiar interests connected with this visit
which should especially make US grant hearty
welcome and cordial reception to guests belong
tng, as they do to q country whose development
has been more rapid than that OF any
other nation in the wOrld-where cities
on the seaboard have increased and grown
mp within one generation from a comparatively
small number to population of 100000 and 300, ooO
and where prairies have been brought into cutiva-
tion There mas been found, however, q disturb
ing element. The yielding OF the praries and
the production OF the soil have increased TO
m extent that has overburdened the arteries Of
communication with the East much SO that it
has been felt In the legislature of the nation that
some new means must be devised whereby these
products may be carried more cneaply to the
markets OF the East. 1t has resulted in the ap-
poin tment of an investigating committee by the
United States Senate. Our committee, worthy OF
the duty that has been entrusted TO them not only
make investigation in their own country
but beyond it. (Applause.) They have come to US
to see what our outlets are. to what extent
they may depend upon US in this our emergency
and how we are likely to develop In that direction
They will ind that while they have developed their
water communication we have likewise been
doing something In the same direction; that while
De Witt Clinton gave them the Erie canal we have
had


by which we have been able in some de-
gree to participate in this great trade OF
iSc psodace IRON the s TO e sea6ord
thought that the development has not been en-
trey our own, owing TO the position in which we
stood. 1t may have been supposed that much his
been done by England to foster CON-
merce. Whatever has been done, by our
mother country 1t has not been in



been our own. We have established dock system
which Is a credit TO the land. Our canal system
has always been OF some considerable magnitude,
and our trade has developed largely. 1t has taken
good while to do It, but we nave at last
OF bushels which represent the amount Of produce
we receive from the United States the result of
twenty-five years OF growth. These are some of
the conditions found to exist with us at the present
tlme and the St. Lawrence route has answered
very good purpose for the development of trade,
and II it win answer their purpose in any degree
they can participate with us, and we invite them
heartily to unite with us. There Is


NO ANTAGONIST IN THIS NATTER.


!! Is an interest for the development OF this coun
try as a whole. What will answer the pro-
ducer in the Western country ana the consumer
III Europe VIII answer our purpose carriers. We
have oeen less favored in soil and climate than oar
neignoors , on the other side; but that law of
overlooked. II we have not got the soil and tue
climate we have the water We are glad to say
there IL an enlargement OF the Weland Canal: and
the improvement Of our canal system is TO be i'm.
mediately undertaken. We have reached in twenty.
business $4,000 600 has bean tS Deea ns apee
deal. We have divided II iudlciously The West
Will, hope, realize in the new investigation the
extent 10 which we have utilized our power and


hope IL Will be for the best interest OF the whole
Therefore In behalf OF the Corn Exchange and the
Board OF Trade Of Montreal | propose a hearty
welcome and q toast to the Committee on Trans.
portation.


SPEECH OF SENATOR WINDOW


Senator Window, alter complimentary allu
sion to the kindness Of his Canadian neiehbors
sald:-I appreciate fully the greatness OF our
neighbors on this side OF the st. Lawrence, as well
~ the position or my own countrymen. If ] am
not mistaken In the figures you entered upon
TINS grand work OF improving Niagara and
St Lawrence rivers and building canal when
than two millions per annum. As read that item
OF your history ielt that II was something OF
which you could well be proud. The country that
felt confident OF It's strength and future and OF
the enterprise and power or its people as
10 be willing to enter upon an Improvement
q people that may well calculate upon any I'M
provements in the future. And so far as we at the
West feel interested we may look forward With the
utmost confidence that when you promise US lp
creased falicities for the transfer OF grain they VIII
be given. Now want TO say mot speaking for the
committee, but for myself that there Is


NO OCCASION FOR THE SLIGHTEST JEALOUSY.
Hailing myself rom the interior OF the Continent,
where Tor some years past and during the time
our farmers have been compelled to burn their
corn lor fuel Tor want or cheap transportation,
am reJoiced when see any outlet or opening way
TO the ocean. whether 1t be to Northern or South
ern Atlantic or any other direction. IL we
can let our over1owing gfanartes pour them
selves INTO the hands Of those suffering from want
o. u III other countries, am glad to see our acil
OF Montreal, that you have taken this matter In
band, because / bclieye IL will result In the