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)~3i^-^ /Vl

SKETCH OF THE PROPOSED LINE

OVERLAND RAILROAD

THROUGH ■»

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

ALFRED WADDINGTON.

■^'HBRE THERE IS A WILL THERE 18 A WAY.

LONDON :
LONGMANS, GREEN, READER, AND DYER.

1869.

Price One Shilling.

O o

p <^^-

SKETCH OF THE PROPOSED LINE

OVERLAND RAILROAD

THROUGH

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

ALFRED WADDINGTONT.

WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE 18 A WAY.

i ' ir

LONDON :
LONGMANS, GEEEN, READER, AND DYER.

1869.

**^«4^

PREFACE.

Tn my pamphlet of September last, on a proposed " Overland Ptoute
through British North America," I merely showed the general prac-
ticability of such a route, without entering into details which would
have been tir(v-,.>me to the general reader. The pamphlet has had a
Avider circulation than I expected ; and as doubts have been raised
on several points, more especially as regards the direct line of railroad
to the north of Lake Superior, my friends have urged me to answer
them. Tiiis I cannot do better than by the following more detailed
description of the road, which will serve as a supplement to the
pamphlet. With the few elements at my disposal, such an abridged
•sketch must necessarily be very imperfect, if not occasionally incor-
rect ; but it is the fii-st attempt yet published, and as such will, I
trust, be found useful by those who take an interest in this gi-and
scheme, and their number is daily increasuig.

The discovery of a practicable route through the mountains of
British Columbia was naturally the first step towards opening au
Overland communication. I have already explained how that difti-
culty was overcome ; and now that the Hudson's Bay Comi-any have
accepted the proposal made to them by Lord Granville for the
surrender of the ^orth-West territory, another obstacle, hitherto
considered as next to insurmountable, has also been removed.
The speedy accomplishment of this important measure, owing chiefly
to the untiring efforts of the Canadian delegates and the g(jod sen^o
and energy of Lord Granville, ca^ but encourage the writer to fresh
perseverance in his efforts. The difficulties still to be grappled with
are great, it is true, but the worst, it is believed, have now been
surmounted. The future of the Dominion, the development of its
great resources, and the consolidation of its power depend on the
opening up of a communication between Canada and the Pacific
through the Red Riv r settlement and the Fertile Belt. Thece will
therefore now be quickly thrown open ; the general confederation of
British North America will naturally follow ; and the lately so-called

impossible project of an Overland Railroad (which, when accomplished,
will make Canada the cmponum of tho trade of Europe with China
and Japan) may be looked upon ere long as a simple question of
pounds, shillinp;s, and pence. I am aware that the sum required
(thirty-two millions, including interest till the road becomes self-
pay in<i) appears at first sight something enormous; but the apphca-
tions to Parliament this session for Bills relating to railroads in the
United Kingdom alone (where any new line of railroad seems almost
impossible) amount to more than sixteen millions, or over half that
sum, with the chance of much smaller returns. With the enlightened
assistance of the Canadian Government by liberal grants of land, and
a properly guarded system of guarantee, by means of which the
credit of the Dominion might in the first instance be made avaihiblc
— especially if indorsed by tho Home Government ; subscription lists
to the above amount could be easily covered. The Government
guarantees in India amounted, April 1st, 1867, to a much larger
sum, £67,254,802, and they have been a complete success, as every-
body in financial circles is aware of. Besides, by providing for the
payment of the interest, the above guarantee would bo rendered
almost nominal.*

The Central Pacific railroad across tho American Continent has
just been opened. Its professed purpose is to transfer the trade of
the Old to the New AVorld (see Appendix D); and when the com-
mercial fate of England is trembling in the balance, the urgent
necessity of a rival route of our own, independent of foreign regula-
tions or tariffs, can no longer be disguised, or the question lightly post-
poned. What the Avriter has so long been striving to forward will
soon become the question of the day; and if, as some pretend, English-
men can only act vigorously when fairly aroused, that day may not
be far distant — when we shall set to work in good earnest to carry out
this truly great and national undertaking and make up for lost time.

ALFRED WADDINGTON.

TavistocJi Hotel, Covevt Garden,
May 25th, 1869.

»/'■/ /It - >

* For further {"etails as to the probable traffic and returns of the proposed
railroad, see " Overland Route through British North America," by the
•writer. Longmans and Co., Paternoster Eow, 1868. Price One Shilhng,
with Coloured Map.

SKETCH OF THE
PROPOSED LINE OF OVERLAND RAILROAD

THROUGH

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,

From Ottawa to Fort Garry, and thence to the Yellow Head Pass and

Bute Inlet.

"WHEEB THEKB IS A WILL THEKE 18 A WAY."

OTTAWA TO FORT GAERY.

A LINE of railroad from Ottawa to Fort Garry must necessarily bo
drawn so as to avoid the mountainous region extending fro»n 20 to
30 niiles north of Lake Superior, which is altogether unsuitable for
a railroad ; and as the valley of the Ottawa offers a nearly straight
line and every facility for this purpose, it will naturally be the one
followed. /> Starting therefore from Ottawa, the road would run by
yc^rrj, Arnprior, on the Madawaska, to Sandpoint, the present terminus
y vPfJ^^^^ the Brockville and Ottawa railway, 6 or 7 miles beyond ; and then,
' y '^^ crossing Bonnechere river, to Pembroke, the proposed future ter-
/C"^* y^ minus, some 40 miles further on and 100 miles from Ottawa. A
//^'*'^f^^^'^\itilQ above Pembroke the road would cross Indian river, and 10
^- - ^^^^^ further on the Petowawa, rather a large stream. The ground,
/;//7^/%v^c;^^owever along the Ottawa from Pembroke to the Mattawan river,
//3yf- though favourable, is generally poor ; and better land for settlement
oS-rrf^ would be traversed, without any great inconvenience, by taking the
/fci -/^^- liiie more to the west. At the Mattawan the best ground both for
the road and for settlement would be found by passing near the head
of that river. From this point it would run in a direct line for 85
miles (in the course of which it would cross several small tributaries)
to the mouth of the Montreal river, where the latter falls into Temis-
caming Lake, an expansion of the Ottawa, in long. 79° 30', lat. 47° 07'.
Total distance from Ottawa through a country well-known and pre-
senting no serious obstacle.

MILES.

I? .

285

y />/rrr/ft "^ ^^" mouth ot the Montreal, the hue would run north- west-

iv/// o-f wardly along the-'^Montreal valley, by a du-ect and very favourable
^^ /' course, and over a flat country mostly suitable for settlement, to the

northern angle or elbow of tha'; river, whioh i t would er ooo in lat. 48°

Distance

Here the road would pass the watershed of the Lawrentides at

Miles

384

PROPOSED OVERLAND RAILROAD

Over ...
'S^ ^ A the low lovol of about 830 feet above the eca, and enter on tl>o level

384

^ ,. N clay country, tliat extends north of the tributaries of the Ottawa,

jCV^v, which rise in the Lawrer'Ian formation, to Hudson's Hay; and for

)n; seveml hundred ndles west, to the Lawrentian height of land be-

■u ^ "^ -tw(ien Lake Superior and Lake Winipog. This vast extent of
Ny *» entirely arable land, of a clayey, stubborn nature, but found to bo
?V ^ ^ capable of improvement and productive, since wheat is successfully
'^> 'V'^ grown at New llrunswick House, in lat. 40" 08', 45 miU's north
^ "^ V "^^ ^^^^ i>roposed line, whilst the lino of limit to wheat cultivation
i Jrnns still further north, olfoia a more favourable lino for the con-

^^If

N: .^

struction of a railroad, and at the same tini(! a country more fit for
^ .^ .settlement, than that to the south, which lies in the Lawrentian for-
s \ ^. mation, and is generally poor, sandy and rocky. The road would
;^ <^ ^ therefore now be carried a little to the north of the direct lino, through
\N , ^^.J^ this clay country, which it would traverse for nearly 250 miles.
^ ^ ^ IJeginning with a W.N.W. course along its southern limit,
and crossing the Waratowaha or south branch of the Abbitibbi at
the end of about 20 miles, it would reach long. 83° near the head of
Carp Lake on the south branch of Moose River ; 90 miles north of
its source, whence it Hows towards Hudson's I'ay, and about 60
miles north of the termination of the line surveyed by i). Sinclair in
1807. Distance with the sinuosities*

From Carp liake the road would continue W.y.W. through a
country comparatively low, to the north-end of Minisabe Lake,
(long. 83° 50') on Moose Eiver,t and thence, passing some 12 miles
to the south of Cross Lake, to the 85th meridian, a little north of
49° lat. ; whence the road would run nearly due west to 86° long.
The absence of further details must be attrioutod to the little knuw-
ledge we have of the country through which this portion of the line
would pass. Total distance, allowing for sinuosities

The road will now have re-entered the ba«in of the St.
Lawrence, (the country becoming more difficult and undulating) and
continuing a due west course for about 12 miles, cross first a branch
of the Pie River, and then the river itself flowing through a rich
valley from 1 to 3 miles wide towards Lake Superior

From thifi point the road would run for the next 8 miles, with an
average elevation of 200 feet or more above Lake Superior, along the
hilly undulations forming the northern slope of the mountains which
border the Lake, and which extend here from 20 to 30 miles north
of it.

Between Pie River and the foot of Long Lake in long. 87° 04', it
would cross at the end of 14 miles the valley of the Little Pie about
2 miles wide, and composed of rich, clayey soil, which extends round

Miles ... ...

112

155

GG3

* Most of the foregoing details are taken from Al. Russell's valuable «rork en the
Hudson's Bay Territories.

t The latitudes and longitudes must here be considered as approximate.

TliriOUOn BRITISH NdUTU AMKIIICA.

Ovor

CG3

White Fish Lake, a tributary further on. ra-sslng to tho north of
this lakci, it wouhl then cross at thu end of 10 miles a small stream,
called Steel river, the whole of the intervening country, with tho
above exceptions, being rugged and swampy. Long Lake is from ono
to three miles wi(l.), and stretches 1)0 miles north. It forms a branch
of the Albany, which Hows into Hudson's Bay, and takes its rise in
Owl Lake, only six miles from Luke Superior. Tho roal would
(loss this stream at tho foot of tho lake, 22 miles N. of Lake
Superior. Uistanco from I*io river

The lino would now run 18" N. of W. for 25 miles to the north
end of Wintering Lake, on Pays Plat rivir, and thence Ib^ N, of
W. to th.) 88th W, long., lat. 49° 15'; tho whole over rocky, undu-
lating ground, but with some intervening valleys of good soil, lu
tho course of this distance it would cross the Black, Pays plat,
(i ravel, and Cypress rivers, all rapid and inconsiderable streams
lalling into Lake Superior. Distance

Hero tho road again changes direction, and forming an obtuse angle,
would turn some 15° S. of W., and enter on good, level, low land;
crossing a small stn^am called the Jackfish at the end of 8 miles,
and avoiding a range of granite and trap-rock hills, 800 to 1,000
feet high to the north, between the proposed line and Lake Neepigon.
It would then continue through a level tract of good loamy soil for
about 17 miles more to the Neepigon. Tliis is the largest river on
the north shore of Lake Superior, to which it flows through the
range of mountains bordering th( T.ake ; and which are here chiefly
composed of amygdaloid rocks and porphyry, containing valuable
copper ore in many places. Distance

Neepigon river would be crossed about 25 miles below the lake offs>.
that name, at an elevation probably of not more than 100 feet above ' ,, „
Lake Superior, itself 600 feet above the sea. From this point a Aw v!^ t
branch line to Neepigon Bay would put the railroad in direct com- ^ *^
nmnication with Lake Superior. The distance along tho western
side of the Neepigon valley, composed of excellent soil, woiild be - , ^
17 miles; 4 of which at the mouth of the river forma wj<l'^ and doL'p ^ l^X
channel, leaving only 13 miles of road to be construct a. Apart ^N
from the very important accession of trafl&c, which this would pro- ^s ^
cure to the projected line, the advantages of such a communication
in a public point of view (uniting, as it would, the great steamboat
routes of Lake Superior and the Saskatchewan with Ottawa uninter-
ruptedly all the year round) are self-evident, and very superior to those
of any proposed line from Thunder Bay ; which would not only bo
i olated during the winter, but in order to avoid the Lake of the
Woods, must either pass through American territory, or after coming
within 25 miles of the proposed Overland route at Jourdain's lapid,
have to make a detour of 100 miles or more to the north, from
somewhere near Rainy Lake, in order, after all, to fall into it mn-lh
of \\'hitcfibh Bay. A railway subject to such disadvantages would

25-

;?■

^^'^

14^^

K. rN'

Mil(.'S

PROPOSED OVERLAND RAILROAD

Over ... ... 7G7

be of little or no use, and quite unavailable as a link in the great
Overland communication with the West.

From Neepigon river the road would run a little S. of W. over a
good tract of land to Black Stu^'geon river, lying in a valley com-
posed of excellent soil, and about six miles wide. Here it would
turn W.N.W., passing thvougu a depression between granite hills
1,000 feet high, to the Little Sturgeon, a branch of the lormer, and
4 miles distant. Both of these streams are fed by Lake Neepigon,
400 feet above Lake Superior, and stretching 90 miles north, by G5
wide. Distance 1 i'<

So far the whole line of country traversed after leaving Ottawa is
relatively low, and the variations of level unimportant ; but the road
lias now to cross the height of la^^.d which separates Lake Superior
from Lake Winipeg. Of this, again, little is known, excepting that
the rocks are chiefly granite and gneiss, forming rounded summits or
oblong eminences of little altitude, but transverse to the course of
ti.e road, and separated by inclined narrow valle;ys, or larger ones
occupied by deep lakes ; that the country to be traversed is generally
lower and more even than towards the South ; and chat it is in
many places heavily timbered.

Proceeding from the crossing of the Little Sturgeon some 15°
N. of W., the soil continues for about four miles to consist of a
productive loam. The road would then begin to rise (near long. 89°)
along the side of the valley, the surface soil overlying a soft red
steatitic rock. Then, passing over a tract of rolling, rich, clayey
soil, it would follow a straight line towards the S.E. corner of
Sturgeon Lake, in long. 91°, lat. 49°. 30', until it reached the
head of a smrll lake on a western feeder of Lake Neepigon, which
takes its rise near the watershed, some 25 miles further south-west.
Distance 45

The road would then run hi a westerly direction, following up this
feeder, which it would cross, and afterwards a small affluent, tO
about 5 miles beyond the 90° W. long., where it would reach the
divide, or watershed. Distance 22

The height of land here would probal.ily be somewhat less than
at Jourdain's portage on the Sav .ane river (1,493 feet above the ,
sea), 'ince the above feeder heads some 15 miles S.W. o-' this
point, at a short distance from the stream whicli runs: south towards
Jourdain's rapid, and which is not much longer ; whilst the country
nortiiward is kncwn, as before said, to be generally lower. Assuming
the height to he 1,400 feet, and the distance from the foot of the
ascent to be 60 miles, the rise would be about 650 feet, or less than
1 1 feet to the mile.

The road would now cross over to and follow an affluent running : --
from the E.S.E. to tlie southernmost point of Sturgeon Lake.
Distance 40

It would then follow the south-western shore of this lake for 1 5 miles. 1 5

}lil

90.")

THROUGH BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 9

Over 905

Continuing a little K of W., it would cross from Sturgeon Lake
to a bend in Canoe Eiver, an affluent of Lac Seul, distant 35 miles,
on the Canoe route from Fort Frances, and, crossing it, follow it
down to the S.E. corner of the Lake, some 12 miles. In all 47

From Lac Seul the ground is generally considered to be lower,
and though rough, and embarrassed witli numerous lakes, to present
no important obstacle. The road would run along the southern
shore of this lake for 1 1 miles, and then crossing an affluent called
Whitetish river, run up the valley a little S. of W. for 18 miles,
followiog the north bhore of a lake at the head of itj and then a
straight line slightly N. of W. (in all about 57 miles) to the north
end of White Fish Bay, 978 feet above the sea. Total distance 86

Crossing an affluent from the North, the road would follow the
north-western side of this bay for some distance, and then strike
nearly due- west over a broken sterile tract of country to the Winipeg.
This river, which is of large volume, about eqiial to the Rhine, would
be crossed at the "Dalles," 958 feet above the sea. Distance 48

From the Dalles the road vould pass a little N. of W. over
easier gi'ound to the foot of Falcon Lake on Labarriere river. 24

It would then run in :. straight line due west to Fort Garry
passing a little to the south of the Fork of White Moath river. About
5 miles beyond this, or 38 miles from Labarriere river, the road
would leave the Lawrentides and enter on the Silurian formation,
which extends to Fort Garry, and forms here the beginning of the
great plain which stretches westward as far as the Eocky Mountains.
It would now run over unusually level and favourable ground for
52 miles ; passing over several small branches of the Broken Head, a
small rivulet called (merman Creek, and, finally, across Red river,
(100 to 150 yards wide) to Fort Garry, a little below the con-
fluence of the Assiniboine,Distance in all, 90

Total distance from Ottawa

Miles 1200

PLAIN OF THE SASKATCHEWAN.

The roilroad, as before said, will now have entered on the Great
Plain, which further west takes the name of the Saskatchewan ;
passing through Fort Garry and the Fertile Belt in its whole length,
to the foot of the Leather or Yellow Head Pass (lat. 53° 12') in the
Rocky Mountains. This plain rises in successive benches, gradually
but almost imperceptibly, from Fort Garry (647 feet above the sea)
to the foot of the Rocky Mountains, where it attains o height of
over 3,000 feet ; notwithstanding which, wheat is successfully grown
at Fort Edmonton in lat. 53° 32', 2,728 feet above the sea. It
presents the easiest ground in the world for the construction of a

PROPOSED OVERLAND RAILROAD

railway, and, th-jrefore, only requires a general indication of tie line
the proposed road wouUl follow.

Starting from Fort Garry, this would be through the Red River
Settlement ; first nearly due west for 6 miles along the north side
of the Assiniboine to Sturgeon Creek ; then slightly N. of W. for
5 miles, and afterwards N.W. over another small creek to Lane's
Post, 10 miles, and to Long Lake 8 miles beyond ; the whole over
level, open, and beautiful prairie ground. From Long Lake the road
would follow the Assiniboine in a south-westerly direction for 26
miles more, to the village at " Prairie Portage," forming the western
boundary of the settlement, in long. 98° 30', lat. 50° N. The
vt^hole of this portion of road from Fort Garry lies in the Devonian
formation. Total distance 55

A straight line from Prairie Portage (or possibly from Long Lake
26 miles back) to the foot of the Yellow Head Pass, a few miles
N. of Jasper's House, would carry the road along the border of the
more arid and treeless plains towards the south, instead of passing
through the "true prairie land"' called the Fertile Belt. In order
to do this, the road would have to follow a west-north-westerly
course (which would not lengthen it materially) to the mouth of a
small tributary of Rapid river, at the foot of the Riding Mountains,
in long. 1)9° 45', lat. 50° 30' ; and thence run a degree or two more to
the north in a straight line to the North Saskatchewan, some 18 miles
above the Bend, and near the confluence of a small affluent from the
iagle Hills, in long. 107° 15'. The railroad would thus connect
with ihat noble stream near the middle of its course, and consequently
with the vast tracts of country which it traverses, both above and below ;
at the same time that it would oj)en up the very richest ground on
this side the Assiniboine, and run nearly the whole way through
ti)e Fertile Belt beyond.

Following this line from Prairie Portage, the road would cross at
the end of 5 miles a small stream, called Rat river, running north to
Lake Manitouba. It would then run W.N.W. along the valley of
White M ud river, through a country of prairie lands of the richest
description, thickly interspersed with woods, to a tributary in
long. 98° 40', where the valley takes a more westerly direction ; and
crossing the ri /er, continue <lue west over several insignificant streams
fr;mi the southern foot oi the Riding Mountains, to the N.E elbow of
Rapid river in long. 99° 30' ; a stream about 50 feet wide, which here
turns abruptly to the S.W. A little befcre reaching this, the road
will have left the Devonian and entered on the Cretaceous formation
which (more or less covered with superficial deposits) extends to the
foot of the Rocky Mountains. Crossing Rapid river near the Bend,
the road would then follow the south side of the valley for about
1 2 miles to the tributary in long. 99° 45', where the line changes
direction. Distance from Prairie Portage 80

Turning very slightly northward, the road would continue to

Miles .,

. l.lo

THROUGH BRITISH NORTH AiiERICA. 11

Over 135

follow the rich fertile valley of Rapid river in a line nearly parallel to
the Ridinj::^ Mountains, for about 30 miles more, and then cross the
head of Oak river, 10 miles further on. After this, it would cross con-
secutively two branches of Arrow river, and the sources of Pine
Creek, Bird Tail Creek, and another ; all rising; in the Riding Moun-
tains (about 1,000 leet above tiie plain), to the north-east. It would
then cross Shell river, flowing from a valley further north, and.
distant about 40 miles from Oak river ; then another affluent of the
Assiniboine, and finally cross the latte.' in lat. 5P, halfway between
Fort Ellice and Fort Pelly. Total distance, through a country com-
posed of a rich, sandy loam, sinuosities included, 110

The Assiniboine Hows here in a valley about a mile wide, 150 feet
below the plain. Leaving the valley, the road would enter on a rich,
park-like country, similar to that previously traversed, interspersed
with small lakes, and partially wooded ; and crossing the head of a
tributary of Calling river, reach at the end of about 40 miles a small
stream flowing to the north, called Little White Sand river ; 3 or 4
miles to the north of Leech Lake on the Big Cut Arm, which runs
south. The road would then continue for aboiit 38 miles more
to the S.E. foot of the Little Touchwood Hills. Total distance,
allowing for sinuosities, 85

The tract of country embraced by the Little and the Great Touch-
wood Hills, which are about 20 miles apart, is of the best quality,
rich, fertile, and well wooded ; coal is also said to be found in
abundance. The road would pass over the first 34 miles to a point
8 miles north of the deserted Fort, at the S.W. foot of the Great
'^ Touchwood Hills, in lat. 5"'° 33', long. 104° 20', and thence cross

to their north-west side, about 16 miles distant, where a tributary at
the foot of Heart Hill runs S.W. towards Last Mountain Lake on
Calling river. In all 50

The road now enters again on the plain, composed here in some
places of a lighter soil ; and crossing at the end of twenty miles a
second tributary to Last Mountain Lake, would re-enter the " true
prairie land" near the S.W. end of a lake in long. IOC" 03', lat. 51"
58'. Distance 78

Thence it would continue for about 22 miles to the South Sas-
katchewan, 180 to 200 yards wide, and 10 to 14 feet deep, flowing
in a deep-cut valley, the sides of which are steep and wooded,
230 feet below the plain. This it would cross in lat. 52° 08', some
35 miles below the Moose Woods and the Half-breed settlement
there, and proceed over rather poor soil to the North Branch, at the
confluence of Eagle Hill Creek, a distance of about 35 miles. In all 57

The road might now follow a direct line to Fort Edmonton, so as
to join the beaten track by the settlements of St. Alban and St.
Ann, to the Yellow Head Pass and Jasper's House. But this would take
it 50 miles to the north of the straight line, besides passing through
a very marshy country j and that without any adequate compensation ;

Miles 515

PROPOSED OVERLAND RAILROAD

Over

515

the more so as a "branch line to Edmonton, if found desirable, would
only be 35 miles long. A straight line from the north of the Eagle
Hills to near Jasper's House would therefore bo far preferable.

Following this direction, the road would run for the first 20 miles
or more between the foot of the Eagle Hills and the Saskatchewan ;
and then in a straight line W.N.W. to the south bank of Battle
river, near Ear Hill Creek in long. 108° 33'. Crossing the creek, it
would follow it a little S. of W., and then run for 30 miles along
the south side of " The Chain of Lakes " to the end of Manito Lake,
and along two smaller ones beyond ; then south of Eyebrow Hill,
where it would cross Eye Hill Creek in long. 109° 42', and the foot
of a lake on Nose Creek, in long. 110° 05', a stream flowing north
from the Neutral Hills. Twelve or fifteen miles further west it Avould
reach Battle river again, and after following the south bank for 6 or
7 miles over a broken country, partially wooded, cross it in long.
110° 40', lat. 52° 45'. The road would now run north of the
Dried Meat Hills, through a country rich, fertile, and clothed with
luxuriant vegetation, to Long Lake Creek, a tributary of Battle
river, which it would cross in long. 112° 50', lat. 62° 57'. It
would then run north of Beard Hill and across Smoking "Wood Creek
in long. 113° 37'; north of the Woodpecker Hills, across Pigeon
Lake Creek, and for several miles along the south side of this lake,
where there is a Wesleyan Mission ; the whole through a country
of the richest description. Thence the road would strike to the south
end of Bull Lake ; on leaving which it would enter the line of " true
iorests" in long. 114° 05', and pass through them for about 30
miles, to the North Saskatchewan. This it would cross about lat.
53^ 08', long. 114° 50', a little below the rapids, 3,048 feet above the
sea, and near its bend towards the east, about 6 miles below the mouth
of Brazeau river ; from which point downwards it is believed to be
navigable for steamers. Total length from Eagle Hill Creek, allowing
for sinuosities, 350

The road would then run due west over easy ground, but covered
with dense pine forests, and cross the Pembina at the end of about
80 miles, and the McCleod 40 miles further on; two clear,
shallow streams from the south, flowing over pebbly beds, about 80
feet below the plain. From the McLeod to the entrance of the
Pass at the foot of the Eocky Mountains, a few miles north of the
Roche ^ Miette, the country for the last 25 miles becomes gradually
more and more rolling and hilly. Distance, allowing for sinuosities, 145

Total distance from Fort Garry

Miles 1,010

ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

The road now enters the Rocky Mountains, and turning south,
passes for several miles between a small lake to the east, and the

•V

THKOUOH BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. 13

Athabasca, a stream 200 yards wide, swollen and turbid with glacier
water, wliich rises in the Eocky Mountains, some 90 miles above, and
runs hero nearly due north at the bottom of &, wide, flat valley. A littlo
higher up, the river expands into two small lake^, the lower one
bathing the foot of a perpendicular limestone (?) bluff forming part
of the lloche 'X Miette, a singular shaped mountain, 6,000 feet high
from its base, or 9,400 feet above the sea. This bluff would require
a cutting of a quarter of a mile or more in length. Immediately
beyond, the road enters on a little sandy plain ; opposite wliich, and.
in a lovely e::panso extending some 5 miles on the left bank of the
river, between the two lakes, lies Jasper's House, in long. 118° 10',
lat. 53° 12', 3,372 feet above the sea. The road now crosses several
fordabb mouths of a stream from the soutli, and continues in a
southerly direction for about 18 miles up the narrowing valley, along
the right bank of the Athabasca, and over easy ground, requiring at
most an occasional cutting or embankment. At this point it would
probably cross the river, hardly as wide here as the Thames at
Westminster Bridge, deep and tranquil ; thus avoiding the " Maligne,"
a large tributary which enters the Athabasca lower down from ihe
opposite side. The road would then follow a sparsely timbered Hat
on the left bank, for 7 or 8 miles, up to a small prairie, the site of
an old lodge, called Henry's House ; when the track leaves the
valley of the Athabasca, and the Pass properly speaking begins.
Total distance 30

Turning abruptly to the W.N.W. (which direction the road will
now follow with little variation for the next 55 miles, as far as the
west end of Moose Lake) it would enter the rocky valley of the Miette,
a deep, tortuous, rapid stream, 30 yards wide. The road would follow
this valley for about 12 miles; and then crossing a small triKutary
called the Pipestone, pass over easy ground, rising gradually and im-
perceptibly, till it reached the summit of the Pass, 3,760 feet above
the sea. The twistings of the Miette would require several bridges,
or else considerable side cuttings, in order to avoid the stream ; these,
however, it is believed, would seldom reach the rock. After leaving
the Miette the mountains diverge, and the valley opens. Distance
from Henry's House 22

Miles .,

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

The summit of the Yellow Head Pass forms the limit of British
Columbia. It presents a comparatively open and level £.pace for
about 3 miles ; after traversing which, the road would pass over easy
ground along the north-side of Cowdung Lake, and at the foot of
verdant, swelling hills ; the lake consisting of two portions connected
by a short narrow channel, and all in about 7 miles long. It would then
follow the direction of the small stream issuing from the western

PROPOSED dVRULAN'lJ UAir.ROAU

extremity of the laku lor several miles, down to where the Fmzcr,
flowing through a mirrow gorge from tlie south-west, sweeps round
into the valley. The road would run for the next 4 or 5 miles along
the north side of this stream, between the river and the steep hill
sides of the straitened valley, over level but low ground, subject to
bo overflowed and encumben^d with fallen timber ; till it reached
Moose river, a rapid atr'«'am falling in from the north. Two or 3 miles
below, the Eraser expands into Moose Lake, 12 to 15 miles long by 2
to 3 wide. Tlie mountains on the south side of this lake rise perpen-
dicularly to a height of 2,000 feet. On the north-side, though less
abrupt, they still come down in many places to the water's edge, and
close in on the road, thus necessitating several miles of side cutting
along the lake. The valley now begins to acquire a more rapid and
continuous descent, and chitnging direction runs nearly due west lor
the next 30 miles. Four or live miles below Moose Lake, it opens
somewhat, after which it is much encumbered by large timber, till
the mountains close in once more, and the road between them and
the Fraser is obstructed by lofty clitfs of crumbling slate rock, the first
met with beyond the Summit. A side-cutting of about 200 yards
would be necessary at this point, besides several other smaller ones
lower down, where the mountains shut in the valley very closely.
Four or five miles below this, or about 15 miles from Moose Lake, a
considerable branch called the "Grand Fork" enters the Fraser at
right angles from the north, through five separate mouths, which
would have to be crossed. At this point the Fraser runs through a
narrow rockv gorge ; after which the valley, for the next 10 miles to
opposite the Indian camp at the " Cache," becomes much more open,
and the ground easier, though intersected by several streams from
the north, and obstructed by fallen timber of great size. Total dis-
tance from the Summit to the Cache

The latter half of this distance is heavily timbered, and the
descent between Moose Lake and the Cache rapid and continuous,
but nowhere steep ; averaging less than 45 feet to the mile, and
probably never exceeding 70. There would also bo some consider-
able side cuttings and embankments, but not a single tunnel in the
whole length of the Pass.

The continuation of the roud in a straight line to the Pacific is now
interrupted by a barrier of mountains, beginning some 5 miles below
the Cache, and running north and south. These present the most
extraordinary accumulation of mountains behind mountains, as far as
the eye can reach ; whilst they arrest the course of the Fraser, which
turns suddenly north. The possibility df carrying a road or telegra[»h
over them in a straight line from the Cache to William's Creek, one of
the principal centres of the Cariboo gold mines, aboitt 80 miles distant
and in nearly the same latitude, has been tested by two distinct lincjs
of exploiation. Thet^e were run from Richfield ; the one

diverging

!Miles ...

THIIOUGH BHITISH NOKTlf AMFIMCA.

1.")

Over r)8

slightly towards tli»i south, and followiiif^ Swiimp river up to its
sdurce, 5,828 feci above the sea, near whicli the Shouswap, the North
Thompson, and the Canoe rivers also take their rise ; the other north-
ward towards the " Grande Ka])ide'' on the Fraser, a few miles below
the Cache. The result was, that the road would not only pass over
the i)oint of gi-eatest elevation, whence the above rivers flow north
and south ; but that it would have to cross three indescribably rugged
mountain ridges, running perpendicular to the axis of the line, and
separated by the narrowest valleys ; one of them 6,444 feet above the
sea, and all subject to continual avalanches. Features much the
same as those accompanying Howse Pass to the south, and presenting
an accumulation of obstacles which render any such line utterly
impracticable.

The proposed railroad must therefore necessarily follow the valley
of the Fraser to the north ; or else take the line travelled by Miltoii
and Cheadle down the Thompson to the south. ut the lattei-,
besides continuing for 120 miles below the Cache to run through a
mountainous, uninhabitable region, covered with dense forests, and
being costly in proportion, would lead to nothing definite beyond
the opening up of a small portion of the Colony ; since, in spite of
every effort, no available line for a railroad between Fort Kamloops
and New Westminster has as yet been discovered through the Cascade
or Coast range.

The road down the valley of the Fraser, on the contrary, thougii
describing a circuitous route, would turn the Cariboo or Gold Moun-
tains, and communicate immediately, either below Westroad river, or
lower down at Quesnel-Mouth, with the Chilcoaten or Great Western
plain of the Colony ; whilst below the mouth of Bear river, the
valley opens upon a fine tract of rolling country, with a climate
considerably milder than that of Canada, and ?'t,'dy for im-
mediate settlement; instead of the interminable mountains and
forests on the Thompson route. The Fraser, moreover, (whatever
may have been said or written to the contrary,) offers a valuable
water communication, and one immediately available, through the
whole of this cultivable district. This route, it is true, would require
several considerable bridges ; over the North Fork, the Salmon, the
Stuart and "Westroad rivers on the north-side ; or over Bear river, and
twice over the Fraser, if carried along the south bank, besides some
considerable gradings and cuttings ; but it would nowhere present any
very serious obstacle.

Following up this line, the road would run nearly due west
for the first five miles below the Cache, over easy, open ground along
the right bank of the Frazcr, which then turns nearly due north.
Several miles below this, it would cross an important affluent from
the east, called " Kock Creek," and reach the " Kapide des Four-
neaux." In all about 10 miles. 10

The river here takes a north-westerly dii-ection. But in order to

Miles

ir,

PROPOSED OVERLAND RAILROAD

Over

be able to continue a further description, it would be necessary to
have a more complete survey of the valley, as regards the streams
to be crossed, and the principal impediments on either side of the
river ; so as to know positively which bank the road should follow
do^n to Fort George, and thence to Quesnel-Mouth, The distance
from the " Kapide de Fourneaux " to the former place in lat. 53°
55' long. 122° 40', is 187 miles.

From Fort George the road would run south along the valley of
the Fraser to Quesnol-Mouth, a small rising town on the road to the
gold mines. Distance, sinuosities included.

From this place, or the opposite bank, it would then cross the
rich Chilcoaten plain in a south-westerly direction, and nearly in its
greatest breadth ; crossing Deserter's river, and pasGing by William's
Lake, to Chisicut Lake, on the Chiscoe or Chilcoaten, a small river,
from 12 to 15 yards wide ; then by Benchee Lake, in long. 124° 05',
lat 52° 13' ; across a small tributary of the Chilcoaten called the
** Chilanco," 8 to 10 yards wide, and along the west side of Tatla
Lake, 19 miles long, to the " Gap," or head of the Bute Inlet valley,
(long. 124° 30', lai. 51° 47') at the entrance of the Cascade Moun-
tains or Coast range. This slightly rolling, fertile plain offers every
facility for a railway. Distance across it 1371 miles. Thence the
road would run do,»n the valley, for 84 J miles, to Waddington
Harbour at the head of the Inlet. Near the entrance of this valley,
a granite bluff on lie uppermost lake, called Bluff Lake, would
require some blasting. Below this, the road would run over level
ground for nearly 40 miles, the valley presenting no kind of diffi-
culty, till the mountains begin to close in ; requiring in the next
8 miles a short tunnel, and considerable blasting in several places.
The road would then reach the defile, or canyon, 31 miles above the
head of the Inlet. This defile is exactly l^ mile in length, and
would require two tunnels of 250 and 665 yards respectively, both
in the granite ; besides considerable blasting. Below the defile the
valley opens again, and continues perfectly level down to the Inlet ;
the only difficulty being at the crossing of the Ilomathco, a con-
siderable stream, a mile below the defile, which would require a bridge
60 to 70 yards long. With the exception of the above obstacles, which
would be expensive, tlie whole line, from Quesnel-Mouth to Bute
Inlet, may be said to offer one continuous level, and to be unusually
favourable. It has been carefully surveyed, ?. map constructed
containing the features of the ground, tLe curves, and other
necessary details, to a scale of 4 inches to the mile, the outlay
carefully calculated, and the whole revised and approved by com-
petent engineers. Distance from Queanel-Mouth to Waddington
Harbour

187

222

Distance by this line

Miles 570

The above road is the only one to the Pacific, through the
mountains of British Columbia, which years of exploration have

THROUGH BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

222

proved to be really practicable. It cannot be denied, however, that
the circuit described by the valley of the Fraser as far north as
lat. 51° 45' is immense, as compared with a straight lino from the
Cache to Quesnel-Mouth, both of them in the same latitude — 220
miles against 1 20. So much so, that a shorter line was suggested by
the writer as far back as June, 18G7, which, though traversing a
greater extent of mountainous country, would, if found to be prac-
ticable, alike open the Chilcoaten plain, and pass over a tract of
agricultural country equal to that by the Fraser ; at the same time
that it would be more central as regards the southern portion of the
colony. This line would follow Milton and Cheadle's track,* but
only to a point some 20 or 25 miles below the Forks, where the
Upper Thompson falls in from tlie N.E. ; so as to cross the Bald or
Gold Mountains, about lat. 52° 10', 4l to ^ miles south of
their point of greatest elevation, and, consequently, at a much lower
altitude, and reach the Great Quesnelle, or, more probably. Horsefly
Lake, beyond ; whence the line would continue west to the " Gap," or
entrance of the Bute Inlet valley.

Carrying out this idea, the dii^fcance from the summit of the Yellow
Head Pass to opposite the Cache i^ 58 miles.

The road would then cross the Fraser, which is here very impe-
tuous, to the Cache, situated in a valley about 5 miles wide at its base
on the river, and running to a point 15 miles south. Part of this
valley is rich and tit for settlement, but the southern end is sandy and
undulating. The road would pass up it over easy ground, cross
Cranberry river, a small tributary flowing north to the Fraser, then
skirting a small lake, imperceptibly pass the watershed between the
Fraser and the Columbia. The valley is divided here by a line of
hills to the south, and forks into two narrow valleys. Taking the
more westerly one, the road would follow it for a mile or so, leaving
the mountains to the east, and reach Canoe river, a rapid stream
flowing from the N.W. at the foot of a steep, sandy cliff. Distance

Crossing Canoe river, the road after running a mile or two S.W.
would make a detour of a couple of miles to the west, in order to get
round the point of a range of hills to the south ; and passing among
rocks and burnt timber enter a narrow valley to the west of tbeni,
drained by a small stream running north. This it would follow up,
rising imperceptibly for 8 or 10 miles, to a little marshy lake, called
Albreda Lake, occupying the bottom of the valley, and forming the
watershed (2,900 feet above the sea) between Canoe river and the
North Thompson. Following the stream from this lake, the road
would continue south for about 18 miles along a valley closely shut in
by steep, pine clad hills, with snowy limestone mountains in the rear,
and over undulaiing hilly ground, requiring a certain amount of

]\Iiles

* I am kindly indebted to these gentlemen for a portion of the following and some
of the preceding details.

PH0P08ED OVEBLAND RAILROAD

Over 75

grading ; the timber becoming of very largo growth, and the stream
gradually increasing by the contribution of six or eight tributaries
from the west (one of them rn'lmr a largo one) to a width of 30 yards ;
till it joins the Upper Thompson, the first mouth of which (for tliero
are two with an island between) is about GO yards Avide, flowing froiu
the N. W., and charged with glacier water. Distance from Canoe river 32

The rise of ground between the latter and the Tiiompson is trifling,
and so far the projected Short Cut presents no very serious obstacle.
But at this point, the aspect of the elevated ridges to t)'o west of the
Thompson is such, as to preclude any reasonable hope of being able
to carry a road in a straight line over them to the Clearwater, and
again over the divide between the latter and Great Quesnelle Lake.

The road would therefore have to be continued further south, down
the west bank of the Thompson, along steep ,timber-8trewn hill-sides ;
the forest as dense as ever, and the mountains coming down close to
the water's edge, and only separated by narrow ravines from the N.E.
and N.W. ; till it reached the neighbourhood of Mount St. Anne, the
last snow-capped mountain to the west, in about lat. 52° 18', and 10
or 12 miles below the Forks. 12

Here the river widens and becomes less rapid ; 3 or 4 miles lower
down, where a rocky rapid stream falls in from the N.W., the valley
also widens somewhat ; 8 or 9 miles below Mount St. Anne another
rapid stream, 40 yards wide, falls in from the N.W., the valley
widens still more, and the country opens generally, though the hills
again close in towards the south ; and 3 or 4 miles further, or about
16 miles in all, a third stream falls in from the N.W., named the
Elsecar, 30 yards wide, clear and shallow, and consequently not fed
by snows or glacier water; showing that the region where it takes its
rise (probably to the N.W. of Mount St.'Anne) must be less elevated.
The vall "y also presents a tolerably level space. It is, therefore, more
than probable that a pass to the west may be found here, if not by
the first stream immediately below Mount St. Anne, somewhere near
the second ; or at a distance from it, say of 12 miles 12

Thus far the road is known, and may be considered practicable,
though the hillside cuttings and gradings along the Thompson and
elsewhere would be numerous and expensive, as well as the bridges
over the Fraser, Canoe river, and at the F^orks. But the road now
enters on an unknown region ; crossing nearly due west for 22
miles over an elevated divide to the sources of the Elsecar, and
then probably over lower ground to Clearwater river; the name
itself indicating the absence of snowy mountains. Beyond this it
would cross a third, and still easier divide, to the eastern end of
Horsefly Lake, 18 or 20 miles further west, and about 2,100 feet
above the sea. The road would ere this have left the mountains ;
the width across which from the Thompson would therefore not be
more than 36 or 38 miles, and the total distance, sinuosities included,
about 43

Miles ...

... 174

THROUGH BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

Over 174

_ The line would thon run for 22 miles nearly duo west along one
Bide or other of the lake, and then follow the stream issuing from
it, to its junction with the Horsefly rive-^ near long. 121° 30', lat.
52° 25 . Distance in all 3'j

The road now enters on a country sufficiently known, and par-
tially settled. Continuing nearly due west, it would cross a slightly
rolling, fertile tract of country, for ahout 25 miles, to the divide near
Eound Tent Lake, about 125 feet above the Horsefly; and Jien
proceed, with a nearly equal fall in the course of the next 10 miles,
to Deep Creek, which it would follow in a varying westerly direc-
tion, and with a fall of about GOO feet in 9 miles, to its junction
with the Fraser, 1,450 feet above the sea. Total distance, sinuosi-
ties included, 47

The road would then cross the Eraser, and pass over the Chil-
coaten plain in a W.S.W. direction, and with an ascent of about
900 feet, to the old Fort on the Chiscoe or Chilcoateu river.
Distance 58

Thence it would run in the same direction, crossing the eastern
or main branch of the Homathco, to the " Gap " or entrance of the
Bute inlet valley, 2,520 feet above the sea. 47

Thence south, down the Bute Inlet valley to Waddington
Harbour. 84

Distance by proposed Short Cut

Miles 445

KECAPirULATIOX.

Prom Montreal 1o Ottawa . . . »

„ Ottawa to Fort Gurry

„ Fort Garry to the Yellow Head Pass . .
Thence to the Limit of British Columbia

Route by the Upper Fraser (British Columbia)
Leas distance by proposed Short Cut

Miles

• •

116

• •

1200

• •

1010

• t

2262

.. 570

.. 125

445 2707

Total Length from Montreal to the Pacific .. .. 2822

Against 3,305 miles from Now York to San Francisco, or 483 miles lees.

The distances given in my pamphlet are greater than these. In the
first place, because no allowance was made for the proposed Short Cut in
British Columbia, which in all probability can be realised ; and, secondly,
because they were only roughly calculated and rather exaggerated. The
difference favours my estimate and renders it still more ample ; making
the average cost aboutX 10,000 per mile; whereas that of 1,110 miles of

PROPOSED OVKKLAND IIAILUOAD.

the Union Pacific Railroad, including a lino of telegraph, preliminary
surveys, rolling stock, and interest, has giv<m an average of 34,977 doln.,
or only about £7,000, though the line presented greater difficulties thuu
that through iJritish ^ovih America.

The above distances may also be classed in three categories, as regards
the nature of the soil and country traversed, viz. : —

1. Level, rich, arable country.

2. Itolling country, less fertile.

3. Poor, mountainous, and timbered.

SECTIONS OF COUNTRY.

Valley of thtj Ottawa . . . # . •

Montreal Valley

Clay Level Country

Lawrentidea, North of Lake Superior

Neepigon and Black Sturgeon Valleys

Height of Land, to White Mouth River . .

Great Western Plain . .

„ „ „ approach to Rocky Mountains

VaUey of the Assiniboine

Rocky Mountain!, to the Cache . .

Bald or Gold Range beyond

Along Horsefly Lake and River . .

Chilcoaten Plain

Cascade Range (the Valley itself fertile) . .

1
Level

MUea.

t •

250

1037

152

2 I 3
Rolling I Poor

1599

Miles.
285

lis

25
30

Miles.

68
247

116

508 600

RECAPITULATION.

Rich and cultivable Territory
Grazing, Timbered, and Mountainous

2107
600

2707

OF COST BASED UPON THE ABOVE CLASSIFICATION.

1600 M.. , Ajevel Ground, . .

508 ,, Rolling Ground,

600 „ Hilly or Rocky Ground ,

13 „ Branch to Neepigon Bay,,

at £8,000
at £11,000
at £14,000
at £11,000

Interest for six years, till the road becomes self-paying

£12,800,000

6,688,000

8,400,000

143,000

£26,931,000
5,069,000

£32,000,000

APPENDIX.

A.— CULMINATING POINTS

North angle of IMontreal river
Height of Land between Lakea Superior and Winipeg
Leather or Yellow Head Pass , . . ,

PaH8 across the Bald or Gold Range , ,

Summit of Chilcoaten plain

ON THE LINE.

Lat. Long.

Alt.

48"^ .. 81" 10' ..

830

0g 49^20' .. mr 10' ..

I too

62° 64' .. 118^83' ..

3700

62'^ 10' . . 120° 10' . .

3000 (P)

61° 47' .. 124" 30' ..

2520

B.— PRINCII'AL STREAMS AND RIVERS.

)7
30

Names.

Very

Small.

Mid-
dtiiix.

Large.

Madawaska at Arnprior

CooBtant Crtek ou the Ottawa . .

Bonnochere on the Ottawa

Indian River on the Ottawa, above Pembroke

Petowawa on the Ottaw ^ . . . .

Creek near Chalk Lake . . . . t

Mtittawan

Tributaries of the Ottawa

Tributary of Montreal river . .

Montreal river at North Bend . . . .

Waratowaha or South Branch of Abbilibld

South Branch of Moose river . .

.Moose river

Head of White or Pike river (?) . . .

. 1

East Branch of Pie river

Pie river . . . . . . ,

Little Pie river

Little Pie, Western affluent . . .

Small stream, no namo

Steel river . . , ,

Long Lake (Albany)

Affluent of Trout Lake

„ Black river

Black river

Pays Plat river . . , .

Gravel river . . . .

Cypress river . . , .

Jack Fish river

NEEPIGON

Black Sturgeon

Little Black Sturgeon

West feeder to Neepigon Lake . . .

Small streams

Canoe rivor . . . . . . .

White Fish river . .

North afflueut of White Fish Bh y

WINIPEG (as big as the Rhine)

Labarriike

Eabt Branclx of White Mouth . .

APPE^DIX.

Names.

Over .
White Mouth

Broken Head, East Branch . .
„ other branches . .

German Creek
RED RIVER (150 yards)
Sturgeon Creek

Tributary of the Assiniboine . .
Creek at Long Lake
Rat river

Tributary to White Mud river
White Mud river . ,
Streams from Riding Mountains
Rapid river

Tributary to Rapid river
Oak river

Branches of Arrow rive"
Head of Pine Creek

„ Bird Tail Creek
Stream without a name
Shell river ..

Tributary of Assitiiboine
ASSINIBOINE (80 yards) . .
Tributary to Calling river
Little White Sand River
Tributaries to Last Mountain Lake
iiT)UTH SASKATCHEWAN (180 yard
E-igl^ Hill Creek ..
Ear Hill Creek . .
Creek at Head of Chain of Lakes
Eye Hill Creek
Nose Creek . *

BATTLE RIVER
Long Lake Creek . .
Smoking Wood Creek
Pigeon Lake Creek
Bull Lake Creek . .
NORTH SASKATCHEWAN
Pembina • •

M'Leod . .

Affluent of Athabasca (3 mouths)
Creek from small lake
ATBABASCA (200 yards)
Miette (30 yards) twice (?)
Pipestone
Moose river

Grand Fork (5 mouths) . .

Tributaries to Fraser
UPPER FBASER
Cranberry
Canoe river

Stream from Alabreda Lake . .
Tributaries to „

North Thompson (one branch 60 yai ds)
Tributaries to North Thompson
Head of Elsecar river
Clearwater t . . .

Very
Small.

2
1
1
1

Small.

18
1

1
2

Mid-
dling:.

Large.

13
1

APPENDIX.

Names.

Very
Small.

Small.

Mid-
dling.

Large.

Over . . . .

Horsefly-

Streams near Round Tent Lake

FRASER (200 yards)

Chilcoaten or Chiscoe

Upper Homathco . .

River above 4th Lake, Bute Inlet Valley

„ below 3rd „ „

„ above 2nd „ „

„ below 2nd „ „ .

„ „ the Cliflf (3 times) „

Stream from Upper Glacier „

River at opening of valley (twice) „ .

Lake Creek „ „

River above Tiedemann's Glacier (twice)

Stream from „ „

Creek below tkird Bluff

Brown Creek

HOMATHCO at Ferry (70 yards)

Rock Creek

Creek at Wig Camp

„ above Happy Valley

„ below „

Lower Gkcier Stream

Branches of „

Stream lower down

Creek above Henrietta's Landing

Teaquahan

Total number 156, but the list of smaller streams is necessarily incomplete.

The following table containing the main features of the line traversed by
the Central Pacific Eailroad, shows the great disadvantages it labours under
with respect to grades, altitudes, climate and general sterility, as contrasted
with the proposed line through British Z^orth America.

Country Teaverbed.

Height

above

the sea.

Rise

Fall.

Gradients.

LOCALITIES.

Culti-
vable.

Ban-en
Grazing Desert. Total.

Feet
per
Mile.

Miles.

Milea.

Feet.

One
in

Omaha, on th' Missouri
„ to Julesburg, Platte
Valley ..
Julesburg, by Lodjj'e Pole

Creek, to Cheyenne
Cheyenne to Evans Pass,

B ack Hills
LaramitPlains (oats will not
ripen) to Bridger's Pass

150

100
10
32

189

127
130

• •

377

140

189

967

6062
8262
7100

R. 5095
R. 2200
F. 1162

528-0
743

150

331

257

738

■Hill

APPENDIX.

CouNTRr Thaversed.

Height

above

the sea.

Rise

Fall.

1
Gradients.

LOCALITIES.

Culti-
vable.

Grazing

Barren
Desert.

Total.

Feet
Mile.

One
in

MUes.

Miles.

Feet.

Over . .

Thence to foot of Wahsatch
Mountains (a most deso-
late region)

Thence to the dividing ridge

Thence to the western foot
and beginning of Great
Desert

Thence to Great Salt Lake

Thence to divide from basin
of the Humboldt

Thence to Truckee river,
limit of the Great Desert

Thence to Donner Pass,
summit of Sierra Nevada

Thence down to Colfax . .

Colfax to Sacramento

Sacramento to San Fran-
cisco

150

331

• •

14
61

• •

257

200
20

• •

677

• •

738

200
20

40
70

• •

577

14
51
54

7567

4900
4290

5650

6866

7042

2448

• •

F. 2607
F. 670

R. 1360

R. 1176
F. 4594
F. 2392

F. 56

65
10

84
44

81-2
6280

62-8

58 6

121-7

289

436

1124

1849

Of these 1,849 miles, 300 in the Eocky Mountains are subject to be snowed
in for weeks in the year ; 30 miles in the Sierra Nevada have had to bo
protected from avalanches by strong timber roofing; and more than 1,100
traverse I aiTon tracts of country, infested with alkali, incapable of irrigation,
and in many places desolate beyond description. Finally, the rise from
Sacramento to the summit ridge of the Sierra Nevada amounts to 7,000 feet
in 105 miles, whilst on the eastern slope there is a descent of 1,200 feet
in 14 miles, occasioning grades of one in 484, and requiring the most
powerful engines to drag a relatively small s^.oant of traffic.

D.— EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE
ON PACIFIC RAILROADS, Dated February Idth, 1869.

" The line of the North Pacific road runs for 1,500 miles near the British
possessions, and when built, will drain the agricultural products of the rich
Saskatchewan and Red River districts east of the mountains, and the gold
country on theFraser, Thompson, and Kootenay rivers west of the mountains.
From China (Canton) to Liverpool, it is 1,500 miles nearer by the 49th
parallel of latitude, than by the way of San Francisco and New York.
This advantage in securing the overland trade from Asia will not bo thrown
away by th'i English, unless it is taken away by our first building the
North Pacific road, establishing mercantile agencies at Puget Sound, fixing
mercantile capital there, and getting possession on land and on the ocean of
all the machinery of tbo new commerce between Asia and Europe. The
opening by us first of a North Pacific Railroad seals the destiny of the
Bi'itish possessions west of the 91st meridian. They will become so
Americanised in interonts and f<ieling, that they will be in effect severed
from the new Dominion, and the question of their annexation will be but a
question of time."

JUDD AND GLASS, FHOINIX FBIUTINO WUI.KS, UOCTOBS' C0UH0K8, B.C.