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)~3i^-^ /Vl 
 
 SKETCH OF THE PROPOSED LINE 
 
 OF 
 
 OVERLAND RAILROAD 
 
 THROUGH ■» 
 
 BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 BY 
 
 ALFRED WADDINGTON. 
 
 ■^'HBRE THERE IS A WILL THERE 18 A WAY. 
 
 LONDON : 
 LONGMANS, GREEN, READER, AND DYER. 
 
 1869. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
 O o 
 
p <^^- 
 
 
 7 
 
 SKETCH OF THE PROPOSED LINE 
 
 or 
 
 OVERLAND RAILROAD 
 
 THROUGH 
 
 BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 BY 
 
 ALFRED WADDINGTONT. 
 
 WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE 18 A WAY. 
 
 I 
 
 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 
 
IT 
 
 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 
 
 99 
 
 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 
 
 12 
 
 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 
 
 2 
 
 le 
 
 J6 
 
 4S 
 
 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- 
 
 
 
 ;?■ 
 
 ^- 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 y 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^^'^ 
 
 
 14^^ 
 
 \ 
 
 
 K. rN' 
 
 
 Mil(.'S 
 
 Hu 
 
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 
 
 / 
 
 V 
 
 }lil 
 
 C8 
 
 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 
 
10 
 
 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 
 
 v^ 
 
 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 
 
12 
 
 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 
 
 iO 
 
 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 
 
 52 
 
14 
 
 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 
 
 58 
 
 !Miles ... 
 
 58 
 
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 
 
 68 
 
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 
 
 68 
 
 187 
 
 93 
 
 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. 
 
 17 
 
 08 
 
 93 
 
 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 
 
 58 
 
 ]\Iiles 
 
 75 
 
 * I am kindly indebted to these gentlemen for a portion of the following and some 
 of the preceding details. 
 
 B 
 
18 
 
 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. 
 
 10 
 
 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 
 
 52 
 
 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 
 
20 
 
 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 • 
 
 09 
 
 250 
 
 20 
 
 41 
 
 1037 
 
 152 
 
 2 I 3 
 Rolling I Poor 
 
 1599 
 
 Miles. 
 285 
 
 30 
 
 lis 
 
 25 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 Miles. 
 
 68 
 247 
 
 80 
 
 116 
 
 15 
 
 84 
 
 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. 
 
 h 
 
 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. 
 
 Small. 
 
 Mid- 
 dtiiix. 
 
 Large. 
 
 Madawaska at Arnprior 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 CooBtant Crtek ou the Ottawa . . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Bonnochere on the Ottawa 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Indian River on the Ottawa, above Pembroke 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Petowawa on the Ottaw ^ . . . . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Creek near Chalk Lake . . . . t 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Mtittawan 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Tributaries of the Ottawa 
 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Tributary of Montreal river . . 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Montreal river at North Bend . . . . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Waratowaha or South Branch of Abbilibld 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 South Branch of Moose river . . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 .Moose river 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Head of White or Pike river (?) . . . 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 
 East Branch of Pie river 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Pie river . . . . . . , 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Little Pie river 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Little Pie, Western affluent . . . 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Small stream, no namo 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Steel river . . , , 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Long Lake (Albany) 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Affluent of Trout Lake 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 „ Black river 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Black river 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Pays Plat river . . , . 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Gravel river . . . . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Cypress river . . , . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Jack Fish river 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 NEEPIGON 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Black Sturgeon 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Little Black Sturgeon 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 West feeder to Neepigon Lake . . . 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Small streams 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 Canoe rivor . . . . . . . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 White Fish river . . 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 North afflueut of White Fish Bh y 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 WINIPEG (as big as the Rhine) 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Labarriike 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Eabt Branclx of White Mouth . . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 18 
 
 13 
 
 2 
 
22 
 
 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 
 
 34 
 
 oO 
 
 Mid- 
 dling:. 
 
 Large. 
 
 13 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 23 
 
 Names. 
 
 Very 
 Small. 
 
 Small. 
 
 Mid- 
 dling. 
 
 Large. 
 
 Over . . . . 
 
 34 
 
 50 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 Horsefly- 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Streams near Round Tent Lake 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 FRASER (200 yards) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Chilcoaten or Chiscoe 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Upper Homathco . . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 River above 4th Lake, Bute Inlet Valley 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 „ below 3rd „ „ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 „ above 2nd „ „ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 „ below 2nd „ „ . 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 „ „ the Cliflf (3 times) „ 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Stream from Upper Glacier „ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 River at opening of valley (twice) „ . 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 Lake Creek „ „ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 River above Tiedemann's Glacier (twice) 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 Stream from „ „ 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Creek below tkird Bluff 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Brown Creek 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 HOMATHCO at Ferry (70 yards) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Rock Creek 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Creek at Wig Camp 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 „ above Happy Valley 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 „ below „ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Lower Gkcier Stream 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Branches of „ 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Stream lower down 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Creek above Henrietta's Landing 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Teaquahan 
 
 
 * 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 61 
 
 61 
 
 32 
 
 12 
 
 Total number 156, but the list of smaller streams is necessarily incomplete. 
 
 C. 
 
 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 
 
 or 
 
 Fall. 
 
 Gradients. 
 
 LOCALITIES. 
 
 Culti- 
 vable. 
 
 Ban-en 
 Grazing Desert. Total. 
 
 Feet 
 per 
 Mile. 
 
 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Milea. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 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 
 
 32 
 
 189 
 
 967 
 
 6062 
 8262 
 7100 
 
 R. 5095 
 R. 2200 
 F. 1162 
 
 10 
 
 71 
 
 528-0 
 743 
 
 
 150 
 
 331 
 
 257 
 
 738 
 
 
 
 
 
■Hill 
 
 24 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 
 CouNTRr Thaversed. 
 
 Height 
 
 above 
 
 the sea. 
 
 Rise 
 
 or 
 
 Fall. 
 
 1 
 Gradients. 
 
 LOCALITIES. 
 
 Culti- 
 vable. 
 
 Grazing 
 
 Barren 
 Desert. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Feet 
 Mile. 
 
 One 
 in 
 
 
 MUes. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 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 
 
 64 
 
 85 
 
 331 
 
 • • 
 
 40 
 
 • • 
 
 14 
 61 
 
 • • 
 
 • • 
 
 257 
 
 200 
 20 
 
 70 
 
 • • 
 
 677 
 
 • • 
 
 • • 
 
 738 
 
 200 
 20 
 
 40 
 70 
 
 • • 
 
 577 
 
 14 
 51 
 54 
 
 85 
 
 7567 
 
 4900 
 4290 
 
 5650 
 
 6866 
 
 7042 
 
 2448 
 
 66 
 
 • • 
 
 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.