'MAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^ V- ^ "&. 4o /A

.*.-* Fredj^ric C. Capreol, Esquire, President. W. J. Macdonell, Esquire. Honourable Donald McDonald, Senator. Thomas li. Ferguson, Esquire, M.P.P. Thomas Grahame, Esquire, M.P.P. Adam Crooks, Esquire, Q.C. Henry Fowler, Esquire. John Hawkshaw, Esquire, C.E., F.R.S., London. A. M. Eendel, Esquire, London. William Sykeji, Esquire, C.E., Toronto. A. Luders Light, C.E., Woodstock. Messrs. Crickmore, Boyd & Stayner. To His Excellency Baron Lisgar. Governor -Gemral, G.C.B., G.CM-G., &c., &c., &c. Toronto, the Slat January, 1871. My Lord, In respectfully dedicating to Your Lordship, and the people, the following public documents, on the subject of the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal, I am constrained to do so from a feeling of duty I owe to over 200,000 petitioners, to those I represent, and to myself. I could say much more, but I have ende-^voured to be as brief as possible. As chief Executive Officer of the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal Company, em- powered by authority of the Board, under the seal of the Company, I am In pos- session of facts, from the opinions of two of the most eminent engineers in the world, Mr. John Hawkshaw and Mr. A. M. Rendel, based on the able report, plans and survey of Mr. Wm. Sykes, submitted to them, and I fearlessly assert that the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal is quite practicable. I am also in possession of plans Avhicli will lessen the deep cuttmg in the ridges, one hundred feet, saving, in the expense of construction, at least $4,000,000. The canal proper would bo but sixty miles. It Avill also save, in distance, over 800 miles, between the upper lakes and Liverpool, for vessels of 1.200 tons burden, via the St. Lawrence, and a saving of time via tho Erie Canal and New York of 14 to 10 days, and with the present amount of freight, an annual saving of ,£2,400,000 sterling, or about i^l 2,000,000. The card can be constructed in less than five years, all preliminaries being airanged, giving eniph.yment to many thousand persons. The Huron and Ontario Ship Canal Avill secure to the Donunion of Canada the tast increasing c;irrving trade of the great West and the XorthAVest, making Canada the star of attraction of the world for capitalists, and emigrants seeking employment. A l)onns of 10,000,000 of acres of wild lauds would ha>re, and may yet, secure its construction. . ^ ., , . , . Opposition and difficulties I expected, as I did in the mitiation of railror.' -, lu this country ; but I overcame them, and he is a l?old man who will deny that the construction of railroads has not materially assisted in making Canada what she now is. In the newspaper reports of the 28th June, 1848, of a public meeting' held in Toronto, for the construction of the now called Northern Railroad, Mr. C. S GzoAvski, in his speech on that occasion, stated that plank and macadamized roads would be suth- cient for Canada for the next 30 years, and that it was insanity and weakness m any one to think of railroads. At the same meeting, although others opposed me, I sturdily and forcibly advocated railroads. The result speaks for itself. Query ? If Mr. Gzowski so e/red in his judgment then, may it not be questioned whether he, in connection with Mr. Laidlaw, one of his now railroad friends, and who are both on the Canal Commission for 0)\tario, may not be equally m error on canal mat- ters at present. -in n \ a I have never committed mvself in speaking or writing against the Ottawa Canal (and refer aiiy one to the Honourable. Mr. Skead, of Ottawa,) because the construction ot that work would not clash with the Huron and Ontario route. The former being a barge canal, and the latter a ship canal. • (• u i\t n ,i p i I have, however, spoken against the enlargement and deepeiung ot the Weiland banal, and I do so still, in consequence of the difficulty in navigating the St. Clair Hats by vessels drawing the necessary water. v *!, Tlie resources, however, of the Dominion can construct :vli, as well as maKe tne improvements in the St. Lawrence River and her canals, to pass vessels of equal dratt ot the Huron and Ontario Ship Conal, viz., locks not to be less than 13 feet 6 inches on the 6 ciUs, and of a length iind breadth to pass vessels of a tonnage before named-of 1,200 *""% have spent a fortune in time and mc.oy, and have had the hom>ur "^ /"t^^^viewH (through friendly introductions) with the GovornmeutH of France, England ad ho tJniS States as well as visited the principal commercial citie. m England and the TJnil 1 State ' collectii.^ statistics an.l possessing myself of such sterhng mformatiou whLh leads me to Me'e that the receipt^ of theclnal will return a renumei^tivemteres r the caital expended ; but I learned in England (from whence the capital must come) tTatt X HnS; th^ prospects may be made to appear for a l-'ofitabl;' l^f ^^^^^^^^^ Buch had been the disastrous results from investments made ^^^f^^^^/'] /^^J'jjf ,,^^^^^^^^^ I found it useless to proceed without a bonus being guaranteed of 10,000 OOU ftcres oi theT^hl amis of the country. If I could have obtained this bonus, I had secured the oinTefofle rnVsl eminent'm.en in England, as engineers, the most rehable ^ont^acto in Eny to b(; made, by a competent engineer, of so much of th(! cnntry in the lineof the pnjected Canal as lies betwe n Lak'jj Simcoe and Ontario, and is abo\e the level of the former. From this survey, wliich is eight miles in length, and embraces the most important difficulty to ])e overcome, it is found that the greatest (kpth of cutting to reach the level of Lake Simcoe 'vill not exceed 175 feet, tbat throughout the greater part of this distance the depth will not a\erage 40 feet, and that from the nature of the excavation, the cost will be much less than in oi-dinary heavy cuttings on the most important public works of this and the ailjoiiiing jounty. Ti e magnitude fit' the ol>stacles to be surmounted in luiiting the waters of Lakes Huron and Ontario l)y a direct canal communication, seems hitherto to have dettrred those most deeply iuierested from such a thorough investigation of the claims of this ^ o- ject upen public attention as to your Committee it appears to merit. The present eutlets to the trade of the Upper Lakes, through the Erie and AVelland Canals, ;ue already ibund inalequate, notwitlistanding that trade is yet in its infancy. That sufficient facilities can be afforded by any probable enlargement of both those works, but few at all com ersaut with tiie interior of the resources of this vast conti;ient, drained by our i!nri\ ailed Lak.'s and Ivivers, will assert. New channels, more direct, and less dangerous and difficuli, Avill be sought. Sp.-ed as well as safety is necessary to successful compi'tition with oViV neighbours in the carrying trade. The shortest route, and that which presents the Ie;ist interruption to tlu' progress of vessels propelled by steam, or otherwise, in passing from the safe navigation o^ the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario to the equally safe navigp.tlou of Lakes Huron, JMiciiigan and Superior, will be found )>y a Canal crossing the neck of land between Toronto and Georgian Bay. The only obstacle which may at all be considered of an extraordinary character, is the ridge tUviding the waters of Lake Simc(>e from those of Lake Ontario. When the largest Can.als ilid not ex- ceed the dimensions necessary for the passage of boats carrying at most one or tvro hun- dred tons burden, the depth of cut necessary to pass that ridge might well bv. considered iiisui-mountable ; but at this day, when channels are required for vessels of the largest ela«s, freiglited for ocean voyages, and with the aid of science and skill, reducing the la- bour of years to the effort of days, your Committee submit that a depth of cut not exceed- ing the greatest on this line cannot be looked upon as presenting an obstacle more foi mid- able than the means in hand will justify. Aside from the importance of the carrj' ing trade of the North-western States of the Union, which your Committee believe will, of itself, fully justify the construction of the work in question, there are other and, in our view, more patriotic considerations, favoring rm 9 iniiiuHliiito and (^norgctio action tipon this subjoct. It is lianlly necoHsai-j > saj- your Coumuttt I'.on .?llu(l(! to tiie cxtciisivo tract of country lyinj,' to tlic Isorih-wcst of Lakes Huron and Su' . ior, and ahvay.H recoj^niztd as Canadian soil, as well as to that portion ofour patrini' 'dthfrd. held !>y th(Mlud.son's Hay Company. This rxtci.sivi! country, lich in mincrid and agricultural wcaltli, will, l>y the .pcidng of tlu- Ton.-ito andCJiM.r^'ian Day Canal, he at once far more thitu dmhlcd in value. In this view of the .subject alone, youi' Committee respectfidly .submit, will be founMMnTi:i'. KooM, Ciiairmm. 'Jth Juno, 1857. REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF TIIK LATE » ' LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 31st M\Y, 1864. The Select CoMJiriTEE appointed to consider the practicability and propriety of con- structin- a Sliip Caniilbetvvten the (leorgiau Bay and Lake Ontario, ria Lake binicoe, have the honour to lis poit : — That they have received evidence from various parties '" rcierenco to tho practica- bility aiid necessity of co:.suucting the projjosed Siiip Canal, ..hlcli is herewith suluuittod. 'Your Connuittee also sid)mit'the < vidcnce collected by a former Cuin.nittei! apiMnnteu for the same purpose, and v ould recommend that the evidence .should be printed. The question of constructing this great public work has, for a long peiiod, occupied the serious attention of .several j\lunicipalili(,s and oiher ])arties in the western portion oi this Pnn ince. . ,. , ,, ^ On referring to the Journals of your llom.urable House, your ( ..mmittee hndtluxton tlieOth of June, 1X5 7, the Lte. Joseph nartman, Ivsquire, M.IM'. fur North York, pre- sented 'i lieport from a Select Committee appointed to inquire and report on this pro- ^ jected work. From that document, yc '.ir Committee quote the hallowing recommondatunis :— " Aside from the importance of the cairying trade of the North-western States of the Union, which your Cuinmittee believe -vill, of itvelf, justify the construction ot the work in question, there are other, and, in our view, more patriotic considerations favoring im- mediate and eneriietic action on this subject. 1 .. • 1 "Shouhl thesystt-in of granting public lands in aid rf public works oi a nati'Uiai character be continued, your Committee lespectfully submit that no work vet ].rq)ect-uin Canada has equal claims with the Toronto and Georgian Day Canal, to a hhcnil grant. Agreeing with these vic^ws, you" Commiiiee consider that the construction ot .such a Canal fs evD^die'it (Ui national and on Provincial grounds ; they are convinced that as an adjunci .o the coiame.c(. ot Canada and the Great West, its vahu' has not been over- stated, and they eiuertain tb*. opinion that the engineering difkcultics, whieh uudeniably exist, are by no means insurmountable. As a national work, the importance of the proposed Canal is obvious. ^ 'It is a necessary complement to the plans which, at an enormous cost, have enaWCv. B 10 the British Government to promote the means of travel and transportation over a large part of the Province. The existing Canals, originally in advance of the wants of the time, are now deficient. . The progress of settlement westward, the development of the vast mineral resources which skirt the northciu shores of Huron and Superior, and the certainty that at no dis- tant day, the interests of civilization and commerce will demand facilities for mtercouree from the present terminus of lake navigation to the golden shores of the Pacific, are cir- cumstances which render the Georgian Bay Canal a matter which the Imperial authoriUes will necessarily entertain with favor. Over and above these considerations, are -thors more strictly military and naval in their character, but of these it is not requisite,; perhaps it is not prudent, for your Com- mittee to speak at any length. . , X 1-- 1 •*• To the Province the project is scarcely less than vital. Its geographical position points at Canada as the possessor of the first commercial advantages which are to be iound in the interior of the American Continent. ^ ^ •^^J.^ e Even now the produce and minerals of the North-west demand increased facilities tor reaching the seaboard, and the business men of Chicago and O-.wego are of opinion that a Ship Canal from the Georgian Bay to Ontario presents attractions of which none else Your Committee need not indulge in prophecy to prove that all arguments, based upon previous commercial wants, are trivial indeed when placed in the balance against the wants which will be experienced when a few more years shall have brought out, in a greater degree, the resources of the immense and fertile region of which tlus Canal will be the natural outlet. i. i-Ti.- i? i.v. In this regard the marvels of the past are the best index to the probabihties ot the "fiitiiirfi That there are engineering obstacles, it were folly to deny. Your Committee, how- ever, without entering into details, may be permitted to repeat, that the evidence ot com- petent parties appears to demonstrate that nature presents no difficulties along the route surveyed which science and perseverance may not overcome at a reasonable cost. Your Committee also find that Petitions from several Municipal bodies, including the City of Toronto, the Counties of York and Peel, the County of Simcoe, the Town ot Bar- rie, and others, have been presented to your Honourable House for a grant of ten miUions of acres of pubhc lands, to aid in the construction of this Canal. Your Committee- having a regard to the magnitude and importance ot this work, venture to indulge the hope that a grant of land, commensurate with the greatness ot the mdertakino-, will be made to the Toronto and Georgian Bay Canal Company, incorporated in 185G, as'one of the best means of securing the construction of the work, your (.ommit- te^ being persuaded that without some munificent inducement of this description, it were useless to seek the co-operation of the capitalists of the parent country, on whom mainly the Province must rely for the practical execution of the enterprise. _ Your Committee have to express their thanks to L. B. Crocker, Esquire of Oswego ; Col R. B. Mason, Commissioner of the Illinois Central Railroad; and \\illiam Bross, Esquire, of the Press and Tribum, Chicago, for the very important statistics and useful in- formation gratuitously imparted by them for the information of the Committee. Your Committee cannot conclude this Report without expressing their appreciation of the liberal spirit displaved l)y Mr. Kivas Tully, Civil Engineer, in presenting 1250 lithographs for the purpose of explaining the position and advantages of the Georgian Bay route : also, for the zeal which he has manifested in preparing the necessary statistics, which, in the opinion of your Committee, will be found valuable for future reterence, ■ clearly demonstrating not only the propriety of improving the present channels, but also the necessity of constructing additional facilities of communication through this 1 rovince for the vast' and rapidly increasing trade of the West. The whole respectfully submitte4. Thomas D. McConkey, Committee Room, No. 16, Chairmm, Tuesday, 31st May, 1864. \ E ; tb hi ti 1! tl E 01 v> I n g V t J a I I ) \ I SECOND REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE HUEON ANDONTAEIO SHIP CANAL House of Commons, Committee Room. June Uth, 1869. Thfi Select Committee to whom was referred the Petition of John Gordon and twenty The belect ^«"T"p^ ^f Onv.rio praving for the construction of the " Huron iTS^J^^^^r^^^ -S for pe;-sons and papers and to report as to 1855'stVe'A?Se the route wereLId^^^^^^^^^ thereon, and his Report was co^^^^^ , Company Siwers to o'S;- c tl:^^^^^^^^ AV^lIte ProvTice of Canada was appointed to enquire into and report on the projected Irk and 0^ Sth J^.ne of that jeiv, the Committee, through the late Joseph Hartman Z M P P. for No^•th York, reported strongly in favor of the enterprise, and stated t^^^^^^ ^■' 1 vpt nroiected in Canada hr.s equal claims with the proposed Canal, to a libeial no -^'^rk yet F"J««*^d m ^^^^^^^ [ ^^ ^^^^ Legislative Assembly of the latePro- ^ . of S^d. wa at'oLted to consider the practicability and propriety of constructing Tince of ^'^^^f J'l' KTof ;i,^t year, that Committee, by their Chairman, Thomas D. of evidence in rcferenee to the expediency and pi-acticabihty, m an enguwmg a. well as Ld that the Company be aided by the grant of ten millions acres of land. 12 Your Committee have had submitted to then: letters from Messieurs John Hawkshaw and A. M. Rendel, eminent Engineers, of London, England, expressing their confidence in the engineering practicability of the work, and from Mr. George Wythes, a prominent and reputedly wealthy English contractor, offering to undertake the remaining half of the contract for constriction, on the basis of the proposal of the United States capitalists already mentioned. Your Committee luive also had submitted to them a number of letters from various parties, prominent and well informed in matters of finance, expressing confidently the o})inion that, in the present state of the English money market, the Stock of the Company would be readily taken up, provided that a grant of ten millions acres of land were made to the Company, but, at the same time, unequivocally stating tliat, without such gi-ant, the floating of the Stock would 1)6 impossible at present. Your Committee had also important evidence from the Honourable Charles Tupper, C.B., Walter Shanly, Esq., C. E., the Honourable John Ross, and the Honourable James Skead, which is submitted herewith. Your Committee l)eg.to report that they have no doubt as to the expediency of the proposed Canal. They are satisfied that, if constructed, it would be of immense value to the commercial and general interests of the Province of Ontario, and of the whole Dominion of Canada. The interests of Ontario would be greatly promoted by the local expenditure, and the development of the extensive region of unoccupied land north and west of the Canal, and the interests of the Dominion, by the introduction into the country of the large amount of capital, estimated i.t forty millions-- of dolliirs, requu-ed for its construction ; by the encouragement of immigration ; and by the completion of a most important link in the chain of through communication between the Great West and the Old World. The Canal, if constructed, as it would be wholly within British territory, would be a most important key to the trade of the West and greatly conduce to the establishment and continuance of reciprocal trade between this Dominion and the United States of America. Independently of tliese important national, commercial and social considerations, it is obvious to your Committee that v. large accession of revenue must accrue to the Dominion Exchequer from the construction of this work, as out of an expenditure of f^rty millions of dollars, chiefly for inqiorted labor, a large amount must "ow into the public chest through Customs and Excise. The testimony adduced liefore your Committee has satisfied them that the work is prac- ticable in an engineering point of view, but that unless a liberal gi'ant of land be given in aid of the Company, the work, in the opinion of your Committee, cannot be accomplished. The following' statement of comparative distances by dilferent routes, shows the great saving that will be eff'ected by this canal when constructed : — CHICAGO TO QUEBEC. Via Lake Erie, the Welland and St. Lawrence Canals 1,550 miles. Fm Huron and Ontario Ship, and Si. Lawrence Canals 1,180 Making a saviiig of 370 " CHICAGO TO NKW YORK. Via Lake Erie and f]rie Canal 1,504 Fia Lake Erie, Welland Canal and Oswego , 1,500 '^| _ Via Huron and Ontario Canal and Oswego 1,225 CHICAGO TO LIVERPOOL. Fia Mississippi and New Orleans 6,000 Fm Erie Canal and New York 4,000 " Fia Welland Canal and St. ruv.freucc 4,160 ^| Fia Huron and Ontario Canal and St. Lawrence 3,736 13 « And it is shown in the Report of the Oand Company's Engineer, Mr. Sykes, that by the saving of transhipment, a cargo of 1,000 ov 1,200 tons shipped at Chicago for Liverpool wa the Huron and Ontario Canal, woidd, under ordinary circumstances, reach Liveqwol before a similar cargo, shipped at same time, via Buflalo and Eric Canal, could reach Xew York. The relations of the proposed canal to the Nortli-West Territory, and the development of that extensive and valuable portion of the Dominion, are aL^o, in the opinion of the Committee, additional reasons for the undertaking of the work. The necessity for its use would also, it is believed, lead to an internafcioual system of Navi,<,ation Law between this country and the United States, which would be equally just lo both, and largely stimulate the important industrial branch of bhip-ljuilding in this Dominion. By means of its construction the river St. Lawrence, which is the natural highway between the Great West (now rapidly becoming the granary of the world) and the consumer'! of Europe, would be more used than at present. The conse.]iience would be the necessary enlarge- ment of the St. Lawrence Canals and the accjuisitiou to that noble river of the vast trade which nature intended it to have, but which the energy of man has hitherto, to a large extent, diverted through artificial channels in the neighboring Republic. By means of the improvements suggested in the navigation of the St. Lawrence, and an improved .sys- tem of International Navigation Law, Canada would share, to a large extent, in the carry- ing trade of the world, and our Confederacy would be enriched by the stream of trade which would pass through our terri<-ory on its way to the ocean. The whole of which is nevertheless respectful!, .ubmitted. RoBT. A. Haerison, M.P., Toronto West, Ont., Chairman. The Hon. Chas. Connell, M.P., Carlton, N. B. The Hon. Charles Tupper, M.P., Cumberland, N. S. The Hon. J. H. Gray, M.P., St. John, N. B. The Hon. J. G. Blanchet, M.P., Levis, P. Q. James Metcalfe, M.P., York East, Ont. James Beaty, M.P., Toronto East, Ont. Amos Wright, M.P., York West, Ont. G. H. SiMARD, MP., Quebec Centre, P. Q. L. H. Masson, M.P., Soulanges, P. Q. Thos. D. McConkey, MP., Simcoe North, Ont, J. P. Wells, M.P., York North, Ont. W. C. Little, M.P., Simcoe South, Ont. George Jackson, M.P., Grey South, Ont. Thomas R. Ferguson, M.P., Card well, Ont. House of Commons, Ottawa, 15th June, 1869. Committee Room, "Wednesday, 9th June, 1869. minutes of evidence. At the request of Mr. Capreol, Dr. Tupper made the following statement : Dr. Tupper stated that in the year 1868, he had several interviews with the Duke of Buckingham, who took great interest in the proposed canal and expressed a hope that ere long it will be constructed. He had also had several interviews with Mr. Hawkshaw and Mr. Rendel, both of whom are engineers of the highest standing in England, and who expressed their confidence in the feasibility and practicability of the undertaking. He had had communication also with Mr. Wythes, the eminent English contractor, and the latter proposed in the event of the Government expressing a willingness to grant 10,000,- 000 acres of land, to send out engineers at his own expense, to verify the reports of Mr. Sykes by actual survey. . i,- i • j Dr. Tupper impressed on the committee the importance of some project of this kind for facilitating access from the West to the seaboard, being undertaken Arithout delay u not only >n a P.ovi,rc;al b^.t a National point ^ view. M..„ of the M.U-t *a»c.e. and «*»f "% 'Str'' ,t\:frwt;Sri"r„niu,enso wealth, and »oco„d works ot this kind, ru kiu w mi. j Harrv Verney, a momyjer of to none in Sngl-^ as a ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ /onstructL of the pro- the Imperial House of C^^^^^^ Government of the Dominion sliould make posed ^^''^"'^l,.o^i-J'^PP;,',7?:;t'a^^^^ Uke quantity should be granted by the Govern- ^^?is=o^^^ ^si5^:fbi^n^^;in t SS 7^^ mode of appropriating wild land that can be made n^^^^^ Sn capitalists abroad become &ir i^r fo* s: cZS -d^SeSs^^id'K^^^^^^ Thursday, 10th June, 1869. Mr Fowler, of Toronto, appeared before the Committee, and read the report of Mr. nomca route which is aiways Sot tin chamie s of the rivers whereon it is produced, It (pine -(owmg to its lighter snecffic . rS^^^^^^ it greater power of flotation) needs no elaborate means of tnxnsit !^when"is hmlwood needs to be shipped. But the offect of the proposed Huron and On- tnvin Diiial on either kinds of timber trade would amount to nothing. ''"cVhatsyrr opinion of the value of the ^^^^^^^^^^^ * „ Pnn ,1« nnfl nf ^^\,yuur sucli woi'ks bv OTauts of FuLhc Lands or otherwise ]— The pro- '^lt^^:^S^S^^i''Ji^oA, and .hould b. Ueate.l ..^^ n «h cC V TI.0 Canals ....ccssai-y to improve the Ottawa Navigation are not only PiAlic Worte ?i" V iic!i ov .ry sekio.. of tlio Dominion is intero.st«l, but also an imperial necessity m winch S^iuhSnUst be e„n,it n^ „..„ &f navfgSi S^^^^^ the OttaL Canals. And this line would ^^^^'^^^^^^ Bav about 150 miles above the h.^ad of the proposed Huron and Ontario Canal. It is there- fore hLf to coi^efve^X^^ value the latter could be to this trade, or to whatever portion of 17 it that might require a market at Chicago or on the shores of Lake Superior. I am conse- }iendix No. 1.) Report of Registrar-General of Eirths, &c. — {Sessioiial FajJers No. 27.) Besolved, That the House do concur in the Third Report of the Committee on Printing. REPOKT OF COMMITTEE OR HURON AND ONTARIO SHIP CANAL. THE REPORT NOT ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE. ■■v (The JoUouing Report tms never ado]}ted nor concurred in hj the Legislature.) To THE Honourable the Legislative Assembly, Ontari* : "-he Select Committee appointed to enquire into the present position of the Huron and Ontario Ship cTal, and also into the practicability and advantage of the proposed ""'^tTthertZ examredVarious witnesses and much documentary evidence, inclu- ding maps XnrL'^r^^^^ connected with the project, submitted for cheir ^•Kion aiVfrom which it appears to your Committee that no insuperable obstruc- rfnrP^rnt uTm^^^^^^^ opening canal communication between the waters rLaCnttTd 0^^^^^^^^^ a nLssaiy grant of lands required by the capital- into and contractors as a condition precedent to the contract. ri testimony as to the practicability and advantage of the work, your Committee WAirentHenrv Graham, Mercha^ and Wm. Sykes, Esq., resident Engineer of the CaLtconpany a^nd have examined his scientific and exhaustive report, replete wi h m- Sronrd'convincing proofs of the incalculable advantages to g^ -mmercial and general interests of the country arising from the construction of the Canal. ^ Your CoTnmittee have also read letters from Messieurs John HawkshaAr, of London, England and A. M. Rendel, of the same place, who rank among the most eminent Lng- neers of the age, expressing their confidence in the practicability ot the project, based upon said leport. Also letters from Mr. iVythes, a reputedly wealthy and extensive Eng- """^ ZTthTe^dt^eToLtlry and otherwise, before your Committee, so thoroughly does the^rojecteem to have been canvassed, and so sensib e of its practicability and arai tages do all parties appear to be, that your Committee deem it ^T'^;i^^y2^^_ sume time in adding arguments or opinion to the foregone conclusion that the coustuic Sof^he canal is°quite practicable^ and that it would be perhaps the most advantageous work which could be undertaken for the Dominion. f^„„„o Your Committee have been most careful in the investigation of the question cf means .. „^^r.v„ :"" .yui^Hon of sn v.a«f, n. Arnrk and have no hesitation m reporting that m ILlfent^f Mf Capreo being "able to effect the land grant which he seeks, there is strong evidoncf of hiJability toWide the necessary means and skill to accomplish the """'V Capreol produced to your Committee a proposal from reUable capitalists of the 21 United States, to undertake one-half the contract, accepting in payment one-half the Company's Stock— say $20,000,000, provided a giant of 10,000,000 acres of land he obtained in aid, and provided also that English capitalists would undertake vhe other He also submitted letters from Messrs. Hawkshaw and Rendel, before mentioned, and from Mr. George Wythes, the above named English contractor, proposing to under- take the remaining half upon like terms. Also other correspondence with English Fman- cial Firms, giving assurance of the easy sale of the Company's Stock, in the event of the land grant above mentioned being mad«. „ j. Amongst other evidence submitted, your Committee would respectfully direct the attention of your Honourable House, to the euggestions of the Honourable Mr. Tupper, M. P., in his evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons, dur.ng last Session, as to the propriety of the Legislature of Ontario and the Dominion Govern- ment, granting respectively 5,000,000 acres of land, each to secure the accomplishment of ao desirable a project. , - ^ • . .i i. Your Committee would also respectfully urge the privilege of refernng to the vast millions of lands, and the immense forests of most valuable timber, the water powers and minerals lying to the north of Lakes Huron and Superior, to the opening up and popu- lating of which this Canal would be the most immediate means. Also to the Btill more vast expanse of newly acquired territory, for the settlemeJt of which the Dominion is making active exertion, and with which they are, in the opinion of Your Committee, no means of communication comparable with that created by the proposed Canal. To the fact also, that unless some such highway of travel to the outer world is furnished, there can be but little doubt that the trade and commerce as they are developed in that territory, will find their way through a foreign country, to the waters of the Mississippi, and thus pass off from us forever. , , , n Your Committee are unanimous in the opinion, that innumerable advantages would result from the construction of the Canal, and that no better use could be made of the lands of the Dominion, than in the encouragement and establishment of projects such as that submitted for their consideration. When the voluntary capital, the •ympathy and exertions of outside people, are offered for our acceptance, upon terms so easy of Julfal- ment. Your Committee can see no valid reason for their rejection. The fact that $40,000,000 are obtainable for expenditure amongst us in exchange of 10,000,000 acres of our lands, impresses Your Committee as one of the most favorable possible overtures. Were those lanJs a commodity, which, when paid for by a foreign people could be re- moved and leave our country territorially less and poorer, there might then be some slight subject for debate as to their value, and as to whether or not $4,00 per acre were too small a price. But when the converse is the fact ; when we not only receive the moneys into the country, but retain our lands, still an undetached portion of our terri- tory ; when the expenditure of those moneys, opens up a vast highway commerce, and attracts the trade and attention of nations; when the ownership of the lands exchanged, establishes an intense interest on the part of those proprietors, in the development and population of our country, even in the selfish view of enhancing their own capital, by the corresponding increase in the value of these lands; when each thus interested, will naturally become a voluntary agent, advising emigration to our shoreb; when the thous- ands immigrating, even to perform the necessary labours of the undertaking, will be so many added to our population ; when we reflect that the wealth of a nation consists not in its territorial extt . alone, but in the culture of its soil, the development of its resour- ces, and the numbers of its producers and cons mers ; and when we reflect that in the land, in its present state, unpopulated and unimproved, we have at best but imaginary wealth and barren waste ; your Committee cannot divest themselves of the feeling that under the proposed arrangement, there is much to gain and nothing to be lost. Ihat thereby in truth, the c( --^try would have still its land ; would have the canal constructed, and would have the money spent chiefly in our midst, with all the advantages resulting Thatwhiist in the earlier development of our country, it might have been pardon- able to smile at the sincerity and axdour evinced by Mr. Capreol, in the advocacy end promotion of so vast a project. Your Committee leel that under the present light of 8cier.ce, engineering skill and open money market of the world, added to the fact of Mr. Capreol's indomitable energy and undiaputable financial skill, there is much to hjpe for. And even wero they ignorant of the fact, that in those earlier days, ho wos instrumental in surmounting difficulties, comparatively greater than the present, in the projection and construction of our first and my think it wonKl he a very great acciuisition. Mr. LamZrr— Ik'forewo >'o on to the practicability of the scheme, I should like to ask Witness whether '.lo has any other letters similar to those of Mr. Ilawkshaw's, that is a very important letter. Aro there any indications from the Company, the tonlracting party in England, to show what kind of land would ho acceptable, or anything in refer- •ence to the locality. Hon. Mr. Cameron — I 8uppo.so there was nb discussion as to Avhat over £56,000,000 Stg. seeking investment. . Mr. Lount -Your company then would require the land as the work proceeds, .'. .mely, &s von spend a million of dollars, you require a million acres of land, and so on ? " ,/itness—ThsLt is the condition to the extent of 10,000,000 of acres. I will further add that the locality ought to be determined upon, and the land vested m trustees m this country. So that there would be three Financial Trustees in England, and three Trustees for the land in Canada. ^ ., ^ i, j Mr. ioiiJif— Havo ycu any correspondence ? It is stated m your report, that you Had interviews with American capitalists. ^^ Have you any letters ? ^ ^ ^^ ^^^^^ of F.ntr f Witness — Produced letters from the Amenca.i capitahsvS, an. Mr. ..y.-ieso- < - ^ 1 .and, contractors ; also from Messieurs Hawkshaw and Kendel, engineere, oi England ; 24 I and also from seven'l financial Urms of London, England; also, Mi. Sykes' report; also* Mr. Hartnian'H report of Legislative Assembly, 1857 ; also, Mr. McConkey's report of Legislative Assembly, 1804. (Signed) Fred. C. Cavreol. Committee Room, 21s.' Dec, 18G9. Huron and Ontario Ship Canal. This Committee met in room 13, at 9.30 A.M. Present— Mr. Lonnt (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Cameron, Messrs. Oliver, Ferguson, Williams (Durban)), Swinarton, Grahame (York), McCall (Norfolk), and Lauder. Mr. Crooks was examined as to the i)racticability of the work. He said Mr. Sykes had presented a report to Mr. Hawksbaw and Mr. Rendel, of England. Assuming that Mr. Sykes' data were correct, they had come to the conclusion that there were no engi- neering difficulties which could not be surmounted. In a conversation, wldch he (Mr, Crooks) had in the month of JNIay last, with Mr. Rendel, while in England, that gentle- man introduced the question of the canal himself. Mr. Eendel was not aware that he (Mr. Crooks) occupied the jiosition of Provisional Director of the Company. In the conversation, IMr. Kendel said he did not see how the people of Canada were so blind as not to see it would be to their advantage to give assistance to the Company in the shape of a land grant. Mr. Eondel's position as an engineer, was one of the highest. He was at that time connected with extensive railway operations in England. He (Mr. Crooks) did not see Mr. Hawkshaw personally, l)ut there was no question a.s to his being the fore- most man in his profession at the i>resent day. He had been comiected with a great many extensive works, more particularly such as referred to the science of hydraulics. He was ai)pointed to superintend large works in Holland, and he had been sent to inspect the Suez Canal, on more than one occasion. The last great Avork on wluch his opinion bad been asked for, to determine whether it should be undertaken or not, was the projected tunnel across the straits of Dover, which some French engineers had been trying to work up for some time. He (Mr. C.) merely mexitioncd this to show what a largo authority Mr. Hawkshaw was on questions connected with engineering. Mr. Hawkshaw had given his opinion in favor of the practicability of constructing the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal. Now, with respect to the present position of this scheme, lie would say that every tlnng had l^eeii accomplislied, except the building np of a financial structure. The fullcot possilile information had ])eeu obtained that was necessary for any one to be informed upoii, with reference to tlie practicability of the work, and the advantages to be derived from its construction, and the simple question now, was the one of ways anr^, nieans, Mr. William Freshfield, referring to this question, said ther'i could be little difficulty ill obtaining the necessary advances from English capitalists. He spoke Avith perfect confidence on the matter, and said, " Mr. Crooks, there can be no doubt, if you caix get a grant of ten millions of acres, you will succeed, ])ut you must either have that or a guarantee of some kind." He (Mr. C.,) saw Mr. Wythes, and he said the gigantic nature of the enterprise v>as no obstacle— in fact, it was rather an advantage, for capitalists did not care to embark in small enterprises. They .vould rather undertake one like this, involvin'g five or ten millions sterling, but there was a necessity for a laud grant as well. Capitalists did not care to enter upon a work on what was called "the merits of the work'" alone. It was difficult for a government to construct railways on its own guarantee. However clear the merits of the work, a backing of some kind Avas required. He refeired to the Illinois Central Kailway and other great Avorks, Avhich had become successful in consequence of having large tracts of land, beside their own merits to fall back on.. K;ul- ways had growi^ into discredit in England lately. Capitalists had come to understand that railway del)entures Avere not a charge ou the property, but merely a lieu on the earnings or income of the railway. Hon. Mr. Cameron Avished to knoAv if be liad any discussion respoctin"' tlie v.alue of tlte ten millions of land, Avhich the Company asked for. Mr. Crooks said that he explained that the lands Avere different from those granted to th« Illinois Central Railway Company. They Avere A^aluable principally for the timber and minerals. Hon. Mr. Cameron said he supposed then that so long as the millions of acres were granted, it did not matter a rap where they were situated. Mr. Crooks— 0, no ! there would ue the fuUesst investigation of the traet. Hon. Mr. Cameron — Then it is not merely a ten million acres'grant, you want 1 Mr. Crooks said it would be necessary for the canal to get further assistance than that. They would require some government guarantee of a certain small amount of interest on a small part of the capital— say one fourth of it. This was about the extent of his conversation with the gentlemen he spoke of. He was not i)i England at the time in the interest of the canal, and he carried no credentials from the Company. His con- versations on the subject, were merely accidental as it were. Mk. Lount — Did you indicate in your conversations that the lands were situated on the north shores of Lakes Superior and Huron ? Mr. Crooks — No, I knew nothing about them. The Committee adjourned at 10.15 A. M., till Tuesday next. COMMITTEE. The Committee met in room No. 3, at 10 o'clock this morning. _.^.,, ^^^^s^"^*— Mr. Lount, (Chairman) ; Hon. Mr. Cameron and Messrs. Wallis, Lauder,, Williams, (Durliam) ; Grahame, (York) ; Hays and Coyne. Mr. Capreol said tlie Company had nothincr to conceal, and thev courted the strictest investigation. Mr. Harrison, M.P., was called on. He said there was a Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons at Ottawa, last session, to investigate into the practicability and expedience of the work. The Committee was composed of members from all parts of the Dominion. They reported in favor of the scheme, and were quite unanimous ia declaring their belief in the promises made to tlu3 Company, by cap' .lists in Great Britain and the United States. There was no attempt made to bias the Committee by undue influence, and he did not believe there were any of its members who could be so influenced. The members from the Lower Provinces, seemed to take a very wai-m interest in tlie scheme, and to regard it as a great national work. The Committee were not appointed- to report respecting a laud grant, but they considered that without such a grant, the canal could not be constructed. They believed that the wild lands of the country could not be better employed. They considered that it would be an immense benefit to the Avhole Dominion, from the introduction of labour and capital, and the improved means of com- munication witli the West. By the term Western country, was meant not only the Western States of the neighbouring Eepublic, but also the Red Iliver Territory. It was believed that without additional security, the canal could noi be constructed. There were other outlets for the produce of the West, but they were not so short or otherwise so well fitted, as this projected canal would be. It was found that the grain was injured in passing through the Erio Canal, by the warm waters in that channel, but this difficulty would be obviated in the Georgian Bay Canal, for the waters from Lake Huron would ahfays bo cool. It was considered that the deepening of tlie St. Lawrence Canals, would greatly benefit the Huron and Ontario Canal, and without that, sea going vessels could not reach Lake Ontario. There was no evidence of mariners taken. His opinion was that a grant of five millions of acres to the Company, with certain checks, could not be be better employed. AVliat he meant by checks, was to grant the land as the canal advanced. Mr. Capreol said it was not the intention of the Company to make the demand for ten millions of acres without checks. They proposed to receive one million of acres for every million of dollars expended. He meant by that, that the Company would expect to receive one million of acres on the north shore of Lake Superior, as soon as they should have expended a million of dollars, and so on, till the $10,000,000 were expended. Mr. Harrison said, taking the experience of the United States— and they had been most successful in the construction of their public works— the best way to build the- Cftnal, Avaa to grant the land to the Company, and allow them to settle it themselves. 26 I The Committee were unanimous in expressing this view. There was evidence l.-iid before them to show that it avouUI be a good commercial investment. The Committee did nob go into the question of jurisdiction, so that he coukl not say whether the Dominion or Ontario should grant the land. Hon. Mr. Cameron asked if there was any champagne used to influence the Com- mittee in fovor of the scheme 1 Mr. HaiTison said no champagne was used in the room. Mr. Capreol invited his friends to drink with him at other times ; but he was the same at all times. The fivcili- ties for transport from the North-West were no more than sufficient to meet the require- ments of the present, day, and not one-tenth of the North-West was yet settled. The Huron Canal, if constructed, woidd save 37U miles between Chicago and Quebec, and would be much shorter than the Erie route. The Committee examined Hon. Mr. Skead, who was not in favor of the scheme, but the Hon. gentleman declared as his opinion that the Ottawa route was impracticable as a ship canal. Mr. Donaldson, Emigrant Agent, was next examined. He said the bulk of emigrants who arrive here were labourers and mechanics, and the construction of this Canal would encourage emigration, and give employment to all that would come. He had not the slightest doubt that plenty of labourers could be ob- tained to build the canal. The bulk of the emigrants who arrive here belonged to a class which would not be fit to work on farms ; but would be well suited for canal labourers, and their preliminary training on such a work as the proposed canal, would fit them to settle the wild lands of the country. He believed the announcement that public works were about to be constructed, stimulated immigration more than the ofter of free grants. Of course, it would be better to offer both inducements. So far as we knew, public opinion was strongly in favor of the scheme, and he had heard but one expression on the subject of the ten million grant, that it should be given to the Company. It would be the Tceaus of developing lands which are now useless, and would bring a large amount of capital and useful labour to the countiy. Mr. Ferguson suggested that questions of such importance should be submitted and answered in writing, Tlie Chairman and Mr. Lauder also concurred. The suggestion was adopted, and the Committee adjourned at 10.45 A. INI., till half- past nine o'clock to-morrow morning. When Mr. Sykes will be examined. Pr.OCEEDINGS IN COMMITTEE. The Select Committee appointed by the Legislature on this subject, met again yes- terday morning. Mr. Lount iu the Chair, during the first part of the proceedings, but being required at another Committee, Mr. Grahame took the Chair. Mr. Graham of King Street, informed the Committee that, when in London, Mr. Eastman, a mercht.iit, had informed him that the money was ready for this canal. They only wanted a grant of land. As a merchant of this City, Mr. Graham was sure the canal would do a great deal of good, and that the feeling was generally In fiivor of the -work. Mr. Eastman, of Lorx.lon, was a man of large wealth and connections. He as.sured him (Mr. Graham) that the money was lying idle in the vaults, and that they were only waiting for a grant to go on at once with the Avorks. They did not enter into a discuffsion as to the amount of money that was in the vaults. Mr. Eastman was extensively engaged in business, but he has now retired. He is a partner in the house of Rothchild. Mr. Eastman was satisfied it would be a good speculation. Mr. Cameron wanted to know whether anything had been said about going on with the matter without land. Mr. Graham said no, nothing of the kind had been said, it was only a casual conver- sation. Mr. W. Sykes, Civil Engineer, handed in a series of wi-itten answer? to questions that had been furmsacd to hiiii, as follows ; L Have you examined the route of the proposed canal % Answer — Yes. 2. Will you describe its chief characteristic features 1 Hu it V exc stra froi occi the oft exp mai Uiv the a SI to< neo on. bui' mu) Car Giv Eej pul mei mei is s tral Mil the 27 Aiwver — It is intended to commence at Lake Ontario, near the mouth of the River Humber, and follow the valley of that riv(;r to the village of Berwick, from which place it will follow the eastern branch of that river to the township of King, then, by a large excavation, to the /alley of the Holland River, Avhich it is proposed to deepen and straightea. Lake Simcoe will then be utilized for navigable purposes as far as Barrie, from which point, to the Nottawasaga River, another excavation of some importance occurs. It is proposed to follow that river for fifteen miles, deepening and straightening the same as ftir as_ Jack's Lake, from which point an excavation will be made to the mouth of that river, to avoid a large detour. 3. Are you aware what has been stated publicly in regard to the water supply 1 Answer — T am. 4. What is your opinion as to the sufficiency of the supply of water ? Answer — That it is largely in excess of the requirements of tho canal. 6. Have you estimated the cost of the construction of this canal ■? Answer — I have. 6. What is the estimated cost of its construction 1 Answer — About 36 millions of dollars, including right of way. 7. If the canal was constructed, could it pass a sufficient amount of freight to pay expenses, and a reasonable dividend % Answer — It could. 8. In arriving at the conclusion on the last question, have you estimated the cost of maintenance and management 1 Answer — I have. 9. Will you infonn the Committee what is your estimate of tolls for revenue and dividend ? Aiiswer — My estimate of receipts and tolls is as follows : — • 5,175,000 tons at 80 cents $4,220,000 Deduct cost of maintenance and management 175,500 $4,044,500 10. Do you consider this project to be plete in itself, or will improvements in the St. Lawrence be necessary to supplement undertaking 1 Answer — To make this canal a commerce success it is absolutely necessary to give a similar capacity to the navigable canals and shoals of the St. Lawrence. 11. On what grounds do you conceive there is a necessity for such a work as this ] Answer — On several, amongst others the manifest insufficiency of the present routes to convey the produce of t^ie west to the Atlantic cities and European ports. Also, the necessity of opening up tc the world at large, the vast timber and mineral regions lying on the north shores of Lakes Huron and Superior. Facilitating the construction of ship building on a large scale in the aforementioned disti-icts of Canada. Facilitating com- munication with our North- West, formerly the JTudson Bay Territory. Securing to Canada a long and important link in a future comnii nication between Europe and Asia. Giving to Canada an important position in making arrangements with the neighbouring Republic for reciprocal trade, and certainly of securing peaceful relations with that Re- public. 12. Wliafc are the chief sources of traffic upon which you will depend % Answer — On the United States for grain, barrelled and cut meats, salt, mineral and merchandise. From Canada chiefly lumber and minerals, with returns of emigrants and merchandise. 13. Can you distinguish what will be peculiarly from the United States, and what is strictly Canadian ? Answer — My answer to the last question sepa ..tcs them genei-ally. 14. From what sources did vou derive vour data for estimating the amounts of traffic '{ Answer — From the reports of the Boards of Trade of the different cities of Chicago. Milwaukee, Buffalo, and others, and also from the traffi3 returns of the Saulte Ste. Marie, the Welland, the Erie, the Oswego, and the St. Lawrence Canals. 28 I I 15. What is the date to which you have brought this estimate ? Answer — The year 1366 in most instances, in some only to the year 1865, in himber and stares through Buffalo only to the year 1862, 16. What was the population and proportionate area of land under cultivation for the districts which you took into account ? Answer — The area of land which I estimate as tributary to this canal in the United States amounts to 614,548 square miles, say 394,310,720 acres. The population of which area in 1860 amounted to 4,132,827, and the amount of land under cultivation at that time was 34,983,680 acres, being less than seven per cent of the total area. In addition to this vast extent of country, there is our own North-West Territory, which is estimated at a much larger extent of valuable mineral and agricultural lanrls. 17. Have you estimated the comparative costs of freight between this route and others now in existence ? Ansiver — I have, 18. What do you consider will be the advantage derived from the construction of thi» canal ? Answer — A reduction of 50 per cent, in freight, and a saving of time in the transport of freight to nearly the same extent. 19. In estimating the cost of constructing this work, on what data have you proceed- ed? Aryiocr — By first preparing plans and specifications of what works I concei\ ed would be adequate for tlie requirements of this canal, then carefully calculating the quantities of the same, and bringing out the results at what I believed to be good and sufficient rates. 20. Will you inform the Committee Avhat are the chief items of your estimate ? Answer — Earthworks, about 61,000,000 of cubic yards, about 1,500,000 cubic yards of puddling, about 31 J miles of sloped protection and retaining piles, in deep excnvation^ 42 locks, 27 waste wiers, 4 railway bridges, 24 other bridges, 25 miles of hydraul .. main, permanent and temporary fencing, terminal harbours, and crib protections in Lake Sim- coe, land and sever?.nce damages, with culverts, flood off-lets, towing paths, wharves,work shops, offices, and other works of a minor character. 21. Can you give the Committee any details showing the manner in which these es- timates have been arrived at 1 Ansiuer — I can. My book of estimates is here for the inspection of the Committee. 22. Are you aware that it has been stated that if this canal was filled with vessels from stem to stern, and night and day, it could not pass sufficient freight to warrant the expectatioii of a dividend 1 Answer — I am aAvare of what has been so stated, viz : that if it was filled with vessel* from stem to stern it would not pay. 23. What is your opinion regarding that statement 1 Answer — That is totally untrue, and has originated, in my opinion, in an error of cal- culation, in a report made be M. P. Hayes, Esq., to the Board of Trade at Toronto, which was received and adopted at the annual meeting of that Board, February 27th, 1856, vide page 35, of that report. 24. What is your estimate of the capacity of this canal ? Answer — My estimate of the actual capacity of the canal, is 19,008,000 tons per year, but as the prospects of return freight are much more limited than freight going to the East, I have reduced this estimate to 12,672,000 tons per year. 25. Canyon indicate to the Committee, or in any way state that any official commu- nications hare passed between any of the States Governments and the Government of Can- ada? Ariswcr— Yes. In 1863, a deputation was sent from the State of Illinois, to the Goveroner General of the British Provinces, at Quebec, I presume this application is on record in the archives of the House. (Signed) WM. SYKES, C. E. > T&ronto, Decemler dth, 1869. 29 } To Mr. Cameron Mr. Sykes explained that the length of canal wonld be 40 miles. The whole distance would be 97 miles from lake to lake. It would take 42 hours to pass from Nottawassaga Bay to the Humber — possibly less — by tugging, to long reaches or hydraulic power on the short reaches. There are 56 miles without a lock, there steam tugs would be most available, and 8 miles an hour might be obtained ; in the canal about 4 miles an hour, or on the short reaches two miles an hour. He estimated 20 minutes for passing each lock. He stated the matter za if all were steamers, but if sailing vessels, then as being towed, screw vessels could be used. He had seen hydraulic power applied on a small scale, but it was coming into existence more generally, and was now in use in Aus- tria, and was being tried on the Erie Canal. There was no doubt as to its applicabilitj, but screw vessels would soon ba exclusively used. A screw vessel could come from Chi- cago to the point of divergence in about thirty hours. From the point of divergence to Collingwood might be about 350 miles, from the same point to the foot of Lake Huron about 600 miles. It would take 77 hours to go from the point of divergence to the head of the Humber in Lake Ontario, and 90 hours from the point of divergence to the mouth of the Welland on Lake Erie, vihS^h is about 900 miles. It would take 24 hours to pass the Welland Canal. The distant i'rom the point of divergence to Sarnia he was not quite sure about. A screw steamer should travel 375 miles in 35 or 36 hours- The Wel- land Canal has 27 locks, and is 28» miles long. This canal has 42 locks. He gave twenty minutes to each lock. Each lock covered about 60 yards. He estimated the travelling at the rate of two miles an hour through the 27 miles, which would make 13^ hours, and 9 for the locks — in all 24 hours. Tue lake navigation should be at from 9 to 10 miles aa hour. The diiference in distance would be 370 miles, and the difference of time 23 hours Mr. Cameron — If his figures were right, he made it 29 hours. Mr. Sykes — It was 640 miles from Chicago to Collingwood, and say 100 miles through the canal, which would be traversed say in 122 hours. This was taking the lake naviga- tion at 8 miles per hour. It is 980 miles from Chicago to the mouth of the Welland, and 27 miles through the canal, which would be traversed in 146| hours, making a differ- ence of 24J hours. The cost per day of a vessel of 1,200 tons — a sailing vessel, would be $72 per day, including insurance and 17 men employed upon the ship. The canal naviga- tion would be open for seven months, but these vessels could go anywhere, therefore the estimates had been made on annual wages. The average insurance would be about 7 per ■cent. The general idea of the tols, was that they should average 80 cents on the gross ton, so that such a vessel would pay $960 : such a vessel could not go through the Welland. I;' Mr. Cameron — Yes, if the Welland were deepened. Mr. Capreol — And strike on St. Clair flats. Mr. Cameron — The St. Clair flats have been deepened since this project was started. Mr. Sykes — That the tolls on the Welland, were 25 cents a ton, but they must be in- creased if the canal were deepened. It costs now 1 cent per ton per mile, to bring com from Chicago to Toronto. That, at least, is what it is done for, but it costs really more. There are 33| bushels in an American ton, and 37 bushels in a British ton. That 33 bushels would cost $6. He did not believe it could be brought for half a dollar a ton. Mr. Hays — From Chicago to Sarnia, it costs a York shilling a bushel. Mr. Sykes — From Chicago to Collingwood, it would cost about $1.50 a ton. He thought a good deal of g 'n would be shipped from Canada by this canal, instead of by rail. He did not think lucre would be much saving in going by rail, considering trans- ference and other delays and costs. The canal was for the advantage of the Western States and Canada also. The introduction of grain from the West, would not lessen the price of grain here, because it would mostly be exported. But if it were cheapened, he did not think the people would mind that. He did not think there would be anything wrong io bringing American wheat to compete with our own. Mr. Oliver — Did not see it in that light. It would not alter the price of grain. The Americans can come to Collingwood now. Mr. Cameron was not sure whether the protection principle was right. He had never satisfied himself what was_the true principle He did not think Toronto would I 80 be benefited by the canal when the canal was finished. It would rather bj a detriment if it went to the Humber. Mr. Caproel— It might go to the Don. He did not know. That would depend upon the English Engineorg. The Committee then adjourned till 9:30 to-day. ADDEESS TO MR CAPREOL. /i r\ y On the arrival of Mr. Capreol from England on the 9th Septembej, I'^'S, there ap- peared notices thereof in the Toronto newspapers of the 10th September, after the fol- lowing manner : •' Arrival of the Canal King."—" Enthusiastic Reception."—" 10,000 Citizens Pre- sent." — "Imposing Torch-light Procession." — "The Streets in a Blaze of Light." — " Address of Welcome." At the St. Lawrence Hall a grand reception meeting took place, when the Mayor called upon Captain Dick to read the Address to Mr. Capreol, -which was as follows : — To Frederick C. Capreol, of the City of Toronto, Esquire, President of the Huron ami Ontario Shij) Canal Company. Sir, — It is with great pleasure that we, on behalf of your many friends, and the friends of the great undertaking in which you have so zealously labored, on the occasion of your retuiii among us, congratulate you on your safe arrival, and on the success which has attended your efforts. These efforts have been of so public a nature that wo must be excused if we only speak of them. Our citizens, and the public at large, have long known you as one whose best years have been spent in aiding and promoting whatever might tend to the advancement and prosperity of our young country. We are not insensible of the fact that but for your indomitable energy and zeal in the past, the fertile country lying between this city and the Northern Lakes would, in all human probability, have been for many years later, left without proper means of communication, and that its many resources must have found a tardy means of egress to the profitable markets which the Northern Eailroau secured to the now ilourishing settler of this wealthy district. Great an enterprise as was the Northern Ilailway at the time of its construction, the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal is a work of much greater magnitude and importance ; when constructed it must cenfer on Canada, and to some extent, the v. hole mercantile world, advantages which but few undertakings of any age or country can equal. It will couple tlie far West with the seaboard, afford a highway from the interior of this vast Continent to the Atlantic, and form an important link in the great chain of communica- tion which must, at no distant day, pass through British America from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We are pleased to learn that your negotiations in England, on behalf of this import- ant work, have been so far successful, that the most serious oljstacles to the construction of the Canal have been overcome. We earnestly hope that a liljeral policy on the part of our Governments will afford the means of carrying on to completion the great project, which owes 80 much to your indefatigable labors and perseverance, and bring with it the full fruition of our warmest hopes. '^HOMAS Dick, Chairman. David Blain, Secretary. Toronto, 9th September, 1868.