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i 
 
 ' >4^ 
 
 
%'' 
 
 V, 
 
 rsBfis: 
 
 
ia 
 
 ■7 
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jmn^ 
 
Maskinonge and Nipissing Railway. 
 
 g. J^^^SS Jp.^i^^|;^^:'7^- P--^i^-nt of Canada 
 
 company for tl/e constrnetion of th.Ar ^•"''^"^ ^'''^"'«'-' ^^ ^ 
 Kaihva/ 'sirncnon of the Maskinonge and Nipissing 
 
 ITS LENGTH. 
 
 Its length will be about 450 miles. 
 
 ITS EOUTE. 
 
 to or near the parish of ^ xr JL V I ^''''''"'^ ^^ ^"^b^^^ 
 Mattav/in, thence to the ooint ;J^"^,^'-^<^«f «"^ts, on the Rive; 
 
 River, north of Lake U^e ert ^'T'?" -^'^"'^^ '^' ^''•^i"^-" 
 direction nntil it reaches the Hn; .TLi *^"r"^J" ^ '"'^'^^'^y 
 at or near Lake Nipissing ^^"^ t'anadiau Pacific Railway 
 
 ns PKACTICABILITY. 
 
 TWnaS:if,'' »"P"'-^'y little oSHuy. '° ""^^ '"^ 
 on near/; Se:Yor;"fT le".?th '™""^ »' »' '-"» ""'- wide, 
 
 t..e i,t.e. ..e ,. .hofa. Su™'/, ^^TX ^t^^^: 
 
 %f 
 
 i 1 i n ^^ 
 
2 
 
 ROIL A.ND AGRICL'LTURK. 
 
 The reports of the Rev. Mr. Mondor, parish priest at St. 
 Michel-des-Sainta, and Revd. Cure Labelle, 0/ St. Jerome, go to 
 show that the whole country lying between St. Michel-desSaints 
 and the River Rouge, a tract of al^out 50 miles Ik length and 60 
 to 75 in width, is eminently suited for agricultural purposes. The 
 soil is mostly clay and yellow sandy loam. Between the Rouge 
 and a distant point to the west, there is the same width of arable 
 lands, the fertility whereof requires no better evidence than the 
 astonishingly rapid prosperity acquired by the few thousand 
 settlers who have, of late, gone towards Lake Desert and Lake 
 Nominingue. 
 
 In order to form a correct idea of the agricultural resources 
 of the upper region, it suffices to look at the settlements full of 
 promise in the neighborhood of Lake Temiscamingue. But we 
 have, besides, the official reports of tho Quebec and Ottawa 
 Governments on that section of the country. For instance, the 
 following remarks are to be read in the report of the Crown 
 Lands Department (Quebec) for 1877 : *' The Valley of the 
 Ottawa, or to speak in a more general way, the Valleys of the 
 Rouge, Maskinonge, Lievre, Gatineau and Coulonge Ilivers are 
 invaluable from a colonization standpoint. The rich deposits of 
 lime phosphates which are continuously discovered cannot fail to 
 lix attention upon its importance. The climate is most favorable 
 and the soil of great fertility." Lindsay Russell, formerly 
 Surveyor-General for the Dominion, in his report for tiie year 
 1870, says : " The head of the Little Nation seems to me to be 
 a region far better fitted for agricultural purposes than the por- 
 tion already settled at its mouth ; in a like manner, the banks of 
 the Lievre appeared to me more arid and more rocky along the 
 50 miles nearest to its mouth than along the 50 or 60 miles 
 above." 
 
 Mr. Bouchette, in his Crown Lands report of 1859, writes : 
 " The Valleys of the Rivers Rouge and the J.ievre offer a great 
 extent of land of a superior quality and unsurpassed by any in 
 Upper or Lower Canada." The Revd. C. A. M. Paradis, O. M. 
 L, in his reports to the Lord Bishop of Ottawa, in 1884, says : 
 " Soil very rich, and unequalled." 
 
 Sir Charles Tupper in the sitting of the House of Commons 
 of the 17th May, 1883, spoke as follows: "Now I may say that 
 it has been conclusively proved to the Government — what is 
 known t<-' many hon. members of the House — that lying there to 
 the north, on the othe.r side of the Ottawa Eiver, is a great 
 
 901133 
 
ill priest at St. 
 . Jerome, go to 
 [ichel-des-Saints 
 I length and 60 
 il purposes. The 
 een the Rouge 
 width of arable 
 ideiice than the 
 few thousand 
 'osert and Lake 
 
 iltural resources 
 ;lemente full of 
 ingue. But we 
 )ec and Ottawa 
 or instance, the 
 t of the Crown 
 I Valley of -the 
 3 Valleys of the 
 )nge Rivers are 
 rich deposits of 
 3d cannot fail to 
 8 most favorable 
 ussell, formerly 
 •rt for the year 
 ems to me to be 
 ses than the por- 
 3r, the banks of 
 rocky along the 
 50 or 60 miles 
 
 of 18.59, writes : 
 re offer a great 
 )as8ed by any in 
 . Paradis, O. M. 
 
 a, in 1884, says : 
 
 ise of Commons 
 T I may say that 
 nraent — what is 
 it lying there to 
 liver, is a great 
 
 8 
 
 country capable of being formed, at no distant date, into a great 
 rrovmce. There is here in fact, another Province of Qufbec 
 which yesterday was comparatively unknown, and comparl tively 
 
 mve8tig|ition proves to be of enormous extent, and of great 
 
 fl,o o "^iT^^' '^"''''' T^- ^•' ^ ^«^^'"K Canadian, in a speech of 
 the same date says : " If we consider Ihe subject (viz, tie policy 
 of grantmg subsidies to railways) from a revenue stand point no 
 one 18 so interested as the federal Government in suSzin^ 
 railways because they are the best factors in the prosperity o1 
 he country The railway is the most important lever which c^n 
 be applied to develop the resources of any country. Take for 
 L. tb"'f Tf ^''' ^•''" ^'"^'" ^^'^ regions iiorth of' St. Jerome' 
 L If. .i^'^^ ^^ ^'"^ ^.'f ' *^'^ ^""'^ ^^^^^^^ alo"e has been able 
 to settle there some 10,000 souls. If each person uavs «5 of 
 
 o"rt?hair^,r''''' r"°"^ ^^'"^ 1'^^ $50,000'of taxeHn'nu lly 
 or one-half million m ten years, and if these people have a railway 
 what a development will take place ! " 'di^Na;^ 
 
 Mr Alonzo Wright, one of our most noted men said : " The 
 construction of those railways will practically add another 
 Province to the Dominion. I said to a member of the fTovern- 
 ment the other day, m discussing the general raihvay policy of 
 he Government iq connection with the North- WoHtf and its 
 ultimate development, that under the very shadow of the 
 Parhainent Buildings, lying at our very door,Vas an immense 
 and unknowr territory, teeming with mineral and all other Ss 
 of wealth. 1 also told him that it is only a railway system which 
 can secure for this territory its appropriate development. The 
 County of Ottawa extends far into the interior, Ihe Gatineau 
 River runs some 400 miles into this region and takes its rise in 
 tne vicinity, of the great affluents of the Saguenay and the St 
 Maurice. The country lying between tbes°e rivers is the one 
 which we are trying to open up, it is literally a terra incognita. 
 ihis country possesses great mineral, lumbering and agricultural 
 resources. 1 am assured that far up iu that Gatineau region there 
 IS much good land, on which millions of Canadian people could 
 lu^^J'T ^•"'!-, Tbe lacustrine svstem of this country is one 
 of the finest m the world. The wLole country is dotted with 
 SnV n!n >' with trout, and filled with all the fish which abound 
 in our Canadian waters." 
 
 . f: pamphlet, published in 1883, by the Diocesan Colonization 
 Societies of Montreal and Ottawa, contains the following • "The 
 country is rolling, that is to say there are alternating vtlieys and 
 
elevated heights. But these beigljts, of about 50 to 300 feet in 
 elevation do_ not deserve the name of mountains; they are but 
 iiUls, acclivities of low grade, in groups, wide and rounded, which 
 the plougli can clirab in most cases to the very top. Between 
 these heights the valleys extend often for several iniies Thev 
 serve as basins for a great number of lakes and rivers which drain 
 the land and give to the landscape an appearance as picturesque 
 as it IS varied. ^ ■■■ 
 
 In an agricultural point of view, if a rolliuir country has dis- 
 advantages It has also conveniences. As soon as it is cIe'V-1 ^'^e 
 land IS ready for cultivation, because the slopes drain off elisifv 
 without those out'ets and ditches which in lowlands cost the 
 tarmor so much labour. 
 
 It is the same in the Valley of the Ottawa, as in the Plain of 
 ot the bt. l.awrence ; rocky, sandy and marshy places are to be 
 tound, but these spots are the exception ; more than two-thirds of 
 the land is ht lor cultivation. The soil is that ordinarilv known 
 as sandy loam. At the bottom of the valleys, on the banks of the 
 rivers, clay and blue clay are found, but in general it is the loam 
 which predominates throughout the region. This kind of soil is 
 :i inixture ot sand and clay. J3ut here the clay contains iron, 
 which gives It a reddish color. Now sand mixed with iron-bear- 
 ing clay makes excellent soil. On the other hand the soil is soft 
 to the touch, and it consolidates under pressure, a plain indication 
 that It contains atair proportion of lime. This is why these loams 
 bring to perfection wheat, oats, peas, barley, buckwheat, maize, 
 potatoes and all other kinds of vegetables. The forest contains 
 trees of the Jinest grotrth ; maple trees of from two to three feet 
 in diavieter, Hack and red hirch, cedars, and white birch of the 
 same size, etc It is evident that a soil which produces such trees 
 must be excellent. 
 
 • ^f^.& 7^'^ ^'"'^ brought from the old parishes preiudices 
 against this loamy soil prefer it now to any other. It is because 
 say they, it is suited to every kind of grain, easier to drain, and 
 ready for sowing earlier in the spring time ; it is also easier to 
 manure and to work, and suffers less during tlie summer from 
 excess of rain, and bears more successfully excessive drou^^ht 
 
 Let us add that this soil brings to maturity in a ma*!-vellou8 
 way grass and hay, and furnishes magnifieent pasturage : which 
 18 owing not only to the quality of the soil but to the mi^e water 
 coming from the springs and brooks which abound everywhere in 
 tiiis rolling country. 
 
 _ There are to be met with, it is true, lots or parts of lots 
 which are unfit for cultivation. These lands should be left with 
 
.■) to 300 feet in 
 is; tliey are but 
 I rounded, wliicli 
 / top. Between 
 •al miios. They 
 vers wliich drain 
 e as picturesque 
 
 country lias dis- 
 it is cleared, the 
 
 drain off easily 
 V lands cost the 
 
 s in tlie Plain of 
 places are to be 
 an two-thirds of 
 rdinarily known 
 the banks of the 
 '_al it is the loam 
 is kind of soil is 
 y contains iron, 
 I with iron-bear- 
 1 the soil is soft 
 plain indication 
 why these loams 
 3kwheat, maize, 
 : forest contains 
 00 to three feet 
 ite birch of the 
 duces such trees 
 
 shes prejudices 
 It is because, 
 3r to drain, and 
 is also easier to 
 ! summer from 
 i^e drought, 
 in a marvellous 
 ;turage ; which 
 the pure water 
 everywhere in 
 
 )r parts of lots 
 lid be left with 
 
 fhp Innir t^^'"":/*"' ^!;';^^°*^^ ^"^ '^"'Iding material, and in 
 the course of time they will come to possess Jreat value How 
 
 aXdSp"f -M '^ Prl^eswould^ow be worth doublei I 
 actual value if it had not been cleared. 
 
 rr...J^'' ^"™ "P ^^^' f^° ?^^ ^'^^ ^ ^''"^' ^'''i'»e attached to it. This 
 must be so inasmuch as lots are to be seen, having but a few acrps 
 
 cleared, selling for 8500, $800 and SIOOO. 
 
 It no longer astonishes one to hear the Hon. J. A. Chapleau 
 oay, when speaking of this country : « When for the first time I 
 Wed upon the majestic forms of nature which the Eternal 
 Artist hiis concealed in this corner of the world, with these refresh- 
 T?,?Jno ' u """i^7"9 streams, these fairy vistas which old 
 f ri Uv'n'^ff^ en vy,-the destinies of o- -ace assumed to my eyes 
 a totally different appearance, and I fea .lat if our Province was 
 o become ™t, it would be on the North side that it would 
 Febiwy? 1887 )' ""'"'" '^ '^'' ^"""*^ °^ Terrebonne, 1st 
 
 As to the portion situate between Mattawin and St. Alevis 
 
 r«f-)i%?P'"'S''V '^"^'"^^ ^'^® ^^^- ^^'' ^^^"dor makes : "There 
 
 s still lef much land suitable for cultivation between Mattawin 
 
 and fet. Alexis Des Monts ; avd everywhere woods, maqnilicent 
 
 imter-poioers and even minesP This is what the Rev. Mr S- 
 
 I'LTl^ '^ •■ "7"^ f ^"f ^^'^ favoraUe,for the production of nil 
 kinds of grain absolutely none excepted. I see no great difer- 
 ence between the climate of Temiscaming and that of Ottawa 
 ^f only to say on behalf oftheMmer that the heafofLmTerl 
 ZferT -^ ^.,ny;.;..,; by the proximity of great bodies of 
 
 We read further in the pamphlet published bv the Diocesan 
 Colonisation Societies of Montreal and Ottawa : ^"Lak^NW 
 ningue. which occupies the central position of this region (between 
 Mattauun and the Gatineau), is situate on the same parallel as 
 Three-Eivers, but much further west, which is important to note 
 foi t IS known that the climate becomes milder 5s one proceeds 
 wesvvard." We may conclude from this fact that the c imate 
 hi(r r f TWp^ers; it is even in some places more so 
 than Montreal. That the snow falls loss deeply and that it begins 
 to nielt sooner; these are the facts which the settlers themseTves 
 establish to the satisfactien of whomsoever listens to theui 
 thp 4" Jk ,,' o7%*'^^ ^"''^^ ^,=^belle, -I proceeded 100 miles to 
 tlie x^ort{i ot ot. Jerome, to the last farm on the River Rou^e, 
 and the preceding year the seed time and harvest had, on tli 
 
 farm been begun'tliree weeks befoi-e 
 mucl 
 
 IS 
 
 our own. It is true that I 
 
 was still much below the latitude of the City of Quebec 
 
I 
 
 bSidP ,?'^^%^'-^'i"^°t there tl,a^^•n certain "arts o^ On tar J^ 
 verv IctT ^'T'' "'" P''^^"^^^ ^" *he lowlands and not "n the 
 nfZ« i^'k"'"*^ fP^^^'^^ ^'^ '"«st MTongfully believed The 
 
 Sove t"arthr'or^'T\j^°"^ *^^'^^y '"^^- fr^om ISson Sy 
 prove that the climate there is not more severe than tliat S 
 Qiiebec." JVo^v the region which the Masktn^randm^tna 
 Hallway will traverse is one degree south of LakeStJoZ!^^ 
 
 THE MASKINONGi AND NIPISSING RAILWAY AS A COLONIZATION ROAD. 
 
 Here is what Mr. Dawson, the eminent M P f.^„ a i 
 said on the third reading of the kll^Chr3ofh• Iprt ^sle"'' 
 
 few r2l^U^''riT;^i,^^tll^'^:, thi' '^ T' "^^ ^^''^ ''"-' ' --h to n,ake a 
 
 before the House thTsSes on The R.il "^°^'.,™P°''\nt Bills that has l,een put 
 
 I am well acqua n ted, from aIoI^tLM;T, '"" P"'' '^.'""^h ^ country with which 
 
 the north of Lake St. PeTeT, andlhence o iX't '"''"''''!^>' "^ '^' '^'- ^^=""". 
 
 westerly u: ail it joins the Pacific Railwav if . Tem.scammgue ard then South! 
 
 means of leading settlement to a verv imnnrf. T' Mattawan. This road will be a 
 
 deal of good lands and good timber It tl^ll^^ '°T'^' "^r^"'' '^"^ '' ^" ''""^^""e 
 
 that some way should bl foun Hodraw set 7ment'?nto" he°in^°"'' "^'^t ''^''''''y' 
 
 be the means of drawinc settlement from ?>,!) , ^ interior, and this road will 
 
 Canada away back to the^inter ior and oTnini, i"w'f^ populated districts of Lower 
 
 ing the peo/le going to oth Hands to se^ek holmes 1?',^?°""?"""' Z'^"' ^''"''''■ 
 
 and I hope the promoters will be able tn finH V^ ""* 'P^^ "" '^^ ""'^d out, 
 
 grandest and be^st schemes boughnioreth?Ho"uT,'K 'i"'",.^'^ ""^"^ '^^ 
 
 opportunity pass without expres^nVmvon nfnn .f^^ ^ ' ^^'"°"- ^ ^""'"^ "°' 'e' «his 
 
 hope its Procters will -et^^fveTy rouTagl'^entTrrm'^cl^^^^^^^^^^ ' 
 
 The Honorable J. A. Chapleau agreed to give his powerful 
 and warm support to the JVfaskinon|^ and ^-pissing feaUwav 
 The followmg letter was written last year to a friend^ ^^^^^^^y. 
 
 »T,„, ., . ^ . Ottawa, 11th March, 1886. 
 
 Not or.; a,: I not o^o;eTto^heZ,Tdt"/n^'■ ^'^'''' «' ^''^ '^'^ '"«'-*• 
 Mattawan and beS- but I Lee ivl fn *.f- '^'^"^"^ ^'°^ Louiseville to 
 railways the carrying out ofmv pCramm of fe, "°°Tr"'''°" °^ '•"'^"'"^ 
 
 powipi^oiJ^ter^^^^^^^^^^ t"e best auxiliary, che .est 
 
 Ihe Province of Quebec is the stropabold of n,rrs-^f> -» -^ i 
 fouDdanione of our nationality ; and in order'^toVtvJ i)ZIJf^ ' a F^°'''^^'' ^^'^ 
 
 ^' Ne7erTt?;rr*^ "fl'^V^^ and^te^^eft'Ibl Hu selvt/""^ ^"^^^'■ 
 Never ,n the history ot the human race have the northern people been 
 
 I 
 
 jBtmiu. 
 
10, when giving 
 >n Committee, at 
 le North of the 
 of the country 
 n : " The frosts 
 arts of Ontario, 
 and not in the 
 believed. The 
 m ilndson Bay 
 re than that of 
 and Nipissmg 
 \e St. John . 
 
 ONIZATION EOAD. 
 
 P. for Algoma, 
 April, 1 886) : 
 
 s, I wish to make a 
 that has been put 
 country with which 
 >f the St. Maurice, 
 le ard then South- 
 This road will be a 
 here is an immense 
 Canada especially, 
 , and this road will 
 districts of Lower 
 ion, thus prevent- 
 can be carried out, 
 it will be one of the 
 I could not let this 
 of this work, and I 
 overnment . " 
 
 ' his powerful 
 ising Railway, 
 id. 
 
 rch, 1886. 
 
 he 10th instant- 
 m Louisevijle to 
 ion of tributary 
 )netruct'on is of 
 future of French 
 
 iliary, the most 
 
 •, it provides the 
 
 ndations greater 
 
 Ives. 
 
 rn people been 
 
 driven back by nations living more to the south ; the contrary has happened 
 and will ever come to pass, 
 
 I have no occasion to add more to these few words : you understand me. 
 These schemes belong to a great, a true national policy ; and this is what I 
 want to carry out, leaving to others the empty boast of cower, and the vain 
 satisfaction derived from the defeat of adversaries. Which merfns to say that 
 I will encourage these lofty enterprises without consideration of party." 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 J, A. CHAPLEAU. 
 
 May 30th, 1886. 
 
 868- 
 
 "•• • asking from the government at the next 
 
 sion this subsidy, while pointing out the necessity for this undertaking. 
 
 I do not doubt but that the Privy Council will take your petition into 
 serious and favorable consideration. 
 
 In any case please reckon on me as a friend devoted to the great cause of 
 colonization, which now requires railways more than anything else to ensure 
 its progress. 
 
 J. A. CHAPLEAU." 
 Rev. R. BELivEAr, 
 
 Cure of St. Ursula, Quebec. 
 
 It is almost incredible that the complete opening to coloniza- 
 tion of a section so useful to the country has been neglected up 
 to this day, when enormous sums have been expended to give 
 two railways to the Lake St. John Valley, which is greatly inferi- 
 or in area, climate and natural resources. A large expenditure 
 has been also incurred to secure the building of several other rail- 
 ways whose advantages to the country are, to say the least, second- 
 ary if not absolutely problematical. 
 
 Was it a reason, because the Maskinong^ and Nipissing re- 
 gions are offering more advantages than the other sections for col- 
 onization purposes to expect that the settlers would enthusiastic- 
 ally cut their way into its dense forests ? 
 
 The times are long past when the pioneers of our old settle- 
 ments, seeing themselves surrounded on all sides by dense woods, 
 went with joy in their heart and an axe on their shoulders to the 
 subjuffation of a lot whereon to build a hearth for their family. 
 
 To-day, whole families prefer taking a railway train and trav- 
 elling six or nine hundred miles, rather than penetrating only ten 
 or fifteen miles into unsettled parts where there are no easy com- 
 munications. And they are perfectly right in respect to their 
 material welfare, for they could never compete witn those who 
 enjoy better facilities in the way of transport. 
 
 If we desire to keep our co-patriots at home and induce stran- 
 gers to settle in our midst, we must of necessity commence by 
 opening the forest with railways. We shall not siicceed otherwise. 
 
8 
 
 I 
 
 ROOM FOB SETTLERS. 
 
 lands fit for colonization IvJnr, iw ?! ^*"® immense area of 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 protected by the Lauf™ K ai„ L^n^ '"^T' ^' "^'^ " 
 which carry the TaDorrof fUr ,lf^? .""'"?''"'*'>="=™ ^n* 
 
 eonse,,.e„ti;. he^hKif i^ ^re'i'A^.tf7hfS^i:^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 FORESTS. 
 
 Maskinonge, I'Assomption, Ouareau ApI ^n S "'^"t,^""!^' 
 Nation DuLieva-e/G^atineLu:SSedesf^^^ Rou.e, Petite- 
 Ottawa Rivers, that is to sar nin,.„ f ?i r ' " -Moine and 
 the richest woodlands otCanar ^'^^'^^'tourths at least of 
 
 Du Loup, 
 
 Petite- 
 
 MINES. 
 
 minelretT'S'fottSuSZ'r'"' ^P''^^' »"»"' -" «'- 
 
 Excluf 
 
 WATER-POWERS. 
 
 nverr£Sal4trrstS?cS^^^^^^^ T^ -*™ 
 aimocr, uninterrupted successinn nf or.r^7 * IV ^^ '^'"^'^^^ ^n 
 
 and least cxpe„,4 l^ySiTo^elTLrth'LS. ■''°""^'"' 
 
that between St. 
 lerecan beerect- 
 nts each, and in 
 immense area of 
 B and Lake Nip- 
 jast two millions 
 le route of the 
 
 i and according 
 Andrew E. Gor- 
 rom St. Michel 
 less snow and 
 nearer the St. 
 
 climate, with 
 n. As this is 
 i-eastern winds 
 3 is drj'er and 
 
 Lawrence. 
 
 ''J'ipissing Rail- 
 the Du Loup, 
 ^ouw, Petite- 
 )u Moine and 
 lis at least of 
 
 Id and silver 
 
 the northern 
 'Ve exists an 
 Mt powerful 
 ica. 
 
 9 
 
 TT !"^°^ T;^" ^™ ^^ ^^^^ thereof if we only mention thp c;<o 
 
 BEAUTY OF THE SCENEEY. 
 
 of fi.?A^ scenery is siu.plj enchanting on account of the multitude 
 of hue rivers and magnificent lakes spread all over that region 
 
 MASKINONGE THE TEMPOKAKY TERMINUS. 
 
 the undertaking at a mnol. cheaper cost than if the Btarttaff S 
 
 Int 7?rM'?^ '^'' 'y^'''^ '"'^^ e^penitZr t^t bu Ud 
 ingof the Maskinonge trunk line would have, sooner or la er 
 
 ZlT-fT^?'"'^^ '" *^« "^*«''««ts of the sawn lumber trade wfth 
 the United States, via Richelieu River. ^'*^ 
 
 near dat; Ir^"' ^'" "^^ ^"'^^^"^ '''' ^^^ ^-^ '-ving, at a 
 
 I'EEMANENT TERMINUS AT QUEBEC, 
 
 as the imnortancc of its traffic will make it compulsory that it h^ 
 connected with summer and winter sea-ports. ^ ^ ^ 
 
 THE CONSTRUCTION NOT TC COMMENCE AT LAKE NIPISSINO, 
 
 AND WHY. 
 
 f. J^^ ''^P''''^ *'■'''''' '''^"'^^' ^^''^ ''oad is particularly called to 
 favor runs from west to east, and so long as the railway did no? 
 
 ?t?^nl- " «""«* 5^ "^«^".B of the comme^rcial lines fom the e^t 
 i^^,Xf ;°?..^.^»jd t,e ruinous, as the traffic would havftob^ 
 earned to r^pissing, theuce to bo forwarded to the east -VhilaT 
 
 fc2'- ^•^''"'/ft"^""^^' «^e nearest market to tb7 pllce of 
 demand le immediately secured. ' * 
 
10 
 
 S0UKCE6 OF TRAFFIC. 
 
 There is no doubt that so soon as the railway reaches the 
 vast forests, limit owners will remove their saw mills thereto, in 
 order to avoid the long and costly drive, and so as to work them 
 all the year round, instead of the summer season only, as they are 
 compelled to do now. The mines will be worked on a large scale, 
 and a great variety of industries will develope themselves in a 
 short time. Lastly, colonization will not fail to rapidly increase 
 and be followed by a considerable export and import trade. So 
 much for local traflSc; but the Maskinonge and Nipissing Railway 
 must share largely in the 
 
 I 
 
 INTKR-ritOVINCIAL AND INTEKCONTmENTAL TRAFFIC. 
 
 Even the least perspicacious of men most acknowledge that 
 the general traffic on this railway will be enormous, if they only 
 reflect that its western starting point lios exactly on the Paciiic 
 Railway, which brings the traffic from the Canadian Far Weet ; 
 that it is near the Sault Ste. Marie Railway, which brings it from 
 the American Far "West ; that it is on French River, which com- 
 municates with Lake Huron by the Georgian Bay ; that it is at 
 the junction of the Northern, North-Western, Gravenhurst & Cal- 
 lander Railways, which pass through one of the wealthiest sections 
 of Ontario. Then, on the way down, it will connect, at Lake Desert, 
 with the Desert and St. Jerome Railway, which will run to Mon- 
 treal ; at St. Alexis des Monts, in the County of Maskinonge, with 
 the Joliette Railway, which has now reached St. Felix de Valois : 
 only about twenty miles remain to be built to make the connec- 
 tion. Furthermore, it will strike the Paciiic Railway at the lower 
 end of the County of Maskinonge, nearly opposite the Richelieu 
 River. Lastly, when fully completed, it will connect St. Alexis- 
 des-Monts with the Grand Piles, on the St. Maurice River, where 
 there is a railway to Three-Rivers: and will communicate through 
 the Grand Trunk Railway with the south shore and the Eastern 
 States. From Three-Rivers it will cross the Laurentides Hills 
 and the Quebec and Lake St. John Railway. It will then have 
 its terminus at Quebec, where it may perhaps be the means of 
 bringing about the building of a bridge across the St. Lawrence. 
 Its traffic could then be directed from Levis either to Halifax, by 
 the Intercolonial Railway, or to the ports of the State of Maine 
 by the L6vis and Kennebec Railway. ' 
 
 We now may assert without fear of contradiction, that the 
 Maskinonge and Nipissing Railway will be 
 
 M 
 
If ay reaches the 
 lills thereto, in 
 to work them 
 nly, as they are 
 •n a large scale, 
 liemselves in a 
 ■apidly increase 
 port trade. So 
 )is8ing Railway 
 
 I'BAFFIC. 
 
 nowledge that 
 s, if they only 
 on the Pacific 
 an Far Weet ; 
 brings it from 
 er, which com- 
 1 ; that it is at 
 inhurst & Cal- 
 Ithiest sections 
 it Lake Desert, 
 ill run to Mon- 
 skinonge, with 
 eHx de V alois : 
 ke the connec- 
 ly at the lower 
 i the Richelieu 
 ect St. Alexis- 
 e River, where 
 nicate through 
 tid the Eastern 
 rentides Hills 
 will then have 
 3 the means of 
 St. Lawrence, 
 to Halifax, by 
 tate of Maine, 
 
 3tion, that the 
 
 11 
 
 THE MOST IMPORTANT RAILWAY OF THE DOMINION, AFTER THE 
 CANADIAN PACIFIC AND THE GRAND TRUNK RAILWAYS. 
 
 The nninerons rivers to be crossed i^y the Maskinongo and 
 Nipissing Railway will be so many vigorous arteries bringing life 
 to the trunk; and the lines connecting with it so many powerful 
 arms which will bring and distribute a heavy traffic into general 
 circulation. So, in this Railway we shall possess a perfect trunk 
 whose vigour and activity will bo reckoned as an important factor 
 in the general prosperity of Canada. 
 
 It will be the true Inland Short Line which our best political 
 economists have been dreaming of for yeai-s. 
 
 THE NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. 
 
 There is no use concealing the fact that, on account of t!ie 
 extensive length of our frontier and the small depth of the settle- 
 ments in the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada wonld be 
 exposed to serious dangers in the case of a war with our neigh- 
 bours. The best means of making up for this state of affairs, 
 which might cause a national disaster, would be the establishment 
 behind our mountains, of a back country which could be rendered 
 almost impregnable by the massing there of a strong and vigorous 
 population. 
 
 The region settled by the Maskinonge and Nipissing Railway 
 would become the citadel of Canada, and our population would 
 find there a secure refuge in the hour of danger; and the railway 
 would be 
 
 A MILITARY ROUTE 
 
 wliereon our armies could circulate easily and safely. 
 
 So, Quebec, Ontario, in fact the whole Dominion, are equally 
 interested in the early realization of this enterprise. 
 
 Not only will the Maskinonge and Nipissing Railway be one 
 of the best modes of protecting our country, but its construction 
 would save millions to the Governments of the Dominion, of Que- 
 bec, and Ontario. 
 
 For after all the day must come when it will be decided 
 not to leave any longer uninhabited a region so vast and fertile as 
 is the north of Quebec and Ontario, especially in the face of the 
 immense sacrifices which have been made to populate the North- 
 West, a country not offering more, if as many, advantages as this 
 section of the Dominion. 
 
 And unless the immediate construction of the Maskinong6 
 
12 
 
 
 and Nipissing Railway is assured, with that view, those govern- 
 ments will have to subsidize a number of small branches all bound 
 to run inland and to have their terminus in actual blind alleys, 
 leaving between them zones of land which will be very hard to 
 colonize. 
 
 Tliese multiplied subsides will far exceed the amount with 
 which the Maskinonge and Nipissing Railway could be built, and 
 will not yield the tenth part of the benefits to be derived from its 
 construction, passing as it docs through the centre of the region 
 to be colonized. 
 
 But we will go still further and maintain that, absolutely 
 speaking, not only would the building of the Alaskinonge and 
 Nipissing Railway save to the country hazardous expenditure, 
 but, from a strictly financial standpoint. 
 
 IT WILL IJE A JIONKTARY SUCCESS. 
 
 In fact, the building of this road must, in a few years, 
 increase the population by at least 1,000,000, souls. According 
 to the last Budget Speech delivered in the Commons, our 
 population of 5,000,000 has given a revenue of $38,000,000, that 
 IS in round numbers $6 per head ; regarding only the Federal 
 revenue. When there will be 1,000,000 more inhabitants, 
 $6,000,000 will be added to the revenue. 
 
 Then we must admit that even if the Company were to 
 receive the highest subsidy, that is $10,000 per mile, it would 
 subscribe at least as much. That money will very likely come 
 from a foreign country, and if is not invested here permanently, 
 it may favor elsewhere, interests, diametrically antagonistic to ours. 
 
 It must not be forgotten either that the first investment is 
 not alone to be taken fnto consideration. Whenever capital as 
 considerable as this, will require, has been placed in a country, it 
 has to work towards that country's general good, and, in order to 
 preserve itself and face rival enterprises, it has to constantly call 
 for new investments. The Canadian Pacific and the Grand Trunk 
 Railways illustrate this principle. 
 
 THE PRESENT POSITION OP THE COMPANY. 
 
 Ten miles of the route have been definitely located ; 50 more 
 miles have been completely surveyed, and 6 additional miles have 
 been surveyed in a preliminary manner. We have, by so doing, 
 very satisfactorily solved the problem of knowing whether the 
 Laurentian chain could be traversed without too great difficulties. 
 
 The mountains have now been crossed, and the Company is 
 sure to reach the end of the route unimpeded. 
 
!W, these govern- 
 
 ranclies all bound 
 
 Lial blind alleys, 
 
 bo very hard to 
 
 the amount with 
 •uld be built, and 
 ! derived from its 
 ;re of the region 
 
 that, absolutely 
 Alaskinonge and 
 OHS expenditure, 
 
 in a few years, 
 3uls. According 
 Commons, our 
 538,000,000, that 
 Duly tlie Federal 
 tiore inhabitants, 
 
 lonipany were to 
 ir mile, it would 
 very likely come 
 ere permanently, 
 tagonistic to ours, 
 rst investment is 
 enever capital as 
 I in a country, it 
 , and, in order to 
 o constantly call 
 the Grand Trunk 
 
 ANY. 
 
 located ; 50 more 
 ;tional miles have 
 ive, by so doing, 
 ing whether the 
 great difficulties, 
 the Company is 
 
 18 
 
 We must mention a subsidy by the Quebec Government of 
 4,000 acres of land per mile in favor of a railway which would 
 start from the lower end of the County of Maskinonge, passing 
 by Mattawa (St. Michel-des-Saints). 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 In this age of headlong progres.s, when success can be 
 acquired only by •^peed and low prices, the ojily means for the 
 Dominion to ben. by the vast riches hidden in the north of 
 the Provinces of (,iUojec and Ontario is the establishment of fast 
 railway communications. 
 
 A railway is indispensable in order to open the forest to the 
 pioneer; to take the minerals to the market, without having the 
 profits eaten up by the cost of transportation ; and to allow all 
 kinds of industries to utilize the mighty water-powers. 
 
 The Maskinongo and Nipissing Railway is the only agent 
 which is able to put into operation for the good of the country, 
 all those latent forces whicli sleep at our doors. 
 
 This railway will represent on the north shore what the Grand 
 Trunk has been on the south bank ; from a vast unpeopled desert 
 it will cause to spring up, as if by magic, large and prosperons 
 agricultural establishments, towns and villages where riches will 
 abound and industry flourish. 
 
 THE NKCESSrrV FOR THIS RAILWAY 
 
 In order to establish the necessity for this railway, we will 
 reproduce the remarks made on this subject by Mr. E. A. Bernard, 
 the Director of Agriculture for the Province of Quebec : — 
 
 "But the question above all, the question of vital importance 
 for the City of Three-Rivers, for this District, for the whole 
 Province, is that of a trunk line of railway, shortening by more 
 than 250 miles the course of the Canadian Pacific Railway from 
 ocean £o ocean. The report of the Board of Trade has the credit 
 of having brought to light the usefulness of such a road and the 
 possibility of constructing it. 
 
 To any person who looks over the map of the Province of 
 Quebec, such a road commands attention from the single fact 
 that it shortens by about one-third the line taken by the Canadian 
 Pacific from the Province line to Quebec. But this shortening, 
 all important as it is, is not the only advantage which the proposed 
 road pos-sespes. It will initiate an era of consideral^le prosperity 
 for the agriculture, colonization, commerce and industry of this 
 Province. Such a road would open out the Province of Quebec 
 
14 
 
 I 
 
 from one end to the other, right through tlie Iieart of the country, 
 making by means of the new settlements at Tomiscarning, Desert, 
 La Rouge, Mattawin, etc., great centres on tlie transcontinental 
 line, llie Provincial Government is still the owner of almost 
 all the lands on the line of the proposed road. Now these lands 
 have at the present moment only a nominal value of about 20 
 cents per acre. 13y the completion of this railway tliey would 
 acquire a real and instantaneous value of several dollars per acre, 
 cliiefly on account of the merchantable timber which is known to 
 be very abundant in these parts, although too far distant from 
 the water ways to bo manufactured with any profit. This is 
 therefore a question of tlie first consequence to the Province. 
 
 As for the City of Three-Rivers, it offers to the new road 
 an excellent sea-port. Now the neighboring country is famous 
 for its enormous export of hay. We have here, then, or", of the 
 best places, if not the best, for the embarkation of eattle irom the 
 west destined for Europe, the Antilles etc. Three-Rivers is, 
 furthermore, admirably situated for the export of merchantable 
 timber. Now the projected road would of course carry down 
 timber from all places over its line, whicli would give a supply, 
 in winter as well as in summer, to the magnihcent saw-miils 
 which we possess liere. Is anything more required to point out 
 the interests which the citizens of Three-Rivers ought to feel in 
 the opening of such a road ? 
 
 As to Canada as a Dominion, the proposed trunk line would 
 give, on British soil, the shortest route from the Atlantic to the 
 Paciiic. By means of this new road the North- West trade would 
 cease to pay tribute to the United States, seeing that over it 
 would be found the shoitest and most rapid route- 
 As to the British Empire, it nas the greatest concern in 
 having our transcontinental road built sheltered throughout from 
 an armed attack in time of war. 
 
 The foregoing indicates, as it appears to me, how import- 
 ant it is to agitato as quickly as possible the question of such 
 a road. This is the most striking portion of the report of our 
 Board of Trade. Hardly two years ago, when the shortest 
 railway line from one ocean to the other was up for discussion, 
 some allusion was made to a new direct line from Quebec to 
 Callender. Persuaded at the time as to the incontestable advan- 
 tages of such line, I was astonished at there being so little 
 interest taken in the matter, and I asked the reason from several 
 prominent men, who were in a position to give mo the informa- 
 tion. Nearly all of them appeared astonished at such a proposal. 
 Irritated by so much indifference, I concluded by ascertaining 
 
16 
 
 art of tlie country, 
 liacaining, Desert, 
 D traiiBContinental 
 owner of almost 
 Now these lands 
 alue of about 20 
 Iwav they would 
 
 1 dollars per acre, 
 I'hich is known to 
 
 far distant from 
 
 profit. This is 
 
 the Province. 
 
 to the new road 
 
 ountry is famous 
 
 , then, OP'i of the 
 
 of cattle irom the 
 
 Three- Rivers is, 
 
 of merchantable 
 
 lurse carry down 
 
 Id ^ive a supply, 
 
 nihcent saw-mills 
 
 ired to }^oint out 
 
 ought to feel in 
 
 trunk line would 
 
 2 Atlantic to the 
 West trade would 
 ;ing that over it 
 ite* 
 
 ;atest concern in 
 throughout from 
 
 Tie, how import- 
 question of sucli 
 the report of our 
 len tno shortest 
 p for discussion, 
 from Qufibec to 
 sontestable advan- 
 
 3 being so little 
 ison from several 
 mc the informa- 
 t such a proposal, 
 i by ascertaining 
 
 that no one in Parliament or out of it, appeared to have any per- 
 sonal or direct interest in the building of such a line. The lioard 
 of Trade of Three Rivers must then be congratulated on having 
 so clearly understood how great were the advantages offered !)y the 
 proposed road, not only to tlie country in general, but especially 
 to tne people of this district. 
 
 On the eve of the Dominion General Elections, the Board 
 of Trade caused the question to be agitated as much as pos- 
 sible. It appears to be the duty of every intelligent voter of 
 'the district to interest himself actively in the scheme. It is 
 of consequence, in fact, that all the Dominion members from this 
 district, without regard to party, should agree that this scheme 
 ought to take a practical shape without further loss of time. 
 
 Why do not the newly elected members to the Quebec Ltg.-:- 
 lature do the same 'i Let us hope, for the sake of our country's 
 future that skillful and upright patriots will not be found want- 
 ing, and that the proposed line will take a practical shape in a 
 serious manner. 
 
 In a former article, I Blu»wed the interest that the Hoard of 
 Trade takes in Agriculture. I trust that I have now proved that 
 the members of this i'oard, and especially its able secretary, luive 
 deserved well of tlieir country by drawing, as they have done, 
 public attention to those important subjects. 
 
I I 
 
 THIE WORK ON THE SHORT LINE RAILWAY OF THE 
 
 PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SHOULD BE COMMENCED 
 
 WITHIN THE COUNTY OF MASKINONGE. 
 
 i.cf ^^'"i ^''{'"^^'''-To-flay, I ani ^ro'mg to kc.^p the promise rn.idc 
 1 St week, v,z, to establish tl.at tl.o work on tl e shott line ra Iwav 
 sl.ould l>e bcirm, in the county of Maskim.ng6. Rut Sre eS^ 
 m.ir upon the dcta.ls of the proof of this proposition I will a J 
 down U3 general and unconditional priniipl'cs r-is That the 
 c Me and most nn,K,rtant object that this lL\ is ea led upon to 
 f Ihl for the Province o£ Quebec, is the development in tlKs val^ 
 and rich region as yet almost unexniored, of settlement of the 
 manufacture of miber and the worting of mines, and the count! 
 less industries which will be favored by the great ItTr-powers 
 which are to be met with throughout tllc wholt lengtTi of tfe pro 
 posed road ; 2nd. The considerable shortening of tfe dktance^^n 
 favor of the transcontinental trade of the Do^rdnion ; 3rd Th"e 
 defensive power winch it will a.^are to the Dominion, as an in 
 tenov j^assage for the circulation of its troops, and a t on ' a^d 
 v.goi-ous population massed behind the Laurentides " 
 
 Nevertlieless in consideration of the limited resources at thn 
 command of our Governments, and the ever preiing3s wlS 
 are continually bemg produced by the rapid develoSrof our 
 young country, it would not be wise to sink in real En a LZ 
 capital a long time before it could bring us the La td vantage ^' 
 
 Th 6 18 what the citizens perfectly understood, when at ihfi 
 a.t session of the Dominion Arliament, they soughrfor^anl ob 
 tamed a charter for the construction of' a railway MhTch would 
 tart from he lower end of the County of Maskino ■ f ,3^ 
 by Ma tawm, cross the upper portion of the counties' "; S' Tlf 
 lei, Jolictte, and would reach Lake Nipigeiuff l)v wd : of n,.^ ! -ll 
 Rouge, Lake Desert and the Counties k Al|on?a a^^'po^ iae''' 
 Later on as the promoters of the Maskinonge and NiSimr 
 have set for h m a memorial which ought at the present Zn3 
 to be m the hands of «ie Government, when the load shaU W 
 c4 ' - ^^:^^F''f''' ^'P^^'^S. it will be absolutely ne 
 al ••'. t °T f w T *^'' ^f ^'"r^a^io" of the transcontinenl 
 fv V V, T :'"^^^f*.^7-y.. to Quebec, where it will be able to 
 jou; .1:,. ^h^ Trjtercolonial and the Levis and Kennebec whioh 
 wil; c; rvy ik. goods to r - ^^inter ports. ^^ni^eDec, which 
 
LWAY OF THE 
 
 COMMENCED 
 
 KINONGE. 
 
 p tlic proTiiisc made 
 icKliort line railway 
 But before enter- 
 OBitioii, 1 will lay 
 5:— Ist. That the 
 
 is called upon to 
 ipinent in this vast 
 settlement, of the 
 es, and the count- 
 ^reat water-powers 
 5 length of the pro- 
 of the distance in 
 linion ; 3rd. The 
 minion, as an in- 
 md a strong and 
 ides. 
 
 :d resources at the 
 issing needs which 
 velopment of our 
 'eal estate a large 
 least advantage, 
 od, when, at the 
 nght for and ob- 
 ^ay which would 
 kinoTigtj, passing 
 inties of Ji^rth- 
 
 wp,/ of tijoivh'er 
 lai.d Poiitiac. 
 ^0 and Nipissing 
 
 present moment 
 
 road shall have 
 be absolutely no- 
 le transcontinent- 
 t will be able to 
 [ennebec, which 
 
 17 
 
 But so long as the road will not be in a condition to carrv the 
 ^reat trade o the Indies, of Western Canada, of Western Ame^^^ 
 ca, It would he pure folly to go and bury millions in the co^nule- 
 Sher f^n^Tr '%'^^ '' *''°^«"^ whicl/would clin"b to Mat uSn 
 eitiier from hrce-Rivers or Quebec, through a country which is 
 
 TpuS'lo"^' """""" ^' """"^^"'^' ••'-- -d "avisos; almost 
 
 wXsucKS^T'^^^^^^ '">' "^rP'^'^y ^^'«'^'d undertake 
 AvorKssuch a^ these; for the cost of the carriaire alone could 
 hard y be paid out of the transport of timber S the ^oodso^ 
 he first settlers. The building of such a trunk line as Uiisc-m 
 wT IbfTtL' «"'''" untif the immense traffic from tt^w^t 
 will justify the Governments and tlie company buildina: it in 
 making such great disbursements with the Lectio S fa 
 nea reward. To act otherwise would be to expose thSall bly 
 to the sad disappointments of the Quebec and Lake S Jolrn 
 
 Sw r7nd?fT';^on ^^"/T' .'^ ^^^"'"^"^ *^- works 'at '" 
 lower end ot the County of Maskinong^, it will turn out without 
 
 njury to h. private interests of Quefec and Three-R ve's ha 
 the first objects of the road will be carried out sooner and better 
 and this not only without costing the country or the coraDanv a 
 smgle cent inore than is necessary to make tlfe road compS bu? 
 by thus giving a guarantee to the local Government iHSl handle 
 sooner the subsidy granted to it, and will give to he co Zny 
 the assurance of immediate returns. fe ^ ^" "^^ company 
 
 This is how it is done. At first in the comparison I wish to 
 make between the superior advantages offered bl he Cotrnt of 
 R^tT^nfo" '^eiog the starting pSint of the work 'over Three 
 
 ?nfTrnpL ^.t'"' ^ '''" .''"^" '''^^ ^^'' '^^^^^ locality, for the 
 unfairness of the comparison s so self-evident that t k r,^^ 
 
 SS!nstlu tir ''h V''}r'' tP to dwell ^^ Z 
 
 ucrfrriW^^ ^'""^^ ''-''' ^-- t^-^ -""try and 
 
 Now if yon take a map published by the Crown Land 
 
 Department of Quebec in 1880, what do you see when Lklng 
 
 That between Three-Rivers, passing by St. Elie and Les Pins 
 Rouges, to a certain point behind and tS tfie west of Bark Lake 
 (now Lake St. Bernard) and near the River Mostigosh where the 
 road must necessarily pass, we find there ifa dSn?e of 
 about DSmUes. Bur, inasmuch as the many and grea" obstacles 
 which exist on this route will of necessity Luire^fofa ra Iway 
 long and manifold curvps. w*> nan .^ii^.^S *__^ 'A • . ^^"^ay 
 
 long and manifold c,.„e, we can.-iiftoni S TiVi^ 
 
 or. 
 
18 
 
 m 
 
 increase this distance to at least 65 miles. From LouiseviHe or 
 from Maskinonge to go to the same point, by passing by the Falls 
 of Park Kiver, we have only 30 miles by the map, and 36 miles 
 by a careful survey which the engineers have just completed of it ; 
 and by adding 18 miles the distance from Louiseville to Three 
 Elvers we will have Si miles a gain of 14 miles over the former 
 route. 
 
 It will then be more advantageous for Three Rivers itself, as 
 regards distance, to have their means of communication by the 
 County of Maskinonge than by a road which starts directly from 
 that city. 
 
 Now if we take into consideration the diilerence in cost be- 
 tween these two roads we will discover an enormous difference, for 
 the Maskinonge road, which has been laid out as far as the junction 
 above mentioned, will be extremely easy to build and will not cost 
 more than $20,000 per mile on the average ; whereas the road from 
 Three Rivers, which will have to cross in an oblique direction the 
 whole of the Lauren tide chain of mountains, as well as the rivers, 
 the countless and frightful ravines which exist between Three 
 Rivers and St. Elie, cannot certainly cost less than $40,000 per 
 mile, which will give in favour of the Maskinonge road the respect- 
 able sum of $1,520,000. And this estimate is made on the sup- 
 position that our road arriving at Maskinonge will proceed to 
 Three Rivers over an independent road , but as it is likely that 
 there will probably be found some means of arriving at an arrange- 
 ment with the Canadian Pacific for the right of haulage over its 
 track from Maskinonge to 'ihree Rivers, we will thus save an ex- 
 penditure of $1,880,000. 
 
 Furthermore we must consider that at a distance of 15 rniles 
 miles from its terminus the Maskinonge Road will be in position 
 materially to assist colonization ; whereas, if leaving from 
 Three Rivers, 50 miles will have to be got over before the road 
 can be of any assistance to a new settlement. 
 
 The advantages will be on the same side as regards the in- 
 crease in the price of the sale of crown lands. 
 
 To conclude, let us add to all these reasons, which militate so 
 strongly in favor of the Maskinonge road, the fact that this branch 
 must of necessity be constructed at some period or other ; for no 
 one is ignorant of the fact that the building of this road is going 
 to build np an immense trade in sawn lumber, and that this trade 
 has its principal outlet in the United States. Now, whatever is 
 done cannot prevent a ] product from seeking to secure the easiest 
 and shortest road to its place of market. And the River Riche- 
 lieu being the best means of transport for this commodity to our 
 
•ora LouiseviHe or 
 )a8sing by the Falls 
 nap, and 3fi nriiles 
 ist completed of it ; 
 miseville to Three 
 8 over the former 
 
 :ee Rivers itself, as 
 raunication by the 
 tarts directly from 
 
 erence in cost be- 
 nous difference, for 
 5 far as the junction 
 ild and will not cost 
 ereas the road from 
 blique direction the 
 s well as the rivers, 
 ;ist between Three 
 i than $40,000 per 
 ge road the respect- 
 made on the sup- 
 ge will proceed to 
 as it is likely that 
 iving at an arrange- 
 )f haulage over its 
 rill thus save an ex- 
 
 listance of 15 miles 
 
 will be in position 
 
 if leaving from 
 
 ^er before the road 
 
 as regards the in- 
 
 is, which militate so 
 fact that this branch 
 id or other ; for no 
 I this road is going 
 and that this trade 
 I^ow, whatever is 
 D secure the easiest 
 i the River Riche- 
 . commodity to our 
 
 19 
 
 neighbours, we may rest assured, in advance, that it will build a 
 Railway which will bring the timber to the port the most conven- 
 ient to the River Richelieu. And this place is to be found in the 
 county of Maskinonge almost opposite this river. 
 
 Inasmuch, therefore, as Maskinonge County offers such su- 
 perior advantages for the initialpoint of the building of our great 
 national highway, let all true French Canadian patriots^ lend 
 their assistance to the citizens of the County of Maskinonge, who 
 have already done more than all the rest to ensure the success of 
 this brilliant and great enterprise. 
 
 There is no private interest in opposition to it ; the general 
 interests of the country demand it. 
 
 Maskinongk. 
 
I } 
 
 
 I I 
 
 kl 
 
 20 
 
 COMPARATIVE STATEMENT 
 
 '""' TrvT"^ '°' ''"''""'' COLONIZATION or TH. REaiOK U-THE PRO 
 VINCE OP Q..BEC SITUATE TO THK WEST OP THE ST. MAURICE. 
 
 A. BRANCH LINE PROJECT. 
 
 Railway from Three Rivers to Matta- 
 wan : 
 
 Railway from St. Lin to Mattawan : 
 1 T ?•* northern, connecting with 
 theJohette road and continued as 
 tar as Quebec, at the base of the 
 Laurentides : 
 
 ^*^'j^ay _ from St. Jerome to Lake 
 
 ^Dest'' ^"^^ Buckingham to Lake 
 
 Railway from Pontiac to Lake Nin. 
 1881 ng : ^ 
 
 Railway along the Lievre to Lake 
 Wommmgue; 
 
 2 
 
 Length of all these fragmentary lines: 
 
 Crltl M '\T '■*'**^ 100 Miles 
 
 irreat Northern 150 « 
 
 St. Lin to Mattawin... '.''.' !i 80 " 
 
 St. Jerome to Lake Desert.'.'iSO " 
 
 Pontiac to Lake Nipissing . . 200 " 
 Du Lievre toLakeNominin- 
 
 g"« 100 « 
 
 Total 730 
 
 Necessity for surmounting the Laur- 
 entides six times : 
 
 Scattered fragmentary lines : 
 
 Large unserved are'as between the var- 
 loua branches : 
 
 Merely tributaries to foreign lines : 
 
 Maimer; *"'"'" '^ ^^P-' -«" 
 . 8. 
 
 eTs'^™^^"'"^ purely local inter- 
 
 B. MASKINONGE AND NIPIS3ING RAILWAY 
 PROJIiCT. 
 
 A Railway from Maskinonge to Lake 
 Wipissing setting out from Lake Ni- 
 piss.ng and reaching Quebec, pass- 
 ing by Lake Desert and Mattawin : 
 
 Haying a branch line from Ste The 
 
 with he Maskinonge and Nipissing 
 tL «f -^ exis-des.Monts; another 
 from St. Alexis to the lower end i 
 the county of Maskfnonge: 
 
 Length of this svstem ; 
 From Lake Nipi'ssing to Que- 
 
 Rr« n°;r r • • • ir' • •; • 430 Miies 
 
 Branch from Maskinonge. 20 " 
 
 Branch from Ste Therese to 
 St. Jacques 25 " 
 
 Branch from St. Felix' "de 
 Valois to St. Alexis-des- 
 Monts 20 " 
 
 Total 495 n 
 
 3. 
 
 Scaling the Laurentides only once. 
 
 An uninterrupted line. 
 
 Traversing from one end to the other, 
 and that too in the centre, the re- 
 gion to be opened up bv colonization. 
 6. 
 
 The feeders complete and independent 
 
 J 7. 
 
 Immense traffic over the whole line 
 8. 
 
 A system of much greater importance 
 with respect to the transcontinental 
 traffic, and the military defence of 
 the country. 
 
 9. 
 
 The plan costing two-thirds less, and 
 accomplishing much better the end 
 proposed. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 fi^cf ^-^^ '^"i'diag of all the fragments of the branch line proiect 
 first given above, would probably exhaust the subsidies wfich the 
 
 
21 
 
 Dominion Government would grant to the railways of the Province 
 oticjuebec, m that case our Province would incur the great risk of 
 being left with a badly arranged system ; for we cannot foresee 
 tiatthe Local Government will ever assist this first proiect ex- 
 clusively at the expense of one great all-uniting, all-absorbino- 
 ' route. * *^ 
 
 There is still time to adopt the new scheme without abandon- 
 ing, on that account, the works already begun. In fact, besides 
 the roads from St. Jerome and Pontiac, there still remain 430 
 miles to be built, in order to carry out the frame-work of the first 
 scheme. Ihis is the length of the Maskinonge and Nipissing as 
 far as Quebec, including the branch lines of Ste. Therese: St. 
 a elix de V alois and Maskinonge. 
 
 Note.— The distances mentioned are taken by air line meas- 
 urement on the map of the Province of Quebec, prepared for the 
 Uepartmert of Crown Lands, by Mr. Eugene Tache, in 1880. 
 
 Ihe Cure, F. Mondor, says : There 'is still much land fit for 
 cultivation between Mattawin and St. Alexis, and evervwhere 
 timber, magnificent water-powers and mines 
 
 ( 
 
22 
 
 JAMES J. WHITE, ESQ., 
 
 Managing Director M. db N. Railway. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I beg leave to again report to you on progress 
 made by the Engineers up to 'Xmas last. In my first and second 
 reports I stated ten miles had been located, starting from a point 
 near Maskinonge Station, Canadian Pacific Railway, and running 
 in a north-westerly direction to the foot of the Laurentian Range. 
 This consists chiefly of sand, gravel and clay loam. 
 
 Three ravines will have to be crossed ; they are about two 
 hundred feet wide and twenty-five or thirty deep. As timber is 
 very plentiful in the vicinity, I think trestle bridges will be best 
 until such times as we can have the construction trains running. 
 
 From the River St. Lawrence to the foot of the Laurentian 
 Range, the land is all under cultivation, and as I passed through 
 during harvest time, am prepared to say I seldom came across 
 such crops in any part of Canada. 
 
 On striking the mountains a different scene presents itself, 
 vast forests of magnificent timber meet the eye, the value of 
 which cannot be over-estimated, and, on crossing the Range, fertile 
 valleys are to be met with frequently — thriving villages here and 
 there, surrounded by prosperous farmers. 
 
 With regard to minerals, as yet I have seen nothing but 
 graphite and iron. Reliable reports lately received from this part 
 speak of the country from St. Alexis to Mattawin River as being, 
 "well timbered, rich land, and abounding in minerals." The lakes 
 are teeming with fish, principally lake and river trout, and pickerel 
 and pike of a very fine size and quality. 
 
 Magnificent water-power is to be had all through this country, 
 which no doubt ere long will be all taken up for manufacturing 
 purposes. 
 
 In addition to the ten miles of location, a survey of forty 
 more has been made by Mr. C. E. Towle, C. E., the result has 
 been more than satisfactory, and I feel sure that oa locating the 
 line over the mountains, the work will be found to be compara- 
 tively light ; thence to end of route I do not anticipate any 
 trouble. 
 
 Yours RespecifuUy, 
 
 W. McL. 
 
 Ottawa, March 1st '87. 
 
 MAINGY, 
 
 Chief Engineer' 
 
Railway. 
 
 ou on progress 
 first and second 
 ig from a point 
 ly, and running 
 iirentian Eange. 
 
 are about two 
 As timber is 
 jes will be best 
 trains running, 
 the Laurentian 
 passed through 
 •m came across 
 
 presents itself. 
 3, the value of 
 e Range, fertile 
 llages here and 
 
 jn nothing but 
 1 from this part 
 River as being, 
 Is." The lakes 
 it, and pickerel 
 
 ^h this country, 
 manufacturing 
 
 urvey of forty 
 the result has 
 u locating the 
 be com para- 
 anticipate any 
 
 A.INGy, 
 
 hief Engineer- 
 
 i