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AND BY LIEUT.-COLONEL PLAYFAIR, R L. M. MNTED AT THE nmcE op ?"!;„„„,„„ sTANBABD;. MBCCCLII. -"^BB^r^ L 1^5^ f 7 6 aEOROIAN BAY RAILllOAD, TO THE EDITOR OF THE « BRITISH STANDARD.'* Sje, — Enclosed I send you sonje extr.iict.s from the lleport of Mr. Justice Brpwn, rel3,tjve to the St. l.^v,'- renco and Lake Huron Railroad, with remarks thereon. Also on the policy of constructing the same coijtiguou? fo the magnificent nayigij.liou of tlie Lake Ontario and Riyer St. Lawrence, parallel an4 in direct opposition to the Provii^cial Trunk Railway; contrasted with a inore inland route, tffi Smith's Falls, Perth, &e,, and ihenpe between ^e gieat lumbering I'iyers Mississippi jmd Mada-r Vijaka, imtil it reaches the waters of the Georgian Bay on Lake Huron. By inserting the sarne in your paper, you will oblige Your obedjent Servant, A. Vy. PLAyFAIR, Pathursf, September 1, 1852. TO THE READER. I feel it a task of no ordinary nature, and reoulre? me to summon all my moral courage, to take the field with an opponent so able — a gentleman of tho learned profession of the law — " wliose nights have been spent at the lamp, and days in the forum," Ell' (I by talent raised to the honours of the Bench, But I am actuated by a strong conviction of tho ^rectitude of my cause, the truth of my assertions, and the ultimate benefit of the enterprise, both as to return of capital expended and improvement of ^he country, Under these circumstances, I submit my crude thqughts to a generous and discerning public, with alj their imperfections, only asking the one favour — ^^an impartial verdict, And in taking a review of the Repprt subipi'.ted by Mr. Justice Brown to the committee appointed to promote the constructioii of the St. Lawrence and Luke Huron Railway, it is riot with a view of criticism — for I admire the zeal, patriotism and perseverance with which it is compiled, after much labour and research r-hut above all I admire the object, and \yroto publicly to promote the same, as my letters show previous to his having taken the field ; and tho lengthened extracts thq,t I mean to quote will fully shbw thp value I put on the general arguments in favour of the enterprise, and I perfectly coincido with him in the correct view which he has taken, and has expressed in the Report on page sixteen, which I here quote :— "A railway is riot a temporary " but ^ permaiiant thoroughfare ; any urjnecessary « distance, curves, qr steep grades, \y0ui4 bo a per- " pctual drag upon the business of tho road ; such "disadvantages would continually and daily iii- " crease Iha cpstd of transportation, thus adding "hundreds to hundreds, thousands to thousands, "and millions to millions, to the end of time." J suggest the question : Would not an injudicious choice in the locality of a Railway act on the same principles, and have the samp disastrous elTect? Would not the continual abstraction of freight by magnificent steam navigation — £nid passengers by a parallel Railway — and a continual tapping at Lako and Riyer ports, two-thirds of tho whole route — " bo "a perpetui^l drag upon the business of tho " roatl?" Would not "such disadvantages continually " and daily increase the cost of transportation, thu^ " adding hundreds to hundreds, thousands to thou- '? saif ds, and millions to millions., to the end of time ?" I leave the decision of this question to an intelligent public. The locality of the route is the only point in which we differ ; and on passing through the Report ipy object will be, in any observations that I may make, to show that the route i-ia Smith's Falls e^nd Perth is vastly superior in many respects as a com- mercial highway, and, con.sequeiitly, a dividend speculation, Notwhhstanding the zeal, enterprise, genius, and indomitable perseverance of sorne of the master-spirits of the age, whom we may cpm- pare to men standing on a lofty mountain, discern- ing the first dawn of light, while all beneath them are slumbering in darkness — with the main bulk of a commercial and speculating world, dividencj is the ^yind that fills their sails ; dividend the ballast to the car of commerce ; dividend the generator and \yheels and wings to the locomotive : it is pounds, shillings and pence that run throiigh every Veii^ aiid issue from every pore ; it is the hope of a rpifiunerating dividend that tunnels the mountain, elevates )he valleys, clears the forests, and lays down the track of the Iron Horse, "annihilating almost time and space." As there has bepn ipuch sfjid relative to the South'ern and Norfjiorn route of the Main Trunk Railway from Montreal to Kingston, I wish it to bo distinctly understood, that when I say Southen> route, I mean the proposed route for fhe Georgjail Bay Railroacl, via Pejerboro' ; and whe(i I 8*y Northern route, I mean the proposed route for the Georgian Biiy Kailroad, via Smith's Falls, Perth, &c., &c. In the first page it is stated, thfit f^ the projected Ruilvvay will connect tho River St. Lawrence with Lakp Huron." I observe this is the object of both routes. The next statement is:— "Tho distance is two hundred miles ; variation from a straight line may iucieaso the length of the Railway some fifteen I.l8.i;i4 4. GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. mile"?." It must ilivcri^o from tlio direct point in both the proposi.'d routos on account of the Lakes ; and in this particular, there is nothing to boast of on either side— by the map they appear to bo about equal. "That runs through the interior of Canada" (I should say it was scarcely skin deep) ** West, at no point nearer than about thirty miles from Lake Ontario." Our maps most probably differ: by the most recent, I find Peterboro' about 'thirty nules in widlhVtlTrough'whidrruns'tl.e'h'no lwent>-live, or at most twenty-six from the Lake. '' of this Railway. A chain of navigable Lakes lio FKASIBILITV OF ROUTE. *'The highest summit is about 588 feet above ** Lake Ontario, and 228 feet above Lake Huron ; *' from the St. Lawrence westerly, it is not less than "140 miles to the summit level, and about si.vtv " the St. Lawrence River and Georgian Bay, Boulh- "crly and northerly between Lake'OnUirio and iho " Ottawa Rivijr. It contains a territory eipialtotivo " New Kngland States, 'rhich liave a population of "two millions. A high ridge extends along tho " northern shore of Lake Ontario, in some places at " an el<: vation of seven or eight hundred feet : it " scarcely at any point recetles twelve miles from " the shore. Northerly of it, lies a valley about four "hnndrod feet above the Lake, and averaging some " miles descending 228 feet to Lake Huron ; from ** three to live feet in the mile will overcome the "summit either way." It is a rule in common law that a prisoner is con- sidered innocent until he has been found guilty. Now the Northern route has not been surveyed ; and as we start from the same place (viz., Prescott) and ter- minate at the same sheet of water, the intervening obstacles of both routes out of the question, we would both have the same grade, and so far stand on equid footing. GENKRAL CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRV. "The face of the country is generally level and "gently rolling. From the St. Lawrence River "tlirough the Townships of Augusta, Elizabeth *'Town, Kitley, Bastard and Crosby, the country " IS quite level and well improved." So far we can go with you neck and neck. From the St Lawrence River through the Townships of Agusta, Elizabeth Town, Kitley, Elmsly, Drurn- mond, and Bathurst, the country is quite level and well improved. <« Between the Rideau Canal and Marmora would ** be encountered what is called the Thousand Island "range, which is rnore broken, but not mountainous. " The country improves as it recedes northerly from " the St. Lawrence River. The line bears sufficiently "north to avoid any engineering difficulties. From " Marmora to Peterboro', the surface is more even, "and well adapted to the construction of a Railway. " The first ten miles west of Peterboro', the land is " rolling, and some low gravel ridges will beencoun- " tered ; the excavation of whicfi will be compt'ii- ■" sated by tho excellent material obtained for the *' road bed. The remainder of the way to within ■" fourteen. mik'S of tl\e Georgian Bay is a very level ■" country, through which the cheapest class of Rail- ■" ways can be constructed. From Orillia to the Bay " is a more rolling surface, which presents no seri- " ous obstruction, nor will it require any heavy or " expensive work. Upon the whole line, abundance " of timber, and all other requisite material neces- "sary for building the roail, can be obtained "with very little expense. But seldom will bo "found ill any country a roiifi! of equal extent as " favourable for eonslnicting u Railway. The " section of Canada to be opened by the proposed " Railway, is situated t'asteiiy and weatcrly bolvveeu « " nearly parallel to Lake Ontario along the op'-., .'•• "side of this ridge. Tho River Trent, which'takes " its rise from one of them, runs a long way easterly " before tuiding a passage through this high barrier, " where it falls into the Bay of Quinte ; a chain of " numerous Lakes ilso skirts the northerly side of "this valley, formed by streams from a higher " range of land lying along the southern bank of the "Ottawa River." The next observation is what is termed the Thou- sand Islands' range. Both routes have to encounter this granite formation, which runs across the country —and it will be somewhat expensive making a Rail- way through it in any place. Nex.1 it is admittted that " the country improves as it recedes northerly Aom the St. Lawrence River," and the line beara .sufficiently north to avoid any engineering difKcul- lies. Belter go further north to avoid never-endino niFFicui/riKs. Tho projected line now enters a fertile valley— some thirty miles back— well settled, gooil improvements, &c. ; and as the Railway runs onlythirtymilesbackof Lake Ontario, and a.s there is a ridge of high land running parallel with the Lake twelve miles back of tho same, the Railway will run within eighteen miles of this ridge. That will be eighteen miles? on the south side of the Railway, and twelve miles on the north side, said to contain a territory equal to five New England States, which have a population of 2,000,000. Dense popu- lation depends on occupation, tratle, manufactures, &c., &c. Loiulon has upwards of 2,000,000 of inha- bitants, and is not as large as one of our Townships. The route that I am contemling for has a tract that would support the surplus population of Great Britain and Ireland, ninety miles by sixty, sixty per cent. iit for settlement ; and the intended Northern Rail- road line runs tlirough it. Just as this document was going to press, a letter appeared in print, written by James H. Burke, Escj., of Bylown (a son of my old comrade in arms, tho gallant Colonel Burke of the late lOOth Regiment). It is much to the purpose, and its appearance will, like the Prussians at Waterloo, decide tho contest between the two routes. It is as follows :— " Sir,— I perceive that a company has been formed for the construction (if a Railroad from Prescott r/a Pcilh and un.smvcyod tcnilory to (Jeorixian Bay. Should the (Jovi^ninu'iit uianl the re(iuired land iii the uui-urveyed tciriloiy. ihia i:; the most 2)rumisinu' S { flay, Kouth- iirio and thu e(iuiil to fivo opulation of s along tho no places at red foet: it miles from y about ibur aging Homo uuH the lino le Lakes lio the op'",,.'''» which takes t'ay easterly ligh barrier, u chain of erly side of a higher bauk of the 1 the ThoU" j encounter the country iing allail- s admittted 3s northerly ! line bears ing difKcul- V'Kll-ENDINO w enters a veil settled, lilway runs id as thero I with tha le Railway Ii side of the jde, said to land States, >ense popu- nufactures, 00 of inha- rownshlps. a tract that eat Britain { per cent, theru Rail- 3s, a letter irke, Esq., armti, tho legirnent). ranue will, he contest 3en formed roscott viii ihin Hay. !d land in prvitusiniT GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. <( Rdllrnad scheme mooted in Canndti. I havo a tho- rough acquaintance with the uroater iwrtion of the ijnsurveye.l lan.is through which the line mnst pass. derived chiefly from actual observation. Five veara a resident in that wildorncKs I liuve tracked on the trail of the Jndian— tho bjay.e of the hunt..r-the sur- veyors' lino— and lumberman'.s road, llavin" re- cently tnirelied thnjugh a jiortiou of Vermont" and XNe-.v York States by railway, I am bound to say „ A' ^^'J™^'''^ '» one of the best iron mines that the Ottawaand Lajco Huron territory, particularly '-''i".*''a It is said to be inexhaustible, and Uiat tl mat portion through which such a Railroad as that °''",'^ "^'"^ "'•''' *'"' f^uperior quality. Water now, contemnlated niiisf T).isi«. iM an.i<.i;.>H ; ,•/„..! ... and a I otbnr fimiHtiua „«..,,:..„„♦ i i mi.*^ dense forest 1.50 miles in length, with groves of whit(} and red pine, said to bo inexhaustible, much of wLicli the white man's axe has never entered. In this it must be admitted that the northern routo haa a most decided and lasting preference. laoN Mines, — page 7, ".^■l *^'J™o'''i. J8 one of the best iron mines in the er contemplated must pass, is superior in anil and sur- ^"'^ ''^" °*^''' facilities are near at hand. The pro /ace to that portion of the Slates alluded to, throu-'li P"^?''''"eofRailwaypassesinitsimmediateviciiiitv wnich the Rujlrjad pa.'scs bet\»'""" "■•>i; -■•■ »'~ ho invitKiL' wns ilii« i-ifV. minr. ♦!,,,* ..„;„_!_.._ i < mont, and Troy, iVew York. Th r. --—..••"" •;•—...>* 111.. i^i.uuuii. iworaii'res of townships bordering tho road would be w.utli more in the miuket tliau the whole t(-nitory as it now fitands. Ihe government would therefore make no aacnfice an granting the breadth of a Township cl-ar through. While I lee! such is the case, I am sati.- lied tlie and comprised witliin live miles on each ..„, .,^^,1 'uiv uirciicii, um III various lo- calities convenient to tho Railway; these will also Oe worked, employing numerous labourers, and thiw greatly increase tha population. Tho manufacture ot iron would conf.?r a two-fold benefit, by furnishino- freight tor e.vport and import supplies." " In this particular the northern route is not one whit side of thp in.„l wn„Ti • "'^ """:■« "ucacn '" ""^"""'^"lar me nortnem route is not one whit fiailroiul passinnr through it ; and as a -uarantel is "''"'^ ' ^'"^ ''"^ ''"'^ difficulty will bo the superior to any J'ownship debentures, forei-n capital '^"'■^'''i"" »« tl»e instruments in surveying the Une wiu De lomid to carry out this euternri.se. it ihJ<:^^ and townshins. wifl t)e found to carry out this enterprise, if the t^- vernment meet tho Company's views in a proper spirit. Lvery man having the welfare of the Vallev and townships. Lead Mines, — page 8. "In «he Township of Bedford, near the line of of the OUawa at heart mutt feel a lu. o t at i may p.", *^^ township _„ „ „ _^ ^^ be successiuK I am. Sir, yours, &c ^ Railway, a lead mine has been discovered. Exam. "JAMES H." BURKE » !"?/?"' f ,''""?'•''■' "'^'^ ?^.^^ *° ^^e belief that lead rr T, . J^iJJVKi.. will be developed in tins vicinity. Its localitv is in TiMBER-FBcv BiiowN's REPORT,-p.age 6. Ihe Thousand Island granite range,whichcrosses thS A great variety ot timber is found in tlus part of f}' ^-'^wreuce river from the State of New York into ? n" 1 • '*"™''' P^''^'^^'''' f ^t^'isivo forests of lar"-o {-^^"ada. In this peculiar formation is not only the anct tall wlute oak, mixed with maple, ehn and other ^,fM™" """ej but also mines of lead and copper Kinds of tamber, are to be met with. Emiuoutly ^'^^.^o^'^'e lead mines in the County of St. Lawrence -irge sized w iite pmo and white oak are also inter- ^^^ ^'^ *^"'' '^^'^e I'U'^ky range. Recently has been mixed. JSiorth of this line are vast forests of pine. '''«covered in the Township of Macomb, adjoininir oak, and other valuable timber: immense (luanti- ^^of f, a very valuable lead mine, upon what w *'"'' '•""■'^ "■ "" '-^ '- •■ ■ ■ • • \ sta. l^fl'^^l th« Jucfson tract, the name of'the pxoprietof ._• it IS now heinor. ii iu K-ii.l T-ii-fWit.,Ki,. i....l ^^ • t^es could aiuiually be deposited at the various .la- ,, . , . -:-.---, . „.„ u.opneior. tions along tho Railway. This now wild region ^'."* "°^^^""g»" i« said, profitably worked, and pro- would become the source of great wealth-a rich ^i^'st^s » "ch return to the owner. Geological indica- iracle, the returns of which woukl furnish tluj country ^'""^ °" ^^^ Canada side are equally favourable It with a Large amount of capital. More than a qua/- '^ ^^ '" leasonablo expectation, therefore, that'thiii granite region is as rich in mineral wealth on the north as on the south side of tho line, and that CaiiiuJa will be as mu>-»li enriched from this source as nas been the State of New York." Tito above is very encouraging. J am qwite happy to hear it ; and as we have a very good .share of tho granite formation on the northern side of the line, wo may perhaps meet with some riches that we did not ter of a century will this timber furnish the road with a large amojut of tonnage. Tiie lake and other waier commuuications extemlnig north, when connected by plank aiui macadamised ruads, would allbnl conve- nient iacdities for bringing out this timber from a great distance. The increased demand would war- rant the increased (-.xpense-as fast as the timber Wiis exhausted, the land would be tilled uud culti- X* , ,. .'"•'' '"^w •'*!H""'^" ^^'""''l moil! tlum supply --•' i 1 -— ■ ••"^^'^uinu iu:ues mat we aid not dtliSXniS'^''' '"'"^""'* "^ '^^ ^''^'^ ''^T :^" ^ '''' '-'^y ^* P^"'^^-^^ ^^' -'^ ^^-'^ --ore Tl,' • 1- ,,' , , "^ abundance, and some specimens of as nure IpofJ Th s Ks applicable to botfe routes ; and I coincide as ever came in a caddy from Canton ^y7is]t 2^Z\::^i:1''^''t'''^''''''''^''^^' formation and encouragement inocuhteZfe^ur Lkand^l "I f ''''''y y"""^" -"-"^^^ an inflammatory mineral 10 mulUply the above cslimato with, both as to the ht •luantily of lumber and the number of years it will ,. t, T''""' ^''■'''^'^■'^ i'x^i as the uortiicm route will pus, .hrou.di a liiic u^'SliS'" m" jrf °"' '"' n'^'^ i iiiuii^.ii a nuL ui Kailwdv iMurble of an excellout quality am! "■:5i^|57":.''.'~ 'rv'T^m'^Tir. ea from Ihoui. Tl.<; .iiiarry Lake., &c.; an.ltl.at %vat „i-.„o«;,. tVw'l'nvin river IS not allected by Ireshets or sudden changes ; lained at Beverley is also mabundance in the lown- .^ ^.^^^^ ,^^^ ^ ^.^j,^ p.,.rio region nearly parallel for so many miles ; and I further whh of pure white, resembling donble-relined Ion sugar, eouiiilenco assert, that much depends on the choice almost equal if not quite to Italian statuary marble. „f tj^g Northern route to the prosperity of the Eastern This, no doul)t, will cause an immense way trade to terminus and its locality. II the Railway strikes oft' ^e northeru line, and throw the soijtheru route, iji directly by Smith's Falls into the interior of fho this particular, iar in the shade. eountry, a large and llourjshing commercial city Water Power, — page 9. \vill spring up, equal, if not superior, to any in f'a- «' No equal extent of country is more fai'onrably ji^jn, West. Again, follow the suicidal policy "situated for maijufacturing operatious. Nor is ^,. ,,^^ Southern route; bo content with the fr.ejght "there any Oliver where such facilities are mmo .^^^s the Navigation and Provincial V required, or could be employed to great(!rprolit; •■"'^^ (.....^Lews ^ , , ., , -•• ■' ■> _.■-•-. I.. „..,:.i.,.„„i .„ -Ill Trunk i{ailway may leave you, and build up Coliourg, at the expense of Prc.-^colt and Brockvillo —and your die is cast; your ruin (coinpari^tively speaking) is ijievitabh' ; and a monument of folly cr-icled to your momory at yi,..r own cost ! What has c^uiseil Hamilton, which in the late war, had oiiiy one solitary house, to become one of the f'here the raw material can be produced to "unlimited extent. To manufacture the grain, wool, " timber, ores, and marble, and various other pro- " ducts raised and obtained in this rich r.nd exten- *■' sive territory, will require a large amount of water " ppwer. The great variu'ty of Laki's stretrhing '.' along bo^h sidiis of the Railway, seem nature's in- " tended arrangement for hydraulic purposes. Tho "different heiglits are therefore an interc-sti^ig iten. ii„„,i,hi„. cities in Canada? The answer is "in the geography of this country— and esseiuial ., , ,,,, .i ■ i nv «> toa full un(rer.ianding of its extent of water power." obvious : A back country. What has raised loron- The northren line being in a stote of nature, anil to, which, at the same period, was a muddy hole not surveyed into Townships as a greater part of the with a h;w houses, to become a magnificent English southern line is, I therefore cannot go into ndnute city? The same cause : A hack counlry. What has particulars on the various water-powers, a. my friend caused Kingston, with all the advantages it enjoyed the Judge does. But I can say, that the intended so many years-the head of batteau, and the loot ol Ijne will run between the great lumbering River,=; ship navigation, with all the proiils of the army ami Mississippi and Madawuska, wilh llieir chains of i.avy e.labli.hinentii pouring their treasures from tho ici>, nml \vl\at ces — that tho ■(, tho sairio in the valley itiiries to tho , Avill {imply .0 country, for 1-2, stfily op tho ween ihi.s ;iiiil Is seldom if mod up vijli iunt to carry This gieiit lien ehau'god ; C'J feet. I'lm ?ro.ssinij-plufi} idoil Irorii tlw live huiulreil instructed .Mat li litll(! delay, t euu tiiu.s bu viitcr \vill bo ilhvay." iniou bctivcen ; but I would mnk Kaihyay 11 tlic St. Law- y crossed the or some other ;id of ruriniag llfurtlierivith on tho choico of the Eastern way strikes oil" interior of fho mmercial city to any in f'a- iiicidal ppUcy ath tlie fr.eight nd Proviuciui and buikl up [uid Brockvillo compari^tivuly iment of folly cottt ! in tlio hito war, irqo one of the Till! answer is i raised Torou- a muddy hole ificent Eui>lish try. What has asos it enjoyed and tho fnot of t' tho army and asiues from tho (;e<")Rc;ian bay railroad. / 1 Imperial cfrfTers into lior lap— to mako so little pro- gross as a city ? I assert, the want ofd back coun- try t augmeuted by the injudicious mana'^jement of her leadini; men, in expending her resources and directing her energies into a wrong channel ; de- luging her in debt to build a mammoth market- house ; paralyzing public spirit ; and instead of lead- ing tho van in the frontier cities, leaving her at a stand Btill. Had the capital been expended in a judicious way — in a miacadamized road iu tho rear of the city, to (ho most fertile tract of land for settlement, and to the tributaries of the Ottawa— they would have dis- played some common sense; and I would further observe, if the Kingston people do not throw all their weight into tho scale of the Northern route of tho Grand Provincial Trunk Railway passing up through Bytown, Perth, and a fertile back country, they will be still blind to their own interest. A frontier rail- way may take away accumulated produce from tho frontier towns and cities, and consume gooifs, but it is the rear that supports tho front. Let tho leading men of Kingston, Brockvillo, and Proscott maturely and deliberately consider tho movement they aro about to make, before it is too late. The most illiterate pioneer in the French army, after the disastrous Russian camptfign, could tell that the great General had made a bad movement ; but it required tho skill, experience and foresight of a Mutat to point and warn the sanguine conqueror ivhose brow was adorned with laurels, and whose victorious army had planted the French standard on most of the capitals of the continent of Europe, of the impending ruin of tho finest and best equipped army that ever existed. May not leading men in civil affairs mako most egregious blunders also ? But I will conclude this article by observing, that 1 shcoild not envy the notoriety (and, in my humble opinion, tho sanity),- of the member for that locality -«tho would present tho application for a charter and Government guarantee, and stand up on tho floor of the House to support tho same, for tho southern route from Proscott to the (Georgian Bay. EaSTKRN TEUMIN0S. "FiVs/,— with the St. Lawrence River. Tliis great natural outlet to tho ocean will thus bo restored to a portion of its legitimate trade, diverted by the Now York canals to tide-water, through the Valleys of tho Mohawk and Hudson. '< 2. With the proposed lino of RaihVay to Mon- treal, Quebec, and Halifax. "3. With tho Railway connecting with or at Montreal. <' And lastly, with the Ogdensburgh Railway, and thus with the New England loads, leading by nu- merous and vai lous routes through tho Eastern ma- nufactining towns and cities, to Boston— and also, ihoso down tho valleys of Lakn Chaniplain, the Connecticut livcr aud Hudiuih to thy ciiy of New Yoik. "Those fonr direct conncc'li'ons \rould all bo ^rroatly benelitted by optmiiig this now and shorter channel of trade to the West. It would draw to them respectively, Western produce that otherwiso would never bo diverted from the sottthern routes. " All of these Irnefl of Railways now constructed, or commenced, with biU a single arrd comparatively unimportant exception, aro of the pame guage. It would not therefore be necessary to tranship from Lake Huron to Bosroii, or any olhor eastern destina- tion. This inhportaint consideration alone ■\*0iTld in- duce to this route a largo amount of trade which otherwise would not be obtained. It would be very unwise to disregard it ; the stronger the inducements held out by this new commercial channel, thegrea?- cr would bo its competition with other routes, a;nd thus all of these connections rrtust share in such ia- orcased business. " No other place could bo selected for the Eastern Terminus, combining so many unrivalled advanta- ges. Tho crossing is the most feasible betweeA Quebec and Niagfara. Tho same cars, tvith scarce- ly any impediments laden with the rich products of the W'esI, could distribute tho same along, the lines of more than Two Thousand miles of Railway.'' I think m., Iriend labours under a great mistake in saying, "This great natural outlet to the ocean will thus be restored to a portion of its leghimate trade, diverted by the New York canals," — for if any ona thing more than another can divert the trade to thai New York canals, it would be the southern route, direct from Ogdensburgh to Oswego— thence to Al* bany on the Hudson— and thence to Nev? York in four hours. The remaining part of these observa- tions on the eastern connection, is much to the pur- pose, and in my opinion more suitable to the north- ern than to the southern route, as the more extefistvo back country on the former, will (with the exception of the consumption of the Lumbering community)^ have no other outlet but this one line of railway ; therefore its overplus produce will be confined to ona channel, and concentrate a more abundant supply to the places alroaely mentioned. I would conelnda this part of the subject by observing that, in addition to what has been stated as to the eastern connec* tions, we may also mention the Rideau canal com- municating with Kingstor at the foot of Lake On- tario, at one end, and Bytown, on the Grand River, at tho other— and also, the Railway from Prescott la that great Lumber depot. « A railway is now iu process of construction from tho City of Toronto to the Georgian Bay. This road will be an important connecting link between the Great Western and other westerly railways, and the St. Lawrence and Lake Huron road. Sd far from being competing lines, they will confer mutual benefit." This is past my comprehension. It may strengthen tho opinion of the beneficial results of a railway to those waters, when we see the wisdom, talent, and treasures of the mercantile community of the flou- jisUuig L'jiy (ji Xc'ioiuo cmbuikcd iu the euteiprize. 8 GEORGIAN BAY ilAILllOAD. and we may oortaijily draw the inference, that if it ia benoTieial for Toronto, it -woulil bo beneficial lor other cities, towns, ami viJIa^'cs, on its route to At- lantic porta. But its through trade will be from the tVBtora of tlie Huron, to tho wiite/s of the Ontario U>th aliJ.9 in that respect. All tho dilference vrill be, that the one terminus is at Toronto— the other a! Cotwurg; and as I have not the preliminary Sur- veys, I cannot say which will be the best grade, or meet with the greatest engineerin g difficulties. Al- so, in my opinion, some of the way-trade will be di- vetled'from the Peterborough route as laid down in this report; at Orillia will bo the depot for the Peter- borough route} and the flourishing tuvfa of Barrio will be a depot for the Toronto line. These places being only fifteen or sixteen miles apart, they must qwtainly divide the transport of the produce in the Twiuhy of Lake Simcoe. On the same pa-^e— ^ '< Initiatory steps aro being taken to establish a branch between Peterborough aud Lake Ontario with a terminus at Ccbourg and Port Hope. Tbeso towns wiU derive far more benefit than from a rail- wajf passing through them along the Lake shore. I hey would be places of transhipment, and thus be- come depots for produce destined for Lake Onlarie This ever-increasing commerce would make then* Jwg» nonriabing piaces." This sapiiorta my opinion as expressed in my let- tor addieaaed to the shareholders of the Boston and ©gdenabwgih Railroad Company previous to my see- ingtbia Report, or bearing of the intention of the in- habitoate'Of Fort Hc^ and Cobourg. I will only add, that should this southern route, in the face of common sense, be madly persisted in, Cobourg will prove r* Tortex— a perfect maelstrom to the freight of the Un». . :;!, u ji : A .fiaaway from the Georgian Bay, tna Peterbo- rough, to Cobourg, is unquestionably a good and a reasonable speculation. No man of local knowledge can say anything against it. It is from thenco to Prescott that the suicidal policy lies, and many may agitate that part of road, that will take good care to havo but a small share in its liabilities. But twen- ty' or thirty thousand dollars per mile, of foreign ca- pital expended in their locality is a goodMhing, not to b.9 met with every day ; thereforea few days since a person of my acquaintance asked a very intelligent gentleman of the long robe, what he thought of their railroad scheme. Tho reply was, '< Oh, most admi- ral)^ ! push it ahead all you can. Agitato— agitate, biitnjy private advice to you is, take as few shares in it yourseU as poesible." ."Kingston is a very important place for the ter- tnmuB of a branch. This, with the St. Lawrence, L^e Ontario,, Rideau Canal, aud Railways termi- nating on t\ie opposite side of tho navigable waters, u£ Ln *'^!l'^^. *'''* "'y- ^'^eater adVantaizes sel- dom fell to the ot of any inlaml place. Tliis brand ternunus ^¥o^ld also become a great depository of produce to bo sjiipped to vnrions d.-stinationv and would Ihoretoro be lar moro advantageous to kinua- eton tlian a Lake shore road." I think this savours a little of special pleading, and that my friend has forgotten his ascension to the Bench. If this case was before a jury of Kingsto- nians, I might for a certainly anticipate a verdict ii» direct opposition fwthe opinion of tho Judoo. To make Kingston flourish requires internal com- munication unquestioi.ably ; and a Main Trunk al- so—that Trunk to recede northerly between it and Montreal as much a« possible, to ski t the fertile val- ley of the Ottawa. It must pass through the granite formation, go which way it will— and once through that, they have a level country, well inhabited, and highly cultivated in general, and extremely fertile. What more could be desired for a Railway route? for way freight and proximity to the St. Lawrence inust inevitably divkle the traffic with the naviga- tion, and of course reduce the dividend, and be less beneficial to Kingston as a depository for farm pro- ciuce. LoCAti BiSEFITS. « So diversified will be tho direct and indirect ad- vantages of this road, no attempt will be made to enumerate their ultimate results. To level dowre hills and fill up valleys, and stretch along such ar- tificial channels over two hundred miles of iron path- way, is an enterprise worthy of the most patriotic efforts. The mind can but faintly perceive the mai»- nitnde of such permanent work, operated the year round, by steam power, equally enduring^ and far more advantageous than a navigable, but, in winter, ice-bound river. If not a new creation, it is nothing less than opening a new and lasting commercial thoroughfare thio' what would otherwise remain aa interior and secluded region. A revolution changing the physical and social character of its inhabitants, cirected, not by war aud bloodshed, but by peaceful industry. It will promote moral and intellectual re- finement, as well as commereial improvement. — Greatly superior has ever been considered the lot of that people, favoured by convenient facilities of widely extended social intercourse, to those depriv- ed of such advantages, and for which no pecuniary consideration could be any adequate equivalent." I perfectly coincide in opinion with the aboveias to the local benefits ; but often think in reading the report, that my friend's car has got off the rail* of tho fiouthern, and is moving at railroad speed on the northern route— his observations bemg frequently more suitable to the latter. He speaks of « opening a lasting commercial thoroughfare through what would otherwise ever remain an interior and se- cluded region." This is certainly more applicable to the northern than the southern route, with its fer- tile valley, intelligent inhabitants, numerous muni- cipalities that could raise such vast sums for railway purposes, (viz., Xi>50,000), and the immense amount of way trade, as laid down at upwards of £200,000 per aiiuiiiij. Bui I will mm Lcailily lorgivc liixu. ■J H W"* ! " ' 1 *1*1 I I I I GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. tcstiii»(jon»^ anil lyeous to kiiiga- pccial pleading, asconsion to tho ury of Kingsto- pate a verdict i» n Jiulgo. 3s internal com- Main Trunk al- between it and t the fertile val- )ugh :tio granite k1 once through inhabited, and 'tremely fertile. Railway route? St. Lawrence ith the naviga- nd, and be less^ ■y for farm pro- tncT indirect oi'- v'ill be made to lo level down' along such ar- les of iron path-' most patriotic oeive the mac;- jrated the year iurin^y and far but, in winter, n, it is nothing ig commercial fise remain an ution changing its inhabitants, lut by peaceful intellectual re- fiprovement. — sidered the lot int facilities of ) those depriv- i no pecuniary jquivalent." the above;.aff in reading the the rai}»of tho speed on tho ng frequently :s of " opening through what ;erior and ee- 3re applicable 3, with its fer- morous muni- tns for railway nenso amount Is of £200,000 lorgivu him, if he g«ta ofT, seventy limofl seven in a day ; and if his car will rur on the northern line, it shall go toll- free, and welcome, with a general invitation to him- self and all his friends. CONSTRDCTIOV, "Expending a million or more 'of pounds in any section of the country, is a great locifl benefit. Such Ims lieon the efTect wherever improvement" have beett made in any State of the American Union. — The outlay of the capital produced a state uf imme- diate prosperity, whicii the work when completed not only maintained, but continually increased. — This expenditure is not like those mercantile opera- tions which send the money out of the country to payfor foreign commodities. It i^ first brought into the country, and then expended for a permanent in- vestment, never to be taken away. However large, therefore, the local sulwcriplinns may lie, towards Iho construction of the work, insteatl of impoverish- ing, would be more than counterbalanced by such local expenditure of money." To which I .idd, that foreign capital would, with the rapidity of tho electric fluid, iliffuse itself through every avenue of commerce, and no more would bo felt tho want of a cash market in tho locality of its expenditure. Public works not only create a de- mand for the labor of man and beast, but for manu- factured goods and every description of farm pro- duce. The market would commence with the work and continue until it was completed. When the road would bo open to convey what was not wanted •It home, to a foreign maiket, a comnvcrcial revolu- tion would be the event, and no more would be felt the burthen on the community of the credit system, with orders, due-bills, truck, interest, &c. Emanci- pation from barterism, that bane to good feeling between the merchants and their customers, would be banished' from society, and Cash down would bo the order of the day — " a consummation most die- voutly to be wished." Manufacturing. "Great would be the local benefits derived from this source. This great wheat growiTfg country wouH manufacture the flour, and also the barrels in which it was sent to market. Tho great quantity and quality of water-power, so conveniently distri- buted over this whole section, would be brought in- to use ; staves, heading, .ind all other kinds of lum- ber would be worked into various shapes for export. Iron, lead, marb'a, and woolen factories would be erected ; manufacturing towns built up, the popu- lation greatly increased, and this would become a prosperous and wealthy section of Canada." All this applies to the northern as well as the sou- thern route, and it is so much to the purpose that I cannot think of omitting it. Market. "The distance this section of Canada is from any reliaWe market must be a very serious detriment. Such iiTConvemences, unless obviated, will ever pre- vent its advancement ; no adequate encouragement now e-^ii:-'? to iuduce aettleraeuts, and extuud culti- B ? vation. The more dibtant from market the more^ra* pid will bo the (ransportatioit of produce rcqoirfld ; nothing short of rnfilway facilities can therefore over- come this ollierwise insurmountable diflitcully, Th« cars would take pmduce in winter a« well as in sum- mer, without transhiprrtent, to any oity or town in New England, or to be shipped from the Atlantic to Old Engiarrd." The abote statement ig ptfrfcctly Cbrrecf, aftd' car* tainly more suitable to tlie nortttern r^ute^ with on« exception — the consQmption of the lumbering com* munity. They are farther back, lUfKt of course !«• hour uncfcr more privations for want of commutiioa'- tions than tltosc on tho front route, for it would appe^ by the report that a great part of the way the people ^ould be within tliirty miles of tho St. Lawrencf and Lake Ontario/ .::>->{ "No part of America,- of hs- n^tef eehntsihfVtIk much foreign produce as New England". Its soil ik too sterile to cticourago agrlcultmTil efforts. HeiKJe American enterpri/o is directed to mannfaclUllhg^ commercial, and other pursuits. Its popttiatkHf, therefore, continues rapicfly increasing. Its con'' sumption, then, of imported produce mnat be itil^ menso. It is difiicult to arrive at any correo^'^'- mate. Tlio cattle trade alone, at and in the imi diate vicinity of Boston, amounts to over fotir milUdnh of dollars anmlrdly. FrnmtHis single item', itt'on^ locality, some' oonception mby be formed «f the TMt consumption of various productions io all New Sngp land. " The manufacturing proilueta of the State of HioB- sachuselts only, amounts annualTfv to one hund'red and twenty millioiTs of d'ollai's. This amount givW some idea what the whole would be, including tha other five States. Railway facilities in all of taem^ connect with every manufacturing city, town, or other business place. Now completed or in a state of construction, arc Three Thousand Fottf Itundred and Twenty Miles of Railioay, at the present cost of One Hun(ked and Six Millions of Dollara< " T(r send produco direct to New England con- sumers, free of expense and injury, by handling and trucking, would virtually change the relative position of this interior section. For all the benefits of trade its locality would not exceed' _/br Hence the people of this sectior^ shouid spare no ef- forts to better their commercial relations by thus overcoming distance. " Since the opening of the Ogdensburgh road, that part of Canada convenient to its western termintn^ has derived great benefits from it. After paying du- ties, the farmers have obtained better prices in New England, than could be had in Old England or ner Provinces. They have found a reiad^ market fbr all kinds of coarse gtain, cattle, sheep, beef, mutton*, pork, butter, cheese, and even potatoes, poultry and eggs. Purchasers from the east are continually in Canada, and tho farmers have a market at their own doors. Every depot on the Ogdensburgh road is a Roston market. Such would also be the case with the St. Lawrence and Lake Huron railway. No twe sectious of North America are of more mutual bene- fit to each other, than could be New England and Canada." io GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. Hi t1i3 above needs no comment. It speaks vdunies in fftvor £>i the enterprizu — and the uhiroate benefit to the Easteni and Western States, as well aa CaamdKh Riss or Heal Estate. , *' Twenty thmuand square miles of territoiy will be more or less twnefitted by this railw-". It would ope» up this vast section of country, rapidly proraofe its sqttfeihent, and literally make the wilderness to ^ bud and blossom as tho rose." Instead of wilder- ness and «olltude, the shores of its lakes and riversy itn extensive valuable forests and rich farming lands, would all bfioome the abode of a dense and enlight- t;n-jd population, a^^d throughout its length and Dreadth 'exhibit industry, enterprize and wealth," *'TVre)ve millions and eight hctulred thousand teres woflld bd thus greatly increased in value, aside from water-power, town and village property; esti- jmate this incr»«8e at the moderate snm of one pound i(fe ahiUings ptr acre, would amount to sixteen nril- iionavf pounds. Add to this estimate the increased ftifia of water-power, city, town, and village plots, iu>d all the other sources, the aggregate woold at least leach Twenty Five Millions of Pounds, or One HuaAred MiUions of Dollars." Hus eMhnate'at first sight in the aggregate seems jdixMOiixsigiy high. But on some parts of the imme- 4i«t9 route, it ia far too low. It is £125 increase on ttne bundled acres. I am sure even the plank read ^toia Perth towards Lanark village has raised the Talue of some farms more than that sum, and the iiortbern railroad wouhi pass through lands, in con- kequentfe of their remote locality, that would not sell mt present at any price. But let a first-rate iron iiSghWay nai through them, and it will be like a na- irigable river, enhancing the value of the Imds for dbrty or fifty miles from its banks, having its tributa- Itlf^ iA piank and macadamized roads. But we will leduce the above calculation seventy-five per cent, lor the bake &f the sceptical in enterprize, and who Wave only the faculty of viewing things when they jve acooKjplished, and it is sJill a large sum— six and a quarter millions of pounds, c^r twenty-five ralDions cf doUars. But again, the estimate ol theproduca on the sou- Iheifri line, and the trc.isport of the same, h held up a,B a prominent it^m in its favour. I will throw in to the ttcble on the orpos'te side the following e«li- mate of one brar ah of trafiic, in the vicinity of the northpTiJ line ;— T he prtxlucts of the Forest at Que- l)ec are staled fit the sun of £1..327,537— two-thirJs of which suri may very justly be allowed to pio- ct-ed from the Grand River pnd its tribniaries, which ■Would be £885,025 ; and according to Jhc opinion of practical lumbermen, an average of two-thirds may le considered a fair calculation foi- snppli.is and jnen's wages. Then according to the above, thee Jtiust be expended for supplies and men's wages on ihe Grand Eiver and it;, tributaries the above bum of £885,025, or $2,5t;0,0&l annually, whj;h must cie- ato a vast carrying trade. It may Ire card rtia! the balance of the men's wages are not paid until they arrive at Quebec. That is true } but we will put a» an oflset, the lumber disponed of to the American ntarket, which is not included in the estimate of Inmber delivered at Quebec, which will more than balance the arrears of wages to tlie nteu. Then there w^ll be more than two uid a half millions of dollars annually expended on goods and prodwey and th(7 contemplated railway wonldf have the trans- port of a coujiderablft portion of the same. The settled pait of the northern line is in no way whatever behind the southern, either in miality of land, amCTint of pnxluce according to the area of cul- tivation, or industry and iutelligcncc of its inhabi- tants ; and its municipalities will not br, aecof ding to their numbers, ontdone. Perth has shown a ptece- dcnt, by unanimously passing a resoluiion to take dtock to the amount in the first instance of £1Q,0(X}, and no doubt oiheis will qukrkly follow her exanrple. But to make up the balance hi the scale of thi» fertile valley producing so much way trade, with its .•ett.ers, municipalities, mills, minerals, water power, &c., &c., we throw into the credit of the northern route one hundred and fifty mile» in length of wild lands, with all their timber, minerals, water power, &c., &c. ; and if twenty thousand square miles be boRefited more or less on the southern route, a much larger amount may be estimated for the northern^— 3 and I support my assertion on two immoToable pro- positions. The first 5? thb much greater e.itent of territory not being win5;ed by Lake Ontario on tho one side ; and secondly, the iwfthern line being so far back, the improbability of losing any of its trade by being tapped. At the abovij estimate of the qpjantity of land there would betwf^lyy millions and eighi hundred thou- sand doUars; and four millions of dollars would build the roao, out and out, at an averaspe of twenty thousand dollars per mde : tliers would thus be, at the low estimate of one doHar per acre, eight hun- dred thousand dollars to go to the Provincial fnni's. .L jmal! advance on tho above prico of five shillings would pay the expense of surveying thf lands fw sale, after the railway was begun. There are the means ; tlip substance lies within itself. The value is ther^ ou the ground. It is like a diamond in the rough, or marble in the quarry ; it only wants the lapidary to polish, or the skillful hand of tho sculptor to carvn the ponderous Colossu-s. — This likewise only wants the machinery to be put in operatioii Ly tlie mind of ,nan. Nature has accom- plished her part ; now let mind op^Mate on matter, and tho docket is struck— the fiat is ptamped. The plan proposed to construct a railway across this neck (if land ill the great bcud of the waters of the St. becaid that the t paid until they lit we will put as the Ainerican ♦he estimate of 1 will more than we nieii. Then . half millions of h Rnd prodwey I hare the trans- same, ine is in no way ler in Quality of t!be area of cul- ;c of ils inhabi' br^aecofdinglo shown a prece> (Eolmion to take anceoff£10,0(X7, ow her exanrple. the scale of this ly trade, with its als^ water power, of the northern n length of wild lis, water power, square miles be rn rente, a mnch >r the northern^— 3 mmoToable pro- greater e.itent of e Ontario on the (rn line being so J any of ils trade tity of laml there i'i hundred thoo- if dollars would fera^ of twenty ould thus be, at acre, eight hun- Prorincial fnni's. > ol five shillings ng till' lands iar mce lies within ound. It is like in the quarry ; it the skiHiul hand irous Colossus. — ncry to be put in ituro has accom- viate on matter, 1 ptamped. The across this neck ivuters of the St. GEORGIA:^ BAY RAILROAD. n Lawrence, and so to save some seven hundred railes, will be as much or more tlmn the whole is worth at is to petition the Proviucial Government to grant to present in a state of nature. Why not Canada do a Joint Stock Company, now formed in Perth, a por- the same ? This is sound policy. Settle^nent is tion of the public domain— say five miles on each better to the States than wild lands. Settlors soon side of sail', railway, on condition of completing the become producers, thereby add to the national stopk same — on which the Company will obtain foreign tor exportation ; also consumers of imported manu- capital, commence the work, and survey and sell to iactures, thereby add to the general revenue of the actual settlers lands on each side of the railway,-— government, and increase the maritime power, piw and thus at once commence the settling of that wil- taxes which go to loc^l improvements, perform derneas, and build a magnificent commercial iron statute labour which improves the highway, assists highwa}', which will iaevitably draw into its vortex in developing the internal resources Qf the forpst, the mancfactures of the East, and the products of the form a militia for the defence of the country { ^a4■ West, and form a connecting link in that great chain thus strcngthuu the nation physically, pclitica^y, ai^ which is rapidly being forged in the minds of men, commercially. TliLs is a rightr us plan, sfid. muft that will reach from tlio Atlantic to the Pucific, and prosper if carried out by the authorities. Emigration fortn tlie future highway from tlie greater part of is the legitimate way of relieving the d'Sttess of , )be Euiope to China. superabundant population of the old world, and nis- And it may not be out of place liere to observe, ing them in the scale of society, morally and phy- that one of the mast engrassing subjects buibre the sically and enriching them in the new one. In Ire^ American government, if we can rely on the accounts grants no deed sliould be issued for some years ; only in the public press, is the making over of the public a location ticket to ihem and their heirs— whiic^ domain to the several States for public improvements, should be like a pensioner's papers — tut ucutityfor such as Kailways, Canals, Bridges, &c. &c., and the debt or transfer until the period assigned by lawhaii settlement of wild lands by emigrants from Europe, expired, and settling conditions peiforraed— and th^ep To support my assertions, I copy an article from the only for debt contracted after that period. This Journal ^ Express :—■ would prevent speculaters froia eotrappiog \u)su»- " The Americans are well aware of the importance pecting and ignorant emigrants, and prevent the of settling tlu;ir wild lauds. Free farms to .aotuul settlers are proposetl to be given ; this is at present a prevailing topic with our neighbours. Congress has passed a law to that elfect. Goaeral Scott, in his letter accepting the Whig nominatioii, .say : — " ' If, by the partiality of my countrymen, I be ele- vated to the Chief Magistracy of the Union, I shall be ready, iu my connection with Congress, to recom- mend, or approve of measures in regard to the rrum- agement of tho public domain, so as to secure as e:irly a setlloinenl of the same to actual settlers as possible, but cor ..is'x-nt, nevertheless, with a due regard to tho equal rights of the whole American people in that vaat national inheritance.' << Is Canada to wail till all the lands in tho States are settled before she will raake an effort to attract actual settlers ? If not, let it at once he known that the land caii be had as cheap in Canada, and on at least as goo(! terras, as in the United States. There is too much wild laud, which is held by government at a price which acts saapreoiiuvi for emigration to the United States." If the Government grant tlie prayer ol the people of the Uni'ed Counties, viz. — for five miles of wild land on each side of the contemplated railway — it will go on, and then there will be a good opportunity for lands, in a great measure, from falling into the hands of the rich, which would much retard the progress of settlement, by tlxeir retaining those landa in their own possession until actual settlers have made loads and other improvements, and tlien dispose oftbeiQ at a great price on interest. " The demand for sawed lumber continually in- creases. The great amrmnt of pine, oak^ and other valuable timber near t'le line of the njad which wpul^ have no other outlets must make a large lumber trade. The water-ix)wer, so convenient for its manu- facture, would also increase the amount of this freight. F'-rty millions of feet would not be an over estimate for the sawed pine, oak, and other sawed lumber^ board measure ; nor twelve shillings aod sixpence per thousaud for its transportation over the road, whtob would amount to i;2d,0UO. *' Staves, heading, shingles, unsawed oak snl all kinds of unsawed timber, may be estimated at 'IS/Mtd tons, and its transportation over the road at 12b. 6d. per ton, which would amount to £13,600." If the above estimate is correct, itmustbeapplica' ble to the northern route, in ti>e supprlativs degiwe* passing through a forest in all its primrval grandeur, the Provincial Government to cope with the United with ils lofty pines and majestic oaks, for at least 108 States iu giving free grants, without laying out any ciles, its value undiminished by the hand «f iaj|n; of the Provincial Funtls. I understand that the free grants rreto be alternate lots, sotliat by their settling they will enhance the ; vluo of the reserves which will be hereafter offered lor sale ; and very probable the price tlial will be obtained for the sari reserves The timber duties, as well as the prothicts af t!^0 laml (made available by the railroad), wouldAdd much to the Provincial Exchequer. It must be ob- vious, then, to every unprejudiced mind, t^ intereit of the Goverument and ilue interest of the Cani|ia&r ik GEOllGIAN BAY RAILROAD. jara reciprcjcal, and would h?ive a general tendency fo the benefit of the Province at largo, and the mercan- tile and travelling community in particular. "^Vll Railways constructed for a reasonable e.v- ?mae, having a reliaHe local businfiss, pay well. hei through trade is geaerally more fluctuating, but ihe position of this road will make an exception to ♦hia rule. Its through trade will be no less permanent than the yaat and increasing resources of tlie Great West, which ican never be even temporarily dlretted." ^ ' In the two last clauses of the above, we are of one lieart and one mind ; but I shall defer making any more observations on this subject until 1 notice the Western Terminus. ThHOUGU TllADE, " The largest amount of tonnage will come from the west : although the grade is but slight either way, it will be most fiivourable for this heavy freight. The unrivalled position of this Railway, aJfording an un- .broken connection between Lake Huron and tide water, must make this trade very large on the open- ing of the road, and also a continual subsetpent in- crease. The saving of distance and time, aside from jexpenae, would be an important cojisideration. A vessel entering the Welland Canal, with a cargo of 3,0Q0 barrels of flour— at the same time a freight train, with an equal quantity leaves Lake Huron— \»Sote the former would leave the canal the latter would arrive at its Eastern Terminus, if not reach Boston. _ No other proposed Railwuij promises to changey in the season of navigation, 'the transit of western produce to market. But this will competo in carrymg heavy as well as light freights?, with Lake vessels. Opening a n£.w diannd, calculated \o change the tide o| commerce, and thus exert so important an influence upon the carrying trade be- tween New England and the Western States, must be regarded by all any way allected by it with deep interest. Express tiams from the Western terminus would reach tide water in twenty-four hours. Boston would thus be but a day's journey from Lake Huron." Increase of Westekn Tuade. * " Such increase has hitherto exceeded all specula- tion : new outlets fall greiitly short of this yearly in- crease. No apprehension need be entertained by the old, therefore, that the present business will be dimin- ished by new routes ; nor sliould any jealousy be yndttl^d in. Those u^ whose enterprise any new avenue is op jned to the West, ought to be •] lowed to Jooate and construct the same on the manner they deem most favourable. A captious opposition, eman- atinc from supposed conflicting local interest, should not De permitted to interfere. Western producers, and Eastern consumers are strongly interested to have new routes opened for them. The more the better. Jncreaae of commercial facilities tend to a corres- ponding increase in Western products and Eastern Supplies. This Railway would, from its peculiarly feTourable position, more thim any other, have this dlBsirable .effect. It would be to the country, border- ing o^ Lake Huron, Lake Michican and Lake Su- perior, a preferable route. Even Uetroit might divide its trade between Lake Erie and Georgian Bay. It w Mid that this Bay, at a point convenient for a Railway tenmnuf<, is generally open during the win- ter; if this is so, vessels could pass between this Bay and Saginaw, and other Bays on the south side of Lake Huron bordering on Michigan, the year round. Sagimiw Bay occupies a favourable posiiion to ac- commodate this great wheat-growing State. The distance to this Bay would bo about 'Mi miles, and 175 miles to Thunder Bay, lying a short distance westerly. A large amount of produce could be gathered cheaper at these jjoints tlian any other in that State, The rapid growth of the country round Lake Superior will soon open a large new trade from that quarter. The commerce of this truly denomi- nated great inland sea must ultimately be immense ; as the extensive territories bordering on its southerly shore become settled, tlmir agricultural products will go to market through this natural outlet. Those on the northerly side are not as favourable to agriculture ; still, to a great extent, they will be cultivated. Bu bordering on this Lake is lound a far greater source of coraniorce than any agricultural ca|Kii)ilities can furnish. Here is one of the richest mineral regions in the world! All this vast trade must naturally pass down the safe northern cham>els into Georgian Bay ; unless the facilities at this point were insutfi- cient, no part of it could be diverted by competition from any other quarter, Here then will be the great depot of what is properly denominated the AVesteni world. No fear need be entertained as to rival routes connecting with thix depot. None can now foresee how many railways will be required : three will uhimately be constructed, connecting the Georgian Buy with the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River." A branch from the Grand or Ottawa River to the proposed Northern Route would answer the purpose much better, shortening the route, and save at least half a million of pounds ; and this one proposition speaks volumes in favour of the Northern route. I anticipate it will bo thus :— One Railway from the Georgian Bay to Toronto, already in progress— one also to Cobourg— one to the St. Lawrence at Prescott, passing through Perth and Smith's Falls, with .'i branch from the mouth of the Bonchero on the Ottawa, passing as contiguous as possible to the foi:r chutes, and thence until it forms a jmiction with the map northern trunk. I must observe, the inclination to the north that the Ottawa takes above the mouth of the Bonchere makes it obvious that to go higher up would augment the d.'stance, and consequently the expense. Putting all engineering dilhcultie3 out of tlic question, the angle of departure to form a junction with the JVprthern route from the Ottawa would become more obtuse, Every foot you ascend Qiat river above the place al- ready irjentioned, the direction of the northern route, after it ,eiUors the unsurveyed land, would be west j and the coursp of the Ottawa, abgvo the Bonchere, for son>e distance, is nearly north-west, according to some maps. But I will proceed with my quotations from the Judge's report ; for putting aside our difference of cpinioa respecting the lino of route, they plcaso mu etween this Bay ho south side of the year round. posUioft to ac- ng State. The 2(X) miles, and I short distance iduee could be an any other in a country round new trade from truly denonr.i- ly be immense ; on its southerly al products will tlet. Those on 3 to agriculture ; 3ultivated. Bu r greater source capabilities can lineral regions must naturally 8 into Georgian it were insutfi- by competition m will be the nominated the tertained ajs to vit. None can II be required : connecting the e River, Lake r& River to the jer the purpose id save at least me proposition thej'n route. I Iway from tha progress—one ice at Prescott, Falls, with .'i ichfiio on the ible to the fo'^r iction with the ! north th^t the tnchere makes augment the 3, Putting all tion, the angle the jyprthern I more obtuse, ! the place al- lorthern route, Duld be west j ;lio Bonchere, t, according to ions front the diflerencc of icy please mu GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. ^ betterthan anything lean write myself, they are so „ • , .v. r much to the purpose, and may be truly said to be '='■'' ^'/'^^^''f"''^' <'iat they have a just claim to the multum in parvo to the point at issue. consideration of the Government. EASTERN Tradf ., '^ ''*'*'" ^"' 5''^'" "''^"* Bpectator* to "The supplies from fCnn.f • 4 • . ''''' c.vpenditurc of the Provincial funds on splendid ^vouid'LS^;/S"aL^;f ofS^^^^ ^S -!'--« - various parts of the Province', such this Hallway. No other route could be as'cxpedi- ^ ^'^"^'S' bridges, harbours, plank and macadamizeU fwiw. Time is becoming more and more important '■°'*'^^' ^''•' "'"^ ^^'lited with patience, anticipating- lnto'!l"^f^^•''P''''"''""^ ^^%^ is therefore taken that their turn would come; but they perceive bv "^^^^r^rr^sStX:^^ ^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^ tH. .heir .^al situatLfcomTanS^ western merchant could obtain his goods by this a • "'' "° ""crest, and that almost all public number of. days sooner than by any other, and that ™P''ovements are either carried along the banks of I.'iJiL"'," r"\ ""'Jj *'^'"'«^'P»f nl, from the Atlantic! t^o ,St, Lawrence or the Grand River, thereby leav- in 4t.r,'as well as in suSer, f^KverpS to ^1 ^T'' '°'""'' '^^"^^""'^' °*' '^°«« ^^Ivantages the^Upper Lakes in fifteen days. A direct trade ^^"'ch other more favoured localities enjoy. :^Si'onlyLti?e''otar^^^^^^^^^ • ^ ^l^f ^^''^^ ^;7« ^^^ —' to expect ih,m a 10 the cars. " " "^ ^"'""''' ' *^''"'« J"^^^ •'^"'1 honourable Government, when their case ia "Aew England manufactures would find their J'^"'°'^slily understood, the same paternal careantl way to the Western States over this road. The "^^^"'y extended to them that they have long seen EfsS' -'Xs't mS.Mr""'°^ HT ^'^^ ^-^'"''l^xl'^otl^era; and especially as the county of chandiSat woulfserk tLi^d^^nl??;^ cTn^: \T^T ^""'"^^ ^''"^"^' ^ to give her'buf dian and American shores ofthe Upper Lakes. J«'l« "dluence m the Legislature. They see no '\ This would also become the favourite route for '*'"e'" "ie'i"s of emancipation from their present situ- emigrants. They would be much better accommo- atioii but by forming a Joint Stock Comnanv to ftw^.u"*''^^''.^^",*'""*""'.^^'"^' ""'"^ expnse; construct a Railway; by petitioning therw^ Jt would require less chan;res of uj>Ta'^' °^ ^^^" P«t't'on» «> the southern route, having already said sufficient on **'''\"'^'y. "^^y obtain an outlet to the West by ita .that subject. construction ■ Government Lands. "The extejided settlement that would be induced by this work will greatly enhance tlie value of a lar-u tract of government lands. This involves an impor- tant public consideration. Not only will the Govern- ment be .hrectly benefitted by it, but the best inter- ests of the countrrj tvill be promoted. Two-fold will vernment ; the eastern terminus of which will bo at Prescott— will pass through Smith's Falls and Perth, and thence west between the great lumber- ing Rivers Mississippi and Madawaska to the waters of the Georgian Bay on Lake Huitin, its western terminus. That the very restrictive nature of the late legis- lative enactment relati ^ the construction of rail- be the wei'rht of' responsibility upon the Gove.......... „..„...„„ „. „„- «li!hTK- ""'^.""^'^ of those endeavouring toaccom- wiys effectually precluues even the applicaticn to euffer unaided individual enterprise to tlms monlo"« '/"'''f °^ *''^ '''''^"^' "^ ^""^^ chartered Bank in ^ts own particular interest ? The American Govern- '^'^"'""^ West has been obtained, certifying that ten S 'Ti^k ^T^^'i "'''^'■' ""'^''•'' "'■ ^'^"li "f 't« P^' '"'"^- °^ *^'' ''^P'''^^ ^♦•"^k has been deposited • ISti"Hiii;t"L" rr^^ tant public considerations to that counUy as fhis Tes" u'"^ '' *^"™^'^ ^" "i»surveye.l wilderness, there to Canada. None confers greater general be nelit. ^™ °"' ^^^ municipalities to bear a share of the nor lias therefore a greater right to demand publij ^^P'*'^^ required ; thus causing greater difficulty in ''Th?ffr'" ■ ''^'"'"'"S ^""''^ •*"^" " '"^^ ^i«h i-> ^elUsetJled ihe following sentiments were written by m in countries. i' 17' !■ ^""'°"''' ^■'■''"°"' '° '"'^'^ ''"^ ^"- ^^'^^ ^^'"y ^™ ^""^''"^^d of the cer:ain benefit ?lv L r" '"'''"^'T^ "P°»- T^'« P^i'i"»er3 that the said Railway communication would be, not 3;,«n , T * ^T« * '"■'"" ^'""""' °^ "'« ""^y *" "^« ""^♦^'^ «°"»*'«^^ "f I^^"-^k and Renfrew, public lands lor a great Provincial undertaking ; and but also to a great part of the Prov.:nce ; and that the ll!^'': «'^"'"° ^ '" ^h« result, for tho followinir l""^"- prayed for are so far back that they are at pre! ^Hnt of no benefit whatever to the Government for veulement, and cannot bo without their laying out a very largo sum of money for a main trunk road. iJy the completion of the cont'<"ir>laied Railway, ths reasons : ^ That tho united counties of Lanark and Ren- flow have paid more to tho Provincinl funds than perhaps any county in Canada Wcat. They, con- \^ GEOttGUN BAY RAILROAD. internal resources of the country would be deve- loped, and a vast tract of land opened for Govern- ment survey and sale, thereby inert >sing the funds of the Province : it would also have a salutary influ- ence on the tide of emigration, and would b«iefit the Province commercially, politically, and physi- cally—reduce the price of supplies to some of the great lumbering rivers — scatter large sums of foreign capital for Canadian produce that otherwise would never find its way to our shores. I That public lands have repeatedly been granted ia payrnent of surveys of townships ; and public lands have been given in payment for cutting and making the mosi common description of road in Canada VVest ; and that the United States' Govem- meut, with their great experience of the beneficial results to the republic of their 10,000 miles of liiail- way, have shown a precedent by granting a much greater quantity of the public domain, for the ex- press purpose of rapidly opening a new country ; and that applications are before Congress for other grants for a similar purpose ; and the applicants are under no apprehension of a refusal of their request. , That the prqect is not novel in British America, for the Government of New Brunswick, with the sanction of the Legislature, have, in their delibe- jrato wi'idom, thought proper to appropriate a lajrge quantity of publip, lands to obtain a similar objecl (ten miles on each side), viz., a Railway commimi- cation through an unsettled country, as an induce- ment ibr the embarkation of capital. And although not ini exactly the same way, the object to be obtained i§ the same ; and th^ beneficial results to the com- munity at largo would" be the same. And " Cor- porations " and " private individuals " are per- mittjed by the Act to take what amount of Stock th^y may think pi 4)er, and thereby be participators ia the pecuniary benefits of the above grant of pub- lic lands ; or, in other terms, the profits arising will be fUvided betwe«;n the Govermnent and the Stock- holders, accordhig to their several proportions of in- vestment, — which constitutes it a Joint .Stock Com- pany to all intents and purposes. And the St Law- rence aiid Georgian Bay Railroad Company would be extremely well pleaded if the Government of Ca- nada Vyest would act similar to New Brunswick with lespect to the Railroad now under considera- tion, and take it into their own hands. Th^ they could not for a moment entertain the idea that Ihe Provincial Gdvenunent would suffiw individual enterprise and private capital to accom- plish such a stupendous public impiiovement aa a paiTiaueiU iroh ccioinci^^ial highway through a wilderness 160 miles in length (saving some 700 milefi), and through lands inacocssible for settle- went, and which would not eell at public auction ir. their present state at aay prioe, — and immediately the Railroad was accomplished, offer th* at^oining land on both sides, made valuable by private en^jrgy and indomitable perseverance, for sale at an ad- vanced price ia consequence of the Railroad making those lands not only saleable, but very desirable { and no doubt if advertised in Britaui, they would be taken up with an unprecedented rapidity by a good class of settlers. The Canada Company sent home ia 1850 £32,564, in cash, received for lands. They think the Government would spurn the id«a» and will give the momentous subject due considera- tion at their earliest convenience. CoMPAHISbV. *' It is not intended to disparage otlter routes, but simply to set forth the merits of this ; nor do the frieniis of this project entertain any hostility to others, or regard them as competing lines. The best feel- ing of good-will is felt for the success of every sug- gested work. Nothing more is asked than to ba placed upon equal footing with them." My friend seems to be acquamted with the old Spanish proverb — " Those tliat live in glass houses should not throw stones." He knows how untenable his position is, — skirting the lake and St. Lawrence waters, and racing side by side with the Grand Pro* Vincial Trunk Railway. The odds at the least cal- culation, are two to one against him (Railway and Navigation). But I admire lus tact and ingenu^y. << A glance at the map shows the position of the Western Lakes, and the proximity of the River St. Lawrence to the Georgian Bay. A large section of interior country lies between them. It is an even, or but slightly undulating surface, well calculated for a cheap, straight, and easy grade railway, which is required to develope its vast and varied resources, and which would afford an unrivalled amount of way trade — about seven hundred miles distance would be saved to the upper lakes, and which would also se- cure an incalculable amount of through trade." It is expressed above that << it is an even or but slightly undulating surface, well calculated for a eheap, straight, and easy grade railway." This ran only mean certain parts — for on the fourth page of the report, it is said, — ** Between the Rideau Canal and Marmora, would be encountered what is called the * Thousand Island range,' which is more broken but not mountainous ; the country improves as it re- cedesnortherly from the St. Lawrence river." ** Where shall we look for a similar position, and to what can any comparison be made ? There is but one Georgian Bay on the globe ; not a river sur- passes the St. Lawrence. With no other can thi4 railway have the slightest comparison, nor to any ia particular will the attempt be made." To the above I will add, that in no place between Lake Superior and the Gulf, could the waters of tho St. La\trence be so rivalled as at this great l>end, by a railway from Prescotf, via Smith's Falls and Perth, to the Georgian Bay." Iwntnraa ""J^'i^.H'^^iTWBf^y^ (1 immediately r th« su^oiniog private enejrgjr lalo at an ad- ailroad making rery desirable { they would b« idity by a good any sent hotna r lands. spurn thie idea^ due considera- tlter routes, but his ; nor do the 9tiliiy to others^ The beat feel- 13 of every sug- :ed thou to ba I 'with the old in glass houses how untenable 1 St. Lawrence the Grand Pro- it the least cal- (Railway and and ingenu^y. position of the it the River St. large section of It is an even, ve\l calculated •ailway, which Lried resourceSf amount of way tance would be would also se- jh trade." m even or but doulated for a ly." This ran fourth page of Kideau Canal what is called is mora broken proves as it re- e river." \i position, and cle? There is lot a river sur- other can ttu^ I, nor to any ia > place between 3 waters of th() great Itend, by ails and I'ertli, GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. j^ .ri^^^^^ availablebyraiWray^loaforefgn Cash matie,-.„<, ^Vi £T"T' '^* ^«"^ Western and Kast- "^.P^"^'*""* "f foreign capital to the 'amottiil 6f four Z»w I ^^K^'"**"* ^'"'^^'^ '«««» and will """'ons of dolltrs^will be far mom beneficial to th« advantage should 4^v*ali ftsdf 17?"' I "S T"™"" ^""^"' ''"'' '«''«*^"S ^^^ ^"""'^ -'eres" J^LiL?''*rM°"'i^'l! ™"^»« »'>« n«We exampTo! ?!"? f™^ "' *^ ^^^^ '^^^^ townships, whose ^£«ti^^S*'.«> '"^ «^P«n<'ed,Xia ^"^^ »'"«'-» l«'k«' alteady, wiHlIhe ^Jnder^ Jrom the Great We,t, whShi buTKiTS SXh ^. *"!i''"t'"' '" P^"'" ««mist8keable titfs and towns along the borders of her sreaMho J"§^''«'''-*^« *"»nJs absorbed by the payment of SfdW^«S''«r'K"\°'"'»«^^«wirC?S^^^^^^^^^ f«««'''"o«.. Clerks, T..asurers, AssessTrsf CoL Sue^rS^Sf^h''■*'''*^^^'^S^*»'^h^^^ •««» Superintendents, Commissioners, C^nstawTs rtrxt&t,TtK^^^ d'^i^r^r^-'n""-' ^^" ^-^ ^ ^^^^-^ ^^^^^ ed on the centra rad ways along the bonJers of liflp !«•.». • , canals, leavrag them also free tS compete with hel .** "unicpaliiies have funds to spare, o, raise own pubbc works." petew.thhe, any by debentures, let them expend them oitrTnc^ I have already stated that $600,000, according to' "^^-^ »» Seders to railways, through theii loenlities the public prints, are the avails to the United States, on Canadian produce to New York only. May we not venture to add $400,000 more for other avenues of wmmercej aucb asthe Ogdensbnrgh and Boston, -Montreal and Portland Railways. If this is cor- rect, there IS one million annually to the Unitei! ;„„ ,„„i, ' 17-;"/"' ^"'"''' "'»" axies, inciud- States, which will increase with the influx of p^ -S-S^ fc^f « '^'if "*" strength bnTitSer pnlation and growth of Canada. Would it not lE Sftit fclTcrry ''^S^^^^^^^ ««nd policy in the Provincial Government to imr- J^-'t in adding toXrS:ish?Tnd ~ "^^i;; tate the United States, by assisting, in every way in iT f^y^f ^' '^. ^« '^'^'y loaded o^"o^h S theu power to counterbalance this large annual more Ire 'L'SjwTftr ™r"".S its strength, the .rnn. by facilitating, by every lawful and honorable Pse«S?car Si to'co^^^ ■''=^«'" ^^ Western States, through Canada-and thus to equa- ^^^'^^ ™''es an lipur, would be less sale with mS? Itze, as lar as poesible, the profits arising from the H'lLZ^"" '°°!?' '1-'^°"^'* ^cqwently be so crowS carrying trade, toboth countries. I make b^d to fs heretTi n^''^ °^ *'''^^^^^"^«^ ^Sg |M«ert, tha.no rarlroadin Canada .vould produce a ^-« o/^^^^^^^^ Jaiger itmn on the balance sheet, in favour^rf Cana- ^^^ br«ulWhas teen sfe„arn,!S^T«?o* dian profits on American produce and manufactures, ? T T'l^^T^ """°^ S°«^« '^^^ ♦he di'fferencS than the one under contemplation. And farther, I Sditionll cSst ofXT'"' ''^!l"f'^ '° '^e great challengetheobjectorstothisrailroadschemetoput w^ytZL f nor il°E ^I'v '^« ff "7 V their finger on the map of Canada, andponrt o'ta -^-^^^'^^^eL'^c^l ^ZS^^^ route that will bring back tothe Canadian shore as '' f «?1 ^^^'^'-conaideratioiJSts Jl J . "'^'icl mpose physioal ot»uclM,ond al the .ame time wek to re]ie« tode fc,m reronu. remictk™ ! " It is unreasonablft tn minn^ap ♦^^t '"»»" '" '^"y desire to et tendtrade, but to rnonopolize in particular localitfe*, at tlie cxpeiisu ol the producers iid coasumew " ' GUAGX. "It is not intended to discuss the merite of th« SarJhoSWfKi -r ^"se-^--^^t»hi' wfetrnpteS:"^ '^ "'^""^ ^^'^'^ ^^*^ . "Jhe^heelsjioOTnals, boxes, and axles includ- 3ng tracks, are an of the same%trenS bnTiJer S«age. Thefreiffhtcarsofth«T,arr„» ^ " !:....^'!"?^ the proposed St. Lawrence and Georgian Bay Ru,. road, via Smith's Falls and Perth. MujriCIPAL Sir^SCRIFTIOWS, We most readily admit that on the Northern route M large smns could not be raised by Municipal de- „, _ on „,^ iSuUuicm ; but as far aa the set- tlement goes, the municipalities on tho Northern wote will not be behind their southern competitors. But m myopmion, turning the forest into a fruitful held-tbe valuable timber (at present useless) made 16 I am not going to become tho advoca Portland, &c., &c. ^-"nfL t"** ^*'«i°»h«f would develop the resour- 3. Rideau Canal, with its connections with Bv- ^untr^ 'i^fv.*"'^ productive an interior section of town, Grand River. &c &c ''''°"" ^'"^ ^^ country, aiid thus combine so many great local and a n i " / .' ' «efteraladvantao'«s?» / b oa^ iut-ai ana 4. Ogdendburgh and Boston Railway, with its in nnp.tinn a nf o nnn »:i n_-i jy .M.«* »uMa I/UIUI general advantages ? " The above needs no comment— it speaks for the railway on a grand scale, without any savour of the Southern route, and is much to the purpose. I have deferred taking notice of thci Western ter connections of 2,000 miles Railway, its manufectui- ing towns, Atlantic cities, &c., &o. The Western Terminus is at the greatest inland navigable waters in the world, truly denominated in- land seas ; the heart of the North American continent, minus in its proper place in the report, as I wish to |"!'^^«^«5 ^« heart of the North ._. make my observations on the prospects of the future f '? T ^' 0'^''°°' geographically. The western part route after it, they being too lengthy to come be- n t ."^^™' " '^'^''^^ ''®'^*®° ^''^^ "» Nova Scotia, on the Atlantic, and the mouth of Eraser's River on the Pacific, and about the same between the Isthmus of Darien, and the Polar Re- gions, and we may say without much fear of contra- diction ; that these Lakes will soon be the heart of - . " i-.w^jj/ci-io VI lUO luiun route after it, they being too lengthy to come be tween the quoted portions of tha report. Westehn Terminus. nl'r^l'^3 ^^ ^* ^^"'•g'an Bay, on Lake Huron. Here are safe and commodious harbors, -ome of Which are said to be open during the winter. The '*"'''°" ? ^^^t these Lakes will soon be the heorto vers fa ling into Gloucester B^y, the moTt eastern ^^l ^ ^'''°™ Terminus at the Eastern shore Cn ttee'Sr > T^'l ^« -bout ten mS °^. f t "'^""T ^''^^ "'^^^^ "« «^" ^ew Liverpool, ISfce for v««,!l 1 ^'°*'^; ^^"''^ convenient en- ^'^ have its legitimate share of agricultural produce i^ay a choice of terminus, r^'^'ate^^^ may' f !f °"' "''^ '" '^''' ^"'^"^^y ^'^'^^^ «™Ptying make it necessary-. Th« ™„.„k „. .»._ ?:^."''^.^ "^^ mto these great waters, and roads terminating at Uiei^ make it necessarj-. The mouth'oi- thTrirrle"::^ fn! ett?r'^'f ^'l^^y' ^' ^hich mms are be- ing erected, and which may become a large com- mercial and manufacturing town. From Zlko S^ I«nor. into this bay, is a^sheltered cCnel lie a me-, m which vessels are ever safe from winds and storms. Vflssftla f,v,«, r„i.- »*•■_. ""'" wmus ana «i»s down thi. .k.l,.,.. ,„... This ooDM- "'»' m'lgallon, a saving o( both lime and money. several banks ; and its legitimate share will be no small portion, for produce at the outlets of Lakes Superior and Michigan, will be as near to Prescott as It will be when carried to Detroit; therefore it will save some three or four hundred miles lake and _ . . ^„„„io ,.„,u ^ajjg iviicmgan demtion^tjnnlT ^^i* sheltered way. This consi- "^^^ navigation, a saving of both time and monevT SsLJ^iSJirL'rliaTBT" "'""^^'^^ *^ ''''"\^°"; 'f '''''''''' ^^™'°- *-« '^or « Alf J.LJ. „„„.:„_ J'^S.^^y- seven hundred miles steam navigation, into Lake Dnng smpping into Georgian Bav «,<.„ u 1 j .. ^ "ioid « •!* ur "All yesserspassingtfeSnn th^* i • 1. «^cupies the shore betwShS^Sd RTver ^l/j^^^^ Supenor; fish, various fowls, aTd wUd riSi^e^ great plenty. The fruits are strawberries plum? chernes, gooseberries, &c., &c." "^'"^"'^^' piums. Again, Montgomery Martin, Esq. says:— " The settlement on the Red River distant fm«. Montreal, by the Ottawa River, aE l,ml^^ by this route, only about I,.200) in lc.titudeS)3 ongitude 97 west, is elevated 800 feet ab^ve tifa level d U>^ -^a, contiguous to the border of ihlRed fo^M^miles ^5.e^°"?,"^-^">-«ttlementexte^ lor nity miles. 1 he soil la comparat vely fertile thl chmate salubrious, but summer frosts, genmSty ii GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. fei! Ii ♦9 gfidraiiied marslios, sometimes blasl the hopes of the uebandman. The Hudson Bay Company, by the introduction, at great expense, of rams and otlier iitock, have improved the breed of doniustie animals, which are now abundant. Wheat, barley, oats, jBoize, potatoes, and hops thrive well ; flax and hemp are poor and stinted. The river banks are cultivated for half a mile inland, but the back level country remains in its natural state, and furnishes a coarse hay for the long and severe winter, which lasts from November to April, when the Lake Win- nipeg is unfrozen, and tlie river navigation com- mences via Norway House entrepot, at the North extremity of the Lak. . The population is in num- laer about 6,000, consisting of Europeans, iialf-breeds •hd Indifins. The two principal churches, the Pro- testant and Boman Catholic. The gaol, the Hudson Bay Company's chief building, the residence of the Koman Catholic Bishop, and the houses of some of the retired officers of the fur trade, are built of stone, which has to be brought from a distance ; but the houses of the settlers are built of wood. A great abundance of English goods is imported, both by the Hudson Bay Company, and by individuals, in the Company's ships; to York factory, and disposed of in the colony at moderate prices. There are fifteen wind and three water mills, to grind the wheat and urepare the malt for the settlers. The Hudson Bay Company have long endeavoured, by rewards and arguments, to excite an exportation of tallow, hides, wool, &c., &c., to England ; but the bulky nature of the exports, the long and dangerous navigation of thp fivdson Bay, and the habits of the iialf-bred HMje; who form tne mass of the people, and generally prefer chasing the buffalo to agriculture and regula.- industry, have rendered their efforts ineffectual." The Bishop of Montreal, m 1S44, said : — <* The soil, which is alluvial, is beyond example rich and productive, and withal so easily worked, that, although it does not come to the description of the Happy Islands, I was assured, in one instance, of a farm from which the owner, with comparatively light labour in the preparatory processes, had taken a wheat crop out oitho same land for eighteen suc- cessive years, never changing the crop — never ma- nuring land— and never sutiering it to lie fallow, and that the crop was abundant to the last ; and, with respect to the pasture and hay, they are to be had ad libatum, as nature gives them^in the open plains." Again, in speaking of import goods, the Bishop I^marks :— " All these articles are brought across from Hud- son's Bay> a distance of several hundred miles in boats : and these boats are drawn ac-oss the portages g infbrmailcn on the subject, and is much ia favor of a communication to the Pacific, as isystlf. Ho says: « So long as the empire's heart is orerburthened by a surplus multitude, it should be remembered that most fertile and lovely tracts of country, many times larger than England, exist in tho body of that Em- pire, which never yet within the knowledge of man have yielded their fruits to his service; manifold multiplied value, also is given to every part of the connected communication, between it and the At- lantic, and thereby also to every part of British Ame- rica, when once the goal of the Pacific is attained." MiLLiNGTON SvNGE, Licid. Royol Engineers.''* Aud again, " We have at home a superabundant population, subject to a very rapid increase, on any roduction of the price if but of the necessaries of life ; how can it be better employed, than in seeking with its advance in social position, and the means of ac- quiring its comforts, if not its luxuries, the spread of our free institutions, equal laws, and holy religion, We desire an enlarged sphere for commercial enter- prize, and new markets for our mauufactures ; these everv fresh colony supplies in its measure ; if then the Oregon be what it appears to be — if its climate, soil, and agricultural and commercial capabilities be as represented, why leave its future destiny to time and circumstances ?"— Rev. C. G. Nicolay. Although in some of the maps Oregon is only laid down, on the American side of the line, the above quotation from the Rev. C. G. Nicolay is alluding to the British possessions, for he continues by quoting the words of Mr. James Edward Fitzgerald to the Hudson's Bay Company. He says ; " You have the power of becoming the fouiidprs of a new State, perhaps a new Empire ; or of arresting for a time, lor you cannot ultimately prevent the march of mankind in their career oi victory, over the desolate and uncultivated parts of the eaith. For now nearly two centuries your sway has extended over half a. continent, and as yet, you have left no- thing behind you, in all that vast country, to bear witness to your power and your riches. Now a new destiny is before you ; you may, if you will, place your names beside those, who have devoted themr selves to the noble task of stimulating and directing the enteqjrizing genius of their fellow-countrymen, who have prolonged tho existence of their nation, by giving a new life to its offspring." And further, in tho emphatic language of Major Carmichael Smith: << And wo would then call upr>n England, her N. American Provhices, and the Hudson's BayConi- pany, to employ their wealth and power to unite in one great unbroken iron chain, the mother country, with her distant children, and in spite of nature's difficuhies, carry steam across theRocky mountains." I think suflficient proof has been given to shew unprejudiced minds, that the country is fit for settle- ment. We will novr endeavor also to show, that it is not altogether unfit for a Raii\«iy. Sir George Simpson tra\elled two thousand miles in forty-seven days to the Pacific, including bis pas- sage over the Rocky mountains ; which is at the rate of froro forty-two to forty-tbree railea per day. It , as rayMlf. Ho is orerbiirthened remembered that iitry, many times body of that Em- nowledge of man icrvice ; maniifold every part of thq in it and the At- rt of BritiBh Ame- cifio is attained." Engineers,'* a superabundant increase, on any ecessaries of life ; n in seeking with the means of ae- ries, the spread of ind holy religion, iommercial enter- luufactures ; theso measure ; if then Se — if its climate, ial capabilities be re destiny to time . NiCOLAY. iregon is only laid le line, the above slay is alluding to tinues by quoting Fitzgerald to the ng the fouiidprs of re ; or of arresting ately prevent the er of victory, over i of th(3 eaith. For v^y has extended you have left no- t country, to bear hes. Now a new if you will, place ve devoted themr ting and directing illow-countrymen, of their nation^ by anguage of Major 1 England, her N. idson's Bay Com- power to nnite in e mother country, t spite of nature's locKy mountains." en given to shew try is fit for settle- so to show, ihsA it y- vfo thousand miles including his pas- vhichis»tther|Ue nilea per day. It GEORGIAN BAY EAILROAD. 21 would appear by the speed he made, that the coun- the Columbia. Thus five groat rivers all head, or try could not bo very broken or difficult to pass havetheirsourcesinthe vicinity of the Rocky moun- thiougb, f»r that is extraordinary speed for a country tains, near the desired latitude, so that when a le- in a state of nature, without roa.Io, and the means of relays of horses. It is true, they might purchase some fresh ones, by chance, from tL^ Indians. Rocky Mountains. This chain of mountains seems to bo an insur- mountable barrier in the way of a Railway from the gular survey will bo taken by an engineer, a gteat difference will be found in his report of the summit level, and the barometiical measurement, the latter being from the level of the sea, the former from the base of the mountain. I quote the following in proof of my assertions re- Atlantic to the Pacific, in the latitudo required on pecting the height of land as above stated : British Territory, being eight thousand feet high — that is, upwards of a mile and a half, from the level of the sea. I'he idea of a steam -carriage, weighing ten tons, and tugging two hundred tons through the clouds, at the rate of twenty or thirty miles an hour, eeems chimerical, and we must say, at first sight, astounding. But we will have the assurance to to make some observations on the subject, and per- haps, a Railway may be obtained over them with no more elevation to the mile, than some parts of the celebrated Liverpool and Manchester Railway in England. In the first place, they have never been explored by the eye of science, with a view to railway com- munieation. ' In the next, the measurement has been barometrical, which only shows the altitude above the level of the sea, by the rarifaction of the almo^here j and the index of the barometer would denote the same on an extensive plai", in the car of a balloon, or on the top of a mountain, irrespective of the base. Now we have undeniable proof, as evi- dent as that water runs down an inclined plane, that the base upon which theso mountains stand, is the highest land on the North American continent, with the exception of the peaks themselves; and that there is a gradual rise from the Atlantic to these mountains, and a declination from them to the Paci- fic, is shown by the ialls, and the run of the waters. The Missouri and Saskatchawan rivers head conti- guous to the pass, and for some hundreds of miles run parallel to this line of contemplated railway. The Saskatchawan runs into Lake Winnipeg, on its way to the Atlantic. The Missouji forms a junction with the great Mississippi, at St. Louis, which dis- embogues into the Gulf of Mexico, and the Athabas- ka river runs into the great Slave Lake, and from <' He (that is, Sir George Simpson), crossed tho Rocky mountains at the confluence of two of the sources of the Saskatchawan and Columbia rivers, at an elevation of eight thousand feet from the level of the sea." And again, " Wherever the head wa- ters of the rivers on the cast and west sides of ihm Rocky mountains approach nearest each other, there have been found passes through them, — one offering great facility of communication between the Oregon and Canada, by the waters of the Cdumbia and north branches of the Saskatchewan, which flowing into Lake Winnipeg, gives easy access to Hudson's Bay, and the gieat Lakes," — that is. Lake Superior, &c., &c. And further, " Among the most awful fea- tures of mountain scenery, lies the great northern outlet of the territory, rasembling the southern in ma- ny of its features, with even more sublimity of cha- racter, but especially in having the sources of seve- ral great rivers within a very short distance of each other. Here are the head waters of the Athabaska- and north tributaries of the Saskatchawan, which fall into Lake Winnipeg, and on the west the northern waters of the Columbia, and the eastern branch of Fraser's River, near a deep cliif in the mountains.'* — Rev. G. C. Nicolay. But again, the contemplated route crosses the Rocky mountains, not at a right angle, but diagon- ally, and there is no difficulty in crossing over a mountain in a slanting direction, at a very moderate grade. And again, it is said that the mountains in some places are from two to three hundred miles across ; f so, the half of three hundred is one hundred and fifty. Thus the perpendicular, say one mile and a half, (throwing off eighty feet for the sake of round numbers), and the base one hundred and fifty miles, that will be eighteen inches in one hundred and fifty feet, or one foot in one hundred feet, and fifty-two and two-thirds feet in a mile, — the precise grade of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, at Rainhill. And what says the renowned Dr. Lardner — " a plain thence by the Mackenzie river, into the Arctic ocean, which Hses fifty-two and two-thirds feet to the mile. This is on what is termed the Eastern side of the presents to the eye scarcely the appearance of aa Rocky mountains, shewing as plain as the sun in its ascent." meridian splendour that there is a rise in the land, |s, Our Statute for Plank Roads binds us to one foot and that the base on which the mountains stand in twenty, or two hundred and sixty-four feet in tho must be very elevated,— consequently must be de- mile,— or five times as much as the ascent over the ducted from the eight t|iousand feet, And the like Rocky mountains, according to the above statement, is ehowa on ihc Western side of the mountains ; one On the Baltimore and Oh'o Railway is a plane of branch of the Frs^r rjver emptying into the Pacific 2150 feet in length, on which the rise is 197 feet per ^ St. 7uca $tii4t»i a^i4 likewise the north branch of mile, or one foot in 27; and another of 2050 feet in 32 GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. length, of which the rise is 200 feet per mile, or one foot in 26.—Encyclopadia Briiannica. I merely quote this to show what ascents there are in other railways. Rut tn return to the suhject, we have evidence that at the Red river, eight hundred feet of the ascent is gained, and that it is more than probable one-third more will bo surmounted between that place and the foot of the Rocky mountains. If so, about thirty feet to the mile will be the elevation for that part of the line. The aggregate of the whole route, from the Red river to the Pacific, would be between five and six feet to the mile, for seven thousand two hun- dred feet is all that has to be overcome in thirteen hundred miles. What is to prevent Britain, with able statesmen that have piloted the little barque in peace and safe- ty, amidst the surging waves of £uropean Revolu- tions, with men of genius, enterprise, and indomi- table courage and perseverance, — with merchant- princes, with millions of slumbering capital, — and a superabundant population, from engaging in such a magnificent undertaking— a highway that would be recorded in -the annals of England's history, as long as a page endured! Whilst the brilliant victories of the ancient Boman army are almost considered as a poetic vision, their military roads remain as monu- ments of their former national grandeur. And what would be the result if such were accomplished ? A new empire founded, a permanent home for her sur- plus population, within fifteen days transport and travel; extended commerce, enlarged markets for manufactures, augmentation of the mercantile navy, a strong link in the chain to her Australian posses- sions, an increased ascendancy in the destinies of the Pacific, by the nearest possible route from Bri- tain to continental India, and those gems of the ocean, the islands of the Pacific. Military heroes, in their career of victory, have not been stopped by such obstacles. Hannibal led the Carthagiaian legions over the Alps. Napoleon hie army and heavy ordnance over the same, at an elevation of ten thousand feet, not to extend the bles- sings of civihzation, but to satisfy his insatiable am- bition, and obtain laurels drenched in blood. The immortal Wellington drov* an invading French ar- ray over the Pyrenees, ana gained a victory in the clouds, at the same altitude. And may we not con- fidently hope, in this day of peace am] tiiviversal tri- umphs of science, that we shall ? o'^n w.V) the ':on horse dragging the car ot comr e,v,t tTX.^H the cloud-capped summits of the Rcccy ai. imtains, — loaded with the manufactures of Great Britain, to exchange for the produce of China and the Islands of the Pacific. Britain has the ball at her foot ; she bos tie short- est route on her own indisputed territory— the high- way of the world in her own domain, — and if she still wishes to keep her exalted station in the scale of nations, and the trade of the East within her own people, she must lose no time. The United States are growing fast, gathering riches, and extending their commerce. California gold may do much for them. Philip of Macedon was much assisted by the discovery of a silver mine, and ** the prosperity of Queen EUzabeth's reign was mainly owing to the stimulant given to commerce by an increase in the precious metals." The Americans will, as soon as they are able, construct a railway from St. Louis to St. Francisco. The public prints inform us that alrea- dy a caddie oi tea has been transported from Can- ton, via St. Francisco, to New York, in 60 days. Is not this a forerunner ? Is it not like the " little cloud as big as a manV hand" ominous of a copious shower ? Let the British East India Company take the hint, in time. The tea, spice, silk, &c., &c.y consumed on the vast continent of America, will not much longer be carried round three quarters of the globe, to supply the fourth. It will come by steam direct to the western shore of America, and thence by railway, not only to the interior, but to the At- lantic cities and part of Europe. By way of stimulant to British enterprize, I close this part of the subject, by inserting an observation of an American Editor, whose noble sentiments ara blended with patriotism and philanthropy. At the time he wrote it he was under the impression that Mr. Whitney would contract with the British Go- vernment, to construct a railway on British territory^ to the Pacific. He says : «We confess that we cannot see the prospect which these facts oifer, without a pang of regret, that such a work should not be executed by the U- nited States, nor can we banish the hope that Mr. Whitney may not close with their proposals, attrac- tive as they are ; and that we may yet have the op- portunity of building the magnificent highway of the world. Still, if British America carries off the prize of glory and empire, we shall not repi ^ H»ii for- tune, for it woukl be achieved solely by t .j'u', rrii.» on mankind at large benefits of untol X "Mf it a'la duration." — N. Y. Tribune. The following letter is much to the purpose, and although the author does not sign his real name, I insert it just an it is written. It is true it rambles a little from the object I have in view, viz. : to point out a short route to the Pacific on British territory. He speaks of Mr. Whitney's proposed route from Chicago. This is completely out of the line, some hundreds of miles, but he admits that the line is su- perior on British territory. I repeat, it is out of thft line, that is to say, the shortest line from Europe and the Eastern States of America, and most particularly the Ogdeneburgh and Boston line of railway; fo GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. lory— the high- in, — and if ihs on in the scale within her own 3 United States and extending ly do much for assisted by the tie prosperity of y owing to the increase in the will, as soon as >m St. Louis to musthatalrea- rted from Can- in 60 days. Is 16 " little cloud i of a copious Company take silk, &c., &c.p nerica, will not quarters of the come by steam ca, and thence but to the At- erprize, I close an observation sentiments are hropy. At the impression that he British Go- Jritish territory, e the prospect }ang of regret, iuted by the U- hope that Mr. oposals, attrac- Bt have the op- highway of the ies off the prize pi, t hoi for- yb> ol.l ' 89 •li.T' e purpose, and is real name, I ue it rambles a , viz. : to point tritish territory, sed route from the line, some t the line is su- it is out of thei om Europe and iost particularly at railways fa any railway to the Pacific, south of the five great Lakes, would throw the trade to New York, and other Atlantic cities. Therefore it is bvious that Boston and the Eastern States are equally interested in this Northern louto to thn Pacific. LAKE SUPERIOR AND PACIFIC RAILROAD. THE SHORTEST A.ND MOST APPROVED ROVTC. **Tothe Editor of the Toronto Patriot. " 26th April, 1861. ** Sir, — No less than four applications for privileges to oonstnict separate lines of Railway to the Pacitic, were made to tne United States' Congress during its late Session; and it appears, Mr. Whitney — the principal of the projectors — has gone to England to solicit encouragtuient from the British Govern- ment townrds tlie c on. 1 ruction of a line North oftheBouif!dry: -a full investigation of the inter- vening country having clearly established that such a line possesstr, advantages over every other yet exploiod ; streams being fewer and smaller, and the li v»'l Hurfaceof the country, as recently described by Sir George Simpson (who with his party, fifty horses and six baggage carts, traversed six hundred miles in thirteen diays;, exhibiting but one vast alluvial PLAIN with very little exception, until reacliing the Rocky Mountains ; and there he found a pass or natural opening, through which the traffic of the Pa- cific has been for ages carried on by the various tribes and Indian traders of that region, the most fa- vourable for the object in view of any of the similar passes yet examined. "Although the subject of crossing this continent by Railway has been hitherto lightly regarded, it is at present almost daily acquiring greater interest both in the United States and in England. And as it ma> now be said that a Railroad is determined upon from Halifax to Sandwich, a precisely similar distance to that above described, it can only appear impractica- ble to that ephemeral class of beings who doubted the possibility of crossing the Atlantic by steam, althoueh it had been used in every other direction. Mr. Whitney's proposed starting point, it appears, is from Chicagc, North-Westerly (being approached Easterly by Detroit from the Atlantic cities); pledging security for its completion within ten years, on condition of being given, by Government, ten miles on each side of the proposed line from the commencement of the unappropriated territory. During eight months in the year, the above line, >rr the head waters of Lake Superior, might (through the assistance of one lock at the St. Mary's Rapids) be reached by vessels from Europe — about one half of the distance across the entire continent. And it may be here stated, that certain eminent ship-builders of Glasgow declare that they could build first class iron vessels of 552 tons burden, which would draw but 9i feet of water ; — the re- maining distance for the proposed road would be little over 1300 miles. " The soil and climate are unsurpassed, and Sir George Simpson, although at nearly half a degree north of the proposed line, describes the soil as ' black mould of a considerable depth, which, when first wroughi., produces extraordinary crops— as much, on some occasions, as forty returns of wheat — and even after twenty years' successive cultivation, without the relief of manure, fallow, or of greeu crops, it still yields from fifteen to twenty bushels per aero : the wheat produced is plump and heavy. There are also large quantities of grain of all kinds, besides beef, mutton, pork, Imttor, cheese, and wool in abun- dance ; wild rice and maize grow aluo to great per- fuoliun.' The no1)ie Saskaictiawiui Kiver, running westerly, is navigable tor both boats and canoes kti upwards of one thousand miles — and of the beautiful river wtiich unites Lac la Pluiewith the Lake of the Wocds, Sir George Simpson says it is navigable for nearly 100 miles, and reminded liim of tlie Thames near Richmond. « It is,' ho says, ' too much for the eye of philanthropy to discern, through the vista of futurity, this noble stream connecting, as it does, the fertile shores of two spacionH I^kes, with crowded steamboats on its bosom, and [wpulous towns on its borders. Game of all kinds abounds ; red and other varieties of deer and buffalo are iu myriads. Fifty were shot by his company one morning ; and during one wintera party killed no less than 1500 buffalo, be- sides varieties of venison.' Sir George Simpson, the very best authority that could be cited, says : — ' that incredible as it may appeal, he saw, ia the year 1829,. 10,0(X) carcases of buiialo, putrid, and lying njixed iu a single ford of the Saskatuhawaii, aiiucting the air for miles around.' Such is the character and value of this highly important, though little known country, to say nothing of that bordering on the Pacific, or of Vancouver's Island and its mineral treasures, des- tined at no very distant ])oriod to form the most im- portant portion of the Brilish North American Empire. " Notice for an application for a charter for the above Railway hae been published in the Official Gazette ; and it now remains to observe what de- gree of interest will be felt either by the Provincial or the Imperial Government, in a measure not only calculateu to succour and render independent starv- ing milUons, by the easiest possible means, but doubly to enhance our already settled possessions, and opening, at the same time, the greatest highway to the Pacific, thus rendering accessible in as many days, as it now occupies weeks, though mainly per- formed by steam. " I have the honour to be, yours, &c., « ViNDEX."' Pacific Tkrminus. This terminus will be at the mouth of Fraser's River, which empties into the St. Fuca Straits, six miles north of 49 parallel, which defines the Uni- ted States boundary, which we will name Victoria ; and no doubt ere long a magnificent commercial city will raise its lofty spires. It is central. If I put one foot of my compasses at Victoria and de- scribe a circle, it will pass through England, the greatest commercial nation in Europe, and through Canton, the greatest commercial city in China j consequently it is half way firora Britain to China, and the same t.o Australia and New Zealand, and encompassing numerous Islands iu the Pacific. It is 2310 miles from the Sandwich Islands ; 4095 mile» from Ycddo ; i5670 miles from Car.ton ; from Sau Francisco, in California, 800 miles ; and 500 from Queen Charlotte's Island, the nearest Brhish port. To four huudied miilious uf people, more tbaii nine- 24 GEORGIAr^f BAY RAILROAP . tenths of whom are strangers to the Cliristian ' 3li- gion, it may be truly said the harvest is groat, but the labourers are 1 iw. In the vicinity of this tor- minus the land is a. rick alluvial soil, and vary fer- tile. But I will quote some observations on the Westeru coast of America by the Rev. C. G. NicjJay. HesiysJ — " lis icaritlme importance is entirely confiredto the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and the Southein ex- tremity of Vancou vol's Island. Here are presented aseries of harbours unrivalled la quality and capa- city, at leact within the san.j limits; and here, iis has been remarked, it is evident the future em 3.iura of the Pacific in Western America will be foi.md." On which Major Carmichael Smith remarks: — " And now that it has been nettled that this mag- nificent Strait and its series of harbours (this great emporium of Western America) is open lo that great and enterprising nation, the people 'if the United States, as well as ourselves, it becomes most iri- portant to us that we shoald, and quickly, open the best possible and shortest roiid to communicate with it." And again the Rev. C. G. Nicolay states : — "The necessity which is gradually developing itself for steam fleets in the Pacific, will open a mine of wealth ito the inhabitants of the West coast of America.*' The same author continues : — *'The land affords, even now, exports of cattle, wool, hides, and tallow, as well as salted meat, beef, pork, wheat, barley, Indian com, a,pples and timber. Of these, all are sent to the Sandwich Islands, and some to Jalifomia; and hides and wool have been sent to England. The woods of Oregon present another fertile source of national wealth. The growth of timber of all sorts in the neighlxiur- hood of the harbours in the de Fuca Straits, adds much to their value as a naval and commercial sta- tion. Coal is fotind in the whole Western district, but principally shows itself above the surface en the north part of Vancouver's Island. To those sources of commercial and national wealth, must be added the mineral — iron, lead, tin, &c. Tlie moun- tains and sea-coast produce granite, slate, sandstone, and in the interior oolites ; limestone is plentiful, and to the north most easily worked, and very rich in colour." And again, the same author says : — "It will be found to fall short of but few countries, either in salubrity of climate, fertility of soil, and consequent luxuriince of vegetation, and utility of Production, or in the ^-icturesque character of the Bceneiy." Again, the prolific seas at this terminus will prove a constant source of wealth, and cause it to l)ecome of the utmost importancr. The Rev. C. G. Nicolay says : — "Of this profitable trade the citizens of the United States possess ut present all but a monopoly. Their whaling fioet consists of 675 vessels, most of thom '100 tuns bumcii, and arriuUiiting in all to 100,000 tons. The majority of them cruise in the Pacific. It requires between 15,000 and 16,000 men to man tiieni. Their value is ealimaled at !»:J5,00O,00O— yielding an am ual return of $5,000,000, or 20 per cent. The quantity of oil imported is about 400,000 barrels, of which one half is sperm. When we add to tills profitable occupation for many persons, the value of domestic produce consumed by them, and the benefit that is thus conferred on both agricultu- ral and manufacturing inteie'^ts — the importance of this branch of business will appear greatly enhanced. The whaling fleet of England!^and her colonies may be considered as not exceeding at present 150 ; about twenty whales ar^ killei. annually in the Straits of Juan de Fuca ; besides, the whole fishery on the bt'tiiks and coast is important — cod, halibut, and herring are found in profusion, and sturgeop near the shore and mouths of the rivers ; alreatly the salmon fishery afiords not only a supply for home consur otion, but it an article of comn'erce, being sent to the Sandwich Islands. They are also sup- plied to the Russian settlements according to con- tract. The coast swirms with amphibiouij animals of the seal kind, known by ttij vulgar names of the sea-lion, sea-elephant, and sea-cow ; but above all with the common seal. The traffic to be derived from these in skins, oils, &c., could not but be lucrative." And I will add to the above, that it will also make the Pacific terminus of the utmost importance. What is to pre vent this superabundance offish being turned to account, by taking it to China, where there are starving millions (living on all manner of abominable reptiles), and exchanged with the mer- chants for tea, S^c. &c. But hear what the Liverpool Standard says, on reviewing Montgomery Martin's recent work on China : — " Four hundred millions of people to be introduced into communication with the rest of mankind ! What a prospect for the merchants, manufacturers, and ship-owners ! But there is still a higher and holier prospect. Four hundred millions of active and in- telligent human beings have to be brought within' the pale of Christianity ! " And the London Morning Chronrde canies oat the tlieme : — "Nobody can doubt that the Western coast of North America is about to become the theatre of vast commercial and pol'tical transactions. And it is impossible to estimate adequately the value which may soon accrue to every harbour, coal mmo, forest ancl plain in that (quarter of the globe." Such a vastly extended field for commerce shows very plainly the importance of the terminus at Vic- toria — the nearest port to Canton — with her 6,000 vessels in her harbours, and the mouth of her great internal navigation, also the numerous Islands of the Pacific. In the account of Sir James Brooke, the Rajah of Borneo, we read : — " In all the islands, small and great, if we except a few barren rocks, the vegetable kingdom is, beyond expression, rich and magnificent. Nowhere else, on the surface of the globe, does the earth appear to possess a more prolific virtue; trees of gigantic size, shrubs and crcepei^ ol unparalleled beauty and luxuriance, GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. as. 000, or 20 per » about 400,000 When we add ny persons, the by them, and both agricuhu- ) impoftanoe of jatly enhanced, sr colonies may t present 150 ; nnually in the 3 whole fishery I — cod, halibut, , and sturgeop r"! ; alreatly the upply for home mnerce, being '{ are also »up- jording to con- libiouj animals ^r names of the ; but above all to be derived lid not but be lat it vi\\\ also ost importance. ce of fish being China, where a all manner of [ with the mer- idard says, on 3oent work on obe introduced ankind ! What jfacturers, and ^her and holier active and in- brought within Ida canies oat 38tern coast of the theatre of ctiouH. And it he value which )al mmo, forest mmcrce shows rminus at Vic- vith her 6,000 th of her great 3 Islands of the cs Brooke, the U the islands, J barren rocks, xpression, rich the surface of possess a more e, shrubs and [d luxurian r^ate the stream of emigratian, so that if a man be dotermined on leaving the United Kingdom he may settle ia one of its colonies." I have previously said, that the Lakes would soon be the heart of theNorth American continent, speaking commercially. I found my opinion on the extended navigation of those spacious waters, extending 600 miles from North to South, and 800 from East to West — washing the shores for thousands of miles of most fertile lands, with then: tributaries, and outlets of natural and artificial navigation. Roads and Bail- ways to the interior, and to the Atlantic seaboard. And as the several arteries, vems, &c. 8tc., receive the blood propelled from the heart, and diffuse it through the whole system, — so produce or manu&c- tures Irom the Pacific, arriving at the terminus at Lake Superior, would be divided into innumerable channels of trade, and by them carried and distri- buted all over the continent. In the first instance^ 300 miles of the South shore of the above-named Lake, with its different avenues of trade, which would be opened to a vast territorj' capable of sus- taining several millions of inhabitants ; and as soon as they descend into Lake Huron, two great arteries of commerce immediately present themselves — the one on the right hand, through Lake Michigan by Chicago, St. Louis, &c., by artificial and natural navigation to the Gulf of Mexico ; and the other on the left hand by the legitimate course of the St. Lawrence waters and lakes, improved by the artifi- cial navigation of the Welland Canal ; presenting on its way to the Gulf of St. Lawrence various convey- ances, in the shape of Canals and Railroads, to the American Atlantic cities; also numerous Bailioada either in progress or contemplation. First, the Great Western, which is a continuation of the Grand Provincial Trunk line, and will run through from Windsor, CanadajWest, to Halifax, in Nova Scotia ; the Michigan Central Railway; and aiso one to Toronto now in progress, and another in contempla- tion to Cobourg, via Peterborough, These two will be in communication with some of the Railways on the south shore of Lake Ontario, and convey produce by the valley of the Hudson to New York. And last, but not least, the contemplated Railway from the Eastern shore of the Georgian Bay to Prescott, titt Perth, Smith's Falls, &c., by which passengers and freight destined for Europe, the British Pro- vinces, and the Eastern States of America, will un- questionably be conveyed, on account of the great saving of distance, and con&equently time and money. But furtuCf to shew that I do tiot stand alone io the opinion of a Railway to the Pacific being beneficial for civilization, colonization, and commerce, I here insert an Address to the Home Missionary Societjr--- 28 GEORGIAN BAY RAILTtOAB. at the end of which I must call the reader's attention to the sum supposed by him to £e necessary to ac- complish the object. THE FUTURE. The 5kv. Mr. Ckesskv, in an Address prepared ifor the Home Missionary Society, thus rel. rs to the probable future history of our means of intercourse with the Pacific border, and far disilant Asia: '< Look at our facilities for reaching Asia and all the mighty East. Whitney's project for a railroad to the Pacific is for the present abandoned. He has new gone to Engjand to decide whether the propo- sition to superintend her greU railroad through the Canadas, which she designs shall be continued on in her territories to the Far West, and reach the Pa- cific shores at Fuca Straits, opposite 5o Vancouver's Island. The route is said to be quite as feasible as Ihat proposed by Mr. Whitney for us in the States, to start from Lake Michigan, and strike the Pacific at Paget's Sound : and the territory over which this proposed English road is to pass, is represented to be the finest wheat country in the woild. "It is true this project slumbers for the moment, but it is only the repose of the lion's whelp in his lair; or the infant giant on hU massy couch ; or the volcanic spark in Etna's bosom. Tlie noble plan is gathering strength in the public mind. It may be opposed, and even ridiculed ; but Copernicus, and Columbus, and Fulton, and Morse, were not WdUt- ing in strong opposers. In this day of tunnelling the AUeghanies, and bridging Niagara, and in enter- prises that know no limit, that railioad will be built in son?e way or other, and that in a few years. And what must be the vast results upon the commerce of America, and of the world, and especially upon the conversion of the world ? With this road complet- ed, at thirty rniles per hour, we can reach the Paci- fic at the Columbia river, or San Francisco, in 5.^ days, allowing almost a day for delays. Thence to Japan is about 4,000 miles, which, with stear.jers at 12 miles per hour, would bo accomp.ished in 9 days from our Pacific coast, or in 14i days from New York. Fiom our Pacific coast to China is 5,400 miles, requiring but 20 days, or from New York 25\ days. The sea voya«e rountl the Cape is 16,000 miles, ordinarily requiring 130 days. 1' rom our Pa- cific coast Australia is 6,000 rniles, which could be accomplished by steam in 22 days, or from New York in 27.2 days. The sea voyage, more than 14, 000 miles, requires upon an average 115 days. From our Pacific coast, Singapore, 6,660 miles, would re- quire only 25 days, or from New York 30^ ; now the pea voyage, nearly 15,000 miles, requires 115 days. From our Pacific coast to Calcutta, 8060 miles, would tie accomplished in 28 days, or from New York in 33i days, or from Liverpool in 44 ; but the sea voy- age is nearly twice as far, and would require 70 days /rom Liverpool, and 80^ days more from New York. "Now when our English merchants come to re- alize that they can save 70 days, and our New York merchants that they can save 80^ days time upon every cargo of teas and silks from China, think you that far such a vast national work the sum of 25,600, dOO dollars, for constructing a road of 2630 miles, the funds will be wanting to accomplish this great highway to our Pacific shores ? And when our Mis- eiouary Board find that thev <:an .'avf to the heathen two or three months of the precious life of each Mis- sionary, think you that the Church will be indiffer- ent to such a vast object, so directly connected with the conversion of the world ? The magnificent re- sults of such a work overwhelm the mind, but they are nevertheless within our grasp. If in the con- templation of this vast public improvement there be not a realization oXtlie sun standing still upon Gibe- on, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, there would be nationally an ENTIRE REVOLUTION OF THE COMMERCIAL WORLD UPON ITS AXIS. The Capes would nearly cease to be dou- bled ; Asia would reach Europe, and Europe Asia, through the heart of America. America would become the thoroughfare — the depot of the world. These are results, however astounding, which we are to anticipate, and who can calculate their conse- quences upon our foreign missions ? In 34 days we could bring all our foreign missionaries from Asia into this city, in one grand convention. Those fo- reign stations would be brought to our door, and vi- siting them would be but a matter of pastime. Our domestic, home, and foreign missions would cease to be marked by boundary lines, but they would de- lightfully mingle with each other, as the lights and shades of the bow, round about the .eternal throne, constituting one bright halo of glory for the brow of Jesus of Nazal eth." By the preceding letter, 2630 nides of railway seem to be required ; but according to the plan I propose, 1500 miles is all that will be necessaiy. For since Mr. Cressey wrote the address a Maiii Trunk Rdilvyay has been djetermined upon through Canada, entirely independent of the Pacific conj- munication. 1500 utiles, then, from Lake Superior to the Pacific, is all that is necessary. As to the connecting link between the Georgian Bay and the Main Trunk Line at Prescott, the Government have only to grant the land to the Company, and, as the Ottawa Citizen said, pass a short Bill, arjd that part of the communication would give them no more trouble. Mr. Cressey also speaks of the mw. of 25,600,000 dollars ; but when we reduce the dis- tance of 2630 to 1500, we also must reduce the 25, 600,000 dollars to almost half that sum. But I must further observe, the anticipation ot a Canal at the Isthmus of Suez will militate in some measure against tho Pacific railway in the minds of some people, with respect to the trade with Europe, as it will shorten the distance to India, and prevent the circuitous voyage round Africa ; but if this was accomplished, it would only he beneficial during peace, even without the intrigues of European powers, and their united influence to crush the trade of Great Britain. It would be subject to the caprice of 10,000,000 of Mahommedai>s, and artificial navi- gation is very easily destroyed. A few useless ships loaded with stone, and scuttled, would accomplish the object, and a hot-shot battery would prevent any shipping from raising the obstructions ; and if it is not a porfeot level, then of course there will bo a GEORGIAN BAY RAILROAD. fe of each Mis- vill be indiffer- connected witU magnificent re- mind, but they If in the con- einent there be still upon Gibe- Ajalon, there REVOLUTION D UPON ITS ease to be dou- d Europe Asia, dmerica would )t of Ihe world, I, which we are te their conse- In 34 days we aries from Asia ion. Those fo- ur door, and vi- ' pastime. Our 18 would cease they would de- s the lights and eternal throne, ' for the brow of liles of railway ; to the plan I [ be necessaiy, iddress a Maiii d upon through e Pacific conj- 1 Lako Superior iary. As to the in Bay and the jvernment have my, and, as the ill, ar)d that part them no more of the jura of reduce the dis- t reduce the 25, lum. mticipation ot a nilitate in some in the minds of tie with Europe, lia, and prevent ; but if this was eneficial during !s of European I crush the trade ct to the caprice 1 artificial navi- 3W useless ships ould accomplish would prevent ictions ; and if it 3 there will bo a SBmmhparid, and consequently locks, wliich could easily be blown up; and upwards of 70 miles in length of artificial navigation, in a foreign country, is not easily protected. It would require a Welling- ton with an army like that which drove Ihe enemies of legitimacy from the confines of Portugal, until bayonets glittered in the streets of Paris,— and the gigantic mind of a Castlereagh to supply the blood and treasure its defence would cost. And to dream of continual peace in a degenerate world, composed of Mahommedans, Pagans, nominal Chfistiaiis, and abominable idolaters, is a fatal delusion. Look to the corfeinent of Europe.. It is more like the smoul- dering of 80 many volcanoes, than the commence- ment of that happy period, " When they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their qpears into pruning-hooks: Nation shall not lift up the sword against nation, neitheir shall they iearn war any piore." •' We will jiow compare the route we have been endeavouring to point out through the North Ameri- can continent, with the overland communication, so eulegized by the Quarterly Review : " That extraordinary Use o/ Steam comnmmcation between England and her Eastern possessions— - a farthing of ready money, nor the members of the House any greater amount of intellectual labour .. "r that which is required in prosy debate over a short Bill. This is a matter of first importance in view of the increase of population and the settlement of the country, and deservin" of the most serious and careful consider- ation of tlie Legislature and the Government." I now close for the present my feeble efforts to agitate the great question of the HigUieay of the World passing through British America, with the fond hope that some Goliath in enterprise may seize the mighty project with an iron grasp, and bring it before the British public, and the Provinces of North America, in such an unquestionable shape, as to convince every individual interested in the mam- moth scheme, of the practicability to accomplish, and the necessity of immediately commencing the stupendous undertaking, which would raise the Bri- tish North American continent to an unprecedented height in the scale of the commerce of the world, and cement the bonds of union between Great Bri- tain and her colonies, by the indissoluble rivets of reciprocal interest. It is the interest of the colonies to be under the wings of that powerful navy, which would enable them to extend their commerce to every clime. It is the interest of Great Britain to Lave a short and permanent highway through het own colonies to her distant possessions. This most desirable object commenced, and a Federal Union of the Provinces, with a representation in the Impe" rial Parliament, and the Lillipatian cry of annexa- tion would be scattered to the four winds. British North Ameiica would become England's right arm, and the brightest and most precious jewel in Victo- ria's crown, and would be in reality, in every sense of the word, an integral part of the British Empire. And what would consummate t he whole, would be a firm and friendly alliance of Great Britain and the United States of Ameiica. Then arts, science, li- terature, civilization, colonization, and commerce would have an open field before them, and the An- glo-Saxon race become the umpires of the globe. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A. W. PLAYFAIB. Bathurst, C. W., Nov. 16, 1852. *l soluble rivets of St of the colonies rful navy, which )ir commerce to : Great Britain to vay through hev ions. This most a Federal Union ion in the Impe-> I cry of awMxO' ' winds. British land's right an% s jewel in Victo- jT, in every sense I British Empire, whole, would ba it Britain and the aits, science, li- and commerce em, and the An- 3 of the globe, nt, . PLAYFAIR.