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On motion of Mr. Clabk, from the Committee on Printing, Bmolved, That five tlioueand copies of tlie letter of tlie Secretary of tlie Treasury, of the 20th June, 1862, on the subject of our relations with Northwest British America, particularly the central districts of the Red River of the North and the Sasleatchewan, be printed for the use of this House. , 1^^ 1862. iBury, of America, iwan, be I Bowen X-Co Lifh. Philnda. V ■0 > LETTER r&oM 4 THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, Ul AN8WKB TO A resolution of the House of 2Qth May last on the subject of relatims with Northwest British America, ''particularly the central districts of the Red River of the North and the Saskatchewan.'^ M- - Treasury Departmknt, June 20, 1862. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a resolution adopted by the Hourte of Representatives on the 20th day of May, 1862, in the follow- ing words: " Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he hereby is, requested to communicate to this House any information in the possession of his department which he may judge to be in a form suitable for the considera- tion of the House of Representatives upon the relations between the United States and Northwest British America, particularly ihe central districts of the Red River of the North and the Saskatchewan." In compliance with the spirit and terms of this resolution, I have caused to be prepared an abstract of the reports of James W. Taylor, esq., special agent of the Treasury Department, and of other papers on file relating to the subject; which abstract, together with the papers referred to, I have the honor to trans- mit herewith. With gi'cat respect, yours, &c., S. P. CHASE. Hon. Galusha A. Grow, Speaker of the House of Representatives. RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES ABSTRACT OF THE REPORTS OK JAMKS W. TAYIX)R, HPECIAL AOKNT, AND OF OTHER PAPERH ON FILE IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. BKARINO UPON THE RELA'nONH OF THE UMTCD HTATES AND NORTHWEST BRinSH AMERICA, AND PARTICULARLY OF THE RED RIVKR OK THE NORTH AND THE SASKATCHEWAN. ' KXIM,A\AT()RY R KM ARKS. The inlbnnntion about to bo ^Wvn is compiled from tijo communications of James W. Taylor, eH(j., Bpecial agent of thin ply in the form of a synoptical index, arranged in clironological order. For facility of reference, a compendious system of classification is adopted, which it is believed wiirmaterially abridge tlie labor of investigation. The original papers of Mr. Tnylor are suffixed in the form of an appendix. The resolution of the House of the 20th ultimo is indorsed in appendix as Exhibit A. The instructions of this department to Mr. Taylor to proceed to the comple- tion of his report. — Exhibit ll Mr. Taylor's two letters of July 10, 18G1.— Exhibits C a, C b. The report of July 17, 1861, "in reference to gold being found on the Sas- katchewan river." — Exhibit D. ♦ The letter of November 8, 1861, on the "operation of the Canadian reci- procity treaty." — Exhibit E. The letter of December 17, 1861.— Exhibit F a. "Geographical Memoii*." — Exhibit G. ' The letter (just received) of June 12. — P^xhibit F b. The map (prepared especially for this synopsis) which will \n' found at the end of this document, will show, inter alia, tlie northernmost isothermal limit of wheat, and two projected railroad routes to the Pacific, from St. Paul, Minnesota. A. Instnictions from the Secretary of the Treasury to James W. Taylor, esq., to proceed with his report. — Appendix, Exhibit B. B. V Exhibit C a and G b. COMPENDIA OF TWO LETTERS DATED JULY 10, 1861. A J— Compendium of Mr. Tayl(/r*s views on the speedy organization by the British Parliament {with the powerful co-operation of the Hudson Bay , Company) of what is knoion to the English and Canadians as the " Red River and Saskatchewan districts of British America." I. The repe-t alluded to in A, to be ready on or befor'' the first day of the regular session of Congress. II. Extracts from a late publication of Hon. Darcy McGee, member of the Canadian Parliament. — (C a.) 1. "Whil we were interrogating our ministers as to the policy on the Hud- son bay question, the Americans from St. Paul were steaming down to Fort Grarry. It is not the first time that we have received a lesson 1 - in enterprise from our republican neighbors; to be our leaders on our own soil, though creditable to them, is not, in this case, particularly creditable to us." i AM) NOKTIIWKflT BRrriHH AMKRICA. r, AND CARINO JurrisH 'II AND itintirt of 11 found nopticMl uloptod, • mlix. pndix an comple- thc Sns- ian reci- lad at the ,1 limit of Minnesota. 2. "T\\v Red River, let me observe, i« no inhonpitable deHort, repujjjnnnt to \\\(' increnne of the human race." li. " I ii the valloyrt of t!ie Saskatchewan and Artj^iuiboin, Proft'HHor Iliad e!*tinmte?« that fliere arc; above; 11,000,000 acrert of arable land of the tineht quality." 4. " If jurttico were rven now done, it would l»ecnmc tliu lUinoirt or Iowa ■ >f our futuro BritlHh Ainei-ican nationality." 5. •* And this country in not only valualde in itnelf, but valuable for that to which it leadH. Tlie distance from a j^iven point on our nid*; of Jjiike Superior to navipdde water on Frazer river, in Britirth Columbia, doe« not exceed 2,000 milcH — about twice the distance between Bontou and Chicago. It liaH been rthown by every explorc^r how, with Homo inconsid- erable aidn from tirt, a continuous Hteainboat navigation might bo obtained from Lal:e Winnipeg to the base of the Rocky mountains. By theso aids, and corresponding improvements on the otlier sid(! of the mountains, Toronto might be brought within ten or twelve days of British Co- lumbia." 6. " But there is a more important consideration still, connected with the territory; for w<' know that through its prairies is to be found the short- est and best railroad route t«) the Pacific. Kvery one can understand that the American route from Western Kurope to Asia, which lies furthest to the north, must be the most din'ct. Any one, glancing at a globe, will see whcTo the 46tli paralhd leads the eye from tlu! heart of Germany, through the Ihitish channel, across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, an^ from our gulf westward to the Saskatchewan, to Vancouver Island — the Cuba of tlu! North l*acific ; and from Vancouver to the rich and populous archi- f»elago of Japan. This course was demonstrated by Captain Synge to )e 2,000 miles shorter between London and Hong Kong than any other in existence. It has but one formidable engineering difficulty to be over- come — an elevation of 6,000 feet abov(! the sea-level — in crossing the Rocky mountains into Briti->h Columbia." • rlor, esq., Exhibit Q b. B. — Compendium of the revenue laws of the district of Asainihoia, jtassed March 14, 1861. rm by the hon Bay the "Red ay of the ler of the the Hud- ling down 1 a lesson irs on our irticularly I. " Article I. That all goods imported into the district of Assiniboia, from all parts of the British dominions, or from any foreign country, shall be subject to a levy of four per cent, ad valorem duty, to be estimated at the price current of the original place of export, London, or New York, &c., excepting such articles as shall be otherwise specified. The following shu ' be admitted free from customs duty." I. Then follows a list of thirteen articles. — (C b.) II. By article IV, parties transporting merchandise beyond the district of Assiniboia, (which is limited to the valleys of the Red River of the North, and its principal tributary, the Assiniboin,) are exempted from the payment of duties on the execution of a transportation bond. "This provision embraces the American outfits for the fur trade of the Saskatchewan region, which is already attracting considerable attention." — (C b, 4.) III. " Article VI. That a duty of 5s. per gallon be imposed upon all fer- mented and spirituous liquors imported into the settlement, except such as shall be proved to have been directly imported from the United Kingdom by the consignee." e RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES. ! IV. The people are disnatistied with "article VI." I. Extracts from "Nor'M'estei'," the paper published at Fort Garry, dated April 1, 18GI, and April 15, -«G1 : a. "Observe, we do not object to this 5,?. impost: Ave highly approve of it; but we maintain that this being done, the admission free of intoxi- cating beverages from England cannot be defended. It is simply a piece of favoritism — an odious exhibition of selfishness on the part of the Hudson Bay Company, and a proof of the subserviency of our council to that wealthy corporation. Wo protest against the law as it stands, and in doing so we biit speak the sentiments of the great majority of the Red River people." b. "The present distinction is too marked, too Avide, too decided to ,)e de- fensible on any principles of honest legislation." — (C i.) - V ' C. Exhibit E. A. — Operation of Canadian recijtrocity treaty. I. Security of northeastern fisheries, embarrassed under vague and restrictive termsof treaty of 1818 — placed on a satisfactory basis byreciprocity treaty. II. Importance to the northwest of free navigation of St. Lawrence, especially as to the transportation of grain to market, and the movement of iron and copper from Lake Superior. III. Canadian exhibits of exports and irapoi'ts for tlie year ending Decem- ber 31, 1860. i. The total value of imports into Canada from the United States aloi.e, during the above-named year, was $17,273 020 ; more than equalled her imports from the rest of the world. Her total importation was $34,447,935.— (E.) 2. The total value of Canadian produce and manufactures during 1860 was >i8,427,968. IV. General remarks : I.Canadian .and American tarift's; their respective changes since 1854; no ground for recrimination. — (E.) 2. The value and extent of the Canadian market for all forms of American industry, especially manufactures and agriculture. — (E.) D. Exhibit r tt. A. — Dissatisfaction of the Assinihoians ivith BritisJt inadequacy. I. Extracts from "Nor'wester," the newspaper published at Selkirk settlement : 1. From the "Nor'wester" of October 15th : " The progress of our republican neighbors in opening up, settling, and or- ganizing new Territories, is something wonderful. Idaho, Nevada, Dakota, and Chippewa were heard of, for the first time, as names indicating im- portant geographical areas of the Noith American continent. Just before these we had Ovegon, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, and Washington. What an array of names ! What amazing progress in occupying and settling a wild unpeopled country !• We cannot regard with indifference the rapid march of civilization at our very doors, ***** while we, a large, pop» . f dated i AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. T ulous, and well-to-do community of fifty years' standing, are still in swad- dlinar clothes, imder a foster-mother's patronizing rule. Shame on the British government that this is the case! How much longer is it to con- tifiue? Are they waiting until we make short work of our destinies by voting annexation to Minnesota or Dakota ? or till we take the reins of government with a rude grasp, and proclaim independence of both British and American rule? » " One or the other alternative will surely come some day, unless a change in our governmental system tahes place. "We speak advisedly Avhen we say that the people of Red River are be- coming indifferent to British connexion. 2. "That we shall not al "'ays smart under our present mortification is most certain. Time and the force of circumstances will give us our coveted status ; and we must for the present bear our humiliation with the best grace possible." ; < - ? ^ ^^ ^ ^^ - II. The "Nor'wester," in spite of this strong language, is hardly abreast of the public dissatisfaction. The party ftivoring annexation to the United States is numerous : 1. Annexation to be advocated through the press: a. A new paper to be started, which shall be " uncompromisingly hostile to the Hudson Bay Company" and in favor of " annexation;" b. The people can only be quieted by speedy organization as a " Crown Colony;" c. Unless England respona, sha will surely lose the colony, either by revolution or "annexation." . III. In case of war with England, the competency of Minnesota to "hold, occupy, and possess" the Red River to Lake Winnipeg : 1. The defenceless condition of the valley: a. No British troops at Fort Garry; ■ b. Indians depredate with impunity; c. The "Nor'wester" confesses weakness, demanding "a change" as " absolutely necessary." 2. Hardihood of the lumbennen and laborers of Minnesota. . 3. Facilities for military operations : a. Accessibility by way of the Minnesota and Pacific railroad route — commonly known as the "Wood Road." B. — Compendium of letter dated June 12, 18G2. — (Vide Exhibit F i of Ap- pendix.) I. Further extracts from "Nor'wester" of May 28: 1. " Can it be expected that we should not become Americanized, whe» Britain shows perfect indifference to usl" 2. "We have no postal communication with any part of the civilized world, except through the United States/" 3. "Importation from American States easy; from England, tardy. 4. "The only decent route for immigrants through the States. Con- sequently, new settlers are, for the most part, Americans." 5. Vicinage to the United States promotive of disloyalty to Britain, to whom the Red Riverites now say : 6. "Do something for us at once, or lose us forever." II. Victoria (Vancouver island) desires a reciprocity treaty with the United Stat«8. 8 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES " ■', ■'■■".' ■/ ;'■ ,, E.. ■ ■ Exhibit G, (May 1, 1862.) "OEOaRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA, ND ITS RELA- TIONS TO THE REVENUE AND COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES." A. — Introductory letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, embodying a histori- cal sketch of -our relations with England arid Russia, and the progress of opinion in England relative to colonization : I. A 1822.- 1822.- 1824.- 1825.- 1844.- 1846.- 1846.- 1848.- 1849.- 1857.- 1857 chronological view compiled from the above letter: Russia issues a "ukase," declariug the North Pacific a closed sea from 51° (or north end of Vancouver island) to 49°, on Asiatic coast. — (North latitude.) United States claiming as high as 54° 40', resist the above, demanding that American whalers should not be excluded from the North Pacific. ■Treaty between Russia flnd the United States, making 54° 40' the boundary, pnd declaring the Pacific an opon sea. ■Great Britain and Russia agree on the following boundary : " Commencing in north latitude 54° 40', between 131° and 133° west longitude, at the southernmost part of Prince of Wales island ; thence proceeds up Portland canal to 56° north latitude, and from the last- mentioned point the line of demarcation shall follow the summit of the mountains, parallel to the coast, as far as the intersection of 141° of west longitude, and then along that meridian line to the Frozen ocean." Aiticle nine st&tes that whenever the summit of the mountains shall exceed ten marine leagues from the ocean, tbo line between the British possessions and the Russian , line of coast shall be formed by a line parallel to the Avindings of the coast, and which shall never exceed the distance of ten marine leagues from the same. -Controversy with Great Britain as to the northern boundary of Oregon. -Prior to this date Russia ?ind England became jealous of each other on account of the disposition of the former to occupy California. Except for the Mexican war, European intervention would probably have appropriated tho bay of San Francisco. -It was during this year that the opinion was expressed in the British House of Commons that the whole country north of the Columbia was not worth <£20,000. -Sir J. H. Pelly, governor of the Hudson Bay Company, thus expresses himself in a letter to Lord Grey : " As far as I am concerned, (and I think the company will concur if any great national benefit would be expected from it,) I would be willing to relinquish the whole of the territory held under the charter under similar terms to those which it is proposed the East India Com- pany shall receive on the expiration of their charter, viz : securing the proprietors an interest on their capital of 10 per cent. . ^ -Minnesota Territory organized. ^ -The people of Canada West induce the British Parliament to institute the inquiry whether the region in question is adapted by fertility of soil, a favorable climate, and natural advantages of internal communi- cation for the support of a prosperous colony of England, uly 31. The select committee of the House of Commons, appointed to consider the state of those British possessions in North America which are under the Hudson Bay Company, reported testimony, but made no decided recommendations. They " apprehend that the districts on I AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 9 S RELA- 3H." I histori- * ' 1858.- ogress of 1858.- 1858.- 3ea from coaat. — ' *, manding 1 Pacific. 1858.- 1858.- 3 40' the i m 1858.- L33° west m i; thence I the last- nit of the f 141° of jn ocean." ains shall tie British by a line er exceed m f Oregon. other on Except - ftbly have be British t imbia was 1858.- expresses f ■ 1858.- 1 concur if would be .he charter 1859. [ndia Corn- curing the 1859. ■^ 1859. to institute 'M 1859. fertility of 1 1861. communi- M ppointed to i - ■ 3rica which 1 , but made :| ■»'■'; districts on the Red River and the Saskatchewan are among those most likely to be desired for early occupation," and deprecate any difficulty between the government and the company. They deemed it proper to ter- minate the connexion of the Hudson Bay Company with Vancouver island for the advantage of that interesting colony, which would be extended to the main land as soon as possible. British Columbia, they thought, suitable for a pemument settlement. —Gold discovered on Frazer river. — Pugct's sound assumes new importance on account of the above and the California mines. —Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton proclaims, in the name of the government, the policy of continuous colonies from Lake Superior to the Pacific, and a highway across British America as the moat direct route from London to Pekin and Jeddo. —The eastern boundary of British Columbia fixed on Rocky mountains. —Canada explores the route from Fort William, on Lake Superior, to Fort Garry, on Red River, and gives impressive summaries of the natural resources of Lake Winnipeg basin. —A report to the New York Chamber of Commerce announces that the region of Lake Winnipeg, like the valley of the Mississippi, is dis- tinguished for the fertility of its soil, and for the extent and gentle slope of its great plains, watered by rivers of great length, and ad- mirably adapted to steam navigation. " It will, in all respects, compare favorably with some of the most densely peopled portions of Europe. In other words, it is admirably fitted to become the seat of a numerous, hardy, and prosperous commu- nity. It has an area equal to eight or ten first-cLiss American States. Its great river, the Saskatchewan, carries a navigable water-line to the base of the Rocky mountains. It is not at all improbable that the valley of this river may yet offer the best route for a railroad to the Pacific. The navigable waters of this great subdivision interlock with Ihose of the Mississippi. Red River of the North, navigable (in connexion with Lake Winnipeg) for 800 miles directly north and south, is one of the best adapted for steam in the world, and waters one of the finest regions on the continent. Between its headwaters and St. Paul, Min- nesota, a railroad is in process of construction, which, when completed, will open up half a million of square miles for settlement." — ^November 3. Lord Caernarvon " regrets" the conduct of the Hudson Bay Company, and insists on a "decision" by the judicial committee of the privy council. — -JProposition to Hudson Bay Company to refer questions concerning charter and territorial limits to judicial committee of privy council — made and rejected. — Canadian government demand of England prompt adjustment of the relations, &c., of the Red River and Saskatchewan districts. , — Condition and prospects of English colonization in Northwest America. First steam voyage Fort Abercrombie to Fort Garry. ., . — Minnesota received as a State. , — Railroad projected to Pembina. . — Commerce of Minnesota with Selkirk and the Saskatchewan doubles the preceding year. " Cariboo district" rapidly filling up with a mining population. The mountain ranges, which are alike the sources of the Columbia, the Frazer, the Peace, the Athabasca, and the Saskatchewan, with an average of latitude 54°, of longitude 120°, must inevitably be trans- formed into an active scene of mining adventure. j^ I" \ \^. J. 4 ; 10 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES This will necessitate the prompt organization and settlement of British America, that is, of the plains of the river basins converging to Lake Winnipeg, and closely connected with our northwestern States. . . • '. Contents 400,000 square miles. " ■ -.1, . Exhibit G, G'. M'. CONIINUATIONOP "GEOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF NORTHWEST BRIllSH AMERICA, AND ITS RELATIONS TO THE REVENUE AND COMMERCg OF THE UNITED STATES. • ■■ ■ B.— " Part first : The physical geography of Northwest British America^ — ( Vide map of this synopsis at end, of document.) I. Isotherm (northernmost) of the cereals and of animal grov.th :* 1. Thirty-five (35°) the limit of temperature of the north temperate zone. II. Climate of Pacific slope. , III. Climate and productions of Central British America : 1. The Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Saskatchewan " set off" against the Dneiper, the Don, and the Volga, of Russia, which last water the most populous portions of that empire. 2. The American district (between 44° and 51° N. L.) watered by the first three mentioned rivers resembles European Russia in the following particular : a. Our continental latitude, from 44° to 54°> represents the Russian tem- perate zone, from 50° to 57° N. L. 3. The northern shore of Lake Huron has the mean summer heat of Bor- deaux (70° Fah.,) and the Cumberland House, on the Saskatchewan, exceeds, in this respect, Brussels or Paris. 4. Potatoes, barley, and oats can be profitably cultivated in the Saskatchewan district as far as 54°, and maize as far up as 50° (N. L.) 5. Animals: a. Fur-bearers; innumerable. ' b. Cariboo (reindeer) from 50° to 66°. , c. Laniferentes : a* Rocky mountain goat, from 40° to 60°. b. Bison {improperly called buffalo-^see Webster,) swarm west of 105° of longitude and pouth of 60° of latitude. d. Lakes and streams abound in choicest fish. IV. The corresponding district of Russia, with the same climate, the most populous and flourishing portion of the empire. V. Itinerary of Sir George Simpson : (G.) 1. Favorable description of that river, " which empties Rainy lake into the Lakeof the Woods:" (G.) a. Navigation easy. ; , , b. Banks fertile. > ^ / 3'. ; ^' v • 2. Lake of the Woods : ^ . a. Shores fertile, producing " wild rice" in abundance. b. Bringing " maize to perfection." I i '* Nature has qualified man to breathe an atmosphere 120<^ above or 60° below zero, without injuiy to health. AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 11 leraent of )nvergiiig thwestern I ■hli ^MEIUCA, S UNITED lerica. e zone. gainst the • the most f the first following jsian tem- it of Bor- atchewan, Latchewan m west of the most :e into the below zerQ, c. Studded with wooded islands, exempt from frosts, and especially adapted to cultivation: (G.) 3. Red River and Selkirk settlement : (G.) a. Soil, a black mould of great depth and fertility, producing plump and heavy wheat, never less than 15 to 25 bushels to the acre; sometimes 40 bushels. h. Other grains in abundance. c. Beef, mutton, and pork in abundance. > d. Cheese in abundance. f . Wool in abundance. ■ J". Cattle find their food for seven months, but are maintained on straw from the farms and hay cut on the boundless commons behind. g. Subject to inundations, however. 4. From Red River to Edmonton House, near latitude 54° and longitude 113°: (G.) a. Pi'airies of green sward. b. Many shallow lakes, containing water only in spring, bearing tall grass, roses, hyacinths, and tiger lilies. c. Sand hills. d. Wooded hills, salt lakes, wild fowl. 5. Fort Ellicc, a post of Hudson Bay Company : a. Probable navigability, for steamers, of the Assiniboin river. 6. Butte aux Chiens, (Dog's Knoll,) 400 fj^et high : a. Alluvial soil of great fertiUiy : (G.) 7. Lac Sale, (Salt Lake:) (G.) ' „ a. Wild fowl in abundance. * . h. Flowery fields. 8. Bow river, south branch of the Saskatchewan : a. This is a considerable stream, without physical impediment. 9. Fort Carleton, on the Saskatchewan; latitude 53°, longitude 108° west: a. Large gardens and fields of potatoes. . , ■ > • b. Wheat, often, however, destroyed by frosts. c. Saskatchewan, swift in current, navigable for boats for 700 miles in a direct line, biit, by the actual course of the stream, nearly double that distance. The only impediment to navigation is the " Grand Rapids." d. Indian population, 16,730 in Saskatchewan: (G.) VI. The American valley of the Red River: (G.) ',_ 1. Boundaries: a. South by Lake Traverse and Otter Tail lake. b. North by (Pembina and) British possessions. c. East by longitude of Red lake. d. West by the longitude of Minnewakan, or Spirit lake. 2. Area: a. In latitude, frraa about 46° to 49°. i. In longitude, from 95° 30' to 99°. ' ^ 3. The garden of the northwest is a radius of 50 miles around Otter Tail lake. 4. The Red River of the North rises in Otter Tail lake. \ ' a. Geology: (G.) ■ V •: 5. Dr. Owen's geographical report. ^' -' VII. Assiniboia: (G.) ^ . . ■ VIIL Cumberiand: (G.) ■:'-^^'':''''^'-:t-'.- w •l! 1- 5 If iti: 12 IX. RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES (G.) Saskatchewan : 1. Area: a. In latitude from 49° to 55° = 6 degrees. b. Ample apace fhr four States size of Ohio. 2. Compared with Ansiniboia: a. Canadian opinion unfavorable to Saskatchewan. b. Sir George Simpson's favorable. / ^3. Father De Smct, in his "Oregon Missions," consisting of letters to his superiors, in a portion of his volume, narrates his explorations and adventures in the Saskatchewan valleys of the Rocky mountains. — (G.) a. Bow and Red Deer rivers : a. Sulphurous fountains. b. Coal. b. Rocky Mountain House, 53° N., 115° W. c. Edmonton House : a. Streams, lakes, prairies, and mineral springs, numerous, b* Mill-seats frequent. ^, f. Forests of pine, cypress, &c. 5. Country capable of supporting a large population. a. Soil produces barley, corn, potatoes, and beans. /?. White-fish ; four pounds each. y. Aquatic birds, sent to the fort by cart-loads. 6. Eggs picked up by thousands in the marshes. * d. Ivoquois Indians. X. Athabasca: (G.) ' ' 1. Boundaries: a. North, by Athabasca lake. ' 6. South, by Cumberland House. 2. Climate same as that of the Pacific coast : " ^ ; - a. In May (10th) the verdure of the whole country exuberant, and buffalo attended by their young. b. Highly favorable opinion of Dr. Richard King. 3. Minerals, (limestone.) 4. Soil, (fertile.) 5. Knickerbocker Magazine, October, 1858, {q. v.) a. Atlantic temperature not carried straight across to the Pacific. The isothermals deflect greatly towards the north. — (G.) / b. Vide E, B, III, (2 a, 3) of this synopsis. c. Our Pacific coast equals any part of Western Europe in climate, soil, and commercial accessibility. d. The continental mass lying westward and northward of Lake Superior is far more valuable than the Interior in lower latitudes of Salt Lake and Upper New Mexico! e. The Hudson Bay Company accused of purposely keeping it in a state of wilderness. ,. _ , . , 2yu Vancouver island : (G.) . ■ -' ■ -^■ 1. General description: a. Soil and face of the country : tt. Fertile; well timbered. b> Diversified by interesting mountain ranges, with small prairies. t. Extensive coal fields. b. Excellent harbors. a. Esquimaux harbor, on which Victoria is situated, is equal to San Francisco. 'i Qm to his itions and ins. — (G.) »rant, and ific. The mate, Boil, } Superior Salt Lake in a state 1 prairies. i equal to AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 13 I e. Salmon and other excellent fisheries. f. Climate, in winter, stormy, with heavy rains in November and December. Frosts occur in January, but seldom interrupt agriculture. Vegetation starts in February, progresses rapidly ' in March, fostered by alternate warm showers and sunshine in April and May. Intense heat and drought often experienced in June, July, and August. b. Area (16,200 square miles) equal to Vermont and New Hampshire XII. Frazer ard Thompson rivers : (G.) 1. The valley of the Frazer adapted to colonization : «. Sources of Frazer and Athabasca rivers, separated by 317' yards only. (Latitude 55° N.) 2. The valley of Thompson river one of the most beautiful countries in the world. b. Climate capable of producing all the crops of England, and much milder than Canada. XIII. Sources of the Columbia : 1. Kootanais or FlatboAV Indians : (G.) a. Father De Smet gives a glowing sketch of the oval district between Flatbow and Upper Colimibia rivers. Area 20,000 miles. a. Coal abundant. b> Lead profusely scattered over surface. C. Silver, probable. b. Prairie du Tabac ; an immense and delightful valley. a> Climate delightful ; tlie extremes of heat and cold being seldom known. — (G.) b. Country well adapted for grazing. — (G.) XIV. The Arctic districts : . 1. Areas : ' a. Vancouver island 16, 200 square miles. b. Frazer and Thompson rivers 60, 000 " " (\ Sources of the Columbia 20, 000 " " t AND NORTHWEST BK1TI8H AMERICA. 16 «. Copper ore. b. Agate. 14. Elizabeth harbor: a. Gypsum. b. Rett marl. c. GarnetB. d. Qnartz : a. Rod (quartz.) b. Pink (quartz.) C. Yellow (quartz.) 15. Hill river: a. Quartz rockn, containing — a. Prociou» gamota. b. Mica slate. 16. Kn'ie lake: a. Primitive greenstone, with — b. Disseminated iron pyrites. 17. Trout river: (G.) a. Magnetic iron ore. b. Well-crystallized precious garnets. 18. Lake Winnipeg : a. Beautiful china-like chert. b. Arenaceous deposits. c. Argentiferous rocks. 19. Cumberland House: a. Salt springs. b. Sulphur springs. c. Coal. •/ 20. Elk river: ,.. ^ , a. Fluid bitumen. 21. Shores of Lake Athabasca : (G.) a. Plumage slate, finest. b. Chlorite slate, finest. 22. Mouth of CoppeiTOine river : a. Trap. b. Leatt. c. Copper. d. Malachite. c. Chromate of iron, (very valuable.) 23. Rocky mountains : a. Semi-opal, resembling obsidian. b. Plumbago. c. Specular iron. d. Gold. - 24. Slave river: (G.) a. Gypsum. ' - b. Salt springs. c. Petroleum. d. Dolomite. 25. Coronation gulf : (G.) a. Lead ore. 26. Mackenzie: (G.) a. Iron, skirted by — b. Metalliferous ranges of mountains. » . : i -. % ■ .' '''■ ■ ' l'^ :/A Jk ,(\^^M.;^,?f 16 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, £. "CON'nNUATION OP OEOOKArHICAL MEMOIR OK NORTHWEST BRITISH AMER- ICA AND rre RELATIONS TO THK REVENUE AND COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATFM." 0. — **Part second : The hhtory and organization of the Hudson Bay Com- pany,'' (G.) I. Their charter : 1. Dated May 2, 1670, (22 C. II.) 8. Prince llupert, with sixteen otherB, undertake an expedition to Hudson bay for the discovery of a new passage into the South sea, and for ob- taining furs, minerals, &c. 3. Colony to be called '• Rupert's Land." 4. Annual rent — two elks and two black beavers, whenever the royal Charles or any of his successors, (regnant !) should enter •• Rupert's Land." — (G.) II. Act of Parliament to confirm charter, A. D. 1690 : • « 1. Act limited to seven years. III. England's claim to Hudson bay founded upon a presumed discovery of Sir Henry Hudson, A. D. 1610, (G.) 1. Hudson, however, only sailed into the straits which bear his name. There he was drowned by his mutinous crew. 2. The French had discovered the iay before that time. — (Vide "Charlevoix," vol. 1, p. 476.) IV. Louis XIII, in 1626, granted a charter to the " company of New France, called Canada." V. Rivalry and strife between the English and French companies and forts. * VI. Cession to France of English forts by the Ryswick treaty. VII. Treaty of Utrecht gives England, for the first time, undisputed titlet o " Hudson bay." VIII. Canada ceded to England in 1763. ' . IX. "Northwest Company" organized at Montreal in 1783. X. Union of Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies, under the name of " Hud- son Bay Company," in 1821, (G.) XI. Hudson D&j Company beneficial to Minnesota : 1. As a police over the Indians. 2. Hospitable to travellers. • 3. Encourages missions. E. "" "GEOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR"— Continued. D.— "Pari third : Selkirk settlement ; its foundation, institutions, and agricul- ture,'' (G.) I. Preface. II. Early settlement : (G.) 1. In 1805 Lord Selkirk (in order to console Great Britain for her loss of the American colonies) wrote a work to prove the superiority of this over every part of the United States, (G.) 2. In 1811 Lord Selkirk obtained from the Hudson Bay Company a grant of this district. 3. In 1812 (autumn) an effort to colonize was prevented hy, men of the North- west Company in disguise of Indians. AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 17 of 4. In 1815 another effort to colonize rendered abortive by the same North* west Company, (O.) 6. In 1816 Lord Selkirk arrivoH with a military escort, and retriovea the for« tunes of the colonists. 6. In 1817 colony (again) broken up, tn consequence of scarcity oi aceda. 7. In 1818 and 1819 crops were consumed by grasshoppers, (G.) 8. In 1820 and 1821 prosperity appears to dawn upon the Helkirkcrs. 9. In 1825 and 1820 numDera are aestroyed by the scarcity of bison and fuel. 10. In 1826 flood of Red river sweeps away bams, dwellings, &c., (G.) 11. In 1852 occurs another and a greater flood. 12. In 1859 gold is discovered at sources of Saskatchewan, (G.) III. Institutions of Selkirk settlement : (G.) 1. Government: a. Executive is vested in the officer in command at Fort Garry. b. Legislative, in the clergy. c. Judicial, in leading citizens. 2. Religion: a. Catholics, 10,000. b. PrcsbvterianB, 1,000. c. Church edifices at Red River numerous. 3. Education: (G.) a. Schools numerous. b. A public library. c. A newspaper. IV. Climatic adaptation to agriculture : (G.) 1. Very cold; but annual mean temperature higher than same parallel in western Europe. a. The excessive cold of five winter months reduces the annual mean. 2. It has, elsewhere, already been stated that vegetation is rapid in the suit- able seasons. 3. Red River winter nearly as mild as St. Paul's. a. Atmosphere clear and dry. b. Indians camp out in winter under Buffalo skins ; horses rur at large and fatten in winter. 4. Red River spring: a. Opens same time as St. Paul's, viz : April and May. b. The transition from Winter to spring abrupt. 5. Red River summer: a. Wanner than western Illinois, western Wisconsin, western Canada, and northern New York. V. Agricultural capacity of summer months : (G.) 1. Wheat requires a mean temperature from 62° to 65° for July and August. 2. Com requires less. 3. Now the mean temperature of Red River is 67° 76'. — (Vide map of this synopsis at end of document, for northernmost isotherm for wheat, &c.) VI. Bountiful summer rains : (G.) 1. In the belt between the Rocky mountains and Red River the mean rain fall = 6 inches. 2. Amply sufficient, for neither of the following has more : a. England; b. Pruesia; c. The Crimea, or d. Interior Russia. 2 i 18 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED RTATE8 yil. RoHultH of ngricuUurv at Red River Bettlemunt : (0.) 1. Iiulinn com: a. Cultivated in Hnmll garden patchoM. 2. Wheat: a. UcquiroH for July and August a minimum moan temperature of 62'^ to 66°. b. The whole region between Red River and Rocky mountains lies in temperature between 66" to (57°. c. Thitf mean equnlH the most fertile districts of New England, New York, PennMylvuniii, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. d. Cultivated plants yield their greatest product near the northernmost limit of their growth. — (G.) a. This law applies especially to wheat. — (Vide map of this synop- sis at cncl of document.) VI II. InMtanccs of the wheat product of Red River; 1. Yield, 40 to 60 bushels per acre: (G.) a. Red River, say 40 bushels per acre. h. Minnesota 20 " " c. Wisconsin 14 '* " , d. Pennsylvania 16 '* " c. Massachusetts 16 " " IX. Oats, barley, rye, potatoes: 1. At Red River barley yields enormous returns, (about 65 pounds per bushel.) 2. The whole group of subordinate cereals follow wheat, but are less restricted in their range, going 5° beyond wheat in the Mackenzie valley, towards the Arctic circle. 3. Oats thrive well. 4. Potatoes particularly fine. X. Hay; this is a great grazing country: (G.) 1. In 1856 Red River contained 9,253 homed cattle; 2,799 horses. 2. Sheep healthy and productive, (fleeces 2 to 3^ pounds.) CONTINUATION OF ••GEOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF NORTHWEST BRITISH AMER- ICA, AND ITS RELATIONS TO THE REVENUE AND COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES." E a. ** Part four tJi: The gold discoveries of northwest British America, and their influence:'* • I. •' Cariboo Diggings," on Frazer river : (G.) II. The most extraordinary discoveries are north of latitude 63°, and in the average longitue of 120° west longitude, (from meridian of Greenwich.) III. Speedy establishment of commercial relations eastwardly along the Sas- katchewan with the Mississippi and Lake Supeiior. IV. Predicted colonization, at an early period, of the coast and archipelago in same latitude, and quite to the north of Vancouver island. Already ex- plorations of Queen Charlotte's island are progressing : (G.) V. Great social and industrial changes in northwest British America predicted. E h. Comvendium of a special report in reference to the discovery of gold on the Saskatchewan river: (G.) I. D. F. McLaurin, known to be a man of veracity, and T. M. Love, lately in the employment of Mr. Campbell, American minister for the survey and I\ F. I II I\ Vl AND NORTHWEHT BRITISH AMERICA. 19 0. location of tlin northern l>ouii(1nry, Imvo Hrrivcil in St. Paul from tlm liradwatorH of tlx; Fraz«'r rivor, in HritiMli Colutnl)ia. They produce 70 ounc(>H of gold duHt, all of which waH found on the weHt Hide of the niountainM ; hut they alHo annert that in many plaeeM on the BaMkatuhu- wan, hetween Fort Kdmonton and the Uocky Mountain IIouhc, they buc- ceHHfully pre »H ))«•(■ ted for gold, •* raiHing the color" frequently, but with no return exceeding one cent to the pan, or five dollars a day. 8uch Wf're the indicatiouH, however, that with their experi(;nce on the Pacific, even this niod(Tate remdt encoura^eH MeHrtrw. Mi'Laurin and Love to return with a yeur'H HU[»pIy of provinionH, having left two conipanieH on the upper HaHkatchewan. They exprenn conHueiice that an exteiwive auriferouH n^gion cxintH (taet of the llocky niountainH, between 49' and 55 ' north latitude. If ho, itn occupation by udventurerH will bo hantened by the following circumHtanceH, " hitherto indicated by me in former communicationH, and whicit I propone to more fully illuHtrato in my gen(>ral report to the dennrtment." — ( Vide G, ante.) TT. " 'I'Ijo Grand Rapidn of tlie Hankatchewan an? no obatacle to navigation." III. I'robable n'Hults of a gold f(>ver in the Haakatchewan region : 1. An act of Parliament organizing a crown colony northwest of MinneHota, with an inhabitable an^a of 300,000 Hijuarc mileti. 2. A union of all the Ain(Tiean provinces of England, having for a prominent objjsct a common highway from ocean to ocean on British territory. 3. An overland mail ana colonization, j>reliminary to a Pacific railroad: ^D.) IV. " One thing is very appantnt : Unhiss i\u' English government snail promptly respond to tlu; manifest destiny of tin; great interior of British America — the basin of Lake Winnipeg — the speedy Americanization of that fertile district is inevitable : (D.) E. -f Exhibit G. CONCLUSION OF "aEOORAPHICAL MEMOIR OF NORTVVEST BRITISH AMERICA, &c.— (G.) F. " Tartfijih : Relations of Northwest British America to the Unites States: I. Present relationr, those of physical g igraphy merely. II. (Anticipated) ccmmorcial and political results. III. The communications through Hudson bay and Lake Superior are of dan< gerous navigation and limited duration. IV. Minnesota route to Rocky mountains : (G.) 1. Railway to Red river. 2. Steamers by Lake Winnepeg and the Saskatchewan. 3. The best and most conducive to the prosperity of the Saskatchewan and Selkirk settlements. 4. La Crosse, Wisconsin, the present limit of the United States railroad sys- tem ; thence, a. Steamers to St. Paul ; thence, b. Land transportation, 250 miles ; thence, c. From Georgetown, on Red River steamers, to Fort Garry. V. A London company already organized to establish an overland mail : (G.) 1. Steamers ought to be immediately constructed to ply to Fort Garry, for the year 1863. VI. " It would be an instance of well-directed legislation for the Congress of the United States and the British Parliment to unite in a liberal subsidy — say $200,000 by each government — for the trauBmission so RELATIONS BETWEEN THE IJNITED STATES J .5 of n weekly mail from the limits of navigation on the Mississippi ' and the British coast of Lake Superior, by an international route to the centres of the gol-l districts of British Columbia and Wash- ington Territory." 1. St. Lawrence and great lakes furnish an eloquent precedent : (G.) Exhibit A. In the Housf op Representatives, U. S., May 20, 1862. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and hereby is, requested to communicate to this House any information in the possession of his depart- ment which he may judge to be in a form suitable for the consideration of the House of Representatives upon the relations between the United States and the Northwest British America, particularly the central district of the Red River of the North and the Saskatchewan. Exhibit B. Treasury Department, March 9, 186L Sir : In reply to your communication of the 8th instant, I have to instruct you to proceed to the completion of the report referred to, in regard to the " re- latioiis of the revenue system of the United States to British Ameiica, northwest of Minnesota." You will please state, for the department's information, the time in which it will probably be completed. I am, ' Treasury. James W. Taylor, Esq., Special Agent, Sfc., WasJdngtun, D. C. A- Exhibit C a. Saint Paul, July 10, 1861. Sir : By a communication from the Treasury Department, dated March 8, 1861, I was instinicted to proceed with a report previously undertaken upon the relations of trade and revenue between the United States and the districts of Central British America, extending from Canada to the Rocky mountains, and to communicate to the department the period required for making said report. Having occasion, in the general discharge of the duties assigned to me, to forward an anstract of recent revenue laws at Selkirk, on the Red river, I beg leave to inform the department that I expect to present my general report on or before the first day of the regular session of Congress. In preparing this paper, I desire the privilege of recapitulating some of the contents of special reports made by me from time to time, but which are more adapted for the information of the department than for publication. Having reason to believe that what is known to the English and Canadian people as the " Red River and Saskatchewan districts of British America" will be speedily organized, with the powerful co-operation of th« Hudson Bay Com- pany, as a crown colony of England, and that active measures for its coloniza- tion in the interest of a continental confederation of the provinces, and k railroad AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 21 i from Lake Superior to the Pacific, north of our boundary, will promptly follow. I am Bolicitous to present to the American government and people a full and satisfactory compilation of the natural resources, present civil and commercial organizations, and future relations of the interesting region in question, with which circumstances have made me familiar. Jn this connexion, I shall urge thpt no unnecessary resti'ictions shall be imposed upon the intercourse, already very considerable in extent, between the States of the northwest and this rising dominion of England upon the waters of Lake Winnipeg. I'hus animated, I am now occupied with what will prove, if published, a document of 300 pages, and which I shall submit to the department at the earliest possible moment. It will constitute the report above referred to. I desire to return my acknowledgments to the head of the Treasury Department for the opportunity of preparing and presenting it for his consideration. In conclusion, as some confirmatiim of the views often advanced by me within the last five years, and which will be elaborated in my forthcoming report, I here present an extract from a late publication of Hon. Darcy McGee, the accomplished member of the Canadian parliament from Montreal, who may soon (judging from late elections) succeed to a seat in the Canadian ministry. Mr. McGee says: " I have always felt an active, living interest in everything that concerns what is usually called among us • the Red River country.* In the very heart of the continent, on a territory 500,000 square miles in extent, wheie Lord Selkirk, holf a century ago, declared there was field enough for a population of 30,000,000 souls, the only speck of settlement is som' 7,000 or 8,000 of our fellow-subjects in and about Fort Garry. No American community has ever undergone a sterner apprenticeship to fortune, or been so unwisely underrated by imperial and Canadian statesmen. The greater part, if not all that region was an integral part of Canada at the conquest, and to Canada the people of the Selkirk settlement most naturally looked for protection against the monopolizing policy of the Hudson Bay Company. It is not creditable to us to be forced to admit that hitherto they have looked this way :a vain. No Canadian can have read with satisfaction the latest intelligence from that kindred community ; no Cana- dian can learn with satisfaction that it was left for the infant State of Minnesota, with a census not exceedhig altogether this little island of Montreal, to do for them what they naturally expected from us; that while we were interrogating our ministers as to their policy on the Hudson Bay question, the Americans from St. Paul were steaming down to Fort Garry. It is not the first time that we have received a lesson in enterprise from our republican neighbors. To be our leaders on our own soil, though creditable to them, is surely not in this case particularly honorable to us. " Thai Red River country, let me observe, is no inhospitable desert, repugnant to the increase of the human race. Modern science has exploded the ancient error that climate is deten.-ined by the latitude. The best authority on the climatology of our continent (Mr. Lorin Blodgett) has pointed out the existence of a vast wedge-shaped tract, extending from the 47° to the 60° of northern latitude, 10° of longitude deep at the base, containing 500,000 square miles of habitable land, subject to few and inconsiderable variations of climate. This author gives a summer of ninety-five days to Toronto, and of ninety days to Cuuiberland House, in 54° north. Mr. Simon Dawson, from personal obeerva- tion, compares the climate of Fort Garry to that of Kingston. Professor Hind places its annual mean temperature at 8° lower than that of Toronto, for though the fall of rain is 17 inches more, the fall of snow is 33 inches less, than at Toronto. Herds of buffalo winter in the woodland as far north as the 60° parallel ; Indian com grows on both banks of the Saskatchewan ; wheat sown in the valley of the Red River early in May is gathered in by the end of August. The altitude and aspect of the country nouiish in it a temperature which one would n^t 22 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES expect to find so far northward. Blodgett aeserts that spring opens almost eimultaneously along the vast plains from St. Paul to the Mackenzie river ; and assuredly where cattle can winter out, where the rivers are generally free of ice by the nrst week of May, where w heat can be grown * twenty years in succes- sion without exhausting the soil,' there must be something wofuUy wrong in the system of rule when, after fifty years of settlement, we find a total popula- tion of less than 10,000 souls ! The lake and river system of that region are almost as wonderful as our own. Lake Winnipeg has an area equal to Erie, and Lake Manitohah nearly half that of Winnipeg. In the valleys of the Saskatchewan and Assiniboin Professor Hind estimates that Jiere are above 11,000,000 acres 'of arable land of the first quality.' Of this rfgion about one- half is prairie to one-half woodland ; it is the only extensive prairie country open to us east of the Rocky mountains, and if justice '.as even now done it, it would become th<3 Illinois or Iowa of our future British-American nationality. " And this country is not only valuable in itself, but valuable for that to which it leads. The distance from a given point on our side of Lake Superior to navigable water on Frazer river, in British Columbia, does not exceed 2,000 miles, about twice the distance between Boston and Chicago. It has been shown by every explorer how, with some inconsiderable aids from art, a con- tinuous steamboat navigation might be obtained from Lake Winnipeg to the base of the Rocky mountains. By these aids, and corresponding improvements on the other siae of the mountains, Toronto might be brought within ten or twelve days of British Columbia. But there is a more important consideration still connected with the territory, for we now know that through itfa prairies is to be found the shortest and best railroad route to the Pacific. Every one can understand that the American route from western Europe to Asia, which lie» furthest to the north, must be the most direct. Any one glancing at a globe will see where the 46° parallel leads the eye, from the heart of Germany, through the British channel, across to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and from our Gulf west- ward to the Saskatchewan, to Vancouver's island, the Cuba of the North Pacific, and from Vancouver to the rich and populous archipelago of Japan. This course was demonstrated by Captain Synge to be 2,000 miles shorter between London and Hong Kong than any other in existence ; it has but one formidable en^- neering difficulty to be overcome — an elevation of 6,000 feet above the sea level — ^in crossing the Rocky mountains into British Columbia. Such, at least, is the carefully guarded statement of Mr. Stevens, the late American governor of Washington Territory, and such is said to be the result arrived at by Captain Palliser's more recent explorations. By a short tunnel at the favorable pass the elevation may be reduced to 5,000 feet, ' whose gradients,' it has been calculated, * need not exceed sixty feet per mile from the head of Lake Superior to Puget's sound.' An elevation of 5,000 feet is not an insuperable obstacle, as has been shown at Mount Cenis and the Alleghanies. (On the Philadelphia and Pitts- burg road, at Altoona, the gradient of 96 feet to the mile has been found prac- ticable.) ■ The name ' Rocky mountains' is more formidable to the ear than to the engineer ; as the latitude has misled us with regard to climate, so the altitude has been overrated with regard to cost ; but the science of this age, once entered upon any experiment, will neither be deterred by regions represented as unin- habitable nor by mountains reputed to be impassable." Reppectfully submitted. * JAMES W. TAYLOR. Hon. S. P. Chase, ., , ;., Secretary of tJie Treasury. I 1( tl a t AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 28 Exhibit G b. Saint Paul, July 10, 1861. Sir : I enclose (appended and marked A) an authentic copy of " An act passed by the governor and council of Assiniboia, March 14, 1861," prescribing a tariff and revenue regulations for the Red River district of Central British America. Its leading features are as follows : 1. A levy of four per cent, ad valorem duty upon all importations, whether from England, the United States, or elsewhere, "estimated at the price cuiTent of the original place of export, London, New York," &c. Goods introduced from Chicago or Saint Paul, it is presumed, would be charged only at New York cost. 2. Section one enumerates a liberal free list consisting of thirteen items. 3. By section six " a duty of five shillings sterling per gallon is imposed upon all fermented and spirituous liquors imported into the Red River settlements, except such as shall be proved to have been directly imported from the United Kingdom by the consignee. 4. By section four, parties transporting merchandise beyond the district of Assiniboia (which is limited to the valleys of the Red River of the North and its principal tributary, the Assiniboia) are exempted from the payment of duties on the execution of a transportation bond. This provision embracos the American outfits for the fur trade of the Saskatchewan region, which is already attracting considerable attention. The regulations for the collection of the revenue are ample, but do not require recapitulation. This system of revenue is now in force. It is generally satisfactory to all parties , interested, except the discrimination in favor of English liquors. I append, marked B, so'ne forcible criticism in this respect by the Nor^wester newspaper, published at Fort Garry, the centre of the Red River settlement. Respectfully submitted. JAMES W. TAYLOR. Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. • i A. Revenue laws passed hy the governor and council of Assiniboia on the } ith March, 1861. To secure the more efficient and equitable collection of the revenue, it is — Resolved, I. That all goods imported into the district of Assiniboia from any part of the British dominions, or from any foreign country, shall be subject to a levy of four per cent, ad valorem duty, to be estimated at the price current of the original place of export, London or New York, &c., excepting such articles as shall be otherwise specified. The following shall be admitted free from cus- toms duty, viz: 1. All iron and steel, cast or malleable, wrought or un wrought. 2. All books and publications, whether imported for use or merchandise. 3. All scientific instruments and medianical tools. 4. All agricultural machines and implements. 24 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES 5. All baggage, all apparel and uteusik that have been or are in present use of the owners. 6. All seeds, roots, or plants, tending to the improvement of agriculture. 7. All stationery and school slates. 8. All unopened packages of goods originally destined for parts not within the district of Assiniboia. 9. All cases, boxes, barrels, bottles, or cloth covering, which contain goods or fluids of any description. 10. Moniunental tablets or tombstones. 11. AH grindstones. 12. All skins, peltries, parchment, untanned leather, and all produce of the chase generally. 13. All goods gratuitously given, and originally designed for the benefit of the Indian missions of Rupert's Land. II. There shall be four collectors of customs, residing severally at each ex- treme and middle of the settlement and at White Horse Plains, whose resi- dences shall be houses of clearance. A collector of customs shall have power to administer oaths, to search for and seize contraband goods, and to prosecute defaulters ; he shall have power to call constables and all loyal subjects of her Britannic Majesty to his aid, and all persons, not constables, so called upon, shall be paid by the collector, at the public expense, as special constables extra- ordinary, say, ten shillings per diem. A collector of customs shall have power to exact and receive payments of customs duty and to give receipts in discharge of the same. He shall, twice in every month, pay into Uie hands of the governor, who is ex officio receiver general, all revenues received by him, together with a list of the persons paying, and the value of the goods on which the duty has been Eaid. That each collector shall, once every week, transmit to the next clearance ouse a list of all clearances made by him. Each collector shall have an annual salary of forty pounds sterling, besides being entitled to one-fifth part of the pro- ceeds of all seizures he shall make or cause to be made. III. Every person bringing goods liable to duty into the district of Assiniboia, whether owner, agent, or conductor, shall be provided with an invoice or manifest, which shall combine, with the name of the consignee, an accurate account of the quantity and prime cost of all goods contained in any carriage, vehicle, or vessel, or any conveyance whatsoever, whether by land or water. This invoice or mani- fest shall be attested by the signature of the owner or his representative, and on arrival within the settlement it shall be produced to the collector, who may verify its accuracy by an oath administered to the party or by examination of the goods, opening packages if necessary. On being therewith satisfied he shall exact pay- ment of the duty, or, at his discretion, accept a bond payable for the amount within a period of not more than three months, which bond may be sued for and recovered the same as any other contract debt. The collector, on receiving satisfaction for the duty as above defined, shall write on the back of the manifest the words " Examined and passed," attaching his signature and the date thereof, and this shall be held as a sufficient clearance. Be it observed that in any case where the want of a manifest is or has been unavoidable, the collector may accept of the sworn declaration of the party as to the value of the goods, or otherwise satisfy himself of their value. IV. Every owner or importer or consignee of goods shall, within twenty-four hours of the arrival of such goods, exhibit his manifest (if not already cleared) to the collectors of customs, and any owner, importer, or consignee of goods failing to do so, shall, in addition to the duty, forfeit a sum of not more than fifty pounds sterling, or less, at the discretion of the court, which penalty may be sued for and recovered in the same manner as a contract debt; and any AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. n package or goodB in bulk not entered into any manifest shall be seized as con- traband and forfeited to the Queen, or to the governor and council acting in her name ; and in the event of any person refusing to show his invoice or manifest, or refusing tc pay the duty or to give a bond for the payment of the same, the collector shall be authorized to seize all his goods as contraband. Any person making a false declaration under an oath administered by a col- lector may be indicted for wilful perjury. Persons claiming exemption from duty because of their goods being destined for parts beyond the circle of Assiniboia shall give a bond not to dispose of any such goods, nor open them, or allow them to pass from their possession within the district, under penalty of half the amount of their invoice, which bond shall be recoverable in the same manner as a contract debt. Persons leaving the settlenient with goods under a bond shall call on the last collector of customs on their route, for the piurpose of having the said bond cancelled. V. All goods liable for duty shall be held as contraband if, under the follow- ing circumstances, they are unprotected by a clearance : 1. If they have been within the premises of the proprietor or consignee for more than forty-eight hours. 2. If they have been opened or any way disposed of, or otherwise have passed from the original importer or consignee. 3. If not being liable for duty because of their original destination being be- yond the bounds of this district, they shall have been opened or disposed of, or any way have passed from the possession of the original importer or consignee within the bounds of the district, all such goods, unless otherwise provided for, shall be forfeited to the Queen by the governor and council acting in her name. All goods so seized shall be deposited in the court-house, and afterwards, at authorized times, be sold by public auction for the benefit of the revenue, saving expenses and the rights of the collectors. VI. That a duty of five shillings per gallon be imposed upon all fermented and spirituous liquors imported into the settlement, except such as shall be proved to have been directly imported from the United Kingdom by the con- signee. The above laws for regulating the collection of customs shall be in force from and after the first day of April next ensuing. W. MACTAVISH, Governor, B. as [From the Nor'wester, (Fort Garry,) April 1, 1861 ] THE NEW LAWS. A great portion of our present issue is occupied with the doings of council. We invite attention to the report of their proceedings generally, but to the revenue and liquor laws in particular. The Red River people have now the result of half a year's deliberations — ^for that is the interval since the matters now decided were first mooted in council — ^and they have it, too, in a very acceptable form, namely, printed. No manuscript copies this time to perplex anxious readers ; the new laws are printed, as should always be the case, and they will be widely circulated through the settlement in pamphlet form and through the medium of the Nor'wester. Extensive publicity is very important, and the council will receive due credit for discarding the absurd old system of giving a copy of their resolutions to each magistrate, and to nobody else. Under such a system not half the people knew what laws were passed by the council, m RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES or if ultimately hearsay came to their assistance, it would he so long after that, for aught they knew, the laws might have heen amended or repealed. What- ever, therefore, may be the merits or demerits of the laws 'per ae, let the coun cillors receive credit for making them known throughout the length and breadth of the colony. Hereafter we shall fully analyze these laws and discuss their merits; at present we must confine ourselves to what we consider a very objectionable clause in the revenue series, No. 6, which imposes 5a. on every gallon of liquor imported from the States, but admits free all liquor from England. The injustice of this distinction will excite a general feeling of indignation, because it bears on its face evidence of that secret but all-powerful influence of the Hudson Bay Company over the Red River council. In favoring importations from the mother country we are but complying with long-established usage and with the dictates of patriotism ; but this is no suffi- cient reason for such a wholesale, such a sweeping, distinction as the council has made in regard to liquor. To believe that patriotism prompted them to take the course they did would require too much faith, at the expense of reason and common sense. As a whole, the council does not care a sixpence either for the manufacturing interests or export trade of Great Britain, and, we presume, did not spend a thought about them when framing this measure. Let us suppose that they made the distinction on the ground just indicated, namely, that the liquor is British. We ask, then, why not tax all American goods higher than English 1 Why limit the heavy duty to liquor ? Logic and consistency alike demand that the principle be carried out ; but what is the fact 1 Dry goods, groceries, and hardware come in upon the same footing from both countries — that is, by paying four per cent, ad valorem duty. On the other hand, if the majority that voted to levy this heavy impost on American liquor did so on the ground that it injured the best interests of the community, we say again that the same reason called for a check on spirits im- ported from any quarter whatsoever. The conclusion must follow, if you grant the premises. ODserre, we do not object to this 5a. impost ; we highly approve of it ; but we maintain that this being done, the admission free of intoxicating beverages from England cannot be defended. It is simply a piece of favoritism — an odious exhibition of selfishness and self-interest on the part of the Hudson Bay Company, and a proof of the subserviency of our council to that wealthy cor- poration. We protest against the law as it stands, and in doing so we but speak the sentiments of the great majority of the Red River people. [From the Nor' wester, April 15.] RED RIVER COUNCIL. The public have now had time to examine and consider the recent enactments of council, and we believe they will agree with us in thinking that, on the whole, they are the most thorough and comprehensive passed for many a day. The councillors are, fortunately, roused to the conviction that matters are in an un- satisfactory condition, and, bowing to the pressure of a stem public opinion, they have diligently set themselves to allay dissatisfaction by making timely mcessions. This is so far creditable for a non-elective, irresponsible council. The new tariff is, to a small extent, discriminating ; so far, namely, as to exempt a variety of articles from all duty whatsoever. This is a decided im- provement, and we approve of it in a twofold sense— approve of the principle of exemption in itself, and of the actual exemptions made. In other words, the council, in our opinion, have done wisely in resolving to admit certain articles AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 27 duty free, and have made a judicious selection of the articles to be so admitted. We would like to have seen this new svstem extended so as to distinguish be- tween various classes of goods ; but as it requires time and care to do this well, we must, meanwhile, be satisfied with the instalment given us. A correspondent points out section 8 of the first resolution as being as objectionable as the clause against which we protested in our last number. He is quite mistaken. The company cannot be expected to pay duty on goods intended for the interior, if such goods be duly bonded through, and not opened or disposed of within the jurisdiction of our council. This privilege is everywhere conceded ; and although the section refened to was evidently framed for the company's benefit, there is no injustice in it. Very different, however, is their imposing 5a. per gallon on liquor from all foreign countries, while admitting it comparatively free from England. This is an inexcusable piece of favoritism, against which we, as impartial jour- nalists, must protest. We by no means desire the 5a, impost to be diminished or cancelled, but we do desire to have something imposed on British liquors. The present distinction is too marked, too wide, too decided, to be defensible on any principles of honest legislation. Exhibit D. Saint Paul, Juli/ 17, 1861. Sir : The newspapers at Saint Paul contain statements of the discovery of gold on the north branch of the Saskatchewan river. These rumors originate as follows : D. F. McLaurin, formerly a citizen of Min- nesota, and known to be a man of veracity, and T. M. Love, lately in the em- ployment of Mr. Campbell, the American commissioner for the survey and loca- tion of the northern boundary, have arrived in Saint Paul from the headwaters of the Frazer river, in British Columbia. They produce seventy-six ounces of gold dust, all of which was found on the west side of the mountain ; but they also assert that in many places on the Saskatchewan, between Fort Edmonton and the Rocky Mountain House, they successfully •' prospected* ' for gold, "raising the color" frequently, but with no return exceeding one cent to the pan, or five dollars a day. Such were the indications, however, that with their experience on the Pacific, even this moderate result encourages Messrs. McLaurin and Love to return with a year's bupply of provisions, having left two com- panies on the upper Saskatchewan. They express confidence that an extensive auriferous region exists east of the Rocky mountains, between latitudes 49 degrees and 55 degrees. If so, its occupation bv iadventurers will be hastened by the following circumstances hitherto indicated by me in former communica- tions, and which I propose to more fully illustrate in my general report to the department. 1. The eastern base of the mountains, including the sources of the two branches of the Saskatchewan, is well adapted to agriculture — far more so than the eastern Piedmont in American territory. 2. The climate at Edmonton is milder in winter than at Saint Paul. The Saskatchewan is clear of ice in the spring as soon as the Mississippi river between St. Anthony Falls and Galena. 3. Steamboat navigation, now established on the Red River of the North, can readily be extended through Lake Winnipeg and up the Saskatchewan river to Fort Edmonton, the supposed eastern limit of the new gold district. I have collected and will present ample evidence that the Grand Rapids (so-called) of the Saskatchewan is no obstacle to navigation. 4. Full half of the population at Selkirk settlement — ^farmers, voyageurs -!i 28 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES Ml! huntcrfl — will promptly remove to the mountain districts. A late inundation at Bed River, producing discouragement in their present homes, will stimulate such an exodus. The Minnesota frontier will send a considerable ro-enforceroent. Meagre as the present information from the upper Saskatchewan is, so much can be prcdictea with certainty. I anticipate, also, if further explorations shall attract the attention of the world to the sources of the Saskatchewan and Athabasca in the same degree as in 1858 to Frazer river, that the scale will be decisively turned in favor of the following measures, which are even now prominent at London : 1. An act of Parliament, organizing a crown colony northwest of Minnesota with an inhabitable area of 300,000 square miles. 2. An union of all the American provinces of England, having for a prominent object a common highway from ocean to ocean on British territory. 3. An overland mail, to be speedily followed by colonization adequate to the achievement and support of a continental railroad. These measures do not require for their consummation a gold excitement; they are in the natural and inevitable course of events ; but a sudden transit of thousands of people to the region in question, however stimulated, would greatly hasten their accomplishment. One thing is very apparent : Unless the English government shall promptly respond to the manifest destiny of the great interior of British America — the basin of Lake Winnipeg — the speedy Americanization of that fertile district is inevitable. The indispensable requisites to the integiity of British dominion on this continent are such action in behalf of the Saskatchewan and Red River dis- tricts as the Frazer river excitement secured for the area fronting on the north Pacific three years since. The revenue interests of the United States will be the first to be affected by BO important a change in the situation and relations of Central British America. I shall endeavor to keep the Treasury Department fully advised of all that may transpire. Respectfully submitted. JAMES W. TAYLOR. Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. * W Exhibit E. Saint Paul, November 8, 1861. Sir : On the 2d of May, 1860, 1 communicated to the Treasury Department some statistics and observations upon the practical operation of the' treaty with Great Britain of June 5, 1854, commonly known as the reciprocity treaty. As a supplement thereto, I desire to submit some further statistics, with the same object, with a few preliminary observations. I am in no situation to estimate the commercial value of the stipulation con- tained in the first article of the treaty by which we secured the right of fishing on the coast of the British North American provinces, with advantages equal to those enjoyed by British subjects. It is an historical fact, however, that under the convention of 1818 we were in constant danger of collision with England, and our fishing interests were greatly embarrassed. The leading provision of the reciprocity treaty certainly placed our north- eastern fisheries in as favorable a situation as could be asked— exceeding even the liberal stipulations at the peace of 1783. In behalf of the northwestern grain districts, it will be pertinent to refer to events now transpiring as evidence of the great practical value of article four of AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 29 ^ the treaty of 1854, which eecurPB to the citizens and inhabitants of the Unitstl States the freedom of navigation on the river St. Lawrence and the canals of Canada, while we yield to British subjects the same right upon Luke Michigan. With the MiHsissippi interrupted by insurrection, the Baltimore and Ohio rail- road in a large degree unavailable, the Pennsylvania Central railroad almost exclusively chartered by government, the northwest finds the value of its great staple depreciated by excessive freights ; and it is highly probable that vessels of 1,000 tons burden will be introduced upon the great lakes and the lower St. Lawrence, transshipping through the Canadian canals in craft equal to their capacity, and thus more directly communicate with Europe. Only with the aid of such agencies of transportation by sea, inland and ocean, can the cultivation of wheat be advantageously pushed into the vast areas of the northwest, which nature has adapted by soil and climate for the production of that important staple. We earnestly represent the injustice to this section, besides the general inutility of relinquishing the largest liberty of the St. Lawrence at this critical juncture. Indeed, the time has come, hastened by the wonderful harvests of 1860 and 1861 and the scarcity of Europe, which seems likely to become chronic, when the language of John A. Dix in 1849 will be justified. " I have no hesitation," said he, " in predicting that vessels will be laden with wheat at Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit, and Cleveland, and unloaded at Liverpool. Ship-owners, pro- ducers, all will be greatly benefited by this free commerce, which will have an advantage in avoiding transshipment between the point of embarcation and the sea or the foreign market." The mineral wealth of Lake Superior, particularly its south or American shore, is forced upon our attention in this connexion. The last two years have witnessed a production of iron and copper which, with the freedom of the St. Lawrence for the transportation of the ores, or articles manufactured from them, may prove of immense national importance. The rapid progress of these mines is not generally appreciated. A new and extraordinary impulse to the com- merce of the northwest will be thence derived, which will, however, greatly depend on the freedom of the whole channel of the river St Lawrence. It is possible that, except for the advantages secured to the citizens of the United States in respect to the eastern fisheries and western transportation to the markets of the world, the third article of the treaty would not have been proposed by the President or ratified by the Senate of the United States. That article admits the products enumerated in a schedule annexed, being the growth and produce of the British colonies and the United States, respectively, free of duty. It is alleged that the operation of this clause is more advantageous to the Cttnadians than to the citizens of the adjacent States. Even if so, no argu- ment is aflforded against the treaty as a whole. It was probably intended and expected that it would be so. The removal of all restrictions previously exist- ing upon our fisheries on the Newfoundland banks and the adjacent shores, and upon the egress from the American lakes to th** ocean, were distinctly regarded by the contracting parties as a consideration for some advantage to the colonists in the reciprocal exchanges authorized by the third article. But I fail to appreciate the correctness of the assertion that the mutual com- merce under the treaty has been more advantageous to the British provinces than to the American States. From the following table, published in the United States Treasury Report on the Finances for 1860, the experience of the last nine years, two prior and seven subsequent to the date of the treaty, suggest an opposite conclusion. ■. >] 80 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES Statement exhibiting the exports to and the importtjrom Canada, and other British poesettione in North America, Jr am July 1, 1851, to June 30, 1860. Tears ending — Jnne 30, 18ft8 18ft3 18A4 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 Ijtal . Export!. SI0,609,016 IS, 140, 642 24,566,860 27,806,020 29. 029, 349 24,262,482 23,651,727 28, 154, 174 14,183,114 195, 303, 384 Importt. 16,110.299 7,550,718 8,927,560 15,136,734 21,310,421 22,124,206 15,806,519 19,727,551 18,861,673 135,566,671 It also appcara, by the official statement of the Regietcr's office, (page 433, Report on Finances,) that $140,393,956 of the exports from the United States have been the growth or manufacture of the United States. Our exports during the foregoing period have greatly exceeded our imports from British America ; warranting tlie inference that a balance of trade, amounting to $59,747,713, has been added to the permanent wealth of the United States. Upon the topic of the practical operation of the third article of the treaty, I beg leave to present the following abstracts, compiled from " Tables of the Trade and Navigation of the United Provinces of Canada" for the year ending De- cember 31, 1860: -. . "■ ■. ..- No. 1. ■ - ■ ■• -: ■■ ''■■- -I"' ' ^' • :;:, ■<'•• General statement of imports into Canada from the United States during the year 1860, arranged to exhibit the operation of the Canadian tariff. Artiolea. sPECiFio Dvrr. Whiskey, 18 cents per gallon ^ 100 and 30 /wr cent, ad vdortm. Gin Rum Spirits and strong waters, including spirits of wine and alcohol. Cordials Brandy Total 100 and 30 per cent, ad valorem. *> 40 and 36 per cent, ad valorem. Cigars.. Confectionery Sugar, refined, or other sugar equal to refined. Total 40 and 35 per dent, ad valorem. Value. $1,880 666 116 321 3,809 31,741 13,468 20, j65 Total. $6, 278 6,781 66,774 o Articles under two rates of duty include those affected by the changes in the tariff on 1st of June. AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. No. I. ^General statement qf imparta, ^r.— Continued. 81 Articles. <*S0 ofMf %b per cent, ad wdorm. Ala, beer, and porter, in caikft Ale, beer, and porter, in bottles Blacking Coffee, Kcound or roasted OInnainon, mace, and nutmcKS Spices, including ginger, pimento, and pepper, ground Patent medicines and medicinal preparotionB , Snuff Soap Starch ][ Tobacco, manufactured Molasses • , Sugar, being neither roflned, nor other sugar equal to refined, Total 30 and 25 per cent, ad valorem.., ** 30 and 20 per cent, ad valorem. Dried fruits and nuts Wine of all kinds, in wood.. Wine of all kinds, in bottles. Total 30 and 20 per cent, ad valorem. 25 per cent, ad valorem. Manufactures of leather. — Boots and shoes..... Harness and saddlery , Clothing or wearing apparel, made by hand or sewing-machine. Total 26 per cent, od valorem to per cent, ad valorem. Bagatelle boards and billiard tables and furnishings. , Brooms and brushes, of all kinds , Cabinet ware or furniture , Candles, tallow Candles and tapers, other than tallow Carpets and hearthrugs..... .., Carriages Coach and harness furniture Chandeliers, girandoles, and gas fittings.... Chicory China ware, earthenware, and crockery Cider Clocks Cocoa and chocolate.... Cordage Corks Cottons Drugs, not otherwise specified Essences and perfumery .., Fancy goods and millinery Foreign newspapers Fireworks............. Value. $1,»38 141 4,704 1,383 11,827 4,731 42, 950 5,748 11,453 29, 825 463, 908 228,784 1,410,991 140,427 21,687 12,588 102, 664 5,674 31,602 6,626 5,692 46, 858 4,272 12,468 18,276 33,367 16, 994 2,690 1,727 19,068 2.621 27,776 2,042 24. 322 9,604 694,621 57, 187 15, 001 70, 953 19,926 10. 323 Total. $2,212,383 174, 602 •| 139,930 * Articles under two rates of duty include those affected by the changes in the tariff on Ist of June. 82 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES No. l.~-Qeneral itatement of imparts, 4iv.— Gontinund. Articloi. Ounpowdor Ouns, rifleH, an«l Are arniH uf all klDtli . OliiM Hiiti glaiwwiire HatH, cupn, and bonnets Hay. Hops HtMiery Inks of all kinds, except printing Ink Iron and hardware Lumlwr or plank, manufavturud Leather Leather.— Hheep, calf, goat, and chamois skins, dressed Linen Locomotive engines and railroad cars Macaroni and vermicelli Manufuctures of caoutchouc, India-rublwr, or of gutta-percha Manufactures of fur, or of which fur is the principal part.... Manufactures of papier maohe ManufacturfB of grass, osier, palm leaf, straw, whalebone or willow, not elsewhere speclAi'd...... Manufactures of bone, shell, ivory, hum, and pearl Manufactures of gold, silver, or electro plate, argentine, albata, and German silver, and plated and gilded ware of all kinds Manufactures of brass or copper Manufactures of leather, or imitation of leather Manufactures of marble ........................... Manufactures of varnish, other than bright and black ...... Manufactures of wood, not elsewhere specified Mowing, reaping, and threshing machines...... Musical instruments, including musical boxes and clocks .... Mustard Other machinery Oil-cloths Oils in any way rectified or prepared Opium. Packages .... Paints and colors Paper, Paper-hangings..... Parasols and umbrellas...... Playing cards Pickles and sauces Preserved meats, poultry, vegetables, fish, &o Printed, lithographed, or ooppcr-plate bills, &c., adv vtising pamphlets , Silks, satins, and velvets Spices, including ginger, pimento, and pepper, unground Stationery Steam-engines, other than locomotives ....... Small wares Tobacco pipes ............ .... . .... Toys. Vinegar Woollens — Unenumerated articles. Total 20 per cent, ad valorem. Value. 14,491 3,778 121,02ft 286,921 749 2A, 663 Ift.Utfl 2,014 647, 09S 8,787 144,808 8,080 S3, 564 63,798 248 27,685 18,606 18 29,772 11,075 18,030 31,887 68, 9U6 3,710 21,753 84,211 8,602 99,761 1,098 138,415 16.732 149, 126 900 46, 544 34,456 18,529 39,616 963 1,567 1,646 1,111 10,292 37,980 33, 464 49,779 6,015 '82,022 1,946 9,637 9,229 326,347 144, 698 Total. w $3,970,106 ,106 AND NORTHWEST URITISH AMERICA. 33 No. \.-—iSi'neral statement of Importn, ifc. — Ountiniicd. Articles. Ifi ptr cent, ad valorem. Hook, iniip, and newH piintlri); piiper. Coffet', KU'i'ii Tctt Tutiil 15 per cunt, ad valorem. 10 ptr ctiit. ad valorem. AnchorR, 6 cwt and under BodkM, printed, periodicalH and pamphlets, editiuns of which are printed in ('anada HraHH in Itarn, rodH, or Hheetrt .......... llraRH or copper wire and wire cloth. Copper in I)arH, rodH, l)()ltM, or hlieutH Copper, briiHH, or ircu tubeii, and piping wlien drawn Cotton candlewick Cot ton yarn and warp ... Drain tiloH for agricultural purposes ..... Engravings and prints Iron, Canada plates and lined plates Iron, galvanized and slieot Iron, wire, nail, and spike rod Iron, bar, rod, or hoop Iron, hoop or tire, for locomotive wheelu bent and welded.... Iron, boiler plate Iron, railroad bars, wrought iron chairs and Kpikes Iron, rolled plato Jewelry and watches Lead, in sbeetn — Litharge L'icomotive and engine frames, cranks, crank axles, .aiiway car and locomotive axles, piston rods, guide and nlido bars, crank pins, and connecting rods. Maps, charts, and atlasses Medicinal roots Phosphorus - Plaster of Paris and hydraulic cement, ground and culcined- Red lead and white lead, dry - Sails, ready-made - - Silk twist for hats, boots, and shoes Steamboat and mill shafts and cranks, forged in the rough.. Steel, wrought or cast - Straw, Tuscan and grass fancy plaits Spirits of turpentine l^n, granulated or bar........ - Zinc or spelter, in sheet Total 10 per cent, ad valorem. FREB GOODS. Acids of every description, except vinegar Alum . Anatomical preparations Anchors weighing over 6 cwt — .- Animals. — Horses Horned cattle..... Value. $2,058 lor>,8H2 1,1.^6, II.') 7fl 68,97'. 1 , OOi) 2, 207 l.'),!)(ll 21,05* 24,379 120,9(17 1H2 10,801 40, 29(i 8,170 4,79(1 39,553 6, 8.W 11,185 71,750 70 125,618 227 G,622 18, I2C 5,891 2,784 1,502 8,52(; 2,352 2,228 3,409 3,()53 17,078 738 64,711 7,277 5,407 9,031 512 499 1.S2 118,5;.0 07,201 Total. $1,243,383 1.. » 700,994 3 84 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES No. 1. — General statemcnf of imports, Sfc. — Continued. Ai'tlclea. Animals.- Sheep Pigs Other ftnimals Poultry ami fancy birds. Antimony Aiiti»iuities, collections of Argul Articles for the public nses of the province,. A.shcs, peiirl - pot .... . .,-.. Bark, l)errie8, nutd, vegetables, woods, and drugs, iwccl solely in dyeiny Bark , tanners' Bibles, ttstiiuientH, prayer bodks, and devotional book?, and pi intt'd books not elsewhere ppecified _ Bleaching powders ... Bolting cloths Borax ... Bookbinders' tools and implements-.. ..... BiistU'S- .., ...... Broom c.irii . ... Busts, Cfists, and statues Burrstones and grindstones, wrongixt and un wrought Butter Cabinets of coins Coin and bullion . ..... (abb <5, iron chain, over ^ of an inch m diameter hemp and gi a«H raoutcbouc or India-rubber an-d gutta-percha, unmanufactured Carriages, vthicles of travellers, &c Cement, marine or hydraulic, unground Cheese . ...... . Coal and coke ... Clothing and arms for Indian nations. Clothing and arms for military Corkwood or bark of the corkwood tree Cotton and flax waste ... Cotton and wool _ Cream of tartar, in crystals ._ _... Diamonds and precious stone* DonatiL ns . ... Drawings Earths, clays, sands, and ochres .... Kggs Emery, glas.^, and sandpiper Farming utensils and implements, when specially imported for encouragement of agricralture. Felt hat bodies and hat felts. Fax, hemp, i.nd tow, undressed Firewood ..... Fire-brick and clay Fish, fresh _ salt . oil, crude products of, unmanufactured Fishing nets, seines, hooks, lines, and twims. Fruit, green dried .. Furs and skins, pelts or t«ils, undressed . $11,210 S8,488 3,«G5 4,070 a 870 15, 1«!9 18,279 11,3()3 43,408 2,130 219,704 884 10. 303 170 1,228 12,4G6 63,404 3, 05S 15,499 29, 422 140 14.444 1,409 83 117,672 82,998 237 82,959 304,079 2,276 219 22,987 25,627 10,505 64 1,211 8,699 4,102 1,075 4,110 3,578 3,792 87, 106 38,753 5,805 85,886 53,627 86,071 553 18,968 241,335 43, 192 104, 659 I --% 'J-t'v "*Af'V\jj:; ^ >-' AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. No. 1. — General statement of imports, Sfc. — Continued. 36 Articles. Flour Oiaios. — Biirlcy and rye .................. .............. Bran ond tihorts .. . Buckwheat Oats Bearii) and peas . . Indian corn . ...... Wheat Sago flour ....... Meal of the above grains ............. Gems and medals Gold beaters' brim moulds, and skins Grease and scraps ... Gravels ._ Gyjwum or plaster of Paris, ground or unground, but not calcined Hair, angola, goat, thibet, horse, or mohair, unmanufactured. Hides and horns Indigo Junk and oakum - Lard .- - Manir . graes, sea grass, and mosses, for upholstery purposes. Maniu'es .. ._........... ... Marble, in blocks or slabs, unpolished .. Meats, fresh, smoked, and salt Menageries, horses, cattle, carriages, and harnesses of Military and naval stores.... . Models . .. ...... ...... Musical instruments for military bands Nitre or saltpetre Oils, cocoa-nut, pine, and palm, in their crude, unrectified or natural state .. Ores of all kinds of metals Packages Philosophical instruments and apparatus — globes Pig iron, pig lead, and pig copper . Pitch and tar Printing ink and printing presses....... Bags. Resin and rosin Kice . Sail cloth..... . Sal ammoniac, sal soda, soda ash. Salt Value. I $856, 074 61,787 1,226 301 660 4,295 528,630 2,308,624 10 24,787 408 Seeds for agricultural, horticultural, or manufacturing pur- poses only . Settlers' goods Ships' water casks in use . Ships' blocks, binnacle lamps, bunting, sail canvas Nos. 1 to 6, compasses, cordage, dead eyes, dead lights, deck plugs, shackles, sheaves, signal lamps, travelling trucks Specimens .... ....... Slate Stone, unwrought -.-. — Stereotype blocks for printing purposes Sulphur and brimstone .. Tallow Teasels. • Timber and lumber of all sorts, unmanufactured 16,325 1,085 9,767 5,497 603, 127 11,460 10,020 22,723 4,524 9,695 26,418 666,991 1,300 28 4,741 891 14,626 43, 322 11,020 5,660 717 47,610 10,071 15,728 6,965 30,867 8,021 30,420 9,421 164,691 141,895 258, 660 11,810 526 3,700 36, 206 2,591 1,389 329,602 659 64,782 Total. 1 il 36 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES No. 1. — General statement of imports, Sfc. — Continued. Articles. Tin and zinc, or spelter, in blocks or piga .... Trees, plants, and shrubs, bulbs, and roots .. Treenails — . Turpentine, other than spirits of turpentine .. Tobacco, unmanufactured.......... ........ Type metal in blocks or pigs Varnish, bright and black, for ship builders...... Vegetables.... ........... . Wines, spirits, and malt liquors for officers' mess. Wood of all kinds Wool Total free goods. Foreign reprints of British copyright works, (subject to a duty of 12^ per cent., payable to the imperial government for tihe benefit of the copyright holder.) Ghrand total. Value $6,894 37,254 66 14 124,116 43 282 11,363 689 10,982 79,822 Total. $8,740,485 6,314 17,273,020 The total value of imports into Canada during the year ending December 31, 1861, was $34,447,935. The above aggregate from the United States more than equals the Canadian importations firom all other countries. ^ . ; w , . No. 2. — General statement of the value of Canadian produce and manufactures exported to the United States during the year 1860. Articles. TUB HIMK. Copper Copper ore... Iron ore .. Pig and scrap iron. Stone Total produce of the mine TBI FISHEBIES. Fish, dried and smoked .............................. pickled.......................................... fresh ........ .... .......... ....... oil Eani or skins, the produce of fish or creatures living in the sea. Total produce of the fisheries . THB FOBEST. Value. $1,876 226,836 34,166 62,317 4,343 1,263 161,946 28,600 4,160 14 Ashes, pot pearl.... Timber.— Ash . Birch ... Elm Maple ... Oak 118,107 64, 660 1,610 14 284 29,646 Total. $318,637 186,873 H AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. No. 2. — General statement of imports, 8fc. — Continued. 37 Articles. 85 114 120 raa [an res . Timber.— White pine Bed pine ..... .... .... Tamarac . ............ Walnut Baeswood, butternut, and hiclcory. Standard stuveB. . ... .. Other staves Battens .......... Knees .. ....... Scantling ....... ..... Tiaenails... .... Deals .. ...... .... Dealends Plank and boards..... Spars... ................. Masts ............. Handspikes ....... ....... Laths and lathwood..... Firewood , .... Shingles Railroad ties Oars . . ....... Other woods ... ... Saw logs ... . ....... Total produce of the forest. ANIHAI.S AND THUB FRODUCR. i37 73 Animals. — Horses......... Homed cattle Swine ......... Sheep Poultry Produce of animals. — Beef- Bacon and hams Butter Beeswax........... Cheese . Boars' grease.... Eggs Hides Sheeps' pelts....... Horns and hoofs.... Bones....... ... ; Jv'eathers Lard ....... . Poik Tallow \'i,. Tongues........... Honey Venison ...... Wool Furs. — Dressed . Undressed Total animals and their produce AQBICULTITBAI. FBODUOTS. Barley and rye . Beans .......... Value. $105,125 7 4,375 27,240 9,393 39,471 30/408 11,915 31,658 226,817 3,027,730 29,980 22, 078 12,489 64, 646 30, 152 19,993 2,092 61,618 57, 368 957,411 626,897 203, 559 223, 633 36,245 2,429 21,571 376,022 114 6,392 228 142,488 55, 180 106,267 1,891 722 69 1,823 323, 686 1,039 8 142 3,121 401,894 734 64, 347 1,797,273 2,883 Total. /• , ■' i\ $4, 019, 278 II 3,657,912 38 RELATIONS BETWEEN THii: UNITED STATES No. 2. — General statement of imports, 8fc. — Continued. Articles. Bran Flour Hay Hopa Indian corn. Malt Meal . Oats Feas Balsam Flax FJax seeds.. Other seeds . Maple sugar. Fruit, green. Vegetables.. Tobacco Wheat Total agricultural products. MANUFACTUK' Books Cotton Candles .. Furs Glass Hardware India-rubber Indian bark work Leather ....... Linen ., Machinery Musical instruments. Carriages Starch Straw Rags Soap Sugar boxes. Oil cake . ... Biscuit . Wood Woollens . Qround plaster and lime Liquors. — Ale, beer, and cider. Whiskey ........ Other spirits ...... Yinegar . .... Total manufactures . . COIN AKD BULLION, VIZ Gold... Silver.. Copper Total coin and bullion. Other articles Total Value. 1 $80,.'>lti ,961,747 4,987 7,075 100,749 408 77,547 ,202,959 268,413 2,567 2,584 5,634 60,739 843 7,011 8,335 31 ,421,498 1,934 1,322 1,044 291 3,860 49,845 303 4,971 242 5,480 1,020 14,619 5,483 31,855 51,019 3,042 7,607 966 10,098 4,254 5,189 1,664 6 50 Total. $10,013,799 206,114 50 126,405 18,427,968 AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 39 No. 3. H 799 14 Comparative statement of the value of goods enumerated in tlie rcciprocitif treaty, being the growth and produce of the United States, and imported into Canada during the years 1859 and 1860. Articleti. Animals . Ashes. .. Bark Broom corn Burr and grindstones. Butter Cheese Coal Cotton wool. ._ Dye stuffs. _ E^g8 Fish Fish oil, Fish, products of Firewood . Fruit, dried Fruit, undried Flax, hemp, and tow, unmanufactured. Flour Furs, skins, and tails, undressed Grain of all kinds Gypsum Hides, horns, and pelts Lard .., Manures Meal Meat of all kinds Ores of metals Pitch and tar Plants and shrubs Poultry Rags Rice..... Seeds Slate Stone and marble, un wrought. Tallow Timber and lumber Tobacco, unmanufactured Turpentine Vegetables Wool Total. Value. 1869. $234 12 2 80 14 40 93 237 17 52 X 108 73 40 35 215 67 2,090 114 1,709 11 250 33 12 125 GO I 2 8 24 1 3 18 82 12 49 309 97 146 fi6 66 677 826 570 301 3H3 335 499 776 207 209 893 584 038 810 414 609 301 683 533 077 763 000 040 721 902 454 389 472 423 054 872 562 111 763 065 039 435 974 109 175 7,106,116 1860. $239,094 21,64^ 2,130 €3, 404 15,499 29,422 82,959 304,079 25,627 43,408 1,075 139,413 86,071 553 38,753 43, 192 241,33) 87, 106 856,074 104,659 2,895,533 9,767 220,000 22,723 9,595 24,787 566.991 11,020 10,071 37,254 4.07!) 6, 955 8,021 141,895 3,700 62,623 829,502 64,782 124,115 14 11,363 79,822 7,069,098 50 05 68 I respectfully submit a few praclical observations upon the foregoing table. 1. I anticipate no fiu'ther complaint upon the relative rates of the Canadian and American tariffs. If, in 1857, the American legislature sensibly reduced 40 RKLATIONS liKTWEEN THE UNITED STATES 11 tln' tariff, it was fomul cxpodicnt, in 1861, miitcrially to advance the duties. Ill tliirt w«! folio w(m1 the Ciinudiau oxumplo of 1858-'9. In neither case exists any Just f^^round of couipliiint. The interestH of revenue were exclusively cou- Hum'd by both (^()V('rnuH'ntri. ?i. It will Ix! H('(!ii, from the table of Canadian importations from the United StatcB, that artic.lcH valued at $8,5.'J2,.'>3.'3 paid Canadian duties, and consisted for tlio nu)M part of American nuinufactures. Including a nearly equal amount of iirticlert admitted fnse under the reciprocity treaty, they comprise a trade wliicli benefitri almost every possible fonn of American industry. .']. Tlie ubov(i is an eiiuiiieration of our commercial relations with the United Canadian provinces. I rvi\'r to tin; United States treasury report upon com- merces and navip^ation for the year (sndinj^ June 30, 1860, for similar statistics in rtsBpect to other British possessions in North America, of which only New- fomidlaiul, Npe we may be able to do the same to Mr. McFetridge. We have said that IVmbina and St. Joseph have, for the first time, cast their votes. Auspici- ous era for them ! Lucky they truly are to be thus early enfranchisedr when AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 41 we, a large, populous, and well-to-do community of 50 years standing, are still in swaddling-clothes, . under a fostermother's patronizing rule! Shame on the British government that this is the case ! How much longer is it to continue 1 Are they waiting till we make short work of our destinies hy voting annexation to Minne^iota or Dakota, or till we take the reins of government with a rude grasp and proclaim independence of both American and British rule 1 One or other alternative will assuredly come some day, unless a change in our govern- mental system take place ; but why tempt such a result by delay and indiffer- ence ? Why alienate this important community and jeopardize Central British America, by making us such nonentities as we are at present? We speak ad- visedly when we say that the people of Red River are becoming indifferent to British connexion. They care very little for it ; they would bear a severance without much regret. And can they be reasonably blamed for this questionable loyalty ? Has anything been done by the mother country to retain, strengthen, and foster allegiance to the British crown? Nothing — literally nothing. But more of this by and by." Again ; [From the Nor'westei of November 16.] "ASSINIBOIA. "We have not, as yet, the honor of ranking ourselves among the 'Colonies,' technically so called, of Great Britain. In the strict and literal sense of the teim, we are; but this affords poor consolation to our pride and our ambition, when we remember the important distinction existing between the literal or ety mological sense in which we are a colony, and the conventional, technical sense in which we are not. We are upon British territory ; our population consists of British-bom subjects and their descendants ; this place or district was first colo- nized by immigrants from the old country. These facts warrant our denom- inating ourselves a colony of the British empire. But there is an emptiness in the appellation which jars unpleasantly with our self-importance. In conversing or corresponding with foreigners, we assume the name with self-complacency or pretended eatisfoction ; but when we reflect upon the hard facts of our actual condition, position or status, our forced pleasure at once gives place to a feeling of mortification. The sense in which we are not a colony of Great Britain, and in which we desire and ought to be, is this : that we have no official recognition at the colonial office ; that our governor does not hold a commission directly from her Majesty, and that 'Assiniboia* does not figure in the same list as Barbadoes, New Brunswick, Queensland, Cape of Good Hope, British Guiana, and Canada. This is our grievance and our mortification. Not being recog- nized at Downing street— our governor having nothing to do with the secretary of state for the colonies — we are nothing, nowhere, of no consequence. Canada, Nova Scotia, and even such an upstart as British Columbia, repudiate relation- ship with us ; the colonies deny us the honor of their society ; being themselves sisters of equal standing, they set ns down as a stranger or pretender, and question our legitimacy. " That we shall not always smart under our present mortification is very certain. Time and the force of circumstances will give us our coveted status, and we must, for the present, bear our humiliation with the best grace possible. When the change does come, and we have reason to think it not far, important ques- tions will at once arise regarding the form of our government, the nature of land tenure, administration of justice, interests of education, public revenue, &c., &c. It is needless as yet to speculate and theorize on any of these topics. Important as they are even now, they will at once become tenfold more so under change, and they will receive what they deserve, a full and earnest discussion." 42 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES i I Tlio writer tliwi procftedrt to diHcuse the namo of the future colony, expressing a preference for "AsHiiiiboia." # And yet, notwitrttunding this deciHive language, the Nor'weater is hardly abreast of the public dissatisfaction. The party which favors annexation to the Unit(;d Htat(!S is so numerous, especially among the French population, as to suggest the scluinie of a rival newspaper, as will appear from the following paragraph in the Nor'wester of October 15, also copied into the Toronto Globe : "ANNEXATION TO BE ADVOCATED THROUGH THE PRESS. "The Nor'west(!r says: 'The last mail brought us a prospectus from Min- nesota of a new journal to be published in this settlement. The projectors are ( )hio m(!n, and have only recently arrived in Minnesota. It is their intention to come this fall, if possible, but if not, assuredly next spring. The ])rojector8 are Catholics, but say that they will deal fairly with Protestants of every denomination, tlnsir ])aper being purely sc^cular. The leading princijdes of this journal (which, by the way, is to be $3 a year) are said to be "determined, inicompromising hostility to the Hudson Bay Company," and "the annexation of the Red River country to the United States." Of these two planks in their platform we nuist say that we have uniformly refused to adopt the former or its opposite!, though urged tlujreto by many here and abroad, and we have yet to learn that our moderate, middle course should be abandoned. The second will, we hope, be uttcirly impracticable. Though we have some reason to complain, still we go decidedly for British connexion ; and we have such confidence in the Red Rivi'r ]»eopl(! that we believe they will scorn to support any journal of con- trary opinions.' " The people; can be satisfied only by a speedy organization as a British province, with such recognition and encouragement of local interests as is usual on the part of the mother country when a crown colony is established. As I have previously assured the department, the Americanization of this important section of British America is rapidly progressing. Unless the British Parliament acts promptly — for instance, during the session soon to transpire — I shall confidently expect a popular movement looking to independence or annexa- tion to the United States. In case of a collision with England, Minnesota is competent to "hold, occupy, and possess" the valley of Red River to Lake Winnipeg. There are no British troops at Foi't Garry, the Canadian rifles whom I saw there in 1859 having returned to Quebec, by way of Hudson bay, during the summer just passed. To illustrate the defenceless posture of affairs, as ^well as the dissatisfaction with the administration of Hudson Bay Company officials, I annex another paragraph from the Nor'wester : "'MORE TROOPS xNEEDED.' "Under this heading, in our last number, we gave instances of Indian assumptions at Pembina. We are now, alas! able to illustrate the necessity for troops by occurrences in our very midst. Yesterday fortnight, a band of Indians, fifty or sixty in number, went to the house of August Schubert, liquor dealer, and helped themselves to a cask of whiskey and almost everything in the house. He remonstrated and protested, but to no effect; might took the place of right, and he was compelled to give way. There were two or three others besides Schubert at the time in the house — Jlr. Solomon Hameliu, mag- istrate, being one. It was he that interpreted between Schubert (who is a Ger- man) and the Indians. They were powerless, however, to check or prevent the spoliation, and dreading an appeal to force, they allowed the Indians to have ^ AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 4d > their OAvn way. This is a nignal proof of what wc have frofpiontly affirmed, that the government of Iletl River is uusnited to the times. Wr require n change ; wc need more vigor, more energy, more strength, more vigilance, more general effectiveness. Let it come how it may, and whence it may, l»ut a change is ahaolutehj necessary. Allowing that we would have to pay some taxes, avc would rather do that and have st!curity of litV; and property than continue to he under a rule which is cheap, certainly, but which fails to afford security." I hasten, sir, to lay before you these facts in regard to the Red River settle- ment, as confirming my conviction that no pprtion of the Ih-itish territory on this continent is so assailable, so certain of occupation by American troops in case of a war with England, as Fort Garry, and the immense district thence ex- tending along the valley of the Saskatchewan to the Rocky mountains. If our struggle is to be, in the fullest sense, a struggle for national existence, against foreign foes as well as domestic traitors, Minnesota, however remote from the Bceno of the southern insurrection, will claim the distinction of a winter cam- paign for the conquest of central British America. I api)ennt wax very uiiHutlHtuctorlly carrittd out. lUit irregulnr oh wore the nmilH, wv hud a right to oxpoct that th«v would continue, and gradually, througli expt'ricnce of the rout(», w<)uld work hettt^r. The Canadian govern- ment haH, however, diceontinued thlH nniall hoon, and we are at thirt moment cutircdy dependent on the favor of the American government for our mctauH of communicating with the outer world. They have, at great expcuHc, (iHtahlifihed n fortnightly mail to our frontier, sixty niihiH from thlH Hettlement, almost entirely for our own benefit. Doch this fact not pre»ent the BritiHh government to our view at a diHadvantage. «' '(2.) If we except the round-about, hIow, and very uncertain route through the arctic HtraitH of ItudHon bay, it m oidy through or from tln^ United HtatCB that we can import goods — by an American route alone can we export furs, skins, cattle, or anything else! Is this favorable to loyalty] An importer from Britain can at present get but one supply of goods in the year, and counts him- self very lucky indeed if, considering the many possible mishaps, ho does get it ; whereas the dealer in American goods can get twenty suppliijs during the same time if he chooses. Almost any vveek from May to October, inclusivi;, a splendid steamboat may be seen at Fort Garry discharging her cargo of goods, ancf taking off packages of furs for the St. Paul, Boston, or New York market: whose boat is this? American citizens, whose enterprise, in the eyes of Red Riverites, throws into shade the slow-going, do-nothing Britons, whom, nevertheless, we are expected to admire, imitate, and hold as our indispensable fellow-subjects. " ' (3.) The only decent route into this country for emigrants is through the States. The consequence is that the foreigners who are settling amongst us are for the most part American citizens, or persons thoroughly Americanized. Is their influence favorable to loyalty ? " ' (4.) By frequent intercourse with the Americans, and occasioiuil visits to Chicago, Boston, New York, &c., the impression is fast gaining ground that there is no people like our republican ncignbors. We sec their fine cities, their railroads, and their steamboats ; we read of the rapid settlement of new territo- ries, and of the liberal system of legislation by which the sudden development of the resources of ncAV districts is a matter of every day experience. Mean- while, we see nothing of England's prosperity and greatness, and get none of her vast wealth, and the inference from all is, that our best plan is at once to become part of Minnesota. " ' These are a few of the reasons why the people of Red River now say to England, Do something for us at once, or forever give us up and let us shape our own destinies.' " , I reserve for a subsequent communication some details of the measures by which the new governor general of the Hudson Bay Company is instructed by the London directory to check or divert the general dissatisfaction at Selkirk. 3. On the Pacific coast op British America. The following article from the British Colonist, of April 15, published at Vic- toria, Vancouver island, indicates quite distinctly that no adjustment of our relations with the British provinces is now desirable, unless its proportions are continental : "Reciprocity. — ^We hope some of our legislators will not allow the present session to pass over without devoting some attention to a reciprocity treaty with the United States. A little more attention to the commercial and industrial interests of the country would assist materially in the development of the island. Beyond the ordinary routine of voting money to pay officials, passing a few private bills, and spending a few pounds on the roads, nothing substantial and expansive has been done. I is high time that something beyond nursery legis- AND NORTHWEST imiTISII AMERICA. 47 *• 1 tn nhnuUl })c> tnkon in hand. If wo wnnt to pfrow rftpi«lly In wcnlth nml Im- uicc wo liMVo to turn our nnturnl iulvnnta|]^oH to ncoount. If wo rloMiro to ndvnnco in the only path to distinction opon to tlio colony — a miiritinio and commorcial ono — wo will havo to tako up tlio quoHtion of a rociprooity troaty with the IJnitod Htatow at aH (sarly a dato aH noHHihlo. Tlio HO(»nor it in ' iriy a w nil 1)0 it poHHUiio. 1 iio HO(»nor it in takon in hand tlio (|uickor tho troaty will l»o irmupirutod. If tho preparatory Btopn bo tnkon tliirt HOHnion, it will in all prohability roquiro a yoar or ho hofnro mich a troaty can bo ratitiod. Two years lience tli(! reciprocity between thi; United StatoH and the opHtern provincoH will expire. If huccomh nhould not crown our oft'ortH before that jH'i'iod, by propcir nmnaj^ement it may then, when that treaty is renewed, an it moHt certainly will be. It in even not unlikely that tho lied River Hottlemont ( AnHiniboia) will bo included. The Hubject Iimh already been agitated tlioro, ana in all probability the only delay in advancing it there lies in the neglect of the colonial ofiico to emancipate AHwiniboia from tho Iludnou Bay Company. Wore that onco doiu! — and the way (^ventH are tending it can- not be long lioforo it will bo — that isolated community will be; knocking at the doorfi of the United States CongroBS to bo included in the renewed reciprocity treaty. After Ansiniboia, all that would bo left of Uritish North America to bo included in a reciprocity treaty wcmid bo Hritish Columbia, Vancouver island, and the Hudson Jiay territories. With the interest that wo havo at stake in this matter there should be as little delay as pos8il)le. " In fact, we are not tho only parties interested. It cannot bo said that the advantages would be one-sided. On the contrary, reciprocity would be an equal advantage to California or Oregon with ourselves. If the San Francisco con- sumers can g«!t our coal a dollar cheaper a ton, or our sawn lumber 20 per cent, less a thousand feet, or other articles at an equally reduced rate, it will require no further argument to convince them that they are interested in promoting re- ciprocity, and interested in a way that every kiic will feel it in his pocket. These commodities wo can supply San Francisco cheaper than they can be had elsewhere on the coast. Consequently the demand Avould steadily increase. As the demand increased, so would the consumption of California- or Oregon produce increase here, and the developmeni of our country stimulate the indus- try of theirs. Tho prospective importance of British Columbia Avould readily induce Oregon and California to seize the oppoi-tunity to send in their prodaco free. They would find that there was no commercial barrier to trade, but that they enjoyed international free trade. The farmers' interests of British Colum- bia would not suffer, as the remoteness of the farming districts from the seaboard is a more effectual protection than a tariff. Whilst the consumer at present would get tho necessaries of life cheaper, the revenue of the colony would be raised by higher duties on luxuries that only the wealthy would buy. Any scheme of reciprocity ought to include the whole British territory of the Pacific — even British Siberia." Respectfully submitted. JAMES W. TAYLOR. Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. Exhibit G. GEOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA, AND ITS RELA- TIONS TO THE REVENUE AND COMMERCE OP THE" UNITED STATES. St. Paul, Minn., May 1, 1862. The commercial relations of the United States with Northwest British America were of no practical importance prior to 1858. The controversy of 1844, as to 48 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES the uortlicrn boundary of Oregon, turned more upon considerations of national pride than of material advantage, neither government holding the country which was the subject of negotiation to be desirable for colonisation. Vancouver island, commanding the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the har- borage of Puget Sound, was considered valuable in a stategic sense ; but the district of the main land west of the Rocky mountains, and then called " New Caledonia," was held in no higher estimation than all geographical authorities now regard Labrador, its equivalent of latitude on the Athmtic coa?t. During the discussion in the British House of Commons, in 1846, the opinion was ex- pressed by a member that the whole country north of the Columbia river was not worth c£20,000. Twenty years before, or in 1825, Great Britain manifested still greater in- difference to territorial occupation, of the North Pacific coast of the American continent. At that time Russia was foremost, the United States next, and England last, to assert rights of possession. In 1822 Russia issued an ukase, declaring the North Pacific a closed sea from 51°, or the north end of Van- couver island, to latitude 49° on the Asiatic coast. This was resisted by the United States, who claimed as high as 54° 40', and Wiis interested that Ameri- can whalers should not be excluded from the North Pacific. Negotiations followed, resulting in a treaty, of 1824, between the United States and Russia, makin^^ 54° 40' the boundary between the two nations, or at least that the United States would not settle above nor Russia below that latitude, and declaring the Pacific an open sea. In 1825 Great Britain made a boundary treaty with Russia. In the third article the boundary commenced at the southernmost part of Prince of Wales island, in latitude 54° 40', between 131° and 133° west longitude, theuse up Portland canal to 56° of north latitude, and "from the last-mentioned point the line of demai'kation shall follow the summit of the mountains parallel to the coast as far as the intersection of the 141° of west longitude," and then along that meridian line to the Frozen ocean. Article nine states that whenever the summit of the mountains parallel to the coast exceeds ten marine leagues from the oce.an, the limit between the British possessions and the line of coast which is to belong to Russia shall be formed by a line parallel to the windings of the coast, and which shall never exceed the distance of ten marine leagues thei*efrom. During the war of England and France with Russia an rvgreement between the Hudson Bay Company and the Russian Fur Company not to disturb each other was ratified by the English government, and no effort was made to take possession of the coast from Portland canal to Mount St. Elias. The fur trade, in the language of a British journal, "was considered of more national import- ance than 9,000 square miles of territory, with an extensive archipelago, stretch- ing over ten degrees of longitude along the coast " Central British America, including the basin of Lake "Winnipeg, and t^ie Mackenzie river, was only known as the territory of the Hudson Bay Company, with no other destiny admitted to be possible than to remain a preserve of the fur trade. With great assiduity the climate of Labrador was assumed to pre- vail in corresponding latitudes of the Pacific coast, and by systematic suppres- sion the physical analogies of the European coast were overlooked. Prior to the gold discovery in California Russia had shown a disposition to occupy that country, exciting the jealousy of England. Except for the Mexi- can war, an European intervention would have probably appropriated the bay of San Francisco and the Gulf of California. The organization of colonial governments for Vancouver island and British Columbia was the result of the discovery of gold upon Fiazer river and the sudden irruption of adventurers in 1858. The colonization of Cilifornia under the same impulse ushered a new era upon the Pacific coast of North I ^erica, \ AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 49 txie and the events of 1858, concurring with imperial legiBhitiou. assures for the harborage of Puget's sound a political and comm(;rcial importance only equalled by San Francisco. Central British America, oi the district extending from Lakes Superior and Winnipeg to the Rocky mountains, next invited the attention of the world. Even before the commencement of the discovery of gold upon Frazor river and its tributaries the people of Canada West had induced the Parliament of England to institute the inquiry whether the region in question is not adapted, by fertility of soil, r, favorable climate, and natural advantages of internal com- niunication, for thj support of a prosperous colony of England. The parliamentary investigation had a wider scope. The select committee of the House of Commons was appointed " to consider the state of those British g)88e8sion8 in North America which are under the administration of the Hudson ay Company, or over which they possess a license to trade ;" and therefore witnesses were called to the organization and management of the company itself, as well as the natural features of the country under its administration. On the 31st of July, 1857, the committee reported a large body of ttistimony, but without any decisive recommendations. They " apprehend that the districts on the Red River and the Saskatchewan are among those mo.'^t likely to be de- sired for early occupation," and "trust that there will be no difficulty in effecting arrangements between her Majesty's government and the Hudson Bay Company by which those district)? may be ceded to Canada on equitable principles, and within the diatrictr* thus annexed to her the authority of th( Hudson Bay Com- pany would of coursart of the Hudson Bay Company to entertain any proposal with a vieAV of adjusting the conllicting claims of Great Britain, of Can- ada, and of th(^ company, or to join with her Majesty's government in affording reasonable facilities for the settlement of the questions in which imperial no less than colonial interests were involved. It had been his anxious desire to come J . to some equitable and conciliatory agreement, by which all legitimate claims of the eompany should be fairly considered Avith reference to the territories or the privileges they might be ref[uired to surrender. He suggest«'d that such a pro- cedure, while advantageous to the interests of all parties, might prove particu- larly for the interests of the Hudson Bay Company. " It would afford a tribunal pre-eminently fitted for the dispassionate consideration of the questions at issue ; it would secure a decision which would probably be rather of the na- ture of an arbitration than of a judgment; .and it would furnish a basis of nego- tiation on which reciprocal concession and the claims for compensation could be most successfully discussed." With such persuasive reiteration. Lord Caernarvon, in the name and at the instance of Sir E. B. Lytton, insisted that the wisest and most dignified course would be found in an appeal to and a decision by the judicial committee of the privy council, with the concurrence alike of Canada and the Hudson Bay Company. In conclusion, the company were once more assured that, if they would meet Sir E. B. Lytton in finding the solution of a recognized difficulty, and would undertake to give all reasonable facilities for trying the validity of their disputed charter, they might be assured that they would meet with fair and liberal treatment, so far as her Majesty's government was concerned ; but if, on the other hand, the company persisted in declining tluse terms, and could sug- gest no other practical mode of agreeinent. Sir E. B. Lytton held liimself ac- quitted of further responsibility to the interests of th(! lompany, and proposed to take the necessary steps for closing a cor 'versy too long open, and for securing a definite decision, due alike to the material devebtitnient of British North America and to the requirements of an advancing' civilization. The communication of Lord Caernarvon stated, in addit: ii, that, in tht case last supposed, the removal of the exclusive license to trade in my part <(" the Indian Territory — a removal which could be justified to parliament only as a part of a general agreement adjusted on the principles of mutual conc(;ssion — would become impossible. These representations failed to influence the company. The depii gover- nor, Mr. H. H. Barens, responded that, as, in 1850, the company had assented to an inquiry before the privy council into the legality of certain powers claimed and exercised by them under their charter, but not questioning the validit\ of the charter itself, so, at this time, if the reference to the privy council ^ re- stricted to the question of the geographical extent of the territory claimed by the company in accordance with a pfoposition made in July, 1857, by Mr. Labouchere, then secretary of state for the colonies, the directors would recom- mend to their shareholders to concur in the course suggested ; but must decline to do so, if the inquiry involved not merely the question of the geographical boundary of the territories claimed by them, but a challenge of the validity of the charter itself, and, as a consequence, of the rights and privileges which it m RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES professed to grant, and which the company had exercised for a period of nearly two hundred years. Mr. Baren^ professt'd tliat the company had at all times b«'on willing to entertain any proponal that might be made to them for the sur- render of any of th strations of enthusiasm at Selkirk. The bells of Saint Boniface rang greeting, and Fort Garry blasted powder as if the governor of the company were ap- proaching its portal. This unique but interesting community fully appreciated the fact that steam had brought their interests within the circle of the world's activities. This incident was the legitimate sequel to events in Minnesota which had transpired during a period of ten years. Organized as a Territory in 1849, a single decade had brought the population, the resources, and the public recogni- tion of an American State. A railroad system connecting the lines of the lake States and provinces at La Crosse with the international frontier on the Red river at Pembina was not only projected, but had secured in aid of its construc- tion a grant by the Congress of the United States of three thousand eight hundred and forty acres a mile, and a loan of State credit to the amount of twenty thousand dollars a mile, not exceeding an aggregate of five million dollars. Different sections of this important extension of the Canadian and American railways were under contract and in process of construction. In addition, the land surveys of the federal government had reached the navigable channel of the Red river, and the line of frontier settlement, attended by a weekly mail, had advanced to the same point. Thus the government of the United States, no less than the people and authorities of Minnesota, were repre- sented in the northwest movement. The foregoing statement of the condition of things at the beginning of 1860 is not materially changed. The Palmerston ministry has not prosecuted to effect the masterly and comprehensive policy of Sir E. B. Lytton. The commerce of Minnesota with Selkirk and the Saskatchewan valley has increased, being double in 1861 Avhat was transported in 1860. Selkirk settlement is still un- recognized as a province of England ; its population not materially enlarged, and mostly by American emigrants. At this juncture a new impulse is given to the gold discoveries of British 54 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES Columbia. The '• Cariboo district" becomes the destination of tliouaandH from every portion of the civilized world ; and it i» ascertained that the mountain ranges, which are alike the poju-ccs of the Columbia, the Frazer, the Peace, the Athabasca, and the Saskatchewan rivers, with an average latitude of 54° and an average longitude of 120"^, nuist inevitably be transformed into an active scene of mining adventure. If so, Central British America, as I designate the plains of the river ba. ITINERARY OF SIR OKORGB SIMPSON. From the "Overland Journey Around the "World in 1841-'42, of Governor Simpson, who was for more than thirty years the executive of the Hudson Bay Company," it is proposed to furnish an abstract of whatever seems pertinent to the present discus'sion, during his journey from Fort William, on tin' northwest shore of Lake Superior, to the summit of the Rocky mountains. These details have been gleaned from the pages of his published volume, and are arranged under dates as follows : Mat/ 29. — Ascended the Kamanistaquoia river through forests of elm, oak, pine, birch, &c., the stream studded by islands not less fertile and lovely than its banks, reminding the party of the rich and quiet scenery of England. Of flowers, the violet and rose, and of fruits, the currant, gooseberry, raspberry, cherry, and even the vine, are mentioned as abundant. Simpson anticipates that this "fair valley" will become the happy home ol civilized men, and furnish a near and cheap supply of agricultural produce to the mines of the northern shore of Lake Superior. May 30. — Crossed the Dog Portage, about two miles in length, to the waters flowing westward into Rainy lake. The river from the summit is de8crib* Mnuhid, in aliuont undin- tiuji^uiHhaltlo coiifu.siun. with tli<- t'lmulH, while the HoftrHt vahn npicad a pano- rama (d' hanji^in}; fopniH and j,'littt rin^' lukcn nt our t'ct-t." The travi'lh'iH had now rcaclH-d the How rivei", or the (•(tnth hianih of the Sawkatflu'wan, "which," navH Simiwtn, "taken '\U r\!*o in the Rocky nioinitainH, near the international frontier, and is of courtiderahle nm-, without any physical impediment of any moment. * • * At the cror<,-iin}^ pliice the ])ow river in about H third of a mile in width, with a .ntronf; current, and, r*ome twenty milert below, fallrt into iIk- main Saskatchewan, wIh'Ium- the united ntreaniH flow toward Lake Winnipeg, forming at their mouth the (irand Uapid?* of about three miloH in length." A smart ride of four or tive hoiuf* from the Bow river, through a country very much reHend)ling an English park, brought the party to Fort Carleton, on Ihe Saskatchewan; latitude f/.i', longitude about 108 ^ (juvernor Simpson speaks of large gar'b'us and fields in the vicinity of tin; fort, producing an abundance of jjotatoes and other vegetables, but adds that wheat is often (hfstroyed by the frosts of autum. "The Saskatchewan," he remarks, "is here ujjward of a (|uarter of a mile wide, presenting, as its name implies, a sAvift current. It is navigablr^ for boats from Rocky Mountain House, in htngitude UG'^, to Lake Winnipeg, upwards of seven hundred mihs in a direct lint;, but by the actu»d course of tlie stroauj nearly double that distance. Though above Edmonton tin* river is much' obstructed by rapids, yet from that fort to Lake Winnipeg it is de'scended, witli- out a portage, alike by boats and canoes, while even on the upward voyage the onlv- break in the navigation is the Grand Rapids, already mentioned." I'lie party remained several days at Fort Carleton. Frequent reference is made in the naiTative to parties of Indians, the whole number in the Saskatche- wan district being e.stimated at 16,730. and also a party of emigrants from the Red River settlement to the Pacitic. In the latter connexion occurs the follow- ing touching incident, itself a high tribute to the attractiveness of the unexplored Saskatchewan : "Among the emigrants was on(! poor woman, upwards of seventy-five years of age, who was tottering after her son to his new home. This venerable wan- derer was a native of the Saskatchewan, of which, in fact, she bore the name ; she had been absent from this the land of her birth for eighteen years, and, on catching the first glimpse of the river from the hill lumr Carleton, she burst, under the influence of old recollections, into a violent flood of tears. While the party remained at the fort she scarcely ever left the banks of the stream, appear- ing to regard it with as much veneration as the Hind(>o regards the Ganges." There remained a week's journey to Edmonton, and among its incidents were the following : The route on the first day " lay over a hilly country so pictur- esque in its character that almost every commanding portion presents the ele- ments of an interesting panorama;" buftalo soon became very numerous, and, in addition, the party frequently met wolves, badgers, foxes, beavers, and ante- lopes; raspberries, a sort of cross between the cranberry and black currant, called the oerviceberry, and the eyeberry, very nearly resembling the straw- berry in taste and appearance, were found in abundance. A sharp frost before sunrise, followed by a heavy dew, occurred on the 22d of July. Near Edmon- ton they crossed a vast plain, which was covered with a luxuriant crop of the vetch, or wild pea, almost as nutritious a food for cattle and horses as oats; while the vicinity of the fort is represented as rich in mineral productions, a seam of coal, ten feet deep, having been traced for a considerable distance along both sides of the river. We will not follow the governor of the Hudson Bay Company through the gorges of the Rocky mountains, or his subsequent adventures on the Pacific coast. 60 RELATIONS HKTWEEN THE UNITED HTATEH The arm conipriHrd witliin tlir iIvith (•otiv«'r(rln|jf to Lake Wlnninrj? In cntl- iiwitrd to contniii 400,(100 nquarr inih-n. KHniiliar an tin- Aiin'rican nuhlic in with thr prof^H'HH of the MinKinHipiii HtHtrn, I am iiicliru'd to review tln' nnrfln of Lakr Winiii|M'); from tli*' wrutcrti Htiind-point of itf* capacity, to \tv divided and occu- |»i«'d an Statrn or proviiiccH, cacli having an avrraj;*' ana of .')0,000 rtquarc miloH. Startinjf, tlicnfons from t..nt point of tlir wcHtcrn Iwunidary of Minm-nota, which hax hcconu' the licad of Htcamlioat navij^'ation on tlic I{<>d river, I proceed, in convenient KiilxliviHionH, to dcHcrilie the vant dintrict enclosed hetween latiindrrt 49' and .O/)", and extending fn»m tlie fthoren of Lak«' Winnipe|^ to the Hocky monntaiiiH. I THR AMKRICAM VALI.KV OF THR KKD RIVKR. Of thin district Lac Travernc in one direction, and Ottertail hike in n line neartir north from Saint Paul— either point n<»t mon* than two hundred miles distant — may he rej?arded an itn extreme southern limits; Pemhina and the international frontier the northern, while the hmj^itude of Hed lake on the eaBt, and of Miimewakan or Hpirit lake on tin* west are convenient desijifnations of the remaining houndarieH. This area would extend from ahout latitude 46° to 49°, and from longitude 96^.30 to 99°. Captain J'ope, in his exploration of 1849, n-marks that for fifty miles in all dinictions around Ottertail lake is the garden of the northwest. The outlet of the lake, constituting the source of the lied lliver of the North, has ht^en ver; favorably described l>y Dr. Owen, of the United States geological survey. pr«(sents a succesHion of lakes and rapids, while at other points rolling prairies exti'ud from its banks, cnssted with beautifully-dispersed groves of timber. It was in this section of Minnesota that the magnesian limestone containing Silu- rian fossils, identical with those in the blufl's of the Mississippi below St. l*aul, was recognized by Dr. Owen in situ — showing that the primary formation which (livides Miiuiesota from northeast to southwest is succeeded to the northwest by the ascending series of sedimentary rocks. There is ample testimony that westward from Ottertail lake for at least one hundred miles, and northward to Red lake, if not beyond, no more favorable distribution of beautiful prairies aiul fon^sts can be imagined. The lakes are numerous but small, and almost invariably skirted with timlx^r, the sugar maple largely preponderating. Seldom is th(; traveller out of sight of these groves, while the soil is unsurpjissed. From Dr. Owen's Geological Report it appears that below the head of nav- igation the western bank of the Red river is a vast plain, but on the east, where the country is level, timber is more abundant on the river banks ; the soil is congenial to the ash, which attains a large size. Below the mouth of Red Lake river strong chalybeate springs ooze from the clay banks; saline springs are also found, and all accounts concur that hardly an acre but is eminently adapted to the cultivation of wheat. This great staple, with the aid of machinery, will hereafter be cultivated more advantageously over the northwestern areas of the continent than in the Mississippi basin. AvSSINIBOIA. This is the official designation of the district of British America occupied bv the Selkirk settlements. It embraces the lower or northern section of the Red River and the productiv(! valley of the Assiniboia. Here is a civilized and in- teresting community of ten thousand souls, with schocds, churches, a magistracy, and a successful agriculture. A sketch of Selkirk settlement is postponed to a subsec^uent division of this report. AND NORTHWEST BKITIHII AMERICA. 61 CirMBKRl.AIM), North of th<> Rt'il Riv<>r H<>ttl(>in«>ntH in u rr^ion, utiiiortt a dirtcovcry ot n*(utiit cxplon^rH, which in <'V«'n mor«! iittrnctivc thuti tlw pniiiic district, rontiKuoiiH to th«^ Rod niid A»|rooH mid Munitoha, with an outlet Howiii^ into Luke Wiiitii|)i!){, in latitude r}2\ Tributary to Lake Wiunipt'i^oon arr th«' Rtd I)«M'r nntl Hwau riv«!rH, which drain a country of rare hrauty anr, writinjif to a Canadian n»'WHpat»t'r, urHcrihcrt its j^oiuirat tV'aturrw an rich prairifH, intcr- BiM^rHcd with hclts of lioavy oak and chn ; whihi the itinerary of Sir (iforp' SimpHon aftords n moHt j^lowin;? picture of the HourccH of Hwan river. Under date of .Fuly 14 he'olwervert : " In thin part ot the country we naw many rtortn of birdn, veeHe, looui^, pelicanrt, duckH, cranes, two kiiuls of Huipe, hawkn, owls, and gulirt; nut thoy w«!re all mo remarkably nhy that we were constrained to admire them from a dintance. In the afternoon we traversed a beautiful country with lofty hillri and Ions valleyn full of sylvan lakes, while the bright green of the surface, as far as the eye could reach, assumed a torcign tinge, under an unin- terrupted profusion of roses and blue-bells. On thi^ summit of one of these hills we commanded on«; of the few extensive prospects we had ot Lite (;njoye«l. One rang«! of heights rose behind another, each becoming fainter as it receded from the eye, till the furthest was blended in almost undistinguishable confusion with the clouds, while the softi'st vales spread a panorama of hanging copses and glittering lakes at our feet." As Cumberland House is situated north of the valley of Swan river, upon the Saskatchewan, its name has been chosen to desiguati; tlu; district between longitude 100° and 105° and from latitudes 52" to 55"^^. An eoual area im- mediately south, and between the parallels of 49^ and 52^, is no less attractive and fertile. SASKATCHEWAN. There remains, from longitude 105° to 115°, and fronj latittide 49° to 55°, the respective valleys of the North and South Saskatchewan — ample in area and resources for four States of the extent of Ohio. I propose to consider the whole interval westward from the junction of the two rivers to the Rocky moiuitains without subdivision, as, indeed, it is presented by Colton's map of North America. The prairie districts adjacent to the South Saskatchewan are described by the Canadian explorers as inferior to tlu- rich alluvial plains of the Red and Assiniboin rivers ; but Sir George Simpson's sketches of his route from Fort Carleton to Fort Edmonton are suggestive of a superior agricultural region. An authority in regard to the more western portions of the Saskatchewan is Father De iimet, the devoted Jesuit missionary to the Indians of Oregon, men- tioned by Governor Stevens, in a recent address before the New York Geo- graphical Society, as " a man whose name is )» tower of strength and faith," possessing high scientitic attainments and great practical knowledge of the country. His "Oregon Missions" is a publication of much interest, consisting of letters to his superiors; and a portion of this volume narrates his explorations and adventures in the Saskatchewan valleys of the Rocky mountains. In Sep- tember, 1854, he left the source of the Columbia river in latitude 50°, and crossed the Rocky mountains, descending their eastern slope in latitude 51^. He entered, on the 18th of September, "a rich valley, agreeably diversified with meadows, forests, and lakes, the latter abounding in salmon trout." This was a mountain valley, however, and it was not till three days afterwards that he reached Bow river, on the south of the Saskatchewan. Thence he continued northward, noticing sulphurous fountains and coal on the Red Deer, a branch 62 RELATIONS b;:tween the united states. m of the Bow river. Dci^cending' the valley of the Red Deer, which in also (h scribed in very jjjlowing terms, at leiif^th ho emerged upon what ho describes M "the vast plain — the ocean of praiiies." On the evening of the same day the missionary reached and whs hospitably received at the Rocky Mountain House, latituih- 53°, and longitude 11;V^, and on the 31st October started for another journey on the plains ; but after two weeks' absence was compelled to s(!ek refuge from the approach of winter (now the middle of November) at Edmonton House, on the upj)er .Saskatchewan. From this shelter he thus writes in general terms : " The entire region in the vicinity of the eastern cliain of the Rot ky moiuit- ains, serving as their base for thirty or sixty miles, is extrejnely fert'le, abound- ing in forests, plains, [irairies, lakes, streams, and mineral springs. 'J^he rivers and streams are innumerable, and on every side offer situations f /orable for the construction of mills. The northern and southern branches of the Saskatche- wan water tlie district I have tra.ersed for a distance of about three hundred miles. Forests of pine, cypress, tliom, poplar, and aspen trees, as well as otliers of different kinds, occupy a la/ge portion (»f it, covering the declivities of the mountains and banks of the rivers. "These originally lake their rise in the highest chains, whence they issue in every direction li'"- so many veins. The beds and sides of these rivers are pebbly, and their course rapid, but as they recede from the mountains they widen, and the currents lose something of their impetuosity. Their waters are usually very clear. The country would be capable of supporting a large popu- lation, and the soil is favorable for the production of barley, corn, potatoes, and beans, which grow here as Avell as in the moi*e southern countries. "Are these vast and innumerable fields of hay forever destined to be con- sumed by fire, or perish in the autumnal snows? How long shall these superb forests be ihe haunts of wild beasts ? And these inexhaustible quarries — these abundant mines of coal, lead, suljihur, iron, copper, and saltpetre — can it be that they arv doomed to remain forever isi vctive? Not so. The day will come when some laboring hand will give them value; a strong, active, and enter- prising people arc destined to fill th'vi spacious void. The wild beasts Avill, ere long, give place to our domestic animals ; flocks and herds Avill graze in the beautiful meadows that border the numberless mountains, hills, valleys, and plains of this extensive region." Life at Edmonton during the winter season is thu3 sketched : " The mimbev of servants, including children, is about eighty. Besides a large garden, a field of potatoes and wheat belonging to the establishment, the lakes, forests, and plains <>f the neighborhood furnish provisions in abundance. On my amval at the fort the ice-house contained thirty thousand white fish, each w(;ighing four pounds, and five hundred buffaloes — the ordinary amount of the winter provisions. Such is the quantity of aquatic birds in the season, that sportsmen often send to the fort carts full of fowls. Eggs «»re picked iip by thousands in the straw .md weeds of the marshes. 1 visited Lake St. Anne, a missionary station fifty miles northv/est from Edmonton. The surface of this region is flat for the most part, undulating in some places, diversified with forests and meadows, and lakes teeming with fish. In Lake St. Anne ^alone were caught, last autumn, more than seventy, thousand white fish, the most delicious of the kind. They are taken with a line at every season of the year. "Notwithstanding the rigor and duration of the winter in this northern region, the earth, in general, appears fertile. Vegetation is so formed in the spring and summer that potatoes, wheat, and barley, together with other vege- tables of Canada, come to maturity." On the 12th of March Father De Smet started on his return trip, proceeding with sledges drawn by do^,. over the snow to Fct Jasper, situated northwest AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 6» from Edmonton, on the AthabnHcn river, lialf a dofj^reo north of latitude 54°. Here occurred the followinf;; hnntinj^ adventure : " I'rovisions ln'cominjfj Hcarce at the fort at tlie moment when we had with us }> considerabh; number of Iroquois from tlie surrounding country, who were rertolved to remain until my d«'parture, in ord<'r to nnn'm at the instructions, we sliouhl hav«^ found ourselves in an embarrassing situation had not Mr. Frazer come to our relief by proposing that wo should leave the fort and accompany himself and family to tin; Lake of Islands, where Ave could subsist partly on fish. As the distance was not great, we accepted tlie invitation, and set out, to the number of tifty-four persons and twenty dogs ; I count the latter because we Avere as much obliged to provide for them as for ourselves. A little note of the game killed by our hunters, during the twenty-six days of our abode at this place, will afford you some interest ; at least, it will make you acquainted with the animals of the country, and prove that the mountaineers of the Athabasca are blessed with good appetites. Animals killed : twelve moose deer, two rein- deer, thirty large mountain sheep, or big-horn, two porcupines, two hundred and ten hares, one beaver, ten niuskrats, twenty-four bustards, one hundred and fifteen ducks, twenty-one pheasants, one snipe, one eagle, one owl ; add to this from thirty to fifty-live white fish and twenty trout every day." ATHABASCA. The valleys of the Peace and Athabasca rivers, eastward of the Rocky mount- ains, from latitude 55°, share the Pacific climate in a remarkable degree. The Rocky mountains are greatly reduced in breadth and mean elevation, and through the numerous passes between their lofty peaks the winds of the Pacific reach the district in question. Hence it is that Sir Alexander McKenzie, under the date of May 10, mentions the exuberant verdure of the whole country — trees about to blossom, and buffalo attended by their young. During the late par- liamentary investigation similar statements Avere elicited. Dr. Richard King, who accompanied an expedition in search of Sir John Ross as surgeon and naturalist, Avas asked what portion of the country visited by him Avas valuable for the purpose of settlement. In reply, he described, "as a very fertile A'alley," a "square piece of country," bounded on the south by Cumberland House, and, by the Athabasca lake on the north. His Avords are as folloAvs : " The sources of th(i Athabasca and tlu^ sources of the Saskatchewan include an enormous area of country. It is, in fact, a vast piece of land surrounded by Avater. When I heard Dr. Livingstone's description of the country Avhich he found in the interior ol' Africa, within the equator, it appiiared to me to be pre- cisely the kind of country Avhich I am now describing. * * * It is a rich soil, interspersed Avitli Avell-Avooded country, there being growth of every kind, and the whole vegetable kingdom alive." When asked concerning mineral productions, his reply Avas : " I do not know of any other mineral except limestone ; limestone is apparent in all directions. * * The birch, the beech, and the maple are in abundance, and there is every sort of fruit." When questioiu'd further as to the growth of trees, Dr. King replied by a comparison Avith " the magnificent trees around Kensington park, in London." He described a farm near Cumberland House under very successful cultivation — luxuriant Avheat, potatoes, barley, and domestic animals. A suitable supplement to these statements is found in the impressive language of a writer in the Knickerbocker Magazine for October, 1858 : " Here is the great fact of the northAV(!Stern areas of this continent. An area not inferi,>r in size to the Avhole United States east of the Mississippi, which is perfectly adapted to the fullest occupation by cultivated nations, yet is almost Avholly unoccupied, lies west of the 9Stli meridian, and above the 43d parallel — that is, north of the latitude of Milwaukie and west of the longitude of Red u RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES River, Fort Kearney, and Corpus Christi ; or, to state the fact in another way, cast of the Rocky mountains and west of the 98th meridian, and between the 43d and 60th parallels, there is a productive, cultivable area of 500,000 aquare miles. West of the Rocky mountains, and between the same parallels, there is an area of 300,000 square miles. It is a great mistake to suppose that the temperature of the Atlantic coast is carried straight across the continent to the Pacific. Th(; isothermals deflect greatly to the north, and the temperatures of the northern Pacific are paralleled in the high temperatures in high latitudes of western and central Europe. The latitudes which enclose the plateaus of the Missouri and Saskatchewan in Europe enclose the rich central plains of the continent. The great grain-grow- ing districts of Russia lie between the 45th and 60th parallels ; that is, north of the latitudes of St. Paul, Minnesota, or Eastport, Maine. Indeed, the tempera- ture in some instances is higher for the same latitudes here than in central Europe. The isothcn-mal of 10° for the summer, which on our plateau ranges from along latitude 50° to 52^, in J]urope skirts through Vienna and Odessa in about parallel 46'^. The isothermal of 55^ for the yenv runs along the coast of British Columbia, and does not go far from New York, London, and Sebastopol. Eurthermore, dry areas are not found above 47°, and there are no barren tracts ■of consequence north of the Bad Lands and the Coteau of the Missouri. The land grows grain finely, and is well wooded. All the grains of the temperatv, districts are here produced abundantly, and Indian corn may be grown as high as the Saskatchewan. " The buffalo winter as safely on the upper Athabasca as in the latitude of St. Paul, and the spring opens at nearly the same time along the immense line of plains from St. Paul to Mackenzie's river. To these facts, for which there is the authority of Blodgett's Treatise on the Climatology of the United States, may be added this, that to the region bordering the northern Pacific the finest maritime positions belong throughout its entire extent, and no part of the west •of Europe exceeds it in the advantages of equable climate, fertile soil, and com- mercial accessibility of coast. We havt; the same excellent authority for the statement that in every condition forming the basis of national wealth the con- tinental mass lying westward and northward from Lake Superior is far more valuable than the interior in lower latitudes, of which Salt Lake and upper New Mexico are the prominent kno\vii districts. In short, its commercial and indus- trial capacity is gigantic. Its occupation was coeval with the Spanish occupation ■of New Mexico and California. The Hudson Bay Company has preserved it an utter wilderness for many long years. The Erazer river discoveries and emigration are facts which the company cannot crush. Itself must go to the wall, and the population of the great northwestern area begins." I add a briefer synopsis of the corresponding districts west of the Rocky mountains, mostly compiled from the results of the parliamentary inquiry into the affairs of the Hudson Bay Company. vaxcouver's island. This island is fertile, well timbered, diversified by intersecting mountain ranges, and small prairies, with extensive coal fields, compared to the West Riding of Yorkshire coal, and fort'mate in its harbors. Esquimaux harbor, on which Victoria is situated, is equal to San Francisco. The salmon and othcu- fisheries are excellent, but this advantage is shared by every stream and inlet of the adjacent coast. As to the climate, the winter is stormy, with heavy rains in November and December; frosts occur in January, but seldom inter- rupt agriculture ; vegetation starts in February, progressing rapidly in March, and fostered by alt;rnzo tlirouf,'hont tlio year in these mciidowH, when; the KourceH and f^trcanirt nurture a iH-rpotual tVeshnesH and abundance. Tliej^e hillocks and dcclivitieH of tin; mountains arc generally studded wifh inexliau^'tible forests, in whieli the birch tn-e, pine of different species, cedar, and cypress abound. * * * TIk^ advantages nature seems to have besi(>w«;d on the soince of the Columbia will render its geographical position v(!ry important at sonic; future day. The magic hand of civilized man would transform it into a terrestrial paradise." It is an iuterii traced lor a considerahle distance along the coast, and also along the shores of (Jreat liear lake. The aluminous shale is ccaistantly associated with the hitununous formation into which it often passes. The lignite formation is still more extensively developed; and as tin- o<'cnr- rencc! of coal in any form in these high latitudes is a ((uestiou of much interest, 1 shall here state briefly the results of Sir .John Richardson's ol)ser\atioiis and in«^uiries on the subject, to which he has given much attention. The j\[ackenzie traverses very obli(|uely tin; basin in which the lignite iorma- tion is deposited, while Bear ]iake river cuts it more directly across; and it is at tlie junction of these two streams that the formation is best exposed. It tln'nj consists of a series of beds, the thickest of which exceeds thn'c yards, separated by layers of grav(d and sand, alternating with a fine-grained friable sandstone, and sometimes with thick beds of clay, tlie interjiosing layers being «tften dark from the dissemination of bituminous matter. "TIh^ coal when recently ex- tracted from the bed," says Sir tJohu Richardson, "is massive, and m<»st gene- rally shows the woody structui'c distinctly; the beds aj)pearing to be conip<»s<;d of pretty large trmiks of trees, lying horizontally and having their woody fibres and layers much tAvisted and contorted, similar to the white spruce; now growing in exposed situations in the same latitude. Specimens of this coal, examined by Mr. liowerbank, were pronounced by him to bi connexion with the construction and working of a Pacific railway can hardly be overestimated. Heyond the Rocky mountains the geology of the territory is not so well known. There are ranges of mountains, (Laurentian,) but they are interspersed with great vallosys, very favorable for agriculture and heavily timbered. While the geologist has found in his researches many proofs of the wealth of the northwest territory, the mineralogist has not been far behhid him. Almost from the landi'jj; upon the shores of Hudson bay of the first fur-traders, the country has bec.i repres(mt(!d as rich in minerals. Shortly after the Hudson Bay Co.i^paiiy formed establishments there, two of their officers, Caruthers and Norton, in a journey along the western shores of the bay, were informed by the Indians that ricli mines of copper existed in that direction : and Dobbs, in his "Account of the countries adjoining to Hudson bay," published in London, in 1744, says that he learned from Mr. Frost, who had been stationed for a long period at several of the factories upon the Hudson bay, that " upon the east main," (the eastern side of the bay,) "which had lately been discovered, there is an exceedingly rich lead mine, from which the natives brought very good ore." Dobbs also speaks of the rich copper mines north of Churchill, situated upon the other side of the bay. By the evidence of Robert Griffin, a silversmith, for five years resident at Hudson bay, taken in 1749 before the committee of inquiry of the House of Commons into the condition of the territory, alluded to by Mr. Robson, it appears that the former tested the ore brought from the east main, which he declared to contain lead ; that he remembered several quantities of this ore being brought thence, from one to fifteen pounds weight, and that he learned from the Indians that it existed in abundance in the interior of the east main. Sir Alexander Mackenzie, in the course of his journeys to the Arctic sea and the Pacific ocean, in 1789 and 1793, respectively, saw "beautiful pieces of variegated marble, found on the surface of the earth by the Chcpewyan In- dians, which is easily worked, bears a fine polish, hardens with time, and bears heat." This marble he saw in the country between the sixtieth and sixty-fifth parallels. "Among the stoney flake-like slate," on the banks of the Mackenzie, he discoA-ered " pieces of petroleum, which bears a resemblance to yellow wax;" and the Indians informed him that " rocks of a similar kind were scattered about the country at the back of Slave lake, where the Chepewyans collect copper." All the Indians whom he met had either copper or iron tops to their spears, and near the river of Bear lake he met with lumps of iron ore and springs of mineral water. Along the course of the Mackenzie, as far as 6G° north latitude, and also in the Rocky mountains in 56° north latitude and 120° ^ AND NORTHWEST URITISH AMERICA. 69 wost longitude, he discovered coal and bitumen, and on the Peace river, a south- western branch of the Mackenzie, he discovered several Halt Hpriiij^s. During the first and 8ec<»nd expedition whicli he connnanded along the Arctic shores of the continent and among its islands, Parry tound, at iAIelville island, Hint, coal, ironstonis madrepore, and sand of n greenish color; at Southampton island, a quantity of magnetic ironstone ; near Lyon inlet, epidote ; at Ked Point, hijjis ollaris and a piece of asbestos ; at Kende/-vous island, Yom> (juartz, ledum palustre, ironstone, and graphite ; along most of the beaches, rocks abso- lutely studded with garnets of a ch-ar and lirilliant color; at Winter island, sev«?ral fine .jiecin-.ens of madrepon', some curious pieces of steatite, (soap- stone,) fine specimens of asbestos and octynolite ; on the mainland, opposite to Bouv<'rie island, some verdigris substance among reddish sandstone, variegat»'d with ser|»entine ; and at Liddon island a species of ironstone, which, from its weight, appeared to be a rich ore, a good deal of asbestos, black slate, and indications of coal. During liis second voyage for the discovery of the northwest passage Sir John lloss observ«'d copjicr ore and agate at Agnew river, and gypsum, red marl, a rock studded with garnets, and white, pink, and yellow quartz, at Elizabeth hai'bor. Franklin and Richardson, in their joint expeditions through the heart of the territory and along its Arctic shores, discovered, on the banks of Hill river, beds of quartz rocks containing precious garnets, also mica slate; at Knee lake, primitive greenstone! with disseminated iron pyrites ; at 'I'rout river, mag- n(!tic iron ore and well-crystallized })recious garn(;ts ; at J^ake Winnipeg, a beautiful china-like chert, and " arenaceous deposits and rocks having a close resemblance to those of Pigeon bay, of Lake Superior, wluM-e argentiferous veins occur;" at Cumberland House, on the Saskatchewan, salt aiul sulphur springs and coal; at Elk river, bitumen in such quantity as to How in streams from fissures in the rock ; upon the shores of Lake Athabasca, the finest plumbago and chlorite slate:. In a letter addressed to Sir R. Miu'chison, Sir John Richardson says that '* towards the month of the Coppermine river there are magnificent ranges of trap, with ores of lead and copper, including much malachite." He also states that a rolled piece of chromate of iron was jiicked up then;, " which is a min(;ral very valuable on account of the beautiful pignKMits which are manufactxn-ed from it." From the llocky mountains Sir John Richardson obtained a specimen of a pearl-grey semi-opal, resembling obsidian : also sonui plumbago and specular iron. Referring to the country about Slave river, he says : " 'I'lie great quan- tity of gypsum in iunnediate connexion with extremely copious and rich salt springs, ami the great abundance of j)etroleum in this formation, tf)gether with the arenaceous, soft, marly, and breeciatetl beds ()f dolomite, and, above all, the circumstance of the latter being by far the most common and extensive rock in the deposit, led me to think that the limestone of the Elk and Slave rivers was equivalent to the sechstein of the continental geologist." The salt springs, situated further to the; south, from which large quantities of pure conmion salt are deposited. Sir John Richardson classes as belonging to the celebrated Onon- daga salt group of the New York Helderberg series. By Sir AVilliiim Logan's report it appears that from the latter springs " no less than 3,131,317 bushels of salt were profitably manufactured in 1851." From tlu; many valuable salt springs which exist throughout the Hiulson Bay territory the finest salt could be obtained, which artich; would of itself become a considerabU; source of wealth were the country occupied by settlers in any number, and were the valuable and varied fisheries of its coast and rivers pros-ecuted to any extent. The following are some of the specimens which wen^ collected by Captain Back in his journey from Great Slave lake, down the Great Fish river, to the Arctic sea, in 1834 : Loose worn pebbles of bluish-gray chalcedony, brown 70 RELATIONS HETWEEN THE UNITED STATES. jnsprr, iiiul frnjifmoiits of a conglomorato, conHistinf; of portionp of rrddinli jiifpor, flinty slate, and (jUiirtz of variouH Iiuch of fj;ray and brown, a vari('|j:atrd mail of a gr('«!nish-|j;ray color. ( )f the mineral Avealth of a larj^e portion of the territory Sir Jolm Ricliardson thus Hpoakrt in {:!;eneral terms, in a eoinnjunication pnhliflied in the Journal of the (reopjraphical Hocii'ty for 184/5 : " The conntries, by the expeditions of Sir John Franklin and Captain Hack, ar«^ rich in minerals ; inexhaustible coal ficdds skirt tlie Rocky mountains thnnif^h twelve dej^reciS ot latitude ; beds (d coal crop out to the surface on various parts of the Arctic coast ; veins of lead ore traverse the rocks of Coronation gulf, and the IVEackenzic river Hows through a well- wooded tract, skirted by motalliferoiia ranges of momitains, and oft'ers no ob- stniction to steam navigation for upwards of twelve hundred mih^s." The gold discovi'rios in the' ranges of tin; Rocky mountains are so remarkable as to require a separate consideration at a later stage of this report. PART II. THI-: HISTOUY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE HUDSON BAY COMPANY. It has already been shown that the Hudson Bay Comjjany no longer holds a license of exclusive trade with the Indians in Northwest British America. This expired in Jime, 1859, and Sir E. B. Lytton, then colonial secretary, interposed to prev(!nt its renewal. Upon the I'acific coast and in the valh^y of the Mac- kenzie the company has no privileges over individuals, either in respect to trade or territorial dominion. A proprietary right to the scattered trading posts, as enclosures of land, will doubtless be recognized as surveys are extcndiul. Over the shores of the Hudson bay and the districts drained by all its tribu- taries the company claims exclusive proprietary right — to be absolute lord of the soil. I anncix an abstract of the royal charter, which is the foundation of this claim to the country, known as Rupert's Land or Hudson Bay Territory. l^he company's charter of incorporation is dated IVIay 2, 1G70, in the 22d year of King Charles the Second. It is given at length in the Parliamentary paper No. 547, sess. 1842. The preamble states that certain persons, seventeen in number, to wit, Prince Rupert, Christopher, (Duk«} of Albemarle,) William (Earl of Craven,) Henry Lord Arlington, Antony Lord Ashley, Sir John Rob- inson, Sir Robert Vyner, Sir Peter Colleton, Sir Edward Hungerford, Sir Paul Kueele, Sir John Griffith, Sir Philip Carteret, James Hayes, Johr Kirk(!, Francis ^lillington, William Prettyman, and John Fenu, escjuires, and John Portman, citizen and goldsmith, " have, at their own cost and charge's, xnidertakcn an expedition to Hudson bay, in the northwest part of America, for tha discovery of a new passage into the South sea, and for the finding of some trade for furs, minerals, and, other considerable commodities ; and by such their under- taking hav(^ already made such discoverii^s as to encourage them to proceed further in pursuance of their said design, by means whereof there may probably arise a very great advantage to us and our kingdom ; " and had therefore peti- tioned for a charter of incorporation. On these considerations, his Majesty " being desirous " to ]»romote all endeavors tending to " THK public good," pro- ceeds to incorporate the persons aforesaid under the title of " The governor and company of adventurers of England trading into Hudson bay," with " per- petual succession " and all customary corporate privileges, appointing Prince Rupert the tirsT governor thereof, and seven of the other pcititioners the first committee. The charter confers the " sole trade and commerce of all those S(!as, straits, bays, rivers, lakes, creeks, and sounds, in whatsoever latitude they shall be that lie within the entrance of the straits commonly called Hudson's straits, together with all the lands and territories, coasts and confines of th(! seas, bays, • AND NORTHWEST URITISH AMERICA. 71 lakcrt, rivor«, crocki?, niul noinuls aforosnid, tliat an; not already actimlly pon- BOHHcd by or {^raiitod to any of our subjects, or jwAscsfted Inj tln'.\uhjvct.i of any other Chr'iHt'nin prince or slate" In a subsequent part of tin; cliarter tlie l for the succeeding one hundred years contented themselves with trading arouiul Hudson bay, and claiming no greater territory than those shores atibrded them. In 17G3 Canada was ceded to England. About three years subsequent to the conquest, namely, in 1766, many British subjects, mostly of Scotch origin, engaged in the fur trade, and, following the route pursued by the French traders, carried their enterprises as far westward as the French had penetrated, and occupied numy of the posts of thes(^ their predecessors in the valley of the Saskatchewan. And they even stretched away northward, and, single-handed, entered into direct competition with the Hudson Bay Company, Avhich at that period confined their trafiic to the coasts of Hudson bay only. These circumstances were instrumental in originating a powerful organization in Montreal, under the style of the Northwest Company, in the winter of 1783, and from that date down to 1821 that company succ(;ssfully competed against the Hudson Bay Company, treating the charter of Charles the Second as a nullity, m accordance with the written legal opinions of the then leading lawyers of Englatul, Brougham, Gibbs, Spankie, Piggot, &c., &c. The Northwest Company was not a chartered one, but, as the succ(!ssorB to the old French traders, they pursued a very lucrative trade throughout the whole western country, via the lakes, trading to the shores of the Pacific, and pene- trating to regions which the French had not reached. Their fleets of canoes, laden with goods for the Indians or furs for Montreal, traversed the continent in every direction through the connected chain of rivers and lakes from Mon- treal to Puget's sound. A perusal of Sir Alexander Mackenzie's voyages will afford some idea of the scale upon Avhich the commercial enterprises of the Cana- dian company wen; carried on over the western part of the continent for nearly half a c material develoj)ment of a;;;ricultural and mineral resources. The meudx-rs of the company who reside in America can readily perceive how they may receive an hundred-fold more advantage as pro- prietors of future cities ami towns than as incorporated fur traders. Fort William, on Thunder bay, ]jake Superior, north shore; F(ut Fraiuis, on Kainy river; Fort Ciarry, on Red river; Carlton, Pitt, and Edmonton, on the North [Saskatchewan; Chesterfield, on its south branch; and other points on the Pacific slope, will be the scenes of njierations fur more renninerative and exciting than these trading posts have ever before Avitnessed. Many particulars of the policy of tlu; JIudson liay ('omjjany can be more properly presented in connexion with the narrative of the Selkirk settlement. PART III. SELKIRK SEITLEMENT— ITS FOUNDATION, INSlTrHTIONS, AND AGRICULTURE. This interesting connnunity, which for nearly half a century has occupied the Ulterior of British Anu'rica, isolated luitil lately from all the activities and ex- citements of the world, is so closely relaxed in its early annals to the Frencli and English colonization of the continent, and the struggles for the fur tradi; of the north, that some repetition of historical statenu'uts already made will be uiuivoid- able in the present connexion."* EARLY SETTLEMENT OK SELKIRK. Over one hundred years ago French adventurers, eager to extend the area of their fur trade and th»! limits of the French dominions, pushed their explorations through the rivers which debouch on the; northern shore of Jjukc! Superior beyond Winnipeg. In an old map reproduced in Mr. Neill's History of Minne- sota, atul dated as early as 17G2, Fort La Reine is designated at the confluence of the Assinniboin and Red rivers, where the courcurs des bois from the French establishment at Mackinac used to trade with the Omahas aiul Assirniiboins. A '"I am greatly Indetited to tlie siictcssive piililioatiotis of Hon. J. A. Wlieelock. commis- sioner of statistics ot tlie State of Minnesota, for the materials of this chapter. Mr. Whee- lock's annual publicaticms for 18G0-'6l exhiliitan intelligent apjireuiation of the new epoch of developmcut which has become imminent in Northwest British America, and the magni- tude of commercial and social results to the adjacant American St;ites. 74 RELATIONH BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES Himilar tnuliiijj; Htntlou ut tin- Hamo period rxif^trd oti tlio I'lmt nldr of Lnkr Win- ni|)<');, 1111(1 niiotlicr on tin- Lakr ol llic Woodn. 'riioiiiiiH Oiiny, n ('uiiiidiiui trader, who iiHceuded the SuHk.'itchewuii in 177(), w«H the firnt who advuiiced heyond Kiike Wiiinipej; with a view to tratlie. The prolitrt of hin voynj^e eiieoura^ed others to foMow hir* examph'. Their HUcceHH uroiiHed theJeahxHV of their Mii^lirth eoiiipetitor)*, who had entaldinhed a tratlic on the nhoreH of IIihIhoii hay, and pive riiH, wlio had been contending tor tln^ exclusive^ trade of the Indians of the northwest, consolidated under tin; name of the Northwest Company, which then had only one n'maining rival in the Hudson Hay Company. The latter corporation, whose charter dated hack to the reign of Charles J I, in 1670, had not yet extended their estahlislnnents into this region, nnre they comnjencr'd building houses, when their work was stopped by a ])arty of men in tin; service of the Northw(!st Company, Avho, disguised in Indian costume, ordenul them to d<'si8t. Frightinicd by their menaces, they were induced to t,ak(.' refuge at Pembina. Their guides, as savage in disposition as in their assumed dress, tyrannized without mercy over the aft'righted colonists, robbing them of whatever they most prized, and found Ji cruel sport in the alarm they caused tin; mothers by pre- tending to run oflF with their children. Several of the more dedicate died under the shock of this iidiuman treatment. The winter having been passed in tents at Pembina, they were piirmitted to return to their settlements in the spring. Their labors were about to be nnvarded with an abundant harvest, when it was destroyed by birds. The next winter was again i)assed at Pembina, and when they returned to their settlements i>i the spring they AV(!re in a condition of abject poverty. "Hy the month of September, 181.5," says the Reverend E. I). Neill, the historian of Minnesota, "the number of settlers was about two hundred, and the colony was called Kildonan, after the old parish in Scotland, in which many were born. With increased numbers all seemed auspicious. Houses Avere built, AND NUBTHWE8T HRlTIHIl AMERICA. 76 n mHl «'nTt«!fl, mu\ m\)nrU'i\ cntflc niul h1i(m|i lupm to ^ni/.i' on tlu! uiululatinp: plaiiiH." Hut iWiiriiT mill jfiilourty followed tliciii vvvu to tlnmi HolifiidjH. The Nortli- w.'Ht ("oiiumuy lU'ViM- looked with Ciivor on the ^'i-owth of the Hettlenient, which WUH repudtul urt u HcheiiM! of their liviiln of the Hudson May rumpaiiy to dirt- poHHeHH them ttf the hienitive porttrt whitdi they oceiipied in the lieij^hhoriiond ; and in tht^ Kunnner of 1811 Duncan Caniet-on and Ah'xander MeDonnel wi're n|)|)oinl«!tl at a meeting of the p/utneiH of the coinpany to concert nieaHures to Htop tlu^ pio;j;reHH of the colony. In pursuance of thirt dertij;n, Cameron, who Hnoke till! (laelic with tliiency, artfully iuf^inuated himself into the confidence of the llijjjhianderrt, and, without evinciufj; direct hostility to the plann of Selkirk, gradually sowed the needs of rritory of thi; Hudson liay Company, wfn. had but just taken possession of his new «|uarters on ll(,'d river, Avas attaek<'d hy a party of tho employc'-s of the Northwestern Company and killed, with a number of his nuni, in tlu? aft'ray. Tho settlors were again expellod from their homes by tho victorious marau- ders, and \v(nv alniady on their way to t\n) sea-coast, when thoy wore recalled by tho welcome news of Selkirk's approach. A ro-enforcemont of (^migrants, sent to tho colony under his direction, had preceded him. Inccnsiul at th(! atrocities which had b(H'n ])(!rpotrated by tho agents of the Northwestern Company, he had proceeded with his force to tho hi>ad(|uartors of that company, at Fort Wil- liam, on Lake Superior, and having apprehended tho principal parties, sent thorn to Montreal for ti'ial. His arrival at lied river soon retrieved th(! afl'airs of the colony, and ho left it tho following year in a flourishing condition. Owing, however, to tho scarcity of seed, which was tho natural consoquonce of the diflicultios already stated, tlio harvest of 1817, though tho yield was prolific, was insutHcient to supply tho wants of tho increasing population, and hunting was again resorted to for subsistence. They set out in December across the plains to join a distant camp of Pembina half-breed hunters and Indians. 76 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES liil Tliey ronchc'cl it, iiftor a journoy of terribio sufFisrhig, to find tho buffalo Hcarco. and the camp aubslstiiig upon scanty faro. Mnrlng irncwed their hopen. The rtuninun* wad propitious. 'Vha I'.arveat was ah*<'ady ripe for the sickles wlien a ne»\' and tcaTibh; cahiinity befel tlicni. It \vat< at thirf epoch, in the i and a half distant, the boats being moved across on rollers." On the third day of ,Fime the i^arty arrived at Pembina, where, on the opposite side of the stream of that name, the Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies bad rival trading posts. This cveiitful voyage is one of the mo(-t striking incidents in the I'lironicles of the settlement, aiul, as reuiarked by (Jovernov Sibley ni an address delivered by him, " is worthy of note, as it is the oidy instance of heavy articles being transported the entir<> distance from Prairie; du CLien to the Red river by water, with the exception of ilu; narrow portage between Jiig Stoiu' lake; and J^ake Traverse." The next two joars of contiiuied prosperity repaired the disasteii' v.'hicli had iieretofore assailed the colony. In 1821 the; two great rival trading con;[)anies, tired kA' useless bloodshed and expensive strife, consolidated, under the name of the Hulson Bay Company, and their union seenned to secure the futu'c peace and saiety of the setth^nent. In tie same year a lunubt r .)i' Suis? arrived in the colony. Clockmakers in profession, the new jiursuits to wl;!ch lluy were called were not congenial to the I. Like the Swiss soldiers of Napoh nn, they grew homesick, and }»ined for their native mountain liomrs. 'i'he settle-ment was not done "ith calamity. Misfortune, which had pu.'sued it in cveny fovm, in e'ach successive visit took shape's more appalling th-m the last. The winter and spring of 182.'3-'i'6 brought a fresh train of disaste s. In the month of December a furious stoira (ivcrtiws poureid their te.rrents into the streams.. The year 1*^26 is -i . AND NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA. 77 -i ^ mcmomhhf in their caleiutar jh tlio ycnr of tlio flood. On the ;id of May the lied river rorfe nine feet in twenty-four hour.-*, and liy the 5tli th(^ level |)lainr* were f»ubnierg'ed. The waters eontinr.ed to ri.se till the 21st, when houses and barns were swept off in the delufj^e. The settlers fled to the distant hills, whence the water swept over the wide plains as far as the eye could see. The flood abated in June, " and such," says j\Ir. Neill, " is the surprisin}^ quickness with Avhich vegetation matures Ave de,'];rees of latitud«' north of St. Paul, that wheat planted on the 22d of June came to mattirity." The discontented Swiss, driven from their homes by tlic! flood, did not return to the s(!ttlement, but departed for the United Stat<'s, and settled at difl(!ront points on the banks of the Mississipjji. It is a curious historical fact, that the flrst emigrants to Minnesota were the Swiss refugees from I?ed river, in 182(3, who opened farms on th(^ ])resent site of St. I'aul and near I'ort Snelling ; and, according to our historian, should be recognized aa the first actual seitlers of the State. Since this destructive inundation, no event has occurred in the history of the settlement to interrupt the calm course of its j)rosperity until the year 1852 brought another recurrence of the deluge which had swept over the plains twenty-six years before, 'Vlw waters in that year rose a foot higher than in 1826. in consequence of the exposure of the settlement at Pembina to these ruinous casualties, a new site was selected for the Catho'ic missions at that place, near Mount Pembina, forty miles il.-tant, at a place c illed St. Joseph. A visit of Colonel Sunnier, of the United States army, to I'embina, in 1814, to stop tlie encroachments of the British half-breeds on th<; buft'alo ranges of Minnesota, and Grov(>rnor liiimscy, in 1851, to make a treaty with the (jpper Ohipjx^was ; an occasional battle with the Yancton Sioux; the arrival of a new missionary, or the visit of an explorer; the success or failure of a season's hunt, and the yearly expeditions from the settlement to the new cities which have arisen during the last ten years on the headwaters of the Mississippi ; the excitement of their return, freighted Avitli curious wares to gratify the fancy of the delighted Avomen and children, are all the incidents of their lives, until the prospect of emancipation from the control of the Hudson Bay Company gav(^ a new impetus and an intelligent direction to the discontents which have been long br(!wing in tin; colony. In 1859 the introduction of steamboat navigation added to the prevalent expectation and excitement, while, in 1862, the discovery of gold on tin; sources of the Saskatchewan is a further signal of a new epoch in the history of the cominunity. INST Tl'TIO.NS OF SKLKFRK SKTTLEMRNT. Gorernment. — The settlements upon the lied River of the North, froiu the international liomularyul Pembina to the month of the river in Lake Winnipeg, and upon tb»' Assiinnb- porl of government. J^and can be purchased at seven shillings sterling prr acre, w^ith liberal credits and l(»w interest — the Hudson Bay Company holding the relation of gi-antor. Religion. — Of the population of 10.000 souls fully one-half are under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Catholic bishop of Saint Boniface ; the remainder, except about one thousand Presbyterians, attend upon the services of the church 78 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES of Eiiglaiul. 'JMio (tiocose of Ruptirt's Land is only boiindod on tlie AV(!t*t by the Rocky inountninH, on tlio north by the Arctic ocean, and on the east by the limits of Canada; its bishop is Right Reverend David Anderson, D.D. Be- tween the Catholic and Protestant missions, Avhich reach the most remote dis- tricts, and exert a salutary influences uj)on the; native population, there arc established the most fratcn-nal relations. At Red river, almost within sight of each other, are numerous parish churches and schools, to whose; influence a remarkable degree of intelligence and morality may be attributed. Eay. Wiscoiisii) 89 28 Detroit, MieiuKiin 82 58 Montreal Ciiiiada ... . . ...... .... 73 34 Ozenburg, Russia .56 6 E. It is the excessive cold of the long winter season, embracing five months of the year in this latitude, which reduces the annual mean. Tlic iriean for the three winter months of December, January, and February, at the Red River settlement, is G" 85'. At Fort ^>nclling it is JG°; at Green Ray, 19^ 9'; at Detioit, 26'^ 8 ; at Montreal, 16° 3'. But it nmst be remembered that the Red River settlement lies upon the very edge of this climafio belt, in close proximity to the arctic declivity of Hudson bay, and is by far the coldest [tan of llic whole basin of the Winnipeg. The climate grows rapidly warnu-r on the same parallels westward, even when there is an increase "f clcvalictn. It is warmer a! Fort licnton, on the Missouri, than at Saint l^xul ; Fort Ben- ton being 7^ degric.-' of longitude west of Saint Paid, while it is 2^ degrees of latitude 'her north, and 1,8 l;j feet higher in relative elevation. AND NORTHWEST BlUTISII AMERICA. 79 "The mean wmtor temperaturo at Fort Heuton," says Hloil<:;('tt, "is twt>nty- five degrees, the same as that itf Chieap), 'roronto, Alhaiiy. and Porthind, Mahie. At Sahit Paul it is hut iifteeu (h'jjrees, hrinj; ten (h'grees h.'ss. It is not so cohl as this on the south hraueh of tht> Saskatchewan." T/ic Rcil River ivhitct: — ^Ir. IModp'tt ehiims that the whole Saskateliewan valley has a climate very nearly as mild in its annual averaj^e as that of iSaint Paul, which Avould give it a winter uu'an ot" lifteen degrees, and an ain\ual mean of forty-four degrees, Avhich represents the climate »»f Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Michigan, Western Canada, Northern New Ytuk, and Houlhern New lM\gland. But though the winter of this region is a period of intense cold, during which the mercury often remains frozen for days together, its elVect upon the physiod comfort is mitigated hy a clear, dry atmosphere, such as u»akes ihc winters of Minnesota the season of animal and social enjoyment. The ItulValo winter in myriads on the nutritious grasses of its jirairii'S u)) to as high a latitud*' as J^akc^ Atliahasca, The half-breeds and Indians camp out in the open plain during the whole winter with no shelter hut a huiValo skm tent and almndauce of luif- falo robes, and the horses of the settlen run .-it > g' all winter and grow fat on the grasses which tiny ])ick up in the woods and bottoms. .\s compared with Fort Snelling, the winter of the Ketl K'iver seltlement will be shown as follows, mcluding the months of November and ^Marcli in the natural winter group : E. of of Lotalitiod. Nitvjinbor Uoct'iiiher Rod Iliver o 21. 19 .{1.7 H. SI Fort Snelling IC. !) .liiiuiiii'v ! !''( Ill limy. Maicli. o 10. f):. i;j. 7 1.71 ; 17. (i i o !». 9 .'il.4 Red River spring. — Spring opens at nearly the same time from Saint Paul to Lake Athabasca; April and May are the .latural spring months of this whoh; climatic belt. Tin? abruptness of the; transitittn from winter to spring in these northei'n latitudes is a wonderful feature of tlu! cliitiat(!. In the Ued JMver set- tlement the mean of March is 9° 9'. In April it rises to ',i\P H'A', and in May to 58° 46'. Compare this with the springs of Miimesota and W<;stern Canada : Localities. Red River Fort Snelling. Toronto , March. o !). !> ;n.4 T6. April. o ;{•). h;{ i (;. ;{ 42.27 May, o SH. 4(5 5U. 52 Agricultiirul capacity < if the summer mont/m. — This rich ujiward swcdl of th(i spring temperature is prolonged through the sununer montiis of .Jinie, .July, and August, to include the amplest mt^asures of h(;at for all agricultural jmr- poses. Corn thrives well .it a mean tempemtun; of sixfy-Jivc degrees for the summer months, requiring, however, a July mean of si.xty-seven d«'grnness from the lack of rain. The'Winnipeg basin, on the oMlor hiuid, Ih abundantly supplied with moisture during the summer months, iillhiuigli the dryness of the winter months reduces the mean annual precipitation below that of points lying nearer the ocean. No raiu-trtbU^!* iiave ever been constructed for any portion of this district, except Ibr the eiwjilo \w\v 1865, at the Red River settlement. The following table exhibit B the i'esutts compared with Minnesota and Western Oanndfl i 82 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES Rain in inches. 1 Months. Refl Biver. St. 19 Paul, yenra. Toronto • ! 1855. 1 1866. March April May JUDU.. ....... .65 «. 80 4 6 12 12.5 5 .20 3. 12 .80 • .50 .60 1. 311 2. 14 3.17 3.63 4.11 3. 18 3.32 1.35 1.81 .67 .73 .52 1.62 2.79 4.78 4.07 July August Sentombt'i" .... ........................ 3.24 1.45 6. 9 October November December ......... ................ 2.48 4.8!) 3. 80 Januiiiv . - -- 1.36 Febrtiary , .. . 97 52. 17 25.43 36.35 Se^oDS. Meand for the scaKoos. Red River. St. Paul. Toronto. SDrintr . . ........ 11.45 30.5 8.32 1.90 6.61 10.92 6.98 1.92 9. 19 Summer ...... ........................... 8.76 Autumn .... ............................. 13. 27 Winter . ....... 6. 13 By multiplying the figures for November, December, January, Febiiiary, and March by 10, tlie result will show the fall of snow, probably the actual form of the precipitation in those months. The column for Red River exhibiting the moisture of a single year, cannot be adopted as the unifonn measure of precipitation in that country; but if, as Blodgott informs us, a difference of one-eighth will cover the range of any non- periodic variations of the rain-fall in the basin east of the Rocky mountains, (a rule that is confirmed by a comparison of the Toronto column for the same year with the means for sciveral years given in his work,) it may serve as an approximate index to the rain standard of the country. The excessive rains of that summer, which has no equivalent on the continent, except the winter rain of the Pacific, is probably much beyond the uniform mean, or if, regarded as an approximation to a constant terai, may be accounted for by its contiguity to Hudson bay and Lake Superior. A region liable to such occasional rains cannot certainly be deficient in mois- ture. The reader will observe the great preponderance of moisture in the spring and summer months, with the extreme dryness of winter. Converted into Rnow, the whole winter fall will be 22 inches, the same as at Saint Paul, while that of Canada is 61 inches, and most of the eastern States 120 inches. The extreme lightness of the winter precipitation characterizes the whoif^ of the plains east of the Rocky mountains, without reference to latitud . including the Saskatche- wan valley, and is a fact of great importance iu determining the adaptability of those regiftus for railroads. AND NORTHWEST BRITLSH AMERICA. 8;^ We have no measurements of the local precipitation of the Saskatchewan valley, but the {general fact of a comparatively humid summer, with an autumn and winter of extreme dryness, is well ascertained. The rain m(»asures in the eh^vated belt of country, including the western slope of the Missouri plateau, adjacent to the Saskatchewan valley on the south, Avill jiflFord an approximate standard for the latter. The following table, compiled from Blodgett, will exhibit the rain-fall in the whole belt across the continent, between the parallels of 47' iind 50°. Rain-table, shoiving the mean annual precipitation hctwccn the ilth anil 50fh parallel. In Vancouver's island 05 inches. Western slope of the Rocky mountains 30 "■ Eastern slope of the Rocky mountains 25 " Missouri plateau to 100th meridian 20 "■ Between Red River and 100th meridian 25 " East of Red River to Lak(! Erie 30 to 34 " West of Lake Erie to tin; Atlantic 36 " Mean fall by aeasons. Winter fall. Spring fall. Snjurner fall. Autntnn fill. 30 15 8 30 5 6 6 6 4 6 6 4 2 5 6 ,4 2 5 6 4 3 to 5 6 to 8 10 6 to 10 5 to 10 6 to 8 10 10 A fall of six inches is given by Blodgett, as the mean for the simimer in this belt, between the Rocky mountains and Red River. This is amply sufficient for all the purposes of luxuriant vegetation, as is shown in southern England, Prussia, the Crimea, and interior Russia. But according to all analogies, the higher summer temperature of the Saskatch- ewan valley Avould be accompanied by a corresponding increase of humidity, and this fact is further shoAvn by the permanent volume of its streams in the summer months. ) I RESULTS OF AGRICULTURE AT RED RIVER SETTLEMENT. For all the great northern staples — wheat, corn, oats, barley, potatoes, sheep, and cattle — the range and duration of the summer heats form the decisive condi- tion. The data we have furnished prove conclusively the climatic adaptation of the Red River and Saskatchewan valleys to successful agriculture. Indian corn. — The measures of heat, as we have befox'e shown, are ample for the development of corn in this district, and, in fact, some varieties thrive well at the Red River settlement, but it is not claimed as a profitable staple. It is cultivated chiefly in small garden patches for the green ears, but the cool nights of August frequently prevent its ripening, except in the driest soils. Some varieties of Canadian corn, requiring a growing period of not more than seventy days, would, however, form a sure crop in Red River. Indian com, indeed, according to Blodgett, is resti'icted as a profitable staple ic, the middle region of the Avest, between parallels of 42° and 43°. Wheat. — Wheat is the leading staple of the upper belt of the temperate zone. The range of wheat extends from the herders to the tropics northward of the parallel of 60° north, and requires a minimum mean temperature of 62^^ or 65° for the two months of July and August. The whole region between the Red ■ I 84 KKLATIONS HETWEEN THE IIMTEJ) STATEH rivor and th«^ Rocky iiiouiitains is orabrnced betwet'ii th«' ini'an Humiin'i' tcnipor- aturcs of 60° and 70", which includt; aleo thr niont fertile districts of New Kng- land, New York, Pennsylvania, Michignn, WisconBin, and Minniuota. between theflo isotheral linc8, extended through these northwestern vaUeys to the Pacific, is embraced the wheat zone of the continent. "A line," nays Blodgett, •♦ drawn from Thunder bay, in Lake Superior, northward, to the Mac- kenzie, at the 60th parallel, and from that point southwest to the Pacific coast, at the 55th, would include an immense region adapted to wheat, with only the local exception of mountains and worthleHs soils." Richardson states that wheat is i'aised with profit at Fort Ijiard, latitude 60" 5' north, and longitude 122" 31' west, and 400 and 500 feet above the sea. The remarkabh' law has been observed to govern the development of the cultivated plants, that they yield the greatest product near the northernmost limits of their possibh^ growth. This principle, announced by Forrey, is noticed by Blodgett, as especially applicable to wheat. Central Russia, the Baltic districts, the British islands, the Canadas, and the northern parts of New York nnd Pennsylvania, and the upper belt of the northwestern States lying upon th<' cold borders of the wheat range, are the seats of its maximum production. " Probably," says Blodgett, "the plains of the Saskatchewan and the Pacific coast near Puget's sound will furnish similar districts. This a priori inference is fully borne out by facts, which prove, moreover, that the basin of the Winni- peg is the seat of the greatest average wheat product on this continent, and probably in the world." The limestone substratum of this region, with its rich, deep, calcareous loam and retentive clay subsoil, is always associated with a rich wheat development, while its hot and humid summers fulfil all the climatological conditions of a first rate wheat country. Instances of the wheat 2»'oduct of Red River. — "Our soil," says Donald Gunn, an int<^lligent settler, "is extremely fertile, and when well cultivated yields large crops of the finest wheat, weighing from 64 to 74 pounds per imperial bushel. The yield per acre is often as high as sixty bushels, and has been occasionally known to exceed that ; and when the average returns fall below forty bushels to the acre, we are ready to complain of small returns. Some patches have been known to produce twenty successive crops of wheat Avithout falloAV or manure." Professor Hind, in his ofiicial report to the Canadian legislature, sets the average product at forty bushels to the acre. He notices a product of fifty-six bushels to the acre in the only instance Avhen a measurement was made. Wheat ripens in from ninety to one hundred and five days. It is entirely free from insects or disease of any kind. A comparison of the yield of wheat in Red River with the best Avheat dis- tricts of the United States will show its superiority over all others. Red River produces 40 bushels per acre. Minnesota produces 20 bushels per acre. Wisconsin produces 14 bushels per acre, Pennsylvania produces 15 bushels per acre. Massachusetts produces 16 bushels per acre. Oats, hurley, rye, potatoes. — The whole group of subordinate cereals follow wheat, but are less restricted in their range, going five degrees beyond wheat in the Mackenzie valley to the arctic circle. Barley is a favorable alternate of wheat at Red River and yields enonnous returns, with a weight per bushel of from forty-eight to fifty-five pounds. Oats thrive well. Potatoes are particu- larJy distinguished for their excellent quality and large yield. . Hay. — "The grasses," says Forrey, "are proverbially in perfection only in ANIJ NOliTllWKHT lUiliiSH AMERICA. 85 m north«'rii ami cool ri'gioiiH. It is iii the iiortli hIoiu; llmt we mm' nnimalrt from moadowH, ami an- onnblecl to k('»'|) tlu-m tut and In good condition with gniin." In noiu! of the prairit; districtK of North Anu'rica are the native grasHehi ho abundant and nutritiourt arf in thcnc northern vaUeyn. Thin ia sufficiently provfid ~fev the countlesH lierdtt of buffalo that pasture througliout the year upon its tdainH. even up to the latitude of Peace river — a fact which ttuggeHtn an equivu- ent capacity lor the herding of domestic catth'. The Red River colony in 1856 contained 0,253 hornt-d cattle and 2,799 horfles, which, in a settlement of 6,523 souls*, exhibits a remarkable proportion of stock. Horses roam during the summer and Avlnter through the wood, and keep fat without housing or Jiay. The unlimited pastoral rangits afforded by the grassy savannas of Red River, with its dry winter climate, seem to supply favorable conditions for successful shec}) husbandry. This is confirmed by Donald Guun. "Our climate and soil," he says, "are pt-culiarly adapted to sheep. There are twenty-eight years since their introduction into the settlement, and 1 have never seen nor heai-d of any sickness attacking them. Well-fed <'wes produce fleeces varying from two to three and a half poimds. Wethers produce fleeces much heavier. The wool is of good quality, though not very fine." An inferior breed of sheep would not be likely to produce fine wool. PART IV. * THE GOLD DISCOVERIES OP NORTHWEST BRITISH AMERICA AND THEIR INFLUENCES. I had proposed under this head to collate; the evidences of extraordinary au- riferous wealth in British Columbia, but as the summer of 1862 may greatly enlarge the public knowledge on this subject, I only annex a general statement of present developments. The discoveries of 1858, in the lower channi'l of Frazer rivesr, have been pushed to the headwaters of the stream, becoming more remarkable in the remote interior, close up to the central range of the Rocky mountains. This district, which now attracts so much attention, is known as the " Cariboo Dig- gings," and is being identified upon the eastern flank of the mountains, from which issues the sources of the Saskatchewan; upon the Peace river, before it passes through the main chain from the Pacific slope, and even as far north as latitude 57°, in the rear of the Russian possessions of the coast, gold fields are known to exist nearer the international boundary, particularly on the upper Columbia and its tributai'ies ; but the bulk of testimony is, that the most extra- ordinary discoveries are north of latitude 53° and in the average longitude of 120° west of Greenwich. Making every allowance for interested and exaggerated statements, there re- main grounds for the belief that the individual adventurer, with no other capital than his labor, has a greater chance of success in Northwest America than in any other auriferious district of the world. Hence, the exodus of population to the mines of British Columbia from all parts of the Pacific coast. The gorges of the Rocky mountains far north of the parallel of 49° will be speedily occupied, and commercial relations established eastwardly along the water-lines of the Saskatchewan and the Red River of the North with the navigation of the Mississippi river and Lake Superior. With such an extension of population to the interior of Northwest British America, the coast and archipelago of islands in the same latitude and quite to the north of Vancouver's island will also be colonized. Already explorations of Queen Charlotte's islands are in prognss, and the Sacramento of the (Jariboo mines — the point of most ready supply from the Pacific coast — is likely to be established at the head of Bute's inlet, from which a trail pursues the old route of discovery by Sir Alexander Mackenzie. ' 80 RELATIONS llETWEEN THE UNITED STATES Nor will tho influoucn of thouc northern goM diMcoverieA hn limited to tlio foregoing rpHultM, over tho nron deHcribed iit length in the foreg<»ing pngtrt, a.-* conHtituting the arable nreas of Northwest Uritinh America. The centre of mining activity, an now ascertained, verges npon tho valley of the Mackenzi*' river, a stream necinestered from the world by it» arctic situation, but navigable from the Pacific oc(>an through Behring'tt straits and the adjacent open Polar nea for an eaual period, as European navigators are accustometl to frequent Spits- bergen. Even in Russian America, tlu^ Yoncan, which falls into Behring's sea south of the straits of that name, is a river of magniticent proportions. So far as the fur trade and mineral wealth of the arctic district of Northwest America need avenues to the markets of the world, th«!y are thus supplied. My conclusion is, that, under the potential iuHiience of gold, great social and industrial chang<>s are soon to occur in Northwest British America, inHueniing moat materially the interests of the United States in that direction. • PART V. ri;lation8 of nor'J'hwj:kt British amkkica iy) the united sj'ates. For the present the relations in question are almost exclusively geographical, and such is the .tenor of the present (exposition. Btit, from physical soon re- sults commercial and political geography, and the nature of the latter may be anticipated. Central British America, with its immense capacity for the production of grain and cattle, has hitherto been approached by three routes — through Hudson's bay, by Lake Superior, and over the plains northwest of Saint Paul, Minnesota. The last named, with the aid of steamboat navigation on tin; Red River of the North, is now admitted to be the most convenient route. The Hudson Bay Company have mostly relinquished the two former in f.ivor of the American communication. The communication through Hudson bay is of dangerous navigation, is lim- ited to a brief season of the year, and is obstructed by the necessity of numerous and difficult portages. The sanu* remark applies, although not so fully, to the route through Lake Superior and thence to Fort Garry. By the Minnesota route, soon to consist of raihvay to the Red river, and steamers by Lake Winnipeg and tlie Saskatchewan to the Rocky mountains, a great natural highway exists, so advantageous in all respects as to suggest an apprehension among English writers that the destiny of the Selkirk and Sas- katchewan district is indissoluble from the Mississippi States. In 1862 the railway system of the United States tenninates at La Crossi^ in the State of Wisconsin. Thence st(Mnn navigation to Saint Paul, land trans- portation for 250 miles to Georgetown, on the Red river, and steam navigation to Fort Garry, are the present improved methods of transit. Beyond the Sel- kirk settlements the oared bateau and the wooden cart of the fur-trader are the rude resources of the inhabitants. But with the gold movement to the sources of tie Saskatchewan, a new state of things is at hand. Steamers once placed on Lake Winnipeg and the Saskatchewan, an emigrant can make the jouniey from Toronto, in Canada, to the Cariboo mines of British Columbia in thirty days, and at less expense than is now required for the journey inland from the mouth of Frazer river to the Cariboo country. A London company is already organized to establish this overland route, but the overland emigration from Canada and the northwestern Sttites to the district in question is safficient in volume to warrant the construction of the requisite steamers for the season of 1863. It would be an instance of well-directed legislation for the Congress of the United States and the Parliament of England to unite in a liberal subsidy, say of $200,000 by each government, for the trantsmisaion of a weekly mail from t and AND NORTHWEST BRITIftll AMERICA. 87 the limitH of navigation on tin- MirtHisHippi river and tlic Hritif«li coast of Ljiko ftunorior by an intrmational roiito to tlio ccntrrn of tht" gold di»trictH of Britirtli Columbia and Warthingtoii Territory. Bimilar rcM-iprocity of action luw hd to unity of intt!n;f«t8 and Hontinunts on the oppoHJto coasts of the St. Lawrence and the great lakes, itself an eft'ective bond of peac«. Why not disarm the whole frontier of the north by constant multiplication of such ties and guarantees of int