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 or TBI 
 
 S^opI United ^mlu JnstiMan. 
 
 Vol. XVII. 
 
 1873. 
 
 No. LXXIV. 
 
 c 
 
 :^l 
 
 REPORT OP A RECONNAISSANCE OF THE NORTH-WEST 
 PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES OP THE 
 DOMINION OF CANADA, AND NA^RRi^TlVE OF JOURNEY 
 ACROSS THE CONTINENT THROUGH CANADIAN TER- 
 RITORY TO BRITISH COLUMBIA AND VANCOUVER 
 ISLAND. 
 
 Communicated by Colonel Robertson-Ross, Commanding the Militia 
 of Canada and Adjutant-General of Militia in 1872. 
 
 ClIAITEK I. 
 
 On the to:Tnination of the annual training of the Militia in the Pro- 
 vinces of Ontario and Quebec, I proceeded from Ottawa in the first 
 instance, via Lake Superior and the " Dawson Route " to Manitoba, and 
 in aecordancQ with instructions, subsequently crossed the Continent 
 through Canadian territory to the Pacific Coast and Vancouver Island, 
 travelling nearly the whole distance from Fort Garry on horseback. 
 
 Leaving CoUingwood on the 16th July, in the steamboat for Thunder 
 Bay (Lake Superior), the vessel reached her destination early in the 
 morning of the 22nd, stopping en route at the settlements of Owen 
 Sound, Leith, and Killarnoy, on the shores of Lake Huron, and at 
 Gargantua Bay, Michipicoton Island, and Neepigon, on Lake Superior. 
 Neepigon Bay is a good and safe hai-bour, and the place itself is pro- 
 bably destined to be of great importance in connection with the 
 Canadian Pacific Railway. On arrival at Prince Arthur's Landing, 
 I found that a considerable and apparently thriving settlement had 
 already sprung up at that place. The population now numbers about 
 500 ; many good houses have been erected, and municipal government 
 has been established. Thunder Bay is one of the best and safest 
 harbours on the north shore of Lake Superior, and the surrounding 
 scenery is very beautiful. For want of a proper wharf, considerable 
 inconvenience, is experienced, but as the one now in course of construc- 
 tion will be completed shortly, the landing facilities will then be <;freatly 
 improved and be all that is likely to be required for some time to come 
 Owing to the great mineral resources and the valuable silver and copper 
 mines which exist in this neighbourhood, and from the excellence of its 
 harbour, it may reasoaably be expected, that a wealthy and important 
 settlement will ere long be established at Thunder Bay. 
 
 From Prince Arthur's Landing I proceeded on the 22nd July, by 
 
 waggon in one day, to Lake Shebandowan, a distance of about 45 
 
 what m ay now be fairly considered a good road. All the 
 
 vol.. XVII. ~~1 2 Q 
 
 Arcnivef 
 
 lives 
 
 of 
 
 British Columbia 
 
 LONGSTAFF 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 232733 
 
544 
 
 REPORT OF A EECONNAISANCE OF THE 
 
 streams liavo been bridged, and a very subslanlial structure is erected 
 across the Matawan. Wbon this road shall have been j^ravelled 
 throuj?hi)ut its entire length, -whicU will probably bo effected this 
 Bummor, it will be as good a ono as can bo desired. The country 
 through which the road passes fi-oni Lake Superior to Shebandowan is 
 well wooded and much better suited for settlement than is generally 
 supposed. Although the soil in the immediate neighbourhood of 
 Prince Arthur's Landing is soiaewhrit sandy, the greater part of tho . 
 country passed through is perfectly woll suited for farming and agri- 
 culture. At the Matttwan River, farming. operations had commenced; 
 very fine timothy hay had already been raised at tliat place, and tho 
 growth of the vegetables and cereals which had been but a short timo 
 before planted gave excellent promise. 
 
 From Lake Shebandowan I proceeded by canoo to tho north-west 
 angle of the Lake of the Woods in seven days, a distaiioe of 310 miles, 
 through the chain of inland waters known a.* the " Dawson Route," 
 towed part of tho way by tug steamers. Considerable progress has 
 been niado in opening up and improving this lino of communication 
 through tho dominion to tho vast and important territories of the 
 north-west, and I am satisfied that if greater means could have been 
 placed at the disposal of Mr. S. J. Dawson, much greater progress 
 towards completing the work would have been maclo by that ablo 
 engineer. The portages have been greatly improved. There wero 
 horses or bullocks with carts or waggons on nearly all. Iv many 
 instances a shorter and bettor route than that originally followed, has 
 been adopted, and alto'^cthcr it is now not only a perfectly available 
 and valuable line of communication during the open season, but it is an 
 indispensable work towards tho soHlemont of tho country through 
 which it passes. 
 
 At Fort Francis two steamboats of considerable size are being built ; 
 ono has already been launched, and both are expected to be finished 
 early next spring. Ono of these steamboats is intended for Rainy 
 River and the Lake of tho Woods, the other for Rainy Lake. Addi- 
 tional tug-steamers are also to bo obtained, so that by next summer it 
 is expected there will be steam power on all tlie waters. When this 
 is carried out, tho journey from Lake Superior to Manitoba through 
 Dominion Territory will be made comfortably in four or five days, and 
 the transport of passengers, freight, waggons, and horses by the 
 *' Dawson Route," effected without difficulty. 
 
 For the passage of troops, during the summer season, there is now 
 no difficulty. In October last a detachment of 21.5 soldiers with two 
 light field guns were conveyed in 25 days from Collingwood, in Ontario, 
 to Fort Gairy, in the Province of Manitoba ; and by next summer I 
 consider there would probably be no great difficulty in conveying, if re- 
 quired, both cavalry and artillery, as well as infantry, in considerable 
 numbers by the " Dawson Route." 
 
 The country along the banks of Rainy Lake and Rainy River is 
 well wooded with valuable timber, extremely picturesque, and still 
 better suited for settlement than tho country between Lakes Superior 
 and Shebandowan. Tho lake& and rivers teem with fish, and self- 
 
 f ) 
 
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 fl^ 
 
 4W^ 
 
 f.. 
 
 NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 545 
 
 M'-f 
 
 |T 
 
 Btjstnining settloments conld bo rondily established there with advan- 
 tngo. From most careful enquiries it appears that the number of 
 Indians occupying the country along the lino of the " Dawson Route," 
 and who belong to tho Oiibbeway trfjo, does net exceed a total popula- 
 tion of 4,000, of whom it is bolievt 1 about 800 are men capable of 
 bearing arms. Although among these Indians there may bo Komo 
 restless characters, they arc onsidered good Indians on the whole, and 
 if kindly but firmly treated, they are not likely to cause any interrup- 
 tion along this route, or offer opposition to tho peaceful settlumeut of 
 tho country. 
 
 During tho past summer, tho Ojibbeway tribe were app, i msivo of 
 an attack from tho Sioux, their horeditery enemies, dwelL'ig west of 
 the Red River, on tho American side of tho internot'oual boundary 
 lino. With a view therefore of preserving tho peac f tho country, 
 supporting our ^ndian Commissioner when engaged in making treaties, 
 and for tlxo i-.otection of settlers, I am of opinion thn^ i^ would bo 
 advifiblo to encamp a detachment of about 100 soldiers during tho 
 summer months at Fort Francis. This force could bo takjn from tho 
 Militia now on duty at Fort Garry, returning to that station for tho 
 winter months. To send an Indian Commissioner unaccompanied by 
 a military force to make a treaty with this tribe last summer proved a 
 failm-e. I would further suggest that the employe's of tho Department 
 of Public Works stationed along the line of the " Dawson Route," who 
 will this summer number about 400 men, should be organized into u 
 naval brigade, to be armed and equipped by the Militia Department, 
 and that tho offer to raise two volunteer companies of Militia at Prince 
 Arthur's Landing, Thunder Bay, be accepted. The existence of such 
 a material power along tho line would, I feel sure, prove of the greatest 
 importance. There is no doubt that the passage of troops for the last 
 three years proceeding to and from Fort GaiTy in support of tho civil 
 power, on missions of peace, has already been attended with tho best 
 results. 
 
 From tho north-west angle of tho Lake of tho Woods I drove to Fort 
 Garry, in Manitoba, in a waggon with two horses, a distance of 95 
 miles in a day and a half, the journey from Prince Arthur's Landing 
 thus occupying nine and a half days. Tho road from the Lake of tho 
 Woods to Oak Point, where the prairie commences, is now as good a 
 one as can be found in almost any country part of the provinces > : 
 Ontario and Quebec ; and from tho north-west angle of tho Lake of 
 the Woods the ordinary carts and waggons of the country, and almost 
 any kind of light carriage or vehicle, can be driven without diflBculty 
 during the summer season, for 1,800 or 1,400 miles across tho great 
 prairies of the north-west, through one of the most ieride and beautiful 
 countries in the world, to the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 Inspections in Manitoba. 
 
 Arriving at Upper Fort Garry on the 31st July, I inspected the 
 military force on duty there the following day, and the detachments 
 
 2 Q 2 
 
 \^ 
 
i \ 
 
 546 
 
 REPORT OF A RECONNAISANCE OF THE 
 
 stationed at the Lower Fort and in the Hudson's Bay Company's post 
 near Pembina, subsequently. 
 
 The mihtary foi-ce authorised at present to be maintained on duty in 
 ^Manitoba consists of three hundred infantry formed into a provisional 
 four company battalion under the command of a Major, and an artillery 
 detachment of one Officer and 25 gunners ; but at the time of my 
 inspection, the force was considerably below its strength, and divided 
 as follows : — 
 
 At Upper Fort Garry 181 (all ranks) 
 
 ( At Lower ,, 20 ,, 
 
 At the Hudson's Bay Company's 
 
 post near Pembina 42 ,, 
 
 Total 243 
 
 The decrease in the strength authorised which then existed, resulted 
 from, the discharge of time-expu-ed men, but a considerable detachment 
 was despatched to Fort Garry from the provinces of Ontario and 
 Quebec in October last, to complete the authorised strength. 
 
 I am happy to report that on inspecting the infantry battalion, I 
 found it to be in as satisfactory a condition with regard to drill and 
 discipline, as could reasonably be expected, considering the very short 
 periods allowed for the enlistment of the men, and the Officers' uncer- 
 tain tenure of office. The companies stationed at Upper Fort Garry 
 were encamped at the time of inspection on the banks of the Assiniboine, 
 about one mile fi'om its junction with the Red River ; the cleanliness, 
 neatness, and good order of this camp, which was occupied during the 
 whole summer, reflected much credit on Major and Brevet-Lieutenant- 
 Solonel Irvine, the Officer commanding the battalion. On inspecting 
 the detachment at Pembina I found that there was insufficient accom- 
 modation in the small trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company at 
 that place for the number of men theic stationed. In view of this 
 fact therefore, and the desirability at the time of strengthening the 
 force at Upper Fort Garry, with the entire concurrence of the Lieut.- 
 (xovernor of the province, I directed the strength of the detachment at 
 Pembina to be reduced to 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 12 men ; and 
 there being no necessity for keeping any detachment at Lower Fort 
 Garry, with the concurrence of the Lieut.- Governor, I directed the 
 return of the party there stationed, to the Upper Fort. The battalion 
 is now concentrated in the Upper Fort, and as the majority of tho 
 men have been recently enlisted to serve for a period of throe years, it 
 may be expected that before long the corps will attain to a higher 
 degree of military discipline and training. The respectability of 
 character and good conduct as men exhibited by the majority of the 
 individuals composing the corps during the last twelve months, has been 
 conspicuous. The soldier-like bearing and discipline displayed by the 
 battalion on a recent occasion when called out in aid of the civil power 
 to quell a riot at the time of the elections, proved it to be a corps upon 
 ■which the Government and the country can rely. The artillery detach- 
 ment was sent to Fort Garry subsequent to my inspection. With 
 
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 ■Mifttt 
 
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 NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 547 
 
 ^ 
 
 V|.^" J. 
 
 regard to the barrack accommodation provided for the battalion in the 
 Hudson's Bay Company's trading post, known as the Upper Fort 
 Garry, I found it to be very inadequate, unsuitable, and generally 
 unfit for permanent military occupation. The store buildings used as 
 barracks for the men required a considerable amount of repair to make 
 them fit for occupation in winter. They consist of wooden sheds, some 
 of fhem mere shells. The building used as the OflBcers' quarters, 
 which originally was an excellent one, is now very old and decayed. 
 A very considerable amount of repair is required in it — the roof should 
 be entirely new shingled, though it is a matter of doubt whether the 
 building will stand such repairs. The storage room required for 
 military stores is very inadequate and unfit for keeping such stores 
 with safety ; and they are in eight different buildings, one good store- 
 house being all that is required. The armoury in which the spare rifles 
 and ai-ms are kept, is very damp. A powder magazine is required ; 
 the Hudson's Bay Company's magazine is generally well filled with 
 their own powder, and is, moreover, very damp. While making this 
 report on the state of the barrack accommodatk)n at Port Garry, it is 
 but due to the Hon. the Hudson's Bay Company, to state that every 
 assistance and facility in providing for the want of the troops has been 
 afforded by the gentlemen belonging to that great trading Company^ 
 us far as circumstances and their own requirements would admit. In 
 very many instances they have placed themselves and their employes 
 at no inconsiderable personal inconvenience, in order to acuommodato 
 the troops, meet the wishes of Government, and the emergencies of the 
 case. 
 
 For the last three years, it has been found necessary to maintain a 
 military force in Fort Garry where only temporary accommodation, as 
 a sort of makeshift, can be provided. The men suffer much during 
 the severe weather in winter from want of proper shelter and accom- 
 modation, it is difficult moreover to maintain good order and discipline- 
 among a body of soldiers when mixed up with civil employes in a 
 Hudson's Bay trading post, and the arrangement altogether, except as. 
 a temporary measure, is very inconvenient and unsatisfactory. Under 
 these circumstances, provided it be in harmony with the policy of 
 Government, I would respectfully urge that no further time be lost in 
 taking the necesstiry steps to supply the military force required, with 
 proper barrack ac ommodation. On enquiring of the men if they had 
 any complaints to submit relative to their pay, rations, &c., and general 
 treatment, in accordance with my dnty, they expressed themselves as 
 perfectly satisfied ^vith their rates of pay, scale of rations, and treat- 
 ment by their Ofiicex'S, but invariably in the most respectful manrier 
 complained of itie wretched barrack accommodation. I feel bound to 
 say that their complaints on thi& head were just, and to state that it 
 would bt, only fair to meet the reasonable wants of the men on this 
 point. At no great expense, and with very little trouble, suitable log 
 huts can be erected on adviicageous ground, and the greater portion 
 of the work carried out by the men themselves. This arrangement 
 would, I believe, eventually be found the most economical one for the 
 country, if it be the intention to keep a military force in Manitoba^ 
 
548 
 
 REPORT OF A BEC0NNAI8ANCE OF THE 
 
 and it certainly is a very essential one for maintaining the efficiency 
 and welfare of troops. Already the amount of money spent on repair- 
 ing old buildings and constructing new ones in the Hudson's Bay 
 Company's post would have sufficed to defray the cost of providing 
 proper barrack accommodation in log huts for the force stationed at 
 Fort Garry. I would further urge, if it be the intention of Govern- 
 ment to retain any military force on duty in Manitoba, that one 
 hundred men of the provisional battalion be supplied with horses 
 and equipped as mounted riflemen ; that an addition of 1 officer and 25 
 gunners from the School of Gunnery at Kingston be made to the 
 artillery detachment, and the artillery supplied with four of the Hor^o 
 Artillery guns recently obtained from England. Thus the force would 
 form a small but eflFective field brigade, and its military power be 
 greatly increased. 
 
 With regard to the necessity for maintaining any military force at 
 Fort Garry, no doubt whatever exists in my mind as to the propriety 
 of doing so, in view of the presence of many bands of Indians, con- 
 sidering the primitive state of society in the province, the strong 
 political party-feeling which exists, and the fact that on both sides of 
 the international boundary hne, restless and reckless characters among 
 both white mtn and Indians abound. It is undoubtedly very desirable 
 to maintain a certain number of police constables in the province under 
 the civil power, some of whom should be mounted, but I feel satisfied 
 that the great security for the preservation of good order and the 
 peace of the north-west territories, under the changing state of aflTairs, 
 will for some years be found to lie in the existence and presence of a 
 disciplined military body, under its own mUitary rules, in addition to, 
 but distinct from, any civil force which it may be thought proper to 
 establish. Whatever feehng may be entertained towards policemen, 
 animosity is rarely, if ever, felt towards disciplined soldiers weaa-ing 
 Her Majesty's uniform, in any portion of the British Empire. In the 
 event of serious disturbance, a police force acting alone, and unsup- 
 ported by a disciplined military body, would probably be overpowered 
 in a province of mixed races, where every man is armed, while to 
 maintain a military without any civil force is not desirable. I believe 
 that a small number of constables will be sufficient to maintain order 
 in the province, provided the military force is maintained ; but that, in 
 the event of serious disturbance, a large police force would be unable 
 to do so, should the militaiy be withdrawn, and I consider the presence 
 of a militaiy force in the r>orth-west territories, for some years to come 
 .as indispensable in the interests of peace and settlement. 
 
 During my inspection in the north-west, I ascertained that some 
 prejudice existed amongst the Indians against the colour of the uniform 
 worn by the men of the provisional battalion. Many of them had said, 
 " Who are those soldiers at Red River wearing dark clothes ? Our 
 " old brothers who formerly lived there" — meaning Her Majesty's 6th 
 regiment — " wee red coats," adding, " we know that the soldiers of 
 '* our great mother wear red coats, and are our friends." With the 
 view, therefore, of reassuring the Indian mind, and for other reasons, 
 I recommended a change of uniform ; this has been carried out ; the 
 
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 • NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 549 
 
 Militia on duty at Manitoba now wear red coats, and the matter, appa- 
 rently small in itself, will probably prove of great value and importance 
 hereafter. 
 
 On the 8th of August I inspected the Winnipeg Field Battery, a 
 militia artillery corps, recently organized, and composed of citizens 
 resident in the town of Winnipeg. This battery is under the command 
 of Major Kennedy, a very zealous Officer, but it has not as yet been 
 armed. On the occasion of inspection, the corps took part in a field 
 day, brigaded with the provisional battaUoii. The battery was armed 
 for the day with some light field guns belonging to the Hudson's Bay 
 Company, kindly placed at their disposal by the Hon. Donald 
 Smith, M.P,, chief factor. As soon as circumstances will admit, it is 
 recommended that this battery should be armed with four of the 
 horse artillery field guns recently obtained from England, and supplied 
 with the necessary harness and artillery stores. 
 
 The Militia in the province of Manitoba is under the command of 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Osborne Smith, C.M.G., Deputy Adjutant-General, 
 who reports that in the month of May, 126 men of t^^e provisional bat- 
 talion will probably obtain their discharge on completion of service. 
 That number of men should, therefore, be sent to Fort Garry by the 
 Dawson route so soon as the navigation opens, to maintain the force at 
 its authorised strength ; and one Officer and twenty- five gunners should 
 be despatched in addition, to render the artillery detachment more 
 eficctive. 
 
 Chapter ITT. 
 From Fort Garry to the Rocky Mountain Souse. 
 
 Having concluded the inspection of the Militia in Manitoba, accom- 
 panied by my son, t youth sixteen years of age, as travelling 
 companion, I left Fort Garry on the 10th of August for the Rocky 
 Mountains and British Columbia, with one guide only, and an Indian 
 lad of the Salteux tribe, to cross the continent through Dominion 
 territory to the Pacific coast. The Hudson's Bay Company provided 
 ten horses, two Red River carts, and a suitable equipment for the party, 
 and undertook to supply any guides, horses, and provisions required en 
 route, from the different posts iu the Swan River and Saskatchewan 
 districts as far as Fort Edmonton or the Rocky Mountain House ; but 
 beyond these posts they could not guarantee further progress, nor a 
 safe passage through the country of the Blackfeet Indians, should cir- 
 cumstances require the adoption of that route. Every possible assist- 
 ance, however, was afibrded me by the Hon. Donald Smith, M.P., and 
 the gentlemen connected with the Company at the various posts visited, 
 and my best thanks are due to them, not only for many acts of kind- 
 ness and hospitality, but for much valuable information respecting the 
 Indian tribes. 
 
 At the time of departure from Fort Garry, some doubt was expressed 
 as to the propriety of so small a party travelling without a guard 
 through the I. an territory, ind especially through the country of the 
 
/h 
 
 550 
 
 REPORT OF A RECONNAI8ANCE OF THE 
 
 Blackfeet tribe, if found necessary to do so ; and I have to thank the 
 Government very much for the authority conveyed by your telegram 
 to Fort Garry, to take with me, if desired, a personal escort of six 
 soldiers from the battalion on duty in Manitoba. On full consideration, 
 however, and with the advice of those best able to judge, I did not 
 think it advisable to do so. A military escort of only six men would 
 be inadequate to afford protection in case of any real danger from the 
 Prairie Indians, and might possibly invite attack. Considerable addi- 
 tional expense, moreover, would have been entailed for their transport 
 and subsistence. 
 
 Proceeding from Fort Garry through the Swan River and Saskat- 
 chewan districts, via the Hudson's Bay Company's posts of Forts 
 EUice, Carlton, Pitt, Victoria, and Edmonton, I arrived ut the Rocky 
 Mountain House — about 1,200 miles distant from Fort Garry — in 31 
 days, of which 25 days only were occupied in actual travel. The 
 prairie road or cart trail, extending the whole way from Fort Garry to 
 the Rocky Mountain House, and which has been used for many years 
 by the Hudson's Bay Company, was at that season of the year in 
 excellent order. Many of the streams hn^e been roughly bridged by 
 the Hudson's Bay Company's servants; jmd except at the crossing of 
 the South Saskatchewan River, where we lost a whole lay from the 
 necessity of swimming our horses across, and repairing a damaged scow 
 on which to convey over the carts and baggage, we met with very little 
 difficultj' or trouble at any time. For great distances the road led over 
 prairie ground almost as level as a race course. It would be desirable 
 to bridge the Little Saskatchewan River, Birdtail Creek, and Snake 
 Creek, between Fort Garry and Fort EUice, and to improve the descent 
 to and ascent from the Assiniboine River at Fort EUice, as owing to 
 the steepness of the road it is somewhat difficult to pass at this point 
 during rainy weather with loaded carts. In addition to this, some re- 
 pairs and improvements are desirable on the road between "^orts Pitfc, 
 Victoria, and Edmonton, and across one or two swamps near the Rocky 
 Mountain House ; but on the whole a very trifling amount of labour is 
 all that is at present required. 
 
 On the journey from Fort Carlton to Edmonton, a distance of 
 between 300 antl 400 miles, we were accompanied by the wife of our* 
 guide (an employe of the Hudson's Bay Company), who with her three 
 young children travelled in a light four-wheeled canvas-covered 
 waggon, driving the vehicle herself nearly the whole way. 
 
 It was my intention to overtake at Edmonton, if possible, Mr. Flem- 
 ing, Chief Engineer of the Pacific Railway, who had started from Fort 
 Garry ten days before me for British Columbia, and in company with 
 him cross the Rocky Mountains by the " Tete Jaune Pass ;" on arrival 
 at Edmonton, however, I found that he had quitted that point seven 
 days previously. As no guides could be obtained at Edmonton either 
 for the Tete Jaune or any other pass, it was necessary to proceed to 
 the Rocky Mountain House, a trading post for the Blackfeet Indians, 
 distant about 180 miles south-west from Edmonton, in sight of, and 
 about forty-five miles distant from, the first range of the Rocky Moun- 
 tains. 
 
 ii^y 
 
 /h 
 
/U 
 
 NORTII-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TEllRITORIES. 551 
 
 •:•. 
 
 ■;',Hi 
 
 J^^J 
 
 m 
 
 ■■m^ 
 
 •''■-.'■■hit/ 
 
 /M 
 
 
 i. 
 
 Between Fort Garry and Fort Ellice, a distance of 230 miles, the 
 country is diversified and undulating, generally speaking very good and 
 fertile. In some parts alkali lakes are occasionally met with. The 
 open expanses of- prairie are relieved with numerous clumps or patches 
 of wood, termed " bluffs." There is plenty of wood suitable for fuel, 
 or for sheltering stock. The Avood consists of spruce, willows, birch, 
 and poplar, and in the valley of the Assiniboine there is a good deal of 
 oak. The land in the lower part of the valley of the Assiniboine, for 
 nearly one hundred miles before its junction with the Red River, is of 
 great richness and fertility. Between the western boundary of the 
 province of Manitoba and Fort Ellice, the country in the vicinity of 
 Pine Creek, the Little Saskatchewan River, Shoal Lake, Birdtail 
 Creek, and Snake Creek, is well suited for settlement and farming- 
 purposes, more particularly for the raising of stock ; but I do not think 
 the soil, generally speaking, so well suited for wheat crops us along the 
 lower parts of the valley of the Assiniboine and Red River. Fort 
 Ellice is situated a short distance from the junction of the Qa'appelle 
 with the Assiniboine River, on the right bank of the latter stream. 
 It is well placed in a military point of view, being built on a plateau 
 at the top of a high, steep, and thickly wooded bank, about two 
 hundi'cd feet above the river. The river is here about sixty yards in 
 breadth and about fifteen feet in depth. The banks are thickly 
 wooded. The Hudson's Bay Company have erected a bridge across, 
 the river. The valley of the Assiniboine is depressed about 250 feet 
 below the Pi-airie level, and is about three-quarters of a mile in'jreadth. 
 The counti'y around the immediate vicinity of Fort Ellice is well 
 wooded and suitable for settlement. The wood consists chiefly of 
 poplar of no great size, and there is some oak. The Fort itself merely 
 consists of some wooden houses, built of poplar, and surrounded by a 
 stockade, but it might easily be made very defensible, and accommoda- 
 tion for fifty soldiers in addition to the present occupants, readily 
 created. 
 
 The Assiniboine River is uavigable for good-sized boats all the way 
 from _ V, o Garry to Fort Ellice, and I believe much further. In spring, 
 no great difficulty would probably be experienced in navigating the 
 river with a st.jrn-wheel steamer of light draught the whole way from 
 Fort Garry to Fort Ellice. Between Fort Ellice and Fort Carlton, on 
 the North Saskatchewan, lies a great extent of country — more than 
 three hundred miles. Throughout a considerable portion of the road 
 followed, alkali lakes are prevalent, and for several days I found no 
 good water. 
 
 Upon the whole I do not consider the country between Fort Ellice 
 and the Touchwood Hills, which are about midway between Fort Ellice 
 and Carlton, and the country beyond the Touchwood Hills for two or 
 three days' journey towards the north-west, so well adapted for settle- 
 ment as the province of Manitoba, and the country between it and 
 Fort Ellice. From that part of the country, however, where the 
 " Round Hill " (a conspicuous object about two days' journey south of 
 Fort Carlton) is situated, to North Saskatchewan River, and from 
 thence for several hundreds of miles westward to the Rocky Mountains, 
 
552 
 
 KEPORT OF A RECONNAISANCE OF THE 
 
 the value and fertility of the country for agricultural and stock-raising 
 purposes has certainly not been exaggerated in the accounts of any 
 travellers. 
 
 The North Saskatchewan at Fort Carlton is about four hundred yards 
 in breadth, with a current of between two and three miles ; and it 
 nowhere exceeds that breadth upwards to the Rocky Mountains. 
 Although there are numerous sand bars, it is navigable for large-sized 
 boats, and I believe for stem-wheel steamers of light draught from 
 within about twelve miles of Lake Winnipeg nearly to the base of the 
 Rocky Mountains. When the river is low, steamboats probably would 
 not be able to pass at Coal Rapids below Carlton. At the proper 
 season of the jeav for navigation, however, it is only necessary to make 
 one or two portages the whole way from Fort Garry, on the Red River, 
 to the Rocky Mountain House. The land lying between the north and 
 south branches of the Saskatchewan River, near Carlton, and for many 
 miles to the east and west, is particularly well adapted for settlement, 
 and the whole country along the north bank of the North Saskatche- 
 wan, extending for hundreds of miles to the westward, is very fertile 
 and admirably adapted for settlement. There are two haF-breed settle- 
 ments at no great distance from Fort Carlton — one at St. Laure (French 
 half-breed), on the South Saskatchewan, about 30 miles south-west 
 from Fort Carlton ; the other, an English half-breed settlement (Prince 
 Albert), 50 miles east from Fort Carlton, on the North Saskatchewan. 
 The population of St. Laure, last year, was- 1>8 men, 58 women, and 198 
 children, possessing 577 horses; that of Prince Albert, 35 men, 57 
 women, 81 children, and 181 Indians, The population of these two 
 settlements is probably much increased since this census was made, 
 and it is believed that a considerable number of the half-breed popula- 
 tion in Manitoba will leave that province next summer and move to 
 these settlements. 
 
 The country to the south of the North Saskatchewan, leading to- 
 wards what are called the Great Plains, I understand is by no means 
 so fertile or so well suited for agriculture ; and there is there, I believe, 
 a scarcity of both fuel and water. Some doubts may exist as to the 
 possibility of raising as large wheat crops along the valley of the North 
 Saskatchewan, from the occasional occurrence of summer frosts, as can 
 be raised in the province of Manitoba ; but I believe that for stock 
 farming, vegetables and the hardier grains, such as oats, barley, &c., the 
 fertile belt of British North America can hardly be surpassed. 
 
 With regard to the temperature of the climate, on very few occa- 
 sions was there any interruption to its mildness in the past summer 
 during the months of June, July, August, September, and October. 
 On the night of the 17th August, when travelling between Fort EUice 
 and the Touchwood Hills, I experienced a siight frost, but not suflBcient, 
 so far as I could judge, to materially injure wheat crops. Again, on 
 the night of the 10th September, when about two days' journey from 
 the Rocky Mountain House, I experienced another similar frost — these 
 were the only occasions during the past season that I experienced any 
 frosts or cold, until reaching the foot of the Rocky Mountains on the 
 21st September near the Porcupine Hills, being then at an altitude of 
 
 
 ( ■, » 
 
 
v. 
 
 
 ■4 
 
 Ti 
 
 NORTH-^VEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 553 
 
 between 3,000 and 4,000 feet above the sea level — and at the time of 
 the Equinox, I was stopped for several days by a snow storm, which 
 not unfrequently occurs in the mountains, but rarely so early on the 
 plains. This snow disappeared from the plains in a few days, almost 
 as rapidly as it came, and with the above exceptions, from the time of 
 quitting the Lake of the Woods, one hundred miles east of Fort Ghany, 
 until rea,ching the Pacific Coast, a period of three months, the climate 
 was delightful — it was frequently quite unnecessary to pitch a tent 
 when camping for the night ; for many nights I slept out in the open 
 air, or lay underneath the cart. 
 
 It takes twenty days to go with large-sized row boats, carrying cargo, 
 from Carlton to Fort Edmonton, but a light draught steamer would 
 accomplish the distance in a short time. Gold is to be found in the 
 sand bars of the Saskatcbewan the whole way from Fort Edmonton to 
 Carlton, and almost throughout its entire length. I was informed that 
 at Carlton a man can earn from two to three dollars daily, during the 
 proper serson, by washing the sand of the river, — and at Fort Edmon- 
 ton, from five to six dollars daily for seven or eight months in the 
 year. 
 
 At Fort Edmonton during the past summer there were only five or 
 six men engaged mining, from one of whom I obtained some good 
 specimens of the Saskatchewan gold, which is considered equal In 
 quality to that obtained in the mines of British Columbia. The few 
 miners who have as yet penetrated into the Saskatchewan country state 
 that gold is to be found in nearly all the streams which flow into the 
 Saskatchewan River, and they are of opinion that quite as rich deposits 
 exist on the eastern as on the westei'n side of the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 The Hudson's Bay Company's forts along the line of the North 
 Saskatchewan at Carlton, Pitt, Victoria, and Edmonton consist of 
 wooden houses surrounded by stockades ; these stockades are about 
 twenty feet high with small bastions at the angles to afford flanking 
 defence — although probably sufficient to afford protection from Indians, 
 they are of slight strength. At Forts Carlton, Pitt, and Victoria, 
 accommodation for companies of soldiers, 50 strong, could be found in 
 these Hudson's Bay Company's forts, in addition to the present occu- 
 pants, and at Fort Edmonton, for about 125 soldiers. These forts are 
 conveniently enough situated for purposes of trade, but in a military 
 point of view are badly placed, being in nearly every instance cori- 
 manded from the rear by higher ground. The Riocky Mountain House, 
 however, is built on a good military site, and could easily be put in a 
 defensible condition. 
 
 The scenery about the Touchwood Hills, as well as in many other 
 sections of the country lying between Forts Garry and Edmonton, is 
 extremely picturesque and park-like. At the time of the year I pas&ed 
 through, the wild flowers were in full bloom ; the prairie covered with 
 beautiful plants and countless roses, both red and white, presonted a 
 gorgeous appearance ; not unfrequently when camping for the night the 
 traveller literally makes his bed upon roses. 
 
 Fort Carlton and its vicinity is a desirable spot for settlement, but the 
 whole country along the north bank of the Saskatchewan to Edmonton 
 
554 
 
 KEPORT OF A RECONNATSANCE OF THE 
 
 is at least equally so, offering in many places superior advantages from 
 the greater quantity and better quality of the timber. 
 
 From Edmonton to the Rocky Mountain House, especially in the 
 neighbourhood of the Battle River and Wolf Plain, the country is still 
 richer and better wooded. 
 
 At Fort Victoria, where a small settlement has ansen, and at Fort 
 Edmonton, I saw several fields of excellent wheat being harvested. I 
 have no doubt whatever that when the vallev of the North Saskatchewan 
 is opened up and settled, it will be found to be very productive. 
 
 That beautiful country lying in the territory of the Blackfeet Indians, 
 extending for about 300 miles along the Eastern base of the Rocky 
 Mountains towards the International boundary line, with a varying 
 breadth of from 60 to 80 miles, is in respect of fertility, of surj)as8ing 
 richness — in regard to scenery, magnificent. The effect produced upon 
 the mind of the traveller who journeys day after day through these vast 
 and beautiful solitudes is of an elevating character ; the recollection of 
 the scenes visited, remains deeply impressed upon the memory. 
 
 The average temperature during the winter months along the base of 
 the Rocky Mountains ' i this section of the country, is higher by 15° 
 than that of the western portion of the province of Ontario ; all over 
 the Saskatchewan country, horses and cattle winter out. All travellers 
 and old residents in the West, testify to the healthiness of the climate — 
 indeed, in the pure air of the prairie, sickness is almost unknown. 
 
 Scattered through the whole of the Saskatchewan counti-y, are nume- 
 rous lakes generally of no great size ; they are the favourite haunts of 
 great numbers of Avild duck and geese. Some of the lakes between 
 Forts Carlton and Edmonton, such as Egg Lake, Jack Fish, and 
 Saddle Lake are, however, of considerable size, and contain immense 
 quantities of white fish. 
 
 Wild pigeons and prairie hens abound everywhere. In the Touch- 
 wood Hills and along the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, several 
 kinds of deer and bears are very numerous. When travelling through 
 the Touchwood Hills, 1 killed a bear of the grizzly species, but one of 
 no great siz On the 23rd of September, near the Porcupine Hill, at 
 the base of the Rocky Mountains, I killed another grizzly laear of very 
 large size, the animal weighing about 1,100 lbs. In the country adja- 
 cent to the Bow River, and thence southward towards the boundary line, 
 numerous herds of antelope were seen, and some of them were killed by 
 our party. During the past summer, the buffalo were very numerous 
 on the great plains that lie between the North and South Saskatchewan 
 Rivers. 
 
 >)] 
 
 ■^* 
 
 :-i 
 
 I), I 
 
 
 Chapter TV. 
 
 From the RocJci/ Mountain Mouse across the Mountains, via " Wild Horse 
 Creek" to Victoria, Vancouver Island. , 
 
 On arrival at the " Rocky Mountain House," I learned that to cross 
 the mountains into British Columbia by the "VermiUon Pass" with 
 horses was impossible, owing to the immense quantity of fallen timber 
 
/ 
 
 NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 555 
 
 »] 
 
 caused by a great storm in the mountains last spring. An attempt to 
 cross by this pass had been made by a parhy of Assiniboine Indians 
 early in the summer, without success. Under these circumstances, it 
 became necessary to undertake a journey of about 300 miles through 
 the country of the Blackfeet Indians, and to cross the mountains by 
 the North Kootanie Pass. 
 
 Through the kindness of Mr. R. Hardesty, the gentleman in charge 
 of the Hudson's Bay Company Posts in the Saskatchewan district, I 
 obtained the services of three guides from the Post of the Rocky 
 Mountain House, one of whom was "William Munro," the Hudson's 
 Bay Company's interpreter for the Blackfeet Indians, better known 
 throughout the Saskatchewan country by his Indian name of " Piskaan." 
 This guide is a brave man, and one of the most famous travellers and 
 hunters in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. In company 
 with him and the two other guides, one of whom was a Rocky Moun- 
 tain Assiniboine Indian, the other a French half-breed, I started along 
 with my son from the Rocky Mountain House, on the 16th September, 
 to pass through the country of the Blackfeet Indians, and cross the 
 mountains by the Kootanie Pass into British Columbia. 
 
 The Blackfeet tribe of Indians have always been much dread d, and 
 their country carefully avoided by travellers. From information 
 obtained at the Rocky Mountain House, and while travelling, it appears 
 that this tribe, which is the most numerous and warlike one of the 
 Prairie Indians in Dominion Territory, is divided into five distinct 
 bands, or rather clans, each band under its own chief, bat all main- 
 taining a close connection. These bands are called and known as 
 follows : — 
 
 1st. The Sik-si-ka or Blackfeet proper; this band numbers about 
 700 men, 1,000 women, 1,100 children, possessing about 3,000 horses 
 and ponies, 400 dogs, and having the following arms : — 105 rifles, 
 260 revolvers, 436 flint guns, 286 bows, 48 spears, 37 war axes. 
 
 2nd. The Piegans (subdivided into Northern and Southern Piegans) 
 numbering nearly 800 men, 1,100 women, 1,400 children, possessing 
 about 3,500 horses and ponies, 600 dogs, and the following arms : — 
 213 rifles, 412 revolvers, 320 flint guns, 181 bows, 54 spears, 41 war 
 axes. 
 
 3rd. The Ka-na-ans (or Blood Indians), numbering about 600 men, 
 800 women, 900 children, possessing about 2,500 horses and ponies, 
 480 dogs, and having the following arms : — l4l rifles, 318 revolvers, 
 202 flint guns, 216 bows, 45 spears, 32 war axes. 
 
 4th. The Sar-cis (or Beaver Indians), numbering about 100 men, 
 130 women, 150 children, possessing about 150 horse.?, 300 dogs, and 
 having the following arms : — 6 rifles, 14 revolvers, 64 flint g^ns, 26 
 bows, 4 spears, 7 war axes. 
 
 Although the Blackfeet may number altogether about 2,350 men, 
 many of these are old, and some of them mere boys. It is not believed 
 that they could bring into the field more than 1,000, or 1,100 men, if as 
 many. They keep together by bands for mutual protection, in what is 
 termed in military language, standing camps ; as many as 100 or 150 
 tents being pitched together, and their chiefs have con rol over the 
 
n 
 
 S56 
 
 .■^i"* t 
 
 RFPOUT OF A REC0NNAI8ANCE OF THE 
 
 young men. Their war parties usually consist of only 60 or GO men, 
 and when on raiding expeditions against hostile tribes, they can make, 
 with horses, extraordinary marches. With the Blackfeet, as with all 
 the Indians in the Western Prairies, when at war, murder and assassi* 
 nation is considered honourable warfare. There are many fine-looking 
 men among the Blackfeet, Sioux, Plain Crees, and other tribes, and 
 they have a bold and military bearing. Their active wiry figures, and 
 keen glittering eyes, betoken high health and condition, and they can 
 endure great hardships and fatigue ; but on the whole, the Indians 
 are not equal, in point of physical strength or appearance, to white 
 men hardened by active exercise and inured to labour. As a rule, the 
 Prairie Indians are bold and skilful horsemen, but they are not very 
 skilful with firearms. The Blackfeet and Plain Crees follow the buffalo, 
 subsisting entirely by the chase ; they therefore require a great many 
 horses and dogs for transport and hunting purposes. In the present 
 year, peace having existed for the past two summers between the Crees 
 and Blackfeet, and accompanied as I was by a guide well known, and 
 related to the latter tribe, I did not think there was much danger in 
 travelling through their country. There is always, however, great 
 danger, if mistaken for an American citizen, and on approaching th« 
 International line, near the Porcupine Hills, of meeting Avith hostile 
 bands of the Gros Ventres and Crow Indians, from the territories of 
 Dacotah and Montana, United States, who frequently cross into Do- 
 minion Territory on horse-steahng expeditions, and who are not likely, 
 if they fall in with travellers, to make distinctions. 
 
 From the Rocky Mountain House, the party being increased to five, 
 wo took with U3 twelve horses, one Red River cart for baggage, and 
 carried twelve days' provisions, intending to take the cart as far as 
 practicable, and then cache it. After leaving the Mountain House, no 
 path or trail could bo seen, and we journeyed through the country and 
 over the prairies, led only by the instinct of the guide. After travel- 
 ling for two days through thick wood country, in a south-easterly 
 direction, and crossing the Red Deer and Little Red Deer Rivers, we 
 emerged on the Great Plains, following a route seldom taken by the 
 white man. 
 
 On the 18th September, we reached the South Saskatchewan, here 
 called the Bow River, but owing to the difficulty of finding a practi- 
 cable ford, did not succeed until the following day in effecting a passage 
 with our horses and baggage. Whilst carrying out this operation, the 
 Assiniboine Indian deserted, but subsequently rejoined the party, fearing, 
 probably, to be left alone in the country of the Blackfeet, the heredi- 
 tary enemies of his tribe. We found the water here of the South 
 Saskatchewan, icy cold, flowing as it does out of immense glaciers in 
 the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 On the 21st September we reached the north-west bank of the Por- 
 cupine Hills, and when almost at the foot oi the Livingstone Range of 
 the Rocky Mountains, about eighty miles to the north of the Interna- 
 tional Boundary line, our progress was stopped by a violent snow-storm, 
 and we were forced to camp on the open prairie. For two days and 
 two nights it snowed without intermission, the mountains were soon 
 
 ')> 
 
NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 557 
 
 't 
 
 covered, and by the ovoning of the 22nd tlio snow lay two foot deep 
 all over tlio plain. Tho Hituation bccanio liomowhat dilHcult — stopped 
 at a point 25U miles from the Rocky Mountain House, and as far from 
 any other source of supply, v, ith only five or six days' provisions loft, 
 the guide declaring that to cross the mountains had now become im- 
 possible. Fortunately tho storm occurred before entering the moun- 
 tains, or the probability is, that tho animals would have been lost, and 
 our party placed in a very critical position. 
 
 On lIio 2;5rd the weather cleared, and on the afternoon of that day 
 we killed a largo grizzly bear which I'ad approached to within a few 
 yards of our camp, the animal having lain all the previous night close 
 to it. This event afforded us a timely supply of meat, relievincf our 
 anxiety on that point, although in a case of extremity, tho horses would 
 have supplied food, it was necessary to save them if possible for trans- 
 port. We remained snowed up for six days, then, abandoning the cart 
 and all superfluous baggage started on the 27th with the horses for 
 the Kootanio Pass, resolving to push through tho mountains if practi- 
 cable, and if unable to do so to make for Fort Benton, on the Missouri, 
 a United States military post in Montana, distant about 250 miles to 
 the south-east. 
 
 Owmg to tho depth of snow we did not make more than four milei* 
 on the 27th. 
 
 On the 28th wo made about sixtecii miles, tho snow disappearing 
 rapidly, the weather now very tine, and on the following day clearing 
 the snow altogether (our route lying in a southerly direction), we 
 crossed tho Belly River, and reached the south end of the Porcupine 
 Hills, opposite the entrance of the Kootanie Pass, about 50 miles to 
 the north of the International Boundary line. 
 
 Tho country around the Porcupine Hills is justly considei. the 
 richest and most beautiful part of the Saskatchewan territory. It is a 
 favourite wintering groimd for great herds of buffalo, and of tho 
 Blackfeet Indians, who at that season of the year pitch their camps on 
 either slope of the Porcupine Range, or in the sheltered and fertile 
 valleys along the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 During the nights of the 27th, 28th, and 29th, wo kept on the alert, 
 having during the day time observed the fresh trail of a mounted man, 
 keeping always a short distance in advance of our party, but never 
 visible to us. From certain signs well understood by the guides from 
 their knowledge of Indians and Prairie life, they were of opinion 
 that we were being watched at this time by some scout belonging to a 
 hostile party of tho " Gros Ventre " or " Crow" Indians from south 
 of the line, with a view to horse stealing ; it was necessary therefore to 
 keep the horses close to us at night and well hobbled, and to keep a 
 look out for our own safety. 
 
 On tho 30th September, when entering the Kootanie Pass, we 
 observed a mounted Indian galloping along the side of a mountain. 
 After some hesitation this Indian approached, and on finding that we 
 were not a party of the dreaded Blackfeet, he exhibited great pleasure. 
 He proved to be a scout belonging to a band of Kootanie Indians who 
 had crossed the mountains from the Western side, to hunt bufialo on 
 
( I 
 
 558 
 
 KEPOUT OF A IlEOONNAISAXCE OF THE 
 
 h\ 
 
 the Eafitem Prairies. After proceeding a few miles uccompaniod by 
 this man, and passing sovoral mounted Indians, posted as scouts on 
 the look-out, wo met the main body of the band on the march, and at 
 the request of the chief, camped and remained a day with them, being 
 treated in the most friendly manner. There were about sixty or seventy 
 men in the band, exclusive of those scouting ; they hacl with them 
 more than 200 horses, among which were some good animals ; most of 
 the men were armed with guns, some carrying revolvers in addition ; a 
 few, however, were only equipped with bows and arrows, wo,r axes and 
 knives. Although not actually at war with the Blackfeet, they were 
 apprehensive of attack, and the manner in which these poor Indians 
 performed outpost duty, woul \ have taught a lesson to the soldiers of 
 more civilized countries. One of the leading men insisted upon pre- 
 senting us with a horse, and when I expressed a desire to obtain one or 
 two of their men as guides, and to assist in crossing the mountains, 
 the chief di. icted three to accompany us as far as we wished. 
 
 The Koc nie Indians from the western side of the mountains are 
 much more civilized than the Crees or Blackfeet (these latter as 
 regards habits of life being little better than mere animals). During 
 the day I was with the Kootanie band, a bell was rung three times in 
 the camp for prayers. They are noted hunters, good horsemen, and 
 ■wei'c quite prepared for a brush with the Blackfeet ii called on. 
 
 Continuing our journey we crossed the Rocky Mountains in two 
 •days, riding and scrambling over rough ground. Owing to the 
 quantity of fallen timber, some of which was of great size, we cxperi- 
 •enced considerable difficulty in getting the horses through, but 
 oxcept on the summit of the Pass, there was no snow on the trail. 
 
 The weather was then, on the 1st of October, vei'y line and quite 
 mild. On the 4th of October, by which time the provisions were ex- 
 hausted, we reached the Gold Miners' camp of Wild Horse Creek, in 
 the Kootanie District of British Columbia, where we were most hos- 
 pitably received by the Gold Commissioner and Stipendiary Magistrate 
 of the district, Mr. Arthur Vowell, and our wants supplied. 
 
 In crossing the Rocky Mountains by the Kootanie Pass, there are 
 two distinct ranges. The height of the summit of the first pass is 
 About 6,300 feet above the sea — the mountains on either side, however, 
 being double that altitude and capped with perpetual snow. The 
 height of the second pass is nearly the same ; the track is well defined, 
 itnd has been used for many years by the Kootanie Indians. In some 
 places the path is very narrow, leading over high and dangerous 
 ground — we found it necessary frequently to dismount. The distance 
 from the eastern to the western entrance of the pass in the Kootanie 
 Valley is about 47 miles. It would be diiBcult to describe, in adequate 
 language, the beauty and grandeur of the scenery all through. It is 
 impossible to take any wheeled vehicle at present through the Kootanie, 
 and when there is snow in the mountains in any quantity, horses 
 cannot pass. The present horse trail, however, might be easily im- 
 proved — a party of fifty men could, in the course of a single season, 
 
 ake it equal to the ordinary horse trails in the Province of British 
 Columbia. Considerable labour however would be required to make a 
 
 I 
 
 \] 
 
N0RTH.WE8T PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIF". 559 
 
 waggon road, and to carry a railway across the moantains by this 
 pass, it would be necessary to tunnel through two mountains. 
 
 The Stipendiary Magistrate of the Kootanie district, British 
 Columbia, resides at Wild Horse Creek ; there is a population of from 
 twenty- five to thirty white men, gold miners there, and about one 
 hundred Chinese. The miners, at that time, were not making more, 
 on an average, than five or six dollars per man per day. Ample supplies 
 of beef and florr, at moderate price, can be obtained ; but the price of 
 clothing and other supplies is very high, such supplies having to bo 
 brought on mules or pack horses, either from Walla Walla, in Wash- 
 ington Territory, United States, or from the town of Hope, on the 
 Eraser river, British Columbia, a distance of four hundred and fifty 
 miles. 
 
 A custom-house has been established at Joseph's Prairie, about 14 
 miles from Wild Horse Creek, >vith excellent effect ; and if a similar one 
 was established on the eastern side of the mountain with a military 
 guard at the Porcupine Hills, a still better result wouh bo obtained. 
 
 The postal communication from the Kootanie District to Victoria, 
 is as yet very bad, and it is very desirable to improve the present trail 
 leading via Osoyoos and the Simil-Kameen to the town of Hope, on 
 the Fraser, or to make a waggon road. 
 
 The district of Kootanie is of great extent, embracing an area of 
 32,000 square miles. The total population amounts to about eighty- 
 five white men, two hundred Chinese, and 400 or 500 Kootanie 
 Indians. There is an immense quantity of fine timber in the Kootanie 
 District, and in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, chiefly cedar and 
 pine trees of great height and size ; and the mineral resources are 
 believed to be very great. The valleys between the different hill 
 ranges in the Kootanie District are, generally speaking, fertile and 
 well adapted for farming. There are four gold mines in the district, 
 namely. Wild Horse Creek, Perry's Creek, Palmer's Bar, and Weaver's 
 Bar — only the two former, however, are being worked. 
 
 The government of the district was at the time of my visit under the 
 able administration of Mr. A. Vowell, Stipendiary Magistrate and 
 Gold Commissioner. 
 
 " Wild Horse Creek," although situated in a lovely country, io itself 
 one of the most desolate spots imaginable ; a narrow rugged valley, 
 surrounded by lofty hills, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Prom 
 Wild Horse Creek, the guides who had accompanied me from the 
 Rocky Mountain House, after obtaining fresh supplies, started on the 
 8th of October to return to the Rocky Mountain House, intending to 
 take what they hoped might p -ove a shorter route, and one safer from 
 risk of Indian molestation. 
 
 After my return to Ottawa. . learnt that they effected the return 
 journey to the Rocky Mountain House with safety in eighteen days, 
 recrossing the mountains by the Ispasquehow Pass ; ten days were 
 occupied in crossing the mountains, and much difficulty encountered 
 — two of the horses rolled down an immense ravine, but v/ere fortu- 
 nately not much hurt. The Assiniboine Indian deserted the two other 
 guides in crossing the mountains, thereby greatly increasing their 
 
 VOL. XYII. 
 
 2 B 
 
560 
 
 REPORT OF A REC0NNAI8ANCE OF THE 
 
 il 
 
 labour. Arriving at the spot where the cart had been " cached," the 
 two guides recovered it, and returning from thence by the route 
 originally taken, reached their home at the Rocky Mountain House 
 towards the end of October without accident or the loss of a horse. 
 These two guides alone completed a trying and adventurous journey of 
 several hundred miles \\ith no further damage or deficiency, than the 
 loss of two saddles and an axe. They saw immense herds of buffalo 
 on the return journey, and at the Bow river fell in with a party of 
 American smugglers, having waggons with them, containing whisky 
 and ardent spirits, with which to carry on their illicit and nefaHous 
 ti'affic with the Blackfeet tribe — a kind of ti-aflBc which enables these 
 unscmpulous traders to realize large profits, rob the Indians of buflFalo 
 robes, and valuable furs, and causes annually certain bloodshed amongst 
 the Indian tribes. 
 
 On the 8th October with one guide only and five horses obtained at 
 Wild Horse Creek, I continued the journey from there, and after 
 fifteen days' travel, proceeding via the Mooyie River, Lake Pen d'Oreille, 
 the Spokane and Snake Rivers, arrived at the settlements of Walla 
 Walla and Walula, in Washington Territory, United States, 
 
 It had been my intention to proceed from " Wild Horse Creek " to 
 the town of Hope, on the " Fraser," a distance of about 500 miles, via 
 Fort Shepherd, Lake Osoyoos, the Okanagan country, and Similkameen 
 River, but owing to the lateness of the season the guide was unwilling 
 to take this route. 
 
 The journey from Wild Horse Creek to Lake Pen d'Oreille was 
 tedious and fatiguing, having only one guide to share with me and my 
 son the labour of travelling with horses for many da;y s along an Indian 
 track encumbered with fallen timber, and through a rugged, densely 
 wooded, and difficult country. The scenery from Wild Horse Creek to 
 Lake Fen d'Oreille, and especially about that lake, is very beautiful ; 
 but fm-ther south, on reaching the Spokane River, United States, the 
 country presents the opjiearance of an arid waste ; Washington Terri- 
 tory, United States, being partly situated in what is known as the 
 great Columbian Desert. Washington Territory, United States, is, 
 however, as well as many parts of British Columbia, admirably suited 
 for horses and cattle, from what is known as " bunch grass," growing 
 there in great perfection. 
 
 From Walula, descending the Columbia, I proceeded, via Portland, 
 in Oregon, Olympia, and Puget Sound, to Victoria, in Vancouver's 
 Island, arriving at Victoria on th e 28th day of October^ hp,ving accom- 
 plished the journey from Fort Garry in 70 days, of whicli only 61 were 
 occupied in actual travel, — the distance by the route followed from Fort 
 Grarry to Vancouver's Island being nearly 3,000 miles, — of this dis- 
 tance considerably more than 2,000 miles were travelled on horseback. 
 After remaining 14 days at Victoria, visiting the Island of San Juan, 
 in company with the senior naval Officer of H.M.'s ships, and arrang- 
 ing for the organization of the Militia in the Province of British 
 Columbia, I returned to Ottawa, vid San Francisco and the United 
 States Pacific Railway, stopping for two days to visit the Mormon 
 City, at the Great Salt Lake in Utah Territory. 
 
 T//i: BPiTiiH CcLC/\/tinr, TUB^l, Jlf, OCT. /9r7i. 
 
 % 
 
 « 
 
NORTH-WEST PKOVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 561 
 
 i» 
 
 . ■;, ;• ■ ■' ■ Chapter V. ■ . 
 
 General Ttemarlcs. ' 
 
 During the journey from Manitoba to the Pacific Coast, an oppor- 
 tunity was afforded me of becoming acquainted with the state of affairs 
 in the Saskatchewan and the condition of the Indian tribes. Every 
 possible information was furnished by the missionaries whose acquaint- 
 ance I made, and by the emjjloTje's of the Hudson's Bay Company ; in 
 the course of the journey I met with many bands of Indians. 
 
 Between Fort Garry and Portage de la Prairie, three large camps of 
 the Sioux tribe were visited ; a portion of the same band Avho in 1862 
 massacred some American settlers in Minnesota, United States, in 
 retaliation for thu luany wrongs and outrages committed in the first 
 instance on them by American citizens. Ever since that event, this 
 band has sought refuge in Dominion territory. These Sioux Indians 
 live quietly enough apparently among our people, and occasionally 
 assist the farmers at harvest time. The presence, however, of such a • 
 
 wild and warlike-lookin .^ band in the settlement frequently causes no 
 small apprehensions amongst the settlers dwelling near Portage de la 
 Prairie ; and it should bo remembered that at the time of the Minne- 
 sota massacre this very band, although living quietly apparently among 
 the Minnesota settlers, rose suddenly in one night and swept the settle- 
 ment, committing horrible atrocities. Before reaching Fort Ellice I 
 met two bands of the same tribe, one consisting of about 100 men, 
 unaccompanied by women or children, who told me they had been to 
 visit the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba in hopes of obtaining pre- 
 sents. This band b'jionged to the United States, and had come all the 
 way from the plains south of the Missouri River, whither they were 
 returning. These Indians were bold and wild-looking fellows, fantas- 
 tically dressed, and ail armed. They were perfectly friendly in their 
 manner. 
 
 On one occasion, Avhcn far out on the prairie, a band of 10 mounted 
 Sioux, after reconnoitring from a distance, rode rapidly towards our 
 small party cf four (two of whom were only boys), surrounding us in a 
 moment ; on being told by the guide, who spoke their language very 
 well, that I was not an American citizen, but a British Officer travel- 
 ling towards the Rocky Mountains, they became quite friendly in 
 manner, shaking liands with us heartily. Subsequently this band were 
 somewhat bold and pressing in their demands for presents, which we 
 resisted in a firm but friendly manner, it being bad policy to comply 
 with extortionate demands, or to appear in dealing with Indians, to act 
 from intimidation. 
 
 Betw'3cn Fort Ellice and Fort Carlton I met some bands of the 
 Saulteaux tribe ; at the vaiious forts along the North Saskatchewan 
 several of the Croe tribe (plain Crees), and at the Rocky Mountain 
 House, some Blackfcet r,nd Assiniboine Indians. 
 
 Although there may not at present be much risk in travelling through 
 Saskatchewan territory along the well-known track followed for so 
 many years by the Hudson's Bay Company, especially when associated 
 
SHB5J5!!' 
 
 'i-m 
 
 562 
 
 RErORT OF A RECONNAISANCE OF THE 
 
 »l 
 
 with an employe of tlie company speaking the Indian language, it is a 
 matter of doubt if such can long continue under the changing state of 
 affairs, tuithout the introduction of some Government supported by material 
 force. 
 
 Beyond the Province of Manitoba, westward to the Kocky Mountains, 
 there is no kind of Government whatever at present, and no secui*ity 
 for life or property beyond what people can do for themselves. The 
 few white men there are in the Saskatschewan country and at the 
 Hudson's Bay Company Forts, frequently expressed to me their con- 
 viction that, unless a military force be established in the country, 
 serious danger is to be apprehended. The clergy of all denominations 
 ■whom I met with expressed simil' x- convictions ; those at !i^orts Victoria 
 and Edmonton, as representatives of the community, urged me in the 
 most impressive manner to lay then* claims for the protection of them- 
 selves, their wives, and families, before his Excellency the Governor- 
 General of the dominion and the Government of their country. It 
 appears that of late years no attempt has been made to assert the 
 supremacy of the law, and the most serious crimes have been allowed 
 to pass unpunished. Hardly a year has passed without several murders, 
 and other crimes of the most serious nature, havirj been committed 
 with impunity. 
 
 During the present year, about three weeks before my arr' al at 
 Ed:ronton, a man, by rame Charles Coudin, a French- speakinj^ half- 
 breed, cruelly murdered his wife at no great distance from the gate of 
 the Hudson's Bay Company's Post. I was informed that the criminal 
 might have been arrested, but that there was no power to act. This 
 same man had previously most wantonly and cruelly mutilated an old 
 Indian woman by cutting the sinews of her arm so as to incapacitate 
 her for work. 
 
 At Edmonton there is a notorious murderer, a Cree Indian, called 
 Ta-ha-kooch, who has committed several murders, and who should 
 have been apprehended long ago. This man is to be seen walking 
 openly about the Post. Many instances can be adduced of a similar 
 kind, and as a natural result, there is a wide-spread feeling of appre- 
 hension. The gentleman in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's 
 Post at Fort Pitt, as well as others elsewhere, assured mo that of late the 
 Indians have been overbearing in manner, and at times threatening. 
 Indeed, the white men dwelling in the Saskatchewan are at this moment 
 living by suli'erance, as it were, entirely at the mercy of the Indians. 
 They dare not venture to introduce cattle or stock into the country, 
 or to cultivate the ground to any extent, for fear of Indian spoliation. 
 
 When at Edmonton and the Kocky Mountain House, I was informed 
 that a pai-ty of American smugglers and traders have established a 
 trading post at the junction of the Bow and the Belly Rivers, about 30 
 miles due east from the Porcupine Hills and about 60 miles oji the 
 dominion side of the boundary line. This trading post they have 
 named Fort Hamilton, after the mercantile firm of Hamilton, Healy, 
 and Company, of Fort Benton, Montana, United States, from whom it 
 said they obtain supplies. It is believed that they number about 20 
 well-armed men, under the command of a man called John Healy, a 
 
NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 563 
 
 mmi 
 
 U 
 
 notorious character. Here it appears they have for some time carried 
 on an extensive trade with the Blackfeet Indians, supplying them with 
 rifles, revolvers, goods of various kinds, whisky, and other ardent 
 spirits, in direct opposition to the laws both of the United States and 
 the dominion of Canada, and without paying any custom duties for the 
 goods introduced into the latter country. The demoralization of the 
 Indians, the danger to the white inhabitants, and the injury resulting 
 to the country from this illicit traffic, are very great. 
 
 It is stated upon good authority that during the year 1871, 88 of the 
 Blackfeet Indians were murdered in drunken brawls amongst them- 
 selves, produced by whisky and other spirits supplied to them by those 
 traders. Year after year, these unscrupulous tradei's continue to plunder 
 our Indians of their bufialo vobes and valuable furs by extortion and 
 fraud, and the shameful traffic causes certain bloodshed amongst the 
 Indian tribes. At Fort Edmonton during the past summer, whisky 
 was openly sold to the Blackfeet and other Indians trading at the 
 Post by some smugglers from the United States, who derive large 
 profits thereby ; and on these traders being* remonstrated with by the 
 gentlemen in charge of the Hudson's Bay Post, they coolly replied that 
 they knew very well that what they were doing was contrary to the 
 laws of both countries, but as there was no force there to prevent 
 them, they would do just as they pleaded. It is indispensable for the 
 peace of the country and welfare of the Indians, that this smuggling 
 and illicit traffic in spirits and fire-arms be no longer permitted. The 
 establishment of a custom-house on the Belly River near the Porcu- 
 pine Hills, with a military guard of about 150 soldiers is all that 
 would be required to effect the object. Not only would the establish- 
 ment of a military post here put a stop to this traffic, but it would 
 also before long be the means of stopping the horse-stealing expedi- 
 tions carried on by hostile Indians from south of the line into Dominion 
 territory, which is the real cause of all the danger in that part of the 
 country, and the source of constant war among the Indian tribes. 
 
 Indeed it may now be said with truth, that to put a stop to horse- 
 stealing and the sale of spirits to Indians, is to prevent altogether 
 Indian wars in the north-west. The importance of the Porcupine Hill 
 in a strategical point of view is very great, commanding as it does the 
 entrance of both theKootanie passes towards the west, and the route 
 from Benton into the Saskatchewan territory on the south and east ; 
 the country can be seen from it for immense distances all round. 
 Although hostile to citizens of the United States, it is believed that the 
 Blackfeet Indians would gladly welcome any Dominion military torce 
 sent to protect them from the incursions of other tribes, and to stop 
 the horse-stealing which has for so long been carried on. With excel- 
 lent judgment they have pointed out the southern end of the Porcupine 
 Hill as the proper place for a military post. In order to satisfy myself 
 on this point, I spent the greater portion of the '<i9th September in 
 reconnoitring the ground recommended by them, and if it be the 
 policy of Government to take steps to stop the illicit smuggling which 
 is being carri(>d on at this part of the Dominion, there is every con- 
 venience for establishing a custom-house and military post. Timber 
 
564. 
 
 REPORT OP A REC0NNAI8ANCE OF THE 
 
 of large size and good quality for building is close at hand; and the 
 surrounding country is most fertile and favourable for settlement. 
 
 The distance from Fort Edmonton to the Porcupine Hill is about 
 six or seven days' journey on horseback, and from the Kootanie Valley 
 on the western side of the Rocky Mountains, from whence supplies 
 could be easily obtained, about fifty or sixty miles. 
 
 Frequent intercourse, and an active trade between the Kootanie dis- 
 trict of British Columbia and the Saskatchewan country, would result 
 from the establishment of a custom-house and military post at the 
 Porcupine Hills. Many individuals are prepared to settle there, if any 
 protection is afforded, and the Indian trade of the country, at present 
 tapped by United States' smugglers, would remain with our own 
 countrymen. There is a general belief prevalent, moreover, that 
 valuable gold deposits are to be found near the Porcupine Hills ; the 
 unsettled state of the country hitherto has not admitted, however, of 
 much prospecting. A party of four American miners who crossed 
 through the Kootanie Pass two or three years ago, were all killed by 
 the Blackfeet, near the Porcupine Hill, the moment they entered the 
 plain on the eastern side ; since which no attempt at prospectinj" for 
 gold has been made in that part of the country. 
 
 With regard to the measures which should be adopted for the settle- 
 ment of the country, I feel satisfied that the introduction of a civil 
 police force, unsupported by any military, into the Saskatchewan terri- 
 tory would be a mistake, and that no time should be lost in establishing 
 a chain of military posts from Manitoba to the Rocky Mountains. 
 The appointment of a stipendiary magistrate for the Saskatchewan, to 
 reside at Edmonton and act as the Indian Commissioner, is also a matter 
 of the first importance. The individual to fill this important post should 
 be one, if possible, already known to, and in whom the Indians have 
 confidence, I consider that it is very necessary to invite the co-opera-» 
 tion of the Hudson's Bay Company in the adoption of any steps towards 
 establishing law and order in the Saskatchewan for the first few yeai'S, 
 and no Indian Commissioner should proceed unaccompanied by a 
 military force. A large military force is not required, but the presence 
 of a certain force I believe will be found to be indispensable for the 
 security of the country, to prevent bloodshed, and preserve peace. 
 
 The number of the Indians dwelling in the extensive country which 
 lies between the Red River and the Rocky Mountains on Dominion 
 territory has been much exaggerated. It is very difficult to arrive at 
 any accurate Indian census, but having made every inquiry during last 
 summer on this point, whilst travelling through the country, from those 
 most competent to judge, I doubt if there are more than 4,000 Prairie 
 Indians capable of bearing arms in the Dominion territory, between 
 Fort Garry and the Rocky Mountains, south of the Sub- Arctic Forest, 
 and north of the International Boundary Line, the total Prairie Indian 
 population amounting, perhaps, to 14,000 or 15,000. These Indians 
 are scattered over such an immense extent of country that anything 
 like a formidable combination is impossible ; most of the tribes, more- 
 over, have been hostile to one another from time immemorial. 
 
 It is believed that the Blackfeet and the Plain Crees, the two 
 
 W 
 
 h 
 
 ^ 
 
 \ 
 
^ma 
 
 -w, 
 
 > 
 
 i^ 
 
 § 
 M 
 
 ^;•$^ 
 
 J 1 
 
 NOKTH-WEST PROVINCES ^VND INDIAN TERRITORIES. 565 
 
 strongest tribes o£ Prairie Indians, may have respectively about 1,000 
 fighting men, bat it is doubtful if either tribe could ever concentrate 
 such a number, or if concentrated, that they could long remain so from 
 the difl&culty of obtaining subsistence. Although many of the Black- 
 feet have breech-loading rifles, the Indians generally are poorly armed 
 and badly mounted. Under these circumstances it will be readily 
 understood that comparatively small bodies of well-armed and disci- 
 plined men judiciously posted throughout the country, could easily 
 maintain military supremacy. A body of 50 mounted riflemen armed 
 with breech-loading rifles is a formidable power on the prairies. 
 
 One regiment of mounted riflemen, 550 strong, including non-com- 
 missioned Officers, divided into companies of 50, would be a sufficient 
 force to support Government in establishing lew and order in the 
 Saskatchewan, preserving the peace of the north-west territory, and 
 affording protection to the surveyors, contractors, and railway labourers 
 about to undertake the great work of constructing the Dominion Pacific 
 Railway. 
 
 Although the proposed military strength, and consequent expense, 
 may appear somewhat considerable, I have been guided by every con- 
 sideration of economy in recommending the above number. It is 
 wiser policy and better economy to have 100 soldiers too many, than 
 one man too few ; the great extent of the country, and detached nature 
 of the service, must also be taken into acpount, and it should be 
 borne in mind that the only thing the Indians really respect and will 
 bow to, is actualpower. It should be borne in mind too, that in addition 
 to the Indian element, there is a half-breed population of about 2,000 
 souls in the Saskatchewan, unaccustomed to the restraint of any 
 government, mainly depending as yet upon the chase for subsistence, 
 and requiring to be controlled nearly as much as the Indians. If it be 
 in harmony, therefore, with the policy of the Government to do so, I 
 would recommend the establishment of military posts at the following 
 places, strength as below : — 
 
 Mounted Riflemen. 
 
 1. At Portage de la Prairie, 50 ; 2. at Fort EUice, 50 ; 3. at Fort 
 Carlton, 50 ; 4. at Fort Pitt, 50 ; 5. at Fort Victoria, 50 ; 6. at Fort 
 Edmonton, 100 ; 7. at Porcupine Hill, 150 ; total, 500. With a pro- 
 portion of Officers and non-commissioned officers. 
 
 If no permanent custom-house and military post is established at 
 the Porcupine Hills, then the strength of the force at Edmonton should 
 be 250, of which 150 men should be encamped during the sununer 
 months at the Porcupine Hills, or at the junction of the Bow and Belly 
 rivers, returning to Edmonton for the winter ; but the establishment 
 of a custom-house and military post at Porcupine Hills, is of far more 
 importance, and would have a much better general effect towards 
 securing the peaceful settlement of the country than at any other places 
 named. During the summer months a detachment of 50 men from this 
 post might with advantage be employed in improving the communi- 
 cation across the mountains with the Kootanie district of British 
 Columbia. 
 
! I 
 
 566 
 
 REPORT OP A REC0NNAI8ANCE OF THE 
 
 It would be necessary that each of the companies of mounted rifle- 
 men should be made, as far as possible, self-supporting communities, 
 provided with a few carts, entrenching tools, ^agricultural implements, 
 seed for raising corn, and some cattle. These military posts would 
 partake of the character of military settlements, in the vicinity of which 
 many settlers would, ere long, establish themselves. 
 
 It would be very desirable, moreover, that a medical officer should 
 be appointed to each military post, and his duties not confined to the 
 medical charge of the miUtary only, but extended to all the Indians in 
 the vicinity. Past experience has proyed that no measure is better 
 calculated to secure the confidence and attachment of the Indian tribes 
 than by attending to their wants in time of sickness, and supplying 
 them with medical aid. 
 
 The men to compose the corps should be enlisted to servo for three 
 years, receiving on the termination of the engagement (provided they 
 have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner), the same amount 
 of land as is granted on discharge to the men of the militia in Manitoba ; 
 I would recommend that the corps be raised by volunteers from the 
 active militia. It would be desirable to attach to the military force at 
 each post, three or four half-breeds, or Indians, as scouts, who could 
 serve as interpreters, and would usually carry the mail. 
 
 At the places indicated for military posts, no great difficulty would 
 be experienced, or expense incurred, in hutting the men, they them- 
 selves performing the work, or an arrangement might be more easily 
 made with the Hudson's Bay Company to provide barrack accommo- 
 dation and rations at the difierent posts for the number of men 
 required. 
 
 In the event of this proposed arrangement meeting v/ith the views of 
 Government, I have the honour to state that the probable expense that 
 would be incurred for the establishment and maintenance of the militia 
 force proposed, would be about 300,000 dols. annually. 
 
 I would further beg to suggest, if it be decided to establish any chain 
 of military posts, that for the first year the soldiers be employed in 
 laying down a telegraphic wire from Manitoba towards British Columbia, 
 if not required to hut themselves. 
 
 From my own knowledge and observation of the country, I think that 
 if proper energy be used, the very desirable work of establishing tele- 
 graphic communication, from Fort Garry through Dominion territory, 
 with British Columbia, could be carried out by the soldiers in one or 
 two seasons. I would further observe that no time should be lost in 
 making the preliminary arrangements. The men and horses should, if 
 possible, be concentrated at Fort Garry in the month of May or June, 
 their equipment forwarded sooner, and the companies despatched 
 without delay. An easy and agreeable march of a few weeks' duration 
 would suffice to establish them in the respective posts of occupation. 
 
 BRITISH COLUMBIA. 
 
 With regard to the organization of the militia in British Columbia, 
 it is recommended that one Staff Officer as Deputy Adjutant- Gen oral 
 of Militia be appointed for the province, as soon as the Government 
 
 ■i^ 
 
 *fi 
 
 f 
 
 > ^i 
 
I\ 
 
 ^i 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^i 
 
 NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND INDIAN TERRITORIES 567 
 
 finds it convenient to do so. It is not necessaiy at present to appoint 
 Brigade Majors. 
 
 The formation of two companies of riflemen (volunteer militia) in 
 Victoria, and one at Nanaimo, is recommended, also the formation of 
 one company of riflemen at New Westminster, another at Bnrrard's 
 Tnlet, on t> j mainland, and that the New Westminster .battery of 
 garrison -x-tillery be reorganized. 
 
 The total white population of the province is only as yet about 
 12,000. There are about 4,000 half-breeds and 45,000 Indians— the 
 latter mainly dwelling along the coast. The Indians dwelling in the 
 interior of British Columbia are not numerous ; the policy of treating 
 them much in the same manner as if they were settlers, appears to have 
 succeeded admirably. 
 
 The following amount of military stores have recently been despatched 
 by order of the Dominion Government, from England direct by sea to 
 Victoria, for the equi]iment of the militia of the province : — 
 
 1,000 Snider Enfield rifles. 
 
 1,000 sets of accoutrements. 
 
 1,000 rifle uniforms. 
 
 1,000 great coats. 
 
 300,000 rounds of ammunition. 
 
 60 tents. 
 
 20 targets complete, with flags. 
 
 100 camp kettles. 
 
 1,000 knapsacks complete, with mess tins and straps. 
 
 It is very desirable with a view to ultimate economy as well as present 
 efiiciency, that some building be acquired in Victoria to serve as an 
 armoury and storeroom, and that a storekeeper be appointed to the 
 charge of this public property without delay. 
 
 I submit, with this Report, a map of the north-west provinces and 
 territories of the Dominion, showing the route which I followed across 
 the continent ; the places recommonded for militaiy posts are marked, 
 and the point where it is stated that United States' smugglers have 
 established a post at the junction of the Bow and Belly Rivers, is also 
 shown. 
 
 The portion of territory north of the 49th parallel, and west of the 
 Lake of the Woods, on the " Dawson Route " now claimed by the 
 United States' authorities, and which intersects the present Canadian 
 line of communication with Manitoba and the important territories of 
 the north west is shaded dark. 
 
 I have the honour to be. Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 P. ROBERTSON-ROSS, 
 Colonel Commanding the Militia of Canada, 
 and Adjutant- General of Militia. 
 Head-quarters, 
 
 Ottawa, 17th March, 1873. 
 
 This Report has been submitted to the Dominion Parliament now in 
 Session. 
 
 P. R. R.