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1 2 3

GRAIN TRAD

Memoi

TO HIS EXCE'J

The Legislatui
1 4tli (lay of Ft
lution, which v
by the Goveri

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eighteen millions found its way to Montreal. The mo^
this produce must always be greatly influenced by th
cheapness and other advantages of the respective re
would be available. Montreal is now only second to ^
on this continent as a grain-exporting port.

For 1862 the quantity of wheat shipped from Montrc
year was, according to the best information, over fiftet
bushels. As is shown by the evidence herewith subw
St. Lawrence line of navi.';ation sufTcrs a disadvantage
of return freights for the •. ,3sels Avhich come with grain
West. In consequence of this drawback, the receipts
ments of Montreal are not so large as they otherwise w(
been. But whether the produce of the Western States
be shipped from Huron and Michigan Lake ports be
for market and consumption in the Eastern States, '
Eastern Provinces of British America, or for shipment t
the proper route will be the shortest and cheapest. In
New York I'rom ports on Lake Michigan, the canals ant
of the State of New York arc the principal available
transport between the great lakes and New Vork city.
Ottawa navigation opened, the proposed Champlain C
structed and the Northern Canal enlarged, this Nort
would be 150 miles shorter than any other, and by rea:
very superior capacity would afford the best possibl
transport between the Great West and New York, j
as it does many advantages as regards distance, time, and
when compared with existing routes, it seems clear that
command a very large portion of the trade. In cons:
subject of this magnitude and peculiar character, your C
are sensible of the necessity for exercising due caution in
at conclusions. On this point, however, they feel that
dence which is herewith presented is lull and convincing.

The character of the country through which this proi
of navigation passes is varied. The easterly portion, bei
more than half the total distance — lies in a well-settled,
country, and is at present navigated by large steame
westerly portion is through a wilderness, which as yet is
quented by the hunter, the voyager, or the lumberer. Bi
a wilderness, it is the very heart of the finest pine forest
the world, and would yield immense amounts of lumbe
port; at the present time the trade in lumber is the large
"ade of home products in Canada, and the supply in thi
18, with judicious management, almost inexhaustible. 1
ing of this line of navigation would aiford a market, e
none in the world, for the sawed lumber of that immens
The country is of the granitic formation, rather hilly, am
from seventy to seventy-five per cent, of the land is bettei
to timber-growing than tillage. There are many ext«ns;
of good arable land, beautifully situated and well watere
will eventually, and perhaps at no very distant day, s

large population; but th3 general
'r"'' Vt hen it i* consider^ that i

character of the renor

■^

The Grai

Memorial of the IlUi
Commissioners.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY TllE (^OVEIlNIIU-r.
CANADA.

TllE Legislature of the stntn of Illiii
14tli (lay of February, 1S()3, passed a
lution, which was on the same day dul;
by the Governor, creating a coininisi
i'oni|)(i»ed of five citiitcns of Illinois,
pointed by the (Jovcrnor, with full
authority on behalf of the state to pel
proceed personally to the Provincial G
and I'arliaincnt of Canada, and, ifdeen
('ommissioncrs advisable, to the Gove
Great Hritaiii, for the purpose of pri
those Governments, in any propei
statistics of the fraiie and productic
North-Western StatcM of the Aineric
which are seeking mlarged nn<l chcaj
to the ti<lc-wnter, by way of the lakes, ;
and new or enlarged canals of Cuihk
solicit from those Goveinmints their ea
siduration of and early actiiin upon a
such great and ranidlj growin!> imp
them as well as to th(! North-Wcstcrn 1
In compliance with the rcquiremei
joint resolution referred to, and under tl
inent of the Govenior of Illinois, we
respectfully and briefly to present to
through you to the I'roviMcial Parliamc
ISritish Government, th^ importance
(treat Uritain and the United .States ol
and perfecting the navigation of the St.
as to alforil to the commerce of both
a cheap communication between the
ports on the North-Western lakes
Britain. The growing and already vitt
for enlarged and cheaper avenues be
North■^Vestern States and the Atlantic
comparatively neglected, because those ;
producing states were S|)ar3ely popul
only a few scattered hamlets anil forts, i
of the last treaty between the two couni
within the last half-century the agrici
sources of these states have been deve!
a rapidity unparalleled in the history of
The surplus of products furnished by tl
with their present population of nine r
already immense, and, with the increase
for reaching a market, that surplus \
creased with a rapidity even beyond tl
past twenty-five years. With one-tei
arable surface under cultivation, the |
jWheat of the North-Western States in 1(
j^matcd at one hundred and fifty milli(
,<and of Indian corn at five hundre
[* bushels ; and from our own state of Illi
Y' there baa been shipped annually, for tl
^f years, a surplus of food sufficient to

(inillions of people.

-^ For several years past a lamentabl

.■ crops actually harvested has occurred

'•quence of the inability of the railways

111 leading to the seaboard to take off the e:

IgNurth-West seems already to have ar

.point of production beyond any possib

jfor transportation which can be provid

I by the great natural outlets. It has fc

icessive years crowded the canals am

J! with more than one hundred millions

t of grain, besides immense quantities of

[ visions and vast numbers of cattle and

lincreasingvolume of business cannot be i

J without recourse to the natural out

■lakes.

The future prosperity of these states
I on the great lakes depends, in a grea
upon cheap transportation to foreign
hence, they are vitally interested in tb
Fof opening the St. Lawrence, the grc
I thoroughtarc from the lakes to the occa
j and by which the people of England m
I their supplies of brcadstuHs and provisin
! exceeding the quantity heretofore recc
• the United States, at one-fourth less cf
khos heretofore been obtained. From
Ipericnco derived from shipments of Ii
I from Chicago to Liverpool, it is show
[freight charges often cover seven-eigb
[ value of a bushel of com at Liverpool.
" one-half of the cost of wheat is also
I Bumed by the present very inadequate
I transportation.

I The annually increasing receipts
I grain into the United Kingdom are cb

43075

The Grain Trade of the North- West,

riiOPOSEl) SHIP CANAL THROUGH CANADA.
Supplement to the Free Press, August, 1863.

Memorial of the Illinois
Commissioners.

Ills KXCI;LLENCY the (iOVEIlJIIIU-f.FJIKUAI, OF
CANADA.

\: Legislature of the stiitn of TllinoiM, on tliu
li (lay of Fcbruiiry, lS(ia, piissecl ii joint rc«o-
on, which was on the s:inie day duly aiiiirovcil
the Governor, creating a cninniisslon to be
ipoaed of five citizens of Illinois, to be ap-
nteil by the (iovcrnor, with full ])owcr ami
hority on behalf of the state to petition or to
ci'iid personally to the Provincial Government
I'arlianicnt of Canada, and, if deemed by the
uniissioners advisable, to the Government of
:at Uritain, for the purpose of presenting to
se Governments, in any proper manner,
istios of the trade and productions of the
rth-Western StatCM of the American Union,
ch are seeking mlarged and cheaper outlets
he tide-water, byway of the lakes, and rivers,
new or enlarged canals of (Canada, and to
it from those Govcinmints their earnest con-
ration of and early action upon a subject o(
h great and rapidlj grnwinij importance to
n as well as to the Nortli-Westi-rn States,
n compliance with the roriuircmcnts of the
it resolution referred to, and under the appoint-
nt of the Governor of Illinois, we have come
[lectliilly and briefly to present to you, and
nugli you to the I'rovinciat Parliament anil the
tish Government, th3 importance both to
!at Britain and the United States o( so opening
I perfecting the navigation of the St. Lawrence
to alford to the commerce of both countries
:heap communication between the shipping
Is on the North-Western lakes and Great
tain. The growing and already vital necessity
enlarged and cheaper avenues between the
rth-AVestern States and the Atlantic has been
inaratively neglected, liecause those great food-
ducing states were sjiarsely populated, with
y a few scattered hamlets anil forts, at the date
he last treaty between the two countries. But
bin the last half century the agricultural re-
rces of these states have been developed with
jpidity unparalleled in the history of the world,
e surplus of products furnished by these states,
h their present population of nine millions, is
■ady immense, and, with the increased facilities
reaching a market, that surplus will be in-
ased with a r.ipidity even beyond that of the
t twenty-five years. With one-tenth of the
ble surface under cultivation, the product of
iatof the Xorth-Western States in iaG2 is esti-
:cd at one hundred and fittv million bushels
. of Indian corn at five liundred million
hels ; and from our own state of Ulir.ois alone
re has been shipped annually, for the last two
rs, a surplus of food sutficient to feed ten
lions of people.

"or several years past a lamentable waste of
ps actually harvested has occurred in conse-
nce of the inability of the railways and canals
ling to the seaboard to take off the excess. The
•th-West seems already to have arrived at a
it of production beyond any possible capacity
transportation which can be provided, except
the great natural outlets. It has for two suc-
live years crowded the canals and railways
li more than one hundred millions of bushels
p^in, besides immense quantities of other pro-
ons and vast numbers of cattle and bogs. This
'easingvolume of business cannot be maintained
lOut recourse to the natural outlet of the

IS.

'he future prosperity of these states bordering
the great lakes depends, in a great measure,
n cheap transportation to foreign markets ;
cc, they are vitally interested in the question
ipening the St. Lawrence, the great natural
roughtarc from the lakes to the ocean, through
by which the people of England may enlarge
r supplies of breadstuffs and provisions, greatly
ceding the quantity heretofore received from
United States, at one-fourth less cost than it
heretofore been obtained. From actual ex-
enco derived from shipments of Indian corn
a Chicago to Liverpool, it is shown that the
;ht charges often cover seven-eighths of the
le of a bushel of corn at Liverpool. More than
half of the cost of wheat is also often con-
ed by the present very inadequate moans of
isportation.

'be annually increasing receipts of foreign
n into the United Kingdom are chiefly made

up of increased receipts from the United States.
The freight charges upon our American bread-
stuffs amount in the aggregate to more than
double the .ivcragu charges on all the grain im-
ported there from the continental markets, yet
increased supplies are annually being drawn from
America. I ho Kuroptian customer for our
breadstuffs determines their price in all of our
markets. The surplus <if grain derived from tlin
, Xorth-West is fifty or sixty millions of bushels
I boyoml the demand of the Kastern States, and
t when the surplus i.s carried to their markets the
foreign quitations establish the value of the
entire harvest.

Our pniiric soil.s are tilled with the same 'aci-
lity as the alluvial soils of tl;c; v;;'ley of the Nile.
Ill their natural state they hai'o an abundant
growth of the most nutritious ij.asses, which fur-
nish the farmer with food for his cattle and
horses at a nominal cost. The cultivation of these
lands so largely by improved mi'ohanical means
reduces the first cost of our grain brlnw that of any
I of the Kuropeaii countries ; hence, our products
! have entered largely into competition with the
[ pioduit.s of other countries, upon which the freight
charges form a small part of the Knirlish importer's
expenses. These North- Western States furnished
one-third of lf),0i»4,yi4 quarters of grain im-
porti-d into Knglaud in the year IMOI, a season of
extremely high iieights on the lakes and canals
as well as upon the ocean. The ollieial returns
of ISd'J are not yet published; it is believed,
lionrever, that the proportion of .Vinerioan grain
was still larger than in 1801. In this view we
may safely conclude that the ((uestion of devising
cheaper ijnd more expeditious routes for the
transportation of this grain to Kngland has be-
come of e(jual iinportaucu to Great Britain and
the United States.

It is the opinion of your Memorialists that the
cost of transportation ni.ay be reduced ten shillings
per quarter, or thirty cents per bushel. One-half
of this sum added to the income of our farmers
would give a remarkable stimulus to the produc-
tion of grain, and would lead in a few years —
within five years at the farthest — to the produc-
tion of a surplus exceeding the total of the present
importation of grain into England from all
countries. And it is equally true that the present
heavy freight charges, consequent upon the in-
adequacy of the means of transportation, will
diminish the production of grain and divert agri-
cultur.il labour and enterprise into some other
and more remunerative channel. We think we
are warranted in expressing the opinion that a
luodurate expenditure devoted to connecting the
Canadian Kivers with the great lakes in Canada,
so as to permit steam navigation to Alontreat
and, if practicable, a direct trade with Liveriiool,
will open to England a supply of breadstutls as
large as she now imports Trom every other country,
at lower rates of first cost, and thus give the
control of the grain markets of the world to the
largest purchaser.

The interior of North America is drained by
the St. Lawrence, which furnishes for the country
bordering upon the lakes u natural highway to the
sea. Through its deep channels must pass the
agricultural productions of the vast lake region.
The commercial spirit of the age forbids that in-
ternational jealousy should interfere with great
natural thoroughfares, and the Governments of
Great Britain and the United States will appre-
ciate this spirit and cheerfully yield to its influ-
ence. The great avenue to the Atlantic through
the Sc. Lawrence being once opened to its largest
capability, the laws of trade, which it has never
been the policy of the Federal Government to
obstruct, will carry the commerce of the North
West through it.

In concluding, we will say that we come as
agents of the Government of the State of Illinois,
not intending to transcend the limits of our power,
and carefully avoiding the assumption of any of
the functions of the t'ederal Government in its
international relations, but to present to the Pro-
vincial Government of Canada, and through it to
the British Government, such ti>ctB concerning the
resources of the North-Western States, their capa-
city (or production of the cereals, and the difficultv
in reaching tide-water with their products, as will
tend to the opening of direct trade between those
states and Liverpool.— Respectfully submitted,
W. B. Ogden, W. H. Osbobn,

J. S.W. Singleton, W. H. Green.
J. Young Scamuon,

Chkago, Jllinoit, March 10, 1863.

43075

The Canadian Government and
the Illinois Memorial.

The iollowiuj^ is from a private letter, dated
Juno ir> :— .

" 1 have now to report the information I have ob-
taini il from the A merican aKencim in London respect-
ing the lUludis proposal. Tlie tirst application wu to
: tlie American C^onKress for a caniU complrting the
I coniiuu nitaiion with Kuro|)i' by ilie iliMiuippi. Con-
jiress refused the a|iproprmiioii, and Cummiuioucra
I were then app"iiited hy tlie State of Illinois to
, propose to the fiiivuriiuitiit of CaimJa, and, if ueces-
j sary, to that of Kii|ilaiiil, a ship canal from Lake
I Huron to the river Otta\vi^ to as to enable vessels
! to go ilircct I'rum ChicaKo to Liverpool. By this
course the transit would be elleeted without touching,
I at any piiint, oil the territory of the United States,
, and would pass entirely thruugli the territory of
Great Hrilaiii. The Commissinuers wire not to at:t
out lor (iuebec till the 30tli of May. In the face of
the (jcncral electiuu in Canada, caused by the defeat
of the Ministry, tliey will iluubtieis have postponed
their journey lor a month or two. Their Memorial
to the Uovernor of Ciiiada was, liuwevir, forwarded
'' lui CliicaKo on the luth of March. A Committee
the Cuiiaiiiaii I'lirliainent reported, not indeed on
the Memorial, but oii the piopostd (.'anal on the
aotli (if April. 'I'iiis reiiort w,ui lavuurable to the
project oil evi ry jiuiut. 1 lie t'anadian Uovernmcnt,
however, antieipattd tlie reiKjrt by a negative of a
most extrauriliuary uature, which requires a word
of explanation. Up to the year 1859 there weie
tolls on all the Caiiadiaii Canals. There was, how-
ever, ((/* trsctption in /ufuur of yrain mul Jiour. After
paying toll on the Welland Caual these were allowed
to pass free through the !St. Lawrence Canals.
j " In IS.i'J the tolls were abolished by an Act of
the Legislature.

'■ On the loth of April last the Canadian GoTem-
mciit issued a rroclaniation rtimposing the tolls
while rejiealing the exemption in favour of grain.
The result is the amiulliugot all the contract* made
for the year resiiectiiig the transport of grain through
I British territories, and the throwiug back ot the
' exporters of grain upon the ICrie Canal which goes
I through the Liiiled States. This proceeding, which
is nominally a measure for increasing the revenue,
; is exactly analogous to the export duty imposed
on the products of Turkey by the Commercial
Treaty of 1S38. It annihilates the export, and of
course, with the export, deatroya the export duty.
The efli^ct of this measure upon all persons in Eng-
land interested in Canada is to excite their indigna-
tion against Canada, and to arrest all investment
there of Kiiglish capital. They consider the Uovem-
nieiit and a large section of the people of Canada as
uuder influences originating at Washington, which
must end in destroying the Colony. Their only
hope is that the electors may return leptesenutivea
who will repeat the vote of ' No Confidence' just
given by their predecessors against the Administra-
tion. Otherwise, they say, Canada is doomed.''

Article of the London Times.

Article of the Times, April 29, IbG3.
As the vessel of the American Commonwealth
labours more and more heavily in the revolu-
tionary ocean on which, in an evil hour, she has
embarked, the tendency to separation between
her straining timbers becomes daily and hourly
more manifest. Interesting and exciting as pass-
ing events may be, the future begins to occupy
more of men's minds than the present ; and while
we hear nothing but the most frantic declarations
that the Union must, shall, and will be preserved
at the cost, if necessary, of the depopulation of
half a continent, and the slavery of the other half,
the actions of men are beginning to show how
little confidence they repose in their own most
solemn declarations. Of course, by the Constitu-
tion of the United States, that Government to
which everybody is so loudly professing uncondi-
tional loyalty has supreme power over the foreign
relations of the Republic, and it is only through
it that foreign nations can be approached. Liver-
pool and Glasgow have exactly as murh right to
estabhsb diplrma'ic or ^m^i-diplomatic relations
with France ar. ssia as Illinois or Michigan to
opoii negotiatio .s with the British Government.
Yet this, or something verj like it, hag actually
been done. Wc have now before us a paper ad-
dressed to the Governor-General of Canada, signed
by five influential citizens of lUinois, among whom
we observe the name of Mr. Osbobn, the Presi-
dent of the Illinois Central Railway, which looki
exceedingly like an attempt to establish on a plau-
sible basis the means of a regular diplomatic com-
munication 'between the State and the Colony.

GRAIN TRADE OF THE NORTH-WEST.

AVu are the more strengthaned in tbb conviction
from the very earnest (liseloimer with wbicli tLc
ilociiment enils. " Wo come," say those who sign
it, " not intcnilin/{ to trnnseeml thu limitb of our
jiower, and carefully avoiilinu; the assumption ol'
any other functions of the: I'eilorul Government
in it! international relations, hut to (iresunt to the
Provincial frovornnient of Canada, and through
it to the British GoTemment, such facts concern-
ing the vast resources of the North-Wcstern
States, their capacity for the production of the
cereals, and thj difficulty of reaching tide-water
with their pvoduct, as will tend to the opening cf
direct trade between those States and Liverpool."

The Cominbsion must be deUcato indeed which
requires to be so expressly guarded. The autho-
rit' is nothing less tlian an Act of the Governor
an<l Legislature of Illinois authorising the Com-
missioners to proceed to Canada, and to England
if necessary, in order to present statistics of the
trade and productions of the North-Wcstern
States, and to solicit £i"om thooe Governments
early consideration and early action on the sub-
ject. Tho ease is a wonJerfully strong one, and
though the fact of such u Mission having been
sent to enforce it might pasn icilhuul ubseroalina in
timrn le.1.1 nentfiil than those in which y"- -jre
living, the remarkable coincidence between this
movement and the events which seem to prove
that the North-AVcst must give up for the future
the hope cf seeing the Mississippi again oper to
their commerce, seems to point to motives i/et
Mure uryeat than a mere iriih lu iuereate an ulreaJy
exiilint/ trade. Tho North- West, in fact, seems,
however tardily, to be awakening to the real
urgency of its situation. It has taken upon itself,
with a gallantry equal to its ill-fortune, the task
of fighting the battle of the whole Confederacy.
It has bled freely at every pore, without receiving
any of the consolation which the public pitnider
has afi'orded to the fervid patriots of New York ;
and the return which it receives for its gallimtry
and devotion is that it h.is alienated the South
who are its natural customers, 'vithout any hope
of restoring that Union lor which it has fought
and bled. The North-West seems to have ar-
rived at the conclusion that nothing but a ship
canal which shall open the liirthest extremities of
J.,ake Huron and Lake Alidiigan can enable it to
pour its produce on a t^calu eounuen.iurate with its
abundance into the lap of Europe. The canals at
present connecting the l.iake States with the
Atlantic are small, shallow, and, though tit for
lake craft, quite unsuittd fur nca-going vessels.
The railway commmiication i.^ entirely inade-
quate, and large quantities of Indian corn are de-
scribed as left in sheds, one of which was two uiiles
long, by the side of the railways, from the harvest
of one year to the harvest of the next, because
the railway is unequal to the transport of so vast
a mass of food. In 18(il the United States —
which may for this purpose be considered to mean
the North-Western States, since tho Eastern States
consume more corn than they produce — imported
into England alone -2,507,744 quaiters of wheat,
1,7-J3,334 quaiters of Indian corn, and 3,794,805
hundredweights of Hour, the who!.: of which are
computed to have been sold in England lor
12,643,918/. Hut this wheat, Hour, and Indian
com was worth in Chicago only 4,817,567/., so
that tie difference between the value at Chicago
and the value in London is no less than 7,8-'i.-I.J 1 /.
The freight from the North-West to Liverpool is,
on wheat, one-half its price ; on flour, one-third ;
aud on Indian corn, seven-eighths of its price. It
is calculated that were a ship canal to be made,
so Its to allow a direct communication, without
transhipment, between (Chicago and Liverpool,
the grain might be brought to market for one-
lourtli of its present price. But this calculation,
stupendous us it is, fails to give the least idea of
what we may reasonably expect the future to be.
The State of IlUnois is the most thickly peopled
of these regions, and yet even there only one-tenth
of the arable land which it possesses a under cul-
tivation. Its surface, naturally cleared, watered
by noble rivers, and possessing the same rich
quality of soil as tho black country of Eussia, or
as that which made the deltas of the Nile, the
Ganges, the Euphrates, and the Tigris, the seats
of the earliest civilisation known to us, is capable
of yielding through almost any number of years
ten times its present amount of grain.

In urdiHary times such statements as these would
fill tie hearts of all patriotic Americans with joy
and exultation. Their lot has, indeed, fallen in
pleasant places. They are the heirs of all the
ages, and have come in the fulness of time to reap
a glorious inheritance, such as never fell to the
lot of any other people. Unibrtuiiately, man has
lent himself with almost unexampled perversity to
mar and destroy the blessings which nature tries
in vain to shower upon him. It is proposed that
the canal should be cut from Lake Huron to tba

Ottawa, and it is estimated that the expctiic on

the canal, together with the deepening of the
river, would amount to some 4,(^0,000/. But
where is the money to come Irom!' It is not
likely that Cauada would contribute largely lo
such an oliji'i't fn>t, because she is oiiTy inei-
ilentally interested in its completion, thu per-
sons mainly interested being tho producer aud
consumer; and, secondly, because a long course
of extravugancu and waste has reduced Canada
to a positiuii in which, on her own showing, she is
incapable of contributing to any object, however
necessary or however beneficial. In England there
is always capital for any undertaking which holds
out a fur less brilliant prospect, aitd yet nuthiiig
i.i more imprubahle titan that Eiiglaitd stionlU con-
tribute a niiKjle fartldngfor such a purpose. America
must not hope to enjoy at the same time the ex-
citement of civil war and the blessings of peace.
If she is oU'ering human hecatombs every day to
the demons nf strife and war, she must content
herself with that satisfaction. If the North arc
still bent on restoring the Union, at whatever
price, and uleitding their dominion to tho mouth
of the Mississippi, let them abide by their election,
and give up as wor^e than hopeless the chance of
carrying their trade down the waters ol the St.
Lawrence. What English company will be frantic
cnougli to sink its capitJil in a land where every
one's attention is absorbed in the single thought
of how to alienate, to ruin, and ta exterminate his
neighbour ?

These things are so evident that we cannot
believe the men of Illinois would have opened
negotiations on tlie subject had they intended to
stay exactly as they are. The ver.y fact of their
insisting so loudly on tho necessity of farther
openings for their produce seems to show that,
whatever niiiy hi! the case in New York, there is
on the still ^.eacel'ul plains of the West a disposi-
tion to look with no unlriendly eye on the restora-
tiou of peace upon the basis of (existing boundaries
and rights. It is very singular to find that while
in the East the estrangement from England is
glowing greater and greater every day, that
estrangement seems to tie counterbalanced by a
desire in the Wtst to draw closer to this country.
These are the first taint indications of tendencies
which may be destineil to plag a pruiuinenl part in
tin: liidiirji ol the Jidurr. They concern England,
as a great American Power, and point to the time
when America shall have a political system of her
own, as caricd and as complicated as thai of
Europe. It is useless to speculate on the expe-
diency of such a state of things, for it is clearly
inevitable. AU we can desire is that the change
whicli is coming may be allowed to take place
without two or three more yeai's of fruitless
misery and wanton bloodshed.

Sheffield Memorial in Favour of
the Ottawa Canal.

At the Monthly Meeting of the Council
of the Borough of Sheffield, July 8, 1863,
it was

Resolteu UNAN1MOD8LY, that a Me-
morial from the Council be addressed to
His Grace tlie Duke of Newcastle, Her
Majesty's Colonial Secretary, requesting
that the support of the British and Cana-
dian Governments may be given t<} the
proposed Ship Canal from Lake Huron
to the Ottawa, by which the immense
produce of the Western States of Ame-
rica would bo brouglit direct from Chicago
to England, and the expense of transit
thereby diminished to one-fourth of the
cost by the present route.

To THE Most Noble His Gracb the Duke of
Newcastle, Her Majesty's Colonul Secke-

TAKY.

The Memorial of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Bur-
gesMt of the Borough of Sheffield, in Council
aasembled,
Sboweth,

That, on the 14th of February last, the State
Legislature of Illinois authorised the appointment
of a Commission, with plenary powers to appeal to
the Canadian and Britbh Governments, in favour of
enlarged and cheaper outlets for the great and
rapidly-increasing produce of tho North-Western
States of America, by way of Canada, to Eng
land.

That on the lOtli of March, the Commissioners
addressed a Memorial to the Governor-Qer.jral of
Canada, setting forth the facts of the case, and so-
liciting earnest attention thereto.

That, thereupon a Select Committee of the Ca-

iiiidiau rarliamcul was uppo'ulcd lo "investigatn
the subject <if a navigable line of coiamunicaliou by
way ol till' Ottawa and Mattawan river'<, Lake
Niuissing, anil ImcikIi Uiver, between Montreal
and Laki^ Huron."

That, on tho ;tUtli of April, tho Counnilleu
issued llicir rcjiort, wherein they stated that their
iiKjuiry had been divided into seven branches, and
that upon each of them the cvidcure was full and
couchisivo ill favour of a ship caiuil from Lake
Huron to the Ottawa.

Thai, from these; and other official documents it
appears, on incontestable evidence,

i. That the surplus products of the North-
Western States have increased during the last half
century with an unparalleled rapidity, and that the
increase will '.jvcn be much greater in the future.

i. That, in 1862, the produce of wheat in these
States was estimated at one hundred and fifty mil-
lions of bushels, and of Indian corn at five hundred
millions of bushels.

.'i. That, for several years a lamentable waste of
this moduce has taken place, iiicouscqucncc of the
iuabilitjr to move it by the present means of transit ;
the existing canals and railways having been
crowded, for the last two years, with more than
one hundred million bushels of grain, besides im-
mense quantities of other provisions, together with
vast numbers of cattle and hogs.

4. That ail enormous quantity of produce is left in
sheds at Chicago, from one harvest to another, to
take its chance of being moved ; imd one shed alouc
is two miles in length, which is filled therewith.

.'i. That the present annual quantity of grain
which requires moving from Chicago is not less
than one hundred and twenty niillioos of bushels,
or liftecn millions of (|uarters.

0. That the present mode of moving this jiro-
duce from Chicago to England is by way of Lake
Alichignn, Lake Huron, across to liake Erie, by a
lak(; and two p:issage3. Lake Erie, the Erie canal,
and the Hudson lo New York, a distance of 1300
miles, there being several transhipments, in coiise-
(pience of the canals being small, shallow, and quite
uusuitcd for sea-going vessels.

7. That till! present cost of the transit of wheat
is equal to one-half the value at Liverpool ; of flour
to one-third tho value, and of Indian corn to seven-
eighths the value.

5. That, notwithstanding these serious disad-
vantages, the import of wheat from these States to
England in IbOl, was 2,507,744 quarters of wheat
as compared witli 713,182 quarters in 1S53; and
3,7'J4,S0a cwts. of flour as compared with 3,043,107
cwts. iu 1».")3, together with 1,723,334 quarters of
Indian corn.

9. That the cost of this produce at Chicago
was 4,817,")07/., and was sold in Liverpool at
12,643,918/, the expense of transit being no less
than 7,820,351/.

10. That the direct distuuco betweeu the
Georgian Bay of Lake Huron and the Ottawa, is,
less than 200 miles, and the intervening country^
is perfectly adapted for a ship canal, which is pro- '
posed to he made, thereby reducing the extreme-
distance of deep water communication from Chicago!
to Montreal, by not less than 500 miles, as com-l
pared with the present inefficient water commuui-l
cation to New York. f

11. That the cost of mokmg the canal would notJ
exceed 4,000,000/., and the expense of coaveyiug
produce from Chicago to England would be reduced
to one-fourth of the present amount by means oil
the canal. That iu presenting the facta herein!
rehearsed, to your Grace, your Memorialists submit,L
Tliat as the proposed canal would b<! corriedl
entirely through British territory, it could not be I
made without the concurrence of the British and |
Canadian Governments.

That as England is unable to grow sufficient!
food for her population, the quantity of wheat atl
present yearly imported into Liigland being nearlyl
seven millions of quarters, and nearly seven millionl
cwts. of flour — it is indispensable to facilitate the!
making of this canal by which the surplus of fiftyl
million quarters of grain, now annually produced ial
the Western States of America may be brought inl
a cheap and direct manner to England. I

That Sheffield is peculiarly interested in the canall
being made, as a great portion of her manufocluredl
gooos are taken by the Western States of America,!
and her artizans have severely suffered for sevenll
years in consequence of the American trade bemgl
paralysed. , I

Your Memorialists therefore earnestly press this I
case on the serious attention of Tour Qrace, inl
order that the support — not however in a pecuniary I
sense — of the Bntish and Canadian Governments,!
and the utmost facilities they possess, may bel
promptly given to the promoters of the undertakinff. I

Given under the Corporate Common Seal of tbe|
said Borough this Sth day of July, 1863.

(Corporate Seal.) Johm Bbowk, Mayor.

PROPOSED SHIP CANAL FKOM LAKE HURON TO THE OTTAWA.

ee of the Ca-

"iiivestigatn
nuniculioii by
river", Lake
en MoiiliL'al

I Comiiiittcu
:d that tlieir
)raiichc», mid
was fiJI and
il fruiii Laku

ducumeiiU it

the Nurth-
; thu last half

and that the
tlic future.
^Iieat ill tlii'se
and lifty mil-

five huudi'cil

al)l(! waste of
qucuce of the
us of transit ;
having been
th more tlian
besides im-
together with

)duee is left in
tu anotlier, to
)ne shed aluuc
therewith,
itlty of grain
;o IS not less
lis of bushels,

viiig this ))ro-
way of Lake
ikc Eric, by a
he Erie canal,
tauce of 1300
nts, in coiise-
low, and quite

nsit of wheat
pool ; uf flour
corn to seven-
serious disad-
tliese Stales to
rters'of wheat
in 1S5S ; and
with 3,043,107
131 quarters of

:e at Chicago

Liverpool at

^ being no less

betweeu the
the Ottawa, is,
fcning country y
, which is pro-
ig the extreme,
a from Chicagol
miles, as com-T
rater coininuui-[

anal would notj
i of conveyiu
}uld be reduced
it by means ofl
c facts herein
jrialists submit,L
lid b<! carriedl
t could not be I
he British and I

grow sufficient!
ity of wheat atl
ul being ucarlyl
iy seven millionl
to facilitate the I
surplus of fifty!
dly produced inl
be brought in|
nd.

itcd in the canall
r manufactured!
ites of Ainerica.1
ered for ■eTerall
:an trade being!

lestly prens this!
Your Grace, in!
:r in a pecuniary I
I GoTernmenta.l
)ssess, may be I
he undeTtakinx. [
non Seal of tDe|
L863.
loWH, Mayor.

, Canadian Report.

THK rilOfOHEU OTTAWA CANAF..

Thk Select Corniiiitteu uppuintcd to invustlguU! tlio subjout of a
navigable lino of communication by way of the Ottawa and Mat-
tuwuii Rivers, Lake Nipisainu and French Kiver, between Mon-
treal and Lake Huron, beg leave to make the ibllowing us their
Ueport: —

In proceeding to investigate the subject of a navigable line of
communication between Montreal and Lake Huron by way of the
Ottawa and Mattawau Hivers, Lake Nipissing and French River,
your Committee agreca to direct attention to the lollowing
branches of enquiry : —

1st. As to the character of the route, and its adaptation to
being made navigable, (irst, lor steamers and propellers of large
size, and second, for barges and other vessels of less draught of
water, and the cost of opening the route in both points of view.

2nd. The advantages and disadvantages of this route as com-
pared with other existing lines of communication.

3rd. The extent of the trade at present between the Western
States, tiie Great Lakes, especially Lake Huron, and the ocean,
and its increase and development, and the proportion of that trade
that would probably be attracted to this line if opened.

4th. The character of the region through which the line
passes.

6th. The probable effect upon the commerce and ,'ettlement of
the country, of the opening of the line of intercommuiiication.
6th. Its advantages as a means of military defence.
7th. The means to be adopted for the execution of the work.
The evidence obtained on the several heads is herewith sub-
mitted.

As regards the character of the route, the facts presented are
so well established, and the evidence so full and conclusive, that
your committee do not ieel called upon to 'take up much space on
the subject. Very superior iacilities are shown to exist for o])en-
ing a first class navigation on the line proposed. Th;; surveys
made under the direction of Messrs. H. 8hanly, T. C. Clarke,
and H. B. Gallway, enable them to give minute and accurate
information respecting the whole line from St. Anne's, near
Montreal, through to Lake Huron, and the information oflbrded
by Captain Sclaikk, .'especting the section below St. Anne's
Lock, make the evidence on that portion of the subject complete.
From actual surveys the fact is estabUshed beyond any question
that there are no engineering dithculties to ovt-rcome in opening
the through navigation by this route for vessels of any class up to
twelve feet draught of water, and between Montreal and Chicago
this line is more than three hundred and fifly miles shorter than
the existing line of navigation.

The difference of cost between a deep water navigation and one
ibr vessels of light draught of water is very considerable. In
/857 Mr. Shanly estimated the cost of constructing the works
aid canjing out a scale of construction, allowing ten feet draught
pf water on the mitre sills, and 'with locks 250,850 feet chamber
It 24,000,000 dollars. This estimate included the enlargement
If the canal between Lachine and Montreal, and was made from
ae surveys then made of the westerly portion of the route, and a
lursory examination of the eastern portion, between Ottawa and
lontreal. On this lower or eastern section it was believed that
Ihere existed considerable engineering difficulties, which were
^uly considered in that estimate. For reasons stated in the evi-
Icnce herewith submitted, Mr. Shanly says, "ho never had the
opportunity either of surveying or making a general r"'>mination
kt the Lower Ottawa from the city of Ottawa to iSt. Anne's."
Since that estimate was madel it has been shown by surveys that
Ihe lake of Two Mountains afibrds a straight deep natural chantiel
pf thirteen feet least depth, where it was believed a good deep
channel could only be obtained by very expensive excaTBtion,
and for that expected obstruction a large amount forms part of
Ithis estimate. On this fact Mr. Shanly says in the evidence
herewith submitted: — " An important and highly favourable fact
has been established by the surveys of Mr. T. C. OLAbKE. I was
apprehensive that a natural channel of sufficient depth did not exist
jthrough the kke of Two Mountains (page 25 of Report), and could
only be obtained at very great expense." Mr. Shanly, for these
Reasons, in his evidence, reduces the estimate of cost to 21,000,000
■dollars, and by modifying the stvlo of work in some cases the
Icost may be still further reducea very considerably. As shown
in the evidence, Mr. Shanly lefl the survey before it was com-
pleted, and as stated in his report, only estimated approximately
^om the examination then made. Mr. Clarke, who succeeded
Shanly, and completed the survey, and reported on the
jibject to the Goveminent, is of opinion, as stated in his evidence,
Mt the cost of opening a barge navigation of, say. five or six
\x water, would be about fiye millionfi of dollars. His estimate

for the cost of nine feet draught of water is 12,0*7, o80 dollars. In
Mr. Sha.mi.y'.s report of 1H57 the total length if canal is assumed
to be 58 miles, but the surveys subsequently made show that the
channels were greatly more favour .ble than was supposed, and
tliiit so great a dift;iiico of canal was not required. Twenty-two
miles oi "close ciuul" is the distance computed by Mr. Clark,
and this is based upon the complete surveys made between St.
Anne's and Lachine. Captain SclatEk's evidence shows that a
moderate outlay will afford a good channel on this section if
there be not a good natural channel existing. It is clear that the
scih; of navigation decided upon will dctcriiiinc tlie extent of
outlay required, and whether a barge navigation of six feet
draught, m the locks 250 in length by .10 leet in breadth, be
adopted, or ten (eet water at least depth, with locks the same
length and width as stated, will determine whether the work will
cost six millions or twenty millions of dollars. Ten feet was re-
garded by Mr. Shanly as the extreme depth, by reason of the
harbours of the ports on Lake Michigan at that time allowing of
no greater draugnt of water. It was his opinion that the greatest
depth of water in these harbours should be the extreme measure
of the draught in. this navigation, and when it is considered that
vessels navigating these waters must receive their cargoes from
those ports, it is Jcar that his reasoning is correct.

In any enquiry of the kind under consideration, distance must
always bu regarded as of importance. In this case assuming that
Montreal ana the entrance to Lake Michigan, are points that are
common, to better the existing and this proposed means of water
communication between Montreal and Chicago, wo find the dis-
tance to be :

Miles.
From Montreal to Mackinaw by way of the St. Ijawrcnce route . . . lOlS

From Montreal to Mackinaw by way of the Oltuwii route JO

Difference in favour of the Ottawa route is 3(iS

For estimating the time required to make the passages respec-
tively, we may take Mr. Suanly's Report on the subject as u
fair mode of estimating. He Siiys, " Allowing a vessel to make
8 miles an hour on the river or lake, .3 on the canal, and giving

her 1 i minutes for each foot of lockage, we obtain :

Hours.

1st. Wcllimd voyage, requires lOlJ

2nd. Geori;ian fiay, requires 17<)

3rd. Ottawa HO

This estimate is based, however, upon the assumed 58 miles
of " close canal," which, when reduced to 23 miles or less, makes
the time required for canal passage proportionately less on the
Ottawa route.

The difference in point of safety between lake and river nayi-
gatiori involves risk, and consequently greater expense for in-
surance. This proposed route by the Ottawa between Lake
Huron and Montreal, is entirely free from such risks and
expense.

In all grstems of inland navigation where vessels must be raised
and lowered Dcora one level to another, an abundant supply of
water is an absolute necessity. However favourable the position
of a route may be, or however great or profitable the traffic
offered or required to be upon it, a limited supply of water must
accordingly limit the services which the works can perform. Tlie
entHneers who have examined this proposed route, agree in
opinion that Lake Nipissing and the lakes near the source of the
Mattawan River should be united and be made the summit feeder
to supply both westward to Lake Huron fifty miles, and eastward
to the Ottawa River thirty-three miles. This, we arc informed
by Mr. Clarke, in his evidence, afibrds a supply many times
greater than can ever possibly be used for lockages. On this
point, it being of vital importance, it became the duty of your
CotYimittec to enquire specially ; and the result of the enquiry is
as stated.

Respecting the harbourage that can be afforded at the mouth
of French Iffiver, the evidence of the engineers is very favourable.
A clear channel is found from the open lake, passing in deep
water and free from any obstruction into the mouth of French
River, and the formation of the shore is such as to afford good
harbourage and protection for vessels. Several lights will be re-
quired at the harbour entrance to guide vessels coming in, but it
does not appear that further outlay in respect to the harbour is
required.

The trade between the Western States and the seaboard has

now become so great, that increased facilities for transport of
produtse are urgently asked for. We find from the information
obtained from various sources with respect to that trade, that the
quantity of wheat and other grain which requires movement,
may be set down at present as not less than 120,000,000 bushels
per annum. This fact, and the very great progressive increase
during the past four years, are shown very fully by the accom-
panying tables which were obtained from the statistical branch
of the Financial Department. Of that immense quantity, over

GRAIN TRADE OF THE NORTH-WEST.

eifjhtecn millions i'ound iu way to Montrcul. The movement of
this produce must always bo greatly inlluenceJ by the rcLttive
cheapness and other udvuntaKCH of tlio respcutivo routes that
would be available. Montreal is now only second to New York
on this continent as a grain-exporting port.

For 1H(>2 the quantity of wheat shipped from Montreal in that
year was, according to the best inlbrmution, over fifteen million
bushels. As is sliown by the evidence herewith eubmitted, the
St. Lawrence line of navigation sudors u disadvantage for want
of return freights for the vessels wliich come with grain from the
West. In consequence ol' this drawback, the receipts and ship-
ments of IMoiitreal ore not so large as they otlicrwisc would liave
been. But whether tlio produce of the Western States that will
be shipped from Huron and Michigan Lake ports be destined
for markut and consumption in the Eastern States, or in the
Eastern Provinces of British America, or lor shipment to Europe,
the proper route will be the shortest and cheapest. lu reaching
New York from purts on Lake Michigan, the canals and railways
of the State of New York arc the principal available means of
transport between the great lakes and New York city. With tlie
Ottawa navigation opened, the proposed Champlain Canal con- I
structed and the Northern Canal enlarged, tliis Northern line '
would be 150 miles sliorter than any other, and by reason uf its
very superior capacity would aflord tlie best possible line of '
transport between tlio (ireat West and New York, possessing ;
as it does many advantages as regards distance, time, and expense; ;
when compared with existing route.-', it seems clear that it would
command a very large portion of the trade. In considering a |
subject of this magnitude and peculiar character, your (.'oramittce I
are sensible of the necessity for exercising due caution in arriving '
at conclusions. On this point, however, they feel that the evi- .
dence which is licrewith presented is full and convincing. I

The character of the country through which this projKised line '
of navigation passes is varied. The easterly portion, being rather
more than half the total distance — lies in a well-settled, populous
country, and is at present navigated by large steamers. The
westerly portion is through a wilderness, which as yet is only fre-
quented by the hunter, the voyager, or the lumberer. But though ;
a wilderness, it is the very heart of the finest pine forest known in :
the world, and would yield immense amounts of lumber for ex- |
port; at the present time the trade in lumber is the largest export :
trade of home products in Canada, and the supply in tliis quarter
is, with judicious management, almost inexhaustible. Tlie open- !
ing of this line of navigation would afford a market, second to ,
none in the world, for the sawed lumber of that immense region. |
The country is of the granitic formation, rather hilly, and perhaps
from seventy to seventy-five per cent, of the land is better adapted
to timber-growing than tillage. There arc many extensive tracts
of good arable land, beautifully situated and well watered, which
will eventually, and perhaps at no very distant day, support a
large population ; but the general character of the region is difie-
rcnt. U hen it is considered that (he tract of country IiuA spoken
of exceeds in area the whole of the five New England States to-
gether, it will be apparent that there is room for varieties aa re-
gards quality of soil.

One uniform feature, however, prevails. The countw through-
out is covered with heavy forest, and the largest portion of that
forest would become marketable wood ; only the superior qualities
of pine are worth the cost of manufacture and transport at present,
and even that is limited to the portion of the region whose waters
flow to the Ottawa.

With this navigation opened through to Lake Huron, the wood
of all kinds would be marketable; even the coarsest qualities
Would furnish fuel for the Prairie Counties. The trade in wood
for fuel at the port of Chicago alone, in 1862, exceeded 500,000
dollars, and the demand must increase and continue.

From these facts disclosed by the evidence before us, it is
apparent that the trafBc on the St. Lawrence route is stated at
much less than it would be if vessels from Upper Lake ports were
sure of retui-n cargo. The uncertainty in that respect has a
serious effect, and greatly influences the course of trafBc. On
the Ottawa route no such disadvantage could arise; return cargo
of lumber would always be certain. The supply of lumber is
practically unlimited, and the demand and consumption in the
Prairie States will always be immense. To supply the Chicago
market at the present time would employ a large fleet of vessels.

The effect to the country generally of the opening of this
navigation could not fail to be highly beneficial. With the
increase of the carrying trade there would be, of necessity, in-
crease of tonnage and of commerce generally in our sea ports.

Alone the lino of the navigation, water-power is ab
most easily and cheaply available for manufacturir
With the facilities of communication provided, no sii
found more fitvourabic for manufactories; it would
Bc-ttlcment on the arable lands and at the favourably i
for manufactories, and aflbrd opportunity for the pi
ploymcnt of productive industry and capital thro
interior of the country. Tlic cities and towns along (
frontier road would be opened up, communication wi
tained at all seasons, and the vast extent of wildemci
in rear of our narrow frontier strip of cultivated coi
speedily be settled (at least in all portions fit for settl
by this manner greatly increase the trade in that di
generally lead to the prosperity of the country,
cannot possibly be regarded as local or sectional. F.
to Lake Huron, both on the frontier and in the reini
the etTects would be sensibly felt, and could not be otl
Ijeneficial. And, as regards eflects immediately on t
Ottawa belonging alike to Upper and Lower Canada,
portion of the routu must be alike beneficial to both ]

Your Committee feel that this proposed work is
than ordinary importance to the country by reasoi
vant^tgcs it would aflbrd as a means ot milita
Its position, removed from the frontier ani
a communication between tidewater in the
rence and the weatem Iiakea by the very
and most direct route, gives to it a high
value in that respect. Not wishing to discuss
in tiiis place, or to enter upon particulars in relation t
tages in that line they humbly submit merely, that t
deserves the best and most favourable consideration
the part of tlie Lcgisloture and Government of Ci
the Imperial authorities. While the advantages of
if opened, would be great and general, as regards i
benefits resulting to the Western States would also bi
commercially. Their commerce and the carrying tri
the West and the seaboard can only bo secured to
affording them facilities superior to those aftbrdcd els
at more favourable rates to outlay. But their produ
valuable commercially to them when means of ti
afibrded, and as this work would present advantages
any other, it therefore would yield them benefits to
beyond what they enjoy at present.

As regards the best means by which to accomplisl
tion of this work, your Committee humbly submit,
existing circumstances, they believe that a company
for the purpose, appears to be the best course
adopted, but under provisions such as to fully secui
of the Crown on that important thoroughfare, and
time afford the company needful powers, for the purp
and afford aid in lands or otherwise as may be coi
to promote the success of the undertaking.

ROB£

Thursday, 30th April, 1862.

Wheat and Wheat- Meal imported into
from 1853 to 1861.

(Fr(m the Betum* of the Board of Trade.)

Wheat— Qiurteni.
18KI I IfM I 189.1 1890 I 1897 { 1898 I 1839

Ottonuui Em-
pire I aM.363l 989,708' S27,76!l

Ranis .l,07U,»or e0fi,8.18

Oiber put! oT I

Europe, *c U,!!12,413 1,»0],919 l,878,4e7il

roiled Stal«s . 713,187 417,607i 348,9061,

Britlah ^axlh

Amerin I 84,971 1S,I90| 14,970

Other psrta of

America..

Total l4.915,43O'3,431,2ii72,607,70al4,072,B383,437,997!4,a41,719'4,0(X1.93

808,3941 240,3801 C64,794' 490,84
799,499; 706,379 012,216; 889,46

114,112 1,729,693{2,369,344 2,637,70
,279,190| 690,794 994,044 30,90

111,818 114,799 100,821

Ottoman Em-
pire.

Other parta of

3,043,1072,970,970

Aiutralla.

United states
Brltiah North!

Amerles J 292,0761 lls.K^O

Other parte or

America.

Whe. VMeal— Cwie,

l.au,.333 888,4» 1,149,409 713,7101 684,204 1,. 40,993
72,088

084,136:2,893,917
10,928 304,119

69,768 36,629 —

1,404,807
179,077

Total |4,621,9«0|:J,64«,9O9i1,904,334!3^0,100;3,178,148{m60,137

1,76:799
312,768
37,681

>,9e7,S3
310,40
113,39
11,17

3,828,3!

PKINTED AND PUBLISHED BY C. D. COLLET. AT 4, EAST TEMPLE CHAMBERS.

EST.

navigation, water-power is abundant, and
\y available for manufacturing purpogcs.
ominunication provided, no sites could bo
for manufactories; it would thus induce
! lands and at the favourably situated sites
aflbrd opportunity for the profitable cm-
e industry and capital throughout the
The cities and towns along our southern
i)poncd up, communication with them ob-
d the vast extent of wilderness now lying
ronticr strip of cultivated country would
cost in all portions fit for settlement), and
increase the trade in that direction, and
prosperity of the country. The effocts
rded as local or sectional. From Quebec
n the frontier and in the remote interior,
isibly felt, and could not be otherwise than
jards effects immediately on the line, the
! to Upper and Lower Canada, the greatest
ist be ulilcc beneficial to both Provinces.
I that this proposed work is one of more
nee to the country by reason of the ad-
ford as a means oi military defence.
red ttota the frontier and forming
>etween tidewater in the St. Law-
item IiakeB by the very shortest
oute, gives to it a high degree of
ict. Not wishing to discuss that subject
r upon particulars in relation to its advnn-
huinbly submit merely, that this fact well
most favourable consideration, as well on
.aturc and Government of Canada, as of
While the advantages of this route,
teat and general, as regards Canada, the
e Western States would also bo very great
commerce and the carrying trade between
board can only bo secured to Canada by
;s superior to tnose afforded elsewhere, and
es to outlay. But their products ire only
to them when means of transport are
^ork would present advantages superior to
would yield them benefits to that extent
)y at present.

means by which to accomplish the execu-
r Committee humbly submit, that, under
I, they believe that a company incorporated
icars to be the best course that can be
•ovisions such as to fully secure the rights
; important thoroughfare, and at the san o
ny needful powers, for the purp«»e in view,
is or otherwise as may be considered besi.
s of the undertaking.

Robert Bell.
iril, 1862. Oh airman.]

jat-Meal imported into England|
om 1853 to 1S61.

Returns of the Board of Trade.)

Wheat— Quarters.
Vm 1850 { 1897 I 1858 I 1859

1860 I 18(11

3' 11:17,759

808,3941 340,3801 l!64,794 4.W,847 S«l,3<4j 571,310 1
75<J,4.'>9: 70«,375 Wi,2W. 8tl5,4eo;i,»01,14Cl,Ml,48l|

J I

»l,87e,4C7it,114,113 1,735, e5ai3,3Cg,344
7i 348,906 1,379,150| 650,754, 594,044

111,818

3,637,709 3,535,741,3,301,578 1
30,900 1,499,385 3,507,744 1

114,795 100,831

183,433 549,5341
41,30sl

7 3,607,7034,073,8383,437,957:4,341,7104,000,933 5,880,958 6,913j81S

Wbs. (-Meal-Cwts.
1855 1860 '857 | 1858

24,339

31,149,403 713,710>
3 -

10,038
59,708

3,892,517
304,115
36,535

5(4,204

1,404,867

179,077

1,'40,993

1,70; 793

313,758

37,581

3,987,8i9{2,
316,463
113,358
11,179

1860

17,838

,388,0341.

,254,233

412,058

13,958

1801

31,988 1

3iifi»3 I

3,794,80s I

805,339 I

148,213 I

511,904,3243,970,1002,178,14813,856,12713,828,834

5,066,320 0,152,9 aj

MPLE CHAMBERS.