[Illustration: Map of the North Atlantic Ocean]

 A LETTER FROM MAJOR ROBERT CARMICHAEL-SMYTH TO HIS FRIEND THE AUTHOR OF "THE CLOCKMAKER, "

 CONTAINING Thoughts on the Subject OF A BRITISH COLONIAL RAILWAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ATLANTIC AND THE PACIFIC, FROM THE MAGNIFICENT HARBOUR OF HALIFAX, IN NOVA SCOTIA (NORTH-EASTERN AMERICA), TO THE MOUTH OF FRAZER'S RIVER, IN NEW CALEDONIA (NORTH-WESTERN AMERICA), OR SUCH OTHER PORT AS MAY BE DETERMINED UPON. 

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"Let those, who discard speculations like these as wild and improbable, recur to the state of public opinion at no very remote period on thesubject of Steam Navigation. 

"Within the memory of persons not yet past the meridian of life theimpossibility of traversing by Steam Engine the channels and seas thatsurround and intersect these islands was regarded as the dream ofenthusiasts. "

 DR. LARDNER, 1840. 

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 LONDON: W. P. METCHIM, 20, PARLIAMENT STREET. 

 1849. 

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PREFACE. 

"It is the duty--the imperative duty--of every individual (howeverhumble) to express conscientiously, but calmly, his public opinions, forby such means truth is elicited. "[1] Hence it may be permitted thewriter of the annexed Letter to observe, that a momentous question isnow brought to the notice of the people of Great Britain, --that it oughtnot to be neglected, until perhaps a voice from her colonial childrenmay go forth proclaiming "it is too late, "[see Note 64]--for then theopportunity of uniting in firm and friendly bonds of union "thiswondrous empire on which the solar orb never sets" will have passed awayfor ever. 

 ----"Dum loquimur fugerit invida Ętas: carpe diem quąm minimłm credula postero. "

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 [1] Montgomery Martin's History of the British Colonies, 1843; and to that work the writer of the following pages begs to refer all those who take an interest in the British North American Colonies. And if so humble an individual might be allowed to offer his advice, he would strongly recommend the republication, in a volume by itself, of the part connected with the North American Colonies. 

INTRODUCTION. 

 "I shall tell you A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it; But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture To scale't again. "

"The duty of Government is first to regulate the stream of Emigration, so that if a man be determined on leaving the United Kingdom he maysettle in one of its Colonies. "--_Montgomery Martin, 1843. _

"At this moment, when renewed attention is turned to all the Routeswhich, during ages past, have from time to time been talked about, asbest fitted for a link of communication between the Atlantic and PacificOceans, "--we call upon the people of Great Britain and her Government toreflect, that--the best and shortest link of communication--the greatlink required to unite all her dominions in one powerful chain--is nowin her own possession, --that--"it _is_ in vain to inculcate feelings ofbrotherhood among mankind by moral influence alone; a sense of communityof interest _must_ be also established, "--that Great Britain can, in theopening of the Route proposed, at the same time employ her own Childrenat home and abroad, as well as her own continually increasing Capital. 

That--"we have superabundance of Capital--a plethora ofTalent--Scientific and Commercial--they only want an outlet to bebeneficially employed. "--_Morning Herald, 7th February, 1849. _

That--"the Expansion of Capital would soon reach its ultimate boundary, if that boundary itself did not continually increase. "

That--"what the Legislature should desire and promote is not a greatersaving, but a greater return to savings, either by improved cultivation, or by access to more fertile lands in other quarters of the globe. "

That--"the Railway operations of the various nations of the world may belooked upon as a sort of competition for the overflowing Capital of thecountries where Profits are low and Capital abundant. "--_J. S. Mill, Polit. Econ. _

That--"each nation derives greater benefit from having an increasingmarket in one of its own provinces, than in a foreign country. "

That--"the possession of remote territories, is the only thing which cansecure to the population of a country those advantages derived from aneasy outlet, or prospect of outlet, to those persons who may be illprovided for at home. "--_Lord Brougham. _

That--"we have an immense Colonial Empire. To its resources andexigencies we now seem for the first time to awaken. [see Note 46]Hitherto we have been content to consider it as a magnificentincumbrance, that testified to our greatness but had nothing to dowith our interests or the welfare of our population. "--_The Times, 20th January, 1849. _

And that--"it must be acknowledged as a principle, that the Colonies ofEngland are an integral part of this country. "--_D'Israeli. _

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Again--"In certain parts of the Empire transportation was a veryvaluable punishment, but there ought to be natural limits to it. Transportation was very well in the infancy of a Colony, but as itbecame more peopled and civilized, it was undesirable to deluge itwith a convict population. The subject of abolishing the penalty oftransportation was one of very great importance. "--_Lord Brougham, 1849. _

 "But what mean I To speak so true at first? My office is To noise abroad. . . . I have the letter here; yes, here it is:"

"The time has come when the great American and Colonial route oftravelling must commence at Halifax. "[2]--_Great Western Letter Bag. _Yes! and be carried on to Frazer's River. [3]

 [2] Nova Scotia. 

 [3] New Caledonia. 

 * * * * *

 TO MY WORTHY AND MUCH ESTEEMED FRIEND, THE AUTHOR OF "THE CLOCKMAKER. "

MY DEAR FRIEND, Often have I looked back to the pleasant hours we passed on board thegood brig Tyrian, when, in the spring of 1838, we were quietly floatingover the waves of the broad Atlantic. [see Note 1] Never do I remember tohave crossed them so smoothly, and never certainly with more agreeablecompanions. One of our party has long since departed for that countryfrom whose bourn no traveller returns. Poor Fairbanks! you knew him welland valued his friendship--knew him to be a kind and a good man, andthat he loved his country well. Had he been as anxious to introduceRailways into it as he was zealous about his Shubenacadie Canal, hemight perhaps have served it more effectually. [see Notes 2 and 37]Another of our party, a true and hearty lover of his country, is stillamongst you; may his powerful mind so direct his great abilities as toenable him to use them for his country's good; for much may yet be donefor Nova Scotia. Both he and you, I know well, have a friendly feelingtowards me, and you may perhaps have sometimes regretted, though not sowarmly as I have done (living as you both have been for years in themidst of political excitement), that we have been so completelyseparated. With this short preface, as an excuse for introducing yournames, I will now proceed, by recalling that moment so full ofexcitement at the time and never to be forgotten, --when, to ourastonishment, we first saw the great ship Syrius steaming down directlyin the wake of the Tyrian. She was the first steamer, I believe, thatever crossed the Atlantic for New York, and was then on her way back toEngland. You will, I dare say, recollect the prompt decision ofCommander Jennings to carry his mail bags on board the steamer, and ourequally prompt decision not to quit our sailing craft, commanded as shewas by so kind and so excellent an officer. You will, I dare say, recollect how soon flew the question through the captain's trumpet, "Will you take charge of the mail?" "Yes, but be quick;" and thetrembling anxiety with which we watched mail bag after mail bag hoistedup the deep waist of the Tyrian; then lowered into the small boatbelow, --tossed about between the vessels, and finally all safely placedon board the Syrius. It was a bold measure; for had one mail bag beenlost, our gallant commander would in all probability have been severelycensured, if it had not cost him his commission: as it was, I believe, he received the thanks of the Admiralty. You will also, no doubt, remember well the lively discussion the sight of this great steam shipcaused amongst us, and how earnestly I expressed my wish, that thepeople of Halifax should bestir themselves, and not allow, without astruggle, British mails and British passengers thus to be taken pasttheir very doors. [see Note 3] And now that we have lived to seeestablished what we then discussed (and about which the pen of theClockmaker's companion was not idle), [see Note 4] the great steam shiproad from and to Liverpool and Halifax, you will not perhaps beastonished that (like the fly on the wheel) so humble an individual asyour old fellow passenger should have fancied when steaming (as he hassince often done) over the waves of that same Atlantic, that he too[seeNote 5] had had something to say in creating all the smoke he saw risingbefore him. Of one thing, however, he is certain--that his companions, Fairbanks, Howe and Haliburton (no insignificant names), had determined, before leaving the Tyrian, that as soon as they reached London theywould wait upon the Colonial minister--point out to him the necessityand importance of a steam communication from the mother country to herchildren in the west, and plead the cause of Halifax;[see Note 6] and, if I am not mistaken, Fairbanks and Howe proceeded first to Liverpool tomake some inquiries about expense, &c. &c. Be this however as it may, itis all now matter of no consequence--the great nautical high roadbetween England and her North American Colonies has long beenestablished beyond a question, and the enterprising Cunard has shown byhis splendid steam vessels, that it may be depended upon beyond a doubt, as a regular, a safe and an easy communication. [see Note 38] To him, therefore, are due the thanks of the public, and the credit ofaccomplishing this much wished-for route. 

 "Whilst others bravely thought, he nobly dar'd. "

But, my dear friend, in an age like the present, shall such a victorycontent us? most assuredly not! The time has come when our greatColonial land route of travelling must reach from Halifax to Frazer'sRiver, from the Atlantic to the Pacific--and there is still a grand anda noble undertaking that must yet be accomplished--must be performed byGreat Britain and her colonies--an undertaking that will open a mine ofwealth to all concerned[see Note 7] (not the wealth of gold, but ofcommerce and trade). But to proceed--and here again I must tax yourmemory. You will, no doubt, recollect, that after the King of Hollandhad given his decision in the year 1831 as to our disputed boundary withAmerica, which had been referred to him, and that all eyes were fixedupon that question, [see Note 65] which had become very serious anddifficult to settle, his Grace the Duke of Wellington, in speaking onthe subject, [see Note 8] alluded to another very important boundaryquestion (then little thought of by the public), [see Note 9] and hisGrace pointed to the Oregon. [see Note 33] The discussions anddifficulties that afterwards arose before the final disposal of thatdispute, most assuredly marked its importance, and proved that theever-watchful talent of the Duke had not been attracted to that spot, without cause. 

 "We thank the gods Our Rome has such a soldier!"

Montgomery Martin says, "But for the Hudson's Bay Company, England wouldprobably have been shut out from the Pacific. " Be that as it may, we hadat all events, one statesman's watchful eye upon that ocean, and thevery important question is now disposed of for ever, leaving open toEngland another most valuable high road, with the making of which we(again like the fly on the wheel) think we must have something to do; atall events, we may discuss and talk about it, --as in the Tyrian weformerly did about the great Steam Line from and to Liverpool andHalifax. But to proceed seriously. Did his Grace, let it be asked, whenpointing to our North-Western boundary line, look forward at that timeto the shores of the Pacific as being "the end of the West and thebeginning of the East?" Did his Grace's imagination picture to hismind's eye swarms of human beings from Halifax, from New Brunswick, fromQuebec, from Montreal, from Byetown, from Kingston, from Toronto, fromHamilton, the Red River Settlement, &c. &c. &c. , rushing across therocky mountains of Oregon with the produce of the West in exchange forthe riches of the East? Did his Grace imagine the Pacific Ocean alivewith all descriptions of vessels sailing and steaming from ourmagnificent Colonies--New Zealand, Van Diemen's Land, New South Wales, New Holland, from Borneo and the West Coast of China, from the SandwichIslands, and a thousand other places, all carrying the rich productionsof the East, and landing them at the commencement of the West, --to beforwarded and distributed throughout our North American provinces, andto be delivered in THIRTY DAYS at the ports of Great Britain? Did hisGrace foresee that steam would bring Halifax within ten days ofLiverpool? That a Railway would make Halifax only ten or fifteen daysdistant from the north-west coast of North America, (and that theSandwich Islands would not be ten days further off?) whence steamersmight be despatched with the mails from England for Pekin, Canton, Australia, New Zealand, &c. &c. &c. ; and did his Grace look forward tothe rolling masses of treasure that would be sure to travel on such agirdle line of communication as that? Did his Grace then weigh andconsider that "to the inventive genius of her sons England owes thefoundation of her commercial greatness. We will not go the length ofasserting that she retains her proud pre-eminence solely upon thecondition of keeping twenty years ahead of other nations in the practiceof mechanical arts. But there is no question, that _a fearful proportionof our fellow subjects hold their prosperity upon no other tenure_, andquite independently of what may be done by our rivals it is of vastimportance to our increasing population that the conquest over natureshould proceed unchecked?" [_Quarterly Review, December, 1848. _] And didhis Grace look forward and foresee that between the north-eastern andnorth-western shores of America, and through our loyal, long-tried anddevoted North American colonies, [see Note 10] there might be undertakena great, a noble, and a most important work, that would giveremunerative employment to the population, to the wealth, and to theinventive genius of England? Did his Grace, in short, look forward to a_grand National Railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific_?[see Note 60]If not, let his Grace do so now! Let the people of Great Britain doso!--let her colonial minister. Startling as it may at first appear, alittle reflection will show that England and her children have the powerto make it; that it must be done; and will become valuable property--forit would increase our commerce and trade to an extent not easy tocalculate. [see Note 11] But such a noble work must not be looked uponmerely as a money question, --although if only considered in thatlight, --England must reflect that if she wishes and intends to retainher high pre-eminence amongst the nations of the earth, she must mostassuredly pay for it. No country can have all the blessings andadvantages of England and have them for nothing, nor can she retain themwithout great exertion. Her accumulated wealth cannot be allowed toremain idle--nor will it. [see Note 12] No one will deny for a momentthat every economy that will make the poor man richer and happier oughtto be practised;[see Note 39] but let us take care that we do not, fromtoo strong a desire to retain that wealth which Providence has throwninto the lap of England[see Note 13] even in the midst of war, [see Note14] deprive her labouring children of legitimate employment and justremuneration, (all that the industrious classes of our fellow-countrymenrequire. ) But the undertaking proposed has even a higher claim to ourattention. _It is the great link required to unite in one powerful chainthe whole English race_. Let then our Railway Kings, and our IronKings, our princely merchants, and our lords millionnaires--let thestirring and active spirits of the age--the great reformers and themodern politicians, many of whom are now proclaiming through the landthat economy alone can save the country--[see Note 15]condescend for ashort time even, to consider the undertaking here proposed; and say, ifthey can, that (even should it be executed at an immense expense) itwould not produce a great and beneficial forward movement, and be apresent happy employment, and a future perpetual source of wealth toEngland and her children. Let them consider also that "the socialadvancement which the modern improvement of Railways is calculated toeffect has added a new faculty to man in the facilities which it affordsof communication between province and province, and between nation andnation. Nor does it seem too much to say, that it will be the means ofbinding all the nations of the earth into one family, with mutualinterests, and with the mutual desire of promoting the prosperity oftheir neighbours, in order that they may enhance their own, and formingthereby the most powerful antagonistic principle to war that the earthhas ever known. " [_Bradshaw's Almanack, 1849. _] Again, what says theQuarterly: "We trust our readers of all politics will cordially joinwith us in a desire, not inappropriate at the commencement of a newyear, that the wonderful discovery which it has pleased the Almighty toimpart to us, instead of becoming amongst us a subject of angry dispute, may in every region of the globe bring the human family into friendlycommunication; that it may dispel national prejudices; assuageanimosities--in short, that, by creating a feeling of universalgratitude to the powers from which it has proceeded, it may produce onearth peace and good-will towards men. " And where, let it be asked, canthis wonderful discovery, this great power of steam, [see Note 16] becalled into action so effectually and so usefully, not only for GreatBritain, but for mankind in general, than in that parallel oflatitude[see Note 17] in which (_all barrier difficulties and all causefor war being now removed_) would naturally flow in full tide thecivilization, arts and sciences that invariably follow in the wake ofEnglishmen? Then as to the difficulties of the undertaking, let usrecollect that an eminent engineer, previous to the construction of theLiverpool and Manchester Line, said, "No man in his senses would attempta Railroad over Chat Moss:" his calculation was that it would cost£270, 000. Yet the genius of George Stephenson afterwards surmounted thedifficulty at a cost of £40, 000, though the work was commenced whenengineering science was less understood than now. Let us also listen tothe Quarterly, "Steam as applied to locomotion by sea and land is thegreat wonder-worker of the age. For many years we have been so startledby such a succession of apparent miracles, we have so often seen resultswhich surpassed and falsified all the deductions of sober calculations, and so brief an interval has elapsed between the day when certainperformances were classed by men of science as among impossibilities, and that wherein those same performances had almost ceased to beremarkable from their frequency, that we might almost be excused if weregarded the cloud-compelling demon, with somewhat of the reverencewhich the savage pays to his superior, when he worships as omnipotentany power whose limits he cannot himself perceive. " With such apower[see Note 18] (so eloquently described) at our command, and suchmagnificent results to be obtained from it, shall England hesitate?shall the expenditure of a few millions check such a noble work? shallthe Rocky Mountains be a barrier? mountains never yet properly explored, and of which almost all we know is that (as my friend Colonel Bloomfieldobserved) we nearly went to war to be allowed to cross them. And whatare the expenses of war? Between the years 1797 and 1815, 630 millionsof money were expended for carrying on war. Again, the very magnitude ofthe undertaking and length of the Railway is in its favour, for--listenagain to the Quarterly: "We believe it may be affirmed without fear ofcontradiction, that the working details of a Railway are invariably wellexecuted in proportion to their magnitude. A little Railway--like alittle war--is murderous to those engaged and ruinous to those who payfor it. " Now if in England experience has taught all this, --shall thegood people of Halifax, New Brunswick, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, &c. , be allowed, perhaps encouraged, to go on slowly endeavouring (at animmense expense and outlay for such young communities) to make a varietyof small Railways, [see Note 40] thus acknowledged to be ruinous, and themother country remain quietly looking on when she has now the power ofgreatly assisting them, and to her own advantage, by planning andarranging one grand route and system of Lines throughout the wholecountry, [see Note 19] and under Providence the means of opening thatroute in an incredible short space of time? Let then England, her NorthAmerican colonies, and the Hudson's Bay Company, join heart and hand, and with the great power of steam which it has pleased the Almighty toplace at the command of man, there will soon arise a work that willbe the wonder and admiration of the age--and such a mercantile andcolonizing road will be open to Great Britain, that at no future period, (at least within the imagination of man, ) will she ever again have tocomplain of too great a population on her soil, and too small a marketfor her labour. 

Let us now then proceed, my dear friend, to consider how this greatwork might be commenced, and its probable results when accomplished. Inthe first place let us look a little to the immense annual cost toEngland for her prisons and her convicts, [see Notes 47 and 50]--much ofthat crime arising probably from the want of employment, and consequentpoverty. [see Note 20] Even at this moment five millions are spoken of asa sum required to be expended in new prisons for a favourite system. [seeNote 41] In 1836 it was suggested "as well worthy of consideration, whether it would not be advisable to cease transporting convicts at sogreat a cost to distant settlements, and instead to send them to anearer place of exile, where their labour might be rendered in so greata degree valuable, as speedily to return to the Mother Country the wholeof the charge incurred for their conveyance" [_The Progress of theNation, by A. R. Porter, Esq. _];[see Note 21] and where could Englandbetter employ her convict labour, than on a work that would be of suchvast and lasting importance to herself, to her colonies, and to mankindin general? It was also observed, by the same author, "If gangs ofconvict labourers were placed a little beyond the verge of civilization, and employed in clearing and enclosing lands, constructing roads, building bridges, the land thus prepared and improved would meet withready purchasers at prices which would well repay the Government theirprevious outlay. " It may be objected by some, that the expense of thetroops necessary to guard the convicts would be very great, and would bea heavy burden to this country. To them I must use the words of the"Times, " when suggesting the grant of colonial lands to be annexed tothe performance of military duties. "Subsidiary to and connected withthis arrangement might be devised another, by which soldiers of goodcharacter might be discharged after ten years service, and rewarded withsmall freeholds in the colonies. They might be bound to appear on dutyat certain periods, and for a certain duration of time, as ourpensioners are at present. " And if soldiers of six or eight yearsservice were sent out in charge of the convicts, that unpleasant dutywould be of very short duration before they would meet with theirreward. Added to which, it has been suggested by my friend Captain Wood, of the Hon. East India Company's service, that the Indians might be veryusefully employed on this duty, [see Note 48] somewhat in the same manneras the natives in India are encouraged to look after European soldierswho desert their colours. In alluding to the pensioners of GreatBritain, it is only due to Lieut. -Col. Tulloch to render our honestthanks to him, for the introduction through his indefatigable exertionsof this most important feature in a new military system. Not only has headded to the respectability, comfort, and happiness of many a worn outold soldier, but he has also provided a very imposing force of veteransready at any moment to support the laws of their country; and, shouldunfortunately such an occasion ever arise, of opposing all feeling ofdisloyalty to their beloved sovereign. [see Note 42] Lieut. -Col. Tullochmay well feel proud of the result of his labours. This system ofpensions alluded to by the "Times" would become extremely applicable tothe troops employed in guarding the convicts on the proposed Atlanticand Pacific Railway, and small villages, and ultimately cities, would, no doubt, arise from such a source: but even the first outlay caused bythe employment of the convicts on such a work cannot be considered asany extra expense to government; for these convicts must be fed, must beemployed, and must be guarded somewhere: and it will be shown hereafterthat government will be reimbursed not only her expenditure on accountof the convicts, but also her expenditure on account of the troopsrequired to guard them. In making his suggestions for the employment ofthe convicts in 1836, Mr. Porter says, "There is unhappily but too muchreason for believing that the whole number of labourers who could bethus profitably employed might be furnished from the criminal populationof Great Britain. " And by a return given at the same time, it is shownthat the number of convicts from 1825 to 1833, both years inclusive, was22, 138, and that return did not include all the penal settlements. The"Times" of the 18th January, 1848, in speaking of the expenditure of thecountry, says, "Convicts at home and abroad have mounted from £111, 306to £378, 000; certainly the law of increase is strongly marked on theexpense of crime. " "If any body will cut down this figure, he will earnthe gratitude of the nation. " This last expression of the Times has moreparticular reference to the expense incurred for Ireland, but will nodoubt be acknowledged to be equally true as bearing upon the enormousgeneral increase of convict expenditure; and the more I reflect on thissubject, the more do I feel convinced that the employment of convictlabour in the Rocky Mountains, [see Note 22] and at several other pointsof the Line of this proposed great National work, would produce a mostbeneficial result, as a means of reducing the amount of crime, as evenan immediate saving of transport expense to England (unless indeed alldistant penal settlements are to be finally abandoned), [see Notes 21 and45] and as an ultimate great advantage both to her own commerce, and tothat of her colonies; and here let it be recollected, that there is afeeling abroad "to force upon government and the legislature a bold andmanly course in dealing with crime in general:" that the magnificentprisons now built are considered "unjust to the labouring poor, whosehumble dwelling, with coarse and scanty food, is mocked by the grandeurand beauty of the prison, as well as by the idle and comfortableentertainment within its wall;" and it has been remarked by a publicjournal in a warning voice, "to make prisons palaces is the way to turnpalaces into prisons. "[see Note 34] But enough has been said on thissubject at present, and we will now consider again the working out ofthis great undertaking. We will suppose, in the first place, active, intelligent, and scientific young men to be sent to the RockyMountains, [see Note 49] to ascertain the best spot at which to crossthem, and the best port (if the mouth of Frazer's River will notanswer), on the western shore of North America, within, of course, theHudson's Bay Company's territory, for a great commercial harbour andrailway terminus. Then let a grand line of Railway be marked out fromHalifax to that spot, and let all local towns or districts that havesufficient capital and labour to undertake any part of that Line, havethe benefit of the profits of the whole Line, in proportion to the partsthey may finish. No convict labour need interfere with them. But in suchdistricts as are at present so thinly inhabited as to have no workingpopulation, and no capital to expend, let the work be commenced byEngland, by her capital, and her convicts;[see Note 23] and letgovernment encourage and facilitate the formation of a great Atlanticand Pacific Railway Company, by obtaining from parliament a nationalguarantee for the completion of the work;[see Note 51] first, of course, having entered into arrangements with the Hudson's Bay Company, and herNorth American provinces, for the security of such sums of money as maybe advanced by way of loan from Great Britain. 

To Englishmen we would say then, in the words of the Rev. C. G. Nicolay, "We have at home a superabundant population, [see Note 24]subject to a very rapid increase on any reduction of the price, if butof the necessaries of life, --how can it be better employed than inseeking, with its own advance in social position, and means ofacquiring its comforts, if not its luxuries, the spread of our freeinstitutions--equal laws--and holy religion. We desire an enlargedsphere for commercial enterprise. New markets for our manufactures;these every fresh colony supplies in its measure. If then the Oregon bewhat it appears to be, if its climate, soil, agriculture, and commercialcapabilities be as represented, why leave its future destiny to time andcircumstances?" We would say to the Hudson's Bay Company in the wordsof Mr. James Edward Fitzgerald, "You have the power of becoming thefounders of a New State, perhaps of a new empire, or of arresting for atime, for you cannot ultimately prevent, the march of mankind in theircareer of victory over the desolate and uncultivated parts of the earth. For now nearly two centuries your sway has extended over half acontinent, and as yet you have left nothing behind you in all that vastcountry, to bear witness to your power and your riches. Now a newdestiny is before you; you may, if you will, place your names besidethose who have devoted themselves to the noble task of stimulating anddirecting the enterprising genius of their fellow countrymen, who haveprolonged the existence of their nation by giving a new life to itsoffspring. " And we would then call upon England, her North Americanprovinces, and the Hudson's Bay Company, to employ their wealth andpower to unite in one great unbroken iron chain, the Mother Country withher distant Children, and, in spite of Nature's difficulties, carrysteam across the Rocky Mountains. [see Note 25]

From childhood I have been accustomed to look upon the power ofEngland as irresistible, --morally, physically, [see Note 35] andintellectually, --she has now in this age the command of mind and mattersufficient to enable her almost to move the earth, and shall the tunnelunder the Thames, the tube over the Conway, and the bridge over theMenai, be our only wonders? How well do I remember the delight withwhich I have listened to the anecdote told of Mr. Pitt, who, when he wasinformed that it was impracticable to carry into effect some orders hehad given about heavy ordnance being sent to Portsmouth within a certaintime, "Not possible?" exclaimed Mr. Pitt, "then send them by theMail. "[see Note 26] With the same feeling of pride and delight have Iheard in later days of the artillery officer's remark, when it waswhispered to him by another that it would not be possible to place theirguns in some wished for position; "My dear fellow, " said the commandingofficer, "I have the order in my pocket. " Let England only commence theRailway from Halifax to the Pacific, with the order to cross the RockyMountains in the pocket of her sons, and the accomplishment of theundertaking will soon reward the labour, courage and skill which wouldundoubtedly be exhibited. Sir Alexander Mackenzie inscribed in largecharacters, with vermillion, this brief memorial, on the rocks of thePacific, "Alexander Mackenzie from Canada by land the 22nd of July, 1794. " Who will be the first engineer to inscribe upon the RockyMountains "On this day engineer A. B. Piloted the first locomotiveengine across the Rocky Mountains;" and what then will be the feeling ofEnglishmen, when even now Steam is considered the "exclusive offspringof British genius, fostered and sustained by British enterprise andBritish capital!" We have seen that on the highest habitable spot of theMountains of the Alps stands a monument of war, placed there by the handof a powerful man in the pride of victory over his fellow-men, and inhonour of his companion in arms. We trust before long that on thehighest habitable spot of the Rocky Mountains will stand a monument ofpeace, placed there by an enterprising nation in honour of the victoryof science over nature, and in memory of some enterprising son. 

After all her wars, her victories and her revolutions, in what conditionis France?

What may not England expect to be with all her victories overnature--her trade and commerce?[see Note 52] May she march forward inher career of peace as bravely, as nobly, and as proudly as she did inthat of war; and may she now take as great an interest in, and makethe same exertions for, the welfare and happiness not only of her ownpeople, but of those of other nations in all quarters of the globe, asshe did in former days for their protection from a desolating foe. 

What the ultimate consequences of such a link of connection would be, are indeed far beyond the reach of the human mind to foresee; but itsimmediate results stand out apparently to the most common observer. Inthe first place, Cape Horn (_the roughest point to weather in the wholeworld_) would be avoided. In the next, the long passage by the Cape ofGood Hope to innumerable places in the Pacific Ocean would become alsounnecessary. In both these cases a great amount of time (which incommerce is money) would be saved. Again, it would be no longernecessary to send goods by the route of the Hudson's Bay[see Note 27] tothe territories of that Company; and thus _a climate horrible in winterand summer_, would also be avoided. [see Note 44] Then one view of themap of the world will show that the proposed terminus of the Atlanticand Pacific Railway at Frazer's River, taken as a centre, would bringNew Zealand, New South Wales, in fact, Australia, New Guinea, Borneo, Canton, Pekin, all within fifty days' sail of that point; and taking theSandwich Islands as a centre point, (where there is a fine harbour, andwhere a depōt of coals might be established), which could be reached inten days, all the before-named places would be brought within twentydays for steam navigation, other points, such as the Friendly Islands, &c. , might be selected for further depōts of coals. Again, from theterminus of the proposed railway the mails from England could bedespatched to all the before-mentioned places, and the formation of agreat steam navigation company, with a grant from government in the sameway as a grant was made to the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company toHalifax, would insure magnificent steamers for the conveyance of thesemails, and would secure also to the Hudson's Bay Company an immenseconsumption of their coal. Last, though not least of all, this Railwayroute across the continent of North America would ensure to England atall times a free communication with her East India possessions. It istrue that at present there is no difficulty in that respect, and theindefatigable exertions of Lieutenant Waghorn and of other enterprisingpeople, amongst them my friend Major Head, have opened to the Britishpublic and to the East India Company a quick and speedy communicationwith India. But let the public reflect, and let the Government reflect, that, in the event of a European war, we might be called upon to defendand keep open that communication at an immense expenditure of life andmoney, and indeed it might even be closed against us; whereas theproposed Line across the continent of America would be within our owndominions, and would not oblige us to interfere or meddle with anycontinental wars to enjoy its free use. No time ought to be lost in thecommencement of this national undertaking. 

If then Government took the initiative, it might obtain the consent ofParliament, and proceed to appoint a Board of General Arrangement andControl, consisting, say, of fifteen Commissioners: three on the part ofGreat Britain, three to be named by the Hudson's Bay Company, three tobe appointed by the Government of Nova Scotia, three by that of NewBrunswick, and three on the part of Canada; all these latter of coursewith the approval of their respective Governors. It may appear thatthe North American Provinces would thus have a greater proportionof Commissioners; but as each of these Colonies have Governmentsindependent of each other, they may be considered as separate Companies, although we take them as one when considered as the North AmericanProvinces. These fifteen gentlemen might be all Members of Parliament;thus the system of representatives from the Colonies, so often suggestedand spoken of, could be commenced, and the Colonists thus madepractically aware that they are _an integral part of this country_. These Commissioners could be authorized to make all the necessaryarrangements for the security of the monies proposed to be advanced bythe Government of Great Britain, and should be instructed to draw up thegeneral Articles of Agreement between the high contracting parties; andGovernment might be authorized by Parliament to open an account withthese Commissioners, who as a Body might be called "The Atlantic andPacific Railway Board of Control, " and under its auspices a publicCompany might be formed, refunding to the Government all previousoutlay. 

Our North American provinces are close at hand, and during theapproaching summer all the necessary arrangements might be made for thereception of a great number of convicts in different locations; and, inthe first instance, they might be sent to Halifax and Quebec, [see Note53] where they could be received immediately, not certainly in palaces, but in very good wood huts; at both these places they could also be atonce set to work in unloading the vessels sent from England with thenecessary stores for the commencement of this great national work, andin preparing and levelling the situations of the respective termini; forof course at both these stations great government as well as privatewharfs would be established. Again: another portion could be sent atonce from New South Wales to the port fixed upon on the north-west coastof North America, in the Hudson's Bay Company's territory:[see Note 67]there they could be put to work in the same way--to unload vesselsbringing in stores, to cut down and prepare timber, level and get readythe site of the terminus. And it appears very necessary that preparationshould be made for the reception of a large body at the Red RiverSettlement, that point being a very important spot in the Line proposed. Let us see what Montgomery Martin says about it. [see Note 28]

The Bishop of Montreal, in 1844, says, "The soil, which is alluvial, isbeyond example rich and productive, and withal so easily worked, that, although it does not quite come up to the description of the HappyIslands--reddit ubi cererem tellus inarata quot annis--there is aninstance, I was assured, of a farm in which the owner, withcomparatively light labour in the preparatory processes, had taken awheat crop out of the same land for eighteen successive years, neverchanging the crop, never manuring the land, and never suffering it tolie fallow, and that the crop was abundant to the last; and, withrespect to the pasture and hay, they are to be had ad libitum, as naturegives them in the open plains. " Again, speaking of import goods: "Allthese articles are brought across from Hudson's Bay, a distance ofseveral hundred miles, in boats, and these boats are drawn across theportages on rollers, or in some places carried upon waggons; hence thosearticles which are of a heavy description are charged at a priceseemingly out of all proportion to that of many others which may beobtained at a moderate price: a common grindstone is sold for20_s_. "[see Note 29]

Now read again the description of Hudson's Bay, discovered by JohnHudson in 1610, [see Note 27] then look upon that picture, and uponthis; look upon that country that will give eighteen successive crops ofwheat, and look upon the difficult, dangerous, and tedious navigation ofthat bay, whose _climate in summer and winter is horrible_, and throughwhose waters the stores of this fine country are obliged to travel;look at that picture, then look at this, --the easy, safe, and rapidcommunication of a Railway, --and say if the time, health and money thatwould be saved by its construction is not worthy the consideration ofEnglishmen, and would not repay the constructors, even if that was to beits last terminus. [see Note 54]

But when it is considered that the Main Line of Railway, in passingthrough our own colonies, would skirt the shores of Lake Superior--richin mines of silver and copper[see Note 36]--and that the Red RiverSettlement[see Note 30] would only be one of the many valuable towns anddistricts that would be opened to trade and commerce, and onlycontribute its mite to the profits to be obtained from the passage ofthe Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, it appears to me impossible thatsuch a powerful and wealthy Company as the Hudson's Bay, suchmagnificent colonies as our North American provinces, and such a poweras Great Britain, can balance for one moment in their minds whether lossor profit must attend the undertaking and completion of such a Railway. 

But, vires acquirit eundo, our argument is stronger as we proceed; for, crossing the Rocky Mountains, where the real terminus would be, let uspause for a moment to consider the mine of wealth we should open--notthe wealth of gold and silver--but wealth, the reward of commerce andindustry. 

"The land, " Nicolay says, "affords, even now, exports of cattle, wool, hides, and tallow, as well as salted meat, beef, pork, wheat, barley, Indian corn, apples, and timber. Of these all are sent to the SandwichIslands, some to California, and hides and wool have been sent toEngland. The woods of the Oregon present another fertile source ofnational wealth. The growth of timber of all sorts in the neighbourhoodof the harbours in the De-fuca Strait adds much to their value as anaval and commercial station. Coal is found in the whole westerndistrict, but principally shows itself above the surface on north partof Vancouver's Island. To these sources of commercial and nationalwealth must be added the minerals--iron, lead, tin, &c. The mountainsand seacoast produce granite, slate, sandstone, --and in the interioroolites; limestone is plentiful, and to the north most easily workedand very rich in colour. "

Again: look to the whale fishery. [see Note 31] And, in conclusion, wemay say that the Hudson's Bay Company's territory in the Pacific, thatis, New Caledonia, "will be found to fall short of but a few countries, either in salubrity of climate, fertility of soil, and consequentluxuriance of vegetation, and utility of production, of in thepicturesque character of the scenery. "

But, my dear friend, I have been led on by my excitement on this subjectto make quotations and enter into particulars and details far beyond myoriginal thoughts, which were chiefly to draw the attention of yourpowerful and active mind to a great national undertaking, knowing wellyour love of everything English, and at the same time your devotedattachment to the North American colonies. You have travelled far, andseen much, and have shown in your works how clearly you have observedand appreciated the power and manly spirit of England;

 "Dear for her reputation through the world;"

and although you have felt, as a colonist, that her provinces of NorthAmerica might have been better governed, and that they have had evenmuch justly to complain about, still you have always upheld theconnection with England, and argued its value. In writing to you, thethoughts of old times have returned, and reminded me of our happymeetings and friendly converse in your lodgings in Piccadilly; and, thusthinking, I have written on, as in fancy I have imagined we should havechatted together, --and now I cannot do otherwise than continue in thisfreedom of communication, and endeavour to excite you to entertain mythoughts, and to canvass them among your fellow-countrymen. 

To return, then, to our subject, and to the necessity for England to beup and stirring. It has been remarked, that "a person who is alreadythriving seldom puts himself out of his way to commence even a lucrativeimprovement, unless urged by the additional motive of fear lest somerival should supplant him by getting possession of it before him. "Truly, indeed, has it been said by the Spectator, "that England is notbankrupt, nor poor, nor needy. In every quarter we see immense additionsto material wealth; we observe, too, on all hands a vast extension ofluxurious enjoyments among the middle classes; every thing attests ahuge growth in the wealth of the nation. " It may be fairly considered, then, that England is thriving--a lucrative improvement of vastmagnitude is open to her--and if the additional motive of fear ofrivalry is necessary to excite her in so noble an undertaking, let herreflect on what is said in an American paper:--

A Boston paper of the day says, "the finding of these gold mines is ofmore importance than any previous event for 300 years. The prosperityof Queen Elizabeth's reign was mainly owing to the stimulus given tocommerce by the increase of the precious metals; but the field now to beacted upon is at least fifty times greater than during that period. Within five years there will be a Railroad from the Atlantic Ocean, across the great American Continent, through the gold regions, to theBay of San Francisco, said to be the finest harbour in the world. Thepeople of San Francisco will then communicate by telegraph in a fewminutes, and the mails will be taken to Canton on the one side infourteen days, and to London on the other in nine days; so thatintelligence may be conveyed from the one end to the other in the shortperiod of twenty-three days. This will be witnessed under five years. "

It is evident, then, that the people of the United States are quiteaware of all the advantages to be gained by a quick communication acrossthe Continent of America. Let us consider now, for a moment, what theconsequences of a railway would be as regards your own valuable andfertile colonies. [see Note 43]

You have no doubt already pictured to yourself the town of Halifax alivewith all the bustle and excitement of a great commercial community, andher noble harbours full of every description of vessels, from themagnificent English steamer to the small colonial coasting craft; forsoon, not merely one steamer a week, as now, would touch from England onher way to New York, but Nova Scotia herself, from the increasing wealthand importance of her towns, would require the use of many steamers toenable her to carry on the numerous commercial duties that would fall toher lot; and when we reflect that at Halifax would rest the terminus, whence could be embarked for England at all seasons of the year ourhighly valuable colonial produce, including the rich exports from theSouthern Pacific Ocean (not sent round Cape Horn or the Cape of GoodHope); and when we reflect that this long neglected seaport town couldequally receive at all seasons of the year the various exports fromEngland, for her numerous Colonies; and when we consider that there isabundance of coal at hand, with wood and stone for building, who canhesitate for a moment to acknowledge that Halifax would soon become oneof the most important ports, and one of the most noble cities of theworld; add to this, that the connection and attachment of Nova Scotia toEngland would be cemented for ever--and that the dream of the Clockmakerwould be realized. "This is the best situation in all America--is NovaScotia, if the British did but know it. It will have the greatest trade, the greatest population, the most manufactures, the most wealth, of anystate this side of the water. The resources, natural advantages, andpolitical position of this place, beats all. " Then again, look to thecity of Quebec; no sooner would the river navigation be open thanthousands of vessels from England would be seen dropping their anchorsat the foot of her proud citadel, carrying out vast cargoes of Englishexports; then picture to yourself the railway terminus, alive with allthe consequent bustle, the steam up, and the railway carriages ready toconvey all these articles of commerce to every town and district in theNorth American Colonies; away also to the far west, whence they would beforwarded to our colonial possessions in the Southern Pacific, and tonumerous other places; then again, behold these ships reloading quicklywith the timber and other exportable articles from our thenfirmly-linked-together valuable Colonies, sailing away for England, andrepeating their visit two or three times in the season; the difficultnavigation of the Hudson's Bay avoided; the territory of the Hudson'sBay Company daily increasing in value, from the ease with which itsinhabitants could procure articles of commerce, before almost forbiddento them; and Quebec, being their nearest port for embarkation forEngland, would necessarily become even a much more important city thanshe is at present. The land in her neighbourhood would become highlyvaluable, and, as a matter of necessity, the fine country to the north, with even better soil and better climate, would soon be opened andpeopled. I cannot cease referring to Quebec without recording mygratitude for many kindnesses there received--particularly from thefamily of Captain Boxer. [see Note 55] Then again, look to New Brunswick, connected as it would of course be both with Halifax and Quebec, thus, having a free and direct communication with those cities, and enabled toexport or import at any season of the year, (should she wish to avoidthe navigation of the Bay of Fundy); then think what strength she wouldbring to the union of the Colonies by such a link of connection, and howmany more opportunities her inhabitants would have of encouraging andfostering that strong attachment to their English brethren we all sowell know to exist amongst the people of New Brunswick. 

But, my dear friend, I might go on this way for ever, pointing out townafter town, and district after district, showing how the wealth andprosperity of each would go on rapidly increasing. I cannot, however, quit the subject without a passing word on Montreal, in which city Ihave passed many happy days, and from whose inhabitants I have receivedmuch kindness and civility. That noble city has already made somesteady advances to a great capital, and the time cannot be far distantwhen she will rival even the most flourishing on the North AmericanContinent. To her this proposed Railway would be highly important. Shehas shown that she already understands the value of such things; for notonly has she a small one of her own to La-Chine, about seven miles upthe river, but she has also, I understand, finished about thirty milestowards the Atlantic in the direction of Portland. The interest of theseCompanies would not of course be lost sight of, but their profits takeninto the general calculation. The great Trunk Line of Railway wouldnaturally, I conclude, go through a country some distance to the northof Montreal; but one of the most important termini must of necessity beat that city where the business of the Government is carried on, andwhere of course a general Railway Communication with every town anddistrict would be established. Toronto would naturally be considered inthe manner in which so loyal and devoted a city ought to be, and wherewas held, even to a very late period, the parliament of a great country, surrendered only to her sister Montreal on public considerations and forthe general good;[see Note 62] and the Main Line of Railway should bebrought as near Toronto as the communication between the Atlantic andPacific (its great object and principal view) would permit. Hamilton, Kingston, Byetown and several other places must not consider themselvesneglected, if not herein specially mentioned; but in fact as regardsthese Colonies, the song of your friend, the Clockmaker, about themcannot be sung too often. "Oh Squire! if John Bull only knew the valueof these Colonies, he would be a great man, I tell you, --but he don't. "Truly do I hope that I may now sing to them with confidence, --

 "There's a good time coming yet, Wait a little longer. "

In your conversation with the Clockmaker you have observed, "it ispainful to think of the blunders that have been committed from time totime in the management of our Colonies, and of the gross ignorance orutter disregard of their interests that has been displayed in treatieswith foreign powers. Fortunately for the Mother Country, the Colonistsare warmly attached to her and her institutions, and deplore aseparation too much to agitate questions, however important, that mayhave a tendency to weaken their affections by arousing their passions. "Should the Government of Great Britain, upon whose consideration will beforced the present situation of her Colonies, consider it right to givetheir support to this proposed Atlantic and Pacific Railway for thereasons herein explained, or from any other cause, --the great benefitthat Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Canadas will derive from havingopen to them a free and easy access to the Atlantic and the Pacific, will, I trust, occasion such an activity of mind and such an employmentof matter, that in the general good arising therefrom, all thoughts offormer ill treatment or unkindness from the Mother Country will soon beforgotten. 

The great question, however, is, and will be on all sides, Where is themoney to come from?[see Note 56] and that question I am weak enough tofancy is easily answered. Let us consider this subject a little. Let usremember, first, that England expended 630 millions during nineteenyears in war, and, notwithstanding which expenditure, the country gotricher and richer every day;[see Note 14] and if the country is notpoorer now than it was in the years when it was able to raise the sum of150 millions in a single year--the greater part of which it could affordto expend in one year in war, and grow richer all the time--surely sucha country can afford to expend some few millions for the benefit ofthose colonies on account of whom she was lately ready to go to war, andon whose account she did actually expend about two millions, causedmerely by the rebellion and disturbance of a few discontented spirits. But the money that England would be called upon to advance in theproposed undertaking would secure to her not only the attachment of herchildren in the North American provinces, by making it as well theirworldly interest, as it is their natural feeling and wish, to remainEnglishmen; but that money, and the interest of that money, could besecured to her by proper arrangements being entered into with theHudson's Bay Company, and with the North American provinces, and beultimately reimbursed to her by the formation of the proposed Company. 

Up to the present moment England has, I believe, only expended thesum of £148, 000, 000 on her Railways, and, I believe, nearly 5000 milesare finished; and on an average these Railways are said to give a returnof about four per cent. , and "with the increase of the nationalwealth and population, and with the increase of habits of socialinter-communication and the transit of goods, the traffic on Railwayswould increase, and the profits and dividends would not be less butgreater; and in the case of some of them, no man would pretend to sayhow great might be the increase of dividends from the improved andeconomical modes of working Railways, which, there is every reason tobelieve, will day by day be freshly discovered. " [_Bradshaw's Almanack, 1849_]. And who will say that £200, 000, 000 expended (even should such asum as that be required) in making a Railway Road from the Atlantic tothe Pacific through our own territories, and therefore completely underour own controul, would not increase by a tenfold degree the value ofthat property already expended in England? When the Railways now incontemplation at home are finished, their total length will, I believe, be about 10, 000 miles, and the expenditure between 200 and 240 millions. The length of the Railway proposed to go through our colonies may bespoken of roughly as at about 4000 miles; but when we take intoconsideration the relative value of land in England and our colonies, and a thousand other Railway contingencies in a highly civilizedcountry, creating enormous legal, legislative and other expenses, wenaturally come to the conclusion that the outlay per mile must of coursebe considerably diminished in the colonies. Taking it, however, at theEnglish expenditure of £24, 000 a mile on the average, it would only cost£96, 000, 000;[see Note 32]--£5, 000, 000 has been estimated as sufficientfor six hundred miles of Railway from Halifax to Quebec. But calling it£100, 000, 000, and supposing the work to be five years completing, thatwould only be at the rate of £20, 000, 000 a year, the interest of whichat five per cent. Would be £1, 000, 000. Surely, then, such a sum as thatcould be easily raised, even by the Hudson's Bay Company alone, upon thesecurity of their extensive and valuable territory. For so great adifference would soon arise between the value of that territory as itis now--merely the abode of Indians and hunters--and what it would bethen; with its clearings, its improvements, its roads, its trade, itsmanufactures, and its towns, that any amount of debt almost might beincurred. But our loyal colonies would no doubt equally enter intosecurities to England, and be glad, in fact, to share their chance ofthe profit; for these colonies, as well as the Hudson's Bay Company, would be immense gainers. Still it may be argued, that unless it can beshown that England herself would be a gainer, she would not be justifiedin advancing any money on such an undertaking. Let us, then, considerthis point a little. Mr. Cobden has asserted (what some of our publicjournals confess to be true), "that if the revenue had fallen off, itwas because the balance sheet of the merchants and the manufacturers hadfallen off likewise. " If then we show by the undertaking of such awork as is now proposed, the balance sheets of the merchants andmanufacturers must increase immensely, we surely make out a case forthe good of the country generally, as far as revenue is concerned. 

Let us then first consider, that "So interwoven and complicated are thefibres which form the texture of the highly civilized and artificialcommunity in which we live, that an effect produced on any one point isinstantly transmitted to the most remote and apparently unconnectedparts of the system. " And again--"The exportation of labourers andcapital from the old to the new countries, from a place where theirproductive power is less to a place where it is greater, increases byso much the aggregate produce of the labour and capital of the world. "

Now, with regard to the first remark, the effect that would be producedby the necessary exportation of all the machinery for the making andworking of this Atlantic and Pacific Railway, would of course produce, even in England, a very great increase both to the productive power andto the consumption of a variety of articles apparently unconnected withthe affairs of the Railway; and when, again, we look to the necessaryexportation of labourers and of capital to the towns on the Line of theRailway where there is less productive power at work, by increasing thatdormant power we shall increase the aggregate capital of the world, andconsequently that of England. Again--"Could we suddenly double theproductive power of the country, we should double the supply of thecommodities in every market, but we should by the same stroke doublethe purchasing power--every body would bring a double demand as well assupply--every body would be able to buy twice as much, as he would havetwice as much to offer in exchange. " Also--"A country which produces fora larger market than its own, can introduce a more extended division oflabour--can make a greater use of machinery, and is more likely tomake inventions and improvements in the progress of production. "Again--"Whatever causes a greater quantity of any thing to be producedin the same place, tends to the general increase of the productivepowers of the world. " Now it surely will not be denied, that theundertaking of this National Railway would cause in England a greaterquantity of machinery to be made and exported to the North Americanprovinces, thus producing for it a larger market than the home, andcausing a greater quantity to be made--thus a general increase of theproductive powers of the world must be produced; and as "wealth may bedefined as all useful or agreeable things which possess exchangeablevalue, " it necessarily follows that the immense increase that wouldbe given to the productive powers of England, to those of her NorthAmerican provinces, and of the Hudson's Bay territory, by an undertakingon such an extensive scale, if it did not completely, would nearlydouble these powers; and as whoever brings additional commodities tomarket brings additional power to purchase, it follows that theinhabitants of our North American provinces, and of the Hudson's Bayterritory, would be enabled to take nearly twice the quantity of ourmanufactured goods. 

Lord Stanley, in moving an amendment to the Address from the Throne, says: "the exports of the six principal articles of British industry, cotton, wool, linen, silk, hardware and earthenware, exhibit adiminution as compared with 1847, of no less than four millions, and ascompared with 1846, of five millions;" such being the case, it becomeshighly important to consider the cause of this falling off, with a viewto a remedy, and some great measures must be adopted towards our owncolonies that will enable them to receive a greater quantity ofmanufactured goods from the mother country, --and this great Railway issuggested as one that would increase the productive power and populationof our North American colonies, and a consequent increasing necessityfor hardware and earthenware, to say nothing even of the other articlesof British industry, or of the facility of communicating with our otherColonies. 

These few remarks will suffice to show that the balance sheets of themerchants, and consequently of the revenue of England, as well as thecapital of individuals, must increase immensely during the constructionof and at the completion of the proposed undertaking. Mr. MontgomeryMartin has stated that "Railways are the very grandest organization oflabour and capital that the world has ever seen:" that "the capitalactually invested in Railways advanced from £65, 000, 000 in 1843 to£167, 000, 000 in 1848--no less than £100, 000, 000 in five years. " Andwhy should we not look forward to an equal--aye--and to a much largerinvestment--on such a magnificent Line of Railway? joining, as it would, all the northern dominions of the old world--crossing, as it would, thenorthern territories of the new, and making an easy opening to the richand thriving world that may be considered of the present day. For "theword has been given, an active and enterprising population will bepoured in, every element of progress will be cultivated, and theproductive countries on the shores of the Pacific, heretofore isolated, will be brought into active and profitable intercourse. It may truly besaid that a new world has been opened. 

"Our fathers watched the progress of America, we ourselves have seenthat of Australia, but the opening of the Pacific is one of the greatestevents in social history since, in the fifteenth century, the EastIndies were made known to Europe; for we have not, as in America orAustralia, to await the slow growth of European settlements, but towitness at once the energetic action of countries already in a highstate of advancement. The Eastern and the Western shores of the greatOcean will now be brought together as those of the Atlantic are, and will minister to each other's wants. A happy coincidence ofcircumstances has prepared the way for these results. Everything wasready, the word only was wanted to begin, and it has been given. 

"The outflowings of Chinese emigrants and produce, which have gonetowards the East, will now move to the West; the commercial enterpriseof Australia and New Zealand has acquired a new field of exercise andencouragement; the markets which Chili and Peru have found in Europeonly, will be opened nearer to their doors; the north-west shore ofAmerica will obtain all the personal and material means of organization;the Islands of the Pacific will take the place in the career ofcivilization for which the labours of the missionary have prepared them;and even Japan will not be able to withhold itself from the community ofnations. 

"This is worth more to our merchants and manufacturers, and to thepeople employed by them, than even the gold mines can be; for this isthe statement of certain results, and the working of the gold mines, however productive they may prove, must be attended with all theincidents of irregularity and uncertainty, and great commercialdisadvantages. "--(_Wyld's Geographical Notes. _)

Surely then there would be no difficulty with Parliament to encourageand facilitate the formation of an Atlantic and Pacific Railway Company, by obtaining its sanction to the loan of £150, 000, 000 in such sums asmight be required (to be issued under the sanction of a board appointedfor that special purpose), particularly when it is recollected that theexpense of the greater part of her own convicts could be provided for bythat advance. 

It will easily be seen that it would be impossible to complete thisAtlantic and Pacific Railway, without at the same time giving greatencouragement to the emigration of labour; and this "is only practicablewhen its cost is defrayed _or at least advanced by others_, than thelabourers themselves. Who then is to advance it? Naturally it may besaid, the capitalists of the colony, who require the labour, and whointend to profit by it. But to this there is the obstacle, that acapitalist, after going to the expense of carrying out labourers, has nosecurity that he shall be the person to derive any benefit from them. "To those who would object to Government interference in a case like thepresent, we can only say, in the words of Mr. Mill, that "the questionof Government intervention in the work of colonization involves thefuture and permanent interests of civilization itself, and faroutstretches the comparatively narrow limits of purely economicalconsiderations; but, even with a view to these considerations alone, theremoval of population from the overcrowded to the unoccupied parts ofthe earth's surface, is one of those works of eminent social usefulnesswhich most require, and which at the same time will best repay, theintervention of Government. " "No individual or body of individuals_could_ reimburse themselves for these expenses. " Government, on thecontrary, _could_ take from the increasing wealth _caused by theconstruction of this Railway and consequent great emigration, thefraction which would suffice to repay with interest the money advanced_. These remarks apply equally to the governments of the North Americanprovinces as to those of the Hudson's Bay Company and Great Britain. [seeNote 57]

Let us now personify our Atlantic and Pacific Railway, and endeavourmore immediately to apply some of the reasoning as regards colonizationto the money part of the question as regards the Railway. As regardscolonization the question--Who is to advance the money? has, I think, been very clearly answered by Mr. Mill. As regards the undertaking ofthis Railway, and the answer to the question, Where is the money to comefrom? let us first suppose then that "there is an increase of thequantity of money, caused by the arrival of a foreigner in a place witha treasure of gold and silver; when he commences expending it, he addsto the supply of money and by the same act to the demand for goods. Ifhe expends his funds in establishing a manufactory, he will raise theprice of labour and materials; but, at the higher prices, more moneywill pass into the hands of the sellers of these different articles; andthey, whether labourers or dealers, having more money to lay out, willcreate an increased demand for all things which they are accustomed topurchase, and these accordingly will rise in price, and so on, until therise has reached every thing. " Now let us for a moment suppose thisforeigner to be represented by our friend the Atlantic and PacificRailway, (imagined, for the sake of our argument, to be completed), and we will no longer consider him a foreigner, but a brother. Thisbrother, on his arrival in England finds that he has unfortunatelyforgotten to bring with him his purse, that in fact he has neither goldnor silver, the representatives of wealth, and here, be it remembered, that wealth is any thing useful or agreeable, and that money is acommodity. We will then suppose this North American brother to say, Mygood brother of England, I am here without gold or silver, or withoutany kind of wealth; the commodities I have left behind me are of such anature, that without much labour I could not put them in such a shape aswould enable me to bring them to this country, nor could I obtain silveror gold enough to represent them; unless, therefore, I send somelabouring people and machinery to my country, I am afraid I cannotobtain all the commodities I wish to have. Now you have plenty of sparelabourers, and plenty of spare machinery and other useful materials, andfor which you would be glad to receive valuable commodities in mycountry; and if you will only send the labourers and machinery out, Iwill order that in return you shall be allowed to bring away all theuseful and agreeable things, that is, all the wealth that may be found, and have the use of such things as you may prefer to keep in my country. Now if you will make this agreement with me, I will return with you tomy native land, and will not only assist you to obtain all thesecommodities, but I will engage also to pay you a certain annual incomeout of my saving; and I will show you the short way to the mostextensive region of wealth ever known to any nation in the world; andyou can then travel that road, so that at no future period (at leastwithin the imagination of man) shall you ever again complain of toogreat a population on your soil, or too small a market for your labour. 

Then the good brother of England says to this Atlantic and Pacificbrother, --We believe all you say of your wealth, and we see the greatadvantage it would be to us to partake of it, and to have the command ofthe road you point out, but what security are we to have that when ourlabourers and machinery are sent to your country they will be employed;and if you have neither gold nor silver nor other commodities ready togive us in exchange for the work and the articles, how are we to pay thepeople to prepare the machinery, and all our other labourers, whosewages would in England of course become higher, as they would be less innumber, and there would be a greater quantity of work to be done. Thebrothers, in talking over this matter, discovered that "credit isindispensable, for rendering the whole capital of the countryproductive. It is also the means by which the industrial talent of thecountry is turned to most account for purposes of production. Many aperson who has no capital of his own, or very little, but who hasqualifications for business, which are known and appreciated by someperson of capital, is enabled to obtain either advances of money, ormore frequently goods, on credit, by which his industrial capacities aremade instrumental in the increase of public wealth. " The Pacific andAtlantic brother observed, --This is exactly my case. Only give mecredit, and I will bind myself on my own personal security to give upwhatever portion of my annual income you may consider necessary; and Iwill also secure the money advanced by you on my land, on the mineralsthereof, and in any other way that may be deemed necessary. My brotherof the Atlantic and Pacific Railway, says the Englishman, you havenearly convinced me; we will immediately appoint friends to draw up allthe necessary agreements between us, that will enable me, if possible, to advance you such labour and machinery as may be required; and we willalso proceed to appoint other friends, who shall take intoconsideration, in the first place, the expense incurred from your birthto a state of manhood, and the annual income that is derived from yourbusiness and your property; and leaving you sufficient to maintainyourself as a gentleman, we shall appropriate to ourselves whatever mayremain, as a reward for our exertions and the risk to be incurred, andas a security for the interest of the money expended upon your account. The brothers having thus agreed in a general way, proceed immediately toappoint friends and to call upon their good old mother, Great Britain, to advance the money required, and their North American relations, NovaScotia, New Brunswick, Canada, and Hudson's Bay, to come forward andmake a general family treaty for the security and payment of suchadvances. The brothers were then congratulating themselves on what theyconsidered the success of their project, when it was whispered to themthat something of a similar plan had been proposed for their relationIreland, by one "whose loss is too great to be slighted, and too recentnot to be felt;" and it had been suggested that for every £100 expendedon Railways in that country, £200 should be lent by Government; uponwhich occasion it had been observed by one who has greatly influenced, whether for good or evil, will be hereafter known, the destinies of theBritish Empire, that "the public credit of the State is one of theelements of our financial strength, and that it was not possible toappropriate a great portion of that public credit to the encouragementof commercial enterprises, without, to the same extent, foregoing thepower to apply that public credit in another direction, in the event ofthe national exigencies requiring you to do so. " The brothers replied, this is certainly true; but the proposed undertaking is not a commercialenterprise, although no doubt it would produce great commercial andcolonizing results; but it is a grand national work, --a desideratum thathas been wished for, looked for, and cared for, ever since the new worldwas discovered--that has repeatedly called forth great expenditure ofmoney, great suffering, and loss of life in searching for it, to thenorth. It is, in short, the great high road between the Atlantic andPacific--the expense of making which you are called upon to consider. 

As regards Ireland, another bold measure has been suggested for thatcountry; without giving any opinion upon it, I cannot help asking why weshould not be as bold in peace as we were in war. Must we wait until

 "The news is, sir, the Voices are in arms; _Then indeed_--we shall have means to vent Our musty superfluity?"

"Without raising one shilling out of the Exchequer, " says Lucius (see_Morning Post, Jan. 31st_), "boldly apply the national credit to relievethe national distress; at once authorize the Bank of Ireland, or a bankto be created for that purpose, to issue twenty or thirty millions inaid of the landed proprietors; secondly, for the judicious encouragementof emigration, transplant those who cannot earn a subsistence at home toa comfortable settlement in our colonies, and to promote such mercantileor other undertakings, let the notes issued be made legal tenders forall payments whatever, and let the entire soil of Ireland be pledged fortheir ultimate security. " Far be it from me to give any opinion on whatis best to be done for Ireland, but certain I feel that what is hereproposed and suggested regarding an Atlantic and Pacific Railway couldnot interfere with any plan Government might think right to adopt forthe regeneration of Ireland, unless indeed by greatly facilitating allemigration plans and permanent employment. 

But, independently of all this money question, "there is the strongestobligation on the government of a country like our own, with a crowdedpopulation and unoccupied continents under its command, to build asit were and keep open a bridge from the mother country to thosecontinents. " Let us reflect that "the economical advantages of commerceare surpassed in importance by those of its effects, which areintellectual and moral. It is hardly possible to overrate the value, forthe improvement of human beings, of things which bring them in contactwith persons dissimilar to themselves, and with modes of thought andaction unlike those with which they are familiar. Commerce is nowwhat war once was--the principal source of this contact. Commercialadventurers from more advanced countries have generally been the firstcivilizers of barbarians, and commerce is the purpose of the far greaterpart of the communication which takes place between civilized nations. It is commerce which is rapidly rendering war obsolete, by strengtheningand multiplying the personal interest which is in natural opposition toit. "--(_Mill, Polit. Econ. _) In whatever point of view, therefore, weregard this subject--whether as one of duty by providing the means ofhealthy and legitimate employment to our numerous artificers andlabourers now in a state of destitution--a domestic calamity likely tobe often inflicted upon us--unless new fields, easy of access, are madepermanently open to our continually increasing population--and "it wouldbe difficult to show that it is not as much the duty of rulers toprovide, as far as they can, for the removal of a domestic calamity, asit is to guard the people entrusted to their care from foreignoutrage"--will they "slumber till some great emergency, some dreadfuleconomic or other crisis, reveals the capacities of evil which thevolcanic depths of our society may now hide under but a deep crust?"--orwhether we view it as a means of assisting any general system in thepenal code--or whether we view it as a point of individual or governmentinterest, by turning all that extra-productive power, now idle, in thedirection of our own colonies, and thus connecting and attaching themmore strongly to the mother country--increasing their wealth, theirpower and our own:--or whether we consider it in a moral and religiouspoint of view, as affording greater and quicker facilities for thespread of education and the Gospel of Christ[see Note 58]--or whether welook upon it as an instrument for the increase of commerce, and (as animportant consequence) the necessarily directing men's minds, with thebright beams of hope from their own individual and immediate distress, as well as from the general excitement and democratic feeling and spiritof contention showing itself amongst many nations (an object greatly tobe desired) for--

 "The times are wild. . . . . . . . Every minute now _May_ be the father of some stratagem;"

--or whether we look at it in a political point of view, as keepingopen to us at all times, without the necessity of interference withother nations or of war, a great high road to most of our colonialpossessions, and particularly to India--viewing it then in any one ofthese points, who can doubt for a moment the beneficial results thatmust attend such an undertaking. But when all these considerations aretaken together, we must repeat what we said in a former page, that itis a grand and a noble undertaking, and that it must be accomplished byGreat Britain and her colonies. 

Let us reflect, lastly, my dear friend, that "the world now containsseveral extensive regions, provided with various ingredients of wealth, in a degree of abundance of which former ages had not even an idea. "Your native land, and the other North American provinces, have, even bytheir own exertions, made rapid advances in wealth, accompanied by moraland intellectual attainments, and can look forward at no very distantperiod (if even left to their own exertions) to be enabled to take avery prominent position in the affairs of the world. But the Hudson'sBay Company's territory is still nearly in its primitive state, and muchindeed is to be expected from its advancement, when it shall have takenits proper station in the general trade and commerce of mankind; theposition of Vancouver's Island is such that there is little reason todoubt its wealth and consequence will place it high in the scale ofEngland's offspring. [see Note 59]

But, my dear friend, unless your mind has become as fully impressed asmy own with the vast importance of this great Railway undertaking, Ishall only tire you the more and detain you to no purpose by dwellinglonger on the subject; and indeed even should your mind be satisfiedwith the importance of the work, it may yet conceive it to be of animpracticable nature. "Who (I have been asked) in the living generationwould be reimbursed for the outlay? and without that, who will undertakea national work, however grand or remunerative to future ages?" To thisI answer fearlessly, that thousands of human beings of the presentgeneration would benefit by the outlay; that the employment would be aquite sufficiently lucrative one and visibly so, as to induce theEnglish capitalist to come forward and undertake the formation of aCompany; for even at this moment Railways are in contemplation, [seeNote 40] if not actually commenced, from Halifax to Quebec and from NewBrunswick to Halifax; and how much more would these Lines be payingLines when they had also an opening to the Pacific! But no individualnor combination of individuals could have sufficient influence with, or, if they had the influence, could have the necessary power to induce, theHudson's Bay Company to open its territories, and to enter into all thearrangements and all the agreements that would be necessary to be madewith that Company, with England, and with the North American Colonies, before a work affecting the interests of so many could be commenced. 

It is necessary then that Government should take the initiative, and itis not uncommon for her so to do in all great national works, such asroads, surveys, expeditions either for the objects of science orcommerce; such as those sent to discover the north-west passage, uponwhich thousands have been spent, [see Note 44] and on account of which, at this very moment, England has to deplore, in all probability, theloss of many a noble son, whose relatives have been for so long a timekept in all the agony of suspense. Upon no other description of workwould Great Britain be required to advance a single penny; but the veryfact of her undertaking what may be considered legitimate expenses of agovernment, the survey and marking out the whole Line, the entering intotreaties with her Colonies and the Hudson's Bay Company for the generalsecurity of the money, and for the interest for a certain number ofyears of the capital of the Company, would give such a confidence to thepublic mind, that a very short time would bring into full operation inthat direction, sufficient of the power and wealth of England toaccomplish the work; and when accomplished, Government would still holda lien upon it until she was reimbursed every penny. And, let me ask, are there not a thousand expenditures that have been undertaken byGovernment for which no reimbursement has ever taken place; and are notindividuals every day risking their capital and their accumulation ofsavings, in speculations in foreign lands, [see Note 61] when the resultof those past connections have been such as to lead the Minister ofForeign Affairs, even in his place in the House of Commons, to hold outas it were a threat to the whole world, if England's children did notreceive their due. Surely it would be more prudent, more politicallywise, and more economical, for Government to encourage the expenditureof our own capital in our own Colonies. 

Sitting in his arm chair, in his office in London, the Minister of GreatBritain can now convey his thoughts, his wishes, his commands, in a fewmoments to every part of England and Scotland, and will soon be enabledto do so to Ireland. [see Note 66] He can send the soldiers, horse andfoot, as well as the artillery of Great Britain, flying through the landat almost any rate he wishes. And all heavy stores and goods of themerchants can be easily forwarded at about twopence, and even, Ibelieve, a penny a mile per ton, and at about twenty miles an hour; anda penny a letter now enables every individual in England to communicate, at almost every hour, with his distant friends and relations; the postoffice itself travelling at a rate and with an ease little to becomprehended by those who have not witnessed it. The result of suchimmense wealth and such enormous power is more than is required forEngland, and would necessarily carry with it its own destruction, wasnot her empire one which encircles the world. 

Let the minister then who guides and directs the wealth and power abovedescribed, and in whose hands the destinies and happiness of thousandsare placed, picture to himself the encouragement that would be given toBritish industry and British enterprize, if, at ten days distance fromher shores, a port was established from which he would be enabled tosend across the Continent of America his thoughts, his wishes, and hiscommands, with the same speed at which they now travel throughoutEngland; and if these thoughts, wishes and commands would reach everyone of our own Colonies in the Pacific in about fifteen days afterleaving the western shore of North America; and if from the same port(ten days distance from England) could also be despatched the troops ofGreat Britain, if unfortunately necessary, travelling at the rate beforedescribed; if heavy stores and merchants' goods could also be enabled tocross the Continent of America, at the same price and at the same speedas they now travel in England; if the post office system could also beintroduced, and if letters at a penny each might pass between relationand relation, between friend and friend from England to her most distantColonies--if her children gone forth to colonize could then eitherreturn or communicate their every wish to England in less than a month;and reclining in his own arm chair, reflecting as he ought to do andmust do upon the power and wealth of England, let him not say that allhere described is not easily within her reach. Let him rather considerthe subject with a view to become the Leader of the Country in such anoble work. If it is a bold work, let him remember that fortune favoursthe brave. --"Si secuta fuerit, quod debet Fortuna, gaudebimus omnes, sinminus, ego tamen gaudebo. "

And now, my dear friend, whose patience I have so long taxed, it is timethat we should part--

 "Whether we shall meet again I know not; If we do meet again--why we shall smile. If not, for ever and for ever farewell. "

 Believe me, Ever your's, Sincerely and faithfully attached, ROBERT CARMICHAEL-SMYTH. 

 JUNIOR UNITED SERVICE CLUB, _February, 1849. _

CONCLUSION. 

The last correction for the press was scarcely finished, when "Canadain 1848" was put into my hands. Had I, a month ago, seen that littlepamphlet, written as it is with so much spirit and ability, I shouldhardly, perhaps, have felt sufficiently inclined to have suggested oneLine of Railway, in opposition to the views of its talented author. Itrust I need scarcely assure Lieut. Synge, that in any observations Ihave made upon Canals, I had no reference whatever to his grandscheme, --nor the least intention of treating lightly his magnificentproject, of which, until a day or two ago, I did not even know theexistence. I cannot now, however, let my Letter to my friend the Authorof the Clockmaker go forth to the public, without availing myself of theopportunity thus afforded me, of bringing also to the notice of thosewho read that letter "the existing resources of British North America, "so fully and powerfully pointed out by Lieut. Millington Henry Synge, ofthe Royal Engineers. Educated myself at Woolwich, and having served forseven years in his sister corps, the Artillery, I feel proud and happythat there are so many points upon which we can and do agree. There aresome, however, and one in particular most important, on which we arecompletely at issue. Lieut. Synge says, "A ship annually arrives at FortYork for the service of the Hudson's Bay Company; who can tell how manymay eventually do so?" Now my wish is that the one "annually" arrivingmay never have again to travel that Bay, _whose climate in winter andsummer is horrible_. I shall say no more on this subject at present;but I strongly recommend all those who have condescended to read andreflect upon the foregoing pages, to read and reflect also upon what hasbeen written by Lieut. Synge. His pamphlet has afforded me the greatestpossible pleasure. The manner in which (p. 5) he speaks of the people ofthe Colonies is completely in unison with my own expressed feelings; andall the arguments that he brings forward in favour of the great workupon which he has evidently thought so much, and in his pamphlet soclearly explained, bear equally in favour of the suggested Railway. Hestates that there is "a field open to almost an illimitable capital oflabour; that the systematic development of the resources of BritishNorth America will, so far from being a drain upon Great Britain, be ofimmediate advantage to her. That such development entails a natural, enduring, and perfect union between Great Britain and that part of herempire in North America. That completeness of communication, includingfacility, rapidity, and security, is indeed the true secret of therapidity and completeness of the development of the country. " These arethe thoughts of Lieut. Synge, and I think I have already explained thatthey are equally mine. We have suggested different methods. Lieut. Syngewishes to improve the old Line of water communication; and Colonizationwould then be naturally confined to the banks of Rivers and of Lakes. Agreat Line of Railway communication would, on the other hand, benaturally of some distance from the River, and in many instances carriedthrough the heart of the country, and thus serve as another main artery, in which would circulate the wealth of the empire, and on each side ofwhich would be opened valuable land, on which settlers could locatewithout being lost, or disheartened by the solitude of the wilderness. Again, Lieut. Synge asks, "Is it not wonderful that no independent mailroute exists, to give the British Provinces the benefit of thegeographical position of Halifax. Is it not wonderful that there shouldbe no interprovincial means of rapid communication?" Such are thequestions of Lieut. Synge--and such questions, I trust, will soon beanswered by a Colonial Minister--that a new era will soon be open forthe Colonies--new life and energy be given to them. But time presses, and I must here conclude, with again assuring Lieut. Synge of thesincere pleasure with which I have read his pamphlet, and that I shallmake use of such extracts as can be hastily added, in the shape ofNotes, to my own Letter to the Author of the Clockmaker:--happy shallI be if we agree--

 "Sul campo della gloria noi pugneremo a lato: Frema o sorrida il fato vicino a te starņ, La morte o la vittoria con te dividero. "

 ROBERT CARMICHAEL-SMYTH. 

 JUNIOR UNITED SERVICE CLUB, _February 28, 1849. _

NOTES. 

(1) The writer of this letter, when returning from Halifax to England inthe spring of 1838, had the good fortune to take his passage in the samegovernment packet with the author of the Clockmaker, who was proceedingto England with the second series of that work: and afterwards, whenpaying a momentary visit to Halifax in the winter of 1844, heexperienced the high gratification of knowing, by the very kindreception he met with, that he had not been forgotten neither, by hisCompagnons de voyage, Haliburton and Howe, nor by the other kind andhighly valued friends he had formerly made in that city. 

(2) The history and particulars of this canal are well known at Halifax, and Samuel P. Fairbanks, Esq. (Master of the Rolls at Nova Scotia)brought to England with him in the Tyrian all the plans, maps, &c. Connected with that canal, and was, I believe, sent as a representativeof the parties connected with the work, in the hope that he might beable to induce the government to advance sufficient money for itscompletion. The fine large locks of this canal remain to tell the taleof money sunk in an unfinished work. No encouragement certainly to canalspeculations. 

(3) "The distance, as I make it, from Bristol to New York Lighthouse, is3037 miles; from Bristol to Halifax Lighthouse is 2479; from HalifaxLight to New York Light is 522 miles, in all 3001 miles; 558 milesshorter than New York Line, and even going to New York 36 miles shorterto stop at Halifax, than go to New York direct. "--So says the Clockmakerin 1838. 

(4) "Get your legislatur' to persuade Government to contract with theGreat Western folks to carry the mail, and drop it in their way to NewYork; for you got as much and as good coal to Nova Scotia as Englandhas, and the steam boats would have to carry a supply of 550 miles less, and could take in a stock at Halifax for the return voyage to Europe. Ifministers won't do that, get 'em to send steam packets of their own, andyou wouldn't be no longer an everlastin' outlandish country no more asyou be now. And, more than that, you wouldn't lose all the bestemigrants and all their capital. "--_Clockmaker, 1838. _

(5) "The communication by steam between Nova Scotia and England willform a new era in colonial history. It will draw closer the bonds ofaffection between the two countries, afford a new and extended fieldfor English capital, and develope the resources of that valuable butneglected province. Mr. Slick, with his usual vanity, claims thehonour of suggesting it, as well as the merit of having, by argumentand ridicule, reasoned and shamed the Government into itsadoption. "--_Clockmaker, 1841. _

(6) "In the Duke of Kent the Nova Scotians lost a kind patron and agenerous friend. The loyalty of the people, which, when all America wasrevolting, remained firm and unshaken, and the numerous proofs hereceived of their attachment to their king and to himself, made animpression upon his mind that was neither effaced nor weakened by timeor distance. Should these pages happily meet the eye of a colonialminister, who has other objects in view than the security of place andthe interest of a party, may they remind him of a duty that has neverbeen performed but by the illustrious individual, whose former residenceamong us gave rise to these reflections. This work is designed for thecottage, and not for the palace; and the author has not the presumptioneven to hope that it can ever be honoured by the perusal of hissovereign. Had he any ground for anticipating such a distinction for it, he would avail himself of this opportunity of mentioning that, inaddition to the dutiful affection the Nova Scotians have always borne totheir monarch, they feel a more lively interest in, and a more devotedattachment to, the present occupant of the throne, from the circumstanceof the long and close connexion that subsisted between them and herillustrious parent. He was their patron, benefactor and friend. To be aNova Scotian was of itself a sufficient passport to his notice, and toposses merit a sufficient guarantee for his favour. Her Majesty reignstherefore, in this little province, in the hearts of her subjects, adominion of love inherited from her father. "--_Clockmaker, 1841. _

"It can hardly be said that England has hitherto drawn any positiveadvantages from the possession of these provinces, if we place out ofview the conveniences afforded during periods of war by the harbourof Halifax. But the negative advantage from them are evident, if weconsider that the United Slates of America are greatly deficient in goodharbours on the Atlantic coast, while Nova Scotia possesses, in additionto the magnificent harbour of Halifax, eleven ports, between it and CapeCanso, with sufficient depth of water for the largest ships ofwar. "--_Clockmaker, 1841. _

(7) "The necessity which is gradually developing itself for steam fleetsin the Pacific, will open a mine of wealth to the inhabitants of theWest Coast of America. "--_Rev. C. G. Nicolay, 1846. _

The same author, in speaking of the principal features of the Iron BoundCoast and Western Archipelago, in the centre of Vancouver's Island, theStraits of Fuca and Puget's Inlet, says, "Its maritime importance isentirely confined to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and southern extremityof Vancouver's Island. Here are presented a series of harboursunrivalled in quality and capacity, at least within the same limits; andhere, as has been remarked, it is evident the future emporium of thePacific, in West America will be found. " And now that it has beensettled that this magnificent strait and its series of harbours (thisgreat emporium of West America) is open to that great and enterprisingnation, the people of the United States, as well as to ourselves, itbecomes most important to us that we should, and quickly, open the bestpossible and shortest road to communicate with it. 

"Alexander Mackenzie, who had risen to the station of a partner in thatCompany, and was even among them remarkable for his energy and activityboth of body and mind, having, with others of the leading partners, imbibed very extensive views of the commercial importance andcapabilities of Canada, and considering that the discovery of a passageby sea from the Atlantic to the Pacific would contribute greatly toopen, and enlarge it, undertook the task of exploring the country to thenorth of the extreme point occupied by the fur traders. "--_Rev. C. G. Nicolay. _

In 1794 this enterprising man ascended to the principal water of theMackenzie River, which he found to be a small lake situate in a deepSnowy Valley embosomed in woody mountains; he crossed a beaten pathleading over a low ridge of land, of 817 paces in length, to anotherlake, situated in a valley about a quarter of a mile wide, withprecipitous rocks on either side, --the head waters of the Frazers'River. On the 19th of July, he arrived where the river discharges itselfinto a narrow arm of the sea thus showing that a communication betweenthe west and east of North America was open to mankind. 

(8) I regret I cannot say when exactly, nor where, his Grace gave hisopinion on this subject, and I regret this the more, because I cannotgive his Grace's exact words; but of the fact I have no doubt, and Imust only trust to your forbearance and memory when I cannot point tothe day and place. 

(9) "Not long since a very general ignorance prevailed respecting theWestern Coast of North America, and no less general apathy. "--_Rev. C. G. Nicolay, 1846. _

(10) "Oh, Squire! if John Bull only knew the value of these colonies, hewould be a great man, I tell you, --but he don't. "--_Clockmaker, 1838. _

"We ought to be sensible of the patience and good feeling which thepeople of Canada have shown in the most trying circumstances. "-_Mr. Labouchere, Debate on Navigation Laws. _

(11) "Considering all the natural and acquired advantages that wepossess for this purpose, it should rather create surprise and regretthat our commerce is so small, than engender pride because it is solarge. "

"We may conclude then that improvements in production and emigration ofcapital to the more fertile soils and unworked mines of the uninhabitedor thinly peopled parts of the globe, do not, as it appears to asuperficial view, diminish the gross produce and the demand for labourat home, but, on the contrary, are what we have chiefly to depend on forthe increasing both, and are even the necessary conditions of any greator prolonged augmentations of either; nor is it any exaggeration to say, that, within limits, the more capital a country like England expends inthese two ways, _the more she will have left_. "--_J. S. Mill, Polit. Econ. _

(12) For "a very large amount of capital belonging to individuals have, of late years, sought profitable investment in other lands. It has beencomputed, that the United States have, during the last five years, absorbed in this manner more than £25, 000, 000 of English capital. " Andhow much more, it may be asked, has gone to the continent of Europe andelsewhere?

"When a few years have elapsed without a crisis, and no new and temptingchannel for investment has been opened in the meantime, there is alwaysfound to have occurred, in these few years, so large an increase ofcapital seeking investment, as to have lowered considerably the rate ofinterest, whether indicated by the prices of securities, or by the rateof discount on bills; and this diminution of interest tempts thepossessors to incur hazards, in hopes of a more considerablereturn. "--_Mill's Political Economy. _

(13) The Spectator has seriously remarked--"It is sometimes observed, that although taxes have been remitted to the amount of millions, therevenue has kept up; and that fact is vaunted as the vindication of freetrade: but one inference to be drawn from it has escaped notice--itshows that the riches of the country must have increased enormously, andit implies that many of the wealthy are escaping more and more from adue share of the general burden, as taxation is diminished and wealthincreased. "

"Our exports have increased in value since 1824 from 38 millions to 68millions. "

(14) "It will be found by the Parliamentary Tables, which all canconsult, that the amount of money raised in those eighteen years wasnearly 1500 millions. The total revenue raised in those years was morethan 981 millions; and the total of the money borrowed was more than 470millions; making, in all, 1451 millions. And it is worth while to note, that, in one of those years, namely, in 1813, the sum of more than 150millions was raised in revenue and loan, of which nearly 82 millions wasloan for the national use; and this in a single year; and that year1813, in the midst of a dreadful war, and thirty-five years ago;--sincewhen the country has grown much richer. "

"Now, dividing the sum of 1451 millions by eighteen years, it appearsthat 80 millions a year was raised; and, taking the legitimateexpenditure of the country, during those eighteen years, at an averageof 45 millions a-year, a sum so high as to preclude all cavil, itappears that the country raised and expended eighteen times thedifference between 45 and 80 millions, that is 630 millions;notwithstanding which expenditure, let it be observed, the country _gotricher and richer_ every day. "--_Bradshaw's Almanack, 1848. _

(15) "Our economical friends need not be alarmed;--we are notgoing to propose a large addition to the military force of theempire. "--(_Times. _) No:--but before it is reduced and its systeminterfered with by those who understand not its working, we wouldstrongly recommend the perusal, first of the evidence of Sir HerbertTaylor before the Finance Committee on this subject, and then that ofhis Grace the Duke of Wellington, and we would ask the intelligentpublic of Great Britain to reflect well before it allows her presentarmy to be trifled with. We firmly believe our army to be in as high astate of discipline, and as ready "to go any where and do any thing, " asit was at the moment his Grace gave up in France the active command ofit. 

As to our Navy, --let those advocates for reduction go as my friendCaptain B----r wished they would, --to the top of the monument, and lookaround at the forest of masts they will see of vessels coming from andgoing to all parts of the world; then reflect for a moment on the powerrequired to defend all their interests; and (if they dare), [see Note(63)] then come down and ask for reduction. 

We strongly recommend the perusal of the letter of Emeritus on thissubject in the _Times_ of the 5th February. 

(16) "This vast power has penetrated the crust of the earth, and drawnfrom beneath it boundless treasures of mineral wealth which without itsaid would have been rendered inaccessible. It has drawn up in numberlessquantity the fuel on which its own life and activity depend. "--_Dr. Lardner. _

(17) "It seems a provision of Providence to have formed different racesto bring about, by their crossing, an improved state of things. TheTeutonic variety is undoubtedly the most vigorous and able, both in bodyand mind, of all the species of the genus of man that exist, and seemsdestined to conquer and civilize the world. The Teutonic variety, in itsdifferent sub-varieties, agree best with a temperate climate; it is, however, capable of bearing a high degree of cold, but seems to prosperbest northward of 45° of northern latitude. 

"Teutonic prevailing in Great Britain and part of Ireland, 22, 000, 000. "--_Physical Atlas of Natural Phenomena. _--_Alex. KeithJohnson. _

And it is very curious to observe, that, in the new world, the firstcolony of Great Britain we reach after crossing the Atlantic is calledNova Scotia; and the last land we should leave after crossing thecontinent would be New Caledonia; and both in Nova Scotia and NewCaledonia (Vancouver's Island) nature seems to have placed greatdeposits of coal, as if she there intended the industry of man and theadvancement of science to overcome all natural barriers between thedifferent nations of the earth. 

(18) "A pint of water may be evaporated by two ounces of coal. In itsevaporation it swells into 216 gallons of steam, with a mechanical forcesufficient to raise a weight of thirty-seven tons a foot high. The steamthus generated has a pressure equal to the common atmospheric air; andby allowing it to expand by virtue of its elasticity, a furthermechanical force may be obtained at least equal in amount to the former. A pint of water, therefore, and two ounces of common coal, are thusrendered capable of doing as much work as is equivalent to seventy-fourtons raised a foot high. "

"The Menai Bridge consists of about 2000 tons of iron, and its heightabove the level of the sea is 120 feet; its mass might be lifted fromthe level of the water to its present position by the combustion offour bushels of coal. "--_Dr. Lardner. _

(19) "In addition to the instances of combination between directlycompeting companies, recent experience has furnished numerous instancesof the tendency of smaller lines, sanctioned as independentundertakings, to resign their independence into the hands of morepowerful neighbours. "--_Report of Board of Trade. _ It is not to bedoubted, therefore, that all proposed or partly finished Railways in theNorth American provinces will readily join in the grand undertaking, making one great interest for the whole. 

"The traffic of a system of lines, connected with one another, canalways be worked more economically and conveniently under one uniformmanagement than by independent Companies. The Company which works themain trunk line, and possesses the principal terminal stations, can runmore frequent trains, and make better arrangements for forwarding thetraffic of the cross lines, than it could afford to do if two or threeseparate establishments had to be maintained, and the harmony ofarrangements depended upon two or three independent authorities. 

"It is found also in practice, that unless a very close unity ofinterest exists among the different portions of what really constituteone great line of communication, it is scarcely possible to introducethat harmony and accuracy of arrangement which are essential to ensurespeed and punctuality. Many important branches of traffic also are aptto be neglected, which can only be properly developed where a longconsecutive line of Railway is united in one common interest. Coals andheavy goods, for instance, can be conveyed for long distances with aprofit, at rates which would be altogether insufficient to remunerate aCompany which had only a run of ten or twenty miles: and thus many ofthe most important benefits of Railways to the community at large canonly be obtained by uniting through-lines in one interest. "--_Report ofBoard of Trade on Railways. Sess. 1845. _

(20) "The two most expensive commodities in England are crime andpoverty; of these the most costly is poverty; and the extent of poverty, by its sufferings, vastly increases the amount of crime. You have heardthe expenses of poverty. The cost of crime in England and her penalestablishments exceeds a million and a half. "--_Speech of Francis Scott, Esq. M. P. _

(21) "The circumstance which must first strike any person asextraordinary, in regard to the expatriation of criminals from thiscountry, is the choice of the station to which they have been sent. Thata country which, like England, is possessed of an almost boundlesstract of unsettled fertile land within four weeks' sail of her ownshores, should, in preference, send her criminals to a territory whichcannot be reached in less than as many months, thus multiplying theexpense of their conveyance, is a course which requires for itsjustification some better reasons than have ever yet been broughtforward. "--_A. R. Porter, Esq. , Progress of the Nation. _ This systemhas, we believe, come to a close, and Gibraltar and other places fixedupon; (some in Great Britain); but her convicts ought not to be employedat home if it can be avoided, as they of course perform the work thatwould be performed by the labourers of the country, many of whom arethus thrown out of work. 

Since the year 1824, a considerable establishment of convicts has beenkept up in Bermuda, employed in constructing a breakwater and inperfecting some fortifications at Ireland's Eye. The number at present(1836) so maintained is about 1000. 

(22) And why should not English convicts be sent to work in the RockyMountains? We all know that the highest peak of Great St. Bernard is11, 005 feet above the level of the sea, and is covered with perpetualsnow. Between the two main summits runs one of the principal passagesfrom Switzerland to Italy, _which continues open all winter_. On themost elevated point of this passage is a monastery and hospital, foundedin the tenth century by Bernard de Monthon. The French army, underBonaparte, crossed this mountain with its artillery and baggage in theyear 1800; and here Bonaparte caused a monument to be erected to thememory of General Desaix, who fell in the battle of Marengo. If, then, amonastery and hospital have been established since the tenth century, and are still to be found in the old world at such an elevation, and insuch a climate, what objection can there be to the establishment of aconvict post, under similar circumstances, to open an important road inthe new world? We have seen that Sir George Simpson crossed the RockyMountains at a height of 8000 feet, but lower passes may yet be found. At all events our soldiers are exposed to every diversity of climate andevery hardship; and we see no reason why healthy and powerful criminalsshould be more cared for. It was also suggested in 1836--"The gangsmight be moved to other and more distant spots, and employed in similarworks of utility, and in this way would relieve emigrants from many ofthe hardships and difficulties which they are now doomed to encounter atthe commencement of their settlement. "--_A. R. Porter, Esq. _

(23) "It would indeed be a heart-sickening prospect if, in lookingforward to the continued progress of our country, in its economicalrelations, we must also contemplate the still greater multiplication ofher 'criminals'. Still we fear that, for a long time at least, we shallhave of them a large proportion, and that arrangements must be made fortheir employment. What we have already stated prove that there is nodecrease as yet. "

One of our periodicals observes--"We have no hope that a class ofcriminals will ever cease to exist in this country, and it will alwaystherefore be a question, what is to be done with them?. . . . There arecertain conditions directly _essential_ to every successful effort forthe repression of crime; the legislature should see that the penal code, while as merciful as a reasonable philanthropy can demand, should yet besevere enough to be truly merciful--merciful, that is, to the entirecommunity. "

(24) "The flight of a quarter of a million of inhabitants of theseislands to distant quarters of the globe, in 1847, was one of the mostmarvellous events in the annals of human migration. It is nevertheless afact, that the migration of this year is nearly equal to that of thelast. "--(_The Times, 1848. _)

"Nor is there any reason to believe that 1849 will witness a diminutionin the rate at which this extraordinary process of depletion is goingforward; on the contrary, there is every symptom of its probableacceleration. "--(_Morning Chronicle, 1849, on Irish Emigration. _)

(25) A few extracts concerning them will be interesting. "The chain ofthe Rocky Mountains, after being considerably depressed in latitude 46°and 48°, attains a much higher elevation from latitude 48° to 49°, and, continuing in a westerly direction, it separates the affluents of theSaskatchewan and M'Kenkie from those of Columbia or Oregon and otherrivers which flow into the Pacific. These mountains appear to decreaseagain from about 58° to 62° northern latitude, where probably they donot exceed 4000 feet in height; and, still further north, are estimatedat less than 2000 feet, between the latitudes of 42° and 58° north. Several peaks rise far above the snow line. 

"Wherever the head waters of the rivers, on the east and west sides ofthe Rocky Mountains, approach nearest each other, there have been foundpasses through them. Of these, perhaps the most important is the southpass. Between Mount Brown and Mount Hooker, in latitude 52½, anothervery important pass, offering great facility of communication betweenthe Oregon and Canada, by the waters of the Columbia and the northbranches of the Saskatchewan, which, flowing into Lake Winnipeg, giveseasy access to Hudson's Bay and the great lakes. 

"Among the most awful features of mountain scenery lies the greatnorthern outlet of the territory, resembling the southern in many ofits features, with even more sublimity of character, but especially inhaving the sources of several great rivers within a very short distanceof each other. Here are the head waters of the Athabasca and northtributaries of the Saskatchewan, which falls into Lake Winnipeg; and onthe east the northern waters of the Columbia, and the eastern branch ofFrazer's River, near a deep cliff in the mountains, which has beencalled by British traders the Committee's Punch Bowl. "--_Rev. C. G. Nicolay. _

The first who penetrated the Rocky Mountains was Sir AlexanderMackenzie, then in the service of the North-West Company. In the year1793 he crossed them in about latitude 54°, discovered Frazer'sRiver, [A] descended it for about 250 miles, then struck off in awesterly direction, and reached the Pacific in latitude 52° 20'. In 1808Mr. Frazer, also under the orders of the North-Western Company, crossedthe Rocky Mountains and established a trading post on Frazer's River, about latitude 54°; and in 1811 Mr. Thompson, also an agent of thatcompany, discovered the northern head waters of the Columbia, aboutlatitude 52°, and erected some huts on its banks. 

 [A] Frazer's River has its embouche six miles to the north of the 49th parallel, which defines the United States boundary. It is a mile wide. The country around is low, with a rich alluvial soil. 

 Fort Langley is twenty miles from its mouth. 

 Sir George Simpson made a journey of 2000 miles in forty-seven days, from the Red River, viā Fort Edrington, to Fort Columbia, in 1841; he crossed the Rocky Mountains, at the confluence of two of the sources of Saskatchewan and Columbia, at an elevation of 8000 feet above the level of the sea. 

(26) Little, perhaps, did Mr. Pitt suspect the time was to be so near, when that country he had loved so well and served so nobly, would beable to send any quantity of artillery by the mail; and that not eightor ten hours would be required, but hardly three. Would that he wasamongst us now. What could England not hope for, or expect to seerealized, in her advanced condition, if directed by such a mind as his. 

(27) "It is about 900 miles in length by 600 at its greatest breadth, with a surrounding coast of 3000 miles, between the parallels of 61° and65° north latitude. The coasts are generally high, rocky, rugged andsometimes precipitous. The bay is navigable for a few months in summer, but for the greater part of the remainder of the year is filled up withfields of ice. The navigation, when open, is extremely dangerous, as itcontains many shoals, rocks, sandbanks and islands; even during thesummer icebergs are seen in the straits, towards which a ship is driftedby a squall or current, rendering it very hazardous for the most skilfulseaman. The transitions of the thermometer are from 100° to 40° in twodays, and the torrents of rain are surprising. Whether in winter orsummer the climate is horrible. The range of the thermometer throughoutthe year is 140 degrees. The sea is entered by Hudson's Strait, which isabout 500 miles long, with a varying breadth and with an intricatenavigation. "--_Montgomery Martin, Esq. _

(28) "The settlement on the Red River, distant from Montreal by theOttawah River about 1800 miles in lat. 50° north, lon. 97° west, iselevated 800 feet above the level of the sea, contiguous to the borderof the Red and Asinibourn Rivers, along which the settlement extendsfor fifty miles. The soil is comparatively fertile, and the climatesalubrious; but summer frosts, generated by undrained marshes, sometimesblast the hopes of the husbandman. The Hudson's Bay Company by theintroduction, at a great expense, of rams and other stock, have improvedthe breed of domestic animals, which are now abundant. Wheat, barley, oats, maize, potatoes and hops thrive; flax and hemp are poor andstinted. The river banks are cultivated for half a mile inland, but theback level country remains in its natural state, and furnishes a coarsehay for the long and severe winter which lasts from November to April, when the Lake Winnipeg is unfrozen and the river navigationcommences--viā Norway house entrepōt--at the north extremity of thelake. The population is in number about 6000, consisting of Europeans, half-breeds and Indians. The two principal churches, the Protestant andRoman Catholic, the gaol, the Hudson's Bay Company's chief building, theresidence of the Roman Catholic bishop, and the houses of some of theretired officers of the fur trade, are built of stone, which has to bebrought from a distance; but the houses of the settlers are built ofwood. A great abundance of English goods is imported, both by theHudson's Bay Company and by individuals in the company's ships, to Yorkfactory, and disposed of in the colony at moderate prices. There arefifteen wind and three water mills to grind the wheat and prepare themalt for the settlers. The Hudson's Bay Company have long endeavoured, by rewards and arguments, to excite an exportation of tallow, hides, wool, &c. To England, but the bulky nature of the exports, the long anddangerous navigation of the Hudson's Bay, and the habits of thehalf-bred race, who form the mass of the people and generally preferchasing the buffalo to agriculture or regular industry, have renderedtheir efforts ineffectual. "--_Montgomery Martin, Esq. _

(29) "It is true there is another communication viā Montreal, but thecountry in that direction is not of such a nature as to admit ofintroducing the rollers or the waggons upon the portages. "--_Bishopof Montreal. _

(30) Mackenzie says, "There is not perhaps a finer country in the worldfor the residence of uncivilized man, than that which occupies the shorebetween the Red River and Lake Superior; fish, various fowl and wildrice are in great plenty: the fruits are, strawberries, plums, cherries, gooseberries, &c. &c. "

(31) "Of this profitable trade the citizens of the United States possessat present all but a monopoly. Their whaling fleet consists of 675vessels, most of them 400 tons burden, and amounting in all to 100, 000tons. The majority of them cruise in the Pacific. It requires between15, 000 and 16, 000 men to man them. Their value is estimated at25, 000, 000 dollars, yielding an annual return of 5, 000, 000 or 20 percent. The quantity of oil imported is about 400, 000 barrels, of whichone-half is sperm. When we add to this profitable occupation for manypersons--the value of the domestic produce consumed by them--and thebenefit that is thus conferred upon both agricultural and manufacturinginterests--the importance of this branch of business will appear greatlyenhanced. The whaling fleet of England and her Colonies may beconsidered as not exceeding at present 150; about twenty whales arekilled annually in the straits of Juan de Fuca--besides the whalefishery on the banks and coast is important--cod, halibut and herringare found in profusion, and sturgeon near the shore and mouths of therivers. Already the salmon fishery affords not only a supply for homeconsumption, but is an article of commerce, being sent to the SandwichIslands. They are also supplied to the Russian settlements according tocontract. The coast swarms with amphibious animals of the seal kind, known by the vulgar names of Sea Lion, Sea Elephant and Sea Cow--butabove all with the common seal. The traffic to be derived from these inskins, oil, &c. Could not but be lucrative. "--_Rev. C. G. Nicolay. _

(32) We are quite aware that the American Lines are made at a muchcheaper rate, but we are here advocating a grand permanent link ofconnexion with Great Britain and all her Colonies and dominions--andhowever cheaply the Line may be opened, we must not deceive ourselves, but look to a proportional outlay to the greatness of the undertaking. It is in its results and consequences that we look forward to the greatbenefit and financial return to Great Britain and to her people, bothabroad and at home. 

(33) It is curious to observe, that in 1822 the Americans themselvesfought the battle of England with Russia. The extravagant claims ofdominion over the Northern Pacific Ocean and the North-West Coast ofAmerica, which Russia proclaimed at St. Petersburgh on the 9thOctober, --"It is not permitted to any but Russian subjects toparticipate in the whale or other fishery, or any branch of industrywhatever, in the islands, ports and gulfs, and in general along thecoast of the North-Western America, from Behring's Strait to 51° northlatitude"--were not passed unheeded by the British Ministry of the day, and it was communicated to the Court of St. Petersburgh that Englandcould not submit to such usurpation. The result of these representationswere not imparted to the public; but when these pretensions were madeknown at Washington by the Russian Minister, the American functionariesprotested against them with so much vehemence that it was likely toendanger the amicable relations of Russia and the United States--thusfighting the battle of England as it has since proved. In December, 1823, a treaty was entered into at Washington between Russia, the UnitedStates and England on this subject, and the Russians retired farthernorth than 55°. 

The Marquis of Londonderry was Secretary of State for foreign affairs upto August, 1822, and Mr. Canning succeeded him; and to the watchful careof these two eminent statesmen it may be owing that Russia and theUnited States did not divide the coast and territory between them. 

(34) See Sir Peter Laurie's description of prisons. 

(35) In spite of so large a portion of the French population beingagricultural, i. E. Belonging to that calling in life which developesmuscular strength and activity--in spite of that proportion being on theincrease as compared with the rest of the inhabitants, it is proved thatthe number of recruits rejected as unfit for the military service fromdeficient stature, health and strength, is slowly, surely and constantlyon the increase, 40 per cent. Are turned back from this cause, and yetthe required height is only 5 feet 2 inches. 

(36) Several companies have, I believe, been formed for the working ofthese mines, and the shares, I have heard, were one time rather high. The ore, however, is at present sent chiefly to Boston. The opening ofthe proposed Line of Railway would no doubt cause a great quantityof it to be sent to Montreal or Quebec and there shipped forEngland, --enabling the colonies, therefore, to take a greaterquantity of our manufactured goods. 

Lake Superior. --"Copper abounds in various parts of the country; inparticular some large and brilliant specimens have been found in theangle between Lake Superior and Michigan. Henry and others speakof a rock of pure copper, from which he cut off 100 poundsweight. "--_Montgomery Martin, Esq. _

(37) It is true that Montgomery Martin, in 1834, says, "and if Railroadsdo not take the place of canals, I have no doubt the greater part ofUpper Canada will in a few years be intersected with canals. I recommendthe latter to the Canadians in preference to Railroads, as by theirmeans the country will be drained, rendered more fertile and _more_healthy. "

Since that time several canals have been finished, and I have no doubt, as the country becomes more populous, others may be undertaken for thepurposes of drainage and internal communications; but my own personalknowledge has satisfied me that Railroads would be far more useful anda far more ultimate benefit, for there is no doubt that the waters ofCanada have a general inclination to subside. Mr. Martin himself says, that "the Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior, have evidently been at onetime considerably higher than they are at the present day;" and althoughMr. Martin considers the subsidence of these waters has not beeneffected by slow drainage, but by repeated destruction of barriers, still the fact shows that the waters are subsiding. 

Be this all as it may, I do not think that even Mr. Montgomery Martinhimself would suggest a communication by canals from the Atlantic to thePacific, as well might he recommend a man to travel by a slow heavycoach when a light quick one could be procured; and thus we dismiss thesubject of canals. 

(38) To encourage this Steam Company, who have so nobly performed theirtask, Government granted, I believe, £52, 000 a year. 

(39) Such, for instance, as the carrying letters for a penny, andremoving such taxes as bear particularly heavy upon the poor. 

(40) The Governor-General, in his opening address to the parliament ofthe province of Canada on the 18th January, 1849, says--"The officersemployed in exploring the country between Quebec and Halifax, with theview of discovering the best line for a Railway to connect these twopoints, have presented a report which contains much valuableinformation, and sets forth in a strong light the advantages of theproposed undertaking. I shall lay it before you, together with adispatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, expressive of theinterest taken by her Majesty's Government in the execution of thisgreat work. "

(41) See Mr. Charles Pearson's Speech on this subject. 

(42) The feeling of loyalty becomes so natural to soldiers after a fewyears service, that it remains impressed upon their hearts in generalfor the rest of their lives. 

(43) "So great is the fertility of the soil of Canada, that fiftybushels of wheat per acre are frequently produced on a farm where thestumps of the trees, which probably occupy an eighth of the surface, have not been eradicated; some instances of eighty bushels per acreoccur; near York (now Toronto) in Upper Canada 100 bushels were obtainedfrom a single acre. In some districts wheat has been raised successivelyon the same ground for twenty years without manure. "--_MontgomeryMartin. _

(44) A return of the public money expended in Arctic expeditions wascalled for. It appears that since the peace, or from the year 1815 tothe present, £428, 782 have been expended in Arctic expeditions. 

(45) Mr. Alderman Sydney said--"that convicts had ceased to be sent toNorfolk Island or New South Wales for a considerable time, and heunderstood that Lord Grey had been influenced on the question by theperusal of a pamphlet which abounded with information of a mostconvincing character. "--_Times. _

(46) Yes! to the value of its resources we now seem indeed to beawakened. Earl Grey, in his despatch (dated 17th November, 1848, ) toLieutenant-General Sir John Harvey, Lieutenant-Governor of Halifax, says(after speaking of the final Report of Major Robinson on the formationof the Halifax and Quebec Railway)--"I have perused this able documentwith the interest and attention it so well merits; and I have to conveyto you the assurance of Her Majesty's Government that we fullyappreciate the importance of the proposed undertaking, and entertain nodoubt of the great advantages that would result not only to theprovinces interested in the work, but to the empire at large, from theconstruction of such a Railway. " Again, his Lordship speaks of thisRailway as "a great national line of communication, " and yet on the 4thAugust, 1848, was issued the following letter from the TreasuryChambers:--

"Sir, --With reference to your letter of the 18th ult. Relative to theexpenses incurred in the survey of the proposed Line of Railroad betweenHalifax and Quebec, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of HerMajesty's Treasury to request that you will move Earl Grey to instructthe several officers in charge of the Governments of Canada, NovaScotia, and New Brunswick, to cause the proportion of the Railroadsurvey expenses to be defrayed by each province, to be paid into thecommissariat chests on the respective stations. 

 "I have, &c. (Signed) C. E. TREVELYAN. " "H. Merivale, Esq. , &c. &c. "

(47) "We cannot afford to spend £50 a year on a convict at home: let himbe sent to a colony where his labour is absolutely necessary, and where, though by his good conduct and his industry he may finally attain adecent subsistence, yet where he will be unable to acquire affluence, and which he will be prevented from leaving for a happier or a richershore: this will be punishment without sentimentalism, and withoutvindictiveness. "--_The Times_, 19th February, 1849. 

"As it is obvious that we must either retain our convicts at homeor send them abroad, and the latter can only be accomplished bytransportation to a colony, it is obvious (especially after the resultsof the last experiments) that we must either found a new colony, as in1783, or adopt the French system, which has nothing certainly torecommend it. "--_Globe_, 17th February, 1849. 

(48) Lieutenant Synge has observed: "The necessity of protectingworks further in the interior against hostile tribes of Indians is aformidable impediment to their successful prosecution at present. " Howeasily would this impediment be removed by paying these Indians withguns, blankets, &c. , and employing them to guard the convicts and theworks. 

(49) "The hostility of the Indians overcome, (or what for the presentwould more effectually restrain England's advance, the possibility oftheir sufferings being increased by the progress of civilization, ) thepassage of the Rocky Mountains may rather prove a stimulant, as it willbe the last remaining obstacle, and, attention being called to thesubject, may urge to exertion the talents of such men as have elsewhereconquered every natural difficulty, however formidable. "--_LieutenantSynge_, "_Canada in 1848_. "

(50) "More especially the very great opportunities afforded by thecessation of convict labour in our Australian colonies should not beoverlooked. The great present pressure in these colonies, in consequenceof the want of such labour, should be removed in connection with therelief and profitable employment of portions of our surplus homepopulation. "--_Same Author. _

(51) "To derive from these measures the chiefest benefits they mayconfer, the work must be executed under the superintendence of theImperial Government. "--_Same Author. _

(52) "Great as is our civilization and intelligence, compared with theempires of former days, we have no right to think that the goal ofprosperity and glory is attained. England has by no means reached thezenith of earthly power; science is as yet but in its infancy; the humanmind has scarcely arrived at adolescence; and, for aught we imperfectbeings know, this little island may be destined by Divine Providence tocontinue as a light unto the heathen--as a nucleus for the finalcivilization of man. "--_Preface to "Taxation of the British Empire, "published in 1833. _

(53) This of course would only be a temporary arrangement previous totheir being sent to distant parts. 

(54) "So long however as the empire's heart is overburdened by a surplusmultitude, it should be remembered that most fertile and lovely tractsof country, many times larger than England, exist in the body of thatempire, which never yet within the knowledge of man have yielded theirfruits to his service. A manifold-multiplied value also is given toevery part of the connected communication between it and the Atlantic, and thereby also to every part of British America, when once the goal ofthe Pacific is attained. "--_Lieut. Synge. _

(55) An officer whose character stands high both in the navy and in thearmy--whose talents have long been exercised in the North AmericanColonies--who is acquainted with their value, and who well understandstheir naval and military defences. 

The writer of this letter sailed from Cork on board H. M. Frigate Pique, in January, 1838, with a wing of the 93rd Highlanders, under the commandof Lieutenant-Colonel Macgregor, and he is happy in having thisopportunity of publicly thanking Captain Boxer, the officers and crew ofthe Pique, for the great kindness received by every individual of theregiment. And he cannot do otherwise than refer particularly to theofficers of the gun-room, who must have been exceedingly inconveniencedby having a large party of officers joined to their mess, and who yethad the tact and politeness to show they never felt it. It was a longand stormy passage of six weeks from Cork to Halifax, but it was a happyand a merry one; although a damp was at first thrown over us by thesudden death from accident of a serjeant of the Light Company, andanother poor fellow was washed away from the chains during the passage. 

(56) "We have now enjoyed more than thirty years peace, and when it wasproposed to invest the Capital, which we could so readily throw away onarms and gunpowder, upon actually productive works, the cry was raisedof impending ruin and bankruptcy. The lodging of deposits with theAccountant-General was to result in 'ruinous, universal and desperateconfusion. ' The money was lodged, and no ruinous confusion took place. The Acts were obtained, and ruin was again predicted; 'where was all themoney to come from?' The money has been got, £112, 100, 639 has beenraised in the course of three years, involving, it is true, muchsuffering to some classes, but not to the nation at large. "--_S. Smileson Railway Property. _

(57) If once it was understood by the public that Government had takenthe initiative, and was determined to assist and see carried out a greatnational work such as has been suggested, there is no doubt that manypeople who are now paying high poor rates would join together, and avariety of small Emigration Companies would be formed to assist poorpeople to emigrate, and these poor people would willingly and cheerfullyquit their native land, when they had before them the certain prospectof immediate employment; and if the penny postage was added to thesystem, they would be nearer to England in the North American Colonies, than the poor people of England and Scotland were to each other only afew years back. 

(58) "Four hundred millions of people yet to be introduced intocommunication with the rest of mankind! What a prospect for themerchant, the manufacturer and ship owner. But there is still a higherand holier prospect. Four hundred millions of active and intelligenthuman beings have to be brought within the pale of Christianity! Warystepping, too, it will require to enable us to succeed in realizingeither of these objects. To assist us, an abler man for the task couldnot be found than the author of the work before us. "--_LiverpoolStandard_, _Review on Montgomery Martin's recent Work on China_. 

(59) "Nobody can doubt that the western coast of North America is aboutto become the theatre of vast commercial and political transactions, andit is impossible to estimate adequately the value which may soon accrueto every harbour, coal mine, forest and plain in that quarter of theglobe. "--_Morning Chronicle, 15th Feb. 1849. _

(60) On which Line the mails could travel from Halifax to Frazer's Riverin six days, and the electric telegraph connect these oceans--spacevanishing under that magic power. 

(61) See Montgomery Martin's second edition on Railways, Past, Presentand Prospective. 

(62) There is not an individual of the 93rd Highlanders, so longquartered in the highly flourishing city of Toronto, who would not, Ifeel well assured, join me in every grateful feeling to its inhabitants, and every wish for their happiness and welfare. 

A great number of the men of the 93rd have settled at and in theneighbourhood of Toronto. 

(63) "The British 'supremacy of the ocean, ' which has been a boast and abenefit, has become a necessity. If I were Prime Minister of England, now that the Corn Laws are repealed, I should not be able to sleep if Ithought that the war marine of England was not stronger than all thenations combined, which there is the least chance of ever being engagedin a conspiracy for our destruction. "--_Edward Gibbon Wakefield. _

(64) "Canada, which receives the greater number of emigrants, we are byall accounts only peopling and enriching for the Americans to possessere long. "--_Art of Colonization_, _Edward Gibbon Wakefield_. 

I trust that the British North American Colonies will, in reply to theabove remark, send forth such a voice of attachment to their mothercountry that will encourage her people at home and embolden them to comeforward in aid of great colonial measures, resulting as they must do inuniversal benefit to the empire. 

In page 100 of the work just above quoted we read--"The Banker'sargument satisfied me; but he was not aware of a peculiarity ofcolonies, as distinguished from dependencies in general, which furnishesanother reason for wishing that they should belong to the empire--I meanthe attachment of the colonies to their mother country. . . . I have oftenbeen unable to help smiling at the exhibition of it. In what itoriginates I cannot say. "

I cannot but deeply regret the use of these expressions, coming as theydo from the pen of so influential an author. Has be forgotten or does henot feel that

 "Coelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt?"

And surely from those who left their native land, carrying with them theliterature of the day and the remembrance of her glory, it was notlikely that there should spring up a generation otherwise than stronglyattached to

 "_That_ fortress built by Nature for herself, Against infection and the hand of War?"

Well, indeed, has Lieutenant Synge remarked, "Let it also be rememberedby those who would argue the defection of Canada, or other Britishprovinces, from the history of the past, what were the circumstancesattending the last revolt (and only one) of British Colonies. "

"Let the regret with which those colonies revolted be also borne inmind! Generations have succeeded, yet in the hearts of many of the bestand noblest that lingering regret remains; not that the revolt tookplace, not that it was successful, but that it was rendered necessary. "I shall only add, I agree most perfectly with the author on the Art ofcolonization when he says, "But whatever may be its cause, I have nodoubt that the love of England is the ruling sentiment of EnglishColonies. "

(65) "The Americans would have readily agreed with us upon this boundaryquestion, when it was of no practical moment. "--_Edward GibbonWakefield. _

This assertion requires proof. 

(66) My friend Lieutenant-Colonel Pottinger has brought to my notice, that the time of transit from London to the west coast of Ireland willbe nearly as follow, vis. 

 To Holyhead 8 hours Holyhead to Dublin 4 " Dublin to the west coast of Ireland 4 " --- In all 16

It may therefore be worthy of consideration whether there could beestablished at one of her ports on the western coast, so often spoken ofas the nearest point of embarkation for British America, an EmigrationCompany, which would greatly benefit Ireland by causing a large trafficthrough the centre of that country. 

(67) Dr. Hind, in speaking of the convict Colony of New South Wales, says--"If then the question be, what can be done for this Colony?Begin, I said, by breaking up the system--begin by removing all theunemancipated convicts. I do not undertake to point out the best mode ofdisposing of them; but let them be brought home and disposed of in anyway rather than remain. There is no chance for the Colony until thispreliminary step be taken. But these measures, if carried into effect atall, must be taken in hand soon. Time--no distant time, perhaps, mayplace this 'foul disnatured' progeny of ours out of our power for goodor for harm. "

 Printed by W. P. Metchim, 20, Parliament Street. 

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Transcriber's Notes:

1) Text has been adjusted to eliminate notes within notes, particularly Notes 15 and 43. Certain notes have been insertedinto the main text to eliminate duplicated note numbers. 

2) Footnotes redirecting to Notes have been condensed to linkdirectly with Note, eg:

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 [1]See Appendix, Note 65. 

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