 Colony. The Fraser burst its frozen barriers a
               few days ago sweeping before it the vast fields of ice which for
               nearly twelve weeks have rendered navigation impossible, and
               completely interrupted the communication by water with Yale and Douglas.
 Colony. The Fraser burst its frozen barriers a
               few days ago sweeping before it the vast fields of ice which for
               nearly twelve weeks have rendered navigation impossible, and
               completely interrupted the communication by water with Yale and Douglas.
                generally full of hope and enterprise.
 generally full of hope and enterprise.
                setting in from California. Three
               passenger Steamers have arrived at Victoria within the last two days and
               a sailing ship is reported with 400 passengers from the same place.
 setting in from California. Three
               passenger Steamers have arrived at Victoria within the last two days and
               a sailing ship is reported with 400 passengers from the same place.
                mines
               be unproductive there will no doubt be an immediate rush towards
               the Gold Fields of British Columbia, which will in that case be
               over run by a not very desirable population.
 mines
               be unproductive there will no doubt be an immediate rush towards
               the Gold Fields of British Columbia, which will in that case be
               over run by a not very desirable population.
                which I had the honor of laying before Your Grace in paragraph 10
               of my Despatch (Separate) of the 24th October last. These
               important public works are however to be immediately commenced and
               vigorously prosecuted; the Chief Commissioner of Lands & Works
               having been authorised to give out contracts for two separate lines
               of carriage road, intersecting the best farming Districts in the Colony.
               which I had the honor of laying before Your Grace in paragraph 10
               of my Despatch (Separate) of the 24th October last. These
               important public works are however to be immediately commenced and
               vigorously prosecuted; the Chief Commissioner of Lands & Works
               having been authorised to give out contracts for two separate lines
               of carriage road, intersecting the best farming Districts in the Colony.
                
            
             Lake; beyond which
               it will re-enter and follow the valley of the Fraser to the
               termination of the road at Alexandria.
 Lake; beyond which
               it will re-enter and follow the valley of the Fraser to the
               termination of the road at Alexandria.
                Buonaparte, a few miles from its debouche, and
               follow the course of that Stream, and the table land beyond it
               to Axe Lake, and thence take a North West course to Williams Lake, where it will form a junction with the road from Lillooet and continue on the same line to Alexandria.
 Buonaparte, a few miles from its debouche, and
               follow the course of that Stream, and the table land beyond it
               to Axe Lake, and thence take a North West course to Williams Lake, where it will form a junction with the road from Lillooet and continue on the same line to Alexandria.
                Fraser no longer retaining its dangerous prestige
               becomes a smooth and navigable stream presenting few obstacles to
               the navigator.
 Fraser no longer retaining its dangerous prestige
               becomes a smooth and navigable stream presenting few obstacles to
               the navigator.
                than two rapids which
               are passable for canoes. Between "Tete Jaune Cache" and Fort
                  George the river flows with a smooth and easy current more like a
               lake in fact than a river; it has in the shallowest part of the
               channel no where less than 6 feet of water, and in the narrowest
               part is not less than 500 yards wide, and I am satisfied that it
               may be safelynavigated
 than two rapids which
               are passable for canoes. Between "Tete Jaune Cache" and Fort
                  George the river flows with a smooth and easy current more like a
               lake in fact than a river; it has in the shallowest part of the
               channel no where less than 6 feet of water, and in the narrowest
               part is not less than 500 yards wide, and I am satisfied that it
               may be safelynavigated navigated for the whole of that distance, by the
               small class of Stern wheel Steamers, now in general use between
               New Westminster and Hope.
 navigated for the whole of that distance, by the
               small class of Stern wheel Steamers, now in general use between
               New Westminster and Hope.
                of the Colony at large. Departing the general North
               by West course which it maintains from Hope upwards, one branch bends to the East at Fort George, and then stretching away South
               of East towards the Rocky Mountains, it encloses as a base, the
               greater part of the Carribou District, thus forming a means of
               communication which will lessen the cost of miningoperations
 of the Colony at large. Departing the general North
               by West course which it maintains from Hope upwards, one branch bends to the East at Fort George, and then stretching away South
               of East towards the Rocky Mountains, it encloses as a base, the
               greater part of the Carribou District, thus forming a means of
               communication which will lessen the cost of miningoperations operations,
               and greatly facilitate the progress of settlement.
 operations,
               and greatly facilitate the progress of settlement.
                its position, character and large resources can hardly fail, in the ordinary course
               of events,
               to become the seat of a large population.
 its position, character and large resources can hardly fail, in the ordinary course
               of events,
               to become the seat of a large population.
                that tendency, and
               soon lead to its being opened for travel the whole way to Red
               river Settlement.
 that tendency, and
               soon lead to its being opened for travel the whole way to Red
               river Settlement.
                Lillooet is already completed; that to
               Alexandria is in progress, and the machinery of a Stern wheel Steam boat to ply on Fraser river beyond Alexandria is now on the way to
               that place; so that when these works are finished the entire
               passage from Victoria to Tête Jaune Cache maybe
 Lillooet is already completed; that to
               Alexandria is in progress, and the machinery of a Stern wheel Steam boat to ply on Fraser river beyond Alexandria is now on the way to
               that place; so that when these works are finished the entire
               passage from Victoria to Tête Jaune Cache maybe be made in fifteen days, and with increased facilities the journey may be performed
               in two thirds of that time or ten days.
 be made in fifteen days, and with increased facilities the journey may be performed
               in two thirds of that time or ten days.
                side towards
               the summit level, is so easy as to be scarcely perceptible.  This
               pass is chiefly frequented by Native Tribes who reside about Tête Jaune Cache, and procure their supplies from Jasper House travelling
               to and from that place on horse back over a very rude trail which
               may however be converted at little cost into an easy carriage road.
 side towards
               the summit level, is so easy as to be scarcely perceptible.  This
               pass is chiefly frequented by Native Tribes who reside about Tête Jaune Cache, and procure their supplies from Jasper House travelling
               to and from that place on horse back over a very rude trail which
               may however be converted at little cost into an easy carriage road.
                
            
             to Edmonton. In the same manner there is a navigable steam communication by the Sascatchewan river and
               Lake Winipeg from Edmonton the whole way to Red River involving perhaps a change of Boats at the Grand rapid near Lake Winipeg.
               There is also an overland communication, striking off from the
                  Sascatchewan at Carlton from whencethe
 to Edmonton. In the same manner there is a navigable steam communication by the Sascatchewan river and
               Lake Winipeg from Edmonton the whole way to Red River involving perhaps a change of Boats at the Grand rapid near Lake Winipeg.
               There is also an overland communication, striking off from the
                  Sascatchewan at Carlton from whencethe the rich open prairie country
               is practicable for carts the whole way to Red river.
 the rich open prairie country
               is practicable for carts the whole way to Red river.
                undertaking, and could,
               I feel assured, be accomplished at a total cost not exceeding fifty
               thousand pounds.  The journey to Red river could then be easily
               made in 15 days from Tête Jaune Cache or in twenty five days from
               Victoria.  When the scheme, to the extent thus suggested, has been executed, the work may
               be left to the public, as thereported
 undertaking, and could,
               I feel assured, be accomplished at a total cost not exceeding fifty
               thousand pounds.  The journey to Red river could then be easily
               made in 15 days from Tête Jaune Cache or in twenty five days from
               Victoria.  When the scheme, to the extent thus suggested, has been executed, the work may
               be left to the public, as thereported reported discovery of gold in the Sascatchewan, will attract population,
               lead to the rapid settlement of the country, and to the placing of
               Steam boats, and other means of conveyance upon the route.
 reported discovery of gold in the Sascatchewan, will attract population,
               lead to the rapid settlement of the country, and to the placing of
               Steam boats, and other means of conveyance upon the route.
                to the best of my recollection, no serious difficulties;
               nothing comparable, for example, to the obstacles successfully
               encountered in pushing roads through the mountains of British Columbia,
               and I may also observe that when that section is completed the
               overland route from Canada to British Columbia will be open to the
               world, and I believe the effort will cost solittle
 to the best of my recollection, no serious difficulties;
               nothing comparable, for example, to the obstacles successfully
               encountered in pushing roads through the mountains of British Columbia,
               and I may also observe that when that section is completed the
               overland route from Canada to British Columbia will be open to the
               world, and I believe the effort will cost solittle little, and tend so
               much to the public advantage that, when the task is accomplished,
               it will be a matter of surprise that the attempt was not sooner
               made, and I sincerely trust that the glory of this great national
               achievement will be remembered as one of the trophies of Your
               Grace's administration.
 little, and tend so
               much to the public advantage that, when the task is accomplished,
               it will be a matter of surprise that the attempt was not sooner
               made, and I sincerely trust that the glory of this great national
               achievement will be remembered as one of the trophies of Your
               Grace's administration.
                as the question of overland communication with Canada is so closely connected with
               the prospective interests of the Colony that I feel assured Your
               Grace will not regard it as out of place.
 as the question of overland communication with Canada is so closely connected with
               the prospective interests of the Colony that I feel assured Your
               Grace will not regard it as out of place.
                provided for by means of tolls levied on all goods leaving the several termini at
               Douglas, Yale, Lytton, and
               Lillooet, a plan which was submitted for consideration; and, as Your Grace will observe by
               the accompanying petitions, met the urgent support of the people of those Towns who
               having abundant proofs in the roads already made of the reproductive characterof
 provided for by means of tolls levied on all goods leaving the several termini at
               Douglas, Yale, Lytton, and
               Lillooet, a plan which was submitted for consideration; and, as Your Grace will observe by
               the accompanying petitions, met the urgent support of the people of those Towns who
               having abundant proofs in the roads already made of the reproductive characterof of such improvements are now fully alive to their extreme value and importance.
 of such improvements are now fully alive to their extreme value and importance.
                cents a pound weight (or 600 dollars a ton); a charge that would really amount to
               a prohibition of trade in any but a gold
               producing country.
 cents a pound weight (or 600 dollars a ton); a charge that would really amount to
               a prohibition of trade in any but a gold
               producing country.
                a positive reduction of 400
               dollars in the single item of transport; thus allowing for the
               tolls which will come to about 40 dollars a ton; there will remain
               to the country a clear gain of 360 dollars a ton besides the saving
               of time and the countless other advantages arising from facilities
               of inter-communication.
 a positive reduction of 400
               dollars in the single item of transport; thus allowing for the
               tolls which will come to about 40 dollars a ton; there will remain
               to the country a clear gain of 360 dollars a ton besides the saving
               of time and the countless other advantages arising from facilities
               of inter-communication.
                forming all together 325 miles have been given out in four contracts, the lines from
               Lillooet and Lytton to Alexandria, about 150 and 120 miles respectively, to two several companies largely interested
               in the trade, who have agreed to do
               the work entirely at their own expense, in consideration of having
               a charter for five years granting aright
 forming all together 325 miles have been given out in four contracts, the lines from
               Lillooet and Lytton to Alexandria, about 150 and 120 miles respectively, to two several companies largely interested
               in the trade, who have agreed to do
               the work entirely at their own expense, in consideration of having
               a charter for five years granting aright right of toll, at the rate
               of one cent a pound weight on all goods carried over the roads.
               The third line from Chapman to Boston Bar has been given out on similar terms, saving that the rate of toll is to be only one
               half
               cent a pound weight, but the fourth and last line from Boston Bar to Lytton is to be made at the Governmentcharge
 right of toll, at the rate
               of one cent a pound weight on all goods carried over the roads.
               The third line from Chapman to Boston Bar has been given out on similar terms, saving that the rate of toll is to be only one
               half
               cent a pound weight, but the fourth and last line from Boston Bar to Lytton is to be made at the Governmentcharge charge and to be paid for in cash as the work progresses.
 charge and to be paid for in cash as the work progresses.
                the completion of 10 miles of road, and afterwards progressively, at the close of
               every ten mile section.
 the completion of 10 miles of road, and afterwards progressively, at the close of
               every ten mile section.
                Eighty thousand pounds, and to meet them I rely, in a great measure, on the loan
               for which I
               applied to Your Grace in my despatch No. 70 of the 15th November
                  1861. I am consequently anxiously awaiting Your Grace's instructions,
               that I may be in a position to raise the sums of money which may
               be required in addition to the disposablerevenue
 Eighty thousand pounds, and to meet them I rely, in a great measure, on the loan
               for which I
               applied to Your Grace in my despatch No. 70 of the 15th November
                  1861. I am consequently anxiously awaiting Your Grace's instructions,
               that I may be in a position to raise the sums of money which may
               be required in addition to the disposablerevenue revenue of the current year.
 revenue of the current year.
                from "Bute Inlet" and "North Bentinck Arm", the parties binding
               themselves to open roads, without government aid, and entirely at
               their own expense, on condition of being authorised to levy tolls
               on goods passing through.
 from "Bute Inlet" and "North Bentinck Arm", the parties binding
               themselves to open roads, without government aid, and entirely at
               their own expense, on condition of being authorised to levy tolls
               on goods passing through.
                the notices issued for the public by the contractors of the rival roads to give an
               idea of the spirit
               of enterprise that is afloat. If not followed by any more valuable
               results, these roads will, at least, lead to wider explorations,
               and hold monopoly in check, by opening other avenues into the Colony.
 the notices issued for the public by the contractors of the rival roads to give an
               idea of the spirit
               of enterprise that is afloat. If not followed by any more valuable
               results, these roads will, at least, lead to wider explorations,
               and hold monopoly in check, by opening other avenues into the Colony.
                to the satisfaction of the Chief Commissioner
               of Lands and Works.
 to the satisfaction of the Chief Commissioner
               of Lands and Works.
                should have felt a
               degree of hesitation in undertaking their execution, had I not
               confidently relied on Your Grace's assistance in raising the
               necessary funds by loan in England.
 should have felt a
               degree of hesitation in undertaking their execution, had I not
               confidently relied on Your Grace's assistance in raising the
               necessary funds by loan in England.
                proposed line of
               intercommunication with Red River and Canada.
 proposed line of
               intercommunication with Red River and Canada.
                
                  
                   productive Revenue. Retard them, and the Colony must languish.
 productive Revenue. Retard them, and the Colony must languish.
                      in order to remind you, that independently of any error of the
                     Governor's there is also a serious responsibility at home.
                     We have been in a manner paralyzed here by our neighbours at
                     the Treasury and the result has been an inaction (not our
                     fault) which must in fairness make a distant functionary
                     less amenable to censure than if he had been furnished with
                     clear and timely instructions from HM's Govt.
 in order to remind you, that independently of any error of the
                     Governor's there is also a serious responsibility at home.
                     We have been in a manner paralyzed here by our neighbours at
                     the Treasury and the result has been an inaction (not our
                     fault) which must in fairness make a distant functionary
                     less amenable to censure than if he had been furnished with
                     clear and timely instructions from HM's Govt.
                      
                  
                   
                  
                   
                  
                   
                  
                  Fortescue, 1st Baron Carlingford Chichester