No. 54
               
            
            
            
            
               With reference to my despatch No. 31 of the 
5th instant,
               I have the honor to state that 
Dr Rae, having crossed the American
               Continent, has visited 
New Westminster.
               
               2.  I am happy to say that he reports having discovered a pass
               in the 
Rocky Mountains, through which a Waggon Road might with ease
               be made.  The only really great difficulty between the 
Red River
                  Settlement and the Pacific
has
 has been already overcome by the Construction
               of the Wonderful road along the 
Fraser in its passage through the
               
Cascade Range.
               
               3.  
Dr Rae is about to furnish me with an Official Report
               of his proceedings.  I shall forward a copy of it to you.  In the
               mean time I submit a Newspaper Report of a Speech which has recently
               been made by him at a public dinner in 
Victoria.
               
               Minutes by CO staff
               
                
                  
                  
                     Mr Elliot
                     Acknowledge?   
Dr Rae states in his speech that the
                     Telegraph will be completed in about two years.
                     
 
                  
                  
                   
            
            
               Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
               
                
                  
                  
                     Newspaper clipping,
                     
The British Colonist, 
30 September 1864, containing copy of
                     speech given by 
Dr. Rae describing the proposed telegraph line from
                     
Red River Settlement.
                     
                     
 
            
            
               Other documents included in the file
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     Minutes by CO staff
                     
                     
                        
                        
                           Mr Cardwell
                           This is subject to approval.  The despatch
                           within has not been seen by you previously.