222 CAPT. J. PALLISER— ROYAL AWARDS. [May 23, 1859- 



considerable results. Whilst the tide of emigration in the United 

 States rolls westward some 200 or 300 miles every year, we have 

 not been altogether idle north of the 49th parallel. It may now 

 almost be said that three links have been forged in the great chain 

 of regular communication from the Atlantic to the Pacific, stretch- 

 ing across some 3000 miles of continent. 



*' Within the last two years an expedition has been sent out by 

 the Canadian Government to explore the country which lies be- 

 tween Lake Superior and the Eed Eiver settlement. The reports 

 of the expedition are in print, are accessible to every one, and 

 deserve an attentive consideration. 



" From the Eed Eiver settlement to the base of the Eocky Moun- 

 tains Captain Palliser has conducted his inquiries ; and in the 

 wonderful rise of the new colony of British Columbia, may be traced 

 the completion, in outline at least, of the long line of communication. 



" It is not now unreasonable to look forward to the establishment 

 of a regular system of transit, commencing from Nova Scotia and 

 the shores of New Brunswick, passing through Canada, touching 

 upon the Eed Eiver settlement, crossing the prairies of the Sas- 

 katchewan, passing through the Vermilion Pass, where we know 

 that the inclination is so moderate that nature has placed no in- 

 surmountable obstacles to the construction of a railway, till it 

 reaches the gold-bearing colony of British Columbia, creating fresh 

 centres of civilisation, and consolidating British interests and 

 feelings. 



" It only remains for me to undertake that the Medal which 

 you have placed in my hands shall be duly conveyed to Captain 

 Palliser; and I feel sure that this tribute of praise on the part 

 of the Geographical Society will be held by him as the most 

 valuable memorial of his long, arduous, and successful expedition." 



A Gold Watch having been adjudicated by the Council to Mr. 

 John Macdougall Stuart " for his remarkable exploration in South 

 Australia, undertaken at his own expense, and which led to the 

 signal discovery of 18,000 square miles of valuable and well- 

 watered pastoral country, far to the north of the western saline region 

 of that colony " — 



The President, in delivering the watch to Count Strzelecki, thus 

 spoke : — 



"To you. Count Strzelecki, who, at your own expense, and 

 animated solely by the love of discovery, explored many years ago 

 the water-parting of Eastern Australia, I confide this watch. In 

 requesting you to have it conveyed to Mr. Macdougall Stuart (who 

 was well trained in Australian adventure by our medallist Sturt), 

 I beg you to assure him, that I have read the modest account of 

 his gp'eat success with true gratification, and have rejoiced in the 



