May 23, 1859.] PALLISER EXPEDITION—BRITISH COLUMBIA. 321 



During the animated discussion wMcli took place among us in the 

 year 1851, Mr. Asa Whitney, of the United States, in proposing his 

 gigantic plan of an inter-oceanic railway, candidly told us that the 

 best line of intercourse between the two oceans would be found 

 within the British territories, and the Palliser expedition has 

 already gone far to demonstrate the truth and value of his sug- 

 gestion. 



With a knowledge of the data acquired by the Palliser expedition, 

 men of ardent minds already contemplate the formation of a 

 railroad, or, if not, of a practicable route, which, traversing British 

 possessions only, shall connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. But 

 when we reflect that the length of this line is above 2000 English 

 miles, and that the greater part of the route on the east will have 

 to traverse wild and unpeopled regions, we cannot rush to hasty 

 conclusions as to the practicability of such an enterprise. Neither 

 ought we to deride a plan which may be ultimately called for when 

 British Columbia and Vancouver Island shall have risen into that 

 importance which they must attain as British colonies. For, it is 

 now ascertained, that the tract lying between the North and South 

 Saskatchewan on the east is one of great fertility, where no 

 intense cold prevails, and that, once through the Eocky Mountains, 

 the traveller enters a country of cedars and rich vegetation, in 

 which even wheat may be grown at heights exceeding 2000 feet 

 above the sea. In the mean time we need, at all events, have no 

 hesitation in assuming that the electric telegraph will, ere long, 

 be at work across British North America. 



Believing it to be of the deepest geographical importance, that 

 men who have so distinguished themselves as Palliser and his asso- 

 ciates, should not, through a misplaced economy, be held to their 

 original instructions, and be forced to return homewards by re- 

 tracing their steps from Fort Edmonton, over the previously beaten 

 tracts of North America and the United States, I have had great 

 pleasure in supporting the request of the gallant leader of this ex- 

 pedition and of his associate Dr. Hector, that they might be allowed 

 to wend their way home next summer by again traversing the passes 

 in the Rocky Mountains, and thence to explore the great intervening 

 tracts of British Columbia, including the auriferous region of Frazer 

 Eiver. I am happy to say that Sir Edward B, Lytton readily com- 

 plied with this request, and that the Palliser expedition is thus 

 about to establish fresh claims upon our approbation. 



British Columbia. — Of the vast region to which our Sovereign re- 



