54 Our North Land. 



I do not know whether or not Mr. Rumford will consider him- 

 self aggrieved by the fact that a few enterprising Canadians have 

 seen fit to affix the name of Mr. Skynner to a part of his cove ; but, 

 in all conscience, I should think him greedy and void of national or 

 international sentiment, should he object. Captain Rumford, of the 

 schooner Lassie, of Green Bay, N. F., however, comes to this cove 

 annually to fish cod; and, should he be a member of the anti- 

 confederation party in that ungrateful island, he may, when he 

 arrives next season, call upon Mr. Skynner to evacuate, or surrender 

 in the name of Newfoundland. 



These circumstances suggest to my mind the importance of Mr. 

 Skynner's station, but the realization of this brings with it an 

 enlargement of the mission of the Expedition. Added to the ques- 

 tion of the Hudson's Bay route, that of territorial acquisition is not 

 to be underrated. Newfoundland has exercised civil and political 

 jurisdiction over the Labrador long enough, I admit ; and surely the 

 time has come when Canada must extend her natural rights over 

 all the territory north of the St. Lawrence to the Arctic Circle, and 

 beyond. That she will be compelled to do so, now, Lieutenant Gordon 

 should receive the thanks of the whole country ; because, in placing 

 a station at Nachvak, with the Dominion flag flying over it, the 

 integrity of the Government of Canada is pledged to the extent of 

 the army, navy, and treasury to defend it. But, seriously, the station 

 at Nachvak is not all that could be desired, but was, I suppose, the 

 best that could be done under the circumstances. 



