The Great North- West. 385 



Sanford Fleming, C.M.G., late Engineer-in-chief of the Canadian 

 Pacific Railway, said : — " Since these views were first advanced, the 

 circumstances upon which they were grounded have materially 

 changed. Apart from the political and special considerations which 

 enter into the discussion, we have acquired more accurate geo- 

 graphical and general information ; and it would now appear that 

 the habitable territory claiming attention is considerably more 

 extensive than was at one time supposed. In consequence, a much 

 more comprehensive railway and road system would seem to be 

 required, and ought to be projected. Instead of a single line of 

 railway through the fertile belt, at least two trunk lines, with cross 

 connections and numerous branches, may ultimately be needed to 

 serve the greater breadth of country. This does not, however, 

 render it less important to regard the economical principles which 

 ought to regulate the establishment of all the highways of the 

 territory. The interior of Canada has, without any doubt what- 

 ever, a vast area of fertile soil ; yet it cannot be denied that there 

 are drawbacks to contend with. It may be said that the climate, 

 especially in the winter season, is one. The great distance of this 

 fertile area inland is undoubtedly another, and perhaps the most 

 serious; and this circumstance makes it the more imperative that, to 

 afford the fullest opportunity for successful colonization, the lines of 

 communication should be established on sound principles." 



Here we have Mr. Fleming, in 1878, telling the world that so 

 great, so fertile, and so important is the Canadian North-West, 

 that.it will require not only one, but two trunk lines of railway 

 across its prairies, with many cross connections, and numerous 

 branch lines ; but he says the great distance of this fertile area 

 inland is its greatest drawback. He referred, of course, to its great 

 distance from the Atlantic ports at Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, 

 Portland, Boston and New York. This was indeed a great draw- 

 back. I question if ever the North-West, if left to depend upon 

 these ports, and every possible communication with them, for out- 

 lets, would reach a high degree of development. But, fortunately, 

 it is not left to such dependence. No sooner was the great Cana- 

 dian prairie country discovered, and its advantages made known 



25 



