Federal Relations of the North-West. 467 



in Hudson Strait are July and August. The route is open and free every 

 other month. Of course the ice met with in July and August can be 

 easily penetrated by steamers. There are certain months of winter when 

 the temperature in that region is probably too low for nautical operations, 

 but there will be found to be not less than eight months' navigation of the 

 Hudson's Bay route — navigation free from all kinds of danger, and far 

 superior in every way to that of the St. Lawrence. 



There is another matter to which I am perhaps entitled to call your 

 attention. It is that Manitoba should have a "representative with the 

 Canadian Government expedition each year. I accompanied the expedition 

 the present year at the request of the five Manitoba members, and am doing 

 everything in my power to bring to the knowledge of the people the 

 advantages of the Hudson's Bay route and the extent of the resources of 

 our northern country. But this is not enough. The work should be con- 

 tinued each year. I know these Hudson's Bay expeditions have fallen into 

 able and efficient hands, but when I consider that the inclination of the 

 eastern Provinces is against the Hudson's Bay route, and place this fact by 

 the side of the other, that Manitoba is the Province most interested in the 

 welfare of the enterprise, I do not hesitate to say that the latter should be 

 represented in some direct way on each expedition, and I venture to request 

 that, while at Ottawa, you will make such arrangements (which I am satis- 

 fied the Dominion Government will be pleased to favour) as will enable your 

 own Government, or the Manitoba representatives, or both jointly, to name 

 some person in whom the people of the North-West have confidence to 

 accompany the expedition next year. Further, I wish you would urge 

 upon the Government the necessity of sending out the expedition not later 

 than May next year. I have the honour to be, sir, 



Your obedient servant, 

 Toronto, Dec. 22nd, I884. Chas. R. Tuttle. 



There is no doubt that Manitoba would receive more benefit at 

 present from the immediate commencement of the Hudson's Bay 

 railway than from the cession of the ungranted public lands. The 

 latter would, unquestionably, prove of great advantage to the Prov- 

 ince, but the results would be largely dependent upon the policy 

 of the Local Government regarding them. Certain it is that the 

 proceeds of these lands should go towards the payment of the cost 

 of the Hudson's Bay line, and, if this can be accomplished, it will 

 not matter to the Province much whether they are administered by 

 the Federal or the Provincial authorities. 



