516 Our North Land. 



the railway in this direction is of lands in the neighbourhood of the 

 railway itself, and that they are not supposed to be quite so valuable 

 as those through which the other railways run." 



The reader will certainly regard these representative sentiments 

 of the House, as indicating a most favourable disposition on the 

 part of that body towards the Hudson's Bay route. There was no 

 one to raise a voice against the scheme — not one to depreciate the 

 practicability of the proposed navigation, or to express the slightest 

 fear that, if found to be successful, it would prove to be anything 

 but a blessing to Canada. Sir John seemed to express less confidence 

 than the others, but agreed with them on the one point of its import- 

 ance and the necessity of prompt and effective action. Mr. Casey, 

 however, in making his recommendations as to what should be done 

 to prove the route, was even more practical than his colleagues. 

 His plan of having an expedition sent up to remain over winter was 

 the correct one, and should have been carried out. However, the 

 experiences of the Expedition of 1884 will probably lead to the 

 adoption of Mr. Casey's views. 



In view of these speeches, and the prompt action taken by the 

 Dominion Government immediately afterwards in sending out the 

 expedition, one might safely conclude that both great political 

 parties of Canada stood fully committed to the scheme. At any 

 rate no one would be likely to expect opposition to it from any 

 responsible quarter. But, alas, if I have been able to furnish 

 materials for a chapter entitled, "The Hudson's Bay Route Sup- 

 ported," I find, already, before a single year has passed, more than 

 sufficient for another, which I must call " The Hudson's Bay Route 

 Opposed." 



