410 A GLANCE AT THE POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL 
simply absurd, and the projectors as probably insane.* Yet these 
expeditions were actually undertaken when the population of the 
whole of Canada was less than one-fifth part of the present popula- 
tion of Montreal, and, consequently, less than one half the popula- 
tion of Toronto. 
That the early French colonists were pre-eminently distinguished 
by their desire for the extension of their territory, the following 
extracts from the Paris documentst will establish beyond doubt, 
and at the same time convey some idea of their activity and enter- 
prise in the infancy of Canadian history, and also of the projects they 
formed, and the conceptions they entertained of the extent of the 
country they intended to colonize as new France, north of the great 
Lakes, two hundred years ago. 
As early as 1646, we read that Sieur Bourdon, with three French- 
men, was sent overland from Quebec, to take possession of 
Hudson’s Bay for France. The French had already established a 
trade with the Indians of Hudson’s Bay, and in a few years in- 
duced them to come to Quebec to barter their furs. 
In 1661, the Rev. Claude Dablon set out overland for Hudson’s Bay 
vid the Saugenay, but he succeeded in reaching only the head waters 
of the Nebouka, 300 miles from Lake St. John. 
* Persons who pretended to be familiar with the difficulties of the overland route from 
Canada, to British Columbia, were only too ready to predict the disastrous failure of the 
Canadian emigrant party of 1862 to reach British Columbia in One season, “supposing they: 
escaped the Indians and starvation.” 
Probably there is no stretch of country in the world exceeding one thousand six hundred 
miles in continuous length, and wholly in a state of nature, which it would be possible for 
one hundred and fifty people, including a woman and three children, to traverse during a 
single season, overcoming such apparently formidable obstacles as the Rocky Mountains. 
have been supposed to present. The simple fact that these emigrants were enabled to take 
a large number of oxen and horses through the mountains, by an undescribed Pass, supplies 
@ most satisfactory answer to those who have uniformly represented the dangers and diffi- 
culties of a route across the continent within British Territory, as insuperable without ex- 
traordinary outlay. Here we have au instance of a large party of emigrants, nearly all un« 
aceustomed to the work, effectually combating those difficulties, and proving that they were 
either grossly exaggerated or in a great part imaginary. Another important fact which this 
journey has developed, is the ease with which the Fraser river is capable of being navigated 
by canoes or rafts, as far down the stream as the forks of the Quesnelle, the point from 
which a road will most probably strike off in a nearly direct line to the Pacific, touching the 
ocean at one of those deep indentations which form so curious a feature of the British 
Columbian Coast. There can be no doubt that great privations were endured by many of 
the party, but at least until they reached the Fraser, there are, happily, no sad memorials 
left on the route they took, like those which distinguish every mile of the inhospitable desert 
which separates the valley of the Mississippi from the Pacific States and Territories of the- 
United States. 
+ Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Yorks 
