North-West Continent of America, 



293 



Of the inhabitants of the coast of the Pacific Ocean we 

 know little more than that they are stationary there. The 

 Nadowasis or Assiniboins, as well as the different tribes 

 not particularly described, inhabiting the plains on and 

 about the source and banks of the Saskatchiwine and As- 

 siniboin rivers, are from the Southward, and their pro- 

 gress is North- West. 



The discovery of a passage bv sea, North-East or 

 North- West from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, has 

 for many years excited the attention of governments, s*i& 

 encouraged the enterprising spirit of individuals. The 

 non-existence, however, of any such practical passage be- 

 ing at length determined, the practicability of a passage 

 through the continents of Asia and America becomes an 

 object of consideration. The Russians, who first disco- 

 vered that, along the coasts of Asia no useful or regular 

 navigation existed, opened an interior communication by- 

 rivers, &c. and through that long and wide-extended con- 

 tinent, to the strait that separated Asia from America, 

 over which they passed to the adjacent islands and conti- 

 nent of the latter. Our situation, at length, is in some 

 degree similar to theirs : the non-existence of a practica- 

 ble passage by sea, and the existence of one through the 

 continent, are clearly proved ; and it requires only the 

 countenance and support of the British Government, to 

 increase, in a very ample proportion, this national advan- 

 tage, and secure the trade of that country to its subjects. 



Experience, however, has proved, that this trade, from 

 its very nature, cannot be carried on by individuals. A 

 very large capital, or credit, or indeed both, is necessary, 

 and consequently an association of men of wealth to di- 

 rect, with men of enterprize to act, in one common in- 

 terest, must be formed on such principles, as that in due 

 time the latter may succeed the former, in continual and 

 progressive succession. Such was the equitable and suc- 

 cessful mode adopted by the merchants from Canada, 

 which has been already described. 



The junction of such a commercial association with the 

 Hudson's-Bay Company ? is the important measure which 



