North-West Continent of America. 



295 



coast, and the country between it and the actual establish- 

 ments of the Canadian traders.* 



By these waters that discharge themselves into Hud- 

 son's Bay at Port Nelson, it is proposed to carry on the 

 trade to their source, at the head of the Saskatchiwine 

 River, which rises in the Rocky Mountains, not eight de- 

 grees of longitude from the Pacific Ocean. The Ta- 

 coutche or Columbia River flows also from the same, 

 mountains, and discharges itself likewise in the Pacific, 

 in latitude 46. 20. Both of them are capable of receiving 

 ships at their mouths, and are navigable throughout for 

 boats. 



The distance between the*e waters is only known from 

 the report cf the Indians, if, however, this communi- 

 cation should prove inaccessible, the route I pursued, 

 though longer, in consequence of the great angle it makes 

 to the North, will answer every necessary purpose. But 

 whatever course may be taken from the Atlantic, the Co* 

 lumbia is the line of communication from the Pacific Ocean, 

 pointed out by nature, as it is the only navigable river in 

 the whole extent of Vancouver's minute survey of that 

 coast : its banks also form the first level country in all the 

 Southern extent of continental coast from Cook's entry, 

 and, consequently, the most Northern situation fit for colo- 

 nization, and suitable to the residence of a civilized peo- 

 ple. By opening this intercourse between the Atlantic and 

 Pacific Oceans, and forming regular establishments through 

 the interior, and at both extremes, as well as along the 

 coasts and islands, the entire command of the fur trade of 

 North-America might be obtained, from latitude 48. North 

 to the pole, except that portion of it which the Russians 



* Independent of the prosecution of this great object, I conceive that 

 the Merchants from Canada are entitled to such an indulgence (even if 

 they should be considered as not possessing a rightful claim) in order 

 that they might be enabled to extend their trade beyond their present li- 

 mits, andfhave it in their power to supply the natives with a larger quan- 

 tity of useful articles ; the enhanced value of which, and the present 

 difficulty of transporting them, will be fully comprehended when I re- 

 late, that the tract of transport occupies an extent of from three to four 

 thousand miles, through upwards of sixty large fresh water lakes., and 

 numerous river * ; and that the means of transport are slight bark canoes. 

 It must also be observed, that those waters are intercepted by more than 

 two hundred rapids, along which the articles of merchandize are chiefly 

 carried on men's backs, and over an hundred and thirty carrying-places, 

 from twenty-five paces to thirteen miles in length, where the canoes and 

 cargoes proceed by the same toilsome and perilous operation. 



