21 G ASSINNIBOJNE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



rupted navigation of tlie Seine could be accomplislied at the rate of four 



miles an hour."* 



* ** *** * * 



u According to a rough estimate which I have made, the total cost of 

 opening the communication in the manner which I propose, would not ex- 

 ceed 50,000/., but until the surveys now in progress are completed, and the 

 necessary measurements taken, it is impossible for me to submit a very 

 precise estimate in detail, "f 



The " Pigeon Eiver route," commonly called the old 

 North- West Company's route, along the Boundary Line, 

 appears to possess many advantages over the Kaministiquia 

 route, or that suggested by Mr. Dawson, via the river Seine. 

 The objection to which it is supposed to be open in conse- 

 quence of its lying along the course of the Boundary Line, 

 applies with equal force to the other routes from Eainy 

 Lake to the Lake of the Woods. As yet no route has been 

 surveyed, or is known to exist within British territory, lying 

 altogether north of the Boundary Line. A road fulfilling 

 that condition would have to pass north of the deep 

 indents of Eainy Lake, and cross the Winnipeg at Eat 

 Portage, traversing a region of country through which 

 there is no known water communication, and crossing the 

 rivers, west of the most easterly northern prolongation of 

 Eainy Lake, at right angles, or nearly so, to their direc- 

 tions, and consequently to the ranges of granitic or gneis- 

 soid hills which determine the river courses. 



* Mr. Dawson's estimate of the time required to make the journey from 

 Lake Superior to Red River (three days) is evidently much too low ; since 

 it would be impossible for steamers to travel 10 miles an hour at night on 

 unlighted and often intricate waters. Three miles an hour on such roads as 

 could be constructed with a limited outlay in that broken country would be 

 fully as much as could be accomplished. Mr. Dawson makes no allowance for 

 steamers taking in a supply of fuel, or for the transhipment of cargo ; and 

 no time is allowed for men or horses to take meals, or rest on the roads. 

 The uninterrupted speed assumed involves numerous relays, and a system 

 of organization which could not be maintained without enormous outlay. 



t Report on the exploration of the country between Lake Superior and 

 the Red River Settlement, and between the latter place and the Assinni- 

 boine and Saskatchewan, by S. J. Dawson, Esq., C.E. Toronto, 1859. 



