220 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



a sway and jurisdiction distinct from the Hudson's Bay Company's 

 authority. 



u 3rd. What means of access exist for British emigrants to reach this 

 settlement. 



"4th. Whether judging from the explorations you have already made, 

 the country presents such facilities for the construction of a railway 

 as would at some period, though possibly a remote one, encourage 

 her Majesty's Government in the belief that such an undertaking 

 between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean could ever be ac- 

 complished." 



In answer to the third query, viz. "What means of 

 access exist for British immigrants to reach this settle- 

 ment," Captain Palliser says, " I think there are no means 

 of access to be recommended save those via the United 

 States." 



" The direct route from England via York Factory, and 

 also that from Canada via Lake Superior, are too tedious, 

 difficult, and expensive for the generality of settlers. The 

 manner in which natural obstacles have isolated the coun- 

 try from all other British possessions in the East is a 

 matter of considerable weight ; indeed, it is the obstacle 

 of the country, and one, I fear, almost beyond the remedies 

 of art. The egress and ingress to the settlement from 

 the East is obviously by the Eed Eiver Valley and through 

 the States." 



Captain Palliser has not had the opportunity of ex- 

 amining and reporting on the Fort William and Arrow 

 Lake route from Lake Superior to Eed Eiver. Practical 

 experience of the facilities offered by that route would, I 

 venture to say, have greatly modified the sweeping con- 

 demnation of existing and possible means of communica- 

 tion comprehended in the foregoing brief reply to the 

 important question proposed by the Colonial Office. It 

 is a question of great moment to the future colony in the 

 Basin of Lake Winnipeg, of vast importance to Canada, 

 and in view of the extraordinary gold- wealth of British 



