230 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



is contained, bearing upon the present prosperous state of 

 the colony, the distribution of gold, and the existence of 

 large areas of fertile soil fitted for cultivation. 



From the return of the value of imports and customs 

 receipts at New Westminster for the twelve months 

 ending 31st December, 1859, it appears that the imports 

 amounted to 177,219/. 7s. 5c/., and the customs to 18,464/. 

 The entire white population of British Columbia does not 

 exceed 5000 men (Oct. 1859) with very few women and 

 children. The value of the present export of gold (Oct. 

 1859) is estimated at 14,000/. a month or 168,000/. per 

 annum. 



The existence of gold in great abundance and over 

 very wide areas in British Columbia, from the Eocky 

 Mountains to the Pacific, and from the head waters of 

 Fraser Eiver to the Boundary Line, is well established ; 

 and "means of communication" embrace all that is required 

 to make this distant colony one of the most important 

 appendages of the British crown. 



The second query submitted to Capt. Palliser by the 

 Colonial Office elicited a reply which appears to be open 

 to two serious objections. 



" What should be the dimensions and the boundary 

 line of such colony, and whether it would be advisable 

 to include the Saskatchewan District in it, so as to establish 

 one great border line from the new colony of British 

 Columbia up to the Eed Eiver Settlement, under a sway 

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

 authority ? " Capt. Palliser states in relation to the 

 boundaries of the new colony : — 



" If then the united territories of Eed Eiver, Swan 

 Eiver, and Saskatchewan, were adopted by Her Majesty's 

 Government, I would suggest the following boundaries 4 : — 



" The southern boundary of the colony should be the 



