236 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



civilization across the North American Continent ; thus 

 linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans together with a 

 chain of British dependencies, distinguished alike by a 



" SPIRIT OF LOYALTY, OF ORDER, AND OF OBEDIENCE TO THE 

 LAW."* 



The occupation and government of the basin of Lake 

 Winnipeg has already become a serious question, and 

 even before the rising generation succeed to the responsi- 

 bilities of those who now rule the destinies of this great 

 empire, they may have occasion to lament a lost opportu- 

 nity of inestimable worth, or rejoice in the extension of 

 British dominion over loyal populations, extending in 

 an unbroken series from the eastern to the western 

 hemisphere. 



* "Her Majesty has observed with deep satisfaction the spirit of loyalty, 

 of order, and obedience to the law, which prevails among her subjects, both 

 in the United Kingdom and in her dominions beyond the sea; and her 

 Majesty has witnessed with heartfelt pleasure the warm and affectionate 

 reception given to his Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales by her North 

 American subjects." — Her Majesty' 1 s Speech, Aug. 28th, 1860. 



