Nov. 23, 1857.] BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN EXPEDITION. 
47 
We were shown at the same time a post driven into the earth to 
indicate a similar observation taken by Mr. Nicolay (sic), an American 
gentleman well known in the American scientific world. 
The result of our observations differed by 370 yards, the American 
observer’s result having been in favour of her Majesty. 
On this occasion I availed myself of the valuable assistance of 
Mr. Iddings, the gentleman to whom I have alluded above, and who 
is commissioned to lay out lots of land from the frontier line 
southward, purchased by an American Land Company ; and this 
gentleman, with my secretary, Mr. Sullivan, placed another post at 
about 300 yards in the direction of true west, making the necessary 
allowance for the variation of the compass here, which Mr. Sullivan 
found to be 14° e. 
Mr. Iddings informed me that the land company by whom he is 
employed intend to build a town here, and establish a railway 
station about two miles distant from the posts, whose positions we 
have established. As yet the place is but a wild waste. The 
Hudson Bay Company’s Fort, where we have been residing for 
the last two or three days, is a very small establishment, and the 
American one, situated about two miles on the other side of our 
present line, is still smaller and more wretched in appearance. 
It however professes to be a post-office, and carries a mail, said to 
be a monthly one, from St. Paul’s ; but as the postmaster is away 
at present, and left the place under care of an Indian woman, who 
speaks no other language but her own, consequently I cannot form 
very accurate ideas as to the safely of any letters committed to its 
care. Still, however, I am induced to forward these by the as- 
surance of an intelligent half-breed, who told me that the post-office 
here is “ a very lucky one.” 
Enclosed is a note of the observations made on the direction of the 
boundary line, drawn up and signed by myself and the two gentle- 
men engaged in the survey. 
I have, &c., 
John Palliser, Captain. 
H. M. Secretary of State for the Colonies. 
