Of the Crown
Colony are concerned, becoming merely traders and landowners, and
ceasing to govern as at present?
"All the difficulties at Red River - which, after all, have been much
exaggerated, and can be very easily dealt with - would be disposed of at
once were a Governor, appointed by the Crown, to be sent out; and it
does not follow that representative institutions need at first be
granted, though ultimately they would become matter of necessity. The
great object of the Governor and Committee - and Governor Dallas and
myself perfectly agree in the view - should be to induce the Colonial
Government to found a Crown Colony under arrangement with the Hudson's
Bay Company with the least possible delay.
"Such a Government would not only relieve the Hudson's Bay Company of
an immense responsibility, but it would render titles to land sold by
them, and claims to interest in the minerals, far more certain,
marketable, and profitable than at present.
"The commercial re-organization of the Company is a matter perfectly
easy in the hands of Governor Dallas, empowered to act in accordance
with his own best judgment; but this question of the government of the
country is, after all, the grand difficulty, and, if successfully
negociated, the grand hope of success as regards the future settlement
of this vast district.
"As to the suitability of an immense portion of the district west of
Fort Garry for eligible settlement, Governor Dallas - who has now made
journeys of 1,800 miles in the last year - has no doubt whatever; and I
trust that the old traditional phantoms of inhospitable deserts will be
finally dismissed from the minds of the new Governor and Committee,
especially when they have before them the many letters and reports in
evidence of the true state of affairs, which must be in possession of
the Company in Fenchurch Street.
"As regards telegraphic communication, I have made every inquiry
necessary upon the subject, and Governor Dallas agrees with my views of
the importance of connecting the Hudson's Bay posts by telegraphic
communication.
"Subject to further discussion, I may indicate my opinion that the
route suggested by Governor Dallas through the Hudson's Bay territory,
viz., from Jasper House by Edmonton, Carlton, and Fort Pitt to Fort
Garry, would be the proper route for a telegraph.
"This portion, as it seems to me, should be constructed at once, and by
the Hudson's Bay Company.
"Were it to be constructed in Canada, it would not cost more than
15,000l. sterling. It may cost less, though in some cases it may
cost more, through your territory; though I am inclined to think that
it may be constructed for 20,000l. as an outside sum, and that
it is impossible that the cost of this portion of the work should
exceed 30,000l. in any event.
