4
'" region which thus in a state of nature supports animal life in pro-
" fusion, must be naturally rich, as regards its soil and climate. It
" is, in fact, equal to sustain as dense an agricultural population
" as any area of equal extent on the face of the globe."
But all this is admitted and the only question I propose to dis-
cuss is, how is it to be got at ? The opinion of Mr. Dawson on this
point a year and a half ago, is clearly set forth in the report referred
to; a road through the navigable lakes and rivers with por-
tages and ordinary roads to complete the communication being all
he considers necessary for the present, and that the idea of a railway,
however theoretically good is practically premature; for he argues
" while admitting the great advantages which would result from a
" work of this kind, it must be borne in mind that the means for
" its construction cannot at present be obtained. There is no
" amount of argument, as to prospective advantages, which could
" procure the investment of twenty millions of dollars, which
" would be about its cost, in an undeveloped region, such as that
" through which it would pass," and further he says: " before
" such a work was undertaken, the country would have to be
" rendered accessible, as I have already said, by some such means
" of communication as I have suggested."
Mr. Russell also in his publication of the " North West Territo-
ries considered in relation to Canada" gives Mr. Jarvis' opinion res-
pecting railways in the following words:
" He says that many persons suppose that Railways will in a
" great measure supersede Canals, but that it is evident that
" this conclusion has been reached without consideration, espe-
" cially when applied to Channels of great trade." Speaking
of the trade of the West, he says: " In regard to the trade
" under consideration, it may be remarked that the great mass is
" composed of bulky and heavy articles, of such general v?lue as
" materially feels the weight of transport charges, especially if
" the distance moved be great, and cannot under the general con-