A LETTER

FROM

MAJOR ROBERT CARMICHAEL-SMYTH

TO

HIS FRIEND

THE AUTHOR OF “THE CLOCKMAKER,”

CONTAINING

OF

A BRITISH COLONIAL

RAILWAY COMMUNICATION

BETWEEN

THE ATLANTIC AND THE PACIFIC,

FROM

THE MAGNIFICENT HARBOUR OF HALIFAX,

IN

NOVA SCOTIA

(NORTH-EASTERN AMERICA),

TO

THE MOUTH OF FRAZER’S RIVER,

IN

NEW CALEDONIA

(NORTH-WESTERN AMERICA),

OR SUCH OTHER PORT AS MAY BE DETERMINED UPON.

LONDON:
W. P. METCHIM, 20, PARLIAMENT STREET.
1849.

INTRODUCTION.

“The duty of Government is first to regulate the stream of Emigration, so that if a man be determined on leaving the United Kingdom he may settle in one of its Colonies.”—Montgomery Martin, 1843.

“At this moment, when renewed attention is turned to all the Routes which, during ages past, have from time to time been talked about, as best fitted for a link of communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans,”—we call upon the people of Great Britain and her Government to reflect, that—the best and shortest link of communication—the great link required to unite all her dominions in one powerful chain—is now in her own possession,—that—“it is in vain to inculcate feelings of brotherhood among mankind by moral influence alone; a sense of community of interest must be also established,”—that Great Britain can, in the opening of the Route proposed, at the same time employ her own Children at home and abroad, as well as her own continually increasing Capital.

That—“we have superabundance of Capital—a plethora of Talent—Scientific and Commercial—they only want an outlet to be beneficially employed.”—Morning Herald, 7th February, 1849.

That—“the Expansion of Capital would soon reach its ultimate boundary, if that boundary itself did not continually increase.”

That—“what the Legislature should desire and promote is not a greater saving, but a greater return to savings, either by improved cultivation, or by access to more fertile lands in other quarters of the globe.”

That—“the Railway operations of the various nations of the world may be looked upon as a sort of competition for the overflowing Capital of the countries where Profits are low and Capital abundant.”—J. S. Mill, Polit. Econ.

That—“each nation derives greater benefit from having an increasing market in one of its own provinces, than in a foreign country.”

That—“the possession of remote territories, is the only thing which can secure to the population of a country those advantages derived from an easy outlet, or prospect of outlet, to those persons who may be ill provided for at home.”—Lord Brougham.

That—“we have an immense Colonial Empire. To its resources and exigencies we now seem for the first time to awaken.[see Note 46] Hitherto we have been content to consider it as a magnificent incumbrance, that testified to our greatness but had nothing to do with our interests or the welfare of our population.”—The Times, 20th January, 1849.

And that—“it must be acknowledged as a principle, that the Colonies of England are an integral part of this country.”—D’Israeli.

Again—“In certain parts of the Empire transportation was a very valuable punishment, but there ought to be natural limits to it. Transportation was very well in the infancy of a Colony, but as it became more peopled and civilized, it was undesirable to deluge it with a convict population. The subject of abolishing the penalty of transportation was one of very great importance.”—Lord Brougham, 1849.

“The time has come when the great American and Colonial route of travelling must commence at Halifax.” [2] —Great Western Letter Bag. Yes! and be carried on to Frazer’s River.