New Brunswick Railway News Clippings 1856

News clippings compiled by Art Clowes

Revised To: December 2, 2002

Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 1 – Friday, January 18, 1856 – ADVANCE IN PROPERTY IN CANADA WEST – The Great Western Railroad, between London and Windsor, literally runs through an uncultivated wilderness, or not one single clearing can be seen but what has been made since the road was commenced.  At present the line is dotted with new villages.  At these new places there is a station or switch, and at all there are a few clearings and some half dozen houses.  But lots at all these villages sell at fabulous prices, and speculation is most active.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, February 1, 1856 – RAILWAYS – As the time approaches for an exposition of the operations of our Railway delegates in England, curiosity and expectations are daily becoming more manifest in the Province.  It is we believe generally granted that if the Attorney General fail in the object of his mission, it will not be from any laxity or want of judgement on his part – that such failure would be the result of uncontrollable circumstances; and as the wish is often the herald of the work, the general belief is that he will prove successful.  This state of feeling is probably more and more induced in Saint John, by some indirect intelligence said to have been received from some public functionary in Halifax; but so far as we are able to ascertain, nothing has emanated from Mr. Fisher himself, excepting his communications to the Government, which are, as they should be, strictly private.

There is another rumour afloat we suppose also having its origin in Saint John, and more immediately connected with the mission of Mr. Robertson, to the effect that much greater difficulty exists in negotiating with Messrs. Peto, Brassey & Jackson, in relation to their deserted contract, than that experienced by the Attorney General in getting the money.  Time will of course shortly demonstrate the truth or falsehood of all these speculations.

With regard to the Jackson contract, it is well known that we never held a second opinion.  In the face of the highest legal authorities of Saint John and Fredericton – that of the present Judge Ritchie, as the framer of the contract, and of Mr. Street its reviewer and approver on the part of the Province – in the face of the Press of Saint John and partially of Fredericton, then almost crazy with the excitement consequent on the hope of carrying a favourite measure – in the face if the general support awarded to that scheme by the Legislature, and by many of our friends, we never ceased to regard it as a mockery and delusion, and to treat it accordingly; and if it should not now assume the character of a snare we shall be exceedingly thankful.

We can easily imagine how Mr. Ritchie, then not in the Government, but merely the prospective Representative of an excited constituency, himself perhaps as excited as any – would close with Mr. Jackson upon almost any terms, which the latter might see fit to dictate; but that Mr. Street, the Attorney General of the Province – the leading advisor of Sir Edmund Head and his Government, should support or sanction a document, not worth its own size of a cabbage leaf was then, and is now, to us a mystery.  It were almost as foolish to doubt his legal ability as it would be wicked to impeach his integrity; and yet this fiction of a contract received the sanction of Mr. Street, and through him of the old Government, although we are perfectly aware that several of its members viewed it with fixed aversion.

The most utter sticklers for the “great English contractors” have since acknowledged that their faith – for after all it appears to have been a matter of faith – has vanished.  Mr. Jackson was at the time negotiating for the ownership of the line from Portland to Montreal; and although in the event of the erection of a line from Saint John to Portland he might identify himself with the general line which would then exist from Halifax to Montreal, he had not the slightest intention to fix himself to a local line from Shediac to Saint John, unless he could obtain what he afterwards asked for, about double the amount of his first tender.  About a year an a half of the time named in his nominal contract is yet to expire, and the specified payments in the mean time have been most rigidly made by the present Government.  Some work has been done on the eastern portion of the line, and some property or materials deposited; but we cannot ascertain the amount of either.  Such are the circumstances under which the Honourable Mr. Robertson has been deputed on behalf of the company to treat with Mr. Jackson; and if, with the assistance of the Attorney General, he can succeed in relieving the Province from Mr. Jackson and his contract, he should have a public dinner at least as sumptuous (the liquors excepted) as that which celebrated the turning of the first sod, when the voluntary shoulders of the people foolishly bowed beneath this Provincial incubus.

We find it unnecessary to enlarge.  In a few days we hope the Attorney General will be in Fredericton; and as the Legislature meets on the 14^th February for the despatch of business, a part of the Provincial riddle will, then at least be solved.  May we hope that the sincere and ardent hopes of all well wishers to New Brunswick may shortly be consummate, and that a plan as efficient in practice as it is liberal in theory will be placed within the reach of the people.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, February 1, 1856 – RAILWAYS – We have scarcely ventured to allude to the prospects of the Railway Delegation, a we are aware of the extraordinary difficulties which lie in the way of complete success, at the present juncture.  The unfinished contract still pending, and the extraordinary pressure in the money market in England, are obstacles which cannot easily be surmounted.  We know that the most intense interest is felt not only in this but in the adjoining countries on this subject, and we believe that throughout the Province there is very great anxiety as to the result of the Delegation.  We trust by this that the Attorney General has arrived in Halifax, as the steamer is reported this morning.  Of course we can know nothing of what has been done; from some collateral sources we have heard favourable accounts, which lead us to believe that he will, to some extent, be successful, but if his own communications we are entirely ignorant.  We have however never faltered in our hope that he would lay the foundation of an arrangement which will carry forward this Province in the point of material improvement, and our hope is based somewhat upon the success which has hitherto attended his career as a legislator.  No man in the Province has originated as many means of public improvements and although often compelled to struggle against opposing influences, and certain circumstances which would effectually have discourage an ordinary man, his ability and influence have ultimately always made him successful.

A few days will we hope, inform the public of the result of his mission.  We may also add that the selection of Mr. Robertson as the delegate of the Company, was a most judicious one; no man could have been sent with Mr. Fisher, who would have been more useful; his extensive business connections and experience and his high standing as a commercial man, united to his earnest desire to see the Railway project succeed, must have made him an invaluable colleague.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, February 1, 1856 – RAILWAYS – The Telegraph despatch by the Arabia arrives just as our paper goes to press.  One principal item of news is: The London Times states that the Honourable C. Fisher, Attorney-General, and the Honourable Mr. Robertson have had an interview with the Colonial Secretary on the 10^th January, on the subject of Railways in New Brunswick.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, February 8, 1856 – RAILWAYS – The complete success of the Railway delegation to England – a circumstance now placed beyond dispute – is duly estimated in this community, as it will be all over the Province, not as a pleasing yet evanescent scrap of news, to go the rounds for a week of two, and then to be consigned to the musty newspaper shelf, having given way to something later from the market.  On the contrary it will be regarded as the substantial effect of a wise and liberal policy, the result of which we trust will be forever favourably felt in the country.

This, we may inform our readers, is no stretch of the imagination.  Under the influence of Railroads we hope shortly to see the wilderness and solitary places of the province which in time past could only be estimated in a nominal point of view, springing up into real usefulness and pouring forth their treasures to the markets of the world, already laid open to them by the noble and judicious policy of the Mother country.

It is only those who have witnessed the progress of national as well as domestic prosperity over attendant upon the introduction of Railroads, who are prepared to do full justice to their value.  Under their operation tracts of remote and unexplored lands insignificant settlements and sickly villages have become valuable, flourishing and progressive.  Emulation and industry are excited, when their reward is placed in view, and idleness and apathy vanish, because they cannot exist in the same vicinity where labour and enterprise are successful.

It is not however our design to expatiate further on this view of our subject; nor need we enter into details, to prove the general equity of the plan proposed by the Government.  We have all confidence in their prudence as well as determination; and the manner in which they have got clear of Mr. Jackson and his contract, renders, if possible, our confidence still stronger.

The interior of this Province, now for the first time duly represented on the Railway platform, will not be slow in developing its vast importance; and Saint John City which will thus become the outlet for all the counties in the Province, will extend its suburbs eastward to Hampton and northward to Fredericton, for what are a couple of hours, to retard the necessary accomplishment of either business or pleasure?  A mere appetite for breakfast will be acquired on the way, by the traveller who has slept in Saint John and wishes to visit Fredericton.

A thought has occurred to us in conjunction with the forthcoming undertaking which, as the work is now to be conducted on a Provincial basis, must also have occurred to our readers.  We mean the advantage in many particulars to be derived from making the Carleton Iron mines available during our operations.  This, in addition to the great amount of labour which it would induce in the country, would also save the large freights and duties incidental to such heavy importations, and would also lead to the extensive manufacture of an article which requires nothing more than a suitable mode of conveyance, to elicit its great value.

The surveys of this vast Provincial undertaking will of course commence immediately; for we can imagine no perceptible hindrance – no expression of public opinion from the paltry organs which would in order to swamp the Government also sink the Province.  Indeed we do not anticipate a hostile vote on this point in the Legislature; well knowing that there all party differences must be verged in the great measure which is to give to New Brunswick, at home, a fair and equitable partitions of labour and its benefits, and abroad, a respectable intercourse with the world.

The results of the Attorney General’s negotiation with the Messrs. Baring of London we understand to be the same as those upon which the construction of the Canadian and Nova Scotian lines were secured under circumstances far more favourable; and we are therefore led to wonder at the address with which the Honourable gentleman managed the whole of his important, difficult, and complicated mission.

We have only one more remark to make on this subject:  Supposing the Attorney General had taken a seat on the Bench, when lately placed legitimately within his reach, where would our Railway prospects be for the next ten or dozen years?  Perhaps the gentlemen who lately furnished us with an indignant opposition to an address on that subject, would now favour us with something in the shane of a second edition!  Surely their will is as good as ever.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, February 8, 1856 – RAILWAYS – We have learned since our leading article was penned that the Honourable Attorney General’s Report of the result of his mission was yesterday communicated to the Executive.  This document will not be published until officially given to the Legislature, consequently we are unable to speak definitely upon it.  We can state, however, on the best authority, that it will be most satisfactory – the delegation having been successful beyond expectation.  Messrs. Jackson & Company have been settled with on such terms, as will give general satisfaction to the Country.  We are also able to say that Messrs. Baring Brothers & Company, have engaged to become the agents for New Brunswick, in the sale of the bonds, and negotiation of the loans, upon the same terms in all respects as for Canada and Nova Scotia, provided the financial arrangements made by the Attorney General receive the sanction of the Legislature – the bonds to be redeemable in 30 years, the interest payable semi-annually in London.  Notwithstanding the pressure in the money market, the Attorney General effected an arrangement to get what amount of money is required for 1856, at 6 per cent.  The operations of this year will of course be limited, but a satisfactory arrangement for the coming year is made.  We will not here venture to state minutely the details of this arrangement, as we do not wish to mislead our readers.  But we are well assured that when these details become known they will give unbounded satisfaction.  Nothing new remains but the necessary action on the part of our Executive and Legislature, and in a few months this great measure of internal improvement will be actually commenced.  The Province has now before it for the first time in its history, a prospect of permanent advancement, and we fully believe that this prospect will be realized, under the present Administration.

Here is one great result of the change of Government, which was regarded as such a calamity by some parties in this city.  Where would our interests have been, had the old Government retained power, and had the present Attorney General not been placed in his present position?

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 1 – Friday, February 22, 1856 – NOVA SCOTIA RAILWAY

Railway Office Halifax

February 8, 1856

SIR, – We have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant- Governor and of the two Branches of the Legislature, that we have this day handed to the Honourable Financial Secretary, a balance sheet, showing the amount received and expended by the Railway Board, to the 31^st December last.  Quarterly accounts have been lodged, as the Law directs, and all the Vouchers for the year, checked and audited, have been deposited in the Financial Secretary’s office.

We have also the honour to hand to you a Report, prepared by the Chief Engineer, who has described generally the character and extent of the works completed or in progress.

The books of account and correspondence are open to the inspection of members of the Legislature.  The officers of the Board will be in attendance upon any committee appointed to examine them, and we shall be happy to furnish any further information which may be required.

On reference to the accounts it will appear that the Board have:

Received to 31^st December, from

the Receiver General                                           £206,075  17  8

Have Paid                                          £202,482   7  6½

Have Cash on Hand

3,593  10  1½

£206,075  17  8

To pay all outstanding claims, and complete all our Contracts (some of which extend into 1857) £220,648  2s.  6d. will probably be sufficient.

Taking the cost of the road completed and equipped – the contracts entered into and the prices paid for materials, as a basis of calculation the Board are  warranted in believing that the cost of the 61 miles finished and contracted for, will not exceed £5,873 Sterling per mile.  This amount includes the maintenance of way of 50 miles of the road for twelve months from the periods of completion, but does not include Depots or Rolling Stock.

Looking forward to future operations, it is very satisfactory to us to be enabled to state, that the most difficult and expensive tracts of country have been traversed, and that the cost per mile should, henceforward, be materially diminished.

The Receipts span the Road for 6 months ending 31^st December were:

From Passengers                                                                  £1,659  13  2

From Freight                                                                                 91  18  1

From Do. of Iron                                                                           38   9  4

From Contractors for the use

Locomotives                                                            105   0  7

£1,1898   1  2

Running Expenses

£845  12  11

Paid for Repairs

occasioned by an

accident                         150  10    0

£996   2  11

Net Revenue paid to Receiver General

£901  18   3

We have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servants,

Joseph Howe, Chairman,

Jonathan McCully,

William Puson,

John H. Anderson,

1. M. Cunningham,

Thomas Tobin.

To the Honourable Lewis M. Wilkins,

Provincial Secretary.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 1 – Friday, February 22, 1856 – NOVA SCOTIA RAILWAY – Statement of Operation of the Nova Scotia Railway – 6 months – June, July, August, September, November and December.

Amount Receipts

Passengers                                                        £1,659  18  2

Freight                                                                      121   7  5

Work for Contractors                                             105   0  7

Gross                                                                 £1,898   1  2

Expenses

Locomotive – Repairs Stock –

Traffic charges and

Miscellaneous                                                       996   2  11

Net                                                                      £901  18   3

Trains run per day, to and from

Sackville – June to November                                                               4

November to 31^st December                                               3

Miles Run                                                                      8,090

Passengers carried                                                     30,563

Freight Carried, viz:

Horses and Wagons                                                       472

Single horses                                                                      43

Mail Coaches                                                                     72

Do. Horses                                                                        278

Hogsheads and Puncheons                                           163

Barrels                                                                               612

Boxes                                                                                 410

Bags                                                                                 1200

Bundles and Parcels                                                        537

Baskets                                                                                98

Brass, Iron, cwt.                                                               192

Quintals Fish                                                                      57

Lumber – M. feet                                                               21

Chest Tea                                                                            32

Tubs                                                                                    90

Cows                                                                                      6

Pigs, Sheep, and Calves                                                     8

Stoves                                                                                   4

Iron Rails –                                     2068

Iron Chairs –                                  4191              Tons 3843

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, March 14, 1856 – RAILWAY BILL – The following are the clauses in the Railway Bill which fix the different routes, as well as the distribution of the appropriations.  It will be seen that Saint John has, as usual, received great consideration; but henceforth, we can recognize no distinct interests between Saint John and Fredericton, and while rejoicing in the anticipated prosperity of our neighbours, we are glad to find that our favourable inland districts are for the first time in a fair train for receiving justice.

“The lines to be constructed shall be a line from Saint John to Shediac, and also from Saint John to the State of Maine, with extensions to Woodstock via Fredericton, and from some point on the Bend and Shediac line to Miramichi.”

“The line from the Bend of Petitcodiac to Shediac shall be completed first, at the same time the two extensions shall be surveyed; when that portion of the line from Shediac to the Bend of Petitcodiac is completed, the line from Saint John to the Bend of Petitcodiac shall be proceeded with, during the construction of which a sum not exceeding fifty thousand pounds sterling shall also be expended in construction on each extension, after which the line from Saint John to the State of Maine to be proceeded with, and the two extensions shall be proceeded with by an equal annual expenditure on each extension.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, March 14, 1856 – RAILWAYS – There is a disposition among the enemies of the Government to embarrass them on their Railroad measures if possible.  We have only space to make one explanation, with respect to the compensation proposed to be given to Jackson & Company.  The Bill proposes to give them £47,000, in addition to the £43,000 already given; thus the Contractor will receive altogether £90,000 Sterling for all the work and materials on the road; and these will be worth at least £20,000 above that sum to the Province, Jackson & Company must of course lose enormously.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 1 (225) – Saturday, March 15, 1856 – HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY – Reported for the Carleton Sentinel – Fredericton, March 4^th. – After the reading of the journals this morning; Mr. Boyd from the Committee appointed for the purpose, reported that no satisfactory arrangement could be made for reporting the debate in full during the present Session.  The proposition from the Telegraph Company (proposing to do the work of £525,) was also rejected by the Committee.

The bill to continue the Acts relating to the Grand Falls Railway Company received a third reading.  There was a diversity of opinion among honourable members concerning the proper mode of dealing with the bill.  An opinion was expressed by some that it was a matter that should come under the control of the Board of Works, Mr. Boyd thought the Board of Works should have nothing to do with it.  All that was asked for in the bill was an extension of time, such application being made in consequences of the depression of business rendering it impossible for the company to complete the work at the stipulated period.  Mr. Hatheawy and several other zealously supported the bill in opposition to the few who urged its being deferred until the Government Railway scheme was laid before the House.

The Bill to incorporate certain Congregational Churches in this Province, passed in Committee.  Honourable Mr. Tilley explained that the members of the Denomination over which the Reverend Mr. Mackay presided, had petitioned for this Act of Incorporation.  They only asked for the same privileges that had been accorded to other Churches, and the provisions of the Bill were intended to be made applicable to all parts of the Province.

Mr. Wilmot (as the deputy of Mr. Gray) moved for the Address to His Excellency, praying that copies of all correspondence relating to the European and North American Railway be laid before this House.  Several members stated that it would be unparliamentary as well as improper to press such a motion when the Government had already promised to bring down the documents; it was further stated that it the motion appeared on the journals of the House, the inference would be that the Government had refused to give the desired information.  Most of the members agreed that there could be no harm in moving the Address, but that it was uncalled for.  Mr. End made a short speech with a view as he said, of calming the disturbed elements that appeared to be rising in the House.  He did not like to see parties afraid of each other.  He had himself moved for copies of correspondence in reference to the Prohibitory Liquor Law, and he did not think his friend Mr. Gray, wished to raise for himself a tinsel fame by pursuing a similar course.  Mr. Tilley wished to see a precedent adopted.  Mr. Tibbits made some allusion to Mr. End’s absence from the House on Friday instant. – The motion was not passed.

A proposition was submitted to the House by Mr. James.  The wording strongly urging the propriety of getting up a Reading Room in connection with the House, the same to be furnished with a supply of Colonial and other newspapers for the benefit of members.  Committee was appointed to carry our the object contemplated.

March 5^th.

Honourable Mr. Johnson presented several petitions praying for the repeal of the Prohibitory Liquor Law.

Progress was reported on a Bill introduced by Mr. End relating to absconding or concealed Debtors.  The mover of the Bill explained wherein the law now on the Statute Book relating to this subject was defective; the bill did not provide for ant alteration in the present Law further than it being slightly modified in so far as the duty of the Sheriff is concerned.  Honourable Mr. Johnson thought the Bill did not go far enough, in his opinion many alterations were required to make the Law as efficient as it should be.  Most of the legal gentlemen did not differ widely in their opinion, but were generally agreed in the necessity of making certain amendments in the Law.

Mr. Cutler advocated the necessity of having all despatches from the Home Government placed before the people of the Province, in order that the information contained in these documents might be generally diffused.

Me. End agreed with the views expressed by Mr. Cutler, and in a humorous strain  referred to the progress of the Constitutional Government in this Province.  There was a time he said when it was put down as unconstitutional to mention the name of the Governor on the floor if this House.

The bill to continue the Act to incorporate the Grand and Subordinate Division, was introduced by Mr. Tilley, and read a first time.

The bill to continue the several Acts relating to the Grand Falls Railway having passed in Committee, was next taken up.  An animated discussion followed.  Mr. Hatheway read a circular from the Home Government respecting Ordinance Lands, which if made applicable in this instance, might be regarded as an infringement of rights.  It was stated that the route of this railway crossed the Ordinance Land, and hence this might be alleged to interfere with the passing of the present bill.  Mr. Tibbits believed that the Ordinance had no business there, and that there should be a remonstrance with the Home Government to that effect.  Mr. Kerr was opposed to the passing of the bill, believing that it should be a part and parcel of the general scheme for Railways which the Government were expected to introduce.  Mr. Allan contended that the same course might be adopted by the Company in procuring the right of way as was usually done with private lands under such circumstances.  Mr. Wilmot considered that this Ordinance Land might shortly be in requisition, judging from the prospects of a war between the United States and the Mother Country, therefore no step should be taken to interfere with said land.  Mr. Hatheway contended that if the bill did not pass, it would place the Company in a very awkward position; he thought the bill might pass and be investigated by the Law Officers of the Crown.  Honourable Mr. Tilley suggested that a suspending clause be addition.  Mr. Connell said that the addition of a suspending clause would be an infringement upon the rights and privileges and an undue interference with local affairs.  Mr. McPherson agreed with Mr. Connell, and was glad he could do so for once.  Honourable Mr. Smith contended that instead of our rights being interfered with, it would be an infringement upon the rights of the Government by having the Railway pass through lands which had been ceded for Ordinance purposes.  It was agreed that further consideration would be taken later.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 1 (225) – Saturday, March 15, 1856 – RAILWAY ACCIDENT – Halifax Sun – Another melancholy accident took place yesterday morning, on the Railway at three mile house.  The principle engineer on the road, Mr. Woodworth, was guiding th steam engine, that drew some flat cars, that carry earth stones, and iron.  We understand that about twenty men, labourers, with implements to clear ice that had accumulated on the rails, on Sunday night, – several of these were dropped here and there, on the road from the Depot to the 3 mile house, and the engine, under the control of Mr. Woodworth, which was running slowly, struck something on the western side and turned over the rail on the east side, upper side down, with the engineer and a boy underneath – and broke through the ice, which was four inches thick; by which accident, before any help could be given, the engineer, who was supposed to have been stunned by the fall, there being a cut on his lip, and other contusions, was drowned, and the boy terribly scalded.  It is not yet decided whether the lad will recover from these scalds.  One person jumped from the engine, or car, and broke one of his legs (which was set by a medical man present, Dr. Jennings, we believe).  Mr. Woodworth, has left a family, who will mourn his loss.  He was a gentleman who had many friends in this city, and in Boston.  He was a native of this Province, and much esteemed by those who were acquainted with him while here.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 1 – Friday, March 21, 1856 – RAILWAY PAPERS – Communication from Messrs. Baring Brothers and Company to the Honourable Charles Fisher.

Bishopgate Street, January 4, 1856.

SIR. – We have given full consideration to the contents of your interesting Communication of the 26^th December, and having learned your return to London we lose no time in informing you of the result as to the course which we venture to suggest to you as most likely to ensure the success of the object in view, and as in the extent and mode of aid which we should be able to render the Province of New Brunswick.

We gather from your Letter that it is the intention of the Province to construct, through its own agents, and at its own expense, in preference to contracting for the same, the main line of Railroad which public utility may dictate; that the Legislature will be asked to pass such Acts and adopt such measures as will place the financial system on the soundest footing, and by providing ample means for the payment of interest and principal on its debt, establish both the credit of the Province, and the security of those who may lend the money required; that the estimated expenditures for the projected Railroads is £800,000, of which £50,000 will be required during the current year, and the remainder in the course of the following three or four years to complete the whole work.  You also add that it is intended to provide this sum annually wanted for the payment of the interest on the debt from the current revenue, and to apply for the reimbursement of the principal as a sinking fund, the lands, amounting to about 800,000 acres, with the timber thereon, and the proceeds of the same within the district which the Railroad will traverse, together with one and a half per cent annually of the profits of the Road.

You ask us whether we are disposed to guarantee to you the loan of £50,000 in the course of 1856 and what further arrangements we would conclude for the realization of the remainder of the Bonds to complete together the amount of £800,000.

Favourably impressed with the present position and the prospect of the future resources of New Brunswick, – feeling great confidence in the honour and integrity of its Government and inhabitants, and believing the course which you propose to pursue with regard to the construction of the public works to be dictated by this policy, we are desirous of rendering all possible aid in the completion of the contemplated Railroads; but you must remember that events, the state of the money market, and public opinion, over all which we have no control, are most important elements of calculation, in deciding the question of the possibility of raising a sum of £800,000 on New Brunswick Bonds, in three or four years, and all these are most adverse at present to the success of such an attempt.  But provided that the Acts of the Legislature and Government of the Province are such as to inspire confidence in to its future financial regularity, we are willing to engage to furnish in the course of the last six months of this year, the sum of fifty thousand pounds, upon delivery of Bonds of the Province in proper form to the same amount, earning six per cent annual interest.  But beyond these Legislative enactments, we should require that the rest of the Bonds should be satisfactory, and we would recommend that they be similar to those of Canada and Nova Scotia; that they should not be reimbursable for at least 20 years from their date of issue, and we should recommend 30 years as affording more time for the development of the value of the lands, of the sinking fund before their call; that the dividend and principal should be made payable at our office in London; that all future sales of Bonds should be made through our Agency; that the aggregate issue for public works should not exceed the proposed amount of £800,000, of which not more than £200,000 should be issued without our approval in any one year, and that without engaging to take the same, we should have the option until 31^st March, 1857, of purchasing of the Government of New Brunswick the amount required for the service of 1857, say £200,000, or any portion thereof, at the same price of par for the 6 per cent Bonds.

The semi-annual Dividends ought be rendered on the Bonds payable either on the 1^st January and 1^st July or 1^st April and 1^st October of each year as may best suit the convenience of the Government for remittance from its Revenue receipts, but all Bonds should bear Dividend Warrants payable at the same dates.  For sale of Bonds on Commission by our house the charge would be one per cent, when without previous money advances, and two per cent, when we consent to advance or accept drafts before sales, and one fourth per cent brokerage when Brokers are employed.  Our charge for payment of Dividends is one per cent on the whole amount of each Dividend, and for the reimbursement of the Principal a like one per cent, and the Government should engage to provide the necessary cash in our hands one month before the payment be due.

We should recommend that the law creating a sinking fund should provide that any money in hand on that account should be applied to the purchase and cancellation of the Bonds when their price is not above par, but should otherwise be retained for the purpose of the reimbursement at the maturity of the Bonds so that the Province should not repay more than the par value.

If the above mentioned fifty thousand Bonds are delivered to us we shall require £15,000 in Bonds of £500 each, and £35,000 in Bonds of £100 each.  You will, we are sure recognize the importance to the value of the Bonds of limiting the extent of issues, and for that purpose we have suggested that the law should not enact that more than £800,00 should be created, but the wisdom of the Legislature will decide whether that or some other mode be preferable to preserve uninjured the credit of the Province, and prevent an extravagant and unwise increase of debt.  The Canadian Legislature to attain this end, enacted that the assent of the Provincial Agent in London should be given before further issues of sterling Bonds should be made for internal improvement.

In engagements similar to that proposed in this letter with New Brunswick, our House has been entrusted with the purchase of the rails and materials for the construction of the Railroads, and for which the usual commission is 2 per cent, and we are thoroughly conversant with the transaction of such business but do nor however make any demand or condition in this respect, thinking that we may fairly expect our services to be tried, and believing that we may rely on the satisfaction which we shall give for a continuance of the orders entrusted to us.

We shall be very happy to give you any further explanation or information which you may require, and assuring you of the satisfaction which we have had in making your personal acquaintance, we beg to subscribe ourselves respectfully.

Your obedient servants.

Baring Brothers

The Honourable Charles Fisher, &c., &c.

Morley’s Hotel, London.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 1 – Friday, March 21, 1856 – RAILWAY PAPERS – Letter from Mr. Charles Fisher to Messrs. Baring Brothers and Company.

Morley’s Hotel, Charing Cross, London

10^th January, 1856

Gentlemen, – I write briefly what I stated to Mr. Bates, when with the Honourable Mr. Robertson we had a conversation in your office a few days since, in explanation of several of the points of your letter of the 4^th instant.

When I came to England I determined if possible to secure the assistance of your House, and without referring to any other quarter, I frankly explained to you my position and what I required on the part of the Government of New Brunswick.

I feel that I have been met in a liberal spirit, and I shall return home satisfied that I have accomplished the object of my mission.

I expect, as we spoke before, to be enabled to return to England in the Spring with the necessary Acts passed and authority to give full effect to the arrangement contemplated in your letter.

I hope, before the work advances far, monetary affairs will improve, and in any state of things I shall arrange it that the £50,000 you agree to advance for the first year’s operations shall be called for at such time as may be most convenient for you.

There is one point I have thought of sufficient importance to refer to.  I allude to the extent of the debt which was explained the other day.  If I can induce the Legislature to invest the Government with authority, in their discretion, to go on with further work and make further loans and also provide for the due security thereof in the same law, I prefer it to being compelled to resort to new legislation on the completion of the present section, as the propriety of increasing expenditures must depend upon the state of things then existing, and would not be entered upon by the Government unless fully justified at that time.

I appreciate the concluding sentence in your letter and reciprocate the sentiments expressed.  I shall not soon forget the great kindness shown to me by your house.

I have, &c.,

Charles Fisher

Messrs. Baring Brothers & Company

8 Bishopgate Street, London.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 4 (236) – Saturday, March 22, 1856 – RAILWAY DOCUMENTS – News – Synopsis of Dispatches Laid on the Table, 6^th March – At a meeting of the European and North American Railway Company, held on April 24^th, 1855, it was resolved that the Honourable J. W. Ritchie be requested to proceed to England as a delegate to represent the European and North American Railway company, and to make such arrangements with th contractors, Peto, Brassey & company as may be found necessary.

June 8, 1855 – Letter from S. Mortin Peto to W. J. Ritchie, suggesting course that should be taken and grounds therefor, stating that at time of entering into the contract money was abundant and investment safe, peace prevailed, and American Securities stood high.  Since that a material has taken place; war has broken out, the public do not seek new investments, and transactions recently transpired relative to American Railways have shaken the credit of all railroads in that Hemisphere.  When the contractors undertook the contract for works in New Brunswick they did it with the conviction that the public would, as they had hitherto done in similar concerns, relieve them by taking a portion of the Bonds of this Province as readily as they had done those of her sister Province, Canada.  The defalcations of the President of the New York and New Haven rendered the former impossible, and they had great difficulty in finding purchasers for the latter; that they did not, however, relax their effort, but carried on their works at a large cost, in hopes the war would cease, and enable them to see their way to “place” the Bonds and proceed with the works.  Since then another difficulty has arisen from the inability of the company to provide for the land, interest of money on the Bonds during the construction, advances in the price of iron, landing pier at the Cape, salaries to officers and engineers and other incidentals.  Hopes of peace being at an end; and confidence not restored in American securities they cannot see the slightest chance of placing either shares or bonds.  The mode in which the capital of the Company is to be raised is bad; it was the same as was universally adopted in the United States, but in this interval has been found so fallacious as to render it impossible now to get the public to invest on the Bonds of any railway which are not covered by at least 50 per cent of money paid on shares.  They do not raise these points as reasons for shaking off any responsibility they were under, they have no desire to shrink from any engagement entered into; but in justice to themselves they feel that they must point out the serious position in which the company is placed; its inability to comply with what it has undertaken through sufficient shares not being taken up to render the concern sound in the market and to show how desirable it is under these circumstances, that they, the Government of New Brunswick and themselves, should combine and unitedly put both their energies and strength to bring to a completion the Railway from Saint John to Shediac, and the frontier of Nova Scotia, for without such a combination and a reconstruction of the Company, it would only entail less and bring discredit on all parties to proceed.

They, therefore, suggest that an early opportunity should be taken to bring before the Company and the Government of New Brunswick the necessity of at once reorganizing the Company, and getting the Province to give additional aid, they are willing to increase their quantity of stock from 10 to 25 per cent, relinquish all claim for payment of Company’s Bonds on condition that the Province become shareholder in the stock of the company to the same extent as themselves, and lending, as a first and sole security on the road, whatever balance may be requisite for completion of works and purchase of plant, &c.  This would secure the construction of the line.  Provisions could be made for the repayment of the loan of Provincial Bonds by substituting the Company’s Bonds, and paying back to English capitalists amount loaned by them so as to secure to the Province an early repayment of the advance made by them as mortgages of the road.  Though this course would entail on them the necessity of advancing a large amount of capital beyond what they had already in the concern, it was the only means which presented itself to them.  For it was clear to all that if they fulfilled to the letter all they had undertaken, the Company would be unable to fulfil what they had undertaken.  Their stake in the concern then exceeded that of the Province and of the shareholders of the Company.  The circumstances no one could have forecast.  They would further agree to place the management of the line in the lands of the Government on the principle adopted by several Governments and Companies on the Continent, viz; the Government to receive 50 per cent. of all the receipts, and the Company, the interest on their Bonds being paid out of this the remaining 50 per cent.; thus securities to the Province the due payments of interest on their loan, and control of the road.

July 12, 1855 – At a meeting of the European and North American Railway Company, it was received, that Peto’s communication and the reply thereto, with Consulting Engineer’s Reports on the state of the Road, be transferred forthwith to his Excellency for consideration of the Government – and that in the opinion of the Board it has become all important that some immediate action be taken by the Government to protect the interests of the Province, now so seriously involved in consequence of the Contractors having intimated their inability to fulfil their engagements.

July 20, 1855 – Letter from R. Jardine to S. Morton Peto – The Board of Directors cannot refrain from expressing surprise at your refusal to become registered owner of Archibald’s Stock and to advance money on Company’s Bonds, for land damages, in accordance with the clear arrangements made with you – and great astonishment at suspension of the work; induced by one default of the Company.  Should you still refuse to make good those engagements the company will be driven to make other arrangements – they cannot entertain any proposition to disturb present agreement, based on any supposed inability of the Company to meet their engagements, and trust that on reconsideration of the whole question, the return mail will bring out instructions to proceed vigorously with the work.

September 1, 1855 – Letter from Peto, Brassey, Betts and Jackson. – We are in receipt of yours of the 20^th July, and cannot but express astonishment at your not having placed our communication made to you through Mr. Ritchie, before the Government of New Brunswick.  It contained matters which deeply affected the interests of the Province, and we feel satisfied that when fairly considered by them, will meet with that attention which so important a question requires.

We have carefully re-perused our letter, and see no reason to alter the views contained in it.  We are too deeply interested in the well doing of the Railroad, not to feel that this is the time to place it on a fair basis, nor can we overlook the large stake the Government and ourselves have in it contrasted with the very small one held by other parties.  This should give you confidence in our suggestions.  We can conjointly have but one object, namely, to carry through the enterprise to a successful result, which in our opinion can best be done by your agreeing to the mode pointed out by us and using your influence with the Government co-operate in doing so.  We wait with anxiety the result of your application to the Government, and can only regret that you delayed doing so, so long, and allow so much time to elapse.  You must not blame us if the season for pushing the work passes over.

October 1, 1855 – The Directors of the European and North American Railway appointed the Honourable John Robertson a Delegate to proceed to England to urge upon the Contractors, the necessity of the prosecution of the work according to contract, or make other expedient arrangements, and request the Governor-in-Council to appoint a Delegate to co-operate.

October 25^th, 1855 – Attorney General appointed.

July 10^th, 1855 – Synopsis of Mr. Morton’s Report – According to request, I proceeded to Shediac to examine the work and material.  Having but one day previous to meeting of Board, I could not pass over the whole line and inspect in detail; but Mr. Giles placed the sections and papers before me, which I believe are reliable.  The principal expenditure is between Cape Bute and the Bend.  After particularly detailing the different cuttings in progress and the material on hand, he observes – “It is unfortunate that the work from any cause should be suspended particularly if not resumed the present year.”  Embankments are washing away; cuttings are filling up; masonry of being injured; temporary tracks destroyed; rails, spikes, &c., injured, covered up and lost, timber and sleepers depreciated by useless exposure, and serious loss and deterioration will result from the unfinished and exposed saturation of all the works and materials on the line.  The whole already presents a forbidding and ruinous aspect, and the works cannot again be resumed and completed without incurring nearly all the work, and the greatly increasing proportional cost of completing half finished, dilapidated works scatter over twenty miles of the line; &c.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 4 (236) – Saturday, March 22, 1856 – REPORT OF HONOURABLE MR. FISHER – Fredericton, 6^th February, 1856 – Sir, – I arrived on Monday evening, and I now have the honour to report for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, the result of my mission to England.

You will remember that the Directors of the European and North American Railway Company, on the twentieth of October last, appointed the Honourable John Robertson “a Delegate on the part of the Company to proceed to England to urge upon the Contractors, Messrs. Peto, Brassey and Company, the necessity of the prosecution of the work agreeably to the terms of their Contract; or to make such other arrangements with them as might be deemed expedient,” and requested “His Excellency to appoint a Government Delegate to co-operate with him.”

After much deliberation, His Excellency determined to appoint a Member of the Executive Council to co-operate with Mr. Robertson.

Believing from the correspondence which had passed between the Directors of the European and North American Railway Company and the Contractors, that they had no intention, of prosecuting the work at present, His Excellency determined to ascertain whether and on what terms, money could be obtained for the constructing of Railways, for the purpose of enabling him to submit to the Legislature a proposition for the gradual introduction into the Province of a system of Railways to be constructed on the Government account.  Late in the afternoon of the 29^th of November, His Excellency honoured me with his commands to execute this commission.

You are aware that I was not insensible to the great difficulty and responsibility of the mission with which it was charged.  Before any general scheme for the introduction of Railways could be devised, it was necessary to make some arrangement with the Contractor of the European and North American line; and also to secure funds, at a time when the money market was continually growing more depressed.  I knew that the Government was not answerable for either of these difficulties.  That if as was believed by the Directors of the European and North American Railway Company – the Contractors had no intention of completing their Contract, New Brunswick, already behind the adjoining Provinces and States in the construction of Railways must either lose another year, or some decided action should be taken to relieve her from her present embarrassment.  If these difficulties should prove insurmountable, the Government would at least have discharged its duty; and His Excellency could inform the Legislature that though efforts had been made to improve our condition, they had proved abortive, and that the Province must continue to falter in the course nature and Providence had destined it to occupy.  I felt that if the result could be attained, it involved the adoption and carrying out of a principle, which I believe was the only true and safe one for a new country – I mean that the raising of money, and construction of public works, by the Government on the credit of the Province.  My duty to the Queen’s Representative, and to my country required that I should not shrink from the responsibility; and I made immediate arrangements to executive His Excellency’s commands.

On the third of December, I left Fredericton for the purpose of taking passage in the Steamer which was to sail from Boston on the fifth.  In Saint John, I saw the President of the European and North American Railway company, and ascertained his views and opinions upon the various points likely to be discussed with the Contractors.  I called on the Treasurer, and received some valuable suggestions from the Treasurer on regard to the fiscal concerns of the Province.

On the fifth December, arrived in Halifax, and spent that evening and the next day with some of the Members of the Government of Nova Scotia and other leading me.  On the sixth I had a short interview with the Lieutenant-Governor.  I was much encouraged to know that I had the sympathy of Sir Gaspard LeMarchant, the Government and the people of Nova Scotia, in the prosecution of the object of my mission.

At midnight of the sixth, I embarked on board the Canada, where I met Mr. Robertson.  During the passage we discussed and considered the various questions likely to arise with Messrs. Peto and Company, and also in raising funds in order to be prepared for any emergency.

We arrived in Liverpool on Sunday the 16^th of December, and on Monday evening I took the Express train for London, where I arrived that night.  Mr. Robertson followed the next evening, and from that time until I left Liverpool on my return home on the morning of the 19^th of January, he devoted himself exclusively to the business we had in charge.  It is only justice to him to say that I think the Province deeply indebted to him for his services.  His cool and mature judgement, combined with his great experience and extensive commercial influence eminently fitted him for the discharge of this duty; and he was untiring in his exertions to give effect to both the purposes I had in command from His Excellency.  To me it is a pleasing fact, that throughout the whole of these negotiations, involving questions of great complexity & responsibility, we never had the slightest difference of opinion upon any point.

On the 18^th of December, I called at Messrs. Baring Brothers and Company.  From the best informed circles I had learned that if I could induce them to become the Agents of this Province, upon the same terms as for Canada and Nova Scotia, in the rasing of funds, the Provincial Debentures could, in ordinary times, be easily floated in the London market; – that as in the case of every new security, it would require time and great caution, even during the existence of peace to obtain the par value for six per cent. Bonds; that with the influence and recommendation of their House, the Bonds could be gradually introduced, and as soon as they became known, would command a premium – that such had been the progress of the Canadian securities, which are now at large premium and were for a period, and until they acquired a character, sold at a discount.

We had several interviews with the different members of the firm of Messrs. Baring Brothers and Company, during which I had a very favourable opportunity of giving them a through knowledge of the character, condition and resources of New Brunswick, and its ability to discharge any obligations it might incur for the construction of public works.  At their insistence I then wrote the letter, a copy of which is enclosed. embodying my views.  They naturally enquired into the character of our legislation.  I informed them that we had not legislated – that an arrangement had been made several years since for the construction of certain Roads, which, from some cause or other, was not likely to be carried out, and that this fact had not become apparent to the Government until very lately;–  That if I could have the assurance of their aid, I believed the Legislature would pass the necessary Acts to provide for the securities of the loan and the payment of the interest after which we would complete the arrangement, that His Excellency was aware of the depressed state of the money market, and that it was a most gloomy period to funds, but that we only required a moderate sum in 1856, and at all events were determined to proceed cautiously and economically, that unless legislation could be had this Winter, we must loss a year.  I explained to them the financial condition of the Province – the great falling off of the Revenue of 1855 – the probable loss in 1856 from the prohibitory Law, and the mode by which these deficiencies could be supplied if necessary.  That I proposed to charge all the Revenues with the payment of interest and redemption of the principles of the loan, and to specifically set apart one and a half per cent of the profits of the Road, and the proceeds of all the Crown Lands and Timber in the districts it would traverse, as a sinking fund to pay the principal.  That I would be prepared to show them that the security should be untouched.

It appeared to me unreasonable to suppose that in a time of war a new security could be sold at par; and although I know that most of the American Railroads had been built by money raised on bonds sold at large discounts, I thought it very desirable to secure the disposed of the amount required for the first year as far as possible, I knew that Messrs. Baring Brothers and Company had taken the first issue of the Nova Scotia Government at par, and my pride could not endure in that New Brunswick should commence her public works on less favourable terms I also knew the Nova Scotia loan was effected at a time when money was comparatively abundant, and was the result of a pledge made in still better times.  I therefore endeavoured to induce them to give us cash for the Bonds for the first year’s operation at their par value.

After the lapse of some days they informed me what they were disposed to do, and in company with Mr. Robertson, I fully discussed the matter with Mr. Bates, a member of the firm.

If our legislation is such as I represented to them, they will undertake to negotiate on loans and transact out business upon the same terms in all respects as for Canada and Nova Scotia, and will give us in cash the par value of all the Bonds required to be issued to provide for this year’s operations.  They are to have until the thirty-first of March 1857, the option of taking the £200,000 sterling required for the year 1857, or any portion thereof they may prefer, at par.  I hope they may be induced to take the whole amount.

After a full discussion of all the points raised by Mr. Robertson, he expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the whole arrangement, and united with me in assuring Mr. Bates that in our opinion they had met us in a generous and liberal spirit.

I agree that the first loan should be £800,000 sterling, running over a period of years, of which £50,000 would be required this year and that afterwards the expenditure should not annually exceed the rate of £200,000 sterling that the Debentures should be redeemable in thirty years, payable with interest at six per cent, semi-annually, in London, all negotiated through their house as in the case of the Canada and nova Scotia.  I stated that it would be the interest and duty of the Government of New Brunswick to regulate the expenditure from time to time in consistency with the means, of the Province and the rate of labour, and that when the first sections of the Road were finished, the nature and extent of immediate future operations would depend entirely upon the state of things then existing; that as to more dividend, I did not expect the first lines would pay immediately though I had no doubt they would ultimately yield a fair return; that the benefits to be derived by the country from their construction were the great collateral advantages which I believe would result to all its interests; that the wild lands alone, under a good system of colonization would provide means to girdle the Province with iron.  I found that great importance was attached to the value of the ten millions of acres of ungranted lands, and that the increase in the value of wild land in Canada since the opening of the Railroads had been marvellous, and was likely to exercise a most beneficial influence upon our interest.

I can assure His Excellency that while I presented the case of the Province in as strong a point of view as I was capable of doing, I most scrupulously noticed the various financial difficulties to which the state of the trade of 1855 has subjected it.  But I endeavoured to prove what I knew to be true, that these things are temporary, and that the great and manifold resources of the country are sufficient to carry it safely through every financial trial.

His Excellency will observe, that this arrangement was effected with Messrs. Baring , when a continuance of the war appeared inevitable.  If peace be concluded during the Winter and trade return as its usual level, it is generally believed there will be very little difficulty in raising any amount of money.  It must of necessity require some time to give a new security a character, but I think His Excellency may fairly estimate that the loan for the second and third years operations may be negotiated as an average of loan for the two years.  In all probability better terms may be obtained after the Sanguine persons acquainted with such matters with whom I conversed, appeared to think that as soon as money became abundant the Bonds would command a premium.  It appears, therefore to be admitted, that New Brunswick, will be able to construct her Roads upon better terms than has been generally done in America.

In addition to these arrangements a credit of £50,000 sterling, in any or every year during which the work is progressing, payable with interest on the last day of such year, has been secured, so that with our resources, ample funds are provided for the vigorous prosecution of the work, till mid-summer, 1857, without requiring the sale of a Bond, except to Messrs. Baring, unless the interests of the Province clearly warrant.

On the 19^th of December, Mr. Robertson called at the Office of Messrs. Jackson and Company, and saw Mr. Betts, one of the firm.  He ascertained from him, that they could not at the present time proceed with the fulfilment of their Contract.  Mr. Robertson stated to him the object of his mission, and that if they were not prepared to go on with the work, he was ready to discuss with them the best mode of cancelling the Contract, – that His Excellency had commissioned me to assent to any satisfactory arrangements to which they could agree, subject to the assent of the Legislature, – that I must leave England by the 19^th January, and that if it were not disposed of by that time, no settlement could be made, and that then each party must only stand upon their legal rights.  They then agreed that all parties should meet on 2^nd of January, which meeting, in consequence of the delay of Mr. Brassey in Paris, was subsequently at their instance, postponed until the 4^th.

At the time agreed upon, I went with Mr. Robertson to their office and was introduced to the different members of the firm, who were all present.  After a long discussion, they made certain propositions, which formed the basis of the arrangement finally made.  When we first met, the prospect of making any satisfactory arrangement for money, was very doubtful, I had received no answer from Messrs. Baring, and the best informed men appeared to think it was unreasonable to expect that a new security could be floated at par, during this year.  Every person connected with Colonial interests whom I saw stated that in his opinion, a year ago, or in a reasonable time after peace was established, money could be obtained at fair rates on Government Debentures; but that with the money market growing more stringent every day, a certainty of another year of war with all its probable political results, and the high value of money for the ordinary wants of trade, I ought not to feel the least discouragement if I failed, as the enquiry would do good, and prepare the way for success at a more favourable period.  I knew that if money could not be obtained to construct roads, a settlement with Messrs. Jackson and Company would be of very little practical value.  I accordingly proposed to them to agree to complete the road from the Bend to Shediac, and from Saint John to Hampton, as soon as could be done consistently with economy; and that, contingent upon the completion of those sections within a limited time, I would agree to a reasonable extension of the time for finishing their contract.  Mr. Jackson, who at this interview took the leading part in the negotiations, declining to consider the proposition I believe that before we separated, all parties were satisfied of the disposition of each other to settle the whole question upon fair principles, and to agree upon reasonable terms, if the real value of the work could be ascertained.  (You are aware that I had an estimate of the work done for the purpose of comparison.) From that time until the completion of the arrangement, the Contractors afforded Mr. Robertson every facility in their power, through their books, accounts, and agents, to enable him to satisfy his mind as to the value of the work; and they acted throughout in a spirit of great fairness and candour.  Mr. Robertson carefully examined the accounts with one of the Engineers, and afterwards with Mr. Betts, and we also had several other interviews which resulted in no agreement executed by Mr. Robertson on the part of the Company, which I assented to for the Government, subject to the assent to the Legislature.  The Contractors agree thereby to relinquish their Contract, transfer to the Province all the work done on the Road, and materials therefor in the Province, with the Surveys, Plans, &c.  They also relinquish any shares they have in the Company and the Company’s Bonds, the whole for the sum of £90,000 Sterling, including the Debentures already given them; payments to be made on the first day of June next in Debentures redeemable in thirty years.  It was also agreed that if this arrangement was not adopted by the Legislature.  Messrs. Jackson and Company were to have three months further time to complete their Contract, which is all other respects was to remain in force.

It is very gratifying to me, and I am confident, it will be to His Excellency, to know that we succeeded in disposing of this most difficult and perplexing question, without causing the least hard feeling.  We concluded the negotiations in the best spirit, and I believe the services and influence of the Contractors can be obtained at any time for the Government in the furtherance of any Provincial interests.

While in London, I had a conference with a number of the Directors of the St. Andrews and Quebec Railway Company, at the Company’s office which I stated to them was had on my own responsibility.  I endeavoured to ascertain whether any, and what arrangement could be made with that Company for placing the work in a more satisfactory condition.  I explained to them that their line would connect with any line leading to Maine or Canada; and that it was desirable to place the affairs of the Company upon such footing, or to make such other arrangements as would secure the completion of the part or the whole of the road which is now partially made.  They evidently entertain a high opinion of the value of the land, and proposes some new arrangement for future operations, the nature of which they did not explain and perhaps had not clearly defined.  I informed them that if they expected any legislative action this year, they must be prepared early in the Session.

I was informed that there were several applications to Her Majesty’s Government to guarantee loans to be raised for the construction of public works in the Colonies.  Although I knew there was not time during my short stay in London to negotiate such a matter with a fair prospect of success. I yet deemed in my duty to make the application.  I had two interviews with Mr. Labouchern, one in company with Mr. Robertson, when we urged the question, and at the instance of the Colonial Secretary I wrote the letter, a copy of which I enclose.  I did not receive Mr. Merivale’s reply until I was leaving London, and could only acknowledge it at midnight from Liverpool.  Notwithstanding that it was unfavourable, yet if in the progress of our future operations it should become very desirable to obtain the guarantee of the Imperial Government, I do not despair that in a time of peace and by connecting it with a system of colonization, it might be obtained.  It is only due to myself to state that the letter to the Colonial Secretary was written in great haste and although I presented the strong points of the case, to do justice to the subject would require more time, and greater deliberation, than I could give to it.

His Excellency will observe, that in several respects, I was compelled to assume responsibility, – I trust that I have exercised it in such a manner as will meet with his approbation.  To subject such negotiations to delay, or even doubt, would have produced certain failure; and I deemed it to be a primary duty, to attain the great objects he had given me in charge, at all hazards, if not inconsistent with the public interest.

It will be for the Legislature now to determine whether New Brunswick shall remain stationary or enter upon that career of improvements to which her position and resources invite her.  Any measure which will establish her finances upon a sure and permanent basis, should be adopted as much of the future well being to the Province depends upon present action.  Her credit can only be maintained by prudence.  Her preparation to appear in the money market of the world, as a borrower, must be made with great care, and she will soon require a character which will relieve her from all future difficulty.  Everything depends upon the first efforts.  It is a new position for her to assume, but the only one consistent with that spirit of self-reliance which distinguishes every branch of the great Anglo-American family.  The Towns and Cities of the west, with but scanty means of obtaining money except by direct taxation have for years been constructing Railroads by loans obtaining at excessive rates of interests, while New Brunswick, with boundless resources, has shrunk from the responsibility of pledging her own credit for such purposes.  I was informed in London when I urged our freedom from debt, that it was our misfortune, that if we owed a million or two, we should be known, and our credit established – that it was an argument against our enterprise.  It must be gratifying to the feelings of our people to know that the Government can, on its own responsibility and by its own agency procure funds and construct public works, and that there is no necessity of having recourse to the aid of some third party, however eminent or influential.  Until we establish our own character, we must expect to labour under disadvantages.  Our first efforts. like those of the infant to stand alone will be the most difficult.  By a prudent use of our credit it will be thoroughly established.

These great instruments of progress may be secured, our resources developed increased value given to our lands, continual employment provided for our people, it healthy emigration fostered and the country enabled to enter upon a career of prosperity which will permanently benefit all our interests.  These are no more idle speculations.  The lessons of experience derived from the example of every other country where Railroads have been introduced, prove that they are facts.

A day or two before I left London, I was formed that the Government of Canada, were making arrangements with the Directors of the Chrystal Palace at Sydenham, for a room to exhibit her productions.  Remembering the anxiety His Excellency evinced to have New Brunswick represented at the Paris Exposition – which for want of time could not be effected – and having learned the great advantage Canada had derived from the Exhibition of her production there.  I made enquiries with a view to obtain a room for this Province, and requested Mr. Robertson to adopt the necessary measures to secure a space, immediately adjoining that allotted to Canada, in which to exhibit our productions.

I cannot close this letter without expressing the great obligations I am under to the Honourable Joseph Howe, Chief Commission of the Railway Board in Nova Scotia for the assistance he has rendered me.  As soon as I intimated to him the probability that New Brunswick would adopt the course which Nova Scotia was pursuing, he came to this Province for the sole purpose of giving me his advice, and from that time has given me the full benefit of his counsel and influence, and I think largely contributed to the success of my mission.

I have been occupied during the whole time since my return in superintending the copying of the correspondence enclosed, and preparing my report.

I have the honour to be

Your obedient servant,

Charles Fisher

Honourable S. L. Tilley, Provincial Secretary.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 5 (237) – Saturday, March 22, 1856 – COPY OF COMMUNICATION TO BARING BROTHERS & COMPANY – With Statistics and Publications – Morley’s Hotel, London – December 26, 1855 – GENTS – Referring to my conversation with some of the members of your firm, I enclose several papers and publications which will add to the knowledge you possess of the condition and resources of New Brunswick, and be useful for reference.

If our past improvement has been do great, it is evident that if we can introduce those instruments of progress, and other appliances of civilization which have given an impetus to the industrial interests of other countries our future growth will be greatly accelerated.  The progress of every new country, whatever may be its natural advantages, is at first slow; and until it acquires a certain position its capacity to unfold and improve is restrained.  The most intelligent men of the Province believe that it is faltering in the course nature and Province have destined to occupy.  For a long time the trade of the River Saint John was seriously injured by the Controversy between Great Britain and the United States which the Ashburton Treaty of 1842 settled.  The gradual removal by the Imperial Government of restrictions upon our trade has beneficially affected our commercial interest, but until the treaty of commerce and navigation of 1854, we had not the facilities for trade and commerce which appeared to be the natural incidents of our condition.  That treaty having opened the market of the United States to our people a new impulse has been given to all our interests, and the value of the productions of our fields, our mines, our forests and our waters will be increased.  It has already enhanced the price of some of our productions, and I believe the future advantages of that compact to be incaluable.

For several years past various schemes have been devised to provide for the construction of Railroads in this Province which have led to be beneficial results.  The public now look to the Government to take the initiative in some measure which will secure their introduction, and we believe the time has arrived when its agency should be employed for that purpose.

In order to enable the Governor to submit the question to the Legislature, he has commissioned me to come to England and ascertain the prospect of raising the necessary funds and upon what terms.  I require £800,000, only £50,000 of which will be wanted next year, and the balance in the three or four following years.

A good substantial road connecting Saint John with Shediac on the north shores and with Fredericton in the interior, will cost about the sum mentioned, and it is desirable to complete it, in the first four years if it can be done economically.  The country through which it passes is favourable for the work and I propose that the localities shall provide land for the site.

The money to be raised by Debenture issued by the Government, redeemable in twenty years or upwards, not exceeding thirty, bearing interest at the rate of six per cent per annum, payable semi-annually in London.  The form, amounts and time of payment of principal and interest to be made to suit the market.  The whole subject to the Civil List and any existing liability, to become a first charge on all the Revenues of the Province derivable from duties of customs sales of land and timber, export duty on lumber, and the royalty on the mines and minerals, which with the road itself, shall be pledged to the holders.  For the purpose of extinguishing the principal I propose to set apart, specifically as a sinking fund the proceeds of the sale of all the lands and timber in the districts it traverses or more directly benefits, amounting to about 800,000 acres, and one and a half per cent annually, of the profits of the road, the interest to be paid out of the general revenues without interfering with the fund.

The present tariff will give a revenue of about £150,000 currency, per annum, for the next three years, which will provide for the Civil List, and other permanent charges; allow for Schools £40,000, for roads and all the other miscellaneous and incidental expense which are annually appropriated, and the interest upon the proposed loan.

In the year, 1854, the Revenue amounted to £210,869  7s 5d currency; a sum greater that was required for our ordinary wants, and the Government was enabled to pay a debt, and provide for an extraordinary expenditure in local works.  The important 1854 and 1853 were excessive, and a large part of the dutiable, particularly dry goods were not sold until 1855, though the duty was paid in 1854.

When the Secretary arranged the present tariff, he was compelled, in providing his means, to take this fact into account, thereby anticipating a great diminution of imports this year, and also allowing for a class of exemptions growing out of the treaty of 1854.  I left the Province before the Returns were in; out was informed by the Secretary that enough had transpired to prove that his estimate was substantially correct.

I have no doubt that the expenditures connected with these Railroads will greatly increase the population and business of the Province.  If contrary to all experience this should not be the case, and any deficiency should arise, it could easily be provided for by a small additional ad valorem duty upon all imports not exempted by treaty, or by the diminution of other expenditures or both.  The Province always has and will maintain its credit, and it is our determination and our interest to make the security undoubted.

The only debt, one by the Province, now is about £60,000 to the Saving Bank, the primary object of which is the encouragement, of such savings, £32,000 for Debentures issued to the Saint Andrews and Woodstock Railroad Company, and £43,000 to Messrs. Jackson and Company. on their contract.  The country is in a healthy condition and the people are in the enjoyment of a large degree of material comfort.  We have had a good crop of hay, grain and vegetables this year, and the high price of all farm produce has added greatly to the means of the inhabitants of the rural district.

Maine has about four hundred miles of Railroad, and Nova Scotia is proceeding steadily with the construction of her lines.  These will be benefitted by and in turn benefit the New Brunswick Roads.  Maine and Nova Scotia are able and will faithfully fulfil their obligations; but the real ability of New Brunswick to secure and pay a debt contracted for such purposes is greater than either.  We have a better agricultural country, more ungranted lands, and fisheries more valuable than Maine, our minerals belong to the Government, and our Revenue derived from Customs, after paying the Civil List, is applied to internal improvements.  Her’s goes to Washington to support the Federal Government.  We have nearly three times the ungranted lands Nova Scotia has, our minerals are our own, and we have a more valuable timber country.  The people of New Brunswick agree that we require Railroads; the only points of difference will be where to begin first.  I believe the two sections I have laid down will reconcile the conflicting interests.  Saint John contains from thirty-five to forty thousands inhabitants, the centre of a vast and increasing trade, possessed of a fine harbour fir for vessels of the largest class, and open at all seasons of the year.  Its Merchants are distinguished for public spirit and enterprise; it carries on an extensive trade in lumber, fish, and ships, and has much valuable foreign commence.  On the 31^st, of December 1854, there were five hundred and eighty-one vessels belonging to that port, amounting to 118,852 tons.  Some of the finest vessels in the world have been built here.  It is deemed to become one of the largest Cities, on the Atlantic side of America.  We propose to make it the ocean terminus of a system of Railroads which will finally girdle the Province.

The line to Shediac will develop the local traffic of the rich agricultural districts through which it passes, and connect the whole north of the Province and Prince Edward Island with the harbour of Saint John.  It is believed that the valuable fisheries of the north will be prosecuted with vigour when the Road is completed, and that by this means the great Cities of the United States will be supplied with fish; until the Road is extended to the more northern ports, the communications can be carried on by steamers.

The Road to Fredericton connects the Seat of Government with Saint John, and passes through a rich farming country rapidly settling.  The tract abounds with water power for the establishment of manufactories.  In addition to the travel and agricultural produce, the wood, lumber and extensive quarries of excellent granite through which it passes, will create a large traffic.  The farther this Road pierces the interior, the richer the country and at Woodstock, iron, copper and lead of the first quality have been discovered; the iron is worked, and measures are in progress to work the copper.

These two sections, running north and west, are very favourably located to develop local traffic, but one hundred and thirty of the one hundred and seventy miles they comprise, will form a part of the European and North American Railway connecting Halifax with the United States.  The most intelligent American agree that the construction of this line is only a question of time.  Maine is proceeding with her portion; Nova Scotia has commenced her’s.  When this line is completed, there is no doubt that the greater part of the travel from the Old World to the New will pass over it, the advantages are so great and obvious.  One hundred and fifty of the one hundred and seventy miles will form part of the line from Halifax to Quebec, by the valley of the Saint John.  I have good reason to believe that when, New Brunswick carries her Road towards the boundary of Canada, that Province will bring down her lines to meet it.  So that in addition to provision for local, traffic, nearly every mile will form part of the two great intercolonial and international Railways so long proposed to unite the Provinces and connect Europe and America.

The completion of a system of Railroads extending to the Restigouche River, to Nova Scotia, to Maine and to Canada, will require an expenditure of three millions, the whole principal money of which could be provided for out the sales of the ungranted lands.  After the completion of these main thoroughfares, branches and connecting roads would be constructed in various parts of the Mines and other centres of trains which would gradually present themselves.

Canadian West in 1851 had not a mile of Railway.  I am informed that it now has 800 miles in operation, besides large contracts in progress; – that land has risen enormously; and in regions traversed by the Railroads with lands now bring from three to five pounds an acre.  The climate and soil of Canada West is said to be better adopted to the raising of Wheat than New Brunswick.  Until our rural population turn their attention exclusively to farming, that question cannot be fairly tried when it is, I believe from experiments already made, the results may be different.  We have a more healthy climate, a more abundant supply of water, and are much nearer the ocean. We have many and varied advantages in situation and resources, that Canada, has not; and only require a healthy emigration and capital, to develop the manifold resources of the Province, and to give it a high degree of prosperity.

I have the honour, &c.

(Signed)     Charles Fisher

Messrs. Baring Brothers & Company, 2 Rishopgate Street.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, March 28, 1856 – HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY – The Attorney General’s Speech – From the Morning Courier – The following contains part of the leading features of the Attorney General’s Speech on introducing the Railway Bills on Monday last.  We have not the means of furnishing a full report, but many of the strongest points are stated.  What we now give will explain several particulars respecting which there is some misunderstanding, if not misrepresentation, which is taken advantage of by some for the purpose, if possible, of exciting prejudice against the Bills:–

The Attorney General commenced his speech by some general remarks on the subject of railroads; he said it was unnecessary to argue in their favour, as all were agreed that they were a necessity of the age.  He referred to their introduction into England, and alluded to the change which they had accomplished there – instancing several remarkable improvements in consequence of their facilities.  He spoke also of their progress in other parts of Europe – in France and Italy – in Prussia – also in India, in Australia, and in America.

He referred particularly to Canada, where, in 1850, there were but a few miles of Railway; on the 31^st December, 1855 there were eleven hundred miles completed, and eight hundred more under contract.  He referred to the operations of different companies, showing their large expenditure.  He was informed that the Grand Trunk Company alone expended £218,000 a month during the winter months.  He named this as one reason why every interest of Canada was advancing.

He also referred to Maine, where the snows were as deep and the physical difficulties as great as in New Brunswick.  They have upwards of four hundred miles of Railroad there, and are rapidly going on.  To shoe the enterprise of the people there, he alluded to the cases of Portland and Bangor.  The former city, with a population of 20,815 had subscribed $800,000 towards the road to Montreal.  New Brunswick with ten times the population, surely could do as much in proportion.  Bangor with a population of 14,432, have subscribed in the Waterville road $200,000; and both Portland and Bangor were doing considerably more in other Railway extensions.

He then referred to Nova Scotia, where they have just commenced.  They have now sixty-one miles under contract, and are preparing to extend their operations.

New Brunswick, he said, must have Railroads or remain behind other countries.  Compare our resources and our people with those of any of these countries, and we are equal to any of them.  We have upwards of ten million of acres of ungranted land, now comparatively valueless, which, through the operations of the Railroad, would become valuable, and would ultimately pay for all our expenditures.

The Attorney General here discussed the question of our resources, and the means by which we could ultimately pay for all our great public works, without any burden being felt.  He spoke also of the effect of the commencement of Railroad operations in the improvement of the country.  They would infuse new energy into the people; they would induce emigration, as they would furnish employment to our young men, and keep our people in the country; they would create new professions, as well as branches of business.  Our people have as much ability as any people in the world – all they want is the mens and the opportunity.  He referred also to the progress of the Province in various respects hitherto.

The Attorney General referred to his mission to England.  He had undertaken it with a sincere desire to advance the interests of his native country. Without wishing to speak of himself, he said that he had suffered a degree of anxiety while attending to this business in England, which he had never felt in his life before.  While there, some of our newspapers had written very freely about him; they spoke of him as a fool or a knave.  One of these he saw while he was there, and it ridiculed the very idea of his succeeding in getting money at such a time as the present.  It said, “don’t you wish you may get it?”  But now that the money had been obtained, the same paper announced that there was no difficulty at all in getting money on Province bonds!  He said he did profess to have accomplished much, but he had done the very best he could, and had succeeded in making arrangements which he trusted would be beneficial in the country.  He would now endeavour to show the House fully what had been effected.

The Attorney General explained the arrangement with Baring Brothers, which has been somewhat misunderstood.  His first letter asked for £800,000 sterling, as he believed after this amount was expended, the credit of the Province would be better established, and additional sum for future operations could be obtained more easily, and at a cheaper rate.  In their reply, they said, “You will, we are sure, recognize the importance to the value of the Bonds, of limiting the extent of issues, and for that purpose we have suggested that the law should not enact that more than £800,00 should be created, but the wisdom of the Legislature will decide whether that or some other mode be preferable to preserve uninjured the credit of the Province, &c.”  The Canadian Legislature, to attain this end, enacted that the assent of the Provincial Agent in London should be given before further issues of bonds for internal improvement.”  The Attorney General said that he and Mr. Robertson, is finally settling the terms, had refused to agree to limit the debt to £800,000, but had consented that the annual expenditure should be limited, leaving it to the wisdom of the Legislature to decide haw far we should extend our operation in future.  The result, therefore, was that the following understanding was made, which he read:–  “The object of limiting the amount of debt was not important, or insisted upon, only that caution should be used, not to issue too many debentures, lest their value should be diminished.”  Subsequently, therefore, he wrote them as follows:–  “If I can induce the Legislature to invest the Government with authority, in their discretion, to go on with further work and make further loans. I prefer it to being compelled to new legislation on the completion of the present section.”  The Attorney General said, the present bill provided for such an extension of the loans if it should be deemed advisable, and he had no doubt, from th experience of every other country, that it would be.

He next entered into the terms, as offered by Baring Brothers.

They were to advance us £50,000 sterling in 1856, at six per cent, and were to have the right to receive at par £200,000 of our bonds, if they chose to take that amount.  The Attorney General said he feared they would hardly do that.  Canadian debentures had for some time sold at a discount; now they were at a premium.  Barings had agreed to become our Agents, on same terms as for Canada and Nova Scotia, consequently our position was very favourable.  Doubtless in two or three years, when it was found our dividends were regularly paid, our bonds would command a premium also.  The charge for Agency was precisely that paid by Canada.  For selling the bonds one per cent, and one quarter more when a broker would be employed.  The advantage of having such a firm to do our business, would be far above that commission in obtaining premiums on our bonds.  If they advance money before sales, the charge would be two per cent, instead of one per cent and it will be for us to decide whether to throw our bonds into the money market at any time, or allow this one per cent for an advance.  For paying the dividends, they will charge one per cent thereon; thus on a bond of £10,000, on which the interest will be £600, they will get £6.  More favourable terms could not possibly be expected from an Agent.  In addition, the Province is to have a credit of £50,00 sterling in each and every year, which they can draw on any time, but which will have to be paid by the last day of such year, giving us the advantage in the progress of our works, of the changing state of the money market in selling our bonds.  The Attorney General said that both Mr. Robertson and himself had considered the arrangement a most excellent one.  He believed it would commend itself to the mind of every mercantile man, familiar with such transactions.  Canada and Nova Scotia had the same terms, and New Brunswick would now be in the same position with them.

He referred to the contract with Peto, Brassey & Company, and stated fully the correspondence by himself and Mr. Robertson, whose valuable services and superior qualifications he highly eulogized.  The government had declined to accept a proposition of the contractors, made on 8^th of June last, to complete the road, on receiving new facilities, as the Province would have thus had to pay about £5,000 sterling a mile, and then own but part of the road.  The Attorney General contended that that sum would be sufficient to pay for our roads hereafter if built by the Government.  The Attorney General then stated the appointment of Mr. Robertson, as the delegate of the Company, and of himself, by the Executive Council, to proceed to England and settle the matter.  They at first urged the contractors to proceed with the work, offering them longer time – this was declined. They then entered into a discussion about the surrender of the contract; every information relating to expenditure, &c., was furnished, and finally an arrangement was made to transfer the right of the contractors to the Province, on terms very favourable.  This arrangement was provided for in the Bill now under consideration.

The Attorney General said that the bill proposed to give Jackson & Company £46,800 sterling, in addition to the sum already paid them, £43,200, making altogether £90,000 sterling.  It was said by some that this was too much.  He was prepared to show that the Province would get good value, and would even make money by the transaction.  The Attorney General then went into a description of the expenditure, which he said had exceeded £150,000 on the part of the contractors.  The actual value of the work done in any future operations, he had been assured by Messrs. Jardine and Botsford, both well competent to judge, was at least £100,000 sterling, besides the surveys, which had cost £20,000 sterling, but which we could not value at anything like that sum.  The Attorney General then entered into proofs from Morton’s Certificates, that on 2^nd December, 1854, £102,000 sterling had been expended and that besides the surveys there is property worth £30,000 more.  He referred to the road from Shediac to the Bend, which he said would cost nearly £112,000 sterling, according to the price charged by the contractors, and which it is believed can be completed now for £20,000 sterling.  There is also iron for fourteen miles additional Railway, two locomotives, spikes, and a good deal of other property.  So that, allowing for the deterioration of the value of the work in various respects, enough was left to pay us the £90,000 we proposed to give and leave us a good balance.  With this fair view of the case, he asked the House to pass the bill.  There was a good deal of party misrepresentation respecting the clear value of this property, but facts and figures were our best means of judging, and he was anxious to abide by them.

The Attorney General said that some might object to the scheme as too large.  This objection cannot be made by the old Government, as their scheme in 1852 was almost as large.  That scheme embraced all the lines in the present Bills except the road from Fredericton to Woodstock, and it included a line from the Bend to Nova Scotia boundary.  The difference would only be twenty or thirty miles.

The Attorney General spoke of the different lines.  The line from Shediac to Saint John he had formerly opposed.  He preferred is own locality,  But as that line was called for by the people of Saint John, and a large number of the people of the Province, who believed that it would pay, and was necessary, especially in attracting the trade of Prince Edward Island, he felt it his duty to sink any sectional preference.  He considered himself as bound to set according to the wishes of the country.

The line to Miramichi had been provided for in the existing contract.  He said that he contemplated its ultimate extension to Restigouche, as the people and products of the North would then be brought into immediate intercourse with the other districts of the Province.

The line up the Valley of the St. John, he especially felt interested in, as he lives here, and had been born on this river.  Its extension to Woodstock, as provided by this Bill, (the first time such a proposition had been submitted to the country,) was only an act of Justice.  Before long ir must proceed further – it must go up to Canada, and then, by extending to Nova Scotia on the other side, we should be connected with the sister Provinces and the railway lines of the United States.

The present Bill had been arranged as far as possible to meet the claims of the different localities.  For the present, the operations would necessarily proceed for the purpose of completing the work already begun; surveys would be commenced immediately between Shediac and Miramichi, and between Saint John and Woodstock, and the sum of £50,000 sterling would then be expended on each of these lines, while the other line was completing; then these lines to be finished.

The Attorney General spoke of the great resources of the Valley of the Saint John, and the advantages of this line.  He had not been able to secure every thing for his constituents which he could desire immediately; but he had done the very best he could, and the road from Fredericton to Saint John, and to Woodstock, if these Bills passed, would progress, and be completed in a few years.  It is the first time that this part of the Province has been provided for in any Railway scheme.

After stating the mode by which it was proposed to provide for the yearly interest, &c., the Attorney General went very fully into the many advantages which would result to the country from the completion of this great public work; the increased value of property, the increase of population and trade, and the improvement of all the great interests of the Province.  He wished that the question might be settled without any intermixture of party feelings – that the Railway platform might be common ground, where both sides could meet and unite for the improvement of the county.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, March 28, 1856 – RAILWAY BILL – The passage of the Railway Bills is now certain; the principals having been sustained on the first Sections by a majority of nine; and the subsequent votes having given even larger majorities to the Government.  The expenditure of £50,000 has also been positively secured to the extensions, during the three years which will be occupied in the construction of the line from Shediac to Saint John; and the road pointing to Canada via Woodstock commence at Fredericton.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 3 (251) – Saturday, April 5, 1856 – St. Andrews and Woodstock Railway Bills have passed the House.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 3 (251) – Saturday, April 5, 1856 – LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY – March 31^st – House principally occupied with routine business in the morning.  A motion to place a grant of £250 on the Supply Book to be expended on the Road from Indian Town to Saint John was rejected.  The House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole and passed a Bill relating to the Saving Bank.  On motion of Mr. End, Monday next was set apart to go into consideration of the Bill to repeal the Prohibitory Law.  The Bill to grant further facilities to the St. Andrews and Quebec Railway Company, was taken up, and supported by Boyd, Cutler, Tilley, and others.  Progress was reported. ….

April 1^st …. There was a short discussion respecting a bridge at Grand Falls.  The first Bill relating to the St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad was again committed.  Several speeches made.  Bill finally agreed to with some amendments.  The second Bill relating to the St. Andrews Railway is expected to be taken up to-morrow.  The House adjourned a few minutes before six.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, May 16, 1856 – THE RAILROAD – Morning News – In answer to “an Inquirer” we have the best authority for stating that the Railway works will commence immediately after the Commissioners are appointed, about the 20^th, instant.  Letters have been received from England authorizing the Government to draw for the first £50,000 as soon as they like, agreeably to the understanding entered into between the Delegates and the Barings, the latter having agreed to advance the money out of their own funds to the extent of £50,000 for the year’s operations.  The first work will be commenced or resumed at the Bend, and it is calculated that the branch will be completed before Christmas Day.  Why not?  Contracts are to be entered into in the Fall for commencing work on the Saint John end of the line on the 1^st January next; the road will be out in sections; and it is thought the line can be completed to Hampton Ferry by the end of 1857.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 2 (298) – Saturday, May 17, 1856 – SAINT ANDREWS AND QUEBEC RAILROAD – Report of Directors to the Shareholders, at the Ordinary Annual General Meeting, held at the Company’s Offices, on Tuesday, the 6^th day of May, AD 1856 – Reporter – In again in noting the Shareholders on the termination of their year of office, the Directors are happy in being able to congratulate them on the better prospects which soon to be opening for the further prosecution and completion of the Road, and they feel that although their Report; on this occasion, in consequence of the a most total cessation of work during the past year is necessarily short, yet that it is not the less important on that account, nor, as they believe, will it be less satisfactory to the Shareholders or the Public.

It will be in the recollection of the Shareholders that of the meeting of the Company, the directors reported that the House of Assembly had thrown out the Bill to authorize the change of the corporate powers and privileges of the Company to Class A, which had been agreed to at the Special meeting held on the 8^th day of March, 1855 – and a Resolution was then submitted and unanimously adopted with the intent of relieving as far as possible , the English shareholders who are so deeply implied, and affording them such security as it might be in the power of this Company to give.

By this refusal on the part of the Legislature to pass the Bill brought before them on that occasion a whole twelve month has undoubtedly been lost, and it cannot be questioned, but that a great amount of suffering and depression which has been experienced in this section of the Province must be attributed to that cause, because the prosecution on a public work of such magnitude would have greatly diminished, if not have entirely removed them.

Since the rejection of the bill the attention of your Directors has been unceasingly directed to the object of your Resolution – not merely from a blind obedience to its instructions, but because they entirely acquiesced in the justice of its spirit towards the Class A shareholders and because they felt convinced that it would to the manifest advantage of the Road as well as to the security of the Class A interests, which they are so strongly bound to protect, to place the entire control in the hands of that Board.

Several propositions and schemes have been propounded to bring about an end so ardently desired and the most serious intention of your Directors has been given to the various negotiations resulting therefrom.

It is not necessary to recapitulate the details of these several schemes now, it being sufficient to say that by the best advice from London, your Directors are informed that the Class A Board have determined to adhere to that end, which gives all powers and facilities  to them or to a new Company in accordance with the plans submitted by Mr. Byrne when he was in this Province in the latter part of the year 1854; and in conformity which a new Company is now being organized in England.

To facilitate the views and intentions of the London Board, they have requested that the Bill authorizing the transfer of the corporate powers, &c., to them which was refused by the House of Assembly last year might be again introduced together with two other Bills to extend the period for building the line for three years.  These several Bills your Directors are most happy in being able to inform you, have, by the exertion of Mr. Boyd, most ably seconded by Mr. Whitlock, the secretary, been successfully carried.

The most sanguine hopes are held out that with the extension of time and the transfer of the powers to the London Board, the new Company would be easily formed; and in truth, your Directors cannot but think it would be a matter of surprise if such were not the case, considering the value of the land and guarantee which will become the property of the new Company.  Indeed it must always be a subject of regret that the want of capital will prevent many of the Shareholders from keeping their Stock, and thereby becoming participators in the advantages which must accrue from it; but at the same time it is only just to admit that those who build the line are fairly and rightly entitled to all its benefits.

As everything has now been done on this side of the Atlantic, it will only remain for this Company on the completion of the organization of the new Company in England to carry out and complete the transfer of the powers and facilities as allowed by the new Acts.

Your Directors would recommend that a Resolution be now passed approving of the proposed transfer and authorizing the Board of Directors to execute the necessary documents for that purpose.

The exertions which the Board made during the early part of last summer to develop the traffic on that portion of the road which it was possible to run over need not now, in the altered aspects of affairs be further dwelt on than to say, how conclusively, it established the fact of what the paying qualities of the Line would be, if properly worked.

It will be necessary now to proceed to the election of Directors as usual, in order that they may complete the preliminaries for the transfer to the new Company; and the retiring Directors who have formed the Working Board are willing to resume their duties, if you should elect them, for the short time which it is hoped will suffice to affect these objects; after which the works and duties will be carried on under each authorities as may be appointed.

1. H. Whitlock, Secretary
2. J. Robinson, President

We learn that at the next meeting of the Executive Counsel, which will shortly take place, an order will be passed for the immediate commencement of the Railroad Survey between Fredericton & Woodstock, and we have no doubt by the time these surveys are made, money matters will be in such a state of progress that we may obtain as much as may be required year after year during the whole course of the undertaking.

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Fredericton, Head Quarters, Page 2 – Wednesday, May 21, 1856 – STREAMERS ON THE RIVER ST. JOHN AND ITS TRIBUTARIES – The steamer J. D. Pierce is blown to pieces, and last evening a telegraphic despatch was received from Woodstock stating that the Reindeer was sunk between that place and Grand Falls; consequently the only steamers plying on the river above Fredericton are the Richmond and the Boonie Doon, both stern-wheel boats.  Between Fredericton and Saint John are the Forest Queen and the Anna Augusts, day boats and the St. John, running as a night boat, leaving Fredericton on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, and leaving Indiantown on th alternate evenings.  These three belong to the “Union Line” and are too well known to require description.  Then there is the Lawrence, a boat owned by Mr. Israel Merritt, of Indiantown, running on the opposite nights to the St. John.  This steamer is very comfortably fitted up for passengers; she started to run on the same nights with the St. John, but has changed to the opposite nights in order to accommodate the public.  The Steamer Union plies between Saint John and Grand Lake.  There is also a Steamer plying between Saint John and Hampton Ferry.  The Lady Head, built to run as a Ferry Boat at Fredericton, is now plying as a Ferry Boat at Gondola Point, on the Kennebeccasis.

Since the above was in type we learn that the Reindeer struck a rock just above Woodstock and was immediately run ashore, where she sunk.

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Woodstock, NB – Carleton-Sentinel, Page 2 (306) – Saturday, May 24, 1856 – DISASTER – We regret to have to state that the Steamer Rein Deer met with an accident last Tuesday, when starting to go up the River, in consequence of which she will be unable to perform her usual trips for a short time.

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Woodstock, Carleton Sentinel, Page 6 (310) – Saturday, May 24, 1856 –

CHANGE OF NIGHTS

To better accommodate the Public,

There having heretofore been two Night boats running between Indiantown and Fredericton on the same night, and the intervening night being left vacant: for the better accommodation of the Public; the

“LAWRENCE,”

will leave Indiantown this evening (Wednesday,) at 6 o’clock, and will continue to run as follows:– Leaving Indiantown Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Evenings, at 6 o’clock.  Returning, leaves Fredericton on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings at the same hour.

The superior accommodation of the “lawrence” induces the Proprietors to solicit inspection of their Boat by the travelling public.

For particulars of Freight or Passage apply to j. horncastle, the Clerk on board, or to

ISRAEL MERRITT, Agent.

Indiantown, May 14, 1856.

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Woodstock, NB, The Carleton Sentinel, Page 1 (313) – Saturday, May 31, 1856 – SAINT ANDREWS AND QUEBEC RAILROAD – To the Editor of the St. Andrews Provincialist:

SIR, – As the prosperity of this community, as well as of a large section of the Province, depends so much on the success which may attend the exertions now making the prosecution of the line of Railway from this place to Woodstock, I believe that the information received by yesterday’s mail from the Secretary to the company in London will be read with interest by your subscribers.

After expressing himself very sanguinely on the future prospects of the undertaking, he says – “We are progressing very favourably with the formation of our new Company, and I have the pleasure to inform you that I have succeeded in obtaining the co-operation of Mr. Ceunshaw Bailey and Mr. Marshall of Leeds.  They have become Directors of the new Company, so that we have now in the Direction one of the greatest iron masters, and one of the best Commoners in England.

Messrs. Baxter, Ross & Newton, have also consented to be the Solicitors.

As your subscribers may not be aware of the influence and importance of the accession of these latter gentlemen to the Company, I beg to add, that they are one of the leading law firms in London, and were the successful projectors and promoters of the Great Northern Railway in England, in opposition to the London and North Western Company.

It will of course be understood that all these names are in addition to the influential men already belonging to the Board.

I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant

JULIUS THOMPSON,

Manager,

St. Andrews, May 12, 1856.

——

Woodstock, Carleton-Sentinel, Page 331 – Saturday, June 14, 1856 – STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION – By Telegraph to Sentinel – Montreal, June 10, 1856 – 20 Persons Killed, And 30 Or 40 Wounded – About half past one o’clock today, our city was startled by the sound of an explosion, and on endeavouring to ascertain where it occurred we found it was at Longueuil.

The Telegraph shortly after informed us that the ferry boat of the Grand Trunk Railroad Company had exploded, hastening down to the wharf we found the greatest excitement, and finding it impossible to reach the scene of the disaster by steamer, we hired a canoe.

The boat is a complete wreck from stem to stern.  Her boiler was blown an immense distance on the wharf, and everything in the neighbourhood is completely shattered.

The works of the boat were quite new and were under the charge of the building Engineer at the time of the accident, the train had just arrived, filled with passengers, and they had been all transferred to the boat.  Many were in the after part of the boat, but many more were engaged in the forward part.

The Captain was about to ring the bell when the explosion took place.

It came like a shot from a cannon without the least a warning, and in a twinkling, human beings who a few minutes before were full of joy and hope were blown into the air.  The steam rushed to the back of the boat so as to completely blind those who were there, many rushed hither and thither shrieking loudly, while others jumped overboard and being in a panic, were doubtless drowned.  A woman who was near the boiler had her child, only two months old blown out of her arms and carried into the air, coming down on the freight shed, she herself was dreadfully injured.

When we left, the river had not been dragged but when it is the number of deaths will be greatly augmented.

We are told on authority of passengers on board at the time, that the number killed must be upwards of 20, and the wounded could not be less that 30 or 40.

Up to 5 p.m., only 4 bodies have been recovered, but all these were found on board the boat.

Immediately after the explosion the boat sunk.

As far as we can learn the following were killed, 2 Engineers, Mr. Madden mail conduction, the pilot of the boat, a boy named Hunter, fireman, a woman from St. Hyacinthe and Mr. Schoffeld engineer of the Brockville section, Grand Trunk Railroad.

27 bodies have been found up to 9 p.m. 11^th. June, 1856.

——

Fredericton, Head Quarters, Page 2 – Wednesday, June 18, 1856 – STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION – Montreal, June 10 – About half past one o’clock today our city was startled by the sound of an explosion which was caused by the explosion of the ferry boat of the Grand Trunk Railway, at Longueuil.  The boat is a complete wreck.  Her boiler was blown an immense distance on to the wharf, and everything in the neighbourhood is completely shattered.  The works of the boat were entirely new, and were under the builders’ engineers at the time.

The train had just arrived filled with passengers who had been transferred to the boat.  Many were on the after part of the boat, but many more on the forward part.  The Captain was about to ring the bell when the explosion occurred.

We are informed by a gentleman from Boston who was on board at the time, that the scene that followed the explosion was fearful.

The steam rushed to the back part of the boat so as to completely blind those that were there.  All rushed hither and thither, shrieking loudly; many jumped into the river and were doubtless drowned.  The gentleman asserts that he saw not fewer than 10 or 12 in the water.  A woman who was near the boiler had her child, only two or three months old, blown out of her arms and carried into the air, coming down on top of the freight shed.  She herself was dreadfully injured.  We are told by passengers on board at the time, that the number killed must be upwards of twenty and the number of wounded cannot be less than thirty or forty.  Immediately after the explosion the boat sank.

The following were killed:–  two Engineers, Mr. Madden, Mail Conductor, the pilot of the boat, a boy named Hunter, two firemen, a woman from St. Hyacinthe, Mr. Scofield, Engineer of the Brockville section Grand Trunk Railway, Henry Ballary, belonging to the office of the American line of steamers.  This man, it was thought, could not survive many hours; he is scalded from head to foot, has two dislocations and several fractures.  Mr. Pierce, Express agent, had one leg broken and is badly scalded.  The Captain of boat was severely injured and is not expected to live.  Mr. Kingan McQuaig, of Glengarry, was seriously injured, Narcissc Perrault, from Warwick, Eastern Townships, badly scalded.  Major Johnston and lady were blown into the river and escaped with slight injuries.  These are all the particulars received up to this time, but there are at least 50 passengers unaccounted for.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, July 11, 1856 – RAILWAYS – The Morning News openly accuses the present government of deception in the case of the Railroads; and we confess ourselves clearly at sea upon this and that – the declaration made by those gentlemen when in office, that the adoption of the Railway plan would ruin the Province, and their assertions since made by the Honourable Solicitor General, that the said plan must be consummated!  On this subject we had good ground for interrogating Mt. Allen, and we did so, but he has not yet condescended to give his constituents a reply to the question.  In the mean time we beg leave to remind the Representatives of the Counties of York, Carleton, and Victoria, that the season if rapidly passing away, and that instead of having a staff of Engineers on the route connecting with Woodstock, we have as yet nothing more than Mr. Allan’s statement that a great public work is to be carried on, which his colleagues in the government have already declared to be ruinous!

The News says:–

IMPOSITION UPON THE COUNTRY

It will be recollected that as soon as the Government had got themselves wedged into office, by means of one of the most disreputable tricks recorded in any British Colony, an advertisement appeared in the City papers to the following effect:–

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

SEALED TENDERS will be received at the Office of the Chief Engineer of the European and North American Railway, at the BEND, until MONDAY the 23^rd day of June instant, for completing the RAILWAY BRIDGE over the Scadouc River near Shediac.

The work to be commenced as early as possible, and finished on or before the 1^st day of September next ensuring.  Good reference as well as security will be required from Contractors, as to their ability to carry out the Contract.

Plans and Specifications, as well as forms of Tender and Contract, together with all necessary information with regard to the work, can be obtained at the Chief Engineer’s Office, at the Bend, on and after Thursday, the 12^th day of June.

(Signed)     R. D. Wilmot

9^th June, 1856.                                                        Secretary’s Office

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswick Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, August 8, 1856 – RAILWAYS – The Railway Policy of the present Government is we suppose developed it, a late number of the New Brunswicker, and we copy its articles on the subject that our readers may see the “Lobster” rule by which the public works are in future to be regulated.

It is but very recently that the Solicitor General publicly declared the intentions of the new Government to carry forward the Railway programme instituted by their predecessors; and yet later still, has the Attorney General in answer to a question in the Assembly, positively affirmed that the schema of the former Government must be adhered to, but how stands the Government barometer now?  Let the New Brunswicker answer.

The comprehensive plan adopted by the late Government – and which by the way was not more extensive than that recommended by their predecessor – cost them no trifling deal of labour and trouble.  At the most inclement season of the year, one of them proceeded to England – without receiving a farthing of remuneration beyond this expenses – and succeeded in establishing a provincial system of credit for the construction of the projected works; and then again the same men having sustained the united opposition of the party now in power, who delayed that the extension of those works would undoubtedly ruin the Province, carried all opposition before them in the House of Assembly, and accrued the public favour for their spirited undertaking.  In this position of affairs the former government again – though the influence of the Lieutenant Governor and the question, return to office, and one of their promises to the country is, that the Railway policy of their predecessors shall be consummated, because a former House of Assembly had given it their adhesion.

But now again mark how “fast and furious” the Executive tide ebbs and flows in New Brunswick – we are told by the Honourable Mr. Gray’s own paper, that the Province must submit to an experiment which is to be tried between Shediac and Petitcodiac; and now with that “hope deferred which makes the heart sick” we are to count the cargoes of Herrings and Oysters, as it may be, which will pass between the two stations referred to, and by these regulate the vast pulsations of the hearts of three great Provinces, and the adjoining Republic, all beating high for the development of their local resources, as well as the international communications of Trade & Commerce throughout the whole.  This is to be the grand experiment to decide whether in view of the interests, local, political, and commercial of several great colonies, each of them vast enough to furnish material for more than a European Nation – we are to stand at attention and watch the result of a Railway connection between the Bays of Verte and Fundy!  Shade of the Lilliputian historian! how wouldst thou have swelled with importance, if as the master mind of this seven-feet-long undertaking, it had fallen to thy lot to watch its origin, its development, its communication, and to calculate the loss or profits of the whole by a scale of inches!

What pitiful farce is this to fling in the face of the country, and what a hen-cooped people we must have to tolerate even for a moment such a wretched proceeding!  Upwards of forty years ago the connection of the two bays was contemplated by the Province, – surveys for a canal were made accordingly, and the undertaking should have been finished in a year or two; but then as now there were a set of old fogies – such as we lately saw at Gagetown – who slung their grappling irons at the tail of the government, to prevent a forward movement.  They owned fast property – more properly designated slow; and their instinctive dread of “taxation” included the disgraceful policy not yet wholly abandoned, to hold if fast forever, at the expense of the Province,  To these sleeping partners of the community – persons who would not furnish a hemlock tree or the area of a cabbage bed for all the Railways in the world, – the present government should dispense a ready made supply of quilted petticoats to designate the sex of their protective policy; and the gifts, the givers, and the receivers, should alike find a place in the future chronicles of the year 1856.

“But” says some worthy supporter of the present officials, “the government will really make our Railroads, they stand pledged to do so, and they are too honourable to break their promise.”  Then in the name of heaven why do they not begin?  Why are their promises so frequently made to the ear and as often broken to the heart, thus proving that their premises and conclusions are alike disjointed on this great subject as on the little one of the Bye Roads?  Why, if they have the will and the power, both of which we doubt, do they not begin? or do they think that a contract for the Scoudic (Scoudouc) Bridge, just by way of trial, will satisfy the spirit of progress in New Brunswick?  What will the Members for York say – what will they dare to say – to their trusting constituents on this exciting subject, involving an expenditure of £50,000, and the commencement of a road to Canada, through their county?  Well do our people know that if the former government had retained office, ere now we should have a survey in progress from here to Woodstock, – that the great resources of almost important section of the Province, would shortly be laid open; and that the correspondence entered into with Canada, upon matters equally important to all the Provinces, must have produced such results as all might be justly proud of.  There would at least have been a shaking of the dry bones in New Brunswick, for the spirit of Canada, would have moved us into more confident action, and there would have been less occasion for those petty political quarrels which must ever be inflicted upon us in the absence of something to give us useful and honourable employment.

——

Fredericton, NB – New Brunswick Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, August 8, 1856 – THE RAILWAY – New Brunswicker – A telegraphic despatch received at the News-room states that a very satisfactory contract was concluded with Mr. Charles Walker of Quebec, for finishing the Scadouc (Scoudouc) Bridge on the line of the European and North American Railroad.

The Government appears determined to complete the line between the Bend and Shediac with the least possible delay.  They have taken a very wise course, and one which cannot fail to meet with general approbation.  Instead of waiting another year, until arrangements could be completed in England, as was the intention of the late Government, the present administration have proceeded at once to work.  Having obtained funds to complete the short line, they wisely resolved to give the Country the benefit of this branch, which is acknowledged on all hands to be most necessary.  If any line will pay in New Brunswick, we presume it will be the one from the Bend to Shediac, and after it is fairly in operation, the people will be in a position to judge of the future prospects and working of Railways in this Province.  To wait until some millions of money could be obtained from England for Railway operations, and then to commence at different and distant points, having so immediate connection with each other, would have been the height of madness – injurious to the country and ruinous to our credit abroad.  The present Government have saved the people from such folly, and appear determined to complete the short line first, and after that, to proceed firmly, but cautiously, with other lines.  We are gratified to observe that we have men at the head of affairs who are capable of taking a rational view of things, and who do not permit themselves to be led away by the wildest of vagaries.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, August 15, 1856 – From the Morning Courier – To the Editor of the Morning Courier:

Gentlemen:– I observe that the Morning Freeman, of July 31^st, contains a report of the Speech of the Honourable Provincial Secretary, delivered at the close of the late Special Session of the Legislature, in which he sets forth the financial condition of the Province on the 1^st June of the Current year; and, believing that the statement thus credited to him, and the reflections upon it by a portion of the Provincial press, are calculated to mislead the public.  I feel called on in justice to the Government of which I was a member to offer a few remarks on the subject of which it treats.

I perceive that the Editor of the New Brunswicker labours to create the impression that the heavy debt of which he speaks was incurred by the late Government, and that no satisfactory evidence has been furnished as to how and for what purpose the large sum described has been expended His remarks in his paper of July 28^th are as follows:– “We find the liabilities increased to an amount, which might be deemed almost fabulous, and yet it is the fact.  Where all the money has gone we have yet to learn.  But the truth is we are deeply in debt and it will require much care and ability to extricate the Province from such an unnatural state of things.

A debt approaching to five hundred thousand pounds, accumulated in a very short period, and without any great public work to show for it, is anything but satisfactory.

The liabilities of the Province when the late Government came into office were £242,527 9s 8d, as may be seen by reference to the appendix of the journals of the House of Assembly for the Session of 1856.  This fact is kept entirely in the back ground by our political opponents, and their often repeated assertions would lead the uninformed to believe that not only was the Province out of debt when the former Government resigned, but that, moreover, a large balance to the Provincial credit was left at the disposal of their successors.  Admitting for the sake of argument that the statement of the Provincial Secretary is perfectly correct, the increase of the Provincial liabilities is explained as follows:–

Expenditures incurred since November 1, 1854 on the European & North American Railway, authorized by acts of Assembly, introduced by Government, of which Mr. Street was leader, and Messrs. Chandler, Hazen, Wilmot, Gray & Montgomery, were members.

£13,680  0  0

Debentures issued in payment for work, materials, &c., transferred by European & North American Railway Company to the Government, and arranged by act of Assembly, last Session.                                                                                          56,160  0  0

Appropriations for the year 1856, unpaid on the 1^st of June, including expenses of Short Session, about £2000, and made payable under permanent acts, exclusive of interest on Railway Debentures.                                                                        £  101,920  0  0

                    £171,760  0  0

This sum added to the amount of the Debt when the Government, of which Mr. Wilmot was a member, resigned.

£  242,227  9  8

Amounts to                                                   £413,987  9  8

I am yours &c.

1. L. Tilley.

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Grand Falls, The Cataract Weekly, August 19, 1856 – Our haymaking has been much impeded by the very rainy weather, considerable injury sustained, and a light crop expected.  Fine weather having once more set in may prevent the further progress of the potato disease which has appeared in some localities.  The other crops are far advanced and looking beautiful.

The Tobique River for the most part remains a wilderness, a few settlers only having ventured there.

We have any quantity of railroad companies, but no railroads!  However, let me instance the Grand Falls Bridge, and I might equally apply the Grand Falls railway too. Many members of past and present legislatures have seen and spoken of the necessity there was for, and the advantages which would accrue from, the erection of such a structure.  Mr. Partelow promised us a bridge and all the “big bug” and “smaller fry” that have visited us since his day have expressed themselves:  “You’ll have a bridge this summer.”  All right, everyone took up the cry, but no bridge!

One government went so far as to send a Commissioner (the illustrious Hayward) up here, and humbug us with an auction.  The bridge was sold, everything apparently in good earnest, but it turned out to be a regular New York “Peter Funk” sell, and still no bridge, notwithstanding parties in England have offered to erect it, and at a cost less than an amount that was already granted for the project.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, August 29, 1856 – We have no objection to see the present Government driven to the inconsistency of adopting what they called the ruinous policy of their predecessors instead of adhering to their own, it gives us much pleasure to state that in their extremity they have come to the conclusion to commence the survey of a Railway line from here to Woodstock.  Yes, we are quire willing on this occasion to forego the triumph of our friends and the humiliation of our opponents, in the compulsion of the latter through their “political necessities” to do that which they knew formerly as well as they now do, would not involve the slightest shadow of ruin, but which they opposed in order to further the political intrigues necessary to their aspirations to office.  What the people refused them at that period they (the present Government) have since obtained through the distorted power of the Governor’s prerogative; and in return they are now obliged to concede what they then refused to the people.

Mr. Wilkinson – a gentleman of whose scientific qualifications we entertain a high opinion, and whose inflexible integrity, in presuming to differ from the celebrated Major Robinson, of romancing notoriety, on behalf of the Railway track to Canada, lost him the countenance of that gentleman, to whom he was then subordinate – has received instructions from the Government to proceed with the work of survey, and in his case there will be no slumming.

But can we believe in the honest determination of the present Government to carry this work to its completion.  Can we believe that the leader of the Government, who last winter believed a Resolution to suspend the survey on the line to Woodstock till the paying resources of the line from Shediac to the Bend should be ascertained, will now in good faith and with a hearty will proceed with the work – Hush!  “Please sir.” says our youngest apprentice, “ is there any danger that they’ll long have its management?” and with this question we drop the subject for the present.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, September 12, 1856 – The New Brunswicker in its issue of Tuesday, gives us a stale re-hash of the arguments so long used by the Government organs, of the Governor’s “appealing from the House of Assembly and his council to the people themselves,” and so forth; but the arbitrary and unconditional act of dismissing a Cabinet and a House of Assembly in order to reach the people, reminds us only of the man who would knock down a father in order to obtain the opinion of his soon!

With regard to the petitions which the New Brunswicker assumes to be the cause of this extraordinary conduct on the part of His Excellency, it is something significant of their real importance that the Government though frequently solicited, never dared to produce them; and that even giving them credit for all that their friends assume, they were not in their number of signatures within one fourth equal to those of the prohibitionists.

The rest of the New Brunswicker’s article refers to our patronage; and here we candidly tell our contemporary that on this subject the Government have hitherto to a point, suited our wishes.  Beyond this, (should Mr. Simonds kindly permit it) we have not the slightest objection that the Government should at once proceed to the appointment of one Chief, and half a dozen subordinate Commissioners; excepting the fact that as there is little or no Railway work in progress, those gentlemen might be liable to a similar objection with that once made to the erection of an Irish bridge, namely that it would have nothing to do, as there was not a blessed drop of water within a quarter of a mile of it!  The objection was however overruled, because it was broadly asserted that Drimmore had “as good a right to a bridge as any other town – land in the country.”  We know of nothing more ridiculous than the position which the New Brunswicker would give the Government – that of filling up the offices and suspending the works, at the same time: nor will the reason assigned for that suspension – namely, that their predecessors’ plan was too extensive – be listened to for a moment, when it is well known that their own former plan was much more extensive.  The New Brunswicker may endeavour to wriggle out of all these difficulties which have evidently arisen out of the “political necessities” of its friends, but at every attempt, its Editor but involves himself the more.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, September 12, 1856 – One of the Government papers has a funny article which states that the present Government has obtained money from the Barings, in order to proceed with the Railroads.  Every line of this is of course a scrap of romance; but the pleasantest of all is where the writer days the English Capitalists would not “commit themselves to the Railway Bills carried through the Legislature by Mr. Fisher.”  Dear, kind, considerate Messrs. Baring!  In meeting this refusal it may not be supposed for a moment that they thought Fisher had touched them with the point of a sharp bargain;– oh no! their refusal would result altogether from a desire to give the Hazen – Gray – Wilmot – Allen – McPhelim – Montgomery – McPherson Government a better bargain!  Try again.

——

Grand Falls, The Cataract Weekly, September 27, 1856 – The Reindeer left early this week for Grand Falls, but she struck on a rock at the White Rapids.  She was with difficulty kept afloat by using her pumps and after the trip to the Falls, she proceeded to Saint John for repairs.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 3, 1856 – We take the following extract from a late number of Herepath’s Railway Journal, and have a few observations of our own to make at its conclusion:–

“The importance of this undertaking and its speedy completion, have lately drawn the attention of some of the most influential parties in this country, who have formed themselves into a company, and purchased all the rights, privileges &c. of the Saint Andrews and Quebec Railway Company, by means of paid up shares, with a determination to carry it out in all its integrity, under the name of the “New Brunswick and Canada Railway and Land Company.”  This railway is perhaps scarcely understood in all its important aspects.  In point of magnitude, and advantage, both to this county and the colonies themselves, it claims a permanent place.  The internal wants of our extensive British North American Provinces, are now being met by a scheme of railroad enterprise which will traverse their whole extent.  This railway embraces the two-fold objects of connecting the Canadas with the Atlantic by the shortest route through British territory, and by transhipment with Europe.  The line will form a junction at Trois Pistoles, with the Grand Trunk and Great Western Railways of Canada.  The Government of New Brunswick has undertaken to construct branch lines from Saint John and Fredericton, and when the Halifax and Windsor line shall have been completed, that important Province will be traversed, and be placed in immediate communication with the Canadas.  The old company, the Saint Andrews and Quebec, had about 26 miles of their line already constructed, and an engine running over it, and 14 miles more are nearly finished, making in all 40 miles.  The whole line has been surveyed, and it intersects a belt of country capable of the highest cultivation; thus affording the most hopeful prospect of an extensive colonial immigration.  It will open up a continent which is scarcely known to us in all its extent and territorial magnitude, enriched as it is with mineral and vegetable products of the most valuable kind; for example at Woodstock valuable iron works are carried on, and lately very superior copper mines have been discovered, which are now in operation, and the owner Mr. Stevens, is now in London forming a company to enable these mines to be more fully developed.  The whole of the most important privileges obtained by the Colonial government by the St. Andrews and Quebec, will now be transferred to this Company, embracing the free grant of land for five miles on each side of the railway.  All the timber and materials, the property of the Crown, requisite for the construction of the line, and the guarantee of a minimum dividend of 6 per cent for 25 years on the completion of the line to Woodstock.  Since these privileges were conceded they have greatly increased in value; indeed it is possible to calculate what may become the value of the land (forming a belt of 10 miles in width, with the railway passing through its centre, and amounting in all to nearly a quarter of a million of acres,) even in two or three years time, when it is expected the first section of the railway to Woodstock will be completed.  The establishment of steam communications between this country and our North American Provinces by the Liverpool, Newfoundland, and Halifax Company, must materially help to place 2,000,000 of British subjects in a position of self reliance and independence in these Colonies, so rapidly increasing in importance.  The imports into New Brunswick alone, even now, amount to £600,000 annually, and will, no doubt, very greatly increase under an improved system of communication.”

The writer of the above either wrote in ignorance of the obstructives having assumed the government of New Brunswick, r in the belief that they would fulfil their promise that they would carry out the railway policy of their predecessors.  We are indeed informed by their sapient organs that they are “vigorously pushing on” the works between Shediac and Moncton, and we know to a certainty that they have from five to seven men on the line between Fredericton and Woodstock:– the latter is “sacred to the memory” of the dead pledges made to the people of this County at the late Elections; while in view of the connection of three great Provinces, the experiment at Shediac can only remind is of the urchin’s test voyage of the South Sea ocean in a water bowl.  On the one side we see the man-of-war, on the other the bulrush.

The suggestion naturally arises whether our officials were not really sincere when they pledged themselves at the hustings, here and elsewhere, to the construction of railroads; and whether the failure of their application for money is not the real cause of their apparent apathy; for who would give money to men who had but a short time before, declared that the Province would be thrown into a state of bankruptcy by its expenditure?  Well indeed do the teapot-tempest gentry know that the making of what they call an “experiment” line from Shediac to the Bend would, so far as any intercourse with Canada is concerned, be no experiment at all, as it could not afford a single facility to this Province, which its eastern coast had not enjoyed since its earliest settlement.  The same connection which it would give Saint John with Quebec, the whole north eastern sections of the Province have already, without the extension, and unimpaired by several respective shipments; but the whole amounts to nothing.  The Saint John River Districts of this country can not be deceived by their present officials in this particular.  They have long set their faces against any “experiments” which will not involve the common sense one of pointing to Canada by the nearest route; and they can only tolerate a line even from the Bend to Saint John, as forming a part of the great plan, the importance of which is so truthfully described by Herepath.

“Wait,” said a provident father to his son, – “Don’t waste your gunpowder, and when the sky falls we’ll catch all the larks.”  Aye, wait until six or seven years shall have ascertained the paying capabilities of a line of fifteen miles between two unimportant and dangerous harbours.  Wait till Nova Scotia shall have, by her judicious and manly enterprise, taken every particle of the trade from Fort Cumberland to Partridge Island.  Wait till the Americans shall have accomplished a line to the upper St. John, and two more to the St. Lawrence, Wait till the patience of Canada shall be completely exhausted, and she finds sufficient outlets for all her vast resources, without a single communication with the sleepy-hollow of New Brunswick.  Wait – in short till the whole world shall have travelled beyond our hazy locality, and then – “when the sky falls we’ll catch larks!”

Were these the terms upon which the Executives members for York obtained that support which has since, through the friendly attachment of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, consigned to them the emoluments of office?  Did Mr. Allen dare to tell the people at the period of his first election, that the contemplated railroad on the upward route – the great project of connecting New Brunswick with Canada – should be placed beneath the bushel of the party with whom he is now, – aye, and with whom we believe he then was connected?  Was it for the purpose of assisting the Honourable Messrs. Simonds, Grey, Hazen, and Wilmot, to wrap up our projected International Railroad in an obstructive winding sheet, that the expectant Freeholders of York in the first place committed their common cause to Mr. Allen, and in the next thronged around him to remind him of his promises, on his showing the first signs of that vacillation which has since resulted in his manifest apostasy?  The next general Election, whether called by the Tories with the faint hope of prolonging their Governor-given existence, or by the Liberals to test the principle of the new Law, will yield a response to those unwelcome interrogatories.

Herepath’s Journal may well and truly expatiate upon the threefold advantages of a railroad connection with Canada; but in New Brunswick it would find a set of obstructives, who – frightened at the very shadow of taxation, and well represented by the present Government, would willingly extinguish the spirit of enterprise throughout the Province, reserving all the life and energy of their order for a rum-and-onions crusade against Prohibition, and the exaltation of a spurious specimen of Loyalty which they have christened “prerogative.”

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 24, 1856 – ST. ANDREWS & QUEBEC RAILWAY – Montreal Pilot – At a late meeting the old Company was agreed to be transferred to the new, which will no doubt be a means of carrying out this important railway undertaking, The class A or English company has agreed on terms with the new company, and Mr. Byrne the Secretary, will proceed to New Brunswick by next packet to carry out the negotiation, When this shall be accomplished, the work will proceed rapidly to completion by the new Company, which will open up a passage to Canada independent of a foreign territory, and upwards of 500 miles nearer home.

24½ miles of the line has been completed at the very lowest cost of £3,000 per mile.

The Company have obtained highly advantageous terms for constructing the line, as this following extract from an official document will show: –

“The original Company succeeded in obtaining the following important advantages from the Colonial government, which will now be transferred to this Company, viz:–

“1^st.  The free grant of the unallotted land, ten miles in width, or five miles on each side of the railway for the whole extent of the Crown territory, through which the line will pass to Woodstock, being it is estimated, upwards of 200,000 acres.

“2^nd.  All the timber and materials, the property of the Crown requisite for the construction of the railway.

“3^rd.  A guarantee of a minimum dividend of 6 per cent on £80,000 for 25 years to commence on the completion of the line to Woodstock.

“4^th.  The right of making branch lines through any portion of the Province of New Brunswick, with the requisite quality of land, timber, and materials for constructing such branches.”

The first section of the line runs from Saint Andrews to Woodstock; the second carries it on from Woodstock to Trois Pistoles.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 24, 1856 – TERRIFIC COLLISION ON THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY, NEAR LONDON – Three Cars Burned and Five Smashed to Atoms!  Passenger Baggage, Express Company’s Baggage And Mails Burned!! – [From the Extra of London Free Press, October 10] – A frightful accident, which might have resulted in appalling consequences, occurred about one mile west of London this morning about 1:25, October 9^th.

A train of seventeen cars, heavily laden with horned cattle, were coming east, when it met the night train going west.  The result was a collision, entirely destroying five cattle cars by the violence of the shock, while one passenger car, the baggage car and Post Office were burnt.  On visiting the scene of the disaster, we found the line strewn with the debris of the two trains.  The engine of the cattle train – curiously enough called the “Bison” – was much shattered in the fore part of the works, massive machinery being twisted, bent and broken in a manner that gave one a good idea of the force of the concussion.  Proceeding a little further, we saw the charred remains still smoldering of a passenger car and baggage car, both of which had been precipitated down the embankment.  Further on were three cattle trucks end upwards, the poor beasts being strewn around, dead and wounded, forming a sickening spectacle.  To the left were two other cattle trucks rolled down the embankment, with many dead beasts inside.  We counted no fewer than 27 head of cattle lying dead or maimed.  In addition, the line was covered, for a distance of many yards, with broken iron, splinters, &c.  A gang of men were immediately dispatched to clear up the line, which was effected by ten o’clock.  The engine of the night mail train, “Mazeppa,” was not so seriously damaged as “Bison.”  The mail train consisted of four passenger cars, baggage car, and post office.

An incident showing the force of the collision on the front part of the cattle train may be mentioned.  Four bullocks were precipitated through the roof of the truck in which they were confined, and deposited in a confused mass in the tender.  Fortunately no lives were lost, and little personal damage done; but taking into account the severity of the accident, it is little short of miraculous how any escaped.  The conductor of the passenger cars, Mr. Anderson, received some severe contusions on the head and body, but had no bones broken.  The Express Company’s Agent, Wheaton, had also a narrow escape.  One car was thrown completely over him, and when found the car above was but six inches from his chest, with the left eye nearly destroyed.  Mr. Macdonald, in charge of the Canadian mails, barely escaped with his life.  The post office car in which he was at the moment of the accident, was forced into the first passenger car, while that car was jammed into the post office.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 31, 1856 – NOVA SCOTIA RAILWAYS – Miramichi Gleaner – A paragraph lately appeared in one of the Halifax papers stating that Railway operations had been suddenly suspended on the Eastern section of the line.  This has caused considerable despondency among the friends of progress in this place, and the question has been repeatedly asked us, is the report correct?  We are happy to say it is not.  We assure our Railway advocates they need not entertain any fears on this subject.  The Railways in Nova Scotia – East and West – are progressing with Railway speed; and the Board of Directors are sanguine that they will be enabled to continue the works on their original design, and bring them to a speedy and satisfactory issue.

Had the People and Government of the Province manifested the same seat this great and important work as all classes and parties as in the sister Province, the Nova Scotia Board of Directors would have been prepared at an early date to meet us at the boundary line of the two Provinces, and we have no doubt even beyond it; but seeing our indifference, and the little likelihood of the line being built in that direction, they judiciously decided on first completing the line towards Windsor, forty miles from Halifax, which they expect to have in travelling condition about this time next year, and to proceed with the line eastward as far as Pictou.

We would advise all persons who are sceptical on the advantages resulting from Railway operations in new countries to pay a visit to Windsor and Truro, and see the number of buildings that have been erected during the past year.  If this will not satisfy them, we would recommend them to ask a few questions of the inhabitants respecting the impetus it has already given to all branches of trade, from the bare prospect of the line soon passing through their towns; and if any further doubts be entertained we would advice them to make some enquiries respecting the enhanced prices of building lots and farms, and we shall be greatly surprised if the replies they receive do not astonish them, and make them waver in their pre-conceived notion that we are not yet prepared to enter into such enterprise, and that it will entail ruin and bankruptcy on the people and Province.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 31, 1856 – ACCIDENT ON THE RAILWAY – Courier – We read in the Westmorland Times that on Thursday last an inquest was held before Jacob Worthen, Esquire, Coroner, and a Jury on view of the body of Hannah Taylor, who was killed under the following circumstance:  On Wednesday evening, deceased in company with a young man, (an acquaintance) left one of the shanties immediately above Harris’ mill stream, for the purpose of visiting some of their friends who lived a short distance below, and while crossing by the bridge one the railway cars (called a corrie) was being driven by one of the workmen, and came down so rapidly that Miss Taylor was knocked down, and the wheels passing over her head she was killed on the spot; the young man was knocked off the bridge, a height of about 15 feet, and severely injured, but hopes are entertained of his recovery.

In justice to all parties we are bound to say, that no blame whatever can be attached to anyone connected with the works.  The occurrence was purely accidental, and the Jury therefore returned a verdict accordingly.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 31, 1856 – THE RAILWAY – Courier – We are at last in possession of direct information on which we can rely regarding the state of the Railway works on the greater part of the line between Moncton and Shediac.

Beginning at the Moncton station, which is almost on the bank of the Petitcodiac, there are about three quarters of a mile of the permanent rails down and partially ballasted.  We then come to a cutting under Church Street, (the street by the side of the Westmorland Bark.)  This street will be carried over the Railway by a bridge, the stone abutments of which are built 4 or 5 feet high, and men are at work preparing the roadway.  The street has been raised some fifteen or sixteen feet.  Leaving the bridge we soon come to the heavy cutting between it and Mountain road.  Here there are still to cut about 200 yards from ten to fifteen feet deep.  This is getting on very well.  Here there is another road carried over the rail on a bridge of a similar style to that in Church Street.  This was to have been finished last week.  The railway from this to Hall’s Creek is getting into a state of considerable forwardness.  At the Creek there is a bridge only second in difficulty of construction to that of Scadouc.  Here two pile driving machines are at work by day and occasionally by night, with two gangs of men.  The Railway approaches this bridge by a high embankment under which the arch is constructed to allow a roadway to the property of Alexander Wright, Esquire.  The embankment, of which a considerable portion was constructed by the old company, is getting on slowly, as the only available stuff for its construction is the earth taken from the cuttings a little beyond, at the back of Mr. Chandler’s house.  This cutting is, we believe, the heaviest on the line, but it is short, probably not over four hundred yards long from the Irishtown road on the west to the first level on the east.

It is said to be the intention to build a bridge across this cutting to allow Mr. Chandler an easy and direct access to his property, from which he is at present prevented by the cutting.  This will cost probably £400.  Beyond the cutting, there is a swamp of which the old company filled up part.  The filling, however, had got much injured by neglect and incompleteness, and the present contractors have piled this and bridges the rest about 150 feet, through the centre of the swamp.  A cutting beyond this is finished, and men are clearing the water courses and dressing the slopes; if the weather holds good this week and the early part of next, the engines will be running from Hall’s Creek towards Shediac, at least seven miles on temporary rails.  Beyond Humphrey’s Mill, (about 3 miles from Moncton Station) men are cutting off two curves so as to take a more direct course.  Here will be a saving of a mile in distance and some labour, as the straight cuts will be more easily made than the curved ones.  About half a mile form the Mill the contractors have got a ballast hill.  Here there is a large gang of men at work filling wagons, which the engine draws as far as Cook’s Brook (about four miles).  On the way is Harris’ Mill Stream, over which a temporary wooden bridge has been built.  Along this part of the line there are three miles of the permanent way laid which looks like good substantial work.  The engine generally draws about 20 ballast wagons loaded.

We are not in possession of details of the progress of the other end of the line, but we are informed that a temporary timber bridge across the Scadouc has been made, a swamp between it and Cook’s Brook has been drained and partially ballasted, and temporary rails are now laying on it.  It is expected that with favourable weather, the temporary line will be completed from Shediac to Hall’s Creek in about three or four weeks.  Every one speaks well of the Engineer and Contractors, of their activity, energy, zeal and courtesy.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 31, 1856 – THE ST. ANDREWS RAILWAY – Freeman – It is now stated that nearly all the difficulties in the way of completing this work have been removed – that a new company has been formed – the necessary Bill passed through the Imperial Parliament, and that the assent or ratification of the Provincial Government alone is wanting.  I. W. Byrne, Esquire, and Joseph Bates, Esquire have come out from England to carry matters through, we presume as agents for the new Company, and on yesterday several persons interested in the scheme were in Saint John on their way to Fredericton (where the Council meet to-day or tomorrow) with a view for a final arrangement.  We trust all the representations made will peace correct, that no difficulties will now stand in the way, and that at length the road for which the Province has done so much will be built.  Perhaps some our readers are not aware that the Province gives what, with proper management, should be equivalent to the entire construction cost of the road to Woodstock, viz., the guarantee on £80,000 at 6 per cent, for 25 years, and 200,000 acres of land, worth when the road is built at least 20s. an acre.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 31, 1856 – The Government organs are labouring hard and heavily to raise a large capital out of what they call the rapid progress of the Railroad works between Shediac and the Bend; and it seems, (see Freeman), that the only trouble is – “how are we to deal with these men (the workmen) when their services are no longer required here?”  Good gracious! Since we have such a superabundance of men and means – like the Turkey in the nursery song, ready cooked and crying out.

“Who’ll eat me?

Why not send a few of them up to the County of York, to stay the Railway appetite in this vicinity?

But we are still further delighted to catch the scintillations of knowledge which fly in all directions from the Freeman.  Mark the following, reader! And while you mark, raise your hands in thankful admiration.  The inflation of the style will cost you nothing.

“And then we are at length to have an Immigration and Colonization scheme; no petty peddling half way measures as we understand, but one as broad, comprehensive, wise and politic, as any we have ever suggested or heard tell of – such a system as if well and earnestly carried out, can not fail to people the country.  Even within a few days, we believe this system will be thoroughly matured, and the first steps will be taken to give it effect.  We trust that on trial it will be found to be all that we are led to expect, and that the vast means now in the hands of the Government will be used wisely and well to promote the best interests of the country.”

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, October 31, 1856 – In an acquaintance of almost a quarter century with three central districts we never witnessed such extensive preparations for a winter’s business as those now in progress.  From six to seven steamers are day and night discharging their heavy supply freights from Saint John at Fredericton; and should the water rise a little higher before the closing of the River the steamers will again take place of the large fleet of Tow boats for Woodstock and Grand Falls.  The freight up the Grand Lake, and to the intermediate stations, have also been large.  What a pity that this stream of produce is not, as it should be, turned the other way, as it might be with proper management.

We believe there is not a country from which the great variety of our supplies is now imported which singly could compete with our own in producing the great necessaries of life, with many of its comforts and luxuries; but every year that passes, our principal employment – if we may use a figure – is found in cutting down the flowers, and smothering the industrious bees from which alone, in mutual dependence upon each other, the sweets of our position and resources can be realized.  We want to plant men, settlements, communities, in the heart of the country, instead of cutting away its valuable forests; for although the general system may receive temporary benefit from lumbering, as in desperate cases the human system obtains relief by bleeding, neither the one nor the other can over again find favour in connection with our domestic or physical economy.

There is however no doubt that a large business and a large revenue will be the result of the present lumber mania; and gladly would we hope that the money circulation thus initiated – to be again of course replaced by a periodical depression, may in the mean time leave a few of its benefits by the way.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, November 7, 1856 – The Railroads of Nova Scotia, not withstanding the currency of a late falsehood, are proceeding with great speed and spirit; and the same is said of our own short line from Shediac to Moncton.  The St. Andrews line to Woodstock is at last, after encountering difficulties which would have dampened the ardour of almost any people (our Charlotte friends excepted) in a fair way to be completed, while the whole line from Saint John to the Canadian boundary, is left in the shade.  In this latter however the present government is only carrying out the policy promulgated last winter by the present Attorney General.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, November 14, 1856 – PROVINCIAL – Railways Progress – Nova Scotian – We gather the subjoined resume of Railroad progress for the leader in yesterday’s Chronicle.

The Railway works eastward have never been “suspended,” and the business of surveying and locating has been so conducted, that the Board have now more road ready for contract than they can, under the Law, or with any prudent regard to the state of the labour market, advertise until next spring.

One section, of about five miles, including bridges across the Shubenacadie and Stewiacke will probably be offered for contract this autumn, so soon as the following sections are out of hand, viz: Creelman & Tupper’s contract – extending from Sackville to the Rocky Lake, finished by Blackie & Johnston; Black & Company contract extending from the head of Grand Lake; and Fraser’s contract, extending thence to about half a mile beyond Shultz’s line.

The locomotive will run, in a few days, over the whole of the first and over about half of the second section.

In about a fortnight it will run on the Truro Road, intercepting, at a point less than 2 miles on this side of Shultz’s, the stream of Easter travel.

About the latter end of this month the Cars will run so regularly to Shultz’s door 22½ miles as they now do to the village of Bedford.

Between Shultz’s and Nelson’s on the Shubenacadie, a distance of 17 miles, the Railroad tract is nearly graded.  There are some heavy clay banks still to cut through, – a viaduct and Iron Bridge work to be done.  It is contemplated that the whole line to Nelson’s within 27 miles, Truro, will be opened next July.

The section between Nelson’s and Stewiacke, including the heavy Bridges that will be required, will be offered for contract within a few weeks.  The rest of the road to Truro will be let early next spring, which will, in all probability be finished by the autumn of next year.

Forty miles, lying between Truro and Pictou will then separate us from the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  Base and trial lines, we understand have been run through all this part of the country; the work of location will be resumed in the spring, completed during the summer, and we have every reason to believe that the whole of the work will be let before the autumn, to be completed before the close of 1858.

On the Western Line the operations are advancing steadily.  From Windsor to the base of the Ardoise Hills, including a Stone and Iron Bridge across the St. Croix twenty feet higher than the one at Bedford; the works are in a state so forward that the whole line will be completed by Mr. McDonald early in the spring.

Mr. Cameron’s contract, which extends from Mr. McDonald’s to the rear of Lakeland, will be finished in June.  The two contracts extending westward from the junction are in such a condition that both will be done about the same time.  The middle section, in the rear of Mount Uniacke, where a great deal of rock must be removed, may not be finished so soon.  But there is no doubt that three fourths of the road to Windsor will be finished early in the summer of 1857, and that the whole will be completed and opened before the leaves fall.

For many months the Commissioners have disbursed, for labour alone, about £20,000 per month.

We think the foregoing, is proof sufficient to convince the most sceptical that there is no suspension of operations; and that the cry of suspended public works, raised a short time since in this Province, and carried in the wings of the press through New Brunswick and Canada, was a false alarm, and only required facts, such as these, to dissipate it to the winds.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, November 21, 1856 – RAILWAY COMMISSIONER – Standard – We are advised that His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor in Council has appointed James Boyd, Esquire, Railroad Commissioner on the part of the Government, for the St. Andrews Railway.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, November 21, 1856 – GRAND TRUNK CELEBRATION – Novascotian – Late Canadian papers are filled with accounts of the preparations for the celebration, in a style corresponding with so important an event, of the opening of the section of the Grand Trunk Railway which lies between Montreal and Toronto.  The celebrations comes off to-morrow, and our readers will scarcely wonder at the effort made to give eclat to this great achievement when they learn that it will mark the completion of a continuous line of Railway of upwards of 700 miles, under one management, placing Quebec, Montreal, and Toronto in daily communications with each other.  We understand that a large number of guests, from the United States and the British Provinces, have been invited to be present on the occasion, and among them the Members of our own Government and Railway Board.  Unfortunately, the invitations to the latter did not come to hand until Friday last – too late, owing to the execrable state of our steamboat communications with New Brunswick, to enable Members of the Government and the Railway Board to reach Montreal in time to take part in the celebration.  Much as we have disapproved of the mode in which the Grand Trunk enterprise has been prosecuted, we have never attempted to undervalue the importance of the work itself, and we sincerely regret that, on an occasion of such deep interest to all British America, our own Province will not be represented.  And we regret it the more, because we feel that the time would be a favourable one for giving expression to the sentiment which is daily and hourly deepening throughout the Province in favour of an inter-colonial Railway.  It only requires, in our opinion, a strong pull and a pull together, on the part of the three Provinces, to induce the British Government to substantially aid an undertaking which, while it offers the only solid security for permanent British Dominion on this Continent, would be fraught with manifold advantages to all the North American Colonies.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, November 28, 1856 – THE RAILWAY – Courier – We perceive by the hand bills posted about the City, that the Contractors require several hundred men immediately, to commence operations at this end of the line.  Tenders are advertised for Grading and Masonry, of the railway between the third mile stake and Nine Mile House.  Between Saint John and the third mile stake, the line will be complete forthwith, so as to convey workmen and material hence to the works.  We are happy to be able to record this fresh advance towards the completion of a Railway in the Province.  We have from time to time stated the progress of the works, and shall continue to do so.  We have never endeavoured to conceal or misstate that progress; and we leave to others the task for which they are far more able than ourselves of “humbugging” (we borrow the elegance from the Government organ) the people into the belief that something extraordinary is being done.

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Fredericton, NB – New Brunswicker Reporter, Page 2 – Friday, December 26, 1856 – THE RAILWAY WORKS – Courier – The time for receiving tenders for these works is extended to the 10^th of January next.  The public will probably like to know if any of the tenders already at hand are to be opened today, or whether they will remain sealed until the 10^th of January.  We think it desirable that after a tender has been accepted, the public, whose money is being spent, should be informed of the amount of the tenders, the names of parties tendering, and of him whose tender is accepted.  We should like also to know who has the contract for the work which employs about 50 men on the three miles at the end of the line.  By law the Railway Commissioners have no power to do work except through contract process; and the Government, which has illegally dispensed with commissioners, certainly has not.  Section 5 of the Railway Act says:– “the commissioners shall build such railway by tender and contract after the plans and specifications thereof have been duly advertised,” &c.  We have seen no advertisements for tenders for this three miles of railway, and the public should know whether the required labour of fifty men is hired by Government of by contractors.  There is an important principle involved to this question, which we may find it necessary to discuss.

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A. Clowes

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