to the east of the Rocky Mountains. I had to leave hurriedly to meet the United States Commissioner at St. Paul, Minnesota, and immediately afterwards, in consequence of rumours that the Prairie Indians were assuming a hostile attitude, I had to hasten to join the expedition. Since that time it is only within the last few days that I have been able to turn my attention from the discharge of my duties under Her Majesty's Commission to the subject of the report now submitted. I have the honour to be, sir, Your most obedient and humble servant, (Signed) D. R. CAMERON, Major, R. A., The Honourable The SECRETARY OF STATE, DOMINION OF CANADA. Report on the probable expense of marking the British Alaskan Boundary Line, and the time required to complete the work. The boundary line which is the subject of this Report is described in Articles III and IV of the Convention between Great Britain and Russia, signed at St. Petersburgh, 28th (16th) February, 1825. These articles are as follows: III. The line of demarcation between the possessions of the High Contracting Parties upon the coast of the continent and the islands of America to the north-west, shall be drawn in the manner following: 180 Commencing from the southernmost point of the island called the Prince of Wales Island, which point lies in the "parallel of 54° 40′ north latitude, and between the 131st and 133rd degree of west longitude (meridian of Greenwich), the said line shall ascend to the north along the channel called Portland Channel, as far as the point of the continent where it strikes the 56th degree of north latitude; and from this last-mentioned point the line of demarcation shall follow the summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast as far as the point of intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude (of the same meridan); and finally from the said point of intersection the said meridian line of the 141st degree in its prolongation as far as the Frozen Ocean shall form the limit between the Russian and British possessions on the continent of America to the north-west." IV. With reference to the line of demarcation laid down in the preceding articles it is understood:- "1st. That the Island called Prince of Wales Island shall belong wholly to Russia. "2nd. That wherever the summit of the mountains that extend in a direction parallel to the coast from the 56th degree of north latitude to the point of intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude shall prove to be at the distance of more than ten marine leagues from the ocean, the limit between the British possessions and the line of coast which is to belong to Russia, as above mentioned, shall be formed by a line parallel to the windings of the coast, and which shall never exceed the distance of ten marine leagues therefrom.". Alaska was transferred by Russia to the United States by treaty, signed at Washington on the 30th March, 1867; and the British Alaskan boundary line was described in that treaty by a repetition of Articles III and IV now quoted. For the demarcation of the described line it is considered that an expedition organized of one astronomical party and two surveying parties will be efficient and most economical. By a larger party the work might be accomplished in less time; but the cost of first outfit and the additional current expenditure involved in distributing provisions and supplies regularly to numerous distant points would be much and disproportionately increased. The smaller the expedition may be compatibly with efficiency the less will be the cost of the undertaking. The annual cost of maintaining such an organization as is described in the field will vary greatly with the transport that may be necessary; and the amount and kind of transport will depend upon the extent and conditions of the country to be covered at one time. It is understood that the Government of the United States, in view of the costliness of marking the line throughout and the small present advantage to be derived from the undertaking, are of opinion that it will be sufficient to determine the limits of the territory accessible to settlers, and upon navigable waters and rivers; and have referred to the following points as of importance:— The southernmost point of the Prince of Wales Island; The point on the parallel of 56° north latitude, at which the line leaves Portland Channel; The points at which the line crosses the following rivers: The Stakeen, The Taku, The Chilcat, The Alsekh, The Yukon, and The Porcupine. The Government of Canada, also influenced by the costliness of the undertaking, recommend limiting the demarcation to that portion of the line extending from the most southerly point at the Prince of Wales Island northerly and westerly to Mount St. Elias. It is to be noted that to the north of the place at which the Government of Canada propose the work should terminate for the present, the United States Government desire to mark only two points—the crossings of the Rivers Yukon and Porcupineand that the marking of these two points may be accomplished without increasing the strength of the expedition beyond what would be necessary were these two points neglected. The astronomical party to do the work would be in the field and equipped in all respects, except as regards provisions and a small increase to its transport. 181 It is considered that while the surveyors would be necessarily occupied elsewhere, the astronomers might certainly ascertain the points of intersection of the meridian of 141° west longitude with the rivers Yukon and Porcupine, in addition to the southernmost point of Prince of Wales Island, and that of the parallel of 56° north latitude where the line changes its course in the Portland Channel. While the United States Government have indicated a definite plan of procedure, and named the points of the boundary which they consider it essential should be marked, the Government of Canada make no reference to such details, and therefore leave it to be assumed that they expect the terms of the Treaty to be fully and strictly carried out. The cost of marking the line will be seriously affected by the view which may prevail on this subject. The Treaty describes a line which, in its course northerly from Portland Channel to its intersection with the meridian of 141° west longitude, traverses a very mountainous and heavily wooded country, and defines it as following, "The summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast," or, where mountains are not within ten marine leagues of the sea, then "parallel to the windings of the coast" at no greater distance than ten leagues. To carry out these terms it would be necessary to complete a survey of the belt of country between the coast line and mountain summits, about 900 miles in length, and occasionally, perhaps, ten marine leagues in breadth. The coast line might furnish an exceptionally advantageous base of supplies; but notwithstanding this advantage the difficulties with which the surveying parties would have to contend in their progress inland, the necessarily circuitous course of their movements, and the extreme irregularity of the line to be marked-at times passing from mountain top to mountain top, at others repeating the meandering of a coast, broken by numerous bays, long narrow inlets and river mouths-would be of the most serious description. The plan contemplated by the United States Government is one which, at first sight, would appear to render the operation of an expedition simple, expeditious and economical; all the stations named excepting, perhaps, the Porcupine River, might be reached by water, and three seasons- -April to October inclusive-would suffice to complete the work. Under any circumstances it is considered necessary that the expedition should be assembled and organized at Victoria, Vancouver's Island. The advantage of employing officers and men who have been disciplined and trained in the same scientific school is so marked, that there is no room to doubt the work may be most efficiently performed by the Royal Engineers. The men employed to assist astronomers and surveyors, and several artificers, might be provided by the Royal Engineers at much less cost to the public, exclusive of fares in going from and returning to even England, than would be involved by hiring in British Columbia, where the labour market is very limited and wages are very high. The rates of wages at Vancouver's Island have been examined, and in such cases as hired labour would be most economical, the preference has been given in the accompanying detailed estimate to the provincial market. Assuming that Royal Engineers will be employed as astronomer's and surveyor's assistants, and in some cases as artificers, they should arrive at Victoria in November preceding the spring in which operations would be commenced in the field. They should be accompanied by the Chief Astronomer and an assistant officer, and be employed during the winter in preparing for operations in spring. An experienced army control officer should leave England for San Francisco and Vancouver's Island not later than June preceding the arrival of the Engineers, to purchase and forward supplies and superintend their storage and preparations for distribution in the following spring. With regard to commissariat supplies-food, clothing, and general stores-a comparison of detailed price list, furnished for the purpose of this report by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and Her Majesty's Consul at San Francisco, with the experience gained during the operations of the boundary expedition in the North-West Territories, shows that from San Francisco all goods, with the exception of clothing, may be obtained most cheaply-clothing may be most economically purchased in England. 182 The British Columbia market can compete with the United States and England only in respect of a few unimportant articles which are produced to suit the local climate and the country. Mules, of which a large number will be required if the line be marked as laid down by the Treaty, have been estimated to cost $200 each. According to the place of purchase their prices vary from $100 to $200 each. The higher rate has been taken to cover transport, deaths, and loss from other causes. Should the United States scheme of procedure be adopted, or that proposed in this report, mules would be replaced by boats and steam launches, and a large saving in forage, in wages and food, &c., for muleteers and in transport would be effected. Boats may be most conveniently built at Vancouver's Island. Machinery may be purchased for them either in England or the States. Staff Commander Pender, R. N., has had great experience of the coast of British Columbia, and would probably be best qualified to give advice with reference to boats suited for the expedition. Principal depôts should be established at Fort Simpson, at the mouth of Portland Channel, and at Fort Yukon, where Porcupine River joins the Yukon River, to meet the requirements of the expedition if the proposed alteration in the Treaty stipulations be not adopted. Should the alteration be approved, no principal depôt would be needed at Fort Simpson, but, instead, one would have to be established at the head of navigation, up Linn Channel. Here, too, winter quarters for the party, or a portion of it, might be most conveniently placed. Additional winter accommodation in the neighbourhood of Fort Yukon would be required. Such written accounts of the Indians of Alaska as have been accessible tend to show that while they are treacherous and ready to take advantage when success is sure, they are devoid of courage and easily repressed by a firm bearing towards them. It is, however, deemed necessary that arms and ammunition should be provided for every member of the expedition. In 1851, Lieutenant Bernard, of H. M.S. “Enterprise," and the whole population of Nulato were massacred in the most brutal manner by the Koyukun Indians of Yukon River. The origin of the tragedy was that while at a meal Lieutenant Bernard, then a member of a party in search of Sir John Franklin, stated his intention of sending for the chief of the Koyukun tribe to obtain information. The remark was repeated to the chief, who took offence. Again in 1855, the natives and Creoles of Andreaffsky, at the mouth of the Yukon, massacred the Russians there. On each occasion the attacked were defenceless. When Vancouver was exploring in the neighbourhood of Portland Channel the Indians there made an attempt to overpower his party, but upon decided resistance being offered, immediately fled. These instances are sufficient to indicate the necessity for the observance of precautionary measures to prevent surprise at depôts and attacks on isolated parties. NOTE.-The Appendix to this report, which may be found in Canadian Sessional Papers, 1878, deals with a mass of detail of no importance in this discussion. It is, therefore, not published here. The Earl of Carnarvon to the Earl of Dufferin. Canada.-No. 251.] DOWNING STREET, October 22, 1875. MY LORD: I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington, reporting a conversation with Mr. Fish, respecting the settlement of some British subjects at a point near the Stikine River, alleged by American officers to be within the United States territory and below 183 the British Custom House, which is also stated to be within the United States boundary. In view of the circumstances represented by Mr. Fish, it appears to Her Majesty's Government desirable that an officer should be sent by your Government or by the Provincial Government of British Columbia, to ascertain whether the settlement alluded to and the British Custom House are within British territory. I should be glad to be informed whether your Government are prepared to take this course. I have, &c. (Signed) Governor General The Right Honourable CARNARVON. The EARL OF ĎUFFERIN, K.P., K.C.B., &c., &c., &c. Sir E. Thornton to the Earl of Derby. WASHINGTON, September 27, 1875. MY LORD: During an interview with Mr. Fish, on the 23rd instant, he read me a couple of letters which had been received from the United States Collector of Customs at Sitka, in Alaska, in which the Collector states that a party of British subjects had settled near the bank of the River Stikine, at a point which they declared was within the territory of British Columbia, but which American officers on the spot believed and asserted to be within the territory of the United States. The point was stated to be below the British Custom House on the Stikine, which Custom House was also supposed to be within the United States territory, that is, within ten marine leagues from the coast at which the boundary should be in accordance with the provisions of the 4th Article of the Convention of the 28th February, between Great Britain and Russia. The Collector's letter further stated that the British Deputy Collector on the Stikine had given his opinion that the new settlement was within United States territory, and it added that the settlers were laying out the plan of a town, and that it was said that they had applied to the Government of British Columbia for titles to the land. Mr. Fish asked what I thought could be done to settle the question. of jurisdiction. I replied that the occurrence went to prove the wisdom of the recommendation of Her Majesty's Government that no time should be lost in laying down the boundary between the two territories. As it was, I could see no way of deciding the question except by sending officers, on behalf of each country, to take observations and determine on whose territory the new settlers had established themselves. I observed that when the question of laying down the boundary was discussed about two years ago it was suggested that if the whole survey could not be made the points where the territories met could be fixed on the rivers which run through both of them. Mr. Fish replied that even for this partial survey he feared that it would be difficult to obtain the necessary grant during the next Session of Congress, but he suggested that, as the weight of evidence seemed at present to be in favour of the point in question being in United States territory, the settlers should be called upon to suspend operations for the present and until the question of territory could be decided. Upon this subject Her Majesty's Government will no doubt take such steps as it may deem expedient. During the winter nothing can be done by the settlers, but as it is supposed that they have been attracted to that country by the supposed existence of large quantities of silver and gold, it is not likely that they will refrain from visiting the ground as soon as the season will allow them to work. I have, &c., (Signed) The Right Honourable The EARL OF DERBY. 184 E. THORNTON. The Earl of Dufferin to the Earl of Carnarvon. OTTAWA, November 24, 1875. MY LORD: With reference to your Lordship's despatch, No. 251, of the 22nd October last, respecting the occupation by British subjects of territory near the Stikine River, alleged to be within the United States, I have the honour to enclose herewith a Report of my Privy Council, from which your Lordship will learn that my Ministers, recognizing the advisability of a more expeditious settlement of the matter than would appear possible were the point in dispute left to be decided with the larger question of the Alaska boundary in which it is embraced, recommend that measures for securing such a settlement should be concerted between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States with as little delay as possible. I have forwarded a copy of this report to Her Majesty's Minister at Washington. I have, &c., The Right Honourable The EARL OF CARNARVON, &c., &c., &c. Copy of a Report of a Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council, approved by His Excellency the Governor General in Council on the 23rd November, 1875. The Committee of Council have had under consideration the despatch of the Right Honourable the Earl of Carnarvon to his Excellency the Governor General, transmitting a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington on the subject of a settlement lately made by British subjects "at a point near the Stikine River, alleged by American officers to be within United States territory and below the British Custom House, which is also stated to be within the United States boundary." In the discussion of this subject between Sir Edward Thornton and Mr. Fish, the latter suggested that, as the weight of the evidence seemed at present to be in favour S. Doc. 162, 58-2, vol 3- -23 |