Cubic feet of timber, in temporary work, 2,250,000. Number of rivets, 2,500,000. Acres of painting on tubes, one coat, 30; or for the four coats, 120 acres. Length of abutments, 242 feet each. of north approach, 1,344 feet. 46 of south approach, 1,033. Force employed in construction during summer of 1858, the working season extending from the middle of May to the middle of November: Steamboats, 6; horse power, 450 Barges, 72... 12,000 tons. 500 sailors. Manned by. In stone quarries.. On works, artisans, &c...... 450 men. 2,090 men. REMARKS. SYNOPSIS OF PLANS PROPOSED FOR A BRIDGE OVER THE ST. LAWRENCE, AT MONTREAL .... Stone and wood. ..... 12,540 25 *No plan or estimate-line of soundings taken only. THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. THE whole of the telegraphic system of Canada (except the private lines belonging to railway companies) is in the hands of one company. The Montreal Telegraph Company was organized in 1847, and first opened between Quebec and Toronto. The following figures show the progress of this company: towns and villages in both provinces. There are thirty-two poles to the mile, and the wire is number eight and nine, galvanized. The line is worked on the Morse principle, and nearly every thing is taken by sound. The business, after the crisis of 1857, fell off to a considerable extent, but during the last two years it has gradually increased, and the number of messages passing over the line in 1861, amounted to 300,000. All except the second wire between Halifax and Truro, are of number nine ungalvanized wire; the poles are spruce and tamarack, from thirty-five to forty to the mile. The second wire, from Truro to Halifax, is number nine galvanized wire. The telegraph in Nova Scotia was constructed by the provincial government. CHAPTER I. EARLY TRADE OF CANADA. THREE hundred and twenty-seven years ago, Jacques Cartier, of St. Malo, discovered the St. Lawrence,* sailed up its mighty stream for several hundred miles, formed alliances with the Indians, built a fort, and wintered in the country. In 1549, the colonization of the newly discovered "Canada" was commenced, under the auspices of Roberval, the first viceroy, and an attempt made to establish a traffic in furs with the natives; but, in consequence of the loss of Roberval and some of his companions, at sea, in 1549, and European distractions arising from the wars between France, Spain, and Austria, no further effort was made for nearly half a century to colonize the valley of the St. Lawrence. In 1581, a trade with Canada began to spring into activity, and in 1591 a fleet of ships was fitted out by the adventurous inhabitants of St. Malo, to engage in the Canada trade, and, chiefly, to procure the teeth of the walrus, which at that time was common in the gulf and estuary of the St. Lawrence. In 1603, a company of adventurers, headed by M. de Chauvin, lieutenant-general of Canada and Acadia, received a royal charter from Henry IV., of France, and established a regular system of trade in the colony. Ten years later, Champlain obtained a commission authorizing him to seize every vessel, not holding a license, he should find trafficking in furs between Quebec and the upper part In 1508, one Thomas Aubert made a voyage from Dieppe to Newfoundland, and sailed up the estuary of the St. Lawrence. |