nd
Benton will become to Edmonton what St. Paul in Minnesota is to Manitoba.

With a view to bringing the regions of the Saskatchewan into a state of
order and security, and to establish the authority and jurisdiction of
the Dominion Government, as well as to promote the colonization of the
country known as the "Fertile Belt," and particularly to guard against
the deplorable evils arising out of an Indian war, I would recommend the
following course for the consideration of your Excellency. 1st--The
appointment of a Civil Magistrate or Commissioner, after the model of
similar appointments in Ireland and in India. This official would be
required to make semi-annual tours through the Saskatchewan for the
purpose of holding courts; he would be assisted in the discharge of his
judicial functions by the civil magistrates of the Hudson Bay Company who
have been already nominated, and by others yet to be appointed from
amongst the most influential and respected persons of the French and
English half-breed population. This officer should reside in the Upper
Saskatchewan.

2nd. The organization of a well-equipped force of from 100 to 150 men,
one-third to be mounted, specially recruited and engaged for service in
the Saskatchewan; enlisting for two or three years service, and at
expiration of that period to become military settlers, receiving grants
of land, but still remaining as a reserve force should their services be
required.

3rd. The establishment of two Government stations, one on the Upper
Saskatchewan, in the neighbourhood of Edmonton, the other at the
junctions of the North and South Branches of the River Saskatchewan,
below Carlton. The establishment of these stations to be followed by the
extinguishment of the Indian title, within certain limits, to be
determined by the geographical features of the locality; for instance,
say from longitude of Carlton House eastward to junction of-two
Saskatchewans, the northern and southern limits being the river banks.
Again, at Edmonton, I would recommend the Government to take possession
of both banks of the Saskatchewan River, from Edmonton House to Victoria,
a distance of about 80 miles, with a depth of, say, from six to eight
miles. The districts thus taken possession of would immediately become
available for settlement, Government titles being given at rates which
would induce immigration. These are the three general propositions, with
a few additions to be mentioned herea