s presumably most
interested in matters affecting more than a single colony. The British
government, however, had by this time about decided that the old policy
of treating the colonies as an estate or plantation of the mother
country, protecting or developing them in return for the monopoly of
their trade, did not pay. It had reluctantly conceded them political
home rule; it was soon to thrust upon them freedom of trade; and it was
not inclined to retain burdens when it had given up privileges. Mr
Gladstone, secretary for the Colonies, agreed, however, in 1846, to
have a survey made at the expense of the three colonies concerned.

This survey, the starting-point for the controversies and the proposals
of a generation, was completed in 1848, under Major Robinson and
Lieutenant Henderson of the Royal Engineers. 'Major Robinson's Line,'
as it came to be known, ran roughly in the direction eventually
followed by the Intercolonial--from Halifax to Truro, and thence north
to Miramichi and the Chaleur Bay, and up the {60} Metapedia valley to
the St Lawrence. The distance from Halifax to Quebec was computed at
635 miles, and the cost at L7000 sterling a mile or about L5,000,000.
Acting on the assurance of engineers that the route was feasible, each
of the three colonial governments offered in 1849 to set aside for the
work a belt of crown lands ten miles wide on each side of the railway,
and to pledge L20,000 a year to meet interest or expenses, if the
British government would undertake the project. Downing Street,
however, replied politely but emphatically that no aid could be given.

After the plan of a northern route to Quebec was thus apparently given
its quietus, interest shifted to the Portland connections. The
building of the road from Montreal to Portland added further strength
to the claims of this route. On paper, at least, it seemed possible to
make the connection between Montreal and Halifax by following either
the northern or the southern sides of the great square. One of the
southern sides was now under way, and by building the other, from
Portland to St John and Halifax, connection with the Canadas would be
completed. Under the leadership once more of John A. Poor, Portland
took up the latter project. The name of {61} the proposed road, the
European and North American, showed the influence of the same hope
which Fairbairn had expressed--that the road from Portland to Halifax
would become the channel