Intercolonial Railway

   Surveys proposed by the government of Canada in 1863. Three engineers were to be appointed, one by the Imperial government, one by Canada, and one by the Maritime Provinces. They all nominated the same man, Sandford Fleming, by whom the surveys were accordingly carried out. The railway was made a condition of the union of the Maritime Provinces with Canada, and the work of construction was pushed forward, the line being formally opened July 1, 1876. In 1871 the Prince Edward Island Railway was begun, and in 1873 it became a portion of the Intercolonial system. Other extensions and branches were built or acquired, the line finally running from Sydney and Halifax to Montreal.

   Index: Md Negotiations for, begun, 45, 117; arranged for, by British North America Act, 151; difficulty in selecting route, 152,153; northern route finally adopted, 153. E Project to combine with Grand Trunk, 100; history of negotiations after failure of larger scheme, 100-101. H Recommended in Durham's Report, 118; company formed in London, 118-119; "Robinson Line" surveyed, 119; Joseph Howe's connection with (see under Howe); new route proposed, 141-143; Imperial guarantee refused, 143. BL Brought under consideration, 1849, 287; Hincks on, 332. B Members of British government in 1862 favourable to, except Gladstone, 143; George Brown a convert to the scheme, 166; opposed by Dorion, 175. C Cartier advocates roundabout route, for military and political reasons, 49-50; Major Robinson's report, 49. T Proposal to build through St. John Valley, 26; delegates consult British government, 26; arrangements made with Jackson. 27; British government refuses to guarantee interest, 45; St. John to Shediac line, 46-47; history of, 53-58, 90, 111-112, 116, 119, 122.

   Bib.: Fleming, The Intercolonial; Fleming, Historical Sketch of the Intercolonial Railway in Canada: An Ency., vol. 2.