PROGRESS OF THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 86, 18 January 1872, Page 3

PROGRESS OF THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.

(From the Neics of the World.) A telegram, published on the 30th ultimo, announced that the Northern Pacific Railroad Company" has made three important contracts. The first is for the completion of a road, before December Ist (the year is not mentioned, but presumptively 1871 is meant), from Sauk Rapids on the Mississippi, in latitude 45.30, to Brainard, a distance of about 100 miles This may be considered as a branch or lateral road between the Mississippi River, and Lake Superior. Another line between the lake and river, with one terminus at Duhitli and the other at St. Paul, is already" complete. The next contract is for 200 miles from the Red River, to be completed before July Ist, 1873. We have no information of the completion of the road to Red River, but the company" promised that the cars should reach it before August last. This contract implies that that section is done, or nearly so. Red River runs northward for 300 miles in American territory, but having its outlet in British America, and not being accessible for steamers from the American rivers or lakes, it and its valley have not been so well known as other streams and valleys further west and north. The distance of the river from Lake Superior is 26G miles, aud adding to this the 200 miles contracted for between the Red and Missouri Rivers, we have 4GG miles on the main line to be done before July Ist, 1873. A third contract calls for the completion of 350 miles from St. Cloud in the Mississippi River, near Sank Rapids to Pembina on the Red River, tibout latitude 40. This a branch road, and will be of immense service in developing the resources of North-western Minnesto, and also of Manitoba, which is now practically isolated. By giving the people there a connection with the American railroad system, they will be brought into intimate political and commercial relations with the United States, and will be more and more under American influence.

The grading of twenty-five miles from the Columbia River northwards towards Puget Sound has been completed, and the rails are to be put down before the end of the year. Promises have been made that the work should be pushed more energetically at this end, and perhaps they will be kept next year. So far, however, tho company seems to have devoted nearly all its attention to the district cast of the Missouri, where the purchases and contracts cover more than 1000 miles of main and branches. The St. Paul’s branch runs nearly south from Duluth, and with the other branches the company will control the principal routes through Minnesta.