Waddington to Secretary of State

Your Lordship may not be aware that I have spent a vast amount
of time and money in British Columbia in attempting to promote
the construction of an Overland railroad through British North
America and that I obtained certain privileges there for that purpose.

I had the honor shortly after my arrival in England two years
ago to submit to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham (March 10th
1868) a letter from the then Governor of British Columbia, dated
Septr 25th 1867 referring the whole matter to the Secretary
of State for the Colonies; and his Grace advised me to see the
Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company, who were at that time in
possession of the Saskatchewan Territory, and with whom some
previous arrangement was necessary before proceeding further.

Supposing that difficulty settled, I had the honor in June last
of addressing two pamphlets to your Lordship, the latter
containing an exact description of the line of road I propose
following, and I now intend leaving for Canada next week, so as
to be in Ottawa at the opening of the Parliament, and prepare
the way for obtaining, if possible, the necessary privileges for
carrying out this vast project.

Under these circumstances I take the liberty of asking the favor
of an introduction to the present Governor General Sir John
Young, with whom I am not acquainted, explaining the nature of
my mission; and I trust your Lordship will have the Kindness to
grant my request.