OUR ISLAND STORY . 65

provinces and in the compilation of the British North America Act.. It was suggested at one of these interviews that the sum of $800,000 should be set apart by Canada, in addition to the am- ounts stipulated in the terms previously Offered, for the purpose of purchasing the prOprietory estates upon a plan similar tO that by which the Seigneuries Of Quebec had been abolished. Publi- city was given tO this proposal. At that time by far the greater number of the people Of Prince Edward Island were tenants Of absentee landlords, and all were anxious that the prOprietory System shOuld be abolished. But they had not the power to com- pel the proprietors to sell their estates, and they had not the money to pay for the fee-simple of the lands they held. The hope that free land'would be obtained if they were to consent to the entry of Prince Edward Island into the Union modified to a con— siderable extent their opposition to the proposal.

At the same time there was need Of additional facilities for transportation throughout the Island. The progress Of passen-V gers and the carriage of goods were slow and inadequate by means Of stage coaches and truck horses, schooners and boats. Prince EdWard Island was not keeping pace with the neighbm mg colonies

of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 1n respect to the construct— 4 ion of railways. It was, therefore, proposed that a railway should be constructed between Alberton and Georgetown. This pro- .posal was, after much political agitation, carried into effect. Then branch lines Of railway were extended to Tignish and Souris.

The construction of the railway was authorized by the Legis— lature in the year 1871. In the course Of his speech from the

Throne at the opening Of the Legislature in that year, Lieut. Gov- . i

ernor Robinson said: “I am Of Opinion. that the facilities for the ' transport and Shipment Of the productions of Prince Edward Island are now inadequate and that you will do well to consider the expediency of constructing a railroad through the Island. ” On the 17th Of March, the Leader of the Government, the Hon. 1 James C. Pope, submitted a resOlution setting forth the expediency of constructing the proposed railroad. This resolution was dis- cussed 1n committee until the 4th Of April. The committee then reported that Whereas the trade and exports of this Island have

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