Ocean to Ocean

In 1872, as the Canadian Pacific Railway was starting to be built (on credit), the surveyors had a rough idea of the route between Winnipeg ("Fort Garry") and "British Columbia" but not exactly how to get there across the Rockies or where to end up in BC. So they crossed the continent, and journalled it, probably to make literally any money at all.

The Reverend on the trip has a lovely description of the scenery, possibly because some of this also includes some polemics on why Canada is much better than the USA in both land resources, and British temperament. He is clearly in favour of Confederation and against America's Manifest Destiny.

There's also some gorgeous prints of the landscapes which are most enjoyable.

However literally the point of all of this is colonialism and capitalism in the most glowing and literal terms. "How can we extract wealth from this land we now own" is all but a quote. There's a lot of coverage of the "Indians" or "the red man" and at best this is benevolent racism, talking about how they're friendly and just need civilising. Being Christian and living in a house is the ticket.