The central theme of this study is the development of communications of the Red River Settlement by way of St. Paul from 1859 to 1870. In 1859 the interests of the Hudson's Bay Company, the people of Red River, and the St. Paul business men became interlocked in the St. Paul route. The thesis submitted here is that these three parties which perpetuated trade on the St. Paul route in the decade of the 186O's helped to preserve the economic character of the relations between Red River and St. Paul.