^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I |2£ 12.5 US — - 2.0 US IS 14.0 IL25 i 1.4 I 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 87II-4503 \ SJ \\ ^""1^ "tf^^ ^^ ^Q".A ^^^j^ V^^' -sj,^ r CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microrsproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Notaa t^jchniquaa at bibiiographiquoa Tha Inatituta haa anamptad to obtain tha baat original copy avaiiabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction. or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chaekad balow. 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Laa ditaiis da cat axamplaira qui sont paut-4tra uniquaa du point da vua bibliographiqua. qui pauvant modifiar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mithoda normala da filmaga aont indiquia d-daaaoua. □ Colourad pagaa/ Pagaa da couiaur □ Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagiaa □ Pagaa rcatorad and/or laminatad/ Pagaa D raatauriaa at/ou palliculAaa diacolourad. stainad or foxat Pagaa dteoiorAaa. tachatiaa ou piquiaa Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa ditachAas Showthrough/ Tranaparanca Quality of prir QualitA inAgaia da I'impraaaion Includaa aupplamantary matarii Comprand du matiriai supplAmantaira Only adition avaiiabia/ Saula Mition diaponibia r~7 Pagaa diacolourad. stainad or foxad/ hZi Pagaa |~n Pagaa datachad/ Showthrough/ T? rn Quality of print variaa/ r~1 Includaa aupplamantary matarial/ rn Only adition avaiiabia/ Pagaa wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissuaa, etc.. have been refiimed to enaure tha baat possible image/ Lee pagaa totalement ou partiellement obacurciaa par un fauiilet d'errata. una pelure. etc.. ont At* filmAes i nouveau da faqon A obtanir la mailleure imaga possible. This item is filmed at tha reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux da r*duction indiqu* ei-deaaoua. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X »X y 12X 16X aox 24X 28X 32X Th« copy filmed hw hat b—n raproduccd thanks to tlM gancroaity of: L'axamplaira fllm4 f ut raproduit grica i la g^nAroaitA da: SMninary of Qutbtc Library Siminaira di QuMmc BiUiortiAque Tha imagaa appearing hara ara tlia baat quality poaaibia considaring tha condition and laglbliity of tha original copy and In kaaping with tha filming contract apaeificatlona. Laa Imagaa auhraintaa ont 4tA raprodultaa avae la plua grand aoin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da l'axamplaira fllmA, at an eonformiti avac laa condMona du contrat da fllmaga. Original coplaa In printad papar eovara ara fllmad beginning with ttia front covar and ending on tha laat page with a printad or llluatratad Impraa- aion, or tha back cover when appropriate. All other original coplaa are filmed beginning on tlie firat page with a printed or llluatratad imprea> aion, and ending on the laet pege with a printad or illuatratad impreaakin. Lea exemplalrae origlneux dont la couverture en papier eet ImprimAe sont filmte an commen^nt par la premier plat at en termlnent aolt par la dami^re page qui comporte une empreinte dimpreaaion ou dllluatration, aolt par la second plat, aelon le oea. Toua lee eutrea axempiairae origlneux aont fllmte an commen^nt par la pramiire page qui comporte une empreinte dimpreaaion ou d'llluatration at en termlnent per la damiAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The laat recorded frame on eeeh microfiche ahail contain the aymboi — ^ (meening "CON- TINUED"), or the aymboi V (meening "END"), whichever eppllea. Un dee aymbdae aulvanta apparaftra aur la damlAre Image do cheque microfiche, aelon le cae: le aymbole — »> signifle "A 8UIVRE", le aymbola y aignlfia "FIN". Mapa, platea. eharta, etc.. may be filmed et different reduction retloa. Thoae too large to be entirely included in one expoaure ara filmed beginning in the upper left hend comer, left to right and top to bottom, ae many framea aa required. The following diagrama illuatrate the method: Lee cartea. pkincliea. tableeux. etc.. peuvent itre filmte i dee taux do rMuctlon diff Arents. Loreque le document eet trop grand pour Atre reprodult en un aaul ciich4. II eat film* A partir da I'angle aupMeur gauche, de gauche i droite, et de heut en bee, en prenent le nombre d'Imegee nAceaaalre. Lee diagrammea suhranta llluatrent la m4thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■«/' "^ I m -/ ^^^^''<-M.U^6li^ ^^'^f 1 . . i v ; CONSIDERATIONS V V ON THX PAST, PllESENT & FUTURE CONDITION or THE CAWADAS. BY HENRY TAYLOR. ■•*■ m — ^*- ■ ■ ■ ; •: No. I. MONTREAL: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY JOHN LOVELL, SAINT NICHOLAS STREET. 1839. and Sir James was called home the same year, nothing more was done respecting it. The second and third Articles in the ProspectuM being engendered by the late disastrous events, have,, of course, to be considered for the first time. The fourth Article, on the expediency of an application being made to the Home Government, or to the Imperial Parliament, for the exclusive supply of the British West India Islands and Set- tlements, has engaged my attention for several years. On this subject, I beg leave to mention that, during my residence in Halifax, Nova Scotia, being one of the Committee of Trade of that town, I exerted myself, with the other members, to obtain the exclusion of American vessels from the supply of those Islands with fish of all kinds. During nigh twenty years, v/e annually sent home memorials and documents, proving the great de- triment suffered by the fisheries and trade of Nova Scotia from the Americans, and it was not until the time arrived, wlien the British Provinces could prove their capacity to furnish all the fish required for the annual supply of those Islands and Settlements, that we obtained the exclusion of American vessels with those articles. In 1834, I repaired to Toronto, and resided there till January last. In the Sessions of the Provincial Parliament, ])revious to leaving, I pre^ sented a statement to iIjc Legislative Council on the subject of this fourth Article, stc,tino' the losses I that hadocciiredto the Provuice by the exporta- tion of wheat to Great Britain, tlie capacity of tlie Mother (Country and the North American Provin- ces for the total supply of the West India Settle- ments, and the great advantages which would re- sult (by the direct supply of thjse with flour, bread stufTs and provisions) to ihe British North American Provinces. A Comioiltce was appointed by the Council to consider the memorial, but it being late in the Session it was postponed, and the late oulbreak intervening, put an end to my proceedings. On the fifth Article, namely, a consideration of a Hepresentative Union of the British North Ame- rican Provinces and the Parent State, I have to say, that about the year 1822, in an article I then j)ublished in the Montreal Herald^ I first men- tioned the idea tathe public of the necessity that would probably arise for a Representative Union of these North American Colonies with the Parent State, by Representatives sent to the Imperial Parliament, and I engaged ta resume the subject at a future period. During my slay in London, from 1829 to 1834, I was much pleased to find this idea supported and brought before the House of Com- mons, in the first Session of the Reformed Par- liament, by Mr. Joseph Hume, who, in a very luminous speech, developed the resources and po- pulation of all the British Colonies in the East and West Indies, Mediteranean, &c. and strongly advocated the necesity and expediency of hav- :t i ing them all represented in the Imperial Parlia- ment. The plan itself was not disapproved of by the Ministry but, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer observed, it was impracticable to enter on the discussion in the first turbulent Session of of a Reformed Parliament, Mr. Hume withdrew his motion, declaring however his intention of bringing forward the measure in the next Ses- sion. In the interim, he having been drawn into •a Correspondence with the now renegade Mac- kenzie, and others of that stamp in Upper Cana- da ; he had addressed to him or to them his noto- rious ** baneful domination " letter, and during the second Session of the Reformed Parliament he appeared to have entirely given up his inten- tion of bringing forward his motion for the repre- sentation of the Colonies in Parliament. On my observing this to be the case, and finding that notwithstanding the British Parliament had recently granted to the Canadian House of As- sembly, the disposal of the proceeds of 14th Geo. III. on condition they would grant a permanent Civil List ; finding, I say, that the House of As- sembly did not comply with this condition, and being much disappointed in that, the differences in the Provincial Legislature still continued to itugment, I addressed a letter to Mr. Hume, stat- ing the satisfaction I had felt on his motion for the representation of the Colonies, and express- ing my conviction that'flothing would prove more effective in terminating the differences, than such ■/~^ s a measure well accomplished. To this I received an answer by letter, the substance of which was ; " that as long as the Colonies were continued " under the direction of the Colonial Office, he ** was of opinion they should be represented in *' the Imperial Parlament ; buc ihat his own wish " was, that the Canadas should be 5e//rtT to govern " themselves as the United Stales do, adding that *' some arrangements should at same tiaie take " place by which their connection with Great *' Britain should be regulated, and concluding with " an observation that unless good government took " place here, the country could not prosper." On my return to Canada, I found his domination letter in the public prints, and observing the coincidence of it with his letter to me, I could not but conclude that his correspondence with the leaders of the disaffected party in Upper Canada and his views formed thereon, concerning the Canadas, had been the cause of his abandoning his measure for the representation of the Colonies, a measure by which I veiily believe he would have succeeded in rendering them great, solid, and du- rable advantasies, and have contributed to the con- solidation of the Empire itself. As this representation of the Colonies has been advocated, both before the separation of the old Colonies, (now the United States,) and since, by some of the first writers in Great Britain, and as the events that have occurred during the last I'vcntv years in the Provhiccs. and more especially their lamented consequences in the last and pre- sent year, have all been j^radually proving the necessity of a closer unioti with the Parent vState, we trust the rcasoninfij in favour of it in this Work will be successful in attracting the attention of the British Governiuent to the plan proposed,^ I have now to explain the causes that during the almost exclusive occupation of the public mind, in the means of defence of the Province, I have ventured to call their attention to the abovenaraed important objects in the following work. It was with deep felt emotions of regret and surprize that 1, as one born in a country almost proverbial for the moderate taxation of its in- habitants, beheld a large part of it involved in all the horrors of Rebellion. The causes which led thereto have been ably cxplaineil by nu- merous pens, who general*}^ agree in referring it to the misplaced indulgence, and unlimited desire, of conciliation pursued by the British Government with regard to the party opposed to them, and on this subject of conciliation I beg leave to remark, that, if by that term be understood the constitutional redress of real grievances flow- ing from a reasonable wish, to preserve the peace and harmony of the Province, it is certainly bo far praisewortliy ; but when once the leader of that party had presumed to avow republican doctrines or predilection in the Parliament of the Province, all subsequent concessions might have been fore- seen to be fiuitless, and ought to have been con- y 10 sidered as derogatory to the Government. Th6 original error, however, seems to have been the giving up of the disposal of the proceeds of 14th George III. to the Houses of Assembly; since that concession, no House of Assembly could be depended on for the proper supply of the wants of Government. To this cause may be added the imprudent and wavering declarations of some of the British Ministry in the House of Commons. It was stated by Sir John Russell, that were it liot for the declared resolution of the British portion of the Province (Lower) to insist on the present Union with the Parent State, and also the necessity of retaining this Province as a Key to the Upper, " He should have no objection to cast the French population loose to themselves." A declaration of this kind must of necessity have acted lik a talisman on the propensities of every disloyal leader of that popu- lation ; accordingly, and no doubt with a view to bring about this object, we find among the latfe acts of Mr. Papineau, ^n expression of his entire readiness to meet the Upper Province to any ex- tent in the public improvements relating to a com- munication by canal to Montreal. The hot-headed confidence of the popular leaders, in allowing a part of the people to rush into premature rebel- lion seems to have overthrown the (leep designs <^f the arch leader, and we may observe, that these rebellions have had at least one good effect, they have shewn the futility of the boasted numbers of u the French population to maintain a successful one. These leaders have desired to try the power of England to retain the conquest of the Province achieved by the immortal Wolfe, and the dreadful result is now before them ; and this event, like many more of the dispensations df Providence bringing, good from evil, will probably produce a long duration of peace and security to the Province. And this peace and security, if followed up with proper vigilance on the part of Government, in preventing the introduction of munitions of war fromthe neighbouring States, cannot even belong interrupted by what has been erroneousl}' called the sympathy of the adjoining States. Neighbouring nations, have indeed frequently allowed their subjects to take part in the internal broils of oth- ers, but this has always been when both parties were fair!y in the field, if we except the infamous decree of the French Conventidn, calling indis- criminately on the Nations of Europe to assemble against their Governments, and declaring its rea- diness to assist them. And in this particular the sympjithizers may be said to be acting in confor- mity to this infamous decree, but with a greater degree of turpitude, inasmuch as being situated so nigh the Canadas they must be aware, they (the Canadas) enjoyed the blessings of a free Consti- tution. It is impossible to conceive it can be the wish of the majority of the American people to go to r 12 War with Great Britain on account of the Canadas. That they would endeavour to fraternize them, were it not on this account, I do believe. But the interests of the commercial part of that nation, are diametrically opposed to such a war. The inter- ests of the Southem States, the cotton growers, arc particularly so, and the consumers of British goods, through the Union are all interested in peace and in avoiding the expencc of war. That the depre- dations of the sympathizers can be allowed by the national congress to proceed any longer, is, there- fore, hardly to be conceived. As to the sympa- pathizers themselves, should we allow, for sake of argument, that a great proportion of those who furnish money to the invaders of Canada, do so from a real wish to engraft American institutions in it, yet, as they must now be convinced, by fatal experience, that the majority of the Upper Pro- vince, at least, are decidedly resolved against the introduction of these institutions, they, the real sympathizers, cannot, according to their own de- clared deference to the will of the majorit}', perse- vere in their absurd attempts. As respects the Lower Province, it is true a p-jriion of the inhabi- tants of the District of jMontreal, have been most foolishly persuaded, or compelled, by ignorant and wicked men, to arra}^ themselves in two rebellions against their country, yet I do not hesitate to de- clare my belief, that were any considerable body of men from the States to prepare an invasion of thia Province, that, in several parts of it, Govern- \U 13 ment would, with proper management, find enough loyal battalions of Canadian Militia ready to act against the invaders ; precaution in this case might indeed be prudent, and, thank God, we have now in the Provinces sufficient British troops with the aid of the British population, to keep down both internal and external foes. That the British Government has not yet ad- opted that determined and resolute tone in its negociations on this sympathizing subject with the American Governm.ent, which a due resrard to the peace and security of the Canadas demands, is, I believe, but too visible. The raising of a sufficient force by that American Government to put down this sympathizing invasion, directly; or, an immedi- ate declaration by Great Britain that she would consider herself justified in pursuing those pirates into the neighbouring states, was what the honour of the Empire required; and that a declaration of this kind, or of immediate war, must be the result of the late audacious proceedings of the sympathizers, it is impossible to doubt. The Government of Great Britain dare not any longer sulfer itself to be trifled with by the diploma- tic declarations, or by the proclamations of the American Government; should they venture on so weak, so pusillanimous a conduct, the British nation, which has never allowed its honour to be sacrificed either to its commercial interests, or its love of peace, would soon eflect the dismissal of those ministers ; and I have not a doubt that the 14 <3 r •' M loud and general voice of every British subject in the Canadas, would demand of the British Gov- ernment^ in terms not to Ife rejected, the right of the second Lato of JSTature, the right of retaliation ^ and ivould no longer continue to endure their suf- ferings without exerting it. It is on the foregoing line of reasoning, that I have come to the conclusion, that the peace and security of the Canadas is nigh being reestablished , and I have, therefore, ventured in the following; pages to call the attention of the public andof thie- Government to what I conceive the most efficient means to advance their industry, prosperity and welfare. We shall now proceed to the discussion of thie various Articles of the Prospectus, and our state- ment of the past, present and future condition of the Provinces will be comprized in th« various Chapters of the Work. I :i GONSIDERATIOISrS ONJHE past; PRESENT AND FUTURE CONDITION or THE € A r¥ A D A S • CHAPTER I. A Plarif to be hereafter proposed to the Government of the Lower Province, for the increase of Agricultural Science, Practice and Products, accompanied with an Address to the Canadian Agricultural Population. There is, perhaps, no country in the world, in which the low state of Agriculture has been more generally lamented by agricultural writers, than that of Lower Canada. The habitant farmer himself,, learns from his forefathers that the land formerly produced much more abundantly ; but, unacquainted with the real cause of this deterioration, he ascribes it to the seasons having changed. for the worse, and the lands being worn out. j In Great Britain, the zeal of eminent land hold- ers for the science of agriculture has diffused the practice of the science through all parts of the ■ tf * J ■ *i -J? u u ♦ ', country. In this Province, the great mass of the agricultural population, being almost entirely unac- quainted with the English language, can derive no advantage from any treatise v/ritten in it, "arid being also wedded to their own mode of agricul- ture, though long exploded, even from that part of France from v/hich their progenitors came, have not profited by the exniaple of the few old coun- try farmers residing among them. It was on this account 1 presented to Sir James Kempt the plan for introducing the modern sys- tem, generally through tb.8 rural parishes, and con- slderhig the almost insuperable difliculty of ever inducing the habitant farmers to begin of them- selves a more productive system of agriculture, it would seem an object worthy of the efforts of an enlightened government to enable them to acquire a knov/ledge of such a system, and to lead them to the practice of it. Accordingly, Sir JameP, as I have stated in the Preface, gave his approbation of the plan, and intended to have recommended it to the House of Assembl}^, but was called home that autumn ; since that period, two important cir- cumstances have occurred to call more forcibly for the attention of the Legislature to this subject. The first of these is the ravages which the fly, or other insects, are occasioning in the wheat crops of the Province ; in some parishes, I have been in- formed, many habitants have been obliged to sub- stitute other grain for their own consumption. But a country which cannot produce sufficient 17 [the inac- erive /'aiid ricul- art of have coun- ames 1 sys- icon- ' ever thcm- .ire, it of an pqtiire them i^ti , as jation (led it home t cir- )ly for Jbject. ie fly, I crops ;en in- sub- ►tion. icient -wheat for that purpbse, it is said, can never be- come wealthy, and a falling off of this kind is of itself almost sufficient to produce discontent among its inhabitants. No mode of destroying these in- sects has, I believe, been as yet discovered ; but I have been informed by an intelligent agriculturist that sowing the wheat late will generally enable it to escape the insect, and I ishould conceive that a better mode of husbandry, by enriching the soil would, by giving the plant greater quickness of •growth, thus make up for the loss pf time by late sowing. I have also been led to conceive that the cause of these enenaies of the crop, being .40 much more abundant in this country than in oth- ers more cultivated, may be, their being first en- ;gendered in the swamps and low wooded lands ; therefore, if a plan can be suggested which would .enable the Government to introduce a knowledge •of thq modern agriculture, and the practice of it generally through the parishes ; the habitant far- mers, finding themselves more enriched thereby, in a few years would be both willing and able to clear off more land on their farms ; and, perhaps, thus prevent the increase of those destroj'^ers. I The other important circumstance which now ^ calls for the attention of Government to this sub- |i ject, is the excited state of mind regarding the I political affairs of the Province, which has been I so many years artfully, and with untiring industry, I diffused over the mass of the agricultural popula- tion. These efforts have resulted in producing B IS . I two rebellions in one of the most populous districlsr of the Province. They have, indeed, been quelled by the prompt and energetic steps of our Command^ er in Chiefs and the troops and volunteers under his command ; but it is not to be ddubted> tliat cover- ed attempts may again be made to keep alive the same excitements^ and though they may, by the vigilant regulations that will doubtless be estab- lished by the Government^ be prevented from breaking out inta future insurrections^ they may yet impede the acquisition of^that knowledge of agriculture, and the application of it, which would appear to be the thing best calculated to produce the tranquillizing of their minds. By the plan hereafter stated, it will appear that it is to emanate from the Government ; that many of the habitant farmers will be directly interested in it, by the hiring of their farms for the formation of agricultural school-^rms^ and that a sufficient knowledge of the modern agriculture, and its supe- rior yield and profits, may be thereby very gener- ally diffused through all the rural parishes in the Province. If, therefore, the plan should meet the approba- tion of Government, if by its means, the minds of the agriculturists may happily be drawn from the pursuit of unreasonable discontents against the Government, to the acquirement of a zeal for the practice of a more profitable mode of agriculture (their proper business,) thereby increasing their own comforts and the advancement and wealth of I - 19 their country it would seem worthy of a benevolent and enlightened Government to produce this great result. The lands in the District of Montreal are I be- lieve, generally of good quality, and under a pro- per system of agriculture could be made very productive, but, from about 60 miles above Quebec to the Eastern Boundary of the Province, they are worn so miserably low, that I have known a habitant wait fifteen years for a crop sufficiently profitable to enable him to thatch his barns. We shall now proceed to state the outlines of the plan to be proposed to such permanent Gov- ernment as shall be finally establised by the de- cision of Parliament. No. 1. — A "terre" or farm in every fifth parish in the Province (or if it shall be thought ad- viseable to make the experiment on a smaller scale) in one or more districts in the Province, shall be hired, as stated in No. 4, by Government ; from any of the habitant farmers, who shall be found to offer his farm in the lowest terms, and who shall agree to remain with his family on the farm, and to assist in the working thereof, under the direction of a person thoroughly acquainted with the modern mode of agriculture, to be ap- pointed by a board of inspectors of the agricul- tural school-farms mentioned, in No. 8. No. 2. — The said agricultural school-farms in each fifth parish in the districts determined iipon, shall be legally hired and rented by the b3 20 I Mi, Government, or by the board of inspectorfi ajv pointed by it as in No. 8, for a number of years not exceeding seven years, and shall be cultivated and worked according to the instructions given to the agriculturist en each farm by the board of inspectors. No. 3. — A proper and intelligent agriculturist having been placed by the inspectors in No. 8, on each of the agricultural school-farms, cither at a fixed salary, or a share in the profits of the farm with ; such additional helpers as the labour of the said farm may require ; the said inspectors shall provide such requisite implements and tools and seed grain as are wanted on each farm, for the carrying on of the modern system of agricul- ture in the most profitable manner. No. 4. — The habitant farmer owner of the farm, shall have a certain annual rent granted to him for the use of his farm, in addition to his having a sufficient part of the produce of it for himself and family to live on. He shall declare himself willing, and ready to recommend and bring into practice, the modern system of agriculture, when he shall have acquired a sufficient knowledge of its practice, and of its superior yield and advan- tage. . . No. 5. — The agriculturist thus appointed to each agricultural school-farm, shall, immediately on re- ceiving the proper tools, implements and seed for the farm,take an account thereof, and give a receipt for the same, to the inspectors, and shall forthwith fl the iach re- fer |eipt rith commence the proper fencing and working of the farm to the best and most profitablf" advantage, according to the most approved §ystem of modem agriculture. ' ■ No. G.— -The agriculturist on each school-farm, shall duly attend to all duties required to be per- formed on the same, and adopt every proper mea- sure for enabling the farm to pay its own expen- ces by the choice of the- most profitable crops, &c. &c; and on housing the same, shall enter into the book of the farm, an exact account of all the arti- cles produced on it, also an account of the expen- ces and charges incurred, which accounts duly at- tested shall be annually presented by him to the inspectors of these agricultural school-farms ; ami he shall take from the said inspectors tlieir dire^z- tions concerning the sale of the produce andcrops. No. 7. — The agriculturist on each- farm shall in the said farm-book, enier an exact aceoimt of all sales of produce eir8cted,i with the names of the buyers, when> s»ch can be obtained, and shall exhibit to the said' iiifipeetors^ a monthly account of all sales so made,, and of all disbursements on account! of the farm; No. 8*— A board of itiBpection of these agri- cultural farms to be established by Government, consisting of men sufficiently acquainted with agri- cultural affairs to inspect into the proper and economical conduct of the agriculturist appointed to each agricultural farm and to receive and in- spect his monthly and annual accounts. Each of if w !l (these inspectors to engage for the inspection of !a certain number of the parishes in which the agri- cultural school-farms are established, and the an- nual accounts thereof, when inspected, shaM be .presented bj him for the final Jianction^f. the bo^rd of inspectors at their annual meeting. ■No. 9. — -It is hoiped that for this purpose ^f in- specting these agricultural :scl>o6lviaEii[is, many gentlemen, possessed of a patriotic z«al for the ad- vancement of the provincial agriculture, will be found, gratuitously to exercise these functions of inspectors ; and will endeavour, :by the influence their situation will give them, to point out to the habitant farmers, the advantages of the modern mode of agriculture, and to lead them to adopt the same on their several farms. No. 10. — And in order to extend this influence, it shall be at the option of the inspectors, after the term of hire of each agricultural farm is ex- pired, to give up the same to the owner thereof, who may then be supposed to have been made thoroughly acquainted with the modern mode of agriculture ; and to hire from any other habitant farmer in the same, or neighbouring parishes, his farm for the same purpose of forming an agricul- , tural school-farm for a given number of years so that by the alternate hiring of various farms, one agricultural farm in each parish in the Pro- vince may be astablished in course of time, by such rotation. No. 11. — It is hoped and trusted, that ])v a f^uaicious appmatment of persons to conduct the "^ lar{ni% on liese agricultural school^farms, and by •^ ihe s^eiitioH^nd zeal of the inspectors such an ' ieconomical, inteiligent mode of management «f the agiiGilitural 'farms will be sdopted, and such precautions taken to prevent fraud and waste, that each farm will nearly pay its own expences. ' If this desirable result should ensue, a knowledge of the modern agricultural practice may thereby • be diffused through every rural parish in the Pro- vince, and so strong and general an evidence of 'tits superior yield and profits be made known to the J7rench Canadian fartners, that it is hardly possible they should not, in course of time, adopt the practice of it on their farms. No. 12. — And to further this great end it may ' be advisable -to publish, in the French language, an 'annual account of the various charges attending each farm, with an account of the annual sales of produce, and a balance,, skewing the profits of the farms. 'A sulficient number of these state- ments to be affixed in the most public places in each parish, J No. ^13. — in order to extend, as much as possible, a knowledge and love of the modern agriculture among the youth of each parish, it may be advisable to allow them, freely to inspect the mode of managing and cropping the agricul- tural farms under proper restrictions, and also to ' employ as many of them as may be wanted in the same. a ' it^O^"- 24 'i No. 14.— In case it shall be found« thatiby the prosperous conduct of the agricultural school farms, any revenue should arise from them, the balances shall be- applied in giving premiums to any of the habitant farmers, who shall introduce and successfully practice the modern agricultur€t- on his own farm» &c. I ADDRESS. To the Canadian Agricultural Population of Lower Canada^ containing a concise retrospective view of the . past and present state of the Ppomncei^rnddemenalrat-- ingj from the experience of the miseries of the pasty how they may be avoided in future ; with notice of a Plan to be hereafter proposed to the Provisional Government for producing an increased knowledge of the Science of AgricrUturCy and a more profitable prac- tice of it through the Province, Countrymen and Fellow SubjeotSyr A sincere friend to the peace and happiness of Canada, now addresses you. Born in the country he has no other wish than to restore and preserve; for you those blessings ; and he claims the right, at this important crisis, to employ such means as the God of Nature and of Reason may. have be- stowed on*1iim, for that good purpose. In the concise retrospective view of the former state of this Province, I need make no further observation on the period between the first settle- :| ''■'% 'iner ther ttle- 25 ftrenf of Canada, and thecessfori'of it by France, %o Great Britain, than, that during this period, the Government of the Province was, what is called by writers on Government, Monarchi- cal ; that none' of the privileges of civil liberty, peculiar to free gorernments, were then enjoyed by the Province, and that its militia were liable, and I believe frequently were, marched thousands of miles tot the conquest or defence of other pos- sessions of the French crown. On the accession of Great Britain to the pos- session of Canada, the Government was vested in a Governor and Council until the year 1791, when the privileges of the British Constitution were: granted, by an act of the British Parliament.. OHi a comparison of the two periods of time, the for- mer of 32 years, tmd the latter of 47 years, namely,, from 1791 to the present year ;• the former shews^ us, that peaceable and contented state of the Pro- vince, on which the author of this Address has often had conversations with old French>(Dknadian habitans, who stated, that' the Province was never more tranquil and happy* than during that period. On the second period, namely^ from the grant of the Constitution in 1791, to the' present year, we have, unhappily, to make a very diffsrant remark, as Uhihe greater part of that periodl Up to the year 1819 indeed j wheui Uie- author returned to Canada, after an absence of forty years,. the pos- session of that Constitution was a theme of con- gratulation among the French* inhabitants of the i- m ' Province, which it was cheering to an admirer joT » the British Constitution to hear. But iuear this '^. time, the, Houses of Assembly had begun to seek ^ for the right of disposal of the proceeds of. 14th George HI; and almost during the wholevinter- vening period, from that time 1o-^befoFe tiie late -^unfortunate outbreak ; a scene of constant diffe- rences between the several branches of the Le- gislature took place, during which, every depart- ment of the public service.was,i for years, ^unpro- vided for. " -^ It was previous to the termination of the Houses of Assembly, as part of the Legislature, that M^r. Papineau made 4ii3 declaraition in -Parliament in favour of Republican Governments ; an audacious -crime against the Constitution of his country, con- sidering the (then) influence of his opinions, and .proving that he was both incapable of setting a just appreciation on the value of //la/ Censtitution, and unworthy of participating in its blessings ; and meeting, under the ordination of Providence, with a natural and retributive punishment on himself, compelled, to flee to the country he so much ap- plauded. Hadhe and the leaders-G^the late House of Assembly been sufficiently acquainted with the 'Constitution of the Province, they would have known, that as long asthey abstained from exciting the people to acts contrary to its laws, they, the •leaders, might, by patient perseverance, in a con- stitutional line of conduct, have obtained everv constitutional redress of positive grievances. The I i4>'3 direr .«f iiar this tt> seek of.Uth jvinter- be late It diffe- he Le- d^part- ^unpro- 9ouses lat Mr. lent in Jacious y, con- is, and tting a itution, s ; and e, with imself, ch ap- House ith the I have xciting 2y, the a con- everv . The -^7 long duration of the efforts of the Catholics of Ire- land, to obtain Emancipation, and the still longer duration, (SO years) of the eflpMrts of the Reform- ers in England, until the Reform Bill was iinaUy passed) are undoubted proofs of the above asser- tion. In lieu of this patient conduct in the pursuit of redress by these leaders, the people were ex- cited in tumultuous meetings all over the , Pro- vince ; and no wonder that, in the erroneous esti- mate of their strength, consequent on sucii meetings, they were led to commit those offences against the laws, in the compulsion of Magistrates and MiUtia Officers (constitutionally appointed by the Governor) to resign their offices, which led to the late revolt. There is jio Government under .Heaven, my Countrynjcu, Rf < il v ,3 as- sembly ill the year 1828, obtained' tfte right of disposal of the proceeds 14th' George III. on the express condition that they would' pl'ovide a spe- eihc and sufficient Civil T^ist ; and whatever mo- tives they may have assigned for not doing so, were inadmissible ; because they should have sti- pulated every condition, before they accepted the parliamentary offer;- and having thus failed in tlieir agreement^ th« government was thereby compelled tcK provide /?ro tern, for the'public ser- vice, hoping, no doubt, this difference wiould be adjusted by a future House of Assembly. In every other respect, there has not, to my knowledge, occurred any material instance where the public or private rights of the people have been-invaded. With respect to taxation, there h not a more ti-ue or solid way of determining the merits of a governmenfri or the comparative welfare of a people. The more usual* and fertile oause of op- position to government has^arisen^from'those who were out of place, and wished to get' in. BU*, in this Prov^ince, it is of little consequence to the people, who -are in orcwt of office,. as all are amena- ble to the laws. But by the scale of taxation, the Government of Lower Canada can be justly weigh- ad^and by it ought to be considered and allowed to Be the mildest to be borne, and the people the least oppressed of any, perhaps, in the world. Compare your taxation with that of France, of Great' Britain, or even the boasted United States of America, and you will find them all much higher ^ nl n| P al '•"\. 29 tthm the taxation of Canada, -ev^en with allowances being made, for greater facihty of means to pay it. It was, therefore, with unfeigned and deep re- gret that, during my late residence in Upper Ca- nada I heard of this unhappy revolt ; for I had, for nigh half a century, known you for a virtuous, peaceable and harmless people, and it was on that account, I felt the greater indignation against those men who had excited you to this revolt, because^ independently of the high crime of rebellion, I cannot but believe, they must have been conscious of what would be the result of it, and accordingly those instigators abandoned those they had thus misled, at a very short period after its commence- ment. And even now, notwithstanding this expe- rience of the past, these very men, who have fled their country and no doubt, feeling themselves safe from its consequences, are, we are given to undestand, endeavouring to excite you to a second revolt. Countrymen, I cannot believe it possible, that any considerable numbers of you will suffer yourselves to be again misled by these absurd and unfeeling instigators. In an article pub- lished by me in the Upper Canada papers I fore- told the result, and deprecated the consequences of the conduct of the late House of Assembly. And 1 now, here solemnly dissuade you from again committing yourselves by any such dange- rous steps. However much the sad events of the late revolt are to be deplored, those instigators, and those Avho followed tbew- ' ave the"^^^'* ' " '^ V yi ^u 30 blame for the sufferings they have met with They could not expect the Government to neglect- their duty, by not securing the defence of the laws by force of arms. Let therefore, the veil of oblivion be drawn over the past. The peaceable and unmolested pursuits of life, are yet at your option. In the bosoms of your families, coHtiriue to enjoy the blessings they will a^rd you. Lis- ten to the soothing voice of religion, and here I call upon your j^Iinisters to exert their just influ- ences in perjiuading you to a- wise and peaceable conduct. Those Mihinters, have n6 doubt, a just knowledge of the power of the great empire of which this Province has the honor to form a part, and for this cause they must see, more clearly than you can, the bitter consequences of revolt. For myself, I can assure yoUj from my knowledge of that power, and my conviction of the determi- nation of the Imperial Parliament to preserve the integrity of the empire, that, should you unhap- pily be induced fo follow a different line of con- duct, from the wise and peaceable one now re- commended; should you allow yourselves by any means, to be drawn into another revolt, I have no hesitation iii foretelling to you the result. You all see the force that is already sent out from Great Britain, for the preservation of order and the laws. And should you even, in the outset, meet with some temperary success, this will only serve, to draw on you greater miseries. The great additional numbers that would soon be sr of iirawu up against you from all parts of British North America, the West Indies and the parent state, would render the consequences to you, teiv . rible to think of. Therefore, I solemnly beseech yon, to resist the efforts that maybe masking to ^^ draw yon from the path of reason and peace. . . Return to that loyalty to your Queen, which is, t' am convinced, more congenial to the Canadian claracter, and will be found the truest source of i. your happiness. And ardently hoping that such may be the result ' of your cool reflections on this, important subject, , I take my leave of you, informing you that 1 hope • soon to have the honour of presenting to the Gov- ernment, a plan for the more profitable practice of agriculture in the Province. This is a subject - which in the present depressed state of our agri- - culture is worthy of your greatest attention, and energy, and I hope to obtain from the Government ^ and from yourselves due approbation of the plan < to be proposed for that salutary end. A WELL WISHER TO THE PeACE AND ^ Prosperity or the Ganadas. Since addressing the above to you a second rebellion has broken out in the District of Mon- treal, which, as predicted in the above address, has terminated in a dreadful punishment to many of those concerned, in the destruction of their proper- ty, in the imprisonment of *§reat numbers, in the arraignment of others for the high crime of treason . ^n ! I »>!' I 32 and in the forfeiture already by seven persons, of their lives. The miseries those rebels have thus inflicted on their families, is deplorable ; this se- cond rebellion suggests however one observation, which perhaps, may have a salutary effect in future, namely ^the total disregard with :s. 33 the complaints of a people are founded chiefly on iqaaginary grievances, they are cured by the hand of time, s'nd I trust I have shewn in the foregoing Address, that this province has comparatively less cause to complain of than any other country. There can be no doubt, therefore, that under a mild and just Government, the affections of all true and loval Canadians will return to it. Hoping, therefore, that a durable peace will hereafter be enjoyed by this province, I have only now to state to you, that having completed the plan for the introduction of a more profitable system of agriculture through the parishes, I hope, so soon as a permanent government shall be ei- tablished by the Imperial Parlament, to pr«- sent the same for its approbation ; and by this plan I hope and trust, the agricultural produce, both in grain and cattle, will be much increased, as well as the individual comforts of every habi- tant farmer in the Province. a well wisher to the peace and Prosperity of the Canadas. Having thus stated the plan by which it appears to me the modern agriculture may be happily dif- fused through the province, it now remains to make some observations, on the additional advantages which may result from it. We have already mentioned, that one important end may be expected by it, namely, the changing of the minds of the habitant farmers from that n i ■ ^ \ ! \\\ 34 political discontent, which artful and disloyal raen have so many years been endeavouring to infect them with. For, should a zeal and love of the practice of the modern agriculture become, through the influence of government, and the establishment of these agricultural farms, prevalent among them ; nothing, I verily believe, would be so effective in calming their minds and removing the excited discontents. There is, however, another very important ad- vantage that miglit be judiciously obtained by the government, by these establishments through the country. Hitherto, the rural parishes and their population, have been almost entirely under the influence of the leading men of French extraction, and their proceedings, there is reason to believe, have been almost beyond the knowledge and the reach of goveinnient. The experience of the past will, however, ix> doubt suggest the necessity of some mode by which the government shall be enabled to keep a more intelligent eye on the country. By the plan above stated, as many agriculturists, or persons in the interest of govern- ment, would be employed on these agricultural farms, and more especially as the inspectors would frequently have occasion to visit them, the re- quired intelligence conkl by the means of these persons, be easily kept up, with every part of the country. It has also, been of late, frequently maintained in the public prints, that if this province is to be re- i Ml \ i ri ilV^' 35 ledin e re- tained by Great Biitain, the country must be " An- p;lified." What the precise meaning, attached by these persons to this novel term, may be, I am not aware. That the French population iiave a right to their own lanjiuago, reUgion and customs, 1 presume, is not intended, by the above term to be denied. And the proper sense in wliich I con- ceive the term should be applied, iy, that English benevolence, Eii{!;Ush science and arts should bo as much as possible, diffused among the Canadian population, and this, not from sinister motives, but in order to produce an extension of their comforts and their general prosperity; and I humbly con- ceive, moreover, that this will be found the most efficient way of producing, and gradually augment- ing their gratitude and attachment to the British government, and their friendship for their fellow subjects of British descent. We trust to have shown in this chapter, that the lands of the Province were, in past times, in a much more productive state than at present. That the French Canadian population were great gainers by the accession of Great Britain to the dominion of the province ; that they were grateful and contented when a share of the British Consti- tution was imparted to them ; and that by the want of vigilance of the British Government in allowing them for many years to be deceived and deluded by designing and disloyal men, a large district of the province has been brought into a state of re- c2 U^it ,< L 36 bellion, which, being now happily ended, brings us to the present state of the province. This, it must ba confessed, is yet a lamentable one, and much Hke the state of a patient after a paroxysm of violent fever, and some years may elapse before the disturbed political feelings of a large portion of the population may be restored to rest: but the reanimating spirit of the Britisli Constitution, justly adapted to the existing state of things, may yet restore its vigor and prosperity, and if my humble endeavours in this chapter to call the attention of government to a plan, by which its agricultural population may be led to acquire a zeal and love for their proper pursuits, and by which also, the government may be ena- bled to keep a vigilant eye over any that should attempt again to disturb the public peace and hap- piness, I shall be well repaid for my eiforts to advance the prosperity of the fviure condition of the Province, ►nngj 87 itable fter a J may I of a :ed to ►ritish state >erity, ter to m, by led to rsiiits, e ena- ihould id liap- )rts to 1071 of CHAPTER 11. A consideration of the most eligible and efficient form for the future government of this province^ in which will he treated on, Jirsty the revival of the former government^ with certain modifications. Secondly, the Union of the two CanadaSj in which will he set forth, the advan- tages to the Lower Canadians of a restoration to a share in the government of that extensive part of the CanidaSf the Upper Province. On the contemplation of the numerous disad- vantages and disorders under which this province has laboured during tho last twenty j^ears, from the political differences in its Legislature, and their late dreadful results, it must be confessed that a decision on the most eligible form of government for it, is attended with much diiuculty. It is cer- tain, in the fu'SL place, that, when the province svas under the government of the Governors and Coun- cils from the time of its cession by France to Great Britain, up to the year 1791 (v/heii tho represen- tative form was granted by the Briti^li rarii[\inoat) the province enjoyed a state of quiet and security. And, it is further certain, that it would nov/ be mucii more conducive to the interests of the Britis'i ■,l > f } 38 'I ' ( ( I i I 'i » ! i \ t- M If population of the province, that its administratidd should be conducted by a Governor and Council ; than that the provincial affairs should again be abandoned to the unenlightened domination of such Houses of Assembly as we have seen. It is indeed very probable, that owing to the late violent events, the British Parliament mav not consider it prudent, immediately, to restore to the province, a representative form of govern- ment. It is true, that many of the instigators of the late disturbances, have quit the province, but the turbulence of parliamentary election, if it took place too suddenly, after these disturbances, might produce too great an excitement. Time, there- fore, the great cooler of political heats, especially when not arisinnj from real substantial causes, may be required to allow those heats to subside. Should such considerations determine the conduct of government in this particular, it is one consol- ing reflection to the loyal population ; that there is every probability the government, at this crisis, will be reposed in worthy and efficient hands ; and the bitter idea, that every man attached and aware of the advantages of a free constitution must feel, thiit he, a British subject has been thus, for a time deprived of his birthright by the folly and violence of others, will be further soothed by the confident conviction that his rights and liberties will be safe in the justice, honor, and paternal care, of the British Legislature. It is indeed possible, that the British govern- 3a atidrt ncil ; n be >n of 9 the raav sstore ivern- ors of e, but t took might there- scially s, may bside. )iuluct ^onsol- there crisis, s ; anil aware st feel, a time olence undent be safe of the zovern- S9I ment or parliament, may take a different view of this subject. It has, by eminent writers on gov- ernment, been said that rebellion or revolution is much less likely to happen in representative, than in despotic governments. The complaints of the people, finding a natural mode of stating their complaints, by representation. This reasoning may indeed be founded on facts when applied to ancient and established despo- tisms, but, as to this province, it has been stated by the ministers of Great Britain, that it is not intend- ed to deprive her of a free constitution any longer than another one can be formed, adopted to the real state of the province, and as Britons who have once known and enjoyed the blessings of the British constitution, will look far its reinstatement; we have now, only to consider the best time and mode in which the event can be brought to pass. Fortunately, the British constitution possesses the power of adapting itself to, and of overcoming every dilemma. By the generous nature of its character, by the ardent s])irit of freedom which animates and by the sagacity and vigilance where- by it provides for the true liberty of the subject, it is indeed admirably calculated to excite and secure the strong attachment of every man, sufficiently acquainted with its history. But its excellence is not bounded by this quality of exciting attachment. Like the parent who has the deepest feeling for the. welfare of his children, caresses them when thev 40 11 u . '? »■ !i! ip Ill do well, but restrains them from ill, by proper pun ishment, so the British constitution can command and ensure a just obedience to the laws of its councils. Thus, if it has appeared by the experi- ence of past years, that the majority of the popu- lation of Lower Canada, from what ever cause, either of want of sufficient education and its con- sequent liability to be deceived and deluded by artful or disloyal men ; or from a dormant princi- ple of national hostility revived by the aforesaid causes, if by those means, this majority has not only shown themselves to be incapable of appreci- ating and enjoying the constitution bestowed oil them but are also preventing the loyal and more intelligent part of this province from so doing, it then becomes the duty of the national councils of Great Britain to adopt such change in the former Constitution of the province as shall remedy this, evil. What then is the change by which this end may be accomplished ? The great cause of the difficul- ties, and disturbances, has been the establishment of the Civil List. Let, therefore, this list be henceforward appointed, enacted, and declared by the Imperial Parlament. In its moderation and justice the inhabitants of the province may se- curely confide. The proceeds 14 Geo. III. and such permanent acts for laising revenue as still are in force, to be employed for the pnynient of the list. If the pro- ceeds should not suffice, an act or ordinance could 41 he past (for raising the sum wanted) by the pro- vincial government. And with some alteration, in the representation of the seigneuries, adopted to the recent events ; and the giving to the townships a fuller and more proper scale of representation adapted to their continually increasing condition, and the intelli- gence of their population, it is probable, a pro- vincial representation maybe formed, which, (the great source of contention, the civil hst, being removed) would work sufficiently well for the transaction of the other provincial business. We have thus given our idea on the best mode of adapting a representative form of government to the existing state of things in the province. But there are several reasons for believing that, (although the above important charge, the appoint- ing the civil list by parliament should take place), that the Legislative conduct of the provincial affairs depending on the Houses of Assembly, will not come up to the expectations of the more intelli- gent and commercial part of the province, such are the appointment of Register Oliices to secure good titles to the purchasers of lauded property,tlie .salutary changes requii'ed in the tenure of at. So ignorant indecil have the Houses of Assembly shewn themselves of Uic usages of trade that they would not even allow the duties to be dravvii back on goods rcf^xporteJ, aiKl I have myself suf- ibred by their conduct in this particular. Notwithstanding, therefore, that it is possible ,«; I .ill ■•"I 43. i- i ,i 1! ,1 'f a future House of Assembly might take advantage of the experience of the past, to conduct them- selves in a more friendly way to the interest of the government, yet, until tl:e advantages of education are more diffused through the province, and especially among the French Canadian con- stituency, there is little hope of the great commer- cial interests, being fxroperly advanced by future Houses of Assembly, and we shall terminate this subject with observing, tliat both the past and present state of this province, loudly call for a more efficient representation to ameliorate and render prosperous its future condition. This more efficient form we hope to point out in the second part of this chapter, namely : The Union of the Two Provinces. Tliis is a subject which has been very exten- sivel}^ discussed in both provinces. In this province, I take it for granted there arc few or no intelligent persons among the British population who do not consider it as the true pa- nacea for the harrassing difficulties they have so long struggled with. 13ut, it is said, that many of the leadina: French Canadians are averse to this Union. We shall, therefore, first offer some remarks to them on this subject. When we consider, that the vast tract of coun- try now called Upper Canada, was, previous to the year 1791, entirely under the government of the Lowei' Province, it will appear surprising that r 43 Lower Canadians of any denomination, should not be glad to see the province reinstated in a share of its former possession. Countries in general, have considered it as one of the greatest acts of despotism, when their territory has been dismem- bered from them. Witness the frequent parti- tions of Poland. It is true that country was well peopled and had fallen under a despotic govern- ment. Eut there is still one advantage which would result to the Lower Province, by a share in the government of the Upper, that we shallhere en- deavour to explain. On the south side of the St. Lawrence, the greatest part of the lands belonging to the French Canadian seigneuries, are, I believe, already con- ceded to the habitants. It is chiefly therefore, on the north side of that river, that the increasing population can be in future, located. But the cli- mate north of the present concessions is^ not sup- posed favorable for agriculture ; on the contrary, there are many thousands of acres north of the settlements in Upper Canada, not yet granted by government, and thai also, without going so far north as is the latitude of Montreal, which lands, on application of the Canadian United Legisla- ture to the British Government, would probably be allowed to be conceded to the habitant farmers of Lower Canada. There are several reasons rendering it probable this would be the case ; first, the lands in question, are not sought after by emi- (: i 44 ( ( h i M grants coming out from the old country, who ge- nerally prefer settling in the south west parts of the province ; secondly, these lands are therefore likely, unless settled from Lower Canada, to re- main many years in a wild unprofitable state, and particularly so, as emigration has been seriously checked by the late events in the province, and has, it is feared, been drawn into other channels. Thirdly, the lands in question would well suit the habitants of Lower Canada, because they would be found in a latitude something to the southward of the lands from Montreal to Quebec, therefore these advantages are recommended to the atten- tion of all Lower Canadians. Fouithly, there may be a sound political reason for drawing off from the Lower Province some part of its growing population, to a quarter where 1 have no doubt, they would soon form peaceable, lo3^al and indus- trious settlers, as indeed the generality of Lower Canadians settled in the Upper Province really are. In addition to this, there are other advantages likely to arise to Lower Canada from a Union of the two Legislatures. The o])eniiig of a canal conimimicatioii, is certainly one Vvhich v/ill facili- tiite the trade and communications of both, and this, it is pro])a])le, vv'ould be among the first ob- jects of a united legislature ; and the great spur this will give to the agriculture of tlie Upper Pro- vince, v/iil not fail, in years of scarcity, to prove of greater advantafrc to the Lovver. ] i' t 45 Having thus stated our idea on the advantages >yhich would result to Lower Canadians being restored to a share in the government of the vast tract of fertile territory which had been se- vered from them, we now proceed to consider the great question of the capability of this union to act as an efficient remedy for the evils which have so long affected this Lower Province, and wc shall then endeavour to point out the advantages which will result to the Upper Province from the same. It is true, that at the first view of this question of union, the mind is strucli with the idea, that to bring so heterogeneous an assembly, as English and French representatives, forming one House of Assembly, to act in concert for the general good, would be fraught with great (Aiificulty. This, indeed, was the great argument urged against this Union, when under contemplation, some years since. How, it may be asked, are the English members to understand the French speaking, on any question, or how are the French to understand the English? We answer first, the French population had been graciously endowed by the British Parliament, with an assembly of their own. Had their representatives been duly informed of the true nature of the British Consti- tution ; had they had patience sufficient to have persevered in a constitutional manner in obtaining the redress of grievances, had they not led a great part of the people so near the precipice of 40 t rebellion, that they ultlnijitely fell into it; they might have finally obtained the redress of every real grievance in this constitutional manner. As the case now is, some more eflicient mode of conducting the public affairs of the province, has to be discovered and employed, and any in- convenience resulting to tliemselves therefrom, the French Canadian leaders have themselvas to blame for. The diflicuhy above stated I conceive, however, may be easily got over. The speakers on both sides will probably be few, compared to the whole of the representatives, and the arguments of each speaker may be easily translated, previous to their delivery, by proper persons appointed by the House, or interpreted on the spot, at the time of it. Previous to discussing the capability of the union of the two legislatures, to afford an efficient remedy, for the evils, so long suffered by the Lower Province, it is incumbent on me to endea- vour to remove a serious cause of objection to this Union, which was stated at the public meeting held in this city, on the occasion of addressing Earl Durliam on his intended departure from the province. This objection came from Mr. Adam Thom, who, if I understood him rightly, conveyed the opinion that there would not be a sufficient num- ber of constitutional or loyal members from the Upper Province to counteract the disloyal portion in this. Mr. Thom proceeded by arithmetical 47 calculation to maintain this opinioni and it is pos^ sible, that, reckoning the quantum of loyal or con- stitutional members I'rom the actual state of the numbers in the last House of Assembly of that province, the relative numbers of them and of their opponents might bo correct. But, there is reason to believe, that u. ^reat change has, or will have taken place among those who yet stile ihejiJ selves reformers, before this union can be formed. The province, it is evident to all who Gtand aloft fro:n tlie excited party spirit which has so lon.^ raged in it, was not by any means in that state of misrule, which would have justified the ex- travagant height to which that party spirit was car- risd; as sure proof of trib, v/e may instance tlie fact allowed, I am assured by men of intelligence even in the Uniixl States, that there is no portion of it that has advanced fast'^r in settlement and population tlian Upper Canada. By the late dis- astrous events in it however the province has now suffered sufficiently, to cool dov/n this virulent spirit ; setting aside the fact, that mostly all the leaders of the opposing pavt)^ are driven from it. The reformers themyeives, who remain, will have time to reflect on tiie destructive consequences of the late revolt, and probably will be cautious to bring on, again such a state of things, without solid, and almost, indispensible reasons. The chief objection that has been stated to the constitution of the Upper Province, has been, that the Esecuiive Council is not made respon^i- 43 blc, and thenifore siil)jcct to be removed by the House of Assembly, as is done by the House of Commons in England. This desire to assimilate the Government of tlie colonies, to tlie Home Government, aiises from the same cause which on other occasions, I have observed to produce the failure of ipen in other undertaldngs. Thus a person possessed of some deforce of wealth who has followed agricultuie at home, brings his ])ro- perty to these colonies, buys land, and often pro- ceeds to cany on his farming in the same expen- sive state as he has been accustomed to at home, and finds, too late, his property vanisl:es from him without even knowinr^ the cause ; ho does not ])erceive till taught by experience that the vast multiplicity of small farn^rrs who do their ivork themselves, although producing perhaps far less on acre than himself, meet him in the market, keep down the ])rices and deprive him of sufficient profit to pay his more expensive mode of agricul- ture. And 1 beg leave here, to mention a case illus- trative of the subject wc are upon, which occurred to me when last in London : I had entered into a conversation with a sapient reptibltcan, who was very warm in his praises of the American Gov- ernment, and insisted that its expences were a proper model for the Government of England. I agreed with him, as to the fact of American Gov- ernment being cheaper, but asked him how long, supposing itwere possible to transport America to w> 49 II nhcre Great Britain now stands, how long the Gov- ernment of America would be likely to last, in iier close vicinity to so many despotic nations ; he ap- peared to feel the argument had strength, and was silent. He might have been sure that the licentiousness of America, if not restrained in its new position, by stronger government, would draw down invasion from all quarters. When we take a view of most republics, we shall find, that no two of them agree exactly, as to the quantum of democracy. They are all influen- ced by some unknown causes, to partake more or less of the aristocratic principle. The history of the republics in Italy are particularly evidence of this circumstance. So it is respecting the idea stated above, of the re- formers wishing to assimilate the Executive Coun- cils of these provinces with the Government in England. Almost all the leaders of the late rebellion in the Upper Province, were people from the old country. They had, probably, first imbibed their political creeds in it ; and coming out to Upper Canada, have adhered to them without those mo- difications which the nature of the country of their adoption required. In England, the government has now nothing what ever to fear, either from the contagious habits and manners of the neighbouring nations, or their hostile intentions. The reverse is the case in the Upper Province. Its n«ar vici- nity to a republic, and the number of persons D H 50 I I' It 1 continually emigrating from it into that province, who seldom fail to retain, and even to promulgate to their neighbours their predilection for republi- can institutions, require continual vigilance on the part of government. The outside appearance of these institutions is seductive, and it requires the intelligence of a mind convinced, by enquiry and observation, of their inadequacy long to preserve the peace and welfare of the nation referred to, to resist those seductive appear- ances. That the members of the government of Upper Canada should constantly administer the same with justice and impartiality, and that they should accommodate their manners to the nature and habits of the people, there can be no doubt. But, besides these respectable qualities, they re- quire to be invested with energy, strength and power, to enforce the laws, and to maintain that share of the British Constitution we possess ; aTid I firmly believe, this to be the true way to preserve that constitution, and the loyalty for which that province is generally distinguished, pure and in- tact. It is moreover to be observed, that in form- ing a new scale of representation for the United Parliament, it is probable that reference would be had, to the continually increasing number of town- ships in the Upper Province, by which the num- ber of representatives to tiie United Assembly would be somewhat augmented. For these reasons, I cannot but believe, that a great majority of truly constitutional repre- "'||,'Ju"*'miM"-'"'i' iiiitftfi'"!"'""' Ill I ' .i.ji'#i?Wv I *5**ataWW'^*' lat a jpre- 51 sentatives would be returned from the Upper Province for a United Canadian Parliament. And we trust we have shown the probability that Mr. Thorn's arithmetic, as far as regardsthe Upper Province, may not prove quite correct. We now advert to that part of it which relates to the Lower Province Of the exact number of constitutional representatives which Mr. Thom reckoned upon for this Province, I am not aware. But I should not myself be surprised, to find a much larger number not only of Constitutional Members, but of members well disposed to vote the proper supplies for the government: for this plain reason, that the experience of the past must have proved to them, that a repetition of the same conduct could do no good, and that having already run a risk of losing the political power they had, a continuance of the same system must in the end deprive them of it in ioto, Mr. Thom observed, that in the scale he contemplated, for the entire Lower Province representation, he had put the number as low as he thought it could be. But the fact is, that scale, under the past and present condition of the Province, would have to l3e brought down exactly to the point, which would serve to produce a thorough Constitutional Par- liament. Things must actually be managed in such a manner, in the formation of a scale of re- presentation for a United Parliament, that no doubt whatever shall exist on this subject. The Upper Province would, I believe, never agree to a union d2 hi 52 r^!^ If unless, on these considerations ; and the dreadful' experience we have had of the past and the present state of the provinces, will justify them in this determination. The French Canadian population cannot fairly and reasonably expect to be reinstated in the same degree of political powers, as was formerly bestow- ed on them. All they can reasonably look for, (after the warning the Government has had, of two rebellions) is, to be allowed to send a certain number of representatives to the Parliament, for obtaining grants of money, for their roads and bridges, or other improvements, and for the edu- cation of their children and the passing of local laws for the public welfare. It will probably be a number of years before they will be allowed any greater extent of power than is sufficient for the above purposes ; and in the meantime, I would recommend the leading men among them, to form institutions in which their youth may be taught the nature, char- acter and invaluable principles of the British Constitution ; may be brought up in the love and reverence of it, and above all, that it may be duly impressed on their minds, that it is not by insurrection or rebellion, but by peaceable sub- mission to the laws, that they can expect to ac- quire a full participation in its blessings. Trusting we have now shown that instead of returning a majority of unconstitutional members, that the reverse must, of necessity, be the result. ^n1 T^kj^UJ^ .. 4,.:.,^ •C-^'^'*9*s*i4wp^,. 58 CHAPTER 111. I L*!^ A Brief Consideration of the plan of a Federal Union of the Provinces of British North America, said to have been in the contemplation of Earl Durham's go- ve nment. Were we certain the readers of this work con- curred in the last paragraph of the last chapter, we should not have occasion to extend the present to much length. The chief argument stated by Mr. Thom, at the public meeting formerly men- tioned, in favour of the plan of Federal Union, was the opinion, that a union of the Upper and Lower Provinces ontyt would fail of the desired effect. "If, therefore," said Mr. Thom, "you cannot get a sufficient quantum of loyalty from the two Provinces, draw on the loyalty of all the re- maining parts of British North America, for the balance required." But if we have proved that the sad effects of past experience may, in both Provinces, occasion an increase of constitutional principles — if a conviction of the power of the Bri- tish Government, aided by the loyal part of their population, to maintain and preserve the principles of the constitution of the Provinces, be as tho- t t f] ii P h ■vT"^' . 59 roughly impressed on the minds of all, as we con- ceive it will be — the inutility of unconstitutional opposition will be evident to all parties. It is, therefore, probable it will not be offered ; and I would here ask of Mr. Thom, or of the supporters of this Federal Union, from whence they have gotten their proofs of the due want of constitu- tionality in the Upper Province? Was it upon the immediate march, when called upon by Sir Francis Head, of nigh ten thousand militia, or vo- lunteers, to the defence of the metropolis ? — was it the immediate dispersion and flight of every rebel force in the Province ; or the subsequent unwea- ried constancy of these militia corps during the se- verity of winter, in the defence of the frontier against the sympathising gentry of the other side ? Was there, in short, ever a country that has pre- sented to the world a more complete and deter- mined attitude of defence of the constitution it possessed, than Upper Canada? And after this clear and evident declaration of the Provincial will, is it probable that the remaining reformervS will again incur the public indignation by further attempts on that constitution ? The subject of this chapter has been ably dis- cussed in the Heralds of this cilv — which comes to the conclusion that a Federal Union would ul- timately produce the separation of these Colonies from the Parent State : an opinion which, I be- lieve, is very generally entertained by the British population of this Province, and several others, \i >■• CO h* who have publicly expressed their opinions oti the subject. His late Excellency Earl Durham, is said to be a great favourer of this measure ; but, (as the pub- lic was informed at the meeting above mentioned) a very important part of the original plan, name- ly, the entire abrogation of the Legislative Coun- cils of each Province, was abandoned by his Lord- ship. By the altered plan, however, the mem- bers of this Federal Body were to be chosen, not by the three branches of the Legislature of each Province, (as they ought to be, to preserve the principles of the British Constitution,) but these members of the Federal Body were to be chosen, if I understood aright, directly 61/ the people ; thus rendering this new Federal meeting entirely de- mocratical. Earl Durham is said to have been one of the originators of the late English Reform Bill. With a great part of the British nation, I believe his I^ordship has icceived great credit and applause on this account. And conceiving there is a sufficient fund of good sense, moderation and attachment to the constitution of their country, not to allow those reforming principles to extend far enough to en- danger it — I am certainly of opinion, that reform in the English representation, within those limits, was wanted. But, it is to be observed that, sweeping as this measure of reform of Earl Dur- ham's was, it was yet strictly restrained within the limits of the British Constitution. It was only, in ,, '.iv. #1 tact, purifying and restoring that Constitution to its original state. But in the measure now under our consideration, (the Federal Union of the British North American Provinces,) his Lordship, be it observed, has not contented himself with reforming their Constitu- tions, but has actually brought forward a new mea- sure, which would virtually destroy these Consti- tutions. The Federal Assembly is intended to be chosen by the people direct ; and it being a Court of Ap- peal, any measure which has been constitutionally enacted in the Provincial Legislatures, may be upset and annulled by this democratic Assembly. I conceive, therefore, such an institution to be, for the reasons stated, unnecessary, unconstitu- tional, and dangerous to the welfare of these Pro- vinces. Indeed, its very name is ominous to Bri- tish constitutionalists. Thus we are under the necessity of concluding, that neither the cure of the past or present evils of these Provinces, nor the advancement of their future prosperity, are at all likely to be effected by the measure under consideration in this chapter. And I the more wiUingly dismiss this subject, that in the fifth chapter a Federal Union of a very dif- ferent and, 1 trust, superior nature and more constitutional character, will come under discus- sion. END OF NUMBER I. I 62 I'*. CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER I. A plan to be hereafter proposed to the Government for the increase of Agricultural sciencejpractice and products^ through the Lower Province, accompanied with an Ad- dress to the Agricultural Population, CHAPTER II. O A consideration of the most eligible and efficient form for the future Government of this Province, under ivhich will be treated of first. The revival of the former gov- ernment, with certain modifications ; secondly the Union of the Two Canadas, in which will be set forth the advan- tages to Lower Canadians of a restoration to a share in the Government of that extensive part of the Canadas, the Upper Province, %4 CHAPTER HI. A brief consideration of the plan of a Federal Univn of the Provinces of British North America, said to have been in the contemplation of Earl Durham's government. m m ^ n UST OF SUBSCBIBERS. . ^ . / , , , ^ Name. The Honourable Peter M'GUI, . George Pyke, George Moffatt, . Tousaaint Pothier, Chief Justice Michael Ilocli dc St. Ours, Messrs. M. Dudley Bean, Sollicitor General Stewart, .lohn Black, Neil M'Intosh, . William Atkinson, David Bcllhousc, John Torrance, A. Kennedy, John A. Perkins, . Dide, James Conncll, John Cuthbertson, William Gcttis, William Douglas, John Boston, Sabrcvois De Bleury, Dr. ^Villiam Macnider, E. Prentice, William Addy, J. J. Gibb, Thomas Ramsay, C. D. Day, J. Mackenzie, Attorney General C. R. Ogden, . ■'''\ i^y .■- / I Sullivan Copici of each Ay. 5 2 5 1 o 1 ') 2 1 1 1 1 o 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i 2 t 1 1 ;■ / //. . I (P. / /■ ' / f-^ (•I »■ > f f il Name. Messrs. Hugh Smith, James Starke, A. HuUmct, Colonel M'Cord, . Alex. Ferguson, . John Thornton, . James Breckenridge, John M. Tobin, . D. Ross, . Duncan Rcid, Campbell Bryson, J. Leslie, C. Ford, . William Hall, J. Jones, . Richard Johnston, John Lovell, Hugh K. Bethune, U. O. Andrews, . Doctor S. C. ScwelJ, John Dyde, Henry B. Hughes, U. Gilmore, 64 Cujrics of each Ao. |,,> r 5 "V I \