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Les diagrammes suivants iiiustrent la mAthode. »y errata ed to int ne pelure, ipon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 ♦ 6 6 w NO'llCKS OF m ^- if u C - /^(^ZiO n n l.:.^^^-^--^-:^: ^^',fii^>iY. "■'fej^'^f*--' r -.-' ;-''.«; ,; ./ a ..-L:.U---.-L.J=:i==iL 'j ■■■- ■y'^.:'/ ^"'"^ .■,'T\ - . ._ 1 1- iVk: ^>iju In wli 1 A' "t... i."'"'''.rf?i''.« • • ■ » T •» ^ ' t ■^^ • 0^- '^;:/^S!^v-:> % .1..'- -^''^- HvO- - - - mm T^'f^-' J ,*•; I ' ■ ■ . ^►^^ rf - ■ .., «■ ■ r'.i'-'^ i2 Who f trosc'cuti mid, no iinparalU ly intri^ h(' gralij 1 APE REJ ■'A^. ». ._r»i,«^<»*i'«"»'*' ^ I i i I'KISTI _,jL-5S« ^-t- ^ I lit FouMWisii s oners ur In which is made char, Iho oxaitcil worth of thu Sii porintcndant of that slupmdous work. ?lv» COIaOMHI^ b or Who for its graiifU'iir of ilcsjon — ils indefatigahio t)ros('Cu(ion — and rapid, arnl succossfiil coniplclion, Imid, not only, natural diirifultics, most untoward, and finparaneled, but also, artiiicial obslructiony, caused ly intrigues of envious UM'n, lias nicritcd, and cnjovs, i^iv gratitude of the present, ivad secured for himself a Renown, imperisliahlu in future Ages. ARE RESPECTFULLY DEI)ICATEI> TO iHE PLI>Lh , I,V ITS OHEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, THE AUTMCH?, 5i®!'S!-S':»i= rRINTF.n AT THR r.VTRIOT OFFKT KIXC.JTON IVlllU ">:'\iJ\ J/lM'/UiV «s;i t V In a free country, iho^c u lio presiUc ovrr Iho public i»rcss, arc in\ cstcil wit!»uliigl» rcs|K»Mr»iltirily,li()l(rmg in \Uv\i' liftiKlsciul under llieirconlrol, an linji;itK' of ihc weightiest power, iij)j)liciil)l«', at the discrelion oi* those v\lio wield it, to good or«vil. I (K) not kn(»w any class otinen,who exercise a power, more f()rmidahle,or one cnpahle, if well directed, of producing greater gooil to the (U)niniunity, than the Kditors of our ])ublic prints. How ardently were it to be wished, that the characters, talents, and ac(piirenients, of this most inthKinlial class, were more ijroportioned to the important part which they have to perform, than, apprehend, it will be found to be, on a general virw, and impartial estimate of the profession. How deeply is the puhlic concerned in the character which they maintain, as independent, and honest guardians of the common weal, • mtimtliitutmmmfKatmmmaimmm- ■■iglllHlkBilaMil^Piriilll They who direct the public press, ought to possess the higlier elements that enter itito the character of a wise and good man ; and while they are prompt, and zealous to tlraw merit into the li^!;ht of public favor, and to spread the shield of their powerful protection over the rights, and reputa- tions of their fellow men, should be free from any taint of par- ty spirit, prejudice, or malevolence. They should be fearless, and unshrinking, ever ready to step fortli in defence of immutable truth, and justice. But of all the duties ofEditors, none appears tome more imperative tluin the vindication of those, who have been bene- factors of society ; or who have generously laboured to pro- mote the common welfare, when the tongue, or the pen, of ca- lumny, detraction, or envy, hiip| ens to assail them. To stand aloof on such an emergency, or to be cold, and languid, in the spirit, or strain of their defence, is, in my humble judgement, the great- est disgrace which can attach to these jjiofessed clunnpions of public interest, and therefore of public benefactors, \ proneness to detrac- tion, is ever a mark of a base, and ungenerous mind, and is peculiar- ly odious, when manifested by the conductors of the Press, by mali- cious attacks on individuals who have claims to tl\e gratitude of their country. These reilections are drawn from jjie, on the pre- sent occasion, by the conduct of the greater part (of course with honourable exceptions) of the Editors of New spapers, printed, in the English Language, in Lower Canada, in ref(;rence to some recent accusations which iiave been trunii)ed up against (Colonel liy. One is mucli at a loss to divine what moti.-'s ecMild luive lnj]':rin'<'*' nnv sft f t: n I t. ,1 .11, II, nii.t irn>i ol ail, lilt Kilil(Mr- aiul luopriolors <>{ \e\vspai)bi'S, I . imite, in :iny lucasuro, ^vitli tht; lccliii,ij;.-> of those, who have ;ur;iy<'.l thciiHolvcs, eithcM' ;u(>\vf.n1ly, or covertly, in opposition '(o;i u;roat aiiil iii)I)I(' tlosiirn, undcrlaken by tlio Parent Government, in ihi'.t s})irit of liijerality, which has always eharaelcrized it, and ex- eculcd at it.-; own expense; so that I hi;' count ly had nothing to do, but to rea|> (lie benefit ol' the phm, without sharini,^ any part of (ho burthen ; and yet strange and absurd, as such conduct must appear, a spirit, not oidy of apathy, and ini^ratitude, but of open liostility, and bitter- ness, has bi'cii manifested in many tpiarters. Il lias been viewed, with as much jealousy, as if it had been an underiakinj; the nu)st sellish, calculated oidy to promote the interest, and p-atify the andjition of Great I>ritain, and in an equal dei^ree, to 0{)eratc to tlie prejudioe of ( 'antula, ami of this most unwarrantable, andprej)Osterous jealousy, so uncrpiivocally beii-ayed by many, in I'ogard to this ("xtensivc woi'k. Colonel Dy lias felt the ("ull elfects ; just as if tiiere were those who felt thcjiiselves injured, and aggrieved, by ids scientific, generous, and in- defatigable exertions, to pi-omote so iiobic! a design. The writer of these remarks, uneonne<'ted with the interest of either of the parties, in the controversy now agitated, unbiassed by any feelings either of favor or animosity ; divested of all prejudice, and pretending to no in- foi-mation, save what he has derived from his opportunity of marking lli'eintelMgeitteV'^^^fr'^^?^^^''' t^ol. IJy, thmudi the whole course of Jus pi'oeeedings, lowhicli are altriljutablc^We'^^'AWb'SSfliVft^W^MttM'ii magnificent work ; is induced by a sense of justice to step forward, in vindi(;ation of so meritorious and de-eply injured an individual. — That he may not be accused of dealing more in general asser- tions, than facts, and arguirents, he feels it incund)ent on liiin briefly to state the grounds, on Avhit h Ins opinions have been formed ; which arc no other, than a knowledge of all the operations, and circum- stances (connected with the conduct of this \vork, since its commence- ment, down to the j)resent day, and a close and impartial observation of the manner in which ("ol. By lias uniformly striven to ])erform liis arduous, and most important task. Very soon after Col. By's arrival in Canado , were inaniiested, the symptoms of tliat uiu'casonable aiul invi- dious opposition, with which lie has had so unex[)ectedly to contend. No sooner was it known that he had been sent to this country for the express purj)Ose of Oj)ening a Navigation, from the waters of the River Ottawa, by the Kiver llideau, and the Lakes in that direction to Kingston, and Lake Ontario, than doubts as to the ])racticability of the scheme, were industriously extnted, and pro])agated. The views of Col. By, which, with his characteresfic frankness, he openly expressed, both in regard to the great advantages to be de- rived from the undertaking, and the extensive scale on v hieh he intended, or desired, to have it executed, were unhesitatingly jiro- nounced wild, and visionary, and his reasoning ridiculed as absurd. — Ouf* objection in narticular continued to be urged, and was h(dd to, with obstinate pertinacity, after various other prognostications were '"ttlsi 3ly l! \vspai)crs, vlio have [)j)position vcM-nnicnt, it, and ex- mIo, but to burtlicn ; a spirit, 11(1 bittcr- ived, witli st selfish, ibitioii of 'jiidioe of alousy, so ivc \vork, ?■ who felt IS, and in- writ or of s parties, either of (o no in- uiarkinj^ course of Hiiuinriir- forward, vidual. — al asser- ni briefly which cireuni- lunence- vation of "orni his irrival in \nd invi- onfend. ntiT for s of the irection ilily of The ess, he be de- ieli he ly j)ro- snid. — eld to, s were ii) !ftlsifi«d by the event, namely, that there was not to be obtained a suji- 3ly of water, suflieient for the purpose of the Navij,^ation. Argunjents ind underhand influence, were both employed to prevent him from 3onstructing the proposed canal on a larger scale, than that, which had jeen adopted in the Lachine Canal. When the enlightened, and liberal views of tlic Br'tisli Governni< tit, n projecting this grand national scheme, calculated at once for llu; lefence, and ])rotection of the country, and for the improvement of its ;ommerce,and communications, and the dcvelopement ofits resources, vere known, it would have seemed as if it had been vi(nved in a light .Itogether op])Osite, for itistead of appliuise and encouragement, the liost strenuous, and unremitting exertions, were made to damp the .T al, and to paralyze, and frustrate th(! exertions of its designers, and irumoters, and when ilv.as ascertained, that Col. Uy, disregarding all his opjjosition was notwithstanding determined, as far as in him lay, to bve the work condueteil on a scale aderpiate to the greatness, tiie tilily, and the importance of the ohject, a pamphlet was written, and > ensure its success was printed in London, under the immediate eye f the Parent Government, and to give an appearance of strength, nd something like demonstration to its reasonings, calculations 'ere made in tables of figures, and assurance, resting on no less )lid ground, as it seemed, than that of facts ; nunun-ical computation •OS thus held out to the public of Great Britain, to show that Colonel y's plans, were a useless and wanton waste of money. A comparison as instituted, in this publication, between the dimensions of the Ca- il,Jwhich was proposed to be executed, and those of the Lachine Ca- ll, in which it was confldently stated, that the excavation of the form- ', was ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY MILES in length, and it was proved, ith this SEEMING foundation of facts, that in his representation of the fference of expense, between the two works in (piestion. Col. By, had red to an enormous degree; and all this was ushered forth, with such ausibilily, and pronounced in such a tone of oracular confidence,that was little to be wondered at, if it made some ini|)ression, and caused ine surprise, and demur on the part^cven of those, who had previous- favored, and patronised the scheme, without any personal kuow- ige of the actual facts, and circumstances. Will it be believed, after all this, that the whole lengtli, of Canal ex- vation does not exceed ten miles, the remaining part of the route, ing through natural Gullies, Rivers, and Lakes? Such is the gross lorance, or unblushing assurance with which the enlightened pro- Jter of public improvement, has frequently to contend, accompanied t seldom, with the mortification of finding, that the most paiiiahlc srepresentations, are sufficient to create obstacles to his <.it signs, J to thwart their execution. So it happened in the present in- nce ; for those who judged of the merits of Col. By's ])lans, and di- eted his operations, doubtless misled by these inisre])resenta- fts, and the^calculations andfreasonings, which were professed to based upon them, sent positive orders to Col. By, to make th(; iks of the Ridcau Canal, of the same dimensions n^J thc^e d' (hr I ^ Lar,l»iiic Caniil, which thougli ii'.liictaiilly, he was obliged to ohej, and cominenccd the work, conformably willi tlicsc directions. These dirfC'tions, there, is reason to suspect, originated in the private intori'sts, and prejiuliecs of particular orders of men, witlioul any re- gard to, or foresight of, their consecpiences, upon the general welfare of the nation. Fortunately for the interest of society, there are to be fouiul occasionally, individuals of superior intelligence, and endu ed with such a portion of |)ublic spirit,aud independence, as to qualify them for the arduous task of exposing to public view, such errors, whether arising from mere ignorance, or selfish, and interested de- signs. The enlightened views of Col. Ry, happily found an able and disinterested supporter on this occasion, in Mr. C'arey, the respecta blc and intelligent proprietor, and Kdilor of the York Observer. This Gentleman had his attention more parlicidarly drawn to the subject, by hearing the enlargtul and liberal views of the Duke oJ Richmond, in a eonversatioii which hi; had with that Nobleman, whose melancholy and lamented death, loo soon dejtrived this country ol the services to be expected fiom his eminent t.denls. Mr. Carey published, remark's, or strictures on the futility, and inadtupiacv, of the new scale of operations, in clear and forcible language, and with great strength of argument. These remarks were heailed, with a view to attract par- ticular notice, with the humorous and apposite title, or motto. "Lo the extensive, and wonderful Rideau Canal, is dwindled into a ditch!! — These remarks lie transmitted to the members of Mis iMaje,sty\s Go- vernment, and to the principal members of both houses of the British Parliament. Amongmany other letters of thanks and acknowledge- ments, which 1m' received in return for the valuable information, lie had communicated, on a subject so interesting, there was one from the ])resent King, then I^ord High Admiral of England, in his own hand writing, and om; from the Duke of Wellington. Shortly after this, probably in consetpience of Mr. Carey's representa lion, and Col. By's further remonstrances, a commission composed of the eminently enlightened Sir James Kempt, late Governor in Chief, Col. Lewis, and Col, Panshiiw, arrived, w itli powers to decide on the dimensions oflheLocks,and their decision lias been adopted, which was, that they should be thirteen feet wider, and twenty six feet longer than those of the Lachine Canal. Since that time, a gallant, and scien- tific Admiral of the British Fleet, and late commander on the Halifax station, (Sir Charles Ogle) who visited the whole line of the Rideau Canal, and made himself acquainted Avith the merits of the communi cation, and the actual advantages which it possessed, lamented, w ith strong PROFESSIONAL feelings, that Col. By^s views of the subject liad not been adopted. And that able, and much esteemed Naval Officer, the Hon. Capt. Byng, who had the satisfaction of passing through the first finished Lock on the line,ex])ressed himself highly delighted and astonislied at t)ie success, and method, with which Col. By had con- ducted the work, and his opinions were coincident with the ideas of his brother in profession, that the political advantages could have been consunijnat' ;!, Miilv, bv the ii(|oi»iiou (»r (U)!. lU'-^ fir'^t inten'i'Mis.Thai Col. By guishci mg, is 5 vils off Soon t)f less ( the mar prices, proved equal t( fused, 111 paid. ' noyed C ing in a For this despatcl (Col. B3 ^r was Sparingl ages, an the sudt work, it 9f\([ it is the most most ast tice, as t ON.VGE. whose 1 tible by n Ijject of sired s t|on, to, It may Q|3plican ed to pro liability, were cor others. I pointed, a|id man; aentation struct, ai The pi sums, un lity, ther yiiis imp ftlldress t (iliasingt Bv's cnei gcil to ohcj, tiuns. in ihc: private tliout any rc- iieral welfare there are to :e, and endu as to qualify such crror.s, interested de- l an ahle and the res[)ccta sewer, (hawn to the the Duk»; oi )leinan, whose t:oiinti'y ol the rey puhlished, ' t lie new scale ;reat strength to attract par- iOtto. '^Lo the to a ditcli!!— iMaje.sty's Go- of tlie Britisl) acknowlcdge- nforniation, he IS one Ironi tlie his own hanil y's represent;! i composed ot' nor in Cliief, decide on the ed, wliicit was, et longer than nt, and scicn- the Halifax of tlie Rideau the communi aniented, with e suhject had Naval Officer, ig through the y delighted and )1. By had con- i the ideas of ould have hecn ilentions.Thai )i I Col. By^s views of the suhject, accorded with those of such distin- guished character, for ability, and in all respects, so capable of decid- ing, is surely the strongest argument in his vindication, from the ca- vils of pitiful, and envious critics. Soon after the work had been engaged, throughout the line, persons Df less discernment than Col. By, njighl have discovered, that among ^he many undertakers, some, from incapacity, mismanagement, or low prices, w-ere not likely to complete, uhut they had undertaken. Such proved the actual fact, and, in consecpiencc tlie workperformed,was not 9qual to their demands for money, whicli demands being of course re- fused, many workmen, and creditors for provisions &c, could not be paid. The delinquents became clamorous ; many of the creditors an- noyed Col. By, because, he refused to pay them, and the workrcmain- ing in a state of stagnation, the contracts were given into other hands. For thisconduct,which was dictated by his anxiety for the progress and despatch of the works, and imposed upon him, by a sense of duty, he (Col. By,) was assailed with abuse, and personal threats ; his charac- ^r was calumniated ; his abilities decried ; and his proceedings un- iparingly censured. Lawsuits were commenced against him for dam- ages, and presses put in requisition, in aid of the defaulters. From the sudden rise of waters, and other casualties, incident to such a work, it could scarcely fail that occasional damage would be incurred, Mid it is astonishing to remark, with what perverse zeal, statements of the most trifling accidents were proclaimed, and niagnilied into the Aost astounding, and dire cafastrophies. So reiterated was this prac- tice, as to warrant belief iu the existence of a complete system of espi- QNAGE. Truth, was out of the question. Happy the partizan Editor, niihosc lucky stars gave him the iirst glimpse, of an incident, susccp- ttble by misrepresentation, of transfiguration from inconsequence, to an crtjject of alarm. It was instantly seized with avidity, moulded to the oesired shape, and bandied, with all the eagerness of envious expecta- tion, to, and fro, from one end of the provinces to the other. It may not be amiss herctomention,that of the first contractors, and WDplicants for dilferent parts of the works, not more than four, continu- eil to prosecute to the conclusion, what they had undertaken. From inability, inattention, or embarrassed circumstances, the remaining part itere compelled to abandon their contracts, which were transferred to Others. Prolific source of discontent,and clamour! Nearly all the disap- pointed, reported, that they had lost large sums, by their undertaking, Biiid many sought to obtain by Law, what they could not by misrepre- sentation to the authorities; and failing, strained every nerve to ob- struct, and to annoy. . The proprietors of Lamis, were another set of claimants for, large sums, under pretence of damages done to their property, when in rea- lity, there were but few, if any, to whom,it was not of great advantage, f his impediment, which required more than common sagacity, and l^ldress to surmount, and in many cases, it could only be done by pur- ^lasingthe whole of their property, aftbrded a further handle to Col. By's enemies, who rcpre^'.-nted his purchaifing such a quantity, of land. 10 \\'\ncU was not wanted lur lIu; purposes ot" Ciovcrnmcnl, a great, anil needless waste of money. Doubtless, more property has been purchas- ed than was required for coristruetin^ tlie Avorks, but it is to be con- sidered, that the proprietors domaiidcd large sums for damages, and that Col. By, by purchasinj^^ the wliolc lots, strictly speaking, paid nothing for damages ; in fact, he purchased several thousand acres, for no more than was demanded for damages, and which, most probably, he would have been obliged to have paid, with the additional expense, and trouble of Law suits, Arbitrations, &c. which were of course taken into account. In sonic instances, these land.; were leased to the same persons ; the identical damage cl;iiMi"*Mr., from whom they had been purchased, at a rate equivalent lo llh i merest of the purchase money, and it is by no means iinreasonuble to expect, lliat by the time the leas- es expire, the lands will be of as much vahie,as in their present uncul- tivated state; and estimating the dilTcrence of the interest of money ob- tainedbythc British (iovernmcnt,andth;it which is termed legal interest, these thousands of acres ofLands, have probal ily been purchased for one half ofvvhat must otherwise have betui [)aid, merely for damages,without taking into account, that some of the lands, which have not been so leased, would sell for ten times morc,than they have cost. Other pro- prietors of Lands, with whom no arrangement could be made, have occasioned a great deal of expense, and trouble by advancing,and per- sisting in jnost unreasonublo demands; requiring several thousand pounds for lands, which, but a short time before the Rideau Canal was commenced, did not cost thorn iifty ])0urids,land too, which, if the Ca- nal in question had notljeen made, would not, for ages to come, have produced one hundred pounds, and wiiile the portions they retained which did not cost them tiflccn shillings the acre, were actually in- creased in value, by tlie Canal, to one hundred pounds per acre, ai which price, and even upwards, it is of every day sale. Such is the foundation of the clamorous out-jiourings against Col. By, on the sub- jects of monies wasted, and injuries inflicted!! When Col. By decided on the most suitable place for the entrance from the Ottawa,to the Rideau, and it was uscer'ained that a large pro- portion of the work, in consequence of an immediate elevation of about eighty feet,\vouldb(3 at, anu near this place, he determined here, to es- tablish the head quarters of the department, and as alarge space would necessarily be required for Governmeat Stores, Oflices, Barracks for Troops, and houses to accommodate the great number of workmen, &c. the Col. with a view to prevent all difficulty in obtaining conveni- ences, which were so indispensable to the success of the works, and equally conducive to the health, and comfort of those employed, and therc*fore to ultimate economy, and despatch in the execution of so great an enterprise, resolved, with the approbation of the Governor in Chief, to buy a tract of land adjoining, more extensive indeed than was requisite for the immediate, and actual purposes of the making of the Canal, whereby he has incurred the censure of those, who, having not an eye to comprehend a wide prospect, fancy they see defects, and blemishes in minute parts, or in 'he details of ;•. i;reat design, which r I 'I would va into beat ed view, ber of H( of the pla considers promisci surplus h ing lots f of less di ment, he who und place inc in propoi the choic tions, sti settlemci pidity, bi cases, un demurrei peatedly solutely ] their lots vernraen The nati pay, wer liatred, i commen order to subscribi a system animosit the great least to ] ber of L for an o( barrassu cy the as thouQ time for the myr sit, as ii Lordsh sence, times K' a heig ships d( ed on b( Col. Bv .1 11 i great, ami cnpurchas- to be con- inaj^es, and iking, paid id acres, for 5t probably, lal expense, curse taken to the same had been ase money, ne the leas- ;sent uncul- f money ob- gal interest, ascd for one ,gcs,vvithout not been so Other pro- made, liave ng,and pcr- al thousan(] I Canal w:is 1, if tlie Ca- comc, have cy retained actually in- pcr acre, at Such is the on the sub- •le entrance a large pro- ion of about here, to es- space would iarracks for f workmen, ng conveni- works, and I ployed, and I ition of so ] Governor in T ;ed tlian was [ king of the 1 1 , having not defects, and >ifn, which would vanish upon a more enlart-icd \ ii \v, or l>o actuully trcinslbrmi'd into beauties and excellencies. It was inulouhtcdly on such an enlarg- ed view, that Col. By acted in this instance. Foreseeing that a num- ber of Houses would be wanted in the first starting, and tliat the site of the place, was so advantageous for trade, that it must soon rise to considerable consequence; with a view to prevent the future evils of promiscuous buildings, he decided on tlie expediency of laying out the surplus land, in regular good sized streets, &.c. and leasing tlie build- ing lots for a yearly rent, on condition, that the buildings should not be of less dimensions than those which he specified. At the commence- ment, he put the yearly rent very low, which is generally done by those who understand the founding of a new Town, and as the trade of the place increased, and lots became in greater demand, he raised the rent in proportion to the advantages of tin* situation, and the applicants had the choice of what was not dispojjedof, at the rent, and on the condi- tions, stipulated. The usual proi.i:ressioR from a single dwelling, to a settlement, a village, a town, took place with more than ordinary ra- pidity, but meanwhile through Col. By's Icind, and as it proved in most cases, unmerited indulgence, a great nund)cr of tlie proprietors of lots demurred, about the payment of the stipulated rents, which were re- peatedly demanded \n vain, r.nd finally, the claim of Col. By, was ab- solutely refused, and resisted ; by some, on the pica, that others had their lots at a less rent, and by others, that the l;uid belonged to Go- vernment, and that they in consequence, ought not to pay anything. — The natural consequence was, that those Avho were determined not to pay, were sued for their back rents, whicli drew upon Col. By, their hatred, and malice. He was abused, and insulted. Law suits were commenced, and pursued with the most dclermined obstinacy, and in order to defray the expenses of litigation, large sums of money were subscribed, several individuals, giving to the extent of £5. Thus, a systematic opposition was organized, \vhich was prosecuted with an animosity, and j)erseverance r;uely to be paralleled. In order to give the greater effect to this cons{)lracy, for such it assuredly was, or, at least to render it as annoying as possible to (/ol.By's feelings, a num- ber of Law suits, and grievances seemed to he reserved, as by concert, for an occasion which would create the greatest pcri)lcxily, and em- barrassment to the object of their malevolence; a:;d as His Excellen- cy the Governor in Chief, was expected to visit IJylown, it sceni°ed as though it was considered, that his arrival vroul.l he the most proper lime for the execution of their de>i . Accordingly a gatkering of the myrmidons of the Law took plac., at the time of Lord Aylmcr's vi- sit, as if with the view of making one grrat,and general assault. His Lordship was; appealed to immediately on his airival, and in his pre- sence, Col. By was assailed, and abused, and writs \vere at diUerent limes presented to him in the j)resenceorTIis Excellency; n?y, to such a height were these indignities pushed, that on occasion of His Lord- ships departure, on his return to Montreal, a constable was despatch- ed on board of the Steam-Boat, with a writ, or capias, to present to Col. By,just as he came to escort His Lordship nn hotird. This plot » . i I however, was Jiseonr.ci tcil, in part, by ihe sjilrit, and goneroslt}' of the Captain, (Johnstone) who seeinj,Mhe constable on hoard, enquired his business, and bcint,^ apprised of his errand, ordered him to leave the Vessel, observing that he knew well, when, and where Col. By was to be lound at any time, and that he would not allow a j»roceedingso ma- licious, and disgraeelul, to take j)lace on board the vessel which he commanded. In the month of August last, an aecuniulated niiiltitudcof Law-suits were brought on at Brockville, and I'erlh, when a nundicr of witnesses on both sides had to attend, among whom were nearly all the Oflicers, Clerks, &.c. belonging totlie department, and also Col. Durnford, com- manding Engineer of British America; ii was at a sickly season of the year, and many of those in attendance, were, shortly after seized with the Fever, and Ague. Nevertheless, all the accusations brought against Col. By, were decided in his favour. "While these Law suits were in progress, a report, was circulated, that the Dam at Kingston Mills had given way, and that much damage had been incurred in con- sequence of this accident. This malicious report produced its desired eflect, which was without doubt, completely anticij)at- ed by its authors, knowing as they did, the deep interest ^vhich Col. By took in the prosecution of the works, and that nothing would pre- vent him from going wherever he deemed his presence necessary. — He set otVwitliout delay to Kingston, and proceeding from thence to the iMiIls,he ibund to his great satisfaction, that nothing had happened, but that all the works, were in perfectly ^ood order; whereupon he re- traced his steps immediately, to the seat c; Law. To show Ijow those litigations wei'c viewed in Kingston, I think it j)roper to copy a para- graph from tlie K. Patriot of the 8tli Nov., under the Editorial Head. " We have been highly gratitled to learn that Col. By has defeated all the actions of every nature, instituted agaihsVhim. We shall always be glad to hear of the triumj^hs of Col. By, considering him a great be- nefactor to the Province. Not tliat it is his money that has made the Canal, but wc aver, that it has been his energy, and promtitude, which are better than money, for all the money in the world without them, "would have been useless. A man like Col. By, who has had the super- intendance of a more prodigiousWork, than any single individual ever superintended, the successful comj)Ietion of which will immortalize his memory, nmst of necessity have many, and bitter enemies. Jea]ou- sy,and envy, arc as natural as day, and night, and never failing begetters of the most deadly hatred, so, that it would be out of nature,were he to issue from the j)e:rorniance of his nmltifarious duties, totally unassail- ed by the siiafts of calumny." Those who had either openly instituted, or secretly instigated, and abetted the Law-.:uits against Col. By, did not acquiesce with a good grace in the decisions, but persisted, in those acrimonious reflections, which showed how little they were influenced by a sense of Justice, or a ])roper respect for the judicatories of the country. In Oct. last, a very violent attack was commenced on Col. By, in one of the Montreal Newspnpcrs, of which I sliall not take any further no- ne}-, I li) Dsit}' of the iquired his leave tlie . By was to ling so ma- 1 which he ■ Law-suits ('witnesses le Oflicers, 1 ford, com- as on of the uized with IS brought Law suils t Kingston red in con- produced anticipate ihich Col. vould pre- icessary. — tlience to happened, jpon he re- liow those [)y a para- >rial Head. lefcated all all always n great he- made the ude, which liouttiicni, the super- ridual ever nmortalizc s. Jcalou- 5 hegettcrs were he to y unassail- 2fated, and ith a good eflections, Justice, or By, in one urthcr no- tice at present, as the subject may be cxanilried in a more proper qnar- ler- Immediately following this attack, came forth an extract from a Liverpool newspaper, containing animaclvei'sions in the same strain; all of which appear to have been eliiclly produced through the enmity of a (!lerk, one Burgess, whom Col. By had discharged from his employ- ment. In support of the nujst foul allegations, much importance seems to have been attaejied to the circumstance of Col. By, having given him, (Burgess) a favourable testimonial, some time previous to his dismissal, in a letter addressed to Col. Howard; but when, or under what circuujstances, was this letter obtained .-' or what, but malice, or extreme iincharitableness, could have suggested any other construc- tion, than, that the Col. at the time he wrote the certificate in ques- tion, was unacquainted with the real character of the said Burgess. — The subject of ibis clerk and of this letter, has in my judgement, been set in its true light by a very aide, and manly comment, from the pen of the patriotic and intelligent Proprietor and Editor (Mr. Dalton,) of the Kingston Patriot of the 8th, and 15th Nov., and is well deserving to be here republished. '' We see by an article in the Moritreal Gazette,, received this morning, and which has been copied from the Liverpool Chronicle, that one Mr. Henry Burgess, chief Clerk of the works of the llidcan Canal, is now in London, on a gratuitous errand of im- peachment. A most extraordinary passage occurs in this account, which we cannot refrain from copying, as we think it fully warrants Col. By to take comfort, and the public, to view with the most deep rooted suspicion, any thing that proceeds from such a man. It is this, " these have at length reached such a height, (speaking of " flagrant abuses,") that the chief Clerk of Works, Mr. H. H. Burgess, who was appointed to that situation by the Hon. Board ot Ordnance in London, determined to be no longer a party to such shameful, and fraudulent proceedings, &c. has come to this country for the express purpose of apprisingGovernment of the ini])Ositions, which have been practised upon them." If there has been any shameful and fraudulent pro- ceedings, he has been a participator,and has voluntarily turned King's evidence. Dirt! Dirt! Wc know what clerks oft have it in their power to do; if they be evil minded, they may harrow up the souls of the most sternly virtuous, and inflexibly honest. Employers should ever be- ware, that their clerks be honest, we mean not in money matters only, but thoroughly, in principle, many, who would scorn to takejyour mo- ney, would in a revengeful lit, glory to blast your reputation." An Editor of one of the Newspapers, published in Montreal, who pretends to be friendly towards this discharged clerk, after pub- lishing the letter from Col. By to Col. Howard, remarks, "We cannot adduce any thing more positive than this document, to put down the calumnies now brought forward, to do away with the accusations he has thought proper to make," upon which Mr. Dalton observes, "who, tliat has the tinderstanding it were to be wished, that all men had, and but the feeling, without which a man is a brute, but must recognize it as the production of an open, frank, and generous mind, guileless, and unsuspicious of guilc,intendin!r m^tbii'.gbtit good, and utterly fear- u less ol' hill Ml' rii.lfi uh.ii riuuiiistaiu'cs was tins Icttci i>lttiiirit'il? and \vliul Mt'ril was tlirit! lor il? wlium was it Ik satisly? and to whom wan it adiliv ss(!il? lis own iiilenial fvulcncc alVorils an answer to each of these questions hut one: U hat need was there lor it? It was obtain- ed at tlie f-'pei'ial rr()ii(jsl oi' H'lr^css, as u ccrtilicatcj of liis t;;ood ton- duct, and athJressed to his (lod-lather, (h)I. Ilowanl. It appears he had l)een r(!('oinnieiuled toC^'ol. IJy, hy the Lord Bishop ot" Quehee. What need then, lor a cfrliiicale ol\^ood behaviour, since he was before in such lii;::h estimation, as to have been introduced, and reeonunendedby a Lord Bishop? l'erhaj)s this need, may be justly iid'erred, after more elaborate invest iteration. The letter is dated Nov. 2Utli 1^20 — at which time Buru;ess had been employed in tlio Entrine«;r OHice two years and ten months, \viien C(;l. ]]y, satisfied w itii all outward appearances, at his s))eeial reipiest, trave him a letter ealciduted for the meridian of a kind God-fathers ati'ectioiis. It is of the utiu(>st iniportanee to know, vvhether the true and sole intent of Buigos, in requesting tliis letter, was to cheer the g-ood, anxious old genllcman's heart, or whether it was not intended for the insinctiou of the Riu;lit lion, and Jlon. Board of Ordnance, and as abar lo any thinj^ Col. Ily miiiht in after time find it necessary to urge against bis character. Upon the right understand- ing of this single (jueslion, liangs the renown of this Burgess. How shall it be decided? W hy, us in tin; case of Murder, wliose secrecy has made direct evidence imjjossibie, recourse must be had to circum- stantial. The letter was given late in Nov. 1829, and Ihirgcss left ear- ly in the spring of 1830. W'e are told by his friends, that he lias copies of all the otHce vouchers. When did he take these copies? before, or afterreceivingthis letter? It is luude entirely j)lain to our understand- ing, that it could not be after; because, we are informed from a source, which pnecludes the possibility of doubt, without a most highly au- thenticated, and pointed contradiction, tliut quickly from the date of that letter, to the time of liis quitting, wi'.h but ilitling intervals, he was in a state of utter,aiid deplorable drunkenness; rampant and beset with blue devils. A gentleman, friendly to him, tells us, that drunk- enness was foreign to his habits; but lie was soiaetimes "cracked," ''cRAzy," and " mad." Thus, whicli ever account be true, he could be in no state to take copies of voluminous documents; then the copies could not have been taken subsequently to the letter, and to establish the factof his having sEcKLTLv taken tht.'iu before, is to make him out a worse devil, than any of those,blue, or black, that had tormented him. Col. By, was unwittingly giving a certlUcalc of good behaviour, to a miscreant assassin, who had his dagger pointed to his throat. For W"hat purpose did he take these copies? None can say it was for a good pur- pose. Would Col. By have given him that letter, had he known that he had stolen copies of his papers from his ofhce? (forit is to all intents and purposes a theft of a very aggravated, and disgraceful nature.) None will say yes. No, Col. By would have spurned him. The great and IMMEDIATE cause of his quitting, was his conscientious scruples." How scrupulous was his conscience, we have abundant testimony, in the fact of his soliciting a eerlificate of good conduct from the man 4 each of s obtui ri- ot! toii- s he had . Wliat before in ended by Ler more at which ro years aranccs, ridian of to know, IS letter, cr it was Board of imc find Urstand- s. How ;recy has circum- i left ear- as copies )efore, or derstand- a source, ijjhly au- le date of rvals, he and beset it drunk- RACKED," he could he copies establish I him out intedhim. our, to a For what good pur- vn that he ntcnts and re.) None great and CRUPLES." imony, in II the man whose ruin ho liad plotted, and whose throat 'ic had bared lor hiifclit rv, On the criminality, or innocence of Col. By, knowini; tirilhcr him, nor his concerns, we have no warrant to say a word. To pronounce jiidg- mcnt, is no business of ours; but if we have drawn fair (Inbiclions from such premises,' as are pn^sonted to us, we declare before God, we would not chastise a cat upon the evidence of this Burgess." I cannot refrain from here pointing out another direct falsehood, as stated by this Burgess, and published in the Montreal (iazette of the 8tli Nov. that in 1827. Col. l}y sent a \.\. Pooley to England, with new estimates of £17 1,(R){) for tiie informution of his Mnjesty's Govern- ment, but as lit. Pooley hud fill(M! the situation of Aid-de-Camp to Lord Dalhousie, altho' in the j-ay oftjic Ividcau Canal service, he was una- ble to give siifhcienl explanation on t!ie su!)ject, never liaving been through the rdute, in eonstupicnce of the duties he had to attend to, in Quebec. Whereas this Burg.>ss, fiom his situation in the Royal Engineer Office, must have known, tlial Lt. I'coley came from Lord Dalhousie to tiieiruleaii Canal, in May lSi7, and he also knew, that the said Gentleman was with Col. By, i:t the Ilideau Canal in 1826; for which cause, he was without doubt, chosen by Col. By, to take the es- timates to England. It \vas also, well known to the said Burgess, that Lt. Pooley, a ^aw days helbre his dcpartnri' for England, liad been tak- en through the whole line of Canal by Co!. By, in order that he might be (jualified to give satisfactory explanations on every part of the esti- mates. Equally false, is the asseilion, tliat ho (Burgess) was Chief Clerk of Works. For he neither ^vas, nor could 1 ccomc such, being deficient in every requisite,lo qualify him lor such a respectable situa- tion. He was a mere writing clerk in flic- office. What credit can possibly be attached to any statements coming from a man, capable of such gross, and wilful misrepresentations. • I could enter, were it ne- cessary, into further i)articulars, wherein Col. l>y, has had to contend with difficulties, and embarrassments, which, will, I doubt not, be at some future day, generally acknowledged, few men would have been able to have surmounted; audi confidently believe, that in spite of his enemies, he will receive the graleAd tribute of his country, tmd certain- ly he will command that of impartial posterity, if not, of the present generation. As the Chaudiere Bridge has been made a ground of accusation a- gainst Col. By, and as his enemies have thought, that this was the most A'ulnerable point, in which they could assail liim, it will be proper to point out some of the reasons, which ^varranted its construction; and al- tho' it has been represented as an error, on the ])art of Col. By, because it eventually cost more than he had calculated, I think it will ultimate- ly prove, that the advantages resulting from it, have amply compensat- ed the actual'expenditure. On the determination of the site where the Canal should commence, from the Ottawa, it was found, that eight Locks would be required THERE in succession. It was natural that Col. By should, in the course of his observations, and reflections on the nature, and prospects of his undertaking, be forcibly struck with a variety of obstacles, and disadvantages, \vhich \vere to be ene<.mtit(>rf d [i 16 in the vny oulscf. Thr land r-n uhicli llie said l.ocks were to be constructed, as well us that in the vicinity, was in u state of wilderness, and the njeans ot' p^oitini^ to it tVon\ the thickly settled agricultural country, (in th(j North sid^oflhe Otiawii, was by means of a Ferry, which, from the stroni;" current in the Iliver, ^\ as always attended with delay, and in consequence of this, as well as i'rom the j,'rrat eddies and whirlpools formed by the adjacent falls of the Chaudiere, was by no means unattended with damper. Under these circumslances,a mind so comprehensive and penetrating as that ofCol. Py,would not fail to fore- see the great advantage that ^vould arise, from throwing a bridge from Hull across the River; not only with a view of carrying on the Works, but as an almost indispensable convenience for facilitating the progress of the undertaking, by guaranteeing to those who might be contractors of the dilTercnt kinds of work, a certainty of being able to procure, at a cheaper raie, a regular supply of provisions for their workmen, and fodder for their cattle. This view, having been submitted to Lord Dal- housie, on occasion of his Lordship\s visit, the necessity of the com- munication was so visible, that he approved at once of Col Ky's design. Altho' it was late in the fall of 182G, yet, as the works had to be given out early the next spring, in order that those who purposed tobe appli- cants, & who would necessarily be visiting the situation during winter, to asccrtainallthc advantages and disadvantage sconnected with thepro- jcted work, might Iiavc a perfect assurance of every encouragement, andfacility,which abridge communication would afford. Col.By know- ing that a bridge forming an easy, sj)eedy, and safe communication be- tween a flourishing district, and the wilderness, wbere the works were to be carried on, would be considered by all discerning men, of the first importance, in lessening the difficulties and hazards of performing what they might undertake, which must have been otherwise met by a corresponding increase of prices in the Tenders; came at once to the decision, that no time ought to be lost, in commencing it, and accord- ingly, the first stone arch, was built that winter. — The idea of forming such a communication might not, it is true, have occurred to a man of less abilities, or who took a less extended view of the subject than Col. By. He was too well acquainted with the nature of mankind generally and particularly of such as werccapableof undertaking extensive con- tracts of this sort, not to estimate all the advantages, direct and indi- rect, immediate, and remote, of the project in question. He foresaw, that the assurance thus afforded to contractors, and others, that they wouldnotbe treated with an illiberal, penurious or contracted spirit, under the show of economy, but would receive a generous assistance, and enlightened co-operation, and support,from those charged with the direction of the work, would have a tendency to encourage the capital- ist, to stimulate the ardor of men of abilities, and to create a generous, and eager competition. It might be said, and in fact, has been said, that no evidence appears, that the works would not have been done as cheap without the bridge, as with it, that its establishment could have no influence,or effect, save in the immediate vicinity of the Ottawa, and that the 8tcan>Boats touching on the South side, with increasing the » ( to be eriicss, Miltural I I'crry, <(1 with ics and IS by no mi ltd so to fore- go iVom Works, jrofyrcss itractors cure, at Ml, and Old Dal- ic com- j design, be given ae a])pli- f winter, 1 thepro- igement, Jy know- ation be- ks were , of the rfbrming met by a B to the accord- f forming a man of than Col. generally sive con- and indi- foresaw, that they 3d spirit, isistancc, i with tlie e capital- generous, ecn said, 3cn done )uld have awa, and isinii: the JiiKiihii oi Krnv h.i;il«., woiihl havr hsscneil, ii jioi riitjii ly di^troyed the necessity ol'llic IhidLrt . To |)rf the roinniiinlealion, end the liberal ti'«'iitni( nl which t'li'? warratitcf! thcih to expect, general!}, t'icy \\"oul(l be I'lirnished sys- i(rnialically by ihc cnli:A'hl'"ncd diiTctor, with every lacillly and aecin- njodatioM; in tlie proscentioii of their un-h-rlakings; and thereby feared not to en;r«';<"iS^t a les^ price, than llicy would have been induced to do, un<]er a system Irs:^ iil-eral. vVs to those v.ho contend, that there ..IS no necessity i'ur the l>ri(Ii,'c, and iliat ilie Steam-iJoal, and Ferry- boats, were sullieient for the purj)ose; they are acting cither disingetiu- otisly, and studiously framing plnusilde misrcpresoitalions. to serve thiir |»crsonal })nrroses, or party views; or to gi-atily malevolent, or vindieti;e jeclings, or ihey an.' jicrsons of narrow n'inds,wiio aic ca- pable of iu ])rc:;en(»'d, ev(ui to the able veteian contra ctci^-ibcw ?;iuch more, then, to those of moi'e limited resources, or loss experien- ced, and enterprising! l''or tlu' Steam-iloat, on the Hull side, ll-orc. ..ere no wharfs to land at, or houses to go into, or roads conimunicat- • ng to, or from the side of the River, v> here a very great [;art if the works were to be constructed, now, the site of Bytouii. Bet Miis fij)i- rited undertaking (building of the }>ridge) evincing, as it did, in tlic ve- 'v outset, the delenuination of Col. JJy, to prosecute the wlioh; work with vigour, and to facilitate the means, and the mode of comiiiuniea- tion, wherever it was retpiisite, in connection with that opi^n, frank, iiid atlhble demeanour, tliat easiness of access, and communicalive- . less, on all occasions, wlien lie was aj»plied to, ha- iiifornialion, by which he was uniformly di;'.tinguished, scu-ved to clear up the Hori- zon, to brighten atoneeihe hop(!S, and energies, of all wlio were de- sirous to embark in the projected Canal; so that all returned, lAitii more favourable opinions, and witli a greater inclination to engage in a work conducted under such aus])iees, than ihcy had lelt, prior*lo ^i- >iting tlie spot. Takini; this comprehensive view of all the circum- .^tances, it is my candid opinion, that the building of this Bridge, had the effect of diminishing tlie exjicnse of the various works, to a degree, which, calculated to the whole extent, and duration of the operations, would amount to a sum exceedinir tenibhl the expense of tlie Bridge. This conclusion will be readily admitted, by all competent judges, es- jieeially, if they take into account, not only, that it atforded the means d' a more safe, expeditious, and commodious passage over the ri\er, ■»ut what is still more, ^avc a pledge, in the very -tartiiig, that, tlirotigh- out llio wliolc line ol tin; ( aiml, cmm) i< iisoiiiililr assisiaiuf vv(»ul(l Im extended by (iovcrnmciil, to llic « oiitriictors, in rcinoviiiu ^cru ral im pediiuciitii, and i'acilitutint^ to tliciu, in I lit- ntosi liberal, niannt'i\tht'cx tcution of the works. In addition to these considerations, it ont^lil nnl to be overlooked, that this liridge has contributed indirectly, in various ways, to the ge- neral success of this great enterprise 'riie lands in the vicinity ol the first eight Locks, as has been stated belore, have been purchased, ' ■ lid o>»t in building lots, which having been leas<'d out, sid>jeett<» .Hi annual rent, have grown into a nourishing 'I'own, bearing the nainr of its enlightened founder, how well it has answered tin; liberal views i. i" C/ol. J>y, will be inanifosled iV(Mu its actutd progress, ami present ••\!ent, and population. It contains no\v, a population of about 1,5(>(» inhabitants, and about 2(10 houses ; a variety of public buildings; ol which the principal ari' a larg*'. Catholic ('hurch, a Scotch ('hurch, i^uil' of stone; a Melhodist Miclintr House, ul.^o ol stone; a very res- (ireia: le Hotel, aiul several gooil ijduijes ol" enterlainmenl ; two Mar- .-■" h.>'i«'!s. over one of which is a Town Jfall; besides buildings bc- , ;:in. ;..! irovernment, such as liarraeks, Military H(jspital, (lomniis- ■;!l "^rduatiee Stores, OHlces, ^V'orkshops, and other building-^, ^ .!i i. I'ni^i iiu'rease rapidly in value. In consccpienee of the I 'i vhi.- Hridge, the new 'ro\> II has become the great Market lUii' ul'iiral produce; ofth(! old J'slablishmeiils on the North side '• a'AU River, as Avell as of the new agrieullural eslablislmient> .. , iidesiifii, which are rapidly increasing in number, ami coiibe- , •. so thai it now promises tt) hi\ one of lh expens"- '.n:j siich a Ihidgc, leaving lor the use of Government, all the •I'upied at present fur iJanackt;, Olfieos, Stores, and V\'oik- Tlie tolls of ihis Ihidgc arc rented for JC2'i(), a year (with rc- • • foi- '''■liritary purposes, such as tlie passage of Troops, Sloro, ':m: which is (Mpiivalcnl to the int(ucsl ola sum of Money suf- ,; to detVaylhe expense of building such a Iji'idge. It maybe said, • i: !ias cost much more than ulial it could now be built Tuis may be true, but st) far from lowering, it lends to enhance iiv t-ii.n-'te of its importance, ;uul value, since it shows that the ad- ■■>.•'■" iges derived from it, would re-act upon itsell'. It certainly does i.-i prove by any means, that if the same undertaking, were to be e.xe- Miled under the same circumstances, the ellects would be difi'ercnt f'oni what they W(U'e. I readily grant, that tlie same accident might not h;ip])eii, were the same to be done again, and that one half of the whole expense, by possibility, might be saved, which winild have to be placed to the credit of good luck, or fortune, rather than to that of tlie director, or superinteudant. Tliat the main I>ridgc of about 220 fc(M span, should have fallen, when it was nearly coin})lcted, was an acci- dent which no sagacity could have foreseen, having arisen in conse (luence of the breaking of a chain; although the chains, by the urdina ry rules of culculatioii. were sullicicntly ;-ir'.)nu' fbil if Col. T\v had on 1 ( 10 mill Im <'i;il nil J',tlil'CX rlookn!, ) llir iir- inily ol rcliiistMl, ilij('(;l to lie IlillllC III view;* present ul 1,5(H» ilinijs; ol (-liurcli, cry res- wo Miir- in^rt bc- Coiiiniis- )uiUliii}4s, ;<3 ot" the t Market sorth side Hslmieiit-. M(.l eoiise- , in l'|)pei >iUl IjrinLi e e\|iens' nt, -all llie nd V\'ork- (with r; • ps, Store >, oney sul- iiybe said, V be huiM o cidiunee at tlic ad- lainly docs to l)e e.\e- c dilVerent ent might half of the ha\c to be that oi' tlie t 220 ic(M 5 un acci- in ennse tlie ordina . TU had oil lilt' OeeaHioh Ot iIm l;dlin;,, r.lo|iped all lui tin I prn( eedint^b, ll»o p.'tii ul the \M'rk ])erfornied, wouhl have been totally lost, with a ifreat pait ui ail. of it heiielieia! foiise'juenees; u he.icas pervcveim^ resolutely, vmtil he had lirially, and hap[)ily Miccecdeil, he huH coniplend one of the most useful U'l-rks, o| tlie kind, in the Cunadas, and thu cxpcnce incur- r'(l, in eomph-iinu- it. hI'I't it had fallen, did not amount to so much as would ha\e hcen lo!*t, by httin;;- ii remain in a state of ruin; besides losiiiLT tin" Tcdls. and a!) the other general advantaifes, now aetually diri\e.d iVoin it. In line. i( appj-m-jj i,nnc, that it all the advantages 'iiiiiieei'd with Ihe '•rudinii' <>i tbe ("haudiere Ih'idire, part of which I ha\e eii(lea\oiired i(» , -how . were taken into consideration, by unpre- judieed minds, they wouhl nnheHilalintrly pionounce, tluit {'o\. iJv, in prosec.utinu; thai ucrk to its comph^fion, lias done Just that, which ho oiitfhl to ha\e done, ;ihd that, iiad therxpcnee been live limes greater than was ealeulaled on the outset, he has duHt; nothiiii^ which he was not recpiired \o do, in the service of his country, by an enlightened view ofhisdiity. I hesitate not to add, that among competent judj^es, for one who would he fonn-l to (lis;ip])rovc, of the completion of the IJridge, fifty would lie found tliat would condemn his relimjuishing it. I have taken more space in deiailiiH,Mht eircumatances connected with tliis Ih'idire. than I should have done, had 1 not been aware, tliat it is the all enfrrossiiiiMlieme of vilu])cra.ti(tn at!;ain^t Col. l>y, on the part of some jMalcontents, and is i'e,t;;arded hy them as his grand and ca- ))ital error. -' Ihe head and front of liis ollendinff ;"' whereas, if I do not liieatly deceive myseli", ii will pro\e a source of honour to him, and of incalculaljle a(l\anta:;c to the country. I now [)roe(!ed to make a f(n\ observations on Col. IJy's conduct, and proeeiuling;;. Itiimediately upon his ui'rival in Canada, lie began bis I'xamination, ami preparations for the undertaking ; soon after, the >v.irl of Dalhousie acconi[(ani(id him to Hull, and examined his plans. They decided on tin; site, where the communication sliould commence from the waters of the OtIiMva, and Col. IJy, having returned, forth- with to Montreal, plans and spee.ilications were prepared, and it was advertised in Newspaj)ers in the Canad .', and in the United States, that ("ontracts i'or performing the, worl: '.-. ould be given out at a parti- l >illr 1 1 IS i: loubttill II If '- \< I ! i a single instance has occurrcil,u'h"rcin lie leAiscd to see any person uho ap|)lif'H fo him, unless occi;[>ie(1 at tlic samo time, with some one else on business, even when the nature ot'lheir business ^vas not ur- i^enl; and he has been culled up IVom breakfast, dinner and iVoni bed ; iie not only readily attcndeil,but was scarcely ever known to comj)lain, or to find fault for havinii;bccn so disturbed. In this res[)ect he is su- perior to every one that I have ever known, or heard of, witho\it any exception. If he appointed any tinie w hen ho would ho. at any jjartieu- lar place, about heail quarters, or on the line of the Canal, he was uni- formly punctual, to such appointments. No v.eather, however bad, no impediments however great, prevented him. I do not think there exists, a man entrust(;d with an undeitakinj;:, even of a magni- tude, far inferior to that with which he was ehaig-ed,who is better ac- (piaintcd with the general j)rinciplcs of what he c(mducls, and but few, that are better accpjainted with the n/mutin* ; cerlaijily there never was one, more willing to inform, or assist those under him, none who would do more to facilitate them, in their undertakings, by advice or o- Iherwise, and in many instances, when, to ])ass through the dillerent formalities required, would iVom unavoidable eaus«-'s, sometimes take so much time, that the ]MM*son would sutler materially by tiie delay, and the works, under their charge be impeded, he bus taken upon him- self to get the business done williout these foimalities. This accom- modating disposition, arising from his laudable solicitude to jirevent in- dividual loss, and to accelerate the works committed to his care, might have created some irregularities in thestatemenis, particularly when it isconsidered,whatcoNF;DENTrALci.E.'-Ks he had about him,charged uiih the management of his accounts, and more p.arlieuiarly as it is now ac- knowledgetl, that a portion of their lime had been directed to purpos- es inconsistent with the (hities of the (Jliice. In a word, it may be alhrmed with confidence, that if, out of his own private fortune, he had been chargeable, with the whole costof the undertaking, or if his lite had depended on the good quality of the work, cheapness of execution, ami speedy completion, he could no;. liave made greater exertions, or more com])ielely identilied himself with the design, in order to its fulfilment. In many instances he has well nigh lost his life, from the great fatigue, boih ol' body, and n.ind, which he has endured, and from personal exposr.re, ])rcmpted by his extreme earnestness for the success of the v.ork. It were littleio be \yondered at, if some parts of such immense works have not, in the lirst instance, proved completely successful, u hen it is considered, that a multitude of assistants, and opcu'ators, were cmi^loyed. and nearly all of them, unacquainted with the duties which they had to pertbrni. ' Al- though Col. By was as attentiv(,', and indefaligable, as man could be, yet he could not be always, at all places, his order:; uiight in many in- stances, have been badly attended to, or not understood. Notwith- standing, I do mostsincerely believe, that there never were' works of such a nature aiul magnitude, where there ViCre fewer defects, or de- fects less dillicult to be remedied, and wli?.tevr;r delicienties might have Ol gj-eat 0] countei in estaL mei'ce, mense ] and trai inliabit( think, b trust coi to his c (he trsk j'udgmer eedinii- 1 of his sp \vhich ni ally froii of tempc ment, lie whom h( may liavi \vliieh pc cum spec after eve best aecji ill the lai In writ h;ive bee culated,! !>y''s cnei same tim trom a r; has I.'een exj)eri(!ni gratitude ;uid espe in vain t\ cation of am cons( and espe* y is altogetiier ignorant uf the author, or of his design, and ccr- )<>- lainly, is in no respect answerable for the errors or dotecfo ol" liisja logist, should he unfortunately fail of doing tlic honest service in ihc present publication which he intends. — I am persuaded, (hut Col. Ky, con.scious of his own purely disinterested motives, in tlie direction untl conduct of the great enterprise , which was entrusted to his manaiie- nient, as well as of the zeal, and ability, with which he prosecuted the work, until the most brilliant success has crowned it, utterlvcoMtcnins liis petty and impotent maligners, and will scarcely thank, even abler advocates than the writer of these observations, urdess for their good willjin stepping forth to vindicate his reputation. — I frankly own, that for my own part, I have been impelled to oiler t'ae present remarks, principally with a view to wipe olf, if possible, the stain of in;j;ralitudc which, it seems to me, will attach to (Janada. if such an unwai-ranlablc and malignant attack,on so great a benefactoi-, be allowed to pass ^\ ith- out correction, and if, for want of a due exposition of the mei'its of the cause, any misapprehensions, or doubts, should be sulh.red to remain in the public mind, to shade the lustre of Col. Ky's distinguished ser- vices to this country in particular, and to the empire generally. — Nor can I close this statement of facts,without again exj/ressingin e ol 'he Edi- tors of Newspapers. — Large allowances might be made for the vehe- mence of party spirit, and the occasional and partial aberrations into which it betrays, or transports those whom it actuates. — But I can (ind no apology for, and certainly none can feel any manner of sympathy with those, who arc tame, pusillanimous and apathetic, on occasions, when every generous and patriotic feeling conspire to rouse, and to animate, and when nothing but a heartless indilference, or the four of giving offence, where there is no palpable interest of their own to be served, withholds them from lifting up their voices in a cause, where every manly feeling would enlist, and eveiy sentiment of generous in- dignation urge, and imp(d thcuj, were they of the risxht manner of spirit — of the spirit which becomes their oflic*;. I must confess that in my opinion, the utmost violence of party spirit, in the conductors of the press, even when it appears to be united with ])olitical opinions and principles, of which 1 am the least disposed to approve, is not in my eyes, half so perilous, so pestilent, in its tendency, as that seltish apa- thy, or that ignoble and dastardly spirit, which regardless of truth,hon- our, justice, and generosity, will not merely sit listless, and unconcern- ed, but will desert any cause, however good or noble, or stoop to any compliance with the convenient or fashionable opinions that prevail; that base venality of soul, which is ready to prostitute its worthless ser- vice to the lowest and vilest of purposes, and with the same alacrity and readiness, as to the best, — A good deal of this meanness has been of late manifested, but were I endowed with the abilities, and conscious of the power suited to the task, I should feel it in a manner, a moral duty, to hold up to p\d)lic view, and derision, those pitiful beings on whom itii* ohargeable, A FRIEND TO jrSTICE AND TO MERIT. I 1 liis'fiiio- e in tlic Col. By, ction untl euted the contemns 'ven abler leii- good own, tlial remarks, i^-rutiUulc arraulablc passAvith- srits of the to remain ishcil !-cr- ully.— N('i" in