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Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, seJon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included In one exposure are filmed beginning in the Upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre fiimds A des taux de rMuctiun di*f6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atra reproduit en un seui ciichA, il est fUmA A partir de i'angia supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants iliustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 f y .rP^ # pO^^'t^f^i^n SPEECH OF LIETJTENANT-GENERAl SIR HOWARD DOUGLAS, BART., G.C.B., (MEMBER FOR LIVERPOOL), ON MR. C. BULLER'S MOTION RESPECTING GOVERNMENT COLONIZATION, IN TUB HOUSE OF COMMONS, AFRIL 6, 1843. EXTRACTED FROM HANSARD'S PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES. 1843. X II iiiMimi "Wi S P E E C If. Sir, — Finding that very ertraragant expectations are entertained, that a gi- gantic system uf colonization may be adopted to such an extent as to prore an immediate remedy for the very ge- neral distress which prevails in this coun> try, by abstracting large masses of un- employed labour, and transplanting it to the colonies, where, as is supposed, it may be absorbed into masses of employed labour ; and knowing on my own experience, that such an extensive scheme, suddenly car. ried out, would prove fallacious and abor- tive, I came down, prepared to follow the hon. Member, the mover of this reso- lution, to state my views on the pro- gress and prospects of colonization and the extent to which this might be safely pro- secuted. But after the very abli; and comprehensive exposition made by the noble Lord the Secretary of State for the Colonies, I shall lay aside this mass of documents with which 1 was prepared to enter fully into this question, and at this late hour of the night. I shall confine my- self to a few general observations. I con* A 2 cur generally in the opinion stated by the hon. Gentleman the mover of this resolu- tion, as to fhe temporary causes of the prevailing distress in this country; but not so, as to the main cause. 1 believe that the distress in which the working classes of this conn try are involved, is principally occasioned by the active com- petition of foreign nations in manufac- turing industry, by which the value of British labour has been greatly depressed, in relation to the value of foreign labour, and the condition of the labouring classes of this country thereby greatly deterio- rated in the scale of comfort. I agree with the hon. Mover in this, that the field for the consumption of British goods, has become restricted ; but I assert, that the restriction is not owing to us, but to foreign nations who persist in refusing to receive our productions, although we do receive, far more freely, theirs. Hon. Gen- tlemen opposite, still contend that foreign nations would receive our commodities freely, if we did so with respect to theirs. But, as it is of importance that this vain expectation should be completely set at rest, I am prepared here by official documents and proofs, this once and for all, to establish the contrary. I have, upon former occa- sions, asserted that the foreign nations to which I advert, will neither relax nor abo- lish their systems, but on the contrary, that their tariffs are becoming ntore and more stringent. I might from these, were it not at so late an hour, explain fully the French commercial policy, and most par- ticularly that extraordinary system of commercial legislation, a sort of commer- rial Parliament, constituted throughout France, and centralised in Paris, to which all alterations in commercial policy are submitted, before they are proposed to the legislative chambers, and which, account- ing for much that we see, forms an influ- ence too strong for any Government, or tor the legislative chambers to contend with, in favour of free-trade. I might, with these materials, show likewise the stnngency of the United States' system, and that no abandonment or material relaxa- tion in our favour will be made there. I admit, that they may abate something of the stringency of their late Tariff; but that will be to make it more, and not less efficient in favour of their own manufac- turing system, because excessive duties brmg smuggling into plav. I will here just briefly mention an insidious principle of protection in the United States* Tariff; which those hon. Gentlemen opposite, who ought to be very conversant with it, do not appear to have discovered. It is this, that exclusive of the very high ad valorem duties levied on the importation of our manufactures, there is an arbitrary rat- ing of the value by which the real duty IS enormously «'nhanced. With respect to our cottons, for instance, several quali- ties and descriptions of different real values are clashed together ; but the duty is paid upon the whole, as if they were all of the value of the highest, and in this way our low priced articles have not the benefit of their low price, in the application of the duty, and in fact, I believe in some cases, pay 100 or 150 per cent on the value. I miaht show the like of other rival nations. Thus the wall which the hon. Member for Sheffield spoke of the other night, as one that we were building against foreign na- tions, is, on the contrary, a circumvalhi- i> tiuit uluch fureign natiuns are building against us. We have long been endeu- t()uring by indications and advances on our part, to lower it ; but in ptopor- tiun as we do this, they back }t up, and raise it. So that, this assertion with respect to the wall, und the assertion of the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, and other hon. Gentlemen opposite upon this subject, are quite the reverse of bting cor- rect. Fureign com|)etition, and foreign restriction, are therefore the causes of those limitations, in wonted fields, for the encouragement of British industry ; these tire the main causes of the existing dis- tress, and we must seek compensation for this, elsewhere. I congratulate the hon. Member on the very just and magni' ficent exposition which he has given of the vast value and importance of the colonial trade, and consequently of the colonial system, in connection with his motion for extensive colonization. No- thing can be more convincing than the Very able statement which he has made, taking colony by colony, and class ly class, of the great value of our colonial, compared with our foreign trade, and of the immensely greater consumption of British goods in British colonies, than in foreign countries. This is indeed a powerful appeal in favour of the colo- nial system, whieh I have frequently t;n- deavoured to advocate. But in any at- tempt to multiply or extend these advan- tages by colonization, the great object should be to take especial care that no more labour be abstracted from the un- employed mass at home, than can be immediately and permanently absorbed into the masiies of employed labour in the colo- nies. If this should be overdone, great disappuiatmeot and suffering must be in- flicted upon all those poor or distressed persons, who may have been sent out of this country without regard to the ac- tual state of industry, in the colony t(* which they had proceeded. Supjiose this House were to adopt* forthwith, a system of colonization on a scale so ex- tensive as to relieve the distress of the labouring population by removing so large a portion of it, as might do something like restore the balance between the demand for, and supply of labour, what guarantee will hon. Gentlemen opposite give, that the poor people so sent out of the country would find permanent employment in the colonies, and so better tlieir condition ? The only guarantee we could give, is, steadiness in our commercial policy, and in our commercial regulations, by which only the industry of the people in their new spheres, can he so protected, and kept ac- tive, as to afford them permanent employ- ment. I beg then to ask the hoii. Mem- ber, the mover of this resolution, if he is not an advocate for free-trade ; and if so, whether his free-trade principles, if car- ried out, would tend to ensure to the new colonists permanent employment, prospe- rity and an improved condition ? I ask all the hon. Members opposite whether the promised benefits of colonization be consist- ent with their principles. Why, if the Corn-laws were totally and entirely re- |)ealed, the trade of Canada with this country in agricultural produce and provi- sions, notwithstanding the enlightened policy of the right hon. Baronet to treat the Canadas as integral parts of the Bri- tish empire, would Ik; completely destroy- « pi! cd. Our supplfes would be obtained fronr countries nearer home; or any that might come from America would \te sent from the sea-ports of the United States. Then, with reitpect to timber, if this article were bought cheap without regard to the coun- try of origin growth or production, or to the nationality of the vessels that import it, what would become of the British North American timber and shipping trade ? Why the adoption of the principles of free-trade would effectaally destroy thotte two staple branches of industry, in which only extensive emigration to those colonies cnu'ld find employment ; and so render use- less those boundless spaces as receptacles for our encreasing and surplus population, and which contribute moreover so much to the wealth and power of the British em- pire. Then with respect to the means of poviding for the expence of sending out emigrants to and locating them in the colo- nies. I speak particularly of British North America. There is a very general opinion entertained, that the proceeds of the sale of Crown lands afford Government the means of promoting this. The noble Lord, the Se- cretary of State for the Colonies, has cor- rected this erroneous impression, in hav- ing stated that the Crown has no land to sell there. The whole of it has been alienated ; but I must explain, with the per- mission of the House, the history of this economy, and I request the attention of the hon. Member for Montrose to it, because he hatt had a great share in bringing this difficulty about. And what I am to say will prove that pecuninry economy may very often be })ushed so far in na- imtional |K)li<'y ;>s to become political pro- digality. In consequence of the indispr*- 1^' 9 sition of this House to provide for the charges of the colonial civil lists, these were many years ago, withdrawn, from the Parliamentary estimates. This, with respect to New Brunswick, was announced to me in 1825, and I was directed to call upon the local Legislature to make that provision. I declined to do this, for strong and, as I thought, suflScicnt reasons. I think a person is not fit for such a situation as I then held, who hesitates to act thus, under a strong sense of the objections that may appear to him to be valid upon the spot, and with the most ample local knowledge and experience. I represented that a civil list could not be called for, without carrying out the terms of the arran^ment, viz.— a surrender of the hereditary properties and revenues of the Crown, to the Legislature, in return for the civil list : that thus, all the Crown, or its representative, had to depend upon, would bie alienated for a very trifling sum ; that the colonial governors and governments would become dependent on the local legislatures, and the set- tlement of the country likewise j that the control and responsibility over the go- vernor, would be transferred from Down- ing.street and Parliament, to the colonial legislatures, and the Queen's representa- tive thus become dependant upon them. My objections were admitted; the civil list for my province was restored, through- out my administration, to the Parlia- mentary estimate : but long since has this sad measure been generally carried out. I predicted the consequences ; I forbear at present to pursue ihein. It is sufficient to say that not one inch of land has the Crown to dispose of in that group of colo- 10 f'ii uies. And the funif8 derived from the sale of lands in Australia, are, I believe, entirely exhausted. From what sources then, are to come funds, to defray the ex- pense of sending out vast numbers of emi- grants, either to British North America or to Australia, according to an extensive syatem of colonization ? I can answer for the evils of the early systems of emigration, ur rather of the absence of all system, as shown by the noble Lord the Secretary of the Colonies* I was ia America at the time the achemes of 1S25 and 1826 were undertaken, as a measure of relief to this country, and by which vast num- ber of destitute, squalid emigrants, were landed upon our quays, in the condition which that noble Lord has depicted. I then established those emigrant and agricultural societies, saving-banks, and adopted other arrangements necessary for the better regu- lation and encouragement of emigration. I beg here to advert to the question of tenure, of which the noble Lord, the Member for Sunderland, has spoken. In order to defray the charges of the passage and location of emigrants, they were made to enter into engagements to repay, by the proceeds of their labour, the expense of transport; and with respect to land, to engage to pay a quit rent to the Crown, until they should pay the price put upon the land, and the expense of the grant. I objected to this as a dangerous tenure. 1st. That emigrants so sent out, would migrate into the United States, to avoid payment of passage money ; and that all who might settle under these condi- tion^, as renters to the Crown, would never pay, but oil processes at the suit of the CruH u. That the principle of making the [! 'I 11 governed, the debtor of the Government, w&s obviously, anywhere objectionable, reversing the principle which, as in the funding system, by making the governed, the creditors of the Government, gives each, by so much, an interest in the sta- bih'ty of the Government. These consi- derations put an end to that scheme of tenure. But I believe there is something like it still existing. I must now beg leave to make a few observations respecting succours, and aids, and comforts, and con- solations, that should be provitlwd, not only to attend an extended system of col(»iiiza- tion, but even in the existing settle- ments, where these are greatly deficient, as appear by the papers I hold in my hand. Spiritual aid, religious instruc- tion, and that organization of the Church, which is imperfect without episcopal go. vernmentand rule, demand succour. And here I advert, with pain and regret, to that pernicious, and most unholy act of a former Government, which, some years ago, withdrew from the So- ciety for the IVopagation of the Gos- pel, the Parliamentary grant, by which that society was enabled to provide, to a considerable extent, for the Church in the colonies ; but which it is not now in its power to do. The venerable society is disabled from keeping faith, as they declare in a late appeal, with missionaries already sent out, far less to provide for fresh endowments. Nothing can exceed the devoted zeal, efficiency, and important services rendered by the mis- sionaries that have been so sent out to the colonies. I could mention many instances of this, and of thediificulties,the privations, and even of the dangers to which thov are 12 frequently cxpnsed, and encounter, in the (lisuliargeoF their holy duties. I wish the House would perniit me to state one fact illustrative of this. Visiting an inland district, bordering on an extensive lake, and having attended divine worship in a settlement on its shore, I crossed in the afternoon to another settlement, taking with me the missionary who had officiate(l. I learned from him, that his district com- prehended all the settlements around the lake, and on the rivers falling into it. That he served four churches ; did the par«>chial duties and attended to the schools, at four distant parts of that wide space; doing these duties in turn, so that each church and settlement was only s'^rved every fourth Sunday. The missionary had provided himself a boat for these duties ; and the settlers manned her gratuitously, to carry hini to the dif- ferent points. Finding that he had for many years been charged with these du- ties, I asked whether he had not experi- enced great inconvenience and difficulty in crossing the lake in stormy seasons, and in winter ? He replied that he had ; that it was very perilous to him, and prejudicial to the settlement, that there should not he a missionary on each side of the lake ; but that the society had not been able to comply with a requisition that hud been made for an additional missionary in that quarter. That on one occasion, having urged the settlers, who formed his crew, beyond their discretion, to take him across the lake, the boat was upxet in a squall ; the missionary succeeded in reaching the boat, and, clinging to her for about ten hours, drifted to the lea side of the lake, and so was most providentially preserved. 13 The crew were all drowned ! I may truly say, of my ovyn knowledge, that but for the instrumentality of this society, vast num- bers of settlers, members of the Church of England, must pass from the cradle to the grare, without the blessings and the bene- fits, and the consolations, of the religion they profess, according to the forms and faith of the national Church. With res- pect to the endowment of the bishopric of New Brunswick, I advert with great satis- faction to the intention announced by the noble Lord the Member for London, when Secretary of State for the Colonies, to ad- vise her Majesty to found a bishopric in the province of New Brunswick, on the grounds, that the Roman Catholic Church is fully organised in that province, in. this respect, and so is the Church of Scotland ; and that it does not seem appropriate that Members of the Church of England, in considerable numbers, should either be under the superintendence of a bishop residing at a great distance, or be left entirely to voluntary contribution, in this essential matter. For these reasons, thus admirably expressed, the noble Lord pro- posed to advise her Majesty to erect New Brunswick into a separate diocese, with a grant of 600/. a-year in aid of other funds, and without which grant it was made evi- dent to the n(»ble Lord that this bishopric could not be founded. This intention, I hope and trust will yet be carried out. I refer to it with great satisfaction, and I can assure the noble Lord, the Mem- ber for the City of London, that the inten- tions which he thus announced has ensured to his Lordship the grateful acknowledg- ments of that portion of British North America, to which this measure relates. 11 v: 14 In otiinr rt>spei'ts, likewise, there is a great tvaiit of spiritual aid in British North America, occasioned by want of funds to enable the Society for the propagation of the Gospel to provide for missionaries ; and I can assure the noble Lord, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that until these most necessary and essential requisites be supplied for religious worshifi, mnd for religions and moral education in connectioh with the national Church, which are greatly wanting in many of the settled districts of British North America, and which ought to be consi- dered, too, an essential provision that should attend any system oif colonization ; until these be abundantly carried out — co- lonization will be discouraged, and the moral and religious improvement of the settlers by the Chlirch be abandoned. I hold in my hand answers, published officially under the authority of the colonial office in reply to the question, ** Is there a clergyman in each of the settled districts?" which answers state that many of the settled districts throughout the whole of British North America, are destitute of clergymen of the Church of England. And it like- wise appears, by answers, given to ques- tions which persons intending to emigrate, are most likely to put, next to that which relates to their spiritual well-being, that there is great want of hospitals, infirma- ries, benefit societies, and funds for the relief of the destitute. New Brunswick may boast, I believe, of more of these institutions, than any of the other pro- vinces, in proportion to her population. In Prince Edward's Island, there are no such institutions. In both Canadas there are several, but more arc wanted ; ami 15 for any exiended system of colonization, must l)e greatly enlarged. And this leads me to recommend, most urgently, that there is probably nothing more im- portant than to provide medical and surgical aid and dispensaries for medicine, in new settled districts at the public ex- pense, or from some such fund or other. Hon. Members who hare never visited new 82ttlement8, or witnessed the Un- common difficulties and dangers, and ac- cidents to which the first settler, the pioneer of cultivation, is exposed, can- rot conceive to what sufferings they are exposed in these undertakings, from dis- eases incidental to labour and exposure, in the virgin forest; to accidents in fell- ing timber, and in, at first, the unskilled use of the axe. I could mention many terrible instances of this, which I have witnessed, when no medical, surgical, or medicinal aid were within reach. No- thing then is so important, to the phy- sical well-being of the emigrants, as that medicnl and surgical aid should be provided, for the first perio'f *f- f , B '(1 ■