%. <\y. ^>, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■- ilM 150 '"■'== 1^ IIIIIM |M 2.2 2.0 1.8 U III 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 l\ iV ^R) .V ^^ :\ \ » 6^ ..v.„.- Yours sincerely, Robt. Gourlay. The Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D.D. No. 3. House ^Cor^^^^^ath Fields, Mv DK.n Sxn-Hcre is the J-^^day o^i^^^^^^^ aTdtxl'ltld gave you to solve the question, ^"^ P^^f "f h^lf a bushel of wheat be paid if a common labourer earned the price ot na ^^ ^^^ per^ day." You know that I announced this^ to the m^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ indrews ; and I did so to all ^^e. ^^ f ^JiS' economy, and hope attention to the mightiest proposition m political y you have gravely ^^"g^* ^f^f/ ^^^^a but connected with the same There is a question ot aiiotner kiuu, uuu v » ^c. «». ',4- ields, , and d me s ac- is the sheet jrned. uties ; sophy. Laws. ; day; sh you to the rather unning ance of I to the votild be ; a ques- ents and sert that irance to this was and then r a week, splain. — JRLAY. Fields, h which I axes could si of wheat ister of St. so to arrest , and hope 1 the same subject, which I am now to put, because not algebraist enough to satisfy myself, and for five years have wished for a correct answer : The population of Great Britain was, in 1 700, 6,523,000. in 1801, 10,817,000. — in 1821, 14,089,677. Now, supposing it desirable, all things considered, that our population should go on to double every century for several centuries to come (and you can easily suppose that improved agriculture and economy otherwise might admit of this, with safety and comfort to all, even though we had no supply of food from abroad)— Supposing that, while oar population remaining at home increased no faster, we neverthe- less doubled by breeding every twenty-five years, and got quit of the surplus by emigration of people between the ages of twelve and twenty years — ^ Queri/— How many must emigrate every year from the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, taking the population to start with at twenty millions ? Before answering with precision, several points may require consi- deration. But I now do not wish to confuse my meaning as to the principal point, and should willingly do mv best to explain any doubt which may arise. Even a vague soliition at first would be acceptable, to give opportunity for correcting mistakes or error. It will afford me great pleasure to have a letter on the subject directed to this house, where a good unknown pays my postages. In my forthcoming publication there is a letter of mine which appeared first in the Morning Herald, with an allusion to your using the word alone. I have now in a note said, " This word is so used by other authors when onli/ or sole would be more proper. My justly respected friand will excuse my pointing to his much too frequent use of it thus, as it smacks of affectation, than which nothing is more distant from the real character, admirable for genuine sincerity." Could I once be thought perfectly sincere, it is my hope that a broken ship may come to land. You, I hope, think so, and will accept my best assurance that I am very truly yours, ,„. „ ROBT. GOURLAY. The Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D.D. No. 4. Glasgow, July 27, 1826. My Dear Sin — I received your volume, and take it very kind that you have sent it to me. Be assured tnat if I have declined entering upon the question in political economy which you submitted to me, it is not because I am indifferent to any wish or request of yours ; but you know as well as I, how the doctrines of this science hang together, and that we really cannot do full justice to one of its topics, without taking a comprehen- sive view of the whole. It is ill fact far too unwieldy a subject for a literary correspondence ; and besides, I am impressed with the feeling of a great elementary difference betwixt us in our views of population, pauperism, the rights of the labouring classes, SiC, and I am pretty sure that the result of our launching together on the sea of so wide a speculation, would just be a controversy that we should find to be interminable. Will you forgive my haste, as at present I am very much occupied, and believe me, my dear sir, yours very truly, Thomas Chalmers. Robert Gotirlay, Esq. GLASGOW WEAVERS. No. 1. 2, Bridge Street, Ltiih, 30/A April 1829. Sir — I have this day read your affecting letter to Sir John Max- well, dated 24th instant, and printed in the Glasgow Chronicle, wherein you say, " We want no public pity — no pecuniary relief — we are willing and able to labour." May I beg the favour of a few lines, saying if you think the wea- vers would listen to advice from me. Write after inquiry and reflec- tion ; but say nothing of this letter, which keep private — Yours, &c. ROBT. GOURLAY. Mr. Charles M'Kay, Secretary to the Operative Weavers, Glasgow. No. 2. Glasgow, May 6, 1829. Sir — I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of date 30th April, in which you signify a wish that it should be kept private. In answer to this suggestion 1 have to say, that every letter addressed to me as an official person is laid before a general body of delegates, chosen from the operatives connected with the union, amounting to a popula- tion of about 15,000 ; these delegates are again bound to lay the sub- stance of the contents of said letters before their respective constituents ; consequently your letter has not been kept in a corner. You ask me if you think the operatives of this quarter would listen to your advice. They will listen to every reasonable opinion ; however, I would beg you never to mention the possibility of paying the national debt in fifty years by the sale of colonial lands, for I am confident it would only excite their risible faculties ; for we are convinced that although the lands of Uritain, which are much more valuable, were sold, with houses, mines, and canals, the proceeds arising therefrom would fall far short of paying off the iiational debt. I, however, return you my sincere thanks in name of my constituents for the interest you have taken in their condition. — Yours respectfully, Charles M'Kay. Ttobt. Gourlay, Esq. m ■^ 9 ondence ; ementary the rif^hts lie result n, would occupied, 1 1829. )hn Max- Hhronicle, r relief — the wea- nd reflec- 'ours, &c. JRLAY. i, 1829. )th April, In answer I to me as ?s, chosen a popula- f the sub- stituent? ; ou ask me lur advice, would beg al debt in it would t although sold, with would fall n you my you have vrKAY. 5 No. 3, 2, Bridge Street, Lcith, 'Jth May 1829. Sin— The only reason for wishing my letter to you kept private was, that female relations in Glasgow might hear of it, and have other than their nsible faculties excited ; for it is difficult to manage between women and weak men, or shall I say between weeping and lauL'hing philosophers. The risHdc faculties of Sarah were excited when told she was to have a child : nevertheless she had a child. Agrinna, the heathen, might doubt when asked, « Why should it be thouKht incredible with you that God should raise the dead ? " but now-a-davs we must not doubt. Should operatives listen to me, I shall not draw on their faith, but submit to reason, as to what I have engraved on my business card. I am neither mad, young, nor inexperienced ; have suffered more for operatives than any man alive ; and as this, by your rules, will be laid before l.),000 of them, I take the opportunity to say that their best hope should rest in what you think impossible— what you beg me never to mention, as it would excite their risible faculties viz. my asserting that the national debt may be paid off from sales of colonial lands. If operatives incline, I shall meet their delegates in Glasgow when- ever they choose, first to prove this, and then to shew how every in- dustrious man throughout the kingdom may have constant and profit- able employment. Should my offer be accepted, you may, instead of keeping this private, publish it in the newspapers, that all the world may laugh me to scorn in case of failure. Otherwise, the less ex- posure the better— Yours faithfully, Mr. Charles M'Kay. No. 4. Glasgow, May 26, 1029. Dear Sir— I am sorry that I have not had it in mv power to answer your last communication at un earlier date than 'the above \ou will, however, be ready to grant me your excuse for this seeming neglect when you are in possession of my reasons. In the meantime as I cannot enter into particulars, I will just say that since I wrote you last I have been threatened with the strong arm of the law, and pro- claimed through town and country because I happened to be the au- thor of a circular letter to the operatives in the country. I laid the contents of your last letter before my constituents, or dele- gates appointed by my constituents ; and as they considered it rather opposed to the proceedings in which they were engaged, they could not give any definitive answer ; but they informed me, or rather I should say instructed me, to say that if you would come to Glasgow they would be happy to hear what you have to propose for their benefit • and by giving me timeous information of your arrival, or the time you intended to come, a respectable meeting would be convened. Ji^^^&mmSKBKIKKP'i'im-mmmciiiiy^ 6 Tliis id the sum totul of what passed. Before I conclude, however 1 niust say you seem to have been rather cut with some of the expres- sions I used in n.y last card to you. If this is the case, I have iust to say that men have a right to differ in their opinion ; and I can assure you that my mind is open to conviction, and so I believe is the maioritv of my constituents (excuse mo for saying a majority.) You sav vou are neither youn^ nuuL nor inexperienced. This I knew before vou expressed vourself ,n that manner. I am none of those who believe a man mad when he ,s condemned by the money-catchin- part of the community because he has followed the dictates of a benevolent heart. If ever we should meet, which T earnestly hope we may, you will find rnc both young and inexperienced. Do not think we are indifferent to your proposal. .No: I believe you will (if you promise to come) be nnxi.msly expected and warmly received. You ^vill therefore excuse tins hasty .croll ; and, m the meantime, I remain vours respectfully, Rol^i. Gourlaj/, Esg, Ch.hi.e8 M'Kav. No. 5. -^ ^ Leil/t, 27(h May 1829. Dkar Sir— Yours of yesterday is received. I was not cut with your expressions, nor cast qou ^ because of opinions. The Duke of \Vell.ngton, to whom I had written on the same subject the week be- fere, was as contemptuous of my opinions as your brother weavers can be. and the chief magistrate of this place has been more so ; but I only leave them to enjoy it. ^ I would be with you without delay, but have business on hand here. I trouble you at present to beg your particular address-your p ace of residence in Glasgow, as I may send you a parcel, and vvrite at greater length, ,f sure there would be no miscarriages You can satisfy me of t . . by return of post, without consultation. I need scarry say, that the heart-rending accounts from manufacturing towns touch me ; but we must be cautious in expressing feeling^ Mr. Charles M'Kay. ^^^^ ^o^^^^^' I No. 6. Glasgow, June 1, 1829. Dear hi R--I acknowledge the receipt of yours of date 2^th Mav and on account of my having removed my former place of call, it dfd not reach me until this day. As you want to be informed of mv place of residence, I have to state that I live about a mile from gS gow, at a place called Drygate Toll, and by calling at Mr John Barne s, grocer there, you will find me ; or if you have any parcel to send, you can djrect to the care of Mr. John MaCechnie/EIephanJ lavern, 27, Gallowgate, Glasgow. ^«p"dnc I do not wonder that your plans, or any plan for amelioratine the condition of the industrious poor, should be treated with contempt by ■wi ! ^^" ""^^nWHVI [le, however, 'the expres- hiive just to I can assure the majority if ou say you ' before you ivho believe part of tlie olent heart, ou will find indifferent to come) be fore excuse spectfuUy, M'Kay. Vf 1829. t cut with e Duke of 5 week be- eavers can but I only ; on hand •ess — your and write You can !■ I need ifacturing 'ling. URLAV. , 1829. ''th May, til, it did 3d of my om Glas- Ir. John parcel to Elephant iting the ;empt by the powers that be. However, the time is not fur distant when tliov will he under the neccmly of imiuiring into tlve condUion, and adopt- ing plans for the relief of suffering thousands Yours, &c. n t, f. , ,. Charles M'Kay. /too/. Liourloij, Lsif. No. 7. 2, Bridge S'reel, Leilh, Alh June 182.0. Mr. Gourlay accompanies this with pamphlets and papers to be perused by delegates of the operative weavers, Glasgow, viz Letter to Lord Kellie, written Do. to Archdeacon Coxe, ... Tracts on t';c Poor Laws, 1st and 2d 3d 4th Address to the Labouring Poor Do- do. do. . Petition to Parliament, presented by Mr. Hume Vhe United Labourer, and sundry papers connected therewith - _ _ 1808 1815 1815 1816 1817 1817 1822 ISr^'R 1828 These pamphlets and papers are not submitted from anv rc«ard to the sentiments and projects contained in them, but to afford proof of Mr. G.s long and steady adherence to the cause of operatives and thTnr*''"' experience have changed his opinion in many Mr. Gourlay conceived a high respect for Glasgow Weavers from the appearance made before the Parliamentarv Committee on emi- gration, i«27, by Joseph Foster and James Little, from that place • and he rejoices that now, when grim want is exciting others to coml mit useless acts of violence, sealing and cutting out webs, breaking machinery, &c.. that Glasgow Weavers deport themselves manfullv prudently, and peaceably. They may learn from the present success of the Irish, that the toughest battles maybe won hy orfranimaTn and perseverance. Tliay may always be assured that the people have sufhcient strength with sufficient wisdom. Tiie operative weavers of Glasgow have funds by which they can send delegates fiir and near Should they incline, they may have JMr. Gourlay's advice in person' for payment of his expenses, say a seat outside the coach going to and returmng from Glasgow, with board and lodgings as long as thev find him worth so much. Mr. G. dare not in prudence, even were he able, tender his services gratis. The engraving above is his business card. He must speak and act with the operative weavers as a nmn Tf business; and if required, will give good reasons for all that he has wntten as to paying the national debt from colonial land sales He will shew how every industrious man throughout the kingdom may be speedily and profitably employed. ^'"gaom at fifrth?sr'^^^ ^'^ ^''^''* ^" ^"''''^' ^'^ *^'' '"^ *^^ '°''''^°^ ^'"^ J«y« Mr. Charles M'Kay. "-■-.^ •*• 'fWxflRKJirfllW i No. 8. ,., , ,,..«,/ Toll Cross, Angusl 9, IQ29. ,te to you with a P'^'^^^'' "" n^^.,^^^ ^oll : called at Turn- ., but you had rernoyed from ^^^^^^^^^^^ no one was Mr. Charles M'Knif. I wrote rl^rr^lliXt^t but you we. „o. .he. ) ROBT. GOURLAY. No. 9. 2, Br«/gT S/ree<, L.i^/., 12//. September 1829. Mr. Gourlay is -inded of Glas^^^^ ^ZJ^I ^^^^^^ newspapers that a number of them have craveu jea ^^f ■ are 9th 1B29). Mr. Charles M'Kay. (no reply.) W J UNITED STATES. No. 1. TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW YOUK STATE. London, January 10, 1827- Arrx Having expressed a wish in an address to the Fellow ^»''^--"f^^"^, ,■ L,i .,„.„„„ you last October, to be as- people of Upper Canada publ^hedamcm you ^^^^^ .^ ^ ^^^^^ ^ iistid by them, or by Y^u, or ^Y ^^^ J want a subscription to the subscription, ^nd now say that ^J^^ J^ a single cen? from each amount of hve ^l^J-^ f.^Tand wt h^nfght be^obtained even be- subscriber, in f ^.^J^J^editors of newspapers to publish this, office, Geneva, thence to be '^J^'''^^^^ T; ^^^,,^ ^^ your part gener- My object is ^o ^-- -^^^^^^^^^ ilniA/ f om ally to assist me m estaWisning a ^ ^^ipable. Were five hun- Europe to America which ^^«"^'^, ,*;"^'^^^^^^ on the strength Toiaing meatus Xfil^:^^^-^.^^^ I would cros. Should the P3'\°f^^PfJ,^;rround Lake Ontario; otherwise ?™'":;n-;>™-/" ?»*"■• The BOve™me„t of upper Ca„ada -f a-. 9 829. ame to ; Turn- ne was ILAY. 1829. ng from and re- ving are August , 1827. ;s8 to the to Le as- I want a ion to the from each . even be- blish this, the Land- »art gener- tion, from five hun- le strength isten to my tion ; pro- Lewiston, iTOuld cross ; otherwise per Canada may hang me as legally as they imprisoned and banished me. Of that however, I liave no fear, and but for a delay in Chancery, should have returned to the Province in autumn 1H23, It is now ten years since I resolved to seek an outlet for the poor of England in America. My first intention was to sail for New York, there to make arrangements, but chaucs carried me to Quebec, and ori- ginated a world of misfortunes. My objects are so pure, steady, and great, that nothing appals— nothing' makes me despair; I desire to rescue the poor from the oppression of the rich, and regard govern- ments with satisfaction only as they tend to liberate and humanize, earing nothing for names and forms. Ten years of misfortune, failure, and persecution, have rather whetted my desire to proceed in the cause of benevolence. These years have indeed afforded experiences which may greatly promote ultimate success; and emigration is not a momen- tary conceni. It is not in times of distress only that this should be thought of: the more that the world prospers in peace, the more should emigration be regarded and encouraged. iMy zeal for reform in Upper Canada sprung from no disloyal source : it had no view whatever but to render that fine country a desirable asylum from the miseries of the parent state. "With reform in Canada, emigration from hence would have been more immediately successful, and less resisted by our government, than emi.cration to the United States. Now there are fewer obstructions, and prejudices are dying away, while we have people to spare for every p:;rt of the new world — hundreds of thousands for each succeeding year. There is a rumour of war, but this, I trust, \. ill prove groundless ; and could peace be maintained for twenty years, I doubt not but all who speak the Knghsh language may again be re-united under one government. I am told that congress proposes speedily to dispose of the remaining unoccupied lands of the Union to individuals, for little or nothing. Were I at New York, I would post to ^Vashington, wait on the President, and advise that not another acre should be ur government never has rightly understood how a new country should be most pro- fitably settled, and that is a matter of utmost consequence to humanity and the world at large. I need not say more. If you incline tr) as- sist me, club your cents, by tens, and hundreds, and thousands, without delay. _, - ^ Rob. Gourlav. House of Corrcclion, Cold Balk Fields. The above was pul)lished in Airerican newspapers ; and in the Colonial Advo- cate, pul.hshetl at New York, Upper CananvinaUe. It ^^g ^^^^ > right-hand of fellowsh p .cross the Tf'Z Let us be done with jealousy and war-vanity and vexa- "^^ "i !;iri^ Let ,^ e^unite. and then you may be more than con- tion of «P%*; ,/f ."t se^re yourselres, vou may give security to all. nuerors. Ihus, being secure yu '^Usnthe eloben the r arms; Lt Britons and Americans re-umte ^^d e-lasp the ^loDe bestow enlightened laws «"/^« 3^' f ,^,,X ,^^^^^ throughout, erect a tower whose top may r«ach un Til '"u clre^d" 7h: K^g: wl^:;.?! - wt^g ?"-Why should t"Xo le'^e tSaid of ^r^^yj^^^^^ on.- blinded with prejudice and P^^t^^J^^fbeTl in^l^^^t^ press to ei-ulate common sense e^ > ^^,^ tnend government L«\ "^ [^f,^^^^ f^^ J common good, to expose f M-^l'o;rbo?h ides and it u ^ow profit by it. that our family- Stmav be renewed and confirmed. How monstrous to suppose compact "'^^^^^^.f "S^'„,i, ^f Lower Canada, or the rag-tag of all na- that the «"^"f^\^^^^X provinces, should be better disposed towards tions, scattered o^^y ^"'f^^J;^ offspring ot her patriots and statesmen- Britain than y«"^*^Xs-herTet" and philosophers :-yo«, whose her moralists and martyrs "'^'^ P*;^ n Wallace— Hampden and blood ran pure from tlie veins of B^- ^^^ J^alhce ^^^^, J__,, Sydney-Wickcliffe, W^slmrt, and ^^ ^^,^^ ^^^^^ speare, J»^^"|„^i,7aTymimthize more warmly with the benighted people of B"tam, should sympa ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ VV^ashington. things who hadnot ^t to^ ^^ court-appointed nor even "ow, sense and spmt to ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^.^^^ , gove^nors han you who '-^^y e ^^^^^^.^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ '" f '"'[nilnd hws a^id sentiments are all the same : nay, when a (1 language, f"^ /=;';'', ^i"^^ fi^^re, rightly understood, are one. rf:^ol"SS you would be less than ever subject to change and disunicm. . .,, , ^Ljered me when cheerless : V ^"S\";;^» d ardo r ori^h^^^^ flame of freedom misht know that ;' F^.^^^'',;™;, ,,_J,i„ ,„ burn forth with nnex- X'«iS.i;s^t^".r 'n.ere was no. among you one wh»e boson, 1 "^mim n le are in- ancestors ; of power, ember that annoi;, un- without it and be not across the r and vexa- } than con- urity to all. 1 their arms; ;ir language ven — not of ert}'. Why Why should e be longer with a free ) make or to y years only d, " to expose our family- s to suppose tag of all na- losed towards statesmen — -you, whose lampden and wton — Shak- that we, the ;he benighted VV^ashington, art-appointed irst gave hope )d and spirit, ; : nay, when tood, are one. be one whole The northern, jsite interests. I'er subject to lien cheerless : "reedom might :h with unex- e whose bosom glowed with more generous passion, and now is the time for ac- I knowledgment. J\ry efforts in Canada were solely to open a door of I connexion with America for a grand system of emigration. Now it 1 IS open, and cannot bt' closed. It matters not where emigrants laud Everywhere they will b'.come independent : it cannot be otherwise, ihink of It : talk of it : cherish the idea iliat the world must speedily be emancipated, if the people unite and esiiblish a grand system of emigration. Had xve free trade, the interchange of manufactures for tood would be immense. The profits of agriculture would draw forth tlie industrious labourc'rs of Europe, and a million at least would an- nually cross the Atlantic, to enjoy the blessings of your excellent in- stitutions : not redemptionera— not paupers: but free, vigorous, and substantial settlers — prospering, and to prosper. I have said that vour government never has rightly understood how a new country should be most profitably settled ; and that were I at xNew York, I would post to Washington, wait on the President, and advise that not another acre of national territory should be disposed of till the subject IS well understood. Repeating this, I trust attention may be arrested, for it is matter of importance, not to you only, but to mankind at large. Ten years ago, travelling among you, this idea oc- curred, and ever since I have mused npui it : indeed these ten years iiave been mainly occupied with such contemplations ; and four of them in prison have brightened my prospects, and ripened my plans. Owen's plans are trifling when compared with mine. They are well enough tor experiment, but fundamentally erroneous. Human energy can be highly stimulated only by the love of self, property, and power—by in- dividuality. Passions M'ere bestowed, not to be smothered, but quick- ened ; and the question is, how to regulate— to balance man against man, and guard against dangerous ascendancies. A community of goods may ensure happiness ; but man was not made for bread al6ne • he was made not only to be happy, but great. Owen has means and coadjutors : ^ylth these I could in a few years create a stream of emigration vvhich would be irresistible : which would refresh Europe- strengthen America— cement the human race— weaken the dominion ot despots, and leave the Holy Alliance to contempt. II rr^ J- ^ ,, ^ , ^. KOBT. GOURLAY. Jlotixe of Correction, Cold Bath Fields, London, October 10, in27. No. 3. TO THE PRESIDKNT OF THE rNJTED STATES. 2, Bridge Street, Leitli, 24th December 1829. Sir— There was a time when no one disliked you more than I did But then halt your own nation, and all the world besides, were aeainst you My countryman IMelish. the geographer, wrote to me in Niagara Jail, January »1U, from Harr.sburgh, that I " was entire!' Jonl nslothe execuhm of the two scoundrels called Arbuthnot and Art bnslic; but antipathy to military despotism, and uncontradicted assertions, then admitted of no reasoning. Your conduct has sinco undergone the severest scrutiny, and the most free, most intilligent 1 12 anJ most moral people on earth have not only acquitted, but raised v<.u to the liighest dignity. Yes, Sir, to be President of the United States is to be more exalted than the mightiest emperor that ever sw'ived a sceptre ; infinitely more exalted than the greatest of here- ditary puppets. Placed where voii now are, it would be impious to doubt your merits or puritv of heart ; and most sincerely do I say, " whom the Lord justifieth, a-ho is he that condemneth ?" I left home in England April 1817, on a visit to my friends and property in Canada. Expecting to land at New York, four tracts published by me on the poor law system were put m my trunk, as introduction there, where I wished to establish an Emigration bociety. Arriving at Liverpool a few hours too late lost my passage to New York. I sailed for Quebec, and thence arose a tram of events which, up to this hour, has marred all my projects ; but by which I am more than ever determined to persevere, believing that every thing great must be dearly paid for. T»r i • ,. The annexed printed address was dispatched to Washington, in liope that I would follow it within a year ; but here I am, stranded and netted in by grievous perplexity. Were I free, no tinie would be lost in sailing for America ; and arriving there, I would hasten to confer with you, assured not only of welcome, but that with your ear, and the concert of your constituents, my designs of nine-and-twen^ years could be accomplished. These need no secrecy, nor can they be advanced by force. They regard directly neither politics nor govern- ment They are purely'benevolent, and have but one object, the .rood of our fellow men. When you see from newspapers what wretchedness prevails in London, in Dublin, in Manchester, nay, throughout the united kingdom; when you peruse our parliamentary reports, and observe what pains are bestowed to search for causes, and discover remedies ; when you reflect on the generous disposition of the British nation, and witness the efforts made by us m the cause of humanity ; when you mark the prevailing spirit of our rulers, aiming continually, even in madness and errors, at what is fair and honour- able, and'of good report ; nay, when you behold the Holy Alliance itself bending to necessity, the dread and glorious power of awakened civilization,— that power which the press is daily strengthening : when you spe this leviathan drawn out with a hook, and now acting with submission to public opinion, you must be aware that a new age is approaching, and that man is destined, ere long, to enjoy better days ; you must now >>e sensible that it is not so much the tyranny of govern- ment, as the ascendancy of wealth, generated by the funding system, and that for the time rendered omnipotent by the increase of maclii- nery, which beggars and enslaves the mass of our population. Anien- cans generally believe that convulsion only can cure the evil, but God forbid. That will best be done by endurance, by peace, by time : That may be speedily done by establishing a grand system of omigra- tion : that may be done, sir, with your ear, and the concert ot your Constituents. „ . , , As soon as free and able, I shall be off to commune ^^■lth you, and till then, accept the assurance of my respect. ' * ROBT. GOUBLAY. mmm but raised the United that ever st of here- impious to y do I say, riends and four tracts J trunk, as on Society. ge to New ents which, I am more thing great liington, in 1, stranded time would d hasten to ;h your ear, and-twenty can they be nor govern- object, the lapers Avhat lester, nay, irliamentary causes, and isposition of the cause of lers, aiming and honour- oly Alliance af awakened ■ning : when acting with I new age is better days ; ly of govern- ding system, se of niaclii- i)n. Anieii- vil, but God ;e, by time : II (if oniigra- icevt of your ith vou, and 1» Mt. Gourlay presents his compliments to General lifacomb. I\Ir G. received a letter from a friend in Upper Canada lately, who had been last summer at Washington, and reported that General INIacomb inquired kindly after him. ^}^k?' ^^'"^'^bers having spent some days in a hotel at Kingston with i\Irs. Macomb and lier son or nephew, "summer 1817, and after- wards crossing Lake Ontario with them in tlie steam-boat. Delighted with the lady's conversation and manners, lAIr. G. made bold, when at Detroit, some months afterwards, to wait on her at the governor's house ; and remembers with much pleasure the reception met with there. He can never forget contrasting the dreary and wretched ap- pearance on the British side of the river to the thriving, cleanly, and spacious streets of Detroit ; but above all, the poor shrivelled French Canadians and the magistracy of his JMajesty, with the open counten- ance, frank address, and full-grown manhood of General Macomb. Mr. Gourlay had for many years before stood the brunt of persecu^ tion because of his principles, and ever since has been the victim of remorseless vengeance. Were he at Washington he could a tale un- fold. Now, he can only make the best use of this sheet. He begs that General JMacomb will present it to the President ; and wishes many a merry Christmas to the Republic. Jamiarif 2Q, \^0. F.h. — The above was despatched when first ^vritte^ to General Macomb, to be presented to you by hin., and a duplicate a few days later. Copies were also sent to Mr. Henderson, Washington ; J\Iessrs. Webster and Skinner, Albany ; Mr. Fellows, Geneva ; Mr. Stuart] near New York ; the Secretary of IMassachusetts Agricultural So- ciety ; and Major Secord, Upper Canada. Thus, sir, have I at once declared my sentiments and views, as well as made reparation for what 1 formerly published to ycm prejudice. I have further read my let- ter to many individuals, and shall give a copy to be deposited in the library of St. Andrew's University, my alma mater. Your message was printed in Edinburgh, the 9th instant, and gave universal satisfaction. We are glad you are liberally disposed to Bri- tain : glad thpt your tariff is to be reconsidered ; glad that popular rights are to be more and more maintained : glad that Indians are to be kindly treated : glad that your national resources, after the liqui- dation of debt, are to be applied to agricultural improvements the extension of roads and canals. Let me, sir, about to despatch this last copy of my letter directly to yourself, repeat, with respectful consideration, what I have again and again asserted, that " your government never has rightly understood how a new country should be most profitably settled." RoBT. Gourlay. General Jackion. Gourlay. 14 li UPPER CANADA. No. 1. 2, Bridge Sired, Leith, 9(h Fehruarij 1R30. Madam— Mr. lAIetliven, writer in Cupa)-, being employed by one of my creditors to get a settlement brought about, found it necessary to write to you ; and you thought projjer, in return, to address a letter to me through him, ilated 3()th October 182!), at once ridiculously peevish, and m;.nstrously unjust. INIadam ! look to a cojiy of what your brother wiste to me in Canada, and which never should have been exhibited, but for his and your persevering blindness. " York, March 23, 1818. " INIy Dkar Gouhlay— My feelings were never so much hurt at> -■ they were this morning, on reading a letter from INIrs. Clark to me, recounting the shocking behaviour of herself and father to you ; I am at piesent too much vexed to say anything more on the subject, but sincerely hope your good sense will make you look upon this worse than savage treatment as it deserves. I hope to see you nearly as soon as, or shortly a.^er this will reach you ; ! wrote you the other day by THr. Stevenson (son-in-law to Mr. AJdison.) Yours truly, ' •' " Thomas Clark." What, Madam, did your brother do after writing this letter ? He and air. William Dickson, had, by their violent complaints against the executive government, drawn me into a controversy, and made me publicly declare that there was " one thing needful, viz. a radical chanr of my life originated in my own sen- from distress i 17 the heedless proselj'tes of Mr. Gourlay's One Thing Needful-v\z a radical change of system in the Government of Upper Canada"~l transcnbe forther information, an extract from tVe common law of the Bntish empire, which bears on the point of unlawful meetint^ or conventions, viz. '; The constitution of Great Britain hS placed the representation of the nation, and the expression of M^ national vyill. in the Parliament, no other meeting or coTendnevt exnrirr^'^ir^ " ?' ^".S^""' ^«"'d ^' a competent o"gan to to «pS^ T" 'i",""^, '""^^'^S' °^ ^"'^^ ^ ""t^re, lending merely Tilt r:- ri'" •^.'^".^l *''^ I^«"P^« '"*« ^" ™«gin«ry assf rtion of Pari a Jn/ 'u ^ Y ^f'' ^^^^S**^'^ *« their representatives fn ParLament. could only tend to introduce anarchy and confusion, and to overturn every settled principle of government." An act of Par- iTeZjZ'TT' "'-'-'',- the yir 1793 to prevent any fuch ineetmgs or conventions; and a few ignorant individuals who, in wereSrdi ^^'^'^ ^/^^^/^ ^.-emble under that title in ScotJ^nd cS Zfh '^ T^ sentenced to transportation. I shall con- tita;ytth:rr'"^"*^ ^" *^^^^'^^-^-^ ^t ^'^^r^"^-'^ *- Niagara, April 18, 1818. ^"''''' ^''^"^- Tlia™ c* • 1 Leilk, Fchniaru 24, 1830. ADril23 IhTh 'V"""".™ published in ,h„ Niagara SpeCalor, «ffi"h dread IZr'jV'" '"?*."' <'»"'P»"'"1 "f fclse insL«i„n aiinst St .^d "'""r''"!'' "■'.'■ "'»* you raised the hue and cry out WUIiam U.ckson, I doubt not, was the author; He who had 50S" SeTof S'fo'"" l^r-'r? Goverumen._he who offered" r :rTh:;s rdt'adri;i;rj: r^e-esitr^D-s S^hPs re?2;iT ^ T-' '''"^ ^^ '"^^'^^ ^"° that country retained iX'^orrXllf:;^^ ^-*-^«f being disgrLedwi^h to SmlwTvluTrp^^ V^'' 'T'^y ^^« announced, I resolved ParliS wras:eS7%\^^^^ 'Z' -^.P-F-Ij delayed till awaken vou and I^^. ^"^^^ "^"t*^" ^* intervals, the better to was LtJnL'^o KhTorfepI?''* ' '" ^*^^'/- ^^^^ ^^^ letter great and good and hLT ^^'' ""^ '""""^ *« ^'^^"'^^t objects Kted. Yra;e in Britain a'tXC ?V'^'^"^' ^^^* y*?^-^^^ i"«ti. one knows Canada better an^ „5\^''* *f ^ '" ^ive evidence. No ^ uua oetter , and no one can better confirm what I ^vfnt - ^J^Mik^..., % 18 to establish, were you properly questioned. Your insinuations agaiiwt me were vile, and every accusation was false. Ihe sufferings I have endured in consequence are beyond descriptiori ; but I am not untor- triviuLr. When you visited us in Wiltshire, 1814, you saw me at the head of an amiable family-all my affairs in order, and my farm mana.'ed to admiration. I visited you in Canada : instigated by you and Dickson. I called for inquiry into the state of the Province ; was deserted, persecuted, and ruined. Sir, I repeat that I am not unfor- tliving. Come forward instantly and volunteer your appearance with me before Parliament or his INIajesty's jMinisters. My prime object has all along been to establish a grand system of emigration ; and that may be instantly set on foot, thoug;. the political state of Canada is unchanged. I could meet you in London . ext week; ""J; before another was at an end, make all sensible that a hundred thousand people may be removed into British America this very year, witli comfort to themselves and profit to the nation. Copies of this letter shall follow the last to the Duke of Welling- ton, and Sir George aiurray-be sent to Canada, and lodged in the hands of respectable persons here. We are now at issue. W itliin three weeks you may convict me of being a " vmomnj enihimasi, or make amends for unspeakable wrong.- Your obedient servant, ROBT. G0UKl./»y. The Honourable Thomas Clark. Copied at Dysart, Fchrtiary 2(5, 1830. James Bain, wilness. RoBT. DoBiE, rvitness. Wm. Swan, wilness. Seafield, Fife, February 2(3, 1830. p s The importance of this communication is such, that I have crossed"to Fife, that a copy might be sent to the Earl of Rosslyn (to be laid before the Privy Council), which it now is, witnessed by his factor Mr. Bain, INIr. Dobie, a ma;Aistrate of Dysart, and Mr. Sv -n, iustice of the peace, Kirkaldy. This duplicate will be directed by my daughter, and sealed with her seal, that you may think more seriously of luivin'' ruined, not me only, but my family, by vile insinuations. " RoBT. Gourlay. Frierton, Fife, March 10, 1830. You have, or you have not, come forward : His Majesty's Ministers have, or have not, resolved to give me a hearing ; but hovvever this may be, I shall remain steady— determined in principle, and resolute for truth. , , ,. . • tr' i „ij Mv last cammunication was read to a public meeting in Kirkaidy, and shown to many persons elsewhere. You now see it m print, and thus it will go forth to the world. Ten years ago, the editor of the Dundee Advertiser liberally gave his paper tr make known my hor- rible treatment in Canada: and is now to exhibit these my letters to you, that the public may judge betwixt us. I am here on the spot, dear to my earliest recollections, and with my oldest friend. Here, 5&i«i»nas Clark. BRITISH GOVERNMENT. No. 1. Seafield, near Kingkorn, July 1, 1828. Sm-Some years afio I sent your predecessor, Mr. Huskisson, a mr>e" relating to colonial policy, of vast importance, c^-iring him to K i in a hlank covLr if thought little of. The paper was re- [urnSl accordingly ; and thenceforth I thought little of Mr. Huskis on. T^,w encS for your perusal a handbill (Purposes of Emigration Societrs-Untn and^gency) of which were lately forwarded to thTDuke of Wellington, Mr. Huskisson, Mr. Peel, and Mr. WUmot Hort^n with duplicates for the Privy Council. 6b uld you thinK this nf HtUe Tonsequence, return it in a blank cover along with the accom- miv UK S and ^e shall be mutually satisfied It is, sir. in the Tower ofThe British Government to effect all that I assert in mjr card, jr that, " rvithout altering a single statute, changing a single institu. i^ T interfering with properti,, the whole system ofthevoorlaws Z'Zles Jy he dispensed with in twenty years, while the naiiona Thtmay he laid off within Jijly years from sales of colonial lands S:. i ho^ever,^no time to be lost ; and I ^^^^^J^^^^^l^^ servant. Sir George Murray. N B — Although every thing like the above should be ju^gedof by its own merits you are welcome to consult as to me with Sir Henry Wns, or write to your Perthshire constituent, Captam James Kerr of East Grange, now'residing at Greenside, near Largo, Fife I re- peat there is no time to be lost. ^' ' No. 2. 2, Bridge Street, Lcilh, i°^ J^^^ least trouble.-I am re- return what is now sent, so as to occasion ^^^ Goublay. •spectfully yours, Jnrne.i Scarlh, Esq. Chief Magistrate of Lciih. No. 6. Leith, 29th May 1829. • 1 „ +1,0 nnnprs which vou transmitted to "^%' sTi St'^ antraptl^Kr Wng Lpt .them so long, LTwhrclfV"rr;;u W - inconvenience.-! am, sir, your very obedient\ervant, j^^^^ Scarth. Mr. Robt. Gourlay. No. 7- 2, Brit/ge 5d- y.ouf. organization in Ireland is at an end. Will ypji^Us^^ t^Vne r ^VS$'J )vi:^,r^cHt to the House of Commons the enclosed petition, get'it'i^rinlt'dj'ant^ bring me before the Committee no^^ 1«B by tl^emselves, and disjointed as at present, may enaoie m . Proj-s of mightiest moment to huma^. ^^^ ^,^ ^„, ,„ „. Evenat present »yre^»--;f;^^^^^ flection on past hfe, «^*^;™f"^" ^ p^^er ;_gives assurance that eam^. and effects process f^mAhmgW^^^ ,^^^^^ • »- H„t,t Mid over rugged paths to tranquilhty. ^Butmyr^nu* B moment, all is for the best. I be. o# «i/Ai« 50 years, from sales qf Colmial Land,. ^^^ qqURLAY. 3, Bridge Street, Leith, June 18W.