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REFLECTIONS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE PROTEST- ANT RELIGION ; WITH A VIEW TO HARMONIZE ITS VARIOUS SECTS, AND ULTIMATELY TO BRING THEM INTO ONE POWERFUL UNITED BODY. 1 'i' § ^':l :!::i:li! PART III. A DISSERTATION ON THE NATIONAL DEBT OF GREAT BRITAIN, WITH A PLAN FOR ITS GRADUAL PAYMENT. <, ^^-v, '•■^ -^^-uxy^ •^^ '\^\y^'^j^ SECOND EDITION. _ \.'\.-V-\^-V.'N.'\-' ».-s^ %/^ "s- -v. ■^-'\Jk."V-*\ m BY HENRY TAYLOR, The Author of •• The System of the Creation of our Gh>be, Phinets, and Sun,'' of Works on the Present Condition of the Cunadas, and on tho Union of tho Cauudas. 1 1 Qloronto: PRINTED FOR THB AUTHOR. 1850, PC It JO IS so CONTENTS Part 1st. Page. Preface, shewing the general design of the Work 3 to 4. Plans for improvement of Agricultural Yield in Canada East and West 5 to 42. Plan for obtaining a Valuable Market for the Produce of the Province , 42 to 62. Plan for improving General Education, and especially for establishing Schools for Agricultural Chemical Knowledge through the Province 62 to 80. Trade, Commerce, and Increase of Circulating Medium through the Province 80 to 86. Plan of a Sanitory Scale of Health for the discovery of the cause of diseases, and directions for preventing them 86 to 92. Part 2nd. Plan proposed to all sects of Protestants and their Cler- gies, with a view to harmonize the same, and, per- haps, ultimately to bring them into one Powerful United Body 92 to 127. Concentrated view of the foregoing part of the Work.. .127 to 139. Part Srd. Dissertation on the National Debt of Great Britain, with a Plan for its gradual payment 139 to 166. An Appendix relating to Late Events, and to Depu- tations from the Legislatures of British North America to Imperial Parliament 166 to 169. Events since First Edition 169. '"■!.? 1 '';i I Ai 1 na i 5C i i m 1 Pi t fir th I th 1 of bi: an 1 in he th 1 th T. va ' mi Di u Ai er PEEFACE. In presenting this Work to the Pubhc, the Author humbly observes, that of the Works named in the Title Page he published and sold 5000 Copies, and he is happy to say they have met with the approbation of the Canadian Public. Some years have elapsed since their first publication, but during that time the Au- thor has not been an unobserving spectator of the political occurrences, and the public affairs of the Province. It is the Province of his birth, and the deep interest he feels for its real and permanent welfare, will probably appear in the present work. It is probably the last he shall present to the Public, and he will therefore, with unbiassed freedom deliver his thoughts on the separate articles named in *bo Title Page, hoping thereby — J^tly. To obtain for this United Province a valuable market for its staple 'produce, in re- muneration for the taking off of the Protecting Duties, by the total repeal of the British Corn JLaws said to take place in February next. Sdly. To promote the establishment of Agricultural School Farms, wherein the mod- ern scientific improvements in Agriculture ! < I i: \ - 1 ''I J I ! I IV. fihall be taught to the Agricultural Youth, witli a view to promote the increased production of the soil, as one antidote to the above named loss of the protecting duties on Canadian Wheat. 3rdly, To call the Attention of Protestant Divines of ^11 persuasions, to the present state of the Protestant Religion, with a view to de^ monstrate the necessity and high advantages of a Grand National Protestant Union of the various Sects, into one NATIONAL PRO- TESTANT CHURCH : and )-. ) „ . 4thly. To show the practicabihty of paying ' off the vast burden of the National Debt ; and the great advantages to the Trade, Manufac^ tares, Commerce, Navigation, and Pubhc Improvements, which must ensue to Great Britain and her Colonies by this great National operation. i January, 1849. ; ( I ' f \ - ll ': 4' < ' ••- '-' .-^ . I" u \k ■■■ir. ay* ii 1' •, :):;: V >- -'i.M? ' 'i '. . I i ' ON fl PRESENT CONDITION OF UNITED CANADL ii .,. ' ' i- In the following work we shall take intd teview the various subjects thereof^ in the order they are named in the Prospectus pubhshed. « And first on Agriculture. What I have published on this subject in the works named in the Prospectus, has chiefly related to the Easterti part of the Province. I shall therefore briefly recapitulate and explain the nature of the plan I therein proposed for the advance of the Agriculture of that part of the United Province, with observations in support thereof, and with arguments which I think will enforce the plan on the consideration of its Government and Legislature. - ^^ - • I shall then proceed to consider the present state of the Agriculture of the Western part of the Province^ both as to its domestic con- dition and as relating to the very important change in the duties on Wheat, that has been announced to take place in the Parent State in a very short period of time. . ^ ; i -i ^5 i* (i ■: As to the Agricultural state of Eastern Ca- nada, it has long been a general opinion that i'f J' w m I-' m I ti' • it is almost impossible to prevail on the French Canadian habitant to alter the mode of Agri- culture his forefathers pursued. This adherence to old modes of Agriculture j even when proved so greatly inferior to that of modern discovery, is by no means confined to the " habitans" of Eastern Canada. It is not 70 years ago since Scotland practised nearly as deficient a mode as Eastern Canada generally does at this day. It was only during the last general war in Europe, that the high prices of grain induced some wealthy intelli- gent farmers to adopt the modern improve- ments into Scottish Agriculture^ and thereby to lay the foundation for its present advanced and highly productive conditioii. It is true^ however, that notwithstanding some of the more intelligent FrenchCanadianshave endea- voured to instruct their fellow-countrymen in a more productive mode of Agriculture, one of which writers I will mention-^Mr< Perrault, who, some years since pubhshed in Quebec, a very excellent little book, on modern Agricul- ture; notwithstanding these attempts to re- deem their country from a mode of Agriculture now obsolete, even in France, from whence it was brought to Canada, and notwithstanding these Canadians, by their own accounts, find their lands falling off in their yield of wheat from nigh 40 bushels per acre or arpent which their forefathers frequently obtained, to 10 or 12 tl a^ P^ bushels, yet they, with surprising tenacity resist the adoption of the modern and more productive practice. It was on account of being well aware of this tenacity, that, in the plan I had proposed in former works, I had contrived to make it not only the interest of the French Agriculturists generally, to adopt this plan but also that each individual among them should feel his interest in, and thereby reap profit from it. * r In order now to bring into prominent view the great advantage of an awakened zeal for Agricultural Improvements, as regards the quietude of the Eastern part of the Province, I shall here have to digress a little into its past and present condition* .>*;-> I verily believe that the almost total destruc- tion of the wheat crops by the wheat fly, which was the case for 6 or 7 years, and just about the period of the rebellion in 1836 and 7, wa^ in one respect an incidental cause of that re- bellion. The French Canadian peasantry had always been in the habit of consuming a great deal of wheaten bread in their families. But by the wheat fly they were obliged to feed up- on the inferior grain, oats and potatoes. I have myself observed amongthem the discontent this at first occasioned, and altho' they could not blame the Government on this account, still when a man is suddenly reduced to more un- comfortable circumstances than customary, he h M Ml 8 is the more ready to receive the impulse of dissatisfaction infused into him by discontent- ed and designing demagogues, and their nume- rous emissaries. Now I beheve the introduc- tion of this destructive fly arose in great mea- sure from thewant of a sound and vigorous state of Agriculture. We know^ that the use cff lime is general all over England and probably in France, and vre knov^ that lime is a great des- troyer of insects. I believe there never has been (except perhaps by a fev^ individuals am- ong the English farmers) any lime used in the soil of Eastern Canada. Since the memorable putting down of that outbreak^ this part of the Province has been blessed with tranquility. The vexed and long discussed question in the Legislature of res- ponsibiUty, has now apparently been settled, and the British Government appears to have agreed to it^ subject only, as in a Colony it must always be^ to the discretion of its Gover- nor. This is shown in a late dispatch of Lord Grey's to the Governor of Nova Scotia, and this agrees exactly with the Explanation I gave of the true meaning of Lord John Russel's dis- patch of 1839, on responsibility, in my work on the past and present^ condition of United Canada, published in 1840-41, Montreal. Thus the boon of Responsible Government has been given to the Province. Sever- al persons of great practical, knowledge 9 of the Provincial affairs, and of considerablo talents, are very dubious of the ultimate good effects of this responsibility. Reformers in general appear to be weW satisfied with, and to take great pride in it. But it is very remark- able that the noted Monsieur Papincau ap-r pears to be one of its greatest enemies- He vrould not believe in it; but the recent fact of the present Governor having chosen his new miur istry from the majority of the house, may perr haps convince his unbelieving soul. This man had declared in one of his letters to his con-* stituents, that he would not accept of a seat in Parliament because he did not wish to divide the Reformers, His inconsistency is therefore glaring in this instance, bqt the same remark cannot j^e applied to his first speech in that Parliament. That appears to be perr fectly consistent with all his ideas and conduct previous to the last rebellion. His twelve years' banishment from his native country ; the clemency of the British Government in restoring him to it, (which I hope may not turn out hereafter to have been done more in folly than in wisdom) — all this seems to have effected no change whatever in his political course. In fact, it appears to me that these ancient ideas of i^is mind, he cannot eradicate, although he must see that so great a change has taken place in the Government of the country that they are totally inapplicable. This Mr. m ^Ij ill 10 Papineau is the reputed prime mover and leader of the late rebelhon, at least until it came to blows, which it appears he retired from very adroitly. He is now clamouring about increasing the number of Eastern Canadian Members of Parliament. Does he not reflect that in consequence of that rebellion, the Brit- ish Government might have taken away the repicsentative form entirely, and instituted the old Government of that part of the Province by Governor and Council, and that had it not been for the expedient of tlie Union of the Pro- vinces, which he so much deplores, that mea- sure would very probably have been adopted. The public affairs of the United Province, con- taining about 1250 thousand souls, is carried on by84 representatives,while the public affairs of the population of Great Britain, amounting with het East India Colonies, which are virtu- ally represented, to about 125 millions, is car- ried on by 658 members. The ratio for the population of United Canada would therefore be about 6J members, whereas she has 81. Now the object of endeavouring to obtain more Eastern Canadian Members is, that Mr. Papineau knows the majority would be French members, by which means, as was the case in that part of the Province before the union, the united Parliament would come under the sway of that French Majority ; and as I con- eider it morally impossible "that the British 11 population of Eastern Canada would ever con- sent to that sway over them again, in case of the union being broken up, so I consider it morally and perhaps physically impossible that they and the population of Western Canada would ever consent to that sway in a United Parliament. Such an occurrence would defeat the very object of the Union, which was to ob- viate the unlimited sway which the French ma- jorities had in the Eastern Canadian Pariia- ment. The numbers of Representatives are now equal for both sections of the United Pro- vinces ; therefore no measure hostile to the general interests of the Eastern part could take place. It is therefore to be hoped the British Government will be aware of the danger.of in* troducing a measure of the kind alluded to ; and in fact if the union should be broken up, it is possible the Eastern Province would have to be governed by sl Governor and Council. It appears to me that Papineau's pohtical con- duct very much resembles that of Dan. O'Con- nell in Ireland. After twenty or thirty years of monster meetings and monster agitations, where has he left them ? In a state, perhaps a thousand fold worse than where he found them ; and I think the observation I have often made on his policy will equally apply to Papineau's. The observation was, that it was a thousand pities that O'Connell was not born with a zeal for the difiusion of Agricultural Science equal rf l''i' m; •jji 12 to the vast talents he possessed. Had that been the case we should not have had our humane feehngs so shocked by the dreadful scenes of want, starvation, and misery which have so long existed in that unhappy land. So in Canada, Mr. Papineau must ' certainly have been many years aware of the great fal- hng-off in the products of the soil for want solely of a restorative mode of Agriculture. A few years since, I made a tour through the Townships east of Montreal. In a nearly unin^ habited part of one of them, I found a French Canadian woman living with her grown up family ; on my asking her why she had left the society of her acquaintance in Three Riv- ers, her native place ? 'Monsieur,' she replied, 'les terres n'y poussent plus,' 'sir,the lands there are worn out,' and I verily believe that if the same sort of husbandry be continued many years longer in Eastern Canada, the same case will happen to many of its inhabitants as with this poor woman. <'If you wish to do good to the French Agricultural population, said a virtuous French member of the United Parlia- ment, during its last Session in Kingston, teach them how to grow green crops." If then Mr. Papineau have any knowledge of the science of modern Agriculture, there is no doubt he would do infinitely more good to his country- men, by diflfusing a zeal for the practice of it among them, than by exciting their politicql 13 discontent. By this means, should he succeed in his efforts for this purpose of introducing the more productive system of Agriculture gene- rally, he would in some measure atone for the griefs and legal retributions he contributed to bring on them by the late revolts. But whether be chooses to exert his talents in this way or not, I feel well convinced that the most efficacious way of protecting that population from the baneful consequences of being led astray from the paths of peaceful industry, by the evil sug- gestions of would-be demagogues and agitators is the rendering by Government and a patrio- tic Legislature, ever}^ encouragement to the development of plaijs that should be found competent to excite a zeal and a love of scien- tific Agriculture, in the minds of the Canadian Agriculturalists. The practice of Agriculture in its rudest stat^ is healthy, independent, and honourable. But when to that practice is added scientific knowledge, observation and perhaps the hope of discovery, it must be ex- tremely interesting, and it would then not only profitably employ the labour of the husband- man, but probably offer him abundant interest- ing matter for conversation in his leisure hours. It is true that a few Agricultural Societies have established themselves in this part of the Province. The design is meritorious, but it does not appear that they have yet produced .:]( 11 ^'■' 11 ,1: 14 any material change in the mode of Agricul- ture of the habitant peasantry. The endea- vours of these societies to amend the breed of cattle and ploughing, may have been of some avail ; but with respect to these societies, I beg leave to say that in my humble opinion, what is chiefly wanted is, to encourage a greater production of wheat to the arpent or acre. If a premium were given to the farmer who should produce the greatest number of bushels to the acre; a premium sufficiently large to make it an object to him to increase the ploughing and harrowing of the soil, and to add the rotation of fertiUzing green crops and the forming of manure compost heaps, he would probably do so, and having done so at first with a view to the large premium (which perhaps should not be less than £8 or £10) he would, on finding the profits of this greater yield of his land, continue this mode of Agri- culture on its own account. I shall now state the nature of the plan I had proposed in my late work for the introduc- tion of the modern system of Agriculture in the Eastern part of the Province. The great discovery of the productive ef- fects of alternate grain and green crops, which is now generally practised in all countries at all advanced in Agricultural knowledge, has never that I am aware of been adopted by the French Canadian Agriculturists. Those who tl tt h o a 15 reside near the Towns, it is true, have oppor- tunities of seeing the advantages of this mode of Agriculture reaped by the old country farmers. But the bulk of the Agricultural population reside at considerable distances from the towns, and are probably unacquainted with the superior yield of this mode. In order therefore to introduce a thorough knowledge of it through the entire of the French Canadian settlements ; I have proposed in the plan to hire one ' terre,' or farm, in every 6th or 7th Parish of the Eastern Province settled by French Canadians, giving the preference to the lowest offer. For each of these School Farms a person well acquainted with the practice of the modern Agriculture is to be provided, who is to engage to work the farm according to the modern system in the most economical man- ner. The owners of the farm to reside there- on, with his family, and to agree to assist in the working thereof under the direction of the aforesaid Agriculturist, the owner bping paid for his labour. The farm to be hired for 5 or 7 years as an Experimental School Farm and the owner to agree, providing he finds the mode of Agriculture followed on the farm to be more productive than the old mode, that he will adopt it when the lease of the farm is out. The hired Agriculturist to keep regular accounts of the working of the farm> of the products and sales thereof, and to give in iha I* i ',1 •If; 16 amount thereof annually, or oftener, to the commissioners appointed by the government or Legislature to hire and inspect the said agri-r cultural farms. By this jnode it is expected that these farms will, by prudent management of the agriculturist on each of them, be enabled nearly to pay their expences, and any extra profit remaining to go to the agriculturist as a reward for the good management of the farm. At the end of the 5 or 7 years for which the farm is hired, it would be given up to the owner, and another hired in one of the other Parishes, and worked in the above said manner, by the said agriculturist. By this plan, therefore, a knowledge of the modern system of farming may be diffused through every part of the Province ; and it is conceived the hiring of the farms in the above manner will interest a great number of the habitant farmers who will thereby get a fair compensation in .money for the hire of their farms. But the success of the farms will also greatly depend on a due inspection, by the commissioners aforesaid, of the managing agriculturists on the farms as to their honest economical management thereof, and their agricultural skill ip working them. It would be advantageous if the agriculturist on these farms understood to speak French, but if that cannot always be, there are many French Ca-^ nadians who speak English and could be hired 'i: he 1? *o work on the farm. When the very great advantages that will occur in the Province, if these Agricultural Experimental Farms can be made successful in introducing the produc- tive modern mode of Agriculture into general use among the FrenchAgricultural population, it is hoped and believed that gentlemen will readily be found willing to act as commission- ers, for a moderate salary, to eflect this great useful and honourable purpose. I shall close this subject of the Agriculture of the Eastern part of the Province with an observation addressed principally to the atten- tion of the ministers just now come into power and the Legislative Members in the House of Assembly. After having sought Responsible Government for several years, they have 7iow obtained it. The miserably low state of Agri- culture in the Seigneuries of Eastern Canada, has long been notorious- Will it not be a glorious thing for this Ministry if they can re- store the Agriculture of this country to a pro- ductive and prosperous state? It would, indeed, be worthy the attention of the most enlighten- ed Government,for, should the plan for restor- ing the land to fertiUty succeed, they would have the honour of conferring a greater bless- ing on their country than has ever yet been done ; and another higher blessing would pro- bably result from this event, they would pro- bably secure the tranquility and content of U ,Mii '■!'i if I .i i II 4 ■■ i i i ' i ^k i ::'!li m , ! ' ■ ■I 18 their countryy and place them beyond the reach of the unhappy agitations of discontent- ed demagogues ; excite in the Agricultural po- pulation a zeal for the improved science of Agriculture. Teach them how to better their own condition by its industrious and persever- ing practice, and they will look upon all at- tempts to sow dissension among them with merited scorn. In a work published in Montreal some years since, on this same subject, I stated that, respecting the plan for introducing the modern more productive system of Agriculture generally, among the French Canadian Agri- culturists in Eastern Canada, there was no body of men more seriously interested therein than the Montreal Merchants, that the number of importing merchants in Western Canada, was increasing annually, and would continue so to do, and that, as that branch of trade was slipping from their hands, it would be wise and prudent in them to use all their influence to advance the Agriculture of their part of the Province,, thereby increasing the production of the soil, and placing its rural population in a position that would enable them to become valuable customers to those Montreal Mer- chants. The event is turning out, I believe, as I represented. The trade of Montreal is said to be greatly declining ; and numbers of the French population, being, I presume, un- 19 }ir able to gain a sufficient living, owing to the exhausted state of their lands, are emigrating from the Eastern portion of the Province. I now proceed to consider the present state of th^ Agridulture of Western Canada. I re- member when I Was a boy £lt iscb©ol in Eng- land, reading an accouut of Upper Canada, in Salmon's Geographical Grammar* This was about the year 1785» 1 was then informed it was in a state of hatiifej rocks and woods-. The French settlement in Gatara(}ui, and fei few small settlements in th^ Western District, all that was nto. What then must be my sensation in travelling through this land of my birth in the present day! Several of our Goverhdi's ahd trarisieiit tr£lvellei*s have indeed given magnifi- cient descriptions of Upper Canada, but the reader may conceive the difference of their sensations from mine. I feel a pleasure at the view of every Well cultivated farm, as if it were my own J happier still shall I be^ if any Isug- gestiong I may make in this work for awaken- iiig ill the minds of WfesternCanadian AgHcul- turists, a zeal and lovd for the scientific Agri- culture of the present day shall be successful. The contemplation of the state of agriculture iri Western Canada, is, thank God, far more pleasant than that of the Eastern portion* Here, we may often mefet with lands yield- ing as well as in the old country, 25 to 30 bushels per acre 5 on new lands generally 40 -,, y-' f % 'm 20 and sometimes on old lands, if under the hands of good farmers. The reputed average produced on the lands of all England, i^ stated to be 25 bushels per acre. * This state- ment is from the historical regis ter-of an old date, but since that the great improvements in agricultural science of Davy, Liebig, John- ston and others, being now I believe much practised by the more intelligent farmers, the average yield of all England is probably in- creased. Of late years, indeed, I have heard that in many parts of this Province, from the effects of vrinter killings, rusts^ &;c., the aver- age yield could not be considered more than 12 to 15 bushels per acre, and we shall in the course of this work elideavour to suggest re- medies or preventatives of the above diseases* I have, however, to premise that the present work is not to be considered as a set treatise on agriculture. I am well convinced that the established farmers in Western Canada^ in general well acquainted with the general rou- tine of agricultural practice as is best suited to the climate and the nature of the soils of their respective lands* I purpose therefore merely to give a brief statement of the mode of Agri- culture generally practised; to suggest reasons for adopting such improvements as are practi- cable, and will be required by the change in our relations with Great Britain, as respects the duties on wheat imported. I shall also of- 31 i r] fer suggestions,as above stated, for the preven- tion of some diseases which have of late years made their appearance to the great diminution of agricultural crops. • ■ * * There are three iiundred and twenty-six townships in Western Canada, besides numer- villages and settlements, according to ous Smith's Gazetter, published in Toronto in 1846 — a work,apparenlly of great merit and utility, and especially in the sound and just observa- tions he makes on the folly of persons quitting this part of United Canada in the vain expec- tation of finding a " Paradise" in the United States. What he says in p. 258 of his work, on the subject of settlement in Canada is especially worthy of remembrance. " The "settler,unless he has been guilty of the follyof " planting himself down beyond the bounds of *' civilization and of roads, may always com- " mand a fair price, and cash for what he can " raise, he need never be beyond.the reach of ** medical attendance, churches, schools ; he " can obtain as much land as he need wish to " purchase at a fair and moderate rate, he " knows that whatever property he acquires is *' as secure as if he had it in England,his landed " property, if he has any, is gradually increas- " ing, and if he is only moderately careful, and " industrious, he need have no anxiety for " the future ; his sons growing up, and ''as they grow, acquiring a knowledge % mi 22 " of the country and its customs, and of the " mode of doing business in it, if steady, will "find no difficulty in succeeding in any business "they may select, or may be qualified for," In confirmation of what he says on the increas- ing value of lands, in Western Canada, I can state a fact that came to my knowledge when I followed the business of a Land Agent some years since- A person gave me about 1000 acres to sell for him at 20s. per acre, about 30 miles north of Toronto. I told him one day I was oflTered 15s, Cy. per acre^ which he re- fused, a gentleman standing by at the time, told him he thought he was losing by refusing, as the interest of his money was constantly increasing. Sir, said he, I can show you the contrary of that, for twenty-nine years ago, I gave only Is. 3d. Cy. per acre for that land, and now I will not take less than 20s. On the sub- ject of youth being brought up as Mr. Smith says above, " steady," I will mention another anecdote which occurred to me travelling in this Western Canada. Offering my late work on the Creation, for sale to an intelligent farm- er ; he said " Yes, sir, I will buy your work if you will sell it cheap, for I believe it is a good one ; and I will tell you why I buy it : it is becDuse my opinion is, considering the pres- sent state of society and the world, that nothing will save it but the general distribution of good books among the rising generation, and I cer- a m 53 i t w: the will tainly believe if in any country it is wise in a parent to encourage in his sons a turn for the knowledge that good books will give him, it is in Canada, where youth not restrained by a love of useful knowledge, are in daager of seeking amusements from injurious sources." Mr. Smith states in his work, that in 1844 there were in the Upper Province two million seven* teen thousand and 115 acres land under culti- vation, 175,604 milch cows, 139,584 oxen and^ horned cattle over two years old. We now come to consider,as proposed above, the present state of the Agriculture of this Western part of United Canada, both as to its present condition, and as relating to the very important change that has been announced is to take place in a short time, on the duties of grain exported to the parent state. * - The mode of Agriculture generally pursued in Western Canada, though not yet arrived at the same state of perfection as in the Mother Country, is yet much superior to that of the Eastern part of the Province, that is to say, among the French Canadian Agriculturists. 'I'here, about one half of the arable land on each farm is sown down in wheat and oats, and then cattle is turned in to graze on natural grass on the other half, which is next season sown with grain, and the cattle turned on the stubble of the last year ; by this mode all the manure ^he wheat and oats gets is that of a few half fjF?d rattle grazing on the unsown land the pro.r il' (' ■ i 1 ! 'i' m ■ K ill; \m^' • i .1 ■15 m » 24 vious year. The consequence has been that the lands, instead of producing 30 to 40 bushels of wheat per arpent (French acre) do now seldom yield an average of not more than 10,and often not near so much. In Western Canada, the general mode, as I am informed, is to sow wheat on the new land for a year or sometimes two, then fallow for wheat, after that oats, or rye, and when the land begins to fall off in pro- duce it is seeded down for grass for a few years, which is found to restore the land. Still, it is not uncommon to hear of purchases of lands being made by persons coming into the Pro-* vince, which are found to be nearly worn out. Now we know that lands in the Old Country which have been under cultivation for hundreds of years are still kept in what is called ^' good heart," by a proper system of Agriculture, that isjby a proper rotation of grain and green crops by liming or bone-dusting the land after a cer- tain number of years. It appears indeed that the mode of Agricul- ture in Western Canada, has been considered by its Legislature to stand in need of improve- ment, for an Act has been passed for encourag- ing Agricultural Societies, which provides : — " That when any Agricultural Society for the pur- pose of importing any valuable stock, or whatever might conduce to the improvement of Agriculture, shall be constituted in any District of Upper Canada and shall make it appear by certificate under the hand of the Treasurer of such District Societv that It h 25 tie the sum of not less than £25 has been actually sul scribed and paid to the Treasurer by the sever^^" Agricultural Societies of such District, the PresicP^ ent of said Society shall make application, enclo^Y- ing the said certificate to the Governor, Lieutenaiul- Governor, or person administering the governmenbe in the Province, to issue his Warrant to the Receiv^g er General in favour of the Treasurer of said Societf vj for treble the amount that shall have been paid o subscribed in such District aforesaid. Provider/: always, that the annual sum to be granted to eacplv District shall not exceed the sum of £250." he These District Agriculti|ral Societies in un^y* isoi) with the general or Provincial Society? have been, and probably will continue to be ■ ^ of great uso in diffusing an emulation throug?^^ the Province. The imprpvijig the breeds o"^,. cattle is of great importance to its trade anc/^ commerce ; but 1 have here to repeat the ob- .^ servation I made in page 14, when treating oil ^ the agriculture of Eastern Canada, namely, that I consider that the growth of wheat is by^^ far the most important branch of agriculture' ^, 1 here repeat, therefore, i^iy opinion " that iPJ ' a premium were given by these societies to ^ the farmer who should produce the greatest^ number of bushels of wheat to the acre ; a pre-, mium sufficiently large to make it an object^ ^ for him to increase the number of ploughings?.^" and harrowings of the soil, and to add to this|^ ^ the rotation of fertilizing green crops; he ^^ wquld probably do so, and having done so at ^ II. ii * <1! In ..^'M ' ■■4 ■'i ' 26 . ,1! first with a view to this large prize or premium, (which perhaps should not be less than £10 or £12) on finding the profits of this mode by the greater yield of his land, he would adopt and continue this improved mode of agriculture on its own account. It is certain that the extension of Agricultu- ral Societies through the Province, could never have come in a more opportune time than the present. Ever since this Province has been settled, the mother country has received its„ agricultural produce into her ports, on a more favourable scale of duties than she did that of foreign nations. A great portion of the popula- tion of this Province must have come out to it, and invested their capital and their enterprise, their time and their labour in it, — on the strength of these regulations of the Mother Country; but within a year or two, great changes are making in her conduct in this par- ticular. It is even stated in an Act of Parlia- ment passed for this purpose, that in a month from the present time, all these favour- able duties towards her colonies are to cease, and 'the wheat of all foreign nations is to be imported into Great Britian on equal terms with ours. If this change in the corn trade is really to take place, it is already incumbent on our agriculturists to discover means of meeting it, and perhaps there are none more likely to do so than increased production of the 27 soil, obtained by a general introduction of the modern system of agriculture. Fallow- ing the land has been a long time practised very generally in England. Of late years, how- ever, it has been found to be a fact in Agricul- ture, that instead of losing the crop on the year of fallow, a crop of esculent vegetables, guch as potatoes, turnips, especially Swedish turnips, &c., might be taken from the fallow ground, not only without diminishing the yield of the grain crop of the next year, but that the crop of grain was actually increased thereby. AnQther great advantage of rotation or green craps is the quantity of food for sale or for rearing cattle which they produce ; and they are therefore now in general use in all great farming countries. And another advantage of these rotation crops, is derived from the greater quantity and richness of the cattle manure. Liming or bone-dusting the land, is also found in the old countries to be a powerful means of increasing the products of the soil. This, I beheve, is generally done ; at least as to lime, once in seven years, and the quantity of lime probably slacked is from 200 to 300 bushels per acre, equal to half the quantity of stone lime. In the Eastern States of Am- erica, where liming is now coming generally into use, the quantity per acre does not, I be- heve, exceed 40 or 50 bushels, but the use off li^ !li I II f f .28 it is found so beneficial, that, as it is stated by Judge Buel in his agricultural works, lime is often carted to the farm 12 or 15 miles. Now limestone abounds in many parts of Canada, and there is not a doubt, if judiciously used according to the nature of the soil, it will be found equally advantageous as it does in th© old country, or in the states of America. There is another mode of manuring land prac- tised with great effect in England and Scot- land. This is by means of compost heaps or as they are called in Scotland middies. These are formed by alternate layers of vegetable mould or virgin earth, dung, ashes, fresh or spent, and lime. The percolation of the rains carries the solution of the lime or ashes through the compost heap; and some of these composts, if well prepared and turned, are said to be as efficacious on the soil as cattle manure. Now Canada offers most abundant means of making these composts. Black swampy soil is com- mon on some part of almost every farm. This black earth is mostly composed of vegetable organic matter which the lime could not fail of converting into nutritive food for the crops, and by alternate layers of this black swampy soil, virgin earth, decayed branches, sweepings or rubbish of any kind, and cattle manure, always putting a sufficient quantity of lime be- tween each layer of the above, I have not a doubt that very valuable compost heaps I'-'T 29 might be formed. In fact, it is possible that the use of Ume in this Province might be best employed by the means of these composts, at least in those parts of it in which limestone rock is not found and lime dear. Having now stated the means that I think would be very available in the present condition of our agri* cultural prospects in relation to Great Britain. I shall now as stated above, offer to the Agri- cultural reader some ideas on the subject of the recent disease in the potato crops, and on some of the diseases to which our wheat crops are too subject. In order to explain the origin of my ideas on these diseases, and of the means of cure which were thereby suggested to me, I have to I'elate a very singular agri- cultural experiment of which I had an authentic account in my tour through the Townships east of Montreal. As stated in my account above, of the AgricUltui'e of Eastern Canada, a very destructive insect called the Wheat Fly, had for several years previous, and at the time of my tour through these townships, taken off almost the entire crops of wheat, some far- mers losing one third, some one half, and some all their crops* Walking to my lodgings in one of these townships one evening, I fell in with a labourer on one of the farms on my road, and asking him whether he had grown any wheat on the farm he worked at, and what sort of a crop he had, he said he had a very fl. '11 : . 1 1 rti sil! 1 : ■ ji m '■ ■li' ■m ; 1 \\[ 30 I good crop ; and on mentioning my surprise at this, as all the farms I had called upon fronl Montreal down, had lost most of their crops. The man, who was Yorkshire, said " I can't help that, I tell you \^-e had a very good crop.** Well, said I, I am gkd to hear it, will ybu tell me hotv^ ybii managed to get so much better a crop than your neighbours ? " Well," said he, " all I '<^an say is, my mistress ordered me when the wheat Was done flowering to choose a tiiorning when there was plenty of dew on the ears, to take a bag of fresh slacked liPAd on my back and to throw it over the ears of the wheat, which I did, and I tell you We had a very good crop." Next day, an old acquaintance who owfted ^ farm in the township gave me a cast in his gig, and Oil passing that lady's farm, I ftlenti'otied the conversation I had with the Yorkshireman. " The man told you the truth," said he, " that woman got 20 bushels to the acre of wheat, which considering the losses of her neighbours, was certainly a good cfop."' Now, aS the Wheat fly is said to hate made its appearance in the eastern part of Western Canada, the above anecdote may be useful to its agriculturists. It appears that this lady's wheat was neithei* attacked by the fly or the rust, and it being by no means an expensive experiment, I re- ally consider it will be worthy of a trial against the rust, which is so often very destructive to 31 the wheat crops in Western Canada. But it would probably be required for the purpose of getting to the stalk of the wheat, with the lime dust, that the trenches should be made nar- rower for that purpose. There are I believe, two theories of the cause of rust. One ascribes it to aii insect ; the other to atmospheric causes, lo a hot burn- ing sun after hot rains ; and this last, I am in- clined to believe, is the true cause, for I have observed that the rust comes on very soon after hot rains, and sudden heats ensuing them. But whichever of these be the real cause, the use of lime-dust fresh and strong is likely to be of service, for if the insect theory be correct, lime is a great destroyer of the insect tribes, and if the wheat could be coated with liine be- fore these hot rains come on might it hot pro- tect the stalk from them ? Lime is a tonic, and I conceive it would, by giving a tone to the stalk, prevent the hot sun from injuring its or- ganization. At all events it seems to me on ac- count of the great loss frequently arising from rust in Western Canada, Ihne-dusting is worth a trial. Again, with respect to the potato disease, that mysterious destructive scourge which within this few years has made its appearance, I beheve in all parts of the world where the plant grows ; which seems to defy the skill of i:.;; i!t i b 'i! 1 ;;i i 32 our best agriculturists and also of the scientific philosopher. Sometimes it has been ascribed to a natural decay or destruction of the vital powers of the plant. Borrowing their argu- ments from Geology, those who maintain this opinion, tell us that fossil plants which are found to have existed at one period of the earth's age have disappeared in another, and they suppose the same is to be the case with the potato, but, if this were the case, if the vitality of the potato was over, it would be the case with all 'potatos, but we know that in different parts of the same country some jfields of potatos of the same kind as those which had perished in other places remain en- tirely uninjured. It is true, that the cause of this general disease cannot be ascribed to either soil or chmate, because it is found to have taken place in every kind of soil a^d cli- mate. The disease has also been ascribed by some, to an insect, but, as the smallest insect can be discerned by powerful microscopes, if that cause were generally true, it would before this have been generally known and allowed. There i^ one observation I wish to make on this disorder of the potato. As it is found to take place at the same time almost all over the world, may it not be owing to some gene- ral change in the composition of our earth's atmosphere ; to the accession of some gase- ous matters which it did not formerly contain. 33 I have not heard that any analysis of t »e at- mosphere of any country where the disease has prevailed, has been made, with a view to detect its cause ; but'considcring the univers- ahty of this disease, I should think such ana- lysis well worthy the attention of men of sci- ence, especially, when we reflect on the dread- ful effects of the loss of this plant to countries where it forms a great part of the sustenance of their inhabitants, for example, our unfortu- nate fellow subjects in Ireland and Scotland ; for should it be possible to discover or detect any noxious gas in the atmosphere, it is also possible that some decomposing antidote might also be found to render that gas innoxious. To conclude this subject of remedial mea- sures in the above diseases, in wheat and the potato, I have to state that it was on ac- count of the agricultural fact, I have above stated, I had met with in the Townships east of Montreal, that I formed an idea that the potato disease might perhaps be prevented by means of hme having observed that the disease of the potato, sometimes came on about the same time as the rust in wheat. I considered it might be from a similar cause as stated in a foregoing pJige, warm rains and then a hot sun affecting the organization of the plant. This idea I formed in the fall of 1846, and in the course of the ensuing winter I was agreeably surprised, to find it stated in an English paper li- it .<■ I M:. t 1 '.i h W 34 L it that the Surgeon of the Bank of England a gen- tleman who it appears, lectures on scientific subjects to several societies, stated that the disease of the potato was caused by an insect called the ** Vastator" ; that they -iiiight be entirely destroyed by the use of lime-dusting, which was the very idea I had formed in 1846, the only difference between us being that he stated the underside of the plant must be limed as well as the upper. This gentleman spoke of this remedy as a perfectly certain one- It has been also stated in the English papers, that a farmer had planted three separate acres with potatos, alongside of each other, two of them without lime, and one with 200 bushels of lime, harrowed into the soil, and that the two without lime were all rotted, but the acre with the hme was entirely uninjured. To prevent the Rot in the Potato. From the Patriot, 12th May, 1848. Spread a little slacked lime under the seed, and cover the seed about two inches deep, then spread more lime upon the whole surface of the field to the amount of lOObushels slacked lime per acre. What is put on the surface may be rock, but what is put under the ^eed must be slacked. I have tried the above for tke last three successive years, and have not found one rotten potato, when the lime was applied, although my neighbours lost great ri- fle he 3Ct be ( i 35 quantities by the rot the same years, and not only so, but on two other crops. I tried a part of the same field with lime, and another part without it, and lost the greater part of my crop by the rot, for want of lime, for though the unlimed part of the field was as productive as that which was limed, yet at the last of Nov. three-fourths of the produce was lost by rot. Future crops will be improved by the liming, for 5 or 6 years after. A farmer states in the New York Evamrelist, that the addition of half a pint of lime to each hill increased his crop of potatos at the rate of 100 bushels ta the acre, more than those planted in a similar soil without lime. Two farmers know^n to the sub- scriber, who apphed lime, declare they had not one rotten potato, although the most of their neighbours lost heavily. (Signed,) '^^^ ^ JOHN MARTIN. Ilcmmlngford, Eastern Townships, Canada East,} ».,^}: • Mt^y 1st, 1848. - ;--,.. .j, . ; . ..^^^ J Thus I have the pleasure of finding a remedy I had recommended to many farmers two summers since, is confirmed as above. I have to make the same observation on the use of lime therefore for the potato, as I have above on the subject of rust in wheat, that whether it be caused by insects or the atmos- phere, hme is likely to do good, either by de- stroying the insect, or giving a tone and stren- it ■ I i I i ■,-iii % i n !r'Kl?l 1 1 36 1 ; gth to the plant, to enable it to resist the at- mospheric cause. I now conclude this part pf the subject, hoping that some of our more intelligent and industrious farmers will give a fair trial to the foregoing suggestions for find- ing a remedy for the very destructive diseases Avhich annually destroy a great amount' of agricultural produce, and will here take the op- portunity of offering one more suggestion con-? cerniiig another disease which often attends crops of fall wheat, namely what is called here ** winter killing.'' This often commits such ravages jn fall wheat crops, that the farmers are obliged to sow spring wheat in the spring in their room. 4 < Now I have heard many years ago, that in some parts of the Eastern States they avoid this winter killing, by ploughing in their seed when sown in the fall. But whether this would answey in Western Canada, I leave for our farmers to determine, though I should concieve it ought to answer here as well as there.* * 1 wisli also to give one observation on the Hessian Fly, nnd a certain grub which has lately begun to damage the wheat crop in Western Canada. These insects are just as likely to be destroyed by fresh slacked lime-dusting, as the "wheat fly or rusl above stated to be prevented thereby, and as the wheat could be much more easily got at, at the perlovl when insects attack the plant, the attention of far- mers is j)articularly called upon to this remedial experi- ment. IVobablv if the lime be laid on before the insect comes It mi^ht prevent them ; or if later it might destroy them. 37 fi ^1 I wish also to make another observation on the unavoidable necessity that will arise, (should the event I have before mentioned respecting wheat and flour, exported to Great Britain, from Canada, take place,) for the Agriculturists of Canada to adopt a more pro- ductive system of Agriculture. This is I bc- live only to be found, by the skilful use of the plough and harrow, liming the soil, green or rotation crops, abundant manuring by cattle, dung and urine by well formed compost heaps, or middies, so called in Scotland, or by the proper use of such artificial manures as have been lately discovered and now much used in the old countries, which are adapted to each particular kind of soil, as shown in late books on Agricultural Chemistry. Among the Aodes of fertihzing the soil, perhaps a judicious lim- ing of it is one of the most successful ; for without hming the soil, it is generally allowed, that the old country farmer could not pay his heavy rents, tithes, and taxes. But if the above named event take place in the wheat trade to Great Britain a like obligation for productive agriculture will press upon the Canadians, as upon the farmer in the old country. In many parts of Canada, nature has freely offered to the agriculturists the means of fostering and restoring his soil by great formations of lime- stone. And in order to show to agriculturists of Canada, the great value of liming their soil, i^' 38 and of rotation crops of turnips and potatos, &c., I shall quote one of the highest and best authorities that modern agriculture can boast of. Professor Liebig, of the University of Giessen, in Germany, says in his 13th Fam- iliar Letter on Chemistry, in relation to Com- merce, Physiology, and Agriculture : My Dear Sir, — Having in my last letter spoken of the general principles upon which the science and art of agriculture must be based, let me now direct your attention to some of those particulars wliich will more forcibly exhibit the connection between chemistry and agriculture, and demonstrate the im- possibility of perfecting the important art of rearing food for man and animals without a profound know- ledge of our science. AH plants cultivated as food require for their healthy sustenance the alkalies and alkaline earths, each in a certain proportion ; and in addition to these, the ceralia do not succeed in a soil destitute oi silicain a soluble condition. The combinations of this substance found as natural productions, namely, the silicates, differ greatly in the degree of facility with which they undergo decomposition, in consequence of the unequal resistance opposed by their integral parts to the dissolving power of the at- mospheric agencies. Thus the granite of Corsica degenerates into a powder in a time which scarcely suffices to deprive the polished granite of Heidelberg of its lustre. Some soils abound in silicates so readily decom- posable, that in every one or two years, as much silicate of potash becomes soluble and fitted for as- similation as is required by the leaves and straw 39 of a crop of wheat. In Hungary, extensive district» are not uncommon where wheal and tobacco have been grown alternately upon the same soil for cen- turies, the land never receiving back any of those mineral elements which were withdrawn in the grain and straw, On the other hand, there are fields in which the necessary amount of soluble silicate of potash for a single cyop of wheat is not separated from the insoluble masses in the soil in less than two, three, or even more years, The tenn fallow f in agriculture, designates that period in which the soil, left to the influence of the atmosphere, becomes enriched with those soluble mineral constituents. Fallow, however, does not generally imply an entire cessation of cultivation, but only an interval in -the growth of the ceralia. That store of silicates and alkalies which is the principal condition of their success is obtained, if potatos pr turnips are grown upon the same fields in the intermediate periods, since these crops do not abstract a particle of silica, and therefore leave the field equally fertile for the following crop of wheat. The preceding remarks will render it obvious to you, that the mechanical working of the soil is the simplest and cheapest method of rendering the ele- ments of nutrition contained in it accessible to plants. But it may be asked, are there not other means of decomposing the soil besides its mechanical sub- division ? are there not substances, which by their chemical operation shall equally well or better ren- der its constituents suitable for entering into vege- table organisms ? Yes ; we certainly possess such substances, and one of them, namely, quick-lime, has been employed for the last century past in En- % V \ M]! 40 land for ibis purpose, and it would be difficult to find a substance better adapted to this service, as it is simple, and in almost all localities cheap and easily accessible. In order to obtain correct views respecting the effect of quick-lime upon the soil, let me remind you of the first process employed by the chemist when he is desirous of analyzing a mineral, and for this purpose wishes to bring its elements into a soluble state. Let the mineral to be examined be, for instance, feldspar ; this substance, taken alone, even when reduced to the finest powder, requires for its solution to be treated with an acid for weeks or months; but if we first mix it with quick-lime, and expose the mixture to a moderately strong heat, the lime enters into 'chemical combination with cer- tain elements of the feldspar, and its alkali (potass) is set free. And now the acid, even without heat, dissolves not only the lime but also so much of the silica of the feldspar as to form a transparent jelly. The same effect which the lime in this process with the aid of heat, exerts upon the feldspar, it produces when it is mixed with the alkaline argillaceous sili- cates, and they are for a long time kept together in a moist state. Common potters' clay, or pipe-clay, diffused through water, and added to milk of lime, thickens immediately upon mixing ; and if the mixture is kept for some months, and then treated with acid, the clay becomes gelatinous, which it would not liave done without tlie admixture with the lime. Th(' lime, in combining with the elements of the clay liquefies it ; and what is more remarkable, liberates the greater part of its alkalies. Tliese in- teresting facts were first observed by Fuchs, at I'tuN' 41 Munich : ihey have not only led to a more intimate^ knowledge of the nature and properties of the hy- draulic cements, but what is far more important, they explain the effects of caustic lime upon the soil, and guide the agriculturist in the application of an invaluable means of opening it, and setting free its alkalies — substances so important, nay, so indis- pensable to his crops. In the month of October the fields of Yorkshire and Oxfoixl shire look as if they were covered with snow. Whole square miles are seen whitened over with quicklime, which, during the moist winter months, exercises its beneficial influence upon the stiff, clayey soil of those counties. According to the humus theory, quick-lime ought to exert the most noxious influence upon the soil, l)ecause all organic matters contained in it are de- stroyed by it, and rendered incapable of yielding their humus to a new vegetation. The facts arc indeed directly contrary to this now asbandoned theory ; the fertility of the soil is increased by the lime. The ceralia require the alkalies and alkaline sili- cates, which the action of the lime renders fit for assimilation by the plants. If, in addition to these, there is any decaying organic matter present in the soil supplying carbonic acid, it may facilitate their development ; but it is not essential to their growth. If we furnish the soil with ammonia, and the phos- phates, which are indispensible to the ceralia, with the alkaline silicates, we have all the conditions necessary to ensure an abundant harvest. The at- mosphere is an inexhaustible store of carbonic acid. I shall now merely add to this extract from Licbig, that although the quantity of slacked ih if . t, 42 •» H; lime that is generally used in England is from 200 to 300 bushels an acre ploughed in ; yet in parts of this Province where hmestone for- mations are not found> and lime consequently dear, the quantity per acre might be diminished to 40 or 50 bushels per acre, which is What they put on in the States, where this quantity is found by the farmers to be of great service to the crops. I now proceed to the next part stated in the Prospectus, namely, the best mode of advanc- ing the agricultural interests of the Province by means of a valuable market for its produce, thereby augmenting its commerce, its resour- ces and capabilities for public improvements. In my work on the present condition of the Canadas, published in Montreal some years sinc€, I stated that being (when living in Hali- fax) one of the Board of Trade, we had to send to the British Colonial Government, complain- ing year after year that our trade in fish and lumber to our West India Islands was nearly ruined on account of American vessels resorting in such numbers to that mar- ket, for nigh twenty y^ars we continued to Send home these complaints but could get n'o redress and it was not until we sent home documents from our Custom House that the British North American Colonies were competent to supply the full amount of fish annually consumed in the British West Indies, that we got the Am- o ericj and coun Plan< I COE ofGi ofPa 1849 on th ply stuffs, we ar ciimei North tire SI Island agairis to the But I tioned will n i trade i is whe fare so I to son Uhe de I Hi nre abrogated, wheat and flour shipped Great Britain will not compensate our agricu] turists ; the consequence w ill be, and indeed is now supposed by some as about to tall place, that the American Government will x( mit the duties on wheat from Canada provide it be ground in the American Mills. The M consequence of this will probably be a verj considerable damage to the mills of the Pro vince. For it will probably induce the w^hoatl holders of Western Canada to send thej wheat to the States ; and another consequ cnce of vastly higher importance will ensuJ that if our agriculturists are shut out froi the British Markets, and thus drawn to thai of the States, England may ultimately lose he| hold on their attachment. The general loyalty and attachment oftliii Province to the Parent State, has, on everj] occasion that called it forth, been proved yond a doubt. The causes of this have ar| isen, first, from a natural attachment of man)] to the country of their birth, and secondly] from the admiration of others for the excelj lence of the British Constitution, as the best most powerful, and permanent guardian oil our rights and liberties. But we cannot bull refer some part of this loyalty and attachmentl to the great advantage which the Agrxulturall produce of the Colony has derived from thej more favourable scale of duties over those on Grl sell pai reb m 49 on foreign produce, as hitherto acted upon by Great Britain. Now, independently of the attachment I my- self feel, and hope I always shall feel for the parent state — I firmly believe that our present relation with it is the one best adapted, (and more especially in the present state of the world,) to preserve the security, and promote the welfare and advancement of United Can- ada. I believe, moreover, that by the exertion of due wisdom and energy, this United Canada is entirely competent, with its present relation to Great Britain, to stand and to thrive on its own resources without the necessity of seek- ing the aid of the United States or any foreign nation at all. I trust to be able to prove this proposition, and that there is a good market in our own Colonies for a great part of the surplus wheat of Canada. If I prove that in the course of this work, I may fairly ask. Why run the risk of losing or at least diminishing the attachment of our ag- riculturists for the parent state, by compelling them to seek a market in the States ? Conversir^ lately with a respectable and in- telligent inhabitant of this Town of London on this subject, he observed that there would be no necessity for our agriculturists to send their wheat to the States, for that the merch- ant who bought it, would have to send it for a market to Great Britain, It is said, however, C i 1/1 n '{if . :'! 50 ;L; i that these merchants often offer higher prices for our wheat than our own merchants, and a principal cause assigned for this is, that freights to Great Britain are lower from the States than from Canada to Great Britain. Now that cause, it appears to me, could be by pro- per exertion annulled. We certainly can build ships in Canada as cheap as Americans can in the States. If then the freights demanded by owners of British vessels from hence to Great Britain are found too high, the natural remedy for that would appear to be to build ships in Canada to carry our wheat or flour to Great Britain, and thus reduce the price of freights. And this building of Canadian ships would certainly answer as long as the prices of freights are found sufficient to give those vessels a suf- ficient remuneration. We shall now proceed in our endeavour to prove the proposition we have advanced in the preceding page, namely, that by the exertion of due wisdom and energy, United Canada is entirely competent with its present relation to Great Britain to stand and to thrive on its own resources, without the necessity of seeking the aid of the United States, or other foreign na- tions, and that there is a good and sufficient market in the British Colonics, for a great part of the surplus wheat that Canada can spare. We shall first state the minimum and maximum deficiency of wheat generally arising in Great <«i' I'l, I:; I * prices and a reights States Now y pro- n build can in led by Great emedy lips in Great eights, would eights a suf- >ur to in the ertion ida is on to sown ig the n na- Lcient t part pare, mum jJ^reat 51 Britain, of the quantity annually required for the consumption of her population. We shall then show the quantities that can be procured from other nations to make good the deficiency, showing thereby the small chance of a remu- nerating market in Great Britain for the surplus wheat of Canada, if the Corn Laws are to be entirely abrogated and done away with. Being in London during the years 1829 to 1834, I there learnt that at that time the an^ nual quantity of wheat grown in Great Britain amounted to about seventeen million of quart- ers, or 136 millions of bushels, A short time previously, Mr. Jacobs was sent by the British House of Commons to collect information in all the Grain Markets of the world, as to the quantity of wheat that could be therefrom ob- tained in case the British Corn Laws should be done away with. Mr. Jacobs in his report ptated that if Great Britain were to fall short of her annual produce pf wheat one million of quarters she could not obtain them at that time from all the world. We shall therefore estimate the minimum deficiency of her annual product of wheat at and about the above period of 1829 to 1 834, at half a million of quarters, or four million of bushels, equal to eight hundred thous- and barrels of flour. Since the above period the potato disease has made its appearance, and I believe tRat from 4 to 5 million quarters of foreign wheat have annually, for the last two i N- 1 . :i ; '01,11 ; ■ !> ! ' i, 1 : I f ri ).. , » 5> Wi Or one-eighth is '"' 37,000.000 bushels. 4,625,000 quarters ^^•' to 61 53 Table representing the quantity of wheat for ex- portation at the principal Corn Ports of Europe. t. . := -^ Price per Q,r. on Freight to Grain market. Quarters- shipboard. England. St. Petersburg, 192,500 39s. Id. 4s. 8d. Lisbon, 30,000 43s. 7d. 4s. Od. Odessa- -^ '■^■"^' ^^150,000 26s. Od. 10s. Od. Warsaw, 380,000 36s. 6d. 3s. ,9d. StocJvholm, 1,900 32s. 6d. 4s. 9d. Dantzic, 315,000 42s. 6d. 5s. Od. Koningsberg, 65,000 42s. 6d, 5s. Od. Steltin, 250,000 40s. Od. 4s. 6d. Memel,* '. '" 6,000 35s. Od. 4s- 3d. Klsineur, 125,000 33s- Od. 4s- 3d. Hamburg, 538,000 40s. Od. 3s. 9d- P lermo, \ 250,000 38s. Od. 8s. 3d. mM^ f\ xf.m ' : ,.;,)02,400 40s. 9d. 4s. 9d. Averf ige- Avpirnge. : T Amounts brought dpwu 4,625,000 Quarters all Grain. ufl If and J;;.,, 2,302,400 Quarters Wheat. !ii 6,92V,400 Qrs. Grain & Wheat Deduct Russian and Danish .'*■•''' ^.i- ■ Ports in the Baltic being .4-* " " I, ? twice stated above, . ,.,ij 072,500 t':' ^v.)i V . il mvf^' } jli^'MUyH: If f^i-ir } 5,054,000 Qr. Gralft &: Wlieat G rain of all kinds from United . ♦ States of America, 5,000,00.-' '- •' '■■ •'^ f! ^1 >n i ■ 10,954,900 Qrs. Grain for cx- « portation in Europe and America. In the same paper an account was given of the quantity of wlieat which was for exportation in the United States,being 40minions of bushels 11 ■ 'I 1 1 \ :i :;i- 'I I If: I .1 1, •: i IJ Mi 54 or 5 million of quarters, which, added to the above stated 5^954,000, gives 10,954,000 qrs- grain importable from all foreign countries. Besides this, not less than ten million quarters of Indian corn is stated in the above document as for exportation from the United States. It is to be observed also, that although the quan- tity of wheat produced annually in Great Brit- ain is stated above to have been 17 million quarters in 1834, there is every probabihty, owing to the increase in the population since the great improvements in agriculture, the average annual produce is probably now not less than 20 million quarters, also, to the above quantity of wheat that is importable, from foreign countries it is to be added that a con- siderable quantity can be imported from some other ports in the Meditteranen. I trust there- fore it will appear pretty evident that if the British Corn Laws are abrogated, or if the duties on foreign wheat are much diminished, (which in the present state of Europe itis highly probable they must, if the entire abrogation does not take place) I say, I trust it will ap- pear pretty evident as I proposed to show above that there will be a very small chance of a market "In Great Britain anyi way remunerating to Canadian wheat growers/^ We have now to proceed with what we consider to be our claim for the exclusive supply ^of our West Indies as a remedy ■u 55 ™^^"r' for the loss of these markets of Great Britain. We have stated in the foregoing pages that the tvheat of these North American Colonies has always hitherto been received in the ports of Great Britain on a much morefavourable scale of duties than that of foreign nations. While Canadian vi^heat was paying only five shillings sterling a quarter, I have known foreign wheat in some instances to pay twenty to twenty-five shillings the quarter* I have stated also in the foregoing pages that numbers of theagricullu tural and commercial parts of the popu- lation have come out to Canada and invested ttieir capitals^ their time and their labouf in the pursuits of agriculture and trade on the faith of the duration of the protective duties on the Products of the Province. Now the Americans ave deprived us for many years of all chance in the trade of supplying provisions to our West India Islands. I have been told by Montreal and Quebec nierchants that it was almost certain ruin to embark in that trade^ to any extent. Our surplus produce has therefore been generally shipped to Great Britain either in wheat or flour- From this market, as we have shown above, we are now to be soon shut out, and if foreign nations are thus to be allowed the supply of the markets of Great Britain free of duty,»they[may well aflford to give us up, and cannot complain if the British Government a ^.f* I!' : '/I / i!i!! I'.. t I 'A 56 !'l' III u i.r reserves the supply of our colonies in the West Indies to herselt and her North American Colonies. The quantity of wheat required for the ?innual consumption of our British West IndieSj waS; according to Bryan Edward's His- tory of the West Indies, twelve hundred thousand bushels of wheat, or two hundred and forty thousand barrels of flour. Since that time the emancipation of the slaves has taken place, who are now receiving,as I am informed, 3s. to 4s. currency per day and can therefore af- ford to buy flour and salt provisions. The con- sumption of flour is therefore increased, proba* biy to three hundred and fifty thousand barrels of flour and biscuit. The quantity of wheat exported from United Canada in the year 1846, was five hundred and forty-five thousand, six hundred and two barrels, of flour, and 534,747 bushels wheat, equal to 106,949 barrels flour ; in all, six hunched and sixty-two thousand, five hundred and fifty-one barrels flour ; and the last year, 1817, the amount shipped was pro- bably one-lourth more. Here then, is evident proof of United Canada being able to supply the annual demand for flour in our West India Colonies, without tak- ing into the account any supplies of it from Great Britain or from the other North Ameri- can Colonics. Our Canals down to Montreal are now opened and ready for Navigation, a steamer has this spring passed from Chicago m est lean for est 57 to Montreal, with 3000 barrels flour, which has passed through Canada, so that a vessel loaded with provisions, to say Flour, Biscuit, Beef, Pork, &c., from the most Western parts of Western Canada, for the West Indies and starting early in the spring, might well make two voyages out there and heme, during the spring, summer, and autumn. * - ^" • ^ ■''' This trade is then the remedy that we con- ceive will compensate in a great par i .j the loss of the markets of G. B. to United Canada in the event of the British Corn Laws being abrogated. I have not a doubt that well as- sorted cargoes of provisions would meet a fair market in our West India Colonies, for con- siderable part of the surplus wheat of the Pro- vince. But this trade is recommended solely on the understanding that the parent state and * the British Colonies shall have secured to them the exclusive trade of supply of those Colonies. As has been stated in the forgoing pages, I certainly conceive that the North American Colonies have a fair and just claim for remu neration from the British Government for the loss of their protecting duties on flour and wheat, which have for years induced many persons to invest their capital and labour in the trade and agriculture of this Province. The West India Planters have had an im- mense remuneration allowed them for the cm- ii, M El: i ^1 .,r . '^ rW S 8 58 1/ |: ancipation of their slaves, £20,000,000, stg. The agriculturist, also of England have had some compensation allowed them in late ar- rangements of Agricultural affairs ; and if the Corn Laws be really abrogated they will pro- bably receive much more compensation. Canada has then an equal right to put in her . claim for some remuneration. If she does not claim money remuneration she has at least a fair and just claim for the supply of our West India Colonies, providing she can prove to the satisfaction of the British Government and the • West India Islands that with the Parent State andjthe other British North American ColoriiepJ she is perfectly competent to furnish the an- nual supplies required. I have heard it suggested that there would • not be a sufficient market in this Province for the return cargoes, in the event of this trade of supply being secured to us. But it is to be observed that the Markets of all the other N, A. Colonies are open to us, and that should that not be sufficient, part of the return cargoes might be shipped home or to any Qther market deemed most advantageous. ^ v.^s-t^i It is true that our West India Colonies have been for some time labouring under great de- pression in their commercial concerns. Steps however, are now being taken to remedy this. They have just had nigh £200,000 advanced them to facilitate the importation of labourers 59 it ^'' from India, and it appears to me highly proba- ble that ere long the schedule of duties on free labour sugar will have a preference allowed over slave grown sugar. The British Govern- ment has gone to great expense to put a stop to the slave trade, and the means she has employ- ed have not been very successful. Now one would suppose that an efiectual way of dis- couraging slavery, would be to charge, if not a prohibitory, at least a heavy duty on all slaVe- grown productions. But another means of re- lieving the West India Planters, is the impor- tation of free Negro labour from Africa. I behve that in spite of all the opposition this has met with that ft will eventually be conceded to the West India Colonies, and under judici- ous management will probably enable the W. I. Islands to cope with slave -grown sugar. It is said that the present stock of emancipat- ed slaves in the Islands will work only days sufficient in the week to give them food. But if importations of free negroes were made from Africa, the price of labour would probably de- crease, and their necessities would oblige them them to a fair day's labour. The price of labour there, as I am informed, is high at pre- sent. r*' I » i' '\ i i . » t 1 r^ ^ And now referring the reader to the argu- ments in the foregoing pages in support of the claim of United Canada on the British Govern- ment for the boon of the trade of supply of our w % 60 West India Colonies with flour and bread-stufis and provisions, we submit the same to the in- telhgence of the mercaHtile and agricultural community of the province. The merch'ents of the Eastern part of it must be aware, that if the wheat of Upper Canada is to go to the United States for a market, it will very ma- terially affect the trade and commerce of these parts of the United Province, and the merch- ants and agriculturists of Western Canada may possibly find on examination, they are likely to meet a much better market for their flour should the trade of supply of the West Indies be secured to British America, than is likely to be found for any duration of time in the United States. It is at any rate very evident, that by this triide our mills and our canals will not be deprived of employment, but will be turned to account, and furnish labour for many valuable mechanics and workmen. By this trade also, the risk wiJJ be avoided of weakening the at-^ tachment of our agriculturists to the parent state, a circumstance which, from their tried loyalty, will be duly appreciated. -■ ^v . . * And I trust I may conclude this part of our subject, with hoping that I have proved the propositions stated in a former part of this work, namely, that by the exertion of due wisdom and energy. United Canada is comr pejent in its present relation to Great Britain to stand and to thrive on its own resources, 61 without the necessity of seeking the aid of the United States, for that by the proposed regula- tions of our India trade, a good market will be found in our West India Colonies for a great portion of the surplus flour of the Pro- vince. I have, therefore, with due humiiity, to offer the above considerations to the Boards of Trade and the mercantile community. It will be for them to determine whether the trade of supply proposed will be advantageous in the coming event of the change in the Corn Trade of Great Britain, and whether it will not be prudent and wise to appeal to the British Government for the remuuerating boon proposed. Should they determine in the affirmative. I beg leave to suggest that there appear to me two modes by which this appeal may be made, the one is by a memorial from the Boards of trade direct t<^the Imperial Government, the other by me- morial from these bodies to the Provincial Legislature, praying for their influence in ob- taining the boon from the home government and I should suppose that on a clear statement of the advantages this trade of supply would yield to the Province fhe patriotism of the Legislature would lead them to give their aid in obtaining the boon. I cannot close this part of our prospectus without a few remarks on the steps now tak^ ^ ingby the American Government or Legislature ,:* ',i ,lif1( 62 11 iM 4 It to draw the wheat trade of Canada to their ports. I have in the foregoing pages endeavor- ed to show the evil effects that may result from the success of these measures to this Province and its commerce and manufactures. Wheat it appears has lately brought a better price in the States than in Canada*; I have already stated that it was probable one cause of this is, that the freights of wheat and flour to Great Britain are lower there than they are from Canada. I wish therefore to call the attention of the mechanics and shipbuilders of the Pro- vince to what I have above surmised, that ves- sels can be built, fed and manned in Canada as cheap as in the United States, If that opinion be correctly founded, would not the building of Canadian vessels to carry home our surplus produce enable our merchants to give as' high a price for flour and wheat as the Americans, and thus secure a very extensive branch of trade to the Province ? Should the building of Canadian vessels for that purpose be likely to pay. I should conceive there would be little difficulty (if respectable companies were form- ed) in obtaining loans of sufficient capital m Great Britain for the above purpose. The next article in our Prospectus is that of the greatly important subject of the education of our youth, and especially in the modern dis- coveries in agricultural science. 'I 'I /^ 63 On approaching this subject I must say it is with a great deal of diffidence. The numer- ous productions that have appeared on gene- ral education attest its high importance, and as the details of it have been accurately treated on by able pens, I shall only state an idea of two importait purposes which our educational system ought to be brought m support of, but shall be more particular on that part of the in- struction of our youth in the science of mod- ern Agriculture* After "ihe patriotic mind has employed hi^ tolentti in endeavouring to advance ♦he pros- perity of its cotemporaries it will find a r ost ample field for these talents in the improve^ jnent of education* *' Train up a cniid in the way he should go (says the scrpture) and when he is old he will not depart from it." " 'Tis education forms the youthful mind" (says the admirable poet Thompson^ "just as the ' twig is bent the tree's inclined." The experien- ced and philanthropic man therefore who extends his wishes to the well-being of future generations, cannot lay a su c^- foundation for it than in the moral, religious and intelligent edu-r cation of the one now rising up before him. In the present stat^ of a great part of the world in particular, when so many are led astray by the wildest and most fantastic doc- trines, although these have been'^severely tested in the crucible of experience and been found : •;» ^ii W Gi totally wanting ; for example, the extravagant proceedings very lately taken place in France a country that after wading through revolutions and wars occasioned by them for half a cen- tury, during which she tried a repubhc which involved her citizens in blood and ruin,and final- ly in despotism, settled at last on her own ac- cord on a " Citizen King." This citizen king ruled the country for 17, years and certainly brought it during that time to a much more quiet and respectable state among the nations than it had been for many previous years. He it is true attempted to stop the progress of Reform, but that might have been in time overcome by the exertions of the electoral rights of the people, if they wished that reform; that is, if the people had had stability enough to adhere to the form of government they had solemnly adopt- ed. They have now returned to a republic, and all I have to say on this subject is, that it would perhaps have been well for them, if they had looked first into their own celebrated writer on the various constitutions of the world. I mean Montesquieu in his Spirit of the Laws." They would then find that the basis of a republic is'*' virtue." Now, was not the want of that virtue during the revolu- tion that produced the first republic, the cause of the total failure of that republic / The first Girondins were sufiiciently virtuous to main- tain a republic, but were they not brought to 65 destruction by the seWish ambition of opposite parties, and did not these parties in their turn suffer th^ same fate by the same means, and do we not see almost the very same pro- cess now going on in this repubhc of 1848? One great advantage of a kingly government is that the crown being hereditary, there n^ed be no violent agitation, convulsions and civil war for a successor. But in a country like France, where all is to be equality, almost every man may conceive he has an equal right to rule, and where one man is to be found who would wish to rule for virtue's sake, on patroitic motives, there would probably be in that country thousands that would be stimulated solely by self- interest and ambition. Led on by these pas- sions, they will take advantage of the present ruling idea that everything is to be done by the popular voice to criminate and destroy the present ruling patriots. Already Lamartine, one of {the most energetic of these, has been denounced by the clubbists as a traitor, and though they arc at present in a minority they will probably not cease their restless agitation till they succeed in misleading and inflaming the populace to overthrow their opponents. It is evident then that France has not that por- tion of public virtue which constitutes the in- dispensable basis of a republic. Now, in this third volcanic eruption which has set the rest ;i H Sj- B m ! M 66 n df Europe in a blaze it is a grand sight to ob- serve the firm consistency Old England has maintaned. The glorious tenth of April, will strike a salutary terror into all who seek to ovef throw her institutions ; and it was in order to show the high value of the stabihty of a nation's mind that I have made this digression oil the late events in Europe. It was to show how important it is, to instil this stability of miiid into the rising generation by means of our educational system. Let our youth be instructed by proper historical knowledge*; let them learn the true nature of the British Constitu- tion ; how it is competent to redress all real national grievances without convulsion, and they will acquire attachment for it, which will probably constitute one of the most powerful elements of their future happiness. This then is one of the important purposes which as I stated above, I conceive our educational sys- tem should be brought to support. The second purpose is the objects in their future lives which our youth should be instructed to pursue and to. avoid* ' ' After the usual routine of teaching, namely good reading, writing, arithmetic, some Latin and Greek (and not too much of either, for it is the opinion of able men that too much time is spent in both these,) after teaching the use of the globes and geography, some branches of mathematics, and some other sciences may 67 well be introduced, as thereby the bents of their minds may perhaps be elicited and dis- covered; There appears io me not a doubt that na- ture has adapted various minds to the various branches of knowledge required in every society. I remember well that vety early in youth I was struck with admiration of the great discoveries then lately made by Cavendish, Prestly, Laivoisier, and others in the decompo- sition of water and the atmosphere. Ever since that, I have felt a zeal for the science of Pneu-' matic Chemistry ; and I trust I have with some effect exalted that science by the display of the vast share it has had in the creation of our globe, planets, and sun, and by fair and just analogy of the other systems of the universci I consider it therefore a great improvement that modern education in our schools should include that of the elementary books of the useful sciences of chemistry and geology and astronomy. Bnt there is no doubt that a still more important part of educatidti remains to be infused into the youthful mind, especially at the approach of the time of thei^ leaving school and being launched upoii the great theatre of the world, which brings us to the " second great object which education should be brought to support" namely, sound instruction on the objects of their future lives, which our youth should be taught to pursue or ^il'^t 1 ':■ 08 m \^ to avoid. I am not aware whether any of tho admh'able treatises on morahty and the con- duct of hfc are furnished to the schools of the present day, but remember it was not the case in my own school time< We had two sermons every Sunday in the churchy and one was read in school every Sunday evening ; but I should think some of these? containing the most valu- able codes of morality, because based upon religion, ought to be furnished to the more ad- vanced scholars, when we consider the dangers that surround the young and depending on their own conduct to avoid in coming on the great theatre of lifcj we cannot but wish they may be impressed with the strongest cautions that may resolve th*^m to be guided by riglit and safe principles. There is a variety of theorists on the foundation of moralsentiment and action. One of the most eminent, I believe. Dr. Paley, considers them founded on a desire to act ac- cording to the will of God. If that be the true foundation, which it probably is^ the next thiny would be to find out what_ is His will in each particular instance* I remember, while serving my apprenticesliip to the chemical buisness in the great city of London, having then arrived at the age of reason, I was one day reflecting on my I'uture prospects, I found that I had to depend on my own exertions for advancement in the way of acquiring a share of the good things that surrounded me. What (19 the ubundance, what profusion ! But how to be ac- quired. At that moment, the idea of justice entered into my mind, I reflected on that idea. I felt it strongly as a part of my nature, and I resolved never to swerve from its dictates. That sense of justice then, which every one ar- rived at the age of reason probably feels more or less must be according to the will of God who formed man for society. Let the youth then proceed with the guidance of this leading star, and, with prudent industry, he will pro- bably obtaina comfortable and honourable living. This; however, being accomplished, leaves an- other part ot the design of nature yet unobtain- ed. This is the desire of procreation of his species. Young men are frequently led by this part of the design to form early attach- ments for the other sex, or as it is called, tof all in love, but I cftn tell my young friends that love is a hazardous concern. I'he young are too often apt to mix ambition or the desire of fortune with their love, it is not love alone, but social friendship, and a desire for'marriage, they should be guided by in the formation oi a ' connection. The desire of procreation then, '. and the comforts of marriage being founded in his nature, there cannot be a doubt that, when this connection is formed by a judicious choice it nuist lead to happiness. And although he may fail for a long time in effecting such a union let him still preserve good hopes- This will at 1 1. < f I ■ 70 % all events preserve him from vicious courses, and reflecting that the desire of marriage is founded in his nature, let him be convinced that it is the will of God that he should pursue it. And having thus endeavoured to point out what are the objects which youth should be in- structed by our educational system to pursue in their future* fives, namely, to be guided in their pursuit of wealth and honours by the law of justice, and in the other great desire and purpose of their natures, by honourable mar- riage, it will be easy to see, what by our edu- cational system they ought to be instructed to " avoid" namely, whatever is contrary to the above mentioned honorable principles and pur- suits. ^ ^^:'.' ^;;:' ■■.. ^, . '■ '■■:]!..; ' -•,-'^' 1 shall, before concluding these ideas on general education, make a few observations on the recent establishment of normal schools in Toronto, and the system of education now car-t ried on under the superintendence of Uie Rev. Mr. Ryerson. I remember many years since to have had some thoughts of taking up the profession of schoolmaster. But after making some inquiry and observations respecting that profession I came to the conclusion that there must be something very defective in it, ft>r it appeared to me there were more, at least as many persons in it given to intoxication a in any other. I was therefore glad to find that government had taken steps to render this I highly useful profession more respectable, and to place its followers in a more comfortable and independent situation. I believe by the direction of the government, a respectable gentleman of acknowledged talents, and who, 1 believe had devoted much time previously to that profes- sion, undertook a long and no doubt hazardous voyage over a great part of Kurope, to gain in- formation on the subject. On his return to Canada he develops his system founded on the information he had acquired. The govern- ment for the time adopts, fosters and proceeds to establish it, when all of a sudden to my great surprise and a^arm, Ave were told that it is a des potic Prussian system, which in a few years was to enslave the country. Unluckily, how- ever, for these alarmists, we have found a short time since, that the Prussian Government, if it had been their design to forge fetters for PrjLissia and its youth by means of their educational sys- tem, have reckoned without their host, for it would appear, that this very diffusion of educa- tional instruction there, has been one great cause of the revolution-iry excitement which has broken out. So far then from discounter nancing this system for fear it should produce despotism, it ought rather to be dis.i issed on account of its tendency to produce revolution ; but perhaps some of its opponents if they think this would be its tendency, would not be so vio-. lent in their opposition to it. I 'I i 1 'II i f I 72 m- i ill Now the opposition tothe new educational system appears to me not so much to arise from a disapprobation of the system itself, as it does from an opposition to the introducing of it by the Rev. Egerton Ryerson. In a pamphlet published by him, he undertook to prove that Lord Met- calfe was in the right in his difference with the ministry, now in ofBce. Now when a man commits himself so as to interfere between two great political parties, I should suppose he be- lieves the opinions he publishes to be founded in truth, and therefore he had an undoubted right to, and indeed it was his duty to publish ihem, Well, the existing government conceiv- ing possibly the pamphlet to have exhibited con. siderablfe talents, employs him in the improve- ment of the educational system of the Province In this he appears to have made considerable progress, and is it just or reasonable that^heis to be displaced on the accession of a new Gov- ernment ? Is it politic that the public should be deprived of the services of a man of talent and zealous activity in a most important situation for the public good, for a party diflerence that took place years ago ? ■ r ; • ^ : ?• ^ Moreover, the office of Superintendent of Education'js not a political one, and it appears by a late despatch from Lord Grey to the Gover- nor of New Brunswick that the responsible government ceded to the Province does not embrace the removal of the holders of officCvS ■I '■* I 73 not poUticcih In my work on the present con- dition of United Canada, published a few years since in Montreal, I showed in an analysis of Lord John RussePs dispatch, of Nov. 1839, to the then Governor General that that dispatch contained the true principles of Responsible Government ; as far as it could be applied to a colony, and that the limits by which this res- ponsibility must be bounded, must be at the discretion of the Governor General, and I now observe in the above-stated dispatch of Lord Grey's, that the very same term is employed by him to denote those limits. It could not indeed be otherwise, than that some limits should be fixed. For instance, supposing that Mr. Papineau should acquire a majority in the House of As- sembly, and venture successfully to induce the ministry to overturn the constitution of the Province, by making the Legislative Council elective, &c. &c. — is it to be supposed that a Governor would sanction such proceedings because a majority in the House of Assembly agreed to it ? A Governor General is sent out to a colony to administer its laws and to preserve that colony to Great Britain, and to maintain its constitution as by law established. Should, therefore, such a contingency as the above take place, all that a Governor would do, would be to dismiss his ministers, dissolve the House of Assembly, and probably proclaim D CO their constituents, tliat they must elect repre- sentatives who are wilHn^ to abide bv the con- stitulion of the Province. The principle of R(\«[)Oiisiblc Government must therefore, evidently, in a colony, be limited by the discre- tion of its Governor. The Reformers of the Province may well be proud and happy in having thus got a res- ponsible government, but they should remem- ber it may be brought into disrepute, if it be made an instrument of harshness, severity and oppression, which it may easily be. I verily believe the great body of the Canadian public is tired of the ancient feuds of tory, reformer, and radical, which have so long deformed the political state of the Province. The more en- lightened ])art of the public arc now feeling that instead of these jarrings for place and pre- ferment, all these parties should turn more of their exertions to the advancement of the pub- lic welfare, in its agriculture, its trade and commerce, and improvements, and I believe it may be depended upon, that these views of the more enlightened parts of the constituen- encies will shortly prevail among all. H;iving now presented my Immble concep- tions on education in general, we arrive at that part of it relating to the instruction of our agricultural youth in the modern improvements which science has introduced into agriculture. I trust to have shown, when treating on the 75 H.., roprc- ccon- plc of [^foro, iscrc- j well a res- mem- ' it be ty and verily public n'mer, 3d the re en- eeliiig d pre- )re of ; pub- e and clieve ws of ituen- ncep- .t that >f our ments ilturo. 11 the I agriculture of Western Canada in the fore- going pages, that, in the expected event of the abrogation of the British Corn Laws " there will be but a very small chance for a market in Great Britain, any way remunerating to wheat growers." In this case it will be of high importance to our agriculturists to adopt the improvements of the modern system of agriculture now generally practised in the old country ; for if by that system the soil can be made to produce a greater number of bushels to the acre, and of a better quality, which I believe it can, the extra yield will be a clear gain to the farmer, less the cost of the improve- ment. It appears that the soil in a few years falls off from its customry yield, if a judicious mode of restoring its waste, or as it is called, "keeping it in good heart" is not pursued. Some years ago, I believe the general yield of the land in Upper Canada was averaged at twenty to thirty bushels of wheat per acre, and I have heard of 50 bushels on some farms, but as I have been informed by some intelligent farm- ers, the average is by no means so great now. Some years are said not to have averaged more than 12 to 15 bushels per acre. In several of the Eastern States of America the lands have been so exhausted that wheat growing is almost laid aside,(see Judge Buel's work on American agriculture.) And there is not a doubt that in the course of time our old cleared land in \ ■■ \ : .11 li liii Ml m it - 76 Canada, unless a proper restorative agriculture is adopted, will be exhausted in the - • iiC man- ner. The introduction of agricultural societies over most parts of Canada, will no doubt have the ffood effect of introducing: a Zealand emu- lation amounnr our ai^riculturistsfor amculture and the improvements in it. I have in the foregoing pages stated my ideas how they may effect an increase in the produce of wheat, by offering such premium for the greatest number of bushels produced on an acre, as will make it worth the while of the farmer to take the additional trouble that may be required to gain the prize. But I am much inclined to believe that the most efficacious way of introducing the modern system of agriculture generally through Western Canada, will be found in the estab- lishment of agricultural school farms through the Province. I have stated my plan, commcncing'at page (14) of this work, for introducing the modern system into and through Eastern Canada, and as the same plan will probably answer for the Western part, I beg leave to refer the reader to it. Although mttfiy of the agriculturists in this part of the United Province are well ac- quainted wdtli the modern system, there must be many who are not, as some who farm here have not farmed in the old country, and many of the poorer flirmers in the various townships culture c man- )cieties )t have d emu- culture in the )y may cat, by umber make ke the ^o gain )elieve ng the irough estab- rough page odern I, and )r the cader 3ts in 11 ac- must here nany ships 77 might consider it advantageous to hire out [I their farms to government at a fair rent for the above purpose. The number of these experi- mental farms which it may be proper to begin with, must of course be determined on by the commissioners appointed by government. But if by the plan I have proi)oscd, they can be made to pay their own cost of working, they can, after the first leases are expired, be given up to the owner, who is to agree to adopt the modern system if he find it the most pro- ductive, — and other farms can be hired on the same terms and conditions in other townships ; so that, providing these farms can be made to pay their cost of working, or nearly so, the improved and more productive system may be introduced into most of the townships with very little cost. If then these agricultural school farms can be fairly established, I have not a doubt they will prove to be the most palpable and effica- cious mode of diffusing the modern system of agricultural science, and as there are many gentlemen in Western Canada of great zeal for that science, should they approve of the plan proposed, as it may be made greatly to further the views of the agricultural societies now established, I should conceive these gentlemen would willingly consent to act as commission- ers to superintend the establishment of the farms, and the good conduct and scientific ',1 *f 78 !1 > !' If! ( j ,f management of the agriculturist appointed to carry them on. But another most important advantage that would arise to the province by the establish- ment of these school-farms will be, the oppor- tunities the youth of the country engaged in agriculture will have to acquire a knowledge of the improved system- It, is I believo, too often the case that our agricultural youth seek rather for employment in the towns and villages than in the avocations their parents have fol- lowed. It is probably thought by some that town employment is of a higher grade than that of a farmer ; others may conceive there is more chance of fortune-making by it. In both of these notions I conceive they are mis- taken. There is no employment in the way of business more honourable than that of an intelligent and able farmer ; and as to wealth, there are, I believe, very few in trade who can consider themselves more independent than the owner of a well cleared and cultivated and paid-for farm. But if anything be requir- ed to raise the employment of farming in the scale of elevation in society it is no doubt the infusion of some portion of scientific acquire- ment into one of the most useful of the arts, that is, agriculture. It has now indeed, become entitled to be called a science, and has been thoroughly investigated by some of the most exalted in rank in scientific knowledge, Earl ei o ii 79 ited to go that ablish- oppor- ged in wledge f^j too h seek illages ve fol- ic that e than lere is In e mis- e way of an wealth, lio can : than ivatcd eq^uir- in the btthe quire- ) arts, come been most Earl Dalrymple,Sinclair, Sir H.Davy, Justus Licbig, and others. In order, therefore, to afford a knowledge of this science to our agricultural youth, the agricuhurist should be directed to allow the entrance into the school-farms of as manyyouth of the country whose parents wish them to be instructed in the school of modern agriculture. This may be done, either on paying a small yearly stipend, or otherwise, without any charge. The scholars to be instructed in the modern mode of farming ; and in order to ac- quire a more impressive knowledge of it, they might assist occasionally in the working of the farms. Some of the most approved works on the practical and theoretic parts of the modern system of agricultural chemistry, ought to be furnished for the farm, and lectures given when- ever an opportunity offers itself, from any gentleman sufficiently acquainted with the science, to give one. By these means a love and zeal for this most important of the sciences would probably be diffused through the youth of the country ; many of them would probably soon acquire a knowledge of the art of analyz- ing soils, by which they would be able to dis- cover their relative values, and they would also be enabled to learn what species of man- ure, artificial or natural, is required to produce a good crop of the ceraliaor other vegetables. !;f I 80 'ili w- i !( Thus I trust to have shown in the foregoing pages, that there will he a great necessity for an important movement to advance the agri- cuUure of Canada, with a view to increase the powers of production in its soil, to meet the prohahle change that is to take place in the Corn Laws of the Parent State. I believe that the judicious establishment of experimental school-farms properly superintended by patrotic and scientific gentlemen of the province, who feel that zeal for so doino- that ouo'ht to ani- mate them. I believe that these farms would be found a powerful means of dilfusing the knowledge and practice of the modern more productive system of agriculture through the country, and an equnlly powerful means of in- structing rising youth in that system, giving them a taste for the occupation theyare brought up to, by raising that occupation in the scale of society; for when the mind has once acquir- ed a taste for scientific pursuits and discovery, it feels a delight therein, thnt is likely to pre- serve it from intemperate courses of amuse- ment. Thus may these establishments tend greatly to advance the happiness and prosperity of the rising generation. The next article in the Prospectus is the Trade and Commerce of the Province. It appears that there is really an intention in the British Government to rescind the restric- tions of the Navigation Laws; not indeed to 81 for agri- ;e the it the to the extent tliat many people helievc ; for one of the chief conditions of these laws is, that three- fourths of the seamen shall be British, which is still to be enforced ; but except the coasting trade and the fisheries, all other branches of trade are to be free for the competition of foreign nations. Now, it is well known that Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and probably Prussia and Russia, can build and sail vessels cheaper than Great Britain. Will not British trade be in that case cliiefly carried on in those foreign vessels, and if so, w hat advantage \vill be the above said regulation, that British ships are to be mf^nned by British seamen ? And if the commercial marine of Great Britain fails, whence is to come the nurseries of seamen for our navy ? In the present anarchical state of the nations of Europe, it does appear to me strange, that the Ministers of Great Britain should run ihc risk of such a change, which perhaps, ma^ be repented of when too late. I cannot conceive they have so ventured, unless they are prepared to make such changes and regulations respect- ing British shipping, as may enable it to be built and manned, and sailed as cheap as those of other nations. With respect to the cfTect of the removal of these restrictions •on United Canada, tluy may indeed produco the taking oil* by the American Government, of the present duty 83 i| ! ! they lay on our wheat, when shipped to the States, but I am not of opinion they will take it off, if shipped ground into flour. The great influence of the Western States will probably resist that, and as I have stated in the fore- going pages, if shipped in wheat, the destruc- tion of our mills and all the branches of trade connected with them will ensue. If our wheat is to find no market in Great Britain, and our agriculturists should thereby be led to ship it to the States, an evil no less than the probable separation of this Province from the Parent State may ensue. The cause, as I have before said, why the merchants of the United States can give a higher price for wheat than the merchants of Canada is, that freights from the States to Great Britain are lower than from Quebec or Montreal Now as Canada can build, man, and sail ships as cheap as the United States can, to remove the navigation laws as respects Canada, will be an evident preference given to American vessels, and therefore a downright discouragement to the building and sailing of Canadian built ships, which would bo contrary to sound and wise policy, and I am convinced will not long re- ceive the sanction of public opinion. If, therefore, by building; Canadian vessels, we can send our wheat andflour hoiue as cheap as in American vessels, we shall have no oc- casion to employ them, nor to send that wheat AU 83 the 1 take great bably fore- struc- trade vvlieat d our ihip it •bablo *arent ►efore states n the 11 the from L can 3 the ation ideiit and 3 the Jiips, wise J re- isels, licap oc- hcat and flour to llic States, and we shall thereby avoid the danger al)ove stated, and not deprive our mills and trndes connected with lliem of employment. That part of our surplus wheat and flour which is not wanted for the supj)ly of our Islands and ports in the West Indies, can be then shipped to the mother country, in equal terms at least with a foreign nation, and this would greatly increase the trade, com- merce and navigation of the Province. It appears that a vessel called the Commerce has lately arrived at Buflido from Montreal, in four days ; the captain of which declared that his vessel could carry 3000 barrels flour through the St. liawrence Canals. If then our statement above is correct, that compet- ent vessels can be built in Canada as cheap as in the States, the profits made by the Am- erican purchaser of our wlieat or flour when shipped to that country, n)i/;ht be gained by this Province, and dii»l trust is another proof of our afonsnid proj)osition;, ** that United Canada, vwlh the eAerti(»n of due wisdom and energy, 's competent, in its present relation to Great Ihitain, to stand and to thrive on its own resources, without the necessity of seek- \\vjf the aid ot'the United Staters.'' When the projected raih'oads froui the 15ay of Funily to Quebec, and from Portland to Montreal, are comj)lrte(i, British (ioods will probably be brought up as early in the Spring to Western < \ ! i' 84 • t i Canada, as they could from these States, and all that will then be wanted to advance the trade and commerce of the Province, will pro- bably be the construction of branch rail or plank roads through the interior of it. But there is one thing which requires im- provement for facilitating the trade of the Pro- vince, that is ihe circulating medium. Having been led by business to travel throii^rh many of the townships of the United province, I have found much difficulty iutran- sac'ti »■ it from the great scarcity of circulating mediiMn. This is indeed often the case with ijKiiVKiaal traders in the old country; and the inofou m1 author of the Wealth of Nations, ascribes it chiefly to overtradins^. The regular dealer, he says, if I recollect right, " the man who keeps his trading within his capital, never is in want of money," and that no doubt is the case with over traders in i\vs Province ; but the generality of traders here do not over- trade ; yet, in Canada the scarcity of money is almost always a general complaint, and the cause of thi » I conceive to be, that the great mass of the trade of the country is performed by barter. The Ihy (JocmI Merchant, generally, and often the Grocer, and other trades, take wheat and produce in exchange for their goods, and consequently can transact the greater part of tlicir trade with very little money. Now one great source of the perfec- sil:ii W-v, 85 tion of tradr and commerce is, the division of labour. Our Dry Good Merchant, the Grocer and other traders, have not only to understake and manage their own branches of trade, but they have also, by this barter, to deal in articles which they are often not well acquaint- ed with ; and this perhaps is one cause why our wheat and flour have been so often ship- ped home in an improper state, and is so often landed in a damaged or sour state. " Canadian sour" is almost always quoted in the prices current. Now if a proper division of labour took place in this branch of trade, if the pur- chase and shipments of wheat and flour were carried on by a set of merchants who were confined to this branch, they would probably acquire a thorough knowledge of the nature of those articles of produce, and would find means to have them shipped in such a state as to prevent their damaging or souring. The wheat and flour &lc., would be paid for in cash by tlicse produce shipping merchants^ and the dry good dealer, the grocer, &;Cr, would have nothing to do but to attend to his own branch of business, and receive cash pay- ment from the farmer or country dealer for his goods- Now the much greater quantity of circulating medium which would by the above plan, be required in the transaction of the business of the country, would tend also greatly to increase the hanking business) and it -:i,t fiJii.S' y.v. 'TLi 86 •I: * ■il would therefore be the interest of the banks to foster and encoiira ?:' .- t'lBj! I i'ii :, : ii ' j u ' Nil 90 Government is now strongly urged by the public press to promote emigration, and the rehef from emigration to the colonies is be- coming popular in England. It is probable therefore, that the Government will be con- strained to help emigration. To what colony is indeed uncertain. The south seas is power- fully recommended. To me it appears that as the Oregon question is now settled, and as it is probable that great sources of trade and commerce to the east, may arise in a few years, it would be the interest of Great Britain to people that country, and thus preserve or create perhaps a lucrative commerce with the settlements in China and the East Indies. At least, it appears the Americans, whose sagacity in trade affairs is almost proverbial, are already talking on this subject, and expect great things from it. But as it is however probable that Canada will have a share in future emigration, it i» highly proper and an incumbent duty on its Legislature and people, that all evil consequ- ences thereof, shall be as much as may be, pre- vented. In a lecture given by his honour the present Judge Sullivan, he proposed to form a settlement for his countrymen from Ireland, in some part of Canada, which, if I understood him rightly, lays somewhere between the head of Lake Superior and the Rocky Mountains, for Canada be it remembered, extends over a m 91 lili part of these mountains to the Pacific. Now allowing the country to be as Mr. Sullivan stated, well adapted for settlement, there are still two great objections to it ; first, that the emigrants must pass through all Canada, and thereby chance to communicate disease ; and secondly, the distance is so immense that pro- bably no markets for their produce could remu- nerate them. Now there is a tract of country in Eastern Canada wljich is not liable to these objections. The country up the great River Saguenay, is saidJ:o be salubrious and well adapted for settlement. It is very probable that govern- ment have lands in that direction ; but whether or not, they might probably be purchased on very easy terms. If practicable, I conceive it is due to the safety of the Province from disease that the emigrants should be located there, and that proper and sufficient hospitals should be established there for those who are sickly. This regulation should, I conceive, be in force until some more favourable change takes place in the times as regards health. It appears a vessel has just arrived at New York, from Ireland, in which a great number are said to have perished by the Asiatic Cholera, and it seems to be tlie opinion of eminent medical men, that it will find its way through Canada. It seems to me therefore, in particular, that some effective means should i; I i ■ I'}! T'l ; t. e ■! 1 . 1. 1; I 111 -\ M' 'I ' 1 ■ i: ■■ s-f. ■ ■( i ; ■ { ,1 !*','' I •. i .'■' I ' i iJ } . 1 .1 1 ■' 1 1 > I 1: 02 be adopted to prevent that fatal disease from spreading through the country, and do not beheve there is any other more Hkely to be ef- fective than the one I have suggested above. The next part of our Prospectus is the greatly important subject of the present state of the Protestant religion, with a view to harmonize its sects, and perhaps ultimately to bring them into one powerful united body. My mother was a Presbyterian of the origi- nal church of Scotland, and I of course went to that church, while in my native city, old Quebec, until I went to school in England at nine years of age.'^^All the school was regularly taken to the Church of England, and I among the rest. And when put apprentice to the chemi- cal line in London, by my worthy guardian, who had been a Commissary in Gen. Wolfe's army, it so happened that my master had a seat also in the Church of England, and sent me there regularly. I have since generally follow- ed that church, because about the time of my coming to the age of reason, I considered that the form of its service, if well imbibed, is calcu- lated to inspire the heart and the mind with all that a sound and reasonable religion can require. I feel, however, a great regard for the persuasion followed by my mother. 1 have often attended that church, have heard many pious prayers in it, as well as in the Chapels of tho Methodists, and other sects ; but the quality h 93 of these all depends on the quality of tho preachers, while the service of the Church of England does net. It stands on its own firm foundation, containing all that I believe the creature can reasonably ask or religiously feel towards his Creator. I have thus for many years been nurtured in the Protestant religion, which I consider as founded on the justest feelings of the heart to- ■ wards God, and the soothing hopes of a blessed future state, by the mediation of the Redeemer. And here I wish to observe, that I believe this Christian religion is designed to bring and to keep mankind in the happiest degree of ad- vancement which human society is probably capable of attaining; and this day being Trinity Sunday, I beg leave to offer an anec- dote relating to theTrinity,as the greart founda- tion-stone of this religion. Forty years a;^o, I was attending a meeting in Exeter Hall, in London, presided over by Lord Bexley. It was a meeting of some religious society, and a dis- cussion came on respecting the choice of one of the officers who was said to be a Unitarian. Among the various speakers pro and con, a gentleman who stated himself to be an officer in the Royal Navy, and a Rcpian Catholic, made an observation at the close of his speech, which I considered to be a very strong and sound one. '' If," said he, " it be the wish of this society !'i . i, .; .ilii' ; rl|. ) ; ■111 ;i :r :i :i»i i I ;i:: 94 ■ ill '] m ^fli to preserve the Christian Rehgion, let them hold fast by the Trinity." Now I never have thought that it would fall to my lot to write upon the subject of religion, and probably never should, but within these few years the most unprecedented and to me unexpected and strange surmises have arisen on the subject of Protestantism, principally as connected with the Church of England. — The first singular occurrence of this sort that came to my knowledge, was on the perusal some eight or ten years since, of a letter or address said to be written by the late Daniel O'Connell to the people of England. It gave a statement of the great number of Roman Catholic churches and chapels that had been and were then building in England, and conclu- ded with an account of a number of converts to that religion, and a warning piece of ad- vice to the people of England, that they had better do the same. This was as far as I could comprehend the meaning of what appeared to me a most absurd address. A few years after that, however, to my still greater surprise, a great movement appeared to have arisen in the Church of England itself. The discipline of that Church had, it seems become in the course of years, much relaxed, and those whom it considered as its enemies were gaining ground, and probably pressing hard upon it. Some changes in the usual 95 ii. t them uld fall eligion, these to me arisen ally as and. — 3rt that 3erusal tter or Daniel It gave Roman d been conclu- 3nverts of ad- ley had I could ared to ny still peared i itself, seems jlaxed, lemiea •essing usual form took place in some of the Churches, or rather a recurrence to certain forms which had not been practised for many years, and also certain sermons preached by Dr. Pusey, and others, gave considerable alarm to many of the congregations, who conceived that these transactions showed a leaning towards the Church of Rome. 1 must say, that I myself had very uneasy feelings at these occurrences at that that time. Like all other Protestants who have from their youth heard and read so muchofthe persecutions of that church, I felt considerable alarm. Soon after this I fell in w itha work published in Montreal on Puseyism by a minister of the church of Geneva, and who was of course an enemy to Puseyism. From this work I found, that so far from the design of Puseyism being to draw or assimilate the Church of England to that of Rome, it designed to carry the Church of England SOOyears beyond, namely to the time of the Apostles. Its design was to claim an Apostolic Origin and to restore the Church to a more rigid state of discipline. — Now if this be really the sole design of this movement of the Church I must confess I not only think there can be no ground of alarm in it, but that it is one which the present state of a^great part of the world, and which the great tendency to looseness of morals and religious feeling and infidelity among many, loudly calls ill. f |:i i^ ii 96 1 t 1 ! < ■ s ! i 1 ! i ■ ^ i'l :|| ■'I i : 'i for. I was, therefore, much relieved to meet shortly afterwards an address from the Bishop of London to his Diocese, wherein he disclaims and disapproves of any such assimilation to the Church of Rome. I had also the satisfaction to hear the venerable Bishop of Toronto de- liver his address to the Clergy of his Diocese containing the same sentiments. I am also happy to hear from a Rev. Clergy- man, that the present Archbishop of Canter- bury is of the same sentiments. I must say that as a Protestant, I could not nor would not attend Divine Service in any Protestant Church if I believed its Clergyman was at heart dis- posed to Romanism. I consider the Protestant Religion as the religion of the heart. I believe that it is on the foundation of this feeling that the people of England are attached to it, and I cannot but consider it would be highly im- prudent m the Church of England to run the risk of losing the affections of its people, by any movement it might consider proper to in- troduce, and that it ought by a solemn and explicit declaration, discountenance and put down any attempts of its members that might produce this lamentable effect of creating alarm and perhaps alienation in the minds of her people. The Church of Rome is certainly one of ihe oldest Christian Establishments, but certain causes have produced a separation of many of 97 her members from her ; and there are three of these causes, which unless they can be removed must ever prevent an assimilation between these Protestant Churches, and that Church of Rome. The first is, the free permission of the use of the Bible. The Bible is stated by all Christian Churches to be the Word of God, and of those who believe so, none who are at all advanced above the lowest degree of ignor- ance of mind, will be long prevented from the* perusal and study of it. The Bible has receiv- ed the most profound admiration from some of the wisest and most learned men of all na- tions, and in these times when so much light- ness of mind, frivolity, and love of novelty prevails among the young and thoughtless, there is, I believe no book more competent to keep their hearts and minds right, than the Bible. To keep the world then from this bread of a future life in its present state of in- telligence and advancement, would be almost as futile, as to endeavour to keep it from the bread of the present life. Another cause of prevention of assimilation of Protestants to the Church of Rome is the bowing down to images. This being directly contrary to the Second Commandment ; Pro- testants can never agree to it. It is true, that the Roman Clergy assert, that the images are only intended to give the people a more tangi- ble idea of the divinity, and so to carry up their E ,ii! .fi ti 11 ii ^:t< 1 1, i' ■ 98 ili ;ii > minds towards Him with more effect ; but, notwithstanding this explanation^ of their clergy, I believe, from what I have observed myself that the lower classes have not their minds sufficiently informed and spirituahzed, to separate the image from the reality ; and the second commandment herein shows its deep insight into the nature of the human mind. The third cause of prevention of the assim- ilation of Protestants to the Church of Rome, is the doctrine of transubstantiation. The |, 28th article of religion of the Church of Eng- land " On the Lord's Supper," is as follows : " The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another ; but rather is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death; insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same the Bread which we break is a partaking'of the Body of Christ ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ." "Transubstantiation(or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, can not be proved by holy Writ ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the name of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many su- perstitions." "The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper only after an heavenly and spiritual man- ner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is Faith." " The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, Or worshipped." 99 The idea of the change of the Sacramental Bread andWine into the actual Body and Blood of the Saviour, is in my opinion totally contrary to human reason, and having made this observa- tion when conversing with a gentleman on the subject, he asked me in reply, whether the idea of the Trmity was u6t alsd contrary to reason. I told him I did not consider it so, and I here state my reasons for this belief. There are several instances, even in the present state of our existence, where the heart and mind of one person may be. said to acquire a double and even a treble state of identical ex- istence. In the case of a certain degree and stage of the passion of love, the heart and mind of the lover has been changed to such ex- cess as almost to be entirely identified with its object. The poet Thompson describes this stage of the passion well : " She alone seen, heard -and felt, flows through the nerves and boils along the brain." Even, indeed, in a inore pure and reasonable degree of this pas- sion, the heart becomes almost identified with its object. I remember a story I heard some fifty years ago, when duels were far more com- mon than at present on a love account, a young gentleman became involved in one. The parties went from England to the continent to settle the affain The young gentleman recei- ved a ball through his chest ; and so surprised were the Physicians that attended him, that ' f, IIU ! ii;: ill; I . ■ ■. Ml I .1: I: [• il M^'i 1 . t i |; ii i h '1 (iil-^l ; i;|i^^«: '%\-i I'' There appears to me therefore, nothing con- trary to human reason, to conceive that the Deity may exist in Trinity. But the idea of the transubstantiation of the Body of Christ ; that is, that the identical bread and wine which is administered at the present day, is actually part of the Body and Blood of the Redeemer, when he existed on earth, is not only contrary to human reason, but it is contrary to the actual laws of nature formed by the Deity himself. The actual Body of the Saviour as he existed on earth could never have amounted in weight to the bread and wine used in the administration of the sacrament, since his death. I mean to say, that, allowing' the bread and wine employed in the sacrament was part of his body at and some time after his death, the weight of the bread and wine that has been employed in the sacrament since, must have greatly exceeded the weight of the Body of the Saviour at the time of his death; therefore the bread that is employed at the present day cannot possibly be part of that body. This is an evident proof to my mind that the sense of the Scriptural account is purely symbolical and spiritual, as it is justly considered by all Protestant Christians. By a law of nature, it is impossible to be otherwise, and it is equally impossible to believe that Deity could intend to convey any meaning i^ 103 con- the the tical the and contrary to the inevitable and unchangeable laws he had established. ■ It is true that the Church of Rome has of late adopted several reforms. Whether any change is to be made in the said doctrine, I am not aware, but of this I feel confident that it is totally impossible that Protestants can give faith to transubstantiation. , But, however repugnant to Protestant religi- on may be the creed or practice of the Church of Rome, the followers of that Church have an undoubted right to their own feelings and con- victions, that induce them to follow the rules and disciphne of that church ; and nobody prevents nor molests them in so doing. On the other hand Protestants have the same right to foWowtheir convictions. Yet notwith- standing this plain rule of right of all to their own convictions, a scene took place very late- ly in the British House of Commons which well requires notice, A Roman Catholic mem- ber, I believe a nobleman, allowed, in a speech he delivered there, that there was an antagon- ism between the two religions, and that he believed it would never cease until the Pro- testant religion was destroyed. Whereupon a Protestant member whose name I do not re- collect thanked the noble Lord for his candour and contrasted it with the conduct of others who carried on the same hostility to Protest- ^nism, but would not avow that they did so. 1i 'Mi Mill im jlii -1 t Ji; 1 ' ■ • iV \: |:| ir. n :i;L i: St . ■11 1 1 104 He told them also that he was well aware that that hostihty did exist on the part of the Church of Rome, and that the Protestant re- ligion was ready prepared to encounter and to overcome it. We shall now proceed to develop the causes that render necessary this Protestant move- ment, with a view, as stated in the Prospectus, " to harmonize its sects, and perhaps ultimately to bring them into*one powerful united body." The causes which call upon professors of the Protestant religion, to take immediate steps towards endeavouring to form this union are manifest, and considering what^we have above stated to have taken place in a church whose congregations in all parts of the world form a very numerous portion of those profes- sors, such steps have become imperative on every true Protestant. Never did I expect I should live to hear any doubts or surmises on the Protestant character of the church of Eng- land, and it must be evident to all other sects of Protestanism, that were these doubts and surmises really founded on fact, and to become thereby realized, the stability of all other sects of Protestants might be seriously affected. • The above stated facts I consider then to form one prominent cause why Protestants of every denomination should wish to draw in closer union the bonds of Protestant prin- ciples, and should take steps to form one unit" i; re- nd 105 ed body, whose powerful voice should propoulid and maintain those principles intact and on an immoveable basis- ' .u Before specifying the denominations of the Protestant sects I am now addressing, I will state the substance of what I published on this subject, in a little work called "A Tour through the Eastern Townships," published in Mont- real a few years since. Observing that in some of those Townships various sects were in the nabit of joining to enable them to build chapels, to be used alter- nately by each sect, I observed that it might be advisable for the Church of England to offer encouragement to this proceeding, as tending to beget a friendly feeling between those sects, and I remarked that in furtherance of that end if on one day in the year a general meeting of them all, during the fine summer weather, a general form of prayer could be agreed on by the clergy of each sect, which form should have no reference whatever to the peculiar doctrines of each sect ; and a sermon formed on the same principle, it might have the effect of pro- ducing this iriendly feeling, and do away w^ith many unfounded prejudices against each other, and I concluded with observing that if such an annual meeting could be agreed on, it would tend greatly to root out infidelity; and that pos- sibly nothing would be more likely to meet the approbation of the Deity than this cordial and ;■;; :il^ ^ <(•:' I ■ ■, ■ (,'■ % Ml! i i ' i ;'•( ii M 't i06 i urn I J IP it I united adoration of all sects. A few years aftei^ the puWication of the above little work, I had the'satisfaction to learnthat a great union of dif- ferent Protestantsects, and, I believe, even some Roman Catholics, had taken place in England, called the Evangelical Society, which appears to have had the very same design as I had proposed in the above work published*in Mont- real ; namely, the conciliation of the various sects of Christians? What the state or result of this society is, I am not well informed, but I have been told it has hitherto been partly a failure, and the more the pity. It is how- ever probable that Protestantism will now feel the necessity of a close combination to avow and sustain their religious creed. It is indeed matter of regret, that Protestanism should be wasting and frittering away its strength by the endless subdivisions that have taken place in it, while the Roman Catholic Church has ac- quired its strength chiefly by an undeviating persistence, and is no doubt deriving much satisfaction from these endless divisions in Protestanism* It is matter of high regret, and indeed of astonishment that the religion of the Saviour of mankind, which he intended as a source of union, of peace, of love, and unity among its followers, should really have on the contrary produced among too many of these Protestant sects a source of bitter acrimony, distrust, and jealousy. Nothing can be a stronger ftei* \md lif. fme [nd, lars lad 107 {)roof that the true design of tl:e Christian re- igion has been entirely mistaken, and that we require to retrace our steps to the time of its original organization, by its Divine Author. We shall therefore now examine into these divisions, shall offer observations upon them, and continue to develop the necessity for the Protestant movement referred to above. When the Roman Catholic contemplates these divisions in the Protestant sects, he natu- rally enough considers every one of them as proofs to him of the truth of his own. Now, whether that religion be right or wrong, one truth concerning it at least is, that, since the Reformation no important divisions have taken place in it, and this is probably one great cause of its power and influence ; and that church is probably observing the Protestant divisions with no little complacency, and probably views this debihtating cause as one which may here- after produce an absorption of these mutually inimical sects into her own pale. Now it does certainl} appear to me, that these bickering jealouses and frequent animosi- ties of many Protestant sects, are totally un- worthy, and below the elevated character of this enlightened age. I believe that so grating are these sensations to the feelings of the pres- ent times, that means will be found at no dis- tant period, finally to put an end to them. mk ■ n ' i m ^i:; ii; 1" It \i:- i' : ' V: 108 Some of the sects object to having Bishops and Archbishops in the Church, yet Bishops Were ordained in the Apostle's times, or nearly So ; and what is a Bishop, but a clergyman of degree, and why is it not equally needful to have oflScers of superior degree to watch over and direct the conduct of the inferior ones of a great church (where they must of necessity be numerous) as it is in every other great depart* ment of lifci The success of an army in the defence of the country it belongs to, as frequ- ently depends on the qualities and characters of its superior officers, as it does on any other cause, and when to the solemn convictions of Christianity, which ought to form the basis of the clerical character, the prospect of dignified preferment is added, I should conceive that one of the greatest incitements to the acquisi- tion of the powerful talents required to an- nounce the truths of religion, is formed. Again, the actual difterence in the various doctrines of the Protestant sects does not appear to be of any high importance. I have occasi- onally attended most of their meetings and could not discover any such difference in their public worship. Some sects may believe that faith, and others that good works are the more important to salvation. But all the sects believe in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the three cardinal points of the Christian Religion, and all the sects inculcate A\ 109 nd he -ite the practice of the moral and social religious virtues. Where then is the great difference ? To those sects who profess to believe in the Trinity, I would say, that all these differences or sources of disagreement, are as dust in the balance when compared with the high moral and social, and religious advantages that would accrue to every sect could a holy and cordial union of all be accomplished. I have heard in many of the various meetings the preacher complain of the infidelity of the age and I do not know any mode more likely to strike the infidel with awe, than this solid and powerful union. One prominent and ])robal)ly the greatest cause of the dissatisfaction, and complaining of some sects, is that the Church of England is called the established national religion. This is indeed a most important consideration. Very many are of opinion that there should be tio established religion. For myself I must say, I hope never to see tlie day when that happens. So far am I from believing that the State should not sanction and uphold religion, that I think it the greatest honour and the greatest policy that it does do so, and that it would be the greatest disgrace if it did not, and scripture bears me out liere. " Sin," says the Scripture is a disgrace to any nation and how can the government of a nation be justifi- ed before the Almighty Throne, if it docs not endeavour to prevent it ? and where is there a iM\ I ! Hi: ■ •Mi; ii) 1 1: m hi ■■ 110 more potent means of preventing it, than in sanctioning, promoting and supporting just religious principle and practice. Human laws are indeed enacted by the state, to punish the coruptions of the heart, and its disregard of the dictates of morality ; the Divine law, well infused into the heart, strikes deeper ; it pre- vents that corruption, and the causes arising from it. The Sovereign of Great Britain is bound by law to profess the Protestant religion. But has not that Sovereign, his nobles and the high personages of the land, an equal right to choose their Protestant church as well as any of his subjects. This question I conceive will be answered by all the sects in the affirmative, as just and reasonable. So far therefore am I from thinking that there should be no established church, that it will be seen by the propositions I shall shortly make, with due humility to all sects of Protest- ants, that I believe that the present state of that religion and of the world requires that all the sects when amounting to a certain number of adherents should be nationalized. The Church of England has hitherto been considered as the national church ; but should the union I shall have the honour to propose be finally adopted, she will find her grandeur greatly augmented thereby and her peace and security more firmly estabUshed. I should Ill therefore hi ijibly conceive she would not only Oppose no unreasonable obstacle, but gladly promote its accomplishment* Whether the initiative of this great work could come from herself, I am not competent to say. A great preparatory step has been made by the above named evangelical society, among whom were, no doubt many of the Clergy of the Church of England, and I much hope that society will not abandon their object, but persevere zealously in efforts which would tend, when obtained, to the glory of Protestant- ism. And so convinced am I, that this great object of the union of Protestants is at this time wanted to give that strength to Protestanism which it so much requires, that I now humbly propose to all sects of Protestants and to their ministers, that a general convocation should be promoted and called, in furtherance of this great object. To these members I would say, that after years of deliberation on this subject ; after having during that period, deeply regret- ted the differences existing among the various sects ; after witnessing the events stated above which have transpired during these years I have felt persuaded that the present state of Protestanism requires on the part of its pro- fessors a solemn,energetic and united attempt to effect such a union as shall put an end to these jarring divisions in Protestant society, and shall place the Protestant religion on that high, \L ijil m Ml I' If .<- I, 11 II: h i i il f r I 112 firm, and immoveable ground which its sound and reasonable basis deserves. It is on these grounds I now humbly venture to offer for the consideration of the ministers of the various congi*egations the plan proposed. The motives that have led me so to do, I have no doubt the ministers of these congregations will duly appreciate, but their united wisdom must decide on the advantages that would arise from this plan, and of the best mode of proceeding to its accomplishment. Many in- deed may be the difficulties foreseen and to be encountered, but what great and good end is ac- complished without them ? The advance of the w orld, in these days, in almost every, de- partment of life ; the high progress in science ; requires that religion should also be advanced to keep pace with them, and I know of no way so effectually to do this as for all Protest- anism to unite, and to ascend together to the great, organic and original construction of that religion by its divine founder. Sublimely simple as it is, it seems impossible it should not be completely competent to produce the effect it was designed for the perfect uijion of all sects of all its professors. Extracts from the R§v, Charles Buc¥s Theology, Article Episcopacy. — Archbishop Usher projected a plan for the reduction of Episcopacy, by which he would have brought it very near the Presbyterian Govtrnment of the Scotch church. The weekly 113 parochial vestry answering to their church session, the monthly synod to be held by the Chorepiscopi answering to their Presbyterians, the diocesan synod to their provincial, and the national to their general assembly. The meeting of the Dean and Chapter practised in the Church of England, is but afaint^hadow of the second, the Ecclesiastical court of the third, and the convocation of the fourth. Article Methodists, Protestants. — This deno- mination was formed in the year 1729, by one Mr. Morgan, and John Wesley. In the month of Nov., that year, the latter being a Fellow of Lincoln Col- lege, they went to spend some evenings in reading the New Testament with Mr. Charles Wesley, Stu- dent, &c. &c. ^ At the time this society was formed, it was said that the whole Kingdom of England was tending fast to infidelity, and there is every reason to believe the Methodists were the instruments of stemming this torrent. The doctrines of the Wesleyan Methodists accord- ing to their own account are the same as the Church of England, as set forth in her Liturgy, Articles and Homilies. Respecting original sin, free will, the justifica- tion of men by good works, and works done before justification, Mr. Wesley refers us to what is said on the subject, in the former part of the ninth, tenth eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth articles of the Church of England. Considerable numbers of the Calvinist and Armen- ian Methodists approve of the discipline of the church of England, while many it is said are dissenters on principle. Mr. Wesley, and Mr. Whitfield were both brought up in, and paid peculiar respect to that church, I i Hm. :!iii it; i I 1; i Mi nr 1; ir<, In 114 Article Presbyterians. — The Presbyterians be- leve that the authority of their ministers to preach the gospeljto administer the sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper, and to feed the flock of Christ, is derived from the Holy Ghost by the imposition of the hands of the Presbytery, and they oppose the in^ dependent scheme of the common rights of Christians by the same arguments which are used for that pur- pose by the Episcopalians. They afRrm however that there is no order in the churches established by Christ and his apostles as superior to that of Presby terians, that all ministers being ambassadors of Christ are equal in iheir commission ; that Presbyter and Bishop though different orders, are of the same import, and that prelacy was gradually established upon the primitive practice of making the Modera- tor or Speaker of the Presbytery a permanent office. These positions they maintain against the Epis- copalians, by the following Scriptural arguments. They observe that the apostles planted churches by ordaining Bishops and Deacons in every city, &c, Again Timothy, whom the Episcopalians allege to have been the first Bishop of Ephesui, was present when the settlement was made, Acts xx. 5, and it is surely not to be supposed that had he been their Bishop, the apostle would have devolved the whole Episcopal power upon the presbyters before his face, N. B.— To this it is replied, " But if Timothy was not Bishop of Ephesus, what, it may be asked, was his othce in that city? for that he resided there for some time, and was by the apostle invested with authority to ordain and rebuke presbyters, are facts about which all parties are agreed,^nd which indeed 115 ans be- preach ism and hrist, is jition of 3 the in^ iristians lat pur- lowever shed by Presby adors of 'resbyter he same ablished Modera- it office, le Epis- ^uments. rches by city, &c, dlege to 3 present , and it en their 2 whole his face, 3thy was ed, was here for led with lare facts h indeed cannot be controverted by anj reader of Paul's Epistles. By the above extracts it would appear then that the Methodists, havinsj^ originally sprung from the Church of England, do actually now approve and adhere to the main doctrines of the Church of England, for their founders re- fer them to the articles, and her homilies. That the Presbyterians also embrace and main- tain nearly the same doctrines, but differ as to the mode of Church government. The Independents or Congregationalists, by a Confession of Faith drawn up in London in 1 658, by the principal members of their com- munity in England, entitled " a declaration of the Faith and order owned and practised by the Congregational churches in England, agre- ed upon and consented to by their Elders and Messengers on their meeting at the Savoy, October 12th, 1658, as well as from other writ, ings of the Independents, that they differ from the rest of the reformed in no single point of any consequence, except that of ecclesiasti- cal government, and their religious doctrines were almost entirely the same with these adopted by the Church of Geneva. The Baptists will come nearly under the same des« cription, except as to Baptism. But in the present state of Protestanism a- rising from the causes I have above stated, in the present state of looseness of religious feel- ( '1l m 116 If 1 ■' s ^l! i i : I : if ing in a great part of mankind and in the in- creasing progress of infidelity and free ^think- ing ; in the advancement sought for by society in general, in knowledge in the zeal for scientific discovery ; in fact, in the grand march of intellect of this age, the above differences among the sects are triftes in my mind, light as gossamer compared with the profoundly solid advantages which a cordial union of Protestants would confer on Protest- anism. And let its ministers look to it. The opportunity ..yet presents itself to form this grand and powerful union ; but the enemies of Protestantism and of religion are perhaps, now deeply at work. Romanism against the form- er, and infidelity against the latter. It is time that the keen and penetrating eye of true rehgion should open upon them aud with its powerful and resolute voice overthrow and confound their designs. The above sects are divided into numerous divisions. It is therefore with a view to seek for a unity of all sectsof Protestanisminthe sacred bonds of Christian peace and love ; it is with a view and in consideration of the above stated events in a great and numerous portion of that Pro- testanism whereby the recent conduct of some of its members have deeply wounded the feel- ings of many and true Protestants, that we consider all these are powerfully called upon to i: iit MM c m- hink- r by n the n the above in my h the cordial rotest- The n this Bies of )S, now b form- is time of true nth its )\v and LHierous a unity bonds a view Id events lat Pro- |of some the feel- Ihat we upon to make a united, firm and explicit declaration of their unalterable adhesion to the Protestant faith. But for this great purpose it will be at first proper to bring forward a most important pre- liminary project, on which all sects of Christi- ans will be found deeply interested : — ^One Protestant National Church to be founded by mutual consent of all Protestant sects and their Clergy. We have seen above the vast variety of divisions that have taken place among Protest- ants. Now what have been the effects of this cause. The frittering away of its strength down almost to a state of powerless debility, in some instances. When I enter a place of worship containing a crowded congregation, I feel a higher degree of consideration for the sect it belongs to, than entering one with only a few hearers. The persuasion of every person of a somid mind, is worth something, and the weight and influence of a sect probablyadvances in something like geometrical progression, as it increases in numbers. What then must be the weight and influence of Protestanism^ if it could be happily blended in one socially united body. And this is one of the causes of the power of the Roman Church. But the efiects of the vast division of Protestanism has been directly the reverse of what was intended by It he Saviour of mankind. His religion in every ! ' ! LM! m *i i' ||:iiill II I f i ) 118 part of it, breathes nothing but the purest phil- anthropy. He intended it for a bond of un- Bhakcn union among his followers, but unhap- pily it has too often, as above observed, been changed into a vehicle of bitter acrimony and estrangement. If the causes I have above stated be allowed to prove the necessity of giving to Protestan- ism a high band of union by which her strength security and efficiency will be promoted, if in- stead of being allowed to dwindle away,by cease- Jess divisions, to the joy and perhaps derision of her opponents, she is strongly elevated in her name and character by the powerful sanction of National Union and National Law. If the congregations of the various sects of Protest- ants, see the high advantages of this national union in fixing Protestantism on an immutable basis, their former objections may vanish into " thin air," and this national Protestant union be hailed as a national blessing. . I shall now take into consideration some ot the objections hitherto made by many of the sects to the clergy being paid by the govern- ment, and their preferment, in consequence, of what is called the voluntary system, of remune- ration of their services. The Church of England being the only church hitherto paid by the state, the ministers of the Other Protestant sects of necessity have receiv- ed their annual stipend from the various con- * est phil- d of un- ; unliap*- ed, been lony and ) allowed •otestan- strength ed, if in- 3y cease- erision ot id in her sanction rt^. If the Protest- I national nmutabie nish into ant union 1 some ot ny of the e govern- juence, of )fremunc- ily church crs of the ve receiv- rious con- 119 gregations, and it is this peculiar circumstance relating to the church of England that has oc- casioned the long existing outcry of most of the other sects against the union of church and state. If however the Union of the Protestant Churches into one National Church should be finally adopted, this great objection will lose much of its force. It is evident that whatever stipends have been or will be allowed to the clergy they are not awarded by the govern- ment, but by the law of the land. The law of the land originates from the legislature of the nation in which the nation has a powerful voice by means of its representatives in that legisla- ture. It is therefore from the people that these stipends do or will originate. If therefore on contemplation of the weakness and debility ensuing to Protestantism from the unceasing division of sects, if on contemplation of the powerful advantages to its strength and pros- perity which I have endeavoured to point out, it be agreed to by these sects that a national union would be highly desirable, if it could be brought about, it will then come to the same thing whether they pay their ministers them- I selves, or whether they agree to leave that to their representatives in the legislature of the nation. In both cases the payment would be voluntary, from the people's constitutional right over their representatives. i, I v: v ) y f i ■mi lH 111 t I, I- 120 There is also another very important advan- tasje which would ensue to the Protestant I sects should it be found possible for them to enter into union with the Church of England. The right of succession from the apostles is denied to them by that church, but if mutual modifications should be agreed on, and a union be founded, they might probably have that| right conferred on and allowed them. It is therefore, in the hopes of removing this| and other great sources of discontent prevail- ing among the Protestant sects, that I now venture to call their ministers duly to take into their consideration the purport of this appeal to them. If they conceive that protestanism is suffering by their present disunion, and cease* less divisions ; and if they conceive as I have stated above, that the present state of the w^orldjthe ceaseless advance of the age in know- ledge and science,requires that a powerful union of all Protestants should arise to vindicate its cause, assume its full strength, and thus to advance with equal steps ; if in fine they con- ceive with me that the reformation is still in- complete, until the design of its almighty found- er is accomplished, " Unity, peace and good will to men " I cail on them as ministers of his gospel to devise the means of promoting this glorious end. I now conclude this address, conscious indeed that it may appear as presumption in a person 121 in my humble station to propose so important a measure. I confess myself entirely unaware of the difficulties of its accomplishment, but my zeal for what I conceive to be the end of the true religion, as designed by its divine founder has led me to propose the seeking of this great purpose. But, ^bove all, it is in the hope that this attempt may elicit from some of those superior hearts and minds which I have no doubt exist both in the Church of Enorjand and in the other Protestant sects, a fair, candid, and deep consideration of the views I have proposed to them, and which I do with due humility, and hope to meet their concurrence. Providence sometimes begins events with what may appear inadequate means; she may suggest ideas to minds thoroughly inadequate by their station in society to carry them through to the accomphshment of her designs ; but she also produces other minds endowed with all the required qualities, energies, and knowledge for that accomphshment. And I have now on this subject only to observe, that I firmly beheve that to the high and superior minds who may be able to accomplish tliis great event, of the ' union of all Protestant sects, will belong and be acquired, a glory equal to that of the great founders of the Protestant Reformation, The Church of England, although, as I have above observed, she did not make the initiative to this great measure, would certainly havQ I i J 'V m ; 1 ■ ■;}i ■i ,': I i 122 much to gain and nothing to lose could it be brought to pass. The virulence with which she has for many years been assailed, by op- ponents, powerful at least by their number, has occasioned her to restore a state of discipline which had been long declining, but in so doing has she not alarmed many of her adherents, giving rise to unfounded but injurious asser- tions, by which there is reason to believe the good faith and the affections of not a few have been alienated from her ? But could this great National Union of Pro- testants with her, and a firm and explicit decla- ration of Protestant principles be the result, these estranged affections would be restored to her, and she might rise to a degree of glory to which she has not yet attained. That numerous body of her former children, the sect of Methodists, would, perhaps, return to the bosom of their parent, and the yet more numerous bodies comprised in the other sects instead of the bitter enmity with which they Jiave been endeavouring to produce her fall and overthrow, would then hail her with joy and gratitude, as the restorer of the unity and peace designed by the Saviour. Is it not then to be hoped that the Church of England would willingly agree to the form- ing of a convocation of the Protestant Churches in order that it may be tried whether such jnodificatioi)s of the various creeds aiid form^ ! ' 123 d it be which py op- er, has cipUne > doing erents, asser- eve the !W have of Pro- tdecla- result, estored •f glory liildren, , return 3t more er sects jh they her fall ilh joy iity and Church e form- hurche? )r such d forms ? of Government could not be effected, so that one great National Protestant faith and gov- ernment might be established ? The advanced and enlightened state of the age, is oppressed, tired, and loathes the present disgraceful, dis- contented, and bitter animosities that prevail among the Christian sects. The adorer of true religion, of that in which its sacred found- er breathed, unity, peace and good will, pants for its restoration among these sects, and as I have stated in a former page, I beUeve that to those sects who believe in a Trinity, all other differences should be as gossamer when compared to the high and firm advantages which this union would confer on them and on mankind. In fine, I believe, that the unity of the Roman Cathohc Church is the great secret of her power and durability, and I believe also that Protestanism will not acquire an equal degree of them, without the formation of this National Protestant Union. It is then devoutly to be wished, that the di- vines of all persuasions will calmly contemplate the existing state of the world in all its bear- ings; some of which I have endeavoured above to point out, and one of which I must here bring again to their notice, showing the won- derfully increased zeal in the pursuit of scien- tific acquirements and discovery. This one is the sublime discoveries in Pneumatic Chemistry, which laid bare to man ! '.' ii I '. 1 i ill In : I ■ J hi J" ! ■ p: 1 1 ■1 !l . ti ; I 124 a world formerly unknown to him. The waters of the ocean, and the air of the atmosphere, which he formerly considered as simple ele- ments, he can now, from the former obtaina great part of the gas required to light his cities, and from the other, oxygen to serve innumer- able chemical purposes ; and Sir H. Davy was of opinion that the time will come when water will serve as fuel. The discovery of the steam engine has enabled him in a few years, almost to annihilate time and space, and thereby to treble the facility of the combination of minds : no sooner, however, had this great event taken place than the powerful control of man over the electric fluid, rendering it subservient to his purposes, bids fair in time to vie with the power of steam, and possibly, in the end to as- sume its place as a more safe and rapid con- veyance, and I have for many years believed that by its power man will obtain the same command over the atmosphere as he has now over the ocean. Whjlethe other sciences ar ; then advancing with uncontrollable energy is it not apparent that the greatest of all sciences, religion— the relation of man to' the author of all the wonders he beholds and feels— ^should make an- equal advance, that it should assume the sublime attributes designed by its founder, and become forever the solace of the multitudes of mankind, and the admiration of the most intelligent and enlightened among them ? • : ; 125 It is then, I say, devoutly to be hoped that men of powerful and enlightened minds among the Protestant clergy ; men of a holy zeal for the advancement of religion suitable to the present advanced state of society, should de- vote their profound attention to this great ob- ject. It is certain that whether successful or not, the most powerful minds among them could not be employed in any cause more beneficial to mankind, and consequently more illustrative of the glory of the Creator. I do therefore most devoutly hope that some of those pious, potent minds that I am con-' vinced are found in numbers among the vast body of the ministers of Protestanism, will consider, consult on, and agree to set on foot measures to form a general convocation of these ministers for the high purpose of forming one united national protectant church; The church of England, I do with deep humility believe, would evince the highest wisdom, by consent- ing to lead the way in this high attempt for the union of the Protestant Churchy of which she may be, oil many accounts, called the mother. Ascending then, with all its sects, to the sacred fountain of the original and organic construc- tion of the Christian religion, then promulgat- ed by the Saviour to mankind, let them throw off all former prejudicial ideas on the subject, and imbibing from that sacred fount, the pure reviving stream of that religion, may they be liijl > 'I i I '-'!'! i •') /|.^i^ i1 ) '■ |)»! ,'i iii,- . s i ii ' - \ m\ ( Ji. ' i. i-ji; I .Ii t- 126 convinced that the truly effective way of real- izing it in the minds of mankind, will be to form a national code of it immediately based on its simple, plain and sublime principles, " Peace on earth and good will to men," thus embrac- ing every Protestant sect in the potent arms of National sanction. Glorious indeed would be the result, if such a code of National Pro- testant Religion could be unalterably fixed on by its various sects. I have said above, I do not believe the Reformation is complete with- out it ; with it, it would be perfect, and would probably effect the nearest approach to the existence of a millenium upon earth which mankind has yet seen. When however we reflect on the numerous modes of thought to be con- sulted and brought to an agreement in it, we may have reason to say that the *' Power of God the Saviour alone can do this, for as tO the power of man alone to do it, it is possible, that notwithstanding, the boasted advance of the age in knowledge, in civilization, and the sciences, society may not yet have arrived at that degree of advancement, which may entitle us to hope that this great design of union can be accomphshed. I have found indeed among the society of this Province, some per- sons most inveterately adverse to any church at all being sustained by the state. These however are probably actuated by their jeal- ousy of what they call a dominant church. If 127 the great union above mentioned should b -^^^ formed, a great part of these feehngs would be removed. These men would then take a more comprehensive view of the subject ; and would consider, that in a free representative country, these representatives being elected by the people, it is not from the state properly so called, that the ministers of the various sects would be remunerated for their services, but by the Nation itself, I have above shown the high advantages and strength the Protestant religion- would receive by this union of sects. The nation itself becomes the sup- porter, and the guarantee of this religion when the sects have decided on the wisdom and powerful effects of this measure. But what- ever may be the issue of any attempt made to form this national union of the Protestant sects ; let none of them at least lay the flatter- ing unction to their souls, that no national religion will continue to be established in Great Britain. There is too much pure, deep and sound religion there, to expect that event to happen. There is on the contrary every reason to believe that the longer time man- kind becomes acquainted with the shortness and vanity of this life, they w ill cherish every support which may give strength and mfluence to a religion which they hope will lead them to a better. We now approach the last part of our Pros- it ;> ii 1' ill: >l -K tl \ I ; f .) 1 ¥ ''.mil :{! ! 3i I ■M I i li 128 pectus, " The Dissertation on the National Debt of Great Britain, with a plan proposed for its gradual extinction," but as I believe the great interests, not only of United Canada, but of all the other British North American Provinces will be greatly concerned in the successful issue of this plan, we shall therefore by a brief recapitulation of the foregoing part of our work, endeavour to bring the principle features of it, into one view, that the reader may have a more direct insight into what we consider to be the wants of the Province. * ' It is not, however, solely with a view to the interests of these Colonies that I have con- templated and proposed to make a Dissertation on the National Debt. This great subject I have deeply considered for many years. It is a subject that having first awakened my astonishment, that a nation like Great Britain, the amouut of whose real property, I have ascertained to be estimated at above four thousand million of pounds stg., should yet for so many years have continued to pay the enormous amount of interest, nearly thirty millions a year on a debt of 800. This wasthe great fact that led me to this dissertation because I have believed it practicable to pro- duce the extinction of this great burden, I have long hoped to be instrumental, thereby to reduce the distresses, promote the prosperi- ty, honour and glory of my country, by humbly 129 ational sed for e great t of all vinces cessful a brief )f our atures have ider to to the ! con- tation idered laving nation ;e real mated 3 Stg., tinned learly This tation ) pro- en, I ereby 3peri- imbly laying my ideas on this great subject before the world, trusting that some of tliose power- ful minds that exist no doubt, in numbers in Great Britain, might acquiese in this practica- bility and the high advantages resulting to the nation, if the plan should be accomphshed, and therefore that they would employ their energies for that great purpose. I now commence the concentrated view, as stated above. We began our work with a plan proposed for the introduction of the modern system of agriculture into Eastern Canada, and any person at all acquainted with that section will agree to its urgent necessity. In my works on the past, present and future condition of the Canadas, pubhshed in Montreal some years since, I stated to the merchants of Montreal that they wouid find themselves greatly inter- ested in promoting this plan. I called their attention to the fact, that importers of British Goods were annually increasing in Upper Canada ; that the completion of the canals w^ould probably add to the number, and that therefore as the Upper Canada trade was gradually slipping from their hands, it was their manifest interest to render Eastern Canada a fertile country, by the introduction of a more productive system of agriculture among its inhabitants. Subsequent events have realized my anticipation. Not only do i: ;-n: Mii ■I J ,v . , ill ll •• t 130 W. C. Importers continue to increase, bat the American government, by their regulations of trude, have drawn many of those importa- tions into their own channel, and are therefore materially affecting the trade of Montreal. The next part of the work is the Agriculture of Western Canada, and I have therein shewn the necessity that will arise for Western Canadian farmers, in case the British Corn Laws are actually done away v/ith, to seek for compensation for the low prices of wheat that will probably ensue, by a more improved and productive mode of agriculture, and then pro- ceeded to show that the merchants and far- mers of Canada have a fair claim on the British Legislature for the supply of our British West India Colonies with bread stuffs and provisions, as we can make it appear to the satisfaction of the planters and merchants of these colonies that British North America and Great Britain are perfectly competent to furnish them with ample supplies ; and I have proposed to the merchants of Canada that they should make application on this important subject to the im perial Legislature, either directly or through the medium of the Canadian Legislature, as some remuneration for the loss of the protec- tive duty on wheat. * It is true, that the British West ludia Colonies have been for some time in a very unprospcrous condition ; but from their great importance to the trade of Great I II iS but the ilatioiis nporta- crefore eal. culture shewn Western h Corn eek for iat that cd and 3n pro- id far- British i West visions, faction )Ionies 3ritain 1 with to the make he im rouofh re, as rotcc- British 3 time from Great 131 Britain, there cannot be a doubt that means will be adopted to restore their prosperity, and it appears there has already been a loan made to them by the British Legislature, of several hundred thousand pounds sterling. But, if con- trary to the very intention of the abolition of West India Slavery, the British Government persists in its encouragement of slave-grown sugar, I have not a doubt that facilities will be afforded to the British West India Colonies, to import free labourers from Africa, in suffici- ent number to enable them to compete with that slave-grown sugar. Now there is not a country in the world, better suited than Canada for supplying the West Indies with provisions of all kinds. Our canals are now completed so that vessels of sufficient burden can proceed to sea from its most western parts, and I have little doubt, if we can obtain the trade of sup- ply of our West India Colonies, a new and prosperous era of trade, manufactures and com- merce and navigation, will be opened to the Province. The next part of our work relates to Gene- ral Education of the Canadian Youth, on which I have offered some ideas which may perhaps be considered as original, and which I leave to be duly appreciated by the public We then proceeded to show the necessity of instructing our agricultural youth in the modern improvements which science Las I ',',1 lb 'KtB V ^3 m f '• :'!■ t i 133 lately introduced into agriculture. If ever there was a time when the improvement of agriculture was required in this Province, it is ot this moment. In February of this year, 1849, the law granting a protective duty on Colonial wheat imported into Great Britain expires. Unless the British Parliament repeals this law abrogating the Corn Laws, Canadian wheat, imported into Great Britain will be precisely on the same footing as that of foreign nations. The quantity of wheat grown by foreign nations for the supply of the British market, will probably then be so great as to reduce the price greatly. It will therefore be incumbent on Canadian farmers to endeavour to make up for this re- duced price by the practice of a more produc- tive system of agriculture than has yet been followed in the Province. But with this more productive mode many of them are are as yet unacquainted, and of course the best and most necessary kind of instruction they can bestow on their children, is that which would be taught in the agricultural schools, I have proposed in my work, and to which I therefore earnestly call the agricultural readers attention. The next subject treated on in the work, is, the General Trade and Commerce of the Pro- vince. The movement that has taken place in the trade and commerce of Great Briain, and 133 particularly her declared intention to abrogate the laws imposing a duty on grain imported there, has indeed occasioned a great sensation and been the cause of much alarm in this Pro- vince. And it is natural enough, that a country that has ever since its first settlement been highly favoured in respect of the duty payable on its staple article of produce, wlieat, should feel sore at so sudden a deprivation of that ad- vantage. But we have to consider that we are only a part of a great empire, and if it be found that owing to a disastrous dispensation of Providence by which millions are deprived of their food, that it has become imperative on the Parent State to take off all duties on the necessaries of hfe, we^ surely, who are blessed with a productive and plentiful country ought to be the last to complain. I have there- fore been much surprised that notwithstanding the exigencies which appear to Jiave compelled the Imperial Legislature to this step, a demand has been made on her to repeal the Naviga- tion Laws, which have produced her prosperity strength and glory, and by which alone perhaps she will be enabled to maintain her independence, and perhaps the liberties of the world. I trust to have shown in the work that United Canada is equally competent tc build and man vessels, to carry home her pro duce, as the United States are, and that th' tranquility of the Province being preserved b; ' i: ^ 1 ■! •11 1 ,ii;i m it\ I Ml i ? liJ " |i*|:i' 134 proper management, she can procure ample funds from the capitaUsts of Great Britain for that purpose, I conceive therefore, that it would be in some degree disgraceful to resort to a foreign nation for ships to export her produce. That Great Britain may allow the Americans to pass through the canals, that are now com- pleted, through Canada to the ocean, is pro- bable. That would be an act of amity to a nation at peace with us, it would greatlj^- add to the revenue of our canals, and it could not tend to diminish the navigation of the Parent State because the cargoes of these American vessels could otherways find their way to the ocean, by their own canals. But, that the nav- igation laws of Great Britain should be repeal ed, in order that Canada may get cheap freights to Great Britain, I hold there is not the least necessity for. I have conversed with many persons well acquainted with the shipping business of the Province, who all agree that sea-going vessels can be built and manned as cheap in Canada as in the United States ; the only objection made was that we had not yet a sufficient capital. That difficulty I think can be got over, in the way I have stated in the work ; by people of responsible character and property uniting to build these vessels, and to obtain. loans of capital for that purpose from the holders of it m the Mother country. In the present dilemma then, we conceive the 135 * Province should evince a proper degree of patience, until it be determined at home what changes are really to take place in the trade and Corn Laws. Perhaps that change may be more favourable than is expected. But there is something more to be said on this subject. In the impatience manifested by some people here, they have presumed to declare that annexation, as they are pleased to call it, will take place, with the United States. It would be curious to trace from v. horn this idea ori^i- nated. It is certain that Lord Cathcart, in his despatch to the British Government stated that his Council were of opinion that if that govern- ment persisted in their doing away with the pro- tective duties on Canadian wheat, &c., it might tend to create a separation of the Colony from Great Britain. For this rash and imprudent assertion, they in my opinion richly merited to lose, and in tact, they did not long afterwards retain their places, and probably the same want of energy w hich caused that assertion was the cause of that loss. The idea of a separation of this colony on account of some question of trade, coming from so high a quarter, must have had a great tendency to warrant and to circulate that idea among, at least, that part of the po- pulation who had formerly shown themselves no great friends to British connection. One of the Boards of Trade of the Provi'r»ce, also stated, in one of their addresses to the govern 1^1* iil i; % n I f I ! 136 ?" :h -4 ^l; J merit, something like the same idea of separa- tion, which I think was justly censured by the present Governor. It is very probable then, that the idea of separation coming from such high sources may have had much influ- ence in encouraging the diffusion of it. But Canada has shown her loyalty and adherence to British connection, in worse times than the present, and I firmly believe, she will continue to do so, when the occasion requires, and that it was a very unwarrantable aspersion on the province, to assert anything to the contrary. The present government is also, it appears, applying to the British Government to rescind her navigation laws. They are also endeavour- ing to form an agreement with the American Government to remove all duty on wheat ship- ped to the United States from this Province, on condition of our removing all duty on that imported thence into it. Now, as I have stated in the work, I consider this as a very danger- ous experiment. I believe that if our merch- ants and agriculturists instead of, as formerly, finding customers for our produce in Great Britain, are to look to the States for it, I think will in time produce a great diminution of the natural attachment of the Province for the Parent State and ultimataly attempts for a separation. The Government will therefore have to consider that a very great degree of : i 4 ■V ■ hi- !' 137 ■I' responsibility will rest upon them, if that mea- sure be actually carried into effect. And as I trust to have shown in the work that there is no real necessity for this measure, I should be happy if it could be avoided. I trust to have shown that Canada is equally compe- tent to build sea-going vessels to carry home her products as the Americans. I conceive that a valuable branch of industry would be procured for the Province, by the building of these vessels, and also a valuable nursery for seamen created and the prosperity of the Pro- vince produced. To conclude the subject of those gentlemen who are pleased to talk of artr exation as they call it, I would w4sh to ask whether they have forgotten that these Provinces of British North America America have been often declared in the Im- perial Parhament to be an integral part of the British Empire ? Let them not conceive that although the Imperial Parliament may wish to concilitate and to extend great advantages to these Provinces she will be so foolish as to give up so valuable a portion of the Empire. Let them also be convinced as I am, that although the people of this Province, in tlic dilemma and uncertainty in which they are now placed, feel uneasy and and anxious for a settlement of the question of its commerce yet that they have not deviated from a sincere de- sire to remain united with the Parent State on i';' :1 ti 138 n ': i i f. M-i . I fair and honourable terms, and that they will maintain such connection. The next subject we have introduced in the work is, " The Present State of the Protestant Religion, with a view to harmonize its sects, and perhaps ulimately to bring them into one powerful united body." I trust to have fully developed the great necessity of this Protest- ant movement in the work. I conceive that after what has happened in a high branch of that church, and the doubts and surmises that have been the consequence of it, it has become almost imperative on all Protestant sects to unite, declare and confirm their determination to adhere to the principles of Protestanism, and to take measures, for forwarding a great national union of all Pro- testantism. I repeat, that I believe the Pro- testant U'Bformation is but half completed without it ; I believe that the differences and animosities which have arisen among the sects for the want of it, are totally unworthy of the advanced and enlightened state of the present age in knowledoe and science, and I believe therefore, that it is the solemn and sacred duty of all ministers of the Protestant sects to as- semble in convocation, for the purpose of efiecting this national uni'>n; thereby com- pleting the design of the Redeemer w^hen he gave thisrchgion to mankind, "Unity, Peace :" that this religion under the sanction of this Protestant nation may be fixed on that immut- iL 139 able basis which its " reasonable service" en- titles it to. ' * 1 ; ; ^ ^' We now proced to the last part of our Pro- spectus, " The Dissertation on the National Debt of Great Britain." The British Nation, has for many years been labouring under the pressure of its enormous debt ; the present generation have been accus- tomed to hear of it from their infancy, almost as part and parcel of the constitution of the country, that, with vast numbers of its people, all attempts to remove that pressure may seem nearly akin to removing the atmospheric pres- sure from our earth. An idea has even prevail- ed among many that this national debt is serviceable to the country. It has been said that the creditors of the State, possessing of course, considerable weight and influence in it, will be the more willing to support the reins of government and the preservation of good order and the laws, from the interest they have there- in. That idea is no doubt founded on truths but can it be at all supposed by any intelligent man, that if the debt were paid off, as it would probably be invested ia other securities in the country, employed as they would natu- rally be in the advancement of trade, manufac tures, commerce and navigation, and the pub- lic improvements of the country, can it then be supposed that the holders of that capitjal would not have an equal or a greater interest in its Hi ! (■ ■E ■ 11 m ■ii' I . I ( }. j i :r| 1 140 peace, good government, order and security ? That argument falls then to the grouud. Tlie history of all the nations that have yet existed in the earth have never exhibited a greater source of just exultation and confidence, than would ensue, to Britain if this great purpose could be effected. Now to show that this is not impossible to be done, it will appear on almost the first re- flections on this subject that Great Britain has paid more than the amount of the debt in in- terest alone. She has paid nigh thirty millions a-year interest on the debt for the last thirty years, making nine hundred millions of pounds sterling, being one hundred millions more than the amount of the debt. The value of the whole property of the people of Great Britain, as will be shown hereafter , by estimate, stmounted a few years since to within about £320,000 of four thousand mil- lions of pounds sterling, which at the present day it is no doubt equal to being five times nearly the amount of the national debt. - Yet has this great country for so long a period of time, gone on, burdening herself and distressing her poor with a tax of nigh thirty millions of pounds sterling, annually. It is true, that some persons may say, that some of the holders of national stock might prefer leaving it in the hands of the govern- ment where their interest is secured to them ; i ; I i f urity ? The existed ;reater ;, than urpose ible to irst re- siin has t in in- lillions thirty pounds re than people reafter ince to id mil- present times long a elf and thirty ', that might overn- them; I t ii 141 than in having it paid oft'to them. That indeed may be an individual argument, but] it is not just that the public should be compelled to pay forever that interest, when by paying off the principal the payment of thirty millions annually might be saved, and that principal might be in- vested on ample security, in advancing the trade commerce and navigation, or public works of the country. The argument above stated re- solves itself then rather into an argument, why government securities should be paid off and cease, since they prevent the investment of the vast amount of the debt in ample securities, whereby the above stated important advance- ment of the trade, commerce, navigation and public undertakings of the country might be effected. I shall therefore commence this undertaking by producing such treatises as I have met with on this great subject shall comment thereon, and endv^avour to show the cause of their failure; I shall then set forth the high and permanent ad- vantages that would result to great Britain ; when the debt can be paid off, and shall then bring forward my plan for so doing. But before commencing the statement I have to make some remarks on the subject of our 'prospectus of this work. A person on reading the last line thereof, observed to me, that he supposed thereby that I was a Radical ; on asking him on what account he thought that U ■Vy-^m H a; 142 m : i I I .il I i: he said, that he conceived by the word extinc- tion, I intended the debt should be wiped off', that is, not paid at all, as some Radicals are of opinion should be the case. Now there is an old saying, *' that some people measure other people's corn by their own bushel," Whether that was the case with the person referred to, I do not know. But lest others should form the same idea of my prospectus, I observe, when it is stated in the prospectus of a work of so im- portant a subject as the national debt, that apian is to be proposed toth e public, for its gradual extinction, it could n otreasonably be supposed it was intended it should not be paid at all. I do remember it is true that such an idea has been stated in print It was often and for a long time said by the opposition party in the Parlia- ment of Great Britain, that the French war of 1794 was neither just nor necessary. But he that remembers the revolutionary principles and practices of the French Rulers at that time, their devices for exciting other nations to revolt, and moreover the gigantic power that was col- lected on the shores of France for the express purpose of effecting the overthrow of Great Britain in her own Island, cannot but allow, that to withstand this power her efforts were no more than were required for this purpose. The en- tire continent of Europe even with the sub- siding aid of Britain was insufficient, for by the peace of Tilsit the Russian Empire itself was 143 cxtinc- )ed oft', are of re is an other Whether red to, I )rm the when it f so iin- it a plan gradual ipposed all. I dea has r a long ; Parlia- war of Blithe inciples at time, D revolt, fVas col- express f Great ow,that no more rhe en- iie su6- by the self was $ a drawn in against us, and England had tostand the brunt herself alone, against that mighty force, and gloriously she did so. Now, though it be true that the war added 300 millions to the national debt, even that sum is a trifle to the entire amount of the property of Great Britain, which had she succunlbedto the power of France would then have been jeopar- dized. But whether that war were just and necessary or not, it was determined on by the majority of the representatives of that people in Parliament assembled, and therefore the war was constitutionally judged necessary for the defence of the liberties of the country. That the justice and honour of the country then re- quires that the debt should be acknowledged and avowed to be in course of payment there can be no doubt, neither is there any, that the high character of the British nation for good faith, stabiUty,and also her subsequent prosperi- ty have been mainly owing to the almost sacred nature of that good faith in her engagements. From Chamber' ss Information for the People, New and Im- proved Edition, Vol. 1. Edinburgh : Published hy Wm, and Robert Chambers, 1842. The National r)ebt formed by borrowing money at different rates of interest, to condtict the warlike operations of the country, has risen from small begin- nings towards the conclusion of the 17th century to an unparalleled amount. At the revolution of 1688 the national debt amounted to only £664,263 ; at the accession of Qaeen Anne, £16,394,702; of George ;=', 144 11' I ) il '! ii ! L, £54,145,363; of George IT., £52,092,235; at the end of the Spanish war, in 1748, £73,293,312; at the commencement of war in 1755, £74,571,340; at conclusion of peace in 1762, £146,682,844 ; at com- mencement of American war in 1776, £135,943,051 ; at conclusion of peace in 1783, £238,434,870 ; at commencement of French Revolutionary war,£233,- 733,609; at peace of Amiens in 1811, £562,839,- 277 ; at peace of 1816, Feb. 1st, £864,822,461 ; on 5th Jan., 1832, £782,667,234 ; interest, £28,341,416. Since 1832 the debt has increased chiefly by the form- ing of Exchequer Bills adding floating obligations to funded stock; and in 1839 the amount was £841,- 000,000, with an interest of £29,000,000. ' An estimate was formed of the value of the whole property, public and private, which hasbeen created and accumulated by the people of this country, and which they now actually possess. The value when the sum is expressed by figures, is so immense, that it eludes the imagination to conceive it ^2,995,000,. 000, value of productive private property; value of unproductive, or dead stock, £500,700,000 ; value of public property of all kinds, £103.800,000 ; total of public and private property, £3.679,500,000. > ' ' The wealth of the Empire is dividedd in the following proportions between the three countries : Productive private property. England, £2,054,000,000 Scotland, 318.000,000 Ireland, 622,000,000 Unproductive pri- vate property. £374,000,000 61,000,000 110,400,000 Public propel ty. £42,600,000 3,000,000 11,000,000 £56,600,000 £2,994,000,000 £541,400,000 Gross amount, £3591,400,000. .,..., I now proceed to set forth the high and per- manent advantages that would result to Great 145 Britain, and to all her Colonial Empire, if the national debt can be paid off. The first ad- vantage I notice is, the compliance with the great principle of justice, which requires that this debt should be paid. Justice has been em- phatically called the " darling attribute of Na* ture%" A great commercial nation should steadfastly uphold this great principle. As I ob- served above, the trade^ commerce, navigation, and public works of Great Britain and all her Colonies are enduring great privation and in- jury by the loss of the employment of eight hundred millions of capital, which might under ample security, be invested therein. And al* though some of the present holders of national stock may be content to receive their annual interest thereon, that does not diminish, but rather increases, the injury done to the public service. Justice to these great elements of public prospeiity demands therefore that the debt should be paid. We have seen above, that the entire property of Great Britain some years since amounted to £3,679,500,000 ; at the present day, it no doubt amounts to £4,000,000,000, being nigh five times the am- ount of her debt. That she is competent to pay then, is obvious, no less so than that the high principles of national justice and expediency, require that she should pay it. The question is then, only how that is to be done? The next advantage I shall mention is, G ;, I ^ > : I '■(I Ui i n 11 ' i' 'i ! i '■ m Hi IIG that of the high principle" of honour which re- quires this payment. When a private individual is said to be in debt there is always a stigma at- ']\en tached to the idea, now mucn more so, wi the case applies to a great and powerful com- mercial nation, mote especially when it is proved she is competent to pay it. I hope shortly to show that her competence may be made available for that purpose, and that she may therefore assert this high principle of national honour. The next great and important advantage that would ensue to the country, by the final payment of this debt, is that of removing the annual taxes, producing nigh thirty millions of pounds, sterling, for the payment of the inter- est only. It is true that by apportioning this amount of taxation equally among the popula- tion of Great Britain, say twenty-six milhons of souls, it does not amount individually to much less than 21s. stg. But when we ap- portion this among families of five souls each, it amounts to six pounds each family, and the poor father of that family has to pay it. Again, when Vv'e consider the immense number of poor in Great Britain, and consequently the great numbers who consume but very little of those articles on which these taxc s are raised, Lshould consider that we cannot estimate the amount of taxes raised on each family that does con* mnnv tlicui at le,s.< than ten pound.^ iftir ling for \ I 147 dell rc- dividual gma at- 0, when ul com- ix it is I hope may be that she ciple of [vantage the final ring the llions of le inter- lini^ this popula- millions ually to we ap- is cacli, and the Again, of poor le great )f those I should amount )es con- rliii^ for each family. Now ten pounds sterling a-year, is 16s. 8d. stg. a month, or 4s. 2d. stg. a-week; about one-half of all that numerous families in Great Britain have to exist bn. The present age hais made etstonishing dis-^ coveries in the physical sciences, and is ap- plying them to same of the most advantageous improvements in social life; It would seem also that the restless mind of man is advancing with railroad speed in the science of political economy, especially in that branch of it which is now called by the French economists, the rights of labour, or its organization. One of the great modern orators of France did, during his ephemeral enjoyment of popularity and power, but a \ "^ months ago, make his boast that France ' ' more highly enlightened on this subject than any other country ; for he Condescendingly observed in his speeches, that France would not, as she had done in one of her previous revolutions, excite the people of other nations to revolt : but that she would merely consider^ that if they did not choose to adopt the same high degree of freedom o! government and constitution that France had now adopted, she \tould consider them as not yet having arrived at that high degree of civil- ized wisdom^ which she had pre-eminently at- tained. To tvhich gascoTiic effusion, steady John Bull, appears by his subsequent conduct on April lOtli 1818, to have responded much : t v. ili' I ' ' i m i ; ) :^,l iii - ;.i I I I ( . ( i48 , I '•., ■^^' in tbe same way as he did a long lime ago when a Frenchman boasted in his presence that the Frencli had invented shirt ruffles. '' They did so," said John, " and the EngHsh invented the shirt for them. But although this Utopian and idle scheme of a national obligation to maintain labour in useless production, or in idleness, is totally in- consistent with the nature of things, more es* pecially in a manufacturing and commercial country ; yet the rights of the poor as respects the imposts on them by taxation, have an un- doubted claim on the consideration of the Legislature. It is true the laws of England have for their principle that no man should be suf- fered to starve ; but the poor have certainly also the right that an excess of taxation shall not bring them to the starving point, shall not degrade them to the necessity of pauperism. It is said that England is the richest and the poorest country in the world. Is not there to be found a way to remedy this, and to remove this stigma ? Certainl}^, one considerable step to it would be to remove the annual tax of nigh thirty millions of pounds sterling, by the grad- ual payment of the national debt. m , It is said indeed that economy and retrench- ment of the public expenditure is to be the order of the day with the present government ; but the utmost they could probably retrench in the cost of the Anny and Navy, and Civil List and 149 m (>ther itcnis, could amount to a very ftnv mil- lions, which divided among the population would be but of little amount. ' But,' if a grand national effort were made for the settlement of the debt, of the successful issue of which I have but little doubt, the re- duction of nigh two-thirds of the present taxa- tion would be the happy result, I have moreover, stated in the foregoino^ pages what I consider an astoundmg fact, that this taxation for the interest of this debt has actually in 30 years amounted to more than the debt itself, a powerful proof that the nation is competent to its gradual extinction. We come now to treat of the most import- ant and permanent advantage which would ensue to the nation by the discharge of the enormous burden of this debt. Eight hundred and forty-one millions sterling, as shown above „ is stated to have been this debt in 1839, Avith an interest of twenty-nine mill.ons annually. His Grace the Duke of Wellington, when in office, did, I believe, reduce it by some plan of his, one or two millions. Whether it has been since added to by the founding of Exchequer Bills I am not aware, but shall consider the amount to be£800,000,000 in round numbers,. Now the productive and unproductive capital of the population of Great Britain, as shown above, is nigh £4,000,000,000. It is to be ob- served that although it be true that any persou ■; 'i I ■ '!< ■ ; ■ " I f: f i Ik .'f'l « tl i (i ;i 150 lioiding stock jn the public funds, who wishes to embark in trade, manufactures, navigation or any branch, may, by gelling out, cpnvert that stock into private capital, yet that operation adds nothing to the capit^-l of the country, Thp stpck bought is paid for by a part of that capital, and it is merely a change of holders that takes plp,ce iji the PubUc Fpnd^. The same amount of interest has still to be raised by the taxation of the public, Nqw i\ appears by the abqve statement that the value of pro- ductive private property i?i Gfeat Britain am-f ounts to two thousand nine hundred and ninety five millipns ^tg. This item then must embrace the great manufacturing and commercial inter? ests of Great Britain, and its capital \ypuld re-: ceive an increase (if the debt of eight hundred millions could be paid off,) of more thar^ one-fourth to the prodtjctiye CJ^pital of the cpuntry. It woqld be highly interesting if a mind, thproughly acquainted with the nature of the trade, manufactures, commerce and navigation of Great Britain )vere to t^ke and shpw to the woi'ld a retrospect pf the multitu- dinous branches of those elements pfprpsperity which might be benefitted and extended by thig great accession of capital. It has bee^^ alnaost an axiom in private concerns, that every n^an is the best manager of his own resources ; so dp I hfjlieve, it would be found in the case of the puhlic fund holders, if the debt>vasp9,id of}*, In-, ■a i.. Hi I stead of depending upon the public funds for the payment of a small interest on their stock, their vigilance, sagacity, and industry would bo called into action, for the discovery of means by which that capital might be invested in a more productive and equally secure employ^ ment ; whereby the industry, skill and labour of their country might be engaged, and a greatr er degree of competence diffused throc^^^a it. There cannot indeed be a doubt that, in the case of this immense capital being liberated to be employed in these great sources of pros-^ perity, an era of satisfaction, commercial energy iand enterprise would be effected in Great Brit- ain. The intelligence, the zeal and activity of her merchants would probably be directed to the discovery of new fields for manufactures, trade, commerce and navigation, which being opened, fostered and protected by the govern*- nient in their treaties with other nations for that purpose might lead the national commerce to a higher pitch of prosperity than she has yet witnessed. Another source of productive employment of this increased capital arising from the liberation of the national debt would probably be found, if prudent caution be ex^ erted on the subject, in the extended settlement of the colonial empire of Great Britain. Mr. Molesworlh has lately, in the House of Com- mons, drawn a very unfavourable picture of he^' colonial possessions : according to his estimate *, t ' i r; I ] i II I ' I If 15: 1 they do not pay llio expenses of nialiitaiiiing them. But even allowing these statements to be correct at the present day, he has shown a total ignorance of the nature of colonial pos- sessions. For instance, Canada contains at present, nigh one million and ^ a half of souls. She is known to double her population in 20 to 25 years'; that is, by natural increase in- dependently of all emigration. Now, althougli her importations from G. B. have as yet am- ounted only to a certain sum, which may not much exceed the cost of maintenance, yet as that cost will need to be but little increased wdien her population is doubled, her importa- tions from G. B. will probably be doubled also. Yet for this natural and continual increase in the value of all young countries, Mr» Moles- worth has made no allowance whatever. An- other thing he has omitted in his account current. The colonies oiler a most important safety valve for the redundant population of the mother country, the pressure of which re* dundance she has long felt the weight of. By transferring a part to her colonies, she still retains the fealty of her subjects, who thus become consumers of her manufactures; and another thing, and perhaps the most important of all to G. B. Mr. Molesworth has omitted, viz^ the trade and navigation to her colonies and her fisheries offer a powerful source of sup- plying the best sort of men for her navy, with- i53 ri 1) out a supremacy iirvvhicli, she would soon sink in the scale of nations, and perhaps peril her independence. The settlement then, of the colonies of G. B. to a greater extent, must un- der judicious management present an advan- tageous and productive field for the employ- ment of capital liberated by the extinction of the national debt* It has long been a subject of remark in the British North American Colonies that a greater disposition was manifested in England among its capitalists to loan money to the people of the U. S. than to these colonies, and we have seen what has been the result, in the repudiat- ing schemes of some of those states- Now, there is not a doubt thatj in all young colonies, • great and frequent opportunities occur for in- vesting capital, which investments under pro- per precautions, as regards security for those loans by the exertion of sufficient vigilance and intelligence on the part of the loaning capital- ist, will be remunerative ; and respecting loans to the British Colonies, one thing is certain ; that they cannot legally form any such rcpudia^ ting schemes in them as have appeared in the U. S. Immense tracts of land of g;ood quality are contained in them, which, when settled under sagacious management, w ould effect not only a fertile means of relieving the mother country from a redundant and therefore bur- densome population ; but aLso, by sober in- 1 l.''i W' I' 4 II It' \ i 154 nil I , I ^ ,!i, dustry, in that redundant part, be the means df rendering it able to acquire ample susten- ance^ and eventually to increase the prosperity of these Colonies and the Mother Country. We have now to the best of dur humble abilities shown the high advantages which would result to the nation and her colonies if this enormous national debt could be paid off, and shall here state our opinion of the causes that have led to the failure of former attempts (or that purpose. The illustrious mind of William Pitt formed a plan for this great purpose by means of a sinking fundj which probably would have had in time great effect had it been persevered in ; but,either after his administration or his death, that fund was applied to other purposes. Sev- eral other writers have advocated the payment of the debt. But the chief cause, in my humble opinion, that has produced the fail- ure of all attempts for this great end^ is^ that the authors of them have relied on their own proposed financial plans^ whereas the true and perhaps the only certain source of any eftecr tivs plan must arise from the British Nation it- self. It is on her that the vast pressure is bearing of thirty millions annual taxation, and the deprivation of eight hundred millions of capital which lays idly locked up in the funds. This immense taxation must bear hard on the national poor, must be a chief cause of tho 1 .),") misery that lias often wrung the hearts of all that is humane and generous in the British na- tign. It will therefore be for the nation to form its resolve. The present times require some immediate action, some great national effort, by which the distresses of the country, and the difficulties in trade and commerce would be re- stored by the national energies to their wonted prosperity. If the nation feels this convic- tion, and the necessity find wisdom of a national effort to effect this great purpose, I have not a doubt of the power of the patriotic will of England to do this ; and I shall now proceed with great diffidence indeed, and profound hu- mility, to lay my plans for tliat end before her, making first a few preliminary observations on the subject. • . .., . , -< It is true that some extensive commercial op- erations of the Bntish nation have been unsuc- cessful. The South Sea scheme caused the ha- voc of many private fortunes. Of the recent schemes of Rail Road making it is said at this day, in the public, prints^ that they have occasioned more distress among private families than has been ever kaown in England. Now it is perhaps, fortunate for the plan I am to offer, that it cannot be attended with atiy such evil effects. The enterprising mind of England appears at present almost quiescent, but it cannot long- remain unemployed. Is not then the present a ))rop"r time lor the na- I., W iii'\ 1 7/^ i } i 1 ! i 1 1 H i ■ ! r '\ - *■ * 1 1 156 lion to consider whether it would not be highly advisable to endeavour by a generous and mighty effort to remove the incubus it has so • long labored under, that the coast may be clear^ so to say, for the exertion of that expansive mind of England, and of those commercial energies which would doubtless be created by the removal of the debt. The celebrated Doctor Dick, in his work> called "Mental Illumination and Moral Im- provement of mankind," says in page 325 : During the war with Buonaparte 40 millions would have been considered as a mere item in the national expenditure, amounting to little more than the war taxes of a single year. And shall it ever be said that such a sum cannot now be iraised for counter- acting moral evil and human misery, and training our population to "glory and immortality?" And in page 327 he says : Besides the saving which might be made in the public expenditure, there is a still greater sum which might be saved from various items in the private establishments of wealthy individuals, which might be devoted to national improvements. The saving of a single bottle of wine a-day, would am- mountto £50 a-year ; the discarding of an unneces- sary servant, to nearly the same sum : keeping four Jiorses instead of six, would be a saving of at least £60 ; and discarding a score of hounds would save more than a £100 a-year. There are thousands in our country, who in this way could save £500 a-year to be devoted to rational and benevolent purpostjs, without feeling the least diniinntioii of their sensi* 157 live enjoyments. There are hundreds of thousands 5n the middle ranli* of life who could save X20 a-yearj^by discarding unnecessary luxuries, in regard to houses, furniture, food and clothing, and feel themselves just as comfortable as before ; and there are many more among the lower ranks who could save several pounds every year, which are now wasted either in folly or intemperance, and find themselves richer and more comfortable at the close of the year that at any former period. Let US sup- pose, what is perhaps not fnr from th^ !ruth, that there are SOfiOiO individuals, or the ^opart of the British population, who, at an average, haVe ii comes of £3000 per annum, and could devote £^'cO a-yepr to public purpo^ — some much more and soine less; this \vould a'mo nt to fifteen millions a-yearv There may next be rejKohed about 200,000 with income* at an average of £300 per annum, who could devote a similar proportion, namely £30 per annum ; wlcli would amount to six millionsv Supposing the population of Great Britain to be 16,000-, 000, and that only one-fourth of this number, namely 4,000,-». 000, have it in their power to deVote a certain por* tion of their income to the purposes alluded to, there would still remain 3,750,000 of the lower classes, who might be supposed, on an average, able to de- vo'e otie guinea a-year to the same objects, which would amount to nearly four millics% So that twenty-five millions of pounds might be raised an^ nually for literary, philanthropic, and religious pur- poses, without any one feeling the loss of any sensi- tive enjoyments, but, on the contrairy, enjoying the purest gratification in beholding improvements going forward, and the plans ef benevolence gradually accomplishing. Passing many other other consider* ations of this kind, the only other item of expcndit* It' a IW' 7 jl' •■ ^1 t i 158 ure I shall notice is, that whiclf is spent in the pur- chase of spirituous liquors, which are for the most devoted to the purposes of intemperance. Accord- ing to an estimate made by Mr. Buckingham and the committee appointed by Parliament to investigate ^he state of intemperance, it appears, that, within Ihe limits of Great Britain and Ireland, there is a loss {sustained by the use of ardent spirits amounting to nearly fifty millions sterling per annum ! It is stated that, in the city of G\ asgow alone, the sum expended in intoxicating drinks "is nearly equal to the whole amount expended on public institutions of charity and benevolence in the entireUnited Kir]g- dom." This item alone would be more than suf- ficient for all the purposes of philanthropy and of universal improvement. Now^ if there be any force in these argument^ when applied to the purposes of general educa- tion, they will apply with tenfold force in favor of the great purpose I am advocating. Let this enormous incubus of the national debt on the people of England be removed by the noble and energetic will of the nation ; and the worthy Doctor's plans for the welfare of his fellow citizens will have tenfold more chance of being accomplished. The joy, the profound exultation that must be the general result of this burden being removed from the nation would materially augment its desires for every humane and generous purpose. Conceiving then, that these herovidont inter- ests and the crying demands of public distress will be considered by the nation as wordiy of 159 he pur- le most A.ccord- and the sstigate , within is a loss nting to ! It is le sum f equal itutions d Kiqg- laii suf- and of iment^ educa- favor Let ebt on 1 noble d the of his ] ance )tound lit of 1 at ion every inter- stress hv oi* every sacrifice, and considering further that she will duly appreciate the iVisdOtti of clear- ing the way for the powerful action in trade, commerce, manufactures,navigatioh and public improvements to which hef people will no doubt be led by the payment of the debt, I her^ at once propose the plan for so doing. The amount of this debt as above said, we shill take dt feight hundred millions of pounds sterhng ; the amount of all the property at present in tfife poSsessioh of the people of Great Britain is four thousand tnillions* One fifth then of thfe sum will pay the debt. ,/ ' *' The National Debt, says Mr. Rigby Wesop, in tis Ite- vised Arithmetic, is £712,009,00(3 and the aggregate dajiital of trreal Britain and Ireland is £7,750,000,000, so that ten per cent, of the capital will easily pay off the debt. It is as if a man with a capital of 7,750 was indebted only to the amount of J6772. Mr. W. proposes ten years as the tiine of JDaying the debt, and thinks it would b« very easy for the owners of real property to do so." — British Colon* ist, April 24, 1849. Wfe propose therefore that eVety person {)OsseSsed of a property of onfe thousand poiindi^ sterlingj shbuld agree to devote two hundred of it in the course of twenty years to pay oflf this debt, and any person of greater capital in pro- portion. The amount of the sum paid for one thousand pounds would then be only ten pounds per year, or if the amount of the debt in the foregoing note is correct, five pounds will an- swer, but jt would bb optional with the capital- lit ill. I. IGO !: . .■ jst either to pay all off at once or in such in- stalments as it may best suit him. If the whole sum were to be agreed to by the natron to be paid off at once, it is to be remembered that there would be thereby an immediate cessation of the thirty millions of taxes for the interest of the debt, and a proportional diminution according as the time of paying it off is longer or shorter. It IS however probable that the vast sales of property which would be required in the national operation for this purpose, would pre- clude the possibility of their being accomplish- ed in less than the twenty years proposed^ Now if it be true, as Doctor Dick says, that " there are hundreds of thousands of people in our country who could save £500 a^year to be devoted to national and benevolent purposes, without feeling the least diminution of their sensitive enjoyments, it is probable that many of the wealthy would make voluntary contri- butions in their zeal to accomplish this great purpose of liberating their country from this great and enormous burden of her debt. It is however to the enlightened wisdom and to the national patriotism of tlie great body of the people of England to which I confess I look ibr the final accomplishment of this great pur- pose. At first view of the plan I have propos- ed for this payment of the debt, it may appear lo some lather romantic, but when reflection 161 is made by them, on the actual fact, that the people of Great Britain are really paying the entire amount of this r^'tional debt in interest every thirty years, it certainly cannot be de- nied that it would be wiser for the nation to give up at once even one-fifth of their property to pay off the capital of the debt in 20 years, and so not have to pay it again in interest in thirty years. The present age teems with great and highly useful discoveries in the physical sciences. On looking back some twenty to forty years a man is astonished at the progress society has made. Time and space in fact are approach- ing to their annihilation. The very lightning of heaven is subjected to use, and in time an idea \vill probably be conveyed over the greatest part of the planet we inhabit with incalculable velocity. ' Why then should not the mind of man itself make an equal advance in the high science of wisdom and happiness equal at least to that of the other sciences. Why should not the mind rise superior to the idea that its happiness depends on a fcAv thousands more or less. En- gland has of late shown an admirable proof of that wisdom in the calm and firm attitude with which she resisted the late attempts for the overthrow of her national institutions, which, excited no doubt by the wild example of Franco and the neighbouring nations, had been raised asrainst those institutions. ^1 ' 'i '! i 1 ^i|-" IG2 Why should she not proceed to show that by pne vast national effort she is enabled to remove the great incubus that has so lopg pro- ved pppi-es^ive to the nation, and which, when reippved, will assuredly create ai^ energy and enterprize throng!; every stream of her vitality that will probably prouuce the means of em- Eloyment and of comfortable subsistence tq er vast population of artisans and labourers, and prevent the necessity of depriving num- bers of them of their birth-right, by j^n unavoid- able emigration to distant countries. It is there- fore tp the enlightened wisdom of the nation, to their lovp of justice, ®f honour, and of go\>d faith, the true sources of high national ad- vancement, that I look to for the accomplish- ^nent ol this great purpose. I now proceed to offer a few suggestion^ that have occurred tp ipe for the facilitating of the great national operations that would hav^ to be employed ii^ the transfer pf property by sale or mortgage, in accomplishment of the plan stated above. It appears then to me, that should the British Nation determine to pay off her debt, and as I Ijelieve I have stated I al- most |>eiieve in the omnipotence of the United British people in worldly affairs ; ;t appears tq me that the British Government should have a lien on the sales and mortgages of property >vhich would have to be made for raising the snmg required to pay off the debt, holding these 1G:} securities, the government and Imperial Parlia- ment could authorize and render leg il, a pro- per and sufficient currency for facilitating these 3ales ai^d mortgages. This is my idea, but I freely alloAv that I can lay no claim to the art ot finance. I merely beg leave to suggest the idea, that the government may, by some such mode facilitate the sales ox mortgages of property for accomplishing the great purpoge of the nation, should it decide qn paying off the debt. In fine, although I have for many years re- flected on this subject, and have been much as- tonished that so great a coiiqtry as Great Britain should have remained so many years under this burden, I do not presume to con- sider myself competent to enlighten the nation on the best means of effecting the sales g^nd inortgages required for the accomplishment of the plan proposed. But I do certainly hope a^d believe that th^ foregoing suggestions will meet the eye of some of those superior minds which exist in Great Britain, some of those truly pa- triotic §ouls, whom I verily hehove are yet to be foqnd there;, son^e of those intelligent beings who form the highest honours of their country, and if on ?i CJ^ndid consideration of the above suggestions they incet with a congenial feel- ing in those superior minds ; should they be of the same opinion as to the high adv^int^ges th^t would result to. the nation^ by the payment Qf the debt, I may then at least have some right i; Kit h i '\ \]> \\\ i.' to hope Ihey would apply tlioir liigh talcnls, their knowledge of the best practical modes o I finance, and above all their high patriotism to awaken and enlighten the nation for this great purpose, and to infuse that degree of zeal into it which may secure its final accomplisliment, I have now only to offer a few remarks on the most advisable mode for obtainins^ the sense of the nation on this subject. It is true that the nation being represented in the Im- perial Parliament, any member of that Parlia- ment whose powerful mind should lead liini so to do, might move and advocate a plan for this purpose of paying oil' the debt ; but so iar from this being the case, I have great reason to believe an idea that was stated to me on this subject by a jvcntleinan from England, appar- ently of some intelligence, respecting it,which was ''that nobody at present thinks of paying off the national debt." Now every person has a right to think what he pleases, but that does not prevent any other person from communicating his ideas to the public, if he believes he can show good reason why the debt should be paid off,which,\vi(h due humility, I believe I have done in this work, and. further,! believe that were the general sense of the nation obtained upon the question, it Vvould sanction that payment. Would it not therefore, be advisable to take measures adc(]uatc to obtain this sense of the JG5 iiation on so iniportant a subject? Might not a national convention be legally called tor this great purpose ? The answer to this question I hereby leave to those superior intelligent minds i have above alluded to. If they believe as I do in the load of misery which the eflect- ing the purpose of this work would remove, if they believe intlie vast manufacturing and com* mercial advantages it would produce, and fur- ther if they believe, as I do, in the energy and patriotism it would excile in all ranks of the people, I have no dou])t of the sanction of those great intelligent and powerful minds,nor of their conviction that the glory of England would be raised by this national movement to a higher pitch than even she has yet attained. I have now only to present the work to the world, as possibly the last I shall produce. I have freely given my thoughts on what mea- sures I conceive ^verc best to promote the wel- fare of the colonies and that of the parent state, and I leave it to a candid public to decide on its merits. Respecting this country of my birth, British North America, I believe that if the national debt of Great Britain were paid off it would [iroduce a great rise in the value of their lands and the rapid advancement of these colo- nies. And feeling, as 1 do, a deep and earnest wish for their true happiness and welfare, I now conclude with im{)loring their legislatures to up!\old and encourage by effective laws and I'. 1 1 V, 4 I' ; li 1 *4; ill k' l66 tegU^'Atibhs, the religious, nioi'iii £tnd political character of their peojile, infusing by their ex- ahiple a patient ^tidufance of their present adverse arid critical position, and a steady maihtenanfce Of the loyal character of the Pro- vinces, as I feel conVinced;the time is not far^dist- ant whfen by ft fait* and proper regulation of thei colonial system by Great Britain,these colonies, and uuited Canada in'particular, will show the world that by such regulations they are compe- tent to stand and to thrive without the aid of atiy foreign nation. Iiiical eir ex- resent steady e Pro- ar^dist- of th^ Monies, owthel :ompe- aid of e f6r6, ts have hat the ■ovince lly the yed itl jvince, present ties of ;sbeen their ite un- ust be ubtful there I per- liaps for its commercial aflairs. Something then that will restore the credit and the character of the country must be done. Now a plan as I have stat- ed before iias been proposed for a federal union of all the North American Colonies; and I have to make mention of a very important advance. 'in their condi- tion^an advance which I advocated in a work publish- ed by me in Montreal, eight years since, a proposal stated in that work to obtain a reprcscutation in thb Imperial House of Commons of each of the North American Colonies, I)} a certain number of repre- sentatives chosen for tliat purpose by each colonial legislature. I had when in London, England, from 1829 to 31,recommendedin aletler to Joseph Hume, M. p., his perseverance in the plan he brought for- ward for this very purpose, at the time of the pass- ing of the Reform Bill in 1830-1. Ills plan was for having all the colonies of Great Britain thus repre- sented in Parliament. The purpose of the plan was approved of by all parties in the House of Commons, and was only postponed on account of the great pres- sure of the business of the Reform during that ses sion. Hume withdrew his motion, with an under- standing it was to be brought forward at some future time. He has not yet done so, hut I have no doubt he and many otlior members of the lionse would be still favourable to it, if brought forward. I had long con- ceived a representation of this kind would lend much to advance the interests and welfare of these Pro- vinces, and probably prove a most efficacious means of securing their tranquility, and thereby the en- couragement and assistance of the British capi1cL^*st« for the commencement and profitable prosecntioia of a well founded and enterprising spirit of conmierci^-l industry amon.ij , (< 20, << 52, visions of and, than e markets work for our canals, without depending on American travel or transport. I have stated in the first edition of this work, that I did not conceive there was any necessity for removing the Navigation Laws of Great Britain to enable Canadian merchants to transport our wheat and flour, &:c., to England as cheaply as Americans can do Irom New York. Canada is able to build aid naviga'e ships as cheap as those States can. Had responsible companies of people engaged in Canadian sliip-building, there is no doubt (the above fact being clearly proved) they would have been enabled to procure suificient ca[)ital in England for that purpose. These Navigation Laws having been, however; removed we shall be able to ship flour Home as cheap as the Americans, and tlierei'oie, ualess when a partial failure of the crops takes place in the States (in which ease they will be obliged to give our farmers a remunerating price i'or their wheat), we shall not need the American market. I shall now make a lew observations on the late Annexation movement ; in addition to those made in the first edition of this work, on that movement, in pages 135 and 137. In page forty-nine of that edition, I stated that " I believe, by the exertion of due wisdom and energy, this United Canada is entirely competent, with its present relation to C^reat Britain, to s and a:id to thrive on its cwni resources without the necessity oi seeking I lie aid of tlie United States or any foreign nation at all. I trust to be able to prove this proposiiion, and that there is a good mar- ket in our own Colonies for a great part oi' the sur- plus wheat of Canada." I trust to have proved the above proposition in that edition, and 1 hope therefore that from whom- soever the said annexation movement originated (a ^ i V' 17-i 1: U movement totally inconsistent with destinies which those who duly appreciate the continually increasing resources of Canada have a right to predict for her), I say therefore, that from whomsoever that move- ment originated, I hope they will now perceive that as the staple agricultural productions of Canada are the same as those of the United States, so we shall generally be rivals in those productions ; and that therefore we have nothing more to do than to seek the greatest advantages for the sale of our products, we can obtain. The next occurrence of importance, since the print- ing of 1st edition of this work, is a proposal by .some for an organic change in the Legislative Council of the United Province. This change has been brought forward, discussed and rejected by the Provincial Parliament ; and I shall hereupon observe, that I consider it much to the credit of the majority of that Provincial Parliament that they have resisted that attempt to change the Constitution of the Province. The opposition of party, when founded on right prin- ciples, that is to say, on a variety of opinion of what may be most beneficial to the country, is perhaps of service to it, and unavoidable in free assemblies ; but to carry out the spirit of party to encroachment on its establishment Constitution, is of a serious and solemn nature. In private life even, the man who has constancy to carry out the plans he has formed, after mature deliberation, is more generally success- ful than another of quite an opposite character. — But, in so exalted a concern as the Constitution of a Country, if stability be wanting, the period of weak- ness, debility and wavering conduct is near. France, since the year 1789, has had constitution- mongers, and constitutions, perhaps, by the dozen. What Constitution has she now ? Nominally a Re- public, but said to be approaching fast to Despotic 173 Power, and of a most uncertain and precarious cha- racter. England, after ages of despotism, established her freedom by the glorious Revolution of 1688. The joy that then pervaded the nation still beats in, and warms her heart. And the stability ot its attachment to that Constitution of true freedom has ])robably been the cause that has made an English- man's Home proverbial, and has begotten that spirit of industry and enterprize which has expanded the nation's power Irom the rising to the setting sun, and formed a palladium for her own rights and liber- ties, and perhaps, those of the world. In Eastern Canada, belbr'j the Union, the Legisla- tive Council had used to be considered bv the British part of the population as a great protection against the untoward and anti-progressive legislation of the Democratic Branch. It has of late been complained of, that the Government has created new members of that Council with an intent to sustain the passing of that Bill which has caused so much disturbance in the Province. Well, if the Government can con- stitutionally do this, the same may happen when the party opposite may be in power. But, without in- vading the Constitution of the Province, it would seem that that interference of the Execmtive with the action of tlie Legislative body might be counter- acted by a proposal which wns I think judiciously made in that body by one of its Members. This pro- posal was, that the Legislative Council should con- sist of a certain number of Members, which number it should not be in the ])ower of the Executive to augment, whichever parly might be in the ascend- ant. By this means ihc independence of that body might be maintained. I shall here make some observations on an opin- ion I have of late ol'ten heard expressed by many people in the i^'ovince, concerning a supposed iu- 1T4 diflr.ronce of tlie British Government as to retaininp^ the North Am prican Colonics. In Paires 151 and 152 of ihe lir.;t edition of tins worlc, 1 have shewn the limited and (^'roneons view Sir William Moles- worth, a memljer of the British House of Commons, has taken in his estimate of the value of tliese Pro- vinces to the l*arent Siate. Jle has ne,L»iected en- tirely to take into his estimate their increasinf^^ly growing value by the doubliii*.': of their population every twenty or twen(y-il\e years, of course requii'- ing double the quantity of British goods; while the additional cost of their govei*nment and delence, to Great Britain, will remain nearly the same. Now j]ritish subjects, having settled therein under the fact and assurance tiiat thev vvcre to remain British subjects, aiid to enjoy the rights and privi- leges and ])rotectioii of Gnvit Britain as such, and having inxested their property afid spent many years of their time muhn* that cojiviciion, tlicrefore any Government of Great BiKain which siionld, from a.n impotent pusillaiAirnity of inind aui'ce to the separa- tion of these Bi'ovinces from the British Crown, now forming one of its brigl'test ornaments and posses- sions, will incur a mighty responsibility to the nation; for it is highly pi'ohable ihat, if these colonic^s should be thus sepai'afed, the loss of the West Indies and other cf)loiiies miglit idso ibllow. The British Nor.'h American Colonies have been repeatedly declared in (he Imperial Parliament to bo integral parts of the I'^mpirc, and 1 considei- they have as just a claim to t-.ie protection of tli(^ arms of Great Britain as either Knglaiid, Scotland, or Ire- land has. The GoviM'nment, ther^dbre, that cast;s them oil', belbre tli{\y are completely competent to maintain tiieii* iiKiepeiidence against all other Powers, will commit a great crime, and expose 175 themselves to the just vengeance of the British peo- ple. Another great political movoment has been brought forward, and recomiroiided since the publi- cation of the first edition of this work, namely, a Federal Union of all these ?vordi American Colo- nies. A^ow, as it is hardly possible to suppose it was intended by this movement to have all the local interests of the various colonies to be represented and transacted in one GeniM'al Asscm])ly or Parlia- ment, we must conclude the intention is to leave to each colony i!s own local legislation, and each of those legislatures to be represented in the general Corit>-ress, to be establislied [)r()bably in Canada. This might, indeed, elevate the character and ihe consideration of the Parent Stale for these United Colonies ; but it appears to me this United CoJigres- sional Assembly would be rendered of much greater utility to the interests of all these colonies, were they to be deputed to meet iii the British House of ('ommons. There, on any question relating to !hc interests of the Colonies, they would meet in Com- mittees on the sul)j«'ct,and llio question having been decided by a majority, a Report would be made to the [louse of Commons for its final decision. By this mode a federal representation mi'j;ht be etlected in the Ixmrt oi' the ih'itish Parliameiit, and the ta- lents, zeal, and (Miergy of our colonial n^pnvsenta- tiv(^s would be always ready to bring lorward mea- sures for tiie securii v and wellare and establishment of these Provinces. I have stated in I lie Aj)pendix to the first edition of this work ; that a measure for such a repi'esent- ation of ;dl the colonies of Great Britain had been J)rought forward, dui ing the ^Session of the CJreat Ueibrm Bill, in the House of Commons ; that the f I I < ' 176 measure was approved of by all parties in that House, and that it was withdrawn only on account of the pressure of business during that important session ; and there is little doubt, if brought forward again, it would be assented to by the House of Commons of Great Britain. It is true, however, that this representation of these Colonies in the Imperial Parliament would have to be formed under certain conditions. In the first place, as all the colonies have local legislatures of their own, for their own local taxation ; it must be clearly premised, in the formation of the said re- representation of their colonial legislatures in the Imperial Parliamont, that that Parliament is not to have the power of taxing the said Colonies ; and, in the second place, that being allowed and agreed on, it is not to be expected that those representatives of the Colonies should have the power of voting on any question of taxation of the people of Great Britain. They would be sent as representatives of the Colonial Legislatures merely, and vote on ques- tions relating in any way to the interests and welfare of these North American Colonies. This last con- dition need take place only in case the British House of Commons insists on it. If they choose to allow us to vote on all questions without their taxing us, it is well. It appears, therefore, clearly to me, that as each of the colonial legislatures is most competent to de- cide on its own local affairs, — that as a federal union of the Colonies in a Parliament or Congress held in Canada might occasion many differences and jealousies among them ; and as even in the event of that congress being established in this Province, it would probably be required, as long as we remain possessions oi' Great Bi'itain, that we should have some representation in the Imperial Parliament to 177 advocate those questions which relate to the general interests of the empire in regard to these colonies, which Great Britain still claims to decide on. I say it therefore appears clearly to me, ihat it would be much more etiective and less expensive for the ad- vance of the prosperity and consideration of these Provinces, to have the above stated Federal Union, deputed by the Colonial Legislatures, to sit and to vote in thq Imperial Parliament on these questions, and all others connect<^d with their security and prosperity. All this is on the supposition that a representation modified with the above conditions could be obtained from the Imperial House of Com- mons. I come now to the important question which has so long disturbed the tran(iuillity of the Western part of this Province. The Clergy Reserves. — This (jucstion has been so thoroughly discussed, in most oi" its bearings, that I shall have to make oidv some few observations on it; perhaps original. I shall first, however, present some remarks upon the ellects of the late University Bill. It appears that tlie Church of England has hither- to had the chief control and management of the University; and, Mshing to have the yt/iith rc'^ort- ing to it instructed in the higlu^st and most imporlant part of the education of man, namely religion, that is, h'S relation and duties to the unseen Aulhor of nature, the Church establisiied a theological cliair for tnat purjjose. It does not appear, as far as I am intbrmrd, that students who did not wish to attend these theoloiiical lectures were compelh^l by the rules of the ['nivcr»:ity to do so; nor that teachers of the various i>ranches of learning and the sciences belonging to other sects besides th< Church of Eng- land, nor that the students belonging to those other II 178 llil:i sects, were prevented respectively from teaching or learning those sciences in the University. Yet this Theological Chair has occasioned so much opposition on the part of those sects that the Chair has been overthrown, and ihe present University now stands in the most singular predicament ; that, as no sect- arian doctrine is to be taught in it by any particular 'sect, therefore there can be no religion taught in it at all. Some few sessions of the Parliament since, when this University question was on the carpet, I made some enqi:ii v ns to what would be the conduct of the Church of England, should such a University Bill be p^«sc'd, iud I was informed tliat Church would ceri\i;iUy separate herself from it. I thereupon sug- gest :J an idea in print, that it appeared to me, to compel j)ai''=t'S to act together in a T'niversity — a place vv'bei't peace and unanimity were so much wanted to succeed in the due instruction of its youth, — that, I say, to compel parties to act together under these circumstances was contrarv to sound wisdom. And I observed that as Goveriiment had nigh three million acres of Crown Lands, it would be far better and wiser to give tlic otiier sects one or two hundred thoi:sand acres of them to build a university of their own. As it now is, the University is devoid of all relijjious rites, not even a prayer, which I consider a dis\;race to the I'lovince, and a most serious bad example to other seminaries. I was at a common school in I'^iiigland for seven years, and there was not one day of them wg had not prayers iiiorning and evening. The atti'mpt even of a membi^r of the House of Asseuibly to remedy this great defect was rejectc^d. iS'ow certaiidy, to do so in part, the Bill migiit have directed or allowed the rulers of the University to have formed a sriginal 'e them il they as to bvthe voient, e poor !)f reli- ■\d not for the nd de- >n, and nceive :)nvert ut de- iriant :ed by o the in the .'ever, ' Pro- i sting •eign, other )i' the part da is placed by the Constitution and laws of that empire in the Crown and Imperial Parliament. It is true that a great outcry has been long raised against these Clergy lands being distributed among two or three of the principal Protestant Churches, and indeed it is natural enough for others to endea- vor to obtain a share thereof, if they can. But, I believe, the complaints said to exist among the great body of the people, are greatly exaggerated. On conversing on this subject with persons lately em- ployed J>i public affairs, I find the outcry raised against these lands is said to be a means of raising political capital by political influence. I have trav- elled east and west, through a great part of the country, and I cannot say I have heard, by any means sufficient to justify the assertion, that they form a cause of general complaint. It appears, by an account published by the Church Society of Toronto, that in 1849 the state of the Church in the Diocese of Toronto, shewed an appa- rent overplus balance of £3,102 10s., *'but which wholly depends upon the conti nance of the grants of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, for were they to withdraw the five thousand pounds which they pay to their Mission- aries there would be an actual deficiency ;" and the case would probably be the same with the other Dioceses. The £5,000 above alluded to, " has, I believe, been now noticed to be withdrawn at a certain period of time," by the Society for Propagating the Gospel. — Now, as I cannot believe the ^: .'.at majority of the people of Canada would wish to deprive the poor settlers in the Province of the comforts and blessings of religious worship ; so, I believe, they would not oppose the arrangements of these Clergy Reserves, so that that pious purpose might be effected. 182 4 Ailhough the question concerning tljos:e Reserves liafl been rclerrrtl I'or its decision to the Imperial P;i.rliament, a vole was passed during last ►'^'ession of the Provincial I'arlianient, to have the settlement of the (juestion re-rei'erred to it by the Imperial; a very see-saw kind of recjuest indeed ; and, as the intention is opeidy declared, of converting the Re- serves from the purpose i'or which they were origi- nally {^ranted to the pui'pose of I^iducation, it is possible the Imperial Parliament may demur to t'\at request. For the erection of Common Schools, it is un- doubtedly incumbent properly to provide, and accord- ingly the large sum of £50,000 was, I believe, voted for th.Mt purpose last Session, and, no doubt, if moi'c be absolutely reijuired, there are sullicient resources by which to provide for ihat important part of the public service, without destroying the funds for an eqiially important one, the conferring on the poor and needy settlers of the Province the benefit of religious worsliip in all timcvs to come. At all events, should it bo made apparent to the Provincial Legislature, in ihe case of the question of the Reserves I jeiiig re-riierred to them, that 1 lie quantity of land is greatly moi'e than sudlcient fur the due maintenance ol' the I'rotestant religion, rould it not be Just and proper to leave as much of ohese Reserves in the hands, and for the service ot the Protestant Churches, as the Provincial Parlia- ment, should in its wisdom deem sufli<,'ient for that purpose? But to deprive these Churches entirely of every provision tor their maintenance would, it ap- j)ear.s to me, be a most serious attack and obsti'uc- tion on the religious practice of a very great part of the Province. J have now oidy to remark on this long pending and vexed question of the Clergy Reserves, which 183 has occasioned so much irritation amon^ the various sects ot' Protestant s, that it appears to ine to furnish a very powerful arirument in favor of the phan I have proposed in the first edition of this work, to these various sects, and to tlieir respective CIcr?:ies, namely, tlie ealliuL'' of a convocation of these last, for tlie pu!'j)ose of trying "whether such modiiica- tioas of t!if*ir various creeds and forms of Church Government could not be elFected. so that one jrreat national J'rotestant Faith and Government miirlit be establi: hed ?" Oiie chief cause of tlie op'positlon to the Clergy Reserves remainins; as they now are, is, that thev co to the sup])(>rt of only a part of tlie V testant Churches. But should ihe plan of the Umon of all of them I have suj^^i^ested, take place, so that all, when their con!j:regations should amount to a cer- tain number, would receive a part, the discontent on th(i suljject would probably be diminished, or per- haps disappear eiitindy. And I have here to state on this subject a sinmilar fact that took place in the United States a few months after the publication of the first e(Ution of this work. In the Hamilton Gazette of the 27th May last, an article appeared statinjj^, from an American paper, that a meeting was to take pla(?e at Canandais^ua : " To take into considiM'ation wliether all Sectarian bodies were not contrary to the design of Christi- ojiity, opposed to the proirress of society, and there- fore inimical to ihe Salvation of mankind f To the best of my recollection, the above was stated to be the pui'j)ort of the meeting, but what the result was J have not been able to learn. The notice was signed by eight persons, among whom was the naiTie of Geraixl Smilh, the srreat aboli- tionist. It would apfje.ar that the gentlemen who signed the notice for the meeting, had taken up the I i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) I I.I 11.25 ■a|2£ |2.5 |50 ■^" R^^ 1.8 u - 6" Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STRUT WHSTER.N.Y. 14SS0 (716) 872-4503 ^^ i\ <^ 4 \ s ^ ^ o V i I i II if ■ 184 same plan I have proposed in my work, namely, Union of all Protestant sects into one General Pr testant Church. I have since heard that a meetii: for the same purpose has taken place at Osweg And I have not a doubt in mv own mind that th Christian religion will be found in time to havi an INNATE POWER in it to effect such a Union of the Churches. I believe that all who are convinced that the Christian religion came from Heaven, that it is a Di^'ine Institution — I believe, I say, that those Churches who possess this faith, may be posi- tively certain that the language and terms in which the Saviour conveyed this religion to mankind are clearly to be understood by the general sense and understanding of Christians, and therefore need no commentary nor disquisition whatever to explain them, and therefore the Unity of His Church is practicable, and was designed by him. The Laws of God were already given by the Ten Command- ments, and confirmed by the Saviour. The Law of the Saviour was given in few, simple and sub- lime words : " Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them." St. Matthew, 7th chapter, 12th verse. — " Not every one that saith unto to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven." Verse 21. — " Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Chapter 1 1th, verse 28 ; and in chapter 28th, verse 18 : " And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, all Power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth. And verse, 19. — " Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." And John, chapter 8th, verse 12 : " Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am 185 mely, iral Pr Inieetii: 'sweg ■hat th |to hav( of the nvinced eaven, ay, that be posi- which n"nd are nse and leed no explain urch is e Laws nmand- e Law nd sub- Jver ye 3ven so erse . » Lord, he that aven." tnd are y yoke , verse icame ven to ~«Go em in •f the s 12; lam the Light of the World, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." And John, chapter 1 3th, verse 34 : "A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another, as I have loved you that ye also love one another." And chapter 14th, verse 26 : " But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name ; He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance of whatsoever I have said unto you." And chapter 16th, verse 24 : " Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name ; ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full." And chapter 17th, verse 20 : (con- cerning His Apostles,) "Neither pray I for them alone, but for them also which shall believe in me through their word." And verse 21 : " That they all may be one ; as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us ; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." And verse 22 : " And the Glory which thou hast given me, I have given them, that they may be one, even at we are one." Such is the plain and simple, and sublime religion given by the Saviour himself. In human ati'airs, it is true, men will differ in opinion ; but of this we may be certain, that the Divine Author of our Faith must have intended and known that all could thoroughly understand his meaning ; that the design of His Church, Unity and Peace and good Will to Man, should be established and put in ' practice. Should therefore this great Union of the Churches be established, a near approach to the desired Millenium will be the result. Having now finished the observations I wished to present, on those important movements which have taken place since the publication of the first edition of this work, I shall now conclude this second edition with something in the nature of an address ; 185 piil M iv u 1 ■! fi! first, to persons who have come out from the Old Country, namel}^, Great Britain to Canada, as the country of tlieir adoption; secondly, to per- sons born in it, both English and French, east and west ; and thirdly, to those Foreign persons who have also made it their residence. I myself was born in this Canada long before it was divided into two Provinces. I have lived to see it re-united into one. At the time of my birth Western Can da was almost entirely in a state of nature — rocks, woods and lakes. At present this country supports nearly three quarters of a million of people ; the reader may conceive then, the sensations I I'eel in travelling over this glorious change. The Englishman him- self, prejudiced as he generally is, and well may be, in favor of his own country, will, I dare say, allow that none comes nearer to it, than this favored part of the Province of United Canada. The Scotch and Irishman, naturally and proverbially attached as they are to their native soil, cannot but allow that Canada affords to industry and mechanical talent a fair scope for obtaining a comfortable home and living; one proof of this is, that there is an old say- ing in Canada, which I have myself seen verified in many instances, that tliere never was a man in business who went home from it, but what returned to it after some years, to make it his home. To the native of Eastern Canada, I need say nothing in favor of it. Their " amour du pays''' is pretty strong, and it only requires the patriotic efforts of its Legis- lature, in introducing the more productive system of modern Agriculture into it, to make this amour, " or love of country," much stronger. The Upper Cana- dian born, may well indeed possess this love of coun- try. Her noble lakes, unequalled perhaps in the world ; her ipagnificent land scenery, from seven to eight hundred miles in extent ; her fertile grana- 187 from the Canada, y, to per- east and sons who yself was |vided into nited into n da w^as Ivs, woods ^rts nearly "e reader travel hng nan him- 1 may be, ay, allow ored part cotch and ached as How that I talent a lome and I old say- erified in man in returned To the •thing in y strong, ts Legi.s- ystem of our, " or -r Cana- of coim- 5 in the seven to grana- ries of wheat, her stores of every other valuable vege- table and animal production, will in a few years astonish the world by the quantity produced, and may well excite a great love of country in Western Canadian born inhabitants. To the residents in United Canada, coming from Foreign countries, and more especially from the neighboring United States, 1 would say, they will perhaps find Canada a country where talented industry, and invention (for which, to do them justice, Americans are remarkable,) will meet with as good reward as in their own country ; for, although (not possessing the irame advantages of capital as that country,) Canada has not the same shew of public improvements to make ; still, she has advanced in natural increase of population, I believe, fully equal with it, and with the growing enterprise of the country, it will in the course of time advance equally in other respects. The foreigner will therefore find in Canada a fair scope for what industry, talent and capital he may possess. It follows then, that all classes of the inhabitants of Canada should contentedly make it their home, and consider it as a Iheatre for the honest exertion of those talents in the various branches of science, and of the arts, which will assuredly produce their own welfare, and the general advance and prospe- rity of the Province. The British Government ap- pear now agreed to allow these Province to manage their own affairs by the means of their own Legis- latures, Sc» long as they do not molest the general interests of the Empire. If it does this, and con- tinues to give us the protection of her powerful arms, against the despotic and all other powers of the world, I conceive we have reason to be grateful ; and I further conceive that one of the first steps our Agricultural and Commercial Bodies ought to take, is to endeavor, by proper and energetic representa- i, 1 ]•■ rf ■ r 1 .*'■' 188 ■•'^" tions to the British Government, to get some arrange- ment made with the West India Colonies, (as I have advocated in the first edition of this work,) for the supply of those islands with bread-stuffs, flour and provisions, which would probably give us a remu- nerating market of three to four hundred thousand barrels of all kinds. THE END. N J^^ ERRATA.--Pa«;e 88, fifth line, after « Medical Practitioner,"— read, '* a seventh column to contain the Electric state of the atmos- phere." p * ^ . \ ^ LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. e arrange- (as I have k,) for the flour and a remu- thousand Memorandum.— The number of Subscribers and Buyers to First Edition, was — one hundred in London, C, W., and four hundred in Hamilton, Brantford, Dundas, the Welland CHnal, Toronto, and other places. 'ractitioner," — e of the atmos- «%^ ^ * Copies. Geo. P. Ridout, Esq., President Board of Trade, Toronto Colonel Antrobus, P. A. D. C Mr. Angus Dallas Andrew Mercer, Esq Mr. Russell, Crown Lands Office J.Joseph, Esq., Executive Council Office 5 Doctor Winder, Provincial Library 2 F. W. Barron, M. A., Principal U. C. College 2 Dr. Boys, Bursar, University T. Thomson, Esq ., J. G. Howard, Architect Thos. Baynes, Esq., Clergy Reserve Office Church Building Society Captain Lefroy , . = , W. B. Robinson, Esq., M. P. P O. Mowatt, Esq., Solicitor in Chancery James Elliott, Solicitor Mr. Michie, Merchant Peter Patterson, Esq., Merchant Mr. James Inglis, Wellington Hotel Mr. Collins, Merchant *. Hugh McDonald, Esq William Atkinson, Esq.... Mr, Thomson, Merchant • Rev, Mr. Roaf. Rev. John Jennings *.,......... The Hon. James Spencer Lidstone Ow6n & Miller, Coach-mukers Robert W, S. MacKay, Esq., Montreal , W. Wilson, Esq., Branch Bank of Montreal V^/