ir IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k A o >n.^ 4 1.0 I.I i 125 Uj Ijjjg ^ 1^ |2.0 IL25 III 1.4 1 1.6 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SM (716) •72-4503 d s^ v V ^t^% 4% CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notas techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibiiographicaliy unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur |~~| Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagte Covers restored and/or laminavod/ Couverture restaur^e et/ou pelliculAe I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couleur Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or blacic)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ ReliA avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re iiure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int^rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ il se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouttes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, male, iorsque cela 6talt possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmtes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il iui a AtA possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibiiographique, qui peuvent modil'er une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger una modification dans la mithode normale de filmage sont indlqute ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ n This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagies Pages restored and/oi Pages restaurtes et/ou pellicuites Pages discoloured, stained or foxet Pages dAcolortes, tachettes ou piqutes Pages detached/ Pages ditachtos Showthroughy Transparence Quality of prir Quality inigale de I'lmpression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du materiel suppl6mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible [~~| Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ r~7| Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ ["71 Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I ~| Includes supplementary material/ I — I Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refllmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6tA filmtes A nouveau de fa9on it obtenir la meilleure image possible. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 18X ?0X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmad hara hat baan raproducad thanka to tha ganaroalty of: Library of tha Public Archivas of Canada L'axamptaira f ilmA f ut raproduit grica A la gAnAroaltA da: La bibliothb . ie das Archivas publlquas du Canada Tha imagas appearing hara ara tha bast quality possibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibllity of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacif Icatlons. Las imagas sulvantas ont At* raproduitas avac la plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da I'axamplaira filmA, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat d(i filmaga. Original copiaa in printed paper covers ara filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated Imprea- sion, or tha back cover when appropriate. All other original copies ara filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or iliuatratad Impres- sion, and ending on the laat page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplairas originaux dont la couvartura en pepier eat ImprimAa sent filmAs en commenpant par la premier plat at an tarminant soit par la dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impreaaion ou d'illustration, soit par la second plat, salon la cas. Tous les autres axempleires originaux sont f llmte an commandant par ia pramlAre page qui comporte una empreinte d'impreaaion ou d'iliuttration at en terminant par la darnlAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shell contain tha symbol — »• (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "RND"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la darnlAre imege de cheque microfiche, seion la cas: la symbols — ► signifie "A fUiVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". ■Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included In one expoaura are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framea as required. The following diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul ciichA, 11 est f llmA A partir da I'angle supirieur gauche, de gauche h droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant ia nombre d'imagea nAcassaire. Los diagrammas suivants illustrant ia m^thoda. 12 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^ <^^ s* : '.-it. .^^' LETTER ON 'FREE TRADE, ,1 AND NAVIGATION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE, ADDRESSED TO THE ^^ EARL OF ELGIN AND KINCARDINE, OOVXRNOR-OENERAL OF HER MAJESTY's NORTH AMERICAN POSSESSIONS ; /^^BY JAMES BUCHANAN, ESQ., /late her MAJESTY'S CONSUL AT NEW YORK:^ WITH AN APPENDIX, SHEWING THAT IT IS CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OF ENGLAND, TO RAISE A REVENUE FROM THE MANUFACTURE OF SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS, AS ABETTING CRIME. TORONTO: SCOBIE & BALFOUR, ADELAIDE BUILDINGS, KING-STRECT. 1846. PRICE ONE SHILLING. ■4. '?.- .(. y: '.i» ' />■ » J .\ 'i: i .1 y L.t . r i 't K '* f~:/ Falls op Niagara, .. ... 15th October, 1846. To the Right Honourable the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, Governor General, \ My Lord, justice will say, *'iny brethren mid | fellow-subjects claim a preference in my dealings :" / true ; but if my brethren neither will be allowed, nor can accommodate me, unless at a sacrifice on my part, I ask upon what principle of justice, should I be taxed and punished for their advantage i Viewing the monopolists, comprising the great manufacturing, and mining companies of the United States ; as it respects their rank, influence, and luxu- ries of life, comparable with the British aristocracy, including the West India proprietors and landed interest, opposed to free trade in corn ; these are all united to require that the entire people should be taxed to uphold their respective classes ; yet not one of these classes have to devote one day in 365, to labour, or yield one drop of sweat, to afford food for their families. S^V' OJ I now turn to the protection, contended for by electioneering candidates, in favour, as they call it, of our Canadian farmers, which I denounce as injut" tice to the community at large, without increasing their advance in wealth, or general improvement; and I ask, upon what principle can such be claimed ? save to retaliate for the imposts upon our produce on importation into the United States. So that inju^ tice begets injustice ; yet it is called by both — ffro^ tection! I shall examine the ground on which it is claimed in favour of my fellow-subjects, the Canadian farmers, in whose prosperity I am deeply j interested. I I ^ \ Is tho cliinate of Canada inferior, or more un- healthy ?*•' Is the quality of the land inferior? Have they to pay more for their lands ? Have they, in general, greater difficulty in reaching a market ? Are not their local assessments under their own control ? Looking at the lands some time under cultivation, all admit (including citizens of the United States), that I ever conversed with, that in all these natural advan- tages, the Canadian farmer has a decided superiority, save some of the newly opened townships as to market. In justice, however, I am bound to admit, that while the United States farmers are not required, to contri- bute to the support of the general government ; as is also the case with the Canadian; yet they are :;^xempt from duties on tea, coffee, molasses, sugar, tobacco, as well as some other articles of necessary consumption. While I have no doubt, but in justice to the*' provinces, as all favour is to be withdrawn from their exports to the United Kingdom, the impe- rial duties will cease to be levied in Canada. Where- fore then, have the residents in many parts of Canada, who have to purchase any portion of their household wants, produced by their fellow-subjects, to pay for meats, butter, cheese, and all kinds of bread-stuffs and grain, from ten to twenty-five per cent.; while for furniture, machinery, harness, hardware, with many of the necessary fabrics from the States, used in clothing, a still higher rate has to be paid than in ♦ In respect to climate, I have in view that part formerly known as Upper Canada ; while fever and ague, and many diseases common in the United States, are not known in Lower Canada; and in my neighbourhood, the ^ disease called consumption is unknown. the Statefl, arising from what is termed protection but from which, I have no doubt, the free trade prin- ciple, if honestly carried out, will relieve us, and prove of incalculable advantage to the province at large, by the emulation it will give rise to. My Lord, I openly avow my conviction (as 1 am not a candidate for a seat in the Provincial Legislature) , while I am aware I shall, for some years, suffer re- proach, that so long as wo have the protection under which we now suffer, I view Euch as a premium for indiO lenco and want of energy in the groat body of our agriculturists and working jjeople ; and that from that emulation which freedom of trade would introduce, all residing in the province, who have to sell, would adopt the energy so manifest outcrossing the frontier into tha States. I feel pleasure in having seen in Ikomib districts, farming industiy well rewarded ; some old Putch loyalists, some few Scotch, but chiefly those from the United States, give proof of the suc- ..ci^s attending energy and attention, to an impro^^n^ etate of cultivating their lands, particularly from sub- soil or deep ploughing ; while I regret that the produe- ' tion of butter and cheese, fattening of sheep and cattle, j^ave been as yet but partially regarded. Yet, from the price of labour, such pursuits would prove more advantageous ; and as population increases, and the subject better understood, the dairy, and rearing of cattle, will, I doubt not, become general. All en- gaged in relation to the dairy must bear in mind, that it is by the head the cow gives milk ; without the supply there be abundant, the return to the pail J 10 win be scant. I would suggest the great advantage of the cultivation of lucerne : one acre properly culti- vated, would prove an ample supply, for some year««, for four cows during the season of grass being scarce. Bran, shorts, or Indian meal should be given daily with the other food (if lucerne be not cultivated), to produce abundance of milk. The disgraceful, as well as unprofitable state, of milch cattle and sheep ; -with few exceptions, is evidence of want of attention to that source of profit, and demands punishment, rather than what is called protection. The little attention hitherto paid to the breed of cattle, sheep, and pigs, is a reproach to the province. While in justice, the efforts made by Sir Peregrine Maitland to improve the breed of pigs, is ith that of the late Mr. Gait ; also of the Hon. Mr. Fergusson, Dr. Hamilton of Queenston, Mr. Prince of Sandwich, and some others, as to fine cattle and tillage, — such gentlemen should be regarded as the best friends of .he province. It may be asked, would I throw open our ports to he United States ? Certainly not ; but upon terms of just reciprocity. While, from my knowledge of the leading and influencial men in the States, I have no doubt, if the subject is approached through a proper channel, ^uch will be met in a spirit of liberality and good feeling, notwithstanding the clamour as to the late reduction of the tariff by Congress ; such cla- mour being used for electioneering purposes, arising from that deplored evil, and so considered by all respectable citizens, viz., '' Universal Suffrage," 11 vantage It culti- e yearfl^ scarce, m daily ited), to jful, as sheep ; itention jhment, e little sheep, hile in aitland he late n. Dr. idwich, — such inds of )rts to terras of the .ve no proper y and to the h clar- rising >y all s oK the cancer of the United States, and tic doloreux all in office.^'' 1/ My Lord, from the result of much observation, it \ has long been my opinion that the abolition of all custom-houses, and all restraint on commerce, would be productive of great prosperity. But the long existence of the system has raised so many guards against such a desirable state, that the object cannot be approached but gradually. At my advanced period of life, I can have no hope to see even a near approach to it ; yet, as sure as just principles of liberty gain ground, and the energies of men are freed from all impolitic restraint in commercial intercourse, fifty years will not pass before the vexatious exactions and fetters on human enterprise will gradually pass away ; while the upholders oi protection will be placed among the] enemies of their country's prosperity* ^ When we take into consideration the vast expen- diture connected with the collecting of the revenue, arising from commerce, including the buildings, and i host of officers necessarily connected with the wyU- \^ tem, I conclude that a small portion of the indirect I taxation, all are subject to pay, would be ample« for/ * The great evil of universal suffrage, is, that it has lowered the respect- ability of the Electors ; placing men who have no stake in the country, on the rame footing as to voting, with those who have much to guard and much to lose. The remedy is, by raising the character of the elected, and that alone , can be effected by doing away with daily pay. There is now no state in the anion, but abounds with honorable and talented men, having much at stake, ready to fill the halls of legislation ; who will consider (as it ever should be) an honor to devote a portion of their time to the public service 1 These views accord with the sentiments of honorable and talented citizens, not inferior to any class of men on earth, but who are trodden down by universal suffrage. — From this awful evil, I trust Canada will b'. saved ; as any industrious sober man, by the labour of his.4)&n hands, in less than seven years, can acquire property to vote, and none but men having a stake in the country should have the privilege. 12 the support of the state ; provided any approach to new England economy prevailed, while all reflecting men not in office deeply regret, the great increase of extravagance, which has arisen in the Administration of the affairs of this Province since Lord Sydenham's time.' / After this digression my Lord, I turn again to the subject of trade. Nearly eighteen years ago, I pub- lished a pamphlet in relation to the navigation of th6 St. Lawrence : being in office, I did not affix my name to it, while it was known I was the author, and I was honored with abuse, (as I shall be for this effort), but ^aper shot, I ever regarded of little importance, as I was aware the time would come, when the principles I advocated would be approved. That period has to some extent arrived, while care must be taken, that the interest of the Empire may be kept in view, of which I trust Canada may ever remain a patt, firtnly persuaded the prineiples I advocate is essential to such continuance. An Empire, With which, nond that has yet existed since the creation, has been productive of so much good to man, both as it reSpeets his temporal and eternal interest. The following is the pamphlet, and I respectfully intreat, your Lordship, to bear in mind, the period at which it was written, as some of the restraints then existing, ^have been modified. It bears date 20th Nov* 1828 ;-^ A — / • Tho following fi.tract is from the Quebec Gazette, in reference to thd I creation of public debt : — " Indeed since we have got elective institUtiblM 1 responsible government, or self government, the whole eountrv is in the hig^ [ road to excessive taxation, under which * free trade' will aflbrd very Uttlft \ relief, as it will be impossible to sell cheap, and support the tax gatherers, aiMt \ those who live on the money, or quarrel about it." tsmr 'i 18:— 13 The Opening op the Navigation op tiie St. Lawrence Considered. — Fifty years since, the Island of Cuba, or Port of New-Orleans, was deemed by not a few essential in the English scale, to coun- teract the influence which the United States would one day exercise in relation to British supremacy on the ocean ; the present trade of the T\ estern States, and great extension of the United States was not then in Tiew. The trade by the Mississippi, it may be stated, will, in a few years, outrun the most extrava- gant estimate, notwithstanding the efforts which are making by the States of New- York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, by means of the canaht and railroads now in progress, to draw part of the com- merce from its natural outlet, the Mississippi, through these Atlantic States. Such efforts are by artificial means, and are onerous, clogged with many obstacles, and will entail heavy and unavoidable imposts. If it be BO important an object to the Atlantic States, to draw a portion of the western commerce through their artificial ducts, what should be the policy of Her Majesty's Government, when they look at the map, and perceive that the great British outlet by the St. Lawrence washes a lake and river navigation of about four thousand miles running into the Western States, and reaching towards the Rocky Mountains ? As it is deemed so important by the States to *ncur so much expense in making canals and railways, to obtain a portion of the trade, is it not worth serious reflection on the part of Her Majesty's Grovemment, to consider how far British interests may be promoted by opening the navigation of the St. Lawrence *- 7 to the western trade of the United States? The subject should be taken in a two-fold light ; politi- cally and commercially — and, first, politically : May we not view Quebec as possessing all the ' advantages which the politicians to whom I referred allowed to New- Orleans, provided the navigation of the St. Lawrence should be thrown open ? The States of Vermont, New- York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, to which I might add Kentucky and Ten- nessee; by means of the canals now in progress, would all become deeply interested in the free navigation of the St. Lawrence. Far be it from me to adopt the Machiavelian policy of cherishing distinct interests between the States, in order to promote British /interests ; on the contrary, my aim is to perpetuate peace by giving an interest in the navigation of the St. Lawrence, which would be destroyed by a war, as it cannot be understood by any but by such as have been resident in the United States, what an amazing influence a s malH nterest. cast by a judicious policy into the scale of any party, can produce on the public measures of the Republic. But setting apart any con- siderations tending to keep alive British interests in a people not subject to the Crown of England, I will endeavour to show that the opening of the trade of the St. Lawrence is a measure fraught with interest to Canada and to the British Empire : and here an objection may be stated by such as will allege that the opening this trade would create a school for navi- gators inimical to British interests, who would be ready to unite in conquering and separating Canada i! ! 16 from England. Results of a character quite opposite to this doctrine may be expected, when the navigation of the River is opened as every man whose trade would lead him to the West, would become interested in ever y measure tending to preserve it open, and as has been hinted at, hostile to what would interfere with, or interrupt it. Let the Americans bordering on, or connected with the lakes and river, feel they have an interest in the open trade of the river, and the general government of the United States will find it difficult to enter into a war so long as we possess Quebec, thereby wielding such power of checking or promoting the interests of their commerce ; nor will they readily support any President, or any measures which may endanger their commercial prosperity. But to leave these high and momentous questions to the statesman, it may be fitter to meet the objections which will flow from the adoption of the proposed measure. There are some who fear that the trade would be chiefly carried on by Americans, and that French and China goods would be introduced into Canada. That such might be introduced into the United States by that channel, in consequence of the high tariff lately passed in the States is probable, but the mea- sure contended for can excite no fears as to a contra- band trade injurious to British interests. In fact, the danger arising from smuggling would rest entirely with the States. But if the British merchant enjoyed the same privileges in the China trade as the Ameri- can merchant, great advantages would arise to the 16 Port of Quebec, separate from the dutie« that the introduction of these foreign articles would supply to the Colonial Treasury. The narrow and selfish policy of the East India Company, though driven to send teas to Quebec, still operates on those arrangements, which private mer- chants would obviate, not only in the selection of teas suitable to the market, but also to sell them at such ta rate as would make the market of Canada assume that position as to the United States, which the latter recently possessed in relation to the Colonies, viz., the warehouse for the supply of thQir teas, and ^^ India manufactures. Another cause of apprehension, is the admission of American produce or manufacture into Canada, This objection could only be made by those ignorant of the trade, as the protecting duties and charg^^ being equal to fifty per cent., on importation which the manufacturers deem inadequate to enable them to compete with the British ia the United Bt»te6 ; in fact, there is no article of coneumption in the Canadas but what may be afforded by the British mnch lower ^ than the American manufsusturer, jid by thus opening the navigation, British msdaufactures caji and will find their way into the heart of th« United Btates. Did clearer views prevail as to freedom of commerce, there is no part of tho empire wher€ it eould be exer* cised with more effect for the advantage of Uie Britiisih manufacturer and shipping interest than in Can1 duty, while I respectfully Hulmiit, tlio incasuro I propose, would in souio degree meet the wants of the Province, and if further cxtenrhxl in no material extent, (if at all) defeat the great object of the navigation laws. It is to bo observed if my recollection is correct, that under peculiar circumstances these laws have been partially relaxed, and when I take into consi- deration the great proportion of her Majesty's subjects, who at present are employed in navigating vessels in the mercantile, and naval service of the United States ; the creation of seamen to man the British Navy, would in no serious degree be affected by the open navigation of the St. Lawrence.-' I there- fore propose, that all vessels bringing their authorised number of emigrants to Quebec or Montreal, should be permitted to take in return, cargoes to British possessions or elsewhere. The peculiar circumstances arising from the altered Btate of trade, and mode of conveyance of merchandize, alone could justify any devoted servant of the Crown in proposing any change in the navigation laws, regarded as they have been, but from the change referred to, by which the produce of the Province can be forwarded to England, so much less from New • My long residence at New York, in my consular office, enabled me to form an estimate of the comparative number of British seamen, in the merchant foreign service of the United States, excluding the vessels ia the whaling and fishing trade, (the vessels in that line being manned exclusively by citizens, who ship on shares and what is worthy of particular notice, not one glass of spirituous liquor is allowed in that frigid and arduous service), fully half are British subjects, and the same holds good as to the United States navy, while many say, I would be nearer the truth to say two-thirds. \ 22 York than by Montreal and at all seasons/^ and also viewing the contemplated railway route from Montreal to Portland, what statesman would calculate on upholding the British Navy, by destroying the carry- ing trade in vessels to and from Montreal andQuebec, while in the shipping navigating the St. Lawrence, four-fifths would be subjects of her Majesty. I earnestly submit to your Lordship's consideration, that the natural advantages of the St. Lawrence, and the privileges arising from the peculiar position of that part of the Province, lying between Lakes Erie, Huron, and Ontario, if called into action, with the energy which characterises our enterprising neighbours, an opening would be afforded, embracing and controlling the intercourse with the Pacific and the Atlantic at no distant day, and in a short time, draw through that part of the province the greater part, if not the entire travelling inter- course between the Western States and the cities ^1 of New York and Boston. Not only, my Lord, may a portion of the vast products of the west be drawn by Montreal, by a liberal policy ; but the vast number of citizens passing from the states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, the Wisconsin, Upper Mississippi, Missouri and Oregon Territories, from the lines of communication partly in operation and determined * The following extract I take from the Canadian Economitt, of the 24th