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Maps, plates, charts, etc., mey be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames ss required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: t ■■■ t- : .J . 3 Les cartes, pianches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque ke document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul cllchA, 11 est fiimA A partir de Tangle supArieur geuche. de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcesssire. Les diagrammes suivants iliustrent le mAthode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 :«■ MP '- '■■•" I- ■,- ■ -.1'. COLONIAL POLICY, MILITARY COLONIZATION, AKD THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. r wmmm m COLONIAL POLICY, WITH HINTS UPON THE FORMATION OP MILITARY SETTLEMENTS. TO WHICH ABB ADDED OBSERVATIONS ON THE BOUNDARY QUESTION NCW PKNUING BETWEEN THIS COUNTRY AND THE UNITED STATES. <* Ceelum non nnimiim mutant qui trans mare currant." LONDON: JAMES COCHRANE AND CO., WATERLOO-PLACE. 1835. PRICE ONE SHILLING. BAYLI» AND LBIGHTON, JOHNSON'a-COUBT, rLBBT-STBBET. COLONIAL POLICY, Rmioration having now become a topic of general interest, few apologies on my part are necessary in communicating to the public the ideas I entertain upon the subject. Having seen the principal parts of our North American provinces, as well as a considerable portion of the United States, I have had an opportunity of witnessing, in all its stages, the advances of civilization in the New World. A continent that, but a couple of centuries ago, was the abode exclusively of the Indian wanior, now teems with a population speaking the English language, having transported to that hemisphere the habits and luxuries of Europe. Cold, indeed, must be the heart which can contemplate the suc- 'Sessful result of the emigrant's industry, without feeling proud of the nation that has sent him forth as one of the founders of an empire that, in a future age, may equal the glory and prosperity of the mother country ! It is gratifying to observe, after many years of comparative quies- cence upon this subject, that the nation is at last turning its regards to the advantages that emigration holds out to the mother country, as a favourable means of providing for the redundant population of the empire. Is it not then of the first importance that every exertion should be made, in order that the industry and enterprise of the emigrant should be well directed — that he may not only benefit himself and his adopted country, but become an immediate consumer of the manufactures of Great Britain .? If, therefore, as I conceive. \ B COLONIAL I'OMCY. |)i omigrntion coiistitiitoH a proininont (eiitiirr in tho iliitirs of a Htateiu itiiuj,— it* it he couHidcrcd of piirninoiint JmportHnoe to this country, no opportunity should ht> Uist in ohtaiiiin^ t^very information upon Uio suhjcrt; and an individual, iuiwcver hunihle he may be, should not hesitHte to submit his opinions thereupon to the judgment of hif countrymrn. i. 1 1 By reference to the history of the early formation of new colonies, few, if any, have been observed to prosper from the connnencement, unless founded upon military principles, or religious zeal. Witness the settlements of the Puritans of New Knglanci, and that of the Quakers in Pennsylvania, as well as our recent penal settlements in New Holland. Whence ctmu^s it that bigotry and despotism, in an inverse ratio to the generally received opinion, have contributed so benefically to the prosperity of new communities ? It is easily ex- plained. Under their influence each individual, voluntarily, or by compulsion, joins in supporting the general interest. " Union is strength," as we learn in the fable of the bundle of sticks ; but, in the other case, the adventurers not having either of these bonds to unite together, fail in their undertakings, from the want of una- nimity in the', councils. This, I believe, will be found the true reason for the failure or tardy improvement of many former colonial societies. In illustration of the beneficial eflfects resulting from religious fervour, I may refer the reader to the history of a German community, under the direction of an enthusiast of the name of Rapp, that exists at the present moment in the state of Ohio. That settlement is very prosperous, and its interior economy is much admired. Rapp unites in himself the power and influence of priest and king ; he regulates and disposes of the property of his followers for the general benefit ; the produce of the labour of each member of the society being for the interest of the community. I merely mention this circumstance, to illustrate the power religion furnishes to some individuals, whereby to control the proceedings of others ; but in nowise do I recommend it to be followed as an example. It is rather to shew the necessity of some systematic plan of emigra- tion being adopted, in preference to allowing it to take its own course, as seems the present policy of the government. In the dis- posal of the uncultivated land now in in the hands of the crown, due consideration should be exercised. The object to be attained, ror.oNiAi. foi.icY a heinpf to Beciire to tlie cnpUalhi who eniigrateB n certainty of iiu'ctin/j^ with a supply of labourers, ■which can only be cflected by putting fluch a price upon the land, that the poorer clasn may be pro- venteOLICY. stated to exceed the amount of tax imposed in Upper €lanadai( >//<(<,(! v >no must have an influence in determining upon the price to be fixed' upon unsettled tracts belonging to the crown. That republic po»*< sesses many millions of acres of the richest soil, situated in every - clime. As I have previously mentioned, the whole is sold at five shil-^ lings and sevenpence-halfpenny per acre ; and when one reflects » upon the endeavours that are made by that nation to decoy the British emigrants from the Canadas to her own soil, it must be apparent that it would not be prudent to dispose of our lands at a higher price than demanded for land equally good on the other side of the frontier line. This makes it desirable to fix a price, if any thing, lower than theirs ; and I imagine I shall not err much by recommending the crown lands in all those colonies to be sold at five shillings sterling per acre. It must be borne in mind by those who have had no experience in the colonies, that land of inferior quality is much enhanced in value by the occupation and cultivation of the neighbouring richer soil, and ultimately will sell at the same price the latter origmally fetched. The early emigrant 'vill naturally look out for the best situations, and who will grudge him the reward of his superior judgment and enterprise? -;.., ,- »,i « 1..^, t Perseus who may consider the price of five shillings an acre as too ^ low, in order to accomplish the object I have in view, of insuring a sufficient supply of labourers to the enterprising capitalist, I must beg them to reflect that this price being received < nl . in ready money, no credit in any case being allowed, will in realiiy very much increase the COLONIAL POLICY. 1 UU i #* difficulty that the pooreriolass may have in becoming purchasers. BcT^ sides, the labourer, before he has determined upon purchasing viM uncleared land, will, no doubt, first ascertain whether his little capital is sufficient to enable him to stock his farm, and subsist himself and family for the first year, and until he have a return from the soil ; if not, he will hesitate before he make a purchase. -!' ■ • - ■\i\m It was otherwise when the government granted land to poor emi- grants ,' they, in that case, would locate themselves upon it without reflection as to their means, regarding the grant as of little value, be- cause, forsooth, they got it for nothing. And it is very well known that capital bears a much higher interest in our colonies than at home ; in New S< luth Wales ten per cent, is commonly received for money borrowed. Therefore it must be evident, that the difficulty of paying five slii. lings ready money for each acre of land, will almost be equivalent to piiying ten shillings for the same in annual instal- ments. Should thi' ready money price of five shillings per acre be found upon experiment too low, it will be very easy to raise it; yet I should recommend that in case of the prosperity of the colony ad- mitting of an increase, that the price be raised gradually — for instance, by adding one shilling every year, until the admitted proper price be arrived at ; otherwise, a sudden change in the value of pro- perty, already occupied, would take place, in proportion to the in- creased price of the wild land, which might induce the colonists to speculate upon such a change, representing it as necessary to the government, with a view to their own advantage. As in all other commodities, the value of land is regulated by the quantity in the market, and the difficulty and facility of acquiring it. If further evidence were necessary to be adduced, it will be found amongst the whole of the early settlements in North America. Since thenar west has been opened to the enterprise of the emigrant, the value of land in those parts has not increased — in many cases it has actually fallen ; instances of which may be observed at the head of Lake Ontario, in Upper Canadi). Of course I do not allude to those parts of the coun- try that have become sites for towns and their vicinity ; those spots have risen in %'alue to an enormous amount. One of the great advantages resulting from selling all lands, whe- ther good or bad, at a regular fixed price, would be in causing the settlers to concentrate themselves ; the whole country being equally 8 I I I COr.OXIAL VOLICY. open for purchase at one ]>rice, there wouhl not be the same induce- ment held out to wander afar in search of a cheap location, or as the Americans term it, " a good fix." The French, in their settlements in Canada, have borne this object in view ; and a very material one it is to the advancement of a colony ; few who have not been in a new country can sufficiently appreciate the reciprocal benefit arising from contiguous settlements. The French system of seigneuries was admirably adapted to the age in which they were established ; with a few modifications it would not be found inapplicable to the present feelings of society. The Lower Canadian farms have only three acres frontage upon the high road, or upon the river, which gives the country the appearance of one continued village. Such concenWation of the inhabitants conduces admirably to preserve civilized habits, and engender kindly feeling towards each other. As long as the stream of emigration flows into a colony, it is pre- sumed that the annual receipts arising from the sale of wild lands, in addition to a small duty upon imported gooory waggon kept \'or pleasure, £15, &c. &c. 10 COLONIAL POLICY. proving the couutry, by building bridges and conatructing roads, and that the amount raised would be generally in commuted labour, I am sure the settlers would find no difficulty in paying it. In the first stages of the formation of the county, I am convinced the rate per acre I have fixed .would not be too high ; it is a question whether it would be high enough, but it is usual to join several counties toge- ther into a district, to which one court-house and jail suffices, until the counties are rich enough to separate, and build their own esta- blishments. This tax, together with all the lands at the disposal of the crown, being open for purchase at one regular price, would deter the speculator from holding his land in hopes of getting a better price ; the annual outgoings would be considerable, and, without he were a man of some capital, could not be met. I object to farmers occupying so large a number of acres as they generally do ; there are few farms in Upper Canada so small as one hundred acres, they are gene, ally of two hundred, and out of that large quantity it is rare to see forty-five acres under cultivation. In my opinion, ordinarily they should not exceed fifty acres ; forty-five, well cultivated, with five acres left in reserve for fire- wood and other purposes, would be as much as most farmers, with their families, could manage properly. The annual tax, and the certain knowledge of being able, at a future time, to purchase land at a reasonable rate for the farmer's rising family, would induce him to consider such a farm large enough. As it is, he says — " Why should I not speculate in a small way upon the improvements arising from my o^n exertions!*" But, had he to pay the tax, he would probably decide differently. However, none has a better right to speculate in this manner than the resident farmer, should he be so disposed. I remember meeting, on my way to Pennetanguishine (our naval station upon Lake Huron, the road to which I may certainly call abominable), with a respectable settler, possessed of some considerable property, who informed me that he had established himself in that district about fifteen years ago, in the expectation that his example would be followed, and that in a few years he would find himself surrounded by a thriving population ; but he had been grievously disappointed. The wild lands (a colonial phrase), he discovered, when too late, belonged to gentlemen residing at the seat of govern- ment (York, now Toronto), or to military officers serving or residing W COLONIAL POLICY. 11 ,und I am first per ler it toge- until esta- •sal of deter better out he 'armers lere are ley are rare to ily they ith five Id be as (roperly. a future 's rising igh. As upon the le to pay none has t farmer, »ur naval ainly call isiderable If in that example d himself grievously iscovered, f govern- r residing ill different parts of the world, and to whom no reference could be found. This is one of many similar cases I had an opportunity of observing during my travels in that country. A very serious obstacle exists to the improvement and prosperity of the colonies, in having two-sevenths of every surveyed township reserved for the use of the crown and clergy. These reserves are, consequently, denominated crown and clergy reserves, and are not disposed of until they have acquired a considerable value by the sur- rounding improvements. Each township is divided into lots, con- taining two hundred acres ; and when surveyed, the reserved lots are chequered throughout, so as to place them in as isolated situations, as regards themselves, as possible. The emigrant, being aware of this, naturally avoids settling in their immediate vicinity ; for he is obliged, together with his neighbours, to cut the road in front of these lots, or to remain without the means of communication. In fact, it is a real grievance to the colonists, and should be altered as speedily as possible. The crown and clergy, in this manner, place themselves in the situation of the private land speculator, whom I have already described as so much to be guarded against. In new countries, land being so easily attained, every person is desirous of cultivating his own property ; it would be therefore diffi- cult to find tenants for the occupation of these reserves ; at any rate, very long leases would be required, which, perhaps, would render it preferable for the crown to dispose of them for ready money. In Prince Edward's Island, the usual leases given are for 999 years, and many instances occur of legal disputes between the landlord and tenant. The system of granting leases should be particularly avoided when the landlord is represented by the crown and clergy. I think I have said enough to prove the impolicy of the system of reseri, now in operation ; and, at the same time, to show the neces- sity of equally guarding against the private speculator. At the future formation of a colony, it will be very easy to adopt a different line of policy ; but to alter the system now in force to the one I propose, requires caution. May I suggest that the reserves in the old-esta- blished townships be valued ; and, without much difficulty and ex- pense, I think that may be accomplished at the seat of government, from the plans in the Surveyor-General's office. As soon as the governor in council lias satisfied himself that the valuation is a correct 12 COLONIAL POLICY. one, those lots should be open for purchase, at ready money ternis» in the same manner as the other lands are disposed of. It is needless to observe more upon the subject of the clerical pro- perty, than that one-seventh of the general annual receipts might be applied to the church establishment, which would have one good effect — it would deprive that portion of the community hostile to the established church of an every-day grievance, which, being constantly before their eyes, tends to inflame the minds of the colonists against an institution of which they, otherwise, might be zealous supporters.* With respect to the wild land now in the possession of private persons, I suggest that, if the annual tax of threepence per acre be twelve months due, that the land shall be taken out of the proprietor'» hands, valued, and sold by the government, for the benefit of the pro^ prietors, under which arrangement the land should be exempt from tax until disposed of; and many would be induced, voluntarily, I am sure, to submit to such an arrangement, to whom the amount of taxa- tion might be a serious inconvenience. The proprietor would get a fair price for his land, and, not having contributed to the improve- ment of the country around, could not legitimately consider himself a loser, in consequence of any additional value his property may attain from the enterprise and industry of the emigrants. In fact, he would get the value of his land the moment there were purchasers, it being always open for sale. Oreat care, however, should be taken by the, governor not to have the private lands valued too high ; otherwise, the government, indirectly, would become a supporter to the land specu- lator, by freeing lum from the burden of taxation. * Perhaps it would be advisable to establish a tithe upon all lands, for the support of religion, upon the same principle as that instituted amongst the Roman Catholic population of Lower Canada, which amounts to one twenty- sixth upon all produce, obliging every individual so tithed to support one of the three moitt prevalent religions, namely— the Episcopalian, .he Scotch Presby- terian, or the R ^man Catholic. There are so many of the last two persuasions in the North American Colonies, that it would be but justice to afford them every facility, to enable them to follow their own mode of worship, and, by that means, it is presumed, that the other dissenting sects would be deterred from raising any opposition to the Episcopalian church establishment To attempt to uphold the Episcopalian church exclusively, to the prejudice of all other denominations of Christians, in a colony contiguous to the United States, would be both dangerous ao/d impolitic. Mi COLONIAL POLrCY. 13 ■M M It is my firm conviction that the onfy opposen that would be found to a bill framed upon the above principles being brought before the colonial legislature;, would be the land jobbers, who, though a powerful body at the seat of government, would find themselves in the minority amongst the re^ esentatives of the people^ In fact, a measure calculated to be of such service to the welfare of the country, would be hailed as a most liberal boon by the colonists generally. I am inclined to think that the wild land in our colonies in NeW' Holland should be sold at the same price as that in British America—* and for this reason. In New Holland there exists no neighbouring republic that has thrown off her allegiance to the mother country, and which at the present period is exerting all her endeavours to in* duce emigrants to resort to her territory. Therefore, in New Holland we may be guided entirely by circumstances peculiar to that country ; and although the distance the emigrant has to transport himself is very much further than to North America, yet the rate of labour in all new countries is so much higher than at home, more particularly in the remote colonies, that the price of five shillings per acre is only sufficient to secure to the capitalist a supply of labourers, who would assuredly leave him were the land sold at a lower rate. I consider the delightful climate of New Holland as equivalent to the richer soil of Canada, and to the increased expence of the vryage there ; and I have observed in America, that the settlers upon the lighter or inferior soils are generally more prosperous than those who have chosen a richer country. This is accounted for from the increased expense of working, or bringing the latter into cultivation. But still I must not forget that the farms In New Holland are principally for raising sheep, consequently differing very much firom the ordinary mode of farming in North America. The quantity of land necessary to an emigrant for grazing, bears no comparison with what is necessary for agriculture ; and it appears customary in those colo- nies for the government to rent out large tracts of land in the remote districts for the express purpose of being grazed. Whether it would be advisable to make a distinction between the price of lands avail- able for agriculture, and those only available for pasture^ I will not pretend to decide. Yet I have heard that many grazing farms in Van Dieman's land would fetch (if sold) a pound an acre ; if so I am still of opinion that the government, even in tlutse colonies, should 14 COLONIAL POLICY. :ii adhere to one uniform price, which might be at the same rate as I have recommended for the North American colonies. A great mistake has been made in Canada, by encouraging emi- grants of all descriptions to penetrate into the wilderness in search of locations ; it perhaps arises from the present mode of disposing of the lands ; but whatever the cause may be, it is decidedly an erroneous system. The colony should grow from the parent root, that is to say, the older settlers should make way for those newly arrived ; they generally will be too happy to dispose of their cultivated farms for ready money, and will purchase an uncleared lot in some distant set- tlement ; they then become the pioneers, and are better able to un- dergo the difficulties that must be encountered. It is a common custom in America for persons to sell their " bet- terments,*' (improvements upon a lot of land, comprising the log hut, out-houses, and the ground cleared of trees), and remove ^o another spot to go through the same work again, and perhaps again sell and remove further into the wilderness, some preferring to reside at a dis- tance from other settlers. I remember hearing of a person of that description in Lpper Canada, who actually removed, because settlers were locating themselves within thirty miles of his habitation. A great number of officers have settled upon their grants of land, and I am confident, with few exceptions, they would have been wiser to have refused their grants upon the terms of actual residence ; and to have purchased, in preference, small cultivated farms with buildings upon them in a well settled part of the country. In the end it would be a cheaper purchase ; the expense of removing themselves, their baggage, furniture, &c. over miserable roads is very great, and their ignorance of the customs of the country would soon make itself ap- parent in the diminution of their purse. The Canadian back-wood's- man goes " into the bush," with his axe over his shoulder, with the addition of a barrel of pork, a barrel of biscuit, ami some common whiskey, and thinks himself well provided ; he contents himself with erecting a shanty,* until he can conveniently supply its place by a log-hut ; he then exclusively applies himself to the clearing of the ground. To reverse this picture, and to demonstrate the different mode of proceeding adopted by the officer upon his grant, suffice it * A shanty is u temporary hut formed with boughs of trees, having the front open, at tiie entrance of which a blazing fire is kept up to warm the inmates. •yf^-' % ^ w COLONIAL POLICY. 15 emi- rch of of the meous o say, they ms for nt set- to un- • « 6c/- og hut, another sell and at a dis- of that I settlers • of land, en wiser ice ; and luildings it would es, their and their itself ap- L-wood's- with the common iself with lace by a ig of the different suffice il ig the fruiit naiutes. w to say, I have heard in the bnck-woods a harp played as divinely as in any drawing-room in England ; the officer and his family are very happy and contented until the first excitement of settling is over ; but then they look around, and find they are, in a measure, cut off from society, and at a great distance from places where the neces- saries and conveniences of life can be procured. The church, the doctor, the mill for grinding his corn, the butcher's shambles, toge- ther with many other wants, are not to be procured except at a dis- tance, and withal it lias cost him more money to place himself in this inconvenient situation upon his grant, than if he had given it up altogether, and made a purchase of a cultivated farm. But as it is of importance to encourage persons of his situation in life to settle in the colonies, the officer should be entitled to his grant without being obliged to locate himself upon it, provided he binds himself to remain a certain number of years in the colony, and, in that case, should have the option of placing his grant in the hands of government for sale at the regulated price, in preference to subjecting himself to the annual tax. I am a decided enemy to the plan of the government now pursued of chartering " land companies ;" I cannot understand why the go- vernment should resign to a body of speculators the opportunity it possesses of well settling the country ; the only advantage a land company attains over the government is by puffing. There would be no necessity for puffing, provided the government only follow the plan I have suggested of selling all the land at a uniform fixed price for ready money, without making any reserves, except certain spots selected as the sites for towns ; and every emigrant, in communi- cating with his friends at home, if he merely state the simple truth, would be the means of inducing many to follow his example. An anecdote of an Irish labourer writing home to his friends about Upper Canada, may not be here out of place. After praising the country in various ways, he added, that he had meat twice a week ; upon showing his letter to his employer, he was reminded that he had meat every day of the week, as well as three times a day. ** Faith did he not know that by the same token, but sure his friends would disbelieve all he had said if he told them that." The settlement of a colony should go on progressively ; remote parts should not be prematurely called into notice, as in the case, for 16 COtOMlAL POLICY. ^\ instance, in respect to that tract of land in the eastern townships of Lower Canada, now belonging to the North American Land Com- pany. It is situated upon the frontier line dividing that province from the United States, which of itself is a reason why its nettle- ments should be deferred until the intermediate country be inhabited. There is plenty of excellent uncultivated land between the company's tract and the St Lawrence river, either in the hands of government or of private individuals, much more eligible for the settlement of emigrants. The climate of the most southern portion of the eastern townships is as rigorous as in the immediate vicinity of Quebec ; it is a mountainous district, which accounts for the severity of the winter. The settlers near Stanstead (the frontier town) are obliged to house their cattle five, if not generally six months out of the year ; maize (Indian corn) is frequently cut off, and even wheat is a preca- rious crop, but oats succeed admirably. When I was at Stanstead, in 1833, the inhabitants were dependant upon Montreal for their supply of bread. I met on my journey to Montreal many waggons laden with barrels of flour ; and when the distance of eighty miles |is consi- dered, principally over a very bad road, its value must have been ^nsiderably enhanced ; a very great drawback to the emigrant se- lecting that portion of the country, as he must necessarily purchase his daily food at an exorbitant price for a considerable period. Mon- treal is half a degree of latitude north of the frontier line, and yet the harvest upon the island of Montreal, and upon the borders of the St, Lawrence, was decidedly a fortnight earlier than at Stanstead, when I happened to travel from one place to the other, in 1833. The dif- ference was most evident as soon as I passed the Richelieu river. In the course of time, the company's tract in the eastern townships will become eligible for settlement, but I consider the present period premature. Numbers of persons have supported the formation of this company with the object of rendering their own lands, situated between the company's tract and the 8t. Lawrence, more valuable ; a great quantity of land might have been purchased prior to the for- mation of the company, at half a dollar per acre. I now perceive the company's minimum price is one dollar and a half; consequently pri- vate individuals, I have no doubt, have raised the price of their lands accordingly. I can without hesitation remark, that if a company can i^rd to speculate in the improvement of a remote district, it would COLONIAL POLICY. 17 ovince nettle- labited. ipany'g rnment nent of eastern >ec; it of the obliged le year ; preca- ttead, in : supply ns laden is consi- ave been grant se- purchase 1 Moii- [l yet the •f the St. ad, when The dif- iver. ownships nt period nation of situated luable; a the for- ceive the sntly pri- leir lands tpany can , it would m .m-: be equally advantageous for the government to do so, and at the same time might mure eficetually concentrate the population. In order to assist upon an extensive scale the redundant population of the empire in emigrating to our North American colonies, I pro- pose that a portion of the cost of their passage be defrayed by the government. Passages from Liverpool and Belfast, to Quebec or Montreal, are procurable for thirty shillings; therefore, if twenty shillings were paid to the owners of vessels for every emigrant above ten years of age, and ten shillings for every child under that age who shall be actually landed in any British port in North America, many poor persons wishing to emigrate, would be enabled to pay the difference, and provide themselves with food for the passage. To guard against persons who might endeavour to escape from justice by availing themselves of this assistance, it would be necessary that the government agent for emigrants at the port of embarkation should require a certificate from the officers of the parish (to which each person applying for this assistance in procuring a passage may belong), stating that the applicant is not suspected of having com- mitted any offence against the law, and that he or she has notified to them, his or her intention to emigrate fourteen days previous to the date of their certificate. Upon which the agent would deliver to the applicant a passport, which would be a sufficient warrant for the - commander of the vessel in which the emigrant embarks, to procure at the port of disembarkation an order upon the treasury for the amount ; provided, however, that the regulations regarding the treat- ment and accommodation of the emigrants on board shall have been strictly complied with. It is preferable that the government should only defray a part of the expense ; otherwise, the emigrant would not sufficiently estimate the advantage afforded ; he might embark with- out sufficient reflection, and afterwards might blame the government for having encouraged him to leave his native country. Very few would return; the industrious would soon feel the benefit of the change — the idle and dissipated would not have it in their power to procure a passage back. In a colony it is almost impossible to undertake any public im- provement, if proper judgment be used, without receiving a hand- some return for the capital expended ; and it is of importance thatj;he indigent emigrants upon arrival should be accommodated with im- D ;!n, for >r, and [I to be em the py bor- Parmers to get irrassed e, they >on ulti- ■ortunes mode of culating 1 oppor- auction, is pur- .ipon the le whole >rospects I ; he thus es in the sufficient n the co- ggest the y of the ates, and n propor- lould also o its full o insure a received, idividuals e persons ■-* would reap some benefit from the guod reputation they may have acquired. I must say a few words upon the form of government, which, in n)any colonies might be advantageously altered. The form of government in our North American provinces consists of a governor, or lieutenant-governor, as his majesty's representative, assisted by an executive or privy council, whose opinion he must ask in some cases, but he is not bound to ad upon their decision ; a legislative council, composed of persons appointed by his majesty for their lives, who in a measure are supposed to correspond with the House of Peers in England ; and a House of Assembly, the representatives of tlie people, elected in most colonies for four years, but liable to be dissolved at any moment by the king's representative, and the parlia- ment must be assembled once a year. It is unnecessary to make any comment upon the appointment of the king's representative, or upt'n the admirable arrangement which has given him the assistance of an executive or privy council, which also acts as a check upon his conduct. But the appointment of the legislative council is not equally faultless. There exists no class of men in a colony, from whom can be selected a body who may assi- milate to the aristocratic branch of the legislature at home. By an aristocratic body, I not only understiind a set of well-educated men, but a body whose political power and influence in the colony may be felt beyond the walls of the chamber they occupy, owing to their jjcr- manent private properly. I do not hesitate to say, that there exists no such class in any of our North American colonies: whom then does the legislative council represent ? Of what import can be their deliberations ? Their political in- fluence ceases at the threshold of their chamber ; they have no weight in the consideration of the people. Upon an examination of the names of those who compose the legislative council, it will be observed that the members have been selected from the civil functionaries under government, and from amongst the most wealthy merchants; and these persons are appointed for life, without regard to the caprices of fortune, in mercantile speculations ; so that it may happen that a legis- lative councillor may become a bankrupt. Whether merchants in their most prosperc '8 days should be members or not of such a house, I will not venture an opinion ; at any rate, a merchant whose I ;t ' '■ifSk,, 20 COLONIAL POLICY. 4 private affairs are not in a good condition, ought not to be considered the proper person to be entrusted with so much power. • In short> that body, as it is now composed, is a clumsy imitation of our house of peers, comprising all its defects and possessing none of its impor- tant advantages. The measures of the legislative council have only the effect of taking for a moment the odium and the responsibility from the shoulders of the governor, and transferring the animosity of the colonists towards the government at home ; and their interfer- ference considerably adds to the difficulty of carrying on the ma- chinery of colonial legislation. The representative of majesty requires no support — ^no interlopers between him and the representatives of the people. He should rely solely upon the king and the parliament of Great Britain for the sup- port of his dignity and power. Being appointed by the sovereign, he can maintain his rank and station in the colony, without the assistance of an intermediate branch of the legislature. It is different in a re- public like that of the United States ; there the president, deriving his power directly from the people, it becomes necessary to have an in- termediate branch of the legislature elected for a longer period, and in a different manner, than are the representatives of the people, in order to guard equally between their hasty democratic resolutions and the ambition of the first magistrate, or his truckling to the caprices of the people. Recollect, in that government, a majority of two- thirds in Congress renders invalid the president's veto to any bill ; therefore, it is doubly necessary that there should exist ci second chamber, or senate. Not so in our colonies, where the chief magis- trate is appointed by the king. Those persons who now form tlie legislative councillors, would in reality be of more use to the crown, in occupying seats in the other house, to counteract any democratic tendency existing there. By the present mode, the colony is deprived of many useful servants. As a proof of the inutility of the legislative council, I may refer the reader to the political state of Lower Canada. Has the council been able to counteract the proceedings of the Loi«rer Houue ? On the • Let not the governor of the plantation (say Lord Bacon) depend upon too many councillors and undertakers m the country that planteth, but upon a tern- porate number, and let those be rather noblemen and gentler^en than merchants, lor they look ever to the present gain. COLONIAL POLICY. 21 contrary, one of the grievances complained of by that assembly, is the mode of appointment of the council.* The House of Asser ibly pro- poses that it should be elective : I see many reasons to disagree upon the propriety of such a measure. Let it be entirely done away with, and the machinery of government will be much easier to manage. I would suggest that the members of the Assembly should be elected by farmers occupying fifty acres of land (the smallest quantity «oid by the crown), as regards the county members, and the members of towns carporaled, by householders paying a certain annual tax towards the expenses of the town. Corporated towns should only be allowed to return members. By this arrangement, I think thee would be no fear of a democratic preponderant, in the House of Assembly. Whilst upon the subject of the internal government of colonies, I may be allowed to say a few words upon the mode of carrying on the general government of our numerous colonies under the sole manage- ment of a minister of the cabinet. Is it probable that a gentleman appointed to that office, who possibly may never have left the British shore, should all at once thoroughly comprehend the various inte- rests, the feelings, and habits of men dwelling in regions, the climate and natural resources of which are as widely different as the two poles are asunder ? To prove that this is deeply felt in the colonies, I may be excused from quoting a sentiment to that effect, expressed by Mr. Andrew Stuart, a most eloquent member of the late House of Assembly in Lower Canada, on the occasion of a dinner being given to him by his political friends at Quebec, on the 17th of November last.+ • In reference to the political differences existing in Lower Canada, I may be permitted to suggest the immediate reunion of the Upper and Lower Provinces, the capital of which should be placed in a central position. By-town, on the Ottawa river, presen«^8 a favourable sitvction, being at some distance from the frontier line. These provinces never should have been disunited ; the free na- vigation of the St. Lawrence river being equally necessary to both, their sepa- ration was only laying the f'uundntion of future disputes. It would appear that the statesman who carried into effect this measure, had in contemplation to transplant to the western hemisphere a cause for a system of protocol upoi. protocol, which the discussion upon the *'ree navigation of the Scheldt, has originated in this quarter of the globe. •f- I am indebted to Mr. Andrew Stuart for much valuable information upon colonial policy, gp*,hered during the many agreeable hours I have passed, and I flatter myself not unprutitably, in his society at Quebec. If that highly -talented gentleman should ever peruse lhe;:e pages, I h^pc he will forgive the frcedum I have taken in mentioning Lis name on this side of the Atluulic. 22 COLONI.^L POLICY. In adverting to the unhappy existing uifFerences between tlie Lower House and his Majesty's Government, Mr. Stuart says, in reference to the proceedings of that party, " It is true, with a certain class of j>oliticians in this count: y, the names of the British isles are used as a reproach. For my part, I shall never learn to be ashamed of our blood and lineage, nor feel any other sentiment than that of contempt towards the men who can attempt to cast a stigma upon it. The British islands want not a defence from my feeble voice, nor from any other arms but their own. I pity the man who can read her history, without feeling his moral energies and patriotism invigorated, and who shall not be disposed in all humility as to himself to say, in shutting these illustrious pages, 'and I, too, am a Briton.' Whence then has arisen this daring in certain quarters, thu forgetfulne^s of all the favours conferred upon them by England, this open bearding of her authority ? Gentlemen, I must speak to you vnlh the same frankness upo;; this subject as I have tried to do upon others. It has proceeded yro/M thefrequcnt changes in the Colonial Office, both of per- sons and policy, and from the want of an efficient system of Colonial Government. So great have been the changes which have taken place within the last half century, that their effects could not but be felt in the colonies, and a system of government which might have done iot the feeble beginnings of the British Colonies after the sepa- ration of the old colonies from the empire, will not do for its present more advanced condition. In stating this, I, of course, mean not to cast any reproach upon the several gentlemen who have, in succes- sion, held the office of Secretary of the Colonies. I am too well aware of the difficulties of a colonial minister — too well satisfied that the burthen cast upon his shoulders is too great for any man. Alistaken notions of economy produced the suppression of the Board of Planta- tions, the plan of which was originially conceived hy the great Lord Bacon, and without which tliere can be n ) stability, uniformity, or efficiency of action in the colonial policy of the empire." I am not aware what was Loi .1 Bacon's plan tor the formation of the Board of Plantations ; be I tliink there would be little difficulty in the composition of such an assembly, by appointing the members of it from amongst those gentlemen, who have filled the situation of governor in the colony they may be individually called upon to repre- sent, through whom the correspondence should be carried on. The COLONIAL POLICY. SS^ personal acquaintance they must have acquired during their govern- ment, with the several interests of the colony, on being by them com- numicated to the board in sesssion, would diffuse amongst the mem- bers a general knowledge of all our possessions, and their delibera- tions would be regulated accordingly: over this board the colo- nial minister might preside. To give an idea of the extent of information the colonial minister is expected to make himself master of, I subjoin a list of our colonies under his control, and leave it to the contemplation of the reader whether such a task can be expected to be ably performed by any one person ; by which means I think I shall have done enough to prove the inefficiency of the present system. It has been said that over the British possessions the sun never sets. The mind of the in- dividual entrusted with watching over their destinies should be as all pervading as is that bright luminary in spreading' his rays over these extensive regions in every portion of the globe. Thr British Colonies. Europe. \ 'i'itV Gibraltar. Malta. Ionian Islands. Heligoland. America. Lower Canada. Tpper Canada: — Nova Scotia. New Brunswick Prince Edward's Island. Newfoundland. West India Islands, continued. Demerara. Essequibo. » ; ^ ". '" >•' Berbice. , Trinidad. St. Lucia. . = ■ ^' Bermuda. ,, , i Honduras. West India Islands, iSfC. Jamaica. Bahama Islands* Barbadoes. St. Vincent. Grenada. Tobago. Antigua. Montserrat. St. Christopher's. Nevis. The Virgin Isles. Dominica. Africa. Cape of Good Hope. Sierra Leone. Gambia. Mauritius. Asia. Ceylon. Note. The Indian possessions, be- ing under the directors, are not men- tioned. Australia. New South Wales: — Van Uiemen's Land; Swan River; and the recently char- tered colony of Southern Australia. :r- \. ■-i ..I' u 24 MILITARY COLONIZATION. :! The interesting subject of colonization has led me to consider whether our married soldiers might not be encouraged to emigrate, with great advantage to themselves and to the colony to which they may repair, as well as to the mother country, by ridding her of a por- tion of her redundant population — for it does not signify from which class of the community the vacuum is made; whether soldier or citi- zen, his place would shortly be filled up, and it would be highly gra- tifying, if, in consequence of such a happy prospect being afforded to the deserving soldier, a better description of men were induced to enter the array. The monotony of a soldier's life in time of peace, is not very encouraging to persons of enterprising spirit ; the recruit sees before him nothing but dissipation and punishment ; the remote prospect of getting a pension is not sufficient to induce him to enter the profession of arms. Twenty-five years' service is a long period to pass in performing mere garrison duty ; consequently, few recruits are obtained that are not naturally idle and discontented, excepting those who enter in times of commercial distress. I am anxious to hold out to the soldier every encouragement, and I think that that might be accomplished by a well-organized system of colonization. Why should we not take example from the Romans? Where are the monuments of art erected in our numerous colonies, to hand down to posterity the power and grandeur of the British name ? It is melan- choly to contemplate the vast quantity of valuable labour locked up amongst an idle and dissipated soldiery. Is there then no remedy ? What advantage would the soldier-emigrant have over the civilian ? He would land on the shores of his adopted country, surrounded by his comrades; it would be to him but as a change of quarters ; whereas the civilian has to form new acquaintance, and his thoughts are perhaps perpetually wandering to his native village. Recollections of home will fill his breast, for he sees none of those around him, as the soldier does, whose faces were familiar ere he took a last farewell of the country of his forefathers. The long absence from the paternal roof u ill have weakened in the soldier's mind the recollections of home ; a busy and active scene in camp or quarters will ere this have reconciled him to the separation. MILITARY COLONIZATION. 25 A society already formed is a great advantage to a new colony. The inconvenience arising from emigrants having no previous knowledge of the persons with whom they are to associate, can be easier under- stood than described ; they frequently land without the most remote idea of the country they propose to adopt, and are, in many cases, upon their arrival, misled by designing scoundrels, for the purpose of inducing them to spend their money in the gin-shops. All this would be obviated by a systematic military plan of colonization, and I hope without injury to the service to which I have had the honour to belong. Few commanding officers of regiments would object to parting with their married men ; they are always a source of great an- noyance; from the impossibility of providing them or their wives with any remunerating occupation ; and the pay of a private soldier (thir- teen pence a day) is but a small sum upon which to maintain a man, his wife, and family. Notwithstanding the regulations to check as much as possible matrimony amongst the soldiery, the numbers 40- crease to a fearful amount ; and I am acquainted with a general officer, who stated he would point out all the men of a regiment who were married, judging from their emaciated appearance. This I think calls for some interference on their behalf ; they, poor fellows, find them- selves bound to a profession which provents them from engaging in any other more profitable employment. The advantage of barrack- room, coals, candles, and other allowances, are of little use to the soldier as soon as he is married. Allow me to observe, that the man's mili- tary services are not lost to the country by sending him, as a settler, to the colonies. Who will more willingly or ably defend the country of his adoption from foreign aggression, or domestic turbulence, than the veteran ? How, may I ask, are we to put c ' numerous detached colonies in a posture of defence, in case of war with any maritime power ? Our fleets cannot be in all parts of the globe, and we should have to double or treble our present garrisons abroad, in order to se- cure them from sudden expeditions of the enemy. A few thousand military settlers, who could be embodied, in case of necessity, would give confidence to the colonists, and render their shores free frc.n in- sult. I think then, in point of economy, the mother country would be wise in so disposing of a class of her citizens, who would find them- selves materially benefitted by the arrangement. The soldiers would be glad to emigrate ; the service would be benefitted by getting rid E ^: 26 MILIVARY ("OI.ONTZATION. J r .iv! of them ; the colonists would be happy to receive them ; and the mother country would be relieved of a portion of her .redundant po- pulation. Posterity will be astounded by the fact that the first maritime power in the world, possessing ships that are rotting in or- dinary in her harbours, colonies that have millions of acres of unoc- cupied land, most admirably fitted for cultivation, is groaning under an annual tax of seven millions of pounds sterling for the relief of the poor, five millions of which are computed to be paid to able- bodied paupers in a state of starvation, because they cannot get em- ployment. How long is such a state of things to exist ? To what colo- nial minister is Great Britain to be indebted, for awakening the ener- gies of the nation to such a glorious and philanthropic undertaking as the furtherance of colonization, and the foundation of future empires } Have the conquests of the greatest heroes we read of in history, led to such beneficial results to mankind, as that conquest that is now open to us, over the desert wilds, by means of emigration ? Let then the sons of Albion carry civilization to these distant shores, and a future age will applaud their enterprise. Providence has been boun- tiful in her gifts of territory to this happy country ; should we then neglect her favours ? The attention of the government should also be directed to the state of society in our penal settlements. By the perusal of those works already before the public, there appears ample evidence to prove the immoral degraded state of society existing in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. The writers of these publications are naturally anxious to place their adopted country in as favourable a point of view as possible, and I observe they invariably endeavour to represent the convict population as scarcely any drawback ; they sometimes even venture to state, that the prosperity of the colony depends upon the supply of convicts from home. Yet, now and then, " truth will come to the top of the well ;" and I find, in Bennett's Wanderings in New South Wales, page 50, that he suggests that the colony may be no more used as a penal settlement, the etnancipisls having become a very jyowetftd political body* Having seen the Penitentiary in Phi- ladelphia, which prison is conducted upon the principle of entire • "It is a shameful and imblesscd thing (says lionl nacon), to take the scum of the j)e()j)lu ami wicked tuiulLimiLd men to be the people with whom you plant, and not :;nly so, but it spoiloth thu plantation; (or they will ever MILITARY COLONIZATION. 27 solitary confinement, and which, from all the accounts I collected in that country, appears to have succeeded admirably, I hesitate not to say that we have the means of more effectually punishing, and reforming at the same lime, the convict at home, than by transportation. As com- missioners have been sent to inquire into the several systems of pri- son discipline in the United States, whose report may be expected shortly to appear before the public, it will be unnecessary for me to enter here into minute particulars of that admirable establishment j suffice it to say, that the prisoner is perpetually kept in solitary con- finement ; that he is overlooked by the gaolers by means of small aper- tures in the wall ; that he is not compelled to work, but only allowed to do so as an indulgence, when that species of labour is afforded him that can be managed without assistance, such as shoe-making, &c.; that, from the moment of his confinement to that of his liberation, he is completely cut off* from the world, and from any knowledge of his relations. The only individuals with whom he is permitted to hold any converse, are the clergyman of the establishment and the gaoler, who are strictly enjoined to adapt their conversation exclusively to the duties they have to perform, in order that the prisoner may not have the slightest intelligence of what is going on out of the prison doors. The annual receipts produced from the labour of the pri- soners not only defray the expenses of the prison, but yield a profit to the State, and that without a single whipcord being used to shock the feelings of humanity. The whole establishment is conducted in the most praiseworthy manner, and the building admirably con- structed for carrying the system into operation. To shew the eff*ect this mode of punishment has upon the opinion of the community at large, regarding the improvement of the morale of those confined, I may instance a case, in which a person of the medical profession had been imprisoned some years for forgery. Upon hiti release, he returned to his native town, and was received by his former acquaintances, and, in 1833, was in the enjoyment of as exten- sive a practice as previous to his transgression. This person was allowed, during his confinement, tlie perusal of such medical works as, in the opinion of the directors, might be beneficial in the study of his profession. If, then, it can be satisfactorily live like rogues, and not fall to work, but be lazy, and do mischief, and spend victuals, and be quickly weary, and then certitie over to their country to the discredit of the plantation." I 1 .«.r 5? \- 28 MILITARY COLONIZATION. proved that there exists no necessity for transporting the convict, either as a punishment, or for his reformation, a great saving to the country would result from that system being abandoned. The convict population in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land are already so numerous that they actually require a very strong military force to keep them in subjection. I have before me a return, showing the number of male convicts in Van Diemen's Land on the 31st October, 1832, which amounts to 10,735, besides which there were twelve who had received free and conditional pardons ; twenty-four whose sentences had expired ; and 264 who had ab- sconded, or were missing. The annual expense attending the trans- portation of convicts, their maintenance, and surveillance whilst in the colonies, must amount to a large sum, more than would suffice to build prisons upon the Philadelphian plan, particularly as there are many prisons that might be altered to that purpose at a small expense. Experience has proved that the encouragement held out by his majesty's warrant to discharged soldiers, to commute their pensions, and settle upon their grants of land in the colonies, has failed ; so unsuccessful was the result, that the lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada recommended to his majesty's government that no more pensioners should be sent out to that colony. — (Fide War-Office Circular, dated 12th August, 1834.) The cause of this is easily explained. These men being discharged were no longer soldiers, and ceased to be under military control ; many were worn out from long service, or otherwise disabled ; and some were habitual drunkards ; moreover, they were totally inexperienced in the use of the axe. The British labourer is much inferior to the Canadian back-woodsman in the use of that implement ; therefore, it could hardly be expected that old soldiers should bo very expert in the laborious task of felling timber and clearing the ground. I had an opportunity of visiting Drummondville, in Lower Canada, the residence of Colonel H., who was intrusted with the superinten- dence of settling some disbanded soldiers in that neighbourhood. For the most part it was a failure, owing, as the gallant Colonel observed, to the men having been discharged ; consequently he had no power to retain them upon their locations until the first difficulties were over- come. Those who remained, and persevered in conformity to his advice, are now reaping the reward of their industry, and are happy, contented farmers. Unfortunately, a smrll portion of the land in the MILITABY COLONIZATION. 29 settlement was found to be very inferior soil, which gave a colouring of truth to the exaggerated reports of the discontented, who, in order to exonerate themselves from their wa.it of energy, made no hesitation in condemning the whole tract as entirely unfit for cultivation. Had these men been possessed of a little perseverance, or been obliged to remain upon their grants, I have no doubt they would have ulti- mately succeeded, as the light soil can be cultivated at much less expense than that of rich deep mould, and the roads are easier con- structed and much better, which is of considerable importance in the early stages of a settlement. Under such circumstances, the advan- tages and disadvantages are nearly balanced. From a calculation I have made from the returns of the number of married men now serving in nine battalions of infantry of the line, the total number of which amounts to 887^ I may conclude that the 103 battalions of infantry would return 10,151 married soldiers, or in the proportion of ninety-eight to each battalion. Besides which, the total strength of the seven battalions of the Foot Guards, exclu- sive of officers, amounts to 4,9(52, of whom 1,017 are married, being upwards of one-fifth. The number of married soldiers in eight regiments of cavalry amounts to 711* I may allow about 2,310 to the twenty-six regiments of cavalry, which is in the proportion of one- third. From the above I may form a calculation that there are as follows — MARRIED. By returns from the seven battalions of guards 1,017 Probable number in 103 battalions of the line 10,151 Do. do. 26 regiments of cavalry 2,310 Total 13,478 This is exclusive of the artillery and sappers. If, then, the number of married soldiers now serving in the army amounts to so large a proportion as is estimated above, notwithstand- ing that every endeavour is made to discourage marriages — so much so, that it is almost considered a crime to marry without the consent of the commanding-officer — how much larger the proportion would be, were the soldier permitted to act in that respect as he might feel inclined. The conduct of the soldier might be improved ; he is now driven to the pot-house from want of a home to pass his evenings, and thereby contracts habits of intoxication, which is the cause of most 30 MILITARY COLnNlZATJON. militiiry oflFenccs. A very melancholy caso occurred when I was in the service. A well-behaved man (a lance-corporal) married in defi- ance of the refusal of the commanding-ofliicer to ^ive his sanction, andof course, according to the instructions upon that head, his wife was not permitted to reside in barracks, nor was he allowed the in- dulgence of sleeping out of quarters. After passing a few months in the hope that his indiscretion might be overlooked, and finding that the commanding-officer was determined to net up to the regulations of the commander-in-chief, the poor fellow, in a fit of despair, put an end to his existence. I heard the report of the shot whilst I was writing in my quarters, and shortly afterwards saw the unfortunate man, wel- tering in his blood, a lifeless corpse. It is but right to add, that a subscription was entered into both by officers and men for the discon- solate widow, to which the officer, whose duty had impelled him to be the indirect cause of the unfortunate transaction^ voluntarily subscribed. Many officers may object to my plan of military emigration on the score of losing old and efficient soldiers to the service. By an old soldier, I understand, a man who has fought and bled for his country ; ' he who has victoriously followed the great captain of the age from the lines of Torres Vedras to the Adour ; whose bed has been the bare ground, and canopy the heavens, in presence of an enemy, hitherto accustomed to victory. That man is an old soldier, he has practically learnt the art of war. But who is the old soldier of these peaceful days ? Why the man who has been for years the daily visi- tor to the pot-house, whose frame of body is debilitated by habits of debauchery — this is the sort of man they wish to retain in the ser- vice. In foreign services it is not the custom to enlist men for life. By the regulations of the French service, a conscript is generally allowed to return home at the end of five years' service, the period of his en- gagement being for six years. In the Prussian service, the soldiers of which are very well drilled and in a high state of discipline, the period of service is only for three years. With these examples before us, are we blindly to believe that the army is improved by being com- posed of men who have contracted drunken habits, which are too apt to follow an engagement to serve as soldiers for life ? Let the non- commissioned officers be men of experience and well-selected, and the more young flesh and blood the legions are composed of, the better. Who fought and gained the battle of Waterloo ? Newly-recruited MILITARY COLONIZATION, 31 second bnttilions. And many a soldier in the Peninsulnr campaign lias found liimscli* upon the field of victory, whose occupation was at the cart-tail but three months before. The redoubtable troops of Napoleon were not, in aU cases, veterans — more frequently soldiers of a month's standing, gaining laurels at Marengo and Austerlitz. Tlie private soldier in the British army has but little to awaken his ambition, or engage his attention ; and I am in hopes that the pros- pect of being enabled to marry and settle comfortably in the colonies would not be without its good effect upon their conduct. I here sub- join a lamentjible instance that occurred in New South Wales, men- tioned by Dr. Lang, in his admirable work upon that colony ; it is so applicable to the subject I am treating upon, as well as a convinc- ing proof of the necessity of guarding against a recurrence of a similar nature, that I may be excused for making the quotation. " A sergeant or corporal of the 48th regiment, had been stationed some time before the peiiod I alUide to, at Cox's River, another military sta- tion on the Bathurst road. He had been an industrious man, and had accumulated some property both in goods and cattle, in the colony — as much even as amounted to £"300. But the regiment being ordered to India, and no interest or entreaty being available to procure his dis- charge, he disposed of his property ; and, on coming to Sydney, in a state of mind which the reader will doubtless commiserate, he commenced drinking the price of it with some of his old companions in right earnest. In this inglorious employment he was unfortunately so successful, that in the space of six weeks he had left himself quite pennyless, and was conse- quently ready to embark on equal terms with the rest of his company for India. Though I cannot, by any means, defend the soldier for thus sinking under the pressure of adversity, I cannot but pity him ; and I cannot help regretting, moreover, the operation of a system which thus deprived the colony of an industrious and deserving individual, who would, in all likelihood, have reared a virtuous family, and been a bless- ing to his neighbourhood, for the purpose of landing an additional drunken soldier on the ramparts of Fort-George." — " There is another subject of regret connected with the military system of the mother county, as it re- gards the Colonies and the Indian empire. The regiments of the line that are stationed in the Australian colonies, of which there are always two in New South Wales, and one in Van Diemen's Land, are uniformly sent on to India after five or six years' service in these colonies. At the expira- tion of that period there is always a numerous flock of interesting sprightly children, belonging to the regiment, about to proceed to India, all of whom must, of course, follow their parents to that deadly climate, wheti !>} I I: MILITARY COLONIZATION. fl ill both parents and children are mowed down like the itandirig corn before the sickle of the reaper."—" Now there might surely be some better and more humane arrangement effected, without detriment to his majesty's service ; the families being allowed, for instance, to remain in the colony, and a few unmarried recruits being forwarded from the mother country to supply their places. It would, doubtless, be the interest of the colony of New South Wales to reimburse the mother country, from the colonial re- venue, for all the additional expense which such an arrangement would cost, to procure so large a periodical accession to its free population." This paragraph proves that my plan will meet with support, even from civilians in the colonies, and also, more particularly calls for the early consideration of the Colonial Secretary. ;, f,f ynf r"«« gji ^«fr I shall mention another instance out of Dr. Lang's work. In pages 225 and 226 will be found a long account of the detection and punishment of two soldiers, Thompson and Sudds, belonging to the 57th regiment, who committed felony for the purpose of becom- ing convicts, thereby admitting that they preferred a convict's situa- tion to that of a soldier's ; and, however erroneously they may have judged, yet it is a strong argument amongst many that might be brought forward, to prove the utter detestation the service is held in by some individuals in the army. This arises from various causes ; the recruit enlists without much reflection, and cannot be expected to have made up his mind, whilst he is taking the shiUing, to be always attached to a soldier's life, under all circumstances, and in whatever clime he may be quartered. During a period of war, the mind is otherwise occupied, and the man of spirit pants to be led before the enemy : honour and glory are before him, the most powerful incentives to brilliant actions. Enlistment for life is too Ions; a, period : even husbands and wives And it difficult, in some instances., to preserve tlie vow solemnly made before the altar. Kowever different may be the projects for systematic colonization, on one point all are agreed — namely, that there is plenty of room in the colonies for a great increase of emigrants ; and although I am far from wishing to confine the assistance afforded by Government merely to the army, yet it is of importance, in the first instance, to infuse amongst the population of our distant possessions a number of settlers upon whom the crown may rely for the protection of the inhabitants. It is not only to the lower orders that I think my plan will be of benefit ; I sincerely hope that, from the well-organized state of society MILITARY COrONIZATIOV. which would result from it, that respectable persons of small fortunes would be induced to emigrate ; it would give a strength and bond of union to the social order, which might cause many to roam ufar in search of a home where they might see their offspring around them in independence, and laying the foundation of future affluence, in- stead of remaining in their native country, dragging on a miserable existence of shabby gentility. I have already observed, that were this system of military coloni- zation adopted, many more recruits might probably be obtained. I am borne out in this opinion, as it is strongly suspected, by officers high in rank at Quebec, that numbers have enlisted into the regi- ments serving in British North America for the express purpose of deserting to the United States upon the first favourable opportunity ; the number of desertions that take place justify this suspicion. I have ascertained that there were 2(36 desertions during one year froui the regiments serving in North America ; about seventy are supposed to have been retaken, or to have rejoined their respective regiments ; upon which one may fairly conclude, that during the last twenty years, there were 200 deserters that made their escape annu- ally, amounting to a total number of 4,000 men. I am sure that calculation is within the actual number, because our army is not so large now in those colonies as formerly. How manj' more would desert were it not for the precautions taken to prevent it, which make the soldiers almost prisoners, I am not prepared to answer. It be- comes a question, Of what use such men would be in case of internal disturbance, or in time of war ? If this military colonization scheme be ever put into operation, the temptation to desert from the regi- ments serving in the North American colonies would entirely cease ; consequently no example would be required in order to deter the soldiery from committing that crime. Would it not then be highly advantageous to those provinces, if his majesty were graciously pleased to grant a pardon to all those who have deserted since the war, who have not tised violence, or committed felony in so doing ; and further, to allow them the privilege of residing in the British possessions abroad ? I am certain very many would be delighted to return, and settle under the British flag : that desire is stronger in their breasts than may be generally known. When I was at Detroit, in 1832, it was mentioned to me that a F I I l! 34 MILITARY COLONIZATION. : i» i I merchant of that place, who had accumulated a considerable fortune, had formerly deserted from the British army. Though living in sight of the Canadian frontier he dared not venture a os3 the river. This separation from his own countrymen so preyed upon his mind, that he was then using every interest with the governor to obtain his pardon, expressing his \.ish to pass the remainder of his days under the protection of his native country. Should this be clearly ascer- tained, how much more readily would men enlist, with every facility afforded them of settling respectably in our own colonies, without committing the crime of desertion, or having the unpleasant reflection that they have expatriated themselves.'' It is weil known that in the army there are men who have learned many professions or trades, a slight knowledge of which would be very useful in a new colony, and might be employed very much to their own ; '.vantage. Superior workmen can get b'jtter wages at home than in the colonies ; there the man who can turn his hand to any thing is most likely to succeed, as few things are required to be iinished in Hrst-rate style ; so that, in proportic.i, the inferior class of handicrafts meet with better encou- ragement. Now, supposing (without reference to the advantage of having a set of colonists trained to the use of arms^ at all times in readiness to defend their adopted country) it were attempted to send out labourers and mechanics from the several parishes, what an ex- pense would attend their removal to ports for embarkation ! Besides, it would be necessary to establish a regular system of recruiting throughout the country, for each emigrant should undergo a surgical inspection ; otherwise, upon his arrival in the colony, he might be thrown on the government for support, owing to his bodily infirmi- ties. This is all avoided by taking the soldier, and the discontent of these rustics must not be forgotten upcn finding themselves removed from their homes, without their accustomed associates. I am inclined to believe, from what I observed in Upper Canada, that if every thin^ did not go on perfectly to their expectation from the outset, these people would become greatly discontented, and would blame the government for having encouraged them to emigrate, and, being unaccustomed to control, would be found a very difficult set to manage. If I could prove (which in my own mind 1 have no doubt of) that a great saving might be made in respect to pensions granted to worn- MILITARY rOLONTZATION, 35 out soldiers, it would he. a very great argument in favour of the adoption of my plan. The total number of pensioners, by the pre- sent returns, amounts to eighty-three thousand and ninety-four, whose pensions average one million, three hundred and twenty- seven thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight pounds pei annum. I leave to the reader's imnginatiop to speculate how much thii army of pensioners might have been reduced, had military colonization been adopted from the commencement of the peace to the present period. Should the plan be even now carried into effect, I have every reason to believe that many able-bodied pensioners, \/ith families, might be induced to join the colonial battalions ; but in order to give the scheme a fair trial, it should be put into operation by volunteers from the standing army ; afterwards, the pensioners may be encouraged to follow their example. The mother country should be prepared to expend a certain sum of money, in order to render the vast tracts of wilderness that Provi- dence has thrown at her dispojal, a source of profit to her commer- cial enterprise. Whoever heard of any great gains being made by a private individual without a certain expenditure of capital } Then why should not the government take upon itself the task of encou- raging a spirited commerce by a judicious application of the public money? . .,. " Planting of countries (says Lord Bacon) is like planting of woods, for yoa must make account to lose almost twenty years' profit and expect your return in the end. For the principal thing that hath been the destruction of most plantations hath been the base and hasty drawing of profit iu the first years. It is true, speedy profit is r.ot to be neglected, s': far as may stand with the good of the planta- tion, but no further." Having in the preceding pages made some observations upon the government and interior regulations of colonies if general, I may proceed to show l^ow the military emigration may be carried into ef- fect, witliout deranging materially the present organization of regi- ments. In the first instance, every married soldier having completed five years' service, should be allowed, if stationed in a colony adapted for emigration, to hire himself out to the settlers ; for which purpose he should receive " a furlough until further orders," wit'i the under- standing that he would not be required to perform military service fc 1 ': i MlhlTAllY COLONIZATION. except in case.s of emergency- C)n the other hand, the soldier, whilst on t'urloiipl), should receive no pay, nor be allowed to reckon as aei- vice towards pension the ])eriod whilst so employed. As in case.s of application lor dischar|re, thirty day.'; should be al- lowed to elapse between the coraniandinfi officer giving his sanction, aud the married soldiers application to retire from active service, in oiJer to reside in the colony by exchanging into the colonial bat- tp.iion hereafter to be formed. Until the numl>er oi' military settlers become numerous they may be attached ti) their own regiments, or to the nearest military detachment, and required to attend the monthly muster, u})on which day they must receive pay. Sergeants and corporals^ ought to be nmstered and receive pay as privates. When the ibrmation of colonial regiments shall be carried into effect, then thf non-commissioned officers will be selected from amonpst those who have served m that rank. The commanding officer on the station might use his discretion in proscribing a limit from the head-quarters. i>eyond which no soldier on permanent furlough shall be alh»wed to reside ; thi.s naturally wil\ be extended »s the numbers increase. Of course each man's resi- dence, emjiloyment, and every particular respecting him, will l>e re- gistered at the head- quarters- of his regiment, a.s well a.s at the office of the brigade-major of the district, under the superintendence of the inspecting field-officer oi militia. The soldiers whose wives may be at home, miglit have them sent out to them at the ex}»ense of governnient, upon making the required application to retire and settle in tlie colony , provided they shall have served five years. The unmarried soldier)- might have the same opti.>.i granted to them of retiring, in case tliey should mam" in the colony.* It must be understood that the granting of thih indulgence must depend in a measure upon the arrival of reinforcements from honu' ; but great attention siiould bt paid in reducing the sentries to * It is probable that the unniameil soldiers, liaving held out to thsm the prospect ol hereafter marryiug and establishing tlieniselves comtbrtablv in the co'iouieb, niipht bi induced to plact t'i»' surplu.s of their pav in a regimental savings bank, instead of s])endinp it in tlu grofr siiop ; thi amount oi" which, Itearing interest at tiv« ])er ceui... tlioy mipht receivf u))oii di.scharpc, or ui)on settling iii Iht coioni.js, to wiiicii reguliUion tlicy sliould Ik- obliged to couturni ujjon tlieir subscribing to tin savings bant.. MI1.it AUY (UH.ONIilATION. m a^ small a number as po3sil)lc which in most frarrisons abroatV mijfht in^ extenfeively donf. Tht- soldiers on turiouffii. bemp; required to i-esidc withui ;i short distance ot tlie tort or town, cairbt^ readiiy callejl together, siiouhi their ecrvices be considereil necessari^ for tiie detence of tile piaet. At (^^uebec, as an exampk. it would be de- culedly Advisai»k' to requirt' a portion ol tile men to sleqi withinthv wall*, and by d^rees tite disunce mi«rht be extended to five or ten miles troni tlie. cifiaiiei, but conhniii^i tiieni to thf iel't bank of the'^t. J'r.wrencc. -All tb<" Baarrietl soidiert. with their families, should be tbrwariieti trom tiie tlepcv to join tlie service companies stationed m till' colonies provideil tliey- previously enter into an enp'a's eervnir in reirmients . not stationed in c61onies adaptetl ior>ru!_ fr'f ,; n.eknu De allowed to volunteer, or exchaojje into tkotn! r^ve.^ - . r proponiou as recruits join to fill their places in tiiwr own corps, r.*'o8c uoi\ serving' witli their repriments in the West iuditis mi;rht easily b<' convwyetl to Nova f?cotia, New Bruns- wicii, (Jap< Hretoii. ixv. to^- tin futurt. n'?rried soldiers wishing- t colonial battaliout. prior ^l bein;; sent • 'llv-- soidit">'.8Cttier of course Bhoulit W obliged to keep his kpnn«nfk and rtnriinenial iw • saris^ i» constant reiidiueHs Ui be einpioyeil upon service. The anu.s Hfcoulr j.u'n^s, mid jrreat. coat', ahould bi K wtur.t:oiis where it may be nece88»r\ t<> jfuard agauEisui- pnrt*»; 111 which cHuv. the Hokhfi- Biiyuh' iiave chargi; of his own arms and accon- lrei»ienis. 38 MILITAKY COI.ONIZATION. !. 4 out to the colonies unadapted for settling in. Whenever the number of married soldiers wishing to procure employment exceed the de- mand, it should be the especial care of the local (.uthorities to find them occupation upon the public works (as in the case already alluded to for the employment of civil emigrants upon arrival). I subjoin an extract from the regidations upon the rate of extra pay allowed to soldiers on working parties, which rate might serve as a guide in carrying into effect this system in the colonies.* The total amount the soldiers would receive upon this scale per diem is much under th- average rate of wages in the colonies, so that there would be no temptation to the soldier to remain upon the government works longer than wou? 1 be necessary to find other employment. But still it must not be overlook • ' ' "t soldiers would find it easy to procure menial situations in the cc ^s, and frequently would be employed as merchants' clerks, should they possess any education. After the colonized soldier has attained that age which in the colony may be considered as an exemption from the performance of military service, he might be discharged or retained in the service upon the superannuated list, which would continue to him the benefits to be derived from the military hospital. As a general principle, no land should be granted to non-commis- sioned officers and soldiers, as it has been found not to succeed ; but as there may be some important situations where it may be advisable to settle a military force, land may be granted advantageously under such circumstances to industrious soldiers of very good character, and they should be materially assisted by the government in establishing themselves upon their locations ; every thing should be provided for that purpose, and they should have rations for themselves and families * Extract from the regulations upon allowance granted to working parties : Subaltern otficers 43 per day. Summer. Winter. s, d. 8. d. Non-commissioned officers as overseers, one I i n i q for every twenty men ) Ditto or privates as artificers 18 14 Privates as labourers 10 8 In summer, the hours of actual labour are ten ; in winter, eight. The summer period commences on I^ady-day, and the winter period on Michaelmas- . ;j {;-n'mi**z Regiments embarking for foreign service, might in the first instance, be h^tv. either to the West Indian or to the Mediterranean station, where they should respectively remain four or five years, • *-it These regiments should subsequently be sent to the " emigration colonic'j," in order to give an opportunity, both to their officers and men, to become settlers. In tour of duty, these battalions would be returned to England. I consider the Mauritius, and perhaps the island of Ceylon, might bie available for settling a portion of the soldiery. If I am mistaken, at any rate these islands may be made a stepping-stone to New Holland. Whether the mode of enlisting for regiments serving in the East Indies might be advantageously altered, is a question of too much moment for me to attempt to discuss at present ; but soldiers, after ten years' service in that country, should be allowed to exchange into the colonial battalions, stationed at the Cape, Algoa-bay, or in New Holland, as opportunities may oifer for their transport. MILITARY COLONIZATION. 41 I subjoin a return of the number of regiments of the infantry of the line now stationed in different parts of the globe, by which it will be perceived that the number of regiments employed in the Mediter- ranean and the West Indies are nearly equal. Battalions. Remarks. In India 21 Ceylon Mauritius.. 5 Mediterranean 16 West Indies 17 North America 9 Southern Africa 2 New Holland 4 In the British Islands 25 Total. 103 Military colonies X Probably unadapted to the settlement ) of soldiers Military colonies Adapted only to negro labourers Emigration colonies It is probable that the married soldiers of regiments of cavalry might be advantageously settled in the eastern district of the colony at the Cape of Good Hope, to be embodied, as occasion might require, to repel any hostile aggression of the native tribes. Instead of confining officers serving in the colonies to the head- quarters of their regiment, it would be advisable that they should fre- quently have leave of absence granted (consistent with the good of the service) to enable them to make excursions, and explore the interior of the country, it being required that they should keep a detailed journal, stating therein their observations upon the feature and natural resources of the districts they may pass through, as well as remarking upon their capabilities in a military point of view ; which, upon their return, should be submitted to the inspection of the governor and senior officer in command. It is presumed much valuable information might by this means be communicated to the executive. A young officer occupying himself in such a manner would be preferable, m all accounts, to that of idling away his hours at the billiard table, or in dissipation at the mess. In the case of an officer shewing intelligence, some extra allowan > should be given to enable him to defray in part the expense of his journey ; but a wish to acquire distinction, the prospect of making agreeable excurnons, and escaping for a time from the monotony G I i 4S MILITARY COLONIZATION. of a garrison life, would cause many officers to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded. Having perused a letter in the United States' Journal of January, this year, signed by Lieut. Henry Winship Dodd, of the Royal Navy, suggesting a plan to enable him to borrow money upon the security of his half-pny, for the purpose of emigrating to New South Wales, stating that for more than nineteen years he has been endeavouring to get out to that colony, and that he has only been prevented in consequence of not having the means to accomplish his object, I am induced to say a few words upon the subject. Is it not evident that it would be of great i:nportance to encourage loyal and respectable individuals to emigrate ? Their example in a colony is of much benefit, and officers of the army and navy are very eligible to perform the duties of a magistrate, which situation it is by no means easy to find proper individuals capable of occupying from amongst a new com- munity. I, therefore, venture to propose a plan I think more simple than that of the gallant officer. To officers of the army and navy, govern- ment allow a certain remission in payment for the purchase of wild hnd, in proportion to their rank and length of service. Mr. Dodd says his would amount to 200/. I propose then (stating his case, which I hope he will excuse me for doing), that he and his family should be assisted out to New South Wales by the government pay- ing his passage, and deducting from the 200/. the amount so paid. Let us suppose, for instance, that 100/. would suffice for that purpose, ihen 100/. remain for the purchase (at five shillings per acre) of four hundred acres of government land ; a quantity of land quite suffi- cient for an officer to undertake to manage without much capital. But suppose Mr. Dodd declines occupying "a bush farm," preferring to purchase a small farm already cleared, in the vicinity of some town, let him then select his grant of four hundred acres, and sur- render it to the commissioner of crown lands to be sold for his benefit at the established government price ; but should he prefer keeping the property in his own hands upon the speculation of its rising in value, he should pay, as well as other proprietors of land, the annual tax of threepence per acre. What will become of the individual of whom he has purchased the farm under cultivation.? The proba- bility is that he will purchase land of the government in the interior 1 MILITARY COLONIZATION. 43 of the '^klfltiy; and thereby possibly more than repfty ii> th^'govirti-' ment the sum of money advanced for that officer's passage out ; at the same time the colony receives a valuable additional member to the community. There are so many officers living at home, or on the Continent, in similar distressing circumstances as described by Mr. Dodd in his own case, that perhaps it would be a judicious measure to employ some troop ship to convey to our colonies as many half-pay officers as may volunteer, upon their forfeiting (upon the above plan) a portion of their remission money to defray the expense. An advantage would arise f^om their going out together in the same ship, from the inti- macy that would be formed amongst them, which, as I have before described, is highly necessary in the formation of new communities. The superior arrangement and accommodation that would be found in a king's ship, might induce many to venture with their families upon the wide ocean, who otherwise would not undertake such a voyage. All officers who have served in the army or navy are en- titled to a grant of land ; but it would not be prudent on the part of government to assist any out to the colonies who are not in the re- ceipt of half-pay,, as the half-pay would be a security to government that the officer, upon his arrival in the colony, would not be without the means of supporting his family. ' "^'*'^ ^ '^ '"^'^^ I think, were His Majesty to carry into effect such a beneficial mea- sure for half-pay officers, it would be but justice to the nation that all those officers now residing in foreign countries should be ordered to return to the British territories, or to forfeit their half-pay. The gene- ral reader should be made to understand, that by the present regula- tions, no officer of the army or navy is allowed to reside out of the United Kingdom, without having obtained His Majesty's sanction. P. S. Since the foregoing pages were sent to press, acdountS have been received from the Cape of Good Hope, of dreadful devas- tations having been committed by a recent incursion of the Caffres into the Albany District, and to within a very few miles of Graham's Town, the capital. Had my system of military settlements been established in that colony, it is more than probable that these savages would have been speedily repulsed, and their knowledge of the ex- istence of a large military force might have prevented their assuming a hostile attitude. 11 ( •** ) THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. I I I AM induced to add a few lines upon a subject that I consider of primary importance at this moment ; namely, the question of the disputed boundary line between the United States' territory, and that of the British North American provinces. When we reflect upon the vast tract of country that was disgrace- fully surrendered, through ignorance, to the revolted colonies, at the period when their independence was recognized by this country, it should make us doubly anxious to guard against any further en- croachments on the part of the Americans, who are now attempting to overreach us by a misinterpretation of the words and spirit of the treaty. At the termination of the revolutionary war of inuependence, it was the intention of the British Government to retain in our pos- session the whole country which originally formed the French American empjre. But so apathetic appears to have been the conduct of the administration of that day, that the archives at Quebec were not even searched to ascertain what was designated the territory of " la Nouvelle France," when it was surrendered to the British arms under the gallant Wolfe upon the plains of Abraham. What unac- countable indifference, after having wasted millions, and the blood of thousands of our countrymen. In an unsuccessful attempt to subdue the revolted colonies ! It is said that, on the return of the British commissioner (Mr. Oswald) to England, he burst into tears upon the discovery of the mistake he had committed. The valuable country he thus threw away comprises some of the richest portions of the Western States of America. The tract of country now in dispute amounts to about ten thousand square miles, which, if ceded to the Americans, would place their frontier within six miles of the St. Lawrence, cotoying the southern or right bank of the river for more than one hundred miles below the island of Orleans near Quebec. But the question is not now whether it be advantageous, or the contrary, that the frontier of the United States, should approach so near to la grande jleuve du Canada. It resolves itself simply into a question of right, and if it can be proved THE BOUNDAUY ^UKSTION. 45 satisfactorily that the intention of the British commissioner, was that the boundary line should be that which we claim, and to this day occupy, then I say Great Britain must appeal to arms before she yields to th'- unjust pretensions of the American republic, or even suffer herself to be cajoled into an absurd reference to a neutral power. Are the days of chivalry so far gone by, that we are unable to protect our own honour ? Would it be believed, that owing to the pending negotiations our own subjects are forbid to cut down timber in the disputed territory ? so that a very important trade to the pro- vince of New Brunswick is at a stand-still, in a part of the country favourably situated for conveying the lumber by the St. Johns river down to the sea-port ; the consequence of which is, that the inha- bitants of that district are so dissatisfied at the protracted delays in the adjustment of that question, that they either flee from the country, or entertain a bitter feeling towards a government that appears to take little interest in their welfare. In the autumn of 1833 I travelled from Quebec to Fredericton, by crossing the portage from the St. Lawrence to Lake Tamisconta ; thence descending in a canoe the Madawaska river, which joins the river St. John, I followed its course to the capital of New Brunswick. I thereby had an opportunity of hearing that question freely dis- cussed by the settlers in the disputed territory, and consequently was enabled to form an opinion upon the claims advanced by the State of Maine. ' If I am correctly informed, the treaty runs as follows, " From the the north-west angle of Nova Scotia, viz. that angle which is formed by a line drawn due north from the source of the St. Croix river to the high lands, along the said high lands which divide those rivers which empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic ocean to the north-weslernmost head of the Connecticut river," &c. &c. &c. It would appear that the mis- interpretation of the spirit of the treaty arises from an error in establishing the point of' departure for the further demarkation of the boundary line, forming the basis of the treaty, viz. " from the north- west angle of Nova Scotia." The treaty proceeds to give an ex- plicit account of its situation, viz. " that angle which is formed by a line drawn due north from the source of the St. Croix river to the highlands ;" it must be conceded that the high lands here alli-ded THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. li] to by the British Ccmmissioner are the first mountainous range arrived at in a northerly direction, which is at a point called Mars- hill, part of the Aroostook range of mountains. This is the " north- west angle of Nova Scotia," and the point of departure for the further demarkation of the boundary line. The treaty then proceeds to say, " along these said high lands which divide those rivers which empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic ocean to the," &c. &c. By this it appears the British Commisioner was ignoiant that the waters running north of this chain of mountains fall into the St. John's river, and ultimately into the Baif ofFundif. But his ignorance of the topography of the country cannot alter the point of departure from " the line drawn due north from the source of the river St. Croix to the highlands," or " the north-west angle of Nova Scotia." Therefore, there can be no doubt that the British Commissioner intended that the boundary line should extend from that point in a westerly direction upon the RIDGE of THAT chain of mountains until it arrived at the source of the Con- necticut river. It is not probable that it ever was intended to describe by the word " high lands'^ a comparatively insignificant range of hills cotoying the southern or right bank of the river St. Lawrence far beyond the range of mountains or high lands intersecting the " line drawn due north from the source of the river St. Croix." By taking into consideration even that part of the treaty, viz. " the high lands which divide the rivers that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the Atlantic Ocean," it is apparent these high lands can only be discovered at the south- easternmost source of the river Chandiere in Lower Canada, and the head waters of the Kenebec river in the State of Maine, it being recollected that the river St. John empties itself into the Bay of Fundy, not into the Atlantic Ocean. It must then be evident that (by adhering to the words of the treaty) were the northern line prolonged beyond the proper point of departure at Mars-hill, it would not traverse any range of mountains separating rivers flowing on one side into the Atlantic, on the other into the St. Lawrence. , „ It becomes a question whether the point of departure, now claimed by the United States, a few miles south of the river St. Lawrence, THE DOUNDAUY QUESTION. 47 formed a part of Nova Scotia at the time the treaty was made^ the Histigouche river at present forming the northern boundary of New Brunswick, which was formerly a part of JVova Scotia. I should perhaps rather say the jmnt of' departure which the Americans are anxious should be considered in that light, is the source of the river St. Croix, and not the " north-west angle of Nova Scotia," of which (as before mentioned) the subsequent sentence in this treaty merely explains the position. I consider this as the fundamental error that many in the British interest have overlooked. I understood, when I was in the United States, that were the ques- tion decided against that republic, it was the intention of the State of Maine to dispute the power of the general government to interfere to the prejudice of the sovereign State of Maine, by surrendering any portion of its territory, and that this would be used as an excuse for postponing the s jttlement of the que'-^'on. Jn the fort'going pages that I have written upon " Colonial Policy,'' I have suggested the immediate re-union of Upper and Lower Canada, recomm'^nding the capital to be placed in a central position, namely at j3y' on the Ottawa river ; but at that moment I omitted to take i;..^ consideration the important advantages that might be de- rived from uniting the three provinces of Upper and Lower Canada and New Brunswick under one government, in which case the capital for the whole would be nearly centrically placed at Quebec, having a strong fortress already in existence for its protection. When the valuable resources of New Brunswick are brought into notice, the utility of connecting that province to Lower Canada will then become apparent. The navigation of the St. John's river might easily be improved, and a road constructed along its banks, which would afford a ready communication with Canada at a period when the navigation of the St. Lawrence is obstructed by ice, the port of St. John's being open for the arrival of ships at all seasons of the year. These three provinces combined would form an effectual barrier to the crafty de- signs of the neighbouring republic. The distance that some of the members of the colonial parliament would have to travel to the seat of government would be great ; but when it is considered with what facility the beautiful snow roads are passed over during the winter months (the period generally selected for the session <^f the legislature), that objection to an union of the ii- Ml 48 THE BOUNDi\KY QUESTIOK. I three provinces would not counierbalance other advantages that would be derived from it. It does not .ppear necPRsary that the executive part of the administration of cadi province should be re- moved to Quebec in consequence rf the legislative bodies being con- solidated there. The public offices belonging to the provinces of Ijpner Canada and New Brunsvvick might stiU ren^ain respectively at Fredericton and Toronto, and t7 2 governor-general of the three united provinces might carry on their government through the me- dium of the lieutenant-governor in each province. The duties of the governor-general becoming more arduous and responsible, it would be necessary that the lieutenant-governor of Lower Cai^ada should be obliged to reside at Quebec to assist him in the executive depart- ment. The i.iother coimtry, in founding colonies, ought to bear in mind that she is laying the foundation of future empires, which should be no longer retained under her protection than until ♦^^he colonies rise into manhood and are able to protect and govern them- selves. The fostering care of a watchful government would so essen- tially attach the infant colony to the mother country, that it would require circumstances of no ordinary nature to destrcy the mutual friendship and interc t that would exist between taem. In conclusion, I find it mcumbent upon me to say a few words regarding the Lower Canadian peasantry, who are stigmatized in the British Parliament as ready to rise in rebellion against the mother country. This I deny in ivto. Those who entertain such an opinion are little conversant with the habits and feelings of these people. On the contrary, his majesty does not rule over more loyal subjects, or a population more happy md contented. They are lightl) taxed, and have no g«"ievances to complain of. The habitant is warmlj attached to old customs, which, though it may render him less enterprising when compared with other Canadians of British origin, yet it ha", the good effect of preserving those honourable feelings for which he is so justly proverbial. In fine, Mons. Papineau and his tail do not represent the senti- Picnts of the Lower Canadians. But though the habitant is v.'ell disposed towards this country, yet there is no calculating how far he may be imposed upon by a design- ing PACTION, who, for the purpose of forwarding their ambitious views, may work upon the mir.d:^ of the people, until they imagine ymrtfrn^^mm^^i TKK BOUNDARY QUKSTfON. 49 ther'iselves aggriev^ed by the British government; for the habitants are generally 'lliterate, and therefore unable to judge rightly of the mis- representations made by this party. The elections are, for the most part, in the hands oi pettyfogging lawyers and the storekeepers; and, as I have before observed, were the ballot to be substituted m place of open voting in the colonies, a much better class of men would probably be elected to serve as representa- tives in parliament. The only serious complaint I heard made by the Canadians o\- French origin, was, that the Irish emigrants who settled amongst them were so riotous and quarrelsome that many were induced to change their abode in order to avoid their society. Trifling as this may appear, it has not been neglected by the Papine .a party as a means to excite the people, who are styled " les enfants du sol, whose RIGHT' ind TERRITORY are invaded by a race having no sympathy in cor.ion with tlmpJ' They are told " the British Government has no cla'im to the disposal of the wild land which has been handed down a.ux enfants du sol for their exclusive benefit. It would consequently be politic in the government to direct as iruch as possible the tide of emigration to parts of the country re- mote from the settlements of the habitants'; yet it is but right to add, that ti>3 habitants make a wide distinction between the Ir"sh, Scotch, and English sett?ers; the two latter they do not appear to dis- like, finding their habits are more orderly and similar to their own. Hoping that allowances will be made for the want of arrangement, and - uy incidental errors that may exist in the foregoing pages, X remain in anticipation that my opinions will not be uselessly laid before the public. Junior Unite! Service Club, W. B. C. March Uth, 1835. i Ml i mm THE KKD. BAYL19 AND I.KIOMTOK, JOHNSOK'i? COLI,T, ri.F.Ei.FTHKKT. i^» wmJMjjk