thereof the long continuance of winter may re- tard the improvement of Canada, but not pre- vent it-comparison between Russia and Canada Page The constitution of Canada-the legislative council -the house of assembly-observations on the pro- priety of having given to Canada a representative form of government-complaints of the Canadians The English language not the language of Canada— English schools-opposed by the Canadians-go- vernment have not exerted themselves to intro- duce English-inducements for the Canadians to Scotia to Quebec-in the grants of townships the crown makes certain reserves-roads leading from Canada to the United States-numbers of Ame- ricans settled on the townships-reflections there- Page IX. Account of the value of imports and exports between Great Britain and the United States of America in 1806, 1807, and 1808 X. Exports from Quebec in 1808 XI. Memorial and petition of the merchants, and other inhabitants of New Brunswick, to the Se- XII. Petition of the merchants, and other inha- LETTERS FROM CANADA. LETTER I. At Sea, May, 1806. I PROMISED to write you, my worthy friend, on my arrival in Canada; I will do more; I will write you before I get there. You may perhaps say, What can be found worthy of notice on the face of the trackless ocean? Not so much, I grant you, as in the cultivated vale, or crowded city. But on the ocean even, we meet with occurrences which highly excite our curiosity, and merit our attention. Our approach to the American shore; our crossing the Gulf of St. Lawrence; our progress up that noble river; B cannot fail to furnish objects well deserving remark. The promise I have made you, to communicate whatever is new and interesting, will act as a stimulus to observation, and keep my attention on the alert. Canada is a most important country to Great Britain. It claims our attention from its geographical position relative to the United States; from its extent of territory; from its numerous productions; and from its rising value as a British colony. Few subjects are likely to be more interesting than the topographical description of a country so little known to us, presenting every where features peculiar and striking, and phenomena well deserving the attention of any one the least acquainted with natural history. It is very interesting also to trace the character of a people up to its origin, in the nature of the government and laws; the state of the administration of justice; and the peculiarities of their local situation, and of their climate; from all which, nations receive a bias in their manners, customs, and pursuits. It shall be my endeavour, during my residence in Canada, to elucidate these |