possible, the distinction of nations; and that they might all be in the habit of obeying a British officer, and acting under British command. Precisely the reverse of all this has taken place. The English and Canadians are divided into separate corps. The Canadians are officered by their own people; taught their exercise in French; and form a perfectly distinct body from the English. If brigaded with English troops, they could not understand the word of command, nor act with effect. In short, if the governor of Canada had intended to make them fit materials for Bonaparte to use against us, he could not have resorted to a better plan than what has been adopted here: upon this point all the world cry out; indeed it seems so absurd, it is hardly credible.

There seems to be no doubt, that government, by a temperate and steady application of the influence and powers they possess, might long ere now have made English the prevailing language in the towns at least, and probably amongstthe leading people in every part of the country; and I

have no doubt that by the same means it may still be done.

It is supposed (and I believe not without good grounds), that the principal check to the prevalence of the English language: is, that the clergy silently oppose it. An attempt should be made either to induce them to second the wishes of government, or at least to remain neuter. The most effectual means of doing so would be to abolish tythes, and pay the clergy a fixed salary out of the public purse. It would be a very easy matter to raise a fund for this purpose. The abolition of tythes would be attended with a great many advantages, agricultural, as well as political. It is an event greatly wished for, I believe, in England: there, however, many obstacles present themselves, which do not exist here; and I doubt not that it would be so popular a measure, that the clergy, with all their influence, could not oppose it. Indeed, it is a matter of some doubt whether they would not themselves prefer a sum certain,-paid at once, to the vexatious operation of collecting ty thes from a hundred hands.

If we take a view of the increase of population in Upper and Lower Canada for some years past, we shall see that the increase of those speaking English has been much greater, in proportion to the original stock, than of those speaking French; so that, in time, these will be left in the minority. This arises from the great influx of people from Europe, and from the United States, who generally prefer settling either in Upper Canada, or in the Townships of Lower Canada, where land is more easily procured, and the tenures better understood. That you may completely understand the distinction of tenures, it may be necessary to explain to you how lands are granted and held in Canada; this I shall attempt to do in my next letter.

LETTER XXIV.

Quebec, 1808..

Ar the conquest of this country by the English, the Canadians were allowed to retain their private property, as well real as personal; and as they were afterwards indulged with their own laws, the lands continued to be held by the old French tenures.

All the land on both sides of the river St. Lawrence from the gulf, up to the boundary of Lower Canada, about thirty miles above Montreal, was granted by the French king to certain individuals, who became seigneurs, or lords of the territory. The tenure was of a feudal nature: they held immediately of the king en fief or en roture, and rendered him foi et hommage (fealty and homage) on their accession to the property; on a transfer of the

seigneurie, they pay a fifth part of the value, called the Quints. This is still the case; it is paid to the receiver-general, who gives you a receipt on your title, and puts you in possession.

These seigneuries are large tracts of country, and they have from time to time been conceded by the seigneurs in a variety of lots to those who might want to settle on, and improve them. These grants or concessions are also of a feudal nature; the grantees are the vassals of their lord. There is seldom any consideration given at first, but they are bound to pay a small sum, generally about 5s. a year, besides a bushel of wheat, and a couple of fowls in name of rent. They also pay lots et vants (mutation fines) on every subsequent transfer of the property, by sale, or by long lease, called Bail ampheteotique. They are to perform certain annual services to their lord, and they must carry to his mill all the corn they wish to have ground, of which he retains a fourteenth part, as mouture, or miller's fee.

Since the English have had possession