the number of inhabitants such a country as Canada possesses, the greater will be the, amount of its productions, and the better market will it be for the manufactures of the mother country. The more industrious and enterprising the people are, the better; because over and above their own wants, a large surplus produce will be found for exportation, raising thereby a fund to pay for manufactures imported. It is this which will make Canada of consequence to Britain; and the most expeditious method of bringing about such an end would naturally be adopted, were there no political considerations to be attended to; but Britain, in order to increase the productions of Canada, and open a larger market for her manufactures, must not adopt means which would have a tendency to deprive her of the country altogether. Canada is a desirable country for emigrants, particularly the south-west parts of it, where the climate is moderate, as is the case in Upper Canada. In fact, population increases fast both in Upper and Lower Canada, as you may well be convinced of, since, in the course of little more than forty years, the increase has been from 75,600 to 300,000, which is nearly doubling every 20 years. Government have not hitherto interfered with the proprietors of the Seigneuries and townships; they have been suffered to dispose of their lands in any way they thought proper, and to any people they chose, whatever their principles, religious or political, might be; and whatever country they might come from. Since the commencement of the present misunderstanding with the United States, some doubts have arisen as to the propriety and policy of allowing so many Americans to come into Canada, and particularly to giving them tracts of land on the back of the townships, contiguous to their own boundaries. It seems more advisable to confine them to the neighbourhood of the Seigneuries, where they would be more under the eye of government, and the cognizance of the law. There exists amongst the old Canadians a strong prejudice against the Americans; they are jealous of their increasing numbers in Canada; they hate them most cor dially: indeed, that is not surprising, for they have, from the first establishment of the colony, been almost constantly in a state of warfare. Les sacra Bostonois, is the usual epithet for all Americans, from whatever part of the country they may come. It is not the old Canadians alone who have imbibed prejudices against the Americans; the British seem to have caught the infection, for which, indeed, they are a good deal predisposed from their early prepossessions at home. This prejudice will cease, or give way, gradually, as they know each other better. The Americans are, I should suppose, just as fit materials to make good subjects of, as any other people. All mankind require good laws over their heads, and that justice should be strictly and impartially administered; wherever this happens, you will have quiet and good subjects, in course of time, of whatever country they may have originally been. Some people think that there is more to be apprehended from Bonaparte than from the Americans. His ambition and thirst for dominion are pretty evident; he would rejoice to get possession of Canada: he wants colonies and commerce. It is thought that a few thousand French troops, could they find their way into Canada, would be well received by the Canadians, and would very soon possess themselves of the country: at least, they would unhinge our government, and confine our power to Quebec. In this point of view the Canadians are as dangerous as the Yankees. I should suppose we need not be under any apprehensions from either. Let the Canadian endeavour to eradicate from his mind any remaining partiality for France; for surely no nation has so com pletely vilified itself. Well may the descendents of old France say,' You are a reproach amongst the nations-we know you no more!" The Canadian ought to fraternize with those around him he ought to be thankful for the blessings he enjoys under the auspices of Great Britain—a nation which rears its head amongst the nations of the earth; because honor, energy, and good faith, are in her councils ;-virtue, integrity, and industry, amongst her people. : The policy of the mother country, in regard to the management of colonies, is complex. The principal object is to preserve their allegiance and dependence, and have such command of their resources, as to be able to bring them forward at any time, when the mother country may have occasion for them. Every thing will naturally be done by the mother country to in-. crease those resources, and promote the general prosperity of the colony, so long as the primary objects are not endangered.— Were there any risk of that sort, I should have no hesitation in adopting a line of conduct calculated to preserve these primary objects in full force, though the growth of the colony might thereby be checked. It has been said, that we have lost nothing by the United States becoming independent, because they take our manufactures to a greater amount than they did before they became independent. Suppose they do, the conclusion does not follow as a matter of course. I am inclined to think, that our losing the sovereignty of the United States has been a very great B B |