THK UNITED STATES AND CANADA. 251 



human nature, was here most signally contradicted. The same remark 

 applies to various other farms noticed in even my limited excursion, and the 

 one in question exhibited a set of as busy and happy dingy countenance as 

 the philanthropist could wish to look on whilst the appearance of the farm 

 spoke to the steady labour which had been employed and the barn (the test 

 of a thriving colonist) was the largest and handsomest I passed." 



A few miles further was the town of Gait, founded by the cele- 

 brated writer of that name, who was formerly the acting com- 

 missioner for the Canada Land Company. The soil in this district is 

 excellent, and the neighbourhood very highly salubrious. Such ad- 

 vantages, combined with those of gratuitous conveyance by the 

 company, and the fair and honourable terms which may be expected 

 from the agents, induces Mr. Fergusson to think that no part of the 

 Canadas presents a better opening for a respectable settler. Not 

 far off w r as another industrious and prosperous negro, located by the 

 way side. He had invented an useful implement which was denomi- 

 nated a live plough. It is pleasant to witness those instances of 

 negro capacity and industry which cross the path of our traveller, 

 and we trust that his testimony will not be without its weight in the 

 approaching great question of the expediency of negro emancipation. 



From New York Mr. Fergusson proceeded southward, to 

 Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the city of Washington, where he 

 obtained an interview with General Jackson, whom he describes as 

 " a tall, thin old gentleman, of plain, unaffected demeanour." 



" He talked (continues our author) with kindly feelings towards Great 

 Britain inquired into my own views, and the opinion I had formed of 

 America. He mentioned certain portions of the continent, as in his opinion, 

 favourable for settlers (he is partial to warm climates) and finally dis- 

 patched a message by his private secretary, Mr. Hayward, the chief 

 commissioner of the Land Office, to come to him, that I might make his 

 acquaintance. The president then inquired whether, as regards emigration, 

 I felt inclined to prefer Canada or the States ? In reply, I stated that I was 

 much pleased with what I had seen of Canada, and that I believed he would 

 not think the worse of me for having some bias for our own settlements. 

 ' Certainly not, sir, and I have no hesitation in saying, that as far as 

 regards climate and soil, it is a matter of indifference in my opinion, 

 whether emigrants go to Canada or come to us ; but I will say (with some 

 emphasis) that they will find more stirring in the States' a remark which is 

 perfectly just but which I am far from admitting to be any discouragement. 

 The resources of Upper Canada remain to be developed. Mr. Van Buren 

 observed (and it was the only observation I heard which could be said to 

 have a smack of the court) ' that he had been always particularly struck by 

 the steadiness and success of the Scotch settlers/ At the same time, and 

 without any undue national partiality, I believe that he is amply borne out 

 by facts. It was highly satisfactory to hear the liberal and friendly ex- 

 pressions of these statesmen towards Great Britain, and to witness the 

 satisfaction with which they received my assurance, that in all my promis- 

 cuous intercourse with American citizens (with only one reception unworthy 

 of notice) I had every where met with a congenial and growing feeling of 

 confraternity and good will." 



On Thursday, 2nd June, 1831, a brilliant day, with the ther- 

 mometer at 86, Mr. Fergusson set out from the Federal city to visit 

 Mount Vernon, the home, and now the final resting place of the 



