106 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



The present revenues of the several Provinces may be set down at one and 

 a quarter million of dollars. 



In 1852 Canada had $723,720 



In 1853 New Brunswick had $180,554 



In 1853 Nova Scotia, say $120,000 



The Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland revenues and the increase 

 on the Canadian will probably bring the amount not much below the sum I 

 have named. 



Twio years ago the Imports of the five Colonies reached $8,000,000, and the 

 exports exceeded $5,000,000. 



In the Halifax Sun a few weeks ago the imports In 1852 are said to have 

 reached $5,720,000, the tons of shipping built, 112,878— not mucih under half the 

 amount in the United States ; and the tons of shipping owned, half a million, 

 exceeded only by England and the United States. 



In view of all these facts it may be assumed that the British North 

 American Colonies possess a strength in popiilation, territory, commerce and 

 material resources that entitle theon to a higher national position than they 

 occupy, and that would justify their union as the means for attaining that 

 position. 



I shall, therefore, proceed to offer some remarks on the motives to union 

 In addition to wha/t has already been incidentally said. 



The Union may be pre.senited in a two-fold aspect : — 



The benefits it will yield. 



The evils it will avert. 



Looking at each Colony as possessed of soime advantages — some resources 

 peculiar to itself, it seems a conclusion alimost inevitable and self-evident, that 

 combination must increase their effectiveness ; and that the whole, developed 

 and directed by one governing power, representing all the Colonies, must 

 produce a result greater than the aggregate of the product under the separate, 

 unassisted agency of each separate Colony. As an example: — Nova Scotia, 

 with her eastwardly position, and excellent harbours, offering the first stopping 

 place in the navigation between Europe and America — surrounded on every 

 side by the sea or extensive bays — 'furnishing great facilities for commerce 

 and navigation — possessing unrivalled mines of wealth, in fisheries and min- 

 erals — needs a field larger, a strength greater than her own to give full effi- 

 cacy to those elements of adva,ncement. 



Canada — vast in her dimensions — unexcelled in her agricultural powers — 

 equal to unlimited immigration — a,nd teeming wlith the materials and means 

 of progress, almost without a precedent — is shut out from navigable com- 

 munication with the sea, by the rigours of winter for a large portion of the year. 



Without Union, the Coloniea will not minister as they might, to each 

 other's benefit. At present they feel not the disposition ; if they would, they 

 cannot without an united governiment, and a common system and policy. 



Tho small interest felt In each other by the Colonies would be almost 

 increUble to strangers. They confound us as one. We, as communities, 

 are not only several in fact, but In feeling. 



Union, giving us a coonmon ln;t«'rest, and making ua fellow -workers in 

 «idvancing that interest, would remedy this great evil ; and an uniform sys- 

 tem would remove impediments, which the regulations and partial interes't» 

 of the Colonies will, wlille separate, ever be presenting. 



If it be objected that Union would be distracted by opposing interests, 

 I answer that Union is not anticipated except on the basis of mutual benefit, 

 and the assximption that no large interest would be sacrificed. 



If, again, It be urged that the United Start«s afford to the Colonies many 

 of tJhe facilities that are presented as reasons for Union ; the reiply is :— That 



