SOURCE OP ST. PETER S RIVER. 69 



varied probably in almost every case, according to the ta- 

 lents and abilities of the individual. It is probable that to 

 all, great advantages in the way of land were offered, and 

 even assistance in cattle, tools, &c. Within a few years, the 

 great diJ9ficulties being removed, and the apprehensions of 

 hostilities having ceased, the land has been offered for 

 sale. The price was at first two dollars per acre j but this 

 having been thought too high in the present state of the 

 colony, it was reduced in 1823 to one dollar per acre. We 

 cannot fail in wishing this colony success, because it will 

 not, we think, vitally affect the interests of the fur trade, 

 which is chiefly carried on to the north-west of the set- 

 tlement ; and because, even if it did, the benefits, and ad- 

 vantages, which would result from it, would be much 

 greater than those arising out of that trade. When we 

 take into consideration that the whole of the fur trade is 

 limited to two ships of three hundred tons each, which sail 

 annually from Hudson's Bay to England, and whose return 

 cargoes of British goods are amply sufficient to purchase 

 the furs, and supply the wants of traders, we will be convinc- 

 ed that the prosperity of England, either in a commercial or 

 a manufacturing point of view, cannot be materially affected 

 by the rise or decline of this trade. The evil which it has 

 done to Canada has been frequently and justly deplored ; 

 it has allured many of her youths from the steady occupa- 

 tions of agriculture, to attend to the wandering pursuits of 

 the traders ; it has instilled into their minds a taste for extra- 

 vagance and dissipation; it has accustomed them to lawless 

 habits, which have been, for a century back, a subject of re- 

 gret to the missionaries and to philanthropists. No doubt 

 can exist that the conduct of the young men who have been 

 annually sent out from Canada, and who were formerly 

 termed the " Coureurs des Bois," has had more influence 

 Vol. IL 10* 



