1829-3 The Case of the Canadas. 59 



and is transmitted in a manner similar to that which it would take in 

 this country. 



It will be convenient to consider the case made out by each of these 

 provinces separately ; but, first, it should be stated, that there exists a 

 marked difference between the interests of such of the inhabitants of 

 Lower Canada as are of French origin, and the more recent English 

 settlers. The distinguishing features of the two divisions are into Seig- 

 neuries and townships. The Seigneuries being the old French districts^ 

 which were first settled on, and which lie on either side of the St. 

 Lawrence, for a space of about ten or twelve miles in breadth j the 

 townships being in the rear of these districts, since settled on and im- 

 proved by English colonists. The lands in the Seigneuries are, there- 

 fore, held under the old French feudal tenure ; those of the townships 

 having been granted from the British crown under the tenure of free 

 soccage. Notwithstanding this diversity of interests, they are united in 

 their complaints of the existing state of things. 



The petition first referred to the Committee, and considered by them, 

 is from the townships of Lower Canada. It is ably and distinctly 

 expressed, and contains various complaints, which may be shortly stated. 

 They say, they consist of 40,000 souls, of British birth and descent, 

 who have no other language than that of their British ancestors, who 

 inhabit lands granted under the British tenure of free and common 

 soccage, who have a Protestant clergy, and who are, notwithstanding, 

 subject to French laws (in all civil matters only), of which they know 

 nothing — compiled in a language with which they are unacquainted. 

 They complain of want of courts within a reasonable and accessible distance 

 of their limits, even for the administration of those French laws — the 

 only ones they have ; and that they are deprived of the privilege which, 

 they contend, they are entitled to, of sending representatives to the 

 House of Assembly. They point out, as one of the practical evils to the 

 colony, and to the parent state, that, by reason of the hardships and 

 inconveniences they labour under, British emigrants are deterred from 

 settling in the Lower Province, which is, in every other respect, the 

 most eligible, and the most important, and they earnestly pray that the 

 two provinces may be united. The reasons which they give for this 

 request are entitled to some consideration. They are marked by a spirit 

 of jealousy, if not hostility to the French inhabitants of the province, 

 which we could have been better pleased to have seen omitted ; but 

 which, considering the general dissatisfaction that prevails in the pro- 

 vince, may be easily accounted for. The reasons, however, deserve to be 

 looked to with some attention. The petitioners say : — 



" The geographical situation of the two provinces, and tfte relations which 

 Nature has established between them, absolutely and indispensably require 

 their union under one legislature ; for they have but one outlet to the sea, and 

 one channel of communication with the mother country. The only key of that 

 communication, the only sea-port, is in the possession of Lower Canada, and 

 with it the only means by which, for a length of time, in a new country, a 

 revenue can be raised for the support of the government. To place, or to 

 leave, the only key of the communication — the only source of revenue, excki- 

 sively in the hands of a people like the French Canadians, anti-commercial in 

 principle, and adverse to assimilation with their British fellow-subjects, must 

 be extreme impolicy ; nor can the checks upon the imposition and repeal of 

 import-duties, provided by the Act of the last Session of the Imperial I'arlia- 

 inent, be more than a temporary remedv, inasmuch as Upper Canada is thereby 



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