1829. J The Case of the Canadas. 65 



prepared to recommend the measure^ and this observation,^ — so far from 

 thinking it unsatisfactory or vague — we take to be, under the circum- 

 stances, the soundest and most rational that coukl have been offered. 



They add upon this point a recommendation that the imposition of 

 the Customs on the river St. Lawrence may be equalized and arranged, 

 and a hope that this arrangement Avill be amicably effected. The accom- 

 plishment of that depends mainly on the principle which they think 

 ought to be applied to any alteration in the constitution of the Canadas, 

 and which is " to limit the alterations which it may be desirable to 

 make by any future British act, as far as possible, to such points as can 

 only be disposed of by the paramount authority of the British legis- 

 lature ;" and they are of opinion that all other changes should, if possi- 

 ble, be carried into effect by the local legislators themselves, in amicable 

 communication with the local government. 



In a country where a great diversity of opinion in matters of religion 

 must, from the various origins and habits of the people, necessarily 

 prevail, the question of jjroviding for the ministers of religion becomes 

 one of great nicety. The Roman Catholic faith is the established reli- 

 gion of the original French settlers, and it would be equally unjust and 

 useless to attempt to interfere with it. There are, besides, a great num- 

 ber of persons educated in the principles and doctrines of that Church 

 of England which is a part of the law paramount that governs all 

 English colonies ; but the numbers who profess tlie faith and discipline 

 of the Church of Scotland, and of various other denominations of Pro- 

 testant Dissenters, appears to be much larger than all the rest. As the 

 cultivation of true religion is a matter of infinitely greater importance 

 in a colony so formed and so peopled, than the protection of any parti- 

 cular mode of worship, each of these sects is entitled to respect and 

 encouragement. By the Act of 1791, the governor is directed to make 

 allotments of the crown lands in the several districts for the maintenance 

 of a Protestant clergy, which he has done ; but as the difficulties in the 



amongst them; the French Canadians are united in their origin, (of which they are justly 

 proud,) in religion, in manners, and in virtue — they have a character to support, and tliey 

 have always nohly supported it. A^'^hilst they were under the French government they 

 were the bravest subjects that France had, and with one sixth of their present number 

 they gave the greatest opposition to the British army that they met with at the conquest in 

 Canada. I am persuaded tliat if the French Canadians had been as numerous at that 

 time as they are now, we would not have wrested Canada from France, and if such had 

 been the resiJt, we would not now have the youtliful, powerful, and federative North 

 American Kepubhc encroaching on us as they do at present. The French Canadians are 

 reproached for not Anglefying themselves. Are the inhabitants of Jersey and Guernsey 

 worse British subjects for having preserved their language, manners, and Norman laws ? or 

 are they so reproached ? And yet I will boldly assert that Lower Canada, and the other 

 North American Colonies, are of ten thousand times more vital importance to this empire 

 than those islands are of. I consider them more than the right arm of the Britisli empire. 

 I am convinced that if the French Canadians were double their present number they 

 would set all the union of America at defiance. They are the best subjects this country 

 lias. 



Q. For that reason you think it would be wise to let them have an opportunity of extending 

 their numbers and their institutions over the whole of the Lower Province ? — A. Certainly ; 

 you have no other chance of keeping your North American colonies, but by that means. 

 If you do not do it you lose them as sure as ever you liave an invasion on the jiart of 

 America; and wliat then? With tlic American Kepublic, one and indivisible, from the 

 (tulph of Mexico to Hudson's Bay, how would this empire bo circumstanced witli regard 

 to ships, colonies and commerce ? This, in my humble opinion, most ini])()r(ant, .ind 

 indeed most vital <|uestion, deserves the most serious consideration of the Britisli legisla- 

 ture : once the North American colonics lost, they are forever. 



M.M. New Series.— Yoi..\ in. No. 43. K 



