UNITED STATES AND UPPER CANADA. 417 



Canada, under the title of the American Land Company. 

 Many of the shareholders reside in Quebec and Montreal, 

 who will employ their influence to prevent strangers proceed 

 ing to the Upper province. From these causes, which are 

 temporary, and others formerly stated, there is little reason 

 to expect a continuance of the recent progression in Upper 

 Canada. The country has, however, great advantages in 

 water communication, which, in progress of time, will become 

 useful to trade. There is still much unoccupied land, a great 

 part of which, however, lies in an unfavourable climate. From 

 this circumstance, the monopoly of land, and its consequent 

 high price, the reward of industry and wages of labour are 

 more likely to diminish than increase. 



The position of Upper Canada in its external relations, 

 which has been stated at page 413, must be considered unfa 

 vourable, and in the internal condition of the country there is 

 much which is unsatisfactory. The province is an appendage 

 to Britain, and seems to have aped many of the frailties of the 

 mother country. The principle of government has been 

 patronage ; the rule of governing, enriching the few and 

 despising the many. Hence abuses in extensive grants of 

 land, pensions, superfluous offices, an aristocracy, and such an 

 aristocracy ! a rapacious church, and the neglect of education. 

 The institutions of Britain are a century behind the intelli 

 gence of her inhabitants. Upper Canada is generations be 

 hind North America in legislation. I have already said the 

 government of the province is in helpless infancy, and add, it 

 must pass through the slippery paths of youth before attain 

 ing strength. There is already discord amongst the inhabit 

 ants, who are assailing the oligarchy under a sturdy, though 

 not comprehensive minded, leader. The strife is likely to be 

 tedious, and without bloodshed ; the poverty of the country 

 and character of the people being a sufficient guarantee against 

 aggression or envy on the part of the United States, and the 

 scattered condition of the settlers a protection against them 

 selves. 



The policy of the movement party ought to be, to seek the 

 aid of the mother country, and steadily but cautiously proceed 

 with measures calculated to cripple the aristocracy, the domi- 



2D 



