378 PROSPECTS OF CANADIAN NAVIGATION. 



I only allude to another circumstance and possible 

 event which may dispose the free North-western States 

 to cultivate this eastern route of the St Lawrence. At 

 present, their main communication with the European 

 markets is by the Mississippi, the mouth and keys of 

 which are in the hands of the slave-owners of the south. 

 Should a crisis between the free and slave States arise, 

 this channel of intercourse might be shut up, and the 

 prosperity of the States on the upper river and its tribu- 

 taries thus greatly arrested. But if, in the meanwhile, 

 this channel by the St Lawrence be cultivated, any 

 contingency of that kind would fall less heavily upon 

 the States affected by it, and the dread of its occur- 

 rence would seriously influence neither their policy nor 

 fheir prospects. 



To this view of the St Lawrence navigation, as 

 bearing upon their own future condition and indepen- 

 dence, both political and commercial, the free North- 

 western States cannot be indifferent, and they will, 

 therefore, be anxious, I think, both to promote it 

 generally, and to secure its advantages to themselves as 

 cheaply, and at as early a period, as possible. 



Altogether, therefore, the prospects of the Canadian 

 canals, and the general St Lawrence navigation, are 

 exceedingly encouraging ; and though, as I have said, 

 I would not advocate, in these times, the creation of 

 exclusive advantages on either side of the river and 

 lakes, yet those which Canada now possesses ought not, 

 with these bright prospects, to be lightly resigned to 

 the United States, or without receiving a satisfactory 

 equivalent. 



But the Lower St Lawrence presents difficulties to 

 navigation not yet alluded to, and which demand, at the 

 hands of the Canadian Legislature, still further exertions, 

 with a view to its improvement, and to the more 

 effectually securing of the advantages which the 



