202 APPENDIX TO BRITISH COUNTER CASE. 



50,OOOZ. has cost this country, on an average, 800,OOOZ. I have the 

 vouchers in my pocket, should your Lordships be inclined to examine 

 the fact. But the trade is not given up, it is only divided, and divided 

 for our benefit. I appeal to all men conversant with the nature of 

 that trade, whether its best resources in Canada do not lie to the 

 northward. What, then, is the result of this part of the treaty, so 

 wisely, and with so much sincere love on the part of England 

 clamoured against by noble Lords? Why this. You have generously 

 given America, with whom every call under heaven urges you to 

 stand on the footing of brethren, a share in a trade, the monopoly 

 of which you sordidly preserved to yourselves, at the loss of the 

 enormous sum of 750,OOOZ. Monopolies, some way or other, are ever 

 justly punished. They forbid rivalry, and rivalry is of the very es- 

 sence of the well-being of trade. This seems to be the era of protest- 

 antism in trade. All Europe appear enlightened, and eager to throw 

 off the vile shackles of oppressive ignorant monopoly ; that unmanly 

 and illiberal principle, which is at once ungenerous and deceitful. A 

 few interested Canadian merchants might complain; for merchants 

 would always love monopoly, without taking a moment's time to 

 think whether it was for their interest or not. I avow that monopoly 

 is always unwise; but if there is any nation under heaven, who 

 ought to be the first to reject monopoly, it is the English. Situated 

 as we are between the old world and the new, and between the south- 

 ern and northern Europe, all that we ought to covet upon earth is 

 free trade, and fair equality. With more industry, with more enter- 

 prise, with more capital than any trading nation upon earth, it 

 ought to be our constant cry, let every market be open, let us meet 

 our rivals fairly, and we ask no more. It is a principle upon which 

 we have had the wisdom to act with respect to our brethren of Ire- 

 land; and, if conciliation be our view, why should we not reach it 

 out also to America ? Our generosity is not much, but, little as it is, 

 let us give it with a grace. Indeed, to speak properly, it is not gen- 

 erosity to them, but economy to ourselves; and in the boundaries 

 which are established we have saved ourselves the immense sum of 

 800,0002. a year, and showed to the Americans our sincere love and 

 fair intentions, in dividing a little bit of trade which nature had 

 laid at their doors; and telling them that we desired to live with 

 them in communion of benefits, and in the sincerity of friendship. 



"But the Indians were abandoned to their enemies!" Noble 

 122 Lords have taken great pains to show the immense value of 



these Indians; it was not unnatural for noble Lords, who had 

 made so lavish a use of these Indians, to complain of their loss ; but 

 those who abhorred their violence would think ministry had done 

 wisely. The Americans knew best how to tame their savage natures. 

 The descendants of the good Wil^ am P enn would manage them bet- 

 ter than all the Mr. Stuarts with all the Jews-harps, razors, trump- 

 ery, and jobs that we could contrive. " But our treaties with them 

 bound us to everlasting protection!" This is one of those assertions 

 which always sounds well, and is calculated to amuse the uninformed 

 mind : but what is the meaning of in perpetuo in all treaties ? That 

 they shall endure as long as the parties are able to perform the con- 

 ditions. This is the meaning of perpetual alliances ; and in the pres- 

 ent treaty with America, the Indian nations were not abandoned to 

 their enemies; they were remitted to the care of neighbours, whose 



