2r,2 Tin: theaty of wasiiingtox. 



States and Canada, a possession of Great Britain. 

 Nevertheless, tlic capability of a country to main- 

 tain itself l)y force, if need be, is one of the elements 

 of its political life, and therefore can not l)e over- 

 looked in considering the condition of the Domiinon 

 of Canada. 



In regard to Canada the intpiiry is the more impor- 

 tant, seeing that nnlitary force depends in part on 

 geographical facts, Avhich, in her case, equally as to 

 peace or wai, and for the same reasons, place her at 

 disadvantage on the side of the United States. 



Tlie British I'ossessions in North America, bes^in- 

 ning with Newfoundland on the Atlantic Ocean, and 

 endi g with Q'leen Charlotte's Island on the Pacific, 

 extend across tiio continent in its broadest i)art, a 

 distance of 80° of longitude, but in a high latitude, 

 occupying the wh'^»h> of the countiy north of the ter- 

 ritory of the United States. Tlie space thus descrii)ed 

 looks large on the map; but the greater pait of it is 

 beyond the limit of the groAvth of trees, and much of 

 the ivsidue is too cold to constitute a chosen residence 

 for lCuroj)eans. 



In a woi'd, the Dv)minion stretches along thousands 

 <»f miles, without caj)ability of extension on the one 

 side, where it meets the frozen north, or on the other, 

 where it is stopped by the United States. As a 

 country, it resembles a mathematical line, having 

 length without breadth. 



^Meanwhile, owing to their internal position, their 

 northern latitude, and the geographical configuration 

 of the whole country, the two great Provinces of On- 



