REVIEWS. 275 



were tbe ' Ann and Jane,' and ' R. H. Boughton.' The route of that day may be 

 thus briefly described. About a quarter of a mile west of the entrance to the 

 Welland Eiver, a canal commenced, leading to that stream, through which the 

 route ran, 9 J miles, ascending by two locks to the deep cut, at which point the 

 Canal proper commenced, the feeder of which was the Grand River, carried by 

 an aqueduct across the Welland ; from this point it descended to Lake Ontario" 

 The sum of $100,000 was named in this year as necessary to complete the work, 

 and the petition prayed that the stock should be increased to $300,000. Refer- 

 ence to the records of Parliament of that day, shows how unwelcome the applica- 

 tion was. It was, nevertheless, favorably entertained, 19 voting for, and 9 against 

 it. It was during the debates on this grant — which were evidently stormy enough 

 throughout — that, on a motion that the "Welland Canal Loan Bill be read a second 

 time that day three months, the votes were equal — 24 against 24 ; the Speaker, 

 the present Mr. Justice McLean, giving a easting vote in the negative. Through- 

 out the session the measure was violently opposed, and escaped only by majorities 

 of two and three. Besides granting the money, the Act likewise authorized the 

 appointment of a Commissioner to examine the canal, and to report to the Lieu- 

 tenant-Governor all facts and information that might be useful to aid in forming 

 an opinion of the progress of the work. Mr. Randall, who was appointed to this 

 duty, reported 31st May, 1830. He bore general testimony in favour of the sta- 

 bility of the works. Specially he examined the " Deep Cut," which gave much 

 trouble during construction. His remarks throw little light on the subject, but he 

 regrets that more preliminary precaution had not been taken. At the close of the 

 year, the work was so far completed as to afford a convenient communication by 

 the "Welland River. But the Directors were not satisfied ; the route was described 

 as " tardy and circuitous ;" and it was determined to apply to the Legislatures of 

 both Provinces, and to ask equally of each $100,000, so that a Canal would be 

 taken directly to Lake Erie. On the 14th of March, 1821, an Act to aflFord fur- 

 ther aid to the Welland Canal was passed, authorizing the Receiver-General to 

 issue $200,000 of debentures, as a further loan. It was much opposed ; 25 voting 

 for and 21 against it. In 1832, no call was made upon the Legislature ; but, in 

 1833, an Act of affording further aid towards the completion of the Welland Canal 

 was passed, appropriating $30,000 to subscribe for the unsold stock, and at the 

 same time the expenditure of the sum was placed in the hands of Commissioners. 

 In 1834, fresh legislation was called for. It was stated that the means of the 

 Company were exhausted ; that the concern was in debt $100,000, and another 

 $100,000 was needed " to putthe canal in a complete state for use the next season." 

 Such was the unpopularity of the scheme, that the Committee of the House to 

 whom the petition was referred, shrank from the responsibility of making any re- 

 commendation. They hoped that something might be done to place the Canal in 

 such a situation as might be most beneficial to the public interest. The members 

 who supported the petition acted with their usual energy, and it resulted that an 

 additional aid of $200,000 was given, stock being taken to that amount. The 

 money was raised by debentures, paying 6 per cent. The votes on the motion 

 were 22 against 14. The stock was likewise, by enactment, increased to a million 

 of dollars. It was further provided that the affairs of the Company should be 



