84 



at something more than Ij^OOjOOO bushels. Of 

 this quantity, Canada hitherto has seldom ex- 

 ported, upon an average, but httle more than a 

 third part. So great a disparity of numbers 

 is not a sufficient reason to abandon, without 

 some further reflection, the supposition that the 

 supply may be made to equal the demand. 

 Immediately indeed it could not ; but after the 

 lapse of a very few years, may not so desirable 

 an object be obtained, when the good effects of 

 an improved system of agricultural manage- 

 ment, and to the encouragement of which the 

 most rigid attention ought to be paid, begin to 

 shew themselves, combined with such measures 

 as would make it the interest of the people of 

 the well cultivated countries of the United 

 States that lie contiguous to our frontier, to 

 bring their disposable produce to the ports of 

 the St, Lawrence ? The foundation of these 

 advantages would certainly be laid, were the 

 colonial merchants placed in a situation to con- 

 tend against those of America in supplying the 

 islands. Until the commencement of hostilities 

 with us, the latter enjoyed the profits of sup- 

 plying our West Indian possessions both with 

 provisions and lumber, and which were, in fact, 

 secured to them by an act that passed the Bri- 

 tish parliament, 1807, whereby the privy coun- 

 cil was authorised to suspend the operations of 



