276 HISTORY OF THE [book, vi, 
those assertions were abundantly confirmed by the 
declarations and subsequent conduct of the gover¬ 
nor himself, to whom the address was presented;* 
their lordships reported, that the assembly were by 
no means warranted in the strong terms they had 
used; it appearing, they said, “ from private let¬ 
ters laid before them, that the scarcity complained 
of did not exist” When their lordships were hum¬ 
bly desired to communicate the names of the par¬ 
ties who had written such letters, that some judg¬ 
ment might be formed what degree of credit was 
due to their testimony against that of the legisla¬ 
ture of their colony, they refused, with tokens of 
manifest displeasure, to disclose them. 
Their lordships, in the next place, proceeded to 
estimate the resources of Canada and Nova Scotia; 
and in contradiction to the evidence and conclu¬ 
sions which had been given and adduced by the 
West Indian merchants and planters, they asserted, 
in general terms, “ that the exportation of grain 
from Canada would revive and increase, provided 
the West Indian market was secured to the inha¬ 
bitants of that province;” and they added, “ that 
several persons of great experience were of opinion, 
that an annual export of 300,000 bushels might in a 
few years be depended on.” They admitted that the 
natural impediments in the navigation of the river 
St. Lawrence might affect the supply of lumber, 
but denied that this circumstance would injure the 
Sir Arch. Campbell, 
