CANADA; {849 v0 1859.
RB a > THE HON. A. T. GALT,
FINANGH MINISTER OF CANADA,
QUEBEC: PRINTED AT THE CANADA GAZETTE OFFICE.
1860,
CANADA:
1849 ro 1859.
BY
THE HON. A. T. GALT,
FINANCE MINISTER OF CANADA.
QUEBEC; PRINTED AT THE CANADA GAZETTE OFFICE.
1860.
aye
REELED ONE RE AOSD ENN: OT DPSS ERROR
|
In issu i of Canad | the oppo
| vertently
The ok
| features | upon det
| necessari
faction tk
tion with
Quebe
i
| of Canada, during the past decade, advantage has been taken of | the opportunity to correct some inaccuracies which had inad-
| vertently been permitted to occur in the first issue.
j features of Canadian progress, without attempting to enlarge | upon details. Many subjects of considerable importance have j necessarily been passed over, and he can only express his satis-
j faction that the public has been kind enough to treat the publica-
In issuing another edition of the following sketch of the progress
The object of the writer has only been to give an outline of the
tion with so much indulgence.
Quebec, Ist March, 1860.
{
! The hist aturally b specially iese deper
| On the o
ent. coulc Other, it wa breat Brite ¢minence, . Where ; an would be fe éntire contr
In no pai fuller - or- fa sting-to re far its-inha’ them. Bec he concess the... confide themselves. same. objec he measur evill. be pr povernmen!
the popular
CANADA: 1849 TO 1859.
4 i
| The history and progress of ‘ the Colonies of Great Britain must aturally be a subject‘of deep interest to the people of England, aspecially since the experiment has been fairly tried of entrusting ese dependencies of the empire with local self-government.
k | On the one hand, it was contended that: constitutional govern- ent. could: nat be safely entrusted. to colonists.; while, on. the Other, it was as.strongly urged.that the institutions under which sreat Britain had_ herself. attained a position of such power, and gminence, were capable of being, worked. by her subjects. every-
here; and. that. the vast. resources of her colonial possessions. would be far more usefully developed by giving. their people the ¢ntire control of their own affairs.
In no part of'the colonial empire has the experiment received'a fuller- or- fairer trial than-in Canada ; and it'cannot but be inter- sting: to review the progress: of that country, and to mark how ar-its- inhabitants have -worthily exercised the power conceded to hem. Because, if it could be shown that evil’ had: flowed: from- he concession of self-government in.Canada,.it might well shake the.. confidence of .those who. desire to give the people. of England. themselves.a: larger. share in.the government ofthe empire, as.the. same. objects are equally. sought.in,both countries, and the greater: the measure. of reform. granted in England, the greater identity till. be produced with the state of things.in Canada, where the: Rovernment of the country necessarily, rests:almost wholly upon, he popular. element.
6
I propose to give a brief reswmé of the principal subjects which haws in ; have, within the last ten years, been before the Legislature of p entire Canada, leaving the statesmen of England to judge how far the | have, blessings of free institutions have been appreciated or abused by Canada their colonial brethren. But before proceeding to do so, it may because, be well to give some slight sketch of the position of public affairs bpplied to up to 1849. | | The pre previousl lincurred success interests ichange p ‘found her:
and depre
It is not necessary to do more than advert to the fact that serious _ disturbances of the public peace had occurred both in Lower and * Upper Canada in 1837-8, and that in 1840 the Union of these two | Provinces took place. For some years succeeding the Union, an unsettled state of things continued, marked, however, by gradua concession to the demand for self-government, until 1846, when | Lord John Russell, then Secretary for the Colonies, first fully admitted the principle of what is termed responsible government, directly t and required that the affairs of the country should be administered } .. ,arked by advisers of the Crown, possessing the confidence of the people, | of the dist and in harmony with their well-understood wishes. The system } ¢,c¢ the thus fairly inaugurated, in 1849, may be said to have received its | \ hich tin final and conclusive acceptance, both by the mother-country and j tical ques the colony, as from that date no attempt has ever been made to } jhe count interfere with its free and legitimate operation. The political | differences and difficulties of Canada have been dealt with by} Under her own people and Legislature, and Great Britain has never } fact that 1 been required to take part in any local question whatever, except | affairs ; to give effect, by Imperial legislation, to the express desire of the | vigorous
Tm
eet i natn °
Provincial Legislature. | and resto
In 1846, England may be said to have fairly abandoned the | hitherto t colonial system of trade, as in that year the corn laws were | her colon repealed, and the productions of Canada generally placed on the | the polic; same footing as those of foreign countries. It was not, however, | she ceas till 1848, that the differential duties imposed by the Imperial | of others Legislature upon importations into Canada were repealed, and | ¢? ist the Province permitted to import whence and how she pleased, | 224 suc which was still further promoted by the repeal of the navigation | COUT:
\
ON eS LS RS ee
7
subjects which ‘laws in 1849, since which date Canada has enjoyed the privilege
» Legislature of | f entirely controlling her own trade, and her own customs dues.
pe how far the have, therefore, taken the year 1849, as that when, politically, pd or abused by Canada was entirely entrusted with self-government, and also > do 80, 1t may because, at that date, the principles of free trade were fully bf public affairs applied to her. he sehabiatious ; The protective colonial system of Great Britain having been in Lewes end ‘previously the settled policy of the empire, the province had itself Aaet theae nes jincurred very heavy liabilities upon public works, dependent for r the Union. an ween OPO? its continuance, and many other commercial waniggenenn dual interests had also grown up under it. The sudden and unexpected itil, \ -, r celen jchange produced very serious disasters ; and in 1849, Canada ‘es en full ‘found herself with an exhausted exchequer, a crippled commerce, ’ Y ‘and depreciated credit. Apart from these financial difficulties, phe ubietaeebeatad directly traceable to the altered policy of Great Britain, it must be e administered j remarked that the country had scarcely recovered from the shock > of the people, jof the disturbances of 1837-8 ; that the Union had brought face ta | The System / face the opposing influences of English and French Canada, ve received its | Which time had not yet mitigated ; and that the most serious poli- er-country and / ticg) questions, both affecting the social and material prosperity of been made to | the country, had to be dealt with.
The political | | dealt with by | Under such depressing circumstances, the only hope lay in the itain has never | fact that the people had at last the management of their own latever, except | affairs ; and with a country abounding in natural resources, a s desire of the | vigorous and self-reliant effort would yet overcome all obstacles,
| and restore, upon a more healthy basis, that prosperity which had bandoned the | hitherto been sought through favours granted by Great Britain to her colonies, at the expense of her own people. Canada accepted the policy of England as necessary for the welfare of the empire : she ceased all applications for aid to be granted to the detriment of others ; and she has applied herself to the task of developing her institutions and her resources with a vigour, determination and success, that have rarely, if ever, been witnessed in any other country.
orn laws were | placed on the | s not, however, |
the Imperial | repealed, and | w she pleased, | he navigation |
8r
In: proceeding: to.review the. great-progressive-steps that;Canada.
has. made: between. 18490. and. 1859, . I, shall, . in, the. first place, ‘advert to those which concern its social and moral government ; -afterwards; those whiich‘afféet its material’ progress ;- and: finally, -«démonstrate:the result. as: viewed through: the operation of its trade:
In accordance with the provisions of the Imperial statute, establishing: the: constitution: ofthe country; the Legislature con- sisted, under: the Governor-General, of; a: Legislative Couneil, or
*Upper: House; nominated for life: by the: Crown; and: a Lower House; elected by: the people:. The: rapid: settlement: of: the country, especially: of the more newly: opened: districts, soon:
rendered the original allotment: of eighty-four: members: for: the | Lower: House: insufficient, and: this: evil: was:reformed in: 1863, by
aw increase of the representatives to 130 members:' The franchise has also: been: reformed: and: extended; the qualification: now being: $0 dollars:per-annum; or £6 sterling; for freehold: or tenantry: in towns, and-20:dollars, or: £4: sterling, in rural: districts ; ‘the: prin- cipal feature inthe change: being the admission of the: tenant: vote in: the counties-and rural: districts;
The original election law allowed an; almost: unlimited, time for elections, often producing great violence, and provided no checks upon ‘voting except: oaths——while: the trial: of -elections- was: both tedious: and uncertain.. This has been wholly reformed by: limit-
ing. the: duration of an: election: to:two:days, by providing ‘for a. |
perfeet ‘system of registration of votes, and by: the-enactment of an improved’ system :for the: trial: of contested elections:
The. Legislative Council, or Upper House,, has also been reformed. by. the. introduction of. the elective. principle—the existing nominated members retaining their seats for life. The: Province has been. divided into forty-eight electoral divisions, each returning one: member, Twelve. are elected every. two years, and they go out of office after eight years’ service. The House is not subject: to dissolution ; and it is expected that the result will be to establish
a. body it ‘Apolitics;
4 nots of t may be
4 The; pr inately fo Fin 1849 ; ‘difficult ¢ Esettled:. t 4 Queen, i } the: city;¢ 4 of erectia
3 ©Perhay 4 of constit 9 ance. of. ” The: gene @ jects, anc measures 4 have, the @ efforts. h
and cou!
Canada. @ the Unic } Canada i Special 4% the inte @ of seve! @ failure. a was es f similar
for Lov
the abs«
burdens
more pt!
ps that:Canada.
Ce;.
the. first i
government ; +; and: finally, eration of its
perial statute, 9 islature con- e Couneil, or
ement: of: the
lon: now: being: r tenantry: in cts ; the: prin- he: tenant: vote
nited, time for ed no checks ns- was: both med'by: limit-
roviding for a. |
actment of! an
s also been —the existing ‘he: Province ach returning and they go ot subject: to > to establish
9:
ja. body ina: great dégree: secured’ from the ordinary: excitement of ‘politics; and‘ able to ‘take a.calm:and : dispassionate: review: of: the: acts of the Lower: House, which: is: elected: for. four: years, and:
ay be:disso! ved ‘by the: Governor General.
The: practice of holding: the, sittings: of: the. Legislature, alter-
jnately for:four: years in; each.section. of. the Province, commenced: Jin 1849 ; and after a:long.and, protracted struggle, this.extremely. (difficult question, essentially of a sectional character, has been ali Haeuas settled. by: the adherence. of. Parliament: to. the decision uf the 7 Queen, in-the selection as the permancnt, seat of government of. itatibake: bois j the: city: of Ottawa, where the. public. buildings are now in course nbers: for the | of erection. od in: 1863, by. |
The: franchise. | of constitutional government, is to provide for the complete. sever-
# ance. of. local. legislation from that.affecting the people at large. 4 The general. Legislature can never properly deal with such. sub- @ jects, and their introduction tends to distract attention. from: those 7 measures which are of general interesi. @ have, therefore, received much. attention in Canada, and constant:
Perhaps.the most important step. required for the. perfect: working
Municipal institutions.
efforts. have been made to perfect them, and to give each parish
§ and county. the control of its own internal affairs. In Upper
Canada.a system of municipal local, government existed prior.to
# the Union; but it was in a crude and inefficient form. ‘In. Lower i Canada the attempt was made to introduce the. system by. the 4 Special Council, which replaced the ordinary Legislature. during i the interregnum following the rebellion ; but, with the exception @ of several of the English.counties, the effort proved a complete q failure. 7 was established, in Upper Canada ;. and in 1850, a measure of.
In 1849, a.complete system, of municipal organization.
similar tendency, but differing somewhat in. detail, was passed for Lower Canada. In both sections much evil. had arisen from the absence of all.power to levy local rates for local objects ;. and burdens were thus thrown upon the general revenue, which. were more properly chargeable on the localities interested.
10
The system thus inaugurated, was from time 'to time amended, as circumstances showed the necessity, until finally, in 1858, the whole of the laws relating to municipalities in Upper Canada, were revised and consolidated into one statute. A similar measure has likewise been prepared for Lower Canada, and was distributed througho.' the Province during the last Session of the Provincial Parliament, ,reparatory to its being considered and finally passed in the sessio: now approaching.
The general features of the municipal law of Upper Canada, and which, with some modifications suited to the different state of suciety in Lower Canada, may be stated as the system in force throughout the Province, are :
The inhabitants of every county, city, town and township, are constituted corporations, their organization proceeding wholly upon the elective principle ; and provision is made for the erection of new municipalities, as the circumstances of the country require, by their separation from those already existing. A complete system is created for regulating the elections, and for defining the duties of the municipalities and of their officers. Their powers may be generally stated to embrace everything of a local nature, including—the opening and maintenance of highways ; the erec- tion of school-houses, and the support of common and grammar schools ; the provision of accommodation for the administration of justice, gaols, &c., and the collection of rates for their support, as well as for the payment of petty jurymen ; granting shop and tavern licenses ; regulating and prohibiting the sale of spirituous liquors ; providing for the suppoit of the poor ; preventing the obstruction of streams ; effecting drainage, both in the cities and country ; inspection of weights and measures ; enforcing the due observance of the Sabbath, and protection of public morals ; establishing and regulating ferries, harbours, markets, &c. ; abating nuisances ; making regulations for, and taking precau- tions against, fires ; establishing gas and water works ; making police regulations ; levying rates upon all real and personal pro-
se
Saas
. perty, i
me
Se
Sota
) all poss
borrowi essentiz
The jt going 1
vation but in t district general local q matters rejectin
Pass the mod munici regard bearing
The parts. instruc second univer:
Asr Upper 1846, | tenden the gri to the Europ operat inquit whicl
ime amended, y, in 1858, the pper Canada, - A similar hada, and was Session of the sidered and
pper Canada, lifferent state stem in force
ownship, are eding wholly pr the erection ntry require, A complete t defining the Their powers local nature, ys; the erec- ind grammar lministration heir support, ing shop and of spirituous eventing the he cities and cing the due lic morals ; tkets, &c. ; ing precau- KS; making ersonal pro-
Bs
11
7 perty, including incomes for all purposes; and, for certain objects,
a eT
borrowing money ; together with a great number of minor matters essential for the good government of a community.
The present municipal system of Canada, of which the fore- going is a brief and imperfect sketch, is believed to provide for all possible local legislation, and has been framed upon an obser- vation of the working of these institutions, not only in England,
| but in the United States, the result being to secure for each local
district the most perfect control of its own affairs. Under it the general legislature is freed from the necessity of considering any local question ; and the people themselves have, in all important matters, the opportunity, by a popular vote, of considering and rejecting the action of their own municipal representatives.
Passing from the previous questions, which relate to reforms in the mode of governing the country, both generally and through municipalities, I will now advert to that which has been done in regard to education, which certainly has the most important bearing on the future welfare of the country.
The educational question may be divided into two distinct parts.. First. The provision of common schools for the general instruction of the people in the rudiments of learning. And, secondly. The establishment of superior schools, colleges and
universities.
As regards common schools, much attention had been given in Upper Canada to this subject at all times ; but it was not until 1846, that it was reduced to a system. The very able Superin- tendent of Schools in Upper Canada, Dr. Ryerson, is entitled to the greatest credit for the labour and talent which he has devoted to the subject. He was deputed by the Government to visit Europe, for the purpose of examining the best school systems in operation. And after a lengthened examination, the result of his inquiries was finally embodied in several Acts of Parliament, which provide for the establishment of schovl districts in every
12:
part: of: Canada ; every child: is. entitled to. education ; and/for the support:of:thée system, a rate is struck by. each municipality, in addition to a contribution: of: £90,000: from the provincial exchequer. Each school district is under the management of
} and, u * the las » schools of com!
local trustees chosen by the people—who are again subject to
inspection by officers appointed: by the County Councils, periodical y. Fort returns being made to the Superintendent of Education. The | . Prosres Superintendent himself is assisted’ by a Council of Instruction, MOR, | F chosen from the leading men of the Province, without regard to | with it religion or politics. The order of tuition and the school-books | schools are settled’ by the Council and Superintendent. Libraries of Upper useful books, maps, &c., carefully selected, are also supplied’ at Canadi cost’ price to the different municipalities. For the purpose of pro- lands, 4 viding fit instructors for the common schools, Normal schools in addi haye been established in both sections of the Province—both for In bo male and female teachers—and much care: is devoted to their, ments, effectual training. affiliati Permanent provision is also:sought to be-made for’ the: support ihe of common schools, through large appropriations of ‘valuable: va lands. Cari and sé The system: of: teaching in Upper Canada is: non-sectarian,. but which provision: is made for the establishment of Roman Catholic sepa- Univer rate:schools, In’ Lower Canada, owing to. the: population: being with t principally Roman Catholic, though the system is also:non-sec- lege, 1 tarian, yet the education is mainly in the hands of the clergy, and Lowe! provision is made for Protestant separate schools, which equally Unive: share in all the benefits of the local rates and legislative provision. contril The result of this system may be summed: up by:stating that eos by the last report-of the Superintendent. of Education for-Upper by the Canada; there were in 1858; 3,866 schools, 293,683 scholars. tary c In: Lower Canada, considerable repugnance existed. to the, He . imposition. ofthe necessary direct:taxation,to maintain the system ; . pare
but by very. great efforts, this. feeling has been entirely overcome ;,
attain
tion ; and;for:
municipality, he provincial nagement of 1in subject to ils, periodical cation, The f Instruction, ut regard to school-books Libraries of supplied’ at rpose of pro- rmal schools ce—both for oted to their.
the« support of ‘valuable:
ctarian,. but tholic-sepa- ation: being lso:non-sec- clergy, and ch equally © provision.
stating that 1 for-Upper holars.
ted. to the. he system ; overcome: ;,
sieiae sda tes
13
‘and, ‘under the able: superintendence of the Hon. P.O: Chauveau, ‘the last ‘report ‘for 1858, shows the following results : 2;800 igchools, .180}940 scholars,-eontrasting with'an almost ‘total neglect of common schools but a few years previous.
‘For the purpose-of -affording superior education, but little real
{ progress had been made until after the organization of the com-
mon school system, when there was established in connection with it a higher class of instruction through the means of grammar
1 schools, which are now very generally to be found throughout
Upper Canada, and also, to a more limited extent, in Lower Canada. These schools are also supported by. grants of public lands, and by partial contribution from the common school grant, in addition to the local rates.
In: both sections of the Province, numerous educational establish- ments, of the nature of colleges, are established ; most of them in affiliation to some of the universities.
The universities in Upper or Western Canada consist---of the University of Toronto, non-sectarian, which is very largely endowed by the Province, and which is now in a most. prosperous and satisfactory condition. The University of Trinity College, which is under the auspices of the Church of England, the University of Queen’s College, Kingston, which is in ‘eorneeHih with the Church of.Seotland, and the University ‘of Victoria Col- lege, in connection with the Wesleyan Methodist ‘Church. In Lower -Canada, the Roman Catholics have established the University of Laval, which is wholly supported by voluntary contributions, and which, though comparatively recent, promises to be of the greatest value to the country. The University of M’Gill College, originally established: through a munificent bequest
by the late _Hon. J. M’Gill, and almost wholly supported by volan-
tary contributions, is non-sectarian, and is now:in.a very flourish- ing state. The Church of England have also the University of Bishop’s “College, ‘supported ‘almost solely by that Church, and “which, though comparatively new, will, it is believed, speedily attain'a position‘of great usefulness.
a
14
It would occupy to much space too enlarge upon the course of instruction at these institutions, but it may be stated that they all contain the usual professors of classics, belles letires, law and medicine.
With the single exception of the M’Gill College, which has
-whole of these institutions may be said to have risen within the
University of Toronto existed in another form---as a college under
the Church of England, for many years, but its usefulness was |
entirely marred by the constant struggle to free it from its sectarian
character, which was only effected in 1845 ; from which date it | may be said to have risen into its present highly important posi- |
‘tion.
‘TP possesse jneously ending yquestio Han Esta} : : rks Bthe inhe long existed, but until very recently in a languishing state, the | ohevil
f : 4% made, b last ten years, and they are mainly, if not wholly, supported by |
voluntary contributions and endowments. It is true that the —
The total number of educational institutions in operation in |
Upper Canada in 1858, was 4,259, attended by 306,386 pupils,
‘and expending 1,512,386 dollars in their support. In Lower ‘
Canada, during the same year, the total number of institutions was 2,985, attended by 156,872 pupils, and expending 981,425 dollars in their support.
There have been two questions which, more than any others, ’
4 to their
TR, ea
have agitated the public mind in Canada, and produced the :
greatest bitterness and animosity. Each was peculiar to its own 4 In Upper Canada, the Clergy Reserves ; j The @ former has indeed been regarded by many as the prominent | cause of the outbreak in 13837, while the latter has been an | incubus of the most fatal character upon the industry and intelli- |
section of the Province. and in Lower Canada, the Feudal or Seignorial Tenure.
gence of Lower Canada.
The Clergy Reserves were an appropriation of one-seventh of the land of Upper Canada, made_ by the Imperial Legislature for
the support of a Protestant clergy. They were claimed, and |
4 renewed i that a ; acting u
| and pro 4 ing stipe 4 for wid
compro
plete se]
and fun¢
carried «
4 an evil '
In Le upon tl by the | is fami every < Civil ir of Euro many — repress charact in the setting Canad progre: duced
1 the course of | od that they all letires, law and
re, which has
en within the
m its sectarian _ which date it |
important posi- |
operation in |
06,386 pupils, tt. In Lower of institutions nding 981,425
gy Reserves ; Tenure,
he prominent
has been an |
ry and intelli. |
h any others, | produced the ; liar to its own 4
The
e-seventh of |
egislature for
claimed, and |
15
; but, étinaie- d originally, by the Church of England ;
femal dt churches asserted their rights, and a never-
sending ‘agitation was kept up on the subject. It raised the
3 question of a connection between Church and State, as well as of
#an Established Church, both being obnoxious to a large class of
the inhabitants of the Province ; and it proved the fruitful cause shing state, the | of evil of every kind. Many unsuccessful attempts had been
4 made, both by the Impcrial Legislature and by the Colony, to , Supported by © ’
ee renewed with increased bitterness ; and it was not until 1854, college under } that a final settlement could be arrived at. usefulness was acting under the authority of an Imperial Act, decreed the com-
} plete separation of the State from all connection with any Church,
i ion ; i itation was compromise the question ; but in every case the ag
The Legislature,
| and provided that a commutation equivalent to the value of exist- ing stipends should be paid to the incumbents, and, after taste for widows and orphans of clergy, divided the remaining lan and funds amongst the municipalities of Upper Canada, Homer to their respective population. This measure has been fully . carried out, and the Province has at length found a solution for an evil that had convulsed it since its earliest settlement.
In Lower Canada the disastrous effect of the Feudal Tenure upon the progress of the people can scarcely be understood now by the people of England ; to the student of history, however, it is familiar, through its effects in Europe, where its sess in every country has been the result of long-protracted struggles. Civil insurrection, bloodshed and crime have marked the progress of Europe in casting off this burden ; and though stripped of many of its worst features in Canada, yet the system remained, repressive of the industry of the people, degrading nee in character, and effectually precluding Lower Canada from s mee in the flow of population and wealth, which was so steadily setting in to every other part of N orth America, The Aa Canadians had grown up under this system for years ; but the progress around them had awakened their intelligence, and_ pro- duced that strong movement in the masses which betokened a
‘I6
- steady: persistent-effort, at:all “hazards, ‘to ‘free themedlves from'll
every ‘trace of ‘serfdom. No more difficult .problem could be | Offered for solution to.‘a Legislature, than the settlement of:a: ques- | tion which had ‘its roots: in the: very fundamental: lawsiof property, | and ‘which could :not be approached . without endangering the |
destruction of the whole ‘social edifice ; ‘and the:difficulty:was-not
vdecreased ‘by the fact that the ‘body which had.to deal with it |
eonsisted, to the extent of one-half, of representatives: from sda
Canada, who: might not unnaturally suppose they had:no ir ame- |
diate ‘interest in it. This problem ‘has, however, been solved, ;
and by the Acts of 1854, and of:last Session, the .Feudal Tenure | has been completely - extinguished: i in Canada, and: lands are now | held by freehold tenure:equally in both sections of the Province. |
tenure has been abolished, on payment ofa certain amount by
progress of the Lower Province ;
that which, more than ‘any athe, has been charged ‘against the | ‘Government of Canada, as a lavish and ‘wasteful outlay of public |
‘money. One: single week of ‘disturbance of the ‘public ‘peace | chest, as
would ‘have ‘eost the ‘Province vastly more than the indemnity |
“cents, or
bats 4 fferd The rights of property have been respected; no confiscation has | ghabern taken place, but, with the consent of all interested,-the obnoxious 1 power o Qwith a fr each tenant, and bya contribution of about £650,000 from the | -Province : generally. A social revolution has thus been quietly, | while th
‘and without excitement, effected, :at a most trivial cost to the Mand mai
country, which will be repaid a ‘hundredfold ‘by the increased 4 and yet this very measure is |
fi
given'to‘those whose rights of ‘property ‘were ‘required ‘to »be ‘sur- |
‘rendered for the public good. “working of constitutional ‘Government which should encourage | ‘its friends, it'is the fact that ‘the people of Canada have ‘been | ‘themselves ‘able ‘to -approach ‘and deal’ with'such'a question as this without excitement, disturbance, or‘individual ‘wrong.
‘The Settlement:of the country! has‘at: all:times:been:a:subject of |
<deép:interest‘in' Canada, and has:been promoted in évery possible | ; Bmni iain’ ef tea ge ‘ @law, for ‘way. ‘Emiprants are ‘received -on ‘arrival:at the quarantine har- | vere Bos ‘bour, ‘where hospitals and medical .care are provided free of | y 8
‘If ‘there be one - point in the whole
Ms made
ipharge ; ; tion on lestituti
ghem—t
“etal i munities
onditio
settlers tl
The ac Mtrict, is may be t
further Ic of publi splace,. an @of road i
of acres | @the publi
For tt and grav
17
pharge ; they receive from Government officers reliable informa- ion on every point necessary for their welfare. In case of lestitution, they are forwarded to their friends ; and every effort
) @s made to protect them from the frauds and impositions of pieced gg ig Hesigning persons, to which they are so mueh exposed at New ndangering the |
ficulty:-was-not § ba
1to deal with it 7 ives from Upper | y had :no irame- 7 r, been solved, ; |
hemsé¢lves :from i | oblem could be | ment of:a: ques- |
Leading roads are opened by the Government in the remoter parts of the Province, and free grants of land are made upon hem---the price of ordinary land in these townships is fixed at 70
ents, or about 3s. sterling, per acre, for cash, or 4s. sterling (1 ete Tomure | dollar), if on credit. To enable large proprietors or small com- ands are now |
; Fnunities to establish united settlements, townships of 50,000 acres of the Province. Yare offered for sale at 2s. sterling, per acre, for cash, subject to
onfiscation has 4 onditions of settlement. By these arrangements, it is within the , the obnoxious | power of almost every one to become the proprietor of a farm,
‘tain amount by | with a free title for ever, and subject to no other charges than the
1,000 from the \ settlers themselves, under the municipal system, choose to impose ; s been quietly, while the education law provides for the gradual establishment al cost to the and maintenance of schools. y the increased | 3
ry measure is @ The action of the Government in the settlement of a new dis- ged against the |
@trict, is confined to the opening of the leading county road, as it putlay of public @may be termed. No further expenditure is made from the public ‘public ‘peace 4 chest, as the municipal system makes ample provision for all the ‘the indemnity | further local. wants of the people. Under this plan an expenditure ed ‘to ‘be ‘sur- | of public money to the extent of about £15,000 per annum takes tin the whole place, and it has produced the construction of hundreds of miles puld encourage of road in the interior of the country, rendering accessible millions da have ‘been of acres of fine land, which through its sale gradually reimburses ‘a question ds the public. exchequer. “wrong.
nee
ee ee
' § For the construction and maintenance of macadamized, plank sete : Gand gravel roads, the Legislature has provided, through a general chs ak aaa law, for the organization of road companies. This law has been sesresives hier very. generally acted upon in Upper or Western Canada, and
2
vided free of |
ae Sas ae
ee a ee — teacher a en = = ee ee - eee Se : = = = =.
erent,
ae
Reece a er i nd ASE eee
eee
"| y 4
18 instead of almost impassable tracks through the forest, the country
parts.
The very valuable Fisheries of the Gulf and River St. Law- |
rencé, as well as of the Great Lakes, have also formed the subject §
of legislative care ; and in 1858, an Act was passed providing i
for their protection and proper management. This Act has as) yet been too short a time in operation to permit reference to | results achieved ; but there can be no doubt that it will be fraught | with the greatest public advantage, especially. in the River St. |
Lawrence, where the fisheries are perfectly inexhaustible, under | proper supervision, and where, from the severity of the climate, | the inhabitants are mainly dependent upon them. A hardy class j
of seamen will hereby be provided, and a new source of wealth | and trade be developed.
In attending to the great interests of the people, the Legislature 4 have not neglected those subjects which now so largely interest |
philanthropic minds. The care of lunatics has engrossed much | attention, and admirable asylums are provided for them, where | they receive the most skilful and approved treatment. In Upper | Canada, a local rate provides for a large part of the expenditure ; | but legislative aid is required to the extent of about £12,500, | with an equal sum for similar institutions in Lower Canada.
As regards criminals, a Provincial Penitentiary receives those |
to whom a long period of servitude is attached ; they are there | taught various trades, and compelled to contribute to the cost of | their own maintenance. Their labour is let out by contract to} tradesmen, and by employment, and the acquisition of the know- | ledge of some handicraft, the endeavour is made to provide them, | on their return to society, with the means of gaining an honest}
livelihood, without the temptation of want to cause their recur-/| rence to ond courses. For the reformation of the young, reforma- i, 4) inig tory prisons, have been opened within the last year, under an Act @ gif; passed in 1858; and by careful and judicious training it is!
4 hoped f is now traversed by excellent roads through all its more settled Jegards
its pract
Wgreatly s
inspecti is hd nd mis
Nor h since 18 -R.S. already ade nc ery int purvey and extd ens at
The ontribu hat at Q
i ot, how institutic Bing evic
@wholly t
Amon of Cana carefully English
respect, In Lowe and dec¢e easy rea
rest, the country |; its more settled 4
| River St. Law- | rmed the subject | assed providing | This Act has as | nit reference to | t will be fraught | in the River St. | haustible, under | of the climate, |
A hardy class | source of wealth |
the Legislature 4 largely interest |
engrossed much | rr them, where | ent. In Upper | e expenditure ; | about £12,500, | er Canada.
receives those | ; they are there | te to the cost of | by contract to} bn of the know- | 0 provide them, | ining an honest | se their recur-| young, reforma- | r, under an Act; training it is!
19
hoped that many juvenile offenders may be reclaimed.
As pgards the prisons generally, by the Act of 1858, a Government Wspection, of the most searching kind, has been established, and is hoped will be effectual in remedying much of the evil nd misery of the indiscriminate confinement of criminals.
Nor has science been wholly overlooked---Canada having had, since 1844, under the able superintendence of Sir William Logan, .R.S., a systematic geological survey in progress, which has already been of the greatest value to the Province, whilst it has ade no mean contributions to the stock of knowledge in this ery interesting science. The annual reports of the geological murvey of Canada, may be appealed to as evidence of the value and extent of the service performed ; while the display of speci- ens at the London and Paris exhibitions, amply. demonstrated
; its practical character.
The Toronto Observatory is also well known for its valuable ontributions to astronomical and meteorological science ; and hat at Quebec is also rising into deserved notice. My space will mot, however, permit me to do more than notice the fact that such tnstitutions exist, and are valued and promoted in Canada, afford- Ging evidence that the progress of the country is not confined wholly to material objects.
Among other reforms which have characterized the legislation of Canada, during the past ten years, the criminal law has been carefully revised and amended ; while in Upper Canada, where English law prevails, the proceedings of the courts have been greatly simplified, and stripped of technical difficulties ; in this respect, fully keeping pace with the legal reforms of England. In Lower Canada, the whole plan of judicature has been changed and decentralized, so as to bring the redress of legal wrongs within easy reach of every one ; while the expenses attendant on the administration of justice have, within the last two years, been modified and greatly reduced.
Q*
yn nee
i a Cs
eee a = RO eT a Se et ee he a ara} eg i= =o
——
Se oe =
he en = = +
20
The whole statutory law of Canada has been consolidated into | three volumes, a work of great labour and corresponding value. § For the achievement of this important work, the Province is deeply . j indebted to the late Sir James Macaulay, ex-Chief Justice of |
Common Pleas in Upper Canada, who only lived to see his work, and that of his able coadjutors, completed by the issue of the new
consolidated statutes within the last two months. To have | reduced within such compass the entire statutory law of the | country since its conquest, is no mean achievement ; and the |
removal of contradictions and ambiguities in existing laws, is not the least valuable part of the work.
In Lower Canada, a commission is now sitting, charged by
Parliament with the codification of the French law, after the | manner of the Code Napoleon. The work is one of much labour, | and can scarcely be completed within less than three years. | Canada will then possess, in a consolidated and condensed form, ‘
her complete body of law, notwithstanding she has had to deal j Panay
with two entirely distinct and different systems.
In the foregoing observations I have only been able very briefly q to allude to the more prominent subjects of legislation since 1849 ; | there are many others, of a highly important character, which, did §
my space permit, I would gladly cite in support of my argument on behalf of the general policy of Canada ; but surely the system
cannot be either intrinsically bad, or administered by vicious |
instruments, which has produced within ten years---
A thorough reform of the Legislature ;
An extension of the franchise, and registraton of votes ;
A complete system of municipal self-goverment ;
A perfect system of elementary and superior education ; The separation of Church and State ; and
The settlement of the Clergy Reserve question ;
The abolition of the Feudal Tenure ;
Provision for emigration and the settlement of the country ;
—
The c | The ) Thee
g The p
The re The si The cc The cd
I will @uring t Mvhich, ystem.
Canad
Preste
he disch rie, lat. pasterly rains a @matural ¢ he State: @Michigar 4 or the §S @Michigar @rincipal Bn its nat Wore, the Lawrence
| apids, ¢
@eransport mall fi: perfectly
onsolidated into | sponding value. i ‘ovince is deeply. j thief Justice of § to see his work, |
issue of the new nths.
To have | ry law of the | ement ; and the | ‘ing laws, is not |
ig, charged by h law, after the | of much labour, | in three years. | condensed form, * has had to deal 3
rely the system
P country ;
@he ocean at the Gulfof St. Lawrence to Lake Superior, the vesternmost of the great lakes. ble very briefly 4 ion since 1849 ; F ter, which, did @ f my argument | matural channel to the ocean, not merely for Canada, but also for ered by vicious |
mor the States lying to the west and north-west of the lakes
Principal part of the cereal crop of America is produced—bulky #gn its nature, comparatively low in its value, and requiring, there- More, the cheapest mode of transport to market. The River St.
Fopids, could not, in the early history of the country, be used for @ransport, except by the tedious and expensive employment of imal! flat boats. @erfectly seaworthy, and the laws of the empire themselves inter-
ps
@uring the same period, in the direction of material progress, and
21
The care of lunatics ;
The management of criminals ;
The establishment of reformatory prisons and supervision of gaols ;
The promotion of science ;
The reform of the criminal code ;
The simplification of the civil laws ;
The consolidation of the statute law ; and
The codification of the French law.
. 4
I will now proceed to speak of the efforts made by Canada
which, I think, equally attest the beneficial working of our ystem.
Canada occupies a position in North America, extending from
The River St. Lawrence forming e discharge of these lakes, finds its most southerly point in Lake rie, lat. 42°; and from thence proceeds in a general north- asterly direction to its entrance into the Gulf, lat. 50°. It thus rains a vast extent of the interior of the continent, and forms the
he States of Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana--and, it may be added,
This great district is that wherein the
ichigan and Superior.
awrence, being interrupted above Montreal by formidable
The lakes could only be navigated by vessels
22
posed insuperable obstacles to the St. Lawrence becoming the route through which foreign trade could reach the seaboard. The
importance of the trade of the country round the great lakes was J early seen ; and the construction of the Erie Canal by the State | of New York speedily demonstrated, through its success, the |
magnitude of the prize to be contended for.
Canada, divided into two Provinces, still more divided by having two distinct national races, and fettered by the commercial policy and navigation laws of Great Britain, was but ill prepared to develop the superior advantages of the natural channel by the St. Lawrence. construction of the Welland Canal, between Lakes Erie and Ontario, on a small.inexpensive scale, by Upper Canada the Rideau Canal, made by the British Government for military purposes, and the Lachine Canal, built by Lower Canada, proved that, even prior to 1830, public attention was directed to the importance of securing a share of the trade of the great lakes.
The wonderful rapidity with which the States bordering on the lake-waters filled. up---the rush of emigration from all parts towards them--the growth of cities and the extension of com- merce, increased the efforts to facilitate communication between this district and the ocean. But the wafortunate insurrection in Canada of 1837-38, paralysed all her efforts, and years elapsed before they could be renewed. The first step was taken under Lord Sydenham, in 1841, after the union of Upper with Lower Canada, when the Imperial Government granted their guarantee for a loan of £1,500,000, to promote the enlargement of the Welland Canal, and the construction of canals to obviate the
rapids of the St. Lawrence, between Lake Ontario and Montreal. §
These works were vigorously pressed forward ; and the Province was still further excited to redoubled effort and increased outlay, by the Imperial Act of 1843, which permitted American wheat, ground in Canada, to be shipped to England as colonial, thus
giving an indirect advantage to trade from the United States |
through Canada.
necessa
But still the effort was commenced ; and the J
The ¢ pleted i then pos to Lak Michige
itself s magnifi them e making and po had me in the element which
formed, part of
Expe sufficier Montrez landed | be nuga Americ: port for Liverpo the othe insuran and fre lighthon and Qu feet, du
Befo been p! done to rence.
becoming the eaboard. The
e divided by ne commercial ut ill prepared shannel by the iced ; and the kes Erie and er Canada the | for military anada, proved rected to the eat lakes,
rdering on the ‘om all parts sion of com- ation between isurrection in years elapsed taken under r with Lower cir guarantee yement of the » obviate the
and Montreal. §
| the Province eased outlay, erican wheat, colonial, thus
United States §
reat lakes was J al by the State | success, the |
23
The canal system of Canada was, in a great measure, com- pleted in 1846, though improved and extended since ; and she then possessed a navigation for vessels of 800 tons from the ocean to Lake Ontario, and of 400 tons to Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan. But the repeal of the corn laws--an admittedly necessary measure---then supervened, and the Province found itself subject to a debt of 20,000,000 dollars---possessing the most magnificent canals in the world, but without any trade to support them except her own---debarred by the navigation laws from making them useful to foreign vessels---and opposed to the wealthy and powerful influences of New York, and the connections they had meantime formed in the west. In 1849, the legal difficulties in the way of trade were finally removed ; but ere this, a new element had been developed through the construction of railways, which tended to maintain trade in the channels it had already formed, and which could only be met by similar efforts on the part of Canada, |
Experience had, however, fully demonstrated that it was not sufficient to prove that produce could be moved from the West to Montreal at one-half the charge to New York ; it required to be landed in Liverpool at less cost, or the whole previous effort must be nugatory. New York was the great commercial emporium of America ; it possessed an enormous commerce ; it was the chosen port for emigration ; and from all these causes, ocean freights to Liverpool were reduced to a minimum. The St. Lawrence, on the other hand, was reported as a most dangerous navigation ; insurance was very high, from the inferior character of the ships, and from the river and gulf not being properly provided with lighthouses ; and the shoals of Lake St. Peter, between Montreal and Quebec, limited the trade to vessels drawing not over 11} feet, during the summer low water.
Before proceeding to state how far railway communication has been provided for the country, I will briefly state what has been done to remove the difficulties in navigating the River St. Law- rence. Numerous and excellent lighthouses have been built, the
PEEL I RAEN TORRE LOAM AI
} t % ‘ij i % iy .
24
system of pilotage has been revised and improved, tug-boats of great power have been furnished to the trade, at very moderate rates, and the depth of water between Quebec and Montreal has been incrcased by dredging, to permit the passage of vessels. drawing 18 feet 6 inches.
The result of these measures has undoubtedly been most bene- ficial, and is shewn by the rates of insurance now being only in excess of those from New York during the early and late periods of navigation, while the increased capacity of the vessels in the trade has considerably reduced freights.
In addition to the natural obstacles to be overcome, and the competition with the United States which had to be encountered, Canada also found her efforts most seriously weakened through the policy of the Imperial Government, in subsidising the Cunard line of steamers to Boston and New York ; which by reducing freights to, and facilitating intercourse with these American cities, offered indirectly a bounty, to the extent of the subsidy, in their favour, and against the route vid the St. Lawrence. The original establishment of this steamship line was unquestionably of great benefit, but the persistent renewal of the contract, when the necessity for it had ceased, and when its injury to Canada had been demonstrated, is a grave cause of complaint, and has forced upon Canada the adoption of measures for the maintenance of direet intercourse .with Great Britain, carrying on her own trade through her own waters, and by her own ships.
To remedy the evil effects of the policy of England, Canada has been obliged to subsidise a weekly line of ‘steamships of her
own, at an expense of £45,000 per annum, and it is a subject of |
the highest gratification to know, that the advantages of the St. Lawrence xuute to Liverpool are at length being thoroughly under- stood and appreciated. It is now proved that the ocean voyage from the St. Lawrence, upon the average of twenty-six passages: in 1859, westward from Liverpool to Quebec, has been only eleven days and five hours ; and irom Quebee to Liverpool, ten
days and than has sively est
Until tl that the to her a | ways te immedia proportio evident th intercour, balance season 0 her unriv therewit large out
In und through ocean, th its own inducemé directed 1 success | details, v
the Gove:
In 184!
| by the Ps
miles in
® Northern
Grand T) the effect and the ¢ Line of I
§ Trank Li
d, tug-boats of ery moderate | Montreal has ge of vessels.
nN most bene- being only in d late periods. vessels in the
me, and the - encountered, rened through ig the Cunard
by reducing nerican Cities, sidy, in their
The original ably of great st, when the » Canada had nd has forced intenance of ler own trade
land, Canada nships of her
s a subject of |
ges of the St. ughly under- ocean voyage 1X passages: jas been only siverpool, ten
25
days and three hours ; these results showing a better average than has ever before been made across the Atlantic, and conclu- sively establishing the superiority of the Canadian route.
Until the introduction of railways, it was confidently believed that the completion of the canal system of Canada would secure to her a large share of the western trade ; but not only did rail- ways tend to retain the trade in existing channels, but their immediate effect was to divert from the St. Lawrence a large proportion of the trade of Western Canada itself. It became evident that the facilities thus afforded for rapid and uninterrupted intercourse with the Atlantic cities, would more than counter- balance the greater cheapness of the St. Lawrence during the season of navigation, and that unless Canada could combine with her unrivalled inland navigation, a railroad system connected therewith, and mutually sustaining each other, the whole of her large outlay must for ever remain unproductive.
In undertaking the construction of a railway system passing through Canada, which should connect the great lakes with the ocean, the Province did not propose to effect this entirely through its own resources ; the Legislature only sought to offer such inducements to capitalists as might cause their attention to be directed to Canada, believing that such works as railways, the success of which is almost wholly dependent upon attention to details, were better under private management than under that of @ the Government.
= 6In 1849, an Act was passed pledging a 6 per cent. guarantee § by the Province on one-half the cost of all railways of 75 miles miles in extent. And under this Act, the Great Western, the a Northern, and the St. Lawrence and Atlantic, (now part of the Grand Trunk) were commenced. Subsequently, in 1852, fearing the effect of an indiscriminate guarantee, this law was repealed, and the guarantee of one-half the cost confined to one Main Trunk § Line of Railway throughout the Province. In 1852, the Grand Trank Line from Montreal to Toronto, and from Quebec to Riviére-
\ } | f i) y
SS AE ae
doar ome Sr igse eg OTs ae
Sonoma
= ae atin emmy
26
du-Loup, was incorporated as part of the Main Trunk Line, with a stipulated advance by way of loan of £3,000 per mile, the line from Quebec to Richmond having already been commenced as part of the Main Trunk Line under the original Act. In 1853, Acts were passed providing for the amalgamation of all the com- panies forming the Main Trunk Line, with powers to construct the Victoria Bridge, connecting the lines west of Montreal with those leading to Quebec and Purtland, and also authorizing the lease, in perpetuity, of the American line, connecting the Canadian railway system with the ocean at Portland, U. S., which, from its admirable harbour, and from being the nearest port to the St. Lawrence, was selected as the point through which the winter trade of Canada could be most advantageously carried on. This city is, therefore, now the Atlantic terminus of the Canadian
railway system in winter, and has been adopted as the port to ff
which the Canadian line of steamships ply while the navigation of the St. Lawrence is interrupted. Efforts have been repeatedly made, as well by Canada as by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, to induce the Imperial Government to promote the extension of the Grand Trunk Railway to some colonial winter port, but without success; and it is as yet wholly beyond the power of the Provinces, unaided, to construct a line which is more valuable on national than on commercial grounds.
The result of the legislation to which allusion has been made, has been the formation of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, whose gigantic works are at length on the point of completion ; and of this company it may be truly said, that, comprising 1,112 miles of rail, of which no less than 1,092 miles are strictly a trunk line, constructed in the most permanent manner, and con- necting the American railway system west of the great lakes with
‘ the ocean, at Portland in winter, and at- Montreal, Quebec and Riviére-du-Loup in summer, it presents, probably, the most com- | plete and comprehensive railway system in the world; and, taken
in connection with the unequalled inland navigation of the St.
Lawrence, it cannot fail to attract a large share of the vast and §
increasit vince of cation.
The d enterpris the valu page of come to were pa over the compan) of the st
In ade have wi railway
The Gre The No The Bu And oth
an The Gre
Thus operatio charge t receivec will, it i which i; Victoria traffic f Canada gation i railway it is bel
k Line, with a mile, the line ommenced as t. In 1853, of all the com- s to construct ontreal with thorizing the the Canadian hich, from. its port to the St. the winter ied on. This he Canadian
le navigation en repeatedly ick and Nova promote the lonial winter ly beyond the ine which is nds.
is been made, ay Company, f completion ; aprising 1,112 3 are strictly a ler, and con- eat lakes with
Quebec and
the most com- | \d; and, taken §
tion of the St.
’ the vast and =
as the port to J
27
increasing traffic of the west, while it affords to the whole Pro- vince of Canada the greatest possible facilities for intercommuni- cation.
The difficulties attendant on the prosecution of this immense enterprise, arising from the Russian war, and consequent rise in the value of money, induced the Legislature to prevent the stop- page of works so essential to the prosperity of the Province, to come to the relief of the company, and in 1856 and 1857, Acts were passed giving the private capital of the company priority over the provincial first lien of £3,111,500. By this measure the company were enabled to raise additional funds, and the wisdom of the step is now seen in the full completion of the undertaking.
In addition to the Grand Trunk Railway, the last ten years have witnessed the completion of the following additional lines of railway in Canada :
The Great Western. ....cee ccccccccscccsccee+eee 307 miles, Whe NOMUGH bss aeecescereseteheveteerceccsse OF * The Buffalo and Lake Huron........ceccscceeeee 159 &* And other minor lines of a more local character, amounting in all to.....scccecee cocccccceee S10 “ The Grand Trunk... scssesesecscecceccccccscces 1112
Thus a total of 2,093 miles have been constructed and put in operation in Canada within the time stated ; while the present charge to the Province connected with those railways which have received public aid, is £4,161,150, or £249,669 per annum, which will, it is hoped be speedily relieved by the success of the system, which is now only fairly connected by the completion of the Victoria Bridge. Reasonable time must be allowed for diverting traffic from other channels ; but the result cannot be doubtful, as Canada now possesses, not merely the most perfect inland navi- gation in the world, but also, in connection with it, a system of railways certainly unequalled on the American continent, or even, it is believed, in Europe.
28
Through the Canadian steamship line, the Grand Trunk is now recognized, even by the United States Government, as the shortest and best route for their south-western and western mails, than which no better evidence could be offered of the wisdom of the policy so persistently followed by every successive legislature in Canada for many years. The American cities on the great lakes are now opening a direct trade through the Canadian waters with Europe, more than twenty vessels having this year passed through our canals for English ports ; and the time is not distant when the full advantages of the St. Lawrence, as the great route from the interior of the continent to the ocean, will be fully recognized.
In the prosecution of the policy which is now at length approaching its final, and, it is believed, successful issue, the great bulk of the public debt of Canada has been contracted. Enough has been retained out of ordinary revenue to cover what may be termed purely local works, expenditure upon which has long since ceased, and the present indebtedness will be found fully represented by the great public works of which a sketch has now been given.
The direct debt of Canada, including advances to railways, is £9,677,672, and after deducting the sinking fund for the redemp- tion of the Imperial Guaranteed Loan, amounts to £8,884,672, and the payments on account of the public works of the Province, without reckoning interest, have been as follows :
Canals, lighthouses and other works connected with the development of the navigation of the St.
Lawrence, represent....ccccsccscsecccccces £3,962,900 Railway advances,....- eeeoceevvseeeer-taovneseevees 8 4,161,150 Roads and bridges, and improvement of rivers.... 138,350
£8,862,400
The public of England can now judge how far the expenditure of Canada has been reckless and unwise ; or, whether it has not
been inc was whd have bee
Before proper I Bonds, ¢
These by the The obje terms th vince is and has either p crisis in the Prov the inte been key been thu upon the far as re redeem indebted
Meas which v hold lar, tional, I
It nox the: posi: and I a1 prevails the imp based u with in)
Trunk is now as the shortest m mails, than isdom of the legislature in he great lakes n waters with assed through distant when t route from y recognized,
w at length ul issue, the Mm contracted. 0 cover what m which has will be found
a sketch has
) railways, is ‘the redemp- 884,672, and he Province,
£3,962,900 4,161,150 138,350
£8,862,400
expenditure er it has not
29
been incurred for objects in which the prosperity of the country was wholly bound up, and which fully justified the sacrifices that have been made to attain them.
Before quitting the subject of the present debt of Canada, it is proper I should advert to the outstanding Municipal Loan Fund Bonds, amounting, on Ist December, 1859, to £1,920,160.
These bonds are issued upon the security of a fund constituted by the municipalities, who have become borrowers to this amount, The object was to secure on their united credit loans on better terms than they could obtain as individual borrowers. The Pro- vince is in no way guarantee for the fund, but acts as trustee, and has never pledged the general revenue for the payment of either principal or interest. Owing, however, to the commercial crisis in 1857, and the bad harvest of that and the following years, the Province has made large advances to enable the fund to meet the interest due to the bondholders, with whom faith has thus been kept by the several municipalities. But the plan having been thus found to work badly, and to entail unexpected charges upon the general revenue, the Act was repealed last session, so far as related to further loans, and the Government authorized to redeem the outstanding debentures, and to hold them against the indebted municipalities.
Measures are now been taken for the redemption of this debt, which will be the more easily effected, as the Government already hold large amounts of these bonds in trust for the special educa- tional, Indian and other trust funds.
It now only remains for me to state the commercial policy, and the position of the trade and finances of the Province of Canada ; and I am the more desirous of doing so, as great misapprehension prevails in England on these points, and the steps called for by the imperative dictates of honor and good faith are represented as based upon a return to an unsound commercial policy, and fraught with injustice to our fellow-subjects in Great Britain.
]
i
Re vb | on AY :) oh | : i | i Pe q
: | ‘ § i f hs } ; i | i i } ¢ tj if
REE er
PITAL ESD ee
ene
30
Canadian statesmen of all parties have invariably adhered to the faithful and punctual discharge of the obligations of their country ; they have never swerved from the principle, that what- ever may be the faults or follies of their Government or Legislature, the public creditor should not suffer; and supported by the unanimous voice of the country, Parliament has never hesitated to provide by taxation for the necessities of the State.
The commercial crisis of 1857, following the reduction of rail- way expenditure on the completion of the greater part of the works, and accompanied by a deficient harvest, caused a serious falling off in the revenue of that year ; and this was succeeded, in 1858, by a still greater failure of the crop, and, consequently, even more depressed condition of trade. Attendant upon this
state of things, and as if to tax the energies of the people to the |
utmost, it became necessary, in 1857, to assume the payment of interest on the railway advances, with the exception of the Great Western of Canada, amounting to about £200,000 per annum, and also to advance the interest upon the municipal debt, amount- ing to about £100,000 per annum.
Dependence could partly be placed upon a revival of trade to @
restore the revenue to its former point ; but this would afford no
means of meeting the future railway and municipal payments ; |
and Parliament had to choose between a continued system of borrowing to meet deficiencies, or an increase of taxation to such amount as might, with economy of administration in every branch of the public service, on a revival of trade, restore the equilibrium of income and expenditure. open ; and that was, to exact the terms upon which the railway advances were made ; and to leave the holders of the municipal bonds to collect their interest, under the strict letter of the law.
It is true that another course was |
By these steps Canada would certainly have relieved herself from |
the pressure of increased taxation, and might have escaped the reproaches of those who blame the increase of her customs duties. But it would have been at the expense of the English capitalists who had plaeed their faith in the fair treatment of her Govern-
ment an tion for to admi
The and pro no othe produce support coming 1838, w the ha £500,00 policy maintail within the expe he has n the expe been net
It is, | so far fr in accor and in e showing Canada
The p
i tive unti = in harm
Great B in 1854, by Canz with the place in
of 1841
bly adhered to tions of their ole, that what- or Legislature, orted by the 1ever hesitated e.
iction of rail- ater part of the used a serious as succeeded, consequently, Jant upon this
e people to the |
he payment of n of the Great ) per annum, | debt, amount-
rould afford no
ued system of xation to such
every branch e equilibrium
her COUrFSE WAS §&
the railway he municipal ter of the law.
bd herself from ‘
p escaped the stoms duties. ish capitalists her Govern-
al of trade to @
al payments ; |
31
ment and Legislature ; and it would have been but poor consola- tion for them to know, that, through their loss, Canada was able to admit British goods at 15 instead of 20 per cent.
The writer has been reproached in this country as the author and promoter of a protective policy in Canada. To this he makes no other reply than that the commercial measures which have produced the results he is about to state, have always had his support while a member of the Provincial Parliament ; and coming into office as finance minister of the country in August, 1858, with an exhausted exchequer, in face of a serious failure in the harvest, and with a positive deficiency of no less than £500,000 in the revenue for 1858, he rests the defence of his policy upon the fact, that the present Government of Canada has maintained the credit of the country unimpeached, and has, within less than eighteen months, so far succeeded in reducing the expenditure and increasing the revenue of the Province, that he has now the satisfaction of stating, that it appears certain that the expenditure of the year now closed, will be found to have been nearly, if not quite, within the income.
It is, however, contended that the commercial policy of Canada, so far from being opposed to that of the mother-country, has been in accord with it, so far as differing circumstances would permit ; and in evidence of this position, a statement is herewith appended, showing the total imports, duty, and free goods imported into Canada since the Union.
The policy of the mother-country was protective and discrimina-
m tive until 1846, and that of Canada was made, as far as practicable, sin harmony. Differential duties in favour of the direct trade with
Great Britain existed till 1848, when they were repealed. And in 1854, the principles of free trade were still more fully adopted by Canada in the legislation connected with the reciprocity treaty with the United States. The repeal of the navigation laws took place in 1849. The policy of Canada has thus, at three periods
of 1841 to 1848, 1849 to 1854, and 1855 to this date, followed
32
that of Great Britain. Our markets have been thrown open on equal terms to all the world ; our inland waters are navigated by foreign vessels on the same terms as by Canadian ; the necessaries of life entering into the ordinary consumption of the people have all been made free ; our vast timber and ship-building interests have been thus developed, and our fisheries encouraged ; and, as a‘general principle, all raw materials have also been admitted free.
The analysis of the staternent in the appendix gives some remarkable and instructive results. For the eight years from 1841 to 1848, during which the protective policy existed, the total imports of Canada, were £22,638,348 ; the total duty collected, £2,308,499 ; and the total free goods, £509,495. The averages being £2,829,793, £288,545, and £63,687 ; the duty being thus about 10} per cent., and the free goods only 2} per cent. of the whole imports.
For the next period of six years, to the passing of the reciprocity Acts, and general adoption of more liberal views---1849 to 1854--- the total imports, duty, and free goods, were respectively, £29,429,934 10s., £3,937,292 11s., £2,012,368 9s. ; averaging, £4,904,988 10s., £656,215, and £335,395 per annum ; the duty being thus about 13} per ent., and the free goods nearly 7 per cent. of the total imports.
For the last period of four years, from 1855 to 1858, the follow- ing results are shown : Imports, £30,447,879 ; duty, £3,152,281; free goods, £8,868,250. The annual averages having been
£7,611,970, £788,070, and £2,217,070 ; the duty being 10} per j
cent., and the free goods 29 per cent. of the imports. The following comparative result appears :
1841 to 1848, average total imports, £2,829,793
1849 to 1854 6 sé 4,904,988
1855 to 1858 sg 86 7,611,970 1841 to 1848, duty, 10} per cent Free Goods, 2} per cent. 1849 to 1854, « 131 « oF « 1855 to 1858, “ 10, « OF; 5 QE a
-Thes of Cans trade, n
draw ¢
after ste above ¢ to mak which | followi: borne |; the Cus
1858—
From 7th
The | conside true th protecti the Gov taxatiol pelled « more at s0 as I manufa Govern to obtai to do additio; and it Govern meet th the pro
33
hrown open on e navigated by the necessaries he people have ilding interests aged ; and, as admitted free.
‘These comparative statements abundantly prove that the policy of Canada, in its Customs duties, has neither been repressive of trade, nor onerous: upon the people. It is, however, necessary to draw attention to the fact that, from causes which will be here- after stated, the results for 1858, would somewhat differ from the above average, my predecessor in office having found it necessary to make a considerable addition to the Customs duties, by an Act which took effect on the 7th of August, 1858, which gave the following results for that particular year, and which must be borne in mind, when it is necessary to explain the nature of the Customs Act of:March, 1859.
ix gives some ht years from isted, the total duty collected,
The averages 1858—Imports to 7th August, £3,263,591.
ty being thus Duty, £361,350 ............. Free Goods, £954,845.
yer cent. of the Duty, 11 per cent............ Free Goods, 29 per cent.
| From 7th August, to 31st December, under Tariff of 1858.—Imports, £2,711,448. Duty, £333,454 ............ Free Goods, £765,760. Duty, 124 per cent...........Free Goods, 284 per cent.
the reciprocity 1849 to 1854--- : respectively, 8. ; averaging, im; the duty is nearly 7 per
The fiscal policy of Canada has invariably been governed by considerations of the amount of revenue required. It is no doubt true that a large and influential party exists, who advocate a protective policy ; but this policy has not been adopted by either the Government or Legislature, although the necessity of increased taxation for the purposes of revenue has, to a certain extent, com- pelled action in partial unison with their views, and has caused more attention to be given to the proper adjustment of the duties, so as neither unduly to stimulate nor depress the few branches of manufacture which exist in Canada. The policy of the present Government in readjusting the tariff has been, in the first place, to obtain sufficient revenue for the public wants ; and, secondly, to do so in such a manner as would most fairly distribute the additional burthens upon the different classes of the community ;
58, the follow- r, £3,152,281 ; having been eing 104 per |
3
B and it will undoubtedly be a subject of gratificatiou to the D Government if they find that the duties absolutely required to per cent. meet their engagements should incidentally benefit and encourage
the production, in the country, of many of those articles which we 3
34
now import. The Government have no expectation that the moderate duties imposed by Canada can produce any consider- able development of manufacturing industry : the utmost that is likely to arise is the establishment of works requiring compara- tively unskilled labour, or of those competing with American makers, for the production of goods which can be equally well made in Canada, and which a duty of 20 per cent. will no doubt stimulate. That these results should flow from the necessity of increased taxation, is no subject of regret to the Canadian Govern- ment, nor can it be alleged as any departure, on their part, from the recognized sound principles of trade, as it will shortly be shown that the Government were compelled to obtain increased revenue ; and it is believed that no other course could be relied on for this result than that adopted.
The increase of taxation is never a popular step, and it may well be believed that no Government would adopt it without the strongest conviction that good faith demanded it. It is unpleasant enough to be exposed to attack in Canada for an unavoidable increase of duties ; but it is certainly ungenerous to be reproached by England, when the obligations which have caused the bulk of the indebtedness of Canada, have been either incurred in com- pliance with the former policy of Great Britain, or more recently assumed to protect from loss those parties in England who had invested their means in our railways and municipal bonds.
The indirect public debt of Canada, including railway advances, in 1858, was £6,271,762, bearing 6 per cent. interest, which, prior to 1857, had not been a charge upon the revenue. In that year, as has been already stated, owing to the commercial crisis, it became necessary to make large payments upon it, and in 1858, almost the whole amount had to be met from the general revenue. In addition to the commercial depression, the harvest of 1857 was below an average, and that of 1858 was nearly a total failure. It became manifest that the indirect debt must for many years be a charge upon the country, and Parliament was required
to make and indi breach o
pressure Canada in maki exigenci subsequeé will be passed.
After s possible possible ture, an¢ economy £1,837,6 being £1 was ma a serious Governm required mend suc and that to borrov of trade °
lof 1858,
recomme for a pos
The C have im whereas The ne obtainin estimate
ation that the e any consider- } utmost that is iring compara- with American » equally well will no doubt the necessity of nadian Govern- their part, from will shortly be tain increased could be relied
, and it may
t it without the
It is unpleasant
an unavoidable be reproached
sed the bulk of rred in com- more recently
and who had bonds.
way advances, iterest, which, enue. In that mercial crisis, it, and in 1858, pneral revenue. arvest of 1857
nearly a total must for many t was required
35
to make provision for it. The interest on the public debt, direct and indirect, thus required, in 1858, £636,667 ; and without flagrant breach of faith it could neither be postponed nor repudiated. The pressure had come suddenly and heavily upon the people of Canada ; but neither the Government nor the Legislature hesitated in making such provision as in their judgment would meet the exigencies, The Customs Act of 1858 was therefore passed, and subsequently, with the same objects in view, and others which will be hereafter explained, the Customs Act of 1859 was also passed.
After subjecting the engagements of the Province to the strictest possible scrutiny, the Government were of opinion that it was possible to reduce the annual outlay on many items of expendi- ture, and their best efforts were therefore directed towards economy ; the ordinary expenditure in 1858 having been £1,837,606, and the estimate for corresponding service in 1859 being £1,540,490. But after making every possible reduction, it was manifest that unless an increase of revenue could be obtained, a serious deficiency must occur in 1859. The opinion of the Government was, that having ascertained the probable amount required for the service of the year, it was their duty to recom- mend such measures to Parliament as would supply the deficiency, and that although during the crisis it might have been justifiable to borrow money for this purpose, it was no longer so. A revival of trade was confidently looked to, but owing to the bad harvest
lof 1858, it could not be rapid, and it was deemed proper to
recommend certain additions to the Customs duties, to provide for a possible diminution in our ordinary importation.
The Cus ms Act of 1859 is evidently believed in England to have imposed very large additiunal taxation on imported goods, whereas in reality such was neither the intention nor the fact. The new tariff was designed certainly with the intention of obtaining an increased revenue of about £100,000 on the estimated importations of 1859, but the real increase was looked 3*
36
for from a revival of trade ; the main object was to re-adjust the duties so as to make them press more equally upon the com- munity, by extending the ad valorem principle to all importation, and thcieby also encouraging and developing the direct trade between Canada and all foreign countries by sea, and so far benefiting the shipping interests of Great Britain—an object which is partly attained through the duties being taken upon the value in the market where last bought. The levy of specific duties, for several years, had completely diverted the trade of Canada in teas, sugars, &c., to the American markets, and had destroyed a very valuable trade which formerly existed from the St. Lawrence to the lower provinces and West Indies. It was believed that the completion of our canal and railroad systems, together with
the improvements in the navigation of the Lower St. Lawrence, |
justified the belief that the supply of Canadian wants might be once more made by sea, and the benefits of this commerce obtained for our own merchants and forwarders. Under this conviction, it was determined by the Government to apply the
principle of ad valorem duties (which already extended to all: |
manufactured goods), to the remaining articles in our tariff. The principal articles on which it was proposed to obtain additional
revenue, were cotton goods, to be raised from 15 per cent. to 20 |
per cent., and iron, steel, &c., from 5 per cent. to 10 per cent.
This was the whole extent of increased taxation, and it was |
expected to yield £100,000 additional. The changes in teas, sugars, &c., were all merely nominal, and as already explained, were proposed as being upon a more correct principle. The imports for the first three quarters of 1859, say to 30th Septem- ber—have been—
Imports, £5,403,393 ; duty, £730,640 ; free goods, £1,594,468 ; the duty being 134 on the imports, and the free goods being 29 per cent. of the whole.
By this statement, it is shown that the increased rate of duty as compared with the tariff of 1858, as given previously, has only been from 12} to 13} per cent., which can scarcely be deemed
A is only
f per cen
excessi' diminut verified, out as
country close of as we a harvest
that in t per cent 9, were
I can which fi 1858, an cent. of duced a is remal the imp« to £5, 4¢ portion «
I will the Gov of their unexpec subject ¢ remark 1859, c
when th
not railv
D re-adjust the bon the com- ] importation, e direct trade , and so far object which pon the value
ific duties, for |
of Canada in d destroyed a St. Lawrence believed that together with
ants might be lis: commerce Under this at to apply the
tended to all:
ir tariff. The ain additional
er cent. to 20 | 10 per cent. | n, and it was |
nges in teas, dy explained, ‘inciple. 30th Septem-
» £1,594,468 ; ods being 29
ate of duty as usly, has only y be deemed
St. Lawrence, |
The §
3 is only 13} per cent. ; while in the period from 1841 to 1848,
m per cent.; and from 1849 to 1854, when it had only canals, but
37
excessive ; while so far from the apprehensions entertained of a diminution of imports and consequent loss of revenue being verified, in both cases the estimates of the Government are borne out as nearly as could be expected, considering the state of the country and its gradual recovery from depression. Until the close of the year, the comparison cannot fairly be made, inasmuch as we are only now beginning to benefit from our late good harvest ; but as an indication of the result, it may be stated, that in the case of cotton goods, which were raised from 15 to 20 per cent., the importations for the first nine months of 1857-8 and 9, were as follows :
ROD 6 56 dks 4404.49 ob oO @eeeeeaene@@e28ee@ £89,993 58,823 88,844
|, to e@eseeeeeo002800088080 @
1859.... eoeeeeeeceeveeeeeeneeveeene ne
I can also point with satisfaction to the fact, that the proportion which free goods bear to the whole importation, is exactly that of 1858, and of the average for the four previous years, viz: 29 per cent. of the imports ; indicating that the new tariff has not pro- duced any disturbance of trade, nor checked importations ; for it is remarkable that where so large an increase has taken place in the imports, as from £4,520,998, in the first nine months of 1858, to £5,403,393 5s.,in the corresponding period of 1859, the pro- portion of free goods to the whole remains the same.
I will now proceed to indicate the causes which have induced the Government and Legislature of Canada to seek, in an increase of their Customs duties, the means of meeting the large and unexpected demands upon them. But before finally leaving the subject of the burdens upon the people of Canada, it is proper to remark that the rate of duty levied under the present tariff of 1859, covering the cost of all our canal and railway expenditure,
when the Province had neither canals'nor railways, it was 10}
not railways, it was 13} per cent. If it were necessary to offer
38
an argument on the subject, it might be very easily shown that any increase of duty which has been placed on English goods, is quite indemnified by the decreased cost at which our canals, railways and steamships enable them now to be delivered throughout the Province, and that if the question were one of competition with Canadian manufacturers, the English exporter is quite as well off as befoe, while as compared with the American, his position is greatly improved.
In proceeding to offer some observations upon the principle upon which taxation is imposed in Canada, I may remark that the views of those who cavil at the policy of Canada, seem to be based upon the assumption that free trade is both the principle and practice of Great Britain, and should be adopted by Canada, irrespective of its financial necessities.
It certainly appears singular that Canada should be reproached with a departure from sound principles of finance, when, in order to pay her just debts, she imposes higher duties on the articles she herself consumes, when in England itself the same means are resorted to, and no less than £28,000,000 sterling obtained from Customs duties, and £17,000,000 from Excise. If in Great Britain, where such an enormous amount of realized wealth exists, it has only as yet been found possible to raise one-sixth of the revenue by direct taxation, it need require no excuse if Canada has to raise her revenue almost wholly by indirect means.
Free trade, in the abstract, must be taken to mean the free exchange of the products of industry of all countries, or of the inhabitants of the same country, and it is perfectly immaterial whether that industry be applied to the production of a pound of sugar or tobacco, or of a tenpenny nail or a bushel of malt ; it is equally an interference with the principle to levy customs duties or excise on any. But it is, and probably will continue to be, impossible to abandon customs duties or excise as a means of reveriue ; they afford the means of levying large sums by the taxation of articles of consumption, distributing the burden in
almost advant nity cq Great I make wants ¢ exists, require require the mo long ti our rev
Adm for the obtaine like th interfer effected fiscal p that, wi legislat calcula that of materia total im and ar ships al cent. d per cen articles manufa are cha
| while |
&c., ar bulk a sugar @
+ shown that tlish goods, is ch our canals, be delivered were one of glish exporter red with the
the principle ry remark that ja, seem to be the principle d by Canada,
be reproached when, in order n the articles me means are obtained from If in Great alized wealth se one-sixth of no excuse if direct means.
ean the free
tries, or of the ly immaterial of a pound of
of malt; it is stoms duties
ontinue to be, a means of
2 sums by the the burden in
39
almost inappreciable quantities, and in one respect have this advantage, that, if fairly imposed, each individual in the commu- nity contributes in a tolerably fair proportion to his means. In Great Britain it may be possible to adjust the taxation, so as to make realized property contribute more than it now does to the wants of the State ; but in a country like Canada no such resource exists, and it would be perfectly hopeless to attempt to raise the required revenue by direct taxation—we neither possess) the required machinery to do it, nor are the people satisfied that it is the more correct principle. Customs duties must therefore for a long time to come continue to be the principal source from which our revenue is derived.
Admitting, therefore, the necessity of raising a certain amount for the wants of the State, and that such amount can only be obtained through Customs duties, the Government of Canada, like that of Great Britain, have to consider how that necessary interference with the true principle of political economy, can be effected with least disturbance to trade. And judging of the fiscal policy of the present Government by this rule, it is contended that, with some trifling exceptions, which must arise in all human legislation, the Customs duties are imposed in the manner least calculated to disturb the free exchange of Canadian labour with that of other countries. A large class of articles termed raw materials, are admitted free, amounting to 29 per cent. of the total imports. Another large class consisting of iron, steel, metals and articles entering into the construction of railways, houses, ships and agricultural implements, &c., are admitted at 10 per cent. duty ; leather, and partially manufactured goods, pay 15 per cent. ; manufactured goods, made from raw materials, or articles paying 10 per cent, duty, are admitted at 20 per cent. ; manufactured goods, made from articles paying 15 per cent. duty, are charged 25 per cent., but this is exceptional, and very limited ; | while luxuries, comprising wines, tobacco, segars and spices,
&c., are charged at rates varying from 30 to 40 per cent., but the bulk are of 30 per cent. Spirits are charged 100 per cent. sugar and molasses, pay 15 per cent. and 30 per cent.
Tea,
40
The distribution of duties on the whole imports therefore stands thus :
Duties. Imports. Bred GOvds: .'ycences ccnqeseecetepooscee esse O * 29 per cent. Goods paying 10 per cent............. oacccce 44 64,“ ‘6 i. FEO Me” eyeserscteaeenen's te SG 64 66 QE lV ecaeegus eat ecslenanes 61 41 « “ BF OD NE ncbe machin paw aie aneurin 13 a “6 “over 25 per cent., including Spirits 93 4 « Tea, Sugar and Molasses. ..........0e0e. oss Ob 12 «6 100 =100
The foregoing statement will show that if the attempt were]
made to reduce the duty on manufactured goods paying 20 per cent., it would necessitate an advance on the other items, unless such reduction produced a corresponding increase in consumption to make good the deficiency. Assuming then that the duty were reduced from 20 to 10 per cent., it will not be contended that this reduction, though affecting the revenue one-half on these articles, would induce double the consumption ; on the contrary, it is believed that it would not affect the consumption at all, as is
borne out by the statistics of previous years, and of the presenti It would then become necessary to meet the deficiency by}
ear. fnarsancd duties elsewhere ; and in selecting the articles, it is in the first place impossible to touch the bulk of the free goods, most of which are free under the reciprocity treaty, and the remainder entitled to continue free according to sound principles of trade. Passing to the next class of 10 per cent. goods, it will not surely
be contended that the scale of duty should be raised on quasif raw materials to a rate im excess of that imposed on manufactures.
There is then nothing left but the articles paying over 25 per cent., and it must be observed that they form only 4 per cent. ol the imports, and pay 9} per cent. of the duties ; if, therefore, it ‘were necessary to make good the deficiency arising from a reduc- tion of duty on manufactures, the proportion of duty to the wholef they would have to pay would be increased from 93 per cent. to 40 per cent., and the average rate of duty on these articles,
| readers
instead nearly | such al and tha &c., it I those nc unfavou
agricult
Apart suggest, the reve the Prov duties is accordal tions in populati will be : ment, as possible.
In the
tional ga tively s only fu produce and cire removin many t Colonies
I hav Canada. in every perly be of the de
therefore stands
Imports. 29 per cent. 64 66 64 it 3 41 “ 1 6“ 4 6c 12 66 100
» attempt were Is paying 20 per er items, unless in consumption at the duty were itended that this
mn these articles, §
e contrary, it is n at all, as is
d of the presenti
e deficiency by articles, it is in free goods, most d the remainder iples of trade. t will not surely
raised on quasiq n manufactures. g over 25 pelj
ly 4 per cent. ol ; if, therefore, it g from a reduc:
ty to the wholej
93 per cent. to these articles,
41
instead of $2 per cent., or thereabout, would be increased to nearly 130 per cent. It is scarcely necessary to point out that such an increase would be utterly incompatible with revenue, and that the result would be a financial failure. On tea, sugar, &c., it has been found impossible to maintain higher duties than those now imposed—as they are free in the United States, and unfavourable comparisons are even now instituted by our agricultural population.
Apart from such modifications in detail, as experience may suggest, the Government of Canada believe that in order to raise the revenue imperatively required to preserve the good faith of the Province, and to maintain its institutions, the scale of Customs duties is not excessive, and that it has been adjusted in general accordance with sound principles of political economy. Reduc- tions in the scale of duties can only take place as the increasing population and wealth of Canada swell the importations, and it will be a subject of the highest gratification to the present Govern- ment, as well as to the Legislature, when such reduction is possible.
In the foregoing pages I have endeavoured to give to English
@ readers an idea, however imperfect, of the progress of constitu-
tional government in Canada, and its fruits, during the compara- tively short period of ten years. I am aware that my remarks only furnish, as it were, an index to the volume ; but if they produce more inquiry and a stricter investigation into the position and circumstances of the Province, they may be the means of removing some misapprehension, and thus prove of service to the
f many thousands in Great Britain, who anxiously look to the
Colonies as their future home.
I have sought to avoid all reference to political parties in Canada. We have our differences, and struggles for power, as
in every other free country ; but these discussions, I think, pro- perly belong to ourselves, as from our own people the Government Canada stands at the bar
of the day must receive their verdict. 4
42 of public ‘opinion in England, ‘to be judged, not by the acts of
any party, but as ‘a whole ; ‘and no public man, possessing any &
claim to patriotism, would ‘seek, by parading our sectional difficulties‘and disputes, to gain position in ‘Canada, ‘through the disparagement of his ‘country and her acts in England. I will venture 'to'‘add only one remark, and that is called for ‘by an impression which I ‘find to exist as to the political course taken by our French Canadian brethren in Canada. ‘During the entire period from 1849, to the present day, the French Canadian majority from Lower Canada, has been represented fully in the
Cabinet ; and with their active concurrence in the initiation and |
progress of every measure, and supported by their votes in Par- liament, all the great reforms I have recited, have been carried.
In conclusion, I venture to express-my conviction, that whatever may be the future destinies of Canada, her .people will .always value as their most precious right, the free and liberal institutions they enjoy, and will cherish the warmest sentiments of regard towards the mother-country, from whom they have received them. The future may change our political relations ; but I feel sure the day will never arrive when Canada will withhold her support, however feeble it maybe, from’Great Britain, in any contest ‘for the maintenance of her own position, as the foremost champion of civil and religious ‘liberty. :
Lonpon, Ist January, 1860.
1849 .., 1850 ...
| by the acts of
yossessing any
our sectional da, through the igiand. I will led for ‘by an al course taken aring the entire ynch Canadian d fully in the
» initiation and |
iy votes in Par- been carried.
1, that whatever
e will always eral institutions
ments of regard §
received them.
but I feel sure old her support, ny contest for most champion
43 APPENDIX.
Statement of the value of goods imported into Canada, with the amount of duty ‘collected thereon, from the year 1841, to 30th September, 1859, inclusive ; ‘also, the value of free goods imported during the same time.
Year. | Imports. | Duty. | Free Goods. £ s. d £ s. d. £ s. d, ee 2,694,160 14 6 225,834 7 10 146,268 17 8 1842.......... | 2,588,682 13 2| 278,930 7 4 85,944 2 4 $8AS... os actus 2,421,306 16 4} 241,572 9 0 13,526 18 0 1844........ 4,331,050 17 4| 441,331 15 2 $3,666 10 4 1845.......... 4,191,325 16 6| 449,960 1 7 59,061 17 4 1846.......... 4,515,821 1 11 422,215'16 8 61,300 10 8 Estimated ).
1847......... 3,609,692 14 -H1 414,633 5 6 77139¢° 4 1848.......... 3,191,328 5 10 334,029 8 9 92,978 0 0 27,543,319 0 6 | 2,808,507 11 10 619,886 1 8 1849 ......... 3,002,801 18 3 | 444,547 5 1 | 269,200 7 9 1850 ......... 4,245,517 3 6 615,694 13 °8 294,138 7 2 1851.......... 5,358,697 12 7| 737,439 0 2 | 425,671 5 9 1852.......... 5,071,623 311 739,263 12 9 311,962 17 4 TONG cansicees 7,995,359 1 11 1,028,67615 7 443,977 18 1 1854.......... 10,132,331 6 9 | 1,224,751 4 8 703,435 17 1 35,806,420 6 1 4,790,372 11 11 2,448,381 13 2 1855 ......... 9,021,542 7 3 881,445'12 6 2,596,388 138 8 1856........ 10,896,096 16 2] 1,127,220 10 5 2,997,941 14 9 ee | 9,857,649 11 9 981,262 15 11 8,101,976 1 7 1858........ 7,269,631 15 0 845,347 7 7 2,093,403 10 0 37,044,920 10 2] 3,835,276 6 5 | 10,789,705 0 0
1859 to 30th September..| 6,574,128 5 0! 888,946:15 4 1,915,608 0 0
Inspector General’s Office, ‘Customs Department. Quebec, 22nd October, 1859.
N. B.—In the foregoing pages, the above figures have been reduced ‘to their equivalent in sterling money,
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