conclusion to be drawn from what has happened is this, that however arbitrary power may, for a time, have sway, it is by its acts, hastening to an end, especially in Canada. Had Canada been an island far in the ocean, British ministers might have governed it for ages by humbug and tyranny: lying along side of independent America, where things are as they should be, the very attempt is ridiculous. The people of Canada will, by-and-bye, get enlightened. They will get above simplicity, and choose men to represent them worthy of the trust. When this is the case, and not till then, they will enjoy all the blessings of the British constitution.

It does not appear that there was much call on the part of the Canadians, for a constitution, when British ministers tasked themselves with the fabrication of one for the colony. Perhaps it was thought, that as constitutions were beginning to wither in Europe, and a rank young one, self-sown, was springing up in America, it was time to stick in a sucker by the side of it, torn from the root of our old plant, to try if it might not prosper and overshadow the seedling of nature and independence: perhaps it was thought time to be making a shew of liberality; but sham liberality cannot long hide the cloven foot. Sure I am it would have been better, both for Canada and the parent state, had there been no attempt to transplant the British constitution,-much better for Canada to have had no parliament up to the present time. Had ministers, simply and sin

cerely, considered, that all, of government, which is required to make people happy and contented in a young country, is only security for person and property had they, with this single object in view, chalked out certain rules to be observed by a governor and council; and devised right plans for the disposal of wild land, the provinces might have flourished far beyond what they have done, been free of all discontent, and run no risk from invasion. The wild lands economically managed, might, from the beginning, have yielded profit, and enabled government to have executed every design without calling upon the inhabitants for a single farthing, in the shape of tax; might have saved them from the shame of enacting laws for which their predecessors, the savages, would have blushed.

He

It is well worthy of notice, that while Mr. Fox quarrels with the mode of appointing the Legislative Council, finds fault with appropriating so much land to the clergy, and haggles about the number of assembly men, he makes not a single inquiry as to the disposal of wild lands. thinks of the governor's influence being prejudicial, from the appointment of legislative councillors, &c. he had full experience, at home, of evils from ministerial patronage, and he could easily conceive that in a distant province where this was not divided among many, or distilled through the discretion of a chancellor, himself dependent, and exposed to the eye of scrutiny; where it proceeded in no way from the royal will,

free of all petty regard to self-interest, but the very reverse; where it is the very throne on which the despot exalts his vanity, and the very source to which he looks for the means of luxurious retirement: he could thence easily conceive how ruinous patronage might become; but, he was not aware that the greatest amount of such aggravated mischief was not to be half equal to that proceeding from the provincial governor, having an uncontrouled authority over the public property in land; and, it is to this, chiefly, which we must ascribe the wretched condition of Upper Canada, as well as the debasement of its people. Yes, my best friends in the province must not blame me for using language, that may assist in getting them out of the filthy mire. The debasement of the people of Upper Canada is truly deplorable, and of this I had better experience. When Sir Peregrine Maitland first arrived in the province, there was a general expectation that he would be favourable to the cause of inquiry, which I had done so much to advance. So long as this was cherished there was no want of bold and active supporters. The moment that it was found otherwise, oh! what a falling off was there! Many would still speak their sentiments privately; but I do not recollect of a single one who would put his name to a publication in my favour, after the strong hand of power had hold of me. On the contrary, not a few of my quondam friends signed addresses to his Excellency, some of them nauseous in the extreme. In volume 1st., page 549, I have noticed

what effect the delightful air of Upper Canada had upon the animal spirits. I there expressed myself the more strongly, that in this place I might heighten the contrast with the tendency of vicious government. Canadians are naturally "brave, lively, and generous hearted." They are as brave as bull dogs and brooding hens, when left to the operation of unrestrained passion; but they have little passive courage; and, under the influence of ministerial scowl are the veriest poltroons. It becomes, indeed, a matter of prudence for those who have any dependence on government to be cautious, for where provincial rulers cast an evil eye there will be blight, in some way or other; by hook or by crook, in spite of feeling, reason, or law. When I first proposed to the people to hold a convention for the purpose of sending home a petition for inquiry, a poor fellow who held a commission during war, and who, in consequence of being shockingly wounded, received a pension of £20 per annum, was my most zealous wellwisher. He would not, however, openly declare his sentiments, because, said he, "were I to do so, they would deprive me of my pension." Can it be supposed for a moment, that this kind of dread will ultimately tend to maintain British influence in the provinces? certainly not. It ever appeared to me the most dangerous of symptoms; and, for that very reason, I was always the more open the more remorseless to every skulking, treacherous manifestation. The spirit of liberty is quite alive in the breasts of the Canadians; and

the best policy is to let it have free vent. Pent up, and subdued for a time, by petty tyranny and unhallowed restraint, it will assuredly, in the end, burst out to harm. At parliamentary elections, this spirit has always shewn itself. I have in my possession many printed addresses of candidates, vulgar enough truly, but invariably stuffed with high sounding pretensions to independence, and regard for popular rights: always patriotic; but the patriot has no sooner got up to Little York, than all his fire has gone out. If he is right simple, a few invitations to the Governor's table unman him. If proud of authority, a commission of the peace will do; if vain, a commission in the militia; if avaricious, a grant of land, a pension, or a place of profit bind him, in gratitude, to be the humble servant of his Majesty's representative. In truth, with such tools the Governors of Upper Canada have always been enabled to legislate at will; and the very thing which, theoretically, must have appeared a safeguard to liberty, has tended to its extinction. No governor, left to himself, would have had the effrontery to act as some of the provincial governors have done; but, countenanced by the representatives of the people, the feeling of shame was taken away. It should therefore be clearly understood, that hitherto evil has not arisen out of the constitution, but from the overwhelming and boundless power of the governors. This is what now wants correction; particularly as it concerns the disposal of wild lands. It was this chiefly which I pressed attention to when in