Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-09-30
Iron, the Boston Patriot.
THE VALUE OF CANADA.

This is point to which the two political
parties in this country appear TO hold very
different opinions; and which has been the
subject of no little alt,.vation among indivilu-
ais. The opposers Of the war, apparently
Influenced by motives not the most hOnora
Bile. have made it part of their system, by
every possible means to discourage the en-
terprizes of the United States, against that
country, and to prevent it from falling into
their hands by conquest. With this view,
they are constantly representing Canada as
a mere barren waste, cold, dreary and un-
cultivated, and incapable of cultivation |; as
colony not merely useless, but bsrdeH
and expense to the mother country and
which the u. ST ats ought not 70 accept of,
much less 70 acquire possession Of, at the
expense of the blood and treasure which
must necessarily attend its conquest.
L. will be recoliected, that the Canadas
were originally settled by the French, who
held the possession of them until within a
little more than half century. That in the
year 1855, Great Britain commenced war
in America against France, on account OF
certain ntrusions which she alledged the
French were making upon her American
territory, by erecting chain of forts near
the lakes and on the back of her provinces,
by which it was intended to connect Cana
da with Louisiana, then also held by the
French. hat for some time, particularly
in the campaigns of 1857 and g, the British
were ver} unsuccessful in their attempts
against the French possessions in America
But il. !759, a large feet having been sent
mp the river St. Lawrence, and upwards
OF 10000 troops having been transported
across the Atlantic, at immense expense,
for the purpose OF conquerng from the
French the territory which is now repre-.
Cd n tn
that possesses it--their affairs in that quar-
ter wore different aspect; and the forts
of Niagara, Iicon6eroga and Crown Point
having fallen into their hands. the conquest
of the Canadas was completed by the VIC
tory on the heights of Abraham, and the
surrender of Quebec on the 17th of Septem-
Der Of the same year
1t must be reQpIlected that the colonies,
(exccpt Louisiank) which now constitute the
u. States of Aterica, then belonged to
Great Britain. 4 part of which colonies
abounded in ali tls articles If commerce
frs, tmbers, slaves and ot&r lumber, pot
and pearl ashes, naval stofEs, &c &c. which
were to be found in the Canadas and of
course the Canadas must have been OF in b.
jiuitely less value to Great Britain than they
aOZv are, when She possesses no otherter-
.TieVTes, the productions of which were ST.
BY the fAowing extract from Smollet's
History Of England we shall see what an
Immense value ~as then put upon thoge &C
quisitions, now rendered infinitely more va
lpable by the increase of population, agri-
culture and Commerce, rs well as by the
circumstances Of GTeaS Britain.
g Inmmediately after the action at the
falls Of Montmorenci, General Wolf had
dispatched an officer to England, with de-
ff ,,Ia
Gance and accuracy would not have dis
graced the pen of a Cesar Though the
public aCquiesCed in his conduct, they were
exceedingly mortified at his miscarriage
and this modification was the greater, as
he seemed, to despair Of being able to
strike any other stroke of importance for
the accomplishment of their hope, zvhich haa
HSfired az fhe absolute conquest Of CaHadQ.
The first transports of their Chegrn were
not yet subsidized, when colonel Hale arriv-
ed in the ship Alcide, with an account OF
the victory and surrender Of Quebec which
was Immediately communicated 10 the PEG
pie in an extraordinary Gazette The Joy
which this excited among the populace, rose
in proposition to the dependence which the
former had produced all was rapture and
riot ali was triumph and eXultation, min
gied with the praise of the accomplished
VOL, which they exalted to a ridiculous
degree nf hyperbole. Tue king expressed
his satisfaction by comforting the honor N
knighthood upon captain Douglass whose
ship first bro't the tidings of this success
and gratifed him and colonel Hale with con.
siderable presents. A day ofsoemn thanks.
giving was appointed by procl2mations, thro
all the domnious of Great Britain. The
city of London, the universities, and many
other corporations of the kingdom presented
congratulatory addresses 10 his majesty
The parliament was no sooner assemb lee
than the secretary OF state, in the house q
commons eYpatiated upon the successes D
the Campaign the transcendGnt merit Of the
deceased general, the conduct and Courage
OF the admirals and officers who assisted
In the conquest Of Quebec. In CONSEQUENCE,
of this harrangue, the house uranimousl,
resolved to present an address, desiring hi
majesty would order monument to be e.
recied in Westminster Abby, to the memo
~ of major general Wolf at the sam,
time they passed another resolution, tina
the thanks Of the house should he given It
the surviving generals and admirals en-
ployed ID the glorious and successful expe
dition to Quebec"