Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-09-10


not wait until they should be sucked io It's verex,
which like ,he Norwegian whirlpool, Is constantly
drawing into it's horrid bosom, not only ships but
men, and which continually exhibits wrecks of
former prosperity.
.s,,gae.,..
Caaqdq and Great Britain-A debate took
place ON the 9TH Of July IN the British House of
Commons, ON the vote to grant go. 200 for for
tfcations IN the North American Colonies, on an
estimate of E344, 400. A considerable opposition
was made 10 the proposal, and thar on grounds
yety well worthy ofremark.-Mr Stanley thought
the CmadaS very able 10 protect themselves The
American militia, though all sufficient for defence,
was quite ineffective for invasion; and it was, he
knew, the opinion of the most eminent statesmen
IF America that her frontier was already toolarge.
Mr.. Barring, while he thought the house should
not consider the question of money too rigIdly
said they must not forget the enormous cost ofthe
proposed works; and ought first to enquire wheth-
or they were likely to annex Canada permanently
TO the empire For his part, he thought they were
not. They were likely to spend millions, and be
defeated of their expectations IN the end. Canada
resombled neither the West nor the East Indies
which had Inc interest TO separate themselves from
England her interests, TO the contrary, were per-
petuaIIy diverging from those Of the mother coun-
try twas his decided opinion, that the colonies
presented great difficulties, 'and it was wise to-
consider whether by parting friends with them
they would not be more likely 90 benefit the coun-
ty, than by going to TINS expense lie thought
10 great mistake too, to imagine that the Ameri-
cans were not ambitious 10 possess Canada. -
Lord Iowick said 1t was perfectly evident that
sooner or later. separation must take place. and
both the colony and the mother country should be
prepared for it.
1t was urged, on the other hand, that, till Eng
land made mp her mind 20 abandon her colonies
altogether they ought TO be defended: That
the maritime and commercial greatness of Great
Britain depended on the retention of Canada, the
loss (which would soon be followed by ,hat of
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the West In
dies. Presently, they should be called on to give
mp the East Indies too; but 1t could not be imag-
ined thlt the country had forgotten It's greatness
and lbs rumphs and was thus 10 shrink into It's
shell. As America beng nambitious Of more
territory THAI did not very clearly appear She
already reclaimed a small territory bordering on
New Brunswick, "ml it must be allowed said
Sir George Murray "she is q great nation Were
he 20 attempt TO- speak of her with contempt he
must altogether forget her great achievements by
sen and lald.-She Is most ambitious and grow
iuC po0ol. Nir. iluskiss0n had the same .dea
of The ambition of America, and especially her
desire for the Canldas "The genius of that
great and rising nation turned naturally in pursuit
of objects by which To- increase its strength and
power. The question was, not whether the
Canadas should be theirs IN a hundred years 10
come but whether they should become part of
that immHsc and orergr0loing republic, lrh0Se
w f- q.
accomplish &C lcerc great and Formidable" He
would saw ratain these colonies at any cost; and
let their independence, when II arrives, be effect
ed rather by q course of natural events. than BY
any premature aud unnatural separation.
This Is a grave question indeed; a nation de-
Eberaung whetheritis worth while to retain ac-
QUESTIONS made al suck an expense of blood and
treasure. This snot the 6rsi time that the bene-
fits Of the Colonial system or Great Britain have
been doubted by political philosophers though
lt Is striking 20 find the doubt thus agitated in
the national legislature. Ii suggests many i'm
portmt reflections. AS to Canada in particular,
the question ought TO be- If not what Is for the
advantage of both parties, at least whether the
benefit expected Is worth the cost of keeping
Which we are much Inclined TO doubt.
The sentiments avowed BY British statesmen
rs to the weight and character Of our republic
though different enonen from those which are IN
v0uge with the shallow travellers who have so
long aimed TO detame us, and deceive their coun-
trvmen. are such as we should except from sober
thinkers. They could not we were assured,
fail TO arrive at them, ifthey would only open their
ewes. Their opinions of our ambition may not
be so palatabIe TO Us, nor in one sense, are they
Just Adirect desire Of enlarging our territory Is
$50 far from existing among us, that we rather de-