Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-27
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ternal navigation on the face Of the earth. : y =
:" In viewing the divisions Of Lower Canada,
the st. Lawrence conspicuously presents itself
as leading figure in its physical geography, bi.
secting the province into two grand sections, the
one lying to the north, the other to the south of
that great river. Emerging from Upper Canada
at Point au Baudet. flows exclusively through the
lower province, traversug in a north easteriy
course, the grand valley, which II drains in its
broad career to the ocean. This valley is con-
fined to the northward BY range of mountains
commencing at Grenville on the Ottawa river,
and stretching north-eastward across the country,
as it passes at various distances from the banks
Of the st. Lawrence, from which it recedes in
some places about forty miles, approaching at
Others within fifteen or twenty, until it strikes
the river at Cape Torment. thirty miles below
Quebec. From this cape the mountainous cha
racter of the shores of the ST. Lawrence may DO
properly said TO commence, and especially to the
northward, where they consist Of bold and alb.
rupt hills, rising to general elevation Of 500
and 400 feet, and in some instances attaining an
attitude Of nearly 1000 To the southwark,
the great valley is bounded by range Of hills 81.
tuated about the source Of the Connecticut river,
and connecting to s. w. with the Green Noun
tains in the state Of Vermont, by them with the
uOtu VI thc WHICH tOTiuS tue
grand geological division between the wa.ers of
the Atlantic and those of the st. Lawrence
The mountains at the head Of the Connecticut,
in their progress north.eastSard, diverge into
two ramfcations or spurs, about The source Of the
St. Johns river; one directing its course central
ly through the country, nearly parallel to the
course Of the st. Lawrence, and the shores OF
the sea; the other diverging more to the north,
and extending along the st. Lawrence to ito
mouth Its distance from the borders Of the ri.
yer, varies from thirty to thirteen miles, until it
actually subsidies on its banks, and confines the
bed of Its waters. Seen from the northward, it
has distinct outline, but does not exhibit the abb
pearance of a mountainous range when viewed
from the southwark, in consequence of the table
elevation of the country on that side.
Beyond the mountains that bound the valley
of the St. Lawrence on the north, the common
level of the land is marked BY very considera.
BILE table elevation above the surface OF the river,
and is traversed by several ridges OF no very con-
spcuous altitude, till the holder mountains rise
to view, that bound the province to the north west.
and divide the waters of Hudson's Bay from
those that descend in opposite courses to the st.
Lawrence"
1.-The political weight that attaches itself to
our colonies in the west. strikes the mind with
very great force. The United States have asea.
board frontier exceeding 1000 miles, and although
its defence has been favorlte object with the
government of that republic, the efficient attain.
ment of that end must be, and indeed We believe
has been found, extremely perplexing and diff.
cult The United States however have another
frontier, no less extensive. and far more vulne-
rabIe-it is the frontier on New Brunswick and
the Canadas; three British provinces, which to
use the words of an able writer, 'hang heavily
on their flank and rear, and Extending the remark
to Nova Scotia) overhang and command their
coast Here the geographical position Of the
British dominions offers powerful check to the
United States, and gives to England guaranty
against their commercial, maritime, and polti.
cal ascendency. Let US for moment suppose
that the provinces are invOIvedin the vast Anne
rican confederacy, and that, therefore, the
mouth of the St. Lawrence is in the keeping Of
American ships of war aud American FORTS
The effects are obvious. The whole agricultur-
al wealth of the immense fertile regions drained
by the St. Lawrence, would be poured into the
Golfers Of the republic: the maritime energies OF
the country would be more than qnadrupleJ; Its
territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT would be almost IN
calculable; aud yet its chances aud means oil de.
fence be amazingly enhanced, lnasmuch a: the
extent of frontier would be diminished by about
one.haIf, and the practicability OF ITS protecton
augmented in proportionate degree In the
same ratio that the power Of the United States
would. under such supposition, be heightened,
should the maritime prcpondcrance and resources
of Great Britain be weakened, and she would
behold the fairest portion Of America in the
hands of a rival nation. disposed already to mea.
sure IFS strength with her in the contest for naval
and commercial superiority"