The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-20
miscellaneous.
Address of the British American League 10
the Inhabitants OF Canada.
adopted 3la Ig, l649, in General Conpentio'i, at
ki.lgSf
THE ADDRESS.

THE ADDRESS.
Fellow CoUNTRYMEN Events momentous as
those which have given birth TO this great Provin-
cal Association have been hitherto unparalleled in
the history of this colony From the early settle
men of the united empire oyalists in this province,
until recent period, It's people have evinced an al
tachment to the parent State, unsurpassed by that
of any other colony of ancient modern times:
During long period, chequered by adversely ana
prosperity, the people of Canada have in war rallied
round the flag of their forefathers and in peace have
endeavored to cement the union with their father-
land by the strongest ties of amy and interest In
return for this devotion, the British government
long extended to the colony commercial prefer
in her markets.
The harmony which so long existed, interrupted
by an abortive rebellion, was again restored al us
close and the pre- gress of the colony became almost
unexamped, under the fostering influence OF a wise
imperial legislation. But, unhapply for Great
Britain---an empire whose colonies are the strong
arm of her power-she has recently opened her
ports 10 foreign nations upon equal terms with her
colonies thus virtually excluding us from her
markets. by throwing into runous competition
with those to whom her ports are more Immed-
aely and cheaply accessible.
In her PRONUNCIATION Of free-trade principles, she
has lost sight of the interests of her colonies, with
the view of obtaining from all nations reciprocal free
trade, and thereby inundatng the world with her
manufactures.
duced in Canada its inevitable results. Unprotected
by adequate tariff, we have continued TO consume
vast amount of British manufactures, whilst our
produce, the principal source upon which we rely
for their payment has rarely entered the English
markets except at a sacrifice The result has been
momentary pressure extensive bankruptcy, and
general distress.
Concident with these disastrous. circumstances,
storm arose in our political horizon, which has
threatened, and still threatens, TO shake the founda-
tons of our social fabric The egislature-ruled by
faction, which, for the retention of place and
power, has kinded afresh the luminosity OF rival
races-has legalzed the principle of rebellion, and
has prepared to increase the public debt at a mo-
ment Of great financial embarrassment, by pro-
vision for the payment of the traitors OF 1887 and
1888.
These grievances reused thousands from a state
of torture and nacton. Your fellow subjects, con
WINGED that crisis had arrived when It behooved
every inhabiant of Canada TO exert himself for the
regeneration of his country, and rescue 1t from
commercial and political thradom, met. and, by
combined action, established the " BRITIsH AMERI-
CAN LEAGUE"
This body extended its qualifications throughout
every part of the province II established system
of representation, by which delegates were To be
sent to general convention at Kingston That
convent n, assembled by he free election OF the
ieaeuers. according to established constitution,
after this exposi ion of its origin, now appeals TO
YOU to cooperate with the league in the great OBJ
iects il has in for the welfare Of our country
INHABITANTS OF CANADA:
You are nominay enjoying the privileges OF
free constitution You are IN reality chained down
by circumstances which wres from you the free
exercise of those privileges You are told that you
fosiered by liberal and prudent government
In reality, your efforts for the encouragement OF
home industry have been checked in too many IN
stances by hastv and inconsiderate legislation.
The true elements OF your countrys wealth-the
certain indlces of her prosperity, can only be de-
veloped by the adoption of measures which will bill
her cities with the busy hum OF ndustry-make
her streams the outlets of that wealth which will be
poured forth from the loom and the foundry-the
teemlng harvess Of her SOIL and the produce of her
primeval forests.
For the attainment of these results II is essential
that tariff, carefully and CONSIDERABLY adopted,
should be so proportoned and levied, as to afford
Just and adequate protection to every industrial
class-the agriculturist, the manufacturer, the
Inechanic-so as to build up the prosperity OF the
farmer and the artisan, side by side with the grow
ing wealth of the manuiacturer-so as to create a
home market for home industry, and enrich to-
gether consumer and producer
The present tariff is utterly inadequate to no
duce results so mannesdy 10 the interest OF our
country.
The PRESENT GOVERNMENT Is PLEDGED TO FREE
TRADE PRINCIPLES
The public expenditure is conducted with reck-
less 10 Inc cACcSSlft Seliai 'tS
Of public officers, now increased III number, TO-
gether with the lavish expense Of the legislature,
are entirely disproporuonate to the financial re-
sources of a young and over-burthened country,
and unnecessary to the efficiency of the public ser
vice. The authorized publications Of this conven-
ton, when laid before you will disclose the facts
which we found this important assertion.
The fostering protection Of good government, TO
which you all have an inalenable ught-which
sh oud be the guardian Of the public peace-the
bulwark Of social order, has been daringly dis
placed by the dominion Of race and faction, intro
ducing the elements Of civil discord.
law has been passed by the present ministry, so
nonsIrous principle that It has excited strong alb
horrence and disgust in the minds Of the loyal people
Of this colony. That measure, IN It's naked deform-
ity, has met with no approval. IL has been carried
merely because the British members Of the Govern
nient dared not to oppose the determined viii Of
the French leader. BY sanctoning that measure,
his excellency The Earl Of Elgn has brought the
royal authority into contempt-has disturbed pub
lie tranquility; and 1t IS firm opinion, that has
continuance IN his high position cannot conduce to
public peace or prosperity
An lnsdIous attempt made by the present minis
try 10 increase the French Canadian representation
in Parliament by so arranging the electoral districts
of Lower Canada as 10 distribute the British In
hAbitants IN small numbers among Overwhelming
bodies Of the French, we regard with the most pro-
found apprehension, as calculated TO perpetuae thai
civil dlsCOrd which has tended so much 10 the run
Of this great province
gross violation Of constitutional usages has
been perpetrated, and precedent sought TO be es
tablished, which, # 1t be made a precedent, vii
have forever destroyed the independence and utility
of the legislative council. Thai body, according tC
true constitutional law, has distinct legislative func
lions Il is not intended as a mere registrar Of the
DEGREES Of the legislative assembly But the gov
eminent now m power, IN order 10 carry particu.
lar measure, and IN open violation of tins principle
suddenly elevated to that House a number Of per
SONS Of douitful merit and previously unknown ~
public life
BY our constitutional law, her most gracious ma
iesty is alone invested with the authority 20 max
appointments to the legislative council law whicl
II carried out would effect sautary check over IN
interruptions use Of power IN the coony-no'
withstanding which, her mejesty's principal Secre
tary Of state for the colonies transmitted 10 IN
colonial govern ent blank wrts Of msndamus