Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-07
THE INDEPENDENTS OF CANADA.

Some of the most eminent of the Englisl
statesmen are seriously meditating a separa
ton of the Canadas from the British Crown.
and the erection of them into an Independent
power. Nothing more strikingly illustrate
the changes produced by the lapse of -four
score years than this scheme. England wa.
willing, in l775, to incur the hazards and ex
pense of seven years war in order to reduce
the thirteen American colonies to servile sub
mission, and retain them as mere slavsh colo
nial dependencies. Now, after the lapse Of
seventy-eight years, which is but as day il
the history of nations, she is seriously contem-
plating voluntary surrender of her sover
eighty over the two Canadas, which are the
remnants of her once great possessions in
North America. 1t is in the contemplation OF
many of her statesmen to erect these provinces
into a separate and independent nation. The
reasons assigned for it are strong and suffi
cient-they are also striking indications Of tn.
progress and growth of the United States.
These reasons are stated by Lord Peterborough
in speech which he recently made during tb,
discussion in Parliament Of the Canadian lie
gislative council bill. HIS lordship thinks the
retention of the Canadas by Great Britain leo
pards every day the friendly relations which ht
thinks ought to exist between these States and
Great Britain. He also expresses the opinion
that in the event of war between the two
countries, the whole Canadian frontier would
be exposed TO the greatest calamities, nor
would those colonies be enabled to render any
effective aid to the mother country. The Earl
of Peterborough also alludes to the vast ex.
pense that would attend defense of Canada in
case Of war, and states it as his opinion that +,
would be impossible successfully to defend
her.
We make the following extracts from Lord
ElleDborough's speech:
What was the use, what the practical ad-
vantage OF continuing our connection with the
colonies? The connection might be of some
small use in time of peace but, on the other
hand, consider the danger arising from il in
matters relating to war. There could be no
doubt that the chances of collision between thu,
country and the United States were greatly in
creased by our connection with the North Amer.
lean colonies. 1t was equally certain that in
the event OF war occurring between this coun-
try and the United States on the grounds totally
unconnected with tie colonies, they must, from
their connection with us, be drawn into the war
and their whole frontier be exposed 10 The
greatest calamities Under these circumstan.
ces, it was matter worthy Of serious consider.
alton whether we should not endeavor, in the
most friendly manner, to divest ourselves of a
connection which must prove equally onerous
to both parties. Now, in case OF war, could we
hope to defend the colonies successfully He
would advise, not the noble duke opposite, who
TO his great satisfaction had been released from
the duties OF the colonial Office, but the right
honorable baronet who had succeeded him. 10
read dispatch received from Lord Metcall in
1876.
I'VE we're then, it was supposed, on the eve
oil war with the United States--a war con.
nected with matters in which Canada had no
concerns war for an object the value OF which
was not, to either party, equal TO the expense
oil one weeks hostilltles. Let the.eq sec
Rotary read Lord MetcsIfs dispkd3 . see
the amount OF military aid which would be re.
CURED " enable US successfully to defend
canada. AT this time lac Lord Ellenborough)
thought Lord Metcalrs estimate was extrays-
giant, and ne did not attach any great weight TO
that noble Lords unsupported opinion; but,
having consulted persons who from their posi-.
ton were most competent 70 decide upon the