Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-30
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CANADA.

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CANADA.
From Andrescs' Report ON the Colonial and
Lake Trade; House Document 1876, LIST sess.,
32d Congress.
Area in acres: Canada East, l2s,659,6S4;
Canada West 3l,745,535; total l60, 405,2ls
acres. Population in 1851, 1892, 265.
The province of Canada, one of the most
extensive, populous, and wealthy offshoots of a
colonizing nation, has been Justly termed Athe
brightest jewel in the Crown Of England"
Taough stretching in longitude from the CEN
tire of the continent to the shores of Labrador,
and in latitude from the waters which flow into
the northern ocean to the parallel OF Pennsylva-
MIA, it derives its Importance not SO much from
great area, diversity of climate and produc-
tons, as from geographical and commercial
position. From tide water upon the ST. Law
renee to Lake Superior, this province ad-
Joins, and even penetrates, SO as to divide one
Of the most commercial as well as important
agricultural portions of the United States. The
shortest land route between the heart of New
York and Michigan is through the peninsula
OF Canada West, which embraces one-half the
coast OF the most commercial body of fresh
water on the globe.
The diversity Of production ascribed to
canada may at first appear incorrect, inasmuch
as the name is associated with the rgors OF
northern climate. This mistaken idea origi-
mated In the fact that the eastern or historical
portion of Canada is foremost In the mind--a
part substituted for the whole; while the west
ern or modern section of the province is known
only to actual visitors. The romantic nara.
nves OF jacques Cartier and Champlain, the
early trials and struggles of the Jesuit Fathers,
and OF Frontenac, De Sales, and others of the
old noblesse of France, with the stirring Incl
dents OF the wars of the Algonquins and
iroquois, have, to the great majority of the
people OF the United States, been the chief
medium OF information respecting this, Eng
lands most important colony.
1t IS true that in Eastern Canada the reare
extremes OF climate unknown in the north
western States But it will be found that the
mean temperature varies but little in the two
regions. The intense cold Of the winter makes
a highway to the operations of the lumberman
over and upon every lake and stream, while the
earth and the germs Of vegetation are jealous
~ guarded from the injurious effects OF severe
frost by thick mantle of snow. The sudden
transition from winter to summer, melting the
accumulations OF ice and snow in every noun
rivers, doicnicdrd, for bearing in the cheapest
and most expeditions manner, the fruits of the
lnmbermans winter labor to its market on tide
water. The commencement of vegetation is
delayed by the duration of the snow, but its
maturity is reached about the same period as
In the western country, because there has been
Smaller loss of caloric during the winter, less
retardation from lingering spring, and more
rapid growth from the constant action of
strong and steady summer heat.
Whatever exceptions may be taken to the
climate of Eastern Canada, il must be remem-
bered that it embraces the greater portion OF
the MISUNDERSTANDING zone of North America.
the invaluable product of which can only be
obtained by those conditions of climate, 1.-THE
abundant ice and snow,) which have given il
such imaginary terrors. There is scarcely one
article or class of articles from any one coun-
try in the world which affords more outward
freight, or employs more sea tonnage, than the
products Of the forests of British North Anne
RIGA.
While these conditions Of climate and pro-
duction give necessarily a commercial and
manufacturing character to the eastern pro-
vince, the milder climate and more extensive
plains OF Western Canada afford q field for ag
ricuiture, horticulture, and pastoral pursuits
unsurpassed In some respects by the most IN
yored sections Of the United States. The pc
ninsula Of Canada West almost surrounded
by many thousand square miles of unfrozen
water enjoys a climate as mild as that OF
northern New York. The peach tree, unpro
tected, natures its fruit south and west of On
tario, while tobacco has been successfully cul-
tiyated for years on the peninsula between
Lakes Erie and Huron. During the last two
years, Western Canada has exported upwards
of two millions Of barrels Of -four, and over
three millions Of bushels of wheat, and at the
present moment the surplus stock on hand is
greater than at any former period. There is
probably no country where there is so much
wheat grown, in proportion to the population
and the area under cultivation, as in that part
of Canada west Of Kingston.
The commercial position of Canada West as
portage" or "stepping-stone" between the
manufacturing and commercial States on the
Atlantic and the agricultural and mineral ones
OF the northwest is illustrated by the Welland
canal, the Great Western, and the Ontario and
Huron railways.
Among the prominent features OF Canada,
her military position is worthy Of notice. She
is the most northern power upon this continent;
and in CONFORMATION upon the globe, she pre-
Senls triangular lOrrn, the apex OF which
forms the extreme southing, and penetrates the
United States frontier; while the base is re.
mote, and rests upon the icy regions of the
north.
Thanked by the inhospitable coast Of Labra-
dor upon the east, and by the almost iuacces-
sible territories of the Hudson's Bay Company
on the west, she can only be attacked ain
front !" when retiring into more than Scytbian
Businesses on the Ottawa and Saguenay, and
keeping up communication with the strong for
tress Of Quebec, she can maintain prolonged
and powerful resistance against foreign hostile
invaders.
Viewing Canada as a whole, il may be de-
scribed as broad belt Of country lying diago-
nally along the frontier Of the United States,
from northeast TO southwest, from Maine 10 Mich
igan, and between the 42d and 49th parallels
Of north latitude. The great river st. Law
renee presents itself conspicuously as a lead.
ing feature in its physical geography, travers
ing, in nortbeasterly course, the grand valley
which it drains in its mighty career to the
ocean.
III ri e Al. # II