Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-07-30
The Canadian federation.

The establishment Of a Federal govern
ment in canada, by union of all the
provinces, continues to be the subject of
discussion in the news papers of Canada.
As this Federation promises to be, if
once consumrnated, the second power on
this Western Continent a few statistics
concerning the resources of the provinces,
will be of general interest:
The Toronto Leader claims for the
proposed Federation territory, ernbrac-
ing that of British North America, an
area Of 2,933o7s English square miles.
The two Canadas occupy an area situated
yariouzly from 100000 to 100000 square
miles.
The population ofthe Provinces by the
census Of 1861 was
Upper Canada, I,59ao91i Lower Can
ada, I,llO,G64 Nova Scotia, 33o,657;
New Brunswick, 252O47; Prince Edward
Island, 8O,552. The two Canadas, accord
ing to these figures, contained 2,5oe. 755
people, and the other three Provinces, G63
456. 1t thus appears that three years ago
the population Of the two Canadas was
nearly four-fths of that of the whole five
Provinces.
If we turn TO the finances and the com
merce of the various Provinces, we find
that very much the same proportions pre-
vail. The imports Of the Canadas have
or some years averaged about S42.O0Oi0oC
a wear. In Nova Scotia, the average has
been about 8z,5OO,OOO; In New Bruins
wick. about g, 5000, 900; and in Prince
Edward Island, 1,lOO,OOo-in other words
abont sl4,OOOOOO against S42,O0o,oOO
The exports oftbe Canadas have for some
time averaged about s33,OO0OO0 year.
The average in Nova Scotia has been about
Sc 500, 600; in New Brunswick, $4,000.
600 and in Prince Edward Island, sl,2O
O,O00-a little over 1900 600 in the three
Maratime Provinces against sa3,OOO,Ooo
n the Canadas,
If we take again, as point Of compar-
ison, the quantity of land under cultiva-
ton in the different Provinces, We reach
a result very similar to those shown by
our previous comparisons. According to
the census of 1861, Upper Canada had
6,05L6I9 acres under cultivation, and Low
er Canada 4,8O4,285 acres; together TO-
5,235 acres. In the same year we find
it stated that Nova Scotia had 1922, 792
acres under cultivation, and that in the
same year New Brunswick had under till
age $50, los acres.
From the above statistics it will appear
that the two Canadas of themselves would
make a strong Government, especially
with all the advantages they have in ara
bic soil and commercial facilities.
This confederation of the Provinces is
regarded, both in England and in this
country as the first step toward entire in
of the Home Government. If
he American Colonies wore to-day to ask
or peaceable secession, they would, in all
attain it. The London Spec
ator, an organ of the Liberals in Eng
and says;
That in eiths House of Parliament not
i've votes viii be given against peaceful
ecession, and not a voice raised for coerc-
nc them-the people Of British North
America-or fighting them, or bribing
hem, or doing anything else in connection
lith them, eNcePJ Withdrawing the large
eet or small army now paid for their de-
snse.' That journal even advises the
Iinistry 70 bring forward law decree
lg that any British colony numbering "a |
lillion Of English-speaking inhabitants
lay by vote of ITS Parliament, ratified |
y an appeal to the electors ad hoc, or by |
two-thirds majority, without such ap- |
cal, declare itself free and independent"
Nor arc we Americans, Indifferent to
lis movement in Canada 1t may be
erely the prelude of future Union with
e great Republic.