Year: 1869

THE DOMINION TO THE NORTH OF Us


1t cannot be denied that if the efforts OF the
Imperial and Dominion Governments are sue
cessful in cementing a union OF the BRUSH
North American Provinces, the result VIII be a
very strong empire When we speak OF the
strength of this prospective empire, however, we
must not be understood as meaning strong
government, backed by armies and ships OF
war, and managed by bold and able statesmen,
for in all these things it would probably prove
weak enough, but as strong in possessing the
resources of an extensive and fruitful territory
Within few days the cable has informed
lis of the settlement of the difficulty in relation
to the Hudson's Bay Company's Territory, by
which that vast region is to be ceded to Can
ada. 1t is now two centuries since that Com
pany was formed, and although Its claim TO
territorial rights has, of late years, been denied
by many eminent lawyers in England, it has
never been practically disputed. That claim
is now to be extnguished, upon the payment
of e3O0.000 sterling and already the Canadians
are talking of providing some sort Of gov
ernment for the Red River Settlement and
taking immediate steps to check American en-
croachments along the western frontier. Cana
da's best defense against the Americans is the
good faith of the United States; but in regard
to this region, it is really as valuable as one OF
our own North Western States. For years the
country has been Systematically misrepresented
by the Hudson's Bay Company, and its value
and Importance, even now, is only imperfectly
known.


simultaneously with the settlement Of the
North West question is the movement In the
Legislature of Newfoundland to join the Con-
federation, and an agent is now on the way to
Ottawa, to negotiate with the Dominion Gov
ernment for the acceptance of the terms
proposed by the authorities of the island.
These terms, though not entirely acceptable to
Canada, are not so unusual as to interpOse
insuperable obstacles to the end in view, and
if agreed to, either with or without modifica
ton, will probably be ratified by the people of
Newfoundland at an election intended to be
held in November Should the movement
result in the transfer of the Province to the
Dominion, Labrador, which is dependency of
Newfoundland, would of course become part
Of the new empire, and Prince Edward Island
would almost be cOerced into adopting SIM
liar course. The Dominion would thus gain
control of the extensive fisheries of these
islands, and the value of its resources would
be greatly enhanced. Aside from its fisheries,
Newfoundland is of little Importance. The
bulk of the people of the island
live in state of squahd and abject
misery which is often aggravated by the failure
of the fishing voyages. But the minerals are
now attracting some notice, and, If the mines
should prove really valuable, the poor of New
foundland might reap a more certain subsistence
under the fostering care of the Dominion than
they have ever been able to obtain in their
f-independent condition. Annexation to the
United States is a thing not desired by the
people of this country, unless reciprocal inter
ests dictate its necessity in the case of any of
the Provinces, and even then it would be
subject of grave deliberation. The American
people will not interpose any obstacles in the
way of the consolidation of the British North
American Provinces if their mutual interests
dictate this policy, and where, unlike the case
of Nova Scotia yoke has not been put upon
the necks of an unwilling people. IL New
foundland and the Dominion of Canada find
reciprocal advantages in Union, let them unite
upon terms agreeable to themselves.


The Canadians seem to have passion for
real estate, and with such fair prospects for
the acquisition of Newfoundland and the Hud-
sons Bay Territory, are just now directing
their gaze westward, and predicting the annex
alton of the Pacific Provinces These too may
come under the governments Of the Canada
politicians An emD're 90 90 great in extent aud
alVerS'.,",,i. r~,. in resources would form theme
for Dominion Day orations which even our own
Fourth of July orators could scarcely rival


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Nothing could be in better spirit than the
remarks Of our new Collector Of the Port, the