64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 and inviolably observed, kept and performed from time to time in full vigour and effect, under the penalties to be thereby or therein imposed or contained. And we do will and by these presents for Us, our heirs and successors, do grant and declare that these our Letters Patent or the enrolment or exemplification thereof, shall and may be good, firm, valid sufficient and effectual in law according to the true intent and meaning of the same and shall be taken, construed and adjudged in the most favourable and beneficial sense for the best advantage of the said Trustees of the said Academy as well in our Court of Record as elsewhere, and by all and singular Judges, Justices, Officers, Ministers and other subjects whatsoever of Us, our heirs and Successors, any mis-recital, non-recital, omission imperfection defect, matter, cause or thing whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patent. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 18 NOTE B. EMIGRATION. No. 1 MR. SHIRREFF'S PRoposal for Settlement. (Archives Series Q. Vol. 375-2 p. 361) LONDON, September 29, 1832. MY LORD,-When I had last the honour of an interview with Mr. Hay I mentioned that I was very desirous of submitting to His Majesty's Government a plan for opening a direct communication between Montreal and Lake Huron by way of the Ottawa, and for settling the neighbouring country and I now beg leave to lay before Your Lordship a few observations on the subject. An undertaking of this kind was first suggested in a pamphlet published in London by my brother in 1824, and both he and my Father have since been at great pains to ascertain the nature of the country with a view to the objects already mentioned. A description of a part of it which the former explored for that purpose at a very considerable expense and which was previously a blank in the maps accompanies this. In countries which have been long occupied, the object for increased facilities to communication is generally to accommodate bodies of population already formed, tho' even in that view, an increased activity of intercourse is always reckoned on in calculating the cost. In more recently settled countries, the object of such facilities is often to encourage, and in some measure to guide the progress of settlement, care being taken to observe that other circumstances combine to make the current of population set in towards those parts of the country where the improvements are commenced. The Erie Canal is a striking example of the success with which extensive works may be undertaken on the latter principle in a country where the low price of land removes every check to the increase of population. In this work the Americans were fortunate in being able to combine almost immediate commercial advantages with additional facilities for warlike operations on the Northern frontier. To restore the equilibrium of attack and defence, the Rideau Canal became necessary. It also opens up a most important part of the country tho' not likely to repay itself as soon as the Erie Cana! the substantial manner in which it is constructed will prevent any considerable outlay, for repairs in the meantime. It is one of the greatest securities by which we hold the Canadas and the protection of every other great work which either has been, or may be, undertaken there. Among the latter there is none more strongly pointed out by the form of the country, nor which would be a greater stimulus to its trade and settlement, than the completion of the direct water-way between Montreal and Lake Huron which is already half formed by means of the Ottawa. It is remarkable that the distance is the same as that between Albany and Lake Erie, the two extremities of the great work by which our enterprising neighbours have connected the Upper Lakes with the Atlantic. The two lines of communication would indeed in both senses of the word be parallel. Even altho' the route by Lake Nipissing were found to be the most eligible, the increase of distance on our side would be much more than compensated by what nature has done to our hand. The probability of an advantageous investment of capital in such an undertaking is of course for the consideration of individuals. But it may be observed that the two objects proposed would reciprocally aid each other. The body of land at a Company's 64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 disposal would attract labourers and afford supplies for the Canal, and the Canal would bring purchasers for the land, of whom the workmen employed would form a very considerable proportion. There is this advantage in commencing such operations in a part of the country still unoccupied, that there is no large item to be placed at the debit of the account for damage to private property. In the present instance, on the contrary, there would be the enhanced value of the land to come to the credit of the works. Had this been the case with regard to the Rideau Canal, an Association of individuals might perhaps have been found willing to have undertaken that work. And even had its adaptation to military purposes rendered it necessary to defray the expense out of the public purse, many of the obstacles arising from extravagant claims for compensation, through which in addition to the natural difficulties of the work, the able Officer intrusted with its accomplishment has had to thread or cut his way, would have been avoided, while the Jands in the vicinity might have been advantageously sold by Government, and the purchasers more benefitted than by receiving a free grant of them, without such an improvement. Nations, however, like individuals, must often pay for their experience, and I only make these observations because they are in favour of an early commencement in the present instance, one great encouragement to which, is the rapidly increasing population of the Michigan and North Western Territories. For there can be no doubt, and it is a circumstance which appears to ensure success, that these Sections of the United States would avail themselves of an opening in the direction of the Ottawa for almost the whole of their Atlantic commerce. Indeed, such an outlet for their produce would not fail to accelerate and swell the tide of emigration already set in towards that quarter from the New England and Middle States of the Union. In a political point of view, such an advantageous channel for their trade would very much increase the interest which they have in their Government continuing on a friendly footing with the British Empire. Should we unfortunately however, be involved in hostilities with our powerful rival this short and safe cut to Lake Huron, together with a militia and population of English feelings in that part of Canada, would add greatly to our resources; whereas without them, a reference to the maps will at once show that the enemy, by the settlement of his Michigan and Northwestern Territories, will have turned our flank, and converted into a source of mischief, or at least annoyance to us, the very circumstance which otherwise would have bound him over to the peace. The co-operation necessary on the part of Government and Legislature, would be the giving at a valuation, and on certain conditions to a Company either already, or to be formed, an extent of land and a charter that would enable them to combine both the settling effectually that part of the country, with the completing the navigation of the Ottawa as far up, if necessary as Matawowen Bay, and the connecting that river by canals or railroads with the navigable waters between it and Lake Huron, so as to carry forward the line of communication to the latter. If the writer may venture to hope that his views on this subject accord with those of His Majesty's Government, there are one or two points which he would respectfully state as appearing to him very important. The first of these is the delaying, for a short time, to make any grants or sales of land in the Midland District of Upper Canada north of the river Madawaska, in the Newcastle District, north of the 45th degree of latitude, and in the Home District north of the same degree and nearer to the Muskoka river and lake than 3 miles. The late season of the year will prevent this being inconvenient, whereas partial settlements north of the above limits might very much embarrass the arrangements with a Company and their subsequent operations. In the next place that in consideration of the risk and expense of opening this line of communication, an Association willing to undertake it should have the preference in choosing conditionally a tract of land between the Ottawa and Lake Huron, north of the boundary above specified. The extensive space unfit for cultivation immediately in the rear of the present surveyed Townships in the Midland and Newcastle Districts and the obstructions which the falls and rapids of the Ottawa cause to Settlements beyond SESSIONAL PAPER No. 18 that space, make it essential to the opening up of the country to the south of Lake Nipissing, that the command of the most desirable part of the land there and the removal of these obstructions should go hand in hand. The only other point which it appears necessary to mention at present is the importance of Government retaining on both sides of the Ottawa in any measures for the further Settlement of the country, the sole right of disposing of the standing timber on the lands, till they are cleared and fenced for cultivation, leaving of course the settlers at full liberty to use whatever may be wanted for building, fuel and agricultural purposes. It is presumed that this can be done in giving up the property of the lands in other respects. Without the retention of this right in a part of the country where the cutting of timber for exportation is carried on so extensively, a very untimely check might be given to this branch of our Colonial trade, which would be felt by none more severely than the new settlers themselves. The benefit to them from the timber on their respective allotments would be inconsiderable, whereas they would derive a great advantage from the demand which the timber trade occasions for their produce. This stipulation was not necessary with regard to the Canada Company, as their block of land is not near the forests from which the market is chiefly supplied. But in the present instance it would be advisable to extend the reservation always made (tho' seldom acted on) respecting the white pine, to the red pine and oak, and perhaps it might be possible, on the other hand, to dispense with the usual reservation of a proportion of the land. In reference to the objections which have been made against colonizing by means of joint stock Companies as a resident and proprietor of land in Canada I would say they are most beneficial to us. We want capital. How are we to get it? Individuals possessing it largely cannot be expected to emigrate. It is therefore only by means of joint stock Companies formed in the Mother Country that capital to a sufficient extent can be brought to bear on British America, and the settlement of the Country must naturally be one of the first objects they should point at. When their work is done in this respect they will die out as land holders. The North American Atlantic States, the parents of most of the others which have since grown up, were founded by similar Associations, and altho' the United States may now be settling their lands without having recourse to these means it is owing to the already great accumulation of capital there. Wealthy individuals purchase from the General Government extensive tracts of land, open roads through them, plan and commence villages, build bridges, mills and schoolhouses, and thus prepare the country for being occupied by persons of smaller means. There can be no doubt that all this is advantageous to the settler, as well as the capitalist, and the community at large; and it is exactly what our North American Land Companies must do for their own interest. Such a mode of breaking up the forest provides likeswise much employment for the emigrant labourer, and in the present case this would be further increased by the nature of the undertaking, by which also a new channel of commerce would be opened through the Canadas. Respectfully submitting these remarks to Your Lordship I have the honour to be, My Lord, To the Viscount Howick, M. P. ROBERT SHIRREFF. His Majesty's Under Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, &c. &c. &c. 64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 No. 2.-SIR JOHN COLBORNE TO VISCOUNT GODERICH. (Archives, Series Q., Vol. 377-1, p. 1.) UPPER CANADA, YORK, 10th January, 1833. MY LORD, The Agents appointed to superintend the location of Emigrants having closed their Accounts, I am now enabled to transmit the annexed statement of the expense incurred in carrying into effect the arrangements sanctioned in Your Lordships instructions of the 1st February and 31st May last, No. 72. The expenditure occasioned by the embarrassing circumstances under which the Emigration of last season commenced, and continued for several months, has been large. I am persuaded however that the speedy and effectual relief experienced in both Provinces, by the constant removal of Emigrants from the Ports on the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario at which they were liable to be detained, and the permanent benefit which the Country has derived from the measures adopted for the distribution, employment and location of at least thirty thousand persons, cannot fail to show that the outlay was necessary and warranted. I encouraged, early in the season, the societies established at Prescott, Kingston and York and the settlers interested in local improvements to open Roads which were much required and promised, conditionally, that part of the expense of constructing them should be defrayed by the Executive Government. On these roads many destitute families were employed successively and earned by their labour a sum sufficient to carry them to remote Townships. The expense for conveyance was incurred chiefly in forwarding families from Prescott to York, and to the new Townships of Harvey, Medonté and Oro, and to the Western Townships of Adelaide and Warwick. In Adelaide and Warwick about 3,500 persons have been established; a population that will much advance the interests of the Western District. I have authorised the employment of the destitute Emigrants in these Townships in opening a road from Canada to Lake Huron. Some of them will, I hope, find work on the location of the officers and other settlers who have lately purchased Land in that part of the Province. I regret to state that many of the Pensioners who arrived last season, having commuted their Pensions, are in great distress. They have squandered away their commutation allowance and cannot, without further assistance, remain on their land, and are either too indolent or unable to labour with energy sufficient to provide for their families. They generally are led to believe that they have been dealt with unfairly and being destitute and discontented, and having passed their best days in the Army must soon become settlers of the worst description for these Provinces. The discharged soldiers who have retained their pensions are all going on well. There are also others in great distress in the Newcastle District. The Emigrants from Sussex and Wiltshire that were sent out early in the Spring, having received the small sums due to them on their arrival at York were left without means to provide for their temporary support. They have been distributed, however, in the Western Districts, and are satisfied with their prospects. As it does not appear probable that any extensive system proposed for the encouragement of Emigration will become acceptable at home nor that the Parishes or Land holders will consent to place under the control of the Government, funds sufficient to establish a portion of their redundant population in these Colonies; this Province must be prepared for the reception annually of thirty or forty thousand voluntary Emigrants, the greater part of which will require immediate support, I beg leave, therefore, to offer some observations suggested by the experience of the last two years, and the result of the measures adopted to provide for destitute settlers. It is obvious that, if arrangements should not be made to prevent an accumulation of Emigrants at Prescott and York, five or six thousand persons might frequently be de |