THE CANADAS. Declaration in favour or Annexation to the United States. To the People of Canada.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 414, 3 April 1850, Page 2

THE CANADAS. Declaration in favour or Annexation to the United States. To the People of Canada.

The number and magnitude of the evils that afflict our country, and the universal and increasing depression of its material interests, call upon all persons animated by a sincere desire for its welfare, to combine for the purposes of inquiry and preparation, with a view to the adoption of such remedies as a mature and dispassionate investigation may suggest. The reversal of the ancient policy of Great Britain, whereby she withdrew from her colonies their wonted protection in her markets, has pioduced the most disastrous effects upon Canada. Our present form of Provincial Government is cumbrous, and so expensive as to be illsuited to the ciicumstances of the country •* and the necessary reference it demands to a distant Government, imperfectly acquainted with Canadiau affairs, and somewhat indifferent to our interests, is anomalous and irksome. Having thus adverted to some of the causes of our present evils, we would consider how far the remedies ordinarily proposed possess sound and rational inducements to justify their adoption; " 1. The revivul of protection in the markets of the Unit d Kingdom." This, if attainable in a sufficient degree, and guaranteed for a long period of yeais, would ameliorate the condition of many of our chief interests : but the policy of the empire forbids the anticipation. Besides it would be but a very partial remedy. The millions of the mother countiy demand cheap food ; and a second change from protection to free trade would com pie 'c that ruin which the first has done much to achieve. " 2. The protection of home manufactures." Although this mi#ht encourage the growth of a manufacturing interest in Canada, y( t, without access to the United States market , there wjuld not be a sufficient expansion of that inteiest, from the want of onsumers, to work any result that could be admitted a* a " remedy" for the numerous evils of which you complain. '* 3. A federal of the British American provinces." The advantages claimed for that arrangement are from trade between the different provinces, and a diminished government expenditure. The attaiment of the latter object would be problematical, and the benefits anticipated for the former might be secured by legislation under our existing system. The markets of the sister province would not benefit our trade in timber, for they have a surplus of that article in their own forett?, and their demand of agricultural products would be too limited to absorb our means of supply. Nor could Canada expect any encouragement to her manufacturing industry from those quarters. A federal union, therefore, would be no remedy. " 4. The independence of the Biitish North Ameri« can Colonies as a Federal Republic." The consolidation of its new institutions fiom elements hitherto so discordant, the formation of treaties with foreign powers, the acquhement of a name and character among the nations would, wo fear, prove an over mutch for the strength of the new republic. And having regard to the powerful confederacy of States conterminous with itself, the needful military defences would be too costly to render independence a boon, whilst it would not, any more than a lederal union, remove those obstacle! which retard our material prosperity. " 5. Reciprocal free trade with the United States, a» respects the products of the furm, the forests, and the mine." I f obtained, this would yield but an instalment of the many advantages which might be otherwise secured. The free interchange of such products would not introduce manufactures to our country. It would uot ftive us the North American continent for our market: It would neither so amend our institutions as to con« fer stability, nor ensure confidence in their permanence, nor would « a'hy the violence of parties, or, in the slightest degree, remedy many of our prominent evils. "G. Of ail the remedies that have been suggested for the acknowledged and insufferable ills with which our country is afflicted, thjre remaini but one to bo coniidered. It propounds a sweeping and important change in our political and social condition, involving considerations which demand our most serious examination. This remedy consists in ajfriendly and peaceful separation frota British connexion, and a union upon equitable terms with the great North American Confederacy of Sovereign States." We would premise that, towards Great Britain, we entertain no other than sentiments of kindness and respect. Without her consent we consider separation at neither practicable nor desirable. But the colonial policy of the parent state, the avowals of her leading statesmen, the public sentiments of the empire* preicnt unmistakeable and significant indications of the appreciation of colonial connexion. That it is the resolve of England to invest us with the attributes, and compel vi to asuurne the burdens, of independence, is no longer problematical. The threatened withdrawal of her troops from other colonies — the continuance of her military protection to ourselves, only on conditions that we shall defray the attendant expenditure, betoken intentions towards our country against which it is weakness not to provide. An over-ruling conviction, then, of its necessity, and a high sense of the duty we owe to our country— a duty we can neither disregard nor postpone, impel us to entertain the idea of separation ; and whatever regulations may eventuate with Great Britain, a grateful liberality on the part of Canada should mark every proceeding. The proposed union would render Canada a field f"r American capital, into which it would enter as freely for the prosecution of public works and private enterprise as into any of the present States. It would equalise the value of real estate upon both tides of the boundary, thereby probably doubling at once the entire present value of property in Canada, whilst giving- stability to public corporate and private credit, It would increase our commerce both with the United States and foreign countries, and would not necessarily, diminish to any great extent our intercourse with Great Britain, into which our products would, for the most part, enter on the same terms as at present. The value of our timber would also bo greatly en» banced by free access to the American market, where it bears a high price, but is tubject to an enormous duty. At the same time, there i* every reaion Uu believe that our shipbuilders, as well at Quebec AUfl

Ilejreat lakes, would find an unlimited market in al l be ports of the American continent. I The simple and economical State Government, in Ihich direct responsibility to the people is a disinguishing feature, would be a substitute for a system X once cumbrous and expensive. In place of war and the alarms of war with a neighpur, there would be peace and amity between this puntry and the United States. [Nor would the amicable separation of Canada from Sreat Britain be fraught with advantages to us alone, 'he relief to the parent state from the expenditure now ocurred in the military occupation of the country— the emoval of the many causes of collision with the United itates which result from the contiguity of mutual teritories so extensive— the benefit of the larger market rhichthe increasing prosperity of Canada would create, re consideration! which, in the minds of many of her blest statesmen, render our incorporation with the Jnited States a desirable consummation. To the United States also the annexation of Canada resents many important inducements. The withlrawal from their boiders of so powerful a nation, by j vhom in time of war the immense and growing commerce of the lakes would be jeopardised — the ibility to dispense with the costly but ineffectual evenue establishment over a frontier of many hundred mles — the large accesiions to their income from our iustoms — the unrestricted use of the St. Lawrence, be natural highway from the Western States to the cean, are objects for the attainment of which the most übstantial equivalents would undoubtedly be conceded. Fellow-Colonists— We have thus laid before you ur views and convictions on a momentous question, wolving a change which, though contemplated by lany of us with varied feelings and enio ions, we elieve to be inevitable — one which it is our duty to rovide for, and lawfully to promote. We address you without prejudice or partiality, in ie spirit of sincerity and truth— in the interest solely f our country, and our common aim is its ifety and welfare. If to your judgment and jason our object and aim be at this time deemed laud* able and right, we ask an oblivion of past dissensions ; and from all, without distinction of origin, party, or creed, that earnest and cordial co-operation in such lawful, prudent, and judiciout means, as may best con. duct us to our common destiny. [Signatures follow.]