In the Encyclopaedia will be found an account of the settlement and early history of Canada, with other particulars relative to the nature and productions of the country. At present we propose to add such further information as we have been enabled to collect from the works of recent travellers.
In the year 1791, the territory formerly distinguished by the general name of Canada, was divided, by an act of the British Parliament, into the two provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. These are comprehended within the 61° and 81° of west longitude from London, and between 42° 30' and 52° north latitude; and are computed to extend from east to west about 1400 miles, and from north to south from 200 to 400 miles.
The province of Lower Canada lies between 45° Lower Canada and 52° of north latitude, and between the 63° and 81° of west longitude. On the north it is bounded by the territory of East Maine; on the east by the Gulf of St Lawrence, the river St John, and part of the Labrador coast, now annexed to the government of Newfoundland; on the south, by New Brunswick and the territories of the United States, namely, the district of Maine, the province of New Hampshire, the state of Vermont, and the state of New York; on the west, by a line which separates it from Upper Canada, commencing at a stone boundary on the north bank of the Lake St Francis, in St Lawrence river, thence north to Ottawa river, which it ascends to its source in Lake Temiscaming, and from thence due north, till it strikes the boundary-line of Hudson's Bay, including all the territory to the westward and southward, commonly known under the general name of Canada. This province is divided into the districts of Montreal, Three Rivers, Quebec, and Gaspé, which by proclamation of the Government were, in 1792, subdivided into the following twenty-one counties, viz. Bedford, Buckingham, Cornwallis, Devon, Dorchester, Eppingham, Gaspé, Hampshire, Hertford, Huntingdon, Kent, Leinster, Montreal, St Maurice, Northumberland, Orleans, Quebec, Richlieu, Surrey, Warwick, and York. The minor divisions are, 1st, The seignories, or the original grants of the French Government under the feudal system, which, in the year 1721, were again partitioned out into parishes. The limits of these last, however, have not been very strictly adhered to, portions of ancient parishes having been from time to time constituted into new ones. 2d, The townships or grants of land made by the English Government since the year 1796, in free and common soccage.
The following are the boundaries of Upper Canada: On the east, it is bounded, since the year 1791, by Lower Canada; on the north-east, by the Grand or Ottawa river, which is the common boundary between it and the lower province; on the north, by the territories of the Hudson's Bay Company; on the south and south-east, by the United States of America, although the common frontier between these two states is far from being well defined. It is merely an imaginary line, beginning at the village of St Regis on the St Lawrence, in the 45th° of north latitude, passing up the middle of this river, through Lake Ontario, the Niagara river, and Lake Erie, and continuing thence through the middle of the water-communication into Lakes Huron and Superior, along the middle of the chain of lakes which leads to the Lake of the Woods, and from thence due west to the river Mississippi.* The treaty of 1815 provides for the revision of this boundary-line. On
* This is the boundary fixed by the treaty of 1783, when the country was little known, and it is therefore erroneous; the Lake of the Woods being to the north of the sources of the Mississippi. A line drawn due west from this lake would never strike the Mississippi. the west and north-west, no limits have been assigned; and Upper Canada may be supposed, therefore, to extend, in this direction, as far as the Pacific and Northern Oceans.
Upper Canada is divided into eight districts, namely,
Eastern, The Home, Johnstown, Niagara, Midland, London, and Newcastle, The Western.
These again are subdivided into twenty-three counties, namely,
Glengary, Prince Edward, Stormont, Northumberland, Dundas, Durham, Prescott, York, Russel, Norfolk, Grenville, Oxford, Leeds, Middlesex, Carleton, Lincoln, Frontenac, Haldimand, Lenox, Kent, and Addington, Essex. Hastings,
These contain 159 townships, exclusive of Indian lands, and certain other portions that are reserved for the Crown, and the maintenance of the Protestant clergy. The quantity of land in each township is computed by Bouchette, in his valuable and elaborate work on Canada, to amount, on an average, to 61,600 acres, making the whole amount to 9,694,400 acres; of which 3,000,000 of acres are granted in feu and common soccage, 2,769,828, are reserved for the Crown and clergy, and 3,924,572 still remain to be granted.
The country of Canada is intersected by mountainous ridges, which extend from the coast far into the interior, and between these lie extensive valleys, which are generally pleasant and fertile. On the southern shore of the St Lawrence, a ridge of heights rises near the eastern extremity of Lower Canada, which runs close to the river for upwards of 100 miles, and forms its rugged banks as far as Cape Tourment, about 30 miles below Quebec. Here the ridge, taking a direction west south-west, terminates on the river Ottawa, about 38 leagues above its confluence with the St Lawrence; extending westward from Cape Tourment along the course of the river about 300 miles. The tract of country lying between it and the St Lawrence, which may be estimated at from 15 to 30 miles in breadth, is beautifully picturesque, well watered, and level. Towards the westward, more especially, it may be considered, both in respect to population, soil, and skilful cultivation, as the choicest part of the province.
That part of Canada which lies on the north side of this ridge, is comprehended within the Ottawa river on the north-west, the 81st parallel of west longitude, and the 52d of north latitude. It is intersected by another and higher range of mountains, which runs into the interior in a north-west direction, at the distance of about 200 miles from the former ridge, and which forms the height of land by which the tributary streams of the St Lawrence are divided from those that fall into Hudson's Bay. Of this extensive wilderness, which has been but imperfectly explored, all that we know is, that it is covered with immense forests, whose dreary solitudes are only interrupted by hunting parties of wandering savages.
On the south side of the river St Lawrence, a ridge commences nearly 100 miles below Quebec, taking a south-west direction; and, opposite to this city, it is about 10 leagues distant from the river. The intervening country is a fertile and well-cultivated level, with several insulated hills, or rather rocks, of a singular form, and thinly covered with small trees near their summits. The same chain, continuing in a south-west direction, crosses the boundary-line between Canada and the United States to the west of Lake Memphremagog, and proceeds in the same course until it meets with the Hudson river. The tract between this ridge and the St Lawrence, with the exception of some occasional ridges, is nearly level; and, from the richness of its soil, is covered with populous and flourishing settlements.
Beyond this ridge, at about the distance of 50 miles, is another and a higher ridge, generally denominated the Land's Height, as it divides the tributary streams of the St Lawrence from those which flow towards the Atlantic Ocean, and its summit is also supposed to constitute the boundary-line between the territories of Great Britain and the United States. This range of mountains commences near Cape Rosier, in the Gulf of St Lawrence, and, running into the interior in a direction nearly parallel with the course of the river, and with the former chain, it terminates upon the eastern branch of Connecticut river, being in length nearly 400 miles. The country lying between these two ridges, varies in its quality and fruitfulness, according to its peculiar situation. From the 45th degree of north latitude, which is the boundary-line between Canada and the United States, to the river Chaudiere, within a few miles of Quebec, there is a tract of excellent and fertile land, divided mostly into townships, many of which are settled and under cultivation. This part of the country, both from its luxuriant soil, and from the great advantage of its being contiguous to the United States, and its comprehending the main roads and principal points of communication between the two territories, will probably become the most flourishing portion of the province. From the river Chaudiere eastward to Lake Temiscouata, the land is broken, irregular, and of an indifferent quality; interspersed, however, with some good and productive tracts, of which the returns would amply repay the expences of cultivation.
From Lake Temiscouata eastward to Cape Rosier, in the Gulf of St Lawrence, the country has been but partially explored. But it appears generally to be of a rugged and mountainous character, and such parts of it as are known exhibit an appearance of sterility which holds out no encouragement to the labours of the farmer. On the banks of the St Lawrence, however, some fertile spots are to be found, on which settlements might be established with advan- Canada. tage. On the south side of the ridge, down to the shores of Gaspé and Chaleur Bay, the country is generally barren and mountainous, interspersed with occasional spots of excellent land, some of which, especially those on the shores of Chaleur Bay, are well settled. They contain about 3000 inhabitants, most of whom, being employed in the fisheries, bestow comparatively little attention on agriculture.
That portion of Upper Canada which has been laid out into townships, extends from its eastern frontier along the north shore of the river St Lawrence, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake St Claire, and the communication between it and Lake Huron, in length about 570 miles, and its breadth towards the north varies from 40 to 50 miles. Through the whole of this track the soil is excellent, and is not exceeded by any other part of the American Continent. It generally consists of a fine dark loam, mixed with a rich vegetable mould; but it is so happily varied as to present situations adapted to every species of produce. For about 170 miles from the eastern frontier of the province to the head of the Bay of Quinté, on Lake Ontario, the land is spread out into an almost uniform level of great beauty, which rises only a few feet from the bank of the St Lawrence. It is well watered in almost every direction by numerous streams, which are generally navigable for boats and canoes, and which, at the same time, present the most desirable situations for the erection of machinery. From the Bay of Quinté, about 40 miles from the eastern shores of Lake Ontario to its western extremity, runs a longitudinal ridge of no great elevation, and of inconsiderable breadth. Another ridge, called the Queenstown Heights, extends eastward along the southern shores of Lake Ontario, between these and Lake Erie, into the State of New York. This range never rises in any part more than 100 yards above the level of the lake. The country which lies between the two lakes of Ontario and Erie, and which extends round the western extremity of Lake Ontario to the Bay of Quinté, comprehending the Newcastle, the Home, and the Niagara districts, or nearly one-third of that portion of the province which has been surveyed, and laid out into townships, is watered by a number both of large and small streams. The land throughout is uncommonly rich and fertile, and already contains a number of flourishing settlements.
The remaining part of the tract we have been describing, which extends along the southern shores of Lake Erie, from the river Ouse to the Lake and River of St Clair, is a complete level, abounding in the most advantageous situations for settlements; and those places which are already occupied and under tillage, equal any part of either province, for the plentiful crops and thriving farms with which they abound. That portion of the country which lies between Lake Erie and Lake St Clair is, perhaps, the most delightful in the whole province. The fertility of the soil,—the diversified and luxuriant scene which everywhere opens to the view,—the excellent fish which abound in the rivers, and the profusion of game in the woods, combine to attract a continual supply of new settlers to this highly favoured tract.
Beyond these cultivated parts of Upper Canada, there are large tracts of land, stretching far to the northward, covered with immense forests, the haunt of wild animals and of wandering savages. But these regions, though they have never been explored by the Europeans, are known to spread out into valleys of a rich and fertile soil, more especially in the country skirting the south-west shore of the Ottawa river. They are also watered by many streams, some of a large size, which flow both into Lake Huron, and into the Ottawa river. The course of these rivers is not, however, sufficiently known, to be traced with accuracy on the map. In those unexplored countries all sorts of timber are found in the greatest profusion. The oak, beech, walnut, ash, hickory, maple, elm, pine, sycamore, birch, and many other sorts, grow to the largest dimensions, which is the best proof of the fertility and vigour of the soil in which they have taken root.
The rivers and lakes of Canada are stamped with Rivers a peculiar character of grandeur. The great river St Lawrence issues from Lake Superior, and flowing successively through Lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario, falls into the ocean after a course of 2000 miles. Its course is through a long and narrow valley, in which, also, are contained the great lakes from which it derives its ample stream. This valley seems to have taken the form of the immense collection of waters of which it is the depository; it is closely encompassed on every side, except on that through which the river makes its way to the sea, by different ranges of mountains, which completely encircle the great lakes at the distance, in some points, of not more than sixty miles, and shutting them up from the interior, form the dividing ridge between the tributary streams of the St Lawrence, and those which flow north and south into Hudson's Bay and the Mississippi. The prodigious volume of water which the St Lawrence rolls into the ocean, and the extent to which it is navigable, give it the pre-eminence over all the other great rivers of the American Continent. Its breadth, at its mouth, may be reckoned 90 miles, and at Saguenay river, 260 miles higher up, it is still 18 miles broad. It is navigable with safety for ships of the line 400 miles from its mouth, and, to Montreal, 160 miles further, it is navigable, with very little difficulty, for ships of 600 tons burden. For vessels of a larger size the navigation is intricate and dangerous. The St Lawrence is diversified by numerous islands, and its shores alternately present the pleasing view of flourishing settlements, and of sublime and picturesque scenery.
The tract of country which the St Lawrence drains of its waters, is confined, both on the north, and more especially on the south, by ranges of mountains which run along its whole extent; so that there is no adequate space for the formation of such immense tributary rivers as pour their waters into the Amazonas, the Plata, or the Mississippi. It will, accordingly, be found that the main stream of the St Lawrence is not increased by such vast accessions from the tributary waters of the territory through which it flows, as those last mentioned rivers. The principal rivers which it receives from the north, are the Ottawa, the Masquinongé, the St Maurice, the St Ann, the Jacques Cartier, the Saguenay, and the Manicouagan. From the south, it receives the Salmon river, the Chateaugay, the Chamby or Richlieu, the Yamaska, the St Francis, the Becancour, the Du Chene, Chaudiere, and Du Loup. Of these, the Ottawa and Saguenay are important rivers, and bring a great accession to the stream of the St Lawrence. The Saguenay is a broad, deep, and uncommonly rapid river. At its mouth it is only one mile broad, but is said to be of unfathomable depth, attempts having been made to find the bottom with 300 fathoms of line, but without effect. About two miles higher it has been found to be from 130 to 140 fathoms deep. The Ottawa is also a large and important river. It has its rise from several lakes in Upper Canada, and, rushing over a bed of remarkable declivity, falls into the St Lawrence a few miles above Montreal.
No country in the world contains such immense depositories of fresh water as Canada. Its lakes are not only numerous, but they are unequalled in magnitude by those of any other country in the world. Lake Superior, which is of a triangular form, is 381 miles in length, and 161 broad. Its circumference is above 1100 miles, and it is equally remarkable for the transparency of its waters and for their extraordinary depth. Lake Huron yields but little, in point of extent, to Lake Superior. Its greatest length from west to east is 218 miles; at its western extremity it is less than 100 miles, and at about 100 miles from its eastern shore it is scarcely 60 miles broad; but near the centre it extends southward to the breadth of 180 miles. Its circumference, measuring all the bendings of the coast, is about 812 miles. At the western angle of Lake Huron is Lake Michigan, which is 262 miles in length by 55 in breadth, and whose circumference is 731 miles. Lake Erie, which is connected with Lake Huron by the river Detroit, extends from south-west to north-east 231 miles. It is 63½ miles in breadth where it is broadest, and is 658 miles in circumference. From the north-east extremity of Lake Erie, the communication to Lake Ontario is by the Niagara river, and is 36 miles in length. This lake is 171 miles in length, its greatest breadth is 59½, and its circumference is 467 miles. In the interior, the country is covered with numerous smaller lakes, which are so connected, that, by the help of short pontages, and other expedients, a navigable communication, by means of canoes, is carried to the Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnipeg, and onwards to the distance of several thousand miles in the remote regions of the north-west country.
In Canada, the opposite extremes of heat and cold are felt in all their excess. The greatest heat experienced during the summer is from 96 to 102 degrees of Fahrenheit in the shade; but the usual summer heat varies from 75 to 80. In the winter, the mercury sometimes sinks to 31°, and it has even been known to fall so low as 86° below 0. It never continues, however, above one or two days at these extremes, and it is not above once or twice in a season that this excessive cold is felt. The medium temperature of winter may be estimated, in general, to be from 20 degrees above to 25 degrees below 0. The pure air and cloudless sky, which always accompany this intense frost, make it both pleasant and healthy, and render its effects on the human body much less severe than when the atmosphere is loaded with vapours. In the vicinity of the sea, towards the eastern coast of Lower Canada, fogs are frequently brought from the gulf of Lawrence, by the easterly wind. But to the westward they seldom prevail, and even at Quebec they are almost unknown. In Canada, the spring, summer, and autumn are comprehended in five months, from May to September. The rest of the year may be said to consist wholly of winter. The summer commences in May, and ends with September. In October, frost begins to be felt, although during the day, the rays of the sun still keep the weather tolerably warm. In the succeeding month of November, the frost increases in rigour, and one snow storm succeeds another, until the whole face of the country is covered, and the eye looks in vain for one solitary spot of verdure whereon to rest. These storms are generally accompanied by a violent tempest of wind, which, driving along the snow with immense velocity, renders them tenfold more gloomy and terrific. The most severe snow storms occur in November. They generally come from the north-east, from the frozen regions of Hudson's Bay and Labrador. This gloomy and disagreeable weather frequently continues to the middle or latter end of December, when the atmosphere clears; an intense frost succeeds—the sky becomes serene, pure, and frosty, and of a bright azure hue, and this cold and clear weather generally lasts till the month of May. The snow covers the ground to the depth of several feet, so that wheel-carriages can no longer be used. Their place is supplied by carioles, a sort of sledges, which, being placed on iron-runners, resembling in their form the irons of a pair of skaits, pass over the hardened snow without sinking deep. Those carriages are generally light open vehicles, drawn by one horse, to which the snow, after it is trodden for some time, and hardened by the frost, offers very little resistance. In these vehicles, the Canadians travel in the most agreeable manner, and with inconceivable rapidity. So light is the draught, that the same horse will go in one day 80, and sometimes 90 miles, and the inhabitants of this cold climate always take advantage of the winter season, when they can travel so easily and expeditiously, to visit their friends who live at a distance. Covered carioles are sometimes used to protect the travellers from the weather. But, in general, open carriages are preferred.
About the beginning of December, all the small rivers are completely frozen over and covered with snow. Even the great river St Lawrence is arrested in its course, and from the beginning of December till the middle of April, the navigable communication is interrupted by the frost. During this period, the river from Quebec to Kingston, and between the great lakes, except the Niagara and the rapids, is wholly frozen over. The great lakes are never entirely covered with ice; but it usually shuts up all the bays and inlets, and extends many miles towards the centre of those inland seas. In Lake Superior, which is furthest to the north, the ice extends 70 miles from the shore. It is seldom that the river is frozen over below Quebec. But the force of the tides is continually detaching the ice from its shores, and those immense masses are kept in such constant agitation that navigation is rendered quite impracticable. In some seasons, though rarely, the river is frozen completely over below Quebec; and this happens when large masses of ice come in contact, and fill the whole space between one side of the river and the other, in consequence of which the whole becomes stationary. If this takes place at neap tides, and in calm weather, the intense frost gives it solidity before it can be deranged by the rising tides; and when it has stood some days, it remains firm and immoveable, till it is dissolved and broken up by the warmth of the April sun. When the river is frozen over, it is of great advantage, both to the inhabitants of Quebec, and to those of the adjacent country, as it affords an easy mode of transporting into the town all sorts of bulky commodities, such as fire-wood, and other produce. It thus reduces the price of those necessary articles in Quebec, while by diminishing the price of carriage, it opens to the produce of the most distant parts of the country, a quick and easy access to all the most eligible markets.
The snow begins to melt in April, and the thaw is so rapid that it is generally gone by the second or third week. Vegetation then resumes its suspended powers; the fields are clothed with verdure, and spring can scarcely be said to exist before summer is at hand. In Upper Canada, the winters are much shorter than in Lower Canada, nor is the cold so intense. The spring opens, and the labours of the farmer commence six weeks or two months earlier than in the neighbourhood of Quebec. The climate is not liable to the same extremes either of heat or cold, and the weather in autumn is usually favourable for securing all the late crops.
The exports from Canada consist chiefly of oak and pine timber, deals, masts, and bowsprits, spars of all denominations, staves, pot and pearl ashes, peltrey, wheat, flour-biscuit, Indian corn, pulse, salt provisions, furs of various descriptions, and other miscellaneous articles. The imports are wines, rum, sugar, molasses, coffee, tobacco, salt, coals, and all sorts of manufactured articles from Great Britain. The commerce of Canada has been progressively increasing since it became a British colony. In the year 1769, the value of produce exported amounted to L. 163,105; and it employed 70 vessels belonging to Great Britain and to her subjects in the different colonies of North America. Not more than twelve vessels were engaged at this period in the fisheries of the St Lawrence, and about six were sent to the West Indies. In the course of the next ten years, the trade appears to have greatly improved; and the number of vessels employed in 1775 was increased to 97, containing 10,841 tons. In the succeeding ten years, the number of vessels which entered the St Lawrence was diminished to 57. But in the course of another period of ten years, about the year 1795, not less than 128 vessels were employed in the commerce of Canada. This increase was occasioned by the scarcity of grain which prevailed at that time in Britain, and in other countries of Europe; to supply the augmented demands from this quarter, there were exported from Canada in that year 395,000 bushels of wheat, 18,000 barrels of flour, and 20,000 cwt. of biscuit. The high prices which were procured for those necessary articles, gave a powerful stimulus to industry in all its branches, and by increasing the capital of the colony, gave it the means of carrying on a more extended commerce. The following is an account of its exports and imports:
For 1797, from Quebec, furs and other produce Wheat, biscuit, and flour Oak and pine timber, planks and staves Pot and pearl ashes Fish, lumber, oil, &c. from Labrador and Gaspé
L. 293,063 45,445 32,144 29,860 88,900
Imports from England of manufactured goods, and West India produce 491,419 338,214
In 1799 and the three following years, large exportations of grain took place. In 1802, 1,010,000 bushels of wheat, 88,000 barrels of flour, and 32,000 cwt. of biscuit were sent abroad; and the number of vessels engaged in the trade of the colony was 211, the aggregate burden of which amounted to 36,000 tons. Agriculture in Canada has since been greatly extended,—the surplus produce has of course increased, and we find the exports amounting for 1807 to L. 813,900; the imports to L. 467,294. In 1808 the exports had increased to L. 1,156,060, and the imports to L. 610,000.
The following is an account of the value of the exports to the British colonies in North America during four years previous to 1814—
<table> <tr> <th></th> <th>British Produce.</th> <th>Foreign.</th> <th>Total.</th> </tr> <tr> <td>1810</td> <td>L.1,484,383</td> <td>L.263,733</td> <td>L.1,748,116</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1811</td> <td>1,578,464</td> <td>266,095</td> <td>1,844,559</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1812</td> <td>1,658,531</td> <td>251,158</td> <td>1,909,689</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1813</td> <td>1,134,987</td> <td>284,032</td> <td>1,419,019</td> </tr> </table>
This includes the exports to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, which being deducted, the annual value of the exports to Canada will not be found to amount to more than one million. Since the year 1808, therefore, its trade does not appear to have materially increased. In 1808, the number of vessels which cleared outwards from Britain to Canada was 179, and the number of arrivals from Canada, in the same year, was 202. In 1815, those which cleared outwards amounted only to 132, and those which entered inwards only to 138. This, however, is probably owing to accidental circumstances; since it cannot be doubted that as the interior ad- vances in population and improvement, there will be a corresponding increase of external trade.
For a long period after its original settlement, the colony of Canada was neglected by the court of France, and its administration was left, in a great measure, to the discretion of individuals. In 1663, it was raised to the dignity of a royal government, and from this period its governors were appointed by a regular commission from the king. Its inhabitants amounted to about 7000, who, possessing the advantages of a free trade and of regular government, began rapidly to increase; and, in 1714, their numbers had risen to 20,000. The colony would even have increased more rapidly, but, by the rashness of its governors, it was engaged in almost perpetual hostility with the native tribes, by whose continued incursions the attention of the settlers was distracted from agriculture to war. Under these disadvantages, however, its population had increased, in 1759, when it was conquered by the English, to 70,000. The conquest of a country must be regarded as a serious evil, even in circumstances the most favourable; and the revolution which took place, in consequence of this event, in the government and political institutions of Canada, tended, for some years, to retard its progress. The change of allegiance from one sovereign to another, was rendered as easy as possible to the inhabitants, by the lenient measures of the conquerors. Their laws were allowed to remain unaltered. They were secured in the undisturbed possession of their lands under their ancient tenures, and in the free possession of their religion. All religious property was respected, and every concession was made by the British Government in favour of the peculiar customs and manners of its new subjects. Under this judicious management, the country soon began to improve, and, in the year 1775, its population, including the new settlers in Upper Canada, who could not amount to above some thousands, had increased to 90,000. In 1814, according to a regular census, the province of Lower Canada contained 335,000 inhabitants. Of this number 235,000 may be reckoned native Canadians, descendants of the original French settlers. The remainder is composed of emigrants from various nations, chiefly English, Scotch, Irish, and American. In the year 1783, the settlers of Upper Canada were estimated at 10,000, of which the numerous frontier posts and garrisons constituted by far the greatest part. After this period, the number of settlers was augmented by a great accession of loyalists and disbanded soldiers, and by emigrants from the United States, and from Great Britain, so that in the year 1814 the inhabitants of the province had increased, according to the most accurate returns, to 95,000. Since the year 1798, the progress of this colony has been particularly rapid. In that year a solitary Indian wigwam stood where the town of York, the capital of Upper Canada, is now built. In the succeeding spring, the ground was marked out for the future metropolis of the country, and it now contains 2500 inhabitants, and is fast increasing. It is the residence of the chief officers of government, both civil and military, and affords many of the more refined comforts and conveniences of life. A newspaper is printed once a week, and its markets are well supplied with every necessary from the adjacent lands, which are in a high state of cultivation. The other towns of Upper Canada are Kingston, Johnstown, and Cornwall. The two latter contain only sixty or seventy houses, built of wood. The town of Kingston was founded in 1784, and it now presents a front of nearly three quarters of a mile in length, and extending in breadth about 600 yards. It contains 370 houses, and the streets are regularly planned, crossing each other at right angles, though they are not paved.
At the time when Canada was conquered by Britain, the lands throughout the country were universally held by feudal tenures, all of which being confirmed by the British Government, still remain in force. But the townships and tracts subsequently disposed of, have been, with two or three exceptions, granted in free and common socage. Under the French Government, the lands were held immediately from the King, either en fief or en roture; each proprietor being bound to render homage to the sovereign, on his accession to the seignorial property. The revenues of the seigneurs arise from various sources. They are entitled to certain fines from their vassals, which are paid on the alienation of any part of the property. In the event of a sale, a sum of money equal to a twelfth part of the price, is payable to the seignior, and he has also the right, within forty days after the sale, to take the property sold at the highest price offered,—a right, however, which is seldom exercised. In the event of new lands being granted, a fifth part of the whole purchase money is payable to the seigneur, which, if paid immediately, entitles the purchaser to a deduction of two-thirds of the fine. The vassals are also bound to grind their corn at the lord's mill, and this condition is found on many occasions to be exceedingly irksome. In a large seigniory, for example, there may not be more than one mill; and though it should be ten miles distant from the tenant's farm, and although he might have his corn ground on better terms at some adjoining mill, he is, nevertheless, bound to carry it to the seignior's mill, under a heavy penalty. Another evil of these seignorial rights is, that they are by no means well defined, and that the vassal is, in consequence, subjected to exorbitant and unjust demands, when the superior happens to be of a rapacious disposition. In the provincial assembly, the propriety of setting bounds to these undefined privileges has been frequently urged by the English members. But the French party, attached to old habits, which they found conducive to their interest, have hitherto strenuously and successfully resisted any alteration of the established laws. The seignior is entitled to receive a tithe of the produce of all the fisheries which are established within the bounds of his seigniory. He has also the privilege of felling the timber which grows in any part of his seigniory, for the purpose of erecting mills, repairing roads, or constructing new ones, or for any other purpose of general utility. Many proprietors of seignories have acquired wealth from these revenues, as the sales and transfers of landed property have of late years become numerous.
Lands held by Roman Catholics, under any of the aforementioned tenures, are still further subject to the payment of one twenty-sixth part of all the grain produced upon them, for the maintenance of their curates, and to occasional assessments for building and repairing churches. The lands of the province, which are not held under these tenures, are subjected to a reservation out of the produce of two-sevenths, one of which goes to the Crown, and the other is set apart for the maintenance of the Protestant clergy.
The laws of England, both civil and criminal, were introduced into Canada after its conquest in 1759; and the criminal code of Britain, which freed the Canadians from the tyrannical modes of procedure to which they were formerly exposed, was generally considered as a most important improvement. But the civil code of England was not received with equal satisfaction. The inhabitants were attached by habit and prejudice to the ancient system by which property was regulated; and, by the act of 1775, therefore, that system was restored. The government of the country was, at the same time, vested in a council, composed of certain individuals, chosen by the sovereign. In 1792, by the 31st Geo. III., all the advantages of the British Constitution were extended to Canada. Two houses of legislature were at the same time appointed, namely, a legislative council and assembly. The legislative council of Upper Canada consists of not fewer than seven members; and that of Lower Canada of not fewer than fifteen, appointed by the King. The house of assembly is composed of fifty-two members, who are generally extensive proprietors of land. In the districts and counties, the possessors of a property of the annual value of forty shillings are qualified to vote; and in the city of Quebec and the other towns, the voters must either be possessed of a dwelling-house, and a piece of ground, of not less annual value than L. 5 Sterling; or they must have been settled for a year, and have paid one year's rent, not under L. 10. There exists no disqualification in this country for any office, or for the exercise of any political privilege, on account of religious tenets; and great practical benefit is found to result from this unreserved toleration, which has the effect of reconciling the different sectaries to each other, and of abating that mutual rancour necessarily arising from a system of exclusion. The executive government consists of a Governor, who is generally a military officer, and Commander of the forces, a Lieutenant-Governor, and an Executive Council, amounting to seventeen, appointed by the King, and exercising an influence in the affairs of the province, similar to that of the Privy Council in the affairs of England. The Governor has the power to prorogue and to dissolve the assembly. He is also invested with the prerogative of giving the royal assent or refusal to all acts which have been approved by the two houses of legislature.
The following table of the roads and distances in Canada may be found useful.
VOL. II. PART II.
Roads and Distances in Canada.
From Quebec to Halifax.
<table> <tr><th></th><th>Miles.</th></tr> <tr><td>From Quebec to Point Levi, across the river</td><td>1</td></tr> <tr><td>Thence to the portage at Riviere du Cap</td><td>121 1/2</td></tr> <tr><td>Thence to Timiskuata</td><td>36</td></tr> <tr><td>Thence to the settlement of Maduaska</td><td>45</td></tr> <tr><td>Thence to the great falls in River St John</td><td>45</td></tr> <tr><td>Thence to Fredericktown</td><td>180</td></tr> <tr><td>Thence to St John's</td><td>90</td></tr> <tr><td>Thence to Halifax</td><td>189 1/2</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2">708</td></tr> </table>
From Quebec to Michillimakinak, at the entrance of Lake Huron.
<table> <tr><th></th><th>Miles.</th></tr> <tr><td>To Montreal</td><td>184</td></tr> <tr><td>To Coteau du Lac</td><td>225</td></tr> <tr><td>To Cornwall</td><td>266</td></tr> <tr><td>To Matilda</td><td>301</td></tr> <tr><td>To Augusta</td><td>335</td></tr> <tr><td>To Kingston</td><td>385</td></tr> <tr><td>To Niagara</td><td>525</td></tr> <tr><td>To Fort Erie</td><td>560</td></tr> <tr><td>To Detroit</td><td>790</td></tr> <tr><td>To Michillimakinak</td><td>1107</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2">4698</td></tr> </table>
From Quebec to New York, by way of Montreal.
<table> <tr><th></th><th>Miles.</th></tr> <tr><td>To Cape Rouge</td><td>9</td></tr> <tr><td>To St Augustin</td><td>9</td></tr> <tr><td>To Jacques Cartier</td><td>15</td></tr> <tr><td>To St Anne's</td><td>30</td></tr> <tr><td>To Three Rivers</td><td>22</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2">85</td></tr> <tr><td>To Riviere du Loup</td><td>27</td></tr> <tr><td>To Berthier</td><td>22</td></tr> <tr><td>To Repentigny</td><td>32</td></tr> <tr><td>To Montreal</td><td>18</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2">99</td></tr> <tr><td>To Laprairie</td><td>9</td></tr> <tr><td>To St John's</td><td>14</td></tr> <tr><td>To Isle au Noix</td><td>14</td></tr> <tr><td>To Windmill Point</td><td>12</td></tr> <tr><td>To Savage's Point</td><td>6</td></tr> <tr><td>To Sandbar</td><td>20</td></tr> <tr><td>To Burlington, the first post town in the States</td><td>14</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2">89</td></tr> <tr><td>To Skenesburgh</td><td>78</td></tr> <tr><td>To Fort Anne</td><td>12</td></tr> <tr><td>To Dumont Ferry</td><td>24</td></tr> <tr><td>To Waterford</td><td>24</td></tr> <tr><td>To Albany City</td><td>12</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2">150</td></tr> <tr><td>To Hudson City</td><td>34</td></tr> <tr><td>Carry forward,</td><td>184</td></tr> </table> Canada To Rhinebeck - 31 To Poughkeepsie - 17 To Peckskill - 34 To Kingsbridge - 34 To New York - 15 Brought over, 184 — 165 — 588
The expence of travelling post in Lower Canada is 1s. currency per league. The American packets on Lake Champlain, charge from three to four dollars for the passage from St John's to Skencsburgh, a distance of nearly 160 miles, and from Skencsburgh the traveller proceeds to New York, in a wagon or stage, at the rate of 3d. Sterling per mile.
See A Topographical Description of the Province of Lower Canada, with Remarks upon Upper Canada, by Jos. Bouchette, Esq. 1815.—Weld's Travels through the States of North America in 1795, 1796, 1797.—Heriot's Travels through the Canadas, 1807.—Grey's Letters from Canada.—Lambert's Travels in North America, 1814.