REGIME DE L'UNION

Dépêche de Lord John Russell, Ministre des Colonies, à Lord Sydenham, Gouverneur-Général du Canada 0)

(Extraits)

No. 369.

Copy of a Despatch from Lord John RUSSELL to the Rig-ht Hon. Lord SYDENHAM

Downing Street, 3rd May, 1841.

My Lord,

The Despatchrs which I hâve received from you on the gênerai state of the Province of Canada, the reports with which you havc furnished me on several important subjects, and the approaching meeting of the Council and Assembly of the United Province hâve induced me to expiain to you at this time the views which H<>r Majesty's Government entertain on the topics most interesting to the welfare of Canada.

In any measures that may be adopted it niust bc taken for granted that Her Majesty pcrsists in the détermination to maintain at ail hazards Her Royal authority in Canada. Neither the honour of Her Majesty's Crown, nor the support due to Her loyal subjects in British North America, nor the provident care of the ïnterests of the empire at large would permit any déviation from this fixed principlc of British policy.

At the same time, Her Majesty's advisers are not insensible to the difficultés imposed upon them in carrying into exécution the purpose of the Crown. A province bordered by an open frontier of more than a thousand miles, approached with ease ni ail times by the citizens of a neighbouring and powerful state, separated from England not only by the océan but by the rigours of climato and season, must be maitained by a judicious préparation for defence in time of peace, and a vigourous exertion of the resourecs of the empire in time of war — or not at ail. To trifle with the fortunes of men whose lives and properties are freely devotcd to the service of England, or to encourage foreign aggression by neglect or apathy, would be far worse than the spontaneous surrender of thèse important possessions of the Crown. The Canadians might in such a case incur nos r:sk, no hlood neeil be shed, and the treasures of the empire might be spared. The other course would be cruel to a brave people, and unbecoming the character of the country.

But, as I bave already said, wc hâve no alternative. Wc havc only to consider the means of binding Canada more firmly to this country, of devcloping her resources and of strengthening her British population, of defending her territory, and of supporting and encouraging the loyal spirit of her people.

In this spirit, then, I shall touch upon the principal topics connected with thrs<views: —