Letters and Journals of James, Eighth Earl of ElginElgin, James Bruce, Earl of
History
Letters and Journals of James, Eighth Earl of Elgin
Elgin, James Bruce, Earl of
Great Britain -- Colonies -- Administration -- History -- 19th century
The fact is, that although both the States and Canada export to the
same neutral market, prices on the Canada side of the line are lower
than on the American, by the amount of the duty which the Americans
levy. So long as this state of things continues there will be
discontent in this country; deep, growing discontent You will not, I
trust, accuse me of having deceived you on this point. I have always
said that I am prepared to assume the responsibility of keeping Canada
quiet, with a much smaller garrison than we have now, and without any
tax on the British consumer in the shape of protection to Canadian
products, if you put our trade on as good a footing as that of our
American neighbours; but if things remain on their present footing in
this respect, there is nothing before us but violent agitation, ending
in convulsion or annexation. It is better that I should worry you with
my importunity, than that I should be chargeable with having neglected
to give you due warning. You have a great opportunity before you--
obtain reciprocity for us, and I venture to predict that you will be
able shortly to point to this hitherto turbulent colony with
satisfaction, in illustration of the tendency of self-government and
freedom of trade, to beget contentment and material progress. Canada
will remain attached to England, though tied to her neither by the
golden links of protection, nor by the meshes of old-fashioned
colonial office jobbing and chicane. But if you allow the Americans to
withhold the boon which you have the means of extorting if you will, I
much fear that the closing period of the connection between Great
Britain and Canada will be marked by incidents which will damp the
ardour of those who desire to promote human happiness by striking
shackles either off commerce or off men.
Even when tendering to the Premier, Lord John Russell, his formal thanks on
being raised to the British peerage--an honour which, coming at that
moment, he prized most highly as a proof to the world that the Queen's
Government approved his policy--he could not forego the opportunity of
insisting on a topic which seemed to him so momentous.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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