time alone can show, but the operations and course of the war of 1812-14 seem abundantly to illustrate that, at that period even, in a war involving the Dominion, there was plenty of sphere for such a navy (as well as for the British Navy) upon the water frontiers of Canada, and also for a strong defending army upon Canadian territory.

What the changes affecting defence have been since 1814 we touch upon in the next chapter.

CHAPTER VI

Changes affecting defence since 1814, and their influence The Canadian boundary-line The Rush-Bagot Convention The situation on the lakes-The general introduction of steam and electricity-Canals-Railways-Increased importance of cities, towns, etc.-Change in modern weapons and warfare—Methods, but not necessity, of defence altered.

AMONG the changes affecting the defence of the Canadian frontier which have taken place since the war of 1812-14, it is convenient to mention first some alterations made in the boundary-line of Canada.

This is now, on the south, as far west as the Mississippi, much what it was in 1812-14, and much as it had been defined (as far as was then practicable) in 1783, after the declaration of American Independence; but there have been modifications.

In 1783 the country traversed by this line was unsurveyed, and in parts entirely unexplored.1 The course of certain rivers and watersheds laid down as forming the boundary, and even the identity of the St. Croix, one of these rivers, became afterwards matters of controversy, leading to various arbitrations, treaties,2 commissions, and conventions,

1 It is stated that the existence even of the Rocky Mountains, or, as they were then termed, the "Stony Mountains," was then only known as a matter of vague report.

2 The boundary line in Passamaquoddy Bay from the mouth of the St. Croix to the Bay of Fundy has only recently been settled by treaty ratified at Washington, August 20, 1910.

most of which have taken place since the peace (under the Treaty of Ghent) of 1814. On the northwest, also, in 1867, the United States purchased the territory of Alaska from Russia, out of which grew the Alaska Boundary Commission of 1898.

Occasionally the disputes leading to, and the decisions of, these arbitrations, etc., have produced irritation and bitter feeling between the United States and Canada. It is needless to dwell on this here, but necessary to allude to the Ashburton Treaty of 18421-one which, rightly or wrongly, caused much heartburning in the Dominion.

Under this, some seven-twelfths of the territory between Maine and New Brunswick, to which Canada laid claim, was awarded to the United States, and only five to her, the result being that the communication between Quebec and Halifax was made more circuitous-non-British territory being interposed within a few miles of the most direct route. Rouse's Point, also, commanding the junction of Lake Champlain with the River Richelieu, became an American post.2

In that part of the boundary-line between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean there have been, too, under various treaties, certain alterations; but the principal point to draw attention to here is that in 1812-14 the district west of Lake Superior was too little known, as well as too difficult of

1 See Alison's History of Europe: Continuation, 1815 to 1852, vol. vi. (1865).

2 Some interesting particulars with respect to the award of Rouse's Point to the United States, taken from Lake George and Lake Champlain, by W. Max Reid (New York, 1910), are given in Appendix II. This post was subsequently strongly fortified.

access, too rugged and thinly populated, to become the theatre of war on any scale in an invasion of Canada. Necessarily, as years go on this immunity from attack of so important a region will grow less and less. Indeed, the time has already arrived when the defence of this part of the frontier, west of Lake Superior, including the cities which are near it, must be seriously considered. Such defence demands free access on the ocean to the Canadian Pacific ports, and therefore naval power on Pacific

waters.

In the same way, the defence of the frontier between Canada and Alaska, and of that towards Hudson Straits, which in 1812-14 did not in any way call for attention, must in the future do so.

Before passing on to other matters, it may be useful to mention that a complete summary of all

the alterations which have been made in the International boundary between Canada and the United States is given in A History of Canada, 1763 to 1812, by Sir C. P. Lucas, appendix, pp. 321-351 (1909). The various treaties, etc., are also referred to in Documents Illustrative of the Canadian Constitution, by William Houston, M.A., Librarian to the Ontario Legislature (1891); and in British and American Diplomacy affecting Canada, 1782 to 1899, by Thomas Hodgins, Q.C. (Toronto, 1900).

One of the most important of all arrangements and agreements affecting Canadian defence which have come into force since 1814 is what is known as the "Rush-Bagot Convention."

Under this Convention, entered into on behalf

of America and Great Britain in April, 1817, by Mr. Richard Rush, Acting Secretary of State for the United States, and Sir Charles Bagot, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, it was agreed that the naval forces maintained by the United States and Great Britain on the great lakes were to be confined to the following number and description of vessel on each side: On Lake Ontario, one vessel.

On the upper lakes, two vessels.
On Lake Champlain, one vessel.

Each of these vessels not to exceed 100 tons burthen, and its armament not to be heavier than one 18-pounder cannon.

All armed vessels on the lakes, beyond what is here authorized, were to be forthwith dismantled, and no other vessels of war were to be built or armed upon them. The naval force so limited was to be restricted to such services as would in no respect interfere with the proper duties of the armed vessels of the other party.

The Convention to be terminable after six months' notice by either side.

This Convention amounts, in its spirit, to partial and mutual disarmament on the lakes, the vessels authorized being sufficient for protection and revenue purposes only. It has been continuously in force to the present day, and has worked in the interests of peace.

In its limitations with respect to tonnage and armament of vessels it may, perhaps, want some revision to suit modern changes; but if so, there

1 For instance, the 18-pounder gun is now out of date.