It has fallen to my share to plead a too long neglected cause, in opposition to these powerful adversaries: I have treated their arguments with the freedom which belongs to fair discussion, but, I trust, without any sentiment inconsistent with that respect to which they are so justly entitled, from the general tenor of their patriotic labours *.

* In the Highland Society, and I presume in every other that is equally extensive, the whole business is managed by a very small proportion of the members: nine-tenths of them, perhaps, scarcely hear of the proceedings that are carried on in the name of the whole Having the honour to be upon their list myself, I should certainly be very sorry to think that every member of the Society is held responsible for all their proceedings.

XI. Importance of the emigrants to our colonies: custom of settling in the United States: means of inducing a change of destination: will not increase the spirit of emigration.

KEEPING in view the distinction already insisted upon, between the cotters and the small tenants, I think it may now be assumed as sufficiently proved, that emigration, to a greater or less extent, is likely to go on from the Highlands, till the latter class is entirely drained off. If this be admitted, I need not take up much time to prove, that it is an object deserving of some attention, and of some exertion, to secure these emigrants to our own colonies, rather than abandon them to a foreign country.

Some persons, indeed, have insinuated, that the colonies are altogether of little use. That is a point which it would be foreign to my present purpose to discuss. Those, however, who are of that opinion, ought to argue, not for their being neglected, but relinquished; and, if they are to be retained,

it cannot surely admit of a doubt, that it is better the overflowings of our own population should contribute to their improvement, than to that of a country with which we are unconnected, and which may becomé hostile to us: it is besides of no small importance, that our own colonies should be peopled by men, whose manners and principles are consonant to our own govern

ment.

It is with regret I have heard persons of distinguished judgment and information give way to the opinion, that all the continental colonies, and particularly the Canadas, must inevitably fall, at no distant period of time, into the hands of the Americans. That continued mismanagement may bring this about, cannot be denied; but I think it equally clear, that, by steadily pursuing a proper system, such an event may be rendered not only improbable, but almost impossible.

The danger to be apprehended, is not merely from an invading military force, but

much more from the disposition of the colonists themselves, the republican principles of some, and the lukewarm affection of others. From the original composition of some of the settlements, formed at the close of the American war entirely by refugee loyalists, we might naturally expect to find a population firmly attached to the interests of Britain. The fidelity, of which they had given proof during the war, was recompensed by the scrupulous attention of Government to their relief and support, when the contest became desperate; and, in all the situations where an asylum was provided for them, they received advantages unprecedented in the history of colonization. This generous conduct of Government has not been forgotten; and the most satisfactory dispositions still remain among these loyalists and most of their descendants.

But the general character of some of the colonies has received an unfortunate tinge, from the admixture of settlers of a very different description. Numbers of Ameri cans, of principles the most opposite to the

Loyalists (many of them worthless characters, the mere refuse of the States), have since found their way into these provinces. Unless effectual means are adopted to check this influx, there is every probability that it will continue; for, in consequence of some capital errors in the original regulations laid down for the direction of the officers intrusted with the disposal of waste lands, and from the state of landed property arising from these, there is a continual encouragement for settlers of the same description. In some parts, where, from local circumstances, it is peculiarly desirable to have a population of steady dispositions, these intruders are fast approaching to an absolute majority of numbers: there is even too much probability of their principles infecting the mass of the people throughout the provinces.

Under these circumstances, it is evident what important services may be derived from such a body of settlers as the Highland emigrants would form. It is not merely from their old established principles of loyalty,

M