of existence; it strengthens and enlarges the power of its operations.

Whether nature has put the American Indian on the same footing, in every respect, with the European, as to mental powers, is not to be ascertained in the present day: we want facts from which to judge. Among all other animals, we see certain classes or species of the same genus superior one to the other. The Author of Nature has willed it so. It is possible that the Author of Nature may also have made varieties in the human race, differing from each other in their powers both of body and mind; and that the American Indian, the African, and the European, are illustrations of the fact.

The commerce of the river St. Lawrence differs as much from that of the European countries, as the appearance of Canada does from that of the countries in Europe. From what I have said in my different communications to you on these subjects, as well as on the political state of the country, I trust I have enabled you to form a general idea of them. Many subjects of importance require yet to be illustrated.

I must, at greater length, explain to you the nature and value of the exports and imports of the country, its productions, manufactures, &c. in order to shew you its value as a British colony.-These matters will form the subject of my next communication.

LETTER XIII.

1

THE

Quebec, December, 1807.

E navigation of the river St. Lawrence is now closed-not a vessel to be seen:like the migrating birds, they have gone in search of a milder climate; immense masses of ice occupy their place, and ride triumphant in the river. Canada has put on her winter clothing, she is wrapped in snow, and the rivers are bound up in ice. We have all assumed our winter dresses; furs and flannels are substituted for nankeens and muslins. The wharfs and quays, lately so moving a scene, are now deserted; business is at a stand. The merchant, and the variety of people employed by him, are now idle; amusements and festivity have assumed the place of the more serious and important occupations of life. The amusements of this country, particularly the winter amusements, have a distinctive character; you would look in vain for any

thing of the same kind, in the temperate climes of Europe. I shall be better able to give you a description of these matters, and of the curious phenomena which the Canadian winter months offer to our observation, when the winter is finished. In the mean time, give me leave to send you the result of my enquiries relative to the productions and commerce of Canada.

The population of Canada at the time it came into the possession of the British in 1759-60, amounted to 75600 souls, as appears from General Murray's report to the British government, immediately after the conquest. At that time the extensive country now called Upper Canada was not inhabited by any Europeans. At present the two Canadas contain at least 300,000 inhabitants; of these, Lower Canada contains about two-thirds. The descendants of the Old Canadians constitute at least nine-tenths of the population of Lower Canada. They profess the Roman Catholic religion, and are allowed the use of the Old Canadian, or rather French laws, agreeably to the principles laid down in the Coutume de Paris, as I have mentioned to you in a former letter.

In Upper Canada, the population amounts to about 100,000. These are all British, at least they speak English, and are governed entirely by the laws of England, both in civil and criminal matters; and in questions relative to real property, as well as in questions relative to personal property. The lands are held by the English tenures, and the courts of justice are regulated agreeably to the forms of the respective courts in England. Niagara was formerly the capital of Upper Canada, but about twelve years ago York was laid out for a town, and the seat of government transferred to it, and it is already of considerable size.

From the preceding statement of the population, it is evident that the increase in Lower Canada for these last fifty years has been very great; it has, in fact, nearly tripled. In Upper Canada the increase has been very rapid, as several years elapsed after the conquest before any part of Upper Canada was settled or cultivated. Thirty years ago, Upper Canada was nearly a continued forest;-that a population of 100,000 should in that space of time accumulate, is a proof that the country and