but in England, where the secrets of the local cabinet are little known, such a work as the above produces some effect. It is to be regretted, that the talents of its Author have not been used to destroy, rather than to foment the animosity of the different parties. As a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, he has had it greatly in his power, during his long residence in Canada, to render himself useful to the Province; had not a desire of domination, and the extraordinary power which he and a few individuals obtained gradually in the administration of the local government, as well, perhaps, as some feelings of private interests (at no time a matter to be passed over as of little consideration), induced him to neglect the public good, and the welfare of its ancient inWhabitants, under pretext of favouring a single class, the British settlers, which class, according to him, has not, and never can have interests the same as those of the ancient people of the Province. It would have been easy for me to prove, to what an amazing extent he has been in error, and how much his prejudices have got the better of his reason; such an explanatory digression, however, would be endowed with little interest in the eyes of the public; and they who possess the work will be able, if they please, to judge by the exposition which I am about to lay before the reader, respecting the policy of the line of conduct which the honourable Author proposes. In Appendix No. I. will be found a description of the Saguenay territory, an immense tract of country, yet imperfectly known, with some observations respecting the advantages it possesses for new Settlements; and in No. II. a short description of the most useful minerals, and other natural produce of the country. I have only to add, that the present Work was originally nearly all written in French, and that I have had it translated, in hopes that thereby it may be more generally read. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. Page. CHAP. II. CHAP. III. Of the Character, Manners, Customs, Industry, and Religion of the Canadians-French Population— Page. CHAP. V. CHAP. VI. IV. Articles of Capitulation agreed on between General Townshend and M. de Ramsay, V. Articles of Capitulation between General Am- herst, Commander-in-Chief of His Britannic Majesty's Troops and Forces in North Ame rica, and the Marquess de Vaudreuil, Lieute- nant-General for the King of France, in Canada, on the 8th of September, 1760 ...... 216 VI. An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec, in North America, passed in the Fourteenth Year of the Reign of George III....................................... VII. An Act to repeal certain Parts of the preced- ing (No. VI.), and to make further Provision for the Government of the Province, passed in the Thirty-first Year of the Reign of Geo. III. 231 tures of Lower and Upper Canada; printed by Order of the House of Commons, on the X. A Poetical Composition inserted in the Quebec Gazette on New Year's Day, 1829................................. 251 XI. Statement of the different Establishments for Education in Lower Canada, from the Re- turns made to the House of Assembly, in XII. Extract from the First Report of the Committee of the House of Assembly, respecting the Settlement of Crown Lands; printed on the 12th of February, 1821........ |