Letters from Canada Written During a Residece in the Years 1806, 1807, and 1808, Shewing the Present State of Canada, Its Productions, Trade, Commercial Importance and Political Relations

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LETTER XV.

Productions and exports of Canada to Great Britain

and elsewhere considered-wheat-flour-a scow

described-biscuit-pease-barley-oats and In-

dian corn-hops-hemp-tythes to the clergy-

lumber trade-pine-oak-maple-elm-ash-

cedar, &c.-staves-rafts of wood-ships annu-

ally built in Canada-pot and pearl ashes-fish-

eries of the St. Lawrence-the fur trade-iron

forges of Canada-manufactures of soap and can-

dles, leather, hats, and snuff-maple sugar-infe-

rior district of Gaspé-its trade and population-

character of the merchants of Canada

LETTER XVI.

The supplies required by our West India colonies-

to what extent furnished by our North American

colonies-policy of the Americans in regard to

their fisheries-average importation of provisions

and lumber into the West India islands for three

years, ending 1806-North American colonies

claim the exclusive right of supplying the West

India islands-their reasoning in support of such

claim

197

The Canadian winter - commences in November,
when snow begins to fall-a snow storm-the
country deserted by the winged creation-quadru-
peds disappear-winter dress - the cariole, the
winter carriage used by all descriptions of people
-the navigation of the St. Lawrence closes-win-

ter customs and amusements--people not so liable
to suffer from cold in Canada as in England-ac-
counted for-winter air extremely dry-its effects
resemble those of the Siroc wind-greatest degree
of cold, and medium temperature, of December
and January-winter roads-how formed-a pont
-the St. Lawrence freezing over, opposite to
Quebec-the winter method of passing the St.
Lawrence in canoes

LETTER XVIII.

Winter travelling-in carioles-on snow shoes-the
military taught to walk on snow shoes-winter
travelling very expeditious-the Canadian horse-
a winter tour through Canada-summer and win-
ter scenery contrasted-river du Loup-Maski-
nongé-Berthier-occupations of the natives dur-
ing winter-winter fishing-petite morue-horses
eat fish-re-animation of the fish after being out

✓ of the water for several days-arrive at Montreal-

pic nic parties-hospitable reception of strangers

in Canada-journey from Montreal into the

United States, by way of Lake Champlain, over

the ice-American sleighs Laprairie-thence to

Lake Champlain through the woods-a military

pass-an American pitch-their method of clear-

ing a piece of ground-extent of Lake Cham-

plain-travelling on the lake very dangerous-

horses and sleigh often fall through the ice-horses

saved-curious method of doing so weak places

in the ice-cause thereof-cracks and openings in

the ice-danger in passing them

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LETTER XIX.

Range of the thermometer in Canada-advantages

derived from the frost-meat, fowls, and fish, pre-

served by being frozen-manner of doing so-price

of provisions in winter-fire wood-coals-extra-

ordinary effects of cold-burning by a cold iron-

exemplified and explained-frost-bitten frequent

in Canada-the remedy-the difference in the

manner in which a cold iron, and a cold atmosphere

affect the body

282

LETTER XX.

A sudden change from extreme cold to warm wea-

ther frequent in the middle of winter-its effects

-the VER GLAS-facts to shew the intensity of the

cold-stoves generally used in Canada in winter

-their advantages-experiments on the expan-

sive force of freezing water in bomb-shells-the

effects of frost on water confined in the fissures

of rocks, in the walls of houses, &c. -Canadians

use dogs in drawing light weights

299

LETTER ΧΧΙ.

Conclusion of the Canadian winter-breaking up of
the ice-account of a vessel arriving while the ri-
ver was full of ice-state of the ice in the spring
-vegetation under the snow-return of the fea-
thered tribes-the land not so deeply penetrated
by the frost as might be imagined-the causes

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thereof the long continuance of winter may re-
tard the improvement of Canada, but not pre-
vent it-comparison between Russia and Canada
-and between the Neva and the St. Lawrence-
effect of winter on the habits of the people

312

LETTER ΧΧΙΙ.

The constitution of Canada-the legislative council
-the house of assembly-observations on the pro-
priety of having given to Canada a representative
form of government-complaints of the Canadians
-unfounded-civil list of Canada-disposition of

the mass of the people

322

LETTER XXIII.

The English language not the language of Canada-

English schools-opposed by the Canadians-go-

vernment have not exerted themselves to intro-

duce English-inducements for the Canadians to

prefer English to French-English the most uni-

versal of all languages-Canadian militia

335

LETTER XXIV.

Canadian tenures-en fief-en roture-the seigneu-

ries-grants or concessions of land-townships

held in free and common soccage-grantees bound

to have a certain number of settlers on their lands

in a given time-the boundaries of Canada-ex-
tract from the definitive treaty of peace with Ame-
rica-situation of the river St. Croix-Bay of Pas-

samaquoddy-sovereignty of the islands therein
disputed-river Ponobscot - route from Nova
Scotia to Quebec-in the grants of townships the
crown makes certain reserves-roads leading from
Canada to the United States-numbers of Ame-
ricans settled on the townships-reflections there-
on-policy of the mother country in her manage-
ment of colonies

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