a that the reverend fathers were accustomed to carry on their communication, and even to pass cattle by this route. There are few places in Lower Canada which, all circumstances considered, offer greater advantages to the surplus population of the country, and the emigrants from Great Britain, than are possessed by the Saguenay territory. The fertility of the soil is equal to that of any other part of the country; and the fish of the various rivers and lakes would alone be sufficient to maintain the settlers, during the period they must necessarily wait for returns from their newly-cultivated lands. We know that the English Government has received applications from individuals, offering, on reasonable terms, to buy lands in this part of the country, and that to these applications they have not paid the least attention; we nevertheless take the liberty of recommending this matter to their notice, as one deserving the most serious consideration. No. II. Minerals and other Natural Productions of Canada. Messrs. Jackson and Alger have just given an excellent description of the mineralogy and geology of Nova Scotia, and I sincerely lament that it is not in my power to imitate their laudable endeavours; my knowledge, unfortunately, on these important subjects, is not sufficiently extended to enable me to attempt such a task: my present purpose is merely to direct attention, if possible, to the subject, to induce others actually to perform what I can only desire. There are few countries which offer a greater field to scientific research, or more deserving the attention of the natural philosopher, than the Canadas. That the people of the country have hitherto neglected to prosecute researches into such matters, need excite no surprise: education has, comparatively, made small advances among us: our endeavours hitherto have chiefly been directed to the attainment of the means of subsistence, and we have not yet arrived at that degree of wealth, in which the advancement of science becomes a business by which a man may live. We, however, are tending towards that state; and the pleasures derived from the acquirement of knowledge are becoming, in a greater degree, an object of desire among the more educated classes of the community. This change will operate in various ways, in directing the attention of all to the various products of our country, which hitherto have been unfortunately neglected. The sciences of mineralogy and geology have not been neglected, however, because deemed unimportant, but because no means of acquiring a knowledge of them has hitherto been within the reach of the Canadian youth. Institutions and professors are wanting; and without these it is difficult, almost impossible, to acquire any thing more than a very superficial knowledge, in matters where great tact and experience are required to discover the facts upon which the science is built: we are, consequently, far behind the people of Europe. The study of chemistry has also been greatly neglected, and for the same reason. In botany, greater advances have been made; and the knowledge of the various properties of our indigenous plants is tolerably advanced. Ornithology, not indeed a very important branch of natural philosophy, but still a branch, has, through the activity of a young Canadian, M. Chasseur, made considerable progress. He has already made an exceedingly respectable collection of birds and some other animals, and thus made the first step towards forming a national museum of natural history. It has been discovered by those who, from time to time, have made partial researches into the aspect of the country, that there exist mines of iron in abundance*, and that they are almost always accompanied by mines of coal, of an excellent quality. Mines of copper, lead, and even of silver, have also been discovered. Quarries of slate and of marble, of granite, and other stone fit for building, are spread over the whole country. Some few precious stones are sometimes found; and in the district of Gaspé the white and red cornelian are frequently discovered. The productions of our forests are too well known to need description; I will only observe, that vegetables of almost every description are there to be found; that tobacco is cultivated in the country with the greatest success; that the vine also for some years, being cultivated with care, has produced fruit of an excellent description, particularly in the district of Montreal; and that the grape of the indigenous vine, although a little acid, is not disagreeable, more especially after the first frosts of autumn. Such part of the natural history of Canada as regards wild animals is that which hitherto has received the greatest attention, on account of the commercial advantages derived therefrom. The animals which are principally to be found in our woods are stags, elks, deer, bears, foxes, martens, wild cats, ferrets, weasels, squirrels, hares, and rabbits. The southern parts, in particular, breed great numbers of wild bulls, divers sorts of roebucks, goats, wolves, &c. The marshes, lakes, and pools with which this country abounds, swarm with otters and beavers, of which the white are highly valued. The commerce in these articles, however, though at present of importance, must of necessity take a second rank, when compared with other branches which must eventually arise. The productions of agriculture must, ultimately, be the staple commodities of the country; and even now the fisheries might, with care and attention, be made to yield a return far superior to any derived from the trade in peltries, The attention of the Government might well be directed to these matters; and probably would be so, if the disputes which have so long irritated the public, and checked improvement, were happily settled. The time, indeed, appears to have at length arrived when such a fortunate consummation may fairly be expected; and it will not be among the smallest of the benefits derived from this union, that our trade will be a matter of consideration to the Legislature. * At Three Rivers, a large iron foundery has been for years in existence. 3 4. 2 No. III. Historical and Descriptive Works. The best history of Canada extant is that by Father Charlevoix, a Jesuit, born at St. Quentin, in 1684, entitled "Histoire Générale de la Nouvelle France," in 3 vols. 4to.; or 6 vols. 12mo. Paris, 1744. "A Topographical Description of the Province of Lower Canada; with Remarks upon Upper Canada, and on the relative Connection of both Provinces with the United States of America. By Joseph Bouchette, Esq., Surveyor General of Lower Canada," published in London, in 1815, is an excellent work, already well known in England and all parts of America. With the assistance of his maps, which are upon an extended scale, a person in this country, willing to go and settle in the colony, may find in that work the necessary information to guide him in the choice of a site*. 66 History of Canada, from its first Discovery to the Peace of 1763. By William Smith, Esq., Clerk of the Parliament, and Master in Chancery of the Province of Lower Canada." This work was printed in Quebec, in 1815, but did not appear till a few years afterwards. It has its merit, being well compiled, and I can easily believe, as he says himself, that his materials have been collected from the most authentic documents,—the colony records, the Jesuits' journals, and Charlevoix's history; but not so easily that he has shown no partiality or prejudice. "Memoirs of the Administration of the Colonial Government of Lower Canada, from the Year 1807 to 1820, giving an Account of the late American War, and the Difficulties under which the late unfortunate Sir George Prevost was placed during his Administration. By Robert Christie, Esq., Law Clerk of the House of Assembly." These Memoirs were published in Quebec ; they are very interesting, and, although intended to please the ruling power, impartially written. "Les premiers Rudiments de la Constitution Britannique, traduits de l'Anglais de Mons. Brooke, précédés d'un Précis historique, et suivis d'Observations sur la Constitution du Bas-Canada," is an excellent little work, published in French by Jaques Labrie, Esq., M.P.P.-Montreal, 1827. In 1828 appeared, "The Political Annals of Lower Canada, being a Review of the Political and Legislative History of that Province;" a work as full of information as it is of prejudice against the French Canadians. Several English travellers have given an account of the Canadas; but "Gray's Letters" are certainly the most correct I have seen, although not divested of prejudice. * A new Topographical Description of the province of Lower Canada, with an improved Map, upon a large scale, will shortly be published in London, by the same Author, under the sanction of the Provincial Government; and, as far as we have been able to judge, highly deserving the attention and the encouragement of the public. No. IV. Articles of Capitulation agreed on between Gen.ToWNSHEND and M. DE RAMSAY, Commander of Quebec. ARTICLE 1. M. De Ramsay demands the honours of war for his garrison, and that it shall be conducted back to the army in safety, by the shortest road, with their arms, baggage, six pieces of brass cannon, two mortars or howitzers, and twelve rounds. The garrison of the town, composed of land forces, marines, and sailors, shall march out with their arms and baggage, drums beating, lighted matches, with two pieces of cannon and twelve rounds; and shall be embarked as conveniently as possible, in order to be landed at the first port in France. ART. 2. That the inhabitants shall be maintained in the possession of their houses, goods, effects, and privileges. Granted; provided they lay down their arms. ART. 3. That the said inhabitants shall not be molested on account of their having borne arms for the defence of the town, as they were forced to it, and as it is customary for the inhabitants of the colonies of both crowns to serve as militia. Granted. ART. 4. That the effects belonging to the absent officers, or inhabitants, shall not be touched. Granted. ART. 5. That the said inhabitants shall not be removed, nor obliged to quit their houses, until their condition shall be settled by a definitive treaty between their Most Christian and Britannic Majesties. Granted. ART. 6. That the exercise of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion shall be preserved, and that safeguards shall be granted to the houses of the clergy, and to the monasteries, particularly to the bishop of Quebec, who, animated with zeal for religion and charity for the people of his diocese, desires to reside constantly in it, to exercise freely and with that decency which his character and the sacred mysteries of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion require, his episcopal authority in the town of Quebec, whenever he shall think it proper, until the possession of Canada shall have been decided by a treaty between their Most Christian and Britannic Majesties. The free exercise of the Roman religion; safeguards granted to all religious persons, as well as to the bishop, who shall be at liberty to come and exercise freely, and with decency, the functions of his office, whenever he shall think proper, until the possession of Canada shall have been decided between their Britannic and Most Christian Majesties. ART. 7. That the artillery and warlike stores shall be delivered up bonâ fide, and an inventory taken thereof. Granted. ART. 8. That the sick, wounded, commissaries, chaplains, physicians, surgeons, apothecaries, and other persons employed in the hospitals, shall be treated agreeable to the cartel settled between their Most Christian and Britannic Majesties, on the 6th of February, 1759. Granted. ART. 9. That before delivering up the gate and the entrance of the towns to the English forces, their General will be pleased to send some soldiers, to be placed as safeguards at the churches, convents, and chief habitations. Granted. ART. 10. That the commander of the city of Quebec shall be permitted to send advice to the Marquess de Vaudreuil, Governor-General, of the reduction of the town; as also this General shall be allowed to write to the French ministry, to inform them thereof. Granted. ART. 11. That the present capitulation shall be executed according to its form and tenor, without being liable to more execution, under pretence of ́reprisals, or the non-execution of any preceding capitulation. Granted. The present treaty has been made and settled between us, and duplicates signed at the camp before Quebec, the 18th day of September, 1759. G. TOWNSHEND. No. V. Articles of Capitulation between his Excellency General AMHERST, Commander-in-Chief of His Britannic Majesty's Troops and Forces in North America, and his Excellency the Marquess DE VAUDREUIL, Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, Governor and Lieutenant-General for the King in Canada. ARTICLE 1. Twenty-four hours after the signing of the present capitulation, the English General shall cause the troops of His Britannic Majesty to take possession of the gates of the town of Montreal; and the English garrison shall not come into the place till after the French troops shall have evacuated it. |