Our expedition to the Welland Canal went off admirably, the only drawback being that we attempted too much.  Mr. Merritt, who planned the affair, gave it out that we were to pass through the canal, and to touch at Buffalo on our way from Lake Erie to the Falls of Niagara, in one day.  On this hint the Buffalonians made preparations for our reception on the most magnificent scale....  As might have been expected, however, what with addresses, speeches, and mishaps of various kinds, such as are to be looked for in canal travelling on a large scale (for our party consisted of some three hundred), night overtook us before we reached Lake Erie, and Buffalo had to be given up.  I very much regret this, as I fear the citizens were disappointed.  Some of our party went there the next day, and were most hospitably received.

* * * * *

    To the Earl Grey.

    Toronto, August 16, 1850.

Our Session has closed with great eclat.  On Thursday week our Buffalo friends, with other persons of distinction from different parts of the Union, arrived here, to the number of about two hundred.  They were entertained that evening at a ball in the City Hall, which did great credit to the good taste and hospitality of the hosts.  Next day there was a review in the forenoon and a fete at my house, which lasted from half-past four to twelve.  I succeeded in enabling a party of five hundred to sit down together to dinner; and, what with a few speeches, fireworks, and dances, I believe I may say the citizens went away thoroughly pleased.[9] On Saturday, at noon, many of the party assisted at the prorogation.

These matters may seem trivial to you among the graver concerns of state; nevertheless, I am sanguine enough to hope that the courtesies which have passed this year between the Buffalonians and us will not be without their fruit.  The bulk of those who came here from Buffalo, including the Mayor—­a very able man and powerful speaker—­are of the democratic party, and held some years ago very different views from those which they expressed on this visit.  They found here the warmest and most cordial welcome from all, Her Majesty’s representative not excepted.  But they saw, I venture to say almost with certainty, nothing to lead them to suppose that the Canadians desire to change their political condition; on the contrary, the mention of Her Majesty’s name evoked on all occasions the most unbounded enthusiasm; and there was every appearance of a kindly feeling towards the Governor General, which the Americans seemed not disinclined themselves to share.

’To render annexation by violence impossible, and by any other means as improbable as may be,’ is, as I have often ventured to repeat, the polar star of my policy.  In these matters, small as they may appear, I believe we have been steering by its light.  Again, as respects ourselves.