united by bonds which cannot be supplied under that on which we are now entering; though it may be fairly urged on the other side, that the variety of conflicting interests which would, under this arrangement, have been brought into presence would have led to collisions which we may now hope to escape.  But, as it is, the die is cast.  As regards these colonies you must allow them to turn to the best possible account their contiguity to the States, that they may not have cause for dissatisfaction when they contrast their own condition with that of their neighbours.

Another subject on which I am very solicitous, is the free admission of Canadian products into the States.  At present the Canadian farmer gets less for his wheat than his neighbour over the lines.  This is an unfortunate state of things.  I had a long conversation with Mr. Baldwin about it lately, and he strongly supports the proposition which I ventured to submit for your consideration about a year ago, viz. that a special treaty should be entered into with the States, giving them the navigation of the St. Lawrence jointly with ourselves, on condition that they admit Canadian produce duty free.  An arrangement of this description affecting internal waters only might, I apprehend, be made (as in the case of Columbia in the Oregon treaty) independently of the adjustment of questions touching the Navigation Laws generally.  I confess that I dread the effect of the continuance of the present state of things on the loyalty of our farmers.  Surely the admission of the Americans into the St. Lawrence would be a great boon to them, and we ought to exact a quid pro quo.

He was sanguine enough to hope that these measures, so simple and so obviously desirable, might be brought into operation at once; but they were not carried until many years later, one of them, as we shall see, only by aid of his own personal exertions; and his disappointment on this score deepened the anxiety with which he looked round upon the difficulties of his position, already described.  On August 16 he writes:—­

The news from Ireland—­the determination of Government not to proceed with the measure respecting the Navigation Laws—­doubts as to whether the American Congress will pass the Reciprocity of Trade Bill—­menaces of sympathisers in the States—­all combine at present to render our position one of considerable anxiety.

Firstly, we have the Irish Repeal body.  I need not describe them; you may look at home; they are here just what they are in Ireland.  Secondly, we have the French population; their attitude as regards England and America is that of an armed neutrality.  They do not exactly like the Americans, but they are the conquered, oppressed subjects of England!  To be sure they govern themselves, pay no taxes, and some other trifles of this description; nevertheless, they are the victims of British egoisme.