As to any attempt at invasion of Canada by the Americans, or idea of punishing the alleged injuries suffered by the States from Great Britain by the annexation of those provinces, I do not believe that any sane-minded citizens of the States believe in the possibility of such retaliation.  Some years since the Americans thought that Canada might shine in the Union firmament as a new star; but that delusion is, I think, over.  Such annexation, if ever made, must have been made not only against the arms of England, but must also have been made in accordance with the wishes of the people so annexed.  It was then believed that the Canadians were not averse to such a change, and there may possibly have then been among them the remnant of such a wish.  There is certainly no such desire now, not even a remnant of such a desire; and the truth on this matter is, I think, generally acknowledged.  The feeling in Canada is one of strong aversion to the United States government and of predilection for self-government under the English Crown.  A faineant governor and the prestige of British power is now the political aspiration of the Canadians in general; and I think that this is understood in the States.  Moreover, the States have a job of work on hand which, as they themselves are well aware, is taxing all their energies.  Such being the case, I do not think that England needs to fear any invasion of Canada authorized by the States government.

This feeling of a grievance on the part of the States was a manifest absurdity.  The new reinforcement of the garrisons in Canada did not, when I was in Canada, amount, as I believe, to more than 2000 men.  But had it amounted to 20,000, the States would have had no just ground for complaint.  Of all nationalities that in modern days have risen to power, they, above all others, have shown that they would do what they liked with their own, indifferent to foreign counsels and deaf to foreign remonstrance.  “Do you go your way, and let us go ours.  We will trouble you with no question, nor do you trouble us.”  Such has been their national policy, and it has obtained for them great respect.  They have resisted the temptation of putting their fingers into the caldron of foreign policy; and foreign politicians, acknowledging their reserve in this respect, have not been offended at the bristles with which their Noli me tangere has been proclaimed.  Their intelligence has been appreciated, and their conduct has been respected.  But if this has been their line of policy, they must be entirely out of court in raising any question as to the position of British troops on British soil.