ENGLAND AND AMERICA. A COMPARISON OF THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STATE OF...
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AND
AMERICA.
A COMPARISON OF THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
STATE OF BOTH NATIONS.
TUVO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
t?
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
LONDON
1833.
PRINTED BY \\VILLIAM NICOL, CLEYELAND-ROW, ST. JAME S.
1111•1"--
CONTENTS OF VOLUINIE II.
NOTE X.
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS, OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
Declamation against slavery—history of the origin and pro-
gress of slavery in America—cause of slavery—prospects of
slavery in the British West Indios—in the United States-
possible means of abolisbing slavery in the United States
without a servile war
-
- pago 1
NOTE XI.
APOLOGY FOR TITE AMERICAN TARIFE.
Opinions of Englishmen respecting the tariff—moral advan-
tages of the tariff—econornical advantages of the tariff—dif-
fcrence of feeling between the southern and northern states
respecting the tariff—the tariff good, upon the whole, for
the people of America, and thcrefore a work becoming de-
mocratic government—when the tariff may be repealed with
great advantage to America
page 47
NOTE XII.
TLIE ART OF COLONIZATION.
I ntroduction—nature and limits of the subject—the ends of
colonization as respects the ruother-country—the extension
of markets—relief from excessive nurnbers—enlargement of
PRINTEI> BY w. NICOL, CLEVELAND-ROW, Sr. JAMES S.
the field for employing capital— ends of colonization
T
15.
CONTENTS.
respects the colony—the rneans of colonization—the dis-
posal of waste land—the removal of people—co-operation
of the mother-country—the foundation of colonies—the g-o-
NOTE X.
vernment of colonies
-
page 61
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS OF SLAVERY IN
AMERICA.
APPENDIX.
Declamation against slavery history of the
origin and progress of slavery in America-
cause qf slavery—prospects of slavery in Me
No. 1.
British ¡'Vest Indies—in the United States-
Proofs of the industry, skill and commercial disposition, of the
possible means of abolishiy slavery in the
Chinese people -
page 265
United States witliout a servile war.
No. 2.
" THE existente of slavery," says 1.54r. Stuart,*
" in its most hideous forra, in a country of abso-
Proofs of the rapidity with which waste latid rises in value,
wherever people congregate, in new colonies - page 287
lute
in most respects, is one of those
extraordinary anomalies for which it is impossible
No. 3.
to account."
The writer of the declaration of American in-
Part of a correspondence between the English government and
dependence has also writtcn—" What an incom-
a body of individuals desirous to found a colony - page 305
prehensible machine is man I who can endure
toil, famine, stripes, imprisonment, and death
itself, in vindication of his own liberty, and the
next moment be deaf to all those motives whose
power supported him through his trial, and inflict
on his fellow men a bondage, one hour of which
is fraught with more misery tban ages of that
which he rose in rebellion to oppose. But we must
Vol. ii. page 113.
VOL. II.
13
2
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTE
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
3
wait with patience the workings of an over-
judge which is the most liable to censure—we,
ruling Providence, and p ope that that is preparing
who in the midst of our rottenness, have torn off
the deliverance of these our suffering brethren.
the manacles of slaves all over the world, or they,
When the mensure of their tears shall be full-
who, with their idle purity, and useless perfec--
when their tears shall have involved heaven itself
tion, have remained mute and careless whilc
in darkness—doubtless a God of justice will
groans echoed and whips clanked round the very
awaken to their distress, and, by diffusing a light
walls of their spotless congress. We wish well to
and liberality amongst their oppressors, or, at
America—we rejoice in her prosperity—and are.
length, by his exterrninating thunder, manifest
dclighted to resist the absurd impertinence with.
bis attention to things of this world, and that they
which the character of her people is often treated
are not left to the guidance of blind fa,tality."
in this country. But the cxistence of slaver y in
" Every American," says an English writer,*—
America, is an atrocious CriDIC, with which no
every American who loves his country should de-
mensures can be kept—for which her situation
dicate bis whole life, and every faculty of his soul,
or is no sort of apology—which makes liberty
to efface the foul blot of slavery from its character.
itself distrusted, and the boast of it disgusting."
If nations rank according to their wisdom and
These passages describe the feeling of English-
their virtue, what right has the American, a
men generally, and of not a few Americans, with
scourger and murderer of s'aves, to compare him-
respect to slavery in America. But when was
self with the least and lowest of the European
any great evil cured by mere declamation ? and
nations, much more with this great and humane
what but mere declamation is there in these pas-
country where the greatest lord dare not lay a
sages ? Libe other evils, slavery in America has its
finger on the meanest peasant ? What is freedom
causes ; and until these be removed the evil effect
where all are not free ? where the greatest cf God's
must continue. No Englishman, no American,
blessings is limited, with impions caprice, to the
as far as I know, has taken the trocable to aseer-
colorir of the body ? And these are the men who
ta.in the causes of slavery in America. Izad this
taunt the English with their corrnpt parliament,
been done, it might perhaps appear, that the situ-
with their buying and selling votes. Let the world
ation of America does affbrd some sort of apology
for the foul stain upon her character. The causes
Edinburgh Review, No. LXI. Art. " Travellers in Ame-
of slavery in America will be found in a brief bis-
rica," attributed to Mr. (now Lord) Brouzbam.
tory of its origin and progress ; and, these ascer-
4
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
5
tained, the prospects of slavery may be examined
practicable, the labourers taken out by the capi-
with some chance of a useful result.
talists, to a place where every one could obtain
The first European colony in America was
plenty of good land for a trifle, would have ceased
planted by Spaniards in the island of St. Domingo,
to be labourers for hire ; they would have become
or, as it was originally called, Hispaniola. :The
independent landowners, if not competitors with
first Spanish colonists of St. Domingo received
their former masters in the market oflabour. This
from the Spanish crown extensive grants of the
also does actually occur every day in several
most fertile land. The settlers carried with them
modem colonies. Consequently, the first Spanish
an abundance of capital, and each settler obtained
settlers in St. Domingo did not obtain labourers
more good land than he could possibly cultivate.
from Spain. But, without labourers, their capital
But land and capital are not the only elements of
must have perished, or at least must soon have
production. In orden to produce wealth the first
been•diminished to that small amount which each
colonists of St. Domingo wanted labourers. If
individual could employ with bis own hands.
some of them had laid out a portion of their
This has actually occurred in the last colony
capital in conveying labourers from Spain, the
founded by Englishmen—the Swan River settle-
other settlers, who had not so expended a portion
ment—where a great mass of capital, of seeds, im-
of their capital, would have been able to pay for
plements and cattle, has perished for want of
the service of such labourers more than those
labourers to use it, and where no settler has pre-
could have paid, who had dirninished their capital
served much more capital than he can employ
by conveying labourers from Spain. Those who
with bis own hands. The first settlers in St.
had not so ditninished their capital, offering
Domingo remaining without labourers, their only
higher wages than those who would have
prospect was a solitary, wild, half-savage exist-
enjoyed what the former had expended capital
ence. Nay, they might have died for want. Of
to procure. This does actually occur very often
the colonies planted in modem times, more have
in modem English colonies. Thus, unless all the
perished than have prospered. Those settlers
settlers had agreed that each should take out a
might have died of want, because their own la-
number of labourers in proportion to his capital,
bour, not being combined in any degree, but
none of them could have had any motive for lay-
being cut up into fractions as numerous as the
ing out capital in that:way. Moreover, if such an
individuals, might not have produced enough (o
agreement had been possible, and its execution
keep them alive. In the colonies of modem times,
6
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OP SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
7
thousands of people have died from this cause,
the natives, whom they sold to the planters of
and some in the last colony founded by England.
St. Domingo. This was the first siave trade car-
Urged by this want of labourers, the first settlers
ried on in America.
in St. Domingo persuaded the Spanish govern ment
But the discovery of a supply of labour, which
to include in each of its grants of land a propor-
seemed inexhaustible, was not ca.lculated to teacit
tionate grant qf natives. The most ancient grants
the colonists either caution or humanity. As they
of land in Hispaniola mention the number of
had overworked and destroyed the natives of St.
natives which each grantee was authorised to treat
Domingo, so they worked to death the slaves
as cattle. This was the origin of slavery in
whom they procured from other islands. It has
America.
been said that in religious and moral England,
The colonists, by means of the supply of labour
there are men who make a practice of buying an
thus obtained, readily acquired wealth ; for they
old or diseased horse for the value of its skin,
could now employ many hands in the same work,
and driving it without food tul it dies ; the mo-
at the same time, and for a long period of time
tive assigned for such barbarity being the clear
without intermission. Other Spaniards, inflamed
profit obtained by the use of an animal, which
by the accounts which reached Spain of the suc-
costs nothing for keep while in use, and yet
cess of the first colonists, hurried to St. Domingo,
sells, when dead, for as much as it cost alivie.
and, obtaining grants of natives as well as land,
Somewhat in like tnanner, the planters -of St.
prospered like d'ose who had gone before them.
Domingo found it more profitable to work slaves
In the course of a few years, the prosperity of
to death, and replace them, than to preserve their
excited, as that of the United States (loes
existence by suiting their work to their strength.
now, the envy and admiration of Europe. But the
This \\vholesale nmrder of stolen Indians produced
colonists, regardless of the falle, killed the goose
a feeling of indignation in Europe. Las Casas,
for its golden eggs : they destroyed the feeble
the Clarkson or Wilberforce of his time, founded
natives by over working them. The colony had
a sect of abolitionists ; a panty closely resembling
hardly reached a very flourishing condition when
in many points the European and American abo-
the source of its prosperity was dried up. In this
litionists of the present day. They spared no
emergeney, it occurred to the dejected settlers
pains for the attainment of their object. By ex-
that the neighbouring islands were inhabited. To
citingthe best feelings of hu man nature, by spread-
those islands SODIO of them repaired and seized
ing throughout Europe detailed accounts of the
8
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
9
cruelties to which Spanish slaves were subject, by
described as a paradise, and to which the queen,
circulating tracts, by an extensive correspondence,
delighted with their account of it, gave the narre
by worming their way into courts and councils,
of Virginia. Instead, however, of proceeding
by enlisting on their side the tender but powerful
without delay to cultivate a very small part of
influence of women, by extraordinary watchful-
the fertile territory at their disposal, they were
ness to seize every opportunity, and diligence in
ternpted by its very extent to wander up and
turning it to account, and still more by their un-
clown upon it ; until the capital which they had
alterable constancy of purpose, they at length
taken with them being consumed they were
made an impression on the government of Spain.
reduced to fatnine, and gladly seized an opportu-
But although the King of Spain listened to the
nity of returning to England. In the following
abolitionists, he was unwillingto ruin the plantees:
year, another settlement was made under the same
he consented to protect the Indians to the utmost
grant and on the same spot ; but though on this
extent, using modern language, that was compa-
occasion the setticrs had an ample stock of seeds,
tible with the rights of property and the interests
implements and cattle, with provisions for two
of the slave owners : in other words, he expressed
years, every one of thern perished ; by what means,
compassion for the slaves, because this was re-
indeed, can only be inferred, since the skeleton
quired by public opinion, but he would do nothing
of one man was all that remained of this colony
for them. The question was in this state when
when a third body of emigrants from England
the abolitionists themselves proposed, that the
reached thc place of settlement. In two years
planters might spare the feeble natives of America
this third body of emigrants had disappeared like
by procuring hardy negro slaves from Africa. The
the second. Thus, three attempts to take advan-
suggestion was adopted, and found to answer its
tage of abundance of good " the sole cause,"
purpose. Red slavery was abolished, and black
says Adam Smith, " of the prosperity of new colo-
slavcry established ; and this was the beginning of
nies," entirely failed ; attempts, too, directed by
a slave trade between Africa and America.
sir Walter Raleigh, a man eminently qualified to
The first English settlers in America, obtained
insure their success. Why tiloso attempts failed,
from queen Elizabeth a grant of land to thc
may be conjectured from what happened to the
extent of two hundred miles in every direction
first body of English settlers in America that
from -the spot on which they inight establish
(lid not perish.
themselves. They found a country which they
The first English colony in America that did
w
10
ortIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OP SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
11
not perish, ovas planted in Chesapeakc Bay under
same time and for a considerable period of time
a grant from king James 1., who bestowed good
together. Secondly, as nearly every one took
land upon the settlers, not by the acre or the
possession of a great deal more land than he could
mile, but by degrees of latitude, and without
possibly cultivate, the greater part of what he pos-
limit as to longitude. In this case, a few hun-
sessed became, by becoming his, as a desert which
dred persons, amply provided with capital, and,
surrounded him. No roads were made, because
led, too, by men of experience and conduct, ob-
as nearly every settler did every thing for himself
tained more land of very great natural fertility
and by himself, that combination of power which
than existed in the densely peopled country that
is indispensable to the construction of a road
they had abandoned. In the course of twenty
was out of the case. Thus each settler was sur-
years, they were joined by nearly as many thousand
roundcd, not mercly by a desert, but by a desert
emigrants ; yet at the end of that period the
which was ncxt to impassable. Further, lunch
population of the colony was less than two thousand
of the capital which had been taken out, such as
souls. - This most uncomrnon decrease of people
cattle, seeds and implementa, perished either on
was occasioned by extreme misery. Of the first
the beach or in the forest, because the owncrs of
settlers, each was able to obtain as much good
it could not preserve that well-regulated laborar
land as he desired to call bis own. F•om this
without which it is impossible that capital should
great abundance of good land, nothing being
be increased or even preserved. As every colo-
done lo counteract it, there acose two evil con-
nist was isolated, so all wanted both the means
sequences in particular. la the first place, nearly
and the motive for raising any surplus produce ;
every one became indepenclent of all the others,
and any unfavourable accident, consequently,
working by himself in solitude, and therefore
such as a wet harvest time or an incursion of the
dividing his labour amongst so many occupations,
Indians, reduced rnany to want, cut off some by
that he could bestow but little of bis time on the
fitmine, and brought the colony to the verge of
production of food, while that small portion of
destruction. The records and traditions of
his labour which was so employed produced but
ginia leave no doubt, that the first .inhabitants
little, because scarce any operation of agricul-
of that country suffered, du•ing a long course of
turre is very productive unless there be employed
years, every conceivable hardship.
in it severa! pairs of hands in combination and
The colony was on the point of being aban-
constantly, in the same particular work, at the
doned, when five huncired emigrants, most of
12
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
13
them of the labouring class, arrived from Eng-
of America. A Dutch ship laden with slaves
land. He who is accustomed only to what takes
made its appearance in Jatnes's river. Want of
place in densely peopled countries, may imagine
provisioris had induced the captain to put in
that this infiux of labourers into a society, whose
there., and he was therefore ready to dispose of
only want was the want of labourers, must have.
his living cargo for a trifle. These slaves were
produced the most happy results. But this was
bought ; and this was the beginning of slavery in
not the case : the evil cause existed still and pro-
the United States.
duced the same evil effect. The great plenty of
The slaves were set to work, some in raising
land led nearly all the newly arrived emigrants to
food, some in cultivating tobacco. For the first
become isolated settlers ; there were more colo-
time in this colony there was combination of
nists for a time, but not one was in a better con-
labour and division of employments. Tobacco,
dition, or had a better prospect, in consequence of
although denounced by king James as a vile and
an increase of numbers. At length, the whose
nauseous weed, was already prized in Europe ;
body of settlers, dispersed, and prevented from
and the soil and clirnate of Virginia were pecu-
helping each other, were unable to raise enough
liarly suited to its growth. Those settlers, there-
food for their subsistencc. Their bright hopes
fore, who by obtaining slaves were enabled to
frustrated, general disappointment produced dis-
employ many hands constantly in one work, in
content, selfishness and a reckless disregard of
preparing the ground for tobacco plan ts, in water-
all social ties. The founders of Virginia were not
ing the plants, in preventing the growth of weeds,
more remarkable for their great disasters than
and in gathering, drying and packing, the leaves,
for their atrocious crimes. They are described
now raised a cornmodity exchangeable in the
as resembling hungry wild beasts ; and if we
markets of Europe. In this way, they obtained
must speak of thern as 'turnan beings, it is not
various supplies, which they could not have ob-
harsh to say, that they appeared to have crossed
tained in any other way. In this way also they
the Atlantic for the purpose of cutting each others
found the means of purchasing more slaves. As
throats without restraint from any law.
the number of slaves increased, the cultivation of
Such was the deplorable state of this colony
tobacco was extended ; some roads were made
when a circumstance occurred, which, though
and solid houses were built. In the course of
accidental and apparently tritling, has provcd
a few years, the face of the colony was changed,
one of the most important events in the history
14
ORIGIN, PROGRESE AND PROSPECTE
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
15
and the tobacco planters of Virginia became noted
From this curious traffic,
considering the
for their prosperity.
abundante of good land in Virginia, could not
The frightful condition, both physical and
have taken place without slavery, sprung
moral, of the settlers, up to the time when they
large proportion of those illustrious Americans,.
obtained slaves, was almost a bar to the emigra-
who dared the first trial of perfect equality in
tion of women. It is supposed that the propor-
government, amongst whites.
tion of males to females, who emigrated to this
The prosperity of Virginia led to the establish-
colony during the first thirty years of its exist-
ment of more colonies, as well in the islands as on
ence, was abo ye tvventy to orle, While the colony
the main land of America. With the inerease of
was in a statc of misery and disorganization, nono
white population in America, the number. of Ame-
of the settlers could have desired, nor could any
rican slaves increased, in some mensure by
of them have easily procured, wives to share their
breeding, but for the most part by importation.
misfortunes. But when they liad acquircd the
from Africa. At length the horrors of the African
means of comfort and order,they naturally longed
slave trade raised up a new set of abolitionists.
1
to be husbands and fathers. As that longing was
The value of slavery to the white men of America
created by the combined and constant labour of
would be proved, if by nothing else, by the great
slaves, so was it gratified. The settlers offered to
and manifold obstacles which the abolitionists
the captains of English ships two hundred and
had tú surmount before their object was even
fifty pounds of prime tobacco for each young
partially effected. Their purpose was to abolish
woman of pure health and good
slavery in America. With greater exertion and
tern per, whom the
lattcr should bring from England, harmless, and
difficulty than attended the establishment of some
bearing a certificate of honest manners from the
wide-spread religions, they have accomplished no
clergyman of her parish. At that time, as at
more than the abolition of a trade in slaves be-
present, England abounded in young women,
tWeen Africa and a part of America.
bcautiful, gentle and virtuous, but without the
Las Casas probably knew how slavery bogan in
least prospect of happiness in marriage. The
America. By his proposal to substitute black
English captains, therefore, easily fulfilled their
Africans for red Indians, he seems to have ac-
commissions, and finally conducted a very exten-
knowledged the, difficulty, he may oven have per-
sive commerce in tobacco and marriageable girls.
ceived the impossibility, of combining the labour
of freemen and raising a large net produce in
16
PROGRESE AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
17
countries where every one may obtain more good
abolition of the African trade has produced some
land tiran he can possibly cultivate. But Las
initigation of the evils of slavery in America.
Casas had lived in America and witnessed the
*hile that trade continued, it was often found
operation, first of abundante of good land, and
more profitable to work slaves to death and re-
next of slavery. The modera project of abolition
place them, than to preserve them by suiting
was conceived by a youth in an English univer-
their work to their strength. In order that they
sity ; and, though Clarkson visited the West
should not decrease, still more in order that they
Indies, it was not till iris feelings had been in-
should increase, it becarne necessary to treat them
fiamed by contemplating from a distance the
with some consideration, with just so much con-
abominations of slavery. At all events, Clarkson
sideration as a stock-farmer bestows upon bis
and Wilberforce expected that the abolition of
cattle. So far, the slaves of America owe to the
the African slave trade would put an end to
abolitionists a decided improvement in their con-
slavery in America. Never was there a greater
dition.
mistake.
But this improvement has not extended over
The American and English slave trade with
all British America.. An important distinction
Africa was not abolished till the English in the
must llene be drawn bctween the islands and the
West India islands and the Americans on the
main land ; a distinction the more necessary be-
continent had procured an arnple stock of slaves.
cause Englishinen generally suppose, that there
Their property, neither in these nor in the progeny
is no great difference, if any, between the state of
of these, was affected by the abolition of the trade
slavery in the United States and the state of
with Africa. In order to keep up their stock
slavery in the West Indies. The good land of the
of slaves, in order to increase that stock indefi-
islands is of litnited extent, while that of the
nitely, it was now required that, instead of resort-
continent has no assignable limits. The same
ing to Africa for fresh supplies, they should breed
piece of land will not produce sugar for many
slaves at borne. But in doing this, they found no
consecutive years withont a great increase of
difficulty. Thus, slavery in America., instead of
expense ; and nearly all the good land of the
being extinguished by the abolition of the African
islands has been exhausted by the cultivation of
trade, was placed on a super foundation than
sugar. Since that land was exhausted, the growers
when it depended on that traffic.
of sugar on the continent have liad a great ad-
It must be acknowledged, however, that the
vantage over the same c]ass of people in the
VOL. II.
18
ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
19
islands. So great has been the advantage, that
But, with a close rnonopoly of the finest market
assuredly, if the produce of the continent liad
in the would, the planters of the British West
been let into the markets of Europe on equal
Indios might for ages have continued to grow
terms with the produce of the islands, the
sugar with some profit, and might have retained
islanders would, sorne time ago, have ceased to
motive for keeping up the number of their slaves.
produce sugar. In the British islands especially,
If they liad preserved a close monopoly of the
it is obvious that the cultivation of sugar has been
British market, the people of Britain would, pro-
preservad by rneans of a monopoly of the British
baMy, have malle up for the continued decrease
market. But as that monopoly was required by
the of insular land by continually paying
the exhaustion of the soil of the West Indies, so
a higher price for insular sugar. Though the
it encouraged the further exhaustion of that soil,
produce would have been less and less, the proa
till the proas of sug-ar growing in the West
might have remained the same, in consequence of
Indies were, reduced to that amount which, with
the price becoming higher and higher. But "the
the monopoly, wasjust sufficient to prevent sugar-
West India interest" as the island planters are
growing from being abandoned. Consequently,
called, though they have long enjoyed very great
since the abolition of the African siave tradc,
infiuence in the legislature of Britain, were not
the planters of the West Indies have not liad
permitted to flourish in this way at the expense
strong motive for increasing the number of their
of the British people. During the last war, the
slaves. It was not the abolition of the African
Eng]ish took from the Dutch their continental
trade, but the exhaustion of all the good land at
settlernents in America ; and at the close of the
their disposal, which deprived them of this
war they determined to keep those colonies, mak-
motive. Between those two events there is no
ing compensation to the Dutch by agreeing to pay
connection, except parity of time. If the Afri-
a vast sum to the emperor of Russia, provided
can siave trade- had not been abolished, if had
(such is the complication of European politics)
continued to render unneccssary the preservation
the Belgian.s and the Dutch, who haced cach other
of slaves, still the greater profit of killing and
and liad been united at the peace, should not
replacing slaves. would not have counteracted the
choose to separate. The West India interest
loss of profit arising from the necessity of cul-
could easily have prevented this acquisition ; but
tivating land, which eyery year decreased in
they were blincl to its consequences. It broke
fertility.
up their monopoly of the British market. By
20
ORIGIN, PROGRESE AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
21
bringing continental sugar into compctition with
wanting labourers bo ye a greater proportion to
insular sugar, it prevented the island planters
labourers, and the demand for slaves increased ac-
from raising the price of their sugar in propor-
cordingly. As every one, not being a slave, could
tion to the deerease in the fertijity of their land.
obtain for a trifle more good land than he could
This acquisition was a mortal blow to the West
possibly cultivate, all capitalista felt the want of
India interest. Ever since it took place none
combined labour. All those whites, consequently,
of them have made large profits, many of them
svho settled in the slave states beeame anxious to
have been ruined, by the cuitivation of sugar; and
procure slaves. The African trade being abo-
the total ruin of the wholc of them, in so far as
lished, th-mse who wanted slaves could obtain
their West India property is concerned, seems
them only ;.om those Arnericans who already
inevitable. These cireumstances have had a
possessed them. This great demand for slaves,
peculiar effect on insular slavery. What with
great in proportion to the increase of whites in the
the progressive exhaustion of insular land and the
slave states, and to the increased demand in the,
opening of the British market to sugar produced
other states for the produce of cornbined labour,
on land that «ras not exhausted, the island plan-
led to the establishment of a new trade in Ame-
ters have, for some years past, been without a mo-
rica ; the trade of breeding slaves for sale. The
tive for keeping up the number of their slaves,
extent and importance of that trade may be esti-
while they have had the strongest motive for
mated by reference to one or two facts. The black
working them to death. The result is wel l known ;
population of the slave states has increased
a decrease of population such as if pestilente and
much more rapidly than the white population of
famine had done the work.
those states ; and the slave population has in-
Turning to the United States, we find that the
creased at a sornewhat greater ente than the free
abolition of the African slave trade has led to a
population of the whole Union. There are two
striking improvement in the condition of - slaves.
millions of slaves, and if we reckon the average
The increase of white population in America (lid
value of a slave at 601., the capital invested in sla-
not increase the proportion of free labourers to
very is 120,000,0001. Taking time yearly mercase
capitalists, and did not therefore diminish the
of slaves in the United States to be at least
value of slaves. On the contrary, as every free-
60,000, and the average value of a slave to be
man could readily obtain land of his own, with
601.; the produce in money obtained by the
that increase of whites, of freemen, persons
breeders ofsl aves, merely for breeding, is3,600,0001.
22
PROGRESS, AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
23
per annum.* These statements will suffice, with-
sible whereas the unquestionable fact is, that
out further explanation, to show that the abolition
all the work performed in those colonies, whether
of the African slave trade has worked a great
in agriculture or manufactures, was performed
improvernent in the condition of American siaves.
by siaves. All work in Brazil has been performed
But the abolition of the African slave trade
by the labour of siaves. In New South Wales
woulcl not have had this effect, if the original
and Van Di emen's Land, prosperous colonies,capi-
cause of slavery had not steadily continued to
talists are supplied with slave-labour in the shape
operate. Considering how slavery arose, and in
of convicts. That they set the greatest value
what way it has progressed in America, its ori-
on this labour, s proved by their extreme fear lest
ginal and permanent cause seems to be super-
the system of t. 'nsportation should be discon-
abundance of land in proportion to people. Other
tinued ; although the evils which it produces are
considerations come to the support of this view
too many to be counted, and too great to be
of the subject.
believed in- England. Finally, though the puri-
That superabundance of land to which the
taus and the followers of Penn, who founded the
English economists, from Adam Smith clown-
colonies of New England, flourished with super-
wards, attribute the prosperity of new colonies,
abundance of land and without negro siaves, they
has never led to great prosperity without some
did not fiourish without slavery. Though their
kind of slavery. The states of New England, in
religious sentiments prompted them to abstain
which negro slavery was never permitted, forro
from the purchase of negroes, so severely did
no exception to the general rule. Adam Smith,
they, en that very account, feel the want of con-
in bis chapt.er on " the causes of the prosperity of
stant and combine, that they were led to
new colonies," tries to establish by a pretty long
carry on an extensive traffie in white raen and
argument that the wonderful prosperity of the
children, who, kidnapped in Europe, were vir-
Greek colonies was owing to " dearness of labour,"
tually sold to those fastidious colonists, and
to " high wages," which enabled the bulk of the
treated by them as siaves. But the number of
people to save and to increase as rapidly as pos-
Europeans kidnapped for the purpose of sale in
* 2001. and 3001. are common prices for a well taught and
those parts of America whcre negroes conld not
able slave. As much as 6001. is sometimes given for a young
be sold, though considerable, in proportion to
man of superior skill in some lines of industry. See Stvart,
the number of settlers tiren wanting combined
vol. 2,page 195.
labour, was small svhen compare(' with the nuin-
24
ORIGEN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
25
ber of Europeans, who, first decoyed to America
píete equality subsists amongst white men, and
by the offer of a passage cost free, and the promise
every white man is taught to respect himself as
of high wages, were then transferred for terms of
well as other white men, black men are treated
years to colonists who paica for their passage.
as if they were horses or dogs. Thus, notwith-
These, under the name of redemptioners, were, for
stand ing su perabundance of land, black men have
a long period, the principal servants of those colo-
always found it difficult to risa abo ye the condi-
nies in which slavery was forbidden by law. Even
tion of labourers for hire ; and thus such blacks
so lately as within the last twenty years, and
as either escaped, or were allowed to go free, from
especially during the last war between England
the slave states, to settle in the other states, pro-
and America, which put a stop to Irish emigra-
vided servants for the capitalists of those other
tion, vast numbers of poor Germans were decoyed
states. The large prop - -*ion of black servants in
to those states which forbid slavery, and there
New England has always been remarked, and it is
sold for long terms of years to the highest bidder
remarkable at this moment in Philadelphia, the
by public auction. Though white, and free in
strong bold of quakerism.* In this way, the
name, they were really not free to becoxne inde-
" New people of colour in the churehes, and such of them as
pendent landowners, and therefore it was possible
are there, assemble in a comer separate from the rest of the people."
to employ their labour constantly and in combi-
Stuart, vol. 1, pago 196.
nation. Lastly, even in those colonies which
* " it is computad that there are in Philadelphia 10,000 free
never permitted negro slavery, negroes have
coloured people." Journal of Travels in the United States of
always been considered, what indeed, there seems
North Anzerica and in Lower Canada, performed in the year 1817,
reason to conciude that they are by nature, an
by John Palmer. The number of blacks in Philadelphia is very
much grcater than in 1817. By the last Census of the Ameri-
inferior order of beings. A black man never was,
can people it appears, that in 1831, there were in the state of
nor is he now, treated as a man by the white men
Pennsylvania 37,900 free coloured persons; in the state of New
of New England.* There, where the rnost corn-
York 44,869 ; and in Ola 37,930.
" The whole establishment (on board the < North Ame-
" The freedmen of other countries have long since dis
rica' steam-boat, New York) of kitehen servants, waitcrs and
-appeared, having Leen amalgamated in the general mass.
cooks, all people of colour, on a great seale." Stuart, vol. 1,
.Here there can be no amalgamation. Our manumitted bonds-
pago 40.
men have remained already to the third and fourth generation,
" Nothing can be more disgraceful to the people of the
a distinct, a dcgraded and a wretched race." President Nott
United States, nor more inconsistent with their professed prin-
Union..College, New York--quoted by Mr. Stuart..
cipies of equality, than their trcatment of free people of colour.
26
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERV IN AMERICA.
27
slavery of sorne states has, not very indirectly,
raised by the southern and conveyed by thc north-
bestowed upon other states much of the good
ern states ; a division of employments which
and some of the evil, that alise from slavery.
depended on the labour of slaves, since, if a pro-
In another way, the states which forbid slavery
duce had not been raised fit for distant markets,
have gained by it immensely without any corres-
earriers would not have been required, and since
poncling evil. The states of America must be
such produce could not es have been raised by
viewed as one country, in which there is a consi-
labour, uncertain and scatterecl as free labour
derable distribution ofcmployments, and in which
ahvays is with superabundance of good land.
exchanges take place of the different productions
At the present time, which is the great market
raised in different parts of the Union. "The divi-
for the surplus produce of farmers in the non-
sion of labour," says Adam Smith, meaning the
slave holding states on the western rivers ? New
distribution of employments, " is litnited by the
Orleans ; and how could that P.-- ,at rnarket have
extent of the market." The great fishing esta-
existed without slavery
Capitalists again,
blishments of the non-slaveholding colonies viere
set up for the purpose of supplying the slaves of
" The following is Mr. Timothy Flint's account of a Louis-
iana plantation. " If we could lay out of the question the
the West Maryland, Georgia
intrinsic evils of the case (he liad bcen alluding to the state of
and the Carolinas, who viere employed in raising
thc slaves) it would be a cheering sight, that which is pre-
tobacco, rice and sugar ; commodities exchange-
sentid by a largo Louisiana plantation—the fields are as level
able in the markets of Europe ; commodities which
and regular within figures, as gardens. They sometimes con-
have never been raised on any large scale in
tain 3 or 4000 acres in one field ; and 1 have seca from a dozen
Ame-
rica except by the combined labour of slaves. A
to twenty ploughs, all making their straight furrows through a
field, a mile in depth, with a regularity which, it would be sup-
g reat parí of the commerce of the northern states,
posed, could he obtained only by a line." This description is
of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Balti-
quite correct. The drills of the finest turnip fields in Norfolk,
more, has always consisted of a carrying trade
or even on Mr. Rennie's, of Phantassies, beautiful farm in East
for the southern states ; the one work of raising
Lothian, are not more accurately drawn ; nor is the whole
produce for
management more admirable than the lines and the cultivation
the markets of Europe and con veyinig
of the cano on one of the great plantations of Louisiana."
it thither being so divided, that the produce was
Stuart, vol. 2,page 915.
They constantly subject them to indignities of cvcry kind, and
t " He (Colonel Coleman) had come up the Appalachicola
and Chattabooche rivers, and was now on bis way to New
'refuse altogether to eat or drink with diem.' Stuart, vol. I,
page 507.
Orleans to buy pork and provisions for his slaves. He has
28
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA,
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
northern states ; but that division of employ-
natives of the states which forbid slavery, reside
ments did not precede, on the contrary it fol-
during part of every year in the slave states, and
lowed, combination of labour in particular works
reap large profits by dealing in rice, sugar and
cotton,
and the surplus exchangeable produce obtained
e xchangeablecommodities, which, it must
by that first ituprovement in t.he productive powers
be repeated, have never been raised to any extent
of industry. The states, therefore, which forbid
in America except by the labour of slavcs. A
slavery, having reaped the economical benefits of
New Englander may boast that.slavery was never
permitted in bis state, as a baker may pride bitn-
slavery, without incurring the chief of its moral
self on being, less cruel than bis neighbour the
evils, seem to be even more indebted to it than
butcher; but the dependence of the northeru
the slave states. If thosc who forbid slavery
on the southern states for a market for their sur-
within their own legal jurisdiction, should also
plus produce, for a demand for the produce of
resolve to have no intercourse or concern with
slave-owners, to do nothing for tln -, and to ex-
their industry in a thousand shapes, is as close as
the dependence on each other of the baker and
change nothing with them, we should see an
the butcher who deal together. In tire division
economical revolution in America, that would
prove better than a thousand arguments the value
of employtnents which has tallen place ir; America,
of slavery in a country where every free man can
the far prcfcrable share, truly, has fallen to the
obtain plenty of good land for a triflc.
Let us now turn for a mornent to thosc new
only got forty slaves upon bis property, but he tells me that
twenty slaves are necessarv for every 100 acres of sugar cano
countries in which the people have had super-
land." Stuart, vol. 2, pago 155.
abundance of good land without slavery. Not
" One of our stopping places for wood not far abo ye the
single one of these societies has greatly prospered :
confluente of the Mississippi and Ohio, was at Mr. Brox's farm
many have perished entirely, and some remain in
on the west sirle of the river. He has 700 acres of fine land,
a deplorable condition. From these last, two
about 100 'wad of cattle, ami an innumerable quantity of pigs.
He says he has no difficulty in selling all the produce of bis
striking exaruples may be selccted.
farm ; he disposes of bis stock lo the New Orleans tutchers,
It would be unfair to dwell here on the rniscry,
who
go all over this country to make their purchases ; and there
in conjunction with superabundante of good land,
are n-lerchants who have great depóts of grain, salteó pork and
which belongs to many savage nations ; but an
other agricultural produce, .which they scour the country to col-
allusion to such cases is not misplaced, if made
lect, and afterwards carry to New Orleans. Stuart, 2,
only for the purpose of explaining that the
page 302.
30
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
31
present enquiry is confined to the operation of
that it is not rendered unwholesome by malaria.
superabundante of good land on civilized so-
This, then, was the finest situation in the world,
cieties, amongst whom private property is es-
in which to take advantage of abundante of good
tablished, who possess some knowledge of the
lan.d. The Spaniards, who got possession of these
productive arts, and who practico to sorne extent
fertile plains, emigrated from one of the civilized
that division of classes and employments which,
European states. according to the best in-
on the principie of mutual assistance, adds to the
formation that can be obtained of a society now
productive powers of industry. The most re-
more than half barbarous, this colony never pros-
markable instance, perhaps, of such a society,
pered. Capital has never obtained high profits,
having at its disposal an unlirnited quantity of
nor labour high wages. On the contrary, the
good land, is the Spanish colony of Buenos Ayres.
colony seems to have languished throughout its
The vast plain which lies between the South
careen, and though the people have increased,. it
Atlantie and the mountains of Chili contains
has been less quickly than people now mercase
hardly any sterile land. Nearly the whole of it
in sorne of the oldest and most densely peopled
consists of the most fertile soil, which, though in
countries of Europe. During some ycars this
a state of nature, exhibits vegetation more luxu-
colony has been an independent state ; but the
riant than could be produced in the greater part
people, dispersed over their vast and fertile plains,
of Europe by the most skilful cultivation. This
have almost ceased to cultivate the good land at
land is naturallyfit for cultivation; since through-
their disposal ; they subsist principally, many of
out the pampas there are no dense forests like
-diem entirely, on the flesh of wild cattle ; they
those which once covered Pennsylvania, nor any
have lost most of the arts of civilized life ; not a
swamps like those which still remain on the
few of them are constantly in a state of deplorable
shores of the gulph of Mexico. On a district
misery ; and if they should continue, as it seems
extending one hundred and eighty miles from the
probable that they will, to retrograde as at present,
coast,nature produces the richest crops of nothing
the beautiful pampas of Buenos Ayres will soon be
but thistles and clover, and on another district,
fit for another experiment in colonization. Slaves,
extending four hundred and fifty miles further to
block, red or yellow, would have cultivated those
the west, nothing but a profusion of grass Ivithout
plains, would have been kept together, would
a weed. The elimate of the whole plain resembles
have been mode to assist each other ; would, by
that of Italy with this difference in its favour,
keeping together and assisting each other, have
32
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTE
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
33
raised a surplus produce exchangeable in distant
the course of years ; but for the present it must be
markets ; would have kept their masters together
considered, when compared with the expectations
for the sake of markets ; would by combination
of those who founded it, a decided failure. Why
oflabour,have promoted division of employtnents ;
this failure with all the elements of success, a fine
would, cattle themselves, have preserved amongst
climate, plenty of good plenty of capital
their masters the arts and habits of civilized life.
and enough labourers ? The explanation is easy.
That slavery might have done all this, seems not
In this colony, there never has been a class of
more plain than that so tnuch good would have
labourers. Those who went out as labourers no
been bought too dear if its price liad been slavery.
sooner reached the colony than they were tempted
The last colony founded by Englishmen has
by the superabundance of good land to become
severely felt the want of slavery. On the west
landowners. One of the founders of the colony,
coast of New Holland there is abunclance of good
Mr. Peel, who, it is said, took out a capital of
land, and of land too, cleared and drained by
50,0001. and three hundred persons of the labour-
nature. Those who have left England to settle
ing class, men, women and children, has been
there have carried out, amongst them, more than
represented as left without a servant to make his
enough capital to employ such of theta as were
bed or fetch hico water from the river.* The
of the labourin,g class. The capital taken out,
writer of the first book concerning this colony
in seeds, implemcnts, cattle, sheep and horses,
states, that landing in Cockburn Sound with
cannot have been less, in money value, than
goods taken from England, he did, with some
200,0001. ; and the labourers must have amounted
difficulty, procure workmen to place his goods
to a thousand at the very lowest. 1Vhat is become
under a tent, but that there, for want of workmen
of all that capital and all those labourers ? The
to remove . them, they remained till they were
greater part of the capital has perished ; some few
spoiled, as the tent became rotten. In such a
of the labourers have died of hunger ; some, falling
state of things it was impossible to preserve
into extreme want, have been glad to escape to
capital. While Mr. Peel was without servants
Van Diernen's Land, where there are slaves ; and
bis capital perished ; but ás 'soon as his capital
the remainder are independent land-owners, iso-
liad perished for want of servants, those who had
lated, not well Supplied with even the necessaries
of life, and as wild as Englishmen could become
* My authority for this statement is a gentleman, lately in
in so short a time. This colony may prosper in
E ngland, who went to the Swan River as Mr. Peel's agent.
VOL. II.
34
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
35
been his servants insisted on his giving them em-
better land. Others, men of unusual courage
ployment. Having tried a Efe of complete in-
and energy, remain on the 'banks of the Swan
dependence and felt the pains of hunger, they
River, knowing well that the partial ruin of this
now wanted to become labourerseágain. At one
colony is not owing to want of good land. These,
time Mr. Peel was to be seew imploring his
one of whose chief inducements to settling in this
servants to remain with him, at another eseaping
colony was an undertaking from the English go-
from their fury at his not being able to give them
vernment that no convicts should be sent thither,
work. The same thing happened in many cases.
are now begging for a supply of convict labour:
In each case, it was owing to the facility with
They want claves. They want labour which
which people, labourers when they reached the
shall be constant and Hable to combination in
colony, became independent landowners. Sorne
particular works. Having this, they would raise
of these independent landowners died of hunger ;*
a net produce and have division of employinents.
and at a time too when, as it happened, a large
Not having convict labour, they will long for
supply of food had just reached the colony from
African slaves ; and would obtain them, too, if
Van Diemen's Land. Why viere they starved ?
public opinion in England did not forbid it.
because where they liad settled was not known
Without cither convicts or slaves, they may have
to the governor, or even to themselves ; for,
herds of wild cattle, 'which supply food almost
though they could say " we are: here," they
without labour ; but they cannot have much
could nottell where any one else was such was
more. Considering the superabundance of capital
the dispersion of these colonists in consequence
and labourers in England, the disposition of
of superabundance of good land. Many of them,
capitalists and labourers to emigrate in search of
both capitalists and labourers, capitalists without
new fields of employment, the great natural ad-
capital and labourers without work, have removed
vantages of this colony, and the faise accounts of
to Van Diemen's Land ; the cost of passage for
its prosperity now and then received in England,
the latter being defrayed by settlers in that slave-
we should wonder that ernigration to the Swan
holding prosperous island. Some have wandered
River had almost ceased, if that very fact did not
from the original place of settlement towardl
show that by settling in this colony no well in,
King George's Sound, in search, say they, of
formed man can expect to better his condition.
But the failure of this last experiment in coloni-
* My authority is Mr. Pecl's agent, Mr. Ehnsley.
zation will have one good effect, if it help to teach
36
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
37
the English and Americans, that the original and
year as before, by way of bribing the planters to
permanent cause of slavery in America is super-
make the apprentices work like slaves. This,
abundante of good land.
they cala reformed legislation. It will probably
The prospeets of slavery in the -West Indies
be defeated by the apprentices ; but, at all events,
and the United States may now be briefly con-
in however bungling or, may be, bloody a way,
sidered ; and, the cause of slavery being ascer-
slavery will soon tease throughout the British
tained, with some chance of a useful result.
West Indies.
The slaves of the West Indies have just been
If means be not soon found to abolish slavery
turned finto apprentices. As if on purpose that
in the United States, gradually and peaccfully, ít
they should still be made to work like slaves, the
seems more than probable, that, what with the
planters' monopoly of the British rnarket is pre-
rapid increase of American slaves, already more
served. Or, perhaps, since the negroes would not
than two millions, and the emancipation of eight
be worth a farthing apiece without the monopoly,
hundred thousand English slaves in the neigh-
it is preserved as an excuse for giving cornpensa-
bourhood of the United States, the slaves of the
tion to the planters. The monopoly being worth
continent will, at no distant day, right themselves
2,000,000/.a year, the English buy it for 20,000,000/.
in the midst of Jefferson's thunder. " The Ameri-
let the sellers keep it, and will pay 2,000,0001. a
cans" says Mr. Stuart, "conceive that the increas-
ing nutnbers of their slaves require more coercive
Miss 11artineau, the most entertaining of writers on poli-
laws and greater severity of treatment ; and are
tical economy, in order to show how a society obtains wealth,
proceeding on this principie, every year increasing
has described the supposed case of some English people
settling in a waste country, living together, combining theír
the hardships of their almost intolerable situation,
labour and dividing their employments. It is in thís way, and
and adding new fetters to those which are already
only in this way, no doubt, that wealth is ever obtained ; but
too heavy for thetn to wear." But what will the
any thing like the supposed case hardly ever, perhaps •never,
Americans conceive when the fetters worn by
existed. If Miss Martineau had plantel her settlers in an is-
eight hundred thousand English slaves shall have
land of such an extent in proportion to their nmnbers that they
been broken either by act of parliament or by
should necessarily have lived together, her story would have
been perfect ; but she places them in a vast wilderness of good
those siaves themselves ? Greater harshness in
land, in a situationl,vhieh, if we are to judge by ali experience,
proportion to the greater danger will doubtless
is inconsistent with the conabinatiou of labour and the division
be their policy. That policy, which Mr. Stuart
of employments.
says, " no one unconnected with Atnerica can.
38
ORIGIN, PROCRESS ANI) PROSPECTE
OP SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
39
wish may prove well-founded," is founded on
serving ? Of this there is not, at present, the
experience. Experience has taught all slave-
slightest prospect ; because the white population
owners, that education and slavery, kindness and
wanting slaves increases as fast almost in num-
slavery, cannot go on together. As the slaves of
ber,as the slaves themselves, and faster in capital,
the United States shall become more munerous,
for using which slaves are wanted ; because super-
and as the danger of their learning that they are
abundance of good land will continue to,make
men shall become greater, either they must be
slaves valuable, by enabling every freeman who
set free, or greater pains rnust be taken to main-
so picases to become an independentlandowner.
tain their ignorante, torpidity and submissive-
But, considering that the Americans pay
ness ; to bold them, mentally, in the state of
3,600,0001. a year for the increase of slave labour,
brutes. But this policy may defeat its object,
that the English pay about the same sum for
leading, sooner perhaps than might otherwise
the maintenance of idle paupers, might not these
have happened, toa great servile war. That the
two sucos, making together 7,200,0001., be so em-
slaves, once roused, would easily prove a match
ployed in conveying to America the surplus labour
for their immediate masters rnay not be doubt-
of England, that, before very long, free labOnr-
ful ; but if the force of the wholc Union were
should be:substituted for s'ave labour in America?
brought against them, ten millions of whites to
Supposing the cost of passage from England to
two millions of blacks, they would, ahnost cer-
America to be 101.,* the yearly expenditure of
tainly, be conquered, and for a time subdued as
7,200,000/. in this way would take from England
before. In either case, there would be plenty of
to America 720,000 labourers every year; about
thunder ; in either case, the prospect is as black
twelve times as many as the yearly increase of
as possible.
American slaves. In three years, the number of
Will the Americans voluntarily set free their
labourers so taken to America would be 160,000
slaves, not having any substitute for the combiried
more than the whole number of American slaves.
and constant labour of slaves ? The answer is, that
In three years, then, it might be supposed, this
they will not, of their own accord, destroy pro-
great amount of immigration would extinguish
perty which they value at 120,000,000/. and which
slavery in America by the substitution of free
is really worth that sum at market.
Is there any prospect of such a fall in the value
The actual cost of a pauper's passage, with more and
of slaves as might render slavery not worth pre-
better food on the voyage than he obtains in England, is
about 7/.
40
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTE
OP SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
41
labour. But who would suppose this, that has
First, because, however •apidly population may
observed the effects of superabundace of good
increase, the quantity of land appropriated by
land.* The 2,100,000 labourers taken to America
individuals will increase at the same cate; be-
might all of them, and would most of them, cease
cause, in short, the colonization of new wilderness
to be labourers for hire soon after landing in the
will go on as fast as population shall increase, so
new country; they would become independent
that every freeman will still be able to obtain for
landowners ; competitors with American capital-
a trine, more good land than be can possibly
ists in the market of labour, and buyers of slaves.
cultivate. Secondly, because the land east of
So vast an amount of immigration, therefore,
the Alleghany mountains has been exhausted to a
instead of dirninishing, would probably augment,
considerable extent, not merely for the growth of
the value of American slaves, and render the abo-
sugar, as in the West Indies, but fairly worn out
lition of slavery in America still more difficult.
by unskilful cultivation ;•* and thus, from this
Still, as in America the whites are ten millions
and the blacks but two millions ; and as the
A writer in the Edinburgh Review, (Professor 111‘Culloch,
I suspect) attributes the exhaustion and abandonment of land,
whites increase at nearly as great a rate as the
in the eastern states, toa want of animal manure in canse-
blacks ; as the twelve millions will, there can
quence of the work of cattle being performed by men. Would
hardly be any doubt, become twenty-four mil-
not farms in England soon be exhausted if English farmers had
lions in the course of twenty-five years or less, is
no manure but what is furnished by their working cattle ? There
there no prospect that land will risa in value, so
are many districts of Europe, such as the mountainous coasts
that every freeman shall no longer be able to
of Spain and Italy, not to mention great part of China, where
agricultura! work is almost entirely performed by men, and
obtain for a trifie more good land than he can
where, notwithstanding, land is kept in the highest state of
possibly cultivate ; so that the value of slaves
fertility by means of animal manure. The exhaustion of land
shall fall ; so that the proprietors of slaves, being
in America is one of the evils, over and abo y e slavery, result-
most of thern proprietors of land, shall be ready
ing from superabundance of good land. The single, indepen-
to liberate their slaves, gaining on the one hand
dent, landowner and cultivator, might not be able to live, still
as much as they rnight lose on the other, or more ?
less to raise any surplus produce, if he were fixed on the same
piece of land. He whose labour is already divided amongst
Of this there is no prospect ; for there reasons.
so many occupations, would act a foolish part in adding, to
them the occupation of fetching manare, from a great distante
See extract from Captain Basil Hall's lettcr to Mr. Wilmot
perhaps, and the occupation of laying manure on his land, when
Horton, in a note to Note I.
for a t rifle he can obtain of land very rich by natura more than he
42
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
43
exhausted district to new land in the western
has taken place to a great amount and is still
districts, emigration, both of whites and slaves,
going on rapidly ; so that in those exhausted dis-
tricts, a fall rather than a rise in the value of
can possibly cultivate. His labour being an isolated fraction,and
land may be expected. Thirdly, because where
being divided again amo ngst many employments, he must depend
the moral evils of slavery exist, there whites set-
on nature for more than half the work. Keep him isolated, so
tle for one purpose only, that of gaining by the
that none shall hclp him nor he hele any, so that he shall be
obliged to do for himself all the many things required by him ;
combined labour of slaves. But the greater part
do this, and prevent him from moving from one piece of land
of the whites of America are content to share
to another as the natural fertility of eacla piece ís exhausted,
from a distance the economical advantages of
and the result must be poverty, like that of the small French
slavery, without incurring its moral evils by going
cultivator or Irish cottier. " we fiad all the farmers," says
to live amongst slaves. The new settler on the
Stuart, " perfectly aware of the importante of fallow and
green crops, but gencrally of opinion that they
Ohio can sell his honey, which may be raised.
dare not attempt
that system, on account of the high price of labour in this
without combined labour in that particular work,
country in relation to the value of land ; ne sumptus fructum
for tobacco, which may not, without hearing the
superet, according to the sound advice of Varro. The price"
smack of a slave-driver's whip, or the responding
[scarcity at any price] " of labour too, is the great obstacle to
cry of slaves. If the white population of America
all sorts of ornamental improvements, suela as the formation
of gardens and keeping them up." rol. 1, pace
were to be doubled every five years, instead of
254.
" Let the settler be well advised, and not acquire land which
five and twenty years, the population of the slave
has been already impoverished by cropping, and which has
states, where slave-owners own land, would not
become foul and lost the vegetable mould." Stuart, 1,
become sufficiently dense to raise the value of
page 254.
land and lower the value of slaves.
" When you talk to them, (the farmers) of the necessity of
Superabundance of good land If we have as-
manuring with a view to preserve the fertility of the soil, they
almost uniformly tell you that the expense," [meaning scarcity
certained the cause of slavery in America, a little
at whatever expense] " of labour renders it far more expe-
declatnation on the subject may be allowed. The
dient for them, as soon as their repeated cropping very much
diminishes the quantity of the grain, to lay down their land in
make very light work of it here, and consider it to be mercly
grass, or make a purchase of new land in the neighbourhood,
question of finance, whether they shall remain on their improved
or even to sell their cleared land and proceed in quest of a new
land, after having considerably exhausted its fertilizing power, or
settlentent, than to adopt a system of rotation of crops assisted by
acquire and remove to land of virgin soil." Stuart, vol. 1, page 258.
rnanure. There is great inconvenience,according to the notions
If he obtains land near his first farm after he has worn it out."
of the British, in rernoving from one farm to another ; but they
Stuart, vol. 2, page 359.
44
OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
45
ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS
white Arnericans, speaking generally, would re-
the United States, which have adopted a system
joice to get rid ofslavery. They are men with the
nearly uniform in the disposal of new land, the
feelings of men ; they can feel compassion and
proportionbetween numbers and acres dependa on
fear ; they do pity their miserable slaves, and they
the, price per acre which congress thinks fit to
hear the not far distant thunder, which thrcatens
require for all new land. The actual price is
to stcep hall* the Union in bloocl, and to ruin the
about five shillings per acre ; and the sale of
other half. A successful rebellion of the slaves
new land at this price yields near 700,0001. a
would more or less affect every white man in
year. That amount of revenue is employed for
America, by causing a total revolution in all the
the general purposes of government. : If it were
markets for the produce of every kind of industry;
crnployed in conducting pauper emigration from
and this the Americans in general know full well.
Europe, it would convey every year to the United
Knowing this, they must also know what is the
States 80,000 persons of the labouring class ;
cause of slavery. Have they ever enquired whe-
more than the yearly increase of laves. If the
thcr it is possible to remove that most evil cause -?
price for new land were raised, so as to prevent
They cannot alter the proportion betwcen people
those labourers from becoming independent land-
and land in America ; but the proportion betwcen
owners until others had followed to take their
people and land
place ; if the fund obtained by the sale of new
with a good tale to it, is within
their controul. It is not often
land should thus become greater every year, and
in America that
any one uses land without a tale ; and this might
should always be employed in fetchinglabour from
easily be prevented altogether. The title to new
Europe ; if by this increase in the price of new
'and is given by the government. The govern-
land and this immigration of labour, the people
ment, therefore, or the people acting under the
were less dispersed than they are, should help
government, are abie to regulate the proportion
eaeh other more, should produce more with the
between numbers, and acres ofappropriated land.
same labour, should have a higher rate of profit
In the colonies of old, that proportion depended on
and a higher rate of wages ; if, finally, a greater
a thousand caprices, on the whims of an English
proportion of people to land in the states already
king, of his colonial rninister, of the minister's
settled should raise the value of land by means of
clerks or parasites, on the colonial governors, t heir
allkinds of competition, over and abo y e compe-
clerks and parasites ; all of whom bestowed grants
tition for superior natural fertility, then might
of land pretty much as it pleased them ; but
free labour take the place of siave labour, then
in
47
46
ORIGIN, PROGRES S AND PROSPECTE, &C.
might the owners of slaves and of land set free
their slaves without loss, then might slavery be
abolished without injury to any one, with the
NOTE XI.
greatest benefit to all. By means of some plan of
this kind, and by no other means, does it seem
APOLOGY FOR• THE AMERICAN TARIFE.
possible that slavery in America should be peace-
fully and happily abolished. Those Americans
Opinions of Englishmen respecting the tarj-
who would not prefer Jefferson's thunder, may, I
moral advantages of the tari —economical ad-
trust, think it worth their while to examine this
vantages of the tariff—difference of feeling
subject further in a subsequent note on the Art
between the Southern and Northern States re-
of Colonization.
specting the tarilf— the tarifir good, upon the
whole, for the people of America, and therefore a
work beconiing democratic government — witen
the tariff may be repealed with great advantage
to America.
THE following passage from an article in the
Times newspaper on the late dispute between
South Carolina and the United States, describes
fully the opinions which are prevalent in England
on the subject of the American tariff. "All poli-
tical writers in this country have visited with cen-
sure the present policy of the American general
government in attempting by high protecting du-
tics to force the establishment, or to encourage
the extension, of manufactures in theUnited States.
With the high price for labour that exists in the
United States, with their scanty supply of monied
capital, with their unlimited range of uncultivated
or half improved soil, it was almost a crime
48
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
APOLOGY FOR THE AIVIERIGAN TARIFF.
.49
against society to divert liman industry from the
rnuch. But they are not let alone. The Conser-
fields and the forests to iron forges and cotton fac-
vatives place them in this dilemma—If, say those
tories, Nature had pointed out the course which
friends of the old commercial system, as of every
they ought to pursue for perhaps half a century to
thing. old ; íf dernocratic government be good for
come, till the ploug-h and the spade had followed
a people, conducive to the benefit of all and so
the axe of the wood-cutter into their primeval
forth, tiren protection of domestic industry is for
wildernessés of shade,' and till happy plantations
the public good, lince the American tariff ovas
had been formed on the deserted domains of the
established by a democracy ; not preservad, rnind,
Indian huntsman, from the Atlantic to the Ohio,
but begun and brought to perfection, deliberately,
and from the Mississippi to the Pacific. She
carefully, and in spite of arguments to the con-
had directed thern to cling to the bosom of mother
frary if on the, other hand, the exclusion of fo-
earth as to the most fcrtile source ofweaith and the
reign goods be hurtful to a people, what becomes
most abundant reward of labour. She had told
of your government by all for the benefit of all ?
them to remain planters, farmers, and wood-
In this case, you cannot defend both, free trade
cutters—to extend society and cultivation to new
and, democracy ; which do you give up ?
rcgions—to practise and improve the arts of the
The question is galling to an English liberal,
builder, the carpenter, and the naval architect, to
puzzles and therefore irritates him. Hang the
facilitate every means of internal communication
Americans with their tariff, one hears such a one
—to promote every branch of internal trade—to
cornplain, their stupidityis unaccountable. Ano-
encourage every variety of landed produce—but
ther, admitting the stupidity, lays the blame on
not to waste the energies of their labour, or to
those governments of Europe which have set the
interrupt the course of their prosperity, by forcing
Americans a bad example; as ifprecedent were an
at borne the manufacture of articles, which
excuse for indulging mean and malignant pas-
foreigners could supply •at half the price for
sions. These terms are applica,ble to the grasp-
which they could be made in America."
ing, selftsh and jealous, spirit which dictated the
Englishme.n whO lean to democratie opinions
commercial system of Europe' ; but they are quite
are, most of them, if well-inforrned, advocates of
inapplicable to those who established the Ame-
free trade. To those, the American tariff is a
rican tariff ; as I will now endeavour to prove, by
very Sore subject. If let alone, they would say
shewing that a prohibitory system is, upon the
nothing about it ; and as it is, they do not say
VOL. II.
E
11'
APOLOGV FOR T1-12 AMERICAN TARIFF.
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
51
whole, useful to the people of America, and there-
English rnight obtain better and cheaper corn
fore a work becoming democratic government.
with steam engines than with ploughs. If so, the
One motive, with some supporters of the Eng-
.America.us lose by the tariff, speaking economi-
lish corn laws, is a fear lest the free importation
cally ; but now turn to the political siete of the
of cheap corn should cause a great increase of
account.
population ; artizans, living together,
1s it desirable that a very large proportion of
talkers, readers of newspapers, intelligent, given
the people should consist pf husbanclrnen, such as
to politics, unmanageable, radical ; " fierre de-
the English terrn clodhoppers ; earth-scratchers,*
mocrats." If, say they, you sacrifice the agricul-
they °light to be called in America ? Yes, without
tura' to the rnanufacturing and commercial
doubt, provided this be the only way in which
interests, the glory of England will pass away ;
every member of the society may obtain plenty ;
meaning, if you repeal the corn laws the number
but in America profits and wages, both, are so high,
of our stupid country paupers will perhaps be
that if an econornical sacrifice for a political gain
less, whi le the number of knowing people, living
be ¡nade, it is not felt. Not being felt, it is not a
in towns, independent of us, will surely be greater.
sacrifice ; whole the gain is palpable. Supposing
No doubt ; but the free importation of cheap ma-
that American industry is less procluctive than it
nufactured goods would have a contrary, a pre-
might be, still it produces enough ; and in order
cisely opposite, effect in America ; that is, would
to make it produce more than enough a great
cause a decrease of town population and an
political advantage rnust be sacrificed ; the advan-
increase oí' rural population. If English manu-
tage of so rnuch town population as would have
factured goods were let into the United States
consisted of mere husbandrnen if the tariff had
duty free, that portion of the capital and labour
not excluded foreign manufactured goods.-¡r in
of America, which is now ernployed in making
" fin English farmer," says Washington, writing to
goods of that kind, would be diverted to agricul-
Arthur Young, " ought to have a horrid idea of the state of
ture. Upan this point there can be no dispute.
our agriculture, or of the nature of our soil, when he is informed
Let us further admit, that the Americans might
that one acre with us only produces eight or ten bushels. But
obtain better and cheaper manufactured goods
it must be kept in mine), that where land is cheap and labour
by raising corn for the English market than by
dear," [scarce] " inca are fonder of cultivating much than
cultivating well. Much ground has been scratched, and none
making such goods themselves ; just as the
cultivated as it ought to be."
T " This gentleman told me that that the first child born at
52
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFE.
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
.53
America, whatever tends to keep people together
the very fertile soil of America, corn of all kinds
is of inestimable advantage. Carnp meetings are
would be raised so as to be sold for a lower price
very useful as they bring people together, though
tiran the lowest price for which corn was ever
but now and tiren. The tariff, by inducing so
sold, and in this way the Americans would obtain
many people to become manufacturers, has pre-
vented so manypeople from becoming backwoods-
from the English (the English tariff being re-
pealed) the cheapest manufactured goods. Under
men ; has created and maintains so many towns,
that supposition the econornical loss resulting
with the roads between them ; has bestowed opon
from the tariff might be reckoned very great. But-
all the people . in and near those towns the great
capital and labour would not be so applied to
advantage of social intercourse ; has checked
the soil of America. Judging, at least, from all
emigration from old settlements to the western
experience, the capital and labour which viere
wilderness, fixing so much population as would
diverted from manufactures to agrie ultu re would,
otherwise have rolled on towards the Pacific.
because it was agriculture, because layad toas in the
The tariff, therefore, counteracts in some degree
case, be divided into small separate parts and
the barbarising tendency of dispersion ; and for
employed in the least skilful manner, trusting
that most useful quality is well worth solee
for little to
to nature for much,* and
econornical sacrifice, if there be any.
I say, if there be any ; for the econornical
sacrifice is not so plain. Supposing that if there
* " AH the unburnt new lands in the northern, rniddle,
southern and western states have been, and still are, uniformly
were no tariff the manufacturers of America
valued beyond their real worth. When the traca on the green
would employ their capital and labour in agri-
cnountains of Massachussetts was first setticd, the sanee luxu-
culture, skilfully like the English, with sullicient
riant fertility was attributed to it, which has since characterized
combination to obtain the greatest produce with
Kentucky. About the same time it svas ascribed to the vallev of
the least nurnber of hands ; in that case, capital
Ilousatonnuc in the county of Berkshire. From diese tracts it
and labour being applied svith the utmost skill to
was transferred to the lands in New Hampshire and Vermont,
on the western sitie of the Green Mountains. From these regions.
Rochestcr (New York State) after the settlement of the place,
the paradise has travelled to the western part of the state of New
etghteen years ago, was his son. The place only contable(' 1,000
York, to New Connecticut, to Upper Callada, to the countries
inhabitants, and now (1S2S) about 13,000. There are cotton
on the Ohio, tu the south western territory, and is now making
works, power-looms, woollen factories, ELEVEN FLOUR MILLS,
its progress over the Mississippi into the newly purchased
AND SIX OR SEVEN CUURCHES." Stuart, vol. 1, page Sl.
regions of Louisiana. The accounts given of all diese countries
successively was extensively trae; but the conclusions which
54
APOLOGY FOR THE ,ANI ERICA N TA
55
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
obtaining, even with that tnost generous nature;
near to their own farros, would by a repeal of the
but a small produce in proportion to the number
tariff: lose those markets, and must convey their
of hands employed ; just as, in America, capital
net produce to more distara markets, ifsuch there
and labour (slaves excepted) are now employed in
were, and if the cost of such longer conveyance
agriculture. In this case, many who do now
did not deter thern from raising food for market.
obtain plcnty of manufactured goods, though
Either, then, their industry would be less produc-
dear, -might not be able to obtain any at what-
tive, the cost of its produce at market being
ever price.
greater ; or they would be less industrious, like
The tariff, besides, is an aet of combination ;
hundreds of thousands of settlers far from á
an agreement amongst the people for distribution
market for net produce, who loiter away one half
of employments. '!'hose farmers for whom the
of their time and waste a good deal of the other
tariff, by creating towns, has created markets*
half by dividing their labour amongst severa! em-
ployments. Divis ion of employments, says Adam
Smith, meaning the reverse of division of labour,
were deducted from ilion were in great ineasure erroneous. So long
as ibis mould reinaba, the produce will regularly be great, and that
is limited by the extent of the market ; he might
with very impufect cullivalion ; but this mould, alter a length of
have added, and so is industry itself.* Each
time, will be dissipated ; where lands are C011tinually ploughecl it is
manufacturer, then, and each of those farmers
soon lost ; on those which are covered with grass from the
who now live near toa town, becoming isolated
beginning, it is preserved through a considerable period. At
length, however, every appearance of its effieacy, and even of
" The power of exchanging is the vivifying principie of in-
its existente, vanishes." Dr. Dwight— quotcd by Stuart, vol. 1,
dustry. It stimulates agriculturists to adopt the test systenz of
page 264.
cultivation, and to raise the Iargcst crops ; because it enables
"He" (a farmer near Springfield in Illinois) " has advan-
them to exchange whatever portion of the produce of thcir
tagcs, too, in point of situation, being nearer to the Galena leal
lands exceeds their own consumption, for other commodities
mines, to which be last year sold 8,000 wooden posts at three
conducive to their comforts or enjoyments ; and it equally
dollars per hundred. He liad been in Scotland but there was
stimulates manufacturers to improve the quantity and variety
no land in that country to be compared (he said) to that of his
of their goods, that they may thereby be enabled to obtain a
farm. Finding him so much disposed to praise, I asked him
greater quantity of raw produce. A spirit of industry is dais
how he mas off for servants. His answer was marked you
universally diffuse(' ; and that apathy and languor, which are
llave hit the nail on the head—it is difficult to get servants
charaeteristic of a sude state of society, entirely disappear."
fiero, and more diflicult to get good, Stuart, vol. '2,
Professor ilP Cullach's Edition of Smith's Wealth of Nations. Note
page 359.
19, vol. 4. page 474,
56
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
57
cultivators, without a motive for raising more
quantity of good land may be obtained by any
than should supply their own wants, would soon
body for the low price of five shillings per acre.
be contented with a rocíe house, coarse food and
Evils resulting from the very low price of waste
rough clothes as necessaries, with tobacco, rum,
land tneet one at every turn in America.
a rifle and ammunition as luxuries. This does
With slaves, however, this particular combina-
nearly always happen to those, who impelled by a
tion of capital and labour is possible in America.
spirit of adventure settle far away from any
The whites of the southern states are able to raise
market. In this way, the American dernand for
cheap commodities ; much, that is, in proportion
manufactured goods would be less, the wants of
to the hands employed ; commodities which being
so tnany people wonld decrease, and the sum
cheap would be exchangeable in the English
total of things useful or agreable to man enjoyed
maxket. To the whites of the Southern States,
in America would be less ; a loss econornically
therefore, the tariff is injurious, limiting their
speaking, or I have yet to learn the alphabet of
foreign market for the sale of corn, rice, tobacco,
political economy. The loss, morally or politically
cotton and lugar. This accounts for their dis-
speaking, need not be mentioned again.
like of the tariff. But the northern states, want-
But, an English cconomist may ash, why should
ing- slaves, want, besides those southern markets
not the Americans combine with the English
which slavery and the tariff combined provide for
a clivision of employments between the two nations
the various products of their industry, other
which would be equally useful to both parties ?
markets, nearer to their own particular works ; a
Because, I answer, general combination of power,
dernand for the produce of much divided capital
which leads to general clivision of employrnents,
and labour, for dear commodities which would
is useless, or rather irnpossible, without combina-
not bear the cost of conveyance to very distant
tion of capital and labour, and division of em-
markets;* and this want of domestic markets is
ployments, in particular works. Exchange toany
" Potatoes, turnips, ruta-baga, peas, lucern, &c. are all to
great extent cannot take place unless two parties
be seen here (New York State) in sitian quantities, but not so
raise a surplus produce, unless the produce of
wcll managecl as in well-eultivated districts of Britain. The
both parties be great in proportion to the hands
hi•h price" [scarcity] " of labour is the great obstacle to the
employed ; and in America particular combina-
management which those erops require. It is not because the
tion of power, with particular division of em-
farmer does not understand 'lis business that such crops are ap-
parently not sufliciently attended to, but because he, in all cases,
ployments, will not take place so long as any
calculates whether it will not be more prolitable for him to
58
APOLOGY POR THE AMERICAN TARIFE.
APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN TARIFF.
59
to some extent supplied by the tariff. The affee-
the south is useful to the north, providing exten-
tion of the northern states for the tariff is thus
sive, though distant, rnarkets for the products of
fully explained. As in the southern states slavery,
northern industry ; for the manufactures, ships,
so in the northern states the tariff, is an expe-
steam-boats, cattle and very many things besides,
dient, a shift, for correcting the mischievous influ-
which are produced in the states that forbid
ence of dispersion.
slavery, which would not be produced if there
Well then, it may be saicl, if the two divisions
were no demancl for them, and for which there
of the union have such different interests, in con-
would. be less demand if the southern states, hav-
sequence of the difference between their respec-
ing free trade, should buy what they required in
tive shifts for correcting the mischievous influ-
the cheapest market they could any where find.*
ence of dispersion, why should they not have
Secondly, because the special expedient of the
separate governments, a northern and a southern
south could not be maintainecl without assistance
union ; one with, the other without, a tariff? For
from the north ; the force of the whole union
several reasons. First, because the expedient of
being required to preserve slavery, to keep clown
the slaves. If the southern states, urged by hatred
remove his establishment to a new and hitherto unimpo-
of the tariff, should declare thernselves indepen-•
verished soil, than to commence, and carry on an extensive sys-
tem of cultivation by manuring and fallow or green crops.
dent, they would presently lose that power of
Such a system may be adopted in the neighbourhood of great
raising exchangeable commodities which is the
towns, where many green crops are easily disponed of, and where
ground-work of their dislike to the tariff. Losing
manure can be had in large quantities and at a cheap rate ;
their slaves, they too, like the northern states,
but it is in vain to look for its adoption generally, or to expect
would want a tariff to counteract dispersion, to
to see agricultura! operations in their test style until the land
preserve some combination of capital and labour,
even in the most distant states and territories be occupied, so
that the farmer may no longer find it more for his interest to
and some division of employinents ; or, at the
begin his operations anees, on land previously uncultivated,
than to manage his farni according to the vielhod which will ren-
." 111r. Stuart, speaking of a district in the state of Illinois,
der it most productive." "x"» k " From what I have been
says, " There is never any want of a market. Every thing is
told, I suspect it will be found that, after the effect of the vege-
hought by the merchants for New Orleans or for Galena, where
table matter on the surface of the !and cleared is at an end, the
a vast number of workmen are congregated, who are employed
average crops of all corte of grain are, according to the pre-
in the leal mines on the north-western parts of this state."
vailing system of management in this state, a hay or nearly a
New Orleans is a great market, because of slavery ; Galena,
hay, less than on similar soils in Britain:. ' Stuart, vol. 1, page 162.
because of the tariff.
61
60
APOLOGY POR THE AMERICAN TARIFE.
least, to create domestic rnarkets ; a dernand for
the produce of scattered capital and labour. Give
NOTE XII.
and talle, live and let live, is a maxim every
where understood. In order to preserve their
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
own special expedient, slavery, the southern states
must put up with the special expedient of the
Introduction—nature and limits of the subject-
northern states, which is the tariff. Upon the
the ends of colonization as respects the mother-
whole, therefore, the tariff appears useful to the
country—the extension of markets—relief from
people of America ; and as the people of America
excessive numbers—enlargement of the field for
govern thernselves for their own good, it will not,
employing capital—ends of colonization as res-
probably, be repealed, though it may be altered
pects the colon y—the means of colonization—the
in various ways, until the price of land shall rise
disposal of waste land—the removal of people-
considerably through the increase of people a
co-operation of the mother-country—the founda-
century Menee, or earlier by the will of the peo-
tion of colonies—the government of colonies.
ple, who can put what price they please opon
grants in the desert. If the price of new land
INTRODUCTION.
were such, that free labour should always be
CONSIDERING that the world has been peopled by
obtainable for combination in farming, then, with
the removal of people from old societies to settle
a greater produce from capital and labour, with
in new places, and that the large portion of the
higher profits and higher wages, the Americans
earth, which is still desert, will probably become
would raise cheaper corn than has ever been
inhabited by the same means, but certainly by
raised ; and, no longer wanting a tariff, might
no other means ; sceing, therefore, that the ad of
drive with the manufacturers of England the
colonization is one of vast importance to man-
greatest trade ever known in the world.
kind, it does appear strange that this subject
should not have been thoroughly examined by
any writer on political economy. Under the head
of Colones, we have, indeed, many treatises ; but
not one, as far as I know, in which the ends and
means of colonization have been fully described,
62
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
63
or even noticed with so much as a show of method
deserves profound regard ;" and then proceeds to
and accuracy. Of those treatises, some are con-
recommend, as " the best means of checking the
fined to a mere history of the Greek colonies ;
progress of population," that " the superstitions
while in others, which profess to embrace the
of the nursery should be discarded," in order to
whole subject of colonial policy, not only is the
the adoption of a physical check to the procrea-
subject examined superficially and carelessly, but
tion of children. Returning to colonization with
whenever the writer appears to be in earnest, he
a view to relief from excessive numbers, he dis-
either dwells on points which are foreign to the
poses of the whole subject in a few Enes ; saying,
matter in hand, or rnixes the plainest misstate-
that on two condit.ions, but not otherwise, " a
ments of fact with the grossest errors of reason-
body of people may be advantageously removed
ing. Two examples will suffice to prove this
from one country for the purpose of colonizing
assertion.
another ;" when, first, " the land which they are
Professor M'Culloch, in a note appended to
about to occupy should be capable of yielding a
Adam Smith's chapter on the " Foundation of
greater return to their labour, than the land which
Colonies," after giving a list of works on colonial
they leave ;" and, secondly, " when the expense
policy, says, " The article Colon j, in the Supple-
of removal from the mother country to the colony,
ment to the Encyclopcedia Britannica, written by
which is usually created by distante, should not
Mr. Mill, is one of the ablest of the recent dis-
be too great." This is all. The " Conclusion" of
quisitions on the subject." A most able disquisi-
Mr. Mill's essay, accounts for his having been
tion it is truly, on several subjects, but not on
content with uttering a pair of mere truisins on
colonization. It contains the shortest and clear-
a subject, which, he says, deserves profound
est explanation ever given of the syrnptoms of
regard. Here he asserts the " tendency of colo-
poverty in old countries ; some verygood reasons
nial possessions to produce or prolong bad govern-
why transportation is a very bad mode of punish-
ment," and emphatically condemns colonization
ing crirninals, and some very conclusive argu-
as a fruitful source of jobs, monopolies and wars.
ments against comrnercial restrictions and boun-
Be it so ; but is this the only matter of bad govern-
ties ; but of colonization, its objects and means,
rnent ? would there have been no wars, monopo-
Mr. Mill says next to nothing. He says, indeed,
lies or jobs without colonies ? is every thing bad,
that " colonization, with a view to the relief of
including the wealth of nations, which has formed
the mother country by a diminution of numbers,
the matter of jobs, monopolies and wars ? are we
64
THE ART OF COLONTZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
65
to regret the existente of the United States because
punishment, monopolies and patronage, with a
they were not founded without some great evils ?
few careless remarks on colonization.
has not colonization been a source of much good,
Adam Smith has writtcn at great length on
as well as of some harrn, to mankind ? may not
Colonies, but not with much more cace than Mr.
the evils be avoided in future, more good than
Mill ; as the reader will perceive who shall take
ever being obtained ? is there not in the found-
the trouble to examine the following statement of
ing of new states, as in the government of old
the Causes y the Prosperity of New Colonies."*
ones, a way of proceeding better than all the
"The colony of a civilized nation which takes
others ? If Mr. Mill had asked himself these
possession either of a waste country, or of one so
questions before he wrote on colonies, his essay
thinly inhabited that the natives easily give place
would probahly have deserved Mr. M'Culloch's
to the new settlers, advances more rapidly to
admiration. In that case, he would have told us
wealth and greatness than any other human
something, at least,about the United States, which
society."
still receive from other countries, and pour forth
This assertion does not rest on facts. Some
to reclaim the wilderness, great streams of popu-
few new colonies have advanced very rapidly
lation ; about the influence of this gradual increase
population; but sca.rce any have advanced rapidly
of land, in proportion to the increase of people, in
to wealth and greatness ; while, as nave had oc-
rendering a people fit to enjoy •self-government or
casion to observe before, the greater number of
democratic institutions ; about the increased en-
colonies have perished, or, at least, have remained
joyments of Europe arising frorn the discovery of
for a long while lcss prosperous and civilized
new productions in her colonies ; about tlie sti-
than their mother countries. Amongst bodies of
mulus given to European industry and skill, by
people who take possession of a waste country,
the formation of new markets ; about the rea-
the general rule seems to be, very slow progress
sons since the time of the ancient Greeks,
towards wealth and greatness, with an exception
at least, colonization has not been made useful
now and tiren. The exeeptions are not very strik-
for relieving an old country from excessive num-
ing. The only exceptions that strike one at all
bers ; and, perhaps, about the best means of
are the United States, Upper Canada (for Lower
reclaiming desert countries with that all impor-
Canada was never a prosperous colony), and the
tant object. As it is, his essay may be called a
See Professor INI`Culloch's Edition of the PVealth of Na-
treatise, and a very able one, on population,
tions, vol. 2, P. 460.
VOL. II.
E
66
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
67
penal settlements of the English in Australia. An
either with bilis cirawn on the English treasnry,
increase of population, taken by itself, proves
or with specie sent from the English mint. With
nothing ; since in Ireland, one of the most miser-
these bilis and this rnoney, the settlers obtain
able countries of Europe, people have increased
various articles of comfort and luxury ; manu-
of late years almost as fast as in the United States.
factured goods from England, vine from Spain
The progress of the United States in wealth, since
and France, sugar from the Isle of France, to-
they becam. e independent, has not been nearly so
bacco from Brazil, spices from the Inclian Archi-
great as that of England during the same period.
pelago, and tea from China. The government first
No one pretends that the settlers of Upper Canada
supplies the settlers with labour, and then buys,
are a. wcalthy people; and their prosperity, such as
with exchangeable cominodities, the surplus pro-
it is, seems to be owing mainly to an amount of
duce of that labour. In this way, a great trade
itnmigration, both of capital and people, from a
has been maintained great, that is, in propor-
rich old country, far greater than ever occurred
tion tu the people who viere there to conduct it.
before in the history of colonization. As for the
That trade could not but be very profitable, so
penal settlements of the English in Australia,
long as the dernand of the government exceeded
they are societies altogether unnatural ; having
the supply of the colony ; and this excess of de-
been founded, and being maintained, by the
mand over supply continuad until lately. The
government of England with the produce of taxes
high profits of that trade, and the high wages also
paid by the people of England. Sorne persons,
not convicts, are established there. These the
* When the English colonial minister boasts in Parliainent
English government supplies with s'aves free of
of the revenue raised by duties of customs in New South
prime cost. The convict labourers, being forced
Wales, he seems to forget, that the trade on which thosc du-
to work in combination, raise more produce than
ties are levied is nothing but a certain mode of expenditure by
the Englisii government. He might as well boast of having .ezot
they consume. But of what use would be surplus
a revenue by taxes on the stone and wood used in building the
produce without a market in which to dispose of
palace at Phnlico. A portion of the money, which the English
it ? Such a market the English government pro-
pay for keeping convicts at New South Wales, is nade to pass,
vides for the, farmers of New South Wales, by
and not by a very indirect process, through the hands of the
c
.maintaining a civil and niilitary establishment,
ustorn-house officers at Sydney : whercupon the English
colonial minister, who has ale the patronage attendant on that
which costs 300,0001. a year. The local govern-
distant and most costl y jail, exclaims—Hcre's a flourishing
ment buys the snrplus produce of the settlers,
Colon for vou !
68
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
69
which every free labourer who chose to take part
shares with him in its •produce, and the share of
in it could obtain, have induced the colonists to
the sovereign is commonly but a trifle. He has
keep together ; whilst the management of that
every motive to render as great as possible a pro-
trade called for a division of employments, such as,
duce which is thus to be almost entirely bis own.
1 believe, never occurred before in any colony so
But his land is commonly so extensive that with
lately established. The unnatural causes of the
all bis own industry, and with all the industry of
prosperity of this colony show in a striking man-
other people whom he can get to ernploy, he can
ner, that new colonies in general are not apt
seldom make it produce the tenth part of what it
to be prosperous. The only new colonies that
is capable of producing. He is eager therefore
have been remarkably prosperous, are those of
to collect labourers from all quarters, and to re-
the ancient Greeks. Here follows Adam Smith's
ward them with the most liberal wages. Those
statement of the causes of their prosperity.
liberal wages, joined to the plenty and cheapness
" The colonists carry out with them a know-
of land, soon make those labourers leave him,
ledge of agriculture and other useful arts, supe-
in order to become landlords themselves, and to
rior to what can grow up of its own accord in the
reward, with equal liberality, other labourers, who
course of many centuries amongst savage and bar-
soon leave them for the same reason that they left
barous nations. They carry out with them too
their first master. The liberal reward of labour
the habit of subordination, some notion of the
encourages marriage. The children, during the
regular government which takes place in their
tender years of infancy, are well taken cure of;
own country, of the system of laws which sup-
and when they are grown up the value of their
port it, and of a regular administration ofjustice ;
labour greatly overpays their maintenance. When
and they naturally establish something of the
arrived at maturity, the high price of labour and
same kind in the new settlement. But among
the low price of land, enable them to establish
savage and barbarous nations, the natural pro-
themselves in the same manner as their fathers
gress of law and government is still slower than
did before them. In other countries, rent and
the natural progress of arts, after law and govern-
profit eat up wages, and the two superior orders
ment have been so far established as is neces-
of people oppress the inferior one. But in new
sary for their protection. Every.colonist g-ets more
colonies, the interest of the two superior orders
land than he can possibly cultivate. He has no
)bliges them to treat the inferior one with more
rent and scarce any takes to pay. No landlord
;enerosity and humanity ; at least where that in-
70
THE ART Ok` COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
71
feriar one is not in a state of s lav e r y . Waste lands
Tarentum and Locri in Italy, Ephesus and Mile-
of the greatest natural fertility are to be had for
tus in Lesser Asia, appear, by all accounts, to
a t'Ye. The mercase of revenue which the pro-
have been at least equal to any of the cities of
prietor who is also the undertaker, expects from
ancient Greece."
their improvement, constitutes bis profit ; which
This passage contains a curious mixture of
in these circurnstances is coinmonly very great.
truth and error. It is the error that concerns us
But this great profit cannot be malle without em-
here. With respect to the colonies of Greece,
ploying the labour of other people in clearing
there is nota word of truth in the whole passage.
and cultivating the land ; and the disproportion
The remarkable prosperity of those colonies is
between the great extent of the land and the
attributed to superabundante or extreme cheap-
small number of people, which commonly takes
ness of land, and to dearness of labour or high
place in new colonies, inakes it difficult for him
wages. But the emigrants from Greece did not,
to get this labour. He does not therefore dis-
most certainly, obtain great tracts of land over
pute about wages, but is willing to employ labour
which to spread at will. There is no instante of
at any price. The high wages of labour encou-
their having advanced far from the sea shore.
rage population. The cheapness and plentij of
Wherever they landed, they had to displace war-
good land encou ruge improvement and enable the
like tribes who,abandoning the coast after a strug-
proprietor to pay those high wages. In those
gle, continuad to watch the intruders and to con-
wages consists almost the whole price of the !and:
fine them within very narrow limits ; within a
and though they are high, considered as the
short stripe of land. The first occupation of a
wages of labour, they are low, considered as the
Greek colony seems to have been te build a for-
price of what is so very valuable. What encou-
tress, into which the whole body of colonists
rages the progress of population and improve-
might retire when attacked. Sotne of those strong
ment encourages that of real wealth and great-
places became very soon great towns ; but the
ness. The progress of many of the Greek colo-
quantity of land required to feed the inhabitants
nies towards wealth and greatness, scouts accord-
of one great tocan, formed, in most cases, the
ingly to have been very rapid. In the course
whole territory of a Greek colony from the begin-.
of a century or two, severa! of them appear to
ning to the end of its careen. Abundance and
have rivalled, and oven to have surpassed their
consequent cheapness of land, therefore, was not
mother ci tics. Syracuse and Agrigentmu in Sicily,
a cause of the prosperity of the Greek colonies.
72
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
73
In the next place, dearness of labour, or high
the victors do not settle, even a mere factory for
wages, are terms which emigrants from Greece
trade, has eommonly been termed a colony; as
would not have understood even. In no Greek
for example the English factories in India and
colony did any one ever sell his labour ; or any
the actual dominion of the English in that coun-
one pay wages, high or low; for all the works of
try. Mere stations also for rnilitary or trading
those societies, the cultivatión of their small ter-
purposes, such as Malta and Heligoland, go by
ritory, the building of their houses, the making
the narre of colonies. In libe rnanner, the penal
of their tools, clothes, furniture, roads, carriages,
settlements or distant gaols of the English are
and ships, and also the exchanges which took
superintended by their colonial minister, and
place either within a colony, or between a colony
were called colonies even when their whole popu-
and other states ; all these works, so far as respects
lation consisted of prisoners and keepers. rf\\vo
labour, were performed exclusively by slaves.
societies more dífferent than the people of India
The account, therefore, which the father of
ruled by the servants of a London trading coin-
the English economists has given of the causes of
pany, and the convicts of New South Wales
the prosperity of those colonies whose prosperity
before Englishmen not criminals began to settle
is the most remarkable, is obviously, nay, grossly
there, could not well be imagined. But the dif-
incorrect. From these two examples of careless
ference between the ideas often expressed by the
writing about colonies, by the first and the last
term colony is matehed by the caprice with which
distinguished Englishmen who have professed to
that term is used. The settlements of the Grceks
examine the subject, it muy bé inferred that the
in Sicily and Asia Minor, independent states from
subject has never been carefully examined. They
the beginning, have always been temed colo-
are noticed, by way of apology for conducting
nies : the English settlements in America were
this enquiry with a degree of method, cave' and
termed colonies, though in local matters they
fullness, which would have been pedantic or im-
governed themselves from the beginning, so long
pertinent if such a course liad ever been pursued
as England rnonopolized their foreign trade and
before.
managed theír external relations ; but from the
time when England attempted to interfere with
NATURE AND LIMITS OF THE SUBJECT.
their dornestic government and happily lost both
The word colony, is used to express very dif-
the monopoly of.. their foreign trade and the
ferent ideas. A conquered nation, amongst whom
management of their foreign relations, they have
74
THr,
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
71.5
A RT OF COLONIZATION.
is more to be done than to be learned, this is an
not been reckoned as colonies. According to
the loose way in which this terco has been used,
art rather than a science. In every art, the means
it is not dependence that constitutes a colony ;
to be employed ought to be regulated strictly by
nor is it the continua! immigration of people
the ends in view. The first point, therefore, in this
from distant places, since in this respect the
enquiry is the ends of colonization.
United States surpass all other countries. In
Two very different societies tnay have a com-
order to express the idea of a society, which con-
mon interest in colonization, though with objects
tinually receives boches of people from distant
widely different in some respects. The English,
places, and sends out bodies of people tu settle
for exarnple, may have a deep interest in removing
perrnanently in new places, no distinctive terrn
people to America for the sake of relief from
has yet been used. This, however, is the idea
excessive numbers ; while the Americans, cursed
which will be expressed whenever the terco colony
with slavery, might gain incalculably by receiv-
is used Itere ; the idea of a society at once immi-
ing numbers of people from England. • Fhe ends
grating and emigrating, such as the United States
of colonization, therefore, may be divided into
of America and the English settlements in Canada,
two classes ; those which belong to the old coun-
South Africa and Australia.
try, and those which belong to the colony. Eaeh
For the existente of a colony two things are
class of objects will be best ascertained by being
indispensable ; first, waste land, that is, land not
examined separately.
yet the property of but fiable to
become so through the intervention of govern-
THE ENDS OF COLONIZATION AS RESPECTS THE
ment ; and secondly, the migration of people ;
MOTHER-COUNTRY.
the rernoval of people to settle in a new place.
Further it
It may be questioned whether, in modem times
will be seen at once, that this migra-
tion must be of two kinds ; first, the rernoval of
at least, any old state has founded or extended a
people from an old to a new country ; secondly,
colony with any definite object whatever. The
the rernoval of people from a settled part to a
states of ancient Grecce are supposed by Mr.
waste part of the colony. Colonization, then, sig-
Mill to have sent forth bodies of emigrants de-
nifies the rernoval of people from an old toa new
liberately with a view to relief from excessive
country, and the settlernent of people on the
numbers ; and he has shown in a very clear and
waste land of the new country. As in this there
foreible manner that the rulers of tirase states had
76
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
77
a strong motive for seeking that relief in that
modem Europe, however, have had a motive of
way, while no such motive was likely to occur to
affection for colonies. " Sancho Panza," says
the rulers of modern Europe.* The rulers of
mean that they take less than is necessary for their comfortable
sr "A eurious phenomenon here presents itself. A redun-
subsistence ; because they would only have what is necessary
dancy of population, in the states of ancient Greece, made
for eomfortable subsistente in the case in which the supply of
itsclf visible even to vulgar eyes. A redundancy of population
food is not too small for the whole.
in modern Europe never makes itself visible to any but the
The effect, then, of a disproportion between the food and the
most enlightened eyes. Ask an ordinary man, ask almost any
population is, not to feed to the full measure that portion of the
man, if the population of this country be too great ; if tile po_
population which it is sufficient to feed, and to leave the re-
pulation of any country in Europe is, or ever was too grcat : so
dundant portion destitute ; it is to take, according to a certain
far, he will tell you, ís it from being too great, that good
cate, a portion of bis due quantity from each individual of that
policy would consist in making it, if possible, still greater; and
great class who have nothing to give for it but ordinary labour.
he might quote in his own support, the authority of almost all
What this state of things imports is most casily seen. The
governments, who are commonly at pains to prevent the
great class, who have nothing to give for food but ordinary
emigration of their people, and to give encouragement to
labour, are the great body of the people. When every indivi-
marriage.
dual in the great body of the people has less than the due
The explanation of the phenomenon is easy ; but it is also of
quantity of food, less than would fall to bis share if the quantity
the highest importante. When the supply of fe:te(' is too small
of food were not too small for the population, the state of the
for the population, the deficiency operates, in modern Europe,
great body of the people is the state of sordid, painful and de-
in a manner different from that in which it operated in ancient
graded poverty. They are wretchedly fed, wretchedly clothed,
Greece. In modem Europe, the greatest portion of the food
have wretched houses, and neither time nor means to keep
is bought by the great body of the people. What the great
their loases or their persons free from disgusting impurity.
body of the people have to give for it is nothing but labour.
Those of them, who, either from bodily infirmities, have less
When the quantity of food is not suffieient for all, and when
than the ordinary quantity of labour to bestow, or, from the
some are in danger of not getting any, each man is induccd,
state of their need a greater than the ordinary quantity
in order to secare a portion to himself, to give better tercos for
of food, are condemned to starve ; either wholly, if they have
; t than any other man ; that is, more labour. In other words,
not enough to keep them alive ; or partially, if they have
that part of the population, who have nothing to give for food
enough to yield them a lingering, diseased, and, after all, .a
but labour, take less wages. This is the primary effect, clear,
shortened existente.
ímmediate, eertain. lt is only requisite further to trace the
What the ignorant and vulgar spectator sees in all this, is
secondary or derivativc effccts.
not a redundant population : it is only a poor population. He
When we say, that in the case in which the supply of food
sees nobody without food who has enough to give for it. To
has become too small for the population, the great body of the
bis eye, therefore, it is not food which is wanting, but that
people take less wages, that is less food, for their labour 3 we
which is to be given for it. When events succeed in this
78
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
79
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
Mr. Mill " liad a scheme for deriving advantage
sell the people for slaves, and put the money into
his pocket. The Few, in some countries, find in
from the government of an island. He would
of the few ; meaning by the many, not the slaves merely, but
train, and are viewed with those eyes, there never can appearto
the great body of the free citizens. This was the case in all
be a redundancy of population.
the states of Greece, and not least in Athens. This is not seen
Events succeeded in a different train in the states of ancient
in reading the French and English histories of Greece. It is
Greece, and rendered a redundancy of population somewhat
not seen in reading Mitford, who has written a history of
more visible, even to vulgar and ignorant eyes.
Greece for no other purpose but that of showing, that thc
In ancient Greece, the greatest portion of the food was not
bought by the great body of the people ; thc state of whom,
interests of the many always ought to be sacrificed to the
interests of the few ; and of abusing the people of Greece,
wretched or cornfortable, legislation has never yet been wise
because, every now aud then, the many in those countries
enough much to regard. Ali manual labour, or, at least, the
showed, that they were by no means patient under the habi-
far greater portion of it, was performed, not by free labourers
tual sacrifice of their interests to the interests of the few. But
serving for wages, but by slaves, who werc the property of the
it is very distinctly seen, amongst other occasions, in reading
great men. The dericiency of food, therefore, was not dis-
the Grcek orators, in reading Demosthenes, for example, in
tributed in the shape of general poverty and wretchedness
reading the Oration against Midias, the Oration on Leptines,
over the great body of the population, by reduction of wages ;
and others ; in which the license of the rich and powerful, and
a case which affects with very slight sensations those who re-
their menas of oppressing the body of the people, are shown to
gard themselves as in no degree hable to fall into that miser-
have been excessivc, and to have been exercised with a shame-
able situation. It was felt, first of all, by the great men, in
less atrocity, which the gentleness and modesty of the manners
the greater cost of maintaining their slaves. And what is fclt
of modem Europe, oven in the most aristocratically despotic
as disagreeable by the great men, is sure never to confirme
long without an effort, either wise or foolish, for the removal
countries, wholly preclude.
In Greece, then, any thing which so intimately affected the
of it. This law of human nature was not less faithfully ob-
great men, as a growing cost of maintaining their slaves, would
served in the states of ancient Greece, for their being ealled
not long remain without serious attempts to fiad a rernedy.
republics. Called republics, they in reality were aristocracies ;
It was not, however, in this way alone, that a redunclant
and aristocracies of a very bad description. They were aris-
population shewed itself in Greece. As not many of the free
tocracies in which the people were cheated with an idea of
citizens maintained themselvcs by manual labour, they had
power, merely because they were abie, at certain distant
but two resources more,—the land and profits of stock. Those
intervals, when violently exeítecl, to overpowcr the aristocracy
who lived on profits of stock, did so, comtnonly, by employing
in some one particular point ; but they viere aristocracies, in
slaves in some of the known arts and manufactures, and of
which there was not one efficient security to prevent the
course were affected by the growing cost of maintaining their
interests of the many from being sacrificed to the interests of
slaves. Those who lived on the produce of a certain portion
the few ; they werc aristocracies, accordingly, in which the
of the land, could not but exhibit, very distinctly, the redun-
interests of the many viere habitually sacrificed to the interests
SO
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
81
colonies a thing which is very dear to them ; they
there are generalships and colonelships and cap-
find, the one part of them, the precious matter
tainships, and lieutenantships ; and in the equip-
with which to influence ; the other, the precious
ping and supplying of additional portions of army
matter with which to be influenced ;—the one,
and navy, there are always gains which may be
the precious matter with which to make political
thrown in the way of a friend.. Ali this is enough
dependents ; the other, the precious matter with
to account for a very considerable quantity of
which they are ¡nade political dependents ; the
affection maintained towards eolonies." For the
one, the precious matter by which they augment
affection of the rulers this is enough, but not
their power ; the other the precious matter by
for that of the nations. The nations of modem
which they augment their riches. Both portions
Europe have had a very different motive of
of the ruling Few, therefore, find their account
affection for colonies ; a sense of the benefits
in the possession of colonies. There is not one
derived from the discovery of new productions
of the colonies, but what augments the number
and the creation of new markets. Those English-
of places. There are governorships and judge-
men, for instante, who during the last century
ships and a long train of eteeteras ; and, aboye
and a half have -shouted, "Ships, Colonies and
all, there is not one of them but what requires
Commerce were good political economists. If
an additional number of troops and an additional
they did not know scientifically, that all irnprove-
portion of navy. In every additional portion of
ments in the productive powers of industry, that
army and návy, besides the glory of the thing,
industry itself, is limited by the extent of the
market, still they felt that every new colony, or
dancy of their numbers, when, by the multiplication of families,
every enlargement of an old one, increased by so
portions carne to be so far subdivided, that what belonged to
each individual was insufficient for bis maintenance.
much the means of exchanging the produce of
In this manner, then, it is very distinctly seen, why, to
English labour, and by so much increased the
vulgar eyes, there ncver appears, iu modem Europe, to be any
wealth of England. Who that produces does not
redundaney of population, any demand for relieving the country
feel, though he may be unable to account for it,
by carrying away a portion of the people ; and why, in ancient
the advantage of having come other ready to
Greece, that redundancy malle itself to be very sensibly per-
ceived ; and created, at various times, a perfectly effident
leal with him for the surplus produce of his
demand for removing to dístant places a considerable portion of
labour ? A desire for new markets has, indeed,
the people." 4rlicle Colony, in the Suppleinent to the Encyelo-
searcely ever been the deliberate motive for
yedia Britannica.
establishing' a colony ; nor perhaps did any go-
VOL. 11.
82
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
83
vernment ever establish a colony deliberately for
disciple, Mr. Mill, likewise, if he had drawn this
the sake of patronage. But, colonies having been
distinction, would not have deprecated colonies
established, sometimes by the adventurous spirit
because they have been made improperly a
of individuals, sometimes by religious persecution,
ground for jobs, monopolies and wars he might
the governments and nations of modem Europe
have condemned the wars, monopolies and jobs,
had strong motives of affection towards them ; the
of which colonies have been the matter ; but
governments, for the sake of patronage ; the
perceiving that the real source of those evils
nations, for the sake of maAets, Dente the
was, not the colonies, but the badness of Eu-
anxiety of the governments of modem Europe to
ropean governments, he would probably have
retain dominion over their colonies, and their
seen also, along with Adam Smith, the " natural
attacks upon each other's colonies hence, too,
advantages," which Europe has derived from
the Colonial System, as it is called ; the system
her colonies, in spite of the tricks which those
of trading monopolies, which took its rice in a
governments have played with them. The uses
rnistaken desire in each nation to monopolize as
and abuses of colonization are very different
tuna as possible of that trad-e between Europe
things. While some philosophers have con-
and her colonies, which would have been more
demned colonization on account of its abuses,
valuable to all the nations if it had been per-
the nations of Europe, even when they prornoted
fectly free. Let us distinguish between the
the abuses, had, one cannot say a knowledge,
existence and the dominion of a colony ; betweeri
but a deep sense of the usefulness. That such
the existence and the monopoly of a colonial
" unscientific knowledge," to use ternas ernployed
market. " There is no necessity," says Mr. Ben-
by Bentham, should have been attended with
-tham, " for govcrning or possessing any island in
very " unartificial practice," is j ust what might
order that we inay sell merchandize there." But
have been expected.
in order to sell rnerchandize in a colony, it is ne-
The objects of an old society promoting
cessary that the colony should exist. If Mr.
colonization seem to be three ; first, the extension
Bentham had drawn this distinction, if he had
of the market for disposing of their own surplus
separated the question of dominion from the ques-
produce; secondly, relief from excessive numbers ;
tion of existence, he would not have been led, by
thirdly, an enlargernent of the field for employing
dwelling on the evils of colonial monopoly, to
capital. Referring, however, to a previous Note
undervalue the benefits of colonial -trade. His
on the coincidente of overfiowing national wealth
84
THF, ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
85
with the uneasiness and misery of individuals, it
posed that the blaeks of the ; Test Indies will
will be seen presently, that these three objects
work for wages as soon as they shall be set, free,
may come under one head ; namely, an enlarge-
is their love of finery. They will produce sugar,
ment of the field for ernploying capital and
it is said, in arder te buy trinkets and fine clothes.
labour. But, first, each object must be considered
And who ever worked hard, when was an im-
separatel y.
provement made in any useful art, cave through
1. The extension of markets.
the impulse of a passion for some kind of finery ;
for some gratification, not absolutely necessary,
Why does any man ever produce of any thing
to be obtained by means of exchange ? As with
more than he can himself consume ? Solely be-
individuals, so with nations. In England, the
cause líe expects that some other man will take
greatest improvements have taken place conti-
from him that portion of the produce of his labour
nually, ever since colonization has continually
which he does not want, giving him in exchange
produced new desires amongst the English, and
something which he wants. From the power of
new markets wherein te purchase the objects of
exchanging comes every improvement in the ap-
desire. With the growth of sugar and tobacco
plication of labour, and every atoro of the pro-
in America, carne the more skilful growth of
duce of labour, beyond that rude work and that
corn in England. Because, ín England, sugar
small produce which supply the wants of savages.
was drank and tobacco smoked, corn was raised
It is not because an English washerwoman can-
with less labour, by fewer hands ; and more Eng-
not sit down to breakfast without tea and sugar,
lishmen existed to eat bread, as well as to drink
that the world has been circumnavigated ; but it
sugar and smoke tobacco. The removal of En,g-
is because the world has been circumnavigatcd,
lishmen to America, and their industry in raising
that an English washerwoman requires tea and
new productions nót fit for the support of life,
sugar for breakfast. According to the power of
led, in England, to more production for the sup-
exchanging, are the desires of individuals and
port of life. Because things not necessary had
societies. But every mercase of desires, or wants,
been produced, more necessaries were produced.*
has a tendency to supply the means of gratifica-
tion. The savage hunter, enabled te exchange
" Rich subjects malee a rich nation. As the formen Mercase,
bis furs for beads, is stimulated to grcater energy
so will the means of filling the coffers of the lattcr. Let con-
temporary nations lay it to their account that England is more
and
The solo gTound on which it is sup-
powerful ;han ever sha was, notwithstanding her debt and
86
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION
87
If the French should know how to colonize North
a new place; may be of the greatest use to that
Africa, they may overtake the English in the
old society, even when the people removed occupy
skilful application of domestic capital and labour;
themselves in raising objects of mere luxury, and
but if they do this, it will be through the impulse
when the mother country has yet many stops to
arising from new markets in which to. sell the
make in the careen of wealth and civilization.
surplus produce of their industry. It thus-appears,
But now comes the more interesting case of a
that the removal of people from an old society to
society, which, stimulated by the extension of its
markets, has cultivated all that part of its ter- -
tases. This knowledge shoulcl form an element in their foreign
ritory which is fit for cultivation ; a society in
policy. Let them assurc themselves that instcad of declining
which the utmost skill in the application of
she is advancing ; that her population increases fast ; that she
capital and labour to agriculture is counteracted
is constantly seeking new fields of enterprise in other parts of
the globe, and adding to the iMprovements that already cover
by the necessity of cultivating inferior land ; a
her island at new ones that promise to go fax beyond
society, consequently, in which food is dear, and
them in magnitude : in line, that insteaci of being worn out, as
in which there exist the strengest motives for int-
at a distance is sometimes supposed, she is going a-head with
porting food from other countries by means of
the buoyant and vigorous effort of youth. w * * Britain still
manufactures and exchange ; a society, in short,
exists ail over the world in her coIonies. These alone give
her the means of advancing her industry and opulence for ages
which requires new markets in which to purchase
to come. They are portions of her territory more .valuable
the staff of life. This is, pre-eminently, the case
than if joined to her island. The sense of distanee is destroyed
of England. Imagine a country, in which the
by her command of ships ; whilst that very distance serves
quantity of air for breathing were limited, and
as the feeder of her commerce and marine. Situateci on every
were not more than suflicient to keep alive the
continent, lying in every latitude, these, her out dominions,
actual number of its inhabitants ; while of that
make her the centre of a trade already vast and perpetuaily
augmenting,—a honre trade and a foreign trade,—for it yields
actual number the larger portion by much ob-
the riches of both as she controls it at her will. Thcy take
tained less than enough air ; ovas half suffocated
off her redundant population, jet malee her more populous ; and
for want of air ; in a state bctween life and
are destined under the policy already commenced towards
death. Conceive farther, that in this country an
them, and which in time she will more extensively pursue, to
inexhaustible supply of food might be obtained
expaud her empire, cornmercial, manufacturing and maritime,
to dimensions to which it would not be easy to fix
without labour, as air is every where obtained.
A Residence at the Court of London ; by the han. Mr. Rush, Env.
NOW suppose that this society shouid be able to
Ex. and Min. Plen. from the United States to England.
obtaiu air from other countries by Ineans of
88
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION..
89
manufactures and exchange. If this ability were
room at hand for the greatest mercase of people.
allowed its free exercise, the population of that
Poland is such a country ; as was England when
country would go on increasing continually, all
the bulk of Englishmen were serfs. But there
the people being at ease, so long as the ability
are three reasons why such a country as England
should last. But if the rulers of this country,
vas then, is not the most fit to provide cheap corn
having a property in the ni rnosphere, should for-
for such a country as England is now : first,
bid the people to get air from other countries, the
because in the then barbarous and despotic state
bulk of that people must remain half suffocated,
of the English government, no dependence could,
notwithstandinp-, their natural ability to obtain
have been placed on English industry for a
plenty of the means of life. Substituting bread
regular supply of corn : secondly, because in the
for air, this is the case of England with her
then barbarous condition of the English people,
corn laws. The English corn laws will be
capital and labour were not a,pplied to the growth
repealed. As the present enquiry relates to
of corn with that skill which renders the produce
country like England but without corn laws, we
great in proportion to the hands employed :
may, fc.mr the salce of more ready illustration,
thirdly, because the savage ancestors of the Eng-
speak of England as if her corn laws were re-
Esti would not have cared to huy such objects
pealed. When that shall happen, the English
as those, with which alone the English of this
will hunt over the world in search of cheap corn.
day could buy foreign corn. The market would
But where will t.hey fiad any? Not in countries
have been very insecure ; the corn brought to it
situated like England ; not in any country where
not very cheap ; and of that corn, whethcr cheap
land is dear. They will fiad cheap corn, only in
or dear, but a small quantity would have been
countries where land is cheap ; in countries where
brought to market. This is precisely the case of
the proportion which land bears to people is so
Poland, where the market is fiable to be chut
great as, first, to render unnecessary the cultiva-
by the whim of a tyrant ; where the produce of
tion of inferior land, and, secondly, to encourage
agricultura' capital and labour, though, by means
a large proportion of the people to occupy them-
of slavery, greater than it would be if the capital
selves with the growth of com. But is not this
and labour were cut up into fractions as nume-
the description of a colony, according to the
vous as the cuitivators, is latid) less than it would
sense in which the term eolony is here used ? a
be if the sanee number of Poles should cultivate
country having room for more people, with more
the salce land with English skill ; and where the
90
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
91
demand for English goods is by no means equal
and Birmingham ; this would be a direct trade.
to the supply that contri be afforded, nor likely
But it might very well happen, that the Canadians
to become so. Whereas in a colony planteó by
should be able to raise, not more corn than the
Englishmen, civilized and well governed, the
English should be able to buy, but more than
highest skill in the application of capital and
they should be able to buy with manufactured
labour to the growth of corn, might conspire with
goods. In other words, the demand of the Cana-
great cheapness of land, to the raising of cheaper
dians for English goods might be much less than
corn than has ever yet been raised ; while so
the demand of the English for Canadian corn.
cheap a market for the purchase of eorn would
But the Canadians would require many things,
not only be as secure as any distant market ever
besides English goods, which are not producible
was, but might be extended continually with the
in Canada : they would require tea and silver, for
progress of colonization. Why such very cheap
instance. The English, then, might, first buy tea
corn has not been raised in any English colony,
and silver of the Chinese with manufactured
is a different question, slightly n.oticed before
goods, and then buy corn of the Canadians with
and the means of raising very cheap corn in a
tea and silver. But the demand, again, of the
colony, without slavery, will be carefully exa-
Chinese for English goods might not be sufficient
minál amongst the means of colonization. Here
to supply in this way the demand of the English
my object has been to show, that for such a coun-
for Canadian corn. Por one thing, however, the
try as England, a chief end of colonization is to
demand of the Chinese is very urgent and would
obtain secure markets for the purchase of cheap
be without limit ; for food in every chape ; for
corn ; a steady supply of bread, Hable to be in-
the means of life. Here, then, is the ground-
creased with an inereasin • demand.
work of the most extensive commerce that ever
The trade which the English should conduct
existed in the world. Supposing that cheap food
for obtaining cheap bread from their colonies
were raised in the English colonies of Australia,
might be of two kinds ; direct and indirect.
which, though far from England, are near to
Supposing that very cheap corn were raised in
China, the English //light buy such food with
Canada, the English might buy such corn with
manufactured goods ; with that food, buy tea and
the manufactured goods of Leeds, Manchester
silver of the Chinese ; and with that tea and silver,
buy cheap corn of the Canadians. In this case;
See Note VIL
combination of capital and labour for division of
92
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OT COLONIZATION.
93
employments amongst four different nations,
colonies," Sir Heni•y Parnell would say, " affords
would be of the greatest service to all of them ;
no advantages which could not be obtained by
to the Australian colonists, the Chinese, the
cornmercialintercourse with independent states."*
Canaclian colonists, and the English. A great
Here, again, the question of dominion is mixed
number of cases like this might be reasonably
up with the question of existence. Independent
supposed. From this case, which, though sup-
states which are the independent st.ates that
posed, is very likely to occur, it will be seen that
could produce very cheap corn for the English
a colony, at the antipodes even of its mother
market? The United States truly ; but the
country, might help to supply that mother coun-
United States are as much colonies as were the
try with cheap corn ; and by means of the
never dependent colonies of Greece. Canada, on
cheapness of land which is an attribute of colo-
the other hand, being dependent, is neither more
nies. Both by a direct and an indirect trade,
nor less fit than the United States to produce
Monjes might, according to their number and
cheap corn for the English market. Let us
extent, enlarge the field for employing capital
banish altogether, for the present, the idea of
and labour in the mother country ; at home ;
monopoly or dorninion. Of him who has done
without reference to the emigration of people or
this, I would ask, What country, in which land is
the removal of capital into distant fields of
cheap, is most fit, on other accounts, to provide
employment. The warmest imagination could
the English with cheap corn ? Not Poland ;
hardly exaggerate the benefits which a country
because there property is insecure, industry un-
like England might derive from such enlarg-e-
skilful and the people barbarous : not Buenos
ments of her domestic field of production ; could
Ayres, where land is cheaper than in any other
hardly reckon at too much the new demand
country, being obtainable in unlimited quantities
for labour at honre, in building, machinery and
for nothing, of the richest quality, already cleared
manufactures ; for the produce of domestic agri-
and drained by nature ; not Buenos Ayres, be-
culture, corn alone excepted ; for ships ; for the
cause the people of this colony are barbarously
use of mercantile capital ; and for all kinds of
unskilful and have no desire for English goods
services not usually called labour.
not Ceylon ; because, though that country be
But, it may be said, a country like England,
improperly called an English colony, its inhabi-
having no corn laws, might obtain all there
benefits without colonies. " The possession of
Financial Reform, pago 2.51, 3d. edit.
94
THR ART OF COLONIZATIOIkL
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
95
tants are not anxious to obtain English goods :
able and willing to purchase English goods with
nono of these, but the United States, Canada, and
cheap corn.
the English settlements in South Africa and Aus-
tralia ; because, in all of those countries, corn
II. Relie f from excessive numbers.
might be raised on cheap land, with English skill,
In modem times, no old country has ever ob-
by people anxious to buy English goods. If the
tained relief from excessive numbers by rneans
English should buy cheap corn of the Canadians
of colonization. In no case, has the number of
with Chinese tea and silver, it litigia be by means
emigrants been sufficient to diminish, even for á
of selling English goods to the growers of cheap
year, the ruinous competition of labourers for
food in Australia. If cheap corn were brought
employment ; much less to produce any lasting-
to England, whether by the most straight and
improvement in the condition of the bulle of the
simple, or by the inost round-about and com-
people. More than once, however, this has been
plicated traffic, the original purchase-money of
the object, or has been called the object, of an
sucli corn rnust be nnanufactured goods, the pro-
old state in promoting colonization. Twice since
duce of capital and labour cmpioyed in England ;
their late war with the French, the English have
and it coulcl be nothing clse. Whence it follows,
sent out bodies of people to colonies under the
inevitably, that the number or extent of the
rule of the English government, for the declared
niarkets, in whieh the English might buy very
purpose of checking pauperisrn at honre : first to
-cheap corn, must depend upon the number or
the Dutch colony of South Africa, and next to the
extent of contarles raising cheap corn and recluir-
English colony of Upper Cañada. On neither of
ing English goods. An English colony, whcther
these occasions was the object attained even in
dependent like Canada, or independent like the
the slightest degree. Both these attempts were
United States, might do both : it rnight both raise
called experiments. This year, the English go-
the corn and want the manufactured goods. We
vernment is making, to use the expression of
may conclude then, that with a view to the great-
Lord Goderich,* another " experiment" of the
est tnarket for buying cheap corn, a people like
same kind, by providing the funds wherewith to
the English would plant or extend colonies ; na-
convey to South Africa a number of destitute
tions of Englishtnen born, and their descendants;
using the English language ; preserving English
* in a letter addrcssed toa socicty for the relief of orphan
skill and English tastes ; and, therefore, both
and destitute children.
96
TFIE ART OF COLONÍZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
97
children ; the prodigious number of twenty. Con-
class, and he will exclaim,—" Dwell in the land
sidering that the population of England is four-
and verily ye shall be fed :" to one of the latter,
teen millions, this experhnent may be j u stly called
and he will say,---The question deserves profound
child's play. The previous experitnent in South
regard; but as employment for labour is in pro-
Africa, and the outlay of 60,0001. in taking
portion to capital, as emigration would cost
English paupers to Upper Canada, at the sug-
money and diminish capital, therefore it would
gestion of Mr. (now Sir Robert) Wilmot Horton,
diminish employment for labour and do more
and the Ernigration Committees of the house of
harm than good.
cormnons, were hardly less preposterous, if we
Whether right or wrong in their dislike of
are to believe that any benefit to the labouring
emigration, those who swear by David, and those
class at borne was serionsly expected from them.
who worship capital, are equally contradicted by
To call experiments measures so futile, so ob-
facts. The people do dwell in the land, but
viously inadequate to the end in view, is an abuse
verily they are not fcd. Though no labour be
of language ; and one calculated to be mis-
employed save by capital, still millions upon
chievous ; since, if diese ehildish attempts liad
millions of capital are accumulated, not to cmploy
really been experiments, the signal failure of them
dornestic labour, but, for want of employment for
would have been a fact tending to establish, that
capital, éither to lie idle, or to be wasted in
colonization with a view to relicf from excessive
distant and ruinous speculations. The quotation
numbers must necessarily fail of its object.
from scripture may be disposed of by another :
Two classes of men in England, classes of the
"Llenase and multiply, and replenish the earth,
most opposite tu rn of mind, have decide(' against
and subdue it." But those who object to emigra-
colonization \\vitt' this view ; and on grounds
tion on the score of its expense deserve, on ac-
equally unreasonablc : first, those unreasoning
count of their reputation and authority, that their
men who would determine questions in political
argurnent shouid be carefully exarnined.
economy by quoting scripture; secondly, men,
- The argurnent is stated as follows, by Mr. Mili.
who possess in a high degree the faculty of reason,
" It has been often enough, and clearly enough
but who, having made a religion for themselves,
explained, that it is capital which gives employ-
are often under the infiuence of a kind of bigotry ;
ment to labour: we may, therefore, take it as
1 mean those political economists who worship
a postulate. A certain quantity of capital, tiren, is
capital. Speak of emigration to one of the former
necessary to give employrnent to the population,
VOL. II.
98
THE ART OF COLONIZATION•
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
99
which any removal for the sake of colonization
mother-country, would have added to its increas-
may leave behind.. But to afford the expense
ing wealth, as well as to its population, and to the
of that removal, so much is taken from the capital
rneans of its defence, whilst, as to the produce of
of the country that the remainder is not sufficient
the colonies, only a small part ever reaches the
for the employment of the remaining population,
mother-country. If colonization is a folly when
there is, in that case, a redunclancy of population,
employed as a means of enrichment, it is at least
and all the evils which it brings. For the well-
an agrecable folly."
being of the remaining population, a certain
Now upon what rests this assumption ? It rests
quantity of food is required, and a certain
upon two other assutnptions, one of which is true,
quantity of all those other things which minister
the other false ; first, that ipo labour is employed
to human happiness. But to raise this quantity
save by capital ; secondly, that all capital employs
of other things, a certain quantity of capital is
labour. If it were true that every increase of
indispensably necessary. If that quantity of
capital necessarily gave employment to more
capital is not supplied, the food and other things
labour ; if it were true, as Professor M'Culloch
cannot be obtained."*
has said,* that " there is plainly only one way of
Though the argument stated thus hypothe-
effectually improving the condition of the great
tically, thus guarded by ifs, amounts to the state -
majority of the community or of the labouring
ment of a mere truism, still the " postulate" which
class, and that is by increasing the ratio of capital
runs through the argurnent is an assumption, that
to population," then it rnight be assumed that co-
emigration would Cake away too much capital ;
lonization would, on account of its expense, do
so much as to leave too little for the rernaining
more harm than good. But it is not true that all
people. M •. Bentharn assumes this without any
capital employs labour. To say so, is to say that
" Colonization," he says t " requires an im-
which a thousand facts prove to be untrue.
mecliate expense, an actual loss of wealth, for a
Capital frequently increases without providing
future profit, for a contingent gain. The capital
any more employment for labour. That this does
which is carried away for the improvement of the
actually happen in England, I have endeavoured
land in the colonies, had it been employed in the
to show elsewhere.± It follows, that capital, for
* Anide Colon y. Supplement to the Eneyelopwdia Bri-
* Introductory Discourse, in his edition of the wealth of
tannica.
Nations.
Rationale of Reward, B. 4, chal). 14.
fi Note IV.
100
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
101
which therc is no employment at honre, might be
ways during the last seventeen years, amounting
spent on emigration without diminishing employ-
to some hundreds of millions, had been lost in
ment for labour to the slightest extent. I use
conducting ernigration, employment for labour in
the word spent instead of invested, in order to save
England would not have been less than it is at
the trouble of explaining at length, that if capital
present.
so employed ;:ere utterly lost, that loss of capital
A recent fact illustrates this view of the sub-
peed not climinish employment for labour. No
ject still more forcibly. During the last year
one pretends that employment for English labour
(1832), it is supposed, about 125,000 people, men
was climinished, to the extent of a single pair of
women and children, emigrated from Britain to
hands, by the loans which the English latel y made •
the United States, Canada and Australia. Of these
to the republics, so called, of South America, to
a considerable nurnber carried property with
the Spanish Cortes, to Don Miguel or Don Pedro ;
them, varying in amount from 50001. to a, few
or by the late waste of English capital in pre-
pounds over the cost of passage. Thc passage of
tending to work mines in South America, or in
the whole of thetn must have cost, at the lowest
oluttino. distant markets with English goods
,
sold
b
b
b
estimate of 51. for each person, not less than
for less than the cost of production ; or by the
625,0001. Supposing that they took with them a
waste of English capital in founding the Swan
capital of 51. each, opon the average, which scems
River settlement. Still less has employment for
a very low estímate, emigration from Britain car-
English labour been diminished by late invest-
ried off during the last year a capital of 1,250,0001.
ments of English capital, in foreign countries,
ajes any one pretend that this abstraction of
which yield some return ; such as loans to the
capital has diminished, to the extent of a single
emperors of Austria and Russia, to the kings of
pair of hands, the amount of employment for
Prussia, Naples, the Low Countries and France ;
labour in Britain ? Might we not rather expect, if
purchases lately made in the securities of foreign
England had no eorn laws, that these 125,000
governtnents, amounting at one time in the French
emigrants, employing their capital and labour in
funds alone to neár 40,000,0001. ; investments of
a vide and rich field, would create a new demand
English capital in the iron and cotton works of
for the produce of capital and labour employed in
France, the Low Countries, and Germany ; and
Britain? Let these questions be answered care-
loans to the North American States. If
fully, and it will appcar that lunch of the capital
all the capital removed from England in all these
of such a country as England may be used in
i
102
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
103
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
promoting emigration, without diminishing, to
Supposing that, whether by means of English
say the least, the amount of employrnent for do-
capital about, at all events, to fiy off to foreign
mestic labour. Whether capital might be so
used with profit to the OWIleFS of it, whether, by
taken by the English and Scotch philosophers. " Mr. Ben•
such a use of capital, effectual relief from exces-
tham," he says, " has simplified his subject, by referring every
thing to one principie ; namely Ihe limitation of production mal
sive numbers might be obtained, a requestions
trade by the linzitation of capital ; a principie which brings all his
which belong rathcr to the means than to the
reasonings into a very small circle, and which serves to unite
ends of colonization. Here, my sole object is to
into one bundle those observations, which cannot be so easily
show how groundless is the objeetion to emigra-
grasped when they are disunited." This one principie is stated
tion on the score of its expense ; how futile is that
as follows in the first paragraph of Bentham's Manual cf. Poli-
a
tical Econonly. " No kind of productive labour of any import-
priori reasoning, by which some ccnclude, that
anee can be carried on Nvithout capital. From hence it follows,
the cosí of emigration would necessarily diminish,
that the quantity of labrar applicable to any object, is
according to its amount, the amount of employ-
by the quantity of capital which can be employed in it." Doubt-
ment for labour at horne. I have dwelt so long on
less; but then the principie is, " the limitation of production
this objection, not with a view to recommend
and trade by the limitation of capital"for which there is employ-
emigration by means of an outlay of English
ment. The words which I have added, in italics, rnake all the
difference. It does not follow that, because labour is employed
capital (for I shall endeavour to show hereafter
by capital, capital always finds a field in which to employ labour.
that it would be greatly for the advantage of colo-
This is the non sequitur always taken for granted by Bentham,
p ies to provide a fund for the immigration of
Ricardo, Mili, Weulloch, and others. Adam Smith, on the
labour), but in order to remove a prejudice
contrary, saco that there were limas to the employment of
against colonization, on the ground of the mis-
capital, and therefore
besides the limit of capital, to the
chicvous loss of capital which it might occasion
employment of labour ; the limits, namely, of the field of pro-
duction, and of the market in which to dispose of surplus pro-
to the rnother-country ; a prejudice, which stops
duce. During the summer of 1831, Mr. Bentham's attention
him who entertains it, on the very threshold of
was called to this subject. At first he urged the objection to
this subject.*
colonization which has beca here examined, but finally aban-
donad it. Then, immediately, notwithstanding his great age
* This prejudice was once cntertained by Mr. Bentham. It
ami bodily infirmities, he proceeded to study the whole subject
depended upon a non sequitur Nvhich had got posscssion of his
of colonization, and evcn to write upon it at sotue length. His
mirad. In the fourth book of the Rationale of Reward, M. Du-
written remarks upon the subject, now in my possession, show
mont has a chapter en t itled " Bentham and Adam Smith," where
that he lived to consider colonization, not " an agreeable folly,"
he draws a comparison betwecn the views of political economy,
104
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
105
countries, or by means of a fund raised in :the
them. Thcy may be glad to pay high wages for
colonies, such an arnount of labour should etni,
the security of their property ; to prevent the
grate from England as considerably to diminish
devastation of England through commotions
the proportion which, in England, labour bears to
arising from discontent in the bulk of the people.
employment, then would the wages of labour be
Even before the late change, while the fears of
higher, then would the state of the bulk of the
the great men were urging them to bring about
people be improved, then would relief be ob-
that .change,. while fires were blazing and mobs
tained from excessive numbers. rftlis great end
exacting higher wages in the south of England,
of colonization has never beca so rnuch as seri-
dread of the polit.ical evils likely to come frota
ously contemplated by the ruling class in Eng--
excessive numbers, induced the English govern
land. On the contrary, taught by ccrtain econo-
ment to foral a Board of Emigration, with the
mists to believe, that profits rise when wages fall,
avowed purpose of improving the condition of
and fall when wages rise, that the prosperity of
the labouring class, by removing sorne of them
the capitalist is consistent only with the niiscry
to the colonies. A more foolish, or Luther futile,
of the labourer, the late ruling class in England
effort by great raen tú remove what they felt as
would have set their faces against any projcct of
disagreeable, was, perhaps never ¡nade ; but the
colonization which liad seemed fit to alise wages.
effort, feeble and puerile though it were, tends to
Late events have produced some change of feel-
point out that for a country situated like Eng-
ing on this subject ; and coming events, proba-
land, in which the ruling and the subject orders
bly, will soon produce a greater change. " What,"
are no longer separated by a middle class, and in
says Mr. Mill, " is felt as disagreeable by the
which the subject orden, composing the bulk of
great MC11, is sane never te> continue long without
the people, are in a state of gloomy discontent
an effort, either vise or foolish, for the retnoval
arising from excessive numbers ; that for such a
of it." The new . ruling class of England, those
country, one chief end of colonization is to pre-
whorn late events have mace the great mere of
vent tumults, to keep the peace, to maintain
England, are placed in a situation which rnay
orden, to upholcl confidence in the security of pro-
rendez excess of ntunbers hig-Itly disagreeable to
perty, to hinder interruptions of the regular
course of industry and trade, to avert the ter-
1)14 a work of the greatest utility. I am proud to add, that the
rible evils which, in a country like England,
forro of the present treatise was suggested 1)y one of the wisest
and bcst of mankind.
106
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION•
107
•
could not but follow any serious political con-
come to the means of colonization, that, if colo-
ulsi on.
nies viere properly managed, they would furnish,
For England, another end of colonization, by
according to the continuad progress in their num-
.means of relief from excessive numbers, would be
ber or extent, a continually increasing demand
relief from that portion of the poor's-rate which
for the services of all those classes.
maintains workmen in total or partial idleness ;
an object in which the ruling order have an ob-
II I. Enlargement qf the field for employ ing
vious interest.
capital.
For England again, a very useful end of colo-
This end of colonization is distinet from that
nization would be to turn the fide of Irish emi-
enlargement of the field for employing capital,
gration from England to her colonies ; not to
v hi eh would come by the creation of extensive
inention that the owners of land in Ireland, inost
markets for the purchase of cheap corn with the
of them being foreigners by religion, might thus
produce of domestic industry. It may be best
be taken out of the dilemma in which they are
explained by reference to sorne facts. Since Eng-
now placed ; that of a choice between legally
land began to colonize, how many Englishmen
giving up a great part of their rental to the hun-
have quitted their country with small fortunes,
gry people, and yielding to the people's violence
and returned with large ones, mide by means of
the land which ovas taken by violence from their
high profits in the colonies! In the West India
fathers.
islartds, alone, millions upon millions of English
Finally, comprised in relief from excessive
capital have been ernployed with very great
numbers is the relief to many classes, not called
profit ; millions upon millions, which, we may
labourers or capitalists, from that excessive com-
be sure, would not have been removed to the
petition for employment which renders thcm
West Indies, if théy could have been invested at
uneasy and dissatisfied. Of the 1'25,000 persons
borne with equal profit. An existing London
who quitted England last year to settle in colo-
Company has more than doubled its capital in a
nies, not a few viere profcssional raen ; surgeons,
few years, besides paying a handsome dividend
clergymen, lawyers, architects, engineers, sur-
to the shareholders, by the purchase and sale of
veyors, teachers and clerks : some few of diem
waste land in Upper Canada. In 1829, the Dutch
viere governesses. It will be seen, when we shall
firm of Crommelin, of Amsterdam, advanced
1,500,000 dollars to. sorne colonists in America,
108
THE ART OF COLONIZATION•
THE ART
COLONIZATION.
109
for the purpose of making a canal._ This money
who built it, no more bridges ought to be built.
is securely invested, and yields a higher interest or
How English capital might be seeurely invested
profit, than it would have done had it remained
in colonies without loss, with certain profit ; what
in Holland ; a country in which, as in England,
would be the most secure and profitable mode of
capital appears to increase faster than the field of
investing English capital in colonies ; these are
production. The loan lately made by the Lon-
questions which belong to the next division of
don house of Baring Brothers, to the state of
this subject. Here it is sufficient to have shown
Louisiana, is a secure and profitable invcstment
by the abo ye examples, that colonies may open
of English capital in the int provement of a colony.
a riel' and wide field for ernploying that capital
While I write, the firm of Thomas Wilson and
of a mother country, for which there is no very
Co. is negociating in London a loan of 3,500,000
profitable cmploytnent at horne.
dollars to the state of Alabama. One condition
Ml these ends of colonization, the extension of
of this loan, evidently devised to tempt the capi-
markets, relief in severa] ways from excessive
talists of London, is, that the lenders shall not he
numbers, and new investments for capital, may
paid off for thirty years. Examples without end
now be brought under one head ; namely, a pro-
might be adduced of prolitable investments made
gressive enlargemcnt, partly domestic, and partly
by the people of old states in new colonies ; and
colonial, of the field for ernploying capital and
made, too, without any permanent abstraction of
labour. The vast importance of this objeot, to a
capital from the old country. That great masses
country situated like England, is more fully cx-
of English capital have been wasted in colonies, is
plained in some of the foregoing notes.
also true. Of such a case, the absurd proceed-
ings of the London
THE ENDS OF COLONIZATION, AS RESPECTS THF.
Australian Agricultura Conz-
pan y, and the capital wasted in founding the
COLONY.
Swan itiver settlement, are good examples. But
The United States are still colonies, according
those sucos wcre as well wasted in that way, as if
to the sense in which the word is used hese.
they had been lent to Don Miguel or Don Pedro.
They receive people from old states, and senil out
To say that because English capital has been
a much greater number of people to settle in new
wasted in colonies, no more capital ought to be
places. For promoting the immigration of capital
invested in that way, would be like saying, that
and people, the motive of these states seems to be
because Waterloo bridge yields no profit to those
precisely opposite to that of an"old country in
110
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
prornoting the emigration of capital and people.
constantly increasing labouring class for which
The old country wants an enlargement of its field
there is not employrnent with good wages, so the
for employing capital and labora . : the colonies
main object of a colony in promoting the imrni-
want more capital and labour for cultivating an
gration of people is to obtain as much labour as
unlirnited field. By pouring capital and labour
can find employmcnt with good wages. A like
hito England, you would augment the competi-
difference of objects occurs with respect to new
tion and uneasiness of capitalists, as well as the
markets, and especially to those in which corn
cornpctition and misery of labourers : by pou ring
should be bought or sold. The object of the
capital and labour into America, you would in-
colony is to buy manufactured goods with raw
crease the wealth and greatness of that great
produce and corn ; that of the old country to buy
colony. By pouring labour only into England,
raw produce and corn with manufactured goods :
you would not increase the capital of that coun-
the object of the colony is to obtain more labour,
try, because the increase of labour would not
wherewith to raise the means of bnying manu-
find employtnent ; l)ut, as labour creates capital
factured goods; that of the old country to obtain
before capital employs labour, and as, in America,
cheap corn, wherewith to support more labourers
there is capital enough for the employment of
at borne. But, though two persons in different
more labour and room for the employment of
places cannot meet without proceeding in oppo-
more capital, therefore, by pouring labour only
site directions ; though, if they intend to meet,
into America, you would provide more capital
the object of one is to go in one direction and the
for the employment of still more labour. It fol-
object of the other to go in an opposite direction ;
lows, that colonies situated like the United
still they have a common object, that of meeting.
States, colonies, that is, which already possess
Just so in colonization, though the immecliate
more capital than labour, have a greater interest
object of an old state be to send out people, and
in obtaining labour than in obtaining capital
that of a colony to receive people, though the
from old countries : just as a country situated
colony want to sell, and the old country want to
like England, has a greater interest in procuring
buy, the means of life still they have a common
relief from excessive numbers than from the com-
object, that of increasing the number and enjoy-
petition of capital with capital. As the main
ments of mankind. Their comrnon object is to
object of an old country in promoting emigration
give full play to the principie of population, so
is to send forth continually all that portion of the
112
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
113
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
long as any habitable para of the colony remains
to pour finto that colony a st •eam of population
uninhabited.
utterly depraved and irreclaimable ? The criminal
- This community of interest recomes still more
code of England is more bloody than that of any
plain, when we reflect on the object of a colony in
other country which has a code of laws ; but in
remo ying people from the settled to the miste
New South Wales, the proportion of public exe-
parts of the colony. Here the immediate object
cutions to public executions in England is, I
of the colony is the very same as that of the
believe, allowing for the difference of nurnbers, in
mother country ; an enlargement of the general
the ratio of 325 to 1. This is partly accounted for
field of production in proportion to the general
when we reflect, that, of the convicts sent to New
increase of capital and labour. The object of the
South Wales, nine out of ten are men, brought to
oíd country is, that room should be malle for
that pass, rnost of them, by the violence of their
more people ; that of the colony to make room
passions ; fine men to one woman ; men accus-
for more people. These truisms are repeated,
tomed to unbridlecl indulgente and reckless of
because it will be useful to bear them in mirad
all social ties. The result need not be described.
when oye shall come to the means of coloniza-
Nor is it difficult to account for the attachment
tion ; and because, hitherto, those who have liad
of the English government to this system of
the means of colonization at their disposal would
Reformation. If English convicts were punislied
seem never to have heard of those mere truisms.
by imprisomnent at home, though the English
With a view also to saving time when we shall
aristocracy would have, to bestow upon their
come to the means of colonization, it wili be
dependants, more places, such as that ofjailer or
well to notice here, in a more particular way,
turnkey, they would miss the disposal of a number
some of the special objects of a colony in prorno-
of places such as gentlemen will accept. The
ting the immigration of people.
governor of New South Wales is a jailer ; but,
have attempted to prove elsewhere, that want
being called Your Excellency, and paid accord-
of free labour is the canse of s]avery in America ;
ingly, he is thankful for his place ; as thankful as
not the dea •ness of labour, but the want of free
any one ever is for a place which he has obtained
labour at any price. Why do the settlers in New
by electioneering services. But how are we to
South Wales, having capital, dread aboye
account for the attachment of the richer colouist.s
things that the English government should tease
to this horrid system of transportation ? By their
want of free labour ; by d'ehr anxiety to keep
VOL. H.
114
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF coIoNIzATIoN.
115
that slave labour, without which each of t.hem
ing all these things in New South Wales. Why
could use no more capital than his own hands
has it not grown any of these things ? Because
could employ. They say, and with perfect truth,
for the growth of any of these things constant
that if the supply of convicts were stopped the
and combined labour is required ; an element of
colony would be ruined. Assuredly the colony
production wanting in New South \\Vales. Con-
would be ruined, unless •the richer settlers should
viet labour, though constant when compared with
find the mearas of obtaining either free labour, or
such labour as is got by the occasional immigra-
that kind of slave labour which they have in
tion of free workrnen, is very inconstant when
America.
compared with the labour of negro slaves. The
But even with the convict system, there is a
convict works only so long as his term of punish-
dcficiency of labour. In Van Diemen's Land, it is
ment lasts, and for one master only so long as
cominon to see one, two or three, thousand sheep
t.he governor Aleases, or the secretary of the
all in one flock, the old and the young, the strong
governor, or the superintendent of convicts, or
and the weak, all mixed together. While feeding,.
some member of the colonial eouncil ; any one of
the strongest of a flock, so mixed, always take the
whom may suddenly, and without rhyme or
van, the weakest always bringing up the rear.
reason, deprive a settler of bis convict servants.
'i'hus a great number of the lambs or weaker
While slave labour may be combined in quan-
sheep are starved to death ; and, of course, the
tities proportioned to the capitalist's mearas of
profits of the owner of the flock are by- so much
buying slaves, convict labour can never be com-
diminished. Why is this loss incurred ? for want
bined in large quantities ; because, as the govern-
of more shepherds ; of more labour. If there
ment bestows this labour, if any one settler
were in Van Diemen's Land shepherds enough to
should obtain more than his due share of con-
rnanage all the flocks in t.he best way, the increase
victs, all the others would complain of gross par-
of produce would give higher wages to the greater
tiality ; and because the proportion of convicts to
number of labourers, besides augmenting the
settlers is so small, that without gross partiality
profits of the flock owners. The soil and ellinate
no one settler can have more than a few pairs of
of New South Wales appear admirably suited to
convict hands. Favoured settlers, those who find
the growth of tobacco, olive oil, silk and avine.
favour with the governor and his officers, do often
A London company has spent ra jar 300,000/. with
obtain more than a fair share of convicts ; but, as
the intention, declared by its prospectus, of grow-
the favour of governors is uncertain, no motive
116
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONMATION.
117
is furnished, even in these cases of gross par_
want of free labour for works which require the
tiality, for the commencement of works which
combination of many hands and division of em-
require the constant employment of many hands,
ployments. The canals which the English govern-
at the same time, in the same place, and for a
ment has lately formed in Canada could not have
period of consecutive years. How, says Mr.Blax.
been fin ished, or perhaps begun, without a supply
land, a great land proprietor of New South Wales ;
of labour from Ireland. The great Lake Erie
how should our settlers undertake to plant vine-
canal, a work of which the public advantage, and
yards, when years must pass before any vine
the profit to the undertakers, was ¡nade manifest
could be got ; years during which much labour
upon papel. long before the work was begun,
musa be employed in tending the vires ; when,
could not perhaps have been begun, most certainly
for gathering the grapes and turning them into
could not have been finished, without a great
vine, much more labour would be required ; and
supply of Irish labour. Capital from Amsterdam
when, in this colony, the supply of labour is
and London, and labour from Ireland, have,
always, not only small, but uncertain ?* This is
lately, been of infinite service to the United
why the Australian Agricultura! company has
States. Theirs is the most favorable case. In
not raised any exchangeable produce ; save wool,
all the more favorable cases, the difficulty is for
which in a country like New South Wales, na-
masters to get servants. In t.he less favorable
turally olear and dry, may be raised with very
cases, such as Buenos Ayres and the Swan River,
little labour : this is why the greater part of the
the difficulty would be for servants to finci mas-
300,0001. spent by that company has been utterly
ters. In the worst cases, want of labour leads to
wasted ; is gone to nothing.
want of capital, and condemns the people to a
Why has so much of the capital perished, that
state of poverty and barbarism in the best cases,
was taken to the Swan River ? for want of labour
the people would be more wealthy, would pro-
wherewith to preserve it. Why do the few settlers
duce and enjoy more, if they were more numerous
that remain in that colony wish for a supply of con-
in proportion to capital. All the more favorable
vict labour ? .because they have no free labour.
cases are maintained by some expedient, which
In Canada, as in t.he United States, there is a
more or less counteracts the want of labour ; in
the United States by slavery and the immigra-
'» 1 quote from recollection of a paper, printed by Mr.
Wilmot Elorton, con taining Minutes of a Conversation between
tion of people ; in New South Wales and Van
himsclf and Mr. Blaxland.
Dietnen's Land by the convict system ; in Canada
118
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
119
by a constant immigration of labour by sea,
colony in America, that did not perish, vas a
greater than ever took place before in the history
grant by James I., to the London Company, of
of colonization. If the means by which the
five degrees of waste land in Virginia. The power
United States, Canada and New South Wales,
of the king to dispose of waste land induced the
obtain labour, should be taken away, no others
company to forro the project of founding a colony
being supplied, then Inust those colonies soon fall
the power thus obtained by the company to dis-
into the miserable state of other colonies which
pose of waste land, enabled them to find people
have never had any means of obtaining labour.
willing to etnigrate, and capital for their removal
• In a word, from whatever point of view ore look
and settlement. Just so, in the. case of the last
at this subject, it appears that the great want of
colony founded by England, those who founded
colonies is Labour, the original purchase-money
the colony were induced to remove by receiving
of all things.
grants of svaste land from the English governtnent.
Mr. Peel's motive for removing to the Swan
THE MEANS OF COLONIZATION.
River with a capital of 50,0001.and some hundred
The elements of colonization, it is quite obvious,
people, was a grant of 500,000 acres of waste
are waste land and the rernoval of people. If
land ; and the motive with which those people
there were no waste land, no people would re-
accompanied him was the p ope of high wages for
move ; if no people would remove, waste land
cultivating waste land, or the prospect of obtaining
trust remain in a desert state. Waste land is
waste land of their own. So also, last year, when
cultivated by the rernoval of people, and people
an English company offered Lord Goderich
are removed by means of the motive to removal
125,0001. for 500,000 acres of land at Spencer's
furnished by the existence of waste land. Capital
Gulph on the South coast of Australia, intending
for the removal of people, and for the settlement
to lay out 375,0001. more in planting a colony on
of people on waste land, being included in the
that desert spot, the motive of those projectors
ideas of removal and- settlement, the means of
was to obtain waste land. Of the 125,000 people,
colonization, it follows inevitably, will resolve
who are supposed to have emigrated from Britain
themselves into the disposal of waste land for the
last year to settle in the United States, Canada
removal of people. A notice of some facts will
and Australia, the greater number were induced
illustrate this proposition.
to remove by the prospect of obtaining waste
The moving power for founding the first English
land, and the remainer by a prospect of benefits
1
120
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
121
to result to them from the disposal of waste land
rneans of colonization from a colonial position.
in the countries where they should settle. The
If this course had been pursued before, the
greatest emigration of people that ever took place
English would not have been as ignorant as they
in the world occurs from the eastern states to the
are of the political economy of new countries.
outside of the western statcs of Atnerica ; and
Their economists, in treating of colonies, have
here the solo object in removing is either to
worked with no other tools than those which thev
obtain waste land, or to rcap benefits in sorne
were accustomed to use in cxplaining the pite-
other shape from the late disposal of waste latid.
nomena of an old country; have reasoned from
It seerns needless to rnultiply such examples.
principies, that were une in the old country, to
The disposal of waste 'and for the removal of
facts that never existed in the colony. They
people Might be considered in two different points
remind one of an Englishman who, having
of view ; first, as that element of colonization is
been used to the luxury of music, carried
liable to be used by an old state ; and secondly,
a grand npright piano to the Swan River, and
as it is liable to be used by a colony. Both these
then, finding no body to make a cupboard for
Nvays of examining the subject would load to the
hita, was fain to gut the musical instrutnent and
sarne conclusion. For instante, ave should de-
use it for holding his crockery ; or of that English
termine the best mode of treating waste land,
colonial minister, who, knowing that in .Europe
either by ascertaining how the United States
the seas are salt, sent water butts from England
might best dispose of waste land for the rernoval
for the use of the English fleet on a fresh water
of people, or how the English, with the sante
sea in America. By looking at this subject from
object, inight best dispose of waste land in
a colonial position, wc shall proceed from facts to
Canada or Australia. But considering that the
conclusions. Whatever course it would be best
removal of people is a secondary rneans of colo-
for the United States to pursue for drawing
nizador), depending on the disposal of waste land ;
people from England to America, would be the
seeing that it is waste land which draws people
best course that the English could pursue for
from the settled to the waste parts of the colony,
sending people to Canada or Australia. Having
and so makes room for the arri val of people from
ascertained what this best course is, it will be
an old country, and that this prime mover, or
easy to apply our conclusions to the foundation
point of attraction, exists in the colony, it will
of colonies; and to show how an old state might
be found Inuch. more convenient to look at the
best co-operate with a colony for giving to the
122
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
123
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
means of colonization their greatest possible
they will obtain a title to land without using
effect.
their property, or to more land than they can pos-
sibly use. The English company which founded
I. The disposal of waste land.
Virginia would have preferred a grant of all
It is not because land is uncultivated, nor even
America to a grant of five degrees. Lower Ca-
because it is uninhabited, that it forms an ele-
nada is not the only English colony in which
ment of colonization. The greater part of Prince
English lords have obtained great tracts of land,
Edward's Island, in the Gulph of St. Lawrence,
without using, or even intending to use, their
though neither eultivated nor inhabited,still,being
property. An Englishman, calling himself the
the private property of two English lords,* is not
Earl of Stirling, lately took much pains to make
liable to be used for the removal of people : nor,
out a property in all the land of Upper Canada.
indeed, is any land, to which no government can
The clergy of the political church in Upper
give a title of possession ; since the motive for
Canada have obtained a property in vast tracts of
removing to waste land is the prospect of obtain-
land which they cannot use. General Lafayette
ing a property in the land. Considering how
lately accepted from the United States 300,000
much land in America, South Africa and Aus-
acres of waste land which he cannot or will not
tralia, is open to be used by individuals without .a
use. In 1824, the Australian Agrieultural Company
title to the possession of it, it would be surprising
and the Fan Diemen' s Land Conzpany, both of
that so few people should ever have used land
London, obtained, the one, 1,000,000, the other,
without a title, if we did not reflect, also, on the
500,000 acres of waste land, when it was im-
influence of that "charro of property,"
possible they should turn a fourth part of those
which,
says M. Dumont, "is the spur of youth and pil-
great tracts to any useful purpose. The first im-
low of old age." Those Americans, who, under
migrants to the Swan River obtained more land
the narre of squatters, use land without a title are
than a thousand times as many people could have
exceptions to the general rule. Their motives
cultivated. In all these cases, and in a countless
for acting differently from people in general will
numbcr more, so much of the chief element, of the
be noticed hereafter. But while, speaking ge-
primary means, of colonization was annihilated.
nerally, people will not use land without a title,
Nay, further, in most of them, the destruction
was extended for a time to land that was not
* Melville and Westmoreland.
granted : as for instance, at the Swan River,
124
THE ART OF COLONIZAT1ON.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
125
where a bread stripe of the coast, not being used,
a certain way, which is the prirnary means of co-
being almost without inhabitants and quite with-
lonization ; and when theland has been disposed
out roads, became, when it becarne the property
of in another way, the power to dispose of it in the
of individuals, a bar to the disposal of land more
right way no longer exist.s. Land, to be an ele-
in the interior ; land which, if the coast were in-
ment of colonization, must not only be waste, but
habited and easily passable, might be disposed of
it, inust be publio property, liable to be converted
for the removal of people. For the sarne reason,
into private property for the end in view. In
General Lafayette has been requested to sell bis
the art of colonization, therefore, the first rule
grant to people who will use it ; because, that is,
is of a negativo kind : it is, that govcrninents,
being at once desert and private property, it is a-
having power over waste land, and seeking to
bar to the progress of settlement in all directions
promote the removal of people, should never
towards its centre. This, again, is the case with'
throw away any of that power ; should never dis-
the lands of the clergy in Canada ; and %val] a still
pose of waste land except for the object in view,
more absurd kind of property created in that
for the removal of people, for the greatest pro-
colony ; namely, tracts of land " reserved" by the
gress of colonization.
crown in the midst of land which has become
This rule has never been strietly observed by
the property of
In this last case, the
any colonizing government : it has been grossly
government behaves worse than the dog in the
neglected by all such govcrnments, excepting
manger, \\vilo only prevented others from using
only the United States, which, since they becarne
that which he could not use himself. Besides
entirely independent, have been more cautions
doing this, the government of Canada inj tires
than any other colonizing government ever was
the people who surround its reserves of land, by
about the disposal of waste land. One or two ex-
interposing deserts amongst them : it is as if the
amples of this neglect, and this caution, will assist
dog haca baten the cattle, besides hindering theta
us in determining in what way a government
from eating the hay. As flour is an element of
ought to dispose of waste land with a view to
bread, so is waste land an element of colonization;
colonization.
but as flour, which has been turned into pie-crust,
The most striking instauce of the neglect of
will not rnake bread, so neither is waste land,
this rule has occurred in the Dutch colony of
which has become private property, an element of
South Africa. Here, we are informed by Mr.
colonization. It is the disposal of waste land in
Barrow, in the account of his travels through that
126
THF; ART OF COLONIZATION.
THF, ART OF COLONIZATION.
127
colony, the colonial government, having absolute
but one motive for emigrating to a place where
controul over all the land in the country, disposed
all the land has become private property, namely,
of that land in the following way. They first de-
the p ope of obtaining high wages ; and that a few
clared, that any one desirous to obtain land
scattered settlers were necessarily prevented, even
should be at liberty to do so on one condition ;
by their dispersion, from accumulating capital
natnely, that of taking a hundred times, at least,
wherewith to pay high wages to immigrant la-
more land than he could possibly cultivate. The
bourers. If they had not obtained some slaves,
whole district to be granted was marked out in
that is some combination of labour in the parti-
circles, the diameter of each circle being some
cular works of their farms, they would, being so
miles ; and any one who undertook to live in the..
scattered and prevented from combining their
centre of one of those circles obtained a title to
osen labour, have degenerated into the state of
all the land within the circle. What became of
those savage descenclants of Spaniards, who in-
the land bctween the circles is not stated ; but
habit the plains of Buenos Ayres. As it was, a more
all these interstices must neeessarily-have been
ignorant and brutal luce of men than the boors
so many " crown reserves." The object of this
or farmers of South Africa never, perhaps, existed.
system was to separate those who should become
The poverty and barbarism of that country, the
proprietors ; to separate them, all from each other,
unfitness of the greater part of it for the work of
by a distante equal to the diameter of the circles;
colonization, are owing, not, as has been supposed
and the motive for this object was fear lest, if the
for the want of a better reason, to the badness of
colonists were not so separated, they might, as
its soil and climate, (for these very much resemble
union is force, be strong enough to think of self-
those of Spain) but to the neglect by its early
government. This object was fully acomplished,
governments of the first rule in the art of colo-
and the colony was effectually ruined. All the
nization.'1
land so granted, though scarcely inhabit.ed, still
less cultivated, ceased, by this manner of dispos-
" The white population at present (1828) is estimated at
ing of it, to be an element of colonization. That
about 70,000. In 1806, it was not more than 27,000. From
such a disposal of the land liad no tendency to
a variety of causes, some permanent, others accidental, they
hace Leen scattered over a larger space than was consistent with
promote the removal of people, save only that of
mutual ald and support. This retarded the progressive di-
the few persons thus scattered over the colony,
vision of labour, and exposed the solitary settler to many
becomes plain when we reflect, that there can be
dangers and privations, which did not operate beneficially
128
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
129
If the first Dutch governor of New York had
enough, to ruin that colony by planting each of
been able, he would probably have been willing,
the first settlers in the centre of a eircle nine or
twelve miles round ; but hese, fortunately, the
his habits of inclustry. Instead of trying how much produce of
warlike temper of the natives, and the extreme
every kind they could raise, they were rather led to consider
denseness of the forests, tnade it impossible to
on how little they could subsist. The limits of the settlement
being, perhaps too rapidly extended, rendered defence, rather
execute such a contrivance for ruining the colony.
than cultivation, the chief object of public attention. It is not
Though, in this case, the first settlers were allowed
meant that the settlers should have been crowded together.
to appropriate much more land than they could
The nature of the colony rendered that impossible. But for
possibly use, still they were allowed to settle
sorne time no moderation was observed in this respect ; and a
whereabouts they pleased. In fear of the natives,
great waste of capital, and misapplication of labour and strength,
and checked by the density of the forests, they
were the consequence. The increase of population, provided
the boundaries be now fixed and adhered to, will gradually
settled not very far from each other, and were
correct this evil, and bring both labour and a market more and
thus enabled to hold sorne intercourse with each
more within the reach of the formen If these views of the colony
other, to assist each other in some degree, to
be near the truth, it will be worth considering whether, when
accumulate some capital, to preserve in some
new settlers are to be provided for, it would not be better to
degree the arts and civilization of their mother-
selcct locations for them in detail, as near the villages,and Cape
country. In this case, circkunstances independ-
Town, as these can be found, ¿han to set them down in masses
by themselves on the outskirts of the colony or beyond its
ent of the government, created a sort of rule for
peopled limits. In such situations they are not merely useless,
the disposal of waste land. This case is not,
but a burthcn, to the community for many ycars—requiring
therefore, an example of attention in a govern-
new and expensive establishinents for their protection, besides
ment to the first rule in the ad of colonization :
wasting their own money in fruitless undertakings, begun from
it is mentioned by way of contrast with the pre-
mere ignorante of the resources of the country. There appears
to be abundante of unappropriated land, or at least of unoccu-
pied, or at all events, of uncultivated latid,
lity, as
in niost of the settled
regards soil, 8c.c. near a good road or a town, may ex-
districts, on which many thousands of industrious people might
ceed in value, a thousandfold, those of the first description which
be placed, rnost advantageously to the old ínhabitants, and
possess no such advantages." Extract from the South African
with much surer prospect of providing for themselves and
Conunercial Advertizer ; a Journal conducted by an Englishman
their families all the necessaries of life, than in the remate places
of great intelligence and ability 3 a political economist too, who,
until he
to which the stream of emigration is too often directed. It is true,
saw a new country, would have commenced an expla-
nation of the English theory of rent, saying with Mr.
the best places in those districts have fallen to the lot of the
first settlers. But locations of the second, third, orfourth qua-
Land is of different degrees of fertility."
VOL. II.
130
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
131
ceding case ; a contrast the more remarkable,
land was not used by any one, appears from an
since the miserable colony of South Africa, and
official returu, which státes that only a forty-first
the prosperous colony of New York, were founded
part of it, or 71,523 acres, was cultivated. Allow-
by the same industrious, skilful and thrifty
ing for the very siight interference with nature,
nation.
which is termed cultivation in New South WaleS',
Two examples of some caution on the part of
and for the turn of colonial governments to ex-
colonial governments in disposing of waste land
aggera.te the prosperity of the people ruled by
may now be cited, in contrast with examples of
them, we may perhaps conclude, that not so
reckless profusion.
much as a forty-first part of these 3,000,000 acres
1. Up to the year 1822, thirty-four years after
was used beneficially. If so, in 1828, more than
the first settlernent in New South Wales, and
forty parts Óut órforty-one, of the land granted
when the prdsperity of the free settlem in that
by the government of New South Wales, had
colony was a subject of great admiration in Eng-
been disposed of so as to render thein no longer
land, the quantity of svaste land disposed of by
an elernent of colonization, without rendering
the government was 381,466 ecres ; less than the
them useful to any other purpose. The profu-
one grant obtained by Mr. Peel before he left
sion of the government after 1822, arose from the
England for the Swan River. Shortly afterwarcls,
publication of Mr. Wentworth's book on New
Lord Bathurst, the English colonial minister,
South Wales: Mr. Wentworth informed people
living in London, and knowing as much about
in England, that landin New South Wales:was
New South Wales as about Japan or the MOCO,
worth soinething ; that of the 400,000 acres then
disposed of a million of acres in a single grant.
granted, thousands of acres, being near to a
In one day, then, twice as much land was granted
market, yiélded rent ; that an estate in New
as had been granted in thirty-four years. Up to
South Wales was a good thing to have, especially
1822, all the land in New South Wales, except
if it could be got for nothing. All at once, the
less than 400,000 acres, was liable to be disposed
colonial office in London was besieged by appli-
of as a rneans of colonization. In 1828, when
eants wanting land in New South Wales. What
the population of the colony was little more than
way so easy of gratifying a friend of govern-
in 1822, the number of acres rendered not Hable
ment, or the friends and relatives of the friends
to be disposed of for the removal of people, was
and members of government ? Itnmense grants,
nearly 3,000,000. That the greater part of this
accordingly, were made ; some, indeed, to peo-
132
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
133
ple who emigrated, but some to lords and mem-
perty. Mr. Stuart, after describing various marks
bers of parliament who never thought of ernigra-
of industry and growing wealth on the American
ting. In this way, the colony would have been
side of the line, says " We crossed the river
ruined, but for the peculiar circumstances before
* * * * The country we passed through
alluded to, which supply the colonists with
(on the Canadian side) was greatly over-cropped,
labour, keep them together, and provide thern
with little appearance of industry or exertion to
with a market.
reclaim it. Whenever the stage stopped to water
2. Between the moles of granting land on the
the horses, the doors viere crowded with children,
Canadian and American sides of the line, which
offering apples and plums 'for sale ; and we saw,
divides Upper Canada from the state of New
for the first time on this side of the Mande, seve-
York, there has existed until lately a very remark-
ral beggars."* The following account, of the
able contrast. On the Canadian side, crown and
difference between the American and Canadian
clergy " reserves ;" unconditional grants of vast
sides of the line, in point of industry and wealth,
tracts to any one who could find favour with the
is given by Mr. Pickering ; a careful observer,
English minister or colonial governor ; grants of
with strong prejudices against the Americans.
smaller tracts, but still without conditions, to
" I am once again under the jurisdiction of the
disbanded soldiers, military pensioners and pan-
British government and laws, and therefore feel
per immigrants ; in a word, the greatest profu-
myself no longer an alien. Though the Ameri-
sion on the American side, a system, nearly
cans, in general, are civil and friendly, still an
fixed and uniform, one general and unvarying
Englishman, hirnself a stranger amongst them, is
rule, with few exceptions, for the granting of
annoyed and disgusted by their vaunts of prowess
land ; an act of congress, which decrees that no
in the late puny war, and superiority over all
waste land shall be disposed of except by a spe-
other na.tions ; and they assurne it as a sellevi-
cial grant of congress, or upon payment by the
grantee to the government of a dollar and a
* " I never observe(' land more in want of manure than this
quarter per acre. The special grants by congress
part of Canada (near Montreal) originally of indifferent soil,
are few and far between ; while the price put
and now totally worn out by over-cropping, and in the most
upon all other waste land operates as a check,
w retehed state of agriculture. Yet the manure in a great ata-
almost as a bar, to the appropriation of land by
ble yard, belonging to the hotel whcre we lodged, is thrown
finto the river ; and obviously little use is made of it
persons not able, or not willing, to use their pro-
any wbere.'
Stuart, vol. 1, p. 163.
134
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
135
dent fact, that the Americans surpass all others
will be answered presently. Meanwhile, enough
in virtue; wisdorn, valour, liberty, government,
has been stated to show, that there must be some
and every other excellence. Yet, much as the
one way better than all the others of treating
Americans deserve ridicule for this foible, still
waste land for the removal of people, for the
1 admire the energy and 'enterprise every where
greatest progress of colonization ; and that every
exhibited, and regret the apathy of the British
disposal of waste land in any way but the best
government with regará to the improvement of
way diminishes by so much the power of a colo-
this province. A single giance clown the banks
nizing state to proceed in the best way.
of t.he Niagara tells on which side the most effi-
What is the best way in which to dispose of
cient government has resided. On the ITnited
waste land with a view to colonization ? It may
States side, large towns springing up the nume-
be supposed, that in some one colony, at least,
rous shipping, with piers to protect them irk.ihar-
for some short time, this best way of proceeding
bour ; coaches rattling along t.he road ; and trade
has been adopted, if only by accident. On the
evidenced by waggons, carts, horses, and people
contrary, as far as I can learn, in no one colony
owfoot, in various directions. On the Canadian
of modem times, has any uniform system been
side, although in the immediate vicinity, an older
adopted even for a week : while in nearly all
settlement, and apparently better landa there are
colonies severa! wats of proceeding, the most
only two or three stores, a.tavern or two, a natu-
different and often contradictory, have been pur-
ral harbour without piers, but few vessels, and
sued either within a short period or at the same
two ternporary landing places."*
ti me.
To what is owing this striking difference be-
The nearest approach to an uniform system is
tween the prosperity of two sets of people, culti-
that of the United States ; the sale of waste land by
vating the same soil, under the same climate,
public auction at a fixed upset price, except as to
with the same degree of knowledge, and divided
special grants by congress. The exceptions,
only by anitnaginary line ? What has ~sed the
however, are so import.ant as to defeat the role.
second emigration into the state of New York
Amongst these exceptions are the grant of 300,000
of a large proportion of the poorer emigrants
acres to General Lafayette ; grants to the amount
from Britain to Upper Canada ? These questions
of 6,528,000 acres to disbanded soldiers,* and
The grcat IvIilitary Bounty tract, reserved by Cong,ress
Emigrant's Guide Lo Canada, 1830.
136
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
137
enormous grants for the support of schools and
downwright contradiction, to the general way of
colleges, as well as to the undertakers of public
procéeding.
works, such as roads and canals. Ali these grants
As soon as the French settlement in Lower
so far resernble the crown and clergy reserves of
Canada, which was established by private ad-
Upper Canada, that they have dirninished, ac-
venturers, became of sufficient irriportance to
cording to their extent, the field of colonization,
deserve the attention of the mother-country, the'
and injured the settlers round about those special
court of Versailles proceeded to grant all the
grants. For neither the French general, nor the
land within reach of ernigrants, and much that
disbanded soldiers, nor the schools and colleges,
was-heyond their reach, to certain courtiers or
nor the undertakers of canals, attempted to cul-
creatures of courtiers. Each of these grantees
tivate the land which they so obtained for nothing.
obtained an immense tract, on two conditions
But General Lafayette may sell his land for less
first, that neither he nor his descendants should
than the rninimum price per acre required by con-
ever part with the property ; secondly, that he
gress from all buyers of waste land. This the
should grant leases, on condition of receiving
disbanded soldiers has-e aetually done : %1 thus
services like those required from the holders of
counteracting svhatever may have been the
l and under the worst feudal system of Europe.
object of congress in adopting that price. In
In this case, court favour, iban which nothing is
several ways, therefore, the special grants by
much more irregular, was the means of obtaining
congress are, not merely in exception, but in
property in land ; or, if ave are to consider the
second condition attached to these seigneuries as
for distribution among the soldiers of the late war, commences
leaving them open to use by settlers, then the
in the neighbourhood of Lower Alton. It comprehends the
means of obtaining land were as irregular and
1101111 west comer of the state— about 170 miles long and 60
whimsical as the feudal services required from
miles broad." Stuart, vol. 2, p. 336.
* Most of those lands have bcen sold by the soldiers to other
tenants. Upon the whole, however, it will secta
individuals, and are now owned in great quantities by gentle-
that the establishment of these absurd lordships
men in the eastern states. * They have been sold by
in the wilderness, was, after the Dutch plan in
the soldiers for about 50 dollars for a quarter seetion, con-
South Africa, the best way to ruin the colony, by
taining 160 acres." Letter • -ont Mr. Duncan, of Fandalia.
means of the restrictions thereby imposed on the
Stuart, vol. 2, p. 396.
useful appropriation of waste land. In the French
This is at the rato of 3l cents. per acre; while the upset
price of land sold by Congress is 125 cents; per acre.
colony of Louisiana, on the contrary, " lands,"
138
THE ART OF COLONIZATION:
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
139
gays the Abb2-1 Raynal, "'were granted indiscri-
rent to the government, which quit rent was
minately to every person who applied for them,
exácted in some cases and not in others ; to some,
and in the manner in which he desired thern,"
for nothing, because they were American royalists ;
Here, then, instead of a system, land was disposed
to others, for so much money per acre, paid
of acc.ording to the irregular fan cies-of indi viduals.
openly to the government, and disposed of in
This might be called a, rule for the disposal of
various jobs of which the note below gives an
waste land, if it were not clear that every gratifi-
example ; to the political clergy for nothing, as
cation of an individual fancy, as to the extent
we have seen. before ; and even to the grantor, to
and situation of grants, was calculated to prevent
the crown itself, in the preposterous shape of
the gratification of other individual fancies. The
crown reserves. In this eolony, too, while ale
historian of Freneh Louisiana, one of the many
these ways of granting land were pursued at once,
colonies that has perished, goes on te, sar—" Izad
during the very period of this irregularity in
it not been for this original error, Louisiana would
not have languished for so long a time ; immense
* Thirdly, 2,5661., as an annual ~pensativa, for the
deseas would not have separated the eolonists
period of sevcn years, to those officers of the land-granting
from each other. Being brought near to a com-
department in Upper Canada, who, by the adoption of the new
mon centre they would have assisted each other,
regulations for granting lands, are deprived of their enzoluments."
See evidence of the Right Honorable R. Wilmot Horton, M. P.
and would have cnjoyed ale the advantages of a
and Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, delivered before
well regulated society. Instead of a few bordes
a Select Committee of the House of Commons, on the Civil
of savages, we should have seen a rising colon,Y
Government of Canada, 1828. The Report of this Committee,
which might in time have become a powerful
which seis a thick folio volume, is crowded with examples of
nation, and procured infinite advantages to
jobbing in the disposal of waste land.
France."
"The surveyors reccive their compensation in land, and gc-
In Upper Cana.da land has been granted,
nerally secare the mostváluable portions. When I was in Canada,
at the
same time,
they would sell thcir best lots for one dollar per acre; while
to favourites of the colonial court for
131. tos., the fec on one hundred acres, amount to more than
nothing; to others, for bribes paid to colonial
half a dollar per acre. I never met with any one person,
officers ;* to some, on condition of paying a quit
amongst ale those with whom I conversed on the subject, who
did not agree, that, if a settler had but a very little money, it
would be much more to his advantage to buy land than to re-
" Will you inform the Committee of the sucos that have
ceive it from the government.'' Letters from North America,
been paid by the Canada Company, and thcir appropriation ?
by Adam Hodgson. Vol. 2, p. 47.
140
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
141
granting land, grants were refused with equal
wealth, that is, because he was able to invest
irregularity because the applicant had offended
capital on the land, and on account of bis po-
the governor ; because he asked for land in a
verty, that is, on the score of charity : refused
favourable situation reserved by the governor, in
according to every whirn of every successive
his excellency's tnind, 1 mean, for some relative
governor, always a sailor or a soldier, as fit to
or dependent ; because he wanted land, in a
manage a grea.t work of public econoiny as Adam
situation which bis excellency, in his wisdom,
Smith was fit to navigate a ship or command a
thought not fit for settlement, and, in his power,
regiment. To save the reader's time, in order
resolved should continue desea ; because this
that he play be able to imagine the excessive ir-
spot was intended for the site of a town, and that
regularity with which land has been granted,
for some military purpose ; because this district
and withheld in these colonies, I shall state two
had not been surveyed, or this was, in the go-
facts, out of hundreds, which tend to establish
vernor's opinion, too thickly peopled ; or that re-
that here, as to the disposal, of new land, the
quired more people, and was, on that day, the
governtnent has been regular in nothing but ir-
only spot in which a g,rant would be made. Such
regularity.
are not all, but only a few, of the very different
1. About four years ago, General Darling being
and often contradictory grounds on which, at one
governor of New South Wales, -the colonial
and the same time, waste land was granted and
office in London, used to distribute a " regula-
withheld in this colony clown to last year.
tion," by which it was declared that any person
In New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land,
in England wishing to settle in New South Wales,
colonies not fifty years old, land has been granted
would obtain, on reaching the colony, a grant of
and refused on all sorts of different and contra-
land extensive in proportion to the capital that
dictory grounds ; granted by favour, for money,
he was prepared to invest on it. On the faith of
for public services, real or pretended, to English
this regulation, people used to emigrate with their
lords and rnembers of parliarnent, because tbey
capital. One of them, with the regulation in his
were lords and mernbers of parliament, to the
hand, waits upon the governor, and begs for a
political clergy, to schools and other institutions;
grant of land still at the disposal of government,
granted unconditionally and with conditions ;
in the county of Cumberlánd ; as-near, that is, to
conditions fulfilied in some cases but much oftener
the town of Sydney as the previous disposal of
neglected ; granted on account of the applicant's
waste land would allow. Has he brought
142
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
143
letter of recommendation to the governor, or the
sante du territoire d'Oran et de Constantine. Vou-
treasurer, or the secretary, or some member of
loir colonizer en métne temps la régence toute en-
council ? If yes, Utile letter come from a powerful
ti¿re, vouloir mettre des garnisons sur tous les
man or Toman in England, the grant is made out.
points, avoir la prétention de tout retenir dés
If no, then says the governor or his deputy—we
aujourd'hui sous notre domination immediate,
wish to promote settlements in Wellington Valley,
tout cela me parait 'etre un projet chimerique
en faire meine l'essai serait de comproinettre le
two hundred miles from Sydney, on the western
side of the Blue Mountains. Take a grant there,
succ?-,.s de notre établissement en Afrique, et en-
or do without a grant : in other words,
trainer l'état, en pure perte, dans des dépenses
go back to
England or bury yourself and utterly waste your
ruineuses."
capital in a distant wildernéss. What, it may be
2. During the rule of this same governor of
asked, could be the governor's motive for this
New South Wales, it was proposed to make a road
between Sydney and FIunter's River, a spot where
cruel injustice ? a desire to spread his dominion,
to make the colony appear wide upon the map, to
sotne settlements had been formed, but between
be able to boast of new settlements far apart,
which and Sydney, there was no communication
(this is the mera), far apart from each other !
except by the sea and Hunter's River. This road
Some of the evils of this ignorant desire are well
was to pass through a district, the whole of
described in the following extract from a letter
which, though of course narer to Sydney than
addressed, in 1832, by General Clausel to Mar-
the settlements on Hunter's River, remained in
shal Soult. " Tont devenait facile, si on eíit suivi le
the hands of government. before the go-
systZrne de cólonization que j'avais établi. N'ay-
vernment began to make the road, two or three
ant plus t m'occuper de Constantine et d'Oran,
applications were [nade for grants of land in this
j'aurais porté tous mes soins, toute mon attention,
district ; small grants of less than a hundred
sur la ville d'Alger et les environs. Notre éta-
acres each ; modest applications, considering that
blissement sur ce point, aisément surveillé, eát
the applicants were persons of high official rank
pris, peu á peu, et sans exigen presque aucun Erais,
in the colony, and near connections of the go-
une extension suffisante. A mesure que des colons
vernor to boot. The applications were success-
Européens seraient arrivés, on aurait gagné du
ful, of course. Some how or other, the new
terrain ; et lorsque les besoins de la colonie
road took the direction of these grants ; over or
l'eusg
by the side of which, therefore, all travellers
ent exige, on aurait pris une partie suffi-
by land between Sydney. and Hunter's River
144
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
145
necessarily passed. On each of these grants a house
an instance of the shameful irrcgularitywith which
was built ; a house, which, being licensed (for
new land has bcen disposed of in that colony.
they have a licensing system in New South Wales)
For granting land at the Swan River Settlement,
becarne an inn. These inns, then, were the
regulations, made by Sir George Murray and
only places on the line of road at which travellers
Mr. Horace Twiss, the chief and under secre-
could stop for rest and refreshment. Of course
tarjes of state for the colonies, were published in
such a monopoly caused thc erices of rest and re-
England ; but not tila after Sir George Murray
freshment to be very high ; gave very high pro-
had granted 500,000 acres to the cousin of his col-
fits to the inn-keepers. Other persons, desirous
league Sir Robert Peel. This grant to Mr. Peel
to share in these high profits, now applied for
was obtained by means of a letter, which has
grants of land on the Ene of road. No, said the
be-en published, from Sir Robert to Sir George.
governor, or one of these inn-keepers, you may
Some member of the house of commons having
have land on Hunter's River or in Wellington
said that this transaction was a job, Sir Robert
Valley ; but along this line of road no more
Peel defended it ; and Mr. now Lord Brougham,
land will be granted at present. Thus the power
the author of a book on colonial policy, rising
of the governor to grant or withhold waste latid
after the right honourable baronet, declared, that
was used in this case, with the effect, and one can
for the first time the right honourable baronet had
hardly doubt for the purpose, of turning two or
made an " unnecessary speech ;" so complete, or
three of his Excellency's favourites into highway-
rather so unnecessary, was thc vindication of his
men ; of enabling them to rob all travellers be-
conduct. The grant, however, to Sir Robert's
tween Sydney and Hunter's River ; to rob thern
eousin, of more land than had been granted in
of somewhat less than the difference between the
New South Wales during thirty-four years, and
the cost of going round by sea and the cost of
the outcry that was raised against it, compelled
travelling on a straight road open to the compe-
the government to give land to other people in
tition of inn-keepers. It -would not be easy to
the same way; that is, with the most reckless pro-
find, even in Ireland, a match for this job ; but
fusion. Thus the only advantage obtained by
many to match it have taken place in New South
Mr. Peel over other settlers was his being allowed
Wales. My authority for this statement is Mr.
to mark out his grant upon the map in England,
Potter Macqueen, late member of parliament for
and to chase what he considered the very best
Bedfordshire ; himself the proprietor of a large
situation. But this, though it has proved of no
tract of land in New South ,Wales, and, as such,
VOL. II.
1
t4 6
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATTON
147
advantage to Mr. Peel, was very injurious to
obtaining land on the first condition. Cine of the
all the other settlers ; because as he had selected
conditions made the other a nullity: just as else-
his grant round about the port or landing place,
where, the profusion of one governor and the
so great an extent of land in the very best situa-
caution of bis successor, or the, profusion of one
tion became private property, as to rendez all the
and the caution of bis predecessor, or the pro-
other situations very bad in comparison. If Mr.
fusion and caution of the same governor either at
Peel hall leen compelled to make roads through
different times, or with respect to different parts
his grant, or had obtained only such an extent
of the same colony at the same time, have had
of land as might easily have had roads made
opposite tendeneies ; have tended to increase,
through it by the •government, the case would
and, as the people were increasing, to decrease,
have been different. As it was, his property be-
the proportion between the inhabitants of a
Carne- as a desert between the -port or landing
colony and the land open to cultivation.
place, and the land beyond that property. Beyond
Ali these cases pretty well establish, that in no
that desert, however, it •was declared, that all the
modem colony has the best way, or indeed any
world should be entitled to unlimited grants, on
one way, of trcating waste land been pursued sys-
either one of two conditions, as the granteeshould
tematically : to these cases it would be easy to
prefer ; either an outlay of is. 6d. per acre in con-
add several hundreds of different and often con-
veying labourers to the settlement, or the invest-
tradictory modes, in which the governments of
ment of capital on the land at the rate of ls. 6d.
modem Europe have disposed of the chief ele-
per acre. - The second of these conditions was
ment of colonization.
flatly at variante with the first. The object of
What is the best rnode in which to dispose of
the first condition was to promote the emigration
waste land with a view to colonization ? In order
of labourers in proportion to the land granted ;
to ascertain this, wc must first determine what is,
but as those who had obtainecl land on the second
or ought to be, the immedia.te object of a colo-
condition wanted labourers, and, not having spent
nizing government in exerting its power over
capital on the imrnigration of labourers, were able
waste land. The accomplishment of that imme-
to offer higher wages tiran those who had, the
diate object would be a way to ultimate ends.
labourers brought out by one set of capitalists
Why should any government exert power over
were taken from thern by another set ; and tbus
waste land either by giving or withholding ? Why
it carne to happen that no one had a motive for
not let individuals judge for themselves as to the
148.THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
149
situation and extent of new land that each
by a few individuals ; good judges of their own
should like to call his own ? This course
interest, consulting their own advantage. But
has been recommended by some English econo-
what, in this case, would becorne of all the other
mists on the ground that individuals are the
individuals, who in pursnit of their own advan-
best judges of what is for their own interest, and
tage, rnight be desirous to obtain some waste
that 1111 unnecessary interference of government
land ? This question settles the point. For the
with the affairs of is sure to do more
good . of all, t.he interference of govcrnment is not
harin than good. 13tit in this case, the govern-
less necessary to prevent a few individuals from
ment rnust necessarily interferc to some extent :
seizing all the wastc land of a colony, than it is
that is, it rnust estahlish or confirma title to the
necessary to prevent robberies. As it is for the
land of which individuals had taken possession.
good of all . that no one should be allowed to take
Or, perhaps, those English economists, who
any other one's property, so it is for the good of
cate the interference of govcrnment in the dis-
all that no individual should be allowed to injure
posal of waste land, would have each settler on
other individuals by taking more than the right
new land to be a " squatter ;" a settler svithout
quantity of waste land. In the fo•mer case,
any title, liable to be ousted by any other man •
government enforces a compact amongst all the
who was strongcr, and who, being the best judge
members of a society ; an agreement that any
of his own interest, should think it worth while
one who takes the property of another shall be
to onst the first occupier. Passing by so absurd
punished: so, in the latter case, the interference
a conclusion from t.he principie of non-inter-
of governtnent with respect to waste land is no-
ference, let as now suppose the case, in which a
thing but the enforeement of a compact amongst
colonizing govcrnment should confine its inter-
all who are interested in the disposal of waste
ference to securing a property in that land of
land ; an agreement that pone shall be allowed
which individuals had taken possession. In
to injure the others, that the greatest good of all
this case, all the land, to which it was
shall be consulted. This point settled, what, for
sible that government should afterwárds give a
the greatest good of all, is the immediate object
title, would immediately be taken possession of
of a colonizing government in exerting its power
. over waste ¡and ? Its ultimare object being the
Especially by Mr. Mill ; in a Letter to Mr. Wilmot Hor-
greatest progress of colonization, its immediate
ton, not printed but industriously circulated, by the latter.
.object is, that there should exist in the colony
150
THE ART OF COLONIZATIOYi.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
151
those circumstances which are best calculated to
waste land must be exerted actively, in bestow-
attract capital and labour, but especially labour,
ing opon individuals titles to the possession of
from an old country. The advantage of the irnmi-
land : for the second object, that power must be
grants, though one of the ends, is also an essen-
exerted negatively, in refusing titles to waste
tial means, of colonization. For the greatest
land. The action of the two exertions of power
advantage of immigrants to a colony, it is neces-
together, may be compared to that of an elastic
sary that the colonial profits of capital, and
belt, which, though always will always yield
wages of labour, should be as high as possible.
to pressure from within.
IIigh profits, then, and especially high wages, are
But as a belt which should press more in one
the immcdiate object of a colonizing government
place than in another, or should be more tight
in exerting its power over waste land.
at one time than at another, would be defective,
In order to creme and maintain a very high
so would any system for granting and refusing
rate of wages in the colony, it is necessary, first,
waste land be defective, which should not be
that the colonists should have an acople field of
both uniform and lasting.
production ; acople, that is, in proportion to
It is easy to grant land, and easy to refuse
capital and labour ; sud] an extent of land as to
applications for grants : the difficulty is to draw
t'endez unnecessary the cult.ivation of inferior
a line between the active and negative exertions
soils, and as to permit a large proportion of the
of power, so as to render the proportion which
people to be engaged in agriculture ; a field,
land bears to people, neither too small nor too
large from the bcginning, and continually en-
great for the highest profits and wages.
larged with the increase of capital and people.
VVith a view, not deliberate, certainly, but
But, in the second place, it is quite as necessary
rather instinetive, to maintaining a due propor-
that the field of production should 'lever be too
tion between people and land, three inethods of
large ; should never be so large as to encourage
proceeding have been adopted by several colonial
hurtful dispersion ; as to promote that cutting
governments : first, that of attaching conditions
up of capital and labour into small fractions,
to grants of land ; secondly, that of imposing a
which, in the greater number of modem colonies,
tax on the land granted, and in case the tax vas
has led to poverty and barbarism, or speedy ruin.
not paid, seizing and selling the land for arrears
For securing the first condition of high profits
of taxes ; thirdly, that of requiring payment
and wages, the power of the govermnent over
152
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
153
money for waste land before the grant was made
because, as to quit rents, all who obtained land
out.
on condition of paying them, including the favo-
In thc first mode of proceeding, the grantee
rites of governments, and frequently the officers
obtained his land on such conditions, for example,
of government themselves, have made common
as that of cultivating it, or that of paying a quit
cause to prevent thc recaí of grants for non-pay-
rent ; and in either case the grant was liable to
Inent of quit rent. Thus, while such conditions
be recalled provided the condition was not ob-
were sure to be neglected, the certainty of being
served. But grants of land have scarcely ever
able to disregard them led so many people to,
been recalled because the land had not been cul-
acquire more property than they could possibly
tivated, or the quit rent had not been paid. Why
use, that the grantees would not have been able,
snob conditions have nearly always been a dead
supposing them willing, to have observed the
letter is plain enough because the terco " culti-
conditions ; would not have been able to culti-
vation" is so general and vague that no tribunal
vate so much more land than there were labour-
could decide whether or not that condition had
ers to employ, or to have paid quit rent for so
been fulfilled ; while all the holders of land ob-
much land which yielded nothing. Judging
tained on that condition, including frequently
the members of the only tribunal to which the
of Canada, whether escheats of latid had taken place under
question could he submitted, have 'nade common
the Gth uf Gcc-ge IV , which empowered the government to
cause to prevent the question from being raised :*
seize and sell lands, as to which certain conditions had not
been performed. He answercd, "Nene, that 1 am aware of."
The grants at the Swan River were declared liable to be
But then, he had just before informed the committee, that,
forfeited unless they should be " cultivated to the satisfaction
" grants had been rnost inconsidcrately ami wantonly malle, in
of the governor ;" a gentleman deserving, en many accounts,
large rnasses, to people connected with government, te the
very great respect ; but, nevertheless, a naval captain, whose
great detrhnent of the country and the great nuisance of the
knowledge of " cultivation" must necessarily be small, and
inhabitants around ;" that land had been so granted " in largo
who, besides, owns in the colony, a hundred, perhaps a
masses, since it was the fashion for every councillor or officer
thousand, times as ruuch land as it is possible that he should
connected with. the Government, to get a grant of from 5,00D to
cultivatc. Is it to be expected, that he will declare his own
20,000 acres ;" that many of " those grantees were absentees ;
land to be forfeited for want of cultivation ?
and some governors of the colony." The evidente of
Mr.
now war-minister uf England, was asked by the
Ellice before this committee, and especially that part of it
Committcc of the House of Commons on the Civil Governntent
which relates to the disposal of waste land, is full of instruction
for colonizing governments.
154
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE. ART OF COLONIZATION.
155
from these cases, and from very many more in
quite insufficient to prevent the evil. It has
which conditions have been attached to grants
been successful, as a cure, in some of the United
without an attempt to enforce them, it seems
States, only because, since the evil arose which it
impossible to devise any after condition, in the
was intended to cure, another plan had been
nature of a promise, which would hinder people
adopted to prevent the evil as to ale new grants.
from taking more land than they ought to take ;
thirdly, it is obvious that a government
which would render the belt always tight, while
may put any degree of restraint en the acquisi-
always sufficiently elastic.
tion of waste land, by rneans of conditions to be
Secondly. Though by imposing a tax on granted
performed before the grant is bestowed ; by
land which rewains in a desert state, and selling
making the grant itself conditional on some
the land for arrears of taxes, some check would
previous act by the grantee. Of this nature was
be put to the misappropriation of new land, still
a part of the plan for granting land at the Swan
this plan is open to the same objections as the
River ; that part by which he, who had paid for
one just examined : the execution of the plan
the conveyance of labourers to the colony, was
would be difficult or next to impossible it is
entitled to waste land in proportion tú his outlay.
but another mode of attaching to grants the after
Not less strictly of this nature, though somewhat
condition of cultivation. In some of the United
more obviously, is the plan now pursued by the
States, truly, this plan has been successfully pur-
United States ; that of requiring payment in
sued with respect to deserts of private property,
money for new grants. This appears to be the
which liad become private property before the
most sure and most simple way to prevent the
plan of taxing and seizing was adopted. But
itnproper acquisition of waste land. For, though
why was this plan devised ? Not to prevent, but
tnany expedients might be suggested for rendering
to cure, the evils of deserts interposed amongst
the grant conditional on the performance of some
the settlers. Act opon this plan with respect to
act by the grantee, such as withholding the titie
ale desert land now private property, still what is
until the land was cultivated, still in ale of these
to be done with the land so seized, or recovered,
wavs of proceeding much room would be left for
by the government? Is it to be granted again in
favour, for disputes and evasion, as well as for
such a way as tú cale for a second seizure and a
miscalculation on the part of the grantee; not to
third grant of the sanee loas of land ? This plan
mention that, if time viere required for the per-
may be good for the cure of an evil, bu t is, plainly
formance of the condition of title, ale new land
a
156
. THE ART OF COLON1ZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
157
must pass through a state of uncertainty as to
(leal more land than they could use: In this
its ownership ; being used in some way by indi-
case, the object of requiring money for land
viduals with a view to gaining a title, and yet not
would not have been attained, even if the system
the property of individuals, but liable to be re-
liad been uniform ; if none had been allowed to
stuned by the government in case the condition
acquire [and save by paying money for it. So,
of a title were not thoroughly performed• •The
in the United States, where, for want of coin-
great merit of the system pursued by the United
binable free-labour, slavery is, one may say,
States consists in its simplicity, and the certainty
necessity ; where restrictions on foreign trade
of its operation.
and bounties on honre manufactures, are, not in
Still, the object of the government, or rather of
opposition to, but in strict agreement with, the
the community, would be missed, if the payment
first principies of political economy, being, after
required for waste land were not so high as to
slavery, the chief means by which the people are
deter individuals from taking more land than,
kept together, and induced to keep each other ;
for the benefit of the whole society, they ought
where, notwithstanding these expedients for pro-
to take. If the price were so low that great
moting combination of power, it is a general
tracts should be attainable by paying a trifle of
practice to exhaust the fertility of land, trusting
money, individuals, specuiating vaguely on some
to nature for nearly all, and to skill for hardly
distara benefit to arise from the increase of popu-
anything ; where, though not half of the appro-
lation, would acquire great tracts without being
priated land be cultivatcd, the people are moving
willing, or even able, to use thern ; would inter-
on, leaving great gaps of desert behind them, in
pose great deserts arnongst the settlers ; would
search of more land to be treated in the same
produce an extreme degree of dispersion, reducing
way ; these, it seems evident, the price put upon
the power of capital and labour to the minimum,
waste land is too low for the object in view. And
and rendering out of the case both high profits
this conclusion is supported by particular facts.
and high wages. Thus, at the Swan River,
In the newest settlements, universally, we find
though some guantees paid money for their land,
much land, which is become private property
when they paid for the passage of emigrant la-
without being used in any way ; not even cleared
bonrers, still as the rae of payment was two
of the forest ; taken out of the control of the
hundred acres for each labourer, or 1s. 6d. per
public, and yet of no service to any individual ;
acre, they were not prevented from taking a great
whiie all such land interpoles so much desert, or
158
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
159
so many deserts, amongst the settlers, increasing
to latid, canse low profits and low wages ; would
the distante by whieh they are separated, interfer-
prevent the irnmigration of people ; would inevit-
ing with the construction of roads, and operating
ably defeat the objects of colonization ; just as if
as a check to social intercourse, to concert, to
all the land of a colony were granted suddenly to
exchange, and to the skilful use of capital and
a few persons neither able nor willing to use it,
labour.
but willing and able to prevent others from using
On the other hand, it is equally plain that too
it. The piden alean, a terna often rnisapplied to
high a price ri3ight be requircd for waste land.
sache degree between right and very wrong,.
If it be for the good of -all that no waste land
really signifies the right degrce and nothing else
should be granted without being used- benefi-
for this case, in which contrary powers are to be
cially, it is equally for the good of all that none
exertcd, the, power of granting and the power of
shouid be withheld from individuals able and
withholding, the gulden mean is all in all. Sorne
willing to use it in the best way. In order to
remarks will be offered presently on the class of
make the belt clastic- as well as tight, in order
facts, which a coionizing people would take as
that the field of production should increase gra-
their guide for ascertaining the best price of new
dually along with the mercase of capital and
land.
labour, it would be necessary to require for new
Meanwhile, we have to dispose of two questions
land a price not more than sufficient to prevent
hardly less important than the question,of price.
the improper acquisition of land ; it would be
First, supposing the best price ascertained, thé
necessary to make the price so low, that the ac-
beneficia] operation of it might be checked, nay,
quisition and use of new land should be one of
altogether prevented in tuvo different ways ; either
the rnost productive etnployinents of capital. To
by opposing obstacles to the acquisition of land
make the price so high, that the acquisition and
at that price, or by granting land on other tercos.
use• of new land should not be one of the most
Thus, in New South Males, where the English
productive employments of capital, would be
government has been persuaded to adopt the plan
equal to a decree that no more land should be
of selling new land instead of giving it away,*
used in any way ; would encompass the settled
parts of the colony, not with an elastic belt, but
Ever since May, 1829, the Colonial Department in London
with "a wall of brass ;" would, as soon as capital
has been urgeci, in various ways, to adopt the American
and labour had reached an excessive proportion
plan of selling waste land, instead of jobbing it according to
160
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
161
the governor's caprice still determines where-
Though any one may wait upon the governor with
abouts land shall be surveyed and granted.
the new regulations in his hand, saying,—I want
the English plan, Por a long while, this suggestion was
land, they owe, not very remotely, to the workmen of Paris or
cither fiercely opposed or treated with ridicule, by persons
M. de Polignae. For this great improvement they are more lin-
connected with the colonial oflice, and especially by Mr. Wilmot
inediately obliged to Lord lIowick to the leading members of
Horton and Mr. Hay, one of them lately, and the other still,
the Colonization Society, Mr. John Sterling, Mr. Hutt now M.P.
Under Secretary of State for the Coloides. This suggestion,
for Huil, and Mr. Charles Tennant, then M. P. for St. Alban's 3
having been pressed opon the government by a society es-
and, more especially to Mr. Robert Gouger, the secretary of
tablished for the purpose of promoting systcmatic colonization,
the society, whose efforts to procure the adoption of its whole
Mr. Wilmot Horton, jealous, it would secm, of any inter-
plan have been unceasing for several years. The successful
ference with a subject, part of which had employed his thoughts
issue of Mr. Gouger's long contest with the judgements of
for some years, became a member of the society, and then
ignorance, the insults of pride and the dclays of idleness, should
broke it up by getting into the chair at a public meeting, and
be a lesson of eneouragcment to the advocates of useful projects.
zealously condemning the objects of those with whom he had
Here follows the most correct list that I have been ablc to
professed to unite himself. But, at the same time, he greatly
obtain of the members of the Colonization Society.
promoted the objects of the society by attacking their views,
and thus causing those views to be examined. As an example
Woronzow Grcig, Esq.
Sir Francis Burdett, Bart.
of the assistance which he thus gave to the dispersed members
W. S. O'Brien, Esq. M. P.
Clayton Brown, Esq.
of the society, I may mention, thathe persuaded Colonel Torrens
R. H. Innes, Esq.
T. Kavanagh, Esq. M. P.
to join him in conducting a written controversy with two of
John Hutt, Esq.
James Talbot, Esq.
those gentlemen, and that, in the end, Colonel Torrens became
I. II. Thomas, Esq.
Charles Tennant, Esq.
one of the warniest advocates of the measure to which he had
I. W. Buckle, Esq.
Lucius O'Brien, Esq. M. P.
objected when it was first submitted to him. Not the least
John Sterlimr, Esq.
John Mill, Esq.
impression, however, was made upon the government while
.Edward King, Esq.
O. S. Tucker, Esq.
the Duke of Wellington's administration lasted. But, soon
Robert Scott, Esq. (of New Col. Torrens.
after the change of ministry which followed the threc days
South Wales)
J. E. Bicheno, Esq.
of Paris, soon after Lord Howick succeeded Mr. Horace
Howard Elphinstone, Esq.
R. Trench, Esq.
Twiss as Under Secretary for the Coloides, the measure sur
Saud. Humphreys, Esq.
William Hutt, Esq.
gested by the Colonization Society was, in part, adopted by the
Charles Buller, Esq.
Rey . G. V. Sampson.
government.. Defective as is that part of a measure defective
C. Ilolte Bracebridge, Esq,
Lawrence Marshall, Esq.
because incomplete ; still it cannot fail to be of great service to
John Young, Esq.
Right Hon. R. W. Horton.
the colonies. Whatever the people of Canada and of the
E. Barnard, Esq.
John Gore, Esq.
English settlements in Australia may gain by the check which
Sir J. C. Hobliouse, Bart.M. P. Arthur Gregory, Esq.
has thus been put opon official jobbing in the disposal of waste
John Gibson, Esq.
Richard Heathfield, Esq.
VOL. II.
162
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
163
so many .acres in such a spot : take my money,--
you must chuse elsewhere. Nay, until the go-
t he governor may reply, No ; that spot is reserved
vernor have declared a spot open for settlement,
until it please him to offi?r land for sale, no one
Sir Philip Sidney.
Erskine Flumphreys, Esq.
can now obtain new land any where on any
Hyde Villiers, Esq.
T. Potter Macqueen, Esq. M.P.
terrns. IIere, then, is the restriction of price,
John Buckle, Esq.
Colonel Talbot, M. P.
Hon. Secretary, Robert Gouger, Esq.
without liberty subject to that restriction. If the
The views of the Society werc first published in a supple-
price fixed on land had been the right one, suf-
ment to the Spectator newspaper, and afterwards reprinted in a
ficient., that is, for the purpose of restraint, all
pamphlet, entitled A Statement of the Principies and Objecls of a
further restraint could not but have been hurtful ;
proposed National Society for the cure and prevention of pauper-
could not but have interfered with the cine opera-
ism by means of Systematic Colonization. Ridgway, 1830. Those
tion of the proper price. From this example ore
views have been further explained in the following publica-
tions.
rnay gather, what indeed no fact oras required to
Sketch of a proposal for colonizing Australasia ; printed and
cstablish, so obvious is the conclusion ; that, along
circulated, but not sold, in 1829.
with the best price for oraste land, there ought to
A Letter to the Right Honourable Sir George Murray on Syste-
be the most perfect liberty of appropriation at
matic Colonization, by Charles Tennant, Esq. M. P.—Ridgway,
that price. This is secured in the United States
1830. This pamphlet contains a Report of the Society, and a
Controversy
by very simple rep;ulations.
between Mr. Hutt and Mr. Sterlimr, on one sirle,and
Mr. Wilmot Horton and Col. Torrens, on the other.
But this secured, what if there should be ex-
Letters forminár parí of a Correspondence with Nassau William
ceptions to the systetn ? what if some portions of
Senior, Esq., concerning Systematic Colonization, &c. by Charles
new land should be granted on some other con-
Tennant, Esq. M. P. Ridgway, 1831.
dition than parchase, or for less money than the
A Leiter from Sydney, the principal 102071 of Australasia, edited
general price, or for nothing ? The result is plain :
by Robert Gouger. Joseph Cross, Holborn, 1829. Reprinted
frote the Morning Chronicle newspaper.
Eleven Letters in the Spectator newspaper, signed P. 1830 and
Plan of a Company to be established for founding a colony in
1831.
Southern Australia. Ridgway and Sons. 1831.
A Lecture
Article in the Literary Gazette. 1831.
on Colonization delivered before the Literary Associa-
tion, at the London Tczvern, on December 5, 1831 : by
Emigration and Colonization. A speech delivered at a general
R. Davies
Hanson, Esq. Ridgway and Sons. 1832.
meeting of the National Colonizatiori Society in .1 -une, 1830, by
Proposal to ¡lis Majesty's Government for founding a colony 071
William Hutt, Esq. M. P. Wilson, Royal Exchange, 1832.
the South Coast of Australia.
Emigration for the Relief of Parishes„ practically considerad, by
Printed and circulated, but not
sold, in 1831.
Robert Gouger. Ridgwav and Sons, Piccadilly ; and Effingham
\\Vilson, Royal Exchange. 1833.
161
THE ART OF COLONIZATTON.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
1(35
the object sought by the best price would be de-
notwithstanding the force of all these
feated in proportion to the extent of exceptional
reasons in favour of an uniform system, a colo-,.
grants. If land were given, as in the United
nial governmentwould always be stronglytempted
States, to schools and colleges, deserts would still
to make exceptional grants ; a bad colonial go-,
be interposed amongst the settlers ; and either
verntnent, by the wish to favour individuals, by
this would happen, or waste land would be sold
all the motives which any where lead to govern-
for less than the price generally required by go-
ment jobs ; a good colonial government, by find-
vernment, if new land were given for nothing by
ing this the easiest way to reward public services
way of reward for public services. Every special
and to provide for public education. In both
grant, besides, made for nothing or for less than
cases, the temptation to go wrong would become
the general price, would be an act of great in-
very powerful indeed after the plan of selling had
justice towards those who had paid the general
been acted on for some time ; after it had given
price : unless, indeed, the government shoulcl
to waste land outside of the settled districts, or
proclaim, before taking money from any one, that
still within thetn, a greater value than waste land
it intended to grant land for nothing in special
ever possessed before. Suppose the people so far
cases. Such a declaration, however, by the go-
kept together, so far in a condition to help each
vernment, though it would be a fair warning to
other, that their industry was more productive
individuals, and would thus prevent any injus-
than colonial industry has ever been ; in that
tice, could not but greatly interfere with the sale
case, all their land would be subject to some of
of land at the best price ; for it would amount
those advantages, over and aboye superior natural
to saying, Beware, land buyers, of -paying to us,
fertility, for which rent is paid ; and all the land
the government, more than will suffice to buy
adjoining the settled districts would be in a state
land from individuals on whom we mean to bestow
to become very soon, with the increase of wealth
grants for nothing. Whereas, if the plan of selling
and people, subject to the higher degrees of com-
at a fixed price were the only one, if the system
petition. Presents, therefore, of new land would
were uniform, the due operation of the best price
now be worth more than such presents have ever
would be perfectly secured ; no deserts would be
been worth : the temptation to make such pre-
interposed amongst the settlers ; no one would sell
sents would be greater in proportion to their
land for less than the government price ; every
greater value ; while that greater value of the
buyer would make his calculations accordingly ;
thing desired would whet the ingenuity of pari-
ami no one would suffer the least injustice.
166
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATiON.
167
sites and jobbers, in devising new pretexts for an
cise by the government of its power over waste
improper use of the powcr of government. In the
land, I would remind these, that the choice cloes
case of a good colonial government, even in the
not lie between knowledge and ignorance, but
case of a government strictly representing; all the
between two modos of securing education : j ust
colonists, the temptation to go wrong would
as, in jurisprudence, the choice is, not between
become stronger with an increase in the value of
the prevention and non-prevention of crimes by
new land : it would be more easy than it ever
persons already but between two inodes
has been to reward public services aad provide
of prevention, the easiest mode, hanging, and a
for public education by means of gifts of new
troublesome mode, the reformation or confine-
land. And why not, some would ask, do in the
ment of the criminals. If all the waste land,
easiest way that which ought to be done? The
without exception, were sold at the right price,
question may be answered by another. Since
then might public education be provided for out
the easiest way to prevent a criminal from com-
of the money paid for land ; or, the people being
mitting more crimes is to hang hirn, - why not
richer, because kept more together, by means of
hang all criminals ? why not do in the easiest
contributions from the public in the shape of
way that which °right to be done ? Because more
taxes. A moderate land tax, for example, would
harur would come to society by making the law
take from each proprietor of land less tiran would
hateful, than would be prevented by preventing
be bestowed upon him by an uniform system of
criminals from committing; more crimes ; because
selling new land at the best price. If, on the
that very easy mode of hindering some from
contrary, the great good of public education were
comrnitting crimes would encourage others to
sought by means of exceptional grants, a door
comwit crimes, by rendering conviction or even
would be left opera for other exccptions. 'l'hose,
detection impossible in ninety-nine cases out of
for example, who think a political church very
a hundred. Just so, in colonizador], by provi-
good, would demand exceptional grants for that
ding for so great a good as public education in
purpose ; if real public services were rewarded
the easiest way, that is, by exceptional grants of
by exceptional grants:such grants might be nade
land, more harrn than good would be done to
for pretended public services. Once allow, by
society. But if, as may easily happen, this should
admitting a single exception, that the facility of
be denied by those, who are not familiar with the
doing good in this way is a sufficient reason for
evils resulting to colonies from a profuse exer-
taking this way to do good, and pretexts would
168
TIME ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
169
never be wanting for doing harm in so easy
ment supply the people with enough gold to make
way ; harm of two sorts, that which migbt avise
up for the orear and toar of the currency, and to
from giving land for irnproper purposes, and t.hat
maintain, if the people and their money transac-
whichr must avise from counteracting the desired
tions were increasing, the actual proportion be-
effect of requiring the proper price for every
tween the demand and supply of gold. But in
addition of territory.
order to issue gold enough, without issuing too
The importance of complete uniformity in any
much, sotne rule must be adopted. Supposing
system for treating the chief element of coloniza-
a good rule adopted, would it ever, in any case
tion is so great, that I am tempted, at the risk of
be departed from ? Clearly not ; because a gene-
tiring the reader, to illustrate my viéw of the
ral plan with exceptions would be, not a rule,
subject by a supposed case, which will be readily
but several plans working at the same time, and
understood, even by those who have never wit-
perhaps in opposite directions. The rule, to be
nessed the mischievous cffects on a colony of
worth any thing for its object, must be com-
irregularity in granting and withholding new
plete: that is, whatever the mode of issuing gold
land.
adopted by way of rule, it must be strictly ob-
Suppose t.hat the English government had
served, or it would be no rule at all. In such a
found a mass of pure gold in Middlesex,•close to
a case, there would not be wanting people to ask
the surface of the round, and weighing some
for gold, as a reward for public services, real or
thousands of millions of pounds ; and further,
pretended, as a support for religion, as a fund for
that it was an object of great moment to the peo-
charity or for public education. Our object, each
ple of England to keep up the present value of
set of applicants would say, is so very, very im-
gold, neither more nor less. In that case, how
portant, ami the facility of accomplishing it in
would the government, supposing it bent on the
this way is so very, very great, that we are enti-
advantage of the people, use its power over this
tled to an exception from the general rule. But
rich mine? Here would be a very easy way of
to all of these applicants a good government
paying off the nacional debt ; but if this were
would answer : obtain gold according to the
done in this way, more ovil would come to the
rule ; in no other way will we issue a single
people than if their debt had been doubled. Sup-
ounce, seeing that our first duty in this matter is
posing, as we do, that the object was to preserve
to maintain the value of money by strictly ob-
the actual value of gold, litera would the govern-,
serving the rule. But now suppose this case
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
171
170
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
nothing. But, allowing for some caution in
with a careless or corrupt government. Itere, it'
colonial governments, the evils which it is in
any rule were adopted in appearance, the excep-
their power to inflict on their subjects, by the
tions would be so many as to make the rule a nul-
capricious exercise of their power over waste
lity. If the members of this careless or corrupt
land, are greater than those which would be in-
government had sense enough to perceive, that
flicted on the English by a very ignorant govern-
extreme profusion in the issue of gold must soon
ment, having power over an immense quantity of
l'ender the mine worthless, they would, for their
gold. It is the very caution of those colonizing
own sake, issue gold with some caution, but still
governments, for their own ends, which preserves
with shatneful injustice, favouring some at the
their power to do mischief. How much mischief
expense of others, granting at one time and re-
they have done, and may yet do, by retaining
fusing at another, causing violent fluctuations in
power over waste land, and exerting that power
the value of rnoncy, and in time ruining every
capriciously, may be conceived, even by the inha-
one of their richer subjects, one after the other.
bitant of an old country, who will reflect on this
If the government were very ignorant as well as
supposed case of a very rich gold mine at the dis-
careless and corrupt., it wonld be tempted, by the
posal of a careless and corrupt government, and
facility of doing favours and complying with
who will further bear in mind how tnuch the
urgent requests, to issue so much gold, that the
value of land, of capital, and of labour, depends
mine would soon be worth nothing, and there
upon the proportion between land and people.
would be an end of the mischief. Colonizing
The last condition of a good rule for the dis-
governments, being, nearly all of them, careless
posal of waste land is permanency. One ralo at
and corrupt, have, most of them, liad sense
one time, and another rule at another time, would
enough to perceive, that there was a degree of pro-
be nearly as bad as no rule at al!. The Swan
fusion in granting waste land which would Tender
River settlement has not existed five years ; but
worthless their power over this element of wealth.
already three quite different plans have been
Not so the government which founded the Swan
River colony. There the profusion has been so
the Swan River was offered for sale at the rate of less than
great that waste land is not worth the trouble of
farthing per acre ; but no buyer could be found. At the sane
accepting it :.11 the rich mine of gold is worth
time, waste land was sold by the government in New South
\\Vales and Van Diemen's Latid at prives varying from live to
' Last vear, a hutalred thousand acres of picked land ncar
twenty shillings per acre.
IN l
172
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
173
adoptéd in that colony for the disposal of new
says another anonymous publication from Down-
land. In the description of the first plan issuecl
íng-street; dated January 20, 1831, is "a sana-
by the English government, it was stated, in so
mary of the tules which it has been thought fit to
many words, that another plan, which was not
g ay clown for regulating the sales of land in New
described, would be adopted in a year or two :
South Wales and Van Diernen's Land." Who
another plan was adopted within less than two
thought fit ? thought fit to make such very impor-
years after the first expedition -sailed ; and thcn,
tant changes in the political econotny of t.hese
with the change of ministry in England, carne a
coloras ? The English colonial minister : but his.
third plan ; all within three years. The first and
successor may think fit to change back again to
the .last plan were as different as possible. Ac-
the old plan, or to adopt some entirely new plan;
cording to the first plan, any one might obtain
and whatever an ignorant, lazy, English lord
an unlimitecl quantity of land for nothing ; ac-
shall Alease to call " a summary of rules," to that
cording to the last, no one could obtain new land
must the colonists submit without appeal. Allow
except by paying five shillings, at least, per acre.
that the last change is good for the colonists ;
Unta 1831, grants were obtainable for nothing
that the plan now followed is far hetter-than the
in Van Diernen's Land, New South Wales and
irregular and corrupt practices for which it has
Canada : this year, no land will be granted ex-
been substituted ; still, what securi ty• have .the
cept to purchasers : next year, the plan of gra-
buyers of land, according to tbe new plan, against
tuitous grants may be revived. The last change
being cheated of their pinchase money by the
of system in the English colonies, was brought
revival of old practices ? The new plan is hateful
about, not by an act of the legislature, but sim-
to the colonial governments, from whom . it takes
ply by means of letters frorn the English colonial
their most valuable privilege ; the privilege of
minister to the colonial governors, saving in
jobbing in the disposal of waste land. It is hate-
effect : This is the way in which you will dispose
ful likewise, to those in England, who belong to
of waste land, until I change my mirad, or you
what has been called " the red tape school of
bear from my successor. Here, says an anony-
politics," or " the Peel and Dawson crew."* At
mous papen issued frorn Downing-street on the
presenta the borne minister might give bis cousin
lst of 1571arch 18:31 ; Itere is " a summary of the
rules which it has been thoughtft to substitute
See that elever organ of the political church and of the
for those dated the 20th of July 1830." Here,
tory party in England, the Standard newspaper.
174
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
175
a letter of introduction to the colonial minister,
alone can make exceptional granas. The system
without getting for that cousin 500,000 acres of
is upheld by the united legislature of all the
waste land. The new plan, which was suggested
states, and is administered by persons chosen for
to the government by a society in London, carne
their fitness, responsible to the people, and com-
opon the colonial governments by surprise. Fiad
pelled, not only to publish an account of all their
they been consultad about it, they would proba-
proceedings, but to proceed, step by step, in the
bly, assisted by a strong party in the colonial
lace of the public. Here, then, are the best securi-
office at borne, have induced lord Goderich to
des against change ; an act of the legislature with
abstain from writing d'ose letters by which the new
constant publicity. The result is, that, in Ame-
plan has been set on foot. As it is, human nature
rica, every huyer of waste land knows what he is
will be at fault, if they do not exert themselves
about, makes his calculations on sine grounds :
to get the old practices revived ; and they will
and that the government obtains by the sale of
be zealously backed by eunning allies in Down-
waste land 3,000,000 dollars a year. If the con-
ing-street. The successor of lord Goderich, a
gress of America viere to raise the price of waste
traveller in America, is not lilcely to revive the
land up to that point, which would prevent any
old English jobbing plan or practices ; but he
hurtful dispersion of the people, without causing
may, if it picase him, by a stroke of bis pen ; as
any hurtful dcnsity of population, and should
-may bis successor. Whatever dependence, then,
also cease to make exceptional gratas, then would
the colonists may place on the American know-
their rule for the disposal of waste land be quite
ledge, the industry,' and, may be, the price of
perfect ; of the right measure, uniform and lasting ;
1VIr. Stanley, they have no security, worth the
operating like a belt, tight but elastic, all round
llame, for the continuance of the present system.
and at all times. This is the rnode of proceeding
That the new plan, that any plan, should work
suggested by the English Colonization Society.
well, while so fiable to be changad or overturned,
In any colony where this perfect rule for treat-
is quite impossible. They manage these things
ing the chief element of colonization should be
better in America. There, the disposal of waste
adopted, colonization would proceed, not as every
land is a separate department of government. The
where hitherto, more or less, by the scattering of
general plan of selling has been established by
people over a wilderness and placing them for
congress : when the price has been altered, it was
ages in a state between civilization and barbar-
congress that decided on the change : congress
ism, but by the extension to new places of all that
176
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
177
is good in an old society ; by the removal to new
use land without a title ; the beneficia) compact
places of people, civilized, and experienced in all
amongst the colonists, implied by an uniform and
the arts of production ; willin• and able to assist
fixed rtde for the disposal of new land, would not
each other ; excited to the niost skilful applica-
be observed by all the people ; some would be-
tion of capital and labour by ready markets for
come squatters, that is, settlers on new land with-
disposing of surplus produce ; producing, by
out a title. The answer to this ohjection places
means of the tnost skilful industry in the richest
the merits of the system in a strong point of
field, more than colonial industry has ever pro-
view.
duced ; obtaining the highest profits of capital
It is a remarkab le fact, that in the history of Ame-
and the highest wages of labour ; offcring the
rican colonization, there is hut one instante of a
strongest attraction for the immigra.tion of capital
person having settled totally out of the reach of
and people ; increasing rapidly ; enjoying the ad-
markets ; the case of the celebrated Daniel Boon,
vantages of an old society without its evils ; with-
who is known, for what ? for his eccentricity.
out any cal) for slavery orrestrictions on foreign
Invariably, then, it, may be said, when people use
trade ; an old society in every thing save the un-
land without a title, they keep within reach of
easiness of capitalists and the misery of the bulk
some tnarket in which to obtain, by the sale of
of the people. Colonization, as hitherto con-
what their own labour produces, some thing which
ducted, may be likened to the building of a
their own labour will not produce. They do not
bridge; a work, no part of which is complete
intend to cut themselves off from all social inter-
until the whole be completad : according to the
course ; they use land so near to the settled dis-
method here proposed, colonization would be like
tricts, that it is fiable to be taken from them as
the making of a tunnel ; a work, in the progrcss
colonization advances. In many cases, squatting
of 'which each step must be complete before
has been encouraged by a regulation, which
another step can be taken.
awarded to the holder of land without a tale,
Two objections to this system remain to be
when the land should be takcn from hiel, COM-
noticed.
pensation for the improvements which he had
1. It has been said : If the price of new land
made upon the land. Bilt, in every case, the
-were high enough to prevent any one from legally
squatter expects that his land will be taken from
acquiring more land than, for the good of the
him: nay, in most cases, he intends abandon it
whole society, he ought to acquire, people would
as soon as he has exhausted its natural fertility.
VOL. II.
N
178
THE ART OF COLON iZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
179
The object of the squatter, then, is merely to get
no one would go out of the way of all the great
a few crops from a virgin soil, and then to re-
advantages which belong to combination of
inove for the purpose of exhausting another spot
labour. It appears, therefore, that, by putting
of virgin soil. But this, Americans know, and
sufficient price upon new land, squatting, instead
Mr. Stuart informs the English, is a general
of being encouraged, would be prevented. This
practice in America ; not only with squatters, but
will be still more clear, when we shall see with
with those who have paid for land. Why this
what great rapidity colonization would advance
practice ? Because, as I have explained before,*
how very soon a squatter, if there were one, not
of the minute division of labour in America ;
going out of the reach of markets, would be over
because labour, so minutely divided, would not,
taken by society, provided the parchase money of
perhaps, even support the isolated labourer, unless
all new land viere ernployecl in accelerating the
the unproductiveness of his labour were counter-
progress of colonization.
acted by the great productiveness of a virgin soil.
2. The second objection is, that into a colony,
It is the extreme cheapness of new land which
where new land was not. obtainable except by
causes this minute division of labour_ At all
parchase, neither cápitalists nor labourers would
events, calculates the squatter, I must work by
be disposed to immigrate ; but that, On the con-
myself: if I must work by myself, I must, in
trary, from such a colony both classes would be
order to live, use and exhaust a virgin soil :
disposed to emigrate to other colonies not far off,
where's the use of paying for land when one's only
where new land was obtainable for nothing.
object is to destroy its fertility ? Here is the
We cannot decide this point by reference to
squatter's motive for using land without a title.
facts ; because in no colony has that price ever
Utile price of new land ,viere such as to keep the
been required for new land, which, together with
people together, so that they might combine their
perfect liberty of appropriation, would insure
Jabour, it would .be for the interest of every one to
the greatest productiveness of industry, or, in
remain where he could be assisted and give assist-
other words, the highest profits and wages. But
anee : the motive of the squatter would entirely
there are some facts which tend to show, that the
tease. As it is, no one goes beyond the reach of
attractive power of a colony would be increased
markets : in that case, we have a right to presume,
by putting a sufticient price upon all new land.
Why have so many English and Irish labourers,
See Note-.X.
who liad emigrated to Canada, removed from
180
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
181
Canada to the United States ? from a colony where
but these are exceptions to the general rulo ; just
land was cheaper to one where it was dearer.
as those who ruin their fortunes and destroy their
The only rational answer is, because etnployment
health by excessive debauchery, do that which is
was more regular, with higher wages, where the
contrary to their ONVI1 interest, and therefore con-
people were in some degree kept together than
trary to a law of political econorny and human
where they were carefully dispersed. Why is
nature. The case of those capitalists, who emi-
not the Swan River colony, where, under a fine
grate from an old country, led on by the hopo of
climate, land is so very cheap ; why is not this a
acquiring wealth by obtaining for little or nothing
favourite colony with English etnigrants, both
bnmense traets of wilderness, alises from pro-
capitalists and labourers ? Why have so many
found ignorance. If this case support the ob-
people, both labourers and capitalists, emigrated
jection under review, then, when a child is
from the Swan River to colonies where land was
poisoned by mistaking night-shade berries for
dearer ? Why does it happen, when a large traca
red currants, it goes to prove that children have
of new land is bought by an American company,
no sentiment of self-preservation. These men
and resold by tiren: in lots with great profit, that
act like the colonial minister of England, who
to this spot people fiock, both capitalists and la-
sent butts for holding fresh water, to ships that
bourers, and here congregate for the advantages
were floating on a fresh water sea. Judging of
which come from mutual assistance. In this last
a desea country by what they see in one thickly
case, as to a great tract of country, the cornpany
peopled, they dream of domains and millions till
Cake the place of government, and will not part
they awake, having lost their all. But the people
with any land except at a higher price than that
of a colony, in which there existed the advantages
which they have paid to the government. In all
of a proper degree of concentration, could not be
these cases, people are attraeted from a worse to a
ignorant of those advantages : and the existente,
better proportion between land and people ; from
for the first time, of those great advantages would
lower to higher profits and wages. That it should
surely become known both in other colonies and
be so, is consistent with the principies of human
in the mother-country. Such a colony, then,
nature and political economy. True it is, that
would be highly attractive. How much more
people now and then go from a better to a worse
attractive, both to capitalists and labourers, tiran
proportion between land and people ; as when
colonies have ever been, will be seen in the fui-
citizens of the United States etnigrate to Canada
lowing section of this treatise ; where it is ex-
182
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
183
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
plained, that if all the purchase-money of waste
go on of itself, through the increase people by•
births in the colony. But more quickly than in
land were properly disposed of, capitalists in the
colony would always be supplied with labour,
proportion to such increase, colonization could
and every labourer reaching the colony might
not go on, unless means were found to remove
surely become not only a landowner, but, some
people from some old country. For the imtni-
thing more grateful to one of his class, a master
gration of people from an old country, the induce-
ment, we have seen alrcady, would be high profits,
of other labourers. The first colony in which
and especially high wages. Thosc who would
labour was plentiful, though dear, and in which
labourers might be sure to become masters as
come in search of high profits may be supposed to
well as landowners ; the first colony in which
possess the means of coming. But those who
would most desire to come in search of high
there was the good without the evil of an old
wages, are the poorest of the poor in old countries;
society, would probably attract people, both
capitalists and labourers, from colonies in which,
so poor as to be unable to move from one part to
along with the good, there was all the evil, of a
another part of their own country ; people who
new society,
live from hand to mond), never having any pro-
perty save their own thews and sinews. This,
II. The removal of people.
however, is the class of people whose immigration
into a colony it would be most useful to promote ;
In a colony where new land was supplied in
a class who, as labourers should become capital-
proportion to the wants of a people increasing
ists and landowners, would fill their place in the
rapidly' in wealth and numbers; where the pro-
duce* of industry was so great as to give high
market of labour ; beeoming themselves, in time,
capitalists and landowners, and having their place
profits and high wages. where, consequently, all
filled, in turn, by immigrants of the same class.
should possess the means of removal, and where,
anoreover, the land newly become the property of
These, however strong their inducement to emi-
individuals-shoulcl mercase very rapidly in value,
gration, cannot move without assistance. Ifthey
by very soon becoming subject to the higher
are to move at all, the cost of the-ir passage rnust
kinds of competition which produce rent
be defrayed, or at least advanced, by some body:
. ; in
such a colony, there would be motives in plenty
It might be greatly for the advantage of the old
for the removal of people from .the settled to the
country to defray the cost of their passage ; but.
waste paras of the colony. Co!onization would
Mere we are considering only the means which a
184
THE ART OF COLON1ZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZAT1ON,
185
colony possesses of prornoting immigration with-
labourers of an old country would find it for
out the aid of an old country. The question
their mutual advantage to act on this principie.
then is,—How may a colony advantageously pay
About the advance by the capitalist there is no
for the irnmigration of labour ? that is, build a
sort of difficulty ; so much greater would be to
bridge, as it were, toll-free, for the passage of
him the value of the poor immigrant's labour for a
poor labourers from an old country to the colony
few years, even at high wages, than the cost of
Reflecting on the urgent want of labour that
the irmnigramt's passage. Nor is there any diffi-
occurs in all colonies which prosper, we rnay be
culty in finding poor labourers nay eager,
cure, that great pains have been taken by peoplc
to engage with colonial capitalists for a certain
in colonies to devise some mearas of obtaining a
terco of service in the colony. The difficulty lies
regular supply of labour from old countries. The
in this ; that without some kind of slavery, the
supplies of labour obtained by kidnapping in the
capitalist has no security for repayment of bis
oid English colonies of America, by the late im-
outlay ; that the labourer, as soon as he reaches
migration of poor Germans into the United
the colony, laughs at bis engagement ; that what
States ; poor Germans, who, ignorant of the laves
the capitalist brings to the colony in the shape of
arad of the language of America, were Hable to be
labour, ceases to be labour the moment it reaches
heid in a state of bondage ; and by the trans-
the colony ; or, at all events, is never labour over
portation system in New South Wales and Van
which he who paid for it has any control. Du-
Diemen's Land ; all there supplies of labour de-
ring the last fifteen years, some thousands of poor
pended on a kind of slavery. Every scheme of
labourers, to speak within compass, have been
the sort, that did not establish a kind of slavery,
conveyed from England to English colonies at
has failed the moment it was tried. On the prin-
the expense of colonial capitalists, and under en-
cipie of the redemptioner system, that of payrnent
gagement to work for those who had paid for
by a capitalist for the poor immigrant's passage,
their passage. " There is no instance on record,"
re-pa.yment being obtained by the immigrant's la-
says M'Arthur, the greatest capitalist of New
bour, many schemes have been tried, and have
South Wales, " where settlers have been able to
failed, in Canada, New South Wales, Van Die-
prevent their indented servants, hired in England
men's Land and South Africa ; not to mention
from becoming dissatisfied, and then leaving them
the Swan River. And yet nothing can be more
alter their arrival." At the Swan River, the first
plain than that the capitalists of a colony and the
settlers had hardl y landed before the governor
186
THF, ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
187
was required to punish indented labourers for re-
brought te the colony would repay the cost of
fusing to work for those who had brought them
bis passage by a deduction from his wages ; and
from England. In Canada, universally, labou ring
the fund so raised would be employed in bringing
servants taken from England and Ireland by
more labourers, who, in their turn, would repay
capitalists, under engagement to repay with la-
the cost of their passage, and provide a fund for
bour the cost of their passage, have quitted those
the immigration of other labourers. The prin-
to whom they were bound, to work for others,
cipie of this suggestion is excellent ; but is the
who, not having laid out money in that way,
execution of it more practicable tiran the enforce-
could afrord to pay higher wages than those who
rrient of contracts for service, which are based on
had. If it had been possible to enforce, such con-
the same principie ? Unlcss the price of new land
tracts, what Canadian would have written
were raised up to the piden mean, there would
‘‘ Place us on an equal footing with New South
be scarce any hired labour to tax ; scarce any
Wales, by giving us a share in those benefits.
wages from which 'te rnake a deduction. But
which must, more or less, accrae from convict
supposing the peor irnmigrants should, during a
labour ?" .1 In vain have severe laws been passed
certain period, work for high wages, how is the
to enforce the observanee of such contracts by
tax-gatherer to distinguish workmen, whose pas-
the labourer, and to prevent sueh irnmigrants
sage had been paid .for-them,-from those who had
from being empioyed except by those who had
paid for their own passage, or from those bern in
paid for their immigration. It has been all so
the colony ? If very severe laws llave failed to
thoroughly in vain, that the diffieuity, not to say
bold immigrant labourers to their engagements,
impossibility, of conducting immigration in this
what law could be devised that would induce
way, seerns to be established.
them te remain subject to a deduction from their
To meet this difficulty, an ingenious writer in
wages ? In a word, the scheme appears to be
the Quarterly Reviezot has prohosed to create a
impracticable.
colonial fund for the immigration of labour, by
This súbeme rnay have been suggestcd to its
means of a tax on wages. Thus the poor labourer
author by the proposal of the Colonization So-
Suggestions on the propriety of re•introducing British
ciety*. Their proposal was, That, no waste land
Convict Labour into British North America. By a Canadian,
1824.
* The number of the Quarterly Reuiew, in which this seheme
was proposed, appeared not long after the publication of A
t -Presume(' to be 111r. Powiett Serope.
Letter from Sydney ; in which the impossibility of holding ap-
188
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
189
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
America ? We have only to suppose that Con-
being disposed of by the government except by
gress should chuse to do this, and we suppose the
public sale at a fixed upset price, all the purchase-
money should be employed in bringing poor la-
plan of the English Colonizatiort Society carried
bourers to the colony. As labourers brought to
into effect without any sort of difficulty.*
the colony in this way would in time, ninety-nine
* The most simple method of laying out the Immigration
out of a hundred of them, purchase land with
fund would, probably, be the formation of a Board of hurni-
savings from their wages ; and as this deduction
gration, instructed to make open contracts with ship•owners
from their wages would be employed to bring
for the passage of labourers from Europe to America ; to the
amount in each year of the immigration fund obtained in the
more labourers, who, in their turn, would save
previous year; and at a certain rate for each labourer landed
money and buy land, the proposal of the Society
in good health at the port named in the contract. 'When the
play be said to be founded on the same principie
English government first sent convicto to New South \\Vales,
as the suggestion of the Quarterlq Review ;
they used to contract with shipowners for the passage of con-
namely, the repayment by the immigrant's labour
victs, at the rate of so much per head for the number embarked.
As the captain was to feed the convicto during their voyage, it
of the cost of his passage. But over that sugges-
was for bis interest that they should be siekly, or that they
tion thc proposal of the Society has sorne great
should die. Under these contracts, accordingly, half, and
advantages, which 'will bccome manifest as we
sometimes two-thirds, of the inmates of a convict ship used to
examine the plan more closely.
die during the voyage. The punishment of transportation
1. This plan would be very easily carried into
was, in at least half the cases, the punishment of death. It
effect. The experience of the United States shows,
was not till this murderous system had been pursued for some
years, that the English government discovered the faulty na-
that it is very easy to raise a fund by the sale of
ture of those contracts. At present, the rate of mortality on
waste land. Not to reckon how much larger the
board convict ships is said to be lower than the rate of mor-
fund raised in that way by thc United States
tality amongst the English nobility. How was this change
would be, if the price of new land were brought up
brought about ? Simply by contracting, instead of for the
to the golden mean, and if no exceptional grantS
number embarked, for the number landed in the colony. As the
were made, the Americans do actually raise by
captain or ship owner is now paid only for those who reach
their destination, it is greatly for his interest to keep all the
•
the sale of waste land near £700,000. a year.
passengers in good health. Contracts under which the ship-
What could be more easy than for the United
owner was paid only for those who were landed in good health,
States to spend this income in fetching labour to
the state of each passenger's health being ascertained by me-
dical officers in the colony, would be a better security for the
prenticed labourers to thcir engagements was explained at
well being of the immigrants during their passage, than all
length.
190
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
191
2. Pursuing this case, for the salce of more
measure for suiting the supply of labour to the
ready illustration, the disposal of this fund in this
detnand. Too munir immigrant labour rnight be
way would bring to the United. States in the first
introduced at one time, and too little at another.
year (reckoning the cost of each immigrant's pas-
If the supply were not in some way regulated by
sage to be 7.,) .100,000 labourers. But, as the
the demand, all kinds of evils would ensue. Un-
income, which the United States obtain by the
less the supply were regular, unless those who
sale of waste land, has been steadily increasing
should become landowners were replaced
for years, along with the increase of people by
diately by new comers, the salve obstaeles would
•births and immigration, so would that fund in-
exist, that exist now, to the commencement of
orease anuda more rapidly, if each year's incorne
works which require the constant ernployment of
were employed in bringing to the United States
many hands ; and thus, when a great supply of
people who must othersvise have remained at
labourers should arrive, employment for them
honre. The added labour of 100,000 persons in
might be wanting. Gluts of labour, arising from
one year would provide the means of purchasing
uncertain immigration, do frequently happen in
land to rneet the wants oía population so growing
Canada and the State of New York. The cause
in nurnbers ; would provide a fund for the next
of these gluts ís explained by Mr. Teárant ina
year's immigration, corresponding with the ad-
letter to Mr. Senior. He says—" 1 have con-
ditional demand for labour arising from the in-
versed upon this point with capitalists both .of
crease of capital, and of land the property of
Quebec and New York ; and 1 have often heard
individuals. According to the extent of land
them explain the circumstance in this way. Not-
would be the increase of demand for labour
withstanding; (say they) our having capital
wherewith to cultivate the new land ; and ac-
wherewith to employ labour, we have found such
cording to the extent of land soid, would be the
immigra.tions of labour a great ovil ; because
amount of the fund for procuring fresh labour.
felt that it would. be impossible to-retain such
Supposing a fund for immigration to be got in
labour if we had hired it. Our capital was..ready
sorne other way than by the sale of new land ; as,
for many operations which require a considerable
for example, by a tax in the old country, or by a
period of time for their cOmpletion ; but we could
tax on wages in the colony, there would be no
not begin such operations with labour which, we
those uilnute enaetments which the English , 'parliametit has
knew,_would soon leave us. If we had been sure
'nade .fop,the regulation of ernigrant ships.
of retaining the labour of such emigrants,. we
192
193
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZA'fION.
should have been glad to have engaged it at once,
more labourers, and thus the demand for fresh
and for a high price : and we should have en-
labour in any given year would always be equal
gaged it, even though we had been sure it would
to the supply of immigrant labour in the previous
leave us, provided we had been sure of a fresh sup-
year. Agreed ; but here there would be no rule
ply whenever we might need it.' " " From these
for a sufficient supply of labour : the evil of too
and other facts," says Mr. Tennant, " it may be
great a supply would be avoided, but not the evil
safely inferred, that the cause of the gluts of la-
of too small. a supply ; because nothing would
bour in Canada and New York might be removed
show plainly to what extent the demand for labour
by rendering the supply constant and regular ;
had increased. Nothing, at least, would show
thus permitting a much greater supply in the
this half so distinctly as the amount of land sold.
course of ten years, without distress, than has ever
We might, indeed, regulate the supply of labour
yet taken place in a similar perioci with distress."
by the amount of land sold, even if the labour
Now, by the plan of the Colonization Society, the
were brought by a fund raised out of the colony
supply of labour must be constant and regular :
that is, the old country might spend, on the emi-
because, first, as no labourer would be able to
gration of labour to the colony in one year, a
procure land until he had worked for money, all
sum precisely equal to the sum raiséd in the pre-
irmnigrant labourers, working for a time for wa-
vious year by the sale of colonial land. But the
ges and in combination, would produce capital
object of so measuring one fund by the other
for the employment of more labourers ; secondly,
would be secured, as a mattcr of course, if the
because every labourer who left off working for
whole fund obtained by the sales of land were
wages and became a landowner, would, by pur-
spcnt in procuring labour. One of the greatest
chasing land, provide a fund for bringing fresh
merits of this plan, therefore, seetns to consist in
labour to the colony.
its self-regulating action.
Still, it may be said, this rule for avoiding at
3. We have seen already,that itwould be greatly
all times any glut of labour would be obtained,
for the advantage of a colony to put one price
even if the fund for itmnigration were raised
upon all new land without exception, if merely
by the old country, provided no land were granted
with a view to the increase of the first element of
save upon payment of the proper price ; because,
wealth, land, in due proportion to the increase of
in that case, all labourers would be employed for
the other elements, capital and labour; that by
a time in creating capital for the employment of
requirihg - this price, as a rule for the supply of
VOL. II.
o
194
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
195
new land, the colonists, being sufficiently kept
kets in which to sell the produce of that labour,
together, would raise more produce, would get
for population, which must render the whole of
higher profits and wages, would have more phy-
his land subject to one or more of those higher
sical enjoyrnents, to say nothing of their escape
kinds of competition which lead to the payment
froin the moral evils of great dispersion ; and
of rent. Nominally, he would receive for his out-
that, consequently, it would be well to put the
lay—land, or the title to hold and sell land : in
best price upon all new land, even though the
reality, he would obtain the land for nothing ;
money so raised should not be employed in any
paying for a great number of other things, with-
useful way. Under the supposition of the money
out any of which bis land might be worthless ;
being wasted, the buyer of land would pay for
along with all of which, it must, no sooner than
justice and uniforrnity in the disposal of land,
it was bought, be worth more than he had paid
and for a free choice as to the situation and extent
for it. This paradox may be explained away in
of bis grant ; he would pay also for the assurance
a motnent. Mr. Peel, required to invest ls. 6d.
that no other could obtain land by favour, with-
per acre on his grant of 500,000 acres, appeared
out payment, for the certainty of not being under-
to pay 37,5001. for that tract of land. But be
sold by landowners who had obtained their pro-
made the investment, which was to secure his
perty for nothing ; be would pay for all the
title, in taking labourers to the settlement. Whe-
advantages of' that system, of which his indivi-
ther the government had bestowed the land on
dual payment was a part. But if the money were
the condition that the grantee should spend
not wasted, he would pay, besides, though paying
37,0001. in conveying labourers to the settlement,
no more, for whatever useful purpose the money
or had sold the grant for 37,0001., spending the
might serve. If the money wcre spent in pro-
money in that way, would have been perfectly
curing labour, he would pay, not merely for his
indifferent : in either case, the grantee would
title to the land bought, but also for justice and
have paid, not for land, but for labour ; he would
uniforrnity in the disposal of new land, for a free
have received the land for nothing, but subject to
choice, for the value conferred upon all land by a
the condition of buying, so much labour where-
due concentration of the people, for a system
with to cultivate it. The average cost of clearing
which must hinder ruinous fluctuations in the
waste land in Canada and the northern parts of
value of land ; and further, he would pay for
the United States, is about 41. per acre. No land,
labour wherewith to cultivate his land, for mar-
196
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
197
it is plain, ought to be granted to remain un-
the best price for land ; a consideration reserved
cleared. Now suppose that the government should
till now, for the reason that will appear in the
require 41. per acre for such land, using the
next paragraph.
rnoney tú clear the land : in this case, for what
5. According to the value of the thing pur-
would the grantee pay ? not for the land, but for
chased, ought to be the purchase-money. The land
having it cleared. So in the case before us, the
bought would be more, much more, valuable, if
grantee would pay for the means of cultivating
the purchase-money were employcd in adding to
his land, and for the value which that disposal of
the colonial population, than if it were used for
his purchase money rnust bestow upon his land,
any other purpose whatever. By how much more
rather than for the land itself.
valuable we cannot determine exactly ; but this
4. It follows that, in justice to all the buyers of
is quite plain, that for land, of which all the pur-
land, in order that the supply of labour should
citase money was devoted to the increase of colo-
correspond exactly with the quantity of land
nial population, a higher price miglit properly be
granted, in order to give to all of the grantees
required than for land, of which the purchase-
the greatest return for their purchase money, it
money was wasted, or was used in any way less
would be necessary to employ the whole of the
calculated, than the use of it as an immigration
fund, obtained by sales of land, in fetchinglabour
fund, to increase the value of land. Thus, in
to the colony. If any part of that fund were'em-
America, those who last year paid 700,0001. for
ployed in any other way, neither would there be
new land, rnight, with greater advantage to them-
a rule for suiting the supply of labour to •the
selves, have paid twice the amount, or 1,400,0001.
demand, nor would the purchasers of land receive
for the same extent of land, if the larger sum liad
as much as possible for their money. The neces-
been ernployed in . adding 200,000 sotas to the
sity, in order to make the system perfect, of
population of the United States. Thus the
avoiding any exceptional disposal of this money,
Canada Company, which has paid, or engaged to
is as clear as the necessity of refusing exceptional
pay, to the English government 304,0001; for
grants for the salce of a good rule by which to
waste land in Upper Canada, might have paid
grant and withhold land. This will be still more
twice as much for the same land with greater
clear, when we shall look at the circutnstances
profit, if all their purchase money had been em-
which would guille the government in fixing on
ployed in adding to the population of the colony;*
* The money hitherto paid by this Company has been dis-
198
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
199
and if no land had been granted to other people
land, without causing a deficiency of labour in
save for money, and all the money so obtained
any other part of the colony : it ought to be suf-
had been employed in the same way. Let us
ficient to provide a fresh supply of labour, corres-
pose that by this ernployment of the purchase
ponding with the new demand which the acqui:-
money of new land, the cost of clearing land
sition of so much new land had produced.
were reduced frorn 41. to 21. per acre ; without
If the waste land were already clear of wood,
any fall of wages, merely from the greater facility
and naturally in a state fit for cultivation, as
of ernploying many hands in combination. In
throughout the plains of Buenos Ayres, the prai ries
this case, whichl would be better for the Ameri-
of North America and great part of Australia;
can settler, to pay 4/. 5s. per acre for his land
the cost of clearing would be saved : the land
when cleared, that is 5s. for the title and 4l. for
would be worth more, by the cost of clearing,
the clearing ; or to pay 2/. 10s. for the land when
than land which required to be cleared. The
cleared, that is 10s. instead of 5s. for the title,
produce of any given amount of capital and
and 2/. instead of 4/. for the clearing ? Like
labour on the olear latid would be greater, or
illustrations of the advantage which the buyer
would be got sooner, than the produce of the same
would derive from paying more, if his purchase
amount of capital and labour employed on thickly
money were used in the way proposed, will occur
wooded land. It would appear, therefore, that
to every one. This, then, is a most important con-
for land clear by nature, a higher price might
sideration, with a view to deterinining the best
properly be required than for thickly wooded
price for new land. SoMe others appear scarcely
land ; a price higher by the cost of clearing. On
less important.
the same ground, we shall conclude that a higher
To olear the land of wood, a certain amount of
price might be required for land naturally rich
labour per acre is required. The purchase-money
than for land naturally poor : and if all the land
of the land, then, ought to be sulficient to pro-
in each colony were of the same quality, this
vide such an addition to the labouring popula-
consideration might be a guide towards aseen-
tion as would enable the proprietor to clear his
taining the best price for each colony. But the
land of all countries is more or less of different
posed of in various jobs for some account of which, see the
qualities ; and yet it is hand to learn with any
evidence of Mr. Wilmot Horton, who helped to dispose of the
money, before the Committee of the House of Commons on
precision, concerning waste land, which pads
the Civil Government of Canada.
will prove, on being cultivated, more or less fer-
200
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
201
tile. If this distinction could be made with prej-
desert. By then, buyers would apply for those
eision, then might there be two or more prices
poorer lots at the minimurn price ; and they
for land in the same colony, without any depar-
would be put up to auction, fetching the upset
ture from the role of uniformity ; just as gold of
price or whatever competition might determine.
different degrees of fineness might, under one
In all cases there would be, though a general,
standard, be made to pass for clifferent values.
still ati unerring guide, by which to avoid re-
But unible to rnake this distinction, how would
qUiring too high a price ; namely, the rates of
the government require for ella different portion
profit and wages in the colony. If these should
of land its proper price? how avoid requiring too
be falling, and it should be seen that the fall
little for the rich land, or too much for the poor
arose from the competition of capital with capital
land ? The following is one way, suggested by the
and of labourers with labourers, then might the
practice of the United States, by.which, it appears
government see that the price required was too
to me, this object might he accomplished. Take
high. If on the contrary, it were seen that the
the richer land as the guide ; ascertain what would
fall arose from the less productiveness of capital
be the best price if all the land were of the same
and 'abolir, in consequence of less skill in the
quality as the richer portions ; and let this be the
application of capital and labour, in consequence
lowest upset price at which any land should be
of the weakness arising from greater dispersion,
sold. Then open the land to buyers. The first
then it would be plain that the price of new land
buyers in any district would neglect the poorer
was not high enough. The most ignorant go-
land, would select the richer lots ; which, being
vernment could hardly fail to distinguish between
put up to auction at the rninimum price, would
these two mischievous alterat.ions in the propor-
fetch whatever competition should determine.
tion amongst the elements of production; between
Very soon, however, if the upset price of these
these two opposite causes of a fall in the rates of
richer lots had been high enough, the poorer lots,
profits and wages.
which liad been neglected, would acquire from
Though it appear difficult to say which would
circumstances of position, from the neighbonr-
be worse, so excessively high a price as should
hood of roads and markets, from competition for
inflict on the colony the evils of an old country,
the use of land on other aceounts than on account
or so excessively low a price as, along with per-
of superior natural fertility, a value equal to that
fect liberty of appropriation at that very low
of the richer iots when they belonged to the
price, would scatter the people so as to render
202
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
203
them poor and barbarous ; although there be
6. When the fund for removing people is pro-
little room to chuse between there two ways of
vided by the rnother-country, the difference be-
stopping colonization, still on one ground it
tween the cost of a short and a long passage
would appear better to make the upset price too
naturally directs the stream of emigration to the
low rather than too high. If it were made too
colonies which are nearest ; but if an immigra-
high, it could not be reduced without injustice
tion fund were provided by the sale of colonial
to those who had paid the highest price ; but if it
land at the proper price, colonies at a great
were too low, it might be raised, not only without
distance from their mother-country would be as
injustice to previous buyers, but with great advan-
well supplied with labour as those which were
tage to them. If the price were too high and
less distant. In that case, the only effect of the
were gradually lowered clown to the golden
difference between the cost of a short and a long
mean, there would be mischievous fluctuations
passage, would be a difference, not in the manner,
in the value of land : if the price, being too low,
but in the rapidity, of colonization. For instante,
were gradually. raised up to the golden mean,
supposing the cost of passage from England to
there would be a constant increase, but no fine-
Canada to be 71., and from England to Australia
tuation, in the value of land. An important rule,
to be 171., and that the price of new land in both
therefore, for getting at the best price, is to begin
colonies were 11. per acre, the sale of 100 acres in
with a price obviously too low ; taking tare,
Canada would provide for the passage of 14 imrni-
however, that it be not so low as to defeat all the
grants, while the sale of 100 acres in Australia
objects with which any price is required.*
would provide for the passage of all but 6 immi-
grants. A different proportion, then, between
land and people would exist in there two colonies.
* The English government makes five shillings per acre
the upset price of waste land in New South Wales and Van
But if the price of U. per acre, with 71. for the
Diemen's Land. With perfect liberty of appropriation at this
cost of passage, should give the right proportion
price, it may be doubtcd whether the new plan, instead of
chccking, will not rather promote, the appropriation of more
advantage to their favourites, has operated as a restriction un
:11
latid than is good for the whole society. In those colonies,
the appropriation of new land. This restriction is removed by
the caution of the local governments in the disposal of new
the plan of selling at a fix.ed price to all who apply ; and,
latid, if that may be termed caution which liad a corrupt ob-
though this plan will put an end to injustice, it will, if the
ject ; the exertion of their power in withholding new land, so
price be too low, cause a worse, instead of a better, propor-
that they might exert their power in granting new latid with
tion between latid and people.
204
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
205
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
between land and people, then it would be clear
more distant colony were already fit for cultiva-
that, with 171. for the cost of passage,
tion ; as is actually the case with respect to
U. per
acre vas too low a price for new land. In order
Canada and Australia. If waste land were sold
that there should be, in the two colonies, one
at the proper price in both colonies, a higher
proportion between land and people, it would be
price being required for the land which, being
necessary either to reduce the price of new land
clear of timber, was more valuable, then what
in Canada, so that for each 100 acres sold there
the more distant colony should save, in con-
should be only 6 immigrants, or to raise the price
sequence of her land being clear by nature,
of new land in Australia, so that there should be
would go to swell her irnmigration fund. The
14 immigrants for each 100 acres sold. We are
difference might be so great as that the more
to presume, that in both cases the price of land
distant colony should have a greater immigration
would be such as to maintain a due proportion
fund, and a stronger power of attraction, than
between land and people. If so, though the price
the nearer colony.
of land would be higher in the more distant
7. Another part of the proposal of the Coloni-
colony, that colony would be as well supplied
zation Society remains to be examined. Sup-
with labour as the nearer colony, as well supplied,
posing the money obtained by the sale of land to
that is, in proportion to the demand for labour ;
be spent on immigration, this fund ought, clearly,
colonization would go on as well as in the nearer
to be spent in the most economical way ; in the
colony ; and the only difference would be, as the
way, by which the good to be obtained by that
result of greater distance and greater cost of
outlay should be as great as possible. If the
passage, that the waste land of the distant colony
object were to procure, at the least cost, the
would not be bought and cultivated quite so
greatest amount of labour for itntnediate employ-
Tápidly as that of the nearer colony.
ment, it would appear, at first sight, that the
This difference, however, would not be inevita-
immigrants brought lo the colony ought to be,
ble in all cases. Cases might happen, in which
all of them, males in the prime of life. But it is
colonization should proceed as rapidly in the
only at first sight that this can appear ; because on
more distant colony as in the nearer one. This
reflection it will be seen, that two men having to
would happen if, the land of the two colonies
perform each for himself all the offices that women
being of equal natural fertility, that of the nearer
usually perform for men ; to cook his own vic-
colony were thickly wooded and that of the
tuals, to mend bis own clothes, to make his own
206
THF, ART OF COLONIZATION.
207
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
bed, to play the woman's part at home as well as
employrnents very often quite different from those
the man's part in the field or workshop ; it will
in which they had worked from their childhood
be seen, I say, that two men, each of whom should
to old age. In order that the poor immigrants
be obliged so to divide his labour between house-
brought to a colony should be as valuable as
hold cares and the work of production, would
possible, they ought to be young people, whose
produce less than one man giving the whole of
powers of labour would last as long as possible,
his time, attention and labour, to the work of
and who would readily turn their hands to new
production. If the two men should combine their
kinds of work.
labour and divide their employments, one occu-
But would there be any objection to a mixture
pying himself solely with household cares for
of children ? To this there would be four objec-
both, and the other solely with earning wages for
tions. First, if the children were the offspring
both, then might the produce of their united
of grown up immigrants, it would follow that
labour be as great as that of one married man ;
the latter were not of the best age ; that if old
but in no case could it be more. In new colonies,
enough to have children, they were too old to
men have often made this unnatural arrange-
come under the description of the ?nos/ valuable
ment ; because all modern colonies, at least, have
labourers. Secondly, children are less fit than
been founded by a number of men greatly
old people, even, to undergo, the confinement and
ex-
ceeding the number of women who accompanied
other troubles of a long sea voyage.* Thirdly,
them. We need not stop to look at the moral
* To be convinced of this, let any one visit a ship full of
evils of this excess of males. Economically
emigrants, in the Thames or the Mersey, bound to Canada.
speaking, it -seems quite plain, the poor immi-
He will find those who are parents, troubled and anxious, fear-
grants brought to a colony by the purchase
ful of accidents to their children, restless, starting at every
money of waste land, ought to be men and
noise ; if paupers, glad to see their little unes stuffing themselves
women equal numbers ; and if married, so
with the ship's rations, dainties to them, poor little wretches,
much the better.
who have plenty to eat for the first time in their lives ; if
paupers, looking back without affcction, and with hopo to the
If they were old people their labour would be
future, but, being parents, with apprehension lest in the distant
of little value to the colony ; not only because
and unknown land of promise, the children should suffer more
it would soon be at an end ; but also because they
than they have endured at borne. He will see the children, if
would be weak, and because they would not
paupers, delighted at meal times, smiling with greasy lips, their
readily turn their hands to new employments, to
eyes sparkling over the butcher's meat, but, at other times,
208
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
209
when children first reach a colony, they necessarily
takings which require decision and energy of pur-
incumber somebody. Fourthly, they cannot for
pose. Marriage produces greater anxiety for the
some time be of any use as labourers : they can-
future, and a very strong desire to be better off
not produce capital wherewith to at.tract and
in the would for the salce of expected offspring. Of
employ other labourers. To whatever extent,
what class are composed those numerous streams
then, the colonial fund should be employed in
of emigrants, which flow continually from the
bringing children, instead of grown up people,
eastern to the outside of the western states of
the value received by the colony for its outlay
America, by channels longer and rougher than the
would be less than need be. By bringing none
sea-way from England to the eastern states ? Not
but young grown up persons, the maximum of
of single men, nor of old people, nor of middle-
value would be obtained for any giren outlay.
aged parents dragging children along with them,
But this is not all. The greatest quantity of
but, for the most part, of young couples, just
labour would be obtained more easily than a less
married, seeking a new home, fondly assisting
quantity. The natural time of marriage is a time
and encoiiraging each other, strong in healt.h and
of change, when two persons, just united for life,
spirits ; not driven from their birth-place by fear
must, nearly always, seek a new home. The na-
of want, but attracted to a new place, by the love
tural time of marriage too is one, when the mind
of independence, by a sentiment of ambition, and
is most disposed to hope, to ambition, to under-
most of all perhaps, by anxiety for the welfare of
children to come. This, then, is the class of peo-
sick of the confinement, tired of having nothing to do, wanting
ple, that would be most easily attracted to a
a play-place, always in the way, driven from pillar to post, fret-
colony by high wages, and still better prospects.
ful, quarrelsorne, thoroughly unhappy, and exposed to serious
Others would be willing to come if, the old
accidents. Those emigrants, on the contrary, who are neither
parents nor children, young men and women without any in-
country co-operating with the colony, all in the
cumbrance ; these he will fiad quite at their case, enjoying the
old country were well informed of the advan-
luxury of idleness, pleased with the novelty of their situation,
tages of emigration : but these would be the most
in a state of pleasurable excitement, building castles in the air,
willing ; these would be, not merely willing, but
glorying in the prospect of independence, thanking God that
anxious to come.
they are still without children, and, if he knows how to make
Of however, there might not exist in an
them speak out, delighted to talk of the new country, in whicl,
as the), have heard, children, instead of being a burthen, are the
.old country a sufficient number- to meet the colo-
greatest of b]essings.
nial demand for labour. For example, if the
VOL. II.
210
.THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
211
United States should propose to lay out 1,400,0001.
endeavoured to show elsewhere,* owing chiefly to
a year in bringing young couples from Ireland,
the misery of the colonists ; but it was partly
this would produce a demand for 100,000 young
owing, also, to this ; that of the 20,000 immi-
Irish couples ; but in Ireland there are not so
grants a very small proportion only consisted of
many as 100,000 couples of the same age. There
females. So that, even if the colony had pros-
are not, perhaps, in Ireland more than 60,000
pered from the beginning, the number of colonists
grown up young couples who were bora in the
would probably have been less at the end of
same year. As the constant emigration of áll, or
twenty years than the number of immigrants
may-be of half, the couples, who every year reach
during that period. The settlement of New
the age of puberty, must very soon depopulate
South Wales has so far prosperad from the begin-
any country, we may be sure that a portion only
ning, that no one has ever found it difficult to
of this class would ever be disponed to ernigrate.
maintain a family : yet the population of the co-
Whenever a number sufficient to meet the colo-
lony is nothing like as great as the number of
nial demand for labour should not be disponed to
immigrants. But why ? simply because, of those
emigrate, it would be right to offer a passage cost
persons, by far the greater number were men, and
free to couples older by one, two or three years,
that, of the women, who composed the smaller
but always giving a preference to those who had
number, tnany were past the age of child-bearing.
most lately reached the age of puberty. Indeed,
Had those persons consisted of men and women
as to those of the best possible age, we can only
in equal proportions, but of a middle age, the
say that it would be right to give them a pre-
population of the colony might not have been
ference.
much greater than it is ; but if they had consisted
Supposing all the people brought to the colony
entirely of young couples, who had just reached
with the parchase-money of waste land to be
the age of puberty, the population of the colony
young men and women, in equal numbers, let us
would have advanced with surprising rapidity.
see what the effect would be on the colonial po-
Reckoning the number of inmigraras in each
pulation. At the, end of twenty years after the
year at 2,000, there seem to be grounds for be-
foundation of Virginia, the number of colonists
lieving+ that, if all these had been young couples
was about 1800 ; though, during the twenty years,
near 20,000 persons had reached the settlement.
See Note X.
t Amongst these &rounds are the very healthy climate of
This rapid decrease of population was, as I have
New South Wales, and the great feeundity of women in that
212
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
213
just arrived at the age of puberty, the population
case, it seems hand to ovcrraté the advantages
of the colony would by this time have amounted
within reach of the United States, by means of
to nearly 500,000, instead of its actual amount,
colonizing their waste territory in the way
less than 50,000 ; that the progress of population
proposed.
and we may add, of colonization, would have
In any colony, the immediate cfrect of selecting
been ten times as great as it has been, with the
young couples for immigration would be to dimi-
same outlay for bringing people to the colony.
nish very much the ordinary cost of adding to the
At present too, the proportion of young people in
population of the colony. The passage of young-
New South Wales is rather under than over the
couples would not cost more than that of any
usual cate; whereas, in the supposed case, the
other class, or of all classes mixed ; but, along
proportion of young people would have been very
with the young couples, the colony would obtain,
much greater than it has ever been in any human
at the ordinary cost, the greatest possible germ
society. According, of course, to this great pro-
of future increase. The settlers in New South
portion of young people would have been the
'Vales who, in the course of a few years, have
prospect of future increase. If all the people who
made that colony to swarm with sheep, did not
have removed from Europe to America had been
import lambs or old sheep ; still less (lid they
young eouples, just arrived at the age of puberty,
import a large proportion of rams. They have
slavery in North America must long since have
imported altogether a very small number of sheep,
died a natural death : no part of North America,
compared with the vast number now in the co-
no part of South America,-* perhaps, would have
lony. Thcir object was the production in the
been opon for colonization. Considering what
colony of the greatest number of sheep by the
must, almost inevitably, have happened in this-
importation of the least number, or, in other
country. Mr. Cunningham
words, at the least cost ; and this object they ac-
states that in the settlement of
Bathurst Plains, a new colony, west of the Blue Mountains, only
complished by selecting for importation those
one natural death occurred in tweive years.
aniinals, which, on account of their sex and age,
* As it is, there are some reasons for expecting that South
were fit to produce the greatest number of young
America, where the greatest pains have been taken to disperse
in the shortest time. If a like selection were
the people, and render them as barbarous as the Indians, will be
made of the persons to be brought to a colony
colonized over again by emigrants from the north, who, kept
together by the density of the natural forest, have preservad
with the purchase-money of waste land, the land
the power of civilization.
bought, it is evident, would become as valuable
214
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
215
as it could ever beeome, inuch more quickly tha.n
The moral advantages of such a selection of
if the immigrants should be a mixture of persons
immigrants would not be few. Each female would
of all ages. In the formen case, not only would
the immigrants be, all of them, of the most valu-
they were persuaded to devote the money obtained by the sale
able class as labourers, but they would be of a
of waste land in New South \\Vales and Van Diemen's Land to
the sending of poor females to those colonies. It was high
class fit to produce the most rapid increase of
time to do something towards correcting the disproportion be-
people in the colony ; to create as soon as pos-
tween the sexes which exists in those colonies. Several ship
sible in places now desert a demand for food, for
loads of poor females have, in this way, been provided with a
the raw materials of manufactures, for aceommo-
passage to the penal settlements. But with what result ? The
dation land and for building ground. The buyer
number of female immigrants is not, by any means, sufficieut
to cause an equal proportion between the sexes. So long as
of new therefore,I,vould have his purchase-
the proportion shall remain unequal, all females, not protected
money laid out for him in the way best of all cal-
by a higher station, must be subject to a kind of persecution
culated to be of service to bina. It would be well
which one need not describe. It is enough to say, that the
to consider this, in seeking to determine the pro-
government, sending so few, has sent a certain number of
per price for new land, of which the purchase-
women from England to becorne prostitutes in Australia.
money was to be- thus laid out for the greatest
While the government was sending these women, it sent, side
by sitie with these women, though not in the same ships, a
advantage of the purehaser.
greater number of men; as if determined to miss the object
It must be seen, further, that if the immigra-
with Nvhich the women were sent. At first, the colonial office
tion t'uncí were laid out in this way, the progres-
declared in print, that the passage of the women was to be
sive increase of that fund, by means of the in-
paid for with the money obtained by selling waste land. This
crease of people wanting land, would be much
was acknowledging a new and important principie. Whether
alarmed at finding themselves connected with something new
more rapid than if the immigrants brought to the
and important, something not common-place, something out of
colony were of all ages mixed. By adopting, this
the routine of office ; or whether they discovered that the
mode of immigration, all the means of coloniza-
fund to be obtained by selling waste land would be very hancly
tion would be used with their greatest possible
for their own private purposes ; with what motive I know not;
e ffe c t.*
but by a new regulation of the colonial office, it is declared
that the cost of sending women to the penal settlements will
* By the importunity of some membcrs of the Colonization
be defrayed out of the colonial revenue. Thus the fund obtained
Society, the English government was induced to adopt this prin-
by the sale of waste 'and has been carried to the governor's
cipie of colonization. While their Board of Emigration was
ttecount ; and the principie of using that fund for hringing
sitting in Downing Street, a mere mime for want of funds,
labour to the colony has been abandonad. Mr. Wilmot Hor-
216
THE ART
COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
217
have a special protector from the moment of her
nity that ever occurred, to see what may be done
departure from home. No man would have any
for socicty by universal education. That must
excuse for dissolute habas. All t.hc evils, which
be a narrow breast in which the last considera-
have so aten sprung from a disproportion be-
tion does not raise some generous emotion.
tween the seres, would be avoided. Every pair
This is the way in which the Colonization So-
of immigrants would have the strongest motives
eiety proposed that the purchase money of waste
for industry, steadiness and thrift. In a colony
land should be employed. The sum of the mea-
thus peopled, there would scarcely ever be any
su res suggested by them, having regard to the
single men or single women : nearly the whole
objects and means of the colonies alone, is : The
population would consist of married men and
sale of all waste land by public auction ata fixed
:Nomen, boys and girls, and children. For many
upset price, with the most perfect liberty of appro-
years, the proportion of children to grown up
priation at that price : and the employment of the
people would be greater than was ever known
whole of the fund so obtained in bringing people
since Shetn, Ham and Japhet were surrounded
to the colony ; a preferente being always given
by their little ones. The colony would be an
to young cou pies who have just reached the age of
iuunense nursery, and, all being at case without
puberty. How the mother-country, the country,
being scattered, would offer the finest opportu-
that is, from which the immigrants should come,
might usefully co-operate with the colony, retnains
ton used to contend, that whatever " the crown" might obtain
to be considerad.
by the sale of waste land was the property of " the crown ;"
and that touching the disposal of it, no one liad any business
CO-OPERATION OF THE MOTHER-COUNTRY.
to enquire, any more than about the disposal of secret service
The subject has been thus divided for two rea-
money voted by parliament. The change has taken place
sons ; first because, as observad already, it was
since Lord Howick, who in parliament thought fit to acknow-
ledge the services of the Colonization Society, gavie up the
more convenient to take . a colonial view of means
" Australian department" of the colonial office to bis colleague
which exist in the colony ; secondly, in orden to
Mr. Hay; once the colleague of Mr. Horton, and always, if
show clearly, without any long explanation, that
I am not greatly mistaken, one of that party, whom the
under a good system of colonization, by what-
Standard newspaper calls " the Peel and Dawson crew." If
ever government administered, people would be
Mr. Hay be the author of this change, bis motives for bring-
drawn to the colony, not driven from the mother-
ing ít about may, perhaps, be discovered in a correspondence
printed in the Appendix, No. 3.
country. By examining the subject in this way,
218
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.-
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
219
any one may see distinctly, that the advantage of
advantage, not of the paupers, but of the rate-
those who shall remove from the mother-country
payers, was supposed to be bis object. II the
is a necessary condition of emigration ; that emi-
money employed in the first case had been pro-
gration to any considerable extent could not take
vided under the name of a grant to Upper Canada,
place without benefit to the emigrants. This,
for supplying that colony with labour, the Eng--
however, is not the general impression in Eng-
list) government would have appeared to consult,
land. A different impression has been made on
not its own advantage but that of the colony ;
the English vulgar, high and low. Never having
and the advantage of the poor emigrants, the.
heard of emigration, save, according to Mr. Wil-
certainty of their obtaining high wages, would
mot Horton's views, as a means of relief from the
have been set in a prominent light : the low and
pressure of the poor's-rate, they have supposed
high vulgar would have seen that labour was
that, whether or not the object were attained, the
wanted in the colony : and thus it would have
poor ernigrants rnust be chiven away for the good
appeared, not that the emigrants were driven
of those who should remain behind, instead of
from borne, but that they were invited to another
being drawn away for their own good. This im-
place. As it was, the simple truth, that when, in
pression, which renders the word emigration dis-
the natural progress of colonization, people quit
tasteful to the English, seems to have been caused
their birth-place, they must necessarily be in-
by three circumstances in particular.
vited by the prospect of advantage to thernselves ;
First. By various attempts to raise in the
this evident truth was kept out of view ; and in
mother-country a fund for pauper emigration, not
its room an impression was made that the poor
the good of the emigrants, but that of the subscri-
emigrants might suffer by their removal.
bers to the fund, was made prominent. Thus,
Second y. Undcr the experimenta in pauper
when the government advanced 60,0001. for
emigration made by the English governrnent,
sending some poor people to Canada, it was sup-
poor ernigrants have suifered by their removal.
posed that the government wished to get rid of
To say nothing of what happened to the poor
those people, not for their sake, but for the sake
people whom the English government sent to
of those to whom the people were a burthen. So
South Africa, the poor people whom they sent to
also, when Lord Howick brought a bill into par-
Canada suffered great privations and hardships.
liament for cnabling parishes to raise an emigra-
They consisted of families, men, women and
tion fund by 111Ortgaging their poor's-cate, the
swarms of ehildren ; and, what is more important,
220
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
221
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
instead of being allowed to proceed in a natural
this sort of emigration, there arose, as might
course, that is, to remain in the settled parts of
have Leen expectcd, a dislike to all emigration.
the colony, working for wagcs, getting assistance
Thirdly. The English government goes out of
when required from their ernployers and neigh-
its way to strengthen in the common people their
bours, and learning by degrees how to settle in
natural sense of the evils of emigration. As it is
the forest ; instead of this, thcy were planted at
painful to quit for ever the country of one's birth
once beyond the settled parts of the colony, in
and one's affections, so is emigration necessarily
the midst of the forest, far apart from ea.ch other,
attended with some evil ; but this evil, it is plain,
without experience, assistance or advice ; and
will never he incurred voluntarily, that is, if there
even without houses in which to shelter their
be no sort of interference by government, with-
families. Those English paupers, becoming sud-
out so much good as turns the scale in favour of
denly colonial landlords, not hardened to the
emigration. The balance of the account must
climate, placed on new land where ague generally
necessarily be in favour of the voluntary emigrara.
prevails, not accustomed to use the hatchet, which
But what says the English governtnent? While
is the first tool used by a settler ; thus placed,
Lord Howick was vainly begging the house of
libe fish out of water, they suffcred from heat,
commons to pass bis emigration bill, iinploring
cold and wet, from sickness, from wounds, and
tbem to mend the condition of the peasantry in
finally from a sentirnent of despair. Not a few
the south of England, to prevent another insur-
of the children died. The misery which these
rection of that class by enabling SOITle of thern to
pool people suffered, though great pains were
rernove to the colonies ; at this very time, the
taken to conceal it by the author of the experi-
judges at Winchester and elsewhere, addressed
ment, becarne known in England ; and thus a
language to the following effect to peasants con-
well-founded prejudice was created against emi-
victed of rioting for better wages : —Unhappy
gration ; well-founded, that is, as against this
men I your crime is enormous, and your punish-
sort of emigration.* But along with a dislike to
ment must begTeat. The sentence of the law is,
that you be transportad beyond seas for the term
of your natural lives. You are going to a far
The absurdity of Mr. Wilmot Horton's seherne for locating
English paupers in the fbrests of Canada was exposed by the
Colonization Society ; and in the emigration bill which Lord
mode of pauper emigration was adopted ; that of allowing
Howiek soon afterwards brought luto parliament, the natural
poor labourcrs to be attracted by the high wages of the colony.
222
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
223
country ; to a country so far off, that neither
every attempt by their government to p•omote
will you ever hear of those whom you love best,
emigration as an attempt to hurt the emigrants ?
nor svill they ever hear of you. Though the lace
So long as criminals shall be punished by trans-
cloes not permit me to pass on some of you the
portation, there must necessarily exist in England
sentence of transportation for life, still 1 can
a strong prej trence against any interferente by the
assure such of you, that you will never be afile
government for promoting emigration.
to return. You may Nave heard from wicked
But why should the government of an old
men like yourselvcs, that it is a fine country ; and
country ever undertake to promote emigration
you may expect to do well there. But oh, un-
from-that country, when all the ends, which an
happy prisoners ! you will suffer all the pain of
old country seeks in colonization, may be reached
being for ever banished from the country of your
by promoting inunigration to her colonies ?
birth and your affections. May God, in bis
Whether the colony be dependent or independent,
merey, give you fortitude to bear so dreadful a
all that the government of the mother-country
punishment, which however is no more than your
has to do at home for promoting colonization, is
atrocious crime deserves.--llereupon, some of
to take care that the poorer class at borne be well
the prisoners, single mera who had, indeed, heard
inforrned of the advantages of going to a colony ;
that New South Wales is a very fine country, and
taking care also that the necessary ovil of going
that they could hardly fail to do ‘vell there ; these
from home be not made to appear greater than
put their tongues hito their cheeks, and set the
it is, tlirough forcing people to emigrate by
judge at defiance. But the wives and children
way of punishment. It would be very easy, in-
of the others shed tears, shrieked or fainted ;
deed, supposing either that there was co-operatiori
and all through those rural districts there was
between the old country and the colony, or that
weeping and lamentation. These are the dis-
both were under the sarne government, to kcep
tricts in which, especially, it was intended. that
the poorer class in the old country well infor-
Lord Howiek's bill should be of use ; districts in
med of the advantages of going to a colony. The
which, amongst the class who were to be per-
great emigration from England which took place
suade, to emigrate, a strong impression had been
last year, was caused mainly by the publication of
made, that emigration is the greatest punishment
letters from poor emigrants to their friends in
next to death. Are we, then, to be surprized
England.* But in order that such letters should
that the English generally should look upon
Thousands, probably, were indueed to emigrate by reading
224
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
225
be published, it is necessary that they should be
Street, though perfect.ly trae, llave not been re-
writ.ten and received. Why not, in orden to pro-
ceived with implicit faith by the harassed and
¡note the receipt of sudh letters among the poorer
therefore- suspicious class to whom they were
class in the mother-country, allow pool. emigrants,
a.ddressed ; nor would any statements made by
du ring sorne years after their arrival in the colony,
the government ever obtain so much credit as
to send letters by the post, but free of postage, to
letters frotn the emigrants thetnselves. In this
the friends whom they liad left behind ; just as, in
way, moreover, the attracti ve power of the colony
many countries, soldiers are allowed this privilege?
would be ¡nade apparent to the high vulgar of
'ro such an arrangement there appears no obstacle
the mother-country ; and those preachers would
that tnight not be got over with verylittle trouble.*
be silenced, whose text is, " Dwell in the land
In this way, not only would the necessary evil of
and verily ye shall be fed.".
going to a colony be diminished; that is, the emi-
WTith respect to the mother- country, two points
grantsl,vould depart with the pleasant assurance
remain to be examine(' ; first, the effect of the
of being able to communicate with their friends
proposed selection of emigrants in producing
at borne ; but the poorer class in the mother-
relief from excessive numbers ; secondly, the
country would always hear the truth as to the
means by which the overfiowing capital ofan old
prospects of emigrants ; and not only the truth,
country might find secare and profitable em-
but truth in svhich they would not suspect any
ployment through this system of colonization.
falsehood. The statements as to the high wages
First—If it be true that 125,000 persons emi-
obtainable in the English colonies lately published
grated from Great Britain and Ireland last year,
by a board of emigration sitting in Downing
still this abstraction of people has not cause(' the
Ieast perceptible relief from excessive numbers.
one publication of this sort ; a collection of letters from poor
That great body of emigrants consisted of a
emigrants, printed and circulated by one of the best friends of
mixture of all classes ; masters and servants, old
the English poor, and we may add of the rich, Mr. Poulett
and young. The poorest class was componed, in
Scrope.
great rneasure of families, men, wornen and
An officer at the colonial port might gire to each poor
children, for whom a passage was provided by
immigrant a certificate, which should authorise post•masters
their parishes, with a view to get rid of them.
throughout the colony to frank letters for the mother-country
By the removal of the children, nothing was taken
that were brought to a post-office by the bearer of the cer-
tificate.
from the present market of English labour ; nor
VOL. 11.
226
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
227
indeed by the removal of any but workmen. Of
should soon be better off.—Without knowing it,
these last, the number removed were too small
they want so much war as should again cause the
for any effect on wages. The only effect of their
fields to be tilled by women. If, for every young
removal was to make room for others quite ready-
man carried off by Napoleon's wars, a young wo-
to take their place. But if this great body of
man also had been carried off, though the imme-
emigrants had consisted entirely of workmen and
diate effect on the state of the working class would
their wives, it seems probable that considerable
have been the same, the conscription would have
relief would have been obtained from excessive
had a more lasting effect on the condition of the.
numbers ; that more room would have been
working class. Millions, perhaps, who have been
made than could have been immediately filled by
born in France since 1814, would not have been
other workmen. The conscription in France,
born there ; and thus, though many would have
during the late war, did not, perhaps, carry off
lived, who have been born to die since 1814, if
so many workmen, year by year, in proportion to
not of hunger, of disease produced by all sorts of
the then population of France, as the proportion
privations, still the good effect of the conscrip-
which 60,000 bears to 24,000,000: yet it cer-
tion inight have lasted till now. These consi-
tainly had the effect of keeping the supply of
derations will direct us to a right estimate of the
labour so much within the dernand, that the con-
influence, which a proper selection of emigrants
dition of the labouring class in France was, during
would have on the population of a country like
the war, very comfortable compared with what
England.
it has been since the peace. Une of the causes
It has been reekoned,* that in England the
of Napoleon's great popularity was the easy state
number of marriages which take place in a year
of the labouring class in France during his reign :
is in the proportion of 1 to about 134 souls. As-
one of the causes of the late revolution in France
suming this calculation to be right, and the po-
was the uneasy state of the working class who
pulation of England to be 14,000,000, the yearly
effected that revolution : and the miserable state
number of marriages in England is 104,4771.
of that class, in the greater part of France at this
Whatever would be the effect on population of
time, leaves but small p ope that the revolution
which they effected will be of any service to them.
* See Professor M'Culloch's Note on Population, in bis
In France, the working people now say, com-
edition of the Wealth of Nations, which is full of valuable in-
monly :—Oh! if we could get back Napoleon we
formation on this subject.
221
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART or COLONIZATION.
2»9
preventing all the marriages, would be the effect
fteient to reduce the whole number in after years ;
of removing all -svho were about to marry. The
so that the number of young couples would, in
removal, therefore, of about 209,000 persons every
time, be reduced to 'one. Supposing that this
year for a few years would very soon depopulate
might be effected, though not so quickly as if all
England. But this effect would occur through
were removed, by rernoving every year half of
the removal of a much smailer nurnber. It would
the young couples - who had in that year réached
occur by the yearly removal of all who in each
the age of puberty, filen might England be de-
year should reach the age of puberty. How
popniated by the yearly removal for some years
many persons in England every year reach the
of 75,000 persons, ata yearly cost of 525,0001.
age of puberty has never bcen calculated. But
The question, however, is, not how might Eng-
it is reckoned, that the yearly births are, to the
land be depopulated, but what is the smallest
whole population, in the proportion of 1 to about
proportion of young couples, whose yearly re-
31. Taking the yearly births, then, to be
moval would prevent any hurtful increase of the
451,61231, or for round nurnbers 450,000, and
population of a country like England ; would put
assuming that not abo ye one third of these, or
the bulle of the people at case; enabling all to
150,()00, reach the age of puberty, it appears,
marre when nature should prompt them to mar-
that England tnight soon be depopulated by the
riage ; preventing the death of many through
yearly abstraction, for solee years, of a number of
want ; ami giving full. effect to the principie of
persons not rnuch greater than the number who
population.
did actually etnigrate last year. Supposing the
Still this question is not of much, perhaps it is
emigration of each of these persons to cost 71.;
not of any, practica! importante. By the pro-
the cost of entirely depopulating England would
posed selection of emigrants, all that could be
be a yearly outlay, for sorne years, of 1,050,0001. ;
done would be done, towards procuring relief from
very little more by the year than a seventh part
excessive nmnbers ; and in no event could too
of the English poor's-rate ; not much more than
many people be removed ; because when relief
the supposed cost of emigration from Great Bri-
from excessive numbers was obtained, emigration
tain and Ireland during the last year. But there-
would stop, until the prospect of misery from
is a way by which, with a still stnaller yearly
excessive numbers should again render the evil
outlay, England might be depopulated : by taking
of quitting honre less than that of retnaining at
away every year a number of young couples suf-
230
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
231
By the proposed selection of emigrants, more-
apply for a passage ; he would be told that for the
over, as the greatest quantity of relief from ex-
passage of a single man t.here was no fund, but
cessive numbers would be cornprised in the
that t.here was a fund for the passage of a married
removal of the least number of people, the maxi-
man and bis wife ; that whenever he should picase
mum of goocl from emigration would be obtained,
to return with a young wife, they might both go
not only with the minimurn of cost, but what is
to the colony cost free. Can it be doubt.ful that
far more important, with the minimutn of painful
he would soon return with a young wife ? The
feelings. All that old people and young children
experiment has been thus far tried ; that when,
suffer more than other people from a long voyage
last year, the South Australian Land Company
would be avoided. 'fhose only would remove,
received applications for a passage to New Hol-
who were already on the move to a new honre :
land, from young single men out of work, and
those only, to whom, on account of their youth
answered, " Yes, if you get married, and for your
and animal spirits, separation from birth-place
wife also," the common reply was," So much the
would be least painful ; those only, who had just
bctter ;" with a snap of the fingers, a laugh, or
formed the dearest connection, and one not to be
swimming oyes, that spoke more than the words.*
severed, but to be made happy, by their removal.
In order that this selection should be made with-
And this, the least degree of painful feeling, would
out any difficulty, all that would be required from
be suffered by the smallest possible number of
the government of an old country is, that it should
people.
be so good as to do nothing ; that it should have
To make this selection, no interferente would
sense enough to abstain from meddling with the
be required from the government of an old
attractive power of the colony.
country. Supposing the attractive power of the
Secondly—There are two ways in which this
colony applied to the immigration of young
system of colonization seems calculated to give
couples, tiren ship-owners and others, who had
secare and profitable employment to the over-
contracted with the colonial government for
fiowing capital of a mother-country.
bringing young couples to the colony,would make
known in the mother-country, that they were
* Whoever persuaded Lord Goderich to depart from bis cn-
ready to convey to the colony, free of cost, persons
gnetnent with this company, little knows how lunch batel-
of that description, but not of any other descrip-
disappointmcnt he occasioncd. 13ut what are the hopes of
tion. Suppose that a young single man should
110
paupers to secrctarics of state ?
223
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
233
In the first place, it is clear that, to whatever
better security for overflowing English capital be
extcnt this system was pursued, the colonies
readily imagined ? In this way, capital which is
would be more extensive; that under this system,
now lying idle in England, or is about to fly off,
they would be extended as rapidly as possible ;
taking no labour with it, would fly off, indeed,
and that as every new colony, or increase of an
but only for a time, and would take with it, or
old one, woulcl be the extension of an old society
draw after it, a corresponding amount of surplus
to a new place ; as the colonists would produce
labour. We have only to suppose, farther; that
more with the same number of hands than co-
in Canada, South Africa and Australia, the Ame-
lonists have ever produced, and would retain the
rican plan of selling land had been adopt.ed with
habits and wants of their mother-country ; so
improvements ; we have only to supposé, in short,
would this mode of colonizat ion very rapidly in-
that the legislature of England had attcncled to
crease the markets in which the inother-country
this subject, and we suppose the opening of these
might buy raen produce and cheap corn with
more great fields for the secare and profitable
manufactured goods. One end of colonization
einployinent of English capital in the work of
being to enlarge the field for employing capital
colonization.
and labour within the mother-country, that great
The enlargement of the field, however, need
object would be obtained most easily and most
not stop here. Wliile a portion of the capital
quiekly by these means of colonization.
of the motlier-country was employed in antici-
But, in the next place, in orden that this most
pation of the sales of waste land, other portions
useful proeess should begin as soon as possible,
would be employed in the purchase of waste land.
colonies already established, might require some
Immense capitals, belonging to people in the
assistance, not from the government, but from
castern states of America, are constantly employed
the capitalists of the mother-country. Suppose
in the purchase of new land on the western fron-
that the Amcricans, having resolved to dispose of
tier, and invariably, I believe, with proa to the
their fund, obtained by the sale of waste land, in
capitalists. The proa of such purchases would
bringing labour to the United States, should, with
be much more certain, and would be obtained
a view to the extinetion of slavery, with a view
much sooner, in a colony where no new land was
to obtaining immediately a sutficient snpply of
obtainable save by purchase, and where all the
free labour, be willing to anticipate that fund ?
purchase-money of new land was employed in
to borrow money on that security ? Could
bringing selected labourers to the colony. How
234
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
235
great and rapid might be the profit of such un-
population was added at the least cost. It would
dertakings, may be partly conceived from the
be difficult for eornpanies to make any serious
success of the Ganada Companw, of whose pro-
blunder : scarce any thing would be left to the
ceedings a brief summary appears below.*. This
neglect of agents ; for there would be scarce any-
company bought land of the government, with-
thing to do : and, lastly, a company by the em-
out any assurance that land would not be given
ployrnent of a large capital might take so much
for nothing to othcr people; and the money
land, in one lot, or block, as would insure the
which they have paid to the government has been
formation of a tocan on their property ; not by
wasted ; all of it in sorne way, most of it in
them, but by others for their good. Becoming
sharneful jobs. Nearly all the great and success-
the proprietors of a large extent of land, there
ful purchases of waste land in the -United States,
would necessarily occur upon sorne parts of their
are conducted by companies residing in the eas-
property those kinds of competition for the use
tern towns• This kind of investment seems
of land, over and aboye competidora for land of
peculiarly suite(' to companies. The whole ope-
superior natural fertility, which leal to the pay-
ration consists of paying and receiving money;
ment of rent : every sale by them would add to
paying a small sum, waiting, and then receiving
the value of land adjoining that which had been
a large surn. The time for waiting would be very
sold ; and the whole business of selling might be
short, if all the money paid viere ernployed in
conducted by one or two agents of common in-
adding to the colonial population, according to
telligence. To show how great and how sure
a fixed rule, and so that the greatest amount of
would be the profit of such investments, under
'1 Nominal capital, 1,000,0002.
the proposed system of colonization, I have col-
Capital actually invested, 151,5551.
lected a nutnber of facts, which establish that,
Dividend of 4 per cent. per annum, rcgularly paid.
even noca, wherever people congregate, new land
Assets of the company (December 1802) : lst. Bilis given by
invariably rises in value soon after it becomes
purchasers of their land, bearing interest at 6 per cent., with
private property.* All surplus capital invested
payment by instalments effectually secured, 113,0251. 2nd.
Land paid for by the company, but not yet sold, including the
in this way would, of course, take off with it a
tocan lots of Guelph and Goderich, 460,000 acres cstimated at
corresponding amount of surplus labour. Every
15s. per acre, or 345,0001. 3d. Land remaining to be paid
investment of this kind would tend, in proportion
for, 1,659,000 acres, at the 1-ate of 2s. 10d. per acre, estimated
to sell for 15s, per acre or 1,243,5001.
* See Appendix., No. 2.
236
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
237
1:0 its amount, to ditninish in the mother-country
froin dwelling °Ti the irnprovement which this
the competition of capital with capital, and of
system of colonization might effeet in the moral
labour with labour.
condition of the poorer classes in Britain, or on
Llosv this system of eolonization would tend to
the wonderful rapidity with which, by calling
enlarge the field of employment for those classes,
millions and hundreds of millions into existente,
who are not called either capitalists or labourers,
it might people the descrt regions of the globe.
is very evident• As all the elnigrant labóurers
Such speeulations, however grateful, are unsuitéd
would retain the habits and wants of their mother-
to frie prevent occasion. Wc have confines] our-
country, so would they, having plenty in the
selves to statements and arguments which may
colony, cI'eate a denland for the services of those
be submitted to the test of rational inquiry. Any
classes whose only property is their knowledge ;
man, inquiring with a single desire to find the
and the progressi ve increase of this demand would
truth, may readily convince himself, whether or
keep pace, exactly, with the very rapid progress
not the proposed selection of emigrants would
of colonization. Colonies that were brisk mar-
prevent all undesirable increase of people in the
kets for the sale of goods tnanufactured in the
mo
mother-country, and, at the sa,me time, cause the
ther-country, must neeessarily afford employ-
greatest possible increase of people in the colo-
ment to persons, having the connnon run of
nies ; whether or not the proposed concentration
knowledge, or superior k nowledge, who should
of the colonists would tend to their wealth and
emigrate from the mother-country. Touching
civiiization ; would fu rnish the greatest amount
this point, it is only necessary to repeat, that a
of employment for labour, and the greatest fund
colony, founded or extended in the way proposed,
for conveying labour to the market. These are
would be the extension of an old society to
questions in the science of public economy which
new place, with all the good, but without the
must be speedily decided. If they should be
evils, which belong especially to old countries.
decided in the affirmative, it must inevitably fol-
This exposition of the views of the Colonization
áociety,
low, that the measure in question, being well
tnay be properly conclucled by a quota-
administered, would save the greater part of the
tion from d'eir own statement of their principies
and objects.
poor's-rate of England, and prevent in Ireland,
the greater ovil of pauperism without poor laws ;
" To conelude: We have purposely abstained
that it would occasion a gyeat and constant in-
238
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
239
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
crease of the demand for British manufactures ;
THE FOUNDATION OF COLONIES.
that it woulcl extinguiste slavery in South Africa,
by the substitution of free labour ; and that it
After so full a notice of the other parts of the
would enable the more extensive British colonies
subject, this part of it may be disposed of in few
to defray the entice cost of their own government
words.
and protection. Moreover, if the principies of
If the purchase of waste land in a colony already
the suggested measure be sound, the measure may
established were a profitable mode of employing
be adopted, not only upon any scale, that is, by
capital, so would be the purchase of the first grant
degrees, so as to render its adoption perfectly
in a new colony. Nay, as the first purchasers of
easy,—but also without harm to any, and with
land in a new colony woulcl naturally select the
benefit to all ; without the least injury to a single
spot on which the first town, or the capital of the
person, and with definable and manifest advan-
colony, the seat of government and the centre of
tage, to the poor, both those who should remove
trade, was likely to be forined, their land must
and those who should remain; to the landlords, far-
necessarily, if the colony prospere(' at all, soon
mers, manufacturers, merchants and shipowners
become extremely valuable. Their purchase-
of Britain ; to the colonists of every class, but
money would provide the colony with labour of
more especially to the landowners and merchants ;
the most valuable kind, and in due proportion to
and finally to both the domestic and the colonial
the land granted. Here, there would be no mo-
governments. We be.. the reader to observe that
tive for anticipating by a loan the sales of waste
b •
these conclusions are stated hypothetically. The
land ; because, in this case, there would never be
accuracy of the conclusions depends on the truth
any hurtful disproportion between land and
of the principies, which it is our wish rather to
people. The certainty of obtaining labour in
submit for examination than to assert with con-
the new colony would be the strongest induce-
fidence. But if those conclusions should turn
ment to the emigration of capitalists, ambitious
out to he foundecl on reason and truth, it will be
to take part in laying the foundation of an empire.
acknowledged, that objects more important wcre
Thus would all the elements of wealth be brought
never sought by more simple means."
together, with no further trouble to the govern-
ment of the mother-country than what should be
required for establishing in the colony a fixed and
uniform system in the disposal of wastc land. It
240.
THE ART OF COLONIZAT/ON.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
241
was the hopo of being able to persuade the
parliament ; but those who intended to found the
English government to establish such a system
colony required no more than a charter from the
for the south coast of Australia, that lately in-
king ; a something to bind the compact into
duced a body of Englishmen* to project the
which those individuals were desirous to enter.
foundation of a colony in that desert part of the
This piece of parchment was applied for, promised,
world. A body of capitalists, sure of a rapid in-
and ultimately refused ; on what grounds applied
crease in the value of land, if all land were sold
for, how promised, and how cruelly refused, rnay
and all the purchase-money ernployed in pro-
be seen by a correspondence between the govern-
curing labour, was ready to buy a part of that
ment and those who intended to found the colony.
wilderness ; another bod y of capitalists, depending
Part of this correspondence is printed in the Ap-
on a constant supply of labour, was ready to em-
pendix. To those who are curious about the
bark for that desert ; the most numerous, wcalthy
motives, which may induce the government of an
and estimable body of Englishmen that ever pro-
old country to prevent the foundation of colonies,
posed to found a colony: and labourers in abund-
as well as to those who would ascertain the
ante were anxious to accompany them, expecting
motives with which, under a good system of
to have their passage paid for with the purchase-
colonization, individuals -would found colonies,
money of the desert land. In order to carry this.
scarcely assisted by their government, the cor-
project into effect, nothing more was required
respondence in question wili prove highly in-
than some engagement from the English govern-
structive.
ment, that the proponed system for the disposal
The old .English colonies in Arnerica, now the
of waste land should be firmly cstablished in the
eastern states of the Union, were not founded by
intended colony ; some, law, or something like a
any government. They were founded by indi-
la‘v, to prevent a colonial governor, and the clerks
viduals, not even aided by any government, save
in Downing Street, from meddling with the dis-
as the cornpact, into which each of those bodies of
posal of waste land in this colony. The best
individuals entered, was bound by a charter from
security- for this object would have been an act of
the crown of England. At that time, it had not
been discovered that the disposal of waste land
* See in the Appendix (No. 3.) a list of the Provisional Com-
in a colony may furnish rnatter for favour and
matee of the South Australian Land Company, with the signa-
jobs : at that time, probably, a charter to prevent
tures to a Memorial addressed to Viscount Goderieh.
favour and jobbing in the disposal of waste land
VOL. II.
242
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
243
would not have been refused by the government
land at their disposal than any other nation, not
of England. But, at that time, also, none of the
excepting the North Arnericans. and «rho, more
great advantages of a fixed and uniforrn system
than any other nation, require that their field of
in the disposal of waste land were understood by
production should be enlarged.*
any one. The evils of profusion and irregularity
have been made apparent by the good resulting
THE GOVERNMENT OF COLONIES.
from some degree of caution and regularity.
The advocate of systematic colonization, ad-
What is a new state formed in the western deserts
dressing the corruptgovernment of an old country,
of America, if it be not a new colony ? Yet how
and actuated by that short-sighted policy which
marked is the contrast between the irnrnediate
attends onlyto immediate objects, and has no faith
prosperity of one of those new colonics, and the
in the power of truth, would say : Proceed in such
early misery of one of those which were pla.nted
a way that your colonies may be richer than colo-
on the eastern coast of America I To whatever
nies have ever been, more taxable, better worth
extent we may suppose that the prosperity of the
governing. But the corrupt government of an old
newest colonies alises from caution and regularity
country would not be cajoled by this sort of lan-
in the disposal of waste land, so far shall we at-
guage : it would see, what must be plain to every
tribute the early misery of the oldest colonies to
one, that, if colonies were so rnany extensions of
profusion and irregularity. If some degree of
an old society, they would never submit to be
caution and regularity in the disposal of waste,
land insure the immediate prosperity of a new
Mr. Stuart, one of the soberest and most moderate of
colony, it seetns olear, that the prosperity of a new
writers, supposes that the United States will obtain by the sale
colony would be much greater, and much more
of waste land, ever under the present detective system, "some
thousand niillions of dollars." The national debt of England
rapid, under the proposed system of selling al/
arnounts to between three and four thousand millions of dollars.
new land and converting all the purchase-money
With Canada, South Africa, Eastern, Western aml Southern
into the most productive labour. An old country,
Australia, New Zealand, (a country admirab]y fit for coloniza-
then, by applying this system to desert countries
tion) part of the north-west coast of America, Ceylon, (which
at her disposal, may create stronger motives than
in many rcspects is quite fit for colonization) Madagascar
ever yet existed for the foundation of colonies by
perhaps, some desert islands in the Pacific, and great tracts of
desert land in India under a fine climate; with all these fields of
bodies of individuals. This subject well descrves
colonization open to then), the English, surely, might so enlargc
the attention of the English, who have more desert
their field of production as to laugh at their national debt.
244
TI1E ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
245
governed from a distance. Truly, if the colonists
legitimate and weighty complaints weakened by
were kept together by a good system for the dis-
reason of distance, stripped of every thing that
posal of waste land, they would be richer than
might excite sensibility, of every thing which
colonists have ever been, better able to pay taxes,
might soften or subdue the pride of power, are
better worth keeping in subjection : but, so like-
delivered, without defence, into the cabinet of the
wise, would they be more intelligent, and, as
prince, to the most insidious interpretations, to
union is force, very tnuch stronger. The scattered,
the most unfaithful representations. The colonists
poor and ignorant inhabitants of South Africa
are still too happy if their demand of justice is
could not but submit patiently to the oppression,
not construed into a mime, and if their most tito-
the sportive injustice and fantastic cruelty, of an
derate remonstrances are not punished as acts of
English lord sent across the would to do with them
rebellion. In a word, little is cared for their
as he pleased. They were incapable of governing
affection, nothing is feared from their resenttnent,
themselves, and therefore quite unable to resist a
and their despair is contemned." 11 But why is
foreign tyrant. With the capacity for self-govern-
their anger despised ? Because it is not dangerous ;
ment comes the power to exercise it. A people
because they are helpless ; because they are, what
entirely fit to manage themselves, will never long
is called, new societies. Let colonies be old
submit to be tnanaged by others, much less tú be
societies in new places, and they will have the
managed by an authority residing at a great dis-
power to chuse between self-government and
tance from them. " Government from a distance"
government from a distance. That they would
says Bentham, " is often mischievous to the people
chuse to govern themselves cannot be doubted by
submitted to it. Government is almost always,
any one, who is at all acquainted with the evils of
as respects them, in a state either of jealousy or
being governed from a distance.
indifference. They are either neglected or pil-
Bentham well describes how difficult it is for
laged ; they are made places of banishment for the
subject colonies to obtain any redress of grie-
vilest part of society, or places to be pillaged by
vances ; but he says little of the grievances of
minions and favourites, whom it is desirable sud-
which such colonies must necessarily have to com-
denly to enrich. The sovereign at two thousand
plain. If one were it would be a hard case when
leagues' distance from bis subjects, can be ac-
the physician resided thousands of miles off, and
quainted neither with their wants, their interests,
months must elapse before one could hear from
their manners, nor their character. The most
Rationale of Reward, 13. 4, chap. 14.
246
TIIE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
247
him by return of post ; but the degree of hard-
mockery of a legislative assembly, the people of
ship would greatly depend on the nature of the
the mother-country, when by chance they think
disease. It is not very easy for people, who have
of the colonies, are led to suppose that the colonies
never been governed from a distance, to under-
are pretty well governed ; while, in truth the
stand the nature of the evils - which are thus
governor's council is a most efficient means of
in-
flicted on dependent colonies. Every governrncnt
misgovernment, since it enables his cxcellency to
must be supported by sorne kind of force. The
perforen, or to authorize, acts of oppression, which
distant government seldom maintains in the
he would never have dared to do, or authorize,
colony- an armed force sufficient to preserve its
on his own single responsibility. If a governor
authority. Sorne other means, then, must be
of New South Wales should ever be called to
adopted to make the colonists obey laws which
account for acts of cruel oppression in that
are enacted by persons at a distante, knowing
colony, those acts would be defended on the
little of the colony and caring less for it ; laws
ground that they were approved by the council,
too, administered by strangers, not fixed in the
an assembly consisting partly of settlers, having
colony, nor in any degree responsible to the sub-
an interest in comm.on with the whole body of
ject people. The way in which this object is
colonists. That would be the defence ; whereas the
commonly attained, is by dividing the colonists ;
truth is, that the colonial membcrs of the p;over-
by getting up hostile factions amongst them ; by
nor's council in New South Wales have been deeply
allowing, some of them to share with the strangers
interested in that misgovernment of which they
in all kinds of jobs and monopolies. In order
shared the profits, in the chape of contracts, un-
that the strangers may pillage the colony, sorne
due supplies of convict labour and immense grants
of the colonists' are allowed to pillage it. In all
of land. In Upper Canada, says Mr. Ellice,* "it
the more extensive colonies which are governed
veas the fashion for every councillor to get a grant
from Downing Street, London, there . is a strong
of from 5,000 to 20,000 acres, to the great detri-
party of colonists attached to the government,
ment of the country and the great nuisance of the
and amongst the worst enemies of the colonial
inhabitants around." This is only a sample of the
people. The machinery Nvhereby misgovernment
numerous ways, in which some of the inhabitants
thus supports itsclf, is generally, a council in the
of subject colonies are bribed to lend their assist-
colony, componed partly of strangers, partly of
ance in hurting the other inhabitants ; to lend
colonists, all named by the governor ; by which
1' Now English rninister at war.
248
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
249
their narres to the strangers, so that the acts of
to the self-government, of colonies, which were
those strangers may be glossed over with the
founded, and have hitherto been extended, with-
semblante of being approved by the colonists ;
out any regard to the ends and means of colo-
to lend their voices, and in case of need, their
nization. Here, perhaps, we may discover why,
arms, to the strangers, so that to the force of the
last year, the English government prevented the
strangers there may be added that of a strong
foundation of a colony- which, in local matters,
colonial faction. Hence more pillage than would
was to have governed itself as soon as the popu-
have satisfied the strangers ; hence the rnost bitter
lation should amount to 50,000 souls.
feuds arnongst the colonists themselves; hence,
In this respect, the English have reason to be
more or less, the peculiar evils, which Ireland
proud of the wisdom of their ancestors. All the
has suffered by being governed from a distance
early colonies of the English were allowed to
through the instrumentality of a strong domestic
govern themselves from the beginning ; with this
faction. The evil of having to obey laws made
single exception, that the mother-country re-
at a distance would be great, but less than the
served to herself a monopoly of the foreign trade
evils inflicted in order to procure obediente to
of the colony. In every case, the colonial laws
laws so made. The government of colonies from
were made by an assernbly of colonists, elected
a distance involves both kinds of evil.
by the colonists ; and in some cases those laws
So rnuch evil would never long be borne by a
were executed by officers, including the governor,
colony which had been founded, or which was ex-
who were appointed by the colonists. The
tended, in the way Itere proposed. The colony
charters, in a word, under which bodies of Eng-
being fit, would be able to govern itself. It must
lishmen planted colonies in America, laid the
be confessed, therefore, that the ruling class of an
foundation of democracy in that part of the
old country, looking only to immediate and self-
would. At that time, the English ruling class liad
ish ends, has an interest in preventing systentatic
not discovered how to profit by the exercise of
colonization : a double interest; first, as for every
dominion over distant colonies. No sooner, how-
colony fit to govern itself there would be less room
ever, did the English take possession of colonies,
for colonies liable to be governed from a distan ce ;
which had been founded by other nations with-
secondly, as the example of systernatic coloniza-
out any provision for local self-government, than
tion and colonial self-government in one place,
the aristocracy of England founcl out the advan-
might leal to the systematic extension, and then
tage of holding colonies in subjection. This ad-
250
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION .
251
vantage became still more clear when the English
withstanding this partial affection for crown colo-
government had made a settlement in New Hol-
nies, it is a fact, 1 believe, that never, till last
land ; had established a jail there ; a society,
year, did the English governrnent refuse to bestow
which, of course, could not be allowed to govern
a charter of incorporation and local self-govern-
itself.
ment upon individuals ready to found a colony
As to that colony, the system of transporta-
at their own expense : it is a fact, also, that the
tion is a good excuse for withholding from thc
only colony, founded by Englishmen without such
free settlers the advantage of self-government,
a charter, is the miserable Swan River settlement,
and will be maintained on that account, as well
the last colony founded by Englishmen.
as on account of its great expense, until the new
The chartered colonies of England, governing
ruling class of England shall please to exert their
themselves from the beginning in local matters,
authority. Well-informed as the English aristo-
have usually defrayed the whole cost of their
cracy now are of the many advantages to thern-
local government : the cost, on the contrary, of
selves attendant on holding colonies in subjec-
governing the crown colonies has generally fallen
tion, they will always be ready with excuses for
opon England. Here are two reasons against
not reverting to the system of colonial self-
crown colonies : first, the expense whieh they
government. They seek to deny, that the system
occasion to the country whose rulers hold them
of governing colonies from Downing Street is a
in subjection ; secondly, the absence of any motive
modem innovation.*
in the government of the colony for letting the
English colonies which govern them-
colonists be rich enough to bear taxation.
selves in local matters, are distinguished by thc
The difference between the cost of governing
name of chartered colonies, while the others are
crown and chartered colonies is very much in
called crown colonies. The crown colonies, such
favour of the lat.ter. " All the different civil
as New South Wales, Van Diemen's Land, and
establishments in North America," says Adam
South Africa, bcing governed in local matters
Smith, " exclusive of idiaryland and North Caro-
from Downing Street, London, and affording a
lina, of which no exact account has been got, did
vast leal of patronage to the noblemen and gen-
not, before the commencement of the present dis-
tlemen who live in that street, are most sincerely
turbances, cost the inhabitants aboye 64,0001. a
preferred by tire English government. But, not-
year ; an ever memorable example at how small
See Correspondence in Appendix, No. 3.
an expense three millions of people may not only
252
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
253
be governed, but well governed." The yearly cost
country, who find the money, will allow. Thecheap-
of governing fifty thousand people in New South
ness of local self-government is sure to present
Wales was lately about 234,0001., the salaries of
a striking contrast with the dearness -of govern-
officers alone, being 53,4681. ; an ever memorable
ment from a distance ; a contrast painful to those
example at how great an expense a colony play be,
who profit by governing colonies from a distance.
not only governed, but very iil governed.'1 The
Of two other reasons in favour of local seZ»
crown colony of the Swan River, with about
government, one is obvious ; the. other requires
fifteen hundred inhabitants, already costs England
sonne explanation. First, a body of colonists who
near 70001. a year : the local government of the
should manage their own affairs, in their own way
chartered colony, which it was proposed to founcl
for thcir own advantage, would be sure to manage
at Spencer's Gulph, was to have cost, not England,
better than any foreign government, whether on
but the inhabitants, 50001. a year, and no more,
the spot or at a distance : the local government,
until the population should reach 50,000 souls.
unless very iii constituted, would have the deepest
Chartered colonies, those which conduct and pay
interest in the prosperity of the colony. But,
for their owñ local government, are sure to be
secondly, the forro and substance of the local
very moderate 'in their public expenses ; while
government would very much depend upon the
the expense of governing colonies from a distance
character of the first settlers. Magna viYüm
is sure to be as great as the people of the ruling
mater ! exclaims Adam Smith, when he gives
to England the credit of having furnished the
* Specimen of the Salaries in New South Wales.
men fit to establish empires in America. But
Govcrnor
-
£4,200
would those superior men have quitted England
Colonial Treasurer
1,000
for that purpose, without a prospect of self-
Colonial Secretary and Registrar
-
2,000
government ? would such a man as William Perin
His compensation for loss of Pension
750
Naval Officer
-
have CrOlsed the Atlantic, knowing that, when
2,585
Chief Justice
2,000
in America, he should be subject to a minister
Assistant Judge
1,300
like llorace Twiss,* residing in England ? The
Dato
-
-
1,500
Attorney-General
1,400
This gentleman, Americans ought to be told, is an English
Sheriff and Provost Marshal
1,000
barrister, practising in the courts of chancery and bankruptcy.
Arclideacon
-
2,000
The Duke of Wellington malle him under secretary of state for
Surveyor-General
1,000
254
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE. ART OF COLONIZATION.
255
greater number, it is true, of the founders of
good government: in the plan of an intended
the United States fled from persecutiOn ; but
colony at Spencerss Gulph, a plan formed by
some of them did not; and all of them may be
individuals, provision was carefully made for
supposed to have been moved, in part, by a
legislation, for the administration of justice, for
sentiment of ambition. The founders of a colony,
the support of religion,* for the education of all
which is to be governed by the colonists, are sure
classes, and for the defence of the colony. This
to enjoy a greater degree of consideration and
difference is explained by the difference between
importante amongst their companions, than they
a crown colony and a chartered one. In the
could reasonably have hoped to attain in the
lattcr case, the charter of ineorporation and self-
oid society. By the mere act of removing, they
, v
ro ernment attracted to the undertaking men of
become legislat.ors and statesmen ; the legislators
a superior order ; men knowing what they were
and statesrnen of a new country too, created, as
about, having definite objects and a clear con-
it were, by themselves. In the charters, under
which the old English colonies in America were
* The provision for the support of religion, suggestcd by
plantee], we find recited the ríanles of the men
persons of a very religious turn of mirad, who intended to set-
who projected and accomplished those great un-
tle in the colony, was an article in the proponed charter, which
declared that in this colony there should be no political
dertaking-s. It was thus, that men of a superior
church. This provision led a number of Dissenters to join the
order were induced to run the risk of failure in
body of intended colonists. The dissenters began to raise a
those enterprizes ; men who, by their energy,
subscription amongst themselves and their friends for building
judgment, patienee and resolution, were especially
a church, in which their mode of worship was to be followed 3
qualified to make those enterprizes succeed. As
when the inembers of the church of England, who intended to
a . colony fit to manage its own affairs would not
emigratc, immediately began to raise a subscription for esta-
blishing their mode of worship in the colony. The present
subrnit to have them managed from a distante,
bishop of London, be it said to his honour, having been con-
so a colony allowed to manage its own affairs,
sulted about the church-of-England subscription, found no
would attract men fit to manage them. In the
fault with the provision against a political church, but en-
Swan River colony, which was founded by a
gaged to assist the intended settlers of his persuasion in raising
minister, scarce any provision has been made for
money for a church of their own. Of course, however, both
these incipient subscriptions fell to the ground, when Lord
the colonies : he was concerned in the foundation of the Swan
Goderich refused to grant the charter which his lordship had
River settlement ; and spoke, first, against the reform bill
proniised a vear before. See Correspondence in Appendix,
the House of Commons.
No. 3.
256
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
257
THF ART OF COLONIZATION.
ceptión of the means for accomplishing them.
affairs are sharnefully managed from a distance.
Would such men have gone to a crown colony ?
Thus, while at the Swan River no provision what-
The answer is, that they would
ever has been made for self defence, it was pro-
not ; for, when
Lord Goderich wanted these men to go to the
posed by those who intended to found a colony
Swan River, they answered, that nothing would
at Spencer's Gulph, that the whole body of set-
induce them to settle " in a colony, where there
tiers should be formed into a militia ; and as the
is no security -for the inestimable advantage of
sum of 125,0001. offered to the government for
local self.government."
the first grant of land would have conveyed to
But, though it should be allowed, that new
the settlement about 4,000 young couples, this
colonies founded by charter of incorporation and
colony would have had from the beginning an
local self-government would put the mother-coun-
artned force of 4,000 men ; a greater force, per-
try to no expense for their internal government,
haps, than was ever maintained by any mother-
still an objection to new colonies, which rests on
country in any new colony. In that case, too,
the necessity protecting them from foreign
not only would colonization have proceeded with
violente, retnains untouched. That necessity
unexampled rapidity, but the colonists, insteacl
would certainly exist in every case where the
of being enfeebled by dispersion, would always
colony was unable to defend itself. But colo-
have beca strong in proportion to their numbers.
nies, which governed themselves, have commonly
Accustorned to the use of arms, chusing their
been able to deferid themselves. The colonies of
own leaders, defending the work of their own
Greece were able, not only to defend themselves,
hands,which is the foreign government that would
but to assist their parent states in resisting foreign
have thought it worth while to attack them ? A
violente. The chartered colonies of North Ame-
subject colony may not be harined, may be bene-
rica were able to defend themselves against their
fited, by a change of masters. Subject colonies,
mother-country, when she had the folly to attack
accordingly have, over and over again, submitted
their local independence. Dependence teaches
to foreigners ; but when did a colony, that flou-
colonies to lean upon their mother-country : inde-
rished at all, and was independent from the be-
pendence from the beginning teaches them to
ginning, yield up the main cause of its prosperity,
provide for . self-defence ; not to mention that a
its precious independence ? Judging from post
colony, which monagos its own affairs, has more,
-facts, we may conelude, that if the art of coloni-
infinitely more, to defend than a colony whose
zation were skilfully pursued, if colonies were
VOL. II.
258
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
259
independent, and were founded or extended so as
English sugar-rnarket ; for every one allows that,
to be, not new societies, but old societies in new
if the English were permitted to buy sugar in the
places, the defence of them from foreign violente
cheapest market they could any whcre fincl, there
would not require any o utlay by the mother-coun-
would soon be an end to the growth of sugar in
try. Nay more, says Adam Smith, " they rnight
the West Indies. But has not this monopoly, on
be disposed to favour their mother-country in
which the existente of the colonists now depends,
war as well as in trade ; and, instead of turbulent
been the cause of that unnatural state of things,
and factious subjects, to become her most faith-
under which the monopoly is of such vast im-
ful, affectionate and generous allies ; with the
portance to the colonists ? If the West Indians
same parental affection on the one side, and the
had never possessed any privilege in the rnarket
same filial respect on the other, which used to
of England, it seems probable that, warned by the
subsist between the colonies of ancient Greece
decrease of their profits, arising from the exhaus-
and the mother-city from which they descended."
tion of their land, they would have diverted their
Passing by the exploded notion, that an old
capital from the growth of sugar to sobre other
country is interested in preserving a monopoly of
employment: they might even, from the moment
the trade with her colonies, we have still to en-
when sugar grown on virgin soils carne into cotn-
quire, whether it be advantageous to colonies to
petition with their sugar, have seen that it was
enjoy privileges in the market of their mother-
for their advantage to set free their slaves, so as
country.
to convert these human cattle into competitors
Supposing that the monopoly of the English
for the use of land. One must say, perhaps ; be-
sugar-market enjoyed by the planters of the
cause it ís doubtful whether slaves, very nume-
West Indios takes out of the pockets of the Eng-
rous in proportion to their masters of a different
lish, and puts into the pockets of the planters,
colour, can ever be set free without a period of
2,000,0001. a year, this would seem to be a case
anarchy. But, however this may be, what have
in which colonists gain by the sort of monopoly
the West Indies become with the monopoly
in question. In like manner, the Canadians ap-
They have become, with, and by means of, the
pear to gain what the English lose, by the Cana-
monopoly, societies so monstronsly unnatural as
dian monopoly of the English timber trade. Nay,
to depend for their very existente on the patience
in the forrner case, the very existente of the colo-
of a distant people, who do not love them, in sub-
nists seems to depend on their monopoly of the
mitting to pay 2,000,0001. to kcep their heads
260
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
261
abo ye water. In like manner, though we should
rally raise exchangeable commodities, such mono-
acknowledge that the Canadians gain what the
polies or privileges would not even appear to be
English lose by the difference between the price
good. In the intended colony at Spencer's Gulph,
or quality of Canadian timber and Baltie tirnber
accordingly, it was proponed that trade, both of
in the English market, still the Canadian mono-
import and of export, should be entirely free. Port
poly produces in Canada an unnatural state of
Lincoln was to have been a port without a cus-
things ; artifieially turning to the lamber trade
tom-house. Is this whv Lord Goderich, the
more capital than would naturaily be employed
eloquent advoeate of free-trade, willed that it
in it, and exposing the Canadians to be ruined
should remain without ships ?
by so proper an act on the part of the English
For it must be confessed, that colonial mono-
government as that of letting the English people
polies of trade in the mother-country are of very
buy tirnber of whom they piense. If colonies
great use, indeed, for holding dependent colonies
gain for a time by monopolizing sorne trade in
in subjection. A dependent colony, brought
the market of their mother-country, their condi-
into an unnatural and dangerous state by such a
tion is unnatural and dangerous in proportion to
monopoly, dares not to offend the rulers of its
their gains. Such a monopoly, if its continuance
mother-country. The colonists of South Africa
depended altogether on the colonists themselves,
with their vine monopoly, of Canada with their
might perhaps be defended, as the American
tirnber monopoly, and of the «Test Indies with
tariff may be defended, on the score of its ten-
their sugar monopoly, are t'ar more subservient
dency to promote combination of labour and
to Downing Street, than they would be if the peo-
division of employments amongst the colonists ;
ple of England were free to buy vine, timber and
but the continuance of sacha monopoly must
sugar, in the cheapest markets they conid any
always depend upon the good pleasure of the
where find. In this way, the people of England
mother-country. For every colony, therefore,
pay magnificently to enable their rulers to profit
such monopolies are bad ; and bad j ast in pro-
in another way by the dependence of colonies.
portion as they seem good. For colonies, founded
It would be much cheaper for the people of Eng-
or extended so that the colonists should com-
land, and quite as profitable to the English aris-
bine labour and divide employrnents, not only
toeracy, if, the colonies being left to themselves,
atnongst themselves, but with the people of their
a surn equal to the actual cost of holding and
mother-country ; for colonies that should natu-
tnisgoverning them, were placed at the disposal
262
THE ART OF COLONIZATION.
of the Englísh cábinet, under,the honest name of
a fund for Corruption. Thus would all the cost
of the monopolies be entirely saved, without any
decrease of ministerial patronage. But then, it
inay be said, the corruption would be toa plain
to be borne. Doubtless ; and here is sean one
" piiblic inconvenienee" that might have avisen
APPENDIX.
from the establishment of a colonial port without
a custoin-house ; the inconvenience of an ex-
ample, which, if generally followed, would have
No. 1.
tallen from the English aristocracy one of their
chief instruments for holding, harassing and
PROOFS OF THE INDUSTRY, SIMA. AND COMMERCIAL DISPOSITION,
depressing colonial possessions.
O F THE CHINESE PEOPLE.
See Correspondence in the Appendix, No. 3.
No. 2.
PROOFS OF THE RAPIDITY WITH WHICH WASTE LAND RISES IN
VALUE, ~REVER PEOPLE CONGREGATE, IN NEW COLONTES•
No. 3.
PART OF A CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE ENGLISH GOVERN.•
IIENT AND A BODY OF INDIVIDUALS VIISHING TO FOUND A
THE E N D.
COLONY.
265
APPENDIX.
No. I.
PROOFS OF TIIE INDUSTRY, SKILL AND COMMERCIAL DIS-
POSITION OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE.
SIR GEORGE STAUNTON, in his account of Lord Macart-
ney's embassy thus describes the Chinese emigrants at
Batavia.
" Great numbers of Chinese come constantly to Ba-
tavia with exactly the same views that attract the natives
of Holland to it—the desire of accumulating wealth in a
foreign land. Both generally belonged to the humbler
classes of life, and viere bred in similar habits of industry
in their own country ; but the different circumstances that
attend them after their arrival in Batavia, put an end to
any further resemblance betl,reen them. The Chinese
have, there, no way of getting forward but by a con-
tinuance of their formen exertions in a place where they
are more liberally rewarded, and by a strict economy in
the preservation of their gains. They have no chance of
advancing by favour ; nor are public offices opon to their
ambition : but they apply to every industrious occupation,
and obtain whatcver carc and labour can accomplish.
They become, in town, retailers, clerks, and agents : in
the country they are farmers, and the principal cultivators
of the sugar-cane. They do, at length, acquire fortunes,
which they value by the time and labour required to earn
them. .So gradual an acquisition makes no change in
266
APPENDIX, NO. I.
APPENDIX, NO. 1.
267
their disposition or mode of life. Their industry is not
festivals, is equally opon for the benefit and reception of
diminished, nor their health impaired.
those who have not contributed towards the establish-
ment, and who do not belong to the society. Jnto thís
" The Chinese are said to be now as numerous as ever
admirable institution are indiscriminately admitted the
again in and about Batavia ; for however imminent the
infirm and the aged, the friendless and the indigent, of
danger to which the Dutch alledge that they are exposed
all nations. Towards the support of those ínstitutions,
by the intended former insurrection of this people, and
the temple and the infirmary, their contributions are
however cruel and unjustifiable the Chinese consider the
voluntary; but exclusive of diese, their industry is severely
conduct of.the Dutch towards them at that time, the oc-
taxed by the Dutch government. Every religious festival
casion they have for each other has brought them again
and public ceremony, every popular amusement, as well
together ; and ít is acknowledged by the latter that the
as every branch of individual industry, are subject to
settlement could scarcely exist without the industry and
taxation. They are even obliged to pay for a license to
ingenuity of the formen"
wear their hair in a long plaited tau', according to the
In Mr. BARROW'S voyage to Cochin China, the follow-
custom of their country ; for permission to bring their
ing passagcs occur :—
greens to market, and to sell their produce and manufac-
" The -next description of inhabitants of Batavia, who
tures in the streets. Yet to the industry and exertions
of those people are the Dutch wholly indebtcd for the
in number and opulence exceeds the former, is the
Chinese. These people, as appears by their records,
means of existing with any tolerable degree of comfort
first obtained a settlement in Java about the year 1412.
in Batavia. Every species of vegetable for the table is
As intruders, but not conquerors, it is probable that they
raised by them in all seasons of the year, and at times
when the most indefatigable attention and labour are
have at all times been subject to harsh and oppressive
treatment ; but the restrictions and extortiolls under
required. They are masons, carpenters, blacksmiths,
painters, upholsterers, tailors, and shoe-makers. Thcy
which they at present (1793) labour, seem as unnecessary
and impolitic as they are unjust. That they should con-
are employed in the arts of sugar-refining,
pottery, lime-burning, and every other trade and prófes-
sent to the Mahomedans, Malays, and Javanese exercising
sion that are indispensably necessary for nzalcing Me state
their devotions in the saíne temple, which they built at
of society tolcrably comfortable. They are,
their own expense, and consecrated to the god of their
moreover, the contractors for supplying the various de-
own worship, is by no means an unfavourable feáture in
mands of the civil, military, and marine establishments in
their character ; but on the part uf the Dutch who en-
the settlement ; they are the collectors of the cates, the
force the mensure, it is one of the greatest irisults that
customs, and the tares ; and, in short, are Me monopo-
could well be offered. The Chinese hospital or infirmary,
lizers of the interior commerce of Me island ; and with
which was erected by voluntary contributions from their
the Malays, carry on the principal part of the coasting
own community, and is supportecl by legacies arísing from
theatrical exhibítions and fire-works, and by a small tax
trade.
on marriages, funerals, and the celebration of public
" The influence which would naturally follow from the
268
APPENDIX, NO. I.
269
APPENDIX, NO. I.
disgraced a civilized people, they had the audacity to
management of concerns so important and so extensive,
proclaim a public thanksgiving to the God of Merey for
could not long be regarded by a weak and luxurious go-
their happy deliverance from thc hands of the heathen.
vernment without jealousy. Those arts which thc Eu-
While the Dutch, in their public records, endeavour to
ropeans have usually followed with success in establishing
justify this atrocious act on the plea of necessity, they
themselves in foreign countries, and which the Dutch
make the following memorable observation:—‘ It is re-
have not been backward in carefully studying and effec-
markable that this people, notwithstanding their great
tually carrying into practice, with regará to the natives
numbers, offered not the least resistance, but suifered
of Java, could not be applied with the least hope of suc-
themselves to be led like sheep to the slaughter For
cess to the Chinese settlers. These people had no so-
my own part, when i refiect on the timid character of
vereign to dethrone, by opposing to him the clames of a
the Chinese, their want of conficlence in each other, and
usurpes; nor did the separate interests of any petty chief
their strong aversion to the shedding of human blood:
allow them, by exciting jealousy, to put in execution the
and when I compare their situation in Batavia to that of
old adage of divide et impera, divide and command.
the Hottentot in the colony of the Cape of Good Hope,
WTith as little hope of success could the masters of the
where every little irregularity is magnified into a plot
island venture to seduce an industrious and abstemious
against the government, I cannot forbear giving a de-
people from their temperate habits by the temptation of
cided opinion that these people viere innocently murdered.
foreign luxuries ; and their general disposition to sobriety
The consequences to the Dutch proved much more
held out no encouragement for the importation of spirit-
serious than at first they seemed to have been aovare of.
uous liquors and intoxicating drugs. For, though thc
The terrified Chinese, who escaped the massacre, fied
Chinese who are in circumstances to afford it, make use
into the interior of the island; a scarcity of rice and every
of opium to excess, yet this is a luxury in which the
kind of vegetables, succeedeO; and the apprehensions of
common people of this nation rarely think of indulging.
a famine induced them to offer terms to the fugitives and
The Dutch, therefore, who are weak in point ofnumbers,
to entreat their retan)."
had recourse to a more decisive and speedy measure for
getting rid of a redundancy of population, which had
SIR STAMFORD RAEELES, in his history of Java, writes
begun to create suspicion and alarm : they put them to
s follows:
the sword.
"Resides the natives, whose number, circumstances,
and character I have slightly mentioned, there is in Java,
" This extraordinary affair took place on the 9th of
a rapidly increasing race of foreígners, who have cmi-
October ; the whole of the lOth was a day of plunder ;
grated from the different surrounding countries. The
and on the 11 th they began to remove out of the streets
most numerous and important class of these ís the
the dead bodies, the interment of which occupied them
Chinese, who already (1815) do not fall short of a hun-
eight days. The number said to have perished, accord-
dred thousand ; and who, with a system of free trade,
ing to the Dutch account, amounts to more than twclve
and free cultivation, would soon accumulate ten-fold, by
thousand souls. Ilaving thus eompleted one of the most
inhuman, and apparently causeless transactions that eve
270
APPENDIX, NO. I.
APPENDIX, NO. I.
°~1
natural mercase within the island and gradual accessions
oven vie with that of the European artists, but which we
of new settlers from honre. They reside prineipally in
look for in vain in any other part of India. It was a
the great capitals of Batavia, Semárang, and Surabáya,
pleasing and gratifying spectacle — so much are we in
but they are to be found in all the smaller capitals, and
India accustomed to the opposite—to see a numerous,
scatt.ered over raost parts of the country. A great pro-
very muscular, and apparently hardy yace of people,
portion of them are descended from families, who have
labouring with a degree of energy and acuteness, which
been many generations on the island;—additions are
gavie to their physical character a peculiar stamp, and
gradually makíng te their numbers. They arrive at Ba-
placed them in a highly favourable point of view, when
tavia from China te the amount of a thousand or more
compared with the habits of the nation around them.
annually, in Chinese junks, carrying there, four, and five
Their manner of using their instruments, so different from
hundred each, without money or resources ; but by dint
the puerile style of Indian artists, had in it much of the
of their industry soon acquire coinparative opulence.
dexterity of the Europeans : while their conditiori bespoke
.There are no women in Jasa, wbo come directly from
them•a fiourishing and wealthy tribe. All the principal
China, but as the Chinese often marry the daughters of
shops, all important and useful employments, and almost
their countrynien by Javan women, there results a numer-
all the commeree of ¿he was in their hands. Under
ous mixed race which is oftcn scarcely distinguishable
the patronage of the British government they soon ac-
from the nativo Chinese."
quire riches ; they meet with entire protection of property
and person, and are cherished by the government, which,
Mr. FINLAXSON, in his account of the Mission to Siam
in return, derives benefits from their industry, and from
and Hué, in 1822, speaks as follows of the Chinese emi-
the commercial and profitable speculations in which they
grants at Penang and Sincapore.
usually engage.
" We had not proceeded far (at Penang) before a more
•
interesting and more gratifying scene was expanded te
" 'Fue neatness, the industry, and the ingenuity dis-
our observation. Industry, active, useful, manly and in-
played in plantations of this sort (at Sincapore) afford a
dependent, seemed here to have found a congenial soil
very gratifying spectacle, and attest the great progress
and fostering care. The indolent air of the Asiatic was
which the Chinese nation has malle in agricultura science.
thrown aside. Every one laboured to produce some use-
The Chinese may be considered as the solo cultivators of
ful object, and every countenancc teeming with animation,
the soil.
seemed, as it were, directed to a set tasé. With the air,
they had lost even the slender frame of the Asiatic ; and.
" The most promínent feature in the character of the
the limbs, and muscularity, and symmetry were thosc of
Chinese emigrant, is industry : the best and highest en-
another and more energetic race. These were Chinese,
dowinent which he has attained.- He is mechanically
a people highly valuable as settlers, by reason of their
uniform and steady in the pursuit of what he conceives
industrious and regular habits, who had established on
to be his immediate and personal interest, in the prose-
this spot the mechanical arta, on a scale which. might
cution of which he exerts a degree of ingenuity and of
bodily labour and exertion, which leave all the Asiatics
272
APPENDIX, NO. I.
APPENDIX, NO I.
273
at a distante. He labours with a strong arm, and is
confirmed by several witnesses before the Select Com-
capable great and continued exertion. He is not
matee on the Affairs of the East India Company ; from
satisfied to bestow the quantity of labour necessary for
whose evidente the following statements are extracted.
the mere gratification of bis immediate wants, Profusion
and indulgente claim a share of the produce of his toils.
Captain CHARLES HUTCHINSON, a commander in the
Next in the catalogue of his virtues may be reckoned
navy, who commanded the Bombay Castle, from Liver-
general sobriety, honesty, a quiet, orderly conduct, obe-
pool, and went to India ; and remained there five years.
dience to the laws of the country in which he resides ;
" As you were three times at Canton engaged in those
and, as is affirmed, a strong and 'Inalterable sense of the
transactions of commerce, what should you say, from
important duties which parental affection inculcates.
your opportunities of observing the character and habas
311
of the people of China, as to their disposition with res-
" It must be confessed, however, that the Chinese are
pect to intercourse with othcr countries and carrying on
in a political point of view, at least, by far the most use-
trade generally ?—They leave a very great avidity lo
ful class of people to be found in the Indian seas or
trade with every body they are permitted to trade with.
Archipelago. Their robust frames, their industrious
The merchants of China are extremely eager to trade
habits, and their moderate conduct place them beyond
with every one that comes into the country ; more so Man
compeation. Tliey furnish the best artizans, the most
any people I have seca.
usqful labourers, and the most extensive traders. Their
t
" Do you mean to say that they are a speculative, tra-
commercial speculations are often extensivo, and often of
ding, enterprising country ?—Very muele so; beyond any
the nzost adventurous nature."
other I have seca.
"
Mr.
Should you think it is a just distinction, speaking of
DOBELL, who resided in China for several years,
and whose lately published account of that country
the Chinese nation, to say that the people are speculative,
abounds with valuable information, says-
and much disposed to foreign trade, although the go-
vernment is professedly adverse to communication with
" The reader must excuse this digression on the sub-
foreigners ?—Yes, certainly ; the government may be said
ject of the Chinese foreign commerce, as many have
to be so far adverse to trade, that it is jealous of you, know-
asserted China to be a country wholly agricultural and
ing what you have done in India, and it is apprehensive
manufacturing, whilc real experience proves the con-
of your intrusion ; but so long as they may be secure
trary. After giving this imperfect account of it, which
that nothing else would be attempted, they are as desi-
might have been extended to a volume, and given more
rous of carrying on the trade as the people themselves.
in detail, no one think, believe that the Chinese
" Did you happen to hear whether the British manu-
are locked up at borne. It may, indeed, be safely
factures found their way into the interior of China, or
asserted, that they are one of the most commercial
whether'they were confined to the districts adjacent to
nations of the globe.5
Canton ?—They find .their way into the interior, so far
The abo ye descriptions of the Chinese people are
as the carriage of them
allow without rendering
" Residence in China, vol. 2, page 159.
VOL. II.
274
APPENDIX, NO. 1.
4PPENDIX, NO. I.
9,75
them too dear. They are very desirous of obtaining
what other cause ?—There would be a great export of
them, I understand, in all parts of China, particularly in
manufactures to those regions, and of course something
many northe•n distriets, whe•e they requi •e the woollens
would be wanted for returns. They would bring back
for warm elothing.
teas, and every descríption of produce they could find in
" Do you think that if there were an open trade the
those countries ; and not only would they bring back such,
Chinese would consume British cotton manufactures to
but perhaps increase them by the very act of carrying
any great extent ?---The Chinese admitting them only at
manufactures, as many of the inhabitants of those coun-
orle port, of course the consumption could not be ex-
tries, who have hitherto not laboured at all, seeing such
tended so far as if they were admitted at other po•ts,
beautiful things brought out from this country, would
but as far as they could be carried with advantage, the
be desirous of possessing them, and proceed to labour to.
Chinese would be glad to buy them and use them."
get something to buy them with ; and this course of
trade would bring, perhaps, more tea here than is
Mr. CHARLES EVERETT, a commission merchant, who
wanted; and the price being reduced, it would either be
was engaged for eleven years, since the year 1818, in
bought for smuggling finto the continent, or for export-
purchasing goods for the China market, on account of
ing to those places to which it would go legally.
American merchants.
" Do you consider the trade in China susceptible of
" llave you any doubt, from the experience you have
any great increased stimulus ?—I see nothing to prevent
liad, that if the existing restrictions were removed, the
it inereasing very much."
trade to China in British manufactures might be mate-
Mr. JOHN DEANS, a resident in the Eastern Archi-
increased ?—I have no doubt the trade might be
pelago for twenty years.
increased to a considerable extent by proper manage-
ment, if the restrictions were removed."
" What is their (the Chinese people) character as tra-
ders, speaking generally ?—They are ',leen, enterprising
JOSHUA BATES, Esq., an American ; agent for an
t •aders, extremely expe •t in their dealings, and unde•-
American house connected with the East india trade ;
stand the nature of the trade of those countries in which
then partner of the firm of J. Bates and John Baring,
they are settled, perhaps better tiran any other people.
and lastly, partner of the house of Baring, Brothers and
" Have they information that enables them to carry on
Co. ; both of which houses liad the management of the
their commercial transaetions with advantage ?-17/ey
business of an American house particularly connected
seem lo have very accurate information, and receive it
with the China trade.
very quiehly loo.
"
"1.7 ou have expressed an opinion, that in the event of
What is their character as merchants, with reference
the China trade being th •o-wn open, it would probably
to the punctuality of their dealin,e:s and the mode of
centre in this country ; would that arise from cheaper
transacting business ?—Those who have obtained a itigh
purchases of tea, or from cheaper supplies in this coun-
reputation are extremen/ tenacions it, and they are
try, or from cheaper shipping being engaged, or from
very panana! in all their dealings,
276
APPENDIX, NO. I.
APPENDIX, NO.
277
" Do they appear to possess more or Iess of the cha-
.more importante to that empire than perhaps the tea is
racteristics which are requisite for the business of a mer-
to this country, great as it is considered.
chant than the natives of other oriental countries ?—/
" Can you state to the committee any instante of time
do not think they are exceeded by the natives of any
country as a commercial people.
cliscovery of a new article, or the extension of the pro-
" Do you include European countries?-1
duction of an old one, which has added to the value of
. do.
"
the imports into China ?—I can state one, perhaps not of
Is it difficult to transact business with them?—Not
great importante, but it would shew that there are many
the least ; I have never liad any difficulty with the
others with respcct to which the same thing might be
Chinese.
done. The large glasses or rummers which are used in
"Have you, in point of fact, transacted much business
their houses for burning a light before their gods, oppo-
with them?—I have, very extensive business.
site their front door ; I noticed them on one occasion as
" Will you state what that business was imported
being (nade of imperfect China-glass. I asked the Chi-
largely British manufactures to Java, and the medium of
nese if they would have any objection to British manu-
communication with the natives was generally through the
facture, if the same patterns were preserved, and they
Chinese, who purchased from me in whole cases or bales,
;ave me patterns of them, which I brought honre, and
and retailed to natives, giving me their simple notes of
hand for payment, and being always punctual in meeting
had manufactured at Birmingham. 1 took them out, and
had them Bold for a considerable price, and they have
those demands.
since continued to be supplied from di erent places to a
" Have you any reason to form ami opinion whether
great extent.
the toste for European manufactures which exists
amongst the Chinese inhabitants of Java, is peculiar to
Mr. JOHN ARGYLE MAXWELL.
them, or whether it extends also to the inhabitants of the
empire cannot exactly state this ; the settlers
" Supposing the trade in tea to be thrown open, do
you conceive that tea might be imported imito Sincapore
are Chinese ; their habits are the same in the Archipe-
of a quality fit for the European market, and in sufficient
lago as in their native country, I believe, and they readily
adopt our manufactures in preferente to their own, when
quantity ?—I have no ground for speaking positively on
titose are cheaper and better.
that subject : but severa' of the Chinese there have fre-
When 1 first went to Java,
quently offered to contract with me for the supply of
in 1811, they were almost exclusively clothed in Chinese
manufactures, and 1 witnessed a revolution, ?dila almost
black teas from Fokien.
clothed them in European manufactures, during the time
ROBERT R1cKARDs, Esq.
1 was there.
"
" Have you have liad any communication or informa-
Have you reason to know in what light the Euro-
tion enabling you to form ami opinion of the anxiety of the
pean imports into China are considered by the Chinese
Chinese to extend their trade believe that the Chi-
people, or whether they could easily be dispensed with
nese are a perfectly commercial people. Wherever the
by them ?—I know that the imports to China are of far
Chinese have been established in Sincapore, in Java,
APPENDIX, NO. r.
279
218
APPENDIX, NO.
probable that, with a view to bring it back, the mandarins
Borneo, and in the other eastern Islands where they are
would now be more reasonable. They seem to say, that
settled in great numbers, they are found to be the prin-
the Hong Merchants of Amoy are pretty much in the
cipal traders, and the most industrious pcople in the
bankrupt situation of those here (Cantos:.) They in-
country. I thcrefore take the Chinese, generally speak-
quired rnuch the rnost for the articles from the eastern
ing, to be a perfectly commercial people, and exceedingly
isles imported in their junks ; and also for rice, for which
anxious to extend their commercial dealings, in spite of
any restrictive regulations that may be imposed upon
they rely mainly on Formosa; but we could forra no idea
of tlie price to be obtained for them. The erices of the
them by the Chinese government.
European articles we saw in the shops were not so much
"I-lave you had any specific examples brought to your
notice of the desire on the part of the Chinese, in other
aboye the Canton ratos as was to be expected. I am very
keen for an adventure to Amoy, for the purpose of open-
ports than Canton, to open a communication with English
ing new channels for opium in that quarter, the chief mart
merchants ?—Yes. I have in my possession an extract
of its consumption ; but it is too weighty a concern for us
of a letter from an European merchant who had visited
to undertake singly ; and I have contented myself with
China, to his friend and correspondent in Calcutta. It is
writing to Manilla for information, and with souncling our
dated Canton, 19th September, 1823 ; and the extract is
as follows :
friends there on the subject. As you have already ad-
" The Manilla people only are allowed liberty te
ventured in a Chinese bottorn, you will, I p ope, give a lift
trade with Amoy, which would have been granted to us
to our plans also. The foreign trade in junks is not con-
could we have waited. A mandarin followed us
traband in China, since the accession of the present
severa
miles from the port of Amoy, to entreat our return, which
family (about 1660). It is connived at by the government,
however our plans would not admit of. W T
and 1 believe, even licensed at Amoy. I do not see
e experienced
civil treatment, even from the mandarins ofrank, and the
why a junk could not load goods at Amoy or elsewhere,
complaisance of the inhabitants generally formed an
as if for a foreign port, Batavia, &c.) and after-
agreeable contrast to the haughty demeanour of the
wards trans-ship them to a foreign vessel waiting in the
lowest here (Canton.) The single circumstance of fo-
neighbourhood.' "
reigners not being denied women (as they are most
JOHN CRAWFuRD, Esq.
rigidly here, Cantor° speaks volumes. No foreigner is
" From your intercourse with those Chinese, do you
allowed to remain after the departure of bis ship. As
far as ;ve could learn, no charge similar to measurement-
conceive them to be an intelligent, active and commercial
duty is levied on foreign ships. The government re-
people?—Emínently so. They are a very industrious
venue is derived from an export-duty, which the foreigner
people in every way ; they are a business-like people ;
pays on bis export cargo ; but this duty appears to
their manners more resemble Europeans in that part of
be
not fixed : and I suspect the injudieiousness of the man-
their character than they do those of Asiatic nations.
darins in increasing it beyond bounds, is the cause of the
" In industry and intelligence do you conceive them to
be superior to other Asiatic nations ?—For all useful and
discontinuance of the trade by the Manilla people. It is
280
APPENDIX, NO. I.
APPENDIX, NO. I.
281
practical purposes I think they are. There are perhaps
" Will you have the goodness to read it ?"
a few points in which they are inferior to one or tNvo
( The witness then read the same, as follows : )
other Asiatic nations, but those points are of very little
" A
moment."
VIEW of the Emigrations of the Chinese to the
various countries adjacent to China.
JOHN STEWART, Esq. a Member of the Committee.
" The emigrations of the Chinese take place from the
" Will you state what opinion you have formed of
same provinces, which conduct the foreign trade ; viz.
them as a commercial people, or an anti-commercial
Canton, Fokien, Chekien, and Kiannan. Emigrations
people?—From the intercourse nave liad with the Chi--
from the tsvo latter, however, are not frequent, and seem
nese at Canton, I certainly consider them a people of
to be confined to Tonquin and the Phillippine islands.
very great commercial enterprise, although I believe the
The emigrants direct their course to every country in the
policy of the Chinese is against extending the foreign
neighbourhood of China, where there is any probability of
commerce of the country."
finding employment and protection ; in some countries,
however, they are exeluded or restrained, from political
Captain JOIIN MACKIE.
motives, and in others, distance or want of room affords
" Are you of opinion that the Chinese in the places
them no cncouragement to settle. Like the European
you visited are anxious for the extension of commerce ?-
nations, they are exeluded altogether from settling in
I should conceive that they were, because I have atways
Japan, on political grounds; the go yernment of Cochin
found the aúnese inclined to ¿uy any thing that was
China also affords them no great encouragement, from the
at all useful, qf any description.
same reason, and the Dutch and Spanish governments of
" You conceive them to be any thing but an anti-
Java and the Phillippines have always looked upon them
commercial people ?—I should consider them to be quite
with a considerable share of suspicion. Distante, but
otherwise.
aboye all, the existente of a dense and comparatively in-
dustrious population, excludes them from the British do-
JOHN FRANCIS DAVIES, Esq.
miníons in Hindostan, where we find only a few shoe-
" The Chinese, if left by their rulers to themselves,
makers and other artisans, and these confined to Calcutta,
woulcl perhaps be the most industrious people in the
Madras, and Bombay. A few, I understand, have lately
world."
proceeded to the Mauritius.
" Every emigrant who leaves China does so with the
MR. CRAWFURD'S STATEMENT.
intention of returning to it, although comparatively few
(Ertracted from the Third. Report of the Select Committee osa the
are able to accomplish this object. The expense of emi-
Afairs of the East India Company.)
gration to the countrics to which the Chinese usually re-
" Have you prepared a statement for the information
sort, amounts to but a mere trifle. The passage-money
of the Committee upon the subject of the Chinese emi-
in a Chinese junk from Canton to Sincapore is but six
grations ?-4 have.
Spanish dollars ; and from Fokien but nine. Even these
282
APPENDIX, NO. I.
APPENDTX, NO. 5,
283
slender sums, however, are conunonly paid from the fruits
"The different classes of Chinese settlers not only live
of the emigrant's labour on his arrival, and are seldom
apart, and keep clistinct from the settlers of other nations,
paid in advance. The emigrants, I think, are invariably
but also from each other, There is a very wide differ-
of the labouring classes, and . their whole equipment for
ence between the character, habits, and manners of the
the voyage in ordinary cases consists of little else than
Chinese settlers, according to the parts of China from
the coat on their backs, a bundle of old clothes, and a
which they proceed. The natives of Fokien have a elaim
dirty mat and pillow to sleep on. Thev no sooner land
to a higher tone eharacter atan any (.f the rest. Among
than their condition is prodigiously improved; they meet
the emigrants from the province of Canton there are
their countrymen, and probably their friends or relatíves;
three classes ; vis. those froin the tocan of Canton and its
they fiad immediate employment in a congenial climate,
neighbourhood ; the nativés of Macao and other islands in
and in countries where the wages of labour are perhaps
the river ; and the natives of some mountainous districts
three times as high as in China, and the neeessaries of
of the same province. The first of these, besides being
life perhaps by onc-half cheaper.
addicted to mercantile pursuits, are the best artizans, and
" The Chinese are not only intellectually, but physi-
are much disposed to ente).- finto mining speculations. It
cally superior to the nations and tribes among whorn they
is they who are chiefly engaged in working the silver
settle. A Chinese is at least two inches taller than a
mines of Tonquin, the gold mines of Borneo, and the
-Siamese, and by three inches taller than a Cochin Chinese,
Malay península, and the tin mines of the latter country
a Malay, or a Javanese ; and his frame is proportionably
and of Banca. The Chinese of Macao and the other is-
strong and well built. Their superiority in personal skill,
lands are held in very little repute amongst the rest of
dexterity, and ingenuity are still greater. AH this is
their countrymen; but the third class, who are numer-
evinced in a very satisfactory manner, by the simple cri-
ous, are the lowest in rank. Their most frequent em-
terios of the comparative rates of wages of the different
ployment is that of fishermen and mariners ; and it ís
classes of inhabitants or sojourners at any given place
from among their ranks that the European shipping,
where they all meet. At Sincapore, for example, the
when in want, have occasionally received hands to assist
wages of ordinary labour for the different classes of la-
in their navigation. Of all the Chinese these are the
bourers are as follow : A Chinese, eight dollars a month ;
most noisy and unruly. There is still another class of
a native of the Coromandel coast, six dollars ; and a
Chinese, the settlers in the Birlan dominions, who
Malay, four ; making the work of the Chinese by one-
differ very remarkably from all that I have just enu-
third better than that of the first, and by 100 per cent.
merated. With the exception of a small number of emi-
better than that of the second. When skill and dexterity
grants from the province of Canton, who find their way
are implied, the difference is of course wider ; a Chinese
to Ava by sea, they are all from the province of Yunan;
house-carpenter will earn twelve dollars a month, while
and in point of industry and intelligence seemed, as far
an Indian will earn no more than seven ; and a Malayan
as I could judge, much superior to the colonists from
thatcher or wood-cutter, for among this class there are
Canton and Fokien, From all these again, the mixed
no carpenters, but five.
races are to be distinguished by their superior know-
gh,
APPENDIX, NOS I.
285
284
APPENDIX, NO. I.
Sincapore
-
6,200
ledge of the language, manners and customs of the
Malacca
-
-
2,000
countries in which they reside, and by some inferiority in
Penang
-
-
8,500
industry and enterprise. It is from this class that Euro-
Malayan Peninsula
-
40,000
pean merchants are supplied with brokers, money-
Siam
- 440,000
counters, &c. and they are seldom to be seen in the con-
Cochin China
-
-
14,000
dition of day-labourers or artisans. The Chinese settlers,
Tonquin
-
-
25,000
of whatever class, engate with much eagerness in agri-
cultural employments, seldom, however, when they can
Total
- 734,700
avoid it, as mere day-labourers. They conduct almost
exclusively the cultivation and manufacture of the catechu
or terra japonica in the Straits of Malacca, the pepper
" The population mentioned here is of a peculiar des-
cultivation of Siam, and the culture of the cave and manu-
cription, consisting, for the most part, of adult males, and
facture of sugar in Java, Siam, and the Phillipines, Dif-
of very few women or children, a circumstance easily ex-
fering materially from each other in manners, habits, and
plained. The laws of which, prohibit emigration
almost always in language or dialect, and entertaining
in general, are a dead letter, as far as the men are con-
towards each other provincial prejudices and antipathies ;
cerned, but it is imperativa with respect to women and
broils and quarrels, sometimes even attended with blood-
children, or perhaps, more strictly, the manners and feel-
shed, frequently break out among them. These are oc-
ings of the people themselves prevent the latter from
casionally subjects of embarrassment in the European
quitting the country. I have never seen or heard of a
settlements, the authorities of which have never, I am
female amongst the emigrants, and never saw a Chinese
persuaded, any thing to apprehend from their combina-
woman, except at Hué, the capital of Cochin China,
tion or resistance ; and I may add, that of all the Asiatic
where two or three were pointed out to me as objects of
settlers in our eastern settlements, the Chinese are most
curiosity, who had been kidnapped and brought there
obedicnt to the laws, and notwithstanding the superior
when children. The emigrants, however, without scruple,
amount of their property, and even of their numbers,
forro connexions with the females of the country, and the
afford the least employment to the courts ofjustice.
descendants of these repeatedly intermarrying with
" The Chinese population settlecl in the various
Chinese, are in time not to be distinguished from the
countries adjacent to China, may be roughly estimated
genuine Chinese, either in features or complexion. In all
as follows-
the countries where the Chinese have been established,
there exists a considerable creole population of this des-
The Phillipine islands
-
13,000
cription, such as Java, Siam, Cochin China, and the
Borneo
- 120,000
Phillipines. But in countries where they have been only
Java
-
45,000
recently established, the disproport.ion of the sexos is im-
The Dutch settlement of Rhio, Straits
mense. Thus, out of the 6,200 Chinese inhabitants of
of Malacca — - - 18,000
1
286
APPENDIX, NO. I.
287
Sincapore, the number of female is about 360, and even
of these the greater part are Chinese only by name. The
extent of the annual emigrations from China may be
judged from the fact, that the number which arrived at
No. II.
Sincapore in 1825, amounted to abo ye 3,500, and in 1826
to upwards of 5,500. The annual number of emigrants
PROOFS OF THE RAPIDITY WITH WHICII WASTE LAND RISES
which arrived in Siam, was rated to me, when I was in
IN VALUE, WHEREVER. PEOPLE CONGREGATE, IN NEW
that country, at 7,000. A single junk has been known to
COLONIES.
bring 1,200 passengers ; indeed, I have myself seen one
MR. STUART.
bring 900 to Sincapore. The number who return to
China is considerable, but very small indeed in compari-
" The population of Troy has increased from 3,000 in
son to the arrivals. Even of these the greater number
1810, to 12,000 in 1830. Property is very valuable. A
come back again; and 1 have known men of property,
tenement 65 feet by 25 feet, was pointed out to me as
who have visited China, and returned with titles."
having been lately sold for 4,000 dollars."
" Mr. Sloat has lately sold 200 acres of wood land,
(near Newbury on the Hudson) which he bought from
the States in 1801 for 50 cents the acre, at an immense
advance."
" Colonel Colman gives a very favourable account of
Florida, wherc the soil is good by the river siete. He
hímself has purchased 900 acres on the banks of the
Appalachicola, all of excellent land, for which he paid
9,000 dollars."
(On the Mississippi about 300 miles from New Orleans)
" we had excellent butter-milk at one of our slopping
places for wood, occupied by a tenant, who pays 4 dol-
lars an acre of yearly rent for a few acres of ground."
" In many places on the banks of the Ohio, a great deal
of fine alluvial land, which, I was informed sold for 10 or
12 dollars per acre."
" Urge fortunes have been mute (at Rochester which
in 1818 contained 1,000 inhabitants, and in 1828, 13,000)
by the purchase and sale of building lots."
A million of acres, which are rapidly increasing in
value."
288
APPENDIX, NO. II.
APPENDIX, NO. II.
289
" The appropriation of land for schools, many of which
acres ís now worth from 1,0007. to 2,0007. on many parts
have become very valuable."
of Yonuge Street. In the bcautiful township of Oro,
" Real property of allkinds at New York brings great
lately settled, land a short time ago was 1 dollar per
prices. The cite of a house, at the comer of two cen-
acre: it is now worth from 4 to 5, and increases in value
tral streets, 29 feet in one street and 130 in the other,
from half a dollar to a dollar every year. On the Huron
was lately sold for 38,100 dollars."
tract, it is now selling at from 1 to 2 dollars. Emigration
" To those who would purchase land with a view to
is setting in that way ; and the probable consequence
pro" I would rather recommend the banks of the Hud-
will be that land there, in two or three years, will be dou-
son, within 30 or 50 miles of New York, where the
ble that sum. Land has generally been found to double
farmers have succeeded in establishing steam boats, to
itself every three or four years."
carry their produce daily to the city."
" In the towns of Kingston, Brockville, &c. land is
" It may, however, be worth while to mention that
almost as high as in many parts of England ; whilst at a
plenty of improved land is to be liad in the neighbour-
small distante from these towns it can be purchased,
hood of Cincinnati, varying in price according to its
usually good, at 2 or 3 dollars. In York Town, an acre
distance from the town."
is sometimes worth 1,0001. or 1,2001. A little remove from
" In fact the extent of country, which the United
this, uncleared land is worth 6 or 8 dollars ; and a few
States have acquired since the treaty of 1783, far exceeds
miles further off, not perhaps abo ye 2 dollars. If rail-
three hundred millions of acres in the very heart of their
roads be formed, plans of which have been laid before the
territory, besides the boundless regions to the north and
legislature, and acts passed to legalize them, the land now
north-west. A great proportion of this prodigious extent
selling at 2 dollars, would soon be worth 101."
of land remains with the general government, and must
in the course of years produce to the United States some
Communicated by Mr. Cattermole of York, Upper
thous.and
of dollars."1'
Canada, and published iu an Account y the South
Aust •alian Land Company.
TIIE REVEREND J. FIDLER,
" When the town of York was founded, much of the
Author
Observations on the United States and
contiguous land was given away to favourites, who ex-
Canada.
pected that the increase of population by natural means,
" The value of land in Canada is increasing regularly
and by immigration, would give it value. They have not
and rapidly. For instante, Youngc Street was first set-
been disappointed. A person named Elmsley possessed
tled thirty-seven years ago. At that time land on it was
some of this land, and when King's College was founded
given to any one who applied. A few years after land
the sito (about 5 acres) was purchased by government of
was worth from 50 to 100 dollars. A lot of about 200
Elmsley for 1,2001. Fifteen years previously, this
land would not have sold for 2 dollars per acre."
• Say one thousand millions of pounds sterling ; or more, by a
" Mr. John Masson, a timan, living in King Street,
fourth, tila» the Euglish national debt.
York, took in 1830, a lease for 21 years, of a piece of
VOL. II.
U
290
APPENDIX, NO. II.
APPENDIX, NO. II.
291
land in York, measuring:23 feet in front by 80 feet Jeep,
at a ground rent of 171. 10s. currency, per annum; and
MR. WENTWORTH (of New South Wales),
on 40 feet being added to the depth, the ground rent was
Author of an Account of Australasia. 1823.
raised to 221. per annum. Fifteen years before this land
" The price of land, it is almost needless to observe, is
would not have soló for more than 3 or 4 dollars per
entirely regulated by its situation and quality. In the
acre."
towns, it is as various as in thc country ; nor is there
" Mr. Francis Collins, editor of the Canadian Free-
any place in which thc variation in value is so great as in
man, purchased by public auction in July 1831, a quarter
the town of Sydney itself. There it 'unges from 501. an
of an acre of waste land in York for 6001. currency."
acre to 1,0001."
" Mr. M'Cullum soló in Juay 1831 a village lot,
" With respect to the value of what is termed forest
situated on Dundas Street, nineteen miles from York, at
land, when in a state of nature and not possessing any
the rato of 3001. per acre of currency."
advantageous locality, it may generally be taken thus
" In the last seventeen years, the land within fourteen
In the county of Cumberiand," (the county in which Syd-
miles of the Erie canal, has risen from 25 cents (quarter
ney is placed) " 15 shillings per acre ; in the county of
of a dallar) to 16 dollars."
Camden, including the district of Illawarra or Five Is-
Mit. PICKERING (late of Fenny Stratford),
lands" (farther from market) " 10 shillings per acre ;. on
Author of the Emigrant's Guide to Canada, 1830.
the banks of the Coal River" (still farther from market)
" 5 shillings per acre : in parts more remote, 2 shillings
" Been to ask the price of land to rent (near Baltimore,
and 6 pence per acre."
U. S.) One lot of 50 acres, only half cleared, 4 miles
" In 'he course of thirty years the tract of land in
from town, 18 shillings per acre per annum : another of
question (the banks of the Hawkesbury), taking the un-
rich meadow land, several miles off near the river, I was
improved land as our criterion, has evidently visen to
asked 12 dollars or 21. 14s. per acre rent."
this enormous price from having Been of no value what-
" Building lots of land (in York) within the last year
ever ; or, in other words, each acre of land has increased
or two have visen in value very fast, on account of the
in value, during the interval which has elapsed since the
seat of government being decided to remain here for come
foundation of the colony, at the rate of 3 shillings and 21d.
years to come."
per annum ; and that too, under the most impolitic
"Niagara to Queen's town, and indeed round the head
and oppressive system (of government) to which any
of the lake to Dundas, Ancaster and Hamilton, a fine
colony perhaps was ever subjected."
country, genial air, healthy, well watered and settled:
land is from 30 shillings to 4/. 16s. per acre."
Mr. BOITCHER (of New South Wales),
" Farms sell here (on the banks of the Detroit river)
Communicated to 111r. Robert Gouger.
from 45 shillings to 3/. 10s. per acre : a house and some
buildings included."
" In the year 1831151r. Wentworth sold near two acres
of land situated in the main street, and near the King's
292
APPENDIX, NO. II.
1
APPENDIX, NO. 11.
293
Wharf Custom-house, Sydney, for 7,800/., the whole of
which, ten years previously, might have been bought
" On the Parramatta road, at from 2 to 5 miles from
for 3507."
Sydney, land, having a frontage tu the road, could be
" In 1828 Mr. Unwins bought 6 acres of land on the
purchased in 1825 for 5/. to 127. per acre : it now fetches
Surrey Hills, about 1 infle from Sydney, for 6501.; and
from 30/. to 1501. per acre."
in 1830 the same land veas resold for 1,8007."
On the South Head road, at from 1 to 3 miles from
" In 1829 Mr. Bettington purchased a píete of land
Sydney, similar land could have been bought for 31. tu
situated at Cockle Bay, Sydney, comprising a frontage
101. per acre : it now fetches from 301. to 1007. per
of about 150 feet, and a depth of about 200 feet, adaptcd
acre."
for a wharf, &c. for 6091. This land in 1831 would have
"In the township of Maitland, Hunter's River (70 miles
realized, exclusive of the buildings, about 2,0001."
from Sydney) uncleared land could be readily purchased
" In 1830 Mr. Simeon Lord received from the local
for . 11. or 2/. per acre in 1825: it is now worth from 51.
government 6,0001. as an arbitration award for about
to 1007. per acre, according to situation."
2 acres of land situated near Government House, Syd-
" Land having a frontage to the main road, in Mait-
ney. He would gladly have sold it ten years previously
land, and not far from the court-house, is now sold for
for 2501. or 3007."
building on at from 301. to 150/. per acre, which in 1825
" Early in 1828 Madame Rens bought at auction a
would not have produced from 31. to 51. per acre."
piece of ground in the main street of Sydney, on the
" In 1827 Mr. John Smith purchased a small farm of
sitc of the old Orphan School, comprising a frontage of
60 acres from Mr. Allen, situated near the town of
150 feet and depth of 80 feet, for 1,200/. ; and in 1829
Maitland, Hunter's River, for 250/. This farm has a
sold half of the same plot to Mr. Horton James for
frontage to the main road of about 10 acres; and these
1,800/.
10 acres would now sell for 1,2001., or 1201. ella."
" In the latter end of 1827 Messrs. Cooper and Levey
purchased from Captain Piper for 25,0001. the estate of
From Mit. CURR'S Account of Van Diemen's Land. 1824.
Point Piper, situated 4 miles from Sydney town. This
" The value of uncultivated land in the colony varíes
estate consisted of 500 acres of land, having an exten-
inuch according to situation and quality. Until of late,
sive frontage to part of Sydney Harbour, with a large
grants of land were sold and exchanged very currently,
house, pleasure grounds, &c. It would now readily fetch
without being actually located by the settler (buyer):
150,0007., if divide(' into allotments of 2 or 3 acres each
and the price varíes from 10 to 20 shillings per acre."
(for villas) and sold by auction at a moderate credit."
The rent of houses in Hobarts Town is very high.
" Building allotments in Sydney town, in a fair situa-
A cottage consisting of four to six rooms, lets for 601.,
tion, comprising a frontage of 60 feet and a depth of
70/. and 80/. per annum: a house of two floors contain-
80 feet, could be readily purchased in 1825 for from 701.
ing eight or ten rooms, for 120/. to 1501. per annum :
to 1501. In 1830 they usually brought at auction from
and if in an advantageous situation, 2007. will be given
6001. to 1,5001., according to their situation."
for it."
294
APPENDIX, NO. II.
APPENDIX, NO.
295
" Farros are very frequently rented in Van Diemen's
mueh upon a par with the subaltern's note, who was about
Land."
to leave Canada to join bis regiment. The allotment
" Other persons are induced to make unequal ex-
consisted of 1,250 acres upon the lake Ontario, of which
changes : giving their uncultivated lands for smaller
seven hundred were sold last year for seven hundred
farms in more poptious situations."
pounds, and .five hundred and lifty acres of the bcst qua-
lity reserved. Such are the changes which time effects,
CAPTAIN SUTHERLAND,
without the aid of any other agent, and such cases, I was
Communicated to the ,S'outh Australian Land Company.
assured, are by no means Tare." (Page 69.)
" Emigrants, unable or unwilling to purchase, will llave
" Captain Sutherland, twelve years ago, received from
little difficulty in providing themselves with a farm to
Governor Macquarie a grant of 1,000 acres within 4 miles
rent, either for money or on shares, which means half
of Launceston in Van Diemen's Land. He has expended
the clear produce as rent. I was told by a gentleman of
upon it no money whatever, in roads, buildings or other
a fricad of his, who was very comfortably settled in this
improvements. Being obliged, however, to stock it, he
way near York, upon a farm of 200 acres. Eighty acres
expended 200/. in horned cattle and sheep, and put
are cleared, the remainder in wood pasture. He pays
tuero upon it. It is now worth 2/. per acre ; the value
only 251. of rent, and clears 200/. per annum, besides
being given by the increase of population in the neigli-
keeping his family.
bourhood."
" To show how land is advancing in value, this farm, a
" Captain Barclay received at the same time with
few years ago, might have been purchased for 200/., but
Captain Sutherland a free grant of 4,000 acres of land,
is of course worth a great deal more now." (page 275.)
about 7 miles from Launceston. He has expended in
" In the afternoon we reached Brandtford, a pretty
building and improvements about 4,0001.; and he has let
considerable village belonging to the Indians, a tract of
on lease for 10 years at 1000/. a year."
land in this quarter having been reserved for their behalf.
It is managed by governnient, who account for rents and
Practical Notes malle during a Tour in Canada in 1831,
sales to the chiéfs. There had been a sale of village lots
by ADAM FERGUSSON, of
this day, and for the -first time I saw the Indians as-
sembled in any numbers. The lots sold for 251., one-
" Much has been said of the rapid advances which the
fourth of an acre, which is an immense price in Canada,
Upper Province is making, and of the rising value of pro-
and argues an expectation of Brandtford continuing to
perty there. 1 was told of a case which occurred about
prosper." (pago 286.)
tliirt.y years ago, where a lieutenant in the army, being
" The first farm which 1 visited was in the immediate
£50. in arrear to a Montreal merchant, insisted, along
vicinity of Albany, forming parí of the princely estate of
with his promissory note, on handing over a lot of land
M. Van Ransalaer. It containecl 600 acres of fine mellow
assigned to him somewhere in the then Western Wilder-
loam along the banks of the river, divided finto fields
ness , a security which the poor merchant regarded as
by rail-feraces, which cost hese
6d. for .sixteen feet,
296
APPENDIX, NO. II.
APPENDIX, NO. II.
297
including boards, halls and work ; four rails and about
mon farm house, barn, and out-houses, orchard, and about
five feet high.
50 acres within fence, would rate from 2/. 10s. to 61. 5s.
" The farm was let some years ago at 2,000 dollars, or
per acre, and more, according to the situation and value
4501., which, in America, seems to be a very high rent ;
of the improvements."
but it must be recollected that its situation is particularly
favourable from its Glose contact with the thriving eity
TOWNSHIP OF WALDEN IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT,
óf Albany." (page 293.)
Settlement commenced in 1781; present population 675
persons.
In the year 1817, Mr. Robert Gourlay* circulated
through Canada a number of queries, for the purpose of
" At first settlement, the price of land was from ls. to
ascertaining facts relative to the state of that colony,
33. per acre ; the present price is 25s. per -acre ; some
amongst which the following question was submitted.—
land partly cleared has been lately sold at 40s. per acre.
" THE PRICE OF WILD LAND AT THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF
TOWNSHIP OF RALEIGH, WESTERN DISTRICT,
THE TOWNSHIP ; ITS PROGRESSIVE RISE AND PRESENT PRICE ;
ALSO OF LAND SO FAR CLEARED ; STATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Settlement commenced in 1792; present population
273 persons.
AS TO IIUILDINGS, PROPORTION CLEARED, OR PECULIARITY,
IF ANY, OF LOCAL SITUATION ; REFERRING IN EVERY IN-
" At the commencement of the settlement, lots of 200
STANCE TO ACTUAL SALES ?"
acres situatecf on the banks of the Thamcs, were sold at
This question was answered by committees formed
251. In 1804 they sold for 1311. 5s, The same lands
from among the resident owners in various townships.
are now sellíng for 2501. without improvements. Back
The answers follow
lands of the best quality may be fairly cstimated at one-
third of these prices."
TOWNSHIP OF SANDWICH, IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT,
Settlement commenced in 1750, and contains at present
TOWNSHIPS OF DOVER, EAST AND WEST CHATHAM, CAMDEN,
(1817) about 1,000 souls.
OXFORD, HOWARD, AND HARWICII, ON THE RI VER
THAMES.
" The price of wild land about 20 years ago was 1,s. 3d.
Settlement commenced in 1794; inhabited Itouses 133.
to 2s. 6d. per acre, and its progrcssive rise about 2s. 6d.
for every five years. The present price of land is from
" Some farms in good local situations, with tolerable
10s. to 15s. except in particular situations, such as lie on
builclings and orchards thercon, well cultivated, con-
the straight. No lands have been rccently sold in the
taining 200 acres of land, sold for 6901. The average
township ; the settlement has been long at a stand. Im-
price of lands from tlie first settlement of these town-
proved farms on the borden of the straight, with a corn-
ships, was from 2s. 6d. to 20s. per acre."
See Gourlay's: l-listorical Account. uf Upper Canada, Vol. 1,
page 269, et seg.
298
APPENDIX, NO. II.
APPENDIX, NO. II.
299
acre ; one sale lately made of an improvement, 100 acres,
TOWNSHIPS OF DORCHESTER, DELAWARE, AND WESTMIN-
35 cleared, frame barn, log-house, good fence, price 3751."
STER ON THE RIVER, TIIAMES.
TOWNSHIPS OF WEST FLAMBORO' AND BEVERLY,
" The flats on the Thames have always sold high, and
GORE DISTRICT.
are now worth 31. per acre."
" Wild lands at first settling, sold for 101. per 200
TOWNSHIP OF OXFORD, IN THE LONDON DISTRICT.
acres ; and now sell from 10s. to 11. 101. and 2/. per
acre. Cleared land sells from 21. to 121. 10s. per acre,
" A two hundred acre lot, with thirty acres cultivated
land, a log house and frame barn 30 by 40 feet, is
according to its situation and advantages."
worth 5001."
TOWNSHIP OF ANCASTER, IN THE GORE DISTRICT.
TOWNSHIP OF WINDHAM, IN TIIE LONDON DISTRICT.
" Wild lands at the first settling of this township sold
at 6/. 5s. per lot of 200 acres ; now sell from 12s. 6d. to
" At our first settlement, wild land sold for 5s. per
11. 10s. and 51.
acre; at present the, wild land in the unsettled parts of
per acre. Cleared lands sell from 21. 10s.
to 121. 10.s. per acre, according to its situation and
the township will sell for 10s. per acre ; but there is wild
advantages.
land in the settlemcnt that cannot be bought for 1/. 5s.
per acre ; and some improved farms are held at 31. 15s.
TOWNSHIP OF BARTON IN THE GORE DISTRICT.
per acre, where there is not abo ye 60 acres improved;
" In 1792, land sold at ls. 3d.
but there have been actual sales of farms from 11. 5s. to
per acre ; in 1800, 5s.; in
1806, 153.; in 1810, U.
3/. per acre, according to the improvement made in
108.; in 1817, about 2/.10s. On
an average about 51. per acre, for an improved farm of
them."
200 acres, with small farms, or log-house and barn, and
TOWNSHIP OF CHARLOTTEVILLE, IN THE LONDON DISTRICT.
other out-houses. Improved farms have sold from 61. 5s.
to 71. 10s. per acre."
" About the first settlement of the township, land sold
for 5s. per acre, but will now average about 1/. A farm
TOWNSHIP OF SALTFLEET IN THE GORE DISTRICT.
of 200 acres of land, with a log-house and barn, with 50
acres cleared and fenced, and a small orchard of bearing
" The price of new land in this township, at the first
trees, might be purchased for about 7001. and occasion-
settlement thereof, rated so low as to make it no object
ally less."
with many. A lot of 100 acres might be purchased for
51. to 61. 58., and largo quantities were actually bought
TOWNSHIP OF NORWICH, IN THE LONDON DISTRICT.
and sold at these prices : it has gradually rose from that
A few families arrived in 1808, but very little progress
time to the year 1812, sanee which time it seems stationary
was made till 1811.
for want of purchasers. But the average price of wild
land may be rated at 1/. 5s. per acre. A farm of about
" About 6s. 3d. was at our commencement the price
300 acres of land, one thircl cleared, and a comfortable
of land, and has progressively risen .in value to 13s. per
APPENDIX, NO. II.
301
300
APPENDIX, NO. II.
wild land was selling at 61. 10s. for 100 acres ; in the
house and good barn, with a bearing orchard of 011C or
year 1800, at 10s. per acre ; the present price is 40s. per
tuyo hundred apple trees, the whole premises being in
acre."
good repair, may be purchased from 1,0001. to 1,500/. ac-
cording to situation. A farm nearly answering to this
TOWNSHIP OF CROWLAND, NIAGARA DISTRICT.
description was actually sold for the highest sum here
"A farm of 100 acres, nearly contiguous to milis, with
mentioned,"
about 40 acres cleared, and very neat buildings, was sold
for 3121. 108."
TOWNSHIP OF HUMBERSTON, NIAGARA DISTRICT.
"At the first settlement, when much land was held on
TOWNSHIP OF IIALDIMAND, NEWCASTLE DISTRICT,
location tickets, lots of 200 acres could be bought for
Settlement commeneed in 1797.
twenty dollars. The price has gradually increased, and
"At the first settlement of the township, lands were
of late years sales have been efrected at 2l dollars per
worth 5s. per acre ; at the present time, in good situations,
acre."
15s. and in ordinary situations, 108. per acre."
TOWNSHIP OF WILLOUGHBY, IN THE NIAGARA DISTRICT,
TOWNSHIP OF KINGSTON, MIDLAND DISTRICT,
Surveycd and laid out by arder of government in 1787.
Settlement commeneed in 1783 ; population, including the
"A farm of 200 acres, one half under cultivation, with
town of Kingston, 2,850.
tolerable farm buildings and orchard, now sells for 625/.
" Few or no actual parchases of land were made by
to 700/. Manis, however, upon the Niagara or Chip-
the original settlers, as their situation entitled them to
pewa rivers, will sell much higher, according to their
grants from . govermnent
Farros of 200
situation."
acres, with perhaps 60 or 80 acres cleared, with a house
and barn, and within a range of 10 miles of the town,
TOWNSHIP OF GRANTHAM, IN THE NIAGARA DISTRICT.
may be worth from 2/. to 51. per acre."
" At the first settlement, many persons sold their 200
" Farms of 200 acres, situate on the znost public roads, of
a good quality, confortable house, good barn, orchard, &c.
acre lots for the value of a few shillings ; twelve years ago,,
from 100 to 150 acres improved, Will sell for 61. to 71. 103.
land a few miles from Kingston, sold for 2s. 6d. per acre;
per acre. Farras of 100 acres, small house and barn,
and lately, in the same situations, from 30s. to 40s.; but
the fire-wood alone will soon be worth as much as that
60 acres improved, will sell from 51. to 61. per acre.
Lands in the village of St. Catharine, (the only one in
per acre."
township) in 1809-10 and 11, sold for 6/. 5s. per acre,
TOWNSHIP OF EARNEST TOWN, INCLUDING AMIIERST ISLAND,
now sell from 301. to 200/. for building lots."
MIDLAND DISTRICT.
" At the first settlement the value of wild lands was
TOWNSHIP OF PELHAM, NIAGARA DISTRICT.
merelv nominal. They ]lave progressively risen, and
'' When the settlement of this township commenced,
302
APPENDIx, NO. II.
APPENDIX, NO. 11.
303
their present price may be computad at 1/. 58. per acre.
Travels in America in the years 1794, 1795, and 1796, by
The average price of 100 acres of land, one half ím-
the Duke off Rocheibueault Liancourt.
proved, with tolerable buildings thereon, may be valued
at 31. per acre."
Vol. 1. pa. 6. Land in this neíghbourhood (Phila-
delphia), is worth 80 dollars per acre, 6 years ago it was
TOWNSHIP OF ADOLPHUS TOWN, MIDLAND DISTRICT.
only worth 42.
Vol. 1. pa. 77. General Haud bought 5 years ago the
" At the first settlement of this township, land could
estate on which he resides, 2 miles from the town, for 25
be purchased at 18. per acre. E rose gradually to 5s.,
dollars per acre ; and has lately refusecl 100 dollars which
108., 15s., 20s.. &c. At this moment there is no land in
the township could be procure(' for less than 4/. per
were offered him. The price of land has risen in the
acre, and it is believed few would sell at that price."
same proportion throughout America, as land in the cul-
tivated parts.
TOWNSIIIP OF SOPIIIASBERG, MIDLAND DISTRICT.
Vol. 1. pa. 98. The price of ground shares in the town
of Harrisburg (founded 8 years before) is from 150 to 200
"At the first settlement, land was about 18. per acre ;
dollars per acre, the land in the surrounding country is
there is little wild land for sale here ; best sales mace
from 32 to 48 dollars per acre.
from three to five dollars per acre."
Vol. 1. pa. 195. The inhabitants only scttled liere
(Painted-post, State of New York) four years ago. The
TOWNSIIIP OF LANSDOWN, JOIINSTOWN DISTRICT,
soil is good, especially near the town, where from 15 to
Settlentent commeneed in 1788.
18 dollars is the price for an acre.
"Price of land, at the first settlement, ít was sold
Vol. 1. pa. 261. - Metcalf, 3 years ago, purchased
at 51. for 200 acres, and has gradually risen in value to
his estate for 18. per acre : of the thousand acres he
one clollar per acre, at a distance from the settlement ;
then bought, he has airead ), sold 500 and upwards, at
but on the road or river it may be valued at three dollars
from 1 to :3 dollars per acre, and some have fetched 25
per acre, and that without any improvement ; in the
dollars. The profits which are mace by speculations
centre of the town from three to.six dollars per acre."
in land, all over America, and especially in this neigh-
bourhood (Genesser) are great beyond calculation.
TOWNSIIIP OF CIIARLOTTENBURGH, EASTERN DISTRICT,
Vol. 2. pa. 10. W. Shorten bought his estate here
Settlement comnzeneed in 1784.
(Oswego), 3 years ago, at M. per acre, and can now sell
"The price of wild 'and, for the first period, say six
it for 12s.: only 10 acres are cleared.
years oís the settlement, was from 18. to 5s. per acre; and
Vol. 2. pa. 39. The land here (Schuylerton) which in
at present, is from 20s. to 308. the acre. A lot of 200
1785 cost a few penco per acre, and 3 years ago not
acres, with 30 acres cleared, under good cultivation, with
more than 5 dollars, is now sold not merely in the vicinity
a farm-house and barn with sheds, &c. is worth from
of the town, but also 15 miles beyond it, for 19 or 20
3001. to 6401.
dollars per acre.
305
304
APPENDIX, NO. II.
Vol. 3. pa. 242. The settlement of the country between
Harper's Ferry and Coosooky Mountains, is just begin-
ning. Land fetches from 7 to 8 dollars the acre.
Vol. 4. pa. 161. Belvidere consists of about 20 houses,
No. III.
but the number ofinhabitants is annually inereasing, and
PART A
the neighbourhood is populous. The Lands in the neigh-
` OF A CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE ENGLISH GO-
bourhood are sold at from 40 to 48 dollars the acre. The
VERNMENT AND A BODY OF INDIVIDUALS DESIROUS TO
townlots, which are a quarter of an acre, being at present
FOUND A COLONY.
from 100 to 125 dollars.
PROVISIONAL COMEITTEE
Of the South ilustraban Land Company.
W. Wolryche Whitmore, Esq. M. P. Chairman.
George Fife Angas, Esq.
W. A. Mackinnon, Esq. M. P.
Dominio Browne, Esq. M. P.
J. A. S. Maekenzie, Esq. M. P.
H. L. Bulwer, Esq. M. P.
Samuel Milis Esq.
vI
Walter F. Campbell, Esq. M. P. John Melville, Esq.
Henry Drummond, Esq.
Sir R. Musgrave, Bart, M. P.
Captain Gowan.
Richard Norman, Esq.
Richard Heathfielcl, Esq.
J. E. Strickland, Esq.
Samuel Hoare, Esq.
Colonel Torrens, M. P.
William Hutt, Esq.
George Traill, Esq.M. P.
J. Jephson, Esq, M. P.
R. Throckmorton,Esq. M.P.
C. Show Lefevre, Esq. M. P.
Sir II.Williamson, Bort. M. P.
Lord Lumley, M. P.
cs During the late session of Parliamcnt, Mr. Hutt,
one of the members for Hull, requested Lord Howick to
agree to a motion for a return of the 2v/tole of this cor-
respondence. His lordship said that he should oppose
the motion; on account of the expense of printing. On
the sanee account, I can give here only a part of the cor-
respondence : but this part of it ís enough to show the
animus on both sides ; and it leaves the government with
the last word.
VOL. II.
306
APPENDIX, NO. III.
APPENDIX, NO. III.
807
of a new colony being placed so near to the penal settle-
ments at Sydney and in Van Diemen's Land, as that
Copy of cc Letter fronz Mr. W. Hay, Under-Secre-
proposed.
tary qf State for the Colonies, to Mr. Wolryche Whit-
I have the honor to be, Sir,
more, M. P, for Bridgénorth.
Your most obedient scrvant
(Signed)
Downing Street, 30th May, 1832.
R. W. HAY.
W. W..Wh¿tmore, Esq. M. P. 8s.c. &c.
Lord Goderich has received the note which
you addressed to him on the 28th instant, with its en-
Copy of a MEMORIAL addressecl lo Viscount Goderich,
closure, containing " a Proposal for founding a British
flis Majesty's Principal Secretar ) of State for the
Colony in South Australia, between the degrees of longi-
Colonies ; in answer to the aboye.
tude 132 and 141, both inclusive, to extend northward to
latitude 20, inclusive, and to include Kangaroo Island
Office of the South Australían Land Company,
and the other islands on the south coast under a Boyal
8, Regent Street, June 4, 1832.
Charter ;" and I am directed to acquaint you that after
Tlie undersigned, being members' of a Provisional Com-
having given to the subject his best consideration, he has'
mittee formed for the purpose of founding a colony on
come to the determination of withholding the sanction of
the South coast of Australia, persons desirous to settle in
bis Majesty's Government to the undertaking.(1)
the proposed colony, and others taking a deep interest
Indopendently of the objections which he should feel
in
the matter, have perused, with surprise and sorrow, a
himself called on to make to several of the propositions
letter addressed by Mr. Hay to Mr. Whitmore, dated
which are brought forward, as well from their novelty, as
May 30 ; whcrein it is stated, that " Lord Goderich has
from the difficulty which he foresees in regard to their
come to the determination of withholding the sanction of
practical operation, he cannot but consider that great
His Majesty's govcrnment from their undertaking :" and
public inconvenience would arise from the circumstance
they now take the liberty of submitting to Viscount G o-
derich a statement of the grounds, on which they are led
(1) It would appear by the tcrms of this paragraph,:as
to hopo and trust, that bis lordship will be pleased to re-
if Lord Goderich liad decided the question in two days,
consider his decision in this matter ; confident that, when
between the 28th, the date of Whitmore's letter, and
all the circumstances of the case shall be examined, Vis-
the 30th, the date of Mr. Hay's. Let us do his lordship
count Goderich will not persist in his present deter-
ustice : the subject liad been before him for a whole year,
mination.
j
as will be seen furtber on ; but why should Mr. Hay
I. That. the proposal submitted to Viscount Goderich
omit all notice of this faca, and write as if Lord Goclerich
by Mr. Whitmore, as chairman of the Provisional Coni-
hacl never heard of the subject tul the 28th of May,
míttee, on the 23th is not a new proposal, but
1832?
teas submitted to Viscount Goderich in lintel) greater
308
APPENDIX, NO. III.
APPENDIX, NO. ni.
309
detail, and in a printed form,(2) during the autumn of
tion which has been expressed, was conveyed by myself(4)
last year ; when a deputation consisting of Colonel Tor-
verbally to Major Bacon ; and in the conversation I had
rens, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Gouger and Mr. Graham, waited
with him, I distinctly informed him that I was authorized
upan Viscount Goderich for the purpose of ascertaining
to promise nothing ; and that I merely expressed my
bis lordship's opinion of that proposal. That the mem-
own opinion, being ignorant of that which Lord Gode-
bers of the deputation were so well pleased with the
rich might entertain,(5) as I did not consider the scheme
opinion which Viscount Goderich expressed of their
sufficiently maturcd for his decision.
undertaking, that they thought it needless to ask for any
" The substance of what I said in this un-official man-
written reply to their proposal, but advised the persons
ner was this, that I mysclf thought very favourably of
whom they represented to proceed with the underta-
the project ; and that doing so, I was anxious that it
king, by submitting the intencled charter to the law offi-
should be laid before Lord Goderich in suCh a shapc as
cers of the crown, and raising the necessary capital.
to be most likely to meet with his approbation.(6) For
this purpose, I advised the modification in the original
II. That a notice of the proposed colony having ap-
project, with respect to the number of inhabitants who
peared in a newspaper, in which it was statcd that bis
should be considered sufficient for the introduction of a
Majesty's government liad given their unqualified sanc-
representative government, and with respect to the nomi-
tion to the undertaking, Viscount Howick, under-secre-
nation. of the governor, which have since been made.(7)
tary of state for the colonies, then superintending the
Australian department,(3) addressed to Mr. Bacon a
(4) This is not strictly correct. The deputation liad
memorandum in the following words.
had a long interview with Lord Goderich, whom they
found reading their printed proposal, and who suggested
Colonial Office, 13th Oct. 1831.
two alterations in it, which were immediately adopted.
What Lord Goderich said of the plan at that interview,
"I was surprized to see in the Spectator newspaper of
and how far he spoke officially, will be .
yesterday, an assertion that the government liad giren
seen further on.
(5) Just so ; but Lord Goderich had very distinctly
its sanction to the plan for the establishment of a char-
expressed his own opinion, unknown to Lord Howick ;
tered colony in Australia. This statement is not strictly
and the notice in the Spectator referred, not to the opi-
correct. It is a mistake to suppose that any official
nion of the under-secretary, but to that of his chief.
sanction has been giren to the plan. The only approba-
(6) It had been already, unknown to Lord Howick,
laid before Lord Goderich, in the shape of a printed
pamphlet of 31 pages.
(2) Proposal to His Majesty's Government for found-
(7) Both these alterations viere also suggested by Lord
ing a Colon?' on the Southern Coast of Australia. 1831.
Goderich, to the deputation which waited on his lord-
(3) The Australian department was soon afterwards
ship ; and it was these suggcstions by the principal
taken from Lord Howick and given to Mr. Hay.
secretary of state, which, amongst other things, lcd the
310
APPENDIx, NO. TM
APPENDIX, NO.
311
further suggested that the draft of the charter, which
danger of giving their countenance toa s- cheme which
it was desired to obtain, should be prepared and sub-
there were not funds to support.
mitted to the attorney general ; (8) and I stated- that if
(Signed)
H."
this draft, approved by him'and accompanied by a respect-
able list of subscribers, were brought under the consi-
III. That the document recited abo ye was considered
deration of Lord Goderich, and if it should be clearly
as - confirmatory of thc opinion of tlie undertaking .expres-
•
made to appear that the government would be put to no
sed by Viscount Goderich to the deputation which had
expense, I had little doubt that Lord Goderich would
waited on bis lordship, and as intendcd only to pro-
reconiMend that the charter should be issued.(9) With
vide that the conditions, on which the sanction of his
respect to the difficulty that was stated to exist about
i\\'Iajesty's government had been required, should be
obtaining subscriptions without having received the sanc-
strictly fulfilléd before such sanction should be ófficially
tion of Government to the scheme, I said that, in my
expressed.
opinion, what would be the fairest for all parties would
be, that the draft of the charter should be submitted . to
IV. That on thc 16th of April last, a deputation, headed
Lord .Goderich, with a list of subscriptions conditional
by Mr. Whitmore, waited upon Viscount Goderich for
upon the sanction of the Government being granted ;
the purpose of ascertaining whether his lordship con-
and that, upon the draft being approved by Lord Gode-
tinued to entertain a favorable opinion of the enter-
rich, the sum subscribed for should be actually paid up,
prise ; and that the inipression left on the minds of' the
or at least a certain proportion, befiire the charter should
deputation by Lord Goderich's reception of them was,
actually issue ; 'that thus the subscribers would run no
that his lordship continued to entertain a favorable
risk of being drawn in to contribute tci an unsanctioned
ópinion of the project generally, though there might be
project, and the Government would equally avoid
points of detail requiring modificátion.
V. That the parties interested in the undertaking far-
ther held several conversations with Viscount Howick,
deputation to conclude that he approved of their
enterprise.
and other gentlemen of the Colonial Department, and
especially with Mr. Stephcn, the counsel of that depart-
(8) Lord Goderich, himsclf, had made the very same
suaaeStion
ment, whereby they were led to believe that His Majes-
•
ty's government viewed their undertaking, not merely
(9) This caution and modesty were very becoming in
with approbation, but with a very vvarm interest.(10.)
a young nobleman new to office ; but Lord Goderich, an
experienced statesman, had already spoken for himself
in decisive tercos ; one of the grounds on which he
VI. That in conscquence of the belief arising from
thought so well of the plan being that, upon the facc of
it, the government was not to be put to the expense of a
(10) Thus far Mr. Hay liad not been concerned with
single sbilling for any, purpose whatever.
this affair.
312
APPENDIX, NO. III.
APPENDIX, NO. III.
313
Viscount Goderich's reception of the deputations aboye,
VIII.
That, though the want of an official expression
mentioned, from Viscount Howick's memorandum, and
of the sanction of his Majesty's government necessarily
from the conversations just alluded to, the parties inte-
prevented them from opening shares to the public, still
rested in the undertaking have been constantly occupied,
that, of thc 500,0001. which it is proposed to raise, the
for great part of a ycar, in measures, having for object
persons who intendcd to settic ín the colony, proposed to
the fulfilment of conditions which they conceíved to be
subscribe 100,0001. ; and that many of them, in order to
required by his Majesty's government ; such as circula-
carry this their purpose into effect, as well as to provide
ting pamphlets, with a view to bring the subject before
themselves with capital for use in the colony, have dis-
the public, raising the necessary capital, procuring evi-
posed of real and other property in this country to a
dente as to the soil and climate of the south coast of
considerable amount ; that several of them have aban-
Australia, preparing a draft of the proposed charter, and
donad trades and professions in which they were engaged ;
forming thc company under whose auspices thc proposed
have purchased outfits and other goods for exportation
colony was to be founded.
to the colony ; and will be subject to a very serious loss
of property (not to mention the loss of their time) in case
VII. That their progress in these measures was
the hope on which they have acted should, at the eleventh
greatly retarded, and on two occasions entirely sus-
hour, be frustrated by his Majesty's government.
pended, by the votes of the House of Lords on the re-
form bill ; but that by dint of the constant labour of a con-
IX. That persons, who do not propose settling in the
siderable number of persons, the whole ofwhose time has
colony, have intimated their intention of subscribing
been devoted to this object, they had, as they imagined,
100,0001. of the capital.
overcome every difficulty ; and that the late communica-
.3
tion from Mr. Whitmore to Viscount Goderich, whcreby
X. That, with reference to Mr. Hay's lctter to Mr.
the original proposal (11) was briefiy repeated, was made
Whitmore of the 30th ultimo., it must be acknowledged
for the purpose of informing his lordship of their success,
that the proposal submitted to Viscount Goderich is dis-
(12) and of obtaining that official sanction to their enter-
tinguished by some novelty ; since never before did a
prise without which it was impossible that they should
body of capitalists offer to any government so large a sum
adopt any final step.
as 125,0001. for 500,000 acres of land, completely waste
and in a country absolutely desert.
(11) With the alterations that Lord Goderich liad
suggested.
XI. That in two other respects the plan is distin-
(12) After this, Mr. Hay's mention of the proposal as
guished by novelty : in the first place, as it promises a
if it had been entirely new, seems unaccountable. Was
continually increasing fund for the purpose of pauper-
it a joke ? or, as the proposal was indeed ncw to Mr. Hay,
emigration ; and secondly, as it provides, though but in
did he speak sincerely enough, meaning himself when he
one case, against the evils which, in all the colonies of
said " Lord Goderich"?
314
APPENDIX, NO. III.
APPENDIX, NO. III.
315
modem times,'have resulted from the want of any fixed
emplo-yment; and many of them in á state of great
or -rational system in the disposal of waste land. (13)
tion) who, together with their families amount to upward s
XII. That in other respects, the proposal submitted to
of six thousand, to apply for the -benefit which the mere
his Majesty's government, instead of being distinguished
sanction of his Majesty's government would enable the
by novelty, is founded on precedent ; the English go-
company to bestow on them. (15)
vernment having invariably, it is believed, except in the
case of the late Swan River colony, aclopted the principie
XIV. That the proposed undcrtaking is not open to
of self-government in the formation of colonies. That
the objection against the establishment of colonies, which
in the case of every colony, properly so called, founded
is held by many enfightened persons ; viz. an objection to
by this country, the home government gane its sanction
the expense which colonies often occasion to the mother-
to that compact amongst the first settlers, which led to
country, and to the great aniount of patronage which they
the foundation of the colony ; a compact of which the
place at the disposal of a minister at home: since, in the
essence was, that thc colonists should govern themselves
present case, it is provided that all the public expenses
in local matters, and provide for the expenses oflocal self-
attendant on the colony should be borne by the colonists
govcrnment. (14)
themselves, and that the officers, so to be paid for admi-
nistering the government of the colony, should not, the
XIII.
That although no public announcement has yet
governor excepted, be appointed by the secretary of
been given of the intention of the proposed company to
state. (16)
convey poor settlers to Australia, a mere rumour of that
intention has led poor persons (nearly all of them without
XV. That, with reference to Mr. Hay's letter to Mr.
Whitmore of the 30th ultimo, in which it is stated that
(13) These gentlemen may have known how to found
"great public inconvenience would avise from the cir-
a colony ; but it is evident that they did not know how to
cumstance of a new colony being placed so in= to the
(leal with a corrupt ola government. Their ndiveté in
penal settlements of Sydney and Van Diemen's Land,"
dwelling on two points, which would have rendered im-
possible all jobbing with new land, or with the purchase-
(15) One of diese, having been told that the govern-
money of it, is almost laughable.
ment liad changed its mind and that the scheme was at
(11) ITere, again, the simplicity of Mr. Whitmore and
an end, said : What! the reform government? Yes, was
his coadjutors is almost amusing. Governments love
thc answer, even the reform government !
precedent, when it makes in their fávour : in this case,
(16) Worse and worse. What else could they expect
it could not but be offensive to notice those precedente, of
but to be treated as they were ? Why did they not
which the memory is held in dislike at the English co-
rather dwell on their confidence in the secretary of state,
lonial office ; and to notice them, too, for the - purpose of
as shown in their having given up to hin, at Lis own
getting the best of the argument with a minister.
suggestion, the appointinent of the governor ?
APPENDIX, NO.
317
316
APPENDIX, NO. Hl.
signed to establish such a settlement in that part of the
it is acknowledged that the proposed colony would pre-
would : so that there may be one British colony at least,
sent a rcmarkable contrast with the penal settlements of
in a favorable climate, to which persons of all classes
Australia ; a contrast of all that is good in colonization
may resort, without incurring political, social or moral
with all that is bad ; local self-government, instead of
degradation.
arbitrary rule ; a rational and fixed system in the dis-
posal of waste land (one of the elements of colonization),
XVI. That the only " public inconvenience" which
instead of a system which, though based on the plan
the undersigned can imagine to be alleged as likely to
devised by the projectors of the proposed colony,(17) is
result from the establishment of a self-governed colony
rendered almost nugatory by previous want of system,
in Australia, is, that the settlers in the penal colonies,
and is dependent for its duration on the pleasure of the
not being convicts, would thereby be led to ask of the
secretary of state for the time being ; a society concen-
honre government the advantage . of self-government in
trated by that rational system in the disposal of waste
local matters. But in answer to this supposed allega-
land, and enabled to employ their capital and labour with
tion, the undersigned venturo to remark, that already
the greatest advantage, instead of a society dispersed by
the free settlers of the penal colonies earnestly beg for,
the profusion of the government in granting waste land,
and are bent on obtaining, the advantage in question;
and so preventcd from raising commodities which requise
that, for any thing that has been stated to the contrary,
combination of capital and labour ; a moral society, or at
they are entitled to this advantage ; and that they might
least a society placed under circumstances the most
enjoy it without hindrance to the penal system. If, how-
favorable to morality, instead of a society pre-eminently
ever, it were clear that the establishment of a self-
vicious, in which the most disgusting depravity prevails,
governed colony asear to the penal colonies, would create
and in which such vices are becoming national habits.
a demand for self-government amongst the settlers. of
The contrast, would, no doubt, llave been most striking.
those penal colonies ; and if it were farther proved that
But the undersigned are at a loss to see in what way the
self-government in local matters is incompatible with the
establishment of so much good by the sirle of so much
penal system, still the undersigned would take the liberty
ovil could be productive of " public inconvenience." On
of reminding Viscount Goderich, that the whole system
the contrary, they submit to Viscount Goderich, that the
of penal transportation is condemned by some jurists
want of a costless, concentrated and civilized colony in
and polit:icians, as being not less costly than ineffectual
Australia, furnishes a very strong reason why the honre
as a punishment ; and that in all probability, and in
governtnent, not being called on to incur any, expense or
accordance too with the views of the present govern-
to create any patronage,(18) should enable the under-
ment, that system of pretended punishment and colonial
depravity will not much longer be followed. Conse-
(17) The plan of the Colonization Society, just then
quently, it appears to the undersigned, that, if the objec-
adopted by the government, as to New South Wales and
tion which they presume to be alleged by Mr. Hay's
Van Diemen's Land.
letter to Mr. Whitmore were not removed, it would
(18) there again : always touching the sore place.
i
318
APPENDIX, NO, HI.
APPENDIX, NO. III..
319
amount on the part of his Majesty's government to a
Goderich, that when a number of persons are disposed
decision, That, because some public inconveniente might
to incur the risks and hardships of planting a colony in
by possibility arise, and, if at ale, for but a short time,
a desert country, the social arrangements under which
by.contrasting the best with the worst mode of
they shall exist are, and have always been considered
zation in Australia, therefore, nona but the worst system
by the British government, matters in which the settlers
should be adopted in any part of that vast region.
alone are deeply interested, and of which they are the
That the vicinity of the proposed colony to the penal
best judges ; that, in the present case, the intended set-
settlements is calculated to remove an objection, which
tlers llave formcd a plan of colonization, which, if it suc-
was stated by Viscount Goderich to the deputation
ceed, must inevitably be productiva of great advantage,
headed by Mr. Whitmore on the 16th of April ; namely,
not merely to themselves, but to this nation at large, by
that the establishment of a colony at such a distance
opening a great field for the employment of our surplus
from the penal colonies might be injürious, brextend-
labour and capital; and that, in order to carry into effect
ing the line to be protected in case of war. But, if the
this purpose of unqualified good, the utmost extent of
lattcr objection should be urged, the undersigned would
their request to his Majesty's government is, that it will
observe that since the formation of the Swan River
exercise one of the functions for which governments
colony, the whole of the south coast of Australia ought
exist, by binding, under a charter from the crown, the
to be defended in case of ovar; and that the establish-
compact into which those individuals are desirous to
ment of a colony in the centre of that coast, midway
enter.
between Van Diemen's Lance and the Swan River, would
(Signed)
greatly facilitate such defence.
W. W. Whitmore, (M. P.)
Robert Torrens, (M. P.)
XVII.
That if the abo ye considcrations should not
J. E. Strickland.
remove Viscount Goderich's objection to the new colony,
Richard Heathfielcl.
which is founded on the possibility of public inconve-
W. A. Mackinnon, (M. P.)
nience, the undersigned would further point out to bis
J. A. Stewart Mackenzie, (NI. P.)
lordship, that a British settlement, not penal,(19) ami
Wm. Gowan, Upper Baker Street.
one to which it appears inevitable that the advantage of
J. Melville, Upper Harley Street.
self-government in local matters will be accorded as soon
F. Place, Charing Cross.
as the: settlers are sufileiently numerons, already cxists in
William IIutt, 54, Conduit Street.
Australia; namcly, the Swan River colony, which ex-
Thomas Hoskyns, (M. P.)
tcnds to King George's Sound.
Thomas Rudge, Hereford.
Robert Gouger, Castle Street, Falcon Square.
XVIII.
Finally the undersigned submit to Viscount
Benjamin Hanson, Bruton Street.
D. Elston, Bridge House, Limehouse.
(19) But costly, they did well not to add:
Robert Price, (M. P.)
•
1
320
APPENDIX, NO. I1T.
APPENDIX, NO. HL
321
-Henry Drummond, Charing Cross.
J. Harding.
Samuel Hoare, Lombard Street.
M. Racster.
C, Lushington, Edgeware.
Alex. M'Math.
G. Long, Tanfield Court, Temple.
Andrew Smith, Birchin Lane.
Samuel
20, Russell Square.
Joshua Storrs.
L. Thomas, Cheapside.
F. B. Robinson.
A. Bacon, North Bank.
W. Hanson, Hackney.
R. Sadlier, Fulham,
Joshua Brookes.
D. Munro, Kensington.
George Drury.
D. Wakefielcl, Gray's
John Bowes, 54, Conduit Street.
G. A. Angas, Jeffrey Square, St. Mary Axe.
G. S. Rutherford, Welbeck Street.
G. S. Tucker, Birchin Lane.
G. C. Hawkins, Regent Street.
G. J. Graham, Gray's Inn.
J. S. Lumley, (M. P.) Park Street.
R. Phillips, (M. P.) Portland Place.
George Vardon, Charles Street, Westminster.
To the abo ye Memorial, no answer was returnedi.
H. L. Bulwer, (M. P.) Albany.
Two interviews, however, took place between Lord Go-
Samuel Brookes, Islington.
derich and deputations from the society.
R. D. Hanson, Hackney.
At the first of these meetings, Lord Goderich urged
Richard Borrow, Stepney.
severa' new objections to the undertaking. The Letter,
William Borrow, ditto.
accordingly, of which a copy follows, was addressed to
William Currie.
his lordship by Mr. Strickland, who, during Mr. Whit-
John Cobden, Canterbury.
more's absence from town, acted as chairman of the Pro-
J. Rhodes, Bankside.
visional Committee.
J. Evans.
G. Morrison, Soho Square.
E. C. Richards, George Yard, Lombard Street.
South Australian ',and Company's Committee Room,
D. Browne, (M. P.)
8, Regent Street, June 18, 1832.
Charles Hanson, Hackney.
MY LORD,
John Cunnold.
As chairman of a meeting of the South Australian
R. Throckmorton, (111. P.)
Land Company, held this day, I have the honour to ad-
R. Heathfield, Jun. Lincoln's Inn.
dress your lordship on the subject which was discussed
H. Surman, Lincoln's Inn.
between your lordship and a deputation from that com-
W. H. Surman, Lincoln's Inn.
mittee on Friday last. (20)
Erskine Humphreys, Lincoln's
J. H. Rice, North Bank, Regent's Park.
(20) At this meeting there were present, besides the
VOL. II.
Y
1
322
APPENDIX, NO. III.
APPENDIX, NO. IIT,
323
Before noticing the objections to the proposed colony
iinclose a copy • marked A, and by which Mr. Gouger was
which were urged by your lordship on that occasion,
directed to renew the proposal in a difFerent forro. Con-
I would venture once more to remind your lordship, that
sequently, another proposal was drawn up, printed, and
the proposal now before you is by no means a new one
forwarded to Viscount Howick, who submitted the same
but that it was submitted to you so long as nearly twelve
to your lordship; and your lordship was pleased to ap-
months ago. This assertion will be borne out by the
point a time when you would receive a deputation from
following relation of facts.
the persons interested in forming the intended colony,
Early in the month of June last year, Mr. Gouger,
for the purpose of giving them some answer to the pro-
in consequence of a conversation with Viscount Howick,
posal in question. The deputation, which consisted of
delivercd to his lordship a paper entitled Proposal for
Colonel Torrens, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Graham and Mi..
establishing a new colony in South Australia. .0n the
Gouger, waited on your lordship, and read a paper con-
11th of the sanee month, Viscount Howick addressed
taining the heacis of the printed proposal, which, how-
a letter to Mr. Gouger, of which I have the lionour to
ever, they found in your lordship's hands, and of which
y.ou were pleased to say, that you liad read it With Inueli
Provisional Committee, a considerable number of the
interest, and that its subject matter was of so much im-
gentlemen who had macee arrangements for scttling in
portance as to deserve your immediate and scrious at-
•
the proposed colony. They were in a state of anxious
tention. • Ore objcction (21) your lordship mide to the
excitement, such as can be imagined by him only, who
•proposal ; viz., to the proposed appointinent of the go-
knows after how painful a struggle people, having strong
vernor by the company. (22) In ale other respects it ap-
ties at honre, make up thcir minds to emigrate ; and how
peared to the deputation, not mcrely that your lordship
eárnestly, when they have come to that decision, they
.assented ,to the proposal generally, hut that you felt
think, to the exclusion of ale othcr thoughts, upon their
considerable interest in the undertaking, which, if suc-
prospects of happiness in the new country. It was a
cessful, was calculated to effect so much good. So
scene for Wilkie to have painted : the mínister seated,
cross-legged, with an air of official gravity and impor-
(21) This is a mistake : tl/ere were two objections; one
tance ; the under-secretary standing behind a high desk,
to the appointinent of the governor by the colonists ; the
a sort of apology for not being seated in the presence of
.other to the number of people (5,000 malo adults) who,
bis chief; the petitioners watching every expression of
it was proposed, should have a legislative assembly.
the great man's face ; their own faces lighted up when
Both points were conceded: Lord Goderich was to ap-
he uttercd a word that seemed favourablc to them, and
point tele governor ; and for 5,000 Ingle adults, 10,000
pulled lengthwise when he spoke of objections ; the little-
was substituted by Lord Goderich's desire:
great man suggesting objections from behind the high
(22) The appointirient of the governor ovas vested in
desk, and when the would-be setticrs stared as if they
the colonists by the eharters of Massachusetts Bay, Con-
Avould eat him, looking clown steadily upon a bundle of
necticut, Rhode Virginia, Pcnnsyivania, and
papers tied with red tape.
Maryland,
324
APPENDIX, NO. HI.
APPENDIX, NO. ni.
325
satisfied were the deputation with your lordship's feeling
occurred of which a minute in writing was immediately
on the subject, that, upon subsequent consultation
made by Mr. Bacon, and communicated to the persons
amongst the parties interested, they recommended that
with whom he was acting. Of that papen I have the
your lordship should not be asked for any written answer
honour to inclose a copy, marked B. The ncxt com-
to the proposal ; on the ground that such a request would
munication between the colonial office and the intended
be ungracious to your lordship, as savouring of a sus-
colonists was made by ‘Viscount Howick's memoran-
picion, which was most distant from the thoughts of the
dum, dated October 31, 1831, which was copied into
deputation, that your lordship's favourable reception of
the memorial presented to your Lordship on the 4th
them might not have been sincere. (23)
instant.
Within a few days of the interview in question, Mr.
Aftcr this long, and I fear, tiresome recital, your lord-
Bacon, who happened to be at the Colonial Office on
ship will, I trust, acknowleclge, that I am correct in re-
other business, was called aside by Viscount Howick
presenting the proposal before your lordship as by no
(who at that time, it should be remembered, con-
means a new one, but as one which was formally sub-
ducted the Australian department) when a conversation
mitted to you, in a complete shape, last year, and which
did then obtain your serious attention. If this liad not been
the conviction of the intended colonists, or if they liad ima-
(23) There can be no doubt that Lord Goclerich's
gined that your lordship liad entertained any one serious
favourable reception of these gentlemen was perfectly
objection to their project, instead of occupying themselves,
sincere. But it may be doubted whether, at that time,
as they have done, with other measures for carrying the
he had looked to the consequences which might result
[r.
project hito effect, they would either have sought to
convince your lordship that any objections held by you
from the example of a very cheap colony in Australia.
One who is well acquainted with the English government,
were ungrounded, or would have requested your lordship
having been told of the success of this deputation, said-
to suggest alterations in their place, calculated to make it
" They do not understand your plan : as soon as they
entirely agreeable to you. Indeed, on the two points,
understand it they will oppose it. If you want the sanc-
which did occur to your lordship as objectionable, viz.
tion of the government, you must put a good deal of
the appointment of the governor by the company, and the
patronage into your plan : this plan is too cheap, altoge-
amount of population which should be entitled to local
ther too good, ever to be liked by our government. In-
self-government, they immediately altered their plan to
stead of 5,0001. a year for governing the colony, say
meet your lordship's views ; and all their subsequent
20,0001. a year; and give all the appointments to the
publications have contained those alterations.
colonial office. If you do this, you will get the charter
Your lordship therefore, be able to appreciate the
without trouble : if you hold to the present plan, you will
great disappointment which they have suffered at finding
never get a charter, except by appealing to the house of
that now, when they have laboured for a year to fulfil the
commons ; and not then until therc shall have been two
conditions on which they had every reason to be confi-
or three elections uncler the reform bill."
dent that a charter would be given to them, numerous
326
APPEND/X, No. 111.
APPENDIX, NO. 111.
327
and grave objections. have :been for the fir l t .tiine men-
passed unanimously on the 21st of May last (of which
tioned ; objeetions which, liad they occurred last year,
have the honour to inclose a copy marked C); that this
would either have been removed, or svould have sa.ved the
is a point which, if bis Majesty's goVernment had been
troubie, the loss of tinte, the loss of property, and the pain
about to found the colony, they ouglit to have ascertained
of frustrated hopes, whieh must ensue unless they be 1101,V
from the beginning ; but that, whereas, in point of fact,
removed.
the eolony, if founded, will be altogether (according to
li proceed to notice the objections which viere stated
ancient and most successful practice) . the work of indi-
by your lordship on Friday last, or at the interview on the
viduals, not his.Majesty's government, but the individuals
16th of April last.
coneerned are deeply interested in the question : that the
First in importance is that which supposes, that a
individuals coneerned have examined this question with
number of intelligent raen should have wildly neglected
the deepest anxiety, and have arrive(' at the conclusion,
to ascertain •hether the spot, on which they desire to
that they run no risk of meeting with a soil not lit for
settle and pass the remainder of their lives, be sufil-
colonization : that, oven if such risk existed, it would
eiently fertile for the purposes of colonization. On this
involve no greater possible ovil than the disappoint-
head, i have to remark that your lordship never so much
ment of those sinee the vicinity of the site
as hinted at any doubt concerning the fertility of the soil,
of the proposed settlement to the settlements of New
until such a doubt was expressed by Ivir. Whitmore on
South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, where food ,is
the 16th of April last ; that the doubt which had oc-
not merely plentiful but superabundant, puts out of ques-
curred to Mr. Whitmore has been entirely removed, as
tion the privations which have occurred to the founders
is shewn by a resolution of the provisional connnittee (24)
of many new colonies ; the proposed settlement being, as
relates to food, nota new' colony but new settlement
an old colony over supplied with food; (15) and, finally,
(24) " At a meeting of the Provisional Committee,
21st May, 1832; present
W. Wolryche Whitmore, Esq. in the chair.
in Sydney, viz. beef Id. per lb., mutton 11d. per lb. and
Colonel Torrens, M. P.
G. Fife An tas, Esq.
bread lid. per lb. ; also reading extracts from Captain
"William Hutt, Esq.
J. Jephson, Esq. M. P.
Sturt's Journal : it was resolved unanimously—That the
Samuel Milis, Esq.
John Melville, Esq.
evidence this day submitted to the Committee, in respect
of the soil, climate and productions of Kangaroo Island,
After considering the Evidente contained in the printed
and the shores of the Itilurray River, and Lake Alexan-
pamphlet, entitled—Evidente relating to the so U, efimate,
drina, is sufficient to warrant the formation of a eolony on
and productions of the South Coast of Australia; hear-
those Lands with all possible dispatch."
ing the evidence of Dr. Itutherford and Mr. Riley ; read-
(25) With animal food, which is become a drug in New
ing that of Mr. Mearing ; reading ,S.'saluey Gazette,
South Wales and Van Diemen's-Land, as it•is in Buenos
wherein is set {bah tire contract prives of meat and bread
Ayres.
398
APPENDIX, NO.
APPENDIX, NO.
329
that the objection urged by your lordship would, if main-
company will select for the first settlement the spot which
tained, be an objection to the foundation of a colony
scems to them the most suitable." Thus your lordship
any where ; since it would be hard to obtain a body
will see, that the doubt, which must exist in every case
of evidente as to the soil of any desert country so
as to the fertility of the soil of a desert country, has not
favourable as that of which I have the honour to in-
been lost sight of in the present instance, but has led to
close a copy marked D. (26) Of the capacity of any
arrangements which render the first intended expedition
desert soil for colonization there must always exist a
nothing more than a sufficient experiment.
doubt until the experiment be made but to say that
Ncvcrtheless, as those who have the deepest interest
the existence of such a doubt furnishes a reason for not
in the experiment trust and believe that it will prove suc-
making the experiment, appears directly contrary to
cessful, so were thcy bound to provide for its success.
reason. (27)
The case of failure is provided for by the vicinity of other
And here I venture to request your lordship's parti-
settlements superabounding in land, in food, and in de-
ticular attention to a point which has been made promi-
mand for labour. The case of success is provided for by
nent in every step taken by the projectors of the colony ;
the proposed charter ; in order that if a colony be
which appears in the proposal submitted to your lordship
founded, it may not be left without any social regulations ;
last year, in the published plan of the company, and in
in order that if a settlement be plantel on the shores of
the prospectus lately submitted to your lordship ; viz.
Spencer's Gulph, the settlers paying for the land, those
that the first outlay of the company is to be by way of
first settlers may not be ruincd by subsequent gifts of
experiment, the sum to be employed not to exceed 51. on
land to others who may follow them ; in order, briefly,
each share of the capital subscribed, or, in the whole,
that if the first settlement succeed as to the question of
50,0001. In confirmation of this statement, I venture to
soil, it may not prove a miserable failure in all other
quote the following passage from the published plan of
respects.
the company. " The plan pursued by it will be to send
The next objection urged by your lordship was, the
out in the first instance a small expedition, for the pur-
the evils that might arise from the resort to the new
pose of examining whether thc Bite proposed for the new
colony of run-away convicts from the penal settlements.
colony offer the advantages which have been supposed
Now, the fact is, that Kangaroo Island has been for many
to attach to it. This may be done at a moderate expense.
years, and is at this time, a place of refuge for run-away
If the result shoulcl be favourable, the agents of thc
convicts ; that in that island such persons have formed a
society remarkable for existing without any social ties,
and for the prevalence of the most horricl crimes ; that
(26) This is a printed pamphlet.
convicts in the penal settlements are thus invited to es-
(27.) If for a doubt as to the soil, we read a doubt as
cape, no power existing to prevent them from inhabiting
to the conveniente ofself-government and extreme cheap-
the south coast of Australia ; and that if a settlement
ness of government, this objection, coming from the colo-
were formed on that coast, instead of any evil so to be
nial mMister, will seem rational enough.
caused, an effectual stop would be put to the ovil which
330
APPENDIX, NO. in,
331
APPENDIX, NO. III.
your lordship to the signatures appended to our memo-
already exists. (28) In illustration of the state . of the
rial of the 4th instant, and to say, 'that many of the
•
people who are settled on Kangaroo Island, I venture
gentlemen who signad that document intend to settle
to mention the following fact, which is stated by Dr.
in the proposed colony ; but that no consideration would
Barnes, a gentleman of great respz.,,ctability now rcsident
induce them to settle in New South Wales, where, such
in London.
is the state of society, there are, allowing for the difference
Dr. Barnes, being in New Zealand, met with an Eng-
of population, 325 public executions for 1 in England
lishman who some years before, liad, in a fit of maclness,
and where, moreover, nameless crimes prevail, and are
attempted to clestroy himself. ;lis lower jaw was shot
becoming, as in Turkey, national habits. Those gentle-
away in the attempt. R.ecovering his senses, ashamed of
men also request me to say, that the accounts which
what he had done and of his frightful appearance, he
they have received of the Swan River Settlement, of the
sought to hide himself from the sigla of civilized men,
ruin and misery which llave befallen the more wcalthy
and to pass the remainder of his life in a state of savage
emigrants to that colony, render it impossible that they
excitement. With this view he selected as a place of re-
should settle in a colony where, by the profusion of the
fuge Kangaroo Island, where he could obtain the society
government in granting land, the people are dispersed
of men more degraded than himself. It should be fur-
and pauperized ; and where there is no security for the
ther remarked, that the savage scttlers of Kangaroo Is-
inestimable advantage of local self-government.
land seise nativo women from the main land, whom they
Finally, your lordship was pleased to dwell on the re-
treat as slaves, and by whom they llave children ; so that
sponsibility which his Majesty's government might incur,
there is every prospect, unless some counter measure be
by giving its sanction to the proposed undertaking. To
adopted, of the existente of a hand of dangerous pirates
this objection there would be no answer, if his Majesty's
in the spot, which it is now proposed to convert intó a
government liad originated the undertaking, or were
civilized colony.
cancel upon to take active measures for promoting and
The third objection, which appeared to weigh with
conducting it. But the fact is, that, as in the case of our
your lordship, was the apparent want of any motive for
oldest and most successful colonies, as in the case, it is
.founding a new settlement in Australia, when three set-
believed, of every colony founded by Englishmen, the
tlements are alreacly established there. In answer to this
Swan River colony only excepted, the undertaking
objection, if it may be so termed, I am requested to refer
originates with, and is to be wholly conducted by, certain
inclividuals deeply interested in every step that they may
(28) Acting upon this lesson, the government has, I
take, fully conversant with the subject, and influenced by
am told, ordered a crown settlement to be made on this
the strongest sense of responsibility ; which body of in-
coast, where it v.-as proposed to found a chartered co-
dividuals ask no more of bis Majesty's government than
lony. If it be so, and they should now be asked to
that it will enable them to carry bao effect their own
enable individuals to found colony there, without ex-
purpose, by their own means, and on their own res-
pense to the mother-country, the reform government may
ponsibility. For the partial failure of the Swan River
say—Oh dear no: the country is already settled.
332
APPENDIX, NO. TU.
APPENDIX, NO. HI.
333
Settlement, the government who foundecl the settlement
the question before the cabinet ; confident that the more
without any provision for success, is no doubt responsible;
our plan shall be examined, the more will it be thought
but the Plymouth Company and William Penn, not the
worthy of support by an enlightened and liberal adminis-
governments of the time, were responsible for the success
tration. (29.)
of the colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania. And it
In conclusion, I am instructed to say, that 1 there be
may be said further, recurring to principies which have
any modification of the plan, which would render it more
often been eloquently advocated by your lordship, that
agreeable to your lordship, the parties concerned will
the two last named colonies fiourished so greatly, because,
readily adopt the same, unless it would interfere with the
not a distant government, but the individuals most deeply
main principies of their scheme : but they are unable to
concerned, were responsible for every act performed. It
suggest any alteration, because no part of the plan has
is true that, in the present case, the individuals concerned
been adopted by them without much enquiry and refiec-
can perforen no act without a charter from the crown ;
tion ; nor could any part of it, ín their sincere opinion, be
but your lordship will allow me to observe, that the
changed without an alteration for the worse.
crown is empowered to grant charters for the express
I have the honour to be, My Lord,
purpose of enabling bodies of men to act in concert in
With the highest respect,
matters which invoive no ovil to the public. Conse-
Your lordship's most obedient humble servant
quently, it appears to me, and in saying so I speak the
1
(Signed)
J. E. STRICKLAND.
expressed opinion of many of my coadjutors, that unless
To the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Goderich,
there be upon the face of the proposed undertaking
His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.
some prospect of evil, such as it is the business of go-
&c. &c. &c.
vernment to prevent, lis Majesty's government could not
incur any responsibility, by merely enabling a number of
To the abo ye letter no answer was returned ; but Lord
men to act in concert, for the accomplishment of their
Goderich intimated lis wish, that any further discussion
own purposes, by their own means, and, I repeat, on
should be carried on verbally. At the interview, when
their own responsibility.
the objections were made to which the abo y e letter was
But I venture humbly to suggest to your lordship,
intended as an answer, Mr. hay was present, and sug-
that the responsibility of frustrating so great and good
gested most of the objections. An interview now took
an object, by refusing so small a boon, is one deserving
place, at which Mr. Hay was not present, between Lord
consideration.
Goderich and a deputation from the committee. Ou this
Rcferring to what fell from your lordship as to the
occasion (of which a particular account has been pre-
propriety of submitting so important a question to bis
Majesty's ministers, I have to state, that, except on the
(29) Like the hungry workman, who liad. set lis heart
score of delay and suspense, which are most distressing
on getting fat in the new colony, these gentlemen seem to
to many of the persons interested in this question, we
have placed too mueh dependence on a reform govern-
should be gratified to learn that your lordship hacl laid
ment.
C) C)
APPENI)IX, NO. III.
A1'PENDIX, NO. III.
00,)
scrved); Lord Goderich suggestcd so ple alteratións ín
can be supposed by the parties more immediately con-
the plan, and these being agreed to by the deputation,
cerned to preclude Lbs Majesty's Government from their
appeared to abandon all his objections. His manner was
free and unfettered discretion on the general principies
courteous, and he appeared to feel for the many families
and the particular details of the schetne.(31) Whatever
then waiting in the most painful suspense for his decision.
deliberations may have intervened between the original
He desired that a draft of the proposed charter, with the
suggestion of the measurc and the delivery at this office
altcrations then proposed and agreed to, might be for-
of the draft of a charter, they have taken place upon
warded to him without delay ; and the deputation reporte('
the assumption, that the proposal, when drawn out in
to their constituents that, as far as they could judge from
its ultimate form, would be foral(' compatible with the
bis lordship's manner and language, the charter would
fundamental principies, to which it is the duty of the
be speedily grantecl. On the 9th of July, accordingly, a
King's Government to adhere in every grant which they
draft of the proposed charter was delivered at the colo-
may advise his Majesty to pass linden the Great Seal;
nial office, together with a letter from Colones Torrens,
and it is of course obvious that this condition must at all
to Lord Goderich. To this letter, the following curious
times have bcen distinctiy unclerstood.(32.)
answer was returned by Mr. Hay.
On examining the draft which you have transmitted,
Lord Goderich finds that in many important particulars
it goes far beyond the proposition as he originally un-
Downing Street, 17th July, 1832.
derstood it to be conceived;(33) that it would virtually
SIR,
I am directed by Lord Goderich to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter dated the 9th instant, inclosing the
(31) That translating these fine gilt-paper terms
draft of a charter for the incorporation of the South
into plain English, all which liad gone before was to be
Australian Land Company, and to acquaint you for the
counted for nothing. This, certainly, vías not " sup-
information of the gentlemen of the Provisional Com-
posed by the parties Dore immediately concerned."
matee, that bis Lordship has bestowed the most careful
From the tone of the government, alter Mr. Htty becan2é
attention upon the various provisions of that instrument.
its organ, ene should be led to suppose, that these peti-
As the transniission of the proposed charter affbrds the
tioners, instead of asking for a piece of parehment, liad
first occasion which has presented itself during the dis-
been requesting Mr. Hay and Lord Godcrich to emigraté
cussions on this subject, for taking a clear and compre-
along with them.
hensivo view of the plan of the company in all its bear-
(32) Of course : but it was also undcrstood that, when
Ings,(30) Lord Goderich has entere(' on the enquiry with
Lord Goderich cxpressed his approval of the fundamen-
a full conviction, that nothing which has hitherto occurred
tal principies, &c., he knew what they were, and really
meant what he said.
(30) The great conveniente of making this mistake
(33) " Bcyond ;" in which direction? towards liberal-
may be some excuse for having aliado so great a one. -
ism or toryism ? The draft of a charter embodied the
336
APPENDIX, NO, HI.
APPENDIX, NO
337
transfer to this company the sovereignty (34) of a vast
of their capital ;(38) that the actual investment of that
unexplored territory equal in extent to one of the most
capital, or any part of it even, is not necessarily to pre-
considerable kíngdoms of Europe ; (35) that it would
cede the issuing of the charter ; (39) that the charter
encroach on the limits of the existing colonies of New
would invest the company with a power of legislation and
South Wales and Western Australia ; (36) that it is pro-
would even enable them to delegate to others the exer-
posed to throw opon the settlement to foreigners as
cise of that trust, without taking the very least security
well as to British subjects, in such a manner as at once
against the possible abuse of so high an authority ;(40)
to place them upon a complete equality ;(37) that the
that the company would enjoy the right of erectíng
objects of the corporation are defined with such latitude
courts, and of appointing and removing judges and other
of expression as to exclude no conceivable employment
offieers ;(41) that they claim the power of raising and
(38) What the Company should do . with its capital
was stated distinctly. Would Mr. Hay have liad the
less liberal provisions as to the governor and the legis-
charter recite all the things which the company should
lative assembly, which Lord Goderich liad suggested.
not, do with its capital.
(3•) It liad always been proposed that the company
(39) The Committee liad been imploring Lord Goderich
should govern the colony until the settlers were nume-
to promise, only to promise, the charter officially, in order
rous enough to govern themselves.
that subseriptions for the capital might be received. Lord
(35) This is a mistake. The only creatures, over which
Goderich liad been told, too, that the intended settlers
sovereignty could be transferred, are a few savages and
were ready to subscribe 100,0001. of that capital, and that
a great many kangaroos and ernues. It is trae, that the
they liad disposed of real and other property with that
space, within which all waste land was to be sold, and
view.
the colonists were to govern themselves in local matters
(40) In this respect, the draft of a charter was a copy
as soon as there should be colonists, was very largo.
from the charters, under which Companies founded colo-
But the charter mentioned exactly the same space as the
nies in Amcrica. At one of the interviews with Lord
original proposal,
Goderich, his lordship liad been requested to examine
(36) This is a mistake those colonies have no defined
those charters, copies of which probably exist in the
limits. The nearest part of the outside of the proposed
colonial office. A printed copy of them was in the hands
colony to any settlement in Australia would have been
of the committee.
sople hundreds of miles from any settlement.
(41) Of course, if the company were to govern for a
(37) I am not aovare that" foreigners" were ever men-
time, like the London Company, and the Plymouth Com-
tioned either in viriting or verbally by any one connected
pany, and William Penn, and even the Company which
with the colony; but it was certainly provided in the charter,
founded a colony at Sierra Leone, it was, during that
that all the poor people taken to the colony with the
time, to have the authority necessary for governing.
purchase-money of waste land should be British subjects.
VOL. II.
338
APPENDIX, NO. III.
APPENDIX, NO. III.
339
commanding the militia ; that they would exclude the
of which they do not propone to give any secu-
king from the exercise of that power of imposing (lidies
rity. (47)
of customs which Parliament has entrusted to him
Other objections might be stated to the plan proposed
throughout the Eastern colonies ;(42) that a freedom of
in Chis draft; but for the present Lord Goderich forbears
trade is claiined, to which the navigation and trade acts,
to enter on any discussion of them. His lordship deems it
as they now stand, are opposed;(13) that all the powers
sufficient to have pointed out those which I have already
of the company, extensive as they are, and involving
referred to ; and directs me to say that, if the various de-
in their practical effect the sovereign dominion of the
partments ofgovernment which must be consulted should
whole territory, are ultimately to be transferred to a
concur in a scheme involving such extensive consequences,
popular assembly, (44) which would be to ereet in the
as wouid follow from the adoption of that which ís pro-
British monarchy a government purely republican ; (15)
posed, (48) they could not legally carry it into effect
and that the company would be the receivers of
without the express sanction of Parliament ; (49) but bis
largo sucos of public money (46) for the due application
Majesty's Government could not recommend to Parlia-
ment a measure so entirely subversive, in one part of His
Majesty's dominions (50) of those royal prerogatives,
(42) Not the king, but the clerks in Downing Street,
which, for the common benefit of all bis subjects, it is
who legislate for New South Wales and the Swan Rivcr.
His Majesty's duty to maintain. (51)
Every- provision, however, as to trade, was subjcct to
I am, Sir,
existing laws ; and of course a charter could not affect an
your obedient humble servant,
act of parliament. That very power which parliament
Colonel Torren, M. P.
(Signed)
R. W. HAY.
has given to the king, bis Majesty was requested to
exercise in Chis case.
(43) A great mistake. This charter could r,..ot have
and defence until the colony should be able to repay
applied to any ports, save those of the colony ; and even
them.
there, could not have interfered with any act of par-
(47) The application of the money was clearl:v defined:
liament.
it was to be applied in repayment to the company of their
(44) Of course ; since one ehief object of the plan was,
advances for the governmene and defence of the colony.
according to ancient and approved practice, to establish
(48) The admission is worth notice, that the plan was
local self-government in the colony.
calculated to accomplish the objects of those who formed it.
(45) If the company should revive their project, they
(19) Very many English colones have been founded
would do well to put a House of Lords into it ; with a
by charter : not one, it is believed, by act of parliament.
Baron Blackswan, a Viscount Kangaroo, a Marquis of
(50) A complete desert, save as to the run-away con-
Morrumbidgee and a Bishop of Ornithoryncus.
victs, over whom, certainly, his Majesty exercises no
(46) Only for repayment of their private money, with
dominion.
which they proposed to defray all the cost of government
(51) Fudge
340
APPENDIX, NO. 111.
APPENDIX, NO. 11i.
341
Both classes, therefore, should be avoided equally. Mr.
Hay is a Tory. Educated in the school of Lord Melville,
Extract from, the Morning Chronicle of September
he has been the constant attendant of all succeeding
237-d, 1832.
ministers. If it should turn out that a spice ofliberalism,
in the shape of self-governmcnt, appeared in the plan of
" We invite attention to a letter of Mr. Gouger upon
the company or colony, we have no doubt the ministers
the subject of the South Australian Land Company,
will have to thank their Tory under-secretary for any
which will be found in another column. 'Opon the merits
odium or unpopularity they may experience from the
of the proposed company we shall abstain from remarking
rejection of the measure in question."
at largo now ; as, it seems, a pamphlet is to be published,
containing the whole of the correspondence with Govern-
ment upon the subject, accompanied by a sketch of the
original plan. It is, however, clear that any proposi-
tion supported by such men as formed the Provisional
Committee, and of which the object was to provide a place
of refuge for six thousand poor persons, ought not to
have been rejected by the Colonial Office without very
good reasons. No one will say that the committee was
not sufficiently influential, and high in character, to sup-
ERRATA.—VOL. II.
port any wise measure they chose to connnence neither
are they men from whom we should be lcd to expect any
P. 44,1. 22—for under the—read, upon their.
Note P. 234, 1. 4—for 1802---read, 1832.
other than a practical and attainable project.
"From the fact of difficulties occurring only after the
Australian coloides were placed under the controul of Mr.
Hay, the Tory under-secretary of state-for the coloides,
it may be inferred that the plan was opposed by Mr. Hay,
and was therefore abancloned. %Ve have more than once
f
hacl occasion to reprobate the practice of the present
ministry, in keeping about them men whose principies are
diametrically at variante with their own. A Tory of prin-
cipie and honou • will naturally object to measures founded
upon liberal principies : an unprincipled Tory will lose
no opportunity to serve his panty, by bringing /zis oppo-
nents in politic,s• finto disrepllie ; although he may, at the
same time, be eating the bread of liberal employers.
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