Some Years Since The Americans Thought That
Canada Might Shine In The Union Firmament As A New Star; But That
Delusion Is, I Think, Over.
Such annexation, if ever made, must
have been made not only against the arms of England, but must also
have been made in accordance with the wishes of the people so
annexed.
It was then believed that the Canadians were not averse
to such a change, and there may possibly have then been among them
the remnant of such a wish. There is certainly no such desire now,
not even a remnant of such a desire; and the truth on this matter
is, I think, generally acknowledged. The feeling in Canada is one
of strong aversion to the United States government and of
predilection for self-government under the English Crown. A
faineant governor and the prestige of British power is now the
political aspiration of the Canadians in general; and I think that
this is understood in the States. Moreover, the States have a job
of work on hand which, as they themselves are well aware, is taxing
all their energies. Such being the case, I do not think that
England needs to fear any invasion of Canada authorized by the
States government.
This feeling of a grievance on the part of the States was a
manifest absurdity. The new reinforcement of the garrisons in
Canada did not, when I was in Canada, amount, as I believe, to more
than 2000 men. But had it amounted to 20,000, the States would
have had no just ground for complaint.
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