CO885(1-2) — Page 187

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been in operation has been too great to allow ita results to be as yet capable of being fairly judged by experience, though already, as it appears to me, there is much reason for entertaining increased con- fidence that when commerce shall have settled into its new channels, all the hopes entertained of the advantages to be derived from its relief from artificial restrictions will be more than realized.

This is not, however, the proper occasion for dis- cussing the Commercial policy which has been adopted; I only here advert to it on account of its important bearing on our political relations with our Colonies. Under the old system it was supposed (and however false the supposition might be in fact, this did not affect its influence) that we levied a tribute on the industry of the Colonies, which greatly enriched the mother-country; and in return for which, therefore, it was only just to them, that we should undertake the charge of providing for their protection.

To secure the monopoly we enjoyed seems also to have been the principal reason for its being con- sidered necessary to exercise a greater amount of controul over the internal government of the Colonies than would otherwise have been judged expedient. Unless the mother-country had main- tained a very considerable controul over the internal government of the Colonies, the latter would un- doubtedly have been constantly endeavouring to evade the monopoly which it was considered so important to preserve, and which was in practice so vexatious. Now that the trade of the Colonies is

entirely relieved from restrictions, and that nothing remaius of the old system except the advantage which, in some cases, their produce is still permitted to enjoy in our markets, there is no longer any reason for jealousy as to their internal government. Accordingly, the policy has been adopted of giving a very large measure indeed of self-government to those Colonies of which the population is of European race, and capable, from its progress in civilization, of exercising the privilege with advantage.

It is urged by not a few persons, including both the extreme advocates and the opponents of Free Trade, that if we are thus to leave to the Colonies

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freedom of trade, and freedom in the management of their internal affairs, there is no advantage in retaining them at all; that we should derive equal or greater benefit from trade with them if they were independent, and should be relieved from the heavy charge of naval and military establishments.

Separation, it is argued, would be equally bene- ficial to the Colonies, because they would exert themselves more vigorously if they were indepen- dent.

entirely dissent from this view of the subject. I am of opinion that much of the power and influ- ence of this country amongst nations depends upon its having large colonial possessions in different parts of the world. It would surely be considered

to add greatly to the strength of any nation to pos- sess a number of steady and faithful allies in various quarters. But no alliance between independent States can be so close and intimate as the connection which unites the Colonies to the British Empire as subjects of a common Sovereign.

Nor is this all. I conceive that it is a very great advantage that we possess Colonies in which British subjects can settle, retaining all the privileges they possess in that character, and on a footing of perfect equality with those amongst whom they take up their abode.

The Colonies are, as it appears to me, still greater gainers by the connection: while they still form comparatively small and weak communities, they enjoy, in return for their allegiance to the British Crown, all the security and consideration which belong to them as members of one of the most powerful States in the world;-no foreign Power ventures to attack or interfere with the smallest of them, while every colonist carries with him to the remotest quarters of the globe, which he may be induced to visit in trading or other pursuits, that protection which the character of being a British subject everywhere confers; and can depend, in any difficulties, or under any oppression to which he may be exposed, on the assistance of Her Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular servants, supported, if necessary, by the whole power of the empire. If it

is an advantage, not with a view to aggression, but to security, to belong rather to a powerful nation

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

C.O.885

1 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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