THE WESTERN TERRITORY.

This extensive region of the British possessions is situated north of the Missouri Territory and Western Territory of the United States, and is chiefly occupied by the hunters of the North West Company; and there are various chains of connexion between it and the settlements in the United States; particularly by the Red River to the head of the Mississippi, and from Assiniboin to Mandan on the Missouri. There may be also a connexion between the settlers on the North West coast and the mouth of Columbia River. Except on the coast of the Pacific, the climate is very severe, but the summer months are pleasant. The settlers in the United States and those in the British possessions, may be very beneficial to each other, without hurting the interest of either.

UPPER CANADA

Extends from the Utawas or Grand River, to Lake Winnipeg, in long. 970, and comprehends a vast extent of territory; being from east to west about 600 miles, and about 360 on an average from north to south. The area is about 290,000 square miles.

The settlements are chiefly confined to the banks of the rivers and lakes, and present a most extensive, and in some places a thickly settled frontier to the United States. About 300 miles of this province border on the rivers and lakes opposite the Michigan Territory; 150 on Lake Erie, opposite the state of Ohio; 45 opposite the

state of Pennsylvania; and 380 on the state of NewYork.

The inhabitants are composed of French, English, and Scottish, and a great many have emigrated from the United States within these last 20 years, principally of Dutch and German extraction. Since the last peace with the United States, there have been great emigrations from Britain, so that the inhabitants now amount to about 300,000, and as the district along the lakes enjoys a pretty mild climate and good soil, they are likely to increase.

The part of the province which stretches between the lakes, lying between the 42d and 45th degree of north latitude, is by far the most valuable, and enjoys a comparatively temperate climate, the winters being generally as mild as at Philadelphia. The banks of Lake Erie and of the Niagara River, between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, are beautiful, and will, in all probability, become a thickly settled country, to which, and to the adjoining states, the inhabitants of the lower provinces will be chiefly indebted for their trade.

Agriculture is pretty well understood, and the produce is abundant. A good deal of domestic manufacture is carried on, and there are some carding machines, and a few coarse woollens are made; but they are not encouraged, the genius of the government being directed to secure as many importations as possible from England.

The great leading feature in the geography of the British possessions is the Gulf and River St. Lawrence, connected with the great lakes and the navigable rivers that flow into them. They admit of the greatest inland navigation in the world, and this, to a maritime and commercial nation, like Great Britain, is of such importance, that we cease to wonder at the high value she sets on her North American possessions. From the view that has been ex

hibited, it will be perceived that the Gulf and River St. Lawrence is navigable with ships of the largest size to Quebec, nearly 700 miles from the sea. Merchant vessels ascend to Montreal, 170 miles above Quebec. Batteaux of large size ascend to Kingston, about 200 miles above Montreal. Lake Ontario is navigable with ships of large burden, 170 miles, to the mouth of the Niagara River, and that river is navigable eight miles to Queenstown. Here there is an overland carriage to Chippeway, distant ten miles, from whence the river is navigable in large boats, 22 miles, to Fort Erie. Lake Erie is navigable with ships of large burden to Amherstburg, 250 miles, and the navigation is continued through Detroit River, 25 miles; through Lake St. Clair 25; through St. Clair River 32; and through Lake Huron to the Rapids of St. Mary, 250 miles. There is a portage, by a canal, of three miles at these rapids; and then Lake Superior is navigable to the grand portage leading to Lake Winnipeg, 300 miles, and to its west end, 150 miles more. The whole of this extended navigation is therefore 2315 miles; and it is all navigable with ships except 213 miles, of which only 10 require the use of land carriage.

Besides the direct navigation to the head of Lake Superior, there are various minor branches, some of them of great extent and importance; and there are many portages to the head waters of the western rivers. The Utawas or Grand River connects Montreal, by an inland passage, with the upper lakes, and with James's Bay; and from the last, there is a continued chain of water communication to the Arctic Ocean. The grand portage connects Lake Superior with the Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnipeg, and the interior of the country, to a great extent; and from the head of Lake Superior there is a short portage to the head waters of the Mississippi.

The chief towns and settlements in Upper Canada are : YORK, the capital, situated on the north side of Lake Ontario; Newark, Queenstown, and Chippeway, on the Niagara River; Kingston, at the east end of Lake Ontario; and Amherstburg and Sandwich, on. Detroit River.

The pursuits of the people of Upper Canada and those of the contiguous districts of the United States being very similar, no material commerce can be carried on between them.

LOWER CANADA

Is situated upon both sides of the St. Lawrence River, and extends from north latitude 450 to 53°, and from west longitude 40 west to 12° 30' east from Washington; answering to 640 30 and 810 west from London. Its greatest length from east to west is about 750 miles, and breadth from north to south about 560. Seventy miles of this province border on New-York, 90 on Vermont, 33 on New Hampshire, and 245 on the state of Maine.

The face of the country is rather hilly, and in some places mountainous; but it contains a great deal of good soil, producing grain and grass in abundance; and a little tobacco is raised for private use. The settlements are mostly confined to the banks of the rivers, the greater part of the interior of the country being covered with forests; but, except in the meadows, the trees are generally of small growth.

The climate is very severe, and heat and cold go to great extremes. The thermometer rises sometimes in summer to 980, and in winter the mercury freezes. The winter sets in early in November, and continues till April, during which the ground is entirely covered with snow,

often from four to six feet deep. In January and February the frost is so intense, that there is often danger of being frost-bitten, and to guard against it the inhabitants cover the whole body with furs, except the eyes and nose.

The present population of Lower Canada, is 427,465. The province is divided into three districts, viz. Quebec, Three Rivers, and Montreal; the first district contains 133,674; second, 47,856; the third 243,986.-Clergy and Nuns in the district of Quebec, 217; Three Rivers, 52; Montreal, 180. In the Seigniorialp opulation, or those who hold land under a Seignior, there are 364,411 catholics, and 34,400 protestants. The township population is 26,705; it is not stated what proportion of the latter are protestants.

The revenue of the Lower Province, for 1823, was 91,420l. 2s. 6d. or $365,681 31.

Three hundred and eighty-eight vessels arrived at the port of Quebec, in the year 1818, from foreign ports, with merchandise valued at 772,3731. 148. 6d. Halifax currency.* Cleared, in the same time, for foreign ports, 409 vessels, in which, among other articles exported to Great Britain alone, were 1,865,831 staves and heads, 642,160 boards and planks, 24,251 casks ashes, 401,791 bushels wheat, 12,967 do. barley, 49,637 do. peas, 16,164 do. flaxseed, 30,543 barrels flour, 3079 fox skins, 83,543 martin do. 3760 bear and cub, 57,432 beaver, 27,897 muskrat, 9318 otter, 41,654 deer, 2036 wolf, 3 marmottes, 4557 hare, 118 seal, 8523 minx, 3872 ficher, 15,225 racoon, 3776 cased and open C., 366 wolverines, 111 lynx, 7 buffalo robes, 310 swan, 44 badgers, 2 loupserviers, 5 ground hogs, and 16 casks, one keg and 1 case of castorum.

A very considerable portion of the trade of this pro* The commerce of this port, has since very much increased.