here he
says much on this absorbing question, from which, by an easy transition,
he passes to speak of the proposed annexation of Canada to the United
States. As what he says on the latter topic concerns America, and is a
prophetic voice, I have obtained permission to copy it for this
collection.

"Race, religion, language, traditions, are becoming bonds of union, and
not the parchment title-deeds of sovereigns. These instincts maybe
thwarted for the day, but they are too deeply rooted in nature and in
usefulness not to prevail in the end. I look with less interest to these
struggles of races to live apart for what they want to undo, than for
what they will prevent being done in future. _They will warn rulers that
henceforth the acquisition of fresh territory, by force of arms, will
only bring embarrassments and civil war_, instead of that increased
strength which, in ancient times, when people were passed, like flocks
of sheep, from one king to another, always accompanied the incorporation
of new territorial conquests.

"This is the secret of the admitted doctrine, that we shall have no more
wars of conquest or ambition. In this respect _you_ are differently
situated, having vast tracts of unpeopled territory to tempt that
cupidity which, in respect of landed property, always disposes
individuals and nations, however rich in acres, to desire more. This
brings me to the subject of Canada, to which you refer in your letters.

"I agree with you, that _nature has decided that Canada and the United
States must become one, for all purposes of free intercommunication_.
Whether they also shall be united in the same federal government must
depend upon the two parties to the union. I can assure you that there
will be no repetition of the policy of 1776, on our part, to prevent our
North American colonies from pursuing their interest in their own way.
If the people of Canada are tolerably unanimous in wishing to sever the
very slight thread which now binds them to this country, I see no reason
why, if good faith and ordinary temper be observed, it should not be
done amicably. I think it would be far more likely to be accomplished
peaceably, _if the subject of annexation were left as a distinct
question_. I am quite sure that _we_ should be gainers, to the amount of
about a million sterling annually, if our North American colonists would
set up in life for themselves and maintain their own establishments, and
I see no reason to