Page:Letter from L. J. Papineau and J. Neilson, Esqs., Addressed to His Majesty's Under Secretary of State on the Subject of the Proposed Union of the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada.djvu/11

 consolidated into one, sometimes assembled in London, sometimes in Dublin, or at any intermediate place, could hardly be expected to do any thing but mischief in their legislative capacity; unless, indeed, they should agree to render their new Act of Incorporation nugatory, by legislating separately for their respective localities.

The settled parts of Upper Canada and Lower Canada, from Chaleurs Bay and Gaspé, to Soult St. Marie, situated between Lakes Superior and Huron, already extend from north-east to south-west upwards of fifteen hundred miles; throughout which the communications are partly by land, partly by water; in boats or upon the ice; on the ground or on the snow, according to the seasons, the time of commencement of which varies between the two extremes fully four months in the year. The communication between Lower Canada and the London and western districts of Upper Canada, is in fact more difficult and uncertain at some seasons, than between Montreal and London.

The Members of the Assemblies generally in the Colonies, can derive no individual advantage from their trust. It is an onerous public duty; and it is well known that there is scarcely an individual to be found in any of the North American Colonies, who is not forced to engage in some industrious pursuit for the support of himself and