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/32

 have not yet heard of any representation from the Constitutional Authorities of either Province on this subject. The whole matter relating to revenue between the two Provinces now lies between the Colonial Executives and His Majesty's Government in England; and it must, at least, be a matter of mutual congratulation to the inhabitants of both Provinces, that it is in the hands of those who can have no interest in an unfair division of the proceeds of the taxes, and that a potent engine for exciting misunderstanding among those whose dearest interests lie in friendly union, no longer exists.

We have heard, indeed, in the Colonies, motives alleged for changes in the Constitution of Lower Canada; but as they bear the character of party, of prejudice, and even hatred, of the inhabitants of that Province, they never can be supposed to influence the British Government. There appeals have been made to the right of conquest against a people who have been for two generations native born British subjects; foreign attachments and feelings have been ascribed to those, who have twice voluntarily hazarded their lives and fortunes to preserve their allegiance to the British Crown. No calumny, no misrepresentation, has been spared against those who have uniformly walked in the path of honour and of duty, and who, if they were unfortunately torn from that allegiance, which connects them with the