EMIGRATION AND THE COLONIES 863 but we can see, as we read his report. how clearly he realised 40 an the magnitude of the interests involved in North America alone. “An almost boundless range of the richest soil still remains unsettled, and may be rendered available for the purposes of agriculture. The wealth of inexhaustible forests of the best timber in America, and of extensive regions of the most valuable minerals. have as yet been scarcely touched. Along the whole line of sea-coast, around each island, and in every river, are to be found the greatest and richest fisheries in the world. The best fuel and the most abundant water- power are available for the coarser manufactures, for which an easy and certain market will be found. Trade with other continents is favoured by the possession of a large number of safe and spacious harbours; long, deep and numerous rivers, and vast inland seas, supply the means of easy intercourse; and the structure of the country generally affords the utmost facility for every species of communication by land. Un- bounded materials of agricultural, commercial and manufac- turing industry are there: it depends upon the present decision of the Imperial Legislature to determine for whose benefit they are to be rendered available. The country which has founded and maintained these Colonies at a vast expense of blood and treasure, may justly expect its compen- sation in turning their unappropriated resources to the account of its own redundant population; they are the rightful patrimony of the English people, the ample appanage is the hope which God and Nature have set aside in the New World for ig those whose lot has assigned them but insufficient portions pois in the Old. Under wise and free institutions these great and advantages may yet be secured to your Majesty's subjects; tn and a connexion secured by the link of kindred origin, and i mutual benefits may continue to bind to the British Empire te world. the ample territories of its North American Provinces, and the large and flourishing population by which they will assuredly be filled.” He concluded with a vigorous protest against the prevailing carelessness. “It is by a sound system of colonization that we can render these extensives regions available for the benefit of the British people. The mis- 4 Reports, 1889. xviI. 7.