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 waterpower
 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. Unbounded
 materials of agricultural, commercial and manufacturing
 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 compensation
 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.