§ Mr. S. Rice, in calling on the Committee to assent to a Resolution, granting 40,750l., to complete the sum required by the estimate of the year 1830, for the Rideau Canal, called its attention to the expense which had already been incurred. Several estimates had been framed in the progress of the work, and a sum of 300,000l. had been added to the original estimate in consequence of difficulties occurring from the nature of the ground. A Committee of Engineers who last examined the works had reported that they might be completed for 160,000l. in addition to the 572,000l. already expended. This sum it was proposed to spread over the four years up to 1831; but it was now found that 440,000l. would be necessary; and as the Government were not prepared to make a demand to that extent, or to any extent without the most diligent inquiry into its propriety, they required merely the sum which would become due for the present year, according to the original agreement.
Mr. Warburtongave the Government credit for its candour, but protested against any further expenditure, as the regulations with respect to trade would render the canal totally useless for the purposes which were originally contemplated. No commodities, such as the canal was intended to convey, would now be required from Canada.
§ Mr. Maberlyalso protested against any further expenditure of British capital on the canal, and ridiculed the idea of fortifying 1,700 miles of frontier at the expense of 5,000,000l. to be paid by this country.
Mr. Laboucherehad, from a conviction of its necessity, always voted for this expenditure on the canal and fortifications, and he was still prepared to contend that; they should be completed. It was the duty of the Government to provide for the adequate defence of its possessions; and by no other means than those now in progress could they procure a thoroughly defensible line of frontier, although he was not prepared to say that the Government might not have been much deceived with 795 respect to the amount of expenditure required for that purpose. The most efficient barrier against an invader was, however, a contented and satisfied population; and he hoped that some attention would now be paid to the Civil Administration of Canada, as he was confident all matters in dispute could be adjusted with very little difficulty.
§ Mr. Goulburndefended the conduct of the late Government with respect to Canada and the Rideau Canal; and contended that it had never agreed to advance a single shilling without calling on a Board of Engineers to examine the works, and make a report of their condition, and the probable expense of completing them. The original sum stated to be required for the canal was only 150,000l.; but when the forest was! cleared, and the ground opened, it was found that 300,000l. more would be necessary; and a Board of Engineers were twice called on to examine the works before it was agreed that this sum should be expended.
§ Mr. Maberlyrepeated his protest against the expenditure of so much British capital upon the fortification of the frontier line of Canada.
§ Sir H. Hardingewas sure that it would be found, on inquiry, that the Rideau Canal expense had been much exaggerated as compared with its advantages. It should be borne in mind, that the mere transport expense of the British army in the last war with America up the St. Lawrence was very nearly 1,000,000l. per annum, the charge being 630,000l. for the transport of ammunition and provisions alone, and that that charge more than exceeded the cost of the Rideau Canal, by means of which these transports could be made with great facility and little charge in future. Then, when it was recollected that our maritime, and thence our commercial superiority over America, depended in a great degree on our maintaining a good line of frontier, of which the Rideau Canal was the main chain, he was sure hon. Members would not be too eager to cavil at the expense we had already gone to, and might feel necessary to continue till the original design was complete. He was confident that the day on which we gave up that frontier, with all our works on it, to America, would be the date of her maritime superiority, and, as a consequence, of our maritime decline.
Mr. Alderman Waithmanconcurred in opinion upon the subject with his hon. friend the member for Bridport.
§ Resolution agreed to; as also a Resolution for granting the sum of 71,758l. 9s. 7d. to complete the sum voted in the last Session for Miscellaneous Services in Ireland.