I have just observed from the newspapers of this morning, that
Mr. Hume is to bring on his motion respecting the Ionian Islands
to-morrow, and' the consideration of abuses in North American Co-
lonies may do well to go hand in hand with that ; although there
Is a very different course of policy to be pursued with these colonies.
The former, no doubt, must be abandoned ; the latter should be
retained, cherished, confederated, and, after a given period, have
freedom to act for themselves. In my petition, presented by Mr.
Hume, 27tli February last, I endeavoured to set forth objects worthy
oi attention, regarding North American Colonies, which will bear
review. The fact, that a judicious disposal of unappropriated lands
would bring 'in a considerable revenue is important, not only in
point of economy towards this country, but in justice to the inhabi-



148

iants of Upper danada, to whom several hundred thousand poandi
are due, for losses sustained in the late war with the United States,
which could .be speedily made good to them out of the land sales.
Were a commission, consisting of plain business men sent out to sur-
vey and report, as to the public lauds, they would see into this at
once. Perhaps, indeed, documents, which must be in possession of
the Colonial Department, could be obtained by a motion for that
purpose, from which estimates could be immediately made of the
value of these lauds, laying in a state, at present, worse than useless.
There is, in shorf, a vast field for inquiry and improvement ; but it
would be improper for me, at present, farther to engage your valu-
able time, than merely to hint at such a matter as this, obvious, prac-
ticable, and pressing for notice.
