Edited Text
_—— ,
Nha
and one of these gentlemen being absent from
Charlottetown, it was necessary to get as.
sistance. The hon. member from Cascumpec
had taken the impost accounts of Georgetown
for one year, but be would find that the ac-
counts of the revenue received at that port
during, say, the last five years, would show
that the salary proposed was not unreason-
able.
Hon. Mr. Pors was not particular as to
the sum proposed te be sesigned te the, Col-
Jector at Georgetown. The resolution had
reference only to the shire towns of Prince |
and King’s Counties, and the consideration
which induced the Government to propose
the specific amounts waa, that in the ports of |
Georgetown and Bedeque, although the busi- |
ness might and doubtless would fluctuate, the |
Collectors had te devote their wholv time to!
it. They should, therefore, be reasonably |
compensated for the time which they would!
otherwise employ in private business, With | provide that if, after the death of a father, |
a
he hoped would be remedied in futute.
the Commigsioner at any time departed from
his instructions, he should state his reasons
ern
' for doing so.
Hon. Mr. Pope observed that the remarks
made by the hon. member (Mr. Conroy)
were called for. He observed by the Road
' Returns of some of the Road Commissioners,
that moneys had not always been appropri-
ated as directed by the Road Seales of that
House. It would, therefcre, 1
that instructions be given to such Commis-
sioners, through the Boad Correspondent,
not to expend money for any other purpose
than that for which it was appropriated by |
that Louse.
On motien of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the Bill relating to Wills, Legacies and Exe-
cutors, was committed to a Committee of the
whole House. Mr. McLennan in the chair
The principal feature of this Bil' is to
be necessary |
ir of opinion that the details of the scheme, as
‘contained in the Report of the Quebec Con-
ference, were not just and liberal to the Is-
lland. After which the debate was again
adjourned. [louse adjourned.
Tvespay, March 28.
| The Hon. Leader of the Goyernment_sub-
mitted a message from His Excellency the
| Lieutenant Governor, transmitting the Report
of the Adjutant General of Militia for the
year 1864. .
The House in Committee on Pauper Scales
|which progress was reported.
| The House in Committee on matters relat-
ling to Roads, Bridges and Wharts, and
|after some time spent therein, progress was
| reported. ; f ;
The House then again spent some time in
, Committee on the report of the Committee
on new Roads.
Objection was taken to the opening of a
reference to the observation on political hon- | any of his children shall die intestate, with- | road at Bay Fortune, as recommended by
esty which had fallen from hig hon. colleague | out wife or children, during the lifetime of | said Report, on the grounds that the law in
(Mr. Howat), he claimed to be 4s honest as, the mother, every brother and sister, and) ..4) cases would not authorise the House in
chat gentleman. Ile had never pledged him-|
velf to particular details, nor would he do so. |
lt that hon. member were inthe present, or|
the representative of them, shall have an
equal share, with the said mother of the
deceased, of the property of such intestate
‘opening said road,
| Hon. Mr. Beaton moved that the report
‘of the Committee, touching the opening of
acy other Government, he would find it dif-| Executors of Wills are also vested with cer-| that road, be adopted ; and explained the de-
ficult to carry it on, if they who had been, tain powers and interests over the estates! i ahility and advantages of extending the
y , . ¥ ~
elested as its supporters should be constantly |
harping at every vote proposed. If the hon.
member was prepared to sacrifice the Go-
vernment, let him avow his intention todo so. |
He could assure him that he was not trusted |
committed to their charge.
The Bill was reported agreed to.
The Bill to amend the Law of Real Estate
was read a third time and passed,
The Bill to compel Masters of Vessels to
| road in question to the sea shore. :
A counter petition against the completion
jof that road, was then alluded | to; after
| which it was resolved that the Government
| be authorized to appoint a Commmission to
by the Opposition, nor did he believe in any | exhibit a ight while in harbour, daring the! ..umine into the real merits of the case, with
man clearing hia skirts at the expense of bis\ night-time, was also read a third time and) i}, yew of ascertaining the necessity or
party. He(Hon. Mr. Pope) had always been |
willing to assume the responsibilities of bis}
position without reference to consequences| went into Committee on the report of the}
persone! to himself.
Mr. Howar had not, in the obseryations he}
had made, intended to cast any reflections
upon hon. members who might differ ia}
opinion from himself. He had merely ez-|
pressed his own views, and in doing so he |
was but doing his duty to himself and bis|
constituents. He felt bound to adhere to his
public pledges. and he bad been elected to
support the Government, but only as far as
he considered their policy to be right. He
had objected to the reyival of the ofjve of So-
licitor General, which seemed to indicate an
intention of increasing the number of officials. |
Hen. Mr. Copes approved of the course
adopted by the Government in paying speci-
fic salaries to the Collectors at Sun merside
and Georgetawa. Lle had no objection to
the amount proposed for the Collector at
Summerside, but thought £175 too much
for the officer at Georgetown. He suggested
that £150 would be sufficient.
Hon. Mr. Pore had no objection.
Mr. Beecgen explained that the unusual
amount paid to Queen's Counsel just year
was caused by the absence of the hon. Attor- |
ney General in England. The renewal of |
public contracts, the preparation of those be-|
tween the Goverument and the Steain Navi-
gation Company, and those relative to the|
construction of important public works, had}
oceupied so mach of his time that be was of
opinion that he had not charged enough.
lion. Mr. Coies.—As the Attorney Gene-
ral, while absent, bad been in receipt of his
full salary, and had his expenses defrayed by |
the Government, be shou!d have pai ior the
work allusied to.
Ilon. Mr. Lainp.—If the salary of any
officer ehould be increased it was that of the
Controller at Charlottetown. With reference
to the appointment of Solicitor General, 1}
had no objection to the gentleman on whom |
the office had been conferred, but for four)
e oficial on tl n .
a ag «po ms Nets ee £100 aoe ment of a Grammar School at that place.
of the House.
enoagh for the office, and not having been |
eonsuited on the subject, he had no idea that |
it was intended tv give more thun that)
amount.
Hon. Mr. Loxeworta.—It could not be
expected that any Government could fill the |
principal offices of a country without affixing |
to them ealaries proportionate to the time to|
be oceupied in the duties of the office, and}
the talents requis.te for the proper discharge |
of those duties. As @ member of the legal |
profession, it might be supposed that his|
views were tinged with a shade of sclf-inte-|
rest in dealing with the subject of the salary |
of the Solicitor General. Such, bowever, |
was not the case; and if the necessity of
having a law officer in the House were ad-
mitted, and the acceptance of the oflice im-
posed upon a member the necessity of re-
election, it must be evident thas £100 was)
too smali remuneration for the services of a|
gentleman whose office required the possession |
of talents and education, which, he was)
happy to eay, were combined in the present | be
Selicitor Geseral in a very high degre.
The resvlution was carried. giving to the
Collector at Summerside £175, to that at
Georgetown £150 per ansum
SUMMARY OF THE PROUEEDINGS OF |
THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
Satvrpar, Marcel: 25.
Mr. MeLennan, Chairman of the Commit-
tee to whom were referred sundry petitions
relating to the opening of new roads, sub-
mitted a report, which was received and
read, and ordered to be submitted to a
Committee of the whole House on Monday
next.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the Bill to amend the Land Purchase Act
was submitted to a Committee of the whole
ri0use— MT. Liowlan In the chair.
Hon. Solicitor General explained that the
object of the Bill was to abolish the restric-
tions in regard to the minimum prices fixed
by the Act on the wilderness land of the
Worrell Estate. It was, therefore, necessary
to amend the law s9 as to authrize the Go-
verniment to lessen the prices of said lands
whick could not be sold at the present fixed
rates. Portions, at all events, of those waste
lands, he eaid, would be sold, provided the
prices were lowered.
Hons. Messrs. Coles, Hensley, Colonial
Secretary, Davins, Laird, Longworth, Pope,
Gray, and Messrs. Sinclair and Sutheland,
addressed the Committee on the object of the
Bik.
During the debate, it was considered ad-
visable te retain the clause in the Act limit-
ing the quantity of land sold to any one per-
sun to 300 aeres. After which the Bill was
reperted agreed to.
pass d.
On motion of Mr. McLennan, the Ilouse
special committee on new roads, Mr. Sin-
clair in the chair.
Said Report was then read, during which
objections were taken to the recommenda-
tions of the Committee relative to the open-
ing of some new roads, a compliance with
which would be contrary to the established
principles of that House.
Mr. Howat explai ed the peculiarly em-
barrassing situa:ion of the parties alluded to
in the report, especially those resident on
ot 28, and contended that the road asked
for by such would provs a general benefit to
the travelling public. A counter-petition
however, was presented, objecting to the
road in question.
| otherwise of completing the road in ques‘ion.
| Is was also resolved that a similar Commis-
sion be appointed to report on the road asked
for on Lot 20. After some further discussion,
ent other localitiesalluded to, the Report was
agreed to with amendments. —
“Hon. Solicitor General submitted a Bill to
amend the Militia Laws of the Island, which
was received and read, and ordered to be read
a second time to-morrow.
Hon. Mr. Longworth, Chairman of the
Committee appointed to bring in a bill re-
lating to the appointment of Clerks of Magis-
trates Courts throughout the Island. The
hon. member then explained the object of
‘this Bill, and the duties imposed on Clerks
rr appointed, relative to forwarding returns
to the Prothonotary’s. Office previous to the
The Keport was then amended, and pro- meetings of the terms of the Supreme Courts
gtess reported thereon.
AFTERNOON,
On motion of the Hon Mr. Pope, the Re-
venue Bill was read a third time and passed. |
('n motion of the Hon. Mr. Longworth, |
the Bill relating to the Estate of the late J.)
H. Winsloe, by which tenants on that Estate |
ean secure the titles of their farms, was also)
read a third time and passed.
On motion of Hon. Mr. Davies, the Bil)
to amend the Union Bank Act, for the par-|
pose of altering the time for bolding the an-|
nual meetings of that Institution, was read |
a second time and agreed to. |
Mr. Brecken moved that the House go into
Committee on a Bill to amend the Incorpor-
ation Act of the City of Charlottetown; and
in doing so explained the principal altera-
tions recommended by the said Bill,
Llon. Mr. Laird moved an amendment,
that the House go into Committee thereon
this day three months.
The said amendment having been negatived,
progress was reported.
Hon. Col. Gray presented a petition from
the Rev. Alexander McLean, and other in-
habitants of Eildon, praying for the establish-
The hon. member, in recommending the
petition to the favorable consideration of the
House, said that a great many young men,
in that rising place, were anxious to acquire
a knowledge of the higher branches of edu-
cation, preparatory to their entering College
The laudable object of the petition he there-
fore hoped would be favorably supported.
ito amend the Land Purchase Act.
of the Island; after which the Bill was re-
ceived and read, and ordered to be read a
second time to-morrow.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the House went into Committee on the Bill
Mr.
tlowlan in the Chair.
| The Bili was then read by the Chairman,
clause by clause, and agreed to with certain
amendments.
On motion of the Hon. Mr. Davies, the
Bill to amend the Union Bank Act was read
a third time amd passed.
On motion of the Hon. Leader of the Go--
vernment, the Bill to assist Leaseholders in
the purchase of the fee simple of their farms,
was read a third time and passed.
Louse adjourned.
AFTERNOON.
On motion of the Hon Solicitor General,
the Bill relative to Wills, Legacies, and
Testators, was read a third time and passed
Hon. Mr. Longworth, Chairman of the
Committee on Private Bulls, recommended
that the Bill to incorporate the Presbyterian
Church at Woodville and Little Sands be
exempt from the charge of fees payable
thereon.
Hon. Col. Gray then moved that the House
| go into Committee on the Bill to incorporpte
ithe Church at Woodville, &¢. Mr. Green
in the chair.
The said Bill was then read, clause by
clause, and reported agreed to.
The Pauper Seales were then again taken
up in Committee and disposed of.
Owing, however, to the established rulv of
the House, which provides that ell petitions
praying for money grants should be forward-
ed to the office of the Cul. Secretary, pre-
viously to the opening of the Legislature, the
said petition was ordered to be withdrawn,
the remedy being with the Executive Coun-
ceil or the Board of Education.
Hon. Col. Gray then presented a petition
praying for the Incorporation of a Presby-
terian Church at Woodville and Little Sands ;
which petition was received and read, and
referred to a Committee to report thereon.
Hon. Col. Gray, chairman of the said
Committee, submitted a Bill, which was re-|
ceived and read, and ordered to be referred
the Private Bill Committee to report
thereon.
On motion of the Hon. J.C. Pope,seconded
by the Ion. Solicitor General, the Bill to
enable tenants to purchase the fee simple of
| their farms, was submitted to a Committet
of the whole House.
The principles of tha’ important Bill re-
ceived the general approval of hon members
on both sides of the House ; the object of
which was to aid and assist tenants to pur-
chase the freehold interest of their farms, by
| advancing them one-half the purchase money,
iimiting the same to 16s 8d per acre, cur-
reney ; one-hall of which, namely, 8s 4d per
acre, to be loaned by the Government for a
period of ten years, payable by instalments,
and bearing interest at 6 per cent. The
money to be obtained, for the accomplish-
ment af that ohjeet. hy the issue of Dehon-
tures amounting, for the present,to £50,000.
Hon. Mr. Coles said it was not his inten
tion to oppose the Bill, bat he had hoped
that two-thirds of the purchase money might,
with all propriety, be advanced to tenants
fine them to one-half, as proposed in the Bull.
The Bill, after some further discussion,
was read clause by clause, and reported
agreed to.
When the IIon. Mr. Coles moved that it
be recommitted, for the purpose of amending
the same by a Resolution, which he then
submitted, to the effect that two-thirds, and
not one-half, the purchase money be ad-
vanced; and also to allow for any instal-
men's paid by tenants, who might produce a
receipt for the same, to the Commissioner of
Publie Lands, said receipt being for the pay-
ment of ouve-third of said purchase money of
their farms. He said that he was desirous
On motion of the Hon. Mr. Davies, the
Hlouse reeolved itself into a Committee of the
whole to resume the consideration of Supply.
Several Resolutions were then reported
from Supply and agreed to.
Hon. Solicitor General presented a petition |
i
from divers inhabitants of Georgetown ask-
ing permission to erect a Pound on the pub-|
lic square of that Town.
Said petition was referred to the following |
special Committee to report thereon. viz :|
Hons. Solicitor General, gar Kaye.
On motion of the Hou. Mr. Laird, the
House resumed the debate on the subject of
Colonial Confederation.
Hoa. Col. Gray opened the debate by de-
liverieg a long speech in favor of Confeder-
ation.
He was followed by the fIon. Mr. Warbur-
tom, who epoke in opposition to the proposed
Union. After which that important debate
was again adjourned till Monday next.
Won. Mr. Pope then introduced a Bill by
which to assiet Tenants to purchase the fee!
simple of their farme. He said the ob ject of |
the Bill was to advance money to Tenants to
the extent of one half the purchase «money
necessary to obtain the fee simple o! their
farm. The money, thus advanced, to be
secured on the property and repaid with in-
terest, by annual instalments extending toa
term of ten years. To acccmplish that ob-
ivet, he said the Gill authurized the Govern-
ment to isswe debentures to the extent of
450,000 currency, which amount might here-
aiter be inereased, if necessary, for the pur-
pose of finally abolishing that leasehold!
system which had retarded the progress and |
prosperity of the Colony.
The Bili was then reeeived and read, and
ordered to be read a second time on Monday
next. House adjourned.
Mowvay, March 27.
(ln motion of the Hon. Mr. Pope, the
dlouse went into Committee on the appropri-
ation for Koads and Bridges.
Whéie in Comamittee on this subject, Mr
Conroy remarked that the Roud Commision
ers had not always expended the grants of
thas Hows2 im accordance with the Road
Seajes put jato their hands. There was, he
of the Quebec Conference.
to have that amendment inserted in the Bill,
that Mr. Haythorne’s offer might be carried
/out, which he had read to the House pre-
| viously to going into Committee; for he
thought that if the tenants on the estate of
that gentleman could get rid of all their back
rents, by the Government advancing three-
fifths, that amount should be paid by the
Government.
In reply to that Resolution, the Lon.
Leader of the Government remarked that the
suggestions therein contained received due
consideration before the Bill was submitted
to the Llouse, which, if carried out, would
necessarily involve a heavy loss, as all Pro-
prietors, who had a number of the very poor-
est class of tenants from whom no rent could
be received, would willing|y give such tenants
a receipt for one-third the purchase money
tor the sake of getting the other two-thirds
from the Government. ‘To prevent that, the
Bill c atemplated that all the purchase
money should pass through the hands of the
Land Commissioner. As for the tenants on
Mr. Llaythorne’s estate, it could not be ex-
pected that the House couid legislate exclu-
sively for their benefit; and if the agree-
menis entered into between those tenants
and their landlord were as advantageous to
them as hud been represented by the hon.
leader of the Opposition, he did not see that
they required any special aid.
The question was then put on the amend-
ment of the Hon. Mr. Coles, and negatived
on the following division, viz :
Por the amendment—tLlons. Messrs. Coles,
Whelan, Warburton, Hensley, Thornton,
Kelly, Beaton; Messra. Howlan, Sinclair,
Walker and Conroy—11,
Against it—Hons, Messrs. Pope,Longworth,
Col, Secretary, Laird, Sol. General, Davies,
Kaye; Messrs. Liaslam, Montgomery, Yeo,
Green, McLennan, Howat, Brecken, Ramsay
and Duancan—16.
The Bill was accordingly agreed to.
Tie debate on the question of Colonial
Confederation was thea resumed, and kept
up till a very late hour.
lion. Mr. Hensley und Mr. Brecken spoke
in opposition to the proposed Union scheme
lon. Mr. Davies aid he was in favour of
for the purchase of their farms, and not con-_
| consideration of the appropriation for Roads,
| Bridges and Wharts, and reported the same
jagreed to.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the Bill to amend the laws relating to the
better administration of Justice, was com-
mitted. Mr. Yeo in the chair.
Lon. Sol. General explained the changes
in the practice sought to be introduced by
of Writ to be served upon corporate bodies,
plaintiff to file common bail in suits against
incorporate Companies, in accordance with
the present practice in suits between indi-
viduals. Another provision in the Bill was
for the relief of parties sued by executors or
administrators, rendering them liable to the
consequences of litigation in the saine manner
as were private individuals. ‘The Bill also
provided ior liability to pay interest on open
accounts after demand and notice. It also
authorized the adoption of legal proceedings,
in the form of signature, used by any de-
fendant in subscribing to any contract.
Rights of action in cases of tort, were, by
the Bull, reserved to the personal represen-
tatives of deceased individuals. It also pro-
vided that in the case of Notes drawn,
payable in specific articles, the plaintiff
should not be compelled to prove value re-
ceived, and gave the privilege of paying mo-
ney into Court in cases of fort. It also
der for leave to plead more than une plea in
suits in the Supreme Court.
| After some time spent in Committee, Juring
which several hon. members spoke on the
principles of the iil,
_ Mr. Montgomery objected to that claus>
rendering parties liable tu the payment of
interest on accounts, as he considered it
would tend to encourage litigation, and be
productive of no benefit to the debtor.
Mr. Howat also offered some objections to
that clause.
Progress thereon was then reported.
The adjourned debate on the subject of
Colonial Confederation was then resumed.
Hon. Mr. Hensley continued his speech of
the previous evening, expressive of his views
on that subject. He said he would not go so
far as to say he was against Union altoge-
ther, but was of opinion that the dearest in-
terests of the Island would be injured by the
adoption of the principles of the Quebec
Covvention. Le spoke at consideranle length,
and was followed by the Ion. Solicitor Gene-
ral, who entered fully into the whole ques-
tion, in defence of the Union side of the sub-
ect.
. Mr. Ifowlan followed and delivered a long
address in opposition to the views held by
the advocates of Confederation.
The debate was then again adjourned, and
ata late hour the Mouse adjourned till 10
o’clock to-morrow.
WEDNESDAY, March 29.
Hon. Mr. Pope submitted the account of sales
of the Steck imported to this Island last year,
which was received and read.
‘The Report of the Adjutant General of Militia,
which bad been previously submitted, was also
read,
Mr. Brecken moved that the House go into
Committee on the petition of divers inhabitants
of Charlottetown, asking the House to appropriate
part of Government House Grounds for a Military
Parade Ground, and a Park for recreation of
Citizens and other inbabitants of P, E, Island. |
After some discussion on the subject of the!
petition, it was submitted to a Committee of the!
whole House. Mr. Yeo in the ehair.
[he petition was then received and read, and
after some further discussion, during which the
desirability of procuring a portion of the domain
attached to Government House grounds as a place
fora Parade and Recreation ground, was gene-
rally admitted by bon. members.
Mr. Brecken then submitted a resolution to the
effect that, in the opinion of that Committee, it
was expedient that a Bill should be passed, au-
thorizing the dedication of a portion of the Go-
vernwent House farm to the purposes of a Parade
ground for the Militia and Volunteers, and as a}
Park or place of reereation; and also that au
address be presented to Her Majesty the Queen, |
praying that she willbe graciously pleaced to give
her royal sanction to such dedication. Atter
which progress was reported.
Hon. Mr. Coles read, in his place, a petition
from divers inhabjtants of Marshfield School Dis-
trict, Lot 34, complaining of some of the provisions
of the present School Act, and suggested certain
ameudments. The hon. member observed that
he was aware he could not ask for any action to
be taken on the petition, which had only been very
recently handed to him. He would, however, ask
if it were the intention of the Government to
amend the Schoo] Act during the present Session ?
avid, & lack of attention on this poins which the muin principles of Contederatian,but was
————
relating to the opening of new roads in differ-|
The House ther in Committee, resumed the |
the Bill, which specified the particular form |
abolished the necessity of applying for an or- |
Fe gh a
——
Hon. Mr. Longworth veplie
the intention of the Governe
action on the subject of due
| present Session, in consequence
that had elapsed since the present au
had been in Operation, the werits of which
not yet been fairly tes'ed.
APTERNOON.
amended jaw
had
incorporate the Minister and ‘Trustees of
Presbyterian Congregation at Woodville an
Little Sands, was read a third ume aud passed
On motion ot the Hon. Mr. Davies, the Suppler
On motion of the Hon. Col. Gray, the Bill to)
4, that it was not | reason," eaid he, “for pfomptness on the part
ut to entertain any | of the
ation, during the
of the short time |
Canadian Legislature in adopting the reso-
jutions was, to avoid the necessary reaction which
would pervade England from one end to the
other, if it were thought that this project was
abandoned. He believed what more than any-
thing else had raised British Ainerica, or at least
Cavada—its chiet component part—in the esti-
vation of Englatid, was that by this scheme we
offered a means by whijeh these colonies would
cease to be a source of embarrassment, and be
in fact a sgurce of strength. ‘That feeling per-
yaded England, and the reaction that would tul-
Jow its disappointment would be very great. ile
jmeutary Kstimates for the Current year were
reported several resolutions agreed to, after jsubumitted, and referred to the House when in)
| Committee on Supply.
|” Hon. Mr. Coles asked for returns of the number
of acres of land purehased by ‘the Government
last year, and the price paid tor the sawe.
Hon. Mr, Davies said he thought that the Ac-
eountsand Returns from the Laud Office, already
| before the House, ‘uruished the necessary iulor-
To diel Leader of the Government, shortly
afterwards, produced mel we gy of the Laud
‘ jssjouer the paper asked tor,
Oe cctiod of the Hos. Solicitor General, the
Mihtia Bill was read asecond time and committed.
eo in the chair.
og Hos. Selicitur General explained the Bill,
and said that it repealed the Act 14 Vic. cap 6,
and thereby revived certain Acts therein men-
tioned. ‘The repeal of said Act, he said, would
enable the Commauder-in-Chiet to cali out the
Militia, if occasion required.
After some debate on the subject, the Bill was
agreed to without any amendment.
The House resumed Committee on Supply, and
reported several Resolutions agreed to. ;
Mr. Yeo, Chairman of the Committee appointed
to examine the Public Accounts, presented their
Report, which was ordered to be committed toa
Committee of the whole House to-morrow,
On motion of the Hon. Mr. Longworth, the
Bill relating to the appointment of Clerks of Jus-
tices of the Peace, was submitted toa Committee
lof the whole House. Hon. Mr. Beaton in the
chair.
Hon. Mr. Longworth then explained the object
of the Bill, which authorizes Justices ef the Peace,
in any district of the Island, if they think proper,
to appoint a Clerk, for whose acts the said Jus-
tices should be responsible. The duties of such
the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the
County in which he shall hold his office; such
Returns to be forwarded to said office at least four
days previous to the holding of the respective
Sessions of the said Supreme Court. Those Re-
turns to contain a record of all convictions before
such Justices of the Peace from whom he may
hold his appointment, together with the amount
of fines ordered by sneh Justices, and the manner
in whieh they might have been levied and distri-
buted,
On motion of Me, McLennan, a Resolution was
adopted, to the effect that an address be presented
to His Excellency the Lieut. Gevernor on the
subject of the report of the Comuittee.
Hon. Solicitor General, agreeably to notice,
introdueed a Bill to amend the law relating to the
Agricultural Society, so as to alter the time for
holding the annual meeting of that Society.
The House in Committee thereon. Mr. Yeo
:in the ebair.
/ Several hon. members then spoke of the neces-
: sity of resuscitating that institution, with the view
of rendering it more generally useful to the Agri-
cultwwral interests of the Colony.
Progress was then reported.
The adiourned question on the subject of Colo-
nial Confederation was :hen resumed; the debate
was opened by :
The Hon. Mr Longworth, whe delivered a long
speech condemnatory of the principles upon which
were based the Report of the Quebee Conierence,
the adoption of which, he said, would be subver-
sive of the best rights and liberties of the veople
| of this Colony.
He was followed by Messrs. Sinelair and Howat.
both of whom spoke against Union, and con-
demned the scheme propounded by the Constitu-
tion agreed upon at the Quebee Conference.
|} The debate was then adjourved till toanorrew
jafternoon, After which the House adjourved till
10 o'clock to-morrow.
Tacrspay, March 3.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General, the
House in Committee resumed the consideration of
the Bill to amend the laws for the better adminis-
tration of Justice.
| After some vernarks from Messrs Howat, Dunean,
| Montgomery, and the Hons Messrs Hensley, Bea
ton and the Solicitor General, the Bill was amended
|on motion of Mr Montgomery, by striking out the
| clanse authorizing Execuators or Administrators to
Aiter
destrain for rent due deceased landlords.
‘
} which it was reported agreed to.
|
| Committee te bring in the Appropriation Bill, viz:
| Hon Mr Davies and Messrs McLeunan and Yeo.
The Bill to appoint Clerks w Justices of the
| Peace, and to regulate proceedings had betore them,
was read a third time and passed.
| ‘The Bill relating to Militia was also read a third
time and passed,
Hon. Solicitor General, having obtained leave,
and also designated the parties on Whom | introduced a Bill to amend the Act passed during |
such Writ should be served, and enable the} the present Sessicn, relative to Pickled Fish. He |
explained that certain restrictions were placed by
the Bill recently passed to which strong objections
| were taken by gentlenien extensively engaged in
| the Fisheries of the Island. He, therefore, felt it
| to be his duty to bring the matter under the cousi-
| deration of the House, in order that the Act in
| question might be repealed or amended so as to offer
every facility to those engaged in that important
branch of industry.
Mr Howlan opposed the views taken on the mat-
ter by the Hion Solicitor General, and contended
| tha* the provisions of the Bill, which had just re-
|
; ceived the sanction of that House, were caleulated |
| to give acharacter to our trade in the article of
| Fish, and would also foster aud encourage our
Fisheries
Hon. Mr. Bexton also defended the Inspection
a Government Brand, the securing of the trade of
the Island a “ status,” the want of which has
hitherto been a serious loss to those engaged in the
Fishery trade.
Hon. Mr. Davies said that he would not support
any restrictive policy on that subject; the objectof
the Bill, recently passed, was to zivea character to
|} our Fish in markets abroad—an object highly ne-
cessary. He would, however, support any measure
that would facilitate trade, dnd remove any un-
necessary restrictions that may have been imposed
by the Act-
The House then went into Committee on the Bill.
Mr. Yeo in the eliair.
Hons Messrs. Coles, J.C. Pope, Davies, Solicitor
General, and Messrs. Duncan, Howlan and Me-
Lennan, addressed the Committee on the subject of
the Bill, during which hon. members on both sides
conearred in the propriety of offering every en-
conragement and facility to the trade of the Island
with the United States, by the removal of any ob
straction whieh might be deemed inexpedient.
Ion. Solicitor General then moved an amendment
to the Act, to the effect that all Pickled Fish land-
ed on the Island, from on board any vessel belong-
ing to any Foreign country, which Fish bave been
caught for, and belong to, any Foreigner, and are
not to be used or consumed on the Island, but all
intended to be re-shipped for exportation to any
Foreign country, shall be exempt from the provi-
sions of the Act passed during the present Session
of the Legislature of the Island, intituled “ An Act
for regulating the Inspection of Pickled Fish for
exportation from this Island.”
Vhich amendment was agreed to; after which
the Bill, as amended, was agreed to.
House adjourned.
AFTERNOON.
The Honse resumed the adjourned debate on the
Union of the Colonies.
Hon. Mr. Kelly opened the debate in opposition
to Colonial Union of any kind, and on any terms.
believing thatzit would retard, rather than advance
the prosperity of this country in every point of
view.
He was followed by Messrs Conroy, Hasiam and
Montgomery, all whom recorded their opposition to
Confederation.
A few remarks was also offered by Mr McLen-
nan, relative to the appointment of the Delegation
to Quebec.
Hon Mr Whelan then rose, and oceupied tayo
hours and a half in delivering a speech in favor of
the principles adopted at the Quebec Conference.
Mr Dunean next spoke in opposition to the pro-
posed scheme, which, he said, would be ruinous to
the general interests of the Colony.
The debate was then, at a very late hour, ad-
journed till to-morrow,
Hon Mr. Pope, a member of the Executive
Council. prevenree the nnnuaal Report of the Visitor
of Schools for the Eastern Section of the Island,
accompanied by an Extract from the minutes of 2
meeting of the Board of Education, beld that day,
regretting that the said Report was not received
in time to be transmitied to the Legislature at an
early period. Which documeuts were then or
dered to be laid on the table,
House adjourned.
A. MeNeitt, Reporter.
CORRESPONDENCE,
CANADA.
--—-
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Toronto, C, W., March 14th, 1864.
THE HOUSE.
The news of the defeat of the Confederation
candidates in New Brunswick, was the most
Clerk should be to make a Return to the Office of
Law, which had for its object, by the adoption of
called theretore on hon. gentlemen not to allow
Canada and British America tu lose the vantage
ground they had gained by showing any signs et
| receding on this question. Another reason why
this matter should be dealt with promptly was
because of its connection with the question of de-
fence—opne wiiich must at once be considered in
view ef the present position of affairs on this con-
tinent. As had already been freqaetitly stated,
this question had engaged the anxious attention
of this Government, and they had been mW con-
tinuous correspondence with the Home Govert-
ment as to the best means of organizing ap eth-
cient defence against every hostile pressure, trot
whatever source it mightcome. ‘They had hoped
that the Confederation scheme would secon have
assumed such an aspect that that question would
have been dealt with by these Provinces as a
whole. They could not disguise from themselves
that the course of events in New Brunswick
would prevent the early united action of these
Provinces on this subject. The question of de-
fence therefore caine up now as between Canada
and England, and the Government felt it Was one
which could no longer be postponed. (Hear,
hear.) . Then there was a third question which
alsu called for immediate action, and that was
the commercial relations between Canada and
the United States. The fact of the consumma-
tion of union being protracted or postponed, and
therefore the construction of the Litercolonial
Railway being postponed, called on the Imperial
Goverument tor Immediate action on that subject.
He would now state to the House the policy. the
Government proposed, in view of these circum-
stances, to pursue, and for which they sought the
support of the House and country. First, they
desired that this debate should be brought to an
end with all convenient speed, and that the House
should, as sven as possible, vote yes or no on these
resulutions. Then, so soon as the address was
carried, the Government intended to ask a vote
of credit from the House, and prorogué Parha-
ment on the earliest day possible thereafter. Un-
finished business would be taken up next session
at the point at which it had reached this. Some
members of the Guverument would proceed to
England for the purpose of discussing and ar-
ranging with the linperial Government the ques-
tion of Confederation in its present aspect, the
question of defenee, and the other important
matters to which he had alluded, and the result
of that mission would be submitted to this House
at an early summer session. (Hear, hear.)
As it may be supposed, this bomb-shell thrown
into the Opposition camp, rather took them by
surprise, and the leaders were wp in arms at
once, and aecused the Government of trying to
coerce them, and to puta step to the debate.
They were very wrathy and protested against the
Their
indignation was very amusing when one consid-
ers the fact that they had been talking for 2
whole month, and had not advanced one single
movement of the “ previous question.”
argument, or given an amendment during the
whele course of the debate... The friends of the
scheme combatted these statements, and ap-
plauded the energy and the determination of the
Government to pursue their policy. This cross
fire was kept up by both sections until Friday
night, or rather Saturday morning, when a. yote
was taken. The House divided on the previous
question, which was earried, Yeas, 25; Nays, 39.
The motion for the address en Confederation
was then put and carried on the following vote :
Yeas—Merssrs. Alleys, Archambault, Ault,
Beaubien, Bell, Bellerese, Blanchet, Bewman,
Bown, Brousseau, Brown, Burwell, Cameron
(Peel), Carling, Cartier, Cartwright, Cauchon,
} Chambers, Chapais, Cockburn, Cornellier, Cow-
an, Currier, DeBoucherville, Denis, DeNiverville,
| Dickson, Dufresne (Montealm), Dunsford, Evan-
turel, Ferguson (Frontenac), Ferguson (South
+| Simeoe), Gait, Gaucher, Gaudet, Gibos, Harwood,
| Haultain, Higgonsou, Howland, Huot, Irvine,
| Jackson, Jones (South Leeds), Jones (North
| Leeds), Kuight, Langevin, LeBeutillier, Atty.
McDougall, McGee, MeGiverin, McIntyre, Me-
Kellar, Mogill, Morris, Morrison, Parker, Pope,
| Poulan, Poupere, Powell, Rankin, Raymond,
Remillard, Robitaille, Rose, Ross (Champlain),
| Ross (Dundas), Ross (Prince Edward), Scoble,
|Shanly, Smith (Durham), Smith (Torente),
Somerville, Stirton, Street, Sylvain, Thompson,
Walsh, Webb, Wells, White. Wilson, Wood,
Wright (East York), Wright (Ottawa)—91.
Navys—Bigger, Bourassa, Cameron, Caron,
Coupal, Dorion (Hochelaga), Dorion ( Arthabas-
ka), Duckett, Dutresne (Lberville), Fortier, Gag-
non, Geoffrion, Holton, Houde, Huntington, Joly,
Labreche-Viger, Lafrombaise, Lajoie, Me Donald
(Cornwall), McDonald (Glengarry), McDonald
(Toronte), O'Halloran, Paquet, Perrault, Pin-
sonneault, Pouliot, Kymai, Seatehered, Tasche-
reau, Thibaudeau, Tremblay, Wallbridge (North
Hastings)—33.
Messrs. Powell, Parker, Gibbs, iTuot, Evantu-
rel, and Gaudet, who voted against the previous
question, voted yea on the main motion.
The House adjourved at half-past four—mem-
bers immediately joining in chorus, “God save
the Queen.”
By referring to the above, it will be seen that
only nine Upper Canadian meinbers voted against
it. The vote was the largest that ever was taken
in the House on any question, and never was the
attendance of members so good as during tbis
debate; knowing tlat the majority would have
been so overwhelining, it reflects great credit upon
the members to see that they were so much in
terested in the result as to sit out so tiresome a
debate in purpose to have their names recorded
on the scroll of fame. Business is being wound
up with alacrity, and I don’t think that the House
wil sit longer than the present week; then Dele-
gates will go to England to lay their plans before
the House of Parliament, and get their support to
do something with the Provinces that still hold
out. There is no doubt but that the passage of
the scheme here will affect the elections still to
come off in New Brunswick, in Nova Scotia, and
with you. The resultof the negotiations with the
Court of St. James will be anxiously looked for,
and on it the future greatness of the British North
Amerieaa Provinces will in a great measure
depend.
THE ST. ALBANS RAIDERS
Are stillin jail. Since I last wrote to you their
case has not advanced a stage, owing to the con-
tinued illness of Judge Smith.
SILVER.
Canada is flooded just now with American
Silver, which is used to the detriment of the Banks
of the Province. Bills have toa great extent dis-
appeared, and the Directors of the Banks are
making toud outeries about the nuisance. The
Board of Trade met to-day and passed a resolu-
tion recommending store-keepers to put a discount
| of four per cent upon it. The recommendation
| has not been adopted by over two-thirds of the
| retail dealers, and a war is being waged. | Pla-
| cards adorn the windows of the shop in which the
silver is taken at par, and a rivalry exists as to
who will get the most customers. The opinior
is beginning to prevail that those who take it at
| par add the per centage on the goods, ‘There is
little doubt but that this is really the ease; and if
it is found to be so, trade will be withdrawn from
these shops.
THE PASSPORT SYSTEM
Ts now abolished as far as Canada is concerned,
and now the trade of passenger travel! over the
Railways is being resumed... When the order was
promulgated the people on the frontier had great
rejvicing. Hand-shaking and mutual interchange
of public opinion was the erder of the day. The
enforcement of the system is not unattended with
good results. It has shewn the good feeling which
does really exist between the people of both
countries; and, in fact, the Americans were more
demonstrative than the Canadians. They hope |
that from this time out good feeling and brotherly
love will reign supreme.
CRIMPING
Is being carried on in Canada toa great extent,
and hundreds of British subjects are being taken
to the other side to fight the battles of the North.
Legal measures are taken to try to step this ex-
odus, but few arrests are made. Bounty jumpers
are getting well posted in the manner of eva ing
the law aud few corrections are made.
THE WINTER
fortunate thing for the Canadian Government
which have happened. The Hon. Attorney!
General McDonald rose in his place in the House, |
|
on Monday, the 6th instant, and explained that)
so far from the Canadian Government giving up|
the scheme because. New Brunswick was going
against it, would have the effect of making thew |
act more promptly and vigorously than they had farmers
intended to do. The Government did not con-
sider that it afforded any cause for the abandon-
‘Mr. Haslam eaid he had a petition on the same! ment or postponement ef the question submitted
subject, which he was about to present, when the in the resolution before the House, ‘ Que great’
IIas this year been the longest that has been
known for very many years. Snow storm fol-
lows snow storm in quick succession. Many are
benefitted by it, whilst others suffer very much.
Fodder for cattle is very scarce, and many of the
FOAL O11
adjacent to the present oil wells is holding on
so a8 to get large prices. New York speculators
(are very busy, and they are buying up all the
land that the people willsell. Several persons
have suddenly found themselves rich, far beyond
their most sanguine expectations,
George Brown has, i is said, disposed
%250,000 in gold.
PEAT. ;
ferent parts of Canada, and companies are being
formed to prepare the commodity for market. It}
would be a-great gain to Canadians if it could be
found in sufficiently large quantities to replace
wood as fuel, as the latter is now getting very
scarce in the vicinity of large towns.
FROM OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT.
Toronto, C. W., Merch 21st, 1865.
THE CONFEDERATION SCHEME.
In my last letter I informed you that Confede-
ration had been carried by a sweeping majority.
Since then, the Government have hurried up
matters, and the Houses were proregued on
Saturday last. On Menday last, on motion
that an address should be made to Her
Majesty, the Opposition gut off some of their
spleen, which they had been nursing so Jong
against the Government, and which they had not
the courage to do whilst the debate was going on.
Mr. Jobn H. Canieron (Peel) was the chosen
scape-goat, ard be made himself very ridiculous
betore the eyes of the country and his constituents,
by moving in amendment that an address be pre-
sented to His Excellency the Governor General,
praying that His Excellency, in view of the mag-
uitude of the interests involved in a measure of
such momentous importance, which changes the
whole of the existing constitution of the Province,
will direct an appeal to be made to the people
before any action is taken for its confirmation or
enactment by the Imperial Parliament. Mr. M.
C. Cumeron seconded this amendment, but neither
of these geutlemen have anything te brag about
by doing as they have done, more especially when
the Confederation scheme was passed, and the
debate closed upon it altogether. As may be ex-
pected, their amendment was defeated by an im-
mense majority. During this debate a great deal
was said about annexation; and Mr. Erie Dorion
( Rouge) spoke strongly in favour of cutting away
the apron strings which bind Canada to England.
Coming from the man it did, there is no pretence
that he speaks with the consent or the will of his
party. Some men like to de or say something
which wil bring them prominently before the
public; notoriety 1s what they want, and if they
only get it, they care not by what means it is ac-
complished. Mr. E. Derion has chosen this
questionable mode, and has got himself: well
talked about for his pains. Since his speech on
the subjeet, a few other members, who have al-
ways been satisfied to be silent on any and every
occasion, have deigned to give vent to their dis-
loyal sentiments, and annexation is now the prin-
cipal topic ot conversation throughout the country.
The people of the Maritime Provinees may thank
themselves for this; and if Canada should, in a
year or two, advocate Annexation, the Maritime
Provinces will, of necessity, require to follow
suit. The poiuts at issue are very grave, and I
c2n searcely imagine that the anti-Confederation-
ists ever dreamt of such a turn of events. On
‘Tuesday the House resolved itself into a Com-
mittee ef Supply, and Mr. Galt (Finance Minis-
ter) explained most clearly and elaborately the
necessily that existed for.a speedy action in
granting supplies. As may be expected, his éx-
planations wére not received without being ques-
tioned by the Opposition; but the Jen. Finance
Minister explained everything to even their satis-
faction, although some of the members had not
the manliness to admit it. After a lengthy de-
bate, $1,000,000 was granted for the purposes of
defence. Mt is proposed to extend the period
during which tke Volunteers will remain m the
field until September; and it is not improbable
that should the struggle on the American conti-
nent still be prolonged after that dute, that the
volunteers will still be required to mount guard
}upon the frentier. On Thursday the Committee
jot Supply rose, and reported that the Supply Bill,
granting $3,380,000, had been adopted. Friday
was devoted to the winding up of the business,
which was far eneugh advanced to be treated in
; that way; and, as stated above, on Saturday the
| House was prorogued.
iso, spoke as follows —
by flon. Gentlemen of the Legislatire Council—
“ Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly—
“In releasing you for the present from further
| The Resolutions last reported from Supply were | Gen. Macdenald, Mactarlane, Mackenzie (Lamb- attendanee in Parliament, 1 rejoiee that J am
received, and the following gentlemen appointed «| ton), Mackenzie (North Oxterd), MeConney,
jable to congratuiate you upon having Jaid the
| foundation of a mere intimate anion of Ter Ma-
| jesty’s possessions in British North America. I
jam also happy te think that the eourse which
jyeu have adopted bas been ealenlated to prove
ihe sineerity and earpestuess with which you
| adhere to the policy of Her Majesty in relation to
foreign countries, and your readiness to pass
measures Which may be tound necessary for the
enforcement of that policy within the Province.
“ Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly ,—
“I thank you for the provision you have made
for carrying on the public service of the Province.
The sum which bas been entrusted to the Govern-
ment by your vote, for the permanent defence of
the Province, cannot fail to be regarded by our
tellow-subjects in England as an earnest that
Canadians are ready to accept the responsibility
whilst they claim the advantages of British
counection.
“ Hon. Gentlemen, and Gentlemen,—
“Tt has been considered advisable that a depu-
tation from the Government of Canada should
proceed to London to conter with Her Majesty's
Ministers on questions of great importance to the
Celony. When these gentlemen shall have re-
turned, I shall lose no time in again availing
myself of your counsels, and laying before you
the result of their mission.”
Thus closes one of the most important sessions
of the Canadian Parhament that ever was held.
The delegates are actively preparing for their trip
to the Court of St James, and next week, if all
is well, will see Messrs. John A. McDonald,
Galt, Cartier and McDougall on the bosom of the
broad Atlantic. So soon as they can return it is
proposed that Parliament shall again re-assemble
and receive the report of the delegates.
SURPLUS OF SILVER.
Je all the rage now, ar eny one who bas land | fessors’ salaries, rent anc
who could scarcely eke out a miserable pittance, |
The Hon, | C2eation of their childrea.
of’ 5000 Stated is true, and I believe itis, I ask the tax-
acres of his estate at Bothwell for the sum of | P&yers of the Colony if th ‘y are prepared to
His Excellency, in dving }
counts show that the amount paid for Pro.
other e i
£765 17s. 4d, besides six country scene -
of £20 each; total £885 17s.4d. Thissum divids
ied by 27, the number of scholars attending the
College, is about £32 15s. for each seho are
independent of fees paid by parents for che
If what 1 have
continue an institution whch benefits so small
a portion of the community, wien an educa-
le; . “
Large deposits of peat have been found in dif- | ston equaily as good is ir:parted at another
College, receiving no public aid, and where
order i8 maintained, which,
true, is not the ease at the
Col lege ?
_ It will be for the people to say whether it
is advisable to continue the College in its
preseot shape, or whether some arrangement
ought not to be made to render it available
for the country at large?
I remain yours very truly,
J. WARBURYON,
Chariottetown, March 27, 1866.
i i
To tue Epiror or tne Exaier.
Sir :—Eaclid, when asked, by one of hig
royal pupils if there wes not some easiar
way of learning Geometry than by close stud
und application, is said to have replied wi
the simple sentence: ‘There is no royal
road to Geometry.’” Now, Mr. Editor, thig
if the reports are
Prince of Wales
consider the time and coantry in which —
Euclid lived: but any one can, by reading —
the Protesiant of March |8th, see that it
entirely inapplicable to the present day and
the City of Summerside. 1
Thereis, in the paper referred to, a notice
of a quarterly examination of the Summerside
Grammar School, taught by one Alexander
realized the stupendous strides that civiliza~
ion, art, and especially learning, are makin
in this nineteenth century, which is bl
with the auspicious light of Mr. McRae’s
countenance. I may vyerture to say that
this centary would be remembered as an
eventful era in the world’s history, merely
on account of his having honoured it with
his presence, if there were no other causes
which would contribute to make it favor us,
But enough 9f McRae; Jet us see what is
said concerning the progress of the pupils
under his charge. It is about three months
since he was appointed to the Grammar
School, and lo! what effects are seen since
then.
Greek, French (?), Geometry, Geography,
English Grammar, Dictation and Mental
Arithmetic,and ‘‘acquitted themselves well.’’
How astonishing it 1s that Mr. Monk—gene-
rally considered one of the best teachers that
the Island ever saw — excepting, of course,
the one who now occupies 18 place—taught
the children none of these »ranchea. McRae
is perhaps a distant relation of the person
spoken of in Butler's Ludibras, of. whom it
is said:
Besides, ’tis known he could speak Greek,
As naturally us ries do squeak.
and that may aceount for is happy mode of
teaching what some are inclined to think be
never knew.
W onderfai too, is it not? that such profi-
ciency in such varied stutiies could be ob-
tained in the brief period of three months.
There must, Mr. Editor, be some Cape
Breton road to learning with which the in-
habitants of the rising City of Summerside
are being enlightened. It is no matter of
surprise that they have applied to Govern-
{ment to have their village incorporated, for
if their sons can aecomplis!) 80 much in three
jmonths, what must the older members of
jsuciety be capable of. Should the powers
| that be’’ pass an Act for incorporating Sum-
jmerside, McRae will probably be elected
Mayor by an unanimous ror populi, and
of the City into Greek. There would indeed
be some advantages arising from ench an act
on the part of McRae, for there could nos
possibly be any dispute concerning the true
meoning of the Laws—every one, however
great lis erudition, being equally ignorant.
Some doubt existed at tive time that Me-
Rae was appointed Master of the School, as
to whether 1t were right to appoint bim in
preferences to either of the other candidates,
but now fortunately the minds of all will be
set at rest, and the wisdom ef the choice
,whieh was made acknowledged. The only
uneasiness that can henceforth exist will be
| caused by fear that, on aceount of his great
‘talents and varied aequirements, he may not
}live to bless the eountry in whieh he resides,
jlor the matural term of three score and ten
years. Trusting, however, that such a
calamity as bis death muy be spared the
Island, Lam yours, &.
QUILL.
e
Mareh 29th, 1865.
ORWELL YOUNG MEN’S INSTITUTE.
On Tuesday, the 14th inetart, Mr. Leander G.
McNeill, P. W. Collega, Chaslottetown, read a
lecture before this Inet Hulgor “ British Secular
Oratory.” The lecturer Tirst gave his ideas of
eloquence in general, and of secular eloquence in
particular. ‘This second object was to give a brief
biographical sketch ef several of the most promi-
nent orators of British birth, The Earl of Chat-
tam, Wm. Pitt, Edmund Burke, C. J. Fox, R. B.
Sheridan, Grattan, Canning, O’Connel, and seve-
ral otbers, were treated at some length. Three
pieces were recited in an able manner in order
te present to the audience seme idea of the great
powers of Britain’s speaking sons, viz: a part of
Chattain’s speech on Britain's employing mer-
cenary troops in the war with Americans, Burke’s
impeachment of Warren Hastings, Eeq., and one
of Grattan’s most sareastie ptillipics. The sub-
jeet was ably treated, occupied about an hour
and a half in delivery, and was favourably re-
ceived by a full house. A spirited discussion
ensued on several poiits advanced in the leeture.
We, in Upper Canada, are dreadfully annoyed
with a surplus of American silver, and the To-
ronto Globe is out against it. The Board of |
Trade recommended that the Store-keepers should |
put a discount of four per cent upon it; and many
of them adopted the recommendation, whilst
others again, who are not troubled with bank ac-
counts, stuck out against the movement, and “ sil-
ver at par” labels are in the windows of a large
number of the shops. It is made publie that a
good deal of money has been made on American
silver. The banks of course do not take it, and |
when any dealer wishes to make a deposit he has |
to apply te the money changers, and they charge |
him from 4 to 6 per cent discount. ‘This silver is |
again sold by the brokers to establishments where |
a large number of men are employed, and it is !
paid to them at par, and thus the American silver |
has been circulating in Upper Canada for the last
three years. There.is to be a meeting to-night |
cf the citizens to take action in the matter, and it |
will be for them to say whether the silver will |
be taken at par or the rate of discount increased. |
Many are in favor of releasing the Canadian |
coinage now lying useless in the bank, by |
putting a discount of 10° per cent upon it. It!
seems rather strange to hear so much about re- |
fusing to take silver when trade is so dull; but
dealers have been compelled to take some action
in the matter to save themselves and their eustom-
evs from the clutches of unprincipled brokers.
SPRING AT LAST.
Since my last letter to you spring has come |
Upon us quickly, and already the snow is fast dis- |
appearing; aud from what has already been seen |
of the Fall wheat, the show is a most promising |
ene, and if no severe night frosts follow, we will |
evidently have a good yield of Fall wheat. This is |
| much to be desired, as for the last four years the
crops have not been anything like what they
were years ago, and many of the farmers fear
that they will not be able to make both ends meet
unless there are good crops this season. The
winter has been a very severe one, and many far-
mers had to kill off their stock to keep them from
dying from starvation. Freshets are, howeve ry
working considerable damage throughout the
country, and a large amount of property bas been
destroy ed.
_— ee
To rng Epirog or truz Examiner.
Dear Sir ; :
For the last three sessions of the Legisla-
ture I have endeavored to show to the country
that the benefits derived from the Prince of
Wales College are not at all commensurate.
with the lavish expenditure required to sup-
port it, while the salaries of the district
teachers have been redaced one third. I ean-
not see the justice of subsidising an imstita-
tion at the expense of the country @istricts,
farmers in the back townships are necessitated
to kill off their cattle to prevent them dying from
starvation. The roads are good, and had prices
of grain been — to what was expected, a large
business would have been done; but as it is, few
eo do more than clear expeuses, while
others kave an account on the wrong side of the
book. All look anxiously forward for Spring to
open, so that they may see how the wheat cro
leoke. March came in like a Jamb, but the se-
which are so poorly supported by the counsry,
Last year I made an estimate of the cost to)
the country, of each scholar attending the
Prince of Wales Uollege.: independent of the
amount paid by eer it was about £35
“4 meeps uring the present session
as or the returns of the past year, a ,
find there are 27 prt tb
College, besides ten which are * exchanged’*
cond day ushered in a storm of great severity.
from the grammar school. The public ac-'
scholars attending the | of
And had not the evening been so far spent as to
prevent many others from stating their views, the
ost lively and instructive debate would certainly
have followed. The Institute heartily thanked
Mr. MeNeill, and will be glad to be entertained
by him at any future time.
A notion appears to be pretty generally abroad
to the effect that Sir Edmund Surke was neither
a pre-eminently great man nora great orator.
Many place him, as an orator, beneath Chattam,
Pitt, Fox, Sheridan, Grattan and Shiel. This is
a mistaken idea. Burke, like every genius, wrote
and spoke for a future generation. And it is
only in this age that his master mind is being
fully appreciated and openly acknowledged.
Have not all our leading statesmen, whether they
will own to it or not, literally lived upon Edmund
Burke?) The great mine of constitutional and
political wisdom which is stored up im his works,
has been a fouvtain from whic all may gain re-
freshinent to day and forever. For political sa-
gacity, soundness of judgment, constitutional
knowledge, and majesty of diction, be stands on
a summit of hisowa. And is be nut frequently
placed in the same category with Shakespere,
Milton, Bacon, and Newtou!? As to his oratory,
he stands unrivalled among Lnglish Senators.
Sheridan has been beld forth as a greater orator
than Burke. Sheridan certainly was a skillful
off-hand disputant. He beut all the powers of
his acute mind to shine as a dazzling declaimer.
He attended debating clubs, soted every keen
thought and witty saying, resorted to theatrical
display, and, as a consequenee, won the reputa-
tion of being the readiest wit aud most gorgeous
orator of the day. But this hind of reputation
never lasts. His speech, on introducing the Be-
gum Charge, in the trial of Hastings, owes its
greatest success to display of this nature. And
although it was then considered the noblest effurt
in the annals of British eloquence, yet no sooner
had the interest of this great trial passed away,
than the chief merits of this famous speech passed
with it. And this bas been the fate of all poor
Sheridan’s highest flights. Not so with Burke,
Barke’s imagination was as gorgeous as ever
plumed the wing of eloquence, aud, besides, it
was enriched by erudition so vast, genius so dar-
ing, a judgraent so comprehensive, a discourse go
boundiess, that.all his oratorical effurts must ever
command the admiration ot mankind.
If we are to credit the assertions of Erskine
May, in his Constitutional History, Barke was
scarcely able to command a hearing—was quite
inferior to the Pitts, and altogether unfit. to be
compared to Charles James Fox! Fox. once
said that “no good speech reads well.” This is
undoubtedly true of Fox's orations, but it is not
a true test of the highest order of eloquence, Let
a speech be heated with emotion, let it be deli-
vered with the appliances of the orgtor’s art, and
it will be a great speech to both reader and
hearer. Fox was a debater of the first order.
He gave his hearers the most splendid specimens
ot nopassioned eloquence as ever made St. Ste-
phen’s ring. Fox had logie and passion, but little
imagination. His wit, his invective, bis appeals
to the feelings, were perhaps unrivalled. But be
lacked the wisdom, the intellect, the knowledge,
the mapeuy and the originality of his “ great
master.” The reason, then, that Burke’s style
t oratory was rict so popular as Fox's, wae
Siinply the fact that it was too elaberate, too
learned, too philosophical, to be appreciated by
may have been an excelient answer if we”
McRae ; and, on reading that notice, | fully —
The scholars were examined in Latin, ©
_
forthwith commence to trenslate the Laws °
shew a. @ AR t—/4 Gee Gee feel
o
«
i i a ia a a ee es a Oe lk lee ek ek Oe oe
ine a OO be os & oe So ae eee ee eee
—————— ee ae
a ae en
~~. -/. ak *
— ae eS Oo ll
gees OO ee eee
Nha
and one of these gentlemen being absent from
Charlottetown, it was necessary to get as.
sistance. The hon. member from Cascumpec
had taken the impost accounts of Georgetown
for one year, but be would find that the ac-
counts of the revenue received at that port
during, say, the last five years, would show
that the salary proposed was not unreason-
able.
Hon. Mr. Pors was not particular as to
the sum proposed te be sesigned te the, Col-
Jector at Georgetown. The resolution had
reference only to the shire towns of Prince |
and King’s Counties, and the consideration
which induced the Government to propose
the specific amounts waa, that in the ports of |
Georgetown and Bedeque, although the busi- |
ness might and doubtless would fluctuate, the |
Collectors had te devote their wholv time to!
it. They should, therefore, be reasonably |
compensated for the time which they would!
otherwise employ in private business, With | provide that if, after the death of a father, |
a
he hoped would be remedied in futute.
the Commigsioner at any time departed from
his instructions, he should state his reasons
ern
' for doing so.
Hon. Mr. Pope observed that the remarks
made by the hon. member (Mr. Conroy)
were called for. He observed by the Road
' Returns of some of the Road Commissioners,
that moneys had not always been appropri-
ated as directed by the Road Seales of that
House. It would, therefcre, 1
that instructions be given to such Commis-
sioners, through the Boad Correspondent,
not to expend money for any other purpose
than that for which it was appropriated by |
that Louse.
On motien of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the Bill relating to Wills, Legacies and Exe-
cutors, was committed to a Committee of the
whole House. Mr. McLennan in the chair
The principal feature of this Bil' is to
be necessary |
ir of opinion that the details of the scheme, as
‘contained in the Report of the Quebec Con-
ference, were not just and liberal to the Is-
lland. After which the debate was again
adjourned. [louse adjourned.
Tvespay, March 28.
| The Hon. Leader of the Goyernment_sub-
mitted a message from His Excellency the
| Lieutenant Governor, transmitting the Report
of the Adjutant General of Militia for the
year 1864. .
The House in Committee on Pauper Scales
|which progress was reported.
| The House in Committee on matters relat-
ling to Roads, Bridges and Wharts, and
|after some time spent therein, progress was
| reported. ; f ;
The House then again spent some time in
, Committee on the report of the Committee
on new Roads.
Objection was taken to the opening of a
reference to the observation on political hon- | any of his children shall die intestate, with- | road at Bay Fortune, as recommended by
esty which had fallen from hig hon. colleague | out wife or children, during the lifetime of | said Report, on the grounds that the law in
(Mr. Howat), he claimed to be 4s honest as, the mother, every brother and sister, and) ..4) cases would not authorise the House in
chat gentleman. Ile had never pledged him-|
velf to particular details, nor would he do so. |
lt that hon. member were inthe present, or|
the representative of them, shall have an
equal share, with the said mother of the
deceased, of the property of such intestate
‘opening said road,
| Hon. Mr. Beaton moved that the report
‘of the Committee, touching the opening of
acy other Government, he would find it dif-| Executors of Wills are also vested with cer-| that road, be adopted ; and explained the de-
ficult to carry it on, if they who had been, tain powers and interests over the estates! i ahility and advantages of extending the
y , . ¥ ~
elested as its supporters should be constantly |
harping at every vote proposed. If the hon.
member was prepared to sacrifice the Go-
vernment, let him avow his intention todo so. |
He could assure him that he was not trusted |
committed to their charge.
The Bill was reported agreed to.
The Bill to amend the Law of Real Estate
was read a third time and passed,
The Bill to compel Masters of Vessels to
| road in question to the sea shore. :
A counter petition against the completion
jof that road, was then alluded | to; after
| which it was resolved that the Government
| be authorized to appoint a Commmission to
by the Opposition, nor did he believe in any | exhibit a ight while in harbour, daring the! ..umine into the real merits of the case, with
man clearing hia skirts at the expense of bis\ night-time, was also read a third time and) i}, yew of ascertaining the necessity or
party. He(Hon. Mr. Pope) had always been |
willing to assume the responsibilities of bis}
position without reference to consequences| went into Committee on the report of the}
persone! to himself.
Mr. Howar had not, in the obseryations he}
had made, intended to cast any reflections
upon hon. members who might differ ia}
opinion from himself. He had merely ez-|
pressed his own views, and in doing so he |
was but doing his duty to himself and bis|
constituents. He felt bound to adhere to his
public pledges. and he bad been elected to
support the Government, but only as far as
he considered their policy to be right. He
had objected to the reyival of the ofjve of So-
licitor General, which seemed to indicate an
intention of increasing the number of officials. |
Hen. Mr. Copes approved of the course
adopted by the Government in paying speci-
fic salaries to the Collectors at Sun merside
and Georgetawa. Lle had no objection to
the amount proposed for the Collector at
Summerside, but thought £175 too much
for the officer at Georgetown. He suggested
that £150 would be sufficient.
Hon. Mr. Pore had no objection.
Mr. Beecgen explained that the unusual
amount paid to Queen's Counsel just year
was caused by the absence of the hon. Attor- |
ney General in England. The renewal of |
public contracts, the preparation of those be-|
tween the Goverument and the Steain Navi-
gation Company, and those relative to the|
construction of important public works, had}
oceupied so mach of his time that be was of
opinion that he had not charged enough.
lion. Mr. Coies.—As the Attorney Gene-
ral, while absent, bad been in receipt of his
full salary, and had his expenses defrayed by |
the Government, be shou!d have pai ior the
work allusied to.
Ilon. Mr. Lainp.—If the salary of any
officer ehould be increased it was that of the
Controller at Charlottetown. With reference
to the appointment of Solicitor General, 1}
had no objection to the gentleman on whom |
the office had been conferred, but for four)
e oficial on tl n .
a ag «po ms Nets ee £100 aoe ment of a Grammar School at that place.
of the House.
enoagh for the office, and not having been |
eonsuited on the subject, he had no idea that |
it was intended tv give more thun that)
amount.
Hon. Mr. Loxeworta.—It could not be
expected that any Government could fill the |
principal offices of a country without affixing |
to them ealaries proportionate to the time to|
be oceupied in the duties of the office, and}
the talents requis.te for the proper discharge |
of those duties. As @ member of the legal |
profession, it might be supposed that his|
views were tinged with a shade of sclf-inte-|
rest in dealing with the subject of the salary |
of the Solicitor General. Such, bowever, |
was not the case; and if the necessity of
having a law officer in the House were ad-
mitted, and the acceptance of the oflice im-
posed upon a member the necessity of re-
election, it must be evident thas £100 was)
too smali remuneration for the services of a|
gentleman whose office required the possession |
of talents and education, which, he was)
happy to eay, were combined in the present | be
Selicitor Geseral in a very high degre.
The resvlution was carried. giving to the
Collector at Summerside £175, to that at
Georgetown £150 per ansum
SUMMARY OF THE PROUEEDINGS OF |
THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
Satvrpar, Marcel: 25.
Mr. MeLennan, Chairman of the Commit-
tee to whom were referred sundry petitions
relating to the opening of new roads, sub-
mitted a report, which was received and
read, and ordered to be submitted to a
Committee of the whole House on Monday
next.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the Bill to amend the Land Purchase Act
was submitted to a Committee of the whole
ri0use— MT. Liowlan In the chair.
Hon. Solicitor General explained that the
object of the Bill was to abolish the restric-
tions in regard to the minimum prices fixed
by the Act on the wilderness land of the
Worrell Estate. It was, therefore, necessary
to amend the law s9 as to authrize the Go-
verniment to lessen the prices of said lands
whick could not be sold at the present fixed
rates. Portions, at all events, of those waste
lands, he eaid, would be sold, provided the
prices were lowered.
Hons. Messrs. Coles, Hensley, Colonial
Secretary, Davins, Laird, Longworth, Pope,
Gray, and Messrs. Sinclair and Sutheland,
addressed the Committee on the object of the
Bik.
During the debate, it was considered ad-
visable te retain the clause in the Act limit-
ing the quantity of land sold to any one per-
sun to 300 aeres. After which the Bill was
reperted agreed to.
pass d.
On motion of Mr. McLennan, the Ilouse
special committee on new roads, Mr. Sin-
clair in the chair.
Said Report was then read, during which
objections were taken to the recommenda-
tions of the Committee relative to the open-
ing of some new roads, a compliance with
which would be contrary to the established
principles of that House.
Mr. Howat explai ed the peculiarly em-
barrassing situa:ion of the parties alluded to
in the report, especially those resident on
ot 28, and contended that the road asked
for by such would provs a general benefit to
the travelling public. A counter-petition
however, was presented, objecting to the
road in question.
| otherwise of completing the road in ques‘ion.
| Is was also resolved that a similar Commis-
sion be appointed to report on the road asked
for on Lot 20. After some further discussion,
ent other localitiesalluded to, the Report was
agreed to with amendments. —
“Hon. Solicitor General submitted a Bill to
amend the Militia Laws of the Island, which
was received and read, and ordered to be read
a second time to-morrow.
Hon. Mr. Longworth, Chairman of the
Committee appointed to bring in a bill re-
lating to the appointment of Clerks of Magis-
trates Courts throughout the Island. The
hon. member then explained the object of
‘this Bill, and the duties imposed on Clerks
rr appointed, relative to forwarding returns
to the Prothonotary’s. Office previous to the
The Keport was then amended, and pro- meetings of the terms of the Supreme Courts
gtess reported thereon.
AFTERNOON,
On motion of the Hon Mr. Pope, the Re-
venue Bill was read a third time and passed. |
('n motion of the Hon. Mr. Longworth, |
the Bill relating to the Estate of the late J.)
H. Winsloe, by which tenants on that Estate |
ean secure the titles of their farms, was also)
read a third time and passed.
On motion of Hon. Mr. Davies, the Bil)
to amend the Union Bank Act, for the par-|
pose of altering the time for bolding the an-|
nual meetings of that Institution, was read |
a second time and agreed to. |
Mr. Brecken moved that the House go into
Committee on a Bill to amend the Incorpor-
ation Act of the City of Charlottetown; and
in doing so explained the principal altera-
tions recommended by the said Bill,
Llon. Mr. Laird moved an amendment,
that the House go into Committee thereon
this day three months.
The said amendment having been negatived,
progress was reported.
Hon. Col. Gray presented a petition from
the Rev. Alexander McLean, and other in-
habitants of Eildon, praying for the establish-
The hon. member, in recommending the
petition to the favorable consideration of the
House, said that a great many young men,
in that rising place, were anxious to acquire
a knowledge of the higher branches of edu-
cation, preparatory to their entering College
The laudable object of the petition he there-
fore hoped would be favorably supported.
ito amend the Land Purchase Act.
of the Island; after which the Bill was re-
ceived and read, and ordered to be read a
second time to-morrow.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the House went into Committee on the Bill
Mr.
tlowlan in the Chair.
| The Bili was then read by the Chairman,
clause by clause, and agreed to with certain
amendments.
On motion of the Hon. Mr. Davies, the
Bill to amend the Union Bank Act was read
a third time amd passed.
On motion of the Hon. Leader of the Go--
vernment, the Bill to assist Leaseholders in
the purchase of the fee simple of their farms,
was read a third time and passed.
Louse adjourned.
AFTERNOON.
On motion of the Hon Solicitor General,
the Bill relative to Wills, Legacies, and
Testators, was read a third time and passed
Hon. Mr. Longworth, Chairman of the
Committee on Private Bulls, recommended
that the Bill to incorporate the Presbyterian
Church at Woodville and Little Sands be
exempt from the charge of fees payable
thereon.
Hon. Col. Gray then moved that the House
| go into Committee on the Bill to incorporpte
ithe Church at Woodville, &¢. Mr. Green
in the chair.
The said Bill was then read, clause by
clause, and reported agreed to.
The Pauper Seales were then again taken
up in Committee and disposed of.
Owing, however, to the established rulv of
the House, which provides that ell petitions
praying for money grants should be forward-
ed to the office of the Cul. Secretary, pre-
viously to the opening of the Legislature, the
said petition was ordered to be withdrawn,
the remedy being with the Executive Coun-
ceil or the Board of Education.
Hon. Col. Gray then presented a petition
praying for the Incorporation of a Presby-
terian Church at Woodville and Little Sands ;
which petition was received and read, and
referred to a Committee to report thereon.
Hon. Col. Gray, chairman of the said
Committee, submitted a Bill, which was re-|
ceived and read, and ordered to be referred
the Private Bill Committee to report
thereon.
On motion of the Hon. J.C. Pope,seconded
by the Ion. Solicitor General, the Bill to
enable tenants to purchase the fee simple of
| their farms, was submitted to a Committet
of the whole House.
The principles of tha’ important Bill re-
ceived the general approval of hon members
on both sides of the House ; the object of
which was to aid and assist tenants to pur-
chase the freehold interest of their farms, by
| advancing them one-half the purchase money,
iimiting the same to 16s 8d per acre, cur-
reney ; one-hall of which, namely, 8s 4d per
acre, to be loaned by the Government for a
period of ten years, payable by instalments,
and bearing interest at 6 per cent. The
money to be obtained, for the accomplish-
ment af that ohjeet. hy the issue of Dehon-
tures amounting, for the present,to £50,000.
Hon. Mr. Coles said it was not his inten
tion to oppose the Bill, bat he had hoped
that two-thirds of the purchase money might,
with all propriety, be advanced to tenants
fine them to one-half, as proposed in the Bull.
The Bill, after some further discussion,
was read clause by clause, and reported
agreed to.
When the IIon. Mr. Coles moved that it
be recommitted, for the purpose of amending
the same by a Resolution, which he then
submitted, to the effect that two-thirds, and
not one-half, the purchase money be ad-
vanced; and also to allow for any instal-
men's paid by tenants, who might produce a
receipt for the same, to the Commissioner of
Publie Lands, said receipt being for the pay-
ment of ouve-third of said purchase money of
their farms. He said that he was desirous
On motion of the Hon. Mr. Davies, the
Hlouse reeolved itself into a Committee of the
whole to resume the consideration of Supply.
Several Resolutions were then reported
from Supply and agreed to.
Hon. Solicitor General presented a petition |
i
from divers inhabitants of Georgetown ask-
ing permission to erect a Pound on the pub-|
lic square of that Town.
Said petition was referred to the following |
special Committee to report thereon. viz :|
Hons. Solicitor General, gar Kaye.
On motion of the Hou. Mr. Laird, the
House resumed the debate on the subject of
Colonial Confederation.
Hoa. Col. Gray opened the debate by de-
liverieg a long speech in favor of Confeder-
ation.
He was followed by the fIon. Mr. Warbur-
tom, who epoke in opposition to the proposed
Union. After which that important debate
was again adjourned till Monday next.
Won. Mr. Pope then introduced a Bill by
which to assiet Tenants to purchase the fee!
simple of their farme. He said the ob ject of |
the Bill was to advance money to Tenants to
the extent of one half the purchase «money
necessary to obtain the fee simple o! their
farm. The money, thus advanced, to be
secured on the property and repaid with in-
terest, by annual instalments extending toa
term of ten years. To acccmplish that ob-
ivet, he said the Gill authurized the Govern-
ment to isswe debentures to the extent of
450,000 currency, which amount might here-
aiter be inereased, if necessary, for the pur-
pose of finally abolishing that leasehold!
system which had retarded the progress and |
prosperity of the Colony.
The Bili was then reeeived and read, and
ordered to be read a second time on Monday
next. House adjourned.
Mowvay, March 27.
(ln motion of the Hon. Mr. Pope, the
dlouse went into Committee on the appropri-
ation for Koads and Bridges.
Whéie in Comamittee on this subject, Mr
Conroy remarked that the Roud Commision
ers had not always expended the grants of
thas Hows2 im accordance with the Road
Seajes put jato their hands. There was, he
of the Quebec Conference.
to have that amendment inserted in the Bill,
that Mr. Haythorne’s offer might be carried
/out, which he had read to the House pre-
| viously to going into Committee; for he
thought that if the tenants on the estate of
that gentleman could get rid of all their back
rents, by the Government advancing three-
fifths, that amount should be paid by the
Government.
In reply to that Resolution, the Lon.
Leader of the Government remarked that the
suggestions therein contained received due
consideration before the Bill was submitted
to the Llouse, which, if carried out, would
necessarily involve a heavy loss, as all Pro-
prietors, who had a number of the very poor-
est class of tenants from whom no rent could
be received, would willing|y give such tenants
a receipt for one-third the purchase money
tor the sake of getting the other two-thirds
from the Government. ‘To prevent that, the
Bill c atemplated that all the purchase
money should pass through the hands of the
Land Commissioner. As for the tenants on
Mr. Llaythorne’s estate, it could not be ex-
pected that the House couid legislate exclu-
sively for their benefit; and if the agree-
menis entered into between those tenants
and their landlord were as advantageous to
them as hud been represented by the hon.
leader of the Opposition, he did not see that
they required any special aid.
The question was then put on the amend-
ment of the Hon. Mr. Coles, and negatived
on the following division, viz :
Por the amendment—tLlons. Messrs. Coles,
Whelan, Warburton, Hensley, Thornton,
Kelly, Beaton; Messra. Howlan, Sinclair,
Walker and Conroy—11,
Against it—Hons, Messrs. Pope,Longworth,
Col, Secretary, Laird, Sol. General, Davies,
Kaye; Messrs. Liaslam, Montgomery, Yeo,
Green, McLennan, Howat, Brecken, Ramsay
and Duancan—16.
The Bill was accordingly agreed to.
Tie debate on the question of Colonial
Confederation was thea resumed, and kept
up till a very late hour.
lion. Mr. Hensley und Mr. Brecken spoke
in opposition to the proposed Union scheme
lon. Mr. Davies aid he was in favour of
for the purchase of their farms, and not con-_
| consideration of the appropriation for Roads,
| Bridges and Wharts, and reported the same
jagreed to.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General,
the Bill to amend the laws relating to the
better administration of Justice, was com-
mitted. Mr. Yeo in the chair.
Lon. Sol. General explained the changes
in the practice sought to be introduced by
of Writ to be served upon corporate bodies,
plaintiff to file common bail in suits against
incorporate Companies, in accordance with
the present practice in suits between indi-
viduals. Another provision in the Bill was
for the relief of parties sued by executors or
administrators, rendering them liable to the
consequences of litigation in the saine manner
as were private individuals. ‘The Bill also
provided ior liability to pay interest on open
accounts after demand and notice. It also
authorized the adoption of legal proceedings,
in the form of signature, used by any de-
fendant in subscribing to any contract.
Rights of action in cases of tort, were, by
the Bull, reserved to the personal represen-
tatives of deceased individuals. It also pro-
vided that in the case of Notes drawn,
payable in specific articles, the plaintiff
should not be compelled to prove value re-
ceived, and gave the privilege of paying mo-
ney into Court in cases of fort. It also
der for leave to plead more than une plea in
suits in the Supreme Court.
| After some time spent in Committee, Juring
which several hon. members spoke on the
principles of the iil,
_ Mr. Montgomery objected to that claus>
rendering parties liable tu the payment of
interest on accounts, as he considered it
would tend to encourage litigation, and be
productive of no benefit to the debtor.
Mr. Howat also offered some objections to
that clause.
Progress thereon was then reported.
The adjourned debate on the subject of
Colonial Confederation was then resumed.
Hon. Mr. Hensley continued his speech of
the previous evening, expressive of his views
on that subject. He said he would not go so
far as to say he was against Union altoge-
ther, but was of opinion that the dearest in-
terests of the Island would be injured by the
adoption of the principles of the Quebec
Covvention. Le spoke at consideranle length,
and was followed by the Ion. Solicitor Gene-
ral, who entered fully into the whole ques-
tion, in defence of the Union side of the sub-
ect.
. Mr. Ifowlan followed and delivered a long
address in opposition to the views held by
the advocates of Confederation.
The debate was then again adjourned, and
ata late hour the Mouse adjourned till 10
o’clock to-morrow.
WEDNESDAY, March 29.
Hon. Mr. Pope submitted the account of sales
of the Steck imported to this Island last year,
which was received and read.
‘The Report of the Adjutant General of Militia,
which bad been previously submitted, was also
read,
Mr. Brecken moved that the House go into
Committee on the petition of divers inhabitants
of Charlottetown, asking the House to appropriate
part of Government House Grounds for a Military
Parade Ground, and a Park for recreation of
Citizens and other inbabitants of P, E, Island. |
After some discussion on the subject of the!
petition, it was submitted to a Committee of the!
whole House. Mr. Yeo in the ehair.
[he petition was then received and read, and
after some further discussion, during which the
desirability of procuring a portion of the domain
attached to Government House grounds as a place
fora Parade and Recreation ground, was gene-
rally admitted by bon. members.
Mr. Brecken then submitted a resolution to the
effect that, in the opinion of that Committee, it
was expedient that a Bill should be passed, au-
thorizing the dedication of a portion of the Go-
vernwent House farm to the purposes of a Parade
ground for the Militia and Volunteers, and as a}
Park or place of reereation; and also that au
address be presented to Her Majesty the Queen, |
praying that she willbe graciously pleaced to give
her royal sanction to such dedication. Atter
which progress was reported.
Hon. Mr. Coles read, in his place, a petition
from divers inhabjtants of Marshfield School Dis-
trict, Lot 34, complaining of some of the provisions
of the present School Act, and suggested certain
ameudments. The hon. member observed that
he was aware he could not ask for any action to
be taken on the petition, which had only been very
recently handed to him. He would, however, ask
if it were the intention of the Government to
amend the Schoo] Act during the present Session ?
avid, & lack of attention on this poins which the muin principles of Contederatian,but was
————
relating to the opening of new roads in differ-|
The House ther in Committee, resumed the |
the Bill, which specified the particular form |
abolished the necessity of applying for an or- |
Fe gh a
——
Hon. Mr. Longworth veplie
the intention of the Governe
action on the subject of due
| present Session, in consequence
that had elapsed since the present au
had been in Operation, the werits of which
not yet been fairly tes'ed.
APTERNOON.
amended jaw
had
incorporate the Minister and ‘Trustees of
Presbyterian Congregation at Woodville an
Little Sands, was read a third ume aud passed
On motion ot the Hon. Mr. Davies, the Suppler
On motion of the Hon. Col. Gray, the Bill to)
4, that it was not | reason," eaid he, “for pfomptness on the part
ut to entertain any | of the
ation, during the
of the short time |
Canadian Legislature in adopting the reso-
jutions was, to avoid the necessary reaction which
would pervade England from one end to the
other, if it were thought that this project was
abandoned. He believed what more than any-
thing else had raised British Ainerica, or at least
Cavada—its chiet component part—in the esti-
vation of Englatid, was that by this scheme we
offered a means by whijeh these colonies would
cease to be a source of embarrassment, and be
in fact a sgurce of strength. ‘That feeling per-
yaded England, and the reaction that would tul-
Jow its disappointment would be very great. ile
jmeutary Kstimates for the Current year were
reported several resolutions agreed to, after jsubumitted, and referred to the House when in)
| Committee on Supply.
|” Hon. Mr. Coles asked for returns of the number
of acres of land purehased by ‘the Government
last year, and the price paid tor the sawe.
Hon. Mr, Davies said he thought that the Ac-
eountsand Returns from the Laud Office, already
| before the House, ‘uruished the necessary iulor-
To diel Leader of the Government, shortly
afterwards, produced mel we gy of the Laud
‘ jssjouer the paper asked tor,
Oe cctiod of the Hos. Solicitor General, the
Mihtia Bill was read asecond time and committed.
eo in the chair.
og Hos. Selicitur General explained the Bill,
and said that it repealed the Act 14 Vic. cap 6,
and thereby revived certain Acts therein men-
tioned. ‘The repeal of said Act, he said, would
enable the Commauder-in-Chiet to cali out the
Militia, if occasion required.
After some debate on the subject, the Bill was
agreed to without any amendment.
The House resumed Committee on Supply, and
reported several Resolutions agreed to. ;
Mr. Yeo, Chairman of the Committee appointed
to examine the Public Accounts, presented their
Report, which was ordered to be committed toa
Committee of the whole House to-morrow,
On motion of the Hon. Mr. Longworth, the
Bill relating to the appointment of Clerks of Jus-
tices of the Peace, was submitted toa Committee
lof the whole House. Hon. Mr. Beaton in the
chair.
Hon. Mr. Longworth then explained the object
of the Bill, which authorizes Justices ef the Peace,
in any district of the Island, if they think proper,
to appoint a Clerk, for whose acts the said Jus-
tices should be responsible. The duties of such
the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the
County in which he shall hold his office; such
Returns to be forwarded to said office at least four
days previous to the holding of the respective
Sessions of the said Supreme Court. Those Re-
turns to contain a record of all convictions before
such Justices of the Peace from whom he may
hold his appointment, together with the amount
of fines ordered by sneh Justices, and the manner
in whieh they might have been levied and distri-
buted,
On motion of Me, McLennan, a Resolution was
adopted, to the effect that an address be presented
to His Excellency the Lieut. Gevernor on the
subject of the report of the Comuittee.
Hon. Solicitor General, agreeably to notice,
introdueed a Bill to amend the law relating to the
Agricultural Society, so as to alter the time for
holding the annual meeting of that Society.
The House in Committee thereon. Mr. Yeo
:in the ebair.
/ Several hon. members then spoke of the neces-
: sity of resuscitating that institution, with the view
of rendering it more generally useful to the Agri-
cultwwral interests of the Colony.
Progress was then reported.
The adiourned question on the subject of Colo-
nial Confederation was :hen resumed; the debate
was opened by :
The Hon. Mr Longworth, whe delivered a long
speech condemnatory of the principles upon which
were based the Report of the Quebee Conierence,
the adoption of which, he said, would be subver-
sive of the best rights and liberties of the veople
| of this Colony.
He was followed by Messrs. Sinelair and Howat.
both of whom spoke against Union, and con-
demned the scheme propounded by the Constitu-
tion agreed upon at the Quebee Conference.
|} The debate was then adjourved till toanorrew
jafternoon, After which the House adjourved till
10 o'clock to-morrow.
Tacrspay, March 3.
On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General, the
House in Committee resumed the consideration of
the Bill to amend the laws for the better adminis-
tration of Justice.
| After some vernarks from Messrs Howat, Dunean,
| Montgomery, and the Hons Messrs Hensley, Bea
ton and the Solicitor General, the Bill was amended
|on motion of Mr Montgomery, by striking out the
| clanse authorizing Execuators or Administrators to
Aiter
destrain for rent due deceased landlords.
‘
} which it was reported agreed to.
|
| Committee te bring in the Appropriation Bill, viz:
| Hon Mr Davies and Messrs McLeunan and Yeo.
The Bill to appoint Clerks w Justices of the
| Peace, and to regulate proceedings had betore them,
was read a third time and passed.
| ‘The Bill relating to Militia was also read a third
time and passed,
Hon. Solicitor General, having obtained leave,
and also designated the parties on Whom | introduced a Bill to amend the Act passed during |
such Writ should be served, and enable the} the present Sessicn, relative to Pickled Fish. He |
explained that certain restrictions were placed by
the Bill recently passed to which strong objections
| were taken by gentlenien extensively engaged in
| the Fisheries of the Island. He, therefore, felt it
| to be his duty to bring the matter under the cousi-
| deration of the House, in order that the Act in
| question might be repealed or amended so as to offer
every facility to those engaged in that important
branch of industry.
Mr Howlan opposed the views taken on the mat-
ter by the Hion Solicitor General, and contended
| tha* the provisions of the Bill, which had just re-
|
; ceived the sanction of that House, were caleulated |
| to give acharacter to our trade in the article of
| Fish, and would also foster aud encourage our
Fisheries
Hon. Mr. Bexton also defended the Inspection
a Government Brand, the securing of the trade of
the Island a “ status,” the want of which has
hitherto been a serious loss to those engaged in the
Fishery trade.
Hon. Mr. Davies said that he would not support
any restrictive policy on that subject; the objectof
the Bill, recently passed, was to zivea character to
|} our Fish in markets abroad—an object highly ne-
cessary. He would, however, support any measure
that would facilitate trade, dnd remove any un-
necessary restrictions that may have been imposed
by the Act-
The House then went into Committee on the Bill.
Mr. Yeo in the eliair.
Hons Messrs. Coles, J.C. Pope, Davies, Solicitor
General, and Messrs. Duncan, Howlan and Me-
Lennan, addressed the Committee on the subject of
the Bill, during which hon. members on both sides
conearred in the propriety of offering every en-
conragement and facility to the trade of the Island
with the United States, by the removal of any ob
straction whieh might be deemed inexpedient.
Ion. Solicitor General then moved an amendment
to the Act, to the effect that all Pickled Fish land-
ed on the Island, from on board any vessel belong-
ing to any Foreign country, which Fish bave been
caught for, and belong to, any Foreigner, and are
not to be used or consumed on the Island, but all
intended to be re-shipped for exportation to any
Foreign country, shall be exempt from the provi-
sions of the Act passed during the present Session
of the Legislature of the Island, intituled “ An Act
for regulating the Inspection of Pickled Fish for
exportation from this Island.”
Vhich amendment was agreed to; after which
the Bill, as amended, was agreed to.
House adjourned.
AFTERNOON.
The Honse resumed the adjourned debate on the
Union of the Colonies.
Hon. Mr. Kelly opened the debate in opposition
to Colonial Union of any kind, and on any terms.
believing thatzit would retard, rather than advance
the prosperity of this country in every point of
view.
He was followed by Messrs Conroy, Hasiam and
Montgomery, all whom recorded their opposition to
Confederation.
A few remarks was also offered by Mr McLen-
nan, relative to the appointment of the Delegation
to Quebec.
Hon Mr Whelan then rose, and oceupied tayo
hours and a half in delivering a speech in favor of
the principles adopted at the Quebec Conference.
Mr Dunean next spoke in opposition to the pro-
posed scheme, which, he said, would be ruinous to
the general interests of the Colony.
The debate was then, at a very late hour, ad-
journed till to-morrow,
Hon Mr. Pope, a member of the Executive
Council. prevenree the nnnuaal Report of the Visitor
of Schools for the Eastern Section of the Island,
accompanied by an Extract from the minutes of 2
meeting of the Board of Education, beld that day,
regretting that the said Report was not received
in time to be transmitied to the Legislature at an
early period. Which documeuts were then or
dered to be laid on the table,
House adjourned.
A. MeNeitt, Reporter.
CORRESPONDENCE,
CANADA.
--—-
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Toronto, C, W., March 14th, 1864.
THE HOUSE.
The news of the defeat of the Confederation
candidates in New Brunswick, was the most
Clerk should be to make a Return to the Office of
Law, which had for its object, by the adoption of
called theretore on hon. gentlemen not to allow
Canada and British America tu lose the vantage
ground they had gained by showing any signs et
| receding on this question. Another reason why
this matter should be dealt with promptly was
because of its connection with the question of de-
fence—opne wiiich must at once be considered in
view ef the present position of affairs on this con-
tinent. As had already been freqaetitly stated,
this question had engaged the anxious attention
of this Government, and they had been mW con-
tinuous correspondence with the Home Govert-
ment as to the best means of organizing ap eth-
cient defence against every hostile pressure, trot
whatever source it mightcome. ‘They had hoped
that the Confederation scheme would secon have
assumed such an aspect that that question would
have been dealt with by these Provinces as a
whole. They could not disguise from themselves
that the course of events in New Brunswick
would prevent the early united action of these
Provinces on this subject. The question of de-
fence therefore caine up now as between Canada
and England, and the Government felt it Was one
which could no longer be postponed. (Hear,
hear.) . Then there was a third question which
alsu called for immediate action, and that was
the commercial relations between Canada and
the United States. The fact of the consumma-
tion of union being protracted or postponed, and
therefore the construction of the Litercolonial
Railway being postponed, called on the Imperial
Goverument tor Immediate action on that subject.
He would now state to the House the policy. the
Government proposed, in view of these circum-
stances, to pursue, and for which they sought the
support of the House and country. First, they
desired that this debate should be brought to an
end with all convenient speed, and that the House
should, as sven as possible, vote yes or no on these
resulutions. Then, so soon as the address was
carried, the Government intended to ask a vote
of credit from the House, and prorogué Parha-
ment on the earliest day possible thereafter. Un-
finished business would be taken up next session
at the point at which it had reached this. Some
members of the Guverument would proceed to
England for the purpose of discussing and ar-
ranging with the linperial Government the ques-
tion of Confederation in its present aspect, the
question of defenee, and the other important
matters to which he had alluded, and the result
of that mission would be submitted to this House
at an early summer session. (Hear, hear.)
As it may be supposed, this bomb-shell thrown
into the Opposition camp, rather took them by
surprise, and the leaders were wp in arms at
once, and aecused the Government of trying to
coerce them, and to puta step to the debate.
They were very wrathy and protested against the
Their
indignation was very amusing when one consid-
ers the fact that they had been talking for 2
whole month, and had not advanced one single
movement of the “ previous question.”
argument, or given an amendment during the
whele course of the debate... The friends of the
scheme combatted these statements, and ap-
plauded the energy and the determination of the
Government to pursue their policy. This cross
fire was kept up by both sections until Friday
night, or rather Saturday morning, when a. yote
was taken. The House divided on the previous
question, which was earried, Yeas, 25; Nays, 39.
The motion for the address en Confederation
was then put and carried on the following vote :
Yeas—Merssrs. Alleys, Archambault, Ault,
Beaubien, Bell, Bellerese, Blanchet, Bewman,
Bown, Brousseau, Brown, Burwell, Cameron
(Peel), Carling, Cartier, Cartwright, Cauchon,
} Chambers, Chapais, Cockburn, Cornellier, Cow-
an, Currier, DeBoucherville, Denis, DeNiverville,
| Dickson, Dufresne (Montealm), Dunsford, Evan-
turel, Ferguson (Frontenac), Ferguson (South
+| Simeoe), Gait, Gaucher, Gaudet, Gibos, Harwood,
| Haultain, Higgonsou, Howland, Huot, Irvine,
| Jackson, Jones (South Leeds), Jones (North
| Leeds), Kuight, Langevin, LeBeutillier, Atty.
McDougall, McGee, MeGiverin, McIntyre, Me-
Kellar, Mogill, Morris, Morrison, Parker, Pope,
| Poulan, Poupere, Powell, Rankin, Raymond,
Remillard, Robitaille, Rose, Ross (Champlain),
| Ross (Dundas), Ross (Prince Edward), Scoble,
|Shanly, Smith (Durham), Smith (Torente),
Somerville, Stirton, Street, Sylvain, Thompson,
Walsh, Webb, Wells, White. Wilson, Wood,
Wright (East York), Wright (Ottawa)—91.
Navys—Bigger, Bourassa, Cameron, Caron,
Coupal, Dorion (Hochelaga), Dorion ( Arthabas-
ka), Duckett, Dutresne (Lberville), Fortier, Gag-
non, Geoffrion, Holton, Houde, Huntington, Joly,
Labreche-Viger, Lafrombaise, Lajoie, Me Donald
(Cornwall), McDonald (Glengarry), McDonald
(Toronte), O'Halloran, Paquet, Perrault, Pin-
sonneault, Pouliot, Kymai, Seatehered, Tasche-
reau, Thibaudeau, Tremblay, Wallbridge (North
Hastings)—33.
Messrs. Powell, Parker, Gibbs, iTuot, Evantu-
rel, and Gaudet, who voted against the previous
question, voted yea on the main motion.
The House adjourved at half-past four—mem-
bers immediately joining in chorus, “God save
the Queen.”
By referring to the above, it will be seen that
only nine Upper Canadian meinbers voted against
it. The vote was the largest that ever was taken
in the House on any question, and never was the
attendance of members so good as during tbis
debate; knowing tlat the majority would have
been so overwhelining, it reflects great credit upon
the members to see that they were so much in
terested in the result as to sit out so tiresome a
debate in purpose to have their names recorded
on the scroll of fame. Business is being wound
up with alacrity, and I don’t think that the House
wil sit longer than the present week; then Dele-
gates will go to England to lay their plans before
the House of Parliament, and get their support to
do something with the Provinces that still hold
out. There is no doubt but that the passage of
the scheme here will affect the elections still to
come off in New Brunswick, in Nova Scotia, and
with you. The resultof the negotiations with the
Court of St. James will be anxiously looked for,
and on it the future greatness of the British North
Amerieaa Provinces will in a great measure
depend.
THE ST. ALBANS RAIDERS
Are stillin jail. Since I last wrote to you their
case has not advanced a stage, owing to the con-
tinued illness of Judge Smith.
SILVER.
Canada is flooded just now with American
Silver, which is used to the detriment of the Banks
of the Province. Bills have toa great extent dis-
appeared, and the Directors of the Banks are
making toud outeries about the nuisance. The
Board of Trade met to-day and passed a resolu-
tion recommending store-keepers to put a discount
| of four per cent upon it. The recommendation
| has not been adopted by over two-thirds of the
| retail dealers, and a war is being waged. | Pla-
| cards adorn the windows of the shop in which the
silver is taken at par, and a rivalry exists as to
who will get the most customers. The opinior
is beginning to prevail that those who take it at
| par add the per centage on the goods, ‘There is
little doubt but that this is really the ease; and if
it is found to be so, trade will be withdrawn from
these shops.
THE PASSPORT SYSTEM
Ts now abolished as far as Canada is concerned,
and now the trade of passenger travel! over the
Railways is being resumed... When the order was
promulgated the people on the frontier had great
rejvicing. Hand-shaking and mutual interchange
of public opinion was the erder of the day. The
enforcement of the system is not unattended with
good results. It has shewn the good feeling which
does really exist between the people of both
countries; and, in fact, the Americans were more
demonstrative than the Canadians. They hope |
that from this time out good feeling and brotherly
love will reign supreme.
CRIMPING
Is being carried on in Canada toa great extent,
and hundreds of British subjects are being taken
to the other side to fight the battles of the North.
Legal measures are taken to try to step this ex-
odus, but few arrests are made. Bounty jumpers
are getting well posted in the manner of eva ing
the law aud few corrections are made.
THE WINTER
fortunate thing for the Canadian Government
which have happened. The Hon. Attorney!
General McDonald rose in his place in the House, |
|
on Monday, the 6th instant, and explained that)
so far from the Canadian Government giving up|
the scheme because. New Brunswick was going
against it, would have the effect of making thew |
act more promptly and vigorously than they had farmers
intended to do. The Government did not con-
sider that it afforded any cause for the abandon-
‘Mr. Haslam eaid he had a petition on the same! ment or postponement ef the question submitted
subject, which he was about to present, when the in the resolution before the House, ‘ Que great’
IIas this year been the longest that has been
known for very many years. Snow storm fol-
lows snow storm in quick succession. Many are
benefitted by it, whilst others suffer very much.
Fodder for cattle is very scarce, and many of the
FOAL O11
adjacent to the present oil wells is holding on
so a8 to get large prices. New York speculators
(are very busy, and they are buying up all the
land that the people willsell. Several persons
have suddenly found themselves rich, far beyond
their most sanguine expectations,
George Brown has, i is said, disposed
%250,000 in gold.
PEAT. ;
ferent parts of Canada, and companies are being
formed to prepare the commodity for market. It}
would be a-great gain to Canadians if it could be
found in sufficiently large quantities to replace
wood as fuel, as the latter is now getting very
scarce in the vicinity of large towns.
FROM OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT.
Toronto, C. W., Merch 21st, 1865.
THE CONFEDERATION SCHEME.
In my last letter I informed you that Confede-
ration had been carried by a sweeping majority.
Since then, the Government have hurried up
matters, and the Houses were proregued on
Saturday last. On Menday last, on motion
that an address should be made to Her
Majesty, the Opposition gut off some of their
spleen, which they had been nursing so Jong
against the Government, and which they had not
the courage to do whilst the debate was going on.
Mr. Jobn H. Canieron (Peel) was the chosen
scape-goat, ard be made himself very ridiculous
betore the eyes of the country and his constituents,
by moving in amendment that an address be pre-
sented to His Excellency the Governor General,
praying that His Excellency, in view of the mag-
uitude of the interests involved in a measure of
such momentous importance, which changes the
whole of the existing constitution of the Province,
will direct an appeal to be made to the people
before any action is taken for its confirmation or
enactment by the Imperial Parliament. Mr. M.
C. Cumeron seconded this amendment, but neither
of these geutlemen have anything te brag about
by doing as they have done, more especially when
the Confederation scheme was passed, and the
debate closed upon it altogether. As may be ex-
pected, their amendment was defeated by an im-
mense majority. During this debate a great deal
was said about annexation; and Mr. Erie Dorion
( Rouge) spoke strongly in favour of cutting away
the apron strings which bind Canada to England.
Coming from the man it did, there is no pretence
that he speaks with the consent or the will of his
party. Some men like to de or say something
which wil bring them prominently before the
public; notoriety 1s what they want, and if they
only get it, they care not by what means it is ac-
complished. Mr. E. Derion has chosen this
questionable mode, and has got himself: well
talked about for his pains. Since his speech on
the subjeet, a few other members, who have al-
ways been satisfied to be silent on any and every
occasion, have deigned to give vent to their dis-
loyal sentiments, and annexation is now the prin-
cipal topic ot conversation throughout the country.
The people of the Maritime Provinees may thank
themselves for this; and if Canada should, in a
year or two, advocate Annexation, the Maritime
Provinces will, of necessity, require to follow
suit. The poiuts at issue are very grave, and I
c2n searcely imagine that the anti-Confederation-
ists ever dreamt of such a turn of events. On
‘Tuesday the House resolved itself into a Com-
mittee ef Supply, and Mr. Galt (Finance Minis-
ter) explained most clearly and elaborately the
necessily that existed for.a speedy action in
granting supplies. As may be expected, his éx-
planations wére not received without being ques-
tioned by the Opposition; but the Jen. Finance
Minister explained everything to even their satis-
faction, although some of the members had not
the manliness to admit it. After a lengthy de-
bate, $1,000,000 was granted for the purposes of
defence. Mt is proposed to extend the period
during which tke Volunteers will remain m the
field until September; and it is not improbable
that should the struggle on the American conti-
nent still be prolonged after that dute, that the
volunteers will still be required to mount guard
}upon the frentier. On Thursday the Committee
jot Supply rose, and reported that the Supply Bill,
granting $3,380,000, had been adopted. Friday
was devoted to the winding up of the business,
which was far eneugh advanced to be treated in
; that way; and, as stated above, on Saturday the
| House was prorogued.
iso, spoke as follows —
by flon. Gentlemen of the Legislatire Council—
“ Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly—
“In releasing you for the present from further
| The Resolutions last reported from Supply were | Gen. Macdenald, Mactarlane, Mackenzie (Lamb- attendanee in Parliament, 1 rejoiee that J am
received, and the following gentlemen appointed «| ton), Mackenzie (North Oxterd), MeConney,
jable to congratuiate you upon having Jaid the
| foundation of a mere intimate anion of Ter Ma-
| jesty’s possessions in British North America. I
jam also happy te think that the eourse which
jyeu have adopted bas been ealenlated to prove
ihe sineerity and earpestuess with which you
| adhere to the policy of Her Majesty in relation to
foreign countries, and your readiness to pass
measures Which may be tound necessary for the
enforcement of that policy within the Province.
“ Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly ,—
“I thank you for the provision you have made
for carrying on the public service of the Province.
The sum which bas been entrusted to the Govern-
ment by your vote, for the permanent defence of
the Province, cannot fail to be regarded by our
tellow-subjects in England as an earnest that
Canadians are ready to accept the responsibility
whilst they claim the advantages of British
counection.
“ Hon. Gentlemen, and Gentlemen,—
“Tt has been considered advisable that a depu-
tation from the Government of Canada should
proceed to London to conter with Her Majesty's
Ministers on questions of great importance to the
Celony. When these gentlemen shall have re-
turned, I shall lose no time in again availing
myself of your counsels, and laying before you
the result of their mission.”
Thus closes one of the most important sessions
of the Canadian Parhament that ever was held.
The delegates are actively preparing for their trip
to the Court of St James, and next week, if all
is well, will see Messrs. John A. McDonald,
Galt, Cartier and McDougall on the bosom of the
broad Atlantic. So soon as they can return it is
proposed that Parliament shall again re-assemble
and receive the report of the delegates.
SURPLUS OF SILVER.
Je all the rage now, ar eny one who bas land | fessors’ salaries, rent anc
who could scarcely eke out a miserable pittance, |
The Hon, | C2eation of their childrea.
of’ 5000 Stated is true, and I believe itis, I ask the tax-
acres of his estate at Bothwell for the sum of | P&yers of the Colony if th ‘y are prepared to
His Excellency, in dving }
counts show that the amount paid for Pro.
other e i
£765 17s. 4d, besides six country scene -
of £20 each; total £885 17s.4d. Thissum divids
ied by 27, the number of scholars attending the
College, is about £32 15s. for each seho are
independent of fees paid by parents for che
If what 1 have
continue an institution whch benefits so small
a portion of the community, wien an educa-
le; . “
Large deposits of peat have been found in dif- | ston equaily as good is ir:parted at another
College, receiving no public aid, and where
order i8 maintained, which,
true, is not the ease at the
Col lege ?
_ It will be for the people to say whether it
is advisable to continue the College in its
preseot shape, or whether some arrangement
ought not to be made to render it available
for the country at large?
I remain yours very truly,
J. WARBURYON,
Chariottetown, March 27, 1866.
i i
To tue Epiror or tne Exaier.
Sir :—Eaclid, when asked, by one of hig
royal pupils if there wes not some easiar
way of learning Geometry than by close stud
und application, is said to have replied wi
the simple sentence: ‘There is no royal
road to Geometry.’” Now, Mr. Editor, thig
if the reports are
Prince of Wales
consider the time and coantry in which —
Euclid lived: but any one can, by reading —
the Protesiant of March |8th, see that it
entirely inapplicable to the present day and
the City of Summerside. 1
Thereis, in the paper referred to, a notice
of a quarterly examination of the Summerside
Grammar School, taught by one Alexander
realized the stupendous strides that civiliza~
ion, art, and especially learning, are makin
in this nineteenth century, which is bl
with the auspicious light of Mr. McRae’s
countenance. I may vyerture to say that
this centary would be remembered as an
eventful era in the world’s history, merely
on account of his having honoured it with
his presence, if there were no other causes
which would contribute to make it favor us,
But enough 9f McRae; Jet us see what is
said concerning the progress of the pupils
under his charge. It is about three months
since he was appointed to the Grammar
School, and lo! what effects are seen since
then.
Greek, French (?), Geometry, Geography,
English Grammar, Dictation and Mental
Arithmetic,and ‘‘acquitted themselves well.’’
How astonishing it 1s that Mr. Monk—gene-
rally considered one of the best teachers that
the Island ever saw — excepting, of course,
the one who now occupies 18 place—taught
the children none of these »ranchea. McRae
is perhaps a distant relation of the person
spoken of in Butler's Ludibras, of. whom it
is said:
Besides, ’tis known he could speak Greek,
As naturally us ries do squeak.
and that may aceount for is happy mode of
teaching what some are inclined to think be
never knew.
W onderfai too, is it not? that such profi-
ciency in such varied stutiies could be ob-
tained in the brief period of three months.
There must, Mr. Editor, be some Cape
Breton road to learning with which the in-
habitants of the rising City of Summerside
are being enlightened. It is no matter of
surprise that they have applied to Govern-
{ment to have their village incorporated, for
if their sons can aecomplis!) 80 much in three
jmonths, what must the older members of
jsuciety be capable of. Should the powers
| that be’’ pass an Act for incorporating Sum-
jmerside, McRae will probably be elected
Mayor by an unanimous ror populi, and
of the City into Greek. There would indeed
be some advantages arising from ench an act
on the part of McRae, for there could nos
possibly be any dispute concerning the true
meoning of the Laws—every one, however
great lis erudition, being equally ignorant.
Some doubt existed at tive time that Me-
Rae was appointed Master of the School, as
to whether 1t were right to appoint bim in
preferences to either of the other candidates,
but now fortunately the minds of all will be
set at rest, and the wisdom ef the choice
,whieh was made acknowledged. The only
uneasiness that can henceforth exist will be
| caused by fear that, on aceount of his great
‘talents and varied aequirements, he may not
}live to bless the eountry in whieh he resides,
jlor the matural term of three score and ten
years. Trusting, however, that such a
calamity as bis death muy be spared the
Island, Lam yours, &.
QUILL.
e
Mareh 29th, 1865.
ORWELL YOUNG MEN’S INSTITUTE.
On Tuesday, the 14th inetart, Mr. Leander G.
McNeill, P. W. Collega, Chaslottetown, read a
lecture before this Inet Hulgor “ British Secular
Oratory.” The lecturer Tirst gave his ideas of
eloquence in general, and of secular eloquence in
particular. ‘This second object was to give a brief
biographical sketch ef several of the most promi-
nent orators of British birth, The Earl of Chat-
tam, Wm. Pitt, Edmund Burke, C. J. Fox, R. B.
Sheridan, Grattan, Canning, O’Connel, and seve-
ral otbers, were treated at some length. Three
pieces were recited in an able manner in order
te present to the audience seme idea of the great
powers of Britain’s speaking sons, viz: a part of
Chattain’s speech on Britain's employing mer-
cenary troops in the war with Americans, Burke’s
impeachment of Warren Hastings, Eeq., and one
of Grattan’s most sareastie ptillipics. The sub-
jeet was ably treated, occupied about an hour
and a half in delivery, and was favourably re-
ceived by a full house. A spirited discussion
ensued on several poiits advanced in the leeture.
We, in Upper Canada, are dreadfully annoyed
with a surplus of American silver, and the To-
ronto Globe is out against it. The Board of |
Trade recommended that the Store-keepers should |
put a discount of four per cent upon it; and many
of them adopted the recommendation, whilst
others again, who are not troubled with bank ac-
counts, stuck out against the movement, and “ sil-
ver at par” labels are in the windows of a large
number of the shops. It is made publie that a
good deal of money has been made on American
silver. The banks of course do not take it, and |
when any dealer wishes to make a deposit he has |
to apply te the money changers, and they charge |
him from 4 to 6 per cent discount. ‘This silver is |
again sold by the brokers to establishments where |
a large number of men are employed, and it is !
paid to them at par, and thus the American silver |
has been circulating in Upper Canada for the last
three years. There.is to be a meeting to-night |
cf the citizens to take action in the matter, and it |
will be for them to say whether the silver will |
be taken at par or the rate of discount increased. |
Many are in favor of releasing the Canadian |
coinage now lying useless in the bank, by |
putting a discount of 10° per cent upon it. It!
seems rather strange to hear so much about re- |
fusing to take silver when trade is so dull; but
dealers have been compelled to take some action
in the matter to save themselves and their eustom-
evs from the clutches of unprincipled brokers.
SPRING AT LAST.
Since my last letter to you spring has come |
Upon us quickly, and already the snow is fast dis- |
appearing; aud from what has already been seen |
of the Fall wheat, the show is a most promising |
ene, and if no severe night frosts follow, we will |
evidently have a good yield of Fall wheat. This is |
| much to be desired, as for the last four years the
crops have not been anything like what they
were years ago, and many of the farmers fear
that they will not be able to make both ends meet
unless there are good crops this season. The
winter has been a very severe one, and many far-
mers had to kill off their stock to keep them from
dying from starvation. Freshets are, howeve ry
working considerable damage throughout the
country, and a large amount of property bas been
destroy ed.
_— ee
To rng Epirog or truz Examiner.
Dear Sir ; :
For the last three sessions of the Legisla-
ture I have endeavored to show to the country
that the benefits derived from the Prince of
Wales College are not at all commensurate.
with the lavish expenditure required to sup-
port it, while the salaries of the district
teachers have been redaced one third. I ean-
not see the justice of subsidising an imstita-
tion at the expense of the country @istricts,
farmers in the back townships are necessitated
to kill off their cattle to prevent them dying from
starvation. The roads are good, and had prices
of grain been — to what was expected, a large
business would have been done; but as it is, few
eo do more than clear expeuses, while
others kave an account on the wrong side of the
book. All look anxiously forward for Spring to
open, so that they may see how the wheat cro
leoke. March came in like a Jamb, but the se-
which are so poorly supported by the counsry,
Last year I made an estimate of the cost to)
the country, of each scholar attending the
Prince of Wales Uollege.: independent of the
amount paid by eer it was about £35
“4 meeps uring the present session
as or the returns of the past year, a ,
find there are 27 prt tb
College, besides ten which are * exchanged’*
cond day ushered in a storm of great severity.
from the grammar school. The public ac-'
scholars attending the | of
And had not the evening been so far spent as to
prevent many others from stating their views, the
ost lively and instructive debate would certainly
have followed. The Institute heartily thanked
Mr. MeNeill, and will be glad to be entertained
by him at any future time.
A notion appears to be pretty generally abroad
to the effect that Sir Edmund Surke was neither
a pre-eminently great man nora great orator.
Many place him, as an orator, beneath Chattam,
Pitt, Fox, Sheridan, Grattan and Shiel. This is
a mistaken idea. Burke, like every genius, wrote
and spoke for a future generation. And it is
only in this age that his master mind is being
fully appreciated and openly acknowledged.
Have not all our leading statesmen, whether they
will own to it or not, literally lived upon Edmund
Burke?) The great mine of constitutional and
political wisdom which is stored up im his works,
has been a fouvtain from whic all may gain re-
freshinent to day and forever. For political sa-
gacity, soundness of judgment, constitutional
knowledge, and majesty of diction, be stands on
a summit of hisowa. And is be nut frequently
placed in the same category with Shakespere,
Milton, Bacon, and Newtou!? As to his oratory,
he stands unrivalled among Lnglish Senators.
Sheridan has been beld forth as a greater orator
than Burke. Sheridan certainly was a skillful
off-hand disputant. He beut all the powers of
his acute mind to shine as a dazzling declaimer.
He attended debating clubs, soted every keen
thought and witty saying, resorted to theatrical
display, and, as a consequenee, won the reputa-
tion of being the readiest wit aud most gorgeous
orator of the day. But this hind of reputation
never lasts. His speech, on introducing the Be-
gum Charge, in the trial of Hastings, owes its
greatest success to display of this nature. And
although it was then considered the noblest effurt
in the annals of British eloquence, yet no sooner
had the interest of this great trial passed away,
than the chief merits of this famous speech passed
with it. And this bas been the fate of all poor
Sheridan’s highest flights. Not so with Burke,
Barke’s imagination was as gorgeous as ever
plumed the wing of eloquence, aud, besides, it
was enriched by erudition so vast, genius so dar-
ing, a judgraent so comprehensive, a discourse go
boundiess, that.all his oratorical effurts must ever
command the admiration ot mankind.
If we are to credit the assertions of Erskine
May, in his Constitutional History, Barke was
scarcely able to command a hearing—was quite
inferior to the Pitts, and altogether unfit. to be
compared to Charles James Fox! Fox. once
said that “no good speech reads well.” This is
undoubtedly true of Fox's orations, but it is not
a true test of the highest order of eloquence, Let
a speech be heated with emotion, let it be deli-
vered with the appliances of the orgtor’s art, and
it will be a great speech to both reader and
hearer. Fox was a debater of the first order.
He gave his hearers the most splendid specimens
ot nopassioned eloquence as ever made St. Ste-
phen’s ring. Fox had logie and passion, but little
imagination. His wit, his invective, bis appeals
to the feelings, were perhaps unrivalled. But be
lacked the wisdom, the intellect, the knowledge,
the mapeuy and the originality of his “ great
master.” The reason, then, that Burke’s style
t oratory was rict so popular as Fox's, wae
Siinply the fact that it was too elaberate, too
learned, too philosophical, to be appreciated by
may have been an excelient answer if we”
McRae ; and, on reading that notice, | fully —
The scholars were examined in Latin, ©
_
forthwith commence to trenslate the Laws °
shew a. @ AR t—/4 Gee Gee feel
o
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