AND

PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDADVERTISER-

CHARLOTTETOWN, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1842.

a

[No. '277.

l'dPIRIT OF THE COLONIAL PRESS. 7' " COMMERCE or ENGLAND.

(From the Halifax Morning Post.) l V At this moment, Great Britain is assailed by one of! fun most extensive and powerful combinations for crip- pling her prosperity, and rendering her resources uria-l

by the enterprise of her people, an ing: of her prlncely merchants—by the extent. of her commerce, and the acquirernent of Colonies—that we:l hue seen her hitherto raising the silent envy ofthe con-l tinental nations; and at length eliciting their open hos-3

tility in the shape of prohibitoiy duties. In the short} ’ space of one‘year antecedent to this month of November 1842, no less than six powers nfluence of nationality, have dealt out their death . _2NOWS at British Commerce. It were wrong, perhaps, toclll that a foul conspiracy which appears to have re- sulted from the individual enactments of different na~ , tions, but that each has encouraged the other in the ' adoption of Tariffs hostile to Great Britain, there cannot . he the possibility of a doubt. When France. Portugal, , ‘ Belgium, and Germany, concocted their respective schemes against the entrance of British manufactures, it were idle‘to say, that each did not connive at the hos- tility ofthe other, and watch with intense anxiety till the completion of an increased scale of duties was de- ‘~ clued. Russia and the United States, too, have not acted without intimation of each other’s proceedings, ._ and the anxious cultivation ofa friendly alliance between . these two powers argues convincingly that in imposing

l t

, invested with the dignified=

S

l’

lofstrength. lwrth those nations which her on a fair and equitable

the combination against he as the price of their friend wanting to prove how little is gained Ireliance and ill advised concession.

; act on is—“ We’ll take all t l more l” chains on the New English Tariff h

course. Beefand Pork, has been succeeded by an almost prohi- bitory duty on British Manufirctnres—whilst our Ameri- can neighbours liave received an advantage in the car-

prOsperity of colonial shipping. port which owns more shipping than even Halifax itself —from having enjoyed the carrying trade to the West

Let her even propose reciprocal treaties seek to have 'mtercourse with fluoridation; but let her spurn he alliance ofthose who, r, press exorbitant demands ship. Examples are not by a want of self- }Iow has the new

'l'flmle, that was ever heard of in the history of its-.T. 11-0 E n n ee ck ed 9 'n 9 [in e .1. _ so exalted Is the standing that she has acquired ls,:::,,,1r viii,“ d” I) n a 'lelr “:7 ll I ,lh.‘ "'d was . , -. . en 1 ‘t'

I t Um I‘ In]; e monopoy 0 ties. on cities to the

rade in the West Indies was broken down, and the

American Speculator placed on the same footing with

be British Colonial Merchant, did the Federal Cabinet

tacknowlerlge the favor by any relaxation of their Tariff

nour faVor? No! No! The principle they seem to‘ yoti give us, and grasp for —arid the congratulations of American Mer~ ad hardly escaped

heir lips, ere Congress announced an addition of 10 or

20 per cent. to the existing duty on British Goods!

The Members ofthe Peel Cabinet no doubt feel them- elves in a rather perplexing position. In yielding par-

tially to the cry of “ Free Trade!” they have met with hostile restrictions from the vecy gove

rnment to which hey more especially extended the hoou"of free inter- Tlie Withdrawal of prohibition from American

ying trade which will be decidedly detrimental to the Thus, Yarmouth, a

presuming on the strength of

too great extent, acted in concert.

nels to the export of English manufactur

mixed worsted and cotton, was raised from

9d. per lb.; the new duty being from ‘3 ll) to:

'y ad valarcm : printed goods are prohibit/rd.

Prussia, during his late visit to St. Petersbt , ~the Emperor to issue a more favourable 7 products of Prussia.

" December, IS“

latter is equal to an ad vnlorem duty of 'on the average qualities of cloth sent to Pt

{on [837 (in which year the Tariff was raised), the do- . ties were only about If) per cent. (Irl vrI/m‘cm,

Untaminally l5 per cent) ‘ rse of negotiation! 'T/te I‘i‘cftclt Term hearing date tli

m doubled, and made almost ent

tarp—this being by far our largest branch ol'export to

rance. The Belgian Tar/j, issued in Jul

, in obedience to the dictation of France, 'Hew ofpreventing the smuggling of .Euglis 1.43""! into that country through Belgium.

tinny kinds ofcottons, woollens ‘ duty Will he prohibitoryp

' ,‘T/te Germ'zn League Tarif‘, passed by which the duty on one of the larg

bein many cases prohibitory; and by wl I onquincnilleric or hardware is increased lars per cwt.

And

,

. this severe blow will he averted by . , s

ifies the declaration that a great portion

,srent Land. ,stes, and the

In Belgium, Prussia, Bavaria, and Wur

yet, the dark clouds of hostility which . Iv her future career, but impart a mor a to the star of her superiority.

“ll this opposition? Why does nation tish Goods? Is not the fact alone which, saddled with duties at the rate 0

Itlll compete with the more costly, but _ Ctures ofthe continent. And should

tesmen feel depressed with a load of ions seek friendship where hostility

our Parent Land, it is all-importan lJVith the world in

L

my attitude of jealous nations. . uP‘survey her resources—and

testrictions on the industry of Great Britain, they have, Month after month has clapsad, since this timelast year, adding new train-

find at last the following imposing catalogue of Tariffs: I. The Russian Tar/ff issued in November, 13-“ ; by which the duty on worsted or woollen goods, and

ulcaa'e for the

i’ H. The Portuguese Tariff, hearing date the I‘lth of _ , by which the duties on English wool- vjlens were raised from 36!) to 61)!) reis per lb. The

A favourable Tririffis now in

3 which the duties on English linen yarns and

which the duty on English linens and linen fused to the saute p‘roliibitory rate as the French duty,

_, ‘ V. The United States Tarifl', hearing date August, c.1842; by which the duty on woollens was raised from

I040 per cent. ml valornm, on worsted goods from ‘20 30 per cent., and on cotton goods the duty was made - outiually 31) per cent., but on some kinds of goods it is .‘reality from [00 to 200 per cent. ad valorem, and on , and other goods, the

‘ exports, namely, Worsted goods, figured or print- _, Is raised from 30 dollars to 52) dollars per cwt., so as

‘ it is not impossible that next month the Brazi— Tarrjfl‘may be raised very greatly, the Brazilian Mernmeiit having given notice to that effect; but we

which Mr. Ellis, the Special Minister lately sent t3 Brazil, is empowered to make on the Sugar Du-

' This is truly a formidable list of prohibitions, and well d world has declared Commercial War against our Russia, Portugal, France,

great German League—carrying with ,4;- her form a confederacy against the Commercial in- , course of England, unexampled in her past history.— ‘Vhat is the cause

to impose an almost prohibitory scale of duties

8 ent ofthe excellence of the very articles they tax;

" * restrictions, see arty reason for despair? ‘Should

8} reflect upon the difficulty of reinstatingihe 10 her wonted position ’!—Will they by mean

v and augment the audacity of those who are jea- gher'l If ever firmness was requisite in the Coun-

ud bravery once brought her with glory out ofa arms; let her wisdom, enter- firmness now rescue her frotn injury by the

. prepare 'for a Dflnterests as she formerl’y prepared for a trial

Indies—will now be left without protection. Timber and produce that can only be exported with advantage to the West Indies in British bottoms, will be taken at llte same rate ofduty iti United States Vessels, as soon as the new colonial regulations come fully into operation. This is mistaken policy; and we trust that the Colonial Legislatures will make such representations, at their corn- ing sessions, as will continnethat protection which colo~ Iris-ts have hitherto enjoyed.

The present War of Tariffs against England will teach her Siatesmen a lesson of foresight and prudence. They are alive to the interests of her Colonies, we know; but none seems to feel an adequate estimate of their inestimable importance. When the hollowness of foreign friendship is tested, then the value of colonial connections will be the more forcibly felt and universally acknowledged ; and to increase their population, to pro- tect their commerce, to developtheir resources, and turn ‘towards their shores the vast tide ofernigration that has been heretofore flowing into the United States, will be- come points ofanxious solicitude with the Imperial Ca- binct.

Is it not monstrous that the surplus of England's po- pulation should enrich and strengthen foreign States, that secretly strive to injure her in peace; and would do their utmost to accomplish her destruction in War. What sacrifice on the part of the government would be too great to induce emigrants to inhabit these North 1842; by American Colonies; and raise tip here, among the most Yarns “’35 loyal people of the Queen’s dominions, a populotis and truly Britt's/t confederacy, that in peace would consume the products of home industry, and in war would stand forth as the right arm ofher strength? What security can there be in conciliatng lliejealonsy ofFrance, or in yielding to the exorbitant concessions so vehemently de- manded and so thanklesst received by the United States? Let ast experience answer! And let the Rulers of England's destiny, whoever they may be, lay this truth to heart—that the only sure guarantee of their country's prosperity and safety is, iii nourishing the strength—~increasing the population—protecting the commerce—lbstering the industry-—and securing the affections of her colonies all over the world.

es, until we

35. (id. to (is. 31)!) per cent. The King of

Irg, induced

45 per cent. )rtngal. Be-

(though

e 26m June.

irely prohibi-

y,

and with h linens and

2

September, est branches __

INDEPENDENCE OF THE BRITISH NORTH AMERI- CAN COLONIES.

rich the duty probably 50

(From Neilson's Quebec Gazette.) The following is copied from a late English paper :—

“ It may be confidently anticipated, now that the boundary line is settled, and the Canadians have obtained a new Con- stitution, that this country will he tit length relieved ofthe enormous expense incurred by keeping up a large standing army in our North American provinces. The troops ofthe line in that quarter, independent ofthe native militia in pay, probably exceed 15,000 men, being about one-fifth ofthe whole effective force of the country. Taking the pay ofthe militia into account, the number of desertions from the regu- lar army, and the large sums of money laid otlt on public works, it cannot be denied that the mother country has a very expensive, as well use troublesome offspring. From keeping rip so many troopsin Canada, Great Britain has been forced to increase her army, and has at the same time been materially crippled in her operations both in India and China. These considerations, therefOre, give rise to the questions, whether, under all circumstances, the possession ofthe Ca- nadas is worth the money, and whether, at some not very distant period, it may not be advisable to leave the people to erect themselves into an independent State? When the North American provinces became sufficiently strong to ac- sert theirindependence, we tried in vain to coerce them m- to obedience, lost armies and much treasure jp the deadly contest, and were at last compelled to yield. Since that hu- miliating event, changes have taken place which few antici- paterl. England increased in power—the United States in- creased in a tenfold proportion, and the trade and commerce between the countries now exceeds those between any two States in the world. Unfortunately, the bad feeling created by the war of independence long existed,. and has not died away, notwithstanding the vast commercial Intercourse be- tween the two countries. Thrs, therefore, ought to be a les- son for the future rulers of the country, and should induce them, when Canada is sufficiently strong to defend herself; and claims independence, to grant it Withmtta struggle. By so doing, Great Britain would set a noble example, perhaps the only (me yet exhibited in the world, of fosteringn colony, protecting it against all enemies during its Weakness, ahd at a fitting season parting with it on terms offi'jendshrp and esteem. At present, however, such an eventiis out of the question, as Canada is quite unable to cope With her power- ftrl neighbour, and we are bound to protect her; .but when the separation does take place, England Will have no cause to complain.” I .

It is a pity that people _in England are not better in-

the conces-

of the civil- tlie United temburg—al- seem to hang e intense ra- ‘nfter nation an acknow- f50 per cent. inferior, ma- England, in

despondency

has been de-

t now. Her

et her gather

formed in regard to Canada and the other North Ameri- can Colonies. If this evil were confined to the news- papers, it would not be so prejudicial to both countries; but It is to he found among ministers of State and mem- bers‘ of Parliament; and hitherto it seems incurable.

'1 he very nature ofthe relation between a metropolis and its Colony, is, that the Government of the metropo- lis should be the Supretne Government of the Colony. “possesses a controuling power over the Colony, other- wise it would be independent of the mother Country; in truth a foreign nati exists between independent States, would exist between the two countries. But unless the Supreme power is correctly informed ofthe state of things in a Colony, the acts and authority of that power will be mischievous, produce misgovernment, and prove fatal to the welfare ofthe Colonists. and injurious to the mother Country.

It was this wantof correct information, and the acts of the British Government founded on error, that produced the loss ofthe old Colonies, now the United States of America. as well as the events which preceded, and those which are yet to follow.

The same cause is now in operation with regard to the remaining North American Colonies The acts of the British Government and Legislature, affecting Cana- da, for many years past, have shown a degree of igno- rance and instability similar to those which character- ised their acts before and dtiririg the American Revolu- tion. They are still groping intlie dark, in order to find out remedies for the complaints front the Colonies, and running against new obstacles. In the vexatiou of failure, they lose sight ofthe principles of constitutional freedom and natural justice ; which would either set them right, or induce them to abstain, till they were sure they are right.

They have again been paying dearly for their error ; still they seem incapable of mending. Canada alone has cost England, during the year ending the Ist Janu- ary, 1842, aboutfour millions qfdollars! and for what? on accountof boundary disputes with the United States, which might have been settled at any time during the last fifty years, on the conditions of the late treaty: to subdue disorders in Canada, occasioned by acknowledged acts of misgovernment by the home ministry, and by the provincial Executives, under their controul!

And now they talk of leaving “ the people to erect themselves into an Independent State,” and are weigh- ing the duty of protection against “ money” l—-“ when Canola is sufficiently strong to defend herself”! Here agailithe prevailing sin in regard to the real state of things in America is promirient. Have they forgot the boundaries established by the treaty of I783, which gave the United States the latitude 45, the waters ofthe St. Lawrence and the Lakes, for a boundary, extending more than a thousand miles, laying the whole ofCanada open to invasion by a population vastly superior iii num~ bers and in means?

IfGreat Britain had intended by the treaty of 1783. to guard against Canada ever becoming independent, her statesmen ofthat day 'Were right. Ifthe British GOVernment performs what this writer says she is “ bound to do,” “to protect” Canada “ till she is able to cope with her powerful neighbour,” the “ fitting season” will never come.

It is to be hoped, however, that in the meantime some judicious steps may be taken to secure to the Colonies “ good and cheap Government,” under the authority of the Crown, and that no one on the other side of the At- lantic will everindulge in dreams ofCanadian Indepen- dence, but be assured that whenever Canada ceases to be protected by the power ofthe British Empire, 11‘ na- COMES PART on THE UNITED STATES or AMERICA.

CANADIXN_ FOCtTics.

(From the Montreal Times.) . ‘

The name of the Nrw Orleans Picayune is redolent of wit, humour, epigrams, puns and polished satire. We turn with pleasure to its pages when surfeited with de- monstration meetings, caucus conventions, and all the. machinery of political life. _

Onr contemporary dwells in a city blessed With a motley population. National rivalries were once rife in New Orleans; but. the wisdom of forbearance, long preached, gradually gained converts; and at the present day the Franco and Anglo-Americans dwell in peace together. .

A writer surrounded with all those elements which, in Canada, have been played with fearful effect upon each other, by a government alternately favouring one race or the other, cannot be disqualified from pronoun- cing an unbiassed opinion. Distance enables him to render an impartial verdict; and prejudiced as many of otir Canadian politicians are, they must bear testimony to the correctness of the following sketch of Colonial affairs 1— _

“ The principles of free government are in themselves contagious, or like the ctrcles made by the dropping of a solid body in the water, they keep extending‘frorn. the centre till they reach the farthest bounds of soctety. When the outbreak of 1837 and 8 was put down In Canada, by a soldiery called from beyond the seas and quartered on and among the people for that purpose, it was proclaimed by the levy presses of Canada, and echoed by many congenial journals here, that the people wanted no change—that their institutiohs were perfect —that they needed no amelioration, and that those who were the instigators, abettors and actors in the “ rebel- lion," were anarchists, malcontents, revolutionlsts—fwho, ifin heaven, would, like Satan, be dissatisfied. We Will see how far these assertions were correct. Until lately, the government of Canada was a kind of nondescrlpt or anomaly.—Those who benefited by its corruptions, cal- led it a system the most perfect by which the soctal_eom- pact was ever bound together—they pronounced it the image and transcript of the British constitution—With them the beau ideal of governmental polity. The peo- ple, who were the victims of its vices and the slaves ofits corruptions, cried out loudly against it—they asserted that it was neither monarchical nor republican—neither fish, flesh, nor "g'ood red herring—that they Were govern- ed by an irresponsible oligarchy, who ruled but to turn

on, and only the connexion which'

—who kept within themselves, and as an heir-loom, the patronage as Well as the power ofthe government; and who were significantly called the “ family compact."

“ The boast of those who were in favour of things as they were—that the government of Canada was a tran- script of that ofGreat Britain—was based on the assump- tion, that the colony, like the kingdom, was ruled by three estates. The Canadian House ofAssenibly, they said, was the image of the British House of Commons— the Legislative Council reflected the form ofthe House of Lords sitting in St. Stephen’s. and the Governor was the representative of Royalty. But they forgot to add, that . whoever the wheel of political fortune threw into the Colonial Office iti London, governed all, though he might be as ignorant of the interests of tho colony as ‘c Kamschalfian is of astrology, or a live oyster of the pro- perties of the steam engine.

“The members ofthe legislative council were appoint- .- ,

ed by the Governor, and it was packed exclusively by the “ family compact,” whose power, political andsper- sonal, ascended to such a height in the province, that even the Governor could not reach it. He was there-Y fore, be he whom he might, apuppet—a nose ofwax in their hands. They were the government, and control- led every branch ofit. The evils ofthe system, how- ever, became too glaring; and the-consequence was, that general discontent began to diffuse itself through the Provinces. A few choice Spirits -—Papiueau in the lower province, and Bidwell and others in Upper Canada—gui- ded and directed this feeling; they demanded a trans- cript of the British constitution, in fact as well as in name ; they insisted upon having a responsi- ble government—that the advisers of the Governor, sty- led iii Canada the Executive Council, should, likethe ministers of England, be responsible to the country for- all the measures they introduced into the Provincial Par- liament—arid should resign and make Way for others when they lost the confidence ofthe people, that is, when they could not command a majority ofvotes in the pope'- lar branch ofthe legislature. It was denied them; and, , to pass over many events of importance, the rebellion followed. It was crushed; but although it was, Eng. land well knew that the germ ofdiscontent was there.-— She well knew that though the tree ofopposition to in- justice was hewn down, its roots and fibres had taken. firm hold in the soil. ‘

“ The late Earl of Durham, 3 statesman of the most liberal political principles, was therefore despatched to’ Canada, to see what plan might be devised to save Cana- da to the mother country. He arrived in Canada, made himself acquainted with the bearings of the question at issue, went home, and advised that the Canadas be uni- ted, and that a “ responsible government” be granted to the colonists. Thus, after the expenditure ofan enor- mous sum of money, and subjecting the colony to all the evils of a civil war, all was conceded which was origi— ' rially asked for. '.

“ Well, the advice of Lord Durham rwuadopted, th’éc provinces were united, and an Executive Council,'rTomii>\- nally responsible, were chosen by the governor. Some ‘ ofthe old family compact destructives were retained ;* ' some of the ultra-liberals Were brought in to act with them; and to give the council a more motley hue, a. slice from the neutral or juste milieu party was added. When produced as a whole, they reflected no principles; represented no party; and what was considered more objectionable, marked injustice was done to the Lower Canadians of French descent. Not one ofthem was called to office utider the new order of things.

“It was tiow seen that the policy contemplated was to keep the promise of responsible government to the ear, and break it tothe hope. The consequence was, that Mr Baldwin, the most influential ofthe liberal party, and one or two others, retired from the ministry or cabi- net, which left it in a rickety condition. Desperate ef- forts were made to carry on the government, in a manner - as closely resembling the old system as possible. The experiment has however failed, and we are pleased to see, as we do by the papers received yesterday, that the go- vernor has called back Mr. Baldwin to his council. The family ccmpa‘ct men, and all others who do not recog- nise responsible government in its full and true sense, have been driven into retirement; and due weight and importance have been given to the Franco:Canadian| in the government and legislation of the nation. I

“ The foregoing is a brief review ofthe events which led to the present much ameliorated political condition of the Canadians: we wish itrmay progress rather than retrograde. It is another proof of the moral apotbegrl —‘ Truth is powerful, and must prevail.’ "

(From the Toronto Examiner.) . .

'Upon the whole, we ,conceive that every consistent reformer has reason to rejoice in the very favourable us- pect which political affairs now present. We have never yet been so thoroughly relieved from the tltrtildom of'thc Old Compact, iror witnessed such an unreserved cppli- cation of the principle ofResponsible Government In the administration of our affairs. ‘ The consistent and straight-forward course which the reform party pursued has led to the natural result of—power, respect and so: lidity. So strong a Government has never, we believe, existed in Canada, and we trust that the strength they possess will be heartily applied to t ' emoysl of evil and corruption, and the full estabhshm nt cfjustice, in- telligence anrl honesty. We shall soon witness the re- assembling of the Provincial Parliament (In February it is said), and until then we must be content to trust to conjecture, founded on the former career ofthose gentle- men who now hold office, for the means of anticipating the course which politics will take. .

It is a fact worthy of remark, that _a Goyenor who rs appointed by a British Cabinet, of which Sir R. Peel Is premier, and who is the nephew of the Duke of We!- lington, is the, first ruler Canadahas seen who would render justice to the French, or bring the theory of R9- sponsible Government into practical application. It ll especially worthy of remark, because it tends to prove, that the spirit of the English Government is becoming more liberal, ’and the men who administer it more in- clined to adapt themselves to the opinions of the mass.