s4 io

in all from & yer who o sor yerween 5° svae—)* imeiy vee ae genus g, soc

Weekly Hournal of

a -

itevature, and slews.

es

‘ ol, AL. sciniieaiaimail stilts ee

=— ” ’ i s rh $i ay x ch course. J could not do ee: = = Tt ae oe , ‘ t spect to|tenantry. Sir. 1 have taken no suc n l

~ +} ¥ d iF 7 ° f ee eee ee ed ae ats 2 aces 8) in my capacity as an Executive Councillor. I believe hon.

y vor incial ay vais ii + those proprietors who have not agreed to th j AL | members press eather hard on the hon. member, Mr. Yeo.

ne a not being bound by its award, I do not say that they will, | The hon member for Marray Harbor said, the other day, tuat

— but the despatch of the Duke of Newcastie shows that if they |). he joved the people would have been satisfied if the award

+ , * ° . 2 ! HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. do not submit to the Commission, they may look out for the! o¢ the Commissioners had been given, whether it was favor- Sarvapar, March 9. consequences. ‘The Home Government will perhaps agree able or unfavorable ‘This is what is called a /apsus, And

i i i in ort Hill made a dapsus when ; t t 2 yon them than on the J think the hon. member from Port p . a ale vng og t. _ oe a ee jhe stated that he knew the Bill to give effect to the report ot By Mr. Holm, | others. r . : ’ 2 itl ‘ommissioners would never pass at Home. The Act, it : a Ss Ra enen eee oe a yon uh was so worded that it would have affected every per- | tions sent Home against some of the measures of the late Go- we wela bobde: SO Gasenel bind, and thedinen wenbtek thas | vernment may have been kept; but understand that coecomas L think, however, he should have stated last Session, when | a dispute between Governor Daly and Mr, a W right | the Bill was passing through the Mouse, that he considered | ; i . aiiclius Peoniah® Dy ish that it was too sweeping. bag . in regard to the necessity of furnishing a copy. wish ee ; Ton. Col. Gray, by command of His Excelleacy the Licut copies of the petitions against the Act relating to the award | Hon. Mr. YEO—So I did. ted to the House the folowing message:— of the Land Commsssion were before the House, for if they | Governor, presen E of the L > Dovvas, Lieut. Governor. | were, they would go to counteract siatements made by hon. the Lieutenant Governor transmits to the information of members of the Opposition to the effect that sarod i ae \lieve the opinion is general in the country, that the Govern- be House of Aseembly, copies of three despatches addressed bers of the Government appeared before the Commission to ment, with the exception of Hon. Col. Gray, were not sincere ake to Hig Grace the Duke of Newcastle advocate the cause of the tenantry. One of the “re in passing this Bill, and therefore not detieous that it should : 5 weeial j ‘ ai Jol. Gray and Mr. | reeeiy e Ri assent, t St. Eleanor’s when the Lan Pa these despatches were enclosed three petitions, or me- contuins strong ee against “ee a G = a . ete ee ae — paves moe a leg . ° P 7 — < 2¢ rom ir his s ec ) 2 é ciny, va morials against the “ Act to give effect te the award of the Longworth, ~~ e that they steppe : eae : t be if they expected to poss ss the land on which they were Commissioners to be appointed on the land question.” But to take part with the tenantry. | consider there can not be v .

the memorialists ia placing their petitious in the hands of the better evidence that the Government have hel hoe she fact | bope that the Commission, though it does*aot appear to pro- Lieutenant Governor for transmission to the Colonial Minis- justice properly in regard to the we scrgne ed a a ; mise much at present, will disappoint the proprietors still ter, did not furnish bim with copies to be laid before the | that they are censured by both parties. I will no give ® more than they were at the time of the sitting of the Court, Legislature. list of those landholders who sigued the petitions in ques . and revive the Senet of the oe a wails nsiats Fae Litter ora apes ofthe pation of Cunt pel ion torn there wana jan ptiion signed bY Hobert|in unable to prove i atatement Uh the Government wer the House with a copy of the prayer of the petition of Char- peti ion ; then there was a join peti on signe — io 7 ie ae na Bill jes Wright, co referred to in the accompanying copy, Bruce Pete oo ee ee er ee peebess i Pe ent Despatch No. 61; and also a oopy of the prayer of the pe- ving, John A. M‘Donald, for self and { y ps ’

a se ad ee ‘ and hope that it will yet turn out well. tition signed by Rubert Bruce Stewart, Esquire, aud others, Charles Wright. This C harles Wright appears to have been Mr. PREER—L. ton, eannet allow thid-enpe-ston to be cost ‘ y » referred to in the copy, Despatch No. 62.

determined to be right, for he petitioned both in au oe upon tne Government. 1 woold never have given them my ali iti gai al and collective capacity. None of these parties agreed | gy pp ort if I thought they were not sincere. 1 cannot believe ‘ ists appear to have petitioned against the Act dual a , PP g y i quien, 00 Oe 3 >and that if It passed iuto a lave they to the Commission, except John A. M*Donald, who certainly | that the hon. member thinks they were not sincere,though he 2 issi ile i * in a si iti in fi f\ has mad the statement. b ; hile they | has placed himself in a singular position. 1 am in favor of | ha ' j bound by the award of a Commission, while they - ve enn ee ancl parties to the submission upon whict sending to the Colonial Office for a copy of a petitions, icra eee think. the bens means Biss Saled might r and if they contaia anything insulting to the Legislature, _gon ers Ne erg ree weer : that award was to be founded. : oo . , a pression in the country that the Goverament were insincere The Lieutensat Governor will, by the first mail, make those who signed them will not only have oue ote against I passing the Bill. It may be the .m,,temsion in Tiguish, but application to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle for copies of them, but the whole [ouse. They should be made to an-| 7.) throughout the country. te om memorials, in order to lay them before the Legislature. swer for it if they have employed disrespectiul language. | Ton, Mr. LONGWORTIT—The hon. member for Tignish

: i } y : ; inic has dene no Lonor to the Hon. Coli. Gray by excepting him in

The said Message and accompanying papers having been Hon. Col. GRAY ore do not disagree with aareteres alliets Aéesheguel Wasideasiae saaiaidt wf Saemttenn, —

read by the Clerk, Hon. Col. GRAY moved that they do the bon. member for Georgetown that we ought to have ® if he has associated with such persons as the other members

lie on the table. copy of these pocstions, but I would at who is to pay the | of the Government are said to be, his conduct must be incon-

Hon. Mr. COLES.—If I were s member of the Govern-| damages for libel, if they are published ? _. |sistent. I am astonished that the hon member should rise in

I id make no such motion as that they be laid on lon. Mr. HAVILAND—Nothing which they contain his place and make this statement ag sinst such a body of men, the tabl y uld move that they be referred to a Com-|can be considered as libellous, when passing in the way of that they were all insincere. : ‘ a

ites of the an House. That a few proprietors and land official correspondenee, but if publisied in the newspapers) Mr. CONROY—I am very little sequainted with the opinion

oes : sal ane x Balen tie . s might be held as such. : ;

agents should petition against an Act passed by both branch- | some of their statements perhaps migbt b I sarlicubarte alitied $0: dun aeaneaent neaiemamk Ge es of the local Legislature, ia a bold proceeding. I think a will admit that these landaolders have some argument, as |; eee ee ene out ip lg se ep ct g tie Pet true eopy of the documents, with all the names attached to they bad not signed for the Commissiun, aud they et mot simesen, by the adiniasion of a4 loadd bus of ule eubenth- them, eught to have been kept in the Colony. If the Go- under the impression that the Act if passed into law, would | ors.

vernment are prepared to take proper steps to counteract interfere with their property; and if they have used proper )

‘ i : Se i - | langu: t d smbers of this House, not much can be | been fighting shadows for nearly en houranda half. If the this influence at the Colonia! Office, they shall bave my sup- language towards ro e : ; ms S| Noun Subting abedi tet oy of Pre ee

i inute of said against them. No compulsory means can properly be | hon. member Mr, Conroy s i a Bat I contend that they chenld nae — vo -_ ’ ~~ ‘ iil d he C ce P ‘i o have | W2S general that the Government were not sincere in regard Couneil along with the petitious ia opposition to their prayer. employed to bring those under the Commission wh a oS

: : : to the Land Commission, I believe he has gone too far. I do . ition re - | ke’s despatch they receive a i a os te And, Sic, we do act know what statements these petitions not agreed to it; but in the Duke's despatch they rec sat, think shies in. she episianiin tha 4iauinaaeiel 1 soprannt.

may contain against members of this House, and perhaps al- bint—and hg 7. eas Se Peat al = There may be one or two members of the Government who so against members of the Government. For this reason, | era she ey a vats Aaa 7, = te I ge “pete Were not sincere in supporting the Billl, but that they were think a copy of thew should have been kept, and laid before hereafter from Her Majest sw cng W 9 a all so, I Cink ee ee bse itil, the Ilouse. That two proprictore, Mr. Bruee Stewart and, —as a member of this House, as a lau meer — 2 o i m2 i ee i iE oe ae o oe ae dee ae Mr. Charles Wright. should endeavor to couuteract a mea- son of a Jandlord,—that I consider it would ve well for all exumining those documents whic Ing pre sure of the Legislature, is a matter that ought not be passed the proprietors to have agreed to the Comm ssioa. wver in silenee. Hea. Mr. COLES—{ am surprised at the aaa or the UPO2 to make s few observat ons. Wath respect to the mo-

floa. Col. GRAY.—1 cannot enderstand what the lion. hon. member from Port Hill. ' He says he voted - SOV Even which indueel tin (esirsanaak te bring forward this member would desire. We are here as the indepeudent re- Act in reterence to the Commission, avd still he wou oe Bill, L must coincide with the hon member frou Pignish that presentatives of the people, aud if Mr. Bruce Stewart, or ogree to be boul by it. 1 contend aie ue aa we it is the general opinion they were not sincere. Know it i Mr. Wright choose to vilify us in documents of this kind, it tue Bill, it there is a proprietor - the Islan: who ts aa -” ee 7 7 — aeons Brag. oe is a matter with which we have nothing todo. here is per- by it, be is the person. Now, ee are we to shiek ” -_ x -ersonton at wes! a oh wee ee oe haps net a person in tue Colony who has been more maligned bon. member siying that he and ee D mre a the: a aac & eee eae ; aaa aes by these im lividuals than mys lt, bat what do I care for them? would uot reecive the Royal agseat 2 There ~~ e a cisltion te: a panna. Mae eee aan iis Excellency informs us that it is uot in his power--that inconsistency sourewhere. Tue passage in the 4 ike's ¢ ~ “ais satin ak ten theta ae there is nothiog in she Royal imstractions to warrant biw to pateh in reference to these proprietors a have not a never become liw: and another ge.tleman, an hon. member give up copies of petitions with which be is intrusted to for- for the Commission, probably does no! on much a8 who u uly supports the Government, but not at present in ward to the Secretary of State, without his cousent. But sowe hoa. members take from it.

Three petitions were presented, viz.,—| one from Lot 17 and another from hot 19. ; = a petition from Tot 2i—all praying for improvement iu road communication.

MESSAGE ON PRTITIONS OF PROPRIETORS AGAINST THE LAND COMMISSIONERS’ AWARD ACT.

ks of the | the op ortunity of discussing them hereafter, I feel called

Iu a cericin despatch re-| his place, stated that he thought the Bill would be set aside, His Excellency hes given up what owzht to be considered ceived some years ago, it was stated that the troops should oe oe — peer nthe ee oe sufficient, his own despatches coutuiaiag his own remarks on not be called out to collect rents, and other prospects were “a oe pc oY eee tone aie the petitions. Every subject in the Colony has the right of held out, which bever came to anything. We know — This hon. gentleman, Lowever, who is the leader of tue Go- petition, and is perfectly jus ified in memorialising [er Ma- the head of the Colonial Office department is very frequent'y

jesty the Queen, when be considers that his private rights are changed, and the views of the present Secretary of State may (differently in a speech which he delivered there a few days saterfered with. Supposing the Legislature should pas< an not be entertained by his successor. I was mot aware that /yeo. Ue said—

Act similar to the Maine Liquor Law—a law which hasbeen so many landholders bad signed the petitions agatast the! ! acknowledze that I had strong miszivings as to the declared unconstitutional by high authority in the United award Act; aud 1 am not a little surprised at the course |... riety of passiag that Act: and I etated at the time I con- States-—supposing, i say, the Legislature should pss such a pursued by Mr. Johu A. McDonald.

law bere, the how. member might petition against it and say must bave bad some influence with the Duke of Neweastle| would reesive the Royal asseut, but I did not hesitate to vote |

it was an interference with kis private rights. So with the in withholding the HRoyal Assent from the Bill. This [| fot it.” memorislists in question; these proprietors think that asthey think is evident from sme passages in the despatch, It} his does not say much for the legal acumen of the hon. did wot agree to the Commission, they have a right to com- says that the question of Escheat should not de entertained leader of the Government. He comes earn rR 7 plain by petition that the Act to give effect to the award of by the Commissson. If the Government are not going : sete his none in Pottery meen mien perometney sani ; i j i ‘er i i sr in Clomuit oO receive the loyal assent, by saying he ut! - the Commissioners. if passed into law, would be an iuterfer- move that tae House take up this matter in Committee, shar If tae codobel te tenen ablee eine eetiie Ma oieas ence with their private rights. The Lieut. Governor is will not attempt to force them. : | ab the Colonial Office. Copies of all tha petitions cent homes bound to transmit every petition adiressed to the authorities) Mr. HOWAT—I think we ought to have copies of these ought to bave been kept; and it was the bounden duty of the at home, no matier what it contains. Wut supposing that petitions before us; perhaps, however, it would not be in | Government to haye taken notice of them, and counteracted copies of these petitions bad beeu kept and laid before this order to ge into documents which are not here. But the! their statements by a full and elaborate minute of Counei!, to House, provided they contained libe lous statements, who Huse ought to have been furnished with copies of these be forwarded with them, and then brought down all the do- would publish them ? That the Council should have madea petitions; al! honest men shou'd not be afraid to make, cuments for the knteons hive nt the hagtntare. hy nee minute in opposition to the statements of the petitions, and known their assertions. The hon. member, Mr. Yeo, says'| oo, ed ae pote ecm alle toad Scales : : oon : ; ‘ : ‘ Saat ? ; | cannot av Muking the uere wa i transmitted it with them, [ think was unnecessary. In this, he has nothing to do with the Commisei m. Why did he on theit palt whieh they’ peotaes te hdee ball, Wo bes tha’ PUL therefore, I do not agree with the hon. Leader of the Up-| come before it, then, to make his statements if he had neither | |g through oll ite abesen, they Gield Bee teieds Beads pesition. What do the poople in England care for these pro-| part nor lot in the matter? [Heis certainly in some measure | cg rt ty obtain for it the Royal assent. We have beard « prietors? ne of the landlords referred to said to me last} bound by it when he voted for the Bill. [ am of opinion | great dea! of their iafluence at the Colonial office, but we find summer, “ What have [ to do with the Commission?” I that it will not be well for those proprietors who have not | tiat two of their measures of last Session have been rejected. replied, “* You may have nothing to de with the Commission, | agreed to the Commission, as there is an agitation abroad | Another Bill besides the Act in question was refused the Royal _— J : oS iil , ie inal ; ; i bmitting find it|allowance. 1[ believe that that Bill was passed to suit the in- but it may have something to do with you.” That this will oa this question, and parties not submitting may find i ee ee be the case, I think is clearly shown by the last despatch of | difficult to collect their rents. os @ , hia Grace the Duke of Newcastle laid before the House. It) oa. Mc. YO—The hon. member asks why did I come I with ‘net putakts to: thie’ dnitudhlits says in eSect that if they did not submit to the Commission, before the Coianission? | was sent for, and gave a state- | be taken down. they will not receive the consideration of [er Majesty's Go- ment to correct assertions made by others before the Court- ‘The words, “I believe that the Bull was passed to suit the vernment in making future claims. 1 consider, then, that [ said nothing against the tenantry. And even the hon. | interests of a member in this IIvuse,”” were accordidgly taken we need not trouble ourselves much about these petitions. member, Mr. Uvles, acknowledged that I mide a fair siate-|\down by the (Clerk, and, the Standing Order having been | . : | : jmoved, the House gat with closed dours up to the hour of We know very we!! that these proprietors, if they thought ment. : ae > ee ee they would gaia their point, would write petitions to this Mr. OWEN—I am astonished to hear the hon. member | 9% , + AcARD, DOp . time next year. Let them write; what need this House for Port Hill, who voted for the Act to give effect to the | _AFTERNOON SITTING, — i care? award of the Commissioners, say that he will not be bound; Mr. Whelan having appeared in his piace, the following Mr. COOPER.—I understood that those proprietors who by it. Why did he vote for the measure? Was it only to, resolution, agreed to in his absense, was read by the Clerk made no complaint when the measure for the Land Commis- deceive the people ? of the House :— sion was passed, had agreed to it. [fa copy ofthe petitions Ion. Mr. LUNGWORH—In regard to the hon. member, Resolved, Taat the Hon. Edward Whelan,one of the Members id be Mr. Yeo, appearing buofre the Commission, tris is not exactly | ¢.): s Sie stile pattie ine had been laid before us, we could have sent home an address ’r. Xeo, appearing , ‘of this House, for the Second District of King’s County, hav-

: i tue matter tu be considered. It was acknowledged, | believe.|- : ‘ alia oe . * o — to ee aaa The House that he made a very fair statement before shat Court. With ‘ing, in debate, with the Speaker in the Chair, upon the Mes ould still pass an ress to tha

respect to the subjeet under consideration, | am of opinion | S4g° of His Excellency the Licutenant Govereor, relative to Hoa. Mr. YEO.—The hon. member, Mr. Coles, taunted that as the parties who signed the memorials did not furnish certain petitions of proprietors against the Bill for giving ef- my the other day for saying chat L know the Act to give ef-| His Excellency with copies of them, he could not intercept ject to the award of the Commissioners upon the land ques- tect to the award of the Commissioners wou'd not pass at these documents on their way to the Colonial Office, for the | tion, in alluding to the Bill passed by this House during its Hiome. I[ had to vote fur the bill, but | knew,aud Mr Douse purpose of copying them, as there is nothing in the Royal last Session, to authoriz: grants of the shores of this Island, koew that it would aot receive the Koyal assent, as it inter-| Tiaoecde eae teeieaal teas eae yr hears ee jasserted : “ I believe that the Bill was passed to suit the in- fered with the rights of the proprietors. very person) W90r 0 ,

: cat ts of a member in this House,” is guilty of an unmerit- - The G t bad no constitu- | ‘Tes ; . si must look after bis own property, and whea I was asked to’ ee Sa een alt nnn ed reflection upon this House, and of a breach of the privileges

; | tional right to step in and say we must have copies of these , - siga the paper agreeing to the Vommission, I said L could) aitasetaiee aan seatenioninne’. ‘the only craaielinad | thereof, and that he, the said Hon. Edward Whelan be requr- not do it. Besidvs, I said it was no use to do it, as the Ast) course that the Government can take is to send for copies of ed to withdraw the words so used by him, in the following te give effect to the award would never become law. |them tothe Secretary of State for the Colonies, and this form :

Mc. LAVLU3.—L canuot agree with the hon. member course we have taken. They can be sent for by the won “T apologize to this House, and withdraw the words so from Port Hill; [do not think the Commission is any in-, mail; and when the petitions are laid before the Llouse, we |.) .kon by me,”

i ; ; ut} Will then have an opportuitty to judge of the arguments | fringement of the rights of the proprietors. I oe _ which they contain. TTnese cuales hewn the right to eliblat, os ” % Copy of the petitions against the award Act is not before but the House can take what course they please afterwards, | ‘tion of the House. : us; but [ do not think the late Government kept a copy of} jy54 Col. GRAY —Though 1 have spqken, [have the right | _ Mr. Whelan . apology having been accepted, he concluded the petitious seni Home by the proprietors agaiust the Reot |, »ply. I merely wish to refer to a statement made by the , his speech in the following words :— ell Bill. hun. leader of the Opposition in regard to his not being aware

I move that the words

Charlettetown, Prince Edward island, Monday, April 29, ISG1.

Both he and Mr. Douse stated this at different times. I be- | jeft perfectly at ease. They were gentlemen not acquainted |

[ in the country beyond my own district, and if I said country, |

lion. Mr. PERRY—Hlon,. members appear to me to have |

sented to the House, but as itappears weare not to be afforded

1 think the petitions | sijered ‘it duubtful whether it was couched in terms which |

| on. Mr. HAVILAND—I, as a member of this House, |

“This is eens Ténieee +. when Freeborn Men, having to advise the Public, may speak free.”---Euripides.

assent. I said if there really were that disposition on the| part of those who professed to be such zealous friends of the | tenantry, and of which they boasted in this House at pul lic! meetings, in the organ which represents their views, and else- |

ee =—

New Series.---No. 17,

SST

Monpay, March 11. The following petitions were presented :—By Hon. Col, Gray, a petition from Orwell rear; by Mr. Owen one from Lots 55 and 56—both praying for improvement in road com-

where—il there were that bona fide acal which was professed, ! p uyication. By Mr. Davies, a petition of Mary Kelly, wid-

they would have used their influeuce in preventing the disal- | Jowance of that Bill. It is notorious that petitious have had | the effect of destroying it. I said this morning I believed | the impression in the country was general—I do not say whe- | ther I share in it or not—that from the North Cape to the)

Kast Point the general impression is, that there is no sincerity |

on the part of this Government to have the land question set-

tled. If the Bill itself was defective, it reffects {ittle credit | on the ingenuity and legal ability of those who framed it. |

Mr. CONROY—I believe the hon. member Mr. Yeo never | Look at the conduct of the Government in relation to this | trig vconcealed his opinion that the Bill would never become law. | whole matter. When the Commissioners arrived they were |

}

| with the polities of this country ; they were not versed in any- | thing which had reference to the land question; and whee they came they had nothing placed in their hands but the re- |

solutions introduced by the hon. Colonel Gray, which were | passed by this House. Here was the whole machinery em- |

ition. Would it not have been expected that gentlemen of | the Government who had access to all the publie records | would have placed in their hands, and in the haads of the law- | | yers retained to vindicate the rights of the tenantry, all the |

. . } , documents which would have rendered them any assistance ?

jcould. Kveo members of the Government kept aloof from ithe Court. The hon. Colonel Gray came, but it was, as he

/said, in a private capacity. I hold then that it was clearly |the duty of the Government to have placed within their ireach all the information which they could afford on the |weighty subjects upon which the Royal Commissioners were engaged, But now we are informed by His Grace the Duke ,of Neweastle that the most imporiant questions—questions , which, perhaps, have been nearest the heart of the people of RP. E. Island for years—are not to come within the scope of ‘the inquiries of the Commissioners. As 4 understand it, there is to be nothing about Escheat, arrears of Rent, or the ‘Fishery Reserves. Now it appears the Landlords will not | be compelled to sell their lands upon terms disadvantageous to themselves; and that the award will ouly bind those who | gave their assent to the reference. Such is the great mea- sure of relief which our Government holds out to the people of this Island, notwithstanding the famous Land Commission. That there is a want of sincerity on the part or the Govern- ‘ment in reference to this subject, 1 firmly believe ; and from the bottom of my sou! | believe that not one-thousandth part of the advantage which the the people of this Colony expect ito result from the Land Commission, will ever be realized.

Hon. Col. GRAY said as new charges had been brought against the Government, be would like to have an opportu- nity affurded him to reply. After some discussion on a point ‘of order, the Speaker decided that, as the hon. member the leader of the Government had spoken twice on the subjeet, it would be contrary toa rule of Parliament that he should speak again on the question ; that if he did so, all the other members would have the privilege of addressing the House again.

"ei: Col- GRAY then remarked that when he rose to speak the second time to the question, he said that as hon, members had spoken he would reply, and such being his im- pression he spoke the second time in reply to what had been urged against the Government. Tbe majority then conclu- ded that it would be better te forgo the privilege of replying than to have the time of the House takeu up by allowing mem- | bers again to address the House on the subject which had ‘just been discussed. | Mr. (OLM presented a petition from inhabitants of Strath-

albya, Lot67, praying for a grant to aid ia building a Tem-

perance Hall, —received and read,

A sumber of petitions were also presented by hons. Messrs.

Coles ard Perry. and by Messrs. Owen and Davies, which | Were laid on the table. | Hon. Mr. HAVILAND moved the third readiag of the Census Bill.

‘vernment in the other end of the bui ding, exoressed himself; Jon, Mr, PFRRY moved in amendment that it be referred

back to Committee to have it amended in the Schedule by inserting a column in which to place the number of Acadian | French individuals in each family.

Hon, Mr, COLES suggested that a column be also provi- ded in which to insert the number of Volunteers.

| Hon, Mr. HAVILAND siid he had no objection to offer to Mr. Coles’s suggestion, but thought the best record of the Volunteers was the Muster Rolls in the office of the Adju- tant General.

| Hon. Mr, COLES then spoke in favor of Mr. Perry's | proposal,

| Hon. Mr. LONGWOTH spoke against it, and said he considered it would be makiag an invidious distinction, as the Acadian French enjoyed the same rights and privileges /as any class of Her Majesty’s subjects.

| Hon. Mr. PERRY said he had seen it stated in a news- paper published in Canada, that the population of the French Acadians in this Colony amounted to 15,000, and he bad a desire to know what their number really was.

Hon. Co]. GRAY said he was somewhat opposed to the proposal of the hon. Mr. Perry, and hoped he would not | press his motion, as he could not foresee that any good wou ‘result from Mr. Perry’s suggestion if carried out. He was (of opinion that we, as a people, should strive to become amal- |gamated rather than keep up unnecessary distinctions.

A few other bon. members having spoken briefly to the suggestion of Mr. Perry, amendment was put and lost on the following division :— | Yeas: Hons. Messrs. Perry, Coles and Wightman ;

Messrs. Conroy, Sutherland, Sinelair and Cooper—7. Nays: Hous Messrs Gray, Haviland, Laird, MeAulay, | Longworth and Yeo; Messrs. Owen, McNeill, Beer, Ram- isay, Davies, Howat and Holm—13. | The Census Bill was then read a third time and passed.

| Hon. Mr. LONGWORTH presented a memorial from ‘the Right Rey. Peter McIntyre, Roman Catholic Bishop of | Charlottetown, praying the House to pass an Act to incorpo- ‘rate him as Bishop, with suitable pewers to enable him and ‘his successor aud successors in office to hold and acquire ' Real Estate io Prince Kdward Island for religious and other | necessary purposes, and with the other usual and accustom- \ed corporate powers granted in similar eases for the benefit jof the Roman Catholic Church in other British Provinces. | Hons. Mr. Longworth, Whelan and Mr. Conroy, were ap- | pointed a Committee to bring in a Bull in accordance with the prayer of the petition.

lion, Mr. Longworth and hon. Col. Gray presented a few | petitions, which were laid on the table; aud bon, Mr. Coles and Mr. McNeill presented each a petition which were re- ‘ferred to special Committee.

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ow, for aid to support two idiot children. By Mr. Beer | petition of Hugh M:Leod, praying a grant to enable him to

proceed to his friends in Canada. By Hon. Vol. Gray, a petition of Dennis Desmond, Postmaster, Souris, praying an increase of salary. By Hon. Mr. Yeo,a petition from Gren- ville, Lot 21, praying for a Post Office in that locality. By Mr. Howat, a petition from back settlement, Tryon, prayi for an increased allowance to Henry Lecky, an ebuaat teacher; also a petition from Central Bedeque School dis t, praying for an Act to prevent the running at large of Swine in that district—referred to a special Committee to report thereon by Bill or otherwise. MAIL STEAMER.

Mr. DAVIES.—It is rumored in Town that the Lord Seaforth instead of the Westmorland is to be put on the route, uext summer, between Pictou, Charlottetown, and Shediac.

d the seales of settled, ana the proprietors were looking very dejected. 1) ployed to put the Court of the Land Commissioners in opera- iI wish to ask the Government, whether er not this can be

allowed by the agreement with the contractor ?

ion. Mr. HAVILAND.—I cannot answer this question from memory ; but shal! procure a copy of the contract which will speak for itself.

Hon. Mr. C sLE3.—It is sufficient for the contract to say

| for my part was quite Certaiuly; but they were left to fight the best battle they | that @ good and efficient boat be kept on the route. Sup

only @ particular boat were specified, and she were winit, how would it be then? Notwithstanding all that hae been _ a the Westmorland, she has been a credit to the sland,

Mr. DAVIES.—There are few if any persons on the Is- Jand qualified to inspect the machinery of the toat. As to the huil, individuals can easily be found competent to inspect that. Juast year Mr. Coker inspected the Westmorland, but be would not undertake to pronounce upon her machinery. This is a matter that should receive attention, in orde: that the public may have confidence in whatever boat is placed up- on the route. I merely asked the question in order thet hon. members might bave an opportunity of examining the contract. Hon. Mr. HAVILAND.—I have a copy of the cortraet now in my hand. 1t was drawn out in the early part of the summer of 1857, and binds the contractor thus—

“On and from the first week of August next until the close of the navigation in the present year, and also every year for the space of five years thereafter, that isto say, during the years 1858, °5Y, °60, 61, °62, commencing in t spring of each year, so soon as the navigation is open, and from this to the close of the navigation in the same year, at his and their expense and charges, provide and keep for the purposes set forth in this agreement, a tight, staunch, seawor- thy, and in canstant repair, a good substantial and sufficient steamship vessel, called the Westmorland, or oue equally good substantial and sufficient, and shall keep the said steam vessel supplied and furnished with engines of not less than one hundred horse power, having good accommodation Yor passengers, and properly equipped and manned.”

From the wording of the agreement it is evident that the contractor is not bound to keepthe Westmorland on the route, but a substantial and sufficient boat. It is perhaps very well that this question has been raised ; and I, as one member of the Government, am resolved, whatever boat is on the station, that she shall be examined by as competent a surveyor as is to be found in the Colony.

Hon. Mr. COLES.—The boat comes under the laws of New Brunswick, as well as those of this Is!and, and she may be inspected there, or even at Pictou. The House canvos wel] come to any resolution on the point ; the Government should Jook after the matter.

MEMBERS OBTAINING LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

A question was raised by Hon. Mr. Haviland as to whe- ther an hon. member having obtained ieave of absence, could return and take his seat before the time for which his leave was granted had expired. It was decided that if a member should return before his leave of absence had expired, take his seat, and state the circumstance in his place to the Speak- er, his leave would be held as forfeited.

EXPIRING LAWS.

Mr. Owen from the Committee on expiring Laws presented a report, which stated that the Revenue Act would expire on the first of May; the Act to continue the Act exompti certain Bills of Exchange, Promissory notes, Contracts an Agreements, from the operation of the Laws relating to Usury, at the end of *ue present Session; aud the Act re- lating to Packets sailing between this Island and the Pro- vinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, also at the end of the present Session.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of the whole on the report, Mr. M‘Aulay in the Chair.

When the paragraph was read in reference to the Act ex- empting certain Bills of Exchange, &., from the Laws re- lating to Usury,

Hon. Mr. HAVILAND said, the experiment of leaving money to find its own level in the money market was first made in this Colony in 1854; and in 1857 the Act was con- |tinued up to the preset time. He bad not beard that the bees operated injuriously,—that there were any more com- plaints than when it was illegal to charge more than six per (cent. interest. This Island was the first of the Colonies to foilow in the wake of the Imperial Government in making exemptions to the Usury Laws, but he believed that the other Provinces had since all adopted the sume course. In Bri- tain, Usury laws were now done away with altogether. Tem- porary laws were very weil when making an experiment; bus as the principle of the Act uader consideration had been es- tablished, he thought it might now be made permanent to save the expense of passing an Act now and again to coatinue it. He was of opiaion that there could be no objection to continu- ing the Act, as he did not see that a person should be denied the right to make as much out of £100 in money as if he | Were to turn that amount into deals, or other commodities, and speculate upon them. Even under the Jewish economy, the usury laws was not universal, In every country, usury laws bave been a failure, or when money was much needed, it bad to be obtained at any rate of interest, He mored that

‘the Act be continued and amended.

Mr. HOWAT was not disposed to make this Act perma- nent. For the last few years those persons who were com- monly calied “ tight” had made much more than formerly, He thought the Act had retarded the prosperity of the eoun- try ; meu wishing to engage in business enterprises had been prevented from doing so, owing to the high rate of interest which they were required to pay. This was particularly the case in land affairs. Ou the same principle as this Act wes based, millers should be permitted to take as much toll as they pleased.

| Mr. HOWAT, as Chairman of the Committee on Private Bills, reported that the Committee had had under their con- |

Mr. Whelan then said—“ I bow, Mr. Speaker, to the dic- sideration aBill to authorize John Hunter to take the addition- |

‘al name of Juvar, and recommended that the House pass | the same upon the payment of fees. The Report was agreed ‘to, after which Hoa. Mr. Haviland said he considered £5

Hon. Mr. COLE3.—They did; they refused to transmit that so many parties had signed the memorial. But, Sir, the | was about saying that I thought if there really were that dis-| the Bill; and after a few hon. members made a few remarks |

them until they received s eopy.

Hoa. Col. GRAY.-~I rise to explain. If the late Gov-| of #8 much consequence as the memorial of these, with ono ex- bave, especially on the part of those who have the ear of His ‘Captain Hunter should pay.

cuption.::: Rousne Seechees sighed it fre one Senlly. - Pho! Excellency as his advisers, we would not have been brought

erament did so, there is nothiog ia the Hoyal instructions to) ot chiefly women, who are generally very tenacious of |