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have taken no interest in seeing it reduced, now storm at all little failures of those who have removed it, mere- ly because they have a party standing in the relation of a cause however remotely, on which to vent their wrath. So there could be a tendency to howl at every inisgiving of any systematic colonisation ; while the horrible wretchedness inflicted on passengers in private emigrant vessels, and the many- hardships unavoidably incurred by independent emigrants in the first years of | their settlement, attract scarcely any notice. Such) outcries ‘are very irrational, and a judicious public should be superior to them.

To emigrate is a most important step for man or wo- wan. It should not be set about rashly, or without a full view of the sacrifices which it involves, in order that an ultimate good may be attained. When the le- gitimate object of anew home (not fortune) is sought, every one mugt hear of failure with regret; but we may know well beforehand that some persons are so consti- tuted that disappointment is unavoidable. For those who, having given themselves a fair trial in their native country,and found they could make no progress, and tor all those active and bonading spirits which submit with pain to the habits of old society, emigration may prove a most advantageous step, if they only will bear in mind that there is no regular or certain means of be- nefiting themselves anywhere but by hard work and prudence. Hardships and privations there must be in a new settlement, and these the emigrant must be pre- pared to meet with fortitude. Some men are apt to over- look them in their calculations. Others, it is quite as true, entertain exaggerated notions of them. We thoroughly believe in their existence; but we fee] equally sure that, once embarked in his career, the ex- citement cf novelty and constant progress, and the hap- py assurance that every suffering and every exertion is for a final good to himself; render the settler’s early years far from the ordeal of misery which we who ‘ live at home at ease’ would suppose.

THE CHARLOTTETOWN ELECTION, Mr. Eprron,

The Royal Gazette discloses the fact that Edward Palmer, Esq., has again offered his services to repre- sent Charlottetown in the Assembly. From the man- ner in which Mr. Palmer’s address is worded, we are led to infer that that gentleman is quite sanguine in re- ference to his election—that he considers his duty was well and faithfully performed while formerly in the Le- gislature, and that he has now but to make known his wishes, in order again to hold a seat in that Body.

}think, Mr. Editor, before the public mind should agree with the estimate furmed of it by Mr. Palmer, every elector of Charlottetown should propose to him- self the following questions, and then, after having thoroughly and impartially examined them, it appears to me that they will be better prepared to act. their part at the approaching Election: Ist, Has Mr. Palmer’s past.conduct been such as to warrant the electors of Charottetown in again choosing him as their Represen- tative ? 2d, Would it, at the present time, be politic to elect Mr. Palmer? And, 3d, What may be expected as the consequences of Mr. Palmer’s election or rejec- tion s

‘Poaching the first question : Sometimes when speak- ing to persons relative to the propriety of again elect- ing Mr. Palmer, as our representative, they will tell you that they do not see any reason why that gentleman should not be re-elected—that he has at all times en- deavoured to secure good legislation for the 'Town— that he has obtained as large a portion of the public money for its use as was possible, and also that he has been a very useful member of the House in his profes- sional capacity; and that in consideration of those things, he should.again hold a seat in the Legislature. That Mr. Palmer has represented the interests of Char- lottetown faithfully, and been a useful member of the AssembJ]y, I do not wish to dispute; but I would ask those individuals who make this their plea for support- tag that geatleman--has Mr. Palmer been a steady op- poser of monopoly—has he endeavoured to make the public officers of the Colony accountable to.the people wr their conduct ?, Have the general measures which he has advocated been such as to raise the People and Government of this Island in the estimation of their Yellow colonists? Is, the. system of Government which Mr. P. has upheld, and is upholding, calculated to de- velope and knprove our resources? And has he en- deavoured to throw open offices of public trust and e>molument to all classes of the community? Each of dzese enquiries must be answered in the negative: as a proof: Mr. Palmer’s public acts during the last two or ree: years in particular establishes the fact, that he is athed suth the Family Compact which wields the scep-

THE EXAMINER.

tre in this Island—which monopolizes nearly every pub- lic office—which does not acknowledge the right of the) people to scrutinize the acts of their public servants— | neighbouring Provinces—which divests our people of, that feeling of self-respect and independence of which they should be possessed—which clogs the wheels of improvement, and restrains enterprise—and which closes up the avenues to preferment, and buries the talents that would otherwise burst forth, and shed a lustre over our Pulpit, Bar, and Halls of Legislation. And if it be a fact that Mr. Palmer has been associated with the party just named, which exerts such an influence, it follows that he must have advocated its measures, and used his efforts to uphold its authority; and I would now ask—is there just ground to suppose that he will change his opinions and feelings, that he will with- draw from his old friends, and that he will in future be characterised by those magnanimous and libera! prin- ciples which should ever distinguish {the statesman. On the contrary, Mr. Editor, it appears to me that the reverse may be expected—in fact the very cause of the present election being held is a proof that Mr. Palmer will still unflinchingly advocate his old measures, and endeavour to prolong the existing state of things. Then it must appear conclusive that Mr. P’s. past conduct has not been such as would justify the people of Charlotte- town in again choosing him as their Representative.

The second question now.comes before us—Would it be politic at the present time to elect Mr. Palmer ? We are all aware that the Responsible System of Go- vernment has been introduced into the neighbouring Colonies; and theré can be no doubt but that if we pe- tition the Home Government respectfully but firmly, it will not be long before the same boon is granted to this {sland ; but if we are really desirous that this should be the case, and we petition for it, it must appear evi- dent to every person that our actions should correspond with the wishes we express. It is well known at Down- ing Street that the reigning dyaasty in this Colony is opposed to responsibility, and that Mr. P. having been appointed Solicitor General, must be one of its support- ers, Should, therefore, the electors of Charlottetown, the capitai of the Island, elect Mr. Palmer, it would be tantamount to.telling the Home Government that we are well satisfied with the present state of things—that we do not entertain the slightest fear that any public officer will ever prove unfaithful to his trust, and that there is not the least necessity that the people of P. E. Island should be clothed with the power of appointing, displacing, and regulating the salaries of their public servants, as they think fit: therefore, taking. all these matters into consideration, it would not bea mark of sound policy to return Mr. Palmer to the Assembly at the approaching Election.

In reference to the last question [ need scarcely say any thing, except that should Mr. Palmer be elected, the Family Compact wil] be strengthened, monopoly will increase, native talent will be buried, the bone and sinew of the country will leave our shores, and we will be compelled to grovel on in the old track, the scorn and derision of our fellow Colonists. Onthe other hand let the electors of Charlottetown but come boldly for- ward, and shew that they are determined that existing abuses shall come to an end—let them reject Mr. Palmer, and such a step will shew to the Home Government more plainly than petitioning could ever do, that we are determined to place only those persons in the Legisla-

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CHARLOTTETOWN, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1848.

GREAT CONFLAGRATION! FIFTEEN BUILD- INGS BURNT TO THE GROUND! !— Loss NEARLY £,5000!!

On Sunday morning it was our lot to witness the commencement and the close of the imost destruc- tive Fire that ever perhaps occurred at Charlottetown —it was certainly the greatest and most calamitous that has happened within the period of our own recol- lection. About 4 o’clock on Sunday morning amr alarm was given, (by whom we know not) that a fire was just then breaking out of the roof of the Work Shop owned

‘and occupied by Mr. John Scott, Coachmaker, in Kent

Street; nearly half an hour, however, elapsed before the Church Bells could be rung, and the painful intelli- gence communicated to the ears of our fellow towns- men. Meanwhile, the fire, as it forced its way throngh every part ofthe building, and became fanned by a freshening souht west wind, had so far gained the ae- cendancy before the engines arrived, and ere a good supply of water could be obtained, that the destruction - of the Work Shop at least, appeared at once imevitabie. The efforts of the Fire Companies, aided by others of the inhabitants and such of the Military as were not re- quired to work the Barrack Engine, {which was used with great energy), were directed to preserve the ad- jacent Buildings, and to remove from out of them the household furniture and other moveable property. But, unhappily, their efforts to preserve the other adjoining buildings were all in vain—the fire, having nearly con- sumed the Work-shop and Paint-Shop of Mr. Scott, caught his Dwelling House—(a fine two story building) —and, the supply of water being searce, and the wind increasing, it was found impossible to arrest the pro- gress ofthe flames, which’ immediately communicated with the Stable, Blacksmith Shop, and Dwelling House, owned and occupied by Mr. J. W. Cairns, and from thence the flames spread to the group of Buildings in the possession and ownership of Mr. John Hobbs— thence to the house on Great George Street, in the occupancy of Mr. Jacques, of the Excise, and owned by Mr. Hobbs, and thence totwo houses owned and partly occupied by Mrs. Hardy, on thesame street. All these houses were destroyed—every exertion was made to save them, and it was at one time feared that other houses in the vicinity, and particularly in the direction in which the wind blew, would be enveloped in flames, fragments of the burning mass falling upon the roofs, which were only protected by wet blankets. About 9 o'clock the fire was completely got under, when, in the space of five hours, nothing remained of some of the finest houses inthe town, but a heap of ashes and burnt timbers.

It has not been ascertained how the fire originated. It broke out in the work shop of Mr. Scott, where there was a heap ef shavings, and it is supposed these caught Gre from one of the stoves.

The following is, we believe, a correct list as far as it goes, of the buildings and other property destroyed :

A Work Shop, new Paint Shop and new Dwelling House of Mr. Scott, together with some articles of house- hold furniture, Waggons, Sleighs, Gigs, and working

tools—valued at about £1,000.

A small Stable belonging to Mr. John Breen. A Blacksmith Shop, containing some Sleighs, Wag- gons, and Blacksmith tools, to a large amount in value,

ture who will be pledged to support Responsibility, and that we will use all lawful means, in order to obtain) that form of government which will have a tendency to! develope our resources, bring native talent to the light, and raise us in the scale of Provincialism.

I will now take leave of your Charlottetown readers,

{ have so imperfectly brought before them, and-having done so, candidly and-impartially, I am convinced that they will be prepared to act atthe approaching Election ina manner that will redound to their credit, and be a preliminary step.to the obtaining that form of Govern- ment which it is the right of every british subject to. live under.

Fhanking you for your indulgence, I remain, Mr. Editor, Yours, &c. A.

a

How ro Answer a Petitian.—An exchange paper saysthat a deputation waited upon the Pacha of Egpyt, and requested a mitigation of certain grievances. The Pacha hung the whele delegation,

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by requesting them to weigh well those matters which |

owned by Mr. Cairns—Also, a Jarge Stable, a new frame for a Coach House, and the Dwelling House, known as the “Globe Inn,” together with some of the furniture, all belonging to Mr. Cairns, who estimates his Joss at about £2,000.

Property destroyed, belonging to Mr. Hobbs :—Dwell- ing House occupied by himself—Cabinet-maker’s Work - Shop, together with many of his tools, and stock and furniture, (part of the building being occupied by Mr. William Howard as a Grocery Shop)—a Store House

at the corner. of Kent and Great George Streets—a

Stable—and a Dwelling House, occupied by Mr. Jacques, who lost some of his furniture ; worth, in all, we suppose, from £1,000 to £1,500.

Two Dwelling Houses owned by Mrs. Hardy, wortls about £300.