a i e = ee ee Sa RT ac. a an CMe She . : ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH( MAIL Te English Mail, which arrived at Haii- fay om the UZ7th instant, in the R. M. Steam- ship Canada, was received here, by the Mail Steamer Princess of Males, on Friday morning jaet. We are in possession of Englh«h papers as jate as the 16th instant. But the news furnished by them is aet of a very important character ihe mest interesting items, however, which we can glean trem our files will be found below. GREAT BRITAIN, Prom the opening of the week, ending October t5th, more confidence began to be felt, and an improving tendency to pervade al! Stock Ex- change Securities. No great increase of business certainly took place, but the tone of the various markets was much better than it was a week be- fore. Stil a large amount ot sensitiveness re- mained, which caused a relapee, on the announce- meut that the Banks of France and Holland bad raised their rates ef discount. At the close of the week & better feeling prevailed, aad Consols mer: than recovered the fall, whilst the markets generally assumed a better tone he terrible calamity which occurred at Erith, on the banks of the Thames, on the morning of the Ist metant, when two wwder stere-houses exploded, destroying life and property, is net the firet case of the kind that bas taken place of re- cent years, but it is incalculably the most disas- treus, Five persons were killed, §ve more are missing, and seven of the sufferers are in the Hospital, one of whom is net expected to survive fo give an idea of the terrible nature of the accr- dent, t will be sufficient te state that 1040 bar- rels of gunpowder, or 104,000 Ibe, exploded on the metant, and the shock was felt Lie that ef an earthquake at forty and even fifty m les from the place where it occurred. Indeed, ‘he shock is said te have been distinctly percep! ble at Cain- bridge, wlich must be from the seen mity nearly twice the largest distance mentioned lt was at frat believed that the cata:trephe arose from seme burning tebacco, used by one of the wen on board of the two barges conveying the powder to the storeheuse, having come inte con- tact with the inflammable material; but this statement has been coutradicted by Messrs. Hal whe declare that the cause of the calamity is| pecely conjectural. The lamentable inerease in the number of distressed operatives in the cotton districts is be- ginning tu attract general attentio Between the early part ef September and the comimence- ment of Oeteber the number of the parechially relieved had increased by upwards of 12,000. The | inerease was general, only two districts—the Fy ide and Mace! esticid—showing opp site resulis Siill, the contrast this year as compared with inst year ia encouraging. In Octobs<, 1563, the number parochialiy reheved amount to 133,000. | This year, during the same month, the number in the tweuty seven unious of the cotte: district was 8,080, hewse are the figures of Mr. Faruall, the Poor-law Coanmissioner, but the statistics of the Relief Coromittee show that the nuiber of per- gene in the receipt ef relief amounts to 114,000 It ia apreuneed that the Prince ond Princess ot Wales will shortly return from their incoguito visit to Sweden and Denwark. It acema to have been the imteativn of the young cu ple tu have returned howe by way of Paria, but fer some reason er otber this intention bas bee. abandoned The health of Lord Carlisle is so critical that a aqececessor had te be found fer him in the Lord- Licutenaney of Ireland, aud Lord Wodehouse has bees induced to accept the position. The owner ofthe blockade runner Laurel pub ish- es a @ ter, denying the -@ tement that Semmes had asxiled in his vessel as stated, the and ridiculing idew that the itéle steamer Ranger, of less t}ian 10U tons, is to be manned and armed from the steamer Laurel and cenverted into ai re senally demanded from stakeholders ter the intended fight, on the ground that he was | at the place fixed tor the fight, while Mace failed | tu appear. could have ne claim owing te the noufulfilment | of conditions as to referee, and wiees wu ual | shop, and who, to apply his own howely! ) phraseology, in answer to us at the moment, | agreement Was come to, the affair wae a draw Coburn expressed a wish to fight, but only in Lre- | land, o¢ failing that, Conada. Another Lond a Cera Merehant, Mr. A. Drere ten, exmuitied suicide ju consequence of embar- rassments. Engagements between French treens and Arab insurgents in Algeria, on the 29th and 30th Sep- tember, resuited in S00 Arabs being killed and wounded, and over 109 Fieuch. INDIA. The laat Bombay mail confirms the impression which wrevieusly prevailed that the Indian Go- vernment Were preparing for an expedition inte Bawetas, te punish the Klan for the outrage «dered te the Hen. Mr. Eden, the British Envoy, when he went to that country on a mission of peace. The conduct of our Envoy, as we showed at the tune, was the reverse of prudent; but he was treated with such marked indignity that te allow the brutalities practised on hii te escape chastisement would be te encourage those bar- bariars iv their ingulence. At the some time, it is painiul to know that officiai imbec lity will in- volve as in a war from which neitner honor nor profit can be derived. We learn also by the same mail tuat an embassy from Koeland, in Central Asia, had arrived at Cashmere, on its way to the Vieervy of India, the object of which is to pro- cure acsistance from the Indian Government to repel the attempts of the Russians to uiake a high- read for troops through that country. Sir Char- les Wood does not appear te be very popular with the Indian authorities. He and Sir Charles Denison, the Governor of the Madras Presidency. are at is-we relative to an order which the for- ret has insisted upon being carried out. It re- lates to the position of the Indian | cal officers, and the Governer ef Madras refuses his assent on the ground that * the instructions are opposed to the Koyal wishes, aud are a flagrant violation of the guarantee granted by the lunperia| Parliament to the officers of the army of the late Company.” "Thia is bearding the Indian Seeretary in London with a vengeance, and there must be strong greund for dissatisfaction when language so un- compromising is used. NEW ZEALAND. It is eatiefactory to know by a telegram trom Suez that the revelted Maories in New Zealand have acknowledged defeat by making their sub- wissioa, and giving up their territorics as a proot | of their sincerity. It 1s to be hoped, now that peace bas been restored, that the experience of the past will net be lost upon the New Zealand Executive. These savages were entitled to more consideration than they lave received, and the ecnse of wrowg under which they laboured has produced a war which no one can look back on with any feeling akin to satisfaction. Now, that if has closed, a pew era ought to mark the policy tuwarde tee in the island. ITALY. Manseriies, Oct. 7.— Prince Hu:nbert has ar- rived here, and will embark immediately. Let- ters from Reme te the 4th instant state that the Pope had declared, in the presence, of visitors, that prudence Was necessary, but that it were idle te hope that the Holy See would treat with the Kinuglow of Italy. A rumour wos current on Sunday that a deuwystration had beca projected, Lut the requiete preeautions having been takeu by the French troops, tranquility was maiutained, The Austrian Atubassador was expected at Rome ou the Mth. THE VIENNA CONFERENCE. The wuth sitting of the Conference took place on Tuesday. It daily becomes more apparent that the negociations, which ace being vigorously curried on, are taking a favorable turn. Eadre- dandet says :—** The conclasion of pence is near at band, Denmark baving consented to {x at a round sum of nine millions of rigsdalers the share which the Duehies are said te have in the public pro. perty of Denmark. Tins amount is consequently to be deducted from the portion of the Danish public debt which it hud been arranged should tall tu the charge of the Duchies,"’ THE STATE OF JUTLAND. The Berlingske Tidende contains a very dis freasing account of the hardsinps ty whieh the people of Jutland are subjected by the ariny oi eceupation. Alter showing the great interest, commercially aad fiwaacially, whe!) Denmark nitet bave na 6 peeltiewment of the matters m dispute between ber and Germany, and the sbcurdity, therelere, of supposing that Denmark i* throwing any wbel@eles In the way of an equi- table adjustment, the Berlingske Tiduade proceeds te say :—" The information we reesive from Jut- land is most afflicting, and it would appear an though the German authorities were striving te wake the yoke which they bave imposed more in- tederatle every day to the unfortunat inhabitants _ Tt is well known that after the allied Powers engaged to keep in Jutland euly such © anuagber of troops as was re- quired by purely military cunsideralions, yet the army ef eeeupation ameunts to ve! ween 35,000 sud 40,000 men, gud the cust of theiy maintenance is nearly £112,000 per mouth. Morenyer, by a reeent order of General von Falgenstein, gli the troops have been concentrated iu the a me which towns ef the eastern coast, even in the a =< of the cala-} ———— LATEST NEWS FROM EUROPE. . German soldiers and officers. But this is not 1. Under pretence that the ordinary revenues lof the province are inadequate to apply the wants lof the army, all the imports from the Danish isles are subjected to a customs duty, whilst, at the same time, the exportation of the cattle, butter, | and the ether agricultural products of Jutland is jprobubited. These measures, i which were already in force, and which are en- tirely opposed to the text and spirit of the urmis- i tice, are causing the total ruin of the people PRUSSIA. The semi-official Norddeutsche Allgemsine Zei- tung coutralicts the news published by some | | journals of the resignation of the Minister of Fi- nance ov account of a disagreement with the | Minister of War. The ramored resignation of | Privy Councillor Duncker, confidential adviser of the Crown Prinee, is likewise declared tu be) unfounded. [REDUCTION OF THE AUSTRIAN ARMY. | The Qesterreichische Zeitung says:—‘ The re- | duction of the Austrian army is a positive fact. iin Venetia alone the reduction will ameunt to 115,000 men. All | Venetia at latest on Saturday next.” SPAIN. | Mapam, Oct. 13.—The Politica asserts that the Democrats will demand permission to bold {| public meetings. The Corresponde neia and Pyeca i state that the Pacific Squadron will be reinforced. | Senor Maon will accept the post of Ambassador | to France. GREECE. | Vienna, Oct. 15.—The Vienna journals pub- i lish advices from Athens, stating that Earl Russell bad addressed a note to the Greek Cabinet, de- lelaring that Engl nd recognised no factions in avd condemned anarchical demonstra- rreece, | tions. | necessity England would, in conjunction with France and Russia, take measures for the main- ltenance of order and the strengthening of the | reiguing dynasty. | CHINA. | According to the latest intelligence received | here from Japan, the state of affairs had become | more complicated. ' tilitres in the Straits of Shimonnsaki. An attack 'ou Prince Nagato’s fortifications was expected. | H————iiP — NEWFOUNDLAND. | By the mail from Newfoundland, which arrived here on Friday morning last, we are ‘in possession of papers to the 20ch instant. Bat these contain nothing of interest. Several addresses have been presented to His Excellency the Governor, congratulating him on his arrival and assumption of the | Government of the Colony, and requesting i his acceptance of the office of Patron of va- pees institutions. | Exeelleney returned an appropriate reply. The Standard says that the fishermen of | the North Shore of Conception Bay the past }summer will not average five quintals per 'man. What they are to do the present win- | ter to sustain their fawilies, is a mystery tu a. Government must come to their relief ; if so, the best thing to do will be to make the people clear ground and sell it cheap, and ' encourage them to cultivate it. ! The press calls upon the Government to 'make timely provision for the impending | distress in Bonavista | H. M.S. Medea, Capt. Preston, arrived at St. John’s from Battle Harbor, on the La- |brador. Weare bappy to give place to the | following note respecting the fisheries ;—At }Cape Charles and Battle Liarbor — seines, vel Cruiser.) from 250 to 300 qtis. : at Occasional Harbor Ceburn, accompanied by his friends, had per-} nt : the stakes —seines, from 400 to 700 qtis. ; at Ship Har bor—boats, from 40 to 50 qtis.; and from 80 to 200 for seines at Indian Tickle. We Stakeholder explained ‘uat Coburn! give the information just as it was received | LAT irom @ person who had landed trom the above remarked ‘the fishery has been what you jmay call a fair average voyage, one with | effect upon the Confederates, as will be seen ’ the other.’ ————__~<> BERMUDA. il. M. Steamer Jason arrived at Halifax, on the 23rd instant, from Bermuda. glad to learn that the yellow fever is fust dis- appearing. The Halifax Recorder of the 2ith gives the following :— The Bermads papers ere filled with lengthy accounts concerning the capture of the U.S. Steamer Roanoke, and subsequent movements of the captors. The Gazette, of the Ith, furnishes the following paragraph relative to the seizure, confirming the statements received through other channels :— The somewhat unusual spectacle of a burning ship was to be seen from the east end of our Island on Sunday. The Roanole left Havana for New York a short time since, and when some distance from land was captured by a number of Confede- rates who had shipped as pussengers. Most of the officers surrendered quietly; but one, a Duteh- man, who does not appear to have understood what was said to him, was shot dead; and another of the crew, who offered some slight resistance, was wounded. The vessel was brought to the neighborhood of this Island this day week, and nightly visits were paid to Fathom Hole, where she was provided with men and provisions. A brig went to her with coal; but the weather proving tea stormy, it was finally determined to abandon the prize, which was effected on Sunday —the crew and officers landing in beats, when they were inmediately placed auder arrest by the authorities. From the Bermuda Mirror, of the 15th, we ather the following particulars of tie sub sequent trial of Braine and his associates :— The trial, to which we alluded in our last as going on in the town of St. George, in reference to the capture of the Federal merchant steamer Roanoke, terminated en Wednesday last, by the withdrawal of the charge of “ piracy,” the accu- sation having been found, on examination, to be ‘untenable. It appeared on trial that the Roanoke, asteamer plying between Havana and New York as @ passenger vessel, left the former place on the 28th ultime with a number of passengers, amongst whom. it afterwards turned out, were ten Confede- rate officers, under the command of Capt. Braine. (the same person who captured the Chesapease, the history of which is still fresh inour winds.) When at sea Capt. Braine demanded the surrender ot the ship te him, as an officer of the Confederate States. The capture was easily effected, as little or no resistance was made by the erew. It was the intention of Braine, after obtaining possession, tu steer for these Islands and land the passengers and crew, and then carry the vessel to Wiluing- ton; but finding, on reaching this place, they had not sufficient coul for that purpose, they burned the vessel and landed at St. George’s—the passen- gers in the meantime bavirg been put on board the brigt. Mathilde of Lalitax, which vessel put in here and landed them. The captors afterwards landed at St. George’s, aud were immediately ar- rested by the authorities and put in prison, to await their trial for an act of piracy in seizing the Roanoke. When they landed three of them were dressed in the uniform of the Coufederate States, and had their commissions in their pockets. Braine had also special instructions from the Con- federate Government, authorising him to seize the vessel, which document he produced at the time; and, notwithstanding that heavy buil was vflered, they were incarcerated. We trust for the sake of all concerned that the authorities have acted right in the matter; though we have our own 6pinlon as to the propriety ot their conduct. The matter will probably be settled between the Home aud Contederate Governments. he particulars of the trial had not been pybiished when the Jason left. ee a fom 1 ST. ALBANS RAID FROM CANADA. The following despatches throw some additional! light upon this extraurdivary movemeut:— Twelve of the St. Alhans raiders have beer cap- tured in Canada. The one in jail at Saint Johus states that the ruid was couducted by a Captain in the Confederate service. Persanus concerned in the raid say the amouut taken from the bank was SL22,000. The ‘Evening Telegraph,’ published at St. Al- bans. says feurs are entertained trom the «sympathy shown at St. Johue for the St. Albems robbers, that an attempt will be made torescue them. A cavalry force hae been called out, and are wow gaurding the jail. Hon. J.J. Abbott, KR LaFlamme and Hon J. H. Cameron have been retained as eonnsel for the rebels, and Mr. Devlin tor Federal authorities. Bennett H. Young, calling himself a Lieutenant, who commauded t:e robbers, has sent @ letter to the ‘ Evening Telegraph,’ iu which he charges the citizens of Vermout with violating the English and Canadian laws. The arrests were made over the line by citizens from the northern tawns of Vermont lot she zi ties delivered to the Canadian anthorities. reported that a from Judge Aldis, more have been Weare t is h has just been received the Supreme Court, thus two » and that $70,000 a all foam tang tes ie el toe ane T ‘idan u wi arters. udge Aldis of Vermant ial! ive i tatious of provisions and fursze See been - os we a ae se auch angwented that it is materially im t por le tu meet the burdens imposed : they bave only ane or tie ee ae with the Canadian authorities. in order sible tor the them whi Sogn ~ sentamnapto atts atl following up the legal ste necessary to bri thieves ond es ros to jastes. He Cees once tc Moutreal, where he bad @ sutiefuctery in- that the rebels mivh rouxlit beture Jade Cor- ees added to those} 7 funder the direetion of Sanders aud other noted | bert, and no doubt seems to be entertained that it suldiers on furlough wall leave , Ear! Russell further stated that in case of | ‘There was a prospect of hos- To each address His) NT | feared that they would be brought before an under | magistrate, w hose sympathies might be at variance with the legal aspects of the ease, aud discharged, as in the case of the Chesapeake piracy. i I understand that he has been successful, and re-| turns to St. Albans to-night to eonsult with Gover- | He hns telegraphed that the rebels | j vor Smith as s ail sth On real | ine rtion of the ¢ have plenty of money, and have sent to Moutreal | busine 868 portion ) aw : l for tha best counsel, ‘They are probably acting) fjre originated in @ liquor store kept by J. Hul rebels iu Canada. | A deapateh from St. Albans, 23nd, says :— | The preliminary bearing will ee? be at } St Johus ou Monday or Pnesday. The raiders vow admit the facts, but may thendeny them. If iden- | tified. us some, if not all will be, the fucts will be proved, and Judge Corsoul will so report to Gover- nor-ieveral Meuck, when a reguisition will be nade. ‘ TVhe decision will be of such magnitude as a pre- leedent that the status of the rebels will not unlike- ly be referred for the Home Government to deter- mine. The Canadian authorities show severy disposition to admivister the law impartially. Civde, the lender, was taken at a house about three miles southeast of Frelighsburg. He ex pressed to his captors his regret that his purty did not burn St. Albans, but they were so faust for plun- der that they neglected to do so. |} wo companies of * Veteran Reserves’ from Con cord, N. H., went to Derby Line yesterday, to protect that locality from invasion. ; Yho raiders are mostly young men and claim to hail from Kentucky, and insist that they are in the ‘Two of themclaim to have captain's commissions. A small quantity of rebel money was found on them. et Oe Respecting the Calais Bank “ raiders,” Collins & Co., we find the following in the Bangor Cou- rier of the 2ist:— “ Yesterday morning, Wm Collins, Francis X Jones and William Philips, were taken to ‘Thomas- town toserve three years inthe Maine State Prison. Deputy Wardeu Maxey took them to jail at Machias and brought them through this city, where they took the steamer Katadin. These three men were arrested when the raid was made on the Calais Bank, and were the only ones secured. When they were taken from the jail at Machals a large crowd collected around the stage. ‘The ptisoners commen- ced barrahing for Jeff Davis, much, to the sxtisfac ition of the copperheads, who eXpressed their | sympathy as openly as they dared to. These prisoners were quite talkative and pretend- ed to expect to be released as soon as Jetf Davis made ademand for them,which be would do at once, is they were prisonersof war. The captaiu or ringleader, Collins, said they were regularly in i} the Confederate service, and were sent there to take | the place, a feat which they should have accom- plished had it uot been for treachery. _ He suid thé St. Albans affair was by his men and that he had plenty uf friends on the other side of the line—and that they Lia? friends on this side who would assist them if they dared. ile knew who to call upon in this city for help, and it would not be refused. He evidently knew his copperhead friends in this city. One of the men claimed to be trom St. Loois, Mo, the captain from Missis2'ppi, and the othes from New Orleans. ‘i — Captain SEMMES AGAIN | Semmes sailed from rebe! service. ArLoat.—Capt. the Mersey on Sunday llast, on board the barque Laurel under the command of Capt. J. F. Ramsay. The | destination of the Laurel is rather, at pre- sent, myeterious, but so far as the Customs’ | bill of entry show, the vessel bas certainly cleared for ports where Conlederate precli- | vities predominate, viz, Nassau, Havana, }and Matamoras. She is merely « tender and /carries out to @ certain latitude guns and ‘ammunition for a new Screw-steamer, of | which Capt Semmes is to take command | Chis vessel is supposed to be a new screw st: amer which was lying at Maderia on the 3d jingtant, and was there known under the name | lof the Ranger The Ranger isa large fand very switt, and will, no doubt, should }she actually turn out to be the new cruiser, | - . | prove a tough antagonist to any Federal war ' i vessel. {the Laurel eight officers and 100 i} most of whom served with him on board the Alabama. | —_— ened - + “ST NEWS FROM SEAT OF WAR IN THE STAIES. | War news is of a quiet nature. “enera! | Butler’s retaliatory order has had a salutary | | by the following :—*+ Richmond papers o | the 19th say that the rebels have withdrawn | | the Union prisoners from work on the forti- | fications on account of Butler's retaliation! in placing rebel prisoners in the Duteh Gap | | Canal.’’ | By the steamer Mourning Star at New | York, from New Orleans, we baye late infor- | jmation from Mobile, Several army officers | made a daring reconnoissanes in Mobile Bay jon the 10th, passing inside of all obstructions, | }and returning sately. One of the gunboats. | | while reconnostering in Navy Core, was fired linto, but no serious damage was dune. A | severe storm had occasioned some dumage to one or two sailing vessels, and a coal laden brig was driven ashore, which will probably be lost. The extreme seyere trade regulations ol General Canby have effectually stopped all business at New Urleans. There is nothing later from Mexico to confirm the capture of Matamoras by the French. A letter to the New York Acrald, dated | Chattanooga, 16ch instant,states that the smali garrisons at Daltun and other places were ordered to evacuate, which they did, saving much valuable property. They were then occupied a very short time by Contederates, but on General Sherman pressing them so closely, they alsu evacuated, and all those places claimed to have been captured by the Confederates, are now occupied by Northern troops. Southern papers consider General Sherman's position critical, and also that of Hood's equally so, but say they think, i! Hood can keep his supplies, Sherman must evacuate Georgia. But they admit that Sherman's position cuts off Hood's coumuni- cation with his base. The Georgia militia have again been ordered out, and are to rendezvous at Macon. A desputeh dated Lowell, Mass., 224, say that a very destructive fire occurred last night, about 9 a. m., at what is known as Dracut Navy Yard, which was totally des- troyed. ‘The large new brick mill, counting room and two wooden houses belonging to the Merrimac Woolen Company were als: destroyed. Total loss about $250,009. Insured $200,000. A raid into Western Kentucky, by Confe- derates under Forrest, is in progress. The raid is for political effect. Great excitement exists in consequence of it. The steamer J. C. Irwin blew up on Sunday morning, while lying at Eddyville, on Camberland River, destroying the boat aud killing a large nuw- ber of persons. A Federal expedition, composed of eolored troops, made a successtul foray from Rodney to Fayette, Miss., on the 2d, while another expedition attacked the enemy at Woodville, killing 40 and capturing two officers, 54 wen and 2 guns. Gen. A. L. Lee's expedition, towards Clinton had passed threegh that place, still pressing onward. The result of a recent raid by Federal ca- valry in the Luray valley, Va., as reported by an army correspondent, was 6500 head ot! eattle, 500 horses, the destruction of 32 flouring mills, 39 distilleries, 4 blast furnaces, and upwards of 50 berns. From Missouri, we learn that Glasgow was captured by the Confederates on Saturday, together with six companies of the 43d Mis souri. Ridgely, Platte County, has been plandered by guerillas, and Smithfield, Clay County, burned. Business was suspended at St. Joseph and Kansas City, and Leavenworth was being fortified. The rebel Congress meets in Richmond. on 7th Nov. General Lee reporis that Mosby, in the capture of a train at Duffield, on the Ba'ti- more and Ohio Railruad, on the l4th, took 26 prisoners, including two paymasiers with $168.000 in Government funds. Rel accounts atate that 200 Federals were drowned in the attack by Forrest's men on the Federal foree near Eastport, Tenn., (be- fore reported), and claim the capture of 3 guns and 25 prisoners. The Richmond Lraminer says the report of the capture of Rome, Ga, with 2u0 pri- soners, is without foundation. The trial of the 150 persons recently ar- rested in Washington and Baltimore on the charge of furnisling govds to rebels, com- menced in Washington on Thursday, before a commission of which Gen. Doubleday is Pie- sident. The first case was that of Jobnson & Sutton, a business firm of Washington. The principal witness was Pardon Woreeley, a resident of Massachusetts when the war broke out, who testified that he was officially employed to dise»ver blockade runners, and also to obtain information in the valley from Mosby and other rebels. As a means to this he peddled among them,some of which he pure from this firm, who were in‘erm- Capt Semmes took with him on board | men, | destroyed, THE FIRE AT EASTPORT. Through the kindness of Mr. W. F. Alexan- der, messenger for Turner's Express, we (St. John Telegraph) are enabled to lay belore our readers the particulars of the destructive fire at Bast- Saturday night, by whieh the principal eer tes ity was deatroyed. ‘The jis the work of au incendiary; but what motive | could have induced the act, or who the perpetra- ‘tors were, seems to be involved in impenetrable mystery. That it was the result of a preconcert- ed plan appears certain. The first alarm was about 12 o’olock, at which hour a fish house at Dog Is- land, about balfa mile from the city, was discoy- ered to be on fire, About an hour afterwards, when all the firemen and engines were away at this fire, the gonflagration broke out in the place already indicated. The wind was blowing from the eastward at the time, and the fire extended along Water street in both directions, until it reached the Frontier Bank on one hand, and Crawford’s Hotel on the other. Extending back from Water street, it reached Mr. Joseph Guani- son’s residence on Boynton street, and Mr. Knox’s house on Rice’s Lane. The Engines were brought tothe spot with all the speed possi- vie, but the fire bad already attained suck head- way that the most strenuous exertions of the firemen were unavailing to stop its progress, Wi- til the beet part of the city was a mass of rulus, Several of the neighbours trom Campobello went over and rendered valuable assistance. The to- tal loss, it is said, cannot be far shortot $500,000. Dealers had just laid in their fall stock of goods, upon which many of them had little or no insur- ance ; and out of the whole, there were not more than two or three who were fully insured. It is remarkable that out of a very large nuw ber of safes, not mere than one or two stood the test of the fire, the contents of all the others being completely ruined, We subjoin a list of the chief sufferers :— William P. Auckman, Dry Goods Dealer; C. Jackson, Confectioner; 8. Sherlock, Dry Goods (a portion of his stock saved); Campbell Bros., Dry Goods; Daniel Savage, Jeweller (oo insur- ance); J. Gleason, Shoe Dealer (both store an d residenc® burnt); i Burgin, Dry Goods ; George Rice, Shoe Store; E. E. Shead, Apothecary: in addition to this stock Mr. Shead lost $2000 in Government bonds which were in his safe. Gideon Stickney, Furniture; James MeGuirk, Liquors ; J. Witherall, Bootsand Shoes ; P. Cobe, Clothier ($1300 worth of stock lost and no insur- ance); L. C. Norwood, Confectioner; D. Barry, Dry Goods; Bradford Bros., Clothing; Shead Bros., Apothecaries; Turner's Express Office, (furniture and papers saved); W. Winchester, Confectioner, (stock partly saved); Eastern Ex- press Office, (safe and papers saved, but furni- ture and a large stock of goods belonging to an auctioneer burned); Fisher and Milliken’s large store burned, but most of the stock saved ; Hinek- iev & Co; G. F. Wadsworth, Groceries; J. Shieids, Liqnors; P. Houghton, Groceries; Rk. Mowe, ot, Grocer and Ship-Chandler; D. J. Odell, Grocesies; Peabody & Cummings ; Wads- worth & Ritehte, Groceries; 8. B. Hume & Co.; D. Perkins, Grocerics; W. W. Chapman, Furni- ture; Union Store, Groceries; R. M. Tuttle, do; Clark & Webster, Hardware; E. H. Andrews, Groceries; H_ Pike, Butcher; Simon Steves, do ; P. Whalen, Groceries; Dr. Spinney’s Office : Dr. Patterson, Dentist; John Steves, Boots and Shoes; W. H. Mack, Watebmaker; Miss Bowman, Milli- ner; John Buckman, Fish; J. G. Fewcomb, Gas Fixtures. In addition to the above the Offices of Hon. syron Bradbury, J. W. French, Dr. Mowe, and others, Were consumed; several stores also, besides | those mentioned. The Sentincl Office, we are informed, was j quite destroyed. A schooner laden with coal, ly- ing at Union Dock, was burnt to the water's edge and hull sunk. ‘The schooners Astrea, Ben- jamin aud Atlanta were all wore or less injured. Wadsworth’s, Union apd Kilby’s wharfs were all | nounced, with the Telegraph and other offices, | were burot te the ground. ‘Lhe property ef the persons mentioned above were all destroyed ex- ve | cept those otherwise noted. PILE} A Public Meeting of Inhabitants of Lots 11 & 12 was held this evening at the house of Mr. Hugh Callaghan, on the Main Western Road, for | the purpose of applying to the Beard of Education, | to furm their settlement mto a Schoel District and |} giving a name to the same; when, after several) pow j names had been proposed and rejected, that of INVERNESS Was unanimously adc pted. JOHN CAMPBELL, See'y of Meeting. Che Examiner. October 31, 1864. Charlottetown, INTER-COLONIAL UNION, (No. 4.) QueBec, OcT. 18, 1864. When I elosed my last letter at this date, Lun- derstand that the debate in Conference was then in progress touching the coustitution of the Upper House under the Federal Government, as inti mated in my last. I believe this principle was agreed to: that in choosing Councillors, the choice should be confined to the several Legisla- tive Councils in existence in the respective Pro- vinces at the time the Union was to take effect, excepting Prince Edward Island. That favoured place was to have the whole Island for a chvice. Whether this may be deemed complimentary to the Island, or whether it was supposed that the present Legislative Council there does not, or is not likely to afford suitable materials for a selec- tion, are points which I am not prepared to dis- cuss jut certain it r, the principle, as I have stated it, was carried. Wepnespay, Oct. 19, The most important feature in the whole fabric of the Federal Coustitution engaged the delibera- tions of the Conference for the whole of tuis day, that is—Rvpresentation of the several Provinces in the Lower House, or House of Commons, as it is tobe styled. The principle agreed upon at the Charlottetown Convention was, as I am inform- ed, that population should be the basis of repre- sentation. This principle did not appear to be acceptable to the P. E. Island Delegates, owing to the seantiness of the population of the Island, and they laboured strenuously and unanimously, I understand, to have their case made an excep- But it was argued that if the prin- ciple were departed from in one ease, it would af- ford serious ground for discontent if rigidly en- foreed with regard to all the rest of the Pro- vinces. I cannot now review the arguments on both sides with which I have been made acquaint- ed, but this I hope te dv when the whole frame- work of the Constitution is ready to be presented to the public, which it is the intention, I believe, of the Conference to do. I ean only state now a few bald facts, such as come to my knowledge, the same as they do to any other person in Quebec, and such as I find noticed in the Teronto journals. The following bas been agreed upon as the scale of representation in the House of Commons. Ca- nada, Upper and Lower, to have 147 members ; Nova Scotia, 19; New Brunswick, 15; Newfound- land, 8; and P. E. Island, 5. The Island Dele- gates wanted to get six representatives; but as a concession to this would disturb the whole prin- ciple ou which representation was to be based, the Conference did not feel at liberty to agree te it ; and the Island Delegates had to covtent them- selves, T understand, with voting against that part of the arrangement. Indeed, T do not see that six would be any more service to them than five in so large @ Parliament. But my opinions on this point, with some additional information as to population, &c., will be given in a subsequent letter, when the whole business shall be com- pleted. tional one. A grand Bul! was given this evening, expressly in honour of the Delegates, at the splendid re- sidence of Mons. and Madame Tessier. The worthy host is President of the Legislative Coun- cil, is a Lawyer of high standing, and is one of the Professors of Law in the Laval University. The purty was chiefly French—indeed the only oues of British and Irish origin present were those from the Maritime Provinces. Bad and broken English was much in vogue during the evening When conversation was carried Gu with the English and Irish, who have all determined upon studying Freuch forthwith. ludeed, the venders of Freuch Dictionaries and Grammars are beginuing to find a considerable number of ed of his contraband trading, but not the ob- ra ee custowers amongst the people from the Lower The Frontier Bank, as already an-| back to their Down East homes, forgetting much ‘of their mother tongue, and talking a strange con- | glomeration of English and excessively bad Frenehb. But ene word for Madame Tessier’s gay and brilliant party—the crowd was excessive, I could not compute the number present; but they all seemed to enjoy themselves—the spread in the Supper Room was superb, and the party did not separate until about 3 o'clock on the fol- lowing morning. I think it would be advisable tu be somewhat reticent hereafter regarding the social parties in which the Delegates engage in this stupendously hospitable City, lest it should be supposed they do nothing else but frolic. 1 will try to do it; but I am afraid I will not succeed. Tuurspay and Fripay, Oct. 20 and 21. The Convention has been engaged most dili- gently those two days in defining the powers ot the House of Commons—its duration—mode otf election—qualification of members,and par:icular- ising the subjects which are to come within the scope of its control, The term of its existence has been fixed, I understand, at five years—the qualification of members to be the same for each Province as that which now obtains in each; and the election laws now existing in each to apply to the election of members for each. The powers and jurisdiction of the House of Commons refer to thirty-two great general ques- tions; but as these are in progress of discussion, and my infurmation touching them is incomplete, I must defer further reference to them until my next Letter. A splendid official reception waa given to the Delegates from the Maritime Provinces yesterday (Thursday) at the Laval Universi‘'y, when an Address was presented to them by the Very Reverend Superier of that Institution, and an Answer given in return. The great number of learned Doctors and Professors, in their gorgeous academic robes, was, of itself, a sight worth see- ing ; but all the wonders of the University, and of the Colleges and Seminary attached, were fully disclosed to the astonished eyes of the Delegates —the Right Reverend Bishops of Quebee, Kings- ton and Hamilton, who honoured the occasion by their presence, acting, in conjuuction with the Doctors of Divinity and other Professors, as cicerones to the Delegates. As the Mail is just about closing, I must reserve for another occasion further observatiwns concerning the Seminary, I herewith enclose copies of the address and auswer presented yesterday :— From the Quebec Morning Chronicle, Oct. 21. VISIT OF THE DELEGATES VO LAVAL UNIVERSITY AND QUEBEC SENINARY. Our leading educational institution was yester- day honored by a visit from a number of the de-egates from the Maritime Provinces attending the Intercolunial Conference now being heid in this city. Atzthree o'clock P.M. the distinguish- ed visitors were received in the reception-room of the University by His Lordship the Bishop o: Tloa, administrator of the Divceese of Quebec, His Lordship the Bishop of Hamilton, His Lordship the Bishop of Kingston, the Rector jof the University, the Deans end Professors ol | the several faculties, and the University students. The whole party then proceeded to the great hall, | where the pupils of the Quebec Seminary, to the | number of four hundred, were assembled; and the | Rector read the following Colleges, and University. ADDRESS. Honorable Gentlemen,— “ There are in the lives of nations, as in those af individuals, moments of selemn import, on | Which their destiny bangs. | “The British colonies of North America are in one of those critical periods, the in- | fluence of which may even surpass our prevision. | “ History will hand down to posterity the }names of all these to whom the confidence of i their fellow-citizens has entrusted with this great mission of examining the basis of our political constitutions, and of proposing fundamental mo- difications, “It is not the part of a literary and scienti fical institution to express an opinion on the all- important questions of the day; yet it cannot re- main indifferent to debates which concern ower com- won country, understanding as it does how well worthy of the best wishes of all are the eminent personages on whose shoulders weighs so heavy a responsibility. ‘ “ Moreover, the prosperity of an institution such as this istoo closely connected with the future of the country not to partake in the anxiety with which from the sources te the mouth o! the St. Lawrence, five millions of British subjects await the result of your important labors. “The students of the Quebec Seminary and these of Laval University, whom you see here united, also share in our emotion; in after years some of them may, in their turn, be called on to guide the ship of the State, and to continue the construction, the foundations of which it is your mission to lay. ** Whatever may be the issue of your delibe- rations, permit us to assure you, honorable gentle- men, in the name of all our pupils and Alumni, that your visit will be long borne in mind by them. Nor will it be without result, for, whlie engaged inthe task of developing their intelligenee,they will be animated by the grateful remembrance of the honor conferred on their alma mater by the pre- sence of the most eminent and most influential wen of this immense territory.” Hon. Mr. Tupper, on behalf of himself and his delegates, read the following REPLY. “To the Very Rererend E. A. Taschereau, D.C. L., Kectur of the University of Lacal. “VeRY REVEREND Sir,—We beg to express our grateful estimate of the very flattering terms in which we have been addressed by you, on hehalt of the Faculties and Alumni of this distinguished University, and of the professors and students of the Quebee Seminary. “ Engaged as we are-in the important duty of endeavoring, in conjunction with the Government of Canada, so to improve the political institutions of the British American Provinees as to promote the cuminon interests of all, we are much gratified to learn that eur high mission is duly appreciated at a great seat of learning trom which the public sentiment of the country must be largely iuflu- enced. ** The students of the Quebec, Seminary as also the Faculties and Alumai of Laval University, may rest assured that our best efforts will be ex- erted to fiud a wise solution of the great question which has been submitted to our deliberations ; but in any event we will not soon forget the dis- guished mark of respect which you have beew pleased to offer us on the present occasion. “(Signed,) Charles Tupper, W. A. Henry, J.MecCully, R. B. Dickey, A. G. Archibald, of Nova Scotia. “S. L. Tilley, C. W. Steeve, W. Johnson, E. B. Chandler, G. H. Gray, Charles Fisher, ot New Brunswick, “J. W. L. Carter, Ambrose Shea, of New- foundland. “J. H. Gray, Edw. Palmer, W. H. Pope, A. A, Macdonald, George Coles, ‘T. Heath Haviland, Edward Whelan, of Prince Edward Island.” The Seminary band then etruck up a joyous strain, aud the visitors proceeded to the terrace- roof of the main building, whence a maguificent view of the city, harbor and surrounding country wae obtained. The delegates were highly de- lighted with the prospect, and unanimously de- clared it to be one of the most beautiful they had ever beheld. Atter having thus feasted theireyes on the beauties of nature, they proceeded—ac- companied by their hests—to visit the several departments of ihe University, including the library, the museum of mineralogy and botany, the cabinets of physies and chemistry, the schools of law and medicine, aud the students’ residence. attached, Ke. It is needless to say that they were deeply impressed with the vast extent of the University and the unrivalled educational facilities which it affords. Jn fact, we are informed that several of the delegates expressed a desire to seud their sous tu be educated within its walls. It was uhuost five o'clock when the visitors took leave highly pleased with what they had seen. : ~~ ______ THE INTER-COLONIAL CONVEN- TION AT QUEBEC. (No. 5.) Quenec, Friway, Oct. 21. It weuld seem to be the settled conviction of the good people of this gay, ancient, and faseinat- ing City, that the chief end of existence is Plea- sure. I aw informed, however, that the season for paying particular devotion te this most ex- acting deity has not yet arrived—that winter, wheu the mighty river which pours its countless treasures into Lower Canada, is locked in the embrace of the Frost King—witnesses scenes of gaivty and festivity here to which those in which good prayers of all our friends at home be eo- piously offered for us, to the end that we may be removed from this dear, charming, abominable, killing, pleasure ridden City, before the winter shall have set in, otherwise the probability is (hat the undertaker will effect our removal for us without our own volition. The Bachelors of Quebee gave a splendid Ball this evening, in honour of the Delegates, at the Parliament Buildings. It was, it all essential features, a reproduction of the Ministerial Ball, at the same Buildings, sbortly after the arrival of the Delegates. The same Society was there— French again predominating. The Governor- General and suite were present—the Cabinet Ministers, and indeed all the civil dignitaries of the land likewise honoured the vecasion. But the crowd was not near 80 great as at the Minis- terial Ball, while the arrangements as to music, refreshments and supper, were on the same ex- cellent atyle. The same smiling, pretty, chatter- ing French belles were tu be seen, only in different attire. Apropos of Ladies’ dress in this City—at least in the Upper Town, so called : it bas frequent- ly oceurred to me that it would, and must, require a small fortune, on the part of husbands and fathers, to furnish out a lady's wardrobe, judging from the expensive style of dress to which they accustom themselves. richest materials, and differenton every occasion ; but there is scarcely a lady to be met in the streets, at any time of the day, who does not wear a dress of the richest black silk; and the gentle- men are equally fastidious and expensive in their attire. In the Lower Town, where the Shipping and Lumbering Interests are concentrated, and where mercantile pursuits of a rough end course character prevail, elegance of dress is not, by any means, the predowinant characteristic. I shall not say anything more about the Ball, It was a brilliant affair throughout—eminently suc- cessful—(I believe that is the phrase used to des- cribe a stunning jollification —and Everybody and his Wife were hugely delighted with it. One word more: the Cabinet Ministers—the leading ones especially—are the moat inveterate dancers I have ever seen; they do not seem to miss a dance during the live-long night. They are cunning fellows; and there’s no doubt it is all done for a political purpose; they know that if they can danee themselves inte the affections of the wives and daughters of the country, the men will certainly become an easy conquest. SATURDAY, Oct. 22. The Conference sat from 12 noon until six p. in. to-day, and comipenced the most valuable portion of their work—the arrangement of the financial ister of Canada made a most able and elaborate ex- position of the views of the Canadian Government, which,at the close of his speech, he preseut ed in the form of a resolution. Tan not at liberty te give you the resolution, although I should very much like to d»so. Indeed, at the time I write the reso- lution has not beea confirmed by the Conference, but I have every reason to believe that it will be confirmed, althongh it may be somewhat wnodified in its details. In general terms, I may say that itis eminently calculated te place the Island in an admirable position as regards ite financial affairs. That position will be vastly diferent from the one conjured ap by my friend Mr. Beer, whose leiter in the Protestant of the 15th instant, I] have only just new reevived and read. Sore of my friends of the P. E. Island Delegation have carried away the paper to laugh over the absurd delusions into which Mr. Beer has allowed himseif to be betrayed by au imagi- uation which, to say the least, has been strangely perplexed, but which has never been deemed to be one of a fervid and excitable character. Mr. Beer assumes that our Island people will be taxed to make up a proportion of the Canadian debt, which he has correctly enough stated at sixty-two millions and odd dollars—that the Island will have to bear a proportion of the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick debts, and to help to provide for the construction of the great inter-colonial Rail- way, and for military defences. Never was there a greater mistake. Canada proposes to deal with the Maritime Provinces in the most bread and liberal spirit. She emphatically declares that the burden of her debt shall fall upon Upper and Lower Canada—and upon Upper and Lower Canada alone. J. is proposed to consolidate the debts of the several Provinces, the Confederation assuming their liability in consideration of the transfer of all provincial property of a publie cha- racter — such as canals, public harbours, light houses, steamboate, dredges, and public vessels, river and lake improvements, railways, military, roads, public buildings, custom houses, and post offices, except such as may be set aside for the use of the local Legislatures ; ordnance property, munitions of war, armories, and lands set apart for public purposes. The Confederation then proposes to place to the credit of each Province, to meet its debt, $25 per head of the population. If the debt of any oue does not amount to thateum, that particular one can draw for the interest semi-annually. The debt of Ca- nada is such that she will have nothing to draw — Nova Scotia and New Brunswick not much each—Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island will have a large balance in their favour. The debt of the Island represents about three dollars per head—that leaves twenty dollars per head to its credit, the interest of which can be drawn semi-annually for local improvements. By this arrangement, the debt of P. E. Island will be guaranteed to the extent ef $2,025,000,00—the interest on which, at 5 per cent, will be $101,- 250.00. Add to this, the proportion which the Confederation proposes to give to each Province for the support of its jocal administration, at the rate of 80 cents per head, making for the popula toa of P. E, Islaud (say 81,000) $64,800.00— aud we have a total of $166,050.00, which P. E. Island will annually receive. Deduet from the latter sum $12,000, interest at 5 per cent. on our debt of £75,000 curreney, or $240,000, and the balance in our favour will be $154,050.00, or £48,140 128 Gd, P. E. 1. ecurreney, which will be, under the Confederation, nearly forty-eight thou- sand dollars more than we now spend for local affaire, the Federal Government assuming the cost of certain genera! affairs, to which I shall bereafter refer. And this is, beeides having the guarantee of the Federal Government for more than two millions of dollars, equal to about £400,000, by which we could, at any time, effect the purchase of our Township lands. Aud I have every reason to believe that these golden pros- pects may be brought home to us without much, if any, additional taxation. So that the alarmists in the Island need not work themselves up into a fever of excitement, touching the financial as- peet of the Union question. The only persens who have the least cause for alarm are the pro- prietors, for it that question be consummated, their oppressive and antiquated tenure will speedely cease, I have many interesting notes to extend, but I must close in order to be in time fer the Mail. E. W. THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF THE UNION QUESTION. WE have read with considerable attention all that has appeared iu our local newspapers against a Union of the Colonies. The gist of the argu- ments of all the writers on this side uf the ques- tion is, that the thing wou't pay — that we are better off as we are, and so forth. It seems to us that they do not view the question trom the proper stand point. The issue between the ad- vocates of Univn and its ovponent- is not whether ee ee | at least for frequency of vecurrence. May the I will net attempt to describe the Ball-room dresses, all made of the affairs of the several Provinces. The Finance Mi:- _enuse an increase of taxation in these Culead : vor not-—their relations with the Mother Country | remaining the same as at present,—but whether they can best and most economically, ‘nitedly or separately, provide for their own defence, of maintain a separate existence. This sevins te us the fair way of putting the question. Sp long as these Colonies are nursed iv the imperial lap, fed with the Thoperia!l spoun, and protected by the Imperial arms, there is no doubt that such Imperial petting and protecting is much cheaper fur the petted and protected than being obliged to deteud themselves with their own arms, and te maintain themselves by their own exertions, Whether this system of careful tending and in. dulgence is best calculated to foster the hardy virtues and develope the resources of youngsters, whose sturdy growth and manly pipe proclaim to all the world that they are ae longer children, jg quite another question. The people of Great Britain are now ashing. Of what use are the Colonies? What retura do we get for the three, four, and sometimes gig inillions annually spent upon them? What returp do we get for the millions “pon millions that they have already cost us? Are they not abte to pro vide for their own defence? Is it fair that the overstaxed people of England should be still more over-taxed to provide for the defence of those who are, to all appearance, well able to defend themselves? It is becoming more and more diff. cult tu apswer these questione to the satisfaction of an intelligent and a burdened people. There is a very respectable school of politicians in Eng land who have for some tine beer } to convince the people that the Colvnial Empire is an unnecessary and ap expensive appendage to the Nation. They arave that the Colonies would be just as available as fici2s for emigration, and that they would be quite as great ¢°0#Umers of articles of British manufacture, if they werd independent States, as they now are in their sub. jeet condition. Old John Bullis heard to grumble somewhat after this fashion--“ Look at that great hulking fellow, Canada, and his swaller brothers, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with that im- pertinent, discontented little seoundrel, Prince Edward Isiand, are they going to be an everlast- ing expense tome? Must I be continually putt- ing my hand in my pocket to keep them in fight- ing order? QOuly the other day, when their neighbour Jonathan doubled up his fists and looked fierce about that Trent affair, 1 was forced to shell out, I don’t like to say how wueb money, to fit them for the ring; and, after all, I doubt very much if they were fit lo come to the scrateh. [tell you what, these fellows must put themselves in training. They needo't expect me to fight their battles for them any longer: they must help tbeuselves. Hf they choose still to board with me, well and good; Fil not turn them out of doors; but if they like better to ge ou their own houk, and set up housekeeping for themselves, why the sooner they do it the better for both of us, that’s all F have te say.” Whe ean blame honest Juhu for these wmutterings? His reflec- tions are those of every father who sees growing up around him a family of big, lazy boys, wheare agrest expense, and whe seem unwilling tode anything towards their own support. In shert, it seems admitted on all sides that the time hae arrived, oy bas pearly arrived, in which the Bri tish Provinees in North Aweriea must provide for their ows defenee. Let it be granted that oar present relations with Great Britain are net likely te resaaia bong as they now are. The nest enquiry that presents itself to us is, what career ws open tothe Britiak American Colonies? How are they te exist ina the future? At pyesemt there appear three covrses open to them. The Gret is te remaoie dependencies of the British Crown, making pro- vision fer their ow» defeace; the aecond ia to establish themselves inte an independent State, either a kingdom or a republic; and the third i to beg admission inte the Republic of the United States. The aduption ef either of these alterna- tives necessitates Union. Ht can easily be seem that no adequate provision can be made for the defence of the Colonies by the Colonies separately. Five or six different governments, with five oe six different policies and interests, would eflec- tually prevent that uniformity of system and unity of action so essential to the conduct of military affiirs. Besides, without a Union of some kind, it would be impossible te apportion to each the share it should contribute to the common defence. We think that the first of the courses we have indicated, besides being most agreeable to the present temper of the Colonists, would be much the cheapest. Although we would have to keep our own fortifications in repair, and to ereet new: ones where required, to equip and pay our own soldiers, and perhaps te build and keep afloat three or four war steamers, we would still have, in case of war, the assistance of the fleet aud army of the Mother Country, and, in case of dis- pute with our neighbours, the weight ot ber im- fluence and the fear of her prowess. There would, however, be this drawback, that the ene- mies of Great Britain would be our enemies, and that we would necessarily be involved in any war she might wage with any of the powers either on this or the other side of the Atlantic. It will be evident to the most unreflecting that it would be much more expensive to maintain a separate national existence than to remain ander the prow tection of the Flag of Old England; and it is very questionable whether our material prosperity would be at all increased by our withdrawing ourselves from under its protecting folds. Still, independence have its advantages, but we con- sider it premature to discuss them now. However delighted many Colonial politicians would have been, a few years ago, at the pros- pect of our being peaceably absorbed by the United States, we are happy to think that there is now searcely one who would coutemplate such a contingency with pleasure. In an economical point of view, such an absorption would be ruin- ous. When this cruel war is over, the people of the States, whether united or disunited, will be one of the most heavily taxed in the world; and those States which hereafter may be adwitted into the Union, will be obliged to pay a share of the interest of its enormous national debt. It seems to us that Union of the Colonies, in some form or uther, is a foregone conclusion, and that it only remains for the people of the various Colonies to determine whether that Union shall take place now, when men's minds are calm and undisturbed, and there 1s plenty of time to ar- range the details; or sometime hence, when they will be forced into the measure by some external pressure, and when there will be neither time nor inclination nicely to,weigh the clashing inter- ests of its various members or equitably to adjust them. ———_—___ <4 eo WILL OR WILL NOT THE CONVEN- TION SCHEME BE SUBMITTED TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE? By a late Telegram it appears that in Quebee, “ it is understood that there will be an early se sion in all the Provinees, to submit the Confedera- tion Scheme to the Legislatures, to avoid a, to the ; and that, if the local Legislatures sanction it, it ust then be enacted by the Eng- lish Government.” Whatever the understanding on this point may be in Quebee, we do not believe that our own Li- beral Delegates—how favourably soever they nay think of theUnion Scheme—will ever be brought to give their consent to its being finally dealt with, by our local Legislature, independently of a direct appeal to the people. And, moreover, scarcely indeed can we persuade ourselves, that, even if our Government should determine tosubmit it to our existing House of Assembly, to be Hually aceepted or rejected by them, they would consent to be constituted judges as to the propriety or wis-