The Express.
London, England, 1851-04-15 00:00:00

CANADA.

The Canadian government WenlB net as yet to have
resolved on the expediency of closing the Welland
('anal, since vessels from the States had passed
through.
The fire-school principle had been adopted by the
trustees of 'foronto. The high church party havo
made their last move for a share of the clergy reserves.
This is a proposal for dividing the lands among all
denominations in proportion to their numbers. The
scheme will be tested at the next general election,
though it is supposisl there is no prospect of its suc-
cess. The writ fur the Iliddemand election has been
issued. _ .

A postal arrangement has been effected between
the Lnited States and Canada, which is to be carried
into effect without delay. Sealed bags are to ho
made up for the principal offices un each side of the
line, with the saute rate of pi)stage, that is, five watts
front and• part of the United States to the line, and
five cents to any place within the province.
The correspondent of the New York Tribune
writiii us follows to th!-.t journal:

Tonemro, MAttett '27.—For two or three days past them
has been a current rumour here that the government
had under consideration the expediency of clueing our
canals against American vessels. information on the sub-
ject hal been anxiously sought by Americans interested in
the lake and canal trade; but no satisfactory UtlaWer bad
been elicited. The only answer that our government has
vouchsafed has been an assurance that the matter was under
the consideration of the cabinet, and that no &Unit: course
had been determined upon. Some gentleman front Oswego
are in town, seeking from the government au explauatimt
of its intentions ou this subject. In the meantime, there is
a rumour that orders have been given to the government to
close the Burlington Canal to American vessels, This canal
intersects a narrow wind bar which forms the Burlington
Ilay, on the border of which stands the city of liantilton, at
the western extremity of Lake Ontario. The deliberations
of the government on this subject arc the result of the re-
fusal by Cungnfa to grant a reciprocity of trade with this
province. Public disappointment here is strong; but
whether it would willingly seek gratification by retaliating
on the Americans for their illiberal commercial policy
towards this province is another question. I doubt go•
vernment would be sustained in such a policy; and I am
not yet satisfied that they will ultimately resolve to adopt
it. 'rho Welland Canal opened on Tuesday. Navigation
to the head of Lake Ontario is open, but no bout will health)
to enter Kingston Bay for probably a week yet.
The Jouroial o f Education, published this day, contains a
large numbee of extracts from the reports of local superin-
tendents, received at the education department, it,,,,, which
it appears that the free school system is being adopted in
many parts of Upper Canada. There is scarcely any oppo-
sition to free schools from any quarter. The question has
not been mixed up with politics, and free wheels appear to
have the support of all parties, indifferently.
It dues not appear that the imps riul government has any
idea of extending to Canada the principle recently applied
to Australia, of requiring the colonists to sapient the mili-
tary stationed among them. On the contrary, while all tho
ngulars are kept up, a scheme for settling pensioners in the
province is about to be carried into ellivt.—These pension-
ers, being unfit fur active service, will be statiutud at differ-
ent towns in the province, to be ready to be called upon in
cave of emergency. The thing is being done very quietly,
and almost without so much as eliciting a remark front tho
Canadian press; but to my thinking it smacks a little of
premeditated coercion.—Much rejoiced would the Cautulians
he if the military were withdrawn, as in the case of Austra-
, IM. Their presence is a source of demoralization; their ex-
. travagance and idle habits being copied by that apish por-
tion of the community that delights in silly parade and

empty show.
Tottosro, Aran. l.—Messrs. George Thompson, M.P.,
and Frederick Douglass are here. They lecture on slavery
to-night and to-morrow. Mr. Thompson comes at tho
special invitation of the anti-slavery society of Canada.
Navigation to Kingston will commence to-morrow.