The Express.
London, England, 1849-05-15 00:00:00

t (ford%

ALARMING NEWS FROM
CANADA.
SURNO OF TILE PARLIAMENT HOUSE.
By the arrival of the British and North American
royal mail steam-ship Europa, Captain LW, in our
river this evening, we are put in possession of advice,
one fortnight later than any heretofore to hand. The
Europa left New York on the 211 and Halifax on
the sth instant, and bas thus added another to her
many sncceseful trips across the ocean.
Ti.. political news from the United States is not
more than ordinarily interesting, but we regret to say,
that the apprehensions which were kit as to the
breaking out of rebellion in Canada have been fully
and fearfully realised.
The following is a connected account of what had
taken place up to the time when the despatches left
MONTREAL, APRIL 26.
Yesterday afternoon it was publicly announced
that his Excellency would go down to parlia-
ment and suction numerous 10111, particularly
the one relating to the customs. It was
never presumed for one moment, however, that
ofe
them. notorious
At 4 and
p detested
~ th " rebel bill" was to be
the
ceremony, a fair assemblage of people were col-
lected in front of the parliamentary buildings. It
was not till 5 p.m. that the governor entered the
conned chamber, and took his Feat on the
thecae. In the in, antime, a rumour had got abroad
that the " eel). 1 bill" was, indted, to be assented
to. The report quickly spread, and before the con-
clusion of the ceremony a crowd, numbering about
1,500 pewees, were collected together to receive the
representative of British sovereignty. The royal mo-
tion was given to forty-eight bills, amongst which,
the crowd were informed by thou who had been
in the interior of the buildings, was the obnoxious
bill. About 6 o'cicck his Excellency entered his
carriage, and was driven off at a rapid rate, amidst
curses, pile, hootirgs, and a shower of rotten
eggs, dirt and stones. Lord Elgin had to run the
gauntlet I f the various n'iasiles, for the distance of
100 yards. The carriage windows were down,
and Colonel Bruce was inside with him. Three
eggs entered the eremitism and some struck his
lordship in the face. Horses, equipage, footmen,
&c., were all crmplete!y covered with the unsa-
voury missiles. Tee staff fared very little better.
The fact of tho royal sanction having been given
to the " rebellion lutes" b 11. now spread like wild-
fire. By seven o'clock alarm bells were ringing all
over the town, and cries went through the streets
calling a mass meeting to be held on the Champ de
Mars, at eight o'clock. By the appointed time, up-
ward,inn,,oclocteivioitthousan had swdel\realptolesbolde assembled, and by
One of the leaders of the mob got upon a chair,
and addressed them in a violent and inflammatory
manner, amidst repeated deafening cheers. He said:
"The time for action has arrived. We must work. We
have pew d resolutions enough—they have beendis-
regarded. To the Parliament House"" A chord in the
hearts of the vast multitude had been touched, which
every heart re-e.lused. The moving emends, pre-
ceded by torches, marched at a furious rate in the di-
rection of the legislature. By 10 r. m. eight thousand
person were in front of the buildings, where the
1 Assembly was in full fession at the time. A shower
of stones "as thick as leaves in Vallambrosa,"
were poured upon the windows, which, from the
brilliant manner in which they were lighted, af-
forded a most tempting meek. When the stones
came pouring into the windows, the members of
the Assembly thought it time to beat a retreat, and
retired into the lobby, there to urea., the issue of
event. No sooner had the members left, than about
one hundred of the mob, armed to the teeth, rushed
into the Assembly-room, and the:l.' leader, swearing
be would come Oliver Cromwell over them, placed
himself in the Speaker's (hair, assumed the hat, and
announced, with stentorian longs, "Gentlemen, the
French parliament is dissolved! adding, and we are
all going to h-11" One brawny fellow then seized
hold of the mace, which, from the house being in com-
mittee at the time, lay cn the table, and having
shouldered it marched off. The rest set to work, and
thsawkaction commenced.
Whilst this body of men were smashing everything
ins:ds the Legislative Assembly room, a cry of fire
was suddenly raised. In the meantime Gal. dewy,
beading the members, clerks, and ladies, rushed
thesimh the hall of the house, and out at hs Fin-
:teaser, azreeably surprised at not finding them-
skipped. The fury and rapidity with which
the lutes spread can hardly be imagined; in leas
than fifteen minutes the whole of the wing occupied
by the House of Assembly. was in flames, and, owing
to the intimate communications between the two
houses, the Upper House was rapidly involved in the
suss destruction.
The mob had now amounted to almost incredible
umbels, and remained stoical spectators of the scene.
The troops arrived shortly afterwards, and were re
mined with load cheers, which several companies of,
tae 23rd regiment returned. One soldier, a private,

fired his musket in the air; he was immediately
arrested, and sent to the guard house. By eleven
*Week, nothing bat the smoddetiog rues of ee
buses—in which • sesame franht with injustice
sod iniquity was introdumsds Wed, and received the
sepal assect—rensained.
lions regret the los of the buildings ; everyone
the splendid libraries. in which were the archives and
records of Canada for hundreds of years ; valuable
works from every. quarter of the globe were heaped
in pidunion within these walls; eleven hun-
dred volumes of records of the British House
of Commons, of which no other copy was extant in
this esentry, were destroyed. Noteighty dollars worth
of property was raved. The loss is irreparable, and
regretted by all. The Queen's picture was
lava from the burning buildings, but destroyed
the streets. The party in charge of the mum
emrkd it to Donegana's Hotel, and there placed k
is the bands of Sir Allan MeNab. No lives wee
hat. T. B. Turner, Esq., of the Montreal Nburier
Sir Allan McNab, sad the Honourable W. Badgely,
in attempting to save some books from the library.
were nearly UM. They were obliged to drop the
weeks and tusk for the legislative council chew
bee door, which, to their horror, they found locked.
Their cries were heard by a party to the library of
the council, who had axes, and the panel was
smashed is J they then escaped by a ladder from the
balcony. It was runou.ed amongst the assb,
that the French members were hid in the cense,,
and would be delroyed by the fire. The anbounese I
meat was received with the most brutal cheese.
At twelve o'clock, wised with the work of the even-
lag, the multitude dispersed. His Excellency.
the Governor-Geteral, with his family, came =ale
town, and remained all night under the prates-
don of a large guard at Governmeat Hoes& Zesty 1
this norm& Maim Mask, Reward, Miateseassie,
&chile, and Ferries, proprietor of the Yessfreal
Goodie, were arrested on a charge of anon. They
were taken before the police meestrates, end after
en examination of a feeratosoll, remanded to gaol till
to-morrow. The excitement dwiog the day was in-
tense. A mob of 3,000 persons ascompnied them .to
the gaol. Through the inflames of their leaders, the
mob were prevented from any outbreak. But it
waa represented that more good would arise from
their incarceration for a few hours.
In the evening it was %immune:eel that a meeting
would be held on the Cnamp de Mars to-morrow
at two o'clock, the Hon. George Moffat (who had
been arrested but wu afterwards liberated) to be in
the chair, when the pesos and safety of the country
will be discussed. It has already been decided, thet
safety and peace can only be insoted by his Excel-
bog going home. Notice will be given him to quit
the confines of Canada before the expiration of
the week. Sir Benjamin D'Urban is to be
stalled upon to administer the affairs of the
country till he receives tidings from home. A
French magistrate, named Arniot, who went to
the gaol with the prisoners, wee nearly torn to
pieces by the mob. An assemblage of persons
was collected outside the government hone during
the whole day, for the purpose of laying hold of the
ministry, and were only prevented from entering
the house by the presence of the military, with
whom it is the determination of the British party
not to quarrel, and it was also the militsry's
desire. The soldiery enjoyed the fun excessively,
and many were the scoffs and jeers pumped
on the French party. Every now and then,
one of the ministry would make his appear-
ance at the door' and quickly retire at the
precious howls of the mob that greeted his pee-
Bence. The governor was not in town, be having
left in the morning. Half a regiment is stationed at
Monkland's. About 8 o'clock the mob was augmented
to several thoumands. Messrs. Lafontaine and Holmess
determined to make an &tempt to get out in a cab
through the mob, which they succeeded in doing,
after the cab had been turned round half-a-dozen
times, and their clothes had been torn and bespotted
with the yolk of eggs. The , frontier of
the mob then gave way, and one of the leaders
having given the word, " To Mr. Hincks' bourn " the
multitude moved off in the direction of Beaver
Hall. Three cheers were given for the military
as they pasted the guard-house. Having arrived
at Mr. Hietke's residence, the work of destsucioa
began ; and all the windows and doers of Messrs.
Minch*, Holmes and Wilsoo's (a radical) dwellings
ware smashed to pieces. Luckily at that moment
atigmherwas made, "To Mr. Lefontaise's!" which,
with the aornent that Mr. Hincks had
semi during the day, completely drew off the mob.
bussMately upon arriving, the house of Mr.
Ladiataine, which was quite new and finished,
also the property of Mr. Lafontaine himself (al-
though he had not moved into it), was furiously
attacked. The out-buildings were set on fire, and
the house completely gutted, furniture smashed, mag-
nificent pier glasses broken to pieces feather beds
=up, and every sort of destruction possible.
times the house was on fire, but put out b
any
the
loaders. After the work was accomplished d
mob retiring, they suddenly found themselves in the
presence of a regiment of troops, fur whom they im-
mediately gave three cheers and passed by.
The parliament met this morning at Bonaccours
Market-hall, under the protection or a guard of
&ars. The debate was of a rather stormy character.
The ministers attempted to defend their conduct in
not having taken precautions against the evident dis-
turbance • but they made a very lame affair of it. Sir
Allen 11.141 ab reproached them bitterly for the way
Is which they had degraded the governor-general in
making him sneak down to the house to pus the bills,
without the usual notice, and toad them plainly that,
bad the thing been done openly and properly, then
would have been no disturbance.
Mr. Boniton (Toronto) declared that he had bees
told bye gentleman that one of the governor•generds
own eta had told him that his excellency came
down to the house in the way that he did because he
woe afraid to meet the storm of public indigestion.
On this some member declared Mr. Boulton to be oat
of order, u it wu diareputable thus to speak
of the representative of the sovereign ; on which Sir
Alen M'Nab said that the honourable member might
consider it disreputable, but it was still in order ;
and he had heard much worse language than that
used with respect to the sovereign's representatives.
APRIL 27.
Pursuant to a requisition, a large assemblage of the
merchants and other respectable citizens of Montreal
collected on the Champ de Mars this afternoon, about
two o'clock. The number assembled was between
three and four thousand.
The Hon. George Moffat, on the motion of Thomas
Mahon, Esq., was celled on to preside.
The gentlemen who moved and seconded the reso-
Wions, severally addressed the meeting, and the sen-
timents expressed by each were in effect similar to
these contained in the resolutions.
Mr. Murray, of the Insurance-office, ae a Scotch-
man, was ashamed of the governor-general. He was
not worthy of his country. The gentlemen of the
Thistle Club had that day expelled him from being its
patron. This announcement wu hailed with and
laughter. The St. Andrew's Society had resolved to
take the same ci:hre, and return him 101. he had given
them for charity. This was to be done in debentures,
the discount on which they proposed to pay, in order
that his excellency should not suffer loss.
After a vote of thanks had been presented to the
Hon. George Moffat, the hon. gentleman again urged
on the meeting the necessity of preserving poste and
order. He said the government of Loid Elgin bad
been strongly condemned at home.
Mr. Thomas Wilson, and Colonel Gugy following,
addressed the meeting. They both urged the necer-
shy of preserving the peace, and quietly dispersing.
The former called on the multitude to organise and
join in the " British American Leegue.”—He said,
that by so doing, they might throw themselves into
the hinds of a committee in whom they could rely.
It would confine itself strictly within the limim of the
law, and use such exertions as must ere long be
crowned with success.
Three deafening cheers were several times given
for the Queen; and the multitude then quietly dis-
pensed, occasionally groaning the governor.
The following are the resolutions pawed :
Moved by_Thomu Motion, R"l . seconded by JAMS
SOOtt.
Resolved,—That this meeting views with ',Veen,' re-
gret and pain the present state of excitement of the public
mind, and the Malt &straw ion of public and private pro.
paty is this city, and pledges itself to maintain public order
by all moans in its poser.
Moved by Thomas Wilms, RR ;tended by Thomas
Hay, itati
2 ved.—That the ascent of the governor.gectral
taw bill for the ppyment of rebellion loam in. the opinion of
ea, in caused, although it cannot justify, the meat
outbreak of popular feeling.
Maud by Robert Abraham, Esq.; seconded by Reory
thessaan, Esq.
Ressived.—That while we have to complain of his ex-
Nana having allowed his advisers, with the weight of his

prison. Some soldiers belonging to the regiment mani-
fested the intention'of liberating their lieutenant, limn
which they were also placed in prison. There they
made each a noise that it was found necersary to call
five companies of the 45th of the line, under the
orders of the general and the prefect, to bring them to
reason.
At Chalons-sue-Scene. on the 11th instant, the gar-
risen made a grand socialist demonstration. AU the
soldiers and officers paraded the street, cryit g cut'
Vile Is .Ripubligye Densocratique et &dale. They
then went to their barracks, forced open the gate
labish had been shut, and liberated some of their
semarades, who bad been incarcerated for paliecal
Saw.
At Bourg's, were some officers of the 42nd took the
part of the accused there, seven officers of that
regiment have been placed on the retiring list. Re-
giments who were about to vete in a hostile sense are
said to have been stopped in the exercise of the right
inverted in them, and it is slid that queetions are to
be pat from the tribune on the point.
This keels to the question, will the tribune be open
mach longer for debate. The elections will be over to-
day, but the Assembly will not meet for a fortnight.
Ia the interim it is the intention of the ultra-democrats
te him a house, if possible, every day. The ministry
ere equally determined to have a count-out each day,
their friends being. ready, in case a hostile vote be
attempted, to come in and flood the chamber. It was
determined by the friends of the government that,
immediately after the vote g of the budget, the scratin
elle tribune would be resotted to to close the sitting
on account of the absence of sufficient members.
In the Assembly to-day there was more confusion
and uproar than has been known for a long time.
M. Milliard questioned ministers as to a telegraphic
despatch addressed to the prefects by the minister of
the interior. This despatch announced the result of
the vote of Friday ; the names of the repreeentatives
Aim bad voted against the order of the day being
ItZIM. Maillard, amidst a great uprcar compared
ito the famous electoral bulletins.. ieltich M.
Faucher had been obliged to disavow; and asked was
there not a connection between those bulletin, and
the telegraphic despatches he had mentioned.
The Minister of the Interior said he had only per-
formed an imperious duty by acting u he had done.
It aas of the utmost necessity to remove the anxiety
which had been felt in the department..
M. Marquis read a letter from Beauvais, stating
that he had been announced, in a letter wri' ten di-
ther, as having voted for, when he had in truth voted
against, the order of the day. M. Faucher again
explained; upon which M. Lagrange ascended the
tribune, and said that, according to the arrangement
made by the minister of the interior, the Garde,
IMobile would be unable to vote. It was, he said,
upon a body on which they had showered praises that
they now cast this affront. But they had done mote;
they had dared to say that, but for the vote cf Friday,
the scenes of June would hare been renewed. "It
lie you," continued M. Lagrange.—" you, who foment
disorders." (" Bravo, bravo," and great tumult,
which lasted some time.)
M. Leon Faucher again enured into explanati one.
He had, contrary to his decision already given, ordered
the Mobile to vote. The next At sembly would de-
cide whether they had a right to vote or not. He
concluded by declaring that it was beneath his dignity
to answer all the calumnious imputations to which he

was subjected.
M. Goudebaux got up to enmplain of the despatches
sent by the minister of the interior into the depart-
ment of the Yonne, and read a letter which stated
that in all the departments the electoral esuse had
been lost to the opposition by this manceuere. Ho
called upon the Assembly to put in force against the
ministry tl e article of theconst.tmion which punishes
with imprisonment for a month, and a fine of 2,0041 f.,
all those who have fraudulently mameuvred to influ-
ence the election.
An ordre du jour motive in that sense was then
propoeed.
M. Barsguay d'Hillii re demanded the order of the
day only. M. C. Thomas wished the minister of the
interior to be given up to public contempt, but not
the cabinet, in which he saw honourable men. lie
demanded that the elections shnuld be annulled if,
after they had taken place, it was found that they had
been influenced by the mauceuvres which had been
described. (Great noise and cries of " Bravo.")
A Voice—What, has the government nothing to
save
M. Larochejsequelin said he did not condemn the
telegraphic despatch, but the conclusion of it only,
' which might laid to the worst consequencts here-
attn.. (Bravo.)
The minister of the interior again rose to explain,
bst was scarcely heard amidst the noise of crow
qua= that succeeded each other. He said that the
votes of the Assembly were published eve-y day in
the departments. "Never,' said he, "has liberty
been more respected under any government ; acd, n .t-
-withstanding you and your manoeuvres (addressing
the left), it will still be so." After a few words from
Denjoy,eriticising whatM.Larochejacquel •in had
said, M. liarsgusy d'Hilliera proposed the s mple
order of the day.
M. Odillon said this was perhaps the first time that
an assembly had been present during the elections of
that which was to succeed it. The present Assembly
was in a peculiar position, one which ahould impose
upon. it a certain reserve. Whatever resembled an
anticipatory protest of a vote was virtually an infir-
'nation of the4adgment of the country. There could
not to bo two Judges of the elections which were now
I proceeding. The country would pronounce, and was
sow pronouncing. This was a constitutional ques-
tion, one which it was the mire important to solve by
a vote, as it would present itself every day till the
installation of the new legislature.
After some further discussions the Assembly pro-
ceeded to vote on N. Maillard's proposal, which was
thus worded: "The National Assembly, blaming the
desp.a.ch of the 12th of May addoeased by the
minister of the interior to the prerects, passes
to the order of the day." The vote is taken by 1
sertaits des divisions at the tribune. At half- I
past four the President announced that the scru-1
tiny would remain open till it had attained the num-
ber of 501. The Assembly was numerous, but a Freat
number of members abstained from voting. This, as
above stated, was a resolution taken beforehand by
part of the Assembly. However, it was remarke I
that Messrs. Dufaure and Bedeao had yard. The
scrutiny had not closed when our despatch left.
ease. NAT 14.—Now Loan, —; Itree pre Cann, 57 IS,
Fin per Cent., 69 83; Last Loan, Fours,erne=
Fins, 1540, ; Do. 1642, —; Do. Two-and-a-Half, 441
PackSiles Renton Roman Toon, 751 ; Treaoury Benda, 6.
a Mares, 2407. Enhasp on London, 30 days, 23 328 nab; 90
days, 23 2) nob.
Itotiasys.—Parts and Orleans, 836: Paris and Rona. 362 30
Rouen and Havre, 272 SO • A Moreeilleo, 211 23; Stras-
bourg and Bale, 105; Ceatre giant 53 ; Amiens and Boulogne,
- —; Bordeaux. 406 73; North, 447 SO.