Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-21 00:00:00

CANADA.

TORONTO, July 6.—Throughout the length and breadth
of the Canadas, the recent steamboat catastrophe seems
to be the one and only subject of interest and comment
The whole newspaper press of the country has for the last
week teemed with accounts and particulars of the disaster,
and the quills of editorial gentlemen: have been very
actively employed in inditing indignant leaders upon the
looseness of the system which provides so meagerly
against such accidents ; and very groaning ones upon the
melancholy frequency of similar massacres upon the North
American Continent. lam sorry to say that the number
of souls, which, by the burning of the ill fated Montrael,
have been " untimely hurled" to their last account, has by
no means been exageratcd, and that the tote. number
of victims approaches far nearer 300 th 200, as
by the first accounts. The carelessaeei in which
the whole thing ;; seems]: to have been managed
from first to last is almost unparalleled. It now
appears that the unfortunate steamer was furnished with
no life preservers ; that no efforts seem to have been
made, by officers or crew, to make the small boats avail-
able', to save lives; no order was preserved, 'no proper
steps taken—but that, in short, all was panic, confusion,
and disorler. Human ;life in Canada is, I regret to say,
held now-a•days veay cheep indeed. There is not one of
her principal cities, from Q xebec to Hamilton, which has
not been the theatre of some terrific sacrifice of human
life. Too truthfully does the Colonist observe, that "the
routes of travel in Canada are fast acquiring a terrible
notoriety by the frequency and the enormity of the
accidents which have occurred periodically within the
past two years. It is not long since the Mississippi River
was cursed with the unenviable reputation which is now
transferred to the St. Lawrence and the Canadian
railways ; and in both cases the cause of the
fearful destruction of life has been precisely the
same—incompetency and recklessness." The fate
of the Ocean Wave, the ferry boat at Longuel,
the inkerman, and the Desjirdins accident are all fresh
in our memory. They came thick aud fas` upon us and
now we have to moralise upon a massacre, which, through
its heart-rending incidents, and the gross and criminal
negligence by which it ever happened—casts, by its lurid
horrors, all its predecessors into the shade. A cry,. and
an unmistakeable one too, has gone throughout the
country, that the Government should take the initiative
in thoroughly s'fting to the bottom the cause of this
calamity. The people demand that it shall be definitively
determined whether this disaster was a massacre or an
accident. With all the evidence of carelessness which
we have had placed before us, when we know far a
positive fact that the Montreal had been on fire twice
during the afternoon of the same day, and that the
furnaces were badly secured, and the wood work not
yroperly protected by metal sheathing, there is certainly
a powerful preponderating reason for applying to this
entastrophe the former term; but if, on the other hand, it
can be proved to be an accident, it surely is not too much
to imperatively demand that Government shall take the
matter up, and insist, through the strong arm of the law,
that railroad and steamboat insecurity shall no longer be
perrgitted—that every bridge,:boat, engineer, and captain,
shall undergo a rigid examination before the fate of
hundreds and hundreds of souls are intrusted to them.
The time has gone by for us to count these accidents or
massacres as among the mysterious dispensations of
Providence, over which men have no control; we have
their cause in critninal economy, and in official
negligence and imbecility, and until these are checked by a
stern and inflexible meting out of a condign punishment,
Canada may expect to look forward to a long array
of still more terrible accidents than the breaking down of
a Desjardins-bridge, or the burning of a Montreal ; and,
further, if Canada goes on at the present rate, it cannot
fail in frightening emigration from her shores, for how
can it be possible that emigrants will relish the notion of
all the risk of an ocean voyage, only to be destroyed when
they have reached a promised land, when they might have
fully counted upon some better security against the awful
fate awaitiny them. It seems possible enough that seal
fishing is destined to become a very notable branch of
Lower Canada enterprise. A Mr. Warren has been
building during the last winter a strong, tidy craft, of
250 tons burden, which he intends to engage in a
direct trade in the seal fisheries. In relation to this
novel movement, a correspondent of the Montreal
Witness writes, that " for the first voyage, the vessel
will proceed to the Straits of Belle Isle, where she
will be fitted out with a portion of her crew, consisting
of the hardy fishermen of Newfoundland; and if this
adventure proves successful. no doubt many French
Canadians might be induced to enter this service, provid-
ing them constant and profitable employment, and
thereby fostering a large number of valuable marines-
The business of capturing seals is conducted during the
months of March and April, and has this season proved
very successful, nearly 500,000 having been secured, the
value of which is estimated at 1,500,000 dollars." Sanguine
hopes are entertained of succeeding in establishing a
profitable business. The Montreal and Plattsburs,
railway was; sold last week to Mr. Halstead,
New York city, for fifty thousand dollars. The
tide of immigration continues very large, and im-
mense numbers of Norwegians are continually being
passed through this city along the line of the Grand
Trunk ; probably but a small proportion of the many may
remain in Canada, but pass forward towards the peopling
of the Great West. The weather continues very favour
able for the crops, but, notwithstanding the comparatively
advanced period of the year, we have had but very little
heat to boast of. In politics there is a complete stagna-
tion..a Throughout various parts of Canada we are con"
stantly turning up the traces and relics of the aboriginal
race ; these remains must ever possess most peculiar
interest to the antiqurian and the ethnologist, enabling
them bit by bit to thread together the dimly-defined, un-
certain story of a noble poople, now unhappily all but
lost and extinct. Extensive remains of an Indian village
of very remote origin, the plough has lately turned up
.on Hmee Island, near the Somers depot of the Grand
Trunk Railroad, between Lancaster and Cornwall.
Above them, we are told, grew a forest, some
of the pines of which yielded timber squaring twenty-five
inches. On clearing and breaking up the land, the
remains were discovered extending over a frontage of
about sixteen acres. The plough turned up large quanti-
ties of broken pottery, covered with figures and ornaments
of chaste and elaborate design, stone hatchels, and toma-
hawks, pipe bowls, skulls, bones, and parched corn. All
the remains bear the appearance of are, as though the
village had been burned down. When the ground was
new ploughed the site of the several huts and streets were
apparent from the different colour of the soil. From
the absence of all articles of European make, and
from the great age of the timber ore the land, there can
he no doubt but that to these remains a very, far
hack antiquity must to ascribed. luta resting as such.
discoveries as these un nibtedly are, Omelet the same time
waken up within one a train of mourneul thought ; at
once and instinctively the imagination wanders feacX
through the dim grey vistas of unrecorded ages,
while, from amid these silent relics of the past,
clear and solemn whispers, as from the old forgotten time
and its vanished race, seem to strike upon the mind.
A Grand Trunk whistle shrieking over the site of an
ancient Indian village! what an illustration of worldly
mutability ! what a picture does it present for a maudlin
poet to wonder over t what a fitting locelity for a modern
philosopher to sit in and smoke his calumet of reverie
and contemplation

THE RIOTB iN NEW YORK.—The bloodthirsty riots of
the 4th of July, in New York, have deprived a respected
British subject of life, and plunged his family in this
country into the deepest affetion. Mr. William Pentony,
brother of Mr. John Pentony, of Commutation-row, in this
tovoa, was literally murdered whilst standing at his owe
%;rinslow, at 78, Bayard-street, New York, on the evening
of the 4th inst. Mr. Pentony, as w 4,11 as his brother, was
well known and respected in Liverpool for his integrity
and honest business character, and it seams, from the
accounts in the New York papers, that he was held in the
highest estimation in every relation of life. The papers
sperA in strong terms of the atrocious butchers who, with-
(Pat a particle of provocation, and in the open day, cora-
L milted as foul a murder as any on record. The report of
the inquest, which occupies a considerable space in the
New York journals, shows the esteem in which Mr.
Pentony was held, and the strong expressions of the
coroner and jury on the diabolical offence will be the beet
comment on the tragedy. It appears that the unfortunate gen..
tleman was at tea, and hearing the rioters rushing through
the street, he went to the window to ascertain the cause,
and was standing there for a moment, when some murder-
ing ruffian ley shed a gun and shot him right through the
head. This frightful piece of assassination caused a pro-
found sensation through the city. A considerable number
of witnesses were examined at the inquest, and in order to
show the state of things in
.New York, the following
observations of the coroner will throw some light on the
subject. In winding up the evidence, the coroner said to
the jury : is a matter of deep regret to you and nie
that a horrible case of this kind should occur:
It seems to have become the fashion lately to shoo'
men down, to stab theta, to garotte them, and to
encourage a very great disregard for human life.
I will Eay fearlessly, as an officer of this city, that two'
thirds of this trouble has arisen from a want of proper
nerve on the part of the public functionaries of this city:
A Juror : I believe you are right, sir. The Coroner:
With, the blessing of God I regard no man—no station--111
the aischarge of the duty that is imposed on me by the
oath I have taken, and I will do that duty fearlessly
whether lam shot down or not." The jury found that
death was caused by a gunshot wound received at the.
hand of some person unknown to the jury. This, 01
course, is a verdict of wilful murder against some one
unknown. Mr. Pentony (as stated in the papers) has leit
considerable property and funds, which it appears. 111:
proper authorities have taken possession of, until,
proper representative appears to oiaitu them.

THE NIAGARA AND THE ATLANTIC
TELEGRAPH COMPANY.

A dinner was given by the shareholders, resident in
Liverpool, of the Atlantic Telegraph Company, to Captain
Hudson and the officers of the American steam-frigate
Niagara, at the Adelphi Hotel, last night. The room was
fully crowded with entertainers and guests, and in every
respect the banquet was successful. The dinner, wines,
&c., were furnished on the most costly and splendid scale,
and the proprietor of the Adelphi earned an additional
amount of credit and celebrity to that which has long dis-
tinguished his establishment. The chair was taken by
Christopher Bushell, Esq., and the vice-presidents were
James H. Macrae, E q., and P. H. Chambers, Esq. The
secretary to the entertainment was John Finch, Esq.
The following gentlemen were among these present :
Con the right of the chair sat Captain Hudson, of the
Niagara, and on the left Captain Sands, of the
Susquehanna ; and amongst the general company were—
Colonel Bell, Captain Judkins (Persia), C. H. Jores,
Commander Bevis, T. C. Webb, L. Gordon, L.
Heyworth, Thomas Hazlehurst, Doctor Lynch, D
Wrigley, Lieutenant Heaton, G. W. Campbell, E
Fithian, A. Ashton, M. Kellogg (England), Charles
Jenkin, Dr. Maccown, A. H. Campbell, Lieut. Phelps,
Jos. lubback, Lieut. Boyd, T A. Hope, Lieut. Brown,
J. Finch, (hon. sec ), Rev. T. F. Redhead, L Sands (sec ),
W. Bawer. Captain Rich, Thos. Mills. J B Rittenhow
(purser), James Dixon, Major Queen, D Malcolmson,
G. W. Alexander (Erg.), Thomas sands, S. P. Hope, W.
Titherington, J. H. Macrae, J W. Moore (Eng.), James
Thompson, Thomas Hatb, Lieutenant Kennon, G. C.
Schwartz, N. Woodhouse, Captain Fenwick, C. T. Bright,
J. G. Newall, Captain Los; ber (Ericsson) Geo Maxwell,
Mr. Oxborongh, E. D. Robie (Eng.), W. C. Hope, A.
Grier (Eng ), Al. Bower, J. A. Grier (Eng ), James Cox, J.
MeElwell (Erg), H. Stolterfoht, Sam Stitt, W. F. Cush-
man (Erg), J. Mallally, James Radford, G. F. Kutts
m( Eng), H. Jump G. King (Eng), F. Thornley, E. Willard,
James Du dale J. W. Pickering. Thomas Kenalt, George
Postlethvvaite, Robert Jones, P. H. Champers, and E. B.
Bright.
The following is the
BILL OF FARE.

Sherry
and

Madeira.

Moselle Cup.

Champagne,

Claret cop.

Champagne.

Cara^oa
and
Cherry Brandy.

LMitte.
Old Port.
Sherry.
hiadei a.

ERSEITER SERVICE.
Clear 7 urtleind 1 urtle Fins.

POISSONS.
Crimped Salmon and Turbot.
Soles. I White Bait.

ENTREES.

Lamb Cutlets and Cucumbers.
Larded Sweetbreads and Peas.

TABLE DE COTE—PIECES DE RESISTANCE.
Two Haunches of Venison Rogs(ed.
Two Necks of Venison Stewed in Burgundy.
Bo led Chickens, Hams, :.nd Tongue 3.
R( ast Turkey Points.

SECOND
Roast LereretP, Goslines, and D ckl in gg.

E REMETS
Mlles and fitarbide of Fin,ts.
Pic ed Crabs an i I.eibster
rtichokes Sauca Piq ant.
Brandy Cream and s herry Tonrts.
Mayonaise of obster, &c.
Curnints and Raspberry Tarts.
Prawns.

R ELIE VES
Apricot Omelets.

Ice Cream

,E
Lad Biscuit..
Currants.
Me ons.
Bra, died Cherries.
Crystalized Fraits.
Almond Ca`.es.
Oranges.

Pine,.
Hoth use Grapes.
St.awberries.
R aspberries.
Gooseberries.
Cherries.

When the cloth had been removed, and thanks were
Spoken by the Rev. Mc. Redhead, the following ktters of
apology were read by Mr. Finch :-
64, Pall mall, Monday.

My DEAR iFI/4 en, —I should have been too glad, on
every account, to have been present at the dinner on
Monday next, but Ido not see how it is possible. lam
on an Irish borough election committee, and everything
mast give way to this. I am also on a sslect committee
relating to h trbJurs of refuge, which meets on Monday ;
and so, between the two, I am bound hand and foot.
Will you express to the committee my great regret at the
circumstance; and will you also assure Captain Hudson
'(what I have already done privately here) how gratified I
should have been at an opportunity to tender, through
him, to his government, my grateful acknowledgments for
the assistance granted to us in laying a link between the
two countries, which I hope will never be broken.—B3lieve
me ever truly yours, J. C. EWART.
J. Finch, Jan , Esq.

Fenton's Hotel, London, 9th July, 1857.
My Dear Sir,—The shareholders in the Atlantic Tele-
graph Company do me great honour by asking me to
preside at the dinnor to be given to the officers of the
steam frigate Niagara, on the 20 h instant. If circum-
mance3 over which I have no control, did not put it out of

my power, it must givo me great pleasure in b;ing a party
to pay that mark of respect to those gentlemen who have
Come to our shores to aid in carrying out that international
work now in hand, the completion of which will be a great
honour to both countrieo. Pray make my respects to
Captain Hudson and his officers, and assure them it is a
source of much regret to me that I cannot be present on
en occasion so ful, of interest, and which we all hope and
expect will be a powerful means of perpetuating that
cordial friendship which now happily exists between the
United States and Great Britain.—Yours very truly,
WlLLr&st Buow.t.

J• pinch, Esq., Hon. See.

July 10. , 1857.
Sir,—l beg to acknowledge receipt of your note of
yesterday's date, enclosing invitation from the Liverpool
Shareholders in the Atlantic Telegraph Company to dine
with them at the Adelphi, on Monday, the 20th inst. My
attendance upon the election committee for Bath unfortu-
nately prevents my acceptance of your kind invitation, as
absence, even for an hour, is not permitted to any member
of the committee. I very much regret this, as I should
have been glad to have joined in the testimony of cordiality
and good feeling you are chewing to the officers of the
United States frig de Niagara, and of expressing my
sympathy in the object of your company, whose success
will bind still closer those relations of unity and common
interest that now prevail between America and England.
—I am, dear sir, yours truly, J. CIIIIETHAM.
J. Finch, Esq., Hon. Sec.

Mr. Hawthorne (American Consul) regrets that the
ill health of a member of his family renders it impossible
for him to accept any evening engagements (his residence
being at a distance from. Liverpool) and compels him to
forego the pleasure and honor of dining with the share-
holders of the Atlantic Telegraph Company, on Monday
next.

Consulateof the TJnited States, Liverpool, July 10, 1857
w

Baslow, Derbyshire, 18th July, 1857.
Sir,— I have only this moment received your letter and
invitation. I hasten to return my very sincere thanks for
both, and regret that I cannot be at Liverpool on Mon 'ay.
With, as you my truly belive, the most earnest wishes
for the success of your glorious and wonderful enterprise,
I am, Sir, your very obliged servant, Wm. FARRADAY,
J. Finn, Esq.

H.M.S. Leopard, Plymouth, July 16, 1857.
Sir, —I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 7th instant, enclosing a card of invitation to dinner
feom the Liverpool shareholders of the Atlantic Telegraph
Company, to meet the officers of the Niagera. I regret
that it is out of my power to accept that invitation, and I
request that you will convey to those gentlemen who have
done me the honour to invite me my sense of their polite
attention ; and• my hope that, ere long, we may meet to
celebrate the successful accomplishment of this great
enterprise.—l remain, sir, very faithfully yours,
J. Finch, Esq. J. W. WAINWRIGHT.

H.M.S. Agamemnon, Greenwich, July 15.
Sir,---I beg you will convey to the Liverpool share-
holders of the Atlantic Telegraph Company my sincere
regrets that I shall not be able to avail myself of their kind
invitation to dine with them on the 201 inst., to meet the
officers of the U.S. frigate Niagara, in consequence of the
urgency of the work here requiring my presence.—l am,
fur, you obliged, C. NODDALL.
J.
Finch, Esq., lion. Fee.

64, Pall Mall, Wednesday. I
3ily dear Finch
—I liave been in great hopes thatut
might have been able to join you all on Monday next, b
am very sorry to find that it is out of the question. The
Liverpool Bill comes on in the Lords on Monday,
Town-clerk will not allow me to be absent for a
(UP--
Yours truly, and the
W. EWART.

Fenton's Hotel, London, July 20, 1857.
Sir,---Your polite invitation to dine this evening, in
'Liverpool, with the officers of the United States steamers
Niagara and Susquehanna and the Liverpool Shareholders
in the Atlantic Telegraph Company, is. received, and I
regret exceedingly that I cannot accept it. There is to be
an important meeting here to-day, of the directors of the
Atlantic Telegraph Company, which, I think, it is my duty
to attend It would have given me great pleasure to have
been with you this evening, and to have congratulated you