The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-27 00:00:00

not but express our candid wish that, by way of
supplFmant, he would kindly explain his explano.-
flop,

Ile report read at the late general meeting of
the Hudson's Bay Company proves that the Com-
mittee of Management are by no means dissatified
with their bargain. It gives, indeed, but very
slender information to the shareholders, .reminding
them that the scene of operations is so far removed
and the subjects involved in a detailed statement
would be so numerous that they must rest satisfied
with 'a small stock of knowledge respecting their
position and prospects. That they consider the
latter to be tolerably favourable may be inferred
from the fact that the Committee feel justified in
recommending the usual dividend to be paid next
January; and they assure the proprietors that the
number of furs rt ceived is on the increase and the
general aspects of the trade are favourable. It is
of course their object to extend this trade as much
as possible, and to develope the resources of that
vast territory, once again, through the folly or in-
difference of Ministers, assigned to a company. It
certainly appears strange, that when for years so
large a portion of our North American possessions
has been shut out from improvement and cultivation
by the claims of the earlier Company, no sooner
should that matter be happily disposed of than
fresh terms and engagements are entered upon
which will serve to fetter the future like the past.
It is not easy to see why the authorities should have
taken this unwise and ill judged step. It is true
that the Company promises fully and fairly to carry
out all their engagements, and will probably do so
to the best of their ability so far as is consistent

with th 3 requirements of their principal trade;

but private enterprise is not like the free open
competition, which infuses such spirit into a young
colony, and secures the rapid development of the
its resources. And it is difficult to calculate what
are the resources of a territory so little known. It
is hard to conjecture what is the geological forma-
tion of the ground over which the ermine and
marten leave the only footprints that pass, It is
not easy to surmise what system of agriculture
it will be best and most profitable to pursue,
what specie of domestic animal will flourish best
in the c:imate, while our experience and know-
ledge of the land are yet in their infancy. One
important fact has, however, been brought to light,
which will have a momentous effect on the for-
tunes of the colony, and will be likely consider-
ably to alter the aspect of affairs. Gold has been
found in the Hudson's Bay Territory, and although
as yet nothing is known of the extent or quality
of its goldfields, there is reason to suppose, judg
ing from its proximity to Vancouver's Island, that
it will yield a good harvest to the industrious
seeker. The Committee, al isely enough, propose
to have a careful survey made of the mineral re-
sources of the Company's territory, and they express
their willingness to act in accordance with the spirit
of the age, and introduce any improvements affect"
ing the general good which may be found practicable.
They propose to erect a telegraph uniting British
Columbia and Canada, on condition of some part of
their expenses being reimbursed by the Govern-
vernments of the two colonies. The committee
hope, according to their report, to preserve intact
those branches of trade which have hitherto proved
so profitable, although they are willing to assist in
the settlement of any part of their territory which
may be fit for it, and also to facilitate the trans-
mission of intelligence by post and telegraph. But
however fair this may sound, and however liberal
may be their intentions, the fact of granting the
charter was a great mistake. It is by colonising
and cultivating those northern wastes, that we may
hope to extend th© power and influence of Eng-
land, not by sacrificing vast territories to any one
particular trade. The Canadian Government was
strongly opposed to any such measure, and it is
not the way to conciliate the affections of our colo-
nists, or to retain their allegiance to the mother
country unshaken, to act in a manner diametrically
opposed to their wishes, in a matter that closely
concerns them. It is entirely inconsistent with
the spirit of our constitution to delegate such powers
into the hands of companies or individuals, and
although the experiment has been made before, it
has always been attended with unsatisfactory re-
sults. It is a matter of regret that the Government
should have thought proper to have again entered
into any compact of the sort ; and if the auriferous
promise of the province be carried out, they will be
likely to hear a good deal more on the subject.

It is satisfactory to find that every one has not
forgotten the question of Poland, although the sub-
ject seems to have been dropped in the discussions
of Cabinets, and to have ceased to occupy so pro-
minent a position as it has done. The public meet-
ing on Tuesday was a step in the right direction, at
all events, and the proceedings were characterised
by a unanimous spirit of coneord. The Right Hon.
Lord CAMPBELL presided/ His lordship made an
admirable address, and eloquently advocated the
cause they had at heart. He explained the object
which the League had in view in convening these
several meetings in the environs of London, which
was the very laudable one of " drawing out the
expression of a strong public opinion of the people
of the metropolis in favour of Polish independence."
There can be no harm done by this endeavour, and
it may tend to great good. At any rate, it must in
some degree farther the interests of that oppressed
and afflicted nation, and favour the desires of all
liberal and right-minded men in the cause of inde-
pendence and the advancement of freedom. As the
chairman remarked, they desired to enable the Go-
vernment to speak out more strongly, and to take
more decided and definite measures in regard to
this question. This is a very desirable end to arrive
at, and if they get some way on the road without
actuallyl nearing the goal, it will be a great achieve-
tt.o $ and cannot fail to afford some countenance to
dolZv'thicibeare. afraid to act with determination, and
their
wisdom and efficacy of giving vent to
feelings.
Nothing can more forcibly evince
the fallacy t
the mistak this hesitation, or prove more surely
e such of f
wishes andears, than the outspoken
Itinfer
ed desires of the great body of
the public:
the stability end's the best way to test
Reatvalidityh of a question to
subject it to the
and to test b;g:rdeal of a general
assembly,
touchstone of dis-
cussion. This is the only e
of the Principles
of
at
a 4ee.:3:iirlea arengdarduinnegrrtinhge
method of arriving
falsity
it what it rn a subject,
avnerdacthitey
: may, that • •
sinks into
before a united ass
insignificance
once brought into assembly or dies
matter,or
approval and live
away gradually when notoriety.
1,1 the
will never call forth the
memory of Englishmen. All our synapeth les are
Lord
discussed
ranged on the side which CAMPBELL
withd e
scanted upon with much zeal, and
so much energy. He truly explained that it was
of consequence to our nation that Poland should
succeed in establishin3 an independent constitu-
tion which would closely xesemble that of Eng-
land. If a kingdom free from foreign restraints,
and at unity in itself, were only at once firmly
fixed and rooted in the land, there is no doubt that
it would be of incalculable advantage to us, as
forming a barrier against the inroads of despotism,
L Which must, h •
owevtg =percept bly, railitge