The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-18 00:00:00

THERMOMETER.

?"4:*

This mornin 7,
This day at Two o'clock

Barometer-29.02.
Wind—W. ; light, and cloudy.

Sun.

3[Tv:

LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1863.

The English emigrant desirous of seeking a new
home has plenty of places to choose from. North,
south, east, or west he may go, where his own lan-
guage is spoken and his own countrymen have pre-
ceded him. The other side of the Atlantic appears,
however, to possess especial attractions, as the large
numbers who have even lately entered the motLy
Population of the once United States bear witness.
The vast extent and well known fertility of the
Country, the old familiar tongue, and the professedly
free institutions all combine to induce the settler,
who is perhaps saying good-bye to old England
with c°llsidereble reluctance, to take up his abode
in the Am •
m
eail dominions. The same continent,
however, offers
great advantages in another part,
intending
and the
emigrant would do wisely to
pause and consider before he enrols himself among
discontented subjects
the
He may End further
of President LINCOLN.
north a territory which offers
him the paeans
of fortune
without the tyranny and
anarchy which
would
soon disgust him with life in
New York or Iva
shlugtoo. The recent discoveries
of gold in the Hudson's gay territories will no doubt
give a wonderful stimulus to the tide of emigration,
and when once the
means of
communication are
fully supplied there will no longer be room to com-
plain of the scarcity of the
population. It
has been known for
territories
its River time that
gold existed in these te
as
its having been found on the
Saskatchewan but from
near the Rocky Mountains it
was Supposed that it
had been washed down from those mountains,
the beds ot
would consequently only be found in and
the rivers. Fortunately this conjecture proves to
have been mistaken, and it is now ascertained to
exist in more accessible districts. Gold has
been
found at Fort Ellice on the Assinibonie and also on
branches of the Qu'Appelle River. As these streams
unite and run into the Red River, and have no con.

nection with the range of the Rocky Mountains, i

is evident that the gold is distributed throughout
the country, and the seclicr will not have to nigh
his way across the great plains to reach the fa-
voured spot. Should this country prove to possess
the universal wealth which some years since turned
the attention of the world to its neighbour Cali-

fornia, it will rapidly rise in importance. Its vase

extent will supply enough gold to enrich a hnn

dreg generations, and when once the means of traffic
and communication are fairly open a new northern
nation will be added to the noble list of British
Colonies. As yet, however, it is but in its infancy,

and it is not likely to advance the faster from having

ken put in subjection to a company. Our previous

experience has taught us to look with some

suspicion on the government of companies. The
E.).stludia Charter, spite of its list of " counciilors

and heroes whose names snail live fur aye," left us
110 eatigactory legacy; the oid liadeon's Bay Com-

Every succeeding year the 15th of August re-
vives anew the enthusiasm of the French people,
gratifies the Parisians with a brilliant holiday, and
throughout the whole of the French dominions
celebrates at once a festival of religions fervour and
military glory. It is the fête day of NAPOLEON 111
because the birthday of NAPOLEON THE GREAT.
Upon the 15th of August, 1769, when the regal
BOURBONS,unconscious of their coming doom, held
supreme sway in Paris, the infant son of a Corsican
lawyer, first saw the light. And that Birthday,
through after ages, when he himself had perished in
exile, and his career had apparently proved a failure,
is celebrated year after year by enthusiastic mil-
lions, with a fervour and excitement accorded to
none besides. The intensity of the sentiment is
partly due to the exuberant nature of the French
people, partly to the glorious memory of that first
NAPOLEON—a memory more deeply engraved upon
the popular heart by the pathos of his great mis-
fortunes—and partly, we may feel assured, the
brilliancy of the NAPOLEON fete is due to the
present bearer of that momentous name, tho actual
possessor of that onerous inheritance. The posi-
tion of the EMPEROR, assuming such a name and
standing in such a place, provoked a contrast that
would have been dangerous to any ordinary man.
That it has been otherwise to him, that he has been
able to maintaia an independent and personal
dignity in the midst of the glorious souvenirs of
the first Empire is a sufficient attestation of his
individual ability. In the enthusiasm of Saturday
last he must take his own share. We may feel
assured that no remembrance of former prosperity
would suffice to call forth a national festivity
among a discontented or disappointed people.
Public rejoicings are not made to order, and we
may very safely regard the Parisian gaiety of
Saturday like the recent loyal manifestations
in Normandy, as an evidence that our
Gallic allies are very well satisfied with their pre-
sent position—prosperous at home and powerful
abroad. If we, enjoying privileges that are denied
to them, are magnanimously anxious that they and
all the world should be as well off as ourselves, we
must content ourselves with a quiet aspiration that
the good time may ultimately arrive. The present
NAPOLEON has evidenced so much discretion
in understanding his position, and so much dis
urination in carrying out its requirements, thav"we
are fain to hope he will himself be the first to
recognise when the pear is ripe, and accord to his
admiring people the liberal privileges which are as
yet denied to them. We may feel assured that,
when that day does arrive, as we confidently believe
that it will, the fete NAPOLEON will lose none of its
magnificence, but, if possible, its celebration w
be more unanimous and more sincere.

pa ny was noted for blocking the pathway of civi-
lisation. We do not say that the present body are
desirous of emulating the faults of their predeces-
sors, but we trust the Government will exercise a
due amount of caution, and guard against being
once more at the mercy of any body of men what-
ever. It will be advisable at least to couple their
charter with conditions to reserve to the Imperial
Government the right of interference in questions
affecting the welfare of the State. It is a piece of
singular good fortune which has befallen the com-
pany, and we trust that it will quicken their move-
ments in providing ready means of ace ass to the in-
terior of their territories. English sway, instead of
diminishing, is likely to extend in the North Ame-
rican provinces, much to the ruortific ation of our
indignant Yankee friends, and we hope the ground
now occupied by the Hudson's Bay Company will
before long become one of our recog'aised colonies,
offering wealth to the poor, work to the industrious,
and peace and plenty to all.

When Sir H. BABKLY assumed the governorship
of Victoria, he found much political disunion in
that colony. After six years of debate, division,
and dissolution, on his departure from Australia,
he leaves the legislation of that, colony in about as
unsettled a state as he fours d it. This is in no
wise to be laid to the account of Sir H. BARFLY ;
on the contrary, he has don's his best to reconcile,
as far as po3sible, the contending factions. Two
interests were diametrically opposed in nearly every
point, except the one which both sides overlooked,
their mutual necessity. The gold diggers, small
farmers, and rapidly increasing immigrants dis-
puted the possession of vast tracts of available land
with the squatters, who held their cattle runs and
sheep walks at a nominal rental from the Govern,
ment. After many years of contention the of roXXot
carried the day to a certain extent. Universal
suffrage and vote by ballot were introduced as a
check on the undue influence exercised by the
squatters, and general rejoicings and predictions of
vast results took place. A bill was passed in the
House of Assembly legalising the opening up of
Crown and waste lands to the public at a fixed
value, something on the American system. But
the universal suffrage proved a delusion, for with a
migratory population, such as gold diggers, &c,,
the regulation which required a residence in
one particular spot before the voter could
exercise his privilege virtually rendered it

nugatory. There is every chance of land Questions
being put aside, at least for a time, by the strange
and obstinate conduct of Mr. DUFFY, the President
of the Board of Land and Works, in causing the
Government of Mr. O'SHANASSY to resign. It
seems that in granting licences to squatters on a
reduced scale, the value of the property of the
applicant had to be examined into ; but as buying
and selling always vary, the squatters and Mr.
DUFFY'S agents could not agree on the assessments,
and resort was had to appeals and arbitrations.
These arbitrations were conducted by arbitrators
appointed by the Government and by the squatters
respectively, and were in number 689 appeals out
of about 900 assessments. It was confidently as-
serted that Mr. DUFFY'S assessments were reckless
and excessive, and that most of the appeals would
be successful; and certainly Mr. DUFFY took no
measures, by evidence or otherwise, to prevent them
from being successful. Meanwhile Parliament sat
on; slight skirmishing occasionally took place, as
to the principles of the contemplated Amending
Land Act. Some members of the assembly sug-
gested a return to the old auction system ; Mr.
DUFFY still clung to lot, to his act, and the uniform
£1 an acre price for country lands. In due time,
and at great cost to the country, the arbitrations
on the appeals were despatched. A few days back
the last lot of awards came in, and with very few
exceptions were against the Government, involving
a deficiency on this estimated head of revenue of at
least £lBO,OOO. In most cases Mr. DUFFY'S assess•
ments were reduced by more than one-half, in
many cases by more than two. thirds, and frequently
to a fifth or a sixth of the official assessment.
Upon this Mr. DUFFY, being highly offended, talked
of a legerdemain on the part of the squatters which
he could not understand, and boldly declared that
he would not grant the leases or the land on such
conditions. The result of this declaration was a
division on the question, and the Government was
defeated by a majority of 16—the numbers being 42
to 26. Of course, Mr. O'SUANASSY had to tender
his resignation, which was accepted by Sir R.
BARKLY. Mr. M'CuLLocit was sent for and
accepted the responsibility of forming an Adminis-
tration. Who will compose it is at present uncer-
tain, but many gentlemen of talent and reputation
are mentioned, and the change is looked upon with
general satisfaction. That the squatters have stolen
a march upon Mr. DUFFY is but too probable; yet
a statesman should have some regard for at least a
show of consistency and public character, and not re-
pudiate his own act the moment he has been hasty
or imprudent. Australia has made much progress
in the last ten years in developing her resources,
and it behoves the Government of the various colo-

nies to see that liberal legislation keeps pace with
the progress of trade.

Various plans have been suggested which may
serve to keep our, Volunteers in a state of efficiency.
It has been generally felt that it would be nothing
short of a national disgrace if that amateur army
which came forward so gallantly as their country b
defenders were to fall into decadence, and leave us
at the
sound of danger to seek in vain for our well-
trained rifle corps. Thanks to the general interest
and to the
igenuinetemeu patriotic
feeling feeling of the men, the various taken in the service,
ousreg
the first excitement has
pthaesierednumbe ho
away,rs aanitdtuhgehalarm which called them
into existence has long
are matters of
matches, which
reviews and rifle
*
since died out. The grand
national sightseeing, have contributed to animate
the different companies wits a spirit of emulation,
and have proved the efficiency of their drill and
their skill in handling the rifle to uni
• •
universal sates'
faction. The Volunteer is still looked on in some
degree as a social lion. Balls, fetes, and dinners
have testified to his fame, and complimentary'
speeches, expressions of approval from inspecting
officers, and other recognitions of merit, have grown
so common as to be almost taken for granted. All is
not so smooth, however, and an incident only notice-
able from the general efficiency of the Volunteer
foeco may serve to convince critics that the praise
usually heaped on the Volunteers is not a mere mat-
ter of course. The events of Saturday present a
somewhat singular contrast in Volunteer fortunes,
though the results did not so much depend on the
inconsistency of the blind lady as on the exertions
of the corps.
On that day the members of the Lon-
don Rifle Brigade
were busy continuing the prize
competition at the rifle range of the regiment at
Plaistow Marshes, displaying the usual skill which
bids fair to make English marksmen once more pre.
eminent.
W
ceremony e may hope it was this interesting
that called off the defaulters of the 4th
City of London Rifles from their own especial duty;
but we fear from the account, that it was rather a
want of interest in their self-chosen profession.
Colonel MORRIS, C. 8., deputy inspectca of Volun-
teers, held the Annual inspe,c,tion of this corps, the

" Ancient Order of Foresters," but the result of the
inspection was most unsatisfactory. Scarcely
more than a hundred of all ranks were
assembled, their uniforms, as well as accou-
trements, betrayed great discrepancies, and their
want of drill and knowledge of their business could
not be concealed by the most assiduous efforts of
the sergeant. The consequence was that upon
the conclusion of their very unsatisfactory
manoeuvres, the inspecting officer administered to
officers and men a most unqualified rebuke, telling
them that he should fall short in his duty if he did
not report to the War.office the very inefficient
state of the corps. It is to be regretted that this
corps, which took a creditable part in the display of
last year, should have so far fallen off, but although
the rebuke they received v; a 3 probably a source of
considerable mortification to them, we cannot
lament that our inspecting cfficers should do their
duty and not suffer the annual inspection to de-
generate into a mere form. The Government and the
country must not be trifled with, and gentlemen
who undertake such duties should feel that they
are assuming a degree of responsibility, and not
merely taking up a pastime for their leisure
hours.

HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Rich discoveries of gold have been made

in British territory on this side of the Rocky Moun-
tains, said to be equal to those on the other side in
British Columbia. Why, then, should not the
Oro wn at once take the management of those lands
and form a new colony ? The tenure of the Hud-
son's Bay Company expired a few years ago.
The Canadian press, by the last mail, are all up
against the renewal of the monopoly or exclusive

privileges, and giving, as stated by Mr. Fortesene,

a country larger than half of Europe to an irrespon-
sible private company. Canada claims, as repre-
senting the old French settlers, all the lands to
Like Winnipez, and on the banks of the Red River,
and will not permit her rights to be bartered away
by any Colonial Secretary against her interests,
and those of the Crown and public.

The prospectus of the Hudson's Bay Company
and International Financial Society, sec. 2, claims
as theirs the vast country between Canada and
British Columbia, with fertile lands double the ex-
tent of France, and a territory larger than half of
Europe. It behoves the British Government at
once to put an end to such assumptions and declare
that these territories shall be opened into colonies
as intended by the ex-Colonial Secretary, Sir Ed-
ward Bulwcr Lytton.
The Colonial Office will soon find the opinion of
the Canadian Parliament on this subject, through
their Under-Secretary, in reply to Mr.Wyld, stated
"that Canada did not complain."
While all British subjects in British America
should be placed on an equality by withdrawing
or abolishing all monopolies and exclusive privi-
leges, everything should be done to forward
railways, roads, canals, steam lines, and other
works of improvement. The Government should
invite tenders from capitalists by the grants cf
alternate sections of land for railways and canals,
giving sufficient publicity in the British and colo-
nial papers, and thus the Hudson's Bay Company,
or other capitalists, may have fair opportunities for
expending their capital. By such means the
Illinois Central, and other railways, have been
made through the Western States, where there
was little or no popuktion. TRAVELLER.