The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-20 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1865.

The papers relating to the recent Conferences
between her MAJESTY'S Government and the Dele-
gates from Canada were yesterday laid before Par-
liament. The report of the Canadian Committee,
which Lord MONCK enclosed in his despatch to Mr.
CARDWELL, recommends that four members of the
Council shall be sent to the mother country, to con-
fer with the Imperial Government upon five points.
These are the proposed confederation of the pro-
vinces ; the necessary measures for the defence of
Canada, and the extent to which it should be shared
between Canada and England ; the steps to be
taken respecting the Reciprocity Treaty ; the settle-
ment of the North-west Territory ; and the gene-
rally critical state of Canadian affairs. All these
subjects have been fully discussed since the arrival
of the Delegates in this country, and it is very satis-
factory, at this critical moment, to learn that the
Conferences have been conducted throughout in the
most friendly spirit, and have given mutual satis-
faction. Of course, there could not be an absolute
identity of opinion on every point, but the differ-
ences were not material, and the views and objects
of both sides were sufficiently similar to secure har-
monious action. The Government appear, on the
whole, to have decided the questions proposed to
them in a fair and straightforward manner,
and to have met the Delegates in a cor-
dial and liberal spirit. The Canadians, in-
deed, may well look with some suspicion
on their foreign policy, especially with regard to
North America, but the strong feeling of the Eng-
lish public would secure a more vigorous action on
behalf of Canada if she were endangered, even if
our present timid and temporising Foreign Minister
still held the seals. 'The general opinion on the
subject was unmistakeably shown in the debate on
the Canadian defences this session, a debate which,
we may reasonably hope, has not been without its
effect across the Atlantic, on both sides of the St.
Lawrence. The answers given on the five diffe-
rent points discussed between the representatives of

the two Governments were on the whole favourable
to the wishes of the Canadians. As far as the Con-
federation was concerned the Home authorities
willingly promised to exert all available influence to
secure its consummation without delay, but in point
of fact this is a matter which rests mainly with the
colonists themselves. We hope that the urgency of
the present crisis will serve to bridge over the local
divisions and petty jealousies which have hitherto
delayed the full prosecution of the scheme. We
may hope, indeed, that the Government of the
United States may not be so rash and so reckless as
to provoke hostilities with this country, but
we have no security for their wisdom or
their forbearance. The course which has been pur-
sued by President JOHNSON and his advisers, since
his accession to power, does not tend to reassure
our natural anxiety on this subject, and the fact of
so large a standing army being suddenly thrown,
as it were, out of employment, gives good grounds
for a desire to trust rather to a vigorous system of
defence than to the prudence or magnanimity of
powerful and unscrupulous neighbours. " Defence,
not defiance," may well be the motto of Canada ;
and there can be no possible affront to America in
so large and exposed a country putting herself in a
condition of defence, commensurate with the value
of her territory and the easiness of invasion during
the summer months. Mr. CARDWELL promised
that the fortifications of Quebec should be carried
on with all possible despatch, a promise which
would have been more easily fulfilled if a larger
vote had been taken this session, and sug-
gested to the Delegates the advisability
of fortifying Montreal. The Canadians
declared the willingness of their people
to devote their whole resources in meu and money
to preserve unbroken their connection with the
mother country, and observed that their .Parliament
had agreed to increase the militia vote from
$300,000 to $1,000,000. Some further discussion
as to a guarantee being given by the Imperial
Parliament for a loan on behalf of the works of de-
fence to the West, a proposal to which Mr. CARD-
WELL ultimately agreed, provided the Provincial
Parliament expressed a willingness to undertake the
primary liability. The Reciprocity Treaty having
already been the subject of instructions to Sir F.
BRUCE, there was no difference of opinion ; while
the Home Government acceded to the request of the
Canadian Ministers that they should be allowed to
negotiate with the Hudson's Bay Company for the
north-western territory, agreeing that if an indem-
nity to the company was necessary, it should be
raised by Canada under the Imperial guarantee.
This will be an important step towards the reclama-
tion and cultivation of that vast tract of land, whose
magnificent natural resources have been so long ne-
glected, and which should never have been fettered
by the charter of a company.
The assurances of the delegates that Canada was
willing to devote all her resources to the mainte-
nance of her connection with the mother country
were received with the acknowledgment that the
Imperial Government fully recognised the obliga-
tion of defending every portion of the empire with
all its resources. This assurance will carry confi-
dence and relief to the population of the provinces,
while they are warned that England expects that
they will do their share. We trust that our
Ministry will act up to the letter and the spirit of
their promises, and afford the Colonial Government
every support and encouragement in procuring the
consolidation of the provinces without delay.

!
The affairs of Greece engage more attention and
excite a deeper interest of late from the circum-
stances that attended the installation of the young
King. The royal family of Denmark reached the
zenith of their prosperity when that auspicious
event took place, but although dark clouds have
since then hovered over their fortunes and saddened
their fate, this happy occurrence in Greece has not
disappointed expectations or fallen short pf its pro-
mise. The other day the KING opened the Chamber
of Deputies in person and made 1.7 a admirable
speech. It is curious to compare the two speeches
delivered in Berlin and Athens, and to notice the
great contrast they display. In the former the old
system of misrule and tyranny is being carried to a '
pitch that threatens to go beyond endurance, and
in the latter a fresh and vigorous spirit of freedom
and progress is manifested. Under the difficult cir-
cumstances in which the KING has been placed it is
not likely that he could have done better than he
has done, or that greater success could have
attended his efforts. We may, therefore, fairly
congratulate him and his people on the results of
their past endeavours, and the promise of their
future prospects, while we entertain a well-grounded
conviction and indulge in a reasonable hope that
time will bring these works to maturity, and testify
to the good sense and right spirit of those who
labour in them with zeal and courage. The King
spoke in a hopeful tone of the manner in which
he expected his communications to be received,
and frankly explained the motives which actuated
the Government in their various undertakings.
" The consolidation of public order" is one of the
chief objects in view, and deservedly so, for no
great or good works can flourish without it, and in
Greece especially there has been ample cause for
its engaging the attention of the rulers. There are
many important duties before the Chambers, and
matters of considerable moment will engage their
notice ; but if the undertakings be carried on in the
spirit which has characterised their commencement
there need be no fear of their partial, if not entire,
success. After so long a period of discord, and so
many dissensions taking place, there is much for
KING and Ministers to do to rehabilitate the position
of affairs, and reinstate the community in order
and prosperity. Is is an uphill work which
is before them, but notwithstanding these disadvan-
tages we may predict an eventual extrication from
doubts and difficulties if only the affairs of State be
conducted with discretion, and the people strive to
perform their part with moderation. All that the
exigencies of the public service require seem to be
fully considered in the sketch which is given in the
speech from the Throne, and it only remains to
hope that those to whom it was addressed will con-
sider the heavy responsibilities which devolve upon
them, and so conduct themselves that peace may be
firmly established in the land, and the attention of
all be directed to those objects which most conduce
to the public welfare.

The affairs of Greenwich Hospital have engaged
a great deal attention lately, and the bill which has
been introduced on the subject has given rise to a
great deal of discussion, and in the course of the
debates much has come out relating to mismanage-
ment and misappropriation. Last night the subject
was again considered, and the bill was reported
with amendments. Mr. CIIILDERS stated the neces-
sity of sending it as soon as possible to the Lords ;
and it is to be hoped that it will be passed this ses-
sion, for some alteration is rendered imperatively
necessary under the circumstances. Sir J. FAKING-
TON questioned the course which the G overament
had taken in respect to Sir R. BROMLEY, and
declared that that distinguished officer had not
received his deserts at the hands of the Govern-
ment. It too often happens in these matters that
a paltry economy creeps in and spoils the grace
of what has been done by making uvnecessary and