The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-04 00:00:00

HIGH WATER, AT LONDON BRIDGE.

• •
Tins DAY.—Morning, 12h. 45m.—Afternoon, lh. 12m
To-Motuunv.-Morning, lh. 34m. Afternoon, lh. 58m

Mt

LONDON, MONDAY, SEPT. 4, 1865.

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The aspect of Canadian affairs is just now a ma
ter of the deepest interest, and every particular o
the engagements entered into between this country
and British North America is received with atten-
tion. There are divided opinions on this as on
every other subject, some persons thinking
that England should undertake the whole
expense and responsibility of protecting
the colonies, while others—these, fortunately, form
but a small party—are inclined to surrender all
connection with those vast and yearly improv-
ing territories rather than run the risk of
offending American sensibilities. The Govern-
ment appear to have acted with prudence
and liberality between theSe opposite courses, and
have succeeded in reassuring the colonists, and re-
moving any lingering anxiety or uneasiness which the
language held by some of our Parliamentary speakers
may naturally have given rise to. The Canadians
themselves are acting in a fair and conciliatory
spirit. While admitting the necessity of defending
their country more effectually than at present, an 1
showing every readiness to come forward with their
share of men and money, they are nowise anxious to
provoke their powerful neighbour or to give grounds
for a quarrel by making any active demon-
strations. They are now more eager to strengthen
themselves by a renewal of the commercial com-
munications between the States and Canada on I
their old footing than to exhibit by their forts and
warlike preparations their readiness for a war.
The renewal of the Reciprocity Treaty is a matter
of great moment to the Canadians ; and, if we are
to believe the emphatic language of the address
from Detroit last year, it is scarcely less so
across *the border. It formed a prominent sub-
ject of the discussions between the Colonial Dele-
gates and the Home government during their late
conferences, and the assistance of her MAJESTY'S
Ministers was invoked in order to obtain a fair
hearing for the merits of the case at Washington.
In the Legislative Assembly of Canada, in
reply to certain questions which had been
put to the Government, Mr. CARTIER, the
Attorney-General and one of the members of the
deputation, read a paper summing up briefly the
policy to be pursued during the session. The
reciprocity question formed an important item of
this statement, and Mr. CARTIER announced that
a meeting of Delegates from the Provinces was to
be held in Quebec in the course of Sep-
tember, under the Governor-General, for the
purpose of arranging an united action in regard
to the Reciprocity Treaty. Mr. CARTIER did not
indicate the policy that the Government was
prepared to recommend, as the meeting was to be
held within so brief a period, but he stated that the
Canadian Ministry was prepared to enter into any
negotiations with the American Government on
the most liberal footing. Perhaps the time which
. has elapsed since the first hasty notice for the termi-
nation of the treaty may have allowed the American
statesmen the opportunity of regretting that foolish
and impolitic measure. They have received an
unmistakeable proof of the shortsightedness and
error of thus checking the free commercial inter-
course between the two countries ; and, however
popular the measure may be among a certain set in
New York and New England, it will be looked upon
with great dissatisfaction by the merchants and
dealers whose interests will suffer.
The Colonial Government seems to think it wiser
to defer any active measures for the protection of
the country. They are hampered by the postpone-
ment of the union, and can hardly push on the
'grand central works until that important matter is
definitively settled. With regard to the Confede-
ration itself they do not propose to recommend any
further action during this session. Perhaps they
may think that any display of eagerness or e;n-
presseinent on their part will only serve to excite still
• further the jealousy of the smaller colonies, and that
leaving the matter to time and reflection will be
the best way to overcome their prejudices. In
the fear of the maritime provinces that they will
lose their identity by becoming. united to Canada
, .they appear to forget the ,real danger that
threatens them from another quarter. Their
sea-board will always give them peculiar
advantages which Canada has not, and
which will always prevent them front becoming
absorbed by their larger and more conspicuous