The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-04 00:00:00

THE EARL OF DURHAM.

only remedy for the evils they experienced, and the best
mode for insuring the future good government and pros-
perity of the Colony, were not prepared to acquiesce in the
scheme which they understood his Lordship was about
to suggest, but which even, if ultimately rejected by them,
was certainly a very reasonable proposition, for the first
subject which would present itself for Lord Durham's con-
sideration, on his appointment to Canada as High Com-
missioner, would naturally be, how am I to form a system
of legislation for Canada, whereby I can secure such a
majority of loyal and well-disposed subjects as will pass
Acts that will remedy existing evils, and provide for the
future peace and prosperity of the Colony? Will a Union
of the Provinces effect this? No !—Numbers will then be
against me, as the United Legislatures would still contain
a majority of disaffected. Therefore, the scheme of a
" Federal Union" does now appear to many, who at first
objected to it, to be the easiest method of meeting the diffi-
culties for gaining a constitutional ascendancy in the Ca-
nada! ; and the Constitutionalists haring ascertained that
Lord Durham had abandoned that part of the plan to which
they were most opposed, and that the plan itself was but a
suggestion upon which his Lordship invited the opinions of
the whole of the Colony, it gradually became a matter
of consideration and reflection, apart from a feeling of hos-
tility and annoyance ; and becoming convinced, from his
Lordship's efforts and anxiety to acquire information, and
the many valuable measures which they found to be in
progress, that his Lordship had really the welfare of the
Colony at heart, they now considered him entitled to their
fullest confidence and support ; and although they may
deeply regret that circumstances should have occurred to
cause the premature termination of Lord Durham's Go-
vernment, yet, perceiving with his Lordship, that the mo-
ral influence of his authority had been rendered powerless
in the colony, they felt that the true interests of the Ca-
nadas would be best consulted by his Excellency's imparting
personally, to the British Parliament, the experience and
information acquired by him during his residence in the
country ; which, it is to be hoped, will now enable it to
devize and determine some definite Legislative enactment
for the future government of this valuable portion of the
British empire.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR, —The consistent opponents of the Earl of Durham,
now that his Lordship is daily expected to arrive in the
Metropolis, seemed puzzled in what way to create a preju-
dice in the public mind against him for relinquishing his Go-
vernment of the Canadas, they baring, in the first instance.
supported that faction whose successful malevolence
weakened his Lordship's authority, and drove him to the
alternative to which he has found himself compelled to re-
sort ; but who, subsequently, in their attempts to justify the
system of annoyance pursued by them against Lord Dur-
ham, am! of predisposing the public against him, have only
assisted in making out his Lordship's case, to their own con-
fusion ; for notwithstanding the construction which one of
its Journals is now pleased to put upon its own former de-
claration, when the " Ordinances" of Lord Durham were
disallowed, that "Lord Durham or the Ministers must
resign !" the public no doubt received it in the sense it was
then intended to convey, viz., that the moral effect of Lord
Durham's Administration, would be so impaired that it
would be impossible for him to carry on the Government of
the colony.
That Canada was in a most difficult position when Lord
Durham assumed the government, the organ of his Lord-
ship's factious opponents, itself declares, even when calling
in question the validity of the only measure afforded his
Lordship of disposing of the rebel chiefs in the prison at
Montreal, who prayed his Excellency, by petition, to dis-
pose of them in any way be might think proper, " they not
wishing to disturb the peace of their country by the excite-
ment which their trials would produce ;" for that Journal
(questioning the authority which Lord Durham supposed
had, or ought to have been delegated to him) says, "there
is one thing self-evident throughout this whole matter,
namely, that the authority vested in Lord Durham proved
altogether inadequate to the emergencies in which the
Noble Lord found himself within a very short period after
his arrival at Quebec. A civil war had been raging, many
rebels were made prisoners, flagrante Bello, with arms in
their hands ; was it not obvious therefore to every man,
who could see an inch before him, that such prisoners must
be disposed of somehow or other? Could there then have
arisen a more grave or critical consideration than what fate
was to be assigned to the arch delinquents?' " Certainly
not. Therefore Lord Durham gave the subject his
" grave" consideration, and finding that he could by the
" ordinances" so much complained of, blend justice and
mercy together (the expediency of which act he naturally
conceived would be recognised and confirmed by the Home
Authorities, and approved of by the whole of the English
community), he resorted to what he conceived the most
merciful way of relieving the province from the "arch de-
linquents." _

I would beg in conclusion to observe, that although
(frorn'tny personal interests being identified with the wel-
fare of Canada) it is but natural that I should wish to see
its prosperity promoted, my only motive in submitting the
present statement for the consideration of the public is an
act of justice to Lord Durham, which I humbly conceive
his Lordship may fairly-expect from every loyal and con-
stitutional Canadian, who is aware of his Lordship's endea-
vours and exertions to benefit the Canadas, but in which
he was unhappily frustrated.

A CANADIAN CONSTITUTIONALIST.
London, December 3, 1838.

A Correspondent whom the Times has quoted, in an
effort of great wisdom, says, " Why did not Lord Durham
frankly as well as prudently pray Ministers to obtain from
Parliament the authority ?" It may be said, in reply, that
if the Canadas were situated at a distance of 30 instead of
3,000 miles from the spot from which the authority was to be
asked,theGovernor might think it prudent to suspend the ope-
ration of a peculiar exigency, till " a return ofpost!" hut this
not being the case imperative necessity demands, under such
circumstances, the exercise of discretionary authority ; and
it may be here observed, that unless Governors of distant

THEATRES.

COVENT-GARDEN.

Last night the " two houses" entered the lists in honour.
able rivalry. The Drama was the subject with one—Opera
with the other. The story of Switzerland's hero formed
alike the theme of both ; Rossini's master-piece at the
" Lane"—Knowles's noble play at the " Garden" ; and
happy are we to record another of that long series of
triumphs which, at Covent-Garden, the cause of the Drama
has gained under the management of Mr. Macready.
Next, after the revival of Shakspeare's unrivalled dramas,
and of the works of the elder English dramatists, do we
think it the duty of a modern manager to bring forward
those of more recent authors, who have caught something
of the spirit of their great models. Among these, Sheridan
Knowles ranks pre-eminent. We know of no modern dra-
matist who has so imbibed the fine, healthy, national, old
English feeling, that pervades the ancient drama. His
subjects are so chosen, and his characters so drawn, that
they never fail to fasten themselves on our interest and
sympathy ; and more especially so, as he generally, in his
more serious plays, appeals to that ardent spirit of liberty
which, whether it be exhibited in the stern Roman
resolve of Virginius, or the heroism of Tell, will always
find a hearty response in the breasts of Englishmen.
And that thus it was, though we expected to find a good
attendance at Covent-Garden last night to witness the repro-
duction of his Williant Tell, notwithstanding the almost
irresistible attraction at the rival " house,"—we were not
prepared for the crowded audience we beheld, and for the
prolonged burst of enthusiasm which hailed the appearance
of his hero, in the person of Mr. Macready—and in which
were mingled, intelligibly enough, respect for the author,
admiration for the actor, and esteem,: and gratitude to the
manager.

colonies are vested with large discretionary powers, the
colonies (from the delay in communicating with the Home
Government) must continue to experience many evils which
prompt and timely executive decision might prevent.
Lord Durham was, therefore, perfectly correct in stating
in his " Proclamation," that, "if the peace of Lower
Canada was to be again menaced, it was necessary that its
Government should reckon on a more cordial and vigorous
support at home than had been accorded to him, and
that no good could be obtained by his continuing
to wield extraordinary legal powers of which the
moral force and consideration was gone." And in this
declaration his Lordship is fully supported by the
loyal inhabitants in their several addresses to Lord Dur-
ham on ascertaining his Lordship's intention of retiring
from the Government, for in the sth resolution of the
Quebec address, it is resolved,—" That they deeply lament
the premature discussion, in the British Parliament, of the
measures of his Excellency the Earl of Durham, and the
course there taken, tending as they have done to weaken
the moral influence of his Government, to encourage the
disaffected, and to create apprehension in the minds of the
loyal."—And the Ist resolution of the Montreal address,
states that, " after the arrival of the ordinances' in Eng-
land, they were brought under the discussion of the Inl►pe-
rial Parliament, on which occasion a majority voted them
partially illegal, and as such declaration, is calculated to
impair his Excellency's autho►ity, and paralyze his efforts
for the successful settlement of our dculties, it is under-
stood that lie has resolved to close his mission and return to
England."

It were superfluous to say much of a performance so
well known, so deservedly appreciated as Macready's 'Fell.
It is one of his finest, his most effective impersonations.
It was the very personification of the hardy spirit of moun-
tain freedom,—so beautifully combined with a character in
which the softer and the sterner virtues are exhibited with
such truth and power. The scene with the tyrant Gesler,
where under the dreadful trial which history has commemo-
rated, the emotions of the father,and resolution of the patriot,
working upon each other, produce a pathos and an interest
scarcely to be equalled in any modern drama, was marked
by a strength and vigour of acting, and at the same time a
fine perception of all those affecting traits of feeling that
characterize Knowles's dramatic poetry, which was abso-
lutely thrilling.
Mr. Macready was admirably supported. Mrs. Warner
looked the beau ideal of a Swiss patriot's wife ; while
Ward, as Ceder, and Anderson, as Michael, did all that
was required for their respective parts.
The scenery and costumes exhibited all that correctness
of taste and excellence of effect which distinguishes the
ti cula r
present management of Covent Garden, The former, par-
slyu,bwlimase
and
asusenceewss_ieoenpotfmaedumutireaiubsle. views of Switzer-
land'sßut the audience experienced a treat in the music of
Rossini's opera, of which the overture, the entre-acts as
they are called, and a considerable quantity of introduced
music was composed. Though, perhaps, we may question
the propriety (as a general rule) of introducing singing into
a serious drama, yet it were ungrateful not to express the
high delight we received from the performance of that
splendid music, alternating, as it does so beautifully, from
exquisite and sweetly-flowing melodies to grand bursts of
majestic harmony and martial sounds.
At the fall of the curtain the enthusiasm of the audience
(which had manifested itself all through at the close of
every act) burst out into tremendous and long-continued
cheering, and was not to be silenced till Macready, Mrs.
Warner, Ward, and Anderson had successively appeared
to receive their plaudits.

In the upper province the address of the loyal inhabi-
tants of Cobourgh states in its 2d resolution, that "with-
out expressing any opinion upon the legality of those or-
dinances, we lament the discussion of their validity at the
present period, as calculated to inspire the disaffected in
Lower Canada with a belief that the crime of rebellion
may continue to be committed with'impunity, and to
render a settlement of our difficulties more remote and un-
certain."

The address of the loyal inhabitants of Toronto contains
the following remark :—" The peculiar and unpre-
cedented difficulties in which the affairs of British North
America were involved when your Excellency assumed the
Government, ought to have secured for the acts of your ad-
ministration the most liberal construction, and should have
obtained for them the cordial and unwavering support of
all those who are interested in the peace and prospe)ity of
these colonies and the integrity of the Britisk Empire ;"
and, in fact, similar expressions of public feeling in nume-
rous other addresses presented to his Excellency, all tend-
ing to show the peculiar difficulties with which his Lord-
ship was beset, and to regret that party spirit should have
reared its unhallowed crest to interfere and check those
measures of vital benefit to the colony which his Lordship
had in progress. It is true that the spirit of these ad-
dresses not being in accordance with the views of the organ
of Lord Durham's political adversaries, they have not had
that estimate placed upon them which they merit ; but their
force will be best ascertained by the following extract from
the communication of " An Englishman," in Canada, to
the editor of the Montreal Gazette of Oct. 20 :

" It requires some object of intense interest to draw the
merchant from his counting-house, the lawyer from his
_._

office, the tradesman from his shop, and the artisan and
labourer from their respective avocations at this busy
season, with a loss of time and money to each and all of
them, to pay the honest and emphatic tribute of re-
spect and confidence which THREE THOUSAND Britons
offered to his Excellency on Tuesday last ; in England it is
a very different matter, nine-tenths of the spectators at a
public meeting are the idle or unemployed, but here every
man in the crowd that carried up the address, materially
sacrificed his interests to a manly and generous feeling !
and, indeed, to the dispassionate and candid mind, it must
be obvious that the Colonists are the parties principally
affected by and interested in the policy of their Governors,
and, notwithstanding the opinions to the contrary, on this
side of the Atlantic, they best know what is for the benefit
of the colony, and certainly the loyal inhabitants of Canada
have, by the respectful and constitutional representation of
what they conceived to be for the trite interest of the
colony (as well as hitherto defending and preserving it from
the wicked attempts of a revolutionary faction to sever it
from the British Crown), given the most correct views of
the policy which ought to be pursued if Canada is to remain
a part of the Britishempire! and they must, therefore, regret
that the persecuting opponents of Lord Durham, should,
by an unfair and unjust scrutiny into the acts of his Lord-
ship's Administration, and the apparently malevolent mis-
construction of the principles upon which they were
founded, have placed the Colony in its present critical

situation ; for had the " Ordinances" not have been in-
terfered with, the rebel refugees now in the United States,

who are actively employed in meditating an attack upon
the loyal Canadians, would have at least remained passive
as a recommendation to her Majesty, or the Executive of
Lower Canada, to permit their return from banishment ;
but when they became acquainted with the fate of the
" Ordinances" they then persuaded themselves that their
cause was just l—that a sympathy for them had sprung upin England—and what they had previously believed to be
an act of mercy in Lord Durham they now denounced as
illegal and cruel ; and, consequently, internal demagogues
showed themselves, who had never before been suspected,
and the deluded " habitans" were led to believe that the
Governor had no power to punish ! and that they might
and ought now determinately to resist and retaliate upon
les Anglais for the unjustifiable treatment to them
during the late revolutionary contest ; the influence of
which, upon the Canadians, soon became apparent in the
result of the trial of the murderers of Chartrand.
To recapitulate a " moielie" of the arts and contrivances
resorted to by the malignant adversaries of Lord Dur-
ham, to bring his Lordship into contempt and ridicule
with the British public, is not here necessary, as they are
generally too inconsistent and absurd to require either
refutation or comment ; but one of their efforts is of too
spiteful a character to pass unnoticed ; viz.—the insinua-
tion that Lord Durham and Sir John Colborne were not
on good terms, which it is gratifying to find his Lordship
has publicly and unequivocally declared to be false
and utterly groundless.
And with respect to Lord Durham's proposed plan
of a " Federal Union of all the British North American
Provinces," upon which his Lordship's opponents visited
such summary denunciation, it may be observed that the
Constitutionalists having, previously to Lord Durham's
arrival in Canada, formed a conclusion that " a Union of
the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada" wee the

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 183