The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-04 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Permit me to state through your columns that
upon the division on the Clergy Relief Bill, yesterday,
I went by mistake into the wrong lobby, and did not
discover my error until my vote had been taken, when
it was too late to correct tne error.

I intended to vote for the omission of the second part
of the 6th clause.—Your obedient servant,
GEO. THOMPSON.
Waterloo-place, May 3, 1849.

IMPORTA.NT MOVEMENTS IN
CANADA—A NATIONAL CONVENTION.
(From the New York Herald, April 16.)
In our Montreal correspondence, published elsewhere
in this sheet, will be found a very interesting report of
the preliminary proceedings which have been held
in
Montreal, for the organization of a national convention
of the two Canadas, to take into consideration the pre-
sent condition of those colonies, and the propriety and
necessity of changing their existing form of government,
either into an independent federal union of all British
America, or ultimate annexation to the United States.
This important movement may be considered the first
peaceful and constitutional step towards a partial, and,
ultimately, an entire revolution of that cluster of colo-
nies, in their existing relations towards Great Britain.
This step acquires the deeper importance trom the very
calm, temperate, and legal shape it begins to assume.
We cannot forget, or overlook, in this connexion, that
the first signs of the American revolution of 1776, which
established this great republic on this continent and
sewed the; seeds of change in Europe, were of the same
nature as those now becoming manifest in Canada. It
was from a convention of the old colonies, held long
before 1776, that the foundation was laid of all the sub-
sequent fortunate changes and happy revolutions. The
same process has begun in Canada. The rebellion of
Lyon Mackenzie, in 1337, was only an ugly, ill-tempered
inconsistent, impotent row of loafers and vagabonds.
The present movements and temper in Canada appear to
be under the control of mind and intellect.

On this subject, several of the Canadian partisan jour-
nals have taken us to task—accusing us of all sorts of
ignorance, in anticipating any such movements or popu-
lar discussions in Canada, looking to ultimate separatio❑
from England. Ever since the farce on the frontier, of
1837, we have been rather incredulous on such a point ;
but recently the signs and indications in Canada, in
every way—in Parliament, in the press, and at public
meetings, have been so numerous, that we begin to con-
sider the whole matter open for discussion and delibera-
tion. Much has to be done to bring about such a change;
and the Canadians themselves have to do it. On this
side of the frontier we ere mere spectators—not even
sympathisers. If they don't effect the great revolution
by reason, argument, and the consent of Great Britain,
all in due time, they will wait long till they get aid from
the United States. But destiny is destiny. A colonial
convention in 1660, or thereabouts, led to the American
revolution of 1776. When Canada shall have gone
through the like process, perhaps we may be ready to
receive her, at the north—and Cuba, in the south. Who
knows ?

CALIFORN lA.
(From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.)
The National Intelligencer is indebted to General Jes-
sup for a long and able letter from Captain Folsom,
dated San Francisco, January 23, 1849. We extract a
few of the more important passages:—
" The only tribunals which have attempted any juris-
diction in cases of murder, &c., some months past, are
those formed for the occasion as it arises, and offenders
generally escape, or, if they are taken, it is amidst the
frenzy of popular excitement, where the guilty and
innocent may be victims together. Several executions
have taken place is pursuance of this kind of law, and
it is suppused that several others will be anounced by the
next mail from the south. In the meantime outrages are
occurring in all quarters of the country, and the public
astonishment has scarcely subsided after one murder has
transpired before another is committed more horrible
than the first. Housebreaking, thefts, and robberies are
of almost hourly occurrence. This state of things must
continue until we have the firm and steady rein of go-
vernment extended over the territory by Congress. I
have no expectations that a provisional government
(should it go into operation, and this cannot be the case
is less than a year from this time) would be found ade-
quate to the public wants.
" A great stagnation in business has occurred since
winter set in, and prices of goods have fallen in conse-
quence. Vessels arriving at this time find an inconsi-
derable market, and it will continue bad until there is a
tendency towards the mines, in March, when new sup-
plies must go in that direction. Within the last ten days
six or eight vessels have arrived from Mexico and the
west coast of South America, and we hear of more than
forty which are likely to follow them from Chili and
Peru with about 3,000 emigrants. Every vessel which
leaves takes away a rich freight of gold, and there ure
still very large amounts of it in the country. lam sa-
tisfied that more than 3,000,000 dolls. worth of gold has
been taken from the mines up to thisiotime, and that
2,000,000 dolls. have been taken away from the country,
mostly to foreign countries, for a market. I have no
doubt that 1,500,000 dolls. worth will have been shipped
from this port alone.
" These facts ought to convince the most incredu-
lous that the Government needs a mint at this place to
coin the gold produced by the mines, thereby protect-
ing its own interests and those of American citizens re-
siding in this territory. We hear officially from Chili
that a very large amount of spurious coin is about to be
shipped from Peru and Bolivia, to be put into circula-
tion on the coast in exchange for gold, and through the
Custom-houses."
" Where families are coming with the intention of
remaining in the country, I believe the voyage round
Cape Horn is preferable in all respects to a journey
across the mountains. It is cheaper, safer, and more
comfortable, and quite as expeditious, generally speak-
ing, as that over the mountains; and for emigrants
leaving the Eastern and Middle States, far preferable to
any route, except that across the Isthmus at Panama by
the new line of steamers."

The trade of the country is rapidly increasing, in con-
sequence of the mines and the great ii.flux of population.
For several months past the average amount of duties
collected at this port, exclusive of the expenses of the
Custom-house, has been rising 30,000 dollars, and it is
thought that it will exceed 60,000 dollars the present
month. It will be safe, I think, to put the revenue of
Calitornia, for the current year, at 1,000,000
dolls., and four-fifths of this will be collected at this
port. The amount paid is becoming a subject of emu-
meat, and the fact that a population paying such a tax
has no Government and no representation, is exciting
very general dissatisfaction. Should Congress again
adjourn without any action in relation to th►s territory,
it will create still more violent comment. and might
lead to some measures on the part of the people of the
country which would bring lasting disgrace upon our flag.
All the trade of the coast is fast concentrating in this
bay. Nearly all the goods consumed in the lower part of
this territory are sent from this port, and as soon ss
coasters can be got for the business, foreign vessels will
not visit those ports at all. The introduction of steamers
on the coast will give additional importance to this har-
bour, and it is most likely that much of the business of
Oregon will be done here also.

ARREST, TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF THE
SAN MIGUEL MURDERERS.
By the military courier from Monterey, who arrived
here on the 22d inst., we have received the following
particulars of the condign punishment of the perpetrators
of the barbarous murders at San Miguel:— 1 ,
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, JAN. 18.—The mail rider
south, named Pearson, returned last evrning from Dana's.
He waited there three days for the mail frem Los
.An-
geles, but it did not come, so he returned with no written
mail, but considerable gossip, amounting to this:—
Lieutenant Ord, with his party, together with some ran-
cheros, who were aiding him in his pursuit of the famous
San Miguel murderers, came upon the fugitives this side
of Santa Barbara, where the road lays upon the sea
beach. They resisted their arrest, and in the affray one
of the murderers was killed, three captured, and one
took to sea, swimming beyond the range of fire-arms.
He was repeatedly fired at, and at last, upon a signal
being made to him, he turned to swim for shore, but was
drowned before reaching it. His body was washed in
by the surf, and was found wounded in two places. The
three men captured were conducted to Santa Barbara,
tried and shot. Thus the five are disposed of. One of
the men was named Lynch, formerly a corporal in com-