The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-16 00:00:00

CANADA.

The provincial Parliament was opened at Montreal on
the 20th inst., with the usual formalities. The speech of
Earl Cathcart embraces several topics which make it in-
teresting to this country, and we therefore give it entire.
It will be noticed that he announces his permanent ap-
pointment to the office of Governor-General.
HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUN-
CIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY:

The duty of opening the session of Parliament has
necessarily devolved upon me, as administrator of the
Government, in consequence of the lamented departure
of the late Governor-General. But I am commanded,
at the same time, to make known to you, that the Queen
has been graciously pleased permanently to designate me
as her Majesty's future representative in this province.
In announcing to you the fact of my having thus be-
come the successor of Lord Metcalfe, you will, I feel as-
sured, concur with me in the expression uf sincere regret
at the painful cause which has removed this distin-
guished nobleman from a station, the duties of which
he discharged with a zeal and ability that on every oc-
casion won for him the highest approbation of his So-
vereign, and the respect and gratitude of the people over
whom he presided as her representative.
The several addresses to the Queen which were
adopted during the last session of the Legislature have
been laid at the foot of the throne. It will be my
pleasing duty to announce to you her Majesty's gracrous
replies.
I should under any circumstances have !directed your
early attention to the condition of the militia law. But
the unsettled state of the negotiations which have been
for some time past carried on between the Imperial Go-
venment and that of the United States of America, ren-
ders it imperative upon me to press immediately upon
your consideration the necessity of a re-organisation of
this arm of the public defence. I feel the most un-
bounded confidence that the loyalty and patriotism of
every class of her Majesty's subjects in Canada will be
conspicuous, as they have been heretofore, should occa-
on? call for their services to aid in the protection of
ttzhheeaaAltor,tucwstohhueeintry ; but a well-digested and uniform system
is indispensable to give a fitting direction to the most
our gracious
serfeoeflweai warranted
ed in assuring you
free and loyal.
ual amre
atattachment of hergn will ever relyppeo onle
forth
the defence of this province, and the maintenance of
?).
pßrreidtieschescsoonrtsi ehxaiovne always , eesettyl, wtoillpbroevpidreepwariethd,praosmhper.
titude and energy, corresponding with the power and re-
sources of the empire, for the security of her North
last.he civil list, which wasbrought
AmTeicasnoemet inoiof
under your consideration by my predecessor,
ownirllyNisd
douobmt-
less engage your attention, when I trust to y
to make such a provision as will enable her Majesty
to give effect to your wishes, by recommending to the
Imperial Parliament the requisite changes in the act of
reunion.

GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY—
The financial accounts of the province for the past
year will be immediately laid before you. The estimates
for the service of thecu
consideration.rrentyear will be likewise sub-
mitted to your early
providing for the
opordoesretcauhteioonwaintid
completion of the public improvements, i
The necessity of
the sanction of Parliament,
willform
subject for your
deliberation.
year has. not
oa
f its amount, and
astre to be ablettfolilnenfosrhmorytooufththaet
et hxelpterceatvffaeotniroudness nowfehtihpeelhepasu were entertame
thel re
Ipyu public c your willingness
as adu regardtom
people may require. atkoe
thesuciho
tprovision
f tfho
or
HONOURABLE
LEGISLATIVE GENTLEMEN
ASSEMBLY AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
Since your last meeting, the ancient city of Quebec
has been subjected to unexampled calamity in the suc-
cessive fires which laid waste its buildings. Measures
rendered indispensable by the exigency were adopted
by my predecessor, which will be sent down for your
approval.
The sympathy and benevolence of diffeient portions
of the British empire were roused into active exercise
by the knowledge of the severe inflictiod with which it
had pleased Divine Providence to permit the citizens of
Quebec to be visited ; and we have the strongest reasons
for appreciating the noble generosity which has been
exhibited, and which has proved how truly the inhabi-
tants of Canada are felt by the people of Great Britain
to be brethren and fellow-subjects of the same mighty
nation. It will be for your wisdom to consider what
further measures it may be proper to adopt for the resto-
ration of what has been thus destroyed.
The last intelligence from the mother country
indicates a most important change in the commercial
ptoolpicryesos 9futphenempire. I had previously taken occasion
her Majesty's Government a due consi-
deration of the effect that any contemplated alteration
might have on the interests of Canada. But until we
have a fuller exposition of the projected scheme, which
a few days will probably bring to us, it would e pre-
mature to anticipate-that the claims of this province to
a just measure of protection had been overlooked.
In these and the various other subjects affecting the
prosperity of Canada, which may occupy you, I offer my
hearty co-operation ; and I earnestly trust that, under
the direction of an all-wise Providence, we shall be en-
abled to pursue a course calculated to promote the best
interests, and to foster the rising growth of this rapidly
advancing colony.

UNITED STATES and MEXICO.
We have received the following,, dated February 25,
from Tampico :
"We had an express to-day bringing the intelligence
that the American troops had taken possession of the
Fronton de Santa Isabel, situated near to Matamoras—
so near that it is considered Matamoros is already taken
by the Americans, for what can the Americans do with
such customers ? The Fronton de Santa Isabel was taken
without a fight, and there were only some Mexican
Custom-house officers and pilots, who were made
prisoners."