The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-10 00:00:00

The past week has decidedly proved the most inte-
resting of the entire session. The gladiators in our
pAitical arena would seem to have reserved their
best and greatest efforts for the last days of the con-
test ; and, notwithstanding the extreme heat of the
weather, the debilitating effects of labour at night
in anything but a health-inspiring atmosphere, and
the exhausting consequences of a long-protracted
struggle, it is quite certain that our representatives
last week gave ample evidence that their physical
and mental powers were still equal to almost any
amount of labour, and in no wise inferior to what
they were at the beginnig of the session. No doubt,
however, the flash which precedes the expiry of the
flame has begun to appear, and we may now with confi-
dence predict the speedy termination of the Canadian
" long" Parliament. Many very important matters
have engaged the attention of the Legislature during
the few past days. We have bad debates of the
double majority system, the repeal of the union be-
tween Upper and Lower Canada, on the tariff, the
Bill for opening up the North-west Route by means
of private enterprise, the Grand Trunk Bill, the
Surrogate Court Bill, the Bill to Punish Fraud, in
which the English commercial world would seem
to be particularly interested, and on the Bill to
Amend and Consolidate the Jury Laws of
Upper Canada. All the above measures,
which may certainly be regarded as amongst the
most important of the session, have now been well
debated, and some of them finally settled, to the
advantage, let us hope, of the province. During the
present week, it is thought, the greatest question of
the day will be formally brought forward—namely,
the resolutions of Government in regard to the
Hudson's Bay Territory, when probably a debate
surpassing in interest all that has yet taken place
wilt ensue, and such an expression of feeling be
given as will serve to show how resolute our Parlia-
ment and people are in seeking the annihilation of
the Hudson's Bay monopoly.
The Fraser River gold discoveries or revelations
have already given rise to an inquiry of the Govern-
ment. Col. Prince, in the Upper House, inquired of
the Ministry whether the statements which have be-
come matters of public notoriety have attracted the
attention of the Government, and if so, whether the
Government has resolved to adopt any measures,
either by way of communication and representation
to the Imperial Government or otherwise, with rela-
tion to the entry and intrusion upon British and
Canadian possessions, on the Fraser River and other
parts of British North America Ni ithin the region
of the Hudson's Bay Territory, so-called, by hordes
of foreigners from distant lands, under the pretence
of mining and other purposes ; and, if they have
been so attracted, what they mean to do in the
matter, with reference to England or Canada, or
either of them. The President of the Council
stated that communications had been- received
from the home Government on the subject ;
that they might have been sent down to the
house but for passages they contained relating
to the people on the other side of the water, which it
would not be desirable just now to make public.
Before we became aware of the discovery of the gold
fields at Fraser's River, they were known to the
Imperial Government,* who had taken action in the
matter. The Colonial Secretary had introduced a
bill in the House of Commons for the purpose of
organising the territory west of the Rocky Moun-
tains into a British colony, and an efficient staff of
British engineers had been sent out for the purpose
of defining the boundary line between the British
dominions and the United States territory. Aw ar
steamer with an adequate force was also to be des-
patched to enforce order and prevent incursions into
theeo
could
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rdno-
ment. That Government were fully alive to the
importance of the gold dicovories, and would tal.e all
proper means of protecting both the imperial and
colonial interests.
It is as well to state that the announcement of the
formation of a new colony on the Pacific side of
this continent does not please all parties in this
country. There are a great many people here who
are so unreasonable as to believe that Canada has a
just claim to the whole of the country from the head
of Lake Superior to the shores of the Pacific. Indeed,
many of the addresses of claimants for seats in both
Houses of the Legislature declared as much ; and
although probably the larger proportion of our
thinking people will view with great satisfaction the
action of the Imperial Government, and draw good
omens for the future from their promptitude in
the matter, there will yet remain a consider-
able number amongst us whose dreams of the
future grandeur of Canada will be disturbed by the
fact of her territorial claims not being allowed to
extend beyond the Rocky Mountains. A New York
paper, always well informed, some days ago gave a
copy of the bill organising the colony of New Cale-
donia, and Sir Alan M'Nab was mentioned as having
been selected by her Majesty's Government for the
post of Lieutenant-Governor. To-day, by the arrival
of the steam-ship Indian, the rumour of Sir Alan's
appointment is repeated, and no doubt there is good
foundation for it. That the gallant baronet, who has
so lately returned to us wonderfully improved in
health and spirits, would make a most efficient gover-
nor for the new colony, nobody will be bold enough
to question, and the Imperial Government in
making such an admirable selection has paid a
compliment to Canada. Sir Alan M'Nab is still in
the prime of life; his recent trip to Europe has