The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-24 00:00:00

The Fenian Excitement in Canada.

MONTREAL, Friday, March 9.
The call for 10,000 men of the Canadian militia for active
duty, made late on Wednesday evening, was enthusiastic-
ally responded to, and early on Thursday morning news
was received from all parts of the country that their quotas
were ready for active service at a moment's notice.
There seems to be no doubt that three or four times the
number could be had at a day's notice.
The whole volunteer force of this city paraded last even-
ing. Strong guards wore posted at all the armouries, and
patrols kept moving through the city all night.
Every proparatioa is being made to•guard against any
Fenian surprise. •

TORONTO, C.V., March 9

Tho Globe of to-day has a report that the plot of the
Fenians is for a body of them to cross into Canada to take
part in the public procession of St. Patrick's Day, who will
disturb the peace and distract attention while armed Fenian
bands will make raids on the border. •

Volunteers in companies and squads are rallying from
all the back towns for the defence of the frontier.

Over 2,000 volunteers arrived here to-night, and were
billeted ou the citizens.

It is estimated that 30,000 troops are now armed and ready
to march if an invasion takes place.
A full supply of ammunition has been issued to the
troops, and the railway trains made up and ready to move
them at a moment's 'notice to any point of attack.
Many reports are current, and one pretty generally cir-
culated is that Parliament will be called to assemble imme-
diately, and that the writ of habeas Corpus will be sus-
pended and martial-law proclaimed before the 17th March.
The Government has taken possession of the Montreal
Telegraph line.

The Globe calls upon President Johnson to interfere. It

says :--

" The people of Canada are abundantly able to give the
ruffians a warm reception, but it is a poor repayment to
the Canadian Government for its action during the rebel-
lion in the Southern States to be now compelled to spend
money and blood in resisting outrages planned in the
States of the neighbouring Republic."
The city papers this morning contain two columns of
special despatches from all parts of Canada, giving news
of military preparations, from which it appears that every
town and city is turning out in full strength.
Troops were arriving all last night from the interior
towns, and were billeted on the citizens. Ten of them
were billeted upon the alleged Head Centre Murphy.
As fast as the troops arrive they are organised into bat-
talions. They are to be drilled five holirs per day.
To-day there was a turn out en masse of the citizens, to
make a demonstration of strength.
Volunteers get 25e. and rations per day.

The Orange IVatchman of to-day says that the Fenians of
this city will walk on St. Patrick's day, armed with pilceE
and revolvers, and it calls upon the mayor to prevent theii

walking.

It is believed that the influence of peace-loving Catholics
will restrain the more violent men, and that the processions
will be abandoned.

The Watchman also asserts that Bishop Lynch has de-
clared his intention of leaving Canada to avoid the danger
and responsibility of a battle which may occur on the Irish
national day.

OTTAWA, March 9.

Parliament has been called to meet on the 10th of April

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will immediately accede
to a confederation with the Canadian Provinces, and a com-
mon tariff will be enacted, to include Newfoundland, and
perhaps Prince Edward's Island.

Large reinforcements will be sent out from England
mediately on the opening of navigation of meet the threat•
ened Fenian inroads.

English gunboats have been ordered to the fishing
grounds, in view of the abrogation of the Reciprocity
Treaty.

The Government buildings, and all the banks in Ottawa,
have been placed under military guard at night. There has
been a most enthusiastic response throughout Canada to
the call for Volunteers, and 10,000 men are already march-
ing towards the frontier.

Arrangements have been entered into for reciprocal free
trade between Canada and the British West Indies, and a
direct mail line from Montreal thither is to be immediately
established.

TORONTO, March 9;8 p.m.
News from the frontier indicate no cause for the extra-
ordinary movement, but the military authorities and the
whole party approve the action of the Government in pre-
paring for an emergency. Many assert that this hubbub
is got up for political reasons, to unite the opposition fac-
tions to a sense of their danger, so that tho annexationists
may be silenced, and confederation carried next month in
Parliament.