The Sun.
London, England, 1835-12-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LON-DON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1855,

inquest of the country was paralyzed by the presence
of three Commissioners, with no legal authority ; it
would be saying that the House had not the right (not
conferred by the King, but by higher authority—the •
people), to compel public officers and individuals to
appear before it. The House of Assembly had much
more extensive powers than the Commission, and con-
, sequently was the most proper to institute inquiries into
the state of the province. The intentions in appoint-
ing the Commisslon were, however, no doubt good ;
but the House could not acknowledge such a
body without degrading itself. It had the best
right to examine the affairs of the province, re-
presenting, as it did, half a million of freemen.
The Commissioners, therefore, might go on with their
inquiries alone ; they might learn what they could, and
say what they liked—the House of Assembly would
have the same right too, if the result of their (the
Commissioners') decisions should be found to be un-
favourable to the country, the House of Assembly

would have their agents in the House of Commons,
to accuse them if they did wrong. He'did not suppose
that anything of the kind would happen, hoping, as
he did, that the result of the inquirieS of the Commis-
sioners would be the means of obtaining justice for
the country ; but as they were sent out here without
the authority of law, the House could not safely ac-
knowledge them. He considered that the Committee,
in drawing up the Address, had evinced great prudence
in not mentioning the Commission. There was no
part of his Excellency's speech which asked the
House to acknowledge the Commission. The House,
of course, wished their inquiries every success, and
would be willing to assist them, but it could not re-
cognize them officially, as that would be surrendering
its own rights. By recognizing the Commission, the
House would be involving itself in those dark courses
alluded to in the conclusion of his Excellency's speech."
It is not difficult to discover in this language the seeds
of a strong and uncompromising opposition to the
Government. The ferment is allayed for the present ;
but on the slightest provocation the evils inherent in
the system will again become visible. It is-plain to
every person that the House of Assembly does not
place any confidence in the Government of the Mother-
country, and that while it consents to allow the Exe-
cutive time to redeem its pledges, it takes care, in the
mean time, to be prepared against the hazards of their
non-fulfiment.
It will be observed that the address only touches
upon two measures not recommended in his Ex-
cellency the GOVERNOR'S speech —namely 'the
extension of the elective Franchise, and the re-
sponsibility of Ministers. Now both these measures
are of the first importance ; and both ought to be dealt
with in such a spirit as would meet with the sanc-
tion of the House of Assembly. The responsibility
of Colonial Governments is more important and ne-
cessary, than the responsibility of the Members of a
Cabinet, as far az regards acts done within the King-
dom
; and for this plain reason,—the Provincial Go-
vernments are under no check, and subject to no di-
rect and immediate control in the exercise of their
functions. In' London a Minister of the Crown is
subject to the influence of public opinion and the laws;
but in the Colonies a Governor-General and his depu-
ties in every department, are, in fact, liable to no
direct controul whatever ; and if disposed to abuse their
power, may commit, with the greatest impunity, acts
of outrage and oppression, calculated to alienate the
affections, and shake the allegiance of a whole people.
In a word, Reforms in the Canadas ought to be CM
a scale so extensive as to leave the peOple no cause for
preferring the Republican institutions of the United
States to the Constitutional Government of Great
Britain. Their proximity to the States—the induce-
ments he!d out to them by certain Members of Con
gress who are ready to recognize their country as States
of the Union—their intercourse with the inhabitants—
and the ridicule to which they are exposed for yielding
to a power whose yoke has been rejected by the rest
of their countrymen, are powerful arguments in favour
of free institutions ; an extensive right of suffrage ;
and a responsible executive.
Much will depend on the prudence of the present
GOVERNOR-IN-CH lEF ; and if we may be permitted
to form a judgment of the future from the occurrences
of the past, his Majesty's Ministers have much reason
to congratulate themselves on the appointment of Lord
GOSFORD to the discharge of so important a duty.
He has commenced his Canadian career in .a spirit of
peace, of conciliation, and of extensive concession.
He has disarmed his very enemies ; and though they
refuse to trust him to the extent which he desires, they
are prepared to allow him a fair trial before proceeding
to any extreme measures.

The French Journals of Monday, received this
morning, continue to discuss the question of a war be-
tween France and the United States of America.
The Journal des Debats has a long article on
the subject, in which the writer endeavours to
show that France has done all that she could
do, consistently with a regard for her own honour,
to avert a rupture with the Federal Govern-
ment, and that if a war ensue, America only will
be to blame. " Our Government has done all that it
ought to do," says the Journal des Debats, " and it is
now for America to take some step. The funds for
the indemnity are voted, and the Government is ready
to pay the whole. What France demands from Ame-
rica is not a disgraceful act of submission, but a satis-
factio❑ equally honourable for the two countries. If

reason prevails in the deliberations of the American
democracy, the debt contracted towards the honour of
France will be paid with the same good grace that
France offers to discharge her own obligations. If
America chooses to remain in her actual position be
tween peace and war, let her ; France will keep the
25,000,000 f. If it be easy for the President JACK-
SON to be insolent, it will also be easy for the French
Government to show that it has acted throughout with
moderation and good faith. * * The
Government recognized the claim of the United States
as legitimate, and has allowed the debt. But it also
thought the honour of France wounded by the expres-
sions of the head of the American Republic, and
it has demanded, in its turn, a satisfactory ex-
planation before payment. If it do not obtain
this, it will not pay. If war is made upon it, it will
be repulsed with all the energy of a good cause, and
with all the power of a great nation. In this conduct
there is nothing but dignity, moderation, and courage."
The merest tyro in reasoning would be able to refute
such sophistzy as this. The insult which France com-
plains was not voluntary on the part of America—it
was provoked by her bad faith with respect to the
payment of a just debt. The relations of debtor and
creditor in which the countries stood to each other
left the PRESIDENT no other course, under the pe-
culiar circumstances, than that which he adopted.
Besides, a pecuniary debt cannot cancel an insult in
the opinion of any honourable mind. As we have stated
again and again, France has but one means by which she
can enter upon a war with America with credit to herself;
and that is by preceding all hostilities and all apologetic
demands by a liquidation of the whole of the
debt. We are really surprised that the French Go-
vernment does not see the question in this point of
view. By its determination, or 'rather by the absurd
amendment proposed on the Indemnity Bill, French
, honour is estimated at so many francs, and insults

offered to the nation may be computed for in the same
way as murder, according to the laws of the Saxons.
Now, a Government that can coolly enter into a legal
pecuniary computation of its honour can neither expect
to be esteemed nor trusted
is by its allies. The course
in which France bound justice to herself to pursue
is easy enough. The Journal des Debats says the
money due to America is ready. Let France pay it
first, demand such apologies as consists with her dig-
nity afterwards, and in the event of a refusal on the
part of the Federal Union, then declare war. This is
the just—this the honourable course.
The Moniteur contains the following telegraphic
dispatch from Fabres, dated the 2d inst.
" Yesterday, at two o'clock in the morning, about 200 fu-
gitive Carlists passed before Rienmajor, proceeding towards
Navarre. They announced that they would be followed by a
great number of their friends, who, like themselves, are un-
willing to serve any longer, and are returning to their homes.
Strict vigilance is being exercised to protect the valley of
Aure."
PARIS, DEC. 7.—We have letters from Genoa of the 28th
ult. At that time the naval division which has just been
equipped in that port, had not sailed. It is commanded by
Admiral Serra. Its destination is still a mystery, but from
the movements of the partisans of Don Miguel and Don Car-
los in that country, there is reason to believe that Charles
Albert is going to attempt to second the efforts of the two
Pretenders. •
The King of Sardinia had been at Genoa ever since the
sth ult. He causes the troops which he has assembled there
to manceuvre there almost every day, as well as the squadron,
consisting of eight men-of-war. Extraordinary levies of sea-
men are made, and the Geonese merchantmen which are at
sea take care not to return, as they would lose their crews.
The Prussian squadron had not arrived, but was very shortly
expected off the island of Sardinia. The letters from which
we derive these particulars make no mention of an insurrec-
tion in that island.—Toulonnais.
A letter from Genoa, of November 29, says—" No doubt is
entirtained that the vessels laden with powder and arms are to
go to Catalonia under the escort of the corvette and steam-
boat which waited for them at Savona.
" Yesterday, two men of War, one of twenty-four, the
other of sixteen guns, were descried four or five leagues from
the coast. A cutter and a brig immediately went to recon-
noitre them.
" Within this month 1,500 seamen have arrived, but they
are not sufficient to complete the crews. The Frigates have
required great repairs : the Genoese Merchantmen are in
good condition ; but the Royal Marine has greatly declined.
" What most surprises us is the number of Spanish monks
who have come from Rome and Naples, and whom the King
causes to be very well treated. It is not known whether be
means to make use of them as precursors or preachers, but it
seems they are to emipark.
" There are several Spaniards here who were at Rome in
the service of Don Sebastian ; they are accompanied by an
ecclesiastic, a member of the Apostolic Chamber, who appears
to have a mission from his Holiness relative to the expedition.
" The French Carlists have removed to Genoa the meetings
which they used to hold at Nice and Villa Franca. Among
the news which they propagate every day, is that of the arrival
of the Russian squadron, and an auxiliary squadron from Hol-
and."—Messager, Dec. 7.
FRENCH FUNDS.—PARIS, DECEMBER 7.
Five per Cents., Mt 00c. 65c. 55c. 50c.
Four pm Ce Its., 93f. 755.
Three per Cents., 78f. 2, c. 30e. 25c.
Bank Actions, 2,110 f. 2,1051.
Rente de Naples, 95f. 95c 90e :96e.
Roman Five per Cents., 100% Y 614 100.
Roya! Spanish Loan, 35.
Rente Perpet. d'Espagne, Dive per Cents., 35.
Belgian Loan, five per Cents., 101.
Portuguese Loan, Fire per Cents , 8114.
Dutch Two and a Half per Cents., 56f.
flaytian Loan, 3701.
EXCHANGE ON LONDON.
One month, paper, 25e. 5 c.; money, 25r. 5254 c
Three months, paper, 251. 40c ; money, 25f 57%c
Authentivic.

BOURSE THREE O'CLOCK.—There is very little business
doing to-day ;it was expected that the taking off of the divi-
dend on the Three per Cents. would have encouraged specu-
lation, but this has not been the case, and the market is flat.
The Three per Cents. have however crept up to 78f. 45c., ex.
div. The Spanish securities are worse, and no business is
doing in them.
QUARTER TO FOUR.—Five per Cents., 107 f. 85c. ; Three
per Cents., 78f. 50c. ; Five per Cents. Spanish, —; Three
per Cents. Spanish, —; Cortes, —; Coupons, —; Guob-
hards, ; Differes, 17A. ; New Loan, ; Actives, 451 ;
Passives, 13,1 ; Ducats, 96 20; Romans, 100 i; Pedro!, 831 ;
Belgians, 101 ; Dutch, 56f. —c. ; Haytians, 370 f. ---c. ;
Miguels, 21 ; Brabant Bank, —; Belgian Bank, 11 ; Con-
nuation, —c. ; New Differes, 21i ; Five per Cent. Perpe-
FOREIGN FUNDS. Zills. Money.
Austrian Metalliques, 5 per cent.
Ditto ditto 4 per cent. 98% 98'.4
Ditto ditto 3 percent.
DAM Bank shares 1361 13 2
Russian 5 per cents. Metal.
Angio-Russian Loan 103% 1051,4
Paper Inscription, 6 per cent —
Russian Inscription, [lope and Co., 3d and 4th
Series
Ditto, Certificates
'Portuguese Regency Bonds, 5 per cent B3 8 iii
Ditto, 3 per cent. 51% 54
Dutch Iy2 per Cents.
l)itto 5 per Cents —
,
Poltsli Bonds, 3 per cents.
Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per cents 73% 73i,
Norwegian Loan of 1834, 4 pa* cents.
Spanish, in piastres, 3 per Cents —
Cortes Loan, 5 per Cent 4434 4.14
EXCHANGES ON LONDON.
HAMBURG, DEC. 4.-13 101,4 ; two months, 13 834.
STOCKHOLM, Nov. :-.1.1.—Tw0 months, 12 1.
CIIRTSTIANIA. Nov. 23.—Three months, 5 12.
Sr. PwrgEsstrantr, Nov. 21—Three months, 10 1.82 526.
Maws. DEC. I.—Three months, 6. 285%.
—llamburg Papers, D c. 4.

,uell es, —.

An adjourned Meeting of the Westminster electors
was held yesterday for the purpose of coming to
some decision on the subject of Sir FRANCIS
BURDETT'S late letter to the members of BROOKES'S,
when a resolution, proposed by Mr. TYRRELL, to
the effect that, '6 Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, by his
vacillating conduct for the last four years, and par-
ticularly by his late insidious attempts to break up the
present Administration, has disentitled himself to our
future support.; and that it is the determination of
this Meeting to adopt the most effectual and energetic

means to oppose his return for this city, in the event
of a general election," was carried by a considerable
majority. We do not see that the Westminster electors,
acting with a becoming regard to their own principles,
could have come to any other decision than this ; for
as Mr. TROUT well observed, " looking at all the cir-
cumstances of the case, he could not divest himself of
the conviction, that the letter in question was written
with the intention of breaking up the Ministerial ma-
jority in the House of Commons." It is a sad thing
to find a Statesman like= Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, to
whom the country, in the years that are gone, has
been so deeply indebted, thus in the autumn of his
life, sacrificing his high political character for the mere
purpose of standing well with the Tory Aristocracy.
However, as he has made his own political bed, so
must he be content to lie on it. Henceforth all con-
nection between himself and the Westminster electors
has ceased for ever.

ALARMINGTIRE AT THE RESIDENCE OF LADY
MONTFORD.—On Saturday evening a fire broke out in the
•littise of. Lady Montford, Saamare-place, Park-lane, which
caned much &Min. It appears that the house is under-
going some repairs, and that the workmen had been making
a large fire in one of the upper apartments, when soon after
their departure, a dense boirof, smoke was seen to issue
from that part of the house. In,a short time the adjoin-
ing house, occupied by Lady Blessington, was filled with
smoke, which caused the greatest alarm to her Ladyship.
A number of servants being collected, they rushed up stairs
with buckets of water, and with difficulty succeeded in
quenching the flames before they had time to gain the as-
cendancy. The flooring and skirting-boards were much
burnt, but fortunately no other damage was sustained. Lady
Montford, who was from home at the time, was immediately
sent for ou the breaking out of the fire.
Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn is expected to
return from his command on the West India, Halifax, and
Newfoundland station in the course of the ensuing month,
his time of service (three years) having expired on the 6th
inst. Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Halkett's nomination to
succeed Sir George by Earl de Grey, has been confirmed
by the present First Lord of the Admiralty.
Mr. Abercromby, only son of the Speaker, newly
appointed resident Minister at Florence, vice Sir George
Hamilton Seymour, will remain at the Court of Berlin
until the arrival of his successor, Sir George Hamilton,
from Brussells. Great regret, we understand, is expressed
in the fashionable circles of the Belgic capital at the ap-
proaching departure of Sir George, who had been acting as
Secretary of Legation and Charge d'Affaires since the ap-
pointment of Sir Robert Adair to the Embassy in 1831.
We understand that a- circular has been issued by
the Lords of the Treasury to the several charitable insti-
tutions in Ireland receiving Government grants, to ascertain
the solvency of the securities entered into by the officers of
the respective charities there, " with a view to the protec-
tion of the public against the defalcations which have here-
tofore been experienced."
THE FORKING EmPoßfum.---One hundred and
fifty-two thousand hogs were slaughtered last year at Cin-
cinnati, and the papers of that city say the number will
be much larger this year. The value of the pork exported
the past year was not less than two millions of dollars !
American Paper.