The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-04 00:00:00

MEETING AT THIT, LONDON TAVERN.
(THIS DAY.)
A numerous meeting was held this day of the mer-
chants and bankers of the city of Lordon, at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, to originate subscriptions
for the relief of the suit nrs in Quetee from the late cala-
mitous fire. The Lord Mayor took the chair at two
litlock. On the platform w iinoticed Mr. Fox Maule,
Gl' Pattison, Mr. Baring, Sir J. Pirie, Mr. R. C.
pf. and Mr. G. R. Robinson.
oen MAYOR said that he had been requested to
convenesi ttmetting this day, for the purpose of con-
sidering tle. propriety of relieving the sufferers from
beings
clestrueten at Quebec, whereby 12,000 human
11
rest Cgr
ol soy
thhaindg,beae3na driven from their homes without food
nearly a million of property was
de tea ded, and sevceal lives lost. He hoped that the
rosityn
ofa otfhothmeseeetsterers would be met by the gene-
Mr A fi
• -....aILLESPIE —(Hear, hear.)
keyed the first resolution. He said
that there was very 'tele necesssity for his alluding
to the fatality of this aveld occurrence, as it had been
already before the public thrs•i h the prints and other
sources. There had been a ditneelty in ascertaining the
number of lives lost, but upwaros of forty bodies had
already been found, and there was tittle doubt that a
great many others had perished. Tie then read
extracts from a letter from the corresponding
Committee, vehich has already been publizhed, and
which set forth the deplorable losses occasioned by this
fire. Those who suffered were nearly all French
Canadians with some Irish amongst them. He thought
there could not be a more powerful appeal to their
generosity than this calamity. The inhabitants of
Quebec came forward most nobly, and, in a very short
Space of time, collected subscriptions of upwards of 7,004.
to dlleviate the existing distress. '1 he Governor. General
immediately sent the sum of 2,0001. for the relief of the
suft rers. Messrs. James Gibb and Joseph Masson sub.
seriled the sum of 1,100/. They were both French
Canadians. The houses of all the neighbours were open
to those who escaped from the ruins. Mr. Gillespie
then read the resolution, expressive of the regret felt by
-
the on hearing that nearly one third of the
Inhabitants were by this calamity deprived in a few bout s
Of shelter and the means of subsistence.
Mr. THOMAS BARING seconded the resolution, and it
`A as unanimously carried.
. The Right Hun. Fox MAULE moved the second reso-
lution. He was sure ti at on this occasion the app, a'
InEde to the generosity of the citizens and merchants
of London would not be made in vain. If ever
there was a time when the streams of benevolence
sh( uld flow unimpeded, it was on the present occasion, aid
if there was anyth:n4 in this calamity for which they
ought to thank God, it was, that it had not visited them
in the midst of winter. Winter would come on in four
months, but that was a short time to house 12,0000
human beings. They were called upon at once to vindi-
cate the majesty of the land in that country, and let them
now stretch forth the hand of benevolence the more readily.
Subscriptions were proposed by Messrs. James Paul-
son, R. Gillespie, G. R. Glynn, S. Gurney, jun., and
several other gentlemen, who appropriately and briefly
addressed the meeting.
The SECRETARY then went through the list of sub-
scriptions already received, containing the names of
Lord Stanley, the Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. H. La-
bouchere ; Messrs. Glynn, Halifax, and Co. ; Baring
and Brothers ; Gillespie, Moffatt, arid Cu. ; and all the
principal bankers of London.
Several of the subscriptions amounted to 2001. and
100/. each.
A vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor for having pre-
aided over the meeting having been proposed to l re-
sponded to, the m eting separated.

CANADA.

TUE ONTARIO AND lIURON JUNCTION RAIL-

WAY COMPANY.
This Company, formed for constructing a line of rail-
road from Toronto on Lake Ontario, to Goderich, on
Lake Huron, has lately obtained an accession to its
strength the co-operation of the wealthy and influen-
tial persons firming the Directory of the Canada Com-
pany, which will place the stock in this undertaking on a
basis of security nut surpassed by any of a similar nature
in England.
'1 he national importance of this work, and the fair
promise of an ample return which it presents, entitle
it to the attention of who ju-tly feel that in the
Ptosperity of our colonies the chief wealth and security
of
,the empire is to be found.
rho province through which th's communication is
ab to be made has for some years looked with an
anxious eye for the completion of the work wh ch will,
In a very impi,rtant manner, devirdop its resources, and
Place it in a pi isiti,m of successful competition Is i-h, in-
stead of depeneence upon, the United States. We an-
ticipate, in the empl ,yment of British capital in ct lonial
Works of this nature the commencement of a new era,
when the people of Canada will be more united to Eng-
land by ties of interest and affection, and, therefore,
learn with satisf fiction, that British capitalists have been
Succsfully appealed to, and th
that e subject has been
taken up in a national spirit, and with a view to British
and Colonial interests.
A glance at the map of Canada will show the va;t
Value
and importance of connecting Lakes Ontario and
auron at the termini proposed ; they present the only
true and natural points of communication between Lake
Ontario and the extensive territories west of Lake
uron.

The line possesses all the advantages which, in a
Young colony, should I e regarded as essential in the
Choice of a route of railroad c ,mmunication.
lit. It is the shortest and most direct route between
Lake Ontario and the Western States, and will, conse-
quently, be constructed at the least outlay of capital,
and will form the cheapest and most expeditious route
for the current of the vast tide of emigration annually
proceeding westward, and for the transit of all the pro-
duce of the west to the eastern markets.
2nd. It will form the only available trunk line, from
which future extensions to important places nray be con-
structed by the shortest new lines of road, which exten-
bions will also consequently be made at the least outlay of
capital. _ . .

3d. It is the only line which can effectually open
to emigration and settlement that extensive portion
of fertile country lying between Lakes Ontario, Erie,
and Huron ; and
4th. It is a line which, by continuation at a future
period through Canada, will secure to the greatest
Possible extent the continuous transit of goods and pas-
sengers entering upon the road at either extremity
throughout the extent to the other extremity of the
colony.
Such a continuation, it may confidently be anticipated,
Will be made at no very distant day, whereby a direct
communication through Canada between Lake Huron and
the Atlantic will be opened.
In a pecuniary point of view it is important to observe,
that of late years the rapid strides made by the citizens
of Oswego and Rochester, on the southern shore of Lake
Ontario, have attracted, in a great measure, the western
trade passing through the State of New York, from the
Erie canal and Buffalo, to the route by Lake Ontario.
On the completion of the proposed line, goods pro-
ceeding eastward and westward will reach the markets
on the Atlantic and Lake Huron in less than half the
time at present occupied, and at less than half the cost
incurred upon the present circuitous route by Lake
Erie. We have the assurance of parties well acquainted
with Canada, dat a field for the profitable investment of
British capital can be found in it inferior to none in the
world, and infinitely superior in point of profit and se-
curity to those investments in which our capitalists are
ever so ready to embark in foreign countries; but parties
in cases of this kind must judge for themselves.

ABINGDON ELECTION.—GeneraI Caulfield, on Wed-
nesday, published an address t ) the electors, announcing his in.
tention of proceeding to the poll on Tuesday. The Attorney.
Calleral has followed the exanyle, and states that he has perfect
confidence in the result.
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxem-
burgh is about to make a great alteration In the rate of postage.
A. Bill has been presented to the States for reducing the postagE of
'lngle letters throughout the Grad Duchy to the universal charge
n/b9lls three4l6lfOlict!