The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-24
CANADIAN PARLIAMENT.

Lord Sydeahain's Speech.-In an extra from the
Oswego Commercial Herald we have the proceedings
at the opening of the first united Parliament OF Cana
da, on Monday last
The members of the Council and Assembly were
sworn in noon after which the Assembly proceed
cd TO the election of Speaker Austin Cuyiier, Esq
member for Huntington, elected without oppo-
sition, the nomination Of Allan McNab being with
drawn, at his own request
Mr.. Cuyillier is a merchant of Montreal French
Canadian. He at one time Papineau reiormer
bu; seeded from that distinguished gentleman some
years ago. He is reckoned however, among the reform
ers rather anti unionsts and Is man OF decided
ability. While member of the Parliament of Lower
Canada he considered one OF its foremost men.
The speech of Lord Sy denham touches upon Sc
vera topics of interest, but much Of II relates 10
matters not ofgeneral importance, and as we are much
straitened for room, we mako only summary with
extracts.
The first subject alluded to is the Mcleod case as
to which, however, his Lordship only says that he has
the Queens commands to assure her faithful subjects
in Canada of her Majestys fixed determination TO
protect them with the whole weight of her power"
Next comes the post office. A commission has been
appointed TO inquire into and report upon the whole
post office system of British North America, with
view the establishment ola plan securing improve
ments within the colony equal To those already obtain.
ed in the communication with the mother country.
Bills will be prepared on many subjects OF great I'M,
portanee, prominent among which are well developed
and extensive public works, the Improvement OF the
the Atlantic, and the establishment Of internal
unication in the inland districts-for which the
home Government will call on the Imperial Para-
afford assistance. The relief proposed will be
a loan Of a million and half sterling, under the
guarantee Of the Imperial Treasury.
A scheme for the settlement and disposal q the
public lands will be submitted
The following passage we quote verbatim
II appears highly desirable that the principles O. To-
cal self government which already prevail to someex-
tent throughout that part Of the province which was
formerly Upper Canada, should receive a more ex-
tended application there, and that the people should
exercise greater degree of power over their own To-
cal affairs. have directed measure upon tins sub
ject to be submitted TO you, and solicit your earnest
jatienon the establishment of such form Of local
self-goveInment for those districts Of the provinces
which unprovded with it, may insure satislc-
ton TO the people, while it preserves involate the pre-
rogative ofhe Crown, and maintains the adminisra-
ton OF justice pure from party and popular excitement
The subject of mmigraton is next averted TO. The
public works intended to be undertaken will afford
large encouragement to immigrants, and farther the
sage from the port at which they laud to the place
where their labor is TO be made available To this
end vote of money will be proposed to the lmpenal
Parliament.
Due provision for the education of the people is
strongly recommended,
Lord Sydenham announces the determination OF
the home Government TO devote annually large sum
for the military defences of the province and emphal-
bayideclares the fixed determination Of the Queen %
maintain her North American possessions at all hat
The speech concludes with an earnest appeal to the
provincial Parliament to second the efforts of the
home Government.