The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-24
Important from Canada.
Our Canadian Correspondence.


The members of the British American League
met last night at the old Exchange Room, in this
city, for the purpose of framing laws for its govern
ment, and the issuing of an address TO the people
of Canada. About 10 members only were present,
and the discussion was exceedingly warm and vlo-
lent on the part Of the dissentients. hasten to
send you the proceedings OF 1t, IN advance of the
city press. The meeting lasted about five hours.
The Hon. George Mofiatt, having been called to
the chair, it moved that three gentlemen be
appointed, to submit draft of an address to the
people of Canada. The committee appointed were,
Messrs. +. G.. Johnson, w. g. Mack, and Il.
Wilson. During their absence, the League pro-
ceeded to elect their Office bearers and the follow
ing returns were made:-Presdent, Hon. George
NOtfat; Vice Presidents +. G.. Johnson Harrison
Stephens, Thomas Wilson, d. Gorrie Correspond
ing Secretary, w. CT. Mack. Recording Secreta-
ry, j. ii. Isaacson. Treasurer, f. Montymor
Executive Committee, ]. G. Innis, j. Orr, A: Mac
tarlan, }. 5. Mackenzie, j. Jones, 5. Godaile, j.
Mathewson, w. Speirs, John Smith. The COM
mttee having returned with the draft of the ad-
dress they had prepared, Mr. Johnson delivered the
following document
TO THE INHABITANTS OF CANADA.
FELLOW CoUSrRyMEN-It has been deemed by those
who now address you, that the present is ttig time
to ascertain public opinion upon many important SUBJ
jeets, intimately connected with the social ercial
and political welfare of the this province
These subjects neither of transient interest nor
of mere local Importance They relate to the existence
of the colony ITSELF they the character the
nation to which belong; and they viewed and
y
the happiness and the fate of their posterity.
That commercial distress and general depression in
every department Of industry exist throughout the
province to extent unparalleled in the previous
1stence OF the colony is admitted by all of I'M
passed judgment ana adequate opportunities OF obser
vation by commercial Of the greatest experience
and political economists Of every shade of opinion
who, while they all bear concurrent testimony to the
truth OF this statement fact of which all alike
must feel the mournfu weight differ nevertheless to
some extent, from each other to the immediate
causes from which this result has flowed and the pro-
epective measures most likely to afford relief.
1t neither necessary nor proper for at this tme
to pronounce opinion upon causes with respect to
which many intelligent and experienced minds are in
conflict with each other, upon remedies requiring
general concurrence and authority than of neces
sity belong to the limited sphere Of duty allotted to
The discussion of these subjects will properly be-
long to the people of Canada The duty of the associ
alton which now addresses you is of preliminary
ture merely 1t is for to point out the exgency Of
the time; for you to consider the from which
that exigency has arisen and to suggest the remedies
best calculated to obtain relief. To anticipate public
opinion matters of such deep and general interest
would be presumptuous and unwarrantabe to invite it,
we hold to be no less our duty than right Many
thoughtful and honest minds have been lattery applied
to the of the state of this province They
the minds Of men interested in its welfare to the
extent Of all they possess in the world hope
nit to their children; of men belonging to the most
widely distributed race on the face of the globe and
speaking the prevailing language of this continent and
OF the empre who desire the prosperity of Canada and
with it, the prosperity of the nation of which forms
part; children of monarchy too magnanimous to pro-
scribe-too great to be unjust; inhabitants Of pro-
vince coded to England at the termination (s isng and
laton with the other dependencies Of the Crown and
determined to be unchecked by the jealousy OF
though entitled to perfect equality with the of the
empire Is deserving of no predomnance as distinct
source of political power.
At a meeting OF gentlemen, impressed with the i'm
porance of ascertainng public opinion upon the gene
raj interests of the province at this momentous crisis
in its history IL has been considered necessary only
invite attention to the general of the pre-
sent movements to assume no right of suggesting
medal to arrouate no power of binding YOU
tn lyea he disCn
sion Of causes and the adoption of means Of relief to
show merely the necessity of present action and
mend what appears to to the best of pro-
noting regular inquiry, and obtaining ultimate
dress.
weighing upon our community evils of a social and po
tiea character exist among us to an extent unknown
in any other portion of the British dominions.
Without descending to enumerate subjects which are
confined to the narrow arena of party strife 1t Is suf
fcienty evident that political system requires
modification and improvement.
The diversity of national origin in itself potent
mpcdiment to progress-its bearing influence upon
the general interests of the colony by the exped
cnt Of junction. apart from principle-the system of
representatonth tenure of lands in the Lower Pro-
vnce-the composition of the Legislative Council and
many other topics of far too great Importance to be
preached without caution touched without dspas-
sionate inquiry by the people at argca point to the
ion upon such matters And if these and other weigh
ty topics partakng they do, less of ocal
mind, and awaken the public voice of Canada, there
still remains one subject which is not limited in its in
TO local boundaries the Province which
affects the honor Of the British and the charac
ter Of the British nation and which, at this very hour
bows down the heads Of the responding, and cheers
the hearts of the dsaec ted, by the possibility
OF impending punishment for the duty of allegiance.
IT is evident from the known character Of race
that patient submission any ascendancy founded on
feelings of nationality alone and actuaed by any
generous progressive principle has been, and
never will be- for any length Of time, endured by Bril-
tons 1t Is equally apparent that whatever may be the
energy determination of the Ango-Saxon inha-
biting this colony, it has hitherto been diluted and
weakened by the absence Of all systematic combination
and by the wastefu expenditure in unayaling indvi
dual efforts Of time and talents which if
and applied in proper manner, would be fitted to at
tain the noblest ends.
The means, therefore, which we would respectfully
suggest OF subecting the grievances Of the people
regular discussion and ultimate redress simple
tural and obvious. They are the means by which, in
other countries all that is great, enduring and admi
rable has been obtained before which, evils the most
dceprooted and abuses the most have in vari
ably yielded and without whose agency 1t is perhaps
not tso much that public object Of dignity
or Importance can in the present day, be reached.
These means, so vast in attainment, powerful in
agency and yet simple in contrvance are express
sblc in a single word and that word is-Organiza-
ton.
Under the strongest conviction Of the necessity Of
such STEP Association has been formed in this city
of provisional and preliminary character, under the
name Of the
BRITISH AMERICAN LEAGUE.
Under the view which has been taken of it's duties BY
those already enrolled members Of this Association
exhort the inhabitants of this Province In its de
rent localities to the formation Of societies for the
pose promoting Of the great questions now
agitating the Province.
We recommend the election Of delegates by each
eety, to attend convention, at tueh time and place
as shall be- by majority of such societies, determin-
ed on I'D
That societies numbering 100 members and upwards
shall be entitled to elect delegate 800 and upwards
two delegates 600 and upwards three delegates and
900 and upwards, four delegates.
That at such convention a General Association shall
be formed and called by such may then be de-
tcrmined upon.
That such General Association shall consist of the
societies then formed and those which may be formed
thereafter.
That the societies, so united shall be divided into
central and assistant societies, in correspondence
with u at the various places where they may be
formed.
That 1t shall be the duty Of such convention, by
majority OF Its members, to decide upon and publish
declaration of their opinions upon the commercial and
political questions Of the day and it shall be the duty
Of such societies. both central and assistant to aid in
carrying out the views Of the convention by all prac
cal and lawful means.
Upon this general basis allowing, Of course for modi
cation Of detail II is holed that something like unity