The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-21


The third session of our Parliament was brought
10 close on Saturday. Lord Elgin prorogued il in
person, with the pomPs and ceremonies OF vice-re-
gal etiquette, but to us the circumstance most re-
markable the large number OF the fair Sex of
Buffalo assembled in the Council Chamber to see
the show Upwards of one hundred bills received
the royal assent on the occasion.
On the last day Of the session, the Hon. Mr.. Rob-
inson Ia member OF the administrator gave
notice that he would move for leave to bring in
bill to impose di1erential duty imports from
the United States unless reciprocity bill is passed
by your legislature before that period doubt
if the proposition will be regarded with much favor
by the House; but there ID doubt that it will be
seized hold of by the protcctonist party in the
country, which believe is powerful. For my own
part, cannot see that there is any sense in the
proposition, and hope that 1t will not prevail.
The last day OF the session was also remarkable
for series of resolutions attacking the Constitu-
ton. These were moved by MIR. Peter Perry the
leader of the Clear Grit rather the In dependent
party, which may say is aIias the Annexationist
party, for Canadian independence and anne alton
are one and the leaders do not deny when pressed
closely. The resolutions are some hat long, and
as | cannot encToach 30 much upon your space
to dwell upon them at length | shall let 1t suffice
to say, that what they ask the House to effect, is
revolution OF our government, and the substitution
of another constitution, in substance similar to
youra. The manner OF doing this Is by calling a
legalized convention of the people. Attacks like
this have been the characteristic of the session
may add, respecting this Independent party,
that in the House. as ii is at present constituted,
they small but very troublesome minority
mere handful Of men, they have kept the House
in fever during the greater part of the session.
But it is just 10 add, regarding their numerical
| power, that the present constitution of the House
cannot be looked upon as any true tcst OF their
power, and believe that il will be impossible to
cay bat this is before the next elections. This,
however, is certain, (and the fact is significant
that in two elections that took place in Upper Can
ada last year, during the recess, they carried away
the palm where the ministerialists believed they
were certain Of success, and one Of the defeated
candidates was minister IN his own county
These men arc republicans, and believe that the
tendency of the public mind of the province is that
way. The secret of this will be found in the organ
izaton OF our society, possessing neither royalty
nor aristocracy.
There is another remarkable fact, which have
alluded to in former letters to you, but which it is
fitting again to notice in this brief review Of the
last session of Parliament. Ii that almost every
act Of importance that has been passed has been a
transcript Of a New York law. Our educational
system is taken from your model, as also our mu.
nicpal system, our assessment system, and our
new banking system. | might add others, but
these of most ostimportance. do not think that 1t
will be very long before we adopt your State hnan
cia System; il is already proposed. Nor in the ad
vocacy of various measures has the argument that
" il works well in the State Of New York." been
confined to the mouths OF the Independents, but II
not constantly, il has been often heard from the
mouths of the ministers. All these facts clearly
and palpably show that il is TO you, and not 10
England, thathey go for those laws suitable to US.
and every fresh imitation Is another strand TO the
annexation cable-is, in fact, 80 much annexation.
And IL is by this means that the union will be
brought about, when il docs come, but which will
not be just yet. Indications clearly show that IL
will not be by means Of conyusive and bloody
revolution, but through the high-road Of rcpubli-
can institutions and Canadian sovereign indepcnd-
encc.
There is nothing very remarkable in Lord FL
gins valedictory speech. lie refers TO the import
"A be md
the belief that large reciprocal trade may spring
up among the North American colonies. He es-
prcsscs the belief that the loyal addresses passed by
Parliament express the sentiments of the great
body Of the Canadian people; but you will apply 10
this assertion the arguments ! have advanced
above. He then refers the late visit 10 the Wei
land canal; makes very complimentary allusion &c
the people of Buffalo; and expresses his acknowl-
edgments Of their courtesy.
learn, good authority, that there is truth in
the report that Lord Harris is TO succeed Lord FL
gin in the government Of this province, and that
after tour Of the upper lakcs, Lord Elgin will re-
turn home. Yours, truly, LAMBDA.