The New York herald., 1850-06-23
Our Canadian Correspondence.

to the seneural tenure by which large tracts of land
held in Lower Canada under the original rants
from the of France. The question at issue
to be- whether the seigneures to be consi-
dered as landlords merely trustees, and whether
a maximum rent was originally hxed or con-
tcmplsted which should otensbly increase the
ue money decreased and that of tho land was rails
ed by the improvements which would follow its settle
ment.
1t appears that with the view of rapidly settling the
sountry, and inducing men of wealth and property to
emigrate the King France established two hundred
segneuries in Lower Canada, which were granted to
individuals of that description, upon condition of go-
ing out with their families to wilderness country
the exclusive haunt of the wild beast and the Indian
carrying with them rural population erecting mills
tayerns places of worshpn fact all the requirements
Of civilized community From 1913 about five years
after the city Of Quebec founded 1876 the
neurs were uniettered by any restrictions; but who
for the purpose OF inducing emgrants to settle their
estates and believe at the instance tho F-en ch
government demanded but small amount of rent
one or two sous per acre-requripg among other
dtons however that the grain which was TO be rails
ed should be taken to their mills to be ground and
han, .ha1 wnendvr any pf%pe,iy ehanged hands they
the occupants for while the lands were bestowed
on the seigneur, the aodial or absolute proper
ty remained in the Hing. The segneur could
not sell IL he could only grant, regrant 1t to
the tenant and il he refused to do this the party
might apply and receive title from the crown
In process Of time, have before intim ated-tho
property having increased in value and that of money
having decreasedthe nominal mt at present is ten
times what it orginay and If it il to be regrant-
ed the price which is to be paid is arrived by
tpying the annual rent by ten and Of the aggregate
tenth TO be paid to the landlord his proper
tsn OF the purchase money. 1t IL against ths prac-
tco and the change in the price of rent, that
cry has been raised and application made to the Legs
lature to alter the tenure by which land is held in
Lower Canada under the grants originally obtained
1t will at once be perceived that this ia very diff
cult question TO be dealt with, as it is direct inter-
ference with the right Of property. At present as
understand the question the French rural population
in Lower Canada the tenants of the seeneurs
holding under the terms above described-the tenant
paying aren't which, per annum varies from
twenty and the landlord segneur not possessing the
right TO ALLEVIATE sell his property petition on
the subject signed by $1,000 persons, out Of popula.
tion of six eight hundred thousand has been pre-
sented, and on Tuesday last, Mr.. Lsfontane one Of
the mbers of the government introduced three re-
solutions stating that the ten.re In Lower
Can sda Is matter Of public concern which the Pro-
ypc,a Legislature ould take into With
view to the conversion Of the ssii tenure
protecting and equably adjusting all the inte-
rests concerned. and securing fair indemnity, while
efscting such communication and proposing to refer
the subject TO select committee, to report from time
TO time. These resolutions discussed Friday
till the hour OF adjournment and will be taken us
again this evening, behave.
1t is a matter Of surprise how nearly the circum-
stances OF this province and ireland resemble each
other much of the want of proyefnent and degrade
ton Of the inhabitants OF both countries being reea-
BILE to the manner in which large tracts held by
landed proprieors and two sets of laws prevailing in
the same country-the native population of ireland
after the invasion OF Henry the Second continuing to
enjoy the Breton or ancient Irish laws and the orr
gDal invaders and citizens Of places to which charters
were given, being compelled to observe the English
laws and sdopt English habits Ii was a great misor
tune for this country that Canada separated into
two provinces In 11ql. which gave the French popula
ton of Lower Canada which twenty three years after
wards amounted to 255o00 out Of 900 souls such
complete control over the Assembly that the go-
vcrIment was ately rendered powerless aud the
energy and enterprise Of tho Angiosaxon portion of
the inhabitants completely paraly zed From this
dilemma however, the British government was exsri
afaA hv IhA nf and fha f,tta
ing year and the two provinces, under tho terms
Of Eastern and Western Canada, united in
lstl, just fifty years after their separation Here
fair opportunity, by proper display Of tact
and energy for rectifying former for CIV
ing to the colony all the advantages of English insu
tions and laws, and for merging the de Paris,
which prevails in Lower Canada In the liberal
operations Of British law But 1t unfortunately hap
peped. that almost simultaneously with the union Of
the two provinces what is called responsible govern
the advisers OF the Governor General. to possess
majority in the Assembly; and as the British party
var ois,a'a N rplon, ~ 20 sas hrae',esoay ana
tioD Dsl government into colony and those who main
In resut has been that the local cover to
remain in power, must the support Of the mem
bers Of the Legislature OF Lower Canada who, ~ith
reference to colonial cabinet, be compared with
the Irish members Of the House of Commons, and who
exercise probably n more mschicyous influence upon
the affairs Of the country.
The result OF this state Of things s seen every day in
the introduction Of local which Intended
to be the rule In portion Of the Province and not in
TIE other no matter how beneficial they promise TO
prove For instance on Thursday evening Mr. Boul-
ions bill, sboshng in prsonment for debt,
ferred to select committee and will probably become
law but with the express condition that its operation
shsll not extend TO Lower Canada wheIe at present
Law EXITS the same subject, differing from that In
force la Western Canada.
Not only s this the case, but the expenses Of the
government doubled by this anomaly Of separate
and distinct population To crafty vulgar prejudice
selfish there BE- two sets Of heads II
vailed, and the difference Of not consulted,
one would be amply sufficient. Besides which, mea
fures are introduced by the ministry, which
deemed PARTIAL and in their operation respects the
people pper Cana da upon them hurthens,
which Il is contend.d will be the effect Of the Assess
mept Bill introduced by the government, from which
those Of Lower Canada will be exempt.
Although nothing very important has transpired Ia
the Assembly since lnst wrOte-whieh letter, well
as Others, / ko rot know whether you received the
Herald which is much sought after being taken away
before have an opportunity OF referring TO t-but,
believe the Reirsnchment Committee is cutting out
some work for the House, and 1 am disposed - be-
leve will propose extreme reductions In the salaries
OF public ofheers from the Governor General do~n-
wards subject which will try the strength Of the
cabinet ore esectu,liy than any which has hitherto
presented itself and "a the present arament (for
everything here u grand scale and the Colonial
Legislature Is called fsrlismen) hiss but another
session to exist the they pursue will materially
affect IN, ir standing at the next election one thing
Is very evident-ths opposition will, " possible then
place them In a wrong position before the people.
In New Brunswick perceive that by the scale Of
prices introduced by . member Of the government
there proposed to pay the Lieut. Governor 81 SEQ
currency from the provincial chest his salary
1851 ard Furthermore to be provided by tn: Imperial
parlismcnt; the Chief Justice TO receive ZOO and
the other judges of the Supreme Court f6OO each.
/ In Canada the salary Of the Governor General 10
/ az OcO and the Retrenchment Committee, believe
will propose half that TO be paid by the Province
A. the Governor General is expected TO live in
pensive stye, aud he is the organ through which
the hospitality Of the Province is dispensed TO stran
/ ssrs and IL expected TO contribute hberslly TO
every benevolent purpose he thould doubtless have
corresponding salary. But with the heads Of depart
nents and their subordinstes IL Is different affair;
and g5OO $4,000 per annum is ms much any indi-
vdusl should receive however arduous his duties
IA nj "a of4
have every where been the of extrayassnt
habits and the cause " expensive living aud have
embarrassed the clerks and others OF limited income
In this province that bill oduced last session
20 compel the government to appropriate portion Of
their salaries TO the pay ment Of their debts
understand there number OF American vessels
on the upper lake. lying idle which would have beon
employed had the Reciprocity bill passed Congress n
| the Canadian government TO act wisely they
would throw open the trade th, selves. acting upon
the principle that England has done. aud leave
other nations TO follow their example out as they
! In thia