The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-09
[coaRrssosDrscr OF THE AlsIos.I


Lower Canada has always been famous for the
zest with which its Inhabitants, both French and
English, enjoy the Christmas holidays The groans
Of tbs ex-B Britons of Montreal have not this year
quite marred the usual festivities, and consequently
public and political matters not much thought
of or talked about. Ii is true that by way of keep
ing their hands in, the city newspapers and quid-
nuncs indulge In an occasional attack po-
litical opponent or in the invention of some re-
port about the immediate departure OF Lord Elgin,
the retirement dismissal of the ministry, or the
great strides with which annexation is marching
into the bowels OF the land. portion of the Mon
treal and Toronto press is even busily employed in
writing down the newly appointed solicitor gen.
eral, west, Mr.. Sandfeld Macdonald, by attacks on
his private character. have carefully examined
the charges against this gentleman andsthe cir
cumstances on which they are founded, and can
with truth say that they are futile in the extreme.
All this is doing mischief in crisis like the pres
ent, and is the result mainly Of individual rancor
and selhshness. ! can state with certainty that,
however much the great body of the Upper Canada
conservatives may dislike the men constituting the
present government Of the province still they will,
If necessary, support them, or whoever may be in
Office, if annexation assume dangerous posture.
This you may depend upon, as have il from a
sure source. Such being the case, these attempts
70 damage the existing ministry only tend TO
weaken cause which they (the annexationists)
may themselves have to defend before long. The
present policy of all loyal conservatives TO be neu
trail in all public matters, excepting such as tend
TO the dismemberment of the empire, or rather the
base transfer of free born British subjects for
eign power, as II mems souls and bodies only
goods and chattes TO be sold TO the highest bidder.
An Upper Canada Tory, writing to friend here,
says II not only Baldwin, but Satan himself were
at the head OF the government, we would support
him rather than that the annexationists should
succeed" repeat these words, not, of course that
admire such very energetic mode of expression,
but 10 give you notion of the spirit that actuates
the party TO which the writer of the letter belongs
To-day, rumor is positive in asserting that Lord
Elgin goes home at once, and also asserts, though
less positively, that his successor is TO be Sir H.
Bulwer, the present minister 20 the United States
have tried TO trace this report, and find il is based
on the two following facts first that letter ar
rived by the last packet from England, bearing
the seal of the Colonial Office and addressed TO the
administrator" of the government of Canada, and
not 10 the governor general, as usual secondly,
that Lord Elgin's French cook, who is said to be
great arfiste, has applied 10 Mr.. Tetu, Of Tetu's
hotel in this city, for an engagement, the gov
crnor general would no longer require his services,
he-thc governor, not the cook-being about to de-
part for England. Mind l do not vouch for the
truth OF the last circumstance, though the first is
beyond doubt.
Il was commonly believed here last week that we
were TO have dissolution of Parliament and gen.
cral election in a short time. No one knew what
could be the object of the government in taking
such step; but that was reason why il should
not be contemplated The Toronto Globe and the
Piiof have, however, denied, on authority that
there was any intention of appeal to the country
at the present moment
The new judicaturc acts for Lower Canada came
into force ON the oath instant, think informed
you in my former letter; but up to this period the
Gd1effe, with the appointment OF the judges under
II, has not appeared. This very dsgracefu neglect
on the part Of the government has been attended
with much inconvenience, and has caused much
just anger and disgust here and elsewhere
was wrong in saying that the ministers present
at the dinner given to Mr.. Price had not ''spokcn
out" long report of the speeches made on the
occasion has since appeared, and has created no lit
hat he ,lo oh.
ject of the meeting was to give Mcssrs Price Bald
win, and Hincks an opportunity Of pitching into"
a newspaper published at Toronto--the EramineT--.
and they did II with will Only think Of cabinet
ministers entering into a scolding match with re.
bellious newspaper Mr.. Malcolm Cameron also
received few gentle wipes from the rough side Of
Mr.. Hinck's tongue, well from the more oily
organ Of Mr. Price.
The weather which has been cold, is again mild
and we have enough of snow, and to spare, in this
neighborhood. PIP