The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-28
WHOLE NO. DAB.

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the line aud upon which there is at present an
application before the Corporation Of this city
which has already taken stock to the extent Of
f25 600, to make up the remaining ESQ 900; all
the remainder Of the required capital has been
guaranteed by the Government, or for which stock
has been taken by the contractors
The necessity Of making Halifax the terminus
Of line connecting Canada with the Atlantic hiss
become 20 evident, that the Inhabitants Of Port
land are DESTROYS Of extending the line from
Montreal to that point which would intersect
the Quebec and Halifax line at the head Of the
Bay Of Fundy and if these routes were once COM
pleted would evidently divert the tide Of immigra-
ton and the travelling from the West to Europe
from New York
There is at present here deputatiOn from the
United States, for the purpose Of inviting the
Heads Of Departments, the Governor General,
and the public characters, to attend q Grand
Railway Jubilee, which is to come of at Boston
during the next month. They have been received
with every mark Of courtesy and attention, and
will probably succeed in their patriotic mission
This celebration Is 10 commemorate the compile
ton Of the Ogdensburg and other lines Of Rail-
way which the enterprising citizens Of Boston
have succeeded in opening and who are not in
attentive to what is taking place around them.
In the mean time the Portland people are equally
indefltigable. The road which they propose to
construct, is 474 miles in length; l49 Of which is
in the State Of Maine; the expense Of fity-three
Of which will be provided for by the Railroad
Committee Of the Wattsvlle and Boston line, leaV-
ing ninety.six miles TO be subscribed for the cost
of which is estimated at 50 100000. To complete
the line through New Brunswick, a distance Of
200 miles, the Legislature Of that Province has
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for the Royal approval And the remaining 1875
mnes' win form part o. ttA NAN trunk ii6sA5aA
Halifax TO Quebec
There has been good deal Of excitement here
Of late relative to q contemplated change in the
Government, Mr.. La FontAne the Attorney Gen
eral Of Lower Canada and Mr. Price, the Commits
sOner Of Crown Lands, being about to retire into
private life; the latter gentleman declared in the
House a few evenings since, that nothing could
induce him to continue performing It's arduous
duties which were rendered extremely painful by
having to investigate the numerous Of fraud,
which were continually brought under his notice,
growing out of claims for land scrip made by per
sons who fraudulently represented themselves as
being the representatives Of those for whom 1t was
intended
These were the descendants Of lOyalists who
came to this country after the American RevOlu-
tion or Of persons who were engaged in the war
with the United States in lSl2-l4 precisely the
same sort Of claims that are before Congress- and
which, in many instances, are similarly based on
fraud, urged, for the most part by unprinepled
spectators, and for which the parties who are
really interested have received from them no Ade-
quate compensation The situation Of both coun-
tries being similar In this respect-persons trav-
cling about in all directions, for the purpose Of
imposing upon the unwary, and then lobbying
about the legislative halls with view to complete
their success.
There are difficulties also, with the Hudson
Bay Company, who have extensive tracts Of land
leased 20 them in Lower Canada, which the Gov
eminent claim, and there isa bill at present be-
fore the Assembly, which will cause a split in the
! French party. This is entitled g. An Act 10 de-
hne certain rights OF Seigniors and ConstaIres
| 1easeholders) in Lower Canada, and to facilitate
| the exercise thereof" IL appears by the pream-
bic, that according to the laWs, usages and Gus
toms Of Lower Canada, the proprietOrs Of seigno-
ries are bound 10 eonoede lands for actual settle
ment but which In numerous instances, they
|
hands large tracts Of wilderness lands, for the
| purpose Of receiving enormous sums beyond the
rents and dues-thereby retardiDg the settle
ment Of the country-which Is prohibited by
| ordinance Of the king of France, issued In I'LL.
The object Of the present bill therefore, is to vest
| in the Superior Court Of Lower Canada the same
powers as we're originally placed in the hands Of
the Governor Of New France (as Canada was then
called as TO the concession Of lands which the
seigniors possess, but which they refuse to exer-
else
This is considered as radical movement by
Mr. La Fontaine and the rest Of the aristOcratoal
portion Of the French Of Lower Canads, and con-
sequenty has not the support Of the present Gov
eminent The popular party, however, rely upon
its being made governmental measure, and should
the members of the cabinet persist In refusal
there will be division In the camp The public
measures having, however, been almost all carried
any secession from the ranks Of their supporters
will be Of little consequence particularly as the
session is within a few days Of It's close
There Is Mt present an immense amount Of
travelling below NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. tourists
crowding the STEAMBOATS,, who proceed down the
st. Lawrence as far as the River DE Loup, and
crossing over to enjoy the magnificent scenery Of
the Saguenay, of which sent you description
in former letter
The deputation from Boston met large dinner
party yesterday at the Governor Generals and
are extending invitations in all directions.
Accounts have been received Of very riotous
proceedings on the line Of the Montreal and Port
land Railroad, and applications have been made
for an adequate police force TO suppress the law
less proceedings Of the laborers, who the ter
ror OF all within the scope Of their ability to do
mischief
The quantity Of timber which Is exported across
Lakes Erie and Ontario and consumed In the
United States, exceeds anything Of which had
formed q conception. Last night the Assembly
was occupied two or three hours In discussing a
bill, the object Of which Is TO levy toll on spars
and sew logs exported from Port BarWell, immedi-
atey opposite Erie.
II appears that the Americans cross over and
purchase these, which they tow across the lake.
and manufacture on their side thus destroying
the monopoly previously possessed by the mill
owners In this Province This trade however, Is
Of great Importance to the inhabitants whom IL
affects aud Il stated In debate that lands
which formerly were only worth two dollars per
acre, have thus been rendered worth seven The
rate OF toll was fixed at n very low figure, merely
sufficient TO remunerate the Harbor Company for
the use Of their works.
The second reading Of the bill authorizing the
construction Of the Quebec and Halifax Railroad
takes place to-day. IL will be pushed 70 its third
reading without loss Of time, and my next letter
will inform you of the propagation Of the ParliA-
ment and my departure from Toronto.
While AN writing, telegraph despatch has
been received from Kingston, stating that party
Of pleasure left that city this forenoon, consisting
Of seventeen ladies and two gentlemen. The boat
In which they we're, capsSed, and regret to add,
II the account Is not exaggerated fourteen Of the
former were unexpectedly launched into eternity
| hope, however, there Is some mistake but have
reason 10 fear that II will be found correct
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