The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-21
FROM OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT

dian ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of a decimal
currency into the British Provinces In
tOlerance-LegIslatIve PrOceedingS-The First Of
August.
ToRoSro, August 9, 1851.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
A very interesting discussion came up on Wed
nesday, relative TO an application Of William
Baker, citizen Of the United States, residing in
Ogdensburg, for remuneration for the loss he sus-
tanned by the destruction of the Sir Robert Peel,
during the Canadian rebellion, in which vessel
he was interested
The application was opposed on the ground
that the sum Of $4,000, which had been award
ed for such losses, was meant exclusively for resi-
dents in Upper Canada and that Mr.. Baker,
being an American citizen, should apply to his
own Government for remuneration, which, in fact,
under the law Of nations, was bound to make good
the entire loss the steamer having been destroyed
in American waters, add by American citizens
and others residing in the United States
The application was ultimately, and, | think,
unjustly, refused-indeed IL was 50 cOntended by
several members; but it appeared, during the dis
cussiOn which took place, that there were several
other claims of a similar character, which would
be preferred If this were successful which cir
cumstsnce probably influenced the decision Of the
House. Besides, it was not introduced with the
concurrence Of the Government; and by the
Union act, no proposition to vote money can be
entertained, without such approval =.
Mr.. Merritt, whom believe I formerly men.
toned as being native Of the United States, but
who has been for long time a resident in this
Province, and until recently 8 member of the
Gvernment, has, during the present session, been
endeayoring TO divert the trade Of the West from
New York, through the ST. Lawrence; and on
Tuesday, series Of resolutions which he intro.
duced came up for consideration, the object OF
which was an application to the Imperial Govern.
ment for similar encouragement TO an ocean line
Of steamers, and the deepening Of certain por.
tions Of the ST. Lawrence by the local authorities
80 that vessels Of thousand tons could proceed
from Lake Ontario to the ocean.
He was opposed by the Inspector General, OF
behalf Of the Government, who deemed 1t impoli
tic at the present mOmeat, wuen the mist Gov
eminent is dssiFoys Of dyancing Aeapital to com
plete ime6f &arrOuNs-. ,Sn 'IiSiiiaz 80 sa9sSss
to divert the public mind from that object II
was expressly stated during the debate, in answer
to an inquiry put to the Inspector General, that
the Provincial Government have no intention Of
throwing open the free navigation OF the St
Lawrence to American vessels, unless in return
for reciprocity with the United States
The cause Of humanity seems likely at length
to prevail here, with reference TO the deaf and
dumb and blind in this Province, who number in
the aggregate upwards Of two thousand persons
who are deprived of the means and blessings Of
education. -
On Saturday last q resolution of Mr.. w. Boul-
ton, that the House 90 into committee on the
subject of providing asylums for these unfortu-
nate classes Of our fellow-oreatures, to be sup
ported from the consolidated fund, or by assess
ment in Upper Canada, was received fsvOrably
by the Inspector General, who intimatsd that
some measures might be adopted by the Govern
ment during the present session, although he
deemed it preferable to wait till after the next
census is taken, In order to ascertain TO what ex-
tent the tax would weigh upon the community.
On Tuesday last the Governor General went
down to the Council Chamber, and gave his assent
to forty-four bills, which had been passed during
the present session. There Is the same state OBJ
served on such occasions As when his Excellency
opens and prorsgaes the Psriiamsnt guard Of
honor being stationed ID the oourt yard, by which
he Is saluted, and a number Of spectators, par
ticularly the fair sex, assembling in the Counci
Chamber to witness the ceremony.
Immediately on his arrival message was sen
to the House Of Assembly, requiring their attend
ance when all business Immediately ceases ant
the members, headed by their Speaker and tn
officers of the House, who were preceded by tn
sergeant-at-arms, bearing the mace, proceeded Il
the Council Chamber, and, standing below the bar
witnessed the approval of the bills alluded to
by the representative Of the Sovereign. The,
then returned to the House, and immediatel,
afterwards adjourned-the Governor Genera
returning to his residence In the same state Ii
which he came.
A good deal of dissatisfaction has been ex
pressed In the House Of Assembly, growing GU
which was passed during the last session, author
izing the issue Of q Provincial currency which
was considered by the Privy Council in England
as 1t undoubtedly was, an interference with thu
prerogative Of the Sovereign.
The report of Sir c. Treyelyan, the Secretary
of that body, was couched in language which has
been considered rather harsh and offensive, and
members Of the House expressed their disappro.
baton without reserve. One of them went so far
as to state that, had he been member Of the
Government, he would not have been party to
the proclamation announcing the Queens disap-
prevail Of the bill which, not having suspend
ing clause as is usual when the prerogative is
interfered with went into operation on the first oil
January last.
IL will thus be seen how jealousy the British
Government regard even the slightest approx.
nation 10 the invasion Of Its rights; and what
little probability there Is Of the nation surren-
dering this portion of its dominions.
The measure was slso objected TO, because il
was intended TO introduce q uniform currency In
ell the American colonies, which could not bs
effected without the concurrence Of the other
Provinces. This has, however, been since OBJ
tanned aud q series Of resolutions was passed
yesterday, upon which bill will be framed, sub
stsntially the came In its ensctments, and which
will have a suspending clause. The object Is to
have gold fve-dollar piece, and others Of frac-
tionsl parts Of gold and silver, which will pass
current in the United States and as the trade
| between the two countries has become very ex-
tensive snd which Is rapidly increasing, 70 estab
lish the decimal ratio Of value
A despatch was sent down to the House Of As
sembly few days since, and another to the lie.
gislative Council, from Earl Grey, the Colonial
Secretary OF State, notifying the Legislature
that there has been no opportunity for bringing
the subject Of the Clergy Reserves under the
consideration Of Parliament; and considering the
diversity Of opinion which exists on the subject,
nothing could be done with them during the re-
mainder Of the session -.
The Anti Clergy Reserve party, however, will
make capital of this, as the ultras pretend that