The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-11
FROM OUR TORONTO CORRESPONDENT.

Sei.noriaI tenure in Canada Legislative proceed
ing>-Note of sixteen millions for the HaiiiaN ana
Quebec railroad-CO mplated visit of the Cover
nor General TO Boston Fairly departure Of the Ad-
mirai Tor Jamaica from Halifax.
Toronto, September /, 1851.
To the Editor Of ths National Era:
The Legislature Of this Province was prorogued
on Saturday last, the session having been pro-
tracted to an unusual length-notwithsta
which quite number of bills had to lie over till
they meet at Quebec after the next general elec-
ton, which must take place at least once in four
years
Among these was that for defining the rights
Of seighiors and eensitaires The late period at
which it was introduced, and the determination of
its opponents to debate against time, as was the
in the Senate during the last session Of Con-
gres with reference to the Harbor and River bill,
rendering postponement unavoidable.
In fact, do not see how any other course could
have been pursued, in justice to the parties inter-
ested, as it became evident during the discussion
that bill enabling the seigniors to commute their
right, upon the payment Of a sum to be agreed
paDy the other; and which was introduced at the
eleventh hour. The neglect to settle the question
however, will cause the election in Lower Canada
to be attended with degree of angry excitement
which it would have been as we'll to have avoided.
1t is estimated that nine million acres Of land
are held seigHOre and that there are sixty thou
sand persons interested in the question.
do not believe the abolition Of the original
tenure would produce any alteration in the con-
dition Of the Franco Canadians, as they are pre-
cisely the same inert people in the other Prov
lnces, where they are not regarded by the laws as
distinct community, and where no such tenure
exists but the effect would be TO induce enter
prising individuals to settle among them, which
has hitherto been prevented, to any extent, by the
restrictions and mpositions of the seigniors.
The two most important bills that were passed
during the session related to the Quebec and
Halifax railroad. One Of them has for its object
TO authorize the borrowing Of sixteen millions Of
dollars, TO complete the Canadian portion Of the
line from the New Brunswick boundary to Mon
'rea, under the guaranty of the Imperial Gov
eminent, by which it is expected funds will be
raised in England at three and half per cent.
which will insure the completion Of the line at
about half what it would cost in the United States
And the other authorizes the Governor General
10 determine upon such road as he may deem ad.
nsaoie, IN conjunction with the Governments Of
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
We would suppose that measure of such mag
nltude, and which is fraught with beneficial con-
sequences, and the Importance Of which Il ia i'm.
possible to contemplate or apprehend, would. for
time, cause suspension Of party strife and that
sll hands would have united in carrying ont a
measure which promises to be one OF great public
utility
But the Tory party have opposed the measure
win vehemenee and determination worthy OF a
better cause who contend that the Government,
nave Sacrhced the interests of Upper Canada, by
"'s'eo'lng TO secure the extension Of the guaran-
zee OF the Imperial Government to a line from
montreal to Hamilton, at the head Of Lake An.
'on'o and This they contend, is the less pardon
""''' because New Brunswick is to have portion
VI tue loans, to be expended on the Portland and
''a''laA line, which passes through that Province,
,"' "n'ch Is to connect with the line from Port.
land to Montreal.
"e TACT 49, the British Government took an
snIsrged and statesmanlike view Of the subject.
," propose TO give Canada two lines Of commu.
IiI LINN with the Atlantic both terminating at
= mere Is something immeasurablv contemptible
tho" Pe'.y JEALOUSY aud IL IL surprising that
II VINO indulge in il do not see how despicable
por sie mem appear in the eyes Of those who do
soo,;n e" colonial subjects with the same micro
Brpi.t u ~ Janndiced eyes With the aid Of the
trac,sS government, Canada has already con-
lars 49,. public debt Of eighteen millions Of dol
Ias,, besides which the former expended sir mil.
IN s ~ ig'o'tnstruotiDg the Rideau canal
f,,,La'Ii'lon 10 this, IL has agreed TO guaranty
for,bs, 'oah OF sixteen millions and because a
line aum has not been obtained for an internal
Of 0u tne Canadians, composing population
tkerosiy Two millions Of souls ought 10 construct
ipyra,,,'s the profered assistance Is viewed with
Asss,s.'upe and IL was broadly asserted In the
eobs,,y y That the British Government meant 20
CansdaI military road Mt the expense Of
when !, .he less excuse for all this turmoil
occasion -, 0onsldered that there Is no immediate
s"nn ''on as there are lines az ztsamsrs r,,a;ns
No. u"ly from the head OF .aks On,.rs. 90
Year ne and Quebec during the se,son AZ ,hs
uhi.h nen there Is the mosi trs,ellinr .nd ~
"a bp'odaee would be forwarded In n,sssrsn,.s
unit, LIZ 'ad-a large portion OF vhish ha-svsr
vav 10 me TO Halifax Is completed will Ara i,s
:" view York aud Boston. ''' ''' w.
Stat =, pany has been formed. chiefly An an.
'ork to construct . line Of railsay