The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-07
VRON OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT.

..t,.rsary Of Emancipation I'm the Wes' Indies
a,..,vatory at TorontO-POst Office Reguiauons-
T.ls superior OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES "o'
.n-DscimaI Currency in Canada-ind'ans In
W.. Canada-Riot ut TOrOnto-Miiitary called
out TORONTO, July "a, 1851.
r, ,6s Editor of the National Era:
The oolOred population in Toronto intend oele-
,.,,;Do the first Of August, the anniversary of
-. emancipation Of slaves in the West India ISL
"A. hv the British Government. There is to be
procession; Divine service will be celebrated,
IA IN the afternoon there will be dinner.
,,ort ont TO the observatory on Monday last,
,vh;ob is under charge Of Captain LEROY, OF the
Roval Artillery, who is assisted by sergeant, VINO
"a: been there during the last twelve years.
very intelligent msn-and two other non-com-
missioned officers OF the same corps
The instruments in use are merely for the pur-
nose of recording magnetic changes, and also those
oftbe atmosphere, and the force and direction Of
the wind. | do not feel competent to describe
these instruments, which appeared to be very
,Ouplete-particularly the self-registering mag
neither, which, by means Of prepared copper
mates similar to those used for dsguerreotypes,
and prepared paper, record, by means of ray OF
usht let in Upon either Of these any variation IN
tbs magnetic force This, the Sergeant informed
No Is not influenced or affected by storms, OF
lind or rain, or even thunder-storms; but the
aurora. when in waves or pulsations, has an hor-
iopal and sometimes vertical effect, far exceed
iur what is produced by streamers.
To measure the force and direction Of the wind
there are two circular pieces of white pasteboard
With lines from the centre to the circumference,
shout half an inch apart, placed on each side Of a
,ock at the oufst edge 81 which is sperpeudicu-
lar rod, connected with apparatus outside the
paISYIuiut, W r1rS III L,S - 10 ,,@As
,nd are ascertained and recorded. l shall not
enter into more minute description, as Captain
.efroy has kindly promised me statement Of
whatever may deem Of public interest.
| will merely remark, however, that the build
ug is but one story high, SO as not to be affected
BY high winds, and is built with great sOlidity Of
timber, without any iron being used in Its con-
struction, and the pedestals upon which the in
struments are placed are composed of separate
granite blocks
Under the post office law, which Is now in Ope-
ration throughout the North American provinces,
Canadian newspapers can be forwarded to sub
scribers in the United States free Of postage.
regret, therefore, to find that the Postmaster
General there has construed the law in SO rigid
a manner-and which conceive it's enactments do
not warrsnt-that he has issued directions that
the prepayment of the postage on periodicals,
which receives the reduction of one-haf, shall be
made at the Office of delivery in the United
States, which of course cannot be done with those
destined for Canada, as the arrangement entered
into last spring at Washington does not extend to
newspapers and periodicals
There is a practice prevailing here, relative to
money letters received and delivered at the
post office, which am surprised has not been in
reduced into the offices in the United States, as
It's source of great security, and affords an ex-
client check to men Of business Whenever a
.tter lie mailed, it is marked Smoney letter. and
immediately entered in book kept for that
purpose, and on its receipt at another post office,
similar entry is made, and the letter is num-
bered When the letter is delivered, the party
tor whom it is intended writes his name in the
book opposite the entry.
To show the beneficial effect Of such rule,
Fll mention circumstance that occurred here,
where party was supposed to have neglected to
II - L. IL
When year had elapsed, he was written TO upon
he subject, and Immediately replied, that he had
Orwarded the amount by mail some months be-
bre Upon reference TO the book at the post
way by the clerk of another bank, inadvertently,
md had been placed to his credit there.
mentioned, some time since that company
al been formed for the purpose Of opening Ca
al between the head Of Lake Huron and Lake
GperiOri bill to incorporate which passed to
IT'D reading in the House Of Assembly, when it
as Unexpectedly opposed by the Government,
no Will neither construct one themselves, nor
70" enterprising individuals to do 80, and IL was
|usequently thrown out
The proceedings Of the Government with refer
&c 70 the mining district in that locality is per-
guy lno0mprebensible. There Is abundance Of
Puress copper ore, and the Americans on this
nc Oi 'ne Lake are working mines they have
enea 70 good advantage, the Government grant
'racts OF land of forty acres, while the Pro-
Iisi government refuses to dispose of locations
BIT down. 'd"i'ns iooo w oe
a resolution has been introduced into the I.e-
council, the object Of which was TO induce
uOsernment to open canal from the mouth
vac Niagara river to Port Colbourne, on Lake
az nearly opposite Buffalo, 1t being apprehepd-
uN tne American Government will construct
Vn the opposite side Of the Falls, which would
O above seven miles In length bat 1t shared
ame fate 1t being oontended that the Wei.
ad canal will meet the requirements of com.
rec for years to come.
Dill passed the House of Assembly yester.
Nreorganizing the pententiary, which. like the
uanc asylum, has been improperly managed
u,hg the discussion on this bill il appeared that
Se year ending early in 1850 there had been
!. eases OF corporal punishment; but which.
~ "s present warden, has for the same length
nains Oeen reduced to thirteen. IL seems that
90 wen as males, have been subjected 10
m p po OF punishment Mr.. Smith, Of Dur
Ma 'dIsceeded, however, in having females ex-
ITO rom such treatment bot an effort that
spocaast 20 extend the exemption to males was
M iui 1t being commended that discipline
5, I I, DC maintained, II Jogging were abolish
rtss OIL provides that, in addition to the
In VINO receives 1000 per snnum, there
- ,. TWO Inspectors, at salary Of 81 600 each,
nucb lhg expenses, which win amount to
M -, ,h more, as they will have the supervision
the jails in the province.
sr,0s mas been given Of bill to adopt deci-
currency, in which the unit Of account shah
a' aoilar or five shillings, Halifax currency,
''ued decimaily into smaller denomina-
COINS for that purpose, such as Her Majesty
urect, to he struck at the expense Of the
uce the intrinsic value Of such coins. when
70 be Of proportionate value to the British
e.gn at the rate of GAS 4d, Halifax curreucy.
~ p'"uon has been referred to select COM