The southern press., 1851-04-05
CANADA.
Toronto-7he Canal Question: .4nnsuGtion-Fs Fsde-
raj Union.

Toronto-The Canal Question uation- Fsde-
raj Union.
Correspondence Of the Tribune.
ToRoNTo, Saturday, March %. u
To-day, for the first time, has the rumor that
our government has under consideration the ex-
pediency OF closing the Welland canal against
American vessels, received demi-offical i'm
press. There is no doubt about the fact that the
question has been and still is under the considera-
ton Of the cabinet. The deputation from Os-
wego, to which reference made in my last,
has returned with no more satisfactory assurance
than that the subject of their nquries-the ex-
pediency Of closing the Weland canal against
American vessels-was still undecided ques-
ton, occupying the attention of government
The cabinet feels encouraged by the consdera-
ton that the provincial parliament, at its last ses
sion, received, without murmur, the announce
ment OF the finance minister that 1t was intended
to exclude American vessels from the ST. Law
renee till reciprocity of trade should be conceded
by Congress. On this circumstance they found
the belief that the legislature might support
taliatory policy. The pariisans of the cabinet no
longer disguise that some must be
struck out on the question OF reciprocity; that
conxing, and lobbying, and diplomacy, having all
failed, comprehensive policy OF retaliation should
now have fair trial. Ii is believed by some THAT
this would have the desired effect Of establishing
reciprocity. Certainly, the Americans cannot
complain should the deliberations of our cabinet
result in determination to close canal against
| your vessels. ! am, however, not prepared to
say that public opinion in this province would
sustain this restrictive policy if there was dan
ger of its becoming permanent. A few days will
no doubt bring the question to an issue, one way
| or another.
| a survey of the projected railroad from this
citv to Kingston has been ordered
Toronto, London, Amlferstburg, Penetangui-
shire, and Niagara, are the stations chosen, in
fnr IIaI
pensioners that are to watch our good behavior
and keep obedient subjects.
The annexation feeling has just given sign Of
life in Lower Canada. A public meeting has been
held in the county of Huntington. at which an
nexation was openly advocated The most i'm
portant feature of this new movement is the fact
that it has discovered that portion least of the
Roman Catholic priests are it's opponents. Faith
er Chiniquy, the great apostle of temperance. to
whom the Legislature, last summer, voted 50 900
for his services. opposed resolution condemna-
tory Of the policy Of government in the annexa-
tion dismssals. cry of"no priests" was raised
when the Rev. gentleman declared that he came
not there as a priest. but as Charles Chiniuuv
He was siIenced by the tumult, and Mr.
Dorion, Of L.apenis, again addressed the meeting;
impuiing the Rev. gentleman's opposition TO an
nexston to n fear that such a political change
would put an end to the tyihe system. Another
priest declared that three fourths of the priests
were willing to abandon tythes and accept COM
mutation from their Pensioners. Spite the oppo-
siton of the Rev. gentlemen, the resolution was
carried by two to one. do not attach much i'm
portance to a chance movement of this kind IL
is Of those ebullitions ever liable to occur in
any country; though at the same time it is un-
doubedly proof of the existence Of certain
amount OF annexation feelings.
A prominent politician here has drawn up and
printed, but not yet published, a complete scheme
Of federal union for these British provinces, in
cudng the Hudson Bay company's territories.
II is founded upon the United States Federal sys-
tenn, and would, if carried into effect make us
almost wholly independent The author Of the
scheme is prominent member Of the conservative
party; and the scheme itself is about as liberal as
the greatest radical could desire. Ii will proba-
bly, be published in a short time Lc