The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-11

pr sed by the difference between the prices of land
in the colony and prices in the " old country
they at once decide purchasing. The seller
laughs in his sleeve. and forthwith transfers his al.
legiance to the stars and stripes. The purchaser
discovers his mistake when he is unable to rectify
it, and has alternative but to submit his fate,
| with much grace as he can muster.
l often ask tradesmen farmers, and mechanics.
| what tempts them to remain in Canada with such
| evidence of enterprise and prosperity is pre-
| sented on the southern side of the line The
jority admit that they would have better chances
of getting on there than they hope to have here,
but, they aver, they "cannot endure the contempt
which the Yankees display towards British nstitu-
tons" Although an Englishman, have never
been able to discern the force of this objection. In
deed it appears to me to rest altogether preju-
| dice. The mere fact that voluntarily leaves
his native country, to seek home in another hem
| isphere, forms the strongest condemnation that he
can give of the institutions which he abandons. If
he likes Britain he should remain in it. If he leaves
il because he can live more comfortably elsewhere,
| he is the last man who should quarrel with
other for lauding the land of his adoption.
l There is a great flourish of trumpets Just now
about the future doings and cognate greatness of
l Canada. Railways to work wonders for it.
Doubtless you have heard of the project 10 connect
this city with Lakes Simcoc and Huron. The Hon.
H. G. SEYMOUR, of New York, is to be the engineer,
and the contractors to come from the city.
They have been here within the last few days, and
it is understood that the survey is to be commenced
at the earliest possible period The Great Western
| railroad, connecting Hamilton with Windsor (op-
posite to Derot,) is in progress of construction at
several points. Then, again, Montreal Cobourg,
| and other places are busy in promoting scheme
to connect with rails the former city and the towns
on the west side of Ontario. Townships and mu-
inequalities are voting grants in support Of the
l scheme, but still it cannot be said to have assumed
! o tangible shape. Other schemes before the
people of Lower Canada, but with what prospects
| of success | am unable to say. The remarkable
success of the ogdensburgh railroad has eopardzed
the trade of Montreal to extent which is likely to
stimulate its citizens to greater cxertions than they
| have hitherto been accustomed to make.
Whatever becomes OF the railroads, it is undeni-
able that great improvements are being made in
other roads in this district Several extensive plank
roads have recently been opened, and others in
progress.
The spirit of improvement is also visible in this
l city. The last half dozen years have effected
quite metamorphosis in its appearance. There
| arc now abundance of good stores, and a good
deal of ambition pervades the style of the public
buildings Marked advances visible in smaller
places. Gait, for instance, is aspiring to be quite
l manufacturing place. Situated the Grand
river, it has abundance of water power, and this
is being turned largely to account by its inhabi
| tants, most of whom are Scotch Awoollen factory
is now found in nearly every village where sufi-
cent water power is available. This is giving rise
to cry for protection to home industry
You have had Inspector General Hincks on a
l mission to promote Legislative action in Congress
| on the subject of reciprocity with Canada. The
matter is of vital importance to this colony. The
failure that has attended the numerous diplomatic
missions of a similar kind already made predisposes
| the public to scepticism to the of Mr..
Hincks's labors.
Politics are in state of stagnation, and are likely
i to remain until the meeting of the Assembly,
which is expected to take place next month. The
various parties in complete confusion. The
ministry is at fearful discount in the estimation
of all real reformers. It's backslidings have been
l so frequent and palpable that majority of it's
former friends have ceased to feel interested in the
prolongation of its existence. The detection of the
ministers has given vitality to the "clear- grs,"
who the ultra reformers of the colony. Rebel
Mackenzie has called them "Anncxationists in dis
I guise;'' and | am disposed to think he is right.
Whether anncxationists or not, however, they
a any rate in favor of separation from the mother
l country. Their organ here declared the other day
that its ultimate object is the erection of Canada
| into ga free and Independent republic" AS for
the Tories, they are almost without creed. The
vexation consequent on the continued deprivation
Of the sweets of office has driven Them virtuous
souls! to the verge of radcalism. Their old stand
still notions completely buried; and they at
this moment vieng with the clear-grits in the ad-
l vocacy of organic changes They demanding
! an elective Legislative Council and the Federal
| Union of the British American provinces. place
! no confidence whatever in their sincerity. Their
political puritansm is the result of vexation rather
| than of principle, and would perish if they
once more placed in office. Still, their newbor
love of elective institutions may give strength to
the old reformers. and lead to changes which would
| be unattainable without such assistance.
AS shall be here during the approaching session
| OF the Assembly,, will keep you "posted up''
political topics as they arise
The southwestern district is we'll nigh overrun
with colored refugees. Many of the residents are
calling for Legislative interference to prevent,
! rather to place check upon, the present influx,
which is inconvcnient and may hereafter prove
| cecdingly mischievous. The detection of several
OF the fugtives in acts OF roguery has strengthened
| the feeling against them An association, formed
under the patronage of the Governor General, and
called the Elgin association proposes to locate the
| colored population large tract of land in one
of the western townships. The project has excited
! much hostility, and has given birth to numerous
formal protests the part of those in whose vcin-
ty the experiment is to be made. In this citycol-
| ored people in somewhat more favor; many of
them have managed to establish themselves in pro-
htable businesses. The enactment of the Fugitive
Slave law has furnished plenty of capital to our
journalists of nearly all shades. They appear
nightly to relish at the expense of your
countrymen; whose ceaseless enterprise they envy
but cannot initiate.
The winter has, SO far, been unusually We
have had more than has fallen at similar Pc
Rod for many years past, and the cold has been
| proportionably intense. Mails arrive very irregu-
lary. s.
Supreme Court OF the United States.