The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-03
AFFAIRS IN THE BRITISH PROVINCES.
Our Canadian Correspondenee.

discussion Of some interest to your readers took
place in the Provincial Parliament last night, on
motion for the production of dispatches and cor
respondence relative to pending negotiations on the
reciprocity question. Ministers refused compliance,
the ground that the publication of the dispatches
would place the Washington cabinet in possession
of Canadian secrets, and tend to Illustrate Cana
dian diplomacy. II. Sherwood, one Of the tory
members for this city, made the refusal the basis
Of attack upon the course that has been pursued
by England and Canada in relation to this subject;
and indicated the policy Of the United States 60
vernment, az calculated to advance the real inte-
rests of their country He attributed the failure Of
the missions of Hincks, Merritt Co. to their own
contemplate conduct, and the unfair, enc sided
proposals which they have made. Old Colonel
Prince, near neighbor Of Michigan, followed the
attack, and expressed his conviction that your
people would not have refused any ovsrtures
worthy of their character and position. Hincks
replied in most Incorporate speech. lie main
tanned that the only opponents Of reciprocity are
Canadian annexationists, who labor sedulously to
prevent its communication in the expectation that
their fayorite views will best be promoted by ex-
citing discomfort in the minds Of the Canadian
farmers. He singled out the Washington Republic
and then glanced at his own dcings while lobbying
at Washington. tie pulled Seward as the paragon
Of American Senators, and declared that there is
not single member of worth in Congress who is
aver5e to reciprocal trade with Canada. Admit
ting that the bulk of the American people are
averse to this policy, he went on to contend that
eelf defence may necesstate the Canadian govern
ment to pursue a retaliatory policy, in order to
carry their point; and the conduct of Spain, in
similar circumstances, was cited to show that
taliaton is the weapon to which the advisers of the
great man in in tho White House will most readily
succumb. The closing Of the Welland Canal was
welt nv Hincks cArtain n Droduee n n
immediate effect on American interests and Amer-
can mind while the only injury to Canada would
DO in the shape Of diminished tolls-a small matter
1t was suggested, in consideration OF the benefits
resulting from the reciprocity which would certainly
be produced! The only other point worthy Of no.
tce was an assurance, on the part Of government,
that they will be prepared to recommend decisive
action in direction another, before the close
Of the session.
The only other topic affecting American interests
that has been mooted during the week, is an export
duty on pine and other logs to protect the pockets
of the Canadian lumber manufacturer and mer.
chant. Petitions in favor Of such q duty have been
received from the vast pine region in the south
western section Of the province, and motions in
support of it are shortly to be introduced In the
district referred to, the manufacturing of lumber
has recently become extensive and = very lucra-
tive business The price of pine log at the mill
is from three quarters Of dollar to dollar and
quarter and it is said that coed log yields 500
feet of clear lumber. This sells in the Canadian
market at $l5 Sl6 per 900 feet, and for double
these prices at Albany or New York. The object
Of the petitioners is if possible, to prevent the
portation Ct logs, in order that the Canadian lum-
Der merchant may command the American market
The success Of the movement il very doubtful; al
though the Legislative Asse mby last night adopted
address to the Queen, against the threatened re-
duction by the Imperial government Of tho present
British duties on foreign timber.
l. has been authoritativcly announced that the
government will remove to Quebec soon after the
close Of the present session.
The public accounts Of the province for 1860, just
published, show that the general expenses Of the
government and MISUNDERSTANDING the ad-
mnistration Of justice-anountedt to l,o2e,76i.
must not forget to state that W. l.. Mackenzie
multitude Of matters, and has given notice Of mo-
tions for returns which would render necessary the
employment of whole bevy Of extra clerks His
first reception by the House was more favorable
growing mpstent under his endless talk.
In the far southwest Of the Province, q resident
gentleman has taken the 6eld for the next election
on the anti-nigger ticket. lie denounces the at
tempt to amalgama.e black and white as an iufrac
ton Of natures law; and points out in telling terms
the injuries which being inflicted On the country
By the i'm migration Of cclored refugees
A.GLo- American.
United States and Canadian Reciprocity.
TE- CALL FOR The CoEFE-
sronDEscE BETwEEN The TWO GOVERNMENTS.
The question Of reciprocity Of trade between the
United States and Canada called for in the
Canadian Parliament, on the 18th ut.
MIR. RoMNsoS moved for address to bis tx
celency for correspondence and documents on the
subject Of reciprocal trade with the United States.
Mr.. BIScKs said that in the present state of the
negotiations il would be very unadysabe to CON-
ply with the motion. IL the correspondence
published here IL would be seen throu gheut the
whole continent, and would aot prejudioially
against the interests ofthe province and the efforts
Of the government tc obtain the desired reciprocity.
There could not oe better evidence or this point
~ L. -.
ofSirI. Harvey, Lieutenant Governor OF Nova SEQ.
tla to the home government, in which appeared the
full extent Of the concessions which Nova Scotia 10
prepared TO make, il necessary 70 obtain recipro-
thus made acquainted with the character Of the
ccssions which they may demand, with . ertainty
Of obtaining them. lie trusted, then, that no hon.
member, no 1eyer he may differ from the admins
trs,ion en- matters Of general policy will press
for this publication there Is member OF the
government who 10 not sincerely anxious to obtain
reciprocal trade with the United States, and her
Majesty's Minister at Washington entertaius an
equal esic The question is still unsettled. There
has been positye refusal the part Of the Unit
ed States government 70 negotiate on the subject,
aud therefore IL would be exceedingly impoiitie
to publish a correspondence. which 10 not yet con.
n ally between her Maiesty's government and her
Majceiys minister ~ Washington. ard although
coPcs have been formally communicated 20 tho
Provincial government, IL would not be proTer,
tnce 70 the liouse, without thc consent OF the
Home government
Mr.. PEiNcE dccuedt hs eXpl snation vory unsaGs-
factor, both with regard 70 The interests q the
pie and tn character Of tho administration. NO
subec, is more cCsely connected With the welfare
OF the Canadian farmer, and mono shoald the g
bc moe dCctcd and Intelligent policy The in-
formation sought fer In the motion was peculiarly
iml crtant at this time the day Ct the admins
tiatiOn src drawing 70 a close II would be very
couvrnient for the members Of tho government. Il
they could place ar extngusLcr ~. their pecca-
dii,oes; snorg other thnge, On their inability -
obtain t5st reciprocity which he was ssti,fed the
Americans would net have refused without sufficient
rcascn.
MIR. LowNscr did net wish 70 cmtarrass The GO
vprrICnt b. pressing his motion at this moment.
IL must BE- understood, towcyer, that Il he withdrew
II row, il would be temporarily, ard With Wow
70 oducing IT, f necessary, before tbe close q
the Etssitn.
Mr. Surzwocr hoped the honorable member for
Silncon Rnud MT withdraw liz motion. eKoE leIn.