Washington sentinel., 1854-04-23
banquet to the Governor General Of Canada.

over which Lord John Russell presided, and
which was attended by upwards OF three hun
dred gentlemen
The London Times, in its account of the
banquet, says: "The late hour at which the
proceedings of the evening commenced and
the length of the speeches delivered on the oc-
casion, render it impossible to give more than
a very brief summary of what took place.
Nevertheless, the demonstration must have
been highly gratifying to the Earl of Elgin,
and must have convinced the Canadian gentle
men VINO were present that there exists no
want Of interest in this country as to the well
fare and prosperity of our North American
provinces From the fact OF so many different
dinner, it is clear that the success of Lord FL
gins administration of the colony is universal
| ly acknowledged at home"
After the usual loyal. and other toasts had
been given,
Lord John Russell said he could not but feel
it great honor to have to propose, in the
presence of so many gentlemen acquainted
with the official administration of the colonies,
in the presence of SO many merchants in the
| city, and Of SO many gentlemen who belong to
Canada, the health of the noble earl who had
so well presided with such distinguished merit
over the government of Canada. [Cheers. He
rejoiced likewise, that he was speaking in the
presence of the representative OF that great re,
public of the West, whose sons were derived
| from the same blood, spoke the same language,
and inherited the same ancient laws as our
selves. Cheers. He might be permitted to
mention three epochs of colonial government.
| There was that period when the colonists from
this country were like the children of high
land cottage, allowed to stray where they liked,
with little protection or shelter, taking the ad-
vantage of the first breeze, and at the same
time the risk of falling down the crag, or being
lost in the mist that surrounded them. Cheers.
That period passed away, but not without
| imparting to many Of the young, colonists that
| vgor which enabled them afterwards to grow
| up into great and free communities. Cheers.
Then arrived period when by petty CONNER
| cial restrictions and by insignificant financial
| projects it was attempted toderive those advan-
| tages from the colonies which could only be
obtained from their trade and their freedom.
| [Cheers. 1t had been said by statesman,
who was wit as well, that the American
| war was caused by Secretary of State, who
bethought him after lapse of many years to
| open his dispatches" Even the fatal reverses
of the American war did not open the eyes of
our government, and the same system was
continued for many years. There was no
greater instance of it than that ofCanada. But
happily the time oflegislative interference with
the colonies, he trusted was likewise past; and,
with regard to Canada at all events, they were
now trying the system Of allowing people quite
capable of discerning their own interests to gov
ern themselves without obstruction. Cheers
That system was so new, that it required no
ordinary abilities, judgment, and temper, to
carry it successfully into effect. Such, then,
Al al {o,, ,{o Elra thren
belonging to the Earl of Elgin. Cheers.
1t had been his duty to act the part of
constitutional king over province which
had greatly prospered and increased under
his care, the population of which had risen
from little more than 100000, to 100000,
the revenues of which had increased from
100000 to fl,200,000 per annum and the
exports and imports Of which showed year by
year the evidences of growing trade and i'm
proving industry. He was one of those who
had continually agreed with the governor-gen-
eral in the policy he had pursued and, what
ever might be the fate of that magnificent
province, whether it wished to remain with us
in loyalty to the same sovereign, or whether
other views actuated the majority of the popu-
lation, he hoped that the friendly feelings
which had hitherto subsisted between them and
the people of the United Kingdom would con-
tinue and always be maintained Cheers
The noble lord concluded by giving the
Health of the Earl of Elgin," which was drunk
with great enthusiasm.
The Earl of Elgin replied at great length.
In the course of his observations he alluded to
the Indifference which had hitherto been dis
PLAYED at home with reference to the interests
of the colony. The reception which he had
that night met with he took as an indication
that Canada which he described to be in q
most prosperous state, would no longer have
anything TO complain of upon that score. The
noble earl also took occasion to compliment
the American minister, who sat beside him,
and to express the friendly feeling which pre-
vailed among the Canadian people towards
those of the United States.
The Earl Of Ellesmere in highly compli-
mentary terms, proposed "the Health of his
Excellency the American Minister and, in
doing SO, referred to his own recent visit to the
United States, to the hospitable reception
which he received there, and to the impression
which all that be had seen in the western world
had left upon him.
Mr.. Buchanan, the American minister, then
rose and said My Lords and Gentlemen.--In
the name of my countrymen, ! thank your
lordship most cordially for the kind sentiment
which you have proposed in favor Of my coun-
Try, anu mySeli, as ltS REPRESENTATIVES. anu my
gratitude is due to this large and distinguished
company for the enthusiasm with which that
sentiment has been received. This honor will
be justly appreciated on the other side Of the
Atlantic. 1fmy countrymen themselves could
have selected the individual by whom such gra
cious and kind words should be spoken, ain
persuaded the choice would have fallen upon
the noble earl. He has been amongst us--he
has seen US at home, and has been
"To our virtues very kind
And to our faults little blind"
There are thousands on the other side of the
Atlantic who will respond to the universal SEN
tment of appreciation in this country, when
they learn that his sovereign has conferred upon
him one of the highest and proudest marks Of
distinction which it was in her power to bestow.
(Hear.) May he long live to enjoy it Ger
tain am that the penalty denounced by the
motto of the garter will never reach either his
head or his heart. And here ought, perhaps,
to stop. We have been taught that after-din