The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-06
THE FOREIGN NEWS = RELA TON OF GREAT
BRITAIN TO CANADA.

By the Europa we have intelligence from
the seat of war, to the 9th of June. 1t is but
the old story-nothing decisive. The Russians
have not been dislodged - Silistria has not
been taken-there has been no signal engage
ment on land or water. A Paris correspondent
of the New York Tribune, who has seen let
ter, dated at Constantinople, from Col. Banks,
An American officer, now in the service of the
Turks says that the Colonel charges the Eng
lish and French papers with exaggerating, for
the purpose of keeping up the warfare at home.
The submission of the Greeks, he represents ss
one of compulsion. They arouse the English
and French to q war, and yet the London and
Paris journals report that King Ohio and his
subjects are overjoyed at the Intentions of the
of successes so far have been on the side of the
Russians; the Turkish reports of immense
losses on the part of the enemy are exaggera-
tons; and that the Turkish army of Asia is
in so critical condition, that unless reinforced
it will be cut to pieces.
"There are 100000 Russians on Turkish
soil, while opposed to them are at present but
This force united and strongly intrenched, can
act on the defensive; but as for acting on the
offensive, he considers it impossible. They
may defend the passage of the Balkans, but
they cannot drive the Russians out of the Prin-
cipalities."
We fear there is too much truth in all this.
The most interesting portion of the news by
the Europa relates to a short but piquant de-
bate in the British House of Lords, on the l4th
June, on the second reading of the CANADIAN
LEGISLATIVE COLONIAL BILL. The Duke Of
Newcastle having stated that the object of the
bill is to repeal those clauses in the Union act
which prohibit legislation in the Canadian Par
lament on the subject of a Legislative Coun-
Gil, and to leave the Colonial Legislature en-
tirely free to act as they see fit in relation to
the creation of second chamber, Lord Ell
LENBoRoUGH took occasion to announce his
views in favor of the INDEPENDENCE Of the
COLONIES AS Lord Peterborough belongs to
the higher aristocracy of the realm, and is a
Tory in his politics, his views are the more sig
nifcant.
That countries so extensive, 80 full of re-
sources, 80 rapidly growing in population and
wealth, as the British provinces in America,
should much longer continue in condition oil
| Colonial subsection, no man of intelligence
| and forecast can suppose The most enlght-
ened statesmen of England must contemplate
the probability of this event, and certainly the
policy of their Government seems to be shaped
so as to facilitate the change, and make it as
little inconvenient to both parties as may be.
The Independence of the Colonies will by
no means involve annexation to this country
They begin to feel their power; they know
that they have q basis for their empire larger
even than the area of the United States; with
more pride and selfconfdence than they pos
sessed when comparatively feeble, they may
see nothing in annexation to this country &c
! commensurate them for the loss of that distinct
nationality which has already sprung NJ
among them. Besides, the public sentiment O.
the Colonies is SO strong against Slavery, thai
their people revolt at the idea OF involving
themselves in any way in its support, especially
by assuming the obligation of the lnfamou'
Fugitive Slave Act. That measure has done
more than anything else, to check and abat'
the popular feeling in favor of annexation
which prevailed four or five years ago. v
course, should there be dissolution OF the
Union between the free and slave States,
union of Canada with the former would soor
follow, as natural consequence.
There can be no doubt that Slaveholdint
Statesmen look with extreme Jealousy on ever,
movement calculated to increase the friend,
feelings between the Northern States and thu
Canadas, and multiply their business and so
cial ties. For this reason, the Fishery and Re
ciprocity Treaty, adjusting as it does, all i'm
portant questions of controversy between Grea
| Britain and the United States admirabl..