The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-23

Paskiewitch. There is, in fact, no news OF any
Importance from any Of the quarters in which
hostilites are being carried on.
The difference between the French Ambas-
sador and the Porte has been at last settled.
The former, it appears, insisted on the united
Catholic Greeks being allowed to remain in
Turkey. The Porte was obliged to yield, with
the sad conviction, no doubt, that she has only
exchanged one set of masters for another.
The British North American Provinces
Lord Els.n's Mission to Washington.
Lord Elgin, Governor General of Canada,
who, from his late visit to England arrived in
this city by the Europa, has, as we are now
informed beenrcharged with the important du-
ties of special embassy to Washington. and
left here for that city yesterday morning. He
still retains his colonial Offices, and does not,
therefore, in this new appointment, supersede
Mr. Champion nor win he interfere with his
general duties as the regular British Minister
near our government. From the incidental
character, therefore, of Lord Elgin's mission,
and from his immediate and intimate relations
with the affairs of tie Canadas, New Bruins
wick. Nova Scotia, aE the ncighboring islands.
and from his long experience in, and thorou gh
knowledge of, the local and international in
terests oftbosc provinces. we are free 10 con-
clIde that his visit to the President is upon
the subject OF general system of commercial
reciprocities with the United States including
the fishery question.
For three or four years past, Lord Elgin has
been devoting his energies t. a consolidation of
the Canadas and the other provinces to the
eastward, under federal colonial system, with
o common central Legislature and executive
establishment. From his recent visit to Eng
land, and his very fattering official reception
there, together with NJ. Hincks, a distinguish
Canadian functionary, also just returned We
may safely assume that Lord Elgs has brought
his long cherished plan 10 something like COM
pletion. About the time of his departure for
England dispatches were received here from
St John that the province of New Brunswick
had acceded to the proposed consolidation and
ct this present time, we believe the only one of
the colonies which holds out against the scheme
is Newfoundland. Her objections, it is sup
posed, may be easily managed, with some con-
cessions and promises for her especial benefit
AT all events, it seems to be well understood
in those quarters likely to be well informed,
that the mission of Lord Elgin to Washington
is based upon the plan of a consolidation of the
Northern British colonies, and that his imme-
date object is such tariff of reciprocities with
the United States, in behalf of the combined
colonies, embracing the fishery question, as
will secure to both parties the substantial bene-
fits of free trade. Mr., Hincks has already made
two or three trips to Washington upon this
business within few years past, and it is most
likely that Lord Elgin will meet with about
the same success as his predecessor.
With regard to the fishery question, il is
highly desirable that Ii should Se settled upon
some liberal and satisfactory basis The nego-
tiatons between Secretary Marcy and Mr..
Champion during the last summer, ended in
smoke; but according to late advices from Eng
land. as published in some OF our quasi-adm,n-
istration journals, the general terms of the set
Element Of the fishery controversy had been or
very soon would be, agreed upon between the
two governments. Still, there is little doubt
that the Northeastern fisheries are interviewer
in this special mission Of Lord Elgin.
The projet Of a consolidation of her Britain
mic Majesty's American colonies may appear to
be avery innocent affair." 1t may be even re-
presented as q desirable movement with US, In
view of some general system of commercial
recprocities applicable TO all the interested
colonies alike. But there is political view of
the subject which should not be overlooked. II
has been whispered abroad, although rumor is
very plausible, that the intention of the Eng
lish government, when this colonial consolida-
ton shall have been perfected. is to place at
the central colonial headquarters sort of here
ditary viceroyalty. The Governor Gene
raj is TO hold his Office for life-a
term which will give him the power,
df not the privilsge,) especially il
prince OF the blood, Of providing his successor
in Office. 1t has even been surmised that one
of the cons Of Queen Victoria under colo
nial regency, viii be appointed chief Of the
constituted provnces-thc regency only to
continue anti be shall haye reached an age