The true Democrat., 1854-10-18

TThe Washington Star of the 27th has the following interesting items:
 It seems to be the opinion of statesmen here, that Britian has made up her mind to prepare as speedily as possible to leave her North American provinces, to shift for themselves That is, to become not only independent in fact, but also co nomi,,e She is rapidly accustoming them to get on without the presence of her troops, which were constantly met with every where there few years since. It is clear that she does not apprehend their future annexation to the United States Her acts of ratifving the Reciprocity treaty, under which both the colo nies and the United States obtain most of the advantages Commercial and industrial) only otherwise attainable through annexation, takes away the great inducement to the act of form ally uniting them under our government, while she clearly appreciates the fact that though the south, in Congress- will favor every possible ap- prOximation to entire free trade with them, she will leave no stone unturned to prevent them from at any time hereafter coming under the Stars and Stripes, knowing that their influence (weight) in the government of the United States would be practically so much additional weight thrown against their guaranteed rights under the constitution. As Britain has ever managed them, they have been heavy tax on her treasury, now almost unable longer to bear such proftless drag Her colonial policy has undergone great change of late years. h. deed, we should not be surprised ere long to hear that she is beginning to make preparations to leave her Cape and west coast of Africa Col onies and settlements to shift for themselves
 All the various parties of United States topo- graphical engineers, last summer engaged in surveying routes to California are now labor ing industriously in this city, so as to be able each to be ready for its share of the grand report as early as possible. So extensive and varied is the data which has been collected that we fancy it will be quite late in the session before this report can be sent in. It is we'll un- derstood here that this data will shed vast flood of light upon the capabilities of the whole of the great unoccuped western and central portions of our country. This can hardly be done without having the capital effect of at- tracting to many points on the various routes the capabilities of which for sustaining four ishing settlements will be thus, for the first time, demonstrated-a large and immediate emigra- ton, which, in few years. will greatly ameli- crate the dangers and difficulties of the over- land trip to California, and Oregon and Wash ing territories.
 A subscriber at distance recently addressed us letter, asking information as to the Post office departments views upon the subject above named. In reply, after due inquiry, we have to say that it is violation of law to enclose or conceal letter or other thing, (except bills and receipts for subscription) or to make any mem orandum in writing or to print any word of communication, after its publication upon any newspaper pamphlet, magazine or other printed matter. In all such cases letter postage should be demanded, and, if the person addressed re- fuse to pay such letter postage, the package should be returned to the postmaster from whose office it came, to prosecute the sender for the penalty of $5, prescribed by the 3Oth section of the act of 1925: and az t,unsient print cd matter should be distinctly postmsorked at the mailing 06ce