Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-16
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN CANADA.

rODLlO hrrainc lS SdNdDh.
On Wednesday last the Governor General of
Canada delivered his opening speech to the Legisla-
tive Assembly of that Province. We copy its re-
commentators, as follows
Subjects of great magnitude and Importance will
necessarily under your consideration during the
session which is commencing
"The Imperial Parliament advancing with accelerated
speed in the Of the liberal Colonial policy which it
has followed of late years. has recently passed acts
which impose this Legislature responsibilities of very
grave character.
to alter the constitution Of the Legislative Council The
substitution of the principle of popular election for that
Of nomination by the Crown in the appointment of
bers of that body obviously task Of considerable diff
fculty, in the execution of which little aid be de-
rived from experience Parliamentary government and
Ministerial responsibility, in the British sense of the
term are for the most part unknown t the constitutions
Of countries where the Legislative bodies consist of
two Elective Chambers In order however to give to this
important branch Of the Legislature tie weight and
huence which is most desirable that should possess
some changes in its constitution seem be imperativey
required; and the difficulties to which have referred
will, trust be surmounted by your wisdom, and by the
patriotism Of the members of that honorable body
The other act Of the Imperial Parliament removes
the restrictions which have for tine past prevented
the Provincial Legislature from dealing with clergy
serves From early period in thehstory of Upper
Canada this provision which originally intended for
the support Of the Protestant faith has been source Of
dscord and agitation in that section ofhe province 1t
is most desirable in the interest of religion and social har
mony that final and conclusive adjustment of this long
pending controversy should take place without delay
The subject distinctly brought beore the people Of
the province at the late election and their opinion upon
expressed in equivocal manner trust therefore,
that you will be able without difficulty to agree upon
measure for accomplishing this object which will give
general satisfaction. es
The condition of properties held under the segnioral
tenure will ALSO it may be presumed engage your atten-
Wi n vi thp def on
OF certain questions affecting them which cannot be kept
IN suspense without derimen to the interests both of
seignors and censtaires. You will doubt the i'm
portance Of approaching this subject with caution and
with due regard to the legal and equitable claims Of all
parties interested Security Of property is ndispen
sable condition to economical progress and persons who
invest their funds in property in Canada must look to the
justice and moderation of the Legislature for that pro-
lection which in neghborng country is afforded by ju
dicial tribunals =
You may probably take into consideration the expe-
diency Of assimatng the municipal institutions of Lower
Canada, in far circumstances will permit to the
system which since its introduction has contributed so
materially to the prosperity Of Upper Canada and also
OF extending to the former section Of the province the
advantages Of the municipal loan fund act. On these
and other of importance will be sub
mitted for your elaboration.
lou may probably be Of opinion that the prosperous
condition OF the revenue affords opportunity of which
Parliament may properly avail itself to revise the exist
ing tariff, with view to the removal of such duties as
affect raw materials employed in shp-buding and other
branches Of manufacture within the province and the
reduction of others to which articles entering largely
into the consumption of the people are subject.
J" will lay before you the copy OF treaty which has
been concluded between her Majesty and the Government
of the United States for the adjustment of various ques
ons affecting the mutual interests Of her Majestys sub
ects ia British North America the hand and Of
the citizens of the United States the other and
commend to your consideration the proprety of amend
ing the act passed in 1849 for the free admission into
Canada of certain articles of the growth production Of
the United States, so far to bring it into harmony with
the provisions of this treaty.
The Government and Congress Of the United States
have evnced liberal and friendly disposition in dealing
with this subject and trust that they will be met by
corresponding spirit by the Provincial Legislatures.
"The removal of duties on the importation of the
ura products of Canada into the markets of the United
States will IL may be hoped have tendency to perpe
tuate and extend the prosperity which has prevailed of
late to SO remarkable degree in this province"
The Ministry having been defeated in the election Of
Speaker rendered their designations Friday afternoon
In doing So Mr. HNoKs explained that they.had intend
ed to defer resgng until the address had been debated
but had changed their minds when they found that the
Ministry could obtain from the House twenty -four
hours delay to determine their regarding the
question of privilege raised in the Of the member
Bagot. The designations were accepted.
With Ministry there will be a new Governor
General. Mr.. MANNERS SuTToN to leave Liverpool
for BOSTON Saturday last. Sir EDMUND HEAD 10 to
leave st. John IN B.. early this week. and will meet
Mr. Manners Sutton at Boston, where they confer
together on the affairs of New Brunswick before Mr..
Sutton proceeds to the seat of government.