New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-07
CANADA.
From Our Own Correspondent
QUEBEC, Saturday, Dec. 2, 1854.

QUEBEC, Saturday, Dec. q 1854.
Last night Lord Elgin gave his farewell assem-
bly, at spencerwood. All the members of both
of the military and citizens. About 700 persons,
of both sexes, were present. Toast-drinking has
been in disuse at the Government House since
Lord L gin has been in Canada, nearly eight
years; but last night his Lordship's health was
given, and be replied in touching and beautifa
farewell speech, in which it was evident he had
to strive hard to prevent his feelings overcoming
him. Lord Elgin, however, still holds the reins,
and will probably not resign them till the middle
of next week, when the Legislature is expected
TO adjourn.
The Feudal Tenure Abolition bill goes slowly
through the Legislative Council. the Seigniors
were heard by counsel at the bar Of that House
on Tuesday. The counsel, Mr.. Duncan, handled
the case with marked ability. He did not oppose
the principle Of the bills be did not object to the
abolition Of the Feudal Tenure; he did not ask to
be allowed to retain a single feudal right he ad-
mitted that the abolition Of those rights was
question Of State policy, and that the State had
an uDquestionable right to sweep any one of them,
or the whole OF them, away at Once-prOvlded,
always, that it was ready to give the SeigniOrs
fair compensation for the loss they were called
upon to bear. His objections were all TO the de-
tails Of the bill. The principal Of them were:
that the bill took away the lands Of the seigniors,
and vested them in the crown, before it provided
for handing over to them the means of cOmpensa
ton; that while it relieved the Censitdire of the
obligation Of going to the barrel.ml it did not,
in express words, relieve the seignior from the
obligation of keeping up the mill, nor allow him
to charge what he pleased, for grinding that in
cases where the segniOrs appeal from the decision
Of the Commissioners appointed to value the
seigDOria rights, ii does not allow the judges
who may happen to be seigniOrs though for ever
so small an amount to sit; that it denies the or
binary right of appeal to the Privy Council in
England; and that the amount Of indemnity guar
anteed TO the seigniors by the public, f40O, 900,
is not anything like enough as the amount may
be Ct, 100000. Eight pages of amendments, on
foolscap sheets, have resulted from this defense
of the segniors and they will come under the
consideration of the Council, on Monday.
The estimates for 1854 have been laid before
the House. The total estimated revenue for the
year is q ,423, 500 and of expenditure G939,-
SEA 19s. Id OF the proposed expenditure f5O9.
702 9s. Cd. is for public works, piers wharves,
custom houses, postOffices, &c. The cost of the
militia-staff is set down at only G2,2SO, but for
come time past / see that number of old pen
sioners have been on permanent duty in Canada
West. There is an item of $4,000 which reads,
Compensation to Thomas Rigez, Esq, of New
"York, in full of all disbursements, expenses,
&c, in disseminating information respecting
Reciprocity of Trade with the United States,
during the last six years" There is no
estimate for the maintenance of any description OF
military or even cOnstabulary force whatever, be-
yoDd the mere cost of keeping up the office of the
Adutant General Of Militia, for this is really
what the item under that head amounts to.
Winter has come. The fall feet Of vessels has
gone, and the splendid bay of Quebec is bare of
shipping scarcely any craft remaining. The
river is not, however, yet frozen at this point.