Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-04-05
WHAT THEY SAY IN CANADA
AROUT INYANION

IL seems that an order Of some sort from the
British Government whether from the Prvy
Council or Secretary of State for the Colonies
does not appear, has come out from England,
directing the seizure of letters sent to foreign
parts, If suspected of being intended for Russia ;
and it is asserted that two days after the coming
out of the order, letter for the Emperor of Rus
sa was intercepted, by the authorities in the
Quebec Post Office, subjected to the delbera-
tions of the Council and opinions of the law Of
ficers, who expressed the opinion that the con-
tents amounted to high treason. What the con-
tents of this letter were is not positively known,
but sufficient has transpired to lead to the be-
lief that it embodied the following programme /:
That some thousands of Russian veterans,
too cid in the service to desert it, influenced by
large promises, should be introduced into the
States in the dress of peaceful emgrants, with
out even their nationality being declared-an en-.
sy matter from the difference of language and
race in the Russian service-a depot Of arms
formed in the frontier, and at one moment the
whole to rush, by rail, unarmed and unannounc-
ed, to the crossing point, there to assume weap-
ons, badges and coors, and at once dash into
Canada and attempt Quebec by coup de main
from the plains. 1t was further suggested that
some attempts should be made by the Russian
Government to bring out a secret understanding
with the United States for the partition of Brit
ish territory in America, SO to be arranged as TO
leave the question of slavery in its present posi-.
ton, that is, to give as much to the slave States
as TO the free States, the sacrifice of the West In
dies and, if need be, a large slice Of Mexico, to
be included in such arrangement between the
two powers.
The Mercury adds: "Now when we reflect
on the fact that there are Russian land officers
in the United States, we cannot look on the mat
ter as one merely fit for laughter. Ten thousand
foreigners weekly arrive and pass thro' N. York.
AS for the disguise of the emigrants, nothing is
easier; they might be sent in neutral ships, and
in fact so landed as to be at it before they could
be detected. The large manufacture of arms in
the United States, the immense emigration, and
our two summer days vicinity to New York, all
show that it will be proper to take precautions
against any Lopez-like brgand plot of the kind,
whose failure the loyalty and patriotism of our
people are sufficient guarantee for; but the ex-
pense and confusion attendant on the attempt
ought to be avoided. In point of fact, portion
OF the militia ought to be at once embodied and
drilled; this is the only security against any at
tempt that might be made of the nature referred
to. Some five hundred and fifty regular troops
in garrison are not the force likely to overcome
such designs. The knowledge that some thou.
sands of citizens would fall to arms, would per-
suade even enthusiasm itself of the hopelessness
of attempting to wrest from Great Britain, the
glorious vantage ground of Cape Diamond
Neither would we conceal the peculiar dangers
attendant on the present position of progress to-
wards war;" Toronto Colonist, 3Oth ult.