The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-18
Our Canada Correspondence.


QUEBEC, Jan 8, 1856.
The Imperial Customs --Independesce Of the Mother
Country Coal Mines, &c.
The imperial customs have been closed at this
port and the whole duties handed over to the pro-
vincial authorities OF late years the main object
Of the 2ersl branch has been to exercise check
over tie colonial, relative to imports and ex.
ports. The attainment of this object was the source
Of some delay and inconvenience. Although all ex-
ports were noted in the provincial customs, they
had also to come under the supervision Of the i'm.
perial department, which alone could grant clear
ance. Imports had also 10 be entered in both de.
partments. In addition to this general cheek. the
officers Of the imperial customs had to attend 70 the
registration Of vessels-a most difficult task, and
requiring thorough knowledge Of the navigation
laws-snd TO take note Of all assertions Of
officer in Mr. B.uce, the head Of the imperial estsb.
lishmeut, who retires upon very liberal pension;
but are corsoled for the loss Of him in the con-
viction that the Canadian Cole tor OF Customs mr.
Durscombe) Ia q gentleman fully qualities, BY ster
ling probisy sad commanding intelligence, to fdlal
the extra duties that devolve upon his department.
The tics which have hitherto bound Canada to
the mother county may now be said to be almost
entirely severed. The first step in this direction
was taken when responsible government was estab.
hshed; and the recent ats OF the Imperial Parlia
ment, comforting upon the Province the power OF
Melng i.s own constu ,;. INC Msodiama % r .ne
toms Department. all indications on the part OF
the home government to leave the colonies entirely
TO themselves. There remains 70 the authorities in
nor General, and the right, through him, Of reserv
ing any act passed BY Parisnent for the royal sane
ton, . right which has become almost obsolete.
The coal mine, the reported discovery OF which
on Mountain Hill mentioned In former letter, has
exploded. The Corporation had erected . wooden
building the spot ard had several men at work
mining. piece OF the supposed coal was sent to
Mr.. Logan, st Montreal, for examination, but that
gentleman being absent, his sssist ant-Mr. Hunt
pronounced the substance simple btuminous slate,
the existence Of which in the rock at Quebec has
been long known. Mr.. De Rottermnnd, . scientific
gentleman Of some note, was employed BY the Cor
poration TO examine the mine, and although the
gentleman il very decided In his convictions OF the
existence VI coal in Canada, he appears not very
guine a. TO the result Of the present expe
Speaking Of bis report to the Corporation, in lek
ter addressed TO the Morning Chronicle, Mr. De II IT
termund seys:-
Iexposed to those that present the authorities
and proofs which founded an opinion that have
long entertained that coal exist in Canada. can
not perform the task in your Journal will only
add that my information the subject not derived
from the reports OF the geological survey Of Canada out
from attentive study Of the works Of the highest
thorities in the world.
Latterly have had in my power to be stlll more
confirmed in my opinions, having in my possession a
valuable collection OF books and maps published by the
French government that could not have obtained only
for the lind friendship OF Mons Ellie de Beaumont and
the patronage OF Prince Napoleon In these, different
coal formations the continent described and very
practical proofs given, that IL is extracted from lorna
lions that you have pronounced colder than that in
which GOALS found.n
Mr.. Logan, as you are doubtless aware, stoutly
sffrms that coal does not exist in Canada. A very
pretty controversy WILL in oil probability, arise out
Of this natter.
The weather for TIE past week has been unusually
mild. Yesterday afternoon 1t rained, and towards
evening stormy westerly wind sct in, which con.
ther il clear Ard frosty. ThermomAtAf nj zero.