New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-03-24
CANADA.
from Our Own Correspondent.

After four nights Of sharp contest, the House
agreed this morning, at one o'clock, to 60 into
Committee on Mr. Cats proposed tariff. The
Ministerial majority wss only IL, in House Of
rs. The Ministry were deserted by three
Of their Upper Canada supporters, Messrs
BucbsDaD, Malcolm, Cameron and John Cameron
the two after Of whom will probably remain per-
msneutly in opposition. In politics. point OF
view, tbs detection Of Minister al supporters is
important; for although the Ministry have, up 10
this time, been able to command sufficient
majority for practices, pu poses they have been IN
minority so far as Upper Canada is concerned
an increase Of the sectional msorlty against them
can hardly be otherwise than eventually fatal.
They may get through the session, and prob
sbly will; but unless there be some
cnsnge in their favor, they will never
be able to meet Parliament again. 1t is admitted
on all hands that change of Ministry, or, at least,
changes in the Ministry, must take place, on The
close Of the session. A reconstruction was e1-
pected about fortnight ago. 1t was publicly an
nOuBced by member of the Government IN tue
Legislative Council that Attorney General Mac
donald would resi- On as soon as all question about
confirming the Queens selection OF Ottawa for che
future capital should have been settled. In pursu-
ance of that intention, Mr.. Macdonald either did
actually resign, or spprsed his supporters of MS
intention 10 do so. But at this point, difficulty
arose. The conservative supporters of the Gov
eminent, who represent Upper Canada constituent
cies, and who are more numerous tnan tae liberal
supporters of the Government FOR the same
section of country, demonstrated. Ibey distinctly
declared that, IN the event OF bis carrying Ills III
trntOn into effect, they would withdraw their sup
port from the Government round robin was
signed by the Conservative members OF the House,
urging Mi Macdonald not 10 resign till the close
of the session, ard when he should do so, 10 take
care that the Conservative interest should be prop
eIly represented III the new Government, both OF
which be consented to do. In case Mr. Macdonald
had gone out of the Ministry, 1t was understood
that two members of the Opposition would have
walked in-Messrs. Toey and SOndfeld MacdOn-
aid; the latter Attorney General aud the former
as Post master. General the PRESENT occupant of the
latter Office Mr.. Smith, taking the Solicitor Cen
eralship for Upper Canada. The opposition is in
n strange position. The failure of Mr. Brown as
leader is too conspicuous TO be concealed from
even the humblest member of the party. AT the
commencement of the session, intrigues were got
on foot for the purpose OF getting rio OF hun; aud
81 is now said that he has come In admit that ne
stands in the way OF the success Of the party which
be has sspired To lead aud willing 10 stand aside
ard allow things 10 take their course. The recent
defectons from the ministerial ranks, are reported
To be in some way connected with those new ar
rsnpements The tendency of things appears to
be to put an end 10 the coalition arrange
meuts which have existed since the Summer
oi 1854. There have been several Ministerial
changes in the interval; not regular turns-out but
mere rtpidlTGgts aud however the personnel Of the
Ministry may have changed, il has been supported
BY coalition IN and out Of the Legs allure. The
last general election was fought on coalition not
party grounds The present state of things Ia not
likely Ia last much longer. The Lower Canada
section Of the Ministry, as We'll Ms their more I'M
mediate supporters, profess Ia be liberals; tie OPP
position, however, protesting to be more liberal
stll. And in Upper Canada the Liberals are
large majority; while through their divisions hand
full Of Conservatives is enabled 10 rule them. There
are signs Of coming rGPYrochemem between the
hitherto divided sections of the Liberals; aud Ia
the event Of the reunion becoming complete, there
must be change IN the Government.
In his general reply last night, to the attacks
upon II proposed tariff, the Inspector General an
nounced hls adherence tn the principles on which
it was based; and declared that n the policy Of
the Government were not carried out be should re-
sign. He stated, however that BE- should be resdy
TO postpone giving effect 10 thst portion of the Ia
riff which relates 10 tea, an possibly he might do
the sane IN regard to sugar. he gave ~ a reason
Why through trade in tea and sugar, Via the ST.
Lawrence, could be made profitable, that
the vessels employed IN Inc LAKE trade,
and which now lie idle during CREST part of the
year, might be employed in trading with the West
Indies OF China during the Winter. Whether this
be possible or not remains Ia be seen. 50 far As
know, only vessel has left the lakes in the FALL
and gone into the trade OF the Lower Provinces
during the Winter and the operation was found a
losing one. The existing lake craft are not built
for A-gOng purposes; but there Is no doubt that
a class of vessel. could be built which would an
swer both purposes. And as the capital invested
10 them would always be s:tlye, II Is post
bic that the natural disadvantages Of the ST.
Lawrence route to compete for the West lndis
and Chius trade, might, by tbs means be, to
great extent, overcome. Still toe process OF revo
lutienIing this trade, of which the greater part is
now with the United States, would present many
endorsements for Upper Capsds markets.
man may have capital enough TO import te,, sugar,
coffee and molas.es from New-York, and yet not be
equal TO the task of gong into the direct trsdesln
these articles. The direct trade would have 10 be
on larger s'sle; and would require more capital
relatively as well as absolutely. Upper C.nsds
merchants, before going to China for their teas
would bave to square their accounts in New-YOrk,
or at least the two operations would require 10 be
Simultaneous He would have 10 establish new
trade connections, aud 10 obtain credit from per-
sons who know nothing about him. These diff
cultes might be overcome, but they would be Of
very serious nature at first. Mr.. Gait stated in
tbe course Of his speech thst IL vessels from the