Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-03-17

Thursday uI-h.
The last steamer from Europe brings tHe
repor, g discussion ln the British House
OF Lords. February 2l-t, on the subject of
arming and protecting Canada. The follow
in- is O part Of it
Lord Lyyeieu drew attention 20 the official
report OF C0l. Jeryois ou the lefences of tauais.
by which .t appeared that this province BE- almost
destitute of the means II resisting aLv attack
from the American States. It was useless Co say
there existed no danger Of such an attack. There
could be no doubt that the feeling against Great
Britain was very strong in America. During the
iast four years It had been Increasing, and re
Gently more importance than ever bad been at
iached 10 what was called the Monroe doctrine.
tie concluded by asking what measures we're in
tended to ne taken with regard TO the iefences
Of the province.
Lord De Grey and Bipon admitted the impor-
tsnce Of the question; but as 10 the report u
Col Jervoi-, it really contained nothing that was
not perfectly well known 20 all vino hai taken
any interest IN the subject Il was necessary.
before asking the House of Commons for a vote
ing to the Canadian Assembly TO Join 10 the e1-
pense, 10 lay the information this report contain
Cd before both Legislatures. II referred chiefly
10 two quesUons-the nature 0f the defensive
works required and the measures taken for the
organization AID training Of the Canadian mill
TIA. Her Najesty's government INTENDED 90 ap-
ply E2OO. 900 10 the f1rtications Of Quebec Of
which the sum Of c5O,0 would he applied 20
the works this year. The Canadian government
would undertake the works Of Montreal lie
trusted that in a short time their American pos
sessions would be placed in an adequate state of
defence
Lord Derby thought the production Of the cr-
port and the state Of things It disclosed. quite
iustiiel the notice that had been taken Of it,
The province Of Canada appeared TO Dee defence
les by land. He thought the termination Of the
convention as 10 the armed force 20 be kept ON
the lakes was a sull greater danger for the colo
MES Provided Canada herself came forward
and WAS ready to contribute her share TO the de-
fence Of the province, England was bound IN
honor not TO abandon her. To see the province
that still wished 20 remain in allegiance 70 the
mother country separated from it, against its
own will, by invasion, would be an ignominy
and a disgrace to which he hoped England would
never submit.
Lord Granville said the government had been
[ charged with having suddenly changed It's poll
cy on this question, after negecting the deiences
I Of these provinces for years. But 1t was only
within the last three years that the Canadian
/ Government would take up this question The
province was bound 10 bear a fair part in its de-
! fence, but, if it did hot, England was bound 10
assist
Lord Russell defended the government from
the charge Of having neglected the desences Of
Ca ada for many years, by stating that if the
House Of Commons had been asked few years
ago for vote Of money for the purpose. the
necessity Of the works would have been CUES
toned; and If asked whether Canada itself va.
disposed 90 io;n in the cost of such defence, the
government must have answered in thenesative
As 70 spending the money required 10 a quiei
and secret manner, where could such n sum a,
two hundred thousand pounds be found without
the knowledge Of the House Of Commons II,
excused the feeling that bad been excited IL
America by the depredations Of the CONFEDERATE
cru seTs on federal commerce, though legally th,
Americans had no claim on England on accoun
hjion Of slavery was not the object Of the ciyi
war. that the recent vote Of the Federal Coz
gress had sanctioned the abolition.
Lord Derby asked whether any measures ha.
been taken 10 meet the increase Of the American
armed force on the lakes
The Duke Of Somerset said the increase va
notified to the government only in November
aud since that time the navigation OF the 81
Lswre nc bad been closed by ioc.