The Portland daily press., 1866-06-09
Matters in Montreal.
MONTREAL. June 6, 1866.

To the Editor Of the Press:
Since I arrived here Tuesday morning
nothing of local interest has transpired. The
hustle and excitement attending the move
ment of troops to threatened points has about
subsided. The disposition Of forces perfected.
the government and people are anxiously
waiting, like Micawber, for something "to
turn up" The utmost confidence prevails
that their force and dispositions are such that
the Fenians would be sTsobbiea,' at aay Peiat
where they might choose to cross. The Grand
Trunk railway running as it does along the
Canada line, with its diverging branches, ena-
bles the Canadian authorities to concentrate
their forces rapidly, as the movement of the
Fenians may require. ~
[ hear general complaints that the United
States authorities are not acting entirely in
geod faith in their endeavors to prevent the
raiders from crossing our lines. 1t would
seem that the Canadians expect us to protect
them from invasion. They have forgotten
the Canadian rebel raid on st. Albans. 1t is
our bull that cores their OK this time. In con-
versation with an officer of the Royal Fu-
sieers yesterday, he said to me-
"Your goyernmenthas long been aware that
Fep;an circles existed throughout the country,
ard that they were plotting an Invasion of
the British provinces. Why is itthat you did
not heve sufficient force ready on the from
tier to prevent it If you really meant to do SO %
Of course, as Yankee I was bound to
answer his question by asking another, viz:
"Why is it that the Canadian government,
having the same information that ours did
with reference to the intentions Of the Feni-
ans, had no force on the frontier to meet
them p" ID
While the standing garrison of regulars in
Canada exceeds by some thousands the Unit
ed States force in the Northern States, they
had no troops at either Of the points threat
ened. 4rffot rrorf~rq r0 e.toass
The appearance and discipline of the Bri-
tsh troops, both regular and volunteer, that
have seen, is most excellent, and in striking
contrast to that of our great northern army
Of volunteers. Not that / would disparage
the latter, but simply to remark difference
so apparent between a people military by ira
dition, people who, without such tradition,
excel them in material resources AID power.
Great variety and elegance is displayed in
the uniform of the various corps of the Bri-
fish army. No two regiments are clad pre-
cisely alike, and yet there is no danger that
they would be mistaken for the enemy by
their friends in the field, while its Importance
as a means of establishing that esprit de corps
SO necessary for the success of any army, can
hardly be overestimated. -
Notwithstanding it has rained almost con-
stantly since Monday morning, there are
groups of citizens and soldiers on all the cor
ners, and at the bulletin boards, discussing the
latest reports by telegraph; while any officer
| or soldier who has come from the front, can
always find an attentive and credulous crowd
to listen to him. Fgb.t
Sir John Michel, who commands Her Mai
esty's forces in Canada, has his headquarters
| here. .as2zss assFatss=H4 80 s"&
| Gen. Lindsay, lately commanding at Que
| bee, now commands the Montreal garrison
which consists of the 7th Royal Fusileers and
small Battalion each, OF Rifemen and Ar
tillery. These troops are held in readiness to
move to the front at the shortest notice, should
they be required there, in which case Battal
ion of Citizen Home Guards, about six hun
dred strong, would replace them as city garri
| son. ..D--3 "a
The Eceniag Telegraph is out with leader
most bitterly denouncing what it is pleased tt
term the professed neutrality of the United
States; taking as its text some clippings from
the columns of the Boston Herald Iexpec
to visit the front tomorrow, when will doubt
| less be able to communicate more of interest
| ~ 81 ..4 n L.tL.4tf-f w e. M