The New York herald., 1867-03-20
CA NJ A DA.


ers-ktad Morale OF the Volunteers-Kum0rs
thai the Montreal Powder Magazine Is 10
be nio~n Up-Thc Government Suppress
MoSrREaI, C E., March 10, 1861
The city here and the country In general have been in
very pleasant and unwarranable state Of excitement
those two days Private and reliable news from British
smsssries received here yesterday indicating an
Intended raid upon Canada from st. Adams. AT once
every one went Wild Stories promptly circulated
masnifying at least tenold the preparations Of the
Fenians An extraordinary Cabinet council was called
and held n once and their deliberations transacted for
once with secrecy II has however, transpred that more
troops were telegraphed for from England and 1t was
decided 10 make ut every possible preparation 70
receive the attack The One Hundredth regiment was
sent forward at once TO chambly The Twenyhird and
rwsnty-Gfth are under arms, and with the Victoria
Rides are ready to be pushed forward at moments
notice The telegraph Offices all the country are
kept open night and day and every volunteer officer Is
prepared 70 assemble his men at moments notice
This time however, less dependence will be placed on
the volunteers and moro connded TO the regulars
Comparing the of the country this year with its
conduon this time last spring. must say the means Of
defence less than they then and infinitely below
the OF last June. II Is utterly impossible to
obtain relnsocements from England, what with broken
roads and bound Tho volunteer force In pad
order. Disgusted with insufficient pay, with the
threadbare clothing served out 70 the with the utter
careessness OF the authorities for their comfort the
have resigned and left the country by the dozen
For instance In rural battalion which showed much
accrty when called out year both OCCASIONS
OF -four hundred and hfty men only one hundred and
sixty can be paraded The conduct OF the officers has
had much TO do with this dissatisfaction They have
been majors in spirit when they only subs 10 rank,
and '.bossedn their men 50 literally that in the
event Of encounter many OF them would be IN danger
dian volunteers Is not 10 be depended on they are
brave enough, grant, but except In city battaons, are
wholly unversed In drill more especially in matters
concerning the musket and bayonet Now, IN coun-
try battaions, especially in Lower Canada, the
men not exercised once . year in rifle
practice The majority OF volunteers in Canada will not
hit barn at eight hundred yards; and this Is conceded
by eminent volunteer officers Again, not two compa-
nies In Canada would stand a bayonet charge They
will oil be encumbered by the Snider Enfield with
whose drill they unfamiliar and which is very likely
to foul and become deranged in unaccustomed hands.
In fact officers Quebec say the rifle will be utterly
useless in the field though my experience would
hardly warrant such sweeping assertion. Again, at
passabIe; and lastly, John A. Macdonald and G. J.
Bridges are both absent from Canada-the two men who
could be Of most service in the event Of invasion
Although OF course from the paucity of numbers In
which the Fenians assembling, general or per-
manent success be anticipated Sill the present
time has been admirably chosen for attack The
friends OF the Fenans and there are many such in
Canada, omnousy silent and there lack not rumors
OF organizations threatening nightly conagrations and
discomfort at home, soon as the green standard Is
hosted
The city was scared from its propriety to-day by
liability. The first was that attempt had been made
and frustrated TO blow up the Victoria Bridge This
IS guarded 1 and less liable to damage. The other
was report that conspiracy was on foot to blow
up the powder magazine just back of the city.
Scores OF tons of gunpowder here stored
for the purpose The magazine is wholly unguarded.
such is the quantity Of powder gathered there that its
explosion would not leave q house standing or q
soul living in Montreal Seventy million dollars and q
hundred and twenty thousand lives at the mercy OF
chance The ruor was that twelve picked men, selected
m md hou hv cnla had hoou from
Boston 70 Montreal to attempt this enterprise, more
deadly and more perilous than the defence OF Their
mopya Of old. One Of their number was to fire the
magazine and give his life for the vengeance OF Ireland
for how much Of truth there is in this
story But there is most certainly deep and natural
our Inhabitants The city council have neglected
this time and again. Tho press has warned
them of the extreme peril Of such posi-
tion of things, aud now many person lays
his head his pillow at night feeling certain his life Is
at the mercy Of any unatc fanatic maddened by the
oppression 0f his country and reckless OF his death
The government are suppressng any news calculated
to miate against them, and will shortly the
management, Of the Telegraph lines In TIE country
message sent TO the HERALD yesterday briefly stating
hours by the authorities Alter investigation however,
they tar convinced OF the truth Of the state
ments In your correspondents message that they Of
fered to lot 1t proceed suit for damages has been
commenced against them test whether the press
be muzzed with impunity. l have still much TO say,
but defer IL till tomorrow.
Grear Procession Of Irishmen I'm Montreal
The Hiberniqn Society Of Quebec Cheering
for Irish FreedOm-lncreased Naval Force
ON the Lakes, &c.
MONTREAL, March Is, 1867.
There was great procession In honor Of St. Patricks
day in this city to-day During the day the laying Of
the foundation of the hall took place. In the
evening there was large concert and speeches
made The whole affair vas great success and passed
of quietly.
The procession OF the Hibernian Society at Quebec
gave three cheers for the freedom Of Ireland.
A full complement Of man-of- wars has been sent
10 the gunboats ON the upper lakes Two hundred
men, with their oficers TO follow.
Equipping tho Gunbonts ON the Lakes, &c.
QUEREc, C. E., March 10, 1867.
A large body OF seaman belonging to her Macsty's
Aurora 60 West Immediately to equip the gun
boats the lakes and prepare them for service ary
possible.
The Irshmen OF this city celebrated St. Patrcks Day
yesterday by procession and church services. rLc
turnout was larger than for many years past
E1rn