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THE COUNTY OF PERFH HERALD, STRATFORD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, _ 1864. 5 Arrival of the Damascus. SALE OF THE "GREAT EASTERN." 40,000 DANES AT DUPPEL. AN ATTACK ON THEM IMMINENT. THREATENED OCCUPATION OF JUTLAND. PorTLAND, March 2.--The steamer Damuscus, which 'eft Liverpool at 2.20 p. m., on the 18th an! Londonderry on the 19th, arrived at 10.50 a. m. The Manchester Examiner believes the government is resolved to terminate the Galway contract. The Grezt Eastern was knocked down at auction to the newly formed Great Hastern Steamship Co, for only £25,000. The company had, however, previously purchased bonds of the old company to the extent of £70,000 stg., which must be added to the above purchase money. Another person claims to have bid £25,000 at auction, and demands the ship. FRANCE, It is stated that the arrangements for the Geparture of the Archduke Maximilian for Paris, en route for Mexico, are complete. The Revue Des Deux Mondes contends that France and England lose by want of co-operation, and urges the re-establishment of an active alliance to avert the catastrophe which menaces Denmark. The Siecle demands the support of France for Denmark, so shamefully abandoned by England. It is stated that the Moniteur has been prohibited publishing Prince Napoleon's anti-English speech at the Suez canal cele- bration. 30,000 Prussians are concentrated in the district of Sundesette. SPAIN. The Spanish government has chartered seven steamers to convey 4,000 troops to reinforce the army of the Antilles. Lonpon, Feb. 19.--An attack on Duppel by the Prussian and Austrian forces is im- minent, but no news of its commencement has been received. Itis said that the place is defended by 40,000 Danes. Provincial Barliament. PEDDIE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. QuesBec, Monday, Feb. 29. The Speaker took the chair at three o'clock. Mr. James Cockburn appeared at the bar, in custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, and put in an affidavit that his absence from the Montreal East Election Committee had been caused by serious illness in his family. Mr. Francis Eyanturel also appeared at the bar and put in an affidavit that he had been prevented by illness from attending the Joliette Election Comuittee, The excuses of both gentlemen were ac- cepted as sufficient, and they were dis- charged from custody. Messrs. McKellar, Chapais, Alex. Dufresne, Carling, Bell, Lanark, and Dzou:t, were sworn at the clerk's table as the General Committee of Elections for the present session, and were ordered to hold their first meeting to-morrow forenoon at eleven o'clock. M. Cartier resumed the debate on the Address, in reply to the speech from the throne, at half-past three o'clock When he was interrupted in his speech by the ad- journment on Thursday, he had entered into a line of argument to show that the resolution in the address respecting the im- provements of the navigation of the Ottawa river was below, far below what the country required, and that it was merely a sham be- cause it signified nothing at all. He argued that the paragraph had been inserted only to catch votes for the Ministry, and not with any real intention on its part to carry out the improvement spoken of. Re- ferring to the preceding paragraph relating to the enlarging of the vanals, he said the Minister of Finance, with his colleagues, knew that the widening of the canals, which he (M. Cartier) was ready to acquiesce in, was not sufficient for the object stated; viz. attracting to the channel of the St. Lawrence a' larger share than we have heretofore enjoyed of the great and rapidly growing commerce of the Western States. It was known that the route from Chicago to the seaboard, at Montreal, was one hundred and fifty miles shorter than that from Chicago to New York ; this was a great advantage to the St. Lawrence route, and there was no doubt that by the wise policy of the late Goy- ernment, suggested by his friend the hon. member for Sherbrooke, in doing away with the tolls on canals, that the route would have been encouraged, and secured, as against the Erie Canal, a large share of the exportations of the west; but when the present Minister of Finance entered office, he did much to render nugatory those ad- vantages by reimposing tolls, in order, as he claimed, to increase the public income. He. regretted to say that a fecling had arisen in the States against the Reciprocity treaty ; and that not only was it demanded that notice should be given of its abrogation, but that also steps had been taken to abolish the bonding system. He (M. Cartier) thought that if we took off the canal tolls, we would thereby show our friends in the States, that we understood what conduced for the mutual interest of both. He, therefore, hoped the Govern- ment would acknowledge the error it had committed, and by. an order in council direct that, in future, tolls should not be collected on the canals. He contended, at considerable length, that the imposition of the tolls created a discriminating tariff against American commerce passing through our waters, and referring particularly to the Reciprocity treaty, said its advantages were mutual to both countries, and noted the change of opinion in certain points respect- ing it, which had occurred in séme journals supporting the Ministry. He alluded, in connection with this topic, to the question of Representation by Population, and showed that Messrs. Macdougall and Mowat had entirely abandoned it and_ taken grounds which he (M. Cartier) had always occupied. He supported this argument by reference to the speeches of the Com- missioner of Crown Lands and to the fact that Mr. Mowat continued in a Government which was opposed to the principal he had previously contended for; also that the sup- porters of the Ministry had abandoned the principle of Representation by Population, and that the only man who professed not to have thrown it over was Mr. Brown, who, however, had also abandoned it in support- ing the present ministry. Then, in reference to the next paragraph in the ad- dress he said that if Canada were deprived of the bonding system, it would be highly injurious, if we did not possess some outlet to the ocean available at all seasons of the year. What, he asked, would be the position of the Government if the United States carried on their threatened purpose of abrogating the Reciprocity treaty and abolishing the bonding system. Was it sufficient for the ministry to tell the House through the speech from the throne, that it had ordered the survey of the Intercolonial railway to be made in order, as it stated, to ascertain the cost of that work. That question had already been solved at different times, and what they required at the present time was nothing more nor less than that proper measures should be proposed with a view of devising means and providing funds necessary to carry out the work. He held that the Government was bound to bring in such a measure, to ensure the building of that railway as soon as possible. This was particularly the duty of the Government, when we reflected that we were threatened with evil from the United States, in the ab- rogation of the Reciprocity treaty and re- peal of the bonding law, but, also, on the other side, with injury from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which provinces were 80 much excited against Canada, on account of the duplicity and bad faith of our Government that their legislatures were actually in session in order to devise schemes for building a railway to connect them not with Canada but with the State of Maine. [ Hear, hear.] The action of our Govern- ment was a humbug and a sham, and that that idea was entertained of it by the Lower Provinces was correct' The Canadian people were, however, prejudiced in the opinion of those Provinces by the bad faith of our Government, and unjustly suffered in consequence of it, those Provinces not dis- tinguishing between the bad character of our Administration and the good character of our people. With reference to the Inter- colonial he said it would not,he believed,cost very much to build it, and that he did not share in the opinion that it would not pay. He thought a sufficiency of the produce re- quired to supply the wants of the Lower Provinces and of imports to meet the necessities of the West would be carried over it to make it a profitable enterprise. He went on to say that a Government which was guilty of such bad faith did not represent the people of this country, and that it had only sustained itself in Parlia- ment, where it was really without a majority, by corrupting a member here and purchasing a member there. After the recess, M. Cartier resumed his speech, discussing the next paragraph in the address with relation to the North-West territory. In 1858, he said, the then Op- position, which now occupied the benches on the ministerial side of the House, had made a great deal of noise and bluster in reference to this question, and yet in 1864 all the Ministery promised regarding it, as the Intercolonial Railway was only pre- liminary. He read a paragraph from the speech trom the throne in 1858, and said the vigorous language then used was in strong contrast with the wishy-washy style of the paragraph in the present address. He then proceeded on to the consideration of the next paragraph, respecting the public buildings at Ottawa. He contended that the present Opposition, when in power, had strenuously endeavored to carry out the Queen's decision, in the face of great difficulties, and pointed to the fact that his ministry had resigned on that question. He alluded to the stoppage of the works and the delay caused by the costly commission appointed by the present Government, and said if the vigor which characterised the Cartier-Macdonald administration had been exhibited by the men now in power, the buildings at Ottawa would now be finished and the legislature of the province in session in that city. He alluded to the fruitless result of the Ottawa commission, incidentally touching upon . the payment made to the member for Lambton for at- tending it, and vindicated the Cartier- Macdonald Ministry against the charges of corruption that had been made against it in connection with those' works. He con- tended that no act of corruption had been or could be proved against it and chal- ot lepged his opponent to produce proof, if he could. M. Cartier reviewed at great length the iniquitious acts of the government in connection with the Delisle commissions in Montreal, and also the MeGinn ease. He continued speaking till half-past 12, when the second paragraph of the address was | adopted and the House adjourned. _Quesec, March 1. The general committee of elections, re- ported that they had unanimously decided in pursuance of their interpretation of the Controverted Elections Act, to proceed to choose new committees to try the contro- verted elections of Hochelaga and Belle- chasse. The committee also reported that they had selected the names of the following gentlemen to form the chairmen's panel, for the present session :--Messrs. Macfarlane, Abbott, Taschereau, Wood, Morris and Caron. The House then resumed the considera- tion of the address in reply to His Ex- eellency's speech. The third paragraph re- lating to the reciprocity treaty, was adopted without debate. On the 4th paragraph being put, Mr. Rose regretted that the speech from the throne coutained no reference to the volunteer force. 'That force could not be sustained in an efficient state unless Par- liament were prepared to pay the men com- posing it. [Hear, hear.] The govern ment was.spending five or six hundred thou sand dollars for staffs, clothing and other appeintments connected with the force; but the men who did the work for which all this expense was incurred did not get one shilling. When the reports of the officers appointed to inspect this foree came down it would be seen that, notwithstanding the efforts made by communding officers to make a creditable appearance, the force was not in a good state. He asked why the gov- ernment had not paid the voluntecrs in accordance with the promise made last Session ? He went on to show that the conduct of the Ministry showed they were opposed to the volunteers and that their conduct towards that force had tended to its injury. He called upon the government to make some provision for paying the men, He also demanded that the actual position of the force would be shown. It was stated in England that we had 25 or 30 thousand efficient men. It was asserted here that only a small proportion was available! In view of such contradictory statements it was necessary the truth should be known. Re- ferring to the paragraphs relating to the enlargement of the canals and the improve- ment of the Ottawa River, he said he sup- posed these foreshadowed the introduction of measures for the widening and deepen- ing of the Welland, and the enlargement of the St. Lawrence canal, and of the canals on the Ottawa River. Mr. Shanley's report showed that the enlarging of the Welland canal would cost $8,000,000; it would require $4,000,000 to construct the Niagara Cut and $4,000,000 for enlarging the re- mainder from Thorald to Lake Hrie. This was an admirable proposition for a govern- ment whose only claim for support was re- trenchment, and one of whose members had resigned because it had proposed to enter upon a single work, which he said the coun- try could not afford to undertake. If the Welland canal was enlarged the St. Law- rence canal would have to be deepened. This would cost $3,000,000. And with reference to the navigation of the Ottawa River, he presumed it was intended to enlarge the Greenville and Ottawa canals, together with the channels which led to and from it; for it was no use enlarging the canal unless the means of access to it for vessels were enlarged also. This work had been estimated by Mr. Clark at twenty millions of dollars, making thirty-one millions of dollars in all; which the government proposed expending on the canals, besides the contemplated cost of the Intercolonial Railroad which was to come. The words of the address were, "we shall be prepared to consider the expediency of providing such improvements" as " will without involving a heavy outlay, greatly accelerate the development of the extensive and valuable territory drained by that noble stream and its tributaries."--The works contemplated were not consistent with such language. Mr. Currier was understood to say that the Ottawa people would be satisfied with having the locks of the Greenville canal made one foot deeper. This would cost | about $10,000. Mr. Rose said this was only a local af- fair and should not have been referred to in the address. Referring to the Intercolonial Railway, he asked what unforseen obstacles, as stated in the address, had retarded the survey of the route, and whether there had been any obstacles not seen last session by our government ? ' Mr. Sandfield Macdonald, go on with your speech. Mr. Rose said before the House passed the address it had a right to know if their were any other than those of the govern- meat's own creation. J. S. Macdonald--The papers brought down last year would show what they were. Mr. Rose--These papers showed that the only obstacles to the prosecution of the work had been caused by our government. It demanded that all previous negotiations between the provinecs should go for nothing. This the provinces would not agree to; but this was no unforseen obstacle. The Min- istry knew of thislastsession. It was then promised that Mr. Fleeming would at once proceed with the survey, but, as yet, no moye had been made. He showed the ab- surdity of the Ministry claiming credit for haying carried on the Ottawa works, and showed how he shad been persecuted by Messrs. Dorion and Holton because he voted to sustain the Queen's decision. He then referred to the financial condition of the country and showed that it would re- quire a strong government in order to carry out the schemes of the Finance Minister for procuring additional revenue. He asked if it was not a fact that the govern- ment were in a minority ? Mr. Sandfield Macdonald, claimed that he was not ill disposed towards the volun- teers, Mr. Simpson said the success of the canal policy depended so much entirely upon the success of the commercial policy that the two subjects could not be separated. The first duty of the Government, it seemed to him, was to create a trade and then furnish facilities for carrying it on. He went on to shew that the Reciprocity Treaty had been more adyantagious to the States than to Canada. He quoted from the trade re- turns to prove this. The 4th, 5th, and 6th paragraphs were adopted. Mr. Galt asked whether it was the inten- tion of the Government to carry out the Intercolonial Railway scheme. Unless they did it was hardly worth while putting the words employed into the speech from the threne, when only 10,000 dollarg was to be expended on a survey. He thought the House was entitled to know whether the Government intends doing anything beyond this survey, especially when it was remem- bered one of its present members had re- tired because he was opposed to undertaking the construction of the railway. Mr. 8. Macdonald said the government never intended to do any thing in connection with the road till the survey was completed. He attempted to throw the blame of the delay upon New Brunswick. Mr. Rose asked if a private company had offered to build the road for $3,500,000 ? Mr. 8S. Macdonald said the government had learned as much but not officially. Mr. Galt asked whether New Brunswick still regarded the Canadian Government as beund by the negociations of 1862. Mr. Sandfield Macdonald said com- munication with New Brunswick had been brought to a close by reason of the Govern- ment of that Province charging this Govern- ment with bad faith, and the only commu- nication that had passed between them since last session was one announcing that this Government intended to proceed with the survey. Mr. Galt thought the statement a most deplorable one that the relations between the two-Governments were in such a state tuat it was impossible to hold communication be- tween them. [Hear, hear.] He thought that in view of this statement the House ought not'to be called on to pass this para- graph. Mr. Foley made a powerful speech against the Government. He showed clearly wherein members of the Ministry, as well as their supporters, had acted most incon- sistently. He vigorously attacked Mr, Brown and Mr. Mowat and others for the course they had taken on the representation question, showing most conclusively the most glaring inconsistency on their part, and successfully established charges of incon- sistency against M. Dorion. He alluded to his conduct at the Mount Forest dinner. He went there on the understanding that the toast of the Ministry would not be proposed, and that he should be at liberty to make what remarks he saw fit. [Ap- plause. ] Mr. Parker, on being called upon, con- firmed Mr. Foley's statement, that in no respect had he acted dishonorably or in violation of the strictest rules of courtesy. Mr. Foley referred to meetings in his Riding, and exposed the machinations of the Provincial Secretary and Government to create a feeling among his constituents against him, and in coneluding said he must give his unqualified opposition to the Government. Mr. McKeller attacked Mr. Foley in such ablackguard style that the speaker had to call him to order. Mr. Mowat attempted to prove he had acted consistently all through, but only succeeded in proving he was, like his com- panions, utterly void of principle. Quesec, March 2nd. On motion of Mr. Cockburn, leave was given to the Montreal East election com- mittee to adjourn till Wednesday, the 9th inst. Mr. Pope resumed the debate on the ad- dress. He said it was the duty of the Goy- ernment to open a correspondence with the Governments ot the Lower Provinces re- specting the Intercolonial Railway. Mr. Galt referring to Mr. Foley's speech said he had successfully vindicated his posi- tion, and had proved that he had not aban- doned his principles. He expressed surprise at the miserable attempt made by the Post Master General (Mowat) to defend his position and wished to knowif that was all the gentlemen on that side of the House had to say in defence of their reckless abandon ment of Principle. He (Galt) well under- mon. oe reason of the Post Master pe al challenging the Opposition to a trial o strength. Cavenauae wished to avoid the responsibility of bringing down the meas- ures indicated in the speech from the throne. They were afraid to have their professions put to the test by the introduction of the promised measures. They were anxious to escape having to admit that their plea of re- trenchment was a sham. The Opposition were anxious the Ministry should haye an opportunity of developing their policy. He referred to the grandeloquent paragraph in the address respecting the Intercolonial rail- way, and the improvement of the navigation of the Ottawa and its tributaries--showing how absurd it was to refer to these subjects at all while it was only intended to proceed with the survey authorised last session, and to expend $10,000 to improve the locks of one of the canals on theOttawa. He then com- mented in cutting terms upon the conduct of Messrs. Mowat and Brown regarding Re- presentation and showed how inconsistent was their course. Refering to the improve- ments promised he said the whole thing was asham--the improvements spoken of would, if carried out, cost millions--whereas it was intended to spend only a_ few t!:ous- ands. The only object had in view by the Ministry was to mislead the public. Mr. McDougall spoke at some length, at- tempting to vindicate the course of the goy- ernment but, as might be expected, failed. He admitted that the government had made a mistake in regard to their Intercolonial Railway scheme of 1862. He concluded by saying the deficit in 1862 as stated by Mr, Galt, was nearly $5,000,000. Mr. Galt shewed this was incorrect. That amount represented the sum which was required to be provided for the redemption of debt and to meet other payments_in- curred under the law as well as under the measures proposed by the then government; the absolute deficit of the year did not amount to that, and he (Mr. Galt) did not. desire to have his language used at that: time, misrepresented. Mr. Cauchon replied to Mr. McDougall showing how inconsistent that gentleman's career had been. or the sake of office he had advocated Reprecentation by Popula- tion. While in Opposition he had declared that unless that measure were granted a revolution would take place in Upper Canada and that her people would look to Washing- ton for redress. Why did he declare now that the view taken by the present Opposi tion, when in power, that Representation by Population was impossible was correct ? Was it not because he had changed sides in the House, and that he now found himself in office, whereas before he had been in Opposition. (Cheers.) Mr. Sandfield Macdonald, in moving the appointment of a committee to wait on His Excellency to ascertain when the Address would be received, replied to Mr. McGee's - observatains on the Intercolonial railroad, defending the course the Government had pursued. He then proceeded to refer to the hostility to the Government of the Grand Trunk Railway, and accused gentlemen op- posite with trumping up a charge that the Ministry wanted to purchase the support of | the Company, alluding to the member for Sherbrooke as having countenanced that charge. Mr, Galt--Does the hon. member charge me with having made that charge ? Mr. Sandfield Macdonald said he did not, but that Mr. Galt encouraged its bein made, or rather did not censure his oe ; leagues when it was made by them without proof. Mr. Galt--For my part I can say the Government has never satisfactorily explain- ed that charge. M. Cartier--So say we all. [Cheers.] Mr. 8. Macdonald referred to the case of M. de Bellefeuille and attempted to excul- pate himself from the damaging charges made against him in connection therewith, He admitted that he had had conversations with gentlemen on the snbject but denied he ever attempted to bribe any one. _ Mr. Galt remarked that the explanations of Mr. Sandfield Macdonald were far from satisfactory, both as regarded the Grand Trunk's and de Bellefeuille's case. In the former case the Government, if anxious to clear itself, should not oppose the fullest enquiry, and with regard to the latter it was singular that the dismissal followed close upon the refusal of Mr. de Bellefeuille's relatives to support the Governmeut. Mr. Dorion said the Government had no desire to conceal anything respecting the Grand Trunk. He said the dismissal of Mejor de Bellefeuille was for an economical purpose. Mr. Galt--Am I to understand that the Government are prepared to grant a com- mittee to enquire into the charge respect- ing the Grand Trunk ? M. Dorion--Certainly. Mr. Galt--Then I would be wanting in duty if I cid not give notice of the appoint- ment of such a committee, Br reeth) Mr. MeDougall--We will have more committees, too, concerning the Grand Trunk. M. Taschereau said if it was a question of veracity between the Premier and three _ other gentlemen-- Messrs. Bellefeuille, Har- wood and himself (M. Taschereau)--the country would believe them and not Mr. Sandfield Macdonald, Was it to be sup- posed that they would concert and endeavor to palm off a lie upon the House. Mr. Powell said the Premier had not ventured to deny the main facts, but rested his defence on incidental points. It was characteristic of him to make corrupt offers, and eyen his own supporters expressed them-