COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE. and report, which I shall be happy to communicate to you at a future period I have the honor to be, &c. M. THALWITZER. Cape Town, July 9, 1845. WEST INDIES. ANTIGUA. -Our papers are to the 27th August. The Legislature assemble for the dispatch on the 23rd. In the Assembly (according to the Observer) there will be several new members, among them are natives just entering upon public life, as the chosen representatives of their countrymen, the defenders of their rights, and the conservators of their interests. Some of these are highly educated, others may not have enjoyed the same early advantages, but we believe are possessed of warm hearts, some knowledge gained by observation, and the result of persevering industry. We wish them a long and brilliant career of usefulness. Within the last few years, several new associations have sprung up such as Reading Societies, Circulating Libraries, a Polytechnic Institution, a Mechanics' Institute, a Life Assurance Company, besides Agricultural Societies requiring the aid of scientific men. Combinations for useful purposes hitherto unknown in this Archipelago are developing their advantages and making themselves understood. The spirit of England is coming over our country, and may God long preserve a connection which tells so beneficially But on our part, upon our interests. industry and application are necessary to secure the advantages within our reach, and which if rightly made use of, are capable of raising up an influence that will be felt by the whole community. BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. CANADA. Day after day, says the British Whig, we see our lake and river boats forwarding their Afties or their hundreds of American travellers from Niagara to Montreal. These migratory hordes, like pigeons in early spring, seem to go in one unvarying route. The Falls of the Chaudiere, one mile above Bytown, are fully as terrible as the Falls of Niagara. More water comes over them, and although the descent is not so great, yet the effect upon the mind of the beholder is greater because the natural situation is so much grander. The Union Bridge thrown over a mighty chasm, immediately below the "kettle,' is alone worth a journey to see it. The Falls of the Chaus, forty miles above Bytown, are so beautiful and so romantic, that it would be a positive cruelty to attempt a description in these hurried moments. They are twentyseven in number, and are the outlets of the river above the 'portage des Chats' to the lake or river below. The Falls of the Rideau, one mile below Bytown, are inconceivably picturesque, exciting no feeling save inThe Rideau River tense admiration. falls into the Ottawa, in one unbroken sheet, like a beautiful curtain, over an abrupt precipice forty-five feet high. The rapids of the Long Sault at Grenville and Carrillon are wholly unnavigable, unlike their namesake of the St. Lawrence, down which steamboats pass with perfect safety. Rafts alone can descend them, and that with great peril, And last, though not least, the far famed Caledonia springs are near the banks of the Ottawa, between Bytown and Grenville, a Saratoga on a smaller scale, with medicinal properties of far greater value. Writing as we now do to fill space, we cannot stay to enlarge upon the sights of the Ottawa. Should our paper chance to fall into the hands of those for whom alone we write, we conjure them to pause in their ever-go-round of pleasure. Either stop at Kingston, and visit the Ottawa, via the Rideau Canal; or when at Montreal ascend the Ottawa from Lachine. The steamers on these less frequented waters are not so large as those on the St. Lawrence, but they are very commodious. And surely, a little trouble is worth being taken for so grand a purpose. By an act to make provisions for a Geological Survey of the Province, (8th Victoria, chap. 16,) two thousand pounds is to be annually applied for five years to the above purpose. Mr. Logan, the gentleman employed in the survey, is at present up the Ottawa, accompanied by Mr. M'Naughton, surveyor. We understand that abundance of iron ore has been found in the township of Hull.-Bytown Gazette. William Cayley, Esq., of Toronto,formerly President of the Niagara Dock Company, has been sworn in a member of the Executive Council and appointed Inspector-General. So far as Mr. Cayley is concerned we are well pleased with this nomination. He is a gentleman of stainless reputation, staunch Conservative principles, and an excellent character as a man of business. He will probably prove a most excellent Inspector-General. Crown Lands.---We do not know the extent of the powers intended to be given to the Commissioners recently appointed to enquire into :he state of the Crown Land Department in Canada. possession of Canada by conquest and cession, eighty-two years ago, the whole population of the Province, then including all the late Province of Upper Canada, all, or the greatest part, of the present States of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio; partof New York, nearly all Vermont, part of New Hampshire and Maine, and the present provinces of New Brunswick, amounted ouly to about sixty thousand souls. The population of all these countries has increased more rapidly than that of Canada. This increase in all new countries depends, in a great degree, on the occupation and cultivation of lands in a state of nature, truly enough, called "Waste Lands in the language of the statute. It was the duty of the Crown, in the exercise of its perogative, to facilitate by every practicable means the occupation and cultivation of the waste lands. The Crown has no prerogative but for the welfare of its subjects. The whole object and only justifiable grounds upou which European nations have obtained and hold territory in America is settlement, the promoting of which, by the cultivation of the waste lands, is one of the principal duties of the Government. The lands of this description held by the Crown can never be considered as similar to the property of individuals which they may manage as they please. The possession of the waste lands by the Crown is a public trust, which is only fulfilled by the actual settlement of the lands under secure titles, guaranteed by the faith and protection by the power of the Crown representing the nation. It is to be feared that the object for which the lands are held by the Crown and the duties of the trust have not been sufficiently attended to for a great many years past in Canada, and hence, in part at least, the comparatively slow progress of its settlement. Subscription for the Quebec Sufferers. ---The amount now subscribed for the relief of the Quebec Sufferers is nearly £100,000 currency. Say in round numbers---in Great Britain and Ireland £35,000; in the British Provinces COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE. £25,000; Imperial and Provincial Grants £40,000. This is a large sum, and it is due to the charitable donors, that it be not frittered away in management. This is a comprehensive word and means a great deal. NEWFOUNDLAND.--- Advices from this Colony have reached us up to Sep. 13. The General Assembly was prorogued until the 15th of October. Permission has been given to Sir J. Harvey by Lord Stanley to allow private parties to lay out a small portion of the grounds attached to the official residence, for a Botanical Garden, and another for building purposes, to which the public will have access. Mr. Acting Assistant Justice Lilly, has been promoted to the Assistant Judgeship in the Supreme Court of this island, vacant by the death of Mr. Justice Brenton. Mr. Lilly is an old and respected resident. The Cod Fishery, along shore, has been decidedly bad in most places up to this period--- indeed, in many places it has been all but a dead loss of time to pursue it, and those who have only to depend upon the produce of the voyage, without the assistance of produce from the land, must and will be in destitute circumstances in the ensuing winter. Accounts have just been received The in this town from Labrador. fishery from Cape St. Francis to the Seal Islands has been very successful, but at the Camp Islands, poor; in the neighbourhood of Sandwich Bay the ice is reported to have obstructed the operations until a late period of the season. Harbour Grace Herald, Aug.13. The Fisheries.-We are glad to ob serve that the people of Halifax have prepared a Memorial to Her Majesty's Government, remonstrating against the suicidal policy of allowing the Americans the important concessions which the Home Government is said to be on the eve of granting, and whereby they will be placed on the same footing as our Colonial fishermen. The Halifax Morning Chronicle contains an able article on the subject from the pen of a "Colonist," the following portion of which we extract, and trust that the people of this city will follow the example of Halifax, by also getting up a Petition to H. M. Government : "I am glad to see that the rumours of further concessions to the Americans, relative to the fisheries of these Provinces, have aroused some of our citizens to a consideration of the subject. It is much to be regretted that they are so apathetic, with regard to matters which seriously affect the interests of our country. The merchants, whom the community naturally expect to be very watchful and active with regard to these interests, are, unfortunately, quite the reverse. Two or three honourable exceptions With there may be one there certainly is. regard to questions concerning our commercial prosperity, the Secretary of the now defunct Chamber of Commerce has always displayed a degree of public spirit, industry, and knowledge, which contrasts most honourably with the lethargy, and lack of information that characterises a large portion of the mercantile community, and reflect much discredit on a body of men who assume, and who undoubtedly should possess, the qualifications to command a high station among our citizens. I have been surprised to observe that the press of the city has manifested so much indifference, to say the least, so little concern-relative to the rumour on this subject, which they have copied. It is possible that the staff of our strength,' as it has been appropriately termed, is so little valued by us? Is it possible that, despoiled as we have been, of the mineral wealth of our country, the greatest treasure we have left is so slightly appreciated? If the privilege which the American minister has now the hardihood to claim, be conceded by the Imperial Government, the fishery of this Province will become almost valueless to us. Even heretofore, our fishermen have had to compete with the Americans at no slight disadvantage. This nation, and also the French, justly estimating the importance of their fisheries, have fostered them by liberal bounties, and the wisdom of their policy has been generally admitted. The British fisherman, for years, has enjoyed no such advantage. Notwithstanding the lack of encouragement, however, this branch of industry has been prosecuted with a very commendable degree of spirit, and, indirectly and directly, augmenting the wealth and revenue of the Colony and the parent state, and giving subsistence to a hardy race of men, at any moment ready to do good service for them, it has certainly proved itself entitled to the consideration of legislators. The treaties with the French and Americans yielded to these nations without equivalent, without the shadow of any sufficient reason, very extensive and valuable privileges with regard to the fisheries on this, and on the Newfoundland coast. The claims of the British fishermen, so grossly slighted in these cases, have since been repeatedly pressed on the Home Government, but to no purpose. It was never dreamed, however, that any fresh privileges would be yielded to our rivals, whatever claims might be advanced by their artful, audacious, and unscrupulous diplomatists. But already one concession has been made, and we have but slight warrant for believing that the one now asked will be withheld, unless the strongest remonstrance which we, who are so deeply interested, can send, be immediately forwarded to the lord paramount on the other side of the ocean. Such a remonstrance should at once be addressed to the Colonial Secretary, since the colonists can look to no other quarter for consideration of their claims, however small may be the measure of justice they anticipate receiving there. A Memorial has been prepared, I am very well aware, but I fear it is not likely to have the desired effect. At all events, it should not go unsupported. Our popul tion should be agitated, from one end of the Province to the other, to resistance against so high handed an invasion of their rights. This I conceive it to be, in sober truth. True, as far as we are aware, the concession is not granted. I sincerely hope that our remonstrances may be in time, and have sufficient weight, to avert such a catastrophe. But if not, I do conceive that our inalienable rights will have been violated. The mother country, I contend, has no right thus to dispose of any one of the main sources of our wealth, one of the principal means of our subsistence. No better right has she to do this than to deprive us of the free air, the fertilising rain, our rivers, and our rich forests, no better right than she has to insist, that every tiller of the ground in Nova Scotia, shall devote half of the fruits of his toil to the aggrandizement of the citizens of Boston or New York. "1 -New Brunswicker. Number of Seals received this spring in the town of St. John's up to the 30th April, 1845. Robinson, Brooking & Co. .................. 4,365 700 James Tobin & Co. ...........................26,500 Hunters & Co..................................... 7,150 Job, Brothers & Co..................................................... 6,431 W, & H. Thomas & Co. ..................... 11,000 Baine, Johnstone, & Co...................................................... 8,000 Richard Howley 7,800 McBride & Kerr................................................................15,497 Bowring Brothers........................ 9,800 John & J. Kent ........................................................................ 3,000 R. O.'Dwyer & Co. ..................................................... 7,000 E. & N. Stabb.................................... 1,996 1,000 5,100 John Nichols John H. Warren. C. F. Bennett & Co....................... 9,572 J, and W. Stewart................18,235 Rennie, Stuart & Co.................... 13,523 R. Alsop & Co. ... 7,800 Stabb, Row and Holmwood ............... 4,900 Hounsell, Schenk and Hounsell 5,978 Newman & Co. ..................................................................... 5,557 Mudge & Co. .............................................................................................. 5,250 Making a total of............ 207,754 Which will produce 2,596 tuns of oil imperial, at the usual calculation of 80 seals to a tun;-valued at £30 per tun, will amount to £77,880. By examination of a Report to the U. S. Congress, bearing date Janu ... 240,648. 16,576. 89,952. 11,704. Other British Possessions, The Flambeau, a French government steamer, intended as a cruiser on the coasts of Newfoundland, recently arrived at Sydney, Cape Breton, from St Pierre, for a supply of coals. After testing its qualities, which were found to be admirably adapted for steam boat purposes, a vessel was chartered and loaded with the article, and the Flambeau taking her in tow, steamed away for La Croque. A grand dinner was given by the officers of the Royal Newfoundland Companies to H. R. H. Prince Henry of the Netherlands, which passed off with the usual hilarity on such occasions. The annual ploughing match of the Agricultural Society took place on the 20th August. After the work was done the members partook of a splendid entertainment at which Prince Henry and his Excellency the Governor were present. His Royal Highness was expected to leave on the 25th for Holland. The number of vessels fitted out from Brigus in 1845 was 82 of 7,442 tons, engaging 2,435 men. In 1844, the number of vessels was but 67, of 6,043 tons and 2,034 men. NEW BRUNSWICK.--Lord Stanley has sent out the entire disapproval of H. M. Government to the act of His Excellency Sir Wm. Colebroke, in appointing his son-in-law, Mr. Reade, to the vacant Secretaryship. The retired Councillors have been called again to their places, by the command of her Majesty; and in Her Majesty alone rests the appointment. Of course, we cannot suppose that any of those councillors who supported His Excellency can hold their mandamuses for a day longer. His Excellency has committed himself very imprudently, and we fear, no other honourably course is left for him, but to go home. His successor is already spoken of. The Revenue.-The Royal Gazette of last Wednesday, contains an abstract of the Revenue of New Brunswick for the quarter ending 30th June, 1845, which exhibits a very gratifying increase, the sum total being £38,918 10s. 5d., which is made up as follows.-- Ordinary Revenue ... £17,241 0 7 5,307 6 5 1,400 16 8 638 6 7 1,026 12 0 6,354 14 4 3,197 19 11 3,400 12 0 351 1 11 £39,918 10 5 The Revenue for the corresponding quarter of 1844, amounted to £23,110 10s. 9d., showing an increase this year of £15,807 19s. 8d. sterling. PRINCE EDWARD'S ISLAND.-We are happy to find from the annual report of the school visiter, John McNeill, Esq., that education is in as thriving a state as the limited resources of the Colony, and the poverty of many of its inhabitants would lead us to expect; but we cannot close our eyes to the fact, that the National Institutions, are not yet commensurate with the wants of the population, owing to the absence of funds to afford adequate remuneration to deserving teachers, which continue to afflict several settlements, and has been the cause of closing the doors of some of the most useful district schools. That the number of institutions for public instruction has increased in proportion to the means set apart for promoting them, as the following statement will shew:- |