¥ oe ATO ce me

i ct Har AP ices

enc it OE RAR Nt ATE.

~ Bae t

Uy would eve:

sa te bad embarked in

#ith a full kmowledge of the tre

<4 os Odds against us; but with the ap-

| proval of a just Providens, which he con

scientiously believed was’ on our side, and the united resolve of our people, he doubted not thet vietory “would crowo our labors. fie congiuded by exhorting those who are eble te bear arms, to unite with those al- ready io the army io repelling the foe, be- fieving that thereby we would compel the

Xankees ia less than,twelye months to peti-

tiom vs for peace on our own terms.

At the conclusion of President Davis, speech, Governor Smith aro-c and read the tullowing preamble and resolutions seriatim. which were unanimously gdopted as the seu- aiment of the meeting.

** Whoreas ihe eomwonwea'th of Virginia, ¥u concert with other American states, did, in the year 1776, solemnly set forth that wheo any form of government becomes des- tructive of the happiness or dungereus to the liberties of the peaple, it is the right and the

duty of the people to alter or abolish it; in|

pursaance whereof they did declare them- elves independent states; and whereas her separate independence and tiat of the co- acting states were afterward acknowledged by the world; and whereas Virginia did subsequently form, with other states, a com-

.

ie atotee | the Millitia in case of emergency, such as

a anonnted to - eppointment of the

Coustrress ; .v prepare an Address in answer to His

be | Excellency’s Speeeh —~ Hon. Messrs. Beer,

Palmer apd Walker. | On expiring Laws—Hons. Messrs. Palmer, MeDonald and Goff.

| ‘To receive tenders for printing the Journal io this Hlouse—Lon. Messrs. Beer, Golf and | Dingwell. } ‘Lo revise the Journai—Hon. Messrs. Wal- | ker and Henderson.

On engrossed bills—Hon. Messrs. McDon- ald and Beer.

‘To make arrangements for the publication ‘of the debates and proceedings of this House —lHlon. Messrs. McDonald and Beer.

Mr. James Rameay was appoiated Reporter to this Llonse for the present session.

** Resolved, That the postage on all letters and printed papers, both foreign and inland, to members of this Huuse, and the postage on the same when inland only, from members of this House, shall be charged to the con- tingent accounts of the House.”’

The Council then adjourned until to-mor- row at three o'clock, p. m.

Wenpnuspay, March 1, 1865.

flon. Mr. Beer presented a petition of divers inbebitants of Squaw Bay, Lot 49, stating that the present School Act was un- suitable to the circumstances of the people, jand that they found it impossible to comply with its provisions. Unsuitable, inasmneh as it imposed too heavy a burden op the poor man with # large family, while the rich man often went free; and impossible to be com- plied with, because the average daily atten-

| ial Minister's Dees nates Mi snout considering that es-| prep g it, _ y one who looks with a diacriminat- paring 16 by hand.

for there is greaé labor in pre- Ae our soil is well I believe it might be

ey iliti that adapted for its growth, oer tye at our ae pa feel af _ | veeeaitate rhea tos sxpaltatioa, ir to cmsasiien.. What bak ‘that it is worth 7s. 64. per stove in Jreland

W hat is the Militia ee in the raw state, | was informed by Judge

cal} out | Peters that he had raised flax as an experi- ‘went. that he had it prepared for shipping ‘to the old country us a specimen of what the | {sland could produce, but unfortunately it never reached its destination, as by some accident it was damaged on bourd the ves- sel in which it was shipped, which js so much to be regretted, as I understand that the sample was pronounced by the experienced parties who prepared it to be a superior article. I¢ is necessary to have it prepared by machinery, but ifa mill were established for that purpose it would proba- bly remain nearly idle for four or five years, until a sufficient quantity of the article were grown to keep it employed. It would there- fore be necessary to encourage some person to establish a mill by a legislative grant or otherwise, [bold m my hand a very valu- able paper published in Ireland in 1862, by the North East Agricultural Association, giving a very full explanation of the cultiva- tion and preparation of flax, which any ol your honors can peruse. We haye no mines vr minerals, and your honors know that every species of agricultural and some manu- factureg should be encouraged to the utmost, It is considered that the fax grown on one acre of land ia worth £20 eterling, and that the preparation of it costs £4, leaving a pro- fit of £15. It does not require yery rich land. Meadow land will give good flax, and it requires very little attention, ‘The reason

amendment. i stands at present? It simply gives gion to the Lieutenant Governor to

gnvasion or eivil commotion. That law 4s- ‘sumes thatthe Militia gre in such an efficient state of organization that they may be called ‘out at any time for active seryice, and it l therefore assumes what is nota fact. It as-| sumes that every Captain knows his com pa- | ny, and that the men know their officers, which I am sure isnot the case. On the other hand lL believe that the very reverse 1 the fact. You might as well leave Charlotte- town without a fire company or fire engines, and say it is sufficient to call out the people when @ fire takes place. What has experi- ence taught us? Vihat has been the result of neglecting to anticipate daoger in this res- pect? It tas been the destruction of pro- perty far beyond the expense that would have been incurred in making suitable provi- sion to prevent the calamity. From my knowledge of military matters, and [ think | I should have some knowledge of them, L may say that it would be utterly useless to call out a jot of undisciplined men to oppose an invad- ing army. They would only be in each luther’s way. Do any of your honors, or do | merchants, fur instance, act onthe principles which you suppose to be sufficient in this case? A merchant would not fail to insure his property against loss, and thereby take the most direct way to prevent the loss of thousands of pounds by the payment of a small sum. We should act upon the same principle. We should carefully consider our Militia Jaws and endeavour te put them upon a sound and efficient basis.

Hon. Mr. Dixewett: 1 do not apprehend such immediate danger as his honor who has just spoken. I hope the day is far distant when there will bea necessity for calling out the Militra—the day when this or any other ‘House will be ander the necessity of passing a

the great labour of preparing it by band. If ope mill were established, 16 would en- courage the cultivation of it, and we would soon have them as plenty as carding mills. Hon. Mr. Dinaweit.: 1 um happy to hear so much about the cultivation of flax. would like to see it encouraged, for our soil is well adapted to its growth. His honor, the speaker beiore the last (Mr. Beer).

why it is mot more generally cultivated is)

: | ax ou gocount of the trouble of | Ordered, That the same committee who

prepared the address be a committee tu walt upon His Excellency to ascertain whea he will be pleased to receive it. Resolved, That the address be presented to His Excellency by the whole House. | Adjourned till to-morrow at eleven 0 clock. —_ KF

JIOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS IN ANSWER TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Tuurspay, March 2, 1865.

The first four paragraphs of the Address having been again read, were agreed to with- out discussion. When the adoption of the 5th paragraph was moved, Hou. Mr. CoLEs addressed the Committee to the following effect :-—

There is no doubt, Mr.Chairman, that this House will give due attention to the subject ot the paragraph which has just been read, and I wish that the Government had done likewise. They have received the Report of the Conference held at Quebec, and, that be- ing the case, they should have met the Legis- lature with a decided declaration of opinion on the subject of the Union of the Colonies. On a question of such importance—the most momentous that ever was submitted, to the consideration of the Legislature of the Istand —a question involving the interests of all the North American Colonies—I assert that the Government should have given a decided ex- pression of opinion, and L am sorry that they have not taken the responsibility of declaring their policy; instead of doing so, they have brought the subject before us as being non political. While I admire the man who maintains an opinion of his own, and admit that, in political parties,the several members must often yield their individual views, yet, when a great general principle is involved ,as in the present question, the people have the right to know what are the opinions of the Government which they placed in power. When that great supporter of the Conserva- iive party in England Sir Robert Peel differed from his colleagues on a great public question, he took his own ground, and was respected

‘mon agency, fur the mapagement of their | dance of seholars required by the Act could foreign afaire, and other specified general | 90t be kept up in the greater number of the purposes, which said common government or | school disiriets——praying that the Act might agency received no other further recogaitiva | be amended and that the full amount of the by foreign powers than as the representative teachers’ salaries might be paid directly uf the several state egyereignties already re-| frou the Treasury, and also that the schools cogaiged; and whereas Virginia, in entering might be supplied with books, &c., by some into this association or federation, did ex.| compulsory means. Petition laid on the ly reserve for herself, and therefore for) ble. ; ‘

er co-states, the right which attached to the | Adjourved till to-morrow at eleven o'clock. act itself of resuming tie powers granted Tuvrspay, March 2. wheneoever the sume might bo perverted to ; . x their injury or oppression ; acd whereas the | Hon. Mr. Beer, chairman of the committee commonwealch of Virginia did, in sovereign | appointed to prepare an an address in answer eeavention, in April, 1861, decide and deter-| His Excelleney's speech at the opening ol mine that the circumstances had arrived! the prevent Session, reported the following

whieh made it her imperative duty, a it was. draft thereof, which was received and read}

her indisputable right, to withdraw from the | * 4rst time :—

association known as the United States of To His Exceliency Geonce Dusxpas, Esquire, America, and resume ber separate suvereign- | Lieutenant Governor, Fc. Fc.

ity ; aud whereas this, her legitimate act, May it PLEASE Your EXCELLENCY ;

hes been folluwed by an atrocious war upon | We, the members of the Legislative Coun- ner, and Bpon the states with which she sub-| cil, im our legislative capacity convened, sequently formed a new cunfederation, by the | request that your Excellency wi'l receive our staves from which she and they withdiew,| thanks for the Speech delivered by you at fst the purpose of subjecting her aud them | the opening of the present Session.

to the absolute and tyranoical domination of, |: affurds us much happiness in accepting the United States; and whervas, after four! your Excellency’s congratulation on the ge- yeare of hostilities, conducted, on the part of | neral prosperity of this Island, and»we cor- our enemies, with a barbarity equalled only ' dially unite with your Excellency in an ex- by the wickedness of their designs, their au-| pression of gratitude to Almighty God for thorities did invite a conference, with @ view! the abundant harvest, amongst other bless- to the establisiment of peace, which invita: | ings, which haye been bestowed on the tion was responded tu by the confederate au-) people of this Colony during the past year. thorities ; and whereas it appears, from the | Your Excelleney, in compliance with the report of the confederate commissioners to resolution passed last Session, having ap- cant conference, that it was declared on the| pointed delegates to confer with delegates part of our enemies, that nothing should appointed by the Governments ot Nova terminate the existing war but our uncondi-! Scotia and New Brunswick on the subject of tions! submission to their yoke and acknow-!/ 4 Legislative Union of the Maritime Pro- ledgment of their absolute authority ; that| yiuces, we will respectfully receive from your

their faws for the confiscation of our property | Exveliency the corres;ondence on this sub-|

and execution of our citizens should be en- forced by judges and other ufficers whom they | rence of the Delegates. vo ao for that purpose; that the) There having been a second Cunference to valy palli

be the voluntary mercy of those who fur! Union of the British North American Pro- fuur years have murdered our people and | yinces, and your Excellency having nomi- ravaged ovr homes; that our sucial system | nated delegates to proceed from this Island

shali be immediately upturned, and hereafter! to attend such seeond Conference at Quebec, |

which our soldiers have made s» honourable! Resolutions adopted at this Conference, as must be eteipped from their persons, and the! well as the despatches on this sabject from flag, aeder whieh they have soolten marched! fler Majesty's Principal Secretary of State to victory, must be trailed in the dust and) for the Colonial Department, so soun as your thrown away forever ; therefore be it Excellency will be pleased to cause them to ** Resolved, That we, the citizens here as-! be laid beture us. sembled. du spurn with the indignation due} to so gross an insult the terms on which the documents relate stall receive our earnest President of the United States has proffered | consideration. peace tothe people of the Confederate States.| It is very gratifying to learn that the Vo- «Resolved, That the circumstances under! Junteer movement in this Colony has called which that proffer has been made add to the! forth the outrage, and stampit as a designed and pre-| Minister. meditated indignity to our people. We shall be ready to take into our consi- . ** Resolved, That our profoundest gratitude | deration the efficiency of the Militia Laws at is due to the soldiers who, for four years, | present in force in this Culony, and to give tave maintained our liberties against the ut- | most efforte of our enemies; and that, while | we look ¢o thei tu illustrate in the future the! yiate those objections to them which have fame of the past, we will sustain their effurts) attracted the attention of the Colonial Mi- by every means and resource at our com-| pister.

wand. Deeply seneible of the ti t { ** Resolved, That in this presence, and in edlcabe. + ds Fk ete

the face of the world, reverently invoking! this Colony, we will readily concur in any theres the aid of Almighty God, we renew reasonable our resulve to maiutain our liberties and in- dependence ; and to this we mutually pledge | eur lives, our furtunes, and our sacred honor.” | SuHeaman's ‘Waraza r at "he : reports Sherman tu Bale hoon 2 hades, eet ein f I; d ith U., on Saturday last. This is a flourishing! t ~~ be Oe tere cane aan ener town, in the Kershaw D.strict, situated on | ri : | 2 tag, the bank of the Wateree river, 32 miles north ead egies f Columb 2 miles N. r Yhar- | : : Sete ta, 142 milee N. by W. of Char | clause if [ thought it would render it binding

The river is navigable for steamboats to thie place. ‘Camden is sarrounded by ; upon me to vote for a bill tu authorise the

fertile distriet, in which cotton and maize!) —. :

flourish, or did unce flourish, in abundance. | soreg, Grnlet. . Veter the grewek ete,:4he it contains an academy, an arsenal, a tank | Militis may: De splot, nt $0: 0990 af: war, and leat or five ahesehan. te sat like. | *¥! commotion, or other sufficient emer- wise, two or three cotton factories in the vi- | 8°R°Y: ons ee cones Sewer. ae cinity. Camden, the reader of Carolina| call the inbabitants of the Island away from history may remember, is the scene of the their proper avocations to spend several days battle fought during the revolutionary war in drilling when it is not required ? That (Auz. 1780) between Gen. Gates and Lord| *®® the cuse under the old Militia law, bat Corowallis. Also, of a second battle in the | '* ¥8° nga a yg Rieger ems. following year between Gen. Greene and corresponding benefit, and was therefore Lord Rawdvn. Sherman, hence, ie on classic oe

ground. lion. Arty. GeneraL: That appears to be the most prominent paragraph in the Speech, with the exception of the one relating to the Conference on the Union of the Colonies, but the answer dves not oblige the House tu ac-

regulated at their will; that the woifure| we will be prepared to receive a copy of the

mitted to us which may be culcalated to ob-

Stock and the Suil of the Colony.

The House then went into committee on the above draft address,—llon. Mr. Goff in

V—_—_—_——————— FRANCE AND MEXICO.

Le Nord says :—‘* There was a weeting of the Privy Council on the 4th in Paris, and we are inforwed that the affairs of America| cede to any alteration io the Militia law and the convection they may have with the | upon any defined principle. [¢ merely says Mexican empire formed tire principal ubjeci we will give our utmost attention to the of the meeting. France is not without some | measure. I am not prepared to say at pre- uneasiness as to the attitude tie United| sent what measure will be Jaid before the States may assume toward the new empire, House, or to what extent alterations are when the conclusion of the war has placed! proposed to be made; but L can imagine of at the disposal of the republic a large and what nature they are likely to be. Iso far tried army, with numerous and ««illed offi-| agree with the Secretary of State, that eur cers, acd a four years’ struggle hag changed Militia laws are very inefficient, aud without a state, hitherto exclusively devoted to cum-| 4 parallel in any of the British Colonies. mercial and maritime intereste, into a miJi-| And though it may be an unpopular mea- tery state, disposing of immense furces. The | sure—though we may be unwilling to puss reeent resulutions of the Washington Senate | any stringent or burdensome Militia Law— must have assisted in increasing tlis uneasi | yet 1 tear the time has come when it is ne- ness. Nevertheless, according to the eur- cessary to see that our Militia laws are put respondent, the discussion in which the Privy | upon a sound basis. At present they impose Couneil was engaged ended in this resola-| ov burden upon the people; but every part tien—that for the moment it would he wrong of the British realm is supposed to be under to give way to exaggerated fears; and that,| 49 obligation to contribute towards its own in the faee of the pacific and conciliatory as- deience ; and it is our obligation that each surances which Awericun diplowacy conti-| man should do his share of defending his Bues to give, the best evurse tu udupt ia to | country. And if all the neighbouring Colo- sbetain provisionally from all movements, pies bave thought it necessary to put their without, Lowever, indulging in a false se-| Militia Jaws on an efficient basis, I du nut see eurity.”* how this Isiand is te claim any exemption { think it would be good policy, especially at the present time, to take up those lawa and show the Mother Country our good disposi- tion—-show that we are not disposed to shirk our share of the responsibility of defending our country. By showing a disposition of that ikind, it may yo far to prevent the British Government from naposing something more burdensome and objectionable upon the peo-

— ae

The Halifax Chronicle of the Lvt inatant says: We learn by a communication kindly fwrnisded by J. Dunsier Tremain, Eoq., agent wu Port Hood for the Board of Underwriters at New York, that the brig previously report- ed io the iee near the furmer place was board- ed by two men, on the 24th ule. They alain on lives in the attempt, as the ' tee, before thei retera, had parted from the! ple. { thiak it would be wise policy now, shore, aod drifted Northward, carry them to oem it is waid that great ahaaies p soon Cupe Mabou, where they were takon off by 6) bebrought, ab w to leave no cause for oc m- & Gout, They had been on the ice one pight) plain of that kind against the colony. Bet- end 4 part the day without food. The) cer to aceede to a little increased taxation, or brig is pew. without anchors, eables, radder pet up with a little ineongenience now, than bout ur ballust; and is only partly rigged. Lt\ have & wore Lurdensome and intulerant mea- je etuted thet about two and a bali months! sure imposed upoa us for all time to come ago she was 4riven out of some barbor or I would adewe the House te eet in 4 epirit of river in Primes Edward Island. The men on | jotiwm, aed show that we de nut wish to board. Bye w wll, were well and not suffering, be behind our neighbors in doing eur part. but were gesting short of provisions. They) Hum. Me. Hewvexsen: | would aut wish to

Militia law which would entail any addi- | tional expense or trouble upon the people. | L expect this House will consider the interests iof the labouring community, and not pass any Jaw which would cause trouble and ex- pense tothe people. I have seen a great deal of trouble and expense incurred by calling out the Militia under the old law, without any corresponding benefit; and the | repeal of that law, which was found necessary |has been a great benefit to the people. 1 have seen men come a few minutes too late to the place of drill, and an arbitrary captain would bard them fined or punished in sume other way, and the same might occur again ; }but itis our duty to guard the interests of the people, and [ know there is good sense enough in this building not to impose un- necessary trouble upon them.

Ilon, Mr. Lorn: It is ali very well for us to

that the Government will have something to do with framing the measure ; yet it is our duty, as far a8 it Jies in our power, to guard against imposing unnecessary trouble and expense upon the people. We have heard a good deal from his honor from the first dis- trict of Queen's County (Mr. ilenderson) about insuriug ships, and other matters quite irrelevant to the subject; but 1 am glad that |gentleman has spoken, and [ presume that | ve has expressed the opinion of the Govern. jment. And dare say his honor, who hus seen so wach service, will use all his influence

express our opinion, but we must remember |

thinks many farmers in the country do not know how to caltivate their farms, but I think reform should commence at home. The farms near the city are overgrown with weeds, and not nearly eo well cultivated — ple will view it with caution, if not satisfied those at's greater distance from town. It is with the terms. One gentleman has publish- eudent that the Titmers “aa apwe ~~ — led the statement that a majority of the Gov- know how to kill weeds. They want some ernment is opposed to the Union ; but if that person among them to slow them how to do he a faithful expression of opinion, their aets

it. 1 am glad that the Government has}. i joonsistent with it; no Government taken up the encouragewent of agriculture, | 11) 0. its opponents into its confidence. In and 1 wall support any practicable measure | Vow Brunswick a member of the Executive for that purpose. resigned his seat and office, rather than r-

lon. Arsorney GexxraL: The progress of | main to listen to the plans of a policy he did agriculture, and the importativn of improved {not agree with, We have a similar case stock, have always had wy support since |} nearer home, and no man of honor will con- had a seat in the Legislature. And though | sent to act asa spy. Here we have the Goy- L have met with prejudice, and encountered |ernment putting into the situation of their opposition, and will probably do so again, |only legal adviser a red hot opponent. \yet Lam not discouraged; fur, as was very} { mean to convey no imputation on that gen- properly observed by his honor from George-}teleman: but 1 blame the Government for town (Mr. McDunald), the benefits resulting | professing one set of opinions and appointing from the encouragement given to agriculture | to 80 important an office a gentleman who en- and the importation of stuck are perceptible | tertains views entirely opposite. The Govy- in all parts of the Island at the present day. | ernment are playing fast and Joose, and are It ia true, the old model farm did not succeed | not agreed among themselves on this great according to the expectations of the country ; | question, ‘The other day the leader had but | believe it was owing, nut sv much to | several teams employed in removing a build- the mismanagement of the farm as to the }ing which they did by pulling together, but |impatience of the people. However, think | had he set them to work in opposite direc- | the little discussion we have had is of asj|tions he would have failed in his object. wuch importance to the Colony as many we | This is like the position of the Government, | have had at greater length upon other sub-|and this » what I disapprove of. If the

by men of all parties tor his independent spirit. itmay be said that under this scheme of Confederation, the principles of Responsi- ble Government are maintained, but the peo-

no personal allusions, to test the Government on the general question of the propored Union of the Colonies,

Hon. Mr, Corxs.—I have no personal ob- jections to the gentleman who was the hon, ‘nember for Georgetown, I merely referred to him because faving declared himself 60 decidedly in favor of Union, his appointment might seem to indicate that the Government were disposed to support the scheme.

Hon. Mr. Davies.—It would have been rather a strange proceeding to have inserted in the address anything decided on the sub- ject of Union. There is a great difference of opinion on the question, and it would cer- tainly be premature to pronounce upon it until all the papers containing information on the subject are laid before the House. I, for one, ain rather in fayor of a Union of the Colonies ; but | am opposed to the terms con- tained in the Report of the Quebec Confer- ence. We ought to contribute towards our defence, and therefore I would not object to the expense of the proposed Univn on this ground ; but it would be unfair to burden as with the cost of constructing railways and making canals in Canada, from which we would derive little or no benefit. When the Despatches on the subject, however, come down will be the proper time to discuss the merits of the question. [ cannot agree with the hon, leader of the Opposition that we should have appealed to the people if we could not constract a Government unani- mously opposed to the Union scheme.

Hon. Mr. Loncwortu.—Before we come to a decision on the Union question, we should possess full information on the subject, and from whom can we obtain the informa- tion more satisfactorily than from the Dele- gates themselves who attended the Confer- ence? These hon. gentlemen, however, at this stage of our proceedings, are not in a position to consistently enter into explanations on the subject of their deliberations. We therefore should wait and not come to a vote on this question until the Report of the Delegates on,and the correspondence relative thereto, are laid before us. The hon. leader of the Opposition seems to be desirous of amusing himself,or perhaps feeling the pulse of his own party, by his experimental and rather singular motion ; for it is evident that he has not consulted his party. One of his supporters, the hon. and learned member for East Point, is dissatisfied with the resolution which he has proposed and intends, it appears, tv submit one himself, expressive of his own views. The hon. leader of the Opposition censures the Government because they have not defined their policy and assumed the respousibility of dictating to the people on this grave and momentous subject, waich affects alike the interests and well being of all classes, races, and political parties in this Colony. It would, in my judgment, be premature for the Government of this Island | at this early stage of our proceedings, and before the other Provinces had given their voiee on the subject, to anticipate the action and decision of those Provinces ,and to declare their opinion on the proposed scheme of Con- federation. In Nova Scotia, where every member of the Government is in favor of the measure,they have not made it a Government question. If this was deemed a prudent course in Noya Scotia, certainly it would have been impohitic for the Government of a small Colony like this to have taken a more decided step. Our proper course is to make the matter an open question, and thereby allow all parties the opportunity of discus- sing the subject freely, and of recording their opinions upon it aceording to their unbiassed

nies. It might have occurred j tener It affected maynula any Other and also the interests and honor of te ' try. apart fron the question of Union — hon. leader of the Opposition has refi, two pointe, which though at first dj a he has since connected—the subject an Union of the Colonies, and a Goy & question respecting an appointment to lam at a loss to understand how the ho. member for Eest Point intends ty pro bon, his views on the subject ; perhaps he present sis objections to the Address ina will connected form. Surely hon, mein bers not have 80 s.on forgotten that the

ment appointed delegates accordin tn resolution of this House last connlen is fer with other delegates, on the subject Union of the Maritime Provinces ; ahd ota at a later date, on the invitation of His ae ship the Governor General, that delegates were appointed to consider the broader tion of a Union of the whole of the Prgy; This is a matter calculated to affect the in. terests and welfare of every subject in Briti America irrespective of party, race op _ and consequently to divest it as much ag po’ sible from a party question,three members theGoverment,:hree members of the oponis i and one independent member of thie were appointed to proceed to Quebee 26 dele. gates. This delegation was nominated precisely the same grounds as the first o appointed. When the request came from Canada for this Colony to send delegates ty confer on the qaestion of Union of the

of the Provinces, surely it was not necessary to call the Legislature ania to compig, the propriety 0° aeceding to the requ ii this were the case of what use w: the Executive be? It would, indeed, be a dy nothing Government. There was no occasion to seek mew powers from the Legislature; the two delegations were for precisely the same purpose ,ouly the latter was to consider the subject on a grander scale. The one scheme was fur unitmg Provinces compara- tively unimportant ; the other was for con- sulidating the same Provinces into a confed eration whieh would form a state as large as the entire Continent of Europe. If Phad thought that this subject was to have been made a Goyernent question, had I so much love, politically speaking, for the hon. leader of the Opposition, or for the bon. gentleman on his right, the member for St. Peter’s—gg well as another hon. gentleman from the other end of the building who has seneral} been opposed to my views—that | should have appointed them on this delegation ? My friendship for them on political grownds was not so great that | would have u their appointmeut had I thought that the subject which the delegation met to consider was to be a question on which an effurt would be made to defeat the Government. | en- countered no lictle opposition in procuring the appointment of my political opponents ; but, if there be any blame attaching to it, I assume it all. I believe, however, that there is not a member of this Touse who does not appreciate and approve of the motives which influenced the choicc. But Sir, I have re- cently learned that there are three great com- pkdchestale for politicians—of which I was entirely ignorant when I extered political life, The first of these as for the politician tw take good care of hirself and his pocket; the second is to crush his enemy ; and the third 18 to attend to the good of the country. And Sir, I fear that the third is sometimes wholly furgotten in the aal to carry out the other two. ) Actimg on these rules,

{ Applause.) therefore, it is fair game fur the hon leader

Re hi Ps

y | jects; and I trust that what bas been said, bo get © very itspgnes sronauee passed. = ‘and the light which has been thrown on the Hon. the Presipenr: [ do not think it is subject, will not be lust upon the people of

| worth while to occupy the time of the House | tinas Island. I do believe that flax could be

The momentous question to which these)

our careful attention to any measure sub- |

Agricultre, as the first of the resources of

lion. Mr. Lory: I would not support that!

calling out of the Militia for the purpose of

| in discussing this question now, or that it is! jany use to anticipate the measure that is’ jlikely to come before us When the bill | }eomes befure us we will give it our earnest! jconsideration. ‘The present Militia law is) |certainly an anomaly; and under the old|

ject, together with the Report of the Confe-| Militia law the people were called out more |

| for a spree than anything else, owing to the | fact that there were no proper drill officers

ation of our wretchedness should! consider the wider question of a General | provided, and it was therefore thought better |

to leave them at home.

/people would object to being called out for | drill if suitable officers were provided for that ur pose. | dion. Mr. Beer: [ shall be satisfied tu ex- ress my opinion on this subject when the | billeomes before the House, as | think itis | premature to enter inte a discussion on this subject just now. I would not support any j measure which I thought would impose un- | necessary trouble and expense upon the peo-

| ple.

| fon Mr. Diinewet.: It may be time jenough to discuss this subject when the bill 'comes before us, but [ hope your Honors will

fallow more time for the consideration of the

approbation of the Colonial bill than you have allowed to consider this!

| address.

| Clause agreed to.

| Sixth Clause read.—

| Hon. Mr. McDonaip: Respecting that

clause I would merely remark that 1 am very

glad that the Government have taken up the

‘question of agriculture, or the encourage-

| ment of the agricultural industry of the coun-

ltry. [It was ulways considered by the late

liberal Government to be a question of the first importance to the Colony, and they ex-

| pended a very large amount in the importa-

measure to promote its further) (jun of stock, in the purchase and working of | encouragement, and the improvement of the |

the model farm, and in the encouragewent ot agriculture ip various ways. Though the | money was not as judiciously experded as it |probanly might have been, yet the good ef- fects of it urestill apparent. It is a question of very great importance, and | hope the Go- vernment will deal with it in a liberal spirit. No money ever expended in the Colony has been a greater advantage to it than that spent in the importation of improved stock, in the encouragement of the growth of grain of dif- fereut kinds, and for the importation of seeds of different kinds. It is well known that the grain grown in this Island is us good, if not superivr to that grown in any of the neigh- bouring Colonies. [o travelling through oae of the neighbouring Colonies last Autumn I observed that one of their principal articles ol culture was flax, and it is an article which lL would like so see encourage! here. Our soil is well adapted tu its growth, and if it were cultivated to any extent a trade would be |opened up, it would be puchased by specula- tors and exported in the raw state. Or, ifit were grown in euflicient quantities to justify the erterprise, it is not unlikely that we would have it manufactured in the Island by machinery.

Hon. Mr. Beer: [ would just remark that I cheerfully echo the sentiments expressed by his honor who bas just sat down. IL was very glad to hear that the Government were tak- ing up this question, for we are almost en- tirely dependent on the agricultural resour- ces of the Colony, and yet there are many persons in possession of farms who do not kuow bow to manage them. When agricul- ture flourishes the whole community flourishes. Merchants, and all other classes, are dependent, tu a great extent, upon agri- culture, and it is therefore evident that it is the duty of the Government tu pay particu- lar attention to this branch of industry. A model farm, I believe, would be of great ad- vantage, if a suitable person could be got to take charge of it. Stock of the best kind, and more suitable to the Island than those imported , could be raised upon it, and at far less cost. Wuth respect to tle cultivation of flax, | believe our soil is adapted to its growth, and L think it might be cultivated to very great advantage. If it were exten- sively cultivated, we might have manufacto- ries established on the Island, and we ro- quire somethiug of that sort to give employ- ment toa large number of our population who have very little to do through our long winters. From one tu two thousand of the population of this city have very little to du through the winter, who might be profitably employed in manufacturics. We might also have an oil mill and manufacture Itmseed oi) for our own purposes. ‘The seed, after the oil was extracted, would be valuable for feeding stock during the winter. I am pleas. ed to think that the Government are about to initiate something of this kind.

Hon. Mr. Gorr: | am glad that your honors io diseuging the paragraph before us, have alluded to the cultivation of fax, for I believe there is mothing that would tend more to the advancement of our intercets than the growth and manefaeture of that ar- ticle for our own consumptier, and also for exportation. Country people oftea complain