general agent in charge of emigration in England would take charge of all the agencies of the several Provinces, and see that every agent was attending to his particular field, and that full information respecting all the Provinces was placed within the reach of every person in the districts where the agents were to work. This was the difference in the statements of the Speeches from the Throne this year and last. The resolutions aimed at by the representatives of the different Provinces would be placed before the House, which would then have the opportunity of seeing what system had been adopted. The hon. gentleman had regretted very much the omission from the Speech of all reference to the Reciprocity Treaty. He was satisfied that the hon. gentleman was merely joking when he remarked on that omission; he could not, from his knowledge of the practice of Parliament, have been serious in his remarks. There was no reason why any mention should be made of that subject. At opening of Parliament last year, the Government had to announce the course taken in regard to the negotiations then in progress, and these negotiations had not been concluded at the close of the session, and, indeed, were not even now concluded. The hon. gentleman presumed that the Government had not received notice, at the time the Speech was prepared, of the action of the United States Senate; but they had no notice of the action of the Senate at this moment. All they knew was that the draft treaty, which would be laid on the table of the House on Monday, was submitted, with the approval and sanction of the Government of the United States, as the law required for the action of the Senate, and the Government did not know at this moment what was the action of the Senate. But he would have no difficulty whatever in defending that treaty, and he was satis ion of that kind-a fact which the House and country would be glad to learn. Of course, it was impossible to discuss that particular item to any great extent at that time, but when he introduced the Bill, as he would probably do at a very early day, for the re-organization of the Government of the North-West Territory, and consolidation of the laws relating to it, he would enter more fully into the operations of the police force, and present to the House a complete picture of the country as it at present stood in respect of the execution of the laws in force, or supposed to be in force, but which were not being executed when the police force took possession of the country. He would say nothing as to the Insolvency Law, as it would be dealt with by his hon. colleague, the Minister of Justice, who had given his utmost at- | tention to the subject, and would invite the opinion of the members of the House thereon, so as to obtain the most practical measure possible. But the leader of the Opposition had alluded to his (Mr. MACKENZIE'S) own opinion at a comparatively recent period as to the necessity of continuing the present law. His opinion then was, and his individual opinion.remained to a great extent the same, that it would have been advisable then to have allowed the law to lapse for a year or two. He was bound to say that the commercial opinion of the country was generally opposed to his opinion on that matter. He was equally bound to admit that in executing the office that he held he must consider the commercial sentiment of the country in a question of that kind, and to a certain extent subordinate his opinion to it. He would say nothing as to the remarks of the leader of the Opposition concerning the revenue; no doubt his hon. friend, the member for Cumberland, would discuss the question with him at a later day. The question of immigration had also been mentioned. It was not pre-fied he could be able to show, when it came cisely, as his hon. friend had supposed, a repetition in the remark in the Speech from the Throne last year. There was a combined effort last year, but it was not the same sort of combinationas now. An endeavor was made to induce the Dominion and Provincial immigration agents to act in harmony. Now it had been arranged that the several Provinces should pay a certain proportion of the Dominion emigration office, and that the Dominion Hon. Mr. Mackenzie. up for discussion, that it bore a favorable contrast with some treaties that might be discussed in the House. He was delighted to hear the leader of the Opposition state that on all occasions when a treaty was to be negotiated, the opinion of Parliament should be obtained before the ambassadors set out. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD-No, no. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-What was proper for any member of the House, or for ❘ done that would deprive us of the confithe House itself to even insinuate any instruc- dence that the Indians reposed in the good tion to anambassador setting out to negotiate a treaty. He (Mr. MACKENZIE) was induced -and he had regretted it ever since--toallow the leader of the then Governmenttosetout for such a purpose without an expression of the opinion of the House having first been obtained, but he supposed the hon. gentleman possessed such an extended knowledge of the wants and peculiar circumstances of the country as would enable him to have that treaty executed in such a way as would not call forth the condemnation of the people afterwards. He would not now discuss the Reciprocity Treaty, and therefore would say nothing further on that point. The hon. gentleman on the present occasion had given the House a somewhat different definition of the power of the Crown in respect to treaties, laying down the principle that it was not capable of executing any treaty without the same having been submitted to and sanctioned by Parliament, and he took the ground that the treaty with the Indians could scarcely be held to be a treaty without its having received the sanction of Parliament. This, however, was not the first negotiation with the Indians since Confederation, and he had no recollection of the hon. gentleman submitting any previous treaty for the approval of Parliament. The hon. gentleman had either changed his views or had neglected to perform his duties; he must accept one or the other alternative. The poor Indians on the plains would not be able to understand that the treaty was of no force and effect until it had been discussed and approved in Parliament; and he would state frankly that the Government did not propose to submit the treaty with the Indians, for the approval of Parliament, before considering it already ratified. The Government would not deal with the Indians in that manner. Everything that devolved on us in consequence of that treaty would come before Parliament. The immediate result of the treaty was that we had obtained possession of their lands, and a sum would be placed in the estimates to pay for them, and the very voting of the money for the purchase of these lands was in itself practically the adoption of the treaty by the House. It was of the utmost importance that nothing should be Hon. Mr. Mackenzie. B faith of the Canadian Government, and he was sure the leader of the Opposition would not insist on the views which he somewhat injudiciously gave utterance to to-day on this subject. With respect to Ministerial explanations, he had not the slightest objection to give the explanations asked for. He had also been reminded of his omission to do this last year, but he wasnot to blamefor that omission. He had stated that after the address was passed he would be prepared to give the explanations whenever asked, but he was never asked to give them, probably owing to the ill health which necessitated the frequent absence of the leader of the Opposition. He was glad to observe that the hon. gentleman was not better able to attend to He his parliamentary duties, and he would give these explanations on Monday, together with an explanation of the changes made in the Government last year. He was particularly anxious at the earliest opportunity to refer to the changes in the Government last year, because he conceived that the Minister of Justice had been grievously and unjustly dealt with by the members of the Opposition, as he would be able to show when the time came. was not aware that there was any other subject which it was necessary for him to refer to on the present occasion. He appreciated the courtesy of the hon. gentlemen of the Opposition in taking the course they had taken in reference to the Address, and he had merely to say one word in conclusion in reference to HIS EXCELLENCY'S official tour in the West, to which the leader of the Opposition had very happily referred. No better emigration agency was ever adopted than the publication of HIS EXCELLENCY's speeches-especially his speech at Toronto-and the record of the tour generally; and a very great deal had already been accomplished by this means, in securing for this country the favorable notice of the English public. During last year a large number of distinguished gentlemen from England visited Canada, their first impressions being derived from some of these very speeches. He joined with the leader of the Opposition in congratulating the hon. members for Levis and East Elgin upon the ability they had shown to-day, and their introduc tion as speakers would have created such | a favorable impression that the House would desire to hear them frequently. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD, in reply said that when the test of the proposed Reciprocity Treaty was before the House, it would be a fitting occasion to discuss in some parliamentary way the terms of that abortive treaty, so that the opinions of the representatives of the people might be expressed upon it, as they would be valuable for guidance on future occasions. With respect to the treaty with the Indians, he said it was in the nature of a contract with persons who were HER MAJESTY's subjects, though they were in some degree held to be a separate body with whom contracts are to be made, which are by courtesy calledtreaties. He should be very sorry that it should be understood that any government had the power to make treaties without the consent of Parliament, which contained | provisions for the cession of their land. As great a responsibility might be incurred in the acceptance of land as in the granting of land. He did not mean to say that there was anything in this treaty that should receive the disapprobation or even the coldness of this House or any member of it. For himself he had no reason to suppose that this treaty was not satisfactory in every way to this country, both white and red; but still it was perfectly competent for Parliament to disavow such a treaty if the cession of territory or the granting of territory should be considered to be contrary to the best interests of the country. For that reason he had made the remark that it would be well in all treaties with the Indians for fear they might not afterwards receive the approbation of Parliament that some warning should be given that in case Parliament, in the exercise of its undoubted right, disapproved of the treaty, the Indians should not suppose that they had been treated with bad faith. That was all he said. He had no reason to suppose that the treaty was not satisfactory or would not prove satisfactory to the House and the country as well as to the Indians. The resolutions were then read a first time. The first to the eighth resolution inclusive were carried without division. The ninth was adopted on a division. The tenth and eleventh were adopted without division. On the twelfth resolution, Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald. Mr. MASSON asked whether all the papers, correspondence and other documents in connection with the North-West troubles would be submitted to Parliament. He had himself thought of putting a notice on the paper asking for all the papers, but if the Government intended to include all the papers in their return, that course would be unnecessary. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE -The return will include everything. The resolution was then adopted, as were also the two remaining resolutions, without division. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE moved that the said resolutions be referred to a Select Committee composed of Hon. Messrs. SMITH, FOURNIER, CARTWRIGHT and LAIRD and Messrs. FRECHETTE and MCDOUGALL. - Carried. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE from said Committee reported a draft address to HIS EXCELLENCY, which was read a first and second time and ordered to be engrossed. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE moved that said address be presented to HIS EXCELLENCY by such members of this House as are of the Privy Council-Carried. of which I gave him notice privately on and Iron Bridges on the Intercolonial Mr. SPEAKER suggested that this should take the shape of a formal notice of motion. to the subject of an amnesty to the people engaged in the disturbances in the NorthWest some years ago, and also with reference to the cognate subject of the position of Louis Riel as a member-elect of this House. my Hon. Mr. HOLTON said, the hon. gentleman was quite right in taking this method to bring the subject of the printing of these returns, made last session, before the House. The motion, as a matter of course, went to the Printing Committee without the question being put Mr. BLAIN. - The difficulty is that the Committee is not yet appointed. Hon Mr. HOLTON. - When the Committee is appointed, the motion goes to it as a matter of course. THE VETERANS OF 1812-14. Mr. DELORME asked whether it is the intention of the Government to grant a pension or a gratification of some kind to the veterans who served in Canada as soldiers of the sedentary Militia during the years 1812, 1813 and 1814. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Sir, hon. friend is right in his remark, that he gave me notice of his intention to ask this question, and I am quite prepared to answer it. I expect to be able some time this afternoon to place these papers on the table of the House; they are not yet quite ready but I hope they will be before the House rises. The Government intend to deal with both subjects as soon as the papers are before the House, and I will | mates which they think will be ample place a notice of motion on the paper to-night for Thursday night in order to proceed with the consideration of these questions. WOODEN AND IRON BRIDGES. Mr. BLAIN-At the close of last session I moved for certain correspondence relating to the comparative value of iron and wooden bridges on the Intercolonial Railway. The Committee on printing had, I believe, broken up and were unable to consider the question whether these papers would be printed or not. I therefore, sir, with permission of the House, would move that these documents be printed. I *suppose it would be irregular to send them to the Printing Committee, as part of the papers belonging to the session, without a special motion being made; and I therefore, as I think the information is very desirable, seeing we have so many public works now going on, move : "That the documents laid on the table last session, in anwser to an address for certain papers and correspondence, relat- | ing to the comparative cost of Wooden Hon. Mr. Holton. Hon. Mr. VAIL-The Government have that matter under their consideration, and have placed an amount in the esti to grant a pension to the veterans of 1812. A COURT OF ADMIRALTY. Mr. WOOD asked whether it is the intention of the Government to establish a Court of Admiralty for the inland waters of the Dominion during the present Session of Parliament. Hon. Mr. FOURINER-A correspondence has been opened between this Government and the Imperial authorities on this subject. From the answers received, it appears that some legislation would be necessary in order to extend to inland waters the jurisdiction up to this time confined to maritime waters only. The Imperial Government having expressed their willingness to accede to the request of this Government, it has been deemed advisable to ask, during this session of the Imperial Parliament, that the necessary legislation should be passed. M. FOURNIER répète en français ce qu'il vient de dire en anglais : Il y a eu, dit-il, échange de correspondance entre le gouvernement impérial et ce gouvernement, et le résultat est qu'il est nécessaire que le gouvernement impérial légifère sur ce sujet pour étendre aux eaux intérieures du Canada, la loi relative aux eaux sujettes au flux et au reflux. Sous ces circonstances le gouvernement a décidé de demander au parlement impérial de passer cette législation. THE WELLAND CANAL. Mr. WOOD asked whether it is the INSPECTORS OF INSURANCE COMPANIES. Mr. WOOD asked whether it is the intention of the Government, during the present session, to introduce an Act providing for the appointment of inspectors of insurance companies, both fire and life? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE - The hon. gentleman will observe that in the Speech from the Throne one of the measures foreshadowed is a general Insurance Act. tor of insurance affairs. intention of the Government to deepen That Act will provide for a general inspec the Welland Canal, so as to secure four. teen feet of water on the mitre sills, instead of twelve, as at first contemplated. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE - It is not the intention of the Government to go to a greater depth than twelve feet of water. I may tell my honorable friend that the harbor capacity of the lakes does not seem to fairly contemplate a greater depth of water than that, as they could not possibly be used without an enormous outlay, and the outlay on the canal even would be so serious as to deter the Government from entering into such a great expense. We have given the question careful consideration, and think that the plan adopted is the one we must adhere to. ST. LAWRENCE CANALS. Mr. WOOD asked whether it was the intention of the government to proceed with the enlargement of the St. Lawrence Canals, and how soon, and whether they will be of the same capacity when finished as the Welland Canal ? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-It is the intention of the Government to proceed with the enlargement of the St. Lawrence Canals at an early day. There is not any pressing hurry for them, however, as we believe transhipment to smaller vessels in Kingston harbour can be accomplished without any very great expense. The plan for the ultimate works is to make the locks the same size. The survey has been made upon an intention to deepen the St. Lawrence river to no greater depth than twelve feet. The expense to get fourteen feet would be still more enormous than to get the same depth on the Welland, as it would involve the deepening of a large portion of the channel of the river. It is the intention of the Government to proceed, as time and circumstances may justify them, in doing any enlarging of the St. Lawrence canals, to the same depth as the Welland. Hon. Mr. Fournier. INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY CARS. Hon. Mr. TUPPER asked whether tenders have been advertised in Nova Scotia, for the coal and hay cars required by the Intercolonial Railway? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE - Perhaps the House will allow me to ask whether the question refers to the present or what time? Hon. Mr. TUPPER explained that he meant the supply of hay and coal cars the Superintendent of Railways intimated it was the intention of the Government to put on the road. The question was put in consequence of a telegram from a contractor in Nova Scotia who had seen no notice and had not had an opportunity of competing for the cars. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Proposals were invited, as I understand, from the various manufacturers of cars in the Dominion for a certain number of cars, and a firm in St. John sent the lowest tender of any, either in the United States or Canada. I was afterwards told that another firm, in Halifax I think, which was in the habit of doing this business had not seen any notice, and as the first tender did not comprise all that was required by the road, I understand that the superintendent gave a contract to the Halifax firm at the same rate as the other. THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. Mr. BLAIN asked whether the Government have caused to be made a survey of the St. Lawrence with a special view to ascertain whether a depth of fourteen feet of navigable water can be obtained at a reasonable outlay; and, if so, what is the result? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-A careful survey has been made of the River St. Lawrence and the Government are in |