of all the important manufactuers of Canada, if possible, by obtaining a selection from the parties themselves; and, where it was impossible to obtain that, he was to purchase to a limited extent. He was informed by Mr. Keefer, and Mr. Selwyn, who had been assisting him, with Dr. May and Mr. Perrault, that nearly every branch was now fairly represented in the Exhibition. The Government had purchased a few thousand dollars' worth, but not of very serious amount.

MR. MITCHELL asked for information in regard to the subject of the fourth paragraph, as sundry newspaper paragraphs had appeared intimating that the United States did not intend

to pay the five and a half millions, according to the award.

MR. MACKENZIE said it would be inconvenient to answer the question now, but at the proper time he would give the information.

Motion agreed to.

Motion made and question proposed : "6. That while we are grieved to know that a very disastrous fire occurred in June last in the city of St. John, which caused the destruction of a large portion of the city, including all the public buildings owned by the Dominion Government, we feel that His Excellency's Government were right in deeming it necessary to contribute $20,000 to assist in relieving the immediate wants of the people who were rendered destitute by so appalling a calamity, as His Excellency was in sanctioning the appropriation of some public money with which to commence the erection of new buildings for the public business; and that we shall have pleasure in confirming these acts in the usual way.

"7. That we are much gratified to be informed that, during the last summer, His Excellency's Commissioners made another Treaty with the Blackteet, Blood and Piegan Indians, by which the Indian title is extinguished over a territory of 51,000 square miles west of Treaty No. 4, and south o' Treaty No. 6; that the Treaty has been made on terms nearly the same as those under Treaty No. 6, though somewhat less onerous, and the entire territory west of Lake Superior to the Rocky Mountains, and from the boundary nearly to the 55th degree of north latitude, embracing about 40,000 square miles, has now been acquired by peaceful negotiation with the native tribes, who place implicit faith in the honour and justice of the British Crown."

8. That we learn with much interest, that, early in the past summer, a large body States, crossed into British territory, to of Indians under Sitting Bull, from the United escape from the United States troops, and have since remained on the Canadian side; and that the United States Government made a friendly but unsuccessful attempt to induce these Indians to return to their reservations; and that we agree with His Excellency, in hoping that such arrangements may yet be made as may lead to their permanent and peaceful settlement, and thus relieve Canada of a source of uneasiness and a heavy expenditure."

SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD proposed that the paragraph be amended by adding, after the word "settlement," the the words "and possible removal."

MR. MACKENZIE explained that by the word "settlement," he meant

settlement on the reservations. He reminded the right hon. gentleman that the Address had been agreed to, as it stood, by the Senate, and that it would be awkward to alter it in the House. With this explanation, he hoped that the paragraph would pass.

Resolution, amended by the insertion of the words ΟΙ return" after "settlement," agreed to.

Motion made and question proposed:

"9. That we are well pleased to know that the surveys of the Pacific Railway have been pressed to completion during the past season; that a complete instrumental survey of the route, by the Valleys of the North Thompson aud Lower Fraser Rivers, has been made with a view to ascertain definitel whether that route presents more favourable features than the routes already surveyed to Dean Inlet and Bute Inlet respectively; and that it is believed that the additional information now obtained will enable His Excellency's Government to determine which route is the most advantageous from Tête Jaune Cache to the sea; and that we thank His Excellency far the promise that full information will be laid before us at an early day of the season's work in this and other directions."

MR. TUPPER asked at what time

the hon. the Premier would be able to communicate to Parliament the decision the Government had come to in regard to the Pacific Railway.

MR. MACKENZIE said he could not tell, because the Government had not the information before them yet.

MR. TUPPER said he hoped the hon. gentleman would give an oppor

MR. MACKENZIE: Certainly.
Motion agreed to.

Motion made and question proposed: "10. That we receive with much pleasure His Excellency's congratulations on the abundant harvest reaped in all quarters of the Dominion, and that, under this and other influences, there has been some improvement influences, there has been some improvement in the Revenue returns, thus indicating, as we trust with His Excellency, that the commercial depression that afflicted Canada, in common with other countries, is passing away."

MR. MASSON said he did not believe the commercial depression was passing away, as expressed in this paragraph, and asked the Premier to alter the construction of it so that it might embody the views of all the members of the House.

MR. MACKENZIE said that one hon. member of the Opposition had objected because stronger terms had not been used in the paragraph, and he had heard no one express the views urged by the hon. gentleman, except the hon. gentleman himself.

MR. MASSON said he was not, perhaps, sufficiently conversant with the English language to distinguish the difference between "trust" and "hope." He was of opinion that the depression was not passing away, that there was no indication that it was passing away, and he did not agree with his hon. friend who said that it was unpatriotic to say that it was passing away. Did the members who lived in the city of Montreal think the depression was passing away? In that city he had been told that men had come to the contractors and had said, "For God's sake, give us work, even at half a dollar per day, if you like." If they passed this resolution, these people would consider it ironical. It did not matter whether the impression was right or wrong, the hon. the Prime Minister had no right to ask the House to take such a position on a matter which they could not be certain of until the Budget Speech was before them. They should follow the English usage, and place in the Address nothing which could cause any difference of opinion. It would be a graceful act on the part

ordinary rule in this case and amend the clause. About the second year after Confederation, there was an expression in the Address which, lawyers contended, did not mean what was desired to be stated. Mr. Dorion objected that there was a difference of opinion as to the words used in the for Kingston followed the English Address, and the right hon. member precedent, and dropped out of the Address the words objected to, so that it might be the unanimous opinion of the House.

MR. HOLTON said his hon. friend

for Terrebonne (Mr. Masson) was quite right in the position he assumed, that the House ought not to be invited to compromise members in regard to what might be brought up at a later stage of the Session; but, if the hon. member looked at this clause carefully he would see that his own canon was fulfilled. They were asked to say this:

His Excellency's congratulations on "That we receive with much pleasure the abundant harvest reaped in all quarters of the Dominion, and that under this and other influences there has been some improvement in the Revenue returns, thus indicating, as we trust with His Excellency, that the commercial depression that afflicted Canada in common with other countries, is passing away."

That was a matter of fact communicated to them officially by the Governor-General. All they were asked to say was that they hoped the bountiful harvest and the improvement in the revenue returns might be taken as ground for trust that the depression was passing away, or had begun to pass away.

MR. MASSON said the words "thus

indicating" implied that the state of The things referred to did exist. hon. member for North Ontario (Mr. Gibbs), and every member who had spoken on the position, had declared that the depression was not passing away. He did not suppose the hon. the Minister of Finance wanted to commit them to the statement that it was passing away.

"12. That we thank His Excellency for informing us, that his attention having been called to some imperfections in the existing system of auditing the Public Accounts, a measure providing for a more thorough and effective supervision will be submitted for our consideration.

"13. That we share with His Excellency the conviction that the prospect of obtaining, at an early day, greater facilities for reaching

the North-Western Territorics and the Province of Manitoba, is sure to attract a larger number of settlers every year, and that, as much of the prosperity of the Dominion depends on the rapid settlement of the fertile lands in those territories, it is desirable and necessary to facilitate such settlement as much as possible; and that we are pleased to learn that, in order to effect this, measures will be submitted for our consideration concerning the registration of titles, the enactment of a Homestead Law, and the promotion of railway enterprise in districts not touched by the Canada Pacific Railway.

"14 That we shall give our best attention to any measure submitted to us for better securing the Independence of Parliament.

"15. That,being informed by His Excellency that experience has shown that certain changes may advantageously he made in the departmental arrangements existing at present, we shall respectfully consider any Bill submitted to us for accomplishing this purpose, without increasing the expenditure or the number of Departments.

"16. That we feel with His Excellency, that it is very desirable there should be uniform legislation in all the Provinces re pecting the traffic in spirituous liquors, and being aware that hitherto that trade has been regulated by Provincial laws, or laws existing before the Confederation of the Provinces, although there has been lately a conflict of authority as to the jurisdiction of the local authorities, we shall gladly receive any Bill making the necessary provision which may be submitted for our consideration, as we shall also any other measures found necessary for the amendment of existing laws and submitted for our approval.

"17. That we thank His Excellency for the assurance that the Estimates for the en

suing year will be laid before us at an early day, and that they have been prepared with an anxious desire to provide for all the branches of the public service, and the execution of pressing public works within the limits of the expected revenue, without increasing the burden of taxation; and for hay ing directed that the Public Accounts of the past financial year shall be laid before us."

Motions agreed to,

MR. MACKENZIE moved:

"That the said resolution be referred to a Select Committee, composed of Messrs. Mackenzie, Smith (Westmoreland). Laflamme, Jones, De St. Georges, and Charlton, to draft an Address pursuant thereto."

Motion agreed to.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

MR. MACKENZIE laid before the House the Annual Report of the Minister of Public Works for the fiscal year, 1st July, 1876, to 30th June, 1877, on the works under his control.

MR. SMITH (Westmoreland) laid before the House the Tenth Annual Report of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, being for the fiscal year ended 30th June, 1877.

MR. MILLS laid before the House the Annual Report of the Department of the Interior for the year ended 30th June, 1877.

MR. CARTWRIGHT laid before the House the Public Accounts of Canada for the fiscal year ended 30th June, 1877.

MR. LAFLAMME laid before the House the Report of the Minister of Justice, as to Penitentiaries in Canada, for the six months ended 30th June, 1877.

Mr. BURPEE (St. John) laid before the House the Tables of the Trade and Navigation of the Dominion of Canada, for the fiscal year ended 30th June, 1877; and the Report of the Minister of Agriculture for the Dominion of Canada, for the calendar year 1877.

House adjourned at
Twenty minutes to
Five o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Monday, 18th Feb., 1878.

The Speaker took the Chair at Three o'clock.

PRAYERS.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.

MR. HUNTINGTON laid before the House the Report of the PostmasterGeneral for the year ended 30th June, 1877.

MR. LAURIER laid before the House the Report, Returns and Statistics of the Inland Revenue of the Dominion of Canada, for the fiscal year ended 30th June, 1877; also, fourth Report on Weights and Measures, being Supplement No. 2 to the Report of the Department of Inland Revenue, 1877; also Supplement No. 1 to the Inland Revenue Report, for the year ended 30th June, 1877; and Report on Adulteration of Food, being Supplement No. 3 to the Report of the Department of Inland Revenue, 1877.

MR. JONES (Halifax) laid before the House, Report on the State of the Militia of the Dominion of Canada for the year 1877.

Victoria, chapter 5, section 35, from the 1st of July, 1877, to the 9th of February, 1878, inclusive; and statement of allowances and gratuities under the Act 33 Victoria, chapter 4, better seentitled an Act for the curing the efficiency of the Civil Service of Canada, by providing for the superannuation of persons employed therein, in certain cases.

MR. TUPPER asked if the hon. the Minister of Finance would lay upon the table, without a formal motion, all Orders in Council relating to the balances of appropriation which had lapsed and had been carried over to the following year.

MR. CARTWRIGHT said he thought the statement was in the Public Accounts; if not, he would have it attended to.

PETITIONS FOR PRIVATE BILLS.

MR. SPEAKER: I find that, according to a strict interpretation of our rule, no petition can be received after to day, without special permission of the House. Three petitions have been presented to-day, and it will be necessary to move that the rule be suspended and that the petitions be read and received to-day.

MR. MACKENZIE said he thought it would be necessary to go a little further than that. He would have further than that. made a motion to-day to extend the time for a week, but the rule required the recommendation of a Committee. He proposed in a few moments to ask the House to confirm. the nomination of the Standing Orders Committee, and he would ask them to make the recommendation, and then he would move accordingly. He thought the three petitions might be received to-day.

The petitions were read and received.

MR. CARTWRIGHT said the statement of the unexpended balances would be found on page 346, Public Accounts, Part II. He fancied that contained all the hon. gentleman (Mr. Tupper) wanted.

PETITIONS FROM FOREIGNERS.
SPEAKER'S RULING.

MR. SPEAKER: The Clerk has