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Hon. Mr. BLANCHET-Has Mr. Sewell given any security for the due performance of the conditions of the contract?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Of course he has.

Hon. Mr. ROBITAILLE - I think that this will be a useless expenditure as we have an excellent steamer called the Glendon, which would be useful for the purposes in view, and which is fit for no other purpose.

The item was agreed to.

INDIAN ANNUITIES.

On item No. 18, appropriating $11,000 to bring up the annuities pay able under the Robinson Treaty to the Chippewas of Lake Huron and Superior from 96 cents to $4 per head,

Mr. BLAKE explained that under this treaty the Dominion was responsible for the payment of the money as it was one of the debts of the old Province of Canada. The money would be first paid by the Dominion, and afterwards it would be adjusted by the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

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Mr. BOWELL said in connection with this he desired to call the attention of the House to some money that should have been paid to the Mohawks settled on the Bay of Quinte. He had called the attention the late Administration to it, and the then Minister of Justice reported in favour of the payment of the money: Before the clergy reserves were set apart certain concessions in the Township of Tyendinaga were surrendered by these Indians to the Government. by these Indians to the Government. The proceeds of that sale were to be invested and the interest paid by way of annuity to the tribe, and was paid on certain portions of the land. When the clergy reserves were set apart a portion of these Indian lands, as well as Government lands, were taken for the clergy reserves. The clergy reserves had been sold and the whole amount had been put into the general fund. The sum realized on account of that portion of the clergy reserves which had been Indian lands should have been put into the Indian fund.

Hon. Mr. BLAKE said he was not able to discuss the subject to which

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Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN called the attention of the House that there were important documents, both in France and in England, in reunder the French and the English lation to the history of this country, regime. He desired to know whether the Government desired to have any of these documents copied, and observed that the expenditure of a small sum of money for the purpose, for one or two years, would considerably enrich our sources of information on the subject.

Mr. BABY said there was a large amount of correspondence of a historical character in the British Museum which should be copied. The

United States had been allowed to copy all the documents in the British Museum in relation to their history, he trusted that the Government would grant a small sum for that purpose.

Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT said the could imagine that both in the British subject was an interesting one, and he Museum and

Museum and the French Archives interesting documents with reference to the early history of this country might be found. A sum voted for this purpose would be well employed. A portion of the vote under consideration would no doubt be at the disposal of the Government, and might be used in this direction, and if it were found insufficient, hon. gentlemen would not probably object if they took a few hundred dollars out of the amount voted for unforeseen expenditures. The item was carried.

THE DAWSON ROAD.

Mr. SMITH (Selkirk) said before the attention of the House to a statethe Committee rose, he desired to call ment made by the hon. member for Terrebonne in relation to Mr. Carpenter of the Dawson road. That hon.

gentleman had said that Mr. Carpenter had paid the Superintendent of the American Line to take emigrants to Manitoba by their line in preference to taking them over the Cana dian line. He (Mr. Smith) had telegraphed to Mr. Kittson of St. Paul, Minn., as follows:

"Asserted here Carpenter, Dawson road, paid you to carry emigrants rather than take them himself. Is this true."

In answer to this telegram he received the following reply:

"St. Paul, Minn., 11th March. "To Hon. Donald A. Smith, M. P., Ottawa:

"I was under impression that such an arrangement was made at Winnipeg, but on consulting our Superintendent, Halcomb, 1 find that it is not the case." (Signed)

"N. W. KITTSON.

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Mr. MASSON did not think he ever spoke of an arrangement being made with any company. His information His information was that Mr. Carpenter paid a certain sum, $11 he believed, to induce emigrants not to go by the Dawson road, and to go through the United States. He believed that the hon. gentleman could get information on that point in his own constituency.

Mr. TROW said this telegram bore out what he had already stated. The contractor could have no object whatever in inducing emigrants to go by another line when they were a source of profit to himself.

The Committee rose and reported.

THE MENONITES.

On the motion for concurrence in the item $15,000, part part of of unexpended balance of 1874-5 for immigration and quarantine,

Mr. YOUNG said he had seen it reported that in another place a distinguished gentleman hailing from Toronto had indulged in remarks condemnatory of the introduction of the Menonites into Manitoba and the North-West Territories. Those remarks were cal. culated to give rise to fears in the minds of the Menonites and prevent them from settling in our country. He was amazed to find such language

used in such a quarter. He knew, as a matter of fact, from experience, there was no class of settlers more desirable than those very Menonites. They were a most industrious, thrifty and honest people, and made the very best settlers. The objection was urged that they were settling in townships contiguous to each other. He could see no objection to that. It was done with other classes of immigrants with the best results. But the main objection to the Menonites was that they were granted the privilege of exemption from bearing arms. It was because they wished for such an exemption that they had emigrated from Europe, and they had a special agreement with our Government securing to them that privilege. Although it was secured to them, there were many of the young people who held different views, and in case of war it was probable they would take up arms in defence of their homes. It was most unfortunate that such a question should be raised. be raised. If any doubts were created on this point, it would prevent the immigration of those valuable settlers. The members from Manitoba would admit that the influx of Menonites into this Province had done much to relieve the distress prevailing last year by the large expenditures they had made in purchasing the necessaries of life. His own German constituents, who had never seen and did not know them, had taken such a deep interest in those people that they had generously offered to become security to the extent of $100,000 for the repayment of the money advanced to them by the Government. The statements made in another place were too important to be allowed to pass without a protest from some one on the floor of this

House. He desired to state what he believed to be the general feeling throughout the Dominion, that these people should be encouraged to settle in our country. If there were 100,000 of them in the North-West, they would soon make our waste lands blossom like

a rose.

Mr. SMITH (Selkirk) had much pleasure in endorsing all that the hon. member for Waterloo had said with regard to the Menonites in the North-West. From the moment of

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their arrival they had shown themselves a useful and industrious people. Their presence had sensibly affected the trade of Winnipeg, largely increasing the business of the merchants. The Menonites had shown themselves to be a well conducted people. He had not heard of a single case of disorder among them since they came to the country. As to their objection to bearing arms, he trusted there would never be any necessity for it, but if it should come, they lived on the frontier and would be likely to help to defend themselves. No better people had been brought into the country and no settlers could be more desirable.

The item was concurred in.

THE PACIFIC RAILWAY.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Last year before the House adjourned the Government asked authority to place that portion of the Pacific Railroad extending from Rat Portage to Cross Lake, under contract. We expected at that time the re-survey would be completed in time to do so during the season. It took the whole summer to accomplish that and we are not yet in a position to invite tenders. I have again to ask the House for the authority we obtained last year. We have had the contract ratified from Fort William to the neighborhood of Shebandowan, a distance of 45 miles. As I said a few nights ago in the House, we diverge from that line some 23 or 24 miles from Fort William, so as to reach the North-West Angle of Lac des Mille Lacs, from which we

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proceed in a straight direction, and we have the survey completed to Rat Portage. I want authority to place that portion under contract. offered for the contractors a distance equivalent to that under the former contract in the new line chosen from the point of departure on the line from Shebandowan. This they have declined, as they have a right to do, and we want authority to accomplish this. I give notice of the following motion: "That the Government be authorized "to enter into contracts during the "Recess with parties sending in the “lowest available tenders for the works "of construction of the following por"tions of the Canada Pacific Railway,

"viz: From Fort William westward "towards Lac de Mille Lac and the "crossing of Steel River from Rat "Portage to Cross Lake."

Mr. CURRIER-Is that intended to make an unbroken line, or is any portion of the route to be by water?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-This is the main line. It will be all rail when it

is built, but it will pass by the lake in the meantime, but will not go an inch off the main line. We do not propose to place any under contract but these two ends in the meantime, because we hope to have an arrangement made a year hence that we can get contractors to take the line.

The House adjourned at 10.40 p. m.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

TUESDAY, April 11, 1876. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Two o'clock.

FEES ON PRIVATE BILLS.

Mr. BLAIN moved that the fees on

the Bill to incorporate the United Empire Loan Company be refunded, it having been withdrawn in consequence of the rough handling it had received in the Senate.

Hon. Mr MITCHELL said he would not oppose the motion, but he did not approve of the principle of returning fees for Private Bills withdrawn under such circumstances.

Mr. YOUNG said it was asserted

that many persons applied for charters of this kind for speculative purposes merely. He thought care should be taken to prevent this, and to see that they were not granted to men of straw.

Mr. PLUMB thought care should be exercised to see that those charters did not fall into the hands of parties who merely sold them for what they would bring. He hoped the suggestion of the hon. member for Chateauguay, to employ an employ an expert to look through those Bills and put them in proper shape, would be adopted.

Mr. BLAIN held it was the duty of the House to pay no regard to any man that applied for a charter, but to grant every application that

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Mr. THOMPSON (Cariboo) asked whether it would not be advisable in

matter every practical man must understand. Therefore, he thought it would be much better to delay expenditure on that road until the time arrived when an all-rail route could be constructed to Fort Garry.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE replied that it was to be an all-rail line from end to end.

Mr. CURRIER-I understood the hon. gentleman the other night to say that it was not to be so.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Not at all; I never said so.

The motion was carried.

THE JESUITS' BARRACKS.

Mr. MASSON enquired of the Min

making this suggestion the hon. gen-ister of Public Works when the papers

tleman should also include the western

portion of the road? It might be advisable before next Session to do some work there.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he had already stated the only thing that prevented them having a general tender asked for, was their inability to present anything to tenderers in British Columbia. Although the line for some distance was presumably located permanently, an instrumental survey had not been made. A vote had been taken for the purpose, so that, if possible, they could have a portion of the work commenced during the coming season. It would be asking authority they had no probability of exercising until late in the fall when they could submit the tenders to Parliament as provided for in 1874, if the hon. gent.'s suggestion were acted upon.

Sir. JOHN A. MACDONALD did not see why the hon. gentleman did not ask this authority when the House was full.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he had mentioned, in making his explanation, that he intended to ask for this authority. It was put off in order that they could get all the information possible.

Mr. CURRIER thought it was a great pity the Government should propose to expend money on this route between Thunder Bay and Fort Garry. A land and water line could never compete with the all-rail route between Duluth and Fort Garry. This was a

for which he had asked, with reference to the Jesuits' Barracks of Quebec, and their transfer from the Local to the Federal Government will be brought down. They should have been brought down ere this, he remarked; and it was a matter of importance, that when this was done, they should be printed.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE stated that it was quite impossible as yet to bring them down. The last communication from the Government of the dated the 5th of April; and this they Province of Quebec on this subject was had not had time to consider. They had not had time to consider. They might bring down the papers as they were, but the correspondence would be entirely incomplete. He had no objection, however, to do so.

Mr. MASSON-Do I understand that we are not to have these papers at all while the correspondence is going

on ?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-We cannot bring an incomplete correspondence before the House.

Mr. MASSON-The Premier will remember that my motion was carried, and under the circumstances, he is bound to bring down the correspondence up to date.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I stated explicitly when the motion was carried that I was unable at the time to say what correspondence existed on the subject, and that I could only bring down what was consistent with the pub

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lic interests. I guarded myself carefully on that point. The hon. gentleman can see any of the papers he desires; but I think it would be absurd to place an incomplete correspondence before the House.

Mr. MASSON-It can be retained for a century if that course be pursued. The question of title that is at issue can only be decided between the Imperial and Federal Governments, but I did not ask for correspondence that had passed between these Administrations. There can be no secret to be concealed, and I hope that when the correspondence is brought down it will be printed.

CONCURRENCE.

Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT moved concurrence in the reports of Committee of Supply, and the first item respecting fisheries being taken up,

Hon. Mr. MITCHELL remarked that he had the day previous called the attention of the Government and more particularly of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, to the state of the case, with relation to the fishermen of New Brunswick. He had made a proposition which his hon. friend had kindly consénted to consider, and he would like to hear what his hon. friend had to say on the subject.

Hon. Mr. SMITH replied that the matter had been under consideration. He had also consulted with the Minister of Justice, who had no objection to the acceptance of the proposition in question. It was to be understood, however, that convenient despatch would be made in this connection with regard to the submittal of the case.

Hon. Mr. MITCHELL believed that it was in the interest of the Govern

ment and of the fishermen that a case should not be chosen until he had had an opportunity for visiting his constituents, and making personally an explan

ation to them of the difficulties of the position which both they and the Government occupied.

He thought that if this was done, and if the view entertained by the Government on the one hand were contrasted with their claims, this would lead to a proposition that would bring about a more easy reconcilement of present differences than

would be otherwise possible. He did rot think that he could pay a visit to his county for this purpose until some time during the present summer, but he would endeavour to do so as soon as possible, and secure the nomination of some person authorized to act for the fishermen, to prepare a case for submission to the Minister of Justice, and his hon. friend the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, for their assent, concurrence, amendment or suggestions, prior to being laid before the Judges of the Supreme Court. fancied that this would be satisfactory to his hon. friend.

He

Hon. Mr. SMITH had certainly understood that the hon. gentleman spoke on behalf of the fishermen, and that the latter would undoubtedly assent to the terms of the proposition.

Hon. Mr. MITCHELL replied that on the day previous he had stated that he had visited his county last year; that by request he had attended public meetings in four leading fishing districts; that he had been asked to give his advice and counsel, and that he had complied; that he had no positive authority to make a distinct proposition, and also that he had no doubt whatever that the proposal he had made, being as it was in the public interest, and in the interest of peace and order, right and justice, would be accepted by the fishermen when matters were explained. He had never pretended that he was authorized to make any proposition; but he did feel confident, from what had occurred between the fishermen and himself, that any proposal he might make would be accepted by his friend not to be too hasty, but constituents. He requested his hon. to afford him opportunity for going fishermen. Under these circumstances down and placing the facts before the he entertained no doubt whatever as to the acceptance of the proposition in question.

The

Hon. Mr. BLAKE-I understand that this is a question of law. fishermen have some rights, the hon. gentleman asserts, and this is to lead to a final termination of the question.

Hon. Mr. MITCHELL-I did not assert it-the fishermen assert it.

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