CANADA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1715, 11 April 1862, Page 5

CANADA.

The recent spirited conduct of the Canadians must have considerably disappointed those prophets who have been affirming that on the first opportunity Canada would " rush in" to the Union. At the first note of war all Canada rose as one man to declare that it would resist any attempted invasion from the States. The two populations on which the Yankees counted were foremost in declaring for British connection. The French of Canada they fancied to be as much hostile to British sway as the French of France. Quebec was to be avenged as well as Waterloo. But what was the first movement in the province ? It was a general call to arms of the French Canadians by the Catholio priesthood. Nor is this all. <

Fhe Canadian has his military traditions. < He knows that twice the American Union has sent an army to invade his soil, and twioe he has repulsed the enterprise. When Napoleon was pouring his armieß into Russia, half a century ago, President Madison, fired by emulation, bade his troops advance for the conquest of Canada. They came and laid down their aims to a force little more than half their own. Such remembrances give a spirit to the exhortations of the Canadian leaders. Thus, Monseigneur Charles Francois Baillargeon, Bishop of Tioa, and administrator of the diocess of Quebec, thus addresses his flock : — " All our young men should have at heart at this moment to serve such a noble cause. They will be proud to march in the footsteps of our forefathers, who on two memorable occasions, covered themselves with glory in repelling the armies sent by the American Union to conquer the country."' "The most efficacious means which we can employ to decide the enemy to remain at peace with us is to show him that we are well prepared to receive him." Nor is the Catholic Bishop of Montreal less energetic iv his language. In a pastoral read in all the Churches of the diocess the Bishop makes an animated appeal to the,, people, and speaks of the British Government as " having given the country such liberal institutions that it has truly made it the most happy oountry upon earth." Such is the spirit of the French inhabi tants, and that of the Irish, of whom the Federal invaders have always made sure asjallies, is equally loyal. The Irish in Montreal are not only ready to fight under the British Mag, but they are forming a corps of their own, and the example will be, no doubt, followed in other places. We are happy to say that from all accounts the drilling of the militia is going on with success, the people generally being proud of the stand which the British Government has made against the arrogance of the Nortben States ; and furthermore, especially delighted with the promptitude with which troops and arms have been despatched. On the other hand, the anger of the Americans is such that they threaten to repeal the reciprocity treaty. The following intelligence has been received concerning the arrival of the reinforcements which were lately sent out to Canada from England and of which we gave an accout in our last :— The Asia arrived at Halifax on the Ist January with head quarters and one battery 10th Brigade, Royal Artillery, and the 3rd Battalion Military Train. The Adriatic arrived on the 31st December with 1100 men, and left for St. John's, New Brunswick, on the Bth January. The Magdalena arrived on the 4th January, with the 2nd Battalion 16th Regiment and Artillery. The Melbourne arrived on the 15th January, having put into Prince Edwards Island for coal. The Australian landed 1100 men at St. John's, New Brunswick, about the 4th January. The Parana with the Scots Fusilers and Artillery, arrived at Sydney, Cape Breton, on the 6th, and, after coaling, proceeded to St John's on lor about the 10th. The Canada, with Royal Eugineers and Artillery, arrived on the Bth. The Cleopatra, with the 2nd Batallion 17th Regiment, arrived on the 9th and would remain at Halifax. The Adriatic, with Geueral Lord William Paulet and the Guards, arrived at St John's, New Brunswick, on the 9th, and commenced disembarking.