Document Information

Date: 1864-10-22
By: The Globe
Citation: “Latest from Quebec! The Conference”, The Globe [Toronto] (22 October 1864).
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LATEST FROM QUEBEC!

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THE CONFERENCE.

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THE PROGRESS MADE.

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THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

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THE Governor General AND THE LIEUT.-GOVERNORS.

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The Bachelors’ Ball

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THE LOCAL CONSTITUTIONS.

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Mr. Price Elected for Laurentides

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From our Own Correspondent

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(BY SPECIAL TELEGRAPH.)

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Quebec, Oct. 21.

Notwithstanding the efforts of members of the Conference to preserve secrecy as to their proceedings, a good deal leaks out. From what has transpired there is little doubt that the outline of the federal constitution, so far as determined, is as follows; – The Governor General to be appointed by the Crown, and to be advised by a Cabinet under the British Parliamentary from of Government; the Upper Chamber to be composed of 76 members – 24 from Upper Canada, 24 form Lower Canada, 10 from Nova Scotia, 10 form New Brunswick, 4 from Prince Edward, and 4 from Newfoundland. The member to be appointed by the Crown for life, and in the first instance to be selected from the present Legislative Councillors. The Lower House to be composed of 194 Members, of whom Upper Canada is to have 82, Lower Canada 65, Nova Scotia 19, New Brunswick 15, Newfoundland 8, Prince Edward Island 5. The members to be elected for five years. The representation has been adjusted in this way: It was assumed that Lower Canada had a fair share of the representatives now. The problem was then worked out, if Lower Canada, with a population of 1,111,000 has 65 members, how many should Upper Canada have with her population. The same course was taken with respect to the other Provinces. The representation to be readjusted every ten years – Lower Canada always retaiing 65 and no more. The Lieutenant Governor of each Province to be appointed by the Governor General, under the advice of the Federal Cabinet. The constitution of the local legislature to be determined by the existing Parliaments – uniformity being found impossible. The Conference met this morning at ten o’clock, and instead of adjourned at two, sat till six p.m., when it adjourned for the night to enable the Finance Ministers to prepare statements for the financial position of each Province.

Whatever the delegate may be able to accomplish, it is pretty certain that unless they leave Quebec soon they will be so wearied out with dinners and balls that they will be very sorry to accept any of you western folks. But you may, I think, calculate with certainty on the ladies they bring with them, at least for the balls. Here, to-night, the bachelors are giving a grand entertainment in the Parliament House, at which there must be at least 600 people present – the expense the bachelors themselves bear, having imposed a poll tax of about twenty dollars per poll. For the occasion the two parliamentary chambers have ben pressed into the service, together with the bands of the 17th and 25th regiments. The company is very brilliant, the ladies gorgeously dressed, and the best specimens of Quebec beauty – French and English – are present, their national charms heightened by the excitement, and perhaps just a little by rivalry. It is difficult to tell to which to accord the preference ; but one thing is clear, the bachelors of Quebec must be hard to please if they remain bachelors long. Many military officers are present in full regimentals, scarlet and blue, together with officers of the volunteers – all gay as butterflies. Two refreshments rooms are provided – one up stairs, at which tea and coffee may be got; another down stairs, where the choicest wines in abundance and dainty edibles load the tables. The Governor General arrived at ten o’clock, and was received by two companies of artillery volunteers, commanded by Captains Bowen and Stuart. Dancing commenced soon afterwards, and will probably be going on while the newsboys in Toronto are distributing The Globe with this sketch of the ball. Lord Monck is exceedingly affable, and appears to know nearly everybody, and has a kind word or genial smile for each. He appears to be enjoying himself most thoroughly. He opened the ball by selecting for his partner in a quadrille the wife of Hon. Judge Dubal. Among the company, besides His Excellency and suite, were most of the regimental officer in the city, including Colonel Robinson, of the 25th. Nearly all the delegates were present, with their ladies. Dr. Tupper and his wide, in consequence of the indisposition of the latter, were absent. Most of the Canadian Ministers were present, some of them in Civil Service uniform. Among the general company were the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Hon. P. Mere, M.L.C., Hon. Mr. Price, M.L.C., Lauentides; L.B. Caron, M.P., Hon. J. Hamilton, M.L.C., Hon. Judge Taschereau, Hon. F. Evanturel, M.P.P., Mayor Tourangeau, Mr. Archibald, New York; Count Falkenberg, the Swedish Ambassador; Messrs. J. Burstall, J. B. Forsyth, Pembroke, Levey, Gavreau, Duval, Lee, &c., &c. Almost all the gentlemen had ladies with them. The ball will bear the severest criticism Evrything was good about it, except the disagreeable necessity of breaking up before Monday.

The following is a list, from to-day’s Gazette, of the parties who, since last Saturday, have officially notified their creditors to appoint assignees under the Insolvent Act of last session: – Messrs. Willet & Ferris, Pittsburg; John McKay, sen., Kingston; Wm. Bennett, Port Hope; John R. Babcock, Radnorswille; Henry Labelle, Vankleek Hill; J. C. Thomson & Co., Montreal; W. T. Recklestone, Hamilton. Notices of assignment: – Arthur McBean, Cobourg; John Orr, Brantford; Godard & Co., Crafton.

There is no doubt that Mr. Price is elected for Laurentides Division, but we have no further returns.