§ MR. ADDERLEYsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether information has been received of any measures having been introduced by the new Canadian Ministry for the embodiment of a Militia or Volunteer Force; and if so, what is the nature of such measures; if not, whether he intends the 12,000 British troops now there to remain during the winter wholly unaided by the Canadians themselves; and whether he will lay upon the table Copies of the Correspondence which has passed between 242 the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Canadian Government on the subject of a guarantee from the British Treasury to a loan of £3,000,000, on certain conditions, for the proposed Railway?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, that the new Canadian Ministry had carried an Act amending the Militia Law of the Colony. It was less extensive than the measure introduced by the late Ministry and rejected by the Canadian Parliament. But it increased the power of the Governor General in respect to calling out the Militia, and raised the active portion of that force from 5,000 to 10,000 men. With respect to the correspondence asked for, it was laid before Parliament a week ago.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONsaid, in the present state of things it was not the intention of the Government to withdraw any portion of the troops from Canada. At the same time, he would say he could not entertain a doubt, if there were any occasion for the defence of the country, there would not be simply 10,000 Militia to undertake that duty, but as many men would be ready to take arms as the circumstances of the case might require.