Gentlemen of the House of Commons:

The accounts for the past and the estimates for the next financial year will be laid before you. The estimates have been framed with every possible economy consistent with the public interests. I regret that the depression in trade to which I have alluded, has seriously affected the revenue. It will be necessary in view of this circumstance to curtail the expenses in the several branches of the public service.

Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate:

Gentlemen of the House of Commons:

Correspondence, Reports, and other Papers regarding the construction of the Pacific Railway will be laid before you.

During the recess, a deputation from the Government of Manitoba visited Ottawa to invite the attention of the Government of the Dominion to the circumstances of that Province. They represented that the income of the Province was insufficient to provide for its ordinary governmental expenses. The papers on this subject will be laid before you, and certain propositions will be submitted for your consideration. The Legislature of Manitoba has in the meantime adopted some measures to reduce the expenditures of the Province.

I invite your earnest attention to the several subjects mentioned, and to the general business which will come before you, and I trust that your deliberations may be guided by wisdom and moderation.

11th.-Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne moved in the Commons by Mr. G. E. Casey, seconded by Mr. H. T. Taschereau.

14th.-Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne moved in Senate by Hon. A. H. Paquet, M.D., seconded by Hon. E. Leonard.

25th.-Hon. R. J. Cartwright, Finance Minister, delivered his Budget Speech showing receipts, $24,648,715; expenditure, $23,713,071. Receipts for past seven months, '75-'6, nearly $2,000,000 less than same period '74-'5.

April 12th.-Parliament prorogued. His Excellency gave assent to thirty-nine public and thirty-six private Bills. Amongst the most important were: An Act granting an additional subsidy of $26,746 per annum for 6 years to Manitoba; An Act for having witnesses before Parliamentary Committees examined upon oath whenever either House shall so order; An Act with regard to corrupt practices at elections; An Act providing for the collection of Criminal Statistics; An Act consolidating the Statutes relating to Indians; An Act amending the Dominion Lands Act; An Act creating the District of Keewatin out of a portion of the territory lying between Ontario and Manitoba; An Act amending the Acts relating to the Supreme and Exchequer Courts; An Act amending the Insolvent Act; An Act providing for the winding up of Insolvent Banks; An Act for the Incorporation of Boards of Trade; and an Act amending the Acts relating to violence, threats and molestation.

July 20th.-Hon. A. N. Richards, Q.C., appointed Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia.

29th.-Chief Justice Richards appointed Deputy-Governor, to act during the absence of the Governor-General in British Columbia.

September 6th.-New ministry formed in Prince Edward Island as follows: Hon. L. H. Davies, Attorney-General (Premier); Hon. W. D. Stewart, Commissioner of Public Works; Hon. George W. DeBlois, Provincial Secretary and Treasurer.

October 7th.-Hon. David Laird, Minister of the Interior, appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories. Hugh Richardson,

Matthew Ryan, Esqs., and Lieut.-Col. J. F. McLeod, C.M.G., appointed 'Members of his Council.

24th.-Hon. David Mills sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Minister of the Interior.

November 8th.-Chief-Justice Dorion appointed Administrator of the Government of Quebec.

9th.-Hon. T. R. Laflamme sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Minister of Inland Revenue, vice Geoffrion, resigned.

December 13th.-Hon. R. E. Caron, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Quebec, died at Quebec.

15th.-Hon. Luc Letellier de St. Just, Minister of Agriculture, appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec.

1877.

January 26th.-Hon. C. A. P. Pelletier sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Minister of Agriculture.

February 8th.-Fourth Session of Third Parliament opened by His Excellency the Earl of Dufferin, who delivered the following Speech from the Throne :

Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate:

Gentlemen of the House of Commons:

I am glad to be again enabled to summon you to meet for the despatch of business, at the time which has been considered best suited to the convenience of members.

During the recess I visited the Province of British Columbia, and had much satisfaction in becoming acquainted with the people of that interesting part of the Dominion, and with the climate and resources of their Province.

The surveys of the Pacific Railway have been prosecuted with the utmost vigor and at a larger cost during the past than in any previous year, but it has not been found possible, as yet, to complete the location of the line, and I have consequently been obliged to postpone the inviting of tenders for its construction on the terms indicated by the Act of 1874.

A further correspondence on the subjects at issue between my Government and British Columbia will be laid before you.

During the recent suspension of the Extradition arrangements with the United States I took care that the importance to Canada of a speedy resumption of these arrangements should be represented to Her Majesty's Government, whose attention has been further invited to the expediency of largely extending the provisions of the existing Treaty.

I am glad to be able to state that while the operation of the Treaty has been resumed, negotiations are in progress for a convention, more liberal, and better suited to the circumstances of the two countries.

The attention of my Government having been directed to some anomalies in the Royal Commission, and Royal Instructions to the Governor-General, particularly with regard to the exercise of the Prerogative of Pardon, steps have been taken towards the amendment of these instruments.

Papers on this subject, as well as on that of the Extradition question, will be laid before you.

The great public works connected with the St. Lawrence navigation, and the canals required to complete the system, have been prosecuted with success during the past year. Nearly all the works on the Welland and Lachine Canals have been placed under contract on terms favorable to the country.

The active prosecution of these works during the last three years has necessarily increased the public debt, and, though expectations are entertained that the outlay may ultimately be repaid to the country, it may be considered advisable not to press all the works, contemplated in the earlier years of Confederation to completion at present.

I am happy to state that the Intercolonial Railway was opened for traffic, throughout

its entire length, early in the summer, with as favorable results as could have been expected.

One of the immediate advantages of the completion of the Railway was the delivery and reception of the British Mails at Halifax after the closing of the St. Lawrence; and I am happy to say that up to the present time mails and passengers have been successfully carried over the line without any interruption.

The exhibition of Canadian products, manufactures and works of art at the United States National Exposition at Philadelphia, was eminently successful, and proclaimed to the world that Canada has already taken a high place as a farming, manufacturing and mining country.

It is gratifying to be able to state that the expenditure was kept well within the estimate.

It is but just that I should acknowledge that the success achieved by the enterprise of our people was largely aided by the energy and wisdom of the Commissioners who had charge of the arrangements.

I have considered it advisable in the interest of the country to make arrangements for exhibiting Canadian products at the Exhibition to be held at Sydney, New South Wales, for which you will be asked to make provision.

Notwithstanding the loss of revenue, consequent chiefly on the diminution of our importations, the reductions effected during the current year have gone far to restore the equilibrium between income and expenditure, though great economy will be still needful to attain this object.

I regret that I am still unable to announce any progress in obtaining a settlement of the Fishery claims under the Washington Treaty, though my Government has made every effort to secure that result.

My commissioners have made further treaty arrangements with certain of the Indian tribes of the North-West territories, by which their title is extinguished to a very large portion of the Territories west of Treaty No. 4; and although some of the provisions of this treaty are of a somewhat onerous and exceptional character, I have thought it nevertheless advisable on the whole to ratify it. This treaty will be placed before you. I have made an engagement to negotiate a treaty with the remaining tribes east of the Rocky Mountains.

The expenditure incurred by the Indian Treaties is undoubtedly large, but the Canadian policy is nevertheless the cheapest, ultimately, if we compare the results with those of other countries; and it is above all a humane, just, and Christian policy.

Notwithstanding the deplorable war waged between the Indian tribes in the United States territories, and the Government of that country, during the last year, no difficulty has arisen with the Canadian tribes living in the immediate vicinity of the scene of hostilities.

You will be asked to consider the expediency of making such changes in the Joint Stock Companies Act as may obviate for the future the passage of special Acts of Parliament for the incorporation of various classes of Companies, including such corporations as seek to engage in the borrowing and lending of money, by providing for their organization by Letters Patent.

The desirability of affording additional security to policy-holders of Life Assurance Companies has engaged the attention of my Government, and I trust that the measure which will be submitted will accomplish the desired object.

A measure will be submitted to you for the purpose of extending to the navigation of the great inland waters, rights and remedies at present confined to waters within the jurisdiction of the Courts of Vice-Admiralty.

You will be asked to amend and consolidate the laws relating to Customs.

I have considered it advisable to provide for the permanent prosecution of the Geological Survey, which has heretofore been carried on under tempotary enactments, and to make this a distinct branch of the Civil Service; your attention will be invited to a Bill for that purpose.

Measures will be submitted also for the amendment of the Weights and Measures Act, the Excise Laws, and other Acts, and also a Bill relating to Shipping.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons:

The accounts of the past year will be laid before you.

The Estimates of the next financial year will also be submitted, and will, I trust, be

found to be framed with a view to meet the existing circumstances of the country, while at the same time, providing for carrying on the administration of the affairs with efficiency.

Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate:

Gentlemen of the House of Commons:

I place full reliance on your prudence and ability, and your devotion to the work of legislation, which, I trust, may be carried on and completed in such a way as to minister to the prosperity of the country, and the unity of the people.

9th.-Address in reply to Speech from the Throne moved in Senate by Hon. A. Hope, seconded by Hon. R. P. Haythorne; and in Commons by Mr. Donald Guthrie, seconded by Mr. F. Bechard.

12th.-Mr. John Macdonald, of Toronto, introduced a motion that the House should be opened with prayer, as is done in the 'Senate. On the suggestion of Sir John A. Macdonald a Committee was appointed, which Committee reported, on the nineteenth in favor of a form of prayer which it was argued should be read by the Speaker in the language most familiar to him.

20th.-Hon. Mr. Cartwright made his Budget Speech. Revenue, $22,587,000; Expenditure, $24,488,000; Deficit, $1,901,000. Estimate for next year, $23,167,000, an increase of $136,000. He proposed some changes in the tariff which would add about $500,000 to the revenue.

March 2nd.-On Tariff resolutions Sir John A. Macdonald moved an amendment to the effect that the taxation was increased without any compensation to Canadian interests, and that the tariff should be adjusted so as to benefit the agricultural, mining and manufacturing interests of the Dominion. Mr. Wood proposed in amendment that the tariff should be made 20 p.c. The debate was continued until the 15th, when Mr. Wood's amendment was defeated by 109 to 78. Dr. Orton then offered an amendment to the effect that the Customs Tariff should be so re-arranged as to relieve Canadian farmers from the one-sided and unjust United States tariff. The debate was continued on 22nd, when Dr. Orton's amendment was defeated by 113 to 74 Sir John A. Macdonald's amendment by 119 to 70, and the original motion carried by 120 to 69.

26th.-A discussion took place on a motion by Dr. Schultz for papers relating to the destruction of the Buffalo. He stated that, from the best authorities, if the present rate of destruction was continued, the buffalo would be extinct in eight or ten years; and as the Indians depended almost entirely on it for food they would become first paupers and then marauders if the supply of buffalo was exhausted.

April 7th.-Mr. Mackenzie Bowell moved a resolution to the effect that the contract held by the Speaker of the House (Hon. Mr. Anglin) with the Government, for the Government printing in New Brunswick was an infringement of the Independence of Parliament Act. The debate was continued on the 8th when Mr. Bowell's motion was negatived by 111 to 72; and the House afterwards adopted a motion made by Mr. Casey to refer the question of Mr. Anglin's printing contract to the Committee on Privileges and Elections. This Committee did not report until the House was about to be prorogued, so that no action could be taken on the report, and during recess Hon. Mr. Anglin resigned and was re-elected.

12th.-Mr. Costigan moved that W. B. O'Donoghue should be placed in the same position as Riel and Lepine. Lost by 105 to 60.

14th.-The cases of Messrs. J. W. Currier and James Norris charged with breaches of the Independence of Parliament Act were referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections. A number of members had been having business transactions with the Government without knowing that they thereby rendered themselves liable to a penalty of of $2,000 a day, under the Independence of Parliament Act, for so doing; and during the session an Act of Indemnity was passed relieving them from pecuniary penalties for sitting illegally. The Bill, however, not to affect cases which may arise in future. 28th.-Parliament prorogued. His Excellency gave assent to fifty-one Public and thirty-five Local and Private Bills. Amongst the most important Acts passed were: An Act extending the Criminal Statutes to Prince Edward Island; An Act relating to the North-West Territories; An Act amending the Customs Act and another amending the Inland Revenue Act. An Act altering the Tariff; An Act relating to Weights and Measures; An Extradition Act; An Act against betting or pool selling; also with regard to gambling in public conveyances, and to gambling houses. An Act amending the Insolvent Act; An Act relating to Insurance Companies.

June 8th.-Hon. Edward Blake resigns the portfolio of Minister of Justice, and accepts that of President of the Privy Council. Hon. T. R. Laflamme, Minister of Inland Revenue, succeeds him, and Hon. J. E. Cauchon becomes Minister of Inland Revenue.

15th.-The Commission appointed under articles 22 and 23 of the Treaty of Washington met at Halifax. The Commissioners were M. Maurice Delfosse, Belgian Minister at Washington (named by the Austrian Minister in London), who was elected President of the Commission; Hon. Ensign H.' Kellogg (named by the United States); Hon. Sir Alexander T. Galt, K.C.M.G. (named by Her Majesty). Hon. Dwight Foster was agent for the United States, and Francis C. Ford, Esq., agent for Great Britain. The British Counsel were Messrs. Joseph Doutre, Q.C., of Montreal; S. R. Thomson, Q.C., of St. John, N.B.; Hon. W. V. Whiteway, Q.C., of St. Johns, Nfd.; Hon. Louis H. Davies, of Charlottetown, P.E.I.; and R. L. Weatherbe, Q.C., of Halifax, N.S. October 8th.-Hon. Wilfrid Laurier sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Minister of Inland Revenue vice Cauchon, resigned.

Chief Justices Richards and Dorion knighted by Her Majesty.

November 23rd.-The Fisheries Commission closed its sittings at Halifax, and awards the sum of five millions five hundred thousand dollars, in gold, to be paid by the United States Government to the British Government, the American Commissioner dissenting.

December 2nd.-Hon. J. E. Cauchon appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba.