Railroad from Québec to Hamilton.

We perceive that several of our contemporaries in the Western section of the Province do not seem to understand tha actual position of the Government, with respect to the projected Trunk Railway from Québec to Hamilton. The imagine that the construction of this road is to be undertaken by the Government, in same such manner as the St. Lawrence Canals were, under the Superintendence of the Department of Public Works. This is mistake; the Grand Trunk Railway is to be undertaken by certain companies or corporations created by the Provincial Legislature, and over whose acts the Government can only exercise a limited and well defined control. The first of these corporations is the Québec and Richmond Railroad Company, created by the 13th and 14 Vic. cap 116; the Montréal and Kingston Railway Company, created by the 11th and 15th Vic. cap 113; the Kingston and Toronto Railway Company, created by the 11th and 12th Vic., cap. 146; and there is besides the Great Western Railroad Company. These companies have the usual powers conferred on them of raising stock by subscription, the election of President, Directors and Officers, the making of contracts and the like:—the Government can only interfere with their contracts and engagements in matters wherein the Provincial Guarantee for one-half the cost of the road is involved. We might enter into further details, but what we have given is enough for out present purpose, which is to show, that our Western contemporaries need be under no apprehension that an undue preference is intended to be given to English capitalists and contractors in constructing these roads. The contracts will be equally open to all who chance to offer for them—whether English, Canadians or Americans. It is, too, with the Directors of the respective companies that parties have to deal, and not with the Government. English contractors will have not other advantage than the legitimate one derived from their large means; and in that the people of this country cannot, certainly, object.—Pilot

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