Document Information
Date: 1866-07-24
By: Colonial Office (UK)
Citation: Memorandum, Colonial Office, British North America. Quebec Resolutions. (With Observations and Notes.) (July 24, 1866), London (UK), The National Archives (CO 880/4/6).
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CONFIDENTIAL.
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.
QUEBEC RESOLUTIONS.
(With Observations and Notes.)
THE Resolutions, known as the Quebec Resolutions, were adopted at a Conference held at Quebec in October 1864, in which (on the invitation of the Governor-General of Canada, and with the approval of the Secretary of State) Representatives of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, took part, along with the Ministers of Canada.
Her Majesty’s Government approved generally of the Resolutions.
The following paper contains the Resolutions, with notes showing the principal objections and comments made on them.
The present state of the matter is this:—
Canada.—In February and March 1865, both Houses addressed the Queen for an Imperial Act based on the Quebec Resolutions.
Nova Scotia.—In April 1866, both Houses passed a Resolution for the appointment, by the Lieutenant-Governor, of Delegates to arrange with the Imperial Government a scheme of Union which would effectually insure just provision for the rights and interests of Nova Scotia.
New Brunswick.—In April 1866, the Legislative Council addressed the Queen for an Imperial Act based on the Quebec Resolutions.
In June 1866 new elections for the House of Assembly were held, and the Unionists elected were 33 to 8. The Legislature was summoned to meet for despatch of business on 21 June, J 866.
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Prince Edward Island.—Twice (in 1865 and 1866) both Houses rejected the Quebec Resolutions.
Newfoundland.—In March 1866, the Legislative Council addressed the Governor to the effect that while the policy of Union was sound, important modifications of the Quebec Resolutions were indispensable, and assurances should be given which they did not contain.
In March 1866, in the House of Assembly, a motion was made against Union, and particularly against the Quebec Resolutions; on which an amendment was moved and carried that the House did not deem it expedient to enter on a discussion of the subject with a view to any decision.
It is understood the question is reserved for consideration in the session of 1867.
24 July, 1866.
Report of Resolutions adopted at a Conference of Delegates from the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and the Colonies of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, held at the City of Quebec, October 10, 1864, as the Basis of a proposed Confederation of those Provinces and Colonies.
Lord Monck observes that the term “Confederation” is misapplied, and gives a false notion of the sort of union desired and possible.
Sir R. Macdonnell thinks it an objection that the scheme breaks up the successful union of the Canadas.
Mr. Cardwell expresses the hope that the working of the Central and Local Governments may not lead to increased expense and additional taxation.
1. THE best interests and present and future prosperity of British North America will be promoted by a Federal Union under the Crown of Great Britain, provided such union can be effected on principles just to the several Provinces.
2. ln the Federation of the British North American provinces the system of Government best adapted under existing circumstances to protect the diversifier! interests of the several provinces, and secure efficiency, harmony, and permanency in the working of the Union, would be a General Government charged with matters of common interest to the whole country, and local Governments for each of the Canadas and for the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, charged with the control of local matters in their respective sections, provision being made for the admission into the Union on equitable terms of Newfoundland, the North-west territory, British Columbia, and Vancouver.
3. In framing a Constitution for the General Government, the Conference, with a view to the perpetuation of our connection with the Mother country, and to the promotion of the best interests of the people of these provinces, desire to follow the model of the British Constitution, so far as our circumstances will permit.
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4. The Executive authority or Government shall be vested in the Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and be administered, according to the well-understood principles of the British Constitution, by the Sovereign personally or by the Representative of the Sovereign duly authorized.
5. The Sovereign, or Representative of the Sovereign, shall be Commander-in-chief of the Land and Naval Militia Forces.
6. There shall be a General Legislature or Parliament for the Federated Provinces, composed of a Legislative Council and a House of Commons.
7. For the purpose of forming the Legislative Council, the Federated Provinces shall be considered as consisting of three divisions:—1st, Upper Canada; 2nd, Lower Canada; 3rd, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island; each division with an equal representation in the Legislative Council.
8. Upper Canada shall be represented in the Legislative Council by 24 members, Lower Canada by 24 members, and the three Maritime Provinces by 24 members, of which Nova Scotia shall have 10, New Brunswick 10, and Prince Edward Island 4 members.
9. The Colony of Newfoundland shall be entitled to enter the proposed Union, with a representation in the Legislative Council of four members.
10. The North-west Territory, British Columbia, and Vancouver shall be admitted into the Union, on such terms and conditions as the Parliament of of the Federated Provinces shall deem equitable, and as shall receive the assent of Her Majesty; and in the case of the Province of British Columbia or Vancouver, as shall be agreed to hy the Legislature of such Province.
Lord Monck objects to the Legislative Council being composed of members appointed for life, with their number fixed. He suggests that the members should be appointed by the Crown, but only for a limited time, say eight years, and that one-eighth should go out of office each year, and be capable of re-appointment.
Mr. Cardwell disapproves of the arrangement embodied in the Resolutions.
Lord Monck intimates, in reply, that the Resolutions are subject to modification on discussion in the Houses of the respective Legislatures of the Provinces.
11. The Members of the Legislative Council shall be appointed by the Crown under the Great Seal of the General Government, and shall hold office during life. If any Legislative Councillor shall, for two consecutive sessions of Parliament, fail to give his attendance in the said Council, his seat shall thereby become vacant.
12. The members of the Legislative Council shall be British subjects by birth or naturalization, of the full age of 30 years, shall possess a continuous real property qualification of 4,000 dollars over and above all incumbrances, and shall be and continue worth,
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that sum over and above their debts and liabilities, but in the case of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island the property may be either real or personal.
13. If any question shall arise as to the qualification of a Legislative Councillor, the same shall be determined by the Council.
Sir R. Macdonnell and Mr. Gordon object to the mode of selection of Legislative Councillors in the first instance. They seem to apprehend dishonesty. and unfairness (in a political sense) in the appointments.
14. The first selection of the members of the Legislative Council shall be made, except as regards Prince Edward Island, from the Legislative Councils of the various provinces, so far as a sufficient number be found qualified and willing to serve. Such members shall be appointed by the Crown at the recommendation of the General Executive Government, upon the nomination of the respective Local Governments; and in such nomination due regard shall be had to the claims of the members of the Legislative Council of the Opposition in each province, so that all political parties may as nearly as possible be fairly represented.
15. The Speaker of the Legislative Council (unless otherwise provided by Parliament) shall be appointed by the Crown from among the members of the Legislative Council, and shall hold office during pleasure, and shall only be entitled to a casting vote on an equality of votes.
16. Each of the twenty-four Legislative Councillors representing Lower Canada in the Legislative Council of the General Legislature shall be appointed to represent one of the twenty-four electoral divisions mentioned in Schedule A of Chapter l of the Consolidated Statutes of Canada, and such Councillor shall reside or possess his qualification in the division he is appointed to represent.
17. The basis of representation in the House of Commons shall be population, as determined by the official census every 10 years ; and the number of Members at first shall be 194, distributed as follows:
Upper Canada 82
Lower Canada 65
Nova Scotia 19
New Brunswick 15
Newfoundland 8
Prince Edward Island 5
18. Until the official census of 1871 has been made up, there shall be no change in the number of Representatives from the several sections.
19. Immediately after the completion of the census of 1871, and immediately after every decennial census thereafter, the representation from each section in the House of Commons shall be re-adjusted on the basis of population.
Lord Monck observes that this plan is very ingenious, and in his opinion unobjectionable. The relative proportion of members will be always maintained, while the growth of population in Lower Canada will prevent an inconvenient increase in the general numbers of the House.
20. For the purpose of such re-adjustments, Lower Canada shall always be assigned 65 Members, and each of the other sections shall at each re-adjustment receive, for the ten years then next succeeding, the number of members to which it will be entitled on the same ratio of representation to population as Lower Canada will enjoy according to the census last taken by having sixty-five members.
21. No reduction shall be made in the number of members returned by any section, unless its population shall have decreased relatively to the population of the whole Union, to the extent of 5 per centum.
22. In computing at each decennial period the number of members to which each section is entitled, no fractional parts shall be considered, unless when exceeding one-half the number entitling to a member, in which case a member shall be given for each such fractional part.
23. The Legislature of each province shall divide such province into the proper number of constituencies, and define the boundaries of each of them.
In the Papers submitted to the Canadian Parliament this Resolution was altered so as to apply exclusively to representation in the Assemblies of the several Provinces, on the ground that, as expressed in the original Report, it did not convey the true meaning of the Conference. It could never have been intended (it is said) to destroy the independence of every member of the General Parliament by giving power to the Local Legislature to alter, and thus practically to abolish, his constituency, whenever by speech or vote he might happen to displease a majority of that Legislature.
Mr. Gordon considers the change would be a very decided improvement, as tending to raise the power of the Central Legislature, and diminish that of the Local Assemblies.
24. The local Legislature of each Province may, from time to time, alter the electoral districts for the purposes of representation in the House of Commons, and distribute the Representatives to which the province is entitled, in any manner such Legislature may think fit.
25. The number of members may at any time be increased by the General Parliament, regard being had to the proportionate rights then existing.
26. Until provisions are made by the general Parliament, all the laws which at the date of the Proclamation constituting the union are in force in the Provinces respectively, relating to the qualification and disqualification of any person to be elected or to sit or vote as a member of the Assembly in the said Provinces respectively—and relating to the qualification or disqualification of voters, and to the oaths to be taken by voters, and to returning officers and. their powers and duties,—and relating to the proceedings at elections,—and to the period during which such elections may be continued,—and relating to the trial of controverted elections, and the pro-
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ceedings incident thereto,—and relating to the vacating of seats of members,—and the issuing and execution of new writs in case of any seat being vacated otherwise than by a dissolution, shall respectively apply to elections of members to serve in the House of Commons, for places situate in those provinces respectively.
27. Every House of Commons shall continue for five years from the day of the return of the writs choosing the same, and no longer; subject, nevertheless, to be sooner prorogued or dissolved by the Governor. Mr. Gordon thinks it unnecessary to provide
Mr. Gordon thinks it unnecessary to provide for annual sessions, as supplies must be voted annually.
28. There shall be a Session of the General Parliament once at least in every year, so that a period of twelve calendar months shall not intervene between the last sitting of the General Parliament in one session and the first sitting thereof in the next session.
29. The General Parliament shall have power to make laws for the peace, welfare, and good government of the Federated Provinces (saving the sovereignty of England), and especially laws respecting the following subjects:—
1. The public debt and property.
2. The regulation of trade and commerce.
3. The imposition or regulation of duties of Customs on imports and exports, except on exports of timber, logs, masts, spars, deals, and sawn lumber, and of coal and other minerals.
4. The imposition and regulation of Excise duties.
5. The raising of money by all or any other modes or systems of taxation.
6. The borrowing of money on the public credit.
7. Postal service.
8. Lines of steam or other ships, railways, canals, and other works, connecting any two or more of the Provinces together, or extending beyond the limits of any Province.
9. Lines of steam-ships between the Federated Provinces and other countries.
10. Telegraphic communication and the incorporation of Telegraph Companies.
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11. All such works as shall, although lying wholly within any Province, be specially declared by the Acts authorizing them to be for the general advantage.
12. The census.
13. Militia, military and naval service and defence.
14. Beacons, buoys, and lighthouses.
15. Navigation and shipping.
16. Quarantine.
17. Sea-coast and inland fisheries.
18. Ferries between any Province and a foreign country, or between any two Provinces.
19. Currency and coinage.
20. Banking, incorporation of banks, and the issue of paper money.
21. Savings Banks.
22. Weights and measures.
23. Bills of exchange and promissory notes.
24. Interest.
25. Legal tender.
26. Bankruptcy and insolvency.
27. Patents of invention and discovery.
28. Copyrights.
29. Indians and lands reserved for the Indians.
30. Naturalization and aliens.
31. Marriage and divorce.
32. The criminal law, excepting the constitution of Courts of Criminal Jurisdiction, but including the procedure in criminal matters.
Mr. Gordon objects to the making Acts of the Central Parliament, in reference to the codification, of no force in any Province till approved by the Legislature thereof.
33. Rendering uniform all or any of the laws relative to property and civil rights in Upper Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island, and rendering uniform the procedure of all or any of the Courts in these provinces; but any statute for this purpose shall have no force or authority in any province until sanctioned by the Legislature thereof.
34. The establishment of a General Court of Appeal for the Federated Provinces.
35. Immigration.
36. Agriculture.
37. And generally respecting all matters of a general character, not specially and exclu-
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sively reserved for the Local Governments and Legislatures.
30. The General Government and Parliament shall have all powers necessary or proper for performing the obligations of the Federated Provinces, as part of the British Empire, to foreign countries, arising under Treaties between Great Britain and such countries.
31. The General Parliament may also, from time to time, establish additional Courts, and the General Government may appoint Judges and officers thereof, when the same shall appear necessary or for the public advantage, in order to the due execution of the laws of Parliament.
32. All Courts, Judges, and officers of the several provinces shall aid, assist, and obey the General Government in the exercise of its rights and powers, and for such purposes shall be held to be Courts, Judges, and officers of the General Government.
33. The General Government shall appoint and pay the Judges of the Superior Courts in each province, and of the County Courts of Upper Canada, and Parliament shall fix their salaries.
34. Until the consolidation of the laws of Upper Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island, the Judges of these provinces appointed by the General Government shall be selected from their respective bars.
35. The Judges of the Courts of Lower Canada shall be selected from the bar of Lower Canada.
36. The Judges of the Court of Admiralty now receiving salaries shall be paid by the General Government.
37. The Judges of the Superior Courts shall hold tl1eir offices during good behaviour, and shall be removable only on the Address of both Houses of Parliament.
Local Government.
Lord Monck thinks there should not be a separate Lieutenant-Governor for Upper Canada, but the Governor-General should be also the local Administrator, with his seat at Ottawa.
Sir R. Macdonnell and Mr. Gordon object to the continuance of Lieutenant-Governors. The former regards the proposal as a bribe, or as affording means to bribe.
38. For each of the provinces there shall be an executive officer, styled the Lieutenant-Governor, who shall be appointed by the Governor-General in Council, under the Great Seal of the Federated Provinces, during pleasure: such pleasure not to be exercised before the expiration of the first five
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years, except for cause: such cause to be communicated in writing to the Lieutenant-Governor immediately after the exercise of the pleasure as aforesaid, and also by Messages to both Houses of Parliament, within the first week of the first session afterwards.
39. The Lieutenant-Governor of each province shall be paid by the General Government.
40. In undertaking to pay the salaries of the Lieutenant-Governors, the Conference does not desire to prejudice the claim of Prince Edward Island upon the Imperial Government for the amount now paid for the salary of the Lieutenant-Governor thereof.
Sir R. Macdonnell does not think it well that the existing Legislature of each Province should determine its future constitution: it will not abolish itself.
41. The Local Government and Legislature of each Province shall be constructed in such manner as the existing Legislature of such Province shall provide.
Mr. Gordon objects to giving the Provincial Legislatures power to alter their own constitution from time to time.
42. The Local Legislatures shall have power to alter or amend their Constitution from time to time.
Sir R. Macdonnell and Mr. Gordon think the machinery of the Local Legislatures is too cumbrous, and that they are left too independent.
43. The Local Legislatures shall have power to make laws respecting (the following) subjects:—
1. Direct taxation, and the imposition of duties on the export of timber, logs, masts, spars, deals, and sawn lumber, and of coals and other minerals.
2. Borrowing money on the credit of the Province.
3. The establishment and tenure of local offices and the appointment and payment of local officers.
4. Agriculture.
5. Immigration.
Mr. Gordon thinks Education should not be a matter for Provincial legislation; at any rate the Local Legislatures should not be allowed to deal with the funds of the Universities.
6. Education; saving the rights and privileges which the Protestant or Catholic minority in both Canadas may possess as to their denominational schools, at the time when the Union goes into operation.
7. The sale and management of public lands, excepting lands belonging to the General Government.
8. Sea-coast and inland fisheries.
9. The establishment, maintenance, and management of penitentiaries, and of public and reformatory prisons.
10. The establishment, maintenance, and ma-
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nagement of hospitals, asylums, charities; and eleemosynary institutions.
11. Municipal institutions.
12. Shop, saloon, tavern, auctioneer, and other licences.
13. Local works.
14. The incorporation of private or local Companies, except such as relate to matters assigned to the General Parliament.
15. Property and civil rights, excepting those portions thereof assigned to the General Parliament.
16. Inflicting punishment by fine, penalties, imprisonment or otherwise for the breach of laws passed in relation to any subject within their jurisdiction.
Lord Monck thinks the constitution of Courts of Criminal Jurisdiction should rest with the Central Government.
17. The administration of justice, including the constitution, maintenance, and organization of the Courts-both of civil and criminal jurisdiction, and including also the procedure in civil matters.
18. And generally all matters of a private or local nature, not assigned to the General Parliament.
Mr. Gordon objects to the vesting of the power of pardon in the Local Governments.
Mr. Cardwell disapproves of the Resolution.
Lord Monck observes, in reply, that the matter must be determined by the Queen. The Resolution was merely a suggestion to meet the local difficulty arising from imperfect communication in winter.
44. The power of resp1tmg, reprieving, and pardoning prisoners convicted of crimes, and of commuting and remitting of sentences in whole or in part, which belongs of right to the Crown, shall be administered by the Lieutenant-Governor of each province in Council, subject to any instructions he may from time to time receive from the General Government, and subject to any provisions that may be made in this behalf by the General Parliament.
Miscellaneous.
45. In regard to all subjects over which jurisdiction belongs to both the General and Local Legislatures, the Jaws of the General Parliament shall control and supersede those made by the Local Legislature, and the latter shall be void as far as they are repugnant to or inconsistent with the former.
46. Both the English and French languages may be employed in the General Parliament and in its proceedings, and in the Local Legislature of Lower
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Canada, and also in the Federal Courts and in the Courts of Lower Canada.
47. No lands or property belonging to the General or Local Government shall be liable to taxation.
48. All Bil1s for appropriating any part of the public revenue, or for imposing any new tax or impost, shall originate in the House of Commons or the House of Assembly, as the case may be.
49. The House of Commons or House of Assembly shall not originate or pass any vote, resolution_. address, or bill for the appropriation of any part of the public revenue, or of any tax or impost to any purpose, not first recommended by Message of the Governor-General, or the Lieutenant-Governor, as the case may be, during the session in which such vote, resolution, address, or bill is passed.
50. Any Bill of the General Parliament may be reserved in the usual manner for Her Majesty’s assent, and any Bill of the Local Legislatures may in like manner be reserved for the consideration of the Governor-General.
51. Any Bill passed by the General Parliament shall be subject to disallowance by Her Majesty within two years, as in the case of Bills passed by the Legislatures of the said Provinces hitherto, and in like manner any Bill passed by a Local Legislature shall be subject to disallowance by the Governor-General within one year after the passing thereof.
52. The seat of Government of the Federated Provinces shall be Ottawa, subject to the Royal Prerogative.
53. Subject to any future action of the respective Local Governments, the seat of the Local Government in Upper Canada shall be Toronto; of Lower Canada, Quebec; and the seats of the Local Governments in the other Provinces shall be as at present.
Property and Liabilities.
54. All stocks, cash, bankers’ balances and securities for money belonging to each Province, at the the time of the Union, except as hereinafter mentioned, shall belong to the General Government.
55. The following public works and property of
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each Province shall belong to the General Government; to wit:—
1. Canals;
2. Public harbours;
3. Lighthouses and piers;
4. Steam-boats, dredges, and public vessels;
5. River and lake improvements;
6. Railway and railway stocks, mortgages, and other debts due by railway companies;
7. Military roads;
8. Custom-houses, post-offices, and other public buildings, except such as may be set aside by the General Government for the use of the Local Legislatures and Governments;
9. Property transferred by the Imperial Government, and known as Ordnance property;
10. Armouries, drill-sheds, military clothing, and munitions of war; and
11. Lands set apart for public purposes.
Mr. Gordon thinks minerals should not be under the management of the Local Governments.
56. All lands, mines, minerals, and royalties vested in Her Majesty in the Provinces of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, for the use of such Provinces, shall belong to the Local Government of the territory in which the same are so situate; subject to any trusts that may exist in respect to any of such lands or to any interest of other persons in respect of the same.
57. All sums due from purchasers or lessees of such lands, mines, or minerals, at the time of the Union, shall also belong to the Local Governments.
58. All assets connected with such portions of the public debt of any Province as are assumed by the Local Governments shall also belong to those Governments respectively.
59. The several Provinces shall retain all other public property therein, subject to the right of the General Government to assume any lands or public property required for fortifications or the defence of the country.
60. The General Government shall assume all the debts and liabilities of each province.
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61. The debt of Canada not specially assumed by Upper and Lower Canada respectively, shall not exceed at the time of the Union .. .. .. $62,500,000
Nova Scotia shall enter the Union with a debt not exceeding .. 8,000,000
And New Brunswick with a debt not exceeding .. .. .. 7,000,000
62. In case Nova Scotia or New Brunswick do not incur liabilities beyond those for which their Governments are now bound, and which shall make their debts at the date of Union less than 8,000,000 and 7,000,000 dollars respectively, they shall be entitled to interest at 5 per cent. on the amount not so incurred, in like manner as is hereinafter provided for Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island; the foregoing :resolution being in no respect intended to limit the powers given to the respective Governments of those provinces by legislative authority, but only to limit the maximum amount of charge to be assumed by the General Government. Provided always that the powers so conferred by the respective Legislatures shall be exercised within five years from this date, or the same shall then lapse.
63. Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, not having incurred debts equal to those of the other provinces, shall be entitled to receive by half-yearly payments in advance from the General Government the interest at 5 per cent. on the difference between the actual amount of their respective debts at the time of the Union, and the average amount of indebtedness per head of the population of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
64. In consideration of the transfer to the General Parliament of the powers of taxation, an annual grant in aid of each province shall be made, equal to 80 cents per head of the population, as established by the census of 1861, the population of Newfoundland being estimated at 130,000. Such aid shall be in full settlement of all future demands upon the General Government for local purposes, and shall be paid half-yearly in advance to each province.
65. The position of New Brunswick being such as to entail large immediate charges upon her local revenues, it is agreed that for the period of ten years from the time when the Union takes effect,
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an additional allowance of 63,000 dollars per annum shall be made to that Province. But that so long as the liability of that Province remains under 7,000,000 dollars, a deduction equal to the interest on such deficiency shall be made from the 63,000 dollars.
66. In consideration of the surrender to the General Government by Newfoundland of all its rights in mines and minerals, and of all the ungranted and unoccupied lands of the Crown, it is agreed that the sum of 150,000 dollars each year be paid to that Province, by semi-annual payments. Provided that that Colony shall retain the right of opening, constructing, and controlling roads and bridges through any of the said lands, subject to any laws which the General Parliament may pass in respect of the same.
67. All engagements that may, before the Union, be entered into with the Imperial Government for the defence of the country shall be assumed by the General Government.
In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, it is sought to obtain security for the prompt completion of the Railway, and the question has been raised whether provisions for this purpose should not be inserted in the Imperial Act of Union or in a separate Imperial Act of Union in a separate Imperial Act; see Mr. Gordon’s No. 23 of 1865. Mr. Cardwell answered that Her Majesty’s Government had approved the proceedings of the Conference, not excluding the 68th Resolution, and had engaged if the Provincial Legislatures sanctioned the scheme, to submit to the Imperial Parliament the measures which might be necessary for carrying that scheme into effect. But what steps should be taken in pursuance of this engagement could not be stated positively till it was known what course had been taken by the Provincial Legislatures, and till Her Majesty’s Government had received the communications which they hoped to receive from persons deputed by the Governor-General to give to Her Majesty’s Government the benefit of their counsel on the various measures necessary for carrying the Resolutions into effect.
68. The General Government shall secure, without delay, the completion of the Intercolonial Railway from Rivière-du-Loup through New Brunswick to Truro in Nova Scotia.
69. The communications with the north-western territory, and the improvements required for the development of the trade of the great west with the seaboard, are regarded by this Conference as subjects of the highest importance to the Federated Provinces, and shall be prosecuted at the earliest possible period that the state of the finances will permit.
70. The sanction of the Imperial and Local Parliaments shall be sought for the Union of the Provinces, on the principles adopted by the Conference.
71. That Her Majesty the Queen be solicited to determine the rank and name of the Federated Provinces.
72. The proceedings of the Conference shall be authenticated by the signatures of the Delegates, and submitted by each Delegation to its own Government, and the Chairman is authorized to submit a copy to the Governor-General for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
CONFIDENTIAL.
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.
QUEBEC RESOLUTIONS.
(With Observations and Notes.)
24 July, 1866.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE JULY 24, 1866.