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Date: 1865-07-11
By: Anthony Musgrave
Citation: Despatch from Anthony Musgrave to Right Hon. Edward Cardwell (11 July 1865) in UK, Parliament, Correspondence respecting the Proposed Union of the British North American Provinces (London: George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, 1867).
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No. 6.

Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor MUSGRAVE to the Right Hon. EDWARD CARDWELL., M.P.

(No. 61.)

Government House, Newfoundland, July 11, 1865.
(Received June 29, 1865.)
(Answered No. 26, August 1, 1865, page 156.)

SIR,

I HAVE had the honour to receive your Despatch No. 31, of the 24th June, with a copy of a correspondence between Viscount Monck and yourself on the affairs of British North America, which have lately formed the subject of conferences between Her Majesty’s Government and a deputation from the Canadian Government.

2. The late House of Assembly expired in May, the new elections will not take place until November, and the Legislature can hardly be called together till January ; but these papers shall then Raif before them. I think, however, that it will be desirable that the declared views of Her Majesty’s Government should be made known as early and as generally as possible, and with this view I propose to publish your Despatch and its enclosure in the local Gazette.

3. It would be premature to express a confident opinion as to the result of the new elections with regard to the question of Confederation, for there is without doubt much opposition to the proposal on the part of the mercantile body, which is very influential with many of the electors. But I am of opinion that the course of the Legislature will be much guided by the action of the Imperial Government, and the proceedings of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, especially of the latter Province, where it appears to me that the issue will really be decided. My leading advisors are, I believe, strongly and cordially disposed to support the policy of Her Majesty’s Imperial Government on this subject ; the only doubt is with regard to the best mode of doing so effectually, and I am conscious that it is necessary to proceed with caution and judgement to avoid the defeat of our object.

I have, &c.

(Signed) A. MUSGRAVE.

The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P.,
&c. &c. &c.