Document Information

Date: 1865-06-05
By: Arthur Gordon
Citation: Despatch from Lieutenant Governor Arthur Gordon to Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, No. 48 (5 June 1865) in UK, Parliament, Correspondence respecting the Proposed Union of the British North American Provinces (London: George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, 1867).
Other formats: Click here to view the original document (PDF).

No. 13.

COPY of a DESPATCH from Lieut.-Governor the Hon. ARTHUR GORDON to the Right Hon. EDWARD CARDWELL, M.P.

(No. 48.)

Fredericton, June 5, 1865.
(Received June 17, 1865.)
(Answered No. 82,June 24, 1865, page 119.)

SIR,

THE Resolutions of which i have the honour to enclose a copy have been moved in the House of Assembly by Mr. J. Cudlip, one of the members for the City of St. John. They have not yet been adopted by the House, but there is no doubt that they will be carried by a large majority.

I have, &c.

(Signed) ARTHUR GORDON.

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

Enclosure in No. 13.

RESOLUTION submitted when in Committee on HIS EXCELLENCY’S MESSAGE of 4th May, containing RESOLUTIONS adopted at CONFERENCE Holden at QUEBEC on 10th October 1864.

On motion of Mr. Cudlip.

Whereas the House in Committee of the whole, have had under consideration the Resolutions of the Conference, held at Quebec on the 10th of October last on the subject of the proposed confederation of the British North American Colonies :

And whereas it is the opinion of this Committee that the consummation of said scheme would proved politically, commercially, and financially disastrous to the best interests and prosperity of the Province:

And whereas the loyalty and attachment of the people of this Province to the throne and Government of Great Britain cannot justly be impugned, and they have always manifested a desire to maintain their connexion with the mother country, and to remain a portion of the British Empire:

And whereas in the exercise of the right of internal self-government enjoyed by this Provinces its manner as to them may seem best calculated to promote their prosperity and welfare:

And whereas the General Assembly of this Province was in the month of February last dissolved by his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, avowedly to obtain the decision of the people upon the resolutions adopted at the Conference, and now before the House :

And whereas at the elections consequently holden the people of this Province clearly and unequivocally pronounced a judgement adverse to the adoption of the said resolutions:

And whereas the Committee confidently believes that Her Majesty’s Government will receive with due attention the expression of the opinion of this Province so pronounced :

And whereas this Committee has reason to fear that Her Majesty’s Government are but imperfectly aware of the true state of the feelings of the people of this Province on the subject :

Therefore resolves as the opinion of this Committee that a delegation should at once proceed to England for the purpose of making known to the Imperial Government the views and feelings of the House nad the pole of this Province on this important subject.

GEO. F. BLISS, Clerk’s Assistant.