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Date: 1865-05-23
By: George Dundas
Citation: Despatch from Lieutenant Governor George Dundas to Right Hon. Edward Cardwell (23 May 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. 4.

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

(No. 14.)

Government House, May 23, 1865.
(Received June 5, 1865.)

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to enclose copy of a Despatch which I have received from the Lieut.-Governor of Nova Scotia, suggesting resumption of negotiations for Union of the Maritime provinces, together with my reply.

From this correspondence you will perceive that my advisors are not prepared to renew negotiations on that subject.

I have, &c.
(Signed.) GEORGE DUNDAS,
Lieutenant-Governor

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

Enclosure in No. 4.

Lieutenant-Governor Sir R. G. MACDONNELL to Lieutenant-Governor DUNDAS.

Government House, Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 10, 1865.

SIR,

I HAD the honour this day of informing you by telegraph that the enclosed resolution, suggesting resumption of negotiations for Union of the Maritime provinces, was proposed by this Government to the Legislature this day.

I am anxious to know as early as convenient how far your Government is disposed to co-operate in effecting the proposed Union.

I have, &c.

(Signed.) RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL

His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Dundas,
&c &c. &c.

(Enclosure.)

WHEREAS under existing circumstances an immediate Union of the British North American Provinces has become impracticable.
And where’s a legislature Union of the Maritime Provinces is desirable, whether the larger Union be accomplished or not.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this House the negotiations for the Union of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island should be renewed in accordance with the resolution passed at the last session of the Legislature.

Lieutenant-Governor Sir R. G. MACDONNELL to Lieutenant-Governor DUNDAS.

Government House, Prince Edward Island, April 21, 1865.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Despatch of the 10th instant, enclosing a resolution which was in that day proposed to the Legislature of Nova Scotia, suggesting resumption of negotiations for Union of the mAritime Provinces.

I have laid that Despatch with its enclosure before the Executive Council of this Island, and a minute is being prepared expressive of its views on the proposal.

In the meantime I may inform you that my ministers are not prepared to renew negations on the subject, as they consider that that scheme of Union is impracticable at the present time, so far as this Colony is concerned.

I have, &c.
(Signed.) GEORGE DUNDAS,
Lieutenant-Governor.

Lieutenant-Governor Sir R. G. MACDONNELL
&c &c. &c.