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Date: 1865-01-13
By: Richard Graves Macdonnell
Citation: Despatch from Lieutenant-Governor Richard Graves Macdonnell to Right. Hon. Edward Cardwell (13 January 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 Sir R. G. MACDONNELL, C.B., to the Right Hon.Edward Cardwell, M.P.

(No.51.)

Government House, Halifax, Nova Scotia, January 13, 1865.
(Received January 31,1865.)
(Answered. No. 5, February 3, 1865. Page 78)

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of a Despatch received from Lord Monck, on the 6th instant, inquiring what course i intend to pursue for the purpose of giving effect to your instructions as conveyed to his Lordship in your Despatch of the 3rd December.

As I believe your instructions clearly imply the expectation that the several Legislatures of these Provinces shall adopt an address to the Crown praying Her majesty to direct steps to be taken for passing an Imperial act uniting these Provinces on the general basis of the Quebec Resolutions, and as that is the policy which Lord Monck announces as intended by his Government, I have had much pleasure in intimating the entire willingness of this Government to adhere to the same policy. It is, indeed, precisely the same course which I had myself recommended as soon as i was in possession of your views on the Quebec Resolutions.

I enclose copy of my replies to Lord Monck, which enlarges somewhat on the reasons why it seems inexpedient to depart in any of these Colonies from the above simple programme, as any departure therefrom might lead to hopeless variance, i and my advisers feel that the proposal of Her Majesty’s Government to frame the Imperial Act with the aid of representative of the various Colonies, specially deputed for the purpose, affords the simplest and readiest practical mode of adjusting details, which can be more effectively as well as more wisely and completely dealt with by the Imperial Parliament, than by the possibly discordant action of several independent Legislatures.

I have, &c.

(Signed) RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL,

Lieut.-Governor.

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