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Date: 1865-06-07
By: Richard Graves Macdonnell
Citation: Despatch from Lieutenant-Governor Richard Graves Macdonnell to Right. Hon. Edward Cardwell (7 June 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.9.

COPY of a DESPATCH from Lieut.-Governor Sir R. G. MACDONNELL, C.B., to the Right Hon.Edward Carwell, M.P.

(No.87.)

Government House, Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 7, 1865.
(Received June 17, 1865.)
(Answered No. 30. June 21, 1865. Page 80.)

SIR,

IN reference to my Despatch No. 75, * of the 37th April, apprizing you of the steps taken in the Legislature of this Province to receive discussion of the question of a Union of the Maritime Provinces, i have not eh honour to transmit, for your information, copies of the replies which i have received from the Lieutenant-Governors of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

I have, &c.

(Signed) RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL,
Lieut.-Governor

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

Enclosure 1 in No. 9.

Lieut.-Governor the Hon. ARTHER H. GORDON to Lieut.-Governor Sir R. G. MACDONNELL, C. B.

Fredericton, N.B., May 31, 1865.

Sir,

I HAVE the honour to enclose herewith for your Excellency’s information a copy of an address present to me by the House of Assembly of this Province, with reference to the appointment of a delegation to confer with delegates from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island with a view to an Union of the Maritime Provinces, as also a copy of my answer.

I have, &c.
(Signed) ARTHER H. GORDON

His Excellency Sir R. G. MacDonnell, C.B.,

&c. &c. &c.

House of Assembly, Thursday, May 25, 1865.

WHEREBY the Lieut. Governor of this Province has received from the Lieut.-Governor of Nova Scotia copies of resolutions passed by the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of that Province, expressing a wish to renew the negotiation for a Union for the Maritime Provinces, and whereas it is desirable to ascertain whether a legislative or commercial Union of these Provinces, on terms advantageous to all, is practicable.

Therefore, Resolved, that an humble address be presented to his Excellency the Lieut.-Governor, requesting him to appoint delegates, not to exceed five, to confer with a delegation to be appointed by the Government of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, on the subject of such a Union.

Ordered. That Hon. Mr. Smith. Mr. Ker, and Mr. Cudlip, be a committee to want upon his Excellency with the address.

(Signed) CHAS. P. WETMORE, Clerk.

GENTLEMEN,
I am fully sensible of the great importance of the subject to which the address now presumed to me relates, and will not fail to appoint delegates to conduct its discussion on the part of this Province, as theorem requested.

Enclosure 2 in No.9.

Lieut.-Governor GEORGE DUNDAS to Lieut.-Governor Sir R. G. MACDONNELL, C.B.

Government House, Prince Edward Island, May 30, 1865.

SIR,

WITH reference to my Despatch of the 27th ultimo, in which I informed you that a minute was being prepared to express the views of the Executive council of this Island on the subject of the proposed resumption of negotiations for Union of the Maritime Provinces. I have now the honour to enclose that minute.

I have, &c.

(Signed) GEORGE DUNDAS,

Lieut.-Governor

His Excellency Sir R. G. MacDonnell, C.B.,

&c. &c. &c.

EXTRACT from MINUTES of the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

Council Chamber, April 18, 1865.

At a Meeting of Council. Present : His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor, &c. &c. &c.

His Excellency having laid before the Board a communication from Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell. Lieut.-Governor of Nova Scotia, enclosing certain resolutions proposed by the Government of Nova Scotia to the Legislature of that Province, suggesting the resumption of negotiations for union of the Maritime Provinces : and also expressing his Excellency’s desire to know how far the Government of this Island is disposed to cooperate in effecting the proposed Union. It was resolved, that, inasmuch as the people of this Colony are averse as well to union of this Island with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as to a Federal Union of all the British North American Colonies and Provinces, the Board decline to renew negotiations for the Union of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, as proposed by the Government of Nova Scotia.

A true extract, which I certify.

(Signed) CHARLES DESBRISAY,
Clerk Executive Council.