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Date: 1865-04-12
By: Edward Cardwell
Citation: Despatch from Right Hon. Edward Cardwell to Lieutenant Governor Arthur Gordon (12 April 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. 5.

Extract from a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M. P., to Lieut.-Governor the Hon. ARTHUR GORDON.

(No. 66.)

Downing Street, April 12, 1865.

SIR,

I HAVE received by this mail your to Despatches numbered 30 * and 31.

The first informs me that the elections from the Legislative Assembly have terminated, and that 9 members have been elected favorable to the scheme of Confederation, 28 unfavorable, and 4 doubtful; and that the members of your Executive Council have resigned their offices.
It thus appears that the scheme adopted by the Conference at Quebec, and approved by Her Majesty’s Government, on the grounds, among others, that it was eminently calculated to render easier and more effectual the provisions for the defense of the several Provinces, is likely to be rejected by New Brunswick.

* * * *

It will be the duty of Her Majesty’s Government to review in all its bearings the question of Confederation, after the several Provinces shall have had the opportunity of expressing their sentiments upon it, through their respective Legislatures. In the meantime, it will only be right for New Brunswick to bear in mind, that if the views which you have now expressed are to be regarded as sound, New Brunswick, as a separate Province, appears to be able to make no adequate provision for its own defense, and to rest in a very great degree upon the defense which may be provided for it by this country. It will, consequently, be likely to appear to your Advisors reasonable and wise that, in examining the question of the proposed Union they should attach great weight to the views and wishes of this country, and to the reasons on which those views and wishes have been based.

I have, &c.

(Signed) EDWARD CARDWELL.

Lieut.-Governor the Hon. A. Gordon,

&c. &c. &c.