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Date: 1865-07-28
By: Richard Graves Macdonnell
Citation: Despatch from Right Hon. Edward Cardwell to Lieutenant Governor Richard Graves Macdonnell (28 July 1865) in Journal and Proceedings of the House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Appendix No. 10–Union of the Colonies (1866).
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Downing Street, 28th July, 1865.

SIR,—

I have received your Despatch of the 21st June, No. 89, announcing that the able Dr. Tupper, Provincial Secretary, and the Honorable W. A. Henry, Attorney General, had been appointed Delegates on behalf of Nova Scotia to confer with Her Majesty’s Government on the subject of the Reciprocity Treaty, and on other topics affecting the interests of the Colony.

I have had the honor to receive and have conferred with these gentlemen, and have read to them the Despatches which I have addressed to you on this subject I have also spoken with them on the proposed Union of the Maritime Provinces, and have taken the opportunity of expressing myself to them on the subject of Confederation in accordance with the Despatches in your possession, in which the views of Her Majesty’s Government have been conveyed.

I have stated that Her Majesty’s Government can give no countenance to any proposals which would tend to delay the Confederation’ of all the Provinces, which they are so desirous to promote; and can only aid in the promotion of a closer Union between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick if that closer union be auxiliary to and form part of the scheme for general Union.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,

EDWARD CARDWELL.

Lieut. Governor Sir R. G. MACDONNELL, C. B, &c., &c., &c.