Document Information

Date: 1864-12-23
By: Viscount Monck
Citation: Despatch from Viscount Monck to Lieutenant Governor Dundas (23 December 1864) in Journal of the Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island (1865).
Other formats: Click here to view the original document (PDF).

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, QUEBEC,
23d December, 1864.

SIR:

Referring to my Despatch to you noted in the margin, I have the donor to transmit, for your information, a copy of a Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reference to the Resolutions adopted by the Conference which assembled at Quebec, in October last, to consider the propriety of effecting a Union of the Provinces of British North America.

In this Despatch, Mr. Cardwell desires me to take immediate measures, in concert with the Lieut. Governors of the several Provinces, for submitting to their respective Legislatures, this project of the Conference.

In pursuance with these instructions, I have the honor to inform you that I have summoned the Canadian Parliament to meet on Thursday, the 19th January, 1865, when I propose to bring before both Houses of the Legislature the important subject referred to in Mr. Cardwell’s Despatch, in order that, if the Legislature shall think fit, an Address may be adopted to the Queen, praying Her Majesty to direct that steps may be taken for passing an Act of the Imperial Parliament to unite the Provinces of British North America, on the basis laid down in the Resolutions adopted by the Quebec Conference.

I shall feel much obliged if, after consulting your advisers on the subject, you will inform me what course you intend to pursue for the purpose of giving effect to Mr. Cardwell’s instructions.

I have, &c., &c., &c.,

(Signed) MONCK.

Lieut. Governor Dundas, &c. &c. &c.