Document Information

Date: 1864-09-23
By: Viscount Monck
Citation: Despatch from Viscount Monck to Lieutenant Governor George Dundas (23 September 1864) in Journal of the House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island (1865), Appendix E. (1865).
Other formats: Click here to view the original document (PDF).

QUEBEC,
23rd September, 1864.

SIR;

I have the honor to transmit a copy of an approved minute of the Executive Council of Canada, respecting the proposal to hold a Conference of Delegates from the Colonics of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland with the Ministers of Canada, to consider the question of a Union of these Colonies, and to digest a Scheme for the practical realteration of the idea which may be submitted as embodying the joint opinions of the Governments of the several Provinces, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with a view to obtaining his sanction for legislation on the subject.

In confirmity with the request contained in this Minute, I have the honor to invite you to name a deputation to represent your Province in the approaching Conference, which will meet at Quebec on the 10th October.

I have, &c. &c.

(Signed) MONCK.

Copy of a Report of a Committee of the Executive Council, approved by His Excellency the Governor General on the 23rd September, 1864.

The Committee of Council has the honor to inform your Excellency that the Deputation from the Executive Council who met the Delegates from the Maritime Provinces at Charlottetown, on the 1st instant, in accordance with the Order in Council of the 29th ultimo, have reported that such Conference duly met; and that the question of a Confederation of the British North American Colonies was discussed at length, and such progress made that it was thought desirable by the Conference that the subject should be resumed in a formal and official manner, under the authority of the Governments of the several Provinces.

The Committee have therefore the honor to advise and submit for your Excellency’s approval, that the several Governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland be invited to appoint Delegates under the authority of the Despatch of the Secretary for the Colonies to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, dated July 6th, 1862, and communicated by the Colonial Office to your Excellency in a Despatch of the same date, to confer with the Canadian Government on the subject of a Union or Federation of the British North American Provinces.

The Committee beg leave further to recommend that Quebec be selected as the place, and the 10th of October next the time for the meeting, as they have ascertained that such time and place will meet the views and convenience of the several Governments.

Certified,

WM. H. LEE, C.E.C.