Document Information

Date: 1867-05-24
By: Viscount Monck
Citation: Letter from Viscount Monck to John A. Macdonald (24 May 1867).
Other formats: Click here to view the original document (PDF).

20476

[Illegible]

Confidential

London

May 24, 1867

My dear Macdonald

The proclamation appointing the Union to come into operation on July 1, and nominating the members of the Senate, was agreed to by the Queen in Council on Wednesday last, and appeared in the Gazette of that evening, so that our work so far has been finished. It now remains for us to take the necessary steps to put in motion the machinery which we have created, and I write this note to authorize you to take the needful measures, so as to have a ministry

20477

ready to be sworn into office and to commence the performance of their several functions on the 1st July. I entrust this duty to you as the individual selected for their chairman and spokesman by the unanimous vote of the delegates when they were in England, and I adopt this test for my guidance in consequence of the impossibility, under the circumstances, of ascertaining, in the ordinary constitutional manner, who possesses the confidence of a Parliament which does not yet exist.

In authorizing you to undertake the duty of forming an administration for

20478

the Dominion of Canada, I desire to express my strong opinion that, in future, it shall be distinctly understood that the position of First Minister shall be held by one person, who shall be responsible to the Gov. Genl for the appointment of the other ministers, and that the system of dual First Ministers, which has hitherto prevailed, shall be put an end to.

I think this is of importance, not only with reference to the maintenance of satisfactory relations between the Gov. Gen. and his Cabinet, but also with a view to the complete consolidation of the Union which we have brought about. I may mention that I have communicated with Sir F. Williams and Gen. Doyle,

20479

and they have both expressed their willingness to undertake the duties of provisional Lt. Governors, should it be found desirable to avail ourselves of their services.  My purpose is to sail on the 14th of June, direct to Quebec. I shall go in the first instance to Spencer Wood, but I can, of course, come to Ottawa whenever it is necessary.

Believe me to be

Most truly yours,

MONCK.

The Hon.

J.A. Macdonald.