Document Information

Date: 1864-03-23
By: Province of Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Province of Canada, Parliament, Scrapbook Debates, 8th Parl, 2nd Sess, 1864 at 109.
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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1864.

G.T.R. MAIL SERVICE

Hon. J.S. Macdonald laid on the table a Return to an Address of the House for copies of papers connected with the Grand Trunk Railway Mail Service, since May, 1863.

THE POST OFFICE

Hon. O. Mowat laid on the table the Annual Report of the Post Office Department for 1863.

The Ministerial Crisis

John Sandfield Macdonald [Cornwall, Premier, Attorney-General West, and Minister of Militia]—I have reason to know, Mr. Speaker, that an hon. member of this House has been requested to undertake the task of forming a new Government, and that matters are progressing to some extent. In order that full time and opportunity may be afforded of accomplishing the object I have mentioned, I feel in duty bound to ask this House that it do now adjourn.

George-Étienne Cartier [Montreal East]—Respecting the motion I have to announce to the House that I have had the honour to be summoned by His Excellency the Governor General [Viscount Monck], respecting the formation of a Government. I have requested His Excellency [Viscount Monck] to be kind enough to grant me time, in order that I should be in a position to report to him some time to-morrow. At this moment I have only to second the motion.

John Sandfield Macdonald [Cornwall, Premier, Attorney-General West, and Minister of Militia]—The hon. gentleman having been called to that important duty, this House have no objection to adjourn from day to day, in order that he may have ample time to complete his arrangements.

The House then adjourned, until to-morrow, at twenty minutes past three.