Document Information
Date: 1867-02-25
By: The Montreal Herald
Citation: “Suppression in England of Information Opposed to Confederation”, The Montreal Herald (25 February, 1867)
Other formats: TBA
SUPPRESSION IN ENGLAND OF INFORMATION OPPOSED TO CONFEDERATION.
—Some idea of the activity and character of the agencies employed to suppress the most legitimate means of influencing public opinion against the Confederation project, may be gathered from the following letter, addressed to us by the agent to whom the copies of Mr. Penny’s pamphlet were sent for distribution in England. These pamphlets were addressed almost wholly to members of one or the other House of Parliament, and they have been prevented from reaching their destination, in the way explained in the subjoined note. Respecting this, we need only add, that the gentleman, whoever he is, who complains of an attack and of incorrect statements, has not made any representation to the writer, as we might suppose he would do, if he had had any just cause. Nor has even desired the communication of his name by the medium of our agent. If it be possible to conceive of an argument on a practical subject more free from anything which could justly be called an attack, or which contains fewer statements respecting individuals which are not notorious, or are not supported by evidence of a public character, our imagination is wholly at [fault?]. We conclude, therefore, that it was something other than an individual grievance which induced the action of the chivalrous person who applied to our agent for the suppression of the pamphlet. It has happened, in spite of his vigilance, that between three and four hundred copies have been circulated, and we shall take prompt means to place the rest in the hands of those for whom they were intended. The fact indicates the justice of the reflections contained in the introduction to the pamphlet which has thus been kept back.
The following is the letter:—
Dear Sirs,—The Pamphlets referred to in your letter of the 18th inst are to hand, but as there is no such distributing Society in London as you appear to imagine exists I had them directed here. In most instances there was no room left for addresses and hence I was obliged to have fresh covers directed, and these of course, bore my imprint. In this manner a copy found its way into the hands of a friend mine connected with an old concern with which I have had many years business, which the pamphlet appears to attack. He informed me that the statements were incorrect, and by means of a caution has placed a prohibition on the copies that had not been issued to that time—about 500. The prohibition of course merely applies to me, and upon receipt of your instructions I will hand the Pamphlets over to any one you may direct to receive them on your account. I am very sorry that this contretemps should have occurred and awaiting your reply.