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Date: 1865-06-03
By: Montreal Witness
Citation: “The Canadian Ministers in England”, Montreal Witness (3 June, 1865)
Other formats: TBA

THE CANADIAN MINISTERS IN ENGLAND.

The Gazette has a letter from “a well-informed source,” giving an account of the progress of the Canadian mission to England, from which we learn that the reception of the delegates was most flattering, that they were dined at Fishmongers’ Hall, that they were engaged in discussing with the home authorities the question of defence, and that they were the first to be presented to Her Majesty at a special court in Buckingham Palace, being the only parties honored to kiss hands. We copy the following paragraphs :—

“Amongst all thoughtful men here, those who are not carried off by any popular prejudices, there is a determination that, as long as Canada and the other provinces desire to remain connected with the British Crown, they must be encouraged to do so, and every reasonable measure taken to aid them in the development of the resources of their country; in fact, if Canada and the other provinces of British North America become confederate, it will undoubtedly lead to other confederations of British colonies in other parts of the world, and perhaps, before a great number of years pass away, if the British American confederation is successful, we may see the colonies of Great Britain grouped into three or four large confederations, according to their geographical position, instead of a large number of scattered colonies, as is the case at present. As a mere question of expense this will, undoubtedly, be beneficial; as a question affecting the common defences of the empire it will be, undoubtedly, important, and unquestionably also, in regard to the material development of the resources of the several colonies. I think it not unlikely, from all I can ascertain, this policy is likely to be one which will be ultimately adopted. I think, at any rate, this is the view of the Conservative party, and the position which they occupy to the State at present is such as to make their views very likely to be adopted by the present Government, knowing, as the latter does, that in any measure of this kind they would be supported by a certain portion of their own friends and the great bulk of the Conservative party, whilst, in any attempt to sever the connection between the colonies and the mother country, they would be opposed by a section of their own followers, and by the unanimous strength of the Conservative party.

“The confederation question is looked upon as capable of very easy solution, and one that can be, and will be, carried out without difficulty. The question of the defence of the country, and placing it in a position to maintain its independence, is considered to be of the first importance. If that question is, as I believe it will be, satisfactorily adjusted whilst the present deputation is in England, I entertain no doubt whatever that the confederation will be carried in a very short time. The views of Her Majesty’s Government have been expressed most unmistakably to the governors of the sister provinces, and there can be no doubt now as to the course that will be pursued if they are determined to maintain the attitude which the elections in New Brunswick appeared to show was likely to be assumed. In Prince Edward Island it has already been intimated to them that they will in future have to pay the salary and expenses of their own governor. This, for an island like Prince Edward, is a serious item and may be taken as an evidence of the course that will be pursued upon all matters of Imperial expenditure in the Lower Provinces, if they are not prepared to cast their lot in as parts of the great confederation, and working out, not only their own material interests and social developments, but also the policy of the Imperial Government.”