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Date: 1864-10-17
By: The Globe
Citation: “The Lower Province Delegates at Quebec”, The Globe [Toronto] (17 October 1864).
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The Lower Province Delegates

AT QUEBEC

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THE DINNER OF THE BOARD OF TRADE ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

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A SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT IN EVERY RESPECT.

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THE ROOM, THE DECORATIONS, THE DINNER AND THE GUESTS.

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THE SPEECHES OF THE ENTERTAINERS AND THE GUESTS.

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Specially Reported and Telegraphed to THE GLOBE.

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QUEBEC, Oct. 15, 1864

What with the ball on Friday night, given by the Government, and the dinner on Saturday night, given by the Board of Trade, the Quebec people are for once in their lives astir. The ball being past and gone, it was discussed; the dinner being to come, it was made the subject of much prophecy. It was to be the grandest affair of the sort ever seen in Quebec—the largest, the most magnificent, everybody pretending to what is called distinguishment to be at it, and th[?]e away from it have to mourn the fact as a dire calamity all the rest of their lives. To be sure, when it came to be known that Lord Monck, owing to his official positions would not put in an appearance, somewhat of dampening influence was felt, but it was soon got ever, and the greater exertion, perhaps, made to ensure success. At any rate, it was successful; if the citizens of Quebec ever gave a better dinner, the fact has been left unreported.

One of the first and most important considerations in a matter of this kind is the question—who shall be the caterer? The Committee did nicely in selecting Mr. Russell, of considerable hotel notoriety. For the banquet he appropriated the large dining-hall of his hostlery in Palace-street. Three tables were laid running the whole length of the hall. Ordinarily the table at which the chairman sits is the shortest in the room, because not much space is usually sufficient to accommodate our distinguished guests. But on this occasion they were altogether too numerous to be thus summarily disposed of, and therefore they had a fall measure of board, and other things in proportion, awarded to them. The table which they sat ran along the southern side of the room. Individually and collectively—in physical look at least—they are a credit to their respective Provinces Upon the decoration of the hall much care and taste had been lavished The walls were all covered with flags of many hues and kinds. Quebec had been ransacked to produce her best specimens of bunting. Over the of the chairman was suspended an immense Royal banner, with the lion and unicorn glittering gorgeously in their golden coat. At the eastern end are the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. At the Western, another large Royal banner; and at the northern side facing the chairman, nine Union Jacks. But the flags served as a back ground only for display Festoons of evergreens and flowers gracefully wound their way over the drapery, except where here and there an overwreath, from which emerged a gas-light interposed or where place had to be found for the various mottoes, and apropos of welcome deemed appropriate to the occasion. To the name of Canada was given a prominent place, but all the other colonies of British America found mentioned “Union is strength” “Welcome our Guests,” “Ships Colonies, and Commerce,” and the “Intercolonial Railway,” in coloured letters upon white drapery appeared at intervals on the walls and spoke of the character of the meeting The materials used in the decoration were simple enough, but, being arranged with due regard to colour and common ranged with due regard to colour and common sense, presented a charming appearance. Upon the table, too, a great deal of ingeouicy [sic] had been lavished If ever well spread boards did groan, the might have done so on Saturday night, mentally of course. There was an abundance of plate, of costly kinds and elegant patterns, together with shrubs and flowers us. When the hall was well lighted up, the guests all seated, and work commenced in earnest, as cheery and brilliant a scene was presented as man anywhere may find The bill of fare, “a formidable document,” and the list of toasts, were printed in gold letters on olive paper, and distributed amongst the company. 

THE PERSONNELS

The chair was occupied by A. Joseph, Esq., Present of the Board of Trade. The vice-chairmen were—H S. Scott, Esq., J. B Fosyth, Esq, James Ross, T H Grant, J. A. Clint, T. H. Duan, H. Fry, B. Bennett T. C. Lee, Andrew Thomson On the right and of the chair sat the delegates from the Lower Provinces as follows: — From Nova Scotia: — on. Charles Tupper, M. P. P, Provincial Secretary; Hon. A G Archibald, M. P. P.; Hon. W. A. Henry, M. P. P., Attorney General; Hon. Jonathan McCulley, M. L. C., Hon. R. B. Dickey, M. L. C. From New Brunswick: — Hon. Samuel L. Tilley, M. P.P., Provincial Secretary; Hon. W. H Steves, M. L. C., Executive Councillor; Hon. Peter Mitchell, M. L. C., Executive Councillor; Hon John M. Johnson, M.P.P., Attorney General; Hon. E B Chaudley, M. L. C., Hon John H. Gray, M. P. P., Hon. Charles Fisher, M. P. P. From Newfoundland: — Freck. B L Carter, Esq., speaker of the House of Assembly; Ambrose Shea, Esq., M.P.P. From Prince Edward Island: — Hon. Col. Gray, M. P.P., President of the Executive Council; Hon. W H Pope, M.P.P, Provincial Secretary; Hon. Edward Whelan, M. I. C., Hon. A. A. McDonald, M. L. C., Hon. T H  Haviland, M. P.P.

The members of the Canadian Ministry were present as guests. There were also present as guests, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, 17^th Regiment; Col. Robinson, 25^th Regiment; Col Haseard, R E; Col. Boothby, R. A.; Col Jervois, R. A.; His Worship the Mayor, J. S. Tourangeau; the French Consul General, Abel Gusther; the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Hon U. J. Tessier; W. H. Lee, Clerk of the Executive Council; Major Bernard, Ex. Clerk to the Convention; G. A. Sals, Esq., correspondent of the London Telegraph; J Phillips Day, Esq., correspondent of the London Herald; –Leversey, of the Reform Club. Among the company present we noticed Lord Aylmer, Messrs. P.  Garneau, James Dean, T. H. Dunn, William Rae, Thomas Glover, John Fry, William Laird, James G. Ross, W. Walker, E. W. Duval, H. Dubord, M. Stevenson John Thomson, John C. Thomson, John Buratall, A. Falkenberg, H McBlain, P. R Poitras, Hon Isadore Thibaudeau, J. E. Gingras, Henry Dioning, N. H. Bowen, — Bennett, — Smith, W. Levitt, Col. Rhodes, D. Tetu F. Laurie, T. Beckett, R R. Dobell, C Sharples, D. D Young, James Patton, W. H Jeffrey, Charles E Levre, E. Giackmeyer, W Hewitt, W. Petry, Robert Hamilton, J. B. Renaud, John Sharples, W. Hossack, James Hossack, L. J. Fisit, H W Welch, T. R. Christian, J. Tibbits, E. Burstell, Thomas Fraser, J. W. Henry, M. G. Mountain, William Drum, J. Lemesurier, Hon. J. Carling, Hon. John Hamilton, (Inkerman), Ralph Jones, W. Benderon (Toronto), &c, &c. There were in all about 170 persons present.

The muscle was supplied by the band of her Majesty’s 25^th Regiment.

THE TOASTS,

After the tables were cleared,

The CHAIRMAN proposed the following toasts: “The Queen” the band playing ‘God Save the Queen” ‘The Prince and Princess of Wales”—the band playing the “Danish Hymn.” “The Army and Navy” –the band playing “Rule Britannia.”

COL JEROOIS said that in the absence of a representative of the navy it became his duty to return thanks, not only for the army but for the navy also, which placed him somewhat in the position of a horse marine; but at the same time, with the same feeling for the navy as he had for the army, he begged to return his best thanks for the honour done the services by drinking their healths. He thought that thanks were due to the abilities of the officers of the army, some of whom he saw around him, and special thanks to the abilities and to the care taken by his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief. The army was never in a better state of efficiency than it is at the present time. He believed that the army would be found to do its duty in whatever quarter of the globe its services were called upon. He would expect from the Confederation that the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island would contribute their strength and their means to defend their country if called upon to do so.

The CHAIRMAN next proposed “His Excellency the Governor-General”—the band playing “A fine old English gentleman.”

The CHAIRMAN then sail the merchants of Quebec had every reason to feel proud of the opportunity of meeting gentlemen in high positions where were visiting their city as delegates from the sister Provinces, or a matter of as highest importance to all. The Board of Trade would not seek, as a body, to express an opinion on the particular project now contemplated, though they were desirous for a change in the position of British North America They were desirous to have a commercial union, under which there should be one tariff instead of five, and which would bring the commercial interests of the various Provinces into closer connection. They were desirous of a larger trade between these Provinces than has hitherto existed. They desired a union under one flag, and that flag the food flag of old England. (Cheers.) They desired that the union should be bound together by nothing less than the frontier of the Intercolonial Railway. (Applause) They had been in the habit, in this part of the Province, of celling their neighbours the sister Provinces, but the thought that if the inhabitants of those Provinces had looked on each other as sisters should, they had had a strange way of showing it as they had hitherto been strangers to end other. In October, 1864, for the first time, the leading statesmen of the Provinces met in the city of Quebec, under one roof, which they considered was the inauguration of a new and important era in the history of the country. He was glad to find that the ship building interest is no less interesting to the Lower Provinces than it is to the inhabitants of Eastern Canada, and he hoped when the Reciprocity Treaty came to be renewed we would have the benefit of free trade in ship-building. He heartily thanked those gentlemen who had honoured with heir company on this occasion, and in honour of whose visit to this city this entertainment had been arranged by the Board of Trade; and begged to conclude by proposing the health of “Our Guests, the delegates from the Maritime Provinces” (Prolonged and enthusiastic cheering)

The band then gave “For they are jolly good fellows”

DR. TUPPER’S SPEECH.

Dr. TUPPER said—Mr. President and gentlemen, — I gladly avail myself to this opportunity to return thanks on behalf of myself and co-delegates from the Province of Nova Scotia, for the kind and hospitable manner in which we have been received in this country I feel that our thanks are not only especially due to the Ministry of Canada for the very hospitable and generous manner in which we have been received, but that they are also alike due to the city of Quebec, the city of Montreal, and the city of Toronto. In fact, I may say to the people of Canada, who of one accord seem to join most heartily in rendering our visit to this great Province agreeable as well as useful. (Loud cheers.) I feel not a little embarrassed in rising to address you. The magnitude of the question which has called the delegates from the Maritime Provinces to this meeting is one which actually appeals me to contemplate, when I reflect that from the time in which the immortal Wolfe decided on the plains of Abraham the destiny of British America to the present, no event has exceeded in importance or magnitude the one which is now taking place in this ancient and famous city You will understand me when I say that I feel embarrassed as I approach its consideration before so intelligent an audience (Hear, hear) But this is not the only source of embarrassment which I feel on the present occasion, because I need not tell you that, assembled as we are to discuss the great and momentous interests of British North America—assembled as we  are to devise, under the authority and with the sanction of the crown of Great Britain, a better and more useful system of government, better and more useful system of government for these Provinces, we are obliged to preserve to a large extent that confidence in our interchange of opinion which is essential to the discussion of so great a question. (Cheers.) I need not tell you how embarrassing it would be if the immatured opinions at which we may have individually arrived were thrown broadcast before the people, to become matters of contention before we had, by mutual concessions and mutual compromises, arranged and matured a plan of action that we could, with confidence, submit to the intelligence of British North America (Cheers.) But beyond this I have another source of embarrassment. I need not remind you that, from the time when we had pleasure of receiving that large deputation of the members of the Canadian Government at Charlottetown down to the present, we have had a series of social meetings in Prince Edward Island, in Nova Scotia, and in New Brunswick, that we have several times been before the public in connection with this question; and when I tell you that the question has been already discussed by gentlemen connected with the Government of Canada—men who occupy not only the proudest position as statesmen is British North America, who have not only a British, but I may say a European reputation you will understand how difficult it must be for me [?]rised as you must have been undoubtedly by the intelligent Press of this country, which has discussed this question and made you acquainted with the speeches of these men you will, I say, understand the embarrassment I feel in rising here tonight to attempt to offer anything now in addition to that which has been before offered—when it is understood that the object of this meeting of delegates is to ascertain whether the time has not come when a more useful system of government can be devised for those British American Provinces. I need not say that its importance is one which I[?]  is impossible to overrate. Unimpressed as the public mind in the Lower Provinces was on this question, the visit and the statements made by the gentlemen connected with the Government of Canada, have aroused a large and marked degree of attention, which I believe will be fraught with the best consequences in its effects upon these Provinces, (cheers), and as these gentlemen in order to lead the public mind of the Lower Provinces to an appreciation of this question, took the opportunity to place before us statements of the vast resources of this great colony of Canada, I may, perhaps, be excused if I invite your attention to some of the facts connected with the growth and increase of the Lower Provinces. (Loud cheers.) It is true you have a magnificent country embracing an immense territorial area; it is true you have a comparatively large population 8,000 000; it is true you have land teeming with inexhaustible resources, on every hand; but as was observed by your able and talented minister, Mr. Cartier, great as is your country; large as is your population, inexhaustible ass are your resources, the Maritime Provinces have something to offer you equally essential to the constituting of a great nation (Cheers) We shall bring into the federation with Canada, a territorial area of 50,000 or 60,000 square miles, and an additional population of 800,000 souls; and I need not say to the gentleman who just sat down, and who has made such complimentary allusions to the Lower Provinces, that the prospect of the addition of a population of 800.000 souls must necessarily excite the attention of the manufacturers of Canada. (Cheers.) We should bring a full revenue to the common purse of something like $3 000, 000, and when I tell you that Nova Scotia has something like doubted her revenue within the last six years, you will understand that we do not require a union with Canada to draw from her resources. We should add, at the same time, to the trade of the common federation, something like $3, 500, 000 in our exports and imports. I need not tell you how much Canada owes to the mighty St. Lawrence; but this highway, great and magnificent as it is, is but an imperfect one, in as much as it is closed to all commerce some months in the year, not to speak of the humiliating position in which this great country is left, when you feel that you are dependent upon a foreign, if not a rival state, for access to the ocean, one of the essential requirements of commerce, without which no country can be permanently great. (Cheers) You can readily understand how important it is that Canada should obtain means of access to the ocean open not for five months but for twelve months in the year means of communication not only with the ocean but with the parent State (Cheers) Why is it that the Intercolonial Railway is not a fact?  It is because, being divided, that which is the common interest of the colonies has been neglected and when it is understood that the construction of this work is going to give to Canada that which is so essential to her, its importance will be understood, not only in connection with your political greatness, but also in connection with your commercial character as affording increased means of communication with the Lower Provinces—for the inexhaustible resources of the Great West will flow down the St. Lawrence to Quebec, and from there to the magnificent harbours of Halifax and St. John, open at all seasons of the year. I would ask you, too, to contemplate the inexhaustible wealth of the ocean which surrounds the Maritime Provinces, in the fisheries which we there have: but it is not only in that respect that the Maritime Provinces will be glad to show you that they will be able to bring something to the treasury of British North America. If you look at the colony which I have the honour to represent you will find that its mineral resources cannot be replaced on this side of the Atlantic. You will find a vast country occupied by as valuable coal deposits as are to be found on the surface of the earth. You will find iron mines in the Provinces of Nova Scotia which, in quality, will successfully rival the finest Swedish iron. You will find iron and oral associated with limestone In fact, you will find in Nova Scotia all those chief natural characteristics which have made Great Britain the chief commercial mart of the world. There are also our gold mines, not yet developed. Still they are valuable, and in illustration of their worth I may tell you that the receipts from rents and royalties have, within the last six months, enlarged to the extent of $20 00) You will thus understand that our gold [text illegible] afford prospect of renumerative employment to the large population which will inevitably be attracted by them (Loud cheers.) When you look at these facts, you will easily understand that the confederation which shall unite the British American Colonies, which will give a common aim, and unite by a common bond the whole people, will tend to enhance their credit—to place them upon the exchanges of the world in a far better position than we can hope for in our present divided state I fail myself to understand how the commercial union, so ably referred to by your chairman, is ever to be realized, except in connection with a political union. The public men of British North American have not probably, yet exhausted that subject. But they have given it their careful attention and hitherto they have been unable to devise means whereby a commercial union could be formed separate from a political union. (Cheers) Their tariffs would require to be adjusted to meet the necessities of each people by different legislature, and while this is the case, while we are separate, we can never hope to have such an adjustment as to give to the people of the whole of the Provinces such a commercial union as the Quebec Board of Trade judges to be so essential to our common credit. But there are other questions in presence of which even the financial credit and commercial prosperity of these colonies sink into comparative insignificance. I do not underrate these—I believe it should be the business of the statesmen of every free country to endeavour to increase its commercial prosperity and exalt its credit, but there is that which is dearer still, and that is freedom and safety. (Cheers.) I believe the tie has come when the statesmen of British North America is unworthy the position he occupies, who does not feel it his imperative duty to devote his most earnest attention to the solution of the great and important question, how the lives and property and peace of the inhabitants of British North American may not only be preserved, but guaranteed against any assault. (Cheers) Occupying the official position I do in connection with the Government of one of the Provinces, it would be wrong for me to say a single word on this subject liable to misconception or misconstruction anywhere; yet I must say that no one who regards the changed aspect of affairs on this continent within the last few years, can fail to see that unless we are to be dependent for our safety, on the generous forbearance of our neighbours, we must be prepared unitedly to co-operate for the common defence of our country—(cheers,) and I must say also that I do not believe the time has come when Great Britain is indifferent to our defence I am not one of those who fancy there is any large or influential class of statesmen in Great Britain who are insensible to the great advantage and importance of preserving the British American colonies as part of the empire. It may suit the Manchester school and doctrinaires like Goldwin Smith to put forth the contrary notion, but I speak under the deepest conviction of the truth of what I say, when I assert that the statesmen who have charge of the Government of the British Empire would be thrust from place and power the very moment they should propose a policy so fatal to the greatness of the Crown and the dignity of England, as would be the casting adrift of her colonies. (Cheers.) I need not say that these Provinces have a common interest The loss of Halifax means the loss of Nova Scotia; the loss of Nova Scotia means the loss of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, and the loss of these necessarily involves also the loss of Canada—for we stand or fall together (Cheers.) And the loss of these Provinces involves also the loss of the West India Islands, and the results would,  be that Great Britain would sink from the mighty position she now occupies into the comparatively insignificant position of a kingdom comprising only two small islands. (Hear, hear) I believe the day is far distant—I believe the child is not yet born who will live to hear the proposition authoritatively propounded by any Cabinet in Great Britain of the abandonment of the British North American Colonies. (Loud cheers) I believe that a blow struck which would assail the property or liberty of British America would bring into action all the power of the British Crown—all the force of the magnificent army and gallant navy on which we confidently rely for protection. But, at the same time, the fact that this is the temper of the British mind, the sentiment of the British Empire, instead of rendering us supine and indifferent, should nerve us with increased vigour to place ourselves is the position in which we can best co-operate with the brave army and gallant navy of Great Britain for the defence of this portion of the British Empire. (Cheers) I have little more to say, as I do not wish to trespass on the time reserved for other gentlemen from my own and the sister Provinces who will address you. But I must say that I cannot understand the caution which your chairman, the President of the Board of Trade, felt it necessary to exercise in referring to the great question of Confederation I feel, Sir, it was wise on your part, and on the part of the influential body for whom you spoke, that due caution should be exhibited, but when you were speaking of a question in presence of whose magnitude the voice of faction has been hushed—for I find around this table combined to obtain a satisfactory solution of that question, the representatives of the two great parties who have so long been in antagonism to each other, and not particularly to the advantage of the Province of Canada—I find the representatives of these great parties, almost hereditary in their antagonism, combining in the most patriotic spirit to find a solution of the great question how the best government shall be obtained for British North America. When I look at all this, I think the circumstances would have justified the President of the Quebec Board of Trade in giving a little more encouragement to the project than he has given here tonight. (Loud cheers.) And it is not only in Canada alone that, in presence of this question, the voice of faction has been hushed. There is present at this moment in Quebec, not only the extraordinary spectacle of the different Governments of the four outlying sister provinces being represented here on this occasion, but you find side by side with the prominent members of the various Administrations, and intimately and closely associated with them, the able and talented leaders of the Opposition in their respective Provinces (Cheers.) Under these circumstances then—when, as I have said, in the presence of the great question the voice of faction is hushed—why should it be necessary to exercise so much caution not to commit the public to the conclusion at which we may arrive? (Cheers) The question at all events is of that magnitude which requires tha any hostile expression or opinion should be supressed, and that the public should be ready to give it that calm and dispassionate consideration without when it is impossible that any number of statesmen, however able, can bring it to a satisfactory issue Dr Tupper having then expressed his thanks for the generous hospitality with which he and his colleagues had been received in this ancient and venerable capital, resumed his seat amidst loud and prolonged cheering.

MR. TILLEY’S SPEECH.

Hon. Mr. TILLEY, Premier of New Brunswick, next replied to the toast. He said: I quite understand why you, Sir, as President of the Board of Trade, should have exercised some caution in speaking of the question which has been the subject of deliberation by the delegates. But whatever degree of prudence might have been proper on your part, I think from the manner in which the toast was responded to we have an unmistakable present on that subject (Loud cheers.) That response was most complimentary to us, the delegates from the Maritime Provinces; but I feel that we are not warranted in taking it all to ourselves, but that it must be accepted as the heart endorsement; on the part of this assemblage, of the great question which we have met to consider in the city of Quebec. (Cheers) My friend, Dr Tupper, has said that he felt embarrassed in addressing you. I also feel exceedingly embarrassed. I see at the table before me the busy pencils of the representatives of the press. But I am reassured a little when I recollect the visit that was paid by some of the gentlemen there to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the generous forbearance, they showed in passing over our many faults and imperfections, and pointing out all that was attractive and interesting to the people of Canada. Dr Tupper has presented a number of the points which are likely to affect most strongly the minds of the people of Canada on the subject, and there one or two of those points to which he has referred which “I should like to elaborate a little further; but first let me say that I wish it to be borne in mind that we, the representatives of the Maritime Provinces, are not here exactly seeking this union We [o?] the Lower Provinces had assembled at Charlottetown to consider whether we could not extend our family relations a little by making a closer union among ourselves, when our good friends came down and asked us to consider whether we could not join with them also. I have heard it intimated in some quarters, where the people do not know the extent and resources of the Maritime Provinces, that it was we who were desirous of joining ourselves to Canada in order that we, poor and impoverished as were are supposed to be, might reap some advantages from the connection This is a mistake. Dr. Tupper has spoken to you of the extent of our territory and population, and the amount of our exports and imports; he has told you, that the Province he represents has doubled its revenue in the last six years. He might have gone further, and told you that in the Maritime Provinces the wealth of the population, as shown by it assessed value, was equal per head to that of any except four States of the neighbouring Union And he might have referred to the immense amount of shipping owned in the colonies, a population of 800 000 owning nearly 800, 000 tons of shipping (cheers.) He might have gone further still If we are to enter into a closer union with you than we enjoy at present, it may be interesting for you to know, not only that our revenues have increased, but also how the balance stands now. I am able here to state the important fact that in the four Maritime Provinces, in 1864, after paying the interest on all our debts, and providing more liberally than for many years past for our roads and bridges, educational institutions, &c, we have cleared a surplus of nearly half a million of dollars (Cheers) I state these facts to show to our friends of Canada that when we are seeking—for I do not desire to conceal it we are serving closer connection with you—we do not propose to come in as paupers, but are prepared to put a fair share of capital into the general concern. (Cheers.) I am no exactly a stranger in this city, no, unlike some of my friends here, I know that you do sometimes have a fine day in Quebec. (Laughter) I have been here on missions from the Government of New Brunswick, having had the honour, with some of my colleagues, to be sent, as on this occasion, to agitate some large and important questions, in which we felt we had all a deep interest. I need not say that I refer particularly to the question of the Intercolonial Railway Now, I am not going to let out the secrets of the Conference, but this I will say, that if this union is to be consummated, we must have this railway. It is utterly impossible that we can have either a political or commercial union without it. (Cheers) The President has stated  [text illegible] still generally entertained in Canada [text illegible] the Lower Provinces, and which was entertained by myself for a time—that is, that it is possible and practicable for us to have a commercial without a political union. I agree with Dr. Tupper that that would be found to be almost impracticable. In Canada West, for instance—a large grain growing country a great quantity of spirits are manufactured which pay excise duty. We in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick manufacture no spirits, and we derive a large part of our revenue from duties on the liquor brought in. Now, if we had a commercial union merely, and intercolonial free trade, you in Canada Wes would receive is your excise all the revenue results of our consumption of spirits. I ask would that be fair? Again, suppose that all manufactured articles, as well as the growth and produce of the Provinces, were passed between them without let or hindrance, and suppose at some time we had not a uniformity of tariffs—for one colony would require a larger revenue, in proportion to its population, than the others—then what would be the result? I know we are honest men down in the Lower Provinces (Laughter.) But we can imagine a quantity of English goods introduced, say into Canada, which might be sworn to as the manufactures of Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, although actually manufactured in England or the United States, and the revenue would be defrauded You see what difficulties in every direction would attend any such projects Hence it has been deemed desirable that we should have a political union If it is found practicable, and if we can guard our local interests while we advance the general interest by such a union, I violate no confidence when I say that it is the unanimous opinion of the members of the Conference that such a union is desirable (Cheers.) At present I do not go further. If we come finally to an agreement it can only be by taking into consideration not only the character and disposition of the population of the respective Provinces, but also, to a certain extent, their prejudices. Let us see what is to be gained by such a union In the first place, we can obtain entire free trade between these Provinces My only wonder is that we have remained so long as we are without an effort to accomplish this in years gone by. (Cheers.) Suppose you send your booths and shoes, and India-rubber manufactures to New Brunswick, you are met with a tariff of twelve and a-half per cent., and suppose we of New Brunswick go to Nova Scotia with bricks, barrels, or whatever else it may be, we are met with a tariff of ten per cent. We manufacture locomotives in St. John; if we send them over to be used on the railways in Nova Scotia they have to pay ten per cent. duty; and the state of matters is the same with regard to Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island I ask you, as commercial men, as members of the Quebec Board of Trade, whether it is desirable that this state of things should continue?—(hear, hear)—and I see no way in which we can obviate the difficulties of our position in this respect except by this political union, which of course will bring with it an extension of our commercial relations (Cheers) I do not intend to dwell on the subject of defence—I leave that for the gallant colonel who is the leader of the Government of Prince Edward Island, and who has devoted to that subject his especial attention. I will merely refer to a remark I have heard in New Brunswick and also in Canada, that we can make all the necessary provisions for defence separately as well as unitedly. A little reflection will show that this notion is incorrect The feeling in New Brunswick, I do not hesitate to say, on the subject of defence is not very intense—that is, among the masses of the people—and why is this? It arises to a certain extent from the fact that we have but a very small population, comparatively speaking. We are a Province having a separate government and separate interests to a great extent, but when you talk of a community of under 800,000 of a population doing any thing for the defence of their country, it is laughed at. It is said we a small people, limited in our numbers and resources. What can we do but throw these 300, 000 in connection with the people of Canada, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, making them form part of a people of four or five millions, and the feeling will be very different. We could then, I hesitate not to say, get double from the people of New Brunswick for purposes of defence that we can get while we stand isolated. (Cheers) This is one of the reasons which have influenced me in coming to the conclusion at which I have arrived, and that is that if we can make the necessary arrangements for guarding our local interests, I believe it is the interest of one and all of our Provinces to come into the confederation. (Cheers) In considering this question we must not look at our position as if it were stationary Consider what advance you have yourselves made since the union of these two Provinces. You had then about a million of a population, and in twenty-five years you have increased to 2,800,000 souls Altogether, we have nearly four millions of people in these Provinces having more than doubled our numbers in twenty years. Our progress is still onward, and we have not only to act for the present generation, but we have the responsible position—ever before, I hold so responsible in these Provinces as at the present moment—of having to to act for the future as well as the present. (Cheers.) We may manifest indifference, but if we do we peril the future of our country. It is our duty as statesmen, and those placed in the foreground, that we should point out to those we represent that our interests at the present moment, are to a certain extent in a critical position, and require to be guarded with the utmost care and wisdom. I believe they are such principles as these which guide the Conference, and if we do not succeed in coming to a satisfactory conclusion I shall most deeply regret it. I hope however, for the best, and I believe that the intelligence to be found in this Conference will be able to surmount any difficulty that presents itself, and that the day is not for distant when we shall meet here in Quebec or in Ottawa, or in some other part of Canada, to consummate this union, the movement towards which has been commenced, and which, notwithstanding the caution of your Chairman, you have most heartily endorsed to-night (Loud cheers)

MR. CARTER’S SPEECH.

Hon. Mr. CARTER, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland was the next to respond to the toast. He said he had listened with a great deal of attention to the speeches they had just heard from the representatives of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, who had supported their cause cause most ably, and had shown their meeting that if they had any doubts on the subject before as to the great benefits which would result to all from confederation of Canadian with the Maritime Provinces, that these doubts had been removed. Newfoundland in the first instance, was not called upon to join in the meeting at Charlottetown; but when the gentlemen from Canada went down there an invitation was sent to Newfoundland, which was immediately responded to, he and his colleagues having come here in response to that invitation. (Cheers.) A large amount of consideration had not been paid to this subject in that colony; but as far as he could estimate public opinion, and could undertake to express it here, he believed he might surely say that the great majority of their people, if not the whole of them, would be most anxious and desirous to form in this union, if it should be consummated, and that they would esteem it a very great and serious loss if the were to be left out of it. (Cheers) The colony of Newfoundland of course, did not hold by the colonies represented by the gentlemen who had preceded him; yet it had important advantages of its own which he believed would be highly useful for the perpetuation of this confederacy, should it ever be brought about; and, at all events, as regarded their finances and trade, he did not think they would be any encumbrance to it. (Cheers) The city of Quebec especially would derive advantages from the trade with Newfoundland. In that colony they were only to a limited extent an agricultural people. The great staples for the support of life were imported from abroad. The products of Canada and the other Provinces would find there a ready market. All the required was an increased facility of intercourse to enable them to carry on with those other Provinces a large amount of trade which, in the absence of such facilities had been directed elsewhere. Newfoundland, from its geographical position, and having at command the Gulf of St. Lawrence, could not be permitted by Great Britain to be in the hands of a foreign power. Did that take place the trade of Canada would very soon be destroyed. One had only to cast his eye of the map to be convinced that the stability or the consideration would require Newfoundland to become a party to it. (Cheers) He remembered having had occasion to visit Quebec some seven or eight years ago, when a convention was entered into between Britain and France on the subject of the Colonies. It was then deemed necessary by Newfoundland that an appeal should be made to the sister Provinces. They made that appeal, and the most complete success attended their efforts. They were thus led to feel, at that time, the great necessity there was for a combination among themselves, and he himself then took occasion to express the desire that the time was not far distant, when they should all be united as British North America, and perhaps presided over by a scion of royalty, (cheers); and he hoped now the day was near, when they should be able to produce a plan of union that would satisfactory and acceptable to their respective Provinces (Cheers.) They were aware that there were some difficulties to contend with, which those engaged in these negotiations could now fully overcome. They were aware that there were many compromises to be made on one side and the other, but he believed, considering the harmony that has characterized all their proceedings, and that there was a part of all parties co-operating to produce a satisfactory result, the probability was that they should be able to agate, “and that when they were in a position to appear to their respective constituencies, a hearty response would be given to the object of the Convention now being held at Quebec. (Cheers) He would not further occupy the time as it was becoming late; he would only add a hope that as the leading men of Canada had had an opportunity recently of visiting New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the people of Newfoundland would also, are long, have the pleasure of a visit from them, and be able to make some return for the hospitality with which they had been here so handsomely entertained. (Loud cheers)

COL GRAY’S SPEECH.

Hon Col. GRAY, Premier of Prince Edward Island, also responded. He said his friend Mr. Tilley had referred to him in connection with a subject of great importance It was, however, a dry and unpalatable subject. His friend Col. Jervois would understand the aliedon [sic], and he was afraid he might not exactly approve himself in the eyes of the Chairman and of [text illegible] around these tables, if he were to express fully his sentiments n this all-important matter Labouring under a severe cold, he should not have risen at all, if he had not felt bound, on behalf of his colleagues and the people he represented, to return to their entertainers, on this occasion, their hearty thanks for the high honours conferred on them. When he looked around and saw an amount of intelligence and wealth, such as it had been rarely his fortune to have addressed, although he had addressed many assemblages in various parts of the globe. It needed nothing more to convince him that this fine city was destined o take its place in the front rank, if not as the first city of a might nation. (Cheers.) The hospitalities which they had received at the hands of the Executive of this country, as well as the citizens of Quebec, would take a long time to be effaced from their memories. He had observed the other day an article in a local newspaper, the sentiments of which be heartily endorsed, alluding to a pamphlet addressed by a great friend of Dr. Tupper’s to Mr. Adderley  The editor made some well-timed remarks on the failings of colonists, and particularly their habit of underrating themselves (Hear, and laughter) He himself (Col. Gray) gloried in his being able to boast that he was born in America, and he was proud, now standing in the country which gave him birth, to be able to lift his feable [sic] voice to assist in bringing about a union which he fondly hoped would shortly be consummated. The dream of his youth and his manhood had been, that he might one day be a citizen of a great nationality, stretching from Vancouver to Halifax. (Cheers) This dream he firmly believed would soon become a reality (Cheers) He would ask any gentleman at this board, could he divest himself of the feeling that the finger of Providence had directed their labours? When we regarded the time in which we live, and the ominous state of affairs on this continent, who though he might attempt to foreshadow, could presume to foretell the events which might be enacted on this continent during the next four years. His friends from the sister Provinces had spoken very forcibly of the commercial interests involved in the proposed union. They had said so much on this subject that he, occupying as he had always done during these proceedings an enviable position of coming in at the heel of the hunt, was precluded from entering upon that subject, more especially as it was but a small colony which he and his colleagues represented. They felt, however, that they could throw a little into the common stock, and that they could be to this Confederacy what Rhode Island was to be the United States, which, though of less extent than his own island, had lately sent four regiments, each of a thousand strong, to help the Union in its great struggle; and in like manner the people of Prince Edward Island could throw in their mite too when the time arrived (Cheers) He would remind them that in prosecuting this plan of union the public men now met in conference in Quebec required something more than such hospitalities as they had partaken of at this magnificent feast They required the sympathy and co-operation of the people, and could not attain the results the looked for unless the people of their respective Provinces gave them their aid to the utmost, banishing all sectional interests and prejudices, and uniting together as brothers to bring about the desired consummation, which he would say was as desirable on other grounds as from the mere commercial point of views As the chairman of the Convention of the Maritime Provinces, and on their behalf, he felt authorized to say that there was not a man amongst them who would not promptly come forward to give his substance to the utmost, and to spend the last drop of his blood, rather than that the soil of Canada should be polluted by the hostile foot of the stranger. (Loud cheers.) On this subject, however, he would forbear making any further remarks, as he did not know who might be in the room, and he would be the last to say anything that could be constructed in an offensive sense to any one He would only add, that with the people of the Maritime Provinces united with the Canadians, as a band of brothers. They might be assured that God would defend his own work.

The CHAIRMAN said he had one more toast to give. He asked them to drink to the health of their other guests, “Her Majesty’s Ministers in Canada” (Great cheering) These gentlemen had undertaken an arduous task—namely, to put an end to those serious differences to which Dr. Tupper had so ably alluded—divisions which he agreed with Dr. Tupper is suying had not been for the advantage of Canada Her Majesty’s Ministers in Canada had undertaken to bring out a measure which would put an end to those differences, and give to the people of Canada what they had so long desired—a good and strong Government. And he could only say that if these gentlemen succeeded in their endeavours to bring about this confederation, to which Dr Tupper thought that he the chairman, was over cautions in referring to—one that would be advantageous to Canada and that would give us good government they would not only deserve, but would receive, the thanks of every true Canadian.

The toast was drunk with all the honours and amidst great cheering, the band playing A la Caire Fontaine.

SIR E. TACHE’S SPEECH.

SIR ETIENNE TACHE, on behalf of himself and his colleagues, thanked the company for the very cordial manner in which they had received the toast Under ordinary circumstances he should have contended himself with simply thanking them, for in a mixed assemblage such a toast was generally considered to be only the ordinary mark of respect due to these who happened to hold the reins of power for the time being, but there was such an intimate connection between the principles on which the present Government was founded, and the occasion which had bought them together to render homage to the distinguished gentlemen who were here from the Lower Provinces, that he felt warranted in departing from the usual course. They were aware that the present Government was formed a few months ago for the very purpose of carrying that important measure for the consideration of which these gentlemen had come to Quebec. He had a right, therefore, to say a few words in reply to the toast, but it was merely to state that the gentlemen who has preceded him had treated the subject so [?tutly] and so thoroughly, that it was hardly necessary for him to say anything at all on the merits of the question. This question of the union of the British American Provinces was not a new thing. It was placed prominently before the public more than a quarter of a century ago by Lord Durham, whose report, although considered no free from bias and prejudiced views, was yet the work of an able statesmen. (Cheers) Of the different schemes set forth in Lord Durham’s report, one had been carried out fully—the union of the two Canadas; and although that union might have had its failings, we had yet under its operation, in a little over twenty years, more than double our population, and quadruple all our resources, and he though, therefore, there must have been something good in it. We were also largely indebted to Lord Durham for the liberties we now enjoy. It was in consequence of the strong remonstrances and forcible arguments of that great statesmen that the Imperial authorities ultimately conceded to us the principle of responsible government From 1839, when that report was published, till 1853, little was said in Canada about the confederation of the Provinces In the latter year the late lamented Hamilton Merritt moved in the House of Assembly resolutions having for their object to obtain the statistics of the different Provinces, with the view of working out, at some future period, the union of all the British America Provinces. From 1853 till 1857 little was said about it in Parliament or out of Parliament, but in 1857 and 1858 Mr. Galt moved resolutions on the subject, and the question was submitted to the Imperial Government, but nothing further came of it at that time on account of the other Provinces not having taken simultaneous action in the matter From 1857 still the present day the question had been agitated in both House of Parliament, and out of Parliament, and many able articles in the public journals and pamphlets, both in French and English, had appeared upon it. Our difficulties continued to grow, until at length last spring, either a new Government had been formed and been defeated, a few weeks afterwards, by the intervention of parties friendly to both sides, the two extremes were brought together, and a Government was formed with the avowed object of carrying out a confederation of all the British North American Provinces. He was sorry to hear from his friends, who had preceded him, that they were under the impression that some of the people of Canada thought the Maritime Provinces were seeking the union because they considered they would be the gainers by it. This was a misapprehension. He believed the union would be beneficial to all parties. It the Lower Provinces would derive some advantages from a union with Canada, the people of Canada would derive advantages truly as great from a union with the Lower Provinces. (Cheers.) Some might be expecting him to tel [sic] something of what was going on in the Conference. If they expected anything or this kind from him they were very much mistaken. (Laughter) The members of the Conference were not bound to secrecy by oath, but they were bound as gentlemen, in accordance with all usage and precedent, not to divulge anything that passed in Conference. Indeed, it would be imprudent, almost dangerous, as present to do so. They might arrive at an agreement on some point today; and to marrow, on taking up a new point and dealing with difficulties they had not looked at before, the might have to modify what they had agreed on on in the first instance. (Hear, hear.) Before sitting down, he would express what the French called a vow, although he was not sure that was the English idiom, and it was this: “May a fraternal era, at no distant period in the future, be opened to us, in which the cool-headed and sturdy Englishmen may be brought closer together with the warm-hearted and generous Irishmen, the laborious, preserving, and economical—(laughter, sons of Caledonis, and the gay and chivalrous offspring of old Gaul.” (Cheers) Let them bring each of them, as their quota of the commons stock, the qualities and the virtues they have inherited from their ancestors, and fuse them all together into one common nationality. Let it be called Canadian or Acadian, I care not which, for they both of them names which are dear to my heart. (Loud cheers)

Mr. FORSYTH, 1^st Vice Chairman, proposed as the next toast, “the commercial prosperity of British North America.” He said he entirely concurred with the sentiments which had been expressed by some previous speakers, as to the patriotic spirit which had been manifested by members of the present Canadian Cabinet, in laying aside the animosities which had caused so much heart-burning in past years, and uniting with one determination to carry this great measure, which is to make these colonies, instead of mere municipalities, as they had hitherto been, the members of a nation which, he trusted, are lung would be not only a great nation on this continent, but great among the nation of the world (Cheers.) And when he saw the gentlemen of the Maritime Provinces laying aside all their jealousies and coming forward to co-operate in this important Conference, he thought there was ample mater of congratulation for all of us. (Chees) He believed he spoke the vice of the public from Halifax to Lake Superior; when he wished them God speed (Cheers.) He would not detain them at this late hour with the statistics which would be appropriate to this toast, and which had been given very fully by Mr. Brown in his able speech at Halifax. He would only say that it was shame to us that we had so little to do with the people of the Lower Provinces that if they wee at Kamachatka the merchants of Canada would have nearly as much deadline with them as they new have. (Cheers) We could be easily joined to them by the ron horse; and if nothing else were to result from this concern than the making of the intercolonial road, he thought a result would be gained, that would add very materially to the prosperity of the whole Provinces. Whatever union might be brought about, whether legislative or federal, he trusted it would be such as would give all the Provinces one commercial tariff, and establish between them a unity of interest and a unity of sentiment and feeling. (Cheers)

Band—“Canadian Hymn” in response loud cries from all parts of the room.

HON. MR. GALT’S SPEECH

Hon. Mr. GALT rose to reply to the to st. He said if he had expected to address this meeting he would have given himself the advantage of some little preparation before undertaking to speak on so important a subject in the presence of a so distinguished a commercial community as that of Quebec. He had felt, in common with his colleagues, that on this occasion the desire of the merchants of Quebec was to hear their friends from the Maritime Provinces, and that it would be improper for them to occupy much of the time in making speeches themselves There had been a wait of information existing in Canada on the subject of the Maritime Provinces which he was certain the visit of their distinguished friends, who were present to-night, would go a long way to remove; and when we find gentlemen presiding over the destinies of those Lower Provinces who could bring to the service of their respective colonies the talent shown to-night by the gentlemen who had addressed us; and when we felt we might, in the future, by carrying out the confederation of the Provinces, call to the councils of the united Provinces the assistance of gentlemen like those, it must be a subject of gratification to all of us that the proposed union would bring to us an amount of talent and knowledge that could not but serve the interests of Canada as well as other Provinces. The gentleman who had preceded him had alluded to the commercial as well as political relations which would be established by the proposed union, and the chairman had expressed a wish for a commercial union with the Lower Provinces as an object which, under any circumstances, we should seek to attain. He (Mr. Galt) certainly was not one who would underrate the importance of commerce, which was the channel through which the life-blood of all civilized nations at present flowed; but we should not be contended with the minor advantages when we could get the major. If we could get beyond the mere introduction of free trade in the natural products and manufactures of these colonies—if we could extend our commercial relations so as to embrace all our trade with foreign countries, every mercantile gentleman in this room would understand that to be of greater advantage to the trade of the united Provinces and to the trade of this city than would be the mere interchange between themselves of the manufactures and produce of these Provinces. Did we not know that what depressed the commercial energies of the country was the fact that we had been finding practically for our products but two markets our home market in England and the market of the United States. These two markets alone had been ruling markets for the products of Canada, but a union with the Lower Provinces would not only open the local market the afforded, but would give us the benefit of the foreign trade they enjoyed. The trade of Newfoundland at present was essentially a foreign trade—a trade with Spain, Portugal, Brazil &c. It was a trade we ourselves once had but had lost It was most important to the interests of our commerce that our relations of trade with foreign countries should be greater than they are, that we should have relations with all the important markets of the world, and by a union of the Provinces this could more readily be accomplished, as one Province could supply particular articles of export which others lacked. It was true that we had a certain amount of the maritime element, but we had not that amount of it which was essential for the development of the immense population we would have hereafter in the great territories which stretched from Quebec to the Pacific; because it must be remembered that though we were now speaking of a federation of the Maritime Provinces, still we must all feel that that is only the first step towards the union of the whole country in America now under the British flag—able, it may be, to afford some support to the Mother Country in the future—willing, at any rate, to do so, and more able for it than now (Cheers.) Therefore it was in the circumstances in which we were placed, important for us to understand that in the element in which we might, perhaps, ourselves as single Provinces be deficient, we should be supplied by a union with the Maritime Provinces. (Cheers)  Canada was trying to become a manufacturing country, but the absence of coal must ever be a great drawback to her. But in Nova Scotia coal existed in abundance, and he believed also that a large supply might be obtained from New Brunswick. He (Mr. Galt) had been called upon to speak unexpectedly, but it was a great satisfaction to him to have been preceded by the gentlemen from the Lower Provinces We had been told of the great resources of those Provinces; we had been shown how, in a financial point of view, that they did not come to Canada asking for any advantages at our expense, but that the came with a prosperous country and an overflowing treasury. They only asked for union in the best and most friendly spirit in which it could be approached. (Cheers.) He was glad they had had such speeches from those gentlemen tonight He was glad that those speeches would be sent from one end of Canada to the other. He was glad that it would be known that the union was not a union in which any one member would gain advantage at the expense of the other, but that it was based on a national spirit, that it was a union entered into in a truly British spirit, desiring to perpetuate, under one common flag, those institutions which were the pride and boast of the mother country. (Cheers.) In conclusion Mr. Galt said that the response the company had given to the toast to which he had risen to reply, we he would receive as a token of the way in which all British North America would welcome, for political and commercial purposes, a confederation of all the North American Provinces. (Loud cheers.)

First vice-chairman, Mr. SCOTT, said he believed it would be admitted that the influence of the Fourth Estate was one of the wonders of the age it would be admitted too, he thought, that the large freedom of discussion permitted in England, never restrained except sometimes when it was discovered to have descended into licentiousness, was another proof of the sound sense of the country, od which we were all proud. In Canada and in the neighbouring colonies the press enjoyed the freedom and respect which it deserved He believed we had in this Province, few Cabinets which did not number amongst them one or more editors. In the ranks of the Cabinet which they had the honour to entertain this evening there were no less than two distinguished brought of the quill, whose talents and energies were admitted wherever their names were known; but there were, he believed, present representatives of the great metropolitan press of England, that press which was able to send to all quarters of the globe, wherever matters of interest transpired, correspondents eminent for talent (Cheers) All were looking anxiously for the witty, trenchant, and as we sometimes though, sarcastic remarks of one of the gentlemen now present, the representative of a great English newspaper. That gentleman had ventured to speak truthfully of the things he had seen in the neighbouring republic, and he thought it was creditable to the people there—all things considered—that he had met with such a reception as he had. They felt that it was good they should know the truth, though it was sometimes unpleasant, and we should feel the same. He gave them the toast of the Press, coupled with the name of Mr. G. A. Sala. (Drunk with loud cheers.)

MR G. A. SALA’S SPEECH.

Mr. SALA was received with long-continued cheers. He made a most excellent speech, which we regret the necessity of curtailing. A telegraphic report prevents our giving it in full. He said, as a standing example of the licentiousness of the press, so capitally alluded to by the Vice-Chairman, he had to thank them for the great compliment which had been paid the corporation to which he belonged (Cheers.) At the same time, as it had been his privilege daring his eleven months’ residence on this great continent, to grumble incessantly—would they bear with him if he entered a very slight protest at the commencement of the most agreeable remarks which he was about to make for their edification. (Laughter.) It had often been a cause of enquiry to philosophic minds why it was that the press should always be proposed at “the fag end of a feast,” or rather, as Colonel Gray more eloquently put it, at the “heel of the hunt.” (Hear, hear.) When the army and navy, and the volunteers, and the militia, and the fencibles—if there were any—when the judges and the magistrates, and the constables, had all been drunk, and when one was wishing that the toast of the landlord and of the waiters would follow, then came the turn of the press. (Cheers.) The Vice-president had been good enough to allude to the press as the fourth estate of the realm. We perfectly agreed with him in public, but we thought in private, it was certainly the second, and were not quite sure it was not the first. With the reservation of this sentiment, then, not sequencing in the humiliating position in which were placed—thinking that though last we were not least—he could thank them for the compliment they had been paid. (Cheers) His position reminded him of anecd[ote] he heard very lately at Washington, in the District of Columbia. A grave Indian chief who had come to confer with the President in order to secure the remnant of his tribe from being ground against the wall, being at a dinner at the White House, at which his health was drunk, said in response, “How you do? If you please, I am very glad—every body help himself,” that was all He (Mr. Sala) felt he was almost as tongue-tied as that Indian Chief, for it was so long since he spoke in public that he failed in words where with to thank his audience for compliments paid. He took it as a compliment not only to to the English pieces, but to the able, intelligent, and capable Canadian press He was sure there no fact more gratifying to him than to learn that so many members of the Canadian press has risen to position of honour But the pleasure he felt was modified when he thought of the habitual tone of the London Times, which he was sorry to observe had produced a feeling of soreness in these colonies. (Cheers) He could assure the company that if he were not on all occasions accustomed to speak his mind freely, that he should not now allude to the Times But he thought it his duty to endeavour to direct attention to one or two facts to which regard should be paid in, forming an opinion of the position of that paper He thought it was an error into which Canadians and Americans were prove to fall, when they imagined that the London Times was the sole exponent of public opinion in England, when they ran away with the notion that it was the only journal able to express the thought of the people. He admitted that the London Times was a most admirable and talented journal—that it was a prominent example of wisely applied capital, and of brilliant intellect, brought to bear upon one of the most powerful organizations ever known. The London Times was one of the institutions of Great Britain, but they must not fall into the error of thinking that there were none other which wielded a large influence over public opinion The paper which he (Mr Sala) represented, had a daily circulation of 170, 000. (Cheers) There were other papers, such as the Daily News, the Standard, the Herald and the Post, all conducted with great talent, all worthy of consideration, and he thought if they would reflect that the Time was not the only paper, they have a better idea of what the people of England thought of them (Cheers.) But he found both in Canada and the United States, people were apt to fancy that it was a mysterious engine. He, himself, knew the able men connected with the Times—many of them personally. They met at the club of which he was a member, and he could assure the company that they were not 90 feet high, that they had chops and drank their Allsop’s bitters like ordinary Christians (Cheers.) The plan the London Times had taken in dealing with colonies was, however, he confessed, inexplicable. He knew that his friend Chas Mackay (he was sorry that he was not present), was grieved at the course the London writers of the Times had taken in abusing the colonies. Why they did so he could not tell, any more than he could say why they had once made it their business to abuse Birmingham, for instance (Cheers) Before he sat down, would they allow him to pay a slight tribute of admiration to Canada to express the pleasure he had experienced during his visits to their great colony. Every time that he had entered its borders he had been received and treated with the utmost kindness. He loved it as he loved his own country, for was it not his own country? Looking around this table he saw none but the faces of his own countrymen. He saw not solely, on the walls of the room, the British flag, for the flag of our neighbours was there—a liberality, he might be permitted to say, which was not practiced on the other side for there they admitted none but their own flag. But he saw prominent the good old flag of old England (Loud cheers) He thought we could scarcely be too British, but then we should be constantly British He trusted in the he might make, offered as they were uttered with kindliest spirit, that he should give no offence. We should recollect that our mother country had a numerous colonial family of all nationalities, and we should never forget, when seeking to join in a federal union as a British institution, that England will keep a jealous look-out for the welfare of those of Her Majesty’s subjects who are of French origin Any attempt to overwhelm or over press the seven hundred thousand inhabitants of this country should be met in England with great censure. (Cheers) He thought the colonists were not fully aware that the days had gone by when enmity existed between England and France. Within the last two ears a great change had taken place. The children of the people who beat us at Fonteney, and whom we beat at Blenheim are now our friends Even Waterloo had almost been forgotten. (Loud cheers.) The treaty of commerce had nearly wiped it out. A hearty good shake of the heads had been given between England and France, and he only hooped that the same cordial feeling would exist between the two peoples here—between those of British birth and the French. Mr. Sala resumed his seat amid loud cheers.

MR HENRY’S SPEECH.

Attorney General HENRY, of Nova Scotia, said the delegates this evening had been entertained in a manner that was calculated to fill their minds with the liveliest sense of gratification. They had heard to-night, and even before from the gentlemen who were lately in the Lower Provinces, enough to convince them that is will be safe for Canadians to cast in their lot with the common stuck (Cheers) He and his colleagues had come as delegates from a very small Province, with the view of uniting their lot to that of Canada, in the hope that they might thereby produce larger fruits then would be possible if they continued divided They had not come here with the view of making a close bargain to better their own financial position, but with the view of saying to their friends of the Canadas, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, that they entertained a feeling of common interest and common regard—that they esteemed it necessary to adopt measures for common safety and common union. Without giving expression to anything which had taken place in the Conference, he might say for himself and the other gentlemen associated with him, that they were all so desirous of joining such a plan of confederation as would find favour among their constituents as to overwhelm say opposition it might encounter. As one of the delegates from a small Province to a very large one, he had to say here that they did not come to seek a one-sided bargain. Nova Scotia had her navigation open all the year round. She had coal, iron, copper and gold; she had the elements of a manufacturing country, and though they had, in the neighbouring Republic, closed the ports of he South, that could not continue always, and Nova Scotia would still be near the greatest cotton producing district in the world, whose raw  material who could take and work up into fabrics which would command the markets of British North America to her can, and to the advantage of all But there were other considerations There was the question of defence Long might it be before we were called upon to protect ourselves against the whole world We were easy now because we felt we were defended We had a Power behind us which had the ability to defend us, but how long we should be able to rely upon our mother land, who could tell? In view of this question it was that the small politicians of Nova Scotia came to the large politicians here, and asked for that union which would virtually give the strength so much desired, and of which all felt so much need (Loud cheers.) The hon. gentleman concluded by proposing in complimentary terms, the health of the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr JOSEPH, in reply, said he was thankful for the handsome manner in which his health had been proposed. He regretted that arrangements had not been made, whereby the citizens of Quebec could have given the gentlemen from the Lower Provinces a larger reception, the time being too short to admit of it, and the only room which would have answered the purpose, was now occupied by a charitable institution. He had hoped that an opportunity would again occur, whether the union took place or not, to give them a better reception. He felt gratified that they had had this opportunity of returning, in some measure, the great kindness which had born shown during the recent visit of the Canadian delegates to the Lower Provinces. No one desired more than the citizens of Quebec to increase the too little intercourse between the Provinces that had hitherto existed He regretted that he had not the tongue of a Sala to reply in a better manner. (Applause.)

“The Ladies” were then proposed by the Hon. Mr. Johnston of New Brunswick, and the company broke up at a quarter before twelve. The proceedings throughout were characterised by the utmost enthusiasm and good-will and the best order was maintained throughout The Board of Trade may congratulate themselves on one of the most successful banquets ever given in the Province.