PREMIER CONTRAT — GUERRE DE CRIMEE

Dépêche de Lord Grey, ministre des Colonies, à Lord Elgin, gouverneur-général du Canada (*)

(Extraits)

Copy of a Despatch from Earl GREY to Governor General the Earl of ELGIN and KINCARDINE.

(No 568).

My LORD,

Downing Street, March 14, 1851.

C. — Canada (in comnion with the other British provinces in North Ameri a) now possesses in the most ample and complète manner in which it is possible that she should enjoy it, the advantage of self-government in ail that relates to her Internai affaire. It appears to Her Majesty's Government that this advantage ought to carry with it correspondis responsabilises, and that the time is now come when the people of Canada must be called upon to taie upon themselves a lancer share than they hâve hitherto donc, of expcnses which are incurred on this aocount, and for their advantage. Of thèse expenses by far the heaviest charge which falls upon this country is that incurred for the military protection of the province. Regarding Canada as a most important and valuable part of the empire, and believing the maintenance of the connexion between the mother-country and the colony to be of the highest advantage to both, it is far from being the view of Her Majesty's Government that the gênerai military power of the empire is not to be used in the protection of this part of Her Majesty's dominions. But looking to the rapid progress which Canada is now making in wealth and population, and to the prosperity which she at this moment enjoys, it is the conviction of Her Majesty's Government, that it is only due to the people of this country that they should now be relieved from a large proportion of the charge which has hitherto been imposed upon them for the protection of a colony now well able to do much towards protecting itself.

In adopting this principle, I need hardly observe to you that Her Majesty's Government would merely be reverting- to the former colonial policy of this country. You are well aware that up to the period of the war of the American Révolution, the then British colonies which now form the United States as well as the West Indian colonies, were required to take upon themselves the principal share of the burthen of their own protection, and even to contribute to the military opérations undertaken to extend the colonial possessions of the British Crown. The North American colonies defended themselv.s almost entirely from the fierce Indian tribes by which thèse infant cammunities were frequently emperilled, and furnished no inconsiderable proportion of the force by which the contest of British power with that of France was maintained on the continent of America ; and the West Indian colonies did not, in proportion to their means, make less exertions.

,. 9. — Having thus cxplained to your Lordship the principles of the policy which Her Majesty's Government propose to adopt, I will now proceed to state more particularly the measures by which it is contemplated that this policy should be carried into effect. In the first place, it is intended, that in future, with the exception of a certain number of enrolled pensioners, for whose location in the province arrangements are in progress, the troops maintained in Canada should be confined to the garrisons of two or three fortified posts of importance, probably only Québec and Kingston. The terms

(1) Accounts and Papers, 1851, Vol. XXXVI, page 237.

of anilty upon which this country now is with tlic United States, and the fortunate tcrmination of ail the questions in dispute between the two nations, reniovcs, as I trust, ail risk of any attack upon Canada front the only Power front which there could be any danser ; and it appears to Her Majesty's Governnient, that if the Provincial Militia is maintained upon a proper footing, so long as pcace continues, enough would be donc to provide for the security of the province, hy maintaining garrisons of regular troops in tbe two important posts I hâve mentioned. In the uitfortunatc, and I trust improbable, contingency of a war with the United States, it is obvious that both the colony and the mother-country would be called upon t.» subinit to great sacrifices, and to make great exertions for their défence ; but I hâve no doubt that thesc would be cheerfully made by both if the exigency should imhappily arisc.

10. — Upon the réduction of the British force in Canada to the garrisons of thèse fortified positions, it would bcconic necessary that the warlike stores which arc kept in the colony should be reduced, and that the barracks and other buildings which arc no longer required, should be disposcd of ; but if the Parlianient of Canada should be wDling to undertake to keep up thèse barracks and buildings, in case of their beting hereafter required, there would be no objection on the part of Her Majesty's Govcrnnient to make them over to the provincial authoritics, and if the maintenance of a British force at any of the posts now occupied, should be desired for the préservation of internai security, such a force would be readily supplied by Her Majesty's Government, if the actuai cost thus incurred were provided for by the province .

11. — Another charge which Her Majesty's Government would also expect that the province should takc upon itself as part of the above arrangement, is that of maintaining the canals now in charge of the Ordnance Department, You are awarc that thèse canals were executed at the sole expense of this country and at a very heavy cost, chiefly with a view to the military defence of the province. Her Majesty's Government conceive that the charge of maintaining them ouglit now to be undertaken by the province, and I trust that no difficulty will arise on that head. With regard to the Indian Department, as by the arrangements lately made, the extinction of the charge (except so far as regards some payments for their lives to individuals) is provided for within five years, no further steps are required to be taken.

12. — In conclusion, I bave 7iow only to assure you that - • whilc Her Majesty's Government consider that justice to the people of this country requires that Canada, which is now so well able to support whatever establishments are necessary for her own defence and for her own advantage, shouid ceasc to occasion so heavy a charge as formerly to the British Treas-ury, ami that it is a fitting opportunity for introducing the change when, in conséquence of proceedings which hâve taken place In the province, it becomes expédient to call upon Parlianient to provide for the salary of the Gavernor- General — it must not for a montent be supposed that thèse mcasurcs arc contetnplated under any idea that the connexion between the mother-country and the colony could be dissolved without great injury to both, or that there is any probability that it will be so. On the contrary, thèse measures are regarded as safe, becausc Her Majesty's Government are persuaded that the great body of the pcopJe of Canada are so fully satisfied of the great benefits they enjoy from the system of Constitutional Government now happily established in the province under the authority of the British Crown, that it may properly be left to themselves to take their share of the burthen of maintaining and defendinu an order of things from which they reap so much advantage. Under "this impression, and in the earnest hope and confident belief that Canada may long continue to form an important member of the British Empire, Her Majesty's Government hâve adopted the conclusions which I have now cxplaincd to you.