MR. CARDWELL TO LORD MONCK

(Copy, Canada, No. 11.) Downing Street, 21st January, 18C5.

My Lord. — Her Majesty's Governement are unwilling, undcr thc présent circunistances, to press upon the Govcrncmcnt of Canada any décision which can with prudence be postponed upon a subject of so much importance to thc future welfare of the British North American Provinces, as the subject of Ihe defencc of Canada. They are sensible of thc considérations which render it expédient to wait for such a décision, until some further progress shall hâve been made in the discussion of thc proposai for the Union of thosc Provinces, and until it shall bave been ascertaincd whether the question is to be considered by thc Ministers of the United British North American Provinces, or by the Ministers of Canada alonc.

But without anticipating that any causes of différence arc likely to disturb our présent frieruly relations with the Governement of the United States, they think it necessary to bcar in mind thc vast accession which has recently been made, and still continues to be made, to the niilitary forces of that powerful country. They cannot forgrt the very small proportion which the numerical strength of British troops, on the Xorth American Continent bears to the force which might at any moment be brought into the field aginst them. It would be a cause of just reproach against the British Governement if those troops were suffered to remain in a position which, on thc outbreak of war, they might not be ablc to hold until the niilitary and naval resourecs of the Country could be made available for their support.

Thc.;e consul, rations seem to Her Majesty's Government to render it absolutely necessary that the defi-nr«s of Québec should be materially strengthencd and without ■ It-lay. They Intcnd, 'ht -refurr, on their own part, to include la the Estimâtes of the presrnt year a vote for improving the defenecs of Québec.

The proposed defences at Montréal are so important to the gênerai safety of the Province, and to the maintenance of the communications between the Districts West of Montréal, and the naval and niilitary power of the Mothcr Country, that Her Majesty's Government trust Uiat they may look with confidence to the Government of Canada for the immédiate construction of thèse Works.

Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to provide the armaments for the Works at Montréal as well as those at Québec.

I hâve, &c, (Signcd.) EDWARD CARDWELL.

Délégation à Londres — Arrêté ministériel (2)

Copy of a Report of a Committee of the Honorable the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. approved by His Excellency the Governor General on the 24th March, 1865.

The Committee respectfully recommend that four Members of Your Excellency's Council do procecd to England to confir with Her Majesty's Government :

lst. Upon the proposed Confédération of the British North American Provinces, and the nican.s whereby it can be niost speedily effected.

2nd. Upon the arrangements necessary for the Dcfence of Canada, in the event of war arising vith the United States, and the extent to which thc samc should be shared between Great Britaiu and Canada.

3rd. Upon the steps to be taken with référence to the Reciprocity Treaty, and the rights conferred by it upon the United States.

4th. Upon the arrangements necessary for the settlement of the North-West Tcrritory and Hudson Bay Company's claims

5th. And, gencrally, upon the existing critical state of affairs by which Canada is most seriously affected.

The Committee further recommend that the following Members of Council be named to form the Délégation, viz : Messrs. Macdonald, Cartier, Brown and Galt.

Certificd, \VM. H. LEE, C. E, C.

(1) Sessional Papers, 1868, No 63, page 11.

(2) Sessional Papers, 1868, No 63, page 12.

Dépêche de M. Cardwell à Lord Monck (x)

Copy of a Despatch from the Right Honorable Edward CARDWELL M.P., to Governor

General Viscount MONCK.

i.No. 95.) Downing Street, 17th June, 1865.

My Lord, — I hâve the honour to inform your Lordship that several conférences hâve been held between the four Canadian Ministers who were deputed, under the Minute of your Executive Council of March 24th, to proceed to England to confer with Her Majesty's Government, on the part of Canada, and the Duke of Somerset, the Earl de (irey, Mr. Gladstone, and myself, on the part of Her Majesty's Governement.

On the first subject referred to in the Minute, that of the Confédération of the British North American Provinces, we repeatcd on the part of the Cabinet the assurances which had already been given of the détermination of Her Majesty's Government to use every proper means of influence to carry into effect without delay the proposed Confédération.

On the second point, we entered into a full considération of the important subject of the defence of Canada, not with any appréhension on either side than the friendly relations now happily subsisting between this country and the United States are likely to be disturbed, but impressed with the conviction that the safety of the Empire from possible attack ought to dépend upon its own strength and the duc application of its own resources. We reminded the Canadian Ministers that on the part of the Impérial Government we had obtained a vote of money for improving the fortifications of Quebec. We assured them that so soon as that vote had been obtained the necessary instructions had been sent out for the immédiate exécution of the works, which "would be prosecuted with despatch ; and we reminded them of the suggestion Her Majesty's Government had made to them to proceed with the fortifications of Montréal.

The Canadian Ministers, in reply, expressed unreservedly the désire of Canada to dévote her whole resources, both in men and money, for the maintenance of her connection with the Mother Country ; and their full belief in the readiness of the Canadian Parliament to make known that détermination in the most authentic manner. They said they had increased the expenditure for their Militia from 300,000 to 1,000,000 dollars, and would agrée to train that force to the satisfaction of the Secreary of State for War, provided the cost did not excecd the last mentioned sum annually, while the question of confédération is pending. They said they were unwilling to separate the question of the works at Montréal from the question of the works west of that place, and from the question of a naval armament on Lakc Ontario. That the exécution of the whole of thèse works would render it necessary for them to hâve recourse to a loan, which could only be raised with the guarantee o" the Impérial Parliament. They were ready to propose to their Législature on their return a measure for this purpose, provided that the guarantee of the Impérial Parliament were given now, and that they were authorized to communicate to the Parliament of Canada the assurance that, the occasion arising, England will hâve prepared an adéquate naval force for Lake Ontario. They thought that if the guarantee were not obtained now it was probable that the Canadian Government and Parliament would think it désirable that the question of défensive works should await the décision of the Government and Législature of the United Provinces.

On the part of Her Majesty's Government we assented to the reasonableness of the proposai that if the Province undertook the primary liability for the works of defence mentioned in the letter of Lieutenant-Colonel Jervois, and sliowed a sufficient security, Her Majesty's Government should apply to Parliament for a guarantee for the amount required ; and we said that Her Majesty's Government would furnish the armaments for the works. But we said that the désire and décision of the Provincial Législature ought to be pronounced before any application was made to the Impérial Parliament. On the subject of a Naval Force for Lake Ontario, we said that, apart from any question of expediency, the convention subsisting between this country and the United States rendered it impossible for either nation to place more than the specified number

(1) Sessional Papers, 1868, No 63, page 16. — Accounts and Papers, 1865, Vol. XXXVII, page 437.

of armcd vessels on thc Lakes in time of pcacc. In case of war it would, as a matter of course, be the duty of any Government in this country to apply its means of Naval Defence according to the judgment it iniglit form upon thc cxigcncies of each particular timo, and the Canadian Ministers might be assured that Her Majesty's Government would not permit itself to be found In such a position as to be unable to discharge its duty in this respect. This ni the only assurance the Canadian Ministers could expect, or we could give.

Uupon a review of the whole matter, the Canadian Ministers reverted to the proposai which lias been mentioned above, that priority in point of time should be given to thc Confédération of the Provinces. To this we, on the part of Her Majesty's Government, asssented. In conformity, however, with a wish strongly expressed by the Canadian Ministers, we further said, that if, upon future considération, the Canadian Government should désire to anticipate the Confédération, and to propose that Canada should exécute the works, they would doubtless communicate to Her Majesty's Government that décision; and we trusted that after what had passed in thèse con ferences they would feel assured that any such communication would be received by us in thc most friendly spirit.

On the third point, the Reciprocity Treaty, the Canadian Ministers represented the «re.it importance to Canada of the renewal of that treaty, and requested that Sir F. Bruce might be put in communication with the Government of Lord Monck upon thc subject. We replied that Sir F. Bruce had already received instructions to negatiate for a renewal of the Treaty, and to act in concert with the Government of Canada.

On the fourth point, the subject of the North-westcrn Territory, the Canadian Ministers desired that that Territory should be made over to Canada, and undertook to tiegotiate with the Hudspn's Bay Company for the termination of their rights, on condition that the indemnity, if any, should be paid by a loan to be raised by Canada under the Impérial guarantee. With the sanction of the Cabinet we assented to this proposai, undertaking that if the negotiation should be successful, we on the part of the Crown being satisfied that the amount of the indemnity was reasonable, and the security s-ufficient, would apply to the Impérial Parliament to sanction the arrangement and to guarantee the amount.

On thc last point, It seemed sufficient that Her Majesty's Government should aocept the assurances given by the Canadian Ministers on the part of Canada, that that Province is ready to dévote ail lier resources both in men and money to the maintenance to the Confédération of the Provinces. To *his we, on the part of Her Majesty's Go- Imperial Government fully acknowledged the reciprocal obligation of defending every portion of thc Empire with ail the resources at its command.

The Canadian Ministers in conclusion said, that they hoped it would be understood that the présent communications did not in any way affect or alter the correspondence whlch had already passed between the Impérial Government and the Governments of the British North American Provinces on the subject of the Intercolonial Railway. To this we entirely agreed.

I hâve, &c,

(Signed.) EDWARD CARDWELL.

Governor General,

Viscount Monck, &c, &c.

Dépêche de M. Cardwell aux gouverneurs des Provinces Maritimes (*)

Mr. Secretary CARDWELL to the Lieutenant Governors of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,

Prince Edward Island. and the Governor of Newfoundland. (Copy.)

Downing Street, 24th June, 1865.

•Sir, — I bave the honor to transmit to you the copy of a correspondence between Viscount Monck and myself, on the affairs of British North America, which hâve lately

(1) Sesslonal Papers, 1868, No 63, page 18.

formed the subject of Conférences between Hcr Majesty's Government and a Deputation from the Canadian Government.

Tliis correspondence baving been presented to both Houses of the Impérial Parliament, by command of Her Majesty, I hâve to direct you to communicate it also to the Législature of New Brunswick, [Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland]r at its next meeting.

You will at the same time express the strong and deliberate opinion of Her Majesty's <iovrriiment, that it is an object much to be desired, that ail the British North American Colonies should agrée to unité in one Government. In the territorial extent of Canada, and in the maritime and commercial enterprise of the Lower Provinces, Her Majesty's Government see the éléments of power which only require to be combined in order to secure for the Province which shall possess them ail, a place among the most considérable communities of the world. In the spirit of loyalty to the British Crown, of attachment to British connection, and of love for British Institutions, by which ail the Provinces are animated alike, Her Majesty's Government recognize the bond by which ail may be combined under one Government. Such an union seems to Her Majesty's Government to recommend itself *o the Provinces, on many grounds of moral and material advantage, as giving a well founded prospect of improved administration and increased prosperity. But there is one considération which Her Majesty's Government feel it more especially their duty to press upon the Législatures of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. Looking to the détermination which this country has ever exhibited to regard the defence of the Colonies as a matter of Impérial concern, the Colonies must recognize a right and even acknowledge an obligation incumbent on the Home Government to urge with earnestness and just authority the measures which they consider to be most expédient on the part of the Colonies with a view to their own defence. Nor can it be doubtful that the Provinces of British North America are incapable, when separate and divided from each other, of making those just and sufficient préparations for national defence, which would be casily undertaken by a Province uniting in itself ail the population and ail the resources of the whole.

I am aware that this project, so novel as well as so important, has not been at once accepted in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island with that cordiality which has merked its acceptance by the Législature of Canada, but Her Majesty's Government trust, that after a full and careful examination of the subject in ail its bearings, the Maritime Provinces wili perceive the great advantages which in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government the proposed Union is calculated to confer upon them ail.

I hâve, &c, (Signed.) EDWARD CARDWELL

Rapport des Délégués Canadiens (*)

. (Extraits)

To His Excellency the Right Honorable Viscount MONCK, Govemor General of British

North America, &e., &c.

May it please Your Excellency —

The undersigned having, by Order of Council of 24 th March, 1865, been appointed a Committee of the Executive Council of Canada to proceed to England and confer witb Her Majesty's Government on certain subjects of importance to the Province, sailed foi England in April last ; and having discharged the duty intrusted to them and returned to Canada, we now beg to submit, for Your Excellency's information, a statement of our proceedings while in London.

The circumstances under which this mission became necessary are doubtless fresh in Your Excellency's recollection. For a considérable time past, in view of the Civil

(1) Sessional Papers, 1868, No 63, page 12 et suiv.

War going on in the United States, and the impessibility of anticipating what international questions might at any moment arise, Her Majesty's Government felt it their duty from time to time to direct the attention of the Government of Canada to the insecure position of the Province in the event of disturbed relations unhappily resulting, ;md to urge the adoption of protective mtuures. In thèse communications it was not concealed that Her Majesty's Government expected the people of Canada to assume more onerous military duties than they had previoualy borne. Your Excellency's Advisers werc ahvays prepared f rankly to consider thèse proposais, and to submit for the approval of Parliament such measures as might bc found just and reasonable. But they felt at the samc time that to secure the hearty assent of Parliament and the country for any important changes in the military relations between the Parent State and the Colony, an explanation on the whole subject should first be had, so that a clear nnder- Mtanding as to the ahare of defence to be borne by each might be arrived at, and ail «round of irritating and hurtful reproach for allcgcd neglect of duty by the Colony, entirely removed. In view also of the anticipated early union of ail the British North American Colonies — so well calculated to simplify the System of defence — the Government of Canada deemed it highly désirable that the seulement of this important question should be resorved for the action of the Government and Législature of the new Confédération. Her Majesty's Government concurred in thèse views.

In the early part of this year, however, events occurred that changed the situation of affairs. The conférence at Fortress Munroe for the cessation of hostilities, the disturbances on the Canadian frontier, the imposition of the Passport System, the notice given hy the American Government for a termination of the convention restricting the Naval Armament on the Lakes and other events tended to revive and deepen the feeling of insecurity ; and Her Majesty's Government urged the immédiate érection of permanent works of defence at Québec and Montréal — the cost of the former to be borne by the Impérial Treasnry, and of the latter by the people of Canada. Your Excellency's Advisers were most anxious to meet the wishes of Her Majesty's Government, but they could not feel It their duty to propose to Parliament a vote for défensive works at Montréal while the defence of Upper Canada, on land and on the lakes, was unprovidcd for. The position of affairs was further complicated by the resuit of the New Brunswick élections, which postppned at least for a time, the union of the Provinces — and by the formai notice given by the American Government for the termination, in March next, of the Beciprocity Treaty. It became évident that the time had arrived and could no longer be postponed, for a full and frank explanation with Her Majesty's Government on the whole state of affairs; and with that view an immédiate mission to England, with Your Excellency's assent, was resolvcd upon. The state of the case was forthwith communicated to the Législative Council and Assembly, which were then in session : :md Parliament was shortly after prorogued on the understanding that it would be summoned to learn the resUlt of the negotiations and complète the business of the Session, so soon as the delegates returned from Great Britain.

On arriving in England we lost no time in placing ourselves in communication with Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies ; and a Committee of the Impérial Cabinet, consisting of His Grâce the Duke of Somerset, the Bight Honorable the Earl De Grey and Bipon, the Bight Honorable Wm. L. Gladstone, and the Bight Honorable Edward Cardwell, having been appointed to confer with us, negotiations were opened and continued at fréquent interviews, up to the close of our mission.

The subject to which we first invited the attention of the Conférence was the proposed Confédération of the British North American Colonies. \Ve reminded the Impérial Ministers how largely ail the questions, with the discussion of which we werc charged — and especially those of defence, foreign Commercial relations, and internai communication — would be affected by the Union, and how greatly their satisfactory settlement would be facilitated by it. We explained the reasons that existed for obtaining the assent of ail the Colonies to the Union at an early date, and the promise to which the Government of Canada stood pledged to proceed without delay with Constitutional reforins for Canada alone, in the event of the larger measure failing to be obtained. We received at once from the Members of the Impérial Cabinet assurances of their hearty approval of the Confédération scheme, and of their anxious désire to promote its early acconvplishment, by ail the légitimât)» influence of the Impérial Government. In the discussion of the means to be adopted for effecting Confédération, we trust it is unnecessary to «?sure Your Excellency that the idea of coercing the Maritime Provinces into

the measure. was not for a moment entertained. The end sought was to ascertaiu in what manner the question of Union in ail its bearings, could be best brought under the full and fair considération of our fellow Colonists, and the grave responsibility urged upon them. which they would assume by thwarting a. measure so pregnant with future prosperity to British America, so anxiously desired by the great mass of the people to be affected by it, and which had been received with such marked satisfaction by our fellow subjects throughout the British Empire. We received assurances that Her Mar jesty's Government would adopt every legitimate means for securing the early assent of the Maritime Provinces to the Union. In the course of thèse discussions, the question of the Intercolonial Bailway came up as a necessary accompaniment of Confédération, when we sought and obtained a renewal of the promised Impérial guarantee of a loan for the construction of that work.

The important question of the future military relations between thcMother Country and Canada received earnest and grave considération. Before entering on the discussion of détails, wc referred to the récent debates in the Impérial Parliament on the subject of Canadian Uefences, and especially to the assertions confidently made by certain members of the House of Commons that Canada was incapable of efficient protection against invasion from her inland border. We cxplained the injury such statements tended to produce and the necessity of our ascertaining, as a preliminary step to our discussions, whether or not they were well founded. We asked that a Bepori on the whole subject of the defence of Canada, with plans and estimâtes, might be obtained from the highest Military and Naval authorities of Great Britain. Such a Report was obtained and communicated to us confidentially — and we rejoice to say that it was calculated to remove ail doubt as to the security of our Country, so long as the hearts of our people remain firmly attached to the British Flag, and the power of England is wielded in our defence.

On the part of Canada we expressed the désire that this plan for the defence of ail parts of the Province should be taken as the basis of arrangement ; and that a full and candid discussion should be had as to the share of the cost that ought to be borne respectively by the Impérial and Provincial Exchequers. We expressed the earnest wish of the people of Canada to perpetuate the happy existing connection with Great Britain, and their entire willingness to contribute to the defence of the Empire their full quota, according to their ability, of men and money. But we pointed out that if war should ever unhappily arise between England and the United States, it could only be an Impérial war, on Impérial grounds — that our country alone would be exposed to the horrors of invasion — and that our exposed position, far from entailing on us unusual burdens, should on the contrary secure for us the spécial and gênerons considération of the Impérial Government. We cxplained, morever, that though Canada continued to progress steadily and rapidly, it was a vast country, sparsely populated — that the difficulties of first seulement were hardly yet overcome — that the profits of our annual industry were to be found not in floating wealth, but in the increased value of our farms and mines — and that, at this moment especially, from the failure of successive crops, the effects of the American civil war on our commercial relations, and the feeling of insecurity to our position (greatly aggravated by statements of the defencelessness of the country in the British Parliament and by portions of the British Press) *— Canada was laboring under a temporary but serious dépression. We pointed out that, while fully recognizing the necessity and prepared to provide for such a System of defence as would restore confidence in our future at home and abroad, the best ultimate defence for British America wat to be found in the increasc of her population as rapidly as possible, and the husbanding of our resources to that end ; and, without claiming it as a right, we ventured to suggest that by enabling us to thrôw open the north-western territories to free seulement, and by aiding us in enlarging our canals and prosecuting internai productive works, and by promoting an extensive plan of émigration from Europe into the unsettled portions of our domain — permanent security would be more quickly and surely and cconomically secured than by any other means. We did not fail to point out how this might be donc without cost or risk to the British Exchequer, and how greatly it would lighten the new burden of defence prepared to be assumed at a moment of dépression by the people of Canada.

Much discussion ensued on ail those points, and the resuit arrived at, was, that if th< people of Canada undortook the works of defence at and west of Montréal, and agreed to expend in training their militia, until the union of ail the Provinces was determined,

■ mi m not iess tlian is now cxpcndcd annually for that service, lier Majesty's Government would complète tiie fortifications at Québec, provide the wholc armament for ail the works, guarantec a loan for the sum necessary to construct the works undertaken by Canada, and in the event of war undertake the defenec of every portion of Canada, with ail the resources of the Empire.

The question having arisen as to the time and order in which those propositions thould be submitted for the approval of the Impérial and Provincial Législatures, it ■ppeared that no action could be taken upon them during the présent year ; and it was therefore deemed inexpedient to complicatc the Confédération question by changing the basis of the Quebee Conférence Resolutions, which might resuit from the présent adoption of thèse propositions. The further considération of the défensive works was accordingly deferred for the action of the Government and Législature of the proposed British North American Confédération — but the assurance of Her Majesty's Government was at the same time given, that if circumstances arose to render an application expédient by Canada alonc for the immédiate prosecution of the works of defence, such application would be reccived in the most frlendly splrit.

Les délégués relatent ensuite leurs négociations avec les autorités impériales au sujet du Tra'té de Réciprocité avec les Etats-Unis et de Vacqnisition des territoires de la Compagnie de la Baie d'Hudson.

The results of our communications with the Committee of Her Majesty's Government were piaced, by Mr. Cardwell, in the form of a despatch to Your Excellcncy ; that document bears date the 17th June, 1865, and bas already rcached Your Excclleiu-y'.s hands. It contains a correct statement of the resuit of the conférence (1).

Ailthough the subject was not specially referred to us, we did not fail to call the attention of the Colonial Minister to the anomalous position of foreigners who hâve tettled in Canada and become naturalized subjects under our Provincial Statutes. Mr. Cardwell at once admitted the hardship of the case, and stated that it was the désire of Her Majesty's Government to remedy it, and that with that view he had referred the subject to the Law Officers of the Crown for their opinion as to the best mode of doing go (2).

It wiU be gratifying to many devoted subjects of Her Majesty's throughout British America, whose fears hâve been excited by the language too often heard of late years, on the subject of Colonial Connection, that we received from Her Majesty's Mlnisters the assurance that the British Government acknowledgc the obligation of defending every portion of Canada with ail the resources at its command.

Such m brief is the outline of our communications with Her Majesty's Government, and we cannot conclude tliis Report without gratefully acknowledging the distinguished considération extended to us as the Représentatives of Canada, not only by the Mindsters with whom we were brought more directly In contact, but by many eminent personages with whom we had the honor of conferring on the object of our mission. To Mr. Cardwell we are especially indebted for unremitting kindness and attention. We are happy to beiieve that the rcsult of our vlsit to England has been to inspire more just views as to the position and feelings of the Canadian people, and to draw doser the ties that bave so long and so happily attached our Province to the Mother Country.