MR. CARDWELL TO LORD MONCK
(Copy, Canada, No. 14.) Downing Street, 21st January, 1865.
My Lord.—-Her Majesty's Governement are unwilling, under the present cireumstances, to press upon the Governement of Canada any decision which can with prudence be postponed upon a subject of so much importance to the future welfare of the British North American Provinces, as the subject of the defence of Canada. They are sensible of the considerations which render it expedient to wait for such a decision, until some further progress shall have been made in the discussion of the proposal for the Union of those Provinces, and until it shall have been ascertained whether the question is to be considered by the Ministers of the United British North American Provinces, or by the Ministers of Canada alone.
But without anticipating that any causes of difference are likely to disturb our present frierdly relations with the Governement of the Unuited States, they think it necessary tu bear in mind the vast accession which has recently been made, and still continues to be made, to the military forces of that powerful country. They cannot forget the very small proportion which the numerical strength of British troops, on the North 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 repronch against the British Governement if those troops were suffered to remain in a position which, on the outbreak of war, they might not be able to hold until the military and naval resources of the Country could be made avaïlable for their support.
These considerations seem to Mer Majestys Government to render it absolutely necessary that the defenr.s of Quebec should be materially strengthened and without delay. They intend, therefore, on their cwn part, to include in the Estimates of the present year a vote for Improving the defences of Quebec.
The proposed defences nt Montreal are s0 important to the general safety of the Provinee, and to the maintenance of the communications between the Districts West of Montreal, and the naval and military power of the Mother Country, that Her Majesty's Government trust that they may look with confidence to the Government of Canada for the immediate construction of these Works.
Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to provide the armaments for the Works at Montreal as well as those at Quebec,
L'have, &c., (Signed,) EDWARD CARDWELL.
Délégation à Londres—Arrêté ministériel (2)
Cepy ef a Report ef a Committee of the Honorable the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, approved by His Excelleney the Governor General on the 2t:h March, 1865.
The Committee respectfully recommend that four Members of Your Excellency's Council do proceed to England to confer with Her Majesty's Government :
1st. Upon the proposed Confederation of the British North American Provinces, and the means whereby it can be most speedily effected.
2nd. Upon the arrangements necessary for the Defence of Canada, in the event o! war arising vith the United States, and the extent to which the same should be sharci between Great Britain and Canada.
3rd. Upon the steps to be taken with reference 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 Territory and Hudson Bay Company's claims
5th. And, generally, upon the existing critical state of affairs by which Canada is most seriously affected.
The Committee further recommend that the following Members of Couneil be name to form the Delegation, viz : Messrs. Macdonald, Cartier, Brown and Galt.
Certified, WM. H. LEE, C. E. C.
(1) Sessional Pupers, 1868, No 63, page 11, (2) Sessional Papers, 1868, No 63, page 12.
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Dépêche de M. Cardwell à Lord Monck (1)
Cepy ef à Despateh from the Right Honerable Edward CARDWELL MP. te Geverner General Viscount MONCK.
(No. 95.) Downing Street, 17th June, 1865.
My Lord, — 1 have the honour to inform your Lordship that several conferences have 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 Grey, Mr. Gladstone, and myself, on the part of Her Majesty's Governement.
On the first subject referred to in the Minute, that of the Confederation of the British North American Provinces, we repeated on the part of the Cabinet the assurances which had already been given of the determination of Her Majesty's Government to use every proper means of influence to carry into effect without delay the proposed Confederation.
On the second point, we entered into a full conskleration of the important subjeet of the defence of Canada, not with any apprehension on either side than the 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 depend upon its own strength and the due application of its own resources. We reminded the Canadian Ministers that on the part of the Imperial Government we had obtained a vote of money for improving the fortifications of Quebee. We assured them that so soon as that vote had been obtained the necessary instructions had been sent out for the immediate execution 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 Montreal.
The Canadian Ministers, in reply, expressed unreservedly the desire of Canada to devote her whole resources, both in men and money, for the maintenance of her conuection with the Mother Country ; and their full belief in the readiness of the Canadian Parliament to make known that determination in the most authentie manner. They said they had increased the expenditure for their Militia from 300,000 to 1,000,000 dollars, and would agree to train that force to the satisfaction of the Secreary of State for War, provided the cost did not exceed the last mentioned sum annually, while the question of confederation is pending, They said they were unwilling to separate the question of the works at Montreal from the question of the works west of that place, and from the question of a naval armament on Lake Ontario. That the execution of the whole of these works would render it necessary for them to have recourse to a loan, which could only be raised with the guarantee 0° the Imperial Parliament. They were ready to propose to their Legisiature on their return a measure for this purpose, provided that the guarantee of the Imperial Parliament were given now, and that they were authorized to communicate to the Parliament of Canada the assurance that, the occasion arising, England will have prepared an adequate 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 desirable that the question of defensive works should await the decision of the Government and Legislature of the United Provinces.
On the part of Her Majesty's Government we assented to the reasonableness of the proposal that If the Province undertook the primary liabHity for the works of defence mentioned in the letter of Lieutenant-Colonel Jervois, and showed à 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 desire and decision of the Provincial Legisature ought to be pronounced hefore any application was made to the Imperial Parliament. On the subject of a Naval Force for Lake ntarlio, we said that, apart from any ques tion 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 93, ge 16. Accounts and Papers, 1885, Val. NXXVIE, page 497, ” =
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of armed vessels on the Lakes in time of peace. In case of war it would, «as a matter œ course, be the duty of any Government in this country to apply its means of Naval
would not permit itself to be found in such à position as to be unable to discharge its duty in this respect. This was the only assurance the Canadian Ministers could expect, or we could give. ï
a review of the whole matter, the Canadian Ministers reverted to the proposal which has been mentioned above, that priority in point of time should be given of the Provinces. To this we, on the part of Her Majesty's Go- In conformity, however, with a wis strongly expressed by the we further said, that if, upon future consideration, the Canadian Government should desire to anticipäte the Confederation, and to propose that Canada should execute the works, they would doubtless communicate to Her Majesty's Government that decision; and we trusted that after what had passed in these con ferences they would feel assured that any such communication would be received by us in the most friendly spirit,
On the third point, the Reciprocity Treaty, the Canadian Ministers represented the great 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 the subject. We replied that Sir F. Bruce had already received instructions to negotiate 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-western Territory, the Canadian Ministers desired that that Territory should be made over to Canada, and undertook to negotiate with the Hudson’s Bay Company for the termination of their rights, on condition that the inderanity, if any, should be paid by a loan to be raised by Canada under the Imperial guarantee. With the sanction of the Cabinet we assented to this proposal, undertaking that if the negotiation should be successful, we on the pert of the Crown being satisfied that the amount of the indemnity was reasonable, and the security sufficient, would apply to the Imperial Parliament to sanction the arrangement and to guarantee the amount.
On the last point, it seemed suffictent that Her Majesty's Government should accept the assurances given by the Canadian Minist-rs on the part of Canada, that that Province is ready to devote all her resources both in men and money to the maintenance to the Confederation of the Provinces. To ‘his we, on the part of Her Majesty's Go- Imperial Government fully acknowledged the reciprocal obligation of defending every -bortion of the Empire with all the resources at its command.
The Canadian Ministers in <onclusion said, that they hoped it would be understood that the present communications did not in any way affect or alter the correspondence which had already passed between the Imperial Government and the Governments of the British North American Provinces on the subject of the Intercolonial Railway. To this we entirely agreed.
L have, &e., (Signed,) EDWARD CARDWELL.
Governor General, Viscount Monck, &c., &c.
Dépêche de M. Cardwell aux gouverneurs des Provinces Maritimes (1)
D sector CARDIEEL «0 De Lisetnont Grvmaus et How Brussel: Hivve Buste, Prince Edward Island, and the Governer of Newfoundland.
E Downing Street, 24th June, 1805.
Sir, — I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a correspondence between Viscount Monek and myself, on the affairs of British North America, which have lately
(Copy.)
{1} Sessionai Papers, 1868, No 63, page 16.
tely
formed the subject of Conferences between Her Majesty’s Government and a Deputation from the Canadian Government,
Presented to both Houses of the Imperial Parliament, by command of Her Majesty, 1 Legislature of New Brunswick, [Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundiand}, at its next meeting.
You will at the same time express the strong and deliberate opinion of Her Majesty's Govertiment, that it is an object
h connection, and of love for British Institutions, by which all the Provinces are animated alike, Her Majesty’s
combined under one Government. Sueh an union seems to Her Majesty’s Government t
ge, as giving a well founded prospect of improved administration and increased Prosberity. But there is one consideration which Her Majesty’s Government feel it more €specially their duty to Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. Looking to the determination which this country has ever exhibit the
à 4 sources of the whole,
I am aware that this project, accepted in New Brunswick
ed to confer upon them 11 I have, &e., (Signed,) EDWARD CARDWELI.
Rapport des Délégués Canadiens (1) (Extraits)
To His Excelleney the Right Honorable Viscount MONCXK,
North America, &e., &e, May it please Your Excelleney—
Governor General ef British
The undersigned baving, by Order of Council of 2fth March a Committee of the Executive Council of Canada
England fn April last ; and having discharged the duty intrusted to returned t Excelleney’s information, a statement of
e nees under which this mission became necessary are doubtless fresh in Your Excellency”s recollection, For 4 considerable time past, in view of the Cr
(1) Sessional Papers, 1868, No 63, page 12 et suiv.
+de re
