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 1 2 3 
 
 1 
 
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 6 
 
THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 
 
 PROPOSED INSTITUTION 
 
 OF 
 
 A JOINT COMMITTEE OE THE LEGISLATURES 
 AND GOVERNMENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE EMPIRE, 
 
 HAVING 
 
 PERIODICAL MEETINGS IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 TKUBNER & CO., PATEllNOSTOR ROW. 
 
 18G9. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
THE RIGHT HONOEABLE 
 
 W. E. GLADSTONE. 
 
 Sir — It is now eleven years since the annexed proposition, 
 in principle and in the leading details, was, after it had under- 
 gone long and most careful consideration, first published in the 
 form of a pamphlet. It was then submitted to the late Sir James 
 Stephen — than whom no man was better qualified to judge of 
 its merits — and he not only gave it his entire approbation, but 
 expressed his willingness to do every thing in his power to 
 realise it. It also received the cordial approbation of the late 
 Mr Haliburton, M.P. — himself a colonist — and of other emi- 
 nent men in high political positions. 
 
 The proposition, carefully revised, and, it is thought, con- 
 siderably improved on various points, is now republished. He- 
 cent events in relation to the Colonies seem to make such 
 republication desirable. There can be no doubt that the con- 
 nection of the mother country with the other parts of the 
 Empire is generally felt to be on a most unsatisfactory footing, 
 and there is a wide-spread desire foV a closer union between 
 them, if a proper basis can be devised. 
 
 The immediate cause of the former publication of the propo- 
 sition was the rebellion in India, to which reference was made 
 in the pamphlet once or twice, in order to enforce the argument. 
 That rebellion was overcome after much slaucfhter and ereat 
 expense. But, as a similar rebellion may sooner or later again 
 occur, unless completely effective steps be taken to prevent it, 
 
4 
 
 it has not been deemed expedient to expunge these references 
 in the present edition, for it is thought they still serve to give 
 point and force to the statements now to be submitted. 
 
 Much has been said by politicians and others about the nature 
 of the connection that ought to subsist between the mother 
 country and the Colonies. One extreme party seemed to main- 
 tain that the Colonies ought to be at once and entirely thrown 
 off to shift for themselves, so soon as they were able to do so. 
 Another extreme party seemed inclined to retain them in a con- 
 stant state of pupillage and dependence on the mother country. 
 There can, however, be little room for doubt that, as usual in 
 almost every case where extreme views are held, the middle 
 course is best. The mother country ought to act towards the 
 Colonies just as a kind, sensible father acts towards his children. 
 When children are young, they require the paternal support, 
 care, and protection. When grown up, they support and pro- 
 tect themselves. Nevertheless, the ftilher still rejoices in their 
 prosperity — still gives them his best counsel and advice — still 
 does them all the good he can, and aids them in every way that 
 may lie in his power — is delighted to see them often in the 
 paternal home, there to have family reunions and intercom- 
 munion — to hear all about their troubles and difficulties, their 
 welfare and prosperity — what they have done and what they 
 intend to do. The children reciprocate these feelings and de- 
 sires. All this is highly beneficial in its nature and effects. And 
 precisely the same sort of feelings and desires ought to animate 
 the mother country towards the Colonies; and the Colonies, if 
 so treated, will reciprocate with every kind of right feeling 
 towards the mother country. Can there possibly be any doubt 
 of the entire expediency, desirability, and advantage to all con- 
 cerned of such a course? 
 
 
 ■' 
 
, 
 
 
 To give effect to these views is essentially the aim of llie pro- 
 position contained in the annexed pages. And it humbly ap- 
 pears to me, and I therefore beg leave most respectfully to 
 represent to you, in your high position as the head of Her 
 Majesty's IVIinistry, that you could not engage in a work more 
 profitable to your Queen, your fellow-subjects in all parts of the 
 Empire, and to mankind at large — one more Christianising 
 or civilising — than in that of realising the proposition now sub- 
 mitted for your consideration and that of the public. To lead 
 the human race to take kind and comprehensive views of each 
 other is the best, if it be not the sole, way to exalt them in the scale 
 of humanity; and nodiing could be better calculated to gain this 
 end than to have men deputed from our Colonies and Depen- 
 dencies in every quarter of the globe to come and hold brotherly 
 communion with ourselves in Britain. You have already aided 
 in accomplishing several great and arduous works — some of 
 which were sometimes more easily accomplishetl than it was 
 originally expected they would be — but none will better repay 
 your labour — none will be looked back upon by future genera- 
 tions with greater pleasure — none will, it is believed, be more 
 easily accomplished when once it is begun — than die establish- 
 ment of a Joint Committee of the legislatures and govern- 
 ments of the different parts of the British Empire, for the pro- 
 motion of the common welfare by moral and intellectual means 
 purely and simply, having no legislative or taxative power over 
 the Empire or any of its parts — all as now proposed. 
 
 That the existence of such a body, instituted under proper 
 regulations, would be of the most material benefit to Great Bri- 
 tam, the Colonies, and die Dependencies, is, it is thought, a 
 matter so very clear that no lengthened statement or elaborate 
 arguments could make it any clearer. From its proposed con- 
 
6 
 
 slitution — from the mildj elevated, and uncontaminatiiig sphere 
 of its action — it would, it is believed, have, among its other bene- 
 fits, a most powerful tendency to take away narrowness, harsh- 
 ness, selfishness, and meanness of spirit, from all legislative and 
 governmental action throi'ghout the Empire; and, this being 
 the case, its influence would not be confined to the Empire alone 
 — it would exercise a most benign effect on the whole world. 
 
 The kind of body now proposed is, it is believed, exactly 
 adapted to the requirements of the Empire in the present day, 
 whatever else may be the case at some future period. To have 
 proposed a really imperial legislature — that is, a body formed 
 of members elected by the communities of the different parts of 
 the Empire, and having legislative and taxative powers — would 
 be found to be attended with the most insuperable difficulties in 
 every respect, and would, it is believed, not be listened to for a 
 moment by any of the communities in consequence of its im- 
 practicability. But wliile the proposed Joint Committee will, 
 on the one hand, confer all the benefits which it may be sup- 
 posed by some would flow from such a legislative body, it will 
 not, on the other hand, be attended with any of its numerous 
 and insuperable difficulties, nor indeed with any difficulties at 
 all, as will appear from the details of the proposition now to 
 be submitted. 
 
 It may perhaps, however, be asserted that, notwithstanding 
 all that has been said, there might be members of the Joint 
 Committee who would manifest such a narrow and intolerant 
 spirit — such a spirit of jealousy, contention, and strife — as possi- 
 bly to make the Committee less productive of good than might 
 be desirable. All bodies of men are of course liable to this 
 objection; but, if such individuals did occasionally get into the 
 Committee, they would never again find themselves in a less con- 
 
genial sphere. For, us the {rieat causes of intolerance, strife, 
 and contention are selfish ambition, pride, anJ self-coticeit, these 
 wretched sentiments would, in a body constituted like the pro- 
 posed Joint Committee — having no patronage, and no pecu- 
 niary or legislative power — with sittings comparatively short and 
 not very frequent — have no scope for action ; and as diose ani- 
 mated by such sentiments would have no objects presented by or 
 through the Committee which they would appreciate, or for 
 which they would care, they would have no desire to be elected 
 into its membership. Besides, the legislatures and governments 
 would take good care that such unqualified men should not be 
 elected. It may hence be most reasonably assumed that only 
 the best men of the empire — the most disinterested — die most 
 benevolent — the most intellectual — would be chosen as the mem- 
 bers of the Joint Committee; and can there be the slightest 
 doubt that the acts of such men must result in the promotion of 
 the welfare of all interested, and in making tlie Joint Com- 
 mittee a blessing to the various communities of the Empire and 
 to the world ? 
 
 The mooting in the communities and legislatures of the pro- 
 posed institution of the Joint Committee would in itself have a 
 most wholesome and enlarging effect. Individuals and commu- 
 nities are, if not exclusively, at least far too much, taken up with 
 what is selfish or sectional, out of which results great good, and 
 at the same time great evil. To increase the good and to 
 diminish the evil, they ought to be induced, by every judicious 
 and proper means, to take unselfish, unseclional, expanded 
 views. Could any better practical means be devised to attain 
 • this end than that of the institution of the Joint Committee? 
 Once realised, it would he found to be a source of constant 
 blessing, not merely through the great material benefits that 
 
8 
 
 would result from it, but also from the enlarged views, the 
 brotherly spirit, it would so strongly tend to induce in those 
 subject to its influence. As, however, the institution of the Joint 
 Committee would not gratify tV.J selfish or peculiar objects of 
 any class, sect, or party, now in Britain or the Empire, it is 
 scarcely to be expected that any class, sect, or party, will 
 demand its institution. But, in a matter like this, where the 
 common weal of all in the Empire is to be so clearly promoted, 
 it is the undoubted duty of the members of its various govern- 
 ments and legislatures themselves to take the initiative, and to 
 lead the way in the institution of the Committee. 
 
 Convinced of the great benefits that would flow from the 
 establishment of the Joint Committee, I must believe that the 
 day is rapidly approaching when it will form one of the in- 
 stitutions of the Empire; and this most desirable result will be 
 all the more speedily attained should you and your colleagues 
 in the ^Ministry see it to be your duty to bring about its estab- 
 lishment. The work of destruction, permit me to remark, is 
 sometimes necessary, but the work of construction is the more 
 noble. And most respectfully referring you to the annexed 
 pages, where the constitution of the proposed Joint Committee 
 will be found to be wrought out in considerable and, it is be- 
 lieved, workable detail, I beg leave, with all deference and 
 humility, to leave the matter in the hands of you and your col- 
 lea'^-ues, and also in the hands of the imperial and local legis- 
 latures and governments of the Empire, and in those of the 
 various communities whose welfare and interests are so greatly 
 involved. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most humble Ser- 
 vant, 
 
 Henry Kilgoue. 
 
 Edmhunjh, Qth September 1869. 
 
P 110 POSED INSTITUTION 
 
 OF 
 
 A JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATURES 
 AND GOVERNMENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE BllITISIl EMPIRE. 
 
 How is India to be governed? was, eleven years ago, the 
 •Treat question of the day, occasioned by the formidable, truly 
 ileplorable, and most expensive rebellion, which had then 
 broken out against our rule in that country. The importance 
 of a ri"-ht answer to this question was, and is, not to be over- 
 estimated, whether we regard our own honor, our Christianity, 
 our justice, patriotism, and liberality, on the one hand, or the 
 welfare of no fewer than one hundred and eighiy millions of 
 lunnan beings, on the other. 
 
 But the proposition we then and now beg to submit, as a 
 chief element in the right solution of the question, is not confined 
 to that subject alone, vast as it is; it also includes the higher 
 and much more extensi^ - object of promoting the unity and 
 prosperity of the whole British Empire, of which the parts are, 
 physically, so widely severed, and, politically, so very loosely 
 comiected. It is our clearest duty and highest interest to knit its 
 inhabitants more and more closely together, by taking the most 
 eifective steps for their recognition of the unity of the Empire, 
 and for the growth and diffusion amongst them of mutual know- 
 ledge, mutual justice, and mutual love, and for giving the fullest 
 effect, in practice, to these sentiments. This would have a much 
 stronger influence in binding together the British Empire, and 
 in unifying it, than would the most absolute decrees of an Em- 
 peror, or ukases of a Czar, backed by the most powerful armies. 
 And in order that the proposition now to be submitted for the 
 
10 
 
 attainment of these most desirable objects may be exhibited in 
 the most practical light, it has been thrown into the shape of 
 an Act of Parlianrient ; but it need scarcely be said that each 
 and all of the details are subject to every modification and ad- 
 dition which may be shewn to be expedient. 
 
 VYhereas the institution of a Joint Committee of the Lesisia- 
 tures and Governments of the various parts of the British 
 Empire, in the manner and for the objects after specified, 
 would greatly tend to unite, consolidate, and strengthen 
 the Empire, and promote its welfare and prosperity, Be 
 
 IT ENACTED, &C., 
 
 1. That a Joint Committee of the lefjislatun^s and govern- 
 ments of the various parts of the Empire shall be nominated 
 and convoked, and shall assemble, in the manner and for the 
 purposes after specified. 
 
 2. That the members of the Joint Committee to be nominated 
 by the Imperial Parliament shall be appointed by her IMajesty, 
 the Plouse of Lords, and the House of Commons, in the num- 
 bers and proportions specified in the Schedule hereunto an- 
 nexed ; and the members to be nominated by the local legisla- 
 tures of the Colonies and Dependencies shall be appointed by 
 her Majesty through the governors, and by the other divisions 
 of such legislatures, in the numbers and proportions specified in 
 such Schedule; and the members from the Colonics and Depen- 
 dencies without local legislatures shall be appointed by her 
 Majesty and the local governments, in the manner, numbers, 
 and proportions specified in such Schedule; and, in the last 
 case, it is recommended that such members shall be composed 
 of natives of tlie united kingdom, or their descendants, and of 
 natives of such Colonies and Dependencies, in the ratios speci- 
 fied in such Schedule ; but any departure from such ratios shall 
 not nullify the nomination of any member or members. 
 
 3. That the members of the Joint Committee to be nomi- 
 nated by the legislatures may or may not be mem.bers of such 
 
 *• 
 
u 
 
 h 
 
 V 
 
 legislatures ; and it is declared that it is highly expedient, as a 
 general rule, that the members from the Colonies and Depen- 
 dencies shall have been resident therein respectively for [three] 
 years prior to their nomination ; but any deviation from this rule 
 shall not nullify the nomination of any member or members. 
 
 4. That her Majesty shall appoint the Joint Committee to 
 assemble in the Palace of Parliament, in the City of West- 
 minster, or other suitable place in Great Britain, at a specified 
 time, in the year [18 7-], and shall thereafter convoke the same 
 [biennially], or oftener if occasion shall require; and, on every 
 occasion when the Joint Committee is so to be convoked, her 
 Majesty shall command a proclamation and convocation thereof 
 to be published in the London Gazette, and shall appoint her 
 portion of the members for nomination by the Imperial Parlia- 
 ment, and shall command intimation to be made to the Ilouse 
 of Lords, and to the House of Commons, to appoint their por- 
 tion of such members ; and shall also command writs to be issued 
 to the governors of the Colonies and Dependencies to take the 
 requisite steps for the nomination by the local legislatures of the 
 members falling to be nominated by them, and shall, through 
 the governors thereof, appoint her portion of such members ; 
 and shall also command writs to be issued nominatino: the mem- 
 bers from the Colonies and Dependencies without local legisla- 
 tures; and the power of dissolving the Joint Committee shall 
 be vested in her Majesty ; and her Majesty shall, on each 
 occasion of the assembling and dissolving of the Joint Connnit- 
 tee, open and dissolve the same in person, or by commission. 
 
 5. That, for the purpose of defraying the travelling and other 
 expenses of the members from the Colonies and Dependencies, 
 the Imperial Parliament shall make such allowances as it shall 
 think fit to the members from those places, for payment of which 
 the revenues of the United Kingdom, or those of the Colonies 
 and Dependencies directly under its control, shall be responsi- 
 ble; and the local legislatures shall make such allowances as 
 they shall think fit to the members nominated by them; and the 
 Supreme Council of India shall make such allov/ance as it shall 
 
12 
 
 think fit to tlie members from India, to be paid from the re- 
 venues of India ; but these allowances shall not, in any case 
 whatever, exceed the sum of [£300] ; and no allowance shall 
 be made to any member nominated by the Imperial Parliament. 
 
 6. That the paramount power and authority of the Imperial 
 Parliament, and the power and authority of the local legisla- 
 tures, shall remain whole and entire, in every respect, as these 
 now exist; and the Joint Committee shall not have any legisla- 
 tive or taxative power over the Empire, or any part thereof. 
 
 7. That the Joint Committee is established in order that 
 there may be a solemn, express, authoritative, and frequently- 
 recurring recognition, throughout the Empire, of its common 
 monarchy, and of the brotherhood and unity of interests of its 
 inhabitants, and for the strengthening of these sentiments and 
 promotion of these interests; and its chief duty, function, and 
 action shall be in accordance with, and for the carrying out of, 
 these objects ; and particularly in evincing, by all means in its 
 power, and on every occasion, the strongest desire for the wel- 
 flire and advancement of the Empire, and in the maintenance 
 and promotion of a good understanding and thorough fellow- 
 ship between and amongst its inhabitants; in its members mak- 
 ing known the progress and prospects, and the wants and 
 orievances, of imperial interest and concern, of those parts ot 
 the Empire from which they are deputed, and in conmumicat- 
 ing full, authentic, and reliable information regarding the same ; 
 in the removal, as far as may lie in its power, by information, 
 explanation, and conciliation, and by all other peaceful and 
 rational means, of all causes of misunderstanding and complaint 
 diat may happtin to arise between and among the various parts 
 of the Empire; in its devising measures and in considering 
 those that may be suggested or submitted to it, for the promo- 
 tion of the conunon weliare; and, where it shall see fit, in re- 
 porting any of these measures, with its views diereon, to the 
 imperial and local legislatures, for their considerauon, and, 
 should they see cause, for adoption. 
 
 f 
 
Schedule refeirecl to in the foregoing proposed Act, shewing 
 the Nmnbcr and Apportionment of the Members of the 
 Joint Committee. 
 
 20 
 
 EUROPE. 
 
 1. The United Kingdom. 
 
 TIic number of Members of tlio 
 Joint Committee to bo nominated 
 by the Imperial I'urliuuicut sliall 
 1)0 [say] .... 1 
 
 Whereof her Majesty shall ap- 
 point . . • .40 
 
 The House of Lords . . 40 
 
 Tlie House of Commons . . 40 
 
 120 
 •2. Man. 
 Tlirec Members, whereof Her Ma- 
 jesty shall appoint . . 1 
 The fynwald Court . . 2 
 
 — o 
 8. .Jersey. 
 Three, whereof her Majesty shall 
 appoint .... 1 
 
 The States .... 2 
 
 4. Guernse]!. 
 
 Two, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint • • . • 1 
 
 The States . • • • ^ ^ 
 
 5. Alder ney and Sark. 
 One, to be appointed by her Ma- 
 jesty, 1 
 
 (!. Malta and Gozo. 
 Two, wliereoi her Majesty shall ap- 
 point . . • • • ^ 
 The Legislative Couneil . . 1 
 
 ■^ O 
 
 • *■ 
 
 7. (,'ibrn/lar. 
 (.)ne, to be appointed by her Ma- 
 
 AMERICA. 
 North Aimerica. 
 1. Canada, or Quebec and Ontario. 
 Twelve, wlicroof her Majesty sliall 
 
 apponit 
 The Leoislative Council 
 The Legislative House 
 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 2. Xocn Scotia and Cape Breton. 
 
 Tliree, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint . . . . 1 
 
 The Council .... I 
 
 The House of Assembly . . 1 
 
 — 3 
 
 3. iXciv Brunswick. 
 Three, her Majesty shall ap- 
 point . . . . . 1 
 The Legislative Couneil . . 1 
 The House of Assembly . . 1 
 
 — 3 
 
 4. Prince Edward Island. 
 Tiiree. Her Majesty shall ap- 
 point ..... 1 
 The Legislative Council . . 1 
 The House of Assembly . . 1 
 
 — 3 
 
 5. Keirfovndland. 
 Three. Her Majesty shall ap- 
 point . . . . ■ 1 
 The Legislative Council . . 1 
 The House of Assembly . . 1 
 
 — 3 
 
 C. British Columbia and Van- 
 couver Island. 
 
 One, to be appointed by her Ma- 
 jesty, 
 
 West Indies. 
 
 1. Jamaica. 
 Throe. Her Majesty shall ap- 
 
 point 
 
 The Legislative Couneil, 
 The House of Assembly 
 
 12 
 
 2. The Windward Islands- 
 Bar badoes 
 St Vincent 
 Grenada 
 Tobago 
 St Lucia 
 7'riiiidad 
 
 Three, whereof her Majesty (through 
 the Covernors and Lieutcnant-Go- 
 
 f 
 
14 
 
 vernors of tho respective IsLiiids 
 in rotation) shall appoint . 1 
 The (.Jouncils, in rotation . . 1 
 The Houses of Assembly, in ro- 
 tation . . . . 1 
 
 _ 3 
 
 3. The Leeward Islands — 
 A)itif/ua 
 St Christophers 
 Alontserrat 
 Nevis 
 A nguilla 
 Dominica 
 Virgin Islands 
 Bahama Islands 
 Bermuda Islands 
 
 Three, whereof her Majesty (through 
 the Governors and Lieutenant-d'o- 
 vernors of the respective Islands 
 
 in rotation) shall appoint 
 The Councils, in rotation 
 Tiio Houses of Assembly, in ro- 
 tation . . . . , 
 
 South America. 
 1. Guiana. 
 Two, whereof her Majesty shall ap- 
 point ..... 1 
 The Court of Policy . . 1 
 
 2. Honduras. 
 
 Two, whereof her Majesty shall ap- 
 point . . . . .1 
 The Council . . . . 1 
 
 3. The Falkland Islands. 
 
 One, to be appointed by her Ma- 
 jesty, 1 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 1. Sierra Leone. 
 
 Two, whereof her Majesty sliall ap- 
 point . . . . . ] 
 The G overnor and Council . 1 
 
 2. O'ambia. 
 
 Two, whereof her Majesty sluill ap- 
 point ..... 1 
 
 The Governor and Legislative 
 Council .... 1 
 
 — 3 
 
 — 2 
 
 3. St Helena. 
 One, to be appointed by her Ma- 
 jesty .... 1 
 
 4. Ca])e of Good Hope. 
 
 Tiiree, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 a])point .... 1 
 
 Tlie Council . . . . 1 
 
 The House of Representatives 1 
 
 5. Natal. 
 
 Three, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint . ... I 
 
 The Council . . , . 1 
 
 The House of Repi'esentatives 1 
 
 6. J\Iauritius. 
 Two, whereof her Majesty shall ap- 
 point ..... 1 
 The Legislative Council . . 1 
 
 7. The Gold Coast. 
 
 Two, whereof her Alajesty shall ap- 
 point 1 
 
 Tlie Governor and Legislative 
 Council ... .1 
 
 ASIA. 
 
 1. Aden. 
 
 One, to be appointed by her Ma- 
 jesty 1 
 
 2. Cej/lon. 
 
 Six, whereof her Majesty shall ap- 
 point 2 
 
 The Executive Council . . 2 
 The Legislative Council . . 2 
 
 One-half shall be natives of the 
 United Kingdom, or their descend- 
 ants ; the otlier half natives of Cey- 
 lon. 
 
 3. India. 
 Thirty, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint . . . .16 
 The Supreme Council . , 8 
 Tiie Council of Madras . . 4 
 The Council of Bombay . . 2 
 
 — .SO 
 
 One-half shall be natives of the 
 United Kingdom, or tlieir descend- 
 ants ; the other lialf natives of In- 
 dia. 
 
 i 
 
15 
 
 i 
 
 30 
 
 4. Labuan. 
 Oho, to be appointed by her Ma- 
 jesty .... 1 
 
 5. Hong Kong. 
 Two, whereof her Miijesty shall ap- 
 point ..... I 
 Tlie Legislative Council . . 1 
 
 AUSTRALASIA. 
 
 1. New South Wales, 
 
 Three, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint .... 1 
 
 The Council .... 1 
 
 The House of Representatives 1 
 
 _ 3 
 
 2. Victoria. 
 
 Three, whereof her Majesty sliall 
 
 apjioiut . ... 1 
 
 The Council . . . . 1 
 
 The House of Representatives 1 
 
 — .3 
 
 3. South Australia, 
 Three, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint .... 1 
 
 The Council .... 1 
 The House of Representatives 1 
 
 4. West Australia, 
 One, to be nominated by her Ma- 
 jesty 
 
 Three, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint .... 1 
 
 The Council . . . . I 
 
 The House of Representatives 1 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 — 3 
 
 G. New Zealand. 
 
 Three, whereof her Majesty shall 
 
 appoint .... 1 
 
 The Council . . . . 1 
 
 The House of Representatives . 1 
 
 3 
 238 
 
 Such is the proposition for the forma'don of the Joint Com- 
 mittee in its principle and general details. Gathered from so 
 many regions of the earth, and elected by so many different 
 constituents, it would present the most varied, interesting, and 
 useful assembly the world ever saw. And, formed, as it would 
 be, of highly benevolent and intelligent men, having neither 
 place, power, nor patronage to content! about, its procedure 
 and deliberations would all tend to be harmonious, instructive, 
 refining, and elevated. 
 
 It may, however, be objected, in reference to these details, 
 that the members are not allocated in proportion to the popu- 
 lation of the different parts of the Empire. To d)is it is 
 answered, (1.) that exact arithmetical allocation is practically 
 unattainable, the population of the different parts of the Empire 
 beinii so very small in certain cases, and so extremely large in 
 others, and so irregular in number in all; (2.) it would occa- 
 sion great expense to have a large numb -r of members coming 
 from great distances; and (3, and chiefly), as the Joint Com- 
 mittee is not to be invested with any legislative or taxative 
 
16 
 
 power over the Empire, or any of its parts, exact arithmetical ac- 
 curacy in allocating the members is not at all essential, and other 
 important practical elements may be fully taken into account 
 in such allocation. A few well selected men of acute, intellec- 
 tual, benevolent, and expansive minds, would, in such a body 
 as that proposed, be of infinitely greater value than a great 
 number not possessed of these qualifications ; and, as the selec- 
 tion depends on the legislatures and governments, they would no 
 doubt discharge their duty in this respect properly and success- 
 fully, so as to obviate all objections, and leave nothing to be 
 desired. 
 
 It will also be observed, as to the allocation of the members, 
 that it is proposed that a large number should be nominated by 
 the Imperial Legislature. This, it is believed, will, on due con- 
 sideration, be assented to by all as expedient and proper — (1.) 
 with reference to the position of the Imperial Legislature in the 
 Empire ; and (2, and more particularly) because it is highly de- 
 sirable that a sufficiently large number of members should be 
 nominated by the Imperial Legislature to give full weight, cor- 
 diality, and effect to their reception and treatment of their fellow- 
 members from the other parts of the Empire, on their arrival and 
 while resident in the mother country. To attain this most im- 
 portant practical object, the British Members of Committee 
 ou'dit, it is submitted, to be at least equally numerous with 
 those coming from abroad. 
 
 A brief summary shall now be given of the reasons for, and 
 of the advantages which would result from, the institution of the 
 Joint Committee. 
 
 1. It could be easily established. 
 
 2. It would give the Empire a much higher organization 
 than it now possesses. 
 
 3. It would bind the Empire closely together. 
 
 4. It would place the Empire on the most durable of all bases 
 —the basis of mutual knowledge, justice, and goodwill. 
 
 5. For it would make its inhabitants take a much warmer in- 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
17 
 
 
 terest in each other than they now do, as being clearly recog- 
 nised to be members of the same great community. 
 
 6. And it would thus tend to expand, elevate, and beautify 
 their moral and intellectual natures and action. 
 
 7. It is suited to the advanced and advancing intelligence of 
 the times, and to their improved means of locomotion. 
 
 8. It carries out the safety-valve system of representative and 
 deliberative institutions, to which this country owes so much. 
 
 9. It is at once a liberal and conservative institution, as it is 
 not a supersession or rival of any of, but only an addition to, and 
 superstructure upon, the other institutions of the Empire. 
 
 10. Britain, as the mother country, head of the Empire, and 
 place of meeting of the Joint Committee, would occupy a still 
 higher position throughout the world than she has ever yet 
 done, high as that position has long been. 
 
 11. It would be a source of constant gratification to the 
 Colonies and Dependencies to be brought so closely into con- 
 nexion with the mother country. 
 
 12. It would greatly augment the moral influence of the Em- 
 pire, in and by the rectification of internal and external misun- 
 derstandings, in the promotion of improvements, and in all other 
 respects. 
 
 13. It would thus, it is believed, altogether do away with all 
 chance of internal war. 
 
 14. And it would greatly reduce, if not altogether do away, 
 with all chance of external war. 
 
 15. It would thus, in all probability, cause immense gain to 
 the Empire, but especially to Britain ; for past wars still cost 
 Britain nearly thirty millions per annum; and the expectation 
 of future wars cost upwards of twenty millions per annum, ex- 
 clusive of all the other evils inherent in and resulting from 
 war, as lately evinced in India. 
 
 16. It would have a most improving effect in every respect, 
 social and political, and particularly as regards agriculture, 
 manufactures, commerce, emigration, and public law. 
 
 17. Its meetings and published deliberations would be a 
 
 4 
 
18 
 
 source of instruction and gratification to tlie many millions con- 
 cerned. 
 
 18. It would contribute to good government everywhere in 
 tiie Empire, and also, indirectly, out of it; and it would tend 
 to hold all misgovernment strongly in check. 
 
 19. It would simplify the difficult question of the government 
 of India, checked most beneficially as that government would 
 be by the existence of the Joint Committee, formed partly of 
 the natives of India themselves, whose views and suggestions on 
 the subject of their own government would thus be obtained, 
 and taken into account by all concerned. 
 
 20. It would tend to mitigate, and ultimately to remove, all 
 narrow-minded prejudices of every sort, whether of caste, or 
 race, or creed. 
 
 21. As people are ultimately ruled and led by information and 
 reasoning, and high moral sentiment, and not by mere dicta- 
 torial legislation, the want of direct legislative power would not 
 impair the good effects of the Joint Committee in any respect, 
 while it would prevent the possibility, through hastiness, inad- 
 vertence, or mistake, of its doing any evil. 
 
 22. The Gospel of Christ would be exalted and enforced by 
 . the institution and existence of the Joint Committee and its 
 
 operations more than by thousands of sermons, and its mild and 
 loving precepts would be more and more appreciated and acted 
 upon. 
 
 23. All these advantages, great as they are, would not, at 
 least need not, cost Great Britain more than £3000 per annum, 
 and the expense to each of the Colonies and Dependencies would 
 be very little, depending entirely on the number of their repre- 
 sentatives; whereas the late rebellion in India alone has and 
 will cost far beyond £300,000 per annum in all time since and 
 to come. 
 
 24. Therefore, every true patriot, every true Christian, and 
 every lover of humanity, ought to rejoice in the prospect of the 
 institution of the Joint Committee, and ought strenuously to aid 
 in its accomplishment, as forming what would be one of the 
 
 i 
 
 <4 
 
19 
 
 i 
 
 greatest and most powerful instruments for the advancement of 
 civilization, and for the diffusion of its blessings over the whole 
 earth. 
 
 *-i 
 
 It must be unnecessary to enforce at further length these 
 numerous, solid, and sufficient reasons for the establishment of 
 tlie proposed Joint Committee; but it may be remarked, lest it 
 might be thought that the Committee would be troublesome 
 from the length of its sessions, that it is not supposed that 
 any of its sessions need, under any ordinary circumstances, last 
 longer than a month at farthest. 
 
 An official, subject to the superintendence of the Prime 
 Minister, or Secretary of State for the Colonies, could attend 
 to all the points of form in convening and conducting the meet- 
 ings of the Joint Committee, and could also act as its clerk. 
 
 A cry of impracticability, or of inutility, may be got up against 
 the proposition now submitted ; but as this is the approved way, 
 however pernicious it may be, in which every improvement, 
 especially if a great one, is received at first, it decides nothing. 
 
 Should Government and the Imperial Legislature take up 
 the matter, it is submitted that any proposed Bill on the sub- 
 ject should be transmitted to the local legislatures and govern- 
 ments for their views thereon, with special reference to their 
 respective interests.