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Defects of Uie present Union 4 The Remedies for existinpc evils considered -1 fJovcrnmcntal Difliculties of Inst Session 5 The (icogrnpliical Position of Canada 5 Tlie Cliarlottetown Conference .1 Tlie Qiicliec Conference f> The Territorj- of tlie Union 7 Tlic Trade and Tonnage of the Colonies 7 Tlie Clinractcr of the Proposed Union 7 Tiie Ministr>' to be responsible to Parliament 8 The Compo?ition of tlie Upper House The Composition of the Lower House .10 The Duration of the General Parliament 10 The Powers of the General Government lO TheXew Brunswick Export Duty on Timber 11 The Nova Scotia Export Duty on Coal, etc 11 I'lxcise Duties 11 The prospect of Union already improving our Credit 11 Postal Sen-ice and Public Works 1 1 The Militia 12 Currency and Commercial Questions 12 The Naturalization Laws 12 Criminal Laws and Courts of Appeal 12 Constitution of Local Governments 13 The School Laws in Lower Canada 14, 20 Hospitals, Prisons, etc 15 Municipal Institutions 15 Incorporation of Private Companies 15 The Control of Civil Law confided to the Local Legislatures 15 The Rights of both Races with respect to Language IG The Veto IG Tlie Financial Position of the Provinces 16 The Intercolonial Railway Question 17 Expenditure and Revenue of the Provinces 17 Tlic Tariff Question 19 The Position of British Lower Canadians ID Emigration and Lands 14, 20 Tlie Question of Electoral Limits 21 Incorporation of Religious Bodies 21 Advantages of the Union to Lower Canada 21 Conclusion 22 Statistical Tables . ..23 24 SPEECH 4 '1 5 5 n c 7 7 7 8 10 10 10 11 11 11 U 11 12 12 12 .. .12 13 14, 20 ... 15 ....15 ....15 ....15 . . . . IG ....16 ....16 ....17 ....17 ....19 ...19 14, 20 ...21 ...21 ...21 . . . 2'1 23 24 OW TIIK PROPOSED UNION Of TIffi BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES. INTRODUCTOBT rBOOEEDINGS. In accordance with an invitation from the Hon A. T. Oalt, Minister of Finance, to bis con- Btituents, a lart^e number of the latter assembled at the Gourt House in the Town of Sherbrooke, Nov. 23rd, 1864, to listen to saoh ezplana- tioDB as the Hon. gentleman deemed it proper to make in relation to the plan for the Confeder- ation of the British American Provinces at pre- sent under consideration. On motion of JAS. HBNBOKBR, Bbq., the Hon. BD. HALB was called to the Ghair. The GHAIRHAN returned them his thanks for cilling upon him to preeide on that occasion. He could snly say that he wished they had se- lected a more worthy man to fill the Ghair. Their representative, Hon. Mr. Oalt, had iQvited them to meet him on that occasion for purposes which he would explain to them. He— Mr. H.— thought they should all be grateful to the Hon. gentleman for giving them that opportunity of listening to him on the question on wbch he was about to speak, the only instance in which a meeting I'ad been called by a representative of the Grown for the purpose which brought them there that day. It was proper that his— Mr. H.'s*— words should be few on that occasion. The wires were then waiting to waft from one end of the country to the other that which Ihey would hear first. He need not tell them that this was a very important privilege, for whiph they were indebted to their Hon. friend, and he hoped that it would be properly recognized.— Gheers — Confident that they would on this occasion evince the same sound sense they ever had, he would call upon bia Honorable friend to addresa them. MR. GALT, who, on rising, was received with great applause, addressed the Ohairman and said the practice bad obtained in England of late years for the leading politicians and those charged with the administration of the Govern- ment to meet their constituents and the public during the recess of Parliament, and discuss with them the questions then occupying the public mind. He believed that great advantage had arisen from the practice of instructing the public with reference to the questions then be- fore it, from the fact that, when Parliament afterwards met, it had the intelligent ideas of the people brought to bear upon its delibera- tions. If ever there was an occasion upon which he might wish to address bis constituents, it was now, when they had before them a mea- sure calculated not merely to change their pre- sent position, but through that change to raise this country to a scale of greatness which we had longed for, but had not hitherto had the prospect of attaining That measure was one which had created a good deal of feeling in the mind of the people at large ; and, knowing that' to be the case, he was sure he was in the line of his duty in coming before them that day, nod endeavoring to give them some of the rea- sons why the measure of confederation for the British North American Provinces was now sub- mitted to the consideration of the people of Ca- nada. He might say that with reference to this particular Rubject be felt a double reiponilbility reatlnff upon him. He not only felt tbo respon- ■Ibility commou to all wbo represented consti- tuencies in Parliament, but he bad aleo upon him the responeibihty of acting aa the repre- ■entative of a class in Canada— of a minority i a Lower Canada— and of cndearorlog to see, in I be measures wbicn were proposed, tbat jus- tice was done totbem in common with all cias ■fs of the co'nmunity. No measure could poa< aibly meei the approval of the people of Canada which contained within it the germs «f in- justice to any ; and If, in tbe measure which was now before (be people of Canada, there was anything which bore on its face in- justice, it would operate greatly against tbe auoceas of tbe measuru itsdf. DEFSOTS OF TUB PKB3RNT UNION. He would ask tbe permission of tbe meet- ing for a few moments before entering on the plan of Coofjaeration, to recur to the events which bad rendered it neueaaary to bring before the people of Canada a measure for tbe altera- tion of iheir constitution. And with that view be might perhaps be allowed to refer briefly to tbe circumatancea under which tbe union of tbe two Canadas took place and the political action which had inken place under tbat union. (Hear bear.) Tbe Union of Canada was an act of Imperial policy not eougbt fur by tbe people of Lower Canada at all eventa. It was adopted by tbe Imperial Legislature with tbe view of re- medying difficulties which then existed between toe two Provinces. Tbe iubereUt defect iu tbe Imperial Act for the Union of the two Oanadaa WHS this : it attempted to combine tbe federal principle with unity of action It endeavoured to give equal representation to the two sections of tbe Province, while it brought them together for ihb purpose of dealing as oce with all sub- jects both (general and local, So long as tberj was no very great difference in tbe population of tbe two Canadas— 80 long as they contributed in somewhat equal proportion in the expendi- ture— tbe system worked well, but when tbe fertile lands of tbe Weat attracted emigration in greater numbers to Dpper than to Lower Canada ; wnen tie wealth and population of tbat section increased in a greater ratio than it did below, then tbe difficulties which were inherent in tbe Act of Union began to appear ; then began to rise tbe claim that in Upper Canada there was taxation without representation, while the resist- ance which was made from Lower Can- ada arose from the feeling that if increased representation was (;iven it would be not simply an interference with tbe mere repiesentation in Parliament, but would afieci tbe whole principle upon which tbe Union Act bad been bdsed. Consequently resistance waa offered, and had been systematically maint>iiaed to tUb claimsof Upper Canada. Those claims were in themselves undoubtedly founded in ju8tice->- but at tbe i ame time there was great reason in the otjections taken to them — they involved an inierferenoe with tbe Federal principle recog- nized in tbe Union Act, an interference which amounted to an entire change in the principles on wbiob the Government of tbe country was to be administered, and could not be received otherwise than with dread by a large class, if not by the whole of the populati >n of Lower Canada. (Hear.) Ho need not detain them by any reference to the political strufigles that had marked tbe last few years. It wap within theii' knowledge that tbe claims made by Upper Ca- nada, and the intense feeling evinced in Upper Canada with reference to these claims, were of such a character that they to a great extent debarred public man from joining the govern- ment of the country, because they were not able to pledge tbemelves to grant the demands of tbe Western section, /or that reason, many whose servi(;es would have been useful to the country had been rejected by the constituencies of Western Canada, and tbe Province bad been deprived of tbe services of men who under other circumstances would have been valuable members of its Bxecutive and ornaments to its legislative halls. Events, as they were aware, had ripened rapidly during t^ie last two or three years, and within the present year they bad seen tbe machine uf government a'most brought to a deadlock, tbe claims of Upper Canada repre- sented on the one hand by a very large majority and the resistance offered by Lower Canada re- pre ented on the other band by an tqually large majority from that Province— these two preat contending parties being so equally matched tbat tbe work of useful legislation for tbe coun- try came very near beiag absolutely stopped. Under these circumstances S3me remedy hw conatitation thoce rifthts ;hey were afraid would be subjected to in- jnstire. While referriog to Representation by Population as one of the remedies, he might also nav that ancthf-r, and probably one that would have immediately fo.lowed it, would have been the dissolution of the Union between Upper and Lower Canada ; for the struggle would have as- sumed such an alarming aspect, that it would h'ive resulted in an attempt to compass that. Now he did not think any measure ever adopted in any country, had brought greater blessings in Us train thun the Union thus threatened with de- struction When they reflected for a moment on what had paesed during the twenty-two or twenty-tbret* years since the Union took effect, they would with difiBculty find a measure fraught with such benefits to the people wLo had lived under it. We bad seen the population of the country more than doubled; we had seen it tra- versed by railways ; its educatiotial system im- proved ; feudal tenure in Lower Canada abo- lished ; the great Clergy Reserve question bad been settled— it would take more time than he could venture to occupy even simply to go <«m- tim through all the great benefits that had re- sulted from the Union — a measure be it remem- bered which had not been sought for by the peo- ple, and which bad therefore not come into pro- per play until several years after its enactment (Bear.) No one, considering all this, would say we ought lightly to risk these benefits, but every one would at ono agree that, while the great interests of the wDole country should be preserv- ed as they now were, the sectional interests— if he might use thit term, which he was very re- luctant to do — should be assured and guaranteed to each part of it, so as not to do injustice to any, (Cheers ) OOTIHMMIMTAI. DimOULTIBS OV LAST SISSION. The circumstances under which ttie Govern- ment found itself last session of Parliament were these ; One Oovernment had resigned from ina- bility to obtain Parliamentary support enough to govern the country. Another, of which he (Mr. Oalt) was a member, had been defeated by a majority of two ; and it did not appear possi- ble to form any Government under which any material difference in this respect could have been produced. Under these circumstances it WAS the duty of those administering tlie public affairs to make sacrifices of their interests and of their personal position, and to unite to seek a remedjfor the evils that existed; and he was happy to say that men were found willing to undertake this responsibility. He desired in this connection to allude more particularly to his friend and coilenguo the Hon. George Brown, who, feeling that the period had arrived when extreme views should no longer be pressed, in tbe most patriutin and straightforward manner approached tbe Government of the day when they were considering what course to take, and suggested that some basis should be toond on which a common platform could be raised. (Hear hear.) This consideration resulted in an under- taking on the part of the Government, into which the Hon. Mr. Brown and two other gen- tlemen representing the Liberal party of Upper Canada had enterel, to address themselves to the preparation of a measure that would par- take nf a feieral character as far m neceS'^ary with respect to local measures, while it would preserve the existing union ic respect to measures common to all ; that they would endeavor, if necesary, to strike out a federal union for Otnada alone, but that at the same time they wouldnttempt, in consid- •ering a chanse in the Constitution of this country, to bring the Lower Provinces in under the same bond, as they were already under the same Sovereign. It was hiahly proper that, be- fore touching the edifice of Goveromeut that had been raised in Canada they should address the statesmen of the Lower Provinces, and try to induce them to form a common system If it were found impossible tohave a legislative union of all the British American Provinces, then they could reserve to the local governments of tbe several Provinces the control of such subjects as concerned them, while the rest should be com- mitted to the cue of the General Government, (Hear bear.) THE OIOORAPHIOAI. POSITlOM OF OAKADA. He might here remark that one reason why the Government had felt it desirable to approach the Maritime Provinces with propositions of this nature arose from a consideration of the geogra- phical position of Canada. Canada it ninst be considered was for seyera' months of the year entirely deren lent on a foreign country for ac- cess to the ocean— for nccess to her own mothej country. To approach the sar a in winter we must pass through the United States. He trust- ed that the good-will existing between that nation and ourselves would never be disturbef*. (Cheers.) He b endeavoring, in to give them the 3 deliberations at kind indulgence, isk of inflictiug speech, the im- ition and of the atify his entering ly. (Applause.) which suggested Oonferenoe was North American e or not. Upon there was the mimity. Of the d from Halifax iV^est, represent* all races, all isitated to give uestion that a rican Provinces could be done id he thought agree that the uously adopted fully justified, t the great in- wuQtrj, at the the Provinces of the mari- I they would •fBriUsh North common bond legislative in- terest, a unity of all interests, they would be better able to do their duty as subjects of the Brljiiab Crown than if each Province remained separate, TBI TKKBITOBT Of TUB DNIOR. In point of population, the ProvincfS of British North America would form, if united, a very respectable power in the world. Many countries which boasted of kings and emperors were not as strong or as great either in popuU- tion or territory, in trade and commerce, m in- dustry or in the intelligence of their inhabitants, as the uuited Provinces of British North Ameri- ca would be, when united under one Confedera- tion. With a population numbering now nearly four millions of people, with a territory exteoding from the Atlantic to the Pecific, with a longer coast line than that of the United States, with a river, commercially speaking, the great- est and most important in the world, passing through the centre of our country, con- nec'ing the East with the West, and bearing on its bosom the trade and commerce of the whole interior of this great continent— with all these advantages we might look forward to a future for this country, which, whether we lived to see it or not, our children woulrl rejoice to see, and feel that a power was being estab- lished on the northern part o ' this continent which would be able to make itself respected, and which, he trusted, would furnish hereafter hap- py and prosperous homes to many millions of the industrial classes from Europe, now strug. gling for existence. (Cheers ) THE TBADB AhD TONNAOB OF TUB 0OLONIE3. Let him advert for a moment to the trade and tonnage of these Provinces ; because in exhibit- ing the amount of that tiade, he would be able to bring before tbem, in a very pointed man- ner, the mos« important results which aiustflow from a union of all our resources. The imports of Canada last year amounted to $45,96'>,000 ; the exports to $41,831,000 ; together, $87,795,- 000. The imports of New Brucswicic to $7,- 764,824 ; the exports to $8,964,784 ; together $16,729,«<08. The imports of Nova Scotia to $10,201,391; the exports (including $1,874,480, the value ot shipping built id the Province,) to $8,420,968; together $18,622,369. The imports of Prince Edward Island amounted to $1,428,- 028; the experts (including £124,955 sterling, the value of the shipping buili)to $1,627,640 ; together $3,065,568. Tlie imports of Newfound- land to $5,242,720 ; the exports to $6,002,312 ; together $11,246,032. Consequently, the trade of these Colonies, separated as tLey were by hos- tile tariffs, preventing proper commercial inter- course between them— with all the disadvant- ages of being separated, disunited, and having neceseatily smaller Legislatures, and smaller views on the part ut their public men— amounted last year to no less a total than one hundred and thirty-seven and a-balf millions — in precise figures, $137,447,567— a volume of traJe surpassing that of almost any European country. (Cheers) Referring again to the tonnage employed in carrying on that trade, we would find, in the case of Canada, a sea-going tonnage (both ways) of 2,133,000. In the case of Nova iScotia — inwards, 712,939 ; outwards, 719,915; together 1,432,954. New Brunswick —outwards, 727,727; inwards 659,258; together 1,386,980 Not including Prinze Edward Island and Newfoundland, for which he had not the ofiicial r^turDB, the tonnage employed in the sea- going business of Canada, NIova ir'cotia and New Brunswick amounted to no lees than five millions of toes, besides nearly seven millions (8,907,000) of tonnage employed on the great inland Ukes iu the Canadian trade. (Cheers.) Now, these figures wire so great, so vast, that tbe mind required some little time before it could take them iti They represented a trade which was probably the third in the world — exceeded only by the trade of Great Britain and that of tbe United States, and perhaps tbe trade of France, which last, however, did not much, if ai all exceed the fifiures he had just given. With these two or perhaps three exceptions no other coumry in the world employed the Eaino amount of tonnage of sea-going craft as was employed lc8' year by tbe British North American Provin- ces in carrying on their intercourse with the World and with each other. He considered therefore that, possessing as these Provinces did a large and increasing population, a vast ter- ritory, and a trade and commerce which, united, would vie with those of almost any other coun try in the world, it must be aUmii ted there were material interests which would be greatly pro- moted it we could agree on a measure of such a nature as to induce the several Provinces to en- trust the management of their general affairs to a common government and legislature (Hear. THi: C'.ARACTBR OF THE PROPOSED UNION. In considering the mode in which such a union could be carried out, it became necessary to determine whether it should be a Federal or a Legislative Union. A Legislative Union, as they were all aware, had certain advantages over one based on the Federal system It was a more complete union, and implied a more di- rect action and control of the government over the interests of the people at large. And, where a people were homogeneous, and their interests of such a character as to admit of - nitormily of action with regard to them, it could not be doubted that a government on the principle of a Legislative Union whs the one which probably operated moat beneficially for all. But in the case of the people of these Provinces, brought up as they bad been under separate legislatures, having ucfor- tunately for our common interests comparttive- ly little intercourse with each other, the difiScul. ty was felt that, if wo attempted to make a Leg- itilative Union of these Provinces in the first in- stance, the dread, in the case of the Lower Pro- vinces and probably of many among ourselves ' that peculiar interests might be swamped and certain feelings and prejudices outraged and trampled upon, was so great that such a measure could not bn entertained and we were compel- led to look for what was sought in a form of guv ernment that would commit all subjects of gen- eral interest to a ganeral Government and' Leg- islature, reserving for local Legislatures and Governments such subjects as from their nature required to been trusted to those bodies. (Chef rs ) The term Federation was used with reference to the proposed Union, because it was that with which the public mind was most fami- f I? %' ( i fi s if- 8 liar. Bat it nmat not be supposed, on account of the use of that tetm, that in the Union now propos- ed to be established it was intended to imitate the Federal Union which webitd seen existing in the United States. In the United States, the general GoTernment exercised only such powers as were delegated to it by the State Goyernmeota at the time the Union was formed. Bach State was regarded as a sorereign power, and it chose for the common interest to delegate to the gen- eral Government the right of deciding upon cer- tain questions, which were expressly stated All the undefiaed powers, all the sorereign rights, remnined with the Governments of the several States. And he believed that near- ly all the writers and statesmen who had given much thought to the subject of the difficul- ties now convulsing the United States were of the opinion — and he shared that opinion him- self—that the reservation of what were popularly tCDOwn as State rights had been to a great ex- tent the cause of the difficulties which were now agitating that great country. He thought, when we bad before us the lamentable results which we now witnessed, when wa saw the evils which had arisen there, and perceived that there was apparently no remedy for them within the limits of the constitution, we might well hesitate to adopt any system that would be similar in its character. If we did so we should be lacking in that wisdom learned from the ex- perience of others which was so peculiarly valu- able. (Hear, hear.) Therefore, in laying a basis for the union of these Provinces, it was not proposed that the General Government should have merely a delegation of powers from the Local Governments, but it was proposed to go back to the fountaia nead, from which all our legislative powers were derived— the Im- perial Parliament — and seek at their hands a measure which Hhould designate as far as possi- ble the general powers to be exercised by the General Legislature, and also those to be exer- daed by the Local Legislatures, reserving to the General Legislature all subjects not directly committed to the control of the Local bodies. By this means it was believed we should escape the rock ou wbich the United States had eplit and we should not hate a sec-' tioual agitation spriaglng up in one section of the cuunti-y or the other, because each Legisla- ture, and especially each Local Legislature — act ing within the bounds preecribad by the Impe- rial Parliament and kept within these bounds by the Gourts of Law if necessity should arise for their iaterff lenie — would find in the working of the pUu of Federation a check sufllaient to prevent it from transcending its Iegitinia',u authority. (Hear, hsat.) It was therefore proposed, that in the Fed- eration of the Britijh Nurtb AmoricAn Provinces the system cf governmeot best adapted under existing o rcumstances to protect the diversiGed Interests of the several Provinces and secure ef- ficiency, harmony and permanency in the working of the Union, would be a General Gov- ernment charged with matters ot common inter- est to the whole country, and Local Govern- ments for each of the Oanadas aui for the Piq. vinoea of Nora Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, charged with the control of local matters in their respective sections, pro- vision being made for the admission into the Union on equitable terms of Newfoundland, the Vortb-west Territory, British Oolnmbia, and 7anooaTer. Till UlSISTBT TO BS BrSPOHSIBLI TO PABL14UINT. Now the next point, having decided that the Federative plan, as he had briefly en- deavored to explain it, was the one which ought to be adopted, was whether they ought to adopt the mode of government wbich they now eawin use in the United States, or whether they should endeavor to incorporate in the Union the prlaci- pies under wbieh the British Oonstitntion had been for so maay years happily administered ; and upon this point no difference of opinion arose in the Conference. They nil preferred that system which they had enjoyed for the last eigh- teen years, by which the Crown was allowed to choose its own advisers ; but those advisers must be in harmony with the well understood wishes of the country as expressed by its repre- sentatives in Parliament. (Cheers.) They were unanimously of the opinion that this system was more likely to operate foe the benefit of the peo- ple than any attempt to introduce the Ameri- can system of Government, They certainly be- lieved that they enjoyed more practical freedom under the British Sovereign than they could under a dictator who was chosen for only four years. He believed that the administration of the country could be carried on with more ad- vantage to the people and more in harmony with their wishes if that administration was ob- liged constantly to retain the confidence of the psople ; and if the moment the people ceased to have confidence in those in power, they must give place to others who would be able to govern the country ^more in harmony with their wishes. The se- cret of the freedom of the British nation from revolution and disturbance was that the people had at any time the power of making the Gov- ernment harmonise with their wishes, — it was, in fact, -the greatest safeguard the British Constitu- tion gave. No government In Canada could vesture to set public opinion at defiance. No government could exist, except for a few short months, unless they had the people at their back ; for although parliamentary majorities could be preserved for a short time against the wishes of the majority of the people still it was impossible to deny that public opin- ion was, in a complete sense, represented by the opinion or the members of tne Leftislature. They all knew perfectly well that their repre- sentatives were chosen from amongst them- 8elve3, and he trusted that we should never in this country lose that control which had been so happily exercised by the people over the government of the day. It was, therefore, concluded that in forming an Union of these Provinces it was desirable, in the interest of the people at large, that the system of reponsible government now in force should be maintained. (Hear,) The question then arose as to the form of government which should be adopted for the administration of the general af- fairs of the whoie union, and that form was copied almost literally from the system existing in the several Provinces. It was proposed to 'i hav ed 9 «ctive sections, pro- admissioa into the ■ Newfoundland, the Ish Oolnmbia, and :BLI to PABLUHUIT. laving decided that he had briefly en- the one which oaght they ought to adopt ich they now taw in whether they should be Union the priaci- h OoDStitation had >pily administered ; Ference of opinion By all preferred that ed for the last eigh. )wn was allowed to lut those adyisera e well underatoocl ■eased by its repre- 3heers.) They were liat this system was benefit of the peo- 'oduce the Amuri- They certainly be- I practical freedom than they could )sen for only four adminijtration of >n with more ad. aore ia harmony inistration was ob- confidenco of the e people ceased to power, they must vho would ba untry ,more in hes. The ee- tiah nation from IS that the people naking the Gov- vishes, — it was, in ) British Constitu- n Canada could at defiance. No t for a few short the people at parliamentary or a short time ity of the people hat public opin- ipresented by the ■ae Leftislature. hat their repre- amoQgst them- should neyer in which had been the people day. It was, n forming ua desirable, in the at the system of brce should be tion then arose hich should be ' the general af- hat form was lystem existing as proposed to have a Governor General, who should be appoint- ed by our Gracious Sovereign. (Hear.) TH8 COUPOSITION OF TBI UPPKB HOUSI. It was proposed to have a Legislative Council and a Legislative Assembly. I a the constitution of the Lfgislative Council it would be observed that the principle which now obtained in Canada, of electing be members of that branch, was pro- posed to be done awa; with and that we would again revert to nomination by the Crown. Per- haps he might be permitted to say a few words in regard to that point. He did not think that in Canada they had any cause to regret the change which had been made from the nomina- tive to the elective plan. The circumstances nndur which that change took place were proba- bly familiar to most of them. The Leg. Council had, from one cause or another, under the nomina- tive system, fallen into public discredit. The elective Legislative Council , up to this time, had given them a number of very excellent men indeed. He doubted for instance whether, under any system, they could have had a better repre- sentative than the gentleman who now represent- ed this district. (Hear.) Therefore, as far as Canada was concerned, he was not aware that they could say that the principle of an elective Legislative Council had proved in roy degree a failure. There was no doubt that, in some res- pects, the elective principle was attended with diiBculties and objectiuns. It had been found that complaint was made that the expense con- nected with the elections in many districts was such as to debar many able men from attempting to come forward as candidates. There was no doubt thfKt to canvass a district composed of three constituencies, each sending a member to the Lower House, was a most formidable under- taking, and one from which many excellent and worthy men naturally shrank. An election for one was bad enough, but to have ac election for three constituencies, certainly must be three times as bad. He did not think however, that in Canada there was anything iu the elec- tive principle, as regarded the Legislative Coun- cil, which would have induced us to desire a change. Of conrse some would desire it, others might not. In the case of the bower Provinces however, they had maintained the nominative plan except in Prince Bd ward Island, and the gen- tlemen who came from those Provinces— both the members of th? Governments and the leaders of the Opposition who accompanied them — were perfectly unanimous in the deolaratior that the opinion of the people in the Lower Provinces was against the elective principle. Under these circumstances it was believed that the nominative plan in some respects offered greater advan- tages than the elective principle, and it was deci- ded that we should again revert to nomination by the crown. It then became necessary to settle the number of members tor the Upper House, and the more so because the Upper House was in- tended to be the means whereby certain local interests and local rights would be protected in the General Legislature, For this reason it was contended that while the principle of Represen- tation by Population might be properly enough extended to the Lower House, equality of terri- torial representation should be preserved in , the Upper House; and it was proposed in its formation, that the Confederation should be di- vided into three large districts, Upper Canada ^ing one. Lower Canada another, ami the Mari- time Provinces the third. Newfoundland not having joined the preliminary Conference, ar- rangements were made for its coming in with the additional number of four members, ^ith regard to the operation of the nominative plan for the Legislative Council for the purposes of protection, be mieht say that in his own view he would have been satisfied under the elective plan. He thought that so far as the interests were eff'ected which he personally represented, they would have been able to return their fair share of representatives under the elective princi- ple. But It would not become them to object to the nominative plan, because the members for the Upper House would be nominated by tL a Grown on the recommendation of the General Govern- ment. He might sa} it here, because 'v, was said by everybody outside, that in the e^ ent of any thing like inju!itice being attempted to- wards the British population of Lower Canada by their French Canadian fellow-suhjectg, —they would moat unquestionably look for remedy and redress at the hands of the General Government, who would hare the power of causing their interests to be renreseated in the Upper House of the General Legislature. So far as regarded the interests of the French Canadian population on the other hand, he thought the'e could be no question whatevnr that tbey might safely enough trust to their re- presentatives in the Upper House being takes fto'a amongst their best men, and in fair pro- portion to their numbers also. It was propos- ed that, in the case of Lower Canada, the selection should be made from the electoral limits which now existed. And ba thought wisely so, because certain sections of the pro- vince were more particularly inhabited by French Canadians and others by those of British origin. Consequently there was a greater cer- tainty that fairness would be meted out to both parties, if the representatives in the Uaper House were to be chosen from the electoral limits which now existed. It was intended that the first selection of Legislative Council- lors should be made irom the present Legisla- tive Councils of the several Provinces, and without referring to the reasons which actuated gentlemen from the Lower Provinces in regard to this matter, he thought it might be suffi- cient to point out that in Canada, where we had forty-eight gentlemen sitting in the Upper House by the right of election, it would have been doing a wrong, not merely to them indi- vidually, bat to their constituents too, if they had from any cause been attempted to be overlooked. It was quite evident even if no such clause had been inserted, that no attempt would have been made to pass over' those gentlemen who had been selected by the people themselve'* as the most fit and proper persons to represent them in the Legislative Council, However, the arrangement was that they should be chosen, regard being held in that selection to the relative position of politi- cal parties. If the power of nomination were entrusted to the Government without restric- 10 \] !;:. Ill 1 tlon tbey might be iaclined to appoint their own political friends to the exclusion of the others. But it was intended that the nomination should be so made that not only the members composing the Government but also the Oppo- sition to the Government should be fairly represented in the Legislative Ooun- cil. So far as Canada was concerned, there was no likelihood of difficulty arising on this point, because the coalition which was formed between the Liberal and Conservative parties would pre- clude any attempt calculated to iojure the inter- ests of either. (Hoar, hear, and cheers.) In the case of the Lower Provinces the same reasons did not exist. Their governments were still party governments, and though they had associsted with tbem, in the Conference which bad taken place, the leaders of the Opposition, still the action to be taken would necessarily be the action of the governments of the Lower Pro- vinces. It was therefore proposed that there should be a guarantee given that all political parties should be as nearly as possible fully re- presented. THI OOIIPOSITION or THI LOWBB HODSB. Pa3sing now to the composition of the Lower House, the important change was to be made of basing representation therein upon Population. Now unless this were done, it was plain that Upper Canada would not, under any circumstances, have consented to be a party to the Union, since for many years it had been claiming additional representation as a matter of right, and would certainly not have entered a Confederation, unless a due share of control were given it over the expenditure and taxation to which it so largely contributed. The Lower Provinces at once acquiesced in this. Popula- tion was made the basis, and to prevent any un- due augmentation in the numbers of the Lower House as population increased, it was settled that th^re should be a fixed standard on which the numbers of the House should be calculated, and Lower Canada was selected as affording the proper basis. Although Lower Canada had not the largest, still it had a very large population, which was more equfible in its increase than any of the others, not increasing on the one hand so fast as Upper Canada, or on the other hand so slowly as the Lower Provinces, and the numbers of the House of Commons (for that was the name selected) would not be subject to such irregular variations as if the population of any of the other Provinces were taken as the basis. The House would never have lees than 194 members, but it wo'uld increase at a very slow rate, as it would only be the greater increase of any Province over that of Lower Canada which would entitle it to additional re- presentation, while, if the agricultural resources of Lower > Canada became developed, and its mineral jwealth explored, so that it increased faster than Upper Canada, then the number of representatives for Upper Canada would be diminisbed, not those for Lower Canada increas- ed. Of course, to provide for the settlement of the remote portions of the country which might be brought in from time to time, power was re- served to increase the number of members ; but such members could only be increased preserving the relatlve'proportions. One advantage which would flow from this was that white 194 or 300 members were certainly sufficient to carry on the business of the country, we should be spared the enormous expense which would be entailed upon US if the representatives were rapidly to grow up to 300 or perhaps 400 members. (Hear.) TBI DUBiTION Of THB OGNERAL PABIiIAiaHT It was also proposed that the duration of Parliament should ba extended from four to five years. The reason for adopting this coarse was that under our present system Parliaments seldom lasted longer than three years. In England where their legal duratien was seven years, it was found, on an examination of the records of the last sixty or seventy years, that the average length of each Parliament was only a trifla over four years. Now repeated elec- tions were not in themselves very desirable. What was desired was that elections and dis- solutions of Parliament should tcke place with sufficient frequency to ensure that the repre- sentatives should truly represent the people. It was when doubt arose, either through a vote in Parliament or some other cause, that the re- presentatives did not truly represent the people, that a dissolution was really necessary, and it was thought in Conference that no injury would arise from extending the duration of the Gen.3ral Parliaments from four to five years. Home change would have to be made in the duration of the Parliaments of the local systems, and it was thought desirable that the term of existence of the General Legislature should be longer than any that could possibly be adopted for the local bodies. TBI POWIBS or TBI SBHBRAL GOVBBNMBNT. He now came to the consideration of the powers proposed to be given to the general Gov- ernment, and amongst these would be found all that could in any way be consider- ed of a public and general character. In the first place, it would have to deal with the public debt and all the means of sustaining the public credit. It would have the regulation of all the trade and com- merce of the country, for besides that these were subjects in reference to which no local interest could exisit, it was desirable that they should be dealt with throughout the Confederation on the same principles. The regulation of duties of cus« toms on imports and exports might perhaps be considered so intimately connected with the sub- ject of trade and commerce as to require no se- parate mention in this place ; he would however allude to it because one of the chief benefits ex- pected to flow from the Confederation was the free interchange of the products of the labor of each Province, without being subjected to any fiscal burden whatever ; and another was the as- similation of the tariffs. It was most important to see that no local legislature should by its se- parate action be able to put any such restrictions on the free interchange of commodities as to prevent the manufactures of the rest from find- ing a market in any one province, and thus from sharing in the advantages of the extended Union (Hear.) One adrantage which that while 194 or 200 uflScient to carry on the re should be spared the h would be entailed itives were rapidlj to I 400 members. (Hear.) lENERAL PABLIAIMMT ed that the duration 9xtended from four to r adopting this course it system Parliaments iian three years. In \l duratisn was seren an examination of the or seventy years, that i Parliament was only Now repeated e!ec- lelves very desirable. ;hat elections and dis- lould tf ke place with isure that the repre- represent the people, either through a vote er cause, that the re- represent the people, lly necessary, and it that no injury would iration of the General five years. Home made in the duration [ocal systems, and it the term of existence should be longer than adopted for the local RAL aOTBBNHBIIT. consideration of the 1 to the general Gov- ese would be found way be consider- general character, lid have to deal id all the means lit. It would have trade and com- lides that these were ch no local interest that they should be onfederation on the kion of duties of cus« s might perhaps be lected with the sub- as to require no se- . he would however he chief benefits ex- ifederation was the lets of the labor of g subjected to any another was the as- ras most important e should by its se- ny such restrictions commodities as to the rest from find- ince, and thus from the extended Union 11 :> Till NKW BBUMSWIOE KZPOBr DUTY ON TIUBKB. He might remark that in the published statement it was said the General Govern- mant should not have the right of imposinf; duties on exports of lumber, coal and other minerals, but the understanding was that the clause should be limited in the case of timber to the Province of New Brunswick, and in the oas3 of coal and other minerals to the Province of Nova Scotia. The reasons for this prohibition were that the duty on the export of timber in New Brunswick was in reality only the mode in which they collected stumpage. 'I'bey had found in former years their method of collecting stumpage dues was such that their woods and forests gave them very little net reve- nue, if any, and they resolved to substitute for it a duty on lumber when vessels carried it away. Now inasmuch as the territorial possessions of each Province were reserved as a means of pro- ducing local revenue for the respective PrO' viaces, it was evident that if the Province of New Brunswick were deprived of this privilege of im- posing an export duty it would be obliged to revert to the old expensive process of levying stumpage dues, against which its representa- tives in Oonference very strongly pro- tested. The correct interpretation of the clause would, however, leave to the Gene- ral Government the power of levying a duty on exports of lumber in all the Provinces except New Brunswick, which aloie would possess the right to impose duties on the export of timber. (Hear.) THI NOVA SCOTIA IXPOBT OaiY ON COAL, KTC. Now in Nova Scotia a large revenue was derived from a royalty on coal mines, and its representatives at the .Uonference urged that if the Gen- eral Government should put an export duty on coal, one of their most important resources would be interfered with, and Nova Scotia was therefore permitted to deal with the export duty on coal and other minerals, just as New Bruns- wick was with regard to timber. (Hear.) EXCI3B DUTIESi The General Gov. would also hare the power of regulating excise duties. The imposition of these duties was a necessary corollary to the im> position of the duties of Oustoms; and the power to impose the one mudt be given to the same authority that exercised the power to impose the otker. Bxcise duties were placed upon spirits made in the country in oraer to place the consumer thereof on the samu foot- ing he would be on if he consumed spirits impor- ted from abroad. He might remark that in the Lower Provinces they had no excise duties ; he believed they did not manufacture whiskey to any extent, but in introducing a system of excise duties they would have to be subjected to the same regulations that were followed in Canada. In general tetms he would add that the Central Government would have the power of raising money by all the other modes and systems of taxation— the power of taxation had been confided to the General Le- gislature—and there was only one method left to the Local Governments, if their own resour- ces became exhausted, and this was direct taxa- tion. THE PROSPECT OF UNION ALREADY IMPROVINQ OUK CREDIT. One of tbo advantages to which we cer- tainly had a right to look forward under the Union was that the credit of the vhole country would be greater than that of any of its pa ts, and that the General Government would be able to obtain money on easier terms than any Pro- vince could oa its own responsibility alone. Events were already beginnmg to shew the truth of this st<«tement, as would be seen if we looked at the marked advance in the price of our secu- rities that had taken place within tbe last thr^e or four weeks According to ofiicial advices from England, since intelligence had reached that country of the probability of Union being effected here, our securities, which had oeen greatly depressed, had fven no less than 15 per cent, our 5 per cents being now quoted at 90 to 92. (Applause.) That might be received as an indication of what the moneyed world conceived to be tbe greater security Canada would enjoy under a Union, and we might well accept it as an evidence of the propriety of tbe course we were now taking, when that which was the most sensitive of all interests—the public credit— was beneficially a£fected even by tbe mtelligence of the meeting of the Colonial delegates [Hear.] POSTAL SERVICE AMD PUBLIC WORKS. He might now refer generally to the subject of the Postal Service. If there was one branch of the public service which, more than another, should be under the control of the general gov- ernment it was the Postal Service ; and it had been agreed to leave it entirely in the hands of the General Government. Lines of steam or other ships, railways, as well as canals and other works connecting any two or more of the Pro- vinces together, or extending beyond the limits of any Province, would be under the control of the General Government. It was, however, cer- tainly desirable that all tbe works of a merely local character should be in the hands of the authorities of tbe Province within which they were situated. But in the case of such works as the WelUnd Canal, which though situated in Upper Canada was, as regards tbe commerce of the country, equally pertaining to Lower Canada, they would not be regarded as local, and must be under tbe control of the Gen* eral Government, while if any enlargement or improvement of su_h works bad to be undertak- en it should not be at the charge of Upper Cana- da or the other Provinces so concerned, but at that of the whole country as the whole was benefited thereby. In fact he might say that lines of telegraph, railways, etc., and all works of an essentially general character, as distio- guiahed from those merely local, were intended to be under tbe control of the General Government who wouid administer them for tbe common Interest. They would be put beyond the power of any local government to obstrict or interfere with, they being a means by which the trade and industry of the country at large would benefit. It would not be found possible in any part of the united ter- 12 M ( ■•, ritory to offer objection to that which wu in the common interest, simplj on account of its being situated in any particular locality. TBI UILITIA. The control of the Militia was certainly a subject which they must all feel ousbt to be in the hands of one central power. If them was one Ihing more than another whuld be better entrusted we than to any local .) administration of that law would be under the control of the General Government and admi- nistered by Judges appointed by them and re- ceiving their status and position in the country through the General Legislature. It was thought proper to give to the General Government the right to establish a general Court of Apueal for the federated Provinces He thought that while there was no express pro- vision fur the establiehment of such a court, many who had studied the question would agree that it was desirable the General Legislature should have tbe power of constituting such a court, if it saw fit to do so. At present appeal lay from cur courts ultimately to the Queen in Frivy Council, and it was not intended to de- prive the subject of recourse to this ultimate court ; but at the same time it was well, in as- similating the present systems of law, for the benefit of all tha Provinces, that they bhould have the assembled wisdom of Aie Bench brought together in a general court of appeal to decide ultimate causes, which would before long doubtless supersede the necessity of going to the enormous expense of carrying appeals to England. It wao proposed to ask the Im- perial Government to confer upon the General Government tha power of constituting such a court, not, however, with the desire to abolish the present right of appeal to England. It was also proposed that the Judges of the Superior Courts in each Province, aud of the County Courts of Upper Canada, should be appointed by the General Government and paid by it. He was glad this power had been conferred, be- lieving that if there was one thing more than another which they should seek to do in this country, it was to eletate the character of the Bench. He felt that to the gent'emen who had so worthily filled tor so many years the posiKons of our Judges, was due in a great measure the prosperity of the country, the happiness of the people, and the security to life and property we eojjyed. He thought that the higher their posi- tion was made and the more respect paid them, the better it would be for the general interest, and were the appointment and psyment of the jad- fies put into the bands of the local legislatures it would be a diminution of the importance the former were entitled to expect at our hands ; he thought there was no one in the country, with the exception of the Governor General himself, whom we should so desire to see upheld in the public estimation as thosa men who administered justice in the Courts. (Loud cheers.) He might remark, with reference to the appointment of Judges by the general Government, that they were to be selected from the Bars of the several Provinces, and the idea was thrown out at the Conference that there was such a similarity in the laws of Upper Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Princo Edward Island— all of them possessing the English law^that the probability was that they would be able to consolidate their laws, and that of course, if that were done, there would be a larger scope for the selection of the Bench — and in other respects also he believed that great advantages would result from it. But, in the case of Lower Canada, where we had a different system ot law altogether, it was plain that the Judges could be selected only from among gentlemen conversant with that law, and therefore it was provided that the Judges should be selected from the Bars of the respective Provinces in which they were to act, but in the case of the consoli- dation of the laws of the several Maritime Pro- vinces and of Upper Canada, the choice would extend to the Bars of all those Provincej. cHear.) OOHBTITnilON or LOCAL OOVIBNMBNTS. He would now proceed to refer to the mode in which it was proposed that the Local Governments should be constituted, to the powers ^o be committed to them, and the exercise of those powers. It was proposed thtt in the meantime they should b3 constituted as at pre- sent, that is to say, consisting of a Lieutenant Governor, a Legislative Council, and a Legisla- tive Assembly. And the first change he had 10 draw their attention to was with reference to the appointment of the Lieutenant Governor who it was oropossd should be appointed by the General Government. The reason why this was preferred to the appointment taking place as heretofore by the Crown was that it was intended that the communication between all the several Provinces and the Imperial Government should be restricted to the General Government. Inasmuch as the affciirs the Lo- cal Governments had to administer were purely of a local character, not at all Imperial in their nature, it was felt there was no necessity what- ever for their being in communication with the Imperial Government, but that on the contrary very great mischief might arise, if they were per- mitted to bold that communication. It was also thought that, in keeping the appointment of the Lieutenant Governors in the hands of the General Government, this further advantage would be gained ; tho appointments would be conferred on men in our own country. (Hear, hear.) There would be a selection from the public men of intelligence and standing in the respective Provinces, and they would go to the discharge of the duties imposed upon them with experience gained in public life in the colonies whose local affairs they were called on to ad- minister, eo that they would cirry to the admi- nistration of public affairs in the respective Pro- vie ces that valuable acquaintance with the feel- ings and habits of thought of the people which they had gained during their public life. Besides, this arrangement would preserve — what was of no little importance— something of tbe nature of an object of ambition tor our public men. It was well that there should be those objects of ambition. At present the Bar and the Bench might be said to possess almost the only prizes the country offered to its public men < It was desirable, he thought, that we should have within our reach the opportunity of rewarding merit by appointing from among ourselves in the several Provinces those who should be the heads of the Local Governments and who should form the links of connection between the Local Governments and the General Government, holding to that General Govern- ment the same relations as were now held by the heads of the Provioc'al Governments to the imperial QovernmeBt, and discharging the duties 14 of their o£Sces under the same local advice ai that which the GoTernors now acted on. For, while they would be selected from amonf; our- selves, they would be required to administer the Governments of their respective Provinces, not according to their own will and pleasure but according to the advice of officers who possessed the confidence of the Local Legislatures of those Provinces. Consequently we should always have the meana of bringing about harmony, if any difificnlty arose between any of the local bodies and the General Government, through the Lieut- enant Governor, and we should have a system unjer which, all action beginning with the people and proceeding through the Local Legis- lature, would, before it became law, come under the revision of the Lieutenant Governor, who would be responsible for bis action, and be obliged to made his report to the superior authoiity. (Hear.) With regard to the Local Governments and Legislatures there was a good deal of difHouIty about the question whether an at- tempt should be made to settle their consti- tution at present. It was felt that, while it would be exceedingly desirable that there should be uniformity in the mode in which the Local Legislatures should be constituted, still perhaps there was no absolute necessity for it, and it might happen that some of the Provinces might prefer to have one chamber rather than two, and either from motives of economy or otherwise, might wish to make other changes in the present system. It was not felt that any change they might make in this res- pect would affect the interests of the community at large, and it was considered therefore that it might be safely left to the Local Legislatures themselves, either to maintain the system which now ezinted or to make such changes as might appear to them consonant with the interests of the particulat Province which they represented. But, with respect to the powers they were to exercise, these were limited to objects which might be considered purely local, and he should now'refer to some of them. "The establishment and tenure of local offices, and the appointment of local officers,"— 'these were functions which plainly belonged to the Local Legislatures. Then there were the subjects of Agriculture and Immigration. He had omitted referring to these, when be was reading the list of subjects confided to the GeneralLegislatares, in which they were also included— because he was aware they would come up again, in going over the sub- jects to be dealt with by the Local Leeislatures. These two matters of Agriculture and Immigra tion must certainly be considered as common in a great measure to all, but at the same time legislation with regard to them might be affect- ed by certain measures which might have only a local bearing. Gonsequeutly it was provided tbat there should be concurrent jurisdiction on these two questions. But, with this concur- rent jurisdiction, in the event of any clashing taking place between the action of the General Government and the action of the Logal Go- vernments, it was provided that the general policy, the policy of the General Government, that whfch bad been adopted for the good of the country at large, ahonld supersede and override any adverse action which the Local Legislature might have taken with a view to purely local purposes. The design was to harmonize the system of Immigration and Agricultnre over the whole of British North America, while locally it might be subjected to such regulations and stipulations as the Local Legislatures might determine from any cause to apply to it. (Hear, hear.) THI SCHOOL LAWS IN LOITIB OAHADA. He would now endeavour to speak somewhat fullyas to one of the most important questions, per- haps the most important— that could be confided to the Legislature- the question of Education. This was a question in which, in liOwer Canada, they must all feel the greatest interest, and in respect to which more, apprehension might be supposed to exist in the minds at any rate of the Protestant popula ion, than in regard to any- thing else connected with the whole scheme of federation. It must be clear that a measure would not he favorably entertained by the min- ority of Lower Canada which would place the education of their children and the provision for their schools wholly in the hands of a majority of a different faith. It was clear tbat in confiding the general subject of education to the Local Legislatures it was absolutely necessary it should be accompaned with such restrictions as would prevent injustice in any respect from being done to the minority. — (Hear, hear.) Now this applied to Lower Canada, but it also applied, and with equal force, to Upper Canada and the other Provinces ; for in Lower Canada there was a Protestant minority, and in the other Provinces a Roman Catholic minority. The same privileges belonged to the one of right here, as be- longed to the other of right elsewhere. There could be no greater injustice to a population than to compel them to have their children educated in a manner contrary to their own religious be- lief. It had been stipulated that the question was to be made subject to the rights and privi- leges which the minorities might have as to their separate and denominational schools. There had been grave difficulties surrounding the separate school question in Upper Canada, but they were all settled now, and with regard to the separate school system of Lower Canada he was authorised by Ilia colleagues to say that it was the dt- termination of the Governmentto bring down a measure for the amendment of the school laws before the Confederation was allowed to go into force. (Loud cheers.) He made this statement because, as the clause was worded in the printed resolutions, it would appear tbat the school law, as it at present existed, was to be continued. At- tention liad however been drawn in Conference to the fact that the school law, as it existed in Lower Canada, required amendment, but no ac- tion was taken there as to its alteration, because he hardly felt himself competent to draw up the amendments required ; and it was far better that the mind of the British population of Lower Ca- nada should be brought to bear on the subject, and that the Government might hear what they had to say, so that all the amendments required in the law might be made in a bill to be sub- mitted to Parliament; and he would add that the Government would be very glad to have amendments suggested by those, who, from their intelligence or position, were best able to propose them. (Hear.) It was clear that injustice could not be done to an important class in the country, i such as the Pro Roman Catholic ing the seeds of extent which w of a very few j Education was ering both supc tion, although distinct. This time or ability he might obser' was that whicl the whole of th tion was differe thing higher; rountry, the b around us, and educated at on position andb part of the wo ply our Bar, to to be distingu He hoped and up in Parlian would rescue i for Superior 1 which they no bothtoPomar tions. (Hear. The mam aries and Pris of the local at Asylums, Chi tions. With i say that there be considered ample, was 1 seaport wher« where thousa ing in. A b sailors were t national in it! than local ; other hospiti should more ] by general re would come support from pie, rather tl Of this they 1 Britain, whe supported b; and he trus themselves i of the race f The Munic necessarily c frislatures, ai themselves n They wen tration oflo delegate sue jafely entru country as 1 In this sectii had nothing Legislature question, w been rather nada with What they tional pow than to ha haps the s; per Canada ships. The 16 such as the Protestants of Lower Canada or the Roman Catholics of Upper Canada, without sow- ing the seeds of discord in the community, to an extent which would bear fatal fruit in the course of a very few years. (Hear.) The question of Bducation was put in generally,— the clause cov- ering both superior and common school educa- tion, although the two were to a certain extent distinct. This was not the place, nor had he the time or ability to enlarge upon the subject ; but he might observe that common school education was that which we were called upon to give to the whole of the people, but that superior educa- tion was different ; in that, we aimed at some- thing higher ; we took the finest minds of the rountry, the best talent that was growing up around us, and endeavored to enable our youth, educated at our Universities, to hold their own position and be an honor to their country in any part of the world; to fill up our Bench, to sup- ply our Bar, to be the ornaments of our church, to be distinguished in the medical profession. He hoped and believed when the question came up in Parliament for disposal, the Legislature would rescue the Lower Canadian institutions for Superior Education from the difficulties in which they now stood ; and this remark applied both to Roman Catholic and Proiestant institu- tions. (Hear.) HOSPITALS, PRISONS, AS. The management of all the Penitenti- aries and Prisons naturally fell under the scope of the local authorities ; also that of Hospitals, Asylums, Charities, and Eleemosynary institu- tions. With regard to these, he would merely say that there might be some which could hardly be considered local in their nature ; such, for ex- ample, was the Marine Hospital at Quebec, a seaport where there was an enormous trade, and where thousands of seamen were annually com- ing in. A hospital where the sick among these sailors were taken in must necessarily be almost national in its character— certainly more national than local ; but all would agree that most of the other hospitals and asylums of various kinds should more properly be supported by local than by general resources. Indeed, he hoped the day would come when these institutions would find support from the individual liberality of the peo- ple, rather than from the votes of Parliament. Of this they had a magnificent example in Great Britain, where the most useful charities were supported by the free gifts of a liberal people, and he trusted that Canadians would prove themselves in this respect not unworthy scions of the race from which they sprang, (Cheers.) HUNICIPAL INSTITCTIONS. The Municipal institutions of the country must necessarily come under the care of the local Le- gislatures, and in fact the local Legislatures were themselves municipalities of of a larger growth. They were charged with the adminis- tration of local affairs, and must be allowed to delegate such powers as they thought might be aafely entrusted to the smaller divisions of the country as laid out into townships and parishes. In this section of the country he thought they had nothing to apprehend from any action the Legislature of Lower Canada might take on this question, when separated. They had always been rather in advance of the rest of Lower Ca- nada with respect to municipal institutions. What they would like would be to have addi- tional powers conferred upon them, rather than to have existing ones contrated. Per- haps the system now everywhere in use in Up- per Canada would be beneficial in the Town- ships. The county municipalities there were the most important bodies. Here the county muni- cipalities had not exercised that influence which was proportionate to their relative importance, and the towrship and parish municipalities had been more directly charged with local interests than had been the case in Upper Canada. But whatever amendment might be made in the law, the municipal system must bear equally upon all persons living under it. Ho thought it very likely that important amendments would be made to the municipal laws of Lower Canada, hut lie had no fear that under any circumstances tlie power entrusted to the local Legislature un- der this head would place any class of the com- munity in any particular danger. Local works naturally fell within the scope of local govern- ments, and would undoubtedly be under the im- mediate influence of the municipal councils, but all the works of a really public character would bo under the General Legislature; such, he meant, as were connected with the general poli- cy of the whole country. INCOnPOBATION OP PRIVATE COMPANIES. The incorporation of private or local compn- nies.except such as related to matters assigned to the General Parliament, would be reserved to the local Governments, being matters of a local char- acter. Even the present law permitted the incor- poration of companies under a ver.v simple sys- tem, which would probably be continued. THE CONTROl. OF CIVIL LAW CONriDED TO THB LOCAL LEOlSLATUnSS. The control of property and civil rights, the ad- ministration of justice, including the constitution, maintenance, and organization of the courts of civil jurisdiction, and the procedure in civil matters, were also left to the local legislatures. From the peculiar position of Low- er Canada it was felt impossible to confide the matter of civil law to tho General Legislature. The principles upon which the civil law of Low- er Canada were founded differed entirely from those of the English law. Under it property was secured, and civil rights of every kind maintain- ed, and the people had no particular wish to see it changed, especially at this moment, when the work of codifying and simplifyine it was abont completed, and when they knew that within the next three or four months they would have it put into their hands in one volume. He thought it was undesirable to do away with that law, which had been beneficial to the country and under which it had prospered. It was necessary to have it left to the local Legislature, because all in Lower Canada were unwilling to have substi- tuted another law with which they were unac- quainted. He thought they should rejoice that at the moment when they were obliged to con- fide to the local Legislature j the administration of this law there should have been put before them, at the start, a volume which would contain in a succinct, beautiful and simple manner the whole civil law of Lo-ver Canada, in codifying which Judge Day, now present, had borne such an honorable part. (Cheers.) Generally, matters of a local character would be assigned, as had been said, to the local Legislatures. It might bo that, in framing the Act of Parliament legalizing the scheme of Confederation, some changes might be made in the arrangement of the programme he had explained ; but ho considered that, for the purpose of public discussion, it was well the matters ho had referred to should have been enumerated. The question would otherwise have arisen. How were such and such questions to be dealt with ? And therefore it was thought that, taking the fifty-five subjects enumerated almost every important point which could come under the consideration of either the local or gen- It; i • ( eral legislatures, would have been touched upon. (Hear.) TIIB RianTS OF BOTH RACES WITH RESPECT TO LANOUAUB. The rights of both the French and English mi- norities in the General and Local Legislatures as respects language had been provided for. It was felt that for the million of people in Lower Canada, not supposed to be familiar with Eng- lish, the laws should bo printed in French, and for those unfamiliar with that language they should be struck olFin English. It was nothing more than right that i)arties who were expected to know and obey tlie law, should have it placed before them in an intelligible form. Till VETO. lie now came to the control which was to exist over the actions both of the General Par- liament and local legislatures. And lirst, as to the former, it was proposed to apply to its acts the same check as now existed over the acts of the several legislaturts of the Provinces— that is to say, bills having passed the legislatures might either bo reserved for Her Majesty's assent, or liaving received the assent of Her representative, might be disallowed by the Queen within two years. With regard to the acts of the local legisla- tures, it was proposed they should, in like man- ner, either bo reserved by the Lieutenant Gover- nor, or should, if assented to by him, be liable to disallowance by the general government within one year. It was felt that more advantage would arise by making the reference from the local to the general legislature direct than to have it go through the Colonial Othce. It was plain the Queen, or Sovereign authority, must have the right of exercising the power of controlling le- gislation in the way which had existed for so many years in every part of the British domi- nions. There would be no object in sending over mere local bills to the Colonial Office or to the Queen for sanction. It was felt that points on which differences might arise on local bills would be better understood by ourselves in this country than by the Imperial authorities. If re- served, they would have to be referred back to the General Government for its advice as to their disposal ; and if this advice were given, the parties concerned would be ignorant of the ad- visers, who could not be held responsible. The principle upon which our Government was administered was, that no act was done without some one being responsible. It was desirable therefore that such advice should be tendered by parties who could be brought to account for it by the representatives from the section of the country concerned, in the General Parliament. (Cheers.) THE ^MNANCIAL POSITION OF TIIB FROVINCBS. He had now, somewhat too briefly, perhaps, en- deavored to go over the machinery and the pow- ers with which the General and the Local Govern- ments were expected to work, and it became ne- cessary that be should say a few words as to the extent of the liabilities and assets of the partner- ship into whi h they were about. to enter. In that respect there had not as yet been very much information given to the public, and he proposed now to submit a statement of the lia- bilities of the several Provinces, of their income and expenditure, and generally of the resources wh ich would be at the disposal of the Confede- ration, should it be brought about. First, he would refer to the respective debts of the provinces and as a great deal of dispute had arisen occa- sionally with reference to the amount of our pub- lic debt, he would take this opportunity of giv- ing a statement of the liabilities of Canada, aa made up by the Auditor General, with a Tiew to this question of Confederation. This unques- tionable and reliable document, he might say, contained a statement not merely of the Deben- ture Debt of Canada, that due to the public cre- ditor abroad and covered by bonds and other se- curities, but all other engagements, such as that for the fSeignorial Tenure, which was one of the largest. Though we were not obliged to pay the capital of that debt, still we were obliged to pay the interest, and for tbe purpose of considering our position in the Confederation, it was neces- sary to capitalize it, or to consider it as capital- ized. The Debenture Debt of Canada, direct and indirect, on the 1st January last, amounted to $G5,238,G49 ; miscellaneous liabilities, $G4,- 426; Indian Fund, $1,577,802 ; Banking accounts exclusive of Crown Lands, $3,396,982 ; Seignio- rial Tenure— capital to Seignors, $2,899,711; chargeable on Municipalities Fund, $196,- 719; on account of Jesuits' Estates, |l40;- 271; indemnity to Townships, §891,500; to- tal Seigniorial Tenure, $4,118,202. The aggregate of these amounts was $74,396,063. On the other band we had a Sinking Fund, $4,883,177; and cash and bank account,exclusive of Crown Lands, $2,248,891 : together, $7,132,068. Making the net liabilities of the Province, on the 1st January last, $67,263,994. Besides that, we had as the property of Upper and Lower Canada, what was known aa the Common School Fund, representing a balance of $1,18 1,958, which could not bo properly con- sidered a liability of the Province, and might be done away with to-morrow if the Legislature thought proper. The Act setting apart that Fund was, indeed, so singularly worded, that it could not become useful for the purpose of supporting education for the next hundred years. For the Fond to be made in any way useful, the Act would have to be altered. But, as he had stated, the net liabilities of Canada were $67,263,994. The lia- bilities of Nova Scotia, deducting cash in hand, were on the 1st January last, 14,858,547. Those of New Brunswick, $5,702,991. Those of New- foundland, $946,000. And those of Prince Ed- ward Island, §240,673. The aggregate debts of the whole Provinces on the 1st January last— and they had not increased since.but had rather dimin- ished— were $79,012,205. Now in the scheme of Confederation, it was proposed that there should be a certain fixed rate at which each Province should have the right of charging its debt against the Confederation, and for that purpose the debt of Canada was placed at $62,500,000, which was something like five millions less than the nominal amount of the net debt. The mode in which that reduction was made was this. There were cer- tain liabilities of Canada contracted for local pur- poses, and certain assets connected with those li- abilities. He referred more particularly to the Municipal Loan Fund, and some similar matters . which were more local than general. It bad not been thought desirable that a transference of those securities should be made to the General Govern- ment. It was better that each Province should assume that portion of its debt which was par- ticularly local, and take with it those securities which it held for its redemption. And in that way there was established for the debt of Cana- da an amount equal per head to the amounts contributed or about to be contributed by the two Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Bruns- wick. If any of these Provinces had been in debt to an amount largely exceeding that of the others per head, the matter would have bee^j in a dififerent position But it was found on exami- nation, that, while the debt of Canada might be reduced by the mode he had stated to $62,500,- 000— as nearly as possible $25 per head— Nova Scotia, in addition to her debt, had incurred cer- \v- ' ' I Is : i'l li:;l 17 tain liabilities for the completion of the railway ayBtem witbin tbat Province, for wbieb she had undertaken engaKcments unioiintiD^ to three millions of dollars, which would bring up her debt to eijjht millions or $25 per head also— while New Brunswick, for the construction of her rail- ways, had engagements incurred and liabilities maturing, which amounted to !^1,300,000, bring ing up hir debt to seven millions-— a traction tier bead slightly above tbat of Nova iscotia and Ca- nada. Thus, by assuming the local liabilities and assets, we were enabled to put the debt of Canada at the same rate per head as those of No- va Scotia and New Brunswick, and therefore, as regHrded the three larger Provinces, the assump- tion of their debts by the General Qovernment did not offer any diflicuUy whatever. In the case of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island it was different. Those Provinces, from their insu- lar position, bad not been required to incur the same large oblitcations for public works. They possessed, fortunately for themselves, easy access to all their settlements by water, or by very short distances of land carriaKe,and con- sequently had not been called on to construct cumils, or to introduce a railway system. Ac- cordingly, the debts of Newfoundland and Prince Edward IsUnd were found to be much less, in proportion to their population, than those of the others. To place them on a pap with Canada, Nova Sjotia, and New Brunswick, it therefore became necessary to give them an indemnity for the amount of debt which they had not incurred ; because, in assuming their revenues, we called upon them to contribute to the payment of the interest on the debt which we had incurred, and we could not fairly expect them to do so, unless they were in some measure indemnified for it. And it was found that. In taking this course, we were enabled to got over one great difficulty which had met us, which was that those particu- lar Provinces possessed no local revenues, and tbat, in charging them with the administration of their local 6overoments,and taking from them the Revenue from Customs and Excise,we should leave the Governments of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island without any means what- ever of discharging their liabilities. With regard to Newfoundland, he might remark that the people in that colony being, m regard to agricul- ture, altogether consumers, and not producers, because they were a fishing and maritime popula- tion, the amount of dutiable goods they consum- ed was about double per head what it was here. They would, therefore, in the shape of Customs duties, be contributing to the Confederation a larger proportion than properly belonged to them, and accordingly it was arranged that for the amount of debt which they had not incurred, up to $25 per head, they should be allowed interest, for the purpose of meeting their local payments asd providing for their local wants. THE INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY QUBSTION. He might remark, while upon this point, that in addition to the liabilities to which he had re- ferred, there was the question of the Intercolo- nial Railway, This was one which must unques- tionably be considered as most intimately associated with the carrying out of the plan of Confederation, and it was indeed plain that no political union could take place between the Provinces unless they had means of communicat- ing with each other. Although the construction of this railway might, perhaps, be more advan- tageous, as to its local eflfects, to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia than even to Lower Canada— without question more advantageous than to Upper Canada— yet as a means by which the onion was to be ,accompll8bed, and by which alone it could be brought about, there was an in- terest belonging to it which could not be attach- ed to it so long Hs the Provinces remr.ined sepa- rate. In the case of the Lower Provinces, ibo completion of the Intercolonial Railway by the General Government wonid bu less burdensome than if it were done by them alone. They would have been entering upon a large and expensive undertaking with but a smull population, and it would undoubtedly have borne more heavily upon their resources; but, as he would in a few moments have occasion to show, the effect of their union with Canada would be to increase the duties to which they were subject, so that but for the larger share of the railway expenditure, to be borne by Canada, they would have had a larger portion of the burden than if they had un- dertaken the railway without at the same time go- ing into the Union and subjecting themselves to increased duties of Customs and Excise. W e there- fore obtained the Intercolonial Railway on terms equitable alike to Canada and the Lower Pro- vinces. [Hear.J In referring to the Intercolonial Railway, he would take occasion to remark tbat the public debts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had been almost entirely in- curred for the constrnction of railways. There were in operation in those two Provinces upwards ot two hundred miles of railway belong- ing to the Governments, for the policy tliey had pursued had not been to construct railways by means of encouragement to )>rivate companies, but to build them as Public Works. He thought indeed they were beginning to regret this policy and see that it would have been better if they lad procured the requisite capital by other means. Eut in assuming the debts of these Pro- vinces, the Confederation would of course be- come at the same time the possessor of their rail- ways, and out of the 200 miles of railroad there were over 100 miles, he might even say there were nearly 200 miles, that would become avail- able in connection with the Intercolonial Road. BXPBNDITCRES AND REVENUES OF THE PROVINCES. He would now proceed to state to the meeting some matters connected with the expenditures and revenues of the Provinces last year, 18G3, and to give an idea founded on the information he had received from the members of the Confer- ence of what they were likely to be in 1864, for the near approach of the end of this year rendered it possible to state without the risk of serious error what the figures would be. First, as to 1863; in that year we found the Revenues und Expendi- tures to be as follows :— NOVA SOOTIA. Revenue $1,185,629 Expenditure 1,072,274 Showing a balance in its favor. NEW BRUNSWICK. Revenue $899 991 Expenditure 884,613 Also showiug a balance in its favor. NEWFOUNDLAND. Revenue |480,000 Expenditure 479,420 The gentlemen coming from Newfounnland bad not brought the latest returns with them, so that the Conference bad to take the fignres of a previous year. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. Revenue $197,384 Expenditure 171,718 So that for the whole of the Maritime Provin- ces we had an aggregate Income' $2,763,004 Outlay 2,608,025 Showing a surplus of no less than $154,979. It 18 wu therefore apparent that we were not roIds ery should be ai little coitly as possible, for it into a partnership with Colonies which required would not do to afTrrntthe intelligence of tne our support in a financial point of riew. Ttiey people, and tell them wefaaddjviged nn expen- had always been able lo pay their own way, and sive kind of machinery to do a very Insignifipant they were well able to pay their own way now. amount of work. The Ror.tienien from the Lower They even brought into the public exchequer an Provinces had been asked what reductions they amount per head greater than we should contri- could make in the Government of the several co- bute ourselves, and this because xlwy weie a | lonies, and the tigures he was about to give would more consuming people than we. In Canada, he be moi3, instead of a sur- of those gentlemen, who bad reduced their re- plus, there was a delicioncy— a deficiency of quirements to the lowest sum. In her estimate of $982,491, nearly a million of dollars It was outlay for 1864 for objects of local character the indeed true the deficiency had been made up Province of Nova iScotia had provided for an ex- and more than made up in 18(i4, and ho was hap- penditure of no less than :^(JU7,U0O, but had under- py to have this opportunity of stating that the re- taken to perform the same service in future un- venue of Canada for the present year would be der a confederation at $371,000, or a reduction of considerably in excess of the outlay, even with- 40 per cent. The expenditure of New Brunswick out taking into consideration the additional in 1864 for the same objects was estimated at taxation the Legislature imposed at itslastses-l $404,000. From causes explained at the time and sion. [Hear.] The Customs revenue alone would | shown to be satisfactory, she propo, we should make provision against the possibility of wrong. If security were taken that wrong could not be done on the one side or the other, then there was less chance of its being attempted. Instead of having to remedy an in- jury, we should prevent it. And to speak more particularly with regard to the British popula- tion of Lower Canada, he would remark that, in the General Government they could have no- Ihine to fear. Their race would of course bo the dominant race in the General Parliament, and, consequentlv, he might say, in the General Gov- ernment. Their interests would be safe there — The interests of trade and commerce, those in whieh they felt more particularly concerned, which concerned the merchants of Montreal and Quebec, would be in the hands of a body where they could have no fear that any adverse race or creed could affect them. Ail those subjects would be taken out of the category of local ques- tions, would be taken away from the control of those who might he under the influence of sec- tional feelings animated either by race or reli- gion, and would be placed in the hands of a bo- dy where, if the interests of any class ould be tvpected to he secure, surely it would be those of tiiB British population of Lower Canada. — (Hear, hear.) EMIGRATION AND LANDS. With regard to the position they would occupy in the local Lesi^lature there were two or three questions in which they must feel very great interest, and in which they miahtfear that hostile action raiuht be taken toward them, if such an unwise course should be atttemp'ed bv their French Canadian fellow subjects. He would refer first to the question of Emigra- tion and Lmds. No doubt here in the Eastern Townships it had been felt by many that possibly, in leaving the lands in the hands of the local go- vernments, some rules might be made which would restrict the occupation of those lands to their French Canadian friends solelv. So far as hii experience went, we had alwav," beon delight- ed to see our wiH lands settled by French Cana- dians. They had cone in like the rest of the t>oo- pie and bought the lands they occupied. With regard to the public domain it was clear that no distinction could be drawn by the loeal Legisla- tures. It was possible they might adopt the un- wise policy of putting on a price which would prevent any from buying, but,if the land was ex- posed to sale, it must be as open to one race as the other. In some respects, he might have pre- ferred not in the interests of Lower Canada, but in the interests of the whole country, to have seen them at the disposal of the General Government. But circumstances prevented that— not the posi- tion of Lower Canada, but the great importance attached to the public domain by the Upper Ca- nadians, and in the case also of Kova Scotia and New Brunswick by their respective Governments and people, who were determined to have con- trol of their own lands. Though he thought the general interest might have been promoted, if we could have gone to Europe and put one compre- hensive scheme of colonization and emigration before the world at large, that was prevented now, and all we could hope for. was that such wise measures might be adopted by the Local Legislatures as would have the same results. While it was necessary to leave in the hands of the Local Parliaments and Governments the power of determining the rates or terms on which lands might be obtained by emi- grants when they reached us, or when the, natural increase of our own population requir- ed our young men to take up lands in the back country, he did not think it should be appre- hended that the Local Governments would adopt any policy which would check that which was manifestly for the inteiest of the community at large. Whatever policy were adopted, whether a wise or a foolish one, must be a policy applying equally to all. No distinction could be drawn, with reference to nationality or creed, among those who went upon the Crown domain to buy lands. He did hope and trust that Lower Can- ada would set an example of liberality, in re- gard to the disposal of her lands which he was satisfied was her true policy— and especially in regard to her mineral lands, which were now ex- citing so much attention, and he hoped it would be the case that Lower Canada, in seeking to dispose of her lands, would look rather to the advantage of having an industrious population settled upon them, than to the direct pecuniary benefit she might get from their sale. THE EDUCATIONAL QUESTION AGAIN. He would now again briefly allude to the question of education. He believed he had said enough on that, to removeany appre- hensions that might have been felt. He did hope that what he had said to-day wiUi reference to the measure to be introduced by the Government would reach the eyes or the ears of those who were more immediately connected with the ques- tion of education, and that the result would he that they would put in some succinct and intelli- cible form the changes which it might be desira- ble to make in the present law ; and he would take this opportunity of saving— and it was due to his French Cmadian colleagues in the Govern- ment that he should thus piblicly make the statement, that so far as the whole of them were concerned,— Sir Etienne Tache, Mr. Cartier, Mr. Chapais. and Mr. Lmgevin,— throughout the whole of the negotiations, there was not a single instance when there was evidence on their part ofthe slightest disposition to withhold from the British of Lower Canada anything that they claimed for their French Canadian countrymen. [Cheers 1 They acted wisely in taking the course tbev did. for certainly it encouraged him self and others to stand up for the rights of their French Canadian friends. (Hear, hear.) The opponents of the measure had tried to excite ap- prehensions in the minds ofthe British of Lower Canada on the one hand, and in the minds ofthe French Canadians on the other, by representing to one and to the other that they were to be sacri- ficed. This in fact was the best evidence that the measure had been wisely framed and that it was 21 over Canada, but mtry, to have seen eral Government, bat— not I he posi- Rreat importance by the Upper Ca- Nova Scotia and live Governments ined to have con- ;h he thought the n promoted, if we , put one compre- a and emigration it was prevented nr. was that such ted by the Local ;he same results, re in the hands of Uovernments the rates or terms btained by emi- as, or when the lopulation requir- lands in the back should be appre- ^ernments would check that which of the community adopted, whether a policy applying could be drawn, or creed, among vn domain to buy that Lower Can- ' liberality, in re- ds which he was -and especially in hich were now ex- le hoped it would ia, in seeking to >ok rather to the trious population direct pecuniary ir sale. ON AGAIN. allude to the believed he had miiveany appre- felt. He did hope wimmerce, but the greater development to be given to the trade of the St. Lawrence, and the increased commer- cial facilities which would be afforded to the ma- nufacturers of the Province, would wonderfully add to the advantages enjoyed by the British or rather the English speaking population. And therefore he did not hesitate to say that it would be found in the future that the increased Power and influence given to the Confederation — given it by the union of all their forces and the extension of their commerce both east and west— was going to be immensely beneficial to Lower Canada, and that while all the pro- vinces would improve, we especially should find our position improving and not becom- ing worse. As he said before, there would he a proper feeling of emulation between the two races in Lower Canada ; and both, possessing qualities of a high though dif- ferent character would unite in forming here a society, a community, which would have within itself more i f the elements of great- ness and strength than any other community in the Confederation. But it must not be expected that this could be attained if they evinced a want of confidence and entertained a mutual distrust. They ought to come together for the protection of their common interests, and not with the de- sire to obtatain any mean advantage over one another, but to preserve their interests, defend their rights, and do what lay in their power to make Lower Canada attractive to foreigners, and the whole country so to the wealth and industry of I other lands. They might see their water powers made useful for manufacturing purposes, tbeir wharfs and canals crowded with the vesselaboth of the provinces and other countrie8,and the man- ufacturing skill of the people developed so as by thatmeans to overcome the dI£Bculties to whichour soil and our climate exposed us,and be able tomain- taic our place in the front ranic of progress in British North America, thus holding no mean place in the new Confederation. (Loud cheers.) CONOLDSIOM. In conclusion, he would remark that the political necessities of Canada seemed to render a meas- ure of union of all the provinces of British North America necessary in itself. He thought that those who examined the subject would fled that the federative plan must be adopted. He thought also that it contained within itself the truest protection of all our interests ; and that looking at the scheme merely from a material point of view, the co-partnership was one that was fair to all parties and interests. Now, be- lieving this to be the case, he would say that while they believed they had framed a new sys- tem of confederation that would meet fully the wants and necessities of our people, they had certainly tried to devise such a system as would contain within itself the germ of unity and not of disunion ; they had, he trusted, avoided the evils and errors in the constitution of their Government which were now proving the wreck of the United States ; so thai in the future they would find the system they were trying to inaug- urate a basis of unity among the people, unity of government making the people more and more homogeneous till at length they might at no dis- tant day be enabled to do away with those artifi- cial boundaries whiuh separated one pro- vince from another, and come together as ono united people. (Loud cheers.) It was very probable we might not live to see that day, because it would take a long time to outgrow prejudices and sectionalism and those trammels which had grown up, leading to mis- taken judgments and estimates of our fellow men ; but still he believed that the principle laid down that the admiaistration ot the affairs of all should be based upon the principles of common justice would in the end produce a perfect union of all. He was convinced that under such a sys- tem the people of the different provinces would become one in every respect, instead of being now merely the inhabitants of different sections— instead of being NovaScotians, Canadians, etc. — they would all be the subjects of one great na- tion. [Loud cheers.] He could not help for a moment adverting to the great future before us. Resting with our back to the icy regions of the North —with the finest river in tho world passing through the centre of our land, who could pre- dict our future power and greatness? [Renewed cheers.] True we should have a foreign fron- tier, but the movement now taking place ap- peared to be bringing forth more friendly senti- ments on the part of our friends to the Sontb, who were discussing the subject in a favorable spirit. And he believed that anything which had a tendency to promote that friendly feeling ought to meet their hearty support and concur- rence. (Cheers.) They had seen a dngree of mistrust growing up on the part of their Ameri- can friends which they must try and remove if they could. They were bound to show them in all relations every justice, but at the same time they were also bound bjr the higher duty to themselves to regard with jealous care their own rights and interests, and should their soil ever be desecrated by a foreign foe to hurl back the enemy and defend their constitution and laws with every energy at their com- mand. (Loud cheers.) Let us come together as one people and be united in one firm front to work in conjunction with the great empire to which we belonged, to labor for the general good. (Applause.) Let it not be said longer that Canada was unable or unwilling to do more in her own self-defence— let us fling back that re- proach, and in dealing with that subject let it be known that we did our whole duty with the de- termination to discharge the liabilities of a na- tion devolving upon us. (Cheers.) Let it be our pride to do so; let it not be said that we were so selfish or mean-spirited that, while willing to enjoy the benefits and privileges of our favored situation, we were unwilling to pay their cost or fight for them. (Cheers.) In coming forward as we were obliged to do from the necessities of the case, to consider a remedy for our own evils, it was hoped the public mind of Canada would ap- prove the remedy now proposed. We had tried and found, he believed, a remedy for our own diflBcnlties— not in disunion, not in severing the tie between Upper and Lower Canada, but by in- cluding in one bond all the British North Ameri- can Provinces, which had all a common alle- giance and a common interest. And instead of remaining separate as we hod done for the last 24 years, let us go forward with a million more fellow-colonists standing at our side in the strug- gle for national existence ; and whatever might betide, he trusted the people of Canada, as well as those of the other British North American Colonies, would be worthy of the great interests confided to them, and never be found backward in defending them, no matter from what quarter danger might arise. The •-Ton. gentleman resumed bis seat after a speech of three hours and ten minutes, amid pro- longed cheers. On motion of Mr. HENEKER avote of thanks was passed to Mr. Gait for the interesting and lucid statement he had placad before his con- si ituonts. The thanks of the meeting were also voted to the Chairman, on the motion of Mr. G\LT; and cheers having been given for the Queen and for the Finance Minister, the proceedings terminated. 3 23 THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE PROVINCES. bis seat after a ates, amid pro- TOte of thanks interesting and before his con- also voted to , GA.LT; and Queen and for igs terminated. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, (1862,) Prince Edward Island, Maritime Provinces, Canada, - Debt, 1863. 5,702,991 946,000 240,673 $11,748,211 67,263,994 Income, 1863. $1,185,629 899,991 480,000 197,384 $2,763,004 9,760,316 Outlay, 1863. $1,072,274 884,613 479,420 171,718 $2,608,025 10,742,807 Totals, $79,012,205 $12,523,320 $13,350,832 Increased Revenues in 1864. Canada, without the produce of the new taxes, New Brunswick, ...... Nova Scotia, Deficit of 1863, Surplus of 1864, Total Revenues of all the Colonies, 1864, Outlay, $827,512 872,488 $1,700,000 $1,500,000 100,000 100,000 $1,700,000 Estimated Surplus, $14,223,320 13,350,832 $872,488 THE POSITION OF THE CONFEDERATION, ESTIMATED ON THE BASIS OP 1864. Revenue now produced for General Government. Canada, $11,250,000 Nova Scotia, 1,300,000 New Brunswick 1,000,000 Prince Edward Island. 200,000 Newfoundland 480,000 $13,260,000 Local Revenues which would not go into the general Chest. $1,297,043 107,000 89,000 32.000 5,000 Subsidy to be paid to each Province. $2,006,121 264,000 264,000 153,728 369,000 $1,530,043 $3,056,849 Difference, avail- able for the purposes of the Ge- neral Government. Expenditure. Canada $9,800,000 Neva Scotia 1,222,355 New Brunswick 834,5 1 8 P.E.Island 171.718 Newfoundland 479^000 $12,507,591 Local Outlay. $2,260,149 667,000 424,047 124,016 479.000 $3,954,212 $9,643,108 Difference payable by the General Government. $8,553,379 Surplus at the disposal of the General Government, $1,089,729 AVERAGE OF THE PRESENT TARIFFS. Canada, Nova Scotia, - New Brunswick, 20 per cent. 10 « 15J " Newfoundland, Prince Edward lalaiiid, 1 1 per cent 10 " 24 FUTURE POSITION OF THE PROVINCES. Estimated Outlay Estimated Local Outlay Local Revenues. for 1864, under under present Government. the Union. NovaFcotia, - - $107,000 $667,000 S.371,000 New Brunswick, - 89,000 404,047 353,000 P. E. Island, - - 32,000 171,718 124,015 Newfoundland, - 5,000 479,000 250,000 6233,000 $1,721,765 $1,198,015 n 1 1 907 n^Q S *2,021,979 t Canada, - - 1,297,043 I , 238 179 ^h^^'9.^^ $J,981,914 X -:«■ Average of the last four years. f Interest on excess of debt. I Not estimated by Mr. Gait, for reasons given in the speech. THE AUDITOR'S STATEMENT OF THE LIABILITIES OF CANADA. Debenture Debt, direct and indirect $65,238,649 21 Miscellaneous liabilities ...,-... 64,426 14 Common School Fund 1,181,958 85 Indian Fund 1,577,802 46 Banking Accounts 3,396,982 81 Seigniorial Tenure : Capital to Seigniors - - - - $2,899,711 09 Chargeable on Municipalities' Fund - 196,719 66 On account of Jesuits' Estates - - 140,271 87 Indemnity to the Townships - - 891,500 00 4,118,202 62 75,578,022 09 Less— Sinking Funds $4,883,177 11 Cash and Bank Accounts - - - 2,248,891 87 7,132,068 98 68,445,9.53 11 From which, for reasons given in his speech, Mr. Gait deducted the Common School Fund 1,181,958 85 Leaving as NET LIABILITIES - $67,268,994 26 IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND TONNAGE OF THE PROVINCES. Imports. $45,964,000 10,201,391 7,764,824 1,428,028 5,242,720 70,600,963 66,846,604 Total Trade - $187, 447 ,667 Canada Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Newfoundland Exports. $41,831,000 8,420,968 8,964,784 1,627,540 6,002,212 Sea-going Tonnage. Inward and Outward- $2,133,000 1,432,954 1,386,980 No returns. $66,846,604 4,952,934 Lake T'ge 6,907,000 Total Tons - 11 ,859.934