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*tion in their power touching the question of Colonial Union ia British America, When I had the honor of moving the resolution which received the unanimous concurrence of th's House at its last session, I did not disguise for a single mo* ment that whilst I looked upon a Union of the Maritime Provinces as desirable, that the go- vernment introduced that scheme to tlie Legis- lature in the absence of any grounds of hope that the larger and more important Union of British North America was at that time prac- ticable or could be elfected. I did not conceal from the bouse for a single instant the opinions which I conscientiously entertained, thatthe in- terests of British America would be largely pro- moted by a union of Canada with the Maritime Provinces ; but I drew the attention of gentle- men on that occasion to the grounds I had for believing that at that time such a union was im» practicable. I drew the attention of the house to the difficulties that existed, as I believed, on the part of both Upper and Lower Canada in re- lation to a union with the Maritime Provinces. I also referred to some of the objections which existed on the part of the Maritime Provinces in relation to a union with Canada, and proposed the resolution already referred to. Whilst ad- vocating, as zealously as I was able, the advan- tages that would accrue from the larger union I proposed that of the Maritime Provin- ces as the only step that was available to us at that time and a step which, so tar IVom conflicting in the slightest degree with a Union of all British North America, was actually one in that very direction. It will be also recollect- ed that gentlemen on both sides of this house, whilst giving their concurrence and support to the resolution, did not hesitate to express the preference whicli they had for a union of all British North America, and even went at length into arguments to show that the advantages which were likely to come from a union of the Maritime provinces were comparatively insigni ficant with those which would result from the larger scheme. In these sentiments I entirely and heartily concurred, a^ will be in the recoll- ect on of gentlemen who refer to the Speech which I made on that occasion. THE QUEBEC CONFERENCE. When the conference which, as I have al- ready stated, met at Charlottetown, they recei- ved a deputation of members of the Canadian government for the purpose of giving them an nnnnrliinil'.v ni nlnpinir hofrtpo iia tlia irt^mr.* -r- J •" t o — ■ — " -•-*' T sv' -▼ *? and opinions of the government of Canada in relation to this subject. Several meet- I (4) IngB took place at which these genllempn at length explained the position of Can- ada, and the attitude which oho then held on the question of Colonial Union. I need ecnrccly remind the House that the only two objcctionB wbicb existed on the part of the Maritiafe Tro- vincea— the only two points in which I intimated that any hostility might be found in the Mari- time rrovinccs to the union with Canada, wero the large debt which Canada had and the financial condition of that country— that whilst her debt was very much larger than that of the Maritime Provinces, and the government had been obliged to meet the Pariiament annually with a largo deficit, we were able to exhibit a large gi^rplus revenue. When we ascertaiied that a govern- ment had been formed in Canada with tha avowed and ostensiblo olject of eflfecting ai:nion of the Maritime Provinces with that country— that both of the great parties which existed in that Province had united upon a common plat- form with a view of uniting all British America — that the debt of Canada and that o*" the Maritime Provinces could be arranged in such a manner as to enable all to enter the Confederntion upon terms of perfect equality, and that Canada was prepared to otl'er to the Maritime Provicts that for every dollar of less debt that any one of them had relatively to Canada according to population they were prepared to pay to such province interest annually — when we found m addition to that that the financial condition ot the country had so improved thi'.t instead of closing the financial year with a d; ficit she was able to show a surplus — when we saw that the prominent objections — thoae which had been raised here as the only objections that lay in the way of a Union of the Maritime Provin- ces with Canad-A— had beeu removed — we ftlt we might then fairly arrive at the conclusion that we would be consulting not only the inter- ests but the wishes ot the respective Legisla- tures and people we represented, if we entered upon the h>rger and more important question of a Union of all British North America. That ac- tion has been so strongly challenged upon the part ot the Press and of a nuriibcr of public men in thesi' various provinces, that I think it right I should d"iain tlie house for a few moments whilst I off r to them some of the reasons which the goTi rmijent of this province had for believ- ing that in adjourning the qilts'ion of a Union of thete Provinces, and in taking up Wm \fir<^et question of a confederation of all British North Ameri(;a, tliey were acting in accordance with the viniws of the Legislatures and with the sen- timents ijf ^he people of this country. PAST A-PECT OF TaE QUESTION OP TJNIOX, I need not go back ten years to remind the House ot the pofition which this qutstion oc- cupied in 1854 when Mr. Jolnston, the leader of th Conserative party in this province, moved 11 resolution proposiog a uniou of the Briirsh N'T h America or a i niou of Canada, with 'be Maiitime Provinces ; that sentiment. inBttai of exciting hosiility--of tnceting with anla-'on siu, nceived the favorable consideration of th' House, and, as far as could be judged, tfthu people of this pro nee. At that time I need hardly remind the House that Mr. Young, a prominent member of tliis Legislature, gavo in his adherence to the advantages that would be derived from n union of these provinces and turlher expreosed a strong opinion in favor of a federal imion of British America, On that oc- casion Mr- Howe, also one of tho most promin- ent members of the Legislature, instead of op- posing union, placed upon record hii opinion during the discussion of tlic question, that if he were unable to obtain what bo considered better, namely representation in the Imperial Parliament, ho would he prepared to support a federal union of all B N. A. But I shall come down to a latter period when I had the honour of delivering .i lecture at the opcnint; of tho Mechanics Institute at St. John. Now Brunswick, in 1800. I took that opportunity, as a pubhc man, of di-awinj; tho attention of thcso provinces to the great irapcrtauco of a uniou of all British North America, and to tho great advantages that would flow from a conso- lidation of these provinces with Canada. That lecture was repeated in various parts of thi« province, and I cnn only say that, testing as I did the public opinion of this country, neither in the press nor by any cxpreesion of the pub- lic 6 nt ment in any slmpa whatever, was I ltd to bd'eve that the views whic'i I had propounded as a public m.^n did not meet with the entire approval and concurr<»nce of the people of ihe?i? provincps. A year afterwards, in 18G1, hon Mr- Howe, then leader of the government in this Province, proposed formally in this Legislature a series of resolutions in which ho declared that many and great advantages would result from the union of £.11 the Provinces, and in which he asked the concurrence of this House to just such a cow ference as was recently hrld at Quebec for the purpose of examining the qucsiln!, and ascer- taining whether it would be practicable to unite these Provinces under one govt rnment. The ilouse is well aware that ahhouyh this resolu- tion was proposed at a time when parly antagon- ism was ai$ rife as at aay time in r ur history — when parties were closely biil,jnc< d in this house — when a fieice struggle was go'm% on in this Legislature for the government of the country — yet in the presence of tliat proposal all party hostility gave way, and it met not only with warm support from the oppoiitii-n benches, but with the entire approval and concurrence of this Legislature. Ct-rtainly there were no grounds for supposing that the public sentiment of this country was rot in the hi|,r!;(8t d.j-ree favor.able to a union with Canada. But oming down to a later period, Mr. McGee visited these Pfov- inc s, and I cannot m*n'i n tbrtt hon, gentle* man's name without pi> injj at the same time a just tribute to the great claims he bus upon the people ot British North Araerina It there is a statesman in British North America of whom our country mHny be juftly proul it is that hon. gentleman, and if he has emi'^claim to the gratitnde ot ibe p-ople ot these pruvinces grea- ter than anotiier it is owing to the fact that through his public Provincial career his great intellect, his great powers have beea directed » (5) «» towards consolidating all British North Ameri- ca. Ilia great poweri. have been brouKht Into play earnestly and circ-cfually in removinjj class, party, nnd religious antngonism— in fact, every antn^'onisra that could divide the p«?ople that inliil)t Uritisth Nortli America and to di- rect tlieir mind and iittontion to the great value of the inslituiions tliny possess, and to the best means of cunsolidating and perpetuating those InstitutiouH That lion gentleman, in response to a request inada lo him, d. liverod a lecture on the consoli lotion of British North Amerioa, and insteal of b.ing met by any demonstration on the part of tlie people or the press of this coun- try that woii.M lead atty public man to suppose that a Ui 1 )ii of Britiali North America was not in the bighi.-it d grtu iieocptablo, ho delivered that brilliant orition Hinid the plaudits of a largo, influt-ntial and intellectual audionce in this city, nnd at th.i cjU'iUiaion a vota of thanks was mo- ved by luui. Mr. Johnston and seconded by Mr. Ilowt: ' h;il pnged ss the government have been with luvving failed in their duty to the people t.f fhid country when they permitted the diacussiiKi ol the question of Union with Canada, it is tut right that I should turn to the sentimoUa not only delivered by leading statesmen of two p'lrties in this country, but doliverct in ih.> pres^-noe of an influential body ot ci'.iz.nM and received and accepted by the intcUigen'- pii.s3 of the country, as deserving, in the hij.!i,.,sc degree, of the approval of the people, linn, Tdr Joimstcm said, in moving a vote of tl!,M ks to Mr. McGce : — "To liiiti cH it linil boon tlio occasion oi peculiar interest, _ ini-iniich as tho suiyoct of it \va;i oiio ou which liis own iiiiriil liail been iur a lon,'^ tiiiio occupi- ed. JIo li t cla.^s ciiy. We have got tins elements i,t'j."t aine-s and. Kell'-government, but on a v«ry small .-cdc. Tlic tiaine ni'aiiy be .'aid of :\ew IJrunsvvic'K . ih> lati.r rrovince is a noble country; and Canaihi v\e know i.n replete with inexhaiistiblo Btores ol wcilth anliall comprise her bounds, broad and unlimited u\ ili-ir .'.^p.lllS('? I» i-t, then, our duly not only totl.c pr ■-.•nt, but al.s") the succeeding genera- tions, to fif ct a luimn of the whole, Canada. >:ew BrumwicK, Nova.-^colia and Mewlbundland, having one intere.-i :n.d one cause, it has beon said t)y somo that we can di luiU' in moulding our future condi- tion; but 1 siy tliat we can do much, and it is our duty to fink into iIji' future and provide for it. \Vo may also waK.'ii vp o tiie necessity ol giving the ques- tion it.s d „• imp .rtanca when, perhaps, it may bo somewhat ijo liUo." Mr. » owt', in stconding that resolution, said: "Mr. lI.Hvi. wont on to remark that it would be in Justice to III., li.eiiircr to .iin,-.ii .Norili Atie'rioan I'rovineet', but ho wi\8 joran in .Tciloiiial liailroad lirst. 'I lion the road would bniig aliiui the Union. It would enable the Utnadia:.^ i,» s.'.M u,l'ie,!s, io becr.nio familiar with us, and t. >•■!■ the nuinbi-r of 1000 ton-ships which wo are l.uddii g. vsliich wi'li our other wealth a- (I louuices, we are willing to throw mto tlie vu^■ gi cat block, lie thought a Union should not bo delayed till wc had drifted intodifUcultlod. How Hhort Highted wero the linglish fttnfesmen of old wli« lost them the thirteen hlutex, when ttn- dilliculty could have been arraigned iu a month, tlir iiorrors of the Jtevolutionary war prevented, and nil our rac.riug upon small tojiics, but when the great subject of national union was brouglit before them then all nilii 'r dilference was disregarded antl 1 found them nniting and push- ing and cheering mo on in this labor of love." These sentim'nts vrorf. delivered at the lecture of Mr.McGce amid t le plaudits of one of the most intelligent audiences in th« citv, and quoted by the press tru^m one end of the province :o the other, and met the hearty approval of this country! I do not make these quotations for tlie purpose of bringing into que-tion t!ie attitude of any pubHc man in this country. I am /.ow asking this house to consider whether the cou.-se the government pursued in appointing dt'-T-ates to confer upon the question of a Union ot Ilritish Korth America was not one that they }iad a right to suppose would receive the hearty con- currence of tljis house, and meet with the en- thusiastic ftpprovdot the people of this country. It is well known that afcer the resolutions whioh passed the legishture«i of the r* tpective Provinces had been p!a(;ed npon tho journals, the Governm nt ot rana'hi was norganiz-d by the combination of both parties upon tlie avow- ed platform of erdtavoring to form a U ion of all Briti h North America When thia fact was made known, what did it evoke? A senti- ment of hostility on tlie part of these Provinces ? No ! Did we who had been euiog af the hands ot Canada as late as 18(51 hy the act of this legialaturo, and a.skiag, as Mr. ilowe did ask, for a conference 8n(;!» 8S that recently held at Quebec — did the people ot these provinces w hen they learned that the {.'overnuitni; of Canada had been reformed and .econ,.? ruottd upon the bssis of endeavoring to brnvjatwut a Union of Bri- tish North America, view that profKKsition with disfavour ? In the Province of New Brunswick, in the chief city, the ciiiz-'os came together — the Board of Trade at tiie iiead of the move- ment— and one of tlie fir,i acis wliic'i followed tha declaration to the world that the g .vernraent of Canada was recon.^tructed upon such a basis as I have stated, was an invitation from St. John to the goveMimenc and the united Legisla- tures of that count y to come down nnd receive an ovation at their hands. Nor was tlie city of Halifax slow in following the exaniole, for at a meeting convened by the Mayor u^jou a publio V (B) requisition in tliis city, an invitation was extend- ed by the citizinsof Ilalifftx to the Len's'a'ure of Canada fo come here and receiv- an ovation aUo at tluir handa— indicating, as far as it waa f)OB8il)lo. that the events which had talien place n Canada tntiiiod tlie Government and Lcsiis- laturo of that country to courtesies such as had never bt en extended to them before Although the Legislature of Canada was not able for- mally t > atc'cpt tliat invitation, a number of gentlemen c niiectcd with various public posi- tions in the country came down to St John and Ilaiilax. I need hardly tell this Houst! how they wi re received. So far from having been mrt with any spititof hostility, they wero received with op. n arms, and the hospitalities of theee two eiti s in tliG two provinces extend- ed to th' m in a manner that was worthy of both. Ai W.if R» a jenr ago. in August 186'1, at the public tnttrtainment wliich was given in this city, and before the Conference had mot at Cbfrlottetown — when these geTillcmen were received here,- H member of the Canadian go* vernmtnt, a'andiog at tho table, advocated in the most f liiqueut terms a Union of all British North Amtrica. That advocacy waa received, 88 hsd alwHja been the case in tho city of Halifax, by e\n ry demonstration of enthusiasm and a{ proval that it was in the power of an in- telligtnt people io sive ; but more than that, on that occasion, I took ihe opportunity of observ- ing that when I had moved a resolution lor a Union of ll.e Maritime Provinces, I did it with the conviction that an imraediato consolidatio)! ol all British North America was imi)rnclicab!e — and that I hailed with the utmost Pttiiofaction the evidence that ha'l been since given that the smaller Union wliich we contemplited was likely to be merged inio a far (greater and more comprehen- sive sehtrae. Oa that occasion, I need not stale to gentlemen w o are resident in this city Mr. Howe ngiiin ri spoi.ded in the terms which he lad aiwa_>s been accustomed to use on this queaiion. 11.; said, althoUkih the hour was late it w.'is of Utile consequence, for his voice had btenlnfud in every chief city not only Nova of ISfotia, and New Brunswick, butof Canada, advocating the consolidation of all Bri- tish North Ani'Tioa; and there he committed himself, in the m st unqualified manner, in fa- vour ol Kucii a union— oeclnring that it was the dream of hia life, aiid that he would look for- ward to its rtalizHtion witl the hiifhest satisfac- tion 1 do not ri ftr to this as attaching any great inportance to what may f;ill from Mr. Howe or niyedt, but I call attention to these facts to slioH^ ih It when public men on various occa^ioiiB gave in their hearty adiiesion to a pro- posal tu uni'e CTnada wiih the Maritime Tro- vincee, so far Iroiu the ptntiiuents they pro- pounded sinking ilicrn in public estimation - so arlrom the prist) «nd luopieof this country ex- p^e^8ing their disai-nt from the course that was purened — that in tie liyht of the fact that a ConlLn n( e whs to oo held at (^harlottetown, and that a depuittiion of the Canadian Govtrumcn were to attend this Conference with a view of cndtavouring to Mccomplish the larger Union of British North America, as far as the public men of this or the other Province! Rre conoerned, there was every reason to believe that what was proposed met with the entire approval and the concurrence of tho people. As I have already stated the Canadian deputation were received — and after much consultation and deliberation, the moat prominent public men in all these Pro- vinces came to tho conclusion that therti was a fair and legitimate prospect to believe that at another conference they would be able to Re- vise such measures for a Union as would ae- cure the conQdence, o operation, and B6:>ent of all these Provinces. Under these circuaiatan- cls the Canadian delegates returned home, and tho Governor General, acting upon their ad- vice, and under tho sanction of tho v'rown, given in tho most emphatic terms, invited the appointment of delegates from tho maritimo provinces for the purpose of taking into consi- deration the qutstion of the wider Union. That action has been challenged as an U'lconstitu* tional proceeding. I will not, in an assembly like this, attempt any vindication of the strict conftitutionality of such a coursi^ SuHiue it to say, there stood upon the journals of the legislature not only the approval of such a course as that, but the declaration of the Colo- nial Secretary that the British government would bo ready to pay the utmost dt-ference to any proposal— that might emanate from any scheme that might be agreed upon by tho gov- ernments of the ditterent provincis, and author- izing a conference to be h^ld. The resolution which passed the house at its last session pro» vided that whatever agreement was come to should receive the oanction of tho dit!erent legislatures. No action, therefore, was proposed to be taken by the conference at Quebec which did not involve the same legitimate course to be taken. All that the legislatuie hf-.d demand- ed -all that the several legislatures and the imperial government as well had demanded — as the neces.^ary constitutional course prelimi- nary to change the constitution, was observed by the (iaebec conference, aid thot was a pro- posal to arrange the scheme of union for these provinces which should first be submitted to the imperial government, then to the ditlerent legislatures of these provinces, previous to an applicition being made to the imperial authori- ties to give effect to the schem') by an act passed by the Bn'ish parliament. I need not tell the house that a body of public men assembled at Quebec— similar to no otiier body that ever met together in this or any other country— who not only represented the governments but both leading political parties. The re-^ult of their labors was beyond that which tiie most san- guine person had a right to expect— that in the posiiion which we coneidered British America to occupy the dilierent public men representing the d^fi'e ent parties and sections into which all British America is divided, were able to devise a common scheme ot Union. After the ques- tion was fully dealt with, a scheme was pre- sented which, as whole, was accepted by the c-3nicrcnc-3. THE ADVANTAGE.? OP LEGISLATIVE UNION. The result of that Conference, it will be now ■| ty. (7) 1 "^ mv duty to refer to, for let that Bchemo occupy what poBition it may at this hour, no one can hesitate to afimit ttiat the interests involved in It are of tbo most vital consequence. It be- comes me as a member of the government of my country,— as a public man respon- sible to the House and the people for Iho views I entertain upon a question of this kind— that I sliould liHve an opportunity of explainioR and vindiciiting as I can, tho grounds which led me to concur as I did most heartily in the scheme proposed for tho Union of British North Ameri- ca. I need not tell tho House that a great deal of discussion has taken j lace in times past as to whether a legislative or federal union would be the best mode by which these Provinces could be united, and I believe that I will be able to show this House that whilst a Legislative Union was really not practically before us— for there were difliculties lying in its path such as lo ren- der its adoption impossible — yet the Union ^ which was devised by the Quebec Conference, possessed all the advantages of both without the disadvantages that attended each separately. No personj who is acquainted with tho cliaracter of Legislative Union, but knows, when it is proposed for a country with the area and extent of territory that British America possesses, its reahzation is attended with great difficulties if not with insuperable obstacles. No person, who is acquainted with what has taken place in the Imperial Parliament, but knows that gi'eat as that country has become under a Legislative Union, yet the difficulties connected with the Uniob are suoh as at this moment to be occupy- ing the attention of the foremost statesmen cf Great Britam. The difficulties in the way of a Legislative Union are that the Legislature has not only to be occupied with the diucussi n of the great and leading questions which touch the vital interests of every section o( tho coun- try, but to give its attention largely to matteri of merely local concern. At present, the Par- liament is obliged to take up and consider from five to six hundred local bills. When we consider that this body of 600 men, — the most influ- ential and important assemblage of statesmen in the world, are called upon to give their at- tention upon some five hundred bills, which are not of general but of purely local concern, you can imagme the difficulty of carrying on the legislation of such a country. It is net trango that under such circumstances the Par- liament is obliged to s't eight out of twelve BQontha in order to accomplish the legislation re- quired at their hands. If a Legislative Union were devised for British North America the people occupying the different sections would not have the guarantee that they have under the •cheme devised, that matters of a local character would occupy the attention of the local legisla- tures, whilst those of a general nature would be entrusted to the General Legislature. There- Core the scheme that was devised gave the cen- tralization and consolidation and unity that it was absolutely indispensable should be given. oefects of the federal constitution— instead of navmg the inherent weakness that must always attend a Byetem where the local legislatures only impart certain powers to tho government of th^J country— quite a difleront course was pursued, and ft was decided to drflne the quet- tions that should be reserved for the local letrU- latures, and those creat subjects that should b« entrusted to the geRor&l parliament. Therefore, whilst the unity and consolidation connected with Legislative Union was obtained on the one hand, due care and adention to the local matters interesting to each Province were provided for by tho preservation of local pnrliamon's, and these powers were so arranged as to prevent any conflict or struggle which might lead to any dif- ficulty between the several sections. OUU CONNECTION WITH GRKAT UllITAIir 8TUENGTIIENEU. Instead of looking to the Union of British North America as tending to weaken the bond of connection that binds us to the parent state, no one who reads the resolutions of th« conference but must see that there was placed in the fore* front the principle that that bond should be strengthened, and that we should bo connected with the parent state by a more indisoluble tie than ever before existed. I need not tell the house that these results have been submiUed to the attention of the Imperial Government, and tho statesm n of England have looked upon them not as likely to separate these dependen- cies, but as tho best means of uniting them more indisolubly to the crown. I need not state that the same bond which exists between Cana- da and England— between Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and England, was conceived, and that when the scheme contemplated that the Queen should place a Viceroy or Governor- General over these dependencies thus united, the surest guarantee was given that the great object was to preserve the bonds that conneol us with the parent state. And that view has been accepted not only by the govermsnt but by the people and press of England, and by statesmen in every quarter of the globe. LOCAL OOVEBNOUS. A great deal or sttv-ss has been laid on the fact that whilst the Governor General would be appointed by the Crown, the connection be- tween these Provinces and the British Govern- ment would be weakened, because it was pro- posed that the local governors should not be appointed as at present. Those who examine the subject will find very little on which to base that argument. Every person must see that it was important that the local governments hi each province should be so united with the general government under the Governor-General as to ensure harmony and co operation, and that it therefore became necessary that n altera- tion should be mada as to the appointment of the Lieutenant Governors. But I would invite the attention of the hor^e to the character Of that alteration. What was proposed ? Thattiie people of each proTince should elect their gov- ernor 1 No. Whatever favor that view might uave met iroiii 80me parties, it was not the prmciple laid down by the conference at Quebec. It will be found that the same means by which the governor is appointed today would exist ca) ander the tcheni* of the conference. Who appoints the Uorernc Gfnerai and Uie LieatO' Qant Oovernors at this Aaj 1 If there U a por> tioo of ImpfiriAl pitronaxe whioh is more than another placed wlihin the personal control of the individual who ejtprcisos it, it is tho appoint- ment of Oolonial Governors In case of a ▼aoanoy in any one of these dependencies, the man who Alls it up i< the liiglit lion. Mr. Card well sitting in the Colonial office. I would ask, whether under this echeme, when it has been pi linly stated by the British government that it would become necesMry that thny should supply from the ablest British itateimen a Go- ▼ernor or Viceroy, whether the Crown and the people would not havo the same guarantee for that influence and control over the appointment Of local governors that is exercised now. The difference would bo this : Instead of a Colonial SecretHry appointing the Lieutenant Governor ttie Queen's representatiTe sitting at the head of the government of United British America, himself asresponsible as a minister of the Crown, would bo called upon to discharge that duty, and, at the same time, harmony would be cb lained between the local and general govern- ment, and the influence of the crown would be as effective as it exists at the present moment. The people of British North America would be In a poHition to exercise an amount of influence in the selection of the local governors which they, of course,- cannot do under existing cir- cumstances. POWERS OF OENEBAL QOVBIINMEMT. It was proposed, as I stated before, that all the questions of leading general importance should be entrusted to the general government. There are some thirty-seven in number, but I will only at present draw the attention of the house to some of the more important points : "The regulation of trade and commerce; the Im- tositlon and Rogiilation of Excise Duties; the Postal ervioe; Militia, Military, and Naval Service; Cur- rency and Coinage: Criminal Law; appointment of Judges of the Supremo Courts. FOWEBS OF LOCAL Q0VBRNUENT8. local governments were reserved an im(ortant character, though of To the powers of local interest, which could be exercised without any interference whatever with the nnity and ftrength of the central government. The con construction of the local governments was to be left to the local legislatures themselvea. The establishmeat and tenure of Local Offices, and Mpointmont and payment of Local Officer « ; JSduca- tfou; Sale and Management of Public Lands ; Local works; The Administration of Justice, Property and Civil Bights. I ha^e only referred to some of the more im- portant powers that would be given to the local and general governments respectively. The local governmentB would not interfere with the powers of the geerai government, or weaken its strength and unity of action, but would be able to deal wifc^i suph questions as touch the local Interests of the qountry— the ^Tjljwriadiction, &c. TBI OCBT; As I stated before the debt of each provinm was settled upot; a principle that I think wiU ramniend inself t<» the aproval of ;every man in British North America, and that is tliat each proviuce should enter the confederation with precisely the same debt, and if any section wai in the position that he construction of local pub lio works did not necessitate the raising of th« debt to tho same proport onate extent as that of Canada, she should receive from the publio revenue the diflference. I need not detaia the House upon that branch of the sub- jpot, for in tne first case it gave to New Brunswick, and Nova Hcotia a margin to raise their debt to that point which was required to complete their public works, and at the same time left them In the position that if the money was not expended it should be cre'!ited to them. THB QUESTION OF TUB SDBBIDT. There is another question that has occupied a great deal of attention, and that is the subsidy. , It has b»en stated that the subsidy whs insuffi- cient, and that a great mistake was made by th« delegstjs who placed the amount at 80 centa a head, and based it on the census of 1861, in- stead of making it a larger sum in the Aral instance, and allowing it to increase according as the population increased If |he delegatea from the m ritime provinces did not secure suffi- ciently good terms, I may say frankly, if we came back not having obtained that fair consi- deration and justice to tho provinces which w» had a right to demand at the hands of the conference, the fault was our own. Tho business of that conference was carried oa by vote by provicnea, and the maritime colonies, instead of standing in a positioa to allow Canada to dictate her own terms, and being compelbd to accept them, they held a position which gave them a .great advan- tage. The vote upon every question, as I have said, was taken by provinces. Every member of that Conference had it in his powor to advo- cate his individual opinions to the best of hia ability ; but when it came to a vote, the majo- rity of the delegates from each province flecidod what its vote should be ; and therefore, when it is seen that Canada had only two votes, and that the Maritime Provinces had four, it is evi- dent that if the latter— whose interests were identical— did not receive a fair amount of con- sideration, it was not beouae they did not stand in a position to obtain it. I have no hesi- tation, however, in going further and saying, if there is any fault to be found with the subsidy to carry on the local governthents — the>mount necessary to supplement the local funds that each province would have at its disposal to cany on the local governments — the blame must rest, in a large degree, upon the delegate! from the provinces, for that subsidy was fixed to a largo extent upon the requirement! or what we believed to be the necessities of Noni Scotia, and arranged upon a basis that we felt was necessary In order to meet local exigenciea in this Province. We felt it was to the advan> iago or iiiis ir'roviucB as well as oi tiritfsu NorcD America, that the subsidy should be pla^ at || I {9) low a flgiirfl «> noMible, fur ika, rim pie rouOQ flint 80 cents a hettfi wm a tox thut would reil upon the [X'opio of Britiwh North AnnTica t»ud upon Nova HcotU in (onimon. To have In- orpKoed that aubnidy to 00 ut«ntt would have made a very intii^nlflunnt diff> rt-nce to be re- ceived hy the pfople of this Provinof, but when applied to the Dii'lions of CHoadnit would have amountt^d to a Inrg^ a^grpgiite to be drawn anuualty fur over (ro n tlio g'nt'ral rovenuo of the whole country in which we would huve a common interent Therefore it was ol th« high- est iiupurinnue tii the peopiu of this email pro. vince with a pmill population to fix the tubaldy at the Bmalk'st amount in order to lessen the burthens whidi the people of British North America, and espeulally of the lower provinoei), would be called upon to •ustain. We felt that tlie same principle dictated to nn as a matter of O'tmmon prudencie that we BhouM flx the sub- sidy upon the census of 18GI. Wo Mt, too, that tlie population of Upper Canada might be expected to inoreasft in a greater ra'io than any other part of Dritish North America, and tha result would be that an enormous drain would thus be made upon the general r venue if tlie • ubsidy were not stationary. As the population increased it would ha but 70 then ttO, then 60 cents, instead of fixing forever 80 cents upon the people. We believed, after making a tjare- ful calculation, which it will not bo ntcesaary to go into at this time that in fixing tha amount «t 80 cen's, we sufflciently conaulttd the local interests of the country, and the different s^r- viccB for which it was necessary lO provide. BEPKKSKNTATION BY POPULATION. I must glance now at one or two points that were arranged at that Confurence lor the go- vernmont of IJritiHh North America. The prin- ciple of repre.sentation by jvopulation was ardopted, aiul there have been found people in tbis Province to quo.stion its soiuutneBS and judieioi ane.ss. It J'as been said that it is a false principle, and that therefore it should have been repudiated and rejectcci— thatit was not one which Conservatives ouglit to support. It will not be necessary to go into any elabo- rate defence of representation by population, as applied to British America. That principle was approved twenty-five years ago, by a statesman as distinguished as Lord Durham. It was stated by him, in a report which will make his name ever famous in the annals f British America, and I may say Cheat Britain, that it was the only true and safe principle upon which the Legislatures and Governments could be constructed in British America. That eminent statesman predicted, 25 years ago, in reference to Canada, that,'f they undertook to ignore the nrinciple of representation by po- pulation, the day would come when the country would be rent in twain. Who, does not know the ditflculties that arose from the folse princi- ple that was applied at the time of the union of the Canadas, m order to give the ascendan- cy to Uijpor Canada, whose population at the time was less than that of Lower Canada?— Who does not know that the prediction of Earl Durham has been verified? and the time has come when that cjO'JDtrv has bssn cnii'/nlsffd. in order to ri«i tbemselves of a principle ao un- soand as that a certain number of people in a 2 certain locality ahall have an amount o( reprc- aentatloQ arranged not according to their nuui- b«r.H, bnt exhibiting a disparity with some other Hcction. But were we to put oursftlvea In the position of saying that the Intelligence of our people was such— that tho wantof Intfdleot anil ability amongst ns was ho marked, that, In order to have Hutficrlent InHuencu In a legisla- tive assembly In Uritlsh North America, we should demand that tho principle of ropve- .sentatinn by population Hhf>nhl bo ignored? — When it is said that tlie principle should be discountenanced by Conservatives, I call the attention of the house to the fact that tlie Que- bec B(}heme has been submitted to the most severe ordeal that any scheme of constitutional governmont conhl be subjected to, and to a tri- Diinal perhaps as competent tt^ pass upon It an any In the world— I mean tho Government and [loople of England, as represented by a proas whfcMi for standing, character, and intelligence is not eij[ualled in any jiart of the oivTllzed world. 1 ask any public man to show mo, al- though the schemo has been rigidly examined, a single statement in the press of England, or of any other country, calling into question the sonudness of tho principle or representation by ]»opulatlon, as applied to Bntisii North Ameri- ca. I have examined all tho criticisms I could have access to, and 1 have yet to find a single jiress that has objected to the application of that principle. It has been said that, assum- ing the principle to be right, it would neverthe- less place these provinces in a position that would jeopardise the interests of the people in connection with this scheme of govornniont. I would ask this house to consider that, in the first place, under that ])rinciple Nova Scotia would bo entitled to 19 representatives in all in a parliament of 1S>4 members. I would ask this house, when any man ventures to question whether tht lit members or the 47, would not have a fair share of influence in the united par- liament, to look at the only criterion by which it is possible to come to any conclusion on the subject. Look across tho Atlantic at the par- liament of England—at the House of Commons of 600 members— where the parties into which the country are divided, the Liberals and Con- servatives, are sep.arated by lines less strong than those which divide Upper and Lower Ca- nada, and must divide them for a century to come. There you will see a dozen independ- ent men controlling parties and infiueucing the destinies of the country. Is not this evidence that in a British American parliament of IJH members thr representatives of the Maritime Ptovin'^es rjuld render it impossible for their interests to be ignored or set aside. Jt may be said thevNvould not be united— personal anta- gonism would arise to keep them divided. I grant it. But the moment that parliament would attempt to touch the interests of any part of these Marltijie Provinces, would you not see them forced into such a combination as would enable thein to dictate to any party that would attempt to override them. Go to Cana- da and take your illustration there. Not 19, but three or four members only, for years, have dictated which party should control the go- vernment of the country. Therefore I feel that this pri iclple is not only just in itself but is one that gave to the Mari- time Provinces all the control and influence to Parliament of England and yon "would' see, although Ireland has an insignificant number (10) HI ' I of members — inHipjnilicaHt ia a numerical point of vi«w in eoinpaiison to what Nova Scotia "Would send into a Bririsli /.American Parlia- tteut— yet for years tiiey have occupied tliat position tliat they can dictate to the I'arliamont wbic]; i)arty shall govern the country. I?nt I need not ^o to Canada, or Ireland, or Enghiiul, for illustiatious to bear out my statement. 1 Lave only to look at our own l(!}j;islature to see the compartitively snaall island of I'ajie Bre- ton dictating its terms and policy to the govern- ment of the country — all that' is necessary is for her piiiall number of rei)reseatatives to combine ui)on any question of public policy, and slio obtains what slie requites. Mr. BoxTiiiNOT— ('ape iJreton was not repre- sented at the Conference, antl at the ])resent moment she has not a single representative at the Council Board. Dr. TUPPKIJ— The hen. member knows right well that all that is necessary at any time for the members of Cajjo Breton is to express their ■wishes on any question and they will receive every consideration. Any government that refused to meet them on their own terms would receive a fatal blow. I confess I would have been ashamed tOj say in the conference that Nova Scotia's position was such that in order to have influence and control in a iiarliament of 194 members she would require to semi more than 1!) men. !Mr. Howe told the peo))le of this country ten years ago that all that he required would be two men in the British Par- liament in or.ler to have the mining monoj)o]y broken down in a single night's discuy.sion. pinoAv I '^u'tjraojii-js %\n\i opBiu 9i[ .loy u mvoJi uoj^ teei that I was occupying a position that my countrymen woidd never forgive if I said that the intellect of this Province was at so low an ebb that she could not send 1!) members that in l)oint of weight and energj'^ and ability would not protect our interests in the general parlia- ment of united^ British America. THE KEPBESENTATION IN THE JLEGISIjATIVE COUNCIL,. But was our representation in the Commons the only guarantee that our rights would not be trampled upon. It is am])le security; but! am ready to show the house that the liiost ex- travagant demand that could enter into the mind of any man was conceded in the scheme of government fov these Proviuc(^s. I need not tell this house of the potent influence that is exercised in legislation by the Legislative Council. "SVo have seen several striking ex- ami)les of questions on which three-fourths of this body cciucurred, and yet this house did not succeed in iitbaining its object because it did not meet with tho couctirrence of the Upjier Branch. It requires two to make a bargain and pass a law. I ask you, then, if you wish for a guarantee that the security of the ]}eo])lo of tho Maritime Provinces will never be ig- nored, could you have a stronger one than that (iOO,000 people in these Maritime Pro- vinces should have obtained, under such a con- stitution, the same representation in the tipper Branch as was given to Upper Canada with 1,400,000, and to Lower Canada with ^,100,000. This we have for all time to come, although Upper Canada may incrcarje to mil- lions of people. Then I would ask the intelli- gent peoplo of thig country if the ptuties who devised the constitution did not give us all the aecurity that our rights and interests could dc- ^land. j^ THE KECESSITV FOK UNION— A PLEA FOll NAXrONALIXY. I have glanced at tho more leading features connected with the constitution, and it will be perhaps desirable tliat 1 should show what ne- cessity there existed, and what ground there was I'or havmg this itnion. I have already called the attention of the house to t lio singu- lar fact that rife as party f(ieling has been in this country — that Hirong as has been the di\'i- sions and lines of dcinavitatiou between exist- ing parties — from the time the great question of union was lirsit sulnnitteil to the notice of the legislature and jieople of thiscountry, liiere has been an amount of unanimity of sentiment among all class(!s of jiublic men of all [lavties, such as has never been exhibited on a.ny other ([uestion. It is not sing'.dar that such should hii tlie case wluiu we look at our present posi- tion. Who is there that does nf>t feel that the lirst principles of manhood )mi)rifited ia tlie breast of man is tliat the country with which lie is connected .should occupy .a jtosition of in- Hiienco of wliiiili he need not be ashamed'.' Who is there with a spark of man]ini,ss in his bosom that docs not fed that lie has n right to be proud of his country in i)roportion to the ]>osition it oc'cupitjs in the scale (jf nations. I need not tell tho house that surrounded as wo are by many blessings — owing fealty as we do to the tlnst empire in tlie woild — enjoying tlie l)rotecliou of one of the greatest ))()wers on the globe— having free institutions in all their en- tirety — i)o.sscssing a.s we do peace and pleuly, — that we enjoy advantages for which we ought to be profoundly grateful; but 1. can dis- cover no other cause why tlieie has been so groat a co-operation among all classes of intel- ligent peoijle of our country in respect to a union of tlicsc colonics than tho ilesiro that possessing these advantages we sliould at the same time advance to a more national ])osition and render our institutions more secure. Who does not feel mortitied when he takes up the rejiort of the di.scussion that recently took jilace in the Commons, and liiids that although the subject under debate was tho seen to bo (!ontijJ!Uous to Canada. Every- tbiiiR- connected with our interests fells us ot the insigniti<;aiice of our position. Therefore it is not a matter of surprise, in view ot these facts, ar.d of the iiositlon we occupy, that the intelliLnMit men of these Provinces liave Ions since come to the conclusicni that, it these comparativ(!ly small countries are to have any future whatever iu connection with the crown of Kn^claud, it must be found in a consolidation of all P>ritish North Aiuerica. I repret that this harmony does not exist down to'the present moment, but 1 am dealing with the poi^ition the question occni>icd ;tb the time these nesotiations were Koi'ig <)"• OVli TRADE WILL BE INOKEASED BY UNION. Who does not know that if these Provinces are ever to occupy a position that will increase the wealtli of the country, It must be through the expansion of our trade? What trade, worthy of the name, can a coun- try, so limited in extent and sparsely settled, as our own ever have? Wlien we look across the border and see the great Impetus that was given to the trade of the UnitHd States when they ceased to become separate provinces and swept away the hostile tarills that prtjviously oontined them, who can doubt tliat if wo adopt- ed a similar policy (but retaiuinf^ at the san.ie time our connection with the parent state) and became one country, the same great result? would accrue. Then, indeed, might we expect to advance the material jirospcrity and posi- tion of all British North America! The only means by which we can expect an expansion of trade is by striking down these hostile ta- riffs, and having a common commerce for these provinces. Again you have the dificultics of trade increased iu consequence of ea.ch pro- vince having a currency of its own. If there is anything that would increase the commerce and impra^ e the credit of all Britash North America, it would be such a union as woukl bring about s-uch a consolidation of tho inte- rests of the country as would lead the world to suppose that our institutions were based ui)Ou a stable and llrm foundation. OUR CREDIT WILL BE IMPttOVED, There is nothing that lowers the credit of a country more than the insecurity that attends such isolation as these provinces exhibit at the ])resent moment. Who is there that will invest money in a country where he believes, owing to its weakness and isolation, its political con- dition may become changed in an hour, and that .all the secui'ity that he would have for in- vestment might at any moment become en- tirely worthless. This is not a mere question of theory— we have evidence to guide us. There is the established fact that the moment it wfts made known on the other side of the Atlantic that the interests of British No^th America Were to be consolidated, and a iirm nationality created, the credit of the country immediately improved. We have now aU the disadvan- tages of connection with Canada. Who does »ji;\t: Irtjfjry f.ll^it; """OU CinTiOt hn.""'0 ^ "VOtfi against a Militia measure, or a raid across the border of that country, but it acts upon Nova Scotia, and our funds .are affected at once in the market of the world. Yet we may not exersiso the slightest inlluence over that vote, or any other matter Avhich acts so immediately ag.ainst our own interests. la it not desirable, then, that these Maritime Pro- vinces sboulil be in a iiosition to exercise some control over acts which so largely affect us, and in reference to which we are now power- 1 (i S S '^ OUU OEOGRAftUCAL rOSITION. Who is there that looks at the geographical position of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that docs not feel that for us espRc'ally Inter- colonial Union is a question of tbo most vital importance! Who is there that looks at this Province, extending into the broad Atlantic some 500 miles nearer to the parent state than any other part of British North America, but must see tiiat it is quite impossible we can ever obtain that position Nature intended we should ocujiy, pxccps through a Union of British North' America, that will make Nova. Scotia tho groat highway between two Conti- nents. Who is there that looks at tbo magnifi- cent harbors with which the Province is boney- combeil, but must feel that they were not in* tended for a commerce we can now supidy, but for tho trade of a mighty nationality, of which Nova Scotia should be to a large extent the cntrnwt. Therefore, it is not strange that th« public men of B. N. A., in view of facts bear- ing upon tho trade of the country— of the effect that would be produced upon us iu virtue of our geograijhical priMtion — should have com- bined t(» bring about a union which must de- vclope the common interests of the country. OUR GEOLOUICAL ATTRIBUTES, Look again at tho geological position of thia province,' and you hud that if Nature has in- tended anything in the construction of this country, it has been that we should become a great manufacturing people. You find here every mineral and resource in the bowels of the earth that is necessary to place us in that position. You see us, therefore, occupying the same situation that Great Britain occupies oa tbo Continent of Europe. Therefore, looking at our geological viosition, no public man would fail to see that under jiroper arrangements thig Province might become a great hive of indus- try — the great manufactory for all British. North America, if not for a much larger coun- try. It is facts like these that brought the public men of Nova Scotia to the couclusiou that they would be wanting in their duty to their country if they did not advance by everr means in their nower so desirable a nroject. THE INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY, Then there is the question of the Intercolo- nial Railway, If this legislature has evet shown a great desire to accomiilish any public work, it has been the Intercolonial Rail- way, For twenty years all parties have been willing to admit that the construction of this work was a matter of the most vital concern to the people of this country. I will not detain tho house by going into any elaborate quota- tions by wliich the leading men of these pro- vinces have, from time to time, shown that they believed that the question of Intercoloni- al Railway was fraught with the most impor- tant consequences to the advancement of tho Province of Nova Scotia^ ?i.tid when I stJite to the house that after every effort has been tried and failed, thia scheme of union accomplished I (12) tfiat work on terms such as no man had ever venturecJ toaskforthis people. 1 feel that it Is not only m the constitution of the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council, hut also in respect to this great work, that the de- legates from the Maritime Prorinces brought liack the mdisi)utable evidence of the earn"^st disposition of Canada to unite their fortunes with our own in a common union which sliould he beneficial to all. It is true it was a matter of great importan<^e tor Canada to obtain this union— that it opened a door torTlie removal of the great dillicnlties tliat have distracted that countrv,and whatever may be the extent and resources of Canada— and they are inexhaustib'e.and I might almost say, Illimitable,— it can i ever occupy the posi- tion It should except it has a free outlet to the ocean. Therefore, it is not strn ngo thut the de- legates from the Maritime l^rovinces came back not only with the eviden<;e that they would have in the upper and lower branch all the guarantees they would require for the ad- vancement of the country, but actually obtain- ed a pledge that Hew Brunswick and Nova tecotia should secure the constiuction of the Intercolonial Railway by paying only two- twelfths of the cost instead of seven-twelfths as agreed to by the Legislatures of the two lower provinces. IMMIGKATION WOULD BE PKOMOTED. Can there be a doubt that the Union of Bri- tish North America, whilst it would promote trade and elevate our credit, would also give an impulse to immigration that we cannot now expect. We are now a field of emigration, in stead of one tor immigration. Nova Scotia, •witiioiit trade, and commerce, and inanufac- tiires, does not afibrd a field to our young men The consequence is, day after day' we .see our best men going into other countries, where they will occiipy a better position, and find an oneu- lag tor their talents and energies that is denied to tliem m their nati ve Province. Consolidate British North America, and you will stay and turn back that tide. You will then restore tens of thousands of her expatriated sons, who Lave gone to other lands to seek tlieir fort;unes and swell the ranks of our rivals, if not foes. ' OUK SEUUEITY WITX BE PKOISIOTED BY UXION. I will now glance at the most imporl;ant point of all in connection with this question, namel v t le security of the country. It is necessary th Jit our institutions should be placed on a stable oasis, if we are to have that security for life and property, and personal liberty, which is so de- sirable in every country. It is quite impossible to place any country upon a stable and respec- table footing where security has notthe gua- rantee of permanency— a guarantee that will inspire confidence in the world. I do not in- tend on an occasion like this to make any in- vidious allusions to the great neighboring power near us, but I see events transpirine around us that would make it criminal for any public man to ignore facts which are of the most vital importance to British North Ame- rica. THE LESSON OP THE PKESENT. Yesterday, British America bordered unon a — -.' a ", vicBvtn auu pciluuiUl purSUltS —■having a commerce second to none on the globe; but you have seen all that changed as it were in a day. Now you see alongside of us one of the most gigantic military and naval powers tliat the world has ever seen. There- fore It behoves us to consider whether any public man, in view of the changed attitude of tliat country, would not be wanting in his duty to tlie ]»rovince if he atremi)ted for a single moment to ignore these circumstances. I drew the attention of the house at its last session to the fact that British North America had owed a great deal of its security to the existence of slavery m the neighboring republic. Is it not necessary, in the light of events that have come to our i^nowlpdge to-day, we should con- side,r how cfnse m.^y beat hand the termination of the great struggle which has convulsed that great republic with civil war for four years pastj but 1 think we may safely predict that, let the issue of thiit struggle end in any man- ner wo can possibly conceive, one thing is cer- tain and tliat is, that slavery is doomed. The great slave jiower, which so long exercised control oyer the destinies of the States, T have ?7*-T- , x^*"', "I^"" ^^ t^'« ^'e'^t safeguard for British North America, since it was autarronis- tic to the acquisition of any anti-slavery terri- tory and consequent increase of iniiuence by tlie North. Therefore, when we see this gigan- tic republic relieved from that dilliculty, and becoming one of the greatest military powers m the world, it is a matter deserving of our most serious deliberation. I regret to have to say— nor vould it be right for me to ignore the fact— that whilst I feel it would be for the in- terests of British North America to preserve the most amicable relations with the United States, It IS impossible for me to shut mv eyes to the evidence before me that the tone of that power IS decidedly hostile to this country. I deeply deplore that such should be the case- but, at the same time, 1 would be recreant to my duty as a ]iublic man if I did not tell this house and explain the amount of influence that these considerations have had upon my own mind. It is known that until recently the most kindly relations existed between the people of British North America and the United States. Trade was fostered in every way that was possible— every thing that would promote harmony and free commercial inter- course was done. But how do wo stand to- day ! Whether you regard the jniblic senti- ment of that country through the declarations of Its Press, i(:3 Parliament, or its Government you can arrive at but one conclusion. ' (The hnn. gentleman then referred, in sup- port of his statements, to the establishment of the passport system between these Provinces and the States— which was a great source of embarrassment to trade and intercourse be- tween the two countries. He then alluded to the fact that the American Congress had made an appropriation for the construction of the Niagara ship canal by which vessels of large size may be sent through from American wa- ters into the CaT,u(Uau lakes and for fortifica- tions on the froatifti-. Again, the treaty under which only a small armament was allowed on the lakes was to be immediately abrogated on «ie motion of the American Government. Then, a^ain, there was the question that so vi- tally aftected the people of British North Ajtne- rica— the Reciprocity Treaty. He then con- tinued m reference-to the latter subject:; THE KECIPllOCIXY TiiEATY. Under that treaty, whilst the trade of British North America has been increased and impro- i& '■^ ri3) ved, it bas been infiaitely much more benefi- cial to the commerce of the United States.— Under the fostering influence of tliat treaty, tbo trade between British Americia and tbo States suddenly sprung in four years from fifteen to sixty million of dollars. AVHiilst it has been in I ho highest degree useful and advantageous to the commerce and advancement of these Bri- tish North American Provinces, yet the ba- lance of trade has been largely in iavor of the States. And who is there that does not know the groat importance tliat keen and sagacious l)eoY)le attach to anything that will extend theix. commerce and improve their trade? But des]i ite all that— although the Boards of Trade ut New York, Detroit, and elsewhere, have made the most energetic appeals against the aboition of the treaty, the Board of Trade at Det'roit actually demonstrating to their govern- ment that since the commencement of the treaty the balance of trade has been $l(i2,000,()00 in their favor— notwithstanding all that, under the influence of tiiat spirit which 1 deeply re- gret to see exhibited, notice for the abolition of the treaty has been given. Not only so, but it is conclusively shown that it is not the inten- tion of the American Government to enter into any negociatious for the continuance of the treaty. A few days ago I laid on the table of this house a remarkable document. The treaty provides that there shall be a joint commis- sion under it— yet while the treaty must remain m force for another year, Mr. Seward bas de- manded that the commission be immediately closed. It is impossible, in the view of Buch facts, to shut our eyes to the reality that while that great Republic has assumed such gigantic proportions, and at the same time has taken such an attitude in reference to these Provinces, we have a right to come to the con- clusion that their determination is to close all i^ommunication, instead of fostering those peaceful and commercial relations with us which in the past have been so remarkably be- neficial to both. THE DUTY THAT LIES BEFORE US. It has been said that it is impossible for us to put ourselves in an attitude that -will im- prove our jiosition in thia respect. I am not wrong in assuming that the desire of every British American is to remain in connection with the people of Great Britain, If there is any sentiment that was ever strong in the breast of our people, it is a disinclination to bo separated in any way whatever from the Bri- tish empire, or to be connected in any manner with the United States of America. But what IS our present position? Isolated and separat- ed as we are now, I ask the house whether all the protection ws have is not that which the crawling worm enjoys— and that is, its insigni licance la suah as to prevent the' foot being placed upon it? Does it comport witli the po- sition and dignity of freemen, that we should ixve our only guarantee of security and pro- tection m our insignificance? I feel in our present isolated position, standing in the pre- sence of a power so gigantic and unfriendly that we must take speedy and prompt mea- sures for security. I may be told that four mil- lions of people would still stand in the presence ot thirty millions, and that we would be un- aoie to mako any resistance that would ensure our safety; but I wouuld ask the house to consider the fact that we have every reason to know— for no one «an doubt the declaration of tho ministry of Englaud-that the resolve on the part of Groat Britain is to stand in all hoi- integrity by British America, provided these l)rovinces assume such an attitude as would enable the i)ower of the parent state to be put forth with a reasonable prospect of success. Although our numbers maybe comparatively small, still while we have the good fortune to be a part of the British empire, and know that all that 13 necessary is for us, by union and consolidation, to take such a ])o.sition as would give England the guarantee that we are prepared to do our duty, and her power would not be put forth in vain we need not fear the future. Every man who wishes to keep the liberties and rights he now possesses as subject to the (Jrown of England —who viihiiiH the institutions ha now enjoys must see the necessity of our taking such a course as would guarantee us security in the case of conflict with any power in the world, and what would be even better, the- avoidance of conflict which our attitude would accom- plish. SHALT. OUR BURDENS BE GREATER? I may be told, that great as are the advan- tages of Union, they will be purchased at too great a cost— that tliero will be an increase in the tarift— that the burdens that will be thrown upon the jieople will be greater than otherwise they would have been. I do not intend to weary the house with any elaborate state- ments on this point, excej^t to say that I believo we have every reason to suppose, from the po- sition we occupy in connection with the parent state— from the expansion that would accrue to the trade and commerce of the country- from the developement that would be given to manufactures, and the extensio.i of our public works — that our burdens would not be greater than if we remain in our present posi- tion. Are we not desirous at the present mo- ment to extend our public works, and may we not tairly assume that if we were to remain out of Union that tho burdens we have to bear would be increased. The time has passed when these Povinces Avould not have to con- tribute largely to the defences of the country. Either the fishing grounds, so valuable to us, must be given up without a struggle to the parties who have been accustomed in the neighboring States to use them for years, or the cost of defending them must be largely thrown these Provinces. Therefore I would ask whether, in relation to the protection of our fisheries, which will di- rectly have to engage our attention, it is not desirable to have these Provinces united and consolidated. I may be asked whether Union would increase the number of men or the amount of money. I believe it would, I be- lieve that Union will rapidly increase our population. I believe that the moral force that would be given to the whole of British North America by a common union of her interests, would be such as I have stated before— to en- sure not only the safety, but the peace of the country. Assuming that you are to reject a union on the ground that we are defenceless, what is our position? You are likely to be overwhelmed without a struggle, or, in the language of Mr. Howe.— without an lutercolouial Railwa" rsr the means of coramnuication witli Quebec', the inhabitants of Nova Scotia would have to beg permission to haul down their own flag. Hu- miliating as is such a statement every man man kuowB that it is true, and how useless it (14) vrnnlil ha forNova Scotia to un<1ortako any re- t-istaiice. At tlie present, those vim assail Nova Scotia in its Isolated position, Avonld only attack :W>,000, but, with Britisli America united, wiioover put a hostile foot upon our 1000 miles of sea coast would assail nearly lour millions of frconion, sustained by the miKutiest power in the world. THE POSITION OF THK OPPONENTS OF UNION ON Til F. DKFVNCK QUKSTION. I will now turn the attention of the house for a single moment to the fact that, on this iiues- tion of def(>nce the opponents ol Union Lave felt that it was so imjjortant that (piestions ot tariff and expenditure sank into in:iif,milicanco, nnd that it was absolutdy necessary that siome means should be given to a free and uitcdligeut people, by which their lights and hberties should be secured. 1 rof-ret to state that a lea- dins journal in this country changed its opi- nions, and for tho first time in the hist-ny of the Province, this question of Intercolonial Union was endeavored to be made one ot party, and that party intlueuces and prejudices wei'3 awakened in order to excite liostility again.'-.t the Government, and prevent the people ot tills Province acceptin<:; the proposed LTnion.— They felt, however, that it was necessary, on a question so important as that of defence, that we should do somethinp, and accordiuRly they propounded to the peo])le of this country their scheme, by which they would protect liritish North Ameri(;a. In the MorniH(4 Uwonide oi Jan. 18, 1805, you read:— " We ivould provide for the defence of the Em- pire by a rjeneral tax, equaUij levied by an Imper- ial statute all over the d-lmpire. This might be either a tax on property, on polls, or on im- ports, to take precedence, of all other taxes, and to hepaid into the Imperial treasury. About AliS, 000,000 are annually required tor naval and military expenditure. Taking the ])o])ulation of the Empire, including the Eastern Proviu- ces and dependencies, at S00,000,000, 2s. per head sterling would provide the whole sum re- (luired. A property tax, if that were preferred, would raise the whole amount. P>ut if it was thought better to collect the £28,000,000 uiion imports, the conunerce of the Empire would yielU the whole without any portion of it feeling the burthen." , , /. • When I am told that our scheme of union would involve iucreising the burthens upon tho })eople of this country— that a yard of cotton might cost one cent more than it does now,— and that it was a reason why wo should not have union with all its advantage;;— an lutor- colouial Pvailway, expanded commerce, the de- velopment of manulactures, and mtercommu- niou between 4,000,000 of British North Ameri- oaus. When I am told this I thiuk I have a right to ask the people of this country to ex- amine this scheme that is propounded on tho great question of national defence by the oppo- nents of Confederation and compare it with that offered for your acceptance by the Quebec Oonferenc(3. Then, I think, you wdll say that any charge of increased taxation that has been insinuated — the most extravagant estimate made of the cost, of the scheme of tlie Quebec Conference is entirely thrown into the shade. I need not call attention to the disgraceful pro- posal that is made to a free people in the arti- cle I have just read. If 1 had not the evidence here it would have almost seemed incredible that Buch a proposition could have been made in this century to a free and intelligent people tliatany body of loyal men could propound the rei/etition of a ])oliey that lost England her finest Colonies nearly a ('entury ago. i believe I would be doing a gross injustice to the free spirit of this country if 1 were to suppose that even connection with the crown of lOngland would be sutiicient to induce tlio i)eoi)le of this country to allow an lm))erial Statute to lay an Imperi- al tax upon us to go intuthe Imperial treasury. Dee)>ly as the peoph; value tlieir institutions— and greatly attached :!s tiiey are to tlie mother country,— vet the free spirit of this country would revolt at such a i)roj>osition as led to Ihe independence of the old colonies nearly a hundred years ago. Let ine siii)iiose that the independent spirit of the people slmuld be so trampled-down as to induce them to submit to taxation by an Imperial statute— what then? This article says:— " A jtroperty tax, if that wereproferred, would raise tho whole amount. But if it was thought better to collect the £28.000,000 upon imports, tho eihnm.crce- of the Empire would yield the whole without any portion of it feeling the burthen. Is thsro a Novas(.'-otian that would not pay his portion of this tax cheerfully, and turn out, with arms in liis hands, to defend the Enqtire besides? Is there one who will not cheeriully pay pound for pound willi tlie Canadians, or with his fellow subjects in any other part of the Queen's dominions? Here is a scheme ot NationalDefense, of whicha statesman need not be ashamed, and our pnV»lic men could not be much better employed than in ])re3sing it on the notice of Her Mojesty's Government." Here you liavo the doctrine laid down that we should provide twenty-eight million pounds sterliiif^ for the maintenance of the Army and Navy of Great Britain. To tax a man in Hali- fxx or Caiie Breton the same that a man in London anon which the great- ness of a country rests, you lind the posiiion of British America is one of ev'ident intiuuuee. The American colonies, by sweeping away liostile tariffs, and emerging from that position of isolation which they occupied, have attained their jiresent wealth and })rosperit.y. Look at our shipiiing, and see at this moment the ton- nage of British America, amounting to over !)00,000 tons occ\ii>yi'ig a i)lace next to France — tlie fourth comuiorcial marine in the world. But 1 neeil not go into any labored arafuments to fellow that the time has come when we should assume a jiositiouofnatioually under the legies of old England. THE rOSlTION OF THE LOCAL GOVEltNlMENTS_ It has been said that whilst the CJencral Go- vernment would jiossess large powers, with an utluential legislature, the lociil ^governments and legislatures would sink into contempt. Those who make such a statement must ignore onr past history. 1 would ask gentleman to look at the history of the past, and see whether there is evidence to susiain the propositiou that the governments of these iirovinces would occu])y so cont.emptible a jiosition that no man of character and inlluence would be inclined to have anything to do with them. In the first place, the subsidy that this province would receive in connection Avith the revenue from the mines and minerals would be double the revenue that it had at the time when the men who have made the legislature famous occu- pied seats withfn those walls. Not only would we have double the amount of revenue, but we would have larger powers, and possess more comraanding iulluence in relatioa to the public affairs of the province than the govern- ment and parliament of this province had at the time when Chief Justice Haliburton, the Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia, Judge Bliss, tho Masters of the liolls (Archibald and Stewart occupied seats in this house. Can wo say then, when we shall have double the revenue, and a far more inlluential position, that we will not h.ave men of ability and intellect to enter our legislative halls. THE ri:i:sENT aspect of Tiui; qukstiox OP UNION. "Wo do not come to tho discussion of this question iu the position and attitutle that I exju'cted and hoped we slKuild at t!ie time this legislature assembled. We did not come to the dis''.us;iiou with a view to an immediate practical dccnsion ujiou the question of Con- federation, but I would do injustice to Mhat I believe to be the intelligence and iiatriotism of Nova Scotia if I did not say in my place in l)arliam(!nt, that I am conthlent th.at the scheme of intercolonial union which has been devised at Qudxc has taken, and will take such a hold on the public mind of all these ]»rovincos as to ensure its adojitioji at an early (lay in albits entirety. I would bo doing in- justice to the question and the evidence thnt ex- ists on every side if 1 entertained a doubt that wdieu the facts came to be examined and sifted by the intelligence of this province, they will with great unanimity unite in promotiug and eonsumating a scheme which is fraught Avith such incalculable ailvantages to tho best in- terests of British North America. Owing to circumstances over which we have no control, the government of Nova Scotia is ]ilaced in a position which renders ir. useless to bring this scheme down for the decision of the Legislature. Every person who knows tho ge6grai)hicat position of the coinitry, with New Brunswick lying between us and Cana- da, must see that any Union of British Ame- rica is im]n'acticable unless the latter province s a party to it. I regret to say that iiublie men in that province have been uni>atrotio enough to forget their duty to their country, and to enter into combinations wiiich I regret- to say were too successful with those hos- tile to British North American Union, for the puri'oso of overthrowing the govern- ment, and under these circumslanr'es the question of union of British North America has rec(nved a heavy blow ami great discour- agement; but we would be und crating the pa- early day that province would reverse its de- triotism of New Bnuiswick, (as we would that of Nova Scotia,) if we doubte . I ^Kiy a"imit there was no prospect of getting Prince Edward Island into the proposed Leg- LSive union, even if the Canadian deputation had not attended the conference at Charlotte- town. Cxratified as I would have been to see P E Island form a portion of the great Con- federation, I did not regard their action either n respect to the smaller or grea er union as a raatterof vital concern at all. All that is neces- tJNION OF a'HE MARITIME PKOVINCES. I have stated in the outset that a Legislative Union of the Maritime Provinces is desir- able in case we are Confederated, and and still more indispensible in case we are not to be at oSS Suited with Canada. Under these circiimstances have I moved the reso ution which I now hold in my hand. lean only s«y that if gentlemen will examme the remarks { made in this house, last winter^ tlieywilhnd that I coubideiearnc Luiuu iji uie .-.<.ri._.i.~ Provinces was one of the moFt impm-tant means to secure a union of all British North America, and most desirable in such a con- matter oi virai concern ail u,ii. ^r." «^«-.- — --•- S-ys that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, united as they are by every tie of common in- terests should be in a position to have that un - on Even if the larger union were impractica- ble and could never take, place, f till it is desu- ahle that New Brunswick and Nova bco^a should be united. It would expand our trade, advance our inlluencc^ and accomplish many St the same results and bring about udvaut- aUs that would be recelyed from the larger scheme of union, only m a smaller de- ^'^Havin'' trespassed so long upon the patience of the IlSuse 1 will not occupy the attention ol ?entleinen longer than to express the hoi)e fhat S resolftio.n will "^^^^ w^th the concu^ rttnce of this Legislature and of the Govein- ment of New Brunswick, though on this latter poTutI amuot prepared to express any oj.i- "'Biit suppose the government of New Bruns- wich is not prepared to concur in Union of the Eiitimo Provinces, it was desirable that that no nt should be dellnitely known, and t e Sublicmindbe no longer distracted with the consideration of that question. By this resolution the government ^> J^e authorized to open negociations, and see \Uiat nroS there is of obtaining a legislative Sidon with that province. The opponents ol Confedlration here have professed to be m fa- vour of the Union or the Maritime Provinces, and aS far as I have an. opportunity ot know- imr that has been the view of some of the op- nonents of Confederation in New Brunswick. ^Sever view, therefore this house may take of the lartrer question of a Umon of British North America; I trust they wiu sus^am t..^ fesolutfen now 'submitted .to their considera- tion. \ .. -i