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 REPORT 
 
 TO THB 
 
 ffi|attt6iu ml %^mm$u$. 
 
 SAINT JOHN, N. B., 
 
 ^1 
 
 OF THEIR DELEGATES 
 
 TO THB 
 
 COMMERCIAL CONYENTION, 
 
 HBLO IN 
 
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 DETROIT, IMCICH., JXJI^Y 1805. 
 
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 (PUBLISHED BY ORDER ) 
 
 
 V 
 
 SAINT JOHN,N.B.: 
 
 PRINTED BY J. & A, MoMILLAN. 78 PRINCE WILLIAM STREET. 
 
 1865. 
 
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 Saint John, Tuesday, Ist August, 1865. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce, 
 held this day by order of the President, for the reception of the 
 Gentlemen who had represented this Mercantile community in the 
 Convention held at Detroit, commencing on the 11th July ult., — 
 
 Hon. W. H. Steves, William PAHKb, John Boyd, and C. H. 
 Fairweather, Esquires, being present : 
 
 Mr. Boyd, on the part of the Delegates, read a Report of their 
 views on the transactions which took place at the Convention. 
 Whereupon it was moved by A. Jardine, Esq., that the Report 
 now read be received, and published in our City Journals, and in 
 pamphlet form, by the Chamber, tor distribution : And further, that 
 the thanks of the Chamber are due to the gentlemen who, at a 
 sacrifice of their valuable time, and at their own expense, kindly 
 represented th3 commercial interests of this Province at that 
 Convention. 
 
 Extract from the minutes, 
 
 . T. WOODWARD, Sccretari/. 
 
 
REPORT. 
 
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 'I'he Delegates appointed by the Chamber of Commerce 
 to the Commercial Convention at Detroit beg to report 
 that they have attended to the duty, and now offer some 
 remarks in reference to the work and its results. 
 
 Mr. BoTSFORD and Mr. Fairweather left here on the 
 Srd inst. ; Messrs. Fisher, Steeves, Parks, Pickard, 
 Bolton, Boyd, on the 6th, with the P. E. Island Delegates. 
 "VVe all arrived on the 10th, the day previous to the meet- 
 ing. Wc were joined, near Portland, by the Bangor Dele- 
 gation, and at Toronto by a portion of the Canadian and 
 Nova Scotia Delegates: with these v/e became acquainted, 
 and entered into conversation on the objects and prospects 
 of the mission. • ■' •' * ' ^* -^ ' '^' ' ■ '' 
 
 On the evening previous to the general meeting the 
 Maritime Delegates held a meeting, and decided to meet 
 the Canadian Delegates, and if possible pursue a common 
 policy. The resolutions adopted by the Canadians at a 
 preliminary meeting in Toronto were placed in our hands t 
 these embodied our views, and we decided to act in con- 
 junction with them. A general Committee meeting of 
 all the Colonial Delegates was held the next mornings 
 Hon. Thomas llyan of Montreal was chosen Chairman, 
 and Mr. Patterson, Secretary of the Montreal Board of 
 Trade, Secretary. 
 
 For reasons which have been fully justified by the result 
 we decided that the Colonial Delegates should not take 
 part in the organization of the Convention, or vote on any 
 
 i) 
 
 # 
 
4 
 
 matters that might come up either on Committee or in the 
 Convention. 
 
 We decided also that while the Convention was called 
 to discuss questions of Finance, Currency, Revenue, Tran- 
 sit, Reciprocity ; the two latter only affected us, and wo 
 should therefore decline going before any Committee but 
 those appointed on Transit and Reciprocity. '■"'•' 
 
 At eleven o'clock on the 11th ult., the Convention was 
 formally opened ; the Delegates present numbered nearly 
 six hundred. An address was delivered by the President 
 of the Detroit Board ; General Wallbribge of New York 
 chosen Chairman, and Vice-Chairmen Messrs. Hamblin, 
 Walker, Seymour, Litttejohn, McMaster, Parks, 
 Coles, &c. The question of voting was decided according 
 to Congressional State arrangement, the Colonists taking 
 no part. ^ ,,. .,. , , , _ ,, .--v-^^,.. ' 
 
 This basis we present in explanation of the vote given : 
 
 Board of Trade, Albany, N. Y. . 
 
 Board of Trade, Buffalo, N. Y. . . . 
 
 Board of Trade, Bay City, Mich. 
 
 Board of Trade, Boston, Mass. 
 
 Mercantile Association, Bangor, Mo. . 
 
 Corn Exchange, Boston, Mass. 
 
 Board of Trade, Chicago, III. 
 
 Mercantile Association, Chicago, III. 
 
 Chamber of Commerce, Cairo, 111. 
 
 Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati, O. . 
 
 Board of Trade, Cleveland, O. . 
 
 Board of Trade, Detroit .... 
 
 Board of Trade, Erie, Pa 
 
 Michigan Central Board of Trade, Kaiamazoo 
 Chamber of Commerce, Milwaukee, Wis. . 
 Chamber of Commerce, Now York . 
 
 Commercial Association, New York . 
 Board of Trade, Oswegpo, N. Y. . . . 
 Board of Trade, Philadelphia, Pa. . . 
 Com Exchange Association, Philadelphia * 
 Coal Exchange, Philadelphia . . * 
 
 S 
 
 6 
 
 H 
 
 ^ 
 
 6 
 4 
 5 
 10 
 5 
 4 
 5 
 1 
 8 
 7 
 7 
 4 
 6 
 5 
 4 
 
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 Board of Trade, Portland, Me. 
 Board of Trade, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 Board of Trade, St. Paul, Minn. 
 Board of Trade, St. Louis, Mo. . 
 Board of Trade, Springfield, Ohio . 
 Board of Trade, East Saginaw, Mich. 
 Board of Trade, Toledo, Ohio 
 Board of Trade, Troy, N. Y. . 
 Burlington, Iowa 
 
 3^ 
 . 6 
 
 4 
 . 11 
 
 2 
 . li 
 
 4 
 . 4 
 
 8 
 
 Committees were appointed, and before these your 
 Delegates appeared, and presented in writing and in con- 
 versation, facts and arguments bearing on the questions 
 before them : the result of which was that the Transit 
 Committee reported the following Resolutions, which were 
 carried : 
 
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 " Whereas the annual increase of the productions of the 
 States bordering upon, and tributary to the Northern 
 Lakes, has exceeded the capacity of transportation of all 
 the avenues to the Atlantic, demonstrating the urgent 
 necessity of enlarged water communication for commer- 
 cial intercourse between the East and the West ; ' 
 
 " And Whereas the canals and various lines of railroad 
 leading to and from said lakes, while they have contri- 
 buted largely to develope the resources, increase the 
 wealth, and promote the permanent union of our whole 
 country, are wholly inadequate to the demands of this 
 immensely and rapidly growing commerce; therefore 
 
 " Resolved, That this Convention regard the constru<v 
 tion of a Sluip Canal around the Falls of Niagara a na- 
 tional work of great importance, alike demanded by the 
 necessity of commerce and political wisdom, and that 
 its early completion by the general government is re- 
 quired by every principle of sound political economy. 
 
 " Resolved, That we hail with satisfaction the proposed 
 enlargement of the Welland and St. Lawrence Canals, 
 and other proposed improvements through the British 
 Provinces, aftbrding other cheap outlets by which the 
 commerce of the States tributary to the lakes may seek 
 our Eastern markets, and the markets of the world. 
 
 i 
 
 
" Resolved, That in the event of the noj^otlations of 
 " a Treaty of Reciprocity between the United States and 
 " the Britisli Nortli Anieiican Provinces, our Government 
 " should bo careful to receive in such treaty a guarantee 
 *' of a sutlicien' dcptli of water to enable screw steanmers 
 " of not less than one thousand tons carrying capacity to 
 ** pass from Port Oolborne, C. \V., to tide water." 
 
 A minority report on the same subject was introduced, 
 opposing all reference to the Keciprocity Treaty, but this 
 was subsequently withdrawn and the first passed, omitting 
 the terms a " military necessity," that being a matter upon 
 which, as commercial tiien, they would express no opinion. 
 
 The Reciprocity Committee then, by a vote of 17 to 8, 
 reported in' favor of the principle. 
 
 Much discussion took place among the American Dele- 
 gates in the Convention during the first two days, marked 
 by strong opposition to the Treaty ; the conflicting in- 
 terests of competing sections of the country were con- 
 tinually at issue, while the spirit and language of a largo 
 number was clearly hostile to us as the subjects of another, 
 and as some rudely stated a "hostile government," whoso 
 country liad been built up at the expense of their own. 
 During these discussions the Colonial Delegates were 
 silent, and from a reliable quarter we learned that the 
 vote on Reciprocity, had it been taken at the close of the 
 second day, would have been 86|^ against and 64^ for. 
 Before the vote was taken on the transit resolutions, the 
 Hon. Malcolm Cameron, of Quebec, spoke, and replied 
 with powerful effect to the charges against us, creating a 
 very favorable impression, and causing to be put under 
 the table a resolution by a Delegate from Iowa to this 
 efliect : ? < • 
 
 "Resolved, That our experience of the thing called 
 " 'Reciprocity' in trade with the United States anj British 
 " Provinces, convinces us that a very large balance of 
 *' benefits has accrued against the people of the United 
 
# 
 
 II 
 
 " States commercially thereby, and that inasmuch as 
 " politically our neighbours have shewn themselves to be 
 " in fcolin<:c, as they are in law, part ard parcel of the 
 " British Empire we cee no good reason why advantages 
 " should be conceded to them, not shewn to their fellow 
 " subjects in other quarters. 
 
 " Resolved, That our neighbours have no commercial 
 " advantages to offer us, at all equivalent to the unre- 
 " strained enjoyment of our markets for the products of 
 " their fields and forests, which come in direct com peti- 
 " tion with, and injuriously aftcct the value of our own 
 ** articles of a similar character, controlling alike the 
 " revenues of our government and the profits of the 
 " people.'* . -A ; 
 
 The profoundly philosophic and enlightened commercial 
 views of this gentleman were not appreciated by even 
 his American friends, and he, W3 believe, was not heard 
 from again. 
 
 We were continually holding Committee Meetings, and 
 when not in Convention, arranging our plans. Every 
 meeting of the Convention proved more clearly the neces- 
 sity for remaining aloof from active participation in the 
 general business. Before the Committees, and wherever 
 we could, in public and private, your Delegates presented 
 the claims of the Maritime Provinces — in regard to the 
 Registration of o^ar Ships — the Coasting Trade, and the 
 inclusion of articles in the new treaty, the products of 
 our country, which had been overlooked in the old 
 treaty. We presented various statistics and arguments 
 bearing upon all these points, which were attentively 
 listened to, and carefully noted. 
 
 Before the Convention, also, we were prepared and in- 
 tended to review the whole question of Reciprocity, with 
 special reference to the Maritime Provinces; but our policy 
 being as far as possible, to leave the discussion in the 
 hands of the Americans, and they to answer their own 
 
9 
 
 ■'.^3^; 
 
 objections, wo refrained from speaking. Hon. Josepu 
 Howe was the only speaker of the British Delegates on 
 the question of Reciprocity — the speakers being — • ' 
 
 
 FOR. 
 
 AGAINST. 
 
 Seymour, 
 
 of New York. 
 
 IIamblin, of Maine. 
 
 Sabine, 
 
 " Massachusetts. 
 
 Blake, " " 
 
 Joy, 
 
 " Michigan. 
 
 Kennedy, " Pennsylvania. 
 
 Hersey, 
 
 " Maine. 
 
 ■ 
 
 SCAMMON, 
 
 " Illinois. 
 
 ■ H , ■ '*■• 
 
 IIOWE, 
 
 " Nova Scotia. 
 
 J 
 
 Mr. Howe's speech almost exhausted the question, and 
 produced a powerful effect, the facts being ';o the great 
 majority there wholly unknown ; the changing feeling of 
 the Convention in favor of Reciprocity induced by the 
 facts presented on Committee was now wholly turned, 
 and at the conclusion of his address of nearly thre*3 hours, 
 the vote of the Convention was taken upon the Resolu- 
 tion moved by Hon. Fred. Frahley, of Philadelphia : 
 
 "Resolved, That this Convention do respectfully re- 
 '* quest the President of the United States to enter into 
 " negotiations with the Government of Great Britain, 
 " having in view the execution of a treaty between ihetwo 
 *' countries for reciprocal commercial intercourse between 
 " the United States and the several provinces of British 
 " North America, including British Columbia, the Selkirk 
 " Settlement, and Vancouver's Island, based on principles 
 " which shall be just and equitable to all parties, and with 
 " reference to the present financial condition of the 
 *' United States, and which shall also include the free 
 " navigation of the St. Lawrence and the other rivers of 
 '* Britibh North America, with such improvements of 
 *' the rivers and enlargement of the canals as shall render 
 '■'' them adequate for the requirements of the West in com- 
 
 " municating with the Ocean." 
 
 This was carried unanimously, the votes being of tho 
 full number in the Convention — one hundred and fifty-five. 
 
9 
 
 Aa the chairmen of the different delegations said aye, they 
 were heartily applauded, and the decision from the Chair 
 was received with tumultuous cheering. The work of the 
 Convention then appeared to be done ; good feeling was 
 on every side ; resolutions complimentary to each other 
 passed, one of which, by Hon. Mr. Elliot, of Missouri, 
 was so friendly, coming from one who had in the early 
 part of the Convention expressed himself against Recipro- 
 city, that we report it : 
 
 "Resolved, That the American Delegates to this Con- 
 ** vention have experienced much pleasure in mingling 
 " with the Delegates from the British Provinces, and we 
 " trust that .the intelligent gentlemen who have lent us 
 " their presence may bear to their homes as pleasant 
 " memories of us as we shall retain of them." 
 
 To this the chairman of the Colonial Committee, Hon. 
 Thomas Ryan, replied, and we have here pleasure in bearing 
 testimony to the universal expression in his favor for the 
 courtesy, dignity uid good feeling displayed by him as 
 presiding officer of our meetings. 
 
 A Committee had been appointed on Weights and 
 Measures, but they were unable to report fully. The 
 subject of a uniform Currency was named, but in the 
 present financial condition of the United States, its public 
 consideration was not deemed advisable. 
 
 A speech from the Chairman, and cheers for the Presi- 
 dent of the United States and the ^ 'aeen of England, 
 closed the Convention. 
 
 The Colonial Committee then met, and resolutions were 
 passed recommending the formation of an Inter-Colonial 
 Board of Trade ; the Montrieal Board was requested to 
 prepare a Constitution, communicate with other Boards, 
 and, if possible, hold a general meeting this Fall : also, 
 that the various commercial bodies be requested to unite 
 in procuring a suitable Testimonial to Hon. Joseph Howe 
 
■ 
 
 10 
 
 for bia distinguished ad -/ocacy of British Colonial interests 
 befo.e the Convention. On the latter subject, each body 
 was requested to communicate with the Montreal Board. 
 In the course of the 'i^eneral discussion, we noted that 
 the great object of the West is to secure more ample com- 
 munication with the Atlantic. Various subjects were 
 debated with much ability : the Niagara Ship Canal, 
 although a folt necessity, they cannot hope for, as the 
 expense would bo enormous, and the Government, under 
 present financial pressure, could not undertake il as a 
 government work, but upon the widening and deepening 
 of the Canadian Canals, w^hich can be done at an outlay 
 that will prove remunerative, and upon the free navigation 
 ot the St. Lawr^'uce, their chief reliance is placed, and 
 these were to be made the main points in new negotiations. 
 The value of the Fisheries was ably shown by the New 
 York Delegates, and also by Mr. IIersey, of Portland, in 
 reply to Mr. Blake, of Bangor. 
 
 Our Timber privileges are evidently envied by Maine 
 and Michigan ; the former, referring to New Brunswick, 
 said, they in Maine had to paj' a high price for their lum- 
 ber lands, while "ve obtained ours for merely nominal 
 prices, giving us advantages over them in the markets of 
 their own country; they said they asked no protection, 
 but that our timber lands should be sold for their value, as 
 in Maine. 
 
 A feeling prevailed among many leading Americans, 
 that the large party in the Provinces who sympathized 
 with the North in the late smuggle, was therefore in favor 
 of annexation to the United States ; acting upon this, and 
 advised by 'lomo of tlieir political leaders, they were op- 
 posed to Reciprocity under our present relations, hoping, 
 by refusing this, to force the Provinces from their allegi- 
 ance to Britain, and for trade benefits, to join them. This 
 idea was freely discussed, and it was attempted to bo 
 
 
11 
 
 shewn by us, and we think successfully, that this was a 
 mistake, and that whatever views were held in the Colo- 
 nies, any attempt to force now political relations upon us 
 would only end in disappointment to those who would 
 make the experiment. 
 
 It was freely said by their leading men, that these Colo- 
 nies could not much longer remain as they are ; that they 
 must either form a union with each other, or with the 
 United States, and as the disposition of the Maritime 
 Provinces appeared to them to be against union among 
 themselves, they hoped for the larger union with the 
 States, as General Wallbridoe stated in bis opening 
 speech before the Convention, when he said, " Perhaps I 
 "may suggest Uiat our system of Government admits of 
 "indefiint*^ extension, and if hereafter, in the Providence 
 " of God, they should sec fit to ask closer association with 
 " us, we cannot but accept the desire with pleasure ; it 
 " will help us to discharge the obligations we have incurred 
 " in the prosecution of our late war ; it will relieve us, and 
 "be a reciprocity to them in the fullest sense." 
 
 Leading American gentlemen, who were not imbued 
 with the Monroe Doctrine, and who believe that it would 
 be for the interest of both countries if a strong consolidated 
 Government was established on this Northern Continent, 
 said, — if the union of these Provinces was once accom- 
 plished, their people would then give up the idea of an- 
 nexation, and at once enter upon terms of trade and amity 
 with us. 
 
 >*•& 
 
 Your Delegates believe, in conclusion, that this inter- 
 change of sentiment will be attended with great good. 
 On the invitation of gentlemen of the Convention, some 
 went further W^st, to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis,* 
 Cincinnati, 4'C., free passes by railways and steamers 
 being generously otfered; and on all occasions, in public 
 
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 ■s 
 
 
 12 
 
 and private, we endeavored to impart information regard- 
 ing the past and present of our trade, our political and 
 international relations, which was eagerly listened to, 
 while we enjoyed the hospitality of our Western friends, 
 which was open and boundless as their prairies. We 
 doubt not that the kindly feeling elicited on both sides 
 will produce results much to be desired — the good sense 
 of the American people will discover that it is for mutual 
 interests that we continue friends, and in that spirit we 
 bade each other a hearty farewell. , . * 
 
 /' ."''^'' ^% "•: v:v . WM. PARKS, 
 
 : ' : WM. H. STEEVES, 
 . " A. E..BOTSFORD, 
 
 CHARLES FISHER, 
 C. H. FAIR WEATHER, 
 JOHN BOLTON, ^ 
 
 JOHN BOYD. 
 
 'Mf.*y,« 
 
 St. John, N. B., August 1, 1865. 
 
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