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Les diagrammas suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 RETURN 0^) To an Address of the House of Commons, dated 19th April, 1886;— Foj copies of all despatches from or correspondence with the Imperial Government, respecting the complaint of the Legislature or Govern- ment of Prince Edward Island, that the Terms of IJniou between that Island and the Dominion have not been carried out, or with respect to the mission of Delegates to the Imperial Government from Prince Edward Island on the subject of such complaint. Department of the Secretary of State, Ottawa, 16th April, 1S86. By Command. J. A. CHAPLEAU, Secretary of State, Earl Granville to the Marquis of Lansdowne. Downing Stkeex, 30th March, T886. My Lord,- L duly received your Lordship's despatch of the 19th November last, encloHing an approved report of a Committee of the Privy Council for Canada, forwarding, with other papers, a joint address to the Queen from the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island. This adiirot^s prays that Her Maj-sty wi'l require that justice be done by the Government of Canada to Her Majesty'.^ loyal subjects of that province by the immediate "establishment and maintenance of efficient steam service for the conveyance of mails and passengers between thin is'and and the mainland of the Dominion, both winter and summer so as to place the ishmd in continuous communication with the Interoolonial Railway and the lailway system of the Dominion ; " and further, that H'^r M'joftj- would bo pleased to require that the Government of Canada should compensate the island for the loss whicii it is alleged has resulted to its inhabitants by reason of the non- fulfilment of the terms of Confederation in the particulars complained of in the address. I also received your despatch of 30th January, with a further report of a Com- mittee of the Privy Council on the subject of the delegation appointel to su})port the prayer of the address. Since the receipt of these papers I have had the plea-^uro of receiving Mr. Sullivan, the Premier and Attorney-General, and Mr. Ferguson, the Provircial Secre- tary of Prince J'Jdward Island, who had been appointed as dolegalcH to Jler Majesty's Government, and on the 24th of lust month they attended here by appointment and favored mo with a general statement of the circumstances under which the Legisla- ture of Prince Edward Island hud addressed the Queen. I explained to them that the Queen had no power, either by statute or otherwise under the constitution of Canada, to give siny direction in ihis matter, and that therefore I should nr,t be able to advise Her Majesty (who had been pleased to receive the address vorygraciouBly) to take any action upon it, but thai it would give me much satisfactroii if, by the oxercibe of any friendly offices which I could tender, I should be able to contribute to the settlemenf of a question in which the Provincial Government wore so much 7«— 1 /. interested. I added that I had confidence in the kindly spirit in which the matter at iesne would bo dealt with ou both sides, and this led me to hope that some acceptable arrangemonl might be come to. I then gave the delegates a copy of the report of the Privy Council of Canada dated the 7th of November last, which they had not previously received, and I informed thim that after receiving and considering the observations which tho^ might desire to make upon that report, I should be happy to see them again, and, if it should bo ufriocablo to both parties, to invite Sir Charles Tupper to be ])resent, on behalf of the Dominion Government, at the interview. On the 4th instant I received from the delegates the statement, of which a copy is enclosed, and I communicated a copy of it to Sir C. Tupper, wno favorer! me with his commonis vhei eon in a memorandum, of which a copy is also enclosed. After perusing these papers I invited the delegates and Sir Charles Tupper to meet me at this office on the 12th inst. The delegates urged at length the claims and con- tentions of iho province, and laid before me the plans of a submarine line of commu- nication which they undertitood to be feasible. Sir Charles Tupper then justified and cxpbined the action of the Dominion Government, adding personally, and not speaking under instructions, that if it could bo shown that the scheme of a " ni'itallio subway " is really feasible at a moderate cost, the Dominion Government would, no doubt, bo ready to give their serious consideration to such a scheme As 1 stated in the earlier part of this de-patch, although Her Majesty's Govern- ment is unable to take the question out of the hands of the Dominion Government, and although I have not seen more than aprimd facie opinion as to feasibility at a moderate cost of the proposal for its solution, I hope that it will be found to admit of a satisfactory sotOoment. On the one hand, the expectations of the Province in regard to the establishment of a constant and cffioient communication with the main land have not beon fulfilled, but, on the other hand, the Dominion Government has shown that it has made considerable efforts to improve the communication in the face of serious physical difficulties, especially during the winter seafeon. There seems to be reason for doubting whether any really satisfactory communication by fiteam- ship can bo rogularl)'^ maintained all the year round, which makes it all the more important that the proposed " metallic 8ub\?ay " should receive a full and, if feasible, favorable con-'-i'ltnition on the part of the Government of the Dominion. The establi.-hmont of constant and speedy communication by rail would be a great advantage both to the province and to the Dominion ; and I should suppose that the development of the traffic on the island railroads, and of the capabilities of the province generally, would produce a large direct and indirect return on the expenditure. It would reflect great credit on the Dominion Government if, after connecting British Columbia with the Eastern Provinces by the Canadian Pacific R^,ilway, it should now be able to complete its system of railway communication by an extension to Prince Edward Island . I have, &c., GRANVILLE. ^J#»' London, 1st March, 1886. My Lord, — The undersigned having, at the interview with which your Lordship honored them on Wednesday last, been favored by your Lordship with a copy of a report of a C'^mraiitee of the Honorable the Privy Council of Canada upon the jdint address of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island to Her Majesty the Queen on the subject of the non-fulfilment by theDominioa Gov- ernment of the termn of union with respect lo communication between the island and the mainland of Canada, desire to oflfer the following comments thereon : — Your Lordship, whose successful administration of colonial affair.^ is well remem- bered in the Dominion in a despatch to Sir John Young, Governor General of Canada, datod 4th September, l869, when commending the action of the Dominion 8 Governmout in reopening negotiations with the iaiaad with a view to iti admiasion into the Conlecleration, used the following words :— " I trust that in Hettling the terms proposed as the basis of this arrangement, the Government will deal liberally as well as justly with tho inland." Tho undersigned deeply rogrot that it has been found necessary to appeal to Her Majesty to obtain that justice in the carrying out of the terms Uiri-ood upon, which has hitherto been denied the island. The Committee of the Privy Council of Canada give it us thoir opinion " that it 18 altogether improbable that any man who had seen the Straits of Northuraborland or had any knowledge of the ice obstruction in mid-wiute , could have supposed it possible to construct a steamer capable of crossing when tho ice is at Its heaviest in that reason." The undersigned submit that the offer of continuous stoam communication sum- mor and winter was an entirely voluntary act on the part of the Dominion, made in 1S69, when Canada endeavored, at the instance of tho Imperial Govornraent, to induce i-rinoc Edward Island to enter tho Confederation, to which i.ho inhabitants of the island had previously been strongly opposed. The terms of union then proponed wore rejected by the island, but upon a more favorable basis ; Ii. utlier respects the union was atlooted on 1st July, 1873, tho condition containing .he same stipulation tor continuous communication as were offered in 1869. Tho undersigned have every reason to boliove that tho terms we/e concluded in good faith, anl t'liey submit that such terms uhould be carried out. Ample time has been uffoivlod »!;,oo the oonsum- mation of the union to effect this communication, yet tho undor.iigned must repeat the language of the memorial to Her Majesty, that " no safficiodf, disposition has been ehovm by tho Dominion Government to fulfil their oblig-vtions towards tho island in this matter." The first steamer which was engaged to attempt the crjcsing lotweon George- town and Pictou was notoriously unfit, as the Committee of Cuuncil acknowledge, bho possessed no qualifications for the service, having been origiaally employed as a wood boat, and not having been constructed to roceivu steam luuoLinery. After re-jammng on the route for two seasons, the Government was oblig^jd to cancel the contract with her owner. The "Northern Light," which was not dosignod for the service, was purchased by the Government in 18Y6 aud placed upon the route. Her incapacity for the work was early made manifest, and hay hacu ^aiont to the Govern- mont for many years, yot no steps have been taken to sub..tii.u.; u more efficient vessel, or to supplement her with another steamer. Here tho undersigned would call attention to a speech in the Senate, in 1884, wherein Sit- Al-xander Campbell, one of the sub-committee, whose names are signed to the report now under review, Eromised that a second steamer would be placed on the route lo tosist the "Northern light. "^ Sir Alexander made use of the following language :— '■ The notice that the hon. gentleman fvomCharlottetuw a bus given, is that he will call theattention of the Government to the expediency of making linioly prepara- tion for replacing the steamship « Northern Light ' by a new vessel combining such improvements in design and construction as modern exporienc.j dictates. In reply to the enquiry I may say that the Marine Department has entered into a contract for the building ot a wooden screw steamer for lighthouse service in tlio Mdiilinio Provinces, and it 18 intended to build this vessel with extra strong timbors, sboalh her with green-heart, and plate her bows with steel or iron, so as to tit hoi for iuo navigation and to assist the ' Northern Light ' when necessary. She will b.» ready for service in October next. It is also intended to repair the ' Northern Light ' thoroughly next season, replacing all defective timbers and planks, and otherwise strengthening the vessel and fittiug her thoroughly for winter navigation. Triore would then bu, therefore, for the service of the Government in or near those slralLs, the ' Northern Light' thoroughly restored and strengthened, and this now vessel which is now being constructed, and which is to be finished in October, so thut tho valuable sug- gestions of my hon. triend would be acted upon, and there would be another vessel there in the event of an accident happening to one of ^hom." 76— IJ ff s Btrange an it may 8eom, iho now vossol hnn never been employed to iiHsiHt th» " Noithoru Light," although the latter wuh unavailable for Hervice laHt winter from the 2rih Jiinujuy till the 28th April, a period o ninety-ono djiyn. It is tiui' that a branch railway ban been -. ilt to Cape Traveree, but it was not completed until January, 1886, noarlv- throe years after the appropriation for its constraction uud nearly twelve yoars after the island entered the union. A pier has also been constructed »it tliat point, but until some natural obstructionn are removed, it is availabio only for vessols of light draught, and a steamer cannot lie .i, it. A branch railroad is also iu courtto of ooiistruction to Cape Torraentino, in New Eruna- wick, but it is oven at tbiH date, only about onebalf finished, and being in the hands of a private company there is no certainty when it will be completed, notwithstanding that the Dominion Govorumout have voted a subsidy to the undertaking. Ad ap- propriatioa was also made Bomo years ago, for the construction of a pier at Capo Tor- mentine, but up to the present time so far as is known to the undersigned, the pite even has not been finally dutorminod, and no attempt has over boon made to run a steamer, at any season, between Capes Traverse and Tormentine. The Committee of Council assume that the Island Government were fully con- yertiant with the whole action and plans of the Dominion Government towards improving the winter co-nmunication, yet the undersigned have reason to believe that the Dominion Government themselves were not folly advised of what was being done in the matter. AltLough u Committee of Parliament in 1883, recommended the erection of bouthouses at both capes, for the accommodation of the men engaged in the service, and for the shelter of the boats, they were not finished until the winter of this year. Sir Alexander Campbell, speaking in the Senate in 1884, said :-— " 1 am surprised to hear from my hon. Iriend opposife that the boathouses have not been built. I called the attention of the Minister of Marino (Mr. McLeian) to the matter last session, and ho told me that the boathouses would be provided. I BhuU again call his attention to that question, and to the various suggecitious that have been made." Again, in the rurliameutury Session of 1886, Sir Alexander Campbell, speaking on the same suhject, said: — " My hon. friend from Prince Edward Island, who introduced this subject to the notice of the House, has, I think, just ground for oomplaiut — ground for uoinpiuiut, 1 am sorry to think, peihaps against myself, although really, as he has almost admitted, 1 am not lesjjonBiblo for the non execution of the measures waicli from time to time i have been authorized by the Government to promise in this ilouso. I remember quite distinctly the undertaking which 1 gave that the boathouses should be coustrucLed, one on each side of the ferry. I made that promise with the authority ol' tiic then Minister of Marino and Fisheries, and as is my uoustuut prac- tice, the very duy the promise was made I wrote to the Minister of Marino and Fisheries thut, puisuunt to wiiat he had told me I made the piomiso, and that I hoped he would keep it in mind. 1 afterwards called attention to it, and there were reasons which woie more or less sound— 1 can hardly say sound — which made the delay more or lots ejfcustible. It was thought for a time that the orders had been given, and that the boathouses were in course of construction." The Dominion Government have totally neglected ever since Qonfedoraiion to make any provision whatever for the transport of passengers, when compelled to resort to the capes' route. While the contract with the ice couriers stipulated for the carriage ol mails, no arrangements were made ftr passengeis, who were Ibrcod to effect the crobsiiig as best they could, although the terms of union loquiio like provision to be made for passengers as for mails. The undersigned would remark, that the benefits couioired by the branch railway to Ca))e Traverse are very question- able, when it is understood that after landing passengers at that point the Govern- ment made no arrangements for carrying them across the straits. Nearly thirteen years have elapsed since the island became a member of the Confederation, and ail that has been accomplished in the fulfilment of iho guarantee to provide continuous communication has been the purchase for the Georgetown- I y^od to tif^BiHt th» iHt wiutor from , but it waa not ipriatiun for its 3u. A pior hn8 iH uro removed, 3t Ho .i< it. A in New Eranu- in tho bunds of lotwithstanding iking. An ap- er at Capo Tor- 'signed, the cite nado to run a were fully con- ainont towards a to believe that was being done ;ommondod the Lon engaged in intil tho winter I, waid : — )athouB08 have loLoiau) to the vided. I fcthull ouH that have pbell, speaking i subject to the tor uoinpiuiut, he hab uluio^t ;Ori wiiicli from in thiu ilouho. thouisob bhould aiise With the couBtauL prao- f Murine uud ibu, uiid Lbut I md there were 'hich mudu the rdurb hud beou anfederuiioii to compelled to . btipulatod for were forced to n toquiro liko would remark, very question- | it tho Govern- '^ aombor of tho thu guarautee Geurgolowu- Pio on r.nre of a steamer, which, during the la«t five yearn, han boon laid up an average (.tHoventy days each winter, and the completion on the capes' route of S branch r;.,!,.oad, twelve miles in lenRth, only a sm.lll part of the di.taKe iXvening betwt( n tho iHlund railway and the fntorcolonial Railway. Even th. promises inndf bya Mun.ter of the Crown (Sir Alexander Carnpboll) ha^o received on^lyTarZ iZhl ''t an "''"Jf"^'' **»«»' a steamer should be employed to assist thJ " Northern Jjighf h.sB never been carried out. tnin!«l7'l\"^l''*^®''T'"*?^^^®^'''""''"®*°^ Parliament in tho Scnion of 1883 wf;."!!"?®-^"*"'"'T.°P*°*°° °^ ^'^^ members of committee, confirmed by the i n hi n^; I ^^"'««««« Of '^--g^ P'-actical experience, that no .toamnhif s c.n be built C!ipMb!.' of keeping up continuous communication in midwinttr " «nH »;« JVV2-.*T'.^'"h^ ^"''*' examined the report of tho said Parliamentary Committee and havo failed to diBCovor therein that they come to this conclusion. • \ i«>"ad LegiH nture, in their memorial to Her Majesty, havinL' instanced the anxioty of tho Dominion to fulfil its obligations to J^ritish Columbia by the construct tion at an enormous cost, of the Canadian Pacific Raiiwivy. as contrifitVd with rh^ ?«C/nl"'^''?; exhibited in carrying out its pledged iJith with Prtoe EdwIiS SV. • .-f? °^ continuous communication, the Committee of Council pro- ceeded to instituto a comparison between tho amountH contributed to the eenSrS ir^aT^tiTaai^tJS;;™^!^ ^^'^ ^""^« '''^^'' ^«'-'^' »^"^-g *^- "^ «94|095.10 ♦»,„♦ ftf^""*' proceeding to remark upon this point, the nndorsigned doeire to submit frl th^^""' ''?° of comparative contributions, on either nido, is one altogether apS iormn com^aVt? '"'' ^^^^^ porfurming tho torm°s of a iost tK« I^T!" "" not unimportant factor, which should enter into a consideration of Th«Hr.f r'*"''"^''^**y.*^"'^° P'0^i"«<^'^,to which reference has been made fi! Tip Commission, sitting under the provisions of tho Treaty of Washington. Sll r^-^'t'V'^r""^ of 85,600.000, to bo paid by the United Sutes, fm the privilege of using for twelve years, the fisheries in waters of Eastern Cankda and upon tho M of Newfoundland. This amount was duly paid by the United States of i^ Jm Son ^r?"''''^^ who thereupon handed over to Newfoundland the sum fJif T i ' i*"" 'um'^ •'^'^''' "^^*'^^- ^""«« ^'^^^^'■d I«'»"J. Jil^o Newfoundland, tfn^tuf P?^*^ ^.^^1« V«P*rate Province, and did not, at the time of Confedori w,'..r ^1 t.. Ganudaits right to compensation, and as tho wholo^^onnensusof evidence fcl^frlT I T""'"?K **'°'^"^ to prove that tho finhorios on tho coast of Prince Edward Island wore the most valuable of any to which tho Unit^nl Stnto-. fishermen JhL'H trf ' li' ''uf "'"'"^f^ '^' «°"^ '^ ^^'250.000 as i.ssh-.ro nniortheawrd" Thm donuuH oithough froquoutly presented, the Dominion Government hiva steadily Ignored and huvo retained in the Federal Treasury, the amount which ,ho island stK c aims as ju.t ly Its right. Tho undorHignod submit, that in any c nsidor.Uon of the contubauoii to tho general revenue, Prince Edward Island h: ^. !i ri-rh* to receive z!:^Jt':j^:j^rno%^:^ p^^-^^^*- ^p-^'- --«'--^^. -^^-'^-^ woum t«« J*IC ""''^.'"•S"®'^ ^^""<^t refrain from expressing thoir surprise that the Commit- fj.l '''' ' T*''",!; f ^^^Z """"^ ^^''*' '^^^<^"' <>f tho unequal circumstances of the tTi J'"""h' ^^^^'^/'i.^r adopted so unfair a comparison as that they propose now fL r^ "" • '^^'''^ '' ^^'^^ "P°" P"'"^^"' ^°^^ misleading returns. The*^pJsition of ll-^rnrrJmr TP''^'^°«or ^r^l °^ similarity. Tho figures quoted L for the ^^LTfo "^""f-' ^^^K 4^ *^** ^''"^ ^""sh Columbia possessed no direct means of communication with the settled portions of tho Dominion at any season of fiJ!.^!^' accordingly was compelled to purchase almost all its supplies directly from other countries. These imports all paid duty at the ports of entry in British ?5™^.h^'n . ^ a™«»»V« co'.M'tcd aro credited to that Province. With Prince SiK in fS n '. T''*'-' ^''^ '" ••"'"«tanoo« are vastly different. Owing to the prox- r ' . r t^o'der Proy.nceH a very large proportion (at least throefourthh) of tho datable goods which itH people UHo in purcLsed from wholonalo hounos in Quobeo Ontur 0. :Nova Scot.a and New BrnnHw!()k. As will bo readily understood the dS upon hoHo goods aro collected at the ports of entry, and go to hwoI the anDarent contr,but,onso the other Provinces to tho Dominon Exchequer The fflrms ZfX" (f\'.1.443.81). quoted by the Committee of Council at $170,863.40) roprosoTt only the dutioH upon the goods which the island imports directly fi'om countrfes out- side of Canada ho that it is maniiestly unfair, under such cirouLtanJeMo institute a comparison between British Columbia and Prince Edward Island It smu oh lnnrrr-""l'^AV*^^ ^"™*"'"" Government should labor under he grave mii apprehension that the CuHtoms duties collected in the ports of a Province ?an at aS indicate its contribut.onH to tho general revenue. By a Parity of reasoning tS motro^ politan county of Middloscx, in Great Britain, might claim tLt it Sributrth^ ^lZZrT'''T V^' ^r'°"*^ r«""«« «f '^^ United Kingdom, whi^^o out y S or inland agricultural counties, such as Suffolk or Bucks, might bo held as not yidd- ing adequately to tho Imperial Exchequer. ^ »« uwm us not yiom- ThedifHcultv of arriving at an absolutely correct calculation of tho amount of dutK.blo goodH wLch the people of Prince Edward Island consume cannot lS^?"o SS 2yjf°'?'^K^"' ^" uncle.H-gned submit that there aro several methods by whch i? may fairly bo estimatoc. It must be premised that the people of the island^aro very large cor,sui>er8 of .lutm ble goods for tho reason that they being chiefly enKugod^n agriculture ,.nd fishing their manufactures are very small compared wftl. the ?ost of . -^o proof of the assertion that tho people of tho island are principally oneaeed in agriculture and fishing the undersigned would again advert tJtho con us roS of 1881 which show that (tho North- West Territories not being included). One-half the area of Prince Edward Island is cultivated. Only orie-twonty-fifth of tho other Provinces is cultivated. ^rinco Edward Ireland has a population of 51 to the square mile. Ine other Provuu es only 4-72. impr^vISTan^d'!''"''' ^''""'^ "''"' ^^ ""''"'^'^ ""^ ^'^" '^''^ ^^' «^«^>' 10« '^^^"^^ of The other Piovincos only 38. bnshds.^''''' pruductH Prince Edward Island raises to the acre of improvod land 108| Tho other Provinoos only 61 J bushels. Tt'ottVi^rtlrcef S"^'"^^' ''''''' P^°'"««« '''''' P- ^^^ -'-' wb;J*'mrT'"H'/^''i'fK'"'* aro generally in comfortable circumstances, in prool of which mav bo adduced tho amount of deposits per head in the savintfa banks which averages $16.:,9 for tho island against $7 66 for the rest of the Domtnit^ ' f.n. T'7f«.%"''f ^learly prove that tho people of Prince Edward Island, from the fact of their not boii,g extensive manufacturers, are under tho nccSy of u. m^ '^nt^ft " " '"'°", '""'r'' T^^^^' '^' ^^'•""^y «f tbeir soi?, the Tamo ol the"! fisheries and their general independence demonstrate their ability to ourch..o This being undeistcod the undeWnod submit thelollowingcalcSS^sd^^^^^ tha the imports of dutiable goods into the island are very 2h Ser thu^^^^^^^^ gested by the Committee of Council, and consequently the contributions oth^e revenue proportionately greater. ^ ^^^o v.uuuiuuiiuua lu ine Method 1. The average revenue of the Dominion from Customs and Excise fur tho three years ended dOth Juno, 1884, was $27,603,479. The population of Prince EdwaSl With Prince ing to the prox- fourthh) of iho cc, the under- id apparently inces, in 1881 1884. 7-54 5-14 4-93 4-77 9-10 1.78 > actual con- 'incoa; rather cinco for the 1 Columbia is lurastances of )ra oountrioH nt upon tho orlrs, no lesd . Now that !tod that tho lave boon in ill be in that -th Columbia iportini^ and ish Columbia iwoon British figures boing I Ihe undorh-igned have onlv to r«mi^rk- fK«t ,,"""*""» ^■'^.'♦''^•"o- dirlct communication dKtt The imnilZfl^"'^'^ ?'''!;' ^'*^ ^^'^^ counti-J Prinl^ZtffJ!:^^^^^^^^^^ ^^T"^-^ ''' "— ^'^ '- '^rove that Customs and Excise duS at oa«i,^rr ''^'*'^«*=t'y »°to the Dominion Exchequer, of Council whUeif th«^n«nj -^^^^ as that stated by tho Committed of union has been naid rff w fh ^k ' .■ ^°® Dominion assumed at the time <.onsider\L it ?s /n^asoiwe to c^^^^^^^^ Th'^ "^ *''^'''' '^' undersi;,ned of the public debt, StrSombionKble totrJow r4r'- '?" P^^r^'T Til ^^"''^ ^^^^^ ^ decrease in the amount ch-u-eed of m>i nfiiTi by «6,789 2^ ^' ''"'""'"""K *o intorest at 4 per cent., would i«au,;o tho sum amount includes the sum of ^if nnn^/ / 2- ^^"^^ '^®""'<^ ^'^ remark that this case an abatement would result of «I6 43S ^''"^' ''' '^'^^^h Halifox:ci;';'B^el^;r7u.ris£n5Ht^' '\ ^^.'^OO/or communication b3tween charged in full to tho iXltL,!^K'. '^"^''^'•^'g'lod submit, has uo right t) bo 1884 a, ,u.tcd by tho Oom^'it.rrfCoJSt £ WlollJto"'"^ o«|.«.>lituro for ^hat^i:'sa:;;r',T/cttis»^^lhi'.r:.str„-^^^^ 10 Average annual contribution by the island for Customs and Excise jy23 129 To which add interest on the sum claimed "by ' the island a^ its share of the fishery award, less the sum paid for fishing bounties 41,430 Sum claimed by Committee of Council to be *' ^^ expended on the island $^89 954 Less amounts which undersigned contend ' should be deducted , 79 308 610,G46 ^^cess of annual contributions of Prince Edward Island over Dominion expenditure 8153,913 r.pJ" P'"0?f of the efforts of the Dominion Government to provide improved means ±T'^'lZ^''f'^^^Comm^XteeorCorincil adduce various itCs 7 expenSe 8150 000 arnrnt'^^t'^^r^f.*'"^ Among these items appears tfe sum of *1B0 000, appropriated for the construction of a pier at Capo Tormentine wh,Vh Kra SnS ^^-^ P. ° November last, when the report of the Committee of Council was adopted did not exceed $20,000. I^either do the undersiffned consider thItTh« Setrov ncrofS « °"'' '^V'^'T^ '^r^' *^« island'^The worf i? sitatet nfwJL?! o • ^.^"^ Brunswick, and must be presumed to be of great benefit thereto otherwise a private company would not undertake to build it without any previous asrarance of assistance from the Federal Government. Besides^ he subsX KZ ^vUTat 'ZZintTJ''^ ' policy pursued by the Dominion Gornmenro^f Slllr,? CntT T/ Of railway on the mainland. The sum of $12,400, to pay ture t Wh at t^r^^^^^ ^Z^r' ^^ Cape Traverse, is also included in the expeSSI w'*^^..®*'"^®*^®C^'""^'"««of Council made their report that amount ^tdv o^'£4oSlVr^"''''' 11'"^ ''•!''' ^^^^« ««rvice, which dSLs means ?fe rabsidy of £400 sterling annually, paid to the Anglo-American Teleerarh Comnanv As the assumption of this subsidy by the General Government wa7?nder a Shict ^aSotth'Si^f t'b^'T^^^' Confederation, and bt nTcormlLt on by toe for JhrimnrovP^^;^^^^^^^ *'*'J''*.*° '^' ^^'°S ^"^'"^ed in the expend? ^cunt8toa?l^^?r TK ^ This subsidy, for twelve years, tte?u/sidL fS; Jr^Z^^ZT^'"'^ -^ ^""J"." '"^'"'^^ «'«« i° ^^«ir memorandum' uie i-ursiaies lor the summer mail service and for the winter crossinc at the oatiPs ^dT^ly^ZTlT'ri ^^ '\' 1^'^°' Government prev^Z to^cSn XatFon; Sand hvlnZ^L -^ '^^u'*'"^ i '».«'°pears the sum of ■entine, which has )t having yet been construction of a ompleted, and the ;ee of Council was consider that the vork is situate in )at benefit thereto, out any previous I subsidy has only I Government of F $12,400, to pay I in the expendi- lort, that amount tbtless means the igraph Company, under a distinct ommunication by I in the expendi- For twelve years, lir memorandum ng at the capes, to Confederation, ;ation which the i they should be they have taken littoe of Council e would read as i951,698 490,245 461,45a t^tlarartrgTve^irp?:?^^^^^^^^^ 7-- to meet the wishes of In the foregoing pag^the uisi^ned ?Z°''^?''" ""'^^ *'^« mainland, insider, have clearly establLhed- endeavored to sho^ and, as they theplVt'^oflhtisfan'^ctlt^^^^^^^ and without any solicitation on steam service, winter'and sSmmer/beCen thetS^^ «®«^«°* engagement they have entirAW fo; it^ + ° *"** *^^ manland-that this «oVrnment hav^eTeVup tot^^^^^^^^ .J"/^*^-, that the Dominron f transport of passengers WherobKrtTrL^l?rVr'''^'^®'^,'"'^°y "tanner for the I not even attUptef tS7S^ o?Xmei? t^ °<5^ where they have promises made by the Ministers tnt^ffll' . ^-^ ^*^® ^^^^^^ *» carry out the that they have dfsplayed Zat^^ °^ ^^^ i«'and; and, generally! cation as has been afforded. '°^°t»^»ty and reluctance to improve such communil expeLiiu^tt^?rW*l're'tfr t£i^; ' '''t '° representing that the Dominion the undersigned hav.W nlnin w ^ ^ '.""'^'i *^^ ^™«°°t received from the island tributes to tfe DornS IxcheLerTnTmountV'' • '^^ ^''''''' '''^' '^' ^^^^^^ con^ 3. That the amount whinhfJ,!p •./'*'■ '"? ^^^««« ^^^^^at is expended, expended by tLDoTn°LGovornS«nP?'".'?'"^^ ^^ ^^'^"^^ ^'^^"^ to have been mu'nication^wuh thrmSandTlaS «^^^?, "^^-^ ^f com^ Ee/erring to other noints Sa r?ml Uff fn ^^.? ^""^ actually paid therefor, a subsidy of $1 000 a vear hS Si • ?'k"®1''^J?°''°^'' «^ate that " since the union Edward^IslLdSamTavi Jtion CoCnanJ t" ^""^i"''^ Government to the Prince' of open navigation, from Shediac ^u7ew\LlZoTTi'' <^«''3^ d^^ing the season and from Pictou. i^ Nova S ^to SlnttZ ' ? ^"'""^orside, on tho island, signed desire to corre'ra SaSHfih.rT^^ ^'''° and Georgetown." Tho under' seem to labor, that da^y corSieatn exirhnlJ^'^'t*^" Committee of Council This is not the case as the ste^ZrTno nl. •.? o^!^° ^°^^ S<^«tia and tho island. it might be inferred ?Lt he S»yLn t o^S O^'o )0 iT"" T^^.i^""' '''^'' ^ ^"^^- ^es recent agreement entered inirb^^h" Opinion rnJ^' ^""^ l^''- 1''^^ ^^^ ""^er a tion Company, the undersigned desiie tH^v ?L? k"*"""* ""'^^ ^^^ ^team Naviga- Island Go'ver^mcnt preWous to SS^^atS andT^^^^ ""'^ '"^^'^ ^^ "»« amount, is only carrying out that^emJnt -Dominion, m now paying the whe Jtrerwte^Vm^l^^^^^^^^ feTJo tt^ " ^'^^ \^^« "--' P"^^'- DominionGovornnienthLo^oftainTd tbesubsttnw that since then the acted upon until the present winter ^ contract, yet this suggestion was not menie^d JSltatitV)otls"r7at"f an^^ ''^V'' ^•°'"'"''"- «* ^--"ament recom- guidance of the Cts while crSr ^^J^ ^'^jj^' ^vice should be adopted lor the ^ Tho Committee of Mirmentfiso?tatPHlr'«'''r' ^"'" ^.'''' P'^'^^^^- before them, that a small scrow^Hte^^^^ opinion, from tho evidence of the winter in connection wUhho?coboa"anVould^ ? considerable portion ice when not at work, and thev recommenH«H ;f« p ^ «afely docked in the board by actual experiment, the feYsiS o^thl n.^i«^^^^^ vided, nor has any att'ompt been Sfto t«TS« ' ^'^ I"? '^'^'^^^ ^^' ^^^^ P^o- . The Committee of Pa7liamLT?.Mhl !'^l-f JT-?.">'r^' "^ '^'^ « ^'''^''' gation Company, subsidised by the iDomini^rG^'ver^^^^^^^^^^^ 12 quate to perform the work required of them, that, being driven by paddle-wheels, they are not capable of oontendi ^ with ice, and that saitablo screw-boats could con- tinue crossing about three weeks later in the fall, and commence two or three weeks earlier in the sprincf, and they recommend that good substantial boats should be provided to meet tho requirements ot the island, and that at least one of those boats should be a screw-boat, of such construction as would enable her to run as late in the fall and as early in the spring as a proper regard for the safety of lifa and pro- perty would permit. This recommendation has been wholly disregarded, and, notwithstanding the fact that the contract with the Steam Navigation Company expired two years ago, tho same paddle wheel boats, which have been engaged in the service for the last twenty-two years, are still employed. The Committee of Parliament further recommended that, inasmuch as the evidence taken before them went to show thfvt the " Northern Light " was fast becom- ing unfit for service, another suitable steamer should be provided to take her place. This recommendation has also been disregarded, the " Northern Light " being Still employed, and although she annually undergoes some repairs, her seaworthiness is o})en to grave question. The undersigned have thus deemed it necessary to call attention, at considerable length, to tho indifference shown by the Dominion Government to the recommenda- tions of a Committee of Parliament who, the Committee ot Council state, reached their conclusions " after long and careful consideration of the subject, an examination of persons, papors and records." Tho Committee of Council say that " the change from sailing vessels to steamers for summer, appears to have been tho only imptovomont effected by the Island Got- erument iu their means of communication in fifty years, although having control of a larger sum in revenue than the island now pays into tho Dominion." The nnfair- noss of tlio latter part of this statement, the undersigned having already pointed out, they need not again refer to it. They woulii merely remark, that the promise to ovorcouio tho obt-traotions which, for so large a portion of the year, had cut the peo- ple of tho island off from connection with the mainland, was one of the principal iud icomonts for them to enter the union, and they considered tu«t, by confeder- ating with Canada, the co-operation of many of the people of tho other provinces, whn were interested equally with the people of the island, would be secured. Tho correctness of this calculation, it is instructive lo note thtit about thrcio years ago an order was issued by the Department of Marine, restricting the number of passongocs upon any trip to 30. The making of such an order, tho undersigned submit, is suffloiont proof tiiat at times tho passenger travel is large; indeed the stoua^or has occ. tonally carried from 80 to 100 I'orsons. ft may be ramarked that tho officers of th.; "Norihern Light" have found it impossible to enforce the order I'coLiicting the nambor of passengers to '60, and that it has remained inoperative almu&t evor since its ])romulgatiot. Oh this point the undersigned desire to introduce an extract from a speech de- liveiod lusit bi.L.-.iuii in the Senate by the Hon. Mr. Haythorno, whorein ho called at- tciitiOii to thi' vory largo number of passengers crossing at times in the "Northern Ligiit," aaj to tho want of accommodation afforded by that steamer. Ho spoko as follows : — ' 0.1 ray return home from my duties in this Houso last spring, I was detained Oil ho maiularid for two or three days awaiting a change of weather, which would enable ihu " Noithern Light " to come to Pictou, A telegram informed us that she hul lolt Gjorgotown on her passage. Ultimately she arrived, bringing, as it was said, aboui, 100 passengers. The point to which I wish to draw the attention of tho Hou^ic, aLd puiticularly the attention of the Grovernmont, is, that there were from 75 to 87 passengers on board on her return. My hon. friend who sits opp')site (Mr. Montgomery) says there wore 87 passengers on board, but this I have no hesitation in saying, thoro was barely standing room, to say nothing of sitting accommodation which ouo ospoct:} to find in a passenger steamer. Hon. goatlomoti might buppOBO 13 ' paddlo-whoela, boats could Con- or three weeks bofits should be ) of those boats ;o run as late in of lifa and pro- ithstanding the red two years 5 service for the fismuch as the was fast beoom- vko her place. I Light " being r seaworthiness at considerable le recommenda- e, reached their examination of 'ols to steamers the Island Got- ivine: control of ." The unfair- dy pointed out, the promise to ad cut the peo- if the principal ,t, by confeder- ther provinces, jcui'ed. lOut thrcio years the number of ho undersigned ge; indeed the remarked that [force the order led inoperative m a speech de- n he called at- the "Northern . Ho -fpoko as I was detained *, which would led us that she jing, as it was ittention of the re were from 75 opposite (Mr. 3 no hesitation accommodation might buppOfiO that there was a simple remedy for tbis by instructing the captain not to take more than a certain number of passengers on board. Well, that of coarse would be a remedy, but it would bo a vast iuconvonience, and it would be something more, it would bo a cruel thing, because it is within my knowledge that last spring numbers of poor people were waiting for a passage across and they had not the means to pay their expenses if thoy had been long detained there. I was informed that some of them went out and sought work while waiting for the arrival of the "Northern Light " and therefore, while taking fewer passengers might be a remedy for the danger, it would be cruel, when the Government have another vessel fully cauuble of assisting the " Northern Light," to detain passengers there." The Committee of Council state that the small passenger list of the " Northern Light" and the large annual deficit in working the Island Eailway are tho best evidence of tho limited travel to be provided for. The undersigned submit that thif^ argument constitutes no justification for the failure of the Dominion Government to carry out their obligations to the island. So long as communication with tho main- land is at all certain tho traffic is large, but with the irregular movements of the " Northern Light " and the doubt that existK as to her seaworthiness, it is not extra- ordinary that travel and traffic are limited. So far as the Island Eailway is concerned, traffic is restricted for the reason that after the close of navigation no shipments can be made from tho island. Wore the island's communication with the Intercolonial Railway and iho otbor railways of the Dominion continuous, as Canada solomrly i promised it should bo, tho case would be different. The Committee of Council desire it to be borne in mind that the Dominion Government did not undertake the carrying of agricultural produce, nor freight of any kind, although thoy have at all times afforded facility for the transport of any freight offering. The facility afforded may be judged of when it is explained that the freight capacity of tho "Northern Light " is not more than 200 barrels. But while it is true that the Dominion Government did not expressly undertake the cariyinf of freight, it is well known that the freight traffic is more remunerative than passengor traffic, and that if a largo and more powerful steamer had been providi.J, havm;j increased cargo room, tho returns would have been much greater and tho outlay pro- portionately less. Tho Committee of Council say "that it will be claimed, on behalf of the island that the population consumes gjods tho produce of the mainland, but that while this is true, tho bame occurred p'-ovious to tho Confederation,"' and they proceed to quote tho value of tho imports of tho island from tho Dominion in 187 J, upon which duios were collected at $1,067,480. The undersigned desire to say that this aiaount accurately lepretiontu tho value of tho island's imports in 1872, froca and through the Dominion of Canada, but that in thoso imports there were included duiiablo ^'oods the growth aad manufacluro of other countries, valued at $3*1,163, as also articles oa which tho island levied no duty, valued at $58,190; so that, those amounts bein"- deducted, the sum of 86;i8,127, would represent the real value of our imports from tbo Dominion. Tho Committee of Council stnto that tho total value of goods entered for consump- tion in Prince Edward Inland from all countries in 187-', was $1,605,241. Tho under- signed cannot couceivo where wuch information was obtained. Thoy have carefully examined tho trade return.i of the ialand for that year and they fiii.l that tho total imports iuto tho island amounted in value to $2,439,078, nearly, if not all, of which wore enteiod for -homo consumption. The undersigned must express thoir rogiet that bO grave a misapprehension should be entertained by the Committee of Council as to the trade of the island. The Committee of Council say that " no doubt th .^me intorprovir.cial trade continues with this change in favor of Princo Edward Isluao that tho good- from the other proviuceti are now tn^o of duty, whilst previous to tho union they n lid duties the same as on importations from other countries." There can be no doubt that interprovincial trade continues as the jsrosont tariff of tho Dominion is framed with tho tipcciul viow uf oucouruging manuiactares. This trade is, however, much more 14 adv,intagoou8 to the other provinces than to the island, as it is impossible that manu- facluros cuti be carried on on the island to any great extent, while reile that mana- ilar commani> ir. That the so of duty, ig high Cutttoois Y linoa, prices of British or infant state of lisfned believe is of union in the island are ch that, policy ive felt inoon- consider that > the fact that e undersigned I of the failure the island has It and its pro- ) and tends to ho continuous expect. The ture, together b communioa- t upon a sum lation. Here id so fai rom le benotit of ways warmly ' constructing )f vast impor- miily guaran- brouo ht to a it is claimed, long suffered, re well estab- iay a metallic r communica- not exceed a da to expend. ,its was tound corroborating he island by n on account me oities on :copt. They ibutos to the unate misap- , and that it d, is probably remuneration )ly influenced ain many of 7 the Britltih The Committee of Council say the " Northern Light " was placed at Chirlotte- -townasheadquarters her officers and crow are inhabitants of the inlund and her 5 unceasing and hazardous otfbrts to make communication, in the severest 'weftthw rrfLn'th;;^'r'';'.,*^!>"^«""^'^'T''"'°'^°*- T^^^Oommittoe ofC.nncil soom to entertain the idea that the officers and crew of the " Northern Lii'ht." beinjr island men, uro consequently, bold enthusiasts, and would be willing to incur ^^reat risk in r«n.f t't w "'*.>°J*'" communication with the mainland. The undorsiLMied desire to remark that, whatever zaa the officers ot the " Northern Light " havo displayod S he performance ot their duties, their ardor must have been considerably dampened by the instructions which were issued soma time ago by the Department ot Marine, and which are as follows :— ij^an-mout w " Ottawa, 16th Januajy, 1883. '« Captain Pinlayson, steamer ' Northern Light. ' " Telegram received urging Department order you run. Responsibility is with •you. Expect you to run no undue risks. ^ "A. W. McLiJLAN." ■ Two days later, on receipt of a telegram from Cupiain Finlaysou asking ia.trac- lions, the following was sent him :— s •. uv- " Ottawa, ISth January, 1883. -*' Captain Finlayson, steamer ' Northern Light. ' "With knowledge of the ice, you must be judge, and held responsible ^vi- safety of boat. Incur no uaduo risks. '' " Wm. SIIITIL" "Ottawa, 12th Ju'iunry. 18^4 '' SrB,-ReferriDg to my letter of Uth December, 188J, I have again to instruct you to use your own judgment as to whether the •' Northern Light " should run and j^ou are to incur no risk whereby the safety of the vessel may be endantfoied bv being caught in the ice, No risk also is to be incurred for the purpose of currvinff •over any particular passenger or passengers, and the Department ospocts that voii wil use your judgment in all matters artecting the running of the bout, and will hold you responsible for her safety. " Wm. SMITH, Deputy Minister of Marine." "Captain A. Pinlayson, steamer "Northern Light." ^n„r J*""" ";^d«r8igned submit that these instructions were quite sufficient to dis- «r.r?ft. ftf' ' '^^ ^^^«'-«.«[^b\" Northern Light " from making thee strenuous •etiorts to effect a crossing which otherwise they might havo been disposed to do. ^.-.v, Vk d""' ^'"'^^ America Act, and the terms agreed upon subsequently, with the vanoud Provinces, Canada undertook to effect the following greal public work8,withtheob,ectof connecting, by the bonds of commercial relationship, the ;political union which had boon entered into, viz. :-The Canadian Pacific Rai way the Intercolonial Railway, the deepening and widening of the groat canals, and coml munication by sttum winter and summer, with Prince Edward Island. The first i„»!!.^;If fu"^ ^''^ 'p^'o^*""^ ^^^" ''^'■"«'' out with the coidialconcirrenoo and support of thopooplo of Prince Edward Island. The sum of al>ou'. 843.000 000 a much largei amount than was anticipated, has been speni on the Intercolonial Ra'il- way, and although mat road has not yet paid more than the w wou id b« xr,>,.vr p.maii 16 oomparcd with the euormous outlay inourrod on the other public works to which the undorsigned have referred. With regard to the claim for corapensation by reason of the non-fulfilment of tho terms of Confederation, the undersigned submit that a review of the faotn adduced will conclusively i^how that the island has suflfered groat loss, and is therefore entitled to indemnity. Should further evidence on this point bo needed, tho undersigned will be pleased to supply the same, as well as to furnish any other information t hat may be re(iuired by your Lordship, in order to obtain a full consideration of tho whole case. We have tho honor to be your Lordship's most obedient humble servantH, W. W. SULLIVAN. D. FBEGUbOX. Bight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G., Secretary of State for the Colonies. , {Gonfidential . ) North American No. 117. Printed for the me of the Colonial Office. ■} Prince Edward Island, Memobandcm by Sir Charles Tupperon the observations submitted by the Prince Edward Island delegates to Earl Granville in their paper of \st March, 1886. The rejoinder, addresKod to Earl Granville, of the Prince Edward Island dele- gates, Mesbjs. Sullivan and Ferguson, to the report of the Committee of tho Privy Council of Canfida, respecting the memorial to Her Majesty on the subject of the coramunicntion between the island and the mainland, commences by a general justifi- cation of tho memorial in question. Then they quote from the report of the Committee of the Privy Council, MessrH. McLelaii and CjimpbcU, " that it is altogether improbable that any man who had eeen the Straits of Northumberland, or had any knowledge of ice obstruction in mid- winter, could have supposed it possible to construct a steamer capable of crossing when tho ice is at its heaviest in that season." They do not, however, comment upon this i-tatoment or deny it, but content themselves by remarking that the offer of con- tinuous steam communicatiorj, summer and winter, was entirely a voluntary act on the part of tho Dominion and they submit that it should bo carried out. They do not contend that it in practicable lo do so, but merely repeat the language of the memorial to Her M:ijofcty that "no sufficient disposition has been nhown by the Domin-on Grovercment to fulfil their obligations towards tho island in this matter," Then they state tho failure of tho first vessel employed in 1874 and lb75, tho " Albert." The unsuitability of the " Northein Light," put in the service in 1876, is .'ilso com- mented upon ard it is added that "she was speciallj' designed for the service." Tho report of Alo£f>r:i. McLelan and Campbell gives a clear answer to tho allegations so far mentioned. In tho firnt place thoy point out very fairly that prior to Confo'leration there was a regular service during the summer season, but that for fivo months or more during the latter part of the autumn, the winter and the early spring, there was no steam bcrvice at all, the mails, and presumably patsengers, being carried by ice boats from Capo Traverse to Cape Tormentine and thence by sleigh to Amherst, the land carriage being 5:^ miles and a distance from capo to capo nine miles. This appears to domoni-trato very clearly that tho Island Government had not found "contiruouB bieam service" practicable during the winter season, otherwise the assunpuon is that they would have adopted it before Confederation. But they appear to imUt^ine th.'t all the difficulties which to them had boon insurmountable should have cntiroiy vanished when the island joined the Dominion. In tho circumstances the phi use •' continuous stoam service " might fairly and properly have boori accepted with the qualification " aa far as practicable," and the obligations have been carried out by tho Dominion Government in this spirit. Tho impossibility of continuous I IT ?oiks to which ilfilmont of tho ( fao.trt adduced jrofore entitled idcrsigned will ition that may n of tho whole srvanlrt, LLIVAN. ISLAND, Prince Edward d Island dolo- eo of tho Privy a fiubjoct of the general justifi- 'ouncil, MeeBFr'. ,' man who had ruction in mid- iblo of crossing comment upon ho offer of con- •luntarj act on out. They do ungungo of the 1 Hhown by the this matter." , tho " Albert." 76, is also com- sorvico." Tho legations so far I Confo'loration Bvo months or )ring, there was ; carried by ice Amherst, the ) miles. This had not found , otherwise the Jot they appear iintablo should 1 circumstancoi* e boiMi acoeptod re been carried r of continuous steam commnnication in mid-winter has been fully demonstrated, as pointed out by Meeers. Mr Lelan and Campbell, but the efforts of the Dominion have been so far fluccessful as to reduce the period of interruption to an average of one-third of what it was previous to the union. Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson say that tho « Northern Light ' IS not suitable for the service, and was not specially designed for the work. They apparently forget that in the joint address to the Governor Genernl from the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly, in 1881, this same voesol is spoken of as having been " constructed expressly for the work and placed upon the route," although complaint was made of the irregular and unsatisfactory trips she made. Upon this point Messrs. MoLelan and Campbell say: "The Dominion Government, afior tt raoBt careful and anxious enquiry, contracted with a Mr. Sewell, of Quebec, to complete a powerful steamer on a model specially designed for ice "orvice. In December, 1816, this steamer, named the " Northern Light," was completed and placed upon the route between Pictou and Charlottetown, and jas been maintained each winter to date at an aggregate cost, including construction, of $249,956.57. No representation appears to have been made in the matter to tho Dominion Government until 1881, although tho '« Northern Light " was put on in 1876. Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson ptato the average period tho vessel Is unavailable during the winter as seventy days ; in the addrf ss to Her Majesty, sixty-four days is given. and tbo Parliamentary Committee at Ottawa, 1883, gave forty-eight days as the averajre. Tho latter also said in their report that " the early record'^ kept by the captain of the • Northern Light,' and the testimony given by the olficers, show that tho heavy ico encountered was the cause that compelled him to discontinue oiossing in midwinter," and lurthor that "the evidence of tho officers examined is also to the tffcct that the steamer is not sufficient to overcome the difficulties of the winter navigation, and although they suggest slight improvements on her model, which •would better fit ber for the purposes for which sho was intended, still are unani- mously of opinion that no steamship can be built capable of keeping up continuous communication in mid-winter between the island and the mainland." They add: " We examined portfonally several gentlemen of large practical experience in cross- ing from the island in the winter season, all of whom confirmed tho above, and whose evidence is hereto appended." This committee consisted of three representa- tives from Prince Edward island and two from the mainland, and surely their opinions are worthy of credence and justify the contention of the Dominion Government that the ntmoht has boon done to carry out the terms under which the island entered tho union. Messrs. McLelan and Campbell, in their report also say: " If continuous Bleam communication has not been maintained, it is certainly not because the Dominion Government sought to avoid expense. The 'Northern Light ' is an large and powerful a steamer as experience in Arctic exploration ha-^ proved advis- able, and fciho h kept on full expense, equipped and ready to run at all times during the entire winter, and were it possible to do so no additional expense would be incur- red, except for fuel, whilst tho cost of the ice-boat service would be saved, and the construction of railways, piers and boathouses to and at Capes Traverse and Tormen- tirie rendered unri< cessary." The Government have, it may be added, or are com- mitled to bpond about $951,698 in connection with the communication between Prince Edwurd Island and the mainland. The remainder of the rt joinder addressed to Lord Gianviilo refers to other matters, some of which do not directly refer to tho questions at it-sue. Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson call attention to the speech of Sir Alexander Campbell m tho Senate, in 1884, respecting the provisions of one of the lighthouse steamers to supplement tho " Northern Light " during the winter, which certainly seems to have been promised. Considering the narrowness of the strait, it appears doubtful if a second steamer would be of much advantage. But in any crse there is no mention of the matter in the papers in the possession of the High Commissioner for Canada. They admit, as Messrs. McLelan and Campbell contended, that a railway to Cape Traveifco had boon built and a pier constructed, although stating that the latter 18 requiroB sorae alterationn ; alao that the railway to Gape Tormontino is bein^ made with the aid of a large aubnidy from the Domin^oa Government. Complaint is made that althrJUj^h appropriation h&n been made tor a pier at, Capo Tormontino, im con- struction hau not yet been oommonced. But the Dominion Government havo said that it will be built, and no doubt the delay id owing to the time taken in laying the railway with which it will be conneoled. MessrH. Sullivan and Ferguson combat the Htatoment of MeflnrH. McLuiau and Campbell that the Iwland Government were fully converbaut with the wli jIo action and plans oi the Dominion Government, and ruiuo a ([uotiiion ruopeuiiiig the ereotioa of DoathouBOH in which some delay ooourred. The boaibousea woro, howovoi*, fialdhod last year, and the criticism mentioned therefore noorns, in this view, to be nithar cap- tious, specially as nothing is said in the sjme purai^iaph about the railway arid pior at Cape Traver^io, anJ the railway to, and the pier at Cape Tormontino, which the Government have warmly taken up and of which it must be pret^umod ilie lalaad Government were fully informed. It is stated aluo by Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson that " the Dominion Govern- ment have totally nt^gtected, ever since Confo:leiutiuii, to make any pruvidiou what- ever fur the transport of pasbeogers when compollcd to resort' to the capos' route." In explanation of this may be quoled an exlraol from a letter that has recently been received from Mr. McLelan, the late Minister of Marine and Fisheries of Canada. "' The Northern Light' made regular trips this season uutill the 27th January, or some time last week. I took, as Minister of Marine and Fisheries, charge of the crossing at the capes and there is now a good organization and equipment. The dele- gates crossed by that route and I believe they said it was the first ti ne that they had ever been brought over — that is, they had, on all previous occasions, to work their passage." Messrs. McLelan and Campbell, referring to the Parliamentary Cummittee of 1833, state " it is the unanimous opinion of members of the Committee, coaiiruiod by the tes- timony of witnesses of large practical experience, that no steamships are capable of keeping up continuous communication in midwinter." Messrs. Sullivau and Fergu- son say : " The undersigned have examined the report of the said Parliamentary Com- mittee and havo failed to discover therein that they oame to this conclusion." This may be literally correct, but the actual wording of the report quoted below, of the Commit- tee, shows that Messrs. McLelan and Campbell had every foundation for making the statement. " The evidence of the officers examined is also to the oifect that the steamer is not sufficient to overcome the difficulties of the winter navigation, and although they suggest slight improvements on her model which would better fit her for the purposes for which she was intended, still are unanimously of opinion that no steam- ship can be built capable of keeping up continuous communication in mid-winter between the isliind and the mainland." " We examined personally several gentle- men of large practical experience in crossing from the island in the winter seasons, all of whom confirmed the above, and whose evidence is hereto appended." Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson in their rejoinder deprecate the action of Messrs. McLelan nnd Campbell in comparing the amounts contributed to the revenue by British Columbia and Prince Edward Island respectively. But they should remember that the controversy was started in the memorial to Her Majesty by drawing attention to the treatment the former Province was said to have received by the rapid con- struction of the Canadian Pacific Eailway, although its population of white people was comparatively small. It would have been far better had the special (juesiion at issue been dealt with upon its merits ; but for the departure from this sound principle the Dominion Government cannot be blamed. Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson dispute akogether the accuracy of the proportion of the revenue oi the Dominion contributed by the island as specified by Messrs. McLelan and Campbell, but before going into details they remark that in any such calculations interest should be allowed on $1,250,0U0, the proportion of the Halifax fishery award claimed by the island, which they say would annually amount to $50,000. it must be remembered in the first place that the position in this matter of Prince Re wick and and is th( to the otl benefit du fisheries t Sullivan t Island j(i State^i in fact they unratified charged d American montrofu sideratton The 1 object of Stated in of the act of aigura< against $! Messrs. S that the i outside Ci consumed already p; crodilod t imports a been mad methods as the a^ bia and that at communic the year, directly fi British C same reus This does not, howe mainland I0hat the p that a rcg •the Parliu from this, revenue, a trade and the inhab; 'their \mxH The I although treated b Campbell the policy of the sr and with oonsidorn' •76- J in oin^;; mado int is made 10, liH coii- < havo aaid iuying the Lulau and lAo uotioa lio evootioa n; fiaidhod nithar cap- ^y and pior which the the lalaad )ti Govera- os' route." ently been f Cunaid. ^aauary, or rgo of the , The dele- kl they had work their lee of 1833, by the tes- capable of and For^a- ntary Com- ' This may ^0 Commit- aukiug the he BLoamer 1 although ler for the L no Htoam- mid- winter iral gontlo- >r BoasoDs, of Messrs. evoaue by roiuombor ig attention I rapid oon- hite people (J[U0dUOn At d principle proportion by McHHrs. any such he Halifax amount to in matter of IPrinco Kdward laland is precisely the same an that of Nova SjoLia and Now Bruas- Iwick and difforont to that of Newfoundland, which ius n )t, joined the Confederation, land is thoroforo a separate colony. Prince Elward Inland has boon Lroatod nirailarly Ito the other Maritime Provinces in every ro.spocr, un;! hai Hliurod in the general ibonefit derived from the measured taken by tho Govorrimoiu In uonnootion with the Ifishorios and has participated in tho payments of bjuntios to fisherraon. Mossi-a. ISulIivaa and Forguaon do not apjmr to b awaro also Ihut piiyr lo Princo Edward llbland joining the Confederation tho island mu'lo anvwigoraonts with tho Dnitod iSlates in rogard to tho Inshoro flsborios differing fronx ihuso raado by Canada. la [fact thoy allowed tho United States fishorrao i to sh iro tlio hxuh'tva fl ihorios on the lunratifiod understanding that the oxporth of fish to tlio United States should not be Icharged duty, or in any case that any duty charged should ho lofundod. Wh»n tho lAmoncan Government refused to rat-Ty those unangonaonts, tho Daaiinion Govern- *mont refunded tho duties to Princo Edward Island, and this -hoald be taken into oju- gideration in connection with the matter. Tho long discussion entered into by Messrs. Sullivan and Porgm)n, with the )bjoctof showing that tho rovonuo contributed by tho isluni to thj Dominion, ai gtatod in the Trade and Navigation Returns, is inwrrocL, anigivm au inftccuralo idea of tho actual position of tho island in this rospoct, opens up uu iulormiuublo ouroe :)f argument. Messrs. MoLolan atid Campbell .iii>to this rovonuo us $193,47 4. m .gainst 8912,095 in British Columbia and «8.)1,(J8J in Mauitub* and tho North- West. lesBrs. Sullivan^ and Ferguson based their objection to the figu:-o.H on tho ground that the island's imports, upon which tho rovonuo is cjllociod, >;omo from countries outside Canada, and that since Confederation a vor^ largo portion of tho articles Bonsuinod come from the Maritime Provinces and Quoboc and Ontario, having ilreiidy paid duty in those Provinces, which should, in any revenue calculation, bo srodilod to tho inland. They proceed to make hypothoLical ostimulos of tho actual ilraports and of the actual revenue, on various bases, asvaming tho importations to have boon made direct, and chargeable at an average duty of iSiU par cent. By these methods thoy bring up the revenue contributed by the island to $7G4,559 as tho average of free calculation. Then the larger figuios of British Colum- bia and Manitoba and tho North-West Territories are accounted for by stating that at that time (1884) British Columbia possessed no direct means of communication with tho settled portions of tho Dominion, at any season of the year, and accordingly was compelled to purchase almost all its supplies directly from other countries. Those imports all pay duty at Uu ports of outry in British Columbia, and tho amounts colleotod are credited to that province, x'ho eanao reasons they allege also applied to Manitoba and tho North-West Territories. This does not seem to boar upon the question of " coutinuouH stoam service." It can- not, however, be too often stated that tho comniunioation botwoou the island and the mainland has been more regular in winter since 1873, than boforo Confederation, and ■that tho period of interruption is now not more than one-third of .what it was, and that a regular daily steam service is an impossibility as evidenced by the report of •the Parliamentary Committee, which, in 1883, enquired into tho matter. But apart from this, the reasons advanced by Prince Edward Island to account for its small revenue, apply to every province more or loss as there is a largo gonoral intorprovincial trade and as the island admittedly participates in such trade it laust be presumed that tho inhabitants of the province find it to their advantage to do so rather than to get 'their imports from other sources. The amounts spent annually in Prince Edward Island (in 1884 it was 8689,954, although this is disputed also) demonstrates tbe way in which the island has been treated by the Dominion Government, and npon this point Messrs. McLolan and Campbell say: "Tho liberal treatment of Prince Edward Llaud results from the policy and practice of tho Dominion Government, to watch over the interests of the smaller provinces, and Prince Edward Island from her isolated position, and with a population loss than some cities on the mainland has received a special Considorft-ion ' Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson adruit that tho osports from, tha to iHland to countries beyond tho Dominion in 1884 wore 81j^ por cent, nioro tliun thoy r,"!"^'" ^^'^'-' '""' ^''"^ ^''" uniounl |jor houd depoHitcd in iho savinirH ' nk uvorucoB »1(),B9, ttH UKivnsi «7.»i(J for tl.o roht of tbo Dominion. This docH not indicate that much injQry .-m rcHultod to the inland from tho want of tontinuouH ntoam Hcivite and clearly j.iovcs tho bonelk derived from tho :onni«iti(.M of tho inland wi'h tho Confederation .-ind tho imiMovod Horvico 8inoo 1873. Tho total CuntomH revenue of tho island in 1872 was about 8302,000, and admitting' for tho nako of arKument that itainountH to 87*14,559, now ihin incrouHo of 120 per cent. dooH not hupport their case that injury hiiH r.Hultod to tho inland fVom Iho ternm of tho union not havinff Docn lulHllod, and that il han obtained no advantage Ironi joinin/; tho Dominion and ftora tho encouragenionl that has boon given to intorprovincii'l trade and manu- iactimng industtieH. Mommh. Sullivan and FergiiHon also object to the iigurcH tfivon by MesHrs. MoLolan and Cami.bell jw roproHenting tho expenditure upon tho inland A I . . mL ""'^^'!"'i "pot;iticd iH 8689,054, but they contend that $79,308 should bo deducted. The total thoy admit, however, in 8810,646, and tho diflorcnce relatoH to controversial mattoiH. MoHsrH. Sullivan and Ferguson say " the Htatcraent;of the Committoo of Council that proyious lo the union p.ddlo-wlieol stoiirnorH wore employed, might loa 1 to tho' suppoBition that Hinco then tho Dominion Governmont had obtained tho HubHtitutioo ofbcrow stoumorH, but tho undo.Bignod doHiro to say that the identical boats which plied on the route for nearly ten years previous to tho union are still tho only ones employed in tho horviuo." What MosHrs. McLolan and Campboll did say was " pre- vious to tho union paddlo-whoelcd stoamors were employed, and it was vory'goner- ally believed, and for good roabons, that a bcrow steamer would maintain steam com- munication to u much later pt; iod, but it is altogether improbable that any man who had seen tho Stra.th of Kurthumborlund, or had any knowledge of the ico obstruction in midwuuor, could liavobuppoBOd it possiblo to construct a steamer capable of cross- ing when tho ico J8 at its heaviest in that season, and it is proper to assume that both contracting parties to tho union, having such knowledge, understood that the Dominion (xovornmont would provide and maintain tho means which scionoo and oxporienco might determine as tho best and most efficient for the end in view within the range of possibility." This full extract places a different light upon tho matter and It has been amply domonstraled above that the Dominion Governmont has douo Its best to provide continuous steam service « within tho range of possibility " and that its efforts have been bonelicial to the island. Objection is also taken to tho remarks of tho Committee of Council " that the change from sailing vessels to steamers for summer appears to have been tho only improvement etfocted by iho Island Government in their moans of communicuiion in flltyyeare, although having control of a larger sum in revenue than tho island now pays into the Domiuion." Tho first part is not denied by Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson, but the revenue question is again disputed. They go on to say that the prospoctofcontinupussioam service was one of the principal inducements that led the island to enter tho Dominion. Mensrs. McLelan and Campbell's report gives tho impression that they desired lo convey the idea that although tho Island Governmont had not done much before Uonlederaiion to provide continuous steam sorvcc m winter, the Dominion (.Tovornraoni had since that time much improved commM it tion, and this cannot bo denied. The next point of ditttiienco is the number of passengers using the route. Messrs McLolan and Cnmpboll say that during tho past two winter seasons the avora-'o nuia' ber of passengers in each crossing of tho *' Northern Light " was only nine ftho average of the present season ko far is said to have been only sia) ; also, that tho loss on the Island Railway since u« opening has been 8843,911, besides an expenditure thereon on capital account oi •ao;,t 8500,000. Messrs. Sullivan and Forguson in reply give instances of 100 pust . n^oM cro-ning at one time. This only provoe how smal the number must have >.:.;, a r^hor occasions if tho average of each crossing IB only nine. Then they say «.;..(it liio iaumbor of passengers Vi id bo creator if tho Bervice were more regular, and i,he seaworthiness of^the ship more assured This latter is pass wit Btantiati . Domini< fcoight ( I port of I , may bo Light " " con tin for frei^ Met that the true, bu ■ aro give ' 8 71, i6;: *' reducing i is no me ) affect th The Bumptioi object to < ohookinj Mos trade c( i tho goo( to I he countnoe ■' their cc that the , as the lal " protect J nearly ii I foreign i increased . pavings I ' fiscal pol 1 applies tf J land, nffo price of >: which M ( sumption Mess has prosp ernmont,' take care 'ay ing ol railway < Sullivan roasonabli such a V maintnine fairly be ] Messi tributed ii received ', 21 nioro tliuii tboy nk iivorugog lOt indicato that Htoam Hcrvico, inlund wiih the LoinH I'ovuiiuo of armament that il hupport thoir lion not having Dominion, an3 udo and luanu- 10 (igmcH givon upon tho inland y,308 Bhould Lo runco rolutoH to tteo of Council, ?hl loa 1 to tho Lho HubHlitution ml boats which I tho only ones say was, " pr©- as very / t any man who ico obriti uction ipablo of ci'OHH- to asHunio that iHtood that tho uh scionuu and in view within )on tho niattoi', mont huH dono )H8ibility," and ncil " that the boon tho only imunicuiion in he island now Sullivan and 3 say that the aonts tiiat lud iport gives tho dGovornmont am service in i commuiiku route. Messrs, avorago nuia- ily nine (the ), that tho Joss 1 expenditure Ferguson in ' provoe how each crossing groator if the ssured. This latter in a grave ohar^'e a^ainHt the Dominion G..vornment and cannot be allowed to Jtantralod; '' "'' "' "'""'""^ "" ''' "'"'"'"""^ '^ ^'^' * general one and unll^ . Kxooption iH aJHo made to tho roniark of tho Committee of Council "thnf fh* ihnf uT"""" *f°^*'''" ""'l Campbell .ay : " It will bo claimed on b half of the island tr.H huVr;^' * '""' "°"""'"? ^'"''^' '^"^ P--"^'"^'" "f '^^ mainland. No doubt Z^a arr^ivo/aH gTZJr^TK^ to the Confederation." Th« fi^uron for 1872 •are given as $1 «67,480. The Prince Rdward Island dolni,nito« m, .," that of th a ; J 71. H,,^ camo from countrioH other than Canadi, although th.-oui'". Paradoxical, but it is evident from the TaS bmird^ZlTt« f fit ' """^^ ^'T '^ '"?'-«aHed exports, and from its increased ' S^no i .V o? fE« n ' ^ • "« '"fy has resulted to the Province from the present a3 ostn tL n ^^'"•Tu ' *""*• '*" ^^"^ '^^^«'' h«"d' '»"«h benefit. Benides what iffi «fll.. ''"'T^u'"''^ home manufactured lines of go,ui« in Prince Edward™ i ice TZu^'ltLt' P^^'^'r^^*?'' ''^''' Province.; a'nd instead of enhan!?ng the which lii' '4 ?,.°'^^«'-"^»,« that since the adoption of the present li.cul policy of l,„a ^'^''^'^- ?»l'ivan and Ferguson admit in a subsequent parairranh that the island ernmC^"" Th?; li^f ^^^ ^ •" "'^.^-'"^hf anding the ?nactio.? ot' Yhe' Domfi^on Gov take ciire .( 1.1 TfTu'^S in view of what ha. already boon ntalod, may be left to 'avinrot a rJ Si k' ''^■'''* "^ '^^^ to bo'to Lure tho S^^J metallic sub-way across the Straits of iNorthumberhmd. through which Su l7vl ''Tr'"''"'' ''"''^ ^^ f''''^' '^'' -^t of which undertaLiSI. Mosis rea oTblo to ask^ t^ cll' ""^"'^ »ot exceed u nam of wh.eh it would not bo un- snoh L \^ . . government of Canada to expend. If it can ba shown that ^"^ntninTtiiboK'f^''' '^''' 't-'"" be construcled for a reasonable outTayanl f^iX brnlac^d hi tK r^^ expenditure, the matter seems to be the one that may lau ly be placed before the Canadian Government for consideration . ^ ■ trihiitln'ro Vu n'"° ^"'^ ForguBon again return to tho charge of the revenue oon- recdved \^tl?TT''\ ^"^^^ take exception to the statement that the island hL received hberal treatment from the Dominion and repeat that it pays more to tho Ws 22 Dominion annually than it reoeiveH, which is certainly open to argument, although it does not bear upon the quefition ol the feasibility of "coitinuous steam service." Messrs. McLelan and Campbell say the " Northern Light " was placed at Charlottelown as headquarters, her cflScers and crew are inhabitants of the island, and her unceasing and hazardi^js efforts to make communication in the severest weather, cannot be unknown to the Island Government. The delegates remark upon this: "The Committee of Council seem to entertain the idea that the oflSicorB and crew of the •Northern Light' being island men, are consequently bold enthusiasts, and would be willing to incur great risk in the effort to maintain communication with the mainlarid." Thoy then go on apr^itrontly to complain that the running of the ship was left to the discretion of the officer in charge, and that he was ordered not to incur any undue risks. That unceafiing and hazardous efforts have been made is proved by Ibe memorial fiom Prince Edward I.land to Her Majesty, which stales that *« at times she (' Northern Light ') has been ice-bound for periods varying from ten to twenty-four days, to Ibe imminent danger of passengers and mails. Upon one occa- sion, four jears »go, some of the pae&engers, among them women and children, were forced, after remaining on boaid several days, to leave her and walk a distance of many miles to the thore, when, night overtaking them, they received injuries from cold and espot-ure which resulted ultimately in the death of one of the party." This shows that the ( fficere and crtw have made hazardous efforts to keep up communica- tion, and the recebsity of dif^crolion and the avoidance of undue risks. It also proves the impcsfcibility of ccrtinuous steam service which the island iusists on. It must be remarked that it was the oflQceis of the " Northern Light" who gave evidence to the effect " that no steambhip can be built capable of keeping up continuous com- munication in mid-winter between the islard and the mainland." Mefcsrs. Sullivan and Ferguson conclude their rejoinder by saying: " With regard to the claim lor compeiieation by reaton of the non-fulfilment of the terms of Con- federation, the undersigned submit that a review of the facts adduced will conclusively show that the islard has suflered great loef, and is therefore entitled to indemnity." In the firfrt place, it is incorrect to say that the terms of Confederation have not been complied with. Only one of the "terms" has been brought forward as rot having being carried cut, tmd proof has been adduced that continuous steam service has been Erovided, eo far m was practicable. Daily steam communication is not feasible, it ring impott'ible, in the opinicn of competent witnesses, to construct a steamship to fulfil tuch cordiiionn. The peiiod of interruption prior to Confederation has been reduced by two-thiidf-:, rnd instead of suffering any itijury the island has, since 1873, made rapid tidvorices in wealth and prosperity, which may fairly be attributable to the more advfcntj'geons position the ibiand occupies as a member of the union, to the efforts of the Dominion Goveinment to aid in the develo; ment of its resources and to the vafctly imjiovtd communitation with the mainland that has been provided. The foregoirg remarks upon Mei-ers. Sullivan and Ferguson's letter are not so complete as ihty might be made, owing to the short time that the undersigned has been in possesfcion of the views of those gentlemen. CHAELES TUPPER. 9 Victoria Chambcie, London, S.W., 12th March, 1886 23 nont, although iteam service. " was placed at i of the iBland, I in the severest ;e8 remark upon ^he officers and }oId eDthuBiasts, communication I; the running of be was ordered ive been made is thich states that fing from ten to Upon one occa- 1 children, were ilk a distance of d injuries from le party." This I up communica- . It also proves ts on. It must ;ave evidence to continuous com- : "With regard le terms of Con- wWl conclusively to indemnity." )n have not been •d as POt having service has been s not feasible, it t a Bleiimship to eration has been i has, since 1873, e attributable to :ho union, to the its roBOurces and een provided, letter are not so undersigned has 5 TUPPER. i (T6a) RETURN (supplembntart) To an Addeess of the House of Commons, dated 19th April, 1886 ; — For copies of all Despatches from or correspondence with the Imperial Government respecting tho complaint of the Legislatii-3 or Govern- ment of Prince Edward Island, that the Terms of Union between that Island and the Dominion have not been carried out, or with respect to the mission of Delegates to the Imperial Government from Prince Edward Island on the subject of such complaint, By Command. J. A. CHAPLEAU, Department of the Secretary of State, Secretary of State. 30th April, 1886. CsBTiFiED CVpY of tt Heport of a Ccmmittee of the Bonorable the Privy Co^mcil, approved by Bis Excellency the Governor General in Council on the 1th November, 18»5. Tho Committee of the Privy Council have had under consideration a despatch, dated 4th August, 1885, from tho Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island, transmitting Joint Addrenises of thr Legislative Council and House of Assembly of that Province to Her Majesty the Queen, praying her intorveation on behalf of Prince Edward l(56.57. As was feared, the " Northern Light " has been, during the severest parts of the winters, unable to force a way through the enormous fields of ice which block the straits at that season, but whilst domoni,trating fully the impossibility of continuous Hteam communication in midwinter has reduced the period of interruption to aa average of one-third of that previous to the union. In the session of the Dominion Parliament of 1883 a Committee of the House of Commonpt, composed of three reprcHontatives from Prince Kdward Island anl two from the mainland, was appointed on the 23rd February to investigate tho quo^tioa of steam communication with the island. All the mombors of tho Committoo had personal knowledge of the obstruction to navigation in the straits by ice in winter, and were well qunlified for the duty assigned to them. After long and careful consideration of the subject and examination " of porsots, papers and records," the Committee reported on the 18th April, 188:^, in the follow- ing words:— " It is the unanimous opinion of the mombors of the Committee, con- firmed by the tchtimony of witnesses of large practical experience, that no steamships can be built capable of keeping up continuous communication in mid-wintor." The following extracts from ihe report set this forth more at large : — "House op Commons, Committee Eook, 18th April, 1383. *' Your Committee beg leave to report as follows : — " When Prince Edward Inland was admitted into the union the following was one of tho fttipulations on the part of the Dominion Government contained in the terms of union : " • Ktiicient steam service for the conveyance of mails and passengers to be established and maintained between tho island and the Dominion, winter and sum- mer, thus placing tho island in continuous ooramunioatiioa with the Intercolonial Eailway and the railway system of the Dominion.' 1 ^6 Jrunswick, to ottetown and ained by that jminioQ Gov- sntinues it as d, and it was >uld raaintaia probable that pledge of the ict a stoatrer is proper to rl'jdgo, undor- means which or the ead ia ,t was possible Dn, sought by ally secured a mer speoiiilly nil the fourth. !&» of unusual steamer was ict, after this ul and anxious 'al steamer on vas completed art been roain- of8249,!>56.57. at parts of the lich block the of continuous Tuption to aa f the House of dand anl two I tho question lommittoo had ice in wintor, a " of porgons, in the follow- immittee, oon- , no steamships wintor." The pril, 1383. following was ntuinod in the isongers to be iter au Intercolonial " This communication has been maintained in the summer season by the Prince Edward Island Steam Navigation Company between Summorside and Shcdiao, and between Charlottetown and Pictou, calling at Georgetown, and in the winter seaeon by the " Northern Light" between Georgetown and Pictou and by ice boats between Capes Traverse and Tormentine. . "To determine the efficiency of this service in the past, and how communication may be most regularly and efficiently maintained in the future, the Committee care- fully examined the records of the trips made by the " Northern Light " during the eeaeons she has been on the route ; also summoned and examined some of tho officers in charge, and find that she performed the following number of trips, and fulled the number of days marked opposite each season : — ^ ^ " That on an average there were forty-eight days in mid-wi nter she was unable to effect the crossing. t. ,.., w, . ^• " The daily records kept by the captain of the " Northern Light and the testi- mony given by the officers show that the heavy ice encountered was the cause which compelled him to discontinue crossing in mid-winter. '' The evidence of the officers examined is also to the effect that the steamer is not sufficient to overcome the difficulties of the winter navigation, and although they suggest slight improvements on her model which would better fit her for the pur- poses for which she was intended, still are unanimously of opinion that no stearaship -can be built capable of keeping up continuous communication in mid-winter between the island and the mainlarid. " We examined personully ' several gentlemen of large practical experience in crossing from the island in the winter season, all of whom confirm the above, and whose evidence is hereto appended.' " The committee having reached this conclusion made certain suggestions for tho improvement of the route by the capos. The most important of which, viz., the con- struction of lines of railway to the capes, and suitable shipping piers had been pre- viously decided upon by the Dominion Government. The address points out that the distauce from the Intercolonial Enilway to Cape Tormentine is forty miles, and from the Island Railway to Cape Traverse, twelve miles, which, it is stated, had to be travelled "in > pen sleighs in the coldest and most stormy portion of tho year," but omits to state that a railway to Cape Tormen- tine was under construction, and a large sum provided for the erection of a shipp ng pier, whilst t . Cape Traverse, on the inland side, tie railway had been completed, and, as suggested by the committee of Parliament, houses of shelter for passengers, boatmen and boats had been erected. The language of the address in alleging that the Dominion Government have «' shown no (sufficient disposition to fulfil its obligation toward tho island," and with having " unaccountably noi^lectcd and troatel with anathy and indiffoionce " the interests of the island, seems to the undersigned, in view of all tho circumstances, unwarranted. For half a century the Government of Prince Edward Island forwarded mails and passengers by ice-boats across the straits, and by open sleighs overland for five months in each year, and more recently by subsidize 1 pteamers, in suraraor, instead of sailing packets. This change from sailing vo^^sols to steiirae s for summer appears to have been the only change or improvement made by the Island Government in. fifty years, although having control of a larger sum in revenue than the island now pays into the Dominion tieasury. The efforts of iho Dominion Government as marked by expenditure to meet the wishes of the people of Prince Edward Island and to give them improved riuians of communication with the mainland, are of course known to the Legislative Council and Assembly, althouufh they have been overlooked by them when preparing th» address. That expenditure may be summarily stated as follows : — Cost and m-aintot arcoof "Northern Light" S249,956 5? Subsidies for summer service and for ice boats at capos ' a6,0l3 15 26 Construction of Cape Traverse Branch Bailway and enlargement of pier 1.99,190 Oa Expended by Public Works Department in connection with piers, boathouees and cable service 26,678 63 To pay island Government for pier required in cape a , services 12,400 00 Subsidy for construction of railway to Cape Tormen tine 1 18,400 00 Appropriation lor pier at Cape Tormentine 150,000 00 Total 8951,698 00 This large expenditureifor the transmission, in comfort, of passengers to and from ■Ifte capes, is worthy of more consideration in view of the fact that in the last two seasons t^e average number of passengers in each crossing of the Northern Liyht was only a traction over nine, and of the lurther fact that the Dominion Government has main- tained the Island Kailway at a cost, since its opening to 30th June, 1884, of #843,911 in OTcess of all its receipts, besides an expenditure thereon on capital account of about Jaalf a million dollars. Tbo passenger list of the " Northern Light" for the winters 1884-85, averaging only nine per trip, and the large annual deficit in working the Island Eailway are thi best evidence of the limited travel to be provided for, and although it may be some uiconvenience to have steam communication suspended for a period of fbrty eik'ht days yet it does not warrant the language ol the address that ''an incalculable loss haB been suffered by the people of Prince Edwi;rd Island by the failure of the Domi- nion Government to do what a Committee of Parliament says is impossible. ihuf^ , *<=co»"P«nyJ»g address, passed by the Legislature in 1884, it is claimed thS r. ,^^^f.«r ^"f ' ^r^"'^ ^^? '^^''* P"''""'* ""^ ^^^ '«'«"d people is agriculture, and tteS^ess ° damages is placed at five million dollars, as due to the date of «™ J" toi'tidering this assertion it must be borne in mind that the Dominion Gov- S?*" wi, r ""'^®''^«'^f the carrying of agricultural produce nor freight of any offeriii . '* ' "* *™^'' *^''''^'** ^^''^''^y ^"°'' ^^® transport of any freight «„H V »?*°^ther stated in the address that Prince Edward Island has been unjustly ^t r^rv ^ n'*''^V'rr "'*^ ^^ '^^ -^^^^^^-^^ Government has contracted at a ^v?nc^ wuh 1*0 mm M ^^"'"'," ^'''' ^'^^? "'^^« «^ ^ ^^»'^^y *« British Columbia, u i^ m PHw^ if^^\ *^ population, exclusive of Indians and Chinese, whilst in the Sfm?dni« ,? ^f^«^V'^"**' ^ '^""'^^ obligation is being violated and an immense injury done to a large body of people." i>laiTft° ^if i^.'nnn ?l'?i*** ^''^^''^ '"'"'^y' ^"°^« ^^^^'■^ I«l«»d has no cause of com- piaint. It lb true that large expenditures have been made for railways and canals in i^dfr^ir^Cn'T^'r' l^t '"?^ ^^"^« «^ '^' ^'«^'^*^'^« have not b^een overlooked, f^f i^ r ^,^^^^^l'^'«?d has been dealt with in a most liberal manner, and appar eniiy Without regard to her contribution to the general revenue. ^^ Ihe fcddresB seeks in its lefertnce to the instructing oi" the Canadian Pacific Eai:way an opportunity to estt,blish and emphasize a wron| to Prince Edward IsJaid fnd tLe ml']r;°''""r «^/°»tinuous stLm communic^atiof between the fand and the mainland in mid-winter is ol as much interest to the people of the Province ae 16 the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, although in the onf case U i^canH thetranspoit of nine passengers a day for an^aVerageTer od of Tor^^^^^^^^ tlrhLlZ '» "''d-^'^ter whiU in ,he other^t is a gieat natioLl work, provS a ;!!. ^r r.r° ^°^ ^^' *?.'^"" ""*^ ^«^^^'° Provinces, and the opening un of Tt.si aieas the richest soil, upon which many settlers from the old?r Wo- Zte? ' xi /a"l£^f '' '■''^"h' l«'«fd. «re fi"^'"g »'«"^««' inBteaTof in tSe Unhed Canadian P„l«^ i . ^'^^- '''^''' '^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^''''^ ^hat the construction of the rl"u^ll^-"^_^'»;'^I^"^'^"y.'^">7f^y»J«cal work, the comparison then suag«sted n.^ inxico Jiuwara jbiaLd should not bo confined to British Columbia, as Ontario, 27 .90 oa i78 53 00 00 GO 00 OO 00 98 00 ers to and from aBt two seasons ght was only a ment bas main- ^4, of «843,911 ccountof aboat ^86, averaging 'ail way are the t may be &ome of forty eight calculable loss B of the Domi- ossible. , it is claimed griculture, and to the date of Dominion Gov- freight of any of any freight been unjustly contracted at a ■>h Columbia, a 3, whilst in the id an immen&e > cause of com- j and canals in en overlooked, ler, and appar- nadian Pacific ^]dward Island, ien the island the Province he one case it of lorty-eight pk, providing a opening up of he older Pro- in the United Qction of the len 6U£'0Af>ted a, as Ontario, Manitoba and the North-West Territories receive as much local benefit therefrom as does British Columbia. In a strictly local view, it is not unjust to say that expenditure shall in some measure be governed by receipts, present or prospective, and the tone of the Legisla- ture of Prince Edwai d Island in speaking, in 1884, of •' British Columbia as a Pro- vince of 10,000 people, exclusive of Indians and Chinese," and in 1885 "of 16,000," demands a comp&rison of revenue returns from the two Provinces. In the reiurns last published— 30th June, 1884 — Prince Edward Island is credited with: From Customs $170,863 40 Excise 22,615 26 • Total CO ^ tribution to revenues 8193,478 66 In the same year British Columbia is credited with : From Customs $884,076 21 Excise 58,018 89 Total contribution to revenues $942,095 10 nearly five times as much as Prince Edward Island. In the comparison which is called for by the reference to the Canadian Pacific Bailway, in the address, Manitoba and the North-West Territories should be included as follows : From Customs $734,185 77 Excise 157,417 99 891,683 76 Total revenue contributed by British Columbia, Mani- toba and the North-West Territories $1,833,698 86 As against Prince Edward Island 193,478 66 If evidence were wanting of the anxious desire of the Dominion Government to promote the interests of Prince Edward Island in every possible way, it may be found in the same public returns of the expenditure in and for the island in 1884, which is by no means exceptional, viz. : Payment of interest upon her public debt $195,407 55 Subsidy to Local Government for local purposes 164,510 00 Postal expenses $46,465 21 Less postal revenue 29,154 80 17,311 41 Expenses of operating railway in excess rev. receipts 91,924 01 Militia and Defence l'J,14l (0 Collection of Customs 20,856 21 Collection of Excise 2,506 89 Administration of Justice 18,800 00 Maintenance of lights and buoys 19,059 62 Protection of fisheries and fish breeding, exclusive of bounty payments 3,539 Superannuation ••• 2,056 Lieutenant Governor's salary 7,000 Subsidies to steamers and winter service 32,876 Subsidy to Fishwick's steamboat Outside Expenses : Lights Indians Public health Audit and Asst. Keceiver General's Offices. 38 00 00 00 3,000 00 3,000 00 1,993 87 8b6 40 4,845 92 28 Subsidy to telegraph connection i 94/5 ce fSt^Z^Z^.' '■"''""' " I'll I! Constrnotion of lights . .V.'.V.V."."." 5 iSs an Interest upon a capital expenditure" on"f;iand Railway of $5'78,920 ofiqia nn Relief of sick seamen. "i^Ziii'i^^'^ ^^'^^^ ^^ ^«««d°«« 684 46 Expenditure by Department of Agriculture ....7 1 389 88 Ropresentation-say ^ ... li'S nn Repairs of dredges.!. .:.::.::::::::::::;::::: ^IfH 9? J, .„,, , ^°^*' e6- 9,954 91 June 7884 rs' $68^9579^ ^ha"|''^'*^^«"P«'^'^l^"''« ''' '^' ««««! y^^^ ^'^cled 30th «193,47'<.66 ^^^^'^^^■^^' the total revenue derived from all sources is bat i^^rf^^p^ r j; ir,^;t vt ^^^"^^'^- ^^ ^^'«««> °^ ^^^ prodL"^tttrnL?d" tolli^^^^^^^^ the Confederation. In 1872 iL imnVrfI^.p.K ',^^ ^^.^i^^*.""® occurred previous to the Dominion was: ^P'"'" *'^*''' '^'^^'^^ °^ P"°«« Edward Island from From Old Canada „„, ,^„ Nova Scotia *o?l'H? New Brunswick .".".'"!.'.".*..' o.^'o^J Total "efoeiTso upon which duties were collected. ' ' * 302,757 The total exportsof the colony were 7r477"o58 Of which Nova Scotia and New Brunswick took fty^Q ijq . ^ '" ' ,' . ruption in the trips of the "Sem Ch^t" ^ft T^'T material interests have suffered greXi«difnrovedb^ rL J^?^^^^; but that her foreign countries have nearly do^ubled from 1^72 to 1884 wSfu.^t? •"' ^^^''^ *° whole Dominion for the same period has bin only tea and^'l'lf*^^ increase of the In making this comparison of the pavments To iL 1 P^' ''^"'' (lO^o/"-) Island and British Columbia, and the Nort7v7eAn^ ^f*' '■^^''°'''' ^y ^- ^• ditures for the islanl. the u£sigoed aJe IvaVt^^^^ 'I" ^"""^* ^^P^'^' charge on the address, that the wfstem Provrces a erin^^ T'^' ?^u '^' '""^^^^ on Government moru generously than the ll and and t -^ T-^"^ ''*' '^^ ^^^'''■ liberal manner in which all the pabHc services of the iln'^ T '"l^"^''^ '^^^ '^^ regardless of the revenue receints shEUhliltLl -^^ ^^""^ ^"^^ ^ealt with th^ alleged failure to caTryTlPth; tertst the unTon ''"^''^ or recompense for The liberal treatment of Prince Edward TsianH-naMU.f .l of the Dominion Government to wafchTver tt inS^^^^ ^'^'7 ^""^ ^'^''^<^ and Prince Edward Island, from her isolated dos t^m lhH Zl """" '^'' provinces, 8om3 cities on the mainland, has received espeTa con derat on' ^'P"'"''"" ^''' '""^^ If continuous steam communication haAot bertSSk. it is certainly not I 99 ; 66 88 89 I 60 00 15 88 00 99 91 • ended 30th rces is bat t.OOO) of the 38 goods the previous to Island from. •79 161 140 SO 41 67 58 If. sfo in favor •ee of duty, tioas from a the inter- that her exports to saso of the by P. iS. aul oxpen- e implied le Domin- that the lealt with ipense for d praotioo provinces, > letjs than bainly not £h Pn"'^'"' communication in the severest weather, cannot rufkr^own to the Island Government. The representatives of the island were in PaH amont wWn appropriations were made for the construction of the railway to Cape T^^vorsoan^ f?nV t^p'^'^'^r^^P'''';. ^'""T P^l'li^ly known that a railway was^LderS^^^^^^ iT?nnnn?n^' Tormentine, where the Dominion Government had arpropriakd 1^ Jfl erect a suitable Hhipping pior in connection with the road (to CsfeT he completion of which a. ubsidy of «118,400 has now been granted!, and tharboat houseH had been erected at the capes as recommended by the CommiJtoo of Par a ment hereinbefore referred to. That the Inland Government was fully oonvo? ant Zi^'.r^l'r^'^'V".^ P'"°« "^*^« ^^^^'"'°'' Government may bo a^e^umed from the fact that it demanded payment of $12,400 for an old public wharf that w-^ utilized in the construction of the pier at Cape Traverse. w +J° ^'^'f'.tte Wand Govemmont know that every possible effort had been made by the Dominion Government to navigate the Straits from CharlottctovTn and Georgetown to Pictou with a failure of an average of 48 days ; it knew that the Dominion Government m making great expenditures on railway linos to the Cai^s was most anxious to reorganize and improve, if possible, that route, notwilhstandirg that in theordinary annual local services of tl.o island, the Dominion Governmen! was returning more than three dollars for eveiy dollar received. Government House, P. E. I., Chablottetown, 4th August, 1S85. ^ ^^^'~^,^^'*^^ ^^J' ^^^O'" to forward herewith to His Excellency tbo Governor General ofCanada for transmission to Her Majesty the Queen a joint address from the Legislative Council and House of AsPembly of this Province, prayintr Her Maie^tv's most graciouH intervention in order to obtain from the Government of Canada a fultil- ment of the terms upon which this island entered the Confederation in resnect to communication with the mainland, and also of compensation to this Province lor the loss sustained by its people in consequence of the failuie of the Dominion Govern ment to carry out the aforesaid terms. I also enclose copies of the foUowinc' nanors relating to this subject to be forwarded with said address. t, f f " Despatch No. 18, of 7th April, 18bl, from Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island to Secretary of State, Ottawa, transmitting joint address of both branchoB of this Legislature to His Excellency tho Governor General, praying that immodi-ite measures may be adopted by the Dominion Government to fulfil the terms of Con federation with this Province ; also a copy of that address and the acknowledtrment of Its receipt by the Secretary of State at Ottawa, bearing date 16th April 1881 ' Despatch No. 9, of 28th February, 1882, from the Lieutenant-Governor to' the Secretary of State, Ottawa, informing him that no reply had been received to the above address, and that this Government i^^ anxious to have the reply with as little delay as possible, also the acknowledgment of the receipt of this desnutoh bv thn Secretary of State, dated 8th March, 1^82. ^ ".> mw Extract from the minutes of the Executive Council of this island, dated Slat January, 1883, to His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, forwarded by fcim to i ho Secretary of State, Ottawa, again bringing the subject to the notice of His Excellency so in Council, and regueatiDg a leply to the former addrosB of the Council and Assembly thoroin referred to. Telogium dated Charlottetown, 27th March, 1883, from the Lieuteaant-Govornor to the Suurotai y of Slate, Ottawa, requesting reply be laid before the Legislature then in posiioD, with acknowledgment from the Secretary of State, informing the Lieutenant-Governor that the subject was under consideration. Dospaich No. 8, of 1th April. 1884, from the Lioutenant-Go7ornor transmitting a joint address of the Legislative Council and House ot Assembly of this Province to His Excellency the Governor General, again representing the failure of the Dominion Government to carry out part of the terms of Confederation, and praying that His Excellency thu Governor General in Council will take such action as shall cause this grievance to be remedied, and also that compon^iiation be paid to this island for non- i'ulfilniont of said terms, with the joint address referred to and the despatch No. 1770 of 24:t,h of April, 1884, from the Undersecretary of State, Ottawa, acknowledging receipt thereof, and stating that the matter will receive due consideration. Despatch No. 27, of 28ih February, 1885, from the LieutenautGovernor to the Socrotary of State, Ottawa, transmitting for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor General in Council, an approved minute of Council on the non-fuldlment of the terms of Confederation, with the minute therein mentioned and despatch No. 1788, dated Ottawa, 6th March, 1885, acknowledging the receipt of the above. Address from the Legislative Council and another from the House of Assembly of this Province, at the last session, to the Lieutenant-Governor, with respect to the transmission of the joint address then passed by both branches of the Legislature to Her Majjsty the Qaeen. Extract from the minutes of the Executive Council of this island, dated the 4th August, 1885, advising, for the i-eason therein stated, that the joint address of both branches of the Legislature to Her Majesty the Queen, together with enclosures therein leferred to, and the separate addresses to the Lieutenant-Governor from the Provincial Legislative Council and House of Assembly, and the Minutes of Council in connection therewith, be immediately forwarded to His Excellency the Governor General for transmission to Her Majesty the Queen. I have, &c., A. A. MACDONALD, Lieutenant-Qovemor. Department of the Secretary op State, Ottawa, 10th August, 1885. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 4th instant, transmitting a joint address to Her Majesty the Queen from the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island on the subject of commun- ication with the mainland, together with other documents relative thereto and specified in your despatch. I have, &o., G. POWELL, ITnder Secretary of State. To His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown. To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty : Most Gracious Sovereign : — We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Cjuncil and House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island, in general assembly convened, humbly approach Your Majesty, and represent that: — 1. Prince Edward Islana entered the Confederation of the Dominion of Canada upon the Ist July. 1873, on certain terms and conditions set forth in the Order of Your Majesty in Council,dated 26th June,1873,and of which terms the following is one ; " The Dominion Government shall assume and defray all the charges for the follow- ing Rorvice, \\z., of efSoJent steam aervice for the conveyance of ro.iil^, and pa-JHengers to bo established and maintained between the island and the mainland of the Dumia- lion, winter i I the Intercol( 2. Duri (' provided by mainland co 3. The their obligat " nppronch Yo Your Majest Canada wo i 4 Princ the Strait of about the firf are frozen, w ? rented by flo land during l ice and propi an the island t 5. Durii * by the Domii sequent yoart : engaged in oi winter navigj )f the island • lected, she m the winter of '.he route. T mother purpi jxperiment. 6. These lor trips bein ■ inuous nor e) i las been an a I aid up, noi- d ? irely ceased i he was laid i; rom 10 to 24 coasion four rere forced, a f many miles old and oxpoi 7. During ire obliged to 'ormentine) t a the month ays and one i averly from i iverai have si aceived. 8. One of 10 Confederal ioted at the < ith the Dami year with i loreaiter enjo need enjoy be •any bouohta i 31 Assembly ■Governor ogislatare 'ming the namitting rovinoe to Dominion that His caade this d for non- No. 1770 >wlodging nor to the Honey the fulfilment •atoh No. )ve. Assembly oot to the islaturo to )d the 4th 9 of both dnclosures • from the )f Council Governor >emor. 1885. >f the 4th iegislative ' oomman- )reto and State. itown. il subjects, in general )f Canada Order of ingisone; he foliow- ^a-jsoRgers he Domia- roar Muje»ty'» mterTOnUorto oh «f„ff ,1° '? ":''°''"' »' C'"'r«J6™ii.,a inj pw the si JtTC::;^bSdlW„X^t" ^\" """'^^^^^ aboo. ,b„ ii™t of D«=cmKd ta«t,"„"°U 'be ZTjl ZS Tb "h T°'"\ ■"!«'" are frozen, wh b the nassa/re of fho aftaf • 1 i ,P"' ^°° harbors and r vora rented by floatincr ico^ p?«^„, , , ' ^ '^'^P^^^d. though at no :imo wholly pre- land during the wiro;wS^bvTJrrT"*''r"'^ connection with the Vain- ice and pro^ilodX oar^ThrJuTZ l^ni ^'^r^""''' '^''^^^ed acros. the drifting an the island, and CarTomSi'';^ ' «^«P? ^^te"" botwoon CapeTraversf i 5. During the sS wTnTor Snn n fZ ^T«^;«k, a distauco of nino mile... Hy the Domin,V>n(L;ornm^^^^^^^ no attempt was made sequent years (1874-5 1 8^5 6 ^ an Eld ^ f ^'^'"u ''^''"^''- '^'^'"'"^ ^l^"^ t^-^ ^^^ engaged in ord nary .mvlAtionh^^^^^^^ steamboat which had for year, been mnt?r navigations tKwwa^^^^^^ *« ^' ^^' ^'^'^ the )f the island^ports and pS,' in t hft ^ "P^"* ^1? """'^ ''^t^^^" Goor^roto,vn. one • ■r^ed.sheut'IeHy^atd'rtSeTe^ce^^^^^^^^^ - -- ''> »^-- the winter of 1876-77 a nfi«r «fn«,^l». ^ n V.u „ ir"®"^' "^t the oommoacomoat of •■he route. This stJamor w"as noS ''''^!'''" ^'' ^'''''' "P^"^ -other purpose, and therefore herSfan b:;',red"onlv?;! Tht f'^f '.' *'''* jxpenment. 'wgwrnea only in the light of an 6. The service periormed by the " Northorn T.Urht " ko. k lor trips beintr irregular and tha Rnonml^H T l^} "'^^ ^^^'^ ™<^'*t nnsatisfiintory, inuous nor efficient Wdi^t^r^^^ been neither coJl n« been an ave age in each winter of 64^^^^^^^^^ for the last four years tlK.ro I aid up, nov does t^is'fuS:!^ d^l of S^ .-^S^'^h^^^ ^^^ "^f " ^-^J -'7 I :irely ceased running in each of these vears b ,Tnni^ 17.k hor trips before she on- I he was laid up and inoDorative Att^Z^'.u^i I ""^ *^l continued period when t rom 10 ^ 24 Says tiT'iS.e^^d;^ ^^^.^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ranging i .e^Uave .„ce offered Lp.ta.it „?rr'LttZeS''„?tl i^Ss- SS* .otod auhoopemng of tbia memorial an5^1h°y„L„X ^L w. "7,,'".°' """"' ^ any b„„ebt» aud .Jv.uU«... uic^u^'ri^nb^-in'^lirrBjrCC '„"tL^ 82 public works upon tho mainland, from which they had previously been dobarrod for a ereal portion of the year. Cut off. as they had always been, for nearly hvo months of the twelve, from all communication with the mainland, except by a most uncertain and danL'orous route, the promise of continuous communication with the Intercolonial B^ilwuy and tho railway system of the Dominion was indeed a strong incentive to them to surrender their self government and unite with Canada. 9 The inconvenience and loss which they had suffered in consequence of the failure of tho Dominion Government to provide them with the efficient oommnnica. tion promised are incalculable, while the disappointment in their reaponable expeo- tations has not tended to enhance, in their estimation, the value of a connection with the Dominion, but, on the contrary, has awakened a feeling of discontent which, thoush a matter of regret, is not unnatural under tho circumstances. Were it only the transport of freight and merchandise that was stopped during the winter, they would have goo-l rouson to complain of being precluded from the benefits o^ the Intercolonial and other railways which their more fortunate neighbors on tho mam- lard eniov. but their chief grievance is that, in direct violation of the solemn compact nnon which thoy entered the Cjn federation, and to which Your Majesty was graciously pleased to be a party, the Dominion Government have not: provided hat efficient or continuous means whereby mails and passengers can be transported to and from tho mainland. . , , i • * „* tu 10 The people of this province, wo submit, have just ground of complaint at the inaction of the Dominion Government and at the extraordinary apathy which has been shown in regard to the interest of this island in the matter of communication with tho mainhnd. Nine winters have passed since the " Northern Light was placed on tho route and notwithstanding the fact that her inefficiency for the service was apparent from the outset no other steps have been taken to fulfal the terms ot union! From the time the "Northern Light" ceases running until she again resumes her trips, a period averaging as already mentioned sixty-four days each year, the Post Office D^partinent transmits the mails by the route between Capos Iravorno and Totmentine, and durini< this period in each year the Dominion Government have at no time since Confederation made any provision whatever for the transport ot pas- sengers, who are forced to make such arrangements as best they can for crossing to and from the mainland. Tnis inacoountable neglect on tho pirt of tho Government of Canada is tho most direct violation of the terms of union which we are called upon to represent to Your Majesty ; moreover,the Dominion Government have estabhshod no communication between the Intercolonial Railway and Capo Tormota.ae so that tra- vellers are compelled in passing between these points to drive in open sleighs a distance of forty miles in tho coldest and mosi stormy portion of the year. Between Cape Traverse and the line of the Prince Edward Island Railway, a dis- tance of about twelve miles, railway connection has boon opened and that but partially, only this winter, although provided for by Parliament three years ago. 11 The derangement of business consequent upon tho irregularity ot tho mail service' when for many days at times no communication is had with the rest ot Canada, exercises a most prejudicial effect upon the interest of the island. Ihe hara- ships of travelling, which only the strong and robust are able to endure, andtlio daagers attendant upon the present mode, which have been most painfully oxeraplifacd this winter are other disadvantages from which tho people of this province suffer most *°" \^' Tho feeling that they are being unjustly treated is not without strong founda- tion. In order to fulfil the terms of union with British Columbia, a province of loss than 15 000 of a population, exclusive of Indians and Chinese, Canada has contracted for the' construction ot nearly 3,000 miles of railway at a cost ot more than $80 000 000. This gigantic undeitukiug is being pushed forward at a rate unpanilioiea in the world's history, and a vast expenditure is. being made and still more is contem- plated in acquiring and subsidizing other railroads and in forging the liuk.^ to binJ th« onntiorAd nrnuincfts froiH the Atlantic to tho Pacific, yet the fulhlmont ot tu© terms of union with this island, by providing tho means of commumcauon over »* I < strait only would sooi being done i;^. Tl the notice tivos of I fulfil 11)01 t the Govon rnoaHaies i for tho los addiOHs w notico of roturnod i sidotalion Aiiuii and daimi fulfilmoril we then a accorded ^ Boyoi it. A:;ai attention < tho inland which wo was left un.'-aii.Hfiic corrospon 14 I enjoying which Wi consideral initiated i purpot^os ( fulfilment until we ii evinct:d a sanctity o If). S that harm fouling ih wo uppoul most gra( G-aiJida tc lishmciit pasHonger Hummor, i Railway ; will bo pi the loss V terms of ( Leuislat House or 76. 83 debarred for 7 tivo months LOst uncertain Intoroolonial incentive to juence of the oommnnica- 3nahle ezpec- inection with intent which, iVoro it only winter, they anefitfl o'' the on the main- oran compact MajeHty was irovidod that •ansported to ( nplaint at the • y which has » immunicution ' I Light" was » or the service \ the terms of i til she again i lys each year, .■ apes Traverse ? ernraent have insport of pas- •r crossing to f Government re called upon established no ae bo that tra- ighs a distance Railway, ad is- • t but partially, y of the mail h the rest of \d. The hard- adure, and the ily exeraplifiod aco suffer most ; strong founda- rovinco of loss has contracted of more than* te unparalleled »• norois contem- liuks to bind Idlmont of the- icaiiou over tt- i strait only nin« miles wide i^ postpone I from year to yoar, without any thought ; It would sooiu iba tiioi oby a s icnvl obligutioa i» being violated and an immense injury being done to u largo boJy of people, lii. This griovaiico, of which we here complain, has boon repeatedly brought to the noti<'.e of llio Gononil /sirnmoiit, wiilo, session after session, the representa- tives of the island in tl>o Domirioii Govornmont have called attention to the non- fiilliluioi t by » 'luida uf lior pled^'cd faith with ttjis is'and. In 1831 we addressed the (Jovoinoi Gemial in Council upon th.i subject, and prayed for the adoption of moasuies to lomedy the slao of allairs conripiained of, as well as for compensation for tho loHs sustumed on account of the non-fulfilment of the terms of union. This addiOHs was only aoknovvlodifed, but no- practical results followed, and, upon the notice of the Dofiii^iod (iovornment being again directed thereto, assurances were retui'nod in b )th ot the years 1832 and 1883, that the (question was under their con- sidoiulion. AiTuiii lust year we addressed His l-lxcolleucy in (Council with a like petition, and claiming 85,()0. 1,001) for the loss sustained to that time on account of the non- fulfilment ot the s iid tui m.-, and wo also inl'iumod the Dominion Government that we then a|)p.oachid them for the last time, and that unless a favorable answer was accorded without dolay Your Majesty's interference would be invoked. Beyond a simple acknowledgment of this address no attention has been paid to it. A,:jain on 2(ith February last, the Executive Council of this island called the attention of iho Dumiiu')n Government to the various stops which has been taken by the island to obtaiti a setiK mont of the question, and reminded tliem the decision at which wo had arrived last yjar to appeal to Your Majesty, and that no alternative was left except to carry that determination into effect. To this minute the same un.'-aiisf'uctory answer was loceived which has been invariably given ; copies of the correspondence rof.rred to Will bo transmitted to Your Majesty herewith. 14 In this th(^ tv.elfth year of thoir connection with the Dominion, instead of enjoying thai clfieiont a'.d continuous steam communication with the mainland which was gjaruntoed them, the people of Prince l*]d ward Island are, for a very considerable portion of the year, dependent upon the modo which their fathers initiated upwards of i ixty years ago, before steam power was ever applied for purposes of locomotion. During those twelve years thoy have patiently awaited the fulhlmont by the Gonerjl Government of the terms of the union in this particular until we are reluctantly constrained to say that the Dominion Government have evinced a marked indifforcnce, not oidy for the welfare of this island, but for the sanctity of their own obligations as well. If). Satisfied that this state of things cannot longer continue without a breach of that harmony which is^oin lisp nsabio between the provinces of the Confederation,and feeling that the i-^land is beirg treated unjustly and its prosperity seriously retarded, we appeal to Your Mujesy, and humbly pray that you will take the premii-es into your most gracious consideration, and require that justice bo done by the Government of C-tnada to Y'our Miijeniy's loyal subjects of this Province, by the immediate "estab" lishmcnt aid mainlenanco ol eflicient steam service fiir the conveyance of mails and passengers between this island aud the mainland of the Dominion both winter and summer, so as to place the island in continuous communicatiou with the Intercolonial Eailway and the railway system of the Dominioi:! ;" and further, that Your Majesty will be plensod to require that the Government of Canada compensate this island for the loss which ha^ rosu'.tel to its inhabitants by reason of the non-fulfilment of the terms of Coi. federation in the particulars complained therein. Leuislativb Council Chamber, 27th March, 1885. JOHN BALDEKSON, President. House of Assembly, 27th Maroh, 1885. JOHN A. MACDOjhALD, Sjaeakr* 16-^ u PAPERS RRLATINd TO COMMUNICATION BKTWHI'^N I'UINCK RDWARD ISLAND AND THE MAINLAND OF Tim DOMINION, UNDER TEE TKRMH OF ( ONFEDKRATION, TO BK FORWARDKD TO UBH MAJESTY THB QUEEN. Provinob ot Prince Edward Island, Government House, 7th April, 1881. Sir,— I havo tho honor to trunarait herewith a joint addross from the Logislativo Council and House of AKHomhly to His Kxoollonoy tho Governor General, praying that immediate measures may bo adopted by tho Dominion Government to fulfil tho terms of Confederation with Prince Edward Island, by establishing and maintaining efficient htcam service for the conveyance of mails and passengers between the island and the mainland of the Dominion winter and summer, thus placing tho province in continuous communication with the Intercalonial Ktiilway and tho railway Hystem of tho Dominion, and by causing to be placed at tho disposal of the island compensation for the failure on the part of the Dominion to carry out stud terms, and also a joint address from the Council and Assembly requesting mo to cause tho said address to His Excellency to bo laid before him. I havo, &c., T. HEATH HAVILAND, Lieutenant-Governor. Joint Address, Session of 1881, To Ws Excellency the Right Honorable Sir John Douglas Sutherland Campbell (com- vxonlu called the Marquis of Lome), Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Kniyht iMind Cross of the Most distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor General of Canada and Vice Admiral of the same, cOc, (be , d'C, We, Her Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island, in general assembly cotivoned, approach lour Ezoellenoy and represent :— ,,, . ^ j .i n i That upon the Ist day of July, 1873, Prince Edward Island entered the Con- federation of the Dominion of Canada upon certain terras and conditions set forth in an Order of Her Majesty the Queen in Council, dated 2()lh June, 1873. 2 That in the said terms and conditions of union it was expressly stipulated that the Dominion Government should assume and defray all the charges for the establiehment and maintenance of efficient steam service for the conveyance of mails and passengers between this island and tho mainland of tho Dominion, winter and summer, to as to place this island in continuous communication with tho Intoroolomul Kailway and the railway system of the Dominion. lono a *u 3 That during no winter season intervening between the year le73 ana ibo present time has tho steam service provided by tho Dominion Govormont been efficient, or the communication with the mainland in any degree continuous. 4. That during the first winter season after tho union no attempt was made by tho General Government to provide such steam service ; that during tho two sub- sequent winter seasons, viz , those of 1874-75 and 1875-76, a wooden steamboat called the " Albert " was placed upon tho route between Georgetown and Tictou, but she failed to perform tho service satisfactorily. That at the commencement of tho Winter season of 1876-77, a new steamer called the " Northern Light, which had been constructed expressly for tho work, was placed upon the routo. 6 That the records of the trips made by this steamboat are inaccessible to us, bat it' is roton'ous that these trips have boon most irregular and unsatisfactory, and that at times she has been detained, ice-bound, for periods ranging from ton to twenty-four days, to the imminent danger of the passengers and mails. On more than one occasion during the present winter, some of tho passengers, among whom were several fomalea and ohildiou, woro forcou, after remaining on bourd the vessel -or Beveral dnye, to leave her and walk a distance of many miles to the shore, when night ! r I overtaking them has I 6. Th frequent ii only in th( pawHcngorc to tho onti 7. Th " Northon tho Domiri for expori; secure to 1 union. 8. Th federation prospect other jiubl largo porti tribute wi 9. W( fulfilment ance of of] the luterc Island is j fulfilment in montioi Wher Bxcolloncv tion, and plained of pensatiou Dominion And I SlR,- enclosing Provinoo of steam and tho ii His Hono Siu,- to tho nol from the House of Govern mi municati( 86 K 1-]I)WARD NDEU TEE R MAJESTY ril, 1881. 10 Log'iHlativo loral, pi-aying it to fulfil the maintaining oon tbo island 10 province in ?uy Bystom of componHation 1 also a joint lid address to Oovernor, 'ampbell (com. ist Noble Order Saint Michael I of the same, jil and House .pproach lour jiod the Con- 18 set forth in sly stipulated barges for the j'anco of mails 1, winter and ^ Inlorooloniul | 1873 and the Vermont been nuous. was made by tho two sub- len steamboat nd Pictou, but iomont of tho t," which had jossible to us, unsatisfactory, ; from ten to On more than g whom were ho vessel for re, when night overtaking them they received severe injurioB from cold and axposaro and one of them has boon crippled for life. 6. That tho ])«oplo oi this province have suffered groat Iobb by reason of tbo frequent interruption of tho \f inter stoara service, involving extraordinary delay, not only in the transmission ot important letters by rail, but also in tho conveyance of passengers, thereby causing serious doraiigemont of trade and immense inconvenienoo to tho entire community. 7. That tho oxperionco of tho lust five years fully convinces us that the steamer " Northern Light" is totally unfitted to perform that etfloiont service undertaken by tho Dominion Government, and as wo aro of opinion that ample tirao has boun allowed for exporimonts, wo submit that means should be adopted without furthor delay to secure to this province continuous communicatior. in accordance with tho terms of 'inion. , . . ^ , -, 8. That one of the principal inducements held out to this province to enter Lon- federation was tho i)romiso of constant communication with tho mainland, and the prospect of participating in tho benefits arising from the Intercolonial Ilailway and other j.ublio works, from which its inhabitants had boon previously debarred for a largo portion of tho year, and to tho maintenance of which thoy aro called upon to con- tribute without deriving any corresponding advantage. 9. Wo submit that tho good faith of tho Dominion Government is pledged to the fulfilment of tho compact of Contodoration, involving the establishment and mainten- anco of efficient steam service with the mainland and continuous communication with the Intercolonial and other Dominion railways, and wo represent that Prince iiiward Island is justly entitled to receive from tho Dominion, compensation for the non- fulfilment by the Dominion aovornmentof tho terras of union in the particular here- in mentioned. ,. ,^ , . ,,* ^, . Wherefore, the Legislative Council and House of Assembly pray that your Bxcolloncy in Council will take the foregoing facts into your most serious considera- tion and adopt vigorous and immediate measures to remedy the grievances com- plained of, and cau.o to bo placed at tho disposal of Prince Edward Island the com- pensation to which tho Province is entitled by reason of the non-fulfilment by the Dominion Government of the terms of Confederation. And as in duty bound we will ever pray. A true copy, FEEDERIOK Wi HUGHES, Asst. Clerk Bouse of Atsemhly, Ottawa, 16th April, 1881. Sir —I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 7th irpt. enclosingaioint a.ldres8of the Legislative Council and House of Anstmbly of the Provinoe of Prince Edward Island, in reference to the ofltablishment and maintenance of steam service for the conveyance of mails and passengers between the province and the mainland. I have, &o,, EDOUARD J. LANGEVIN, Under Secretary of State, His Honor The Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island, Charlottotown. Province of Prince Edward Island, GovEiiNMENT HousE, 28th February, 1882. Sir —My Government having by a Minute of Council recommended me to bring to tho notice of tho Dominion Government that this province is yet without a reply from the Privy Council of Canada to the joint address of tho Leguilative Council and House of Assembly, passed last session, on the subject of tho failure of the Dominion Government to carry out the torms of GontcdovfUion by providing continuous com- munication winter and summer, between this island and the mainland provinces of the Dominion. As the General Assembly meets on the 8th Max'ch, my Government are anxioas to have the reply with as little delay as possible. I have, &c. T. HEATH HAVILAlrt), Lieutenant-Governor. The Honorable the Secretary of State, Ottawa. Ottawa, 8th March, 1882. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 9 of the 28th ultimo, requesting a reply to a joint Address of tlio Legislative Oounci] and House of Assembly of the Province of Prince Edward Ibland paH«od during their last session, respecting continuous communication between that province and the mainland provinces of the Dominion. I have, &c., BDOUARD J. LANGEVIN, Under Secretary of State. His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown. This Minute was handed to His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor and by him was forwarded to the Secretary of State, Ottawa, the receipt thereof was acknowledged. ExTHAOT from the Minutes of the Executive Council of Prince Edioard Island. Council Ciiambkr, Slst January, J883. At a meeting of the Executive Council in Committee. present: * The Honorable Messieurs : Sullivan, Campbell, MoLeod, Arsenault. Ferguson, Prowse, Lefurgey, The Executive Council in Committee has had under consideration the failure of the Dominion to fulfil that condition of the terms of Conlodoi ation which stipulates tnat the Government of Canada shall assume " and defruy ail the charges for the establishment and maintenance of efficient stearn service for the conveyance of mails and passengers between Prince Eiward Island and the rcainlarjd of thu Dominion winter and summer, so as to place the island in continuous communication with the Intercolonial Railway and the railway system of the Dominion." In a joint address oi' the Legislative Council and llou.'se of Assembly of this province to His Excellency the Governor General, adopted in the session of 1 8S1, were set forth the enormous dinadvantages under which the inhabitants of this island labor by reason of the iusufflcioncy of the moans provided for the transport of mails and passengers during the winter season, and a request was made for the Immediate adoption of vigorous measures for the removal of the grievances complained of, as | well as for the allowance of compensation by reason of the nou-tulfilmont in such ' respect of the terms of Confederation. The rcceij>t of this address wft.-' duly acknowledged by the Secretary of State in a despatch dattd !(5ih April, 1881, and • upon the notice of the Dominion Government Doing again directed therelo, nad a reply requested,, it was learned that the question was receiving their earnest consideration. The Council in Committee desire to draw the attention of the Genoial Government to the fact that although nearly two years have elapsed since the acknowledgment | of the receipt of the said address, no attempt has been mudo to improve the means I. of communicatinti with the mtiinland provinces of the Dominion, and that the g grievances of therein still remain. ST jrovernment jvernor. h, 1882. No. 9 of the il and House last session, le maiDland >f State. I by him was lowledgod. ' Island. Y, 1883. be failure of h stipulates gos for the nco of mails lu Dominion on with the nbly of this sion of I8S1, jf ihis island port of mails le immediuto plained of, as mont iu sucb SB wft.-' duly il, 1881, and hoiclo, p.ad a boir earnobt Govcrnmont lowlodgment 3 the means ind that the During the first winter suocoeding the union, it was not expected that much could be effected towards' providing "continuous communication," but the inhabi- tants of tbo isiaud patiently awaited the ie.;ult of the oxiieriment being made by the Dominion Government, to doraonstrato tlio pructicability of the winto; navigation of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The futiloaLiemp's of the steamer "Northern Light" during the last sevon yc&r-i to maintain " continuous coramu'iicatiou " aie notorious. Experience warratits tbo assertion that she is unfitted for the sorvico. Hor trips during the few wc'lci of winter in which she runs are irregular; her carrying capacity is excccdirgly limited, and hor model is generally condemned. A strong inducement for thin province lo enter Con fod oration wc.s the promise of " continuous conmuniration with the Intercolonial Railway and the railway sys- tem of the Dominion." A service that would be as thorongbly efficient and regular as the railways with whicib such communication wis guaranteed; in short, that Prince Edward Island should have equal facilities for intercourse with the other provinces as those provinces enjoy between themselves, and should participate in all the benefits arising from the Irito'rcolonial Kailway and other public works upon the mainland, from which it hid formerly been debarred for a great portion of the year, and to which it contributes without receiving any corresponding advantage. The inconvenience and loss sustained by the people of this Province in oonse- qence of the imperfect moans of winter transport are incalculable. Irregularity of the mail service in which doiaj's nf ton consocutivo days are often experienced, tho consequent derangement of buHincss, tho hardships of travelling, which only the strong and robust are able to endure, the (la* gors attendant upon the winter routes, the total stoppage of all ti-ansport for freight or merchandise ; these are some of the disadvantages attending the present mode of winter communication between this province and the mainland, Of continuous steam communication summer and winter, with the mainland. Prince Edward Island received an assurance and giiaranteo at tho time of its entry into the Confederation in 187 1 Nearly ton years have now elapsed since that event, and but one abortive attempt has been made by the General Government to carry out the solemn engagement into which they then entered. It is not the office of the Government of this province to diet ite to the Dominion Government as to the way in which they shall carry out tho terms of union in respect to continuous communica- tion, but the Council in iJomraittee are bound to express the opinion that only a very feeble attempt has been made to accomplish this object, and that the means of obtaining this most desirable end have not been nearly exhausted. To carry out the terms of Confederation with British Columbia, the Government is expending an immense sum of money in the construction of tho Pacific Eailway ; yet to provide tbo means of communication between two provinces, over a distance of scarcely nine miles, and thus fulhl an obligation equally as binding as that with British Columbia, the general Government hivo di-^played a marked indifferenoe, Tho Council in Cmmittee feel that tho Government of Canada are justly charge- able with a most serious violation of the terms of union in this respect ; they desire once more to bring the matter prominently before the notice of Your Excellency in Council with tho earnest ho| e that tho enfsuirig session of Parliament will not be allowed to pass without the adoption of etfei-tive measures for the it .mediate fulfilment of the terras of Contodoration ; they request that tbey may bo furnished with a reply to the address of tho Couricil and Asnembly herein reforied to, as well as to this minute in sufficient time to submit the snmoto the Legislature of this province at the approach- ing session thereol'. Should the Dominion Government fail to comply with the just request of this province, its Government will be reluctantly compelled to lay the griev- ance complained of at i!io foot of tho Throne, and to appeal for redress to Hor Majesty tho Queen as one of tho parties to tho articles of Confederation. Certified a true extract. R F. DE BLOIS, Clerk Executive C&uncil, 38 (Telegram.) Charlotteown, 27th March, 1883. To the Secretary ot dtato, Ottawa. Required immediately to lay before the Legislature now in session, Djnaiaion Gwernment's answer to joint address of Legislature of April, 1881, relative to steam immunication with mainland, and also to Minute of Council of January last upon the same subject. T. HEATH HAVILAND, Lieutenant Governor. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 28th March, 1883. To the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown. Subject referred to in your message of the 27th instant, under consideration. G. POWELL, Under Secretary of State. Government House, Charlottetown, P. E. I., 18th April, 1884. Sib,— 1 have the honor to transmit herewith to bo laid before His Excellency the Governor General, a joint address from the Legislative Council and House of Assembly to His Bxcelloncy the Governor General representing the failure of the Dominion Government to carry out that part of the terras of Confederation which requires the Government of Canada "to establish and maintain eflScient steam service for the conveyance of mails and passengers between the island and the main- land of the Dominion, winter and summer, thus placing the island in continuous communication with the Intercolonial Eailway and the railway system of the Dom- inion," and praying that His Excellency in Council will take such action as shall cnnse the grievance complained of to be remedied and the terms of union to be ful- fil 'ed, as well as praying that compensation be paid to Prince Edwf vd Island for the non fulfilment of the said terms. I have, &c., T. HEATH HAVILAND, Lieutenant Governor. To the Hon. the Secretary of State, Ottawa. Ottawa, 24th April, 1884. Sib,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 8, of the 18th inst., transmitting, in order that the same may be laid before His Excel- lency the Governor General, a joint address from the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island, on the subject of an efficient steam service for the conveyance of mails and passengers between that province and the mainland of the Dominion winter and summer, and to state that the matter will receive due con- sideration. I have, &c., G. POWELL, Under Secretary of State. His Honor the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Government House, Charlottetown, P. EI., 28th February, 1885. Sir,— I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the consideration of Hia Excellency the Governor General in Council, an approved minute of my Council, passed on the 28th instant, upon the subjoct of the non-fulfilment of the terms of Confederation in respect to communication with the mainland, together with the copy therein roforrod tf. of the adiio8S of the Legislature of the island a;* punriod in the Session of 1884 on the same 8ul)jcct. 1 have, &c., A. A. MACDONALi), Ltcutenant Governor. The Honorable the Secretary of State, Ottawa. \ 3d h, 1883. I, Djnaiaion vo to Htoam ry last upon overnor. 3, 1883. [eration. of State, il, 1884. , Excellency ind House of iiilure of the ration which icient bteam nd the main- 1 continuous I of the Dom- bion an shall ion to be ful- Bland for the Governor. ril, 1884. oh, No. 8, of > His Excel- il and House m service for mainland of loive due con- of State. 3 town, ry, 1885. ation of Hia my Council, the terms of ther with the i as puHsod in Q-overtior. Ottawa, 6th March, 1885. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowloige the receipt of your despatch of the 23th ult., transmitting lor submission to His Excel !oncy the Governor General an approved Minute of the Executive Council of Princo Edward Island in respect to winter com- mnnication with the muinland, together wilh a copy to which tho same refers of the addiosH of theLegislatuie of the island as passed in tho ses^ioa of i8S4 upon the subject, and to state that the aame will receive due consideration. I have, &c., G. POWELL, Under Secretary of State. His Honor the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, Oharlottetown. Legislative Council, Skssion op 1885. To Rls Honor the Honorable Andrew Archibald Macdonald, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Prince Edward Island, &c., dc, (fee. May it Please Your Honor,— Whereas, during the present session of the General Assembly this House did join with the House of Assembly in a memorial to Her Majesty the Queen, praying Her Majes'y's most gracious intervention in order to obtain from the Government of Canada a fulfilment of the terms upon which this island entered tho Confederation in respect to communication with the mainland, and also the payment of compensa- tion to this province for the loss sustained by its people in consequence of tho failure of the Dominion Govornmant to carry out tho said terms, and a joint address of both Houses has been adopted requesting your Honor to forward the said memorial to His Excellency the Governor General for transmission to Hor Majosty the Queen - And whereas since the adoption of the said memorial and address, an insurrection has unfortunately been incited in the North- West Provinces, whereby not only the peace and welfare of tho Dominion have been disturbed, but the lives and property of tho citizons are endangered, while some of Her Majesty's subjects have met their death in bravely endeavoring to uphold the authority of the British Crown : And, whereas, this House recognizes tho paramount obligation of the General Government to suppress lawlessness and rebellion, and it is the imperative duty of every British subject to assist the constituted authorities in tho restoration of quiet- ness and good order and in the maintenance of the Queen's supremacy; Therefore, this House unwilling to embarrass the General Government while occupied with matters of such weighty moment to the Empire, and looking to a speedy termination of tho insurrection, desire to postpone for tho present the carry- ing out of the constitutional means of which it seeks to redress a grievance of the people of this province, and request your Uonor not to forward the ^aid memorial until su h time during the approaching legislative recess as in the opinion of your advisors shall be deemed opportune. Whilst this House i-egrets that an insurrection has been incited in the North- West Territories, whereby not only the peace and welfare of tho Dominion has been disturbed, but that the lives and property of its citizens have been endangered yet as our case is a very urgent ono in our opinion, there should be no unnecessary delay in forwarding the said memorial to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Quoon, praying Hor Majesty's most gracious intervention, in order to obtain from tho Government of Canada a fulfilment of tho terms of Confederation in respect to communication with the mainland, and also compensation to the province for the loss sustained by ita people in consequence of the failure of the Dominion Government to carry out said terms, A true copy, JOHN BALL, Clerk Legislative ComQih 40 House op Assembly, Session of 1835. To His Honor the Honorable Andrew Archibald Me Donald, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Prince Edward Inland, c&^., c&c, &o. Mat IT PLEASE Your Honor,— Whereas, during the prosonl Session of tho General Assembly the House ot Assembly did join with tlie Los^islativo Council in a momoriul to Her AHjesty the (^ueon, praying llor Majesty's most giacious Uitorvoii- tion in order to obtain trom ihe Government of Canada a fulfilment of the terms upon which this iHlaud entered tho Coafedoration in respect to cominunication wiih the mainland and also tho p;iyraont of oomp.m-ation to this province tor the loss sus- tained by its people in couscquenco of tho fiailurt, of the Dominion Government to carry out the said terms, and a joint address of both Houses has boon aloptod requesting your Honor to forward the said momorial to His lixoellenoy the Governor General for transmission to Her Majesty the Queen ; , , . And whereas, since the adoption of tho said momorial and address, an insur- rection has unfortunately been incited in tho 2«orth-Wost Territories whereby not only the peace and welfare of the Dominion have been disturbed, but the lives and property of its citizens are endangered, while some of Her Majesty s subjects have met their death in bravely endeavoring to uphold the authority of the British And whereas, this House rocognizas the paramount obligation of the General Government to suppress lawlessness and rebellion, and it is the impo-^ativc duty )f every British subjoct to assist the constituted authorities in the restoration ot quiet- ness and good order and in tho maintenance of the Queen's Buprenriacy ; Therefore, this House unwilling to omburrass tho General Government while occupied with matters of buch weighty moment to the Empitc, and looking to a speedy termination of the insurrection, desire to postpone for tne prosonl vhe carrying out ot the constitutional means by which it socks to redrets a giievaiu o of the people ot this province, and request your Honor not to forward the said memorial until -uch time during tho approaching legislative recess as in tho opinion of your advisers shall bo deemed opportune. A true copy. FKBDBRICK W. HUGHES, Assistant Clerk House of Assembly. Extract from Minutes of the Executive Council of Prince Edward Island. Council Chamber, 4th August, 18S5. The Executive Council in Committee havo had under consideration the separ.'ae addresses of the Legislative Council and Houso of Assembly of this province, to His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, passed during their last session, roq-iosting that, owinjr to their unwillingness to embarrass tho G vornmcnt of Canada during tho oTistonce of the Insurrection in the North-West To ritories, their joint memorial to Her Majesty the Queen, praying Hor Mujjsty's most gracious intervention, in order to obtain from the Govornmont of Canada a fumiment of tho torms uuon which this island entered the Confederation in lespoct to communication with tho mainland, and also the payment of compensation to this provinco tor the loss sustained by its people in consequence of tho failure of tho Dominion Govornmont to carry out the afore-^aid terms should not be forwarded until such time during the then approaching recess as in the opinion of His Honor's advisors should bo doomed .opportune. The Council in Committee advise that, as the insurrection h,i s been cttectually Bupp'-essed nnd order restored in the North-West Territories, tho suld joint address to Her Majesty tho Queen, together with the enclosures therein referred to, tho said separate addre-ses to His Honor and a copy of this Minute, hn immediately forwarded to His Excellency the Governor for transmission to Her Majesty the Queen. Certified a true extract. E. F. DeBLOIS, Clerk Executive Council, (I