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Un des symbdes sulvsnts apparattra sur la darnlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le caa: le symboie -^^ signlfie "A 8UIVRE", le symbols ▼ signlfie "FIN". Meps. plates, cherts, etc.. mey be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely Included In one expoeure ere filmed beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right end top to bottom, as many framea aa required. The following diagrama illustrate the method: Les cortes. planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre f limAs A des taux de rAductlon diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui ciichA, 11 est fiimA A partir de i'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de heut en bas, en prenant la nombre d'imeges nAcesseire. Les diagrammes sulvants lilustrent le mAthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 e THE CONFEDERATION QUESTION, CONSIDERED FROM A PRINCE EDWARD ISUND POINT OP VIEW. BY W. H. POPE. CKARLOTTETOWN: PniNTED BY EDWARD WHEIAN, "EXAMiyBR" OFFICE, 1866. n.f K -1 r T I MMi 9 S «■■ /J i' r < » W * Ah V. ?: iVV Uil. LiUriJ^ H lil V /I'iO'I :!! w t ( .': «T -- :-^^f^ il-i^''k 'i --u) .iH'; THE CONFEDERATION aUESTION, ■ ! i-:r '•> I>*.'-1 ,<^ ».^^ CONSIDERED FROM A PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND POINT OF VIEW. i-,>) ^Trr In the following pages, it is intended to narrate and review briefly the proceedings relative to the proposal to unite the British North American Provinces under one Government and Legislature — so far as these relate to Prince Edward Island— from the conclusion of the delibe rations of the Quebec Conference in October, 1864, to the present time. . .; ^i (If; ^:,;n Prince Edward Island was represented at the Conference by seven delegates :. The Honorable John Hainilton Gray, M. P. P., President of the Executive Council, the Honor- able Edward Palmer, M. L.^., Attorney General, the writer, who held the office of Colonial Secretary, and the Honorable Thomas Heath Haviland, M. P. P. These gentlemen, with the exception of Mr. Haviland, were members of the Executive Council. The opposition party was represented by the Honorable George 'Coles, M.P.P., the Honorable Edward Whelan, M. P. P., and the Honor- able Andrew A. McDonald, M. L. 0. The Honorable Edward Palmer and the Honorable George Coles, shortly after their return to the Island in 'November, 1864, declared themselves opponents of the Scheme of Confederation proposed by the Quebec Con- ference. It will be hereafter shewn that Mr. Palmer and Mr. Coles, while in Canada, publicly announced their THE CONFEDERATION. QUESTION. approval of tho proposed Confederation, and expressed their intention to advise the people of the Island to assent to it. The Honorable Andrew A. McDonald voted against the acceptanco by the Island of the Scheme of Confederation agreed to at Quebec. The Honorable Edward Palmer repeatedly and pub- licly asserted that his opinions upon Confederation havo not changed, and that he never regarded with favor the proposed Union of the Colonies. The speeches delivered by the Honorable Edward Palmer and the Honorable George Coles, while in Canada, in the capacity of Delegates representing Prince Edward Island, will be produced and contrasted with their subse- quent utterances in Prince Edward Island, in order that the reader may have some data upon which to form an opinion as to whether the sentimenJ^ expressed by Messrs. Palmer and Coles, while Delegates in Canada, should or should not be regarded as the individual opinions of these Delegates, formed after mature consideration and discus- sion of the important sul^ect of Colonial Union, and whether their subsequent opposition to Confederation should or should not be attributed to the influence of popular opinion within the Island. The Honorable Edward Palmer was appointed by His Excellency the 'Lieu tenant Governor one of the Delegates on behalf of this Island, to proceed to Quebec for the pur- pose of conferring with Delegates representing the Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada and Newfound- land, and discussing the expediency of a Union of the several British North American Provinces under on© Government and Legislature. Mr. Palmer proceeded to Quebec and was present at the Conference which assem- bled in that city on the 10th October, 1864, and after the lUB CONFEDERATION QUESTION. & labors of the Conference had been brought to a close ho accompanied the Delegates of the Maritime Provinces iu a tour through the chief cities of Canada. The Conference resulted in the adoption of certain resolutions, generally known as the '* Report of the Quebec Conference." These resolutions were revised at a meeting of the Delegates held at Montreal on Saturday the 29th October, 18G4, and then ordered to be engrossed. Mr. Palmer was present at this meeting. ' On Thursday the 3rd November, 1864, Mr. Palmer and the other Delegates from the Maritime Provinces visited several of the Public Institutions of the city of Toronto, and on the same day Mr. Palmer, at a Dejeuner given to the Delegates in the Music Hall, delivered a speech in favor of the Union of the Provinces. A report of this speech, corrected by Mr. Palmer, is as follows :— ' *'TheFIon. Edward Palmer, Attornej^ General of Prince Edward Island, rose on behalf of that Colony to reply to the toast. He was well received on rising. He begged the company, on behalf of himself and bis colleagues who there represented it. to accept bis acknowledgements for the veiy flattering manner in which the health of the delegated gentlemeo had been piopo$eJ and accepted by the Assembly ; and proceeded to say : — The Island trom which I came is but a small country, and it requires per- haps little to be said on i's behalf; and it is fortunate it is so. as the ta&k has faJlon upon one so incapable ot doing it. But notwithstanding I shall say a Kw words, and in speuk'JL'; of the Island, I am at first reminded of a very facetious remark of a g; iilcman whom I trust you all know — and that is no other than Mr. D'Arc> McGee — when speaking of Prince Ed* ward Island. ** Now," this witty gentleman saidi "don't you be too boastful about your little island ; don't let us hear ko much about it, or we will send down a: little tug boat and draw you up into one of our lakes, where wo will leave you to take care of yourselves." (Laughter.) Per- haps if this did happen — if you did bring our little island here, we would not have much reason in many respects to regret the exchange. (Hear, hear.) We are an agricultural community, as you are all aware ; and aU though we are not a very great one, yet we can send away a million and a half bushels of oats in one year, still leaving enough for our own use. — Now, as to the proposed union. Tour friends came down and we listened to them, and we resolved since then that there should be an Union. (Ap- plause ) In the first place* we resolved that the Union should bo, as far as the circuiQStaDces of the country would permit, io accordaoce with the I & THE CONFEDERATION QUESTION. British Oonstitntioa. {(Cheers.) The Pro? irioes' wero unonimoifs fn thiV^ Wo then resolved that ouch of (ho Coloaies should preservo its peculiar privileges and institutions, and that there should bo no higher power t0 ifltorfore with then, (Applause.) We next agreed that as far as poeBi-* ble the dubts of the colonies should he deult wiih fairly and equally, and that the tariffs should be cquul throughout. Wo next agreed that as re^ gurded the outside world we should, betwcoa and amuogst ourselves, enjoy free trade. (Appiause.) I confess that in my Province there was at first DO little anxiety with regard to this proposition, because we stand at pre« 8CQ( as happy aud oonteuteJ a peopio ah any of the British Provinoes.—- Yet I hesitate not to say thut Iroui all that baa been witnessed by the iUelcgates representing that [aland, they will not hesitute to reoomineod to their peopio the great Union which I hope soon to see accomplished. — (Cheers) Wo have oome here and been deMghted with the enterprise of your people. We have became aequaipied with your vast resources — the great perfection of your machinery— the great progress of arts and mana* lacturcs atiioDg you. (Applause.) Even to-day we wore surprised to wit- ness the admirable institutionsofloarning which you have among you, and had great pleasure ia inspecting the minutia of the operations. Wu saw - your wealthy merchants, your happy enterprising men making their for- tttoes — all oonvinoing us that this country- is one with which we need not be afraid to throw in our lot. (Cheers ) It ia not the great hospitality alone that we have met with since we entered witbin your borders — it is not thu kindness which wu have received individually or collectively from the people of this Province — that causes us to desire to come into this liniou ; your exeellent institutions of all kinds, and your progress in every- thing that goes to make up a great country, impel us to such a desirable eoosummation — to form part of the great empire or colony) or whatever you obooso to call it, which is to be constructed out of these Provinces of British Ameriea, sharing the glories of the mother oouutry, which we all desire to see perpetuated and iucreased. (Cheers.)" Oa the 6th November, 1864, Mr. Palmer signed tha engrossed resolutions of the Quebec Conference. Mr. Palmer returned to Prince Edward Island about the 10th of November, and immediately thereafter publicly announced himself- a decided opponent of the proposed Union of the Provinces. Mr. Palmer*3 speech at Toronto having been circulated through the North American Provinces, a portion of the Press commented upon the apparent inconsistency of the Attorney General in denouncing, in the newspapers of Prince Edward Island, the proposed Confederation, which, at Toronto, a few days previously, he had advocated with THE CONFEDERATION QUESTION. 7 much apparent earnestness. Colonel Gray, Prime Minis- , ter of Prince Edward Island — in consequence of Mr. Palmer's conduct relative to the question of Confederation- tendered to Lieutennnt Governor Dundas the resignation ' of his seat as President of the Executive Council, and in a letter to His Excellency, dated 16th November, 1864, which contained his reasons for resigning. Colonel Gray alleged that Mr. Palmer had, at Toronto, deliberately given utterance to expressions intended to deceive, and that his conduct was highly reprehensible -insulting to * the Delegates who had represented the other Provinces- calculated to bring into contempt the people and Govern- ment of the Colony, and such as obliged him to retire from the Executive. Colonel Gray*s resignation was accepted ' by His Excellency on the 20th December, 1864. Mr. Palmer retired from the Executive Council on the ' 7th Januajy, 1865. On the day on which Mr. Palmer's resignation was laid before the Executive Council, the Members of that Body unanimously joined in an address to Colonel Gray, in which they expressed themselves as ** indulging the hope ** that under existing circumstances, Colonel Gray might ** be induced to re-enter the Executive, and again occupy ** the position from which, to their great regret, he had ** retired." This letter was published by Colonel Gray in the Islander newspaper in January, 1 866. Mr. Palmer publicly announced that he did not deem his ** consistency called in question" by what had fallen from him during his speech at Toronto. The position taken by Mr. Palmer and his associates was, that Mr. Palmer had always been opposed to the proposed Confederation of the British North American Provinces. In suppo^f t of this position the editor of the Monitor newSf 'I i 8 TUB CONFEDERATION QUESTION. .. .V a. pnper — to tho editorial columns of which Mr. Palmer was well known to bo one of the chief contributors — gave pub- licity to a private letter which Mr. Palmer had written him from Quebec towards the close of the Conference. In this letter Mr. Palmer thus expressed himself: — *' The Soliome of a Federal Qoveroment is roakiog progress, anil I have no doubt will be agreed to by a large roajok " of the Detegatefl; but I regret to say, froui all that in developed 6(5 fai, I lear our little Island ia to bo xaorificed. Tho great prlDcipics, I may say, however, are pretty nearly decided on, and eeooodary principles and details are now under discussion. These are, an you may imagine, the most diffioult to adjust ; but still I think a scheme will be agreed to, and if it turns out, whak it promises at present, / hope most earnestly, and I haye no doabf, that our Legislature will discard it. ^ '||' ^ The paltry proportion of representation we are now likely to have in both branches of the Legisla- ture, is little more than nominall. and leaves as at the meroy of the otb«r Provinces. In short, I am thoroughly disgusted at tho course things have taken here, and would be disposed to sit by the waters of Babylon and weep for years, if I thought our Island people would be taken in by the scheme." These extracts from the Attorney General's letter ap- peared in the Monitor newspaper published on the 13th of December, 1864. On the 28th November Mr. Palmer addressed to the Protestant newspaper, published in Gharlottetown, a let- ter, in which he declared himself *' decidedly opposed to the proposed Federal Union of the North American Colo- nies.*' In this letter Mr. Palmer refers to the speech delivered by him at Toronto in the following terms : — " I do not deem my ooneistenoy oallcd in question by what may hate fallen from me during an unstudied complimentary speech at a Dejeuner, when controversy was neither invited or expected, and when it was the good fashion, during the whole tour, for every one who was culled apon to return thanks for the princely hospitality shewn us, to reciprocate as far as possible what was most pleasant and agreeable to their kind hosts." In this apology for his Toronto speech in favor of Con- federation, the Attorney General of Prince Edward Island intimates that he therein expressed himself in favor of Confederatioii, because it was ** the good fashion to red- nn coMrEBERAtiini qohtion. jr procate as far as possible what was most pleasant and agreeabU " to those who so kindly entertained the Dele- gates, and, therefore, that he did not deem his declara- tion to his Toronto audience, that he hoped soon to see the ** great Union aecomptished," inconsistent with the de- claration contained in his letter to Mr. Cooper, expressive of his *'most earnest hope'' that the Legislature of the Island would ** discard it" i ij*^' i* ; u ' The oocaflion on whioh Mr. Palmer spoke ab Toronto was most important in its character. The aadicnc» which be addressed inclilided a laige numher of the repre* sentative nhen of British North America. The leading public men of the five Provinces of British North Amerioft had been for weeks engaged in the endeavor to agree upon tenns of Union by whioh these Provinces might become united under one Government and Legislature. It was expected that the Delegates were about to explain their views upon itte important question whi6h had fortned the eutjeet of their deliberations, and which was then absorbing public attentiftn'. The great Hall of the Capital of Upper Canada was filled to overflowing. It was to this audience that the Honorable Edward Palmer addressed himself. It is difficult to realize that a Lawyer of mature age^ holding the honorable and responsible offii(^e of Attorney General of Her Majesty — after having publicly declared that he hoped soon to see the Unidn of the Coronies accomplished, and as^ flured his audience that it was not the kindness and hospi<> tality which the Prince Edward Islahd Delegates had met with in Canada that caused them to desire to come into the Union, but rather the esccellent institutions of all kidds, and the progress of Canada in everything thiat goes to make up a great country, wbich impelled them to this 10 TdE CONFEDBBATION QVEETKHf; I- i d4eirable.con8ammatioa-,^*8bould| on. his return to Prinoe- Ediward. Island,, .withiii aifew'shor.t^dflysj distingaish bim« self by.opppBitloato the ** great mnton^V a»d by: ' denanoU atit)n of (Canada. It is almost incredible that the HonorMo bid . ^^avdi Palmer should hate* 'pormltied the ;pabUcatioB> of; exiraets fremtihls private oorrtspo^ad^Oces ito prove* that, wben^^aiii Toronto^ ho^ advocated' tho\ cause of the'gr.cat' union with so moch apparent earnestness^ he wiSj iiv mality, at decided oppptient of Uniian, tand; so'oonvinoed tHat fit would' ruin PHnco Edwvard Island ^ .that hef * would be disppsed'io sit by the-, waters oftBiabyl the Isknd p0opU< would) be taken iB> byiheiSchtemie.? . v, ' There is, however, a second ' apokigy by the Honorable Ed^rd Palmer for his speech at Tbronto. * 4 ' On the. 2 1st December, ,1864, thor Attorney General of Prince Edward Island addressed to the Lieutenant Gov- ernor, a communication, in which is contained the foUowr. ing attempt vat a justification, of the Toronto speech :-«— **Whin I addroaMd thftcoiapanj airtth*t6 >De/e)Knefr, oi» Ike 0(^ casioD referiied to, (£(rd November, 1864), I felt myseU' bound to Bpeak tteieotitDedts ofwbit IVdew too well wiere ibiise ot a iDi^rity,- and ii lacge, majocitj of my- feUow-ddegatea. In doing so I did a» every oqf oC the nameroas Delegates pi iced in the same situation had done on every i>%h6t preiiotts occasion.' To' havo ' spoken my «indtvi ■idif;'thai4 mig^ bavo'ioteri>apied(tb» harfflo»y of tfaei entertainment, and bj[ 4>DgraasinK the timt fwould have prevented other pertone from speaking throtigh tbe Dei^ates assigned to enunciate their sentiments. '* III speaking in one single instance in my speech in question, in the - ifM persoHt^whore I bbrierv^ thaLl )hoped soou to «ee the Utiion' acooni« plisbedflimostaaiuredLy meant that it should been the baais' agreed to by the first article io th6 report, that b, on telmui Just to the several Pifitir— ^' THE 601IFEMSBAT1ON OUSSTIOM. t The commuiitXJnion of the British -North AmericMi Provinces, and to express a hope soon to -see that (Union aeeomplished, because > it was the good fashion for all who were called on* to return thanks to reoiprooate as^fariflt possible what was most pleasant An4 agreeable toiktnd hosts, is very different from so expressing one's self^^be- cause of feeling bound to speak sentiments known 4;o^b6 •i held by others. . . No sentence^ or form of words, can bAve mote than one true meaning. There ds. not, in Mr. Palmfer-s speech) delivered at Toronto, one depression whieh would lead ihe audienoe, ^to whom it was addressed, to suppose that the speaker was not giving expression to bis individual sentiments. Mr. 'Palmer's attempt to '9f&- plain away his declaration, '* I hqpe soon to see the IJmpoi accomplished," im puerile. Mr. Palmer says, ^ whea I said, I hqped soon to seethennio^aceon^plishedsli^osb assuredly meant that it -shoitld be on the basis i^greed'^to by the {first Article in the report, that is, on priipiplefii Jost to the several Provinces.' ■ The greaft Ihiion Whitth Mh Palmer did 'Vnothosltaiteio say" that the iBelegaies ^< would not 'hesitate to recommend to ^^ir pedple,^' wad the Union proposed by the Report of the Ooi^ereace ; and the Union which the Delegates wodd not hesitate to re* oommead to tiieir people, was the Union which Mr. Palmer said he ho^ed soon to see accotnplidfa«d. Oil his arrival in the IsUnd after the otose of the Co&£»reiiee, la 12 THE CONFEDSRATIOM aUBSTlON. III. '■ ft I 'II 1:864, Mr. Palmer fotaad (>t>po9itiOQ to Confederatioii to be almost universal. He has ever siace shewn bioiself a most persistent opponent of the proposed Copfederatien. The IIoQomble George Colesj the recognized Leader of' the Party in opposition to the Government of IB64, had no opportunity of signing the Report of the Quebec God- ference — ^he, with several others, having left Toronto be- fore the Resolutions were engrossed. *( f>f; At Ottawa, on the 1st November — after the resolutions forming the report of the Confercuoe had been finally re* vised — Mr. Coles spoke in favor of Union. Addressing ^ large audience assembled in the new Parlidment Buildings * Mr. Coles said : — ; .jv " He stood here in a different position from the gentlemen from tK&bib«Jr provipces, who had just addressed ihem, Ifoth of whom were members ^ their reepeotive (jlovemments. while he (Mr. Coles) happened to be one of the Opposition. Thej were aware that the Oppositions of all the Provih- three men, representing ihe various potiiioal opinions of six different Provinces could have assembled and so amalgamated their opinions as to agree upon a couatiiuiioo suited for that gfeat Cuufttderatioi*, was some thinn;. be believed, such as the world bad never seen before, and shewed that ibe Delegates were worthy of the position they held. (Cheers.) He eaid this, although there was uo uiao more disappointed than bimstiU' with respect to some parts of thjt constitution, but by mutual conoees'on they had arrived at a result which they could all agree io supporting and submitting to the people, for he he!d that it must be submitted to the peofde. They (oold not force it on the people; they must endeavour to shew them that it was for their benefit, and thus induce them to aeoopt il. (Cbeeis.) On the Srd December, 1864, Mr. Coles addressed to the editor of the Examiner newspaper a letter in which he stated that he had objections to that Constttutioa :(vbich, according to hjis speech at Ottawa, *' thirty-three men," (including Mr. Coles), **had agreed upon" as Bixited to the proposed Confederation. Mr. Coles added^ <* I shall feel it my duty to the people of this Island, to oppose it in my legislative capacity." .; The people of Prince Edward Island, on the return of the Delegates, almost unanimously evidenced Ibeir opposi- tion to the proposed Confederation ; and three of the seven Prince £d ward Island Delegates, all of whom had supported the SSchemQ in Canada, now united with the people in denouncing it. The Legislatare of Prince Edward Island assembled in February, 1865. The Report of the Quebec Conferenoe and all official correspondence connected with the stibjeot of the proposed Uniop <^f the Colonies, were laid before both Houses, and the question of Unioa debated at length. 3 The writ^T) in the House of Assembly, moved the resolu- tions following ;— . fo i *' 1. Be$olved, Thai the best fnlcrests, and present and future prosperity of Britisii ^orth Amertott, would be promoted bj a Federal Union, uitder 14 THE CO.NFED^BATION QUEETION. tlie Crown oF Great Britain, provrded raoh Union ooaM . Im ^eeted on priooi pies just to the 39Terai FroyinaeB tnd Colonies. * 2. Resolved, That the existence of immense Military aud Nat Al' forces in the neighboring; ttepublio, renders it specially incumbent on the people of British North Araerioa to take the most eflSoient prcoatitionary measures by which their indopeudenoe against foreign ag^resjien (nay be secured, i'' " 3. Resolved, That a U.nferenoe of Delqgatos frpm tha Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the Colonies of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, held at the City of Quebec, ilOlb 'October, 1864, as the basis of' a , proposed Confedeeation of thosj Provinces and Colonies, would, amung other advantagss, promote the de* Tplopemcnt of the trade and manufacturing capabilities of these Provinces And. Colonies, and advance the gensi^l pro6p«rity,:by indoeingitbe jubstittt* tion of a Customs' Turiff, uniform find common to the Copfederatioi), in lieu of the various Tariffs now in force Ih tho several Provinces aiid Coloniefl. " f), Besolve^. That the Ijteport of/^ho .(^n^r^noq iqf , Delegates, froip.tlia British l^orth American Provinces and Colonied. held at Quebec iu Ootbber laftt, t»ken hr a whole,, contains a deelaratiott of principles — os^lhe basis of a Federal Union — wl^ioh thjs Uou^e cpnsidiqrs j^i|at,^o,t)iefov,^(f^i Provinces and Colonies. *'6. Resolved, That this TTousc, btilleving it is only by mutual conOoss* iq^f aqd opinpiroini^es, t)ie severfU BrtHi^h Nqrlh .^meripsn ProyiiooM t>nd Colonies can ever agree upon thpse principles whiuh shall form the, basis of a 'Union, orders that the repbrt of the Con^'orenco of iDe legates from fiies^ s^Vjeral ^rOvincpB afid CQ)on*pr jasr, bf ((«!)l)sH* eJ throughout ibis Colony, lor the deliberate consivleration of the people, on whom will devolve the acceptance or rejection uf the proposed Union. - *' 7. Rcsolvfd, That until the larger Maritime Provinoes Mid OqiBadf skal^ bave mutually qsreed upon, the tergi^ of lUoiooi it Jsi^ejLpafdiepttthat tb'e people of l^rioco £dward Isltind should be called iipon to decide on the qpetUpp/' ! In ^ House) of twenty-avne members, these resolcrtions were si^pported by five— *four of whom had been Dttlegates to the Qiiebec Conference. fi t>ii\} 'The ibllowing TesolatioQcs were carried ia amendioeDt, on a division of twenty-three to five : — ' ** 1. R^sffee, would by assimilation of taxes, enormously increase the duiy^ to whieh those of Grdat Britain and 4ho United States are at present sabjeot; thereby compelling this Island to > take a 'large portion of iib imports (rom! Canada^ mtkking payment therefor in oioni'y. instead of pro-' curing them from countries which would receive our produce in ezChaqge ; an arrangement so inconsistent with the fuodaateotal principles of com- merce must greotly curtail our commercial intercourse with the United States, and would, in the opinion of this House, maierially. diminish our exports to that ccmniry* and 'prove most iujurious to the agrjctUtiiral and. eommercial interests of ibis Island, ** 2. That if the relative cinumstancM of Canada and this Island' ren* dweda Union praotieable, the evident injusiioe o( the terms agried to by: the Quebec Cooveniioo-wottid prevent their being ratified bythe Legisla- ture of this Island.- Without alluding toall, itf is proper to notice come of the objeptionable- features of the Report. Without adiuiiting the prineipio of Reprecentation according, to Population nuder'all circumstances to b0 sound, it is, in the opinion of this House* particularly objectionable as ap- plied to this Idland in ooonexion with Canada, taking. iiito consideration that the number of our inhabitants is, and must continue compartttively small^ owing to the fact that we have no Crown Lands', mines, minerals, or other resources sufficient to induce immigrants to ssttle here, and that we ' never can expect to become to aoy extent a manufacturing people iii con* eeqqenoe of onr navigation being closed for nearly.ha'fthe year, and all trade and communication with other "Countries stopped. Under tUts prin- oiple,' ibeCtty 'of 'Mt>iktrtet'albn0wioaldi>at the presetit time, hKve^a vtpire-' sentation greaier than the whole Frovince of Prinee Edward Island, and. under' tbfl' provisidnii of the Cd'nventidn which regulates th4 ntodo'of rd* adjusdog tberelaliire representation of tbo varioos' Provinces at each de> cennial ceosiis, looking at the rapid Ipcreabe of the Population of Upper dnd iLbwer Canada biretoft^re,— partictilkriy (b6 former,— and the certainty of a jtiil'gneator increase therein inthi future,' over -that of tho'populatioii of this Islandr it follows as a certain and inevitable consequence, if a Fo* deration of^ the ProviOces were consummated ui^oo the basis of ' thd said CcnventioQ^ (ha* the nnniber of oni ReptesentHtives' would, in the coarse of a comparatively short number of years, be diminished to a still smaller number than that allo'ttedht the outset 'to iii. ** 8i That tht old Imperial error in g|f»ntiog.«H the lands in largo tracts to absentees, which deprives this Island oi the Bevenue drawn by the sister ColonieB from; these Bodrees*; oar* iiisulaV position' ard ntfmeroTud harbors,' fumiebing icheap and oonveniAut wAter codbunfeaifioni whidb render, expensive Public Works here unnecessary; the Bevenue to bo drifWn -by the proposed Federal Oov«rQmen1l frbm^ tbia Island/ and 'et^' ponded among, the people of Canada and the other' Colonies in oonstraoiinl'g Railways and other Public WorkS; thereby qreating 4 trade which would build up cities and enhaDoe the tike dlp(Qp«^iiHT4lHO«s'ioidAUtlet(U^i ;• . m ins CONFED&AATIdN QUB&TI027. , ,', — adT«a>*gM ia wtiieh this Island could enjoy • Terysmall ^rtlclpatiott;> ovr oomplMe isolatioB daring fite nlonth^ of the jemri when ioe interiUfttf' oor trade ft«d coamiaAieation with the Mainland, and daring which period the Isiand eoaid derive no possible howtit from the Railroads and other Pttblio Worka which they would be (equally wVih th« people of lb'»s» Oolonies) taxed to ooostruet.—these and many other oonelderationi.itttlf which eeea X6 have been entirely ignored, ought, in the opinien of t ii»' House, to have produced an offer of a fiAaacial arraogemeot foir t!^li< Island very different in its terms from that contained in the Bepotl of tho' Coniention. .n. .^ a». »..■.,,>; j *> 4. That 'While' this Houae reeogniisa the dtity of tW Obldn)^'t6'ti^' every meatte, to the extent of its limited resoiuroes, to deftind it« inhabitanta from foreign invasion, it cannot reoogniie the ne^Miity of nilillog inn Confi^eration with Oanada for the porpoae of defence, upon tdrmi which, in other respects, are in the opinion of this IlOuse, so unfair to the people' ofPrinee Edward Island— thus saoriScing our commereial atid Unandal intiereaia for tHe sake of scouring the co*operntion of Canada in n military* ptnnt of view; feeling assured that so long as we remiiin » loyal and attached Colony of Qreat Britain, the powerful aid' of that great country' wtU continue, as heretofore, to be extended to us, in common with thoothei* North American Dependeneien of the British Crown. ** Lastly, Batdved, That this House disagrees td this recoihmtadatiobi of the Quebec Convention, and on the part of Prince EdWard Island em-' phatieally deelioes a Union which, after a seriotis and carefiil copsidera- tton, it believes would prove politically, comiuercially apd financially dia-' astroaa td the rights and interests of its people.*' A joint address to the Queen, from the Legistatite Couficil and Assembly, founded upon these resolutions,' was prepared. The address concluded with the prayer : *' That Her Majesty would be graciously pleased not tOi give the Royal assent to any act or measure founded upjDa' the resolutions or report of the Quebec Conference, or otherwise that would have the effect of uniting Pritice Edward Island in a Political Union with Canada, or any other of Her Majesty's Provinces in America." On the Committees appointed to prepare this address were the Honorable Edward Palmer, the Honorable George Coles and the Honorable A. A. McDonald, who, while in Canada as Delegates, had either signed the Report of the Conference, or publicly advocated the Umoit of the Pro- viooes which that report proposed. rt 9tIE OORFEDBRATION QUESTION. 17 >m A General Election was held in New Branswick in March, 1865, which resulted in the defeat of the Qovern- ment and the return of a majority opposed to Confederation. *■ On the 24th June, 1865, the following Despatch from Mr. Cardwell was sent to the Governors of the several Provinces : — *' I have the honor to tranemtt to you the Copy of a CorreeipoDdenee between Viscount Mooek and myself on the afiairi of Britisli North Anerioa, which have lately formed the 8ut>jeot of conferences between Her Majesty's Government and a Deputation from the Canadian Goyeromeni. '* This Correspondence having been presented to both Housea of tho Imperial Parliament by command of Her Majesty, 1 have to direct you to communicate it also to the Logislature of Prince Edward Island at its ce^t meeting. \ '* You will, at the same time, express the strong and deliberate opinion of Her Msjesty^s Government, thar it is an object much to be desired that nil tho British North American Colonics should agree to unite io one Government. In the territorial extent of Canada, and ic the maritima and commercial enterprise of the Lower Provinces, Her Majesty^s Gov- ernment see the elements of power which only require to be cohibined ia order to secure for the Provinces, which shall possess them all, a place among the most consiJorable communities of the world. In the spirit of loyalty to the British Crown, of attachment to British connection, and of love tor Briiidh Institutions, by which till the Provinces are animated alike. Her Majesty*8 Government recognise the bond by which all may be flombincd under one Govemmeot. Such an Union seems to Her Majesty's Government to recommend itself to the Provinces on many grounds of moral and material advantage, aS giving a well founded prospect of im- proved admiflislration and increaeed prosperity. But there is one considera- tion which Her Majesty's Government feel it more especially their duty to press upon the Legislature of Prince Edward Island. Looking to the determination which this country has ever exhibited to regard the defisnee of the Colonies as a matter of Imperial concern, the Colonies must re- eogniie a right, hikI even acknowleidge an obligation incumbent on the Home Government to tsrge, with earnestness and just authority, the mea- sures which they consider to bo most expedient on the part of the Colonies with a view to their own defence. Nor can it be doubtful that the Pro- vinces of British North America are incapable, when separate and divided from each other, of making those just and sufficient preparations for ma- ter iu I defence which would be easily undertaken by a Province uniting in Itself all the population und all tho resources of tho whole. *■ I am aware that this project, so povcl as well as so important, has not been at once accepted io Prince Edward Island with that cordiality wh'ch baa marked its acceptance by the Legislature of Canada, but Her Ma- jesty's Government trust, that after a full and careful examination of tho subject in all its bcaHngs, the Maritime ProviDces will pereeive tho groat 8 - I ^8 TilE CONFEDERATION aUESTlON, !.' <■» :'•:%' advaDtflgea wh'rahi in tho opinion oP Her Majesty '■ GloverniQeot, lliopro- pOEed Ihiion is oftloulated to oopfer upon them all.'* The House of Assembly of Prinoe! Edward Island con-' sidercd this despatch in May, 18G6, and replied thereto by the address following : — ? M *'To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, ' "Mat IX PLBASB Your Majbsty; " We. ¥oa^ Majcstji's dutiful und lojal (>a(>}eei», the House of Aoaembfy of Priooe Edward Island, haying had uuder considerutioD (he Message of His Exoelletiey the Lieutenant (Joveriiori cotninunicatin^ a Despatch dat^d .the24tb day of June Ust, from the Right Honorablt) J^dward CardwoFr* Secretary of S^ate, for the Coloiiiul Department, upon tho su'juot of a Fa- doration of i^e B^itidh North American Provinces — ^bcg leave to approach Your Majesty for the purpose of expressing our respeotf'ul but deliberate opinion that any Union of the Bntish North Ameriuun Coloniea, which ^otlld eOibrace Prince Edward Island, upon the terms and prinoiples sel ibrth in the R^<4olutions of tho Conference of Quebec, held on the lOth October! 1864, would not bnlv be unjust to the itihabiianls of this Colony, but prove dieaitrooa to their dearest and wost cherished rights und iotereeta US a free peoplo* enjoying the blessings of a priceless oonstituiion, guarau- feed to them by the imperial Government of Qreat Britain. "That, considering the isolated, peculiar ftnd exceptional ptsiiion of Prince Edward Inland, as coat^iasled with the other liritieh North Aiueri- oan Provinces and Colonies, this House deems it to bo its duty, as the GoDstitutioQftl Hepreseutative of the people of Prinoe Edward Island, to re-affirm the decision so clearly and unequivocally declared by this Uoua* in the Besolutions passed by it, in its last Session, upon the subject of a Union of the British North American Culonies, and afterwards oomiuunir Gated by the joint Address of the Legislative Council and Uuu^e of Asr Betnbly or this Colony to Her Majesty's Imperial Qovernmeot ; and far* tber, that even if a Union of the Continental Proviuoes of Driiish North Aoierica would have the effect of strengthening and binding more oloaeljF together these Provinces, and advaooiog their uiatcriul and ooinmoi;ctat interests, this lluuse cannot admit thut a Federal Union of tho Nortb American Provinces and CoIunL's, which woujd include Prinoe Edward Island, could ever be accomplished upon termj thut would prove advaota* geous to the ioterest^ and well being of the people of tbio Island, cut oQ find separated as it is^ and mu^t evur remain, from the nvigbbouriug Pro* vinoes, by an immovable barrier of ice for many months in the year; AND THIS HOUSE DEEMS IT TO BE ITS SACKED AND IMPEUA* TIVE DUTY TO DECLARE ITS CONVICTION THAT ANY FEDERAL UNION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES THAT WOULD EMBRACE THIS ISLAND WOULD BE A3 HOSTILE TO THE FEELINGS AND WISHES, AS IT WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THE BEbT AND MOST VITAL INTERESTS OF ITS PEOPLE. ,/ ^ ,^^^ . 'K THEJ COl^FEDBllATION QUESTION. iW <• Wo beg farther reBpcolfuUy to state, that whilo thiii House iinbct vsscDt to a Federal Unioa of this Islind with the other Cjloiiiod, they re* cogtiizj it to bo the duty of thi^ Colony to contribute from its local Uovonues, towards its defence, iii fair and just proportton to its means, j •' We do, ihorefoie, most humbly praj that Your Mujosty will bo graci- ously plejscd net to give Your Itiyul Smiotioa to any Act or Measure founded upon the basis of liio Roport of the Qucbeo Oonforoooe, pr otber> wise, tbut would have the effect of uniting Prinoo Edward Island in a Federal Union with Canada or aay other of Your Miijesty's Provraoos in ▲«ieri«a.*' The advocates of Confederation — seven in mimber — three being Members of the Administration — supported the* resolutions following, which were moved by thei Honorable Mr. ^Yhelan in amendment to the resolutions upon tvhicUI the foregoing address to Her Mtijosty was founded- :f-*.yMt.<> ** Resolved, As the opinion of this House, that the Confederation of< Her Majesty's An?erican Colonial PoesL>»ioDa would be, — while iu con^ formity wi'h Her Majesty's frequently expressed desire — conducive to their welfare, separately and collectively. And this House believes that a plaa «f Confederation might bo so framed as not to involve the sacrifice of any inateriui interests on the part of any Province ; but ina<«muoh as the^ people of Priuoe KJward Inland do not ap[>ear to bo prepared to regard with any favor the projeot of Confederatiooi it is unwise to press it upon public at« tcntion. as its discusi^ion is only calculated to Mrodocd excitement and ap« prehension, without reasonable caase. •* And further resolved^ as the opinion of this Iloase, that there should be no vote pushed by the Legislature] of this country in favor of a Confedcr« •tion of the Provinces until the people shall first be afforded an opportiini^ tjr of ptonguDoiug their judgment on the question, at a general Election." < - The course pursued by the seven Members of the As^ ^embly in opposition to the address if the majority, waa approved by a number of geuilemen holding honorable positions in the Oolony, who presented to them a very complimentary address. The address was headed by the name of the Honorable Thomas Heath Haviknd, Mayor of thejCity, by whom it was presented. uj Ui »:>..... siii Prince Edward Island,' shortly after its acqiilsitfbtt'' by England, was attached to Nova Scotia, which was then bounded by Maine on one side, and by Canada on another. Lord William Campbell was, by Royal Letters Patent, 20 TUE COM7EDBRATI0M QUS6T10N. dated 17th Aqgust, 1766, appointed Cnptatn-General and Governor-in- chief of Nova Scotia, including the Island of Gape Breton, ** the Island of Saint John, (P. E. Island), and all the other Islands within six leagues of the coast." By Royal Letters Patent, bearing date 4th August, 1760, 80 much of the above recited Letters Paitent of the 17th August, 1766, as related to, or mentioned, the Island of Saint John, (P. E. Island), was revoked, and Walter Pat- terson was constituted and appointed Captain-General and Commander-in-chief in and over the Island of Saint John. Mr. Patterson was required by His Majesty to execute the office of Governor according to the several powers and di- rections granted and appointed by his Commission — by the Boyal Instructions which accompanied such commission, and by such further Royal Instructions as should be granted or appointed. In the Royal Instructions which accom- panied Governor Patterson's Commission, four gentlemen were appointed a Council, to advise and assist the Governor in the administration of the affairs of Government, and authority was given to the Governor to add to this number of Councillors, by appointing such and so many persona, from among the principal Merchants and Proprietors of the Island, as should make up the number twelve. The Go- vernor was also empowered, with the advice of his Council, and as soon '*aB the situation and circumstances of the Island would admits" to summon and call general assemblies of the freeholders and planters of the I^sland — the persons elected to be called The Assembly. The Governor, by and with the advice of the Council and Assembly, or the major ^art of them, was authorised to make laws, statutes, and ordi- nances for the public peace, welfare and good governmentf of the Island — such laws not to be repugnant to the laws a|idstatute8of Great Britain. u^^ }i TUB COMFEDEBATiOM QUESnOM. 21 Powers to appoint jadgcs — to establish courts —in fine, to organize a Qovernment, were conferred upon Oaptuin- Qeneral Patterson. t f The Island was separated from Nova Scotia and thus established an independent Qovernment, at the instance of the grantees of its township lands. From the meeting of the first Legislature, until the pre- sent day, in this little dependency of the Grown, British institutions have too often been burlesqued. Less than thirteen months previously to Governor Patterson's ap- pointment the population of the Island was ascertained to be two hundred and seventy-ono — of which number two hundred and three were *' prisoners of war " — Acadians, who had escaped the deportation. The first Assembly met at Gharlottetown, ** Mercurrii, 1th Dicy Julii, A, D, 1773," and was prorogued *'8abbati Vlth Die, Julii, 1773.'' There is no record of the number of inhabitants in 1773. In 1774, in a despatch from Governor Patterson to Barl Hillsborough, the population of ** all ages and sizes, aooording to last return," is given at 1215. In 1805, thirty- two years after the meeting of the first legis- lature, the population of the Island was less than seven thousand souls. The first Assembly was composed of eighteen members— one member for every sixty men, wo- men and children. The House, after the delivery of the Governor's speech, adjourned for dinner. After dinner it was reported to the House ** that Edward Ryan, the door keeper, had, in the hearing of many of the members, made use of insolent and unbecoming language relating to this House, and very derogatory to the dignity of it.'' He was ordered to attend at the Bar of the House. He was heard in his defence, and it appearing that he was guilty of tbft. 22 TUB CONFEDERATION QUESTION. expressions laid to his charge, ho wiis handed ovor to'ilio Provost Marshal. ** Veneris 9 Die, JulU, A. D. 1773.'*' On this day it is recorded that Edward Ryap petittoncrY to be ngaiu brought to tho bar of tho House. Ho was brought to the bar — expressed sorrow for ids offence, and after debate, it was •* ordered that the said Edward ityan ask pardon of tho House upon his knees, and then to be dis- chirged.'* The said Edward Ri/an asked the pardon of the House upon his knees and was discharged accordingly. ■ The Legislature of 1773 — King, Lords, and CommoLf -^ assembled in a small tavern, the proprietor of whirli ^r.is^ duly remunerated, as appears from thg fdloul]!** appro- priation : — : . . < .rl o;i *'Resolved, That the sum of ono poaod be putd (out of tho firat pubi;^ moDitis), to James R'ohardsoa, for tho trouble »q<1 czpcnie oceasiooed by the meeting of this Assembly and the Board of Council in hia iJouao.'' This vindication of their dignity, against the assauU made upon it by Mr. Ryan, tho door keeper, wa^ tho first act of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edwfird I^^kpd. In 1839 the number of Representative^ was increikSjed tot twenty-four, and in 1855 still further increased to ^hirty«.i; The constitution of the Council remained unaltered from 1769 until 1839 — when it was changed by virtue of Royal Letters Patent, dated December, 1838, ^vhioh declared' that there should be thenceforward in Prince Edward Island two distinct Councils, to be callod the Legislative Council' and the Exeout've Council, and ihu\ th«^ pow^^^ of legiB-^ lation formerly vested in the Cjuticii buoaM be, and, were',' vested in the Legislative Council, and that all other powers whatever vested in the said Council should be vested in the Ex •u TUB CONFEDERATION QUESTION. 2'S The BoaU of mombcrs of tho Exccutlvo Council were in no respeot ufTootod by the nctiob of the Mouse of Assembly, until 1851, when Redponsiblo Govirim^ent, so cnUod, wus introduced into the Colony. 1 Ta lb5l Lieutenant Qovcruor lliinnt iman wasautliorizod by iuiirl Grey " to recotvatract the Exev^utire Council in such m»iuncv as to inuiudu those who possess the confidence of the Assembly." By an act previously pa^sscd by t.h« Legialature, for 'viaking provision for the paymeut of t^e Civil List of the t lony, U was enacted : — ^^Tlmttho Aot thouli} nut go into rfiuct unions, Bmoa;; other iOgd, '*a system of Gnternment' similar to that nfiw in force in 'he V, rinca of Canada, New Brunstvick. and Nota Scotia shall be granti to. o d fslal4ished in. this Lland.^' This Act was refused the B'^yaX Confirmation, on ; of its containing this condition, and the Lieutcnat Go- veVnor was informed by Earl Oey that the change l. ho character of the Government o: the Island '* must re^ on the faith of the Crown,** I '.The area of Prince Edward lahmd is little over a milt-^n and a quarter of acres. Its populntion in 1861 was *tS3 then 81,(J00w»i . The Legislative Council — which has been, since 18GS elective— consists of thirteen L^ombers. The Assem- bly consists of thiity members, *dected under a system of luanheod suffl-age. The payment' of taxes for the maintenance of highways, to which every male person in the Island between the ages of sixteen and sixty is liable — and which are less than two shillings sterling per head— eonstitutes a qualifioation to vote for the election of mem- bers of Assembly. Only one member of the present Ex- ecutive, the Colonial Secretary, holdsan office of emolument. The Legislative Council and Assembly vote annually t^'enty Illj I > 24 TUB CONFEDERATION QUESTION. pounds sterling to each member for attendance, together with a small sum additional, as travelling expenses, to those who reside at a distance from the capitsil. Thu salary of the Colonial Secretary is one hundred and sixty-six pounds six shillings and eight pence sterling per annum, exclusive of sixty-six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, the salary of an Assistant or Deputy. The only effective military force in the Golon> consists of two Companies of Infantry, which were sent here in 18C5, in order to maintain the Queen's authority, which was openly set at defiance. This Military Police has been maintained in the Island at the expense of the tax-payers of Great Britain. The local Militia, with the^^exception of a few Companies, can scarcely be said to exist even upon paper. And inasmuch as a law passed by the Legislature in its last session, (Act 29 Vic. cap. 2), expressly provides that ** the Militia shall not be compelled to leave this Is- t land,'' it matters little, in the opinion of the writer, whether the inhabitants of the Island are instructed in military drill or otherwise, so long, at least, as this extraordinary enactment remains in force. The Island surrendered to the British on th} fall of Louisburg in 1758. It cannot defend itself by any force within the Colony, and in the event of' war must share the fate of the larger Provinces to which it is contiguous, prince Edward Island, the writer assumes, can only be defended upon the sea, and on the soil of Canada and New Brunswick. A year's revenue would not sufBce to purchase one Gun Boat, and the Legis- lature has declared that the Militiu shall not be compelled to do military service, in the only place where they could efficiently perform such service — beyond the shores of the little I-slaad. THE CONPEDERAMON QUESTION. 25 The Legislaturo of this small Colony, which is totally incapable of defending itself — when told by Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies that union with the ad- joining Provinces is essential to its defence, and that the Colony must acknowledge an obligation incumbent upon the Home Government to urge with earnestness and just authority the measures which they consider most expedient on the part of the Colonies for their own defence — defiant- ly replies, that the people of the island will not agree to union upon any terms-^that union with the other Provinces would be hostile to the people of Prince Edward Island, and that the will of the people who elected them, and not the policy of the Imperirl Parliament, shall guide their eonducl. ^lifH Attorney General of the Colony — the Honorable Ed Ward Palmer — in his place in the Legislative Gouncil, in the Session of 1866, supported an address to Her Ma- jesty the Queen — in answer to Mr. Cardwell's dejpatch of 24th of June, 1865 — in which the following paragraph occurs : — ■■KI''( n ,♦ " We do not deem it iDoonststeat with the most devoted and loyal at> tachment to joar Majesty's Persoa and GovernmeDt to declare our firm coDviotioDi that io deliberating upon a question so serioasly affecting the liberty, happiness, and prosperity of ihe inhabitantn of tbia Colony, we ooght to be guided mainly by the *' well understood wishes of the people *' whom we represent, even should their wishes, unfortunately, confliot, as in the present in:itance, with the declared ** policy " of your M'ajosty's Gov- GiUment for the time being, — the inhabitants of this Colony being, in our opinion, fully competent to decide upon so vital a question as the Consti- tution of the country in which their lot has been oast, and the means best adapted to promote and perpetuate the stability and prosperity of that QOUDtry.*' • There is in Prince Edward Island a small minority — consisting for the most part of educated men — who have the independence to avow that they consider it the duty of the people of the Island to assent to the Confederation 1 26 THE CONFEDERATION QUESTION* !■ ! desired by Her Majesty's Government, as well as by a majority of their fellow colonists. The masses, however, arei hostile to any union, whether legislative or federal, and it may be assumed, that no inducement will cause them to give their assent to union with Canada. The people have been led to believe that the Home Government will not force them into Confederation ; and they console them* selves with the reflection, that if forced into Confederation* tjiey will at least be allowed the benefits offered by the Quebec resolutions, and wHl lose nothing iby their opf position., . ^ ;i«'fT \r. t^ls■ ^ : :: ■■':■' , t Jhe writer assumes it as highly probable, that in a few months an act for the Union \of. the British' North American Colonies will be submitted byt Go- vernment to tlie Imperial Parliament. Will this lit- tle Ijsland of less than ninety thousand ;inhabitant3 be allowed to remain out of a Union, which Her Majesty's Ministers — the British public — and the great majority of the three millions nine hundred thousand,, who, with the people of Prince Edward Island ,„comprise Her Majesty's subjects, inhabiting the Atlantic Colonies of North America — consider as absolutely essential to the preservation of the connection of the Colonies with the mother country, and of their Monarchical Institutions-r-the developemcnt of their vast resources, and their advance-, ment as a great commiZTcial people? It is very difficult to believe that Her Majesty's Ministers will hesitate to' legislate this insignificant but most troublesome dependeU'r. cy into the Union on terms just and fair. The pecuniary' advantage of which the ' Confederacy wotild be deprived, were the Island to: be allowed to retain its independenoe, would be very trifling indeed, but not trivial would be the evils, which, in the event of such a contingency^ ¥ioul(l TIIB CONFEDBRATION QUESTION, rosdlt to iho Confederacy. One of these evils u^ay be mentioned. The Island, which is separ^ttec} frpm the con* tinent by a narrow strait, would assuredly be made the basis of smuggling operations, which would mo^t seriously 'Effect the revenues of the Confederacy. There is another consideration which, in the writer's oplriion, sbouM induce the Home Government to annex the Island to the other Colonies : It is the approaching equalization of the poli- tical parties who divide the Colony by their conten- tions for power, whioh, in a few years, will result in dead-locks, and thus render impossible all useful legisla- tion. In 1859 a general election was followed by the re- turn of a party supporting the Government of the day, numerically greater than the party in opposition by one only. The writer opposed the introduction into the Colony of Responsible Government, and aftet fifteen years expe- rience he is satisfied that his opposition was well founded. Under no other system than that of self Government was it desirable, or indeed possible that the larger Colonies could be governed, but to allow seventy thousand Colonists, chiefly without education, to elect representatives under a system of universal suffrage, and to introduce Party Government, under which every office in the Colony of the value of five pounds a year is bestowed as a reward for political services — on the repub- lican principal, that '* to the victors belong the spoils," was not calculated to secure the enactment of judicious laws, or to promote the interests of the Colony. The opinion generally obtains among the advocates of Confederation, that the financial adjustment of the Quebco Scheme is not just to Priuee Edward Island. This opinion is not, however, sh;irewan, p. E. I., December, 1S66. (;•' ; m ■Mn. r^-ir id in Jera- isty's n ». • •>'; ' -'J ■ ^ :'.i I'