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BRITISH NORTH-AMERICAN 
 
 ^ssotiation. ,j, 
 
 t ■• i :■ 
 
 
 ■ ''v:i^j: 
 
 1»UBLIC MEETING 
 
 AT THR 
 
 LONDON TAVERN, 
 
 AITOUST 13tH, 1862. ' 
 
 K. W. CKAWtoUt), ESQ., M. P., 
 
 IX THE CHAIR. 
 
 
 LONDON 
 
 18G2. 
 
PRESENT!- 
 
 The Hon. A. T. Qalt, late Finance Minister of Canada. 
 
 The Hon. B. Wier, of Nova Scotia. 
 
 The Hon. R. B. Dickey, of Nova Scotia. 
 
 John Boyd, Esq., of New Brunswick. 
 
 T. Daniels, Esq., of New Brunswick. 
 
 The Hon. A. T. Langley, of Vancouver Island. 
 
 The Hon. John Bevebley Robinson, of Canada, M.P.P. 
 
 H. Hamilton, Esq... of Canada, M.P.P. 
 
 B. Chambbrlin, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Baring, Esq., M.P. 
 
 The Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P. 
 
 The Right Hon. E. P. Bodverie, M.P. 
 
 T. W. Weouelin, Esq., M.P. 
 
 Wm. Scholepield, Esq., M.P. 
 
 H. Danby Seymour, Esq., M.P. 
 
 Geo. O. Qlyn, Esq., M.P. 
 
 Robert Gillespie, Esq., Jun. 
 
 John Chapman, Esq. 
 
 H. WoLLASTON Blake, Esq. 
 
 Wm. Murdoch, Esq, 
 
 Robert Baxter, Esq. 
 
 J. Capel, Esq. 
 
 Captain Mangles. 
 
 Wm. Chapman, Esq. 
 
 Geo. Carh Glyn, Esq., M.P. 
 
 K, D. Hodgson, Esq., M.P. 
 
 J. Pope Hennessy, Esq., M.P. 
 
 Captain Jervis, M.P. 
 
 Stephen Cave, Esq., M.P. 
 
 Wm. Newmarsh, Esq., F.R.S. 
 
 Robert Carter, Esq. 
 
 H. D. Blyth, Esq. 
 
 Geo. Frederick Young, Esq, 
 
 Edward Watkin, Esq. 
 
 J. H. Mackenzie, Esq. 
 
 J. M. Grant, Esq. 
 
 M. Spofforth, Esq. 
 
 Major Campbell, C.B. 
 
 Henry Abbott, Esq ^ of Canada. 
 
 D. L. Macphersox, Esq. 
 
 C. S. GzowsKi, Esq. 
 
 G. MoLiNEUx, Esq. 
 
 B. Baker, Esq. 
 
 Wm. Hartridge, Esq. 
 
 H. MONTGOMERIE, Esq. 
 
 P. Cazenove, Esq. 
 P. S. CoxE, Esq. 
 Wm. Agoas, Esq. 
 F. Algar, Esq. 
 A. Greenhorne, Esq. 
 M. Chowne, Esq. 
 Charles Bischofp, Esq. 
 James Hodges, Esq. 
 A. M. Wier, Esq. 
 J. W. Cbace, Esq. 
 
BRITISH NORTH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 \ 
 
 PUBLIC MEETING 
 
 A.T THE XjOTSriDCDJSr T A. V E I^ r^, 
 
 AUGUST 13TII, 1862. 
 
 ROBERT WIGRAM CRAWFORD, Esq., M.P., in the Chair. 
 
 The Chairman : — Gentlemen, I need not remind you, at all 
 events the majority of those present, that a meeting was held in 
 this house in the latter part of the month of January last, when 
 it was determined to form an institution, under the name of the 
 British North- American Association, for the purpose of affording, 
 amongst other things, a place of meeting and of re-union for 
 gentlemen connected with the North-American provinces in this 
 country, and for giving them an opportunity of seeing each other 
 when they came here, and of meeting gentlemen in this country 
 also interested in these provinces, and, in point of fact, of affording 
 all who are in any way interested in these provinces, of meeting 
 together at some acknowledged place of rendezvous, where they 
 might, apart from politics or any other consideration of that kind, 
 freely discuss matters relating to British North America, The 
 idea received considerable encouragement from gentlemen in 
 this country. It was warmly supported, and, in point of fact, 
 there are few gentlemen who have an interest in British North 
 America who have not joined the Association. Many meetings 
 have been held, rules have been adopted, a committee has been 
 formed, and, at the present moment, the Association may be con- 
 
Bidered to be salisfactorily CBtablished- On the other side of the 
 water, howeyer, it has not yet received that full amount of support 
 which might hare been desired, owing, probably, to Mr. Vankoughnet 
 being promoted, on his return to Canada, to a high position on the 
 bench, and to other events which have occurred in Canada, to elec- 
 tions going on, and to a variety of other considerations. One of the 
 objects of this meeting is, I think, rather to remind our friends on 
 the other side of the Atlantic of the establishment of the Association, 
 and to point out to them by what we may here say to-day, that it 
 ought to be an object with them to give us the full support of the 
 various provinces in such a way as may seem best to them to give it. 
 We have leceived from gentlemen very handsome support in a 
 pecuniary point of view. We have a good many subscribers to the 
 Association, and we have also a considerable number of gentlemen 
 who have commuted an annual subscription for a fixed sum. On the 
 whole, we have a fair foundation established for the Association. 
 But it may be said, that an institution of this kind can hardly bo 
 expected to succeed, unless it proceeds to show in some way that it 
 can make itself of practical use. Many events and circumstances 
 havo occurred daring the last few months, which show that an 
 Association such as this may be made exceedingly useful. Various 
 subjects important to the interests of the various colonies have 
 arisen. I need not refer to more than one or two of them, — such 
 as the proposed luter-Colonial Railway, and that other great ques- 
 tion of emigration to Canada, which will more or less engage the 
 utmost attention of this Association, in the way of giving information 
 to persons desirous to go abroad, which they cannot obtain in any 
 other way. It is true that they can go to the office of the Grand 
 Trunk Railway and seek that information, but we know that persons 
 of the general character of emigrants going abroad are rather suspi- 
 cious^ in their way, of receiving information of that kind. They 
 naturally think that, in going to the Grand Trunk Railway, the only 
 object of the railway is to procure traffic, and to obtain part of the 
 sum which they would have to pay for going abroad, as part of their 
 
receipts. It occurs to us who have been engaged in the formation 
 of this Association, that it would be a decided advantage to 
 emigrants going abroad, to know that they could come to the office of 
 the Association, and there receive information of an authentic cha- 
 racter, upon which they could rely, which would be to them a foun- 
 dation of views upon which they would go and colonise in any of 
 these provinces. Vast numbers of emigrants arc still leaving and 
 going to the Australian colouies, many of whom, I believe, if 
 they could have been correctly informed of what awaited them in 
 Canada or the other provinces, of the advantages they would there 
 receive, would perhaps have directed their steps in that direction. 
 That is one of the advantages that this Association holds out to in- 
 tending emigrants. Then again, with regard to the Inter-Colouial 
 Railway, I know the great advantage that there is in the prosecution 
 of designs of this kind, which are intended, not for the purpose so 
 much of individual benefit, as for great national objects, in having the 
 support of large establishments, consisting of persons whose interests 
 are bound up in the colony or province to which the proposed enter- 
 prise is intended to apply. I have myself, during the Parliamentary 
 session, been actively engaged, in common with many other friends, 
 in pressing this question on the attention of the Government; and the 
 Government have been good enough, as you are aware, to give the 
 matter their consideration, and they have addressed a despatch to the 
 various Governments abroad, which has placed before those Govern- 
 ments distinctly the views of the Imperial Government upon the 
 question. I think it would be of some advantage to the various 
 legislatures, if they were to know that the proposition made by the 
 Government has met with general support and concurrence in this 
 country. I need hardly go into the merits of this question now. 
 The whole subject has been thoroughly well discussed ; but, as we are 
 met together, it would not be out of place if some reference is made 
 to that proposed railway, with a view to show our friends on the 
 other side of the Atlantic that public interest in this country is 
 strongly directed to the question, and that we view the establishment 
 

 of a great lino of railway communication, independent altogether of 
 American relations, with great interest, and that there is a strong 
 desire to see our fiiends warmly take up the question, and adopt the 
 suggestions of Her Majesty's Government. There is another reason 
 why we may fairly invite gentlemen who are interested in these 
 colonies to meet here to-day. Several gentlemen have come over to 
 this country, partly to see the Exhibition, who have kindly signified 
 to us their desire to be present here to-day. Mr. Gait has been kind 
 enough to come here, and I think, considering the objects for which 
 the Association was formed, it would not be out of place if Mr. Gait 
 is afforded an opportunity cf giving us any information in reference 
 to the affairs of the province with which he is connected, which he 
 may think fit to do. It is not necessary for me to occupy your time 
 by going into the many questions of general interest which occur at 
 this moment in connection with our colonies. The object of the 
 meeting is to promote the objects of the Association, and I think we 
 may fairly invite any gentleman who has anything to say in relation 
 to British North America, to address the meeting, that we may show, 
 not only to the people in this country, but to our friends on the 
 other side of the water, that the British North- American Association 
 has been formed for purposes of practical utility. (Hear) My friend 
 Mr. Kinnaird, who takes great interest in all matters relating to the 
 North -American colonies, and who devotes a great deal of time, with 
 much benefit, to matters relating to the colonies generally, is desirous 
 of offering some observations to the meeting. I will therefore call 
 upon him to move the first resolution. (Cheers.) 
 
 Mr. Kinnaird, M.P. : — I entirely agree with the remarks which 
 have fallen from you, and I am happy to have an opportunHy of 
 expressing the satisfaction we have in seeing Mr. Gait and our other 
 friends this day amongst us. I have great pleasure in moving the 
 first resolution. I am equally glad that these gexitlemen are now 
 visiting us, because you are all aware that a debate took place in our 
 House of Commons late in the session, when few members were 
 
prooent, aud some misapprehension may exist that what was said by 
 a few members might bo interpreted as being the feeling of the 
 House. My friend Mr. T. Baring happily was in the House, and 
 did express what I believe to be the decided sense of the majority of 
 both Houses of Parliament, and the, feeling prevailing in this country. 
 There is not the slightest diminution of interest in the North- 
 American colonies on the part of Englishmen. Quite the rovorso. 
 Becent events which have occurred have united and cemented those 
 bonds stronger aud stronger, aud the expressions made use of in the 
 House, which might have been mistaken for the opinion of that body, 
 are in reality only the expressions of a few. I am convinced that 
 tho people of this country are anxious to maintain the most cordial 
 and friendly relations with those great and noble provinces which are 
 attached to this realm. I was present, in January, when we founded 
 this Association, and I can assure our friends that we have not been 
 idle since then. We have done much^ and the result of the exertions 
 of the Association, as regards the Inter-Colonial Railway, in pressing 
 upon the Government the necessity of rendering assistance, is the pro- 
 position made by the Duke of Newcastle. I think we are greatly 
 indebted to the Duke of Newcastle. He has shown personally the 
 M'^armest interest in the object, and 1 believe it is owing to his per- 
 sonal exertions in this matter that it has been brought to what I 
 will assume to be a happy issue, because it will form the basis of 
 negociation, the result of which will be the formation of that im- 
 j)ortant communication which both countries have so earnestly wished 
 to have. (Hear.) The resolution which I have to propose is as 
 follows: — , , . .. w 
 
 ** That this meeting has heard with satisfaction, that a convention is to bo 
 " held in Quebec, early in the ensuing month, of delegates from the several 
 "British North -American provinces, to consider the liberal proposition made 
 " by the Duke of Newcastle, in his despatch of the 12th of April last, with 
 " refer, nee to the Inter -Colonial Railway ; and it desires to express the hope 
 " that necessary measures for carrying out this important national under- 
 " taking will be then adopted." 
 
8 
 
 I hope our friondg who will be present at that convention will ex- 
 press the deep interest felt in this country in the promotion of thin 
 Inter-Oolonial Kailway communication. I share entirely the feelin^jn 
 expressed by Mr. Baring in this matter, that it is of immense im- 
 portance to this country to keep up the most intimate relations with 
 her North- American provinces, and that, so far from there being tho 
 slightest feeling in this country of a desire for severance between 
 those colonies, the closer we can maintain those ties, even at a great 
 expense, the better it will be for ua. That, I have no hesitation in 
 saying, is the feeling of the vast majority of people in this country. 
 (Hear.) I trust that the result of this Inter-Oolonial communication 
 will be to increase the trade of the two oountrieu, and also to main- 
 tain in the firmest possible manner those bonds which we all so greatly 
 rejoice in. (Cheers.) 
 
 Mr. Pope Hennessy, M.P. : — I beg to second the resolution. I do 
 not regret that a number of members of Parliament are absent on 
 this occasion. The whole question, as far as Oanada is concerned, is 
 not a political, but a commercial question. It is worthy of observa- 
 tion, that whenever the interests of our foreign dependencies have 
 been at stake, it has been through the influence of politicians, and 
 not of commercial men. I have heard some talk about representa- 
 tives from Canada sitting in our Parliament here. Such a proposition 
 showed that some channel of communication was wanted between 
 ourselves and our colonies ; but it also showed a great want of the 
 knowledge how to remedy the defect. It is a great mistake to ima^ 
 gine that that representation should be parliamentary and political. 
 What we want is a commercial representation of the kind afforded by 
 this Association, and particularly that mutual representation of which 
 we find in this re'iolution such an example, as the gathering together 
 of delegates in Quebec for the purpose of considering important points 
 connected with this question. (Hear.) 
 
 The resolution ^ as then put from the chair and carried unanimously. 
 The Chairman then called upon Mr. Gait to propose the next resolution. 
 

 
 Mk. Oalt, wlio wjisvory kvarmly i-eceiveJ, »aicl :— -1 am thankful to 
 be portnittcd this opportunity ofadiltesning the Association, und t uni 
 tlio moi'o pleased that the opportunity hns bren nffonlfd mo of propon- 
 ing a resolution to this mooting which oxprt'SHca tlio confidence that wo 
 colonints have in the administration of the Duke of Newcastle. I 
 am particularly ghid that I am permitted now to address this meeting 
 of an Association which has been organised for the purpose of giving 
 correct information to the people of England with refo ronce to iho 
 colonies, because on no previous occasion lioa there been greater 
 necessity for that information to be given. It is unfortunately the 
 case, that frequently misapprehension arises in regard to the colonlefl, 
 —-mistakes, not of the heart, but of thehead. They re-act, unfortunately, 
 upon your fellow subjects abroad; and tend to produce a state of feel* 
 ing which every one must deprecate. I am glad to have heard from 
 Mr. Kinnaird, that the tone and sentiments adopted in the House 
 of Commons and the House of Lords wore not the sentiments which 
 actuated the peojde of this country. I am certain that the senti- 
 nieuti) which were imputed to Canada and the other provinces were 
 equally erroneous. On this subject I can speak with some assurance: 
 having been a member of the Administration by which the Militia 
 Bill was propcjed, I cannot be supposed to speak in any way that 
 would tend to convey a false impression of the feeling of Canada on this 
 subject. Notwithstanding the Government of which t was a member 
 was defeated, that defeat in no respect marked the feeling of Canada as 
 in any way altered from the time when the 7'rent difficulty occurred. 
 We have our difficulties in Canada, the same as yoi< have here. Wo 
 have our political parties, which take what, to them, appears the best 
 opportunity of attaining power, and no doubt making the improve- 
 ments which they think can be made in the administration of affiiirs. 
 Similar attempts are made in the House of Cummons here. Why, 
 not long ago, certain honourable gentlemen proposed a course with 
 reference to the armaments of the country, which, if adopted, would 
 undoubtedly have led to the retirement of the present Government ; 
 
10 
 
 but no one 8Ui>pospd that tl>ey were actuated by other than patriotic 
 motives. Equally so is it in Canada, I am qiilLo sure that no re- 
 i<ponse would be made in Canada to any attempt to break the con- 
 nection with this country, or to take any step to weaken it. It is 
 an unfortunate circumstance, that misapprehension should exist on 
 this sulyect, that it should receive utterance in the halls of the Legis- 
 lature, and receive th€ support of an influential part of the Press of 
 England, because it cdnnot fail to produce rejoinders on the other 
 «ide. lu order to settle questions of mutual obligation, it is necessary 
 that they should be approached with a degree of good temper and 
 mutual forbearance, and with a desire to promote thoso objects which 
 are common to all — the greatness of the empire to which we all 
 belong. I am glad that the formation of this Association has en- 
 abled me to make these remarks. I trust , that the influence of the 
 members of the Association will be in the direction of that good 
 understanding which ought not to be interrupted. In that way all 
 questions may be dealt with in a right spirit, and instead of Onter- 
 tainin^ '^ a moment the idea of severance, we shall see the united 
 strength of both used in promoting the objects which I believe are 
 promoted by the great power of England — the spread of civil and 
 religious liberty througlioat the world. (Cheers.) It would not 
 become me here to make reference to local politics. Here in England 
 we Canadians know no local politics. We feel that what affects 
 Canada affects all equally. I do not desire to offer au opinion in 
 regard to the course taken in Canada, further than to say tha' I 
 deeply regret that that course has been so greatly misunderstood in 
 this country. There are other siibjecta which have attracted atten- 
 tion in England, and which may be explained through the medium of 
 this Association. It may bo shown that the courso of legif^lation in 
 Canada towards Great Britain has not been that which has been 
 attributed to it; that it has not been hostile to the industrial interests 
 of the mother country, but that it has rather been endeavouring to 
 follow her, as rapidly as the state of affairs would permit, and to 
 adapt itself to the altered state of commercial business which has been 
 
il 
 
 induced by the free-trade legi.*l<vtion of England. All the geiillemon 
 ■who hear me must be tiware that it is but a few years since the fiscal 
 policy of England was that of protection. The change that, in tho 
 interests of the empire, was made, operated, for the moment, preju- 
 dicially to the colonies. They were not in a position to make those 
 changes instantly to accord with the mother country. I speak 
 more particularly with regard to Canada, because it has been 
 frequently quoted as having voted and systematically increased 
 duties on British goods, with a view to adopt a policy similar 
 to that of the United States. In considering this question it 
 is necessary to consider the condition of Canada such as it was a 
 few years ago, without canals or railways, and with very indifferent 
 roads. The cost of goods was necessarily augmented by the charges 
 of conveyance, and to that extent the ability of the people to become 
 the purchasers of Biitish goods was diminished. For the same 
 reason, the mode by wliich the payment was made for those goods 
 was diminished. The graia and tim.ber of Canada wei'e subject to 
 heavy charges before reaching the English market, while British 
 goods cost more to the consumer. The Government has, therefore, 
 pursued the policy of developing the channel of the river St. Law- 
 rence, so na to cheapen the means of communication. That has been 
 a policy which hds been systematicaUy adopteil. It was adopted first 
 in Upper Canada, and subsequently to the time of the union of th« 
 two provinces, it received the sanction of the Imperial Government, 
 by way of a guarantee of If millions sterling for the purpose of 
 completing the St. Lawrence canals — a guarantee, I may here observe, 
 that has been fully met by the Canadian people. The whole amount 
 of that advance is now in the hands of the British Government, for 
 the purpose of meeting tliat advance ; consequently not a sixpence has 
 ever been charged upon England for it. In addition to the outlay 
 exj)ended for this object, a large public debt has been necessarily 
 incurred by Canadi^ for the purpose of completing them — a public 
 debt which has been augmented by the neceirsity, forced upon ivs 
 i»y improved railway communication in the United States, of com- 
 
12 
 
 pleting railway communication also. 1 may say that the result of this 
 improvement has been to reduce the cost of conveying British goods 
 to the consumer to a minimum, and at the same time very largely 
 to augment the value of the bread-stuffs and timber with which we 
 pay for those goods. This result must be as beneficial to this 
 country as it has been to Canada. The fact is, that, whereas twenty 
 years ago the cost of conveying goods was nearly in the proportion of 
 100 per cent, of their value, it is now reduced probably to 15 or 20 
 per cent. The creation of this debt has obliged us to increase our 
 customs duties to meet it ; but those duties represent a much smaller 
 charge than what was represented by the cost of conveying goods 
 formerly. Therefore, although there may be a duty of 15 or 20 per 
 cent, levied on British goods, still the amount of charge on those 
 goods is much less than it would have been if the duty and means of 
 transport had remained as they were fifteen years ago. The policy of 
 Canada has been one not merely beneficial to our own people, but 
 really beneficial in developing trade with England. The proof of 
 this is found in the enormous increase which has taken place, which 
 is still going on, and which has not been materially affected by any 
 legislation which Canada has adopted. It may be said that it was 
 possible to make provision for the public debt other than by customs 
 duties. To that it might be sufficient to answer, that, in a new 
 country, it is almost impossible to impose direct taxation. It is diffi- 
 cult even in England. If objections are felt here and they are made 
 here, gentlemen may be certain that, in a new country like Canada 
 with a sparse population, it world be next to impossible to collect 
 direct taxes. There was, therefore, no way to raise the necessary 
 taxes but by customs duties. Now, in reference to the imposition 
 of customs duties, it is obvious that their amount has to be fixed 
 with reference to the tariff of the United States. With a land frontier 
 of nearly 1000 miles, it would be plainly impossible, with a whole 
 army of custom-house officers, to maintain very high duties. The 
 result of such an attei.ipt would be an amount of smuggling which 
 would defeat that object. Now, the policy of the United States, 
 
until recently, has been to impose duties on manufactures, and to 
 leave certain articles, such as tea, sugar, tobacco, and spirits, free 
 from duty. These articles, it will be remembered, form the bulk of 
 the indirect revenue in England. We found that, though we could 
 raise certain small duties on these articles, wo could not venture to 
 impose large duties, because they would then all have been smuggled. 
 It was not until the necessities of the United States compelled them 
 to increase their revenue that an opportunity was offered to Canada 
 to vcwe any material part of her revenue from these sources. That 
 was the course which would, I have no doubt, have been taken by 
 Canada. During the last session, it was recommended by the lute 
 Government, and would, I have no doubt, have received the support 
 of the House, had not political changes taken place. The policy 
 announced by the late Government was to increase the duty upon tea, 
 and sugar, and tobacco, and largely to increase the Excise duty upon 
 8|)irits. It was, in fact, to take advantage of the changes which 
 United States legislation have uflforded, to raise a considerable portion 
 of revenue from those articles which form the subjects of indirect 
 taxation in England. At the same time the imposition of a stamp duty 
 in the United States afforded an opportunity to Canada to introduce 
 that as a source of revenue. That scheme was accompanied by a pro- 
 posed reduction on British goods. It was proposed that the additional 
 revenue to be obtained from these sources should be reduced on goods 
 from this country. There can be no object in Canadians desiring to 
 impose additional taxes upon themselves. Their object must be, the 
 same as here, to divide the burdens as equally as possible over the 
 whole community. They know that England is their great market, 
 and therefore I think it is a very great mistake that many gentlemen 
 in this country, and especially many organs of public opinion in the 
 Press, have fallen into, in supposing that the coursa of Canada was 
 dictated by other than a liberal and wise reference to their commer- 
 cial relations with Great Britain and the rest of the world. I might 
 point to the fact that Canada has made the St. Lawrence perfectly 
 free of all charge from the Atlantic to the extreme west ; that the 
 
u 
 
 ^rado of the American Western States iww passes, throtigh Canada 
 without being 8ulj}ect to any charge whatever j that the whole of the 
 magnificent S3'8tems of canals are now free, and without any charge 
 to those wlio use them. That clearly must he a great benefit to 
 the trade pf this country. It cannot but be satisfactory to gentle- 
 ^len to know that, without one single item of charge, they can 
 and do trade to Chicago a^ cheaply and as well as to No\V' 
 York. At this moment, when tl>e additions to the Morrill tariff 
 bave rendered it still more difiicult to send goods to the United 
 States, it cannot but be satisfactory to knaw that Canada i» now, 
 at the smallest possible charge consistent with the maintena»ce Of 
 public faith, placed at the disix)S5il of the trade of the world. Tho 
 charge upon goods, which Canaik adopted frwn necessity, ha» not 
 been imposed in such a way as to cripple trade ; it has, in fact, I 
 tliink, rather had a contrary effect. With regard to the importance 
 of the colonies to this country, I feel that the very formation of this 
 AtfBociation is the strongest evidence of what our opinions on this 
 subject are. But when we see the vast country of the United States 
 broken up into two parts, convulsed with civil war, with all its 
 industry suspended, it ought to be a. matter of regard to England to 
 see that her own colonies should be protected from these disasters, and 
 that trade with them should be maintained witlu)ut interruption. 
 The colony of Canada now carries on an. import trade with Great 
 Britain equal to 30s. a head. The imports of the United States, 
 before the civil war, were at the rate of something less than 10s. a 
 head of the population. It is clear, therefore, that if Canada was a 
 portion of the United States, which is its fate if separated from Eng- 
 land, the financial measures would apply to it, and the amount of 
 import trade per head would be the same as for the rest of the 
 United States. If that be the case, how can it be said that the loss 
 of these colonies, would be a matter of no consequence to this country? 
 I believe it would be the beginning of serious disasters ; that it would 
 be an injury to the prestige of this great empire, and an injury to her 
 material prosperity. I am not sorry that discussions with reference 
 
 
15 
 
 to the subject of defence Itave takea place, because J tliink thai self- 
 defeuco ought to march pari passu with Belf-governmeut. While 
 vecoguisiug that, I think the subject ought not to be taken up in 
 ill-temper ; but ought to be calmly and fairly considered, as I have 
 no doubt it will be, by the Government and people of England, and 
 equally so by the people of Canada. The policy which ought to be 
 pursued is that of development, and not of separation. Canada pos- 
 sesses not merely, within her present bounds, the means of affording 
 a home to the many unemployed of this country, where their industry 
 will meet with a large reward ; but it possesses, in the immense 
 regions of the West, a country almost equal to the at present occu- 
 pied part of the United States. The question, therefore, concerns 
 the whole northern part of the continent of A merica. It is not a ques- 
 tion of an ordinary province, but almost of an empire. Surely it is 
 better that that empire should grow up in connection with Great Britain ; 
 that Jier institutions should bo derived from, and based upon, those 
 of England; that her trade and financial policy should follow as 
 near as possible in the footsteps of this country. Surely it is far 
 better that that should be the case, than that the course should be 
 pursued of saying that England has no interest in those possessions, 
 and that her trade would bo as large if they were separated from her 
 as if they remained her colonies. These are mistakes, which, if 
 adopted, will enfail great disasters on this country. I am sure they 
 would impose great disasters on the colonies. "NVe could not stand 
 alone. We. could not maintain ourselves in face of the vast armies 
 now being mustered by the Nerthern States ; therefore the change to 
 us would be one from the beneficent government of this country, 
 where we enjoy ail the rights of self-government, and all the other 
 advantages, great in every respect, of our connection with England, 
 to a share in the disasters which are now overcoming that onco 
 great republic. In relation to the i)reservation of the connection 
 between the colonies and England, it Las been a great gratification to 
 us all to see the warm interest displayed by the Chairman and other 
 geutlenten of this Association on behalf of the Inter-Colonial Rail- 
 
IC 
 
 'way. It is a work in whiob all abroad mugt feel a deep interest. 
 Had it been in existenoe six monlbs ago, an enormous amount of 
 money would have been saved to this country in sending troops to 
 Canada. We know not when the neoessity for i' may again arise. 
 We hope it may never arise ; still, provision against future danger is 
 the duty of every statesman. With regard to the proposition of hia 
 Grace the Duke of Newcastle, it is, of course, impossible for me to 
 express) any opinion upon the result j but I say this, without referring 
 to the proposition he has made, that I view it as a step by thu 
 Imperial Government which must bring about that very desirable 
 connection. Whatever modifications may be required in it, I am 
 sure that the interest which has now been awakened will, in a short 
 time, give practical effect to the efibrts which the Association has 
 made, Tl»e Railway, however, has a more important connection in 
 which to consider it. The colonies are now separated by difierent 
 governments, and by separate systems of taxation and finance. It 
 h IS been urged that a federation of these provinces would be desirable. 
 I am entirely of that opinion. I believe that, while the colonies aro 
 necessarily weakened bj being separate, the time has come when it 
 might be desirable to consider whether their strength would not be 
 increased by federation, whether they would be better able to defend 
 themselves from foreign foes, and whether the connection with this 
 country might not be made more beneficial to this country. At 
 present there are fifty different colonies, each organised on a different 
 system, and each having representative self-government. It would 
 be very important that those colonies should, as far as possible — 
 as far as their interests permit — bo grouped together. In the 
 case of the British North-American colonies, whose products are 
 almost the same, and whose interests are almost identical, if united, 
 they would bear the i-elatiou to Great Britain of being one large and 
 important confederacy, instead of six or seven minor ones. For the 
 purpose of extending the principles of free trade, it would be far 
 easier to deal with a confederacy of that kind than to deal with the 
 separate colonics as they now exist. So, with regard to the Austra- 
 
17 
 
 • 
 
 )ian colonics, there is no doabt that, if they could lo brought together 
 into large aud important dependencies, tlieir relationship with <?ach 
 other would bo improved, and it might bo possible gradually to bring 
 them within the sphere of the fiscal policy of England itself. (Hear, 
 hear.) The resolution which I have to propose is this : — 
 
 " That this meeting desires to record its appreciation of the statcsTnanliko 
 ^ " policy of the Dulie of Ndwcastle, as Colonial Minister, and also its thanks for 
 ' " the ready aesistanoe he has at all times afforded to any matter in which the 
 i " iuteresta of the British North-American colonists are concerned." 
 
 Before putting that to the meeting, I desire to express my high 
 opinion, shared universally by my fellow-subjects in Canada, of the 
 colonial policy of the Duke of Newcastle, which has been such as to 
 deaervo our warmest thanl<8. Whatever may have been the feelings 
 of others in this country, or the views held by gentlemen of the Foace- 
 at-any-price i>arty, wo have never had, in the case of the Duke of 
 Newcastle, reason for one raoment to doubt that his best efforts were 
 being directed towards the maintenance of tho best interests of the 
 colonial empire over which he presides. In that I am sure he has 
 had tho support of his colleagues, and especially of the noble lord at 
 the head of the Government. I um, therefore, glad that this oppor- 
 tunity has been afforded to mo to propose this resolution, which I 
 hope mny bo taken as a recognition of the thanks which we, as colo- 
 nists, think are due to the Duke of Newcastle, not merely for tho 
 general administration of colonial affairs, but also for the warm 
 interest which he has displayed in the matter of tho Inter-Colonial 
 Bailway, with which this Association has combined its own efforts so 
 successfully. CCheers.) *; 
 
 Mr. Dickey, of Nova Scotia, seconded the resolution. In doing 
 so, he said : Having understood that Nova Scotia would be repre- 
 sented by two members of the Provincial Government, I did not 
 expect to be called upon to address the meeting ; but, since I came in, 
 I have been asked to second a resolution, which I shall do with the 
 
18 
 
 greatest possible plesisnre. In following Mr. Oult, after his able and 
 eloquent speech, I rise under considerable disadvantages, and, at tho 
 same time, I am hajipy to acknowledge tho advantage that he has left 
 me but little to say on this resolutior, or on the objects of the meet- 
 ing. I have great pleasure in seconding a resolution which accords 
 the thanks of this meeting, and, I may add, of the colonies, to the 
 Duke of Newcastle for his colonial policy; for two reasons — first, 
 because the Duke of Newcastle, so fur as I am aware, is the only 
 Secretary of State who has ever visited the colonies in his oflScial 
 capacity j and^ secondly, because of the deep interest which he has 
 taken in this great question of the Intei'-Colonial Railway. In that 
 connection I must follow tho lino of Mr. Gait, and, without going 
 into the details of the proposition in that despatch, say that I recog- 
 nise in it a means whereby this great work will eventually be accom- 
 plished. (Hear.) Having been for many years interested in the 
 forwarding of that great work, I feel the greatest possible interest in 
 its completion. Mr. Gait has said that, if it had been in operation 
 last winter, it would have saved a largo amount of imperial treasure ; 
 he might have added that, in an emergency like that which occurred 
 last year, it might possibly have been the means of saving tho incur- 
 ring of any expense at all, because the weakness of Canada is some- 
 times the opportunity of another country; and, with the knowledge 
 that troops and munitions might at any time be sent in twelve days 
 to the centre of operations, I will venture to say that you will find 
 rather less of those threats, which are " brutem fulinen" 1 hope, but 
 which might be followed up, if England were not in a position to 
 defend herself. A work of greater importance to tho colonies and to 
 this Country I know not of than that same Railway. With regard to 
 the d.-fences of the colonies: in listening to Mr Kiunaird's observa- 
 tions, I was inclined to say that I did not share the regret that he 
 expressed that the remarks in Parliament had been made, because 
 tht y have elicited from this meeting a warm expression of sympathy 
 and interest, which I was most happy to find, and which I trust 
 represents tho general sentiment in this country, With reference to - 
 
10 
 
 that subject, tlicreforo, I need not say anything, except the statement 
 which Mr. Oalt has niade, that no action which has been made the 
 foundation of tlieso observations ia any way connected with the 
 smallest desire to evade the duty which that country owei to this 
 country, to asUst in resisting foreign aggression. With reference to 
 my own little province, it is not necessary to say m.ich with regard to 
 its readiness to assist, because, twenty-five years ago, when Canada 
 was assailed, Nova Scotia, by an unanimous vote, placed an entire 
 year's revenue at the disposal ff the lu'^erial authorities and nearly 
 uU the militia force, to oppose uggre^sion, and to maintain the honour 
 fend integrity of the empire, when it was to be attacked in Canada. 
 While Nova Scotia has been able to supply to Her Majesty's service 
 pei-sohs to fight the battles of the empire, it has also been en- 
 abled to supply, in the persons of Sir Feawick Williams and 
 SiV John luglis and others, men who would lead the sons of the 
 empire wherever they were disposed to follow. With reference to 
 the oljects of this Association, I am happy to say this much. In my 
 place in the Legislature last winter, when I heard of its formation, I 
 at once recognised its importance, and I then ten lered, as I now do, 
 the thanks of the colony of Nova Scotia, collectively and individually, 
 for the interest which you have takLOi in the colony. You, Mr. 
 Chairman, have referred to the expectation of support in the colonies 
 I may, perhaps, on that subject be allowed to say this much, — that I 
 am satisfied that when your Association is properly organised and 
 submitted to the consideration of the several local legislatures, that it 
 will, at all events, give considerable, and I trust something like sub- 
 stantial, aid. In the general objects of the Association I am sure 
 you will meet not only with the sympathy of the colonies, but with 
 substantial sui)port. With regard to the resolution, I think the 
 sense of the meeting will be unanimously accorded to convey the 
 thanks, not only of this meeting, but of the entire colonies, to the 
 Duke of Newcastle for his polcy with reference to the colonies, and 
 particularly that part which relates to the completion of the Inter- 
 Colonial Railway. (Hear, hear.) 
 
20 
 
 Mr. John Beverley Robinson said :— I fool, Mr. Chairman, much 
 pleasure in being able to attend a public meeting called in the City 
 of London for the purpose of forwarding the views of the North- 
 Aracrican Association — in other words, for the purpose of promoting 
 the interests of the North- American provinces. It should be a matter 
 of congratulation to every Canadian that a number of gentlemen of 
 the highest worth and standing in this city and country had formed 
 themselves into an Association for the promotion and advancement of 
 Canadian interests. Canada had long felt the want of some proper 
 representation in this country, and she should be right glad to hear 
 that that want, owing to the patriotism of gentlemen here present, had 
 been so well supplied. (Hear, hear.) Australia, New Zealand, and 
 other colonies, had their representatives or agents in this country for 
 the advancement of their interests, and had vastly benefited by them. 
 (Hoar.) And I hope that immediate steps will be taken to make this 
 Association better known in the colonies than it is, for I myself have 
 not ever seen any advertisement of its existence. I feel persuaded 
 that when its objects are made known to the people of the provinces, 
 they will not only support it by their own subscription<«, but will 
 urge upon their respective Governments, as a matter of public policy, 
 financially to aid and assist it. (Hear, hear.) How important, for 
 instance, at this moment, when Canada has been so unnecessnrily 
 found fault with on account of its tariff, as well as on account of 
 the fate of the Militia Bill, that there should exist an association of 
 gentlemen such as those to whom I have just alluded, who, from their 
 knowledge of Canada itself, as well as from their standing and position 
 here, could not only place Canada in its true position, but keep it 
 there aright before the English public. Mr. Gait has explained to 
 you the nature of our tariff, and the circumstances, or rather the 
 necessities, under which it was established. I have myself a word or 
 two to say about the Militia Bill. Of course I am not supposed to be 
 Iiere for the purpose of upholding the conduct of those by whose votes 
 that measure was lost, particularly as I was one of the Ministry who, 
 along with my friend Mr. Gait, have been very seriously affected by, 
 
21 
 
 iliat vote. (Lauglitcr.) I liiivc, as is well known, stipportcil tliat 
 nioasure, bccatii^o I felt that the LegiMlaturo of Canada should havo 
 made every provision for the proper defence of the country. (Hear, 
 hoar.) Still, though I was, and am still, strongly of that opinion, I 
 never BUpposed, as was erroneously thought here, that in that vote 
 was involved any question, direct or indirect, of loyalty or disloy^aUy 
 to t!ie Crown or people of England ; or that those who voted against 
 that measure were not as anxious to maintain the connection with this 
 country as those wlio voted for it. (Hear, hiar.) Asa Canadian now 
 addressing Englishmon, who, it is well known, feel uneasy on this 
 point, I take the first occasion; in common justice to my political oppO' 
 uents in Canada, manfully to state these facts. (Cheers.) The Militia 
 Bill was defeated, Mr. Chairman, by those who voted against it, on 
 the ground that in their opinion it was too expensive for the country, 
 and that the same result, viz., the defence of the province, could be 
 secured by less expensive machinery, and that the volunteer spirit of 
 the country should have receivei greater encouragement. It was 
 defeated by those who asserted thut the Americans, having expended 
 almost all their strength in a vain attempt to subdue the South, 
 would not bo in a position, supposing they had the will, to make a 
 raid upon the North. These wore some of the reasons given by 
 gentlemen in the Cinadian Legislature for their opposition to that 
 measure ; and I take pleasure in again asserting it, that there was 
 no question of loyalty or disloyalty raised on the part of those who 
 voted for or against it. (Hear, hear.) It was, in fact, a party vote given 
 for party purposes — to turn out a Ministry ; which being done almost 
 every year in this country, I had thought would have been better un- 
 derstood. (Laughter.) There is one way, however, sir, of remedying all 
 such difficulties as have arisen by the loss of this Militia Bill, caused 
 chiefly, as before asserted, by a dread of the expense, and that is by 
 the construction of a railway from Halifax to Quebec. (Loud cheers.) 
 It would not be necessary then for Canada to keep up so large 
 a militia force, and it would not be as necessary for England 
 to maintain in Canada so large a body of troops. Great expense 
 
niig^it thus 1)0 s.ivod to lioth countrien. (ITom', liear). Besides tlii«, 
 tlicro would be a fi.'elingof socmity created both here and in Cunadji; 
 no Buddcn panics about American invasion would then disturb 
 either cotiiitry. It would have the effoot also of turning the attention 
 of the Aincricuna themselves away from any idea of invading Cunada. 
 If, during the last wars, the Americans vainly endeavoured in thb 
 winter months to take our country, the knowledge that England, by 
 means < f the Inter-Oolonial Railroad, could at any time pour a large 
 military force into the colony, might for ever deter them from again 
 making the attempt. I can speak, Mr. Chairman, more disinte- 
 restedly, perhaps, of the benefits to be derived from the construction 
 of this road than some gentlemen present who advocate its being 
 built, inasmuch as I and the people whom I represent live at least 700 
 miles distant from any part of the country through which that road 
 WKJuld pass. It would only affect our interests indirectly ;*but as a 
 matter in which the safety of the whole country was concerned they 
 were all equ illy interested, and would reap great advantage from it^ 
 construction in the feeling of security which it would inspire. On 
 every ground, therefore, — national, provincial, and even American, — I 
 most cordially advocate its construction. (Hear, hear.) It has been said 
 by some portions of the press here that Canadians are giVen to boasting 
 of their loyalty, while at the same time they have afforded very little 
 evidence of their attachment to this country, except in words. A short 
 reference, however, to the history of Canada will show that this is A 
 mistake, and that if we do occasionally indulge — perhaps too much — in 
 our professions of attachment to this country, we can show at least 
 some justification for so doing. In 1776, when the feeling of the Norths 
 American colonies was of the most bitter kind against England, lead- 
 ing immedialely afterwards to war, the feeling of the people of 
 Canada was then as sound as it is no-vr. So strong was this attach- 
 ment, owing to the fre€ constitution given to them by England, that 
 the Canadians resisted the alluring representationis at that ^time 
 made to them by three eminent men, sent by those revolting coloniesi^ 
 to Canada to wile them from their allegiance, and Franklin, Chase, 
 
m 
 
 and Carroll had to return nn8ucce8.sfiil to tlu5ir own country. Tiiuir 
 mission was followod up by two hostile nrniioH, led by two of the 
 most dashing and intrci»id generals tjjat America has ever produced, 
 viz., Benedict Arnold and IMontgoniory ; and though tho Canadiiins 
 were at that time but few, and had but a hindful of soldiers from 
 England to assist tliem, thoy successfully resisted tho siego of Quebec, 
 <lrovo tho Ainoricaiw back, Montreal was recaptun d, and Canada saved 
 to the Crown of England. (Loud cheers.) Years afterwards the feeling 
 of loyalty, of which it is true wo sometirao.H boast, not having subsided, 
 the same deeds were again repeated. Canada was invaded at almost 
 every point during the years 1812, 1813, and 18H. American gene- 
 rals, previous to their crossing our borders, scattered broadcast amongst 
 our people insidiously-worded proclamations, telling Canadians that 
 they only came to give them their liberty, and if they remained 
 quiet all would be well. Their proclamations remained again un- 
 heeded, their armies were met with tho most determined courage and 
 everywhere driven back, while at that time also there was only but a 
 handful of British soldiiTS to as.-ist, and Canada was again s ivcd to 
 the Crown of England. (Cheers.) Speaking of the conduct of tho 
 Canadians during tho last war with America, the Duke of Wellington, 
 thirty years after tho events which I have thus cursorily described, 
 staled in his place in tho House of Lords — "That the Canudians hud; 
 by their vigorous exertions in that war, carried this country through 
 . — ayo, Mr. Chairman, carried England through a period of great diffi- 
 culty and danger, and had, by their gallant conduct at a time when 
 England's hands were tied in European wars, niised a monument to 
 their honour equal to that which any country of the civilised world 
 could boast of." (Cheers.) I mention these things now, because it is 
 the recollection of these glorious events that induced the Canadians of 
 the present day to show their willingness to repeat, if need be, tho 
 conduct of their fathers, of which they are justly so proud. It was the 
 recollection of these things that induced them at the time of tho Trent 
 emergency, when a warlike result was anticipated in Canada, to fall 
 again into the rarks, and to show to Englishmen, as well as to 
 
24 
 
 AmericauB, that they were determined, as of ulJ, and at all huzarde, t'*' 
 maintain their connection with the Crown and people of England. 
 (Loud cheers.) It would be well, therefore, if English statesmen and 
 the English press wo' 'd recollect these events, and not use harsh 
 language to the people of Canada merely because they ne^jlected to 
 pass a Militia Bill not quite suited to their tastes. We think, sir, that 
 Canada has a glorious future in store for her. Taxes on every 
 American product in the States — be it in the form of agriculture or 
 of manufactures — have been imposed, in order to carry them through 
 this foolish war. This will naturally stay emigration to that country, 
 and M'ill turn the tide t) our shores, where the taxes are but light, 
 where good 'nstitutions prevai', and where liberty in its best sense is to 
 be found. (Hear, hear.) We look forward to the time, even with 
 impatience, when an overland route to the East ahall be made through 
 our country. This year, owing to the attractions of the mines, numbers 
 have travelled by that route to Vancouver; and the time is not f j.r 
 distant whm, as alluded to in Her Majesty's speech from the throne 
 two years ago, there shall be one continuous settlement of people 
 enjoying British laws and British freedom, from the Atlantic to the 
 Pacific. (Loud cheers.) We give great praise to our Colonial Minister, 
 his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, for never losing sight of this great 
 object, and hope that, under his statesmanship and gui lance, this con- 
 tinuous route will at no distant day be accomplishei. (Hear, hear.) 
 I have great pleasure, sir, iu repeating that which I at first alluded to 
 —that thii Association is deserving of all thanks from the people of 
 Canada for their desire to promote CanidiiU and British North- 
 American interests, and should on that account be liberally supported 
 by them ; and that you, sir, representing as you do the City of London 
 in Parliament, have conferred upon our country a great obligation by 
 taking the chair on all occasions in which the interests of Canada could 
 be advanced. (Applause.) 
 
 Mr. Wier, of Nova Scotia, said :— I have been entrusted with a 
 resolution, which I have great pleasure in moving. It id as follows : — 
 
25 
 
 " That the gentlemen now present hare pleasure in recording their appre- 
 *' ci.<>.tion of the valuable services which have been rendered to their interests 
 " by this Association ; and they pledge themselves to promote, in their 
 " several provinces, the object contemplated by its operations." 
 
 Certainly, as far as T am concerned, I shall endeavour to place the 
 subscriptions from my province on a more respectable footing. There 
 is no doubt that the ignorance of the British North-Amencan colo- 
 nists is partly owing to the colonists themselves. This Association 
 will convey a vast amount of information, cot only to the colonists, 
 but to the world at large. I fully appreciate the sentiments of this 
 resolution. I believe that the North-American provinces are all 
 under an immense amount of obligation to the gentlemen forming 
 this Association, and I hope they will respond to it. There is no 
 doubt of the correctness of the view which has been taken, that this 
 matter is a commercial, and not a political one. Mr. Gait has so 
 fully explained the position of Canada, that it is not necessary for 
 me to say anything further, than to observe that I find, in confer- 
 ence with commercial gentlemen here, that the greater part of the 
 feeling which has been excited against Canada has arisen from the 
 high rate of her tariifs. Now, I am a free-trader, but we all know 
 that revenue must be raised, and I am bound to say that her high 
 rates of duty have proceeded from the construction of the canals and 
 railways, which have promoted emigration, and induced people to fill 
 that countrv, and that, of course, has increased imports from this 
 country. The difficulties which have existed in the provinces with 
 reference to the tariflF, on account of the fiscal system of the United, 
 States, will, from the recent modifications in that country, be mate- 
 rially modified. In fact, the whole condition of things will be 
 reversed. In our province, for instance, a good deal of tea and 
 manufactures were, until recently, smuggled in from the United 
 States. Now the matter is reversed, and the importation of tea has 
 been entirely from England. For these reasons, I believe that, if 
 Canada can reduce her rates, a vast number of those who live across 
 the border will take their manufactured goods by smuggling, and 
 
2G 
 
 therefore a duty of 7| per cent, less than tlie Canadians now place 
 on British goods, will, in the course of a year or two, raise a larger 
 duty than they are now doing. All the goods for the far west would 
 then pass through Canada. That is a result which men of business 
 understand perfectly. As regards the Inter-Colonial Railway, if we 
 succeed in obtaining that, we shall be larg< )y indebted to the Asso- 
 ciation. I believe the oflfer of the Duke of Newcastle to be one of 
 immense ^alue to the provinces. It is, in fact, equivalent to a gift 
 of half the cost of the railway ; for, with the Government assistance, 
 we could, in the present state of the money-market, obtain money at 
 3| per cent., and, without it, it could uot be done under 6j|^ per cent. 
 As far as our province is concerned, I shall advocate the acceptance 
 of that offer. I do trust that the first object of the delegates will be 
 the acceptance of the offer, and not what each province is to contri< 
 bute towards the interest. Let the preliminary matters with refer- 
 ence to the proportion of each province be settled afterwards. With 
 regard to the Militia Bill, and the remarks which were made upon it 
 in this country, I am happy to hear gentlemen now say that it is not 
 the intention of England to give up her colonies. I believe that 
 when England consents to give up one of the fifty colonies which she 
 holds, her power as the first nation of the earth will be on the wane ; 
 and certainly if she gives up Canada, she will no longer be able to say 
 that the sun never sets on her empire. 
 
 Mr. Boyd (New Brunswick) : — T beg leave to second the motion. 
 I am very happy to say. that the difficulty which existed in my mind 
 three weeks ago, as to the feeling entertained by England towards the 
 colonies, has been entirely dispelled by the result of this meeting. 
 If it were necessary to say anything as to the feeling of the provinces 
 towards this country and her institutions, I would merely state, that 
 I am a citizen of St. John's, which received 6000 British troops in so 
 princely a way last winter. We went to an expense of £2000 in 
 giving them a series of military entertainments, a sum equivalent to 
 what £2,000,000 would be from the City of London. With regard to 
 
t the Inter-Colonial Railway : — if New Brunswick has received the 
 ' proposition of the British Government rather coldly, it is not because 
 * we feel the want of improvement, but because the credit of New 
 Brunswick is dear to us, and we are anxious to maintain our position. 
 We feel that we require this Railway, but we are not anxious to un- 
 dertake a responsibility which we are not fully able to carry out. 
 With reference to the defences of Canada and the Militia Bill, it 
 has been a matter entirely misunderstood. The error, however, is one 
 rather of the head than of the heart, both on the part of England and 
 Canada. The importance of the Militia Bill has been altogether over- 
 rated. We have one in force in New Brunswick, but I think that 
 the defences of New Brunswick would this day be in a much better 
 position if the Militia Bill had never been presented. The volunteer 
 movement would be quite sufficient to defend the provinces. Why, 
 in New Brunswick, out of a population of 250,000, we hare 5000 
 volunteers, a larger number in proportion to the population than in 
 Glasgow, which ?tands highest of any place in the United Kingdom. 
 I do not much regret the tone of the discussion in the House of 
 Commons, because, when Mr. Roebuck made such misstatements, 
 Lord Palmerston placed us in our true position Depend upon it, it 
 will be found that we shall be one of those loving dp,ughters who will 
 come back to aid our dear old mother if ever she requires our help. 
 (Hear, hear.) 
 
 The resolution was then put from the chair, and carried unani- 
 mously. 
 
 Mb. G. F. Young said : — I think it would be desirable to give 
 expression to what seems to be the general feeling of the meeting. I 
 have, therefore, hastily penned a resolution, which I beg to submit to 
 you, Mr. Chairman, for the general acceptance of the meeting. It is 
 as follows : — 
 
 " That this mectlDg is firmly conviDced that the almost UDiversal desire of 
 *^the British public is to preserve and strengthen the bonds which unite 
 " the British empire with its North-American colonies ; and that, relying with 
 
28 
 
 " confidence on the reciprocal disposition of the inhabitants of those colonies to 
 " cultivate the most friendly relations with the mother couDtry, it is of opinion 
 " that while it is equally the duty and the interests of the colonies to devote 
 "their utmost energies to the maintenance of their independence from all 
 " foreign interference, it is equally incumbent on Great Britain to render 
 " every reasonable assistance in furtherance of their patriotic efforts." 
 
 Mb. Chapman : — I consider this a roally most important meeting, 
 and that great good will result from the able, manly, and truly 
 patriotic speeches of our honourable friends ; but it is a question, in 
 my mind, whether it would be politic for us, as an Association, to give 
 expression by this resolution to an opinion which is of a political 
 character. That is a question of expediency which I shall leave in 
 the hands of the Chairman. I believe this meeting will be one great 
 means of removing any slight differences and misapprehensions which 
 may exist. i 
 
 Mr. Danby Seymour, M.P. : — I beg leave to second the resolution 
 which has just been submitted. In doing so I cannot refrain from 
 expressing my gratification at the progress of this Association. We 
 have already fulfilled a considerable duty, and have been the means of 
 giving important assistance to the independent colonies in their rela- 
 tions to the mother country, in having afforded to these gentlemen 
 an opportunity to address a British audience. I think the explana- 
 tion of Mr. Gait is most satisfactory (hear), and that there has 
 been a considerable misunderstanding in what has taken place in 
 Canada. For my part I have never attributed to the Canadians any 
 other motive in imposing duties, further than raising the requisite 
 revenue of the colony. The heads of the Government in Canada 
 have quite as advanced views as any minister in this country ; and I 
 am sure they will never increase their tariff from any motives preju- 
 dicial to British trade, and seeing the importance of inter-colonial 
 communication, that they will reduce their tarifis to the lowest 
 possible limits. It is with great pleasure that I have undertaken to 
 second the resolution, because I think the connection of this country 
 
 
with her colonies is most important. The question of their peaceful 
 separation will require the most careful consideration,-~>that is, when 
 the time arrives. We know not what the United States will become— 
 whether they will be restored or split up into a number of republics. 
 At such a period, it certainly does not seem the wisest moment to 
 enter upon the question whether we should separate from our 
 colonies. I do not think it is fair upon the colonies, as long as they 
 choose to retain the rights of British subjects, to moot the subject of 
 separation, or to withhold those rights upon the faith of which 
 they transported themselves. I do not think the question is ripe 
 to be settled, and no reasons have arisen to make us consider the 
 question as imminent now. It is one of those questions which 
 it will be wise to defer for the present, and to which time will afford 
 a satisfactory solution. Our present position appears to be to render 
 the defence of our colonies effectual, but to do it in the cheapest 
 manner to the British public. We shall effect one important step in 
 that direction if we complete the Inter-Colonial Railway. The Cana- 
 dian people, no doubt, were actuated by various motives in having 
 refused the Militia Bill, but the very last motive which I should 
 attribute to them would be a wish to separate from this country. 
 They may think, as many at home have thought, that it is not neces- 
 sary at present to engage in this great prospective expense for the 
 defence of their country. Many of those who opposed the Militia 
 Bill probably thought that the country would be quite as safe 
 without passing that Bill as if it were passed, and that the 
 responsibility which rested upon the Canadian Government, to 
 provide for the defence of the country, was their reason for taking 
 steps which seemed extraordinary for the purpose of securing its 
 defence. I am aware that there were local reasons which swelled 
 that majority ; but I feel persuaded that the substance of this reso- 
 lution is in the hearts of the large number, and that they wish to see 
 those relations maintained, which have been so satisfectory, and 
 which have been preserved even at the cannon's mouth for two 
 generations. I feel assured that it ia not the wish of the colonists, as 
 
 I 
 
30 
 
 it is nofc the wish of the British people, that tliose relations should be 
 suddenly severed. The wish of all must be, that, even when that 
 severance comes, there should be the closest union between the two 
 countrjes. Therefore T have great pleasure in seconding the reso- 
 lution, while expressing the hope that the same kindly feelings may 
 continue between the colonies and the mother country which have 
 existed in the past. (Cheers.) 
 
 The resolution was then put by the Chairman, and carried nem. con. c3, 
 
 •X*. 
 Mr. Scholefield, M.P. : — Before we separate, there is one duty 
 which we have to perform, and that is, to thank our excellent friend 
 in the chair, not only for his services to-day, but for what he has 
 done for this Association. If this society has been useful, if it 
 is destined to be more useful, which I fully believe it will be, 
 mainly through the skill and ability, and the constant services of my 
 excellent friend in the chair (hear), I cannot speak too highly of 
 those services. I have not been associated with him in those labours, 
 but I know what he has been doing. I am sure I shall have 
 the unanimous voice of this meeting, in proposing that its cordial 
 thanks be given to the Chairman for the valuable services which he 
 has given to this Association. (Cheers.) 
 
 Mr. Watkin : — I beg most cordially to second the resolution, for 
 I have had an opportunity of observing his great zeal, and the dis- 
 position he has shown to preserve and bind together the interests of 
 the mother country and her dependencies, at a time when such a 
 course was especially prudent. For that, I think he deserves and is 
 entitled to our best and deepest thanliis. (Hear.) I think, and I 
 hope the great bulk of the people think, that the time is far distant 
 when there shall be any disintegration of that great mass of territory 
 and power which is popularly known as the British empire. I think 
 the feeling of the people of this country at large is to preserve, in 
 every possible manner, the solidarity of the British empire. It is no 
 ■matter of mean presence ; it is a matter of honest pride to think that 
 
31 
 
 we are not merely the denizens of a little island with its thousand 
 miles of coast washed by the sea, but that there is no clime or portion 
 of the world, however remote, over which our flag does not float in 
 peace and in triumph. It is not because we wish to preserve pos- 
 session of a few thousand square miles of territory that we wish the 
 connection with the colonies to be preserved ; but because the people 
 in those colonies have sprung from the same root, and speak the same 
 language ; because we feel that they are a portion of our brother- 
 hood, and, in spite of any little complaining, our hearts are warm to 
 that people ; and it will not be our fault — if any one's, it will be 
 theirs— if any coolness exist, or if ultimately there is any separation. 
 (Cheers.) 
 
 The resolution was then put and carried by acclamation. 
 
 The Chairman : — I am exceedingly obliged to my honourable 
 friends for the kind and flattering way in which they have proposed 
 this resolution to the meeting, and for the manner in which it has 
 been received. I am myself entirely unconnected with the commerce 
 of the North- American colonies ; but I know the extent to which 
 those colonies are represented in London commercially, and I feel it a 
 part of my public duty to give every assistance I can possibly render 
 in furtherance of the interests of those colonies. With regard to 
 those colonies, I may perhaps be allowed to express a hope that their 
 attentions with regard to the Association may not be so ^'unremitiinf* 
 as they have been hitherto. 
 
 The meeting then separated.