THE CANADIAN MISSION TO ENGLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 324, 16 November 1865, Page 1

THE CANADIAN MISSION TO ENGLAND.

{concluded fhom oca last.) On the part of Canada we expressed the desire "that this plan for the defence of all parts of the province should bo taken as the basis of arrangement ; and that a full and candid discussion should be had as to the share of the cost that Ought to be borne respectively by the Imperial and provincial exchequers. We expressed the earnest wish of the people of Canada to perpetuatej thg happy ■existing connection with Great Britain, and their entire willingness to contribute to the defence of the empire their full quota, according; to their ability of men and money. But we pointed out that if war should ever unhappilly arise between England and the United States, it could only be an Imperial war, on Imperial grounds—that our country alone would be exposed,to the horrors of invasion ; and that our exposed position, for from entailing on us unusual burdens, should on the contrary, ensure for us the special and generous consideration of the Imperial Government. We explained, moreover, that though Canada continued to progress steadily and rapidly it was a rast country* sparely populated—that the difficulties of first settlement were hardly vet overcome —that the profits of our annual industry were to be found not in floating wealth, but in the increased value of our farms and mines—and that, at this moment specially, from the failure of successive crops, the effects of . the American civil war on our commercial relations,.and the feeling of insecurity as to our position (greatly aggravated by statements of the defencelessness of the country in the British Parliament, and by portions of the British press)—Canada was laboring under a temporary, but serious depression. We pointed out that, while fully recognising the necessity, and prepared to provide for such a system of defence as would restore confidence in our future at home and abroad, the best ultimate defence for British America was to be found in the, increase of her population as rapidly as possible, and tho hugbanding of her resources to that end• and, wlthieut claiming it as a right, we ventured to suggest

that by enabling us to throw open the north-wes-tern territory to free settlement, and by aiding iis! in enlarging oyjrlciinaJe, jind prosecuting inter* rial productive works, and by promoting an extensive plan of emigration from’Europe into the Unsettled portions of our domain—permanent security would be more* quickly, and surely, and econojnicaUy secured than by any other -means.* ■WVdidviiot fail to point out how this might be done without cost or risk to the British exchequer, and how greatly it would lighten the new burden of defence proposed to be assumed at a moment of depression by the people of Canada. . Much ’discussion ensued on all these : points, find the result arrived at was that if the people ’of Canada undertook the -works of defence at and west' bf Montreal, and agreed to expend in training their inilitia, until the union of all tho proviuceawas determined, a sum not less than is now Expended annually for that service, her Majesty’s Government would complete the fortifications at Quebec, provide the whole armament for all the works, guarantee a loan for the sum necessary to construct the works undertaken by Canada, and, in the event of war, undertake the defence of every portion of Canada with all the resources of the empire. ,

3?ji© question having-arisen as to &e time and order'in which these should be submitted for the approval of the Imperial and provincial Legislatures, it appeared that no action could be taken upon them during the present year; and it was, therefore, deemed inexpedient to complicate the Confederate question by changing the basis of the Quebec conference resolutions, which might result from the present adoption of these propositions. The further consideration of the defensive works was accordingly deferred for the action of the Government and Legislature of the proposed British North American Confederation 5 but the assurance of her Majesty’s Government was at the same time given, that, if circumstances arose to render an application expedient by Canada alone for the immediate prosecution of the works of’ defence, sueh application would be received in the most friendly" Spirit. On the subject of the American Reciprocity Treaty, we entered into full explanations with the Imperial Ministers. We explained how advantageously the treaty had worked for Canada, and the desire of our people for its renewal; but we showed, at the same time, how much more advantageously it had operated for American interests, and we expressed our inability to believe that the United States Government seriously contemplated the abolition of an arrangement by which they had so greatly increased their foreign commerce, secured a vast and lucrative carrying trade, and obtained free access to the St. Lawrence, and to the invaluable fishing grounds of British America —and that on the sole ground that the provinces had also profited by the treaty. We explained the immediate injury that would result to Canadian interests from the abrogation of the treaty ; but we pointed out at the same time the new and ultimately more profitable channels into which our foreign trade must in that event be turned, and the necessity of preparing for the change, if, indeed, it was to come. We asked that the British minister at Washington might be instructed to state frankly to the American Government the desire of the Canadian people for a renewal of the treaty, and our. readiness to discuss and favorably entertain any just propositions that might be made for an extension or modification of its conditions ; we requested that the views of the American government should be obtained at the earliest convenient date, and that his Excellency Sir Frederick Bruce, should act in concert with the Canadian Government in the matter. The Imperial Government cordially assented to our suggestions.

The important question of opening up to settlement and cultivation the British territories on the north-west borders of Canada next obtained the, attention of the conference. Your Excellency is aware that the desire of the Government of Canada for a satisfactory and final adjustment of this matter has been often formally expressed. In your Excellency’s dispatch of the 19th of January, 1864!, to the Colonial Secretary, the anxious desire of the Canadian Government was communicated ‘ for some speedy, inexpensive, and mutually satisfactory plan,’ for settling definitely ‘ the northwestern boundary of Canada,’ and the claim of Canada was asserted to ‘ all that portion of Central British America which can be shown to have been in the possession of the Breach at the period of the cession in 1763.’

In reply to this dispatch, Mr Cardwell, on the Ist of duly, 1861 s requested to be informed whether the Government of Canada was prepared to assist in negociations with the Hudson’s Bay Company, with the view of accepting any portion of the territory now claimed by that company and providing the means of local administration therein ; and he suggested that, if so prepared, it would be desirable tiiat some person duly authorised to communicate the views of the Canadian Government should be sent to England for that purpose.

On the 11th of November, 1864, a minute of council was approved by'your Excellency, in reply to Mr Cardwell’s dispatch. It set forth that the Government of Canada was ready and anxious to co-operate with the Imperial Government in securing the early settlement of the north-west territories, and the establishment of local government in the settled portions; but that in its opinion the first step towards that end was the extinction of all claim by the Hudson Bay Company to proprietary rights in the soil and exclusive rights of trade! It suggested that it-was for the Imperial Government, and not for the Government of

Canada, to assume the duty of bringing to an end a monopoly originating in au English charter, and exercised so long under Imperial sanction ; but that, when the uegociations were brought to a close, the Government of Canada would be ready to arrange with the Imperial Government for the annexation to Canada of such portions of the territory as might be available for settlement, as well as for the opening up of communications into -the territory, and providing means of local administration. Or, should the Imperial Governmentprefer to erecfcthe territory into a Crown colony,’the Canadian Government would gladly co-operate in the opening tip of communication into the territory and the settlement of the country. The minute finally suggested that the Hon. President of the Council, while in England, would communicate more fully to Mr Cardwell the views of the Canadian Government.

The uegociations that followed on this dispatch satisfied us of the impossibility of enforcing the end sought by Canada without long-protracted, vexations, and costly litigation. The Hudson’s Bay Company were in possession, and, if time was tbeir object, could protract the proceedings indefinitely; and her Majesty’s Government appeared unwillingly to ignore pretensions that had frequently received quasi recognition ftom the Imperial authorities. Galling to mind, therefore, the vital importance to Canada of having that great and fertile country opened up to Canadian channels ; remembering, also, the danger of large grants of land passing into the hands of mere monied corporations, and embarrassing the rapid settlement of the country, and the risk that tho recent discoveries of gold on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains might throw into the country large masses of settlers unaccustomed to British institutions, we arrived at the conclusion that the quickest solution of the question would be the best for Canada. We accordingly proposed to the Imperial Ministers that tbe whole British territory east of the Rocky Mountains, and north of the American or Canadian lines, should be made over to Canada, subject to such rights as the Hudson’s Bay Company might bo able to establish, and that the compensation to that, company (if any were found to be due) should be met by a loan guaranteed by Great Britain. The Imperial Government consented to this, and a careful investigation of the case satisfies us that the compensation to the Hudson’s Bay Company cannot, under any circumstances, be onerons. It is but two years since the present Hudson’s Bay Company purchased the entire property of the old company”; they paid £1,500,000, for the entire property and assets —in which were included a large sum in cash on hand, large landed properties m British Columbia and elsewhere not included in our arrangement, a very large claim against tho United States Government under the Oregon Treaty, and ships, goods, pelts, and business premises in England aid Canada valued at £1,083,569. The value of the territorial rights of the company, therefore, in the estimation of the company itself, will be easily arrived at.

The result of our communications with the committee of her Majesty’s Government were placed by Mr Cardwell in the form of a dispatch to your Excellency. That document bears date the I7th of June 1865, and has already reached your Excellency’s hands. It contains a correct statement of the result of the conference.

Although the subject was not specially referred to us, we did not fail to call the attention of the Colonial Minister to the anomalous position of foreigners who hare settled in Canada, and become naturalised subjects under our provincial statutes. Mr Cardwell at once admitted the hardship of the case, and stated that it was the desire of her Majesty’s Government to remedy it, and with that view he had referred the subject to the law officers of the Crown for their opinion as to the best mode of doing so. It will be gratifying to many devoted subjects of her Majesty throughout British America, whose fears have been excited by the language too often heard of late years on the subject of colonial connection, that we received from her Majesty’s mi-, nisters the assurance that the British Government acknowledge the obligation of defending every portion of Canada with all the resources at its command.

Such, in brief, is the outline of our communications with her Majesty’s Government; and we cannot conclude this report without gratefully acknowledging the distinguished consideration extended to us as the representatives of Canada, not only by the Ministers with whom we were brought more directly in contact, but by many eminent personages with whom we had the honor of conferring on the objects of our mission. To Mr Card well we are especially indebted for unremitting kindness and attention. We are bappy to believe that the result of our visit to England has been to inspire more just views as to the position and feeling of the Canadian people, and to draw closer the ties that have so long and so happily attached our province to the mother country. ••John A. Macdonald, Geoeqe E. Caetieb, Geoege Beown, A. T. Galt.

How Mb. Mites, the Member fob Waimea, Sleet akd Voted, —The following account of very ridiculous incident that lately occurred in the House of Representatives is given- in a recent number of the Nelson Examiner:—“ A laughable incident occurred in the House of Representatives, one evening lately, before the change of Ministry, while the House was in committee '* on Major Atkinson “Milisher actA division' was taken on one of the clauses and the attention; of the Chairman was called to the fact that one of the Members, Mr. Miles, was fast asleep in his seat, and on the wrong side of the House—as he was expected to vote, as usual, with the Ministry, which this time was for the ayes. It is reported in the papers that Mr. Miles was gently awakened by a Ministerial whipper-in, and led over to the other side of the House amid roars of laughter.. But this does not tell half the story, and fails to describe the facts and record the flashes of wit to which the .occurrence gave rise. The fact is that as evening approaches Mr. Miles* visita-fco and from the smoking-room, Bellamy’s, and the House, become generally more frequent, the intervals between gradually growing briefer. On this occasion a general langour seemed to press upon the frame of Mr. Miles, the product we presume, of the total absence of that severe mental exercise which (the absence we mean )ho so much enjoys. Satisfied with himself, at peace with the legislative world around him, feeling a comfortable genial glow internally, Mr. Miles walked to his seat, deposited his stick, made believe —but very badly—that he was scanning the Parliamentary papers before him, (the fact being that he is nearly as innocent of their contents as any lamb,) looked up beamingly and blandly at the reporters’ gallery—opposite which he sits, and to whose occupants in the midst of their dry labors, Mr. Miles is a source of much amusement. Some of them think they can time their ‘turns’ by the reguarityofhis coming and going. Bye-and-byehe gets comfortably settled on the luxuriously-cussioned bench, looking the while as if his. cravat were too tightly tied. The debate went on, and Mr Miles, who appeared to have no special desire to understand the speakers, looked up at the lamps, and blinked like Minerva’s solemn fowl in sunshine. The articulations of the upper portion of the spinal column, as Dr Monro would say, gradually lost a portion of their muscular power ; his head, that “ dome of thought,” nodded, waggled ; the optics blinked again, the “ dome” nodded once more, waggled again, and gently falling back it rested on the “ cushion’s lining 3” the jaw# relaxed, the mouth opened, and Mr John George' Miles was “ns sound as a church.” Wo must venture a parody :

Balmy Zephyrs lightly flitting, Fan him. with your gentle wings— While upon that bench he's sitting, hist how somnolency sings. And audibly he warbled a deep toned trumpet note. Oblivious to the outer world and its carking cares, Mr Miles announced his enjoyment sonorously through his nose. A division was called for, and the bell rang; the monotony of its sound from the lobbies being varied by an occasional snore in the House. The word, “ Miles ?’’ was answered by a snore. “ How does Mr Miles vote?” repeated the Opposition teller. Members laughed and grinned; “ Awake him,’, said Mr A.; “ Leave him alone,” said Mr T., he is smiling, the angels are whispering to him." “ Spirits, you mean," emphasized one of the funny members. “ ’Tis the spirit that speaketh in him,” irreverently quoted the cler icallooking Mr C., and the laughing was renewed ; even the dignified and conscious Speaker “ scarce forbore to smile.” At length the youth awoke, “ bewildered and bemused." “ Mr. Miles votes with the ayes, ” said a ministerialist. “ Yes, with his eyes shut, " quoth another, and he was borne triumphantly olf to the Ministerial side, amid shouts of merriment and as ignorant" of what he was voting for as was the Sleeping Beauty of what took place during her century of slumber. Sleep, image of thy father, lovelv boy.