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' i i W ii il i |> ii <i ii ii iii i> i i i I 
 
 QUESTION OF FEDERATION 
 
 or TBI 
 
 BRITISH PROVINCES IN AMERICA. 
 
 ColonUU Ofice, 
 
 JVbtmnfter IS58. 
 
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 [424] 
 
■^ffffllWT'WP 
 
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 Question of I-'ederation of the British Provinces i<i 
 
 America. . 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 ExTHACT from Sir Edmund Head's SPEECH on Opening the Legislature. 
 
 I PROPOSE, in the course of the recess, to communicate with Her 
 Majesty's Government, and with the Governments of our sister Colonies, 
 On another matter of very great importance. I am desirous of inviting 
 them to discuss with us the principles on which a bond of a Federal 
 character, uniting the Provinces of British North America, may perhaps 
 hereafter be practicable. 
 
 N0.1; 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Extract of a DESPATCH from Sir E. B. Lytton to Governor 
 
 Sir E. Head. 
 (No. 56.) 
 
 Downing Street, September 10, 1858. 
 
 THE question of the federation of the Colonies is one in which Canada 
 has, no doubt, a very deep interest, and in which any representations 
 proceeding from the Legislature of that Province will be received with the . 
 greatest attention ; but it is necessarily one of Imperial character, involving • 
 the future government of the other North American Colonies, equally .. 
 bound with Canada by the common tie which unites all the members of 
 that Empire. It is, therefore, one which it properly belongs to the 
 executive atrthdriiy of the Empire, and not that of any sepi rate province, 
 to initiate. 1 do not, however, question the importance of the reasons , 
 which led you to advert to it, and shall await the farther development of 
 the views of yourself and your advisers on the subject. 
 
 I have communicated your speech, and an extract of this part of my 
 despatch, to the Lieutenant-Governors of the other North American ' 
 Provinces. 
 
 No. 2." 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Copy of a CIRCULAR addressed by Sir E. B. Lytton to the Governors 
 of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward's Island, and New- 
 foundland. 
 
 Sir, Downing Street, September 10, 1858. 
 
 ON account of the great importance of the subject, I think it my 
 duty to transmit to you herewith, a copy of the speecn delivered by the 
 Governor of Canada on closing the late session of the Provincial Parlia- 
 ment, together with an extract of a despatch which I have addressed to 
 Sir E. Head, respecting that portion of the speech which relates to the 
 federation of the North American Colonies.* 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) E. B. LYTTON. 
 
 * Nos. I aud. 2. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
No. 4. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Copt of a LETTER from Sir E. B. Lttton to Govemor Sir E. Head. 
 
 My dear Sir, Downing Street, September SM, ]8fi8. 
 
 FROM the tone taken by the newspapers respecting recent political 
 occurrences in Canada ; there can be little doubt that the attention of 
 Parliament will be drawn to them. 
 
 Communication between the Secretary of State and the Oovemor of 
 Canada has been of late years carried on almost exclusively through 
 private correspondence, and, therefore, they are unavailable for Parliap 
 mentary defence, if the conduct or motives of the Governor should be 
 impugned. lam quite aware of the opinion entertained by my predeces- 
 sors respecting the great delicacy of the political relations between England 
 and Canada, which led to this mode of transacting business. But it is 
 only by public despatches that the Governor of Canada can be judged by 
 the public, or supported in the House of Commons. 
 
 1 have, for instance, no official justification to give of the step which 
 you took of initiating, by your messages, the question of Federal union 
 between the provinces — a question of Imperial and not simply Canadian 
 character. 
 
 Again, I can refer to no public documents as to your conduct during 
 the interval between the resignation of the first Ministry and the formation 
 of the present ; during which most of the political responsibility, com- 
 monly shared with your Ministers, was unavoidedly thrown on yourself: 
 such, for instance, as the terms which you thought it necessary to impose 
 *on the Brown Ministry as to the conduct of Parliamentary business, and 
 the alleged contrivance to avoid the inconvenience of vacating seats by 
 members of the Ministry now in office; as to both of which exception has 
 been taken in this country to your own conduct as representing the 
 Crown in Canada. You will not suppose that I concur in these criticisms 
 on points of conduct of which neithei; the, facts iJ9r the reasons are fully 
 before me. 1 am only ai'\ious to point out the difficulty under which 
 I am placed i:; rebutting them. 
 
 On these subjects (relating, namely, to your own conduct as Governor, 
 and not that of your responsible advisers) I am, probably, not going beyond 
 the bounds of necessary official discretion in asking for an explanation in 
 the way of public dispatch. 
 
 But I am inclined to think that, generally speaking, it would be 
 better that the political correspondence between us (when not public) 
 should in future be carried on by confidential despatches rather than by 
 letters, which are, as it seems to me, more subject to accident and misun- 
 derstanding ; while confidential despatches, in case of strong emergency, 
 can be produced either for Parliamentary or other purposes, and, at all 
 events, would be more sure of preservation in the office, for the guidance 
 of successive Secretaries, than mere letters. 
 
 Even with regard to the kind of correspondence now usual, I think it 
 would have been as well if you had communicated with me, or with this 
 Department, since my entrance into office, and not assumed (as 1 suppose 
 you did) that l concurred with my predecessors upon those points of 
 policy to be decided, on which you had been in correspondence with 
 them. 
 
 On these points, however, as well as on all others respecting the 
 direction of the political relations between this country and Canada, I am 
 anxious to take no step without having previously had the advantage of 
 your experience and discretion. 
 
 I hsivc &c 
 (Signed) ' E.' B. LYTTON. 
 Governor Sir E. Head, 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 

 5 
 
 No. fi. 
 
 Copt of a DESPATCH from Oovibnor Sie E. Head to Sib E. B. 
 
 Lytton. 
 (No. 118.) Quebec, September 9, 1858. 
 
 Sir, (Received September 39, 1838.) 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a Minute of a Committee of 
 the Executive Council of Canada, approved by myself this day, on the 
 subject of the union of the British North American Provinces. 
 
 In accordance with the views of my Council, I would urge on Her 
 Majesty's Government the consideration of this important matter. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 rSigned) EDMUND HEAD. 
 
 The Right Hon. Sir E. 3. Lytton, 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Enclosure in No. 6. 
 
 Copy of a Report of a Committee of the Honourable tho Executive 
 Councj!, dated September 4, 1858, approved by his Excellency the 
 Governor-General in Council on September 9, 1868. 
 
 THE Committee of Council are respectfully of opinion that it is 
 expedient to bring the subject of the union of the British North American 
 colonies under the notice of Her Majesty's Government with as little delay 
 as possible, and to inform the Government of each such colony that the 
 attention of Her Majesty has been called to the subject by your Excel- 
 lency ; 
 
 That your Excellency should submit to the Right Honourable the 
 Secretary of State for the Colonies the propriety of authorizing a meeting 
 of delegates on behalf of each colony, and of Upper and Low^ Canada 
 respectively, for the purpose of considering the subject of such Federative 
 union, and reporting on the principles on which the same could properly 
 be based ; 
 
 That such delegates should be appointed by the Executive Govern- 
 ment of each colony, and meet with as little delay as possible ; 
 
 That the report of such delegates should be addressed to the Secre- 
 tary of State for the Colonies, and that a copy of it, as soon as it is 
 prepared, should be placed in the hands of the Governor and Lieutenant- 
 Governor of each colony, in order that he may lay the same before the 
 Provincial Parliament with as little delay as possible. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 Copy of a DESPATCH from Sir E. B. 
 
 E. Head. 
 
 Lytton to Governor Sir 
 
 Sir, Downing Street, October 26, 1858. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 118 of the 
 9th of September, transmitting a copy of a Minute of a Committee of the 
 Executive Committee of Canada, on the subject of the union of the 
 British North American Provinces. 
 
 This question will receive the careful consideration of Her Majesty's 
 Government. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. B. LYTTON. 
 
 Governor Sir E. Head, 
 &c. &.C &c. 
 
 No.S. 
 
 End. in No. S. 
 
 No.S. 
 
No. 7. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Copv of a DESPATCH- from Governor Sir E. Head to Sir E. B. Lttton. 
 (No. 124.) Government House, Toronto, Se(/tember 27, 1868. 
 
 SiH. (Received Octobjr 11, 1838.) 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge, with many thani s^ yonr despatch of 
 September 10, No. 86. 
 
 I rejoice to find that the course pursued by me appears to Her 
 Majesty's Government to have been in accordance with constitutional 
 principles. 
 
 With regard to the subject of the fwleration of the Colonies to which 
 you advert, ifeel the full fore? of what is stated by you, and I trust that 
 the terms of the Alinute of Council of the 9th of September, transmitted 
 with my despatch No. 118, will show that I have not overlooked the 
 " Imperial " character nf the question. 
 
 It is, I conceive, only by the permission and authority of Her 
 Majesty's Government, that the subject can be considered and dealt with. 
 Ifl may so express it, the starting point of the Union must be in the 
 fact, that all these Colonies are Provinces of the same Empire, and subject 
 to the same Sovereign. 
 
 For this reason my Council have recommended that the report of any 
 delegates on this subject should be made to Her Majesty's Secretary of 
 State for the Colonies. 
 
 In mentioning the matter to the Canadian Legislature, I merely 
 announced my intention of opening a correspondence with Her Majesty's 
 Government, and with the other Colonies, on the subject, in order to 
 indicate the direction in which we were about to seeii escape from some of 
 the difficulties pressing on the Government of Canada. 
 
 What that correspondence might lead to, or how far Her Majesty's 
 Governrpent might authorise any practical steps, were questions which 
 I left untouched: ' , '^ ' ' 
 
 f I have, &ic. 
 
 (Signed) EDMUND HEAD. 
 
 The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, 
 &:c. &c. &c. 
 
 No. 8. ;r;v:.;, No. 8. 
 
 Extract of a Confidential DESPATCH from Governor Sir E. Head to 
 
 Sir E. B. Lytton. 
 
 (No. 15.) - ■^-' ' 
 
 October 22, 1858. 
 
 I NOW pass on to the third point, that of having assumed the 
 responsibility of mentioning in the speech proroguing Parliament the 
 possibility of an union of the British North American Provinces. 
 
 The Minute of Council, forwarded with my despatch of the 9th of 
 September, No. 118, will sufficiently show that I was not blind to the fact 
 that any practical measures with regard to such a proposal must originate, 
 not with the Government of Canada, but with that of the Queen. The 
 substance of this Minute of Council was suggested by myself, with the 
 view of marking this important point. Nor did I, in fact, by my 
 speech, bring the subject under the notice of the Canadian Parliament for 
 the first time. It was before them at that very time. Early in the last 
 session, Mr. Gait, then unconnected with the Ministry, put on the votes* 
 a notice for the considerate i of it, which was not yet disposed of. 
 
 * Votes and proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, No. 4, Tuesday, March 2, Notices of 
 Motion. 
 
 Witto, No. 82, July 7, 1858. 
 
When Mr. Qalt, therefore, came into office, it was natural that the 
 quefetion of an union of the Colonies should ut uiice be (liscusscd. I Tound 
 him and several of the gentlemen about to as nmo office deuply imprensed 
 with the idea that in some such union alone could be found the ultimate 
 solution of the great question which hud liucn made a ground of agitation 
 by Mr. Brown, and hm friends, at the general election, viz., the cxistin? 
 equality of representation of Upper and Lower Canada, and the alleged 
 injustice inflicted on the former uy such c(|uality. This question is one, i 
 need not say, which threatened to toucli the root of the present union of the 
 two sections of Canada as by law established, and might imperil its 
 existence by rcvivine all the old antagonism of race and rcugior.. 
 
 Mr. Gait and Mr. Cartier, on taking office, were naturally anxious ^o 
 offer to the Legislative Assembly some indication of the policy by which 
 they hoped to meet this difficulty, more especially as Mr. Gait's opinions 
 on the subject were already known, and hud been recorded on the journals 
 of the House. 
 
 It will, I think, be seen that my position was a very difficult one. 
 The Legislature was to l)e prirogued immediately, and it was thus utterly 
 out of my power to consult Her Majesty's Government, in any official shape, 
 as to che propriety of the step which 1 was about to take. The intimation 
 of the Ministerial policy, to be of any use, had to be made at once, before 
 Parliament separated. 1 did noi think that 1 could, under these circum- 
 stances, refuse to announce to the Legislature that I would correspond 
 with Her Majesty's Government, anti with the other Colonies, not with 
 reference to the best mode of effecting such an union, but as to the prin 
 ciplos on which it might hereafter be possible. 
 
 No. 9. 
 
 No d. 
 
 Copy of a LETTER from IVIessns. Cartikr, Ros;, & Galt to Sir E. B.; 
 
 LVTTON. 
 
 London, October 25, 1858. 
 
 Sir, (Koccived October 27. 1858.) 
 
 WE have the honour to submit, for the consideration of Her Majesty's 
 Government, that the Governor-General, acting under the advice of his 
 rebponsible advisers, has been pleased to recommend that the subject of 
 a Federate Union of the Provinces of British North America should form 
 the subject of discussion by Delegates from each Province, to be appointed 
 under the orders of Her Majesty's Government, And we have bcon 
 instructed to urge the importance of this step, as well upon grounds 
 peculiar to Canada, as from considerations affecting the interests of th(! 
 other Colonies, and of the whole Empire. 
 
 It is our duty to state that very grave difficulties now present them- 
 selves in conducting the Government of Canada, in such a manner as to 
 show due regard to the wishes of its numerous population. The union 
 of Lower with Upper Canada was based upon perfect equality being 
 preserved between these Provinces — a condition the more necessary from 
 the differences in their respective language, law, and religion; and 
 although there is now a large English population in Lower Canada, still 
 these differences exist to an extent which prevents any perfect and com- 
 plete assimilation of the views of the two sections. 
 
 At the time of the Union Act, Lower Canada possessed a much larger 
 population than Upper Canada, but this produced no difTiculty in the 
 government of the Provinces under that Act. Since that period, however, 
 the progress of population has been more rapid in the western section, 
 and claims are now made on behalf of its inhabitants for giving them 
 representation in the Legislature, in proportion to their numbers ; which 
 claims, involving, it is believed, a most serious interference with the prin- 
 ciples upon which the Union was based, have been and are strenuously 
 resisted by Lower Canada. The result is snown by an agitation fraught 
 
8 
 
 with great danger to the peaceful and harmonious working of our con- 
 stitutional system, and consequently detrimental to the progress of the 
 Province. 
 
 The necessity of providing a remedy for a state of things that is yearly 
 becoming worse, and of allaying feelings that are daily aggravated by 
 the contention of political parties, has impressed the Advisers of Her 
 Majesty's Representative in Canada with the importance of seeking for 
 such a mode of dealing with tuese difficulties as may for ever remove 
 them, in this view it has appeared to them advisable to consider how 
 far the Union of Lower with Upper Canada could be rendered essentially 
 Federative in combination with the Provinces of New Irunewick, Nova 
 Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward's Island, together with such 
 other territories as it may be hereafter dcsiiMble to incorporate with such 
 Confederation, from the possessions of the Crown in British North 
 America. 
 
 The Undersigned are convinced that Her Majesty's Government will 
 be fully alive to the grave nature of the circumstances referred to, which 
 are stated by them ;.nder the full responsibility of their position as 
 advisers of the Crown in Canada. They are satisfied that the time has 
 arrived for a Constitutional discussion of all means whereby the evils of 
 internal dissension may be avoided in such an important dependency of the 
 Kmpire as Canada. But independent of reasons affecting Canada alone, 
 it is respectl'uliy represented that the interests of the several Colonies, and 
 of the Empire, will be greatly promoted by a mor** intimate and united 
 government of the entire British North American Possessions. The 
 population, trade, and resources of all these Colonies have so rapidly 
 increased of late years, and the removal of trade-restrictions has made 
 them, in so great a degree, self-sustaining, that it appears to the Govern- 
 ment of Canada exceedingly important to bind still more closely the ties 
 of their common allegiance to the British Crown, and to obtain for general 
 purposes, such an identity in legislation as may seem to consolidate their 
 growing power, thus raising, under the protection of the Empire, an 
 important Confederation on the North American Continent. 
 
 At present, each Colony is totEt'ly distinct in its government, its 
 customs and trade, and its general legislation. To each other no greater 
 facilities are extended than to any foreign State; and the only common 
 tie is that which binds all to the British Crown. This state of things is 
 considered to be neither promotive of the physical prosperity of all, nor 
 of that mora! union which ought to be preserved in the presence of the 
 powerful Confederation of the United States. 
 
 With a population of 3,5(X»,000, with a foreign commerce exceeding 
 25,000,000/. sterling, and a commercial marine inferior in extent only to 
 those of Great Britain and the United States, it is in the power of the 
 Imperial Government, by sanctioning a confederation of these Provinces, 
 to constitute a dopendency of the Empire valuable in time of peacr, and 
 powerful in the event of war ; for ever removing the fear that these Colo- 
 nies may ultimately serve to swell the power of anotlier nation. 
 
 In the case of the Australian Colonies, the Imperial Government have 
 consented to their discussion of the question of confederation, although 
 the reasons for it, .as relates to the Empire, can scarcely be either so 
 urgent, or so important, as those which afreet British North America. 
 
 The Government of Canada do not desire to represent the feelings of 
 tlic other Provinces ; their application is confined to the request that the 
 Imperial Government will be pleased to authorize a meeting of delegates 
 on behalf of each Colony, and of Upper and Lower Canada respectively, 
 for the purpose of considering the subject of a Federative union, and 
 reporting on the principles upon which the same could be properly based ; 
 that such delegates should be appointed by the Executive Government of 
 each Colony, and meet with as little delay as possible ; and that the report 
 of such delegates should be addressed to the Secretary of State for the 
 Colonies, and that a copy of it, as soon as it is prepared should be placed 
 in tlie hands of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of each Colony, in 
 order thnt he may lay the same before the Provincial Parliaments with as 
 little delay as possible. 
 
9 
 
 Upon the report of such delegates, it wil! be for Her Majesty'^ 
 Ooverntneot to decide whether the interests of the Empire will be promoted 
 by confederation, and to direct the action of the Imperial Parliament 
 thereon, with the concurrence of the Legislatures of the respective Colonies. 
 
 We have, &c. 
 (Signed) G. E. C ARTIER. 
 
 JNO. ROSS. 
 A. GALT. 
 The Right Mon. Sir E. Lytton, Bart., 
 &.C. &c. &ic. 
 
 1 
 
 No. 10. 
 
 Copt of a LETTER from Messrs. Cartier, Ross, and Galt, to 
 
 Sir E. B. Lytton. 
 
 (Private and Confidential.) 
 
 Sib, London, October 25, 1858. 
 
 In the oflicial communication which we have this day the honour to 
 address to you on the confederatioa of the British North American 
 Provinces, v/e have felt it improper to offer any opinion upon the details 
 which will form the subject of the proposed discussion by Delegates. It 
 is also our duty not to cause embarrassment by advancing views which 
 may yet liave to be gr'^atly modified. We venture, however, in compliance 
 with your desire for a confidential communication on these points, to 
 suggest: — 
 
 That the Federal Government should ue composed of a Governor- 
 General, or Viceroy, to be appointed by the Queen ; of an Upper House, 
 or Senate, elected upon c territorial basis of representation ;, and of a 
 House of Assembly, elected of^ the btisis of population. The b^ecutive to 
 be composed of Ministers, responsible to the Legislature : ' 
 
 That the powers of the Federal Legislature and Government should 
 comprehend the Customs, Excise, and all trade questions; postal service, 
 militia, banking, currency, weights and measures, and bankruptcy ; public 
 works of a national ciiaracter ; harbours and lighthouses; iisiieries, and 
 their protection ; criminal justice ; public lands, public debt, and govern- 
 ment of unincof porated and Indian territories. 
 
 It will form a subject for mature deliberation whether the powers of 
 the Federal Government should be confined to the points named, or should 
 be extended to rII matters not specially entrusted to the Local Legis- 
 latures. 
 
 The Confederation might include the constitution of a Federal Court 
 of Appeal. 
 
 The general revenue, having been first charged with the expense of 
 collection, and of civil government, to be subject lo the payment of 
 interest on the public^dcbt of the Confederation to be constituted from the 
 existing obligations of each. The surplus to be divided each year, accord- 
 ing to population. 
 
 The net revenue from public lands, in each province, to be its exclu- 
 sive property, except ift the case of new territories. 
 
 It may be expedient, lor a limited time, to provide, from the general 
 revenue, a certain fixed contribution for educational and judicial purposes, 
 ui>til provision is made lor the same by each member of the Confe<leration. 
 
 It will be observed that the basis of confederation now proposed 
 differs from that of the U lited States in several important particulars. 
 It does not profess to be derived from the people, but would be the Consti- 
 tution provided by the Imperial Parliament; thus affording the means of 
 remedying any diefect, which is now practically impossible under the 
 American Const ution. 
 
 The Local Legislatures would not be in a position to claim the 
 exercise of the same sovereign powers, which have frequently been the 
 cause of difference between the American States and their General Govern- 
 
 D 
 
 No. 10< 
 
 n 
 
ID 
 
 itaent. To this may be added that, by the proposed distribution of the 
 revenue, each province would have a direct pecuniary interest in the 
 preservation of the authority of the Federal Government. . In these 
 respects it is conceived that the proposed Confederation would possess 
 greater inherent strength than that of the United States, and would 
 combine the advantages of the unity for general purposes of a Legislative 
 union, with so much of the Federative principle as would give all the 
 benefits of local government and legislation upon questions of provincial 
 interest. ' 
 
 We have, &c. 
 (Signed) G. E. CARTIER. 
 
 JNO. ROSS. 
 
 A. GALT. 
 The Right Hon. Sir Edward B. Lytton, 
 &c., &c., &c. 
 
 No. 11. 
 
 No. 11. 
 
 Copy of a DESPATCH from Lieutenant-Governor the Hon. T. Manners 
 Sutton to Sir E. B. Lytton. 
 
 Government House, Fredericton, New i>unsw>ck, 
 (No. 50.) September 29, 1858. 
 
 Si A, (Received October 18, 1858.) 
 
 ON the 17th instant I received from the Governor-General khe 
 d'ispatch of which a copy is inclosed. 
 
 I forthwith laid this despatch and its enclosure before my Council, 
 and I have now the honour to transmit to you the copy of a Memorandum 
 submitted to me by my Council on the imjiortant question to which Sir 
 E. Head's despatch refers. 
 
 This Memorandum will, I know, receive your attentive consideration, 
 and it only remains for me to state that I entirely concur in the opinions 
 expressed by my Council. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) J. H. T. MANNERS SUTTON. 
 
 The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. 
 &ic. &c. &c. 
 
 Kiicl. 1 in No. 11. 
 
 Enclosure 1 in No. 1 1 . 
 
 Governor Sir E. Head to Lieutenant-Governor the Hon. T. Manners 
 
 Sutton. 
 
 Sir, Quebec, September 9, 1858. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to transmit, for your Excellency's information, 
 the inclosed copy of a Minute of the Executive Council of Canada, 
 approved by myself, on the subject of a Federative union of the British 
 North American Provinces. 
 
 I nfl.V6 oLO 
 
 (Signed) ' EDMUND HEAD. 
 The Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, 
 &c. &c. Ike. 
 
11 
 
 Enblosnre 2 in No. 1 1 . End. 2 in No. H. 
 
 Copy of a REPORT of a Committee of the Honourable the Executive 
 Council, dated 4th September, 1858, approved by his Excellency the 
 Governor-General. 
 
 THE Comnittee of Council are respectfully of opinion that it is 
 expedient to bring the subject of the union of the British North American 
 Colonies under tne notice of Her Majesty's Government with as little 
 delay as possible, and to inform the Government of each such Colony that 
 the attention of Her Majesty has been called to the subject by your 
 Excellency. 
 
 That your Excellency should submit to the Right Honourable the 
 Secretary of State for the Colonies the propriety of authorizing a meeting 
 of delegates on behalf of each Colony, and of Upper and Lower Canada 
 respectively, for the purpose of considering the subject of such Federative 
 union, and reporting on the principles on which the same could properly 
 be based. 
 
 That such delegates should be appointed by the Executive Govern- 
 ment of each Colony, and meet with as little delay as possible. r. 
 
 That the report of such delegates should be addressed to the Secretary 
 of State for the Colonies, and that a copy of it, as soon as it is prepared, 
 should be placed in the hands of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor 
 of each Colony, in order that they may lay the same before the Provincial 
 Parliament, with as little delay as possible. 
 
 .m: 
 
 ■.!*♦■ 
 
 Enclosure 3 in No. 11. 
 
 End. 3 in No. 11. 
 
 ■fi •'■: 
 
 Memorandum. 
 
 To his Excellency the Honourable J. H. T. Manners Sutton, &:c. 
 
 THE Committee of Council have had under consideration the despatch 
 of the Governor-Ge-ieral, of the 9th instant, containing the report of the 
 Executive Council of Canada on the subject of a Federative union of the 
 British North American Provinces. 
 
 The Council are deeply impressed with the importance of tiie subject, 
 requiring, as it does, the most deliberate and mature consideration. 
 
 The British North American Provinces have each attained a great 
 degree of material prosperity under their present constitution ; and the 
 increased power of self-government recently conferred upon them, has left 
 them nothing to envy in the political condition of the citizens of the 
 neighbouring Republic. 
 
 The Council are of opinion that the interests of this Province, and of 
 all the British North American Provinces, require that when the question 
 of a Federal or Legislative union of the Provinces is formally brought 
 before the people, it should be raised in such a manner, and at such a 
 time, as would afford a reasonable prospect, at least, of arriving at a 
 speedy and satisfactory conclusion. 
 
 And without expressing any opinion as to the practicability or effect 
 of such a union as that referred to in the Memorandum of the Council of 
 Canada, the Council would state that, although the subject of a union of 
 the Colonies has to some extent been discussed in the public press here, 
 the attention of the Provincial Legislature has never been directed to this 
 matter, nor has it been a prominent subject of consideration among the 
 constituencies, and in this respect New Brunswick occupies a very diflerent 
 '.position from Canada. 
 
 And it may be remarked that if the recommendation of the Canadian 
 Government be adopted by the Secretary of State, the question of a Legis- 
 lative union with any or all of the other Provinces must be excluded from 
 consideration by the Commission. 
 
 Under these circumstances, the Council would respectfully submit, 
 
that a reasonable time should be allowed for consideration, before the 
 commencement of any such inquiry as that contemplated by the Govern- 
 ment of Canada. 
 
 (Signed) CHARLES FISHER. 
 
 S. L. TILLEY. 
 
 JAMES BROWN. 
 
 W. H. STEVENS. 
 
 A. J. SMITH. 
 
 CHARLES WALTERS. 
 September 25, 1858. 
 
 No. 12. 
 
 No. 12. 
 
 Copy of a DESPATCH from Lientena,nt-Governor the Hon. T. Manners 
 Sutton to Sir B. B. Lytton. 
 
 (Private and Confidential.) 
 
 Govern! .lent Houue, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 
 Sir, October 2, 1858. 
 
 IN my despatch of the 29th ultimo, No. 50, 1 have officially laid before 
 
 frou a copy of the Memorandum of my Council on the proposal (emanating 
 rom the Executive Council of Canada) that the Secretary of State should 
 forthwith authorize the appointment, by the respective Governments of 
 the British North American Provinces, of Commissioners to consider the 
 subject of a Federative union of all the British North American Provinces, 
 aod to report thereon to the Secretary of State. 
 
 2. I confess, Sir, that I learnt, with some sur|>rise, and my Council 
 were equally unprepared for the announcement, that the Executive Council 
 of Canada had advised the Governor-General to recommend the Secretary 
 
 'of Statfe to authorize the appointment of this Commission, without previ- 
 ously ascertaining the views of thfe Governmerit of this province (or, so 
 far as I am aware, of the Governments of Nova Scotia or Prince Edward's 
 Island) on the expediency of the proposed inquiry. 
 
 3. But, although I do not profess to be conversant with all the details 
 and particuhirs of the present political condition of Canada, I am suHi- 
 cienrtly well informed on the sulrject to be aware that the exigencies of the 
 
 E resent time may form a sufficient justification for the step which has 
 een taken by the Canadian Government, and also afford grounds for 
 inducing Her Majesty's Government to take into consideration, with the 
 hope of allaying excitement in Canada, suggestions which, under other 
 circumstances, tliey might not be disposed to entertain. 
 
 4. It is possible that a Federative union of the British North 
 American Provinces would afford to tlie Canadian Government the 
 readiest mode of escape from the difficulties and embarrassments which 
 now surround the settlement of the "seat of Government" question, and 
 1 presume that 1 am right in supposing that, although the ostensible 
 object of the proposed inquiry is the union liy Federative bonds with 
 Canada of the other British North American Provinces, the Canadian 
 Government have no less m view the severance of the bond which now 
 joins the two Canadas in a Legislative Union, and the substitution for 
 that bond of a more clastic tie of a Federal or a Federative cliaracter. 
 
 5. Both these questions, viz., the "the seat of Government" question, 
 and the expediency, or non-expediency, of substituting a Federative for 
 the Legislati- e union between the Canadas, are exclusively Canadian 
 questions. But tiie proposal of the Canadian Govcrni. ent affects this 
 province equally with Canada, and although I have puiposely confined 
 within very narrow limits the remarks contained in my official despatch, it is, 
 I think, my duty to lay before you, confidentially, but frankly, and without 
 reserve, the opinions which I entertain not only with regard to the policy 
 of the proposed inquiry, anrl the constitution of the proposed Commission, 
 but also with respect to the probable results of a Federal or Federative 
 union of the British North American Provinces. 
 
so 
 
 13 
 
 6. As regards the policy of the proposed inc|uiry I should observe 
 that, although the Memorandum of my Council is couched in guarded 
 terms, you will have no difficulty in ascertaining from it that they are of 
 opinion, first, that if a union of the British North American Provinces is to 
 be discussed, this discussion should embrace the question of a Legislative, 
 as well as that of a Federal or Federative union, and the expediency of 
 uniting some, as well as that of uniting all the provinces ; and, secondly, 
 that the immediate commencement of such an inquiry as that proposed 
 by the Canadian Government, even if that inquiry should embrace the 
 expediency of a Legislative, as well as a Federal, union of some, as well 
 as of all, the British North American Provinces would be, to say the 
 the least of it, premature; and in these opinions 1 entirely concur, not 
 only for the reasons stated in the Memorandum, but also because I believe 
 that the inquiry, if now instituted, would result either in the early com- 
 pletion of a Federal or Federative union of the British North American 
 Provinces (and I should deprecate the establishment of such a union for 
 reasons which I sLall attempt fully to explain in a subsequent part of this 
 despatch), or in the dangerous excitement and agitation which, in these 
 provinces, always accompanies a protracted discussion on constitutional 
 questions of importance. 
 
 7. And 1 should here observe that if (as probably will be the case) 
 it should be urged in favour of the recommeiuiation of the Canadian 
 Government, that the authori'/.ation by the Secretary of State of the. 
 respective Governments of the British North American Provinces to 
 appoint the Commissioners of inquiry will not render it compulsory on 
 any of those Governments to exercise this authority, such an argument, 
 however plausible, would be (so far, at least, as this Government is 
 concerned), entirely fallacious ; for, if authority to appoint the Com- 
 mission of inquiry be granted, the pressure to which my Council would 
 be subjected by Canada would (unless the Government of Nova Scotia 
 should join them in resisting this pressure, of which, as matters now 
 stand, I have no expectation), compel them, although convinced of the 
 impolicy of the step, to advise me to nominate a Commissioner. The 
 arguments, therefore, which my Council have, in their Memorandum, 
 urged against the immediate commencement of the proposed inquiry, are 
 applicable, also, to the immediate authorization by the Secretary of State 
 of the appointment of the Commission. And although it is not expressly 
 stated in the Memorandum, 1 know that this is the opinion of my 
 Council. 
 
 8. 1 now turn to the proposed const; ation of the Commission. It is 
 true that the authority to appoint the Commission would proceed from 
 the Crown, and it is also true that the Commissioners would address their 
 report to the Secretary of State ; but the Commissioners would be 
 appointed by the respective Governments of the British North American 
 Provinces (the Canadian Government nominating two out of five), and 
 copies of their report, as soon as it is prepared, would be necessarily 
 transmitted by the Secretary of State to the respective Governors of the 
 Provinces, to be laid before the Legislature of each Province with as little 
 delay as possible. 
 
 Now the fact that tne appointment of the Commission was authorized 
 by the Secretary of State would give to the report of the Commissioners 
 appointed by the Provincial Governments additional weight and autho- 
 rity, and, although the Secretary of State might, it is true, when trans- 
 mitting their report to the Governors of the Provinces to be laid before 
 their Legislatures, accompany it with suggestions or instructions, these 
 suggestions or instructions would have far less weight than would attach 
 to tncm if given before the inquiry commenced; and, if tney should be at . 
 variance with the wishes of any of the Provincial Legislatures, excitement 
 and discontent migiit be the result. It appears to me, then, that it would 
 scarcely be possible to constitute a Commission, or to frame an inquiry, 
 in a manner which would give the Canadian Government more power of 
 deciding the question according to their own views, or more completely 
 exclude Her Majesty's Government from exercising any influence, other 
 than that of direct coercion, in its settlement. 
 
V 
 
 14 
 
 9. But the question of unitini^ by Federative bonds t^e British North 
 Provinces is confessedly one which not only vitally affects the present cond?-' 
 tion and future prospects of each of the Provinces, but also involves Imperial 
 interests of immense importance ; and, with your permission, 1 shall now 
 submit to you, as clearly as 1 can, the reasons which induce me to fear 
 that any sucii union would be productive of very disastrous consequences. 
 
 10. 1 have, in a former paragraph of this despatch, stated that the 
 purport of the Governor-General's despatch of the 9th of September took 
 me, as well as my Council, by surprise. But the question of a Union, 
 whether Federative or Legislative, of all or of some of the British North 
 American Provinces is not new to me; on the contrary, it forced itself on 
 my consideration at a very early period after my arrival in the Province, 
 not only because 1 saw symptoms vide my despatch Private, June 12, 
 1835, to Lord John Russell) which led me to believe that the question 
 would, ere long, be raised, in one shape or another, but also because I 
 very soon traced most of the difficulties wliich have beset the practical 
 working of the system of " responsible Government " in this Province to 
 causes tho character of which necessarily led me to consider whether an 
 union of this Province with some, at least, of the other Provinces, might 
 not be productive of benefit to all. 
 
 11. And I should observe that, early in the course of last year (1857), 
 I stated, in compliance with a request to that effect which I received from 
 Sir K. Head, to him, the opinions which 1 had formed on this subject, 
 and these opinions 1 have seen no reason to alter. The correspondence 
 which passed between the Governor-General and myself on the (x-casion 
 referred to was strictly private and unofficial, but l feel no difficulty in 
 thus referring to it, because my letter was written to Sir K. Head (who 
 was then on the eve of visiting England) expressly with the view of its 
 being shown to the then Secretary of State, and I have no reason to doubt 
 that it was laid before the Secretary of State, or, at all events, that its 
 purport was communicated to him. 
 
 12. Well then. Sir, I have no hesitation in saying, that in this pro- 
 vince (and I believe that the same state of affairs exists to, at least, an 
 equal extent in Prince Kdward's Island, and, to some extent, in Nova 
 Scotia), the smallness of the number of sea's in the House of Assembly 
 (which gives to one or two members the same power over a Government 
 which in England is exercised by a large party, under the guidance of 
 leaders of acknowledged ability and reputation), the petty nature of the 
 questions commonly discussed in the House of Assembly, and the conse- 
 quent absence of any motive sufficient to induce the men of the highest 
 standing here to compete for legislative honours, or to accept official 
 appointments, and the limited number and inferior attainments of those 
 from among whom the Representative of the Crown must choose his 
 responsible advisers, have combined to degrade both the Government and 
 the Legislature. 
 
 13. For the House of Assembly here now generally consists, with few 
 exceptions, of men to whom the pay of a member (about 80/. currency 
 per annum) is of great imf)ortance, who have sought seats in the Legisla- 
 ture, not on public grounds, but for personal objects, and who, having 
 obtained these seats, not on account of their political ability or political 
 principles, but by promises of patronage or local benefits to their consti- 
 tuents, neglect no opportunity of making the best bargain they can, for 
 their supporters and thc^mselves, for their votes in the Legislature. 
 
 14. For this state of affairs the province does not, within itself, 
 contain any remedy, which must, therefore, be sought for from without 
 the province ; and from a very early period of my frovernment, I have 
 regarded the union of New Brunswick with some uf the neighbouring 
 provinces as affording the only cure for the evils to which I have referred. 
 
 But a Federal or Federative union with the other provinces would, 
 in my humble judgment, only aggravate these evils, and introduce others 
 of a description even more disastrous to the provinces so united, and 
 dangerous to their connection with the mother country. 
 
 15. 1 presume that the word " Federative " has been used in the 
 Memorandum of the Executive Council of Canada to imply that the 
 
 ': T ', 
 
15 
 
 •_- ■•*,■ 
 
 union wliich they contemplate is not to be necessarily of the saniQ 
 character as that which binds together the several States of the neigh- 
 bouring Republic. But upon whatever basis a Federative union might 
 be formed, it must, I think, be liable to one of two objections, either of 
 which ought, as it apf)ear8 to me, to be fatal to such a scheme. For if 
 the LocarGnvernments and Local Legislatures are still to continue to 
 exercise the same authority in local legislation and local matters which 
 now appertains to them (and there is comparatively little business of any 
 other description which they are now called upon to discuss), then the 
 result of such a union will be still further to degrade the Local Govern- 
 ments and Legislatures without diminishing their authority, while the 
 Central Government and Central Legislature, nominally endowed with 
 high powers, and proud of their position, but with little or no business of 
 a purely Colonial character to occupy their attention, would, I fear, claim 
 un authority on subjects not purely Colonial, but also of Imperial import- 
 ance (such as questions of foreign trade, &tc.), and shortly be brought 
 into collision with Her Majesty's Government and with the Imperial Par- 
 liament. If, on the other hand, the Local Governments and Local Legis- 
 latures were shorn of a large portion of their present powers (to which 
 proposal I do not believe that the Lower Provinces would agree), the 
 inhabitants of the Lower Provinces would, in my opinion, very soon, if 
 not immediately, become discontented witli an arrangement which would 
 deprive them of the power they now possess over the management of 
 their own afftiira, and render New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince 
 Edward's Island, Provinces of Canada, instead of being, as they now 
 are, Provinces of the British Kmpire. And in the attempt to regain that 
 which they had lost, they might, and, as I think, probably would look, not, 
 indeed, to the Government at Washino;ton for assistance, but to the 
 Northern States of the Union. Again, the establishment of a Federal or 
 Federative union would, as I believe, be immediately followed by an 
 agitation in favour of the election of the Local Governors, instead of their 
 being nominated by the Crown. And it would be tlie more dillicult to 
 resist this application on account of the jiurcly local or municipal cha- 
 racter of the powers with which the Governors would be intrusted ; but 
 the compliance with the request would he in my opinion highly dangerous, 
 not only because it wouhi at once be fatal to British influence in the 
 Local Governments and Local Legislatures, but also because it would, 
 I believe, be followed quickly by a similar application from the United 
 Provinces, with regard to the Governor-Generalship, still more diRicult to 
 resist from the force with which it would be pressed, but the compliance 
 with which would at once practically sever the connexion between the 
 Crown and British North America. 
 
 18. A Legislative union of the British North American Provinces 
 is not liable to all the objections which, as I believe, apply to a Federal 
 or FY'derative union ; but it is liable to the objection that great discontent 
 in the Lower Provinces would follow the centralisation in one Govern- 
 ment, and in one Legislature, at Quebec or Montreal, of the powers and 
 authority now vested in the Governments and Legislatures of the several 
 provinces; and. moreover, I believe that no single Government or single 
 Legislature could, in present circumstances, satisfactorily govern and 
 legislate for a territory extending over an area so immense, and so 
 sparsely [)opulated as many portions of that territory are. 
 
 Such a union, then (however practicable or expedient it may hereafter 
 become), wouhl at present be, in my opinion, impolitic, even if it were 
 practicable; but it is not practicable, for Canada does not desire such a 
 union, and the Lower Provinces would, I believe, reject it. 
 
 17. There arc, however, no such objections (at least, in my opinion) 
 to a Legislative union between the Lower Provinces, viz., New Brunswick, 
 Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward's Island. On the contrary, I believe that 
 such a union would confer incalculable benefits on all the three Provinces, 
 and that it would form an additional security for the continuance of 
 harmony between Her Majesty's Government and the Provincial Govern- 
 ment, and of the existing connection with the mother-coiuitry. 
 
 The close contiguity of the three Provinces, the identity of their 
 
 ' ft 
 
16 
 
 interesta, and the existing Facilities of the inter-coromunication between 
 them, which will be materially increased when the railway from Halifax 
 joins the railway from St. John to Shediac Point to such a union, and the 
 fusion of the three Governments and Legislatures into one would not be 
 regarded by the people of any Oiie of the provinces in the li^ht in which 
 they would regard the transference of the powers now vested in their own 
 Governments and Legislatures to a Government and Legislature stationed 
 at Quebec or Montreal. 
 
 Indeed, I believe that the people of this province and of Prince 
 Edward Island mi^ht be brought without difficulty to view with favour 
 this union, and, unless the step now taken by the Canadian Government 
 should have altered the views of the people of Nova Scotia, I am inclined 
 to believe that they, too, would approve of it. 
 
 18. It would be out of place in this despatch to discuss the details of 
 such a union ; but, so fur as 1 am able to judge, there would be no 
 insuperable obstacles to carrying it into effect. 
 
 The financial and commercial questions, which would be necessarily 
 raised, might, as it appears to me, be arranged without much trouble ; 
 and although it is very possible that, at first, the seat of Government 
 question might present some difficulties, these difficulties might, I think, 
 he overcome. For it is clear that neither Frederictoii, nor Halifax, nor 
 St. John could he chosen. Fredericton would have few, if any, supporters ; 
 St. John would have none ; and Halifax would not have so deep an inte- 
 rest in the matter as would be the case if she were not to continue the 
 head-quarters of the troops stationed in the three provinces, and of the 
 British fleet on the North American station. I am therefore disposed to 
 believe that the three provinces might be brought to concur in tne selec- 
 tion of some central spot as the seat of Government for the three provinces. 
 And, at all events, even if it should be found necessary, for a time, to 
 adopt the system of a migratory Government, inconvenient and expensive 
 as this system is, both the inconvenience and expense would be far more 
 than counterbalanced by the political advantages and financial saving 
 which would result from the union. 
 
 19. I fear that I have trespassed at too great a length upon your 
 attention in discussing this question ; but I should not have felt myself 
 justified in bringing it before you if I had not given to the details connected 
 with it that consideration which enables me to express a hope that, if you 
 should be of opinion that a Legislative union between the Lower Provinces 
 would be desirable, it might be possible to effect that union. 
 
 20. But the institution of the inquiry proposed by the Canadian 
 Government would, even if that inquiry should embrace the Legislative as 
 well as Federal union of some, as well as of all, the British North 
 American provinces, <;ertainly place new and most formidable difficulties 
 in the way ^nf attaining this object; and if this inquiry be now instituted, 
 it will, I think, be difficult to prevent a Federative union of all the British 
 North American provinces, not because the people of New Brunswick, or 
 (so far as I am aware) of Nova Scotia and Prince F.dward's Island, are in 
 favour of such a scheme, but because Canada will exercise an overpowering 
 influence in the decision of the question. 
 
 2L If, on the other hand, you should think fit, either on the ground 
 that the application of the Canadian Government has not been concurred 
 in by the Governments of ail the provinces to be affected by the inquiry, 
 or on any other grounds, to defer a compliance with, if not absolutely to 
 reject, that application, then I think that I could (if such a course seemed 
 desirable (o you) be enabled, without committing Her Majesty's Govern- 
 ment or mysolF, to raise the question of a Legislative union of the Lower 
 Provinces, in such a manner as would afford to this scheme a fair prospect 
 of success, and, at all events, render more difficult the concurrence of the 
 Lower Provinces in any plan for uniting by Federative bonds ail the 
 British North American Provinces. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) J. H. T. MANNERS SUTTON. 
 
 The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, 
 &:c. &ic. &c. 
 
 c 
 
 s 
 
 t( 
 
 
 
 e 
 
 tl 
 A 
 
 C 
 
 t 
 
17 
 No. 13, 
 
 Copy of a DESPATCH from Lieutenant-Governor the Hon. T 
 Sutton to Sir E, B. Lvtton. 
 
 Manners 
 
 Government House, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 
 (No. 63.) October 11, 1858. 
 
 Sir, (Received November 1, 1858.) 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge tiie receipt bv the last mail, 
 which arrived here on the 9th instant, of your despatch of the 1 0th Sep- 
 tember, No. 1.0, inclosing a copy of the speech of the Governor of Canada, 
 on closing the late session of the Provincial Parliament, and also en 
 extract of a despatch which you have addressed to Sir E. Head respecting 
 that portion of the speech which relates to the Federation of the North 
 American Provinces. 
 
 I shall immediately communicate the purport of this despatch to my 
 Council, whose 'Memorandum on the same subject I had the honour to 
 transmit to you on the 4th instant. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) J. H. T. MANNERS SUTTON. 
 
 The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 No. IS. 
 
 I \ 
 
 f:'-\ ■ 
 
 No. 14. I' .'. '.• 
 
 v„. ,:- . ■: _' : , . ■_ ■ . :^i 
 
 Copy of a DESPATCH from Lieutenant-Governor the Hon. T. Manners 
 
 Sutton to Sir E. B. Lytton. 
 
 Government House, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 
 (Private and Confidential.) October 11, 1858. 
 
 Sir (Rtceived November 1, 1858.) 
 
 I HAVE thought it right in my official despatch of this day's date. 
 No. 53, to call your particular attention to the day on which your despatch 
 of the 10th September, No. 15, reached me, in order that you may be 
 aware thi. did not receive this despatch until after I hat! transmitted to 
 you the Memorandum of ray Council, enclosed in my official despatch of 
 the 29th September, No. 50, and my confidential despatch of 2nd instant ; 
 for I need scarcely say that if 1 ha(l been in possession of your despatch of 
 the 10th September at the time when the Memorandum of the E.vecutive 
 Council of Canada (on the subject of a Federative union of the British 
 North American Provinces) was under the consideration of my Council, 1 
 should have gladly availed myself, and have urged (probably with success) 
 my Council to avail themselves, of the authoritative announcement con- 
 tained in your despatch, that the union of the Provinces is a question the 
 initiation in which belongs to the Executive authority of the Empire and 
 not to that of any one of the Provinces. 
 
 Hitherto there has been a very general impression here that in 
 raising the question of a Federative union, the Executive Council of 
 Canada has acted with the sanction, if not directly at the instance, of Her 
 Majesty's Government. 1 have not, you are aware, acted on this impres- 
 sion, in which 1 did not myself concur, but its prevalence here has created 
 additional difficulties in dealing with the question. 
 
 These difficulties are removed by your despatch of lOth September, 
 No. 15, the purport of which I shall immediately communicate to my 
 Council. 
 
 I may add, that one of the principal reasons which induced me at this 
 particular time to press upon your attention (in my confidential despatch 
 of the 2nd October) the question of a Legislative union of the Lower 
 Provinces, was the belief that there would be less danger that the people 
 of this Province would, either now or hereafter, yield to Canadian innu- 
 encc, and express themselves in favour of a Federative union, if a Legis- 
 lative union with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward's Island were presented 
 
 . -■ .- F 
 
 No. 14. 
 
Id 
 
 to their notice. Aa the matter now standa, there is not, of course, the 
 same motive for immediate action, but I may be permitted to state, that 
 (for myself) I adhere to the opinions expressed in my confidential despatch 
 with respect to the benefits which might be expected from a Legislative 
 union of the Lower Provinces, no less than to those which I nad the 
 honour to submit to you in the same despatch, with respect to the 
 probable results of a Fi-derative union of all or of any of the Provinces. 
 
 I beg you, however, to understand that although I have long and 
 anxiously considered the question, I have not in any way committed 
 myself or Her Majesty's Government in the matter. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) J. H. T. MANNERS SUTTON. 
 
 The Right Hon. Sir E. i<. Lytton, Bart. 
 &c. &ic. &c. 
 
 No. 15. No. 16. 
 
 Copy of a lESPATCH from Governor Sih A. Banne.iman to Sir E. B. 
 
 LVTTON. 
 
 (No. 83.) Government House, Newfoundland. 
 
 October 11, 1858. 
 
 Sir, (Ileceivod November 1, 1858.) 
 
 I HAVPj to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 10th 
 September, No. 17, with enclosures. 
 
 2. I have the honour to inform you that 1 received a letter from the 
 Governor-General of Canada, enclosing copy of a report of a Committee 
 of the Executive Council, dated the 9th of September, on the subject of 
 a Federative union, and their proposal that Delegates should meet from 
 each Colony to discuss the question. 
 
 3. The Executive Council of Newfoundland have passed a Minute, 
 which I shall forward to the Governor-General, stating, that when 
 authority is given by the Secretary of State for holding such a meeting, 
 the Executive Council of Newfoundland will not fail to be represented at 
 that meeting. 
 
 4. As the Minute of the Council of Canada bears, that the Govern- 
 ment of each Colony should be informed of the Report they had made on 
 the 4th of September, which was approved of by his Excellency the 
 Governor-General, I considered it to be my duty to lay his Excellency's 
 despatch before the Council, but explaining to them that the question was 
 an Imperial one, and taking care that their Minute was sufficiently 
 guardefl to recognize only the authority of the Secretary of State. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) A. BANNERMAN. 
 
 '' P.S. — It is understood on this side of the Atlantic that the proposi- 
 tion of a Federative union originated with the British Government ; there 
 could not be a worse tribunal for its discussion than Delegates chosen 
 from the Executive Councils. 
 
 A. B. 
 The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart., 
 &,c. &c. &c. 
 
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