The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-03
The Troubles OF the On nadians-The Con
federation Scheme.


federation scheme.
The mission of the Canadian delegation to
England has ended, and despatch addressed
by Mr.. Cardwell, the British Colonial Secretary,
to Lord Monck, Governor General of Canada,
places before us the result of the negotiations
Messrs. Macdonald, Cartier, Brown and Gait
sailed from our western shores to seek from
the government of Great Britain advice upon
five cardinal points. l. How to bring about a
confederation of the British provinces on this
continent. 2. How to defend themselves in
case America should feel disposed to gobble
them up. 8. How to get back the Reciprocity
treaty they had forfeited. A. How to obtain
possession of the Hudson Bay territory. And
lastly and chiefly, how to get out of their pre-
sent condition of helpless impecuniosity. To
solve these difficult problems the Duke Of
Somerset, Earl de Gray, Mr.. Gladstone and Mr..
Cardwell--the chiefs of the British Navy and
Army, Financial and Colonial Department.
were called in council. Many secret sittings
were held, and long and earnest deliberations
took place. The end Of il is that the delegation
have returned to Canada with one or two
vague promises, several more definite refusals,
and the prospect of Immediately and heavily
increasing their present financial burdens.
As to the Reciprocity treaty, the British
government promises to do its best to obtain
its renewal; and with regard to Hudson's Bay,
engages that if the "rights" of the Hudson's
Bay Company can be obtained by the Cana
dams, who have always been foremost in deny
ing the existence of any such rights whatever,
the government will help them to complete the
purchase, with an imperial guarantee.
The completion of the confederation scheme
is made the basis of the structure. This was
done at the request of the delegates themselves,
and with an obvious motive. Of the provinces
which were included in the scheme two-New
Brunswick and Prince Edwards Island-reso-
lutely hold out against the measure. The
British government, we are told, will not coerce
even the weakest Of the objecting colonies into
compliance with the project. The course they
have taken, however is rather remarkable
one. Tho Governor of New Brunswick, one Of
the principal opponents Of the scheme, has been
removed-promoted II is termed-to another
sphere of labor; and confederation has been
constituted the only door by which any Of the
British American provinces can hope to gain
access TO imperial hvors. This may not be
coercion, but IL certainly looks like It.
Assurances Of Canadian loyalty and British
maternal affection appear to have been OK.
changed with refreshing but unsatisfactory
fervor during the diplomatic deliberations
but when the time 10 put these mutual assn.
RANGES 10 practical test arrived the back.
bones Of the diplomats stifFened considerably
The British government we're asked what they
were about TO do in the way Of Notifications
They replied BY pointing to the Parliamentary
vote already taken for the fertilization Of
Quebec, and there stopped short.
A similar question was put 10 the Canadian
delegates. They promised 10 spend million
dollars year in maintaining the militia, and
at thA point they also halted. Great Britain
droRped hint about Ne Western toraaoaeosa