The New York herald., 1869-06-21
CANADIAN INDEPENDENCE.

Source Of Irritation to the Uaited States
Reply Of MIR. Gladstone.
The following letter was written by Canadian. q
resident OF this city, to Mr.. Gladstone, the Prime
Minister Of Great Britain. 1t explains ITSELF
NEW YORK, May 20, 1869.
TO the Right Hon. WILLIAM ". GLADSTONE, &C., &c.
SiK-Beneving that information and suggestions
from private sources are sometimes valuable to
statesmen, lake the liberty OF addressing you some
remarks on the American question. You mest
weigh the statements, as well as the conclusions
draw from them by the same rule which prevails IN
courts in respect to the testimony Of witnesses who
are strangers to the Judge and ury-namely the In
trinslc merits OF the evidence
am canadian, or Anglo saxon origin, but have
resided mere steadily Tor the last SIX years. and nave
had the fullest opportunity OF making my self ac-
quainted with the private as well as public sentl-
policy and relations with England. Hav-
ing previously resided, for about the same
period IN England, think also know something
OF the state OF public ieeng there, IN respect to this
country. When, therefore, say that although there
exists among the influential classes OF both countries
a strong desire Tor peace and TO have all causes or
irritation. winch might by some untOward CIR
cumstance lead to the calamity of war removed,
there nevertheless cO-eXists with sucn desire
tlnual apprehension that something may at any
moment happen 10 disturb the friendly relations
between the two countries. This apprehension
arises IN the minds OF Englisnmen, from the opinion
they entertain, and must say, not without reason,
that the growing ambition and power OF the United
STATES must sooner or later lead to te absorption OF
the British provinces IN America or their detach-
ment from the empire, even at the risk OF bloody
ana pTOtrdcteu war, which WOulu Dc IOuOWeu Dy an
indefinite period OF mutual hatred and resentment.
In several conversations had the honor to have
with the late Richard CObden, as long ago as 1852
and 1883, at his house In WestbOuTne terrace, l
alluded on more than one occasion, to what be-
heved TO be the feeling in England on this aspect OF
the American question. He said ne quite conceded
with me, and hence had not besated IN arriving at
the conclusion tnat the true policy or England con-
sisted IN paving the way to an early dissolution OF
the political connection between Great Britain and
her North American provinces This, he argued,
and, as | think, with unanswerabe force, would re-
move all causes OF jealousy, which, after ALL are the
fruitful sources OF war between ambitious ana
powerful nations, especially where there Is conti-
guilty of territory, and lay the foundation OF per-
petual peace between the two great nations OF Anglo
Saxon origin l asked him whether he favored the
project Tor the annexation of the provinces to the
United StatesY lie said 'that was matter that
would have to be left entirely TO the people OF British
Amerlca.o
few days after this last conversation with Mr..
Golden, mad the honor Of private interview with
the Right Honorable SIR JOnn Paklngt0n, then Secre
tary OF state for the Colonies on anoher question OF
interest 10 Canada, where then had extensive busi-
ness relations. After had got through with what
had TO say the special object of my interview, Sir
JOnn detained me to ask my opinion OF the defensi-
bility Of Canada IN case OF war with the United
States.
/ replied, 'If war should unfortunately occur,
the best thing for England to do would be not to
attempt defence at all"
"Will you be klnd enough,n he asked, "to explain
your reasons ior Offering such adviceY".
My reply was, "Simply because Canada would be
wholly indefensble against the overwhelming mill
tary resources Of the United States available at all
points along frOnter over ,oUO miles III extent.
hundred thousand men concentrated on Montreal
would cut the Province in two, and Quebec would
fall fortnight before the heavy guns now in use
ard victorious army IN the field.
"But," replied Sir john little irrltated at my
frank and candid reply so different from Canadian Of
ficia reports what should he doing all this timer
Our navy would sweep American commerce from
the ocean, and New Orleans, Charleston, New YORK
and Boston would be blockaded IN less than month
after declaration OF war, so close that jollyboat
could neither get In or out"
"That,n said |, ais another matter. have answer
ed your questions from personal knowledge Of the
topography OF the various lines on which military
operations would be conducted, and also OF the im-
medately available means OF attack and defence.
The United States can collect 100 oOOmen at Detroit,
and as they own nearly all the commercial marine
on the lakes, can send them down stream to Toronto
and Kingston to meet other forces sent from
hours 1t took days IN 1872 and 1913, To move 5000;
while another army Of equal numbers can mean.
while be concentrated on Montreal 1t Is true"
observed, such armies would be wanting In skill and
knowledge OF war; but so would the Canadians, and
as for the handful OF British troops scattered along
simply become prisoners OF war. The Provinces
would be Immediately organized as independent ma
tionalites, and, whatever might be the result OF
protracred naval warfare, England win thenceforth
cease to own or control the policy OF square mile
OF territory on the North American Continent east
OF the Rocky Mountains"
Sir John Terminated the interview by saying, 81
differ with you about our ability to defend Canada,
but hope 1t may never be necessary"
! have brieny detailed these conversations with
two distinguished British statesmen because they
embody two sets 0f sentiments and suggest two lines
OF policy for such statesmen to pursue The events
Of the late civr war In the United States have not
diminished the cogency OF the arguments used seven
teen years ago in support OF each. think even Sir
John Pakington must by this time admit that did
not overstate the power OF the United States to de-
tach British America from the empire whenever IL
may suit their purpose to pick quarrel. When
once detached, however much the Americans might
be beaten the sea. the Provinces would be revo-
lutionized and be placed under the control OF new
element and new set OF men. who would be sup
ported morally and physically. by the whole Ameri-
aann n n ypr rest forA
them to the merely nominal relationship they at
present hold towards the mother country.
The views embodied In these statements were
formed from Canadian and English standp0ints
Ny more recent experience here not only confirms
their absolute correctness but goes urther-t estab-
fishes conviction that most OF the unfriendy feel
ing, leaving the rish element" out of the question:
which continually ''outcrops'' against England in
this country Is the result OF jealousy OF British
power and influence on this Continent This feeling
was greatly enhanced by the unfortunate policy OF
the british government during the war.
arrived In Liverpool the day after the escape OF
the Alabama, and was In England for nine months
and as strictly impartial spectator OF events could
not disguise from myself the apparent apathy OF the
subordinate authorities In respect not only TO this
but other ships then notoriously building for the
this policy would sink deep into the American mind
and be made the preteXt for all the good
haters. OF England in America for en-
brong the two countries In at q
future time unless England should make timely re-
paraton, aud so wrote 70 friends on this side. The
result OF this policy OF the British authorities Is now
10y the Senate OF the United States. Although there
are great many persons In thus country OF the type
OF Senator Chandler. who would Ike to see England
Inundated from pure feelings OF resentment, be-
eve the main cause of irritation arises from re-
vIval OF the od jealousy OF British power and IN
nuence IN Canada. SO long as the union JACK floats
from the iagstalls at Quebec Kingston and other
fortincation5 OF the Dominion, and British soldier
remains on Canadian soil, Will this feeling last
among large class OF the American people. They
will regard these emblems OF foreign power "a q
standing menace to democratic institutions and the
sovereignty the United States until they finally
removed from the American Continent.
There exists positive desire IN this country, ex-
cept among the Fenians to annex the provinces,
and n England would take tile wise and really
statesmanike step of declaring the Dominion an
independent nationality the United States would
tany never initiate movement Tor its anne
| There can be doubt that the Canadians would be
left free TO govern themselves IN the way they tnfnk
| pest and under such form OF government as they
| may choose TO adopt. This country would then
promptly enter into treaty with the government OF
| Canada placing the people OF the two countries on