The New York herald., 1871-03-01
CANADA'S COMMISSIONER.
A Quit Talk With Sir John A. Macdonald Con-
cgrning the High Commission.
Canadian Annexaticn-The Fishery Question
The Reciprocity Treaty he Fenian Raids
and the Foeling in the Provinces English
men in the Dominion and What They
Amount to- What May be Hoped
from the Labors OF the Commission.

Government offcials OF high rank In almost every
country seek the bubble reputation at the penis
point OF guarded retIcence, and in the very face
oi the ever-watohlu tnquisitve press shake the
Burleigh head OF wisdom The traditions of diplo-
macy contain no stronger lesson than thar the
perfection OF diplomatic skill consists in looking
wise and saying nothing But the days OF tue Met
ternichs and Talleyrands are gone by and some few
OF our public men know it. And, however disagree
able 1t may sound TO the ears Of Canada's Commits.
sloner The illustrOus knight from the beaighted Do
ninion, Sir John A. Macdonald must he cassed as
one oil them. lie Is an American statesman not
withstanding his gewgaw surroundings, and neither
IN appearance, conversation nor manner Is he at all
IKE the oniclas OF the empire of which he
insists he Is the servant.
The Canadian Premier. whose appearance char
acter liie and labors were vividly portrayed In
Yesterdays HERALD. arrived yesterday morning In
this city and drove at once to the Astor House. He
took his departure last night, accompanied by his
private secretary and servants. for Washington, TO
join the Joint High Commission aud TO take part IN
the deliberations OF
THAT AUGUST INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL.
During the day he drove out and on returning
was met by HERALD representative.
Sir John A. Macdonald having been informed of
the usual interchange OF compliments that he could
not be expected to say much concerning the Joint
High Commission just now, ana, in fact until he
took his seat did not know anything concerning the
points to be debated. Nevertheless Us will be seen
by perusal of the following, the Premier was
NOT AT ALL RETICENT
on many matters OF Importance which in all human
probability Tlll engage the attention or the Com.
mission during It's session in Washington. The
conversation began In this wise:-
REPoRTER-SIr John the HERALD, and through It
the general public, would like know your opinions
In reference 10 the probable action OF the Joint High
Commission.
Sir JoHN-The HERALD has my opinions in to-day,s
issue very fully, and don't see that can, with
propriet7, say anything more Just now. Your cor
respondent and myself had long conversation in
Prescott, and you have the result.
REP0RrER-Ah, yes; that account is very full and
crcumstartal but the expressions or opinion In it
are not entirely yours. You are
TIE HEAD or THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
and, OF course, the representative OF the views OF
Its people. Your Individual opinion is, therefore
very important.
sir JoHN-Well. admitting all that what shall |
tell your something don't know yet myscrs
REPoRTER-By all means; a little romance would
doubtless enven any story But first Of all, how is
Canada disposed in this matter OF the Alabama
laimsy
Sir JoHN-That IS a leading question. Canada has
nothing to do with the Alabama claims. and her
feelings one way or the other, would scarcely affect
the result OF the deliberations Of the Commission
Canada is an integral portion of the British empire
Just as much as the Isle OF Wight Is; or more cor.
rectly, the Isle OF Man. which has local Legisla-
ture. did not get my authority from Canada. but
from the home government, and on the High Com
mission Will take my place as a representative of
Great Britain.
REPoRTER-I understand your position thoroughly;
but as you bound to the concern over the water
Dy very slender thread. 1t is not at all strange
that peoDln here should suppose you would bo IN
clined to assert your Amercanism on the Commits
sion and claim say semi-ohcial recognition a
Power on tins Continent rather than a territorial
ackey OF England.
Sir JoHN-You make great mistake In sup
posing that Canadians desire to shake or the
authority exercised by the British Crown, for In
very truth
WE PREFER THE INSTITUTIONS WE HAVE
TO yours or TO any we might acquire the conditions
The eople are contented; We make our own laws
levy our own taxes, appoint our own officers and
In TACT, do as we please. The only trouble we have
Is that
WE CANNOT LEVY WAR.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS for you, but pleasant for
Sir JoHN-Thanks. The power we have not we
don't want, for II we had it should not exercise
1t. England can attend to those matters, and as
long ss she stands ready to defend us we viii be
loyal to her. She does not get cent OF the revenue
from Ser S IN her armed 1n s T we gain
relations with her.
REPoRTER-But the advantage OF British connec.
ion being, as you say. all on your side, suppose the
British taxpayers remember their pockets, forget
sentiment and send you a1oatg
Sir JoHN-That IS certainly consideration of
some weight; but England, your newspaper reports
to the contrary Notwithstanding, has never lniima
CUTTING ADRlFr FROM HER COLONIES.
1t Is her interest, commercially, TO MAINTAIN her
present connection with us, and you know the
weight OF the commercial interest In England Ii
all the ports OF the world were closed to her in time
or war but those OF her colonies, these could keep
| her supplied. We are now well or and as a people
| contented. What may come In the future 40 not
ada have either British protection or become
part OF the American Union. We can stand as
! an independent nation.
REPoRTER-COuld you not scare up king and 90
into business Tor yourselves. In opposition 10 Eng
| land9
and utterly unsuted TO the people and the country.
III one Of her Majesty'S should come over and
be Governor General we should be glad to see hin;
| but we nave
NO ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE OTHER ARTICLE
No. sir, Canada IS well as she Il. We want TO be let
| alone now and are willing to let the future take
| care OF itself.
| REpoRTER-But, suppose that, in order to settle
| the existing differences between America and
England. the Commission Should tit to bring on
the future In hurry. Would Canada resist iorcl-
| bic anneXdtlOng
sir JOHN-Now, OF course. you understand that
am not all Canada. only speak Tor myself, and on
such matters would rather not speak at all. The
| people would not ike forcble transfer TO the
United States nor, indeed, peaceable one and why
| should they? This Is
MAGNIFICENT COUNTRY,
but your taxes are equally grand scale. You are
very enterprisng but the sort OF enterprise you like
best Is not just what we would approve Our trade,
except with you Is free I'd nntranelled. Business
III ports is brisk In the business season aud
artizans arc busy. Look ut 1t IN the right light
You pay iorty-five to fifty per cent duty on ship
building material you must import, While we pay
only ten to fifteen per cent for everything In that
| line from needle 70 an anchor. The result is, of
| course that
l QUE SHIPYARDS ARE FLOuRISHiNG
while yours are dong nstnlng all. Are, then,
our people such fools as to camor for annexation 10
the United states under such circumstances Then
there's your enormous debt. suppose 1t requires
l no argument to prove that there is no immediate