Year: 1861

LORD PALMERsToN's DEFENCE OF THE REINFORCEMENT


In the House of Commons, on the 24th of June,
Sir }. Ferguson called attention to the recent aug


mentation of the military forces in Canada. He
expressed hope that the present unhappy disputes
in the United States had nothing to do with in
fuencing the decision of the government In this
respect. The House of Commons had wisely deci-
ded not to enter into any discussion on the state
of affairs in America but the course adopted by
the government would have the effect of putting
an end to that feeling of neutrality which such a
decision had created. The manner In which the
troops had been, were about to be, despatched
was likely to cause increased importance to be at
tached to such a step. The troops were to be sent
off in hot haste, in the largest and fastest vessel at
the disposal OF the government, and not IN the or


dinarv mode, by transports or vessels OF war; 1t
would be known all over Europe that the govern
ment of this country had thought it necessary to
send out troops by the Great Eastern, and the
movement would appear to possess more OF the
character Of an expedition than ordinary relief
of troops A step so decided and conspicuous
ought not to be taken unless there was some great
object to be obtained, or some great danger to be
guarded against in Canada. Hear ,heaT.) ltwas not
by force of arms, still less by small force as


this that we could expect to retain the 10y atty of
that country. The ties of kindred, the conscious
ofsef government, the public growth OF iree


institutions of this country transplaned to kindly
soi-al these gave assurances of the loyalty Of
Canada Hear, hear j He could not believe there
could be any expectation the part of the govern
ment of an attack from the United States upon
Canada. 1t might be that rash partisans might
make an impression upon America against Canada,
but surely there militia in Canada sufficient for
the present at least, to render efficient service.


Lord PamerstOn, in reply, said: l concur in all
those assertions. Undoubtedly we have no reason
to suppose that the Northern States of America
would commit such act of folly as to add anoth-
er contest to that in which they at present en-


gagged. Her Majesty's government have protessed,
in the most solemn manner, their determination to
abstain from taking any part in the contest now
going between the Northern and Southern
States. We rely on the people of Canada, on the
loyalty of all the races there-a loyalty manifested


in the most striking during the visit OF the
Prince of Waes-and, therefore, none OF these are
the occasions for sending out large force. But it
is the ordinary practice of all governments, In all
parts of the world, when war breaks out, to
strengthen in some degree the military force in
that part of the territory which is proximate and
near. This is laudable precauton, the neglect OF
which would be bameable our parts, and that
we have not gone beyond that ordinary degree of
precaution is proved by the manner in which the
honorable and gallant officer designated this force
a SMALL one. For military man to talk OF three
thousand being large force, as be did IN
another part of his speech, was an exaggeration
which | should not have expected from an oihcer
of the honorable and gallant members experience.
| have heard on former occasions complaints made


that troops sent out in insufficient transports,
and that they have been detained long on the pas
sage, and that therefore the government were
blameable But the complaint of the honorable


and gallant member is, that sending them


out Of the fastest vessels, and with perfect
comfort, and without any of the Inconvenience


that the result of going in small and numerous
vessels, and, therefore, We have abridged the time
passage much possibly could, to enable
them to arrive at their destination with the leas


possible inconvenience. | really should have


thought that military officer would have given III


credit instead of censure under such circumstances
| have only to say that what We have done indi


Gates no intention of our taking anv part whatever
| in the war between those whom l may call our re
latives in the United States. We have suspicion


whatever of the undoubted and true loyalty of he
| Ma4stys subjects in the North American provinces
| We send out the troops merely for this precsuton
| ary movement in a country bordering on the dis
turbances of a neighboring one; and we trust tha


when they get there they will manifest that loyalt,
for W hch the gallant and honorable member give