Canada and the States Part 30

The British Columbian Railway has been constructed from Fort Moody to Kamloops, and is now part of the Canadian Pacific.

It seemed to me, at that time, that the route of the Ottawa Valley, Lake Nip.i.s.sing, and round by the head of Lake Superior, was a great project of the future; and that to accomplish so great a work, in such a country, the policy was to utilize existing outlays of capital, filling in vacant s.p.a.ces rather than duplicating what we had got.

It seemed to me, also, that the use of existing railways in the United States was not only economical, but politic: and I knew that, at that time, the Government of the North would have made every reasonable advance to meet England in affairs of mutual interest. There was every desire, at that juncture, to work cordially with our Queen and her people. For example, the pa.s.sing of the Slave Trade Bill, modelled on English legislation, in, I think, 1863, through both Houses of Congress at Was.h.i.+ngton, with hardly a hostile expression. _Apropos_ of this Bill, Mr. Charles Sumner told me, in 1865, at his house at Boston, the following story. "The Bill for putting down the slave trade in a.s.sociation with England and the other anti-slave trade countries pa.s.sed so quickly as to astonish its friends. Charles Sumner, on the final question being put, 'that the Bill do pa.s.s'--as we should put it at home--immediately ran across to Mr. Seward, opened the door of Mr.

Seward's private office, without knocking, and found Mr. Seward asleep.

He awoke him by calling out, 'Seward, Seward, the Bill is pa.s.sed: the Bill is pa.s.sed.' Seward gradually opened his eyes, stared under his bushy eyebrows, and said, 'Then what in ---- has become of the "great democratic party?"'"

Again, it was the fault of our own Government at home that the Reciprocity Treaty, nearly expiring, was not renewed. Our Government did nothing. It was the "masterly inactivity" of Lord Granville, and other Whigs, which has done so much harm to the prestige and power of our Empire. Opportunities are everything--they are the statesman's chances. In this case the chance was lost. However, I had every reason to believe that Mr. Seward would have been willing to agree to the use of United States lines up to St. Paul (which he once predicted would become the centre, or "hub," of the United States) and through Minnesota to the boundary of the Hudson's Bay territory,--under a treaty of international neutralization. There were, it is true, difficulties at home. The authorities, at home, did not know what was to be the end of the Civil War. They did not know the country to be pa.s.sed through. They doubted if there was any precedent. I quoted the treaty, of years before, between England, the United States, and other countries, for the neutralization of a railway, if made, across Honduras, and other a.n.a.logous cases. But I failed to bring about any official action at that time. I think, in looking back for twenty-three years, I have nothing to modify as respects this. Had my proposals been carried out millions sterling would have been saved; throughout railway communication to the Pacific might have been secured fifteen years sooner; and a friendly agreement with the United States for a great common object would, no doubt, have led to many more equally friendly agreements.

As respects neutralization, I, unconsciously, put a spoke into my own wheel, and I was not aware of it until I had a conversation with Mr.

Bright a good while afterwards. Had I known of the grievance at the time I would have gone right off to Was.h.i.+ngton and explained all about it. The facts were these:--

I was at Quebec in July, 1863. At that time, and previously, and after, there was a tall, long-legged, short-bodied, sallow-faced, sunken-eyed man, whose name, if he had reported it correctly, was Ogden. He was called "consul" for the United States at Quebec. He reported, I was told, direct to Mr. Seward at Was.h.i.+ngton. He was, in fact, the sort of diplomatist whose duties, as he apprehended them, were those of a spy.

He was a person disagreeable to look at, as in his odd-coloured trousers, short waistcoat, and dark green dress-coat, with bra.s.s b.u.t.tons, he went elbowing about amongst the ladies and gentlemen promenading the public walk, which commands so beautiful a view over the St. Lawrence, called the "Platform." Phrenology would have condemned him. Phrenology and Physiognomy combined, would have hung him, on the certain verdict of any intelligent jury.

One day, as I was preparing to go West, a deputation from the "Stadacona" Club of Quebec, of which I was a member, asked me to take the chair at a private dinner proposed to be given at the club to Mr.

Vallandigham, the democratic leader of Ohio, who had come across country from Halifax, on his way homeward--through, free, Canada--after his seizure in bed, in Ohio, and deportation across the Northern frontier into the land of secession. It appeared that Mr. Vallandigham, not being a secessionist, merely desiring an honourable peace between North and South, which he had ably advocated, had gone on to Na.s.sau, thence to Halifax, thence to Quebec: where he was.

I at first declined the honour. But I was much pressed. I was told that leading citizens of Quebec and members of the late Canadian Government would attend. That the dinner was merely hospitality to a refugee landed upon our sh.o.r.es in distress; and that my presidency would take away any suspicion that there was the slightest _arriere-pensee_ in the matter. I concurred. The dinner took place. Not a word was said of the great pending contest, unless some words of Mr. Vallandigham, apologizing for the poverty of his dress, might be so construed. He said: "Mr. Chairman, I must apologize for my costume. I can only explain that I am standing in the clothes I was allowed to put on, after being taken out of my own bed, in my own house, without warning and without warrant, and I have not had the means to re-clothe myself."

The dinner was certainly about as non-political and as innocent as any such a.s.sembly could be. Mr. Vallandigham left for Niagara the same night. I saw him into the train. He declined a friendly loan; but he accepted a free pa.s.sage to Niagara, where, later on, I spent two or three pleasant and interesting days in his society; our little party being Governor Dallas, of the Hudson's Bay Company, D'Arcy McGee, Dr.

Mackay, who had acted as correspondent of the "Times," Professor Hind, my son, Mr. Watkin, and myself. The "consul" had, no doubt, misrepresented our proceedings.

Now this is the whole story. I never after this got any answers to letters to Mr. Seward; and, as stated above, I never knew of the grievance till spoken to by Mr. Bright, who had received a letter of complaint of me from somebody at Was.h.i.+ngton.

CHAPTER XXI.

_Letters from Sir George E. Cartier--Question of Honors_.

The "Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and the government thereof, and for purposes connected therewith," received the Royal a.s.sent on the 29th of March, 1867.

The following letters may be of some interest to the friends of the late Sir George Etienne Cartier, and to mine:

"W. P. HOTEL, LONDON, "30 April, 1867.

"My DEAR MR. WATKIN,

"I leave to-morrow for _Liverpool_ on my way to _Canada_.

Allow me, before my departure, to convey to you personally and for 'Canada' the most sincere and grateful thanks for all the kindnesses you have bestowed, on me since my _sojourn in_ London, and for all the political services you have rendered to 'Canada' in having so _efficiently helped_ the carrying of the _great confederation measure_. I hope that before long we will see you again in Canada, and rest a.s.sured that we will be delighted to demonstrate to you _our gratefulness_.

"Be kind enough to present my best respects to Mrs. Watkin, and to ask her to accept from me the within-enclosed photograph taken at 'Naples,'

which I think is very good.

"Good bye, my dear Mr. Watkin, and believe me, "Yours very truly, "GEO. ET. CARTIER.

"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P."

MISTAKE ABOUT HONORS.

When the Act for Confederation had been pa.s.sed, and while some of the delegates were still in England, a notification was made of honors intended to be conferred by Her Majesty on some of those who had devoted anxious hours of labour to the great cause of Union. In my case, my name was mentioned for knighthood, while the names of Mr.

Cartier and Mr. Galt were named for the honor of "C. B.," and Mr.

Langevin's name appeared to be entirely omitted. When, how, or by whom, the leader of the great French-speaking section of the Canadian people was placed, thus, in a position inferior to that of the leader of Upper Canada, who was made "K. C. B.," I do not care, now, to inquire. But I felt at the time, and I feel now, that it would have been unjust-- unselfish and earnest as my services had been--to give to a man like Mr. Cartier, an honor inferior to that which common report had attributed to me. I felt, also, that the proposal would be treated as a slight to the Catholic and French-speaking people. I did all in my, limited, power to represent the mistake and the danger to the leaders of the Government, at home; and, as will be shown in the next Chapter, I wrote to Mr. Disraeli on this serious question on the 3rd August, 1867.

"MONTREAL, "23rd August, 1867.

"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,

"I thank you very much for your kind letters. Really you are too good to _espouse, as it were_, my cause respecting the _honors conferred_ in Canada. There is no doubt that----is the cause of all the _evil_ in the matter of the _honors conferred_. Some _other parties_ are also not exempt from blame. I have not as yet received a reply to my letter declining the _C. B. s.h.i.+p_. I presume I shall have it very soon. I have to tell you that I will make throughout _all_ Lower Canada the _best electoral campaign_ I have ever made. The _Rouges_ will not elect 10 members out of the 65 _allotted_ to _Lower_ Canada. _Holton_ and _Dorion_, the _leaders_ of the Rouge Party, will very likely be defeated. I went to Chateaugay on Monday last to attend a meeting against Holton. I gave it to him as he deserved. I will tell you in _confidence_ that _Gait and myself_ through the large majority I will have in Lower Canada, will be stronger than ever. Mrs.

Cartier and my girls are at Rimouska. I will deliver them your kind messages as soon as I see them. My kindest regards to Mrs. Watkin, and believe me,

"My dear Mr. Watkin, "Yours very truly, "GEO. ET. CARTIER.

"E. W. WATKIN, Esq, M.P., "London."

"MONTREAL, "22_nd September_, 1867.

"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,

"Accept my most sincere thanks for your such unappreciable kindness in having made common cause with me in reference to the late distribution of honors in Canada. I do really think, and I am convinced, that you have allowed your good heart to go too far in having declined the honor and distinction offered to you, and which you so well deserved in every respect. I hope that _my matter_ will not stand in the way of you having your public and political services in England, as well as in Canada, sooner or later fully recognized, and well rewarded by a proper and suitable distinction. I hope so, for your own sake as well as for that of Mrs. Watkin and your son and amiable daughter. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has written you a very nice letter, indeed. With regard to my _matter_, would you imagine that the Duke of Buckingham has written a _confidential note_ to Lord Monck, telling to this latter that there _being no precedent_ for a resignation of the C. B., the only way to have my wishes carried out would be by the _Queen_ directing by _order_ in the Gazette my name to be struck out from the Order, which proceeding, the Duke adds, would be _construed_ by _outsiders_ and _uninitiated_ that it was for _misconduct_. Lord Monck having communicated to me the substance of the Duke's communication, I have asked Lord Monck to obtain from the Duke leave to communicate to me the substance of his note in _no confidential_ manner, in order that I may reply to it. I do really think that the intention is to _frighten_ me, in order to induce me to withdraw my letter asking leave to resign the C. B. That I _will not do_, and when the Duke's communication is under my _eyes_ in _no confidential manner_, I will send such a reply that will make people understand the _injury done_ to me, and the _slight_ so absurdly _offered_ to a _million_ of _good and loyal_ French Canadians. As a matter of course, all that I say to you in this letter is _strictly_ in confidence to you.

"Mrs. Cartier and myself have had the pleasure, yesterday, to have the company at _dinner_ of your friends Mr. and Mrs. Sidebottom. They are really a very nice couple, and we thank you for having given us the opportunity of making their acquaintance. Be kind enough to present on my behalf, and on that of Mrs. Cartier and my daughters, our best respects and regards to Mrs. Watkin, and to believe me, my dear Mr.

Watkin,

"Your devoted friend, "GEO. ET. CARTIER.

"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P., London."

"OTTAWA, "24_th November_, 1867.

"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,

"I am so much thankful to you for your kind wish of the 10th of October last. I do appreciate with gratefulness your so kind expression of feelings towards me. I enclose you an extract of the 'Montreal Gazette,' giving the report of a debate which took place in our House some few days ago respecting the 'C.B.' matter, and also an 'extract'

of the same paper, containing some editorial remarks on the same subject. I like to keep you _au courant_ of that matter, since you are so good as to take interest in it. I took great care not to take any part in the debate. I have not as yet got a copy of the Duke of Buckingham's letter. I will follow your advice with regard to any answer to it on my part. I will never forget your disinterestedness in this question of '_honor_' and nothing will be more agreeable to me than to act in such a way, whenever the opportunity will offer itself, as to show by reciprocal action my thanks and my feelings.

"'The Grand Trunk Act' will be read a second time to-morrow (Monday).

Mrs. Cartier and my girls are here for a few days. We were all sorry to hear that your son had an attack of fever. We all hope that he got over it, and that he is well again. Be kind enough to present to Mrs. Watkin and your dear son our best regards and kindest remembrance. I regret very much the retirement of 'Galt' from our government. You will have heard that I have replaced him by _Rose_. I could not do better under any circ.u.mstances.

"Believe me, my dear Mr. Watkin, "Yours very truly, "GEO. ET. CARTIER.