PREFACE. THE slow but steady development of the principles of Responsible Government in Canada, under Lords Durham, Sydenham, Metcalfe, Elgin, Monck, and Lisgar, and the unswerving devotedness of LORD DUFFERIN to those principles, should make an historical account of his Administration acceptable to all interested in them. The system known in Canada as "Responsible Government" is simply an imitation of the Constitutional form of Government, which has since the reign of George III. been slowly evolving itself in Great Britain. That Sovereign knew little of it;-his son, George IV., had no occasion to attempt any check to its growth:-William IV. vainly sought to impede its progress,—and even our present Gracious Sovereign, in the warmth of a young heart, attempted on one memorable occasion to resist its power. But a few years' experience taught her its true nature,—she gracefully acknowledged her error, and under her subsequent sway this great charter of liberty has attained a strength and stability hitherto unknown in any country-ancient or modern. Its progress in British North America has been slow, but steady. It was promoted under Lord Durham :-Lord Sydenham worked it out as well as its imperfectly developed features were then understood:-Lord Metcalfe halted, and attempted its check, but the attempt only brought out a clearer view of its beauties, and added strength to its growing power :-and Lord Elgin used it with a broad mind and loyal determination to give the Canadian people the benefit of its fullest development; though in this he was, on one great occasion, opposed by a large and influential portion of the people themselves. But it was left to Sir Edmund Head, Lord Monck, Lord Lisgar, and especially to the EARL OF DUFFERIN, to place the centre stone in the arch,-for under their administrations the principles of Responsible Government have become thoroughly understood as well by the respective Ministers of their times as by the masses of the population they have been called on to govern. It is chiefly with a view to point out this gradual development, and to show the means used by LORD DUFFERIN in the process, that this work has been projected. No Canadian statesman can hereafter pretend to even a fair knowledge of his duties or responsibilities without an intimate acquaintance with the details of LORD DUFFERIN'S ADMINISTRATION ;-and no inhabitant of Canada can with even tolerable clearness understand the history of his country in the absence of a familiarity with its progress since the system of Responsible Government was established. The work has not been reduced to a mere panegyric of the EARL OF DUFFERIN, though the exceptionally excellent qualities with which he is endowed have, of course, appeared. These the narrative have gradually evolved; and the student of Canadian history will have seen, after the study of his rule of the Dominion, of what great importance a genial disposition and popular manners are to the smooth working of the government of a number of separate Provinces, differing in laws, language, and religion. The importance of the life of the ruler is to be measured by the judgment with which he has construed the constitution of the country he has been called on to govern; the ability with which he has applied that construction to the practical working of the machinery of government; the tact with which he has dealt with the discordant elements to be found in all societies; the influences of a kindly heart and a graceful bearing, with which he has smoothed the rough edges of partisan contests, and softened the social and political asperities, so inevitable in all countries, and under all systems of government; by the degree of confidence in their rulers, and content with their institutions, with which he leaves the people inspired; and by the amount of respect, the warmth of love, and the height of admiration with which he has imbued the masses of the population placed under his charge. Judged by these tests the life of the EARL OF DUFFERIN, in Canada, presents a subject for study as valuable to the statesman as it is attractive to the student. The beneficial effects of his example are strikingly exhibited in the government of Manitoba by Mr. Morris. This gentleman, doubtless inspired by the study of Lord Dufferin's conciliating tact, and carrying out a similar policy adopted by Mr. Archibald, brought that fine Province from anarchy to order; and though these rulers exposed themselves to the hostility of a class whose only error was that they permitted their feelings, for a time, to conquer their natural kindness of heart, yet they succeeded in producing peace and hap piness where a severe policy would probably have produced only strife and wretchedness. It is hardly necessary to say that the Earl of Dufferin is in no degree to be held responsible for any statements made, or opinions expressed in this work, excepting in so far as his own speeches are concerned, the principal of which have been subjected to his own correction. With these exceptions he is completely ignorant of the contents, and will remain so until he sees them in the printed volume as it is now presented to the public. A similar remark is made as to Mr. Archibald and Mr. Morris. The author cannot allow the work to appear without an acknowledgment of the deep obligation under which he lies to a number of gentlemen in Ottawa. First among them is Mr. Alpheus Todd, the Librarian of Parliament, whom the author cannot sufficiently thank for his most valuable assistance in a variety of ways. The author also desires sincerely to thank the other officers of the Library for their kindness and untiring willingness to obtain any information he needed in the compilation of his work. He thanks, also, General Sir Edward Selby Smyth; Colonel Powell, the Adjutant-General; Col. Stoughton Dennis, the Surveyor General; Mr. Alfred Patrick, Clerk of the House of Commons; Mr. Vankoughnet, of the Indian Department; Mr. Brymner, of the Department of Agriculture; Mr. Buckingham, Secretary to the First Minister; and Mr. Botterell, for valuable information and assistance. The author has much pleasure in saying that the type used in the production of this volume was manufactured by the Dominion Type Founding Co., Montreal; the paper by Alexander Buntin, Esq., at Valleyfield, Que.; the portraits of the Earl and Countess of Dufferin were engraved by the British American Bank Note Company, and their Excellencies' Coats of Arms, by Mr. James D. Scott, of Montreal. OTTAWA, 19th October, 1878. CONTENTS. Parentage-Education-Succession to Title-Lord-in-Waiting-" Narrative of a Sketch of the early government of the British North American Provinces-Rise and Progress of "Constitutional" or "Responsible" Government-Maritime Pro- vinces in 1839-Lord Durham, Governor General, May, 1838, to November, 1838 -His Report-Lord Sydenham, October, 1838, to September, 1841-Union of Upper and Lower Canada determined on-Lord Sydenham's Rule-Sir Charles Bagot's Administration, January, 1842, to March, 1843-Lord Metcalfe's Rule, March, 1843, to November, 1845-The Government of Lord Elgin, 1847 to 1855-Rebellion Losses Bill-Beautiful Farewell Address of Lord Elgin- Sir Edmund Head, Governor General, January, 1855, to 1861-Movement for Confederation of the British North America Provinces-Lord Monck, 1861 to 1868-The two Canadas, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Con- federated 1st July, 1867-British Columbia moving for Confederation-Sir John Young, afterwards Lord Lisgar, Governor General, 1868 to 1872- Cession of North-West Territories to the Dominion-British Columbia and Vancouver Island enter Confederation, 20th July, 1871-The Earl of Dufferin appointed Governor General-Arrives at Quebec, 25th June, 1872-Farewell 17 |