_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 Assent 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 assured 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 passed, 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. ship_. 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 circumstances.
"Believe me, my dear Mr. Watkin,
"Yours very truly,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P.,
"London, England."
"QUEBEC,
"15_th February_, 1868.
"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"I am very grateful to you for your three kind letters of the 2nd,
13th, and 15th January last. Be good enough to excuse me if I have not
sooner acknowledged their receipt.
"I am in Quebec since a couple of weeks, attending the 'Local
Parliament,' of which I am a member. Things are going on very well. I
got elected to the 'Local Parliament' in order to help my
_friends_, the '_Local Ministers_' to carry on the 'Local
Government' and I must say they are doing it very well. The 'Quebec
Legislature' carries this 'business' better than does the 'Ontario
Legislature.' I will leave for Ottawa on the 17th instant, to be there
on the 20th to attend the _Council Meeting_ for deciding on the
_route_ of the _Intercolonial Railway_.
"I felt so sorry to hear that your dear son was so long unwell. I hope
that by this time he is himself again.
"I gave to Mrs. Cartier and my daughters your kind message of good
wishes for them and myself during this present year. We are all
thankful to you. Have the goodness to accept in return from them and
myself for you, Mrs. Watkin, and your dear son and daughter, our best
wishes for the prosperity and happiness of you all.
"I must say, my dear Mr. Watkin, that with regard to the C. B. matter,
you do really take too much trouble and interest for me. I am very
thankful to you for it, and also to Mr. Baring and Lord Wharncliffe. If
you have occasion to _intimate_ to them my thankfulness, if any
opportunity for so doing should offer itself to you, you would oblige
me very much.
"Really it was too kind of Lord Wharncliffe to have brought that
delicate matter before Lord Derby, and to have written you about it. I
thank you for the enclosures you have made to me of what Lord
Wharncliffe had written to you about the C. B.
"I have now to tell you something which happened about that subject
since my last to you.
"You very likely must have seen or heard of the 'notification,'
published in the 'London Gazette' at the end of the month of
_December last_, about the _honors distributed_ in Canada in
connection with the 'Confederation.' In that 'notification' you must
have seen that the names of 'myself and Galt' are omitted, and it was
stated in that _notification_ that it must be 'substituted' for
the 'one' published on the 9th of July last, in which Galt's name and
mine _were inserted_ as C. B. Now, you must recollect that some
months ago I wrote you about a 'confidential communication' of the Duke
of Buckingham to Lord Monck, in order that it should be intimated to me
and Gait, that there was no precedent of a resignation of the Order of
the Bath, and that the only way left for the _carrying out_ of
Galt's wishes and mine would be by '_an order of Her Majesty ordering
our names to be struck off the roll_.' The communication of the Duke
having been made to me in a _confidential manner_, I had no
opportunity to answer it. I had written to Lord Monck to ask the Duke's
leave for communicating to me in no confidential manner the despatch of
the Duke, in order to give me an opportunity to answer it. I never had
any _answer_ from Lord _Monck_ to that request. To my great
surprise, at the end of December last, I received from Lord Monck a
note, accompanied by the copy of a despatch from the Duke, informing me
that a _mode had been found_ to meet my wishes and those of Galt,
which consisted in the publication in the 'London Gazette' of a
'notification' omitting our names, and such notification to be
substituted for the former one of July last.
"The reading of this last despatch more than astonished me, and my
astonishment was greater when I saw by the 'London Gazette' that it was
_carried into effect_ by the _notification_ above _alluded
to_. I have had no more opportunity to answer the second despatch of
the Duke than the _first one_, which was marked 'confidential.'
Allow me to add, that the 'Duke' expressed in his 'first communication'
that he did not like to suggest that my name should be struck off the
roll, because an ungenerous construction now and hereafter might be
made against me by those not acquainted _with the facts_. Now, by
the course followed, as explained in his second despatch, I feel as
badly treated as if the first course had been adopted. In one case my
name would have been ordered to be struck off the roll, and by the
second course followed up, my name was ordered to be omitted in the
second notification. There is not much difference between these two
courses. I have written a letter to Lord Monck to complain of the
second course followed up, inasmuch as there being no reason assigned
for the omission of my name in the second notification, a construction
ungenerous to myself and my children after me could now and hereafter
be made. Excuse me for troubling you so long about that C.B. matter.
Now, with regard to the _Hudson Bay matter_, not the least doubt
that the speech of 'John A.' was very uncalled for and injudicious. He
had no business to make such a speech, and I told him so at the time--
that he ought not to have made it. However, you must not attach too
much importance to that speech. I myself and several of my colleagues,
and John A. himself, have no intention to commit any spoliation; and,
for myself in particular, I can say to you that I will never consent to
be a party to a measure or anything intended to be an act of spoliation
of the Hudson Bay's rights and privileges. I must bring this long
epistle to a close.
"My kindest regards and respects to Mrs. Watkin.
"Remember me to your dear son, and believe me, my dear Mr. Watkin,
"Yours very truly,
"GEO. E. CARTIER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq."
UNFORTUNATE DISCUSSIONS.
These discussions were both unfortunate and embarrassing; in the course
of them, I had suggested that the way out of the difficulty was
generously to offer a baronetcy to Mr. Cartier. During the discussion
Dr. Tupper arrived in England. He cordially agreed with me. He deplored
the mistake made, and, acting from his official position, and with the
great judgment which he has always shown, he was able to assist in the
desired happy solution.
On the 22nd of April I received the following letter:--
"WESTMINSTER PALACE HOTEL,
"_April 22nd_, 1868.
"MY DEAR SIR,
"The Duke (of Buckingham) showed me (in _strict confidence_ until
after the official announcement here) the copy of his telegram to Lord
Monck, announcing the fact that the Queen had conferred a baronetcy
upon Mr. Cartier, and a C.B. upon Langevin, and was pleased to say that
he was very much indebted to me for having suggested it. I told him
that I was satisfied that his Grace had conferred a signal service to
our country, which would be productive of much good. Knowing how much
pleasure this will give you I cannot forbear mentioning it, of course
in confidence.
"I enclose a letter received to-day from our late lamented friend. Be
good enough to return it to me. Ought I to communicate his wishes to
Messrs. Hurst &
Blackwell? I had a long interview with Mr. Cardwell to-day. He will do
anything in his power to aid in putting matters right in Nova Scotia,
and is anxious that I should see Mr. Bright. Mr. C. takes your view as
to the Union question having been an issue before the people in 1863,
in the strongest manner.
"Yours faithfully,
"C. TUPPER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P."
I feel assured that Mr. Cartier was moved, solely, by a regard for the
honor of his compatriots.
"OTTAWA,
"_28th May_, 1868.
"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"On Friday last, the 21st instant, our Parliament was prorogued. We
have had a very hard and laborious session. For my part, I had charge
of the two most difficult measures, the Militia and the Fortifications
measures, which I carried through successfully, and which were
sanctioned on the 21st instant. Without being considered guilty of
_boasting_, I can say, and every man in Parliament will say, that
I was the only one who could carry through these measures. My Lower
Canada Parliamentary strength supported me nobly. I consider that in
carrying these two measures to successful issue, I have rendered a good
service to Canada, to England, and to British transactions. I wanted to
write you last week, before the closing of our session, but really I
could not find a moment for so doing. During ten days we sat three
times a day, and we had to attend our executive sittings during the
very short intervals allowed us. I have not as yet answered your so
kind letter of the 24th April last, nor your also kind former one of
March last, and I hope you will have the goodness to excuse my delay.
My dear Mr. Watkin, I do really not know how to thank you for all that
you have done for me with regard to the injustice done me in the matter
of the distribution of honors to the Confederation delegates, and with
regard to the baronetcy which the Queen intends to confer on me. As you
remark in your last note, I became aware of Her Majesty's intentions by
a _cable_ telegram to Lord Monck, and the last _mail_ has
brought a despatch to Lord Monck from the Duke of Buckingham to apprise
me _officially_ of Her Majesty's intentions, and to request me to
send to the Colonial Office my pedigree and my coat of arms, for the
preparation of the letters patent to be issued. I am now procuring all
the information and things required by the Heralds' College. The first
telegram to Lord Monck was to offer me the baronetcy, and to ascertain
if I would accept of it. I took a few days to consider the matter, as I
would not do anything which might not have been approved by Galt and
Langevin. Both of them urged me to accept; and consequently I made Lord
Monck aware of my acceptance. A few days afterwards came another
_cable telegram_, informing Lord Monck that the Queen had
conferred on me the baronetcy dignity, and the C.B. on Langevin. When
the Queen's pleasure was announced in the House, there were cheers and
approbation from both sides of the House. I have not the _least_
doubt that I am under obligation to Lord Derby and to Lord Wharncliffe
for their interference in my favour; and I must add, that I feel under
stronger obligation to you for the honor conferred on me, first, for
your having _moved_ so kindly and so urgently Lord Wharncliffe,
and, secondly, for your so chivalrous disinterestedness in having
yourself declined the royal mark of favour offered to you by Mr.
Disraeli, on the ground of the injustice at first done to me. My dear
Mr. Watkin, I cannot forget such friendly and disinterested conduct on
your part. I hope it will be in my power, in return, to be useful to
you. Very likely I will have to go to England on the question of
_defence_ before the next Session of our Parliament, and I will
not fail to say the _proper words_ to the proper quarters; and if
it were possible for me to do something by correspondence, I would
gladly do it; but I don't know how to proceed, and _whom_ to move.
Besides, I would not like to do or write anything which might not meet
your wishes. I would like very much to know your views on that delicate
question. I thank you for your suggestion to write a few lines to Lord
Wharncliffe. I enclose you a letter for him, which I leave open, in
order that you should see it. If the letter meets your views, be kind
enough to seal it and to mail it to Lord Wharncliffe. I was so pleased
the other day to hear from our friend Brydges, that your dear son had
arrived in Montreal, and that his health is improving. I have not
failed to let Langevin know your kind congratulations to him. He feels
very thankful for the interest you take in him. I showed him your last
note to me. I have duly transmitted to Mrs. Cartier and my daughters
your kind message,--and they all feel grateful to you. I enclose you
the Militia and Fortification measures as they finally passed. I
enclose you also the return to an _address_ for the correspondence
and despatches on the defence-fortification question. You may, perhaps,
like to have all these papers. I enclose you also the _return_ to
an address for the correspondence on the C.B. matter, and the report of
the _Select Committee_ upon it; you will find the report of the
_Committee_ in the _Notes and Proceedings_ of the 15th of
May. It seemed to me, that you might like to have these documents, as
you took such a degree of interest in Galt and myself. Do me the
kindness to present my best regards to Mrs. Watkin, and to remember me
kindly to your daughter when you write her.
"We are threatened with a _Fenian_ invasion in the course of
_June next_. We are preparing to meet it. It is too bad that the
_Imperial Government_ should allow such an hostile organization to
be formed in the United States without a _word of remonstrance_.
In the hope of hearing from you at your earliest convenience,
"Believe me, my dear Mr. Watkin,
"Your sincere and grateful friend,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P. London."
PERMITTED INVASION.
Sir George Cartier's allusion to the neglect by our Government in
permitting, without remonstrance, the repeated invasion of Canada,
makes one shiver with shame. As President Johnson said to me in 1865,
"Why don't your people remonstrate?"
My countrymen may feel assured that if remonstrances, firm and
dignified, had anticipated each known intended outrage--English and
Irish-American conspiracies would have not been as now.
"ROSE HILL, NORTHENDEN, near MANCHESTER,
"12th August, 1868.
"MY DEAR SIR,
"I, gladly, enclose a copy of the Gazette notice of your Baronetcy.
"I have had the fees at the Heralds' College, and also the stamps and
expenses, through the Home Office, duly paid, and I will send you the
papers and receipts as soon as I receive them.
"The completion of this matter will close the somewhat intimate
connection which now for some years has given me, if trouble and
anxiety, still deep pleasure and satisfaction,--in reference to your
now united Provinces.
"With best wishes allow me to remain,
"Yours very faithfully,
"EDW. W. WATKIN.
"To the Hon. Sir G. E. CARTIER, Bart.,
"Montreal, Canada."
"OTTAWA,
"_18th September, 1868._
"MY DEAR SIR EDWARD,
"The last English mail has brought us the happy news that the honor of
knighthood has been conferred on you by the Queen.
"Allow me to offer you, Lady Watkin, and your dear son and daughter, my
sincere and heartfelt congratulations on the bestowal on you of so well
deserved a distinction. You must bear in mind that I do not forget that
the honor so recently bestowed on you would have been conferred on you
a long time ago, had not your generous feelings towards me prompted you
at one time to decline the same distinction. Lady Cartier and my
daughters gladly unite with me in this expression of congratulation,
which I now offer you, Lady Watkin, and your son and daughter. I hope
that your future election will not give you much trouble, and that
Canada and the British people will have again the benefit of your
presence in Parliament.
"I may see you before long in England. Be kind enough to accept for you
and Lady Watkin the assurance of the kindest regards of myself, Lady
Cartier, and my daughters, "And, believe me, my dear Sir Edward, "Yours
very truly,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"Sir EDWARD W. WATKIN, M.P., Kt., London."
"London,
"Westminster Palace Hotel,
"_20th November_, 1868.
"My dear Sir Edward,
"You cannot conceive how sorrowful I feel that the result of the
election in Stockport was adverse to you. I was watching the incidents
and proceedings connected with that election with such an interest and
with such sure hope that you would be successful. You have no idea of
my grief and disappointment when I became aware of your defeat. Our
friend Brydges has mentioned to me some of the _causes_ which have
militated against you amongst your constituents, viz. your having
attended at the laying of the corner stone of a Roman Catholic School,
and your drinking the health of the 'Pope' at the _lunch_ which
_ensued_, and also the _displeasure_ which you have
_incurred from Mr. Bright_ and some of his friends for not having
supported _him_ in _his motion_ for Nova Scotia against the
Confederation. I have already written to some of my colleagues in
Canada to let them know there the _'liberality'_ of these
pretended 'Liberals' here. I hope you will not remain a long time
_out_ of _Parliament_, and that very soon some vacancy will
occur which will give you an opportunity to be re-elected, and to serve
and _advocate_ again in the Imperial Parliament, not only the
interests of the _three British Isles_, but also the Colonial
interests, and particularly those of the Dominion of Canada, to which
you have always attended with such ability, zeal, and ardour, that you
have now the everlasting gratitude of every Canadian. I hope your
electoral _contretems_ will not deter you from your political
pursuits. I would have had such a pleasure in congratulating Lady
Watkin on your electoral success.
"I hope Lady Watkin, Miss Watkin, and your son are enjoying good
health. Have the goodness to present my best regards to Lady Watkin,
and to remember me kindly to your dear daughter and son; and, my dear
Sir Edward, reiterating to you my sincere thanks for all you have done
for me, and expecting the pleasure of seeing you very soon in London,
believe me, as always,
"Your very sincere,
"And devoted friend,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"Sir EDWARD W. WATKIN, 21, Old Broad Street, London.
"On my leaving Canada Lady Cartier and my daughters have asked me not
to forget to present to you and Lady Watkin their best wishes and
kindest regards, to remember them kindly to your son, and to offer
their compliments to Miss Watkin, in the hope of making her
acquaintance hereafter."