PAPERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY. Extract from Journals of the Legislative Assembly of 5th May, 188 "On the motion of Mr. Galbraith, seconded by Mr. Smithe, it was Resol "That all the papers in connection with the construction of the Cana Railway, between the Dominion, Imperial, and Provincial Governments, b pamphlet form for circulation." No. 1. Despatch from Earl Granville to the Governor of British Columbia on Conf BRITISH COLUMBIA. SIR, No. 84. DOWNING STREET 14th Augu In my Despatch of 17th of June, in which I communicated to you y ment to the Government of British Columbia, I informed you that I shou have occasion to address you on the question then in agitation of the inco that Colony with the Dominion of Canada. You are aware that Her Majesty's Government have hitherto declined this question, mainly because it could not arise practically till the Terr Hudson's Bay Company was annexed to the Dominion, but also, perl expectation that the public opinion of British Columbia might have opportu and declare itself. I have now to inform you that the terms on which Rupert's Land and West Territory are to be united to Canada have been agreed to by the parti and that the Queen will probably be advised before long to issue an Orde which will incorporate in the Dominion of Canada the whole of the British on the North American Continent, except the then conterminous Colony Columbia. The question therefore presents itself, whether this single Colony should from the great body politic which is thus forming itself? On this question the Colony itself does not appear to be unanimous. I I can judge from the Despatches which have reached me, I should conjectu prevailing opinion was in favour of union. I have no hesitation in stating also the opinion of Her Majesty's Government. They believe that a Legislature selected from an extended area, and re diversity of interests, is likely to deal more comprehensively with large que impartially with small questions, and more conclusively with both than is p controversies are carried on and decided upon in the comparatively narr which they arise. Questions of purely local interest will be more carefully sionately considered when disengaged from the larger politics of the countr same time will be more sagaciously considered by persons who have ha political education. Conswell 9 Cat 1926 |