[152] 



APPENDIX I. 



SPEECH OF HON. J. W. JOHNSTON IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OP NOVA 



SCOTIA ON THE IOtH FEBRUARY, 1854, ON THE UNION OP 



THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES. 



The following correspondence, which precedes the Speech in question, sets 

 forth the oircumstances under which it was republished in pamphlet form In 

 1865 at Halifax. 



Sir,— The " Union Leagrue " have considered that it might be of benefit, 

 under the present circumstances of the country, to publish a speech delivered 

 by you in 1854 on the subject of a Union of the Colonies ; but they do not 

 feel at liberty to do so without your concurrence, as your sentiments may have 

 undergone change since tlhat period— in which case the re-publication might 

 not be agreeable to you. I have the honour to be, your obedient servant, 



P. S. HAMTLiTON, Acting Seopetary. 



To His Honour the Judge in Equity. 



Halifax, March 2, 1865. 



My Dear Sir,— I have to acknowledge the receipt of a note from you, in 

 wftiich, as acting Secretary of the Union League, you inform me that they 

 think It might be of benefit under the present circumstances of the country 

 to publish a speech delivered by me in 1854, on the subject 0(f " Union of the 

 Colonies," but do not feel themselves at liberty to do so without my concur- 

 rence, as my sentiments may have undergone change since that period, — in 

 which case the re-publication might not be agreeable to me. 



The scheme for the Confederation of the British North American Provinces 

 offers to their Legislatures a question of supreme importance, standing apart 

 from party issues, and transcending temporary interests. In relation to such 

 a subject I see no occasion to hesitate in saying that my sentiments, as 

 expressed In the speech delivered In 1854, have not been essentially changed, 

 and that the re-publication will give me pleasure, if it will promote In any 

 degree a measure so necessary as the Union of the Provinces. 



Pre\iousIy to that year, Canadian gentlemen had deliberated on Confed- 

 eration, but the subject had not (so far as I know) been distinctly presented 

 to any Provincial Legi.'^lature. 



Under th^ influence of a long cherished belief that union was indispensable, 

 If the British North American Colonies were to furnish a country where 

 British people should attain a position and occupy a field of action essential 

 to the expansion and elevation of political communities, I introduced the 

 resolutions which the speech prefaced, with the purpose of keeping the im- 

 portant consideration before the public and engaging attention to it in our 

 sister colonies not less than In this province. In 1857 the subject was brought 

 under tlhe notice oC *he Colonial Secretary in London, by Mr. Archibald and 



