414 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
be most injurious to all concerned. I told him I expected him to do 
all in his power to obtain repeal, both with the Government and Parlia- 
ment; but that in case he failed he must see that persisting in a course 
of antagonism to the Dominion and Imperial Governments would only 
end in the ruin of himself and his party, and be the cause of immense 
mischief to the country. I told him if, on the other hand, he went 
back to Nova Scotia and told them that before entering upon any 
further antagonism they had better give the union a fair trial, he 
would find the Government and Parliament of the Dominion not only 
ready to make any practical concession to the interests of Nova Scotia, 
but to give the public sentiment of the people, as expressed at the elec- 
tion, the fullest weight; that a seat in the Government and the posi- 
tion declined by myself would afford the means of doing justice to 
the claims of the Nova Scotia party; and that I would unite my for- 
tunes with theirs and give them the most cordial support. 
He appeared deeply impressed by my statements, and said a great 
many civil things, but expressed his fears that if he took that course 
his party would abandon him. I told him that between us we could 
rally to his support three-fourths of the wealth, education and in- 
fluence of the country, and that I could assure him that he would thus 
entitle himself to the most favourable consideration of the Crown. 
The duke (Buckingham) has entered warmly into my views, and has 
invited Howe and myself to visit him at Stowe Park. 
Howe suggested, although he said he could not propose it, that 
a Commission of three English gentlemen should be appointed to 
report upon Confederation for the information of Parliament, etc. 
This could, I think, only be done without compromising the Dominion 
by being suggested, or rather challenged, by the Canadian Govern- 
sa in answer to the attacks on it. The effect in case of a struggle, 
e., if nothing can be done with Howe, would be to gain time and let 
us in N. S. down easily. I told Howe that, of course, I could not 
suggest it, and said it was, besides, open to the great objection that 
it would keep up agitation, and prevent him and his friends availing 
themselves of the present favourable opportunity of acquiring a posi- 
tion and influence to serve the province.” 
Howe's version of this interview is contained in a letter dated 
April 9th:* 
“We were honoured by a visit from Tupper, immediately on his 
arrival in London. He never called last year. I returned his visit 
four or five days after, and had an hour’s talk with him. 
Of course he assumes that we will be beaten here, and is most anxious 
about what is to come after, and desirous that we shall then lay down 
our arms. He thinks the Canadians will offer us any terms, and that 
he and I combined might rule the Dominion. Of course I gave him 
no satisfaction.” 
Again on April 18th, Tupper writes Macdonald: 
“After a very pleasant vistt at Stowe and the most friendly inter- 
course with Mr. and Mrs. Howe for three days, he and I had a long 
* Speeches and Public Letters, 534. 
f Recollections of Sixty Years, 80-1. 
