[BURPEE] HOWE AND THE ANTI-CONFEDERATION LEAGUE 431 
deeply resent it but for the influence of His Grace, with whom I had a long conversa- 
tion yesterday. He is prepared to demand large concessions from the Canadians, 
and is determined to throw up the game and go home if they are not yielded. I read 
him last night the four declarations, made in a string, by the Canadian Ministers 
and their friends in which they say that nothing shall be changed. We shall see who 
will yield. It is quite clear that both sides are committed to directly opposite policies. 
I sent last week to Lord Stanley two papers on subjects which I know would 
interest him. He thanked me promptly under his own hand and said he had sent 
the “interesting Papers to the Earl of Derby.” 
Going down for four days to Gravesend I have prepared a paper on the “‘pre- 
tensions of Canada,” embracing general and Imperial views of Confederation. 
Annand and I have been at work at it since, and we have sent 60 pages of MS. to 
the printer this morning. We have some more to do but hope to have the whole in 
a readable shape next week. The exact mode of publication and procedure we have 
not quite determined on but these will be governed by the state of the board when 
the proofs are ready. 
I learn from reliable quarters that the treatment the fellows here have received 
from the Canadians has produced among the more outspoken and irritable a feeling 
of great annoyance and disgust. 
Be careful in using the contents of this, and be assured that, up to this moment 
the situation is unchanged, and that nothing whatever has been done. 
Yours truly, 
JOSEPH HOWE. 
London, 
Sept. 10, 1866. 
25 Saville Row. 
My dear Stairs, 
Thanks for your Note. After a long survey of the field of operations here and 
much reflection on the course to be pursued, Annand” and I determined that we 
would strike a bold stroke for the Provinces which might startle the government 
and influence the public opinion of this country. Had we noticed the articles in the 
Times we might have frittered away our case and been drawn into small wars with 
the Delegates with no decisive result. We determined therefore to reserve our fire 
till we could deliver a broadside, of heavy metal. I went down to Gravesend and 
shut myself up for a week and prepared the paper, copies of which are enclosed.?7 
We were doubtful at first whether to try and get this into one of the papers under an 
anonymous signature. We concluded, however, that the bold course was the best, 
and I have put my name on the title page and published in pamphlet form. An 
edition of 500 has been ordered, and as we propose to send it to every Member of 
both Houses and to all the Newspapers 1,000 more may be wanted, as a good many 
should go to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. This 
operation will cost our friends some money, but I know they will not grudge the 
expense. 
Though I have written this paper it embodies our joint suggestions and Annand 
has aided me much by discussing with me the various points and by corrections. 


26 William Annand. Born Halifax 1808. Elected to N. S. Assembly, 1836. Financial Secretary 
in Howe’s Ministry, 1860-63. Founded Halifax Chronicle and for some time edited both that and the 
Nova Scotian. Head of Anti-Confederate Government, Nova Scotia, 1867. Died in London, 1892. 
27See Bibliography, No. 55. The pamphlet is reprinted in the Speeches and Public Letters of 
Joseph Howe, II, 468-92. 
