448 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
Earl Carnarvon gave us distinctly to understand, that, as yet no measure had 
been prepared or presented. In fact that nothing had been done, and that it was 
not likely that any thing would be until after the Christmas Holidays.!4 
This interview came very opportunely, as it enabled us to contradict another 
lying financial puff which the Grand Trunk people or some of the Delegates had 
palmed off on the Daily News and gave the answer to McCully who had labored in 
his pamphlet, recently published,!™ to persuade the government and public that we 
had no official standing that could be recognized. 
Mac’s Pamphlet is not very formidable. All that is worth notice will probably 
be answered by McDonald. 
You will find in the London Sun! of the 12th and 19th, elaborate articles on 
Organization and a friendly notice of the Pamphlet in the Athenaeum. It is not 
likely that any body will think of anything but Plumb Puddings and Pantomimes 
for the next ten days, but we shall still work on and let no occasion slip to put in 
a word in season. 
McDonald and I dined with the Royal London Yacht Club on the 10th. They 
placed us next the Chair and asked me to propose the Press. The reporters had gone 
before my time came but I made what they were pleased to call the speech of the 
evening. The Sheriffs of London who sat on the other side of the Chairman compli- 
mented me highly and asked me to dine at the Old Baily this week to meet the Judges, 
an invitation which I had to decline with all others this week in consequence of in- 
flamation of the eyes. I am getting better, and hope soon to be all right. 
Wishing you all a merry Christmas, I remain, 
Very truly Yours, 
JOSEPH HOWE. 
25 Saville Row, 
Dec. 10, 1866. 
Cyril C. Graham,! Esq. 
Sir, 
Will you be kind enough to acquaint the Earl of Carnarvon that Hugh McDonald 
Esq., came over by the last boat delegated to aid Mr. Annand and myself in repre- 
senting to Her Majesty’s Ministers the views of those who desire that no measure 
shall be sanctioned by The Imperial Government for changing the relations of the 
North American Provinces to each other and to the Mother Country which has not 
been submitted to and accepted by the populations whose highest interests it may 
involve. 
Though Mr. Annand and myself have been detained in this country nearly 
five months by the failure of the Canadian Delegates to appear we have felt that the 
Colonial Secretary was in no condition to enter officially upon the object of our mis- 
sion until those gentlemen had arrived. The papers inform us that delegates from 
three of the Provinces are now sitting in conference and are in communication with 
the Colonial Office. We are therefore naturally desirous to learn when Earl Carnar- 

104 The London Conference opened in the Westminster Palace Hotel on Tuesday, Dec. 4th. The 
delegates considered the Quebec Resolutions, with intervals, from the 4th to the 24th. On the latter 
date a series of Resolutions were adopted. The first draft of the Confederation Bill was adopted Jan. 
23rd, 1867. The Bill in its final form was adopted March 29th, 1867. Pope, Confederation Documents. 
105 See Bibliography No. 86. 
1% Founded 1792. At first violently Tory, but turned Whig about 1825. 
107 Lord Carnarvon’s Private Secretary. 
