[BURPEF] HOWE AND THE ANTI-CONFEDERATION LEAGUE 455 
When I got here the Ministry had changed, and Parliament being, shortly after, 
prorogued I thought that some good might be done by a public discussion not only 
of the subject of Confederation but of our general Colonial policy. With this object 
in view I published the two Pamphlets marked 1 and 2 which I have the honor to 
enclose, and which in substance contain the arguments with which your Lordship is al- 
ready familiar. The Pamphlet No. 3,"! was written by a friend in reply to one from 
the other side. With these and the Remonstrance sent last week, and which has 
since been laid before Parliament, in your hands Your Lordship will be in possession . 
of all that has been written here on our side of the question. 
Having discussed the subject so fully with Your Lordship last year, of course 
I do not expect to change the opinions deliberately formed but I am not without a 
hope that Your Lordship will see the justice and propriety of leaving the Bill on the 
table until after the May Elections in Nova Scotia. If the people then decide in 
favor of the measure there will still be two months of the Session left in which to 
pass it, and we will all help to work it successfully. If they decide against then a 
great error will have been avoided, and it can be put aside. Surely two months are 
not much for a fine people to ask of Parliament when all that is dear to them trembles 
in the balance, and I really cannot see how those who so highly prize the franchise 
and are seeking to extend it, can, after its peaceful and loyal exercise by a kindred 
people for more than a century, deny it to them, within two months of the period 
when their suffrages are to be collected by law, the name of their country is to be 
changed, its revenues are to be swept away and their institutions are to be over- 
thrown. 
For many years your Lordship has permitted me to approach you with the free 
expression of my opinions upon public questions, a privilege I have highly prized. 
Perhaps you will not take offense, if pleading for my country I ask, that even for 
your own sake, and that of the great party of which you are the Chief you will pause 
before committing yourself to an act which with all respect, will appear at variance 
with the whole current of your thoughts and with triumph of your long and honorable 
public life. 
Believe me My Lord 
With the great respect 
Very sincerely Yours 
JOSEPH HOWE. 
London 
25 Saville Row 
Feb. 15, 1867. 
Wm. J. Stairs, Esq. 
My dear Stairs 
Annand goes by this Boat and will give our friends all the news. I cannot spare 
McDonald just yet but hope he may be able to get away by the next. 
The Bill, which we were told by the Private Secretary only reached Carnarvon 
and was sent to the Queen on Monday was brought in to the Lords on Tuesday 
the Colonial Secretary giving notice that he would explain his views on moving the 
second reading next Tuesday. 
We were not prepared for the opening of the campaign in the Upper House, as 
it had been announced that the Bill, being a money Bill, would be introduced into 
the Commons by Adderley. We have no petitions to the Lords, except one from 
121 See note 49. 
