BURPEE] HOWE AND THE ANTI-CONFEDERATION LEAGUE 459 
This report will probably close my labors, which for some months have not been 
light to say nothing of the responsibility. Success would have been a great joy to 
us all, but we have our consolations in a sense of duty performed—sound principles 
vindicated, and truthful words fearlessly spoken. We can look in each others faces 
and lay our bones beside those of our kindred with a consciousness that we have 
been true to the living and the dead. 
With kind regards to all 
Believe me 
Sincerely Yours 
JOSEPH HOWE 
To the Hon Joseph Howe Halifax, March 28, 1867. 
25 Saville Row 
London 
Dearest Sir, 
Your letter of the 15th inst. has been received—and read to those friends—who 
have been with you—so much interested in shewing the People of England, the state 
of Public feeling in Nova Scotia—I thought it right—to bring it to the notice of the 
anti Confederate members of the Legislature and it has elicited from them, jointly 
with your outside friends—a letter of thanks to you for your most devoted services— 
and shews if words can express it, their feeling of sympathy for you in this heavy 
disappointment. ; 
Some say they never expected any other result—that they judged the House 
of Commons to be as it has proved—but I must say—I am disappointed—I never 
could have believed the House of Commons was so void of earnestness—and so purely 
selfish as to disregard the rights and wants of a Colonial People—when their case 
was clearly and distinctly put. 
I must say that if to get rid of these Provinces is their idea, and I believe it is, 
They have shewn a very clear perception of the mode it is to be worked. 
But all vain regrets must be buried and we must to repeat your words: 
“look to make a new page in the history of our Country.” 
But my dear Mr. Howe this is easier for some than for others— 
I am commissioned to convey to you the sense of a meeting of Friends held 
last evening. The names will be seen in another paper—the Sentiments they ex- 
pressed—in regards yourself—were these— 
istly. That after the devotion and sacrifice you have made of your self on behalf 
of Nova Scotia—it is the wish of your friends and the friends of Nova Scotia, 
That you now—should cease from any course of Public action in the interests 
of Nova Scotia, which may be at a Sacrifice of your personal feelings and interests, 
2ndly. Your friends—feel, that should you return and wish to join the Parliament 
at Ottawa—They will hail your aid as of most serious importance to the Party 
whose duty it will be to mould the Constitution of the new state—with regard 
to the interests of Nova Scotia.. 
3rdly. It was expressed by Mr. McHaffey™ that the County of Hants would 
wether you were absent or present—return you—as a Member of the Parlia- 
ment at Ottawa. 
and now dear Sir—I have tried to convey to you the sense of the meeting—but I 
feel it has been most imperfectly put—the kindly words which expressed these 
15 R..A. McHeffey, a member of the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia, and of Annand’s Anti- 
Confederate Government, 1867-68. 
136 The formal resolution is printed in Speeches, II, 507 
