464 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
men who can go into the Legislatures. I have to thank our friends for urgent solicita- 
tion to accept a nomination to one or other of these places but have declined— 
the strongest reason is I have not the physical strength to take up the load. Annand 
and Power should take the county™ for Ottawa—But Annand refuses and Power is 
not over willing. Tupper and John Tobin will try for Halifax and with the Arch- 
bishop’s help hope to be elected. Tupper is such a pertanaceous canvasser that 
large personality is wanted to meet him. We are all anxious to hear if you are 
coming this May. 
But wether you come or do not I will feel you have a perfect right to mark out 
yourown Path. Itrust you will not hesitate to let me know if I can serve you. 
Mrs. Howe spent yesterday with us. Seems quite recovered of the indisposition 
she suffered from in Winter. 
With best regards 
Believe me yours 
truly 
WM. J. STAIRS. 
London 
126 Brompton Road 
June 20 1868. 
My dear Robertson,“ 
Our official report to Vaill# with the London papers and documents sent out by 
this mail will convey to you the results of our application to Her Majesty’s Govern- 
ment and to the House of Commons.7 
The debate in the Lords will not come off till next week but cannot materially 
vary the position of affairs as most of the leading men in that House may be assumed 
to be against us, and we cannot count upon any conspicuous person to advocate 
our cause. Under these circumstances we may consider the labours of the Dele- 
gation over. Nothing more can be done in this country till some movement is made 
on the other side. It will now become a matter of anxious solicitude to us all as to 
what course is to be taken. The Government here assumes, from Tuppers repre- 
sentations and the correspondence with Lord Monck that the Canadians are willing 
and able, nay most anxious to allay all discontent and give us entire satisfaction 
without any interference of theirs. I do not believe in their ability or inclination to 
do any such thing. No doubt the Duke of Buckingham’ would be well pleased 
if they could and would, and if they did the decision of Parliament might turn out to 
be a wise one. 
But, as I have said, I doubt both their ability and inclination and assuming that 
I am not far wrong the question arrises what are we, left to our own resources to do. 



144 Halifax County. - 
14 Robert Robertson, Commissioner of Mines in the Nova Scotia Government, 1867-68. This 
letter is printed in the Speeches, II, 534-36, but is included here to complete the story of Howe's con- 
nection with the Anti-Confederate Movement. 
146 W. B. Vail, then Provincial Secretary in the Nova Scotia Government. Born 1823. Repre- 
sented Digby in Dominion Parliament 1874-78, 1882-87. Minister of Militia and Defence 1874-78. 
Died 1904. A 
147 In February, 1868, Howe sailed for England as a delegate on behalf of the Nova Scotia Govern- 
ment to demand repeal of the Union so far as that province was concerned. Associated with him were 
William Annand, J. C. Troop, and W. H. Smith. The latter, Tupper describes as ‘‘the ablest lawyer 
on the Anti side in the N.S. House.” Recollections, 85. 
48 The Duke of Buckingham (1823-1889). Colonial Secretary 1867-68. Afterward Governor 
of Madras. 
