28 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



1867, praying for admission into the union on these terms and con- 

 ditions. I have reason for believing that the community at large 

 desire this course, and no minor or local interests which may quite 

 as well be considered and protected hereafter, ought to be allowed 

 to hinder the progress of the arrangements likely to be beneficial 

 to the Colony in general." ^^ He also discussed the introduction of 

 Responsible Government, and, in referring to the amendment pro- 

 viding for this change, acknowledged the existence of the very general 

 opinion in its favour. Even that subject, however, he emphasized, 

 must not be allowed to delay the all-important matter of Confedera- 

 tion. It is plain that he still retained his conviction that the Colony 

 was not fitted for this form of government. "But," he concluded, 

 "if the House should be deliberately of opinion that this change is 

 expedient, and that it w^ill not be wiser to leave it for more leisurely 

 consideration after union," he would, after the adoption of the terms 

 of union, introduce a Bill to establish Responsible Government, and 

 to provide for its coming into operation at the first session after 

 union. ^^ 



On 18th January, 1870, Mr. Trutch, in a short speech, moved 

 the House into Committee to consider the concluded terms and draft 

 the necessary Address. He confined his remarks to an account of the 

 discussions which had taken place in Ottawa regarding the financial 

 terms and the railway. Dr. Helmcken seconded the motion in an 

 even briefer speech.'*^ No other member spoke, and the motion was 

 carried unanimously. The Colonist pointedly remarked: "Our 

 Legislature yesterday presented a strange study. Just think of it! 

 A Legislature created, we might say, for the express purpose of 

 deciding the great question of Confederation, giving a unanimous 

 vote in silence, save only what was said by the mover and seconder.*^ 



The champions of Responsible Government, having won their 

 struggle to incorporate it as a term, seemed desirous of showing the 

 Governor their strength, and, before adopting the terms of union, 

 endeavoured to force through the House a resolution calling for its 

 inauguration simultaneously with Confederation. They were, how- 

 ever, defeated by a combination of the ofîficîals and the two unofficial 

 members of the Executive, who succeeded in carrying a motion asking 

 the Governor to send down such a Bill at the time indicated in his 

 speech.^" Accordingly the Governor did not, and would not, move 

 in the matter until the terms had been approved and the Address 

 to Her Majesty passed. These pre-requisites, in the Governor's 

 opinion, having been settled on 20th January, the much-desired Bill 

 was introduced on 31st January.^^ Even then the Governor 



