60 JOHN LESPERANCE ON 



(8). Confederation.— Negotiations. Analysis of the British North America Act. Pur- 

 chase of the Hudson Bay Territory. 



(9). Fenian Invasions.— Treat y of Eeciprocity. The Fisheries. The Treaty of Washington. 



(10). National Policy.— Withdrawal of the Troops. Supreme Court. Theory of the Pro- 

 tective Tariff. 



(11). Pacific Eailway, including the Intercolonial. — History of the Grand Trunk. 

 Enlargement of Canals. Ocean and Lake Shipping. 



(12). Northwest Rebellion.— Riel. Study of the Origin, History and Claims of the 

 Metis. Full study of Canadian Indians from beginning to our day. 



lY. 



Besides this general study of the history of Canada, there is a great variety of special 

 work to be done ; and I shall conclude by a brief mention of several points among these. 



I. — Our Cartology is lamentably deficient, and yet it is well understood how necessary 

 to the study of history are full and accurate maps. The old charts of Cartier, Champlain 

 and other travellers, should all be reëdited, every date and place being properly fixed. 

 This task will be found a very difhcult one, and I question whether there is any single 

 scholar in the country that is equal to it. This work would have to be done under the 

 auspices of the Government, and it were, perhaps, advisable to appoint a Commission for 

 the purpose. 



II. — Our Antiquities and Curiosities have been too long neglected. No time should 

 be lost in establishing at the capital a National Museum, such as they have connected 

 with the Indian Department at Washington. What exists here, already, of that kind, might 

 be used as a kernel, and, indeed, it might not be amiss to have the institution serve as an 

 annex of the Geological Survey. Every thing that can possibly throw light on the ethno- 

 logy, the archaeology, the anthropology, and the natural curiosities of the country, would 

 find a place in this museum, and within a very few years we should have a collection of 

 invaluable importance to the student and scholar. 



III. — Nor should the services of Art be overlooked. It is pleasant to be able to say 

 that, here, at least, something tangible has been attempted and more is to be expected. 

 The portraits of the successive Speakers of the Legislative Assemblies have been kept, as 

 also the series of the Speakers of the Senate. 



In the plan of the new Parliamentary Buildings of Quebec are a number of niches 

 destined to contain the figures of our principal men, from Cartier down. 



The picture of the Fathers of Confederation, at the grand staircase leading to the House 

 of Commons and the Senate, here at Ottawa, is the result of a patriotic idea which, while 

 giving impulse to native art, preserves indelibly on canvas the scene of a conference 

 which moulded the present destinies of Canada. 



In Montreal another project is being mooted, the value of which cannot be over- 

 estimated. It consists in gathering from public and private sources, and from every avail- 

 able quarter in the country, an exhibition of portraits — large or miniature, prints and cuts 



