62 CARIBOU SHOOTING IN NEWFOUNDLAND. 







they have got, and we have faith in the ultimate 

 result. 



"It became a matter of great difficulty to obtain 

 money to meet the interest on the public debt, due 

 December 31, without meeting which we should 

 have become insolvent. It was finally secured, at a 

 great sacrifice, and then, having breathing space, the 

 Government sought the aid of England to guarantee 

 interest on a loan to complete our railway, which had 

 to be stopped when the crash came. 



"She refused to help us, unless we accepted an un- 

 conditional Royal Commission. This our Govern- 

 ment would not do, fearing we should be made a 

 Crown colony. 



"Then we turned to Canada, which has for twenty- 

 five years been tempting us to join the Confederation, 

 and sought terms of admission from her. Unaided 

 she could not assume the whole burden of our public 

 debt, $15,000,000. She would take two-thirds of it, 

 and requested England to assume the remainder. 

 But again England refused and blocked a second 

 avenue of escape for us. 



"This compelled us to adopt the last resort and 

 appeal to the liberty-loving and large-hearted people 

 of the United States. Colonial Secretary Bond is now 

 endeavoring to secure a loan there to enable us to tide 



