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doubt of your success. If you come out, I promise that the moment you ask me to come back to Parliament, I will at once respond. The present ministry will not last long. From the strongest of them, with the best of our friends outside, a higher and better policy might be carried out for our country than what is in prospect for us now. Don't think of accepting the Upper House.

I hope to start across the Atlantic in about three weeks, but will try and see you before I go. Your candidature may interfere with your trip, but it would be pleasant to meet you in England. I would give much for that opportunity. Ever faithfully yours,

HON. L. H. HOLTON, Montreal.

GEORGE BROWN.

LETTER TO MR. HOLTON.

EDINBURGH, Sept. 3, 1862.

MY DEAR HOLTON,-I got here at a very interesting time—I mean to London. I was fortunate enough to be present at the great debate in the Commons and at the great Grand Trunk meeting. It would be hard to say which disappointed me most. The ignorance of English politicians about Canadian affairs is as astounding as the helpless dependence of the capitalists on the word of a few bell-wethers. I cannot tell you how glad I am at having had an opportunity of seeing how affairs are managed here. It is very curious and very instructive. I have met many people in the political and financial worlds, and have received the greatest kindness from all. The truths told in the Globe for the last ten years have not prevented the Barings and Glyns being very civil; and those who escaped Grand Trunk benefits particularly so. I have a great deal to tell you when I see you. It would be absurd to attempt it in a letter.

I had a most satisfactory interview with the Duke of Newcastle at his request. His scruples about representation by population are entirely gone. It would have done even Sandfield good to hear his ideas on the absurdity of the double majority. Whatever small politicians and the London Times may say, you may depend upon this, that the government and the leaders of the opposition perfectly understand our position, and have no thought of changing the relations between Canada and the mother country. On the contrary, the members of the government (with the exception of Gladstone) are set upon the Intercolonial Railway and a grand transit route across the continent! But for Mr. Gladstone's opposition, I have reason to believe that the scheme would have been announced by this time.

The meeting of the British North America Association, at which Mr. Galt spoke, was got up professedly to explain to the English public the present position of Canada and Canadian affairs, but in reality it was intended to force the Intercolonial Railway on public attention. I declined going because, in order to show our true position, I must have attacked some who were on the platform with me, and I did not think it fair to ⚫ Sandfield and his colleagues to aid an agitation that might be embarrassing to them. So far I support the present government on everything else but the great constitutional issue and the school question; and that I may have more to say on these two, I shall earnestly aid them on all other questions.

I am delighted to learn that your election for the Upper House is quite safe, though, of course, it is coupled with regret that you will not be in

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your proper sphere among the "Lords." Galt and I have made up the peace. By the way, he goes in now for constitutional changes stiff. He is to address the Manchester Chamber of Commerce on Canadian finances before he leaves. I have been asked to be present, and also to speak in several other quarters, but have steadily declined. I have no idea of defending Canada before the English people, and defence is the only possible attitude at this moment.

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The bitterness against the United States here is remarkable, and the feeling is as senseless as it is bitter. The Times wields an astonishing influence over the length and breadth of the land. What it means by its present course I cannot conceive, and no one here can enlighten me. seems to be meanly pandering to the passions of the people without regard to the inevitable hostile feeling that will arise in consequence of such writing in future years.

I got to this my native city a few days ago, and at once started off on an inspection of the old loved spots. I wandered from house to house and place to place where dear remembrances led me, and the mingled sensations were overwhelming. 1 have had many delightful meetings with old friends and cronies, but the sad, sad blanks tell the tale of twenty-five years.

Only one old friend recognized me, and he did so from having seen Gordon when here two or three years ago; all the others, though they had seen my brother and sister lately, failed to make me out.

I mean to stay here about a month, then, ho! for Canada. But for the sad thought that never more will I see my beloved mother ever recurring, my visit would have been one of intense pleasure throughout.

I needed nothing to "reconcile" me to Canada; but, after all I have seen, I say now as earnestly as ever, Canada for me!

Ever faithfully yours,

GEORGE BROWN.

HON. L. H. HOLTON, Montreal.

LETTER TO MR. HOLTON.

TORONTO, Jan. 5, 1863.

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MY DEAR HOLTON,-Many thanks for your kind congratulations, and I assure you my friends may well congratulate me, for I am a new man in mind and body after my trip to England, and as happy as the day is long. I do not know when I may get down to Montreal, but whenever I do Mrs. Brown will accompany me, and I have promised her a great pleasure, and, I trust, the friendship of all your family circle. I quite weary to have a long talk with you on many subjects. I have much to tell. there any chance of your coming up? I may possibly be called to Montreal by business within three or four weeks, but it is not likely. I wish very much to have consultation also with Dorion. You would see an absurd article in the Leader of yesterday about new combinations. I need hardly say that, so far as I am concerned, there is not a shadow of truth in it. I never had any love for coalitionists, and certainly have as little now as I ever had. The Leader and its friends may rest assured that when I go to open war with the present ministry, it will be as a reformer and a party reformer, and that I shall take some small section of that party with me, sufficient at any rate to make war effectively for Upper Canada principles, whether the conservatives like it or not. But entirely re-established in health as I am, and free from nearly all business retardment, I have no desire whatever to re-enter parliamentary life, and would much rather

accomplish through others what the country wants than be a prominent participant myself. I have thought out a course for myself pretty clearly, but shall make no sign or say anything until I see you and discuss our affairs fully. I regretted much you could not come to Great Britain this summer. You would have enjoyed it intensely. But I trust there is a good time coming. I am happy to know that I can now give you notes to many of the friends in England and Scotland who will welcome you heartily from the knowledge they already have of you. I met many Canadians in London.

Ever faithfully yours,

GEORGE BROWN.

HON. L. H. HOLTON, Montreal.

LETTER TO MR.

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 1863.

MY DEAR -I was greatly gratified by Dorion's refusal to join the present ministry. I fear that sooner or later we will be forced to part company with them, and it is a great relief to have Dorion out of it. Indeed, I cannot see how they are to get on with any comfort. The Intercolonial Railway matter stands in a very awkward position. If they were willing to face borrowing the money to build the road, and the annual deficit in running it, I think they need not have scrupled about the sinking fund. It strikes me it was a very small loop-hole to escape by; but let us rejoice the country is saved the burden threatened. The postal subsidy to the Grand Trunk is another rock ahead. I hear the government has been pledged to arbitration. I hope this is a mistake; but if not, it will create trouble. The school question, too, stands out in a threatening aspect, but perhaps that may be avoided as well as the Credit Foncier; but from what I hear, Sicotte's strength in Lower Canada is far from what was expected, and will prove the weakest spot of the administration. Sandfield, it seems, has promise of a dissolution; but so far as Upper Canada is concerned, I am persuaded that if he tries he will find himself mistaken. There will be unavoidable divisions in the reformers' ranks where conservatives will be united, and the result may easily be seen. If an election were to come now, I would not move hand or pen except for the individual whom I knew to be reliable from every point of view. I confess I view the position of our party with some degree of alarm-more alarm than I have felt for ten years. Ministers may get supporters to vote down representation by population, or they may treat their vote on that question with indifference; but the country will not do so, and any attempt to speak against it as the late minister did, will cause a burst of indignation over the country. Divisions will spring up. In every store and bar-room of Upper Canada the contest will be waged; the best of our men will be found where they were. One set will be pitted against the other; and when the election comes, the result will be seen. I have no desire to enter parliament; on the contrary, nothing but the strongest sense of duty would tempt me to enter it at present; but sometimes when I think of the gulf before us, I am almost tempted to wish myself once more in the House. A little reflection, however, soon brings me back stronger than ever for quiet and happiness. All you have seen-if, indeed, you have seen the trash which has been published-about Oxford and my connection with it, is entirely fabulous. Several prominent electors wrote offering support and urging me to stand. I declined, after thinking the matter seriously over. I know less of South Oxford than of any county west of Belleville. Were I desirous of going in I suppose I could do so by stumping the county, but I never was in the

riding except at the village of Ingersoll. It is largely Hincksite, and has, I am told, nearly six hundred Roman Catholic electors. I would, however, get, besides many of the friends, a large number of Stephen Richardsand a little canvassing would, I dare say, make the thing sure enough. But I prefer keeping out. If the cabinet tumbled to pieces and I in the House-whatever I said or did-the doing of it would be thrown on my shoulders. Now, I do not want them to have any excuse for failure, but to stand or fall on their merits. I sincerely hope they will not fall this session; but I hope still more earnestly that my friends in the House will not ruin themselves by giving bad votes on these questions to keep the government in office. I see John A. Macdonald is reported to have arrived by the Europa. What course he may take I do not know; but whatever he does will very much affect the reliability or weakness of the ministry. Haultain, Cockburn, and others I wot of, in the event of the conservatives pursuing a different policy than what they have done, will not hesitate to act for themselves. Howland is still here. He seemed far from ill when I saw him a week ago, but they say he is not well enough to get through the work of the session. I hope you will write me from day to day your impressions of matters. On Monday I go back to the editorial chair, and mean to keep it during the session. I will be glad if you could have an opportunity of letting me know of Lord Monck as Governor-General. It is reported that the ministry and he had some difficulty in November, and that they had placed their resignations in his hands in the full expectation of being out; but he thought better of it. The militia question is said to have been the cause of the trouble.

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MY DEAR --I got your telegram, and took your advice, and I am Had 1 consented to be a candidate three days earlier there would have been no contest, or, at least, nothing worth designating a contest. the convention proceedings gave Bodwell something to talk about, and committed a great many people who regretted having to vote against me. South Oxford never was a constituency of my way of thinking exactly, and it was very gratifying to find how hearty and kind was the reception I got from men of all parties all over the riding, including those who voted against me. Not one harsh word passed during the contest; and were the fight to be gone over again to-morrow, I think we could carry it by one thousand majority. It is not true that I got all the Tory vote. The Tories in South Oxford number between six and seven hundred, including the catholics, who generally voted against me. Of the protestant Tories I got perhaps from one-half to two-thirds, but by getting them I lost as many hard old Radicals. So that while I got many votes from the conservatives, I am not indebted to them for my return. I entirely agree with you about McDougall's speech. It was the most reckless as well as the most foolish speech ever made by a man in his position. I see, too, he goes in for sectarian schools, and the whole animal generally. Well, he had better look out for another constituency than North Oxford. I regret also to hear that Ferguson Blair has accepted the Receiver-Generalship vice Morris, but it does not take me by surprise. I suppose he will get returned, but it is because no earnest reformer will oppose him under the present

circumstances. I do not intend going down for ten days unless you write me that there is necessity.

Ever faithfully yours,

GEORGE BRown.

LETTER TO MR. HOLTON.

TORONTO, June 26, 1863.

MY DEAR HOLTON, -The elections are over. We have been as successful as we could hope to be, and now begins the real trouble. Were Sandfield a man of comprehensive mind and firm of purpose, all trouble would soon be overcome. But it is really sad to rejoice over victory at the polls as if we had nothing else to do but sit down and enjoy our spoils. I need not remind you that our very success in Upper Canada, and the complete rout of the old corruptionists, have rendered our future course more difficult than before. We cannot hold up the return of Sir John and Cartier as a scarecrow for those who insist on our carrying out our principles. We have men returned on our side firmly pledged to carry out our views, and what is more, all but two oppositionists returned are as earnest as we are in claiming the same reform. The vote for representation by population will be almost unanimous on the part of Upper Canada members, and the conservatives will now be most violent in their clamours for it, when they see that the country has completely adopted it. What is to be done-look the case fairly in the face, or wait the event? The former is very difficult after what occurred in Montreal, and the latter may throw the reform party into a defensive attitude not advantageous on such a question. It is impossible to make Sandfield think or speak seriously. Your own particular troubles are in no way light, though I confess they would give me no uneasiness if I occupied your shoes. I would just form my conclusions as to what was right, and carry them out firmly and boldly. Much is expected from you, and I am conscious that if you only carry out your own wellconsidered purposes, you will not go astray. I need not say that you can always rely on my sincere and earnest counsel whenever you think it worth while to ask it. An immense card, politically, would be the renewal of the United States reciprocity treaty. If you can fix that for twenty years you will give our party a hold on the farmers that would be very difficult to over-estimate. Sandfield spoke of my going down to Washington to see how the land lay. I would gladly do so were there any necessity for it, but of course you will attend to that yourself, and no doubt with as much influence as I could possibly exercise at the Washington Court. There seems less hurry about the matter now that the democratic party have had a check, but I am persuaded that President Lincoln is favourable, and while he is in power the thing should be attended to. I am strongly of opinion that you should summon parliament for the earliest possible day. Announce that it is for the Supplies and the Militia Bill alone. Push them through in ten days, and call us at the regular time-the end of January; this will give you a chance of feeling the temper of the House. It will enable you to discard troublesome matters in your Supply Bill on the score of time being needed to consider, and it will enable you to prepare your plans coolly and considerately before your session next winter. Faithfully yours,

HON. L. H. HOLTON, Montreal.

GEORGE BROWN.

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