July 8, 1867

ALERT: MAJOR-GENERAL STISTED TO BE SWORN IN AS LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO AT NOON TODAY AT OSGOODE HALL

Rumours and Whispers

Following Saturday’s meeting of the Dominion cabinet, several ministers are departing Ottawa this week for the purposes of beginning their election tours. Hon. William McDougall (Public Works) has a meeting scheduled in Almonte, Ontario, in the riding of North Lanark. “Wandering Willy” as he is known, is rumoured to be facing the wrath of Reformers and the indifference of Conservatives at home for his recent switch in party loyalties from the Liberals to the Conservatives. The Prime Minister is expected to depart Ottawa next week.

Election speculation is heating up in the Province of Québec as candidates begin jockeying for positions in the the provincial legislature and House of Commons. Several candidates are putting their names forward for both Houses. The Globe has a riding-by-riding breakdown today.

Government Business

Several matters arising from the Fenian Raids of 1866 and the organization of the militia were attended to today by your new Dominion Government.

A special warrant in the amount of $26,127 (USD) has been requested by Hon. George-Étienne Cartier (Militia) (1867-0020) to clear the government’s outstanding account with the Providence Tool Company of Rhode Island for the provision of 3,020 Peabody rifles and bayonets. The rifles had been purchased by the Province of Canada in March 1866 for use by the militia to replace the muzzle-loading Enfield rifles the militia had been using. Those Enfields were damaged, dirty, and lacking the necessary ramrods. The Adjutant-General of the Canadian Militia, Colonel Patrick McDougall reported to the government that

It is very difficult to enforce proper cleaning of their arms by volunteers; they take pride in turning out on parade smart and clean and soldier-like so far as regards the outward appearance; but it is too often the case that their rifles are so fouled within that they cannot be fired.

The total cost of the rifles was $76,180 (USD) with some $50,053 previously being paid ($50,000 in cash, and $40 in gold). Later this year the militia will take delivery of 30,000 breechloading Snider-Enfield rifles from the United Kingdom. The Order will be approved on August 7, 1867.

One of these rifles is available until 11:19 pm on July 9, 2017, for an opening bid of $1,895 plus $60 shipping

The Great Western Railway Company submitted a claim to the Dominion Government in the amount of $5,016 for damages sustained by the Erie and Ontario Railway during the Fenian Raids in June 1866. The damages occurred when Canadian militiamen were transported along the railway prior to its completion. A sum of $1,281.42 had earlier been paid but that payment was for services only. Hon. George-Étienne Cartier (Militia) has recommended (1867-0022) payment of $2,800 ($2,550 for damage to tracks; $250 for use of, and damage to, railway offices) be made to the Great Western Railway to satisfy all claims against the government in relation to this matter. This amount was arrived at based on investigations of the claim. The Order was amended from its original drafting to have the amount placed in the Estimates for the fiscal year, rather than paid immediately. The Order will be approved on August 8, 1867.

Col. McDougall is seeking (1867-0021) $1,000 to pay for the construction of a military drill shed in St. Catharines that, once constructed, collapsed under the weight of the winter snow. The Order further requested that the construction of a second drill shed be ordered.

Despite being appointed to the bench for the County Court of the County of Huron on November 15, 1866, Justice Secker Brough did not assume office until January of the following year. In his absence, Acting Judge F. Louis performed the functions of the office for the period November 14, 1866 to December 31, 1866 and sought payment for those services from the Dominion Government. Judge Brough argued that his failure to assume office was owing to no fault of his own and rather because the government had not advised him that the Clerk of the Peace had been “clothed with the necessary authority” to administer his oath of office, and is therefore also claiming his salary for that period.

Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald (Justice and Attorney-General) has recommended (1867-0021 1/2) that the portion of the $2,200 annual judge’s salary covering the period in question be paid by warrant to Acting Judge Louis and deducted from Judge Brough’s annual payment. The order will be approved on August 8, 1867.