July 13, 1867

CABINET REVOLT LED TO CAUCHON’S DOWNFALL

The tensions between English and French that nearly led to the collapse of John A. Macdonald’s Dominion ministry are the very same that consumed the infant ministry of Joseph-Édouard Cauchon in Québec City. Reports from La Vielle Capitale reveal that M. Cauchon’s hostility towards the Québec English, as demonstrated by his response to the Education Bill, resulted in the outright refusals of Messrs. George Irvine and Christopher Dunkin to join the cabinet. It is suggested that several others, including some of the French-speaking nominees were similarly reluctant to serve alongside M. Cauchon for the same reason.

SOUTH LEEDS TORIES REFUSE COOPERATION WITH REFORM

The South Leeds (Ontario) Conservative Party met last week to nominate candidates for the upcoming Dominion and Provincial elections. John Crawford will carry the party standard for the Commons and Benjamin Tett will put his name forward for the Ontario legislature.

D. Ford Jones had been the convention’s initial choice to stand in the Dominion election but declined on the grounds that he could not afford the three or four thousand dollars it is anticipated the campaign will cost. Mr. Jones nominated Mr. Crawford in his stead. Mr. Crawford accepted the nomination despite hailing from Toronto and being unfamiliar with both the constituency and its residents.

When the question of cooperation with the Reform contingent in the riding was put the meeting broke down into chaos. Order was restored long enough for the party membership to reject the idea of not contesting the provincial election in the riding in return for the same consideration from Reform in the Dominion contest.

TARIFFS BLAMED FOR DECLINE IN IMPORTS TO MONTREAL

The Port of Montreal reports the importation of goods with a total value of $25,045,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1867, which marks a decrease from the previous year of some $203,000. Tariffs are blamed for the loss of trade. Coffee is particularly affected and cannot, by some reports, be sold for a profit due to import duties.

DOMINION ELECTION EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER

The Journal de Québec reports that the Dominion election will be held in the middle of September.

July 11, 1867

News from the Provinces

Ontario

Major-General the Honourable Henry Stisted, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Ontario has requested that Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald of Cornwall undertake the formation of the province’s Provisional Government. It is reported that Mr. Macdonald has accepted the request. No date has been set for the swearing in of the new government. Hon. John A. Macdonald travelled to Prescott and met with Hon. John S. Macdonald. It is suggested that the meeting between the premiers Macdonald was for the purposes of constructing the latter’s cabinet.

Québec

Joseph-Édouard Cauchon has been called upon by the Honourable Sir Narcisse-Fortunat Belleau, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Québec to lead that province’s Provisional Government. Mr. Cauchon has chosen the following individuals to be members of the Executive Council:

• Gédéon Ouimet (Attorney-General)
• George Irvine (Solicitor-General)
• Henry Starnes (Secretary)
• Joseph-Octave Beaubien (Public Works and Agriculture)
• Louis Archambeault (Registration)
• Christopher Dunkin (Speaker of the Upper House)