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 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.