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the chance of obtaining such a mark of Her Majesty's favour would have a decidedly beneficial effect in strengthening the Government. Taking therefore the several classes of persons I have mentioned, and balancing the good and evil, I should incline to the proposition brought forward by Lord Stanley, provided the rules were stringent as to eligibility for the particular classes of the Order, so that those in authority out here might have the means of showing by the rules established, when inadmissible applications were made, that they had not the power of recommending such applicants, and thus prevent much personal ill-will that would otherwise inevitably ensue on all such refusals.

I have given my general view of the whole subject, but I consider the latter part of Lord Stanley's despatch as to the details of the measure in reference to the fitting qualiti- cations, the numbers and general distribution among the Colonies, to point exclusively to to the Colonial Order. I have looked attentively over the Statutes of St. Michael and St. George, and I do not see that any thing better could be done than to take them generally as the guide for qualification and classification, bearing in mind the different state of our society; indeed it might be a matter for consideration whether an extension of that Order, which the Statutes seem to permit, would not be preferable to the creation of a new one. Should this not be admissible, and that it is meant to designate the West Indians particularly, no title could be more appropriate than the Order of St. Christopher, in commemoration of the great discoverer.

I have, &c.

Private.) My Lord,

No. 5.

(Signed)

Sir C. Metcalfe to Lord Stanley.

H. Mc LEOD.

Kingston, May 22, 1844. I HAVE the honour, in obedience to your Lordship's instructions to submit my sentiments on the subject of your letter of the 15th March, relating to a proposition for rewarding civil services in Colonies by some appropriate distinction as a mark of Royal

favour.

2. During my connection with the Colonies it has continually struck me that it is desirable to confer Honours on Colonists to a greater degree than has been customary, with a view both to reward merit and to strengthen attachment to the Crown and to British institutions.

3. It has, however, appeared to me that the purpose would be better accomplished by admitting Colonists to honours which have high and established repute and are recognized and prized throughout the Empire, than by the institution of any separate Local Order, the effect of which might be diminished by its limited character,

4. If, therefore, it had been in contemplation to establish a British Order of IIonour for civil merit to which Colonists, equally with other subjects of the Crown, might be admitted on the requisite condition of merit, I should have thought that mode of attaining the object in view preferable to the institution of a separate Order for any particular Colonics.

5. But understanding from your Lordship's letter that the plau contemplated by Her Majesty's Ministers for the reward of civil merit in the United Kingdom is an extension of the Order of the Bath. which could not be made generally available in the Colonies, I shall confine the expression of my opinion to the point to which my attention is especially directed by your Lordship's instructions, namely the probable effect of the institution of an Order for the North American Colonies, on similar principles with that of St. Michael and St. George, which is held to have produced advantageous effects in Malta and the Ionian Islands.

6. Such an institution in British North America, subsidiary to the proposition of a limited extension of the Order of the Bath, enabling the latter to be conferred on Colonists in distinguished instances, ought to be beneficial. It ought to have a tendency to promote attachment to the Crown and the mother-country, and to excite zcal and exertion in the public service. I therefore conceive that such an institution is desirable. But I express this opinion with some hesitation, for there is a democratic or anti-British spirit in Canada, which might on their first institution strive to turn such honours into ridicule, and therefore impair their effect; although on the other hand it might be hoped that they would gradually tend to convert that spirit into one more consistent with the relations of a Colony with the mother-country.

7. I shall communicate on this subject, according to your Lordship's directions, with

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the Lieutenant-Governors of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and with the Governor of Newfoundland, and report the result.

I have, &c. (Signed)

C. T. METCALFE.

No. 6.

Sir C. Metcalfe to Lord Stanley.

(Private and Confidential.) My Lord,

Government House, Montreal, June 29, 1844. I SUBMIT a copy of the letter which I addressed to the Lieutenant-Governors of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and to the Governor of Newfoundland on the question of the establishment of an Order of Honour for British North America, and copies of the replies received from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, from which your Lordship will perceive that both Sir W. Colebrooke and Sir H. Huntley are decidedly in favour of such a measure.

2. I submit also a copy of a letter from the Governor of Newfoundland, with two inclosures, conveying the sentiments of Sir John Harvey. These were prepared before the receipt of my letter, and appear to refer more to the extension of the Order of the Bath. than to any separate Order for these Colonies.

3. The inclosed copy of a letter from the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia states Lord Falkland's opinion that the subject requires much consideration with reference to that province, and postpones for a short period the explanation of his Lordship's views.

4. On the receipt of further communications from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, I shall address your Lordship again.

I have, &c. (Signed) C. T. METCALFE.

P.S.-I beg to add the copy of a further communication that I have received from

Sir John Harvey subsequently to the date of this despatch.

Inclosure 1 in No. 6.

Sir C. Metcalfe to Viscount Falkland.*

C. T. M.

(Private and Secret.) My Lord,

Government House, Kingston, May 22, 1844. WITH reference to a private despatch from Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, I have the honour to state my opinion, and to invite the expression of your Lordship's sentiments on the subject of that communication, in order that I may proceed to execute the instructions therein contained.

2. Considering the point to which our attention is called to be the probable effect of the institution of an Order for the North Ameriaan Colonies, on similar principles with the Order of St. Michael and St. George, established in Malta and the Ionian Islands, I am of opinion that such an institution is calculated to be beneficial, as tending to excite zeal and reward merit in the public service, and to promote loyalty to the Crown and attachment to the mother-country.

I am, at the same time, sensible that there is an anti-British or democratic spirit prevalent among numbers in Canada, which might at first attempt to decry or deride such an institution; but I should not be entirely without hope that a system of conferring distinction on the part of the Crown, in reward of merit, might eventually, in many instances, convert that spirit into feelings more consistent with the relations of Colonists towards the parent State.

3. The object of this communication being to ascertain your Lordship's opinion on the general question, it would be premature on my part to propose at present any discus- sion of the details requisite to carry such a plan into effect, in the event of its adoption.

I have, &c. (Signed)

C. T. METCALFE.

⚫ The same to Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O.

885

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