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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference

C.O.

885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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Inclosure 5 in No. 6.

No. 1-Preliminary Observations by Sir J. Harvey upon the Present Condition of Society in the North American Colonies, with reference to the Plan contemplated in Lord Stanley's Private Despatch to the Governor-General of 15th March, 1844.

(Confidential.)

IN considering the applicability of any Imperial Order of Knighthood to the condition of society as at present existing in Her Majesty's North American Colonies, I would premise that a cursory view of that condition might perhaps lead to the conclusion that fitting recipients for such distinctions do not abound in any of them; but, on the contrary, it might appear to the superficial observer that, with the exception of the members of the Church, the Bench, the Bar, and the salaried officers of the Government, the great majority of the educated and wealthier classes may be said to consist of mercantile inen, earnestly and intently engaged in the prosecution of their concerns, and no further identified with the interests of the Colonies, in which they may have taken up their temporary residence, than as those interests may coincide with their own-the sole object of, by far, the greater portion of them being to return to Britain with their gains, so soon as they have realized the means of there passing the remainder of their days, and where they would then probably descend to a position in society, in which honours of the description referred to might have the effect of entailing upon them more of ridicule than of respect or satisfaction.

That this description may apply with somewhat greater force to this particular Colony than to those in which the wealthier and more intelligent classes are found more generally in connection with the soil of the country of their adoption, than is at present the case in Newfoundland, I am ready to admit, although must contend that it is far from being inapplicable to the continental provinces: but a closer examination will show that there is also to be found, generally dispersed throughout the Colonies (and I by no means intend to represent this island as an exception), another class of persons, wealthy and enlightened, who, having adopted the Colonies as their future abode, having connected themselves with the soil, having educated their children on these views, and having themselves acquired the respect and confidence of their fellow subjects, and the approbation of Her Majesty's Government by their public services, legislative or other, might be justly regarded as fitting recipients for the proposed reward. And, with regard to Canada, no one ought to be better aware than myself that there exist strong reasons of state policy which may be considered as rendering expedient and advisable a measure, so well calculated to counteract the example, the influence, and the contagion of democratic principles, to confirm the loyalty and strengthen the attachment to the parent State, of all its inhabitants; but more especially to effect a cordial amalgamation of the two great classes (or races) into which the population of that noble Colony is divided. In a word, to produce effects well adapted to recommend to the patriotic and enlightened statesmen a measure of such cheap, but not less effectual defence.

On these grounds I am of opinion that, under due restrictions, the proposed extension to distinguished civilians residing in Her Majesty's North American Colonies of some such marks of Her Majesty's favour, as those referred to in Lord Stanley's despatch, is desirable.

Goverment Ilouse, St. John's Newfoundland,

April 29, 1844.

Inclosure & in No. 6.

(Signed)

J. H.

No. 2.-Memorandum by Sir J. Harvey upon the subject of Lord Stanley's Private Despatch to the Governor-General of 15th March, 1844.

(Confidential.)

1 AM of opinion that advantage to the interests of Her Majesty's Colonial service in North America, as well as great salisfaction to the colonists, could not fail to attend the enabling the Sovereign to signify, by marks of her Royal favour, Her Majesty's approval of services rendered by civilians in those Colonies.

I am also of opinion that the distinctions so conferred should not be of an hereditary character, as no law of primogeniture will ever be enacted in the Colonies, and without hereditary possessions hereditary honours could not be regarded as expedient or desirable. I am further of opinion that no Imperial Order could be more appropriately applied to

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this object than one which represents and emblazons the national badges of each of the United Kingdoms, as does that of the Bath.

And finally, I am of opinion, "that such rewards would add not inconsiderably to the influence of the local executives."

These principles being admitted, the number and proportion of members to be assigned to each Province or Colony, and the considerations by which Her Majesty's Representatives are to be guided in the selection of the candidates, are the chief points which would remain to be discussed; and with respect to the former part of the proposi- tion, I am of opinion that dissatisfaction would be felt, if a 'reasonably proportionate number of nominees were not selected from each, as no Colony will ever consent to admit any pretensions to superiority in respect to loyalty, talent, wealth, or character, on the part of the population of any other; and as it must be the wish of the Government not to give occasion, but, on the contrary, to obviate all reasonable cause for such a feeling, and as this can be done with so little difficulty, I would submit that that proportion should be based upon population. Let it be assumed, for example, that 120 members, divided into three classes, would not be more than sufficient for all the North American Colonies; 70 of these might be assigned to Canada (East and West), and the remaining 50 to the Lower Provinces, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island; of these 50, 20 might be allotted to Nova Scotia, 15 to New Brunswick, 10 to Newfoundland, and 5 to Prince Edward Island. (Each of these numbers multiplied by 10,000, giving sufficiently nearly, the amount of the population of the respective Colonies.) This distribution of 120 members would, of course, apply proportionately to any other given number, and it may, perhaps, be reasonably doubted, whether fitting recipients could be found for even that which I have hypothetically assumed as the basis of this calculation, exclusive of ex-officio members, if it should be intended to create such, and to extend their numbers beyond the officers in the administration of the respective Governments, upon whom would, I conclude, he conferred the power of investiture, as well as that of recommendation. Under any circumstances, as a safe principle, I would suggest the limitation, upon its first establishi ment, within the narrowest bounds, consistent with the views of Her Majesty's Govern- ment, of an institution which would be susceptible, after experiment, of such easy extension, at the will of the Sovereign.

In conclusion, I would suggest the importance of the rules, in regard to the selection of the candidates, being well considered and clearly defined, in order to guard, as far as possible, against opening a door to enter Colonial jealousies, in relation to a high distinc- tion, of which the value might, neverthelesss, be much impaired, particularly in Colonial estimation, if it were in any instances conferred upon different grounds, or for services of a different or inferior description, in one portion of Her Majesty's Colonial dominions, from those by which its distribution was governed in another.

(Signed) J. HARVEY,

Government House, St. John's, Newfoundland,

May 11, 1844.

THE letters

*

C," or "N. A.," or some appropriate mark, prefixed to the names of the Members of the North American Branch of the Order, would readily distinguish them from those who might have received, or who may hereafter receive it, for services of a more general character.

J. H.

NOTE.-Sir John Harvey points out a mistake into which he has fallen "by taking the population of one of the late Canadian provinces for that of both, viz. at 700,000 instead of 1,400,000; this error, however, does not affect the principle upon which my calculation is based, viz., of one member of the proposed order for every 10,000 persons, and is easily, and perhaps would be most simply corrected, by assuming the total popu- lation of British North America at 2,000,000, of which that of Canada is three-fourths, viz., 1,500,000 out of 2,000,000. This would give that province 150 members, and the remaining Colonies 50, of the proposed number of 200, not 120."

J. II.

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