I can only
explain that I am standing in the clothes I was allowed to put on,
after being taken out of my own bed, in my own house, without warning
and without warrant, and I have not had the means to re-clothe myself."
The dinner was certainly about as non-political and as innocent as any
such assembly could be. Mr. Vallandigham left for Niagara the same
night. I saw him into the train. He declined a friendly loan; but he
accepted a free passage to Niagara, where, later on, I spent two or
three pleasant and interesting days in his society; our little party
being Governor Dallas, of the Hudson's Bay Company, D'Arcy McGee, Dr.
Mackay, who had acted as correspondent of the "Times," Professor Hind,
my son, Mr. Watkin, and myself. The "consul" had, no doubt,
misrepresented our proceedings.
Now this is the whole story. I never after this got any answers to
letters to Mr. Seward; and, as stated above, I never knew of the
grievance till spoken to by Mr. Bright, who had received a letter of
complaint of me from somebody at Washington.
CHAPTER XXI.
Letters from Sir George E. Cartier - Question of
Honors.
The "Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and
the government thereof, and for purposes connected therewith," received
the Royal Assent on the 29th of March, 1867.
The following letters may be of some interest to the friends of the
late Sir George Etienne Cartier, and to mine:
"W. P. HOTEL, LONDON,
"30 April, 1867.
"My DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"I leave to-morrow for Liverpool on my way to Canada.
Allow me, before my departure, to convey to you personally and for
'Canada' the most sincere and grateful thanks for all the kindnesses
you have bestowed, on me since my sojourn in London, and for all
the political services you have rendered to 'Canada' in having so
efficiently helped the carrying of the great confederation
measure. I hope that before long we will see you again in Canada,
and rest assured that we will be delighted to demonstrate to you our
gratefulness.
"Be kind enough to present my best respects to Mrs. Watkin, and to ask
her to accept from me the within-enclosed photograph taken at 'Naples,'
which I think is very good.
"Good bye, my dear Mr. Watkin, and believe me,
"Yours very truly,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P."
MISTAKE ABOUT HONORS.
When the Act for Confederation had been passed, and while some of the
delegates were still in England, a notification was made of honors
intended to be conferred by Her Majesty on some of those who had
devoted anxious hours of labour to the great cause of Union. In my
case, my name was mentioned for knighthood, while the names of Mr.
Cartier and Mr. Galt were named for the honor of "C. B.," and Mr.
Langevin's name appeared to be entirely omitted. When, how, or by whom,
the leader of the great French-speaking section of the Canadian people
was placed, thus, in a position inferior to that of the leader of Upper
Canada, who was made "K. C. B.," I do not care, now, to inquire. But I
felt at the time, and I feel now, that it would have been unjust -
unselfish and earnest as my services had been - to give to a man like
Mr. Cartier, an honor inferior to that which common report had
attributed to me. I felt, also, that the proposal would be treated as a
slight to the Catholic and French-speaking people. I did all in my,
limited, power to represent the mistake and the danger to the leaders
of the Government, at home; and, as will be shown in the next Chapter,
I wrote to Mr. Disraeli on this serious question on the 3rd August,
1867.
"MONTREAL,
"23rd August, 1867.
"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"I thank you very much for your kind letters. Really you are too good
to espouse, as it were, my cause respecting the honors
conferred in Canada. There is no doubt that - - is the cause of all
the evil in the matter of the honors conferred. Some
other parties are also not exempt from blame. I have not as yet
received a reply to my letter declining the C. B. ship. I
presume I shall have it very soon. I have to tell you that I will make
throughout all Lower Canada the best electoral campaign I
have ever made. The Rouges will not elect 10 members out of the
65 allotted to Lower Canada. Holton and
Dorion, the leaders of the Rouge Party, will very likely
be defeated. I went to Chateaugay on Monday last to attend a meeting
against Holton. I gave it to him as he deserved. I will tell you in
confidence that Gait and myself through the large
majority I will have in Lower Canada, will be stronger than ever. Mrs.
Cartier and my girls are at Rimouska. I will deliver them your kind
messages as soon as I see them. My kindest regards to Mrs. Watkin, and
believe me,
"My dear Mr. Watkin,
"Yours very truly,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq, M.P.,
"London."
"MONTREAL,
"22nd September, 1867.
"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"Accept my most sincere thanks for your such unappreciable kindness in
having made common cause with me in reference to the late distribution
of honors in Canada. I do really think, and I am convinced, that you
have allowed your good heart to go too far in having declined the honor
and distinction offered to you, and which you so well deserved in every
respect. I hope that my matter will not stand in the way of you
having your public and political services in England, as well as in
Canada, sooner or later fully recognized, and well rewarded by a proper
and suitable distinction.
