With
regard to my matter, would you imagine that the Duke of
Buckingham has written a confidential note to Lord Monck,
telling to this latter that there being no precedent for a
resignation of the C. B., the only way to have my wishes carried out
would be by the Queen directing by order in the Gazette
my name to be struck out from the Order, which proceeding, the Duke
adds, would be construed by outsiders and
uninitiated that it was for misconduct. Lord Monck having
communicated to me the substance of the Duke's communication, I have
asked Lord Monck to obtain from the Duke leave to communicate to me the
substance of his note in no confidential manner, in order that I
may reply to it. I do really think that the intention is to
frighten me, in order to induce me to withdraw my letter asking
leave to resign the C. B. That I will not do, and when the
Duke's communication is under my eyes in no confidential
manner, I will send such a reply that will make people understand
the injury done to me, and the slight so absurdly
offered to a million of good and loyal French
Canadians. As a matter of course, all that I say to you in this letter
is strictly in confidence to you.
"Mrs. Cartier and myself have had the pleasure, yesterday, to have the
company at dinner of your friends Mr. and Mrs. Sidebottom. They
are really a very nice couple, and we thank you for having given us the
opportunity of making their acquaintance. Be kind enough to present on
my behalf, and on that of Mrs. Cartier and my daughters, our best
respects and regards to Mrs. Watkin, and to believe me, my dear Mr.
Watkin,
"Your devoted friend,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P., London."
"OTTAWA,
"24th November, 1867.
"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"I am so much thankful to you for your kind wish of the 10th of October
last. I do appreciate with gratefulness your so kind expression of
feelings towards me. I enclose you an extract of the 'Montreal
Gazette,' giving the report of a debate which took place in our House
some few days ago respecting the 'C.B.' matter, and also an 'extract'
of the same paper, containing some editorial remarks on the same
subject. I like to keep you au courant of that matter, since you
are so good as to take interest in it. I took great care not to take
any part in the debate. I have not as yet got a copy of the Duke of
Buckingham's letter. I will follow your advice with regard to any
answer to it on my part. I will never forget your disinterestedness in
this question of 'honor' and nothing will be more agreeable to
me than to act in such a way, whenever the opportunity will offer
itself, as to show by reciprocal action my thanks and my feelings.
"'The Grand Trunk Act' will be read a second time to-morrow (Monday).
Mrs. Cartier and my girls are here for a few days. We were all sorry to
hear that your son had an attack of fever. We all hope that he got over
it, and that he is well again. Be kind enough to present to Mrs. Watkin
and your dear son our best regards and kindest remembrance. I regret
very much the retirement of 'Galt' from our government. You will have
heard that I have replaced him by Rose. I could not do better
under any circumstances.
"Believe me, my dear Mr. Watkin,
"Yours very truly,
"GEO. ET. CARTIER.
"E. W. WATKIN, Esq., M.P.,
"London, England."
"QUEBEC,
"15th February, 1868.
"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"I am very grateful to you for your three kind letters of the 2nd,
13th, and 15th January last. Be good enough to excuse me if I have not
sooner acknowledged their receipt.
"I am in Quebec since a couple of weeks, attending the 'Local
Parliament,' of which I am a member. Things are going on very well. I
got elected to the 'Local Parliament' in order to help my
friends, the 'Local Ministers' to carry on the 'Local
Government' and I must say they are doing it very well. The 'Quebec
Legislature' carries this 'business' better than does the 'Ontario
Legislature.' I will leave for Ottawa on the 17th instant, to be there
on the 20th to attend the Council Meeting for deciding on the
route of the Intercolonial Railway.
"I felt so sorry to hear that your dear son was so long unwell. I hope
that by this time he is himself again.
"I gave to Mrs. Cartier and my daughters your kind message of good
wishes for them and myself during this present year. We are all
thankful to you. Have the goodness to accept in return from them and
myself for you, Mrs. Watkin, and your dear son and daughter, our best
wishes for the prosperity and happiness of you all.
"I must say, my dear Mr. Watkin, that with regard to the C. B. matter,
you do really take too much trouble and interest for me. I am very
thankful to you for it, and also to Mr. Baring and Lord Wharncliffe. If
you have occasion to intimate to them my thankfulness, if any
opportunity for so doing should offer itself to you, you would oblige
me very much.
"Really it was too kind of Lord Wharncliffe to have brought that
delicate matter before Lord Derby, and to have written you about it. I
thank you for the enclosures you have made to me of what Lord
Wharncliffe had written to you about the C. B.
"I have now to tell you something which happened about that subject
since my last to you.
