"I, gladly, enclose a copy of the Gazette notice of your Baronetcy.
"I have had the fees at the Heralds' College, and also the stamps and
expenses, through the Home Office, duly paid, and I will send you the
papers and receipts as soon as I receive them.
"The completion of this matter will close the somewhat intimate
connection which now for some years has given me, if trouble and
anxiety, still deep pleasure and satisfaction, - in reference to your
now united Provinces.
"With best wishes allow me to remain,
"Yours very faithfully,
"EDW. W. WATKIN.
"To the Hon. Sir G. E. CARTIER, Bart.,
"Montreal, Canada."
"OTTAWA,
"18th September, 1868.
"MY DEAR SIR EDWARD,
"The last English mail has brought us the happy news that the honor of
knighthood has been conferred on you by the Queen.
"Allow me to offer you, Lady Watkin, and your dear son and daughter, my
sincere and heartfelt congratulations on the bestowal on you of so well
deserved a distinction. You must bear in mind that I do not forget that
the honor so recently bestowed on you would have been conferred on you
a long time ago, had not your generous feelings towards me prompted you
at one time to decline the same distinction. Lady Cartier and my
daughters gladly unite with me in this expression of congratulation,
which I now offer you, Lady Watkin, and your son and daughter. I hope
that your future election will not give you much trouble, and that
Canada and the British people will have again the benefit of your
presence in Parliament.
