from the beginning; and when the struggle came for dominion by the Imperial legislature over those States, it was the struggle between a powerful nation on the one hand and weak yet independent ones on the other. The colonies never submitted to Parliament, and Parliament could never enforce obedience. Finally, although at one time they acknowledged 'Parliament as the supreme legislature of the whole empire,' after the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765 they disputed it, and in the Declaration of Independence, make no mention of Parliament, but treat the acts of oppression there named as acts of the King in combination with others' for the overthrow of their liberties.

CHAPTER X.

EVIDENCE GIVEN BEFORE THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON COLONIAL MILITARY EXPENDITURE IN 1861.

Evidence before Select Committee, 1861-Duke of Newcastle -Mr. Merivale-Lord Herbert-General Burgoyne-Mr. Gladstone-Earl Grey-Mr. Godley-Mr. Brodie - Mr. Elliot Mr. Lowe. Pp. 166-194.

I. Extracts from the Evidence of THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, Secretary of State for the Colonies, also Secretary of State for War and the Colonies

in 1853.

Evidence 2945. Do you concur in the opinion of General Peel, that England should assist in the defence of her colonies against aggression on the part of foreign civilised nations, and in less proportion of formidable native tribes, but in no case except when such colonies are mere garrisons kept up for Imperial purposes should she assume the whole of such defence ?-No; I think it is a theory which looks extremely well on paper, but I do not think it is one which will well bear minute examination, or

which can be carried into practice. (2946.) I differ from the position which is assumed throughout that letter, namely, that one rigid rule can be applied to the whole of the colonies of the empire. I think that to be an entire folly.

2952. In 1856 five regiments were stationed in the North American colonies, three in Canada (after having been reduced to one before the Russian war), probably on account of apprehended difficulty with the United States, arising out of the recruitment question, or matter of convenience, for which there were neither barracks nor other adequate accommodations in this country. I only give an answer as wishing to imply that it was occasioned more by motives of Imperial policy than either at the demand or for the requirements of the colony. (2955.) You (the Committee) have stated the number of Imperial forces as considerably higher than it now stands. Your returns are, I think, for 1858–9. Now they are 2,220. One object (2956) of the troops being kept in Canada is for defence from foreign aggression. (2957.) The frontier line is 3,000 miles. (2960.) The total cost of defence for the year 1859, in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, was £170,000.

2961. The revenue of Nova Scotia is £300,000 a year. Halifax is not kept up for the benefit of

to say

Nova Scotia. I look upon it much as if you were that because Portsmouth is in the county of Hampshire, Hampshire should be called upon to pay for the expenses of the garrison of Portsmouth. Halifax is an important military post; it is still more important as a naval station; it is one of the finest, and, in all probability, the finest harbour in the world. Halifax should no more be supported by Nova Scotia, than Portsmouth by Hampshire. (3021.) [By the Committee.] Would it be fair, then, to impose upon Nova Scotia its share of the expenses of the Imperial fort at Halifax, as Hampshire bears its full share of the cost of the defence of England? -Perfectly fair. It is extremely difficult to argue these questions upon principles of business, and it is a very small ground to take. It might relieve that expense by some few pounds. It would be a very pettifogging and weak argument. (3023.) Bermuda and Halifax are so dissimilar, that I cannot look upon the one as an equivalent for the

Bermuda is a very

other in any respect whatever. bad naval station; it is a military post kept up for military purposes; the ships which can get into Bermuda are very small ones; a first-rate ship of the line can hardly get into Bermuda. Halifax is a great naval station; all the navies in the world can be sheltered in it. You might fight a naval engage

ment in Bedford basin. Then there are two other basins.

3045. Do you consider it any sufficient reason why Canada should not contribute to the military expenditure for her defence because of the agreement with the Imperial Government ?-Canada and Australia are differently situated. Canadians say that if they are involved in war it is by act of the mother country, and with the United States in some such question as the San Juan, or the recruitment dispute, with reference to the army in the Crimea; we shall suffer enough then. That is the way in which they argue.

2968. Do you think that a federal union of the North American provinces would tend to facilitate the arrangement for the more efficient and economical defence of those provinces ?-That is a very important political question, and I am rather disinclined to answer it in any sense which would imply, on my part, before a committee of this character, the advocacy of a federal union. Various schemes have been proposed, some for a federal union, some for a legislative union; and it is a question which has been much discussed, and in which opposing interests in Canada and the Lower Provinces are naturally involved; and I would rather not answer the question except to this extent—that, of course,