Recorder, an influential Conservative newspaper of Nova Scotia. Undoubtedly the newspapers of the Maritime provinces throughout the sixties wielded considerable influence, and expressed public opinion, for the people of these provinces were a reading people. In their discussion and advocacy of a Maritime union, as an alternative to annexation with the United States, the press, both Liberal and Conservative, like the political leaders of the provinces, revealed ever a loyal attachment to Great Britain and a desire to maintain the status quo.1

1 Newspaper files consulted: the Morning Chronicle, the Nova Scotian, the Casket, published weekly at Halifax and Antigonish, the Islander, Acadian Recorder.

CHAPTER VI

THE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE

Ammunition-Detention of Vessels-United States Agents in CanadaIllegal Arrest of British Subjects-Trent Affair-Military ActivityLanding of British Troops in New England-Naval Depots on the Lakes -Recruits in Canada-Sioux Refugees in Canada-Exportation of Live Stock and Anthracite Coal-Frontier Disturbance.

ONCE again in the period of the sixties the relationship of the government of Canada to that of the United States which for the two decades prior to the American Civil War had been of relatively minor significance, chiefly affected by the increasing trade between the two countries, assumed a new significance. To the sanity of leadership in the governments of these two countries may be attributed the fact that war was averted. Upon more than one occasion, as we have .seen in studying press opinion, grave international crises arose. Whatever accusations might, with justice, have been brought against the individual British subject, not once did the Canadian Government deviate from the rules enjoined upon a neutral power. Confidential information of alleged Confederate plots, as soon as it was received by the Canadian government, was transmitted to the American government through the agency of Lord Lyons, the British minister. The Canadian government did not intend that the Confederates should abuse the hospitality and right of asylum, freely extended to Northerner and Southerner alike, and although a transformation in public opinion undoubtedly took place in Canada, the Canadian government maintained throughout the American struggle a consistent policy. An examination of the correspondence which passed between the two countries leaves one impressed with the idea that their [446

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governments, whatever might be the popular clamor, were one in their desire for the preservation of peace. Cordiality, courtesy, frankness and fair-mindedness characterized these communications. An idea of the Canadian Government's conception of neutrality can be obtained only through an examination of the attitude adopted by it in a variety of situations. A series of complications which called for government action will, therefore, be considered.1

2

The refusal of the Canadian Government to sell arms and ammunition to the Northern army was due to the Canadian conception of what the observance of strict neutrality implied. In the Canadian Archives records are to be found of the application for arms made to the Canadian government by the states of Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, and New York. Sir Edmund Head, the Governor-General of Canada, promptly replied that he could supply arms only if a direct requisition were first secured by the United States from the British Minister at Washington. This information Sir Edward Head immediately transmitted to Lord Lyons for his consideration. Lord Lyons signified his approval of the decision in his written instructions to Her Majesty's Consul at New York, who, since the telegraphic communications of the government at Washington with the North were cut off, was asked in April, 1861, to transfer to Sir Edmund Head the telegram: "With reference to your Despatch of twentysecond, and to the application from the Government of Massachusetts, Lord Lyons is decidedly of opinion that nothing ought to be done without express orders from Her Majesty's Government."

1 These complications will be considered here only in so far as they are revealed in the government correspondence that passed between the two countries.

2 Sir Edmund Head-Governor-General of Canada 1854-1861. 'Canadian Archives, Series G., 229 "Letter of Lord Lyons to Sir Edmund Head," April 27, 1861.

In a despatch to Sir Edmund Head, Lord Lyons repeated the telegram form with additional remarks. Thus he continued to state his idea of the neutrality which he believed Great Britain wished to maintain:

Her Majesty's Government have not authorized me to obtrude advice or even to express an opinion upon the unhappy contest which is going on in this country. Much less have they given me authority to ask for material aid from her Majesty's Colonies for either party in the struggle. They are very far indeed from having manifested a desire to take part in the strife. They have on the contrary sought to avoid even the appearance of anything which might be construed to imply such a desire.1 In his reply to Governor Morgan of New York, April 25, 1861, Sir Edmund Head had stated: "There are no arms in the Province which the Government has power either to sell or to lend."

Similar messages were sent to the other states which applied for arms. The state governments informed the Federal government at Washington of the decision of the Canadian government. The motive which prompted the refusal was not understood at Washington. In a letter to Lord Lyons, May 3, 1861, Seward chose to assume that the objection of the Canadian government to sell to the respective States did not necessarily imply an unwillingness to sell to the national government. Since the state troops were to be mustered into the national army, Seward urged that the arms might be sold direct to the national government. Lord Lyons forwarded to Sir Edmund Head a copy of Seward's note, together with a copy of his answer. In his reply, Lord Lyons expressed his opinion that "it would not be right to comply with any such application without express orders from Her Majesty's Government." 2

1 Ibid.

2 Series G, 229, "Letter of Lord Lyons to Sir Edmund Head," May 3, 1861.

Official correspondence passed between the United States and Canada on the subject of the manufacture by the Southerners in Canada of ammunition known as "Greek Fire", to be used in burning northern cities of the United States. The measures which were taken by Viscount Monck, the Governor-General of Canada, to prevent the manufacture of " Greek Fire" were gratefully acknowledged as satisfactory by Secretary Seward.2

1

The government of the United States and that of Canada were at variance on the subject of Canada's responsibility for the detention in British waters of vessels suspected of being in the service of the South, and during the period of the American Civil War, considerable correspondence passed between the two governments on this subject. On the evening of April 27, 1861, Sir Edmund Head received a telegram from Governor Andrew of Massachusetts with regard to the Peerless:

"We have information that Steamer Peerless has been bought on Lake Ontario for the rebels. We rely upon you to take all possible steps to stop this piratical cruiser at the Canals or elsewhere." The Federal government apparently took notice of this ship and on May 1, 1861, Lord Lyons entered a protest against the orders given from Washington to naval officers authorizing the seizure and detention of the vessel "under whatever Flag or whatever Papers she may bear."

In his reply of May 1, 1861, Seward stated the reasons for these orders which Lyons had considered improper. As soon as the President had received information believed to be authentic that the Peerless was in the hands of the enemy

i Viscount Monck—Successor to Sir Edmund Head-In 1861, he was appointed Gov.-Gen. of Canada and British North America; in 1867 Gov.-Gen. of the Dominion of Canada; in 1868 he resigned office.

2 Despatch marked 11633, Letter of Seward to J. H. Burnley, Jan. 14, 1865.