"I do not think Canada _can_, or if she can _ought_ to, take
any large share in such a payment. Some of her politicians would no
doubt support the proposal with views of their own,--but it would be a
serious, and for some time unremunerative, addition to their very
embarrassing debt.
"I certainly should not like to _sell_ any portion of the
territory to the United States--_exchange_ (if the territory were
once acquired) would be a different thing,--but that would not help
towards the liquidation of the purchase-money.
"I admire your _larger views_, and have some tolerably large ones
in this matter of my own, but I fear purchase of this great territory
is just now impracticable.
"I am, yours sincerely,
"NEWCASTLE.
"Edwd. Watkin, Esq."
This letter was written in the educational period. The doubts came from
the officials of the Colonial Office. I removed them.
"Downing Street,
"17 _Novr_. 1862.
"My dear Mr. Watkin,
"I send you the 'route' from the Pacific to Canada, which I promised.
"I cannot vouch for it; but it comes from an unusually well-informed
quarter, and I incline to think it is much nearer accuracy than such
information as represents the obstacles to be almost insuperable.
Pages:
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161