' And he added, 'I trust, therefore, that nothing will occur
to mar the completion of this great work, which, I firmly believe, more
than any other event of recent times, will contribute to remove all
differences between two countries, whose similarity of language and
affinity of race, whose enterprise and industry, ought to unite them in
the bonds of cordial friendship, and to perpetuate feelings of mutual
confidence and goodwill.'
"In the conversation which ensued all parties coincided as to the vast
importance of the treaty, and Lord Derby, while doing so, took the
opportunity of insisting that Her Majesty's Government should keep such
treaty negociations affecting the whole Empire in their own hands, and
not permit them to be dependent upon the will or consent of the local
authorities. He said (see 'Hansard,' 1854):--
"'He was afraid that if we had to consult the Colonies, with respect to
a treaty with a foreign country, the effect would be that in such
questions the Colonies would be independent.'
"It is well specially here to note, that the Government of that day,
speaking by Lord Clarendon, considered it as a condition, that the
person highest in dignity, authority, and ability should be selected as
the fittest negociator; and that Lord Derby gave a caution which all
who regard the British Empire as 'one and indivisible,' must coincide
in.
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