In my
case, my name was mentioned for knighthood, while the names of Mr.
Cartier and Mr. Galt were named for the honor of "C. B.," and Mr.
Langevin's name appeared to be entirely omitted. When, how, or by whom,
the leader of the great French-speaking section of the Canadian people
was placed, thus, in a position inferior to that of the leader of Upper
Canada, who was made "K. C. B.," I do not care, now, to inquire. But I
felt at the time, and I feel now, that it would have been unjust--
unselfish and earnest as my services had been--to give to a man like
Mr. Cartier, an honor inferior to that which common report had
attributed to me. I felt, also, that the proposal would be treated as a
slight to the Catholic and French-speaking people. I did all in my,
limited, power to represent the mistake and the danger to the leaders
of the Government, at home; and, as will be shown in the next Chapter,
I wrote to Mr. Disraeli on this serious question on the 3rd August,
1867.
"MONTREAL,
"23rd August, 1867.
"MY DEAR MR. WATKIN,
"I thank you very much for your kind letters. Really you are too good
to _espouse, as it were_, my cause respecting the _honors
conferred_ in Canada.
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