he could not tell. There was no great hostility to the treaty, but utter apathy. To get a two-third majority was hopeless; to get a majority vote in the senate he did not believe possible. This was sure, that nothing

would be done until Congress met after the holidays.'

I have now got his views, and will try and learn what the democrats will do.

I have not yet seen the President, but will call to-morrow, I have an appointment with Carl Schurz to-morrow morning, to get the state of the case from him. To-night I see Allison and Dawes.

EXTRACTS FROM FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE.

The following extracts are wholly from letters addressed by Mr. Brown to members of his family, and are given separately on that account. Most of them contain matter of more or less public interest, while some are wholly of a domestic character, and delineate him in his relations to his family-with whom he had daily correspondence during his absence from home-better than any words of the writer

can.

The first two letters have reference to his canvass for the representation of South Oxford. He was elected by a large majority.

INGERSOLL, February 26, 1863.

Well, I am fairly into it, and I do assure you I wish I were once more quietly at home. I am persuaded that had I stayed out of it for a year longer I would never have returned, and I would have been right. However, I am into it for this struggle, however long I may remain in public life.

NORWICH, February, 1863.

It is very pleasant to find how kind every one is to me-even those who are going strongest against me-not a harsh word, except for coming to drive out Bodwell, and Bodwell himself is compelled to say all sorts of kind things. I got to bed at 2 o'clock in the morning, and am off immediately to speak 8 miles from here at noon, and 8 miles further on at night. No one knows how an election will end. Bodwell is a strong candidate a very strong candidate; but turn and twist it every way, I don't think it possible he can beat me. I don't feel the slightest doubt as to the result, but I am fighting for a good majority.

BOTHWELL, April 4, 1863.

We have had fine weather, and I have enjoyed my rambles over the fields immensely-especially going among the sheep and cattle. The flocks of sheep make at present a fine sight, with their heavy fleeces and their lambs skipping around them. The oil wells are a great fact. There seems no doubt that oil in any quantity will be had here. Many people arrive daily from different quarters to inquire into the prospects, and already three or four new companies have been formed to open wells. Every dwelling-house in the village is occupied.

South Oxford.

Parliament was afterwards dissolved. Mr. Brown again ran for Mr. Hope Mackenzie was the liberal candidate in the The following five letters have reference to the contest

North Riding.

in these ridings:

INVERKIP, June 4, 1863.

I dropped you a line yesterday morning just before starting for Plattsville. We had a fine drive of 20 miles and a splendid meeting at Plattsville--carried all before us. In the evening we had a meeting in Drumbo, very large but not so favourable, one of our discontented candidates having opened out on us in a very scandalous manner. We got through the meeting at 2 o'clock in the morning, and then had 8 miles to drive. It was very cold, and we did not get to Chesterfield till broad day light. We came here this morning, and have had a grand meeting-swept all before us. I am sitting in the house of a substantial farmer; have just had a good dinner, and am off for Embro immediately (16 miles), where we speak to-night. Mackenzie will carry the election, but not without effort.

EMBRO, June 5, 1863.

A man is just starting for Inverkip, and I seize the opportunity to send a line. We had a glorious meeting in the evening; large hall crowded ; good speeches-great enthusiasm. This is the township that turns the tide in all North Riding contests, and Mackenzie is no doubt quite safe now. I am writing at 8 o'clock in the morning, and the horses are standing at the door waiting to carry us to Harrington, a distance of 10 miles, where we speak at 10 o'clock. From there we go to Thamesford, where we hold a meeting at night, which ends my work here. To-morrow is my nomination.

NORWICHVILLE, June 10, 1863.

Here I am in the centre of the Quaker country, and a most beautiful country it is. You could not fancy in a young country more substantial comfort than the people enjoy. After dinner we drove to East Oxford, where my first meeting was held. It was a very good meeting, and went unanimously for me. We left East Oxford about 3 o'clock and came on here, calling on one or two prominent people as we passed. We saw a sheep that weighed 350 lbs.-very interesting to you as a piece of intelligence. We had a splendid meeting at night. I find all my friends stanch, and a great many of my opponents turned into friends. There is literally no contest here, and it is too bad to be compelled to hold meetings.

SPRINGFIELD, June 11, 1863.

Another day gone. We came here in time for our meeting, which passed off very successfully. We went on in the evening from Springfield to Otterville, and there had a splendid meeting; church crowded, and all perfectly unanimous. There was a majority against me in the township last time, but it will be very different indeed now. We came back to Springfield late last night, and I am staying with the principal farmer in this neighbourhood. He has been on this farm no less than 30 years. The country was an utter wilderness when he first settled. I had to get up to breakfast at 7 o'clock. I am writing this immediately after breakfast, and am half asleep now. I am going over the farm and dairy in a few minutes. I speak at Culloden at 10 o'clock, and in the evening at Tilsonburg. After that there will be but three meetings more, and then home.

TILSONBURG, June 12, 1863.

I have only a moment to send a line, as I start for Simcoe, county of Norfolk, in a few moments, to speak at the hustings to-day, and we have hardly time to get over. We had a capital meeting yesterday at Culloden, and a splendid one here last night. A deputation came here last night from Oxford and insisted on my going over to help them. My meetings here to-day are therefore to be taken by friends.

BOTHWELL, July 25, 1863.

I was up very early yesterday morning. Breakfasted at 7 o'clock, and off before the sun was hot to see a lot of outlying fields.

I have been very busy in the fields these two days-hard at work from 6 o'clock in the morning till 10 at night, examining the crops, the stock, and the buildings-planning new operations, arranging the fall work, settling with the hands, and making up the books. Lots to do. I could spend a fortnight here very profitably. Everything is looking well. The crops are very good-never so good before; and the cattle are all in excellent condition. You would be delighted with a herd of 52 calves in one field-beautiful smooth coats, elegant shapes, and as lively as crickets. The rain has been coming down in torrents. It will do some damage to the hay, and a vast deal of good to the corn, roots, and peas. I have 350 tons of hay secured in beautiful order, and there is any quantity to come yet.

I got to London on Tuesday night, telegraphed to some friends that I was coming, and got through a lot of business before going to sleep at midnight. Up at 3.15; off to Detroit; reached there at 8 o'clock. Beautiful morning; most lovely view in crossing the river. Detroit is an active, stirring business place, built of brick very substantially, with a great deal of shipping at the wharves. I know no river so beautiful as the river that runs from Port Sarnia to Detroit.

QUEBEC, September 29, 1863.

I am writing in the parliamentary committee room, with a fierce discussion going on about a Grand Trunk Railway bill, in which all the magnates of the House are at work. I have been working hard since I wrote. We have lost the St. Hyacinthe election, and our strength will be greatly affected by it in the coming contest. As we stand now the vote will turn on the Speaker's vote. However it is to end, I hope it will be soon, and let me off home. I am wearying to be back.

QUEBEC, February 20, 1864.

Matters are very queer here. The government are very confident, but I doubt much if they have good reason for it. There are several members of the opposition who feel inclined to support them, but they feel rather shaky, and hardly know yet how they will go. The Ottawa members have a caucus to-day to determine how they will go; and which way they may finally turn no one knows. The position of the ministry is very humiliating, trusting to the aid of men they utterly despise. For my part, I would a thousand times rather go out of public life for ever than be at the mercy of such people. I have been quite reserved with the government about the Bell matter, thinking it was their duty to speak first. But they have carefully avoided all reference to the subject. I have, however, spoken openly to others in strong condemnation, and it has no doubt reached their ears, as they have been excessively civil.

The "Bell matter" referred to was a rumour that Mr. Bell, the conservative member for Russell, was to be taken into the cabinet.

QUEBEC, February 22, 1864.

I have had a great blow up with Sandfield and Holton about Bell's rumoured appointment. He is not to go into the cabinet-indeed, I doubt if he ever intended going in-and the government, whatever he does, will have a majority on the address. Now that the fuss is over, matters are all serene between us, and I doubt not they are heartily glad that I put an impassable bar in the way of the proposal. Our friends in the House are heartily thankful for the escape they have had. I have been writing this by fits and starts, while the debate has been going on about the address to the Prince of Wales.

QUEBEC, February 29, 1864.

I cannot tell you how I hate this parliamentary work, because it keeps me away. I think what a fool I am to be here; and then come thoughts of the country and public duty, and the newspaper, and so I give a great sigh and turn away from the subject. What I would give to be able to set out for Toronto this afternoon, never to return! And yet, what hinders me? Are the reasons sufficient? Ought I not break through the meshes and be off?

QUEBEC, March 1, 1864.

Rose has just risen to speak, and he has said the only sensible thing that has yet been uttered in the debate; he hoped the debate would now be brought to a close without further waste of time, and that we may get to the business of the country. Would you believe it? Cartier commenced on Thursday at 4 o'clock and spoke till 6; he resumed at 8.30 and spoke till 11.15; resumed yesterday at 3 o'clock and spoke till 6; resumed at 7.15 and spoke till 1.15-thirteen hours in one speech. They used to charge me with being long-winded, but Cartier outdoes all the world, past, present

or to come.

It is not at all unlikely that a crisis may be brought on this week-and it may come any day, and we may all get home much sooner than any of us anticipate. There is very little party spirit throughout the House-most of the members on both sides want to get on with the business, and how a crisis may end no one can predict.

QUEBEC, March 2, 1864.

I have delivered your message to Her Majesty's loyal opposition, and I am desired to say in reply that they entirely endorse your sentiments. They consider it highly improper that "L'Honorab memb de Sout Oxford," as Monsieur Cartier hath it, should absent himself from his duty; they are convinced that whistling to little Maddie is the very thing he is cut out for, and are most willing to spare him for that purpose. Mr. Sandfield and his section of ministerialists heartily reciprocate for once the views of the opposition; and, in fact, since the idea was propounded, peace reigns in political circles.

It is very tantalizing of you to write such things about our little darling. Tell that George, the father of Maddie, would rather be quietly at home than "President of the United States," and that he regards the "premiership of Canada" with supreme indifference; it would not be modest to use a stronger word.

I fully expect there will be a ministerial crisis before many days elapse; but to say the truth, they are all very wavering of purpose. Foley made a set speech last night, and came out strong and loudly for all the views I

had been urging for years. McKellar followed in reply, and then Mowat, who did exceedingly well. His speech was manly, straightforward, and judicious; but some passages caused Sandfield to make wry faces.

QUEBEC, March 3, 1864.

I expect to introduce my motion for an agricultural committee to-night, and will say something in introducing it. I was very much tempted to make a speech on the address in reply to Galt, but refrained from fear of doing harm. A crisis will evidently come, and it would have been a pity to say a word calculated to do harm when it does come. I am very industrious these days; never go out till the House meets, and work like a beaver at letters and all sorts of things. I have a very comfortable room indeed, with a glorious view of the St. Charles; and I read a little, write a good deal, look out a little, and think and muse about home. It is very doubtful if there are many people in the world who have so much to be thankful for as I have. I sometimes tremble; and strive to pray: Lord, make me to know and feel from whom all this comes. Make me humble; teach me how to serve Thee; teach me how to use all these blessings aright.

The liberal government resigned before the close of the session, and were succeeded by a conservative cabinet. The following letters were written after this change:

QUEBEC, May 13, 1864.

I can scarcely tell you how matters stand here. When I got here, I found the party in an uproar-dissatisfied with the conduct of the leading men, and urgent for a test vote. I did not think this prudent; but urged that continual incidental votes should be recorded against them until all confidence was taken from them. The caucus had determined, however, before I got down, to take a direct test vote, and it was thought best to humour the rank and file, so a vote is to be taken on the canal toll question.

QUEBEC, May 16, 1864.

Our vote of want of confidence has commenced and will be continued to-night. What the result may be is still uncertain, but I expect we will be beaten by from 1 to 3 votes. Things here are very unsatisfactory. No one sees his way out of the mess-and there is no way but my way-representation by population. There is great talk to-day of a coalition; and, what do you think? Why, that in order to make the coalition successful, the Imperial government are to offer me the governorship of one of the British colonies! I have been gravely asked to-day by several if it is true, and whether I would accept !! My reply was, I would rather be proprietor of the Globe newspaper for a few years than be governor-general of Canada, much less a trumpery little province. But I need hardly tell you the thing has no foundation, beyond sounding what could be done to put me out of the way, and let mischief go on. But we won't be bought at any price, shall we?

QUEBEC, May 17, 1864.

We are in the middle of the debate on the vote of want of confidence. Heretofore, the speaking has been but ordinary-except Holton's speech of last night, which was very good-but this afternoon the debate has opened up much better. Scatcherd commenced with a very good speech, and Dr. Parker followed with a very able one from his point of view, I say from his point of view, for he went the whole figure for a coalition-a most dangerous and demoralizing resort of weak men. I shall probably speak to-night, but at no great length.

QUEBEC, May 18, 1864.

I brought on my motion for constitutional changes this afternoon, and