CXXXIX. Joseph Howe to Lord John Russell, September, 1839 . 497
The questions involved are those of local government,
not of Imperial concern. Russell fears for foreign
affairs. Let his own words be the answer to his fears:
the Governor must stand by his duty to allow no inter-
ference (cf. No. CXXXVÍ.). A colony declare war?
Only conceivable by irresponsible madmen. Russell's
"imaginary" cases only fertile creations which Cana-
dians laugh at. Discusses trade and commerce and
shows that difficulties, if any, are as great under “irre-
sponsible" as "responsible" government.
CXL. Joseph Howe to Lord John Russell, September, 1839. 503
Russell may ask, and rightly ask, what is proposed as
reform. Howe replies: he will leave to the Imperial
Parliament foreign affairs; control of naval and mili-
tary forces; the regulation of colonial trade with the
Mother Country; that interference with the colonies
similar to that with any incorporate town in England
in extreme cases. Let the Colonial Secretary's duties
be only "watchful supervision." Let him have no
right to meddle in any internal affairs. Let the Gov-
ernors, who are usually on their arrival like ignorant,
"overgrown school boys," find themselves surrounded
by "schoolmasters" who have the confidence of the
people, and not by those who only represent them-
selves, or a minority, or the whims of their Excel-
lencies' predecessors. The Governors could then "do
no wrong in any matter of which the Colonial Legis-
lature had the right to judge." Discusses the details
of reform by contrast with the evil ramifications of
the old system of government. Under "Responsible
Government" might not Papineau and Mackenzie have
never existed as rebels; perhaps have developed into
constructive statesmen?
CXLI. An Act Amending 1 & 2 Victoria, c. 9 (2 & 3 Victoria,
c. 53), 1839