looked upon as possible, but that it should be presented to European capitalists with the view of obtaining the best possible terms for the Government. As is now generally known, Sir John Macdonald and Mr. Pope proceeded to England, and negotiations took place with several parties, but finally the Canadian Syndicate, strengthened by the addition of Sir John Rose of London and Baron Reinach of Paris, came to an understanding with the Government as to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

A

On the return of Sir John Macdonald to Canada in the autumn the negotiations were pursued. The syndicate chiefly represented by Mr. Stephen, Mr. MacIntyre and Mr. Abbott, with the frequent concurrence of the Canadian and American members, entered upon more detailed negotiations with the Government. A draft, prepared by Mr. Abbott, of the proposed contract was submitted. This formed the basis of subsequent negotiations, and in the main formed the contract provisionally agreed upon, and, after two months' constant discussion, was signed in October, 1880. special session of Parliament was called in order that the matter should be put through in time to start the work vigorously in the spring. The necessary legislation was completed, the Company incorporated and the contract finally signed on the 17th of February, 1881. Immediately afterwards Mr. Stephen, Mr. MacIntyre, Mr. Angus and Mr. Abbott went to England to make the necessary financial arrangements for the Company. The members of the syndicate were elected the Directors of the Company, and Mr. Abbott was appointed standing Counsel. From that time forth until the completion of the road he took an active part in all its transactions and management, including its financial arrangements and issues, the preparation of its legislation, and the organization of its various combinations and acquisitions of existing railways. In fact, though not a stockholder, being precluded from holding stock by the existing Parliament, he took the same active interest in the enterprise as if he had been a member of the syndicate. During this period, though, he continued to be a member of Parliament, he scrupulously avoided acting in his public capacity in any matter affecting the Pacific Railway, never having voted or spoken on any of its measures. For some time he was excused from voting on his own statement

of his interest in the Company, which he invariably took occasion to make, when a question relating to it came before Parliament. But as he could not state that he was directly, pecuniarily interested in the Company, and therefore found that he might be forced to vote, he took the course of leaving the House whenever a Canadian Pacific measure came before it. Though universally recognized as one of the most active promoters and workers in the Canadian Pacific Railway enterprise, it was never imputed to Mr. Abbott, in the warmest political controversy, that he used his political influence in any way to further the undertaking.

The success of this magnificent Canadian highroad to the Pacific was in no small degree furthered by the work of Mr. Abbott in the department of its organization in which he laboured, and his name is always associated with the promoters of this great national enterprise. Upon the completion of the railway across the continent, the disqualification caused by the holding of stock in the Company was removed, and Mr. Abbott then acquired stock in it and was elected one of its Directors, and retained this position until he resigned upon accepting the appointment of Prime Minister of Canada. In 1887, Mr. Abbott was elected Mayor of Montreal by a majority of about 2,000 votes over his opponent, Mr. Rainville. In 1888 he was re-elected by acclamation, and in the same year was appointed President of the Corporation of the Royal Victoria Hospital, an institution which had recently been founded and endowed with about $1,000,000 by the munificence of two citizens of Montreal, Lord Mount-Stephen and Sir Donald A. Smith, in commemoration of Her Majesty's Jubilee. The construction of the stately Hospital buildings, costing $500,000 has been proceeded with under Mr. Abbott's supervision as President, and they now form one of the most striking architectural ornaments of a city already rich in imposing edifices, both public and private. The buildings were designed by Saxon Snell, Esq.. of London, who has a continental reputation for the designing of hospital buildings.

In 1888, Mr. Abbott was appointed a Commissioner to negotiate with Australia for closer trade relations and cable communication-for which position his knowledge of commercial, legal and diplomatic subjects eminently

fitted him. He made his preparations for his Australian mission; but the movement for Confederation began and seemed likely to be successful, and it was thought best to delay his departure till power in such matters should be concentrated by the union of the Australasian provinces. After Mr. Abbott's retirement from the House of Commons he was offered by Sir John Macdonald a seat in the Senate, with the leadership of that body and a membership of the Privy Council. These marks of confidence he accepted in the winter of 1887-88, and, until the 13th of June, 1891, continued to act as leader of the Senate and member of the Privy Council without remuneration or portfolio. At the beginning of the session of 1891, he was invited by Sir John Macdonald to accept the portfolio of President of the Council, retaining his position in the Senate, and, though his appointment was not actually made he performed the duties of that office until the lamented death of Sir John Macdonald in June, 1891. On the 13th of that month Mr. Abbott accepted the trust, committed to him by his Excellency the Governor-General, as Prime Minister of Canada, and he was called, on the Tuesday following, to proceed with the business of the country before Parliament, without any break in its continuity or any change in its policy. His former colleagues, with great unanimity, consented to continue to occupy their former positions in the Cabinet, and although the Session of 1891 was one of the most arduous which Canada has yet seen, and presented constant and ever-increasing difficulties to the Government, in consequence of the numerous administrative errors and offences which were disclosed in Committees of the House of Commons, the Conservative party presented an unbroken front throughout the Session, and the affairs and legislation of the country proceeded without material interruption.

With the aid of Sir John Thompson in the House of Commons Mr. Abbott carried the Government through struggles of great parliamentary severity, but in the celebrated bye-elections of 1892 had the satisfaction of receiving a marked evidence of popular approval. His health, unfortunately, had been poor for years, and only a strong sense of duty to the party could

have induced him to ever accept or hold the Premiership. On December 5th of that year he found retirement imperative and went to Europe in search of strength. On October 3, 1893, however, he passed away, leaving a memory for great ability, political honesty and personal self-sacrifice. He had been knighted by the Queen in 1892.

The brief but notable career of the Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow David Thompson, P. C.,
K.C.M.G., Q.C., which follows is extracted for the most part from a clever sketch of the late
Prime Minister of Canada which appeared in 1891, in L. H. Tache's "Men of To-Day" series.
It was from the pen of Mr. W. J. Healy.

Sir John Thompson a Native of Halifax-Of Irish Descent-His Early Education—A Skilful Debater Studies Law-A Reporter in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly-Joins the Roman Catholic Church-The Leader of the Halifax Bar-Elected to the Provincial House of Assembly-Attorney-General of the Province-Appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia-A Diligent Student of Law-Appointed Minister of Justice for the Dominion-His Speech on the Execution of Louis Riel-One of Sir John Macdonald's Strongest Ministers-Knighted for his Services during the Negotiations of the ChamberlainBayard Fishery Treaty-Goes to England in Connection with the Copyright Question— Succeeds Sir John Abbott as Premier-His Cabinet-Appointed a British Arbitrator at the Paris Tribunal on the Behring Sea Question-Dies Suddenly at Windsor Castle-His Remains Brought to Canada on the Battleship "Blenheim."

" WH

WHEN he made his speech in the great Riel debate, Sir John Thompson was in his forty-second year. He was born in Halifax, November 10, 1844. His father, John Sparrow Thompson, who had come to Nova Scotia, from Waterford, Ireland, his native place, was for a time Queen's Printer, and afterwards Superintendent of the Money Order system of the Province. He had him educated in the public schools of Halifax and in the Free Church Academy. His early training fashioned him well for ways of patient, faithful, intellectual endeavour, and we may well suppose that Sir John Thompson owes in no small measure to those youthful years, devoted to study under his father's care, the habits of mind which have gone far to determine the course of his life. No one who has often heard him speak can fail to be impressed by the conviction that he devotes himself with unresting energy to the mastering of all the facts having to do with any question with

From Canada: An encyclopædia of the Country, edited by J. Castell Hopkins