London Conference.

LONDON--December 1866

Two years ago, the 72 Resolutions on creating a federation of British colonies in North America were agreed to in Quebec. Now, 16 men are gathered around a long table inside the Westminster Palace Hotel in the British capital. Their task is to convince the British Parliament to legislate the union of British North America.

London is raw and cold at this time of year but the members of the delegation from across the Atlantic Ocean have managed to warm themselves up. Sir Edward Hornby knows many of the delegates well. He describes them as "able men with unlimited powers of consuming champagne."

For three weeks, the men have worked under the leadership of John A. Macdonald and George-Etienne Cartier. They have drawn up the 72 Resolutions into a workable piece of British legislation.

The first draft of what is to become the Constitution referred to the creation of the "Kingdom of Canada." But, Premier Tilley of New Brunswick found what all agreed was a better title for the new country in Psalm 52--"He shall have `Dominion' also from sea to sea ..." Although the British Prime Minister, the Earl of Derby, seems unimpressed by the name Dominion of Canada. He has written, "I do not know that there is any objection to the term `Dominion,' though it strikes me as rather absurd."

An unwelcome guest, lurking on the edges of the conference is Joseph Howe. He says Nova Scotia is being pushed into union against the wishes of the people. He has with him a petition of between 30,000 and 40,000 signatures to back his claims. Mr. Howe is even showing anyone he can find an article from the Globe. Under the title "Drunkenness in High Places," the story describes John A. Macdonald, very much under the influence of alcohol, clinging to his desk in Parliament to keep from falling down.

However, the London Conference took little notice of Mr. Howe's ranting and proceeded uneventfully. The only "crisis" came on the night when John Macdonald fell asleep with his candle still burning and set his bedclothes on fire. Messrs Cartier and Galt helped extinguish the blaze before any serious harm was done.

On Christmas Eve, the delegation handed its slightly reworked 72 Resolutions to the British Parliament for passage as the British North America Act.

Their work done, they have gone off for a holiday in France.

UPPER HOUSE

One of the toughest issues to deal with at the London Conference has been the make up of the Upper House, or Senate. Jonathan McCully of New Brunswick says the Senate is central to the agreement: "I feel that we are now touching the very life of the whole scheme." There are a lot of questions: Will representation in the Senate be by province or region? will the 24 seats set aside for the Maritimes be cut now that PEI has pulled out? will Senators be appointed or elected?

Mr. Macdonald has the reputation of being something of a joker. When he was younger, someone once put a dead horse in the pulpit of the local church. Mr. Macdonald denied having anything to do with the prank although he did make an abject apology.

Among the names suggested for the new country are Acadia, British North America, and Hochelaga.

On 2 July 1866, a bill clearing the way for the annexation of the colonies of British North America into the United States was introduced into the U.S. Congress.

Alexander Tilloch Galt came away from the London Conference of December 1866 convinced that Maritimers are "excessively fond of talking."