‘Lord Elgin,’ he said, ’has solved one of the most difficult problems of statesmanship.  He has been able, successfully and satisfactorily, to administer, amidst many difficulties, a colonial government over a free people.  This is an easy task where the commands of a despot are law to his obedient subjects; but not so in a colony where the people feel that they possess the rights and privileges of native-born Britons.  Under his enlightened government Her Majesty’s North American provinces have realised the blessings of a wise, prudent, and prosperous administration; and we of the neighbouring nation, though jealous of our rights, have reason to be abundantly satisfied with his just and friendly conduct towards ourselves.  He has known how to reconcile his devotion to Her Majesty’s service with a proper regard to the rights and interests of the kindred and neighbouring people.  Would to Heaven we had such governors-general in all the European colonies in the vicinity of the United States!’

[Sidenote:  Reciprocity Treaty.]

A signal proof of his popularity and influence in America was given a few months later, on the occasion already referred to, when he visited Washington for the purpose of negotiating the Reciprocity Treaty; and, chiefly by the effect of his personal presence, carried through, in a few weeks, a measure which had been in suspense for years.

In returning from this visit he was received with special honours at Portland, the terminus of the international railway which he had exerted himself so much to promote; and he used the opportunity not only to please and conciliate his entertainers, but also to impress them with the respect due to the Canadians, as a flourishing and progressive, above all as a loyal, people.  Speaking of the alienation which had existed, a few years earlier, between the Provinces and the States, he said:[10]

[Sidenote:  Speech at Portland.]

When I look back to the past, I find what tended in some degree to create this misunderstanding.  In the first place, as I believe, the government of these provinces was conducted on erroneous principles, the rights of the people were somewhat restrained, and large numbers were prevented from exercising those privileges which belong to a free people.  From this arose, very naturally, a discontent on the part of the people of the Provinces, with which the people of the States sympathised.  Though this sympathy and this discontent was not always wise, it is not wonderful that it existed.

What have we now done to put an end to this?  We have cut off the source of all this misunderstanding by granting to the people what they desired—­the great principle of self-government.  The inhabitants of Canada at this moment exercise an influence over their own destinies and government as complete as do the people of this country.  This is the only cause of misunderstanding that ever existed; and this