The other members of the Canadian delegation were men of varied accomplishments, some of whom played an important part in the working out of the federal system, the foundations of which they laid.  There was a brilliant Irishman, Thomas D’Arcy McGee, poet, historian and orator, who had been in his rash youth obliged to fly from Ireland to the United States on account of his connection with the rebellious party known as Young Ireland during the troubles of 1848.  When he removed from the United States in 1857 he advocated with much force a union of the provinces in the New Era, of which he was editor during its short existence.  He was elected to parliament in 1858, and became a notable figure in Canadian politics on account of his eloquence and bonhomie.  His most elaborate addresses had never the easy flow of Joseph Howe’s speeches, but were laboured essays, showing too obviously the results of careful compilation in libraries, while brightened by touches of natural humour.  He had been president of the council in the Sandfield Macdonald government of 1862—­a moderate Reform ministry—­but later he joined the Liberal-Conservative party as less sectional in its aspirations and more generous in its general policy than the one led by Mr. Brown.  Mr. McGee was during his residence in Canada a firm friend of the British connection, having observed the beneficent character of British rule in his new Canadian home, with whose interests he so thoroughly identified himself.

Mr. William McDougall, the descendant of a Loyalist, had been long connected with the advocacy of Reform principles in the press and on the floor of parliament, and was distinguished for his clear, incisive style of debating.  He had been for years a firm believer in the advantages of union, which he had been the first to urge at the Reform convention of 1859.  Mr., afterwards Sir, Alexander Campbell, who had been for some years a legal partner of Sir John Macdonald, was gifted with a remarkably clear intellect, great common sense, and business capacity, which he displayed later as leader of the senate and as minister of the crown.  Mr., afterwards Sir, Oliver Mowat, who had been a student of law in Sir John Macdonald’s office at Kingston, brought to the discharge of the important positions he held in later times as minister, vice-chancellor, and premier of the province of Ontario, great legal learning, and admirable judgment.  Mr., now Sir, Hector Langevin was considered a man of promise, likely to exercise in the future much influence among his countrymen.  For some years after the establishment of the new Dominion he occupied important positions in the government of the country, and led the French Conservative party after the death of Sir George Cartier.  Mr. James Cockburn was an excellent lawyer, who three years later was chosen speaker of the first house of commons of the federal parliament—­a position which his sound judgment, knowledge of parliamentary law, and dignity of manner enabled him to discharge with signal ability.  Mr. J.C.  Chapais was a man of sound judgment, which made him equal to the administrative duties entrusted to him from time to time.