Carnarvon terms
Encyclopedia
The Carnarvon Terms were a set of proposals ordered by the British colonial secretary Lord Carnarvon
in 1874 to settle the dispute between British Columbia
and Canada
over the construction of the transcontinental railroad and the Vancouver Island railroad and train bridge. Vancouver Island and British Columbia had been promised a rail link as a precondition of their entry into confederation in 1871.
and Walkem agreed to accept arbitration of the dispute by the Earl of Carnarvon
, the Colonial Secretary. Both parties promised to be bound by the ruling. The judgment was given on 17 November 1874.
A report of the Privy Council accepting the new terms was approved by the Governor General on December 18th, 1874. Nevertheless, the federal government bill approving the settlement agreement failed in the Senate of Canada and British Columbia secession was raised again.
1. "That the railway from Esquimalt to Nanaimo shall be commenced as soon as possible, and completed with all practicable despatch."
2. "That the surveys on the Mainland shall be pushed on with the utmost vigor. On this point, after considering the representations of your, ministers, I feel that I have no alternative but to reply, as I do most fully and readily, upon their assurance that no legitimate effort or expense will be spared, first, to determine the best route for the line, and secondly, to proceed with the details of the engineering work. It would be distasteful to me, if, indeed, it were not impossible, to prescribe strictly any minimum of time or expenditure with regard to work of so uncertain a nature; but, happily, it is equally impossible for me to doubt that your Government will loyally do its best in every way to accelerate the completion of a duty left freely to its sense of honor and justice."
3. "That the wagon road and telegraph line shall be immediately constructed. There seems here to be some difference of opinion as to the special value to the Province of the undertaking to complete these two works, but after considering what has been said, I am of opinion that they should both be proceeded with at once, as indeed is suggested by your ministers."
4. "That $2,000,000 a year, and not $1,500,000, shall be the minimum expenditure on railway works within the Province from the date at which the surveys are sufficiently completed to enable that amount to be expended on construction. In naming this amount I understand that it being alike the interest and the wish of the Dominion Government to urge on with all speed the completion of the works now to be undertaken, the annual expenditure will be as much in excess of the minimum, of $2,000,000 as in any year may be found practicable."
5. "Lastly, that on or before December 31st, 1898, the railway shall be completed and open for traffic from the Pacific seaboard to a point at the western end of Lake Superior, at which it will fall into connection with the existing lines of railway through a portion of the United States, and also with the navigation of Canadian waters. To proceed at present with the remainder of the railway extending, by the country northward of Lake Superior, to the existing Canadian lines, ought not, in my opinion, to be re- quired, and the time for undertaking that work must be determined by the development of settlement and the changing circumstances of the country. The day is, however, I hope, not very distant when a continuous line of railway through Canadian territory will be practicable, and I therefore look upon this portion of the scheme as postponed rather than abandoned."
Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon
Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, PC, DL, FSA, FRS , known as Lord Porchester from 1833 to 1849, was a British politician and a leading member of the Conservative Party...
in 1874 to settle the dispute between British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
over the construction of the transcontinental railroad and the Vancouver Island railroad and train bridge. Vancouver Island and British Columbia had been promised a rail link as a precondition of their entry into confederation in 1871.
history
In 1874 British Columbia threatened to withdraw from Confederation. The Queen was petitioned by BC's Premier Walkem for relief from failure to delivery the promise of a railroad to Victoria. Prime Minister Alexander MackenzieAlexander Mackenzie
Alexander Mackenzie, PC , a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.-Biography:...
and Walkem agreed to accept arbitration of the dispute by the Earl of Carnarvon
Earl of Carnarvon
Earl of Carnarvon is a title that has been created three times in British history. The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1628 in favour of Robert Dormer, 2nd Baron Dormer. For more information on this creation, which became extinct in 1709, see the Baron Dormer.The title was created...
, the Colonial Secretary. Both parties promised to be bound by the ruling. The judgment was given on 17 November 1874.
A report of the Privy Council accepting the new terms was approved by the Governor General on December 18th, 1874. Nevertheless, the federal government bill approving the settlement agreement failed in the Senate of Canada and British Columbia secession was raised again.
decision
Earl of Carnarvon terms:1. "That the railway from Esquimalt to Nanaimo shall be commenced as soon as possible, and completed with all practicable despatch."
2. "That the surveys on the Mainland shall be pushed on with the utmost vigor. On this point, after considering the representations of your, ministers, I feel that I have no alternative but to reply, as I do most fully and readily, upon their assurance that no legitimate effort or expense will be spared, first, to determine the best route for the line, and secondly, to proceed with the details of the engineering work. It would be distasteful to me, if, indeed, it were not impossible, to prescribe strictly any minimum of time or expenditure with regard to work of so uncertain a nature; but, happily, it is equally impossible for me to doubt that your Government will loyally do its best in every way to accelerate the completion of a duty left freely to its sense of honor and justice."
3. "That the wagon road and telegraph line shall be immediately constructed. There seems here to be some difference of opinion as to the special value to the Province of the undertaking to complete these two works, but after considering what has been said, I am of opinion that they should both be proceeded with at once, as indeed is suggested by your ministers."
4. "That $2,000,000 a year, and not $1,500,000, shall be the minimum expenditure on railway works within the Province from the date at which the surveys are sufficiently completed to enable that amount to be expended on construction. In naming this amount I understand that it being alike the interest and the wish of the Dominion Government to urge on with all speed the completion of the works now to be undertaken, the annual expenditure will be as much in excess of the minimum, of $2,000,000 as in any year may be found practicable."
5. "Lastly, that on or before December 31st, 1898, the railway shall be completed and open for traffic from the Pacific seaboard to a point at the western end of Lake Superior, at which it will fall into connection with the existing lines of railway through a portion of the United States, and also with the navigation of Canadian waters. To proceed at present with the remainder of the railway extending, by the country northward of Lake Superior, to the existing Canadian lines, ought not, in my opinion, to be re- quired, and the time for undertaking that work must be determined by the development of settlement and the changing circumstances of the country. The day is, however, I hope, not very distant when a continuous line of railway through Canadian territory will be practicable, and I therefore look upon this portion of the scheme as postponed rather than abandoned."