During this week in 1864, the first nine days were key to shaping modern Canada.
It was during that first week of September when Canada’s political leaders gathered at the Charlottetown conference to discuss Confederation.
A daily highlight of the conferences includes:
- Sept. 1, 1864: Charlottetown Conference – Brown, Cartier, Galt, Macdonald and other delegates arrive at Charlottetown on the government steamer Queen Victoria, as five delegates each from the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island convene a Conference on Maritime Union; dinner is held at Government House; first of a series of meetings that ultimately lead to the formation of the Dominion of Canada. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 2, 1864: The New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI delegates agree to postpone Maritime Union discussions, and invite the Canadians to put their case for the union of BNA; Canada East’s George-Etienne Cartier makes the opening presentation in favour of a great confederation of all the colonies, followed by Canada West’s John A. Macdonald; the delegates then take luncheon at the residence of Colonial Secretary William Pope, and the afternoon is spent walking, boating and taking carriage rides. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 3, 1864: The Canadian case continues as John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier outline the arguments in favour of Confederation; Canada East’s Alexander Galt discusses the financial aspects of the proposal; the delegates then take a luncheon aboard the Queen Victoria, hosted by the Canadian Delegation; they return for dinner at the residence of Colonel Gray, Premier of Prince Edward Island.
- Sept. 4, 1864: The delegates attend Sunday church services and take a day of rest. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 5, 1864: The Canadian case continues with a presentation by Canada West’s George Brown, followed by luncheon at the residence of George Coles, Leader of the Opposition. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 6, 1864: The first order of business is the taking of the official photograph of the Fathers of Confederation at Government House; a final presentation is made by the Canadians, followed by luncheon at the residence of Attorney General Edward Palmer, and a supper and ball at Government House. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 7, 1864: New Brunswick’s Samuel Tilley argues that Maritime provinces can get better terms under Confederation than by themselves; the New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI delegates agree to discard the idea of Maritime Union, and pursue a federal union. The Charlottetown Conference is then adjourned, and the delegates retire to a party hosted by the Canadians aboard the Queen Victoria. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 8, 1864: The Canadian delegates are treated to an excursion to the beaches of Prince Edward Island’s North Shore, followed by a closing supper and ball at the Colonial Building (the Province House National Historic Site of Canada). Most delegates are up all night and head to the Queen Victoria at 5am to set sail for Halifax. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 9, 1864: The Conference ended, most Canadian delegates, who have been up all night celebrating, head to the Queen Victoria at 5 a.m. to set sail for Halifax. Charlottetown, PEI
- Sept. 10, 1864: Jonathan McCully, writing as Anonymous, reports on “The Colonial Convention” in the Morning Chronicle. Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Sept. 12, 1864: Halifax Conference – Confederation conference reconvenes at Province House in Halifax; delegates agree to meet at Québec October 10, 1864 to work out final details. Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Sept. 19, 1864: Canadian delegates return to Quebec on the Queen Victoria after attending the conferences in Charlottetown and Halifax. Quebec, Quebec