THE QUESTION OF UNION. 171

(Canada, by the introduction of a decimal system of keeping ‘the public accounts. The act did not disturb the existing value of' the current. coins, but simply declared what their value should be in relation to the new system.

The question of a union of the North American Provinces 'was not prominently before the people of Prince Edward Island until 1864. Ten years previously, the subject had been discussed in the parliament of Nova Seotia by the parties of' which Howe and Johnston were the leaders, when the latter gentleman moved a resolution favorable to 'union. In 1857, two members of the government of Nova. ~Scotia had an interview with l\Ir. Labouchere, the colonial secretary, on the subject, when he intimated that, in the event of concurrence on the part of all the provinces, the home government would be prepared to consider any meas- ure, with a view to the consummation of union, which might ’be agreed upon. Mr. Galt, in 1858, when a member ot‘ithe ‘Canadian administration, was an advocate for the considera- tion of the question; and, subsequently, a correspondence with the home government on the subject was opened by ‘<tlie Canadian government. But the official action which resulted in the consummation of union was taken in the assembly of Nova Scotia in 1861, when the provincial secretary moved that the lieutenant-govcrnor of the province Ishonld be respectfully requested to put himself in communi— cation with the colonial secretary, the governor-general, and I-the lieutenaiit-govt‘rrnors ot' the other North American Prov- iinces, in order to ascertain the policy of' Her Majesty’s government, and the sentiments of the other colonies, with a view to the consideration of the question. This resolu- tion was unanimously adopted by the assembly, sent. to the colonial office, and subsequently transmitted by the Duke of Newcastle to the governor-general, and t0 the lieutenant.