CONFERENCE AT CHARLOTTETOWN . 173 agreed on a reconstruction, resolving with the concurrence of their supporters to unite, for the purpose of securing a confederation of all the British Prov¬ inces. The governor-general addressed a despatch to the lieutenant-governor of the maritime provinces, asking whether, at the coming conference at Charlottetown , a deputation from the Canadian Government would be re¬ ceived, in order to give the members of it an opportunity of expressing their views regarding the proposed union. An answer favorable to the proposal was returned. A deputa¬ tion accordingly proceeded to Charlottetown . The whole of the delegates met on the first of September. Prince Edward Island being represented by the Honorables Colonel Gray , premier ; Edward Palmer , attorney general; W. H. Pope , colonial secretary ; George Coles , M. P. P ., and A. A. Mac - donald, M. L. C. The proceedings of the conference were not reported, but the late Mr. AVhelan , in his published -account of the proceedings, says " it was well understood that the proposal to unite the maritime provinces under one government and one legislature was deemed impracticable ; but the opinion of the delegates was unanimous that a union •upon a larger basis might be effected ; and with the view of considering the feasibility of such a union in all its details, it was proposed by the Canadian ministers to hold a further conference at Quebec , with the consent of the governments of the lower provinces, and at such time as might be named Tby the governor-general. This arrangement was agreed to, •and the conference suspended its deliberations." Before leaving Charlottetown , the delegates were enter¬ tained at a sumptuous banquet, by the executive council and .some of the prominent citizens of Charlottetown . The ■entertainment was given in the Provincial Building, on the evening of the eighth of September. Speeches were delivered