Development of Canadian Governance and Foreign Policy, 1883-1904

Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1845-1914), the Fourth Earl of Minto, was involved in Canadian governance in various roles between 1883 and 1905. He served as Canadian Military Secretary from 1883 and 1885 before becoming Governor-General from 1898 to 1905. This collection is drawn from his personal papers and offers a detailed account of the changing shape of governance and development in one of Britain’s most important colonies.

The files include material relating to rebellions by French-Canadians and indigenous peoples, the recruitment of Canadian troops for Britain’s imperial wars, and questions of trade between Canada and the rest of the world. Additionally, the collection hosts a wealth of correspondence between Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound and important British political figures like Queen Victoria and Joseph Chamberlain. Thus, the collection offers an interesting portrait of colonial governance, constitutional politics, and national security in Canada.

The growth of Canadian self-government and the development of a Canadian national identity, relations with the United States and the position of the francophone minority. All of these are to be found in the Minto papers

Tony McCulloc, Canterbury Christ Church University

Insights

The First Nations were visited and information about them was recorded in the early 1900's. Statistics on the First Nations' populations and an attempt to record the Blackfoot language also feature.

Papers from the Earl's time as Military Secretary include an account of the trial of Louis Riel for leading the Métis people in the North-West Rebellion.

The Alaska boundary dispute took place during the Earl's time as Governor General of Canada. This dispute is discussed in the Earl's letters to Joseph Chamberlain, the then Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Queen Victoria was another of the Earl's correspondents, though her replies were written on her behalf. Other royal contacts include Edward VII, George V, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, and Princess Helena.