Laurence Oliphant's 1853 Narrative of Lord Elgin's Mission to Washington to Negotiate Reciprocity is an indispensable document for understanding one of the most significant diplomatic episodes in the mid-19th century relations between British North America (later Canada) and the United States. The mission of James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, then Governor General of Canada, was to negotiate the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854, a landmark agreement that redefined the economic relationship between the two countries. The successful negotiation of the treaty, which lowered tariffs and opened markets between British North American colonies and the U.S., represented a critical turning point for Canadian economic development and its future place within North America. Oliphant’s narrative, as an insider account of this delicate and consequential diplomatic mission, offers a revealing look at the complexities of international negotiation in a time when Canadian identity and autonomy were still evolving within the framework of the British Empire. It is a document rich with insight into the forces that shaped Canada’s early economic and political trajectory, and its implications continue to reverberate through Canadian history.
At the time of Elgin’s mission to Washington in 1854, both British North America and the United States were at a critical juncture in their economic and political development. The British North American colonies—most notably the Province of Canada (which later became Ontario and Quebec)—had long been reliant on Britain for economic support and trade, but shifting trade policies in London were forcing the colonies to seek new markets. The repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 had removed Britain’s preferential treatment of Canadian grain, striking a blow to the colonial economy. In this context, the United States presented itself as an obvious trading partner, and the idea of reciprocity—an agreement to lower tariffs and open markets—had been gaining traction on both sides of the border. The challenge was to reconcile the differing economic interests of the two countries in a way that would benefit both, while navigating the political sensitivities of each.
Oliphant’s narrative captures the high stakes of this diplomatic mission. Lord Elgin, a seasoned diplomat and statesman, faced a delicate balancing act in Washington. He had to secure terms that would benefit the Canadian colonies, particularly in the areas of agricultural products, timber, and fisheries, while also ensuring that Britain’s imperial interests were safeguarded. At the same time, the United States had its own priorities, particularly in gaining access to Canadian natural resources and ensuring that the agreement did not overly favor British interests. Elgin’s task was further complicated by the fact that he had to conduct these negotiations during a time of growing American expansionism and sectional tensions that were beginning to boil over into the conflict that would become the American Civil War.
The Reciprocity Treaty, negotiated in 1854 and formally ratified the same year, opened Canadian and American markets to one another on favorable terms. It allowed for the free movement of natural resources such as timber, grain, fish, and coal across the border, while also granting American fishermen access to Canadian Atlantic fisheries, a key point of contention. The treaty, which lasted until 1866, was heralded as a major achievement at the time, not only for its economic benefits but also for its role in stabilizing relations between the two countries. Oliphant’s narrative emphasizes the diplomatic skill required to navigate the competing interests of the parties involved and the intricate balancing of imperial and local concerns. For Canada, the treaty was a lifeline at a time when its economy was struggling to adjust to the new realities of global trade, and it provided much-needed access to the large and growing American market.
The Reciprocity Treaty was more than just an economic agreement; it also had profound political implications for British North America. At the heart of the treaty lay a deeper question about Canada’s place in North America and its relationship with both Britain and the United States. The treaty allowed the Canadian economy to become more closely integrated with that of the United States, fostering greater interdependence between the two nations. At the same time, it reinforced the importance of Canada’s economic independence from Britain, as the colonies began to look increasingly toward the U.S. for trade. This shift was a significant moment in Canada’s journey toward political autonomy. The Narrative of Lord Elgin's Mission captures this critical juncture, where Canada began to assert its own economic interests in negotiations with a foreign power, albeit under the watchful eye of Britain.
Oliphant’s narrative also reveals the fragility of Canada’s position within the larger British imperial framework. While the British government supported the negotiation of the Reciprocity Treaty, it did so with the understanding that British North America needed to develop stronger economic ties with its southern neighbor to ensure its viability. The treaty thus underscored Canada’s growing reliance on its own economic initiatives to survive and thrive. Elgin’s mission, as described by Oliphant, was a testament to the increasing responsibility placed on Canadian leadership to secure the colony’s future in a rapidly changing world. Although still a British colony, Canada was beginning to develop the foundations of a foreign policy that would eventually lead to greater autonomy within the empire and, ultimately, Confederation.
One of the more intriguing aspects of Oliphant’s narrative is the light it sheds on the changing relationship between Canada and the United States in the mid-19th century. The treaty marked a period of relative harmony between the two nations, a contrast to the hostility and tensions that had characterized much of their earlier history, particularly during the War of 1812 and the subsequent border disputes. The Narrative of Lord Elgin's Mission illustrates how economic cooperation could serve as a means of defusing potential conflict and fostering goodwill between neighboring countries. Elgin’s success in securing the treaty demonstrated that Canada could engage constructively with the United States while maintaining its loyalty to Britain. This moment of rapprochement between the two countries was short-lived, however, as the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 and the subsequent abrogation of the treaty in 1866 once again strained relations.
The eventual termination of the Reciprocity Treaty in 1866, just a year before Canadian Confederation, underscores the impermanence of these early attempts at economic integration. The political climate in the United States had shifted dramatically during and after the Civil War, and protectionist sentiments in the American Congress led to the decision to abrogate the treaty. For Canada, this marked a turning point. The end of reciprocity forced the Canadian provinces to rethink their economic strategy and led directly to increased efforts to unify and strengthen their internal markets. The failure of reciprocity helped galvanize support for Confederation, as the Canadian leaders recognized the need for greater economic integration between the provinces in order to reduce reliance on the United States. In this way, the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854, and its eventual demise, were key factors in shaping the economic and political foundations of modern Canada.
Oliphant’s Narrative also provides a window into the broader imperial dynamics at play in the mid-19th century. The Reciprocity Treaty was negotiated at a time when the British Empire was adjusting to the realities of its global reach and the limits of its influence. Britain’s gradual shift toward free trade, exemplified by the repeal of the Corn Laws and the broader embrace of laissez-faire economics, left its colonies in a precarious position. For Canada, the treaty represented a pragmatic recognition that the colonies needed to find their own economic footing, even if that meant fostering closer ties with the United States. The narrative reflects the complexity of British imperial policy during this period, as Britain sought to balance its desire for colonial loyalty with the economic realities of the time.
In conclusion, Laurence Oliphant’s Narrative of Lord Elgin’s Mission to Washington to Negotiate Reciprocity is a critical document in understanding the economic and political development of Canada during a period of transformation. The successful negotiation of the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 opened new opportunities for trade and helped stabilize relations between British North America and the United States. While the treaty ultimately proved temporary, its impact on Canadian history was profound. It helped to integrate the Canadian economy more closely with that of the United States and set the stage for the debates that would lead to Confederation. The narrative also reveals the broader imperial context in which these negotiations took place, highlighting the growing autonomy of Canadian leadership within the British Empire. Oliphant’s account of Elgin’s mission stands as a testament to the diplomatic skill required to navigate the complex and often contradictory forces shaping Canada’s path toward nationhood in the mid-19th century.
Lord Elgin and his staff approached the representatives of the American nation with all the legitimate wiles of accomplished and astute diplomacy. They threw themselves into the society of Washington - which in those days was apparently much more racy and original than it seems to be now, when American statesmen have grown dull, correct, and dignified like other men-with the abandon and enjoyment of a group of visitors solely intent on pleasure.
Lord Elgin's enemies afterwards described the treaty as 'floated through on champagne'.] Without altogether admitting this, there can be no doubt, that in the hands of a skilful diplomatist that liquor is not without its value.'...
At last, after several days of uninterrupted festivity, I began to perceive what we were driving at. To make quite sure, I said one day to my chief, 'I find all my most intimate friends are Democratic senators.' 'So do I,' he replied drily.'...
It is necessary to the success of our mission that we conciliate everybody, and to refuse their invitations would be considered insulting. Lord Elgin pretends to drink immensely, but I watched him, and I don't believe he drank a glass between two and twelve. He is the most thorough diplomat possible, - never loses sight for a moment of his object, and while he is chaffing Yankees and slapping them on the back, he is systematically pursuing that object. The consequence is, he is the most popular Englishman that ever visited the United States.
Cite Article : www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents
Source: Memoirs of the Life of Laurence Oliphant