Lord Elgin Appeal to Lord Grey, Colonial Office, Reciprocity

Date: 1868

The 1849 Appeal to Lord Grey by Lord Elgin was a document in which Lord Elgin, the Governor-General of the Province of Canada (which included modern-day Ontario and Quebec), appealed to Lord Grey, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, for assistance in securing a reciprocity agreement between Canada and the United States.

At the time, the economy of Canada was heavily dependent on trade with the United States, and a reciprocity agreement would have reduced tariffs and other trade barriers, making it easier and more profitable for Canadian businesses to trade with their American counterparts.

Lord Elgin's appeal to Lord Grey argued that a reciprocity agreement was essential to the economic well-being of Canada and would help to solidify the colony's position within the British Empire. He also noted that without such an agreement, Canada risked falling behind other North American economies, such as the United States.

Ultimately, Lord Grey agreed to support Lord Elgin's efforts to negotiate a reciprocity agreement with the United States, and in 1854, the two countries signed the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854, which established a free trade zone between Canada and the United States.

The Appeal to Lord Grey is considered an important historical document because it reflects the economic and political challenges faced by Canada in the mid-19th century, as well as the efforts of Canadian leaders to secure greater autonomy within the British Empire. The document also highlights the importance of trade and economic cooperation in the development of Canada as a nation.