vert her government to the view that it was better to build
both lines with money costing only three and a half per cent than to
build one at six per cent. In June her most influential man, Mr
Chandler, accompanied Howe to Toronto, where an agreement was soon come
to with the Canadian statesmen, of whom the chief was Mr (afterwards
Sir) Francis Hincks. In November the Railway Bills were brought down
in the Nova Scotian legislature. And then, just when the cup was at
Howe's lips, it was dashed from them. A brief dispatch from Lord Grey
announced that there had been a misapprehension. The Portland line
could not be guaranteed. 'The only railway for which Her Majesty's
Government would think it right to call upon Parliament for assistance
would be one calculated to promote the interests of the whole British
Empire, by establishing a line of communication between the three
provinces in North America.' Howe's {113} attempt to have the verdict
rescinded led only to its iteration.

The blow fell with crushing force. It was at once obvious that New
Brunswick would withdraw from the bargain, and that she would have
right on her side in doing so. With the dropping out of the middle
section, the intercolonial railway and all that it meant must collapse.

Was success still possible? In January 1852 Hincks and Chandler came
to Halifax with a new proposal. If the route could be changed from the
Gulf shore to the valley of the St John, New Brunswick would still
accept. The change would ensure the support of the southern part of
that province, and would also shorten the route to Montreal. Mr
Hawes's letter had expressly said that the mother country would not
insist on the northern route, if a shorter and better could be found.

The reception of the two representatives was cold. Halifax feared that
the proposed route would turn to St John both the grain trade of the
west and that of the Gulf of St Lawrence. Howe personally was
depressed and sullen. Probably his latent egoism was beginning to show
itself. He was asked to {114} sacrifice his scheme, his darling, and
to aid in a plan patched up by others. Long conferences were held.
Eventually the financial terms were amended in favour of Nova Scotia,
and her government, Howe included, gave a somewhat reluctant assent to
the new proposal.

A wretched chapter of accidents followed. Early in March Hincks sailed
for England; Chandler soon followed; on a series of pretext