Miss Confederation

by Anne McDonald

  Wednesday Afternoon, October 19, Quebec City

  In bed again the whole day. My throat got so bad they were all frightened about it. Dr. Tupper came and opened it again. I had to hold ice in my mouth all night. This morning it is better, but the Doctor says I am not to get up today. Pa, and Ma have gone to visit the Ursuline Convent.

  Mercy had a good chance of dying there in Quebec. Today, we’re immun-ized against diphtheria, but in 1864, the incidence of the disease and the fatality rate in Canada, and around the world, were high.

  The symptoms of diphtheria are a sore throat, fever, and chills — symptoms of which Mercy complains in her diary. In severe cases, a thick, grey membrane grows across the throat or mouth or the back of the nose. People die from suffocation, paralysis, and heart failure. Even with today’s treatments, the fatality rate is between 5 and 10 percent.

  The sore throat and development of the membrane are the immediate result of infection by the bacteria that cause the disease, and the membrane can be so thick and pervasive it can cause suffocation. The toxin secreted by the bacteria can cause problems in the rest of the body, such as heart failure and nerve damage. It was only with the discovery of the toxin, and then the antitoxin, in the 1880s and 1890s that there was a way to treat diphtheria.

  In 1864, people didn’t know how most diseases were caused or transmitted. The realization of the importance of sanitation and hygiene was relatively new at the time, and, although Louis Pasteur was in the process of providing solid proof for the germ origin of disease, the theory that germs could cause disease wasn’t widely accepted. Indeed, it would be the early twentieth century before the general public came to accept the discoveries of Pasteur and Robert Koch, although the diphtheria bacteria had been identified in 1883, and the antitoxin, which could help neutralize the toxin, was identified in 1891 by Emil von Behring.

  Epidemics of typhoid, typhus, cholera, and diphtheria were still common in Mercy Coles’s time, with frequent outbreaks arising in North America, partly as a result of massive immigration to the continent from Europe. The mortality rate was high. Diphtheria was the main cause of death in children before 1900, and even until 1920 there were twelve thousand cases, and one thousand deaths, in Canada every year.

  In the 1860s, the cause of diphtheria wasn’t known. Some people thought it was a parasite; others were unclear whether it was, indeed, a unique disease, or was perhaps a variant of other diseases, like scarlet fever or whooping cough. And, of course, no one realized that it was contagious. Since that was the case, Mercy had visits every day from some of the delegates, and the other young women. It is little surprise, then, to learn that a number of the visitors to Quebec became sick. Dr. Tupper’s daughter, Emma, was thought to have diphtheria; Mrs. Tupper was sick with a cold; and Colonel Gray of PEI said his voice was hoarse from a bad cold. Gray, William Pope, D’Arcy McGee, and others were absent from the conference proceedings a number of times because of “indisposition.”

  The others may have suffered a little, but it was Mercy who had the worst time of it in Quebec City. Mercy’s description of the doctor “opening” her throat is evidence of the fact that the membrane blocking it had grown so thick that it needed to be cut in order for her to breathe. She also notes that it later needed to be opened “again.” She was treated with caustic ammonia and “black drafts” to dissolve the membrane. Ice was applied to soothe the inflamed tissues and take the swelling down.

  As a result of her illness, Mercy missed most of the sightseeing in Quebec City. She was half-dead from diphtheria, and from having to suffer through the treatments for it — in those days, if the disease didn’t kill you, the cure might. And there she was — twenty-six, and wanting to be out and about. All those parties, balls, sightseeing, and events; she was missing out on the chance of a lifetime.

  There’s no doubt Mercy enjoyed the special attention she received from the delegates and her suitors, however — the gifts, the special enquiries, the notes of condolence. On the one hand, she was missing the balls and the sights; on the other, she was receiving all kinds of extra attention, which made her stand out among the other young women.

  Nevertheless, reading Mercy’s diary, one longs, with Mercy, for better weather, to get away from Quebec, for the opportunity to go to the dances, to finally get out into the world again. Two weeks of being sick when you’re young is hard enough, but missing two weeks right then, when everything was happening, and people were caught up in the excitement of the possibilities of Confederation — of becoming a bigger, stronger country — was really hard. After all, Confederation had been bandied about for years, with no real movement, and now that it was happening, the events were big. The time really was something special. From our vantage point, looking back at the important and seminal events of Quebec, one can’t help but feel sympathy for Mercy and her lost opportunities.

  Six

  The Temptation of John A. Macdonald

  Thursday, October 20 to Wednesday, October 26

  Falling ill with diphtheria and missing all the events were not the only things Mercy had to contend with. Mercy and the other young women in Quebec knew, of course, that the affairs of their fathers would affect their own fates — their matrimonial chances, and choices. Historians have tended to dismiss Mercy as not having taken any notice of the political goings-on around her. Mercy may have intentionally disregarded the politics at times, or been knowingly oblivious to them at other points, focused as she was on her desire for something — anything — to happen, but she certainly would have known that the politics that affected her father also affected her own position. In this next week of her diary, Mercy Coles writes of John A. Macdonald, and his attentions to her, a number of times.

  Thursday Morning, October 20, Quebec City

  In bed yet. Dr. Tupper says if I lie in bed today I shall be quite well tomorrow. I hope to be able to go to church on Sunday. They had a great Ball last night at Madame Tessier’s. Papa came home with every stitch of clothes wringing wet with perspiration. He says he never had such a time, the French ladies are the very mischief for flying round. John A. and he saw Madame Duval* and her daughter home. Mrs. Alexander chaperoned the young ladies. Ma, Mrs. Tupper nor Miss Archibald did not go. They had only one Island lady there, Mrs. Alexander. Miss [Margaret] Gray nor I was not able to go. Ma has just gone out, she has had a nice waist made for her black silk dress. It is a very fine day, such a pity I shall miss all the sights.

  Friday Afternoon, October 21

  Not down stairs yet. I feel a great deal better but Dr. Tupper said this morning he thought I had better not venture out of this room today. He came in and found me out of bed standing in my bare feet. Get into bed this minute he said, you want to catch your death of cold. I tumbled in pretty quickly, he felt my pulse and looked into my mouth and said you are a good deal better you soon will be well and asked me for the bottle of Caustic. I asked who was ill. He said it was Emma, his daughter. She was very poorly all night and has a little sore throat today, not nearly as bad as mine but still enough to make them very anxious. They lost a darling child about a year ago with Diphtheria.**

  I have had Mr. Lea [clerk of the council] to pay me a visit, the first gentleman. He was so glad to find me better. I hope I shall be able to go to church on Sunday. I have not the slightest inclination to go to the Ball tonight.*** I am going to ask the Dr. to let me go down to dinner. I can put on my shawl and the dining-room is always warm. Pa and Ma have gone off to the Montmorency Falls.

  Saturday Afternoon, October 22, Quebec City

  I have been down stairs to luncheon and am going to dinner. My throat is quite well, only a little weak. The Ball was a grand affair last night. Pa and Ma went. I remained up until after they went. The Conference did not meet until 12 today and adjourns at 6. Dr. Tupper came in to see me before he went away. He says I shall be able to go out tomorrow. Ma has been out and bought me such a nice warm wrap for my neck. I went i
nto the St. John Room yesterday. Mr. Tilley was there. He gave me such a nice carte [photograph] of himself, all the gentlemen have been having their likenesses taken. Papa’s is only tolerable. I believe we are positively to leave here on Wednesday. I am heartily sick of Quebec.

  John A. was making very kind enquiries about me last night, he told Ma he could not express how sorry he felt at my being ill. Mr. Livesay sent me a very kind message to day by Miss Steeves. He said he was very fond of me and was so sorry that I was ill.

  Monday afternoon, 24th

  I did not go out yesterday after all. Dr. Tupper said my throat was not well enough and indeed my own feelings were not much like going out. I laid on the sofa in the St. John Room all the time they were away at Church. Pa and Ma went to call on Mrs. [Gingras] in the afternoon. I had a visit here from Mr. Tilley, Mr. Bernard was up for a few minutes just as I was dressing for dinner. Mr. J.A. Macdonald dined with us last night. After dinner he entertained me with any amount of small talk, when I came to bed at 9 o’clock he said he was just going to a party at Madame Duval’s. She always gives parties Sunday. This morning I went for a drive. We remained out nearly an hour. This afternoon I have been making visits with Pa and Ma. We did not go in any place but Mrs. Roy’s at the Manse Hospital. She is a very pretty woman. She gave me her own and her husband’s carte. Mr. McDougall sent me his today.

  Another detail from this day is offered in the extract from the Guardian:

  [H]e [Macdonald] entertained me with small talk and gave me a conundrum,**** “Why were he and Mrs. Alexander like two Roman generals?” The answer was, “She’s Alexander and I sees her (Caesar).” On the following morning I went out for a drive and remained out an hour.

  The following day, Mercy’s diary relates more about her condition, and what it is causing her to miss.

  Tuesday Afternoon, October 25, Quebec City

  I was so ill last evening after my drive I was obliged to go to bed. I did not feel so low since I have been ill. Dr. Tupper came in to see me. I had a black draft and felt better after it was all over. Mr. Bernard came to dinner. I was so disappointed when Ma told me [emphasis mine]. He sent me his carte this morning. Mr. Livesay has just given me his. His white hair looks so venerable. I shall have quite a collection for every one of the gentlemen have had theirs taken.*****

  Pa wrote to Tom this morning and I sent one of his. Ma and I wrote to Eliza and sent her one of Mamma’s. It is very good. If I feel much better when I get to Montreal I will have mine taken. I feel much stronger this afternoon. I laid down for an hour after luncheon. I had some raw apples, the first thing I have enjoyed since I have been ill.

  The Misses Steeves seem to be the possessors of the parlour down stairs. I think they never leave it. There is a Mr. Carver who seems to be the great attraction. He is a beau of Miss [Jane] Fisher’s but they monopolize him. We are positively to start for Montreal on Thursday.

  Wednesday, October 26, Quebec City

  We went for a drive today. We went through the Lower Town to see where the rock fell and crushed the people to death [on Friday, October 14].****** I was going out again after lunch but the carriage was so long in coming I got tired waiting and took my things off again.

  I went to dinner in the evening. John A. sat alongside of me. What an old Humbug he is.******* He brought me my dessert into the Drawing Room. The conundrum.

  Just as the women knew that political affairs affected them, the delegates also knew full well that how they treated the women of the conference — the wives, daughters, and unmarried sisters — would affect their desired course of events, too. As Whelan wrote, the “inveterate dancers” not missing a dance, “know[ing] if they can dance themselves into the affections of the wives and daughters of the country, the men will certainly become an easy conquest,”1 tells us that the men acted with intention, too.

  John A. Macdonald in 1863.

  John A. Macdonald was known for his charisma and charm, for his skills of persuasion, as well as his conviviality and ease with women. And Mercy received her fair share of attention from him. That George Coles should receive Macdonald’s attention isn’t surprising, as PEI, though not as necessary to Confederation as New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, was still important enough for the Canadians to want it. As the conference progressed, PEI voted no over and over again to the resolutions put forward. They were often the only province to do so.

  On the eve of Wednesday, October 19, the Prince Edward Island delegates were split in their opinions regarding the “rep-by-pop” basis of the conference. George Coles was of the opinion that rep-by-pop had been agreed upon in Charlottetown as the only way to proceed with Confederation. PEI’s premier, Colonel Gray, was clear on that, too, but his attorney general, Edward Palmer, disagreed, as did Thomas Haviland. William Pope wasn’t there that evening. The PEI delegates went off to discuss the matter among themselves, and agreed to vote in the morning. Thus, on the evening of October 19, at the party at Madame Tessier’s, George Coles was in a pos-ition to sway the other PEI delegates to vote in favour of the Canadians’ proposals — including, in this case, the highly contentious (for PEI) issue of the number of representatives each province, and PEI especially, would have in the House of Commons.

  It is not surprising, then, to find John A. and George Coles together at the party at Madame Tessier’s, and returning together. Macdonald at this point was no doubt using his skills of persuasion on Coles to retain PEI’s support for Confederation. It’s also not surprising, then, to see John A. visiting the Coles family the next week, taking care to be there in Mercy’s thoughts and writings. And it is indeed in that week when we hear more from Mercy about John A. than at any other time. It’s interesting, too, how she writes of John A. Macdonald. She speaks of what he’s said or done, and how it has affected her, which is not the case when she talks of Leonard Tilley.

  October 26 was the last night of the conference in Quebec. On behalf of the Canadian government, Alexander Galt spent the day and evening presenting the financial resolutions, leaving out the crucial resolution, supposedly put forward at Charlottetown, for money to buy out the Island’s absentee landlords. George Coles later said in the PEI legislature that “he was struck with amazement”2 that this had been left out of the financial resolutions. It seemed that the reneging on this agreement was the final nail in the coffin for PEI’s likelihood of going forward with Confederation. But not everything was certain.

  There was, for example, Mercy’s unspecified “conundrum,” which she mentions on October 26. It leaves one wondering just what was happening here. George Coles was upset. Would Mercy have known that, and, if so, would she have known why? Was she feeling that she could help her father?

  She had been meeting and conversing with Macdonald. She makes note that he brought her dessert to her, which implies she felt some level of intimacy or connection, and this is what brings up the “conundrum,” after all. Did she think Macdonald liked her in that way, while she wasn’t attracted to him romantically? It’s clear she liked the attention she received, and Macdonald’s attention would have given her status, but she may have been unprepared for, and unsure how to deal with, a clear move by him. Did she feel a degree of obligation to return Macdonald’s feelings in order to help her father’s and PEI’s desires for better terms?

  On his part, were Macdonald’s actions out of sincere interest, or were they motivated from political expediency? The importance of the forging of relationships and allegiances during the Confederation conference in Quebec City is well known, and Macdonald was a master in creating those ties.

  Politics is a game, much like courtship — a game in which the suitor comes courting, advancing and then pulling back. Perhaps the PEI delegates and Coles were still playing their chances for a better advance. It is possible that Mercy was part of that game.

  Whatever the case, George Coles certainly made clear the connection between politics an
d romance in a speech he gave in Ottawa on November 1. In it, Coles compared Confederation to a “proposed matrimonial union,” and although he conceded that “in some respects [it was] not what some of them might have wished, he hoped [it] would, taken as a whole, give satisfaction to the entire family.”3

  The PEI delegates still spoke positively in speeches, and clearly hoped things might change, but, in the end, this final action of the Canadians — the reneging on the money to buy out the landlords — cemented Prince Edward Island’s opinion against Confederation.