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Toronto June 4 1887

My dear Land

I ventured on one occasion which you were in Toronto to say a few words to you respecting our late Lt. Gov (the Hon John Beverley Robinson), and the desire of his personal and other friends that in the distribution of honours in this Jubilee year of Her Majesty's reign, she should be graciously pleased to conferon Mr. Robinson the honour of Knight Commander of the most distinguished order of St. Michael and St. [George]. I am sure it will be felt that the Lt. Govr of this great and Loyal Province is a fitting subject for this Royal favour - Mr. Robinson's term came to an end on the first day of the present month after he had held the Office for nearly seven years performing its duties with recognized fidelity, impartiality and ability -

Your excellency is aware that many of our most loyal people do not approve of Imperial titles to Colonists, and our Liberal leaders Mr. Brown, Mr. Blake and Mr. Mackenzie thought it their duty for various reasons to respectfully decline the honour for themselves when graciously offered. In the present condition of public opinion other liberal leaders would no doubt under like circumstances follow their example. But it has been the policy of the Imperial Government to grant or offer these honours to representative colonists as well as others who appreciate them. Mr. Robinson is of this class and if such honours are to be conferred I should like very much that he should be one of the recipients - You are aware as matter of history that Mr. Robinson had been a somewhat prominent Conservative politician before he was appointedby the Conservative Govt in 1880 to be Lt. Govr. - He is a conservative still and no doubt will so continue - at the time of his appointment he was a member of the House of Commons of Canada and represented the Conservative City of Toronto, the Capital of his native Province and next to Montreal the chief City of Dominion - He was first elected for the City in 1856 and repeatedly afterwards - One term he served in Parlt. as member for the great district of Algoma which in Territorial extent was about one half the whole Province. In 1862 he was President of the Executive Council of the Province in the Canadian Cabinet. Hisfather was one of the most eminent Public men Canada has had and in recognition of his public services and personal virtues he received a [Baronetery] in an honour which has now passed to an elder brother of the Lt. Govr. The whole family have for a century and more been distinguished for their loyaltyto the British Crown.

Your Excellency knows that in Provincial Politics I do not belong to the same political party as Mr. Robinson and his family have alwaysdone, and I refer to Mr. Robinson's political position because conservative as he is, and appointed to his office by a Conservative Govt., he had to accept a cabinet of Liberals and rule by their advice during his whole term, the Liberals having for the last fifteen years had a majority in the Provincial assembly; and ashis chief advisor during his term of office, I feel bound to say, and I have pleasure in saying that he discharged with unvarying fidelity the not always pleasant duties which under such circumstances

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belong under responsible Govt. and British [usages] to a Constitutional Governor. Mr. Robinson has thus obtained for himself the esteem and respect of his political opponents in this Province and as he always had the confidence and regard of his political friends, and I would respectfully suggest that he may now in a very special and exceptional sense be [deemed] for the purpose of this Royal favour the representative of all classes of the people of the Province.

The distinction will not give him a superior place to other Lt. Govrs' of the Province. His successor the present Lt. Govr. receivedthe honour of Knighthood in 1879. - One of his predecessors Sir Wm Howland who was Lt. Govr from 1868 to 1872 received the like honour in 1879.

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[Written on the reverse of this letter is written the following: ]

Mowats letter to L-Lansdowne re [The] Gov’t.

June 8/93
This was changed somewhat [illegible] informed me, a [modest from Bri Colum] in being [illegible]. He also informed me, that The Gov’t had [forwarded] a request – that my claim to [honours] [sh.] not be overlooked.

Sept. 25/93
Gave original to Sir J. [Thompson] letter to Atty. Gral. Mowat to-day.

May/94
Atty Gral surprised me saying that L[illegible] informed [him] that he had requested or reported fairly upon my being [illegible] This, in [confirmation] with [illegible] [Browell]

20 Dec 92
Gave to Mr. Mowat this letter to me from Dublin in which he said, L K asked him to [illegible] communication in the subject, which he told me he did –
All the papers are M M. office – his clerk with them (officially)

May 94
Atty Gral Supervised [me] by saying the L-[Aberdeen] informed him that he had requested or reported fairly upon my being knighted - This, in confirmation with [Illegible] [Bowell]

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