The relation of Imperial and Canadian policies of defence, 1846 - 1862

Abstract

By 1846 it was apparent to all British political parties that some change in the old colonial system was long overdue. Certain of Peel's contemporaries had come to feel that it was time to follow Durham's recommendation of limited colonial self-government in anticipation that with self-government the colonies would assume more self-reliance and would relieve the mother country of at least part of the burden of imperial defence 3. 3. Stacey, Canada and British Army. p.25