Ambrose Shea

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Sir Ambrose Shea, KCMG (15 May 1815 – 30 July 1905), from Newfoundland is considered one of the fathers of the Canadian Confederation. he was also a governor of the Bahamas. He was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland on September 17, 1815. His family owned a newspaper, The Newfoundlander, and he worked there for a bit before going into business by himself. He became a successful merchant, and he dealt with insurance and transatlantic steamer trade. Even when he went into politics, he continued operating his business. In 1848, he was with the Liberals, and won a seat representing Placentia- St. Mary’s. He was a supporter of responsible government, and went on to win other positions. Shea was one of the two delegates that went to the Quebec Conference, and he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Seventy-Two Resolutions. He was worried about Newfoundland’s poverty and thought that Confederation would be a good solution. However, what he did not realize was that Confederation was relatively new, and many people had not really discussed it. The merchants had told the fishermen that there would be "increased taxes, higher prices, and other dreadful economic results." These things were what caused Shea to lose the fight for Confederation.