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RECENT OCCURRENCES IN CANADA.
(From thr " Monthly Ri-jW/ilory," of Fihrnitrif, \M('>.)
TFtFi pjulcr I-i (loiiblli'ss Mwarc, tluit ;> Ri \iil ( V)nimission, eon- j'iNfin*; '»i' l.ord (ii-stoiNl, \y\\n was a|HKHiit«'«! governor also, Sir ( 'liarlt s (jrcy, itiid Sii- ( nor^n < iinps, w a- last year <li<- patilH'd to Lower Canada, toi- ihc inirposc of iiiv<'sti|i;atiii<i- on 1 he spot the i^ricvunceH of wliicli tlic pcojih' ot" that coloiiv had ('onijdaincd. 'I'hc ohjcct oftlic tolhiuinu pajjjos is lo detail iho fai'ly ))rotM'C(lin<j> of tin- i ()iinnis>i<^)n«'rs.
in order to irinU'r sucli (h tail.-i iiittdliuihlo, it Is nccessarv ))ri('Hv in sk»'t<di tlio cirr'ninstaiice- which uave rise to the C'XjH'dieiit of the coiiniiis.sion.
'I'he |»oo|dt' oi' Canada, psju'cially those of liO^\Tr (.'anada, had loiij:: eoniplaiiied of the evils itonneeted witii theii' local govermneut. In the early part of 18^34, they emhodiedtheir coni- plaints in a s*eries of resolutions, known, from their nnnilx'r, as tlu! ninety-two res(dutions. With no other alterations than n-ag'e demanded, these n-solntions formed the suhject matter of a petition to the Imperial Parliament ; Init hefore its arrival, the resolulion?* themselveB were l^roujuht i)efore the House of Commons hy Mr. Hoehuck, who, on tin; loth of Ajnil, 1834, moved for a Select ( 'onimittee, '* to impiire into the means of remedvinLC the evils which exist in the iorni of government nt>w existing in I'pper and Lo\\er Caiu'da.'
A committee ^vas accordiii«!,ly sj,ranted hy the JIompc; hut, hy a hold nustatenn-nt on the ])art of Mr. Secretary Slajdey, the impiiry was confined to the Lower Province, to tlie great di8ap])ointment of the people <;!' I'Mper Canada.
Mr. Secretary Stanley informed the House, that in Up|>er Canada no ditt'erences existed hetween the stjveral branches of the lejj^islatun; ; hut that the jKU)ple idid their re))resentative- were contented with the foi-m of ^•overnment. The House, td' course, C(juld not doubt the Mctrd of a Stanh'y, and tlio Upper Canadians were conse(juently deprived of the benefit of the iiupiiry.
It appeared jifterwardi^, that this was a mere trick on the part of the riii'ht lionotnahle Secretary. Not only were the people discontented, but Mi", Stanley was perl'eetly aware of iheir disconte:nt. When out of office, he had corresponded with tliem on the subject; had excited them to demand redress; and had even jiointed out the course to be pursued. " TIh^ le^islijtive council,'* said Mr. Stanlev, in a lettei' addressed to the Ket'ormers of Ujtper (.'anada iw 18-j!), " is at the root of all the e^ ils cotnphiined (>f in both the pr(>\ iiiees ;" a. ',' --iieak- in»i- of the coui'-e lo bi' pursiu'd, t 'le lettei continue-, ** a vm-
a
Tirctnl Omnrnwcs in Canntla.
stitiif ioliJtl iiKwIc is oyoM to the ncojilr, ol' ;itl(li'<»>-;siiio; for tlic i'(iiiti\al oT tlic jnlvlsri's of tin; croui' (Mr. StunlovMU^ no) flicn ill )il;i('<' , atitf i<f)(sinii stiji/tlit:'-, if iicvt'ssaiif^ to snjfpnrf t'nir U'i.slirs." ^ ft, in the facf ol' iliis acciirjitt knnw Icd^^j- oj tlic <|jih' ol" upiiiioii ill rpjuT ('.iiiiidji, (lor- tlii' -.iiiiic Mr. >I!im1»>\ iittci'WMnis insjko ;i I'liUr <i('<'l»;'»iii(Hi, lor \\\v ult\ ions |>iir|Mi^(' of k»Tj»iiio- fVdjii tlir |Mil(lic «'}'<• Ji part ol' liis duiiig-s ;is ( 'nl(Kii}|l S<'»'r<>t!!ry.
Tlic hilxmi's J)!' the ('(mniiitifc wvyv Init of 'ivn}ill avail to tlic |M'Ojjl<' ()f' 1,in^ ft ( 'anada. Ii\ out! of tlir iiicaiipst, siil)ter- rnu'<'s v\{'v rc:^(>i'l«'d fo l>v a cdloiiial niini'^trf, Mr. Sfaidey's sut*«'(!Ssor. Mr ITur, |ir(H'iii<'d tli<* siij)|ir«"<slon ol" lli<' rvidrncr. \\v s(Hi;::lit a coiif't'iciicc with tlie \\\n Canadian dclcnatrs, iMt'ssi>. \ inci- jind Mofiii. Al flii^ foiiTiM-fMUM', N\liicli took i>lar«' (tn l!ic J'Jnd ol' .hnu', lie iiiadf Uif lairt'st jiroli'SMions of a ('oiirili;itor\(li>|tosiiioii f<nvard> ( aiiada ; |irol'i'-<'>('d ji-n'at respect for tlie rnnclioiis ol" ilie Asseuddy, ('(jual in ra«'t to fliMf wliieli In* (Mdeifaincd towards the House td' (yoinnions ; and only seven daAs jifter |m iined a desjtatili to Lord Aylniei', viidatiiiij evei\ jtroniise he had Made, and leuvinij,' iln- whole ipn^slion in a niiieh worse state, a'^ far as Jaeility td' sett lenient is conc'erned- -than he had f'oiiiul it.*
The consetiiK'nees may lie easily I'onceived. Hie decoivod pc!>|i]e ol' flic f'anadas oecanie hii»;hly excited. An flection was ahont fo take jdace in holh provinces, ami thereseenied to he a i:;en«'ral ileferniination so to order matters that the result slnnild iinpre>s nj)on this <j:;ov eminent a clear conception (vf the intenr«ir\ and inianiinitv of popular ojiinion.
'lln rCMill corresponded with this determination. In l^owej' Canada, the advocates of an cdective council nnmher no le» than seven*y-nine out (d' ei«;htv-ei;j,ht, id' whicdi tin Assemhly is composed, and in I'pper (.'anada, their strenj:,th is thirty-tive out (d' lil'tv-nine.
In Lower (.anada. so impatient were the ])eo])le that an expression ol' their wishes should he transtnitted to Kniiland without d(day, that a convention of the h-adiiiL*' memhers of the Assemhlv assenihleil at Mcuitreal in the Decemher follow- iu<i, whereat ti petition, rriteratiu;:. their com^ilaints. \vas niiaiiiniouslv adt)i»ted. In tJiis petition the former petition \sas coidii'nu'd, and some iirievances of recent occuirence were c<.mplained of; the vicious conslitutiot* of the Leii;islativeC<utii- cils wn<ii!i:ain slated as the nuiiii cause of most of the evils tiny sutl(M'ed ; an<l the petiri(Uiers prayed, ''* that the Let:•i^la- tive C<uincil as at nres(!nt c«.>nstituted In* aholished ; an<l that the peojde of this provituM^ Im> empowered to elect tin- second hraindi of Hu' leuisl.iture in future, as the only means of pro
* I'ln' MuiKiU'H of llii> ciiiiri'ii'iici', totrutlii'r Willi the ili'Spatcli in .nn'siion, wore juihitMl • ii <■ by suli', iMil ciicutiilrtl atJicii};' iih'IuIkis. 'I'lu- inpics wt-re IraMsiiiifhil hy post lioiM ( li.i\ I'si'iiil, A> ilio fa«i**sl iiiiulf nl i oiiu'ViHiit', aiij ln-mf ll)»' jiajiei *vq!? lullcil tilt' ioU.t'i Ip.ii) ' Mr. lljce's Cijaxcscnd corro!<|Kiiiil(.'Ul.''
Ttecenf Occiirrcnccr, in Cnumhi. 3
diicinp,' tiiut lianjioiiv witlwnif Mhiili iiitoniiil pon(M» and <j:<'(h1 jE^oNi'i'iiiiu'iit cimiiot rxist. "
'I'lii^ jictition, wliicli na- -iili><'|ii('iitlv jclnjiird liy tlir llmi'-t* (>r As>(']iil)lv, \va- |>rr-«'iih'(l to tlic llousrot' ( 'oidiikhi-', on ilic }Uli i>\' Marcli la>t, \^\ .Mr Ixncl.uck, and on llir Joih to lln- House ol liOids, l»v Lord liron^liam. In (li«' IIoum' ot'Coni- nion> considrraMr discnssion took placr ; and it cnd'-d l»y a di'rlaralion 1)V >ii' liolirrt Pod, thai lii-i Majr-*!^ Ii;mI licm advist'd to srnd ont a lli^li ( 'oinini.-slonrr to iuvcstiuatt- tlic iiruvan(M*s (»t tin- Lo\v<i- ('anadian.s on tlir ^^pot.
Kor some time aftrr, the Koval ( 'omniissionrvdiip unit l»<'ti"uiiitr. It was oH'iMod to >«'\('ial, wlio iclu^cd i(, at t)ncr. Lord ( 'antt-rlairy accfptod it at. (ir^t, lait al'lir livini; a d;iv or two imdrr its dii^nity lie threw it up, alannod at tin' <!iiHrnlti«'«^ it would ontiiil upon him. LtU'd Andiors^t was the next, hut in t.lu' Uh'an tiin«; tin- chaiiffi.' oi' iMinistry took place, and >o mreat was the d«day of tin; ])re!-eut Colonial Seeretarv in couiideliui!;' tlu' arran«j:en»ents, that, rhei-e was tinn; to hear tin' ohieeiion> ol' the ('anadian |>uo])lo to Lord Aniiiiirst, and it was eonv<!nientl> niana<j;«d that ho should resii;ii. It was then (h'terniinod to send throe (Joniniissiouers instead ul' ono, sind on <ir ahont tlio 2lst of Jidy tlie Pujiw, freiuhtod with the < 'ounnissionors alroadv named, sailed iVom Portsmouth, and after a j)assaL:o td' nhout a month landed her (^haiicf at (^nel)ee.
The reader nnist not he surprised to learn that the people of (.'anada rereived tlie Conuuissioners m ith distrust. L'aeh sue- ceeding- jn()vernor, during a lon£j series of years, had 1)((mi sent out to C^anaila with instructions to pursue a eonciliaiory line of policy. In the iii'st Instance this ha<l imposed upon the peo[>le, and lor a tiuu' the new <j^overnor had ahuost inviiiiahly heen pojndar. '^nt this po[)nlarIty was usually of short <lura- tion. Go\eruor after governor had snhmitted his jndpnent to the dominion of the orti'an of tlie ol)no\iou-« class- -the lixecu- five Council ; and it was 1)\ no means an unwarranta]>le iid'er- ence that Lord Ooxford tnight possihly pursue the same course.
S'veral injiulicious though triHing acts of l,,ord (/osfonl tended to strengthen this want of conHdenee on the part (d' the peoj)1e.
Jn the first place theohnoxious r.xectitiveCouncillors,(d' whose conduct and iuHuence the people had conn)laiiH'd, were sw(»rn in (tficw })y his lordship. A ])ait id' the <luty of th(^ Kxecutive Council is to act tvs a privy council to th<» governor ; and the ]>eo- pie regarded the alK>\ e actas^ a delerndnation on the part ofthe Governor and Couiunssioners to receive as their advise rs tlu-se ohnoxious persons. As if to strengtheii this sus])icion, the pro- ceedinii' vva>- not onlv unnecessarv htit it was illeual, inasmuch as it is onlv in tin* event (d'the demise ofthe crown that such a course is ])rescril)ed hv law. A letter, written in Canada, re- marking on this iniufvcrtcnci/ —i'or it was [>rolial»ly no umre- sa\s : " he has committed himself with the pid)lic by appearing
'a 2
I
4 Rficrttf Ocoirrrucea in Canndn.
to cliofKe tlu'sj^ old \ iuors jh liis ov\ n coinicillMr^i, aii<l so on- coiiru;ii(i'j' the tuotioii ol' tin.' ()tti<'''.Is to ho|i<' that tlirir ivigri will !»(' jicrpL'fiuil."
Tlie next injmlicious act <'oiiiinittc(l hy Loni (iosford vvfts attt'iidiiiii; a politicnl l»ull j»-ivt'ii l>\ tin- ImrHuiicratic* parfy to Iit»nl A\ Imcr pH'vions fo his di-parMin'c. Of this party, IaihI AyliiKT was for the tiiiu' llic idol. He had -^rrv< «l tluMr piirpoMO hy opposing hiiii'^clt'to the w ishr^ td' ihr jn'oplc on all occasions, and to do him out^^:l^d honour whilst tlicv inuardiv (K'^'piscd liMii, wMs part <d' their ^cIMsh policy. It was of course import- ant to ihis p;iit\' to ohliiiii the ncNV (iov<'rnor's apjiiircnl sanc- tion of the conrsc liOrd Aylnicr had pnr>ncd. and they there- lore res/tccfj'/f//i/ (!) invited Lord Cjosliwd to do hononr to The occasion, liis Lord'^hij), inadvertently it is pre^nini-d, a«*cepted their invitation. In tiu' nn'iin titne one ot the otlnr Contniis- siouers, nuxiii''' nn)re ann)]i<> ditVerent classes ol' the rMnnniunitv than Ids confreres, saAV the hait in tinte tu enahle l.()rd (Josf'ord, in some dej^'ree, to orrect the ern»r into which he had i'allen. The mode in which he escaped IVom the difhcnlly is thus re- lated in a letter dated Montreal, 19th Sept: —
*' 'riu- hall L;iveii to Lord inid La<ly Ayliner look plaee on the L'^th, Lord (J Oslo rd i\\n\ S\v Cnoi^e (ii(>|)s were pre>eut as expected, but they remained only an hour. ^ hey had the prudeiue to retire hclore supper, and thus avoided drinkiiijf Lord Ayhuer's health. Sir Charles Cirrey <lid better, He remained ni Montreal, and thus avoided {<ivnig iiuy eouutenance to this parly eouiplimeut to the late obuoxiouK ^ovenuir. It was a jjrear weakness in Lor<l (iost'ord to g-o to this hall. I am willin^j to believe that his L(M«Uhi|) in ted from ij;iiorance without having didy deliberated on his own sin»;ularly deluMtr posi- tion :md I he temper of the [jeople. It is tt) be ho|>ed that this will be the last oi' his /wrucx/'
But this v,as a trilVniii; error — a mere Iientc, w-- the writer calls it, compared with that into which his Lord-hip subso- (jueiitly lell in con.set[uence of abamloninyj himself t(» the iidln- enoe of the Canadian " olio-ardiy." The facts are tlles(^ In the snnnvier of 1834, Lord Gosford's predecessor. Lord Aylmer, appointed to the ofhce of jnd^i^ a man wliu had been a viident jiarrisjin of tlie official party undfM* the f^overnorship of the Rarl of Dalhonsie, This man ji'ave evidence before the Canada Cum- mitiee (d' 1S'J8, and so illiberal ami partisan-like in its cha- racter was that evidence, that a mark was s»d ajxJiiast his name at the CidoTual otfice, as beinfj unfit 'or an office of trust ; at h^ist snch is Mr. Rice's account of the matter. When the news of this a]>p{)intnu'nt rea(died Eiii^land in the autumn of 1834, Mr. Hice, tiien Colonial Secretary, ad<lress(Ml a de^pat(di to Lord Aylmei', saviuLi" thai he could not confirm Mr. Gale's ajtpointment ; of cotjrse it. was the duty of Lord Aylmer to ap- point sinne other pc^rson to the bench, btit it so happens thai the
• l5ure;vMn'u(> i^ tin' iiiimo pivon hy tlie Cnnndians to tlie local povernmonf. ^t i.s SLiiif times caU<Hl u tlfikiircliy.
Ufvi'tif (hTiirrviucs in CainuUi.
Ir
•lospatclirs MIT always x'lii l>s i!ifji(i>l uHht iiarUrl-., u liicli arc iisiiallv tlircf ttr lour \\t'«'ks loniirr in th'li\« riir' llicii' l«th'is limn lln' i\<'\v Y«»i"k " liiu' t»f' )Mi('kt't«*." 'I'lif consriiuriKM' \^a>, tliiil I^ord Aylmcr liranl oi" ilu- cliaiij^*' ot' Ministry In Ion li»» j^ol iVli*. HiLM!'s (i('S|iati'li, and Ix'inir nndtT flic domination of the Canailian otlicinU, Im' disn'«;;ard(.'d tlir contniand ol tin- «'X-Hiinist»'r \i\vv. As a rewan! li.r thus disolicvinn' llic honic i;'Ovt'rn)n«'nt — as a rcnaid tor Inivlni;" l)r()nulil (Janada almost to u state of f»'l)( llion, l-oi'd AvInnT has licfii aj)j)ointfd ('oni- niHnd«'r-in-( 'liiid' in h'tland liy a ( i(»V( rnmcnl of \vlii«li Mr. Rict' still fornjsa part. Sclin stcem mnst CiMtuiiily !>»' a tpnility totally uhscnl fr;tin Mr, Hicc'n mind. No soont r uorc tin Tories in ])on»'r ilian the i'.arl of AlxM'deen i'onlirmcd or al- loued the a|»|)oin1m«nt oj'tlii-^ most ohnoxions of judu;(.'S,
Wlitn the Wliiu-' 111 iiiiied to otiicc! it was ol'cours(» expectr*! l»y tin,' (,'anadians tliat the oj'ioinal dcspiitcli of Mr. llice woidd be enforced. " That despateli," >aid thev, ■' has de^-troyed Mr. Jnstiee (ial(.''s niorfil iidluenee, h\ \ i'-iualh ileelai'iiiu' hini iin- worthy of tin; confidenc*' of his Maiustv, and now that tin Minister who pejnn'd tin despatch is aL;ain in po\^ <'r we shall without donht hv relie\t-d." J his expectation was jiirtlnT cim- iirnied by M)-. Uice's speech of the I'lh <d' March last, wiiitdi re- iterated the denunciation of (iaie :is an impropt'i* ]>ers*i>n to occupy the bench: yet when Mr. Uice and his ,,ai'ty a^ain returiu:d to oliiv-i- nothing; nioi-e w.i- heard of the improper appointment, until the discontent of the ])eople of ( aiiada was aiiuin excih.'d li\ tin- tltiiO injiiidcious act of Lord (losioid; which we shall I'ciute in the lanLjuage of die Canadian writer idreudy quoted : -
" For ujy part, I fear that we hliall be forcejl, l>y tlu' imhci-ility or WiU't ul" t.Hl of tlu* |>^e^<'nt iii''(iMil»eiil , into uiiu illiiiy oppusiition hcioif inan\ weeks. He appi^iin to In; gitiduully tallni^' into the Mieshes ol the official party. Y(»u will srarcely Lehi ve that any iiiati could be l^iulty of the em'.'yiou'' lolly I am al)Oiit to relatt:. It steins that Valliore, tlie judge at Three Rivers (who, tiy-the-by, is a rc<;ul»r political t urocoat J, Im'Iii^ ill. scut notice to the ifov»'riioi- to have aiu>tliei- jud^e aj.'pouited pro lonjnni' in his }>laoe, to preside at the ai»|)roar|i . iii<jf terui. Cio^lorll, uisteud of lakiui; ttieadvict", or, at all es-nts, tlu- opuuon of t-ome of the Irit uds of the country, wrote to Iteid, ouv parli.-^au (Jlfh J Justice, lb re was a il;1oiio\is ()|>|MMt'i!iity of uivobiii^ the |40\"eruni, uot to he uciiltcted. Acc(>iiiii)i>iy Keel \^ rutt* to hjiv that (lalc vMis tlieouly man " he could s|'ait." (Jale was ac('ordinj^i\ appointed, anvl thus ( iuslord has heen drH;^>_;ed into.* ijiuisi n\i\Vi)\n\ of the orii^inal appointuieut ol" tiii> m.iii to die bench, thou;^h con- deiMiied hv liice in his t.lace in the Mouse.
"■ On leaiiiini; !liecircuiii>l.iiice, Papineau, w Iim wa> in (iinher, v\ai ( il on the governor, unfolde»l to him (iale's political character, and ilie causes that led to the As^emhly's petition against the uouiinatiou, and acquainted hini with Hiee's »leidata:ion in the !lou-e ot ('oiiunon.. Of all these eircumst.mces Lord (t.»lord said he was ignoiaut.
«• This is the fhiid time that Gosf'>rd has coui.uitied hunnelf.'" — Montreal, Oct. 12.
D linrnf ( h ( uni'tu t's in CutKula.
Ill iiiiutlirr ii|i|>oiMtiii('ii( llic •^ovt'i'iior, l.ortl (MKlortl, ilui>>< tiol ii|t|»(>ur to li;ivr Im'cii iiioic liii|>|>y. A Mr. hiividhoii, wliu is one ol* till' most liitt<'i'<»i tilt; |)>trty i)|)|m»(mI to tlic Ass( ml)!^ Hinl )M>(i|)|i\ liiH iiccn :i|i|Miiii;( (I io tlu> oliicr ol I'ikU'I' (< ■> il) S(<'irliU'\ to tlu' ii(t\rnn>r. 'I'lic (yima<li;iii l« tti-r w rili'r'> rv Hci'tioiis on lliis !i|)|>oiiitnii'tii and its c'<mis(;i|IUMii-*s will serve to show tlie elll'cls ot tlu'x Uiistiikua on the niindi? ol" tiiti jk'ojiIi;
of ( tlllilllil.
*' III converMitioM, (M|i|»tt ami Oi-j-y talk of th«* case of the ('oi)hHtii- ti(M latitats! a^i ulihly un tlioiii^ii tiiey liad \n'i:\\ iiorii and hred < oloiiial sli«»|)<>crats. All iJiHir aliNiiid I'allaoifs hav«' evidently made lh» ir way info tilt; ('•)( II 111 i^sioiieis' iiunds w illuMit exauiiiiatioi), e\ eii tdtlie on 141 1 nil fallacy, wliK'li hits \iK'.v\\ over and tiser a|;aiii deiiiolislied. We know the several stuteinents of tin fiu ts <li>pr()viii;^ the fallacy, have lieeii reud by (iijtjih, yet lie surrenders liiis jiidj^ment to the persons l»y whom lie IS siirroiifiileil. I fear lie i? already ciiin|»lel«'lv |trejiidi(ed against t lie Canadians and I.iherals, and liovv should it he otlierv^ise, when D.ividsoii, who shared ('aldwell s plumler, is im<l«'r-secret4uy to the j^ovcnior .'' Thi;. man is hrotlier-in-hnv t<> Caldwell and Howen, ;md is the prinee of intriL,'ueis. \\v\u^ under Walcor, of course Waleot sees only with his «yes, and hears only with his ears. Oi^dr'n and other hii|'|M)rti.rs of Aylmcr arc at the oflice every day ; <»f conrK(.', (losford onl\ does the will of lite olhcials^ and thus the system works." — MoiilmillOct. VI.
TIm "conversations" aliove alluded to, may, jicrliajis, seem hill triHini;- nialtci-s, scarcely worth r(!cordiii;^, hnt it must he home in mind that Lord (losford went ainono- a |ieo|de in a jiecnliar ^t;^le of jiolitical exeilcment a jK'ojdc who had heeii o\<'r and ovi^i* auain deceivetl l>\ j»roles>lons -iniilar to flnise \vlii(di the Colonial OHicc and the oovernoi' once more offered as ehiiiiis iipon llieii' eontidiiiee, and thai these, and even still more triHinu circinnstances, when joined with the o'raver matters whicli we have i-itcorded, shonhl snhsennenily liaxc strewed Lord (losford's palh \vilh olistacles, w ill scnrcc'lv surjnise tin.isi' who ha\e con-idert^d to how yrc'al an extern pnhlic o|Mnion is iiiHiieneed liy the concin'reiice oi" a nnmhei- (d*aj»i>Jir»;ntly ij-iiiiii};' circmiistances — such evt)i jih the followinn' wlnn joitied with oliier items in a <i,<iveriior's iirn)o|»i'hii"il\ , in ti state of society literally torn asunder hy a loiiiif series of ixditical tuid social jealonsKJS.
" Since I w rote to you, we have had a speeldien ol'oiir new j^overiior's ' sjurit oi' <'()iuiliatioii.' He has invite*! I'apiinaii and V'i^•er, the popni;n |tii<lers to iiutl. — w Ikjiii ilo you tliiiik i* Why, the hiireail- cratie Attttriiey-j^eiu ral, Oi^deii, Anclrew .Stuart, the <.-liaiiiiian oi the ' {.'onstitvinoiiHlisis ' (so called), and the reiieL;ade Dr. Ceuillard ! I J 'I'his IS piecisely llie sort of ' eoiicili.itioii ' that would invite the ilo^- 10 meet th« cat, and you will iK^t \h'. siirpriscti to learn that it led to the result wliich luii^hl have been txjiected. A discussion arose he- tweeu V ij4ef and Aiidrt w Stuart, on the comparative merits of the I'reuch and laighjh writers on the eiul law. i'upiueau and Viger contended that, tluni^li Eiiuhmd could boast of many emineut lej^al writers, yttj 011 the Koinan luw, lihe had none to compare with Pothier
,1
\
n<>iiiHt, itii«i ittii«i^>. wtiiii' Ntiiiii t • <iut)>ii(i« •! , iiiiit r.ii^ i.iiiti iiiiii iii.tii\
fill f4ti|)L-iiiir !•> i'lkiliiiT ; iiiMl, v\iiiil«| \iiii lit lii-M- It, <^iivi- nisitk«iitnc' iiH iii> 'ii«(aiM'(! ! Sir ('liiiilt'M (trty it.xri'f«l with |*)i|tiii«Mii miil \'i;;«r, iiikI a|i|MNi|c<l to that stii|>i<l |i(Mii|»oiiit <^riitl('iiiiiii 0'j;i|i'ii, \vli<». o|' OMii'si', ^{lur it ill r.ivoiii < I'tlt*' |''.iiyli«.li vvritrrs. .At U'iii;lli tlir «lis|nil«- KI'l'W ^io warm, tlliit l.oid (i<»-itori| was ol)|i<;c<i lir pill i( >ti>|i to II, l)V (iial ii|>]ii-ovo(l iiirtlioil 'a ^la>-s )it' wiiii',' ami ^o ciitli-tl tlit liist clia|iti'r of llu- < «>iiiinih!>i(>i»c'rs rsNiiy mi c»l«»ii'al couciliatum." — MoH" (real, (kl. 12.
SiU'li art' flic priiu'ijijil (ircnrrfMices wliirli tt'iidnl (o ciralt' distrust in the iniiids of tlu' jiropli- of Cjiiiadii, towjinh tlii' royal coiiiniissiojicrs, prrvioiis to tin- o|i('iiiii;ji' of tlir Session of llu' Mroviiu'ial lojuislalnrc on the "iTtli of (Jctohrr, \K\'i.
'I'lic di-'Iriist <d'tlir |H'o|ili' of ('auada towards tli(; iumv •^•tivcr- iiof and till' coiimiissioiicrs, must not, iiowcvcr, Im' wholly attrihiifcd to ihr circmii ^taii('("< \'i'ha\»' dcsrrihcd. The coii- diK't of till' (\doiiial ( MHc«', atid of flic Lfov(!nmnMif , woiihl alone Iia\<* rendcri'd the pcoidc suspicious of tlu' sincerity (d'lln' conciliatory professions with \N'lii(di they were anmscd. In all the petitions of the Ilonsi! of Assembly, complaints had been made ol'lhi' im;ro|M;r legislation (d' the inipirial parliauuiii on matters rtdatin-j; sidelv to their " internal aH'air-.." The wvX cunferrin;:: upon tlie (y?»nadiis local leLiislatures, of course ^-ave up internal legislation to tlie cohdiisls themselves, atid the suli- scipient interference of the imjierial jiarliament, tlu-v contend- ed was unconstitutional and unjust. The acts they couiplalued of were three, — commonly called the (^'aiiada Trade Act, -the ('anada Tenures Act, — tmd tin* l^rltish American LaudCom- litiny's Act. Of tlu'se, Mr. Koehuck (who, in the intei'Nal lietween the delivery of liis speech, and tin; "^nilitiL;" of the I'iipU', had lieen I'eiiuested to act as HLi'eut to the Asseitddy iiinl people of Canada) (leiuaiuled the inuiiediate repeal, as a jircdi- niinary step to the, ojieratious of the royal commission, in order tliat the [leople of Canada mi^^ht have some evidence of the; sincere desire of ministers to do them justice. Two other prelimi- naries demanded hy Mr. Itoeluick at the same time, Avere, lirst a i>;uarantee that tli(> revenues of tin; pro\ ince should not auain l)e seizeil liy order of the ccdonial minister, without the authiirity of the Assetnldy <d' Canada; atid second, that an iiuiuiry into the constil.ntiou of the legislative council should he incunled In the Instructions iiiven to the royal commission- ers. None of these demands u<'r(; comprud with.
The meetluiLi' of tlu proviiu'ial parliament was looked for hy all parties with intense anxiety. The lih(>ral luirty, In- cluJinL;; tin* ^I'eat majority of the iV-seuihly (sfiy seventy-nim^ or eiglity, out of eightv-elght), did not certalidy expect niuefi from the ('onimis.sion ; on tht> other hand, the colotiial oHii lals had not much t(^ cong;ratulai«' the'iisilves upon. It had Ik en officiallv tfiiiiiitiiMl to them, tha' many' of ihe abuses hy \\hi<li ^ley profited, would be in([aired into; and Hevenu trivial
tiircnt fhriincurCA in Ciniutlii.
circitiirxlaiiro Wi'ic liy Hii'iii iilsi* ('onHJilrnMl as IxmIjh^ iIm in ii<» i;oo<|. LonI A\ liiMi , Jimo'i'^ ntlii"' iiKxIrn <»t' playing iiiIm llnir liiiiuls, liii«l rclii^i'd to {^raiit a wiirmnf lor tin- uilvancr of llic iiiorn'v for llir ( oiiliiitjfi'nt ('xiMMi^Jr.-* of th«' lloiisr ol' As«^«'iiil)|y. i'lu' clVn;! of this had Immmi ti> |>nt a partial >«fo|» lo thr Itiisincs^^ ol' h'u'islaf ion. The otHcial*? chsirrd a con- tiit'iuiu'c of tlii< course, and the jiaiMr-^ (U\«»lr(l to thfir ransr Hi first ht)Idly a-'>«'rt('d tliut flir >aid rxpc rises woidd Jiof Im' jL^raiitod ; an tht' S<'ssi«(ii apjiroachcd ijowovcr, it was s»at«'d thi-y Avoiihl ho ;;ratif('d, hut u itli siu'h oluio.xious condition- ihat the AsM'iuhly uoidd hr co)n|Mlh'd to ivl'iisi' to accept theiti. Tile • hiy heUire the iiieitiii;;* of the pro\ iiiclal parliaiiietil , the '* ( 'oiistitiitioiiiilist*," as tltev call themselves, ventured to address his iord>liip, pi-avin;;' him not to ^ranl the eontinjicn- cies. His Lordshij) told them that tlu' course to lie a<io]»led, wirh regard to the contiiio-eiicieH, had heeii alreadydetj'rmined on, and that in twenty-lour iiours the init-ntioiiM of ij^overnnuiit would !)«• communicated to the Assenddy. This was a severe rehuH' to the anti )ioj)ular ))art\, whose fury ^v•as therehy ex- cited in an extraordimirv (Uv-ice.
At len;;th the day «tf the meetin;j^ of ihi; provincial parlia- ment canii'. It was of course exjuMtted that one of the earliest acts of the ij;overnor woidd he to lay hefore the lej^islattire Ji copy of the royal instructions to the Commissioners. Tliis was not done. Lord (losfoid's speech did not luateiially ditter from j^overnors' sj)ee( hes in <;eneral, except that it was sonie- A\!iMt mor»' exj)licil, and therefore lonpw. It certainly nu'U- tioued the Commission, but in all other respects no topic was touelied that might not have I'ound a [)hic(' in any {governor's speech.
The writer, whose letters have already been ([uoled, eharao- teri/.es thesjieech as — except on ;i coujde of points* — "a tissue td' liberal nothin<2:s, very expli<'it on njatters of little or no iniport- aiu'c, whilst all nuitti-rs of primary importance are jiut otl" to ■I future day !" Uemindintj;' tlie reader that the writer (pioted i.s one of the popular jtarty, there is no ditiictilty in understand- ino- that the " matter of primary importance, " which is not included in the speech, iri the reform which more than nine- tenths of the peoj)le of Canada ha\e demanded in the constitu- tion td'the leiiislative council — their mimic " Mouse of Ijords," All minor reforms tlie peojde of the colony consider as nearly tiseless. "The council," say they "is the j)arent of all the evils we have suffered, and if you wer<' to remove all those evils to-morrow, allowiiig the cause thereof to remain, a \(^n'y short rime would suffice to produce an ecjually abundant <'rop." In i'aci the catah),ii,ue of grievances which ihe Cana- dians put forwanl in IS.'U, was merely intended as evidence of what the >>ysteni had j)ioduced, and never intended for
* These points hh' tlio ^rantiug oi' tlie contingenon'&, and tjie giving up the proviucial revenues to the Commons' House of Assembly,
t-
" 1
Jit'iTiil (h rurmurs in (\iniifiiu
y
s|M'(;iHl iiii<) iii(li\ iiliinl r('*li'rs>,, wliicli tlic |>c(»|'lr oT (']ui:t L* Yivvv Itiu till' ad vHiu'i'd ill |Mtiili<'al kiiovvicdifr to Itrlicv tic
|M)sxiMc. \v\ wlial is ilir (•om«n» |»iir-iuMl liy tlu' novrrniir ? - «••• tilll^^ to tin* A^'^iiiildy td »»>iiin\ in^ soiim' <d tln' «'\ i of nllicil tli4'\ liiid cittllliiMillrd, lillt s;i\s not (illc word id' tlic only nd'onii lor wliirli ilic Miaji)riiv (dllu- |m'o|»i« iijtjH'ar to cari'.
At *\\v HiiiiH' time tlint till-. L'-raiid omiHsiuii is liktdy to cou- firiii tli«! disroiit«'!it oj' tin- niajorits of tiic |Mo|dt' of l.tiwcr Caimda, tluM'o \h «|uit«' j'lioiiuli of nd'orm to niis«' u]i an imjuuI, if not a '^rt'titcr.Mniouiit (dMiocotitnit in tin- nindsoftho minority. TIm It' sr»'nis to \)v ii lli^]>^)sililln on tin- jiarl of tin* liovcrnor to ^•;iv<' nj» to till' Asm nil dv tin full and t oni|il<'i»* cuntnd of tin* in'ovincial roNtniU's. I'liis the otfnial |tartv and tluir frionds have ahvays nsistfJ. '{"> \v irally n's|»onsif)U! to tlic A^Hi'inldy Mill l)(,' niiudi K-sH coiiNrniciit tn llicni, than a nirro nominal I'o- s|M)n.«.il»ility to a suja-rior anlliorii' locatrd at a di.-<tan('t' of • »,'><Hi mil*'-, 'flu It' is also to lie a i oi't- ('(|iiifald«! distribution of olllcrs MiiioDo- tlir ditlrivnf idassos of tin- rommnnity . This is j'xticmrly (duioxions to tin* ]t!irty tio '' cnjo^iiij^' a sjiccirs of inon<tj)()ly. No fulnrr cdiirf jualift' >:^(.'\VLdl -so says tin? govpf- nof — is tola? jXTinittt'd to o)»tain sicven or oi^lit lucrative otticrs for liis own tdiildrcn ; no future c«donial civil sccn-tary (Co(di- ran) is to usnrjt live or .x |)o>ts in his own person ; no future «'(Mninissi<)n«'r of erown lands ^ I'tltoii) is to obtain estates i>f 1 ,"Jt)t) acres for ea(d) of bis eiLibt t'iiildren. Tbese specific re- forms of collide draw down ujion the local u^overnment tlnj hatred both of the otiiciaU in possession and the oHicials e\]>ect- ant ; uhich hatred boin^* in exeesH would n<»t have la-en tr>'eater than it is, had the iio\ erniiiejit j^orie u sttjp fuither and satisHed the mass of the people.
'I'lie answer of the Assembly to the sjieoch from the tlinnie Mjis couclied in courteous but iirm lan;j.uajic. I'or all the ijood [U'otnised by tiie speech his Majesty was ihanketl. besides which tlu' Assembly took occasion to reiterate '\\- dcmainl lor (til Hh'dlvc f^e^islaticc (Junmil 'dm\ an I'/xecutive Council respon- sible, like tin lji<ilish Ministry, to the (Commons of the conn tr\ .
Some further ])articulacs ndative to th*' addrt^ss in answer to the s]>eech will be i>h'aned frouk the following;" extracl> from a lettt'r from the writer already cpioted, uhicdi extract is the more interest in <;• as it explains the i elation in which Lord (ios- ford and the Ass(Mid»ly stand to ea(di othei'. In relation to the Assembly h(« is the Govenior of (Canada; \\\\\\ the (Commis- sioners tiu' Assem))lv hasnolhiiiL:; in ie:ilii\ t > do
"■ Yen will p« reeiv'e tliiit, in tiie HnswtT to tlie >• eecli, the Ass»'inbly iiii> Jibstaiiied tVoiii H'ee^uiz iig er idbidi! i;;; to the ("()iiin!i>sU)iu'rh. 'i'he speech from the thioiie wsis <'videiill\ a liMp to j^ain siieh ii ie<',»g- intioii : but the As8end>iy 's too jeah . of it> own |)osition to do so. Lord Gosford was distiintly told, befoie ti/e sesioii o|te>Ux* that the Assembly could not recognise the Couuinssion • and 1 an. jid that
10
HmciU Occurrences in iami'ia.
his l(>MUtii|) ;ukii<>Nvl«<lmMl lliai lu' did not t'X|»(><.l it. Thus. th« OuiU iiij^' the A^^t'llll>l^ -.uiil tht ('oiniiiihsioii iirt' f>it, in i«luti()ii lo each <ilh»'r, is thii» : — Whatever \\\v. Asseinhly <Usir(.s ot" thr (.'oiiiinissio!!, they ask <»f the o()V('nn)r ; whilst, on the other haiifl, whatever the (.'ouitniss.i()ii desiies of the House is apjdied tor hy tlie ^(tvenior, in whut the ohi sehctol politieians call the constitutional manner. From this v<^»n will perceive at onoo the nature oF the Com mi8s.wjners— they are merely a sort ot ti inporary executive (!ouncil, pUured there to ad- vise the f^overnor. This 'v, the o|>inion of all here, and 1 myself am inclined to tleem it correct. Whether subsequent occ.'urrences will cause this opinum lo he ti;iven up, I cannot now say. It is thought that the (.'oinmissioners will not visit tin country parishes — they have sufficient evidencv ol the un.niiinily of tht whole country to render such a step unnecessary, 'Ihey li:ive, however, announced their in- tention of visiting i\r»uitieal next summer, and it is possible they may go to the Chaml)ly disuists. The ' five confederated counties' would be worth their examination, in a politi<:al point of view. Such a visit would j^ive them an idea of tiie intensity of public o|)iniou amon^ the most intelligent of the population." — (luchcr, Hud December.
Afti,'r soiTio furllicr obsurvutions whioh need not be quoted, the loiter <»oes on to .stute that —
•' The elective council question is thus evaded. The sub-('onunis- bioners have been heard to say that an elective council should be j^ranted, but for the mixed origin of the peoi)le. Well, then, was the reply — grant an elective council to Upper Cuimda. The Upper Ca- nadians demand an elective council, and are not of * mixeil origin.' ' 'Prne,' rejoined the wily sub-Commissioners, 'but there is not the unanimity ' which [irevaili in Lower Caudda." * * *
The " siib-Comniissiunei's " are certainly most skilful dialec- ticians, iler<' the (3anadian> are certainly reduced to a most cruel dilemma. The Lower Canadians consist of about 450,000 persons of French oriu'in, and 150,000 of" (»tlier ori- <^in ;" of these, nearly all the first art; in favour of " the Ele.ctiv<; Pnnciple," as are also half, or])erha))S two-thirds of the latter.* In other wo:ds aboat nine-tenths of the whole peojde desire an electivt* council. Hut althouLih nearlv ntuimmnus \\\^.\' iwc^ of " mixed ori'j^in "' and so according- to the doctrine of the sub- OoniniissioTiers they are to have no reform. In Upper Canada on the other hand, the ariiument is shift<'d to snit the circum- stances. There the people are not of mixed origin, but then they aj-(^ not unanimous. It is only two-thirds \' of the whole p()]»u]anoii that is in favour of i-eform, and so reform is to be; denied until the opposition of the minority can be nullified.
A more atrocious political doctriiu; was, ))crha[)s, never broached, its eli'ect would be to perjietuate a,H existing abuses,
• 'lilt' iiumbpis iiidiciiliMl hy ilio I'ltctioii it'tians ar^ J70,>0i), r('i)rosente(I by persons in fuvour of ilio tJei tive principle, ami :)2,:v)() Uv nuMubcis opposeil tlieroto. Sue article ( an-.vda in oui Stijitumhcr luunbor.
t I'iiis \va^ llif piopoi tioii in l!;.)l. Tlu've is reason to beliove that since tlion the IJi't'ornit'is ut' I'ppcr Canada liave ti;r('atlv incn.'a.sfd. (^iiustions of Hcforia have t,'uin(Hl strtMii:;tli in tin- Assoniblv by discussion ; and there is, out of the House, nn extensive organization of Reform Assoc iatiou which ought to be regarded as u Striking sign of tUo tiiut's.
Recent Occuncnccs m (Uinuda.
11
to rendei' I'cforni iTiipos^ililc, aiwl virtiuilly to };iv«' up iln> i^o vcniinn |M>\NC!r ti> th«' niinoiit). TmIvhi}^ tlir iM)|Miliition ot'llu' two ('aiiinlus t«>ii('lli<M' at I ,()()(),()0(), the iiimosl iiiiiiiImt of jmt- 8011S rrprr-oiitctl in tlio two A-'Scinhlies l»v juM'soiis o|))M>si'd t(» tl»(i el(.'ctiv«' principle, is 175,001), or not nuudi owv one-si. if h ol' the population, and yet etlect is still to l)e niveii to the will ol' this iiiiiiurity by the ahoiuluahle doctriiu' alluded to in tlie above extract.
Every newspaper received from the Colony — and they now (January 2(>th ) reach a^ late as the '>4\h ol D(>cenib»T — bears soni(», evidcnct! thai th»; partial iu)proveiiieats which have, taken jdace under J^ord ^losf'ords adiuinislratioii are wh.olly insufh- cient to ipiiet the country The deterniinalion of* the Asjseniidy is to adhere to their demand, for "• the ^.Teiit remedial measure — an elective second (.'handur, ' and with nothing' short of this will they be contenteil. All otlier nd'tn-ms, say they, would alford no security for the future. It is on a responsijdf lejiis- lature that they place their soh*. leVuuice. Hy vvithlioldin^* supplies (the course, be it remembered, recommended to their Jiotice by Mr. now Lord Statdey, in IS21)), they hope to attain tJieir end. This course is the more proper in their ca&e us the want of economy in the payment of pid)lic olHi;ers i> one of the most evil results which the. Asstunbly desire^ to renudy.
As evi(h'nce of the imj>ortauee which the Canadians attach to tliis radical measure, and their determination to adhere to Lord Sta,nh.'y'8 " constitutional mode, " we again resort to the writer already q noted :
*'I have ju&t heard that il lia?- been determined to uIi(Hv the Coanueus (.tf Lower Canada to iiave the whole control of Hie rt^venui.'. This ih merely a piece of j;i-.tiee — of tardy justice. 'J'he ('(»lulnl!^^i(>lu rs are, 1 learn, to report to the Kin<i; fVoui time t(^ tnne. I'ir.st, on Fiuimees ; secondly, on the Teniu'p of Land : thirtliy, on the Lxeeative Council. 1 believe it is decided ihat we ore to have a responsible lixeeative Council. But the chief thmjj^, an elective Let^ishitivt ('ouneil, we are not to have vet awhile ; so you 5>eo we Inive a long struij^le before us. 1 ho|M^ the House will not 1)6 cajoled into voUn^one |>enny of supplies till we ^et this essential reform.
"■ Vou are weii aware t.liat oar eiiief relianee for eidorein^ reforms IS tht; " constitulionul nietiiod" of icfuaing to vote the supjilies. \onr Ilttuse of (.xcannions need not care for tlu.' Lords, if they would pursue' onr plan, But the truth is, your Mi'Use of Commons is aristocratie, an<l does not desire collision with the Lords. Last xtar f IK'Ji), as you are aware, Sprinu Bice defeated u'- f)y dip|>in;^ his hand into the mili- tary chest ; and Lord (rosfad in)w asks us to ri'und it. This rnalves one hegiu to suspect that all thi> fa>>i abont, ani expense ol", the Coni- unssion, aie inertly a clnmsy < xpedient to i^et the ntoney out of the Asse.ndilv. I'he dhcials want p;>>t arrears and fninie supplies ; and if they oettliemthey wdl lan^hat ns — and so thev un^ht. TheCoai- missifuiers seem disposed to remedy small <;nt.vanees, as tc'.js jmc vln-own to whales. Will the asseud)ly he thus eheate<l out of (he public money.? 1 trust not. Not one laithiui^j would I y,taut, until we get an elective cinmcil." — Quebt'c, '2/ii} Dec,
18
Hevcnt Occurrences in Canadd.
This is witlioiil (loiibt tlic obvious course to l)»3 ])i!rsuc<l by the Assembly. Tlie [)riiu(' movers of the party (lesiriti*;' the re- tention of " thinj^s as tliey are" are the olHeial j)ersoiia;^«'S tJieinselves who now ])rofit by the system, to^^tt\\ur with their I'riej'ds ami adherents who hope to profit by the .-ame. Tlie l>.e^ishitive Couiieil is emphatically their Chumher ; the chief officials are meu bers of it, and while it exists as at present con- stituted, it wil) represent the.ir will and their irterests. The voting of sui)plies i^ the only case wiierein the will (tf the people can have force, and there is noUiiii;^; improper on the part of the Assembly in thus determining to make the control which the constitutioi) ^ives tliem over the public money a means of enforcing* wholesome reforms. If the House of Asseml>1y grant the supplies, it is (piite clear that the object of the orticials will be gained. The iVssembly migiit still amuse themselves by legislating on useful measures, but it would be mere lost labour If our House of Commons Avere elected as the Canadian As- sembly is — by the i'va- voice of the people, a similar course would be freijuently rescu'ted to. Sup[dies would be withheld until the course to be pursued 1)y tlie Minister, and pei'liap^s by the House of Lords aL^o, should bemadc! known, if the Lower Canadians now give the supj)lies, their work will be to be re- commenced, and they will not regain their present advanta- geous position until thev have auain brouo^lit the o-entlemen represented by the council, to tht'ii present dejjlorable condition. With the conciliatory conduct and fi.,commodating spirit of Lord Crosford towards tlu- Assembly, tlie nuMubersof which it had been the custom of Ibi-mer governors to des])ise and con- temn, the ])eopl(; of Canada seem to be perfectly, and it may he added, justly satisfied. Courteous themselves, they natu- rally feel tlie want of it In others, and the haughty l)eanng of their former militai'v governors had, In almost all cases, dis- gusted them. The njiid and genthMuanly deinea'iour of Lord Gosford is certainly an improvement in the mode of governing Canada.
The minor reforms that are to take place wl'l also be not without benefit ; but, if li be the ojnnion of the colonial minister and of Ids colleaL'ues, that those triflinii' leforms will silence the cry of nearly tlie whole (Canadian p<H)plefor an elective council, they will speedily discern their (>rror The peoj)le of Canada, notwitlishindlug what has been said to the contrary by interest<Ml ])erson.^, nv*' in a very respectable sta.te of Intelligence, es[;eciallv on ])oliti'/al nnitters. \V\v\t they have already eKected us «'vidt nee of this. Like therr English fellow sultjects they will doul; le-^s take all thev can <::et, but tbev Avill never cease to agitate the t{ucstlon of reform until they obtam the full control of their internal aiffiirs, and this thev feel thev can never succeed in, while the irres}K)nsi!)le legislrtive council is pern itted to renniin. Lord Glenelg may take th*' case of the English Reform Bill as a nroof tliut ci r)relimiuary steij will
. )
■^* o
<r,<
V
pr.
R(^ce»f Occvrrenrcs in Canada,
l»
f)
not. sati-ify an intellitroijt poojjlf. ?/lorrov(v, iho doctrino of /inttlit// has not, yet round its wav nito Canada.
It has .Jniady been stated that, allho»ii>li tlve mass of llic peo]de are not satisfied, the tlireateiied leFornis are such as to excite the fiifv of the eohmial Tory ])Mrtv. This, l>y tlir^ ^vay, is invariably tlie caf^t* witii j)iirtia] ineasureN. If otie abuse ht* attaeiied, the whole tribe, of those who proHt bv aluises is sure to be let loose upon the n^mi^ter >anel ionium' the reform. This is the case in Canada. Tiu' local and imperial {go- vernments, are incurrini* tlie very maximum of oihcial obloipiy by tlie }>artial refornjs they have already sanc- tioned, whilst those reforms have not been sufficieiit to ob- tain for them the u<;od will of the mass of the jieopb'. The wise cotirse is invariably to sanction the uliole measure of reform at once. T^y such a course tlu' 'jood will of a grateful people would be secured, and the liatred of the factious minority could tiot be ^rreater than it is. This principle should never be h)st sight of by ministers, thouub it is every day violated.*
The lanii'uaije i»f tlie colonial Tory partv, and of their newspapcM's, towards the governor, the Conimission, and the g-overnnient of this country, is expressive at once of their rage and of their folly. In the cities of Quebec and Montreal exist two political clubs, dignified by the name of •' Con- stitutiona Associatituis," the nu'mbers calling themselves (Jonstitutionalists. The political principle — if such it can ])e called — by whicli these persons are guided, is — o])po&itu)n to the elective principle.
Their present policy is to intimidate the government, and thereby to detei* it from sanctioning those reforms, which justice, good })olicy, and the spirit of the litnes, unite in demanding.
The means of intimidation which these Constitutionalists have adopted are as folh)v\ s : —
1st. To mal<«.' it appear that tlu'v have the whole British popniatiou with them.
2ud. To show — that the whole p()|iulatuiu of Lipper Canada are with iheui.
3rd. — that they are prepared to rebrl.
4th. — that they are prepared to join the United States.
The first two fallncies ha\e l)een already exposed in the Monthly K<^pository for Septendter. It may however be Avell to recai)itulate the exposure. The I^ritish inhabitants inh.tbit the " Townshi{>s," as they are called, situated south of the St. Lawrence. To make the claim of the " (Jonstitutionalists " to
• '[ 1j(! Kps-olvitions on tlw» l^ultic '! iidIxt Dnlii-s aHords a otiriou^ ilhif-tiiilion <\f tins. 'I'lie iiltfiitioii iHoiio^eil will (Ifstioy 'lit' culdiiKil tr.nlc, hut will nol (niitcr f'liil l)t'iM>lit on the |n'ii|iU!. A iiiPiisuro of full btiK^lit woul'l Imvc «loiio no uiino fvi\ Imt. wiiiiUI li;t\t> (loii«' tliri'c-fold <!,o.>(l. I'iiitiut iiu'i(»;imts of ircod iiro almost ;ih<iivs wlioU; iimiisntOH of f'Vil, iiiui llit'Voforo ut' olilo.jnv.
14
Prrctif Occvrrrnref! in CannfJn.
re])rpseiit the wliob' of tlio l^ritlsb pojxilation fnio, all tho nieiTi- ))»MS i)f' tlio pi'()viii('i;il parliamoiit n'turiU'd l»y i\w Township HhoaldbeC'Onstitutioiiallsts. 'I'liis, liowever, is not tliecase. Tlio lar^'ost Brit is!) county, StJinstead, n'tunu'd nicnilKTH in favour of the elective prhiciph" by a majority of thre«? to one. Another Hritish Townshij) county, Drnniniond, returned a '* Kesolu- tionist '" unanimously, whilst in the county of Sherhrooke, ■whirl) is the .stronj:; hold of colonial Toryism, and of the J*ritish American Land (M)ni|)Hny, tlie '* Constitutional members |>p<'\ailed only by a bare majority. Hence it is that the number of the (/onstitutiomdisls is so thoroujjhly cr)utemittible — is in fact not over one-third of the •whole Bi'itisli ])opulation. In fact «mt of the cities of (Quebec and Montreal the (JonstiTutionalists are utterly powerless, and even there they would scarcely 1)0 heai'd of but for a control, [»urely mercantile, over a noisy press.
In the upper province the minority is not ([uite so weak in Handlers as in Lower Canada, but it is still a weak minority. Its force at the last el '<;tion has been already stated at one- third of the pojnilation, but from the rapid progress of opinion, and the siux'ess of the principles of reform in Lower Canada, and in the mother country, the number has been considerably diminished, perhaps to one-fcmrth. The organization of the liberal party in Upper Canada, is moreover very complete. There is a "'Central Canadiati Alliance Society" at Toronto, the caj)ital, of which the most able and energetic men are members. This society lias branch societies all over the (M)untry. By means of th«\se societies, a constant communication is kept up all over the province. This, however, is not all. In Lower Canada similar associations have been forme<l, which are also in communication with those of the Upper Province. At the opening of the Lower Canadian session, two influential mem- bers of the Toronto Alliance Society (W. L. Mackenzie, Es«j., and Dr. O'Crrady) visited (Quebec for the purpose of commu- nicating with the leading men of Lower Canada, on the course to be adopted for ju'ocuring that reform which both provinces desire, 'fhe result of this mission was satisfactory to the refoi'mers of both piN)vinces. As far, therefore, as the strength of parties in the ('anadas is concerned, the British ministry need not be alarmed at the coh")nial Tory threat of rebellion.
As for a junction with tlie Ifnited States, the value of this threat may be tried by the interests of the party using it. I'ht; princi])le of the American government is, " that the peo])le are the (mly legitin)ate source of |»olitical power." If independent Canada slu)uld ( esire to be admitted into the union, she would still retain Iwv own form of government and laws, the only condition being that of giving up a portion of the sovenugn power, - namely, making war, coini]ig money, regulating (external trade, (S.'c. -to the g( Jieral i^overnment. In return for this she woubl obtain a voice in the affairs of the union, by
Ilcccni Occurrences in Cannila.
1.1
f
sending members to (Jon^ross. As fsir iis tlu> Htatf^ ot* Le /rune Canada iui^;lit be coiicenu'd, tlie uill of tbt^ innjority would become law. The very reform whicli tlie ('oustiliitiorialistH threaten to rebel jtbout, would take place as a nuitter of course; their darling letci^^lative council vAould btvouie au elective seriate, aud even the uoveruor himself would l>ee(uue subject to the ]H)]>ular will. We may, therefore, be <[uite certain that it will Jiever be with the consent of the miuoritv that the threat- ened junction with the I'nited Stales will take ])lace. As a party tliey would be utterly unnifciilated, nnd any move to carry their impotent threats into execution Avould he perfectly suicidnl. An extract from the Quebec letter will serve to (dost lhes<i o)>servalions on the [)retensions of the (Auijulian minority.
*' III the nuautime the IJtllt- 'CoiistiiutiounHsts' as they call thcin- selvew, are l)y no iiieuus satisfied with Mhe spi.tch,' Th<>u;;h it d es not y;ive us our nglits, it threatens to rob tlieni of s<'!ne of their ill- gotten privileges. You will find them threattning war in all their reports^ spf^eches, and resolutions. This is niertly to frighten minis- ters, who are not aware how contemptible the jiarty really is. liotli tlie Quebec anil IMontreid ("lub <»f Constitntionalists have had a rneeHng. At the Montn^al meeting, Adam Thum, the editor of a sort of colonial * Agc^' spouted forth liis threats This fellow once had a paper calle<l the ' Setlhr.' In the early nuud>er8 of the paper in question, the public were made to believe that lie was a perfect * lire- eater/ and people really grew afraul of him. At last the cowanDy rascal received a challenge, when lie discovered that duelling was anti- Chnstian. Hereupon his own set cut hiiu, and his paper assumed a chop-fallen air and died. Now Ik talks of being ' ready lor action' — if It were really to come to ai.tion I have no ilonbt l)ut this hypocrite would again resort to the Scriptures fof arguments against fighting.
** Nothing can in fact exceed the rage of the Tory party, and especially on the granting the contingencies. They hope»l to stop the bubiness of legislation by inducing tlie governor to refuse to give the Assembly the means of going on. With Lord Aylmer, they suc- ceeded. The means even of sweeping the House of Assembly, or of purcha^'ing fuel, with the ihermometor twenty-five below zero, were refused for two years, and the othcials hoped to ndlnence Lord Gosiord to continue the evil. However ihey have been granted. Their papers abuse Gosford and his compeers roundly. Sir C. Grey they <'all 'cabbage head' (v\hy, (iod knows), and they demand that Lord Ciosford be impeaclied. I send y^u the ])apers that you may witmss their fury.
*' The most absurd part of the lory raving is that which points at junction with the Dnited States. H the) were to put their thnat into execution, that n.onient uoidd seal tleir ruin. 1 he great principle of the American democracy is tlcctioii i;y the wlinle people, and, conse- quently, choice by the majority — \v here then would be the Icjry minority ; This is anothc •^(lecllnoll (dllie arguments usyd to bigiil<'n the British Ministry. Ia'{ a m\er be lorgotteii that the * (.Constitu- tionalists ' are not 60,(100 out uja population ol (il'iO, 000, and \vi ♦^hcy hlust»'r a bout rebi Ilioii '"'
The course then which ought certainly to lie adopted towards
16
Recent Oicurvencei iff Canada.
the people of both Upper and Lo^er Canada doea not appear to present any insuperable difficulty. Their internal altiiirs should be haiicled over to them with a, guaraiitet against future interference. This niipflube done bv a single Act repealing the obnoxious cases of interference of which they have complained and in the preamble enunciating the inexpediency of future interference. The Act which estalilisheB an irre.sjwnsible council of life legislators is the 3l8t of Geo. III. c. 31. Portions of this Act have already been rei)ealed by provincial statutes of both 2>rovinces. Hence it woukl not be necessary to legislate here on the subject. What has once been done might be done again. The governors of the two provinces might bo instructed to give the royal assent to the necessary Acts for the erection of elective legislative councils ; and should the present councils be found refractory, a'* creation" might be resorted to for the purpose of procuring the passage of the Act in question. This plan would be far preterable to a new ** Canadian Constitutional act," emanating from the parliament of this country, as it would in a mannei* be a pledge of the sincerity of the non-interference profession already alluded to.
With regard to " external affa^.'s," that is, regulations con- cerning foreign trade, there has been no disposition on the part of the Canadians to interfere with this essentially imperial func- tion of the mother country. It is their internal affairs only that they desire to controul. One of the arguments they have urged in favour of the reform they desire is, that it would bring the people of Canada and the imperial government more inti- mately acquainted with each other. The present oligarchy they have called " a screen between the people and the im[)e- rial government." They have likened thai obnoxious niiiio- rity to a jew money-broker, who has an interest in keeping his principals from becoming intimate with each other, and it has only been when urged almost beyond the point of rational en- durance that they have ventured to remind the people of England of their strength. Let justice then be done to the intelligent people of the two Canadas, and we secure with tliem a warm and lasting friendsliip. The danger of a forcible sepa- ration lies, not in the impotent threats of the Canadian oligar- chies, but in the continuation of a system of misrule, which must in time completely alienate the affections of the people from tliis the parent state. /^ -y /"
/ . cL_
T. f, HAN»AHD. W, f*ATKM-NOKrKH lUiW.