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 REMARKS ON THi: PROPOSED ORDINANCE 
 
 TO ERECT AND ENDOW AN 
 
 t' ECCLESIASTICAL CORPORATION 
 
 IN THE 
 PROVINCE OF LOWER CANADA. 
 
 The Ecclesiastics of the Seminary of St. Sulpice of Montreal are in possession of certain Estates, 
 their title to which is disputed, and the intent of the proposed Ordinance is to confirm their title to those 
 Estates, and to constitute and declare them to be a Body Corpornle nnd Ecclesiastical. 
 
 The points first to be considered, are, the respective claims of the Seminary nnd of other parties, 
 to understand how far it may be equitable and expedient to use the power nnd authority of Parliament 
 to set aside the ordinary course of law, and to extinguish the ri^hte of those who deny and contest the 
 Seminary's title. 
 
 It is known to several persons in the Province, tlint ilie iiucstion as to the Seminary's title was 
 submitted to the Crown Lawyers, and in ciiiiac(iuence of their opinion being adverse to the Seminary, 
 instructions wore sent by the Administration of that day to Lord Aylmcr, to require the surrender of 
 the property to the Government, and in tlie event of a refusal, lo institute legal proceedings for its re- 
 covery. The pul)lic are yet in ignorance why Lord Aylnier ncjilcflcd to act upon those instructions. 
 The subject again underwent examination lieforo the Eoyal Commissioners, and after n long and 
 patient investigation, the Earl of Gosford, Sir Ciiarlos Grry, and Sir George Gipps, were unanimously 
 of opinion (although difiering on most <itlier subj(H'ts) that tiic Seminary had no legal claim to the 
 Estates held by it, and their Repoil to the (Jovernment was framed accordingly. 
 
 These circumstances afford as strong proof as ran well be obtained, short of a decision in the 
 Courts of Law, against the Seminary's title ; and it is not the fault oftlie Censiiaucs, that a legal deci- 
 sion was not obta-ned long ago. The question was brought before the Courts of Law in this Province, 
 with the intention of carrying it by a final appeal to England ; but, upon its Iwing argued before the 
 Court of Appeals at Quabec, the Judges in Appeal prollsped themselve to be divided in opinion, and 
 no judgment could lie obtained ; the etll-ct of wliiili was to slay the proceedings. It is not meant to 
 attribute any improper bias to the Members of that Court, but it is, nevertheless, certain, that the most 
 ingenious advocate of the Seminary's cause could have devisetl no more elVeclual plan for defeating the 
 ends of justice. It was well understood, that the Provincial Court of Appeals was only resorted to in 
 this case as an intermediate tribunal, bet'ore which it was necessary to appear, in order to give the par- 
 ties a right to carry the case before the King in Council, the Court of last resort. The decision of the 
 Court at Quebec was, therefore, comparatively unimportant, wliether for or against the CensHaires, 
 but by refusing to render a judgment, the L'ermiaires were prevented appealing lo England, which can 
 only be done after a judgment has been rendered in the Provincial Court of Appeals. The Court of 
 Appeals, at Quel)ee, is composed in part of the Judges, but the majority sit there in their capacity of 
 Executive Councillors, and it is by no means disrespectful to the Honorable gentlemen who constitute 
 that majority, to affirm, that their opinion on any intricate point of law is not held in great respect, 
 when opposed to the learning and research of those whose talents and acquirements have raised them 
 to the highest judicial station in the Province. The legal merits of the case, as heard in the Court of 
 Appeals, must be estimated, not by the comparative numbers on one side or the other, but by contrast- 
 ing the professional knowledge and experience of the Members of the Court who were present and 
 voted. The Presiding Judge, the late Chief Justice Scwell, maintained the right of the Censitaires in 
 the case, which is, in itself, a strong presumptive proof that the Seminary's title is defective. 
 
 The Imperial Govejnment being in possession of these facts, cannot delend the improvident grant 
 to the St. Sulpicians, which is contemplated, by admitting rights as belonging to that community.wJiich, 
 after a full and impartial investigation, have been formally challenged and denied by the Law Oificen 
 of the Crown and by the Commissioners of Inquiry. 
 
 The case is as yet, however, but partially disclosed, and in onler to comprehend the full measure 
 of injustice which the proposed Government arrangement would impose on the Censitaires, it is neces- 
 sary to examine the utipulat'ons entered into by a Royal Proclamation, favourable to the English inhab- 
 itants, and the power of the Crown to carry those stipulations into effect. 
 
 When Montreal surrendered to tlio British arms, there were three Ecclesiastical Commtinitiea 
 established in the city, vis. : the Jesuitx, RecoUets, nnd the St. Sulpicians, all of whom were, by the 
 articles of capitulation, admitted to equal terms. The St. Sulpicians arc not mentioned, except in con- 
 
 ^.■ ^i.'V' . i'.n*'lji. jfj^L^^.!* 
 
jimctioi 'V'th 1*1' 'illior '•"nimiirriii'j, nor i.^ ilk-'O niiy Hri|)iiIn(ioii fiivinirnlile lo one of thnnc Ixxlicn, 
 whii'litl"!'^ fi. I i'i|ii I'lv ■'I'li'y •'' I'll <il I'li'Mi. t'lif I'l.i I'll ili'inn ,ili'd llmttlii'w Kcflcoiiwlicnl Cum- 
 iniilllii's .'Ivul 1 In' I' 1 -.1 vr,l III ilii'ir >■■• .'111 ,li . . :iihI |v'u il ■;; •', i\ liicii wr.s l'i'l'ii>i'(l. 
 
 Ill ihc trcnty iiri'i'fviKii, ihu Ui'lluixiiN C'liiiiiiiiiiitu's uri' not iiiiiiinl, niiil tlie only giinrniiti'oii nrp, 
 iho lihpity of ilio Rcmnn Cniliolip, n-litiion, n'< fnr !!•< ilio Mws of Great Britain iicrmit, onJ leave 
 to the Prni el) iii'ini ilTnt-" In soil tlicin slaiiv, nn\ roiin-' fnnii ihe Colony. 
 
 ♦> T o ril).'iiy ofilic C.lliiil (' nliniiii, ns liir a> ilic lauK ol Great Britain permit," mny he enjoyed 
 to its fiillcsl extent, vviilioui the eHt.ililirttiin 'i\t or eiulnivment of ihei«i Erclesinstirnl Cor|iornti(inH, nnd 
 the rel'iisiil til I'oiitimie llieni ill their eoiiHlitiiiioii ami (iriviiem's, liy the ;irtic!es o( cf>|iiliil:iii(iii, wns a 
 positive ami tlis^iincl rel'iixal to ;illovv ilinsi! C ii'iioraiimis i.i ri'niiiu in the C'llony, anil was ?o eon-iilor- 
 ed and sn actrd iiimiii in ri'^'ard tn tiir Jesuits ami KeciiPel". In neither oIiIiohi' ea?r» were llie Coiii- 
 nuiiiiiii's V (jleiitly dispoMHes-nvl of their IIh' iIi'h, Imi liy n ru-.i.ii' ilieiii peniiiM-iim to add to their iiiiin- 
 berH, tlie Cdinniiinitie'* t;i'iidii!il'y heennie extinel, anil mi llii- death iil" the last HiirvlV"r, the pruperly 
 wns lalien by the Cnnvn. It is dilheiili to iiiiayine why the s.iine eoiiiM' was iml lukoii with the Si, 
 Snlpieians, who had, in nn respeit, Mipi-iior n^' iis Id the other {'eniimiiiilics, and the extinetinn of 
 wliOBe feudal privileges wns ni -re lie.-iiiahle, iiia-iniich as they extemled i)ver a more valuable territorv, 
 and inlerfi-ri'd ni;ileri.illy >Hih the jji'owth anil advam'i'nieiit oC llie ihief eomniereial town of the Pro- 
 vince. Such, however, w.is not the case, and while ihc leiins ofilu' capitulation were adhered to, in 
 reispeet to the Jesuits and Recollet'^, the Ministers of the Cr.wn, from time to lime, connived iit the in- 
 Ir dill lion 111' Mi'w inenibi'i's i;iio the ordfr of St. Siilpice, and |)ermitted them to enjoy uiidiftiirlied a 
 large and rapidly acciinuiiaiini; revenue. 
 
 This proceeding on the part of the Government, \» directly opposed, not only to the terms uf the 
 capitulation, but to the spirit, if not the very words, of a Royal Proclamation, ami an Act of the Im- 
 perial Pailiaiiicnl, 
 
 The Royal Pruclamaiion, bearinii dale at St, James's, the 7ih October, 17().l, anion!; other assur- 
 ances of I'nvoiir and proteclion. and with a view to the speedy seltliiij' of the Colony, declares il to be 
 the Royal intention, " to settle and a^ree w;th die inhabitanls of our said i;cw Colonies, or any other 
 person who shall resort thereto, for such binds, Iciunienls. and lierciJihniKvIs, as are now, or licimjtir 
 skill be, in our pcwtr to tlispcuc of, ami them to ^'rant to any siirli person or persons, ftpon such 
 terms, and under such ini leraie quit-rents, services, and acluiowlediMiieiits, as have been appointed 
 andselUed in oilier Colonics."' 
 
 It does not belong to a briel'onlline of tlie case, such iistliis is inteiulod to be, to enter upon a 
 discussion as to the lenal iiiean'ii.'! of the tern s used in the Royal Pi'oilainatiou ; il may not be out of 
 place, nevertheless, to observe, that t »voiild be dilliciilt to dosii;iiate any •' lands, tLiieiueiits, and lie- 
 retlitaiiients," which " shall lnT/al'ler be in our power to dispose of," of siillicient value to occupy 
 His Majcstv's atteniion, as afli'ctine Ihe gi'iieral iiileiesis of the Colony, unless ihe " lands, tenements 
 
 jOiiiimiiuties, were iiitemi 
 
 lo be relerred to. 
 
 Olid hereditaments" then possessed by the Religions 
 The estates held by tl ose Comiiiunities were indeed of great lunanilucle, eonipiclii'ndin;j the lordship 
 or superiority over the City of iMontreal, a part ol the City of Qiu-bee. and seveial Seijiniorics, I'oriiii g 
 a large part oflhe most valuable lands within tlio Colony ; and it was, umloubleilly, a niatler of deep 
 
 import 
 
 to a coiisiderable number of the ancient inhabitanls of the Prov 
 
 lice 
 
 and also to those o 
 
 fll 
 
 RIn 
 
 ajfstv's subjects who were invited by the I'roclanialion, " lo avail ihenisrlven i\ i 
 
 tb ell 
 
 ( onveiiient 
 
 speed ol'the great benefits and advantaires wliiih imi>t accrue theretVoui to their ciMiiinerce, Miaiinliii'- 
 tures, and navigation," to undeisiand what were His Majesty's intentions in respect to those extensive 
 
 had (idlen to the Crown. The feudal rights 
 s, were highly injuriiu* to '• eoininerce, ma- 
 
 estates, w 
 
 bicli, bv 'be con(iuest and ces-iou of the C 
 
 enforced within the 
 
 eslat!'?, am.! 
 
 .-■pie ally in Ihe 
 
 Cities 
 
 nufactures," and conseipiently to '• navigation," and it l-^ submitted, that no other reasonable interpre- 
 tation can be given to the Ri ynl Proclamation, than, that it was His Maje-:> '> I'racioiis intention to 
 eneiiurnge the "speedy se'tling" of the eonntry, iruil to pi-omoU' its .. coiiuiierre, manufactures, and 
 navigation," by renouncing the oppressive iisaues nnd incidents of the li'inlnl law in tic extensive estates 
 
 which "sha'l herenflerbe in our power lodii 
 
 .if," and to settle and aiiree with tin' CensHiiires, on 
 
 ' such moderate (juit-rents, services, and aeliiiDwledgments, as have been appointed and settled in other 
 
 I 
 
 Til 
 
 interprelntion of l! 
 
 'I'oc'aiiiatioji \: 
 
 I'uill 
 
 ler snnnn 
 
 rted bv the larL'eand 
 
 iirabi 
 
 e eonstriie- 
 
 tion, wtii.'ii, bv cuslinn, is a! 
 
 to every Royal promise of jirnee and favoiir; and the rents 
 
 aiH 
 
 lift-. 
 
 fnm the estates were not, at tlie jieried of which we are speakii 
 
 such value as 
 
 to rendei' Ihe b'on whicli it was proposed to bestow on the Cciisiltiiirs, an object of much iinpoilance 
 to the Gov;!i;!nent in a p 'Ciiiiiary point of vie\v. The laii'' sinii,< of money '.\iiic.h have been col- 
 
 lected bv 
 
 the 
 
 iilnicians, nnd the inuneuse revenues which it is in coi.leni|iialio . to confc 
 
 111 them. 
 
 have been chiefly cre;iled by, and are privies '<l to be drawn liom, tin- iii'lirary, enterprise, and capital 
 
 oflJiilis'i and Iri-!i desceni, who weiv i'lMled to settle in the Colony 
 
 of the inhabitanls of ilie C 
 
 bv the Rnval Pr 
 
 ro'.daniation, and lo wlieiu t'le pr Miiise:; in that docuiiieul, it is n 
 
 iible to 
 
 iippose, 
 
 inteu'l 
 
 mere c;-peeial'y U, applv ; as w ileout 
 
 I'se assurances it could h ir.liv have been ex- 
 
 peeteil, that any conoid 
 
 ible r 
 
 luiiiiier ol 
 
 f Mis Maje-ty's native born siibi"cts would settle in a (,' 
 
 where tin 
 
 vs and fi.'iida! exactions of a despotic fioveriiinent would continue to be enforced. 
 
 The intention and jiolicy of the Government in regard to these estates, was again distinctly an- 
 nounced in an Act of the Imperial Parliament, 1 lib Geo, III. cap. S.l, wherein it is provided, " That 
 
Ik's, 
 liiiii- 
 
 nrc, 
 leave 
 
 joyed 
 1, mill 
 wns n 
 
 i.iilor- 
 
 Coiii- 
 • niiin- 
 •inu'riy 
 llic St. 
 :\nn\ o\' 
 
 rl'iii'v, 
 liL- Pni- 
 il Id, 111 
 1 till' iii- 
 urlicd a 
 
 lis 111' tlio 
 tllO Illl- 
 
 ler aHKur- 
 « it to be 
 iiny otiier 
 
 /itrtdflir 
 ilHiii smli 
 
 iHHioiiili'ii 
 
 U'l' lipi'll 1 
 )l llO lllH lif 
 ,l<, Hllll lit'- 
 
 to oci'uiiy 
 
 icneiue'iits 
 
 nM'cn-1'i.l t". 
 llic lonlsliip 
 ■iL•^^, t'(ir:nu g 
 illfv iif <kn»|) 
 ihiiso iif His 
 1 toMVCiiienl 
 ■e, iiiniuilai'- 
 ise extensive 
 ; fouiial lijilus 
 lUMlTC'V, iiin- 
 iililc intoqiro- 
 i iiitoiilioii to 
 iCiu'liin's. anil 
 U'lisivi' oUites 
 'emil'iires, on 
 su'tlleil in olhor 
 
 rable constriic- 
 anil till* riMits 
 I'micIi value as 
 .icli iiiipiMlaiire 
 liavc lie'Ti I'ol- 
 coiili-rontliem, 
 ■isp, anil rapital 
 li' ill llio Colony 
 
 i;il)U' til i<lipp0^f. 
 
 y have been ex- 
 
 LHtle in a Colony 
 
 eMlbrceil. 
 
 n\n ilistinctly an- 
 
 provided, " That 
 
 all IIiM Maje!<ly'8 Cnnadlan Riibjerii williin tlie Province v( Quebec, the religious ortUrn iind commi' 
 
 niliea unlij exftjiliil, may lioM and enjoy tlu'ir pro|H'rty .iml pos«t':<iiniis.'' 
 
 NiiiAilliManilina ilie«' public nnd iiutlientic nctx, in opposition to llio artivleH uf rnpitulotion, in 
 viuliitioii ol till! Royal promise, nnd nj^ainst tbe Npiilt nnd inlfrit ofnn ^et of tlie Ini|)crinl Parliament, 
 the Si. Sul|>ieian» have U-en [KTiniited, until tlio present day, to enjoy ilio reiils, profitM, and feudal 
 riglitu ot' their property and posoes^ionn, and that, loo, not in virtue of a Royal or Parliamentary granti 
 hut Hitnply, n» \\\\* already Iwen shown, by the connivance of the Miiiislei-s of the Crown ; who have 
 thus, by indirecl nieanN, eiMinleraeli'd Ihi' effiTt of a Royal pr.imisc and an Act of the Imperial Parlia- 
 ment, inaiiilained the St. Siilpician-" in ihi' rxerciiw of llio r consiiliilinn nnd privili'i^es, which had 
 bi'eu (li'iiied to llu-in at the lapitnlation, and vii'liinlly erectcil an ecilesiinlical corporitlion within the 
 Colony, with powers, nnd for purpose*, such us it ia believed no authority, except the Iui|)crial Pnr- 
 Imiuonl, can r'jililfully bi'slow. It •<lioulil also lie Imrne in inind. that the opinions and Report, ofli- 
 cially cominuiiicaleil to the Ciovernnient, were to ilie ' '.li'et tmii tlio St. Siiljiiiiiins wronjifully pos- 
 BPfscd dw estate*, and could be dinpo.^seg.'ied by the ordinary furins of law, Hilhout having recourw to 
 the Royal audiorily fov tlioir gradual gujiprewion, as bad been exercia-d towQrdn tbe JeiiuitH and 
 R colletH. 
 
 In this situation of alTairit, an <'rdinance hnH been Hubiniiled to the Special Council of Lower Ca- 
 nada, by auiliiirily of the Goveriinieni, " tn Inrorpordle the E' ileniii\!irf of llic Seminarij of St. Snl- 
 pi'rc if Aliiiilicdl, to cmfirn l/iiir lillc to the F iif ami Siii'iiioi i/ iflhc hl'iul <f Alunlrcul, the Fiif 
 and Siiaiiiij/i/ of the Luke of Tiro Moininiins, nnd llie FIrf nnd Svinaiory of St. Siilj)ice,for the 
 gradiiiil exiiiidivn of Sciirnoriiil rinhtx nnd dues and fir 'jllirr /iiirpo.\ei.'^ 
 
 I)y this Oidiiiaiire, it is, niiionu other matters, oulaiiied and enacted, that the said Ecc1eRinNtic8 
 liliall hold and enjoy •• the said Several Fi 'Is and Seigniories, with all and evory the lU'lits, privilegef, 
 and a|i|nnt nances lliereunto respectively bel(ingiii<;, or in any wise npperlaininir," and, ••they ore 
 beii'liy confirmed anil declared good, valid, and elTecliiiil in ilie Law, «■. /"((//y, in llie same mnn.ier, to 
 I'll' snnu- c ill III, (III If r Ihe snine olije'h, inlenis, nnd /nir/insis, as l/ii' ICrilrsiiif.li(.i if the Seminary 
 if the Fiiuxhirtins St. (lermuin Liz Puris;or Ihe Siininuri/ of SI. Siiljiire of ,Miin1reiil,(iciordint! to 
 il.1 idn>t'liilion Lifoie Ihe ]f<lh dai/ of Sejilembcr, in Ihe y.ar 17.')ft, (;/• either or both of the sniJ 
 Se/niniiriis, mii;hl or imild hare done, or hnd n ri':hl t" do., or mi'jhl or cinild have held, enjoyed, or 
 iijijditd, the Mime or nnij pini thereof jirivioiisly lo Ihe lus* iiiiiiliiniid j eriod."' 
 
 The " ri^nhti! and privileges" wliicli " either or loih of the said Seminaries" could have 
 p^•l'rci^e^i '• before the ISlh day of Se|)teniber, IT.'jfV' wldlo the Colony appertained to His 
 IMosl Clnlslian Majesty, the King of France, are not geneially known, nnd it admits of some doubt 
 ^^ lielber llie fraincrs ol' the Oiilinanco were fully int'urnnd on that head ; the " objects, intents and 
 jnnp.ises" of ihe St. Sulpiiians, will be spoken of heival't' r ; but the main point to lie considered is, that 
 the landed proprietors of the Cuy and Island of Montival and other extensive estates, are to be made 
 a. Ill ordained the vassals of these Ecclesiastical Lords , with ihe iirivilcuo, it is true, of purchasing their 
 exemption from the " droits de cms el rentes, lod.s el nntes, droit de LiiwdiU de moulin, droit de re- 
 litiil,^'' M\\\ sundry other " rights and privileges," which existed " lie fore the 18th day of September, 
 175!t," I'or ;ill which they are held and bound to pay a iarue and uiie(|ually distributed no- :pensation,or to 
 remain in a stale of vassalage tor ever ; and the iiioiiey -o rais'd 's to he eiiiployei' r p " same ob- 
 jects, intents and purjioses" as the said St. Sulpicians might or could have done " pan ■■ .y to the ISth 
 day of Si'pteinher, 17.')9." 
 
 The Ordinance in question is not what it speciously professes to be. a measure ofrel ief to ihe Cen,?i7niVM. 
 It creates the right, legalizes the exactions, and presents thein as a tree gil'l lothe St. Sulpicians; and then, 
 in the plenitude of Ministerial geuei'oslty, leaves to the landed proprietor the option of purchasing his relief 
 fidin the burdens it imposes, or of becoming a vassal of the F.ccle-iaslics of the Seininniy of St, Siilpice. 
 
 The landed proprietors, whose riglits are thus swnimarily proposed lo be dealt with, invoke the 
 Royal Proclamation as a protection from this measure ot' injiisiice ; but if Royal Proclamations are to 
 ili^iviiaided, still liiey appeal to an Act of the Imperial Parliament, as a pledne ot the national faith and 
 honour tl'atlhey shall not he made the sert's of an Ecclesiastical community. If the Feudal yoke must 
 be borne, let it, at all events, have the impress of Royalty, for, if serfs at all, the landed proprietors are 
 the serfs of the Queen. 
 
 It has been asserted that the landed pmpriitors have been gainris hy the substitution of an Ec- 
 clesiastical, instead of the Royal power, as Seignior ; inasnuich as the St. Sulpicians have been in Ihe 
 baliit of conipoiniding ivith the Censitnires for the l.ods il Vinlcs, at a lower rate liian that authorised 
 by Law. It certainly is the case, thai the Semiiuiry, hiiiding the esUUes by a detective title, and being 
 u;,alile to enlorce its claims in a Court of Law, I'as I'ein 'ally accepted, from the Entrlish inha- 
 bitants, a lower mutation fine than existed, according to its " rJLdils and privileues," before "the 
 ISlb ilav of Sepleniber, 175!t." In some instance-, one in pnrticuliu' which could be named, of a 
 weaUliv and public sp, riled individual who had openly avowed his intention of resisting the claim, a 
 comi>romise was elTecled on tbe payment of a sum, trillini: indeeil,P-s ciinipared with the amount which 
 a Seignior may lawfully demand. Individuals, especially among the more wealthy class, have, 
 unqucstionidilv, been gainers by this mode of adjusting accounts ; but by weakening the force of 
 opposition, and deprivin!: the laniled priiprietni-s of the sii; port and active co-operation of those, who, 
 from station and influence, ought lo have taken the lead, it has materially assisted the St. Sulpicians in 
 
iheir nrjjnlintiDiiri with tho Oiivornmonl, anil onalil.-l ilioiu lo olilmn ilio MiniHlrtrinl snnclion to a men- 
 biirc, ii'|iiii/m;iiiI III flic irittTi'.''t-i niiil tl'i'liii[.'i cil' lln' I'niiliuli iiiliiiliii'int^ (fPiicrnlly. Fl;iil llio Crnwn 
 entiMTil upon ihi' nn)iiyinriil ni'it: milils in l!ii";-o Sr utiiitrii'?, tin' l.tM.lril pi. i|>iii'liir>, hdlli Fri'iicli anil 
 Eneliili, ivmilil li'ivo iniiicil in Kliliii'.iMg nonio mpneurij of irlit'l'. Tlu' (liiiolHnnil t'dlli'ucnc^inMiflioil 
 hy tid' St, Siil]iii iiniM arc CMii-niiaily French, and it Ikh vnlnloti-ly I I'l'n inriiliaicil nn llin Fri'tirli in- 
 hiibilaiit", lliiit liny rniliMV.'iM'.i Id (ll»|lll^•l•vl ih- S^innni v ol' il-i I'ln^liM hj/IiI:', wimc ilnri inl, not to 
 niui'ti n|(:iinht iho St, Stilpii'ian«, U8ll|J:lin^l tlit' hiiit'iinto. Inus, iniinnt r-' iiml cnli iiih nl' thi< " ('ana- 
 illaii Niiliiin" I'r. jniliri'H iiml li'clinjr.H \mti" iIiu.^ iNciIiiI anionic tlic ]\\oA niint-nMiH clnin df llii- nciiiii. 
 iBtion, in laviiiir nl'ihi! SoMiiiinry, which wonM not have (i]ii'rMii' I, il" Miinil.ir imkIiohm hnil hn-n de- 
 maiuleil My ihi' Crown, and iho rt'vontii'n ciiiiii jt'd (iir nihrr and Koneral i)iir|i(isc>(, ('nnHidcrin^ thp 
 vexalinm and opprC'^wvi- chanictor of rciidal cxariions j that amoiiK other " liiihtt and piivilcp'.i." the 
 Seignior i:'('iitillivl 10 flaini liMiri I'v.'i'v purch:i'-fr 1 1' roal rmpiity u lin'" ''li'i'l in imi' IwiUili part ol' 
 the pric ', n chiim which rccnrn (viih i\ac|| Hiici'O.siw ■^ ilc, il cannot lio .'ii|ipot;i'd th it the Biiii>li (io- 
 vfirninunt would have dpsirv'd lo pprpctnnto sni'li a ^yl'lc•.ll oi t.i\;itioji in ihj i'kI.iIi'm bchinginj? to ihu 
 Crrwn, if the inhalntnnlsofall origins had joined in rppri-si'iilin.' iiifvil ftU-Ci!'. 
 
 Thi." Iilicrahiy — 01' what, pi'ih.ip-i, ini^;! Ic hpltcr Icrnicd ihi' policy ~. I' l!u" S.-ii.inaiT, liamit'lav- 
 ed the final si'iil.Miicnt of ilio ciiii'stioii until tin; present period ; and ihif ilelny, wliieh hn-i hoen orea- 
 Hlonrd hy the culpahic neuliat if the ]Miii!ftoi« of the Crcwn, if now uri^ed an a principal roasion for 
 Rranlinu' lo the St. Snlpieiann the le^nl nulit lo rontiiiiie their e\aciii rs. The i|iie.«'inii ifriiri|| is 
 rudely fct asile, and ifilio (ioverniiienl niearme i^' persislrd m, iii'iny lliou-iainls of native horn Hiilijiji 
 siihjects ^\ill he haiiiled over like mi many Russian M'lf-^, in lie dealt will, -ici ei'ii ([ tn ihc " ri^lils and 
 privileue-" which e.Mst.d fefore the IStli d;\y of .Septcinl..'r, 17.'.!) ; and llii-i innnftioiiM and initpntoiis 
 proceeding is aliened to he jiislilied. Iiecause ihe \\ ise ami ecinilaMe Mini.-d-rs of ijie ('[■own have, f.r ihe 
 Inst eighty years, denied to die lintish inhaliiai.ls an net nf jiisiice. anl hecini-e ilu' St. Siilpicians 
 have, dnrini; that period, heeii permitted, l.y the ("ro\etiinieiit, to exact, linni Ihe linllh iiilialilanls, a 
 large revenue, contrary lo law. 
 
 It miiriit he sllp|lo^!ed, that in sanctioning an act of ^iiicli gross iiijiiMlce to the hinded |iropnelors, 
 tke Government was inllueiiced liy some weighty con>ider;itiotis of htale policy ; thai II was ostnihil 
 to the general inieresUi of the Province, that, in this insi;ince, the rit;hts of individnals should he disre- 
 garded and set :ii nought ; and that the end aimed at, would coiiler a L'eat aii.l l:i.-(in.> hcnrfil on all 
 classes of Her Majesty's suhjects within llie I'rovince, 
 
 A slight in(|iiiry as to " the olijecis, inlenis mid piiqui-iv" of t'le ; roposod aunt will siiiKi'o i,i 
 show, that, on pulilic ckhiihIs, it is wholly imle'tMisihle, :.i,d thai, in ils ^ nn.-d he.:;iii;j t.n ihe inlcivMs 
 of society, it IS as inexpeilieiit and impolitic as it is uiijii.l. 
 
 The " oljjects, intents and purposes" olllio Si. Sulpicians i-f Mi..:;r.'ril. so nir. nl Inisi, »-. the 
 public are concerned, according lo their cdnsliiiiuon and pr'.x Lg-s hifi.ic the I.Slli liuv of Se'.l.inher 
 1759, are the education an.l inslruction ofceriain Iiufan tribes. This wa.', d.iubtless. nn obiirl of 
 much iinpnrtance, when die St. Snlpicinns were fir.-t cslablisliedand emloweil in ll,.' (.'dumv ; lii.t ih,. 
 few remaining Indians having a claim on the Se.i.inary, niv edncaled and u.stjuited at so' lri|lii,,r a,, 
 expense, that it scarcely meiils being taken into a.'counl. as c(.nipriivd \sidi the ivveiiues of ih,. Toi,,. 
 inunily. The surplus funds accruir.g to the St. Sii'pic.nns have I.clii cxpi ii.!.d an.l ap; ;..pi;;ih d a. 
 their discretion. Tiiey have claimed and exer.i-oil ihe rinlil u, il,",enniiie, ;:t ll.cir own | |.;i-nr.'. ■• ih,. 
 objects, intents and piirpnsi's" lo wlmh itslhi, d be a|.| Ix-l. an.l, it is iien. la'ly un.l.Tslo..,!, that a pait 
 of these I'lnids has been remitted and expended in France and llie Un.led Sliiles. 
 
 Tlie propo-ed OrdiiiaiK.\ ulilcii is advocale.l by some uell-un aim;;: p-T.-oin-. beciui-e, ns tbev 
 suppose, it jirovides for tbe I. dncaliuii ,.r the p.'o.iie. conlains im pr,.\ ■: .,„i w !i;ii,.v.'r f,,r that object". 
 The estates and revenues are made ovia-, witlioul leslrietion, to t!i.' S . .-/..Ipiclain. •■ f,,' ihc same ob- 
 jects, iiitenls and piaroH^s as the i:i'cIes'-Mics . I i' e Seminary of;'. Kaiixb,eiri: Sabit (;ri;„aii, I.,/, 
 Paris, or Ihe Seminary of St. Snlpice of .Mmue.d, acci nliny h. ii~ e, ;,. nimi ,„ befiv ilie ISih ,|av of 
 September, 17:iH, or either or belli of ihe said Seminaries netl.t or coi.ld Jiave done. „r had a ii<;ht lo 
 do, or might or could have held, et j >yed or applied the same or any | ai; tl.ei.M.f. pi...vi(Misly i„ ,hn last 
 mentioned period." What the Semi, nry ell'ans, .:r li;e Seminaiy . f .M.,ni,, ;.| " mirlii ..rcould have 
 done" with tlieii- revenues liefme the ISib of Sepu i,;!,, r. n.-,|l, is t.„| .!,.|inc>| ; ij ov mitdil, it is tine, 
 
 have o-tabii.-hcd .-cIkm.Is in dns C.L.i.y. but lime i~ i ' , i:,| >!„ciinieiit en r.^c,.,-.!, s'liowiiin'ilKil lliej 
 
 werebonn.l to do so, and declaia - what jiait of il;,.„- a..,cnnes bbal! beappr,.p ialc.l for ihal '• ebicci 
 intent and purpose."' ' 
 
 The estate.' and revenii.'s in ,pu-1ion are of iniin.nse value. The evid.ence aiven bef.re the 
 Commissioners in IS'ill on this head, has re fen n, e o„!y to ibe I'n.f.Mid Sei!.n.i,.rv of the Mand of 
 Montreal, no e..t;mate bavin^ been n.ad.. i.i ,v |. 1 1 to tuo olher .■vn.n-iv,. Se-inoii,-. incbi.lnii; a large 
 extent of unr„„c..led laed. and a .l.anain faini v,i;!:;i, (he bmits ,,f ibe cilv of ,M„nl,vaL It is 
 
 confnle:,!ly believed tlin. the S|. Sulpirians u,!! ,vai'/.e, nii,l.;r ll:e pi-.ipu-ed Or.hnanee. a sin t !,.«, 
 
 than i;;^00.0(.0 ; be- ,1.. -vl'ieb, ,:,.,- are p.rneiud n. invest C'JO.OOO in leal es!:.ie. u !.„ I,. .fj,„b. 
 ciously laid diitin a voun- and rising Colony, will, in l!:c lap^e of years, j reduce a considerable 
 income. 
 
 The inaniii,:: nft|,,s enorm.ins w. a;;h--r, d-;,,. ■ o;,;,.,,..) to the .-.-..ince.: nfilie Piwoice-io an 
 r;ccl..-.iasUcal ("..rporaiion, wlmh is enip.iwen-.l t,. .,bni. an.l el.:et n, .v ni, n.ber. in |,eq„;tiial snecs- 
 
•ion, without check or inlorffri'nro hy the liiipcrinl or iho Provinriul Gi)vornmenW, would be unvriM 
 ■nil improviili-iit, iirulfr any vii.nv of iho < i", Iml llit-rt' iirr tiiht-r rniiiiniimm'i'n CDiinei'toJ with thit 
 grint, nnd tlic iihcs Id wliirh il will Ik! upplii'd, wliiili rrmirr it |K'riiliarly jiurlial ami opprcuHive. 
 
 Tliofnx imponcil hy the Onlinnncc in to he levied ituliin'riininnlely (Vom all clusstt of the landed 
 proprietors, \v!iil : tlio ciliicatiori ulTdiiled hy the Si'initmry i« ailiiptfd to ilio wants ami wiahes {>(ajiart 
 on/y of the inhahitant^ An Act dl'lhe Imperial I'arlianiunl m to liu violiiiiiil, a Royal promiso tlirown 
 to tho ivimlH, thci Giig|i«h inhahitntilH are to ho taxeil without heiiig reprc^tenlt'd, and the ni^lilH of con- 
 MJenre invaded ; and all this m to lie <lone, hecnmie it [ileaMcs Mer Maje>ly'n Ministers to pander to the 
 prejudices and the vanity of tins " .Vuliim Ciinniliciuii,''^ liy ri( lily endowing, nt ilie puMlc oxpenne, an 
 Kcclesinsiical Commuuily, and conferiint; •'li^5lll!^ and privileL;i'»,'" m n|ipliei| to a Hysiein of general 
 education in Canada, w liich would not he toleraicd in any other part of the ihitixh dominion!). Let it iiot 
 be supposed, that the opponenii of tliis measure are unwiiliiig that a Hiiitahlc provli^ion hIioiiM ho made 
 for the generiil edmnlion of the p;'niilo. An ii|iiiropriMiioii I'nr lli;U olijcrl, in which the Fianco-Ca- 
 naJlans would participate on equal teriiiM w ith olliois, would he regarded hh one of the greatest hoonil tho 
 Logi!tIature could hestow. More th.in thi« cannot he conceded, and more than thinoiight not to ho OHkcd. 
 
 It is hy no mcnnn the leant Hiiigular inei lent in tlii:< proceeiliii).', tliat the Ordinance Bhould !« 
 brodght forward with the nanciion and concurrence of the Mini«ieiH of the Crown. The Parliamenta- 
 ry I'ehotes on the late Ministerial schoine of eilucaiion in (jieat Driiain and Ireland, contrant, oddly 
 enough, with the viewi and intentions of Miiiistern on the name sulijecl, in regard to this Province ; 
 and it is worthy of remark, that, so far ns can he judged from the opinions of the npeakers on that 
 occasion, there i» no eoiisideiahle parly in Pailiaiiieiit, wliellier Whin or Tory, Radical or Conservative, 
 that would not reprohate omi condemn the principle emiiodieil in the Ordinance, which, iievertlieless, 
 with all Its imperfections and ahsurditie:!, is graciously tendered to the people of this Colony as a Bpe- 
 ciol act of Mini'ieiid favour. 
 
 By the t hhCieo. III. cap. 8:{,lt is provided that the Catholic Clergy "may hold, receive and enjoy 
 their accustomed dues and rig'its, with respect to suc/i persons only as ulioll prnfc\s the said religion,^* 
 and under that authority the Caiholir, Clergy claim and receive tithes, from thoseof their own perstia* 
 Bion only. The exeniplion ol the Prutesiunt landowners from the payment of these dues and rights, 
 has not heen attended with practical inconvenience, or given rise to religicnisdisscnsiona or animosity. 
 Here, then, was a precedent which miuht ailvantatjeously have heen ap|)lii'd to the present case ; and 
 if the Government, in its wisdom, see tit to appoint the Ecclesiastics of die Seminary of St. Sulpicc, 
 in pcrpjtual succession, as Commissioners to superintend the education of a part of the people, tho 
 '•dues and rights" wherewith they are to he endowed, ought, in common justice, to Ikj drawn from 
 those only who belong to their persuasion, and for whoso especial benefit the endowment is to bo 
 made. 
 
 It maybe that the landed proprietors, of French origin, will object to this plan of raising a reve- 
 nue for " the objects, intents and purposes" of the Seminary, against which indeed it might reasonably 
 be urged that the entire expense of educating tho people ought not to tall on the landed interest alone j 
 but if those who would benefit liy the endowment of the Si. Sulpicians can assign this as a valid plea, 
 why they should not be taxed lor that purpose, it surely cannot he expected that others, who Jo not 
 benefit hy the endawiiient, will submit to so grievous a wrong. 
 
 There is another party to the case, whose rights have heen overlooked. If it has been determined 
 upon by the Government, to compel the Ccnsitnires to purchase the fiiltiiinent of a Royal promise, the 
 revenue so raised is os much the property of the public as the liinhei- fund, the land fund, or any other 
 branch of what is termed the Crown R'venue, ami ou::!!it, in common ju-lice, to be made nvnilahle 
 for the public service. A wasteful and prodigal giant of funds, mure than sulficient to comjdete sumo 
 groat Provincial work of general utility, after tie GDVcrninent has announced its intention to elTect a 
 Legislative Union of the Province-i of Upper ai.' '.ower Canada, is a matter deeply interesting to tho 
 people of both Provinces ; and it is hoped and b.'lieved, that siie!i a manifestation of pnhic opinion will 
 !« exhibited, as will induce the Ciovernment to abandon a project indefensible in piinci|ile, and alto- 
 gether unsuited to the social condition of the people of these Colonies. 
 
 Reasons n'' i still more grave and imperative nature exist, why an Ecclesiastical Corporation, 
 with such extensive privileges and resources should not he enurafied on the insiitutions of the Pro- 
 vince; and whatever confidence may deservedly I.e reposed in the Reverend gentlemen who now 
 constitute the Communiiy of St. Sulpice, it would he dangerous to the common weal, to erect a Corpo- 
 ration, with authority to admit and elect new meinb^'rs in perpetual succession, and invested with pow- 
 ers, rights, and privileges, which, im|)roperly applied, \vo>i!d j;eiierate discord among the inhabitants, 
 and exercise a powerful influence in the Legislature of the United Provinces. 
 
 The object of die toregoing Remarks is to draw public attention to a subject, which, rightly un- 
 derstood, will be found to aflcct, in no ordinary degree, the future peace, welfare, and good government 
 of the Provinces.