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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. irrata to pelure, n a 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 if \ K i \ \ \ mtiiion OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OP ST, JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, TO THE QUEEN'S ftm 1838« s V ■n^ / 1 •■•>»• 4 4- 3 1 /A^. V 1 ^ TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. THE HUMBLE PETITION OP THE CHAM- BER OP COMMERCE, Of ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND. May it Please Your Majesty: We, your Majesty's dutiful and loyal sub- jects, the Chamber of Commerce of St. John's in (he Island of Newfoundland, approach Your Majesty with feelings of the most sincere devo- tion to Your Majesty's Throne and Person. We are imfjressea' with the conviction that no part of Your Majesty's widely-spread Dominions is too remote or insignificant to prevent Your Majesty regarding with concern the grievances of Your loyal subjects therein, and affording that redress which the nature of their complaints re- quire. The Chamber of Commerce of St. John's is composed of thirteen Mercantile men, elected by ballot from the General Commercial Society 1 lVcS\^\ of the place; ami is intended to represent the- Trade, and to foster and protect its interests. Though established for many years, the Cham- ber has sedulously avoided all interference with, or the expression of any opinion upon, the Civil Government of the Island, or its political affairs ; ■ — but the perils to which the best interests of the Colony are now exposed, and which threaten with ruin its trade and prosperity, compel Your Pe- titioners to depart from their accustomed course, and with the unanimous and express concurrence of the Society at large, to lay before Your Royal Council, with earnest entreaties for relief, the almost intolerable wrongs they endure. May it Please Your Majesiy: "We do not arrogate too much for Newfound- land, when we assert that the immense importance of its Commerce to the Mother Country — its situation, so nearly approximating to the conti- nent of America — and the invaluable and almost inexhaustible resources which its hardy sons af- ford to Your Majesty's Navy, claim from Your Majesty a ready sympathy for its wrongs, and a speedy redress of them. The value of the annual imports into St. John's alone, amounts to from Four to Five Hundred Thousand Pounds sterling ; the largest portion of which is for the manufactured goods of Great Britain. The Trade and Fisheries give employ- ment to a numerous body of hardy and expert seamen, competent and ready at a moment's warn- ing, to man the Fleets of Great Britain ; and at the Custom House of this Port alone, nearly ^¥- h 5 *-¥ eight hundred vessels, exceeding- on an average 100 tons burthen each, annually clear. The soil of the country, though capable of cul- tivation to an extent which renders its produce a valuable auxiliary to the fisheries, is, and ever must be, incapable of supporting even the num- ber of its present inhabitants. Upon its Trade, therefore, and upon it alone, does the very exist- ence of the Colony, and its value to the Crovi^n of Great Britain, depend. And when we assure Your Majesty that the interest of the Merchant and Fisherman are so inseparably interwoven as to amount almost to identity — that nothing can occur to damnify the one without entailing ruin on the other. Your Majesty will consider what weight is due to the representations of Your Petitioners, upon a subject which so deeply in- volves their own prosperity and that of the whole Colony. In this Country there are not, as there are 'in most others, any persons of education residing unconnected with business, and none therefore from whom a large sacrifice of time fcr i\\e public good can reasonably be expected, — nor do many in the lower grades of l!<o settle here for the pur- poses of agriculture, — its population, therefore, with the exception of the learned professions, consists entirely of the Merchant possessing capi- tal and the means of giving employment to the fisherman— and the Fisherman, whose Avealth consists in his labour— who is not attached to the soil by any tie of family or possessions — and who is prepared to migrate to the United States of Ame- rica upon the first symptoms of a depression in the Trade, or upon the first suggestions of caprice : -ail- ie exception of (lie Native Inhabitants, thoneb igh!) honourable to them, is not sufficienllv The h important to alTect the general principle. fficienlly The influx of immigration to this Country, has of late years, been chiefly from the Southern and Western parts of Ireland, and has supplied a po- pulation of Roman Catholics- peaceable and well- disposed when left tothemselves— but for the most part uneducated and bigoted, and consequently as completely under the dominion of their Priests- no less in their temporal than in their spiritual af- airs— as if they were so many automata. To a Population so composed, a Colonial Le- gislature was accorded by Your Majesty's revered Predecessor, in 1832. By that Constitution the only qualification pre- scribed for a Member of the House of Assembly was the occupancy of a Tenement of any descriiA tjon for two years— and that required for the Elector, the occupancy of a similar Tenement for one year. It was feared that with such a fran- chise— in a society constituted as that of New- foundland is— the whole Representative power Avould centre in the Roman Catholic Clergy and that individuals unfVivourable to the good of the Colony would be selected bv them to fill the feeats in the Assembly. -The worst fears which the most timorous entertained have been more than realised. The Roman Catholic Clergy, quickly perceiving how useful an engine the House of Assembly might be made for their purposes, lost no time ia adopting a line of proceeding calculated to secure tlie return ofa nifljority of Members of thoir ovn nomination, rrevious to the Election, the Can- didates whom they desire to see returned are named hy the Pnests, or publicly patronized by them; all of their own persuasion who refuse to v«jle ff^r their nominees, are denounced in the Umpel as persons opposed to the authority of their Church, and hostile to their Priests— tho Cong^regations are warned not to deal or hold anr intercourse with them-they are branded with contumelious epithets, even by the Priests from tiie very altar, and with blasphemous maledictions T.i r?."^ t« P"'^'*^ detestation ; those offices ot their Church which are regarded by them as most sacred, are refused them - the very Dead are denied Christian burial, when the deceased, or even a member of his family, had been what thev designate «' a mad dog." By these and such lik« means,, the Koman ..Catholic Priesthood have suc- ceeded m completely monopolizing the represen- tation of the Country ; and, of consequence, the Members of the present House of Assembly with only one or two exceptions, are persons possess- ing but httle property, hardly any education, and no standing in Society, and were selected solely because they would be passive tools in the hands of the Priesthood. Nor is it the least mischievous part of this baneful system, that, although in a few of the Districts the power of the Priesthood IS not so omnipotent as to prevent the return of respectable men, no person possessing the edu- cation and the feelings ofa gentleman, will enter the Assembly to be associated with the individuals he would there meet. And here we intreat Your Majesty to observe that the evils we complfin of are not speculative 8 —ihey liave all occurred. We speak from bitter experience, and in proof of every state- inent wo have now made, ^oUminoas evidence lias been transmitted to the O/Iice of Your JVJajesty's Secretary of State for the Colonial De- partment. In whatever dependency of Your Majesty's dominions Lnglish Law is faithfully adminis- tered, there will protection lo the lives and properties of Your Majesty's subjects be sure- Jy attained ; and although evils may exist in Its Government, and as large a portion of hap- piness may not be enjoyed by its inhabitants as under an unproved system of policy might reason- ab y be expected, still the ark of British Justice Will float amidst the troubled waters of discord and aftord a safe and certain refuge in the hou^ ot need. 1 he preservation therefore oftheadmi- nistration of justice from all pollution and con- tempt, IS the object nearest the hearts of those who wish well to their Country, for neither life iior property cau be secure, nor the Government held in respect where the Judges are men who would be capable of tampering with law for the purpose either of conciliating the Crown, or of pandering to the nassions of the people. I„ JSewloundland, however, the systematic exertions of the House of Assembly for the last few years have been nnintermittingly directed to pollute the fountain and obstruct the free course of justice throughout the Colony. Not content with perse cuting by slar.ders and false accusations those Judges and public officers whose impartialitv and vigour rendered them formidable opponents to oppression and outrage -and finally succeeding by a system of falsehood seldom equalled an§ never surpassed, in getting removed from tlic Bench a most admirable and experienced Chief Justice— they have brought the whole weight of their influence to bear upon the Magistracy and police force of the Csland. They have interfered with the duties of the Executive by appropriating to individuals, byname, the most trifling Salaries —depriving one Constable altogether of his sti- pend—lessening that of another— increasing that of a third— and this, too, without any complaint being made against the sufferer, or any recom- mendation in favour of the one benefited, but solely and notoriously because the individuals aflected by their votes were either opposed or iavourable to the Members of the Assero' y at their election, or did or did not approve of their subsequent conduct. However contemptible such conduct may appear, the evil efl*ects of it are daily felt more extensively and seriously than we can describe. The peace officers, who are poor and mainly depending for subsistence on their salaries, are naturally deterred from independent- ly doing their duty; and we fear the evil is not confined to these, the lower functionaries. We feel confidently assured that the same spirit actuates Your Majesty whick influenced one of Your Majesty's most glorious and beloved Predecessors, and which drew from him the cele- brated declaration, "that he looked upon the independence and uprightness of the Judges aa essential to the impartial administration of Justice - as one of the best securities of the rights and liberties of his subjects— and as most conducive to the honour of the Crown,-" and we doubt not the same principles are equally applicable to the minor departments of Justice, 1 We most earnestly adjure Your Majesly not to believe that these our representa'' jns are the emanations of Party spirit — there are no le- gal distinctions aflfectinff any class of Your Ma- jesty's subjects here ; there is only that differ- ence which should, and we hope ever will, exist where the cause does, between those who de- sire to see peace and happiness prevail— to have their lives and properties shielded by the power of Ihe Law ; and those whoseek to paralyze that Law, and to arrogate to themselves a poweV superior to it. Amongst the latter class must the House of Assembly be ranked ; and their acts within the last few months manifest Jiow unquestionable is their title to the distinction. Tn August last, a private quarrel occurred in the public streets of St. John's, betwen a respect- able medical Gentleman and a Member of the House of Assembly ; the dispute had no reference whatever to the proceedings of that body. The Medical Gentleman was, however, with- out being permitted to deny the charge, or to offer evidence in his defence, voted guilty of having committed a Breach of Privileges, and was instantly committed by the Assembly to prison, and kept in close custody for four days. Upon his being brought before one of Your Ma- jesty's Judges of the Supreme Court, on a writ of Habeas Corpus, he was discharged : his impri- sonment being adjudged illegal, and a gross infraction on the liberty of the subject. The order for the discharge of (he Prisoner was diiectcd to the High Sheriff, whose duty it is to ■t 1 ■t n obey the mandates of the Judges ; and it was. ?n the usual course of business, carried into effect. Tmmediately upon the release of their victim being made known, the Assembly hesitated not to outrage the Bench of Justice itself; and having pent a number of their retainers, they arrested the venerable Judge who had thus incurred their displeasure, and, with brutal violence, literally dragged him from his Chambers where he was en- gaged with counsel. This excellent man, and the respected High Sheriff of the Island, were, in the face of day, paraded through the public streets like common malefactors, were com- mitted to close custody, and were confined up- wards of two days, until the Governor, by pro- roguing the Legislature, obtained their release. Well did Your Majesty's Privy Council express their marked disapprobation of the conduct of the Assembly, upon the former occasion of their shewing wilful disrespect to the Judges of the land, and endeavouring to bring the Law and its Ad- ministrators into contempt ! Had Your Majesty's Petitioners, and other orderly and respectable persons, obeyed the dic- tates of their indignant feelings, and by the piompt interposition of physical force, vindicated the respect due to the Bench and the liberty of Your Majesty's subjects, little surprise could have been excited, and no blame could have been attached to them ; but, desirous of settino- an example c^" forbearance, and of shewing our re- liance upon Your Majesty and Your Govern- ment, to procure us ample redress, we repressed our indignation, and now appeal to Your Gracious Majesty lor the abatement of those grievances 4 J2 which none possessing the feelings of men can tolerate. On the occasion of the election of Members to serve in Ihe first House of Assembly, the system of oppression and intimidation, which has lately been in full exercise here, had not been organised, and several competent gentlemen were returned. During the existence of that House, the Colony was preserved free from debt — the public service was better performed than it has been since, and a few hundred pounds were all that were required to defray the salaries of their officers, and all their expenses. Now, the Colony is considerably in debt ; in every Session Acts are passed adding to thatdebt, — ^and yet the contingencies of the House of Assembly annually increase, and this year have engrossed no less than one-sixth of the en- tire net local Bevenue of the Colony ! ! Surely it is too much to ask any man to bear that fifteen individuals shall commit all descriptions of evils and outrages upon the community, and be allowed, whilst so engaged, to help themselves as extra- vagantly as they please out of the funds of the Colony, and support themselves, their families, and friends, at the public expense ! To the Inhabitants of this Island, in general, the stigma of disloyalty cannot, with truth, at- tach ; they have, as a body, ever been most true to their Sovereign, and obedient to the Laws, (and if uncorrupted will, we hav*^ no doubt, so con- tinue). It remained for its House of Assembly to produce, and by its countenance to foster, the first symptoms of disaffection amongst its people Some of the most active propagators of those principles which have led to the defilement of the 4 ^ 1 4^ -f 4 13 fttir face uf Your Majesty's neighbouring Pro- vinces, by the detestable crime of Rebellion — cruel, unprovoked. Rebellion — have been in open correspondence with some of the leading mem- bers of our House of Assembly ; this correspon* dence was disseminated throughout the Couritry by means of a Newspaper of this town, publicly acknowledged to be the organ of the Priests' Party, and the Editor and Printer of which is the favoured servant of the said Assembly. Even after the sanguinary outbreak in Canada had taken place — whilst its plains were still reek- ing with the blood of Your Majesty's faithful and murdered subjects there — a fervent prayer waf offered up through the columns of the same Newspaper, to the God of Battles, solemnly in- voking His aid to the Rebel cause ! ! ! On behalf of ourselves, and the people of New- foundland in general, we abjure such infamous and disloyal sentiments and proceedings, and pro- fess ourselves ready to shed, were it necessary, our best blood in defence of Your Majesty's Gracious Person and Throne. But if such a body as the House of Assembly of Newfoundland, as at present constituted, be suffered to continue amongst us, we cannot say how long the good principles of Your Majesty's faithful subjects here may remain proof against the contaminating influence of its example. Your Petitioners have anxiously watched the course of public events for the last few years ; they have sought to discover if there is any pre- tence for believing, or hoping, that the evils they have witnessed and described, are imputable -i 14 vnthor to the abuse of a <i^ood sysfom, tliaii to the natural operations oC tliu .system itself; and that public opinion would, at future eleclitins, vindi- cate? itself, and by an expression of unequivocal indicrnation, mark its reprobation of the conduct of the present t^ouse; but we solemnly assure Your Majesty of our matured and fixed convic- lion—a conviction ccpially entertained by nine- teen-twentieths of all in the Colony who are capable of judging-— that no conduct of the mem, bers of the Assembly, however unprincipled and atrocious -not even such as we have recently witnessed— would render their return again a matter of the least doubt ; and that with a popu- lation such as ours.notiiiug; but an immediate and total abrogation of the present Colonial Legisla- ture can restore peace to the Colony, and pros- perity to its Trade. Before a general Assembly was conferred upon Newfoundland, its Commerce flourished— its inhabitants were united and happy — no politi- cal adventurers sought refuge on its shores, and support from unrighteous agitation ; nor were British feeling and justice outraged by acts of Eastern Tyranny. With the laws fairly adminis- teied, and the Local Government desirous to do right, and not to be intimidated from doing it, (he aHUirs of the Colony prospered ; but in an evil hour a Representative Government was granted to it, simply because the want of«owe power to make local Regulations was felt— although that want could have been well supplied by an extended Council selected by the Crown and aiding the Governor A miniature imitation of the British Parliament was inflicted upon us, and an elective franchise conlerred upon a people, the mass of whom felt r- 15 ho interest In the enjoyment of it, and possessed not tlio necessary intelligence to exercise it aright. Jf any additional proof were necessary to con- vince Your Majesty of tho inahility of the nivijority of (he Roman Catholics here to exercise political power independently, we need only state the fact which the experience of more than one occasion warrants us in asserting", that if it were thought practicahle to shake the credit of tliis or of any other Pef'tion, hy a contradiction of every fact contained in it, the Priests could obtain, in the course of a few hours, some thou- sands of signatures, to be used as occasion nn'ght require, — attach them afterwards to such a docu- ment as they might prepare -support their state- ments by oaths — and send them forth to the world as the deliberate opinions of its subscribers. Al- ready has the value of property been depreciated in this country — the rate of insurance on it has been increased — its safety is becoming more insecure - and if the present system be continued, those who have the ability and means of benefiting the Colony by their presence and fortunes, will seek a home in some other Country, the Govern- ment of which will be more congenial to the tastes and habits of Englishmen. In desiring to get rid of our present unsuitable form of Government, we do not wish to avoid the payment of such taxes as may be necessary to defray the civil expenditure of the Colony — we are willing that the same amount of taxation which at present exists be continued, and the proceeds thereof be appropriated to die purpo- ses of supporting its Civil Institutions, and to 16 the general improvement of the Country ; but we do not desire, nor can we patiently endure, that Persons who have no property in the Country, and who contribute nothing to its Revenues, shall exercise unlimited power over, and rule with •a rod of iron, those who do possess property, and who mainly contribute to the support of its Go- vernment. We do therefore most earnestly intreat Your GracioQs Majesty, as you value the peace and prosperity of this Your Majesty's oldest Depen- dency, and the happiness of your loyal Subjects therein, that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to use your Royal influence in procuring an immediate abolition of our present Colonial Legislature, and conferring upon the Governor, and an enlarged Council, to be appointed by Your Majesty, the power of enacting such Laws and Ordinances as may be necessary for the good government of the Colony, in such a manner, and under such restrictions as to Your Majesty's wisdom may seem meet. And Your Majesty's Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. HEjrRY WIMTON, GBNERAL JPWNIING OFFICE, ST. J0HN'«