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 ata 
 
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 iirdz-:; 
 
 T]IE 
 
 .iiiii - Seigiiioiiria^ 
 
 I 
 
 M 
 
 OP 
 
 
 IIONIIJEAL, 
 
 
 lion 
 
A 
 
 De 1 
 
THE 
 
 ANTI-SEICIIOBIAL 
 
 CONVENTION 
 
 OF 
 
 MONTREAL, 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE. 
 
 MONTREAL ; 
 
 De Moiitigny & Co., Printers, 125, St-Paul Street 
 
 1854. 
 
)fe 
 
w 
 
 THE 
 
 ANTI SEIGNIORIAL CONVENTION 
 
 OP 
 
 MONTREAL, 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE. 
 
 -0- 
 
 All political and social institutions have derived the 
 condition of their cxisteiico in fiocordanco witii their 
 times and places, and tho reform oftheso institutions, 
 lias an appointed period in the decrees of providence. 
 1'h!s double axiom, may bo applied to the Seirjniorial 
 rcrjime, with perliaps more of truth than to any other 
 )iuman institution. Tho Seir/niorial ret/ime may havo 
 been conformable to an epoch, where tho rijvht of tho 
 sword creot(^d Sci(/ntors and Barons, but to this ago of 
 the world and espeeially to the people of Amerieat the 
 system IS an anomaly which ought to cease. The actual 
 state of the country, the vast enhancement in tho valuo 
 of the soil, as well as of every .species of industry, the 
 spmt of private and ])ublic independanco which lias 
 created tho exer-ico of constitutional government ; all 
 those causes, have awakened tho depressed aspirations of 
 the people, and have created a moral insurrection, which 
 >m11 not give way before any obstacio or any demi-reform. 
 
 I'.'camiwle. 
 
THK ANTI-flEtONtORIAt 
 
 It is not by tlio effort of n <l(iy that tlio pooplo hav<i 
 nrrivccl nt tho ilutciiniiied rcqiiiiiimoiit of tho ubolition of 
 thin pyslcin. 
 
 Siiuo iHJt tlic public archivoH bear testimony to this 
 fact : tl pcopio linvii contiiinaily (liMiiaiuli'd a law which 
 filioiili'i pi'oiioiiiico itH abiilifioii — 'i'lif O'J rcsuhitions voted 
 by tli(! Jluiiso of [\u: Li'ijiAla'.ivc Assembly in 1H,T4, those 
 pa'^scd by the niinierniis pid)Iic iiieetiii^s which took place 
 before the events of 1S;]7 and \>^')^, furnish an ineon- 
 trovertililu proof of tlic popular will. In 1811, tho date 
 of the first tfeneral chiction which took place after tho 
 uni«)n, the IIonorabK,' Mr. Lnfcitaiiie, (in his address to 
 the electors of Terrebinme, when solicitiii,'^ their suf- 
 fra^'cs), expressed tins opinion that the abolition of tho 
 tSeiffniorici/ IViinrc could not be very Inv.ir retarded. 
 Hince lull, w.- havi^ had the n'])ort of the coniinission 
 appointed duiini;' th.at sessi(ni, which presents us with a 
 true and terribh; picture of the evils resulting from tho 
 Seif/ii lor id I rcijiinc. 
 
 To relieve ;igTii'uIture prei^sed down under the burthen 
 of feiulal ehaiuvs which overwhelm it, to a'ivo a natural 
 impulse to iudustii'il |)rno;i 'ss, impedetl by the Scif/iiiorial 
 ri'iiimr\ to ariest die tlow of perpetually increasing emi- 
 gration which bears aw;iy from Canada annually, that 
 capital she so much needs, auil a nniiily popidation so 
 necessary fir the clearing of our forests ,'Mid rendering 
 tlioni productive, to place our civil legislation in Ijarmony 
 with oiu' desires .-.nd our wants, as well as. with our 
 political institulioiis, such would bo tho etfects, of tho 
 abolition uf Seigniorial piivileges. 
 
 Did the IVdl of the Honourable attorney general Drnni- 
 mond, relected during the last session bv the Lejjislativo 
 Council, cnd)rac(' the views which all reformers should 
 propose to acc.o:ii[)lisli ? l)id it give satisfaction to tha 
 '200,000 petitioners v,ho since. 1R48 h.ave ardently soli- 
 cited the abolition of S.-iguiorial privileges by all legal 
 and constitutional means? 
 
 No one will priisuine U) .assert it. The representatives 
 who voted foi it did not liesitati) to declare, that they 
 only accepted this law, \v> the lirst step towards tho abo- 
 lition ; in fact, it do' s not abolish the Seigniorial Tenure. 
 A great nnnd)er of ;v.ig!iiories even those of the crown, 
 those commuted by virtue of the imperial .Act G Gcorgo 
 IV, Chap. 50, do not, taU under the operation of that 
 ]Jill. The Towns and \'ill;iges renmin subject to the 
 Seif/nioriai rcijhiu\ To \\:ac\\ this abolition it intro- 
 duces long ."vnd expensive forms whi(di an aveti et dinom- 
 rement would render uselcS'j ; it creates causes of divi- 
 
 I 
 
 M- 
 
 ..: ..m 
 
CONVENTIOW. 
 
 joopio liavrt 
 iibolilion of 
 
 iitiy to this 
 
 1,'iw whicli 
 
 ilidii.s voted 
 
 1804, tlioso 
 
 1 took placo 
 
 1 iiii iiicou- 
 
 1, the (latu 
 
 JO nftor tlio 
 
 address to 
 
 tlioir 8iit'- 
 
 lioii of tlio 
 
 )ff rotai' '<!(!, 
 
 commission 
 
 ts us with (I 
 
 g t'roiu tiiu 
 
 tlio burthen 
 vo a natural 
 
 Scif/7iioi'ial 
 roasiiio- emi- 
 |nuially, that 
 ;)[)ulation so 
 d retidoring ' 
 
 in liarinony 
 as with our 
 I'ects, of tho 
 
 noral Drum- 
 l'. Logi.slativo 
 mors sliould 
 ctiou to ih.ii 
 nlontly soli- ■ 
 by nil legal ■ 
 
 iresontatives *^ 
 .', that thoy 
 rds the abo- 
 tiial Tenure, 
 f the crown, 
 .'•t G Goorgo 
 tion of that 
 DJoct to the 
 oa it iutro- 
 3M et dinom- 
 uses of UiYi- 
 
 I 
 
 ftions and agitations amongut the ccrtKllair"/!, to determine 
 whether a majority amongst thorn woidd desire or not » 
 gciKtral and (Compulsory commutation. The hesitation 
 of tho attorney gener/il of Lower (.'aiiada t<) adopt tho 
 principle of an immediatii abolition might have been jus- 
 tifiable in 1801, tJK) period at which be presented a de- 
 claratory law. K h<! did withdraw it at tho moment 
 ^vhen it was about to havo be* u almost unaiiimou.sly 
 voted by the llou^^i! of Assendtly, it must bo 8U)iposod 
 that it was hirf intention to ascertain clearly the stato of 
 public opinion upon the (jueslion. The general elections 
 for a new Parliament pr(seiile<l him that opportunity. 
 Tho result was not a matter of doubt. Tho representa- 
 tives for (be district of Montr6al, bad formally and po- 
 sitively pledged themselves at tlm publi'; meetings which 
 preceded tho elections. On the other hand, from 1851. 
 to tho month oC iubruary IH.");}, Mr. Ih'ummoud could 
 liave easily procured iVom the Seigniors, all the necessary 
 information, to enable him, to suI'Uiit to the Legislative 
 Assembly h deliuilive measure, such as that demanded by 
 tlui country, especially since 18 tH. In ])resenting it ho 
 should have felt it bis duty to declare that tho rejection 
 oftliis l»ill, would enforc(!the resignation of the ministry. 
 
 If the Houourablo Mr. l)r'.iminond bad then called to 
 his remembrance that great statesman, Sir Robert I'ul, 
 who gave to Miigland /Wr (ra'/c, bis own action would 
 luive l)ee:i moie asstu'cd and ilec.isive. — When wo havo 
 delayed too long to reform, a radical reformation is tho 
 only one pnicticablo. A minister strong and powerful, 
 can eli'ect such reforms v.itbuut er.dange''"g his own 
 existence. So i;ir from tin <, be acquires additional strength, 
 by the energy displayed iii ;i(c<implisliing such Acts. 
 
 Th(so relleetious beii. .'; pi- nns.-ij, W" procee<l to pass 
 in review succe-^sively, <'arii <>\' ibo mi ides of the project 
 of the Act of abolition a<:oi)KHl [)■,■ t!:;' tJonveution. 
 
 Aur. I. 
 
 le fieigiuorics, 
 
 An immediate law of .uiii^i ii ri nl! t! 
 without any excep 'o;'., !■» i , ■:." ^ciiy f.-uiedy accept 
 able. It can alone destroy the principle ol liio evil which 
 a simple relorni of the abuses would perpetuate. No 
 Avell grounded reasons can b(! brougbt forwanl to support 
 exceptions. Tlie Seigniorial system \* a > Introduced by a 
 despotic government, supported by aristocratic nobility; 
 tliero is no reason now for its OAistence, under a free go- 
 vernment, based on the grand principle of equality. Every 
 modilicafioii iutioducoJ, every commutatioa with tho 
 
 I. rr)m Uif (litp rt the jinssipjf 
 of tsuch a law, '.hu ^■( ij;iii(>rml trn- 
 iiie sh:i!l te'iml iiiiuiiii al<«!ii-l^ 
 rd. Willi all I'lf ri'.;hiH useful uikI 
 lioiiiinry wliii'li bcloiii; to i1, ridi 
 nil imi'iovi;iiljlt; propeily in Lower 
 Ciii.-iilu hiilil fii ciitfive fhaii paM 
 uikIi.'i ihc ri^ime cf ihc/rune itltu 
 roturiti. I'or this purpose tho 
 laws which (in virtue of the im- 
 pi'rial Act Gtorue IV dmp. 99,) 
 iiave nifranrhisfii cerluin Seig- 
 ninrii'fi from the dcptiuleiiey ut 
 tliu L'luwii, shall t)e rrvokrd uml 
 mrulilied »o Its la bring luiiits lu'kl 
 en ri-ii.<ive in the Seii;niorit'i<. un- 
 der lUii oticruliua uf itie >ftwe )n^\ . 
 
THE ANTI-SEIGNIORIAI. 
 
 ;. n-.'?r? .?p:^inr who po!»fn.. 
 »-'s m ins ci-nsivi! miciiliivnii' 1 
 laiwl.t uiicoiicfdfd, nay ii-.-icrvo 
 for his pm'liciiliir iiso :iiut M^snlcly 
 lll-i OWil. K lioiliam l|i>l t'\Ci;c'ii|;i;; 
 
 IW aip(!ii(s ill fii|)ciii(ii"!, it'ilio 
 .Sri^Miory is le.srt tluin two lui^m-s, 
 
 .iOO '.iriH-lllS if It IS 111;)!!.' lililll {\y,, 
 
 Iramies 'in.l k-ss l!i;iii '.'■.rri', KKii) 
 arpHiil.! if It is mor ■ lliaii 2 liviijiK's 
 •ii'l less tliisii .-iix, 13U0 arpciits if 
 II Is luori! itiiiii six, priiviil'Nl hI. 
 w.iys, ihiiltliH SKiijiiiiirilonntpos. 
 f^s u dinijuiii ':( xivM I'MiNil. If 
 the dimniii of sdiiih uiiuiiii,' lliiMii 
 taguiij Uu arieMetlmit, ihu/iimy 
 
 Crown, liafi h;\d tlio cfloct of aafgravating the con- 
 ilitioii of tlio censitairc, instead of couvoying an amo- 
 lioratioii. Tlio ])rotostutioiis of llio House of Assembly 
 in 1S;H, and of the p' -plo since that period, arc sufiieiont 
 to prove, tliiit those inodilicalions were never accepted, 
 but III fact imposed; let them fall with the system to 
 whicli ihoy holoiii)- ; it is an imperious necessity. If for 
 these la*ter 8eif;Miiories there is any necessity to present a 
 special liill, \\c will provide for that contingency at a 
 proper time and place. 
 
 The documents furnished to the Conveutiori, sliow that 
 in the Towns and Vill;io-,>s, the S<'igniorial Tenure is a 
 heavier burthen than in any other ]>lace. They leave no 
 doubt that already tlie Seigiiiois have received sums of 
 money to a very large amount, as ionus at the time of 
 the concessions, ;in<l as excessive rentes arb'trarily lixed 
 by tin; S,'igiij()i-!, ;ind by the imposi'.ion oNods et ventes, 
 that otiious t;ix levied upon labour and industry. 
 Why should su.di an abuse bt; perpetuated J 
 A volu!;tary comuuUatioi\ by the censitaire and 
 obligatory uiion the S.'ignior, may be considered as au 
 injiistice. This disposition would give to the Seigniors 
 an opportunity oi causing the rejection of a law wliich 
 woulil coiilhan this feature, eitlicr by the Legislativo 
 CouiK'ii, or by the Impericd I'arlianient. Besides, this 
 would bi! a coiitimiation of the Seigniorial system witli 
 all its abases. It would bo a nii^ms of {)reventing the 
 constniv-lidu of rail roads, an oLvstacle to the progress 
 of agriculture and iiidii>tvy. L' t not tlie censitaire be 
 bound to pay the ])riiH! of redeeming his lands, v.'hich ho 
 slioidd b;: ;Lh)Wed to do at Iiis pleasure, this is all ho 
 can reasuiialily expect, this is all that tlii^ project claims 
 from him in the name of tlie pulilic. iiitc-rest. Moreover, 
 hereby he will have the right to claim the aid of tho 
 goverumen.t. 
 
 AliT. II. 
 
 The extent of tlie domains resevveil to tho Seignior, is 
 tho same a*; thai, jixc! \>y the I'.iH v[' M. I'mmmond. It. 
 is wise and judicious not to pa-s I'roin certainty to uncer- 
 tainty when it can be avoided. The I'onveutioa ha'e been 
 almost uu'mimous in maintaining thi.; di; [>osition. — Such 
 has not been the case in ilebatingthe <iuesliou wdiethertht^ 
 Seignior ought to lie foiced to keep Ins domain. Tho mi- 
 nority were desirous that he should have tho liberty to 
 keep it or to ahauilon it on receiving its price. Tho 
 majority could not entertain thi"- opinion. Tho Sei- 
 
 
 en ii 
 
 
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 cap 
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c6nven-tion. 
 
 ■ the con- 
 5* •'in anio- 
 Asseinbly 
 ■0 suf/i(;ion't 
 r .'icceptod, 
 «ystoiiri to 
 iy. If for 
 ' prosent ;i 
 ■enf;_y at a 
 
 show tJiat 
 "lire is a 
 oavo 110 
 I sums of 
 timo of 
 irily iixod 
 ' ct ventcs. 
 
 lire and 
 L'd as an 
 ^L'igniors 
 w whioJi 
 ■gislativo 
 dcs, tJiis 
 cm witli 
 tinnr tlio 
 
 pro;;T(vss 
 t.'iire Lc 
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 s all ho 
 t (-'laims 
 ai'covcT, 
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 lior, IS 
 id. It 
 uiicor- 
 hi'oii 
 
 -SlKlli 
 
 er tho 
 
 10 nii- 
 
 •ty to 
 
 "I'ho 
 
 l-# 
 
 pnlora like all other classes of proprietors, have founded 
 cstaMi.shinciits for wliioh they havu expended more or less 
 capital. They have worked for themselves, for their 
 families, in i^rntytVin^' tl:eir own idear^, and tastes, 
 without preoeeiiiiyinc: themselves with thepublie interests. 
 If to day, we were oblit;<M:1 to refund the sums expended 
 by tho Seiyniors to bnild for iheinsu'vcs more (M- less 
 comfortable manors, mills badly constructed or fallim^ 
 to ruin, the abolition would in that case beco'.ne a mine 
 of o-old for the SL'ii!:niois whom extvavau'aiiee and care- 
 lessness, have placed in narrow eircumstanees. 
 
 The last sentence of tho ord i)ar;!'jji'aph relatini^ to 
 water powers cm])loyod by the 8L-i'.';iii()rs can, it is said, 
 give rise to contestations. The (lunvtntion to obviate 
 that evil thinks it suflicii'nt to leave it for the Lcvifislature 
 to determine, what, can bi.' uii'lerstood by water powers 
 employed userully. If this dis]X).sitio!i is wisely inter- 
 preted, it will appear natuial to declare, that those in iise, 
 are those u]>on which have been really established manu- 
 factures, mills, <£'c., (fv., before tlu; piesentation of a law 
 of abolition ; or rather before tho presentation of M. 
 Drummond's L>ill in 1853, in which the same disposition 
 is iuserted. 
 
 AUT. iir. 
 
 • It was said during; the discussion, that by the fact of 
 tho abolition, all the reset vatious miide in the contracts 
 of concession, would disappear. Why therefore take 
 away from the proprietors u^ lands, the water ])ower3 
 which adjoin them \ This ar";umeiit appeared more s])e- 
 cious than well founded in law or in reason. In point 
 of fact, the ci))iccs.slonnairc had not supposed th;.;, le- ha:i 
 pmeliased the water p wcr. lie h:id not the ri;;'!ir to 
 force the Sei^jiiior (o concc'lc to bim this bin 1 more ilian 
 any other. In .ibolisliino' liio SL'i^"i':o;'ial system, to b'ave 
 it to him, without liis b-'i.!-- I's'ipiired to ]\'iy an iii.lcmnity, 
 would be to eniicli him to llio di'triiiicnt ol' the ma-s of 
 the c.i'nsitaires ; all that he can claim is that he should 
 bo allov/ed to retain tlie wati^' power on ]>ayinyits \alue. 
 To exceed this would be doiui;' an iiijiislice. 
 
 Many an objeetion 1;;.> b 'eii made relaliii;" to uncon- 
 oc'led lands. Souk; tbiidc, that these shoulil all como 
 into th" rcdem[)tion I'm, 1, ly tlie simple act of abolition ; 
 others that tliey ; liould b; coiieed^'d ou the conditions 
 li.ved by M. Drummond's iJill. 'Che nnijority of the mem- 
 bors of tho Convention per-ist in the opinion that the 
 average course adopted as a couiproiui.>e, is just and 
 
 complete it liy n(!;1iP!T llirrptn a 
 ptiilinii oi'iiiK'imredril liimls. Aljo, 
 every ISrii'iiiur ^li'ill rc:aiii.lo hirr- 
 s('!lilii- luiiis cciiislruclc'd l)y him 
 IK \4'i II as I'lc walcr p(;weis on 
 iIh- i (irtltT ol 111! I;i;i Is l)fl(iii!,'in!{ 
 la liiiii. Am'I t:ll lliosu siluuled 
 pl.-t\vtui'(: wlilcli tiiay aclually 
 
 li.ivc liiHii('ni|.l(iyeil lit-loic ihi 
 
 All prop. 'fill's so rt'si rvt;(l as fcfl 
 111 llie h'ri^'iiiiirs, .iliall tic I'ur ttii! 
 fiiliiii- lii'lil '11 frnnc nUa rntiiritr, 
 nil ('..'Diijltiuii Kl paying' ail iikIi'III- 
 11. ty I'lir liic droit (ie <juiiu. whii'li 
 sliii.l 1)1' cU'.'.ii'ii-il iriii.i ihe iuileiu- 
 uity lo bt [tail ij lliBUi. 
 
 ."!. All !h'^ wntor powrR sitni»- 
 till wi'hiii llic S' ii.Mi'ries. c',*v-- 
 wiii'ic itian (111 liic tiiiriii-rs (if Ida 
 l.iii'U lit'; III Ihi' iSl■i^lll^l■|» ami 
 wl.icli liavf lint lii'iii (Tiiploynrl 
 nr » iM ill iri'iiil Ciilli. sli'iiilil \-", 
 
 iLliiinil til llli: <Tli\V!\ 111 tic sr.iil 
 
 Im ilii- lii'iiiiil hT llitt rcdi'iiipiiou 
 fiiiivl ti) l;i'. Iirrciil'li'r crcalt'it. Alsi> 
 uil laiiil.s Mill ciiiirrili'il, aiut imi 
 iiialijii:? pari m the (lniiiaiu nf ib.i'. 
 .'^ri'.'iii.MS. as nl iivi- iiifnliniieii, 
 slia.i l;i' ni'.nili'il lo lie sulil liy ll rt 
 
 (T. Wii (ill llic (lilay III ). Hii I 
 
 111" iIk^ |irice slial! holui!!,' to ilio 
 .^^i ii; nil UN a 11. 1 till- (alirr liall'sKuJ 
 Ui;(;iuu lu iliu I'viiciiipliuutuuii. 
 
if 
 
 II 
 
 4 TH \ 
 
 >ear.<. "uriiig idu l^^i ,y„ 
 
 ■"""y'^oe^:^^:;:" "■"-i.H.■- 
 1'iir sous. ""' ''" fCiluccd lo 
 
 The ni'ht nf u ■ 
 "'""um bev, ,„i ,-,„'^'"^"""r'= I" nr. 
 
 '^'''e .lee,.;.;; Vf^:''-'''''" '•'''■ 
 
 10 
 
 ''atioual, ff jf /.f, n i 
 
 «''^ certain r»los of calcukH ^'^ ? ''PP''ecintion by fi,,. 
 
 .be^'pve tiiat ft U'o-,l,| t 1' ''^"'^ ''^ every roLn ! 
 
 ^^■^''^^'-onanavcJe w'n"'"T ''^'''^ '^''^ can bn 
 
 ■■■' LllOll r 1.. in... I • . . 
 
 
 '"onov jf L7 ', "' '■^"■^' pe.- «w„/ .;i'—^'iD at tho 
 
C0NVr.!»T!OXi 
 
 11 
 
 -''■'t'on by fixed 
 v<;';.y reason to 
 -Ififi question 
 'h; assemblies, 
 ""cl probably 
 o'iVc'Dtion had 
 
 '■s H'cre under 
 't'vated htuh 
 nrjxnt rojjre- 
 ^'J s-iy, Jess 
 "■'^(-''fiiomiaire 
 
 " ' oan bo 
 t'ollars tha 
 '■■'I charge. 
 'S t^stiinata 
 I'looncoded 
 S"-* ami six 
 to the Sei- 
 
 ?^e«^ is tho 
 
 I'oposos to 
 the iiiter- 
 
 .s. 
 
 '"ond for 
 :;feated a 
 '''1 have 
 
 pi'ioj'itj 
 ''<i have 
 'poii tho 
 
 Ijy this 
 
 'y Afr. 
 of tho 
 
 oriods 
 o two 
 , th.'it 
 i^ntcs, 
 tho 
 into 
 )ther 
 'ney 
 
 Tha ciocwion ol ihn fnurt ol 
 (iuecMi's Unich gillmij in ajipj-nl 
 s.i'all Ijt f:rial. No Spi)^nior slia.l 
 sit a* a iudije in nti inlciior coiiil 
 or ill appta!. If ihi; Cdiirls pm- 
 iiouiice ill liivimr of thf! S(MXIi1'>i'». 
 lliey siiall be indriniiilied lor tliu 
 iinioiiiit exceriliii'j; lout sous, from 
 llii: redpiiii'iioM fund. 
 
 if lliuy it'jcit the prrlciisioiis of 
 tlicSfii^iiiors. tiiu laHtr shall reim- 
 l.iirse itio. imiotiiiw ihty huvc iUo- 
 i,'IIy receivtjil »UM;«i lL» . 
 
 it is bovond doubt, that thorn is not n Seiiyniorv where a 
 single land would bo found cliaiyod with more than two 
 sous of rentes ; but in takiui' th(i adual value of the wheat 
 of which certain rentes ai'e composed, wo are enabled to 
 establish t/ie rentes of four i:ous, as a \('i>;n\ rate. It is for 
 this reason that the Convention has adopted, in this par- 
 ticular, tl'.e Bill of tho A'.loriU'V Geneial. 
 
 As to decide whether the Seigniors have liad the right 
 of exceeding this rate, sonte are desirous that tho legisla- 
 ture itself should deterniiiic thai point. 
 
 Hut the majority \ii\i not been of opinion that tho 
 legislature is a tribunal to which a queslion merely legal, 
 ought to be rcf.'ri'c 'I. In e\'(;r'/ feature of tlie [ilan of tho 
 Convention, it will be seen that it Ikh strictly (tonlinett 
 itself within the limits of l;uv and of justice, impartially 
 administered. 
 
 To maintain a just line of flennircati.m between tho 
 separate interest^ is to remain within the limits of tho 
 Jaw. To break through this line of demart:ation, is to 
 depart fi'om such iimiis and to assume a. dictatitre. Tho 
 Convention did not desire to do so. If it is admitted iu 
 principle that the Seigniors have a right to pretend loan 
 iudemnity, iu case; it should be aiijulgf'd ihat they wero 
 entitled to raise (he rate of rentes at their ])!easure, it 
 ■would be just to admit also tho right of tlie ceusilaii'os, 
 to claim a coiu[)eiisatiou, of whatever nature, iu the event 
 of the Courts of Justict; declaring aga.ii.st the pi'etentiouM 
 of the Seigniors. How shall the aclion for I'estilnlion bo 
 introduccid i That is a pure (piestiou of detail, an account 
 to be presented to tho Crown, wlun (hi pavments are to 
 Lo paitl to the Seigniors, the a,mi)unt (jf which shall bo 
 compensated witir a portiuu of the amoui't of tho in- 
 demnity. 
 
 k will naturally be necessary to fix tho number of 
 years f)r which com|»ensa!ion shall be due. Tiio Con- 
 vention reserves to itself (lie uiscus-ion of (hose points 
 •when the quesLion shall be oi)en before tho Legislature. 
 
 F ART. V. 
 
 Tho opinion has been put forth that there should ho an "■ The oniv ni?ht^ (or which an 
 indemnity of some doMMipti.n. (or the excii.ction of the !;;;lr r 1^?^' '^,':^;' VlJit.^': 
 droit of banulitc, as to (ho grain destined for use and cut J'""-'' "'^ "''"*« •'utcJi «u*i "•« 
 on the, lands of the ccnuitaire. It has been su^igcstod to t-tnti. 
 
 cover this iudeuiiiity by demanding of the government, 
 to remit to tho Seigniors tho amount which the latter 
 would liave to pay to the Ciown for the extinction of tho 
 droit de Quint upon the dornamc, the milld and tho 
 
12 
 
 TOE AXTI-SEIQNIORIAL 
 
 f » 
 
 water powers which belono: to thom. Tlio majority has 
 not a(l(i[)(i'(l tliis coiirso, nml ior those reasons : 
 
 liiwn tho rhj;]doi hunalitc iho oi)iiiions of jurisconsults 
 and the jiulijfemeats of the courts are contriidictory. In 
 pMiL'iril ci'ininittee the Ilousii of Assembly had .at first 
 decided that there was no iiidi'mnity due. Tiiis decision 
 was reversed bv a small maiuritv in order not to obstruct 
 the passini^" of the Bill. In order to determine if there 
 is i^ru'ind lor an imlemnity, it is necessary to consider, 
 whether the oulin-ation imposed upon the »Seigniors to 
 ostalilish mills was a favour or a charDje. It is not dis- 
 puttd that it was a charj^e, nor is it disputed that they 
 were bound to establish and to maintriin i;'ood roads lead- 
 in.^ to these mills. If this was a charge, there is no 
 gi-ouiid for an indemnity wlien the charge is removed. 
 IJcsiiJes it may be urged with reason, as a general prin- 
 ciple, that he who claims an indemnity, should show that 
 lie has sutU'ved sonii^ sort of injury. In this respect the 
 Si'igiiior can establish none, because he will remain pro- 
 prietor of h's mills, where the ccusitalrc will resort to 
 grind as lorni'Tiy, not conijuilsorily, but voluntarily. 
 There will not even be for a liMigih of time any compe- 
 tition to aji;>rL'h'iid, because the Seigniors are now pro- 
 prietors of a great porfiun of the water powers where 
 mills can be bLiilt. J)esiilesthe ger.eralily of the Seigniors 
 admit that no indemnity is duj for the abolition of the 
 banalite. 
 
 thi 
 
 tC(| 
 
 or] 
 
 prl 
 th| 
 enj 
 bv 
 
 r 
 
 « 
 u 
 t> 
 
 O' 
 
 )■' 
 
 m. 
 lu. 
 ill 
 fui 
 
 arr, 
 
 sill 
 to 
 
 f\Mr. fit tlw- nl'.olitioii lilt Si-i-.;'iii ri 
 s.'mll l.i- i-iii.n! Ill Mi:iKt! ;i:i ii!,:ii it 
 tKniim.'inmcnt, iKii:i •ly. mi lunii^ii 
 ii »luli'iiiciil stioh a;-- ill!/ riiil(i\.'ii;',' : 
 
 1. 'I'lii! ili'>riiplici:i iiMil tiic :-. 
 iiri'liii III I'f till, rfi'l^iiliii V \vjl!i i!s 
 bmiiiii.irii'". 
 
 '2. Till.' mimliri i'( nr|:.riito of 
 lanil 111. I yt ri'ii-cili'il, 
 
 .'i. 'i'lif »U's(ri|iIiiiii I f llr> (I'l- 
 maiii ri.siTvril l.v llii'iii, il> uii.'iHii- 
 rcnii'iil ami il^ luiiiiiilaiif-;. 
 
 4. Till- iiaiin's III all tii.sc who 
 lidlil laiiil> ill riifiivc. till' dill" 111' 
 (IliiT {MllCi -.Mil-, ill" liira-ill-''- 
 riiciit »( (iii'li f,ir,ii tiiiil 111!' rail al 
 vvliicii it has licfii run ■!. Ii il. 
 
 .''. Ail liiiilalii.iis iii'ci---i|!il!ii;; 
 loils It vv*!m'<, siii-o ihiA l.-l 111' 
 Jiiiiuaiy 1S11, iiiilil liic l.sl 111' 
 Jaimary IKjo. 
 
 0. Wliat siiin« ilii' Si'inuinr I'.as 
 ffii-'Clvcly aal mmHy n' rivnl Mii- 
 iiii;; Ihu -aiiic j^i'ii nl It I'l:!^ r.i. 
 ventes. Tin- rcaiilt i i":-! v I la. 
 Iiiri;y Hindu l.y ilie Si'i,Mi.ir -;,,u.l 
 uui bu uiu,aii:a ill t!;u r-Lo:jil>. 
 
 AKT. VI. 
 
 \V(3 have arrived at the ove^i el dinomhrement, which 
 the Seigniors are bo.ind by law to furnish to the crown. 
 No one (loulits that (he jiovernnieiit i;as the ri^i'ht to 
 e\a(,'l it, and if if has no; done so as Siif/ncur dominant, 
 espi.'cially since 17Uo, the matter is easy of comprehen- 
 sion. The g'jveninieiit has alvi-ays av;;iled itself of Seig- 
 niorial inil'ienee to bear down tlie jieop'e and lead them 
 at its pleasure. To compensate this inllueiice, tlui govern- 
 ment has proteefi.'d the Seigniors willi all its power, 
 wihMiever tiie pe'-oly ]ni lied to extremities, have come 
 forward (o expose new grievances. It might have been 
 exjieeted that a min'stry advanced to power by the peo- 
 l)|i' in 181s, v.ouM have removed these grievances by 
 exacting an ami rf drnornbrt'inoiit, and thus have ren- 
 dered more easy the preparation of a wise and judicious 
 law of abolition. Hut up to this time, so far from being 
 willing to do so, he has opposed e^'ery just and legitimate 
 demand which has been addressed to him for this object 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
CONVENTION". 
 
 13 
 
 I majority has 
 )ns : 
 
 f jurisconsults 
 •ai'ictory. In 
 y had at first 
 Tliis decision 
 lot to obstruct 
 mine if there 
 1 to consider, 
 Seigniors to 
 It is not dis- 
 ced tliat they 
 jd roads Icad- 
 , tlicro is no 
 i; is removed, 
 pnieral prin- 
 uld sliow that 
 is respect the 
 !i remain pro- 
 will resort to 
 . voluntarily. 
 s any conipe- 
 are now pro- 
 >o\vers where 
 the Seigniors 
 >lition of the 
 
 mmt^ which 
 
 the crown. 
 
 he right to 
 
 /• dominant y 
 
 comi)rchen- 
 
 ^elf of Seig- 
 
 1 lead them 
 
 tlu* govern- 
 
 ils power, 
 
 have come 
 
 t have been 
 
 by the peo- 
 
 '-•N'ancos by 
 
 ^ have reii- 
 
 d judicious 
 
 IVoni being 
 
 1 li'gitimatu 
 
 this object 
 
 l:)y the Convention. The time is now come to remind 
 the government of iU obligntions juid to demand the 
 execution of tlu; laws, wilhout distini;lion of prisons. 
 
 One thing shouiil be borne in mind, if it was permit- 
 ted to the Si'ignior.-' to evade the laws und(!V one pretext 
 or another, the consitiiires might ju^.tly claim tlic ,.ame 
 privilege until this (picstion bo set '.led. A\'e leave it to 
 the Legislatuic to i.i;d<e this arlicle lii'iic ( Ilirii'Ut, In' 
 enacting the manner by which the statcm:.!ut fiiiiuslied 
 by the Seignior, can be corrected if ncccssaiy. 
 
 ft may b : ju;t to remark that win-nevcr it sliall l)e 
 necessary to have recoursii to judiciary proceeding"', the 
 greatest care sliouM be taken to render such proceeding:; 
 clear prinnpt, and nnexpcusive. 
 
 If for reasons which c;'.nnot be aciually f )re-cen, the 
 abolition coidd not be decreed, at tlie commencement of 
 the next session, the re}->resental; ■■'•:. of lh(; ccnsi!:iirc-i 
 should insist, to obtain :it lca^t a \- \; to caii:-e an avcii ct 
 dmomhn.rnad to be delivered without delay. 
 
 ART. vir. 
 
 This artide lias given rise to arguments but has been 
 unanimously adojited, as a eoiiSv;|Ui'nfe ol'tlie principles 
 admitted by the preceding di.-positioiis. It .s easy to 
 underslan.l its be;uing. '\\w. gMveininent e>ii bcbaif of 
 the public interests and lor the elt'eeti\e executiou of the 
 me'a->Ui'e, invervcaes, issues its debeiitnies for ihe amount 
 of the redemption lixcd upon, after llie dvcu and dindm- 
 brcmoit a})[)ro\ed by tlie municijiaiilies rejircsciuiug the 
 coislli.dre.t, conti'adiclorily to tin; Si/igr.iors, in presence 
 of an oiiicer appointed by tlie crov/ii. 
 
 The centering of the arrangi'meut of this matter into 
 the hands of the government, is so to speak the comer 
 stone of thi [;lan. 
 
 The commutation volontary on ihe part of th.e ccu'il- 
 tairc and obl;g;itoiy on the part of the '•^eigni'ir, ]irescnts "'u;i;eii.a.u.e=^ 
 two incoincniences of extfcnn' gravity, in the tirst 
 place, as th;U commutation w.>r.Ki have been made bv a 
 ct)nversi.)n of the actual Seigniorial r'glits, \i\U) [\ rcule 
 conelilacc or a direct p aim'Ui, to lli.' ;•' ■iguiors. the cen- 
 ^tt.iu-<' would h",vo had dai'y imsnn'ss to transact with 
 the Seigniors, i'.^m vh'u-h v,-i;nid have originated luiaous 
 compilations for him whelhci- in the wav ci'obtaining 
 ii delay or by a series of other trai;;:.ic;i >n.>. in 
 which ho would almost invariably have been the vic- 
 
 7. Thr rrvrnre rf thrir milta 
 anil w.inr |»i\vpi.« crnplnyed. 
 
 8. Vi'lii ihrr uiirnipluyi'd water 
 p.iwiT'' HIT Id lie t'(uii;(l im |M<5 
 liii:i|s >in;;iU(l lu .•!■ 'ivurs. lint Ix'- 
 Inimilig to llic f?i JL^iii'iis. 
 
 '! W <ine im la >•. ill l;r d rlifinl 
 liv :. ■■ ' niiii iihilci I mil, il ho 
 r.siv . liiu (•(,uiilry. ai il Iv liis 
 
 li. -I . ,. i.t. Ill llic cvcjiil ol' t!io 
 !il,-i'i.. (• \{ llic ,>.-iL';Mi('r. the s|a- 
 li'im 111 : hall 111' III ill" ill'- VI' ii.aii- 
 lii'i i.lli'-icd l,\ lli- (ii-l aL;i 111 and 
 l.y oiii' I'l'i-iui i'iii|.lii\( d ly CiH! 
 i-'r\-\ :'.■ •: I. ]■ • I. as siirli 'i i-i r-ion 
 ri'ii.l.'vci'. ilvi.y (a!.-( al "i;ati"il 
 ili~ii!i sia'i'uiriil. -hii'l l;i' ('Oii-*i- 
 iliiL'd a-i a I'l'ijiny aail | inii>l.t.'il 
 ac".'i'..'i'ir'ey. 
 
 'I'lii' .-'aaii'icit sliall Ic (lfpo?i- 
 ti'd inm ih'' haia!> ( Ian < lUi ci ap- 
 pi'iiiu-d l.y Inv.-, „: wlm.-c adirc ail 
 ihr ( ('n-ii;i j'l .'• i l' da; Sl.'l;! lory, 
 udl ! L- I'iilii'cd lu ciaiiiint' il, tiuo 
 (.I'all (■.\i",'i',-t'<. 
 
 ir-IK'li a ^!al(iK'li( li' iKil I'lir- 
 n!>l!i'l v.i.ii.ii till' 'ii iiiy id >i.\ 
 niii.Mli-i li'ii'i.il I I'M' (i.\rd. niid so 
 |.M,'.: a- ,1 :i' ad ih l lie 1 .ri',i,-lii d, 
 till Si i"ii.ii >l;Md r.ol l.c i.'iilitli.'(l 
 In rrn ivr l!ii' n c.n (t ri lit: s \:oT 
 till' iiii'i'i ^l . I ihi-raj lad liy wliiih 
 till y ail' le |ii''»iiiii d. m iilicr .-t.iid 
 111' n 1 I'lvr |:irl oi lllr wliii'i? of 
 th" null luiDly. in wairli l:i' laighl 
 liayu had u iiiilit to prLtciid. 
 
 7. Til" rnpilpl rFprc-'iitirc; ilia 
 niiiiiiii I 111 ilii' 'Ills •' I'.vlis ic- 
 diiii d a; i! i < r.\ i 1 1' d iii'o ikuki y, 
 a- :d-o llic li.'is i >. n nlf ^lla^l lui 
 lidriiiaii d I y laUir:,' \\\r. avrraye 
 li liir iiu'i nil' diuili'.; IHI \rai.i. 
 '1 hi ;;.i\i Mini nl -liaM i-.-iii' its 
 111 i I ,11111 s liT llii- capilid I r iho 
 ri IIS f I iiii il-' i.iiii /ii.N whii II iIl'- 
 I I'liliir 1 -. -l.i I I' I'l'ii 11 II' at 
 ■\v d:. lad li'.i'V s.iail till ;,t' itdn'ii.t'ii 
 ill llif li'iiii 111 '-') yi.ii's. 
 
 'I'hi.' iiil. itst 1 11 ilii-sc did;i"n- 
 ;iiii'> ^a.d' I I' pa\al le I v ilic i.m- 
 silnii-ir. 'Ill' 1 1;| i'al 111 ;Ih' lc(h et 
 ■i,i,:i., havii,',' l.!.-l U'l'U ap; or- 
 li'ii!i-il an ' I'.iiii-; 1(1 !lio vali.1.' of 
 carli ,'iii|',ii;y. A ■iriaiiae valua- 
 ti.iii .-li,di 1,1" ii,iaii' loriiui .I. 
 
 'I'lir iiilcri .-t ,-liiill 1 1' paid to the 
 aovi-ii 11111,1 and (.'oUtcK.i.i I'y tu« 
 
u 
 
 THE ANTI-SEIONIOniAL 
 
 r 
 
 * 
 
 a 
 
 V. 
 
 »> 
 a< 
 
 y 
 
 lUl 
 
 ill 
 
 rui 
 
 am 
 ml 
 lo ; 
 irti 
 
 i 
 
 tim. A moral <lopon(lciice would still liave followed and 
 continued that (ieb.isiiig systom, from which every one 
 dosiros to be released. Such is what was to bo feared 
 fur the (;eMsi<aiie. 
 
 On the other hand, the Seigniors may resist this 
 pystcni of coninnitatiou by aigiiinents the justice of 
 which it is dillicult to dispute. Invested with rights 
 which produee a li.sed revenue, the Seignior has reason 
 to count upon a capita! of an almost fixed value in 
 the market. He can now realize this capital by dis- 
 posing of Ids rights as Seignior. By the project of a vo- 
 luntary commutation on the part of the ceiisitaircs and 
 obligatory on that of the Seignior, such as that embra- 
 ced in the ISill of Mr. Drun)mond, th(! Seignior is obliged 
 to receive his capital in sums so small, that he can 
 scarcely mak ? use of th.eiu and derive any considerable 
 benefit from thein. 
 
 In placing the settlement of the question entirely into 
 the hands of the govtiriimeiit this double inconvenienco 
 is avoided. Tlio censilaire has nothing to do with the 
 Seignior, and is neither exposed to his favours, nor his 
 !ipitc, neither to his moral dependency nor to pecuniary 
 obligations, lie is reinstated in his position as a man» 
 and finds himself in a condition of entire equality with 
 his fellow-men, in every point of view. 
 
 The Seignior cannot on his part offer any just objec- 
 tion. The government which will be enabled annually 
 to redeem a considerable part of its debentures, will pay 
 integrally, and in one single payment, the value of a 
 whole Seigniory, and will thus put the Seignior in a con- 
 dition to use his capital. And it is oiily by means of 
 turning a large iiumber of small sums into a common 
 fund that this result can be etl'ected. This plan ought in 
 this point of view to reconcile all opinions and all inte- 
 rests. Those who desire a law of voluntary commutation 
 for the ceiisitaire, will obtain it if this project is adopted. 
 For during 25 years every one can voluntarily and when 
 ho pleases, release his properly on paying the capital. 
 The Seignior, on his part, cannot complain because ho ia 
 paid for his proi>erty at once. 
 
 Every one will understand, that the ccnsitairc will pay 
 interest upon the capital which will represent his rente 
 not exceeding four sous, and the lodset vcn'cs apportioned 
 to his property. 
 
 It has been asked who .should pay the costs of collec- 
 tion of this interest ? The C(jnv(;ntion has not entered 
 into this detail ; the question is easily rssolved. 
 
 tioi 
 
 tW( 
 
 his 
 ret! 
 ten 
 aha 
 
 pa} 
 
 C(-i\ 
 
CONVENTION. 
 
 15 
 
 ve followed and 
 liich every ono 
 as to bo feared 
 
 nay resist this 
 
 the justice of 
 
 ed with riffhts 
 
 iiior lias reason 
 
 fi.vod value in 
 
 (■a])ital hy dis- 
 
 projoot of a vo- 
 
 CL'iisitaires and 
 
 as that oinbra- 
 
 ^'iiior is obliged 
 
 I, that lie caa 
 
 y considerable 
 
 in entirely into 
 inconvenience 
 to do with the 
 ivours, nor his 
 r to pecuniary 
 ition as a man, 
 equality with 
 
 ny just objcc- 
 blecl annually 
 ui'cs, will pay 
 le value of a 
 iiior in a con- 
 by means of 
 to a common 
 »laii ought in 
 and all inte- 
 coniniutation 
 ft is adopted, 
 ily and when 
 ; the capital, 
 because he is 
 
 aire will pay 
 
 nt his rcnto 
 
 t apportioned 
 
 its of collec- 
 not entered 
 ed. 
 
 ' ft is the Seignior who should pay the costs of collec- 
 tion. At present oacli Si.ignior ])ays from Jiftocn to 
 twenty ]K)r cent of his incoui'? lor tliu administration of 
 Ilis Seigniory. Siioh being the case, let the government 
 retain annually Aoivi the inh'iost jiayablo to the Seignior, 
 ten or liftecn ]ivr ccni, and the municipal othcers who 
 Aball make the collection, will retjiiii t' - same sum to 
 pay himself, beloro turning it, into the hands of the Re- 
 ceiver (General. 
 
 The econoniy of this ])la!i, doponding upon the regular 
 paymcnl of the intcio^i.-, there should be eslablished an 
 •bsolute ])re?(!ription for the recovery of those interests. 
 —-Two very impoitant objcc^ls would thus be obtained, 
 that of realizing this project of rcd>'n;|>tion in its letter 
 and spiril, and (lemonstialing the aciniacy of the cal- 
 culations upon wliiclt it is gromulcd,-— and on the other 
 hand, it would leave nothing at the discretion of tho 
 collector, who (tould show iieillicr favour nor tyranny. 
 We will shovv in an instant the importance of regularity 
 in the payment of the interests. 
 
 TIk! lUicI nation in the value of property in the citicp, 
 induced the Convention to demand a separate list of 
 valuation, for the cities. A yet stronger reason will 
 moreover sliow, the wisdom of this disposition. In tho 
 Cities and N'illages there is harijly anything beyond the 
 lods ct vchtes to n deem ; but it is an object much 
 more considerable ihau that wliieh v.cighs on rur;d pro- 
 perty. As the lo'l.^ u voitc^i aijiuuUzfd, according to the 
 project of the Convent imi and to llio present article, 
 Bhould be distributed beiv>eeii tho properties held en 
 eensivc, it would be unjust to dbligc the proj'rietors of 
 ferms, to contribute towards tlie payment of the execs- 
 live lods ct vci:t<'s Lo which ('ity properties are liable. 
 
 One <lifHcully wi;h re^-ard to tins article remained to 
 be settled ; lunnelv, lo know whos.i >uld be .ipjjointed a* 
 Collector, to receive the sums to be paid by the ccnsitah'cs 
 for the interests or lor the redemovion of the capital. 
 
 Tho Committee which had prepared this project, liad 
 left it to the Convention to deci<le whether the ai>point- 
 'mcnt of the colleciors should rest with the government 
 •or with tlu; municipalities ; and the Convention has adop- 
 ted the latter course, for motives the justice of which, 
 will be appreciated by all enlightened mon and by all 
 tlie friends of liberty. 
 
 Those who seek to simplify the mechanism wliich binds 
 «ocioty together, by abandoning it to the arbitrary and 
 ■bsolute power <.if goveniinent, would probably have letl 
 ilie appointment of these agents to the governmeut. They 
 
10 
 
 THE ANII-SKIQNIOUIAt 
 
 would liavn prr fciul-'d tliat tlie responsibility of tliofc 
 a<i'(;tils wuiiM liavi) Ik'cii krpi, in tmiTowci' and simpli; 
 limits, and that tlic i;MV('rnr..i'nt Ix'iii^* Mivestod with tlifl 
 ButtlcnionL of th.i ijULsli'ni, ;;Iiuiild Jiavo ,ho choice of iiij 
 
 agent 
 
 J5ut whvn wc think of ijir- vasf amount of patronage 
 and means of « oniiplica whicli \]iv. appointment of tiu'Si. 
 agonlri hy tin- i;-o\ i .'nment, wouKl si)ivad over tho conn 
 try, \v(f are jn;-tly lenilied, and we demand what would 
 becoino of puLlie, liheily. Tlieii, we K>')k for tho bc>i 
 moans of e.\eenliii'>' this proJL'ci isi a manner which could 
 oluT ;tn eijaai I'eiii'i!} of gt»>i\ mmaicement, withoii; 
 perilinu'lhe individual independeuee of all the ccnslfuircn. 
 
 Th(.' munlei|>alities fui :li^'ll us with the means of sett- 
 lini;- this diliit'uHy, aini the Cii;i\e,!iii>n lias adoptee! them 
 without hesitation, 'i'lie Secivlary treasurer of tiic niii- 
 iiici[)alities, or any t'lher oliicer ajrpointed for that pur 
 pose, niiu;ht he bound to ;,ive suilici'Ut seiairity to lli. 
 crown, before he t.d<es r.p.in iumself the duties of collec- 
 tor, and a certain !j,ii:iianlee iiue'ht thus be obtained. 
 
 However, v.hellier the e(-lleelorbe appointed by fjovcrn 
 moiit oi' iiy the, miinieii'ali'.ii'S ii is e>:ireinely imporlan; 
 that ho should exeiei,~e no di>er'!tion whatever. 
 
 AKT. viir. 
 
 Tho most important object to l.now, is tho probah 
 1 "ii .1 •.' ..I i/t. 
 
 3, Tlir ,-lrh'iitnros |.==11C(I by Ui 
 .T.'VPnirnr-.it slmll lii' p-iid iiiiiuml- , , i ' • i i ,, i " -l ■ ■. zi ' i e ... 
 
 ly iiy inMiiiiiiMi'-;. iiccdnhi"; ir. amouuttoue jiaid L'y tlie ceii^itairc at tiie cud or 2j 
 
 111'' snin< r'.-ccivi(i by tiic lu..(l of years 
 rcilcm|)tioii. 
 
 Ami if ill llin rxpi.vitii'U t'( 2 
 
 A S'-ii^'iiior, wliosi; oj.inion in every thino' is adniittoi; 
 ^;;;::;;,:M".^!;:;i;;U;;',,';;;;i"::,i" l.'».to of the -reatest imp.ntam ,: e..tima"ted, last year, aU the 
 u'», 'Ik" •;i)viTiiiM":ii ^;•l•l!l !ij,|),ir. ^*^':io-i,iuries of Lov.-er <.';i'...iu;i at .i'l,'.2;)0.00(J. — 'J'hc va- 
 
 li'iii llu'iu imioni,' llic r,,'is:ini,\ , ' . ■ i ,i . i- i ii , 
 
 wiiosimil not Irivi' nirii;niii:>r,i luatujii comjiM.-cd (!ie reiitrs e.\ceeuiii_i>" 4 .^u>.(s, tJie watw 
 I'ltir proiw-rtu:-:. !ir.f,ordiug lo iiic ,„,v.-,.vp, the uidls, the die.niiin an<i ti;." nii-oncidod lands, 
 
 whieii ihis priiji'e; wo'ud sulijtract liom tirj total valii? 
 of the S(_'io-n;(.rier. Aeee)"din;.>,' to the p;eneral opinion, 
 the v,..Ur pewer:-, lir,' ii:i'.l-, dniii;;ins, ;iiiiount in most (•: 
 the Se:;,;'norii's to nu.re i:;;in a third of their tot;d vahie 
 In estimati!!'' those. th.<e aitieie:-. ;it (Mie tliird, tlieic 
 woul 1 remain !)iit ,-''S0O,Of;O, to redeem including ever. 
 the rc/','/t',v a! ive 4 son;:. If ihis vnliialion was exact, 
 and if lh(! o-i>\ eminent contiibuted .('TjO.oOO, tha ccnsi- 
 iiiirc would h;;ve id "ater.-st to p;iv a! er ten years ai;.! 
 his land would be fi .'e vMnjiif, (i'--ir,i.;iiii;' my capital. 
 
 I'ut li.'t us su'ppose ;iiat tliis valn.'i'iou should be doub- 
 led, and tliat the por-ion to be jjaid bv the ceiisiLaires fer 
 redcniptluu, would amount to j,'l,G0O,O0O, which g'iM."i 
 
 la value of 
 Jthe hands 
 lis t'xafjerat 
 Vrh-. la cap 
 redeemed 
 —tlie £75 
 The ann 
 lite £150,1 
 MKount ot 
 ^4t none 
 iiue the in 
 ft is by 
 •UOh H res I 
 upon tho r( 
 tures. 
 
 During t 
 oommutc v( 
 idbole ca])i 
 government 
 and more, 
 either as vt 
 of water po 
 4insitaircs 
 redeemed in 
 
 If we set ; 
 ted with gOA 
 of over £1,6 
 of the grant 
 mijiht obtai 
 .sufficient to ( 
 ofthe Seigni( 
 
 The calcu 
 taires will o 
 into circulati 
 none as yet. 
 
 The sccoi 
 been redeen 
 interest on 
 into the red( 
 d«emod debe 
 aniount of £. 
 
 The foUo) 
 on £31,800, 
 deem an at 
 suit is certain 
 
 Therefore? t 
 tion, by an e: 
 is not to be f( 
 
COKVRNTIOS 
 
 r of tliem 
 ml simpl(!ij 
 d with tlif 
 olco of ha 
 
 patronaeo 
 
 lit of tlU'H 
 
 tlio couii 
 hilt wuiild 
 <\- tho hoi 
 liicli coiilii 
 t, -withoui 
 cciml fains. 
 
 MS of sett- 
 
 i])(c(l tlieir, 
 )f the mil- 
 I- that pur 
 irily to 111. 
 5 of coUyo- 
 liiined. 
 hv ^ovorn 
 
 la value of two millions to all useful rights actually into 
 jthe hands of the Seigniors ; from lliis supposition wliich 
 lis exjigerated solely tu the prejudice of the ccnsitaircs, thu 
 'vL-, le capital duo hy lands held en censive, would be 
 redeemed in 25 years, bv tho grant alone of government, 
 —the £750,000. 
 
 Tho annuities of £30,000, into which would be divided 
 <9ie £750,000, would redeem in twenty five yeari an 
 «Blount of £1,<I45,U50, of debentures, supposing even 
 ti^it none of the censitaires did voluntarily commute du- 
 iii^ the interval. 
 
 It is by the means of compound interest that we obtain 
 •ifeli a result ; but we repeat that this result, depends 
 upon the regular payment of the interests by the censi- 
 turcs. 
 
 During those 25 years, each censitairc who does not 
 ootnmute vohiiitarily continues to pay the interest of tlie 
 whole cai)itai with which his farm is charged. As tho 
 government redeems each year £30,000, of debentures, 
 and more, according to the amount of sums paid in, 
 either as voluntary redemption, as product of the salea 
 imporiaii. ^>f ^.{j^^,. powers not in use, or as unconceded lands, the 
 ^'' ^censitaires pay over, the interest of tho debentures 
 
 lideemed in that manner. 
 
 If we set aside all the sources of revenue unconnec- 
 ted with government outlay ; we might attain to the sum 
 of over £l,61o,050 of which we have spoken, by the means 
 of the grant of £750,000 alone. In sixteen years only we 
 might obtain a sum of over £800,684, which would be 
 sufficient to destroy all traces of the Tenure, if thejvaluation 
 admittoc of the Seignior of whon) we spoke, a moment ago, is correct. 
 :rr, all tlio The calculation is simple : for the first year the ceusi- 
 -'I'hc v;i- taires will only pay the interest on the debentures put 
 tlie waU: into circulation, as the government will have redeemed 
 led huiil?, none as yet. 
 
 ital Villus Tjjg second year , £30,000 of debentures having 
 opnnoi!, ijgen redeemed and the ceusilairo continuing to pay 
 " 1"*^^^*^ "' interest on the whole capital, a surplus of £1,800 falfs 
 tal van;i. j^j^ ^^j^^ redem])tion fund, being tlie interest of the re- 
 ird, tliero jI^^u^qJ^ ^l^>),p,)J^,,.,,g jmj ^^^ government can redeem an 
 •!'"&' ^^■'■■anipunt of £31,800. 
 A. ,<. .1. >jijj^ following vcar, the censitaires pay the interest 
 
 tlie trnfi- ^ n„, ^nn i1 " ■' 1 r il .. i 
 
 on x31,800, therunv enablino- iho trovernment to re- 
 ^ ' .\ '. ■ deem an amount of £33,708, — and so on. This re- 
 '■^'1"^*>'- suit is certain. 
 
 ,^''. ,,' Therefore the uncertainty against which tho conven- 
 "."' ']. titjil, by an excess of pru<leuce, has attemjited to provide, 
 uc aiN". ^ ^^^ ^^.^ 1^^ feared : for it is certain that long before tho 
 
 3 probaliir 
 end of '.ij 
 
 1 
 
 n 
 
 il 
 
18 
 
 TIIR ANTl-SICiaNiniM \r. 
 
 '). All liir ct-iisiiiiiirs slinl) lie nl 
 lihrilylo ledri'fii llif wlnili' <ii- n 
 (inrlioii I'f till' rn|)it:il lur wliieli 
 ilii'v liavc 111 |)ay iiii iiilrrc.-l, liy 
 iiirniiM,' ii i.iiii ilii' riiiiil iif nilfiiip- 
 ii'i\',. 
 
 10. \ 11 iliMiipiioii iijiul .-linil hr 
 i-.-Kllihsllrd. iilWIiirh Uic ri'iTivrr 
 SFiitliil sliiill IlIIii; iri-lisurir. Ilir 
 sail! lund bijall lui < iiiiipHsrd ulihi: 
 rullowiii!; icouiccs oricvciiHf : 
 
 1. 'I'lic mdi'miiilv diir liy llio 
 
 (jxpii'ation oi'tlio _."> yoars, all \»ill l>o settled and notliing 
 will remain clian^'rable to llu' ccnsllairr. 
 
 If, since 1SJ8, the nienibi-Ts of the Loifislatiiro \vli<) 
 have taken np this (^nestioii had heeii sincere in their 
 ])rotestatii)ns, wo would now In- in |»o.^session of an aci: 
 and drnoii/hroacn!, \n enable u.s t.> e-tal>li.ih oorroet est, 
 mates; — Int beinsj; uneerlain as to tin.' value of Seigni' 
 ries and (he riii'lils to l.e i)ii!ehased, tlic (^onventio 
 has thouijht it a duly to leave nothin/i' ineomplete on tli;i 
 point ; and it is for this reason (hat it provides for tli 
 improbable, if not impossible ease, \vlu;re redoeuiablo tJ 
 bentnros mit^'ht remain after '2."> years. 
 
 It will lie reniarlc'd (hat the Convention never loos, 
 si^'ht of the obstacles which at present fetter Industi 
 and arrest its developeuieiit. 
 
 Should a balance remain to be i)aid, at (he end of :; 
 yoars, it should be divided a(;cordinn^ to the first roll < 
 valuation, amonn' the unredef.Mued properties during tL 
 interval, and not according to the value which th(l^ 
 properties might have obtained, either by the course ' 
 time or by the progress of Industry. 
 
 ART. IX. 
 
 This article was adopted without division. A fc' 
 details might have been introduced here. Thus the n 
 pital might be divided into ten payments in order ; 
 allow (he eensitairos to purchase their commutation a 
 will and with facility. A scale of premiums might ! 
 established to encourage the censitaires (o redeem the 
 lands. As soon as the law would be in operation, 
 would bii easy to see what could be done in order ; 
 arrive at a iiiial settlement. — AV'o will merely point o 
 now these two means amouijst manv otliers which ci 
 pericnce will make known. 
 
 ART. X. 
 
 This article was also adoj>ted without division, and v^ 
 believe that no serious objection against it, can be broupi 
 forward by persons who sincerely wish to deliver tl 
 country of the Tenure. 
 
 1st Source of revenue. — By the project of the Cui 
 
 r'*' n.nil? '',T ''''■ i'''*''/'' ''"""'"". vention, it i^ proi)osed to give' (he Sci<]nior, the equiv:. 
 
 Ijc paid fur llii" 1 ulraiitliisriiiriil oi , • i , • , , ^ -ii i i • • i 
 
 iiii'ir dniiiaiii*. miiU uiid w-jiti lent ot the rigliLs which he Will lose. It is m order toarri' 
 
 t\ 
 
 fm. 
 Bid 
 
 kdltin 
 
 [# Quii 
 Jfthe cr 
 
 iorf.s', till 
 
 at least 
 put into 
 
 ■ A\'e 
 d^termii 
 the IihI.-; 
 ties, to I; 
 
 years, 
 several 
 them art 
 «lnio>t ii 
 
 .aature. 
 
 Jbrliaps 
 
 ■ 2nd Si 
 have bee 
 have bee 
 premium; 
 that whi( 
 
 i: 3rd Sc 
 Interest p 
 IB we lia\ 
 mcnt grai 
 pver .£!,( 
 i.. 4tli Sol 
 l^on, tha 
 fruitless; 
 by the L( 
 by disposi 
 and u!ie()i 
 which pnl 
 troaetivi' ] 
 case, til" 
 ceded l;ii 
 Drummiii 
 J^iniu fuc 
 Ihit on 
 init the8( 
 
 out reg;il( 
 
 powers ; 
 
 at this result that the eventual riglit of the lods ct vcnkf 
 divided between all the properties. T'hat which is 1' 
 
■:m 
 
 CONVENIIOX. 
 
 10 
 
 and nothing 
 
 islature wlio 
 c;orc in tl".^ir 
 n of an ofo. 
 correct esti 
 (i of Seirjiii' 
 CoMventiii! 
 iplcteon tli;i 
 ,'iilcs for til 
 loeuiablo li 
 
 never loosr 
 tor Indusli 
 
 ic end of 'J 
 ('. iirst roll I 
 s (luring tL 
 Avliich tlios 
 he course • 
 
 '>n. A ft' 
 
 'hus the (■;. 
 
 in order ; 
 
 uiuitatiou ;, 
 
 as iiiijjht 1 
 
 edeem tht 
 
 leration, 
 
 in order i 
 
 r point 0' 
 
 s -which ti 
 
 >ion, and \i 
 be brouj.'! 
 deliver tl 
 
 jf the Ci'i 
 the equivi 
 der to arri> 
 !s ct venkf 
 hich is 
 
 to pni, his mills, water powers and domain, will in future 
 l)4(ipeld as free. P.nt wo must not lose sio'ht of the actual 
 (»ttdition of the Si-iijjnior. If hi! is entitled to tli(! lads it 
 ttntas, ho is subject, on the other hand, to pay the droit 
 de Quiiif, at eacli mutation of his property. Therefore 
 if the censitaire must pay lor i\\v enfranchiseiueut of tho 
 lorf.v, the Seinnior must also pay for his droit dc Quint, 
 at least on all that is left to him, if not on the capital 
 put into hi"' posses.sion for the lods ct I'inft's. 
 , ^Vu must now endeavour t(j lind an average term to 
 determine the amount to be jiaid by the Sei^-nior. For 
 jk)|e luds it I'ln/i'S it has been found eipiitable by all par- 
 ties, to take the medium average of the mutations in ten 
 J^ars. The mutations of Seigniories being scarce, for 
 Wveral ioa>ons, and amongst others because many of 
 them are in tlie hands of persons of main 7Hortc, it is 
 almost impossible to have recourse, to an expedient of this 
 .natiu'c. A jury composed of disinterested persons, might 
 |>erhaps settle the (piestiou eipiitably. 
 
 '2ii(l Source. — W'lion the <'on(litions of payment shall 
 have been made easy to the ceiisitaire, and when he shall 
 have been encouraged to purcliase his freedom, by liberal 
 premiums, we can rely upon this source of revenue as 
 -^at which will )nost speedily destroy the Tenure. 
 i'^ 3rd Source. — We iiave j)rove(l that the surplus of 
 interest paid by i\\L' cennifr/ircs, if go\ernment contributes 
 48 we have stated, would be sullicient. with the govern- 
 ment grant, to redeem an amount of dviientures eipial to 
 Wer £l,G45,0.'jO, in the spive of 25 years. 
 
 4t]i Siiurce. — We have heard it e\prrsscd as an opi- 
 l^on, that this source of n \etin.'. would pi'obably be 
 ^itless; i'or if the proji;et (I'll'..- *. .invention was adopted 
 by the Leuislatme, tlie S ioei".:-. v. ould evade the law, 
 by disposing in a simul.'iieo n; n^ei. nj all water ])owers 
 and U!ie()neede<l lauds. I'.a' ;ii< is one of those cases in 
 which pulilie good fai;h ''. ii.,Mei- ;i;e application of re- 
 troactiv.' laws, to pinrecl >■>'■''' v .-.gains!, fraud. In this 
 case, th" .-;ile of uaemplcvi d .arcr powers and uncon- 
 ceded lands, eNccudd beluif 'lie introduction of M. 
 Drummond's bill, in the last M's--ioii, might be declared, 
 frinia facie, fraudulent, by the law of aboliiiou. 
 
 Ibit on the other hand, it would be but justice to ad- 
 init the Seignior to cstnblish, that such sales were executed 
 accoiding to the regular form of transactions, aiid with- 
 out regard to a law of abolition. 
 
 .5th Source. — "We have but to answer those who find 
 dilliculties in deciding the government to contribute for 
 this sum. 
 
 '2. 'riif siini' paid by Uic cciisi- 
 liiirt's for Uicir \oii.mary i.iilimi- 
 clii.scmi'iii. 
 
 :i. Tin; surplus puiil tacli ytur 
 lur iultTcets , 
 
 .t. Tlip produce of ihe •^ak* ofuii- 
 f rn|)ioyi!(l water powers, and h.iii 
 (it" ilif pnct; 1)1' uiKjuiK'cdfi) lands. 
 
 6. Tho .'iiUTi of .sfvcii hiaidrwl 
 and fifty tliousond pnimdi'. lo he. 
 taken from the consolidated fund 
 ofllic province, in annual pay- 
 nients of thirty thous-and pounds, 
 during twenty five years. 
 
20 
 
 run A.VTI-SKIONIOUIAL 
 
 ilitlorical Documents siiicc 1312. 
 
 The puliliontion of this ninnifosto, Las loiiirbetn dcluyeij 
 for the folU)\vin|,' reasons : it was liesirablo to clearly 
 Ji-scertairi tho opinions of the ccnsituires and of the 
 rcforinera u\Hm the (|iiostioii : it was abssohitoly necessary, 
 to collect a mass of incontrovertible proofs, to cstablisji; 
 
 1" That govornniont was obliilgod to aid tho censitaim, 
 in redeeininjj tho indemnity. 
 
 20 That tho townships of Lower Canada, as well m 
 Upper Canada, cunKl brintf forward no objections, foundci 
 on right or etjuity. to justify the refusal of tho demand 
 of the ccnuitaires. 
 
 At the present moment it can truly bo said, that tli.' 
 opinion of the people has been plainly made apparent in 
 the public assemblies which have been held in the District 
 of Montreal, since tho 26th of December 1853. 
 
 The resolutions adopted have given a new weight tu 
 the principles of tho Convention. Tho Canadian 
 press has generally approved of them, in a series of 
 sound articles tho justice of which the English press could 
 not contest. 
 
 If enlightened and consciencious persona should still 
 bo found in Canada, who could question the principles 
 set forth, we have reason to believe, that their opposition 
 Avould fall to the ground, before tho arguments and the 
 facts which we will bring forward. 
 
 TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 The Townships of Lower Canada, at this period, were 
 almost a desert. 1'ho ])opulation was thinly scattered 
 here and there, amidst the woods and forests ; without 
 roads or means of communication ; many of those now 
 existing through the townships, have been opened at the 
 cost of government ; that is, at tho cost of the ccnsituires, 
 for the reason that the townships being almost deserted, 
 they could hardly contribute any thing towards the publin 
 revenue. Thirty thousand pounds have again been voted 
 for this object during the last session. 
 
 Nearly all the farms in the townships, not belonging 
 to the crown, have been r/iveii gratis to the actual pos- 
 sessors or to their predecessors. A report of the Legis- 
 lative Assembly in 1840, establishes the fact, that 
 about 12,173,200 acres of land have been given in this 
 manner, in the townships, in (juantities exceeding 400 
 acres. ]^ut we have nothing, up to this day, to prove 
 bow many millions of acres have been given, in quan- 
 tities uiidcr 400 acres. 
 
 ■, Cppc 
 ^escot 
 iliagar; 
 IkUniboi 
 lire re sc 
 the Lai 
 eontrac 
 ihreo ft I 
 
 AVh; 
 ftaaticii 
 
 That 
 R-ance, 
 no gre;: 
 
 Tho 
 
tO.NVENTIOX. 
 
 21 
 
 jeen delaypi] 
 L) to clearly 
 and of the 
 ly iiecossarv. 
 to establish; 
 
 censitai )•(!,, 
 
 », ns well M 
 
 oils, foiiiulci 
 tho demand 
 
 lid, that tli'^ 
 
 1 apparent in 
 1 the Distriti 
 )3. 
 
 iV weight ty 
 
 3 Caiiadian 
 
 a series oi 
 
 1 press could 
 
 should still 
 le principk's 
 r opposition 
 iiits and the 
 
 )criod, were 
 
 scattered 
 
 without 
 
 those now 
 
 cned at the 
 
 ccnsitaires, 
 
 st deserteil, 
 
 the public 
 
 >een voted 
 
 belonging 
 
 actual pos- 
 
 the Legis- 
 
 fact, that 
 
 ven in this 
 
 cding 400 
 
 to provo 
 
 in rjuan- 
 
 • l'i>P<>r Canada was in a similar position Cornwall, 
 Pj-escott, Kingston, I.itte York {at present T()ronto)i 
 Hiagara, wore the only Towns existing, and wlioro a 
 ||Uniber of inhabitants could bo found. The other settlers 
 Ircic scattan'i' along the banks of the St. Lawrenfe and 
 the Lako-^. Kruui thence, it may be said, without f(.'ar of 
 contradiction, that the rohsiluircs formed at least 
 three fourths of the inhabitants of Canada. 
 
 Lppei CaiiaiU. 
 
 "What, at the same time, Mas llic position of England, 
 flDancially and politically, with rognrtl to t.'anada ? 
 
 That power, sovereign of Canada, was at war with 
 France, at that time ruled by Xii^'oloou backed by most of 
 tne great powers of the continent. 
 
 The United States, had increased the n'lmber of the 
 ennemies of 1'lngland by their declaratinn of war. 
 
 Great Britain's armies in rortugal, S]).(in, Sicily, ffcc, 
 dc, were so small, that oidy weak corps could be detached 
 to meet the American forces. 
 
 The bank of England had suspended specie payments. 
 
 Therefore, to obtain pecuniary aid and defensive 
 Ineans, England was obliged to rely, in a great measure, 
 on the ccnsitaires, and demand of them to tax their lives 
 •nd their property. 
 
 Did the Canadian censifaires refuse to give England 
 the help that she then required ? 
 
 Let the facts speak for themselves. 
 
 IOtii may 1812. — The House of Assembly of Lower 
 Canaila, in which the townships were not represented, 
 Votes in succession, £12,000, £20,000, £30,000.— Total, 
 £62,000, — which enables the Governor General to make 
 the necessary preparations for the defence of the Province. 
 
 JULY, 1812. — The Governor General exposes in a con- 
 fidential Message, that the public treasury is exhausted ; 
 he demands current specie, to meet the expensesiof the 
 militia, whose battalions are daily increasing, and those 
 of the military establishments. 
 
 The House of Assembly, by an immediate vote of urgen- 
 cy, adopts a bill to authorize him to issue bills, under the 
 denomination of Army Bills, to the amount of £260.000, 
 subsequently raised to £500,000, and finally to £1,500,000. 
 
 £15000 per annum for five years are also voted to pay 
 the interest on the army bills, and also £2,,500 pvir annum, 
 to defray the expenses of the army bill ofHoc 
 
 rKBULAuv 1813. — 'I'his sarao Housj votes also 
 
 t^iiglariil. 
 
 Lower Canaila, 
 
 m 
 
 I 
 
 V" 
 
 f* 3 
 
22 
 
 THK ANTI-SEIONIOniAt 
 
 £15,000. for the o(nnpment of tlie inilitia ; .£1,000, ft,: 
 military liosjiitals ; .£25,000 , to meet the unforeseen 
 expenses of tlie wjir. 
 
 Nor is this ;ill. smns of money are also voted for tin' 
 fnllnwiiii,^ purposes : imprnviiio- tlie eoniinunieations witli 
 rp]ier ('nnaihi : — I'liisions to wonnile'.l militiamen aiiii 
 to the widuws ;ini! chiMren of those who fi.'ll on the batll-' 
 field, or (lied nf \vi>\mds. 
 
 Let the inlercst of the sums payed by the ccnsilalm. 
 from 1812 to tiiis day. in cons(M]uenee of the voic- 
 Ayhich we have anidy/ed, be exactly caleulated up to tlii'i 
 moment, and we are convinced that it will arrive at leas-! 
 
 to ONK Mll.I.lOX OK I'OINIIS. 
 
 NOVK>n>i:K 1S12,— ODKLTOWN AND LACOLLK 
 
 "Who marched, to a man, to check the invading Ame 
 rican army ? 
 
 The CANAniAN Militia, the Cknsitaiuks! 
 
 BATTJJ': OF CLIATEAUGUAY. 
 
 Aijain at Chuteaiiyuay the (!ensitaires repulsed *\h 
 drove back the enemy uiKh'r <.teneral Hampton. 
 
 IJATJLK OF LliKY^J.L'R-S FARM. 
 
 Aa:ain. at the time of the r)attle at Ciirysler's Farm, 
 the Censitaires, tuiiied out in mass, to meet the cneniv 
 if he had attruipied (o attack ihis poilion of Canada. 
 
 I'l'J'iCil CA?;Ai)A. 
 
 At the time of the union the debt of Upper Caiiad:. 
 was about one million and a half £1,500,000. That i' 
 Lower Canada only of £l I .'-(,000. With public work-, 
 wholly paid, piddueinp.' clear and net revenues, not onl'. 
 sufficient to uh ct tin- sums due for the interest, but t 
 e.xtin<:juish the debt iiseil'in a very short time. 
 
 One seventh of tli.; Crown Lauds, has been set asij 
 to su]tport a )>art of the <1;':i;'y. — While the criit^itain; 
 of Lower Ca!ia<l;i, p;iy an obIiv;atory t.ax. under the iiani. 
 of tithes, (dime), lo maiiilai;i their (Jler<j;y. — Hence i: 
 follows, that si.ice the union (1810) very lari!;e sums 
 are levied on ih" p'roceeds of the public lands, the com 
 mon projierty oflbf criinttainH and of the otlier inhahi 
 tants of the cou;!try. 
 
 The ccit!,i'(ih-":<. however, hav(; never demanded, a! 
 though they mio'lit liive done so with reason, an aii. 
 from the public lands, t'or The rupport of their Clergy. 
 
 "^ The 
 
 ibout 
 If w . 
 
 towards 
 ijredittM 
 
 : U is 
 have b(i 
 execute! 
 exclusiv 
 '■M Caua 
 J^ oar:i 
 Lower < 
 canal, a 
 four tim 
 i, Cau i 
 
 rives i 
 y tlie IJ 
 
 If the 
 •with the 
 tiou in o 
 «ous of t 
 
 '['lie 1 
 .Canada 
 does belc 
 year. 
 
 We wi 
 
 the facts 
 complete 
 its dema 
 
 iknd rati< 
 treas'irv, 
 Welu 
 Canada i 
 ourselves 
 is but a 
 accompli 
 «nc(! 1 7( 
 aud Engl 
 
£1,000, fo: 
 1 unforeseen 
 
 5te<l for the 
 c'ltions witli 
 litiamen aiKJ 
 on the battli- 
 
 3 ccnsidilns. 
 if the votl■^ 
 '(1 up to tlm 
 rrivc at !cib'. 
 
 LACOLLE 
 
 r'ading Ann 
 
 L. 
 
 opulsed *ih 
 ton. 
 
 si it's Farm, 
 (lie cneniv 
 t Canada. 
 
 ipor Caiia.l. 
 That .■ 
 ubiie work-. 
 's, not oiiI\ 
 rest, but U 
 
 '11 set asid' 
 crnsifairt! 
 
 M- the nam. 
 -llt^nce i: 
 
 {■AYCfG HUIlb. 
 
 s, the com 
 her inhal'i 
 
 nanded, a! 
 )n, an ait 
 r (Jleri'v. 
 
 ( OWKNTIUfi. L'.{ 
 
 ;he above faets establisli. that the revenues and tlie 
 ids of which wo are .sjxjaki'ig, have in a ureal mea- 
 ire been retained at the cost of the cctus/Utircn, 
 
 rUP>LlC DKBT. 
 The intcMvst of tliis dtht excecd.s £200,000 sterhnft-. 
 ■' The net n.'veniie (^if the public works amounts to 
 about £50,000 sterlinc:, leaviiii,*' ^ bahiiioe of£loO,00(). 
 If \M suppose that the roisitnircs contribute ouf third 
 towards thti paynuMil of this bahmce, they should be 
 creditcid to the ainoiint of £50,000, 
 
 I'CBLIC WO] IKS. 
 
 It is a well known fact, that the piibli*' works wliicli 
 have been the uicans of cnatini;' this d*djt, have been 
 executed to a considerable extent fur the advautage and 
 excliisivt> profit of Upper (^anada. Mucli of the produce 
 of Canada \\'e.st passes throiight the Welland canal, to 
 be carried to New-York by Oswego, without profit to 
 Lower Canada, whilst the value of the lands above this 
 canal, and aat of the agricultural produce is three or 
 four times greater since its opening. 
 
 (^an it be said that the commerce of Lower Canada 
 derives iiiiich profit, from the produce or goods arriving 
 by the lieauharnais and Lachine canals ? 
 
 If the trade is benefitted thereby, the case is ditferent 
 •with the ccnsituircs, for this produce creates a compeli 
 tion in our niaikets, with the grain, produce and provi- 
 sions of the ccusltaires. 
 
 TIMBEIJ. 
 
 'Che icvenue derived from the Timber froi;i Lower 
 .Canada amounted, assuming that lialf from the Ottawa 
 does btdong to Canada East, to upwards of £30,000 last 
 year. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 We will not expatiate farther. We are convinced that 
 the facts and considerations set forth, justify plainly and 
 completely, the position assumed by the convention, in 
 its ilemand of a total and imiiicdiate abolition of the 
 JSei(/)n(>rai/ Tenure in Lower C;, nada, by means of a just 
 imd rational indemnity, to be paid partly jy the public 
 *fea?.ii!-y, partly by the censh-aires. 
 
 We hope that the Imperial Government, that Upper 
 Canada and the townships, will be convinced, as well as 
 ourselves, that the, demand oi an annual sum of £30,000 
 is !iut a slight compensation for the immense sacrifices 
 aci'omplished by tli or ?j ,v <<«<>(, s and their ancestors, 
 »inc(! 1 rtiy, to maintain tlie connexion between Canada 
 and England, 
 
 r 
 
S4 
 
 THE ANTI-SEIGNIORIAL CONVENTIOK. 
 
 AVe Lave reason to believe tliat the legislature wi 
 endeavour, in the next session of parliament, to forwar 
 the sentiments expressed by the Convention, and that 
 will take i'lto favourable consideration, the propositioi 
 ■\vhieh will be duly submitted by this Convention. 
 
 An ajournment of the qup'jtion would appear to 
 impolitic at the present time. The parties disposed t 
 accept a compromise based on the principles of right an 
 equity, might at a future time become more exacting 
 llow great then the responsibility of the statesmen am 
 public men, who, by their want of energy, would hav 
 led us to such a result. 
 
 It would be a neglect of one of our most essentia 
 obligations, of an imperious duty, if, in concluding, w< 
 did not address a few words to the censitaires, wli( 
 entrusted us with the glorious and ditficult mission whicli 
 we have accomplished, if not with talent, at least with 
 all the strength which conscientious and unalterable con 
 victions could give us. 
 
 Censitaires, 
 
 Count your representatives and see whether any of them 
 will leave you nmch longer under la taille et la corvee,— 
 whether they will hesitate to demand £750,000, when yo'j 
 perhaps have paid five millions for others, — wheth3r they 
 will be influenced by party considerations, — and whether 
 they will fear to act, because a ministry will not act 
 or might fall; — if you find such men in the national re- 
 presentation, take advantage of the general elections to 
 set them aside. 
 
 The time has arrived when the censitaires must know 
 that they number seven hundred thousands, and that ii 
 they sutier any longer, it is owing to their apathy. 
 
 The time has arrived, when the censitaires should 
 neither see nor acknowledge any other political question 
 but that of the abolition of the Tenure, and disdain all 
 that can turn them from their object. 
 
 The time has arrived, when the censitaires must repel 
 without pity, all those who could forget for an instant, io 
 the Assembly, that their imperative mandate is to deliver 
 the country from the Tenure. 
 
 Your energy has been too long expended in fruitless 
 manifestations of your will and in listening to deceitful 
 protestations of devotion. Your will must now be seri- 
 ously made known. 
 
 Montretil, ciiiy 16th, 1854. 
 
 JACOB DeWITT, PaEsiDEWT, 
 D. LATTE, SscRSTAKT. 
 
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