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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. errata i to t 3 pelure, on i n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 z/ '/c COPY OF A COMMUIVICATION ASn OTdEB PAPERS RECEIVED BY THE THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF LOWER CANADA, FROM THE HONORABLE DENIS BENJAMIN VIGER, Esquire, APPOINTED TO PROCEED TO ENGLAND, AND SUPPORT THE PETITIONS OF COMPLAINT OK THE ASSEMBLY OF LOWER CANADA, TO THB • IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. .< 5- COPIE D'UNE COMMUNICATION AINSI QUE D AUTRES D O C U M E N S RE9US PAH I/HONORABLE ORATEUR DE LACHAMBRE D'ASSEMBLE'E DU BAS-CANADA, DE LA PART DE I/HONORABLE DENIS BENJAMIN VIGER, ECUYER, LKQUEI, A ETe' AUTORISe' DE SE RENDRE EN ANGLETERREET DE SOUTENIR LES PETITIONS COXTENANT DES ACCUSATIONS DE LA CHAMBRE d'aSSEM- BLEE, ADDRESSEES AU PAKLEMENT IMPERIAL. Ft COPY OF A COMMUNICATIOX AND OTHER PiVPERS, &c. &c. LIST OF PAPERS. No. 1. Letter from Mr. Viger to the Speaker, 2. Letter from Viscount Goilericli to Mr. \'ii?cr, 3. Letter from Mr. Viger to >'iscoiint (iode'ricli, 4. Remarks of Mr. Viger on the I'etilioii of Com- plaint against the Attorney ']eneral, 22nd Sept. 1S31, ISth Aiigt. IS.Jl. i;)th Aiij.jt. 1S31. 21st July, IS.Jl. (No. L) Siu, During the period of the first montli of my residence in F.ondon I had opportunmcs of havn,g uUerviews w.th tho Mmiste? of the Colonies ir m" timeto time, and of conversnig w.th him on the snhjcct of the Addresses of the A em bly. I wo of tlu.. objects to which they h.d rehuion, appeared to possess pec, l.ar importance ; I mean those of the Tenures and of the Revenues. The Vc p.ssed n. the precedmg Session of Parliament, with respect to Free and Common Soccage. Lands .s already known in Canada. A Bill r. lating to the Rev'" ans.ng under the Act of 177i, sub.niited to the consideration 'of Parliament t"e .»y a> rival here, Ik.s smce passed throuj, hoth Houses. I did not think it,' cessary immediately to t.anMnit any oHicial inf„nnation on those subjects. As to Clhei- niattei-s. they have been erpiaily ob)ect. of mv aitcntion 1 have alivady noticed to you tiiat'i had sevei'al interviews with (he Minis- ter relative to the various matters of (irievaiice, urged bv the Assembly wlien I ;!mIL"r H r'v'"'"'"^- ,^-r'""'^^^' whilst I cannot but ack^^v dge n It r it m '■' 'T""" '"'^Vt' ''^'^''r'^ '" ^''^^ '''*' J^^'^tattentio., to those i.iattus, t u, I be easily eou.e.ved that mi so laborious a Sessi„, of I'arhainent he could notexdusively d. vote his attention to the concerns of our I'lovince Tiic Assembly will However, I believe, s e in the end that tiiev have been far froni having been neglected. Time, fails me at present to enter iiilo the details of the e matters, whicii 1 will renew as soon as possible. Ill the mean time, there is a m.-tter, which, on account of the necHiar cir- cumstancos connected with it, the detail whereof w<.uld at the present time car- ry us to far, which has for a long time attracted and concentrated mv attention a most exehisive y, and whereon I conceive myself in duty bound, to address some observations to the Assembly. Ijaving, ^towards the middle of July, requested His Majesty's Alinister to h:ive t,!c goocncss to bestow his attention upon the Addresses wiiich had relation to No. COPIE DUNE COMMUNICATION AlNSl QUE d'aUTEES DOCLMENS, &c. &c. pt. 1S31, igt. ls;ji. y, 1S31. LISTE DES DOCUMENS. No. 1. Lettrc de M. Vigcr A M. I'Orateiir, Lcttrcdii Vicomtc Goderich u M. Viger, Lcttie de M. Vigcr an Vicomtc Goderich, Remarqiics de M. Viger siir la Petition poitaut accusation contra le Procureur- Gencnil, 2, 3. i. 22 Septembre 1831. 18 Aout 1831. 19 AoLit 1831. 21 Juillet 1S31. (No. 1.) mion, I had i'rom timt> to the A ein- ossess necii- s. Tlie Act iid Common le Revenues lament afier lliink it ne- ■cts. As to I llic .'Miiiis- l)ly, wlion I •Iviiowletlge, ion t(j those I'liainent, lie ■ ince. The en far from ails of'tlicse toCL'liar cir- tinie, car- ■ attention, Idress some Minister to ad relation to MoNSIF.UIl, terns Dans Ic premier mois demon st'jour a Londrcs.j'ai eu occasion devoirde a autre le Ministre des Colonies, et de Ini parler des Adresses de rAssembl(5e. iVeux des sujets auxqucls elles ont rapport avaient une importance particuliere ; ie veux parler des tenures et des r venns. L'Acte passe dans la Session precc- dcntedu Parlement par rapport aux terres soccngcres, est deju connu en Canada. Un Bill relatit'aux rcvenus provenant de I'Acte de 1774, sounds a la consideration du Parlement i\\nis mon arrivce ici, a passe depuis dans les deux Chambres. Je n'ai pas cru devoir t'crire d'abord rien d'ollicicl sur ces objets. Ponr lesautres ils ont etc c galement robjet de mon attention. J'ai d( j\ observrque j'avais cu plusicursontreticns avec Ic INIinistrc, relative- mcnt aux dillercnts sujets "de grief's de I'Assembk'e qnand j'ai c'te admis a son au- dience. Ni anmoius, tout en reconnaissant que j'ai a me loucr de I'attention que sa Se'ijneurie Lord Goderich a yiun douner a ces objets, on sent aisement quo dansmie Session de ParUnieut aussi laborieusc, il no la pouvait conCeiitrcr cx- finsivement sur ics afl'aires de notrc Province. L' AssenibK e verra cepcndant, u\. teriemement, |e \)cmc, qu'elle a etc bien loin d'rtro nrgligie. Le temps me man- que danste moment ponr cntrcr dans des details sur ces sujets auxquels je re- viendrai aussilot que possible. En attendant, il est un objct qui a raison des circonstances particulicrcs dont le detail menerait trop loin i)ourle moment, a du concentrer d(ja depuis du temps mon attenti i, d'une niaiiiere a-peu-priis exclusive, et sur lequcl je mc crois oblige de vous adresser pour I'Assemblee quclques renseignemens. Ayant versle milieu de Juillet prie le Ministrede vouloir bien donner son at- tention a cello des adresses, qui avail rapport ii des griefs particuliers ct surtout aux «?f n^V'l ^ '^'J'''^'''' «"'' particularly to the complaints made a-ainst Mr. St„. ait, and having' had an u.terviow with him on this suhjecf. it hccame necesl v for me to transmit to hin,. the letter and accompanying' remark of Xcl'I Copy ,,, borcunto annexed, dated the 'Jl.st July, and han.fed to him on tire .fth ^vh leh will, for the present, suffice to make the Asu-mbly general y" cm. dnte I vuh^Uie relative sanation in which i then found myselY. ^ith re^S' "rth;^ Since that period, after vario-is commimications on the same sid)iort nn,i ospccally after the Letter f.o.n the Min-stor, of .he Ml. .Amn sT to S I p..d the next day as likewise annexed herennto, 1 .cceivecuCj.e st Vw ot Mr. Stuarts Memonal, upon which I find mvse.'f under the necessitv nf inaku.g observations ; i„ doin^i: which 1 have sinee been occu eel .nd pv^I?,. |).-csont moment witho,.t intermission. The wo, k is t rcse. eUv f . .' n may be right to .en.ark that the Memorial allucJccui; i:;:.^;,^ ^ '£'S h 7 n ^T"'^ '" P;;ctty small type, besid, s a , rint. d collection likewise h, folo b| .) athera smaller s...e, of Do, uments bearinn. .elation to theT li'crUenm Th fi -f m'^'' "'r^' "^^■" ^""'"''"^' but without any of Mr. Stuar 's remi k^^^ i;.thld; Swwlurir,';,.",;':!,,"';.''" ""- ■""'"■'• "■'■' "- —''■-<.- -ay..: Occupied as you mav readily conceive, obli"ed t'> omi Iru- fnr n ^^„ . IJZf Canadian (^entl.uan. wl.on. I havj \J^cJ^lZ2^\^^^:tl' abl lo^do^lUhJTT" 'n ='•"" ^"'' "" "^ '•""^'-'' -"• -ho "u efi^ «; iLsr"'"^^ •" "'''^" ' '^"'' "'^-'^ «'• t— 'ti;;n '::;:• ::;L:i:^ the useoVd^eTlousrrf/'''' ' ?''^' of this Me(r.orial may be t,ansn,itted for u^ll /ml V ' ^ '^'.''^ ""'y ""•'' '^'"c'' ^ '"" ""w engaged with- and I I have Si.-, to beg your pardon for the want of rccularitv that mav hp fnnn.i to ex.,t ... tins Communication. My occupations are so numW.sVl nt I h ,t^ no wise, the means of attending either to the composition or the s!yle ' I have the honor to be, ^ir, Your most obedient humble servant, , London Coffee House, Ludgate Hill, London, 22nd September, 1831. To the Honorable L. J. Papineau, S, e^ikcr of the House of Assembly or Lower Canada, JMontreal. (Signed) D. B. VIGER. No. « gainst Mr. Stii- Mine necessary ;s, of which a r) on the '2(\th, lly acquainted esjjcct to this 2 siihject, and to which 1 ru- le 22nd, Copy L> necessity of nd even at the .'far advanced. •Mhuge /'olio ;e\visc! in folio, Tliird Report lart's remarks, to matters of 'omuiittoe. I y complicated I'ich they are Jns and Jigiits a constancy, incetinij witli, indeed is not elf that Your and will feel :irciimstantial ansmitted for with ; and I to send yon necessary (o nay be found lat I have, in 'IGER. uix plaintes port'cs contre M. Stuart, et ayaut ini a ce sujet iin entretien avec Ini i, ilovnit ii icssai e de ma part de Ini ad ess.r les consi lerations et la lettre, dont -"opies sont ci-jointes, en date du 21 J.ii let et a lui remises le 26, (pii suffiront iit, a laiuellc j'ai ropond imc sujet, ct surtoiit jij)rcs la let. re ciu iMiP.istre an in n. mi, a lapieiiej ai npondi le lenJc- main, aiiss lointe a la pn'sente, j'ai rec^n le 22 copic dn meinoire de M. vStuart, ; s.ir leipu'l je me tronve oblig- de faire tes observations aiixquelles je travaille dc- I puis It dans le moment mcme sans rel.khe. II e.st m lintenant '.lej\ fort avancC. t II est juste d? faire obsorverquc ce m 'ino re est de '»l'p>!ges grand in-folio, im- ; prinu' iiias.HZ petitscaractircs, ontro iiii leciieil iir.prime aussi folio mais de for- m it iin pen pins petit, des do um.ns relaiiCs an troisiemc rapport dc l'Assombl::?e, Mrostiu'aii^si »(il imiiienx, mais sans ancunes observations de M. Stuart. Ce pre- ■ mier m nioirc nL> r poi.d m}nie qu'aiix accusations rel.iti.es au\' fiits de charge , snjets iio.iveaux des considerations qui s'y trouvent presentes. Occnpe comme vo ispouvczlesnpposer, ob'ig' d'cmployer constamment iin jouie monsieur CanuUen que j'ai eii I'avantage de rencontier et de poiivoir garder avec nioi a 1 on. Ires, ct qui ne pent nii'ine snfiire an travail que les circonstanccs trxigent, je ni'.' fl.itty que votre llonorabl,' Cliambre sera disposee a qnelque indul- ' ,c;e;lce, et qn'ell;' sentira rimpossibiiite ouje dois me trouver en ce moment dc von^ adi'csser un expose circonstanci,'. Je vais m'occnp^ ra solliciter I'envoi dun exemplaire dc ce m(^'moirc pour la Chiinibre, n'on ayant cu qii'un seiil siir It qiul je travail, et je tacberai aussitot qn,' jail ai mis la main u mes propros observations de vous en faire parvenir une copie pour el!e, ou qnclqnes exempiaires s'il devient nccessaire de le faire impri- mer comme la chose pourrait arrivi r. Je vousdemande pardon, Monsieur, an defaut d'ordre qui pent regner dans cette leltie, mes occupations sont si iniiltipliees que je n'ai nullement le moyen d'en soigner la composition plus que le style. Jai I'honneur detre, iVIonsieur, Votre trcs-humble et ob6issant serviteur, (Sign^,'^ D. B. VIGER. London Coffee House, Ludgate Hill, London, aaSeptembre 1831. VHonorahk J. J,. Papineau, • Orateur de la Chambie d'AsserabI<;e du Bas-Canada, Montreal. No. 2 (No. 2.; 6 (No 2.) Silt, Bowning Street, ISlh Augusf, 18:31. IVfr. Stiiurt, tlie Attorney ficiieral of Lower Cannda, who lias been si4spcnd- cil by the CJovcriior of that IVoviiicc from the discharge of tlie Duties of his Office, ill comphance witii a I'etitioii from the House of (Jeneial Assembly, dated on the li.ird of .March last, having repaired to this coiiiitry in order to l.iv befoie His Majesty, his answer to the charges preferred against liim, has tiansmitteii to me to be laid before the King, a Petition praying the removal of the suspension un- der which he at present labours, and an immediate restoration to the duties and emoluments of iiis Oliice. I'erciiviiig from the votes of the House of Assembly that yuu have been authorized by that House to transact, on their behalf, certain affairs with His Majesty's (iovernmeiit, and to adv(,cate certain measures iu which the House of Assembly are iiuerestcd, I am to request that yon would have the goodness to acquaint me, whether the Commission with which you are cliargetl^xtends to the CISC of the Attorney (ieneral, and whether you are authoriztHl to enter into a iliscdssion of any statements and arguments which he nmy have ad\anced in his own defence, should you, as the Agent of the House of Assembly, be fur- nished with any such authority. A Copy of Mr. Stuart's Petition to the Kin.--, and the Memoir which accompanies it shall be immediately transmitted to you."^' I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant. Denis B. Viger, Ksqnirc. (■Signed) GODElllCH. (No. :i.) Mv Loiii), Keturning late to my lodgings yesterdiy e\eiiing, I found on my table the letter wlii, h your Lordship d d me the honor to write to me nlative to the steps taken by Mr. Stuart, His Majesty's Attorney tleiieral Jbr the I'rovinee of Lower Canada. Lntnisted by the House of Assembly to lay before His Majesty's Govcrii- nient, the sciitimciits of the Inhabitants oflliat Province, ami to pron'iote the ob- jects of the I'etiticiiis from the Assembly to His Majesty, I shall consider it my dhly, lo present to your Lori!>hip with respect to Mr. Stuart s Petition ;uul his ALinoiial in reply to the accusations brought against him by the AsscmbK, such obsei\ations as the explanations he may give, or the facts he mav alle"-" , may give occasion to; and I will for that ])mpose cnipiov the greatest dili"-eiuc that is in my power. I beg your Lordship will bo pleased to accept the assurance of the hi^h res- pect with which I have the honor to be. Your Lordship's Most obedient humble servant. London Coffee- House, Ludgalc Hill inh August, IS.Jl, To Lord J'iicoiinl (ioderich, Coloniu! Mitiibter, .'s:c. >\:c. &c. (Signed) I) B. VIGKU. M^ No. l f §•««.', 1831. i been siispcnd- iesof Ilia Office, y, dated on the l,iy befoic His nsmitted to me suspension un- llie duties and ruu have been itiairs with IIis \i tlie House of lie goodness to vd extends to I to enter into c advanced in inbly, be f'lir- 1 to the King, ited to you. rvant, (No. 2.) Downing Street, 18 Aofit, 1831. Monsieur, /^ . / i i t» n i •'•./. M. Stuart, le Procurenr- General du Bas-Canada, qui a ct6 sus- nendu dc rex(-cnt-on des devoirs de su charge par le Gouvemeur de cette Pro- vince confnrnu'ment ;i unc IVtition de la Chambre d'Assemblce en date d« a3 TSlirs dernier s'ltant rendu en ce Pays alin dc sonmettre a Sa Majest6 sa reponse aux accusations portees contrelui, m'a aditsse, pour Otre misc dcvant le Roi, une IVtition par laquelleil demande a etre libi're dela suspension sous laquclle il est actucilemcnt, et d etrc imnudiatenient retabli dans Ics devoirs et ^molumcns dc Appercevant par Ics votes de la Chambre d'Asscmbh'e quo vous avez et6 an- torise I'ar cette t.'hambrc, a conduire, de sa part, ccrtaincs affaires avec le Gouver- iiement dc Sa Majeste, (t de poursuivre certaines niesures dans lesqueiles la C'iiambrc est interessee.j'ai a vous prier de voaloir bien avoir la bonte de ni^nlor- mer si la .Mission clout vous etcschargre s'et nd a I'affaire du Procureur-Gcneral, et si vous etes autorise aentrer dans la discussion iles Exposes ct Arguments qu'il a piiavancer pour saprojire defense. Dans le cas ou en votrc qualite d'Agcnl de la t hambre d Assembke vous se- riez miuii d'une telle autoritr, des Copies de la Petition que M. Stuart a adres- s( e au Hoi, ainsi que du Memoire qni I'accompagne, vous seront tranmises imnie- diatcment. J'ai rhonni'ur d etrc, Monsieur, Votrc tres-obeissant Scrviteur, Devis B. V'igcr, Ecuvcr. (Signe.) GODERICII. on my table ri lative to the le Province of sty's (iovcrn- ;)iiiote the oh- -oiisider it my tition aiul his le Assembly, c may alleg , itcst diligciiee the high res- !rv;int. (No. 3.) Mv Loiti), Ilentrt' tarda mon logis hier an soir, j'ai trouve snr ma tabic la I I'ttro que votie Seigneiirie m'a fait riionneur de ni'.uiresser, rclativcment aux .lemurchesdeM. Stuart, PiocureurCicncrd de Sa Maj.stc dans la Province du IJas-Canada. , , o ^f • - i ('lKni;/par I'Assemblee dc rcpn'senter au donvornf mcnt(Ie Sii Ahijeste ies scMitimen-slk's luibitans de ee;te Province, ct de soatenir les IMilions de I'Asseni- biOe a Sa Majeste. )o croirais de mun devoir de mettre sons les yeux de votrc tSci- gneurie, rtl.itivenient a la \\ tition de M. Stuart, et a son memoire en nponse an\ accusations porlces contre liii i)ar 1 Assmd)!. c. les observations .;,■: des cxpiica- tionsqu'il p. lit ilonnerou les IHts qu'il pent articuler, s.ront de nature a provo- oI sale, or otii or kimis of conveyances o( lan.led property, or such paj.ers ns rdate.l .hereto. . the whol • K.n^Mo,,, tlut .t was. at the san.e t.n.e t.ec' ssary to l.ave recours • o heiT „r ...stry ,o c raw up .n.mn.eral. e other contracts and aoreen.ents, of e , „n " t.nce. and to stan.p then, w.th that author.ty recpurdt. ^ive then, a l' I X rovn "^^'M'P'-sc' that .n M.ei. a stale ot thin^r«, ,, C'rown OHieer. xChon, (hj C.o^o^nme..t was MMder the necessity ofconstdti,,. on tn.tters of U^; and ul , nig under his advice, measures which were . f ^Miitiiie to s„rr..,l , , ' o.cr the ri,ht o, the n.einhers of those lespeetiv;' :;o;e:i s ' ^ . ^ ' henf and conse(,>ien.ly and in , artunlar. .-pun the validity oHhe decds'.l a , „ ," d .assed hy those ot ,he secu.ui el, ss indicated ahoye. du, iiifj a .ive , e y ten years, to shake the piihlie conl.deiu e as to all the liiks , I l " i property c.u.cyr, haekw,!rds and forwards , in the wliolo 'e to tlieir mi- ('f|iKil impor- I a le;,ral I'tYcct. IT, whom (liL. iiw, ariil ;uIo|)- (I iiiifi'it.iiiity ) ai'iice llifni, iliawii up aiul peiiod, sav for iill the l:iIuloil imc,— to u;ive duals — ai)(l at VI' profi'ssions npose oCptit- oMion to llic leal qrounds ; lo.itable, and iiMces Nvoidtl, if the wliole to suffer the Diilil be a na- i?;iled discMs- )f ( OfiiiTons, a Committee aiiiii);; of it. ic a ,d iioto- ic'(|iiire tes- 'he piocced- ' » stahh'shintj ciinients ami this subject 'Iain's oijglit )efore I hem, iU'e, the ne- ^ ? lip I he cn- nof thick fit notion, car- wliirl, t/iey bifiiK flicni s wiiich he i*c exphiiia- ; and tliat, to n.'port as liosi'nte to ', to require his (No. 4.) Jc Mipnoserais pmir im instant qii'il y ci'it en AnR'eterre, outre les Avocats et Procriouis iineclassebcaucoup plm nomhreuse d hommcs, d une prolessic.i h iVmiolle seraient attachtu cles devoirs bicn plus impo-lms, (,ui. par excn.ple. se- raicntchum'sexcltisivemcnt do r^>d per tons ies tit-vsct actes de vcntes ou autrw cs .eces d'alienations de propriety's foncieres, on qm es afiectera.ent dans le Uoy- ai me O'l'd IV.t de meme nrccssaire d avoir recours a Icur mmi^teie pour constater une foii!'> d'cn-a-emens et de contrats 6galenicnt importans, ot ieur donner I au- thenticitt- propre a Ieur faire prodiiiic nn cfilt legal ; Ima- Iiavin.^ recourse to some further pioceeJing before Government could determine to pronounce finally. I>astly. I will suppose that the House of Commons, after mature deli- l)e|ation, and withon there having been the slightest opposition made, on be- liall of that Crown Officer, unanimously adopted the recommendations of the Com- inittce. and that the Executive Government granted tliat part of the demand of the Commons which related to Ins suspension from office. Can it possibly bj that, on one side, the rcfiuisition of that suspension by the ( ommons could be considered as unjust, or, on the contrary, can it be made a matter of reproach and an act of tyidiiny to His .Majesty s Government to have acceded to it? The Government miglit, indcpcnd, ntly ofidl other considcn-lions, feel the danger in whuh they would be involved, by refusing the application, of sanction- ing those doubts, ot cherishing those fears, calculated to destroy the coMfidence o( the people, even in the Goveinment itself, as well as in the security of pro- perty. 'J he people would in fact, by scei.jg that Funciionarv maiitain l.imself in his situation, be naturally led to believe, that the denial of 'th ir request con- stituted an approval of his cond.ict, and that he might still continue to lead the Government astr;iy, and give an ascend incy to oiiinions, the effe. t of which would be, as It wcie, to put in peril the existence e^en of society, which in fact IS based upon the sacred right of proiieity, witliout which it wowld be unsup- ported. ' J^^i^^ore going further, it is right to remark, in relation to the behaviour of that Crown Olhcer before the Committee, that, more than even the House itself the Commif^'c, considering that their condescendence had not hitherfo been carried too far, yet did not deem it fit to ask anv li.rther explanations from him respecting his ccnduct, or Ins measures, relative to any other complaints thai might have been made against him. and left it to him to take sucli steps as he nnglit look upon as proper in his situation. Supposing then that this Committee, pursuing their research s. and pro- ceeding in the examination of other matters of complaint successively broiicht forward in preceding Sessions, as well as in the existing one, and specified iu ittitions. the subiccls whereof they were empowered to emp.ire into, had pro- curecl proofs of tl:e dJimiuencies that had .,ccasioned those retilions. and 'up- ported as well by formal t stimony, as by facts of public notoriety ti)ioii..hout t.te whole Kingdom, had reported, with respect t(, that public runctio.ai v, that he lad, 111 f;ut, for several years, exercised the power entrusted to him, with l)artialitv by selecting exclusively those auai;:st whom he brought aeciisationsin the Criminal I onris, by party views, and with the object of suppoi ting ai hitiary measures and ar- hitraryauthouty; that he had also made use of his olhce to increase his private fortune, at the expense of the justice ,\ui: to individuals, to the people and to Govcrinneiit ; that at an Election, he not only laboured to destroy the freedom of election by making use of the iidluence wliic'i his situation gave him, bv threats and violence to intimidate the Electors, but went so far as to pusuade nersons who had no right of suffrage whatsoever, to vote for him, and that they Had th(. right to do so, and in fine induced than to take the (lualiication oath, promi-ung and assuring them, besides, of impunity. That he went still further by from motives of personal resentment, exclusively prosecuting for perjury such of the \oters who had voted against him under exactly the same circumstances as ot lers who had voted in his favour under the assu'raiue he had given them that they had a right to do so: That, amongst many other things, this Func tionary, liberally salaried and paid out of the Public Chest, has, from views of private interest, several times nlaced himself in «it.i..f;«nc .,i.c.,,i...«i., „f ..„,.:.,_— wuti each other, such as having to defend and oppose at the same time, the in- terest^ 11 filiate siispen- viiig recourse to proiiotiiice mature deli- iiKulc, on be- isoftlicCom- 10 deinand of itispciision by ail it be made meiit to have tioiis, fofl the I, ot'sanction- le ccpfitletice airily of pro- -itaiii l.imself request con- ic to lead the et of which which ill fact Id be iinsup- behaviour of House itseifi litlifrt.o been lis froui him, iiplaiiits thai 1 steps as he s, and pro- lely brought speeiHtd iu ilo, had pro- ins, and sup- ' lliroujihout ary, that he itii |)artiality, liie (Criminal sines and ar- ! his private L'opK' and to the treedoni ive him, by to persuade lid that they cation oath, still further perjury such rcuinstances given them this JAinc- )in views of av VariatiCc imc, the in- terestft tion, et demanJer aussl en memo temps, qu'il fnt suspendu immMatement de ses fonctions, dan? !c cas ou il pourrait se trouver des motifs davoir recours i\quelqne procedti u tt'rieur avanlque le Gouvernemenl se determin5.t ;V prononcer finale- ment. Je supposeraisenlin que la Chambre des Communes apics mure delibi^ra- tion eut adupte a I'unanimite, ct sans qiiil se fut cleve dans son sein la plus legere r truire la liberie des ( lections, cu employant I'influence que pouvait lui donner ses fonctions, des menaces et de la violence poin- intimiJcr des ( lecteurs, aurait etc jusqu'a persuader a desindiviiliis, destituis de tout droit desuifrage, de lui donner Jeiir voix, qu'ilsen avaient le droit, les aurait dctcrminr" a se (|ual.tier par serment, leur proinettant en outre el leur as^urantriuipunitr'. Qu'il aurait itr plus loin en- core, en poursiiivant cnsuite dans des vucs de vengeance |;ersoiuicllc, comme par- jures, ct t xelusivement des i lecteurs qui auraient votil* conire lui dans des circons- tances semblables a celles !ans lesquellcs se trouvaienc ceux qui avaient votii en sa faveur, sur I'assurancc qu'il avait donnne de leur droit de ce faire. Qu'entre beau- coup d'autres clioses encore, cctotticier grncreusemcnt salari(i et paye ;\ meme le trcsor public, se serait, dans des vucs dinttuct personnel, mis plusieurs fois dans des posititions absolument contradictoires, dans lecas de delcudre et de suuleniru la fois les intfirets opposes de la coiironnc ct des individus, ses cliens, dans les Coura 12 •4 •I terests of the Crown, and of his individual Clients in the Courts of Justice; and that, finally, his conduct, in the exercise of his hi^h office had drawn down hatred and contempt upon the Administration of Criminal Justice throughout the Kingdom. Once again, I ask, could such steps as have just been pointed out, be made the subject of reproach to the Commons and to His Majesty's Government, as acts of injustice and of tyranny? Ought even, in case it was deemed necessary to take time for examining (he charges, before finally pronouncing as to the des- tiny of that Crown Officer, or proceeding otherwise against him— ought, 1 say. Government to buul its own hands, to shut its eyes upon that conduct, fur an indefinite period, whilst wailing for new proceeding's, and leave him with the power of continuing his career, whatever might be the inconveniences, to say no more, that nnght arise to the interests of the mass of the people, as well as of Govern- ment itself? Upon examining the principles and practice of Government, and in particu- lar those of ours, we must be convinced tliat the step taken by the Executive in this matter, is consistent with good order, and in conformity with the rules of public justice, and that they have, to sum it up, wisely and prudently made use of the power attached to the King's prerogative. After this statement of facts given hypothefically, I have to add, that these suppositions are in fact none of them made gratuitously. With regard to Lower Can;id;i, they are real facts, it is only requisite to change the names, to substi- tute the Commons of tiiai Province in lieu of tlie Commons of the Imperial Par- liament, and the Governor in lieu of the Kinsr, whom he represents in the exer- cise of the authority delegated to him. It will be easily perceived that the fore- going observations arejjrccisely applicable to those facts themselves. Setting aside a great number of other circumstances which might be made use of to swell this statement, those under which the Commons and the Govern- ment of Lower Canaila find themselves, in relation to the Finictionary in ques- tion, aio essentially the same as those of which I have just given a sketch. If it be now alleged that the Commons ouiiht, before taking such steps against that Funetiona'y, to have required him to make liis defence, since it might be that the suspension involved injustice, being in the nature of a species of judg- ment pronounced without the paity coiulemned having been heard; since also it might be | ossib'e that a fresh eiiqu ly might have the effet t of absolving him ; and suice even the j) nalty of suspension might prove to be too severe, in case he succeeded at least in shewiijg his innocence with respect to the heaviest points of the accusaslions against him ; to that the ready answer would be given that it belonged to that Functionary himself to deiiiand to be heard before the House oF Commons ; which would be in fact the ngidar way, and in conformity with the piinciples and rules of analogy drawn from the practice of the constitutional law ; whilst, moreover, he coidd no wise allege any ignorance as to the proceed- ings of so public a natijre in which he wis implicated ; and in fine, being himself present at the scat of Government, and obliged in virtue of his olHce to bestow his attention upon wiiat passes in the House of Assembly; it is not within the range of possit/ility that he couhl be unaware of the procceediugs renewed from year to year, which were of a nature to be known to every one, and which, con- «titutionally speaking, he could not be consi'" -red as ignorant of. It may in the next, place, be observed that, although our laws do not pre- sume crime, but on the contrary, an accused is always prcsumeil to be innocent until he is convicted, yet, the proceedings which arc immediately consequent upon an accusation broiigiit for any crime or dcdinquency, do not, according to the ordinary course of Law produce, to the person accused, proportionately less serious inconveniencies. while u:i tinrr for his triah A Mairistrate takes an ss par/* examination; a Grand Jury does the same, and the depositions, winch be- fore IS jf Justice; and vn down hatred throughout the I out, bo made Jovernment, as jriicd necessary f as to the des- -ojight, I say, onduct, fur an witli tl)e power to say no more, I as of Govern- and in partlcu- e Kxecutive in th the rules of ently made use add, that these '^ard to Lower mcs, to substi- j Imperial Par- ts in the exer- i that the fore- s, night be made id the (jovern- inary in ques- sketch. ng sucli steps , since it might |)ccies of judg- ird ; since also ibsoU ing him ; severe, in case heaviest points be given that ''ore the Iloustc )nformity with constitutional 3 the procced- , beir.i; himself IHce to bestow not within the renewed from id which, con- vs do not pre- be innocent \y consequent according to rtionatcly less 1 tukcs sn ^s ns, wiiich be- fore roins deinstice Qu'enfin, sa conduite dans Texercice de ses hautes fonctions auraii fait deverser sur TAdministration de la Justice criminelle dans le Royaume, la haii)€ et le mtpris. Encore unefois. pourrait-on reprocher aux Communes et au Gouvernement dp Sa Majesty les demarches que Ton vient d'indiquer conme des Actes d mjus. tice et de tyrannic ? Faudrait-il dans le cas oul'oncrcr, .;. .>vou- prendre du tenips Mir I'examen des charges, avant deprononcer finaleme«' .'r lesort decet ofticier, onautiement, prociider centre lui. ({ue le Gouvernemonc se liiU les mams, fermat Tes veux sur cette conduite pour un temps indcfini, en attendant denouyeauxpro- r/dfs etlelaissat en possession de continuer sa caruere, quels que puissent cHre les inconveniens. pour ne rien dire de plus, qui en pourraicnt resulter pour les m- Urftsde la masse du peuple, comme du Gouvernement lui-mcme t En examinant les principes de la pratique du Gouvernement et en particulier ceux du noire, on pourrait se convainc re que la d marche del Executif, dans ce cas "serait dans I'ordre, conforme aux regies de la justice publique. que ce sera.t enfi'n avoir use sagement etprudemment des pouvoirs attaches a la ; itrogative. Aprescetexpos6 detaits, donn^-s comme hypothctiques. je dois 'ajouter que CCS suppositions, nont en cfiet rien re9U de gratuit. Far rappo. t aii Bas-Canada. ce soi'l des faits reels II suffit de changer les noms, de metl.e les Communes de cetie Province h la place de cclles du Parlement Imperial, et son Gouverneur a celledu lloi, quil reprt'sente dans I'exercice de I'autoritc qui lui est deleg-iee, il sera ais6 de vo'r que les observations qui precedent sont exactement applicables.i ces faits eux-memes. ^ , 0.:^ Laissantdec6t6unefoule d'aulres circonstances, donl on ai.rait pu grossir ceteNposiScelles dans IcsqncUes les Communes etie Gouverneur du B<.s.tana.la3e trouveut, relativement au fouctionnaire en question, sont esscntiellement les mfimes que cclles dontjeviens d'esquisserle tableau. ,, , , Si Ion disaitmaintenant que les Communes auraient du, avant d adopter ces di'marches centre le fonctionnaire, le rcqu.'iir de se defendre, puisqu'il pourrait se rencontrer de rimustice dans la suspension, dans uneespece de jugement rendu sans avoir entendu la partie condamnee, puisqu il serait enfin possible qu un nou- vel exa-nen efit letlet dele justili.r, que cette peine pourrait meme etre trop severe, sil pouvait au moins faire npparaitre de son innocence sur les points es nlus "laves de laccusation, on npr.ndrait d'abord que c'eutite k cet oflicier de de- mand'cr lui-meme a etre entendu devant la C hambie des Communes; ce qui se- rait en eflet dans lordrc, d'accord avcc les p.iiicipcs etles regies d analogic, tire^sde la pratinue et du droit Conbtitutionnel, d'autant qu'au surplus, il iie pourrait pre- tetldre cause d'ignorance, relalivcmcnt a des precedes d'une nature aussi publi- que dans lesquelsil serait tiouve implique, et qu'entin, etant lui meme au siege du Gouvernement, oblige par sa charge de douner son attention a ce qui se passe dans cittc Chambre. 11 n'est pas dans I'ordre des possibilitt s, qu il tut etranger a des piocedes rcnouvel.s d'anneo en aim c, qui seraient de nature a n'etre igno- res de personne, et que, constitutiounellcmtnt pailaut, il ne pourrait ctre cena6 les jgiiorcr. On pourrait observer, en second lieu, que quoique nos lois ne presumentpas le crime, et qu'au contraire, elles supposei.t toujour^ un aecuse innocent, jusqu'ii cequ'il at etc convaincu, les precedes qui sont la suite immediate d une accusa- tion portee pour raison de crimes ou delits, suivant le cours ordinaire des lois, n'entiainent pas pour celui qui en e'"l>'-^ '"T;^^" j.^^ ,; ,li''Tt is necessity creates the 8uch situations, too otten uicuned by ^''^,.'' ^^'^?'"^,,.itices. are required for the law. These rigorous ----^%^^ J^^,,:; J '^ ^Viple o^^^ ami good order, safety of society, and are connected ^^'^^ tJ.t pn c . ^^. ^^^ ^^_ After this will, shall, it be saul that an ^ ^ .^^ ^ !'j ^ J '\C^^^ have been gislaturo, in relation to dehnquenc cs of t u nU, c o i pointed out as above, o.ght not to have f ^ •'^'f '» Vcon t^ If there be' any Inade before a Magistrate or the <'7';; J^^' ^ ^ jCat o a lVc,nest. for which it difference it ought to be in tavor o ^'^ .^. ^" ^j ];' X Let us fiuther re- is needless to adduce reasons, winch '"^'^^ /'c c ev uu aitVerencc n,ark. before proceeding to another co..uc,ation^ ^^cM inquest bcfV,re the in other respects ,t is n, avor ot h^ " J^o =- ''- J^^^^^ ^^^^^^^i^^^^ of all and ton'u J com,:arison miglit he multi,,lied to a g..^a extc^^^ ^^^^ . ^^^^^_ ^ It will hence appear that those ,^'f ^'"".^ ' J^^^ ^ ^o mons, r. lative to de- diate result of an Hu,uiry instituted b J^ ';^^°;,|; j those which follow linquencics laid to the charge ot ^l' ' ' ,,! f ,^"' .i" , y course of Law. are an Uamiuation or accusation of "" ''" '^ ^ " '['le ditleince is that the mo- within the rules of a strong y n.uke ;^ "j^>; ^ 1 ^.,, ^^ i^, ...^e powerful and lives for having recourse to ^^';^]^^;\Z.^;;^ Tl^^c considerations of pu,,lic „ore imperious. ,n proportion to the '' ." '" \^ ^,„ i.^t^gral part of the Le- inteiest to wiiich they may re ale, and "'hat body, u extended gisiature, and thence alsoo ''-^'^'!^;^'X^^oJ^^^^^^ .h-mands. ^ense of which it is susceptible in «' ' \ " . .'^^ ";;i: . ...eight when they regard nude to the Fxccutive Ih -wy'' "''" \ ,^, ;t'i;; and thei^ dangerous tendency n^atters of grievances am abuse, ot .^^^ \X)se name the Commons have towards (Jovernmcnt and toward. ^^V^^^ ; i^.i^lnal to be heard, a ritjhtto hue their reclama ions agunstany^^^^^^^^ 1^^^^^,^,^^ ^^,,,i^,^ .^ ° Add to this, agam. that .n ff'^^};""^;^^ ,Uo individual who is the i„ qnestion. do not , rououuce judgnu i "' ^» ^^^^^ . j,,^ fj,,,,,^ Jury do. who objJct of tlieir pursuit. "° ."--\ f ^''V' ,,J O; t ^ ^ ^""""'^' ^^ "'"" "'"* ,.,iug forward the a^''^^'"'';.;^^ ';/\\ .'^ ^ nl^.nal which has to give judg- rous consequences. In hoth cases t bj^notnc j; ,,^ ,,^ deems right. ,„ent. In tins, the King is %;:^^ir^^^^^,^o. Uc might lea^e to the S^;!:;;; h:^i^e ;i ril;:;ti; u^^ iuolr;; avan of their me., of impeach. meiit or defence respectively. . .„„^- ,.,„ accused to severe pains and penal- Hut the llouseol leeis '"^^ se cncc t e acc^^^^^^^^^^ i^ ,h, tribunal of ties, and oven to the highest which - ;;- ^ f ^^^Jf , .^,^1 to shake either the that kind exists in (^anada. 1 h '^ hs inc t on .s ^. ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ j^^.^ pr.nciples that have been invoked or the ^"" ^J"'' '''"f;,. ;„ and penalties Lles.'the Conunons ol Lovs^m- ^,|;"; ; »;,;;^,;^";, ' • .^his chsmissal Upon ths upon the accusedi they *^o"fi"e themseUe. o cquum ^ jj ted. to whc. pLt at least, Hi* M^M^^^y's P'-^'oPf.'^,^ ^^e "°„^ for exercising it. - t belongs to wcigii the n.olives whuh pre=et)t. .nem-.v- -,^,j^^^^ 15 re } yet je accu- ps be of lul a re- ? of bail icli is in latcs the 1 for the id order. ■ the Le- ve been enquiry ; be any wliich it ither fe- ll rtl- re ncc •jforc the if all and be heard s against IS. Such he immc- \v to de- ch follow Law, are it the nio- /eifid and of piii)lic jf the Le- estenilcd ilemands, \ey regaril tendency mons iiave : which is vlio is the •y do, who lliose rigo- tjive judji- ;cnis viglit, eave to tiie re, in tliit and tiie ac- )f impeach- i and pcnal- tiibnnal of e either the them. Bi'- nd penalties Upon ths ed, to whc .. rcising it. — 'ihere oui menie devant ces derniers, ne sont pas r^dig6es par ^crit, ne viennent jamais dsaconnaissance, cependantdu moment oiiil y aun corns de debt constate. port6 a sa eharce, une accusation forniee, ii perd sa libert*:-. La nature de ['accusation ueut etre telle qu"en vain il aurait des amis, des liaisons, de la fortune, une r<5pu. tation quile mettrait au-dessusdu soup9on, il ne pent meme au moyen d'un cau- tionnement pour assurer sa comparution. se soustratre a hncarccration non plus au'\ I'esnece de flelrissure (jui dans ces situations pese trop souvent sur I ninocent. — C'est la nicessitc qui fait la loi. Ces mesures de rigueur, ces sacrifices indivi- duels sont exi ns pour la sjciirilc de la societe, et tiennent a des pnncipes de jus- tice d'un ordre superieur. Croiton des lors que I'enquc^e faite devant un corps nuifaitpartieintegrantedela Legislature, relativement u des dehts de la nature deceuxquefona indiqui's plus ha.it ne dut pas avoir au moins unpoidsegaU celui de lenquc te faite devant un Magistrat, on les Grands Jures d un Comte ? b il V a une diffirence, elle doit ctrc en faveur de la grande enqucte nationale, il n est pas nec-ssaire d'en d( duire les raisons qui doivent se presenter d'elle-meme. Ob- servons encor,^ avant de passer a une autre consik ration, que s'll y a une diffe- rence sousd'autres rapports, elle est en faveur de celui qui est I'objct de recher- ches de la part des Communes dont les pioccdc'ssont publics, et sont a la conna s- sancedetous ct de chacun de eeiix qu'ils peuvent intt'resser ; ceuxci peuvent infme .iemander a et;c entcnilus devant el'es avant quelles se decident a adopter des demarches contre lui. privil 'gc (iii'il ne poiirrait rcclamer devant les autres autoi ill's Icgalcs. On pourrait multiplier de beaucoup ces termcs de comparaison. On pL'ut done voir one ces mesures de rigueur qui peuvent etre le n sultat im- medial de I'enquite d iiiie Cliambre des Communes reiativement a des delits por- tes a la change d'un fbnctioniuiire public, et celles qui dccoulent d une enqLicte ou accusation, relative a un individii, suivant le cours ordinaire des lois, sont dans les regies d'uneanalrgicbien ma quce. La difference, c est que les motifs d'y avoir recours peuvent, doivent, souvent devcnir plus pmssans ct plus impuieux, a raison dc limportance des considerations d'inteivt public, auxquels lis peuvent se rattaeheretdu corps, paitie inti'grante de la Legislature" et par la-memc du (iouverncment, en pienant ce mot dans riiccei)tion clendue dont-il est susceptible dans nolle Constituti.-n, dont les avis, les demandes aupres de la brauehe Lxecu- tivedoivcMit avoir iinp'u3 grand poids, relativement a des (iriefi et a des abas de cette initiML', el a leiir danger poi r lo Ciouvernement, comme pour le pubhe, ai' nom duquel les Communes peuvent faire entendre leurs reclamations contre un in- ilividu.' „ . , ^, 1 I • Aioutons encore, que dans !e fait les Communes, dans un cas comme celui dont il question, ne juuent, ne condamneni pas plus I'individu, objet de leurs re- cherches.que le Magistiut ou les CiranasJiires qui portent I'accusation, qui^pour- tant entraiiie ces rigiieurs. Dans I'liuj ou les autres de ces circoustances, c'est un autre tribunal qui . penple, la tnste pcrspec- Uve de mau.x sans remcdes, ou de griefs, dont le redressement sera.t sujet kles dif- Stis a-peu-prcs insurmontables ; la crainte de voir es fonctionnaues se cro.re ^u orisV dans leurs malversations par lassurance dc I'nnpunitc ; enhn de peidre T'eroird'obtenir justice et laconfiunce dans la protection du Gouyernement qui s 'ule donne aux Citoyens ce sentiment de security qui produ.t 1 afiectat.on. et est lo veritable caKe de 1 ordre. comme d'l.ne vertueuse soumission aux Lois. Ccs considerations me paraissent devoir'suffire dans ce moment pour mettre la anestion s .us son veritable point de vue ; il sera facile dans un second article d en- ? cr dans c,uelques details, et d'indiquer plusienvs fa.ts qui se hent a ceux qui sont pi^enlOsici, etdautres rapports importans sur lesquels la question elle-mcme doit ttre envisagee. 21 Juillet 1831, c LEiiRE LETTER FROM D. B. VIGER, ESQ. TO THt RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD VISCOUNT GODERICII; //'/■/// obscn-atiom on a Memoir or Slalaiwnt vf James Stuart, Esqu'ir.'. relating to an Address of the Assemhlij of Loxcer Canada, praifing for the dismissal of the said James Stuart Jiom the ()//iee of Attorney (ieneral (Ij that Province. My Lonn, The moment Mr, Stuart's IMcmoir was placed in my IkuuIs, I gave tlic arguments which he uses, in answer to the charges brought :vj;ain3t liim hy tlic House of Assembly of Lower Canada, my most serious attention, intending to submit my observations upon them to your Lordship with tlu; sliortest possible delay. iJut, besides being obliged to give some atlentio.: to a collection li" pa- pers which I received at the same time, it was necessary that 1 should apply my- self diligently to a Memoir of sixty-four closely })rinted folio pages, emoracing a great variety of questions, — some of which.' already sutlicienlly complicated, were rendered much more so by the manner in which they are discussed. This is not all. The Author introduces new subjects, as well as arguments equally so, — some of which, as it appears to me, are Ibroigii to the question, whilst others arc of no real importance. Whatever my own ideas, in this respect, might be, I could not take upon myself to pass slightly over all those subjects which might not, under the circumstances, appear to me worthy of serious attention ; still less coidd I observe silence with respect to those, which I might regard as a sort of ex- crescence attached to the Memoir. My task, however, might have been of a lighter description, had not obsta- cles of as serious a nature as those I had to surmount, prt-sciited themselves ; had it been niy lot to discuss the opinions expressed in the Memoir, or the facts there stated, or the suppositions given as facts, to which such opinions apply, in Lower Canada, where the events themselves are universally known; where the facts, which it is necessary to state with some degree of exactitude, arc for the most part notorious. I have not that advantage on this side the Atlantic. My task has, on this accoimt, become one of dilHcidty : because omissions in my observations, which in Canada would be of no importance, might here prove to be of serious consequence. When your Lordshij) reads my observations upon the Memoir in question, you will easily ap|)reciate thesi; difficultii;!, and I am,' therefore, precluded the necessity of dwelling longer on the Subicct. It remains for mc to remind your Lordship, that, as I had tiie honor to in- form you, (and your Lordship was pleased to agree with me,) not having been able^c'tio conclude my labour on this iVlemoir, I think I should send your Lord- ship J c) O j(^ ICIl; '///•■.■. relating ic (/ismissal of Vruiincc. LETTRE SE D. B. VIGER, Ecuyer, ADRESSEE AU ITRES-HONORABLE LORD VICOMTE GODERICH ; Avec ohscrvotions sur tin Mhmre ou Expose de James Stuart, Ecuyer, ait sujet dune Adresse de I'Assemblee du lias-Canadti, demandant la destitution du dit J\MEs Stuart, dc I'Officede rrocureur-General de celle Province. , I gave the t Iiiin by the intcruling to test possible cctioii i.ipa- kl apply my- cniDiacing a complicated, iisscd. This iciits e(jually whilst others might be, I h might not, J!i ; still less a sort of ex- (1 not obsta- jsclvcs ; had or the facts IDS apply, ill ; where tlie iile, arc for he Atlantic, amissions in here prove ations upon , ami I am, honor to in- having been your Lord- ship Aussi'tot que le mcmoirc dc M. Stuart a ('t6 cntre mes mains, j'ai donn6 aux movensdu'il oppose aux plaintes de I'Assemblee du Bas-Canada contre lui, toute rittention dont ic suis capable, dans le de5sein de Ics soumettre a yotre Seigneune d'ans un court dclai, mais sans compter que j'ai 6tc oblige de donncr aussi quel- nue attention a un recucil dc documens qui m'avait etc remis en meme temps, il in'a fallu travailler sur un m(:moire imprime de soixante-et-quatre pages, grand in folio pctits caractcres, roulant sur unc grande vari^te de sujets, parmi lesquels il s'en trouve d'unc grande complication, et qui en ont acquis bien davantage par la manicre dont ilssont discutcs. Ce n'estpas tou. ; lauteur en pr^^sente de nou- veaux aussi bien que des considerations qui le sont egalement, dont les uns me nai'iissent etranfrers a la discussion, d'autres d'une importance assez mediocre. Ouclies que puislent ctre mes idces pcrsonnelles ;\ cet (fgard, je ne pouvais prendre sur moi de passer legereraent sur tons ceux qui ne pouvaient pas me paraitre diffues dune attention scricuse diwis les circonstances, encore moms de garder in- dislinctemcntlc silence sur ceux queje pouvais considcrer comme une espOce ds hors-d'ceuvro dans le mi'moire. .„,. i ..-ju- Mon travail ncanmoins aurait pu nVtre pas accompagne d obstacles aussi dit- ficiles que ceux que j'avais a siirmonter, si j'avais k discuter les opmions mises an iour dans le mLmoire, ou les faits qu'on y invoque, ou les suppositions donnces comme tcls, auxquels on applique ces opinions eUes-mc-mes dans le Bas-Canada, ou les cveiicmcus sont universellemenl connus, ou les faits qu'il faut necessairement priscnter avec quelquc dcgrc dexactitude, sont pour la plupart de notoru'te publi- que Je n'ai pas cct avantage de cc cote de I'ocean, Mon travad a du des lors deveuir ptnible, parce que des laciincs en ce genre dans mes observations, qui en Canada ne scraient d'aucune importance, pourraicnt avoir ici quelque chose de trcs-scricux. Kn lisant mes observations snr le memonc en question, votre Seigneurie pourra aist'mentapprccier ces difficultes, sans qucj'aic besom dc m ar- rOter davantage a ce sujet, ., , II me restc a prier votrc Seigneurie, de remarquer que comme j ai eu 1 non- HLUi dc i'en prevcnir ct dobtcnir soti agrement :i cet ('gard, n'ayant pu termmer encore mon travail sur ce memoire, je crois devoir lui adrcsser la partie de mes observations 20 ship that portion of my observations which follows this Letter. I shall contine diligent in my application to them ; and, complete my task, by submitting the whole to your Lordship as sonn as possible. I beg your Lordship to receive the assurancp ot profound respect with which I have the honoi' tobe Your Lordsiiip's most obedient, humble servant, (Signed") D. B. VIGEU. London Coffee House, i2!)th September, 183L The Right Hoimrable Lord Viscount Cindcruli, S;c. S;c. I OI3SERV.\ 'LIONS ON MU. STUARTS MEMOIR. rUELI.MIXAIlV IIF.M.MIKS. The interests and grievances of a Province are at this moment in question, as against a Einictlonary ol'liigh rank, in Hie slia|)e of an accusation, the gravity of which alone is of such a nature as to rouse a feeling of interest which must, prima Jiicie, plead in its favour. . One is apt enough to consider the public as an al)str.iCt being, particularly •uhcn at so great a distance from the scone where such events as those, wiiicli form the subject of the accusations now in question, have occurred, — whilst at the same time, on the contrary, one is natiually disposed to indulgence towards him whom we st e obliged to submit to an ordeal, tlie rigour of which ever strikes us more fori ibly than its justice, so Ion; as his faults can admit, of t!»e shadow of a doubt, even of the lainlost di^icription. I slioild, however, remark, that Mr, Stuart, in an interest, anything but that of the Inhabitants of 1 ower Canada, has so framed his Memoir as materially to lessen tie weight of such dus delations. I!e has taken such high groumls of defence. The motives he suggests for the purpose of interesuiig His Majesty's (joverunicut in his favour, have refe- rence to considerations of sw essential anil lolly a order, that they must eclipse, and actually cast into the shade all tlio-e nuiti^es which might be considered of a personal nature, even to the e.\teiit of taking themselves out of the rules of jus- tice as regards indiviiluals. It is not e\eu the uieie application of the rules of morality, or of pid)lic justice, to an orduiary case: the Memoir, on the contrary, puts an extreme case, relating to those rules which eoiislitiilc the I'oundation of the Go\ eminent, ami without winch it could no longer exist. If we are to believe Mr. Stuart on llie subject, liis cause is that of the autho- ritie?. ills fate is so < losely linked to the existence of the (lovermnent, that the /)ne could not be separated I'lom the othe.. His own downfall would ilrag after It that ol public order in the ( olony. One should not even, therefore, think on any account, of holding his conduct up to the light of scrutiny. The mode in which the House of" .\ssembl) has j/ioceeded against him, is " too evidently re- *' pugnant to reason and justice. ' '• These accusations should not be acted upon *' as the loundatiou of ulterior proceedings against him." Whether he be guiity or not, the House ot Assembly must be immediately driven from the foot of that throne which they have dared approach, for the purpose 21 shall contine ibinitting the It with which rvant, riGlill. les sera obscrva'tions qui suit cette lettre ; jc vais conlir.uor n of exaggcraf c/n, I have used his own expressions This is not ||(^ time to Mu," for til*- purpose of ennuiring whether these doctrines which wv>uld render Functionaries, once recefvfd anfl started in pracfi e in a socicfy^ Inviolable, wouKI not destroy the society itjitlf; ami whether, in its organi/^lion it cou!J otfer to tho;4e person's composing it, the blighttfst hope of a shadow of hi^i««ss, or of security. Seeing, from the beginning, thju ^fifirission .issume, in Mr. Stuarts Memoir sucii a character of gravity, we shall leel ut of*<"e the force of the reasons u ich in- diiccd me to observe, before entering on ii is discussion, that the importance which might, under any other circumstances, attach to considerations of private interest or of individual justice, should, in some measure, vanish from the; moment one hiids it necessary to look at the question in that point of view in which Mr otuarthii .self has presented it. After having shewn that his assertions, in this rospcct, as well as on this sub- ject generally, are perfectly free tiom pretext, it might be expedient to observe, that any (Jovernment which woii'd subscribe to such pretensions as those setup by Mr. Stuart, deprived of all moral /oive, must depend alone on physical hfrength-that is tosay, (hat it would bo erected on an imaginary foundation; that no man of honor could consent to place himself at the mercy of an arbitrary authority, and become tlie vile tool of an ignoble ambition or of interest, in or- der to dograde a people ; in fact, that virtuous Citizjcns, faithful subject?, 'would soon 1)L driven to hate a (Jovernment which could promise milling but slavery. Another obstaeli < prt nted itself diHicult to surmount. It would have been desirable, i ndouhi.dly, to ave been enabled to follow Mr. Stuart, (if I may use expression,) -'ep by step, lo discuss, successively, each portion of his Memoir, Ml the order in which tli. various subjects on wtiichit treats present themselves. This is the plan which I at first proposed to my.self, and it was in accordance with this plan that I commenced my task} but, as' I proceeded, it became dillicult, and I was obliged, upon reflection, ultimately to abandon it. Some e.vplanations on this subject will be useful. They will lia've as well the good ctlect of clearly pointing out the new coui.se which" I have proposed to adopt, as of facilitating the means of reviewing these o!)servations and their bearings, collectively, in or- der to contrast tlieni with Mr. Stu irt's doctrines. They will also serve, in con- junctiun with some of my preceding r. marks, to throw more than one ray of li>'lit on the most iiiijiortant points of this discussion. ° CO nil Assuredly, I would not im[)utc to M;. Stuart a premrditated design, a deeplv- •iidered intention of drawing off attention from those f;.it ■ which form the fbuli- (lation of tlie charges imputeil to him, nor of Miducing us I . • ksc sight of those prin- ciples upon wliich this discussion should proceed, bv di!\' ting our attention to considerations of a secondary, merely inciilental, or perliftly foreign nature, and by this means ;.;ive our ideas a positively false bias, it is at leiist true to say,' that the manner in which Mr. Stuart has grouped the various subjects discuss'ed, or alluded to in his Memoir, and the nature of those which he has chosen to brin-r forward by noticing, as well as those whic?; ' - has left in the shade, is well caf- cul.rted to produce this kind of illusion; if, d^id, one could not call analysis s fur tho purpose of 3e|jarating, cla-su ._ .' .. le order, and placing tliese subjects toai' " on nc •• servic •♦ ter.' geratioi draicnt offrii :\ I ,s('curiti En Stuart, daiisles d'entaii circons! doit en d'envis: pri'sent> surces tout Gc met auj physiqi liomme bitrairc et abrut bientot fers. II doute d partie f pose s') ce jilan je croy; dc mar seront ] Ic marc CCS obsi Stuart. Jeter p|i sion. .le tcntion fails (pi ])erdre i deratioi tlirectie groupp de ceil' danii I : nc pou' oniro, Icur jii! 'll Griefs, dont il n s par dans so « 23 cir coiiiplniiits All would bo iiUI lie no lur- niiiistrutioi) of liut honorable .'Mts cuuld no , I have used of ertfjtiiring received and lociety itself; posing it, the inrt^f "Mcmou" ions \t ich in- e importance ans of private n tht! moment in which Mr. s on this sub" It to observt, those set np on physical tuundation ; ['an arbitrary itcrc^t, in or- ijcctF, would but slavery, d have been if I may use his Memoir, , themselves, urdaiice with me diliicult, explanations ct ol clearly facilitating lively, in or- rve, in con- !ray of ligiit ;n, a dceply- °m the fbini* if those prin- iltenii.jii to natnre, and to say, thai iscussetl, or en to brir.iT is well cal- :all analvsis lacing these subjects «« on nc ponrraitphis ddsormals s'attcndrc \ voir dcshommcsd honneurentrornii •« service public ; icGouvernemenI Colonial ne pourraif plus continuer de suhsis- •• let'.' J'ai emprunt6 ses expressions pour ne pas tHre expose an 8onp9on d exa- geration. Ce n'est pas le moment de s'arretcr h. examiner si ccs doctrines, qui ren- draicnt Ics fonctionnaircs inviolables, \mc fois revues ct miscscn pratique dans une 8oci('te, clle pourrait nepas sc dissoudre, ct si dansson organisation uliit iency, ' its want of " specification." He even mistakes the nature of some of the charge.^, which he takes to iiavc reference to those nflcnees which are defined usually by technical terms, and which jail Within the ordinaiy hcojie of practice, ami should, according to him, be " al- *' ways and cxclusUcly ci.ciuired into by Courts of Law;" and this is again anotlii T dim • SiiK'o writliij till' iilii'T^, Mr, Stuart has forHarded the firit and tliirj reports, coi^iVit of which I received .•rt the latter eud uf ()iIoi>er. stiiiguisli and of the •'Com- rouijlit aj^ait)st ought to have iposL', without ' lias aiKiwcred L'couil llc'poit. ig to his Mo- l)scrvatious ;'i» It, claiu) ( , r .vliicli it fun IS cupyiug h' i; )o\e ainiiu ul ;'mbotiii'S ;!rj- vhich sliouhl tion. Again, [• that he may creating uiti- s, ideas, facts, ct of en(]iiiry part of ail ac- t, lie iiKikes a iiuiirect, part II to answer, is overlomii d II leave others* to them, tilioners who iH well against cml)ly' itsell. oiiiiiuiting ill s, brought to isei tioiis, (loc- d of any priii- iiul ill others e case, with- ihjeetions, or 1st hiiu. ' .'xdiisive im- jurisilietioii'' a mere iiidi- iieiit. Again, nis its •' irie- takes to have IS, and whiih him, be " al- this is again anuthiT wllich I r>.'ccivc(l S5 cond Qnantan troisieme. il s'estbornd a joindre k son m<;moire nn recueil dc docnmens. sans y ajuuter memo d'observations en exphcal.on. C est done des acciisations port^es dans le second rapport, dont d convient de s occuper pour le ' """""ouantaM memoircniis a la suite d'nne rciuete, dent il est le supplement, et on'il est destine a soutcnir, an lien de soccuper nni' iloiiiiiie,' contre les " 'IVmoins" qui ont depose des ■ fV.its po tes a sa charge, le tout rejiete et entremoh', sans plus dordre, dassertions, de doctrines et de fais, toutes aussi nouvelles qu'exiraordinaires et (galement d6- uue.s de preuves pourleur servir d'a; J)ui> II observe a plusieurs reprises dans ces termcs quclquefois dans il autres ('qni- valciis, « qu"il ne demande justice (500 sur des faits, sans egard a I'abseme de ju-. " riilietondela part de lAssembl c, a des objections technicpes, a I'iin'gulaiite " et a rinsiiHisaiiee des pioci lU's (lu'elle a adopt('s contre lui ;" Quels S! nt ccj en- daiit les moyeiis auxquels 11 parait mettre uiie importance exclusive? II excepte de " i'lucoinpLlcMiee du difiuit de jur'dietioii" dela part de TAssemblre ? II sem- ble persiadr (|U il est devaiit one Co. r dans I'ordre ordinaire, comme simp'e paiti- cnliir oeciipedu soiti de piaider sur ce qii'on appelle un Aetc d'accusation " in- " dietmeiit. ' 11 exct'iite encore, et c'est de "la forme de I'Acte d'accusation" de CO cu'i qu dilio sou " irreguLirit' son insnffisance " son difaiit de " spicitica- " tion." Use me|)rend meme sur la nature de quehiues nns des chefs d'accusa- tion, (]u'ii suppose avoir |)Ourol)jet de ces dclils assjjettis a ties tlcfiiiitions tcclini- ques- " tionner, siiis (pi'ils aient etc transqiiestioiims !* Alors coni|)tant pouvoir sc reposer sur tout cc q'l'il a avance a cc snjct, comme sur des faits constants on des priucipes dont il ai;rait fait line applicalion rigoureiisemeiit exacte, il denouce tous les proccdi s de I Assemblee comme au- tant d'Actes par lesquels die sc serait rendu coupable de la plus crimincllc " iisur- " pation.aurait cxcrce des pouvoirs etrangcrs a sa juiiuictiou, "' ou au-dessus de sa competence, auraitiierdu dc vuc les p'incipcs qui sont la sauve garde " de lare. D ]uitation 26 another cause for exception. In fine, he sees in the A^embljs by winch l.ejs Leased, and which den.ands justice ag^ns h.m a ^^^^^,,^ .. upon itself to try and condemn h.m. »». '-"'• '*^'"8 Pf^ himself ; - without parte: without having placed hmi '" « «''^'«* "" '." ^"'"^^^^^^^ r. any communication or intimation to h'-T^ as > he -^^ ^^^^lon o n ^^_ ^^^ "offences; without nquning h.s pres(5.>ce, alter » ^cae; exa^^^ ^ c^oss-exa- . witnesses; t^^^- r^-rSS\.;^n:" h haS^^ ;^;r;ho.si;;^c^w;reeS^^ borrow his own expressions. . , ^,,^1 This is. doubtless, pushing illusum as far as "" ^^^^ Jj ,';',7/,^^^ ,. stuart's it becomes stil! more striking when we ^^""^.'''^ , f '.-J^.^ does not ac- own Petition, the House of Assembly requ.edhs d ms I • He cuse the Assemblyofscek.ng hiscoiulemnaton in htsa e n^^^^^^ B^ he were before a Court ,ot\^"""-\j"/'tiden t en. f on m circumstance. done so in Petitionu.g the Crown. It is ^^'f/^^. 1 e^ .^ n^ ^^^ that the idea of " trying,"/' ^"vcMng, and P '^'^;' ^^^ "^ ^^..^^es itself to thority, never was entertained by he "«"'';. -V" jf^^'^^^^^ to execute of his soiici^ng of t^^;;--«;;, t :;; ^ Sc!^;;^ ^X^i^^ is ^vested. own arcord. by viituc oi inc j.xcluli <. a j i st art and con- Mr. .Stuart, how.ver. <^«''^^''"; '"S ';' f, . j^ j'^^in^^ <-•«"- tradictory a do.cnption. «""«;'^.,^J .jj ,^7^ contradicto- ^"?"fi r":i^\vf ml^r'i n'uieSisIL of this sul^eC. place any reiance on thes/ as^iol^r'tl^ gravity m^^^^^^^^ uity which can only be «-•'!"»' f^^^f-'^J^l?' 1 'fj, Is/' the " Committee." them we .--t pcrsuad. «-;;^ " .^ ;^^ \„, lJl,,ni: of the cou„t.y which the " NVitnesses, tlie Asstmn y uv. • ,- . „itj;j tom-ther and it represents, accordin.4 to h.m the " ^'"""^ ' ;"'y;.,^'o,'; e altar'of hatred, conspired against him. in order to '™'"«,^^'- ,^ J.^Zuyr ny of which men. in order to visit him with c ve-y ^>'-"^'^'-'l;^'"" f ' 'J'\^ .'^"^to ' r«^volt ng immorality, blinded by the grossest ignorance, or a prey to the most could possibly be guilty. „^rr^„w t,rrMiaded do.^s Mr. Stuart seem to Here I must remark that, so perfectly V'^ "J ^ \7 ,,^,,, ,,, .^u,,,,, depends be. that his answers to the Assembly are «"/hmM . tha ' hen h a J^^ ^^ tor justifying hin.self in gmng that »^'^'^'^\ " ' '^^^^^^^^^ security of the and'suggesting to him. as an act ''h -^-^^^'X ^^^t L. t<, tl e comphiuts of Government iu Canada, above all th ngs to turn a ^>^'» ^ contempt of which the House of fssend.ly ; to t.at hem w th ^^^ , ^-;lh^;::^;?..'s;r V^; wf^^rth^ " nutation et de la fortune des citoycns." Enfin ses proc^d^^s suivant lui " r^pu- « cnenttrop rvidemment a la raison et^ la justice pour qu'il soit n^cessaire de " s\.rrrter ;\ des observations a cesujei." Ce sont encore ses propres paroles que j'eiftiprunle. : }• Cest la sans doute pousser I'illusion aussi loin qu'elle peut aller en pareille cir- constance. Elle devicnt encore plus frappante, si on considere qu'aux termes de sa requete 1' Assemblce a demands sa destitution. II ne {'accuse pas meme d'avoir conclu contre lui h un jngementdont le resultat pourrait etre une condamnation A ce qu'on appelle en te« mes techniques, peine afflictives, ce qu'elle ne pou- vait en ttlet deinander du tu junal auquel elle s'est adressee et devait sadresser. 11 est done evident qiie cette demande exclut toute intention de le " jiiger, de le '« condamner, de lepunif desa4)ropre autorite." Elle se borne a solliciter du Souverain, la seule justice qu'il peut rendre par lui-meme en vertu de I'autorite executive dont il est revttu. Cependant M. Stuart, confondant des idees aussi disparates et contradicttires, comme les faits, n'on accuse pas inoiiis l'z\ssembl^e del'ttvoir, dit^il, " convaincu, ^ondamne de s'fitre arroge a la f'ois tousles pou- •« voirs les plus distincts" et meme opposes dans notre Constitution, de Cours, de Juges, de Grands et de Petits Juris. Entin, si on devait s'en rapporter a ces assertions r^pc'tc'es, avec unegravite plusqu'austere, d'un ton de solennite qui ne peut etre tgalt que par le sentiment ])rotbnd d armertume queiles respircnt, il faudrait se persuader que les " Pttition- '' naires," le '• Comitc de I'Assemblee, ' les »• Tcnioins, I'Assemblee elle-mcme," It'S llabitansdu Paysquelle represente, suivant lui, le "parti qui y domine.'se se- raient ri'uuis 1 1 cousertes pom- taire de lui une victime ;'» immoler sur I'autel de la haine ; pour exercer eontre lui tousles genns d'injuslice et de tyrannic dont les hommes avcugles par I'iguorance la plusgrossiere, en proie a la plus profonde im- moralite, pounaient seules 6tre capables. 11 I'aut ajouter maiutenant qu il est si profondenient persuade que cesrt-ponses a I'Assemblee sont victorieuses, que c'est sur elles qu'il s'appuie pour donner a Sa Majeste les avis dont il a ete dt ja question, et lui suggc-rer commo un Acte de nici ss te indispensable pour la seeurite de son Gouvernement, de fermer avant touti'oreille aux plaintes de TAssembU'e, de la trailer avec le souverain mepris dont il s'eftbrce de lui persuader qu'elle sest rendue digne. Une conside- ration i\ peser suivant lui, c'est de savoir si ce ne serait pas ebranler tout lYdifice de I'autorite, que de le soumettre ;\ la necessite de se jusiitier. Un exenple aussi dangereux pourrait rendre la continuation du Gouvernement Colonial absolument impossible. j'jji jiiiffhQis dans le momQire des movcns dont ie vieus de vendre conipte pour 28 in order to take them for discussion and examination. My reasons for taking such a course, are too self-evident to '^^{I'^^^^'^lll.^, ^,y Ue considered as With regard to those portions ot tlie Memou wiucu lu.xy renting ,0 M^ nK.,i.,or ,lL n;-'-; ;--;»y^,^f [;'!,'';„ „,,'r, ^ cas y and nalinaily imau,ino that int^e lauci (i .,,..„ ,,, ,,„int of fact. .ludow of |,r.„.l by « l,icl, to su|.,.oit.h> m '''',;,;, ^,°, 11 ,l,o C.n,- u luuslu.,- .,ml.c-t) in l,is rc.crm,,nunon»^^ miltoo, tiR- A.sc,i,l,ly, the " !'"'■''•'•", .^''""Z " ,i ,,1 Mil, ect, to wl.icll l.o „„ fm-llKr importance .h»n ^ 'J |';;f;, :,,,'; ' „„.,., »„nU, titero- cnJcavonrs to »|.,,ly ll.e.n^ ' ' I '1' fi c o , " . at inosonl to son.c ren.ark., s:;!;^:^';;: "i.;;^T«enl°.f ;a';:r'o^°;:;nn>e,;.s d^ .>,>. .co„a .,e.c„„tion. '-' lFi^'^„f;;;£,r:h"-eS';l;e Mon,oi. to Percoive a.^evc,y ... I.. .li,l,ko to on.cing into the real snbjeet ol '''«'^"»»'° \ ''",^„ ;,,°u,c top , .!,« i;: -^s'l;'c\!n::r^ -'ui^ iiLiitn.™;:;: n:i:;;;l."ri..ee. i,,.. „. |,retc..sion and wi.I.e., in tl.i. r«,.eet, aie ««^"«''='?;;i'|;;'r,';'„„,| ,,„„ors upot. ;„e ,ss:n::i;:;'::::r ';:;:;: t,;:i::r t^eii;^^^"";;!.. „gain. ii,n„ °"'' 'fliTa^'^intc'r'-'lie »;1 "' iirili^ontht-c. on ll,«e occasion, ..Iticlt/on,,, O he nuts of his condnct. which have been censured, were re.^ulate.l >y » '^" ' "en ; y I th . onus.on of which he would have heeu rea, y '^V'l' ^^^ ; ^^ l.avc be. niHUtdated' ; i^ut of " h^ tacts, ^ ,VpL%>r h.\vin<' been .niiliy 1 ' II,. ■u-riiscs the w tnesscs, ni broad terms, oMuivui^ dclm ^tiinj msmmmmM ^' '■" '^ , I ■. u,,f .if till. tnm(» time arc aupcaleu to wiiu a couu thing worse th.ui sm^nilarity, but at the same uiul uic .4 j .leuce apparently boundless. delusion on tliis subject. Ki.irin.r I'St it luav be supposeii tliat J am a puj lu utuii j icariti'; icsi .1 m.iNi^u ,| ^^.:.„,... oi^.^ture t Mr. Stuart see...s to think of no importance. This Mr. Crebassa is one of the witnesses produced before the Committee ; and this anonymous document is produced (or the purpose of destroying his own testimony, given at the distance of nearly a vear from the date of the affidavit itself. Fui.r oth. r of these attidavits are of the months of May and June, 18.10, that is. a year before the accusation. Some of the facts set forth in them would be, in effect, contradictory to those proved bef re the Committee. It may easily be seen what conHdence should be placed in this sort of evidence. I cannot f\ul to tcum\i,eupassa»t. that the prei aration of these affidavits at so early a period was a singular circumstance, particularly it. accorrl- inc to the Memoir, they were prepared without any object,— witli-Mit the re- motest view (f justifying himself against an accusation, of which, according to Mr. Stuart, he could not at that time emcrtain the slightest noi,„n; the least suspicion; of which, but f.r the Address of th. Assembly bearing date the iUi Maich last. " he could not have been aware. Nevertheless, had he never before thought of the necessity of obtaining Mr. Crebassa s afhdavit it is a lit- tle astoi.ishCig that, having been able to . btain the signature and afhrmatioM o two by Mr. Von Ifland, one of the lUth of June, 1H3U. the other o the '2nd of IMay. 1831, he did not take at least the same p.ecaution with regard to Mr. t re- bassii. Me knew, doubtless, the n. cessity of compleling^this person s affidavit. as he felt that of i locuring a second fiom Mr. Von Iftiand.* Here I should agaiif allow myself some remarks, in reference to one of two affidavits Hiven bv tins Mr. Von 'iHland. a man of education, a Doctor of Me- dicine. forme, ly a Magistrate, and the allulavit upon which Mr. Stuart more esBecially relics with the greatest confi lence. the only one, perhaps to winch, on account of the description of facts it contains, he could aita.h (d in fact this idered as finally settled. lie continues, and deposes in his affidavit that he consulted his Majes'y's Attorney Geiicrjil, who toil him that '• if his answers had been untruly or iiuonvctly repo:ted to the House of «' \svemb!v. the fit course to be taken was by Peti;ion to the House of Assem- " bly, to p'ray that an oppoilunitv miu'lit be afforded to him for the correction " of tiie errors and inaccuracies." " Ami he then adds, " that from the late period " of the Session at wli ch he became acquainted with the incorrectness^ of the " evidence ascribeil to him as aforesaid, and from other circumstances," which he does not stale, "he could not succeed in obtaining the correction of the 'I'lus declaration is remarkable. It was on the '2'2nd of Tebruary that he had been examined before the Coiiiinittee of the House of Ass> mbly. •• It was •' immediately after his examination that being informed." he does not say by !iat circui.islances, that his deposition contained unlrr' I whom, or undci had • «Utii).c ; he only made vain eflorU to ul)t»iu it. 31 cnaUireest pour dt'tniire son propre tcmoifinage donn6 i\ la distance de pres dune ■Jnnedeladatede I'aifidAvit Im-mfime. Quatie aiities affidavits sur les autres sont dii moisde Maietde Juin, mil hiiit-cent-trente, c'est-^-dire, un an avant I'ac- cusation. gueU|ue8.uli8 dt-s fails aiticnl6s dans ces affidavits seraient en efFet contraires .\ ceiix qui se trouvent constatts devaiit le Comit6. On verra quel fond oa pent faire sur cette espcce de teinoignage. On ne peutse refuser en passant de faiie a ce sujet observer que ce serait uii singulier hazard que ces affidavits fus- sent pr<:'|)are8 si long-terns d'avance, si on sen rapporte au memoire, sans aucun but sans la plus legere intention de se justifier d'une accusation, dont suivant M. Stuart, il ne pouvait pas avoir la moindre idee, le plus Uger soup9on, dont il n'a pas « pu avoir connaissance qu'au moycn de I'adresse de I'Assembke," qui est du « 4l Mars de cette annre. Sil navait m'anmoins nullement8ong6;\ la n6ces8it6 d'obtenir cclui dc M.Crebassa.ilest :tonviant qu'en ayantpu faire signer etaffirmer deux i)ar M. Von Iffland, I'uu du dix de Juin 1830, f'autre du deux de Mai 1831, il n'ait pas pris au moins les memes pri^-cautions par rapport a M. Crebassa. II connaissait sans doute la m cess t • de completer I'atfidavit de celui-ci comme il sentait celle de se procurer le second de M. Von Iffland • Jedois encore me permettre ici quelques remarquts sur I'un des affidavits donn'spar ce M. Von Ifilaiul, homme d'( ducation, Docteur en Medecine, ci-de- vant .Iu"e a Paix, et, de tons, celiii sur lequil M. Stuart se repose avcc leplus de confiance, le seul peut-£treau of March; tiiat the I'arh uiient, whicii had opened on the i<>Glh of January, continued to sit untd the Mlh of Marcn ; and it is on account of" the late period of the Session that he coukl not s ■,cc(?ed in " obtainiivr the necessary correction.' After tins we may see that he iiad other reasons thiui •' the late period of the Session.* As we iiave already said, this remains unexplained. , e ■ i i r- u- u In order to strengthen these assertions, relating to the f;ilsehood ot which the Committee would have been Ruilty, he declares also, in his alKdavit, that he said before th^ Commiltee, " that he was not present wiien Gazialie dit St. Ger- " main took the oath and voted, and could^ not therefore, know whether he " showed reliinctaiice to take the oath or not." , , ^ . , ., One would doubtless think, that, in the Report of the Committee, the wit- ness is made to say •« that he was present.' Hut this is not the case. Accord- in'' to the Report of the Committee he was asked, if the Attorney C.eneral had no't encoura-ed that man to take the oath? His answer was in the following words:— "l do not believe that I was there at the time, but I heard several pcr.-ons mention it shortlv afterwards.'' , • i /c i Such is the scrupulJus delicacy of the principal witness deposing, by afhda- vit, in Mr. Sti.art's Memoir. ^ , . r i Here is enough at the outset, for the purpose of cleiring me from the sus- picion of exaggeration on this .subject, to which I shall in due time recur.— Doubtless, I shall be pardoned for having dwelt upon these circumstances, be- cause they are calculated, as I have already remarked, to throw some light on this dicussion. It remains for me now to observe, upon the nature of tins proof, that, ac- cording to Mr. Stuart, it would be on the part of the Committee of the House of Ass" mb'y not onlv a kind of crime to have received cxpar/e testimony; to have appealed to it as'a proof would be almost extravagance. He. however, con- fidently produces these nHidaviis, certainly taken cxparte, as un(|uestionable proof:' athdavits wlii h are sufliciently characterised by the circumstances I have po med out. Resides, we may observe, that this sort of proof destroys itself,— that tlie greater part i f that set up, .igainst positive testimony, is purely nega- tive, ih.it a pait of the facts, which it has been uttempted to piovc, could offer nothing for his jiistiti atioii, even were they taken for granted. Lastiv, .Mr. Stuart concludes by producing a document, by means of which he becomes a witness in his own cause. It is his own report, dated the 2()th of October, IS.J'J, tn .Sir James Kempt, then Governor of the I'rovince, in which he labours to lustitv-hiinsell beforehand in regard to those facts which are brought to his charge, by the House of Assembly, in this last Session of 1S31, and on which a great pioporton of the charges against him are founded. Neither will it per- haps on this account, be necessary to dwell on it at any length, when the rest of the Memoir shall liave been discussed. It wi.l be sullicieut here to remark, that this circumstance alone will, ot itself, give rise to strange reflections on the bit- terness of Mr. Stuart's complaints, as to " his not having been aware of the steps of the House of Assembly against him, except from the Address of the House ot this year." OBSERVATIONS ^Wte- to 33 " n'^tait pas nn'scnt, qiumd Oazaille (lit St. Germain avalt pris Ic serment et vot^, «« et qui! ne nouvait consequemment savoir s'il avait temoigiic de la rcpupfnance a •« prendre le serment et j\ voter ou non." On devrait croire sans doute, que dans !e rapport du Comitc on fait dire ail tcmoin"qu'il dtait present;" cependant i\ n'en est lien. Snivantic rapport du Comitc on lui avait dcmandc si M. le Procti- reur-Gineral n'avait pas encourage ccihomme a voter? sa rtponse est textnelle- ment, " ie ne crois pas que je fussc present," au moment mcme, mais je i'ai en- tcndu dire par plusienvspersonnes I'instant d'aprcs. Telle est la scrupuleuse dti- licatesse du principal tcmo^ Itposant par affidavit dans le memoire de M. Stuart. En voila assez pour nic , fifier d'avance du soup9()n d'cxageration snr cet objit auqucl je reviendrai en son icms. On me pardonncra sans doute d'avoir ap- puye snr ces circonstances parcc qu'eiies sont propres comme je I'ai dejA fait romar- qucr a jeter quelque jour sur cctte discussion. II me reste a observer pour ce moment snr la nature de cette prcuvc, que suivant M. Stuart ce scrait de la part du Comitc de I' Assembl(fc non pas sculement une espt'ce de crime d'avoir re?!! ses ttmoignagcs expartc, ce serait ])rcsqu'une extravagance de les invoquer comme une preuvc. Cependant il prodnit avec contianco comme preuve irrefragable ces affidavits, pris assurc'-ment esp.n-te, ct que les circonstances que je viens d indiquer suttibcnt dcja ijourcaractcriser. ,/ • i, ,1 On verra d'ailleurs que partie de cette esptce de preuve se detruit il elle- m^me, que la plus giande partie opposce a des temoignages positifs est purement negative, qii'unc partie des faits que Ion a entendu prouver ne pourrait ricn por- duTre pour sa justification qiiaiid bien merne ils seraient constans. Enfin, M. Stuart tcrmine en produisantuu document au moyen duquel il dc- vient temoin dans sa propre cause. C'cst un rapport dc sa main fait le 20 d Oc- tobre IS^8, a Sir James Kempt, alors Gouverneur dc la Province, dans lequel il travaillait d'avance a se justificr relativementades faits quisontportesa sa charge par I'Assemblrc dans cette derniere Session 1831, et sur lesquels une grandc par- tie de ses accusations est fondoe. II ne sera pcut-ctre pas non plus par cette rai- son tres-neccssaire de s'y arreter long-terns qiiand on aura discute le reste du me- moire. On se contentera d'ajoutcr ici que cette circonstance pent seule et d'elle- meme donner lieu a d'etranges reflexions sur I'amertume des plaintes de M.Stuart, a raison de limpossibilite ou il etait, dit-il, de pri^voir les demarches de I'Assem- biee contre lui, d'en " acquerir aucune connaissance qu'au moyen de son Adresso '« de cctte annce." OBSERVATION-^ 34 ■"M»aj OBSERVATIONS ON MR. STUARTS MEMOIR, I'AllT Tin: FIRST. As to ihc objection roiiiulcd on tlio following : that «' tln\first Pcl'iliaii mis .s!i siih- scn'hiwc ti) xcliosc xicxcs the priiwipat o//c«ri .s, -ilikli had /iccii iiiiit/c lln- siih- jat 1)1' iiiilktincnt, xarc comiiiiltai : " Jiir f/ic iiio.s/ part, //lu.sc uj' Ihc persons luriiscd, mid of their .Ittonwi/s, Onaisvl and Jiicnds.'' The Conunittee oftiic Assembly was •• composed oi/ire/i/ of persons beh)n;J- inn- to the same po/iliai/ parti/, of Xihieh sonic iif them xcerc /mmiinent Mitnhers, and all of xchom,,fn»ii political aiiimositi/ or personal resentment, xuggested bv them were unanimously adopted, without a single voice being raised III favour of'Mr. Stuart." What becomes then of these complaints,— and what weight can they have as :\gainst the committee? • llail not Mr. Milan's lirollicr, a iiiciuti.r of ilip Iloii'c of Assembly, been ill duriiiij a imrt oltlif la^t >tc«sioii, it is pussiblv thai he miglit have cudeavoured to defeud hiui. As 35 yis si<:)U(/, '//, IN siih- k' llif sitli- (, //IIJ.SC li/' us lichiv^' Ml ttihrrs, ■ LmnKii til wliicli liis liich (bill: tlio C'oin- ■irhy s.iy- iiot si^ucil licnit;clvL's, sii;iieil it, ible ; iiiul, lit, on tlic vcakciiiiig, lit to coai- jlic virtue, ill lliciii ill n tiio veil- ill of pinoi, :;;iiii^l iuiii, ijcct ot'llic I stiil nioic ' was coni- ,liicli soiiit; aiiimo.'-ity, ' t!u> c'om- iic Iloiist'. iimiltci:, or calciilalt'il ■ mciiihers. LMiiscivcs to to be irica- , be a most oits of this resolKtiotis ciiii; raised —aiul wliat OnSERVATIONS SUil LE MEMOlllE DE M. STUART. rilEMIKIli; I'ARTIE. Dcs obicctions fondccs sur ce que " Ics Si-imtmes de In premiere Pe'tilion ttaicnt /oiKcs smis cmption ncs pnrtisms cl (Ics adhcraiis mis des membivs de ce Comite, oa mvme la plupart d'eiitre eu\, fussent en effet en proie a des pnjuges on a des passions capables de les (garer, la Cliambre clle-m: me est conqjosre dc i^lus de (luatre-vingts mcmbres ; pcutron supposer ijv.e tons, et sans exception, dissent pu se laisscr aveugler par hi liaiiie centre lui, au point d'etre capables d iiii sentiment dc justice a son egard ^ c;c scrait lu un etat de chose aqicn-pres inexplicable. II sulHra maintenant d'ob- server, que les rapjiorts de co Comite ont etc accueillis ct appronves jiar la Cliam- bre, et que lcs resolutions que ces rapjiorts ont suggeres ont etc adoptees a runatii- mite, ctsans qii'il se soit eleve nnc seule voix pour reclamer en favour dc .M. Stuart, (*.) Que deviennent des lors et d- quels poids peuvcntetrc ces lecrimi- iiatioiis contre le Comite ? * Le frrrp lie M. Stiwrt, ^toni'irc ile I'.'.ssemlili't at'te malade pcudimt uiic partie de la dcrnit-re Session ; il ill nc pout (ju'il out touto House of )(it calling :e to these It was at li is right proeeetleil ; njystiiy, L'r-l'anad.i ;c a volui.- . it (among dinjiy ini- wliich he concliule, thing but 37 Dc rasscrtion de M. Stuart que Ics tcmoins ont 6t(i •' cxaminiis en secret," II est "uistcde donncr un pcu plus d'attention ii cettc assertion qui pourra^t raircsuDposei- la vuite d'un fait que M. Stuart n'articule pas. qu'.l ne pouva.t en- crtet articuler; mais que cette assertion pourrait fairo supposcr, ct dont d serait possible qu'on tirat dcs lonsaiuences aussi fausses que ce f.nt lui-mome, s d 1 a- vait formellemcnt avance. . . , , ,^ -, ^ /./ .. M. Stuart dit que Ics trmoinspruduits dcvnnt le Comitc ont (tt • ex iars " en secret •" H n'a pas sans doiite entcndu dire que c'ctait un " Comit^": secret," pour qu'on en tirat dos inductions analogues ;\ cellcs quo Ton a vues dern.crement diduire rclativcment a des proccdes devenus un objct de discussion idccntc, d un C'omitc qui en diet avait ete " secret." M. Stuart na pu avoir I'lntcntion dc f lire prendre le change, ct se servant dcs cxprcsHions dont il a fait usage a 1 (giud ,iu Comite de ['Assemble ilii Bas-Canada, et deccs rapports dans la denuerc Ses- -.ion, dc fairc croirc une chose qu'il n'osait pas dire, paice qu'il en connaissait la faussctc. D'aillours lartiticc cut 6le trop glossier, pour qii'd nc I'cut pas dnh.i- gue. On pcut croirc (pie cette assertion se rapportait a I'idcc fausse qu'il s etait forim'e de ['obligation oiiaait apparcmmcnt, suivant lui, I'Assemblee, de ne pas nroci-der sans requerir sa presence, sans I'appeler pour transquestionner les te- moins, &r. C'est sans doute dans ce sens, qu'il parle en disant que Ics trmoins ont etc " examines en secret." II etait aumoins m'-cessaire de nc pas laisser cette paitie de son memo'.re sans observations. II est juste d'ajouter que ce n'etait niiU lement un C;<)mite secret, quil a procedc d'apres les mimes regies que tons ics autres Comites et sans my-steie, cnfiii, d'aprc^sles usages communs aux Communes du Has-Canada et a cellcs d'Angletene. Au restc M. Stuart auqucl on n'a nuUement le dessein d'imputer iinc ic- ticcnc-c volontairc ;i ce sujet, a procb'^t, entre autre, dans son mcmoirc, dun M. Von inland un atlidavit, auquel il rat. (l^videmmcnt une importance extraordinaire. II appuic aussi siir certains avancis qui s'y trouvent, auxquels il n'en attache pas moiiis, ct dont il faut iiecessairement tirer la conclusion que I'examen de ces t( moins devant le Coinite etait toute autre chose qu'un " examen secret." 1 " became nted; trouble of lion rather objection, nizance of ilins year, w election, uf this im- e from out I'iie House put it into e could do uit rights ; egards the : necessary ic {jsngc of parlia- Delobjection fondue sur la pretention que la "premiere Petition devrait s'cteindre" avec le Parlenicnt dans lequel elle avait ^te presentee ; Cescrait aussi se deiier un pen trop dujugement de ceux qui prendront la peine do donner la plus li'gerc attention a la nature des accusations dont il est question, que de s'arreter irrel'uter laborieuscmcnt ['objection de M. Stuart fondee sur ce que I'Assemblee aurait pris connaissance dcs griefs articuKis d;ins iinept'ti- tion pplsentce dans une Session de lannee precedenie, et aurait proc^d6 dans uii autre parlcment ;i la suite d une iiouvelle Election. En matiere de griefs, sur tout d uucaractcrc aussi public, et de cette importance, les Communes n'ont sftre- ment pas besoin d'attentlre I'impulsion du dehors pour proccder ;\ rexameu de ccs objets, L'Assemblee avait essentiellement juridiction, elle n'avait pas besoin da petition pour se mettre en mcsure, et encore moins en droit de rexercer. Elle pouvait le faire de son pro|ne mouvement ; c'ctait pour elle un devoir, connme c'6stun de ses droits les plus importans ; une de ses obligations les plus imperieuses envers le peuple qu'clle represento, envers le Gouvernement lui-ineme. 11 ne faut pas sansdoLite avoir fait une etude bien approfondie des principes du droit cons- titutinnnel ou dc I'usagedu Parlement, uour etre convaincus de ces v^rites, qui sont S8 ' parliament, in order to be convinced of these truths, whicii are in the nature of things, and on this account it is thought should not be dwelt upon at greater length. As to Mr. Stuart's objection, founded on his assertion, that the House of Assembly proccedeil ijparlc. Let us sec what he says upon tiiis suhjcet : "lie has been ilcclarcd gulhy " of offences without ever having been niaile aware, exci pt by the address, with " tlic proceedings on wliich tlie said aiidrcss had i)een grounded, or witii any '♦ other proceedings tiiat could lead to sucl) a result." " He has tluis been " convicteil by the mere authority of the Assembly, ujjon ixi-auti. proceedings, " to which he has been an entire stranger, without any o|)porlunity lor defence, " or juslificaiion, or hearing of any kind." 'I'lie evidence to be found in tlio report of the connnittee is cnniposed of "the i x!'Ai;ti: statements of indi- " viiluais examined as witnesses before the connnittee, in the presence of the " petitioner, and without cross-examination, or cpportunity forcross-examinalian " on his part; this evidence is inadmissible." . Such iini)ortance does Mr. Stnari attach to 1 is objection, founded on tiic circinnstance that eviticncc was taken (■.(■/A.vVc, that i;e reluii s to and repeals it linee times in the same paragraph, besides doing so again in the course as well of his memoiras of ins petition. Lastly, he -ays, '\'''() these procecdin::s the petition- " er was an entire stranger, no intimation having be n given to him that his con- " duct was the sid)ject of complaint or investigation no explanation or defence " having been rerpiired fioin him.' These assertions are iVequently reverted to in .somesliape or other tlnouu'iout the memoir. Ihe importance attaclied by Mi-. St;;art to the arguments raise;! on the cir- cumstance that proceedings were Inul, as he is | I ascd to term it, cwptnic ; tliat he was unaware of the charge; tlir.l he was a j)ositive stranger to all the ste[)s taken ly the House of Assembly against In.m, is the effect ofilelusion. His observations up ;n this subjeet are the more extraordinary, v.hen wc but consider tlu' .sid/jict, according totiiesinple rules of analogy : lor he cainiot be ignorant of tho fact that, whether in retereuce to accusations brought, according to the ordinary course ol' law, agairist inilividuaN, or to those which are ol'aii r.bsolulely pablic nature, against functionaries, th.' procceilings taken arc <'xactly similar to those adoj)ted by the House of Assembly ol Lowe: Canada, on this occasion. It acted according to received principles, ami coiiseciated ])raclice. Let us give a . fi'W moments attention totliis subject, in order that we v.w.y again levert to it for the puipose of establishing, anxactemcnt les memes que ccux (pic I'Assemblee du Bas-Canada a suivis dans cette occasion, l-llle a agi d'apres les principes recus et une pratique consacree. Donnons un moment d'atteiition a cet objet, pour en venir eiisuite a etablir et invoquer a ce snjet des regies exactes des principes positifs. Quant aux accusations portees contre les particuliers suivant le cours ordi- naire des lois, la recherche des debts se fait par les magistrats qui re9oivent les de- positions. On sonmeta des (irands-.luiis une accusation; ils peuveut meme de leur propre mouvement la [loiter dans les cours, et les depositions ne viennent ja- mais a la connaissance de I'accuse ; elles nesmit ])as meme redigees par eerit, dc- vant ces derniers. Cepeiidant on sait quel les consequences graves ecs accusations entrainent par rapport a celui (|ui en est I'objet. Le iMagistrat, le .luge lui-meme, est oblige d'auir contre I'accuse desle moment oiiily a un corps de debt consiate, L'innoccncepeut trop souvent subir ces epreuvcs. Ce sont de ces sacriliccs qui tiennent a la necessite ile maintenir fordre public, et un principe de propre con- servation, qui est toujours la premiere des lois pour une societe. Eu voila assez sur ce point. (^uant aux accusations d'une nature pnrement publique, iiortees par une Chambre des Communes qui representc le pcuple d'un pays, il n'est guerc possible que 40 objection can be considerea as of a serious nature. An accused could not, in tlie first place, strictly claim greater privilege in regard to proceedings wliicli may interest liim, had before a body such as that in question, (whicii is, in fact, the grand inquest of a country, as the giand jury is that of the county or district ovcr whicli extends a SherifTs jurisdiction,) than he could before a grand jury itselt. How would Mr. Stuart have received the objection of a prisoner, wiio shouhl have complained of not having been called,— of not having had an opportunity of cross-examining witnesses before these latter ? This observation would alone be an answer to the objection. But we should remark that, in a case of a public nature such as that of which the Attorney General of Lower Canada wii.s the object the accused is in an incomparably more advantageous situation than that of an individual prosecuted before the ordinary tribunals. In the first place, the proceedings of a House of Commons are accessible to an accused. They become public ami common to all and every one,— ignorance of them cannot be pleaded ; they are thus warned, and put on their guard. The names of the witnesses, as well as their depositions, are known,- they can previously, and at leisure, decide unon and prepare their mode of dclbnce,— place themselves m a situation to explain their conduct, even to the minutest details,— and to rebut charges brought against them. An individual accused, before the inferior courts, cannot chum any of these advantages. . . In the second place, a body, such as that constituting a House of Assembly, or Commons, being one chosen by the society which it represents, is composed of citizens of all classes, all professions, all ranks. It is hardly possible to suppose, tliat,amon his charge, is also an ordeal of a rigid nature ; doubtless it must frequently have the eH'cct of injustice. It is even a sort of stigma of which innocence may be, and frequently has been the victim. Nevertheless, the jasticc of an Otticcr of the Crown could iiol be questioned who should insist upon the law being carried into execution in this respect, nor could a Magistrate or a Judge be blamed who might have enforced their authority under such circumstances. We have already remarked, that the rules to which we must conform on these occasions arc regu- lated, as regards Society, by priucij)les of self-preservation, — by those of a justice of a superior order, in comparison ot which, individual considerations lose that importance which they must possess when one regards matters abstractedly and independently of their relation to the general and essential interests of ti •Society. It cannot be denied, that actual suspension should be the natural and nc- cessary result, of accusations as (iravc as those laid to the charge of Mr Stuart. Mc cannot be ignorant of the fact, that, in England, where there is a Tribunal which can, on the spot, itself take judicial cognizance of lui impeachment, accor- ding to the nature of the ofTences, or of the crimes which have, at various periods, served as motives lor these sort of proceedings on the part of the House of Com- mons, the immediate consequences arc frequently of a very much more rigorous character. Without entering into useless details on this sidiject, sufHce it to observe, that Lord Melville did not wait until the Commons had taken steps v.jtli regard to him, with the Executive Government. He thought himself called upon to tender the resignation <»f all his Offices, previous to being heard before that House, whose intetition it was to accuse him. I have said enough of received principles, and the practice of the English Parliament. If wc would but argue w ith reference to what has passed in Canada alone, Mr. Stuart's pretentions woulil not be found to possess any weight. But before looking at the question, in this new point of view, I will ask, how the right could be contesteil of a House of Commons, of an .Assembly resjjecting the jcoplc of a Country, of a Branch of the Legislature, of a body forming an integral and essential portion of the Covernmcnt, (taking this word in its true sencc, with reference to the principles of our Constitution,) to rail upon the Exe- cutive Branch of this (kn'crtnnent to suspend and dismiss an Oflliccr, whose con- duct and proceedings might, at various times, have had the effect of filling the people with alarm, of undermining their confidence in the Courts of Justice, as well as in the Administration, and protection of the Government itself .^ To continue him in his Office, particularly under such circumstances at those just mentioned, would be to confuse and to destroy, instead of, as is pretended by the memoir, to support and strengthen authority. It would be in vain to speak of the possible abuse by the House of this power. If one must argue, and act according to hypothesis of this kind, all (jovernmcnt must be forsaken, all authority must be annihilated, the liberty which (as well as Government and au- tbority) can be alike abused by all, must be destroyed ; and wc have but too often had strange examples of the truth of this fiict. f On the other haiid, it is peculiarly the duty of Uie Representative Br.anch of liic Government, of the Commons, to look into the (Jrievances under which the people, whom they represent, may sutler ; to trace the source from whence they flow ; to hear their claims and complaints, against those who arc the authors of them, nccor- I 47 Mais M. Stuart se plaint destpreuvcs qu'il a subies. C'est siiivant liii unc «• coiidamnation ;' on doit dire au moins cju'il nc devait pas s'eii croire exempt Mpul cutre tousles aiitres citoyens places dans la meme situation. La nijcessite pour un accuse, snivaut le cours ordinaire des lois, de perdrc sa liberty jusqu'a ce liuil sesoit lav^'; de Taccnsation portre contre lui, est anssi une cpreuve bien rude sans doute. EUe pout sou vent avoir I'etfet d'i'::e injustice. C'est mt'me dga une cspccedc fl tiissurcdont I'innocence pent ctn: ot a souvcnt etc lavictime. On ne pourrait n anmoins accuser d'injustice un olHciei' de la couronne qui insisterait sur I'execution des lois a cot ej,'ard, I'li blamer un magi::trat, un juge qui aurait lait res- pecter leur autoritc en scmblables circonstanccs. On I'a deja dit un pcu plus haur, Jes regies auxqucilcs on doit sc conformerdans ces occasions tiennent pour la so- cictc adespriiicipes de propre conservation, a ceux d'unc justice d'un ordre su- perieur devant losquclles considerations individuelles perdcnt limportance qu'elks (ioivont avoir quand on pent envisager les choses en clles-mtimes ct independam- mentde leur rapport avec Tinteret gvndral ct esscntic! d'unesocitt6. On ne pout ignorer que la suspension elle-mome devait dans un cas seaibla- blc ctre la suite naturelle et ni'cessaire daccusations aussi graves que I'etaientcelles qui sontportees contre M. Stuart. On pent encore moins ignorer qu'en Angle- terre ou il y a un tribunal qui pent sur K s lieux mieux prendre judiciaircment con- iiaissanceii'une accusation; (Iinpeacliment} suivant la nature des dclits ou des crimes qui ont scrvi a diverges reprises, do motifs ;\ ces sortes d'accusations de la part des Communes, les consequences immediates sont souvent beaucoup plus ri- gourcuscs encore. Sans entrer dans d'inutilcs details A ce sujet, il suffira d'observer one Lord Melville n'attendit pas que les Communes fissent des demarches au pris ilu Gouverncment Executif. 11 se crut oblige de demander lui-meme il resigner toutes ses charges avant d'etre entendu devant cette Chambre qui se disposait a I'accuser. En voiia assez sur les principes rc9us et la pratique du Parlement d'Angleterre. Si I'onvoulait raisonner d'apres ce qui s'cst passe en Canada, raeme les pretentions de M. Sluart ne se trouveraient pas mieux appuyees. Mais avant d'envisnger la question sous ce uouveau point de vue, je doman- derai comment on pourrait contester une Chambre des Communes, a une Assem- blee rcpresentant Ic peuple d'un pays, ;\ unc Branche de Legislature, a un corps faisant pirlie integranteet essentielle du Gouverncment, en prenant cc mot dans le veritable sens quit a suivant les principes de nutre constitution, le droit dc de- mander a la Branche Executive dcce Gouverncment, la suspension et la destitu- tion d'un officier dont la conduite et les demarches auraient pu avoir a plusieurs re- prises I'efiet dejetcr I'alarme dans le cffiur des citoyens, de miner leur confiance dans les Cours lie Justiceet dans ladministration, dans la protection du Gouverne- nient lui memo ? Le conserver dans son olHce, dans les circonstances dont on vient de rcndrc compte sur tout, serait 1 ebranler et la detruire, au lieu dc la soutenir ct de renforccr I'autorite comme on le pretend dans le memoire. En vain parlerait-on de I'abus que cette Chambre pourrait faire de ce droit : h'il fallait raisonner etagir d'apres des hypotheses dc cette espece, il faudrait rc- noncer ;\ tout (jouverncmcnt, aiuantir toutc espece d'autorite, detruire la liberte dont les hommcs pcuvent egalcnient abuser, comme on I'a vu en efl'ct trop souvent, dune maniere ctrange. I D'un autre cote, c'estsurtout a la branche representative du Gouvernement, aux Communes qu'il appartient d'examincr les griefs dont le peuple qu'elles repr^- sciitciit pout avoir ix soutlrn', uc rerrionter s. 'a soiirce ti ou us dccoiilcnt tiG lairc entendre ses reclamations et ses plaintes contre ccux qui en sont les auteurs, d'c- clairer 48 them, to throw a light on their conduct, aiul. fiiiully, to hand thciii over to the Kxc- outivc Government; to jmlgo of those ciiciimstatices, under wincli they shoiiKl ask of the KxecutivepowVr to diprivctiic Servants of tiie Crown ot the power of continuing in the abuse of its confidence, and ml us respect to protect it3 own interest as well as that of the people. What would he thou^'ht in England of a public functionary, of an Ollicer of the Crown, who. under circumstances such as those, which form 'J;e subject of the premhng p.c ture, should have become the object of an Address Irom the house oi Commons, pravin-his suspension and ultimate dismissal ; and suspended, in fact, ui conse- !u,enct"of thi:- Address, complainin- bitterly of having been •' taUen unawares ; and should exclaim, m ith a confidence of bein- listened to. a-auist what he^m.git call "a sentence passed, without any intimation havm- been given to Inm ; wn i- out iiaving been " afVordod an opportunity of defence and justification. ^\ou!a uich a functionary Hnd many persons to echo bis complaints, and join him m crying out tyranny ; in declaring that he was a viclun. unmolatedoii the altar ot arbrilrarv authoritv. , i- • ^i As to the power of the Executive Government to suspend, Or to dismiss, tliese Officers; to trv them summarily ; or to choose any (;ther means of admtinstering Ihisiustice. which is one ofits most essential duties we cannot longer deny U. This is surely one of is best established prerog.tives ; the one most net-ssary to the maintenance of public ordir : one without which its right of s,o-xr,lla>,rc, ovcv functionaries, would liecome next to nugatory ; a mere net cast to satislv tlic credulity of the i)eople. This power is still more necessary in a distant Colony. in which there exists no Tribunal but the Executive Government itself, to which immediate recourse can be had, f.-r the purpose of cheeking the errors or the pas- sions olTunctionaries, and the injustice of which they may l)c guilty. Immediate suspension, wh.n an oflencc is substantiated, may be, luuler certain circumstan- cc-s, and is, in faet, often absolutely necessary. ,. , ■. u- ^ If this were not the case, the Government wouhl frequently fiiid itselt (Ex- posed to the inevitable suspicion of conniving at the malpractices of its Ollieers, who themselves, confident in the hope of impunity, a hope founded on all the possible chances which would result in their favour, by the delays and dilhc.iltics with which the steps taken against tliem arc ncccssaiily accompanied, might tri- umph, in braving the authority of the Government, and in p'aying Nvith t hat ol the Laws; and by insulting, at the same moment, the victims of their ambition, or their vengeance. In fact, it would be to root out from the hearts of the people the bo;,c of obtaining justice; that is to say. to place the Governors and the ' governed in the most critical as well as the most unhappy situation possible. It is useless to dwell on this subject. What man, accustomed to rel cct on the orga- nisation of S -cielies,— on tlie means of insuring to them some stability, -could be unable to see, once, the vital importance of these considerations ? If we come to the examination of that which has passed in our own Country even, we may sec that what are called " precedents" militate against iheaccuseu. It is very true that at the time of the first analogous charges brought bv the House rfCominons of Lower Canada against the two Lhief Judges ol the I rovince m isl't, the Governor refused to accede to the request made for their suspensmn. Hut we must first remark, and it is one of the anomalies, amongst many others, which one might point out in the history of our Province, that another IJranch ot the Legislature, whose opinion, assucli, deserves respect on the part ot the Exe- cutive Branch, the Le^is!ativc Council, composed chiefly ol functionaiies, con- tended strongly that the Commons of Lower Canada luul not the right to bring any charge a-ainst a public functionarv without their privacy and their participa- lion. This was to constitute themselves Judues in their own cause, and to make the Assembly, in this re.«pect, actually dependent on the Council, hecoudly, one may preliaps remark, that the testimony produced in support oi tno charge was 49 tlip Kxc- f slioiiM c })o\vcr protect tli()iij;ht , uiuler iiii; pic- :>ininons, in consc- iwarcs ;' ho miglit I j' wiih- Woiilcl II liiin in • altar of ss, tllCSL- iiiisteiing deny it. ossary to mx'^ over iitislV the t Colony, to which r tlic pu9- ininctliatt cniustan- itself (/x- j Olliccis, m all the- ilillicdltics Miii;lit tri- til tiiat of ambition, the people rs and the bie. It is the orga- -coukl be II Country e accuseii. the House rovince in uspension. uiy others, ISrancii of )f the Exe- iiics, con- ; to bring participa- ci to make Mully, one hargc was not clalrcrlcurcondnite, cnfin deles fairc connaitrc au Gouvorncmcnt Exdcutif j do iuccr dcs eirconstaticcs dans Icsquellescilcs doivent le pricr de mettrc les servi- teurs dc la Couronnc hors detat dc continuer d abuser SI7, ii iii'w char^fc iigiinst one of the Judges of the Court uf King's HeiK'h, tliiy (lid i.ot f.iil to add the woii;ht of firniil juinds ; to acccnipaiiy it with circumstancial evidiiice; and .nsk.d tlio (ijvinmr to !uis,)i nd him ; ;ind, at the '^.unii liinr, in an Address to His Mijcsty, prayed tiiat he nu^^ht be removed. The G.)Vi r.'.or'.s answer is remark- abb; on mure tliau out' account. H.; declared to the I bius.' of Assembly that •" ho " had fuund su iic liitliiiiity, and h.ul ('utorlaineild(iaI)ts,in e(jn''..'(|uencoc;ftIi ;eon- " duet of the doceas 'd tiuveriini* in a similar oeeasii)ii ; [,at t!iat, after a " niiiuitc e.\ imination of the cvidi'iicc, and iho aullKwitv with which by his Com- '' mission he «r.s invcsied, In? !nd .sigaifiod to Mr. Fouch-.T the nece-sity of " discontinuin^i' h.s jaui -ial fiiiictions until a djei^iDii had bet;n come to upon the " .subject.' 'J'lic diiiicidlics which iJter'.vards ar.,sj as to ihe mode ofproeecdmg in (}rdcr to couie to a deri.>-i.)U a;4ainNt Mr. Fouclicr, and which ended in allow. uiiX hiu'» some vtarsaflcrward.*', lo resamo his s at, forinno part of my sabj' ct. Ti.e mere f ict < 1' his suspi'iiiioa is sufllcient here to add wcigV' to my own (jb- servati.iiis. IJtsid.s, I cannot suppose that il will be attcnipU'd lo argue, that this ste|), on the paitof llu Cuvirnor, was iinconstitutloii d, -an Act (.t tyran- ny or of mjuslicj ; and what is bcller worthy ot remark stdl, is. that we may observe tiiat, on ncilhor of tlK>e ocwasioi.s was it prcti ndi-d that, tor any of the rtasons nrg«'d in Mr. Siu art's nK;muir. th.j stops taken by liie Hmiso of Assem- bly were ci.licr mill, in\galar, or iiisidlicient. Hero anotl»er ciisu' ibr comparison preseiit.s itself, Mhicli, without being pr. - ciscly simil \r, maybe nitridjcci, in accia-dancc with the nle^nf s'ri(t analogy ; it is'tlie cas.' of thj suspension, and linai dismissal of Mr. Jusii.'c Willis, in UpperCanada. The case was recti t, and became the subject of sidemn argu- ment, allelic, llierelor.', better worihy of altcntion. The cans ' oftlie treatment wjiicli Mr. Jiislx^ Willis cxperiiiiCfd, was i'uiiiid in an cryiiiioii givfii in lmblable. " niais que d'ajjres un exanen partieu- •' licr d'l teaioignajvc tt TaDtorite doiit il etait revrtu ' par sa cc.rimission " il avait «' signilira M. Ko iclier dc s .ihsenter deses f'onctions jn 'iciairosius|ira decision." Les diiil'.'ultes qui sc sont elcvees ensnile sur la uianierc do prnteiler pour par- vcnir a une decision con! re NL Foucher, et qui ont eu leffet de lo laisscr reuiontcr snr lesie'jjc quclcpiC"; anneos aprrs, no sont pas do nion sujet. Mais Ic fait de la suspension su i t dans Ic moin.'nt pour appnyer nics j.roprcs obsorvat ons. An resto jc no crois pas que Ton osat soutenir que cclte dcLnaicIie du Gonvcrucur fut incon'sliiutioiinclle, un acte de tyr.mnie oa d'iujusticc. Kt cc qui est plus digne de remarqne encore, c'est q ic I'on ne yoit ;n\s qn ■ tl ins I'unc ni I'aurc de ccs occa- sions, on ait pretendn que les deniareiies de I'Assemblec etaient nn'' u re^uli^res, insaillsaules noi r aucunc des raisons dont il est actuellem; nt qn. ■ i >n. 11 so jirrsentc iei un autre ferine do eomparaisoa qui san^ avoir pour Ini une simililtidc entier.% leutt'trc invoque dam les regies d'inii' aaalo;i;ij exacte, e'est la stsj elision, la destituti'm finale de M. Ic Juge Willis dans le llaiit-Canada. Ce trail merite il'antaut |)lusi!c liouverici une piaccqu'il est rt'cent etque ccttc alTaiie est devenMC lie menic I'objet d'unc discussion :.lennelle. La raison du traiteniout quo .\L Ic .Jugc Willis a subi sc trouvait daiis une opinion donnce en sa qualite de .Jiige snr la connetence dc la Conr il ant it ; tait mcuibrc. Jo crois ne pas inc trompi'rVii disant que la coiiseijuence do cett.' opinion si ellc cut ti loinphe cntralnait la nuhit-' des proeedi'sdc cettc Cour pendant un grand iiombre d'annei's, vt I'impossibilitr de la tenir aulant de temps qu'un Acte de powvoir souvcrain tie la Legislature n'anrait pas (ait disparaitrc cettc anoinalic. Il scrait inutile de h'arretcr a rexamen dc cettc o]iiniou, ellc estjuiicc. Mais il est an moins une circonstance (pii au premier coup d'a'il poiivait militer en sa f'aveur. Un .Jugc ne pent avoir d'autrc rO'gle pour sc gtiidcr de I'obligation morale qui di'coido de la nature dun Ministcrc qui a quelquc chose de sacrt'e et du scrnient qu'il prete uvant de rcxercer. C'cst pour lui un devoir essentiel de ne decider que d'apros les principes que sa conscience a • je. !\L le Juge Willis pouvait ctre dans I'er- reur. Mas il croyait cette opii'uu iegaiciiient vraic, ou pouvait deniander h il lui etait pcrmis de s'en t'carter et de transiger sur larticle dun devoir aussi im- pericux ? • 8ir Qcorge Prcvost. ; if allow hiinsoir to chaiv^c it, and so give up a point, w!>ioh ho Mt it. an impenoni duty to sustain ' Audit appears to nu<, tliittliis sanctity of intention, wliicii nevi'rcan be forcottou by a Jiulf^v, without his being guilty ofprevancation, was tlepciuicd upon for his justifieation. .... But even this purity ofiulention is not s-iflicient of it.self to justify a pubhc man. The Statesman 'sl.ould be mindful ot th>; ellVcts consequent upon Ins mistakes, and of their iniluence upon the general and essential interests of So- oictv. A (Juvernment cannot upon th^; pretext of tiiis purity of intention, which would, in a mo a! or a legal point efvitw, justify an individual ; have the Govirnmcnt and Society itself a prey to the errors of.i pubhe man, when such errors niav lead to anarchy, tyranny, or a gen-ral confusion. This is, if I mistake not, "the point of view in which the (luestions raised and discussed, iii_ the case of Mr! Justice Willis, must have been regarded. Tlic proeeediii;4s of the Government olTpp M'-Canada were approved and eonliiined by thatof Il!s Majesty in Kn-.?la!id, One Act alone of tliis Judge was, iiowever, called in question, and that as to an opinion upt)n a sin,de point of doctrine. 'I he entire Country had not as in the ease under disee.ssion) raiseil her voice, iiur i)referred complaints a<,'ainst him for many years preceding:. The reason tor the decision must have been, doubtless, th".- 'dan;;er of the on-^eipieaccS »vhieh iniulit have resulted from this single Act > from the tri-htfui etl'eetsthat this judicial ojjiuioii was calculated to I roiluee. A few moments ;Ktenllon to the nature of the cliarg. s brou'^^ht by the House of Assembly of Lower-Canada against Mr. Stuart, will be sulheient to show how nnieh "more weighty are the reasons which have intliienccd, as well the step.s taken by this body as the -Mniial, as well to general interest as to public justice? It wouM be treating a CJovern- ment, nay, an intire people, with a httle too much levity to preten-!, that they should possess so little wiight in the balance, and tluil it should l)c turned in favour of an individual, the subject of a charge sustained by loriual proofs, founded on faetsof public notoriety. iUit the complaints of the .Assembly are not founded on onr subject alone. Even supposing steps, for which the accused is blamed, were mere errors. They were not occasional faults,— momentary delusions, it will be easily conceived that those which form the subject of discussion in the memoir, are faults com- mitted during a series ofve?^rs; that they arc intimately connectcil with the general Administration of Justice and even of the Covernmcnt. They were Acts which attacked principles upon which authority and public order can alone rest with any security, lor a long space of time, the tiovernment and the people, whose ititerests can never be separated. wi'Jiout weakening or breaking the bonds v»liich nnite them, must have sntl'ercil. and tlid suller. equally. Mr. Stuart's conduct had already, previous to the last Session, been a subjett of inquiry and examination on the part of the House of Assembly, and of complaints on that of the 53 was n'Tieux? C'est aussi, cc me sombic, ccttc saiiitote cl'intciitlon, doiit il n'est pa-, pcniiis :\ un Jiigc do dovicr sans se rcndre coiipublc dc prevarication, que Ion a invoqucc pour s;; justilicalioii. P av U Maiscctte piirclcd intention d"elle-mcmo etsciilc iif^ pent justificr un hommc nblic. Cesontlus suites des crrours qui hii cchappcnt, ce sont ieurs rapports ■ec I'intrrct giMicral ct esscnticl dune sociclc que I lioninic ditat doit cnvisagcr. ^n (Jouvcrncmentnc pout sous lo prrtcxto do ccttc purcti'; d'intontion capable dc iustilierun iiulividu accuso d'un tlolil; sous un rapport jjuroment moral ou li'gal, laissor Ic Gouvoruouicut ct la Soci.'to cllc-uK'nie en proio a cos crreurs dc 1 liomme public, quant cllos pouvont amener pour rosultat I'anarcliic ou la tyrannic, uno '•onfusion universoilc. Cost, si je no mo trompe, le point dc viie sous lequel on a du euvisagor los questions qui so sont lIcvcos ct onti'lc discutces rclativcmcnt ;\ M, le Juife Willis. Lcs proce'dos du (iouvrucment da llaut-Canada out aussi rtc- anpro'uvos et souteniis par celui dc Sa Majoste en Angloterrc. II n'etait pour- taiit question que d'un soul Acte do lAdniinistration dc co .luge, d unc opmion s'lr un scul point dc doctrine, l.c pays enlier n'avait pas ileve la voix, forme dcs plaintcscontrc lui dcpuis jjlusicurs ann-cs. La raison de decider a dii rtre siins (ioutc le danger des cons, qucnces de cot Acte-ia mome, lcs S'.utes iuncstcs que cettc opinion judiciaircctait dc nature a entraiuer. Maintcnant il sufiit de donncr un tnoment d'attention .\ la nature dcs accu- sations jiortres par I'AsscmbL e du Bas-Canada contrc M. Stuart, pour sentir rombien les raisons qui out du inHuor sur les d-marches de cc corps ct sur la d ter- mination du Gouverncur rtaient plus puissantes. N'y cut-il, uulcpcndauinienl dcs accusations dansla cousidn-ation desipielles il .s'est ronferm:' danssonmcmosre, que des d-marches rclativcmcnt aux Commissions; nc devraient-cllos pas ncces- sairement avoir I'etfot dc scmcr lalarme dans la Province, dVbranler la conliance dans tons les titres de proprii tes foucieres et dans la tres-grande majorite des Actos .jiii pouvaient lcs atfectcr, ct autres cgidcment iav)-.rtaus u fau'c craindre u:i bouleversemcnt ilans toutes lcs fbitu.ics du pays? On lid reprochait en outre de s'etre mis souvcntdans unc situation contradictoire ct daiis le cas de defcndrc ct desoutenir a lafbis les intirets opposes de la Couronue ct d'individu=;scs Cliens. I'ourrait-on des tors se trouvcr tentc de serecrier contre les mcsurcs des Commu- nes du I5as-('anada ? Des motifs diutcrets, ou dc pietc, memo d'tiquite indivi- duclle, pourraient-ils I'omporter sur ccux (pfi sc rattacliout a dcs considerations aussi csscntielles d'intervH general, commc de justice publique '. Ce serait traitor uuCiouvernemcut, un pcuplc lout cuticr, avcc trop dc legerctc, que de pretcndre quilsdussent avoir aussi peu de poid< dans la balanc • ct qu'il fallut la I'airc pcn- cher en favour ile I'individu cu butto a tme accusation soutcnue de prciivcs for- luollcs, fondcc .sur des faits d'une notoricto publique. Mais cc n'est pas sur un sen! objetquc lcs plaintes dc I'Assombl.'c roulont. Kn supposant aussi tpio les demarches reprochecs a I'accuse nc fussent que de simples errcurs ; cc no sont pas des fautes isolecs, dcs illusions du moment. II sera aise dc convaincre (pie cellos dont il est question dans Ic mi'moiro que Je dis- cute sont dcs fautes dc pliisienrs anm'cs ; qu'ellcs so lient a I'Administration ge- luralo dc la justieo et memc du (iouvcrnemont. Klles attaquaient dcs prmcipos sur Icsquels Pautorite, lordrc public pcuvcnt seulcs rcposor avec quolqiic socuiitr. Pendant un long cspacc de temps, Ic (Jouverncmcnt ct le pcuplc dont on no sau- rait scparer lcs interrls sans afVaiblir ou romprc les liens qui les unissent, out du en sonffrir, en ont soufl'ert c'galcment. Sa condiiite avait deja cte un sujct dexa- mcn prialablc dc rAssembl'ee ct des j)laintes ilu pa\ s avanl cette dcrniere Session. i)n ncpcut memc en se livrant a I'cxamcn dc nlati^rcs qui sc compliqucnt commc cellos- 54 the Country. We caiiiiol even, in considering subjects complicated as these arc, separate thoni by a kind of IMiilosopliical ai)straction ; thini< oftiieni, if we may use the expression, piece-meal, anil without seeinj:; the various links which unite them one with miother. Thoyall liave ilieir weight in tiie scale ;i<;ainst the ijuliviiiual who is the subject of tlu-se C()ni])lair,ts. 1 shonhl be aMoweii to add, and we sliall be easiiv coiivinct-d of the fact, that on an occasion such as thi--, it would be uiujiiestionably a great mistake not to look at the tmtt oisonhlc of the subjects. As to the objection, foiiiuled on the circumstance that tlie witnesses examined before the Connnittte were not on llicir oath, Ltt nsseo what Mr, Stnaits:iys. " The A'^scmiJy, it seems, l)y its assumed " authorilv, hiis coiivietiil a | ulilic rilljcer of malvcr>ation in his Ollice, upon " the (^•J/W'''-' ileclarations of iudividua's, in the absence ot the accused without " bcin,^^worn, and without responsibility." That tlu- I'.vid'iice received by the Coiinnitlee was not t;;kcn on oath, is a stran.-^' reason for objeclion on the pait (ifamunwho has lukl ilic In^hc^t r.uik, among the ( Jlliccrs ol the ( rown, iu I.cwer-far.ada. 'i'l.e objection, hul it any foundation, would be a rnre disco- veiy. ifllie House wercgnilly oi'an iflence, in this respijct, it is one with whieli^ the rnglish House of Commons las, i'or ag-'s past, been constantly !-taineil. If it V, ere, in fact, possible liiat this was an eiioi-, on the part of the House of As- sembly, it seems to iiic that it i! it not ileserve to be treated with so nnich Iiarslmess by Mr. Stuait; on the contrary, the House might have claimed soiiie indulgence oil his part, as being tiie continued practice oftiie English Ho !se of Comn.ons. One should, according to the memoir, consider this practice "so r.pjgnantto •• reason and justice, as to be tootvident to rei|i. ire observation.'" Hut, again how < oidd tliis i)e an error on the part of the Conunons o[ Lower Can:)ila, when we re \et that, as we have abeady observed, it iS an invariable practice of the rng'ish House of Com:noi:s, |(;)uniled on piincii)ies, lecognised lor ages as i;iw ? 1 tliuiK I am not mi-t;dvcn in saying, tint a p. rson cani:ot b'-' sv.orii unless the light to do so is eonier.ed, either by vnlue if the conmu)u law, or et' i positive law ; that the King himsell'i annut confer this light on those on whuai he is not authorised, by law. to confi r it. It is for this reason, al>o, tliat the King's pnM'o :atlve of est d)li-!;::!g courts, other than those which f.e can author se )o be hehl by virtue ol the h,w«, is in reality a more abstract )i;.;ht, -inc • an ;;ct o[' the No\ereign power, on the part of the legslatuie, is iiecs-aiy, in order to put it nv pract'ce. Leg, illy or con^t itu- fionallv Sj caking, the Couimon*; o( Lower Canada, or their cor.mittee, co Id not, in fact, any more than those of Lngland, c:nise witnesses, called before liiem, to be sworn. Mr, Siuai! cannot be ignorant of th s. .Momentary forgetf.duess nuist suicly have Ijeen the cause of liis U bug into such an error o,i thesu!))',-. t. Until Mr. Stuart lias shown, that the House of Assembly had --ome legal means of proceeding in this inipiiiy, diflereiit from tho^c employed b\ them,- nay, from those to which the I'nglish Coinuions tl.uiisehts constantly Iiive recourse, under similar circiimslanccs, \vc shall be allowed to think, that the Commons of Lower Canada have neither merited reproach for extravagance in their conduct, j;or for injustice in their steps on this occasii/U. Let us suppose, that that House of As.sembly, or the committee, had taken upon themselves to cause the witnesses to be sworn, then Mr. Stuart might have :.£'ci!se!i the House of Assembly of " an assumotioti of power whiih did not even belong to the Lnglish House of Commons." Air. Jituart might then, with some reason """^^k the 55 celles ci les s'parer par une cspcce d'abstraction philosophique, les consicl(^^rer pour aiiisi dire pieces a pieces et sans voir les diffcrents ciiainous qui les unissent les uiiesaux autres. Elles pesent toutesala f'ois sur I'individu qui est en butte a ces reclamations. II nie doit (Hre i)crniis d'ajouter, ct il sera facile de s'en con- vaincre, que dans une occasion comme celle-ci, ce scrait sans doule une grave erreur que de ne pas saisir les clioses dans lour ensemble. Dc ['objection fondi'e sur ce que les timoins examines devant Ic Coniitc n'etaienl pus sous sonicnt, Ecoutons encore 1\I. Stuart: " L'AssombL'e s'est arroge, il scmble, le •' pouvoir non soulcmeiit dc convaincre un OHicier ])ublic de AJalversation dans •' son OHicesur des declarations d individus dounvcs tw jtar/e et en rabsciicc de " racciise—cl sans avoir pr."te scrmeiit, qui sont sans rosponsabilitL.'" C'est de la part il'nn lionuno (pii a tenu Ic prciuier rang dans le Aiiiiistero j)ublic du B.is- L'anada, unetrange moyen d'objeelion ;'i la preuve tcstinioniale rc(;ue par le Co- mite, que les depositions n'ont pas I'te prises sous scrmcnt. Cette objection, si ( lie se trouvail louilce, scrait une \eiitablc di'couvcrto. Si c"est un crime, c'est cclui dont les Communes il'Angleterrc sc seraient souilK'es constamment depuis dcs sieeli's. S'll etait en eiiet possible, que ce fut une erreur de l'i\sscmbl'.'c, clle ne merituit pas ce semble (\\ tre trait e avec autaiitde duiete' par M. Stuart, elle aurait eu droit a quelnu indulgence de sa part, puisque c'est ceile des Com- munes d'Augleterre. On dovrait d'apres ce imnioiro croire que cette pratique " repugnc I videuunent a la raison comuie a ^ ■ justice, qu'il n'est pas neccssaire " de lane aucune observation pour le (aire V. Mais encore luie i'ois, comment serait-ce un crime ou une erreur do la part dc. ouummcs tlu IJas-Canada, quand on songc, que, connue on vient de I'observi r, c'est une pratique invariable de )a Cliand)re desConnnunes d'Augleterre I'ondee sur dcs principes connus ile droit depuis des siecles. Je crois nepasme tromper en ili^nnt que I'^in nc^ ] cut assermci.ter pcrsonne si on n'eu a le j ouvou't u veriu du tlroit coumuiu on d'lineloi positive, que le Iloi lui-meuiene pent revetir de ce dioiteeux ,i (pii la loi ne 1 a.toiise pas de le confe- rer. C'est par cette rai:iou aussi (pie la ))r(rogativa d'etablir des Cours, autres que celles dor.t d pent autoriser la tenu en vertu des lois, n'cst en realitc qu'u.i droit piirement abstrait, puiscpi il taut un Acte du pouvoir souverain, tie la Li gislaturc, jjour le mettre en jjratupie. L('galemcnt on Constitutiomiellemcnt parlant, les Communes du lias-Canada ou leur Comite, plus que ceux d"Angle- terie, ne poiuraieut eu eti'et iaire prt'ter seriuent aux temoins cpi'elles fais.;ie:-t venir deviuit elles. M. Stuart ne saurait I'iguorcr. C'est sarement un ou.bli du moment qui la fait luini.'n.e tomber dans I'erreur a ce stijet. Jusqu'a ce »|ue M. Stiuirt ait di inontre qu'il y avait pour 1' Assemblee quclque moyen legal de procrdcr a cette l-'aupu te, dill' rent de ceux qu elle a employes, de ceux auxqueis les Connnunes d Angleterre ellcs-meu!cs out constamment re- cours en pareilles circonstances, il sera permis de croire que les Communes du Has-Canada n'ont merite ni le reprocbe d'extravagance dans leur conduite, ni ilinjustice ihms leursdemarclies a son egard. Supposaut embIce d'lnie " usurpation lie pouvoir, de I'excrcice d'une autoritc illcgale ct inconstitii- " tionnelle" qui n'apparlcnait pas mCme a la Chambrc des Communes d'Angle- terre. 56 iciisoii, have denounced the House of Assembly, wliicli accused him, a3 a body whose members were a prey to bliiul passions, calculated (o lead tlicm into the .Tosscst errors, as strangers alike to the first notions of constitutionallaw, and ?o the practice of the 'En^lish parliament ; in fact, as men whose extravai^ance and ignorance united, rendered tiem absolutely unworthy of enjoyni!,' the advan- tage ol a constitutional government, and of exercising the rights which sprmg fiom it. ., .,. , , , , . Accordiu"- to Mr. Stuart, no responsd)ility would attacli to tlic witnesses examined before the commiltee of the Hou e cf Assembly. 'I his assertion appears to him lobe one of importance ; and he repeals it more than once. It is or. this account that 1k' attributes, at first, to the witnesses' '• falsehoods, by which " they sought fo injure him : or, as he says in anothci i>lace, to satisfy their wick- " ediiess and their revenge. * I vhall no', for the moment, dwell on any observations lespccting this worse than stran'^e assertion. We shall return to' this subject in tho discussion of the testimonv,'' and sort of proof, bv ailidavits, taken before a magistrate, whose duty is merely'passive, and does not consist in puttinir questions as to any of the facts stated in ] articular, but mcrciv and generally as to the truth of their contents, and that fietiucntly without the presence'of any one but the party inter, sted inobtain- iii.Tlhe atfirmfition of the facts; in order 'to oppose it to the kind of testimony received bef re a commitee, which is composed cf several members, each of whom has an equal right to pioposc questions to the witnesses relating to any particu- lar fact to which ihiy may liepose, or any others to which he may think proper to obtain answer. A witness, called belbro the House, is not, it is true, upon his oath ; but lie is in Ihe presence of his country; he is exposed to ignominy if, in giving his evidence, he is guilty cf an in, truth ; he is even exposed, on a summary proeeed- iii"-, to sutler immediate incarceration. 'Ibis is not a mere vain theory, —it is tlu, juacticc in the iuiglish lloese of Commons, and adopted in that of l.ower-Canadri. in pleadiuix his own cause, the cause of a i)iib!ir functionary of his rank, Mr. Stuart s^lundd, in the f.rst place, have i>hrunk from the impropriety of such an asser- li( n ; and fn m tlie danger e\cii by thus expressing himself, of weakening that lesijc'ct which is due, as well to moral sentiment, as to that civil duty which im- poses on a witness the necessity of never (iopurting from the truth, whilst giving evidence before a tribunal of tiiis importance. A"a n, on the subicct olthis objection of Mr. Stuart's, there is an observation which, before we proceed, deserves a moment's attention: He seems to have adopleil, with regard to public fV:nctionarics, a princijdc, a system, to which al! his ideas have refei t-iu e ; and are, if I may use the expression, co-oidi'nate. He ilesires that public functionaries should be indepciiucnt ; and we areleft to (onclude, from his mode of cspressiiig himself, that the colonial government cannot, without t!i s son of inviolabiiity as regards them, continue to exist. Mr. Stuart does not, however, formally deny, that the House of Assembly lias some povvcr of incpiiring into the conduct of public delinquents ; but he denies the ri"ht of using the imly it.eans known and consecrated by the law, and practice of ("arliamein, in order'lo eHect this iiKjuiry. He puts forth, as a principle, that the evidence taken before a House of Com- mons, of Lower-Canada, is not worthv of credit, because the witnesses are not sworn ; and that such evidence cannot" be uM'd as the foundation of any proceed- ing against public functionaries, whose conduct may be an object of iiupiiry. Ami, sii"ce the Ht)use has no power to tender this oath, it follows, that it would not have any means of preferring charges against them. Nothing more than .Mr. Stuart's .-vstein could bo necessary to insire the stability of the government ! Can it be lu'ccssary to discuss, seriously, .issertioiis oflliiskind ? As 51 I a body into the law, and ivagancc ic ailvan- :\\ spring tvitnesscs assertion 'c. It is by wl.icli icir wick- lis worse on of the lose duty ['the tacts tents, and in obtain- X'stini.jny of whom V parlicii- proj)cr to I ; bnt lie ;iving his procced- — It ISlhl; r-Canada. rank, Mr. I an asscr- ining that whic'li ini- ilst giving bscrvatioii rinciplc, a xprcssioii, lent ; and le colonial ontiniic to .Assembly s ; but he law, and !e of C(im- ses are not ,' procced- liry. And, il not have r. Stuart's Can it be tcrrc. M. Stuart auralt pu nlors deiioncer avec qnclque raison I'Assemblee qui I'aceiisait comnie un corps dont les iML-mbres etaient en proio a des passions aveu- gles, capables de les prrcipit(M- dans les plus grossii res crreurs, ctrangers aux premieres notions du droit Constitiitioiniel, a la praticpie dii Pailement, comma des liommcs cnliii dont I'extravagaiiee et I ignorance rt unies, les rendaient ahsolu- nient indignes de jouir des avantag; s dun Gouverncment Constitutionnelet d'exer- cer l(.'si;r Icsquels il pent juger u j)ropos d'en obtenir des nponses. I;e t('moin nppeh'' devant la ( luuubre n'e-t pas a la V( rite sous sermcnt ; mais il est en presence de son i)a}s, il est t xjiosi' a I'lguominie s'il se rend coui)ai)Ie de faussete en rendant son tcmoignage, il est expose nu'inc a subir de suite i'ir.- carct ration en vertii d'un procide sonuuaire. Cc n'cst pas la seulement une vainc tlnoiic, c'esl la j)ratiqiiC dans les Couununes d'Au^loierre, suivie })ar cello du Mas-Canada, JNI. Stuart plaidant la carise d'un fonclionnaire public de son rang attacpie dans sa personne, aurait di'i reculer devant rinconvenauce d'une parcille assertion d'abord et devant le ilanger me.ue en tenant ce langage d'afl'ai- blir le respect du an sentiment moral conuiie au devoir civil qui impose au lemoiu I'obligation de no jamais s'ecarter de la verite en donnant sou temoignagc devant nn 'I'ribunal de cette importance. II est encore au siijel de cette objection de .M. .Sluart une observation qui merite d'arreter un moment lattention avant de jjasser .\ \\n autre article. II ])arait avoir a(lo()te relativement aax foiutionnaires publics un priixipe, un syste- jue au(|uel tontes ses idees se lattachent el vieni>cnt pour ainsi dire se co-ordonner. 11 vcut lindependance pour les fonctioiuiaires pidjlics. Si on s'en rap[)orle ii la maniirc dont il s'exprimc, sans cette cf'iJU'e d'inviolabiiite " le Gouvcrnement ♦' Colonial ne j)eut eonlinuer de subsi.--ter."' Cepeiulant il \\v nie pas formelle- uient (jue I'Assembke ait ijueUpie droit de recliercher ie.s delinquans publics ; mais il nie le droit d'user des moyens connusetconsacrcs par Ic droit et la pratique du I'arlement pour y parvcnir. 11 ctablit conuue un princijio que les dej)ositions des temoins cju'une Cliambre de Cunununes du 13as-Canada appelle devant elle lie meritent aucune creance parce qu'ils ne sont pas sous serment et ne penvent scrvir de Ibndenient a aucun procedc contre les fonctionnaires publics qu'clle recherche. Or comme elle n"a aucun moyeii de I'aire preter ce serment, il s'en- suivrait quelle n'aurait non plus aucun nioycn de porter des accusations contre cux. 11 n'en faudrait jias davantage pour assurer la stabilite du Gouvcrnement dans le systeme de M. .Stuart. Faut-il ( tre oblige de discutei seneusemcnt de accusations de cette nature ? H De As 68 As to tlio objection tliat " The IIoi/sc of Asscmh/i/, it seems, has aminYi/efi to itsrlj " .'he po:eer, not oiili/ of courietiii-:- a puhlie officer of milrersutnm in his office, " hut of erimiiHtl chav'-es coiiiiizahle hy cuuiis of hiw onh/ : of siilmnialton nl •' periuni, an>/ violence at llie ekrlhrn;' " The .Issemhli/ has no n^iit " to hnna- c/up-vv a-ain'^t a }whlic Junctional if, in respect of anij other offenas " tliait those relating to official mimmdiict." It is U'^eiessto aiiimadvort on the incorrectness of some of these expressions'. The House of Assembly, ilivi not pretend to convict ; bnt Mr. .Stnart consuiers it criminal in havin- eluir-ecl him w.th an otibnce of vviiich it bclun-e.l to t!.e courts of justice alone to take co -nizance. Her/ we shall sumi see that he li m ( rroras to the fact, and that he is not called to account by the House ol .Asseaibly for -jny one of those otKnces of which con;nizanco should, \\\ tact, properly bo taken by the ordinary tiibnnals. Nevertheless, 1 will, before I come to this par- ticuhrsu'.ieet,ari,nie hvp. theticallv, and suppose that the charge brought by the House of Assenib'lv has reference to two offences of the nature he mentions, and th'U thev should be ret,'arded in th< teehnical sense which he attaches to them, •vilowin.r these ob)ection>, the doctrine and ideas of Mr. Stuart on this subject would stTll be ilhM)rv. It would b,-, at least, (piite novel to question the n.«ht ot an A-.semb:v remesentinr: the p ople of a country, the Conniioiis in fact, to bring ■\ chan'earainst'a public Vunctionary ; to require his suspension, his disni.ssal, and natticularlv in Kni,land to prosecute him even in the House of Lords, for otieiices, the co'Tnizanceol which mavbeloiii? to tlie ordinary tribunals. I his ideas, like many ''others assumin- to "be of a constitutional class, whica occnr m each l)u.vna|)h cf the memoir, is neither in accordance with the pra, tice nor the iisa.^es, nor with the received priucipLson these subjects, and is e luaily repugnant to the one and to the other. , • ,■ . i.i i .1 Let us s e if the English I louse of ("ominous have interdicted tliem-elves tiie ii"ht of proceeding- a"-ainst public funelionaries in cas s in whica the crime or the offence laiil to theu- charge mii^lit have become the subject of a prosecution before the ordinary tribunals. Hi^h treason and embezzlement are surely crimes or oirence^definedby law, of which these latter courts can take cognizance. Can we think that if the House of Commons, in the event of an inquiry, u-> re convinced that a minister, or other public functionary, had !)eeu guilty ot the one or the oth-rof these offences, it would be fair to tax them at once with injustice and oxtrava-ance, because they should rc(iuire his suspension and lis dismissal .■> It even lie were the subject of prosecution in the Hou-o of Lords, would it be •illowablo to say that it'was, on their i)art a criminal usurpation ^ Could an im- peachment against him be excepted to, niuler the pretence that the inferior courts possessed an exclusive jurisdiction ? 'i'his power in the courts, of taking cognizance of these offences could no more ndlitat,; against that of a branch of the legislature, puticularlv the pop.dar bra.ich, than a-ainst that of the executive branch itself inqmring into the coiiduft ot the functionaries, each according to the nature of Ins duties. It is a put of the duty of the House of Commons to employ, according to circumstances, Ih -'various means attached by the constitution to its jurisdiction, in watching over these tunctionaries, in order, if necessary, to have them disp aced or punisiied : they mav do the one or the other: it is in their discretion to do so, according to the" fitness and nature of the case. Jint Icavin.r for a time th s subject, to which it may perhaps be necessaiy to return, let ns observe that Mr. Stuart has again strangrcly mistaken the nature ol the accusation brought against him by the House of Assembly under the title of .uLnrnat^on of penuni, when he -.crsuaded himse f that it had 1.1 view merely that -t whom such an accusaiiuH maybe definitive crime which subjects any one agr brought, 59 Dc robiection que "I'/lssemhlee .s'csl arroge ce scmhlc lepouvoir non seukmenl dc con. " \a'mcrc iin Officier jnthlic dc Malversation dans son Office, mats encore d'of- " fenses crmincllcs qui sont de la jurisdiction exclusive des cours de loi....La " 'suljoniation de jmrjure et Ics violences dans I' Election... U Assemblce nu pas «♦ le droit dc porter des plainles contre un fonctionnaire puhlic pour raison ♦« dautres delils que ccux qui sont relatifd sa conduite en OJice ('Olficial mis- «« conduct.") iSc II est inutile dc rclovcr Tinexactitudc dc qiidques-uncs dc ses expressions. L'Asseuiblcen'apritcndu convaincrc; mais M. Stuart lui fait un cnmc d avou- Quant au droit de la part dune Assemblce rcprcsentantle pcuple d un pays.de innincs enfin, d'accuser un fonctionnaire public dc domandcr sa suspension, sa veux lu'aninoins on attendant que jen viennc a cct objet en particulier raisonner dans liiypollu^se que I'accusation portee i-ar TAssemblce roulc sur les deux debts dc cctte cspecc qii'il indiquc ct dans Ic sens technique qu'il y attache dans <,cs -ibjections ; la doctrine et h.s idces de M. Stuart ;i ce sujct scraient encore illusoires. destitiition.et en Angletene surtout, de le ponrsuivre devant les Lords nicme pour (ics olf 'nscsdont laconnaissance pent appartenir aiix cours ordinaires, la preten- tion de I'interdirc alabranche populairc du Gouvernemcnt, est je pense an nioins iiouvelle. Cette idee cou.me b.aucoup d'autrcs soit disant constitutionnellcs qui rcviciuient dans chaque paragiaphe du niemoiic, n'est d'accord in uvcc la prati- (pie ou les usages, ni uvcc lespiiucipes reriis sur ccs maticres, et repugne egalc- nieiit aux iiremiers et aux slcoiuIs. ,. , , • i On pent v.-ir si les Communes d'Anglctcrrc se sont lutcrdit Ic droit de pro- c'cdcr coutn; un fonclionnaiie public chaque fois que Ic ciuv.c ou le dclit dont il Icnrparaissait entachc aurait pu devenir uu objct d'accusaiion devant les tribn- naux ordinaires. La haute trahison et le peculat sont siireincnt des crimes^ou dc- liis detiiiis iiar les lois dont la connaissance est du rc-'sovt de ccs cours. Croit-oii (luc les Communes a la suite d tine enqutte se trouvaicnt convaincues qu'un minis- tie ou autre fonctionnaire public se fut rendu coupable de Tune ou de rautre il -crait bien venuales taxera lafois d'injustice ct d'extravagancc paico qu ellcs auraitdemande sa suspension et sa destitution ? si mrme elles le poursuivaient devant la Chambre des Lords, se permettrait-on de dire que c est une nsur- j)atiou criminelle ? I'ourrait-on exfcepter aux actes d'accusation {Impeacliment.s) diritrcs contre Ini sous le pietexte que les cours infciieures ont une jurisdiction exclusive r , , • -iv Ce droit des Cours de prendre connaissance de ccs debts ne saurait mihter contre celui d'une branche de la. Legislature surtuut de la branchc populairo p us qiieconticcelui de la branche Exi-cutivc ellc-mCme, de survcdler la cond.uledcs ibnclionnaires chacun sui\ ant la nature de leurs attributions. C'est aux torn- muncssuivantles circonstances.a employer les dillerens moyeus que la Constitution a attaches a leur jurisdiction pour rechcrchcr ccs fonctionnaires pour parvenir a les fairc dcstituer ou punir. Ellcs ont le choix des uns ou des autres. C est a flics a le i'aired'apres les convenances ct la nature dcscirconstauces. Mais laissant pour le moment cc sujct auqucl il scrapcut-etrenccessaircde re- vcnir ; obsci vons que II. Stuart s'cst t ncore ctrangcment mcpns sur la nature d( I'accusation nortec contre lui par TAssemblce sous le nom ih suburnatton J^ I'accusation portee contre lui par i .\ssemuiee sous lo ■■"•>• "^ ■ parjtirc, quand il s'est persuade quelle n'avait en vuc que Ic dc soiimct celui contre qui Taccusation est porlce a une poursuitc devai ue le dclit dciini le de qui sui\'Ui!t !e cours ordinaire iles lois. ant un tribunal, Ellecut prclcleflancadcsreproches graves, nume K' GO broiifrht, to a jjiosociifion before a tiihiinal arcoidiiiidcratioiis ; ami Mr. Stuart, in such a case, would most cei Miidy not have liulcd to direct his >hafts against it, Th'j term, suhoni itlon of pcijuri/, should not be taken h. re in a purely tecluiical sense, it was not the di:!y of the lb)nse of Assembly to uupiire whether (ia/aille dit St. CI rmdn, who n Nir. Sluart, one of the candidates at the election, bid indue d to take the oath, v.as more (.guilty than Aussant or the others acciiseil IVom Sorel (William lb my,) prosecuted by him, as Attorney (ieiieral, !'or perjury, and St) jiisllv ;in I reasonably accpulted. I'hat which might he termeil tliL" mere substance of the cr uie, was fouml as innth in the act of ihc former as the latter. Ibit intention, which alone jendes acts of this descri;.tion cri;i:inal, was equally absent at the time they respective'y took their oadis What would have been thought of the lb)use of Assend)ly, had it re jiiind, (nd it is pr, tended, in the memoir, it onuhr to have done so,) that a prosecution sliou'd be instituted a:;ainst Mr, Stuart, in one of the onlinaiy courts, lor sid)ornation of p rjnry, when he whom he (.Mr. >t;iart') li.'d induce I to Ciunnit it, not only never ought to have been, and never could bi*, coi.v'eted, but could not have intended to swear falsely ? Of V. hat hlindne.sr., of \vh t injustie.-, would he not, i.i siieh a case, ha\e acciiseil the Iluuse of ,\s.=ead) y ? ^> c must take these cNpressi' us, then, in a more otensive sense And iirst, as in alln-i n to the ollence of an Attorney Cieiieral, a candidate at this diction, abusing the intlu nci; wiiirh his iini)ortanl functions allbrde 1 him, bv itid'cinir this St. (iermain, in order to (pi;\Iily and vote in his (the Atttjrney Ci neral's) favour, to swiar to the Iri.th ol' a fabeliood whii h he, the voter, might liowi ver believe to be true ; an error, wliieli couKI form no CACiise lor the jjiiblic functionarv on tins occasion. Secomily, the in(]uiry, on this occasion, is con- cerning the eounniss on of an oil'enee, of at lea-t as urave a nature, perhaps of a more serious one, as reg.n- !s morality and ])ul)lie justice, consequent upon the first offence, (ami the consideration ot' which, at this mu:i cut, is tpt te in keeping,, connnitted by this (unctionaiy in piosecuting afterwards, a^ guilty of perjury, those who, led by the example of St. (iern>ain, ilu cs to their otiv/ conlilence in the opinons publicly delivered by this chief o;!;cer of the crown, took an oalh similar to that to which \veha\e already alludeil. Lastly, in reference to another olVeiice. that of hav iig aimeil these pioseentioiis, aceompaned l)y circnnistaiices which gieatly nggrav.iletl tluir inju-tiee, ag inst those who had voted in i'avour of his atlveisury, whilst he ha i not even thought of pr, scenting thoewhohad connnitteil the fain ot^-'iice, inoriK r lo vote in his favour. N\ itii leg '.rd to the acts of violence at this electi n, I.iid to Mr Stinirt's ciKwge by the House of Assembly, can behave thought (hat it allude I lo i)ii>sical force I That he was acciis tl of having a t d the |)ai I of a wrestler. It is Siilieient to read the repoi t ( f the eonnnitl e, tlu' depositions and the esidcjin- which form part of it, ami to see the proceedings of tiie Ib):i^e of A^scMnbly, in order to be saiislied that this charge has rt ferenc • to that kiii;! of mora! violence \vhich he exercised towards the ele tors, by ineaus of menaces, to which his u'iice gave an imi)orlan. e — of which events have furnisluH! a sal proof how the influence, which resulted from his foictions, had been emiiloyed, for the purpose of p isiiadiiig the persons, lo whom we have a'naily iilludeil,t i take the i-alh in (piolion. Kcturniiig now to Mr. Stu.il'.s as-' r I ions, as to the prtleiided t xclusive right (-f the urdinarv courts, \vc inavohservt, that if this r^^lit could be esla- b.iilied, function iries, parlicui uly in tiie colonies, would be insured tliat inde- pendence, in fact, tli.it sort of inviolabil ty whicli wouhl pb»ce theui finally aloof IVotn ;ill kinds (,f ^iiiveillunce on the jtarl of ilu loeal auih niii'-:, and Hi.s iM;ijv.s- ty's (iovernnu nt it>-e!f', — an indepindeiu c, t i c/i fer wl i, h Mr. Stuart seems to ngard as a .sort of c// ('/'/'«' /n 71? on liie part of tm- ( Jo. eriuueni, and without whieli h' thinks it could not contiiaii! to L'.vist in the coIoiuls. 'J'ltis crclifiie •4 "% 61 Hucli a mcmeaii riiliciile, si die no sc-tait pas c'levi-e au-dessus do ces considerations, et M. Stuart n'aiirait sinemcnt pas manque d'eii dinger les traiis contre elle. L piircm J Jiaf't ,es mots (Ic suhoi nation dr pnrjtive ne sauraient etre pris ici dans un sens ont tfclmique. L'AssombU'o n'a pas du s'attaclicr a examiner si (iazaillc dit, St. Ciermaiii (pie M. Stuart, C'aiulidat a ['Election, avait iletermine a preter sermentetaitpiiis coupable qii'Anssantou les autres prevenus de Sorel (William Ilcnry,) poiirsuivis par lui conime I'locnreiir-drH' ral, pour parjure, et acipiittes avcc tantde raisoii et de justice. Coqu'on pourrait a; pcler Ic mat. rici du crime se trouvait bien dans I'Aciedu premier coinmodans ceiix dcs seconds ; maisl'in- tention, (pii seide pent rendre ccs actcs criminels, manquait rgalcnient dans la prestation de Icurscrment. Qu'eut-on pcnse des lors de rAsscmbU'c si elle cut, commo on pretend dans Ic nu' moire, (pi'elle aurait du le f liro, retjuis contre M. Stuart unepoursiiite d.v vait les trihunaux orduiairos pour suliornatioii de paijure (juand celui auipicl il aurait persuad ■ de le connnettie n.tn seulcmcnt n'aura t j miais du ni pu etre con- vaiiicu, mai:5 ne j»ouvait i)as avoir I'intentioii de dire une clio-ie (iuisse r* De quel aveiiiilfiut lit, de quelle injustice n'amait-il pus alors luiinemc accust IAsslui- blee ? C'est daus \\u seiispli.s etendu (pi il taut prcu 're ces cx;)ressions. ("est d'al)or>idu dilit d'un l*rocureur-(j iii ral, C'luulidat dans cette cl.cLioii, abusant lie riiitl lence tpie lui donnaientses importantes fonctions pour di'tcrmincr ce St. (jormaiu pour se qualifier et voter en sa faveiu', a allirmer sous scrment commc vruie une cliose fausse que ce dernier pomait ccpendant eroire vraie, illusion qui ue pent ^ervii' d'exouse an tonetioimaiie public dans cette occasion. En second lieu, il est (inestion d'ini delit tout aussi grave, ptut-etre davantagc, contre la mo- rale ct la justice piddicjue, suite du premur doiit la consideration est dans cc mo- ment insL'parab'e, commis par ce tiinctionnaire en j) ansui\ant ensuite conune coupable lie parjureceux qui eiitrain> spar cet exemple, dipes de leur contiance dans ces opinions douu' es publiiiuemeut pir ce |)reniier ollieier de la Coin'onuc, auraient prete nn sermeiit seud)lal)le a celui dont ii vient d'etre question enfin d'un autre delit, celui d'avoir dirige oxelusivcnient ces poursuites accompagnees dc circonst mces qui aggiavaieut de beaucou;) leur injustice, contre ceux qui avaient vot ' ( n laveur dc sun concurrent, tandis (ju'il n'avait pas seulemcnt songo a rc- cliercher ceux qui avaient commis la mime f.iute pour voter en sai'aveiu'. (Juant aux Actes ile volence porti'.> a la cliarge de M. Stuart par TAssemblec dans cette eleet'on. a-t-il pu eroire que c'etaii de celle qui tenait " de la force •• pliysitpie ?" (pi'el e I'aceusail ilavoir jouc le rided'un lutteur? 11 sullit de lire !e rapport du ("omite, les depositions .1 loute la pr. uve, qui eu lout paitie, et de voir les procedes de 1 Assoiidile •, pour '^e convainere ipi il est (jucstion dans eettc accusation lie I'espcce de viulence morale qn il exerijait snr les Elecleurs paries inenaeus aux(piell. ssa cliarge donnait une impoitariee dout L'S eveuenieiii out founii niie trisn; preiive coniuie I'iiillut nee i.ni les Jta t de ses f'onetion> avait etc euq)lo\ee pour j)i rsnader ceux dont on vient do jiarler, de I'aire le sermcnt en question. lleveuaiit maiiitenant aux assertions de M. Stuart sur le ])r:'tendn droit cxclusil'des (ours ordinaires, on doit dire que si elle pouvait enliii triomplier, cllc pourrait assurer aux Co. ictiounaires surtout ilans les colonies, cette indepeuilauee, cette espece d'invioiabilitc de fait qiu les mettrait egalement a I'abri de toiHe sur- veillance des autorites locales et dc ccile du Gouvernement de Sa 'viajestc lui- meme ; iudipcndance .ju'd parait eu ell'et regarder comme le chef d'nan re du (iouvernement etsans hupielle il eioit ipi'il ne pourrait eontinuer de siibsister daus les Colonies^ ils scruient assures d'en jouir.^ 5urtout s'il se tiouvai. daus I'organisa- tiou G2 n<>hl wottU he particularly convc\iient, if tluro httppcnt.' sitively jinblic nature, such as those committed by func- t'onaiies in the i xerc isc of their duties, arc not susceptible of being previouslv cK liiHu', in the same niannc'r as those committed by private individuals, which are isually of a least complicat» d character ; besides, in accusations which have reference to official nnseondnct, such as that in question in the reports made to the House of .'\f-senibly of Lower Canada, the statement ofthe facts themselves is sufficient uj)on wliieh to found the charge, and the necessary proceedings, against » Wc shall »©eu ttt irtat Here is, iu fact, of cidttsive io the fiiBctiuM exercised !-y t!i? Attorr.fy Hrnfift! •f Luivrr Cuuitilu. 63 tion (Icl'adiii Wtra on O' Iiiiiitcs fbiictiotis tut porl iicl ft ;i hi t'ois cominun h loMjtie. II poiirraitsc'joiii ■ (11, i< s pi '^ti-^ vice tlotvf nn homme rcvctii de ces [iiplijue parti dans iiri intin't persoti- troiiveraient plac's ihuH iinc situation ana- mi, - (|!ii lie poiinaicnt avoir dc rcsultat, insul- tcr ceiix qui oscuiicnt Ics I'aire entendre ct les iininoler i"l ses rcssentimens ! Cc; SLM-nit sans doute line ctrange porspective A oflVir an sujets de Si Majeste dans Ics (JiilonicH. Cestsnrtoiitcomnic on le vcrra dans quclqncs unc:»-dcs circonstunces commc cc'Iles ilont il sera iiltLrieurcnu nt (lucstioii, ct c'cst en outre avec les pou- voirs en qiiclquf sorto cxclusif's q;\*un ProcurcMir-(i nc'-rd, do I'aveu do M. Stuart, excrcc dans lo Bas Canada, quil sc tro'.ivprait cii eO'et inviolable.* Dun autre cote on mcttantlcs cliosos sous nn point de vupplus favorable aux <»oiivern(S, ccttc doclriiie d'lni droit anssi txclusif des Cours de I'absence cntiC-re de juiisdiction de la part des L'omnunics d'un I'ays en pareillcs circonstances de porter leHauibcan ile I'examen sim" la couduitc d'un ofHciur public tine ibis bien itablie, il •< en suiviait qu'il pourrait se reiidrv! journelienicnt coupabie d' s fautes !cs phis i;rave:ict braver a la fbis ct I'atitoritc dcs triljunatix, cclle ilu Ciouvcrr.e- nieiitdu pays, et dj fait cede du Gouvernement de Sa Majeste lui nii'mc. CJue ce fill systciue oti non de sa ])art, il suUirait qu'il n'ciit pas etc jusqu'a se compio- nieltre en cntier, que d'un cote ces faules pussi-nt se rapporter ;'i quelqueauncs do i-es classes dr dilits diliuis par les lois, (pie de Taulre il uianqua dans lacte incri- niini' qtielqiies-uncs de ces conditions dont la preuve est ULcessaire, afin de co.is- f ater exactemcnt le d. lit pour ccliapper a la vcnpreance dcs luis elles-memes. A 1' Assemble e il opposerait I'inconip leneo, le dcfaut ile jiui^diction ; devant une Joiuil exciperait tie I'absence de (luelquosiuus de ces circoustances nccessairos lour nouvoir le convaincieci le condamner. Dans I'une et I'autre alternative il Cc ))our pou\ serait assure de sortir vainqueui" de la lutte. Enfin les doctrines de ^T Stuart relativcmcnt aux deux accusations de subor- nation dc parjure et de violence dans Selection de Sore! etant &usccptibles d'une application coustante ; une Ibis re(;ue, elles au;aient I'l ti'et d autorser tout les ijenres tic dcsortlres par I'espoir absolude I'inipunite. Quelks doctrines ! qucllcs l)ases piHir un Gouvernemt.nt ! De I'objection tirce du «' dLi'aut dcspcciticaLion" dans scs accusations, L'liabitude de paraitre devant les tribunaux ordinalrcs et de s'occtiper ap- pareiume:it dune nianiire iu\ pou exc'usive ilesaHuires du liaireau a fait illusion ."i I'auteur du ui> moire. 11 raisonne to jours (.raprcs les regies auvqiiellcs la pro- cedure est assujettie dans les Cours, Les di lits il'uiio nature absokunent pubiique, tels que ceux des fonetiou- naires dans I'exercice de leurs charges ne sont j)as susceptiijles d'etre de finis d'a- vancc, conune ceux tjui se eominettent par (k^s pariiculiers qui sont g'neralcmcnt nioius conipli(pies. Aussi ilans les aecusalio)is qui out rapport a des *• faits dc " charge," comnie ceux dont il est question dans ies trois Rapports faits a I'As- sembl e du Has-Canuda, I'aiticidation - up these doubt in a nianiur consistent witii perfect justice. It will not be preteiuli-»i that this denial, or mere adidavits, sworn on theutherside the Atlantic, should tliey c n eontain facts of nuicSi greater importance and probability tlu ii they really do, are sullieicut for the purpose of destroying, at one blow, all the elfci't ol the proofs, whether oral c^r in writing, taken on tlie spot itself, ami eontirmcd at tlie imc by documents of so important ir.iraetcr as those produced before the lUnise of Assembly, it wuuld be a c necessary to have recourse to ulterior proceedings We may infer even, from the steps taken by His Majesty's Government iu 18'27, in reference to a charge brought bv the House of Assembly against auo- thor public riuictonary, that it was uinK rston.l that the Legislative Council of the Prov ncc should possess a jiin-.dicti()U <> f this kind. Whether these or )th otner means wcrt adopted, reasoning: Irom analogy, the Hotise of Assembly wouUl have the power of piodiic in l)efore any giv« ii court the articles of imp-eacliment. It Wuuld even be competent to it to add to iheni, iis the Knglish House of Com- mons itself niii>ht do before the House of Lords. In fact, the Assembly would be justified in examining (itiier witnesses than tlio-jc already heard, ami recpiiring another and nioie ample di seiiptiuii »■! evidence, it it was thoeglil iu;.ess,iry to do so, ill 8U|)port of the charges. Mr. Stuart eould then demand more mliiiitc explanations, if the facts contaiiud in the reports made to the House of Assc m- biy were not pointed out in lb cin as lint clearly as they realiy an mo re, Mr. Stuart, in the very terms of his memoir. jcmanils to bt ♦' tried (ill facts, without ngaid to t( clinical objections or the insufheicney of the " proceedings ado|itcd ag;:iiisl hiin.'' Now the facts whit ii serve as a foundation for the charges of Assembly must siirelv befaiiiiliarto him. The proofs establish tlum in the most perfect manlier, even Wcre they not suHiciently clearly j)oiiited oiitliy the reports made to the House ol Assfinblv. It is possibli; that he should be otherwise than desi- rous, as we on his own account as on thuL the ( lovernnieiu, one o f wl lose principal officers in the Province he was, paitieiilarly alter these solemn protes- tations of seeing his conduct justified, of seeing himself liLcratcd from suspicion, by means of an iiKpiiry, alone cal-ulatcd to make his innocence really ap- parent ? OBSERVATIONS 65 cii est I'objct. Par la meinc raison, cea proccdi's nc sont pas assiijettis mix formes piironient tccliniqiu s en usage ct dc n^cessitc :iu Harreati ct tlaiis les cours ordi- iiaires ou Ics poiirsiiitcs out rapport a des dclits caractrriscs spc'ciileincnt par ics lois. Assuremeiit M. Stimrt ne sauruit pn'tendre qii'il ignore In nature des laits qui se trotivciit consi^Mu's dans cis trois rapports. II serait vraiment inutile d^s'ar- rctcrpourle moment ;\ indiquerd'uno manirre particiiliue ces faits cux-memes. II est Caciic dc les saisir exactement en les voyant prcsentes dans les rapports. D'nn autre cAtf'-, i-i M. Stuart pouvait donncr des explications do sa conduite proprcs a faire naitre des doutcs raisonnables sur la vcritc des accusations portt-es coiitre liii par rAssembli'e, on convoit qu'il ne pourrait pas esperer d'cn etrc de- cliarged'cmblee et sans aucunc Ibrmalitt'-, sans qu'enfin on eut pris les moyens dVclaircir CC8 doutes dans I intrret dune exacte justice. On ne prctendra pas que ses denegations ou de pimples affidavits pris de I'autrc c6t6 de 1 ocean quand bieu mOmc les lUits qui s'y trouvcut aflirmes seraiont bcaucoup plus importans (|u'ils ne Ic sonteneffet ou probables fussent siitiisants pour detruire d'un coup red'ot de la preuve testimoniale on C'crlte prise sur les Jiciix nic^mes, et rcsultante .\ la fbis de docnmens aussi importans que ceux qui out etc mis sous les yeux do I'Assemblcc. II f'audrait i courir a des proct'dt s ulterieurs pour instniire cetto csprce dc proces. II n'sidterait mt me des dcmarclies du Gouvcrnement dc Sa INlajcstf en I8I7, relativemtiit a I'accusation portee par I'Assemblc^e contre un au- tre tbnctionnaire public qu'il avait en vueque le Conscil Legislatif de la Province cxer9Jt jurisdiction sur ces matitrcs. Que ce moyen ou autre fut ad -jji, ^' rai- eonnaut dans des regies d'analogie, I'Assembk'e aiuait dioit de produ re dcvani le tiiliun, ijui lui serait indique des chef's d'accusalion (articles of Im »e:;-hmcn.. .) die auiait droit tnJnie d'eu ajo ;tcr de nouvcaux comme la Cliambre J'?s Cotnm' - Ties d'Angieierre elie-nieme dcvant la Cliambrc des Lords; olle aurait en.'n le d^ oit tie produire des tcmoins autres que ceux qii'elle a entendus et autre t , ("^ce^ de prcuvo plus ample, si die le croyait nccessaire au soutien de ces accusations. C'est p''ut-tlre alors que M. Siaart pourrait demnnder des specifications plus exactes si les faits consigncs dans les rapports faits a TAsscmblee n y etaicnt pas aussi claire- inent articules qu'ils Ic sont eneffet. Mais il y a plus : M. Stuart aux termes memes dc son memoire •' dcmande a ctrejugc ' sur les faits sans egard a des objections lechuiques' ou a I'insutfisance des proccdcs adoptes contre lui." Or les faits, qui servent dc fondement aux ac- cusations de rAssembk-e doivi nt si'irenicnt lui etre connus : sa preuve les ctablit d une maniere exacte (juand ils ne seraient pas asscz clairemcnt enonces dans les rappt.rts faits a rAsscniblee. Dans son interet comme dans celui du GouvernemciiL dont il ctait dans la Province un des principaux otticiers, pourrait-il, surtout apres CCS protestations solennelles, ne pas desirer de voir sa conduite iclaircie, de se voir lave de tout soup9on parlcseul cxamen capable de faire reellenient apparaitre de son innocence .' OBSERVATIONS 66 OBSERVATION ON MR. STUART'S MEMOIR. PART THE SI-.COND. Of tlie accusation brought against Mr. Stuart for malversation, by persisting in prosecuting, before the superior courts, persons accused of trifling oHenccs, and forwliich tliey should haveb.en prosecuted at tlie Quarter Sessions of the Peace, for the sordiil purpose of increasing liis emoluments : After having dwelt at length on the sid)jccts to which wo have alluded, Mr. Stuart comes to what may bo considered h s defence. He makes, at the outset, the following declaration': — "The Attorney (Jcneial of Lower Canada always •' has been, and continues to be, charged with the duty of instituting and con- " ducting criminal prosecutions, before the Courts of King's Bench. Hence he '• becomes auxiliary to these Courts, in the execution of their oHice, as Courts of " (Jcneral Goal Delivery." I shall not dwell hi re upon these latter expressions, which may prove to be ot some importance. SuHice it, for the moment, to ob- serve, that we had tho avowal of Mr. Stuart that the functions of the Attorney (icneral, in the Province, are, in this respect, exclusive ; and this fact, with refe- rence to the present discussion, deserves particular attention. Let us now sec liowhc justifies liiu)sclf for having constantly prosecuted, before the superior tri- bunals, person against whom proceedings should have been taken at the (Juarter Sessions. According lo him, it was tiie practice of those who preceded him in oHice ; it was incuinbont on him to ])rosecvite those who were in the prisons ; " And the " Assen;!)ly has iuiputeil to him, without any reason whatever, ami gratuitously, " a sordiil motive: ' when in doing so, he performed an imperious duty. Hence it may be thought that he laboured in the cause of humanity, and moreover of innocence, in order io shorten the period of the confinement of prisoners. In the first place, this cause wouKI be misinulerstooil. In fact, he himself observes, ill the same ])aragraph, that the Court of King's Bench, ,/(';/• r;7;«/'//»i/ husiness, is /uH on/// hare, whilst the (Quarter Sessions are held four times, in the course of the vear. So that, in the first place, it seems diflicult enough to under- stand how it vvouhl bom 're advantageous to a prisoner that he should be impri- soued lor sx months, in order that he might be prosecuted in the Court of Kit)gs Bench, ins^»;ul of remaining only three months in prison, and taking his trial at the Quarter Sessions. Secondly, the interest of the public would, in such a case, bo as little taken care of as that'uf the prisoner, on account of the former being obliged to be at the expense of feeding, lodging, and guanling a prisoner, for double the necessary time. Lastl\, tlie prosecutions, in tiie Court of King's Bench, costing more than seven limes as mu h as thosu at the Quarter Sessions, it may be conceived, that a >yslLiii of this kind can be no more consistent w.'lh ceo- nomy than with the i»rinciples of' well directed liuuianity. It is surprising, that tho evil consefjuences of such a system ;>!;ould have cscai)cd the observation of the Atturnev Cieneral. and should not have made him feel sensibly the viciousness of the system itself", and have induced him to abandon, instead of persisting in it for so many years. If he was not blindcil by feelings of intercut, on account of 'he considerable profit arising from such a course, an indiviilual mi^hi be justified, in a moral jioint of view, for an error of this kind ; a public man could never be justified, either in the eyes of the public or tiie government. im^tanoe, which militates niu! is more to A!r. Stuart'-* ve goveriuncnt, accoiding to Mr. Stuart's own account lias I ,:\ 67 ' ■ OBSERVATIONS SUR LE MEMOIRE DE M. STUART, SECONDE I'AUTIE. l)e I'acciisation port^c contrc M. Stuart, de malversation en persistant k tra- duiredovant Ics tribiinaiix sii|Kriours dcs pcrsonnes prevemies d'otienses irgeres et parlesqiiellcs clle atiraient du ctre po'irsuivies dans Ics Sessions Tnmestnelles de la I'aix (Quarter Sessions,) dans le but sordide d'aiigmenter ses emolumens, Enfin, apris s'ctre appcsanti longucment sur k's moyens dont on a rendu cotniite, M. Stuart en vient a ce que Ton pent considercr commc sa defense. 11 fait en Iciitament, cettc declaration, " que le devoir du Procureur-Guncral dans " la Province du Ikis-Canada a toujours ttc et continue d'etre ... dintenter etde " conchiire Ls poursuites criminellcs portees devant les Cours du Banc du lloi. «' II deviant par la I'aiuiliaire de ces Coins dans rcxcrcice de leurs fonctions " coiume Cours de dLlivrance gi'iurale dcs Prisons " On ne s'arrctera pas, dans ce moment, a des remarques sur ces dernieres expressions qui i^eiivcnt nitre pas sans imuDrtance. !1 sufiit, pour le uresent, de faire observer, que nous avons I'aveti de M. Stuart que les fonctions du' I'rocureur-Cicneral sont exclusives sur cet article dans la Province ; et ce fait merite une attention particuliire par rapport ;\ cette discussion. Voyons mainlonant comment il se justilie d'avoir constamment poiir- suivi devant les tribuiKuix sup.' riours des accuses dont on aurait pu, du mstruire le proces dans les S.'ssionsdo Quurtier. ^ _ Suivant iui. c'e'tait la pratique de ccux qui I'ont ]ir.'ctdL' en othce^; c ctait pour Iui" uneoblif,'ation de poursuivre ceux qui ctaient dans les prisons" et I'As- semblee Iui a impute '* sans raison et gratuitement un motif sordide, "quand, en le J'aisant.il •' remplissaiiun imperieux devoir.' O.i dovrait cioirc, drs lors, que c'ttait dans les intiirts de I'humanite et surtont de I'innocence qu'il travadlait, l)0ur abi< ger le tems de la d 'tention des accus s. D'abord cet intert't aurait etc mal entendu. En ctfet, de son aveu aussi dans lemrmc paragraplie, les cours du Banc du Ro\ pour les ajfliires crimmctles se tien- lU'ii! r/('((.r /0/.S tandis que les Sessions de Ouartier revieniient quatve fois dans le couisde I'annJ'e. Or, pre:uirremcnt, il parait asse/, dilucile d.' comprendre com- ment il serait plus avantageux pour un accuse d'etre detenu pendant six mois pour ctre poursuivi dans les Cours du Banc du Uoi, quede re.ter seulcment trois mois dans Ics I'risons et de subir sou proces devant les Sessions do^ Quartier. En se- cond lieu, rinleret du public dans ces cas serait aussi pen menage que cclui du d.'tcnu, ;i raison de la ne.essite tie subv^'uira la d:i)cnse de lanourriture, du loge- nieut et de la garde de I'accuse |)cndant un ospaee de tems deux fois plus consi le- rable. Eufm,'^les |)oursuites dans la Cour du Banc du Uoi coutant sept i'oia plus que dans la Session de Quartier et davanlage, on comjoit qu'un sy.>,trmc de o.ttc nature nep utttre dans les regies de I'ecouomie plus {[ue dans les nrincipcs d'une luunanile bien entendue. Ilestetomiant (p.ic les consnpiences viiieuses il'un pared systeme aient eclia-)pe au Procurenr-( u neral et ne Iui aientpas faitsentir assez vivement le vice du systeme lui-meme, pourl'engager a I'abandonner, au lieu d'y peisister jiendant tant d'annc'es. Si ce n'etait pas im sentiment d'interet qui Iui faisait illusion, a raisou des prc.tits considrrables qui en devaient etre le resultat, une erreur de cette na- ture qui ])ourrait justdier un particulicr aux yeux de la morale, ne saurait jamais justilier I'lumnne public aux yeux d'un peuple ni au presdu Oouvernemcnt. Best une circonstance frappantc qui nulitc bicn davantage contre Iui. Le (Jouvernement Exccutif, do I'aveu de Al. Siuurt lui-meme, avait port6 son atten- tion, 68 had directed his attention to this abuse, — Iiad taken steps to correct it, — had made known its intentions, — and hail given orders for remedying it ; and he also remarks, that these orders were complied with in the district of Quebec ; they were left unexecuted in the district of Montreal, on account of certain circum- stances, — whidi, sayshe, it is useless to particularize : the clerk of the peace r//V/ nol instituk prosecutions ut ihe liy, he ciideavoius to justify hia.sell by facts. Let us sec what lie opposes to the testimony l)ioii:;ht against him. Mr. Stuart pretends that lliree of ilie cases which *he biou<^;lit before the Coat of King's Bench we. e of considerable imporlanee. W hat he says on tlie subject of that case which had refereu'. e to the sale i)f Duvvholesome meat, might, had it been read in any oilier work, be re^-artled in Canada as a joke. Kutit is not, it. fact, in rel'erence to some of these prosecu- lions in j arlicidar that he is acciised, it is for having habituallv ii!stilul''d be- j'ore the Court of King's IJeneh. | rosecutions such as these just alluded to, one of wliieh comes under the cogiiizai.ce ot a mere magistrate, ami for constantly biinging charges fur petty oll'ences, which, fur the sake ol'the public and iiulivi- duaU, as \s,' .see itcleaily estabiishetl by the representation of the giaiul jurymen of .Montreal, should be brought atth ■ (Quarter Sessions. IJy the Canadian laws, stealing an article uniler the value of twenty shillinge, subjects the jiarty accused to a |)rosccuti;in for jietty larceny merely, We see by the evidence given 1 cfore the committee by Mr, Delisle, who was cxamiueil (111 the IStlufl'i bruary, as to these accusations so brought before the Court of Kings Hench at .Montreal, that three prosecutions were instituted against the same person for having uttered in the same day, aiul to one and the same persosi, 'ii."ec coiiterteit litTich crowns, of t'lc value- uf two shuhiigs aiii! si.x pence each i another for the theft of four articles of the value of foiH' shilling!: and nine- pence} 71 buttea une accusation criminelle qu'il a port4e liii-mfime centre letemoin, il ya dejiV plusieurs annees, laquelle est rest^e sans suite et nVtait sfirementpas de na- ture :\ en avoir, On reviendrasurcet objet dans un moment. Puis, entre autes choses, il attribue ;\ son ignorance ou u I'inudvertance I'opinion quil a mise au jour devant )e Comitd, et qu'il avail partagee avec ses confrt;res grands jur^s, sur la con- venance qu'il y aiirait eu de porter devant les Sessions de Quartier des accusations dont il a donne le tableau, pour de tres-minces delits. ha (emoin ne voil pas, dit M. Stuait, que " c'etait un devoir pour le Procureur-General deles porter devant '• laCour du Banc du Roi.' Alors il en vient aussi afaire en mOmc terns le pro- ces au Grcffier de la Paix. '"' Le devoir du Procureur.Gcncral ctait d'autant plus "urgent," dit il, " (jue le Grcffier avaitoniisde mettre ces accusations devant la •' Session de Quartier, et, cnlin, le Procureur-Gcneral ne dcvait pas etre censur6 " parce cjue le Gretlier do la Paix avait neglige de remplir ses devoirs.' ]M. Jacques Vigerct le Greffier n'ont pas etc mis a portee de se defendre par celui qui les traite dans ce moment assez durement, et les i\ccu9c ea'p:irle de ce cote de rOeian. Le tiretiier surluut serait un pen ctonne de cette artaque im- prevue ; lui qui perdait des Linolumcns auxqucis il devait mettre quelque impor- tance, an lieu degagnerau systenie de conchiite adopte par le Procurour-General. M. Sluait ne songe pas que ce nest pas dans une seiile occasion qiion I'accuse d'avoir agi centre son devoir sur cet article. C etait dc sa part une fluite reiiouvelee constaiiiment i\ cliaqne Session de la Cour depuis plusieurs annies. II ii'allrgue pas mcnic quil ail fait la moiiulic (lemarehe pour obliger ce Greffier a remplir cc devoir qu"il lui impute d'avoir violc. On pent voir par les repn'senta- tions qui se trouveiit dans le Rapport du Coniiti', des (irands-Jun.'s du District de MoiiUral (hi 9 Seplembre 18'-^(i, du lU Aviil 1821), du 10 Mars et du ao Avril 183U, avcc quelle force de raison et d'apres quels jiuissans motifs dc justice et d'iiitert.''t public, ils avaient agi en porlant et rcnouvclant leurs plaintcs sur cet alius. Liicore unefbis, pourquoi ne prciiait-il pas les nioyens de faire cxecutcr les ordrcs ilu CJouvernement dans le Distiict de Montreal, comme la chose se pra- ticpiait a (,>ucl)cc ? li est inulile de revenir sur les observations qu'on a deja I'aites un pen plus haul a ce sujet, et on ne doit pas s'arri tor pluslong-tems a cetic parlie du menioire qui no consiste encore qu'en assertions niies cten vaines recri- minations. pence ; Enfin, i! cssaci dese justificr sur [des tails. Voyons ce qu'il oppose au tcmoi- gnage. II prL'trndque trois des accu'-ations qu'il a porti'-es dans la Cour du Ranc (lu Roi (.'laient d'uno importance majeure. C\.' qu'il dit au sujet de cello qui re- garde la vcntc des viandes n;alsainos, pourraiten ('anada cUx ngardc comme une l)laisanlcrii', si la clio-e se trouvait aiiliurs. Mais, enfin, ce n'est pas rolativemcnt a quehiuesunesde ces poursuiies en particnlier (pi'il est accuse, c'est d'avoir fait une lial)itude de porter ilevant les cours du Banc du Roi des p uisuites comme celle dont on vient de parlcr, qui est de la connaissance du simi)le magistral, et conslamment des accusations \io\w dc minces debts qui dans rinlcret du public et des individes, comme on le voitdabli dans ics representations des Grunds-Jures de Montreal, devaient etre portces dans les tressions ile Quartier. En vertu des lois du Canada, le vol d'un objet qui est au-dessoiis tie la valeur de viiigt sclielingsne donne lieu (pi'a une accusation du petit larcin. On voit d'apres le temoignage donne devant le Comite par M. Delisle, exa- mine le 18 ievrier, sur ces accusatnms ainsi portces dans les Cours du Banc du Roi a Montreal, trois poursuites intentees centre le mcme accuse pour avoir fait passer le mcmejoiu' eta la mcme personne trois faux ecus fran^ais de la valeur de deux scliclings et dciiii cliacun ; lUi autre pour un vol dc qtiatrc articles dela va- leur de quatre schclings et neuf pence j un troisiemc pour vol d'un billet de ban(]uc d'unc 12 pence ; a third for havi g stolen a bank-note, to the amnnnt of a ilollar ; a fourth for the thet\ of two biislicis of ivc, vahicd at five sliillmg> sterhng ; a hllh for the theft oftwo small pair of pinccis, of the value of a shil!mg. atid a hamtrier. ot the valueof sixpence; a sixth for an article of tho valuo of eighteen shilimss ; a seventh for stealing eight shillings. The prosecution of each prisoner 'or these offences cost seven pounds five shillings; it would cost tuenty shil hn-s at the Quarter Sessions, without calculating tiiat, as om ' ' tln-^ witnesses observes, tic prisoners are doomed to imprisonment for a long..- period, inasmuch, as the Quarter Sessionsare held four times, whilst the Court of King s Bench is held hut twice a year. Such an account as this is calculated to promote mirth, if int.ccd we could allow ourselves to indulge in such a feeling on so serious a subi_v>ct. In considerin-the subject of the charges brought in tho Court of king ; iknch at IMontrcal, which forms part of the report, we again observe some otli.M- indict- mcnts ; one for stealing a gown of the value of nine shillings, ;-,nd the other for ass^ult and battery. &c. His Majesty's Attorney (Jeneral has not thougtit ht to exniain what advantage could be derived by the public, or what necessity there coiildbeforan indictment, in respect of each couiuerfeit French crown, passed bvthe prisoner to one person on the same day, and generally of carrying n.-Uct. m'entsofthis kind before the Courts o^' King's Bench: nor what danger here woi.ld have been in leaving the management of them to any other person than his Maic-tv's AttornevCiencral ; bully, wl.^ it, was impossible to do without tue su- periur abiliti<'s of the Judges of the CouM cf King's Bench to preside at then- trials. , 1 I «• 1 -4. r But it w:js necrs.sarv again t.o accuse tlie coiv>v,itee; and the aHulavit ot Mr Grcn, one of the witnesses called before liiem, an; which accomprtucs the memoir, \< rel'ed upon, in order to prove that the committer had stippr.ss d that part of his ;iSti;nony which justifies Mr. Stuart with rciiv.rd to she practice at Quebec. This ■.oppression furnishes Mr. Stuart with a pr-t.-i Ji d cauM! lor regrc t •' Mr. Lafontaiiu, a member of the coiKinittee, wouUt be ti.^ cause ot this by say- •' ing, that it was not necessary to reduce that p:;rt oi" Mr Green's evidence to •• writing." He iLlurns ;'ga'in to «- the inadini'^sihility of such eviilence to «« establi'^h his guilt. ' This " vmtUalion* would most " saiou.slij ajficr ttie claim of the committee to *' cref/;7." On this subject it should be remarked, that the importance attached in tlie memoir, to this circumstance, is j;;iin the result of delusion. In the tirst place, there is not, ni the cvuleuce, tmefiict brought to the charge of Mr Stuart, with regard to his conduct on this subject, in the district ot (^;ebcc. The other documents (r prejN, and particularly the presentments ot thcgrandjury. produced, in order to support this charge, all relate exclusively to what passed in the district of M. ntreal. Hence it is clear, that the evidence of Mr. (irecn, and of the other witnesses called before the commitlee, with re- ference to the district of (^i.-cbcc, had for object merely to contrast the steps taken bv the Attormy (Jeiieru! in this place, under the eyes of the administration, with those he took at .Montreal, at a great distance from the seat of government : steps, in respect of which, the grand jurymen, of this latter district, have n..t ceased for years to make such complaints as should have put him on his guard, and have induced him to retrace his steps, instead of persisting in a conduct so worthy of censure. , , , , i i It would not be surprising, then, that Mr. Lafontainc sliould have thouglit that the explanations given by Mr. Green, with reference to this iuibjeet, were unm cessarv ; and this is why the sort of charge, which could be brought against him on this subject, could have no weight. On the other hand, Mr. Lafontaiiie was not alone ; he was not even the chairman of the committee ; and the single observation of one member would not have been sutficient to i'uluce Mr.^Gieen to reirain from iiisisliiig, that this part of his ucdaralion shoulJ ic inserted sn •'••s deposi- 73 a fourth 1 for the ', of the ings ; a ")r these .';s at the rvcs, the I, as the held hut if iiulcc',1 r'Ct. I II IJciich at •r indict* (nhcrfor lit fit to ity there II, passed ig iii'lict- ger !i ere than his It tiie sti- at llicif Hithwit of "tiics the :>; -d that raclicc at or regrc t. is by say. idenco to idencc to U'ccC ttie led in the l)e cliargc district oi' itiiieiits (if xciiisivcly evidence with ro- ; tlie steps nistratioii, ernnicnt : have iidt !iis u;uaid, onduct so c thought iject, were ht against Lafontaine the single Mr. (Ireeii rtcd in his dcposi* \ cinq et un I dix huit d'line piastre ; unquatriemc pour vol de deux minots de seigle, estunes tk schclings sterling ; un cinquieme pour vol de deux pincettes d'un schehng, marteau de la valeur de six pence ; un sixienrie pour un objet estuiie a di schclinTs • un septit-me pour vol de huit schclings. La poursuite de cliacun des coupabTes sur les accusations coute sept livres cinq schelings ; elle couterait de- viiitVv Session de Quartier viugt schelings, sans compter que, comme I'observe un temoin les accuses sont exposes a ctre plus longtems detenus, d'autant qu'il y a nuntre termes pour les Sessions de Quartier, tandis qu'd n"y en a que deux pour les Cours du Banc du lloi. Un tableau de cctte espcce pourrait servir a provo- (uicr la -atn, »'il etait pcrmisdes'y livrer dans une discussion aus^i serieuse. En icrardniiL celui des .iccusations portccs dans la Cour du Banc du lloi de^Montreal am niit pur;ij du rappori, on voit encore quclques autres accusations, I'une pour vol d't'iie t( !)e de hi valeiu' clc neuf schelings, ct I'autre pour assaut et batterie ; et M.lc liociiiciu du Uoi ii'.! pa3juf6i\ propos d'expliqucr I'avantagc qui ponv^it n'sultci uu l*('.blic, cu la ierscte. w u h uas communic ated to lum. to suspend the executi-.n of these «^^\'i!-«;. J^ ; > £V',^"'^* not have thought himself authorized t-, dec.de on ^''-^T 1^, i^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Doubtless it w.s a question to submit for discussion, before a legal tiibun.U, su- perior to that over whieh the Magistrates presided. This was not f^^^^' * The Magistrates, on cither side, made representations to the <^'"^""7' [.'^ defendin.r their proceedings on p.inciples of law. An idea may be ormed of he node which aflairs we,e carried on at this period in Canada, on obsers mg. tlia rciovernor took upon himself the removal, without anv further -rcunouy o the four Magistrates who issued the writ of supersedeas ; but who. it is t ' > ' ' d not hold the^ame political cpinions as himself This nvode of ^■'^'^^''/S;'!;^ '^'?^- tcr was more than summary. This was the fate to which many "^ '-■ f ^^S'^T trates and Ofiicers of Militia, dismissed by hundreds were doomed w itl stil less ceremony. As regarded Mr. Vigor, the matter had ^c stcd there. J .thou any other prelimiuarv step. Mr. Stuart preferred in this famous Special iomt ql Oner and Terminer of November, ot whicli we shall soon speak-an Im k. . 15 a ne pas insister sur ce que cette partie de sa declaration fut ins^ree dans sa dc- Enfin c'cst la pratique constante et iiniverseilc dans les Comites de l*As- scmble'e, de soiiniettre aux teinoins Icurs depositions quand elies sont rt^digces pour Ics examiner, coiriger Ics erreurs qui pourraient s'ctre giissces dans la re- daction. On peut voir en lisant I'affidavit do M. Green qu'il ne pnlend soule- nicnt pas avoir dcmandi: a fairc insurer cos observations. II n"y mettait sans doutc pas lui-niimeplus d'importance qu'cllos n'en niLritaient. On n'a pas voulu interrompre le cours de ces observations pour repoisscr Ics rcproclies opposes .i M. Jacques Vigor, comnie tcinoin examine dcvant L ComitC. On pourrait se dcmander comment iM Stuart a i)u se rt'soudre a attaquer ce su- ict, ou imagincr qu'il put r 'suiter quelque chose de favorable ;i sa cause, de cette "ctr*an"c digression. 11 y metcn apparence unc grandc importance. Voyons cc (luon^on doit penser. D'abord, dans le niimoire on a Pair d'lnsinucr que M. Jac- (lucs Vi"cr aurait oid)lie ce qu'il devait au serment qu'il avait pretc conimc grand jiue, en doiniint son temoignage sur les objets sur lesquels il a etc examind dcvant le Comitc. On laissc a ceiix qui liront cc temoignage a juger si cette cs- i)(jcc' d'iusiuu ition etait digue dun houunc instruit, si ce reproche se trouve ap- piiye cl'inie ombre de i)rctexte. Je dois dire, en second lieu, que M. Stuart auiait rc-e.lemcnt, par prudence, du s'abstenir de parlerde I'accusation criminelle qu'il a j)ortcc contre A!. Niger, qu'il ne rapi-orte que dans I'intention sans doute daflai- b!ir Ic temoignage quit a donne dcvant leComi;c. C'est un singuiicr moyen de rcnroclic, ou d'c'bjection ;'» un tcmoin qu'iine poursuite commencie qui doit ctre, commc clle I'a etc en cffet, sans n'sultat. C'est la fnusscti' ile sa deposition qu'il aurait i\\\.\\ cKmontrer au lieu de faire dcs reproches aussi vains. 11 ii'est pas nc- cessaire de s'appesanlir sur les regies auxquelles la prciive est assujcttie pour ecar- ter cette objection ou rcproclie, qui toiube de lui-nieme. On sc contentera de rc- luarqucrque la d> position deM.. Jacques Vigor roule sur des laits, sur des procL- dos de com- que ]M. Stuart n'a pu et ne pourrait ebranler. Mais M. Stiiart a-t-il quelque chose a craiiulre des jjrojugosque cette poursuite aurait pu inspirer a M. Niger '. A qui peut-il encore s'on prendre '. Voyons a quoi le tout se rtduit. M. Vi"er, Inspecteur en Juiu \>'Z1, re^ut dts Magistrats de Montreal, sous !;i direction desqucis il doit agir, (;rdrc d'abattrc une cloture et un batimeut en possession d'uu particulier, couinie ompietant sur la voie publique. x\vant qu'il Tout pu oxecuter, d'autros Magistrals aussi de Montreal, revotus des pouvoirs, au nonibro de qu itre, crureut devoir luiordonner par un dc JTrit siipcrsedeus qui lui lilt si'niilie lVcu suspendrc I'e.vccution. M. \'iger no dut pas secroire autoriscii de- cider sur ce couilit de jurisdiction. C'elait sans doute nne question a soumettre et a disctitor ('ovaut un tribunal legal superiour a cclui des Magistrals. C'cst cc qi'ou ne fii pas. Les Magistrals d'uu parti ctdo I'autro Hrcnt des roprrsentations au Gouver- ueur, appuyaut chacun lours procodis sur dcs priucipos de droit. Ou peut se iaire unc idee clout les aflaircs se conduisaieut a cette e,oque dans le CaiKula,cu ob- sei vant que Ic Gouvernoiu' prit sur l;ii do ilestiluor saus aucune autre f'ormalito Ics quatre .Magistrals qui avaieut donne le Jl'iit di' .siipnsedcas maistpii, il est vrai, ne tcnaiout pas a sa politique. Cette nianiorc de tiailer Ics allairos etait plus que Mjuimairc. C'eiait le sort que Ton I'aisail subir a bien d'autres Magistrals et Oiii- ciersde Milicc casses (;ar centaincs avcc moius de ibrmalilc encore. Quant ;i M. \'igcr, I'adairc etait rcslce la. Sans autre dimarche prcalable, M. Stuait porta dans cette fameuse C'oi(/ f»wid a true bill. This prosecution liiid no result ; and it is, doubtless, unnecessary to explain the reason of this. It may now be asked, upon what principle of justice the Attorney General could prefer this Iiuhctmcnt a-auist a Public Olliccr, who had no rule by which to act, and who owed eir>i ufthc Cntnd .larij ; lie conchales, on this account, that they shnild not be cmmdaxdos cnmin;; from Imn. Uut we have seen that it was the Attorney General, anxUiunj of the (,v,«r/5, who has ever been charged in the Provinc in instiHttr ond, undue/ them. It is also lie wlio, .11 this capacity submitted the b Js to the Grand Jury: he did n..t then perform a purely passive character. . • • 1 • In the second place, the charge of partiality and persecution, which is brought against him bv the .\s.sembly, is not founded on 'Jie iiv'stice a.oue of the accusations in themselves, but on the partial choice of those aius; .vliom Ii directed them. The proof which is found in the llcport of the L ommittee upou this subject, is composed of public do< iiments. It is at least sheltered from the bitter reproaches which Mr. Stuart is so prodigal of against the v.;'Miesses who appeared before the Committee. Let us dwell for a moment upon this point. Mr. Stuart preferred, before liie Criminal Court.s ol Justice. Indictmenis for libels against the printers or writers who defended the cause of the people, and of evcrv honest citizen, of whatever rank, attached to the interest of their country and 'their government, oppu^ed to the views of tlie then admini.^tration, and 10 were calumniated incessantly by pamphlets, by the periodical p.-ipcrs, even b- Gazette then recently established by ti.e Govu-nor,' and the tith- of winch .^ that it was bu author'ili/. and which was the orgau of the local administration. a the same way he prefared Indictments >.;ainst those individuals who resented the lllsuil, addtu to the injustice V, hlcU -.^Sa !:vajHvJ l.rV..., ......! ..I • -■- termed the Crucnd Orders of Militia. These were, according to him, matters which called for the check of tla laws; it was ti pressing and imperious duii/ 011 • It may be soon l.v ll.o report of tlio ( o.uumU-e Oi GmvauCM Ol Uh- Awcmbly iu lSi6.9. iu wLttl mamier tbik (iMtUe wiu v»ubli»L«tt by iLi; 0«veru«r. . . T7 osccutc, 1(1(1 it is, .'(l, upon i against 1 obt'ili- lose wlio ; lie was nt order, , in i ct, tfin niin- aiiiiy ra- beioiigs llic rules ss over i\ 1 a point Qniiiiary. s of yi ore a tri- sh a coii- 3 iinwor- t of tlio .)scil and lart, witli IS well as ills by liis lie pvose- nstitntuv^ onchulvi, lint we ) has ever ic who, ill pcrt'oim a whicii is one of the Aliom li ittee iipoii from the losses who )oint. inents i'or I lie, and of ir coiuitry , aiiii 'lo ,en 1" lich ' d ation. lis sentcd tlie t was then m, matters us (luljj on I what Diauiur On pent se dcmandcr maintcnant par quel principe de justice M. lo 1 rocu. reur-Gencral pouvait porter cetto accusation contre un ofticier pnbhc, qui n'avait aucun nioven i\e se determiner, ctqni devait (galcmcnt obeissaiiee aux m^ strats qui lui avaicnt donnc Ic premier ordre, et A ceux qui lui avaient donm; Ic En snpposant mCmc que M. Vigor fut dans Icrreur, on conviendra qu jfid. tait bien rxcusahle dc n'avoir p'as execute nn ordre qii'uii ordre subsequent, uu, lel il devait sccroirc ega dcfendu d'cxecuter. Quand bicii ineine les princip devait sccroirc egaiement souinis et auquci il devait en ell'et obeissancc, Uu avait Quand bicii ineine les principes d'lin droit etroit eussent au- torisr une poursuite de cette nature, c'ctait assurenu it plut6t a M. ie Procureur- (iioer.il d'userda ponvoir de discretion qui lui appartient, pour en temperer lari- •rueur et de suivre dans ce caslcs regies d'unc (quite qui ne pouvait I'exposer a aucun repioclic. Je passe pai-dessiis une foule d'autres considd'rations de detail qui pourraient mettro cette affaire sous un point de vuc qui la ferait paraitrc, conime elle Test en eftet, pin . siiiguli(jre encore. En voila assez pour faiie voir si ce sontlps senlimens do justice seids, les mui is impericnx du devoir qui out du lorcer M. Stuart a accuser \J. Viger dcvant un trilumal de jurisdiction criin'iiielle. Mais M. Stuart vou(.lrait apparemtnent que de cette poursuite on tirat la conclu- sion, qi;!< le tcmoignagc de M. Viger ne md'iite aucune croyance. Quellejtistice ! (juclle logiquc ! On pent voir dans Ic rapport du Comil(j des Griefs de TAssembliie de 182S, toute cette affaire cxpose'e ct inise dans tout son jour. Nous laisscrons dec()t(: les insinuations qui sc tionvent d us le memoire do M. Stuart rclativenicntaux liaison.-, Ic M. Viger (u: parti (\n'i\ tient. 't autres as- scrtioiisde cetlee8p(''ce. Au restc, ce que M. Stuart appelle dan jh miimoire u)i patil, c'cst ie peuple tout entier de la rrovincc. De raccusation dc parliciilarit{; ct de persecution rclativement s.n\ poursui(es pour Libelles : M. Stuav^ croit se justific, d'abord en disant qnen intcntant ces poLirsuites il n't tait .jUc " I'auxiliaire de.-- ;,n-ands .]ut(:s : il en conclut que Ion ne devrait " pas les consid(:rer comme venia; dc lui." lais on a vn que c't'tait le I'rocu- reur-Ci(!niTal " auxiii lire des cou; . qui a lonjfiiirs (jte dans la Province charge de " les iiitentcr ct du . conduire." C'cst au!,-,i lui qui, en cette qualitd-, en a soumi^ les Actes ( IndictincnlsJ aux ' :ands,luri:s-, il n'a done pas jouii un Il(jle pnrenient passif. En secoiullioii, lapaitialite. la per.^ ion int il est arcus6 par I'Asseiu- blccnesont pas fond es sculeinent sur V 'ice de x^s accusations en elles- mdmes ; mais sur le clioix exclusif de ccnx conire ■• i il les a diriges. La prcuvc qui se troi ve dans le Happort ilu Coniite a cc suj(.(, sc compose dc Uocumens publics. Kile est an moins A ''ibri des rcproches ameis que M. Stuart prodi- giie aux tcuioius qui at paru dcvant cc Coniite. Arrelons.nous un moment sur cet objet. M. Stuart portait dans les ( ours de Justice Criminclle des .iccusations pour Libelles ditlamato'res, contre les Iniprinieurs on Ecrivains (pit dcfendaieiit la cause lUi peuple, i de tout ce qu'il y avait de citoyens honnC :e- dans tous les raiigs, attaches an. intercts de Icur pays et do leur Gouvernement, opposi-s au.K vnesde I'A iininistr ition du jour, cafomnit^s saii^ relAcht dans des 'irochurcs, dans 'ospapiers pci. jdiqucs, jusiiuo dans une Gazette u-ccmment cliblie par le Gouv ■rneur,* et i^mt le titrc portait qu'elle ctait d'autoritc, lorgant de I'Admi- iiistr on loc.Jc. II parait dc meme des accusations contK- des i;; lividus qui re- pous -It I'insulte, ajout. l> "i rinjnstice qui lein ( uiit prodiguee dans ce qn'oii appclait a\o\-n\cs ordre ^ijiiLf jam de Milkc. « 'ctait 1;\, suiviint lui, des chosv> digiies de 1 Wdniiiiiblralion des Lois : c'ctait |on llic ilelii iiicnls. He IkuI, at the same time, daily under liis eyes publications without number, overHowiug with every the most oiiious outrage. caUnnny of the most atrocious character on the part of men, whom not merely inimuiity servrd to encoiua„'e, they were as. surcd of the hopes of fa\our, in order to stnnulate them. It would have been sullicicnt to have seen some of the disgusting diatribes with which the country was inundated at this time, in order to exmrienee a sentiment of indignation. — "VVitiiout speaking of a crowd of other productions of this nature, let us cast our_ eves over the cxtiai ts whicli are found in one of the Ueports of the Coimnittce of Grievances of the AssembI v in this year, taken from that which was made to the Assembly in I8J!). 1 shall be jiardoued the energy of those cxj)resHions, when it is considered a Niinst wliom these writings were directed: even the Assembly itself was exposed to every kind of insult, and treated like a pack of seililious 11 1 ...,:«.»..D 'riir. f7riii,l Iiii\' f><' fliii'lwf tlwii 'Ivi's. after I Ci'sons. re bcis, and tr.titors. The (jimikI Jury of Quebec thei' Mves, atler Iiav Mir found true bills iii the cases of libel submitted to them In ...t- Attorney Cienend represented to the Court, on the .'Hst .Marcii, 18'28, that writings on the oni)osite'side were freciueiitlv not of i less dangerous description and not less wor- thy of public reprobaticn ;' and the Chief < flicer of the Crown an ai/ji/tarij, as well of the (Jrand Jury as of the Court; the only person in the Province who in- .stituted and prosecuted charges in the Criminal Court did not hnd gfound for itrosccution .igaitist the authors or printers of these pr(>iluctions ! 'I'hes; were not libels, according to Mr. Stuarts accMit, of a snlliciently defamatory dcs. cription to dcscr\e the attention of the Otlicers of the Crown, at the head of whom he was. , , «. i i His conduct was. doubtless, the best protection he could aflord to those who rendered themselves daily guilty of outrage and calumny towards the in- i.abitaiits of tlu' countiy the representation— the Mc:nbers of the Asm inbly — irreproachable .Magistrates— Militia Olliccis of all r.nks, wIk) were ili missed, without any ceremonv, by hundreds, and insulted, whose olfei e was that of adopting nieans of seeking ju I. je froiii Hi;; Miij sty's (ioveriimjut, by addres- sing I'l'mioii?. to him, to relieve them from being subject to th" exercise of an aullioritv as illegal as it was arbitrary and violent. Mr'. SMKirt'' seems to think, at the same time, that the circumstance of the (iraiul ."lurv having lound friu bills, sut!-cient!y jiistilied him in having^ instituted the proseciilions,— whence aiises the presiinii)tion, that they wer.' founded on juinciplesof justice: whilst, supposing thereto be sullicient proof of crime to anthon/.e indictments, tlu' choice oftho-e against whom they were prcfered was not less marked, with the stamp of partiality and persecution, with which he is •iccised. ■ , ■ I ' 1 I I I Mr. Stuart docs not dwell upon those important considerations winch shoultl ii\ct his' attention; he relics in this ma'ter, U|io:i the icpoit made to Sir .lames Kempt, then (iovernor of the Province, of i he •2' th of October, I8..'>, addin-; it totliea|)pen(!ix of his Muiioir. Whil-t alluding to this document, his own work, he should at least have leiiiembeied the iii.>l compla.nts of the Assemblv, in 18-,'S.O, with lelerencc to lioklmg the too famous S/ccial Cuiaf ij Oi/cr aiu/ Tci ■ ?»;■//..■/■! of Mohtieal. in Novembei 18J7, particularly the complaints oftheciti- zeiis, and afterwards those of tlie .Assembly itself, as to the composition of the bodv of Ciiand Jiinmen of this Couit; and, among.t many other grievances, si.sto the st.raiige manner in which tluv coiuliitted themselves, with respect to the indictments fo" libel, it. order to bring them before the Court. And it is useless to state these considerations, or, lor the moment, to dwell upon the subject. \Vc must content ourselves with taking up the idea put forth by Mr. Stuart, in tins part of the Memoir, as to the right of (iraiid Juries with reference to charges, v.hicli are the object^! ■■■^- 'beir att-.ntion. He speaks f.f this as though he would c\clude the right"'of a bi.aich of the leg slature-of the Assembly, watching over matters .•• It may lie sc'ii I.» tl.p r.^ort of tlio romraittfc of Grievances of tlic AwciuMy iu Is'-'S.O, iu wliat maimer thU tioieUe Has e^tablislie'l l>y tlii; Ciyvernur. 79 11 avnit, en meme temps, joiirnellemont sous les ycux ilos publications qui pulliiluieiit alors rcmplies de tout ce que I'outiiige a clu plusodieux, la calomnie (Ic plus utroce lie la part d'homincs que riuipunitc ne servait p;t seule .\ encou- ragcr ; ils avaient I espoir assiiit- de f'aveurs pour Ics stimuler. 11 ne faudrait qu'a- voir vu quelfiues-unet, do ccs d .goutaiitcs diatribes, dont le pays (tnlt inoude alors, pour ('prouver iiu sentiment d'indignation sans parlor dune f'oule d'autros produc* tir ns de cc ^jciire, qu'on jclte la vne sur les extraits qui se trouvent dans un rap- port dti Comit/' des (iriofs de lAsscmbho de cctte annuc, tires de celui qui fut fait ;i r.Assemblce en mil-liuit-cent-vingt-ncuf. On me pardonnera I'cnergie de CCS cxpres- ions, en voyant ceux contre qui ces ecrits se trouvaient diriges, jus- I la Coui* de ccs accusations pour Libclles A eux soiunises ])ar le Procnrcur-GLU(''ral, repn';scntercnt £i la Coiir Ic 2l Mars 1S3I, que les (fx'rits opposes n*( laiont souvent pas moins daiigereux et dignes de r('pr()bi\ti(iii pul)lii|UO. I^t le premier OtHcicr dt^ la Couronne " auxiliairc" des Grands .lures comrnc de la Cour, lo senl dans la Province (pii intcntait et pour- sniNuitdes accusiiiions dans les Tours CrimincUes, ne Irouvait pas matitirc a des pninsiiitcs contre Ics auteurs, ou Imprimcurs de ces productions ! Ce n'etait ]);»s ap|)arcninient, suivant lui, des Libel les dont les difl'amations meritas- scnt I'attention dii Minist^re public a latete duque! il se trouvuit plac6 ! Sacondiiitc I'tail, sans duute, la plus grandc protection qu'il fut possible d'i'.ccordcr a ceux qui se rundaitiit journclleinent coupablcsd'outrage et dc ca- lomiii.!onvrrs Ics habitans du pays, la representation, Ics Membresde I'Asscm- hlce, des Magistrals san^ leproclic, des OHiciers de Mllice de tous lea rangs qu'on dcstituait sans aucuni> tbrnialitc par centaints, ct qu'on insidtait dc menu', dont le crime etaitdc prendre les nioycnsdc dcniandcr justice du Gouvcrnenient de Sa Majcr.te en lui adressant des Petitions, Sec. pour le prier de les sous- traire a I'exercicc d'une autoritc aussi illegale qu'cllc ctait arbitrairc ct violentc. II semblc, en mcmc temps, croire quM suftit pour sa justification (juc les acciisations (pi'il a portees aicnt cu I'aveu d'un corps de Grands Juris, d'oi\ resultela presumption (pi'tlles ctaieiit fondecs sur des prii\cipesde justice, tandis (ju'tn su|)j)os:mt une prcuvedc delil suflisante pour autoriser la mise en accusa- tion, le clioix do ceux coiUre qui dies (;taient dirigecs u'en etait pas moins marque an coin ilo la partialite et di' la persecution qui lui sont rcprochees. M. Stuart ne s'arrcte point aux considerations iinportantcs qui dcvaient fixer son attention ; il se repuse a cc sujjt sur le rappoit fait a Sir James Kempt, alors Gouvorncur de la Proviure, 1 20 Octobre l>ii8, qu'il joint a I'Appendice de son mcinoire. H aurait du aw moins dans Ic moment ou il invoquait ce Docu- ment, qui est son ouvragc, se rapj)eler les justesplaintes dc rAsscmblee en niil- buit-ccut-vingt-liuit, rclativiment a la teiuie dc la trop I'amcusc " Cour Speciale " d'Oycr et Terminer" de Muntreal, en Novcnibrc 1827. Surtout Ics recla- mations dc^ (.'itoycns ct cnsuitc dc rA.sscmblce cllc-meme sur la composition du corps des Grands Jures de cctte Cour et cntrc beaucoup d'autres Griefs sur la manii^rc ctrange dont ils s'etaicnt conduits par rapport a ces accusations le Libclle pour Ics rappoitcr ilcvant la Cour. II est inutile aussi dc presenter ces considerations ct de s'y arreter pour le moment. On doii se contenter de relevcr encore une idee mi^c an jour |iar M. Stuart dans cctte partie du n\emoire sur Ic droit des Grands Jures rclativement aux accusations qui sont les objets de Icur examen. II jiarlc de cc droit conunc s'il devait cxclurc cclui d'anc branclie de la Lt'gislaturc, de TAssembl^e, dc surveiller des den\arcbes de ce e nature dans les cas ou elks auraicnt pu n'clre pas exactcmcnt assujetties a ces regies essentiellcs dont robservalion pcut scule Otre legagc dc la s^curitedes Citoyens, conunc de ccllc du Gouvernement. Cc scrait la encore une doctrine Constitu- tionnelle d'lui nouveau gemx-. Quebiues parties du rapport fait a Sir James Kempt so matters of this kind, in ca«ies where Grand Juries may not exactly have coniphe 1 Ivii t ose set ru cs. the ob.c. vauce of which can alone be the pledge ot see - i V as \vcllon the part of the citizens as on that ot the government. Ih.s ould ac-afn be a constitutional doctrine of a novel descnpt,on. Some par s of CO d S»;.tB of\l,c As,, .bly on.,,w.r tan.U^ in \nvpmher l«'>8. and which terminated m Marcii, 1^-9. It v\as on 11,1, uc- 0.10 this Comntcc that the Assend,ly adopted the Rosolutjons ot the 4th oi Kl cl communicated to His Excellency, Sir James Kempt, the then Governor, h V nn KclZ s wl.ich the- presented to him. pra^ing hnn to take the " whole into l>h CO ^ leration, confulJntly relying upon the hope that the means wh.ch tl>e .. ,S I'rerogati:e afforded' Ilis Majesty, and those whicli he ,,ower and a - .. tho tv with which Ilis Excellency was invested lor tlie protection of Ills Ma- .< . 's f it^^ i'.l Siihiccts in the Province, would be employed or iho pinpo.e ot .. e elvi^I^ tc h.srs or for the remo-al ot the subjects of com, .unt. upon <. V ic ■ 'esc Kesolutions were founded." That part o( the third Report par- ,V . r • should be read headed " Indictments for libel, and prosecutions it ;"i lo Lia l^Slices committed at the last Election S,,ecial(-oumo " Over a,Kl Ten«incr. Selection of Jurymet. and leturuuig 0(hc. r of he West ./\vVd ot Montreal,-- and the evidence on which tins part of the Report is i„mule i as well as those Documents which supported it; we may then be con- x-ucecui.atthe conduct of the Attorney General was even at this period inex- cusable ; it has become imjch more so sn)ce. As to Mr. Stuart's menaces and violenccat Sorcl (Wilf.im Henry) Election : Ikfore discussing this part of the Memoir, ami those which immediately follow, it is right to observe, that Mr. Stuart begins l)y what he calls some " e\- "nlanations on this fourth head of offence," which he says " are necessary, m " order that a just opinion of it may be entertained." He says that " on Ins .. rccivin-.- the appointment of Attorney General, it was intimated to him, that '« it was deemed proper tiiat he should represent the Rorough of \\iiliam Henry •' ;.; his l're.leces5orsin oliice generally had done." He also sa^s, a little turlner on that he had bee" " at considerable personal expense, m order to ( nsure his •' his election •' A.; astonishing thing in a Horough wh.re there are scarcely tr.oiethan a hunJred Electors/ " That the Rorouuh constituting part ot the •' Sei'Miiory of Sorel, belonginu- to His M.ijesty, the King's Agent for that Seign- •• iory, on 'that as an othcr'occasions, was relied on for the canvassing ot the l5o- " rough." Jf'fiai a luic FJrclhii xcns alotil to take phicr in Juhj, 1SJ7, hcjmaui thai //lis Agent find done nothing in the matter. These avowals are of an importance whieli renders them extremely worthy of attention in the discussion of a question of this nature, since it is proved that i (.'rd D.dhousie. then CJovernor of the riovince, interfered in a direct and ac- tive manner at tliis Klection in Mr Stuarts interest, in such a manner as to com- ir.it himself, and to merit the same repronches as his pi-otcgr. V. c mav coin.nce our-elves of this by looking at the evidence of Mr. Kelly, priest and Catholic curate at Sorel, and the correspondence of I.ord Dalliousie, riven before the Committee ot (irievances of tiic Assembly in IS-!), wliidi is cxti ctCil lit length bv the Committee of Grievanees of this year, ni that of the Rc|)Oits n(,w iii"piestion, during the last Session It may be seen by this evi- ilcrice what activity the Governor used in his steps taken in order to the sue cess of Mr. Stuart's Election, and that he was not less prodigal than Mr. Stn- omplioil of secu- t. This parts of )ulil fur- ell as on different IIS, have Commit- imcncing 1 the Uc- 10 4Ui of Jovernor, •hole iiitt) ■hich llie r and an- il is Ma- mrposc of int, upon :>port par- :ulions in Courts of ■ the West Report is Ml he con- ■riod iiic\- 81 Kempt dont il vient d'etre qtiestion fourniraient matiiire a rpielques observations iinportantcs a cc sujot, aussi bien qu'aux informations ex officio dont M. Stuart (lit aussi un mot en passant. Mais toutes les errenrs de M. Stuart sur ccs differens sujets, le him, that iam Henry ttlo further rnsure his ire scarce!} art of the that Seign- ofthc Ik)- .'7, licjbwu! lely worthy proved that cct anil ae- ■ as to coin- 'Mr. Kelly, Dalhousic, !), wliidi is tliat of the l»y this cvi- to the sue- WW Mr. Stii- arl '•yO Avant do discuter cette partie du nu'moire et cellos qui suiver.t immediate- ment, il est A propos do faire observer que M. Stuart debute sur ce point parce qu'il appollo quelquos " explications" qu ii croit ni'cessaircs, dit-il, " pour se con- " former des opinions exactc-s." II dit que •' lors do sa nomination comme Pro- " curcur-Cicneral on lui intima qu'on jugeait a pronos" qu'il reprc'scntat le Bourg de William Henry, comme avaiont fait genoralcment scs Pn'decesseurs en Otfice. II dit aussi un peu plus 'oin qu'il avail etc '" entraino dans beaucoup de depenses " pour so I'aire (lire ;" cl.jse (^tonnancc dans un hourg oii il n'y a guere plusde cent KIccteurs. " Que le bourg faisant partie de la Scigiieurie do Sorel qui ap- " partient ;\ Sa Majeste, on se reposaitsur I'Agent de laSeigneuric pour sollicitor " lessulfrages du Bourg, inio nouvelle Election devant avoir lieu en Juillct 1827, il " se trouvii que cet Agent n'cn avait rien fait." Cos aveiis sont dune impurlanccqui les rend extri'mcnient dignes d'attention dans une discussion ilo cette nature, puisqu'fl est constat^ (juo lo Comte Daihousie, alors (iouveinour do la Province, so mrlait dircctemcnt ct d'nne manitro active de cette I'.leetion, dans rinterit de M.Stuart, do nianierc a se coinpromottreet a meriter les memos rcpr cliosquc son protege. On pout sen convaincre on voyant le tomoignagedo M- Kelly, Pretrc, et Cure Cat.holiquo de Sorel, et la correspon- danco du Comte Dalliousie qui s'y trouve insiive, donnic devaiit ie Comite des Griefs de TAsscmbkc en 1829, ct remis sous les youx do rAssombite par le Co- jnite des (iricfs dans colui du rapport dont il est actucllcment question, ik ndant ccttc dernii re Session, On pent voir par ce t(^moigiiago quelle activit(3 Ic Gou- verneur niottait dans sps di'marrl'.cs pour jairc rcs'.ssir '.'rlrction de M. Stn.Tvt, et qu'il n'eparguait pas phis que lui, les menaces ct autros moyens de ce genre rcpro- chcs au Candidal qu'il favorisait. L On Stuart 82 himself of thicats and otiicr means of this kind, wi ;h which the Candidate whom he befriended is reproached. , . ,• /-. t ^„ i We shall content ourselves by observing here, tha he Governor Lord Ddhousie. r.^mained on the spot during the Election, and this (.ovcinoi thrca- t^M. Kellv to conn)lai./of him to the Bishop and even to the ^Secretary of StaS in England it he (Mr. Kelly) did not prevent a member of h.s famdy, who was no eS a voter, but who had acted at th. election m an nUc rest opposed To I at of M. Stuart interfering in the election. And tins Member of h.s f^i- milvwas hismvn father! In vam did Mr Kelly remark, that he was « entirely " lacquaird with his fathers proceedings that he had not even heard them '• uSof '• .'^c. .^c. Having obtained an interview with the Governor, tins latter t Id himV hat " the sentin.ents manifested by his father at the election ' m-Ist o n <^^^^ be his. since he lived iu his house ;" adding. " that he cm.ld « ^ot leheve it Z^ otherwise, and that he had been told that a cabal had to g .. Seen formed against the CJovernment. with regard to the said elec .on.' 1 ho exp?a atio.is give.i by Mr. Kellv. and panicuhuly those, that the lectors were nof posed e.lhcr to the Ciovernment or to him ; that there had been no pre- ledtAed cabal; that it was a momenta.y afllur ;-a! was useless. After the elect o.i, Mr. Ko ly. who had previously been iu the habit ot visiting the Govei- nor f"om time to ime. presen!ed himself in the usual manner at the Governor s ouse: the Goveinor rlfused to see him. and forbad hirn Ins house by a letter fmm " CiUtain Hope, one of h.s aides de-ca.up, written by his orders, informing !.' 1 m tl'a ' i.; conse'.u'ence of what had ha,,pened at his house. - -lat.on to the •' election. His !• xcellency conceived it to be contrary to his public duty to le- •' ceive his visits a.iv lo.iijei-." . , , , I eu hi" for a moment these comideiations. we may again observe, that Mr. Stuart'.' ju.^^irications on this s .hjcct are composed of asse.t.ons. recr..nu,al.<.ns a. n ere do.uals. If we a.e u, believe him on tins subject, h. y had recou.>o '"an^t i. to the " n.fh.ence .-f stio.ig political exoiteme.U hcMl.te.UMl by na- ^ onal and rehgion. ...rejudiccs He could wit li d..hculty mak. hnuso .. 1 ea 1 a.nidst the loud vieiforalions of the adverse cand.date and ms parli/aus Tint which is said iu the evidence taken bel.>ie the rom.mttee.o menaces at- tr b ted to him, in order to mtimid ,te some of the Electors, and Iu. promises of , u^^^^^^^^^^^ o-he.s. is the effect ol " misre,resentaUuu of facts. inle,;.iHxed w.th . S.od. p.-oc.-cdM,g from iud.viduals influenced by a strong des..e to .. ... e .. i n sub.cct to ,.o respo....h.hty for the .,Ka.,s thus employed to giat.ty then ..Sic^ and resentment. ....'. The falsehood iu tins malie.ot.s compou.id " thus defeats its obieel by its extravag.'.nce. * , jr, ■, . Hedcstrovshe ^avs.all the facts contained in tins test.mony. >.,/ offun.lso, o///r;;J6-r.vo,;.s.whichcslal)lishhisin..ocence. Such is. as near as may bo. Mv. S trt- defe.K-e on this p„int. with the exception of some details as to he abse. ce ofthe r.Tht of surlrau-e of th.ee electo:s who voted aga.ist him. and who.;. a.Nse shall vee by the f liowi..g pages, he has since p.-oseculed for pe.j.iy ; subjects up- on wh.eli it is useless to dila'.e in tin-* place r I . ■ .1 \i to the airulavits pn>d...ed by Ml. Stuarl . lor the pu.-pose of destroy..ig t^h^^^ ctrect of the testimony piod.u cd bctore the Comm.ttee, we ha^e already been able o perc i eof what weight they can be ; and we shall, when weco.ne to he exa- i : tm of these alihlar.ls. sl.iw the absolute n.idity o this k.nd of proof, under h., resent circu.nstances. We sl.o.dd he.e re.naik. Y' r'"^:^V"n^ of w tuesses who appea. cd befor the fo.i.m.ll> e. several notaries a o to be found. ; ;;ms .>f educatilm, who.e busi.uss r. .[...res .,.tellige,,c. .u.c good ch.ract.rc.i acco.int of the tunct.ons w.th wlueh they a.e invested and ol which. .^I'-j; "'^ |...;,„g,.ir .;„ !,:, an-wers given before the Committee ol Gr.evances, dur.ng tlie last .Session, and which is fouud iu the first n port recog.uses the in ..ortance. .Severa. other wlnesscs b, long to proles^ions equally respectable ; and. whattvci :^ r. Stuart may say upon the subject, pusscssing a reputation and character, ,.iacin,. I 83 mdiJate or Lord jr threa- iretary of nily, who opposed )f liis fa- ' entirely ird tlicm nor, this election he could hail long 1." The tors were Ml no pre- After the ic Govcr- lovernor's •y a letter informing on to the Inty to re- , that Mr. minations, .1 recourse led hy na- ke hiuiselt' )arli/.ans." .Miaccs at- iromiscs of lixi'cl willi e to iiijmo atify their compound iffid nils (1/ lybc, Mr. he ahsence lOP, as we iibjectsnp- roving the r been able to the e\a- roof, nil del lie number ) be f)un(l, .iractcr, on xMr. Stuart iiig the last :e. Several latevcr Mr. ;er, jilacing them On se contentera de remarquerici que le Gouverneur Comte Oalhousie, de- mcurait sur les lieux pendant lY-lection, et que ce Gouverneur fit menacer M. Kelly de porter plainte a" I'Evfique, et mOrae au Ministre d'Etaten Angleterre, " sil n'arretait pas un membre de sa fainille" qui n'etaitpas meme Electeur, mais qui dans 1' Election avait agi dans un int^ret contraire a celui de M. Stuart, de se meler de cette Election ; et ce membre de sa famiile etait son propre pere ! En vain, M. Kelly fit-il remarquer qu'il " ignorait absolument les precedes de son «' pere, qu'il nen avait pas mOme entendu parler." Aj'ant obtenu un entretien avec le Gouverneur, celui-ci lui fit observer que les " sentimens de son pere a le- " lection devaient etre absolument lessiens puisqu'il restait dans sa maison, qu'il " ne ponvaitpas croire qu'il en fut autrement qu'on lui avait dit," qu'il y avait eu une cabale formee depuis longtems " contre les viies du Gouvernement dans cette "Ejection." Des explications donnees par M. Kelly, et surtout celles que les Electeurs n'en voulaient nuHement au Gouvernement ni a Uii-mt^me, qu'il n'y avait point eu de cabale faite de longiie main, que c'etait I'afFaire du moment ; tout fut inutile. M. Kelly, qni, avant cette epoque, etait dans I'habitude de lui laire visite de tcms A autre, se presenta de meme en vain a la maison du Gouver- neur, qui hii interdit sa presence et sa maison par un billet du Capitaine Hope, un deses Aidcs-de- Camp, ecrit par son ordre, par lequel il linfonnait que Son Ex- cellence lui avait " ordonne de lui dire qu'en consequence de ce qui ^tait arrivd " chez luirelativement al'Election, So Excellence croyait qu'il etait contre son " devoir public de recevoir davantagc ..^ visites." Laissant pour le moment ces considerations de cote, observons encore que sur cev article les justifications de M. Stuart se composent d'assertions, de recrimina- tions et de denegations nues. Si on I'en croit, " on aurait excite fortcment con- " tre lui I'esprilde parti polique renforcc par les prejuges natiouaux et religieux" ... il a eu " de la peine a faire entendre sa voix au milieu des vociferations du *' parti contrairo." Ce qui est dit daiisle temoignage pris devant le Comite, des menaces qu'on lui attribue pour intimider quelques-uns des Electeurs, ct de ses promesses d'impunite ad'autres.estlefruit de " representations infidMes.meleesde " fausssetts venant d'individus poussesparun desir violent delui nuire, nulleraent " responsables des moyens qu'ils employaient pour satisfairo leur malice et leur res- "sentiment Dans ce compose de malice ctde faussetc'', I'extravagance para- " lysc les eftets de la faussetc." II detruit, dit il, aussi tons les fiiits de ce te- moif^na^e par les affiduvits d'aiifrcs, pcrsonnes qui etablissent son innocence. Telfe est a-peu-pres la defense de M. Stuart sur ce point, a lexception de quel- ques'details surl'absence du droit de suffrage de trois Electeurs quiont vote con- tre lui, ct qu'il a depuis poursuivis pour parjure comme on le verra dans les arti- cles qui suivent ; objets sur lesquels il est inutile maintenant de s'appesantir. Quant aux aflidavits proJuits par M. Stuart pour an^'antir I'effet du temoi- gnage pr.iduit devant le Comit,;, on a d;j"i pu voir de quel poids ils peuvent etre : et o\\ fera voir la nullite ahsolue de cette espece de picuve dans les circonstances actuelles quand on en viendra a rexamen de ces alRJavitv Four le moment, on doit remaiMuer qu'mi nombre des temoins qui ont parii devant le Comite, se trou- vaicnt plusicurs notaircs, pcrsonnes d'educatiou et dont I'otat exigedcs lumieres, du caractere, a raison des fonctionsdont ils sont rcvetus, et dont M. Stuart lui- meine reconnait rimportaiice, dans ses reponses donnees devant le Comite des Griefs pendant cette dernierc Session, ct quise trouvent dans le premier rapport. I'lusieursautressont d'un etat egalement respectable, et, quoi qu'en puisse dire M. Stuart, d'une reputation etd'un caractere au-dessus de toute atteintc. D'ail- ]-,jj{.o ^^^I5• f/.[|^ni"'na"e a passe nar I'enreuve iMnineumient Canslitutionnelte.ot meiiic exclusive suivaiit M. Stuart d'une discussion devant des Jures ct de leur decision. m the. above all -3picion.Besid.;he. evidence. ^^ '':":::;tr:^Z^^S^^^i^^^- .ivenbefb. t.;.iauer. which tustriediu. accused. All these witnesses agree m deposing as to he violent man- ner rwlch Mr. S a himself at this election, as to his menaces. cLed no some of the electors, and his promises of impunity to others. It.s but'toorrrthrt t ese menaces had their effect ; that this impunity was iBsured mavboeviSr consider the arguments he brings forward against Kiarge . fomde Ion his being accused of having nstiluted prosecutions, rom ™e£^^^ against those of the electors, who had voted in lavor ol the riiulHlateoDnosedtohim, lor s» violent, with respect to Mi. WelU, agent of ilu Srigncurivr wlu) seems, to Mr. Stuart s mind not toha.e used .uffic.ent diligence in his steps in his (Mr. Stuart's) favour, sin.-e the latter threatened thai he would eomphnn. of it to (he (.ovcrnor. Accor- ding to the clepositiuns of Messo. .Nelson, l/ivallee. Alexis I'aul Ihs, and Dele- calle many ulMr. Nelson's voters, besides those against whom proceedings were had, were arrested immediately after having given their votes, and taken, as hav- ing been guiltv of perjury, before .Mr. Von Irtland. at that time a justice of the m^ice, and wh'o.c iflidavit. added to the end of the memoir, is con idently quoted. It was Mr. \ on Illl lud to whom .Mr. Stuart applied, whilst the poll was yet open to arrest .Mr. NeKo«s Noters. According to Delegalle. " the ha.ldl, who voted " fbrhim told him, the fourth dayjof the election, to go to Dr. \ on^ Iffland " and t Jl him lu make out blank warrants upon charges of perjury Ilu- Dr.etor came innnedialely to the poll,— the Attorney-Ceneral bKlfim lu make ha.tr, &c, kc. One may sec by this, and by many other parts of the evidence. evJn by the .ifhdavits added by Mr. Stuart to the end ol the memoir, that I)o( lor \oii illlaud pi.iil'rmcd an acuve part ni l'.:se scenes. 85 itly couS' i\ before r, whicli ent man- iicnaccs, rs. It is insured, d against ms, from )r ol the rctended linsthini, of fou ri- ll he en- (ufoie the olence at e of it, to reteiid to ving used employed is foimd ;tiuu, but :h it is no- question, r pages, md which 1 electors, sted ; this Crebassa, rt, Carmc tiittee, his . that Mr. )osite inte- ly violent, r*. Stuart's 's) favour, -. Accor- aud Deic- diugs were ;cn, as hav- ice of the tly quoted, 5 yet open, who voted tJiand ;ral bid him arts of the lie memoir. According C'est leur temoio-nage qui devant ces dernlers, a justifie les accuses. Tous ces temoins s'accordent a diposcr de la mani^re violente dont IvI. Stuart s'est conduit dins celte (-lection, sur ses menaces prodiguees a unepartiedes Electeurs, sur ses promesses d'impunit€ k d'autres. II n'est qne trop constant que ses menaces ont eu leur effet ; que cette impunitt- a <:t6 assuree, et on le voit d'une mam^re evi- dente en considcrant les niovens qu'il oppose aux accusations fond(:'es sur les pour- suites qu'on {'accuse d'avoir intent^es dans des interets de vengeance contre ceux dcs Electeurs qui avaient vote pour le Candidal oppose', et relativement a la subor- nation de parjure. Quantauxassrrtionsquise trouvent dans cette partie du memoire, ou Ton pretend qu'on a mis en auvre contre lui les prejitges natiormaux et. religieux, on doit se contenter de dire qu'elles sont plus que denuces de fondement, meme del'ombred'un pretexte, autant que celles par lesqucUes il sefforce de noircir la reputation des temoins qui ont depose devant le Comite, des membres du Comite, ,i« i» A.oonihlf''f> pllf.tneme. de I'Assemblee clle-mcme n croit rcpousser victorieusement I'accusation de violence dans Selection, sous pretexte qu'il n'a pas eu recours a la^rc^ physique pour I'exorcer. On a de- i;i observe que I'Assemblee n'avait pas pr^tendu lui attribuer le role d'un lutteur dans cette election, mais d'avoir use de force ou de cette violence morale qui n'est pas moinsefficace, d'avoir employe dcs menaces auxquelles ses fonctions donnaient une importance, dont la prcuvese trouve non seulement dans la conduite qu'il a tenue j.endant cette election, mais encore pendant les trois anr qui I'ont sui- Arrctons-nous ici ;i rasscmbler un petit nombredn faits sur lesquels il est ne- ces<=aire de fixer maintenant son attention par rapport ;i Tobjet que I'on traitc, et a ceux qu'il seraneccssaire de discuter dans les articles qui suivent celui-ci. I/Election du Hourg de Willi an Henry fSorel) dont il est question, et qui ne renfermecomme on I'a dejafliit observer qu'un peu plus de cent Electeurs, dura deiiuis le 25 jusqu'au 30 de Juillct. Ellc ctait done chaudement contestee : c'est un point accordc. xt • Maintenant il resultedu temoignage de Messieurs Henry Crebassa, Notaire, Ofhcier-Ilapportcur, Nelson, Ca' -'.idats oppose a M. Stuart, Carme Lenobiet, No- taire (uii a mis en outre devant L- Comite son propre affidavit sous serment, La- valle'o, Marcoux et de Narcissc Crebassa, &c. que M. Stuart menacait constam- ment les Electeurs qui venaient voter dans un intercH opjiose au sien, de poursuites pour parjure, du pilori, &c. , • . , . • i . Plusieurs de ces trmoins attestent de mCme, une conduite egalement violente :i IV'^ard de M. Welles, Agent de la Seigneurie qui nemettait pas apparcmment au "re de M. Stuart, assez de diligence dans ses demarches en sa favour puisque ce- Tiii-ci Ic menacait de s'cn plaiiulre au Gouvcrneur. Suivantles depositions de Messrs. Nelson. Lavallee, Alexis Paul IIus et De- legallo plusieurs des voteiirs de M. Nelson, autresque ceux dont on a fait le pro- ces, aaient arri t< s immediatemeiit apres avoir douiie leurs voix, ot conduits comnie s'etantrcndiiscoupablesdeparjures devant M. Von lilland, .luge a i'aix alors, et (lout Tattidavitniis a la suite dii memoire, est cili' avectant deconfiance. C'etaita M. \'on Ittl^nd que M. Stuart s'etait adresse pendant le tems du Poll pour .irreter les voleurs de M. Nelson. Suivant Uelcgalle, lluissior qui agissait !-i-meme pour lui M. Stuart lui aun'.it " Ictt'iTie. jour de I'elcction ordonnc d'aller trouver M. le " Hocteur Von IfUand, de lui dire' do preparer f/« ll'arrants vr, ''/.7«c, pour accusa- <« tions de parjure. ' Lo Doctcur vint do suite au Poll. L.; I'mcureur-Gcnfiral lui dit dc I diir diligence, &c. On voit par la et par plusieurs airres parties du knioi- guage, ])ar les affidavits mis par M. Stuart A la suite du i:.<.i>iuire»quc M. le Doc- tcur Von Ittland jouait un nMe actifdans oca scenes. D'aprej 86 According to the evidence of Messrs. Nelson, Lavallee, Delegallc, Marcoux, &c., it is proved, that M. Stuart, declared that he was the " only person who had " the right of prosecuting for perjury,*' and repeated it frequently : according to some of the witnesses, to almost all who, coming •• to vote in his favour, evidenced " some doubts as to their right.' (lazaille, otherwise St. Germain, of whom it will presently be more particu- larly our duty to speak, had no right to vote ; the deposition of the Notary, who liad executed the conveyance of his property, agree v/ith that of Mr. Nelson, of the two Aussants, and others. It v/as a fiict notorious on the spot. The title, even upon which St. Germain votod, and took the oath, forms a part of the report of the Committee,— and it proves the absence of all right of suffrage on the part of St. Germain ; and Mr. Styart does not even now maintain, by the memoir, that, in respect of this tide, St. Germain can claim the right which he then exercised. When he came up to vote, Mr. Nelson, the opposing Canilidate, having observed 10 him that he could not " vote, having made liis estate away by gift," St. <''cr. main allowed it, and withdrew. In the mean time the poll was removed to ..no- ther house, which gave time for reflexion. According lo Mr. Stuart's own avowal, by the memoir, this inan spoke to him, and afterwards returned to give his vote. Mr. Nehon renewed the same observations as to the absence of his right to vote ; and this fact is established by the depositions of Messrs. Henry Crebassa, Glackc- meyer, Nelson, Alexis Paul IIus, and Marcoux, and of Narcissc Crcbassa, and Mr. Nelson, required his oath, Tlic same witnesses depose, that ^Ir. Stuart assured St. Germain that •' his *' vote was good, and that he had a right to vote.'' St. Germain, who had in fact acknowledged that he had executed a deed of gift of his property, '• showetl a «• repugnance to take the requisite oath ;"' Mr. Stuart told him •' that he had no- •' thing to fear," &c. ; and, at the same tiirie, exhorting to vote with friendly ex- pressions, " i)Iaced !iis hands upon the Evangelists," in order to induce him to take the oath St. Germain did this in tlie capacity of propi'it'lO)',»{lcr which he voted for Mr. Stuart. These are, again, facts upon which all the witnesses agree. I shall not enter into details, which would unnecessarily swell these observations. Could Mr. Stuart have thought that it was sulHcient to pronounce, that all this evidence was a collection of lies, the offspring of wickedness &, vengeance, in order to render it unworthy of all bellei : It is true that lie relies, as he says upon affidavits, which he opposes to it. We shall soon see, when wc come to the dis- cussion of this kind of proof, what should be thought of it. Some other conside- rations, upon which it would perhaps be useful to fix our attention, with reference to this subject, w ill be found in the articles which follow, with reference to this satne election. As to prosecutions for perjury instituted exclusively against the electors at Sorcl, (William Henry) who had voted again.st Mr. Stuart ; refusal or neglect to prosecute those who had voted in his favour ; In answer to this charge, the same vagueness and the same contradictions are found as in the rest of ll r memoir. According to Mr. Stuart, " the number of •' eases in which thisfalse swearing occurcd was >o great, compared with the entire •' number of votes for the borough, that the legal right of votuig must be rendered " entirely illusory, if the false assumption of this right, by perjury, was not " checked." Wc shall not make any remark as to the inexactitude wliich is found in tiic same paragraph, with respect to the small number of voters, who. according to him, had given the majority to his competitor. Thcnumber of false oaths was, in fact, 87 D'apres le te'moignage de Messrs. Nelson, Lavallee, Delegalle, Marcoux &c. il est constat^ que M. Stuart assurait qu'il etait " la seule personne qui avait le droit " depoursuivre poiir parjure," et le repetait souvent, d'rnrts quelques-uns des te- moins, ;\ presque tous ceux qui venarit " voter pour lui, temoignaient quelques •*doutessur lcurd;oit." Gazaille dit St. Germain, dont il doit etrc bientot plus particulierement qutstion, navaitaucun droit de voter, la depositiou du Notaire qui avait passe I'Actc d'alienatiou de ses pronri^les, estd'accord avec ceile de M. Nelson des deux Aussant, et autres. C'etait un fait constant dans I'endroit. Le titre mOme snr leqiiel St. Germain a vote et prete serment fait partie du rapport du Comit6. II attcsterabsencede tout droit de suffrage de la part de St. Germain, et M. Stuart ne soutiont pas maintenant dans le memoire qu'aux termes de ce litre St. Germain i>utre:lamer le droit qu'il a exerce alors. Quand il vint pour voter, M. Nelson, Candicat oppose lui ayant fait lobservation " qu'il ne pouvait voter.ayant fait donation des ses biens," St. Germain le rcconnut, et il se retira. Pendant ce tems le Poll fut transporte dans une autre maison, ce qui donnait du terns pour la rt rtixion. De I'aveu de M. Stuart dans le memoire, cet homme lui parla et revint ensuite pour Conner sa voix. M. Nelson renouvela les m^mes observations sur I'absence de son droit do voter ; et ce fait est etabli par les depositions de Messrs. Henry Crcbassa, G'ackemeyer, Nelson, Alexis Paul Hus et Marcoux, et de Nar- cisse Crebaisa, et ii exigea son serment. Les n^fimes tdmoins dtposant que M. Stuart assura St. Germain que sa voix ctait boiirc, et qu'il avait droit de voter. St. fJcrmain qui avait en effet reconu qu'il aviii'< fait donation de ses biens, temoignaii ile la repugnance a prtter le ser- ment reqais ; M. Stuart lui dit" quil n'avait riLMi;^ craindre, kc.'' et tout en I'ex- hortant a voter avec des expressions amicales, " lui mit la main sur lEvangile" pour I'eugager a preter le serment. Ce que St. Germain fit c/i qualtte de proprie- taire, rpresquciil vot;\ pour "L Stuart. Ce sent encore la des faits sur lesquels les tciTioinss'accordent. Jelaissede cote les details qui grossiraient inutilement ces observations, M. Stuart a-t-il p« croire qu'il suflisait de prononc". que tous ces temoigna- gesi''aient un ramas de mensonges, enfantes par la mccb u CPie et la vengeance pour lesrendre ituligiies detoute criancc? II est vrai qu ii ,o repose, dit-il, sur des irtidavits quit leur oppose. Nous verrons bientot ce que Ton doit penser de cettc esprcc de prcuve, quand nous viendrons a la discuter. Quelques autres eousuleralions sur Icsqueiles il serait peut-elre utile de fixer I'a tention, rclativenieut a cet objet, se trouveront dans les articles qui suiv ;-^!t, re- lanfs a la memo election. ./Vccusalions pour parjure portt'es exclusivement contre des Electeurs de Sorel William llciiry qui avaieut vote- contre .\L Stuart, llefus ou nigligence de poursuivre ccux qui avaient vote ta sa taveur. On trouve dans les rci>0nses a cette accusation le memo vague et lesmemes contradictions que dans Ic restc du memoire. Suivant M. Stuart, le " nombre de faux sermens pretes dans cette election, «' etait si grand, compare avec le nombi c entier des voix Itgales dans le village, que " le droit de stilfrage serait neccssairement illusoire, si 1 Usurpation de ce droit " commise au mo\en du parjure n'etait pas rcprimee." Ou ne ferii aucune rc- *' marque sur une ii\cxactuudc qui se rencontre dans le meuie paragraplie sur ic petit nombre de voieins qui, suivant iui, avait doiuie la majorite a son concurrent. Enlin celui des faux sermens ctait done considerable. Mais quelle ctait la cause de 88 fact, considerable. But what was the cause of the evil ? According to Mr Stuart himself, Gazaille, otherwise St. Germain, to/e(i at an early perml oj the eUchon; ami wesliall presently sec. that it was in following St. Gernuun s example, and m accordance with the opinion which Mr. Attorney-Clenenvl had given at that tune, that those whom he has since prosecuted, had also taken the oath ot quahhcation and voted in favour of his opponent. The thing is evident : it is demonstrated. According to Mr. Stuart's own avowal, the number of falseoaths was nume- rous ; they were so on both sides, evidently. The number of those who wouhl have committed this ortence was according to the memoir, so considorab e, m comparison of the number of voters, "which is only between one hundred and •' one hundred and twcn:y, that the legal rightof voting must be rendered entirely » illusory, if the false assumption of this right by perjury were not checked. How happens it, then, that Mr. Stuart was unahle to hnd any other persons deservin"- the vengeance of the laws than those who iiad voted against him ? It there were some among them who had voted in his favour, why did he not hnd them out and prosecute them ? He did not do so ; and the reason he gives tor not haviii'T done so may seem a little extraordinary: - There were delivered to him se- «' vend deposition9,chavgingpersons whohad voted for the petitioner with perjury; but, headd^ ' no privatt'prosecutor ever required that these depositions should «' be actedi nor has any inquiry respecting th* m ever been made." But according t-. M-. Stuart, " the Attoraev-Geueral of Lower Canada has always " been all. v tinues to be. charged with the duty of instituting and conducting " criminal ,)rf ccutions before the Courts of King's Bench ; ho is the auxiliary " of the conr . and of the grand juries." How ha pens it, then, that he did not even think of paying, of his own ac- cord «onea tentionto a suject which in his eyes was one of such great impor- tanco ? In the second place, it no where appeals that he needed aprtvalcproseru- tor, ill order to institute and siii)port proscciiiions against those pcrsuns who had voted against him. r i i i He says the depositions m hich were sent to him were " found to have been «' -ndc bv nersonsof very low condition in life, and to be wholly insuHicient to " admit o'f any prosecution being grounded on iheni." However, they were at least calculated to serve as intimations to him of such nature as should have indu- ced him to make some enqriiy ; this then he entirely neglected to do. It so happens, he says, that one of the voters (Camerere), against whom Al- lard, an mlv^ent carlcr, gave evitUnce, had not t'.kni the oath ct tficelerliun He conseciuentir tliought it fitting, no doubt, as auxiliarij of the i 'ourt and of the grand iuiios, and as being cA^r^av/Ti///i crmiral pi-oSeculiom, to institute a prosecution for pcriurv against this Allani, and a true bill was tbi.nd by the grand jury of this ..roliric C6urt ot Over and 'Jeunincr in November l^'J?- Ihit this prt-.ecution was never followed 'up, neither was it ever the ohject i,t enquiry by a petit jmy. Cannot Mr. Stuart n collect that amongst the .Itpositions of this Allani, which were sent to him, one of whicii charged thisCaoicrere, there was one deposition orattidavit of this same Allard, given on the morning following the day on which he had deposed agaiii>t Camerere, bv wh »idiicct of this prosecution. The liumble condition of this Allard, according to hini, no doubt, renciercd •• bis deoositions unworthy of attention, and wholly insuflicicnt to admit of and *« prosecuiion 89 If cc mal ? Suivant Mr. Stuart hii memo *• (Jazaille dit St. Germain avail vote dc " bonne hcure dans I'clfction," ct uri verra bientot que c'ctait u I'excinplc do St. ( iei main, et d'aores I'opinion que iVl. ie Procnreur-Gcncral avail donnec alors, que codx qu'il a poursuivis depiiis avoicnt aussi ])rctr serment pour se qualiticr et voter fii favour de son concurrent. La cliose est evidcnte. EUe est dcmontree. De I'avcu do !M. Stuart, les faux sermens ont et6 multiplies. lis I'ont etc cvidemifient des deux cotes. Le no;nbrede ceux qui auraient commis ccs fames etait suivant Ie memoirc, si considerable, compare- au nombre des voteurs, cjui " n'est nucre que de cent a cent vini;t dans le bourg ;'' que le d ■ ; de suffrage de- vicndrait illusoire si on n'oppose pas une digue ;\ I'usurpation iic ce droit, com- mise aux moyens du parjurc. D^s lors, comment se fait-il que M. Stuart n'ait pas pu trouver des personnes digncs de la vengeance iles lois que parmi ceux qui avaient vote contre lui ? S il s'en trouvait parmi ccu\ qui avaient vote en sa favour, pourquoi ne Ics a-t-il pas re lierchcs et poursuivis ? II ne I'a pas fait ; ct la rai- sun qu ilen donnc pot'rra paraitre nn pen extraordinaire. " II avait re9u" dit-ii, " plusieurs depositions cliargrant de j)arjurc des Electeurs qui avaient vote: en sa " faveur.'' Mais " ajoute-t il, aucune partie civile (private prosecutor) ne "avait " lequis d'agir' et aucune requete n'avait elo " laitc relativement c\ ccs c'ieposi- •'tions" iSlais suivant M. Stuart " le I'rocureur-Gcneral dela Province i Bas- " Canada est, eta toujours i te cliarg^ il'intenter ct do condnirc les poursuites " ciiuiinelles (levant la Conrd.i Banc du Koi ; il est I'auxiliairc des Cours et des *' Grandsvlurcs.*' Comment se fait-il drs lors qu'il n'ait pas memo songc a don- licrdo lui-meme quelqno attention a un siijet qui avait une importance si graiulc asGsyeux? Kn second lieu, il parait nnllement qu'il ait eu besoin d'unc pfl/'//c civile (private proscciil or) pour so mctlre en mesure d'intciUeret soutenirdes ac- cusations contre ceux qui avaient vote r )ntrc lui. II (lit que los depositions qui out etc' cnvoyes etaiont de " personnes dc basses " condition et iiisull'.santcs pour sorvir d'appui a des poursuites.'' Copendant elles pouvaient au moinsini scrvir d'indicc proju'c a I'ongager a fairc quelque re- cherche. C'est cc dont il nes"cst nullomcnt occupy''. II s't'st trouve, dit-ii, que I'un des voteiirs (c'est le nomme (Camercre) con- ; 10 Icquel AHird, Chnr>< lie indigent, avait dejios'', n'avaif, pas prct.e serment a I'E- I'cetion. II a et'"' en consequence trouve convenable, parini, sana doute, " auxi- " i'aire de la Coiir et des Jures charges des poursuites criminelles, dc porter con- 'ire cet jMlard uiieaccu--ation dc parjurc, ct I'Acte (Indictment) en a ete rapporte par les grands-jurcs de la Cour d (Her et Terminer dc N()vend)rc ISQJ, qui a etc si teconde. Alais cottc accusation n'a point non plus eu de suite, et n'a jamais etc lobiet d'uu proces devant les pelits jin\'s. .M. Stuart ne poin-rait-il pas sc rappe- ler qu'avec les depositions de cot Allard, a lui remises, I'aiue des(|uelles cliargcait ce Camercre, se trouvait aiis>i nnede; osition ou affidavit de ce meme AllartI, don- 11 'e le lendemaiu du jour aiiquel il avait dpos' contre Camercre, par laquelle il 1 jjiinaissaitque cVtait une meprisc, et expliquait les motil's qui Favaient induit en errenr, en chargeant ce Camerere ('"avoir fail poar se qualifier nn serment qu'cn etlet il n a\ ail pas jjrete, et si eette circonstancc, qui pouvait avoir d'abord echap- pe a M. Stuart n'est i as la veritable raison qui I'aurait engage a ne pas allcr })lus loin. Si ce n'litait pas \\ le vt^ritable motif, il liii resterait a expliquer pour quoi il apu pcrdie de vue uuc olfensequi lui avait d'abord parii si grave, ct comment son ■/.ele a juisj ralentir et s'litcndre au sujet de cette accusation. La bASse condition de cct Allard rendait suivant lui, sanii doutc, " ses deposi- " lions indignes d'attentioii, cllcs etaient incapables d'appuyer line accusation dc M '* parjurc" 90 " proieciition for perjury," against those who were the objects of acciisa*-on. Be it so. But he, however, a'ppoarccl lo Mr. Stuart sufficiently worthy of contidcuce, to prefer, on the faith of iii.s deposition, an indictment for •• subornation of per- jury" against Marcoux, one of the voters or partizan« at the election of Sorel, in a contrary interest to hi.s own ; and he cites the dcp .ition of the same AUard, whijh he has phiccd in tiic Appendix to the Memoir, under the No. 11, as tho foundation of this prosecution; the indictment, in which case imnuvhately fol. lovs under tlie nunibir 12, found against Marcoux, by the (Jraiid Jury cf this Ccurt of Oyer and Terminer, v hich had just pronounced Allard himself as pcr- jued, and that, on the evidenc of a person w!»o was |,!oseculcd by .Mr. Attor- noy General for the perjury which he charged Marcoux with, having induced liiui to bo guilty of. It remains for us to observe, that this prosecution ought rot to h;ive been, and in liict was no more followed up, than that which he in- stituted against Allard. Mr. Stuart docs not seem to li;ive needed a "private "' prosecutor," in order to \)hcc himself in a situation to institute these prose- cutions A> Attorney (ieneral, he is the *' auxiliary of the Courts, ' and of the (irand .lurics, and charged with prosecutions; he has not tlntnght right to explain, why persons, who couhl have acted like Au.'^sant and others, but in his -Ur. Stuart's uitercst, and voted in his favour, formed an exception ; and why ho could not j)rocced against them without the aid of a private prosecutor, in order to place hmi in a situation to institute and support jjrosecu.ions againsl them Tliib is all that Mr. Stuart's answer, with reference to this portion of the complaints of the Assf.mbly against him, amounts to ; if he did not say, with confidence, t/iaf his rca.uiiiAjur histitiiliiiLi these /miscni/ioiis, against those who were the exclusive ob- jects of them, zcerc sttj/icii'iif, and the «• Vilitionvr most xcillin^li/ holds himself res- 'poii.yi/'h" Jiir thou. Let us observe, then that these i)r()secutions,"for perjury, w( re submitted iluring the sitting of the Court of King's Ik-nch, held at Mon- treal, in the month of September, is:7, to the (irand lury, who threw the bills oiit. This was a completely constitutional and competent tribunal ; a tribunal lughiy approval ol by S\v. Stuart. It was in the nionth of No\end)er following that a S,»et i d Court of Oyer and Terminer was held at Montreal ; the holding and oriUMious of which give lise toob-ervations, ol' so important a nature, and to sw'u just complaints on the j)art of the .Assembly, particularly as to the tbrmation ct ii; ' .hities of this Court, and more especially'the (Jrand .Juries, as we nuiy see by tii' leport of the Com- niillee of Grievances, in the year ISi'j It was in this Court, and to the Grand .Inrv of this Couit, that lie subnutt-d the indictments for perjury against the Electors ol Sortl : besides some others, the bills in which li;id also been thrown out by the (irand .Jury of the Court ol King's Bench. The (Jrand Juries of the Court of <)\QV and 'I'erminer, at the s;nno tune, entertained i)rosecutions for iibch: besides others, iu re ^pi ct of oilences coinmilteil during tlie last general flection, of which that awSo.el fornicd a part, all exclusively instituted against oflenilers sekited from among those who had acted with the party opposed to that to which Mr. Stuart wa> attached.' ludcieruiently of any other consideration, we may now ask, what impcriotis uiotivc of justice iinpelleif .Mr. Stuart to institute, before a Special Court of r>//(T ami 'I'timtiici , prosecutiuns rijected bv the (irand Juiies of the Court of King's Bench :^ ■ . . , It was also necessary to have recourse to a cciiiortin, in order to remove all t!:e.>4e orosecutions into tiie Coiiri ot King's Bench, when this Special Court was extinct. These piosucntions, with the exception of that respecting Clapr..od, which • Si-.' ai'uiii, ill tlif It.'|»>rt ot tlip ( yimuiUw ol (^rifvancf, of ly,"», bow those proBt-cutions wero liroiiglil lel...ri; the Court tij' tlie linuiJ Jui). 91 " parjure" centre ceux qu'elles chargeaient : soit, inais i'lui a Dourtant paru assez digne tie confiance '^our porter, ur sa deposition, centre Marcoux, un des voteurs ou partisans dnns I'l ection de Soro' dans unintOn't coniraire uu sien, uue accu- sation de subornation de parjure, ei I cite la deposition dc ce ini-me Allard qu'il a luisedans lAppcndice du JVi f moire sous le Xo. II, comme fondement de cctte accusation dont I'Actc (Indictment; se trouve imm<^di itement a la suite sous !e No. Vi ; rapportee coutre Marcoux par les grands , cs de ccttc Cimr d'Oycr et Terminer, qui venaientde denoncer Allard !ui-memc i omme i>u '•e, c'e8t-;\-dire, 8ur le t moignage de celui qui ("tait poursi-ivi pur M. I" Procureui .iencral pour le parjurr, qu'i' cliargeait Marcoux de I'avoir engage .. jommettre. II reste ^ ob- server que Ca c accusation ne devait p is avoir et n'a pas eu en cffet plus de suite que celle qu'il a portee centre Allard. VI. Stuart ne parait pas non plus avoir eu bcsoindc par I te civile (private prosecutor) poursc nettre on Uat de porter ces ac- cusations. Comme Procureur-Gcndral, il t st " lauxiliairedes Cours et des grands '♦ jurcs, 'ctchai /e des poursuites: il n'apas juge ;\ proposd'expliquer p( lu-quoi les personncsqui [ uvaient avoir agi comme Aussant, et autres, mais dans son i' rit et vote en sa laveiu-, faisaient exception, n pourquui il ne pouvait proceder con- tre eux sans avoir unc partie civile Cprivate prosecutor J pour le mettre en etat dintcntcrct lesoufenu'des poursuites conire eux. C'estA qii i s- itduirait toute la reponse do M. Stuart, relati,emcnt;\ cette pur- tic des plaintt ^ de rAssemblce contrc lui, s'il disait pas nvec confiance que les raisons qu'il avail de por/irces acvusntions con: re ceux qui ont (itc- exclusive- ment les objcls de ces poursuites, etaient m/ffisanles, et qu'U sen tienl volonticrs responsablc. Kcniarquonsdonc quect poarsuites de parjure furent soumises dans le terme de la Cour du IJanc du 'oi iontreal, en Septembre 1827, aux grands jurcs de cctte Cour qui les rejeti en CV-tait un tribi 1 bien constitutionnel, et qui avait competence. M. St ;. ut le soutient forten Ce flit en Novembre suivant, qu'il y euta Montn al une Cour spcciale d'Oijer ct 'Terminer, dont la tenue et les operations ont donnc lieu a des observations si importantes et a de si justcs plaintes de la part de I' Assemble, et en particulier sur la composition des corps dejun's de cette Cour ef.de grands jures en particu- lier, comme "i pi-at le voir dans ce rapport du ComitL- des Griefs de I'annee IS29. Ce fut dans cette Cour et c'estaux grands jun'-s de cette Cour quil soumit les ac- cusations de parjure contre les Electeurs de Sorel, outre quelques autres qui avaient etc aussi rejettees par ceux de la Cour du Banc du Roi. Ceux de la Cour d'Oijcr et Terminer, accueillircnt en m(}me terns les accusntions de libelles et d'autres encore pour des dditsconimis pendant la dernicie Election general dont celle de Sorel faisait partie. toutesexclusivement portces contre des accuses cl' i- sis parmi ccu.x qui avaicnt agi dans un parti contraire a celui auqucl M. .uart t lait attaclu'-. • Indcpendanunent de toute autre consideration, on pent demander n itenant quel tnotif imperieux do justice poussait M. Stuart a porter devant unc Cour .spcciale d'Oi/er et Terminer des accusations rejettees par les grands jures de la Cour «iu Banc du lloi. II afalluaussi avoir recours h. un Certiorari pour remcttre toutes ces accusa- tions devant leRanc du Roi (juand cette Cour spcciale tut rtcinte. Ces poursui- tes, celle deClaproodcxceptce, qui sont devenues I'objet dun proces devant les jures, » Voyoz encore dans Ic Rapport du Comitc des Oriels dc 1829, comment ces accusations ont etc rannortoei deraiit la Cuur pot le« Urauds Jaria, ' '^ t>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // 4 u. 1.0 I.I 1.25 um lis 1^ 1^ 1112.2 12.0 1.8 U lllil.6 Vi a /^ ;% -% A />%% '# 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ <^v ,\ \\ ;\ '^ij' rv 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (716) 872-4503 4^- 92 which became the object of a trial byajiiiy, terminated only in March, ]>ul<: Iriolby j irij ; these latter have themselves the right of forming a judgment as to these wi .lesses, that is to say, it belongs to them to weigh then- testimony ; to baiance tlo weight .if the proof derived from ihem ; to reject that of those witn' sses whom they consider unworthy of belief; to take as a guide for their deciuonthat which 'seems to them worthy of it, in order to turn llie scale ui favour, of, or against the accused. The juries exercised this jurisdiction, which essentially belongs to them, in many instanct s, with regard to these prosecutions, under the eyes, and without disapproval on the part, of the Judges. They found verdicts in favour of the acais, d, on proof, derived from depositions of those very witnesses opposed to tliat produced by Mr. Stuart. Nevertheless, after this solemn decision, emanating from a compctciit authority, Mr. Stuart treats these witnesses, by his :Mcmoir, as though they had been attainted and convicted ol tlu: most infamous corruption. jures, i I 93 jun's, ne se sont termin6es qu'en Mars 1830, par iin verdict qui a decharge les accuses. Pendant cet espace de terns M. Stuaitavait tente de les fliire decider dcurs fi;cnt encore mettre de cote un autre corps dejurcs spcciaux, pour cause d n-- r(:-gularitc. Mais pouss's par le desir de voir se terminer ces poiirsuites vc^^xatoires, ils consentirent immcdiitenient, apres avoir obtcnu {'opinion do la Cour, a subir leurijroces devant ces niCmes jures, qui, cnfin, ies ont acquittcs. Et M. Stuart se lient respoimihks des ramms qui I'ont portc a int( nter, ;\ soutenir ces accusa- Ilauraitfallu, il faudrait mettre ces raisons dans tout leur jour, en demon- tions tror la force et hi justice : I'a-t-il fait ? le pouvait-il faire ? M. Stsiartavait eu dansic coursde pres detrois anneesle terns de faire d'uti- les reflexions a ce sujet. 11 avail du prendre quelques renseignemens sur Ies pre-- tentions de Gazaille'dit St. Germain, au droit de suffrage sur iequel il avait pr(;to serment. II sera aisr, dans I'article suivant, de voir a quoi il s'en tient lui-nicme a cet I'gard, et cependant aurait pu renter pendant cet espace de terns persuade qu'en soute"iant ces accusations, c'ctait d'une obligation, d'un devoir impericuv dorit il s'acquittait ! II t tait au moins dans I'errcur, ct si ce n'(^'tait qu'une erreur elle n'est pas de celles qui peuventservirdexcuse a un homme public. Avantde passer a un autre article, il convient de se rappeler que suivant Ies idC'Cfi constitutiouncllcsde M.Stuart, le droit des jur^s par rapport a I'examen des causes qui sont soumises a leur consideration, serait absolumcnt exclusif. Ce se- j-ait de la part d'une bianclie de la Legislature, des Communes d'un pays, un crime de donner leur attention a leur conduite, plus qu"ii cel!e des Cours, relativement a cequi s'est passe devant eux. On doit Ics regarder comme infaillibles ct par dessus tout, inviolables. Mais ces accusations avaient ete dabord rejettees par un corps do grands jures, M. Stuart, simple fonctionnaire public, a pris sur lui de Ies trouver en I'aute, ct dr juger (|u'ils ctaieut dans le tort. II a de nouveau portc ces accusations devant un autre corps dujurcsqui Ics a entin accucilHes. Mais Ies jurcs devant lesquels Ics accuses ont ensuile plaide leur cause Ies ont acquittcs sur le ttmoignage de ccux memos que M. Stuart accuse de " malice et de faussctc en- " lantces par un dcsir de lui nuire, poussejusqu'a lextravagance." D'apres Ies dccl iration-squi se trouvent dans deux des adidavits joints au mcmoire, quelques- nns de ceux qui Ies ont dontics etaient presens a ce proces ! Cependant pour parler dans un sens legal et tcclm que, uii proccsfait suivant Ies Ibrnics prcscrites par notre droit criminel, n'est pas un proces par fauoivs, c'est un prous par jurcs. Cju.\ ci ont le droit de jug. r ces temoins eux-memes, c'est- i'.dire que c'est a ceux quil appartient de jjeser leur tcmoignage, de balancer le poids de la preuvequi en resulte, d"e'carter celui des temoins qu'ils ne jugentpas digue de creance, de prendre pour regie de leur dt'cision celui qui leur paraitle m< riter pour faire pencher la balance en favour de I'accuse, ou contre lui. Les jures ontexerce cette jurisdiction qui leur appartient essentiellement sous les yeux des Jiigcs a jjlusieurs reprises et sans reclamations delapartde ecs Juges eux- memes. lis ont prononce en faveur des accuses sur la preuve resultant des depositions de ces temoins la nieme, opposcc a oelle que M. Stuart produisait (ontre les accuses. Et cependant apres ce jugement solemnel du tribunal qui avait et compelv'uce ct jurisdiction, M. Stuart traite ces temoins dans son nie- moire, comme s'ils avaient tte atteintset couvaincusdc laplusinfame corruption. Du 94> Of the offence of having induced certain unqiiaUfied persons to take the oath at the Sorel Election, and of the subornation of perjury. Before entering upon the discussion of this subject, I should first observe, that it is the portion of the Memoir on which Mr. Stuart seems 1<> have intended to bestiyw the greatest care, occupying, as it does, the greatest space in his work, and as to which he has entered into the minutest detail. It is also on this sub- ject tliM he assumes the most peremptory tone. One would suppose, to hear him, that he takes it for granted that one must be convinced of the fidelity of the picture he has drawn of the witnesses produced before the Committee of the Assembly, when he has represented them as perverse men; men carried away with such a violent desire to injure him, that they have rendered themselves vo- luntarily guilty, in order to attain that end, of palpable falsehoods, the extrava- gance of which, happily for him, destroys their etiect. Here again we cannot allow ourselves to suspect that this was no more than a d xtrous tactic in order to conceal fear; and that this aflf'ectation of confidciice is a mere veil used to conceal the weakn(?ss of his own cause. One thing is cer- tain ; which is, that this is the p:ut of his Memoir in which he has crowded at once the greatest number of these naked assertions, suppositions given as es- tablished facts, proved and admitted ; whilst the facts themselves contradict them, and, above all, recriminations which are not merely devoid of pretext. It seems as though he had been afraii' of their eflcct ; and he confutes tl)(>m, and would appear to have endeavoured to criminate rather than to justify himself. What I say, may, must appear extraordinary; I allow it. I only ask one thing, which is, that I may not be condemned as guilty of exaggeration, before the picture, which it now becomes my duty to sketch, has been examined. I should observe, in the second place, that it is on this subject also that Mr. Stuart appeals in the most urgent manner to the depositions taken by ajfidavil, which he has placed in the Ajjpendix annexed to the Alemoir, in order to oppose them to the evidence received before the Committee of the House of Assem- bly. If these athdavits possessed in fact any real importance— if the depositions militated strongly against the facts proved before the Committee of the Assem- bly —It would be proper to return to the considerations, which are lightly passed over in the preliminary remarks, with reference to the mode in which these sort of depositions by (iffidaxits are taken before a Magistrate or the Judge, aiid to dwell upon them, in order to compare it with the mode in which facts are established by witnesses under circumstances such as those in question, before a Committee of a House of Commons, or before the House itself. Wc will re- sume this train of thoughts, if on coming to the examination of that part of the j^ppdi'iu; in which these affidavits are found, it appears necessary. Here we must remark that, lest we should be persuaded, as Mr. Stuart, in fact, endeavours to persuade others, that those who may have found themselves under the neces- sity of taking a part, whether active or [lassive in the enquiry inlo his conduct, and in the necessary operations to the iiujuiry on this subject. Petitioners, Wit- nesses, Members of the Committee, those of the Assembly, the Inhabitants of the whole country have conspired, united to ruin him, we ^ha!l agree that the mode of inquiry, and particularly of interrogation; the i icility of proposing questions to witnesses, before the Commons, or one of their Committees, on sub- jects of this nature, is much better calculated to elicif. the truth, to draw it from the mouths of the witnesses, — to place them in condition to tell the whole truth without reserve, than that which is employed in the ordinary tribunals. It is, doubtless, particularly much prcfer.able to the practice of receiving depositions contained ni affidavits, drawn up beforehand in the closet, frequently by the party, or his a^^ents, interested in obtaining the desired evidence. These depo- giiions are almost always sworn in private, without the piLsence of any other person 95 Wit. Du clelit davoir engage certaines personnes non qualifiees a prendre le serment k I'ElectiondcSorclet -le subornation de parjure. Avaiil d'entrer dans la discussion de cet article, je dois d'abord observer que c'tst la pa. tie du memoirc a laquelle M. Stuart parait avoir eu intention dedou- ner le pins de soin, qui ticnt lepliis d'espace dans son ouvrage, et dans laquelle il est entre dans les plus grands details. C'est aussi sur cet objet qu'il prcnc' le ton loplus tranchunl. A IVntendre, on croirait qu'il se tient pour assure que I'on doit Ctre coMvainci; delufidelite du portrait qu'il a trace des teinoins produits de- vant le Comili' de I'Assemblee, quand il les a rcpresentes comme des hommcs ser- vers, cmporti^is par un si violent dcsir de lui nuire, qu'ils se sont rendus volontaire- inent coupables pour y parvenir, de faussetus palpablcs, dont I'extravagancc lieu- rcusement pour lui detruit I'effet. On nc pent encore ici se nernicttre desoup9onner quece ne soit laqu'tine ha- bile tactique pour masquer des craintcs, et que cette affectation de t'onfiance ne soit qu'un voile destine a couvrir la faiblesse de sa cause. Ce qu'il y a dc sur, c'est que c'est la partie de son memoirc dans laquelle il a entasse a la fbis le i)lus de ces assertions nues, de suppositions donnees comme des fails averts, constates et ad- mis, tan('.is que les faits cux memcs les dementent, et par dessus tout des recrimi- nations qui sont plus que denuees de prctcxte. II semblerait en avoir craint les efiels, et il les lepoussc. On dirait memo qu'il a pris a tiiche de s'incrimi.ier au lieude travailler a sa justification. Cequeje dispeut et doitparaitre extraordinaire, jen convicns, je nc dcmandc qu'une ciiose, c'est qu'on nc me coiulamne pas comme coupable d'exageration, avant d'avoir vu le tableau que j'ai moi-m^me a csquisscr dans ce moment. Je dois observer en second lieu que c'est aussi sur cet article que M Stuart invoque de la maniere la plus pressante, les depositions prises par «^Wrfr//.v qu'il a mis dans I'Appendice anne'xeau memoirepour les opposer ;i la preuve recue da- vant le Comite dc I'Assemblee. Si ces affidavits avaient en eftet une importance rrelle, si ces depositions militaient fortiiiientcontre les faits prouves devaiu le Co- mitt' de I'Assemblee, il serait convenaljle de revenir aux considerations sur Icsquel- les on a passe Kg'remcnt dans les rc.uarqucs pn'liminaires, relativemeut a la ma- niere dont ces especes de depositions par (ij/idaiifs se prennent devant, le magis- irat ou le ju<.c, et de s'y arreter pour les compan! avcc le mode d'apres Icquel ou se conduit |)our etablir des faitb par temoins dans des circonstances coaune cclles dont il est actucllement question, devant un Comite d'une Chambre des Commu- nes ou devant les Communes elkv-mC'mes. On reprcndra ce siijet de rilljxiou si la chose parait n. ccssaire, quand on en vienrira :\ I'cxamen de cette partie ile I'J})- ;;e»f//ce dans laquelle se trouvcnt ces r/^(/rtr7/.5. On se contentera de rcmarquer ici, qu'a moins d'etre persuade, conime M. Stuart s'effbrce en cflet de le persuader aux autres, que tons ceux qiu out pu se trouver dans la necessite de prendre p^'rt active ou passive alexamen de sa c^nduite, et ;iux operations necessaircs pour "H- quirira ce sujet, i)rtitionnaires, temoins, membres du Comiie, ceux de I'Asseia- blee, les habitans de tout le pays, se soient accordcs, reunis pour le perdrc, ou convieiulra que le mode de reeberclie ct surtout dintcrrogaiion, la fatilitci de pro- poser des questions aux t' moins devant les Communes ou un de Icurs Comitcs, sur des objets de celte nature, est beaucoup plus proprc a faire ddore la verit^% a la tirer de laboueliedes temoins, ;\ les mettre eux-m^^mcs a pcrtee de la dire tonte entiere etsans reserve, quecelle qui est employ<5c dans les tribuuaux ordiiiaii >s. Elle est surtinit bieu prelVrable sans doute a ce qui se pratique quand on rccuit des depositions contenues dans des affidavits dresses d'avance dans le cabinet, s(I. Stuait continue do se nu'prcndre sur la nature de I'accusation portee contre lui. Ce n'est pas sur un fait isok- de parjure qu'clle est appiiyee, quoique I'Ass mblee n'ait cit^ que le serment de St. Germain dont la fiiussete est constatee, quellu qu'ait |)U etre son intention ; mais c'est sur I'eD'eur dans laquelle cet exemplc et les dis- cours repetcs de M. Stuart ont entiaine les Electeurs et les ont deteiminds a coin- mettre la meme faute. M. Stuart raisonne sur cet article comme il a fait sur tous les autres. En tbranlant ce lait, il sc persuade que I'accusation seraitsans appui. II se trompe. .le dois en meme terns ajoutcr que mcme eu sc bornant a envisager la chose sous ce point de vuc, tout n trcci qu'il puisse.etre, bien loin d'ayoir fourni la preuve, on mOme des probahilitcs de son innocence, il s'est charge lui-mcme dans le tableau qu'il a trace. Venons maintenant aux faits. 1 °. SuivantM. Stuart dans Ic memoire, " ilfut rencontre le niatin du se- " cond jour de I'election comme // se remlail dc son logis au Poll, par Fran9ois Ga- *« zailledit St. Germain. II n\ivail Jamais vu auparavant ceiic homme qui I'in- " forma qu'il (ftait venu pour lui donner sa voix." C'ctait le 5eco/(f/ /o;/r de I'Eleclion le matin. C'etait de ho,^t ^mire dans lEIection ; ces points sont importans, Voyons maintenant comment os faits qui se rattachent i\ cet objct se trouvent constatrs par les athdavits produits par M. Stuart lui-mi^me pour sa justification. pour M. ftluart et qua appuyaiti " poursa vie dc deux appartemcns dans la maison" mcntionnce dans une donation faite 100 " two apartments in the house," adds the following expressly, " thai he, Depo. " ncnt, also knows that the said St. Germain, before he gave his vote, went to the " lodgings of the said James Stuart, to consult him as to his right to vote under •• this reservation." Doctor Von Iftland, the principal witness amons those who pave these affi- davits in favour of Mr. Stuart, deposes that, " on the tirst day of the election^ •• being the 25th day of July, the Dcpo'ient met the said Francois St. Germain, " when he signiticd a desire to vote for the said James Stuart, in respect of this " reservation of a life estate in two apartments, and he referred the Deponent to •' Captain Jones for the truth of this fiict, and that the Deponent advised him to " consult Mr. Stuart as to this rigiit." Lastly, " that, on the next morning, " having again met the said rran9ois St. Germain, he told the Deponent that he " had seen the said James Stuart, at his lodgings, who told him that, under the " reservation made, he could vote.'' As to St. Germain, he deposes, by his athdavit, " that he has never spoken «« to the said Janies Stuart since he voted for him, and does not recollect to have '« ever spoken to him before. That the saiil James Stuart, at the poll, told the " Deponent that, on the life-estate, which he had reserved to himself, he clearly " had a right to vote.'' As we may see, the versions differ from the beginning. According to Mr. Stuart, St. Germain consulted lihn on liis uwy lo the pull. Mr. Jones knows, and states positively, that St. Germain had been to consult Mr. Stuart at fiis lodgings. According to Doctor \'on Itlland, St. Ciermain told iiim, in the morning of the day on vhich he voted, tliut he had s.cn Mr. Stuart at his lodgings, who had told him that he might vote. In fine, if we refer to St. Germain liimself, he never spoke to Mr. Stuart bifore he gave his vote ; and it leas at the poll that he told him that he had a right to vote. Which are we to believe? Tliis was, however, a point of ex- treme iiiiportance in (he eyes of Mr. Stuart; this is already evident ; and we shall soon sec, as we advance in the discussion of this portion of our subject, that it is still mure so. 'ind: Acconling to the Memoir, when St. Germain met Mr. Stuart, he in- formed him, " that iie had come lu (;l/er him his vote;" Mr. Stuart learnt from him that his qualification " consisted of a life estate, in part of a house or hou.ses, and ♦' lands, in the Borough, of tlie whole of which he had executed a deed of gift t(» •' his son, subject to tlio reservation of a life estate ; upon this statement St. Ger- •' main was told by the Petitioner, that he had a right to vote,* and that his vote •' would be gladly accepted. We must remember, that he had seen him clse- «' where as well as at the poll;" however, St. (iermain swears, as we have seen, •' that he does not recollect having ever spoken to him before giving him his «• vote, and it was at the \)o\\ that he imformed liiin of his right to vote ; neither «' docs he remember to have spoken to him since." Here is again a vtry icniarkable difference between Mr. Stuait's exposition and the declarations under oath of those whose afHdavits he produces with refe- rence to the reserved estate, in respect of which St. (Jermain imagined that his right of suflrage could be sn|>ported. According to the athdavits of Messrs. Jones and Von Itlland, St. (iermain, who had referred to Mr. Jones for the truth of the fact, declares that the life estate consisted of tuo apartments in a house. — According to Mr. Stuart, it was in respect of the life estate in a home, or houses or lands. As to St. Germain, he does not allude in the remotest degree in his affi- davit to explanations, either with Mr. Stuart, Mr. Jones or Mr. Von IfHand. We must even infer, from his deposition, that he could not have had any with Mr. Stuart. Let us now observe, that xMr. Stuart frequently complains in the Memoir, with 1 ♦ We do not add what is mid m lo ihe Miniuit vulue of tlie reserved estate, which U not in question. 101 I'aite^son fils.ajoutcenproprestermesqu'il " saitaussiqu'avantde donnersa voix St. " Get main avail ^tc au logisde M. Stuart pour Ic consulter sur son droit de voter " surcette reserve." M. le Docteur Von Iffland, le principal desti'moins qui ont donne de CC9 affidavits en faveur de M. Stuart, depose que le 9."* Juillet, c|e9t-^. dire, le premier jour de IVIcction, " il avait rencontre St. Germain qui lui intima •« aussi son dosir de voter pour M. Stuart sur cttte rt'serve d'usufruit ric deux ap- «' partemcns en appellait au Colonel Jones de la verity de ce fait, et que lui de- «' posant luiconseilla dcconsulter M. Stuart" sur ce droit j cnfin que le " lende- •« main matin ayant encore rcncontr6St, Germain, celui-ci lui dit qu'il avait vu k " son logis M. Stuart qui lui avait dit qu'il pouvait voter sur cettc reserve !" Pour St. Germain, il depose dans son affidavit qu'il n'a " jamais parli a M. " Stuart dcpuis qu'il lui a donne savoix,etne se rappelle pas de lui avoir parle " auparavant ; que \g dit James Stuart lui dil au Poll qu'en verlu de la dite tC-- •« serve il avait cortainement le droit de voter.'' Comme on voit, les versions sont difterentes des le point du difpart. Suivant M. Stuart, St. Germain '• I'a consultc pendant qu'il se rendait au Poll. M. Jones '« salt* ct le dit positivement que St. Germain avait " etc consulter M. Stuart a "son logis.'' Suivant le Docteur Von lifland, St. Germain lui a dit le matin du treme importance aux yeux de M. Stuart j on le voit ct I'on verra bient6t encore davantage, en avan9ant dans la discussion de cet article. 2 ® . Suivant le m(^moire, quand " St. Germain rencontra M. Stuart, il I'in- " forma qu'il ttait venu pour lui donner sa voix. M. Stuart apprit de lui que son " droit (qualification) consistait en un contrat de partie d'unemaison ou de mai- " sons ou terres" dans le Bourg dont il avait fait don ;\ son fils ; mais sous la re- serve dun usufruit k vie, (life estate' surquoi iVl. Stuart lui dit, •' qu'il avait droit •« de voter • et que sa voix serait accepte avcc satisfaction." II faudrait penser qu'il I'avait vu ailleurs qu'au Poll, " cepcndant St. Germain aftirme comme on «« vient de le voir qu'il nc se rappele pasde lui avoir parle auparavant delui avoir '« donn6 sa voix, et c'esl au Poll qu'il lui a dit qu'il avait le droit de voter. 11 " ne se rappele pas non plus de lui avoir parli: depuis." Voila encore une diffLience bion remarquable dans I'exposcde M. Stuart, et les declarations sous sermcnt de ceux dont il prodnit les affidavits relativement a la rcsfMve sur laquelle St. Germain aurait imagine que son droit de suffrage pou- vait iHre ap|>uve. Suivant I'affidavit de M. Jones et M. Von Iffland, la reserve d'usu- fruit, d'aprts \a d('claration de St. Germain qui en aurait appele a M. Jones sur la v( rite du fait, etait de " I'usufruit a vie de deux appartcmens dans unc maison." Suivant M. Stuart d'lin droit indcfini d'usufruit •• d'une maisoti ou maisons ou " terres.' Quand a St. Germaii> ' nc parle paslemoins du monde dans son affi- davit, d'cxplications ni avec M. Stuuit. ni avee M. Jones, ni avec M. Von Iffland. On devrait m6me inferer de sa deposition qu'il n'a pas pu en avoir avec M. Stuart. llemaquons maintenant que M. Stuart se plaint souvent dans le memoire avec • On n'ajoute pM ce qui est dit de la Tulcnr annuelle de la reserve, (jui u'est point en question. 102 with a bitterness which rebounds upon the Returning Officer, that tlic Electors who came up to vote for his Opponent, where illiUratc and cvtrnncli/ ignorant,— epithets which are fomul again in the alKtiavits of Mr. Jones and Mr. Von Iffland. Now, St. Germain was well known to these latter, to wliom Mr. Stuart, say they, frequently tr/l-nrcl as to the qualifications of tin voters : and St. Germatn declares, bv his affidavit, that he cannot sign his name ; and accorduig to Mr. Stuart's own account, he can neither rend nor xcrite. Doubtless he was neither a let- tered nor a harned nuui. He could hardly be acquamted with the delicate dis- tinctions which may present tlicmsclves with reference to the nature of this sup- posed riL'ht in order to confer upon Iiim or to deprive lum of the right )f voting, by virtue of tho act of Parliament quoted in the Memoir. According to him, iticat at the poll that }fr. S'uart told him that In :as entitled to vote. If it happened whilst on i)i3 way to the poll, as Mr. Stuart stat. s it to have been in the ^•smoir, the interview would not have been of long duration. The explanation, according to the terms of the Memoir, :m.s.v//o/7. . r i i-r According to Messrs. Jones and Von IHland, tho reservation of the life es- tate was in respect of tico apnrtnwnts included in the gift of a house. According to Mr. Stuart, by the mouth of St. (Jcrnmin, it was in respect of a part lanations between himself and Mr. Stuart, with whom even, as wc have alVea.., observed, he cuiild not, accorJing to his deposition, have had any. Wc shall ffV.d iiercafler tlie contents of this document of a still strang«'r nature. Nevcilhik>s, Mr. Stuart relies ivith contidcnce on this affidavit, and on this affidavit alone, to destroy the whole of the evidence produced befoie the Com- mittee, iuid U) consign the name of every witness to shame and infamy 15nt why slioiild wc dwell at greater length upon tho discussion of this means of delcu e aiiopied by Mr. Stu.irt? It is useless to rea.son again.st an established fact. Tlicre is even more than the fact : it is ailmitted by the very paity against whom it is allpj;ed. If .Mr. Stuart has fa'len into error on this occasion, how should we tlesignaie this absence of his, on so solcinn an occason, when the pre- sent circumstances, and above all, the steps he has taken, antl the comluct he has obser. ed for ncu'v tliree years, inv, sts it with so ^nave a character > ;}nl: Aceuid'ng to the Mi moir, ajt^r a .short e.rpl .iniliun, Si (iermain came u\) /()r the purpose ()/ toting- in favour oj' Mr. Stuart. The other Camliddle op- posed his votiii!'. The objection was founded on tlie pretence that an absolute ri"h> of propc I, or an estate injee simple, could alone confer tho right to vote, which could n. ' be claimed in respect of the life estate which he had reserved to himself out of the gift to his son. This, then, by Mr. Stuart's acco;int, was the roi; in dispute. Mr. Stuart wouKl have answered to this objeetion, that " the fact of this reservation was never called in question. If any iloubt had «• becM expressed a.s to tlu fact of the rescivation having been made, he would •« have re(iiiireil St. (Jermain to produce his title." It was " acquiesced in. One «« thing is 'quite certain, which is, that the fact of the reservation was admitted." Mr Nt'^iart lavs great stiess upon this, as a means of defence, lie insists at fenglh, and pertinaciously upon this point. He pretends that the witnesses hayc suppre'scd it in their testimony, and that, according to his account, with ini- quitous views. He seizes this rpportunity of formally imputing to the witnesses who appearc.l before the Committee, Candidate, and uthen, wiio, he says, were amonn: 'i 105 ntcessit^- des expUcntions qu'il leur donnait en consequence du refus que VOffiner. Rapporteur iaisait de leur en dcnner lui-meme, pour les mettreen garde contre le danger des consequences qui devalent rcsulter pour eux d'un parjure. II re>tc- rait aexpliquer pouiquoi St. Germain aurait fait exception i cette regie que M. Stuart suivait, d'interroger les personnes qui le consultaient sur leur droit de voter pour savoir prccisemcnt surquoi il etait appuye, de voir leurs passions pour s* as- surer qu'ils i'avaientcn efFe^. D'un autre cote, mAme d'apres cette esp^ce de temoignage par affidavit, il fallait que ce droit de suffrage ne f'ut pas dune evidence bien rcconnue, en voyant St. Germain uller succcssivement s'adresser a M. Jones, a M. Von Iftland qui lui a (fontie I'avis de considter M. Sluart. M. Von Iftland avait un dcsir inquiet (was anxious) " de connaitre les tcrmes precis de ccttc reserve. II etait alie au iJu- " reaij de M. Crcbassa, Notaire, qui passait pour avoir fait I'Acte qui la renfermnit " pour la voir, il n'avait pas pu y avoir acct-s!" Voila des actes d'une prudence cauteleuse et en ni(^me terns trcs-activc, et cependant <\ la suite de toutes ces de- marches au iv.oycn d'une courte eapticalion suivant ]\I. Sluart, (d'apres I'affidavit de St. (lennain il n'ycn avait pas eu) JNI. Stuart la engage ;\ preter serment pour sc qualifier ! Ne pouvait on pas se procurer cet Acte, y avoir acces, quand le Notaire demeurant sur Ic? licux etait encore OtHcier-Kapporteur dans cette election ? Corn- nient Ic dcsir inquiet de constater le fait do cette reserve imaginaire s'etait-ilLva- iioui ? amoUL Mais il y p. quclque chose de plus singulier encore. St. Germain dans son athdavit ne j)arK; d'aucune de cos demarches aiiprcs de INI. Jones, de M. Von Ifthmd, de Huike, pas plus qued'cxplication cntre lui et M. Stuart avec qui mcme, coniu>e on vienl dc I'observcr, il n'eu aurait pu avoir (lapres sa deposition. On verra uitt'rieuremcnt des choses plus ctranges encore dans ce document. Etc'est pourtant sur cet affidavit, et sur cet ilavit scul, que M. Stuart s'appuie avec contiance pcur detruirc toutc la prcuve produite devant le Comit6, et consigner le nom de tous les temoins a la hontc et a I'infamic ! Mais pourquoi s'airetcrait-on pluslong-tems a la discussion de ce moyen'de M. Stuart, (in ne raisnnne point contre uu fait constate. 11 ya plus, il est avone par la parlie a la charge diiquci il est portc. Si dans cette occasion !\I. Stuart est tonibe d:Mis ' erreur.ct :nmcnt pourrait-on qualifier cette distraction de sa part dans uneoccasiiiu aussi solcnnelle, quand les circonstance, du moment, ct par-dcssus tout scs demarches et la conduite qu'il a tenue depuis pendant pres de trois ann6es, lui dounent un caractere si grave H 3 ° . Sui\ ant le memoirc, apres une courte explication St. Germain vint ^e presenter pour donner sa voix a M Stuart. L'autre Candidat s\i/ opposa. Sui- vant le mcmoire I'objcction au''a:t etc fondle sur le prvtexte qu'un droit ahsolu (/e /vo;>/7<7t''p()uvait scul donner le droit ^/c voter qui iw pouvait etrc reclame sur I'usufruit (I vie {t/Ji- estate) qu il s'rtait reserve dans la donation faite a son fds. C'e- tait, a entendre parlor M. Stuart, le jioint en contestation alors. M. Stuart aurait r^- pond u a cette objection, on vc niit pas mcme en question V existence de ce droit de reserve. Si ou axait exprime des doutcs d ce sujtt M. Stuarl, (\it-'\\ encore, aurait requis St. domain de produire son litre, l.c fait de la reserve fut reconnu, (ac- quiesccil in J voila qui est bien positif. Le fait de la reserve aurait etc avoue, M Stuart met de rimportancc Ace nioyen de fliit. II insiste sur ce point longue- mcnt, etfortemcnt. II pretend que les temoins I'ont supprim6 dans leur t<^moi- gnage, ct ceserait suivant lui dans des vues inicuies. II saisit cette occasion d'im. puter formelleuicnt aux temoins qui out paru devant le Coraite, Carididat et au. O trcs 106 tends (tnd imriisanx, two o if whom are still i.nder a churge nmom- this Candidate nlveriuru, and subornation of neriurij, a nHmmisjiu^Lnuxn,. r- u^ "'^ TAl^^^ already seen what should bo thought of this descnpt.on of .nsults 1- II I t L\ o, ,.,o»l •!« of the accusations against some ot the wit- ™si'« Ch ' w ;:; W ^^.onltd .l.»t.lu. i„.Slls have not even .1,0 liesscj. But lie c »c ■"»?'» rei>roai.h, if it liad aiiv foundiitioii. recoils cii- siadowof apietc ce; Out ";'.; .^^W i, not a »oi /in tiic o.idencc of the Col, to ' «:ucl cV" ite^^^ '-' oftliis reservation Having been ac,ui- coinnuucc \\ ii ui ^^ j question turned men ly on an alir'tntion, with- o::r'd";e^e ^1^ ^-vatiol" %Ir. Stuart asserts bl.ldly that a is a volui. Urv and c minal uppicssion. But if it bn a criminal suppression , ^vhat are we Shink of M Stua t who should himself be guilty of tins kind of suppression, n li cnes oV- s>crimi.al a nature? Wc have already seen what s huuld be louSu of 'the affidavits produced by him -, we shall soon see more,- th .t those S Unrl's'S sSl'ir^ell'even heyond indiscretion, if indeed the w.tr^sses tl erne vcs have not done -o. No mention whatever has ever been made of ts c in the arti.lavits; u..t even in th;,t of St. Germain! And nevertheless. £ w o!bes!desthi; latter, have deposed on the subject of t"'c election Messrs. We les. Vm. liHand, and Jones, were, by their own account daily ^t th e lec- t on were likewise at the poll. We may see that they took an active pa.t in no w th anding which, not on. . ftliem deposes to tins pretended act. I X Mr. Stuart had under his eyes the evidence given before the Con - initteTi -Mr Crebassa,(the Raurning Ollicei ) Notary, who had executed .is w St Gen lain's deed as those of Aussant, and others prosecuted by Mr. Stuart ? n/ ? X ,n. \cn !itted It is this Mr. Crebassa, Notary, (Ret ruing Ofhcor.) i^j nr^i- ced .Z U c Vommi.tce the two title-deeds of Aussant and St. Ger- nah/ wl ich b'-n a pa't <>< ^he Report. That ot St. Cierma.n contains no reser- va onr^^r does thai of Aussant. He deposes that St. (;ennau,. - - - ^i^ .sant. «' had made d„natioii of all his prop rly without reserve ; ... that t he I ad ,"; been the Returning O.neer. he should have to d tlie-n not c. vo e. L s he thou..ht when St Germain prcsenttd himscU to vole, tliat In. conia not I'tl^the oath without pcjurin^ himseli- And Mr. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ of orov'U.'the fact of the reciprocal acquiescence in this leseivation wliicli lie c to a bei g. in his eves, ol so much importance. th;,t he consuleis . alone su - ficic'.t foi hir,usl.iication, and an intallible means of tuumph over w.tnesse>. In. """ M? IllL^r^auil^'^liat the>7 s,.,ed L, tin ..n.s.s is ,„nrM, It may .n,.e.a omewlKU inered.bio that he could himself have lost sight ol the neces- si' ol pn i ig a fact, upon which he reUes, lor charguig these w.tnes-^s with a o un a v a .hm///no /v'supnression .,f truth ; which, .1 it were m fact a supp.es- ion V t itt 1 bv h n'lself. It may. however, still bo said w.t i truth, t at v"n mi.os.n.Mhattluntzs h .ppened in the manner he so confidently assures ,.?' V litl with re-ard to this reservation of a hte-estatr. we may already s^e nl r^ t uteucMo us from the following observati<.ns. that c-ven ,1 tl'i CIS., Mr. Stuart's conduct would be by no means excusable, and th t c cu ion brought against bun would not be the lee. grounded on lacts suf- ficient to support tht co.ni.laints made against him by the Assembly. . th Le us hear again uhai Mr. Stuartsays. lo ^,ve aculour to this r//«;-r.he say. "fit'sellood has been added, by represe.itiug St fJermain to l-- -e" re. 'Muctant in taking Mie oath, and to have been prt ssed by l.un. Mr. Stuart, to do •' xn who it is even falsely saiil, laid his hand on the book. Tlefacrs 1 question are verv simple ; facts the proof of which was neither , .,. '."^ '*''-.!.:„.,.„,, _to which if theiv liad been any to produce, it was c^':ii;ea:;.;';;;;|;«"':on.rar,. prool-: M .« ,1. ..roor of t,;csc .acts tlicniselvcs. 107 ; tres qui, dit-il, 6taient ac ses amis ct ses partisans, dont deux sont encore sous accusuttnn de parjure et de subornation de par jure, unefaussetc maliciense. On a d6j;i pu voir cc qH'on doit penser des insultes dc cette esp6ce, aussi am- plementprodiiruees, plus que de ces accusations centre quelqucs-uns des temoins. Mais ici onpeut s'ctonner que Ks insultes n'aient pas mt'me Tapparcnce d'unpre- texte, etquecc reproche. s'il etait fondr, retombe en entier sur M. Stuart lui- mOme. II n'y a pas, il est vrai, un mot dans le tcmoignago du Comitc qui puisse constatcr que lefaitde cette reserve ait cle avou6 (acquiesced in.) C'est tout le coutraire. II n'a etc question que d'une alienation sans reserve. M. Stuart avance hardimentque c'cstun'^ -'ippression volontaire et criminelle. Mais si c'est uno suppression crimin^'iio ft penser de M.Stuart, qui seserait ri.nducoupable centre iui-incme dc cette suf\ ession si criminelle a ses yeux ? On a d('j;i pu voir ce (ju'on devait peuser des affidavits qii'il aproduits, on verra encore davantage bien- tot que ceux qui se sont changes de les dresser ont pousse par fois, pour seryir sa cause.le/.ele au-dela mome dc i'indiscrction si ce ne sont [.as les temoins eux-memes. Cepeiulant il n'est pas le moins du monde question de ce fait dans ces affidavits, pas mime lans cehii de Sf . (lermain ! Et pourtant ceux qui, outre ce dernier, ont drpose rchitivemcnt a I'Election, iMessrs. Welles, Von ItHand, Jones etaienl do Icur avcu journeliement a cette eleelion, etaientde mrmeau Poli.^ On pcut voir qn ils y prenaient une part active. Et cependant aucun d'cux ne depose de ce pre- tcndu la it. Enfin, M. Stuart a eu sous les yeux It; temoignage donne dcvant le C-^iitc par M. Ciebassa, rOHicicr-UaiMiurtcur, No^aire, qui avait passe les Actes I St. (iermai!), aussi bien que ceux d Aussant, et autres poursuivis pour parjure piu' M. Stuart, elacquittcs. C'est M. Crcbassn, Xo'aire, Officier-Rapporteur, qui a produit dovaiit le Comite les deux litres dAussant et de St. Germain qui font parue du Kappoi t. Celui de St. Germain ne reni'erme pas plus de reserve que celui d'Aus- sant, 11 depose que " St. (icrmain ivait donne comme les autres ses biens sans " reserve qaesil u'avait pasc te OHicicr-Kapporteur il leur aurait dit de ne " pas voter." Enfin, " il pensait quand St. (iirmain s'est presente pour voter qu'il " nepouvait pas prendre le scrment sans s(j | arjurer." Et M. Stuart n'a pas memc songe a laire constater le I'ait de I'aveu rcciproque de cette reserve, qu'il invoque comme d'nnc imporuuicesi cssentielle a ses yeux, quil le croit seul ct de lui-memesnllisant pour sa justilicalion et pour le faire triomplier .le temoins ses enncmis acliarnis a sa perte ! M. Stnait jiri'tcnd que \c^ fails rapportcs par les /rmons sont iiicroi/ables.^ II pent p iraitre a-peii-prt s incroyable cjuil ait pu lui-mrme I'crdre de vue la neces- site- de'i pieuved'nnfiMtsurlequelil s'anphie pour reprocher a ces tdmoins /a supprr -/■«// volontaire dc h vatic qui scrait devenue son piopre ouvragc, si c'etait en etVe une suppression. II est pourtant encore vrai de dire que meme en sup- ])osant que les clioses se I'lissent passics, comme il rassiue avec taut de confiance, quand ileutcte question alors de cette rrservc d'usufVnit, on pent d ji voir, on vrrra plus clairement encore par la suite de ces observations que meme en ce cas la conduitc de M. Stuart ne serait nullement excusable, et que les accusations por- t('cs contrelui nen seraient pas moins appuyees • ir des fails suffisans pour soute- nir les plaintes que I'Asscmbh e a porties contre iui. 4 ^ Ecoutons encore M. Stuart " Pour colorer cette accusation d'un pre- " texte'" dit-il •' on a ajoutc Uxfaasscli' en reprisentant St. Germain comtne ayant «« tcmoigne de la repugnance ;i preter scrment, et que M. Stuart I'aurait presse " de le preter et Iui aurait mis la main sur le livre.'' II est ici question de fails tres-simples dont la preuve n'etait ni diti'.'Mle ni com- pliquee, a huiuclle il etait egalementaise d'opposcr une preuve contraire si on en avait une a produire. Quant u la preuve de ces laits eux-niomcs, elle a tte faite dcvant 108 it was established, in the clearest manner, before the Committee of the Assem- bly. It is precise. It is formal. It is the result of the evidence of Mr. Henry Trcbassa, Notary, Returning Officer, Mr. Nelson, a Candidate at the election, Mr. Cilackemcyer, Clerk of the Returning Officer, Alexis Paul Hus, and Mar- coux. U'c fin'd these fiicts again attested by the deposition of IMr, Narcissc Crebassa (annexed to the Report,) and given before the Committee of the As- sembly during the Session of eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, the period at which the same facts had already become the subject of enquiry, by a Committee of (»rievances, in the shape of specitic complaints, contained in the Petitions of the District of Montreal, in which the Borough of William Henry is situated. What does ^Ir. Stuart oppose to such decisive evidence? The manner in which he has, by the Memoir, treated this subject, has something not less mys- tcrious in it than what we have just seen, and it is ecjually inexplicable. Let us observe, in the tirst place, that amongst the fourteen aftida' its which he produces, in six only do the witnesses enter into the detail of whn' passed at the Election. In the others, in which it is nicntioned, ('■ • depositions have refe- rence only to some particular facts, or particular circi stances, which arc not called in ciuestion. it may now be added, that, with the avowed purpose of destroying the evidence produced before the Committee of the Assembly, be has annt-xed to his Memoir xhe afjidaiits, he says, of t!ie most irspfc/a/ilf Inlnihitanh u/' f/'ic Bo- roigli. Those whom he distinguishes by this epithet must, douln.css, be Mr. AVclles. the (iovernmcnts Agent for tiie Seirjniory, Mr. Jones, Lieutenant Co- lonel of Militia, and Doctor Von Iffland, ah of them ^* that time, Justices of the Peace in the place. It nny be seen, even by tii .r depositions, that they Wt re amongst his partisans. Wc shall have some remarks to make upon tliis subject. VVe shall content ourselves, for the moment, with again observing, that these gentlemen depose that " they were well acquainted with the )roccedings " which took place at the election,— they daily attended at the p' " One of them absented himself occasionlif unhj ; ihci/ woe pn .'it Xihcu inunij i ' the voters, jjrosccutCil since for perjury by Mr. Stuart, ^avc t/i votes, and ftiot, the oath. — .-^ll three /;6-arr/ M. Sclson urge them, in the most pressing mann r, to tufa- the with, kc, Pa, il, another personwhose atlidavit is produced by Mr. h..uart, makes the same statement. This latter, as well as Messr>. Jones and Von Itlland, were present when Antolnc Aussant, Francois Vnndiil, Nicolas Buckcr, and others, Mrosccnted bv Mr. Stuart, ctwir up to vote and took //.' oiith. Lastly, Hurke do- j)oscs also, in" his affidavit, that he h parlieular/ij acqi/rite' with the [Moceedings which took j)lace at this election ; he also attended at the poU, dailii, duri/ig its continuance. We may add, that, as wc have alre;uly been enabled to ob- serve, and as we can the better convince ourselves by reading the wlioK; oi' these athdavits, their contents are drawn in a manner favourable to Air. Stuart. There is not one of these witnesses w'lo sjcaks to a liict, or even to a cir- umstance, calculated to weaken the proof produced before the Comniittee; which, however, according to Mr. Stuart, would be but a tissue of fidselioods! Would it be possible that not one of them were pres -nt, or had tlie least Innnc- ledgc o/'uhat passed at the poll, on so important an occasion, or that not one of them paid the slightest attention to what passed with regard to this subject? If they were not ignorant of what passed on this subject, how could it have hap- pened that those persons, who collected these adidasits, and who in^st assuredly have neglected nothing in order to present Mr. Stuart's conduct, throughout the election, in the most favourable point of view, whilst, at the same time, they have traduced that of il'.e opposite Candidate, should have allowed this opportu- nity to escape them, — siiould have lost sight of a means infinately better cal- culated to defeat the »// 'ice and falsehood attributed to these witnesses by Mr. Stuaii.'" Lastly, that ihe laUehood of the evidence wiiich they gave before the Committee 109 devant le Comit6 de 1' Asscmblee de la manifcre la plus claire. Elle est i cise, elle est formclle. Elle rcsulte du temoignage de M. Henry Cr^bassa, Noiaue, Offi- cier-Rapporteur, Nelson, Candidal a I'Election, Glacketneyer, Commis de TOffi- cier-llapporteur, Alexis Paul llus ct Marcoiix. On trouve encore ccs fails attes- tcs par la deposition de M. Narcissc Crebassa, jointe au rapport etdonnee devant an Comite de I'A ;semb!ce, pendant la Session de mil-huit-cent-vingt-ncuf, epo- quea laqiielleles ...cmvs faits etaicnt devenus dej;\ I'objet de I'examen d'un Co- mite de Griefs sur des plaintes articulces dans les Petitions du District de Mon- treal, dans lequel le Bourg de William Henry est situe. Qu'oppose M. Si'iart a une prcuve aussi decisive ? La raanifere dont il a traitecesujetdans le m^moire a qaelque chose qui n'est pas moins mystdneux que ce que Ton vient de voir et est egalement inexplicable. Observor.s d'abord que parmi les quatorze affidavits qu'il produit, il ne s'eii trouve que six dans lesqiiels les t^moins entrent dans des details sur ce qui s'est pasae ;\ lelection de Sorel. Dans les autres dans lesquels il en est park', les depo- sitions n'ont rapport qu' quelques fails particuliers ou ;\ des circonstances qui le sont de mcme.ouiln'en :st p. s memo question. , , , , , . II faut ajouterinaintenant, que dans le dessein avoue de detruire le temoi- Tnage produit devant le Coniitc de I'Assembke, il a annexe a son me'moirt des affidavit'! des hahitnns, dit-il,lcs plus respectables du Bourg. Ceux qu'il qualitie par cette epithcte dolvent ctre sans doute M. Welles, l'Ai?ent de la Seigneune pour leGouvernemer', M. Jones, Licutc:iant Colonel de Milice, M. le ])octeur Von Iffland, toustr Juges a Paix dans I'endroit alors. On pent voir mfir-.e par lours depositions qii'ils etaicnt du nombrc de ses partisans. On aura quelques re- marques a frre sur cesujct. On sc contentera pour ce moment d'observer de nouveau que ces Messieurs dtposcnt quils " connairient bien ce qui s'est "passe a. I'c'.ection, ils I'tainit joiirncllcment au Poll,' I'un d'eux " nc •• s'en absent-lit que par ocL.asion, ils tlaient quand plusieuis des vo- " tenrs," poursuivis depr.is pour parjure par M. Stuart ont donne Icur rvix et pretc scrment. Toms t.oi, ont «' cut ndu M. Nelson les « engager " de la nianiire la nlus prcssanto dc pritcr sernient &c." Paul autre personnc dont iM. Stu Mt produit aussi 1', liidavit en dit aut ..it. Ce dernier ainsique M. Jones ct M.Von IllliMdctaient prrsens qiiaud Antuinc Aussaiu, . miguis Vandal, Nice liH liuchnr, et aut.es, j ,,uisuivis par M. ituart se ^oiM prcscntes pour donner lew roi.r et ont prrtc scniieut. Enfin Ht.rke, c.<''pose ai"'t donne devant le Comite de 1' Assemb!. ? Ce serait une enigme si ^ on no Committee should not have been proved by facts? It would be an enigma, if we could think that it had, in fact, been possible for Mr. Stuart, or his friends, to make, with any hope of success, an attempt to destroy this testimony, by the depositions of those whose affidavits are annexed to the Memoir. Be&idcs, some of those, who made these affidavits, were witnesses at the trial of thost whom Mr, Stuart prosecuted for perjury, ;vnd who were acqiutted. Some of these witnesses have sworn, by iheir affidavits, that they were preserit in Court Mr Stuart could not bo ignorant of the facts wUicii were within their knowledge He could and sliould have interrogatrd them ou all these subjects. It was at°loast as essential to prove these facts, wit'i reference to this charge, as it could have been to prove them at the trial. \h ^ happened it that, with this mass of evidence at his disposal, he could not obt ,1 a verdict against these ac- cused parties ? , / xi /-I ■»* 1 Not being able to destroy the evidence given before the Committee, by the affidavits of the /)t'r.s()/?.v //; /lit' JioroNgfi, who, from the rank and education possessed by them, as Colonel of Militia, Magistrate, c^c. c'cc. were mo.sl respcc- W' 'he has recourse to the afhdavit of St. Cermain, himself siamed with the offence of having taken an oath, in respect of a stipulation which is not to be found in the deed, on v.hich he swore, and in 1 -ncct of a right as vague and indefinite as that of which he had given an acc(;... it to Mr Stuart himself, ac- cordiii"- to his Mr. Stuart's own account, who, however, had persuaded him to take the oath. This is, indeed, proceeding from enigma to enigma. More this St. (Jerma'U is, as we have seen, an illiterate 1 uui. According to Mr Stuart's avowal, he can iwithcr read nor \aitv. Let us )w come to his own deposition. We must, however, above a'', remark, llial he is seven/ij nine years ofa8 to be fonnci in this affidavit? .'\ conversation with Mr. Nelson, and with Mr, Nelson onlv, is mentioned in it upon the subject of the reservation lu question ! I'irst, we must remark, tiiat he begins, in this alfidavit, by mentioning the con- tract in which should have lieeu found the reservation of whicii we have spoken, in Mich a manner as to induce ns to think that he has a most retentive memory, without, however, i)ointing out more than a life estate in one or other oj txco homes. But no mention is made of lands, as in the explanations given, accord- ing to the memoir, to Mr Stn; rt, nor of iao apartments oiili/, as lu the afhdavits of Messrs. Jones and Von Iffiand. Immediately after he introduces Mr. iNel- son, who, he says, came to him on the evening of thejirst day of tiie election tu solicit his rol^; and to whom he stated that he had a reservation, and xcho told him that he had a right to rote, and that if " ani/ dijjicullij -was made ahoitt it at the polL lie -uould soon put an end to it." Ho adds, " that he did not promise Mr. Nelson, to vote for him." What docs he do ? Continuing \ latter advised him " to take Mr. Stuart's advice. St. Ger- ] i Ill on pouvaitcroirequ'il eiUaccn eftbt possible a M. Stuart ou k ses amis de faire avec quelqu'espoir dc siicccs la tentative de detruue ce tcmoignage par les dcpo- sitions de ceiix dont les affidavits se trouvent joints au memoue. D'ailleurs, qiielques-uns de ccux qui out donnc ccs affidavits ctaient tcmoins dans les procrs fails a ccux que M. Stuart a poursuivis pour parjurc ct quiontmoire pent n'dre ni tres-fcrmo iii trcs-exacte a cot age. Au- cunt'decesc.MisidOrations r.'ont ancle les amis dc M. Stuart qui lui out mi^tne inspiiOiinecouHance cnti. re dans sa deposition ct dont on voit qu il exprime le sentiment sans reserve. Voyons maintenant ce ([uou doit penscr de ce docu- ment. ^, ^ -^ 1 1' • On a vu par les atlidavits que Ton vient de citcr que St. Germain avait le dcsir dc voter pour M. Stuart. II sVtait adresse a M. Von llHand pour lui parler de son dessein et de la reserve sur laquelle il appuyait sa pretention au droit de sut- f'rage. v'ciui-ci lui avait donnc pour Conscil de " prendre I'avis 'le M. Stuart. St. " Germain lui avait dit depuis qu'il avait etc prendre son avis." M. Jones a qui il sctait adre.-se dc mcme ct qui lui avait donnc la memc avis, sail quil avait (te consultcr M. Stinirt a son hols: St. (icrmain iv. ait encore eu avec Burke des con- versations dans le memo sens qu'avec M.Jones et M. Von llHand. Lnhn, sui- vant M. Stuart, il avail cu avec St. Germain unc courte explication en se rendunt an Poll. \'oil.'i des tcnioignages asscz circonstancirs sur eel article. Que penscr maintenant, en songcant qu'il ne so trouve pas un mot de tout ccla dans cet affidavit ? Ccst dc conversation avec M. Nelson, uniquemcnt avec M. Nei on, sur l'..irticle de cette reserve dont il est question ! , , ,, 11 laiit dire d'abord qu'il commence dans cet affidavit par artu uler le Lontiat dans l-quclauraildu se trouver la reserve dont a parle, de inanicre a fane croire (lu'il a une manoire cxacte, sans pourlant indiqucr autre chose qu un droit cl usu- tiuit a vie sur iune ou Vantre dc deux maisons. Mais il nest point question cle lerrcs, coinmc dans les explications donnees a M. Stuart suivant le mcmoire ni simplement dc deu.r appariemens, commc dans I'anidavit ct M. Jones et M. V on Irtland. ■ r* -1 7 .. ;.. Ccst imm(:-diatemcnt a la suite qu'H en vient a M.Nelson qui, i\vU\,le sotr du premier jour de Vitection lui est vena dcmander savour, ct auquel li aditquii avait une rrservcet qui lui at/// qu'il avail droit de voter, et quest <>,\'''' {ff"^ quelque diflicuUc., il saurait lien I' en tirer. 11 ajoute qu'il nc promit pas a M. JSelson ilc voter pour lui. Que lait-il ? Continuant 112 Continuing by adding that finvin<>- made up his mind la vote for the mid Jame.i Stuart, it might be supposed that he is about to alUide to those consultations or explaualions with Messrs. Jones, Von ItHand, and Burk( jr witi> Mr. Stuart. He did not apparently feel the necersity of this ; liaving ma, c up his- mind. I low- ever, in order the better to satis/j/ himself, he says, " as tj .us right of voting, «' and to obtain advice upon this subject, he went to M.. Henry (^rebassa, be- "fore whom the deed of gilt had been executed,'" that in which should have been found this reservation. Mr. Crebassa " nfascd to give him anj/ inlhi-ma. tion vr advice on the suhjcct.' « , . It might be thought that, at that time, he must have been desirous of taking the advice of the other deponents, or of Mr. Stuart. It seems to me that lie should at least sav something as to the explanations which he had had with them upon this subject, in order to take a decided part. The contrary is the case. Mr. Crebassa refused to advise him. •' I'pou this, he again immediately deposes thiit " he left him confirmed in the belief of his right to vote!' His conclusion docs not flow from the premises. But, lastly, he immediately adds, " that ho « went to the poll to give his vote I ll. U when Mr. Henry Crebassa asked him " for whom he would vote, he declared himself desirous of giving it to Mr. •' Stuart." This is not all. Arrived at the ♦' poll, an altcrc Mon took place, during '« which he withdrew from the table ; he returned soon .Iter. We should think that it w.^s the affair of a moment, that he withdrew f oiu the table, in order to return again almost immediately. He docs not mnke any mention of the re- moval of the poll to another house, a fact upon which the witnesses produced before the Committee agree, and it is affirmi d by Mr. Stuart. Neither does he speak of the explanation which Mf. Stuait mentions to l-avo had with him, on coming to this new poll. He hid retired from the table ; he returned a short time afterwards, and took he says) " the oath of qualification to entitle him to " vote, in the sincere and firm belief that the said ilcod of gift" contained the resena'ion in question. This is not enough in his opinion, to convince us of his sincerity on this oc- casion ; he adds that this belief still esi.ts fnn\ij in his soul and conscience.-* it should be observed that he ag lin adds that he took the oath vi :;inlarilij, and >f his o-ivnfree will and accord. Hcbi-cms to have considered these rtiteratcd idtirmations necessary in ortler to come to this declaration, that it was the said Crebassa, leho put the Ilolif Evangelists into his hand to hiss ! Who would think that he was otherwise than satisfied or what he had said in order to atteh- the willing- ness WITH WHICH HE TOOK THE OATH. Ouc caunol di.iue what scruple annoys him upon this subject. A^'ain, he deposes that he did not hesitate to /,iss the Holij Evangelists, and the reason is, he says, because " he felt no repugnance xthatever to take the oath, being convinced that he had a tight to do so, in virtue nfllie said reservation."' Again h/ gives another reason ; it was not in consequence ot Mr. Stuart's explanations, nor on account of his conversation with .Messrs. Jones, Von Iffland, und Burke, still less on account of that with Mr. Crebassa, on whose refu.sal to advise him he left, " convinced of his right to lole." Mr. Nel.son is now again introduced : he was "-convinced," he says, that he ♦' had a right to ••take the oath, havini: already, at the solicitation of Mr. Nelson, voted in fa- •• vour of two Memb'?rs lor the County of Richelieu, in which the said Borough " (of William Henry) is situated." B'l.t he docs mention when this occurred. After swearing thus formally, and repeatedly as to the freedom with which he took the oath entirely of his oxen accord; as to the absence of all hesitation, of • S)mc of th<' words which are to Im found \wre, such w " i;i Am anul ami coiurirnrr," kc. arc not to bo fonr-'i !•• ll!" tra!\«l»ii"n "t'tlii- oriviiiiil afliih.vit i>( .St. (ii'rniuiii. which iii ill I'reiich : lioth the oriifiuul aud UjMn- latiou bciBg contaiucd iu the ApiK'udix to Mr. StUMt'u Mcmoii, wc were guided hy the ori^iual. 113 Continuant par ajoiiter q^'ayant forme la rcsoluthn da voter pour James Stuart, on uoiirrait rroire quit vaMire qiiel(iiie cliose de ses consultations ou explications avec MM lones, Von Ifflancl ot lUuke, on avec M. Stuart. II n'cn sentait pas inmremmcnt le besoin iiymtjomif sa resolution. Cependant pnir se sattsfatre il t il " «le plus en plus siir son droit de voter," et sc «• consulter ;\ ce snjet, il '• -dla tronver M. Henry Crebassa, qui avait passe son Acta de donation,' celui dans le(iuel devait sc tronver cctte reserve. M. Crebassa rcjusa de Im donner au- cunc conniiissance ou conseil a ce sujet. On p ir-ait penscr maintcnant qn'ii aurait pii son^er a alter iircndrc avis des autres^A>AWJ.«oii de M. Stuart, il devraitcc semble dire au moms queique chose (les explications nuil avait cues avec cux a ce sujct, pour prendre son parti. C'est tout lecontriirc. M. Cribassa a refuse de lui doiuicr Conseil, la-dessus, dcpoes pour en venir eunn a declarer que c'est " le dit Crebassa qui lui a donne a baiser «' les Saints Evangili s !" . ^ . , ,■, ,•. ... • t Qui croirait qu'il ne dut pas etre satisfait de ceqii d a dit pour attester iali- bcrtc avec laqnt.-lle il avait fait serment. On ne pent dcviner quelle espece de scrupule le tourinente ;\ ce sujet. II depose encore " qu'ii n'hcsita j^as a baiser les nance droit a est pas " Saints Evan-iles. et la raison cest, dit-il.parce qu'il nescnt't aucune rcnug «« a prendre le serment, en autant qu'il aait convaincu qu'd en avait le d •• cause de la dite reserve." II en donne une autre raison encore; ce n'e d'apres ies explications de M. Stuart, ni d'apres !vs conversations avec M. Jones, M Von HHind ct M. Burke, encore moius de M. Crebassa surle letus duquelde lui donner cousc'! il ctoil parti sati'ifait de ^un droit, pour allcr voter. C'est encore M Nelscn qui : ovient sur les rangs, il etait, dit-il, " convaincu qu'il en avait le " droit parce (ui'il avait dt'ja vote a la sollicitation de M. Nelson pour deux mem- «« bres du Comte de Richelieu dans lequel est situii le dit Bourg, "(de William Henry) niaisil nc dit pas quandcela est arrive. ^ „ ., r • Apriis ces affirmations formellcsetirpetees surla liberte avec laquelle li a fait serment enlierement de Li mcinc sur I'absjiice de toute •• hesitation, de touter^pu- •• gnance quelconque ;\ le prctcr" on pent concevoir aisimeut qu'il soit comme il • Oucl.nipi-imM 'Irs paroles (lu'on remarniie i. i, ce\\e qtie " par mon dme et ma comcienre" &c., ne se tro* I i).-urdans i» v..>ioM nuU-iio r-.illi.l«viloiij;iuai |,.u- St. (IcruKiin,-!.!; n ete fwt en iKngue tn-,r,.;a.se ; \ c-ngniRl a que la vcrsiou augliiisc se troiivcut duus TAppendicc «u memoire par M. tJtuait ; uous avous smvi I original. T«ni ftiubi J14 of all repugnance whatever to take it, we may easily conceive that he is, as he tleclares " nositive in affirming, upon his oath, that the said Jamcy Stuart never " touched his hand for the purpose of placing it on the Holy Kvangelists." Such are the subjects upon which his memoir is perfectly faithful. Then he immediately adds, and one can hardly toll why, that " he thinks ihat one linrkc was present ," he is the only one whom he rcujembers ; this is worthy of remark j " hut does not recollect the mimes of the other persons." But he is also well ac- quainted with »'- .inual value of the houses, which he imagines were included in the reservation. Tlien he swears " tliat he has never spoken to the said James Stuart since he voted for him, and does nut recollect to hare ever spoken to him iHjfore.'' Hence it may he asked, how Mr. Stuart could have taken upon him- self toassLTc him that he had a right to vote, and to take the oath required of him, in order to qualify himself? And yd he swears *« that the said James Stuart, " at the poll, told the Deponent that, on the life-estate which he had reserved •' to himself, he clearly had a right to vote." To crown t\m ehe/'d'(eui re of i\u aflidivit, he says, "that he is seientij-niiie i/ears o!d ;'' and this is a preface to another f.«ct, to which he swears, saying, that " he is in the JuU cnjoi/ment of his Jcieidties, and in good health." We may con- ceive, that an explanation of this kind, as to thi" state of his faculties, and of his health, was important, and still more so thui which follows, the necess ; of which .ve shall feci, after what we have seen of the use he makes of hhj'acnllies : " he recollects perlirtti/" \\j says, " all that took place at the said election, in the " year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, when he gave his vote." He makes no exception ; after which he again declares, that " he has no other *' motive for making this deposition than the desire to render homage to truth "andjusti '••" What homage? We cannot he surprised now to see him con- clude by ( laring "that he cannot sign his name!" One cannot he astonished, that the Magistrate who received this deposition, surpriseil as he must have been, at its contents, should as he remarks at the bot- tom of the 1 'position, have taken the trouble of reading and explaining it to the witness belore administering the oath to him. Who could have bocn otherwise than strut k with its strange contents? And how could a man "in the enjoi/menf if all his Jih allies'' have signed it after these explanation*, supj)osing even he was ill as good health as he declares himself lo have been? It is this atlidavit, however, that Mr. Stuart confidently opposes to the evi- d.nico received before the Conunittee? This confidence is explained, when v\e consider Mr. Stuart's repeated assertions as to the irregularity the pretended nullify of the proof received befbie the Committee, nmler the pretence that it had not been given with the sanction of an oath ! If the doctrine which he pre- t.Muls tosapport throuuhout the memoir were well-founded ; if thisevidei ce were actually void, on account of its not having been taken ujun oath; he was not if) wint of a sing'e affidavit of St. (ierinain. lie should even have perceived that, iiir from serving his cause, a deposition of so strange a nature w.; . only calculated to give it an air of ridicule, and to deceive him who svould entkavour to lely 01) it. 1 think I li.ive now shown, not only by undeniable proof", but even accoril- i'lgto Mr. ."^tiiart's own avowal, that his conduct, with reference to St. (Jermain's \(Ue and oath, is inexcusable. It may, however, be said with truth, that it may still be looked at in a ])oint of view calculated to make more apparent, if pos. sible, the exactness of the conchisions which flow from the facts that I have stated, and |)!ace in a still clearer light, the truth and th-^ justice of the obser- vations which relate to this portion of the memoir. We must now be convinced that the Reports of the Assembly by no means relate to ordinary offences ; to the faults of an individual ; to insulated frai».s in Ids conduct: and it i:> now alike in)possiblc not to sec that it is the '.^ut ensemble of ■ I 115 led/clare "po8itif;\ affirnier sou; son (lit sernient que lui le :it James Stuait ne '< lui a pas pris la main pour la muttre sur tes Saints Evangilcs.'* Tela sont Ics objcts f r lesquels sa m(imoire est d'une fidelit^; exacte. Alors il ajoutc aussit6t, et on nesait pouiquoi, que le m»nme. liiuke etait prhcnt, (c'cst le sen! dont il ait souvcnance. Cela est digne de remarque.) Mais ne se rappelle /;,.- ies tiom.s d'autrrs pcr.sotmes. Mais il sait bien aussi ce que valent annuelle- ment Ics maisons qu"il se croit rct, wlwt are we to say of Mr. Stuart's proceedings on this occasion, if **( "'*' viiem in connection with his conduct during the election; ■Mid »ith that t wdfils observe !, duiiug nearly three years, with reference to the f Ji-rlWs .,i So ' C^*''"''"" Henry, ) by instituting and supporting, with n constaniv w.ort!.v of a ., 'ter eaiise, the proseci/timis fur perjuu which he li;id (lirretcaVuinst'tiiem in the Criminal Courts > h must be borne in mind that Ih(*»e iki-e the steps of an Attorney General, u ho .xercises exclusively in the ]»/m ince the functions of prosecutor iu tho Courts; tiiat he is the a luili a rij (f Me*. < .urh ami of the Grand JuiUs. It is ho who tells us tlrs in his memoir. Let us. #fKP»ldos, observe tliat Mr. Stuatt cau'ioi now U| hold that St. (Jermain had the U.utp' ■■ih!c right to vote at the Siv>rel Klec tion, still less to qualify himself inr doii.g s, bv the oath which he tcok, in onlcr to affirm this imaginary riglit. Without" mei/l'ioniug the evidence produced before the Committee of tlfe Assemhlv, it is estahlislietl, by Mr. Stuart's uiemoir, that he certainly did not in this vcspcet take that precaution, the necessity < f which the most ordinary prudence must have simu'esfed to him, in order to satisfy himself that St. Cer- main had a ri /lit to take this oath. Vm\i:\- these circumstauces, this voter might easly consider himself asstired of impunity, even ihoiigli it should not be proved that he had been \ romised it from the mouth of the Attorney (iencral, who pre- vailed upon him to attest his ii<;ht by an act of religion of so solemn a character. This step on tlic part «)f Mr. StuaVt. would have been worse than imprudent, even su| posin,? 'hut St. (iermain had been a luurh more enlightened man, and that he luul conveyed to him clear and jiositive idcns, instead of these vigue ex- planations, relative to a rij^ht which was itself not loss Vigue, according to t!ie account given hy Mr. Stuart as to his conversation with him. However, if all ended t'lerc, ve might perhaps still find some reasons for - tense or indulgence in favour of a man cariied away by the ngitnlion ordinarily tcndanton as'.arplv contested election. Hut this agitation over, how could he in iaet have done otherwise than (eel, first, the injustice of instituting, and after- wnrds of per>istiug in sustaining, these prosecutions? Did it never strike him that thesp iinfo tunate men mi Jit have been led into that which might perhaps at that time lia\ . been considered perjury, by the example of St. 'Jermain, and by the assurance which Mr. Stuart had liinisclf given at the poll, that this man had a !i,'.'hl to qualdv himself bv oaili? It is possible, that, at the time immedi- ately subsequent to 'the election', th.' idea of probing to the bottom in order to asiilre himself of St. (Jermain's right of suffrage, did not strike Mr. Stuart; but how could l:e have done otherwise than feel ihe necessity of it, upon secuig the entire I'rovinc • concetratc its attention iij)oii these prosecutions, and comj.laiii of them as acts of injustice ' 'J^heek- ion took placeat theendof July. It was a short time subsequent to the I lection that lie instituted some of these priisecutions in the regular sitting of the Court of King's Iknch for criminal matters* in the first days of Septeinbei. 182?. He • There »r«" no AskizM or ( irniitu for Criininul biifiinMS in l.owor faimda. In the f stf'i ,i «juH*t »iHl Moi.trfal lii.T.- iirr, m r«, Ii ).-h., l«.. t. rm-. duriiii,r whirh the rotirt rf Kiiij; »v\t\j in criuii.iil matters. lu tlie uttier'tfriiis, ibis Court c»n excniue juruidictiou lu civil matters ouly. I>'«ti iHl of 5 occupied 117 de nc pas voir que c'est tout rctiscmble dc cette condiiitc qii'il faut examiner, ct „iril faut la consklcrtr dans dcs rnppdrts nnalogues k r^tcnduect k I'unportance Jcs tbnctions dont il iHait dnnpt-.. Jc vciix me l)orncr dans cc moment a ne con- sidercr Ics nlaintes de I'AHsembke stir cot ailiclo, que dans Icurs rapports avcc les autrcsd^'marchesincrimii.ecs de M. Stiiait, qui se tient numrdiP'.t.u ont au sujet de lacciisation dcmt il est question dans cctte partie du mcmoire. On doit sentir actucllcmL>nt la \\n*v dc la vemarque qui sc trouvc un pen plus haut (luand bicn-mCmc M. Stuart aurait fourni la prcuve do plusieurs dcs iaits nn'il'articulc gratuitomcnt pour se justificr, {'accusation dc rAsscinblcc sur cet obiet on iiarticulier, n'cn serait pas. moinssullisamment appuyt'e. hn cflet, que dire des d.'m irchcsdc M. Stuart dans ccttn occasion, si on les considcre dans leuis rap- Dorts avcc sa conduitc pendant tout le cours de rKleclion, et avcc cellc (pi il a te- micensiiiteDcndant pies de trois au.oej, rclativemcnt aux Electcurs de Sore! rWilliam Henry) en intentant ct sotitoi ..nt avcc unc Constance dignc d unemeii- icurc cause Ics acci sations de parjuro «iuil av ut porti'cs contic eux dans Ics Cours Criminolles ? II faul sc rappeic: pic cc sotit les demarches d'un I'rocurour-Ge- II T'd qui cxerce cxclusivemcnt (.,uis la Province Ics fonctions d'accusateur dans COS Cours, qu'il est Vatuiliairr dc ccs -«Mr.y etdrs /rf.ndsjiiu's, c'cstlui mome pil nous en ini'orme d ms son mcmoire. ( »bscrvon8 on cutic que M. Stuart ne saurait nijintonant soutcnir (juc St. (icrmain ait cu lo nioins du morule Ic droit dc donner sVvoix a I'clcction dc Sorcl, encore ...oiiis do "y qualifier par le scnnont qi'il a nWtr pour attestor cc droit ima-i;iairc. Sans parlor dos prcuvc.s prod.nlcs dovant L C..mitc de I'Asscmbloc, il est constant d aprcs le m. moire de M. btuart, qu il n'avait «uremcnt pas pris a cet c; ,ard les prooautions dont la prudence la plus or- dinure d^vait lui sugi-erer la noccss.t • pour s'assurcr que St. Germain cO ic droit .'w pater ro «:'rment.' Dans ces oirconstanccs, cot (flccteur pouvait aisoment se CO reassure de I'imnuuito, (piaud bion-momo il v.c serait pas pnuivequ il en avait cu ra^-urance dc la bo.icbc du I'roc Mour-(; nal qui rcu-ai.eait ;\ attestcr son droit par un Actc de Religion aussi solcniiol. II y aurait cu plus ipic dc I impru- donce dauo cctte demarche do M.Stuart, en supposant momc que St. Germain eut (tc un hommc bcaucoop plus tolaiiv. et qu'il liiiout f.it part d idccsclaircs et po- sitives an lieu de cos explications values, roluivcmcnt a un drou qui n aurait pas etc moius vague lui mome, 'daprcs le comjjte que .M. Stuart a rendu i! • sa conver- sation avcc lui. Cepcndantsitoutfiuissaitl", on pourrait pcut-ctro encore trouvor quclqucs motif's d'excusesoud'iiululgeucc eu favour d'uu liommo emportc par le tourbillon des a-'itations qui accompagueut orduKurcmcnt iiuc oloctiou vivcmcnt oiitestoe. Mais"endu ;^ lui memc, co nmeut a-t il pu ne pas scntir euhii. d abord in|ustice d'iutor'cr. ot ensuite de pcrsister a soutouir ces :'.cci;s itions ? Ne lui csi il jimais vcnudansia pensce (jUO ces intbrtuues nouvaicMit avoir et' entrauus dans ce qu il avait pu dans le moment regardor conuuc \v.\ uatjuic pur 1 exemjilo dc St. ( rmain, et par rassuranccque M. Stuait Ini-momeavait donii • an Toll q ;e cet liomL^e avait le droit de se qualifier par scrmeut ? . i-i- i Dans les premiers terns qui out stiivi rolcction, d sc pourrait que I idc. (fc re- monter a la source pour s'assurcr du droit d • St. Germain a donucr son s fhage nc se fut pas proscntoe a \1. Stuart ; mais comment a-t il pu n en pas sentii iane- ccssile, quand il a vu la Trovlnce cntic-ro concrntrer son attcutiuu sur ces pour- suites, et s'en plaindrc commc ti'actcs d'injustice ? ^ L'Election setait faite ;» la fin dc .luiUet. Cost pen dc tems aprcs 1 eU tion qu'il porta une partie dcccs accusations au terme regulior de la ('our du Bai cdu Hoi pour les maticres Criminclles • dans les premiers jours de Septembre 1 ^'27. • 11 n'y a poinl d'assUses, de Cours de Circuit, pour les proctV Ciiniiiiels aans Ic Bns-Can.ida. D» > les r,:. ,Hi- de "mM.-.- -t .l- Mnntriial. il v a clm.i»e aiuu'.' deux ternies de In (our du Banc (I u Ho. uni.iucinei.t ion- Mcri'saux uflTiires (.rimiucUes. Daus ies autrcs tciuies, cctte Lour uc (.cut exencr do Juris JictiOii que si., les matidres Civiics. 118 He submitted them to the Grand Jurymen of this Court, by whom they were thrown out, and not simply ignored, an expression used f)y Mr. Stuart in his ll< Dort to Sir James Kempt, of which we shall speak by-and-bj;e. He then oluained a special Court of Oj/cr and Terminer in the November following. It was not for the purpose of taking cognizance of crimes winch threatened the government and public order with a total overtlirow ; and this extraordinary means was not hati recourse to, in order immediately powerfully U: stem th'c overflow of this torrent ; but he occupied himself chiefly in bringing on the carpet these prosecutions, and others relating to offences committed at the elec- tion, rejected by the Grand Jury of the Court of King's Bench, and he at the same time instituted fresh prosecutions of a similar nature, and also those in respect of libels, but all exclusively instituted in the first place against those who had acted or voted against him at tlie William Henry Election; and second- Iv : against those who had otherwise acted in views or interests, opposed to those of an arbitrary and violent conduct which he supported, and of which he was the most outre partisan. But the Parliament met in the month of November, 18'28, and continued sitting until March, ISQi). During this time petitions had been presented to the different brauilies t.f the Legislature, complaining of the conduct observed ; particularly that of the Attorney Ceneral, with reference to these prosecutions. The result of the enquiries of the Assembly, and of the evidence submitted to it, was that no circumstance could justify the necessity of these special Courts of Oyer and Terminer generally, but above all, that far from instituting in these Courtb prosecutions for the purpose of delivering the prisons if they were crowd- fd, the Attorney CJeneral, who had probably required that this Court should be held, and whose oi)inion on this subject must have had the greatest wcigh.t, em- ployed himself, as we have already observed, principally in carrying on prosecu- tions in respect of offences which do not lead to the necessity of detaining in prison, him who is the object of them, if he can give bail for his appearance, which was done by those who were accused of ofl'ences, more particularly in question. The Assembly then couiplaitied, as it has done this year, of the At- torney Generals partiality and injustice in tiic exclusive choice which he made of those who belonged to the party opposed to that wliich to which he was at- tached, or who Iwtl acted in au interest directly opposed to his own, in order to carry on prosecutions ii/' Oj/er ami Terminer of November, 1827, the same prosecutions as those which had been rejected by the Grand Jury of the Court of King's IJciich two months before. The Houso complained, wit!; t!;0 mucli reason, of the maimer in which the body of Ciand Jurymen of this special (.ouit was composed ; j)artly of persons, who had acted a very warm part in the election of Montreal, the most important election of the District in which Soiel (William Henry) is situated, and at which these Jurymen had acted iu the same interest as that to which Mr. Stuait was himself attached, and in which he was supportcil by the active steps of t le Governor, who hail, as we have seen, acteil in concert with him, in furtherance of his election. " Tlie Foreman n/'tlii.s Grand .liiri/ had himself' been one oj' the -aarmest partisans o/' the ansacrcss/hl Candidates, .md (bund, in conjunction with his brethren, bills for offences imputed tu those who had acleil iii o|ipo lion to his wi'-hcs, and to the party to which lie had been attached at this ele. tion, which had been warmly contested. This Foreman a'fl.v one 0/ the rerij persons aileixcd to haxr been assaulted bij some of the accused parties. In fine, the Grand Jurymen uf this Court were not all of them even entitled to exercise all the rights of a citizen, [citoijens act\fs,] some of them had not even any real property." But for the icar of prolonging this discussion, we might remark with what ;i m 119 il lessoumit aux Grands-Jurcs de cette Cour par lesquels elles fi'M-i-.t rejetees et non pas simplement/^nore'fs, mot dont M. Stuart s'est servi dans son rapport a Sir James Kempt, dont il sera ultcrieurement question. II obtient alors uue Cour JSpeciale d'Oifer et Terminer en Novembre suivant. Cen'ctaitpas pour prendre connaissance de ces crimes qui mena9aient le Gouvernement et i'ordre public dun renversement total, si on ne recourait pas a ce moyen extraordinaire pour oppo- serde suite une digue puissante au dcbordement dc ce torrent. Maisii s'occiipe principalement ;\ remettresur le tapis ces accusations et autres relatives a des de- lits dVlection, rejetees par les grands jur<^'S de la Cour du Banc du Roi, et il en porta en meme terns de nouvcllesde la incme nature, avec cellesqui avaient rap- port ^ des libelles diffamatoires, mais toutes exclusivcment intcntees d'abord con- tre ceux qui avaient agi ou \otc' centre lui duns I'clection de William Henry et en second lieu contre ceux qui avaient agi ailleurs dans des vues ou des int^rftts opposes a ceux d'une administration arbitraire et violente dont il se montrait I'ap- pui et le p.irtisan le plus o\i\.v(\ ]\rais le Parlement s'assembia dans le mois de Novembre 1828, et la Session se prolonjea jusqu'en Mars 1 829. Pendant ce terns, des llequc'tes avaient <';te .idresstes aux difterentes branches de U Legislature, contre la conduite que I'on tenait, et en particulier de celle de M. le Procureur-Gcneral, relativement a ces poursuites II resulta de rexamcn dc I'Assemblee et des preuves produitcs devant elle, ijuaucune circonstance ne pouvant justi er le nucessite de ces Conrs spt'ciiiks d'O- iji'r et I'erminer vn general, mais par- .^ ssus tout, que bien loin de s'attacher a porter dans celle-ci des accusations pour vidcr les Prisons si elles avaient etc en- combroes, le Procurciii--ii(;ncial, qui probablement avait demande la tcnue de cette Cour, dont I'opiniou devrait avoir 1.^ plus grand poids sur cette maticre, s'^- tait comme on I'a d^ja observe, attache principalement A porter des accusaticns pour des dclits qui n'entraincnt pas la nccessite dc tenir dans les Prisons celui qui en est I'objet, s'il pent doinier caution i)our sa comparution, ce que firent ceux qui etaient accuses des delits dont il est ici plus particulierement quciition. L'As- semblce se plaignantalor^ comme elle I'a fait cette annce de la partialite et de linjusticede M. le Procurvun-Gi'iicral dans le clioix exclusifqu'il t'aisait de ceux qui appartenaicnt au parti contraire a cehiiauquel iUtait attache, ou qui avaient agi directomcnt dans un inteict oppose au sicn, pour porter contre eux des accu- sations. Elle lui reprochait davoir reporte devant ccUe Cour spcciak- cVOijer d 7fc'»*wi/Her de Novembre 18'^7> li-'-* mimes accusations que cellcs que les Grands .lures de la Cour du Baucdu Roi avaient rojotCL's, une couple de mois auparavant. Kile se plaignait avec trop de raison du scauda e de la composition du corps des (irands . lures de cette Cour spciale, forme cu pirtic dc personnes qui (ivaicnt agi comme cliaud p irli.suns dans I'rlecliun de Montri'ul, la principalc du District dans le- quel Sorel William l[enry)|sc trouvesitueet dans le mcme intcn't que cehiiauquel Si. Stuart sc trouvait hii-mrme attaclu.et dans lequci iletait soutenu paries dcmar- ("lies actives du (louvemeui qui avait, comme on a vu, tiavaillc avec lui de coucrrt pourle faire elirc. " Lc President de ces (hands Juves avait eU' lui-meme " un des plus chauds p irtisans des Cmdi flats qui avaient maiiqut- dc succcs ct portait " avec ses confiercs des accusations pour des dclits imputes a ceux qui avaient agi " contre ses vceux, et ce parti auquel il s'ttait trouvo attache dans cette election, " qui avait etc vivement contcslee.'" " Ce president ctait Tunc des personnes alleguees avoir ete assailUes par " quelques-uns des accuses.'' Eiifiu "les Ci rands .lures de cette C'Hir n'e'taient pas meme tons capables d'exercer les droits attaches \\ la qualite de citcyens actifs, quelques-uns d'eiix n'avaient pas nii^me de proprietes fonciercs." Si i'on craignait pas d'allonger cette discussion, on pourrait tairo rcnurqucr avec 120 irregularity, not to use a harsher expression, proceedings were taken at cliffe. rZnrtimes in order to brintr these prosecutions before the Court; and a picture wouldrd awntUlted'o ir^ vast Held of painful -A^^^tions ; but .„ con- fininff ourselves now to the consideration ot that which has reference to pr .se- cSio^isSd o TRnhi t the pretended Perjurers of Sorel, wo must remember, f we bef"re renU^ed. that aller having removed t'-- Fosecutions^rom the soecial Court of Oil er and Tcnimer to that of the Court ot Kings Bench by S^r/ X accused were harassed, during more than two years; obliged to SurfiomTerto Term, and lastly, after having caused to be rejected two return iiom ^^in lu i . j j ^ ^f ^i^eir selection, they consented to ffit"ttir°"caresTo"on1ol"tl^^^^^^^ Ju'T-'". -" .ere acquitted by ''''"But^\"r?n^l%''r'iod of nearly three years, the Attorney General had had time fo some reflection, lie could, and should, have thought ot the necessity of Ob all. ng some precis, information, on tiic one hand, as to the pretensions o 1 riX ffsufli-i upon which he had advised St Germaui to vx>te u"d to ake the oath; on the other, as to the motives which might have caused the DeL lan's to fall into an innocent error, for which he pretended to punish them aVfor a crime, meriting the stamp of infamy, though it was his own work. Did the slightest doubt nes^r. during so great a length ot ^j"'^' «"y^^, '^^^^ mind, as to the propriety or justio- of prosecutions which must appeal to hm at l^s r ..orous On the contrary, he persisted for years in steps which could, h fact, be regarded by the public in no other l.ght than that ot a violent pro- pensiJyand effort to turn the administration of just ce into an instrument of SeStion and personal vengeance. Once more, if this was a mere error on fheTart «.f Mr. Stua.t. an error at once altogether palpable, and ot «« serious a nati re- a heedlessness of such long cluration. on the part of a man who per- fbrmed functions of so important a character possesses of >tsel . and jndep n- dentiv of every motive which might render it less guilty m an individual all the characters of gruvilv sutHcient to support the accusations laid to Ins charge by 'he Assembly of Lower Canada-most assuredly, far Irom weakening them by his men^oir. he has evidently added motives calculated to justify the Assembly in having taken those steps which they took against hun. '\ ? ■: OBSEKVAiiONS ] 121 avcc quelle iircgularite, pour ne rien dire dcpliis, on avait precede u difFerentcs reprises pour rapporter de ces accusations devant la Cour, et on f'erait un tableau propre a oftVir un vastc champ ;\ des r(':flexions pcnibles, mais en se renfermaiit itions me on ,u.u..,.. »;.. - — spcciule d'Oijer duns cellc du Banc du Roi par Certiorari, les accuses ont hi harceles pendant plus de deux anni'es, forces derevenirde ternie en terme, et qu'enfin apres avoir fait niettrc dc cote deux corps dejurcs pour raison de I'irri'galarite de jeiir tirage, ils ont de conscntcmcnt subi leur proccs devant I'un de ces corps de jures-la mcme ct ont etc par cux acquittcscn Mars niil-huii-cent-trente. ]Mais pendant le cours de prcs de trois annces, M. le Procureur-Gcneral avait cu lo tcnis de sc livrer a quelqucs rcHexions. 11 aurait pu, il aurait dii au moins sonr^cr a lanccessitc de se procurer quelqucs renseignemens exacts d'un cote sur les pretentions au droit de suffrage sur lequel il avait engage St. Germain a voter ct u prcter serment.dc I'autre sur les motifs qui pouvaient avoir fait tonber les ac- cuses dans unccrreur innocente, dont il pretendait se fliire punir comme d'un crime qui mcritait I'infamie.quand il ctait son ouvrage. Ne sc serait-il done jamais, pendant ce long espace de tems, (;leve dans son ame le plus k'ger doute sur la con- venance ou la justice de poursuites qui devaient lui paraitrc au moins rigoureuses ? iiii contraire, il a persistc durant des annces dans des dcmarcbes dans lesquelles le public ne voyait, ne pouvait voir en effot que de I'acharnement et des eftorts pour faire de I'administration de la justice un instrument de persecution et de vengeance dersonnelles. Encore une fois, si ce n'etait l;\ qu'une erreur de la part de JVI. Stuart, une erreur aussi palpable tout ensemble et aussi funeste, une distraction d aussi longue dur('c d'un homme qui exer9ait des fonctions d'un ordre aussi re- leve, a dcllo-meme ct independammcnt detout motif qui pourraitla rendre moins coupable dans un particidier, tons les caractcrcs de gravite qui suffisent pour ap- ])uyer les accusations portccs a si charge par I'Assemblee du lias-Canada. Assu- rcment bieii loin dc les affaiblir dans son memoire, il a cvidemment ajout6 des motifs proprcs a justificr les demarches que I'Assemblee a adoptees centre lui. OBSERVATION 122 OB«?ERVATIONS ON MR. STUART'S MEMOIR. PART THE TIIIUD. REMARKS ON THE APPENDIX. No. 1.— As to the Report to Sir James Kempt, made the 13th of August, 1830. Mr. Stuart's answers to the charge brought against him for having persisted in instituting and sustaining, in certain Courts, prosecutions in respect of minor offences, which should have been car ied on in tiiose of the Quarter Sessions, have been discussed with some care ii, the course of these observations. It has been clearly shown, I think, that Mr. Stuart, far from having given satisfactory explanations of his conduct in this particular, has, on the contrary, by the man- ner in which he has endeavoured to dofend himself, somewhat added to, instead of diminishing, the weight of the accusation which pressed upon him. Neither can it be explaineil what could have been his motive for placing, at the head of the Appendix to his Memoir, his Report to Sir James Ki-mpt, of the I3ih August. 18:30, which furnishes new argiimcats against him. This Report shows, that on the ijth of May peceding, the Governor had caused to bo transmitted to him the extract, of a Report of the Executive Council of the 31st of May, 1SJ^2, which contained recommendations framcil ot that lime icilli a riizv to dimiu'ish the crpcnse of the admiiiist ration of justice in irimimd matters. It was then an inconvenience alreadv felt for a ir.unber of years preceding; Mr. Stuart does not pretend that he was," that he could be, a stranger to this Report of the Exe- cutive Council; his answers to this portiou of the accusations of the Assembly arc a proof to the contrary. It has also been seen by his answers, that the views of the I'.xecutive C'ovcrmnent were coiiibrmcd to in the District ot (Quebec, whilst these recoi imcndations were without effect in that of Montreal. Mr. Stuart, instead of justifying himself— instead of himself pointing out some step for the inirpose of oblig'ing the Cierk of the Peace at the (Quarter Sessions of MontrenI to do there what they did at Quebec— contents himself with pointing out the nature of the expanses incurred in the District of Montreal, the economy which might be observed there also in this respect, autl tiie means of insuring it. Why didTie not take the means of'diminishing these expenses, and of observing the economy in question ? In point of fact, he loses sight of the principal object, that on which it was his duty, as well as his interest to show that he was free from blame. Resides these recommendilions of the executive council, and other steps on the part of goveruinenl, the grand juries of llie district of Montreal made, as we have seen, on their pari, for years past, presentments upon this subject. V\'e observe by the me- moir, that Mr. Stuart exercised, like his predecessors, a monopoly in fact, with respect to the prosecutions instituted in the criminal courts, lie \sa% chari^cil with instituting and prosecuting them. He was, by his own avowal, theaiui/iarjj of the courts and of the L^fd/id juriri. This latter complained, lioiii year to year, of the abuse in question, which was his own work. It was surely in his power to remedy it. He might and should Inve attempted it. He should, tipon seeing these nrcscntments. have .shown that in fact he had endeavoured to remedy the ' evil. 123 OBSERVATIONS SUR LE MEMOIRE DE M. STUART. TROISIEMK PARTIE. 830. : persisted , of minor • Sessions, s. It has itisl'actory the mun< 0, instead Neitliei ic head of h August, t's, that on ed to him [ay, lS-2'2, ') (livun'iali was then tuart does the Kxe- Asscmbly tiic views •f (Quebec, real. Mr. some step Sessions ot h |)oinlint,' .! economy nsiiring it. observing ich it was . Besides the part ot ,e seen, on by the me- fact, with as cha/i^eif te ai/.ti/iarij ar to year, s j)ower to poll seeing emcdy the evil. REMARQUES SUR L'APPENDICE. No. 1. — Rapport a Sir James Kempt, du 13 Aout 1831. On a discnte avcc quelque soin, dans ceg observations, les rcponscs de M. Stuart, a I'accusation portubject. According to Mr. VV'eiles, " in every instance in which the right of a person '« desirous of votin.,^ was deemed doubtful, tiie particulars of his (pialificaiiou were " inquired into by the saitl James Stuart, and if his right was found defective, he " was told so, and lis vote was not accepted ; several persons, who had voted " at former elections, were desirous of voting for the said Jair.es Stuart, having •' submitted to him, during the election, and towards its close, the particulars oi " their supposed right, were informed by him that they were without the neces- " sary quaiificatiou toentit'e them to vote ; and that he therefore declined their •' votes, which, in consc(|uence, were not given.'' The same declaration is found, in nearly similar terms, in the affidavits of .Messrs. Jones and Von Itlland. We have seen that Hurkegocs further still with these expressions ; and that, ac- cording to him, Mr. Stuait "was scrupulous in the examination of the (jualifica- " tion of j)ersons desirous of voting for him.'' Mr. Welles declares" that among these persons there was a Mr. Carter, one " Gingras, and two or three other persons, whose names he does not recollect, '« who wctc willing to swear, at a period whetj a single vote might decide tiic " election." by James explained •3. Jones Bnchicr, f name, to :h the cx- i tilings as sion what- iialc, tliai i for per- il offence, d him use ation is to il. There xpress the iitly to the isccl by the hi sexami- 1 that sucli The s.imc hclavits ot have been inversatioii i the same aid James itication ot red to him )te.' Mr. jjfcl to him i a person laiioii weri; fective, he had voted kft, having ticiilars ol the neces- ined thuir laratioii is m ItHand. 1 tiiat, ac- 2 qnahfica- barter, one recollect, IcCUiG titO election." 127 „ qii'il s'absenta rarcment du Husting— Von Ifland qu'il y (-tait journellement et •' ne s'en absentait que par occasion, liurke declare aussi, qu'il connait particu- '« lierement ce qui s'est pass6 a TElection. M. Welles, " 6tait present quand James Stuart, Ecuyer, s'est oppos^ au «« suffrage de qiielques-uns des voteurs, requis de faire serment, et auxqueh M. Stuart cxpliquait les consequences (Tun faux serment. II ne nomme aucun de ces voteurs. Jones dit la niv'-me chose mais nomme les voteurs, Antoine Aussant, Vandal, Buckner, Claprood, et parle en outre, d'autros qn'ils ne nomme pas auxquels M. Stuart a o/jecte Von Ifland nomme les mcmes, Clap- rood exccpte, et en outre IIus dit Cournoyer, et ajoute les niemes choses que M. Welles et Jones quand au reste. M. Welles "n'apoint dans cette occasion ou autre entendu M. Stuart dire <« ou intimer en aucune mauiere, que seul il cut le pouvoir de poursuivre pour •* parjure, ou qu'il poursiiivrait pour cctte offense, ccux qui votaiont contre lui, ** ou que ceux qui votaient pour lui n'avaient rien a criindre. 11 n'a entendu «' de lui aucune expression semblable ou analogue, ct ou trouvc l.i mCmcdcjcla- •' ration dans rattidavit" de M. Jones et de M. Von Itland, de Burke et de Paul. II n'y a gueres de difference dans les termes dont quclques-uus d'eux se sent servis pour cxprimer lamOmc chore. M. Welles " n'a pasnon plus pendant I'Elcction ou depuis, entendu dire " que M. Stuart ait tenuce langageouaucnn autre approchant, jusqu'au moment •• ou .1 sa surprise M. WoliVed Nelson, tcmoin exaniinc daus le procts d'Aussant " pour iiarjure, a depose que ISI. Stuart s'en I'tait servi a I'Klcction." On retrouve encoi e la mime declaration en tormessemblables ou analogues dans Taflidavit de M. .]ones et do Von iHand et Uurke. M. Welles " ne croit pas que M. Stuart cut pu tenir un langage aussi cxtra- " or,vv.>..w......o, ...vu. ...•>..... ^.~ •-.■ — j,„... ..... .,.„»,>. '« Elles lui exposv'rent pendant I'lUection, ct surtout vers la fin, sur quci cllcs foii- " daient leurs droits de suiliage, il les intbrmaquclios ne I'avaient pas, ct refusa «' leurs voix qui ne fuient point donnces.'" C'est encore une chose qui se retrouve .'i-pcu-prcs en termes scmblables dans les allidavits de M. Joiics ct Von Itland, on a vu plus haut que Burke enchcrit encore sur ces expression*, et que suivant, lui M. Stuart " poussait lattention jusqu'au scrupule dans I'examen quil fcsait du devoir de ccux qui se prcsentaient pour lui offrir lenrs suffrage. M. Welles "declare que parmi ces porsonnes se trouvaicnt M. Carter, un «' nomni^^ (Jiuicras ctdeux ou truis autrcs [dont il ne se rappelie pas les noms, •« qui ttuient disposes a preter serment a unc cpoque ou une scule voix aurait d(5cide 128 " election." Burke in his af^.clavit mentions one " Thibault, Von Ifflaml, Giti- '« gras, Ilelcau, and Catherine Lainere, v hose votes Mr. Stuart declined to " '''^IvKSvcllcs " sent this Ginj^ras and the two or three orther persons to a •' distance from the IJoroui,'!., lest the partisans ot the adverse t anduiatc, (somu " of H horn were Ivnuwn not to be scrupulous on this head,) should encouniRC •« them to take the oatli and vote for the opposing ( andulate. Mr. .loncs i.lso makes the same dcclaralion, except that he does not name the voters ; Mr.\ou Iflland does as much ; but names on this subject Gnisras and eleau ; astly, Hurkc deposes generally, that. •' Mr. Stuait so conducted himself towards ccr- " tain voters whom he docs not name:' only that he does not say, on this oc casion like the others, that Mr. Stuart's opponents were not scrupulous. Mr Welles says, " that the expense o\ soiiding these persons out ot the .' wiv imounting to eight dollar,'' (a little less than two pounds sterling,) " was ♦• nnid'b'v him the Deponent, and reimbursed to him by the saul James Stuart, <« '\ftcr the election was over." .loncs and \ on ItHand also say, that " voters •« of this kind were sent out of the way, oy the desue, and at the expense of Mr. •' .Stuart ;' but they do not mention them by name, nor at all speedy the expense incurred, on this account. , •« lie was present when several of the voters, who have since been prosc- •« cutcd for perjinv. were sworn to their qualification, and heard Mr. Nelson ♦• encourage them,"in the most pressing maimer, to take the oath assuring them " that no harm would happen to them from it, and Uiat he would stand between ♦« them and harm." All this part of Mr. Welles' atlidavit is found nearly word for word ill those of Jones, Von lllland, Ihirkeaud I'aiil 1 us. The same persons also depose " that as well in objecting to voters as in "putting them upon their guard as to the consequences of a false oath Mr. " Istinrt found c'eat ditheultv in making himself heard, in consequence ot the "clamorous conduct ot the oi^posing Candidate and his pa.ti>.ans who inter- " niptcd liim. and who encouraged the voters to take the oath. Mr. A elles According to the affidavits of Messrs. Jones and A on lllland. Mi. otuart •' represented to the Kcti.rning Oflicer. Mr. Crebassa, the necessity of e:.plain. "in!r to these individuals, to whom he objected who, say they, were illiterate '• ami extremely ignorant, the nature of the oath to be taken, in order that they " might not be^ un^aiardedly involved in the penalties of pe.jury, but the said •' Returning Oflicer refused to do so, saying that it was his duty to administer •• the oath, and nothing more." /■ i i .u ii Mr. Stuart hiformed these voters, that "if they swore falsely, they wou d " be prosecuted for perjury, and this was said by him in su.a terms as would •■ have been u,sed by any other jierson, under like circumstances.^ Lastly, ac c ording to these two Deponents, - the conduct of the said James Stuar , through- " out the said election, in everv instance in whieli it came within the knowleclgc " of the Deponent, was ma.ked by fairness, and a strict regard to propriety : - This latter part of the deposition of Messrs. Jones and Voii I Aland is found nearly in the same terms in that of Uuike. j- wir Carter deposes, tl.at " he voted in the year 1SC4, at the election of William " llcnrv, and took the oath of qualification; he explained to Mr. Stiiait the " particulars .,f his supposed qualification, who after learning the particulars, " civilv declined to accept his vote." . , ,. h is worthv of remark, that what Mr. Von Iflland swears with reference to the refusal of M'r. Stuart to accept Catherine Lameres vote, is not to be found the body, but in an addition'at the bottom of the aflidav.t though equaly sworn. He thereby deposes. «< that Catherine Lnmere took t he oatl, in ode " to vote for Mr. Attorney (icneral Cniacke, at a preceding election, under an 129 JUS to .1 c, (soinc iicourafjc )ncs nlso Mr. Von ; lastly, ards cer- tliis oc* t of the jr,) " was s Stuart, " voters iC of Mr. ! expense 2n prosc- ■. Nelson ng tlu'in between riy word TS, as in •rttli, Mr. ce of the ho Mitcr- r. 'Voiles [;. Ntiiart f cTiplain- illiterate that tliey the said dminister cy would as would astly, ac- through, nowledge riety :"* — is found f William ituart the irticulars, jrcncc to be found h equally , in order under an honest n affidavit indif|no le nomme Thibault. nut uurait rc- dn villa- aienl ''on- \ ititer ser- ine d' "lare lait autant, nt que M. e nommc "' deridd do TKIection. Hinke dans ^u '• \'ciii l!l;ui(l, Gingras tt Behui, Cathermc Lamcre, doni, M " fuse d'accepter ies voix.*' M. Welles " a fait ('■loigncr cc (ringraset Ies deux on trois . " gi; do pt-ur que Ies adversaires de M. Stuurt dont (luclques-u " ncis pour n'etre pas serupuknix snr oetartiele, ne Ies engUL''e,iss -.k . •• nieut et ;i voter pour L C:uididat oppose." C'est enc..: oe M. Jones except('; qu'il ne noninie pas Ies votcurs. M. Von ItHand en niais nomine il ec s.ijet (Jingras ct IJelan ; entin Hnrke depose gt luralci Stuart sest conduit dc cette mani(re, rcLithrnwiit a dcs ro/eurs q. point, seuloment il nc dit pas h cette occasion comnic ies autres, que Ies adver- saires de M. Stuart Tie furont pas svnipuleux. M. Welles" a encouru |)our rcarterces votoiirs une drpcnse de \n\\i' dollars** un pen moins de deux livres sterling', «' que M. Stuart lui a remboursjcs apres 16- lection," Jones et Von IfHand disint aussi que " des voteurs de cette espece ont " et '■ eloignes d'apris le desir et aux dtpens de M Stuart," mais ils ne Ies nom- mciit pas et ne specifient point la dcpiiise encourue k cet egard. "II etait present quand plusieurs dcs voteurs poursuivis dcpuis pour parjure '* ont etc asscrmentes. II a entendu M Nelson Ies encourager de la manitire la " pins pressante a pre tcr le sermcnt, Ies assurant qu'il ne leur serait fait aucun " mal ct qu'il Ies en garantirait. Toute cette partie de I'attidavit dc M. Welles se " tronvc a-peu-pris repetec dans celui dc Jones, de Von Ittland, Ihnke et Paul ' Hus." " l.es ini'ines personnes drposent anssi qu'en objectant aux voteurs aussi bicn " qu'en s'etfor^unt de h-s niettre snr leins gardes relativement anx consequences «' d'un faux sennent, M. Stuart eprouvait dc grandes clifiiciltes ii se faire entendre ;\ " raison desclameurs du Candidal oppos • etde ses partisans (pii I'inierrompaient *' et qui engageaient Ies voteurs a prrtcr .sernient." M. Welles ajonte a lout hazard. Snivant Ics aflidavits de M. Jones et \'on Iffland, M. Stuart aurait " rep " sente a rOffieicr-Rapporteur, M. Cn bassa, la mcossite d'expliquur a ccs indi re- ivi- " dus anxqnels il objectait," qui disent-ils tons deux, " c'taient illettres et extre " mement ignorans, la nature du serniont e\igc d'eux, afin de Ies niettre stir leurs " ganh'scontrelespeines du parjure, ce que rOHicier-Kapporteur a refuse de "faire, disant que son devoir etait de leur adininistrer le sermcnt, mais n'allait " pas au-dela." " M. Stuart ilisait a ces votcurs que s'ils juraient fr.ussement, ils seraient *' pour'iiivis pour j)arjure, mais que cola (itait dit par lui de la menic maniore " que toute autre pcrsonne I'aurair. pu faire, dans Ies niemes circonstiuices." Entin, suivant ces deux d'.posans, " pendant lout le cours de I'election dans " toutesles occasions ou la con;luitc Je M. Stuart est venue ii leur connaissancc, " elle a etc marquee au coin dc la ca.ulenr etd'unc stride attention anx conve- " nances.^" Cette dernirre partie de la di'position de Jones et de Von KHand se rcirouve a-peu-pres dans celle de Uurke. M. Carter di pose, " cpi'd avait voteen l^iC>4 a lElection de Wiiram Henry, " et avait fait serment pour se qualilier et a explique snr quoi il fondait son droit " a M. Stuart qui apres ces explications a polimcnt refuse d'accepter sa voix." II est digne dc lemarqucr que ce que M. Von IHlmd a declare relativement au refus de M. Stuart il'accepter la voix de Catherine Laincie, nc se tronvc pas dans le corps, mais dans un ajoute an has de son aiiidavil, mais egalement assermente. II y depose que " Catherine Lami ro avait prAt^ serm.ont ct vote nour i\!. !o Procn- " reurUeneial Uniacke dans une election prcccdentc, dans la croyance honntte It " qu'en 130 .. honct belief; on her part, that she ha. J-^t^r^J ^1"^' ^K t .. temporary absence of her iy'«^^""^' ^^ Jt^f iench to collect allidavits and be easily l>«^'^^'^'-';\,'*,'Voulib no means expect \hat his con.lnct would be ':u2;:::^S'::i^l auf coiui not ha.e o'ntertained any idea, the sUghtest an object or enqury^ could intend to bring accusati.ms against h.ni ; 31 2t ; CO l.i no be aware of their intentions and their proceeding., but for ti:eAddror which they presented against him in the month of March of ^''"' Tis'nnnecessary to dwell upon detailed considerations in order to perceive that iv de "ce such as this cannot destroy, nor even weaken, that wluch was ecMve V the Committee of the Assembly. This evidence '« f'"''^ 7" "^^^^ nSac t imnoitance to induce us to return and enlarge upon he d. Icrence betwTcn tic mode adopted by th. Assembly in order to prove the facts upon S'.t brought its charge with that to which Mr. Stuart had recourse, , nor. Se t constitute what he calls proof, to negative that received before the Com. tnittee. We shall content ourselves in this place with making some pa t.cular TeSs as to the nature of this proof itself, and as to the tacts to which these deuo it on refer, before passing' to the other affidavits. We shall afterwards crTvi pennis^ on to make some observations applicable to the evulence generally We have already observed that the proof opposed by Mr. ^'tuart to hat which was produced helbre the Committee, was nearly all of ^^ "Cga • ve k "c -- Tt s also, a we see. almost exclusively a panegyric upon Mr .Stuart s conduc ut how. in the fii-st p'ace. are we to reco.«.cile that which the witnesses say as to Mr ^ narfs scrupulous attention to the crammation oj tnc ,,ual;,icut,uns, to tl.ericht of suifrage./;/ time uho o/Jhrd to rote for hm, with h.s own avowals n h s n emo r with ngard to his conduct to .St. Germain, at the very beginning of thL dection ; at least the proof arising out of this avowal of Mr. Stuarts is """SlheJ^li^nmsrance equally, .f not more extraordinary, if possible, h.s been noh kH out. These witnesses were constantly at the poll, and hardly ever absenS 1 mselvcs. We have seen with what precision, what assurance, they express In selves upon this subject ; it is impossible to speak .nore I'os.nve y ; nevertheless none of them have deposed to what passed when St. (.ennam voted, that so say. with reference to an essentia!, and. that which must a the time have bee",, a^inost >triking fact. In point of fact. Mr. Sluart caused the vo ers wlo^ave their votes to^'his Adversary, to be arrested immediately after they D clone so, It was this Mr. Von Iflland, at that time a Justice of the Peace, t ho is'sue 1 the ordcMS of arrest ; it was to him that Mr Stuart gave the order !ir/>rt-p//;A. hhnk uarrants. in order that these arrests might be etlected without delay Ile^unlercd him to" make haste: , , , , i .i It was in following St. Germain's example, who had voted ; and upon th. decided opinion. <^..u\y expr.ss.d by .Nlr. Stuart, upon this ^'' 'J^-'-'t. t 'f these voters relied, in exercising the right of suffrage contested by Mr Stua t. llu. orcum tance. which must have struck Mr. Stuart himself, instant y made a noise in the Villa.re. it immedately fixed the attention of the Electors of the Borough; R alike became anc! continued to be the object of attention on the part of he In- habitants of the entire Province during nearly three years ; it must ''-^ve been so on the part of the persons who furnished these afiulavits. as it was on the pait of .11 those who were called as witnesses in the proceedings taken against the Electors of tJorel, amongst whom were found many of those deposing by aiiub- "I vits 131 •• qu'en I'absencc temporaire deson mari, die avail Ugalemcnt le bien qui pouvait " j'aiJtoriiicr A voter.*' 'IV I'st leresiiltat liii soin doune par ]M. Stuart ot ses amis h recueillir des affidavit des dilpositions prises t■.^7w*•^' en Mars, Mai et Juin 18M0, pourseiusti- fipr rclativctnent ;\ la conduite qu'il avait teniie i\ I'Election tic .Sorel. En coiisi- deraiU i t'-poque A laquelle iis prcnaicnt ca precautions, il estaise de voir que c'cst bieii vuiiiemeiit que M. Stuart pretend avoir (tc pris al)9ol«unent au d( pourvu, qu'il lie pouvait nullcmcnt s'aitcndre que sa conduite serait un ohjet de recherche q i'il na pu avoir aucuno idic, le moindre soup9oii que I'Assembke put avoir le dessein de I'accuser ; enfin qu'il n'a pu avoir connaissance de son intention et de ses precedes que par ladressequ'elle a presentee contre lui dans le mois de Mts de cette annee. II nest pas nccsssaire dc s'arrcMer a vies coiisidi^ratlons de detail, pour fairc voirqu'un tcmoigna;;c conime celui-ci nc sauraitd. truire, pas m(me affhiblir, celui nui a ett- revu par le Comite de lAssemblrc, celtc preiive n'a surement pas asscz d'importaiice reclle pour revenir et s'ltendre longuementsur la difference du mode suivi par rAssemblee, pour constater les faits sur lesqiiels elle a porte scs accusa- tions d'avec cclui auqu.l M. Stuart a eii recours pour fairc te qu'il appeile une prciiye, h o[)postT a ccllequi a itr re9ue dev .nt le Comite. On ae contentera aussi defaire iciquelquesremarques particuliercs 0'"^ ^ ^^„ ,,,,ii„„. and of a husband temporar. y abs nt h d no r^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^,^^ Such learned explanrt.ons ^^7^^,,Xu,lto of tie other persons, not named, qualification* of (imgras, \-^^'>J'^^X^^' ^J^ ^ dullify themselvo. by iho ^vere desrous of l^''^^'^ *>' ^l • ^^^^ '^^ ,^,1, taking, fhis "'•'ll t.:S is'uLtf V vl^^lc'sacHi;- oil iiis part, if their right of suf- ;;;:?;trn^t^tr..unded Ihan that of n^^^^ Ume^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^ U t were'^^ t;rvoter^-^^do;cn,.t:c>n. were received at prevails Stuart himself, lus prc>hr.'sson< n> '#' ; ^; ^ J ,^; , . „ < J.^.nt of t/,c S.^.nhnf ^vhen he considered it to be th. duty «'^ '^..^ ^ / ^se i^re-niluiii es. ha.i'at iait to solicit rotrs in Jus Jarnur. "^ ^ ^J^f i^^^^'X.'^,^ ^ r. Von lilland vouscd tl;e public attent.on; ^"'^ ,^''^ .\. ^ \;,^l"^',\\;V;f the opposing Candidate, " '-'''^ ril^ulu SSv In ntx^^ ;^;!t-. i^i^>t have beg il to "hink that it immediately lliat tiav nau pULii ^^ ^ .i,^., to be on their guird was riglit to follow the advice f;'^'-"" '' > ''^ ^J ;''';^ /only unfortunaU- fur nguinst the consequences of fauts ';' ^'.\"'>'^^ ;,,;,, oceeding to other retlce- ;^s to AUards affidavit. No. 11-Indictment against Louis Marcoux, No. V2. T..e remarks already .bund ^^fon^is^^^^^^^^J^^^^^ ^ rvati.nswliich rebates to tec .^ °^'^' -"-"^f^' ^'^^' Sltuj'S'tl^K^^e/ur of that which has been already said upon th. ^"^^S;-. Stuart seems to have intended to w^kcn the evidence of M^oux.^b,^ producing tins indictment agamst »'';"•./;;''' ?^.,,V7 Over and 'rormine., {hat thi. bill was_ found by the ^'rand Jurv o t . Cou.t o ^^y^^^^^^^ ^^^^_^j^^^^_^ x\ m November. lS'i7' 1 .1.1 ~. Mon*r'"'l Ml ■vo\ciiiui;i . »<■»/• - i.,._.. .,.;4|. to inspire much confidence « ' ^^^1 ^^'^ "^J ! , .'j .,, result, and which was strict jegulanty, a proccedn.„ ot tins nature, nmu^ ^^^^ app rovince ; r. Stuurt iclicd for II tlic ini- ise of the I ItHaiul's I Lamcrc, ug Elcc- icrcil into f this wo- ls to this t prctcnil- cctions in lied; ;i«:d rtainly no place him I husband, lU. ce to the lot named, iisclvcs by ing. I'his ght of sut'- it previous ntr to Mr. ig elected ; c- St'j:iiiori/ had at hist Von lilhuul Candidate, link that it iheir gnird irtunalo for athcr rctl'je ,)endix. IX, No. V2. )f these oh- iduct at the itary, which lid upon tlii^ Vlarconx, bv remember, id Termiiici, :c caleuUileJ id which was not 133 . „i™;,,. ,1p. Iiirea di's .lurfs, encore line fois, Je toute U Province, et il no so l:„TpTunm« fee suirt dans les .iH.lavit. qne M. Stuarte. sesum.sout drcs- „.„:;-aen£>aan,leAon^^^^^^^ Constances les P'"^ J "^,^, .^^ ' ^"""^^ ,,,, .,,s dc I'altidavit de M.Von Mand, on vo.t un excmpledans I ^J^f ^ ^ " ^'^^ " ;'^Vu du snftVn-e de Catherine Lam^re, iplif voment au reins que Al. atiiart aui.i.t laii uu niuw..,v- ^ , /, . o- fenm'ZZ P^^^^^^ le mari qui avail vote chins une Election pr^celcnte. Si 'o eu crSt^M. Von Iffland, il Imait entre dans des particular, es pour fa.re con- la re la u >.re des pretentions de cette itMnme au droit de suf rage, qu elle avait cxe ce mvc' emment. Quant ,1 e. droit des femmes en general , de donner leurs uSagerdan les Elections, sans prcte«dre le JMstirier. je do.s dire qf 1^ ^^^c d^"^ plu ieurs Elections d'asaoe, dans la Province de reccyoir la voix de ce e^ qu ^^^i.nt veuves on non mariees ; et M. Stuart pou. ait etre exempt de reproche. ;, ; er e•^^acc" t"" ^ Mais il ne fallait pas sans doute de longues exphcat.oas rMlePocureu. General pour le mettre en etat de dechuer, au moms, qu une Lnuie sLs puissance d'un nnri. ct d'un mari absent te:npora.rement. n avait pas 1(> droit de donner sa voix dans une Election. ... v On n'estpasentrJ dansd'aussi s^ uites explications, relat.vement anx cpiali- ficatims deCl n-rras. de Carter ou uo riiibauU et des autres peisonnes qu on ne mme I's quulesiraient voter pour M. ^tua-t, pretes^se ci;V^-;j;- ---J; f .,„ \i *\««'''S^'^!,l^].!;Snn en s faveur. 11 faudrait croire cp.e ces desordres ava.ent. enhn. evoille 1 attention P bl n r ct M. Stuart .,ui fesnit lancer par :nE Von liUand de. ordres d'airesta- ionX;;tre ceuK qui votaient en faveur du Candidat oppose, immed.atemen p £ qii' s avaient\lon..:> leur voix, avait pu commencera senl.r qu'd convenait de sui? e le conseil qu'il donnait aux autres de se mettre en garde eontr • les consc quences de flu.tes de cette nature. U est seulement fuel' uk pour ku que cette ""'tLiwklehvll^nJliILs rcHexions a ce sujet. o.aminons quelques au- ties pii'ces d j I'Appendijc. Aflidavit No. 11, d'Allard, Acte d'accusation contre Louis Marcoux, No. 12. Les remarques qui se trouver, c deja sur ce sujet dans h^ partie de ces observa- tions ciui a ranport aux accusations .pd regardent la condu.te de M. Stua.t lors de nation r William Henry, doi.eut dispenser d^un comme.itaire q- "^J^ - rait gucres (trequ'une repetition de ce qui a d.ja etc d'^^^ce suj . ^^'^^^^^ paiaTt avoir eu intention dafVaiblir le tciuo.gnage de Marco x en produmnt cet acle d'accusation conire lui. Oa sc coi.tenter.a de rai pekr q"v cUtc accusation a cte rapportce par les (hand. Jures de cette Cour .^ /^ y^^f^/;,.;' ;^':? tenue u Montreal en Novembre 18>7. Ce n'est pas ui une ^.f^"' f '^.^.V j; ^f '„; inspirerunc grande coufiance. X. .is en supposant q^'«/«"' :',,'"'. .V,^^'^'''; nrocodci de cette nature, qui n'aaucunc suite et qui n est pas de natu.e '^ cna^o. . ne peutmiliter contre la deposition qu'il a duuneedevant ^'^^^"■"■^^•: . "^^^ f^'; ,^i^ admcttrait mcmc que cette recusation put lormcr un prejuge contie Un, e lie c » 154. not likely to have any, cannot militate against the deposition given by him be- fore the Committee. When even we should admit that this charge might pre- judice him, it would not have a similar effect upon the other witnesses against whom Mr. Stuart makes vague assertions ; merely, that they are his enemies ,- that the 1/ sought to injure him ; a reproach whicli iie lavishes equally, and without any better pretence, against Petitioners, Witnesses, Members of the Committee, the House of Assembly, and in fact against all those who have taken any part in the proceedings which have been had against him. Of the affidavit of Fran9ois Gazaille dit St. Germain, No 13; and that of Francois Gazaille dit St. Germain, the younger, No. l4. We have given a detailed account of the elder St. (Jermain's affidavit, No. 13; we may have seen what might, what must, be thought, of a deposition which would not be calculated, even supposing it worthy of credit, to destroy the effect of Mr. Stuart's own avowals, with respect to the conduct observed by him, in prevailing on St. Germain to vote, and to qualify himself by oath, as voter, at the election of the Borough of William Henry. The affidavit of the younger St. Germain is not better calculated to justfy Mr. Stuart than that of his father. He deposes that, since the execution of the deed by which his father and his wife ha.l executed a deed of gift of their pro- perty, they, and their servants alune, occupied one of their houses mentioned in it; and which, "ever since, his father has always been under the firm persuasion *• and belief that he was, and is, vested with a life estate (usufruit pour la vie J in «' one or other of the said houses; and that he may take possession of the one " or the other at his pleasure." After what has been already said upon tie subject of this reservation, —of the vagueness and contradiction to be found in the manner in which St. Ger- main, tlicelder, had explained the nature of his right, to the witnesses Jones and Von IHland — and, according to the memoir, to Mr. Stuart, and after- wards in his own affidavit, it would be useless enough to dwell, for the purpose of showmg that that of the sou is not more consistent with what is so be found in it Suffice it to add, that, even according to the younger St. Gerniain, the right in question is one of a sufficiently indefinite description. How could it be said that this is a life-estate in property, sufficiently defined to confer on him the right of suffrage ? Besides, we have already remarked, that the fact even of good faith, on the part of the elder St. Germain, which might make his inten- tion innocent, and subject him to the penalties of perjury, could not be appealed to, for a moment, in favour of Mr Stuart. There is another portion of the aflidavit which deserves a moments atten- tion. The witness says that after the agreement U|)on the subject of this reser- vation between himself and his father, he considered himself, and still considers himself, obliged to leave him the life-estate of the house in which he had dwelt. Let us now observe, that the reading over a deed of this kind, to the |)arties in. terested, is a formality essentially required by the Laws of Lower Canada, to render the deed valid before it is signed, and considered as binding between them. The Deponent adds, with reference «'AW//c xerhal agreement, touchrtw: the lijh-estate" in favour of the Donors, " which had not been includeil in the " said deed, that if the Deponeiif , at the time of the reading of the said deed by the '« Notary, did not cause the said deed to be corrected, it was because he' was " satisfied that, with his feelings of filial love and respect, the said obligations " would always be fidfilled by him as being of a sacred character." -J 1 We may now remark, that this deed was execiiteu ia 1822. The election 135 /tablirait pas centre les autres temoins auxquelsM. Stuart n'oppose que de yagues •issertions flw'iV* sont ses ennemis, quils cherchaient a le perdre, reproches qu il pro- dicueegalement el 8ans plus de pretexte A tous ceux qm onteu q»elq.ie part aiix pioccd('s qui ont (Xe adoptes contre lui, p(5titionnaire8, temoins, membres du bomite, la Chambre d* Assemblce, enfin tons. Des affidavits, No. 13 de Fran9ois Gazaille dit St. Germain, No. 14 de Fran9ois Gazaille dit St. Germain fils. On a rendu uncompted^taille de I'affidavit No. 13 de St. Germain pere, et on a pu voir ce que I'on perisait, ce que Ion devait penser d'une deposition qui, au surplus, nc saurait meme, en le supposant digne de enhance, detiuire 1 eftet des aveux de M. Stuart relativement a la condaite quil avait tenue en engageant St. Germain a voter et a se qualifier par serment, commc Elccteur, dans I'Election, du Bourg de William Henry. ....,.„ i • j ^ ti Celui du fils nost pas pUisproprc ajustifier M. Stuart que celui du pere. 11 denote que, depuis lapassation du Contrat par Icquel son pere et son C'pouse lui •iviient fait donation de leurs biens, ils ont habite seuls avec leur domestique, une des maisons mentionnees dans I'Acte qui en avait etc passe.et que, depms,son pere a toujours etc dans lifome croyance qu'il a droit d'usi/fruit pour sa vie de I'me ou r autre des dUes maisons ', que son pere est dans kferme croyance (fid peut re- vrendre possession de r une on de t'aut'e quand bon ha semblera. Aprcs ce qui a deiaetc^ditau suietde cctte reserve, du vague et des contradictions qui se trou- vent dans la manicre dont St. Germain pere avait explique la nature de son droit auxtcmoinsJoneset Vonimandeta M. Stuart dapros le mi moire, et ensui e dins son propre affidavit, il serait assez inutile de s'arrcter a faire voir, que celle du fils n'est pas plus en harmonic avec tout ce qui s'y trouve. On se contentera d'aioutcrquec'est encore meme d'apres St. Germain fils. d'un droit assez ind^- Hni dont il s'agit. Comment pourrait-on dire que c'est la un usn fruit ;\ vie d une nronriete. assez bien caractcrisee pour lui donner le droit de suffrage? Au re?te, on a d.'i I observe que le fait meme de la bonne foi de St. Germain pere qui pou- vait reiulre son intention innocenteet le soustraire a la peine de parjure ne pouvait le inoins du monde ctre invoque en favour de M. Stuart. II est une autre partie de laffidavit qui merite un mot d'observation. Le temom ilitnued'upieslesconventions faites de vivevoix au sujct de cette reserve entre lui et son pere, il se croyait et se croit encore oblige de lui laisser I'usufruitde la mai- son (lu il a habitee. Observons maintenant que la lecture d'un acte de cette na- ture aux narties interess^es est une formalitc esscntiellement requise par les lois. pour la validite de facte avant qu'il soit signe et cense passe entre ellcs. Le de- nosant ajoute rclath. ment u ces conventions verbalcs contractoes par hii, "an sujet " du dit droit dusnfruit pour la vie en iaveur des donateurs," qui n ont point etc «' exprim'osau dit Acte que hi lui di'posant, lors de la lecture du dit Acte par le «« Notaire, n'a pas fait corriger Ic dit Acte, c'est qu'cn consultant son amour et son " respect filial, il savait que ces obligations scraient toujours observees par lui •• d'une nianiere sacree." Observous maintenant que cct Acte avait ii(^ passd en 1825. C'est en 1827 que 136 at William Ilcnry, in question, took place in 18-27. The younger St. Germain, then, perceived this omission in the deed in 1S2'2. Was he silent upon this siioject? Did he never, durii.g the conrsc oftluse hve years, mention the sub- ject to his fatlier? This Avould be a strange method of testifying his love and fiUul respect lor his father. Hesidcs, his father does not seem to have been per- fectly satisfied of the validity of his rig w, for he took the trouble to take advice upon the subject. Weakness, the cllc t of his advanced age, may have influ- enced him in Ins conduct, and have tletermined him to pay dL-ference to the advice an'd solicitations of Mr. Stuart, or of his friends; but, in point of fact, tiu idea of this pretended right was most assuri dly a delusion. Nothing, then, is to be found in the allidavits which can, in the least,Jus- tify Mr. wStuart upon this essential point with respect to the charges brought against him. Uesides, we cannot help ubking, why, if the evidence of these two witnesses w:is of the importance which he attaches to it by the memoir, he did not produce them, in the course of the proceedings taken against the pretended perjurers of Sorcl. Wc might, porhaps, r.ither ask, if dej)ositions of this kind would not have militated still more against these prosecutions; and what idea the Judges or the Jury must have formed of a proof bearing this stamp. Of Cdackemeyer's Ailidavit. No. 8. There is still another ailidavit, that of (ilackemeyer, No. 8, received by Mr. Gale on the 11th of March, 1830. It is that of one of the witnesses who appeared bcfori* the Committee, It is a deposition similar to the projected aili- davit, ilrawii up lor Mr. Crebas«a lo sign and swear. According to this ailidavit, Aiissant, Cournoyer, Vandal, and Huckncr, presenteil themselves for the pur- pose of voting, — Mr. Stuart op))o>ed it, and explained to them their want of right; but, to the Deponent's kiiowledge, Mr. Stuart did not declare or say, cither then or at any other time, that, as Attorney General, lie had alone the right to prosecute |)ersons guilty of perjury; thai those who voted for him had nothing to fear. He diil not use any words of such~ import; he siemed de- sirous of putting them on their guard, and e-\piaining to them the consequences which they wouUl incin- by swearing falsely, and nothing more; telling them at the sauie time, that if, notwithstanding, ih y sworo falsely, they would be pro- secuted. This ailidavit requires some particular observations. Mr. Stuart has not nionticmed this affidavit in his memoir. This deposi- tion is however, iii direct contradiction to the evidence given by (ilaekemeyer before the Committee. r|)on this subject, we should observe, accoriliug to the answers given by this witness lo the (picstions wliich were proposed to him, with reference to his ailidavit, that he jleciared tluit he had not kept a copy of it, and also said, that it was prepared m his absence; that he did not read it before signing ami swearing lo it; that Mr. (Jale who received it, did not read it to him ; that he gave it, in fact, l)elie\ing that its contents were anything,' but what lie was informed they in fact were; and anything but what had been read over to him. Mr. >)tuart will, no doubt, upon reflection, have perceived, that this ailidavit was prepared in the midst of his (icuputions in the Criminal Court iu March, in which, besides the ordinary charges, his attention must have been con- centrated in these prosecutions, for perjury, at Sorel, and other charges relating to olVeiiees committed, or supposed to be committed, at the election in l.S'>>7, and which, duimg this Term, were also the sidycct of trials. Mr. Stuart, no oubt, thought that some irregularity might have crept into hurrieil proceedings of 137 que IV'lcction dont il est question s'est faite a William Henry. St. Germain fils, s'ctait done appei^u do cctte omissijii dans I'Acte en 18^^'2, a-t-il f:jard6 Ic silence ct n'en a-t-il jamais parU- a son pere pendant Ic coiirs de ces cinq annees ? Ce se- rait la nne ttrange nianicre detcmoigner son amour et son respect filial cnvers son pere. Son ptTe,au surplus, paraissait n'etre pas absolumcnt persuadedela validite dc son droit puisqu'il s'agitait pour se consultcr. La faiblessc de son age avancc a pii inflncr sur sa conduite et Ic determiner a dctcrer aux avis et aux sollicitations de ^1. Stuart. Mais enfin I'idcc dace pretcndu droit ctait assuremcnt une allusion. On nc pent done trouvcr dans Ics alHdavits rien (jui puTsse le moins dii monde scrvir a lajustitication de M. Stuart sur ce point esssentiel des accusations portties contrc lui. On ne pent s'empecher au restc dc deinander pourquoi M. Stuart n'avait pas fait paraitre ces deux temoinsdans ie procc.. fait aux pretendiis parjures de Sore), 31 Icur tomoignage avait a ses yeux I'importancc qu'il parait y attacher dans son incnioiie. On pourrait peut-ctrc demandor plutot si des de|)Ositions de cettc na- ture n'a iraient pas milite encore davantage contre ces poursuites et quelle idee les Juges on les Jures auraicnt pu se former d'une prcuve marquee a ce coin. Deranidavit de M. Glackemeyer, No. 8. II est encore un autre affidavit, celui de Glackemeyer, No. 8, reou par M. Gale, le 11 Mars 1830. II est d'nn destcmoins qui ont paru devantic Comite. Ce serait une deposition scmblable au projet d'afiidavit, dresse pour faire signcz ct assermentcr a M. Crcbassa. Suivant cet attidavit, Aussant, Conrnoycr, Ven- dal et liuckner se sont presentcs pour voter, Mr. Stuart s"y serait oppose, leur auraitexplique leurdifaut de droit, mais a !a coniiaissance du ;doposant alors ni iliiiis un autre terns '^V. Stuart n'aurait pas dit que eomme Procureur-Gcneral, il avait seul le droit de poursuivre ccux qui se rendaient coupables de parjure, que ccux qui votaient pour lui n'avaicut rien a craindre. II n'a pas fait usage deter- nics qui eussentcette signification, il [paraissait desircr de les mettre sur lour gar- des et Icurexpliquer les consequences q;ii pouvaient n'sulter dun fiuixsermentet rien de plus, Icur disant en memo tenis (jue si nonobstant, ils juraient faussement ilsseraicnt poursuivis. Cet affidavit cxigequelqucs observations particuUtrcs. M. Stuart n'a point parle dans son memoire de cet affidavit. Pourtant cette dt'position se trouve en contrad tion avec le temoignage rendu par (Jlackemeyer devant leComitr. On doit ob^ rvei a ce snjct que, d'aprts les rcponses donnees par ce ttmoin aux questions qui lui ont (t\.€ proposees relativemcnta I'affidavit <[u'il avait donnc, il dcclara n'en avoir point gardo de copie, ct dit aussi qu'il a etc dress6 en son absence, qu'il ne I'a pas lu avant de le signer et de Tassermenter, que M. Gale qui I'a re^u ne lui en a point fait lecture, qu'il I'a donnd enfin, eroyant qu'il contenaittoute autre chose que ce qu'on lui a fait dire, tel qu'il I'avaitentcndu lire auparavant. M. Stuart aura sans doute, aprcs reflexion, pu sappercevoir que cet afhdavit avait I'te dresse au milii i des occupations qui avaient accompagnj pour lui la tenue de la Cour Criminelle dc Mars, dans laquelle outre les accusations or- dinaires, son attention avait du se coucertrer sur ces poursuites de paijurc de Sorel ct nutres nccusatioi' relatives a des clits comniis ou supposes couuiiis tlans Jelection de WZI, et fu;v:it aussi dans cc terme, I'objct dc proccs devant les Jurds. S M. 138 of this nature, which rendered it unfit to refer to them with confidence in a par- ticular manner. Of Schiller's affidavit.-- Of an affidavit or writing, without signature, and not sworn, given under this denomination, as that of Mr. Henry Crebassa,— lastly, of the affidavit of George Okill i^tuart, No. 10, in the Ajjpcndix. According to Schiller, fniissicr, previously captain of a battalion of incor- porated Militia, Henry T'rebassa toUl him at Montreal, at the enil of the TLrm for Criminal business as a witness in the cases n March, 1S80, where Mr. Crehassa had been prochux-d against the accused at Sorcl,) that he hati bi on twice itinnijj an a ilid uit. with Mr. Attorney (ieneral (Mr Stuart,) for the j.urpose of s but that ho liad not fbunil him at home. The next morning, Mr. Attorney (ien- eral leaving for Three Rivers, sent lum ; Schiller) that which he terms t/ir aifi- ildv'tt, (the pajier pointed out secondly in the heading of this portion of our sid)- jcct, telling him to go to William Henry, to got it signed by Mr. Crebr.ssa, anil to have it sworn before t'olonci Jones. He went to Sorel ; the affidavit was read over twice to Crebassa, who also read it himself; said he understood it; had no objection to sign it; but wished first to see whether what was said of the voters tli'ere named, was confirmed by the poll book; that he would return in the after- noon for the purpose of signing it. Mr. Crebassa a7'.s7/6Y/ In tdl.c ihc (ijjithivi! xatli lihn ; SclulKr refused to give to him, because he hatl seen at the election that Mr. Crebassa was int. rested rather for the opj)osing Candidate. As to the paper exhibited to Mr. Crebassa, to be signed and sworn to by liim ; it is a repetition of that part of the allidavits of Messrs. Jones and \'oii IHland, which relates to the voters to whom Mr. Stuart objected ; to tlte roijucst made to Mr. Crel)assa the Returning Officer, to give them t xplanations, whicls upon his refusal, Mr. Stuart ga\c; Mr. Stuart diil not throatinto prosecute those who votetl against him ; nor did he promise impunity to those who voted in his favour; nor anyihing of" the kind, and did no more than warn them. Such are the contents of the Docunuiits mentioned, as well in Schiller's .ifliilavit, as in that of Okill, Advocate, who ileposes, tint, being at that time Clerk to Mr. Stuart, at whose lodgings at Montreal, Mr. Henry Crebassa, be- ing about the l''th of March, i8.S;), this latter testificil, that he was ready to make an alliilavit for the purpose of contradicting certain facts to which .Mr. Nelson hail deposed a day or two befoie, in his examination as a witness, on the trial against Aussantfor perjury. Upon tills, Mr, Stuart prepared tiie draft of an affidavit, which was read to Mr. Crebassa, approved by him, and given to the Deponent Okill t) copy, who v/cnt himself to Creb;rssa, by whom it was declared to be perfectly correct, wid who testified that he was ready to sign it. This paper was given into the hands of ^'kill, in C'rebassa's presence, with directions to go before one of the Judgt.s of the Court ss, on the 1 was rend I t) copy, ly correct, ?ncr, with :li, for the \c, on the Ml, sayinir, [)ur|!Ose ol etuin, but I produced iomo more t observe, t, the .'\l- tornev Affidavit dc Schiller, affidavit ou ccrit sans signature ct non assermente donnc sous CO nom, comme dc M. Henry Crebassa, enfin affidavit de George Okill Stuart, No. 10 de I'Appendice. Suivant Schiller, Iluissicr, ci-dcvant Capitainc dans un Bataillon de Milice incorporec, Henry Crebassa luiadit a Montreal, a hi fin du ternie Crimincl de jMars 1830 (ou M. Crebassa avait etc temoin produit dans les proccs fails aux ac- cuses de Sorel) qiiil avait rte deux fois chez Ic Procureur-G^jncral (M. Stuart) pour signer un adidavit, mais qdil nc I'avait pas trouv6 chez lui. Lc lende- main M. le Procurcur-Gcneral, partant pour les Trois-Riviercs, lui a reniis (a. Schiller) CO qu'il aj)polc Va/fidiivit, (le papier indique en second lieu dans le titre de cet article, en lui disaut de se reiidre a William Ilenry, et de lo faire signer par M. Crebassa et de Ic faire asscrmcnter devantle Colonel Jones. 11 s'est rendu a Sorel, railidavit a ete hi deux ibis a M. Crebassa qui I'u lu lui-nieme, a dit lc com- prendre, n'avoir pas d'objection a le signer, mais vouloir auparavant voir, si ce qui ctait dit des voteurs qui s'y trouvaient nommes ctait conformc a son livre de Toll, qu'il rcvicndrait Ic signer dans I'apres-midi. M. Cn'bassaaurait voulu emportcr I'afiidavitavcclui, Schiller refusade lelui donncr, nnrce qu'il avait vu a I'Election que M. Crebassa etait plutot intcressc pour le Candid.it oppose. tenant au papier presente a M. Crebassa pour etre par luisigne et assermente, on y trouvcrait une repitition de la j.artie des athdavits de M. Jones ct IVI. \'on inland, relative aux voteurs auxqucls M. Stuart aurait objcctc, de la demandc dc ceUiici a M. Crebassa, OlHcier Kapportcm-, dc leur donner des explications que M. Stuart aurait donnees ti son refus. M. Stuart naurait point fait de menaccbde poursuivreceux qui votaient centre lui, ni dc promettre d'impunite a ceux qui votaient en safaveur, ni rien de semblable ct naurait fait que les mettre sur leurs gardes. Tel est lc contenu du document dont il est question dans I'affidavit de Schiller ct dans celui d'Okill, avocat, Icquel depose qu'etant clcrc alors dc AI. Stuart au loge- nicnt duquel a Montreal, M. Henry CrJbassa so trouvant vers lc 10 de Mars ISoO, celui-ci aurait tc'moignt' qu'il etait pret a faire un alHdavit pour contredire certains tails dont M. Nelson avail depose ini jour ou deux auparavant, dans son examen comme temoin dans lc proces fait a Aussant pour parjurc. Sur ce, M. Stuart a drcsse nn projct d'affidavitqui a cte lu a Crebassa, par lui approuve, ct qui a etc donnt- a lui , O'Kill) deposant pour en laire une copie qui a cte lue a Crebassa, qui a declare quccYtait parfaitoment exact, ct tcmoigntqu'il etait pret a le signer. Ce pi pier a H6 mis entre les mains dc lui (Okiir en presence dc Crebassa, avec ordre de se rendrc devant un des Juges de la Cour du Banc du Roi pour le faire asscrmenter. lis se sont rendus a la Cour. II n"y avait de Juge que M. I*yke qui etait sur lc banc, et qu'on ne ponvait interromprc. Crebassa la laisse, di- sant qu'il reviendraita deux hcures au logis dc M. Stuart pour asscrmenter cet affidavit devant le Juge, ct il n"est pas revenu, mais il est reparti le mtmc jour pour M'illian' Ilenry. Voila les depositions opposecs par M. Stuart a la prcuvc produite devant le Comit«- ! En attendant q'lc !'on en vienne a quelques rtfiexions plus gaii rales sur cette cspecc de prcuvc, onobservera dabord.quc M. Schiller est I'liuissier que M. Stuart, i'rocurcui-Gdncral cmployait, I'onctions avantngcuses i our cetindividu et qui 140 torncv-Goneial, an advantageous employment for tliis individual, and which madc'liim a dependant. However, to ul.at does Ins deposition amount ? I hat Mr. Crcbassatold him that he would sign this artulavit, but wished to have .t in his own hands; and that Schiller would not even trust him with it. llie pre- tence he made for this, is extraordinary enough,~when, if we arc to believe hun upon the subject. Mr. Crebassa was ready to sign it. Uhy should Schiller have feared to let him have a paper, which it w- m fact, so important that a witness should carefully examine, in order to see . .at it contained the whole truth and iiothin.rbut the truth? Did not so strange a refusal, on the part of Schiller, show lum to be a man who, in point of fact, was interested in obtaining evidence cilculated to serve Mr. Stuart's cause? ' IJiit should he not have de'ivcred this paper into the hands of Mr. Crebassa, iu order' to cire him an opporti.nitv of examining it. and of giving it huiiselt nfterwirds to Mr. Jones, for the purpose, after having signed, of swearing it .-' AVith regard to Mr. Okill, it is quite another thing. Mr. Crebassa j)roinised, after aiiprovTng of the contents of this i)apcr, to sign it. He went to swear it before a .ludgC of the Court of King's Hencli. Be it so. Did he do so P-No.. There are four Judges of this Court residing in the city of Montreal ; why did he not -o before some otlu r Judge of this Court ? There were besnlcs from twen- Iv to thirty Magistrates at least, in the city of Montreal, neitncr the extent or i.onulation of which is very considerable. Mr. Cale, a JustiLC , the 1 cace. Clnirman of tiie Quarter Sessions, whose residence, as well as that of many other Macistrates, was in the immediate neighbourhood of the ( oiirt. migbt have received this aH.davit as he did that -.f Schillcr.-that of Allard, numbered 11 -those of :;iackemevcr and Paul, numbered 8, and 9. Mr. Cale received that of Paul on the llthof March, and that which it was wished that Mr. Crebassa should sign, bears the same date. \Vhy did they not go to his re- liut there were Magistrates at William Henry. Surely a year was time cnoucb for the purpose of obtaining the signature to. and swearing this .afhdavit. Mr Crebassa -avo his evidence before the ('onimiltee on the 1/th of 1-ebniaiy. 1^31 This atlidavit had been read to liiin at Montreal on various occasions, in March, 1S50. It \va - also read to him ut \\iili:u>) Henry a few days afterwards, lie was well acquainted with its contents. Let us now suppose that Mr. Cre- bis^i who must have kno ,n better than any one els?, the importance of a man ul.o exercised exclusive powers, such as those with which we have seen Mr. Stuart, was in fact, clothed in the Province; wh... for nearly three years, saw whit must hanpeii to those who resisted his wishes, had m a weak moment, thou-dit right 'to yield, or at least to pretend to yield, to importunities which aswemavsee, must have been of a pressing nature; must we conclude from lids thai'this evidence given belorc the Committee, after the lap e of so con- siderable a time, during which he had surely an opportunity for serious re lee tion, should be regarded as a heap of falscfioods? and when even we should he able to persuade Jursclves of this, what would be the result of it as against the other witnesses ? As to Mr, Von Itlland's adidavit, No. 15. We may have already seen, by the extracts from this affidavit to be found in the preliminary remarks, what shoiild be th.ught of Mr. Von Iflland s scruples. It isdiliic.lttoconc.ive greater aberration; his memoir is extremely iinfait h- ful with respect to the evidence which he gave before the Cnnmittce of the Assembly. Those who speculated upon the fertility ofhi5 imagination, touk a 141 oui le mettaicnt dans sa lU'pcnilaiicc. Ccpcndant, que resultc-t-il dc sa deposi- tion ' Que M. Crebassa lui amait dit qu'il voulait signer cct attidavit, mais aurait voulu I'avoirriilre les mains et que Schiller n'a pas mc'ime voulii le kii confier. Le pretexte qu'il en donne est assez extraordinaire qiiand, si on I'en croit, M. Cre- bassa I'tait pret a le signer. (Ju'avait Schiller .\ craindre, de lui renicttre un papier dont il ctait si important, en cffet, que le temoin put fairc un examcn rcfl jhi pour voir s'il contenait la v6rit('; toute entitre et rien que la vcnte ! Un rcms aussi etraiigc de hi part dc Schiller annonce t-il un homme qui, en ctt'et, nc mettait pas quelqu'intciOt ;i obtenir un temoignage propre a favoriser la cause de M. Stuart. Mais n'aurait-il pas dulaisser cc papier entre les mains dc Crebassa pour le mcttre cr: c. t de rexaminer, et pour qu'il le remit ensuite lui-meme a M. Jones en i'asscrmenti .it apres I'avoir signo. . , . Quant a M. O'Kill. c'cst autre chose. IM. Crebassa, dit-il, a promis de signer CO papier, apivs en avoir approuve' Ic contenu. II a etc pour I'asscrmenter de- vaut un des Juges dc la Cour du Banc du Hoi : soit. La-t-il I'ait ? Nou. II y a qnatre Juges dc cctte Cour residans dans la ville de Montreal, pourquoi n'avoir pas I'te dcvant un autre Jugede cette Cour ? II se tronvait en outre au moins de vingt a trente magistrats dans !a vi!!e do Montreal, dont I'etcnduc m la population ne sont tres-considerable. M. Gale, Juge ;i I'aix, President de la Session de Quartior, dont la denuMire aussi bicn que ccUc de plusieurs autres magistrals <:iait dans Ir voisinage imnudiat dc la Cour, aurait pu rccevoir cet attidavit, commeilare9U celui de Schiller, celui d'Allard, marque 11, ccux dc Glacke- mcyeret de I'aiil, Nos. s .S: <). M. Gale a rc^u celui dc Paul Ic 1 1 Mars ct ce- lui que I'on voulait iaire signer par Crebassa, portc la mcme date. Pourquoi n'a-t-on pas etc chcz lui ? Mais il y avait dcs magistrats a AVilliam Henry. On a cu ])endant une ann^e Ic terns mccssaire pour faiie signer ct assermenter cet atlidavit. M. Cirbassa a donne son temoignage devant le Comitc, le 17 Fevrior 1S31. Un lui avait lu cet attidavit a Montreal a plusieurs reprises en Mars 1>30. Op le lui a reliidc meme a William Henry, quelques jours apies. II en connaissaitbicn le contenu. Suppo- sons maintcnant que M. Crebassa, quidevait mieux connaitre que personne, I'im- portance dun homme qui cxcicait dcs pouvoirs cxclusifs comme ccux dont on a vuque M. Ic Procurcur (u'niral etaitrevetu par le fait dans la Province, qui, de- i)uis pits de trois annees voyait ce qui en pouvait resulter contre ccux qui resis- taient ;\ ses volontes, cut, dans un moment de faiblcssc cru devoir cedcr ou avoir au moins Pair dc cedor a des importunites qui, comme on pent Ic voir out du etre pressantes ; dcvrait-ou en conclurc que son temoignage donne devant le Comitc aprt'-s un tems aussi considerable, pendant lequel il avait etc surement a mt^me dc fairc dcs rettexions sericuscs, diit elic regaide comme un ramas dc taussetes? Ettiuandbien memc on poiirraitse le persuader, quen rcsulterait-il contre les au- trestemoins ? Attidavit dc M. Von IlHand, No, 15, On a deja pu voir que les cxtraits de cet attidavit qui sc trouvcnt dans les re- marques preiiminaires, cc que Ion pout penscr dcs scrupules do M. le Ducteur Von IHland. II estditticile de pousscr plus loin I'aberration. Sa memoi'c est d'une intidelite extreme rclativcment a la deposition quil avait donnec devant le Comite dc rAssemblcc, Ccux qui speculaient sur la fccunditc de son imagination out cruellcment Hv2 onicl advantage of iiis credulity. lie was their dupe. Wo will not repeat here wliat has been saiil upon this suhjcct; we shall content ourselves with adding >onio remarks upon otiier portions of this athdavit. We must romeniher that, according to this aMldavit, it should he thought that this answer to the seventh (pie^tion, proposed to him, at thi- time of iiis examination belbre the Committee, impo"teil that lie was present, when ttie elder St. (iermain gave his vote at the William Henry Election. We have also seen, on the contrary, that so far i'rom his answer bearing this construction, it stated in direct terms that he xai.s iiof tlurc. After so striking a proof of the treacherous character of the Doctor's memory, how can we refer to his decla- ration, wh'jn he assures us that to this identical question, he made an answer which occupies not less tluui fourteen lines ol this folio afiidavit, in small cha- raciers; and which he, at tiic sime time declares, was suppressed by the Com- mittee. He does not merely sav that his answer was to tiiis efFoct ; he swears positively, and it must be thought, when we observe the formality of his expres- sions on this subject, that these are the precise terms, word (or wonl, us^ d by him in giving liis evidence beft)rc'th(' Committee. We find no explanation upon this subject. Hence, how are wc to think, that a man who almost immciliatcly after giving his evidence, falls into so gross an error as to the sense of a pass:i;^c ; of a single sentence ; very shoit, and reports it in a difierent sense, could after more than two months, remember precisely, so long and so complicated an an- swer? Tilt le wonlil be something mysterious in this. 'I'he Doctor was evident- ly led awav by his excessise zeal. IJesidcs, this supposed K)ng answer would have reference to conversations with St. (iermain, bei()re or during the election, and since, ■ pon the reservation of ihc life-estate upon wliich ii ■ voted and too'< the (Kith. This is a repetition, with some athlition, of what is found in the Doctor's tirst alii lavit, but adding nothing important to what he had already said upon this subject. \\'e shoulil here again observe, that it was Doctor \'on Miaiul who dictated his answers to the Cleik of the Committee, by whom thery were taken down. It was lor him to see that it was correctly taki n down. These depositions an* al- ways reail over to the witnesses, in oriler to ascertain that they contain no errors, and ill order that he may correct them, if he liiul any, before they are considered as coiiii)leted, for the ])iirp()se of forming a jiortion o[' the Report. Can it he supjiosed, that the Committee deviated expressly from this ru!e, from a constant habit, with the view of siip;)ressing tiie truth ? What motive could induce the Committee to be guilty of such an act, — an act equally contrary to the laws of morality and the principles of honor ? Hut the answer which he pretends to have given to the Committee, has not even any connection with the question pro- posed. Again, he might have had it in wriiing,— have caused it to be addeil to his dejjosition, if it li.ul been omitted. Lastly, wc have seen that, according to his account, he had haard |)retendcd falsehoods spoken of, or su|)pressions, which he declares to have occurred in taking down his answers inniiediately after his examination. He swears that, if he did not petition the Assiinbly, for the pur- pose of asking of th.^n permi-;sion to rectify bis errors, /'/ uv/.v birattsc the Session tiY/s loo fur luhaiicid ; and the Ses>ion did not terminate for more than a month after this period. It may now be asked, what confidence can be placed in the dejiosition, by ii/Jidtnit, of a man ca])able of so far straining levity, to use no harsher term, as to give, under the sanction of an oath as true, facts such as these ? Besides, after the observations which have been already made, on the part of Mr. Stuart's memoir which relates to the oath taken by St. (iermain, of what weight can this tirade of the Doctor's be; and his declarations, as to his con- versations with St. (Jermain, with respect to the stipulation for this reservation, wliich is not even found in the deed upon wliicli St. Germain pretended to rest his right of voting? How could the imioceucc, or the error, of this man be urged ia ivililiiig 143 cnicllcincnt abiisi.' ile sa crc'ilulitc. II a ('tr Icur tliipc. On no n'petLra pa*! ici ce ([111 a ctrdit :i ce siijit; on sc contcntcra d'y lenvoycrcn y ajoutaiit (111CI41ICS re- i:iar()iies stir d'aiitrcs parties dc cet alliilavit. On doitse rappelercitie d'aprcscct allidavit, on devrait croire que sa ri'ponsc doiiiice a la sopticmc question (jui lui avail etc proposrc lors de sou cxamcu de- vaut Ic Comite comportait qu'il rtaitpirsent lorsquc St. Germain p>re avail donne s;i voix i"i releclion de William Henry. On a vu aussi qu'au conlraiie, sa ri'ponse bicii loin de pouvoir comporter ce sens etuit lextucllemeiit qu'il u'y cloit pan prt'.siiif. A[)rcs line prcuve aussi f'rappanle dc linfidelite do la incmoiie du Doc- teur, comment pcul-on s'en rapportcr a sa declaration qiiand il assure qua cctte nil" me question, il a fait uue reponse qui n'esl pas moins de quaiorzc ligues dans cetatlidavil, d'une p;ige folio avcc descaractero passablemciit fins, el qu il di'x'Iare dc im ne avoir cli supprime par lo Coiuitc, II no dil pas que ce soil la le sens dc la ivponscquil avail dcjuute, il jure posilivcment, el on devrait penser d'aprcs ce iju'il y a de fbrinel dans ses cx])ressious a ce sujel qvie ce sont l.\ Ics teruies precis cl uiotpoui' mot donl il sest scr\i en deposanl dcvanl le Comitt. 11 nya pas la moindre crplication u cc siijct. Comment croire dcs lors, qu'uu homme qui prcs- (]ii'iiuin: diatemciit apres iivoir donnc son Icmoignage, se tronipc aussi lourdemeiit sur le seiisd'un j'assage, d'uue seule i)lirasc tres-courto.e. la rapporte a contrescns, a pa a|ircs plus dc deux uiois, exactcmeiit sc ressouvouir cl'uiie ri'ponse aussi luiiguc ct aussi coinpliqut'c ? Ce scrail (jueltjui' chose dc mysU'rieux. Le Docteur a lie e\ idemnitnt emporte par I'exces dc son zelc. Au restc, colic longiic n'ponsc suppos.'e aurail rapport a dcs conversations avoc St. Cjcrniaiii, avant ou tluiaul I'dcclion el dcpuis, sur la ivscrvc il'iisuf'ruil sur le- quclila voIl' el prc'te seruicnl. C'cst une repititiou de ce qui so trouve dans Ic premier allidavit du Uoclciir, avcc quehpie clioscs de plus, mais qui n'ajout'j ricu cl'iiui)urtanl ucc qu'il avail del,\ dil a ce sujot. Ondoil encore, dc uouvcau, observer ici, que c'etait -M. Ic Doctcur A'ou inland qui dictail scs rcponses auCcIlier du Comiu' qui ics ecrivait. C'etait a lui de voirsi la rcdaclion i tail cxacte. Ces depositions soul loujours comnuini- (juces au Ic'moin pour s'assurerqu'elles lie rent'erineiil pas d'errcurs ou d'iucxac- litudcs, ct po.u" (pi il puisse Ics corrigcr s'il s'en liouvo avanl [u'elle soient cen- sccscom|ilcles pour fairc partic du Rapport. Peut-ou pcnscr que le Comite ait iSdv'ic tout exprcs dc cclfc regie, d'un usage constant dans I'inlenlion de suppri- nier la vi rit(i ? Quel motif pouvait engager le Comite A sc rcudre coupable de cet Acte, t'galemeut contraire aux lois de la morale el aux principes de I'honneur? .Mais la ri'ponsc quil pri lend avoir dounije au Comite, ii"a pas mcjuie de liaison avcc la question proposee. D'uii autre C('te, il pouvait la fairc icrirc, la faire ajouter a sa dcj osition si on I'avail omisc. Enfiu on a vu que, quoique suivant lui, il cut en- tiiulu parlor des pii!'lendiics fausseles ou suppressions ([U il dcclara avoir eu lieu dans la ledaclicm de ses reponses iinmtjdialenu nl apres son examcn, il affirme par sermenl que s'il ne s'esl pas adresse a I'Asscmblec pour lui dcmandcr de rcctitier les erreurs, c'cst parcc quo la Session (tail Irop avancec ; el la Session n'avait Unique plus d'un moisaprcs ccUe ('poque. Ou j)eul maintenant dernaiider quelle confiaiice pout mcritcr la deposition par atlidaxil d'uii Iiouuuc capable de pousser aussi loin la legercle, pouriu rien dire dc plus, en attestanl sous le sceau du ser- incnl conunc vrais des fails dc cello nature. Au reslc, apri s les observations que Ton a dcja faitcs sur la pnrtie du memoiro de M.Stuarl, relative au sermcnl prtle jiar .St. Germain, de quel poids pourrait elre oetle tirade du Uoctcur ct scs declarations sur scs conversations avcc St, Cermain sui la stipulation de cctle leserve qui ne se trouve pas mcme dans lo contrat sur kqucl St. Germain prclciulait apnuycr son droit de voter. Que pourrait en laveur dc in Mr. Stuarfs favour after charges bro.i^^ht ami prosocutcl, during a period of nearly three years, against those pretended perjurors o borcl. who ;vcro led by St. (Lmain's example ; who had. *'' c deed contan.ed such a reservation, w< iild not Invi' ensured this right ot sutlrage? AV" J; a so know, after what we have ahcady seen o the extreme trcache. rv otDoctor \on inland's memory, what must be thought o that part o Ins Slid^^vU which relates to that which, according to hun, he had sa.d of the e iK to have been sent. I>j/ a Mr. Schiller, lo Sv,rl: and particularly |. th. "idavt which Mr. Stuart, in the letter of the 2d o . unc. sto tc^t.hed a de- re of obtainn.g from Mr. Crebassa. If we arc to bchcve Doctor Von ItHai d, Mr Stuart told Imu that •' this allidavit had been prepared at Mr Crebassa 8 de- "sire, wtnat Montreal, and that he had called on the said James Stuart to «« swear to the said allidavit; but had been prevented from doing so, by hud- .. n.' him too mnl h engaged'to be spoken to." Mr. Von IfHand further deposes that"" Mr. Crebassa declined making the said afluiav.t, when required to do so .. at William llenrv. not on the ground of any iuaconracy in '\^^/^;^.'^''^^\ «• but because, as he stated, his brother and son was unwilhng that he should " iinkp the said aflidavit, and had told him not to do so." Lastly Mr Von Ifliand .adds, a little further on, •• that with respect to this «« proposed Alliilavit of fhe said Mr. Crel).ass;i, as well as t\yo or three others, he " cciived a letter fmm the said .fames Stuart, containing the instruct-ons under "which the s.aidalHdaviis were to be taken, wh^ch letter he annexed •-.hisalh- " davit, and to which he refers." ,• . u-j ■. We have one more remark to m;.ke with retercnce to tins subject, which .s, that Mr. Von Itlland havinu - iu con.plimce with the said letter, renewed Ins .'request to the sai 1 Mr. Crebassa. to be informed whether he woo hi make the .« said aflldavit, ;.nice h> the eowluct uj tin- .satd Jmiirs Stuart, rli/. Buiwe ifavetheaftidavitsof Messrs. Schiller and Okill Stuart upon this subject. It follows, that notwithstanding this ,,retendcd desire on the par of Mr. Crebassa. his promise to give this alHdavit, he no more gave it than did he give his reasmis fir not having done so. as he was re.pnred. According to Mr Von IHland. it was his intention to send one ot his own framing to Mr. S inrt he did not pretend, then, to sign and swear that which hax boen dravvn np!v Mr. Stuart, audit i^nevcrtheless, by alhdavits such as these that nnc should apparently persua.le ourselves, that tl.is document in ^^hlch is found Mr cXs a'Tname. to which the title of aiUdav.t has been given, destroys the effect o the evidence 'given by Mr. Crebassa betiue th. Committee, ^-> f-" ■"' '^f^'^ strongly against The depositions given by the other witnesses. What uleas.- ^^ '''\CmTv a^ain sec what reliance sI>onld be placed upon the deposition of Doctor Von Ifliand. when he deposes, that he did not say before the Commit ec iVrMr Stuart threatened the Electors: that he did not usevn>ence. Does he kc Mr Stuart, pretend that physical force wa. meant ? He deposes also tlm the' w-ou! .lieraiiJn was u..d instead of additions, lie says, that he did not de- ■I 145 criod of i leil by ake the ot what 1 of Mr. , iiin\ to had not lulcfmcd .'ivatioii, trcachc- rt of his of those y ci ihi it'll a ilo- I Itllaiul, issa s de- Stuart t(» by (iiul- dcposcs, to do so aiidavit, e slioiild ct to this ith.rs, be )ns midof .) his alli- whicb is, icwcd Ills make the ig so ; he d send it tended to luring tin fs S/utirt, art, upon I liie part tlian did oriHiig to g to Mr, en draAii that \sc bund Mr. the etVect n niihtate t ideasi — )osition of lommittec Docs he, also, thnt id not de- pose de Ar. Sinart, riniiocencc de I'erre.ir de cet homtne, apies des accusations inten- t( cs, poiirstiivics pendant pres de trois aniu es coiitrc ees pretendus parjurcs de Sorel (pii avaicnt iinite rexcniph) de St. (jerniain, determines a voter ct a prrter serniont pour iM. Smart lui-mune. De (pielle importance enfi'i la deposition de .M. le Dr. Von Illlanil peut-elle arc niaintenant, apres les av»..ix de M. Stuart qui a pu alkr jus(piVi engager ee St. (lermain voter ct a pn'ter sermcnt, sur nn droit comnie resultant d'mi contrat, (pt'il n*avait pas vu. d'uiic rJservc qui nc s'y trouvo pas. d'unc stipulation ind( finie (p.i n'aurait pas menie assure ce droit de sutViagc en siipposant qu'eile y cut tte inseree ? On pent aussi d'apres cc qii'on a deja vu de I'cxtreme inexactitude dcs sou- venirs de M. ie Docteur Von lllland, savoir cc qn'on doit penser de la partie de cet aliidavit qui a rapport a ce qiio,suivant liii, il aurait dit de ceux allegues avoir ete cnvoyes, dit-il, par un M. Scliiiler, a Sorel, et en partic.ulier ccluiciue M. Stuart, dans sa lettre du 2 Juin l,S;J(), lui t^moignait le desir d'obtenir de iM. Crcbasaa. Si I'oii en croit le Dr. Von lUland, M. Stuart lui aurait dit" qu'il avait |)rq)ar(' cet " anida\it d'apres le desir de M. tJebassa, quand il (tait a Montreal, (|u"il s'etait " adresse a lui (M. Stuart) pourl'assernienter, niaisc.u'il ne I'avait pu faire, I'ayant " trouve trop occupe pour pouvoir lui parler.'' M. Von lllland dtpose dephis {jue " M. Cri'bassa n refuse de signer cet aliidavit quand il en aetercquis a Uilliani '♦ Henry, non sous pntexte qu'il s'y tiouvait de I'inexaetitude, niais parce que, " connne il le dielarait, sun | ere et son tils ne voulaient pas qu'il donnat cctafH- «' davit ct lui avaient dit de ne pas le donner." Enlin M. Von ItHand ajoutc un jjcu i)his loin relativenicnt a ee projet fl'allidavit de M. Cnbassa, et de deux ou trois r.iilres qu'il avait roc ii du M. St.nait une lettre contenant les instructions d'a- pres lesquelles ees allidavits devaicnt elie pris et qu'il annexe ;i son propre affi- davit. Mais une chose a rcmarqucr de plus relativenient a cet objet, c'est que M. >'on IIHand ayant, en se conliurmant a cdle Iclln: d'instructinn, '« requis M. Crt- " bassa dc rinformer s'il donnait eet atiidavit, ou s'il ne le faisait pas, donncr les " raisons qu'il avait de ne le pas faire, eelui-ci lui a dit qu'il lerait lui-niemc son " affiiLivit.et I'enverralt a Ivl. Stuart." Cet aliidavit comme les antics qui lui avaient tte cnvoyes rtaienl destine s a ctre opposes anx dtclarations faiisses qui avaient suivant kii ete " faites dans ee procis fait a Aussant |:our parjiire relativement a " la cundnite du dit James Stuart a Sorel." Mais on a latHdavit de M. Schiller ;i cesiijutetcelui de M.O'ivill Stuart. II enresulteque r ^obstant cedesir pretende. de M. Crebassa, sa promesse dc donncr cet atiidavit, ■ I'a pas donnee plus qu'il n'adonneles raisons qu'il avait dene pas le liiire ct> i.ine on le requerait delui. Suivant M. Von iHland il devaiten envoyer un dc sa facon a M. Stuart. II no prctendait done pas signer ct :i< iienter celui qui avail etc dressc par aI. Stuart. Et c'est cependant d'apres allidaxits de cette cspcce que I'on devrait apparem- inent se persuader que ce ilueument dans lequel on a mis le nom de M. Crebassa i-t aiiquel on a donnc ie meme titre dttruit reil'et du tcnioignage donne par M. Crebassa devant le Comitc et peut fortement iniliter centre les depositions donnees j)ar les autres tcmoiiu. Quelle idces ! Quclks pretentions ! On pent encore voir quelle foi on doit ajouter a la deposition de M. Ie Doc- teur "Von Itilaud quand il depose qu'il n'a pas dit devant le Comite que M. Stuart avait fait des menaces aux tiecteurs, qu'il n'avait pas en ployC de violence. Pre- terid-il comme M. Stuart qu'il fut questisin d;- farrf? p!>.yKiqije, 1! depose aiissi (juon a mis le mot " alterations*' au lieu « d'addithm.- 11 dit qu'il n'a pas depose T qu'oa liJt 146 pose that there had been a refusal to si-a certain affidavits; that what he said upon this subject alluded only to Mr. t'rcbassa. .^. ^ , , ,. ,. „ r-^,„ ' He prete uls that he is .r^ule to say. in the deposition taken be o e the Com. mittPP that Mr Stmrt used xcon/s injurious lo Mr. Crcbnssa; whilst, he had only S ;d? L Air Slnalthad saul t at Mr. Crebassa ucte I'viden^'e nrodiiicd before the Committee. , . . \n e "nav lK.ve seen how far Mr. Stuart lias allowed himself to be led away. by the vio!cticc of his resentment, against the witnesses who gave t'^^ir evidence bcfoe therommittceofthe Assembly. They are not merely the object ot ^ r proiuh in his memoir; he has'been jnodigal towards » 'e- o be bitte - ":.,.-.,. 1/ ,,f.i.,. ,„„ct c-virw- oMfr.i. Under the idea which he had tormeil. JhaU eir evidencc\vas dict^atcTl bf hatred and falsehood, he paints them .1. the blackest colours. If we were to appeal to him. thoy would be "'''^nious^cha. 147 qu'on cut refust: de signer dcs affidavits, que ce qu'il a dit a ce sujet ne regardait que M. Crc'bassii. II pr(?tend qu'on lui fait dire dans la deposition donnee devant le Comitc que M. Stuart sVtait servi de mo/s injurietw envcrs M. Cribussa, tandis qu'il aiirait de- clare seulement que M. Stuart avait dit que M. Crebassa agissait d'une maniere s/wp/r/e expressions qui seraient apparemment de I'urbanitc suivant M. le Doc- teur"Von IfHand. Enfin, suivant M, "Von Iftlandon lui fiiitdire dans sa deposition prise devant le Comitc que M. Stuart avait menace M. IVelles qu'il ie plaindrait de lui au Gou- verneur, tandis qu'il avait depose que M. Stuart comptait sur I'assistance de M. Welles, Agent de la Seigneurie, et trouvant que M. Welles " s'absentait dii Poll, " il lui avait fait des remontrances ii ce sujet, insist^ sur ce qu'il ne s'absentat pas " du Poll et lui declarant en mtime terns que s'il le fiiisait il en ferait son rapport au " Gouverneur." On peut demandcr si ce n'etait pas l;i une menace ? Ce qui suit dans I'affidavit par rapport a la correspondance du Gouverneur et (hi Cure, et le petit panegyrique de la conduite de M. Stuart, que comporte le leste de I'affidavit, ne in(:;ritcnt pas une remarque. Voila pourtant \ quoi se reduit le temoignage par affidavit produit par M- Stuart, a I'appui de son mcmoire. Scrait-ce bien la ce qu'il croit capable de ba- lancer la prcuve sur laquelle le Comitc s'est aupuye pour porter des accusations centre lui. IIEMAIIQUES SUR CES ROCUMENS. J'ai drja entrc dans beaucoup trop de d(^tails relativemcnt aux divers docu- mens qui setroiivent dans cettepartiederAppendice annexe au mcmoire de M. Stuart, mais j'ai fait observer dabord avant d'ontrcr dans I'examen du mi-moire queje nepouvais, dans Ics circonstanccs actuellcs, prendre surmoi de passer Icgere- ment.ou de garder le silence sur les objcts qui pouvaient ne pas me paraitre digncs d'une attention scrieuse ou qui pouvaient a mes ycux etrc reellementetranger ;\ la discussion, (."'est aussi pour la mcme raison queje crois ne pas pouvoir passer a un autre sujet sans me pcrmcttre quelqucs rcmarqucs sur cette cspcce de preuve dont pourtant la faiblcsse ou plutnt la nullitc est si frappante. II serait bien inu- tile de commcnter de nouveau le rapport de M. Stuart fait a Sir James Kempt, du 13 Aout de cette annee 18.'30 plus que i'aftidavit de M. Green ou d'Allard, et quel- qucs autres, I'Acte d'accusation de Marcoux, pieces auxquelles pcuvent se rappor- ter avcc raison les mots de h{)rs(riviarc;i,<\oni on sest sei vi avant d'entrcr dans cette discussion. On se bornera dans les observations qui sui\ nt relativemcnt a cette partie de 1' Appendice a examiner, ce qu'on doit pciiser dcs temoins dont M.Stuart a produit les affidavits, pour voir si en supposantde Timpoitance aux faits dont ils deposcnt, Icurs depositions pourraient ctre de (juelqiie poi>!s rclativcnunt a ce qui s'est passe a I'election de Surel, ou pour aflaiblii' le temoignage produit devant le Comitc, On a pu voir jtisqu'ou M. Stuart s'est laisse cntrainerpar la violence do ses ressentimens contre les icmoins qui out dcjiosc devant le Comitc de TAsscmblee. lis ne sent passeulemcnt en but a desieproclics durs dans son mcmoire ; il leur a prodigue tout ce que l'in>-ulte peut avoir de j)!us amcr, I'outrago de plussanglant, dans lidee qu'il s'ctait faite que la haine ct la faussete avaient dicte leiirs temoi- gnuyes, il lespcint eux mcmessous lescoideursles jilusnoirs. Si(-n s'en rappor- tait a lui ce serait des hommcs infames. Mais les injures ne sont pas des ri!'ponses, et 148 meters. But injuries arc not answers, mither is abuse rcfntation; and we will not return to this subject. A bare denial, of assertions devoid of proof, is sutH- cicnt. Let us allow, however^ for a moment, that, under the circumstances, some of the witnesses might not after the contest in whicii llu7 had been en- gagod,— after the manner in which he had conducted himself towards thcin; and considering the complaints in the country, arising from such conduct, have been free from prejudice against him ; how much stronger reasons have we not to oiler in opposition to the species of evidence whicli he protends to adduce for his jus- tification, more especially when we consider, at the same time, who the persons are whose affidavits he has chosen to obtain, and paiticulirly the persons whoso evidence he actually regards as that most important lor hisjuslification. Above all, let us remark, with respect to these witnesses, wh;it inHucnce it was possible to gain over them, in the name of a man clothed with functions, as important as those exercised by Mr. Stuart at that time! He was not only a first Olhcer of the Crown, — he, whose opinion the Governor is obliged to take for his guidance in legd matters. — but also an Kxecutive Councillor, and giving also, by^right, his opinion in that character. He was also, as we see by his own memoir, a sort of sole auxiliary in the Province, of the Courts, and of th ; Grand .furies, in the exercise of their functions ; possessing, in fact, a sort of monopoly, when it was necessary to institute and support prosecutions in criminal matters. Wc may see with what rigour he was eiiabktl, d iring many years, to exercise functions of this nature; to what fate those, who were tlic object of his resent- ment and his prejudices, were subject. With ideas of so strange a character, as to the rights attaihcd to his ofhce, could he be disj>oseil to exercise, with inilul- gence or moderation, a power such as that which he considers essentially ne- cessary to the servants of (lovernment in order to its sujipoit? It is also easy, in accordance with his opinions in this resptct, to imagine, what must have been necessarily the feelini;s of those who, employed by, or performing duties for, the CJovernment, became fellow-labourers under him, in order to procure him votes at an election, the success of which must have a|)pearL'd in his eyes, as well as in the eyes of his patron, the then Governor, really in the Jight of a state affair. Let us now see who the persons arc whose atHdavits ho produce*, and wlu» depose to the transactions of which we have spoken, at the .Sorel Kl< ction. Wi- will not dwell upon Hurke's attidavif, which is scirceiy more than a kind of vague; panegyric upon Mr. Stuart's conduct; nor on tliat of the man l*:iui, an Ulilvratc man : both known as Mr. Stuarts partizans. a fact which Mr. Stuart could not »leny, and whose depositions otherwise are of no greater importance than the Deponents themselves ; but it is right to make some few observations with res- pect to those wliom Mr. >tnart himself regards as, and styles, in his memoir, the vHist trspcctnl'k jh-rsiuis ol'thc place, Messrs. Welles, .Jones, and Von liHaud. The first was the Government Agent for the Seigniory of Sorel, where the Rorough is situated, and Barrack Slaster. Accortjug to Mr. Stuart, Iw had been reliefi t/jmnjar the camti.ssin:::- of the liorouii/i in hisjlivaur. Mr. Stmrt was so well aware that Mr. W. lies nnist be attached to his cause, fromfjuite another feeling than that of an onlinary attachment t<) himself or bis views, — in fact, so well convinceil was he that it was Mr. Welles' imperious duty, as a Govcrtnnent C'Hcer, to mak6 every effort in order to ensure his t lection, that he loaded him publicly, at tiic poll, with bitter reproaches, for what he called his neglect to serve 'him ; and threatened hiin, alouil, that he wouki re- jiort his conduct, iifjon this subject, to the (iovernment. There is one tact which shows what the situation of the Agent, for the Seigniory and Barrack Master, wa>;, with respect to this election, under an ad- ministration such as that then cxlalinir. It was this Mr. Wciies who was charged with U9 et dos denonciations ne sont pas ucur il a pu pendant des annees cxercer des fonctions de ce genre, a quel sort ctaient exposes ceux qui se trouvaient cn but a ses ressentimens et ses })r:jugcs. Avec dcs idces aussi etrangcs sur les droits attaches a charge, pouvaitil (tre dispose a us r avec indulgence et moderation d'une puissance comma celle qu'il rcgardc cssentiellemcnt ni'cessaire aux employes d'un Gouvernement, pour (|u'il puissc le soutenir. Il estaise aussi d'apres ses opinions a cet egard dimaginer quels dcvaient L'trc les sentimens de ceux qui, employes en exer9ant dcs charges du Cjouvcrnemcnt, devenaient sous lui des collaborateurs pour lui procurer des voix dans une cle( tion, dont lesucces devait paraitre a ses yeux, comme aux veux tie son Patruu le Gouverneur dalors, une veritable affaire d'etat. oyo'"- mainlenant quels sont ceux dont il produit les affidavits et qui depo- rt -mentaux scenes dont il a etc question dans I'electiou de Sorel. On Voyo' posent r' ne s'an ! : ; as al'affidavitde Burke, qui n'est gueresqu'une especc de panegy. lique vague de la conduite deM. Stuart, ni a celui du nomme Paul, homme ille- tre, tons deux connus pour les partisans de M. Stuart, cc que M. Stuart iic pourrait nier, et dont au rcsteles depositions n'ont guereplus d'importance qu'ils n'en ont cux-mc^mes. Mais il ost juste de fiire quelques observations rclativement a ceux que iM. Stuart rcgarde lui-memc et qualifie dans son niemoire comme Icsjjersonnes les plus respectables dc lendroit, Messrs. Welles, Jones ct Von lllland. Lc premier t'tait I'Agcntdu Gouvernement pour la Seigncurie de Sorel, ou la llourg se trouvc situee ot maitre des Cazernes, (Uarrack Master . Suivant M.Stuart, on sen vtail rapporle d lui du so'iii dc solitciicr les suffrages dam lc village en su I'dxeur. M. Stuart scntait si bien que M. Welles devait efre attache a sa cause par un tout autre sentiment que celui d'un attachement ordinaire pour sa personne ou j)our ses vucs, entiu il elait si bien convaincu que pour M. Welles, cetait un de- voir de necessite comme officierdu Gouvernement, dc faire des efforts pour faire reussir son election, qu'il lui faisait ouvertemetit au Poll des reprochesamers sur ce qu'il appelait sa negligence a le scrvir, et le mcnafait hautementde se plaindre de lui au (iouverncur a cct egard. II est un fait quidemontre quelle etait la situation de I'Agent de la Seigneu- riC, Maitre des CuzciTics (Barrack Master,) relativcra^uit a ccttc election, sous uue administration 150 vith the communication to the Rector, Mr. Kelly, of the contents of the note written by the Governor's order, which has been niciUioned in the course of hese observations, and with reference to ^vi^ch Mr Kelly gave the evulcnce which forms a pan of the nport of the Committee. It was he who, on this oc- casion. was the' organ of this (Jovernor's threats to tins Rector, hat he would complain of him tt his Bishop, even to the Seartar,, oj State ,n hu^and, under the pretence, that his father interfered m the e ect.on in an interest opposed ^^^^ that of Mr Stuart- conduct winch he regarded as an act of /lo^tilit// lo t/ie ctcnmcnl All these arc undisputed facts. Mr. Von Iflland, in attempting to shaketheproofof these facts, himself corroborates them il Tones was avowedly attached to Mr. Stuarts interests. In order to convince ourselves of this, we have only to read his affidavit. Again, could Mr. Stuart denv that Mr. Jones was one of the avowed partizans of the administra- tion ; and paiticularlv that he was warndy so at this period, as he was in Ins fa- vour at the election. We see. by his own deposition, that, like Mr. AVelles and Mr Von Iffiand, he was a sort of confidential man, whom Mr. Stuart consultcil, andt.. whom he referred, in order to satisfy himself of the right of sufirage, claimed by the 1 ectors who offered to give him their votes. 1 le was, besides, a Lieutenant.Colonel of Militia; and this circumstance, which, at any other time, anywhere else, and under a different r.dministration, would be of little impor- tancc, is of great weight at this moment. ,,,•,, We also see, bv >Ir. ^'on Ifliand's afliilavits, that he himself was a partizan of Mr Stuart's, f licv both furnish proof of his excessive zeal during the elec- tion .andofthatwith'which he continued to be animated after its termination. Ttw'astohim that Mr. Stuart gave orders whilst the poll was open. It was he who was required to prepare hhmk uarranl.s against the electors, who incurred his displeaiure, by voting in an interest opposed to his own It was he who caused them to be arrested ; it was he, a Magistrate, whom Mr. Stuart publicly euioined to make haste. These are, amongst many others which might be cited, facts proved, and in answer to which nothing has been said, not even in Mr. Von inland's affidavits. , . i • c .i o i r We mav a'^iin see, bv the pres.mg letter addressed to bun, of the 2d o June, 18:J0," placed at the end of Mr. Von Ifliand's second aifidaut. numbered fifteen, in the Appendix to the memoir, how much Mr. Stuart re ics on his zeal and r.ctivitv. He communicates paiticular recommendations to him with refe- rence to Mr. Henry Crel'assa. who^e aflidavit he testifies an anxious desire ol o!)tairii:n-. It will be admitted, that tlie^e pressing recommendations show much more sensibly confidence in the actiNity and zeal of a partizan, than that which would be tcs'tifiei passant, that Mr. Jones and Mr. Von Iflland, whilst they were yet both of tlv m Magi>trates. rendered each other the mutual service ofswearing and receiving aflidavi's, the one of the other. Uhat activity must not men situated like Messrs Jones. Welles, and \ on IfHand, have used in t.ie steps they took for the purpose of insuring the success of Mr. Stuarts election, whilst thev knew, besides, that in so acting they sup- Dorled the views of a (iovernor, hinis. If capable i.f being equally zealous in favour of him who supported him in his own admimstratum ; who could ado] '. means of so violent a character, in fact, nm/M r/VA//, with a view to triumph .-'- ThisCoxernor remained uiion the spot, and nothing could escape his scru- '""^Ticsfdcs. what could they expect from this Governor if they were wanting in zeal. ' 1 que: u«t il nier q le fut SI lection Iflland, s'en rap fraient Milice, adminis ce monr Oi tisan d( pendan termin(! Poll, c tre Ics ( sien ; ( crivait pourrai affidavi O par la cond af lui adr< bassa, < que ses et lezi; corns c diction ou de 1 ctait d n O I encore reccvo ^ 1 Von 11 1 lectioi les vu( 1 de eel 1 moyer 1 vernei 1 1 ) tcurs. 1 151 the note, course of evidence n this oc- lic would nd, under pposcd to litfi to the Itempting order fo :ould Mr. iministra- iii his fa- belles and :onsultiHl, sutlragc, besides, a tlicr time, ;lc iiDpor- a partizan the elec- rminatioi). It was he incurred s he who rt publicly ; be cited, en in Mr. the 2d of niunbered on his zeal with ref'e- s desire ol' ihow much hat which about this lendent ot these acts, luld be ob- and, whilst ;ual service , and Von the success they su])- zealous \u ouhl adi»| '. riuniph ? — ; his scrii- wanting in zeal, -idministration commc rctait cellc d'alors. C'etait cc M. Welles qui avait et6 charge de coainiuniqtier a M. le Cure Kelly, le billet ecritpar ordre du Gouverneur^lont il a etc question dans le cours de ces observations.et relativement auquel M. Kelly a donnc^la deposition qui faitpartie du rapport du Comitc. C'ctait lui qui dans cette occasion etait I'organe des menaces du Gouverneur a ce Cure, de se plaindre de lui •I son Evcque, mi'^me au Miuistrc d'Etat en Anglcterre, sous pretexte que son pcre se m^lait del'eiection dans un int^ret oppose a celui de M. Stuart, cequ'il regar- daitcomme une cspecc d'hostilitc contrc le Gouvcrnement. lousces faits sont constans. M. Von ItHand corrobore lui-mcme la preuve de ces faits en tentant de I'cbranler. M. Jones ctait ouvertement attache aux interOts de M. Stuart. II ne faudrait que lire son affidavit pour s'en convaincre. D'un autre cote, M. Stuart pourrait- il uier que M. Jones fiit ouvertement un des partisans de I'administration et qu'il le futsurtoutavecchalcur a cettei^'poqiie, comme iU'etait en sa faveiir dans I'c- lectioii ~ On voit d'aprcs sa propre deposition qu'il (^-tait comme M. Welles et Voii Ittiand, une esptcc d'hommc de contiance que M. Stuart consultait, et auquel il s'en rapportait pour s'assurer du droit de suffrage rtclamsj paries clecteursqui of- fraient de donncr leur voix pour lui. 11 ctait en outre Lieutenant-Colonel de iviilice, et cette circonstancc qui dans tout autre terns, partoutailleurs et sous une administration diftcrente, serait de pen dimportance est d'un tres-grand poids en ce moment. ^ , ,, , • i • On voitaussi par les affidavits de M. Von Iffl;ind qu'd ctait lui aussi un par- tisan de M. Stuart. L'un et I'autre fournissent la preuve de son zMe excessif pendant I'clcction, et de celui dont il a continue d'etre anime apres qu'elle a ete termince. CYtaita lui que M. Stuart donnait des ordres pendant la tenue du Poll, c'ctait lui quil requt rait de preparer oes mandats d'arrcstationenblanc, con- tfc Ics electeurs qui encourraient sa disgrace en votant dans un intercH oppose au sien ; c'est lui qui les faisait arrcter, CY-lait a lui magistrat, que M. Stuart pres- crivait hautemcnt de faite diligence. Ce sont 1a entre beaucoup d'autres que Von pourrait citcr des faits constates et auxquels en n'a ricn oppostj pas mcme dans les affidavitsdeM. Von Iffland. . On pent voir encore combicn M. Stuart se repose sur son zele et son activite par la Icttrc pressante qu'il lui adresse Ic deux Juin 1830, niise a la suite du se- cond affidavit de M. Von Iffland, marque No. 15 dansl'Appendice du memoire. II lui adresse des recommandations toutes particulicres relativement a M. Henry Crc- bassa, dont il t6moignc vivement le dc sir de se procurer I'affidavit. On conviendra que ses recommandations prcssantesscntentbien plutot la confiance dans I'activit^ et lezcled'uu partisan que cellc que Ton tcmoignerait i\ un homme qui pendant le cours de I't'lcction on vers cette epoquc, aurait simpltment fait des actesde juris- diction comrne magistrat indcpe.idammentde touteespecede sentiment d'affection ou de penchant pom- ccux qui pouvaint requcrir ces actes, ou de ceux pour qui il ctait d'un grand intirOt de se les procurer. On peutrcmarqiier en passant que M. Jones ct Von Iffland quand i!s t^taient encore tous deux magistrats se rondaient mutuellcment le service dc s'asscrmenter, recevoir les aftidavits l'un dc I'autre. Quelle aulorit(j des hommcs place's dans la situation de M. Welles, Jones et Von inland, nc devaicnt-ils pas nictlri> dans leurs demarches pour faire rcussir lY- lection de INI. Stuart, quand ils savaient en outre qu'cn le faisant, ils sccondaient les vuesdun (iouverneur capable lui nicme dcpousscrle zele aussi loin en faveur de celui qui scrvait d'appui dans sa propre administration.ciui pouvait recounr a des moyens aussi violcns, ;\ des coups d'etat cnfin pour tenter de triompher. Ce Gou- verneur demcurait sur les lieux ct rien nc pouvait cchappcr a ses regards scruta- 152 zeal, when Ib.ey saw him go the length of iiitcnlicting a man hke Mr. Kelly, the Hector, (who was in the hahit of seeing him,) liis house, niulcr the pretext of his father's opposition at ]\Ir. Stuart'd elcefion ; of coiisi.lering this opposition as a state aHair. Lastly, when tiic Governor threatencil this llertor, that he would make his conduct the subject of complaint against him to his Bishop and to the Secretary of Stale, as though, in his characler of ccclcshistic, he was, in a case of this kind, responsible for his father's conduct, and shouhlbc piniished for it at once as for a crime which dishonoured the body of which he was a member, and as fur a crime against the state. It seems to nie that no more is necessary to show how deeplv the deposi- tions of these three witnesses, however respectable they mny be othcrw so con. sidcred, may with reason be stained with the suspicion of'prejudice, — with a feeling of interest in Mr. Stuart's favour. l?ut we must again add, (hat Mr. Jones was a Lieutenant Colonel of Militia ; all three were at thai time .Magistrates ■ in the place ; and there were scarcely any others, with the exception of the Re- turning Ofhccr. We may see by tiie Reiort of the rommittee, made to the As- sembly in IS'ii), relating to the organization of the Militia, that from the Ist ot May, 1827, to the Sth of September, IS'28, four hundred and thirty-three OlHcers of ^lilitia were dismissed by the (Jovernor,* with a view of influencing the elections, by dismissing those who did not lend themselves to liis views, or to punish those who dared to take part in the measures adopted in the Proviiuie, for the purpose <,f presenting Petitions to His Majesty and to the Kiiglish Parlia- ment, having for object to complain of his administiation, or to paralyze their eflbrls. It is unnecessary to add, tl,:tt the Oflicers who we-^? dismissed were re- placed by more accommodating persons : double the numl)er were, in fact, com- missioned. As to the Magistrates, (witliout any other reasons than those whidi determined the Goveriior to act as he did with respect to the iMilitia), the gene- ral commission nominating them was annulled, with a view of excluding those whose sentiments were not in accordance with those of his administration ; and we may also sec, by another lleport made to the Assembly by one of its Com- mittees, that, besides many others, the names of four Magistrates, extremely eligible in e\cry respect, were cut out of the new commission, on account ol their political opinions in the House of Assembly in the preceding Session of the Provincial Parliament. It may be easily conceived, at the same time, tiiat the names of those three .Magiatrates, whose qf/i(/(ni/s are found in the Appendix, were included, witliout fail in the new connnission. Let us content ourselves with pointing out one more circinn^tance : — These same men had, up to that period, been in the habit of, in some nn asure, leading affairs in the Borough, with respect to elections. We see, by Mr. Stuart's Memoir, that it had been intimated to him, that he should cause himself to be elected for this Bjrough after the manner of his Pmleirssors in u//iic. Then, for the first time, a strrfi. existed in the Borough between those who had constantly possessed the ascen- dancy at the election, and those who contented themselves with following the impulse of those who possessed it, in the contests whic h arose there betweei; men who, although opposed for the moment, were not the les.s the parti/ans of the powers of the day. The contest was warm in IS.I7, and, for tln' lirst time, these latter experienced a defeat. We may imagine what impression this cir- cumstance nuist have left on the hearts tf tli'esi' witnesses. if it might be said with truth, tli it some of the witnesses who appeared be- fore the Committee of the Assembly, might be reproached with being piejndicei! against Mr. .Stuart, might it not be seen that, independently of all other motive." for reproach, these objections when made to the description of evidence produced b} ♦ That 15 to fiav, in Ih.- Mine prouorilon an if liic r.iigll>ii Guvcrmucnt iiail dismisseil Irom ciL'lil to tcu thoiwaiiU in tii({lmid aloiir, witliout rcikouiiig Stolluiid or Irelaud. 153 Kelly, the pretext oi o|)])ositioii it lie would aiul to tile s, ill a ciisc slicd for it, a iiiL'iiiber, the deposi- crw se con. 0, — with a , that Mr. Majjistratcs • of the lie- to the .\s- 1 the 1st ot ree Oihcers encii) teu A quoi d'aillcurs, devaient-ils s'attendre do la part de cc Gouverneur s'ils manquaient de zele, qrand ils le voyaicnt allcr jusqu'A interdire a un homme commc M. Ic C.ird Kelly, qui etait dans Ihabitude de le voir, I'entrce de sa mai- son, sous pr^texte de I'opposition de son pere a I'llection de M. Stuart, conside- rer cette opposition comme une aftaire d'etat, quand cnfin cc Gouverneur mena- ^ait ce fils, pretre, cure dans I'endroit, d'en faire le motif d'une plainte contre lui a son Eveque et au Ministrc, comme si, en sa qualite d'Ecclesiastiquc, il cut etc dans cc cas responsable de la conduite de son ptre, etdiien ctrepunia la fois commc d'un crime qui deshonorait le corps dont il fesait partie, ct comme d'un crime contre I'etat ? II n'en faudrait pas davantage, ce semble, pour faire scntir combicn Ics depo- sitions de cestrois personnes, quelque respectables que Ion put les supposer d'ail- leurs, peuvent-f'tre raisonnablement entachees d'un soupgon do prejuge, d'un sen- timent d'interct en faveur de M. Stuart. Mais il Huit encore ajouter que iM. Jones 6tait Lieutenant Colonel de Milicc, tons trois etaient alors miigistrats dans lendroit, ct il n'y en avait gueres d'autrcs, a I'exception de I'Oihcier-Raiportcur. On peut voir par le Rapport du Comitc, relatif, a lorganisation de la Milicc, fait a I'As- sembl^e en 1829 que du ler Mai 18'.>7, a vcnir au huit Scptembrc IS28, quatrecens trente-trois officiers de milice avaient ete destitiies * par le Ciouvcrneur dans le but d'inHuersur les Elections en renvoyant ceux qui nc se prctaicnt pas a ses vuesou pour punir ceux qui osaientprcnilre part aux mcsurcs adoptees dans la Province pour presenter desrequctes a Sa Majeste et au Pai lenient d Augleterrc, pour se plaindre de son administration, ou paralyser leurs cftoris. On n'a pasbesoind'ajouterquc les officiers destitut's etaient reinplaci's par des hommes plus complaisans. On en commissionna aus.si un nombre deux fois plus considerable. Quant aux magistrats, sans aucune autre raison que celles qui d^'- terminaient le Gouverneur a en agir de cette manieie par rappoit ;; la milice, on annullait la commission gen^'ralc qui les avait nommcs dans le but d'eiiniiucr ceux dont les senlimens n'^taient pas en harmonic avec son adniini-itiatioii, et on peut voir encore dans un autre rapport fait a I'Assemblee par un de ses Coinites, qu'cn- tre beaucoup d"autres, le nom de quatre magistrats eMrcuicment recouimaiulables soustous rapports, se trouva retranche dans lanouvclie commission pour raison de leurs opinions politiques dans TAssemblce dans les Sessions precelentes du Parle- mcnt provincial. On pcnse bien, en mcme terns, que les noms tie ces trois magis- trats dont les affidavits sc trouvent dans cet Append ice iie nianquercnt pas d'y i^tre inscrcs. Contentons-nous d'indiquer une autre circonstance. Ces memes hommes avaient cu jusqu'alorj Ihabitude de doniinercn quelque sortc tlans le village relativement a I'election. Ou voit par le mnnoire de M. Stuart qu'on hii avait iiitiuio qu'il de- vait se faire elire dans cet cndroit a I'imitation lie ses piriltccsscurs en q/Jccc. C e- tait pour la premiere fois qu'il s'elevait dans le vil'aire une lutte, entie ceux qui avaient constamment eu I'ascendant dans I'election el ceux qui s'etaient contentes de suivre I'impulsion, de ceux qui le possedaieut dans les contestations qui s'y etaient elevces contre des hommes qui quoiqu'opposes pour le moment, n'en etaient pas moins les partisans de la puissance du jour. La lutte avait etc vive en mil- huit-cent-vingt-sept, et pour la premiere fbi.s ccii\-ci eprouvaieiit uiie defaite. On sent quelle impression cette circonstance avait du laisser dans le canir dc ces ttmoins. S'il etait vrai de dire que I'on put reprochcr a quelqucs-uns des temoins qui out paru devantic Comite de l*Assemb!ee, des piejuges contre AL Stuart, pour- rait-on ne pas voir qu'independammcnt dc tous autres motifs dc reprochc ces ob- jections • ("<tif he did not succeed in convicting them jjefoie the Courts, they were not indebted for this advantage to a feeling of pity or iiidulgence on his part,— to one of indiflerence or of apathy. IVo.ligal of accusation as he has been, can it be supposed that he would have neglected the means of contra- dicting the witnesses who deposed in favour of the accused parties; of prose- cuting them ; of convictini,' ihem of falsehood, when he pro-ecuteii, with so much determination and constancy, the acci ed themselves, whose innocence these witnesses attcstcii, by giving their ( vitlence against him; when, in fact, he could only see in some of tliem rivals or adverjaries, to whoso efforts ho might attribute his defeat at Sorel. Neither shall we return, in this place, to the observations relating to the manner in which evidence is taken before a Conunittco of a House ot Commons, in order to comi)are it with that of taking depositions by affidavits; still loss to fresh remarks upon the affidavit of tlie elder St. (iermain, which is sufficiently characterized by his own deposition to cause it to be rejected. We shall con- tent ourselves with concluduig this part of our subject by observing that, after all, these affidavits do not deserve that wc slioulil airest our a'tention with re- ferei.cc to the subjects discussed ; first, because this j)rctended proof, opposed to formal and positive evidence, n lates in truth to the facts which arc of some importance, purely of a negative character, ami secondly, because, had they even possessed a totally diflercnt character, the facts which are deposed to by them (even su; posing them to be substantiated,) arc not of sufficient importance to shake the evidence; lastly, because, after all, Mr. Stuart himself justifies the Assembly and coud' mns himself, by his own avowals. Of the Report made on the 20th of October, ISQ^, to His E.xcellency Sir .lames Kempt, Administrator of the Government, with reference to the prosecu- tion for libel pending in the Courts. — No. 10, of the Appendix : — After what we have seen, in the course of these observations, as to that part of Mr. Stuart's memoir which relates to the prosecutions for libel, it would bu useless to dwell upon each individual subject brought under consideratmn in this Keport. jcction • grande a cc qi vaillan ment. H en pro H qui H nature H H Comit( ■■ princij ^B ce trib H qui de Hb en fav M voteur ^1 Stuart |H ru dev wM cuan, En pense ^m pas eel ^1 diifere Wm ^"^ "^' ^ cuses, tant d' ] taient ques-u I vait at 1 ^ manioi 1 mune 1 nioins ment ( 1 de ton t mt'me cette p ies fait bien nr pas d'l consta damne Wm Du ra n d A Stuart chacu deposed "1 ■ this Sorel '■- tiived to 1 ontest; — f lid result ess of re- 3 received 1 as two or 1 L"s favour, 1 I Jury — Igo which -'■' p. It de- thc Com- A'ho were oiild liave who ap- ) hisahiise to infamy. t may be , ic Courts, ■ j^cnce on *^ as ho lias af contra- of prose- , with so innocence , in fact. ho might ng to the Commons, till less to i ufliciently ! shall con- ,f that, after > with re- ; ", opposed c of some they even ) by them oi tance to i stidcs tl>e Sir James c prosccu- ) that part t would bu ion in thi» Keport. ^■^ i 155 jcctions a I'espi^ce de t^uioignajje produit par M. Stuart auraient une bien plus grande force. Tons cenx qui ont d'pose par aftidavit, en sa favcur, relativement A ce qui s'est pass6 lors do cette election de Sorel, etaient scs partisans. En tra- vaillant a justifiier M.Stuart, ils tr.ivaiilaient k sejustifier eux-raemes personnelie- nient. llsitaient parties dans la lutte. lis devaient (^tre encore n6cessaiieiaent en proie aux rcssentiincnsqui sont le resultat d'une dcfaite, dans des circonstances qui ajoulaienc de bcaucoupa Tamertuine des regrets qu'un ^venement de cette nature peut ordinairemtnt inspirer. D'un autre cote, on a d j\ fait observer, en parlantdu temoignage re9u parle Comite cjue les tcmoins, qui ont paru devant lui, aussi bien que deux sur trois des jrincipaux tcmoins qui ont depose par alHdavit en faveur de M. Stuart, ont subi 'epreiivehgaleet constitutionnclle do I'examen devant un corps dejur6-. C'est ce tribunal qui avait droit de pcser ccs tt'moignagcs opposes et dejuger de ceux qui devaicnt I'empoiter dans la balance de la justice. II a dtcidr, il a prononce en favour des lunoins produits devant le Comit^, en acquittant par un verdict les voteurs de William Henry, accuses de j)arjure. CYtait devant ce tribunal que M. Stuart dcvait dcjouer la malice, la corruption qu'il impute aux tfimoins qui ont pa- ru devant le Comite, auxquels il oso encore prodiguer I'outrage de ce cotede 10- ccan, comme s'il avait ri^ussi a les devouer a Titifamie. F En voyant M. Stuart les traiter dans son m6moire avec autant d'injustice, on pense bien que s'il n'a pas re ussi a les en convaincre devant les cours, ils ne doivent pas cot avantaiie ;\ un sentiment de pitie ou d'indulgence de sa part, a celui de I'in- diU'ercnce, oil dcrapatbic. Pr( digue daccusalions commeil Ta 6te, croit-on quil cut neglige les moyens de dement r les temoins qui deposaient en faveur des ac- cuses, de les poursuivre, de les convaincre de faussetes, quand il poursuivait avec tant d'acharncmcntct de Constance les accuses eux-mcmes dont ces temoins attes. taient I'innoience en di posant contre lui, quand enfin, il ne pouvait voir dans quel- ques iins d'entre eux que des rivaux ou des adversaires aux eflbrts desquelsil pou- vait attribucr sadefaite a Sorel. On ne reviendra pas non plus dans ce moment aux observations relatives ;\ la maniue dunt le tt'moignago est pris devant un Comity d'une Chambre de Com- mune pour le comparer avec celle de prendre des oppositions par affidavits, encore moins a de nouvclles remarqucs sur I'afTidavit de St. Germain p^re, qui est suffisam- ment caractcrise par sa propre deposition pourle faire ecarter. On sc contentera de terminer sur cet article en observant qu'aprcs tout, ces affidavits ne mcritent mt'^me j)as darrOter 1 attention relativement aux objets discut^s ; d'abord j)arce que cette pretcndue preuveoppost'e a un temoignage formel et positifesten realitc sur ies fails qui ont quelqu'importance purement negative, et qu'en second lieu, quand bien meme, elle aurait un tout autre caracttre, les faits dont il est depose ne sont pas d'une assez grande importance pour ibranler le temoignage, en les supposant constati's; enfin, parcc que M. Stuart a lui-mcme justitid I'Assemblce et se con- damne par ses propres aveux. Du rapport Hiitle iO Octobrc 18QS, a Son Excellence Sir James Kempt, Admi- nistralcur du Gouvernement, relativement aux poursuites pour libelle, pen- dantes dans les Cours. (No. IG de I'Appendice.) Aprts ce que I'on a vu dans ces observations sur la partie du m^moire de M- Stuart qui regarde ces poursuites pour libelle, il serait inutile de s'appesantirsur chacun des objets dont ii est question dans ce rapport. 11 sufilt de comparer les passages I : 156 Report. In order to show on which side licentioiisness was to be found, it would be only necessary to compare tiic passai?cs in the (lazettes, which served as a pretext for the charges, witli the extracts whicli were in the Report ot the Commitee of the Assembly. U it possible to take greater licence than is taken m the productions of these paitizans of the administration, in winch insult was heaped upon the Assembly, its Members, Magistrates, Officers of Militia, upan men above all rcproacl), in tact, upon the entire Province and its Inhabitants.'' It has bee« already observed, that iiie Militia Orders themselves were made a ^ihic » for constantly renewed outrages. Some excuse might at least be found for i/iose who were the objects of these injuries, with the necessity in which they were of defendin" themselves, if some expressions savouring of irritation escaped them. What can be thougiit v^f the conduct of those who provoked them ? Indeed, when this Report was made known to the Province, it excited universal astonish- incnt. It could hardly be understood how Mr. Stuart could have attempted to justify himself by this expose of sucii motives for his conduct. One leatuie in this Report first demands our attention: it is the tone of assurance adopted by Mr. Stuart, for the purpose of giving us to understand (hat one has no ri^hf to examine into,— to (piestion the conduct, or the steps, of those who are u'l autlioritv, or are charm'cd with some portion of the adminis- tration. After the picture cif facts which lias been sketched in these observations, what are we to think of this extreme zeal for the purpose of keeping out of view— of concealing; "uder an impen trable veil the step- of Public Functionaries?— True, he pamts the authors of libels as calumniators, as far as regards the mea- sures of (iovernmeiit, and proceedings in the Courts of Justice. We may have seen whether the reprc aches used at that time against those who formed the administration in the Province, were stamped with the die oi calumny.— Here I should return to some of the observations which I have already made upon tlic mode adopted by Mr. Attorney General himself, in the Courts in in- stituting piosccutii.ns; I shall add some with reference to the one in quesiion in this Report. It lias been seen that Mr. Stuart identitieil himself, if we may use the ex- pression, with tiie Courts and the C/nm^/ Jtiiirs, of which he calls himself the atniUnni. It has been also seen, that many of the bills for ofTences committed at the elections, and particularlv those for perjury at the Sorel election, were thrown ont bv Uic (Jraml .Jury o'f the Court of King's Bench at Montreal. lie renewed them'; and presented fresh bills at the special Court of Oi/cr ami Tei - miner, the holilmg and proceedings of which excited, with so much reason, the loudest complaints to the (Jrand Jury of this Court, the mode of forming which Jni V, provoked also ilie grave comi)laints to which we have alluded in the course of these observations. The majority of these (irand Jurymen, as wo have also seen, liail evinced a disposition to entertain this sort of prosecutions. I slmu'd now again pomt ont anotli. r circumstance, calculated to show the spirit in wiiich these, as well as many other matters were conducted at that period. It is proved, by'tlie encpiiries of the Committee of the House of Assembly in ISi:), some extracts from which have been given, that some of these bills for libels, presented in March, \-'2^, were found first by the ( Irand Jury on a day when the sittiii;^' Judjes did not form a competent Court, 'flie same bills were fotiiul, says the Report, two days after, //; t/ic (ihsvniv (if some uf the Jtirijmcn who had foiuul the hills without hearing the testimony repeated, and that with the assistance of a Jiiryninn who was not |iresent at the time of th<' first finding. These are features 'which, ilouhtless, according to Mr. Sluart, shonlil be hidden bv the veil of silence. Accouling to him, as we have also seen, he showed little regard enough for the opinions ot" a body of (Jrand Jurymeti, regularly selected :uut as-cmbled in tliC Court of King -; p.eiici! at Montreal, wh'..' \v>A thrown out bills which he had caused to be presented to them, since he again presented these , it would I a pretext tee of the eductions upon the above ail has* been f^hic <* lor for ijiosf y were of ped tlu'm. Indeed, I nstonish- cniptcd to ;ie tone of indorstaiid tlio stops, c ntiininis- scrvations, of view — jiiarics ? — s the mea- We may 10 formed alumny.— tady made irts in in- jiieslion in sc tlio ex- iiiiseif the [ominitted tioii, were treal. Mo • (i)i(i 2'e> - easiin, the itig which the ( otir^c 3 have also I shitii'd t in whicii ' Assembly sc bills for y on a day bills were rijniL'/i who It with the rst findini^. be hidtltii owed little ly selected I'.IOW!! t)Ut I presented these 157 passages de Gazettes f|iu ont servi ,de pretexte aux accusations avec les extraits qui 8' ')uvcntdans Ic rapport du ComiU" de I'Assemblcc, pour voir de quel c6t6 setrc ..at la licence. A-t-on jamais pu la porter plus loin que dans ces produc- tions des partisaiib dc I'administration, dans lesqiiclles on prodiguait i'insulte i lAsseniblee, ;\ ses membres, a dcs inagistrats, a des officiers de milicc, a des jiommes aii-ilo»susiie tout reprocbc, cnfin a la province enticre et a ses habitans? ( Ml a d( ja iait ui»«erv>»4' qu'on fesait scrvir les ordres de milicc cux-m{!mes de v^hicule ) ices outrages ssttns cesse renouvcles. An moins on pourrait trouver qnelques tn&tii)i d'ex( use en faveur de ccnx qui (taicnt en but a cos injures dans la n6ces3it6 oil ils sc trouvaicnt ilc se defcndro, s'il leur cchappait quclqucs expressions qui lintinscnt rirrilatiun. Que pent-on pcnser dc la conduitc de ccux qui les prove- quaicnt ? Aussi, cc rapport quand il aete connu dans la Province, a t-il excite un le rappnrt " devant la cour deux jours apressans entendre dc •' nouveau les temoins m I'dhsciice de ;ervaiions, lo lorni precis.^ ideas as o the feelings to which the steps taken by the first OtTiccr of the Crown must h vc given rise in the Province, the account he Inmself gives of them would b;- well calculated to characterize them Let us see, from his own cxposC", on what were founded the prosecutions in question in this Uepui t. The first of which he gives an account was founded on an article contained in the Gazette, in which the Ktlitor, iu speaking of the then existing administra- tion, had made use of the word nuisance. This expression had reference to the complaints made by the whole country against this very administration, and to the steps taken by the Inhabitants of the Province for the purpose of being deli- vered from it. The author of the libellous article, after having exposed some of the grii'vances attributed to this administration, observed, that •' ///iuish it. Let it be seen by the Jibellous passage what were the Governors faults at that time, — how arbitrary his d lily coiuluct to the people was, and ihin let it be asked afterwards whether these expressions coulil be, in the then state of things, considered as so libellous, particularly in comparison of the insults heaped at that time, by the administra- tion i' Ai and their purtizans, upon those who were daily the objects of their outrage, conniiltcd for the pin|)osc of comp^ lling the people to renounce ap- pealing upon the sub|ect to tlie iuslice of the (ioveriunent, or in order to punish them ( >r having dared to adopt the means of soliciting it from their Sovereign. Wc shall not be at the tremble of taking up here the insinuations found in Mr. Stuart's Kepoit, against the Kditor, with reference to the place of his birth, when he says that he was an Irishman ; that he was in distressed circumstances ; that he was the organ of a party acting in opposition to his Majesty's Govern- Dien' in the Provincial House of Assembly. Mr. Stuart sliould know better than anv one, that this feeling of opposition to the jovernment never existed on the part of those to whom he attributes it; he shouhl know eve , on the contrary, what they had done tor the puipose of u|)holding its authority, and of contri- buting to the defence of the coiiiitry in times of trial. lie ought to know that, guidcil by a feeling of honour and of iliity, they were perfect stiangers to views of a mercenary character. Neither can he be ignorant, that he, whose ashes he now endeavours again to disturb, was not a man to sell his pen. He also knows, or ought to know at least, that those whom he accuses of having employed him, would never W-xw been guilty of bribing any one to work against their Govern- ment. Ihit those whose cause the writer defended, entertained, like all honest citizens, that feeling of |)rofoiin(l attachment to their rights, which is always allied with that of duty, — a pr.ij)erty possessed by virtuous subjects, on whose fidelity alone a (iovornmcnt can count with security. Mr. Stuart immediately tlwells, with still much greater force, upon another passage relating to the (iovi rnor's enforcing the old Militia Ordinances of the Legislative Coiiin il of the years 1787, and 17S8; that is to say, of periods an- tenor to the existing constitution. It would, perhaps, for more reasons than o;ie, have been well, on his part, not to have insisteil upon again raising this dis- cussion. I would it were in my power to dispense with any allusion to it. Let us first observe, with regard to the nature of these Ordinances, that they exeecdeil, in manv respects, the authority of a Legislature whose powers had been circumscribed by llie English Act of Parliament which had formed it. By these laws burthens, taxes \n fact, of an excessively oppressive character had been imposed upon the people of the country; and the Council was interdicted this power, licsidcs, it had, in tact, by these Ordinances subjected the whole Province 159 al Court of ts pointed which the I I'rovincc, laracterize osecutions contained idministra- nce to the on, and to being deli- )osed some there could aiice hi/ tlie ecn by the f arbitrary ,l.s whether 3 libellous, ulministra- ts of their loiince ap- • to punish )vcrcign. I found in riiis birth, umslances ; s Ciovern- low better existed on e contrary. I ofcontri. know that, rs to views le ashes he ilso knows, loyed liim, ir (joverii- all lioncst is always on whose on another ices of the )eriod.s an- asons than ig this dis- it. inces, tliat )3e powers formed it. iractcr had interdicted the whole Pro vi II 08 du Bancdu Roi de Montreal, qui avaicnt rcjetO des accusations qu'il leur avait soumises, pnisqi'il soumettuit de nouveaii ccs memcsaecusation% deux mois apriis iiux grands jurcs de cctte Coiir speci ile f/f>//t'r et Terminer, Si on n'avait pas dej\ pu, d'aprt^s Ics faits itnliqiu s dans ces observations, se former des idties cxactcs des scntimens que Ics demarches du premier ofHcier de la couronne devaient fai're cclorc dans la province, Ic compte qu'il en rend lui-m^me seiait bion propre ^ les caracteiiser. Voyons d'aprOs son pro|)rc expose siir quoi etaient fondccs les poursuites dont il est question dans cc rai)port. La premiere dont il record compte - tuit fondce snr un article de Gazette duns Jequell'Editeurs'etait servi du m^t dc imis incc, en pa-'antdc I'administral von d'alors. Cctte expression se rapportait aux plaintcs porices par tout le pays cmi- tre cctte administration elle-mrmc, etanx drmarchcs des habitans dc la Provinee, pour en elre delivrtls. 1/auteur dc I'article incriiniu;' aprc-s avoir cxpost' une partie des griefs reproches a cctte administration, observait qu'il ij av.iit peu d' diutes que le (fouvernenient liriliiuniqiie lie la ronshlernit romme una nuis nice dont il delivrerait Ic pai/s. (,^u'on hse dans Ic passage incriuiine quels etaient les torts du (Jouver- ncur d'alors, ce qiiesa conduile avait journellcment d'arbitraireenversles citoycns, ct qu'on lise cnsuite si ces expressions pouvaient ('^tre dans I'etat des choses consi- drrccs eomme si crimiiielles, sur tout en les comparant avecles insultcs prodigiiees alors par cette administration elle-mrme ct ses partisans a ceux qii etaient jour- nellenicnt en but aux violences auxquclles e!lc se livrait pour forcer les cito_ 'ns:\ rcnoncer a vn appeler ;\ la justice du gouvernemont, ou pour les punir d'avoir dsd prendre les moyens de sollicitcr de leur Souvcrain. On nc prcndrapas la peine de relever ici les insinuations qui sc troiivent dans le rap|>oit de M. Stuart contre I'Kditour, rclativement an lieu de sa naissauce, en disant (pi'il c tail Irlaiidtis, qu'il etnif mailieureux, qu'il ctiiit emp'oijc par un parti en opposition ac Gouveriiement de V. Majeste dans I'Astemblee. AI. .Stuart devait savor mieux qu personne oic- cc =?ntiment d'opposilio'i au Gouvemement n'a jamais existii chezceux i- qui il I'^'tribue ; il dcv lit savoir mCmc au con- trairc ce dont ilsont vt^ capable s p km- .;o ■.; Miir son autorite et contribuev a la de- fense du p lys ilans des temns dt'Oicuvcs • il doit savoir que guides par lo senti- ment de I'lionneur ct du devoir il;, t;\[), that the Kxcciitive Goveriunent t'ons'dered them as irrevocably repealed. In tlie rollectio)! of Laws prime. 1 by th ■ autho- rity of the Provincial Government, tlie h.eaJings meiely of tliese Ouliiiaiices had been alone inserted, with the adilitiou, like all other Laws which had ceased tu be in forC'',oFthe woiil " re; ded," Other Laws had been merely repealed by acts siibslitutiiig new tcmi)orary provisions, without even the term declaratory being found in them. No one ever thought of app. aliiig 10 them, as though they were in force, ,;fier the ex- piration ofliie Act of repeal. The-e Militia Onlinances ha.l, at two 01 three intervals, ceased to be in force. From islG to ISI7, ] aitictihuly, tiie Province had been witliout .Militia Laws, because the Acts regulating tlieui h id not been reii.wed. The Execu- tive Government hail not tiioiight for a moment of enforcing these Oidinanrcs, On the contrary, in ISlf), the .Militia Acts Iiaviig been continued with amend- ments which, although they apj)rc)aclie 1 t 1 some of the provisions to be loiind in this class of Laws in Kiiglaiul, had displeased tiie .Administiaiion. The Gover- nor, in his speech at the i.rnrogation, exjiressed his regret as to the necessity in which he found himself of saiictioiiiug the Hid, on accoiinf of tlie fuiiclions with which tlie Militia Odicers were invested, by virtue of certain laws wliich could nut • Thesi' f>r(liDniii-es ivprr iiliKiioWii. Il Hits iiccf^sary to )i;ivi' tliciti |iriiitrliii IS-.'T. Ilail llii'v bpcn without d»t4> mill witliont till.', tiny inijflit li.ivo liri'ii I.iKi'M I'ur 'iiil.iiiu-. Tin' (iovrrniii- was jiiitliMii/.i'il Id cinlMiily tin- cutiri' nr a portion of llie po|iiiluliiiii at -.vill. II' lio m'Iim trd only a |Miiti<>ii of tie afjiiciillnial |i(>|.iilaliiiii, tin' Ordiiiaiia- lulijrctcd tliOM? H ho rcmaiiu'd in iliiMoiiiiln- to iiia'ii imk lo^iin'*, to riillivati- mid :;ct in the liaivi'otil('cs. lie iiii^'lit iiiaki' .i-(,'iilatioiis at his |pli'a>iiri>, and u»vr. It Han nccoititury timt uil utrencv!! agaiunt tlieitn |irovi>iuu> ihould Iw ,)rii-.efHti'd, rxt Insividy, licln •'■ < 'oiirts niaitlal, i\i'. i\i'. Tln-si, )irovi»ion8 had pxcitcd nnii.r>al di»unst: vexations prosivutious had rcsulti'fy ^onl(' idea of the li'idiiij^s to uhidi thi-y had ^ivcn ii»c. Mii'm' Ordinanci-s had (iri-ri'dtil. by »«rif ycar^touK, ihv i'staldi>liment is avaient etc simplement abrogecs par dc. Actes qui leur subsli- tuuient de ni)ii\''lles dispositions pour uii tems, sans meme que les termes (h'clara- toiics s'v trouva:.scnt. On na jamais soiigt; un instant a les invoquer comme en force aprcs lexpiration do I'Acte d'abrogation. Ces Ordonnances de Milico avaient cesso d'etre en force a deux ou troio re- prises, de \x\() a 1817, en particulier la province avait etc sans loiide Milice, parceqiie les Actes qui la reglaient n'avaient pas cte renouveles. Lc Gouverne- ment l^xeculif n'avait pas songo un instant a fairo usage deces ordonnances. Au contraire en 1S19, les Actes de Miliee ayant t3tc continues avec des aincndcmens qui avaient dcplu a rAdministralion (juoiqiio |)uurtant ils ss rapprocliassent de quelquesunes des dispositions qui so trouvont dans ces sortos dc lois en Angle- terre. Le Ootivcriieur dans son discoius de prorogation cxprima ses regrets, sur la necessite o'l ii s'etait trouvc de sanctionncr le Bill a raison des fonctions dont les olficiers de milicc ctuient charges en vcrtu de certaines lois qui n'auraient pu ctre • Ces Orduiinaiicos t'laient liiconnucs. II I'lit iit'icossairc
  • les talrc imiiriiuor on 18-,'7. Si dies ousscnt «te sans ilatf I't sans titiv, on aurail pti li's |inMiili<" pour di's pii'Mcs tiivos des cliroiiiqui's du iiioyoii I'li,'!', I't des toinps li's plus tiMU'bri'iix d« la I'l'oda'ili-. I.o (iou'. cniciir clait autoiisc ii iucorpoi'iT la population ontii-ro ou nnc pur- tic a >a voUiiiti'. S'il no rluiisissait i|ii'uiK' pailie do la population n^iiioli', los OidoniiaiiC's .i>suii 'tissnieiit coux ipii ri'^laioiil dans les oainpajrnos ii enilore, riilliveref moiiisdnner les ferres des absens. U nouvuit I'uiie » sou (jre et dc sa |uo)ire auloriti" des reirleineus pour mettre ce pouvoir niilitai'e en ii|ieiatiou. II I'allait quo toutes les oll'eiises comuiises coiitre ees dispositions t'lisseut poiirsuivioi, excliisiveineut, devaiit des oours martiii- Jes, ete. ete. t'es dispositions Legislatives avaient exeite iiu de'rnut uiiiversel : il en elait resulte des poursuitcs ve.Mi- toires. < es Ordoimaiiees n'liMvient preeede (pie de ipielipies unnees retaldissenient do la constitution aetuelle. Lors de la \ireiuii re election, dans (iiiehpies-uns des placards qui t'nrent iinprinies dan . lc temps, parini les (pies- tions ([u'on lit aux t'andidats, pour eounaitre Iciirs sentiniens, so troiivait la siiivantu ; — I5tos-vons dispose ti (aire tout ce ijiii est en votro pouvoir pour revoijuer les «»rdonnaiices do Milico, que lo Ju;{e-fii.cliel" a lie- tliiie etre contrairos aux lois diviuei ct lic'iiaiucs '/ lilies I'ureut dcdariei rivoijuicn dOs la scooilde Session du J'ttrlemeut proviuciat. X 162 not possibly have been carried into execution. We may easily judge that he would not have hehl language such as this, nor have sanctioned the BjII. and that the Council itself would not have concurred ni these amendments, if it could have been imagined for a moment that the Governor, without an Act ol the 1 ro. vincial Parliament, should be invested with a power ton times greater by virtue of these repealed Ordinances; and the Governor, supported by the opinion of Mr. Attornev-Gencral, revived them by his General Order. Without entering into other details, it should be observed, that since 1827, this very question, on more than one occasion, became a subject of discussion in the Assembly, o'ne would wisli to be able to give a sketch of these discussions, in order to convey here an idea of the reasons given by some Members, for the purpose of shewing that these Ordinances could have revived by the expiration of tJie Acts ot the Provincial Parliament. One of the principles was, that the re- jealing clause of the Act of 1 7!)4, relating to these Ordinances, was repeated la subsequent Act passed in 1S03, which regulated the Militia by new provi- sions, as though the useless repetition of this repealing clause could have had the effect of causing the revival of a law declared to be repealed, and which was for ever abrogated. , ^ .. ,i i i- . Whilst contending that this repeal had not had the effect of actually abolish- ingtiicse Ordinances, they, at the same time, avowed, that they were repugnant that they placed in the hands of the l'^? ^xc- to the principles of our (iovernmont ; , . cutivc a lever, by means of which it couUl overturn the Constitution, and tram- ple under foot all the rights which flowed from it in favour of the citizens. They did not see that, independently of any other consideration, this was the strongest reason which could be given, in order to shew that these Ordinances could no longer be appealed to as having the force of l;iw in the Province, after the changes which had taken place, in this respect, in his Government, and when the prin- ciples of his Constitution had become inccn.patible with the existence of them. Mr. Stuart alleges, upon this subject, that he had obtained a judgment in accordance with his opinion ; he says, at the same time, that it was in a cause wliich he had pleaded alone. He might have been led into error as to the mo- tives which determined the advocates of the o|)|)osite party to preserve silence. Mv information, as to the cause of their wiihdrawal at that time, is very dif- fefent liom Mr. Stuart's ; but the fact, that they did not plead, is sufHcient of itself This circumstance may explain how a judgment, bearing out the opinion that these Ordinances could revive, might have been delivered. It would also suHice to see the reasons which have been placed under the eyes of the public as motives for this judgment, in order to solvo that which should otherwise be re- garded as a thing extremely ditiicult of explanation. It should be remembered what use was made of these Ordinances for the purpose of iuthiencing the election in 1S^27,— the dismissal of more than four hundred Militia Ollicers, and the appointment of a number double that of the Onicers who were dismissed, all under pretence of these Ordinances, and with the views which we have exposed. Such were the subjects which the author ol the libellous passage had to discuss. It might now be asked which, in the opinion of the Attorney General of the Province, the enforcing these Ordinances, or the remarks of the Kditor as to their nullity, must appear most just? Which of those two opinions given by him agreed best with the |)rinciples of the Government, and which was best calcuL.ted to contribute to its security and to the maintenance of the interior tranquillity of the Province? As to the second rosccution, we shall content ourselves with remarking, that the lulitor of the bame paper, the object oi' the scl' illiterate indiii'dials. Such is tiie expose of the motives upon which Mr. Stuart relies with contidence for his justification, and \vit!i which also he ter- minates this part of the Report. We may leave it to be juilgeil on which side the tru" idea^ of justice and respect for principles are found. The fourth prosecutidU in qui stiou in the Report, was instituted at once aqainst the IVinter and lulitor of the Ca/iadiaii Spectator. The crime was that of considerations (,n the fate, to which those who wtre prosecuted by Mr. Stuart for perjury, pretended to have been c(..iuiiitted at the Sorel ICIection, were obliged to submit. The conduct of the Attorney (icnrral was complained of by the authors of this publication, for having presentctl against them in this Court of Oyer and Terminer, of wh; "h we iiavr so fie{|iiently spoken, bills which had been thrown out by the Clra-d Jury of tiic Court of King's Ueiich. They com- phiined that the Foreman oC this Grand Jury was one of the warmest partizans, at the election, in the interest opposed to that of the accused. Amongst other facts of public notoriety, the cxtiaordinary part he performed at this last elec- tion, was pointed out. It was observed that "": who had hiinscll [seen a C;uit!iihite. auii h.ad not socceode!! • and that he possessed no other propcrttf than his salarij,S;c. These were the crimes coMunitted nces, wise gainst the r on, what n (iazettc r. Jacques scrvations, wches Mr, veiling hia |)on which is prosecu- ;eii aheady )ntent our. calculated submitted c was pro- impossible ;t Older he whom tiie I Jurymen igcr. Tlie :iiccd by a portion ol' Ij^cs of thin int on tilt: ///.SI/// and ed by Mr. ing all the the Couit > an act of '//ir Caiirf.-: talking of ,: writings, is account ly relation- contained V/// Juries, poll wliicii ilso lie t(M'- rthich side ; 1 at once e was that Mr. Stuart ere obligeil ol" by the s ("ourt of vvliicli had riiey com- t parii/.ans, iiigst other 1 last elec- ■ xcii.s C/cr/i eded ; and the crimes committed 165 Constances bien extraoruinaires, sage de poursuiyrcl'antcur lui-meme, au lieu de porter unc accusation contre [I'Edileur qui I'avait inseree dans sa feuille. Mais on veira plus has quels sentimens on met aujour relativement aux liaisons de cet Editeur, La troisii'-me des poursuites dont il est question dans ce rapport, etait fondee sur des ecrits de Gazette relatifs a I'accusation crimiiiclle, portce contre M. Jac- ques Viger, dontila^'te precedemment question, dans ces observations, en re- pondant a la partie du memoire dans iaquelle M. Stuart oppose a M. Viger ces e'tiangc- reproches, dont on a rendu compte, pour aft'aiblir son t(^'nioignage. Ce qui se i ouve dans la partie du rapport que je conimcnte dans le moment, n'est gut.rcs, quant ace qui regarde cette poursuite, qu'une rcpOlition de ce que I'ou pent voir dans le nit moire que j'ai diseute, aussi cst-il inutile de revenir sur ce su- jet. On se contentera de demander d'abord, si cette ctrange accusation n'etait pas bien en eff'et de nature a exciter I'etonneiuent da public, et meme quel([ue chose de plus. M. Viger s'etait soumis a un ordre de supersedeas auquel il ne pouvait se dispenser d'obi^ir, et on le poursuivait criminellement pour n'avoir pas execute un ordie auquel il lui (^tait impossible de se conformer, — en second lieu une partie des magistrats dont il n'avait pas execute le premier ordre, et dont on a vu les demarches relativement a leurs confreres qui avaient donne le second,etaient an iionihre des gnwuh )ur6s i\e cette Cour d'Oyer et Terminer, qui rapportaient cette accusation contre M. Viger. Le Pn'sident de ces Magistrats, dont I'acti- vite dans cette aflaire est nttes/'e par IVcrit qu'on voit de lui dans le rapport da Comite, cit^ dans la partie des observations dont on vient de parler, etait un des Jugesdc cette ("our dOyer el Terminer ellc-niime. C'etait la le sujet des phiin- tes des auteiirs de ces ecrits, qui regard lient ces choses comme tme insulte et un oiilra^e atiT iuix. Ce sont la les choses sintout que M. Stuart dans ce rapport, denoncea la fois comme un crime et unc extravagance dignes de toute la SL'vuit6 des lois. Mais le public pouvait-il voir ilans cette composition de Cour et de Jures, un hommagc rendu ;\ la Justice, et dans I'accusation elle-mrme iin Acte de devoir inij erieux du premier Officiorde la Couronne, aiuviliai>es des Cours etdesGraiids Jui c's. C'est a ce sujet que M. Stuart exhale les scntimens du plus profond mepris en parlant de ce qu il appelle rigiiorance du peuple, et du danp,er de ces t'crits. Suivant lui aussi, M. Viger V/iispcclcurdrs Clietnins etait iutimanent lie par parcnte on autre- mcnt avcc le parti qui souleiiait III feuille oil ces ecrits sc trouveut. Ces ecrits pou- vaient (tioir ilvjliicnce sur le corps du petit Jute compose de persotinss illdltrers. Tel est I'expose des motifs sur lesfpiols AL Stuart compte avec assurance, pour sa justification, ct|;ar lesquels il termme aussi cette partie du rapport. On pent lais- ser ;\ juger do quel cote se trouvent les vC'ritables idees de justice, et le respect pour les principcs ? Laquatrieme poursuite dont il est question dans le rapport etait intent^e a la fois contre rimprimoiir et I'E I'teur du Canadian Spectator, Leur crime etait des reflexions surle sort que I'on Icsait siibir a ceux que M. Stuart ponrsuivait pour les pretendus | arjures cominis ;i I'Election de Horel. On se plaignait dans cette feuille delaconduite du I'rocuroiii-GciK'ral cpii avait present^i contre eux dans cette Cour d'Oyer et Terminer, dont il a diju itc si souvcnt qiu -tion dans cts observa- tions, des accusations qui avaient etv' rejett'es p;u les Grands Jures de la Cour du liaiic du Rci. On sc plaignait d- ce que le President ij ces (Jiands Jur^s se trouvaituu iles chauiis partisans d'Election, dans un intent contraire a ceUii des aceusts. On indiquait, cntre autres faits de notoricte publique, le role extraor- dinaire qu'il avait joue dans cette derniore Election. On observait que, Jnge aPaix, il etait eomniis de M. Molson, qui kiiincmc avait etc Candidal et avait manque de succes, et qu'il iCavalt d'autre proprlile que son salalre etc. C'etait lA les crimes de i' Editeur et dc I'lmprimeur. Les evcnemcns subsequcns, la decharge des ac- cuses J 166 cofinmitted by the Editor and the Printer ; subsequent events, the acquittal of the accused after the trial, and under the circumstances we have mentioned, show whether these observations should have been regarded as of so criminal a nature; whether they deserved the title given them by Mr. Stuart oi scandalous libels. According to Mr. Stuart's account, the bills were ignored by the Grand Jury of the Couit uf King's Bench. This is being any thing but particular in exactness of expression. Doubtless this term might be used in a general sense. But \vhen speak in<^u')on this subject, he should have specifically stated that these bills had been thrown out and not i^imply ignored, as he states in the Report now in question. After wliat has been already seen in another portion of these ob- servations; ( J fliose prosccutioiis and the proceedings against Claprood, it is thought unnecessary to dwell longer now upon this subject. The fidii and sixth were instituted, the one against the Printer of (he Quebec Gazelle, the other against Mr, Charles Mondelet. It might first h: a?kci.l, whe- ther there was any justice in prosecuting, at one and the same time die Edilv r of a Gazette who inserted in his columns the public proceeding, ain' ihe rcioiu- tions of one of the Constitutional Committees, occupied alsc w.iU petitions which were drawn up and signed .it that time, for the purpose of asking the En- glish Government to use us authority in putting an end to tin arbitrary acis of which the country was at that time the victim. Let us see now what the nature of the writing is, signed by iv!r. Mondelef, as Secrctaiy of one of these Committees, in respect of wiii.h this prosecution was instituted. Ti)c Governor had j i; t dismis:-. J two Militia Oflicers, men of acknowledged merit. It was on account of their ))olitical feelings with respect to his administration, of which the country comp! lineti. He dt-nounced them, by litia order, as /luzin^ 'lonn thciii.^i Ivcs l/ic active Agents ofa pur/if hostih to the. Guvernmcnt, What language on the part of a Governor under such cir- cumslanc. s! Tl ' i liine of ihe Constitutional Committee ami of M;, Mondclet was, the rcsokitio.i. ihcJ :liis iiiJegalivn, on Ihc pari of His E-nvl/enci/ytcas cntirclij mlliout Ibuiidalion, ^ncl' was the willing denounced by .Mr. Stuart as worthy the vengeance of tlu: 'aws ; .Hid he (pialifios this allegation on the part of His Excellency by the v;o:u fad, w'lich is no more than an iiindt added to the in- justice of which he was guilty towards the Otlicers. This aord is at least sin- gularly em])K;vcd in liiat case; and it was a crime committed by their ftUow- citizens to dcdare ih.U this facl, if indeed it had been one, w.is ill-founded! It was a crime on their } arts to say, that the Governor was dec. ued by those who were capahi of inducing him to traduce, by means of a General Order, men pos- sessing a reputation above sus|)icion, as enemies to their (Jovernment ! Should rot rather llie verv violence of some of the expressions on the part of those whose feelings had been so cruelly wounded in the Province, of their fellow- citizens, themselves attaekid as a pcrli/ hostile lo Ihc Cinvcrnincnt, have been considered wortiiy of some indulgence? The expression of their indigna- tion, provoked by tirs impntatiou of disUnjaltij, should rather have been consi- dered as a claim to esteem, than as meriting persecution. Wliat (iovcrnment is not really intucsled in fostering that profound sentiment of honour which rebuts the suspicion of infidelity ? \\ e must not dwell longer upon this subject. It is also useless to comment on Mr, Parent's letter. Deliberately read, it will give a correct idea of the feel- ings which the conduct of the administration was ot a nature to inspire. It is useless to dwell on the seventh of these prosecutions, instituted in res- pect of a })ublicalion, which, according to Mr. Stuart's own report, is of the same atanij. as that preceding it. '\e will content ourselves with making here one remark on a p.T^'^sgo isi this Report, worth.y oi'attmtion. Mr, Stuart speaks in it, with hardiiiood, ol the criminal ticxis iif some indiiidualSf i^x, ; but the mass of the Jnhabitanli luiltal of sntioned, 'iminal a candahus c Grand icular in ral sense, hat these port now ;hese ob- ood, it is ic Quebec .o<.1, whe- Etiilor of le rcioiu- petilions : the En- y acis of ilondelct, osecutioa 1, men of \ respect :ed ihcm, •/// hostile siiCii cir- Mondclct IS cnlirelij IS worthy irt of His to the in- least sin- ir iVHow- icicd ! It iiosc who men pos- ! Should of those ir fellow- avc been indii^na- een consi- irnment is ich rebuts comment f the feel- sd in rcs- fthe same here one oaks in it, iss of the nhabitanti 167 cus^sles ^preuves, et dansles circonstances donfc on a rendu compte, font voir si ces reflexions auraicnt dii paraitre aiissi criminelles, si elles meritaient le titre de libelles scandaleuXf que M. Stuart lui donne. Suivant M. Stuart, des accusations (Indictments) avaient (ti(i ignor^es par les Grands Jur6s de la Cour du Banc du Uoi. C'est avoir manque de beaucoup a I'exactitude dans les expressions. On pent sans doute sc servir de ce terme dans un sens general. Mais quand on en vient A specifier, comme il aurait du le faire, il devait dire que ces accusations avaient ete rejetees et non siraplement ignorees comme il le dit dans le Rapport dont il est maintenant question. Aprfcs ce qu'on a vu deja dans une autre partie de ces observations sur ces poursuites et sur les pro- ccd(!;s contre Claprood, on ne croit pas devoir s'arreter davantage ici il ce sujet. La cinquieme et la sixieme ^taient dirigees Tune contre I'lmprimeur de la Gazette de Quebec, I'autre contre M. Charles Mondelet. On pourrait demander d'abord, s'il y avait bien de la Justice, de poursuivreil !a fois I'Editeur d'une Ga- zette qui ins(;rait dans sa feuille les procedes publics, les resolutions d'un des Comites constitutionnels occupe'saussi des Petitions qui se fesaientet se signaient alors pour demander au Gouvernement d'Angleterre d'em|)loyer son autorite pour faire cesser les actes arbitraires dont le paysetait alors la victime. Voyons au reste, quelle est la nature de I'ecrit sign(5 par M. Mondelet, comme Tun des Secretaires de ces Comites, sur lequel cette poursuite etait intentee. Le Gouverneur venait de destituer deux Ofliciers de Milice, homme d'un m6ritere- connu. C'c'tait a raison de leurs sentiraens politiqucs relativement a son adminis- tration dont le pays se plaignait. Dans un ordre de Milice, il les dcnoncait comme s'etavt juontres les agens aclifs d'un parti hostile au Gouvernement. Quel langage de la part d'un Gouverneur, dans ces circonstances ? Le crime du Comitc constitution- nei et de M. Mondelet, etait la resolution que cetalh'gue de la put de Son Excel- lence tt ait enticr erne nt inalfonde. Tel eiaic I'ecrit que M. Stuart dcnoncc comme dignede la vengeance des lois, etil quaiific par le mot de fait cet allegue dc Son Excellence qui n'est autre chose qu'unc insulte ajoutce i\ linjusticeqiVil exercait envers ces ofticicrs, Ce mot est au moins singulierement employe 1;\. Et c'etaitun crime a leurs concitoyens de declarer que cej'ait,s\ e'en avait etc un etait mal fonde ! C'etait un crime ;\ eux da dire que le Gouverneur etait trompc par ceux qui avaient pu I'engager a traduire par un ordrc general des liommes d'une reputation au-dessusdu soupijon comme des ennemis dc Icur Gouvernement ! Ln violence meme de quelques-unes des expressions de ceux que Ton blessait aussi cruelle- mcnt dans la personne de leurs concitoyens, attaques eux-memes sous le nom dim parti hostile au Gouvernement n'aurait-elle pas etc aucontraire digue de quel- qu'indulgence ? L'expression de leur indignation provoqiiee par cette imputation de dcloijaute aurait du ctre plutot un titre ;i I'estimc qu'u la persecution. Quel Gouvernement n'est pas reellement inti'ressc k menagcr ce sentiment profond d'honneur qui repousse Ic soup^on de riuHdelite. On nc doit pas aller plus loin sur cot article. II est inutile aussi de commen- ter la lettre de M. Parent, lue avec sang froid, cllc pcut donner la mesure des sen- timons que la conduite de I'Administration etait denature a inspircr. II est inutile desarretera lascptieme dc ces poursuites fondee surun ccritqui d'apres le Rapport de M. Stuart lui-mcme, est dc la meme trempe que le prece- dent. On se contentera de faire ici un mot dc remarque sur un passage digne d'at- tcntion, dans ce rapport. M. Stuart y parlo avec hardiessc des vues criminelles dc quelques individus, S^c, mais la masse du pcuple, ajoutc-t-il n^elait pas injlctcc par iks iW 168 Inhahilants, he adds, ivas in no decree infected rvith the dishyalft/ that might he interred from such proceedings in other countries. This is mysterious huiguage.— V\ hat may be said upon this subject is, that criminal intentions arc usually mani- fested by actions. What are the actions to which tiiese expressions of Mr. Stuart alhide, and who are the authors of them ? Tins he leaves us to guess. Again, this sort of homage paid to loyalty by a people treated with indignity, as they were at this period, has at least sometliing extraordinary in it. Ihcsc crmunal intentions, and these faithful feelings, would form a somewhat extraordinary contrast. The memoir contains many other engmas, winch JMr. btuart has not thought proper to solve. • . «, rM i ivf i i ^ 'Ihe eio-t'th of these prosecutions was instituted against .Mr. Charles Mondelet, a Militia Ofticcr, whom the (iovcrnor had dismissed. The reason given by the Governor for this step, was iMr. Mondelet's absence from the division to which Jic belonged tor some years past. At the same time he nominated Olnccrs who no more resided on the spot than il.d Mr. Mondelet himself. It was this incon- sistencu to which Mr. Mondelet alluded in the letter addressed to His Kxccllency, and published at that time in the Qtiekr Gazette, at the same time complaining that he had been treated thus xci/hoiil having l>een heard. His Excollency's logi- cal exactness is attacki d in passages contained in this letter, as is the justice of his steps, upon which Mr. Stuart particularly insists, and which he cites at length. It is astonishing that he did not point out with greater care what is said by Mr. JVIondelct upon the subject of the Militia Orders, which must have appeared to liim by this letter, of a still more criminal nature. ,ifter what we have read upon tlif subject. We leave it again to be imagined, what the public must have thought on seeing the (Jovcrnor entangle himself in strange inconsistencies, such as issuing the CJcneral Orders, and prosecuting criminally those who were the victims of them, because they ventured to complain. It has been already re- niaiked, it must be felt, that in a state of such singular disorder, vivjicity of ex- pression on the part of those who complained, was entitled to some indulgence Mr. Stuart, referring as regards the ninth and the last prosecutions, to what is already found upon the sanio subject in that jjart of the Report which pre- cedes, we shall nut dwell upon it more, than fur the purpose of observing that, Mr. Ncilson, the Editor of the Quebec (iazette, had inserted in his columns Mr, Lees letter, and also observations upon the bills found agiinst the Editors of the Montreal columns, of which we have sjiokcn, or for political offence , already thrown out by a (Jrand .lury of a preceding Couit, and against Mr. .Tacqucs ^ i"er. '^ As regards the former, it should be observed, that it would have been quite just uniess""tliere had been some very extraordinary circumstances, to have con- fined himself to the prosecution of the author of the letter if it was really of a criminal nature; and, as to the second, it should b' remarked that ail that was said by the Editor upon this subject, was founded upon facts ki; ami at that time, and proved since before the Committee of Grievances of the i louse of Assem- biyin 1S29, of which we have already spoken, itill less should wc dwell on some other parts of the Ucport in which Mr. Stuart encourages prejudices art- fully and dcsignedlv nourished in the I'rovince, -igainst individi;.>!s whose only crime was to seek justice, or to call its principles into jday in favour of the coun- try. What coiild have been Mr. Stuart's motive for observing, that Mr. Ncdsoii, the Printer against whom he instituted criminal prosecutions for libel, was the son of the person who was in England the bearer of the petitions of the inhabi- tants of the country against the administration? Why give it to be understood, that these resolutions of one of the Constitutional Committees were the work of Mr. Waller, who was also the object of prosecutions of a similar nature? ' Mr. Stuart puts forth, with ixspect to the complains made by the country agauist 7)iight he muage.— lily manU Ir. Stuart Again, r, as they < criminal aordiiiary t has not ^londelet, en by the to which nceis who t/iis iiicon- xccllency, inplaining ncy's logi- jiisticc of at length. d by Mr. )pi.arod to read upon mist have icies, such were the lii-ady rc- :ity of e.\- jlgonce )s, to what vliich pre- •vir.g that, liimns Mr, :ors of the c.;, alreaily r. .Tacqucs been quite have con- really of a 11 that was . that time, of Asseni- e dwell on idiees art- wliose only ' the couii- \r. Ncilsoi), el, was the the inliabi- uidcrstood, lie work of he country against 1(59 (ies xenllmcns dc loyautc que dcs proc^dr; de cette nature ponvaient faire suppoier dans un ait/rc piii/s. Ce langage est misc(5rienx. Ce qn'on pent dire a sujet, c'cst que les vues criniinelies se manifestait ordinaircment par des actions. Qnelles sont les actions aiixquelles serapportent ces expressions de M. Stuart, et quels en sont les auteurs ? C'cst re quil laisse A dcviner- D'un autre cote cctespcce d'hommage rendu a la loy.nil ; d un pcuple traitc avec indignite a cette epoque, a quelquc chose au nioinsdV'xtraordinaire. Ccs vncs criininelles ct ces sentimens de fitli'Hitc'-, forme- raicnt un contraste bien extraordinaire. II a bicn d'autres enigmes dans le m6- moire dont M. Stuart n'a j)asjug<; aproposde donner la clef. La luiiticme de ccs poursiiites, ctait intenteo centre M. Charles Mondclet, Officicr de Milicc, que le Gonvcrneur avait dcniis. I,a raison donnee de cette de- marche par le Gouverncnr, etait rab.icnce de M- Mondelet de la division a la- qnelle ilappartenait depiiis plusienrs annees. En meme terns, il nommait des Orticieis qui ne rt'sidaietit pas plus que iM. Mondelet Ini-mc'ine. C'est ci tie con- tradiction, que M. Mondelet fesait rcinarqucr dans la lettre adressee a Son Ex- cellence et publii'c alors dins la Gazette de Quebec, en ineme terns qu'il se plai- gnait d'avoir etc traite ainsi sans ctrc enlaidu. Ce sont les passages de cette lettre dansjlesquels, ['exactitude de logique ile Son Excellence eat attaqnee coinme la justice lie sa drmarche, sur lescj' els M. Stuait iiisiste le plus, et qu'il cite au lon«r. 11 est ctonnantcpi'il n'ait pas rcleve avec plus de soin ce que M. Mondelet dit aii sujet des Ordonnances de Milicc quiauraildn lui paraitre plus criminel encore dans cette littre, apres ce qnon a vu pljs haut. On laisse encore aju^er de ce quo iievait penser le public, en voyant Ic Gouverneur s'enferrer dans des contradictions aussi I'tran.TCs, en donnant d.s ordrcs gnieraux, ct ccux qui en etaient les victiines poursnivies crimineiletiient parce qu'ils osaient sen plaindre. On la (leja dit, on doit sentir que dans un etat d'anssi singulier disordre, la vivacity des expressions dc ceux qui se plaignaient avait des titres a I'indulgence. M. Stuart renvoyant quanta la neuvi^me ct h la dixieme poursuites, a ceqni se trouve d ja sur le menie sujet, dans la partie du rapport qui prccc-de, on ne s'y arre- tcra lion plus, (pie pour f aire obseiver que M. Neilson, Editeur de la (Jazette, avait inscre d.inssa feuille la lettre de M. Lee, et en outre des reHevions sur les'Actes d'accusations lapportrcs centre les E itenrs des feuilles de Montre.il, dunt il al a people; against men whom it is even at this day impossible to reproach seriously for their conduct? Besides, \t wc wish to make any enquiries upon this siibj.ct, it would sutticc to consult the various Reports of the Committees (accompanied by proof, as formal as they are unanswerable in any wav) madelo the House of Assembly of Lower Canada in lH2!),and 1830, upon a: I these subjects, in order lo see whet. icr the complaints of the country \veic, as is pretended in this Uc|ioit, the work of calumny. I should now put aside this Ueport. upon which it is useless longer to dwell, and content nnself with observing, that the acco.iiit given by Mr. Stuart him', selfof thesn prosecutions, is well calculated to place in a clear light the torce of the accusations on the part of the House of Assembly, a^ to the partiality which existed in the choice of those ac^ainyt whom he instituted criminal prosecutions. 1 think also that I should . o. I'idf '• some observntions with reference to a fact in question in another poiliou oi the nemoir, calculated to serve as a com- parison with many other an do-;oiis assertions to be found there. Mr. Sttiart dwells t^^ally with singular gravity upon the necessity in which he iound himself of ir.stituting criminal prosecutions against thosj who had been the cause of riot at th- election in the Western division of Montreal, in order to insure public tranquilluv. If Mr. Stuart's observations upon the subject ot this riot, were any where else and unconnected ^^..^ ». rest of his memoir, what he there says would be taken tor a joke, even for an epig.am. We may judge of this from a circumstance of public notoriety, and uf which we are going to give an account. According to a custom which has at times held in some jiarts of Canada, and of which as I have alreatly observed, I do not pretend to support tho legality, tiie votes of widows or of unmarried females who possess landed estate or pmpertv to which the right of votin;; is attached, are taken. Every day thio.ichoiit tfie continuance of this election, (which was long, and stubbornly contesteiL' women of all classes from the most inteiior up to tiiose most elevated by rank am! education, in the City of Montreal, came each day, and at every hour to vote for one or other of the opposing Candidates. Hence, how did it happen that this not was so terrible j so dangerous an example; how could it have left such deep traces as that it was impossible to erase them otherwise than by having recourse to prosecutions in tlie Criminal Courts. But the impartiality with which the Public Otliccr acted at M'.s period ex- hibits itself again lure in its brightest colours. There had in fact been a riot on one of the days of ti. -'se elections, which lasted for about one hour. It was easy to trace the source of the excesses, in order to form an opinion as to the i' sily or inutility of such prosecutions with reference to the real interest of justice and ; in the character t himself i spoken ; auiclinary e state of >ro()f be ; t this day 1 to make s Reports nswcrable ami 1830, e country • to dwell, uiut iiim- e force of ity which isecutions. cncc to a as a com- r in which ) had been in order to ect of this [loir, what may judge iiig to give e parts of to support sss landed 11. Kvery stubbornly St elevated I at every low did it w could it srwisc than period ex- n a riot on [t was easy the neces- t of justice t that Mr. o en(|uirie8 the faults, exclusively whom the ;ly tho con- as wit, re- opposed to nciit that it nces ; who t. I fence, uxili ,y in the 171 conduitc dii Gouverncur, contrelcsprocM'sde M. Stuart lui-morne dans les Cours de Justice, coiitrcccux des lurt'sdoiit il a C-ti; qui stion, ou d'autres officicrs publics, dcs id('cs qui dcvaient sans doufo paraitre bien extraoidinaires a ce x ui prendront la peine ile doiiner la plus Icgtrc attention a I'ctatde la Province ah De quel poids pcuvcnt t-Ue dcs assertions cicnuces de prcuv("^, dcs dcclamatin plcincs de fid contrc un peupic, conirc dcs hommcs auxquels i. est encore auji ad'hui im- possible de faire des rcprochcs scrieux r.ur lour conduite. Si Ton voulait, au rofte, faire qucl(|ucs rccheiohos a ce siijct, il suffirait d • r. nsulter les divers rap- poi:3 (lu Comitr accompa^ncs lie preiives formellcs aut it qu'incontestablcs de toute espt'ce, faits ;\ la C'hambrc d' Assomblec du liiis-Ciiiada, en l8-29ctl83(), sur tous CCS objots, jjour voir si Ic- \tes du pays ctaiciit comme on Ic pretend dans < c r-ippoit louvragedcla cah e, Jc dois laisser maintcnant de cu ce rapport auquel i! scrait inutile de s'arr(»- ter plus long-tems, ct me content, r d observer jue le compto rendu par M. Stuart lui-mrme de ces poursuites est bii-n propre a faire ressortir la force dcs accusa- tions de I'Asscuibice sur la partialitc qui prcsidaitau choix de ceux contre lesquels il porlait des accusations crimincllcs. Je Ciois devoir aiissi terminer par queiques observations relatives a un fnitdout il est question dans unc autre partie du me- nioire, proprca servir d'un tcrme de coniparaison applicable a beaucoup d'autres assertions analogues qui s'y trouvent. M. Stuart appuie vraiment avcc unc singulicre gravitc s-ir In nee* site ou il «e troiivuit de porter des accusations ciiminelles contre ceux qui avaieni cau' du tumuitc {rlol) dans I'tloction du Quartior Uucstdc Montreal, pour a:.surer la tran qnilliti- publiquc, si les observations de M. Stuirt, au suj -t de ce tumiilte(^/oO se trouvaient partout aillcurs ctisolccsdu restc de son nicnioire, on prendrait ce qu'ii y dit pour unc plaisanterie mcme pour une cvigrammc?. Ou pout en jiiger d'aprcs niie circonstanccs qui est de iioloiit ti^ publu|ue, ct dont ou v.i rcndre ompte. I'ar un usage qui a par fois eu lie.i datis quclques cndroits en Canada, et dont comme j.' I ai dcj i observe'-, jc ne pretends pas soutenir la 1; galite, on prcnd les suf- frages lies vcuvts ou des autrcs pcrsonncs du scxe ncii mariees, qui out des pro- prict sou des possessions auxqnclles le droit dMir est attache. Chaque jour que dura cette Election (qui fut 1< ne et opiniatromcnt contestee) des feiiimes cle toiitesles classes de|)uis les plus infcricures jusqu'aux plus reljvces par le ranget leducation dans la vile de Montreal, vinreiit chaque jour eta toute lieurc voter pour los III ou les autres des Candida* j opposes. Comment deslors c-tumulte avait- il ct6 si terrible, d'un si li.ingereux excmple, pouvait-il avoir lais>,e des traces si profondes cjiie pour les eftaccr ic recours a dos poursuites criminelios dcvint abso- lumeiit indispciisablc. Mais limpariialitc avec laquellele ministcre public agisstit .'i cotte cpoque se treci core ici dans tout son jour, ily avaiteu en etlet un tumultequi avaitdur^ I n line hcinc un ties j, airs de ['election. II italtaise i!e remonter a la source de cc^^ exces pour se former une opinion sur la necessitc ou I'inutilite de pareilles '^uursuites dans Ic veritable iuterttdo la Justice ct du Ciouvcrnement suivant les irconstances. Je veux quo M. Stuart n'eut le tems ui les moyens de se livreril desre^ -cheh i cet cgard ; il ne pouvait au nioins i^norerq^ue les fautes qu'il a crude lenoucer ue pouvaiont pas cire attribut;s cwclusivemcnt ;i ceux qui avaient lavori'' li lection des Caudidats contre lesquels l'Administra;ion du pays avaitfait de SI jnuHsans efforts ; c'ctait exactement le contraire. C'ependant M. Stuart sur cct article comme relativcmont aux accusations pour libelles diffama- toircs, 110 vit decoupables que dans le parti contraire a celui aucj el il tenait lui- meme. II n'a pas songc un instant qu'il dtit s'attacher a poursuivre ceux qui s e- taientrendus coupables dc u ernes dolits qui les avai provoau(;s, en agissant dans un inti'rct oppose ! Qn i He idee pent-on dcs lors proi to cette mani(ire d'agircu qualite d'auxiliaire a is ladininistration s.\(i la justico ? Serait-ce bjen h\ le moycn le lu raettrc ;• i-dcs i do tout soup50ii, et d'inspirer envers elle les .>n- timens mon envii 172 the administration of justice ? Would this be .1 good means of placing above suspicion, and of inspiring towards it feelings of [> rfect confidence, a thing 80 desirable, so essentially necessary, in all well regulated governments ? If we come to the manner in which these prosecutions were conducted, we shall find somothing still worse Mr. N 'nut presented bills against the rioters, and submitted them, during the Term of the Court of Kuig 9 IJcnch, in Sep- tember, l^viT, to the (Jrand Jury, who threw them out. He has an immediate recourse to an r.r o/ficio information against them, and obliges them to give a species oi bail (u. tlieir appearance, upon which subject I have not time to dwell. IJut soon after, he obtains in the following month of November, the sf 'cial Court of Oi/er and Terminer, of which we ha\ c so otten spoken, and of which ihe CJraiul Jury was partiv composed of active panizans, at the very last election of Mont- real, in an interest ojiposed to that of the accused. He presents to the tirand Jury bills t)f a similar description against the same individuals; and this Grand Jury finds, in this Court, these bills which had been thown out, in September, by the (Irand Jury of the Court of King's Bench. In tine, after successive pro- ceedings of more than an extraordin iry description, the detail of which would also l( ul too far at this moment, all the accused are acquitted by the verilict of a Jury, with the exception of one, found guilty of an ofiencc inferior to that of nW, and committed under circumstances which so weakened the idea of an ofience strongly made out, that the Jury which found him guilty of this minor oilence, thought it their du' to recommend him to the Court as an objecP wor- thy of indulgence! Neithei shall 1 dwell at tlii . moment, for the purpose of making observations as to the strange mode which has been so often adopted in Caiiiida, in the administration of criminal justice, and particularly with reference to siin|)le offences, perjury, libels, riot,* by xwM'ioi a spcciil Court utOjjer and Tcni.iner ; nor as to the kind o\' Petit Juries by which Mr. Stuart contrived that the accused shi Id be tried; nor as to some things of a still more serious na- ture. the mode of selecting Jin ymen in criminal matters, of wliich mode the Assembly have so frequently, andfor so many years past, complained ; subjects with respect to which we may refer to the Report of the Comnuttee of Grievances, in 18i>y, and to that which refers to the selection of Jur)meii, in iSiJO. 1 will content myself N\ith asking, whctlier, after having seen this sketch, the exactness of which It is hardly possible to question, steps such as these taken for years, were .at all calculated to create and support confidence in the administration ol justice, and in the Government? Whether these are services calculated to entitle "Mr. Stuart to the gratituc' of his Majesty's Government? Whether, in fact, this conduct, and the principles to which 'he appeals, and which he regards as essential for the support of authority, are very well calculated to insure him stability? CONCLUSION. I am exposed to the rcprcach of having laboriously refuted palpable errors, as though they had been calculated to have any weight. Dut the author of the memoir, who h.as provoked these observations, is a lawyer of reputation. It 19 doubtless to this circumstance that should be attributed his being placed at the head of the law officers of the Crown, in Lower Canada. I must here again repeat, that I could not take upon myself to preserve an indistinct silence, nor even to pass lightly over subjects which liad appeared to him of so great impor- tance, • The word rio< must fiere be taken ill the «rn«e of an ordinury dJNturbiinie, ar.d not thai land ui koriom ilintuitiiuc |)roj>cily i.ilUd iwt, Cftlcuktcd to endanger the piiblit bwciy, aiiil Mhiili, tlinuk (iod, u nut of ecui- (ooii occurreuce iu Cmudn. 173 ling above L tiling au lucted, wc ic rioters, , in Sep- iinuicdiatc to give a I to dwell, cial Court lIic Grand I of Mont- ,ho Cirand his Grand eptcmber, issivc pro- icli would he verilict or to that idea ot an this minor bjecP wor- Mirpose of adopted in I (cterence I Oijcr and rived that erious na- niodc the I ; subjects irievances, 0. 1 will ! exactness lor years, stration ol 1 to entitle r, in fact, regards as nsurc him timcns d'une parfaite confianco, rominc la choso est desirable, si essenticllement ijcccb-iairc dans tout Gouvernement bien regie ? Si on en vicnt h ia manitrc dent ccs poursuitcs ont he con Juitcs, cost quel- quccliosc de bien pis encore. M. Stuart prs biith? If any thing is calculated to do lionour t) the people ef Lower Canada, it is their respectable conduct at this period, as at others which preceded it. 'fhe Canadians kiuw how to ally the feeling of fid li:y to their .Sovereign antl to the empire of" which they Ibnii a part, to tli .t of' t us firm attachment to the rights as citizetis. wliicli it. not merely a necessary ap|)en 'ago to the lovC of liberty, but also a pledge of security to the Ciovernnient, itself. Aiul ii is this people to whum .Mr. .Stuart, not long since the chief Officer ot' the Crown in the iVovince, attributes loudly this gross ignorauc..' and briitalitv ! Tor yeais previous, the ( o", utry was har-owed up by arbitrary, and more than aibitr 'ry act^ ; but injustice alone was not enough, — he loaded fh/mwith insult. I. wa ; the entire pcoj le, citi/en.-i of all rai,!:s and of all classes, who were the object of all that outrage possesses of bitti. ness, of calun)ny the most atrocious. v\'hat was the eou'. .;. i of this people, tip' object of fasli i.isults in this mei.ioir? They took the u.eans which the Coiistitution plaecs in the hands of thi' oppressed, in order to ask of the Sovereign ileliverance fV.jm this scourge. This was a ciiuie ; it was v.ilh tl.is again that .Mi'. .Stuart reproaches llieni with more than bi*te)iie-i. If the people had been s: .ued with this profiund igno- rance, it wo, lid h.ive been wirli a.i ignorance of a very extraordinary descrip- tion ; siiieo it would have produced a 1 the ellect of enlightened minds anil of a political education, acfpured iluriiig a series of } ears : of the spirit of order and of respect fir the hiws wliieh are the natural conseqiiercrs of them. As reg.nds the Assembly in partic:ul;ir, far from having meriteil the bit'uer censure of which it is the object in the mem lir, it had a claim to praise for its ex- actitude in following the priiv.ij)les of ( ousiitutional law; for iiscciiistant at- tention in taking as ;i rule for its step" the usages ami practice of the haiglisli Parliament. As to .Mr. Stiia.r, without nu.'iuionint; the violence to which he abandons him-ell'in sjjiakin:; of a branch of this {Jovernment ; that under whieli he occupied so confidential a poslj the strange pretensions, the doctrines str.ui- ger 1 s ai;;uments only lie had tlnotighout agitated by want caliii- c'foi Lo the iscilions op- to establish lies received idance witii ?s forth, for tlio memoir uiMiecessary a i0|)roacli jii this sub- it ry, which, iiisl ',\ritcrs )lc to whom iidcration of ice of those ly ackiiow- inseparable re a prey to • CaiiaJa, u ;ed it. The I and to the tiio rights lilierty, but s peopio to ic Province, V, and more i fh.'in witli lassos, who ny I he most 1 i.isiilts in 1 the hands liis scourge. . Ilieni with fnund igno- iry dc>crip. imis and of d order and d the hitler ) I'ur its c.\- ronstant ui- the i'liiglisli 1) wliieh he nder which lilies stran- ger 3 175 luiavaientparu a Iui-m<'me de si grandc importance, quelque fussent mes opi- iiions pcrsoni elles siirhi nulHte de ses inoycns dc defense. Je crois m'ctre iusti- flc d avance sur cet article. C'etait aussi pour moi nn devoir indispensable de fare voirqu'il n'avait pas seule- ment poussc rexagc'ration au phiy Inuit degre, mais que son memoiie etait partout marque au coin de riliusion, objet d'accusations graves, agit6 par des motifs d'lm intert't aussi piiissatit, i'aiiteur dii memoire pouvait manquer de calme dans les sentiinens. Mais hiissant de cote les considerations qui se rattachcnt .\ la violence de ses recriminations, a I'abscnce dc tout prctextc, a des assertions opposees a des fiiits, onpeutse demander comment il a pu tenter d'ctablirou de soutenir des se trouvent en pleine contradiction avec des principes regus ct consacres, avecdes doctrines qui usnges constans et unc pratique invariable d'accord avec ces principes eux-ncmcs. Lo sentiment pi ofond de nu'pri^ qu'ii;exhaie pour ce qu'il appelle I'ignorance du peupledela Province, n'est pas non plus ce qa'il y a de moms extraordinaire dans le numcire. Ues motifs qu'il n'cstpas necess.iire d'indiquer devaientinterdire a son auteui, ces rcprochcs cgalemcnt injustes . mal fondessous tant de rapports. II en appelle aux dangers qui pouvaient rcsulter pour la tranquillite du pays qui sui- vant lui justirieraient la nicessitc de poursuites centre lesecrivains dont les pro- diictionspouv : ent enflammer les passions du peuple, auquel ces ecrits n'auraient pas ^te acccssibles ; laissant aussi dc cote la considi ration de cette contradiction et cclle dc la partialitequi dictait le choix de ceux qui prenaient pour objets de ces accusations, convcnons de suite que des mceurs grossiijres et brutales sonta-peu- pres les compagncs inseparables dc I'ignorance. Ou se trouve la p.euve que ce peuple fut en proic i\ la violence qucllcs cnfantent ! Si quelque chose est de nature a fliire honneur au peuple du Bas Canada, c'est la condtiite respectable qu il a tenue a cette cpoque coinme a d'autres qui I'a- vaient priVule. Les Canadians out su allier le sentiment de la fidtlite a leur Sou- verain eta I'Empire dont ils font partie, a cclui de ce ferme attachement a Icurs droits de citoycns, qui n'est pas seulement I'appanage de lamour, de la libertt; • mais encore le gagede la sccnritc du Ciouvernement lui-meme. Et c'est ce peu* pie auquel M. Stuart na,,na:relc premier Otiicicr de h Couronne dans la Province, attribue luutement cette ignorance grossicre et brutale. Depuis des annecs le pays etait harcele par des Actcs arbitraires et plus quar- bitraires. Ce ntitait pas asscz de I'injustice, on lui prodiguait I'insulte. C'est le peuple tout cntier, ks citoycns dc tous les rangs et de toutes les classes qui (5taiont en but ;"i ce que I'outrage a de plus amer, la calomnie de plus sanglant. Quelle etait la conduite du peuple, objet de noiivellos insultcs dans le memoire ? II pre- nait les moyens que la constitution met entrc es n aius des opprimes pour domander au Souverain de ledi livrer de cc llaui. C etait la un crime, c'est celui que M Stuart lui repruche encore avec bicn plus que de i'amertume. Si ce peuple avait ^'le cntache de cette ignorance protbnde, clic serait d'une espt^ce bicn extraordi- naire, puisquellesaurait produit tout IcH'et des lumicres ct d'une education poli- tique formee de longue main, de I'csprit dordre et de respect pour les loix qui ci sent la consequence naturcllc. : qui en (^lant ;\ rAssemblee en particidicr, bien loin d'avoir merite la censure am^re dont elle est I'ohjet dans le memoire, elle avait droit ii des tlogcs par son exacti- tude lisuivre les principes tie droit constitutionnci, • ar unc attention constante a prendre pour regie de ses demarches, les usages ct la pratique du Pai lenient d'Angleterre. PourM. Stuart, sa; • parler de la violence a laquelle il s'abandon- jiii cii parhuit d'une branchc de ce v.ouvernement.la nienic, sous lequel il nccu- pait un poste d'aussi grande ^coiiHance, ses pretentions ctrangcs, les doctrines plus 176 cer still perhaps, which he advances, doubtless do not show a Rreat fund of eru- dition upon this subject. Thev do not bespeak leg.dar study exact ideas.— Should it h *c been thought, that tliis c.uld bo the language of His Majesty s Attorney (icneral in the Province ? . „ . • , /• Looking at Mr. Stuart's conduct in another point of view, with reference to the charges brought against him, it is still more inexplicable. Ihey are founded upon facts lor tin. most j.art ot public notoriety supported by lorma evidence, the production of which has been subjected to all the rules prescribed by the Law and the (bn.stitution. Far from taking any pains to justify him- self, he contents himself first, by opposing to the.e facts, denials, or assertions cciuallv vacrue, insults. lU goes the length of making avowals winch add to the force of these charges from which he should have felt the necessity of clear- in''- himself. An utter prey to his resentment as an accused, he becomes an accuser. t r r i • i c. He is so with regard to all and every one, no one is aloof Iroin Ins sliatts. If wc refer upon This sul))ect to the nicmon-, the Petitioners who raised then voices aoainst him, the witnesses who gave tlieir evidence, the Committee of the AssembS- who proceeded to the examination of the subjects of these complaints; the A"cmbly wlio listened to them, the whole country ; these are the guilty persons. Ail the elements of which tiic Province is composed, by his account, 'vcre united a-rainst him, and this combination is the work of crime, its results a ti^ -e of falsehoods framed by hatred and treason. Alone exempt from fault, hec.iiild nut in an assembly of more thnn liglily Members, hnd some capable o*' endeavouring to stem tliis torrent of iniquit> ; some who dare to laise then voices in his favour on the side of truth and justice. To tins are his answers to fuc's pretty nearly reduced. He stands not in need ot evidence. One would im'i-iiie tliat he was persuaded, that it was sufheicut for him to have imputed to them the most heartless alroeitv, in order to be satisfied that he had stamped them Willi a ciiaracter of indelible infamy, nothing mure is wanting to insure his "'""\Vhat would be thought in England of a Piil lie Punctionary, who impeached b\ the House of O)mnioiis under analagous eiie..nistanees, should hold this lan- guage to his Sovereign ? Jf it were possible that the entire population of Lower Canada had attained this decree of corruption; it would doubtle'^s be asked whence this deadiv poison, win* h would circulate through all the veins of a so- cictv, conhl have'flowed? The answer to this question would most assuredly lie no u.< 'e advantageous to the cause of Mr. Stuart than to Public I unetionaries in 'HMierH. So moiistrous a -tate of things would not speak in favour ol this priu- cuifeof ••iviolabilitv with which, as being essential to the stability of the Covern- mcnt. Mr. Sfiiarl w'ould wi>li to see them cloathed. We are suii:ciently acciuaiijt- cd with the causes which plant and nourish the seed .1 demoralization in the midst ofa people. It does not take n.ot there spoutaiuously. but must have been sown. Hai pilv the idea of this ex -ess of immorality is clumerieal. It is not to be f und in any country where a s^/uk of" liberty still glimmers among the i)eople, ora spark of iiistiee ill itsgovernuiLnt. Under the pretence of cxcelj ating himself, he imputes his own faults o Public t'l'lcers, who. bv his advi.e, he ^hou!d base directed m the right path, ami who he had the power of co.^'pclling, had they refused to do so, to fuhl their duties. '1 his is still not all ; tl c burden of his recuninations recoil, ami w^oulil fall entire Iv on other constituted authorities; on the .liines who at first threw out the bihs ; on the .luries who acquitted the accused persons, when ins impe- rative d;'v forc-d him to prosecute them in the Courts, for the purpose of re- gaiuiug the e(|Uilibrium ol fh;> society destroyed by their crimes; oi for the purpohe of checking a (h'pnivitywhi'h sapped the (oimdaiions of the (.overnmeiit. >Vliat must we think of Judges, who, proceeding iu the prosecution oi these m- ditlmoiits, 177 nd of eru- t ideas. — Majesty's reference They are by Ibrnial prescribed stil'y bim- assertinns uld to the ,' of c'.ear- ;comcs an bis shafts, iiscd their tee of the jinplaints; tiie guilty s account, its results Voni fault, ic caj)al)ie laise their answers to Juc would ,'e imputed III stamped ) insure his plus ct rangers encore pcut-ttre. qn'il met an jour, ne pro'jvent pas sansdoute un grand fonds dViiuliticn sur cette matiere. EUcs n'annoncent pas dcs etudes suivies des idces exactcs. Aurait-on du s'attendre d'avance que ce put ^tre \a le langage du Procurour-Gen^ral de Sa Majeste dans !a Province. EnvisagL-e sous un autrp point de vue, la conduite de M. Stuart relativetnent aux accusations portees c-.tre lui, est encore plus inexplicables. Elles sont ap. puyc'essur des faits la plupart denotoriete publiques, soutenues de preuves forme!- les, dont la production atte assujetlie atoutes les ri^gles prescrites par la constitu- tion et les lois. Loin des'occuper du soin de scjustifier, il se contente d'abord, deleur opposer des dcm'gations ou des assertions cgalement vagues, des injures. II vajusqua faire des aveux qui ajoutent a la foree de ces accusations dont il aurait du sentir linecessitc de se laver. Tout entier a ses ressentimens, d'accus^ il de- vicnt accusateur II I'est detous et chacun, person. le n'est a I'abri de ses traits. Si I'on s'en rapportait au memoire, ' j Petitionnaires qui out fait entendre des plaintes, les tcmoins qui ont di'p j contre lui, le Comite de l'Assembl(5e qui a procci'.c a Tevamen des sujcts de plaintes, I'Assemblt'e qui les a ac- cucillis. Ic pays tout entier, voila les coupables. Tons les elcmens dont la province se compose sc sont reunis contre lui ; et cette combinaison serait I'ouvrage du crime, ilt-s rcsultats un tissu de faussetes, ourdi p r la haine eUa trahison. Seul, exempt de fautes, il u'aurait pu dans le corps dune Assembk'e de plus de quatre- vin.<:;ts njomhres trouver quelques honimes cipables de tenter de refouler ce tor- rent d iiiiquitts, d'oser ilever la voix 0:1 sa favour dans I'inttri^t de la verite et de lajustic. Cest ;\-peu-pri's;\ qiioi se reduisent ses icponses sur les faits. II n'a pas besoin de preuves. On Icdirait persuade qu il lui suttit deleur avoir impute les plus liich'S iioirceiirs pour croire qu'il leura iiiprime un caractiM'e indelebile d'infamie, II n'en faut pas davantage pour assure ;on triompbe. impeached hi this lan- 1 of Lower 1 be asked ins of a so- t assuredly nctionarics if liiis prin- he Govern- y actjuaint- liou in the must have ical. It is among the n faults to right path, o fufil iheir and woulii first threw J his impe- j)osi' of rc- 01 for the overnmenl. oi' these in- dictments. Que ppnscrait-on en Angieterred'un fonctionnaire public qui accuse par la Chnmbre (les Communes dans drs circonstaiices inalogues, tientjrait ce lano-ao-e ;\ Son Souverain ? S'll ctait possible que la population entiere du Bas-Canada fut rendu a cc (legrc de corruption, on liemanderait sans doute de quelle source ce poison funcste qui circnlerait dans t( itesles veines il une societf, aurait pu decou- ier? La reponse a cette question nc serait surement pas avantageusea lacausede M. Stuart, plus qu'aux tonctionnaiies publics en general. Un t tat de choses aussi nionstruoiixne parlerait pas en faveurde ce principe d'invioiabilitr dont il les vou- draitvoir rcvctus commc ctant essentielle A la stabilite du Gouvernemcnt. On sait as-ez quclles causes jettent et devel'>i);'ent le germe de la demoralisation au milieu dun peuple. Ce n'est pas d'elle-mOu.j qu'eik^y prend naissance, il faut que la semcnco en ait eti' jetee ilans son seii. Heureusement I'idi'e de cet exces d'imMU)raliie est une chim(ire. Elle ne saurait te rencoutrer dans aucun pays ou il brille encore quelquVtinccllc de libertf dans lo peuple ou de justice dans son Gouvernenient. Sons pretextedc sc disculper, il impute en outre ses propres fautes a des fbnc- tionnaircs publics auxciuelsi! devaitservir de guide par ses avis, ct qu'il avait les moy^-nsde forcer a rcmplir leurs devoirs s'ik avaient refuse de s'y confbrnier. Ce n'est pas tout encore, le fardeau de ses recriminations retombe ct peserait en en- tier sur d'autres awtorites constituees, sur desjures qui auraient d'abord rejete des accu iilions, sur d'autres jurcs qui les auraient acquittees (juand son devoir inp{'- ricux li-fbr9ait do les poursuivre tlevant les tribunaux pour retablir I'cquilibre de la societr, rompu parlours crimes ou pour mcttre un frein a une depravation qui sappait les fondemcnsdu (jouvornenieiit. Que ponsor des jugrcs qui procedant :\ I'instruction de ccs accusatious, auiaicnt manque a la fois de luaiicrc*, ..e talens Z ct 178 dictments, slioiilcl liave beon wanting at once in learning, talents, and zeal, for the y)iJipo..c of instructing tiic Juries themselves in their duties ? What must be said of the Governor \vi;o sliould have prostituted his authority for ihe purpose of tampering the frenzy which tlie virtuous conduct of this Attorney General would !iave alone produced, and have saciif'ccd him to the vengeance of his ene- mies, bent on his destruction, as a puuislimei.t for such conduct? It has been already remarked, tliat he docs not seem to feci the necessity of evidence for the ])urpose of accusing, more than of justifying. His bare asser- tions on this side the Atlantic should be of sufficient importance to weigh down the scale. Such are the claims, in respect of which he confidently asks His Majesty to pronounce immediately in his favour; in respect of which he requires from him such an instant support, as would bring with it an indelible stain ? a stamp »jf infamy against individuals ; public men; against the inhabitants of an entire Province ; against hi;n who holds the reins of the Govcrmnent in the name of his Sovereign. "When at this distance from the seat of (Jovcrnment, they cannot even have any suspicion of the fate awaiting them in another he- misphere. Such again are the pretensions of a man who complains of not having been [lut on his guard ; of not having been aware of the proceedings adopted against liiin ; of not having been allowed an opportunity for defending himself! If, however, we are lo believe Mr. Stuart, he supports the autlioiity of the Ciovernment What support fur authority ! What a means of insuring its sta- bility ! This woulil be a Ciovcinment by physical force, and it is always at the moment whin it would be most in request that it is wanting- when moral ibrcc has lost its elasticity. It would be, to use the expression of one of the greatest men of the last century, (and whose energy will make us forg. t whafvver the comparison poiSc .ses ot trivial,) to support authority, as a rope siipi)orts the criminal whom it stiHes. What a wide tield Jbr reflection do the pretensions of Ml. Stuart open tons! I shoidil be peimitted, in turn to ])oint out, among others, one which appears to me worll.y of all the attention of His Majesty's Ministers. .'Mr. Stuart does not think it sutiicienl to put fjrth and su; port, as incontcstib'e, principles, opinions which work no less than the destr iction of all the rights ol JJritibh Subjects. He wishes to interdict to the ])e( p'e, to the Commons of Lower Canada, even the right of petitioning. J.'nciuiry should not be j)ermitted even to Il'.s .Majesty's Covcrnment. To reject it ininiediately with the most proiuuiid contempt, to repulse them with disdain, woidd not be merely an act becoming his dignity; he invokes it as the j)reser\ation of autho- rity ! Deprived of foundalioii, it would be lost beyond redemption. Such is the conduct wlieh he imleavoiu's to prevail upon His Majesty to adopt towards his lait'iful Subjects, in the most important KngHsh ('oIohn of the North .'.me- rican Contineiit, Such is tlie advice of him who but lately was entrusted lo di- j'c-et, by his a i\icc, the Indi.iJual administering the Go\ernnuiit in these Pro- vine s. Siicli are (he pretensloiis ii])oii which he relies when seeking that tiiii impoitanl function, near him whom he has just laboured to disgrace, should be again eiitrnsicd to Iiim. I mnst sto|). The hope of obtaining justice has supported the Canadians on tnoi ,• flian one occasion, in the midst ot the severest trials. Its last ray has not ceased in shiiic for them. Couul I persuail'^ myself that it wa-i in the power (d'a:i individual to seize the tlambeau of libcity from the hands ol" his Sovereign, and lo extinguish it? SUPPLEMENTARY i zeal, for It imist be ie purpose y General of liis ene- 179 etdezMc pourcclaircrlesjiircs ciix-mcSmcs stir leurs obligations. Que dire du Gouverneiirqui auraitprostitue son autoritc pour servir lel furearsque la con- duite vertiieiise de ce Prooureur-General aurait seule allumces et I'immoler u la vengcanee d'ciincmis acliarnes a sa perte pour Ten punir. cccssity of bare asser- cigh down asks His le requires le stain ? a tants of an L'lit in the ivcrnment, notlier he- iiot iiaving ;s adopted jf liinuclfl ity of the iig its sta- ays at the loral ibrcc ic greatest ut.'ver the |);)orts the tnsions of lit, among Majesty's 11 1 port, as r iction of i)'j, to the -liciild not imediatcly iilil not be of Mitho- Sij( h is pt towards )rtli .■nic- sted to di- :hese I'ro- ; that till* should 1)0 Canadians ;t ray has lite ])o\ver Sovereign, On I'a d('ja die, il ne croit pas avoir bcsoin de prcuves pour accuser plus que poursejustifier, ses assertions dece cote de I'ocean doivent ctre d'un poids suffi sant pour femporter dans la balance. Voila ses titres pour demander avec con- fiance a Sa Majestc deprononccr de suite en sa favour, pour exiger delle une sen- tence sommane qui comporterait la fletrissure, une note d'infamie contra des in- dividus, des hommes publics, contre les habitans de toute une Province, centre celuiouitientles renes du Gouvernement au nom de son Souverain, quand places A^cette distance du sic'ge del'empire iK ue peuvent pas memo soupconnerle sort qu u leur prepare dans un autre lu'mispi.ae ; ce sont encore la les pretentions d un homme qui se plaint denavoir pas etc mis sur ses gardes, de n'avoir pas ^tc prevenL' des proced^s qifon adoptait contre lui, de n'avoir pas etc mis a nor- teede se dclendre. ^ • Cependant si on I'en croit, il soutient l'autorlt6 du Gouvernement. Quel appui poijr I aiitonte, quel moyen d'assurcr sa stabilit(^ ! Ce serait le Gouverne- ...cut dela^force physique, ctcest toujours au moment ou elle serait le plus ne- ccssaiie qu elle manque, quand la force morale a perdu son ressort. Cc serait pour me servir de Texpression d'un des plus grands hom-nes du dernier sibde, et dontlcnergie fera par donnerce qu'elle a de trivial, sout nir I'autoritc commc la corde soulient le condamne (|u'elle etouffe. ^ Quel vaste champ les pretentions do M. Stuart ou ..a la reflexion. II doit m ctre permis a mon tor on indiquer , a entre autres qui me paralt digne de toute 1 attention des Mi tres de Sa AJ.,i.stc. Ce n'est pas assez pour M. Stuart, uc metre au jonr et de soutenir comme des principes inconstestablcs des opinions qui ne sont pas moins que leienverscmcntde tous les droits des suicts Britanni- ques. Jl veut interdirc jusqu'a la plainte aux Communes, au peuple du lias-Ca- nada. Lexamen mcme n'en serait pas .htuvs au Gouvernement dj Sa iMaieste. I a rcie^.cr de suite avec le plus profond xm- ,ris, les repousser eux-memes avec dc- dai.., ne serait pas seulement un Acte du a .a dignite, il y va de la conservation de 1 autontc. Donnec de base elle serait perdue sans retour. Cest la cond^iite nu'il p Sa \iajest.- de tenir u I'cgard de sos fulMes siijets dans la plus import mte prcsse ; des Lolonies Anglaises du continent de lAmcriquc du Nord. Cest I'avis dc celui qui, charge nag.icres do dirigcr par des Con^. Is cehiiqui administre IcGouverne- ment dans ccs Provinces. Cost le titre sur Icq.icl il se tondc pour exiger qu'ou lui conhe de nouveau cette importantc fonction auprcs de celui qu'd vienT de tra. vailler a fletrir. ' Je m'arrote. I/espoir d'obtenir justice a soutenuc les Canadicns a plus d une reprise au milieu des plus rudes opreuves. Son r'jrnier rayon n'a pas ces« .lV.n'irr'!.T""7"i; ^""■^''■•J'' '"^ Pcrsuadorqu'ilfutau pouvoir d'un indiviJu d en arrachcr le flambeau des mains de Son rfouveraio et do I'cteindre ;ntarv OBSERVATIONS 180 SUPPLEMENTARY OBSERVATIONS CONTAINED IN A I.ElTEll ADDUESSED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE LORD VISCOUNT GODERICH, COLONIAL SEKCETARY, *c. &c. &o. Mt Lord, The observations which I have submitted to your Lonlship, with reference to Mr. Stuart's memoir, were nearly cond.ideil, when I received, on t^ > Hh of last October, Mr. llayV Letter, with a Copy ol a Letter Irom Mr j/ i/u- Assc,n% ipZhr'upon thccvidaice of Mr. Jaa/ues Irj^cr, and how he can consider the fifoSs Victorious, as to that paitof the charges brought against hnn, for par- tilhtv in his conduct with reference to the proserutions iPst.tuted against those whoin was pretended had been guilty of perjury ? if tlie sub.ecls d.scussed were not ui so grave a character, one would be tempted to turn uilo jest merely, ''" ^S' tilfei^ M^Sing that he is an AJ.ocalc. lie ..s at the same time - a Justice of the Peace and Chairman of the Court of (Juarter Sessions rom May, "is'i to October \ 1 li present- jlii've Mr. j)al)le, a:iil ii.d the c.;- lintj before ndictment, the •, n liicU sat iu OBSERVATIONS SUPPLE MENTAIRES CONTENUES DANS LA LETTUE SUIVANTE, ADKESSE'E A SA SEIGNEURIE LORD GODERICH, MINISTRL J)ES COLONIES, &c. &e. &c. My LonD, Lcs observations que j'ai soumises u votre Scigneurie relativement au memoire de M. Stuart, elaient a-peu-pres terniinces quand j'ai rcyu le 29 Oc- tobrc dernier la lettre dc M. Hay, avcc copie dune lettre de M. Stuart ;\ votre Scigneurie conime fesant suite a lAppendice du memoire, marquee No. 17» en- semble des cinq aliidavits nunu'-rotrs do IS a '2'2. II en est resulte la necessity de les C( isiderer (lans un article a part et qui servira de supplement aux observations que voire Scigneurie a dijasous lesyeux. Apres avoir Iu ccs nouveanx affidavits, je me suis demandt'' comment M. Stuart avait pu ecrire a votre Seigiicurie que les affidavits de MM. Gale, Delisle et. Turner, ('t'liciit u/ie rej'utaiiou cmpli'/c de /a stroi/de accusation dc l\U.iemblee appu- ycc siir le /(vio/gnii^e dc M. Jticijtics Vi^er,Q\. comment il pcut croii e les deux autres viotorieux quand a la partie des accusations portees contre lui pour partialitc dans sa conduite relativement aux poursuites inteutecs. contre les prttendns parjures dc Sorel. 8i les sujets discutes n'etaient pas d'une nature aussi tjrave, on serait tentc de n'empioyer ti'autres moyens que la plaisantcrie pour I'aire justice de ces asser- tions. M. Gale depose d'abord qu'il est Arocat. II I'ta'tt en meme terns " Juge ;\ •< Paix et President de la Session du Qunititr dcpuis Mai 1S21< jusqu'en Octo- " bre \>'M, pour le District de Montreal, dont il ne s'est absents, dit-il, que pen- *' dan* (lix sept mois charge d'une Mission par le Gouvernement Ex(^cutii" du "13as-('anaJa."* Suivant hii, M. Stuart, en porfant dans la Coin dii Banc du Roi des accusa- tions de delits inferieurs qui auraient pu ttieinstruitcs dans la .'jcssion dc Quartier, a siuvi ia intnie niarthc que bCB /W^/(.a'Wc//;.v t.'i (>///f('. M. Delisle, le Gretfier da celtc (lour dLr)u.7",,, iccomnKnuIatiuns comme rcpnseiitations si souvent renouN cites par les grands jures de Montreal. Et ce- pendaiit SI on en croit M. dale, " M. k Prociiiour-Geiu'i :1 cut etc rovipabk, et '* on aurait pu I'accuscr de negligcr son devoir et ia pratique de ccs prcd"C Ic Jtapport du ConuU; On ConioMUici eu /.ogle« tcrrc, bur lis ( uiiB(ln.>, "ii ItciS, 182 " the bringing of which is now, by some persons, endeavoured to ha perverted " into malversation or is ascribed to improper motives." Mr. Gale miikes a vir- tue of tliese procecilings j Air. Stuart holds, Iiowcver, a langua^'c, in his memoir upon this subj c., of a very ditfercnt nature. According to him, these were acts of necessity ; it was ihc faidt ot the ("ierk of the Peace, and negliger:ce in his de- partment, uliich obliged him. Mr. Stuart, to have recourse to jl! Mr. Delisle and Air. Turner unite in a sort of panegyric upon Mr. Stuart's conduct for having fol- lowed in the trodden path. It would 1;^ impossible for Mr. Delisle, violently attack- cd as he is by the memoir, to he maiie to play a more evangelical character than that of bestowing pnii^e, more than gratuitous, upon its author, it is also true, that, if we are to beli.vc these gentlemen upon the sidyect, t/.'rrr rais a remit of'J'iimls to pay the expcii.fc^ ii/iU a/lDtii/hTs o/' Xi'it/u\sscs and other proceeding's Injure the said Court. These assci jns will, no doubt, appear strange, if we consider, first, that these expenses might be met by carrying the piosccutions to the Court of King's Bench, win le the expenses of prosecutions alone, indepencl ntly of witnesses' expenses, was from S; ven to eight times more consicierable ti an at the Quarter Sessions, and tiiat these cx^jcnses of prosecutions were fees to the Attorney Cieneral. Secondly, these prosecutions for minor offences were, in the District of Quebec, taken to the Courts of Quarter Session. Why could not they have been treated in the same mann':'r I'l the District of Montreal ? Were funds wanting more at Montreal than at Q lec '? These a scitions are, I ever, made by men who could not be ignorant of the tact, th.ii ihe Assembly votcil cycry year much larger sums for the expenses relating to t i. administratioi of criminal justice in Montreal, than to that of (Que- bec, iiiit, a^ain, if funds v.ure found lo meet these expences at Quebec, iiow happens it that none were to bo found to tneet them at Montreal, when, in insti- tuting these prosecutions {\ r minor offences at the (Quarter Sessi')iis, ;; saving of more than sev >u-eighths, in the expences of pro'^i culions alone, would have been ertected ot the exjcnse incurred in the Court of Kings Bench? All the .!• -vrtions of whit h we have just s;.okeii, are made with gravity, and .nppealed toby Mr. Stuart as decisive! Doubtless, it wms not his intenlion tu show by this means what suspicon must attach to this sort of proof by athdavit, j)articularly when it is pnxhiced in opposition to evidence given before a Com- mittee of a House of Commons, it must be avowed that features of this kind are well calculated to overthrow, at one blow, all the fabric given in his memoir as a chef d (Fuvre of means ui' defence opposed to the attack directed against iiim. Another sainp'e of tiiis evidence, in justification, deserves our attention for a moment. Accordii;g to the persons deposing, by alliJaviis, all depositions against accused parties, whatevLr the nature of the crimes or oll'onccs laul totlieir charge might be, wero transmitted to the Attorney (ieiieral. It was the Lli linnanqf'the (^uttrter Stssia/is rJio, aoomding to Mr. Delisle, Jiirxeardetf them to him, in order that such prosecutions mi-ht Ik- carried on hi/ htm. Hut, in the lirst place, Mr. (Jale, Chainnan, .Idtoiute, (a lawyer, in fact) might have selected beforehand such oJ'thesj dep I'le Clerk of the !V-3C0 of this 1 Ourt. whom he accuses ta liis nicniuir of Ilivsu''' negkctcd his dtity m this respect, in order to justify himself at his expense, such of 1 183 ^ perverted Kikes a vir- liis memoir J were acts :; in his clc- l^'lisle ami having fol- itly attack- r tiiuM tiiut true, that, nt qf'J'iimls "nig'i hcjorc first, that ; of Kinj^'s witnesses' ic yuarter : Attornc.)' District of have been Is wanting ^norant of e expenses lat of Quc- lebcc, how n, in insti- :'. saving of have boon ravity, and nteniion tu ly atKdavit, >rc a Com- f this kind his memoir :cd against tontion for CDS against icir charge rman of the I, III order place, Mr. beforeliaiul only, and I which 111' .id carried this selcc- Sessions, or cnsc, such of ;i '•office, ^. ilayaitomisdcsoumcttreaiix grands jurcs de la Conrdii Banc du Roi, ««ces accusations, (Indictments) dcmirches que quclques pcrsonnes representent " comme une malversation, ctqu'ils attribuent \> un niotif condamnablc.'' M. Gale faitde ces demarches dcs Actcs de vertu ct de choix, et iNI. Stuart tient pourtant a cc sujet iin langage bicn did! rent dans Ic mt'moirc ; suivant li i, c'ctait dts Actes de necossitr, cutait lafaute de M. le Grcflicr de la I'aix, ct sa ncgli.rencc dans son d('partcmeiit qui les forcaient d'y avoir recours. M. Delisk°amsi que M. Turner, se reiinissont |iour faire a-peu-pres le pancgyrique de la conduite de M, Stuiirt, siir cequ'il suivait Ic scntierbaltu. On ne poii\ait faire joiicr ;\ M. I) * lisle, si gcncreuseiuent attaque dans le mnnoirc, un rule plus cvangclique que c lui faire faire de son autcur un clogc plus que gratuit. p. de II est vrai aussi qup •--! on en croit ces Messieurs on manquait dc fovdx pour subvcnir au,\ fiais d'assi; 'i, Uonsde dt'^enscs do temoins et autrcs procedes dans la Session de (vUiarlior. Ces asstMtions paraitront sans doute ctrangos, si I'on con- sidirc d'abord cpion pouvait subvcnir a ces dcpcnso? en portant les accusations danslaCourdu I'anc (III Hoi oi'i Ics frais do poms lites, sciils indopendammcnt dcs dcpen.scs dcs temoins etaicnt, de sept a huit lois plus considerables que dans la Session dc Qiiarticr, ct que ceuU'j)ense de poursuilcs etaicnt des honoraircs payes au Procurcur-diiicral. En second li. ii, ces poursuites pour dclits infi'rieurs rfaicnt dans Ic District de QiK'bcc poitc:; dans la (Jour de Session de (x>uartier. I'onrqnoi nen aurait-on paspu faire aulant dans Ic District de Montreal. Les fonds manquaient-ils plus pour .Montreal, que pour Quebec ? Ces assertions sont cc'cndant cclles d'hommes qui no doivcnt pas i^norer qucchaque amiee lAsscmblrevotait pour les depenses lehuives a radmiiiisU-ation dela jusiicc criminellc a Montreal, des sommes beauconp phis considerables pour Montreal que pour Quebec. :Mais cnccire unc fois si on trouvait des fonds pour sub- vcnir a ces depenses a (hiebec, comment se fait-il qu'on n'en trou. at jjus pour y faire face a Montre;d, quaiiil tii portant ces aceusatio s pour delits infcrieurs dans la Session de (,Juarticr, on aurail (ait sur les frais dc poursuites scids, unc cconomie de plus dcsept-huitiinies de la di'feu-e qu'elles cmraiiuiieut d,.ns le Dane du Hoi. Toeteslcsi'ssertionsdont on vient de parler, sont faitesavec gravite, et invo- quecs conmie decisivos par M. Suiait ! cc n'etait pas sans doute son intention de demontrer par ce fait, combieii on doit se dehor dc cetto cspeco dc preuvc par a!'i(Iavitsur tout (piand on v( nt I'opposcr a un lemoigiiago doiine dcvant un Co- mitcd'une Chambre de Communes ; il (aut avoiicr que iles traits de cette nature sont proprcsa rcnvcrscr d'uu coup tout rechaifi.udagc qu il donne ilaus son me- nioirc, comme un ciiefd'ivuvrc de moyen de defense oppose a I'aitaque diiiTce contre lui. Voici unc autre cchantillon dj cette preuve justificative qui mcrite un mo- n-.cnt d'attcntion, suivant lesdeposans par aliidavits, on remcltait encore a M. le l'rocureur-Ci( iieral tou'cs les utpositiop-. contre les accuses quelquc fut !a nature dcs crimes ou des dilits portes a leur charge. C'etait le Vriinlcnt dcs Sessions de Quai/ier qui, suivant M. Delisle, les lui /r7«m'(7/.7,'Vahn qu'il s'cn chargeat. Mais d'abord, M. Gale, President, Avoeat, jiommc dc loi, jurisconsulte, eiifin uurait ])u faire choix d'avance de cclles de ces depositions quine constataient que des de- lits infcrieurs et Ics mcttre cntrc Ics mains du Greffier de la Cour, dans laquellc il prcsidait, pour que ces accusations y fussent portees ct instruitcs. S'il ne le fe- sait pas, M. Stuart a:;rait pu fuire lui-meme ce choix quand cHcs lui etaicnt par- vcnuch ct rcnvoyes a !M.le President des Sessions, ou au GrefKer do cette Cour qu'il 184 * of these depositions as related to tliosc oirences of which this Court might tak cognizance. It does not seem that any of those considerations cvt-n entered the miiuls of these deponents. On the coiituiry, we nuisf conchidc, from the athdavit of Mr. ':ialc, that it would have been a crime on tlio part of Mi Stuart to make the least disi.nction between f' cases, and not to s. ud. indiscrimm itely. all the prosecutions, of whatever iiatu. they might be, before the Cm rt of King's Bench ! And these, accortling to Mr. Stiia; t, aie triumpliant de|)o^,ltions made by them /row* a sense oj' justice and a traan/ for truth, calcul ited to car' a complete conviction to the minds ol ail peisons /;" all co/avrsant ■with Ih y / o- cccdiiigs of the Ciiininat Courts o/'I.oXicr Vunada. \\ luit an iiloa, also, is that of pretemliiig to prove, by the affidavit oi' Mr. Turner, th:i' the intention ot the (Jrand Jury at Mont, al, in making, on the subjcct'of t jse prosecutions instituted in the Court of King's Dench, a [-resent. ment, in M.U'< h, 1S;K), te./.v not intendc/ to caxt the leu'^t rejlcetion on Mr. Stuart. Mr. Turner does not point uiil the persons upon \\liich the Grand Jury intended the censuri' to fall. Let us suppose that the deposition of the Foreman of the (irand Jury upon this subject deserved tlie sHghte-st attjiitio , e- n entire con- fidence. Would this explanation weaken the cfKct of the uther esentments of Crand Juries, placed nniler the tyes of the Assembly by the Committer?— Of what v.oight. then, can this ])ortion ot Mr. Turner't affidu\it be? As to liie en or of mentioning in tlie deposition the .Ittorne'/ General, instead of whom, according to Mr Delisle, t'le lieeciver (iemratviaa meant, it might have been the mistake of the Copyist, if it was not that of the witness himself, and is not a subject sutliciently worthy of attention to dwell ii|)on it. This ciicumstance is of no importance wiiVcvcr. * It is not a subject dwelt upon in the least in the charges, and not one w rd" in theie fbound which has reference t(. it; so that it is thought useless to dwell at greiter bngih upon it; neither is it necessary to ente. umou liuther considerations with respect to the three alHdavii^ numbered 18, 1!) an'' -JO. Coming now to the two allidavits, numbered 21 and 22, of Laflcur and M'Lean, can it l)e possible that Mr. Stuart oflers thom to His Maj -.ty's 'Govern- ment a- cilculated to have a tendency favourable to him, inider the circum- slaiice>? These are men like iho'^cofwhom he speaks in the memoir, with 'ic most i.oveicign coiitempt, as being i /iterate and of Ime condition, who, if we to b.'li.ve them, were among those who gave their cvidenee against ihc bui >'oters. Thev are the fist to disgri.ce themselves, particularly by their owi affidavits. Doubtless it was done with a view of making tliis disgrace . e upon the Magistrate who received their depositions, and others, whose n.un.; are found in these 'Hidavits of LaHeur ami M'l ean. Accordin,' to these two Dcp nents, a piiblir li-'Use scene was performeil in taking these depositions. Mr. Boiulv, a we:l-ki.'. .«M .Mauist.ate, and a man above all reproach, is introduced as lu'ving partis' psued in th se orgies! Mr Stuait, l.owever, does not even pre- tend that the dcj-o^in :is of these' two persons weri sent to him for the purpose ofu iniMhem in sujjpoit of the prosecutions which he was to institute against those vrho had taken false oaths by voting in his fiivour, as he instituted others against those who had voted in a contrary interest to his own I What then can be his motive for annexing these depositions to his Appendi.x ? It would, doi.btless, be very useless to comment on this portion of his let- ter, bv which lie again pretenils to justify himself upon this subject by saying, that tio prittUe pruseetitur xcuuld incur the respu.'i^iljilitj/ o/' aclinn on dcpuiiliom thus tahjti. Upon this subject, as well as upon all the others which have reference to this portion of the charges of the Assembly, we sliould refer to wliat is found in the observations which precede it. Uesides, supposing for a moment that Mr. Stuart had been able to create soiiiu night take n entered from the Mr Stuart imuiitely. C(Vft of lo|)o.sitioiis 'il to car (h t/i J ,u. vit oi' IMr. g, on tlie a [Teseiit- [t\ Stuart. )■ iiitcriilcd lan of the •ntire con- 3seiitiiieiits iinittio ?— 'rt/, instead iiijvht have clt', anii is cuinstance cast in the so that it necessary numbered ■aflcur ana 's (iovcrn- le circiim- r, with 'lo , if wo t !he So tlii.'ir <)\s 'ace Kco- ose names these two ions. Mr. introduced t even pre- lie purpose itc ayainst 1 ted otiicrs hen can be of his let- by saying, (/cpoiiiio/ii enceto tins und in the 2 to create suaiu 185 qu'il accuse dans son mi'moire davoir ni^ghg^ son devoir A cet . gard uour se ius- lifier lui-meme a sesd^pens, celirs de ces dispositions qui avaidit rapport ^ des d< iits dont cetlc Cour pourrait pi> die connaissance. II nc para t pas qu'aucune dc c-csronsideratioi'S :;iei! aeulemcnt affleuri- I'Ame de ces deposans Au con traire, on tJevrait conchirc de I'affidavit do M. Gale, que c'eutdtt- de la part de m' Stuart un ciuuo de mettre la moindrc ' IK rencc entrc !es unes et Ics autres et de ' ■ pi\H portcrindislinct.'inenttoutes ;os accusations qi.elles qii'elles fussent devant la Cour < le Bas-Canada. Qm 'le idt-e aussi que celle de pr> tendre prouvc I'affidavit de M. Turner que 1 intention dos jrrands jurrs de Montr, al. en fe . t .le cos poursuites porteesdanslaC r du Banc du Roi, unc represent ■ MarslH3() nVtait pas lcinoinsdum..iidede I d. sreHexions contre uart. .M Turner n in dique pascenx sur qui les jv, „ids JMrcs entendaicnt q la censure dut to-nber Supposons que I leposition de M. le President de ces j^.andsiurcs mcritat I nlus Ic'-tVe attention ace sujet. meme unc entieie confiance, cette explication atfaibh- iiil-ellclettet des autres representations dc grands jms mises sous les vcux de lAssemblee ,_ .r le Comitr ? De quel poids peut des lois (jtre cette partie de I'affi. davit de iVl. liirner ? ' Quanta Terfcur qui se trouve dans les mots de Procureur ..cncrdmn suivant M. Dehsle, auraient cte mis A la place dc liircveur.Gencral dans sa deposition cette .rreur qui pourrait etre celle du copiste, si ci n'est pas celle du temoin luil iiK'^me, n est pas un objet digne d'asscz d'attention pour quon s'y arrtte Cette -1, ^ ot.jetsur lequel on s'est ' s'y trouve pas un mot qui intage h ce sujet, ni entrer as affidavits marques No. 18, 22 dc Lafleur et de M. Mc- constance n'a aucune importance. Ce n'esr appuye Ic moinsdu mondeilansles accusation' s'\ ra[ipoi aussi on ne croit pas devoir dire . dans d'autres coiniderations rclativement a ci VJ ef '20. \eiiant maintenant aux deux affidavits No _, ^^ „, ^„„cu. cc oe m ivic Lean, est d bien possible que M. Stuart les piesente au Go.iverntment de Sa Ma jeste conimo nropres a militer en sa faveur dans les circonstances f Ce sont de c''S hommes CO c. ux dont il parle avec le pl.is profond mc pris dans le memoire commeetai Itre.s ct . 6^ r^^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (716) 872-4503 186 some r«a8onable doubts as to the truth of this portion of the charges, let us go farther still ; let us suppose him completely justified on this particular point, would he he leas culpable for having, during nearly three years, continued to prosecute, with ani- moaity, men of whom a moment's reflection, the slightest examination, might show the ittnocence ? Was not this a conduct stamped with the die of much more than partiality? This truth has already been exposed in its clearest light, and on tlws account I shall not dwell longer on this subject. I beg Your Lordship to accept the assurances of profound respect, with which 1 have the honour to be Your Lordship's obedient and very humble servant, (Signed,) D. B. VIGER. London Coffee House, 29th Nov. 1831. To the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Godericb, His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, &c. &c. &c. s go farther oiild he he ;e,withani- night show Quch more light, and with which nt, GER. &c. 187 loin encore ; supposons-le completement justifie sor ce point en particulier, fln se- rait-il moins coupable d'avoir pendant pies de trois annees, continue i poursuivre avec acharnement des hommes dont un moment de reflexions, quelques instans dii plus l(5ger examen pourrait lui faire connaitre ('innocence, et n'etait.ce pas la une couduite marquee au coin de beaucoup plus que de la partialite? Cette verity a d^- ja ete mise dans tout son jour, et je ne crois pas devoir non plus aller plus loin sur cct article. Jeprie saSeigneuriederccevoirles assurances du profond respect avec lequcl J'ai I'honneur d'ltrc de saSeigneurie le tres-humble et obussant serviteur, (SignO D. B. VIGER. London Coffee House. Ludgate Hill, 29 Novembre 1831. A Sa Seigneurie Lord Viscount Goderich, Ministre dcs Colonies, &c. is;c. &c. KE Tone ^X) y o -cussed at h ngtii at that time, and above all, that the de- cisions of the Judges had been in favour of the ^iagistrates ; that is to say, that the fault whieh he j)relends to impute to the Magistrates, would be that of the Court of King's Bentli, o!" which he does not think [iroper to speak. 1 do not think myself called upon to dwell at (his moment for the purpose of pointing out some other features of a similar kind, of reciiminations, I shall content myself with observing, that in this part of his letter, he does not con- fine himself to directing these shafts against functionaries of a secondary rank. He takes higher ground, and if we were to believe him, the Governor woidd not oidy have reutlered liimsc f guilty of an ordinary injustice towards him, but of something still worse. This is not the moment to dwell upon the consideration of all that is strange in this iMode of justitieation. I shall content myself by observing, that if at the period to which these facts, which serve as a pretext for this accusation refer, the conduct of the Ciovcrnor would have given rise to some reflections to his disadvantage, it was because he would have gone a little too far at that time by evincing to that person who denounces him, a testimony of extremely good fcelinc ^gard. Elle luifait, dit-il, un crime de ce qu'on trouve innocent dans un autre I against On verra bient6t ce qu'on doit penscr dc cette (Strange tentative de justifi- cation. En voilil assez pourdonner une id6e de la mani^re dont M. Stuart a pretendu sc d^fondrc sur cet article. Voici quelques autres traits qui peuvent caract(5risor la seconde partie de U Lcttre dans laquelie il ttnte de repousser les charges articul6es contre lui par le Troisiilme Rapport du Coniit^. Dons ce Rapport, il est accus<^' d'avoir employe son minist^re comme Avocat dans des m\.MA% oppos(':s :\ ceux de la Couronne, qu'il (5lait oblige comme l'rociircur.G6n6ral de soutcnir et de difcndre. C'cst a cette accusation qu'il riSpond dans la seconde partie de sa Lettre. Les fails sur Jcsquels le Rapport est fondi avaicnt (ite' articu](:s par Lampson, Locataire des Postes du Roi, qui avait portc ;\ cet cgardsa plainte dcvant I'Asscmblee. JcdoisrappJermaiiitenantque M. Stuart, dans son memoirc, tirait quel- qucs-unsde scs motifs d'olyectionaux proc^d^s adopters contre lui, de ce que les Pctitionnaircs (^taient des amis de ceux qui avaicnt subi les injustices qu'ils portaicnt h sa charge. En outre dans son rapport ;\ Sir James Kempt, il remar- quait, apparemmcnt comme un moycn de justification, qu'un de ceux qu'on I'accusait d'avoir aussi traite avcc injustice, ctait nati/' d'Irlande. Quand il vicnt dans sa Lettre a repondre :\ I'accusation articuMe dans ce Troisienie Rapport, il croit important de remarquer que ce Lampson ctait uu Aniericain. C'cst sans doute un Strange moycn d'exccption a la demarche. Dans I'in- tcntion de repousser ces charges ou de les affaiblir, M. Stuart entre dans des dissertations dc Loi et dc Jurisprudence, ct sur ces matieros il s'enfonce dans des details qui sont bicn loin d'etre a leur place. Quoiqu'il on soit, entre autres objets qui s'y rapportent, il croit se diseulper en attaq'iant un jugement rendu par des Juges a Puix, qui avuient condamne un individu pour une faute dont ils avaicnt le droit de prendre connaissancc. Ce jugement suivant lui scraitnul, ces Magistrats n'avaient pas juridiction, Ja Loi d'apr^s laquelie ils ont prononci^', aurait ct6 rappol(-e, etc. II dit que ce jugement a (^'te ported par Certiorari devant les Juges du llaijc du Roi, il aurait du aussi ajoutcr, ct impugne comme nul d'apr^s les raisons mums alk'guces dans la JiCttre de M. Stuart, que ces raisons avaient ete longue- ment discutees alors, et par-dessus tout, que la decision des Juges avait°^te rnfiiveur des Magistrats. Ccsl-a-Jirc, que la f'autc qu'il pretend imputcr au? Mi'gistiats scrait cello de la Cour du Banc du Roi, dunt il ne juge pas i\ propoi X pos dcparlcr. Je nc crois ; • s devoir m'arn'ter dans cj moinciitj a indiquer quelques .litres traits (hi n, niOgciiio, des ircriminations, etc. Jo me eontenterai de tairc :.b>crver (piu dans cettj partie de sa Lettre, il \\ will ulifw. ill the ruime of this discuvtioii, more particularly aome of the proviaiont of the prorin- tial ordiuance on the subject of the provimous. u leur capacity et k leur bonne conduite, aprfes avoir rempli les autres conditions qiii leursont impos^es par la Loi. ^ Les erreurssont m^res; elles sont fdcondes. En voici tine autre plus inexpli- cable Qui peut avoir cl6coul6 de celle que je viens d'indiquer, ou plut6t ce n^st pas seulement une erreur que j'ai k signaler, cost un abus grossier. Les mots sous bon pla'isir se trouvent dans ces Commissions, (1.) On pourra demander sans doute quel motif a pu porter ^ introduire dans ces Actes une anomalie qui renferme en outre quelque chose de plus qu'une contradiction. Je sais tout ce que I'on pourrait dire k ce sujet qui est etranger pour le moment i cette discussion, et auquel je serai dans la n^cessitc de revenir. Le fait est constant, et il suffit de I'avoir fait connaitre. Des erreurs de cette espfece dans les termes, en imposent trop souvent aux hommes lagers et injustes. II fautpourtant dire que celles-ci n'ont jamais eu dans le Canada Teffet de fiusserles idees sur la nature et les efFets du titre acquis a chacnn des individus devenus Membres de ces Etats en vertu de ces Commissions, ni de faire perdre de vue les principes qui rendent cette espice de propri^tq, comme les autres, et plus que les autres, insolvables. Jamais on n'avait mis au jour le plus 16ger doute sur la solidity de ce titre, encore moins tent6 de faire naltre I'id^e que des mots de Commission, de bon plaisir, on dflt tirer pour conclusion, que ceux qui etaient une fois admis h pratiquer, fussent sur le mfime pied que les Officiers ordinaires commission- nes k la volenti et au choix du Gouvernement Executifj que leur titre plus qu'une Concession de Terre, ou autre titre d'acquisition de proprietd de quel- que nature quelle puisse fitre, perdlt sa validity par le d^ces du Roi, et qu'il flit n^cessaire de recourir i\ son Successeur pour en obtenir un nouveau ; qu'en- fin le droit d'exercer une profession de cette esp(ice put etre accord <•, retir^, qu'on pdt destituer ceux qui I'avaient acquis, comme on peut en agir relative- ment 4 une charge, unemploique le Gouvernement accorde A crux qu'il juge dignes de ses faveurs et capabies de remplir ses vues en le leur donnant, qu'il leur retire quand ils cessent de m6riter sa confiance, ou quand il est m^content de leur conduite, qu'enfin il n'a plus besoin de leurs services. On verra bient6t que cette d^couverte etait resirvee ;\ M. Stuart. Ce sont des d-marches Equivoques de sa part, et celles dans lesquelles il a entrain^ I'Exdcutif dans cette occasion, qui ont fait ^clore cette id^e otrange pour la premiere foi-i dans la Province, et qui lui ont meme donne par cela m^me un air d'iraportancc, dont autrement elle n'aurait pu fitre susceptible. Jedois maintenant faire connattre quelles sont en vertu des Lois du Pays, les fonctions attacli6es ;\ ces professions r^gl^es quand aux objets dont ou vient dcparh:r, parlanifime loi et paries dispositions d'une Ordonnance de I'ancien Conseil Legislatif. Quant aux Membres du Barreau, chacun d'eux, dans le Bas- Canada, reunitdans sa personne les fonctions divis6es et r^parties en Angleterre, entre les^t;oca/.v,Conseils, Procureurs, SoUiciteurs et Praticiens enLoi. (2.) Mais ces fonctions n'ont aucun rapport k cellea des Conveyancers en Angleterre. Celles-ci, comme on va le voir sont exclusivement rcserv6cs aux Notaires, dont le nombre est considerable, et double a-peu-pr^s celui des Membres du Barreau. Les Notaires sont r6pandus dans toutes les parties de la Province, tandis que les Avocats resident dans les lieux oCi les Cours exercent leur juri- diction. Ce sont les Notaires seuls qui, en vertu des anciennes Lois u Pays, ont ( 1.) On Terrapins bas que cet abiis n'a pas memo un protexte. (9\ On fer<> oonaaitro plus particuUAremsnt que!ques=«ncs des dispositions de I'Ordonnimee Proviuciaif au kujet d« ces prot'vsijiuus duns le cours dc cottc discussion. if. 'ill 16 bv virtue of the ancient Laws of the Country, possess the right of drawing J\ deeds which have reference to the alienation of real property, or wm h can affcctTtn any manner, such as hm'^hecjues* marriage settlements, partition ot sLe sions be^tween ci-heirs, or the joint pro,,erty between <^o-h«'[«. «[,« ^^^e^ • ■ ^ . K„»..,oo,, tUn «iirviver of husband and wife, and the neirs ot ron'JScfecS b les?many other deeds are alike drawn exclusively b Notarises and would be almost all void, if they were comp eted w.thou then; presence and without their interference.! They keep, besides, a registry ol ^u Z^A. nr titles the originals of which remain with them, and deliver co- Is to vhideirilniSe gives authenticity, and which are themselves evi pies, to Y"^^^ '"^ ,. j^gtice. In lact it may be said with the law writers, that fhe'Sot^r^s e in realUy U- depositaries, L well of the fortunes of the citizens, and Ke families, as of the secrets of their affairs, wh.chare confided to them. It Ivbiagine I that steps taken by the government officers, and by the go- vSen itself, which, on the one hand, would u.port a pretence to enslave the members of these professions, to treat them as though they held the^m urine Pleasure ; on the other hand, to shake at one blow confidence in the va- d of deeds to cause the nullity ot nil those that the Notaries should a e sieved, or could during a given time have s.gne d. to be feared would also rccessanlv lave the effect of causing to be feared the danger o an entire overthrow- of property. It is with regard to Mr. Sti.arl s steps which were ca - culaied to podice no other eflect, and which were of a nature to produce all tl"ese eflects! that the charges of the Assembly of Lower Canada are suppor- ted. The demise of His Majesty George the Fourth aflbrdcd an opportunity of exami. ng the efliects which might result from ;t, with reference to the power of the OHicers commissioned to perform public functions after six months from ^he date of this event. The opinion of the .Judges, and that of the Attorney Gene^ll and of the other Officers of the Crown, on this point, was that the Commi sions shuuld be renewed, and that they should be obtained from the rernhcm march And on the I5th of December, ISW, the Secretary of the Pro- Sel^vri) order of the Executive Council, of which it is right to obserye tl at M^. Stuart was a Member, puMic notice ^^ I o those persons hMwg Commts. • J,XZnl^n,,ire uhkh at the time of the demise o his late Majestt, George Tj':Z^T"%r^a^^ l>c so tin the 2^ o/Decen.ber that their ZvC^^^^^^^^ '"' ^"'' ^^"'^'"^' '^'-'^'' ^""''^ ^' '^'- Vnered to them on application at his office. ' . . , , i i. w Let us remark: that "from the commencement he had been ordered to put htm- ,elllninw,ediatecommumeationuith the Attoniet, General Jor the purpose oj pre- varn'Zch Commissions as v^ere reudered necessarjj hy the dcnnseqt the troyi. ^ Mr Stuart had. in his character of Attorney General been required o draw up the forms of these new Commissions, and luiel in fac . sent them to fhe Secrc uy e.f the Province. It is unnecessary to add. tha the order which enjoined hin to draw up the forms could not doubtless, refer to other than lE Commissions which the Government issues o its own accord and by its own Clio ce. and not to certificates granted under that name, for the purpose of exerci ing a profession ; or to any other act of the government which im- pons a title to property, and is in its nature irrevocable. ^^ ■ , I „„ .„;»i, «l,o mnrtirftiro in Eiietantl, and which entitles the creditor to y:;^^^X:ip^^^^^'^^^^^ ♦"" ^ "^^'" """"^'^ ^'"' property. acco.di,. McordiV «o the foriuB reco^ui.cU ty UiO linffiisn Laws, \>j Tirta* <>« Tne „ the year 1774. 17 ont le droit de r^dlger tous les litres ou autres qui ont rapport i I'ali^nation de la propri^te fonci^re, ou qui peuvent I'affecter en aucune raani^re, telles que les hypothtJques. (1.) Ce sent eux qui r^digent de mfime exclusivement les Contrats de Mariages, les partages de Succession entre co-h^ritiers, ou de communaute entre le survivant des deux epoux et les h^ritiers du pr6d6c6d6, et une foule d'autres Actes qui seraient presque tous nuls s'ils 6taient passes hors deleur presence et sans leur Ministere. (2.) lis tiennent en outre r6gistre de tous les Actes ou Titres dont les originaux restent par devers eux, et en delivrent des Expeditions ou Copies, auxquelles leur signature donne Tauthenticit^, et qui font par elles-mcmes foi dans les Cours de Justice. Enfin on doit dire avec les Jurisconsultes, que les Notaires sont en realit6 les depositaires des fortunes des Citoyens et des families, comme des secrets de leurs affaires qui leur sont con- fiees. On con9oit que des demarches d'Officiers du Gouvernement et du Gou- vernement lui-meme, qui d'un c6te, comporteraient la pretention d'asservir les Membres de ces Professions, de les traiter comme s'ils les tenaient sous bons plaisir, de I'autre, dY'branler d'un coup la confiance dans la validity des Actes, de faire craindre la nuUite de tous ceux que les Notaires auraient passes ou pour- raient passer dans un temps donne, auraient necessairement aussi I'effet de faire craindre le danger d'une subversion entiere dans les possessions. Cest sur des d-marches de M. Stuart qui ne pouvaient produire d'autre eflfet, et qui 6taient de nature ;\ les produire tous, que les charges de I'Assemblce du BasCauada sont appuyees. m ■■i'\ Led^c^sdeSa Majesty George Quatre, donna lieu d'examiner les effets qui aient resulter par rapport au pouvoir des Officiers Coinmissionnes pour en pouvaient resulter par rapport remplir des foiictions p L'opinion des Juges et Couronne, furent i\ ce. vaient en prendie de Sa Maj remplir des foiictions publiques, apr^s les six mois de la date de cet ^v^nement. Jt celle du Procureur-General, et des autres Officiers de la Couronne, furent i\ cet egard, qu'elles devaient etre renouvel^es, et qu'ils de- VIaje8t6 regnante. Et le lo Decembre 1830, le Secret taire de la Province donna par ordre du Conseil Executif, dont il est bon de re- marqjier que M. Stuart etait Membre, avis public "aux personnes qui tenaient " des Commissions diirant plaisir au temps du deces de Sa Majesty George " Quatre, lesquelles neresteraient en force que jusqu'au 26 Decembre, que les " nouvelles Commissiuns que le dikes du Roi rendait necessaires, seraient remises " ;\ leur demande :\ son Bureau." llemarquons qu'il fut " enjoint des le commencement au Secretaire de la Pro- *• vince de communiquer avec le Procureur-General, d Peffet de preparer telles Com- " missions devenues necessaires par la mart du Rot," M. Stuart avait, en sa qiialite de Procureur-General, ete requis de dresser les formulas de ces nouvelles Commissions, et les avaient en effet remises au Se- cretaire de la Province. On n'a pas besoin d'ajouter que I'ordre qui lui enjoignait de dresser des formules, ne pouvait sans doute se rapporter qu'a ces Commissions, que le Gouvernement donne deson propre mouvemenl et de son choix, et non h des titres donnas sous ce nom pour exercer une profession, ou a tout autre Acte du Gouvernement, qui comporte un Titre de Propriete, qui de sa nature est irre- vocable. II (I.) EspAce de Contrats qui a qnelque rapport avec le Mortgage en Angleterre, et qui donne au Creancier 10 droit detre paye par privilege ou preference sur les denicrs provenant de la veute de I'heritaffe de son debi. teur, suiTaDtlordrode la date ou do la nature du Contrat. (2.) tU revoiveiit encore et re'iipeiit lu plunart des tcstamens. Mais on en pent faire d'olographe, ct aussi «uiva«it m fwmcs rcconuues par les Lois Auglaiscs, on vertu de I'Aete du Parlement Imperial de 1774. c 18 It is right again to observe that at the demise of Ilis Majesty, George the Third, a notice, simihir to that of which we liavc jiist spoken was given, in pursuance of whicli all who iieUI Coinmissumn durinn the pleasure o) the Govern- ment were required to take out new Commissions. It couKI never have been thougl:t, for a moment, that Notaries and Advocates, more than Doctors or other persons, members of professions, should take out new Commissions or licences for the purpose of allowing tlicm to continue tlie practice ot their pro- fessions. No question oi' tins kind hud been riiised, and thoy had continued to exercise their functions without the slightest doubt having been raised upon the subji ct. Mr. Stuart, however, entrusted with drawing the forms of these new Com- missions, at the same time that he had sent some to Mr. Daly, for those at the public Officers, whose Commissions had been, in (act, renewed at the decease of George the Third, had also sent him forms of new Commissions for advocates (that is to say, for the Members of the Bar, who exer cis at one and the same time in the Courts, and perform the duties above spoken of, > and for the Notaries. This circumstance, soon made public, necessarily creat- ed a sensation, which became the more lively when it was learned that he had in that of the Notaries, made alterations which, in terms and form, assimilated them more poiticniarly to the commissions of ordinary government functional ies, and that he had besides added to them the words, " at thtir special instajice and re(j II eat" words not to be found in the ancient commissions. This last alteration gave rise to some strange suspicions as to the motives which had in- duccd Mr. Stuart, who n ceived nearly two-thirds of the fees demamled for these new Connnissions, to make this alteration. Such was the state of things when the Secretary of the Province was ajjpli- ed to, in oidir to obtain Iroin him, with reference to the expedition [copy] of a deed executed in the preseneeuf Notaries, the ordinary and usual certificate called, legalization under the hand and Seal of the iiovernov" in order to verify the pro- fession of these Notaries, and the credit due to their deeds, in another coun- try. We hnvescen, that Mr. Daly had previousli/ received instructions to comniii. nicatc uith the Attornei/ (ieneral, to the e/Jcvt, that he mis to prepare the new Com- missions, become necessarij bif the King's death ; and that the Attorney General Iiad Sent forms of new Connnissions for Advoeatcs and Notaries at the same time that he had sent him those of public officers who held Commissions or places, or performed certain funclious during pleasure. It was a step of too extraordinary a nature, under the circumstances, not to excite the attention of the Secretary of the Province, whose duty it was to take his advice, as a guide for his conduct, with reference to t'ommissions, the renewal o/'xvhich had become necessarij hij the decease of the King. The step taki n by the Attorney Ge- neral was evidently of a natiue to induce the Secretury of the Province lo think that this ofli'cer of the Crown might consider that ti)e Commissions of the Notaries and Advocates were among those which .slujuld also be renewed at the King's dem se. The Notaries who had signed (passe) thw deed, the legalization of whicli was asked for, had not taken out new Connnissions. The preceding ob8er»a- tions sliew us the cause, which wouKl otherwise be inexplicable, of the doubts ent rtained upon this subject by the Secretary of the Province : l(,t us see whether the steps which followed, taken by the King's Attorney, were at all calculated to dissipate these doubts, and whether, on the contrary, they were not tmiiicntly calculated to spread the most desolating inicertainty upon this subject. Mr. Stuart then concealed his opinion under a veil of the most mysterious ambiguity. This opinion is an enigma, if we look at his answers ti ti ic Province lo II est juste de faire observer de nouveau, q/au dt;ces de George Trois, on avail donne ic mtme avis que celui dont on vient de parler, cu vertu duquel tons ccuxquitenaient des Commissions sous le fmn plaisir auGouvernement haientrequh d'en prendre de noiivelles. On n'avait pas le moins du mondo pu songer un instant que les Notaires et les Avocats, plus que les Mcdecinsou autres personnes, Membres de Fiolessions, dusseiit prendre de noiivelles Commissions ou Licence' pour pouyoir continuer a prutiquer leur ^at. II rt'en avait 6t6 nullement question, et ils avaient continu6 de remplir Icurs fonctions sans qu'il se fut deve le plus Icger doute a cet ^gard. Cependant, M. Stuart, charge de dresser les fbrmules de ces nouvelles Commissions, en meme temps quil en avait adresse a M. Daly pour celles des Orticiers Publics, dont Ls Commissions avaient ^te eo ert'et renoiiweiees au decfes de rieorge Trois, lui avait aussi adresse des fbrmules de nouvelles Commissions pour les Avocats, c'est-a-Jire, pour Ks Membres du Barreau qui exercent k la fois dans les Cours, et remplissdut les fonctions dont on a parl6 plus haut, et pour les Notaires. Cette circonstancc dcvenue bientot publique dut fkire una sensation qui devient plus vive, quand on apprit qu'il avait fait dans celles des Notaires deschangemens, qui, dans les termes et la forme, les assimilaient plus particu- liereinentaux Commissions des employes ordiiiaires sous le Gouvernement, et qu'il y avait i ajouter en outre les mots a leur demande et requisition speciale, (at their specialimtance and request,) qui ne se trouvaient point dans les anciennes Commissions Ce dernier cliangement fit naitre d'etranges soup9ons sur les motifs qui avaint port6 M. Stuart, qui recevait pit^s des deux tiers cles honoraires que I'oii cxigeait pour ces nouvelles Co.nmissions, a faire cette alteration. Tel ttait IN tat des choses (piand on s'adress-i au Secretaire de la Province pour obtenir de lui relativement a ['Expedition ou Copic d'un Acte passe devant des Notaires, le Certificat ordinaire et d'usage qu'on appelle legalisation sous le seinget sceau du Gouverneur, afin de constater I'etat deces Notaires et la foi due a leurs Actes en Pays eiranger. On a vu que M. Daly avait precedemment re9u ordrede communiquer avec leProcuieur-General, a I'effet de preparer les nouvelles Commissions devenues neccssairespar la mort du Koi ; et que le Procureur-Geueial lui avait envoye les formules des nouvelles Commissions pour les Avocats et les Notaires, eu m^me temps qu'il lui avait adiesse celles des Officiers Publics qui tenaient des Com- missions, ('barges ou Fonctions sous hon plaisir. C'etait une d-marche trop extraordinaire dans les circonstances, pour ne pas exciter I'attention du Secre- taire de la Province, qui devait prendre ses avis pour guide de sa conduite, rela- tivement aux Coniwm/o;/* dont le renouvellcment etait detenu necessaire par la mort du Hoi. La d-marche du Procuicur-General etait bien evidemment de nature a faire penser au Secretaire de la Province, que cet Officier dc la Cou- ronne pouvait considerer les Commissions des Notaires et des Avocats comrae faisant partie de celles qui devaient aussi titre renouvelees a la mort du lloi. Les Notaires qui avaient passe I'Acte dont on demandait la legalisation, n'avaient point pris de nouvelles Commissions, Cc qui preccdo fait connaitre la cause des doutes du Secretaire de la Province ii cet egard, qui autrement se- raientinexplicables. On va voir si les d marches du Procureur du lloi, qui sui- virent celles-ci, etaient bien propres a les dissipcr, et si au contraire elles n'etaieni pas emineminent propres a repandre I'incertitude la plus dcsolante a cet i^'gard. M. Stuart alors cachait son opinion sous le voile de la plus mysterieuse ambiguitc. Cette opinion est une enigmo dans ses rcponses aux questions qui lui out ete proposces par le Comit6 de I'Asserablee a ce aujet. II metlait alors tout Part dont |i 30 the questions proposed by the Committee of the AsPcmbly upon this sub- ject. At that time he used all the artof which a clever man is capable, in order to prevent the escape of this his secret thought. Mr. Daly thouj^ht it his duiy, by a letter/ " lo hnng this ctrcumstance under Lord Ai/hier'.s notice, with regard to a document signed by txeo puhltc Nota- ries, who hud not taken new Commissiohs," not considering himself jiistified m de- terminingthe extent to which Notaries Commissions hitd beei. afiected by the demise of the Crown, by preparing such an instrument for His Excellency's signature without further instructions. The Governor, in consequence, submitted this circumstance to the con- sideration ofa Committee of the whole of the Executive Council, which declar- ed that " thci/ could not pre ne to give any opinion on the (/uestion submitted hij this otficer, as to the extent to which the Commissions of Notaries are affected hjj the demise of the Crown, that being a question which can onh/ be properly determined by the King's Courts ; but under existing circumstances, they thinic it advisable that the certificates for legalizing or authenticating the instruments passed by Notaries, who have not renewed their Commissions, should set out the special matter according to the truth qf the fact." It may bfi matter of surprise, that it was necessary to have recourse to u decision of the Courts, as though it had been, in fact, a question to decide. Our astonishment will increase, when we think that neither the Commissions of the Notaiies, nor of the Advocates, had bein renewed at the decease of George the Third. Supposing this doubt possible, it had been of the greatest importance that it should not be allowed to go foith ; but on the contrary, to have recourse, upon the subject, to a constant usage, to be guided by univer- sal consent, which, in similar cases, always constitutes law. lastly, in the possible supposition of the necessity of clearing up a doubt, which did not e.\- ist in any other part of the Province, and which had never been raised there, it would have been, as Mr. Stuart suggests by an after thought, in the answers now under discussion, a duly to arply to the Legislature, for the purpose of causing to disappear even the shadow of this pretence for sowing the seeds of the greatest disorder. It has been already observed, that Mr. Stuart Mas himself one of the Members of the Executive Council. 1 am not aware of whether lie was present at Miis deliberation, more than one of the Judges of the Court of Kings liencli, who still sat as Member. However this may be, a copy of this resolution of the Executive Council was sent by the Governors Secretary, on the Tjth January, 1831, to Mr. Daly, Secretary o( the Province, ./or his inlbrmation and guidance. A communication of this description was not of a nature to place Mr. Daly in a siiiiatioii to char his doubts as to the line of conduct which it was his duty to observe, it could not do otherwise than add to his perplexity ; in point of fact, he wrote again the same day tc the (.Governor's Secretary, that, « from the terms of that report it appeared to him indispensable to depart from the es/abishcd fjrmn) his a/fice. which were in the otfioc. and had been prepared by the Law Ofhcer of the Ciown, and suggesteci the necessity that there would be, if being J ami shed wilh an additional Jorm applicable to this peculiar case. „ , . , -r t Let us dw.ll for a moment, for the purpose of observing, that if there were anv reason for the doubt of which we have spoken, this was the moment for clJariiig it up. The Members of the Executive Council may be neither pro- fessional men nor lawyers, particularly in matters of law and public policy. 'I'he Judge, who was a Member of the Executive Council, as well as Mr. Attorney General, might not have be-n at the deliberation. The afiair was finallv submitted to this latter j let us see what plan he adopted. Up to this Sec Appeudix. LeUer of tbe 30th December, 1830, marked D, io the Report of the Committee. «1 ilont iin homme habile est capable pour nc pas laisser 6chapper ce secret de sa pensde. M. Daly crut devoir, par line lettre, (I.) sovmettrecette circonstance au Gouver- neur d I'egard des deuj: Nofaires Publics qui n'avaient pas oris dc nouvelles Com- missions, ne sc croyant pas, dit il, autorise d determiner jusqu'd quel point, les Commissions des Notaircs ont pu ^tre affeclees par le deces de Sa Majeste, de manidre dpouvoi- dresser nnCert-ficat qui devait etre revetu de la signature de Son Excel- lence, avail qu'U lui eut cic donne ties instructions ultSrieures. Le Gouverneiir soumit en consequence I'iiffaire ;\ la consideration du Con- seil Ex(§cutif, qui decliira, qu'il ne pouvait pas prendre sur lui d'emettre aucune opinion rclativement d la question... Jusqu'd quel point les Commissions des hotaires avoient pu etre affectecs par le deces de Sa feu Majeste. ..tt que cette question nc pouvait ttre convenablement dccidee que devant les Tribunaux dt Sa Majeste, Mais sous les circonstances actuelles le Comite croit quil serait d propos que les Certificats pour la legalisation on V authenticit6 des Actes passh par les Notaires, qui n'ont pas renouvele leurs Commissions, ^fissent mention de letat de la question parlicuHtre, et cela d'apres la verite des faits. On ponrra etre surpris qu'il fallftt recourir i\ une decision des Tribunaux, comme si c'eut 6te en effet une question ;\ decider. L'etonnement augmentera, en songcant que les Commissions des Notaires plus que des Avocats n'avaient point etc renotivelees ;\ la mort du Roi George Trois. En supposant ce doute possible, il eut I'te de la plus grande importance de ne pas le laisser ^xlater, mais au con- traire de s'en rapporter ;\ un usage constant, de s'en tenir au consentement uni- versel qui fait toiijours loi dans des cas semblables. Enfin dans la supposition possible dela nficessite dVclaircir un doute qui n'existait nulle part ailleurs dans la Province, et qui ne s'y etait jamais deve, c'eiit dii', comme M. Stuart Je suggcre apri's coup, dans les reponses quejediscute actuellement, un devoir de s'adresser i\ la Legislature pour faire disparaltre jusqu'A I'ombre de ce pretexte de Jeter les semeiices du plus grand desordre. On a dc'ja observe que M. le Pro- cureur-G^ni'ral (^tait lui-meme un des Membres du Conscil Ex^cutif. J'ignore s'il ('tait present a cette di'libe'ration, plus qu'un des Juges de la Cour du Banc du Roi, qui y si(:geait encore a la meme (^poque. Pll Quoiqu'il en soit, Copie de celte Resolution du Conseil Ex^cutif fut en- voyce par le Secretaire du Gouverneur le 5 Janvier 1831, ;\ M. Daly, Secretaire de la Province, pour son information etpour lui scrvir de guide. Une Communication de cette espcce n'etait pas de nature ;\ mettre M. Daly en etatde prendre de lui-meme son parti sur la conduite qu'il devait tenir. EUe ne pouvait qu'ajouter ;\ ses perplexit^s. Aussi, ecrivit-il de nouveau le meme jour au Secretaire du Gouverneur, que, d'apres les tervies de ce Rapport, il lui paraissait indispensable de devier desjormules en usage dans le Bureau dressees par I'Officicr de la Couronne, et suggerait la nccessite qu'il y auratt dc le pourvoir d'une fbrmule additionnellc, applicable d ce cas particulier. Arretons-nous un moment pour faire observer, que si le doute dont on vient de parler avait quelque chose de raisonnable, c'etait le moment de I'eclaircir. Les Membres du Conseil Executif, pcuvent n'etre tons ni hommes d'Etat ni Ju- risconsultes, surtout en mati^re de Loi ou de Police publique. Le Jugequi ^tait IVIembre du Conseil Executif, aussi bion que le Procureur- Gen^ral, pouvaient ne s'etre pas trouvos a la deliberation. L'aftkire fut eufiu sou- mise a celui-ci. Voyons quelle demarche il adopta. Jusqu'a (I.) Vide Appendico D, lettre du3U Decembro 1S30, d«DS le lUpportdu Comite. as this period, all tho Ccitilicates of legalization of this description, were in thu followinji; terms : that '• l/ic notaries for / he I'rotince n/'/.nxi'er Vaiiiidn, are so duly commissioned and aulhori zed, as such in ronsei/uencc xvhereofJuU f'aiih and entire f r edit are t.nd ought to be j^iven to t/ieir signatures in such capacities wherever the '* mny appear. ••• let lis aiwj remark, en passant, tlnit Mr. Stuart says, that he never gave an a|#inion as to th«? neci'isity for renewing these Commissioners, of which he, hox'^ver, hiid drawn up t/( forms, in order to tho renewal of them, as well as of those of the Menihei' '• id'" bar. 'I'he new form of leg.i m . (on, sent to Mr. Daly at that tifoeby Mr. Sttiurt, is in the folIo»in>4 terms : the Ciuvernor certifies that " previous to th.e demise of King Gn.i,'e the Fourth, the Public Notary was in due ioim of Law, com- niissioned to be .ind act as ;) I'ublic Notary, in and for tlie Province of liower Canada, and that full fat** and entire credit aie and ouglit to be },nven to his signature in that capacity, ' so fur as the same mat/ he xcarranted bij htw under the sijidapjwintvienl.'f And it is also in theRC terms, that tin; required legalization was given and signed by the (ioveruor. Many considerations shoidd have ar- rested Mr. Stuart, and have induced hini to abstain from this plan of alteration in the terms of the legalization; Drawn up according to this new form, \i was stamped with the dyo of npHity. What moans were posses-sed of knowing in a foreign country, whether the law of tlit- country, upon which the right oi the Notaries is grounded, eould guarantee the truth of the * were ot' too great importance not to acquire very quickly, the greatest possible demee of publicity. In fact, they soon acquired the greatest notoriety by means of tin- pe- riodical publications These steps were attacked, and no answer waj given, forthe I'urposeof calmin;^ the alniiri to which they gave birth, the nvKmurs to which they gave rise throughout the entire Province. The discontent re coiled upon the Governor, who had just taken in hand the reins of administra- tion. Healonc was upon the stage, and the public, who cannot always discover the hidden springs which sometimes impel the muvement of an administration, saw in him a man who, at the very outset of his career, put forth an odious pre- tension, and at the same time thnw the Province into a chaos. It may be also seen by the testimony received I)eforo the Committee, that the Advocates and the Notaries had Meetings, and came to resolutions upon this subject, which were expressive of their sentiments as to the injustice of the pretence of placing them upon the same footing as ordinary functionariis who }iold their offices during pleasure. Besides, we have already S' t-n what feais these pretensions, or these steps, which induced the suppositioi; of them, were calculated to give birth to, with reference !'j all the titles to propesly n;! others in ilu I'rovincc. It is proved, that many Notaries found them "Iv.s cuirp.lled, in order that they might not lose their practict , to take out these commissions, on account of the fears that these steps inspired a>.;oiigst those who were in the habit of employing them, and wlio threatened them that they would employ others if they did not take out new Commissions. I think it unnecessary to add any thing in order to ths'v the importance of the accusations now in question. I shall immediatc'y pass to • A;., (iix to the P ,)ort of the Committee, Letter fL y Aj^^ .ndix, Lettei i. ^m Jusqu*;i oclte (-poqiie, tons les Certificats do ta legalisation de ces icrtes d'Actes (ttaient dans les ternies siiivans : que les Notairos ii lAcle ^tnient du- ment commissiontiv.s pour la Proximo du lias-Canadu, et au/orket dpratiquer comm- teU, el que I' on detail a/outer um enlivre Jin tl coiifimicc d kur itgnature, en leur capacittf, quand le < asi/ echerrail, (1) mon s Observoiis aii; en passant <|ue M. Stuart dit quil n'a jamais donn^ d^api- surluneccasit' du rcnouvcllemenl de leurs Commissions, doni d avait pour- tant adiessedes Foi mules pour los rcnouveler aussi bicn que celles des Membres .lu Burreaii! La I'ormiil'? nouvellede la legalisation adrcss^-e l\ M Daly a lor s par M. Stuart est dam a Termcs : (Le Guuverneur certijie " quavant la mort du Rot •• (k'or^e Qualrt; /cs i\otaircs\d I Aitr A'A'-rt/i»c',^> ttaient di'unent et l^galcment " commissiomKwpour ctrc et agir en qualitc de Notaires Publics, danset pour la «« Piovince du ba9-Canad:i, et qu il doit etre ajoiito une entiere foi et confiance •« ;\ lour signature en cette capaci c, en autant qu'clk puisse etrc fsarantie j> > lu «• 7,01 en vertn de la dtte Nomination. ' ('i) lit c'est aussi dans ces termes que la legalisation demandee, f'lit donnce tt sijinte oa ' " " e. It-'*-' par ^'-' Gouvernciir. Plusieurs considerations auraient du ancter M. Stuart, et I'cngager a reculer decant le aprt's mo^en piojet de ce cliaiigoment, dans les termes de la legalisation- Dressee d'aprt-i cclte nouvelle Formnlc, tile etait marquee an coin de hi nullity. Quel mo*ei avait.on en pa^-s etranjijer do savoir, ,s/ la Lot ihi Pays sur laquelle le droit d' Notaircs est appuy(';po/«w7 ;t;flf; «//'/;• lu vh-ilc de rkctc en question Y Eile ( vciiait inutile ii ceiix qui avaieiit des droits a rd'clamer, ou a laire valoir i moy. de I'Acte legalise. Mais il se presentc ici iino consideration qui eft d'une bien autre importance. Apics Ic Tableau que j'ai esquissc de ia Jurisprudeiicc et des usages du Pays, et de CO qui s'etait passe lorsdudeccs de Gcor^'e Tioih on pout demander comment AI. Stuart n'a pas songe aux consequences d'un/ u '■marcho do cctte nature, ve- iiaot d'iiussi haute autorite.'' Celte legalisation flit suiviepcu.i pres d'line autre emblable. Ces faits ^taient dune tiop graiide importance pour ne pas acquurir bi. n vite le plus grand degr^ de pul)licite possible, ils devinrcnt en eflct bici)t6tdel plus grande notori6t6, au luoyeii des feuilk's periodiques. Ces demarches etaient attaqiiees, et on nt- repon- daitricn pour calmer les alarmes qu'ellcs I'esnient nai*re, les murmures qu'elles tesaient ('cloiedaiis toutc I'etendiie de la Province. Le mecontentement retombait sur le Gonverneur, qui venait de prendre les lencs de lAdininistration. Luiseul ctait en scene, et k- public qui ne pent pas toiijours (lecouvrir les ressorts caches qui impiiment qiieir lo ft.is le mouvement a une Administration, voyait en lui nn homiue qui, des le i-remierspas de sa car. licic, mettait an jour une pretention odiense, et en meme temps jetait la Pro- vince dans un chaos. On pent voir aussi par le temoignagt !C9U devant le Comitc, que les Avocatset les Notaires s'asscmbhiicnt et prenaient i ce sujet des Resolu- tions qui exprimaicnt leur sentiment sur I'iiiju.stice de la pr tention de les mettre sur le meme pied que les tbnctionnaires ordinaires, qui ti. nnent des Offices so?/i /urn pldi.sir. I)'aillciiis on a deja pu voir qiiclica craintcs es pretentions ou ces demarches qui les fiiisaient supposer etaient propres ;'i f'airt naitre. rclativement i tons les titles de propriete et autres Actes dans la Province II est constate que plusieuis Notaires se tiouvaient I'orces pour ne pas pen. e leurs pratiques a prendre de ces Commissions, a raison des. craintes que ces dt-marches inspiraient a ctux qui^etaientdans rhabitude dc les employer et qui les mena9aient de s'a- dresser a d'autres, s'ils ne prenaient pas de nouvelles Comnnssions. Je ne crois pas avdirbesoin de rien ajouter pour fiiire ressortir I'importarce des accusations dont il estacluellement question, .le vais passer de suite \ W \amen des moyens par lesquels M. Stuart tenle de repousscr ces charges. Je les discuterai successivenieni, ( 1.) A|ip«'ii(lirc II, (111 Hu|i|iuri «lu Comitt-. (^.) Apiieudit'c I ilii Uafijiurt du Couiite. totheexamlnatioHofthemeans by which Mr. Stuart endeavours to rebut these cimrcres, I will discuss them successively, and as far as 1 can, in the same order followed by him in their exposition. I should first remark, that Mr. Stuart is far from putting the question in a proper point of view, when he says that the charges have reference to the fees which he has received upon the Commissions of Advocates and Notaries, and to the alterations made by him in the Commissions of the latter, and which assimilates them to th? Commissions of public officers, whose nomination depends on His Majesty. After the preceding remarks, it would, without doubt, be useless to apply ourselves to shew that the charge goes much farther. Besides, it is sufficient to see the proofs given before the Committee, and to view the sketch I have just made, in order to ask oneself how Mr. Stuart could have imagined that the discussion could be confined within such narrow limits ? It were better at once to lay aside one of Mr. Stuart's answers, which, if it be not the result of mistake, would have at least the effect of turning the attention from (he subject under discussion, and of fixing it upon considerations of an absolutely foreign character. Mr. Stuart begins by dwelling and enlarging upon the obligation under which the persons holding ordinary commissions during pleasure, tbund themselves of taking out new Commissions in the name of the Sovereign who had just succeeded to the deceased Kins^. His conduct with re- spect to the issuing of new Commissions of this kind has in no manner been culled into question. I shall, therefore, lay aside all that which in his answers has re- ference to this subject, nor shall I return to it. According to Mr. Stuart " no authorih/ "whatever was exercised by the Colo- nial Government as to the issuing of new Commissions " other than that which he has particularized with reference to the Commissions of the Government otticers, and of which we have already spoken. But it is precisely on this account that the steps into which Mr. Stuart led the Colonial Administration were the more to be condemned. He induced them to subscribe to ///*■ own opinions, and, in fact, in the eye of the public to support pretensions which he did not himself apparontlvdaro avow or disavow. He protected himself with this shield, and cast the whole weight of suspicions of a dissimulation, which originated with him, upon the administration. Whether Mr. Stuart was c- was not in error upon this subject, the consequences were not of a less serious nature These step were necessarily calculated to inspire feelings of universal discontent against, those who secondell his views, and \vhose proceedings, in fact, whatever might be their motives, could not fail to appear, like Mr. Stuart's own proceedings, to be accompanied with studied concealment, calculated to serve* as a pretext for a disavowal, in case those whom it was attempted to subject to this kind of tax, might resist firmly and efficaciously. Was conduct of so equivocal a cha- racter on the part of the Attorney General in keepini? with the duties at- tached to functions so highly confidential ! And. besides, how can Mr. Stuart add, that he was throughout no more than an humble intrument, in the execution of ex- press orders of the government, by performing these acts of official duty f « Mr. Stuart pretends that he had prepared such drafts of commissions as were required at his hands by the Secretary of the Province. It is true, that from the place in which this jias'sage is found, it might be at first thought that he alludes onlv to those commissions of public officers whose obligation to take out now Commissions is not questioned. But there is diffused throughout this letter, as in the Memoir, a confusion which, if it be not sy.stematic, would most as- suredly have the effect of misleading us upon this subject, and of causing the weight of censure, and of the charges directed against Mr. Stuart, to fall upon the Secretary of the Province. After what we have already seen, we may easily feel that it wou'i be at once an error and an injustice to charge the Secretary of the 25 »uccessivement, et autant qu'il sera possible dans le mume ordre qu'il a suivi dans Icur exposition. Jc dois remaiquer d'ahoid, que M. Stuart est hien loin de poser la question d'line manitrcexacle, quand il dit que Ics accusations se rapporlent aux liono- rairts qu'ila rc^ussur !c8 Comiiiissions u'Avocats et Notaires, et aux alterations au'il a faites dans ccllcs des seconds, et qui les assimilent aux Commissions des liliciers Publics, dont la nomination de|)ciid de Sa Majesle. Apri-s ce qui jireci-de, il serait bien inutile sans doute de s'attacher a faiie voir que I'accusation va beau- coup plus loin. D'ailleurs, il snllit di.' voir la prcuve faitc devant le C^omite, et d'enusager I'osquissc que je vit-ns de tracer, pour sc demander comment M. Stuart a pu croire que la discussion put se rcnformer dans uu cadre aussi ctroit ? llest bon d'ecarter de suite une des reponses de M. Stuart, qui, siellencst pas Ic fruit d'une n,i'prise, aurait au moins I'otfet de detoinner I'attention de dessus Tobjeta discuter, et de la fixer sur des considi'rations absolument etrangcres. M. Stuart commence parappuyeret sV-tendre siir I'obligation ou se trouvaiciitles per- sonnes qui, dans la Province tenaient des Commissions ordinaires sous bon plai- >ir, den prendre de nouvelles, au nom du Souverain qui venait de sncccder au Roi d( fiHit. Sa conduite n'a nuiloment I'tc recherciice a I'occasion de I'e'manation des Nogvelles Commissions de cettc espt^ce. Je laisserai done de cote tout ce qui, dans ses reponses, a rapport a ce sujet pour ny plus revenir. Suivant M. Stuart, aucunc autoritc n*a tie txercee par h Couter?ievienl Colonial, quaut d renianation (Ic Nouvclles Commissions autre que celle qu'il a puticiilarisve,' relativement aux commissions des oflicicrs du gouvernemcnt, ct dont il a et(i ci- devant question. Mais c'cst juslcmcnt ce qui rend plus condamnablcs encore les demarches dans Icsqneilcs M. Stuart entrainait I'administralion coloniale. II I'amenait a souscrire aux siennes propres, ct dans le fait, aux ycux du public a soutenii des pretentions qu'il ne paraissait Jui-mf-mc oser avouer ni desavoiier. 11 se com rait de cctte cgide ct rejctait sur I'administration tout le poids des soup- 90ns d'une dissimulation qui venait de lui. (^)ue M. Stimrt fut dans I'erreur ou non sur cct article, les constqiiL-nces nen otaient pas moins fuiiestcs. Ces d<>- marches devai>nt mcessairemmt faire eclore dts sentimens de mccontintement universcl, contre ceiix qui secondaient ses vues, et dont en effet les actcs, quelquc fussent leurs motifs, ne pouvaient manquer de paraitie accompagnes, commeles demaiclies de M. Smart, de reticencis menagc'es pour scrvirde pr/texte a un d^:- savouer, dans le cas, ou ceux que Ton travaiilait a soumettre a citte espcce dim- pot, ypourraicnt rcsister avec courage et elHcacite. Une conduite aussi equi- voque de la part du Procureur-General, etait-cllc en harmonie avec- les devoi:s attaches a dts fonctions d'une aussi haute confiancc ? I^t comment d'ailleurs, M. Stuart pcut-il ajouterqu'il n'etait dans tout ctla qu'un humble instrument pour execuier dosordros exprcs, fairc des actcs de devoirs d'office ? M. Smart preteud qu'il avait prv pare les Jbn/iu'es des amwiissiotis lequises de /«// par le secretaire de la Province. II est vrai que dans I'endroit ou ce passage se trouvo d'abord, on pour.-ait croire qu'il ne se rapporte qu'aux connnis- sions des ofiiciers public", dont lohligation d'en prendre de nouvelles nest pas contestee. Mais il re<>ne dans cette lettre, comme dans le mc'moire, une confu- sion, qui, si <.lle n'cst pas le fruit d'un syslemc aurait suroment I'effet de faire V.rendre le change sur cct article, et de fairc tomber sur Ic secretaire de la Province le poids de la censure ct des accusations portces contre M. Stuart. Aprt's ce qu'on a vu plus haut, il est aise de sentir que ce serait a la fois une erreur et une injus- tice de porter ;\ la charge du secretaire de ia Province, les actesde celui souslc- 1> qui ;i 26 the Province with the acts of him, under whom he could in this case perform only a purely passive character, and when he himself was but an instrument in the hands of Mr. Stuart, for the purpose of receiving the produce of this financial measure. In the first place, it is sufficient to answer, that Mr. Stuart was never required by the Secretary ot the Province to prepare dra/ls of ne-uo Commissions for the Advocates ami Notaries. This assertion on the part of Mr. Stuart "has not even a pretext. Secondly, supposing that the Secretary Jiad required him to prepare drafts of these new Commissions, it was Mr. Stuart's imperious duty, as well towards the Government and the people, as towards the members of these professit)ns, to refuse, if he thought them un- necessary, to draw them up. He did exactly the contrary, by himself directing them to the Secretary, without being required to do so ; a circumstance which excited doubts in the mind of tliis latter, who applied to the Government for the purpose of clearing them up. The Government applied to Mr. Stuart, who instead of dissipating these doubts, added some to those which he had already caused ; and went further still, by taking steps which ne- cessary provokod those adopted by the administration. They were evidently calculated to cause it to be thought that he was himself persuaded of the ne- cessity for renewing these Commissions, whilst he held his own opinions con- cealed under the veil of impenetrable obscuritjy. Mr. Stuart insists that the opinion given with reference to the renewal of the Commissions, was •♦ exprcsshj and exclusively addressed to those public of Jicers only xv/iose Commissions bij law xcould expire at the end of six months from His late Majesty's demise. ' He does not pretend that those of the Advocates and Notaries were of this number* : why give birth to, and labour, by all the communicit'ons which he has had upon this subject, to spread abroad, to cause to be entertained in the Province, the idea that the opinion given with reference to the Comraissions of the Officers who held posts during pleasure, related also to the licenses or com- missions of the Advocates and S'otaries ? Why also have caused or permitted to be believed, that it was necessary to have recourse to the Courts of King's i?ewc/(, in order to decide upon the necessity or the inutility of the renewal of these Commissions ? — Were these questions upon which an Attorney General should haxe hesitated to give his opinion ? — Is it not his first duty to i)lace, by his advice, the government in a situation to avoid coming uselessly into collision with the governed, particularly when the pretentions which he may attempt to raise, and the discussions which result from them, are of a nature to inspire feelings of diffidence, t«t give birth to ill-will, to arouse even rcstiituient, wliich a tardy justice purchased at the price ol too severe trials, cannot efface ! Mr. Stuart has recourse to another strange means of defence, when he says, that " no obligation 7cas imposed on any Public Officer to renew his Commission, it being left to his discretion to do so or not, as he might be advised, and on his oxen rc- sponsibiiity.* Could not Mr. Stuart see that the complaints made against him by the House of Assembly, have no reference to those ("onimissions given to the functionaries, the ordinary servants of the Crown, whose power to exercise the functions with which they are invested, ceased in the six months which fl:;llowcd the decease of the Sovereign from whom they had received it. But the House imputes to Mr. Stuart, on the contrary, steps calculated to create the strangest confusion of ideas, and to spread and inculcate the opinion, that the members of the two professions in question, instead of exercising a right founded on a title to property, in - By one of thosfl infon»iswncii/ manna, />i/ puhUc mcelin-:^^, called fur the purpose of determining and settling (he law on this suhjcct, at -Jiich, resolutions to thai ejfect xccre passed." ,. vr c» It may be easily imagined that these other mceiings, in the eyes of Mr, Muart of so criminal a na'ture. arc those (of which he speaks with so much bitterness in his memoir) ofthecoumics whose inhabitants assembled for the purposed nreiaring. and causing the presentation of, the petitions to the king and to the Parliamc^n, in 1827, and of seekinarticuUers et au public les consequences funestesqui s.M'aient r<^\sul- tees dela nullitedo tons les act vs que les notaires jiouvaient passer, sans y etre autoris^'s par une nouvelie commission ? II est une couple de traits qui suivent, que j'ai dt'ja signalcs, et auxquels jc dois maintonant rcvenir. Toujours fidcle a son systemc de rejetcr les accusations portees contre lui 6ur d'autres fonctionnaircs publics, et d'en porter en outre en m^rae terns contre ux qui se plaignaientdesa conduite, M. Stuart, sans prc^-tendre encore que ces furrnssiuns fussunt n^Icessaires, assure neaunioins avcctonfiance, que ces honc- raireii ecu m these fees were due : but, he adds, that it was the Secretary/ of the Province who re- ceived them. Ifthey were not due— if it was a fault to receive them- it was this latter, "who, accordhig to him, would be guiltj/, and who demanded and received Ihcm (It his peril." , . , • i Nothing more is necessary in order to induce him to bring a new charge, and one of the gravest description, against the Assembly. Me adds, "m this, as in other instances o/'Ihe provcediniis of the Asscmbh/ against me, I cannot but remark, as evincing a singular proneness to fasten the imputation qfq/fhicc on me, that I am nwdc chargeable /or the supposed misconduct of other public officers, which is im. puled to me." He adds upon tliis subject, " thatxvhich is deemed innocent in am- ther is declared lo be culpable in me." , , , , , , c> This is a<'ain a strange illusion. It has been already observed, that the Se- tretarv of thc°l'rovince performed merely a subordinate character to Mr. Attorney General, whose advice he was obliged to take, as well as to conform his conduct to such advice. Mr. Attorney Ciciieral had sent him the drafts of these commis- sions. His steps, and those into which he had led the administration, had misled the public, and particularly the advocates and the notaries. A number sufficiently great, both of advocates and notaries, found themselves obliged, from considcra- tions'of private interest, to obtain some of these commissions from the Secre- tary which he could not deliver without receiving the fees claimed by Mr. Stuart, to whom lie rendered an account, and to whom he actually paid them. Neverthe- less Mr. Stuart, pretends that if any one ran in fault, it was not him,but unques- tionahly this other functionary. The Assembly would, according to him, have rendered themselves guilty cif injustice, of partiality, in accusing him, and declar- in" " to be culpable in him what it deemed i/moccnt in another I" Such is the man. ne'r in which Mr. Stuart clears himself from a charge Mr. Stuart thinks it important to answer, and to insist with reference to the Pctitionpresenled to the Assemblv against liini. that it was that of one Notary merelv, Mr. CJlackemeyer, '' who' had not tmnsflf obtained a new Commission, and had not paid Jirs." ,. ». , ■ This is again a subject for exception. According to Mr. Stuart, " Aotartes who had obtained new Commissions, had not (omplaincd of the payment of fees on them" ,.,,., 1 It was Mr. Glackemeyers petition which had been sent to the committee, which " directed its attention to a matter not brouaht under its cognizance.'' Ac- cording to him, it would not have possessed jurisdiction.^ This is again one of those points upon which Mr Stuart is misled, by the habit of confiiung himself lo considerations of individual right, and lo the practice of the ordinary contts. In the first place, the question lure is not one of an ordinary offence, stiil less, of the injustice from which these individuals might have sii'tfered in their private interests, and of which they niij^ht not have thought proper to comphi ii. otherwise than by claiming, in a court of law, the reimburse- ment of thesum uiijustly, and under Ja/se pretences obtained from them. The Committee was oc iipie'd with inquiring uito the offence of the functionary; into a public grievance; and, besides, into much more serious consequences re- sulting to the luiblie, from the altem])l of the Attorney General, on the one hand, to enslave the niciuhers of these professions ; and, on the other, lo establish of hisowniToperaiithoritv, and to levy, in advance, a tax upon tliem for his own profit ; lastlv, to compel them to pay this tribute by the fear of thu direful conscqtieiue's which he causes to be inferred would result to them, and to the public, by their refusing to submit to it. desire Mr. Stuart pretemls that these new commissions were prepared at the express e of teembers of the bar, and of notaries , " and thcj/ xvere 0/ course, Cfjnnlh/ bound ai raires etaientdiis, mais il ajoute que c'etait le secretaire de la province qui las recevait. S'ils n'dtaient pas dus, si c'etait une fuute de les recevoir, c'est lui qui, dit-iJ, serait coupable et les aurait demandes et regus d ses risques. II ne lui en faut pas davantage pour porter contre I'Assemblce un nouvelle accusation, et unc des plus graves. II ajoute : *' dans cette accusation comme dans crime de ce qu onjuge innocent dans un autre. ujet ; qu'on luijait un C'est encore la une illusion etrange. On a deja observe que le Secretaire de la Province nejouait qu'un R(Me subordonn6 a M. le Procureur General, dontil ('tait oblige de prendre les avis, comme d'y conformer sa conduitc. M. le Procu- reur Ge'neral lui avaitenvoyes des Formules de ces Commissions ; ses demarches, etcelles dans lesquelles il avait entrainc TAdministration, avaient donne le change, en particulier aux Avocats et aux Notaires. Un assez grand nombre des uns et des autres se trouvaient obliges, par des considerations d'interet prive, de demander au Secretaire, de ces Commissions, qu'il ne pouvait leur delivrer sans recevoir les honoraires reclames par M. Stuart, auquci il en devait compter, et qu'il lui a re'ellement payes. Et cependant, M. Stuart pretend que si quelqu'uii etait coupable, ce n'etait pas lui, mais bien cet autre fbnctionnaire L'Assem- blee se serait rendue coupable d'injustice, de partialite, en I'accusant eteu lui im- putant, comme un crime, un Acte qu^elle uuraitjugc innocent dans une autre ! Telle est la maniere de M. Stuart de se laver d'une accusation. SI m m M. Stuart met de I'importance a repondre, et a insister sur ce que la Petition presentee contre lui a I'Assemblee, etait d'un seul Notaire, M. Glackemei/cr, lui meme n'avait pas pris de commission, et n avail pas p^ye d' honoraires. C'est encore li\ un sujet d'exception ; suivant iM. Stuart, les Notaires qui avaient pris des Commissions et payc des lionorairesn avaient pas parte de plaintes contre lui. C'etait la Petition de Glackemeyer qui avait etc renvoyeeau Comite, lequel a dirige son attention sur un objet qui n'avnit pas ete renvoyedson cxamen. II iiaurait pas eu de juridiction ! C'est encore un de ces points sur lesquels M. Stuart est egar('' par I'habitude de se renfermer dans des considerations tirees du droit prive et la pratique des cours ordinaires. D'abord, ce nest pas d'un delit ordinaire dontil est ici ques- tion, encore moins de Tin justice dont ces individus [louvaient soiiffrir par rapport a leurs interets privcs, et dont il pouvait jugcr a propos de ne pas se plaindre, plus que de reclamerdevant une Cour dt; loi le remboursement de la somme injuste- mentexigce d'eux, ei sous defawv pri-textes. C'est de la faute du fonctionnaire» I'lui grief public que le Comite s'occupait, e'est en outre des consequences c'est d' beaucoup plus sirieuses.qui resultaient pour le public de la tentation du Procureur General, d'un cote d'asservir les membres de ces professions, de I autre detablir desa propreautoriteet de preleverune taxe sur eux a son profit ; enfin, de les forcer a lui payer ce tribut par la crainte des suites funestes qu'il faisait cntrevoir pour eux et pour le public, comme rcsultat de Icur ref'us de s'y souraettre. M. Stuart pretend que ces nouvelles Commissions ont etc preparees d'apres kdhir exprsssemrnt manifestt' par les Notaires d les AvQcuts... lis ttaient des lo obli, aes bound to pai/ for them according to the established torif/', as for Jitrmer comnnssions 'dhich tfiei/ held , Those " tifm solicited and obtaimd miv commissions have not complained of the pr I pncnt of fees on them.'" When wecoiisiiitr wliat 'passed in ihe Province upon the snhject- the testimony produced before the committee- the pressing' motives which compelled the mera- hers of these 'professions to takeout new commissions, in spite of tlieir entire convic- tion oflhei; inutility, it icquiics s.me pains to preserve one's gravity on seeing Mr. Stuart appeal serimrsly to the desire, which, according to him, induced the advo- catcs a'ld the not.iries /o .vo/zV/V these new G.mmissions, and, don! ' 'ss, to pay over again the fees for obtaining them. This desire, .since it was an iect not to lose their means of existence, was •(fan anxious nature. This is, most .. uiredly, an excuse of a novel dcscri] ti( n. Did it never strike Mr. Smart, for a moment, that what lie says, upon this sulject, might arouse the attention as lo the Wdrds which he inserted in the forms oi' commissions, calculated to lead us to suppose, that it was of their own ac( old that the notaries asked for them ; that it was merely a favour asked by them ; lastly, that it was at their special instance that the go- vernment consented to grant' them ? Mr. Stuart coidd not be ignorant of the suspicion to which this addition had given birth in the rrovince, that it was calcu- lated to serve as a ] rctext tor resisting a demand for the return of monej/ paid for fees, the right of Mr. Attorney General to demand the payment of which was questioned, on the same ground that it was maintained that the pretence, for ob- liging tlie advocates ami the notaries to take out new Commissions, was illegal and unjust. iNIr. Stuart pretends that his conduct upon the subject of the alterations which he introduced into the commssions of the notaries, could he justijied not ovlij by obvious reasons, but bij re/erence to hnin:ss!0)>^, pour les Notaires ni pour les Avocats. 11 n'avait d'aillcura ni autorilc ui jurisdiction acetcgard, etpersonne E autre 34 upon him to prci)aic them. What feeling of duty could then drive Mr. Stuart to adopt tliis stc|), and nil those wliich followed it ? Could the public, or the Assembly, perceive in it any other end than that of adding fresh wciglit to the considerations of interest and of fear, which these steps spread in the public minds, and which they particularly forced upon the Advucalus and the Notaries, in fact, to compel them to subnut to the payment of the tribute which he imposed upon them. .. ^ i , n • It is, however, upon this subject tlmt Mr. Stuart treats, what he calls the no- tions of the Committee, as si7i<>ular. Mr. Stuart asserts that arguments and ubserralions are useless for the purpose of convincing persons kIiu timlcrstatidtlie ]i.ii^lisli lan>riiage, that these xvords arc vcrfcetlij harvdess, and nivre/j/ rcords of course. According to him, ammadycrsioiis of' the Committee of Gricianc'es, oj the Assembly oj Loxecr Canada, may he itieurrcd jor slender causes. \\\' may now judge whether, i\i fiict, the charges in question possess this clia. racter of levity ; he docs not the less, however say, with a tone of assurance which renders the vagueness of these answers more striking, that he has thus disposed of the txi spceijic animadversio/is oJ the Committee of Grievances to his prejudice, on the head of the ncxc Commisions- Mr. Stuart seems to think his answers victorious and unanswerable; lie also losi's sight, at once, of the subject iiiuler discussion ; and instead of continti- ing to defend hini'.clf, he takes upon himself to give less ms to olhois. Wc have seen, tliat he was titjt s|)aring of them to the Commiit.;. Uo afterwards reads 8ome to the legislature and to the government. In tlic same proportion he was sparing of his advice, particularly to the Governor, wlier, it was ancsseiilial part of the duties, att.iclicd to his functions, to give him his opinion ; he now becomes uselessly prodigal of hi> lesson^, on this side of the Atlamic, to the one ami to the other, without considering whether th y possess the merit of being applicable or exact, or whether tliey d(j not make him contradict hinKelf' He thinks it his diitv to say, that the necessity o/'issuini;- new Commissions mij^iht hare been p) evented hy an act of the Colonial Legislature, in one (>/ its Sessions, xehich preceded the demise iif His late M jcsly. He might have spared iiimsJf any i >• areh for the purpose of teaching that which might have been iliviiied without. Hut it may be hcie remarked, that Mr. •Stuart again speaks of comni.ssions in general as though the discussion should, for a moment, turn upon a |)0'nl no way in question. The charges hive relerciico Solely to tho>eof the Advocifcs and Notaries. It is true, that l:e afterwards comes, as we shall presently see, to the commissions of the Notaries; anil, lastly, to those of the .Advocates. ' Hat wc must follow in his steps. This measure, aeeorviing to .Mr. Stuart, for presenting the nocess'fy of renew- ing commissions, by an act passed previously to the decease of the King, havin,' been omitted previous to that event, the convocation Committee, and the measures consequent upon it which it fidoptcd, ami which Mr. Stuart questions, to mistake the views ot tlie Assembly ? lleiue, how arc wo to rc_'ard this suggestion. Lastly, Mr. Stuart abandons the subject of the commissions of the Notaries, in order It) pass to that of the Advocates or Attorneys. [Jut heii' he actually changes lis character. IlesiuUlcnIy undergoes a complele mctanii.r.plu sc. He had. whilst in the Pioviiirc, and up to the jiicsent time, brouglu to bear all the talent and art of which he is po'-sissed, in order to prevent his real opinion, as to tlie necessity or tlie imifility of the renewal of these Commissions being known ; he had never i^ii en (<}i opinion upon this subject. He took particular care tliat it should not be made known to tin- (iovcmor and to the Colonial Administration. .Nolliing, up to that period, iay eacilc .sur/mse tlwt Aitonncs should be ojipunttd ly Commismms during pleasure, instead of being ad- mit tid to the e.tercise of their profession, as in other parts oj His Majesty's dominions, by J lis Majesty's Courts of Justice.' Heie IS, lioiibtless, something surprising enough; but he adds something \\|iii'h is stil! UiO! e astoiiibhinii: nn iho part ot a man who occupied, but a short time since, CUlarly srt- i* subject, ic Lcgisla- Felt by any d of wliich \ the siiicid complaints )n this 8ub< iciently led G idea, that jr as joke, such rcmc' me. What ve thought aboured to fed the ad- ?ivcn it the h could not even some- ' to ti)c risk its which it stroy them. ;iblc, upon I it which it Asuemblv t 87 lei rtfpontet, c'eit qu'il n*a Jamais donnv son opinion k cet ^gard^ II va plus loin,, ii pr6tend qu'il n'a jamais J/t- re(juia de la donner. C'etit Hi aans doute dc la part do la L^igislaturc uno mesure ttrangt que de paMer un Actepour rcm^dier :\ uii inconvenient qui n'^tait senti par qui que co Alt, doiit perfionne ne croyait, et pouvait croire ; enfln dc couvrir par lu de I'egide de son autorit<^ lea d Tches de M.le Procureur General, qui provoquaient dcsr^* clamations si justesei li universelles. Que de choaes il y aurait ;\ dire a ce sujct. en con«iderant entre autre, qu'il avait engage leGouvcrneur et le Conseil ExC^cutit' assez avant pour avoir fait naitro I'id^e qu'ils faisaient cause commune avec hii, et soutenaient ses pretentions I Peut on prendre au s^rleur pour une plaisanteiie ce que M. Stuart ajoute ;\ cet 6gard, quand il dit -uec'estun sujet de regret que VAssemblee ait perdu cet ohjet de vue f Si c'est ut; sujet de regret, c'est pour M. Stuart seul. Qu'aurait- on pens^ de l'Assembl6e .-* qu'en ciit-d penst'; lui-mCme, si par ce moyen indirect elle eut secondc ses projets de finance, travaillc k consacreren principe les erreurs dans lesquellcs M< Stuart avait fait tomber I'Administration ? Au reste, I'Asscmblee adnnn6 son attention la plus s^rieusea cet objet au lieu de\c perdre de vue. Aussi a-t-clle repousse comme elle le devait cette idee qui ne pouvait que paraitre bizarre, alois mcme quelque chose dc plus- Ellenede- vait pas sans duiite s'exposer au risque de compromettrc par une demarche, au moins imprudcnte, la sccurite dcs droits qu'ellc soutenait contre M. Ic Procureur (i^'ncral, qui travaillait a les ebranler. D'ailleurs, indcpendaminent de toutes au- trc'S considerations, comment se mcprendre sur les vues dc rAssembk'e.en voyant le rapport ^lu Comite eties mcsuresqui en ctaient la conscf-quence, qu'elle adoptees et que M. Stuart discute ? Comment des lors envisager cette question ? »m\\ le Notaries, lie actually ph( sc. He ic.ir all the inion, as to known ; lie U it shoiilil . Nothing, , in his cliu- IS name at vcn during II the Pro- lan a year's >n, were nc- ccssaiy tor present it Kul fornici!, iaisclfsay? : vprisc that oj'bfirg ad- s dominiom, \ something a short tinu.! since, Enfin, M. Stuart abandonne le siijct dcs Commissions des Notaires pour pas- ser a la consideration de celles des Avocats ou Procurcurs. Mais ici, il change absohnncnt de role. II subittout-a-coup iinc mcfamorpiiose compltle. II avait mis dans la Province ctjr.sqii'a pn'sent A ses reponses, tout le talent, tout 'art dont il est capable pour ne laisscr penetrcr le fond de sa pensee sur la necessity ou linutililc- dii renouvellcmont de ces Commissions. II n' avait jamais mis son opi- nion cujour. II s'ctait p;arde sur tout de la fairc connaitre m Gouverncur et ;\ rAdininistrationColoiiialc. llicn n'avait \)\\ )U8quc-la fourni" le prctexte d'ima* giner, qii'cn sa qiialite de Prrcurcur Geni'ral, il ei'it voulu mettre son nora au has de cette proposition que les Cnmtnissio/in des Avocats Procurcurs, se donnent sous boil pldiur en icrtu d'unc Loi de la Province. II avait ses raisoiis sans doiite pour ne pas soutenir cette doctrino dans la Province. II no s'expli(iiic pas a cc sujet. 11 lui a fallu bcaiicoup plus d'un an de reflexion et apparcinmcnt dc profonacs rcchcrches, d'ctudcs, meditations pour .^e decider, ct il lui a aussi fallu attcndre qu'il se troiivat dcvant le Gouvcrnement de Sa Majistc pour la presenter au Ministre commo nn HI pour se giiiiler dans le lain riiitlie qu'il avait creuse, la leur prcscrire romine une regie de conduitc ! Ecoutons-le liii-inenic " Hors du Iks Canada," dit-il d'abord, " on pourra •' n'apprcndrc qu'avec surprise que les Avocats i-e^oivcnt une Commission durant " pbinr, au lieu d'etre admis a fexercice do Icurs j)rofessioiis par les Cours de " Justice, conime dans les autrcs parties dcs Domaines de Sa Majeste." 11 y a la quelque chose dc siirprenant, sans doiite ; inais il ajoute quelque chose qui est plus ttonnant encore, de la part dun lionime quioccupait nagueres le 38 since, the eminent post of Attorney General. According to him, •* this peculia- ritij obtains under a law of the Province" We will not dwell here, for the purpose ©f remarking upon the contradiction bet^veen this strange doctrine and all that precedes. It mny be at least said, that Mr. Stuart would have taken care not to expose himself to ridicule by supporting it in Lower Canada. He would there have taken the pains to look at the law which he quotes, instead of speaking of'it from recjilection or imagination. He would also have seen that this proposition is repugnant as well to the provisions of the law as to the nature of the thing itself. The ordinance of 17^5 provides that, thenceforward, *' no person shall be commismned, appointed, or pemiilted, to practise, in any of His Majesty's Courts, as Barrister, Advocate, Solicitor, Altornet/, or Proctor at Law, ' unless he had studied a given number of years, and had performed some other conditions, whicli are equally imposed on those who wish to become Notaries, for the purpose of ac- quiri/ig the right to exercise their professions. It may be perceived, even without understanding the English language so perfectly as Mr. Stuart, that it is in noway intendeil, by this ordinance, to convert this permission to practice into a place or oifice to be granted, refiised or withdrawn, at or during pleasure. It may be ad- ded, that althougii tlie word commission, to be found in the ordinance, may have fin iiished a pretext for giving that appellation to the instrument appointing the entry into the profession, and to cause it to emanate from the Governor, the alter- native, wliith the terms of the ordinance import, furnishes one at least equally rea- sonable for y be refns- iscovery was :d since the )f that supc- happened to icwal of the it would bo f this. Mr. some others much more mvinco them an to that of will not, I ill the forms artance, and ' coiiset/uencc 'e ; as being lere is ample to see \vll;it sort 39 le poste Eminent de Procurcur General. Siiivant lui, cetle wmikrlte a pouraiK put une lot de la Pvovince. i r On ne s'arretera pas ici i\ faire rcmarquer ce qu'il y a de contradiction entre cette doctrine ctrange ct tout ce qui precede j on pent dire an nioins que M Stuart se serait garde de s'affubler du ridicule de la soutenir dans le lias-Canada' 11 aurait 1^ pns la i)einede regarder la loi qu'il invoque, an lieu d'en parler de sou- venir on d'imagination. II aurait vu aussi que cette proposition repugne aux dis- positions de la loi comnie a la nature de la chose elle-meme. ienee to the words during pleasure, which are not to be found in the ordinance ; his observation that he has noi the honor of being mem- ber of an Assembly, which he loads wilh the grossest insult — imputes crime; lastly, that he never had been consulted by Ills Excellency Lord ^4ylmer, who referred to him upon this subject, and who regulated his proceedings by his advice ; all this bears to much the appearance of mere pleasantry to merit any attention. I should confine myself to remarking, that this is the kind of perora'ion with which he concludes, and which crowns his answers to tlu' accusation of the Assembly, with reference to his endeavours to impose on the Advocates and the Notaries a tax, to which a great number nftheni found themselves forced to submit, from considerations very foreign to that of a sentiment of legal or moral obligiitioii. Doubtless, 1 cannot be accused (if having passed over in silence any of Mr. Stuart's arguments — of having evaded the discussion— or of ■ .ot having replied, to all which could appear Morlhy ofattcntion, in this portion of his answers. If I had deserved any blame, it would be for having taken the trouble, on the one hand, to laboriously refute assertions to which it should have siifiiced to oppose simple denials ; and on the other, fo have discussed, with gravity, opinions, llio pleasantry ot which should have tons'gni d them to ridicule. I justitied myself in advance upon this subject, in the course of my obser- vations upon the .Memoir. I h;ul no alternative. It may now be easily perceived to what Mr. Stuart's arguments against the accusations specificil in the Fust Rcjioit of the Connnittcc of the Assembly amount. Was I wrong in asserting that vagueness, confusion, and contradiction, reign- ed thronghiut this new production ? May it not be asserted with truth, tlu\t these chargers, like tlniS.' which form the subject of the Memoir, actually remain unan- swered on his part ? What arc we now to tliink of the steps taken by Mr. Sf nart, when we may see that f!iey could not have any other end, or oilier result, than that of putting into his pockets the jiru luce of a ta.v, im|;osed by his authority alone, upon the members nt the bar, and upoi tlu' Notaries ? What motives also did h„- assign to thcni in ordiT to com el iheiu to submit to this much more than arbitrary tax? As regariliiig them, the dan ;cr of luin; as regarding the public, the dc»lructiuu ot the erations, and vidently, de- , and which ; did not even things them, have stated, consideration •rms, expres- Dthe positive ', and to ap- "the ordinary in them the instruments, ing desij^nat- nd to dispel tons projects sacred. He t's letter, far- i enactments /hich are not of' being mern- ;rime; lastly, who referred 5 advice ; all attention. I 1 with which le Assembly, le Notaries a submit, from ligation. e any of Mr. ng replied, to iswer.s. If 1 . on the one d to oppose opinions, xhe of my obsei- [3 against the le Ass^cmbly Motion, reign- lb, tliat tlksc "einain uuuii- n wo may see t of pnltinpj ne, upon tlic be assigji to bitrary tax ? lotructiui) ot the 41 stances donnaient a ces changeaiens, et qu'ils 6taient plus qu'inutiles, puisqu'ils devenaient dangereux. II y en ava au contraire un seul a faire qui etait ^videmment desirable, qui aurait ^te accucilli avec une approbation universelle, et qui en eiU et^ diene • c'est le seul auquel M. Stuart n'a pas seulement song^. On saitjusqua quel point les mots peuvent faire illusion relativement aux choses elles-memes, et donner une fausse direction aux idees. Les faits dont j'ai rendu compte fournissent une preuve assez frappante de ceite v^rit6. Com- raent cette consideration a-t-elle pn ^chapper a M. Stuart ? Au lieu d'introduire dans ces nouvelles formules des expressions propres a pousser i\ de nouvelles illusions ceux qui sont etrangers aux connaissances positives des principes et des rtJgles de la jurisprudence et du droit, et de les rapprocher de plus en plus par les termes et la forme de ceiles des Commissions ordinaires, il aurait du saisir cette occasion d'en retrancher les mots sous bo?i plaisir qui sont dans ces actes une veritable anomalie, qui en outre ren ferment contradiction entre les termes et la chose designee. Cent et6 un acte de sagesse de retablir I'ordre et faire disparai- tre pour I'lgnorence, la kg^ret^ et la passion, cette ombre de pr^texte a des projets iniques de spoliation, ct du renversement du droit de propriete dans ce qu'il a de plus sacr6 .... il a fait le contraire .... Je n'irai pas plus loin dans mes observations sur cette partie de la lettre de M. Stuart. Sa suggestion que la Legislature eut pu abroger la disposition qu'ii suppose relative aw Z>on p/ai«V, qui ne se tronve pas dans I'Ordonnance, son obser- vation yw" ,7 n'a pas I'honneur d'etre membre d'me Assemblee, a laquelle il prodigue Tinsulte, impute le crime, enfin (ju'il na pas ete consulte par Son Excellence Lord Aylmer, qui s'en etait rapporte \ lui, et qui a regie ses demarches sur ses avis ; tout cela sent trop le ton dune mauvaise plaisanterie pour meriter d'etre releve. Je ilois me borner a faire remarquer que c'est la I'espece de peroraison par laquelle il termine, et qui couronne ses rcponses aux accusations de I'assemblee, relative- nient a ses tentatives d'imposer aux A\ ocats et aux Notaires un tribut, auquel un grand nombre dentr'eux se sont trouvcs forces de se soumettre par des consid«rp« tions bien etrangires u ceiles d'un sentiment d'obligation legale ou morale. ;■ Vxsj On ne pourra pas sans doute m'accuser davoir passe sous silence aucun des moyens de M. Stuart, d'avoir elude la discussion ou de n'avoir pas rcplique tl tout ce qui pouvait paraitre digne dattention dans cette partie de ses r6pon>l^s. Si j'avais mcriti- quelque roproche, ce serait davoir pris la peine, d'un cote de refuter laborieusenient des assertions, auxquelles il aurait du sullir d'oppcser de simples dcnegations, (le I'autre, d'avoir discut6 avec gravity des opinions dont la, plaisanterie aurait du faire justice. Je mesuisdavancejustifie sur cet article dans mes observations surleme- nioirc. Je n'avais pas la liberte du choix. II estmaiiitenant ai>e de voir a quoi se reduisent les moyens de M. Stuart contre les accusations articuk's dans le premier rapport du Comite dc I'Assembloe. Avais-je tort de dire que le vague, le confusion, la contradiction n'gnait dans cette nouvelle production ? N'est-il pas vrai de dire que ces accusations, comme ceiles qui sont lobjet du memoire, sont vtritablement restees sans rcponse de sa jiart ? ^ Que penser maintenant des demarches de M. Stuart, quand on pent voir quellcs ne pouvaient avoir d'autre but ou d'autre rcsultat, que de faire entrer dans ses coffres le produit d'unc taxe imposee de sa seule autoritt- aux membrcs du Harreau et aux Notaires ? Quels motifs aussi il leur pr(:sentait pour les forcer de [ic sou.^icttre ;\ cette taxc beaucoup plus qu'arbitraire ! Pour eux le danger de la lumc, pour Ic public ie renversement des ibrtunes dans le pays. Entin il meltait if en 43 the fortunes in the country. Lastly, he set to work a system ofcunningly-managed delusion; of alarms which he originated ; of fears which he nourished for the purposeof inducing them to submit to these sacrifices. His constancy does not belie itself even at this very time. If we are to be- lieve him upon the subject, their deliberation, their resolutions against this preten- sion, their resistance to the payment of tins tax, are crimes. If any considerations could urge U9 to indulgence in favour ot Mr. Stuart. with regard to this financial project, it would, perhaps, be urgent necessity-^the injustice of the public with regard to him-the parsimony ot a government, which ^vould have leh him without recompense and without resource, whilst he was obliged to devote his undivided time, his talents, and his labour, if, in fact, a prcss- inff necessity calculated to delude, had, in some measure compelled him to have recourse to expediepts for the purpose of ensuring his subsistence. Has he any reason to complain of the government of the country, and particularly ot the As- sembly which he has attacked with so much violence ? U pon this subject, as up- on many others, he seems to have endeavoured to justify, in advance, all those whom lie accuses. If the Province deserves reproach, it would be for its impru- dent prodigality, calculated to inflame the desires, instead of quenching the thirst, ""^ "Would it not seem, that instead of fulfilling the duties, the means of enriching himself «huiild occupy the undivided attention of a public functionary ? In his Memoir against Lord Aylmer, dated horn Quebec, the first consideration submit, ted to His Majesty's government, "is the privation q/ hts emolwnents of office; and he adds, «' that they are considerable. H is a loss of many thousand poundi. In his letter to Lord Aylmer, the first question he raises is with respect to the »w- demvitu shich he should claim. He also immediately afterwards dwells^upon that ofthe revenue which he drau^s in respect of his si'iiihly, hy an lii>.toriial skilrh, and to show how, tVoiu liand to hand, tlio Kind's Posts. h>asi'd at first to anotlicr. passed at hist into tht- hands of Mr. \\illiain I.ainjwon. the individual who prcsiMitcd a petition atrainst liini. I liavc already said that Mr, Muart thoujjht it important to add that In- ( I.aniiison) was w\ Aiinriviin. I have it to lie thou|;rht what Mr. Stuart's nioli\e eonid have been tor adilinj^ tliis cpialilieation to Mr. I.anipsunV name. As to the alterations in tlii< jiersons uTllie Lissees, I do not llunk that this pieture, sueh as it is sketehed, was niei'.-.>ary : that it was will ealeulated at once to throw a ii;reat lif;ht into this diseussion. Ft would have been nnieii nuire advantageous, I tiiink, to eonvey a pre- cise idea of what the Kiiiijs J'li.i/s were : of the niiture and use of the lea.s^■ granted of tliein hy the (iovernineiit : linally, of the laws and usages, the iirineijiles of jnrisprudenee, to vhicli tliey relate, ami «ilii refereliee to •.vhieli, the ehuises eontaiiied in tlu ni were interpreted, and their elVeet regidated up to the pn sent time ; this is what i shall endeavour, as suieinetl\ as i am aide, to do. .\ consideralile portion of the (v>tit becdme e\tioif at the con- r re.si)oce do d'fensc qu'il oppose aux charges dc rAsseml)! p par mic osqiiisso lilstoriciut-, ot faire coiiiiaitrc i-oiniiioiit de main cii main, Ics I'ostcs (111 Hoi, Ion s d'alidtd ii iin aulic, (taioiit cnfin passes i-ntre li's mains dc M. William I,an\|)S()n, la pciMiMMc (pii a iir.siMito I{e(pu'to contro Ini. J'ai (U')a fait rcmarqner que M. Stnart avait ciu iiiiix.itant d'ajiink r. (pie eVtait \m Amirkuin. Je laisse ii penser quel a pn I'tri' le nidlir de !\I. Stnart, on ajoiitant eette qnalifieati(ui au nom de M. Lampsoii. Quant anx elianM;eniens dans la iiersunne des loeatairos, ju ne erois jtas qne ce tablean tel qu'il est trace, fnt nrcessaire. qn'il fVit Men propre d'avanee a Jeter niu' grande elarte dans eette discussion. Je pense (pi'il eut ('to heanennp plus avantageiix de faire eiinnaitre avec exactitude, ee que eVtait qne les Pnsirs ilii U,,i, la nalnrc et If l)nt du hail (pic Ic (louvernenient en aceorde, i-ntin, les lois et usages, les prineiiics do .linispruilcnee, aux(piels ils se ra|)portent, et d'aprcs iesfpuds les clansvs en out ote iiiterpittres, ct les clVfis r gl(:s jns(piVi present. C'est ce que je vais tacherde faire nioi-nu' me aussi succinetcinc nt (pi'il me sera possible. I'lie ]);irtie considiT.uMe dn District de Qn:!)ee, dans If Has-tanada, an nord (in Saint Laurent, et ([ui eoniprend lesdmx eutrs de la Riviere Sagucnay (pii >'> jette, est enccn-eapen pri's dans I'ftat im'i se tronvait tont le pays a I'arriveo des Knropi'eiis, et" n'est liabiti:'e (pie par des Sanvages. l,e seal avantage (pi'iiii retire de eette piisses^ion I'st le C'lininierce des Pelle- teries. I.e (louverMenient Fraiieais avait assujetti au monopole des Coinpagnles tout coliii qui s'en taisait dans la Province. Qiiaiit a la partie ipie I'dii vient d'indiquer, c(mnuc sons le Jiom des I'ostrs <]ii Koi, elle a de|niis la Coiupii te continue d'etre alVerniee snr les niemes principes. au nioyend'nii bail (pii eonijiorte le droit de loiniinrcc i.vihislfiliss Pdlihrivs tiviclts Sdin'nijc.s. en faveiir des loeataires, et c'est toiijours ainsl cur. l;i those a I'te eiiteiidne et inatiquc'e jusqu'ii pre-ent. On poiirrait ]ieiit-etre deiiiander iei. si ee jiouvoir ne s'etait pas ('teint a la C'onquete, s'il jionvait subsister aiirt^'s I'etablissement du (lonveriiement Civil dans la I'rovince, snrtont apr('s eeiiii d'liiie constitution appnyee siir les meines principes (pie celle d'Aiigleterre ; enfin, si la stipulatiiui d'nn |nivilrge exclii-if on dn monopole dn C'oniiiierce dans ce bail tjtait en liarnio- nie avec le droit national, coiniiie avec les driiits (pii en decouleiit en taveiir des Mijets 15ritaii- !ii(pie«, et (pi'iiii regarde conmie attaches a leiir naissaiiee j)ar les lois de I'Kinpire. C'et exainen esi etranger an siijet de eette discnsvioii. l",n supposant (pie eette stipulation lu; jjarnt pas d'aecorder avec les principes et la praticpie g.'nerali>, d'abord eette circonstance ne serait d'an- cune importance, rclativemeiit ii M. Stuart, qui ne jiourrait ■iivoqiier ccs principes pour jnstilier les deniarclies (pi'on Ini reproelie. ,Ie dois ajoiiter en second lieu, (pie des lois particiilieres au Pavs, des ivgles que la .fiiris- prndencea eonsacrees, mettaient eiitre les mains du CJouveriiemeiit Kxecutif les moyens d'as- Nurer ce monop(de de ( 'onnnerce avee les SiUMages, a ceux ii qui il aceordait le bail des Post(-s (111 Hoi. I'ne OnUmnance de raneieii Conseil Legislatif dc ranucc 1777, avait exprcssemcut di'- fendii, sons peine d'amciide ct d'emprisoniieiuent, de venJreou distribuer mancum manitnnuj- Sauftti/is, Indian or Indians, tnt/iin the Provinre of rum or olhir .itnmt/ luiunrs.^,..williout a xpecial lianse in writini) from tfi, Conrnor or I'oiiuiiandanfs of Forts in the I'rovincv. Tliis piohillitioii Vxtviids to tlu)s,' wl.o art- lin'iiHO.l to lu'oj. a public Ik.iim', mui to r»'Uul Htroin; liquors, who, besides the other punishinoiits to whitli we have jusi aiUided, urc subject to lose their lictiwet. i i i r Again, tliis hiw forbids the purchasiiiK^ or exchaiiKinjr witli tlie Iiuliaiw certain articles, and provides that !U> one .siiall settle in any villiii(e or in any savage country, without a lutnsv, in writini/, from thf (ioreriior. . . Lastly, neither could any our. accordiii}; to the provisuuis of this oniiiiance, witliouf a license, said or nirri/ any 0<-<>ds, u;ir,s, Ac for tin pnrfHise o/tradin,/ almve thv Jimt of th, lAmi/ Dd/s, on thr iiinr Outainiis, countries which were in a siivage suite at that i)er!0(l, and situated west of the I'roviiiee, or elsewhere in othi r parts not i/rfinted tiif His Miijistfi, n-ithoiil a permit in n-ritimi from the (iorrrnor, \c. ' All this was under pain of fine, of the seizure of the goods, or of iinprisonnient, acconling to the ciises specitied in the onKnance. After the passinir „f this ordinance, establishments began to be formed, and particularly in that part to the west of the I'rovinee. wliich now constitutes I'pper Canada. rheii, this oniiiiance wiis iiiodilied and repealed, as far as r.garded a part of the country, which lies to tlie west, by a subsecpieiit ordinance of the year I7!>1.| 'Jhis ordinance releases /irrsoni tradinif with thr Indiana or other inhabitants of the fie.s- tern VouiUrns, Districts or < onntiis of this I'rorina or Tirriturir.i n-hatsoeirr, from the ob- liffation of taking frotn the C.overnor the licen in question, to carry or convey Goodsur Mer- chatuiize, or to return with the prmlmr in furs. Tliis law also dispenses with the nec«-ssity of a license for the sale of strong liquors to the Indiiuis, except at u fixed r< sideiice in a settled part of tlie Province, &c., where it is necessary to take out a license for a house of public .•ntertaiiimeiit, according to the provisions of the Act of the British Parliament of the >ear 1774, which establishes a fund towards dtfruyimj Uw chan/cs of the administration hich was the motive for deiiartiiiK in this instance, from the ordinary rules wliich prescribe leaving commerce to ' take ♦ We bball prt-nently «t'o»k of tliio ordiirance more partu iilarly, and cspoiially of thin provinioii, and of tJic rnanner ill « hi.ti it ha- fw-eii int.Tpreted ill till- I'rovincc up to this moment. t Vr Stuart it* we may «re tiy this part of his ansMcn., mauitaiiis that th* ordiiianrr of I < (7 w.is ropralcd ♦ntirdv, and without rr^er^■itiol., hy l.u.Kordiuaiue of I7!il. We ptom.ds hi- mrans of d.lciue upon hiN own intHniritation of the law. It "hould t- remarked, upou this Mihjeit, that itup|K»uiK thii* opinion ot .Mr. Mnatt « to b.. Hell founde.l, it would offer nothing in j.n.til;.atioii of his steps, and ol hi.s ...i.dii.t under the niruiiiMai,. c»« Airain, thii. opinion is neither in eonformity with the sense nor the terms ol the orduianre ot 1 ,1*1 ner with the maimer in whieh it has al« ayn been interpreted in the Province. It m contrary to the junsprudonu' con-iaiillv received, H» well as to the decihiona of the (Jourts of Justice. , , , I These Ordiuauttk, and the Act, are louud iu the Appeudix to Mr. Stuirt s Letter, from pa^e l« to p. VV Kum, and of the Snuvnfff.f, ilt-M liijucHiHjhilfx saiu nne licrnrv Hptrialc, par r.rrit, dii fionvcriiciir on rominati- im I'Ordonnance Apres la passation de cette Ordoniiiinee, il eoinnieiK^a ri so former des etahl surtout dans la j»artie de I'ouest de la I'roviiae, qui tonne maintenant celle du H Aussi cette Ordoiinanec f'ut-elle niodifii'e el ahrofjce pour une purtie du Pays qu I'ouest, par nne Ordoniumee siihsequente de I'annee I7})1. | Cette Ordonnance dispense eeux cpii font le commerce avec Irs Sauvaj^es ou autre* ha- itiins des Pays, Districts, Cointes ou Territoires qiudeonques de I'ouest dc la Province {Wes- "rn Counties, Distrirfsor Cuun/irs of this I'rouna: or Territories whatsoever,) de robligation o«r vendrc des boissons Jbrtes mix Sauvafjes, excepti' e tiiire dans I'endroit, enfin la senle source de j)rofits, la seule compensation (pi'ils puissent espt'rer en retour de la somme qu'ils payent annuellement comine prix dn bail en question. Ton ceux (lui coiniaissent les Sauvafrcs savent quelle est la force irresistible de leur pen- chant |)our les boissons fortes. Ces faibles eidans de lu nature, jouissant de toutes leurs pas- sions, se livrent ii ce gout deprave avee fureur. lis se dipouillent de tout pour le satisfai. '. Aussi des le moment on il y a rivalite dans ce commerce, ces boissons deviennent le principal objet d'eehange, an moyeii (lucpiel eeux qui tiatiquent avec enx, tirent de leurs mains les Pel- leteries (pi'ils livreiit alors a vil prix. C'est alors en outre qn'on voit ces mallieiireux Sauvages s'alandonneranx orgies U> jiliis ilegontantes, assez communeinent aecompagnies de qnerelles, y frncdon> iw the means oj' i-xtcriHinK it and ul'nmkini; i( floiirlMli. I sliall fontont iiiysi-lt ikiw hy remarking', that if tlio Ciovi-rnnuMit hud no nicunn of t-n- hunrin^j; the valno of llu- o.xcUisive privili')j<> of coninu-rt-p whiiii it granted to thon- wlio took tho li'iwo of the KIo^'h I'oMts, and who paid the priee of it, this ait lioi-aini' on its part in fact a "tpi'oii's of fraud, l>y rn-ans of whiih it (iiusi-eainl>le, as tiie terms ot the tliird ehiuse, and parlieuhiriy lho^eof tin |irovi-o or clause which foMows, explain if ; tinally, the inferences to he drawn fmni the lifth elanse. and other parts of tin' Act, are kxi'I.anatouv. The |)r()visi.% ii'/tiifsiicn r, to hr found in tin- third I'lause. following the word insltrn, and lieiii;; connected witii it, this pro- vision of the onliiiance had al\va\s lieeii understood to have refereiu'e to the inslnii e(uuilries, to the exclusion of the eastern palt. 'I'iie woi'd - iri stun" ]irecedin!;- all the others, shews evidently that the intention of the lejjishunre could he no otluT than that of repealini; thesi |ir.i\isi(uis with rei,'ard to the Western Countries oul\ : If it liad lieeii intended to repi'al these provi-ious with rei^arcl to the whole Pro* iuee. it w(udd ha\e contented itself with repealing llu' prohiliiiicui alixoluielv, auii\*itl;ouf particidari/iii;^ any I'lace; and this was the interpretation which hiid liecii ;,'i\eu it l>y the courts. It will lie, however, seen, that one means of defence appealed to hy Mr. Stuart, aiiil upon wliich he insists as (let isive, is, that this provision of the ordinance of I 777, which iiii- no.ses till" fn'ces<.ity of lakin<; out a liceiu-e for the purpose of heini; enahled to sell strono- lujuors to the Inilians, was ahsolutcK repealeil without any rtser\ation, atui as rey;arded the whole extent of l.owiT CiUKida oeneralK. Iiy the siili»e(iiient ordinance of which I lately spoke. S\iy- posinij this n|iiuio!i to he well foumlrd it conM nut iuNlify Mr. Stuart's steps; and this it will ill' ea>\ 111 ^liew iii the (li»cus«ion of tlies,' iiM>.ners. Put I hiive already rein;irkc\ isions of the ordinaiKv, upon which il was :.fidniidi'd, had lieen entiiely repealed, and nevertiieless conlliuied liy th.il court. I should now n i!iark, that the l/iii/soii's ll'ii/ ('(ini/iinii/ h.id themsel\c> taken a lease ot a Seiirniory. Iionnded in front hy the Itiver .St. Lawrence, at the rear in depth, ;ind on tl. ■ two sides hy the territorv of the Kituj'x I'osfs, in the district of which it is situated. The servants of tiiis ("oiupaii}-, Mr. Stuart's clients, hein^ |ilaced there for the |iur]ii)M' of tralliekiii'^ wiih the Indians, to whom they liiil in f,u-f sold and distilhnted strong- licpior^, and from vUioni they had ditained furs, to whicii Mr. l.ainpson l.iid an I'xclii^ivi' claim hy vii- t!ie of his lease ; diilicnlfio and prosecutio!- ui're the reeijiroial results, as will in the eiinii- nal as in the civil courts. With reupird to the forme'-, Latnpson's complaints weri' to untied on Mr. ."*Jluart's partial- ity in favour of the servaiits of the llndson's li.iv C"onip;niy, defeiulants, and a^ainst tlir pirsons emph>»ed hv L'nnpsnn, who wi re the ohjects of accu •alioii. \\ ith :i'L(ard to the latter, Mr. I,;iiii|iMin i-omplains of Mr. .Sinait, who, as .\ttorin'y-{ "iiiieial, hrou^ht or delended ac- tions against him, and supported pretences whicii were not c.dculateil to do less than annilii- late the exelusive conunercf with tin- Indians, stipnia'ed tor in his I'avinir hy his lease, ai:i! cvidcntlv coritrar\' to the interests of the crow n, w liich he should have supporli'd and defeiidiil in his capaeifv of Attorne) -Cieiuial. Indepemh'iitly of the evitlciu'e produceil hefore the coiii- nvittce, it will he seen that, aecordiny; to Mr. .Stu;irt's own account excn, his coiuluct, oa thi'se dilFerent oecusions, was onlv t.io open to ci iisnre. tli.it it was, hesides, extremely inju- rious to the y-overnuu-nt of the eountrv. c.ilcnlated to tarnish tlu' administration, ami pariicularl* tliat of justice, and to cause the people to lose all confidence in the t)lUeers of the Crow [_ Min isti ri' puMtc] II. the mcani of luf-me, ft ae hc repo^r Mir I'om.ilation que la libertC- prodult, comme moyen de IVHendre et dc l»' mir(' prospt-rer »'t rtcunr. ^ J.' inc c..nt..|it.Tai uminfcnmif .Ic f.iirc rctruirqucr, quo h! Io Ci.M."ernL.in(.nt i.'avoit uucun .n»y..n .1,. fmre valoir Io pr.v.l.;,ro ..xduHiF.I. crmuruTc-o qu'il accor.luit .1 c..,.x qui prcimifi.t le Jlail (los I (.Ht.-K .III K„i, .-t qui hii ,.|i payaicnt !<> prix, oot aetc do wi part di-voimit de fait une c'spi-co (le fra.i.le, an moyen de la(|uelle il taisait eiitrer .iiinuellenient dans les coffrcs pubiicH une soinme pour hujuelle l.-s loeataiieN irauraient revn aueiine .»r„s wimlsmvrr se froi.vanl dans la froisieme clause n la suit.. ,. trmive situ. e. _ Les servit..iiis de e. rte C'..mpay:iiie .I'associes, eiieiUs de >L Stuart, s'v etaiit places pour trahquer usee les Saiiva-<.s. aiix.pi.ls ils aiiiaieiit en . iVet veiidii et distribue'.les li.piems fortes, '•! dont lis auiau.iil oliti.iiu les i lleteiies, auxipull. s .M. Laiiipsoii pnteiidail iiii droit exclusif ■ H veriu ,|e son bail, il en est rcsulte des ditKcult s et des poursuites r.ciproques, taut dans les ( oiiis ('riiniiiellesqiie dans li.s Coins ( i\il,.s. Helaliveiiieiil anx premieres, les plaiiiles de Lainpson out pour motif, la partialite .le M. Miiarl ..n faveur des >er\it..urs .1.. la ( miipa^nie de la liaie d'llii.lsoii. aeeus s, et coiitre les employes .le Lainpson .pii se Irouvai. lit . ii hutte a des aeeu>atio!is. (pliant aux seeoiides, M. Lainpson se plaint .le M. Stuart, .pii. c.uiime I'n.cureui-deiuTal, portait .les actions ou eil tlel..|iijail e.uitre liii, it appii\ait des prit.i.fH.ns qui iraliaieiit pasmoiiis .pi'a aiieantir le com- ni..ree exeliisit avec les Saiivasfes, stipule en sa faveur par son bail, el evideiiinu.nt contraire aux iiittretsde la C'our..nne, tpi'il anrait du souteiiir et d<:.feiidri. en s;, ipialil'. de Procureur- (ieiu-ral. Inde|)endainiiieiit d.'s jneuves pvoduites devaiit le foniite, on vena (pie, d'aprcs iexposeinenie.lt. .M. Stuart, sa .....Inite laiis ees diffeientes oceasi.uis. n'etail que trop digiie lie censure, .jn'elle .'fait ..ii outre extreniemeiit iiijurieiise an Louvenicnietit du Pays, propre a Hetrir I'administration, et surtout cellede la justice, et a faire perdre au pciiple toutc coiitiaiioe 4uui» le iniiiisaro jiublic. f! 8 We have just wen that the Hudson's Bay Company were, as lessees, in possession of the Seigniory of Millc J'arhfs. Mr. Stuart asserts positive y, that they had an unc.oubted rijfhttothat of Fortneuf, a phiee where they earrie^ on, with the Imhans, a commerce in fuVs, which Mr. Lampson rejrarded, not without reason, as prejudicm to Ije P";'!''^^'^ « "; ferT;d upon him by his lease. It was particuhirly this commerce, and the d.flRcu Itic. to wh eh it gave rise, which were the cause of the criminal prosecutions brought reciprocally against the semmts of the Hudson's Hav Company, and those persons whom Lampson empl"F' ' ''"rt, lastly, which originated tlu. civil proceedings instituted against I.ampson by M-;-; t"'"^ ' the name of the Company, or in their interests; and '''''" "",f?'""^f»/'>"^«'"^ ;;,'.':> Umpson himself against the Company, or their servants, and whose defence wa.s underUken bv ^I^ Stuart. These are the criminal prosecutions now in question. _ , . •, i • l Mr Stuart hius entered, with reference to the nature of the accusations, into details which seem to me absolutely foreign to the question. Besides, they were never tried One of the accused onlv was c.mdemne.l. upon his own confession, instead of undergoing a trial, ^o conclusion am he come to, then, in fav.mr or against one ..r other of these parties. l$ut it is necesefore the opniiny of these courts, he prepares the necessary indictments, which are m readiness to Ih preferred as soon as the court assi whies. , . , ,, ., Such are the' functions again placed by Mr. Stuart in a clear light, with which the At- tornev-tienend of Lower Canada is clothed; and -therefore, he says, // became uicumheu upon'mr, as a matt, r of cr.urse, to prepare and lay before the Grand Jury such indictments m were warranted h„ the de,H>sitions which had Inen delivered to me, as well ayainst the sec vantsof Mr. Lainpsim. as aijainst those of the llwlsim's Hay Company. Mr. Stuart assures us," as we have Just seen, that ^^ he discharyed this duty with perjeet impartiality between the parties cimcerned."\ _ r.i /. , f k':.,,/ Let us now remark, that he i.resente.l as well to the grand juries of the Court of King. Bench of Three Uivers, as to those of tin- Court of (Quebec, in Septeinber, |K (', various bills against Liini.son's serviuits, for crimes and otVenc.-s, pro. uce.l by the .lilheulties abov.- spoken of, arising out of the subieet of this cmiinerce. \ lileneuve, of whom 1 have al- rea.ly spoken, found s-uilty up.Mi his own confession, an.l whos.- nam.- was fouiul amongst the bills present.-.l in the Couri of Three Uivers, and found by the drand Jury, was the only per- sou who was present. . , , , c > At Quebec three of the bills which he presented against Lampson s servants were louud hv the (Irand .Fury. According to Mr. Stuart two other bills were iV/m>m/. ■ Another bill' of indictment for theft, uls.. against Umipson a serviuits, was ignored, he says, by the Grand .Jury. ... i .1 • There is a great want of technicality in this language, and it is even, under the c r- cumstances, very inexact; the more so, that it is evident that it was thrown out ; m fact, he ,id.ls immediately, that the (irand Jury re./uested him to lay bifore them a bill on he same facts, for a misdemeanor, which he therefore did, and the bill was lound by the Grand Jury ! • Mr. Stuart'* Letter. f Mr. Stu»rt'» Letter. 9 iits wore found On vicnt Ao voir qwo Ics associes de la Baie d'Hudson ctaicrit a titre de locataires en possession dc la Seii^neurie de Millc-Vaches. M. Stuart assure poaitivcmeiit qu'ils avaient de« droits iudubi tables a cello de Portiieuf, lieu ou ils faisaieut avec les Sauvajres uii commerce de Pclleteries que M. Lainpson rejifardait, iiou sans raison, comme prejudiciant aux privilvires que son bail coniporUut en sa favour. Cost surtout cc oommercc et les ditiicuUeos qu'i a fai» (?clore, qui ont donno lieu aux poursuitos criniinellos rociproqucment portees coiitre les servi teurs do la Coinpafrnie do la Baie d'Hudson et les employes de Lampson, et eiifin aux actioni civiles intenteescontre Lampson par M. Stuart, au nom de la Compagnio ou dans ses inter^to, ct a cellos que I.am])son a portoes lui-mome contre elle ou ses serviteurs, dont M. Stuart a era- brasse la defense. Cost des poursuitos criminelles dont il est aetuollement question. M. Stuart est cntre, relativemcnt a la nature de ces accusations, dans des details qui nus paraissoiit al)soluniont etrano on Canada, misos de nouveau dans un jour olair jiar M. Stuart, ot on consecpience " il so trouvait, dit-il, dans la nocessite de " ]ireparor pour los inottro sous los youx des (irauds Jur.s los accusations qui se trouvaiont " appuyces paries dis/xisitions sure he returns to it in another ])lace. I shall also reservt; myself, with the intention of taking this subject up again, and of discussing, in the order fol- lowed by him. tiie strange arginnents used on his jiart, in answer to this porticui of the report of tile Committee. It will be seen that he adds to, instead of diminishing the weight of, the charges. iMir the present I shall content myself with making some general oliservations, wliiih shcnild naturally here find a place. It has been already seen how far the functions of the .\ttorney General are of an ex- clusive character, as regards the institution and support ol' criminal proceedings in the Pro- vince. Neither is any question raisee found in tbia paragraph aud the fu'loivin^, t« coniirmed l>y the fact*, aa stated by .Mr. .Stuart, iu bLi Letter. n II est assez extraordinaire que M. Stuart ait eu besoin de cette lecon des Grands Jur^s pour connaitre la nature de la poursujte qu'il devait intenter, centre un des serviteurs de Lamp- son, relativement a des effets dont la proprietc otait egalemeut et rcciproquement r^clamee p^ la Compagnie de la Baie d'Hudson et Lampson. M. Stuart ne pouvait^il pas voir de lui- meme, comme la chose paralt cvideiitc, d'apres la suite de memoire, qiland ce n'eut pas ete fait constant, qu'il 6tait question d'eflFets auxqucls les parties se croyaient des droits T an son, en vertu de son bad et de son privilege, les serviteurs de la dompagnie, pour" les avo^r acquis des Sauvages qui liabitent Ic tenein des Postes du Roi. II ne pouvait fctre des lors question que d'une vote defait, ceux qui s'en etaient emparcs ne pouvaient assurement etre censes avoir eu I'mtention de conimettre un vol, et par la meme de prendre furtivement et de s'approprier ces effets, sachant qu'ils appartcnaient a ceux li qui ils les derobaient. * On verra ultdrieurement que ces effets on des objets de mi-me nature, des Pelleteries en- fin, objet de ce commerce, sont devenus des siijets de reclamations formees aux moyens d'actions portees dans les Cours Civiles dans lesquels M. Stuart, en m^me temps Procureur-General. nagissait pas nioius, et employait son ministerc en faveur des associes de la Baie d'Hudson » Ltcependant, illui fallait 1 instruction des Grands Jures qui avaient rejete I'accusation de vol qu il leur avait soumise, pour rectiher ses idees a ce sujet. On pent deraander si c'etait bien la une contluite marquee au com d une paifaite impartiafite ? Voyons maintenaht comment a la m^me dpoque il se conduisait, relativement aux accusa. tions a porter eta suivre dans I'interit du locataire du Roi. « Ilsoumit," dit-il, « aux Grands " ^^"^^; comme c'etait son devoir, des accusations aussi bien contre les serviteurs de la Com- " pagnie dela Baie d Hudson que contre ceux de Lampson, sur les charges portees dans les " d<'-positions qui lui avaient etc mises entre les mains." On a vu que celles qui etaient per- tees contre les serviteurs du Lampson avaient etc rapportees comme fondees par les Grands Jures. On voit que do son propre aveu il avait entre ses mains des depositions contre les uns aussi bleu que contre les autres. Cepondant, celles qu'il avait portees a I'instance des servil teurs de Lampson furent toutcs ii/mras. La singularite de ce fait, aprcs ce qu'il a rapporte au sujet des accusations portees dans rinteret de la Compagnie, exigait sans doute quelques expli- cations. II n y a pas un mot dans cette partie de sa reponse propre a rendre raison de la diffe- rence du sort des accusations portees a I'instance des employes de Lampson toutes ignorees, et celles qu il intentait a I'lnsUmcc de la Compagnie, a accueiUies et rapiwrtees par les Grands .lures. ' Qnand la chose ne serait pas prouvee, il serait evident que ce n'ettiit pas faute de deposi- tions, a 1 appui de ces accusations, qui lui avaient etc mises entre les 7nains, mais faute de temoins pour lus soutenir devant les Grands Jures, dans I'interet de Lampson, tandis que ceux qui pou- vaient souteiur par leur temoignage celles qui etaient dans un interet contraire, s'etaient trouvi.'S a point nomme sur les lieux. C'etait sans doute pour M. Stuart le moment de donner a ce sujet des explications propres a dissiper le nuage que cette laeuue dans ses procedcs jetait sur sji conduite comme } rocureur-Geiicral, charge d' intenter et de soutenir les pour suites Criminelles dans la Province ct qui dans le rapport du Coinite de 1' Assemblee figure d'une maniere si frappante M Stuart a juge a i)ropos do garder le silence a cet egard, dans cette partie de sa lettre. II est vrai qu'il y revieut aiUeurs. .fe me reserve aussi de reprcndre ce sujet, et de discuter dans I'ordre qu'il a suivi les 6tninges moyens qu'il oppose a cette partie du rapport du Comite. On verra qu'ils renforcent les accusations au lieu d'en diminuer Ic poids. Je me contenterai pour le present de quelques observations geiierales qui doivent naturellement trouver place ici. Ona dcjavuccque les fonctions de Procureur-General out d'exclusif, quand il est ques- tion d'mtentcr et de soutenir des poursuites Criminelles dans la Province. II n'est pas noii plus question dans cette partie de sa lettre, de la necessite d'une partie civile (private prosecutor) pour lui servir a lui-mi^me d'au.riliair, , ^wmM d ses fonctions relativement «(u- Com/* et aux Urands Jures. C est a lui, leur auri/iaircdc lesremplir. , On • To qui 8o trouve dans ce parajraplic et le suivant, est constat6 par les faits rapportes par M, Stuart lui- 12 Hence it may be conceived, that his duty could not be limited to coatinf? a glunoe over tlie written depositions irhirh were placed in his Acuuin, and whicli niiffht prove the offence brrniffht to tlie clmrge of the accused piirties. It wits his duty to learn whether tlie witnesses, whose depositions he had in his possession, and whose names he indorsed on the back of the indictment, could be produced before the Grand Jury, who ciumot proceed without this testi- tnony, and who, in case these witnesses are not produced before them, are bound to tffiwre the Chargp. ^riu'se terms slionld be here understood in an exact and technical sense. Mr. Stuart, like his predecessors in t)ftice, had a bailiff, or subaltern officer, paid by tli« Pro\'ince, chanred, un the indictnient.s presented at their insUuiee, without having wiUieswes to sup- port them l)efuypr ses droits aux stipulations dn bail (pi'il tenait d'clle. Cependantil ne songe jnis me- me li (icarter raccusation fondee sur ses omissions, dans les accusations portces a I'instance de« nerviteurs de Lampsmi, ct ne s'occupe que de I'inqxirtanec de celles ((ui ctaient portces a I'in- (ititnce des serviteurs de la Conqiagnie, de leur necessite, de la conduite criminclle des eni- ployt'g de l^nnpson (ju'il condaimic uussi sans incuagement, couimc digue de la vengeance des loin 14 coiKTuct of Lampson's servants, wliicli he also condemns witliout resen-e, as wortJiy tlio vengeance of the laws. Such is the system of Mr. Stuart's defence ; and it will be seen that lie constantly adopts it throughout the whole of his letter. We have just seen with what rapidity Mr. Stuart hius glided over that which lias reference to tlie charges brought in Lainpson's interest, instead of giving, as he should have felt the ne- ressify of doing, some explanation with reference to the fate which they had met with. He also suddenly passes to the consideration of a petition, presented in the name of the Hudson's Dav Company, by its agent, Mr, James M'Kenzie, for the purpose of obtaining from I,ord Avl- mer, the administrator of the gorcrnmrnt of the Province, the licence requiredby the Ordinance of 1777, the provisions of which I have pointed out, for seUing strong liquors to the Indians at Portnciif, and in the Seit/nion/ of Milfe J'arhcs, situated as wo luive seen, within the li- mits of the King's Posts, of which Lampson had the lease. It is only after liaviug entered into long details upon this subject, and at the conclusion of a dissertation, having for its object to shew that this licence was inuiecessary ; that the Ordiiumce which required it, in order to hold with the Indians, was r«'j)ealed ; that he renders an imi)erfect account of the prose- itituted against the Conijiany's servants, a question of which he should have sj.oken at she commerce cutions instit first, because it was in consequence of these measures' which Lampson had adopted for the pur- pose of imnishing them, for having viohited the provisions of this Ordinance, tliat the Com- pany had, />!/ itji agent, according to Mr. Stuart, tiiken this step by applying to the local government. The true mode of placing this discussion in a clear light, would have been to present the facts in the order of their date, and as they are found connected, to avoid details calculated to divert liie attention from the real (juestion, neither omittitig any facts which might possess some real importance. This Mr. Stuart has not done. He had, no doubt, his rciisons, I shall at least endeavour, in discussing those facts, to be found in this portion of his answers, to present, as far as 1 am able, the events as they successively occurred, and to class them in such u man- ner, as that they shall ap|)ear in a clear light. I shall also point out those which Mr. Stuart has thought proper to pass over in silence, and iqion which he has not tliought it worth while to dwell, but wliich appear to me worthy of peculiar attention. Before coming to the subject of this petition I should remark, that the reason is now evi- dent for which I have been induced from the eoinmeneement, to shew the provisions of this Ordinance of 1777, as well as the effect which they might possess, with reference to the lease of the King's Posts. In fact, if traders, other than the King's lessees, could trade with the Indians who inhabit the territory of the King's Posts, the lease, aiul all the stipulations whieli it contains, would become a dead letter, a mere net to ensnare those who iiould take it of the Government. Tlie servants of the Company estjihlished at Portncnf, in the Seigniory of Mille Vaches, had obtained from these Itulians est4d)lished within the King's Posts, great quantities of furs ; it was particularly by selling them, or by distributing to them strong liquors, that they had been enabled to procure these furs. They had no licence for this purpose. The governors could not rea-sonably grant any, to the prejudice of the Kinif's lessees. Actions of 71/1 ^«w were in conse(pu'nce brought in Mr. I^impson's interest, by one of his servants, against servants of the Conqiany. Houeher, Cowie, and Davis, were, by sunnnonses of the '21st of October, 18;)(), each at Linton's instiuice, retpiired to appear, on the l>7tli of Nevember following, before the ma- gistrates of Quebec. They were prosecuted for having violated the provisions of the Ordi- nance of 1777, by selling stnmg liquors to the Indians, without a licence. Between the period of the date of thes • summonses, and the judgment which ftllowid Mf»«, of which we shall in their place give some account, the Conqiany, whose advocate Mr. Stuart was, jires. iited to Lord Ayimer, the administrator of the Clovernment, through Ihtir agent, the petition to which we have just alluded. This step is imjiortant with refer- ence to the subject of this discussion ; and it is on this account necessjiry to shew what the na- ture and the object of this step wjis. The Company's jigent, who signed the petition, alledges, that the Company are lessees of the Seigniory of Mille Vaches, with, he says, the excltisiie right of trading w'ith the Indians within its limits, and of carrying on their trade with the Indians at the Post of Portneuf, situated in tlie Seigniory. I need not observe that this allegation, as to an exclusive right (^ trading, specified by the a^ent of the Compaiij', which has not provoked a single remark on tlie part of Mr. Attorney General, merits, at this moment, peculiar attention. 'Ihc J» lois. Tel est le systeine do defense de M. Stuart, dans tout le cours de sa lettre. Et on verra qu'il le suit constamnicnt On vient de voir avec quelle rapidite M. Stuart a g\iss6 sur ce qui a rapport aux accusa- tions porteos dans I iiitcrot de Laiii])son, au lieu de donner, commeil uurait dft sentir la ndces- site de le fuire, quelque explication relativement au sort qu'eiles avaicnt eprouve II passe aiissi tout d'lin coup a la consideration d'une Requete presentee au nom de la Compasnio de la IJaie d Hudson i)ar son Agent, M. James M'Kenzie, u I'effet d'obtenir de Lord Aylmcr Ad- ininistrateur du (louvernement de la Province, la licence requise par I'Ordonnance de 1777 (lout j'ai rapporte les dispositions, pour veiidre des liqueurs fortes aux Sauvages a Portneuf et dans la Seigiieurie de Mille-Vaches, situe coinme on i'a vu dans I'etendue des Postes du Roi (iont Lainpsoii avait le l.ail. Ce n'est (ju'apres Mre entre dans de longs detjiils a cc sujet, et I la suite d une dissertation pour faire voir que cette licence n'etait pas necessaire, que I'Ordon- nance qui 1 exigeait pour comniercer avec les Sauvages etait abrogee, qu'il en vient a rendre un exemple inexacte des poursuites portees contre les serviteurs dela Compagnie dont il aurait du parler dabord, parce que c'esten consequence de ces mesures que Lampson avait adoptees pour les taire punir d avoir contrevenu aux dispositions de cette Ordonnance, que la Compagnie avait lait par son arjenl, coinine le dit M. Stuart, cette demarche aupres du Gouvernement local les detourner aient ses de sa rd- successive- ceux que arreter, et qui ine paraissent digues d'une attention particulicrc Avant d on venir a cette reqiu'te, je dois dire qu'on pent voir maintenant la raison qui m'a iignge a faire coiinaitre des le di'but, la disposition de cette Ordonnance de 1777, et I'effet u elles pouvaient avoir relativement a la location des Postos du Roi. En effet, si des commer- Viins, aiitres que les locataires du Roi pouvaient comniercer avec les Siiuvages qui habitent I'eten- (iucdu terrein des Postes du Roi, le hail et toutes les slii)ulationsqu'ilcontient deviendraient unc lettre-morte, un veritable piege teiidu a ceux qui le prendndent du Gouvernement. _ Les serviteurs de la Compagnie etablis u Portneuf, dans la Seigneurie de Mille-Vaches, ayaient tire de ces Sauvages etablis dans les Postes du Roi, de grandes quantites de Pelleteries. (. etait surtoiit en leur vendant, ou en leur distribiiant des liqueurs fortes qu'ils avaient pu se les procurer. lis u'avaient point de licence a cet effet. Les Gouverneurs n'en pouvaient raisonna- i)lement aceordi r au pnjudice des locataires du Roi. Des actions de (/ui tarn furent aussi portees dans rintOri't de M. Lampson, par un des em- jiloyes contre des serviteurs de la Conipairnie. Boucher, Cowieet Davis furent jtaronlredii-Jl Octobre LS'IO, cliacun a la demande de Linton, sommes il compaiaitre le '11 Novenibre suivant, devant lies .luges a Paix dn Quebec. II- etaient poiirsuivis pour avoir contrevenu aux dispositions de I'Ordonnance de 1777, en ven- (liint aux Sauvages des i)oissons fortes, sans licence. Lnt'-e IVpHjue de la date de ces sominations et le jugement qui intervint, dont on rendra conipte en son lieu, la Compagnie dont M. Stuart etait rAvocat, presenta par h^ canal de son .hjent a Lord Aylmer, Adiuinistrateur du Gouvernenient, la Recpiete dont il vient d etre ques- tion, e ette demarche est iinportante relativement a I'objet de cette discussion, et il est neces- saire par cette laisoii de faire C(.nnaitre (pudle etait la nature et le but de cette denuindc. ■ A If ?/"i'''^" '" ^"""'P"ff"'''' '^ignataire de ;a Reipiete, allegue qu'cllc a le bail de la ttigtieu- ne de M,ll<-t arhis nvvv, dit-il, le droit ixvhisif de cvmmerce aire les Suuvarjes, et de faire K commerce au Poste de Portnouf, situe dans la Seigneurie, avec eux. Je n'ai i)as besoin de faire observer que cet allegue / Portneuj, and the Seigniory of Mille I'arhcs, /or his own private purposes, has, by the means of one Ceorije I Anton, laid information ai/ainst Robert Cowie, William Davis, and Elie lioucher, three of the agents and servants if the Company, for selling and distributing liiptors to the In- dians, founded njnm the Ordinance of Mil, made to prevent selling such liipiors to lite Indians, V'ithout licence, Ac, The agent of the Company afterwards reasons like Mr. Stuart in page viii. of his present answer ; and this coineidenoe between Mr. Stuart's reasoning, and tlie opinions wiiicii he hiu coinnuniieated to the Kxeeutive (lovemnient, upon tlie sidijeet of tiiis petition, and whicli lie has supported since in tiie Courts at (juehee, is somewhat striking, rinally, according to the Company's agent, '* /Ar said Ordinance was never infendid to apply to trading companies having a right to traffic with the Indians ; and although it is apparent that these prueeedings are vexatious, and carriid on for the purpose if privati gain, without any vii w to the interest* of the puldic, yet your pelilioni rs, for gri liter sieurily in preventing the vnalious and o/ipris- sive application of the said Ordinance for the past, and guarding against the same misapplica- tion of it to their future dealings and intercourse with the Indians, are desirous of obtaining for themselves and thi ir aforesaid agi nts and servants, a pardon for any acts if this nature done in past time, and full authority to them for the future to distribute lii/uors to the Indians, li'ithout which they could not ciirri, on their lawful trade." M'iierefore, they humbly '■'■pray for themselves, their agents, and sirvants, and particularly for the said Cowie, Davis, and Boucher, his Map sty's frei pardon, for all off'cncis of like nature for the past, always e.e- cepting any right that may be found to have accrued to the said George Linton, in the penal- ties sued for ; and conclude by asliing for a licince to distribute spirituous lii/uors to the In- dians within the Seigniory if Mille J'aches, and at all other jiosts and places occupied by the said Company, for the j>ur/Hise of trade within the Province." M'ere not tlie subject under discus^ii.ii of so grave a ciiaracter, one might be induced to dwell upon the singularity of the re|iriiacb ugaiiisi Mi. I.anipson, for having liad recourse to these ])rosecutions, with a view to private gain ; instead of iicing actuatel by a pure sentiment of public good, unalloyed by personal motives. 'I'his was, most assuredly, to make the part- ners of the Company perform a siii|;ular character, who cannot certainly pretend themselves to have had the goour]iose of obtainiiii; from them furs, which they thus purchase at a miserably low price, or rattier almost without giving them any thing which can, in the sli^htest ilcgree, bear any jiroportion lotiieir value. There are considerations tiir more important, upon which it is necessjiry to ilwcil beloic foniing to tlie steps of Mr. Stuart which follow, and to the other events, of which it will ho necessary to present a sketch. In the first place we may ask ourselves, how the lessees of this Seigniory, amongst the prop.it'tors of which were two persons, who, like Mr. Stuart, were members of tin? Kxeeu- tive Council of the I'rovirice, could |irett'iid to exercise a right of granting an crclnsive pri- vilege of trading, a right which won' ! In- questioned to the Sovereign himself, if the l;ms peculiar to the country the Indians, ii Ilia present wliicli he liiu niid wliicli lio ortliii^ to the //// companim le pracii'dint/.t 'o the inlcresli >• and o/i/>r( s- v. mi,iajip/ica- I of obtuininij is nature done the Indians, iinbly '■^ pray , l)((ris, and t, always t.r- in the penal- om to the In- s oeetipied by le iiuluced to ; liiiost witliuiit to tlu'ir value. ilwi'll bi'Idif li'h it \\ill he . amongst ilic it' tho Kxocu- ejelnsia: pn- i', if llie law* II. till- M-lliiisi- is k'iuie uuilcr •y qut'stioiiiil |)i>rhii|is Niill ■r of tlu' (i(i- jcc't, and l\iM enlion on iiis wore, as sui'li, or, in fact, to riod, to sciiiii- If htcps whicli followed .. .no!; ^f ' 'f^f^r^ '\ '" "'"l"^'?' ^"" *"."« '^'ll''; q"*^ " c^mme Compagnle de com- ncrcc,c.tpart.cui.cromontcngaKce .ians celu. ties Pelleteries, les Suuvages ont eu d'elle des « nrau7lois"' '"" «"'"1"^''*'^« "g*""" Llle .I'a jamais cru ou'elle^.t en cela confreve- M. Liunpson, locHtnire do* Postcs n,v,cepen.Iant pour plus de surete-, et pour provenir I'effet d'une iUernreMion y.ussc et oppressive des dispositions dc I'Ordonnan'ce pJur le passe, et s^me ^r^^f rX contrele menu, danjrer pour lavenu-,par rapport a ses affaires et a son commerce av?c les .SauN-ajres el o desire d ohtemr une hrcnee pour distrilmer des hoissons fortes aux Sauvanes, ' sans quoi la ( ompa-.ne ne ponrrait taire son eonnneree icfral." II demande en conseouence ' j.our ses serviteurs et en particuher pour Cowie, Davis et Houcher le pardon de toutes offenses de cettr nature, cxce])te quant a ee qui ponrrait revenir ii Linton pour sa part de I'amende ;' '[} .'^^"'"■'".' I""" 'j!''"'"'f '^ ""•""' I'"""- 'l>>^tribu,r des li,pmtrs fortes aux Sauvages dans tu Seiyueune de Mdle-J arhvs, et dans les autres Posies on places otl elk (la Comuao'iue) fail " le Commerce dans la Province." r a i j Si le sujotdont il est question n'etait i)as si jrrave, on pourra't s'arr^ter a quelquos remar- •p.cs snr lasm.i^nlante di. reproche tait a .M. Lamps.,,,, pour avoir eu reconrs a ces poursnites da,,s des v,,es de Kam, ,,u be,, .1 etre mu par ,i„ senti,ne„t pur damour du bien public, deeajre de tout ,nteret personnel, t 'ctatt snrement ta,re joner u„ role plaisant aux assocks de la Com- pafrnie, qui ne pretendent snrement pas n'avoir eux-niemes ,p,e le bien de l'l,u,nanite e,i vue en reehnnant le droit de vendre et ,le .bstribuer des boissons fortes aux Sauvajres, de leur prol cure,, les jomssancestunestesde I'lvresse auxquelles on sait qu'ils se livrent avec fureur, Lr t.rer ,1 enx les 1 elletenes ipi .,,. en obt.ent par ce n,oye„ ,1 vil prix, ou pintot presque sans leur donner rien qn, puisse le moms ,lu monde en eompenser la valenr. 11 est des considerations bien antrenient .,nportanles, auxquelles il est nfeessaire de s'arreter, avant de venir aux de rtabkiu' '''"""' 'i'" ^"'^•''•^'"t, -taux autres evcnen.ens --^^"'''" ''^"i' , siMit luui u copy of it on tl«o '2*2n(l of Novenil-" « I i m, him at the sanu« time to inform liim, " whtthir he wiis cnijuiwor mI liy tli- isw* in ?««» to grant the liconci- prayed for, and whetiur it was t-xpodient tiiut the 8»id pfhyer rIiuuM be granted '* Mr. Attorncy-GiMUTul, wliosi- opinion jvo iiavo soen it was so diflienlt to obtain, with referiMico to the conimisxions of tho naMnhors of the bar, and of iht- notaries, did not delay that recpiired (d' iiini l)y Lord Aylmor, with reference to the Compan\'s petition. Wo must thinit tiiat lie had had partieidar' motives for deeply considering tins subject, and that his ichas were formed long previously ; since he gave on the sccoiul day after, his answer, in which, ;ifter a short preinnble, he declares without the slightest reserve, that " the o/iinioii (iilirtiiin- ttl III/ the iii/iiit of t/if lliiiliDii's Itaij Com/iaii!/. that Iht provisinm of thf provincial Orili- v/inie of 1777, prohibifiinj Ihv salt- of stroii;/ /iiors to Jmiiiin.i irithoiif /icdio, arc slHl ni forci; is irroiifoiis. I'hrsr /,riiri.iion.i hiivf hi in npinliil iis to all triiihr.i inept tfiosi' at a fi.rcil resii/enci- in a sittliil port of tin Pioriiiii; who tire ritpiirnl to hove n licence for heepinij a hoHne of public rntertitiinnent ; Jinnllfi. tlutl tlieij are therifore imipplictilile to the tlialinijsof the Iluilson'n Bail Ciwipan;/, in their Seitjniory of Milk f 'aches, and neither the portion nor licence appliiil for is uetessiirif." This is not the moment for entering into tlie examination of this oj)inion, nor for dwelling upon reflections as to tlie strange use made of it, as well as upon some other considerations connected with this subject, to which we shall return in tinu' and phice. I shall content myself, for the moment, by obser\n.u, that this opinion of Mr. Attorney lieneral was, as it will be seen, opposed to tliat of Mr. Advocate (iener.il, as it also was to the received jurisprudence of tiie country : tiiudly, that the judgment afterwards pronounced i>y the magistrates against Cowie, Davis, aiui Houcher, w;is siniported by the Judges of the Court of King's Hench. Mr. Stuart has not thought iirojicr to nientie, and wlui pleaded the nidlity of the demand : a nullity, founded acci^rding to him, on the d>solute and eiUiro repeal whicii he pretended to have been elfected, its to tiie provisions of tho Ordinance of 1777, by that of the year 17!)l. It is extraordinary, that for the purpose of adding weight to his arguments of defence upon this subject, Mr. IVimroso exhibited to the ma- gistrates the written oiiininii of Mr. .StuiTt. the Attorney-CJeneral. by which we have just seen he supptuts in etVect the same en that Mr. Attorney-Cieneral, who mosi assuredly shotdd not have interfered in this niatier, in whicli Ills Majesty was a parly, as far as regardeject, io Mr. 8tu«rt'» Appendix, No. Ij (I) auJ Petition, Nu. .5 («). 19 A mi im- ,ortl marches qui fiuivircnt L-i presentation do ccttc Rcqui'te. Elle fut commiiniquee presqu'i t'diiUonieiit 11 M. Stiiiirt t!ii sii (juiilitc ilo Procurfur-<;ciieriil. M. CHi-gj^, Sccrc'taire de Lom AyliiuT, AdiniiiistrBti'iir do la I'rdvinco, liii on adrossa copio lo 'J'2 Novoinhro, ot lo requit en tni-mo tempi do I'infiirmor .«;', «■« rertii f/r.s Loimnfirce ilans la Procinrc, il uoHvait accorder la licence demundee par la Vonipat/Hie, el a'il itait en rfftt convenahle de tuccorder. • tivoinont M. lo l'r(»eureur-(ii'noral, dont on a vii qu'il avait otu si difficile d'ol)tonir Toplnlon rela- >ont aux Oommlssions don Momhros du Jlarroau ot dos Notairos, no fit pas attondre cello quo Lord Aylmor requi'rait do iui roiativoniont a la Ilo(iuito de la Conipaj^tiio. 11 faut croirc qu'il avait ou dos motifs particuliors d'anprofondir ce sujot, ot quo ses Idoes otnlont formoes d'a- vanoo ot do loiijruo main, puisqii'il rondit dos lo surlondemain sa roponso, dans hupielle d la suite d'un court pr6ainl)ulo,'jldo(l.iro sans la moindro rosorvo, quo " I'opinion do I'agont de la " Compa>i;nio, qui considoro los dispositions do rOrdonnanoe do 1777, prohibant la vente des " boissons fortes aux Sauvat,r».s sans licence, comme encore en force, otait lo fruit d'une erreur, " et (/He i-eH din/mtitiuit.i oiU He idiroijt'es, quant t\ tons cenx qui commercent, excepto ceux qui « ont une residence fixe dans un lieu otabli do la Provinoo, lesquels sont obliges de prendre " une licenoe pour tonir uiu> maison d'ontretion publio ; onfin, quo par oetto raison, olles " (^ardent pas lo trafio (pic la Compagnio fait dans la -Soiirneuric de Mille-Vaches, et " itardnn ni hi licence demundee no sont lu'cossairos." s ne ro- quc Ic iter a des re- Ce n'ost pasle niomont d'entror dans IVxamon de cetto opinion, ni do s'arrot flexions sur I'ltrango usage qu'on on a fait, ainsi qu'a (pioUiuos antres considerations qui so rat- tachent a oe sujot, auxipiollos on ro viondra en toini)s et lieu. Jo nio eontonterai pour le moment a VIC suuuim pur ifs .lugts m- iii v our iiu uane (lu uoi. M. Stuart n'u pas juge a propos rapportor cotte doruioro oirconstanco. Quoiqu'il eusoit, cos troisservitours de la Compagnio de la Bale d'lludson furent con- dam nos lo t rente du meme mois, ehacun a nne amende de einq lirres, et a cinfft-quatrc heures de prison. Co ne fut pas faiito d'avoir oto di'fondus. On impute j'l M. le Proonreur-fionoral de s'etre molo do cetto affaire daii^ uu inton't oontrairo a son dovoir, oommo premier Officior de la Cou- ronno, ot en favour des di fondoiirs oontio olio. Co no fut ponrtant pas Iui qui parut pour eux dovaiit los Magistrats. Co fut M. Primrose qui plaida lour cause et qui en alloguant la nullite de la doroaudo fondoo, suivaut Iui, sur I'abrogation absolue et enliore qu'il protondait pronon- coe dos dispositions de rOrdonnaneo do 1777, par cello de I'annoo 1791. Ce qu'il y a d'ex- traordinaire, c'ost quo pour donnor du poiils ii cos moyonsdo defenses sur cot article, M. Prim- rose ixhiba aux Magistrats roi)inion oorito de M. Stuart, Procurour-Gonoral, par laquella on viont de voir (pi'il soul, lait i-ii olfot la monio doctrino, onfin ortait I'aiicantisse- ment detous les droits dcLampson, au privilege qui Iui otait accordo parson bail. ,uy the Ivxecntive CJovernmeiit, in consKjuciice ; and a sutficicntlv strikinjj example of this is found in the evidence producetl liefore the t'ommitteo. It still remains to he known, what |)ecidiar circumstance furnished matter t'ur ex- ception to the usual custoiP. I'li this particular occasion. It can scarcely he imairiued that Mr. Stuart, althouijh the (oinpany's attorney, heiiijf at the same time that of His Majesty, could have aUowed to he known helorehand his opinion, with reference i<>a lease jfranted hy the Crown, the etfeet of which m-cessarily was tlie nidlifv, in fact, of the i xclusive privilefje of commerce stipulated for in favour of the lessee; the only return for the price paid hy him for oht^iininif it. If the Attorney-d'cneral could persuade him- self that this stipulation were actually null, and that the provisions of the Ordinance of 1777, which could aloui jdacc in the liiuds of (lov. rniuent the means of renderinsr this stipidation valuahle. had heen cntirelv repealed. In' must at least have felt that his day was, aliove all, lun to communicate immed'iatciv his ideas to his clients, hut to observe the frreatest prudence in his steps in this respect ; to ctuifer with the governor; to suhiidt the thinir to the Kxccutive Council, in order that they miirht take measures for iirotectiii),' the honour ot the (Government, and for comin^j to arranircuuiits with the lessees of the Crov n, or agree on some compensation to ureveut thi'ir rtnn. • ,. -i i Neither can it he supposed that the two meiidiers of the Kxccutive Council, who pre- tendid that they WiW proprirfurs of (hi Sti;/nii>rif / Mitlf Varhrs could have profited of the means whicli they possessed in their character ol memhcrs of the lv\ecuti\ e Council, to make themselves ac(|uainted with the opinion of Mr. Attorney-Cleneral, and to ctmimuniciite it, under the circumstaucs, to the Company's ajjent. , , . n As for Mr. Stuart, we have seen, in the first part of these ohservations, trititx of his conduct, w.U calculated to furnish proof of his extreme vigilance ; of his constant attention ; of the lm|i|iiness of lii> talent for comvalinir th, s,rr,ls ofhisthimijhts, u|m.ii sulijects suhmitted to him even by the Administrator : aiius manafrement. 1 iiblie interests were in qiiestion in this alfair, in which pcwerfiil motives shouhl have induced hiiii to exjdain liimself. He had not dtme so. Can it be thou^rht that he did not teel the necessity ol conducting himself at least with eipial prudence, by not alhiwinjr his opinum to be known to mere individuals, although they were his clients, particularly when he assures us, with so much gravity, and on so many difTereut oeeasiniis, that in defending 'heir interests, he never com- promised those of the Crown, which he was Ixuuul to defend .■' There is one fact, however, aboul which there is no doubt. This petition was dravMi up as though Mr. M'Kenzie could, by the strength of his genius, form an exact idea of Mi. Atforney-Gencrars way of thinking," on the subject of the provisiiuis of this Ordinance oi 1777. 'He might easily foresee that the contents of this petition would be cmnmunieated to him in his capacity of first officer of the Crown, wh.fse advice the administration was bound to take in matters of law, and which became every day so complicated, as we may see, an-l a> wc shall sec exemplified still more strongly, in the course of these observations: and, lasth. he • See the first part of these observatious. 81 iitli'i- lor ox- cllt. I'dlyliu r«'|>otuluiit M. Stuart, il In charge diiqiiel ilN >oiit portvs, n'n pas jugi jiropos de ilonner »ur ce |)i»int itii ni(»t (IVxplicHtiim pro]ir(! I'l r«'rMlre coinptu do cctte anomaiie, d Sf luvtr de quelquo tlioM- di- plii«* qui nc prist-ntent aucm «« golution sutiKtaisautt de icfto ispiVc de prohli'inc. Lu cliosp est d'autjint plus rfirnarquiildf, ( i< Ton n a pat pour ha- liifudo ;ard, de s'abouclier avee U- {iouvi-rueur, de soumettre la chose an (Jouseil tvfecutif, pour qu'iui put j)reiidre les inoyens de niettro rhonncur du Ciouverncment a I'abri, t- .'ei.x d'eu venir a des arrangement ■ ■>< Wh locataircs de la Couroniie, ou de conveiiir de quelque compensation pour pivveiiir ' ir iinn •. On lie pe 4 luiii plus upposer que les doux C onseillers Executifs, qui se pn'teiidaient pro- piietaires de i .^iuneuri^ de Mille-Vaehes, eussent pu profiter des moyens qu'ils avaient en leiir qualit«Mh M. inhro-Mi C'oiiseil Executif, pour connaitre I'opiuion dc M. le Procireur- Oeiiral, et en Ji.'vi' part a ; agent de la Compa-jnie dans ces circonstanccs. Quant li M. Stuart, on a vu dans la premiere partie de ces observations des traits de sa _, eonduito liieii propres a foiiriiir la pnuve de sa vif^ilanco extreme, de son attention coiistante, (le riiabib'tc de sou talent a eaelier le .stmt >li xii poisii, sur des objets qui lui etaient soumis piir rAdiiiiiiislrateiir, ineme (pii avaient ete le Mijet des deliberations du Conseil Executif de la IVovince. * ( )ii a vu aiice des opinions qu'ils s'etait forinees sur ce sujet ; qu'eufin, il lui a fallu mettre I'Occan enUe lui et le (iiMiverueiir et les habitans du Pays, pour se resoudre a leur laisser voir le jour, qu'il lie les a exposies qn'avee un soin cauteleux presque a demi, et avec de« luenao^emens qui vont jusiprau seru|)ule. II etait ipiestioii dans cette atVaire d'intt'rets publics, ou des motifs puissans di'vaient !(■ porter ii s'expli(pier. line I'avait pas fait. IVut-mi concevoir qu'il ne sentit pas la lueessite de se coiiduire, aumoins avec une |)ru,lenee cfifule pour ne pas laisser connaitre uue opinion ti de simplos particuliers, (pioiqn'ils fusseut ses cliens, surteut quaud il assure avec au- taiit (le f,'ravite, et a tant de reprises ditlVrentes, (pi'en dt'fendant Icurs intircts, il n'a jamais eoiniirouiis ceux dc la Couroniie qu'il etait charge de defendre ? M II est 111! fait cepeiidaiil qui u'cst pas douti ux. Cette Requete ttait dresse commc si M. M'Keiizieavait pu par la force de son jreiiie, se fain une idee exacte de la manicre de peuscr deM- le Procureur-tJeiieral, au sujet des dispositions de cette Ordonnance de 1777. 11 poii- vait aisement prevoir cpie cetti' llequ(: te lui serait conimuniquee eu sa quiditc de premier OJti- eierdo la ( (uironne. doiit I'Admiuistrateur etait dans la ni'cessitc de prendre les avis sur. des matieres u)iject. He hiis been almost i»s laconic in that part of his answer, as he wiis found to be in wliat he has said with regard to the proceedings instituted in the interest of Lamjison, of whom we have just spoken. M'ho can now help being struck with the contrast in his conduct with reference to these commissions, and to his mode of acting with respect to the jirinci >al disputed points to be decided between the Company and Lamjtson i* In the first jdace not more than eight and forty hours was lu'Cessary in Canada, with respect to the Company's petition, and to Linton's pro>ecutions, for the purpose of giving officiallv ii written ojiinion, the ctTect of which might, and must have been, were it received, to compronuse as well the honour of the Crown and of the local Cloverinnent, as the interests of the Province, and the fortunes of the lessees of the Crown. We shall presently see that he thought right to follow up this production, by a sort of |)leading in suj)port of it, addressed to the Ctovcrnor. He seized with avidity the o]>i(orliniity of opeidy supporting the opinions which he cinnmunicated to the Ciovenmr, by taking part in a discussioti in Court, which had refe-^en'.*e to Linton s prosecutions against the servants of the Hudson's Hay Company, And 5n that part of the letter ujion which it is necessary that I should now dwell, he thinks it his his duty agjiin to enter into a legal di-isertation. and into lengllu'ued argunuMits, for the j>urpose of pleading, ntit the cause of the Crown, not that of the local (iovernment, not that of Lamp- son, in his character of lessee «if the King, but that of the Hudson's Hay Company. This is not all : he loses sight of the charges, and forgets himself He is occupied solely with the interests of his clients. His /.eal prompts him e\t'n to self-denial. Let us follow him. In s|u-aking of the opinion given by him to the (Jovernor at that time, he does not hesi- tate to declare informal terms, that he is *• perfectly aware that the Indian trade, with the .v«/c mul distriliiition (>f' s/iiri/iioit.i /ii/iturs iTicideni to it, had been carried on in b;>th the Canadas, for a long ]ieriod of time, without any license whatever, and in the sanu' unrestrained maimer ;ls any other descrijitioii of trade: he appeals to his /ursonii/ i.i/nriinccof iii/'iini/ siii/i (pii tain artiimx its those in fjuestion^ Sr. * I pass over the .'irgmnents which follow, to wliirh I must reuirn ; and shall confine myselt to observing, that Mr. .Stuart's experienci' has serveil him hut badly on this occasion. Il would be easy to jioiiit this particuhir the juris- prudence in the district of Montreal diil not ditVcr from that of (^iicl)cc. Neither !)sc made bv him in his letter, of the slcjis taken for the purpose of o!)- tilining w/its of hahinx tur/ius, anil of causing to be lilnTated the Company's servants, cou- demned, on the prosecution of Linton, to twcnty-foin- hours imprisoninent, midcr the pretence of the nullity of the jurit iifhd'niis nirpiis. Mr. Kerr, a puisne Judge, thouirlit proper tograiLt it in favour of the defendants, incarcerated by virtue of a judg- ment, anil for its execution. Mr. .Stnari ;hought proper to apjtear with Mr. Primrose in fivnnr of the |)risoners, for lire purjiose of specifving, and endeaviuiring to point out. the nullity of the judgment, in op|)ositiim to tlie .Advoeate-Cieneral, who supported it infa\oiir of the Crown and of Linton, in LaMip- son's interest. This was at least a new scene for the Province. They were unaccustomed to • Mr. Stuiut's Li'ltiT. a pu obtenir presque aussitot communication do cette opinion ! Ello a pu etre invoqnee de- vant les Magistrats de Quebec, commo moyeu dc los engager a prouoncer en fuveur de la Comjmgnio ! M. Stuart n'a pas jugo ii propos d'oxpliquer ce mysturc. On a vu dans la premiere partie (le ces observations, qu'il avail fallu a M. Stuart, pros d'une ainicc de rC-flexions, ct sans doute de recherclies, pour pouvoir se resoudre li placer li la fin d'uno reponse eomposee de ce cote dc I'ocean, quclqucs mots pour laisser connaitre ce qu'il pcnsait au sujct des Commissions des mend)rcs du barreau. 11 send)le meme craindro de s'y arreler. II a mis presque autantde laconismc dans cette partie de sa reponse, qu'on en trouve dans ce qu'il dit des accusations portces dan« I'interit de Lampson, dont il viont d'etre ques- tion. Qui pourrait maintenant n'ltre pas frappe du contraste dc sa conduite rclativement a ces Commissions, avec sa manicrc d'agir par rapport aux principaux points de contcbtation a deci- der cntre la Compagnie ct Lampson ! D'abord, il ne lui a fallu que deux fois vingt-quatre heures en Canada, quant a la Re- (pu'te de la Compagnie ct aux poursuites de Linton, pour donucr officiellement une opinion ecrite dont le resultat jjouvait, devait c-tre, si on raccueillait, do conipronu-ttre I'lionneur de la Couronne ct duCiouvcrncnuMit local, coinme Ics interets de la Province, enfin la fortune des lo- cataires de la Couronno. On va voir (pi'il a eru devoir faire suivre cette production par une espece de jilaidoyer adrcsse aux Gouvcrneur pour I'appuyer. II a saisi avec avidite I'occasiou de soutenir liautement les opinions qu'il conununiquait au Gouverncur, en prenant parti dans iiiu> discussion^ en Cour, relative a\ix poursuites de Linton contre les serviteurs de la Baie d'lludson, Et dans la partie de la lett « A lacpu'Ue je siiis oi)lige de m'arretcr dans ce mo- ment, il eroit de nouvean devoir entrer dans une dissertation de Jurisi)ru(lenee, et dans des raisoMiuMuens a perte de vue pour plaider, non la cause de la Couronne, du Gouvernenient local, do Lampson en sa qualite de loeataire du lloi, mais eclle de la Compagnie de la Haic d'llud- son ! Ce n'est j)as tout, il ]ierd de vue les accusations et s'oublie lui-meme. Ce sout les intc- ri'ts de ses cliens qui I'occupent tout entier et uniquement, son zele va jusqu'a I'abnegation. Suivons-le. En parlantde I'opinion qu'il ,i donnee au Gouvcrneur ab»rs, il n'besite pas a declarer on termes forniels, '• (ju'il est juirfiiitiwi/it foni-aiiirii (pie ce tratie avec les Siuivages, ct que la '• veute et (listiil)ntion des jjoissoiis fortes iiu'il entraine, s'est faite dans les deux Canadas " flijiiiis loiKj-tcmps sans lirrncf d suns pins trnitniirs t/iii: tout aulrv commrrci; il iuvoque son '• experience jiersonnelle pendant juvs de (piarante ans, relativenu'ut aux procedis des Cours " du Ha-s-Canada. _ II ini jdmais mlimlu parler d'aetion de r que I'experienee de M. Suart I'a nuil servi dans eette occasion. II serail facile d'indiquer plusieurs jugenu'iis par lesquels on avail condannie des defendcurs |)o\irsuivis dans (les actions sendilaliles ou analogues, foiuU'es sin- les nu nies ))rincipcs dcvant les Magistrats, li Montrt^'al menie, vers le milieu de I'annee 18;5(), et qui prouvent (pic sur cct article la Jurisprudence dans le District dc Montrtjal ne ditlcrait [liis dc cello de Quebec. .le ne crois pas non plus deviijr discuter cliacun des objcts aux(piels M. Stuart s'est ar- rete dans le long expost:- qu'il fait dans sa lcttr(> des demarches adoptees pour obtenir des halte'ts corpus ct faire liberer les serviteurs de la Compagnii>, eondanines a vingtHpiatre heures de prison, t\ la poursuite de Linton, sous pr('textc de la nidlite du jugeiuent rendu eontro cux, inv(i;uee sur les prineijies (pi'il avait dejii mis au jour dans ses eonnuunieations avec le (Jouver- neur .Ic nu< bornerai :i signaler ceux (les faits (pii me paraisscnt dignes de quelquc attention reli'.ti'ement li cette (iiseiission rm err, M. le .luge-en-Chef avait refuse d'accorder I'ordre on writ d'fidlit as rorpiis. M. Kvii, •luge I'ui-ni- irouva hon (le I'accorder en fa\eur des defeiuleurs incarceres en vertu d'un juge- mcnt, .'t pour son eX(''Cution. M. Stuart erut devoir paraitre avec M. Primrose en favour des detenus, pour articuler, et tenter de (U'montrer la iiullite du jugenient contre PAvocat-Gi'iieral, (pii le soutenait en favour de la Counun-.e et de Linton, dans I'interet de Lamjison. C etait au moiris pour la IVivince un spectacle n(mveau. On n'y ctait pas accoutume a voir le Procureur-Gcneral et I'Avocat- G(''ni'ral • Lettre de M. Stuurt. 24 sec the Attorney and Advocate-Generals opposed to one another, and pleading, the former agiiiiist tlie Crown, and the latter in support of it and of its riglits in tlie Court of King's Bench at Quebec. Mr. Stuart w.xs not merely zcalotis in the defence of his client, ho treated the magis- trates, wiiose decision he attiicked, witliout any ceremony, and ius guilty of worse than an error. We may be allowed to think that these steps on the part of Mr. Attorney-tJcnerul were not enjoined by any feeling of an indisiiensible obligation ; on the contrary, they were as re- pugnant to his duties, as tliey were in violation of all decorum. Besides, must he not have felt the necessity of observing at letist neutrality between the parties engaged in a contest, with reference to the effects wiiich the lease of the King's Posts must liave proiniot) doimee par fr Procun.ur-Cu'm'ral, qu'il differait essmtielkment avec enx siir /'/('t dont il itnit t/ncsHon, ils .tollicitaienl ris/xcfiifiisemrnt ['assistance de F Avocat-General, (liinf ail loiitrairc ropiniou etait p- vnciit en hanmmie avec la leur. Ces lettres etaient (111 14 Janvier IH.'M. Le H), M. ("legg par ordre de i'.Administrateur les comniuniqua a M. Stuart, en le rupiirant ite donuer son opiiiion sur re rpi'il conn iiait de faire rrlidivcmcnt d la demarche (pi'ellis coiiteiiaieid, de Irnr pniriirer I'assistaiirc de l' Avocat-General, appui/ee sur ce que lui- nu'me (\L Stuart) avait donin' une opinion contraire a cellr des Magistrats. * Cette demande des Miiifisfrats n'etait i)as ce semble de nature a souffrir de difficultc en elle-meme, et encore moins de la jiart de M. Stuart, apres les demarches qu'il a%-ait adoptees a ce sujct. Iiidependamnu'iit de ce niotit particulier, il y avait une raison bien forte de s'y pre- tcr, fondce sur uii usage ipii avait constainineiit regne juscpi'alors dans le Bas-Canad.i, ou le Procureur-(iener..l, ou autre Otlicier en loi sur les liei'.x, ainjuel tons les ])recedes il .'ette na- ture son communi(pu''s, jiarait toujours pour les Magistrats, et agit jHiiir enx dans les Cours en semblables circonstanccs. M. Stuart avait donne une opinion contraire a celle des Magis- tral'*, il I'avait de])nis sontcnue publiipiement dans les Cours. C'ctait bien le moment de gar- der la iieiiUalite, et de declarer :'i rAdniinistrateur. osed to have, any interest in sustaininy the validitt- of their judyments." In qualitying as a yjr/wrip/fi the preceding proposition, he says, secondly. ^' that a deviation ought only to takt place in cases where, on the y rounds of public policy or interest, it miyht he expedient." Third- ly, " that no ijrounds of public policy or interest make it ft or er/mlient thai the Magistrates shouM hare the support tf the Crown officers at the pnblic e.rpen.isi(ins have been so enforced, at the :nstance of a party, not arhiatrd hy fair motives, under eireumstaiu-es of peeidiar hardship to the i)ersons affected by 'hem, and in direct opfuisitiou to the opinion of thi lirst law-<>fficir (if the Crown" I'pou what priiu'iple could Mr. Stuart rely, for fatlioniiiig the prosecutor's conscience, and attributing to him (/^s7(oH*.v/ motives^ Most assuredly, Mr. .Stuart was nit cousulred on a (piestion of eoiiscieiiee. but on a matter of law. As reLjanls the gri( vanee pointed out in the last place, it is worthy of remark : Are not Maifistrates to bt allowed to act according to their conscience, in oppositiou to tli'- opinions of' an .lltorney-iieuerid / The Adininisfrator did not think it his duty to rely entirely, in this instiince, upon Mr. Stuart's npinidii. These Mat;istnites, doidilless. had not, and, in fact, could not have. ■.my personal iutirif-t in sup)iortiiig a judgment in wliieli tliev could liavi- taken no part, if, indeed, they had had any pirsiiiml iiitirisl in the subjiet of that contest, of whieli, what- ever Mr. .Stuart may say upon the subji'et, the discussion was eorniected with considerations if public inti ri st awl puhlii- /mlii y. .Should the Administrator ha\e lift thi'Ui, under lliese eircumstaiices, in the necessitv of disbursiiie: themselves, and of paying fees to nn attorney for drawing up, according to pre- scribed forms, the rejxtrt of tln-ir proceedings, which it was uieessary that thcv should sub- mit to the Court .' .And, in/n»w* tout, 1 « . Q„e ks Magistrats n'oiU et ne peuvent itre sumoses laPol,ce,,M„iue pntt fe.jer. iM.fi,, ;5 = . Q«-««r««e cLideration de celte nature ZmUUe HI injactur de la denwude dcs Mayislrats. "auue nc micue Je ne in'arrC-terai pas ici -x .liscuter cos moyens. II est aise de voir que la premiere de ces raisons nul.to en faveur de a donunu le d,.s Ma.nstrats. Pour les deux litres,' elk se rldui- sen 1. soconde a une simple denegatHMK la troisieme A une assertion ei,.alement sans app^ niu d a.lleuis repufrue a la nature, nun... ,le Fol.jot , du p>anur Ojfirnr d, /n Cmrun.w.r .Sur quel principe M. Stuurt pouvait-il s'^u- r • T '""",'' "•';■ ""' 'i'/'^ '^^' '""■^■'■'""•^. '""i'* >*"•• uoe matiero dc loi. Quant au (.. et aifcule en dernier hou.il est di.rue de remarque. Ne serait-il pas pe.nus a def Sili^ trats ,1 agir d apros lour conscience en opposition ana- opinions d'un PiLcuriur-Geueral ? _ L'Administratour ne crut pas devoir s'en rapporter a M. Stuart. Cos :\Iasristrats n'a- vaient sans dout.^ et ne pouva.ent .n effet avoir aueun iutcret p.rsouud u soutonir im ju™ auquel lis n'auraient pu pren.lre part, s'ils en avaient en dans I'ol.jet de la contestat of don quo.qu en puisso dire M. Stuart, la discussion so rattacluiit a dos coiisiderations d "SceYd" I A/W puN,r Dans cos enej.nstances, rA.lminis.rateur devait-il les laisscr dan. l/n 'cess iti de debourser d.- leurs propr..sden.ers, et payor ,!es honoraires •. un Proeureur pom dreier sid- vaut les formes prescr.tes le rapport de leurs procedes qu'il leur fallal, souniet re [la cC^ Aussi jugoa-t-il a propos de rcjuerir 1' Avocat-Ccn. >al de leur pr^er son ministere iKMubmr m'' St^.'^.'''''"'"?''" f ''^''^'"''^"••'^''='"- Pourrait-elle paraitre .ligne de censure ? Ce- I'exbale. '" ''"''" '"^■^"""-'"'^''"'-'"t vif .pi'elle lui a fait cprouver, et il cm'ils* tii.'n'i'd iV"'"" T''" P'"•"^••^•"''■'"■,'"'"^ ^"•">"" "M Clrief a la charge des Magistrats, •\ .:';,■■ ":""■' ■7 ."/'"'"'".• < est aussi uses yeux egalemen. un tort de la part de Lv,:„ /' ''^ "'7'"-'' ^>o,,oL.U,uiropouo,uiuil lui avait ,/, -... ,veV, et sans /uisoum'ttr, dc >>ouua, la.hos,' (uHthmt nn;/ othn- njirnur on Ike s,d.\ he savs, "■ wns at the siimr tiiii (he i.nnml of fhe tudirulua/ who hinl hrounht th' mlioiis •»« (/lUKtion m/niiifsf. tin. srrnints <>/ (hi rompany. 'J'liis is, in the first place, a st-ange repr^mch to come fr.nn Mr. Stuart, r.lcr uh:if w.' Ivae scca of his own steps with reference to th'Se very actions, and o( ihe /eii! which he eiiijdoycii ■■i\ behalf of Ins clients We shall scu.n see that in th.- Civil Court Mi Stuart acted in c;t>;os in which the Company were plaiiififts and defpn;!iiiits, or for supporting its interests in actions depeiid- iiiu- betw'een the CoiiipiuiV or their servants and I. impson, and in which the discussion of the subjects in contest w 'r,' more o: u v, connected with that of the rights specified and ap- pealed to by Lampsoii, by virtue oi the lease of the King, Posts, ■■outi'sted by the Com- pany At leiist, as regarded the pros, .uition. iiistitu'.'d or earrieii on by Mr. Vanfelson, the interests of bis clients w.>i, in no w.-, opposed to Isiose of the Crt.w»; on the contrary, they were conunon and ideiUical. Could ssr.iilar snotives be ;.| pealed !o in Mr. Stuart's ill ( 'kation ? . ^ , ^^ , i i ^ ihe lessons of economy which Mr. Stuart, in bis lette; of the QOtb ol .lanuary, reads to tt; ■ \d'i!i iistnuor, ivi -ht furnish subject for observations which would not fail K) have a 80riki-r'- v''-vt, after .li. that has been alr.-adv seen of his coixliHt during years, with reference to tH; moHOcuion, whieh he had instituted" in the Court ..f King's 15ench, which he might " . . 1 ...I ... .1... i\ t.,- <.,.^;,.i..; • I H< ;iiKii-i> lis t(i th(> necessity of not have e; '!> ei ! t(« bi; taken to the (Quarter Se Ills ailvice as tne.l part of his ,,ff,r,al .Mas / ^^ ,,• slrdl i.resentlv se- that those steps to which we are ab.uit to allude were, much more than those precellin- them, am thing lu.t those which duty could diet.ite. At present 1 must point om a fact with regard t,') which Mr. Stuart assuredly ought not to have been silent, alter having entere.1 into so many ..ther details, and particularly after having given an account of the ste,.s taken in favour of t.ampson's servants, for the purpose of obtaining their liberation ami af- terwards writs .,f nrtiorari, with a view to set aside a judgment which had been delivere.i airainst them. Since Mr. Stuart thought proper to point out these facts ^u>uld it not hau: been at least right to make a lull statement of them, and to aecpiaint us with the effect and the ''*" Vet '.m then observe, that these judgments were .iiseussed : they were impugned as null upon the principles, upon the d.ictrines, in accordanc- with which Mr. Stuart had pressed the Administrat..r ii. so urgent a manner to refuse the Magistrates the assistane.- of the othcers „ 1 the Crown; and upon his opinion, as to the petition of the Company praying a licence lo authorize them to c«rry on trade uith the Imlians. Such were the arguments used b.r the purpose of inducing the Judges of the Court of King's Hemh to annul the judgment of the magistrates. The i^usc o( Lampbon's servants 1ms been pl.aded with a /cal most assuredly " iieitliei • See the Ob^:.'^'a^ioP; i» (lie Memoir, Jc. should form lid aiitliori/.o proceeding? cell tiie opi- !rs, coinmis- tted to tiiiiik roeurinij tor , had i)iissed, should have OH tiie fuel, ml who had in the first lis own steps )ehalt" (if his ill wiiicli tiie ons depeiid- liscushion of ified and ap- )y the Com- anfelson, the the contrary. Mr. Stuart's ary, reads to il h) have a itli reference ich lie mijilit pssity of not ion is sinj^n- liis answer fi> r subjects, to with adding-. > othrr official idij Comptiriy conclusion nl rsuaded hiiii- dittirs ? \\> ire than those luist point om , after haviiij; nt of the slejis atioii, and al- leeli delivered ihl it not ha\<' effect and the lUjrned as null 111 pressed the the oHieers n I r a licence t(v > used for the ilfrnient of tilt' iiost itssiindly neitlier 69 near. A la maniere dont il s'expiimc ipon this subject, anson had brought a»ainsi two of th.' Company's servants jin action, whicii Mr. Sti.rt terms an actiut a violation ■ oveinmcnt, — Mii^hlinir the mother line of i of the para- :is in which hi 1/ that, lie says, to jrivc some self, under this ^aven of them er liescriptiou. llh eaeh other, * necessary to an possi'ssany ed out under consetjnenecs. !■ [ am eoui- ander frojn it. •'iijjlit again-ii litmu, or, In- ordin^ to his Kicks of J'lir^. I'rt} of iliiMii, I'osts, to his it. iflils aecjnireil d)jeet of dis- ■ney-(ieneral, provinee, ami hall jiresently le defendants, l>y liiiii lo the y tiilli liiiii (th(> n, lu Luiii|isoii':i irl lui dont ses autrcs dc^marcliM peuvcnt donncr la mesnre, enfin, do celni que lec responses oue !o d,sc.. e nctuellernent manifesteut. M. Stuart pourrait-il dire maintenan" s'il n'el ms 30, o H e i J"""'" '^"' " '"^'"'' ^^ '"''"^^" ^^" ^""^ '"'^^ condamnation.s, ill eirnWsl2n6 sa decston dans ce sens, ct pour les souteuir, ct co, long-temps avant quMl aiflaisse Cbec ? II pourrait alleguer qu'il nVtait pas de son interet de faire connaltre tout eo nui s'est ni«.i a cet eg.ard dans la Province I)e n.on c.ke, je crois avoir rempli u„ devoi e"" le mettantan ,,our de ce c. e de Tocean. le dois a.issi ajonter, eomme je ero s en etre bien informf n no 1^ decision des Jupos etait tondee sur I'interpretation ,le I'Ordonnance de 179^ ue i™ hXm.o an commencomen ,le mos observations su'r cette partie des reponses de M. St, A''es X? que labr.{r„tu,n .les ,l,spos,ti..ns de I'Or.lo.u.anee .le 1777, relativemcnt r"ol)iLratin .U pr.;n.lre lu-ence pour ven.lre et distrihuer .les b.dssons f,.r es a^x Svte , nS a „. ,f,,a,,.v Pays ""■•- l>Hluneer le pi^ les seuirns erne ."muder. ".i::;:rS;:r" ::s';;pi:i; ,::!^;':.i;;;r'^'^^ ^^ "-"- --- •<• P'- '^^e- .^serve dans '.nt ;Iue"M 'shirt ^"'"r'' '■ "",""'•'■' "''J''' '""** ^"''■'^ "'"'^••^" ^" "'^'"'^ temps, qu'en admet- c..nhanee dans le n,,n,stere pul.lie, et de fletrir I'Ada.inistratiou de la justice uxVoux IP ' Mu-. Le devoir lui prescnvait uno tout,- autre conduite. "^ > <- ux yant enfin avoir, eomme il le dit au commencement dn paraeraidio de ses re- ponses, que ,,e v.ens ,le .l.senter, cr/airci m nnuluilc rclalircmcnt au, instLSu^luS^U ■ If n,,,„lc n rcwpln- du„^ /cs ,,n,n\- Cirih. wiis oifrc fcs ,,artics '!'•'> ■'jour, t it, .O..MS ayant.raller plus hmi. faire ..l,serverden.Miveau,qu'il eut ete sa-^e de rendie "."pte ,les a„s a la eonsi.leration .les-juels je vais .".tre ohlii^c? .le n.'attaeher la.'s eet an" le -,ut eeux ,h,„ ,1 a .'-te .,n..stiou dans le prece.lent. Un tableau ,,ni en aurait c' f n-ae^ ni •• a |.nlr..de leuv .h.te aurait jete .le b elarte dans la discussion. K.leore „ne tii I e ^^t^^ ; e :.!..,> .le es sunre dans |e..r euehainenuMit. Cette ol.s..rvati..n est I-artieulieren .m, i ■■ .• d" t reun.m ,laus ee ,n.,ment, ..n il est neeessaire dVn venir A des .wintM^ ^ I e, JS ;„i; ^ sart.,ut ceux qu, pe.ner.t av.ur quel,,u'imp,,rtanee relativenuM.t A eette diseus i n" . ,V^t^^^ n.ux qn, viennent .Petr.. s„n,ales dans Par.iele pree.'.dent, .,ui eux-.ne.nes n'en Va J eif nel- .1.,,. sor e .p.e .h-s e.,nse,p.eu,vs. Mais le eh.>ix .!u plan ,le mon travail ne djpen ai pas 1 -mu. Je sn.s buee .h-sunre h. nunclu. que M. Stnart s'est f rae/.e. Si je m\-n'/ea quel n e- tois, ce n ..St que .lans la manu're ,le trailer les details : je ne puis intertertir le i-hm cil enfier. CVst mainteuant au printems .le mil-hnit-eent-trente, qu'il faut se reix.rter. M I amnson :.va. p.,rte eontre .leux des sery terns de la C.n.pa.uie, n-.e action a la.iielle M. S u^Zn; .; n.,m .le d.^cnm; ou, ajont.-t-.l, ,le n'm„licati„u rommr rllr rsf app,L par /cs /o<^/ 1 I '>nada De son av.M., cvlt.- ac.inn avait pour ol.jet .le rccunrrcr rflLtri u^u^^ i^L ''»... Lamps..,, les ava.t sa.s.s, aprOs avoir .l.u.ne son 4(/i,(arif, et en reelamait la momSe .•m,tr.. les .lel..u,le„rs. eo„.n,e les ayant obton.s des Sauv^os .le^ r.,s„.s ,1,, 1^ P^ o X u a,.v .. eontre les s„puiations .le son bail et .les dnuts qui sV fonvaieut attaches ' ' ■" 1 •nn,^ cm etf r; uT '"'?' T r-'''"'" 'I"" "^"'^ ^'M'"'^'"""- '- ''n.its re.p.is .m reclames par ;rr 1 1 r ■ P I ''="':.i".V'',."-^-a,>en,e„t .lev..nir ,n, ..bjet .le discussion ,lan la ...us,. II .but etre .les-h.rs .hflicile .r„„aLr„,or e..mme„t M. le IVocurein-Cuneral eonsidc- ran, surtont c ,,n-,| y avait .P.-xclusif dans ses fonetions. ,lans la Pn.vinc s et 1 s artieX t nu'u OS pret..u,..,nsq.,'il n.it au jour a ce s,.jet, eo.nme .m le verra bii:, to ,^ * ,i^ ^^ ^ • • ..ueun inconvenient a eomparaitre pour les .lefeudenrs, ct a plai.ler en leur favour 'du.,; une cause ..vait i,* ":^!^ , ^a- rln r ''!"!'» "'"TV^ '' ^ "fl""'" ''""'' ""'• l"'"-" ,o„r. s„r .o qu'il I.U lor I; 1 , ? V "'^!"""' ." ' ■^•"■"'-'■•■".•■•a . 'I.- sontnur n„,,uu,lnn.nf av.v lui I'a.tio,, ,,„'il ou.it ro.n.i ,le I'u.lti cu bou.ajfiMlaus 1 mtoivt do La„>i,.su,., oi, ila„s „„ iutiTct tontiaiif a ceh.i ,1c !a ( uuipaonic no ami of pleaaini? In their favour in a cause ..f this nature, Jn which even he must have fora- seen that Jiis iiUtrfereun' miirht be reciuireil on the i.nrt of the Crown itse t. owever, this action L.ujhealp.U into hiAonds, he ,ul not he^tat. ocharv. h,n, . ,rlf n-ith the .hjince of it. It ^..ulil ncen. that this was, u. h,. eyes, a ma ter o^ lit 1.. difficulty, that he does not .Icem it necessary ^o -.ny one «M.n in exphumtuu m t h w ,tep couUi he taken con>isteutlv .-!. ti.e duties attached to h,s '""^'r''^; J ; .^'X f/. ": self, heforepa^siuLMo another -faei. with adding that " Af hndmU the .Injhjeot '''« j'' ' XL, so h, Ins tXvome criminal ,n the eyes of a co^nuntter oj ip-.evanres oj the Asscmhiy oj ^""■L<^'r'c;;itent oursdves ...r the nu- ,,ent wi.h ashing, whether Mr S.uart or ti.e committee rns.e>-..I the more just ideas, ti,.^ more correct feehuK a" t.. th ; vrop nety ol the E '^uu^Ld I the functions of the Attorney-General, an.l U-t us follow- hun ... l«8e^^,o:.;. i„ ,„„i imnu-diately passes on to nn occurrence of the succeeding an.amr the period at which Mr. M'Ken/ie, ti.e Company's ajrent, a.hlress...! hun as to th. . to 1 e e...plove.l " in order to caus. then to hv reinstated ,n the ,. sston oJ part ,,. ^esZor,, 'f MM' faehes, of wh.rh Mr. Lampson then recently lujore Inj Joree an.l ^dncS^i dispossessed thr,nr Mut Mr. S.nar., always los .,«.. Rht ..t the charge hrou^r „ a^ai. M 1 im, a. d o.enpvin^. himself with the Company, and w.t I. facts hav.u^ relcre.ur to S eti. n" vhh.h he hn-.o-il.t ' ' U.l for then,, enters into ...ads as ... he ^^nevances id .V Mr. M'K..M/ie to ,1. charge of LnHM.^'.n, withre^^ard to. he uumlu-r ot me n who by Jsoders. supplied ,nth aru.s all stores, had proceeded to the Seapnory oJ M>llelaeh,.s. Zlhad there foreiNytakn, possession ,f n tract ./land of ,chch the < oa.pa.y had bun nuietlu iiossessid had eree/nl a house. hiiddinys.J, lie, , <-)[■ . ^ I Ihall not dwell for .he purp.-se .f e..mnu ...i.ii; on this allcKat.on ..f mvl.nce, hn- tlu- purp..se of ..l.tMininir p.-ossi.,!. .! land sl.oa.e i,. ,hc n.i.lst .,» a desert c.un.try, and where the care vet ..,. i..hal>i.a...s : whe.e the slightest ..ace ot c..l..vat...n d....s i...t yet c^^^t \.itf.erean I .luell ..pon a..v remarks as to ihv facddy w,.h which he .ays he ^.,> ,,„l,l',.lt..p..i.:. ..ut ,o hi> die,,.: ,he n,ea.,s a.Vo.-.Ied th.-m hy th.; laws tor suppressmg >■ • ,; att ihu.cl to I..,np^o„. 1 shall co...e..t ...ssdf with ot,ser>^n^r, that accord.ng o k- erms e.n p lovcl bv Mr. S.uart. for .he purp.^e .-f ....alifyiuK the tacts ..r acc.r.unK to . ; c ,1 .' s.'h ..s, if th.. acco..nt !,.■ ^nves' .,f .h.-.n w..,.. exact. ,hey nufjht have served as t he '^ . f^.r a cri;..i..al or penal charge. .,r for a civil ,.c.i, ^ -'-'l''^ ' ^rC'st^;;:^ v ;,v.v be he tho...rht i.roper ... ch....se the action , ,> runl-arandr. Cud n..t M.. htuart pirt. .n. ,S, i,; mUk this :'ti... . he place.l hin.self i..evi.al.ly in a situation, by pleading aga..,M I ■iiniis.i.i. to plea.l airaiiist the i..teri'sts .)t .he Crown. T va ,. u.i-ht Mr. S.uart sav. that a .nere ri^^l.t ... p.>s«essi..n wa« m quesnou, a..d that T.am. o. ...r th.^ Crow,, for hi,,,; ......hi, after .!..■ j,..lt,n"e..t de iver.d as to , ..; 7~^' "■ , urn a'.ai..st the p.,ss,.^.ors of Mille Vacl.es, a,..l .oMiest ti.e.r nulit .,t pn.pert) , mea.,^ TZ:^;;7^Lire!thU.oMKu>oirWM..s. I..,l.e ti,.t plao , r. St,.art ean.,ot 1... ,ra .t ..f .!..■ fact, that possessi.u. is proved as w.ll by title as by uulnesses. 1 he .U ,>^, Z . ^1 ...r,. .;p..., .lie t....or .,f the ti.h itself Mr. S.uart . -t^ht to s.-e l.e n- ^m . ,nd.■a^ourin.rtos , ,he s.ipolations .,f ,h. iiK, tor q,.al,ly,ni; this p.jssessu.n ,., . ...a„nu f ruble to l.is c'^nts. :,.,.! to i„duee the .h..ijres t., iuterpr... them .ua s.m.lar nu.oner This i„t..rnrc..a,io „■.■ uiv.-.,, n.i^ht ..ri,«i.,a.e a p.o.ump...,,,. a..d be app.-al...l lo a^ subsi. i V m .us i.. favour .these' possessors, when they shool.l eou.e to the p.....ory ac,...,. TacL ''ctHoirr '. An.l i. ,s Mr. At,.rney-(ie..eral '1... .,n.ler.o.,k t.. procure it. '^ M, . ',2, 'hims..lf cit... in anoth..^ place, the u.axin. o our law, wh..h re,,,nre. hat . . indiv d,.al ...,st...l (le .y.oliej be reinstat..! i.. his possession belor.. can be F« •^■'••'''•'1 ''fi' '."^' n PC it. V action fan pel.to.re ), or inquire into his ri.H.t of p.operty. 1 h.s proceed,,,;, ilt'h io n.a..V V..ars ,: i^h. beeom.. -'a- object of sue.essive ^r^^s; and. as we ha^ o anv :. iki ...A^xamples .n the Provi.,..-, .hose who conUst.-d th.s matter w.>h ain,.M„, e^r V pro!..„:^nK .hi' -ntest, phue themsehe • i. a ^..at, .to ...joy. 'f j'!*^ '^ T ^ dl he pro.b.ee. a.lva..ta(res. a-.d prolius stipulated for in h.vo.,- f La.upso.i, t- h,s i-rej ,1,... ; 1 Ln^el hi.n ul.in,at..fc t. •oak.' a sacri.ice of riuL . which ";'S'''/7' '^ '^"^ J;; M onorti .L. against ri. ,.'d p.. .rful a.lversaries, suppo d m .1. t ourtK \n the b st .> 1 ' le frow^, ,o wh. .pi .. functions of. .nor.- nnporta.l .ud more exda-. e > Ihan els.where, besi.l ae or.ancc of his cL.rgc in UscU, u.ust have such great «e.u with the judges. ^Ve U8t have fora- oBUie (Ic cctte nature, dans laqucllc mC-ma U devait prevoir qu'on pouvait requcrir son interveii- tion au noin do b Couronne elle-memo. Cepemlaiil cette action ayaiU iti miae entre nea mains, il n'Msite pas, dit-il, d s'en charger. II piirait que c'utait • ^ yeux une chose qui souffniit »i peu <\o diiHcuhcs, qu'il ne croit pus dfvoir dire un mot [r xpliquer comment cettc dumiirclie pouvuit so trouver en harmonie :ivec les devoirs atta( ses fonctions. II se contente, uvant dc passer i\ un autre fait, d'a- jouter (ju'i/ n'anait pn-s i plu.i ligire ulie, iju'cn ayissant aimi, il dfit paraitre criminel aux ytux M. M'Kenzie al- letruait (i la charfjfe de Lampson, du nombre d'hommos qui, " sous ses ordres s'etJiient, avec de» " amies ct des provisions reudus a la Seij^neurio, cmpares et avaient pris de force pos- " session d'nne etendue de terrein, dont la Compagnio etait en paisible possession, et y avaient " elove une maison, des clotures, etc." Je ne m'arreterai u aucun commentaire sur cet alletrue dp la violence ponr s'emparer li'ini terrein au milieu d'un pays desert, et on il ne se trouve pas encore d'habitans, ou il n'existe pas la )iliLs h t;ere trace de culture. .le ne pui I'arreter non plus a aucune remarque sur la tacilitu avec laquelle il (lit (ju'il a pu indiquer a > > cliens les voies que les loisleur ortruient pour parvonir .-i reprimer les /v(j- lences attribuues :i M. Lam|)son. Jc me contenterai d'ol)server que, d'ajires les termes em- ployes par M. Stuart, pour (lualifier les faits, ou les faits eux-memes, si le comi)te qu'il en reiul etait exact, ils auraient pu servir do matierc a une accusation eriminelle ' i pciiale, on a une action eivilo d'une autre nature. (^>uoiqu'il en soit, il a juu;c a propos de lair, clioix i\c I'actioit en reinterfratule. M. Stuart pouvait-il ne pas voir (pi'cn portani eette action. .1 se mettait iiio- i?it;il)lement dans le cas de plaider contre les interets de la Couronne, en plaidant contre Lanqison y En vain, M. Stuart dirait-il qu'il n'etait question que d'un sira])le droit a la possession, et que Lampson, ou la Couronne pour lui, pouvait apres le ju'j;ement rendu sur le pussessoirt^, revenir contre les possesseurs de Mille-\'aelies, ct leur contester la propriete par une action au pititoire, ce sorait une raisou par trop frivole. I)'al)ord, M. Stuart ne pent ifjjnorer que la pos- »fSsion se " prouvo tant jiar titre que par temoins." La discussion jiuuvait done vouler sur la teiienr du litre nieme. M. Siuart devait se trouver dans la necessile de ciicrelier a en presen- ter les stipulations, pour qualifier cef te possession d'inie maiiiere favorable ;i ses eliens, et por- iT les .lu^esii les interpreter de meme. Celte interpretation une fois donnee dans ee sens pouvait former une presomption, ct etrc iuvoquee eomme moyen suiisidiiiire en favour de ces possesseurs, lorsqu'on en viendrait au pi'filoin. Kl e'elait M. le I'roeureur-Geiieral qui sr !iitrt;eail de i'oblenir ! M. Siuart cite lui-meme dans un autre endroit, la maxime de notre Jurisprudence, qui veut que le si)oliJ soit reUibli dans la possession, avant que Ton puisse revenir centre lui au pititoire. ou le recliereher relativement a la propriete. Ce proces pouvait durer un ^rand lujm- bre d'ai! s, devenir I'objet d'appels sur it's, et comme nojis en avons des exemples trop frappans lUuis la Province, ceux qui coi ,taieni ;!■ 'c Lampson pouvaient, en prolontjeant lette conn'ssation, se niettre en mesure de jiw , i dant ce temps de tons les fruits, des avan- tiures, des I'.ofits stipules en faveui do Lani; s.c, ot, a son prejudice, le forcer enfin a faire le saeriticedi iroits qu'il pouvait levenir incapable de soutenir c fre des advcrsaircs riches, ['uis«ans, appuy. s dims les Cours par le prenuer Officier de la t ouronne, aux opinions du- .picl des fonctioTts pins etenducs et plus exclusives "u'ailleurs, outn rimportauee de sa chnrsfe en elle-miine, i ,.nt donner ui irrand poids aupu< des Juijei. On 84 Wo cannot sec that any of tlienc con<*iileriuions entered tlio mind of Mr. Stuart. There is one othtv, however, wliich certainly should not have escaped him. It was necessary fur him, in acliuK in tlie interests of the Company, to employ U the re«)urceH of liis art tonui)- iwrt their poiwession, U» preitejit, for the purpouc "f qualifyinij it, the titli- of those who held it in a lif{ht the most favuuruhle to the l!ompany; to labour by all possible mean* to place the appeuraiicu uf justice uii the side of his clunite; and jmint in colours of a directly different tlcHcription the acts of I^mpson, lessee of the Crown, and claiming the exercise of rights which he hehl from the I'rown. It may be seen that he n tortninated ill favour of, or against, I-ampson. An action with reference lo the right of property, migiit immediately become indispi iimiijiy neces- sary. It would be necessary to bring it in flie name of the Crown, in an interest directly op- posed to that of the C«un|Kiny, which Mr. .Stuart woidd previously have supported, and particu- larly in I-iii "u's own interest. According to Mr. Stuart, as we Hhall see, it bclonjred to him, oiclusively "i all others, to bring the letion. We shall see that he even pretended to con- test the right of the Administrator to recpiire the assistance of any other of the Crow ti-officcrs, to aid him iu supporting its interests, in an action «»f this nalire, against the pro|)rietors of MiJIe Vaches. In what situation liad Mr. Stuart placed himself / What dispo-ition could he have felt to conduct, in the name ol the Crown, against his own clients, an action brought in Lampson's favour .■' Must not Mr. Stuart have foreseen that he would find himself reduced, first to the ne- cessity of placing himself in a ccuitradietory lii^ht, ami cinnpellod to demonstiate, either the nullity of the titles to which he would have appealed, or the falseness of the interpretation, which he might have been able to obtain from the Judges in favour of his clients ; lastly, the justice of I..ainpson's pretensions against them. Could Mr. .Stuart so far iinain blind as to the impropriety of his conduct on these occiisions, as to suppose that if was stamped merely with this die ( It has been already remarked, that, su|>posing his opinioii-i :ind his |)roeee(liiigs not to be the effect of error, nor stiiined with injustice, they were at least much more than im- prudent on his p.. I, and assuredly inexcusiible in a man who exercised at that time, in the province, functions under Cioverinnent so highly confidential. To return to this action of re-entry (urtion en n'tiittijramk), and without speaking of the action of detinue faction fie nn nifirntiun), the step adopted by Mr. Stuart, by taking upon himself (lie bringing of this acii. > might again — must have ended in his betraying either the Coro|uu)y or the Clovernment itself. Lot us first see in what situation he placed himself with regard to the Company, .\n author of reputatists to sustain in the Courts of Justice and those who rejiresent them to support those claims. Liiying aside for the nutmeiit these considenitions, and a crowd of others which it would be e;isy to present here, aiul considering the individual oidy in wiu)sc interests this a(ti88ource« de boii art pour falre yaloir Icui posHtssion, pronenter, pour la (pialilier, ies litres de ccux dont iU la tenaieiit, sous le jour le pliw fuvoruhlo pour elle, truvailler pur tons les moyens possihles a mettre Ics dehon Jc la juHtieo dii cote de ses elieiis, et peiudrc sous des couicurs ulMolument eontraires les A;'!.:» de Ijinij)sim, locaUire du Iloi, et ri'clamunt rexercicc de droits qu'il tenait de la Couronnc. On peut voir tourbiflou des errcurs, inime des passions de ses cliens centre lui. Quel pouvait, qiu'l en de\ ait itre le risultat ? Supposons le proces au jHnseisoire termiiK; on faveur de Lampson ou centre lui, line ac- tion relative a la proprii'te pouvait itre de suite d'unc neeessite indispensable. II fallait I'inten- t( r nu luun de la Couronne, duns un interet directeinont oppose li ceux de la Compugnie que M. Stuart auruit soutenus pr^^^cedeminent, et en particulior dans eelui de Lampson lui-meme. Sui- vant lui, eomme on le verrn, il lui appartenait exclusivement a tous autres de la porter. On veira qu'il a nu' luc prutendu contester a I'Aduiinistrateur, jusqu'au droit de requerir le secours d'un autre des Offieiersde la Couronne, pour lui aider a soutenir ses interets dans une action de octte nature contre les propriutaires de Mille-Vaclies. Dans quelle situation M. Stuart s'e- tjiit-il }>lace .'' Quelles devaient etre ses dispositions pour conduire au nom de la Couronne, coutre ses propres tlicns, une action portee en faveur de Lampson ? M. Stuart ne devait-il pas prevoir (ju'il so trouverait reduit d'abord a la n^cessite de se mettre en contradiction avec lui-n>ume, et force de deuiontrer ou la nuUite des titres qu'il nurait invoques, ou la faussete de I'interpretiition (pi'il aurait peut-ctre obteuue des Juj^es en faveur de ses cliens, enfin la justice des pretentions de Lam))son contre eux ? M.Stuart pouvait-il s'a. veuglcr a ce point sur I'inconvenance de saconduite dans ces occasions, en supposant qu'elle ne fi'it nu-irquee qu'a ce coin ? On I'a deju dit, en supposant que ses opinions et ses d-marches fiissent piw le fruit .., la Couronne, nT fncts iiurclv InTiotnoticm, for the purpose for till purpose ot " -"^'n^ ''^ .,lr..'ulv pointed out. It w he also seen that he lent ! -^d to' tl^HeSrJ h atp;l^;i;:.e^'S^ould he inexplieahlo were It not for . McZ .>i the fLets, of some of ^vhich I have given a partial sketch in the preeed.n. observations ^^^ ^^^^ foelinjrs which Mr. Stuart's conduct must have inspired ii< Lampson, and m the i.d.abitants of the province, as well as in the Assembly, their representa- tivrs all witnesses of these extraonlinary scenes. • i ■ i . In l" long paragraph of Mr. Stuarfs answer which I have just reviewed, he be^.u, hy n , ict re of the crimes ..r offences imputed to Umpson or to his servants, and ot the vl'i ' l.rou,.ht a..i„,t them in the criminal courts He has H,ought on ly of p.untin. ;^ conduct in the most unfavourable colours, as though he had imamned by thi mean .• h .Ik. to justify in advanc. his own conduct with reference to tl.e charges brought in Lamp o. -s nterell; to the actions brought by Linton before the Magistrates: his steps with tl Governor in fav.>ur of his clients : th^ part taken by him in defending l.e prisoner, wlu ,. .^obtained a l.a/.a.', cnrpvs ; and lastly, of instituting or of defending uiopposUnm to tlu K u urV l.ss.e, rl,e civil actions of w'deh we have given an account. o this alouc .s con- ^ .! this potion of Mr. Stuart's answer. It may be easily imagined that ><• must^ luuv still entertiined some .ioul.t as to the officaciousness of these singular means o defence^ thr paragraph which follows iu- also endeavours to strengthen them; but, ever a 1 "7 > h. same illusion, he r.gt.in exclusively oecupieshimself in bringing accusations, instead of thmk.n. hov. he shall repel those brought against him. _ i ■ i n Mr Stuart comes immediately to a violent recrimination against Lampson, whic .. hi.. .,!! t!u. others in w!>hl, he h:i.. indulged, is destitute of facts at all calculated to support .r. A.id thi^ is a prehule to au attack of a not less violent deseriptnm against _ Lord Aylm.,. .nd which is slill .nor., devoid of pretext. These aiv the two subjects of which we are n-.n about to speak. ,. _ , i • i . i. i ,; Lot us first trive a few moments' attention to an act ot Lamps..n s which |rm oked t.. bitter censure with which Mr. .Stuart begins this paragraph. Lampson thought it rig it.hv mcan^of a petition, dated th. Ulst of December, 18.10, to represent to t!>e Administrat,., Lord .\ylmJr, amouir., oth.r thin^-. that he (Lampson) had the "lease ot he K.n, . .. l'o.i>.\vith the .xelusivc ri,rht ,,f trading witl> thr Indians, in the on.,oyment o which, , " in Mirrouudcd by the KiMg> "I'osts, and which seigniory was never settled, but was !. i in .■: .ta!e of nature, tla.wiih granted, as all other seigniories, " tor the purpose of atfn.nl. " lund settlenuMii." . , , , ., i i „ . ,, That the Proprietors of Milie Vaehes and their Lessees had eneroac!,ed .ipon .,., •• KiuL- I'osls, so as to take in a river called I'orfnenf, .md on the banks o this river i:;.l " ...Mablislud a trading post, where they systematically carri.'.! on a trathe with tlu' Indian^ .^1 - tie Kings Posts, inpiriousto the right of the Crown, ami to the prejudice .>! tiie I etuuuur. " v,(..) h(dds that exclusive right of trade by his leiLse." .... , ,. . ,• ., ■ • That the want of v,rt,s awl hrnwh for the purpose ot dehnimr the limits ot this sei- nif.'-v irave rise to " disputes and altercations eii-.uuivtances which alone made it importaut » that tlu lines should be drawn and boundaries set, to prevent similar ocenrrences u, t,,- " turr." He iisked, besides, that a more solemn title sliouhl ias6 met in silence, but must be permitted to ex- " press his regret, that tiie leading Crown CMficrr, the Attorney-General, should be found " zealously engaged in advocating an interest so adverse to the true interests of the Crown " as that set up i)y the owners of Mille Vaches and their Lessees." Lastly, he asks, that his Excellency should give the most mature consideration to his petition, for the purpose of granting him " such relief and impartial justice as he is entitled to." Tliis is the petition wliich has furnished Mr. Stuart with matter for the outrageous reproaches to be found in this part of the answer. Let us now oUerve, that by this art, Lampson, according to Mr. Stuart, thought proper to <* transfer the cognizance of these differences from His Majesty's Courts of Justice, m whioli the parties might and ought to expect justice, to other branches of the Government." ♦' This is, again, to assail him personally by false allegations affecting his character, a^ ' as in some other j)roceeding8 which have recently occurred in Lower Caiuula, to nullify office of Attorney General, bv giving to that officer the character of an accused or suspected person. A convenient diversion "is thus made in favour of the guilty who are under accusation, and the prosecution against them which it is the duvy of the Attorney General to carry on, are there- by either defeated, or injuriously delayed, wJ'ile private resentments are gratified at the cx- piMise of public justice." It is useless to dwell here, for the purjiose of commenting upon these passages, and sonic others which I have omitted, in order to show to what point Mr. Stuart carried himself by the cxiiggeration of his feelings on this occasion. M'hat fact alleged in this petition bears the stamp of falehotMl .-' 'I'hey were the inferences which might be drawn, pointed out in fact by Lampson, the exactitude of which, at most, Mr. Stuart might have endeavoured to attack. Tliat which follows, like that whicli precedes, in his own expose, is sufficient for the purpose of demonstrating that. lampson had the truth of the facts stated in the petition, as well as the justice, in the conclusions which he drew from them, on his side. Let us now proceed to tlic examination of the charges brought agJiinst the Administrator, Lord Avlmer: — Before coming to the examination of tiiis portion of Mr. Stuarts's letter, 1 ought again to observe the inconsistency to be found in the character now jierformed by Mr. Stuart, and tin- singularity of the position in ^»■hich I find myself placed liy tlii» strange conduct on his part, Instead of explanations to be given with reference to the accusjitions brought against Mr. Stuart, I am reduced to tlie necessity, not alone of repelling the accusations winch he has brought against the Committee, the witnes.se.s, the Assembly, the country, &c. kc, but further, tliose which lie brings against Lord Aylmer, the Governor of the counlry. I'lider the pre- tence of answering the charges of the A.ssembly, Mr. Stuart denouncs him to th'- (io.ern- ment of His Majesty in Lngland, its guilty of the basest conduct towards him. Lord .Xylincr has, I doubt not, within him.self the means of showing how completely he is a'oovc all reproarh. But ho has no advocate here. He can hardly be aware yi't that his reputation and his honour are attacked at their most delicate points. A decision pronounced in Mr. Stuart's favour, u])on his expo.sc, wouKl import the cmi- dcmnation of the GoveJ-nor, and a cruel blight, without even i,'iserving the first of the rules of justice, by placing iiirn in a situation to itrfriul himself. As for myself, I shouhl not enter into this discussion, were it not that a feeling of jus- tice towards him against whom these shafts are directed, imposed such duty upon me: :iiid I can only do it. inasmuch as that this attack, worse than misplaced, is nuuie as an an>wer to the acciis;ititms of the .Vsscndtly. But fcr this latter reason especially, I -hoiild fear ex- (losiiig m\ self for want of instructions, to seeing some onussion in my obs<,'rvations, fiirnisli strensiili of the Attor- e River Port- Petitioner, as interference of ion." Ho re- ere granted to th tins remark- ) of his Excei- [^rmittcd to ex- loiild be found I of the Crown , he 081(8, that the uurpose of is the petition e found in this thought proper of Justice, in Government." ictcr, ai ' as ill lUify . office spected person, jsation, and the r on, are there- tied ut the ex- apes, and some i himself by the ition bears the [I out in fact hv oured to attack, for the i)urpo«i' 1, as well ii-s tilt' Administrator, ought again to Stuart, and tlu- luct on his part, lit atf'.unst Mr. I winch he has ttc, l)ut further, I'ndcr flu- pri'- to til'.' (iovcrii- Lord Aylincr >ve all reproarli. ami his honour import the ohi- irst of the riilis I feeling of jus upon ine : liiii I' as an answer •houid fear e.x- vatiuns, fi(riii>h .strcimlli employe le ministere du " Procureur-General pour intenter urie action contra ic Petition- " nai'e pour des voies de fait'supposees commises a Portneuf, lieu qui fait I'objet des reclama- " tions reciproques des Petitioniiaires et des proprietaires ou des locataires de Mille-Vaches. II represente " comme un snjet de grande importance pour lesjustcs droits de la Cou- " ronne, et digne de la plus serieuse consideration, qu'une action a dernierement eti5 intentee " par le Procureur-General, agissant pour la Compagnie de la Bale d'Hudson, comme loca- " taire de Mille-Vache.i, contre le Petitionnaire et ses employt's pour des voies de fait sup- " posces commises pres de la Riviere Portneuf, endroit qui est Vobjet de la contestation entre ' " les parties et de leurs reclamations rC-ciproques II demande humblement que la Couronne " interpose pour I'assister dans sa defense contre cette action." II represente I'impossibilite en ce caspour lui de jouir des droits qui lui sont accordespar son bail, et cor.ime M. S';uart le remarque dans son memoire, il termine par ce paragraphe re- marquable, qu'en mettant ces reclamations ace snjet, sous les yeux de Son Excellence pour isa conHdC-nition,^ " il ne pent passer sous silence et doit temoigner son regret que le premier Offi- " cier de la Couronne, Ic Proeurenr-GeniTal, se trouve engage et defende avec zele des inte- '' rots si cojitraires a cenx de la Couronne," que le sont les pretentions des proprietaires et des locataires de Mille-Vaches. II demande enfin que Son Excellence donne la plus mure consi- deration k su Petition, pour luiaecorder " le reniedc et la justice auxquels il a droit." C'est cette Requete qui a fourni li M. Stuart, matiere aux reproches sanglans qui se trou- ; dans cette partie de la reponsc. vent nans cetie pariie cie la reponsc. Remarquons maintenant que, par cette demarche, Lampson^ suivant M. Stuart, jugeait a IS de " transferer a d'autres branches du Gouvernement, la connaissance de ces diificnltes, C'est " I'attaquer personnellement par des propos " an lieu de la laisser aux Cours de .Justice " allegues faux qui aftectent son carnctere," et comme en d'autres occasions recentes 'dans le " l|as-Canatia, d'aru^antir la charge de Procureur-General, en donnant a cet Officier le carac- " tere d'une personne accusee ou soup(;onnee ; on fait par la ime diversion convenable en fa- " veur des coupables, snr la tete dosquels pesent une accusation, et en butte a des poursuites " qu'il estdu devoir dn Procureur-Cn'oorul de conduire, et par la on les rend inefficaces, ou on •' obtient des d^lais dangereux, et en menie temps on satisfait des ressentimens prives aux de- " pens de Injustice." II est inutile de s'arreter a commenter ces passages, otquelques autres que j'ai omis, pour fdire voir jusqu'ii qnel point M. Stuart s'eL.t laisse emporter par I'exagenition de ses sentimens a cette oceasitm. Quel est le fait allegue dans cette Requete qui soit marque an coin de la taussete .'' C'etait tout au plus des inductions anxqnelles ils conduisaient, indiquces en effet par Lampson, dont M. Stuart aurait ()u tenter d'attncjuer I'exactitnde. Ce qui suit, comme ce qui precede, dans son propre expose, suffit pour demontrer que Lampson avait pour lui, la verite des faita, comme la justesse tlans )es conclusions qu'il en tirait Passons a I'cxamen des charges portees contre 1' Administrateur Lord Aylmer : — Avantd'en vonir ii I'examen (le cette partie de la lettre de M. Stuart, je dois do nouvoau taire observer ce qu'il y a de contradietoire dans le role que M. Stuart joue dans ce moment, et la singuliiiite de la position dans la([uelle je u'.e trouve moi-meme place par cette etrange con- (Inite de sa part, Au lieu d'explication a donner relativenient aux accusations portees contre M. Stuart, je suis ri'dnit a la nc'cessite, n(ni pas seulement de repousser les accusations qu'il ft j:urtces contre le Coniite, les temoins, I'Assemblie, le Pays, etc, mais encore celles qu'il porte contre Lord Aylmer. CJouverneur du Pays. Sous pretexte de repondre a colics de I'Assem- blie, M. Stuart It; denonce au (iouvernement de Sa Majeste en Angleterre comme coupable n do ce douvernenr, -.'t line fletrissure cruellc, sans ol)server au m' ins la jiremicre des regies lie la Justice, en le mettant li portet- de se detendre. (^uai't a inoi, jir n'entrerais pas dans cette discussion, si d' :■., 'te un sentiment de justice envers celui contre le: traits sont diriges, ne m'en faisait la loi, et je ne puis le faire. (ju'eii auuiiit :er, fui!te d'instructions ; li voir quehpie lacune dans mes observations, fournir des armes a sou 40 . , ¥» 1 ui- ,1,1 ,.,inn thw subject, as on many Others, by his re- ■ strength to his denouncer. Happily, bhndo.l upon ^^J j'" f ^^^^ff^iji J hj^ own erection. se..t.nent, Mr. Stuart destroys at once wih h.s own amis tj.e^^ documents put Lord AylmerVJustificatiun is to be tound m Mn p^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^1,^ ^^^,^^. torth by him in support of ^ "^ ~ ^act!^! !^^^^^^^^ ^uart p-\enJs i! LZlA have acted, source, to show, tiiat it L"- Aym r l'a'l"cua as J ^^^^ ^^^ ^ he wouhl have been equally >^'"' 7' ""' /'"Z Lonl Aylmer wouhl have exposed himselt (Mr. .Stuar,) an.l ^^f\^Z^J^ '.r J.' answL uL under discussion, to the reproaches '^^ -halj^e '^ ' -'^ . .. ,,^,^„ most desirable, and was to have been ex- Accordinij t. Mr. btuart. It womii c,„««/er«/e regard for tlw i>ubhv pected, that his '^■^^.^"''''^"'^y , V^it ' im. as^^^^^^ to the immediate investigation .>, am//<;v>«^cM■«A/r^7^Mnv..ve.ll. th..pettou, as^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^.^ ^^^^^^^ ^^j. , ,^ ,he iniuri.n.s impnuaiou '^, "j'— ,^ j^^^^?^^ u£;etition to'his M=yesty's law ser- '•^^/;!^r;esmuc,.t.thersu,l^.^^ a,lopt a con.luct dictated by duty, but, it vs. ' '■'' "^ ;^': j ^ -^i,, t,,,.„i i„ coujuncticn .l,.et. selected by Mr. t>tuart which he V^^^T^^'Zm b i a very dilfereui aspect, ,,i,i, those which accompanied them, ;"««": "^^""7 Sm. Stuart adds, I little further o„, L,„d Aylmer wn. .mlty o the --^^^^'^ > j,^,^; ^^ ^^^d to ,ive the most positive ..s- that " on the .30th December, !'^^'*\"'*^^.^^^^^^^^^^^^^ that he - surances that no mal.cu.us lusuiuation. regan 1 1^ .d he J been conveved to him, he wouhl " of this l-'t ti''''"'tl''-'''^'7'" '''"''''/, "'"■nie^^^.^^^^^^^^^^ was published in the month ol ^^^^^^-W^Bx^T^:s:t^^^^ ,c.sorve, what must behave thouirht ^\':>''' '^' •'^;', , ^^ \ f ,, ^ ,,,,,ni,s . What idea could pl„.nu..l for the purpose ot sacrihciui. him J' ;^/^^. ^ ,;Vh , , only gave him, at the same Ihcn be formed of the character and v--; ;'» ^^ • 'I ^^'l^!^ ,J\ 'see in a letter of his !::-\;^; •::,/::;:::[ r r':^e";t^n:Sii^of =:..' of an mtimate ...,....^-0. . ^"'"'r sLX'l; "ntlu ti.t, sta..ered .t Brst by .'"V-^-la ^^L.tJ pll^ o^'S ;xr-;;-:^i;r:h;um:;:;nUsni^ !:fthis accusation; to compare them on several occ..io,.s -l^^l^t^::^::^ ...yself that the appe^iraiices, at l.«t, ^^^ '''' ;^/' ( r^;"^ ^ '^ ,ua...esi of illusions. 1 was no more, as we shall see w, 1. regard o Lo M "; s !^^'^.,„ , ,.J,,,,, ,,,„id enterin,, mast think that this cannot be the truit ..f a '•'-^"''.Vf.lni clear li^hl I shoul.l aUo ,„,.. .his.. .,ec, into some details, 'l^;;^ ^'t^^^^^^^Z^l.u many oti.rs, iir;;;;;":-;;;;;!: ;;;;:r;':;:;:::i.s;j:;^fy'£i!.;:.^i.ip, -^^r. ^...1 m ti. very wor. ,.. h„„ who endeavours to load 'f^ -';;' '';^'~^;,„,,,, ,^u). Two davs afterwards, on the Lampson's petition is of the f '/'.V.^. , ' ,.. by ids or.ler, v.ritcH to Mr. .^..ar. •.>;3rd. the Secretary, Ki 'lie name nt Loid Ajlimr, ami i>y " » the if-:^;-^^ „,^. ^,^,„,„,„,i, of His E rcellcncy the A.lministmtor ot .he (lovcnsment to ac(piaiiit you, t'l^'t '''''•''' ■^'•'^'^'^'' '' ^'.''' V ,,.,,,,, ,,-.„,,, .i.^, s^^^^^ nt ,ion to you for your opinion, in rc^mrd to certain .lucst.ons of law, ^^hlch U '"volvts,^".^-^!^ 41 SO" dcnoiiciateur. Heureusement, aveugle siir cut article, comme sur tant d'autres, par ses ressentimi'iis, M. Stuart dotruit d'abord de ses propres mains l'uchafauda(re qu'il a eleve, C'est dans SI trouvc falro leinent coupable non seuleinent d imp vers I.aini)son, qu'eiifin Lord Aylmor aurait protc le flanc aux reproches auxquels il se trouve en buttc dans les roponses que jo discute dans ce moment, Suivant M. Stuart, " il cut ete a desirer on on aurait du s'attendro que Lord Aylmer, " tant d'apres une consideration reflecliie des objets d'interet public et priye, auxquels cette '« Petition se trouvait liee, pour parvenir a une investijration immediate, relativoment aux impu- " tatious injurieuses qu'elle renfermait centre le caractcre et I'lionneur d'un ()fficier do liaute « confianee dans la Colonie, aurait sans hesiter refere cette Petition aux Officiers en loi de Sa " Majeste, y compris le Proeureur-General inculpe, pour avoir leur rajiport sur les allegues du " Petitionnaire." M. Stuart vabien plus loin encore; non seulement, suivant lui Lord Aylmer n'aurait pas a(loi)te le parti dicte i)ar le devoir, mais si on devait s'en rapporter a quelques traits de la con- duite de sa Seigneurie, dout il fait le choix, qu'il isole an lieu de presenter a la fois avcc ceux qui les out aeeompagnes, et qui les feraient voir sous un tout autre aspect. Lord Aylmer se se- rait rendu coupable de la plus lache duplicite. Eu effet, M. Stuart ajoute un pen plus _ loin, que le " HO Deccmbre, Son Excellcuce lui aurait donne les assurances les plus positives, " (pi'aucune iusiuuatioa nialieieusc contre son caractere n'etait parvenu jusqu'a ses oreilles, " qu'il etait etfanjrer a des insiiuuitions de cette especc, el que si on y avail u recours a son " egard, il lui en aurait fait part." Ce seraitapparemment la aux yeux de M. Stuart uu tissu de fourberie bien prononce; aussi ne man' >-t-il pas de prendre un ton solennel pour dire au Seeretiiire d'Etat, qu'il est eonvenable q\ .our le sacrifier li la liaine de ses ennemis .'' (Quelle iilee pourraif-on se faiic du caractere et do- vues de Lord Aylmer, cpii. non seulement, lui donnait on mi''nie temps ces ^siiniiurs positins, mais iui prndiu;uait ;i la fois, comme on le verra dans uue lettre de sa main, le miiuc jour, des tini'iiirnai^es d'une iiitime coniiance, d'une bienveillaiu'e egalement marquee y Je (Idis dire aussi, v de lire et relire cette pirtiede si. lettre, et les docum.ns «pie M. Stuart ;, jiijro ;i j.rctpos d'aiinexer en Appeiidice au so!:tien de c^.U' aecusiition, d'y revenir, de les com- parer de nieine ;\ plusieurs re[)rises pour i-ouvciir me persuader t|iK- les ^r.iparences au moins ne fiissent pasde son cote, et que tout cet eebafaudaue injurieux |iiiur Lleti;ir, " qu'il a reeu de M. Lumps.ui " une Petition, dans JiKpiclle il alieu'ue qu'i! est " euii,au,v dans un prcavs relatif aux bornes(le •' 1,1 S'ii,nieurif de Mille-Vaelics," joi^iiaiit le terrein des Postes du Uoi, ilont il est locataire, •■ ff (ians lequel il ailetrue ipie les ii'iter.rs de la C'ouroune se trouvi'Ut idenriliesavee les siens." " (^ue sa .Sei^fueurie lui aurait naturellement conimuiiiipie eelte 1\ lition, pour avoir sou latieresdeloi.auxqiielleselle a rapport, mais (jue M. Lampson " alle- J.' '' tcuarit (ill iiiiiion sur certiiiaes mu I 42 I^ampson liavingf stated that you are retained as counsel to the. party opposed to him in this cause, lii.s Lordship, before returiiinir to you the petition in question, requests to be in- formed u-hether the assertiou of Mr. Laiiipson, of your beivy retained by the opposite party is correci ; and whetlier, in your opinion, tlie interests of the Crown are idcntijied with those of Mr, lAimpson, as stated by liim in his ])ctition."* After a step of tliis kind on the part of Lord Aylmer, what must already be thought of Mr. Stuart's attaek upon him '^ The statenu'nf wiiieh I am about to uiifohl will present many otlier features of a not less extraortliiiary eharaeter. Mr. Stuart (U)os not seem to have imairined at that time, tliat allegations of this nature wounded his honour or his reputation. He did not even think of asking Lord Aybner to allow him a sight of this petition. On the contrary, he answers Mr. (Uegg, on the I'ollowing (lav, the •J4th of I)eeemi)er, by a long letter, in whieli, among other things, he says, " 'I'liedufy " of the office of Attorne}-(ieneral, wiiich I have the honour of holding, necessarily precludes " me from taking any retai:ier to support the interests of iiulividuais in opposition to, or in- " consistent with, tli«)Si> of the Crown ; and I have not therefore become, nor could be, re- " tained by any party adverse to Mr. Lampson, to oppose or question interests in him whicii '• are identified with those of the Crown." Mr. Stuart afterwards enters into a long dissertation on law and jurisprudence as to the nature of the aetion en reintiyrnnde, wliiih lu' had brought against Lampson, for the purpose of justifying himself, and for ilio jjurpose of persuading Lord Aylmer that the Crown W.1S not in any manner interested in the aetion en reintt'yrande wliicli he had brought in the uame of the Company, lessees of the Seigniory of Mille N'aches, against Lampson. He iso(le whieh slnndd not be passed over in si|, me, and this is found in ^[^. Stuart'" work. Airain, the feature ol his conduct that we ari- about to see, looking at it as connected witli the plueiediugs which \st; have rtlaled ami those which ! am about to point out, will more coinph'teix eharacteri/.e this portion of hisansueis im>w under tliscnssion, and explain how he conhl Im-ve j^dunged himself into so veiy man) arLiuinents at once illiisorv and contradictory. Mr. Vide tliis Letter, in AiipcniltN to Mr, S;"iiart's Letter. 4S " guant qu'il est rctenu comme Avocat par sa partTe adverse," il le prie avant de la lui " renvoyer.de linformer si cet « allc^ue, qu'il est employe par la partie adverse d Lampson " est exact, et si da-iS son opinion les iiittr6ts de la Couronne et de Lampson sont identifies " comme il le pre'.end." • Apres line demarche de cette nature de la part de Lord Aylmer, que peut-on deia nenser de la sortie de M. Stuart contre lui? Le tableau que j'ai a dcrouler va nousoffrir bien d'autJes traits qui ne serot>t pas moins cxtraordinaires. M. Stuirt ne parait pas avoir imaKiue alors que des allegues de cette nature, blessassent son honneur ou sji reputation. II ne songe pas m6ine il demauder communication de cette lle- qut'te a Lord Aylmer. Au contraire, il repond a M. Glegg, le lendemain, 24 Decembrc, par une longue lettre dans lacjuelle » il declare entre autre chose que les devoirs attaches aux fonctions du Procii- « reur-Gcneral, qu'il a I'lionneur de remplir, lui interdissent la faculte de prendre une retenm « pour soutenir en faveur d'individus des inter^ts qui sont opposes, ou qui ne sont pas en bar- « inon.e avec ceux de la Couronne, et que par cette raison, il u'avait pas ete et ne pouvait pas « etre retenu paraucuiie personne engague dans une contestation avec M. Lampson, pour (lis- « cuter contre lui les droits qui lui seraieiit cominuns avec ceux de la Couronne." M. Stuart entre ensuite dans une longue dissertation de loi et de Jurisprudence, sur la na- ture de 1 action on remtegrande, " qu'il avait portee contre Lampson, pour se iustifier, et poiu- persuader a Lord Aylmer que la Couronne n'etait nuUement interessee dans i'action en rijintcgrande, qu'il avait mtentee au nom de la Compagnie, locataire de la Seigneurie de Mille- \ aches contre Lampson. 11 ne manque pas de remarquer que cette « action est fondee sur '* U> fait d une spoliation operee par la force et la violence." Quoiqu'il en puisse etre des opinif ns de M. Stuart sur ecs objets, je dois ajouter que dans le iniragrapho (p.i termine cette lettre, il observe " cpie s'il se troilve quel((uo partie du terreia '• (tela Couronne, dans retendue de .'elui que Ton rcgarde faussement eoinme faisant partie de " la Seigneune de Mille-\ aches, le moyen de le recouvrer ne serait juis d'intervenir au nom " de la Couronne, dans les difficultes qui se sont elevees entre M. Lampson et la Compagnie, '♦ con-nie Lampson le desire, ni de porter une action contre lu Compagnie elie-meme, miiis " d'en porter une contre les Pro|.rietaires de la Seigneurie de .Mille-\'aches, i)our I'etablisse- " ment des bornes entre la Seigneurie et les terres vaeaiites de la Couronne." En voilfi dejil bien assoz pour caracteriser cette partie de la reponse de M. Stuart ; mai^ CL' n est jtas tout encore. ' Le -JO du meme mois, Lord Aylmer fait eerire a M. Stuart, par son Secretaire M. Glegg, \ n trait dans cetto j 'tf ■ mente en outn< d'l-tre roinarque ; Sa Seigneurie lui intime qu'il lugo a propos ,le lui " alj, .lulre M. I'Avocat-C.ruLTal \'anfelsoii, pour soutenir cette action en •• taveurdf la Couronne, et le priede coiniuuni.pier et de se coneerter avec lui sur les mesures " neccssaircs pour mettre a etli t les intiiilions de sa Seigneurie." Vdici maintenantun episode qui no saurait otre passu so«s silence. C'est encore dans louvrag,. .le M. Stuart .pi'ii ,e iroow. D'un autre cote, le tn«c de sa eon.luite que I'on va v,ur, .Ml I euvisugeatit .laus ses rapp.Tt.s. avoe les .1. inarehes dout on a rendu compte, et celles .ju,- ,)e vais in.liquer pent earacteris.T plus forteineiii encore cetre partie de ses rei.onses to unite with tins othcer. 1 need not observe that, on the one hand, this step on tiie part of Lord Aylmer was no more tluin an act of common prudence, whilst, on the other atter all that had prevu.usly passed, it was called for at once by strict justice, as well as by the honour ot the Ooyerninent. Mr Stuart who durinjx all tliis time does not seem to have had any exact idea ot the situa- ti..n in which iu'iuid placed himself, and who .leviates much more in his answers to the accusa- tions of the Assembly, thought right, on the fuUowing day, the ;}()th Dec., to tejtdy, in a let- ter addressed by him to Mr. Cilcgg, the Secretary, the bitterest discontent at the injunctions of ids Lordsiiii). . . , , ^ . • c . • i Amongst other things in this letter, which deserve to fix our attention, we see, h-st, with what tenacity Mr. Stuart insists on the eonsMenilitui that his functions should be exclusive ; he sjiv's. '• it heloiigs to the olfice of Attorney-diMieral to advise, institute, defend, and conduct "'•ill suits of the Crown which are carried on in his Majesty's Courts of .Justice in which that " otfieer acts professionally." Further on be a.lds, " not being conscious of any inability to " fulfil the duties of the ollice 1 hold, and not liaving b'arnt that eitlier my honour or in- " teirritv have been impeached, I must beg leave to claim from his Kxcelleucy tlie uiiilis- " turbed and unrestricted exercise vested in me by his Majesty's commission it, however, " any ciiaige or report against him have reached ids Kxcrllency, he must solicit an investiga- .. ,i,;„ .H.' cannot aceeretary. In fact, he adds, " nor can 1 submit (o become the auxiliary of Mr. \ an- *' (Vlson, oi- of any other professional gentleman, in matteis in whicli it belongs to me to act »• as principal ;" and thus he terminates ids ii-tter. SutBce it now to t.bserve, that far from enjoining Mr. Stuart to iussist iis iinfiiijiliaiii to Mr. Vanfelsou. the literal sense of the expnssions contained in the coinmuideation ad- rlre'ss.d to him, was certainly not that Mr. \anfLis..n should jierform the principal part in tldsaft'air; but, on tiie contrary, that he shouhl. as auxiliary, join Mr. .\ttoriiey-(ieneral in il.c cause ill favour of tii.' Cro'wn. Such was Mr. Attorney -General's exactness in his man- ner of vi.uinu tidiigs on the otiu'r side the Atlautie. It is easy to see that nearly a year ot rerteclion hits not sufficed to rectify his ideas, sine tlds jicriod of time lias not caliutd liis resentment, lor t!ie rest, we shall not be surprised on this subjoet, wlieii we see tiial tliw feeliii" bail been again aroused iifter tli. new steps taken by Lord Aylmer, widcli slinuM have destroyed such a fi'elinir for ever: :iim1 Mr. Stuart seems to have been profoundly seiisililc of this at th'at time, anil as he exjiressed himself in the most formal manner. Lord Avlmer's secretary wrote to Mr. Stuart on the same day. He abstainey " any malieiiuis iusinuati..n regar...Mg his 'character, that had reached his ears •.•''^'/'^ " altogether a siri'iiLCer to .tny sneh insinuations; ami had they heeii conveyed to him, Lr >• woiii«l not have hesitated for oiu' moim nt candidly and honestly to have imparted them t^' " him (Mr. Stuart)." . , . . ■ • Last iv. -After smne observations to this etl.n, uiuinthirs with reference to the priiu i- ikU object', the injunction rehiting to Mr. Viudelson, he »lds, that >' IW Administraloi '• of t'he i'rovinc(>, he inav be permitt.'d t.. jinlge tor himself, whetlu'r he shall associate one or more of the law olTuers of the 1 -own, in the conduct and management of any " particular lu-oeecUiiii,'-." _ _ i • , Hut Lord Aylmer cnirrie III- secretary, he'writes /nrnv //' to Mr. Stuart, in the most eiuifideiitial manner, the letter of which w"e have spoken in the jircliuiinary ei'iisideraiions. I think it my duty to intro- duce here the entire I'jttcr :— (Irivati'.) 45 « to nie to iu'i M. Stuart so trcuve profonciement blessc, que le Gouverneur out osc prendre sur lui de icquirir I'Avocat-Goncral, do soutenir avec lui los iuturcti du la Couroune dans cette action, ot I'cut roi|uis lui-nii-me do so coucorter avcc cot Officier. Jo u'ai pas hesoiu de fairo ol)sorvor (pio d'uii cote cette demarche de Lord Aylraer n'etait «iu'un Acto do commune prudence, (pie do I'autro, apros tout ce (pii s'otait passo procodcmment, olio otaitii la fois dans I'intorot d'uno stricto justice, commode I'honneur du Gouvernement. M. Stuart, (jui, pendant tout co tem])S, no parait piis avoir ou aucune idee exacte de la si- tuation dans la(iuello il s'otait place, et qui s'ocarto encore davantage dos regies dans ses ro- ponses aux accusations de rAssembloe, crut devoir dos le lendemain, 30 Docembre, tomoigner dans uno lottre tpx'il adresse au Secretaire Glogg, le plus vif mocontontement dos injonctions do sa Soigneurie. lintre autros chosos qui mi'ritent de fixer I'attontion dans cotto lettre, on y voit d'abord avcc qi, ' ' toiuicito ]\1. Stuart insiste sur co <|uo sos fonctions doiveut avoir d'oxclusif. Cost, dit-il, " IN*. Procurour-Gonoral />ti'c nintiniitiiifa I'f'jl'din; dc M. /,iiiiiftso!i, )}'ft pas pris Ic mviiis tin inuiitlt sti suitrtt (Itiiis tltx ttou/ta sur son inti'i/ii/t', son honnt ur on si s ("It )is cotiinn hoinmf tic pm/rssion qn'tlli' 7i'fst /nis lion jiliis lefniit iVinsinnntioiis nuilii itnsvs r hdivts <) sou tiiriiiit'rt' qui striiitnt rtnuts Jnsf/n'i't liii qu'il tst t'tnint/ir tt tits i/isiiiiitilii.is tie ctlf ntifnir, it que si elks I'tiiiinl vtUKi's Jiisqu't'i lui^ il n'tiurait pus hisiti- un instatu a lui in J'uirr part (Piiuc manieri- franthv. el sincere. riifm, aiiros quolquos observations dans cos sons, ot autros relatives a I'objet principal, rinjonolidu relative ;i M. \'antolso;i, il iijouto qn'in sa qiiaii/i' iV Atlniinislnilinr tin (lonrerne- imnl, il iloit liii < tre //i rniis tie /ni/ir pur lui-nteme, s'il eonvient tit rupiirir et il'iiiljoindrc un ou plus des UJjiciers tie la Couronne poureoniluin et siiivri une iijf'aire en partienlier. Mais Lord Aylnu-r poussa la eondescondanoo un pen plus Idiii. Apros lui avoir fait dcrire parson Soerilairo, il ooril lui-nu' ino a M. Stuart, sous lo sccau do la plus iiitinu eonfiance, la iottro (lout 11 a oto question ilans los tousidorutions iiroliniinairos. Je orois devoir la rappurter ioi on ontior. (Secret.) " (P -ite.) " Castle of St. Lewis, Quebec. lOtii Deceinb. r, laiO. " ^^y dear Sir, — An offiiiul corre.s|H>iidf!ioi> is now jfoiii^ forward between us, i nm^h " the medium of Lieut. Col. (He^ff, wiiicli, i do iu*sure you, is very painful io me; liut 1 " hope and trust, it w ill not have the cffeet of producinjf any ehange in the social inter- " course, and tiiosc perscrial feeiinffs of rej^ard between us, which it is very uiiicli my de- " sire to I'licrisli and culiivate to tlif utm»)8t. An assurince, on your part, that you parti- " cipatf iu those fcelinirs, would be highly gratifying 'o Myd lear .;g on thi- following day, .iniong otIiiT tliini;s, tfiat " there was no objection, on his part, that tho Ad>..cate-Ciei rul, or any »' other professiomil genileman, be auUiori/id to act as counsel, in cunjunetion witii him, in '• the li'i^al mciuiures which it miglft be proper to adopt for deteniiining the metes and »• boundaries of the Seigniory of Mille-\'aches." I should add, that it was on the occasion of Lord A rner's i tter being sent, tli.u Mr. ."^tuart answered him by the ktier in hoUid be tempted thus to reproaeh me, to ca>t their eyes over the ski'tch of facts, tracrd by Mr. Smart's own hii' .!: aid to wiy afterwards whether my iniagimitiou has misled me; whether, in truth, I L;sM- s'.aed a single fact not there to lie found. My description bus fallen short of the triii'iv, Si le other considerations upon this subject still [iresent themselves, upon which justice id;!Ii;'."s me to dwell for a few moments. Mr. Stuart insist-S on the necessity of " an invcstiga- " t:t»i> of the imputation, that no disparagement might be surt'eitd by the honourable service '• in which he was engaged from malignant insinuation or unfounded siibpieioii," \e. \\'hat then ;ire the impntalions which the (rovernor bad conceakd from him .■' 1 have alreadv remarked, with regard to the facts alleged by Lampson, that they were uncpiesticni- ;diie: the inferences to be drawn from them could have been alone in eiu'ral " was engaged in advoealing an inte- '' i'etioil- vc rctiTciic r ilini!; ;in iiite- idlTStlKld tlic to lie aide to III liy Lam|)- His troni "Sir. tdlciii'v, tliat I any rf>|ii'Ct •. StIUIII how (I Mr. Stuart art I'litortaiii I'o 47 (Secret.) " Chi'iteau Saint Louis, Quebec, 30 Duccmbrc, ia30. '• Afdii I'lier MoiiHioiir, — Nous somini's frij^aj^cs dans uiic.<^^orres]ioiidancu otficielle par lo canal du Lii'uteiiaiit-C'oloiioi (ilfifif; ji assure qu'ellc est e.xtromeiiu'iit penilile pour inoi, iiiais j'espire avec coiifiaiice ij ciete8|ii.ur les ehaii|for, iii |iour alteri i do coiisi '•ft de cultiver. Uni- assL serait tri- riable. , -' pour "iiiira aiicuii enot dans um rajiports de so- fiititnens d'ogards (jue je desire vivement .otrc part que vouspurtagez ces sentiinens, " Mon »her Monsieur, votre tres tumble serviteur, (Signe) " AYLMER." II est presqu'inutilo de .lire que M. Stuart, qui dut sentir alors ce qu'il y avail de singu- lier dans scs plaint.'*, rqiondit au Colonel Clegg U l.inain, (/ii'iln'y avuil point d'objectiou >lr sa part i/iif F .htu,il-(i,'Krrlioct (pi'il avait dija pour sa Seigiicurie, a raison 'U'sei'iidaiiee (jn'elle liii tcinoifrnait dans cette oeca- Kt cepeiidaiit, si on en croyait inaintenant M. or.s auraient ete des actes de trahisoii a son egard. * par la(|uelli' M. Stuart teinoigiuuf '* ter uiie iioiivelle force aux mIi " do la fiaiieliise, de la lion . t ■ sioii, et ii niidrf ci' sentiiiien'. Stuart, les deinarelies du Gouveriii Do rpiel retoiir M. Stuart paye maiiifenanf les sentiinens parternrl' rpto Lord Aylmer lui teinoiuiiait alors ! -M. Stuart se serf iiiaiiitenani de cette lettie, il la , ublie : voila les armcs ■ ImiiI Use sen |)oiir aftaiiiier sa Sejiriieurie dans cp (pie riioiineur a de plus delicat, laire s'il le |Hi.f line iilessiire profonde et irreparable a sa reputation! C.'ela devrait il etre erovable ? Je |ui.. line Diessiire proioiide et irreparable a sa reputation! tela devrajt il etre erova lai ii( jii (lit, si I'on poiivait iiic soiipc^onner d'exagc'ration dans nies sentiinens, iiiV rillusion (piVlle eii' ite, je pourrais encore, coninie je I'ai dija iV 'liisieiirs fois. pr (till wf'r'iii.iit t.itkf/-..- .1.. ...*...! I... 1 ! . ". I ' I II 1 ,. . m'attribuer ' ,r- I - 5 ,1 ■,! .••j-n-.ii.-i n,i^, prier ccux ipii scraient tentrs de lu'adresMT co r< | n., he, de Jeter les yeux sur le tableau do faits, traci' de Il main de M. Stuart lui-iiieiiie, et (I, .. iiisuile si nioii iinaL>iiiatioii in'a troinpe, si cnlin I'ai aecusi; uii seiil trait qui iie s'y troii\ e pas. Je suis rustij au-dessoiis de la r(:'aliti;'. 11 se pr('seiite_ encore ioi a ce Mijct quelqiics autres considerations anxquelles la justice m'impose robliiratioii de m'arrtter qiu'bpies installs : M. Stuiut insisti sur la necessite' d'uiie '• investinalioii relativeineut aiix iiii|Mitatioiis iiijiirieuses qui se liouveiit, dit-il, dans la He- " (pifte (le i.anipson coiitrc son caiacleie, eoiitre son Imiiiieiir, cdinine Officier I'ublic, etc." (^aello sont dune ecs inipiiiatioiis (pie le (iouveriieiir a dei'obees a sa coniiaissance ? J'ai dcjii cliserve, (pie (piantaiix faits allei,nies par Lainpson, s'ils etaieut constaiis, ce n'est que des in- ductions dont il pouvait etre ipiestioii. Les passages que M. Stuart enteiid iiierimiiier soiit aiipareiniiieiit ccux ipii ret;anleiit la rejiresentation de Laiiipsoii. . ■ \v '• {'roeuieiii-deiieial i^ait eiinage daiis line cause (I'action " en leveiidiciilioii ii il s, jiMiait des iiiti'n'ls opptises a eeiix de la C (iiironiie." IVmnait-on siiplioser M. Stiiaii asse/ tiepoiirvu de sanaeilc pour ii'avoir pas eiiteiidu le sens de la eoiuinii- iiicalioii a 111! adressee in- I'ordre de Lord Aylmer, jiotir poiivoir se persuader ([u'elle lie com- jMirtait pas (pie e'etai , effet ce qui lui i^tait rejiresente par Lampson .■' C'etait sur cet olijet la mime (pie li> (ionv, i neiir demandait des exiilieatii-ns ;i M. Stuart. t'Vtait en ivpoiid'aut a eetteconiiminicatioiKpie M. Sdiart assurait Son Kxeelleiice. (pie les iiiteivts de la Couroiine et eeiixde l.ainiisiMi dans cette action n'avaient rieiide coniniiiii. C'Vtait ace siijet 1:1 nu'iiie que Lord Aylmer lui iciiioignait coiiihieii rassiiraiiee ipie M. Stuart lui doiiii.iit a ce sujet, lui cau- sait desatisfaciidii, k-u cidmaiit sis ini/uirliidis. V.l y\. Stuart ignorait le coiitenii de la (liU'te a cet egard ! M. Stuart pouvait -il avoir nieiiie roinhii' d'uii doute si.r ee point. Ke- A Voyi'Z toutcs CCS lettrcs daus rAii|)omliti io lu Lcli ■ de M. f^tuart. .o... \^^ .oQ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^ ,ad taken tliese )laced before tlic ed the Attorney- courts in bis iu- tho ])reas corpm obtenus a la demande des defendeurs condamnes ii la poursuite de Linton. On a vu avec quelle ardeur ces affaires avaient 6t(- suivies par M. Stuart, le zele qu'il avait mis dans ces demarcl .es en favour de la Compagnie, comment son opinion avait etc mise sous les yeux des Majristrats. On pent iinaginer, comment Lampson avait dii envisager la conduite (III Procureur-Cleneral, relativement anx aeeiisiitions portees dans les Cours Criminelles dans sonintt let, eteombien elle contras'ait avec le soiii qu'il avait donne aux poursuites intentees en favour de la Compagnie. Assurement M. Stuart n'avait pas employe son ministere de ma- niere il inspirer une tres-vivc confiance li Lampson. II ne jioavait pas ignorer non plus quels etaient les sentimens d'un homme dont le nieeontentement contre lui n'avait pas pu manquer d'eclater. Que les phuntes de Liiinpson fussent fondees ou frivolos, on ne devait pas penser qu'il eomptiit sur un zele Jirdent de la pai t de M. Stuart dans ruction en Imniaffc t\ intenter dans son iuteret en Cour Civile. Cent etc siins doute une etraniro di'marciie de la part de Lord Aylmer, que de donner de Teclat ii cette affaire, de hi snumettre i\ la consideration de tons les Officiers de la Couronne, ou de ceux qui sons le iiom do C^uiseil dii Roi, sont ordinairement charges de Sioutenir ses interets dans les differens tribuiiiiux de la Province. .le veux nieme que, ces circonstances ii part, il eut pu juger convenablede deinander li ee sujet Topinion du seul Officier eu loi commissionne sur les lieux, le SoUiciteur Cieiieral dcmeurant ii Montreal, il lui a fallu des-lors s'adresser a TAvocat-General, qui, suivjint M. Stuart lui-meme, etait charge de soutenir les interets de J^ampson dans les causes dont il ii ete question. Mais sur ces matieres, leurs opinions, commc le parti qu'ils avaient pris, ^)taient diametrale- ment opposes et ils les soutenaient Vnw contre Tautre, non seulement diuis les Cours, muis dans leurs communications iivec T A dministrateur en Icur qualite d'Officiers en loi de la Cou- ronne. II s'etjut necessairenient etalili entre cux une rivalite dont Teinulation u'ctait pas Tuni- que resujiat. Je ne parle pas d'un autre siijet dc discussion entre eux connu dans la Province, bien G 50 calculuted to add the bitterness of personal resentment to tliat which this conflict of opinions— the contest in wiiich thev were enafajrod as law-officers of the Crown— gave birth. According to Mr. Advocafe-(;eneral \'anfi'lson, it' was tlie duty, as well as tor the honour of the Crown, tliat JLanipson siiould be supported in the differences which had arisen between him and the Com- pany ; whilst Mr. Stuart, the Attorney-General, saw in tliese differences notiiing but private interests, and, on the part of Lanipson, pretensions contrary to kw. He was irritated at seeing Lord Ayimer join Mr. VanfeUon with him, for the purpose of supporting the ac- tim rd Ayimer, who, he sjkys, on omitting to require the report of the Attorney-Cieneral. or any other of the law servants of the Crown, on the petition of Mr. Lampson, wsls ])leased to adopt the sttitimcnts contained in that /nti- tion an t/u yromul of hi.i dttinmnatwn In/ irfiir/i In the Attorney-Cuntral was penmpfori/i/ ordered to institute an action for the tstahlislimtut (f Injundnries betwten the Kinifs Fonts and Milk I aches. This is doubtless a strange reproach, after the suggestion made, without any reserve, to Lord .Vylmer by Mr. .^tuart, on the subject of that very action, and with which suggestion he concludes his letter of the lJ4lh Deccn.lier, of which 1 have spoken. What occasion had Lord A\ Imer for a fresh rejiort from Mr. Stuart, with reference to a subject upon which he had already taki-n his opinion, as to the propri.iy of this action, — upon the question as to the justice and necessitv of which he had also the formal ttpinion of the .\dvocate-Ceneral, Mr. Vanfclson ? If Lord Aylnur had done wrong in relying upon this opinion, it did not certainly belong to 'he author of it to reproach his Lordsl.ip for doing so .•' Doubtless he could not divim^ that Mr. Smart could entertain another and a different opinion to that which he had comnmtii- cated in thus letter. For the rest, if Mr. .Stuart felt that l.e had not been understood at that time, er that w.inr of exiictness iu the terms of which he had made use, ha«i led Lord Ayimer into error; lastly, it tliese exjiressions reipiired inodilicaiioii, that was the time for informing Lord Ayimer either that he liiul not taken the letter of the 124111 iu il« proper sense, or that he himself had not ex- pressed the whide of his views, and to communicate them. Mefore pruce«'ding further, let us (.li>erM . il.at .Mr. Stuart here, iks elsewhere, envelopes luuiself in a cloak of the most mvsterious obscurity : vagueness can scarcely be carricil fur- thci 51 ! of opinions — According to he Crown, tJiiU and the Com- in)^ but priviitti fas irritiited at ortiiig tlio ac- uld Mr. iStuart not liave hud would he then subject ? And 3 did not adopt re, ran illusion the honocr of services of Mr. J action de hor- , without vicw seless, since it a strugfrle cal- deeply wound- } have been cal- f ardent xval in the part of him trage, although : as is prctend- of imprudence >uld, lastly, have of the answers >ntion of rc|)re- Lord Aylnier, loined to bring, tter of the 24tli tion de liorrmtje, lys, on omitting s of the Crown, md in that piti- •Its ptnmjitorili/ 'iHij's I'ouls and any reserve, to hieii suggestioM lat occasion iiad upon which lie lestion as to tlie e-t>eneral, Mr. lid not ctjrtaiiily L-ould not divii}!' le had cumnmlii- iic, cr that wanr error; lastly, it d Aylnier eillier iself had not ex- here, enveioprs be carried tur- tbci bien propre a ajouter ramertume de« ressentimens personnels a celle que ce conflit d'opinions, la lutte dans laquelle ils i-taient engages, comrnc Officiers en loi de la Couronne, enfantait Suivant M. I'Avocat-Geni-ral Vanfelson, il etait du devoir, comme de I'honneur de la Couronne, de soutenir Lampson dans des difficuiti's qui s'6taient tievees entre lui et la Compagnie, tandis Comment M. Stuart aurait-'l envisage cette demarche de la part de Lord Aylmer ? n'aurait-il pas eu quelqne pretexte de Ini reprocher de la p.irtialitc ? avec quelle vehemence il I'aurait alorsaccus6 d'injustice, de prendre snr cette matiere I'opinion de son rival? Et M. Stuart tra- duit Lord Aylmer comme coupable a son cgard, parce qu'il n'a pas adopte une demarche qu'il lui auraii reprochee comme an crime? Encore une fois, peut-on pousser I'illusion plus loin? D'un autre c6taictitudo dans les termes dont il s'etait servi, eut induit Lord Aylmer en erreur ; enfin, si ses expressions avaient besoin de modification, c'ctJiit le moment de faire remarqucr A Lord Aylmer, ou qu'il n'avait pits bien saisi le sens de la lettre du 24, ou que lui-meme n'y avait pas mis au jour sii pensee toute entiere, et de la lui faire coniiaitre. Hemarqiions avant d'aller plus loin, (|ue M. Stuart, ici comme ailleurs, s'enveloppe du manteau de la plus mystcriouse obscurit,;. On ne p«ut gucre pousser le vague plus loin qu'il no Ic tlier than it ia in this portion of liis letter. I leave it to be divined what fault there coiild have been in adopting the step wliicli he, Mr. Stuart, hud susfgested. Let us suppose that it wa» one to be condemned : it was at least his dutjr to remind tlie Administrator lu what manner it was erroneous, and what it contsiined of injustice. If Lord Aylmer could be reproached at all, it would siirtly be for having carried his confidence too far; and, most assuredly, that which he had, up to tliat time, testifie e to account for his apathy on this occasion ? It was his duty to consult with a crown office;. He could, in conjunction with that officer, consider this order ; and their joint representation would assuredly have had the effect of inducing Lord Aylmer to revoke an imprudent or an unjust order. This is, again, one of those unaccountable inconsistencies in Mr. Stuart's conduct: and by another perversion of ideas, without further prelude, he adds, tliat '* in romplimwe irit/i a jwremptury order, t.rclwliiuf the exercise of " auy judi/mcnt or discretion on my part, thin action was instituted by me mi the I6th of Feb- " ruary last." This is not tlie moment for again dwelling upon the enquiry into the correspondence with Lord Aylmer upon this subject, to which he refers. We shall content ourselves with asking, first, how Mr. Stuart, who, up to that time, had equally laboured with constancy and with unceasing activity, to give weight and success to his opinions, couh: at once undergo so thorou;;h a meUimorphose .^ If tiie order were unjust— if it had j)rescribed to him a thing contrary to the laws. — could lie, ought he to have complied with it? His duty as a crown officer, his honour v an individual, imposed on him the obligation of refusing to lend him- self to an act which would have been a violation of the justice due from the Government to the governed, and inconsistent with the dignity of the Government itself, whose organ hi^ was. Could Mr. Stuart have thought that an order possessing this character could be biiul- ing on him, aud t! it it could interdict the right of incpiiry, and stifle the murnnlrs t)f conscience .■' Lastly, Mr. Stuart comes to the petition presented by Lampson to the Assembly. He opens til is' subject again, with an expose, importing reproaches of injustice, at once against this House anil Lord Avlnier His resentment so far misleads him !is to prevent his seeing that he denounces himself as guilty of sometiiing more than levity hardly credible; that, in fact, he calumniates himsvlC First, he remarks with gravity, that " if appears that sidtseqnnilly, on the 1st of March, " a petition was prrscntid hy Mr. Lampson to the IIoiisv of Assemhiy." Mr. Stuart might have spoken in a more positive nuuiner of a fiu-t of such a nature. He euntiimes, anil adds, '• Of the procmliw/s had nn this piiition, as well as of the transmission if them " to this country for i/.iiir l.'irdshi/i's ninsideratiini, I rtmainid iynorant until I obsirrcd in '• the nnrspapirs if the Colony an answer of his Kxiellemy, Lord .lyliner, loan address of '• thi Assemhiy. hy which his E.reellency assured the House he wimld tronsmit them." This fact is evidently put forth as a grievance, against tlie one and the oilier, and refers, doubtless, to Mr. Stuart's' exceptions, fomuled on the fact of his not having been required to defend himself, and ifprueii dinys haiiny heen taken oyaiiist him ex parte. It Is useless to return to this subject, and I think it my duty 'o refer to my observations upon the memoir, in which thesi; objections are refuted. .As to the fact itself, can it be suji- posed, in the first place, that Mr. Stuart, chief officer of the Crown, could be so perfect a stranger to what jiasseil in the Assembly ' Could lie, besides, carry indifierence and a|)atliy upon this subject so far, ;i.s not to cast a glimpse over any of the journals of the country, in wiiich, without exception, all the proceedings of the Assembly are reported, and in whicii LampsonV cumpluints figured in a striking nianiier .■' Ilesides, it cannot lif Mipposed that Mr. Stuait had neglected to pay any the slightest iit- t*^>nlion to proceedings, wliieii personally eonei'rned him, and upon wiiich the attention of the whole province was concentrated, ^ir. .Stuart couhl not have been so deslitu'e of friends, as that tliere should not be one. seeing him in this absolute state of ignorance with regard to a subject of so great importance to him, not even the Solicitor-G^'neral, or his own brother, (botli meml)ers of the Assembly) who would make him acquainted with it. We have already seen that Mr. Stuart was called before the Cpmniittee of Grievances, and (juestioned with re- ere could have se that it wai^ vhat manner it )roaclie(i at all, lly, that which iflicer, that he, i subject. Was it not a eceded, and of t, given proots n ? It was his r, consider this inducing Lord unaccountable without furtlier the exercise of he \QthofFeb- correspondeiice ; ourselves witli with constancy t once undi>rgo to him a thing uty as a crown t^ to lend liim- (joverninent to rliose organ he could be biiul- le inurmilrs of \ssenibiy. Ho at once agiiiiist vent his seeing edible ; that, in c \st of March, " Mr. Stuart He continues, ninsivn of them til I obsirval in (in address oj hnn." her, and refers, leen rvquircil In my observations ', can it be sup- bo so perfect a Mice and apathy tiio country, in I, and in which the slightest at- aMention of ilic •o of friends, as witli regard to a is own brotlicr, \'e have already lut'stioned with rc- 63 le fait dans cette partie de sa lettre. Je laisae li devinnr en quoi pouvait pucher rordre d'adopter la demarche qu'il avail suggeree. Supposons qu'elle ffit condamnable. C'etait au inoins d lui li faire observer a rAdministrateur en quoi elle pouvait pecher, ce qu'elle renfermaU d'injuste. .SI Ton pouvait faire quelque reproche a Lord Aylmer, ce serait surement d'avoir pou8s6 trop loin la confiance, et assurement celle qu'il avail jusqu'alors tcmoignee pour M. Stuart, etail pour eel Officier un sur, garaat, qu'il aurait prete une oreille favorable a ses repriisentations d ce sujet. Au reste, quelle consideration pouvait arrcter . M. Stuart ? N'etait-ce pas une obligation attachee a ses fonctions ? Si c'etait le sentiment du devoir qui I'avait anime dans toutes ses dd- inarches qui avaient precede et dont on a rendu compte. 11 avail au moins donne des preuves d'un zele outr^'. Cpmment rendre raison de son apathie dans cette occasion ? II devait se con- certer avee un Officier de la Couronne. II pouvait avec lui examiner eel ordre, et leur repro- scntation commune aurait eu surement I'effet d'engager Lord Aylmer a revoquer un ordre im- prudent ou injuste. C'est encore dans la conduite de M. Stuart une de ces contradictions inexplicables : et par un autre renversement d'idees, sans autre prealable, il ajoute que, " pour se conformer d un « ordre peremploire qui lui interdinait lafacuUe d'exercer son jmjeinent, et d'user de sa discre- " tion, il a intente Taction le Ki Fevricr suivant." Ce n'esl pas le moment de s'arroter de nouveau a I'examen de sa correspondance avec Lord Aylmer a ce sujet, a laquelle il renvoie. On se ccntcntera de demander d'abord, com- ment M. Stuart, qui jusqu'alors avail egalement travaille avec Constance et avec une activit6 hrulante a faire valoir et triompher ses opinions, a i)u tout d'un coup e])iouver une m6tamor- j)hose aussi complete ? Si I'ordre etait injuste, s'il lui prescrivait une chose contraire aux lois, pouvait-il, devait-il s'y conformer ? Son devoir comme Officier de la Couronne, son honneur comme iadividu, lui faisait la loi de refciser de se pretcr a un acte qui aurait viole la justice que le Gouvernement doit aux Oouveriu's, ou la dignite de ce Gouvernement lui-meme donl il devenail I'organe. M. Stuart a-t-il |)u croire qu'un ordre qui aurait eu ce caractere pouvait itre pour lui obligatoire, et qu'il piit lui interdire le droit d'examen, etouifer les miu-mures de la conscience ? Enfin, M. Stuart en vient li la Kcquoto jjresentce a rAsscmbli'e par Lampson. II de- bute encore a ce sujet par un expose (jui comporte des reproches d'injustice, ensemble a cette (Miambre et a Lord Aylmer. Ses ressentimens lui font prendre le change au point de ne pas s'appercevoir qu'il se denonce lui-monie comme coupable de plus que d'une legerete a peine croyable, qu'onfin il se calonniie. II dit d'abord avee gravite qn'il " pavait que subscqucmment au premier Mars, une " Petition fut presentee u TAsseiii: Ue par M. Lam])son." M.Stuart aurait pu parler d'une " maiiicre ))lus positive d'un fail de cette nature. 11 continue et ajoute, " qu'il estresti; dans " rignorance des procedes sur cette Petition de M. Lampson, jiisqu'au moment oii il a vu •' dans les papiors publics de la Colonic, une reponse de Son Excellence Lord Aylmer li une •' adresse de I'Assemblee, par laquelle il assurait la Chambre (pi'il la transmettrait." Ce fait est ovidemment donne comme un (Jrief a la charge de I'une et de I'autre, et se rnjiporte suns (ioiite aux exceptions de M. Stuart, fondees sur ce qu'il n'avait pas etc requis de se defendre, (jit OH acait precede contre lui ex parte, etc. II est inutile de revenir sur ce sujet, et je crois devoir renvoyer a mes observations sur le memoire dans lesquelles ces objections sont refuteos. Quant au fait on lui-mome, peut-on sup- poser d'abord quo M. Stuart, premier Officier de la Couronne, piit ctre :'i ce point etrangcr a CO qui sopiussait (lansrAssemblce? Pouvait-il d'ailleurs sur cot article porter I'insouciance et rapathie jus(|u'a no pas jeter la vuesur aucuiio (iazettes du Pays, dans lesquelles, sans excep- tion, ou rend ecinipte do tons les procedes de I'Assemblee, et dans lesquelles les plaintes de Lampson tiguraient d'uno niaiiicre trappantc. On ne pout d'aillours supjioser (juo M. Stuart n'eiit pas donno la \>\\\% legere attention a dos procedes qui le regardaiont personnellement, ot sur lesquels cello do toutc la Province se trouvait eoneontroe. M. Stuart ne pouvait etre dciino d'amis, an point que le voyant dans cet ctat absolu d'ignoran'.'o sur uii objet do cette iuiporrance pour lui, il no s'en trouvat pas un soul, pas iicmo le Sollieiteur-Gonoral ou son propro frcre, tous doux Mond)ros de T \ssemblce, ([ui lui en put donner eonnaissance. On a deja vu qu'il avail oto appole devant le Comite des Griefs, ft interrogo relativement aux plaintes que sa conduite avail provoquees, quant aux Commissions 64 regard to the coiuplaiuts which liis conduct, with respect to the commiwions of the notaries and advocates, had provoked. How was it that lie lost siiyht of tlie proceedings of which he was the subject, during tiiis session, any more than lie did those of preceding sessions ? Did not any of these circumstances arouse his attention ? Mr. ytuiurt pretends that the proceedings with reference to this petition, did not come to his knowledge before the time at which the Gazettes had placed before the eyes of the public the Ciovernor's answer. Hence, we must conclude, then, either tliat Mr. Stuart had not read a single newspaper during the Sesnion, or that having read what was published with respect to tlie proceedings in the Assembly, those which regarded him, escape' his notice ; and that further, he had not heard them mentioned any where. Ar-j such assertioBs as these credible i Is this such a declaration iis might have been ex- pected from him ? Agiiin, it would have been really to be guilty of libel on Mr. Stuart, to attribute to him an indift'erence, .is little in accordance with his duties as Attorney-General, as it would have been with his own interest. The imputation of so marked a levity, would with rpjvson, have been considered a serious injury. He would have been justified in complaining of it, and in repelling it as a calumny. The reproach against the Administrator which the remainder of this paragraph imports, is stamped with the die of the siime singularity, and discloses, still more, the forgetfulness of tlie principles of the constitution and of the government of which Mr. Stuart was one of the functional ies of the highest rank. He adds, " llis Excellmcj did not make me. aaptainted xcith •' the address, or his answer to ?V, till ajler a letter irax written hy me to his Exrellency's '• secretary, requesHng to bs informed whether such proceedings had or had not come under his " Earellttwy's notice." \\'e may ask ourselves, whether it be possible tliat this observation could come from a man but lately his Majesty's Attorney in the province ? What law placed the Governor under the necessity of notifying to him the proceedings of a House of Commons, with regard to a petition publicly pr»sented, and which was spoken of in all the public prints, and of which no one in the province could be ignorant of the retence that he (Lord Melville) had known nothing of their procedings, during the time that his conduct wiis the subject of iinpiiry before the House ? In what light would such complaints as tlie>e have been regarded? How are we to reconcilf the fact, of a man who lately performed in Lower Canada ilie important functions of Attorney-General to His Majesty, having considered of any import- ance, remarks such as those we have just seen ; having submitted these observations as serious objections; la-stly, liaving persuaded himself that these were grievances proper to bring to the charge of the Assembly, of the Administrator of the Province? These arc really so many jiroblems not to be soIvcjI. It is lusele^s to comment on the following paragraph. On the jiart of Mr. Stuart, it is retluced, on the one liand, to the bare iissertinn, that these representations on the part of Mr. Lampson are contrary to truth ; and, on the other, that his own conduct is free from reproach. Pai»siiig on to the proceedings of the Committee, Mr. Stuart, from the beginning, declares that the proivedings of the committee are unsupported by any other testimony tliiui that given by Mr. Lampson, his counsel, and attorney. Two othir witnesses, Mr. Primrose and Captain llayfield * »/wre indeed examined In/ore the committee, hut as to immuti- ruU points. He enumerates, and talks of criminal prosieutions and o( civil actions, of which we have already spoken ; of jirosecutions Jigainst the servants of lampson, in which indictments had hifii * Th» evideiir-e of Captain Uaytieltl relates to the limit! of the Seiifniory of Mill* VachM, the suliject of an action on the port of Uic Cron u ul vvbicb wv «bitll speak itereal'tcr ; and Mr. Stuart calU thiii iuiauiteri:U vvi. dene*. M CommisiinnR dm Notalres et 8 d'une maniere officielle avaut qu'ils fussent parvenus de mcme a sa connaissancc ? au du Qu*eut-on pense en Angletcrre de Lord Melville, s'il avait cru devoir se plaindre comme d'une injustioe, que Sa Majeste cut omis de lui fairc connaitre les procedes des Communes qui le concernaient i S'il avait attendu qu'unc adresse eut etc presentt'e contre lui pour prier Sa Majeste de repous'ser avec dedain la demande des Communes, sous pretexte qu'il n'avait rien su de leurs proc^ds pendant que sa conduite eUiit un objetd'examen et de recherche devant ellcs ? De quel csil eftt-on envisage ces plain tes ? Comment s'expliquer qu'un liomme qui remplissait nagueres les impnrtantes fonctions de Procureur-General de Sa Majeste dans le Bas-Canada, ait pu inettre de I'importance a des re- marques comrne celles que Ton vient de voir, presenter ces ol)sprvations comme des objections sericusBS, enfin, se persuader que c'ctait la des Griefs a invoquer contre rAssemblce, contre I'Administrateur de la Province ? C-e sent vraiment autant de ])roblumes fi-pcu-pres insc.lubles. II est inutile de commenter le j)aragraphe suivant. Tout s'y rcduit de la part de M. Stuart, d'un cote a I'assertion nue que les rcpresentati(uis de M. Lampson sont contraires a la v(5rit{^, (le I'autre que ssi propre conduite est exempte de reproche. Passant de la aux proct'dt's du ComifV-, M. Stuart des le debut, soutient que les procri)(?s (hi Comitt" n'ont d'autre appui que le tcmoignage donne par M. Lampumi, son At^ocat et son Prociireur. Excepte V Ilonorahle Primrose et le Capitaine /iai(fieM, * rclatif A (ks points qui etaitiit sans impnrtance. 11 fait une emunt-ration, parle des ftoursuites criminelles et des actions ciriles dont il a vti' ([uestion, des accusation, portees daiis un iiiteret contrnire a celiii de Lamp- son, ncaieillirs par les (hands Jures, lic interest, before which tliuM- iiaviiig reference to i>rivyte inltresU merely, lost all tlieir iinporUuice. 'I'his objection, founded on the (piestioii of inconipetemy, would tlii-n aUu lie worse tlian frivolous. There is still something more, wor- thy our attention. Why (lid not Mr. Stuart, instead of these vain reproaches, apply liimself to showing, that these wigusses had been li.< insehcs a prey to error, tiie elVect of their jirejudice or tlioir pas.sions f Such was the nature of the tacts' to which tliey deposed, that nothing would iiave been easier than to show the falsity of their testimony, if indeed it had been so stained. Mr. Stuart has not e\ en attempted ih'ls. We have been already enabled Ui perceive, and we sluillsee it again in tiie subsequent portions of this discussion, that he himself reasons upon these facts as esUiblished. Tlie inferences to be drawn from them are alone in qaestioii. Hut he is as unfortunate in his hiiioured e.\plaiiati(Uis for the purpose of ilrawing from tlieiii conclusions favcen the Iludsorif liay Compnny awl Mr. Lampton, and their nervanti:; " and the Commilln:, wtthuut uny evidniie u/>un which to form an opinion, adopted the stnte- " w. «/.* and Ityni opinions of Mr. Liimpson, his roiinsil, and attorn, y, as th,' Joundatiun of " il» dfchionjuifinq virlimih/ made Mr. Laiiipson ajiidt/e in his own cuusi," &i'. &c. I loave out iniiiiy i)iissai,ri-* of tliis kin.l, to bo loiiiul in tlie same piir.ii,'rti|)!i, but upon whicU it is u,eU-s« to ilwi'll. I xlmll coiit.-iit myself witli n-marKmjr, tlmt Mr. Stuurt ussum- iiijr a Bohnin tone, n^faiii (bnourifes tlif Committcu of tliu As>i>mbly as thoui^li it had cx- crci'.ea a |)ower wliiih would have tlio elluct of ovcrawiiuj, obstructiny, and mjiumamj the administration of I'ustiir. . y^ i • Mr. Stuart is well uwiire tliat this Iangua!,a» tould be regarded in C annda, in scarcely any other lijrht than that of a joke ; lie also knows, and perlmpH hrUcr than any ono, that if the administrition of justice has fell thu ell'ect of some inlluence, it has never flowed, as- suredly, from this source. I'or the rest, the Assembly lias not decided, nor could pretend in any manner to decide, on the dis|)Utes in «pu'stion. 'N.ilheris it upon the opinions of Mr. Lanipkon itinled in the blackest colours. Thus has he employed nearly the half of his letter. At la'tice, of the want of specification vyilli re- frard to the chart;es bmuifhl air■lin^t him. I'his was even one of his reasons for exception. Let us now observe, that the eiiiiineration of the chart;es found in the resolutions now in question is dear and precise. Mr. Stuart lays them aside for the purpose of dlscussin;,' i^oIuted passaires in the ri'port of the Committee. He departs from the order in which they are placed; he breaks throiiiih it: then, instead of e.tidaiiunjr his condnel, or rcfuliiif; the c!iarsuies ns that he has jiistitied his conduct in all purtiiulars. We shall very soon see what must be thought of the a-,iUranccs with which he expresses himself njion this subject. First, he says, •' / am rhanjed irilfn>//li:ia/ inisroiidii't, in havin/j pro/issioniilli/ tahtn '■ ujH'i' mysilj'tht: drfmcc of an artion of detuiiii," of whicdi mention hus bi^en already made. \Vli:it is Mr. .Stuart's "ansv.er .■' He .ippeals lo the piactie.> of the t'roHii otlicers in t'ana- ila, erniiloyiiifr their otiiee in tlie coiirt.s in favour of iiuliviiluais, as liiuii^'h this were the sub- ject of the charge ; as though the comniitteo had in fact in view, alone and independently of "every other consideration, the contest which had arisen between Lamjison and the t'ompany, or tlieir servants, with reference to the furs which he claimed ;ls belonging to him; and as though this (pic>ti(in could Im. (li,i-i>-ed wiihout regard to tlie rig!its which he claimed by virtue of the h'ase held bv him under the < 'rown, which served as a foundation for the acliun he had brou'.'ht. Mr. Stuart is detennineil to hce in it no more thi'ii the (liscii>-.iGn of a pri- vate inlerest between his clients and Lamiison. This str.:nge manner of viewing things can proceed only from the still more extraordinary oi>inions which Mr. Stuart had formed witii reference to the elTects of the ordinance of 1777, which have led lo .steps such as those <£ which we have spoken, and upon wiiich he again in-sisls, a little further on, with renewed ardnur. Hut supposing even that these opinions were well founded, must he not have seen thai he invaded ad the rules of propriety by steps of this nature.' IJesiiles which, as I liavi; observeil in another part of tliis discussion, the honour of t!ie (Miverniuent even obliged him to adopt, ujion this subject, a sysU-n:, a conduct, of u totally dill'ereut and ojjposite description. Hi'sides, how could Mr. Stuart have supi)osed, as he siiys he did, that llio conindttoe considered him guilty of an olicncc in not having eiuphned his ministry in favour of Lamji-on, pagnif ct latrx tcn'iteur.<> Ifi ComifS, rTamir mn» pre.uven pour le mcttre. d mt'me de f'trmar unc opinion, oiiopfv les opinions Ugnlfxde M. Lampmn, dc Hon Avocnt rt dr .wn Prorureiir rnmmr. le fondfmvnt de m diciaion d'avoir rendu virtuelkmcnt M. LampHon son jui/e dans xa priprv rniisv, elc, .fi! liiisH(! (le coto pliisii'urs atitrcs passiif^cs (' ectte espicc (|iii fit; trouvi-nt dans lo memo parafrruiilic. aiix([iit'ls il ost inuti!<; do s'arri'tiir. .te iric contenturai ile I'uirc remariiuor que M. Stuart iiri'iid nil ton Miilciiiu'l nt. d.'rimicc! encore le Conilv dii I' Asscmhlie, coiuine sil avait e.nirct: iinpiiurnir doiit I'l'lFet aurait >'ti' proprc () intimider les ('ours, ti avoir dtj I'iiijluiiice sur eltes, ii iihitrucr la mnrchc dci AdniinislriilioH dr In justice. M. Stuart saitbifu ijue eo laii({a((o ■ s pourrait f^uc-re itre rej^arcK; eii Catiadaque coiuine une plaisaiiterie ; il wiit de mume, vt peut- itre iiiiiMix (|iie personni', que si i'Admiiiistratidn do la justice y u subi I'effet de quulciue in- fluence, ce it'cst ussuremciit jamais do cctte source qu'elle a dccuiilc. An rosto, I'AssemhK'p n'a point ]ntj('; ni no jiouvait pn'tonJ.'c en nucuno nianiorc decider les cnnti'stations cu cpiestion. Ce n'ost pas non plus aux opinions do iM. hanipson ou do ses Avocnts (pi'eile :. en est rapporto, c'est sur des fails qu'elle a porto des |)laintes contre M. Stuartv (pi'elle a donoiic;- sa conduito coinme niarcpioe an coin do rouhli de scs devoirs. Elle en a I'ourni des preuves auxquoilos il a mis le scoau par ses avcux, et la municre vague dout il y a rcpundu, ou enliu par Tuliseneu de tout moycii do justilicatiou. Jnsqu'a prosent, M. Stuart a cniiiloyo toutes les ressourees do son Oloquonce, tout I'art de la dialectiquo, d'uii onto, p(uir fairo le paneijyriquo de ses cliens, de I'autro, ])our soutonir lours pretentions contre Lainpson etsos eiuployos, qu'ila par contro couj) neint st/us les couleurs les plus niiiros. Cost lupioiila tonsacre presde la moitie de sa lottro. II tcnte entiu d'aborder directonu'nt la (pu'stion li discutcr. Mais il no pent se soustrairc a la falalite qtii s'est uttaclioe it 808 pas. II refine encore ])lus do confusion ei de vai^ue dans eetto partio do sa roponse, <)ue dans le nionuiirc. 11 y avait au nuiins diseuto les accusations eoniine ellcs se t.-ouvaient enonc^'os. II aliandonne CO plan (lodifonso, llsVtalt plaint, avoc autaiit d'amert.umo que (riujuslico du defautdo spccilicatioa dans los cliari;;os portoes c(uitre lui. Cetait ini me undo sos moyons d'exeeption. llomarcpions maintoiiant (pic los eiionciatioiis dos eharfros qui se trouvent dans les resolutions dont il est ioi (pu-stion, sont elairos et precises. M. Smart les laisse de cote pour g'attacher ii discuter dos i)assaf;es isoles du rapport du ('oinit,o. II s'ecarto de Tordre dans le- quel ils se trouvent jdaccs. 11 le renvcrso. Puis au lieu do donner des explications do sa con- duito 4(u do ri'futcr les accusations, il no fait dans eette jiartio do sa lottre que reuouyelor les assertions ou les d6ne;jatioiis que Ton a vues prcecdemnient. I'.t I'c.n verra cpi'il eroit cepen- dant (iniir donw' dts ir/ion.iis spi'vi/it/urs. Apros avoir eiisnite olisso avoc rapidite sur les reso- lutions, il assure qu'il a justilie sa eoiiduite *.'««« /o/w /cs fA7a?7.s / Nous allons voir bien vite ce que Ton doit peiiser de rassurance avec laquello il s'oxpriine a cet egard. I'ranicrrwnif. dit-il, Ir. Comifr portr u sn cliorgv rommi: unc. midcersation d'avoir pris la de- fense si le Comito avait en etVet envisai^o, en ellc-memo et indcpendainnio'nt do toute autre ecuisiderution, la eontpstation qui sV'tait olivce entve Lampsoii et lii Coinpasiiiio. ou sos servitcurs, rolativoineiit aux IVllotoiios qu'il roelamait eoimne lui ap- purtenant, ct commo si olio pouvait etre uiseutee sans .Vavd aux ilroits (pi'il reeliunait, en vertu du bail (pi'iltenait de la (.'ouronne, qui sorvaioiit de fondenient a ruction qu'il avait intentee. M. Stuart n'y vent voir qii'iiue discussion d'inturet privt entre ses cliens et Lampsou. t'ette etranije maniore do voir, no pout prendre sa source que dans los opinions plus etran^res encore qui: M. Smart sVtait formJos reiaiivoinvnt aux elfets de rOrdoniu'.nco de 1777, qui Tout entrauie lians los doinarelios dont on a rendu conipto, sur losquolles il insiste encore un pou plus loin, avec uiio nouvelle ardour. Mais en supposant monu! oir pas employe sou Diiuistere ou fuveur de Liimpsoiij qui ne i'avait pas sollicit- de «0 who lind not solicited him to undertake his o«Hwe? Suffice it to my, that it was not a ques- tion of Tsproachinjf Mr. Stuart upon tins subject ; nor would Mr. Stuart have any greater right himself to reprof.ch Lampson, for not having applied to him when he was known to l)e the advocate of L.:mpson'8 adversaries. But the nature of the Assembly's accusation, and its foundation, have already been placed in the clearest light ; and there is nothing to be found in this portion of Mr, Stuart's letter to which I have not already given a complete answer. I shall confine myself here to observing, that, independently of the criminal pro- secutions of which I have spoken, and other subjects with reference to them, of which I have given an account, the oath taken by Lampson for the purpose of instituting his actioH m revfiidkation, as to the furs which he claimed as belonging to him by virtue of his lease, has served as the ground for a cliarge of perjury ngainst liim in a criminal court. This charge could not have been orought without taking the advice of Mr. Attorney-General, ad- vocate in the same cause in respect of which the oath had been taken. In vain may Mr. Stuart sav that it was not he who brought this charge. It was the Advocate who had pleaded with himthe cause of their common clients, and in favour of ;he Company and its servants, in opposition to Lampr.on. We have, besides, seen how Mr. Attorney-General instituted against the servants of this latter, a prosecution for theft, when the bill was thrown out by the grand jury, upon whose suggestion he had instituted one prosecution for a misdemeanour, with regard to these same furs. Hence, what must have been the opinion of Lampson, as well as'ofhis servants? How could they rely with confidence upon Mr. Stuart? What might, what must the public have thought ? ' Secondly, Mr. Smart says, " I am charged with having instituted an actim en Biinti- " grande, &c., and with being, by this professional act, guilty of a direct and positive vio- « lation of my duty to the Crown, the interests whereof (it is allege lionour of the is very subject, part of his an~ ' of Canada, as 9 of civil claim, i^Iow could Mr. had no interest to strengthen afterwards ap- und the thing is unsideratiuns of r in such incon- ■ in the eyes of to difficulties ot rhich he should ccute the guilty ?od of coudui't- led in the Civil regard him in ght? c functionary ii tUtsh with it ? Dttt 91 He se charger At sa cauie ? II sulBt de dire qu'il n'eit pai plus quoation de faire dos reiprcohes k M. Stuari sur cet article, qu'il n'a droit d'on fairo lui-m6me a Lampson do ne s'6tre pus adresae li lui, quand il otait connu pour 1' Avocat dc ses adversaires. Mais la nature do I'accusation de I'Assemblee, les motifs sur lesqueU elle est for.deo ont deja <''te mis dans le jour le plus claire, et il ne se trouvo rien dans cette ])artie de la lettre de M. Stuart n quoi jo n'aie pas complete- ment rdplique d'avance. Je me bornorai ici d faire observer qu'independammont des poursuites criminolles, dont il a 6lo question, et autres objets qui s'y rapportent, dont on .; rendu compte, le serment prete par Lampson pour intenter son action en revendication des Pellcteries qu'il recla- mait comine lui appartenant en vertu de son bail, a servi de motif a une accusation contre hii pour parjure dans une Cour Crii iine!le. Elle ne pouvait pas avoir dte forinee sans prendre Tavis do M. le rrocureur-Geueral, Avocat dans la memo cause, relativement li laquelle le ser- ment avail I'te prete. En vain M. Stuart dlrait-il que ee n'est ptis lui qui a porte cette accusa- tion, C'ctiiit I'Avocat qui avait plaide avec lui dans Tinteret de leurs cliens, communs et en fuveur de la Compagnie ot de sei employt-s opposes a Ijimpson. On a vu d'aillcurs comment M. le Procureur-Gencral portait contre les employes de ce dernier, une accusation de vol, re- jetee par les Grands Jures, sur la suggestion desquels il en avait porte une pour voie de fait, relativement aux memos Pelleteries. Quelle devait etre des-lors I'opinion de lampson et de ses employes? Comment pouvaient-ils se reposer sur lui avec confiance? Que pouvait, qua devait penser le Public ? Secondement, il est accuse, dit M. Stuart, d'avoir inknte ruction en riintigrandc, etc.. et en cela d'avoir viole son divoir envers la Couronne, dont il aurait abandonne les inler^ts, soil par dt! tnotifs condamnal)lea de lucre, oupar le desir de scrvir ses cliens au prejudice dc la Couronne, eminemuient interessee au success du locatnire dans ses d\fficultes avec ses adversaires les associes et let servitturs de la Compt(gnie de la Bate d'Uudson. rt se soit fait illn- •ipable ; mais I'objet fait assez souvent n se rdcrie sur la force -de ces expressions. 11 est possible que M, sion alors, et qu'il puisse, en effet, ne pas voir encore qu'il se rendait i;i...| du Comite ne pouvait i-tre de sonder les replis de sa conscience. J'ai dejii remarquer que quand il est question des actes d'un homme public, il suffit qu'ils presentent le ciuactere du delit, qu'ils en avaient les effets pur rapport au public, pour faire peser sur sa tete tout le poids dudelit raeme, indopendammont de rbitentiou qui pourrait justifierun indi- vidu aux yeux de la morale ou des lois. Aussi, apres ce qui a deja <«te dit plus haut a ce sxijet, comment ne pas voir qu'en effet M. Stuart, Procureur-Gencral, agissait dans un interet contraire a cclui de la Conronne, et que cette demarche repugnait a la dignite, comme a I'honneur du Gouvernement ? Apres les ob- servations que Ton a vues plus haul sur ce sujet-la memo, quel pent etre le but plus que I'effet de la dissertation qui se trouve dans cette partie de sa reponse sur la nature de cette action, suivaut 16 Droit Romain, ou le Droit du Canada, comme oppostJ au Droit Anj^lais, qui n'offre pus le raiime moyen de reclamation au Civil, et qui en fournit d'uutres au Crimmcl f Comment M. Stuart a-t-il pu croire qu'il en pouvait tirer la conclusion, que la Couronne n'avait aucun interet dans une action o«i I'interpretation tirce du litre meme, pouvait servir a qualifier la possession en faveur des demandeurs contre le locat^iiro de li litio contre la Couronne elle-meme ? Mais on I'a dejii fait remarquer, et la chose est evidente. I^L Stuart aurait du s'interdire cette demarche, ne fut-ce que d'apres les rejjlos dc la conve- 11 n'aurait pas du s'exposer aux yeux du public a agir, dans des capacltes aussi contra nance, devait interposer plutot comme mediateur. Son devoir etjiit «u moins de poursuivre les cou- pables avec le meme zele, de quelque cote qu'ils fussent, et d'epargner rinnocenee, au lieu de tenir la conduite d'un partisan des uns ou des autres. Ceux qu'il dt^fenilait no devaieut-ils pas s'attendre a trouver en lui un protecteur, pendant que les autres ne pouvaient le regarder que comme un persecuteur ? Encore une fois, que pouvait penser Is Public ? En supposant que ce ne fussent la qtie des prejug<5s, 6twent-ils du nombre de ceux qu'il €8t pcrmis a un fouctionnaire de mepriser ? N'etait-c« paa mOme pour lui un devoir imp^rieux ^e les respecter, au lieu de ies beurter ? Mais 82 But even were the evidence taken before the Committee, rot as circumstantial as it is precise, it is sufficient to look at the facts themselves, to make us fiei liow compU'tely inexcus- able is tlie conduct of Nr. Stuart. For the rest, it would si em tliut lie has upon this subject, as upon many others, endeavoured to justify (he Committee in every respect. In fact,'accordinj^ to Mr. .Stuiirt, the riokncfl cumpluincd of in such rancs, f.< dealt with as a breach of the peace, as a criwe ;* the action thus broiir//it at/ainst Mr. Lampson, u-d //; he says, Mr. lAimpson had forcibly wrested properhi from his ii'i(,bhour, it vii;/ht have been the dut-j of the Atlorney-Cemral, if proper »l(fidavits had been laid before him, to have indictid Mr. Lampson, and the turn I y -five or thirty men in his strvice, by a- horn the dispossession of the Hudson's Bay Company was ej/'cdtd, vi ct an,: 's, t'jr. It is at tlu- end of iu>arlv a year, in the calm of the closet, and doubtlei-s after con- siderab'.' relh-ction, tliat Mr. Stuart holds this lanu;ii:iu;e, witli reference to a m;ui whom the Crown %\.is bound to protect in tin; enjoyment of the Kini;'s I'osts, to its fullest extent, and of the rights accruiiiij from the lease of them, whieh had been ii;rant('d him ! If such were the facts alleired. the action, which Mr. .Stuart, at one ami t!ie same time advocate and attorney, brou-rht, and such his feelin},'s in takinji; pioceedin^;s ai>ainst J.amj)- fKm in a civil court, 'what must have been his feelin;rs with reference tg the criminal pro- secutions which, in his capacity of Attorney -Cieneral, it was his duty to institute for or ajiaiiist one or other of the parties interested" in the civil actions of whicli we have spoken .•' Couhl they hojie that it was jiossihle tor him to lioUl the stales of justice very equally be- ♦ween them? Could ISIr. Stuart nasonahly rely upon liinivelt\ and feel satisfied that he W(,-dd not be exjiosed. without bein;; aware ol it, to weiu'ii down the balance in favour of his clients, alreadv ju^tif^ed in Irs eyes, and whom he defended (ir supported in pleadiiiecuniary damaijes, as 1,'iiilty towards the former of cuminal violence r" The facts in question are not merely hypothetical. W'v have seen, at tlie corairencc- nient of this second part, with what evc"essi"ve zeal Mr. .Stuart on^dueted himself in iiro- eeedinff aj^aiiist Lampson's servants. He had even frone the len;;th of briui-injj cliaru;es of tlieft, to say the least of them, of a frivolous nature, ai,'ainst them. At a later period, Lamj)- son was chari^ed wiili lieiiii^ .guilty of porjnry, in the very cause of rerendiciition, defended by Mr. .'^tu.-irt in tiie ci\il court. In the answer now under discu^siini, on every occasion that he, or his servants are mentioneil, .Mr. Smart iibandoiis hini-elf to the ini]u(uipsity of his fi el- itifjs, as thoii"-h he souirht, from a court of justice, a sentence of eondenination against them whicli wouhrstamp them with iiifamy--wliiist there is not one word to soften the bitterness (if these reproaches; that lasily, his"defence is a striiiir of ple.iding in favour of his clients, and of panegyric uptin their "eondi:et. Is not tliis. indeed, to add fresh weight to the motives which must have led the Committee to :- euse him of partialitv? Does not Lis very mode of defending hini-elf jirove the fact of the impossiliility of his being aide to guard himself at least against this sort of error, which, by an uiieomiueruble inclinatiou, leads to injustice ? .Mr. .Sluart, not h.aving submitted any fresli considerations upon this subject, I shall not dwell hmger upon it; bi,t I tidnk it my duty to refer to that portion of the jireceding ob.ser\;i- tions, in the course of which it has been amply discussed. .Mr. Stuart commences the fullowing paragraph by (d.serving, " // has been tmmuttrud " to my jiistiiication to inquire u-hithir the laud eiunixl by Mr. /.ani/i^on, as biiuy uitl,i.>. *' hi& lettsc, bJonys to the Crovn or to the Stiyniors if MilU- iiichis." It was, conseiiueullw according to hiiu, wrong of the committee of grievances to " hare decidid vi ry po.^:iivil;i " thiU it bibmi/s (o tbeCnani." These are his own words. Ue adds, that he dcs not profess " to have any formid (<<'iniiin in th'- jx.iut." .A. id iifter this sort of }>roteslali(.ii. he does not the less "employ the whide of the remjiinder of a long paragraph in ph adii::; the Seigniory of Mille \ aeiies, and in su|iportiiig their pretensions to the eontested Itni- tory, as though he were liefore a conn of justice, cliiiiged as an Advocate with an appeal instituted in favcuir of his clients, ami with labouring to cause to be reversed a judgmei.t wiiieh might have been pronouiiceit! . ' • Thin • ropositiori is f.ir frntn (n'ihL' strirtlv rmrcct, ntid CMiiiiot \iv r.-;iril.Ml lui a |.iiii.iiil.-. There are miitiy . imimNtami's, w liitb ttltUun^ili well oJcjIuti'il tu Miiniyri a cinl acHuo, wiuld not form tlic sulgetl ul u uimiu.! urosteutiun. 63 imstantial as it In niplotely iiiexcus- upon tills subject, mcs, is (Jvalt with r. Lainpson, vym, 'le Hntlaon's Bay I forclNy wrestid icnvral, if proper the (icviit'i/-Jivc or paiiy was fJf'ccUd, iibtlcss after con- i ii iiKui wiioin tiiu its fullest extent, ill) ! iiiul tlio same tinu- g.s (loaiiist J.amji- tlic eriininal pro- institute for or we have spoken ? . very equally be- 1 satisfied tliat he aiico in favour of ted in pleadinij in courts, and whom to be ailju(lj;ed to ornier of ciiniinal at the comiT'ence- d himself in i)ro- rintrin": ehartjes of liter period, l.amp- utioit, defended by very occasion tliiit •tiiositj' of Ids f( el- lation against thcui ften the bitterness our 01 his clients, [?s!i weijjrht to tiic \' { Does not h\> his beiiiu; a'lle to lerubiu inclimition, abject, I shall not preceding obscrvii- f/.v IwiH immciliriid »i, ti.i 1)1 ill!/ 1/ il/ii.: was, eoiise(iiii'iill\. (/((/ t, avec (piol zcle outre ^I. Stuart s'etait conduit en procedant contre les employ i.'s de L;impson, II avait portc contre eux jusqu'il des accusations de vol, au moins frivoles. Plus fnrd Lampson I'tait accuse do s'ltre rendu cnupable de p;irjure dans la cause memo de revendication quo "SI. Stuart defeiidait en Cour Civile. Dans la reponse que je discuto, ehiique fois qu'il est question do lui ou do ses employes, JL Stuart s'abandonne ii I'iinputuositc do sa verve, coinnic s'il sollieitait d'une Cour de Justice uu jugement de con- damnation etdo flctrissure contre eux, tandis qu'il ne se trouvepas un mot pour adoucir ce que eos reproehos out d'iimor ; qu'eidin, sa defense est uiu' suite de plaidoyers en faveur de ses clieuset dos jiiinegyricpies de lour conduite. Js'est-ce pas bien lil ujouter un nou\cau poids aux motifs ([ni out dii porter le Comitc ;i l';icciiser de i)iirtialite ? S;i numiere dc se defendre n'est- elle ])iis elle-meme une preuve do fait de rimposslbiiite ou il etait de se mettre en garde, au moins contre cotte '.'spece d'erreur (pd conduit a rinjustice par une pente invincible? •\ussi. M. Stuart n'ayant presente jiucuiie consiil ration nouvelle sur ce sujet, je ne in'y arrett^rai pas plus long-tom])s, et erois devoir renvoyerii la parlie des observations qui precedent, et dans la- quelle il :i etv' suHi^amment discutv. M. Stuart d'bute nans lo piiriigniplie suivant, par observer (ju'il etait inutile d sajustifcu- ^'(>« d'exaniim-r si le terreiurLclaniopar ]\L Liiinjison, eonur.e fiisant piirtie dc sonbail, uppar- Icnait a la ConrDnnt' on au.c Sdijuenrs dc Millc-railus ; co seriiit, en consoqueuce, suivant lui, an tort au Coiuito des C'liiefs il'avcir dicidvqiie ce terrcin apparknai! a la (.'ouronne, Ce sunt les propros termos, II iijcute '• qu'il ne fiit pas ]>rofessioii d'avoir jamais forme aueune opinioini ce sujet," et ii la suite de cette espcce de protestiition. il u'eniploio pas moins lout le reste d'un long paragniphe li phiidvr hi ciiiiso des Soignours do Mille-\'ae!ies, et ii soutenir lours pretentions au tcrreiu coutoito, comme s'il etait de\aulurie Cour do .lustieo. et cliiirgo comme Avocat d'uii ,'ippel inteule en fi'vour do ses oHons, et (.U' tniviiiller ii faire iiifirmor un jugonu'Ut qui aurait ece lirouoncc par le ConiitJdes (iriefs en favour de lu Couronne dans I'lutoret do Lampson? Je • O-ttcprnpoNition est loin (i'l'-trc ri;,'0 iriM'scn;iMit vraio, ct iir jii'iit I'tie roffardoo comme un principe. I 111C3 (lui tout I'll iipiHiyiuit uui- adi ' ' tuite criiuiuoilu, est drs cirnniMaiiica (lui tout I'll iiii|Hiyiu)t uui- adiou civile m- loutniieut scivir ile luiiiiemtful a uiie.uour lite t.*rimiiu*ILt). 64 I should not enter into these considerations, which are, according to Mr. Stuart, usek$s, as far as regards his justification, if I could consider myself justified in allowing to pass, without observation, matters which have appeared to him to be of importance in the de- fence of hU conduct, in answer to the charges of the Assembly. It is indeed true, diat from the mode in which he presents these facts, they acquire real importance by mihtaUng "^"in thT'first place, as regards the opinions put forth by the Committee, it is certainly unnecessary to endeavour to show that it has not pretended to decide, pronounce, upon the J . . , .1 : r .1., «-.„.,, ,„ HI,. Stuarts answers. that, . must even appear astonishing that the motives by which Uie Committee were led to hod^this opinion, did not appear as sufficient to Mr. Stuart as they did to Mr. Advocate-General Van- felson in whose feelings upon this subject the Committee participated. Lastly,^ though the Comnlittee had not had plausible reasons for adopting this opinion, the Assembly liad not the less the most just reason to complain of the conduct of Mr. Stuart, who employed liis ministry against I^ampson in an interest opposed to that of the Government, and which at all events militated against the honour of the Crown, and cast a slur upon the public officers. .. , , . , •»» r,. i, In order to place ourselves in a situation to discuss this portion of Mr. Stuart s answers, we must necessarily, above all things, consider what has preceded; call to mind some of the nreceding remarks, and enter into some detail of facts, which have reference equally to the subjecU upon which it will be necessary to treat in the following arUcle, upon which the present discussion will at once throw a considerable light. Independently of the considerations of which we have spoken not long since, and in looking at Mr. Stuart's proceedings, as connected with justice, public interest, and public order, in which light he has himself presented them, they were still more open to censure. It has been seen that he neglected nothing, in orde» to present the conduct of his diente in the most favourable light, whiUt he has painted Lampson and his servants m the darkest colours. If we refer upon this subject to these pictures merely, we shall find that Acts of violence had been committed; crimes which it was necessary to repress at tliat time, at any sacrifice, on account of the danger which resulted from them, whoever were the authors of The limits of the Seigniory were unknown. Even had this not been the case, they had not been marked out in such a manner as to impose the obligation of recognizing them, as legally fixing the limits, and the extent of tin, .Seigniory. No limits had been defined for the depth of the Seigniory. These circumstances of themselves, and alone, were calculated to give birth to those acts of violence, which Mr. Stuart has painted in such high colours The territory contended for between the parties, and of which we have already so frequently spoken, was the chief subject of these difficidties. The true and only means to do awuy with any pretext for such dispute was the establishment of limits between the Seigniory cr Mille Vaches and tlic territory of the King's Posts. 'ITie encroachment of Mr. Stuarfs clients was complained of by Lampson. He was the Lessee of the Crown. Ht- had a claim upon its protection ; upon its assistance, for Uic purpose of insuring to him Uie enjoyment of the rights conferred by his lease. The honour of tlie government was con- cerned in supporting tl ip. Even supposing that his prehensions were susceptible of any doubt, an actiim en bonuuje was theoniy means of dispelling even the very shadow of a motive for complaint on his part; of a pretext for diffiwUties between the parUes with regard to the. territory to which tiiey reciprocally laid claim. How are we now to account for Mr. Stuart not having at once thought of taking a pan conformable to the rules of common prudence, justice, good faith, and honour ? Instead o\ uUung this precaution, the sU-ps which he adopted, which he followed up with unerring coii- Htanov, with the greatest activity-, were only cakulated to fan the flame of discord between Uw clients and I^ampson. He was' not satisfied with espousing th^ cause of the former m the Criminal Courts", by instituting successful prosecutions in tiieir favour, at the same tunc abandoning those w^ich I^'unj)son's.iBtere8t« demanded : he did not confine hirasell to defend- ing his clients in the Civil CourU, he took upon himself the performance of an active part, pdrticularlv in bringing, on their behalf, against Lampson the action en reitUeffratide, of which we have spoken. He chose the surest means of fermenting the difficulties lietween them, ard of fostering the cause of tliem as long as possible. And it was such conduct as this nOiich was, according to him, stamped with the die of the most perfect impanti :. 'v A It «s Je n'entrevois pas dans ces considerations inutiles A sa jiistilication, suivant M. Stnart, si je pouvais me permettre de laisser passer sans observation, des choses qui liii ont paru importantcs, comine moyen de defense de sa condiiite en rcponse aux accusations de I' ssembiee. 11 est vrai aussi qu'u la manicre dunt il les prcseute, dies acquierent une veritable importance en mi- litant contrc lui. D'abord, quant aux opinions que le Comite amises an jour, il n'est surement pas neccs- «aire des'attacher lifaire voirqu'il n'a pas pretendu decider, prononcer sur la question depro- priottsquoiqueces expr'-ssions se trouventetrevieiinent si souvent dans les reponsesde M. Stuart. Quanta I'opiniun en ellc-nieine, le Comite pouvait sans imprudence mettre au jour, celle que le terrein contestc faisait partiedes Posies du Hoi, etildoit meme paraitre etonnant.que les mo- tifs qui I'ont porte si i'accueillir, n'aient piis paru aussi prcssans a M. Stuart qu'a M. I'Avocat- Oeneral Vanfelson, dont le Comite partajijeait les sentimens ri cet egard. Knfin, quand bien meme le Comite n'aurait pas eu des raisons plausiblcs de I'adopter, I'Asscmblee n'avait pas moins les raisons les plus justes de se plaindre de la conduite de M. Stuart, qui employait son miriistere contre Lampson dans un interet contraire a celui du (iouvernement, etqui en tout ^venement militait contrc I'honneur de la Couronne, et flctrissait le ministere public. Pour se mettre en etat de discuter cette partie des reponses de M. Stuart, il faut nccessai- rement avant tout, reprendre les cliosesde plus liaut, rappeler quelques-unes des remarques qui precedent, et entrcr dans quelques detniU des faits qui sc rapportent egalement aux objets qu'il sera necessairede traiter dans ['article suivant, sur lesquels la discussion actuellejettera d'avance une grande clarte. Independamment des considerations do>7t il vient d'etre question, un pen plus haut, et en envisageant les demarches de M. Stuart sur les rapports de justice, d'interet et d'ordre public, •ous lesquels il les a presentees lui-mCine, elles etaient encore plus dignes de censure. On a vu qu'il n'avait rien negiige pour placer la conduite de ses cliens sous le jour le plus favorable, en meme temps qu'il a peint Lampson et ses employes sous les couleurs les plus sombres. A ne s'en rapporter qu'a ces tableaux, il se serait commis des actes de violence, des crimes qu'il fiillait dcslors reprimer a tout prix, a raison des dangers qui en resultaient, quels qu'en fusseut les auteurs. Xci„tcf,ra,i,fc brouirht by Mr .Stunrl ; the object of the action en tmrnaijc must have been then to claim it in the name ot the Crown for I.iimiison. , ,, , . , ■ . ■ <■ i- ■ ■ Let us now call to our recollection that Mr. Stuart h;is repelled, with a kind ot (iiKdain, the imputation of having acted, in the sliigniory of Mille-Vaehes, upon the subject of the action which he was employed to institnte with reference to the limits of the Seigniory, lie wrote to him at that time t(. call to his rccollctio,,, \w says, this rnti- rTjfrt/ion, "which, according to the terms of this comnuinicafion, had for object, to avoid elect- ing curateurs [rrnstees] in the place of proprietcu-s who might be absent, for the purpose of summoning them to appear in the cause. That is to say, that Mr. Stuart had waited more than a month, after he \vas instriictee conrinccil that he has lieen ihcvived. Thev then point out the patent of cimceshion of the Sei:!;niory, hearing date the l."jtli November, IfiaJl, the pnwvx xerhaf ot Houeher, wins on the 19th <./' ./«/";, l, had iiita- «ar«d and fixc«l the bonnils of it, the inference from which is, accoriling to them, that tlie contested spot forms part of their .-figniory. They allege that "this tid« iiiul survey had '• been recognised by successive governmunts, beloro and since the Compiest... ; and then « property and right 'was never called in (piestion till \&2:i, when Mr. tioudie, the prcdo- " cesser of Mr. l^mpson, put forth a clidm to the possession of I'ortnenf, but that tlu' " tiling • Vide Mr. Stuart'it letter in the AppoodiK of his Aiinrer, N. 17. (.0.) Md ibe Aiiswcr^M, U. (H.) . but tliul till' 67 Ce ii'ost qu'ii la suite dc toiitos cos deinnrches ct de lu communication que lui faisait ndrcs- scr Lord Aylmer au siijot do la Hcqui'te do Lampson, lo vingt-ct-uii do Decembre 18;)0, co ii'cst cnfin i\u'cu y repo'udant dans sa lottro du 24, qu'il est vcnu a la peusi'e de M. Stuart, dc sugj^crer li .Son Kxeellence la convenancc de cotte action do bornaf^e, ot cette suggestion tor- mine sa lottro. Voihi sans doute dos circonstancos bion extraordinaircs. Le tableau des tergiversations de M. Stuart a co sujot, apros cot avis, prosoiitera dan-* I'article suivaiit dos traits bion phis otrangcs encore. Je dois pour lo momont mo borner a faire rcmarquor que I'objet de cotto action en Imrnafir. est done lo tcrroin dont lu possession otait roclamoe contrc Lami>son par raclion en reintajmnde, int('ntio i)ar M. Stuart, lo but de Taction de bornagc devalt done (tie de le rct'lamcr au iioiu de la Couronno on favour de Lampson. Rappolons-noiis maintenant quo M. Stuart a repousse avec une especc de dodaln, rimputii- flon d'avoir le inoins du moiido agi dans un inti'-rot oppose lieelui do la Couronnc, en inteutuiit I'aoUon en nmlrf/rande contre Lamjjson. 11 s'oxprimo d'uno inauiere aussi trancliante au sujot le rosultat d'une application que los '• propriotaires (de la Seignourie) otaientsur le point de faire li Son Excellence le Gouvov- " neur-on-Cliof flit connu." * ... L'applicatiou dont il est question dans cette lettre etiiit une llequete de ces proprietaire-i ;\ Lord Avlmor, du 5 Fovrier, date do la lottre dans laquello, '^ ils lui reprosentaient, quils out >• appris avoc surprise par une communication du Procureur-Genoral, qu'il avait rocemmont " roi,u de Son Excolleneo. instruction d'intentor une action contre eux, pour ctablir des bornos " ontro la Seignourie de Millo-Vaohes et Ics Postes du Roi." llssont porsuadt's, disont-ils, quo ces instructions sent Ics fruits des allegues de M. Lamp- son, faits ex parte, anx(juols ils n'ont pas oto a nioiue de ropondre. Us osporent quo qiiaiid sa Soigncurie sera bien informoe de I'otat des choses, lis ue seront pas exposes aux inco7irenitns de cette action, ct qu'il revoquera cos instructions, s'll est eon- rnincu ipCil a ete trompe. ^ , , . -vt i, lo-.. i n Ils articulent alors le titre de concession de la Seigueurie, du la Novemhre 16;>.J, le 1 ro- cos-Veibal de nouohor, qui, lo 19 Juin 107."), I'avait mesuree et bornee, done il resulte, suivaiit cux, quo le lieu contestc tait partie do lour Seigueurie. lis allcguent que lours droits " out " etcTOConnus par le Goiivornomont avant et apros la Conquote, et n'ont jamais ete mis en '• question avant rannoe lH-2:i " Que (ioudie, le predecesseur de Lampson les a reoherch^s a tet e.rsird. Mais que la chose otait devenue I'objet de rexamen du (Jouvernement, et que nou- obstiint le rapport des Olficicrs en loi de la Couronne qui lour avait etc d'abord detavorable ' *^ parce I V. U lettre de M. Stuart, dins I'Appendice dc sa reponse, No. 17. (9.) ct la ri'ponse, N. 17. (M.) « thinff WW bwoino Ih* nuhject of Inwutl^ntion on the port of OovfrnrneiU, ftnd timt not- '• withHtuiidiiiir the report of tl.o Offiwr* of tlie Crown, wliu-h wua at the oHtsct unfavour- « able, Imvintf been made without liuvinjf euUe.l for or seen the titles of the proprietor*, the •' the.. Cn)ver..or-i..-Chief ultin.utely (U-ci.lo.l upo.. the projl..ct.o.. of tho8» t.lles, that the '« Ki.»«'H Les.ee had ..o ri^ht whatever, aod that it would he ....just to recp.ire a survey to « be ...ade ..f the SeiRuiory, whei. the proi.rietor-i eujoyed it uuder oue already m existence, •' ai.d aeeordiii<{ to their titles." ... i r .• i .» »• wr What f.dlowsin this paragraph of the petit.o.., is worlliy of particular attention. A\e there Hi.d auain, an express e..u...en.tio,. i.. Mr. Stuart\; own teru.s,... his answers, of acts of ,u,Jmre, for the purpose of obtai..i..K posseH.u.n of a portion ot the Sei-mory, attribute.l to Mr. [^ii.Ds...., and " other acts of violence and oppre*sio.. towards the petitioners, and the « Hudson's Hav Con.panv, their lessees, in respect of which actions and indictments are •• nendin.' in ll'e Courts of Kin}{'s 15ench, civil and eriniinal !" ,,„.,. They exclaim " OKainst the interfere.ice of the Crown, in favour of the offending party, « atrainst then, the petili..ners, who are the innocent an.l the injured party." ,„. „ , Thev represent that it can neither be the intention ot the t.overinnent, nor ot His Ivxcej- leiuy. Hut this action would have this appearance, and wo..ld tend directly to place their title and their posM^sion, i/7i/(// «rc /»./««<' W'', in o.M(,s>vo/» « of the whoJr ciixe, a cinHmstniur ptadiaily unfavouiuhl, to t/i>- liire.stii/fitiim t,J^ '''"''''"* " hitvinn hlal)li>hini.nt of boundaries to be .mneeess^iry, the Seig.iiors of .Mille \ aches brought under his Kxeelkiicy's notice, a proces verbal of survey, dated in l(!7.->, by which, us they al- lured, the land in (luesiion wa.s imluded within the limits ,.f ^lille Vaches, as making part of tli^.t Seigni(.rv, they also pro.luced an aclc tk Soiijfraiur of tin- Intendant ol Canada, dated in l(i7fi, referriiig to this survey as having determi.ied the limits of that sci-nuory, and they likewise alleears It wmihl of toiir^n /»• viO!,t uarssary to invvstiyalelMjinc iuhtptiiui 11)11/ opiiiiiiii oil thr point I'hirh has biiii iliciihil hi/ thi ('nmwiltn." 1 shonhl at once observe, with regar.l to the remark which concludes the passage just rpferre.1 to, that Mr. Stuart should have thought that this was the duty ot u Judge alter having heard the iiarties. As for the rest, we may ask ourselves how Mr. Stuart could have allowed hiniselt to lely with so much satisfaction upon the allegations in this petition, and allow his opinion ot their lieing of great importance to appear ex i.lent / Without cnteiing into a nnnute discussion iiM'Uss in this i)laee, I must cdisirve that his sagacity was wanting. In the hist j)lace, with regard to this />/ott« f<:r/>in> , lluit the (irti: d' 1 tlie I'roprietor-. u state of naliin-, teil, o\errun only liiiriiii(/i' than a intere^te(l in tliii jruteiuled possii- h he appeals are Stuart tloes not hie to him. u()oii the (Sovcr- , and thut he ducit i bubject. It parco qij'iU ravnloiit fait whjh Ion tltre» do* proprijtwres, \» «< Gouvern«ur-fii-Chof d'ulor^ au* ♦* rait ultorieuromont ducid'; que le lueatairo «lu Ilol n'avait uacnii droit, et qu'il spruit lnJuaU d'exiger " un mcHurago des ])ieees qii'il invoque ne sont jiuo (les copies lour- nies par les [iroprietaires de Mille-Vaehes, et que M. Stuart ne parait p!« memo avoir pns la peine de recourir aux originaux qui lui I'taient accessibles. On verra dans I'article smvnnt, ipi'il regardaif ooninie une obligation du Oouverneur de lui procurer des papicrs necessairea pour inteiiter Taction en bornage, et qu'il parait n'avoir pas considere qu'il fut de son devoir de faire des recherches a cet egard. II 70 It mny be cosily conceivcJ tlmt I could offer many other important coiimciemtionKi upon this subject, and tlmt, Icaviiij^ out of the (jm-stion the principles of strict rij^ht, the r.dcs of mere equity militated in fiivoin- of the Crown, I have ulroady said cnoii^rh to show, that it would have boiii to Mf. S(uarl's interest to abstiiin from speakintj with so much levity of the opinions, 1 will not say of the Connnitteu, but of the Advoeufe-General, with whom it was his duty to act //* nnirirt, for the |)urpose of su|)|)ortin speakinir of the occasions on which Lord Aylmer hns not entirely deferred to his opini(ui, exjiresses himself, with rejjard to him, as though he iiad been ijuilty of a (rrave ollence. The kinil of judfrment which would have been jriven in favour of the ])roprietors of the seiy;niory by the tJovernor, inider these circumstances, has not, ncvei- theles.s, called forth a siiiijle reuuirk on the part of Mr. Stuart. Neither iloes he seem to have thought it at all extraordinary that a (iovernor should take upon himself to decide a ipiestion of property, the diseussion of which wmdd necessarily involve a discussion as to the interpretation and nature of titles, as to their effect; wiudd be directed by jninciples of law and of jurisprudence, and by import^mt c(uisiderations of public liiw, as relates to the interests of the province and to tliose of llie Crown y Lastly, ain)ther passajje of this i)ara£jraph of Mr. Stuart's answer is stamped with the die of sin:;:ularity not less marked. Ajfain, aecordiui;; to him, '• ///r I'oinmUtve had iittaihni " Hii undue ivciijhi to the. comlitinu of rulticatioii or settlement in the vriijinul ijrant of Milhi " r;i the i/rant. This observation is not less stran;j;e than the one w hich precedes it ; and one naturally asks at what Mr. ."stuart aims. This is the result : these two propositicms serve him as pre- mises, and he theiue draws the conclusion that the proprieN)rs of Millo N'aches " had the same " ri^ht of tradin^r there as in the city of Quebec itself." Wluit connection c-ould Mr. .'•'tiiart have seen between the consequence and the principle ? If the (lersons to whom concessions are made can oppose this title to the Crown, under these circumstances, it is eerfaiuly not before havin^^ made even the slightest attempt to per- form the first of tlie Ciindilions, the essential einidition u])on which the title luis l)een granted. .\n\ commerce with the Indians, without beinu; duly licensed, is forbidden by a positive law. nils prohibition applies particularly to uninhabited and uncidtivated districts; ami Mr. Stuart is far from having shewn that this law was abrogated ; and it has been already observed, fhat the abrogation of this law could not jus.ify Mr. Stuart's conduct. Hut how coulil the enforcement of it against the Seigniory of Mille Vaches abridge their right of property ? Without entering into detailed considerations upon this subject, let us content onr- selv4js with drawing a comparison, and let us see whetlier Mr. Stuiirt's proposition is exact. ilic Side of strcmg liquors, for drinking in an uidiccnsed house, is forbidden by a provincial law, Tliis law is c(miinon to the adjoining province, as it is to many other countries. In tact, it is analogoiw to the laws establishing taxes, excise duty, &e. In what light woidd In- regarded a jtrelension, '*»ul Jiwo • Si le3 concessionnairea peuvont o))poscr ce titre a la Couronne dans cette circonstanccji 9» n'est siiroinent piw avant d'avoir nu"mo fait la plus logere tenUtive pour remplir la premieifo (les conditions, la condition essentielle a hiquollo le titre a etc acccndo. Une loi pttsitive inter- niparaisou, ot voyons si la proposition de M. Stuart jirosente uno idee exacte. Uue loi do la Proviuco defend do vondre a boire dos liqueurs fortes dans uno inaisoii, Bans uno Jicenee. Cette loi est comniuiie a la IVovinco voisino, et a beauctuip d'autros pays. Enfiii, ello est analogue a cellos qui etjiblissoiit dos impots, d'assisos, etc. Los eitoyons " de laA'illo *• <■'.; Quebec, " soraieut-ilsbieii venus ;': pretondro au droit de vendre dos boissons fortes sau?! licence, au pri'juiUee du fisc, sous pretoxte que robligation quo lah-i lour impose " diiniifivcr^it '• lours droits d" pnipricte .•"' Co sont pourtant dos niisonnomons de cetto ospcco, entassi's duiib chaque iwragiaphe de \i\ lettre de M. Stuart, q^ue je suis reduit a la iitcessite de discntcr ! Quelques «t of tbifl actfoii • Voyi'2 ci-Jeteu* Itt uorropondauce dt JL Stuart svcc le Sscr^ttkiie dc la Province, au tujct d« cette action e iNiruii^ 98 T1.W \H U.« i.l««. brfore pwing on to another nrtkle. for «^roe rt-flcctlon. upon the «ul»- f«Ct of h.. l..-lili.. . of which 1 lav. j.^t Kivcn «n uccouut. W *■ know how »ar Le ..i. «. n.uy W war ,e a bv ini^r.-M. VN c see « ArikiuK e.xan.plc .1 th.H .„ the .njuMue ot Mr. Stuurf. at- tack"u,L. lie Clov.ruor. with rdervnc. to .l«c foi...d.rut.o.. o» Ha Iom ot h.. M.l«ry and laiKB u|)«iii iin vv ..„.uinl«< liat fkv *teii» takt-n hv the nropru'tori* o» th« MiK-aory w. h Lord A In.er w re u.u^ ^^ ^ ^^ /^ ,„„c.H-.linKH. «h well that .h...r pc.non '"; ""'P ' '^ ' "^..'^X -y, .i„,«uh.r c«i,.«l..... in rn.,a.k»blo, not III thi' nrovinci' an t.n tliw ouH- iii- "" »i" .^ i • . r .i ... ii,;,.„ i,„( .,„r onlv with r,-fot,il4i to the action,^ h.n ^mj, , tbc pr., "^i •^"'•J^'Ct «f r« - pt- 1 (.on, hut par- ticulary to "' *• ™"«* i ,^„,,«w\ ! alU-xatioiiH. at Uast, as nnich n.isplan-.l a. ."*.> Mr. .. .!• ■• • ,, 'I'l,,. vi-rv «i»»r exiirc'tionsaro liiTc tj> 1)1' lounii. "'"'Uurtw: the! p); ViZ^^X «. I 1..... ol,..rveH. l.I^^it «v,« o^-Wy nere.san, that j « tionthedireclionoflm ^'^'''/'''^''V . ' 'L the title* and document* relatmj could easily be foun.l. Ustly, if it was necessary to use any ^''''^^'V'-;:',?"*' .J^f 5 " it^ Object, it^s reasonable to think that Mr. ^^-^^ -^1'-''' '^f ^^""■"I'jri^ '^^^^^^^^^ Ihat he Khouid also, in answering this d.ar^re, have pointed out the difficulties which I.c tn .countered in iirocuriiii!: ihein ; tin' en.itraiy is the case. . , M. Htuan wasatShat liu.c. a..d seems Mill, persuaded '''"^''^rt . ^^J^^rf " S Avimer for this cnre, nnd that tl.e obta. ..nt' these docninents, for the purpow- .f pu »i>R &l> i^ po«ossion of them. ^ one C u- duties of the Admu.mtrator 0/ .he IJrmJ.ue^ T8 Qiiclqurn reflexion*) nu «ujet »le la Ueqnt*'f,e dont je viIhcp avunt qiu' jo jmssc n uii niitro article. On mk ce que pent riiitC-rAt pour fouswr \en tdiVi. On on vo'u nn oxomple fViip|>iint diina riiijiMticc des ttortictt do M. Stuart oontre Ic flouvcnunir, lit'es n la c Lord Aylmt-r, fussoiit cnncorties avcc M. Stuart. On pent oliscrver aumoins cpu- leur lltMiiutc put mnr, commc M. Shiart, Meiiibrps du CouHpll Kxocutif. l.eurs iuterct* ptaieiit coininuns ; ils s'identlHaiciit avec ceux dp sps ciipiis coninip avcc sos j>roprps iiitorct!*. En plaidant la cause des premier"! ilsoutenait ct»Up dps spcon;p dans sps teiitatives si constammeiit roit4r6es de rejctcr sur d'antrcs Ics torts qui lui sont rcprocli(5s, cntiii de tenter de reiidre le Gouverneur resjionsablo de scs jiropres fautes, Jo vais de suite passer a I'examen de chacun des moyehs qu'il oppose a cette partie du rapport du Comitc des Griefs. .Je m'attacherai en mcme temps et mr-dpssus tout li present r tels qii'ils sont, les fails qui se trouvcnt trop souvent defigun's dans le tableau (pio M. Stuart en a esquisse. 11 sera dos-lors impossible dp ne jias sentir tout ce qu'il y .1 (rinjustp dans la j)rutention dp porter ;i la charfjp dc Lord Aylmer, un dclai qui ^tjiit le fruit d'aii systi'ine rediclii de son accusateur, on dans la supposition la plus fiivorable, colui de SOS illusions. Suivons M. .Stuart. T.. Stuart ptail alors, et spinhle ciicove persuac transmitted to me, or refer me to some public " office where they were to he found ! /" If Mr. Stuart entertained a hifjh idea of the importance of ids office, he seems to have had a very mean one of Lord Aylnier's, since he couhl tldnk that functiinis ofs.. ndnor a description, witji reference to some of wliich Mr. Stuart nu^lit have employed clerics, shouhl l)e performed hy him (Lord Ayhner) and formed part of the duty of the A(huiuistra- tor of til!" tiovernment. However tliis may be, IVIr. Stuart adds, " But not receiviiiir any *> communication on tins head, I resolved on athiressinj^ a letter to His Kxccliency's Secre- '* Uirv, to request tliat tlie Inspector of tiie Kint^'s domain, ai.d Clerk of flie I.aiul-roll, " miirlit be directed to make me accpiainted with any tith-s or documents that ids office Could " furnish, relative to the boundaries l)etween tiie Kinir's I'ests ami IMille Vaclies."* What a ])roceedinfj was this on the part of Mr. Attorney-(5eneral, to make this de- nuind of a (Jovernor ! Could not Mr. Stuart himself reipiire the honourable Inspector and Clerk to (jive him this information ? The r«'fusal of this officer to conij)ly with such a re- quest could alone have justitii'd this step on the part of the lirst law officer of the Crown, with rejfard to tlie Governor. It nuiy be ohser.ed, that Mr. Stuart docs not even ask that anv one may be retjuired to transmit these doe\nneiits to inm, a term which he uses when speakiufr of the conduct which he exjieeted Lord .\ylmer would observe upon this subject. Kvc. liiTd Mr. Stiuirt been made acipiainted with such documents as wer»' to be found at this office, he would then have doubtless considered it ni'cessary afj-ain to address the CJover- nor, in order that he nnjjlit retpiire the Inspector and Clerk, or any other officer, to send them to him, or to furnish co]des of these doeunu-nts ! From the manner in which Mr. Stuart eiuieavonrs to defend himself upon this subject, would not one be tempted to suspect, that whether from system or whether from prejudice, the Honourable Mr. Primrose, Inspector of the Kinijs Domain, and Clerk of the Land Holly who was also the Advocate employed to defend or sui)port the same interests a.s Mr. Stuart, trod in the s,ime steps in favour u Mr. mysterv present-s more extraordinar) . Stuart, in fact, waited until the JUst of .lanuary before he sent this letter. Another Itself: — Lord .\vbner had been in j;ood health durinir more than the half of the • N'iile Mr, Stuart'* Aiuwer. ?ss, have taken 75 saurn quelque grc sans doute Ae conserver ma gravitd en commentant cette partie des rdponses de M.Stuart. II csperait, d\t-\\, ... — II est reste pendant une partie du mois de Janvier, dans Cattente que Son Excellence lui ferait transmettre ces pieces, ou donnerait des directions pour lui indiquer quelque Bureau Public oil elks pourraient se trouver. Si M. Stuart avait une Imutfc idee de rimportance de son office, il parait ce me semble en avoir eii une trus-inince de celui de Lord Aylmer, puisqu'il pouvait croire que des fonctions aussi subaltornes, relativeineut d quelques-uues desqueiles M. Stuart aurait pu employer ses Commis, devaient etre a sa charf>;e et faisaient partie de I'obliffation de I'Administrateur du Oouvernenieiit. Quoiqu'il en soit, M. Stuart ajoute " que ne recevant aucune communica- " tiou li ee sujct, il prit la resolution d'adresser une lettre an Secrettdre de Son Excellence, " pour demander que I'lnspecteur des Domaines du Roi, Greffier du Papier Terrier,/i<< requia " de lui /aire connaltreles litres oudocuinens qui pouL-aient se trouver dans son Bureau, Tel&tifa " aux bornes entre les Postes du lloi et la Seijrncurie de Mille-Vaches." * Quelle demarche de la part du Procureur-General, que cette demando a un Gouverneur. N'e pouvait-il pas de lui-meme reqiu'rir I'Honorable Inspccteur et Greffier, de lui donner ces renseigneniensV Le refusde eet {)tficierde se cunfornier a cette requisition aurait seulpujus- tifier cette demarclie de la part du premier Officier de la Couronne aupres du Gouverneur. — On peut observer que M. Stuart ne demande meme piis qu'on le requiere de lui transmettre ces Documens, termes dont il se sert en parlantde la conduite qu'il s'attendait que Lord Aylmer ticndrait a cet egard. Qiiand on aurait eii J'ait connaitre a M. Stuart les Documens de cette uature iiwi pouvaient se trouver duns ce Bureau, il lui aurait fallu sans doute s'adresser de nou- veau au (iouverneur, pour qu'il requit I'lnspecteur, Greffier ou tout autre Officier de les lui communiquer ou de fournir des copies de ces pieces ! A la maniere dont M. Stuart tente de se defetidre sur cet article, ne serait-on pas tente de soup(,'oiiner que soitsysteme, soitprejuges, I'Honorable Primrose, Inspecteur des Domaines du Roi et Greffier du Papier Terrier, qui itait aussi I'Avocat employe pour defendre ou soutenir les mcmes interets que M. Stuart, niarchait dans le meme sens en t'aveur de leurs cliens com- muns, pour eluder I'ordrc d'inteiiter eulte action 'f Mais enfin, sn supposant la demarche de IVL Stuart necessaire, il aurait dii sans doute I'adopter immi'diiitement apros avoir rec^u I'injonetion du "29 Deeembre. M. Stuart sans donner aucune ex[)lii.Mtion a ce sujet, se conteute d'ajouter que " I'envoi " de sa lettre uu Secretaire fut retarde de quelques jours, en consequence de la maladie se- " rieuse de Lord Aylmer, pendant " la derniere partie du mois de Janvier, de sorte qu'elle '• ne fut en efl'et envoyee que le ;)1 de .lanvier !" Quel ecliantillon de loglque ! L'injonction etait du '20 Decembre, La lettre pouvait etre envoyee i;tinicdiatemeiitou peude jtmrs uprt's ; assurement au moins pendant cette premiere partie du " inois de Jan^■ier," C.'ependant, suivant M. Stuart, la maladie du Gouverneur " jH'ndunt la derniere partie de .Janvier," reUirda I'envoi de la lettre au commencement du mois ! Puis, comment eomprendro que I'espace de temps tjui s'etait eeoule depuis le eommen- eoment de Janvier jusyu'a la tin, ne fut aux yeux ile M. Stuart qu'un dehu de " quelques " jours?" Si Ton doiuie d'ailleurs (luelqu'altentioii a la maniere na(>d at various places for the purpose of t],c month of January. He went «" ' ^^^ "J^X.^ *veu on thl I'ith, 14th, ^ul Htl^ of pre«i.Ung or as...t...g at publ.c "l^^'^^^/X tVercst in a cold climate, and in a part of January, a Ume of year at v,hich '« ^"-^^^^^^^^^^^ i„ i„t „f fact. Lord Aylmerwas not taken the country where U ,s f<-'l' '''Vr an w ^ at the enll of January in a really criticuUituation : ill until a tew days before the '27th, ami ^''^ " .^ ^^ ^ \i^ i^ttor hy him during the tl.at is to say, that Mr. Stuart "^^jl^^, "^/Sl In^'days after he had fallen ilt and time that the Governor wa« u. f^" /^."^'''^^ ! ^ to affairs, to send a letter to his secretary, precisely at the t.me when he c^^ 1^ Tt.uL his orders for sending an answer ! Thus .ho w..unaldetocommumcaew.hhm ^,^^^^^^^ ^ .^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^,^ it is that, on the one ha. dj ,^^ • ^roh he proves his diligence and zeal in l.ringiuo- tins brought to his charge, ;/"!« ' '' ^^j^^ ^ [ fpesents in support of this fresh attack upon Itriylmt f::r;hi;ui;;i:^oStit upon tins Governor the weight of the charge brought "^=^"C'E' not e..ough of f^^^^:^^^ ^^^t T^S^S^I^Sr;"^^ diet one auotl.er: evulence of acts, Mr '^5"" .'J'f' ,',,."', ^ could, conn- but fr..n. hin> ; duces, pr..ve that the .lelay wUh winch he .s . "^^,;,':"'. ,'7^';;;,.^;,,,,, as on the vain .litticdties sluill be convi..ced of the tr,..h ..f .he prev.o,.s re.narks ^ j,;^.^ What coul.l Mr. Sinar. wa..t ..t another a..sxN er. fo ' l' H ' ^ ,, „,• t),A-.nber > 1!.- i„i„.,c.io... which ha.l bee,, .drea.ly lor.nal v -;;-; ;:' ..-^^ Ul.'lbo,., he ha.l hud con- sides, i. was his duty ... have co..sul.ed W..I. .he ^^''Y\.^ .,,,„, ,lH-repor. of .he Co.,,- ferences. and who. as ...ay be see,, by .he ''"'■'!'"'"';'; V^jV"' ,,,„,ent of wld^^^ he could ,„it.ee had alr.'udv take., .he .rouble ot proc..r...g b.r !..... tin <".!> stand i„ uee.l for ids g..ida..ee in ins.i,..ti.,u' .he =;'•'''■■' ''''i;:';;^';;;;;,,,,,, ,„ ,/„, ,,„„■ ojth. 'Mst of Mr. .Stuar. does not. however «!- -M'-'^ "'1, . ','^;: ,.„H,h,ioo of this ,e.>.a.kable '. ni.niunw, u,innsw,nwers -I" , k. ., . ,^^_ ^^^^^^^^ ^,_^^^ , ^^^ „,,^ over a..d over .»gai.., o.. var.o,.s ';7'-7:-',,.\;' ,,.'.., iaeo.npie.e a..d n.uch more «,„lera delusion, a.ul .hat he eoul.l otie. a (mlur. o. than exact. . . „ . , ,.• ,,..^..yr.' Ilesides tl.at. as we liavi^ ,,. ,1,0 ,ir.. place, .here iv a stra..ge o..nss,o.. u. tl as • > 1 ,„i„..,de,>.M.,d. iuHtsce.., he had received a,. a,.s.er. .he "^"^ ^'^^ I ^,^,\f, ,|,a, he had received •t m..stbe thought, lVo.„ ,i.e ,..a....er ... wi.-e ' ; ,/^, ,,;,,, ,..^,,.1 t„ his Kxcel- tlu, papers, or an a.>swe.-. «..l.ou. having ''f ;•.;',,'.'',,,/ ,,,e dav after tl.at ou .hich l.,„,;, ' „„, he loraotte... ... ^''--'•"''I^ "':;•'; ;3^,1.. lus, >i.oke... ,ba.is.osay, 1... 1 ad received, Irou. .! ■■ ,SMre.,-.ry, .he lette. o v .. I v .,•',. f^n,,,,,.,, ..Iso by ai. the 111), febnuirv, ho h.ui hi.nsell wr.tten to Mr. Glegg a trc.U ^^_^^^^ Vi.lo tho ((»M.//i'< (.■.ii'7(<», aii'l iKirl ...aurly ...HI l.y auihoruy. o( tl.« l.i.U aa.l 20th of Janu«. v 18:11. ; purpose of , aiul 17tli of in a part of iiVi uot takon cul »ituiitioii : u (luring the fallfii ill, and lis secretary, swtT ! Tliiis to till' (leluy briiiirinu- this iittuck upon large B brougiit wliieh contra- hiniself pro- mt from liini ; vitli regard to 8 necessary U» cccssity, after lary, thougli n from his Kx- ! been written iiry remaining c sense of tliis new injunction able to attend vain ditlicidties s letter of Mr. er, particularly ix measure, we upon a positive L'ceinber ? lie- he bad had coii- irt of the L'om- [■ which he could frr of (he 'M^l '.'/' this reniarKaliie \\M <;/' JdUUdni ,1 hy till j>n>ii-r i. again, one <'t 4il>lige(l to read f liiat I was nut and much more that, as we liavi- It niisniidei^lMiiil. he had reerivn! rd to his F.xi'el- ■er that on wliiili 11, that is to sa\, Uowed also by an answer 77 do Janvier. II sortait, il iiUait dans divers cndroit presider ou assister a des assemblces pu- bli(iues tt Quebec, les 12, 14 et 17 Janvier, epoque de I'annee ou la saison est la plus rude dans ce climat froid, et dans la partie du paysoii il se tail sentir avec le plusde rigueur. Dans le fait, il ne tomba malade que (juelques jours avant le vnigt-sept, et etiut a la fin de Janvier dans uu ctat vraiment criti.pie. C'est a dire *iue M. Stuart aurait juge a propos de no pas ecrirc ou do •■■arder sa lettre par-devers lui i)ondant que le Gouverneur ctait en bonne santc, et aurait attt^idu plusieurs jours, apres qu'il fnt tomi)u malade, et precisement a I'lpoqueii laquelle il nc pouvait pas vaquJr anv affaires, pour envoyer une lettre a sou Secretaire, qm ne pouvait pas conimuni(|uer avec lui, ni prendre ses ordres pour lui envoyer une reponse. Cost ainsi que d'un cote M. Stuart entend se jiistifier sur Tarticle du diilai porte a sa charge, de lautrc, quit fait i.reuve de diligence et de /ele pour intenter eette action ; tels soiit enhu es laits qu il pre- sent'- a rapi)ui de cette nouvelle sortie contreLord Ayliner, pour faire retomber sur ce Gouver- neur le poids de I'accusation dirigee contre lui ! se iuit IMais ce n'est pas encore assoz de cet assemblage confus d'assertions, d'explicatuHis qui dctruisent hs unesles autres; dos preuves de fails, les actes de M. Stuart, ceux qu'il prodi lui-nir-nie, attestent que les dc lais qui lui sont reproehOs ne venaicnt et ne pouvaient yemr que de lui ; que l)ien loin d'avoir riiitention la plus 61oignee de se pretcr aux vues de Lord Aylmer ril'e'-ard de cette action, il a resiste le i)lus long-temps qu'il lui a etc possible, qu'il a tallu en elfet^uii commandenient expres pour le forcer li rintenter, (pi'enfiu il n'a cede qu'a I'lmpcrieuse necessite, ai)res avoir epuisc jusipi'aux ressources des i)retextes, memes les plus fnvoles. " II ne reeut," dit-il, "' aucune reponse li cette lettre du 31 Janvier que le douze de I'e- " vrier, (nioi(pi'une nouvelle injonetion d'iutenter cette actimi lui fi'it faite dans une lettre du " 10 Iv vrier, cpii doit, ajoute-t-il, avoir etc ecrite " sans avoir egard a la circonstance de sa " dernicre lettre du 31 Janvier (jui restait sans reponse," n est etonnant, d'abord. que M. Stuart ait ])n se meprendrc sur le sens de cette communi- cation du 10 levrier, et ne pas sentir que eette lunivelle injonetion ne pouvait avoir etc provo- quee (lue j.ar les t .floxi(Uis de Lord Aylmer, aussitot qu'il avait pu se remettre aux atlaires, sur ses delais inexnliLabk s reiativenient a cette action, sur les vaines ditficultes qn'il susciUut et re- nouvelait A tant ch- reprises. II sutKt d.' lire cette lettrs de M. Glegg, et de faire attention a ce olijets ile son application." C'est encore une des partie.- des ivpon-es de M. .Miiart, que, comiue beaucoup d autres, j'aiete force de lire et relire a |ilusiiuis ri>|irises pour pouvoir me iiersiiader ([ueje ne me taisais pa- illusion, et ipril put picseuler un tabU'au de f.iits aussi incomplet et beaucoup plus ini'inexacr. . , D'abord il -e trouve dans ee pas>atre une etrange laeuiie. Outre (pie comnie on vient de lo voir, il avail recu une rr|)on-e sur le -ens de hupielle il ne pouvait se meprendre. on devrait croiic :• laniaiiii're d.uit 11 s'exprinie (piil aurait re(,-u des papiers. ou une re|>(tnse sans avoir fait aucune autre (hiiiarehe aupres de Son Kxeelleiice. Avait- il oublie. en re|iondant sur cet article, (pie le leiidemain du j(uir aUquei il avait revu du Secretaire la lettre dont il vient d'etre (pieslion, c'est-a-dire, le on/.e Fevrier, il avait lui-meme ecrit a M. (Uegg, une n(uivelle lettre suivie aussi d'une reponse (pii fut donm e (K's le jour suivant, le dou/e. M. Stuart s'expniue comnie }f JaauRiy, lb;il. V. los tiazcttos do yiicb.'i-, surtout ii'llc par oiitorilt du l;t ft du yo Jniivicr 1^3I. 7j8 answer, which was ffiven on the followinff day, the 12th. Mr, Stuart expresses himself as tl.oud. this answer had been given to his letter of the Gist of January. 1 his step is par- tienlarlv remarkable, inasmuch ius that it furnishes another proof, equally incontestible, that this delav formed part of a constantly adopted system ot opposition to views, which by his answers 'Mr. Stuart pretends to have supported with zeal. I his is a singular episode in his answer to the charjjes of the Assembly. ,-, r in. In his letter of the 11 th of rebriarv, Mr. Stuart says : « Ipon the , object of your letter " of the }Oth instant, I he<, leave to remark, that there is a perfxtreadmess and nilli^^^^^^^^^^ " on m„pnrt, to institute whatever action may bekoally imtUuted, Jor the establishment oj the " Imumlaries of Mille laches and the adjoinin;/ lands of the (roun. Without "speakins of the vajjueness and eontrad.et.on which pervades t us portion of the letter, Mr. St.uirt, who charges Lord Aylmer with the delay which took place ' « " '« ' J of hi reeeivin.r instructions on the 29th of December, writes to him on the Itl of Le b- run V like a man who does not seem yet to know what action he «,« legally u,st,tn^ in Uu- name of the frown, atrainst the I'roprieK.rs of the Sei^nuory ot M.Ue \ aches. And t was e tio of an aetim de h^^rnage, whi..h he ha.l himself sufigeste.i, ancl which he had been i„slna-!ed to institute, which he might, and ought, in fact, to have instituted nearly two """"Thls'is not' all! " Tie doe. also apprchcul that it is incumbent upon him to become dis- ti„rt!„nr,iuainted with the ./rounds and the means which this action ,s to be supported Xo doubt an expression of humility was necessary in making the "-^ ' « \ 5"^'' f ono.l studies and fresh researches were necessary, particularly utter so great a le gth of time, 1 . , wh ch he must have oeounied himself (ol the purpose .fbrannnu, d,st,nc^y «r,<«.,»W with Fhe principles upon which Le could institute and support, in the ■•!""<-• ^j',^'^";^^^^^^^^^ action dc homage, against proprietors who hehl from it the c-oneess.on «? ^ - g ^^ ' «"»^- in the front bv the river, and on all the other sides by Crown Lands ! \\ hat doubts to coint fnirn Mis Maiestv's Attornev-deneral for Lower-tanada . UainfS. Stuart was a prey to such strange perplexities, he might easily have con- sulted Mr '.Ad ote-leneral V^nfilson, who w<,uld quickly have mssipated all 1- -rnp - T Iv amon.r his frien.Is at the Bar, there were few who wouW n..t have been e q.able o at '"'">" „ ,1 i;h:„„i,:„« with which ho miL'ht be assaed. But he had then already ;rn;aS;rin t:^:^^^ ;.: !:.:f;;on^^^ Mr. .Vdvocate-C;eneral Vanfelson It "t :u:e;::^tl;::^the;e w^s ,he slightest diff..rence of opinion on ^^^l^'l^l'^^^^t SHcfi titles and dorumrnts as mnjht l>e recorded orjonud, n, fas 'P'''^J' '' ■> <.:,:,li„B, i„ a ,.oi... ..f vi,.» .■:.l.-..l:..o.l ^«^ S,';;,™ v'i'l' i! Mr. S,„ar. WM .hi. hnguag.., In ll„. fir.l l.laiv, il »;« "" ll"^ 1 'tl ..f ?'''">■',, i)„.,.,„l,or, on ll,.' ..il.ji'.-t "( • Vide thi« Utter ia Mr. Stimrfi Appendix. liimself as tep is j)ar- itible, that ich by his sode ill liis your letter icillingyiess >nent of the tion of the in the time Ih of Fob- 'titc-, in the (Villi it was c had l)eeu nearly two become dis- 'ed." that leiigth- rth of time, I acquainted ? Crown, an ry, hounded bts to come ,' have con- his scriijiles. •apablo of at :heii alreaily nfelson. It sides which, ibjeet, as we int. / in his htler f)'s Domains nttd with (dl le boundaries ■ the lOtJi of aifjiinst the aries, I shall t I shall take n relation to , my opinion ifhout havinij vhi'ther there III imputation ikI ; or of e.x- Stuart's pro- his lang;uiige, he siilijeet of elf done, and J attach to so le subject. At 7fl comme si elle eut 6t6 faite a sa lettrc du 31 Janvier. Cette demarche est particulierement re- marquable en ce qu'elle fournit une autre prcuve cgalement incontest{d)le, que ce delai tenait a un systeme constamment suivi, de resistance a des vucs qu'il prr^end, dans ses reponscs avoir seconde avec zele. C'est un Bingulier episode dans sa reponse aux accusations de rAsseinblce. Dans salettredu 11 Fevrier, M. Stuart debute par demander permission de temoigner a M Glean au sujet de sa lettrc de la veiUe, sa disposition parfaite oH il est d'aitenter promptement toute action qui pent itre leijalemcnt intentee pour I'etablisscment des borncs entre la Sciyneurie de Mille-Vaches et le terrein adjacent de la Couronne. Sans parler du vague et de la contra- diction qui regnent dans cette partie de la lettre, M. Stuart qui porte a 'a charge de i.ord Avlmer, le delai qui s'etait ecoule depuis Tinjonction qu'il avait recjue le 29 Deceml.rc, l.u ecrit le oiize de Fevrier, comme un homme qui no parait pas encore savoir quelle action il neutleqalemcnt intenter au nom de la Couronne con tre le* proprietaires de la beigneurie de Mille-Vaches. Et c'etait d'une action de homage dont il etait question, et qu U avait lui- meme suggcree et qu'il lui avait etc enjoint d'intenter, qu'il aurait pu, du, en effet, intenter de- puis nres de deux mois ! • .,.,.», Ce n'cst pas tout. " II con^oit humblement qu'il est necessaire qu il puisse connaitre " distinctement les fondemens sur lesquels Taction de la part de la Couronne doit etre iiiten- " tje et pent etre soutenue." 11 fallait sans doute de I'humilite pour faire I'aveu de la iieces- site, de longues etudes et de nouvelles recherches, surtout apres un aussi long espace de teinps, pendant lequel il avait du s'en occuper, pour " connaitre distinctement les pnncipes sur les- " quels ilpouvait intenter etsoutenir" au nom de la Couronne, une action de bornage contre des proprietaires qui tenaient d'elle une Concession en Seigneurie, bornee asa devanture par le fleuve, et de tons les eotes par le terrein de la Couronne ! Quels doutes de la part du 1 ro- cureur-deneral de Sa Majeste dans le Bas-Canada ! .• ■ • . • r •■ D'un autre cote, si M. Stuart ttait en proic a d'aussi etranges perplexites, il lui etait facile d'en faire part a M. I'Avocat-CJeneral Vanfelson, qui aurait bien vite dissipe tous ses scrupules. Enfin, parmi les amis qu'il avait au Barreau, ii en est peu qui n'eussent et<5 capables d cclair- cir d'un coup toutes les difficultes qui pouvaient I'arreter. Mais il avait eu alors deja depuis long-temps des conferences avec I'Avocat-General M. Vanfelson. II ne parait pas qu il y cut sur ce point la moindre difference d'opinion. Outre que celui-ci n'avait pas le plus leger douteacet e-rard, et ii'en pouvait avoir, il avait meme, comme on va le voir, fait dispara.tre jusqu'A I'ombre d'un pretexte a hOsiter sur cet article. M. Stuart va plus loin. II rappelle a "M. CJlegg la " suggestion conteiiue dans sa lettre du 31 Janvier, sur la convenance que " i'lnspecteur du Domaine du lloi, Greffier du Papier Terrier, recent ordre de sa Seigneurie •' de lui faire connaitre les titres et documens relatifs aux bornes en question, et ajoutc qu'il " n'a pas re^u de reponse, Enfin, " considcrant," dit-il, " que les termcsdcsa lettre (celle de M. Glegg du 10 Fe- " vrior) component " un ordre percmptoire" d'intenter contre les proprietaires de la Seigneurie " de Mille-Vaches, une action pour I'etablisscment de bornes™ -il I'intentera, comme il " en >>st requis ; inais il doit observer qu'il adoptera cette demarche sans qu'on I'ait mis a " meme d'exercer sa discretion officiclle, sans " avoir etc requis de soumettre a la consideration " de Son Excellence son opinion," et de lui faire connaitre si cette opinion etait appuyee siir " des motifs siittisans et coiiformcs aux lois ou iion, sans avoir ite mis en possession d'aucuiis " documens ou renseigiiemcns pour le mettre en cUit de juger si elle pouvait etre appuvi'e ou " noil sur ces fondemens."* Je me trouvu dans la necessito dc transcrire ces passages au long, dans la crainte que 1 on ne m'impute d'avoir charge ce tableau ou d'avoir use de reticence ou d'exageration, de ina- iiiere a sasrifi'T la veritii du desir de placer les deniarches de M. Stuiirt sous un point de vue propre a les rciidre ridicules. D'abord, c'est le 11 Fevrier que M. Stuart tenait ce langage, apres tout ce qui s etait passe depuis sa suggestion du 24 Decembre au siijet de cette action. II aurait pu surement faire ce que M. rAvocat-Goneial Vanfelson avait fait lui-inemc, et sc mettre en etat de savoir a quoi s'en tenir. (Jiiello diffieulte pouvait presenter une action aussi' simple ! Us I'avaient ex- ■ ■ "s en avaientconfcre ensemble. (^Jua^it rimiiiee. • V . cette lettrc ians I'Appeudice do la Uepoiisc de M. Stuart. As for the gravity with which Mr. Stuart expresses himself, with regard to the docu- mentf neeess^iry, tl.e only document which was worthy las attent.ou-which was of any use minis nci.i.»3.» ^, } .111 .r ,„vnn..«>iion of the 8eiy;niory. Mr. Stuart nnirht to li in. and the only one, was tlie deed ot concossuju o» "' ,. » , ■' ■ • w i *. to nil I, '""• " : 1 •» • 1- . K, .,ff..r the '2i)t\i ofDeeemher; he miurht have ob- and slum d have procured it unmedmtcly atter tnc ^./lu .-i ^ ., • at \- c \^ i- £ed it in the c.lurse of a few hours. %lthouKh he had not done tins, >Ir. ^ a. fe o h n- .elf had, and afrer haU,^ ^^^^^f^^^irU^^tru ^\n\.:\:'ZlX*TL^ ra;;y:::;:':^;u:i;o;:id\^r:3t':^^ -» f- j;t'"^1^"I: ^•aeii in support of their petiti.!;., of j;;^'^; ^^^^ A;i-rr y 'a^o^U 'S,!: he 1 :.r the J «' " ■ or «r/,. «o< /, ,/«/ ""'/ .^■'#""" .'/'•"'""/•'.A"- !'"/"-;'^osul arUun. I ve air a Iv observed, tluU if the (lovernor ha.l required Imu to do an unjus or an ilk- 1 ie i?l s Mr. Stuarfs ad, on the contrary test,- t^ TTde r r^upport them. If, Tince this period, tardy reileefon, as to the pos.tuu. m M h -r oeeeliniC placed him in the eves of his clients and o the pubhc, or even sc. u- ; _. i , s .is extnulrdinarv as those which the expressions ot Ins letter would .njport- .bt rekhini; lastly, if he found the uiulertakin^ above h.s powers, he should trankly have deel.H'.I t. perforn. this extraordinary character, and shoidd have observed a si net ieu rai y 1.1 either of these alternatives, a frank explat.a.u.n upon t ns subject nu^l't ha « been t' ven to Lord Avlmer, who ,ni,rht have conlided this .m.usure •;7'-: ;^' [''^ '^■-^■^•"^•^•''• M;. Sluart, on the contrary, plunged himself deeper ...to an |"« [-;^i^ ' ' ^ ^^ „.,, Mr. In this suite of thiiiLrs, the Governor nuist have found it ililhcult to muifriiu, ti.ai mr. .. " r/^h rlv null r,., arc from tl,. head of any public drpurlmaU ,n th.. Pronn<. U^ " rZ, m nay have ocLian to nfer, .v,ch d^KumnUs as yon may ro„ce,ve to U ,«cc.« ry *<;?; f/J i/"/'n-r«rto« ''• + It is us.'lcss just now to return to the remainder ot thr letter, unkss it l)c lor t''*- P " p„s.. M-n.n.;rki..,' that the Governor pointe.l out to Mr. .Stuart the i.npenous motives winch should induce the l;overnment to toUow ''I' j'"^^;^^;"';-,,,^^, ^^,^^j^.,., ,, •, i,,,,^. He c.mtinues. andsajs, i//i im '-"'.' ;;/-,. n,„1 immtdiatelu after, and uithout lusiity a " titlex and doiuments uhirh I had applied Jor ; amt immiamaiy <;/ , j " thu,,nyayal, J r^curnla htt^ J''>n hts lacUI,ncy>^.^ H of lehruary, " KreeUenry, a petUam jr /'-^^l^lTfa^^^^^^^ - «• rtinndainilin "/ //" imilxisiil institution oj an aiiunt ju, ,. ,, « ii... i.io " Ziaun resL,, and raleulated t,. .uly.ct them to yrrat erpens. and tronlde. H" »'Ws bir''""/^A.V ,/ uf any uuu :uurt might t have ob- folson him- in^ agreed t htis bi'cn ns of Millo we may, in )Ciite Gcne- f tlie C'om- of jmlgiiit? injust or an by tlioso of tiaiy, testi- pu^itiun in • even seru- ild import — ;)ul(l frankly rved a strict t might have ate-Ueneral. Ii. ine tliat Mr. ro absolutely mself bo\niil if the Crown letter, bore lis 'leference he Seeretary i'HCi! to ijour '■iii-C/iiif, to prui'iiiie, to I be luccssart/ i»'y I'f Millo i for the pur- iiotives wliieli He contiinies, iifjiver, of the tliout losintj a n ; anil irlnle hij onli r oj' his (;/■ J-'ihrmtry, hounilitrus n.i !i ." I ie ailiis, hi judiji tufi s- id these terms ipokeii, on till' imU, we mu-t iw ihiit wiis : it in this sul)jeet, .•rnor. Mr. i tu the itrport ol' Quant a la gravlt(5 avec laqticUc M. Stuart s'exprimc relatlvement aux Documens n6- ccBsaires la se'ule piece qui etait digne de son attention qui lui etait utile et I'unique, c'etait lo titre de Concession de la Seigneurie. M. Stuart aurait pu, il aurait du so la procurer im- mediatement apres le 2!) Decembre. II ne lui fallait (|ue quelques heures pour I'obtenir, Ce uu'il n'avait pas fait, M. Vanfelsou I'avait tait lui-meine, et apres avon- conferu" avec lui le 7 Janvier et etrc couvenu ensemble que c'etait le titre recpus, d le lui " avail envoyo" le nieme jour.* On a pn voir dcja ee que I'on devait penser des Doeumens invociues par les pronri^'taires de MiUe-Vaehes, a I'appui de leur ileciuete, dont j'ai rendu compto. On pent d'ailleurs a cet e"-ard eonsidter le Rapport fait au (Jouverneur Lord Ayliner, par M. 1 Avocat- C.eneral Vanfelson, au sujet de eette I'etition dans 1' Appeiidice dn Happort du Comite. Qu'on discensuite comment il 'etait possible que M. Stuart fut incapable de ju-cr si eette action " nonvait ..u non Mre appuvee sur des motifs suffisans, etre intentoe ou non legalemeiit. I'ai deia fait observer que si le Oouvernour avait exige de lui un Actc mjuste ou illegal, c'etait pour M. Stuart un devoir command:- par les regies de la morale coinme par cellos de I'honneur, de lui resister. Hien loin de refuser de se preter a ses vues, il avait au contraire teinoi'nu-ledi'sir deles seconder. Si depuis cette epoquc, des reflexions tardives sur a po- sltionllans lacpielle cette d.'iiiarche le plavait, vis-ii-vis de ses cliens et aux yeux du 1 ublic, ou mi'me des scruj.ules, liis avaiit dans un labyrinthe inextricable. ^ Dans I'etat des choses, le Gouverneur devait avoir (|uel(iue jjeme n croire quo les de- marches pressantes et reiterees de M. Stuart, rehitivenient aces Documens fussentabsolument deiiuies de tout motif, nu*'me simplemeiit plausii)les. D'un autre eotc', se croyant oblige de lui cmifier la condnite de cette affaire, il j.ouvait craindre de nuire egalement aux interets de la Couronne etde Lampson, en aigri.-sant un homme dont les prejugc^s contrc ce dernier avaient tons les caracteres de la i)assion.'^ II in.ussa encore dans cette occasion a I'egard de M. Stuart la deferenc- \us traviil il re.Mit," dit-il, " une lettre de Son Excellence qui lui transmettait par son ordre, - copie d'une IVtiiion : 1.1. ,1.. M Sliiiirl .\ppeiidiic de l.i lepiiiiM' do M. Sluart 62 Mr Stuart sees i,. tWse two letters, two orders, by one of which he was rcqjnre,!,,, insti- Mr TaSZ. n„.f h;, the oM.r," acor.Ung to his int.rpretat.on ot U, to re/.ort whether the actio,, nu'iht to hei,,slit„te,/ lu.ri.lcx'fy. Hut tl>oy Imd T his s tiu. .hlenuua -l'l^-'';M;i;"rontly • ' J^ 'f J',,^^,, ha.i nunu-r-ms connuuni.ations ros,.oc.ivc.lyr.torc.MO.toa.stu>. o.J.-o.s,a^.^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^.^^^^^^ ^^ i^.„-.u.„ons ,,ven l;'-)!^ -^-J ;:;;:^ S ^" .'(illvernor'sini the ..th .,f FchruLy : th.- res.,- Stuart nn.^ht s.-c, ''''M' >- ' ; ''^■,^,^,,,i,,.,j „„, „,, i„j„„,,iM, issued iu cons.,,ucMKH. since l„„on tol.nn,. \V"' 11 1 MS .art in,..r,.r..t this r.-.-uost, .na.h- in fjeneral ter.ns, as nearly tw., months. ' " \ .sj-eeially to the ins.ruetions and nn,.ort,nij an •'r''^'''.'''/^, ^' V*^; j,,, L.endentlv of every other eonsideration. that ot the „,,„ne„oMs to •-;";;;.;';,,;, : i :„, ,,.„.ild have sudiee.l to n.ake i>in, tVel that .hey fm.h.v ol ,he '■-' ',;l ',',';'', „U, tor he puriu-se of in.lueinj, hin. to revoke these ,n- shouhl have no ^^ > .^h ^ ' ,, , .1 V .-dread V to e./nvince ourselves upon the snl.jeet, ^ve nnj^ht :;r;dnh; rel.:- sli^il.! i:; M.-. N-tei.on ,o ,he Governor n,.on this sul-iect to see .hat shotdd iK. .honjd..^.f it/ ^^^^^^_ ^^^^_^ ^^^ ^^_^^^ ^,^_^ ^,^^_ ^^^,^,^, ,,^ „ , ,„,,,,., „,,;„;„„ L. stl>, ';'f- ' "■ , ,„.,„.,,, I i„„^ in this loisiiiess, an' ^ , , . i„ ,.„j„i„i„n- him to institute the action, he .nt.mates lo is;ni.;;;' hi: lilt,!;;'':- 0,^;;:!.!.-;:;^: m./... ;.../ 1„ ,h o,,e „■ ,,.jro,.,„ the.. ... ,,e„se.. it w.,s a ron>t /':;^.^'";f "■;•';""'!;,;:";;;';;,,„, „„i,, „i,h com,daisa,.ee on the motives inij)ortimee. formed of the reasons wliich cmdd have induced ti m\l::'lJ.::n ^r !' ...d „.. ,.re,en.U .... he cmdd have do., so ^^ ^^^^ry^^^^^^ ,,„, 1,, „.,, received ,h,. answer .00 !.■. e .. 1 lav ",'';„,, ,„ ,„ „„ler, th.' exec.ti.u. oY ^S/I-dd ;::.Xi;7t!.'i WIE h;E if hi. innnn...aMe ohs.ach. .hich he had '•''^"'n::t';Et.,;;'?=";t'^^'-^'^ th.^e is;:;.!, i.. a, n.on.en,, ...e ....mero. nor, which ,nus, =|i;-;;; > , :;^;;;'^ ^V . :" J ^^Wnu-e )o .hcsedoc.nents, was of the ....n.anu.isr the order asUe.l for > > ■• ,,^,„i , ^,,_ s.nart. in answ. .intr Io,h IVhruarv. He rece.v.Ml ;^' ;";.;"' ,,,.„„„ ,f hU i.r.eeedi.ius wi,h ,he llo- „.,„rah.. Mr. Pr.nm.M-, ^^ ' ' 'f^ "' ,„,iv of the answer under .li>cu-sion ; it is a letter this sul,ec, .s to l,e . -^ J , ' ,„;ff ' ' ,„. t.. have hce,. wri.ten previously, a.ul hy 1^. e- *""" ^'l, ^'Sl^d'o.' • s u. . .l.e 1.2.1. l-el.ruary. J„ oh..li.,ue t„ the e.o,.,„o„.U o, (.iliht. " >- ^ » » __ ^ 4i-.* .>> Ilii> iwt • till' M'C hiive alreailv >]iolien. alt oiror; it Has S8 ril In hisfi- •liii/ur the it. tlioy liad iiuii'u-atioiis 'i/c, jiri'ciso le, as Mr. ; tin- ri'Sd- iK'iici' since il terms, iis iii'tions iiiid tliat lit' tlie cl that tlicy ki' tlu'sc iii- ■t, wo in iff lit to sec what 1 his ojiiiiion tlic iiri'tenci- lonii' III/ Ihi- iTiKir, in tlie he intimates imj thv&v e.r- 1 the motives vdki' iiis iii- as rejrarded \iii y, of eon- lussesseti a:iy have indneed \'^ ihe lioiiest :eiilties wliieii ieiic<'d the ac- .«rv sanu' day, t'iiat scarcely execution of which he had the niim«'roii> ilh till- (lo\(T- s? The letter Is, was of the , ill aiiswi riiit; with the H(i- I lie seen iiiinii ; it is a letter V, and liy fen- (' rovitiitind.i <;/ ave mentioned, iiirv iff riiiliii- i/i: of which we Mr. s an firor ; it wai M Stiiurt voit dans ccg deux lettres deux " ordres contradictoires, dont I'un le requcr- " rait il'iufenter uiic acthin, ct I'autre," suivant le sens qu'il y attache, " de faire raiiport si «' I'actioi. .'evi.itc'tre intentic." Ce serait hi lu dilemme ([ui Taurait appareininent jete l de Fevrier, la resolution de porter cette ac- tion avait etc arretee, I'injoiictioii dounee on eonseiiiieiice IVvrier. Kile lui est parvonue sans doute le m6mc soir. M. Stuart, cu venondaiit aux accusations do rAssembhe no rend pas c.unpte de ses demarches auprcs de nionorablo Primrose, " Inspeeteur du Doiuaino et (irctlier, etc., " tout co qu on pout voir a eesuiet, so tnmve dans I'Appeiulico de la reponse quo je discute. C est une lettre de Al. I'limVose. Kilo somblerait avoir ete I'crite aus^i d'avaiice et par prevision. Kilo est du meme ;„„, dou/.e Fevrier. " Pour ohoir aux ordres de Son ICxcellenee il tiansmet a M. Stuart " eces (pie j'ai iiidi.piees en rondant compte de la Koqui'te des I'roprictaires do Mille- les trois pi Vaeiies.. -N'erhal de lioucher e-t le i>reinier Le I'roees iiaiiei' do I'lnteiidant avee TActe dont il a etc' ei-devaiit question. dans la liste : au second article, I'Ordon- de soulVranco, entin, au troisieme, I'Acte de foi et d'lioinmagc M. • IVi'i.ile, pins liaiit, N... Ti7.■"'-' ^^ .'.i. ...™..., ... fix l.is ationtion ui-on this sul.jii't in a rf''^;'''' "'''/"''';.. ,i,,„,,,„ents frarh dc soutlhime and '"■' 't;;r;f^*;pir 0. ;-;""™':;;;::::K.:;i;!:i:;;'";;'':;;:s:i:',» ts^ ,,r..lK-.' I.) l.ni'B i"l" I '">.,.' "',,,, l.-a-t ...il.'-- I. Mr. Sl.Mrl l,.r ll,.' |...,i«.^.' "I .I»1U"1IM|! illuii"" .^ 1 .• 1 w U inv iliitv to add ^till to tliis picture, .i , "^'uiiiii^d 'i:; M. %.;:;;:; :rti;e' A i-o'i^ t:^^.i-'-/'ii t - ^ r''- ''""v" it featiir.- cxlul Ud l.\ .Mr. rMu.iri ii s;,.,.r..t irv's Utter of the 15tli ot IVl.ruary siioidd, some days. The aet.on .a. hnuu,!. 1 "^ ;^'>^ ! ^, .i,,;^.,,,;,, ,„ ^.e Md.ject o. it seems to me, have .lone avsay «iil. '"' .l"\!\' " '. ,. ,• .„„i ,„,,i„st the Crown, this anion ru /«,r«m,., or to ol,.erva..ons '" <-'\> "• '>>, \ ' ^ ,,, .Pf Tehruary, u,...,. U„. ,,„,r, . .vrfW .,1 ,,» . _^ ■^"^' ■','„,, ;„ ;„,;,„,', .„,,, i,„,„i,i,, .« ,„ny |.... ...e m part ot tlii-i lett'T, in>a\ins;, i mm ■ n „..i,l,. lu.. In reiiorl lor h s L.xeelleJicv s r. possession of inrornuuiou that n,ay he neee.sav o .•>. U ' .' , j,, fetors of " eonsideration, n.v hnndde opinion on the n.eril.s ot tlie ai.plKatioii 1 '• '•'^•dK:±;i:;:t;;:::l.;rS.'"c:;'i: of ..o sort onntere..atthi.mo...... i.m«.t „gain to' he^" n-entid .i.h reiVrrin, to the ^^ ri:^tX:Zr\:t ^^^ ^VS^;- (feneral VaidVUn,. ,hou,^ht U ins duty o 1''=;-; '^ r^^^^ , ^'^^^^ 't,,: ..us researeh w>.s re- :;;Ld^j:;^;:';:::::^:r;:h.t!n-;i^ ^,^';::;;h!ne;-,:tti::l''r.^^^^^ 2n,, that if it w.ie in.t evident that he was, on this oeea.on, u pre> to the »'^;-- ^^^ . S..e l.i. letter to Mr. Sn.ar.. N... ..,. of tho Appe.ulix to the Iteport of the Committee of (iriovauce ■( Vide Ajipeinlix to -Mr. Stuart's Letter. \eigniory i» lis ; niul he is inemm, to uf/hnur and (tins iif the on tiio part has thought :)|)ios, and a lit' instituting nt>v of u^ain iruidanco, in V horns only ih Doi-fUibiT, III the 7th of liirt's answer : ( iif I'lhnitiry CO (lays nient. I oii<;ht 1 Mr. Advofatc- li)th of IVhru- rcsi-arch was ri.'- of the Si'ij^niiiry iitioiis njioii the cut nn-M'lf with the inihieiice of iirejudice, 85 M. Primrose no mnnqiio pas d'ohscrvor qi'o ai,'ces sous (juebiue iioiiit de vuo propre a affaiblir le sentiment de detroiit (pi'i lies doivenl insiilrer. c'est en se pcrsuadant (ju'elles stmt I'eifet de I'illusioii. Mais ([uelle illusion, si ce n'est que cela ! Avant de passer si un autre article, il est de mim devoir d'ajoiiter encore a ce tableau un • trait uri'-i.iit:' par M. Stuart dans I'Appendico de sa reponse, (pioi(pi'il soil posterieur de quel- (lues jours. L' Action I'tait intentre. La Uttre du Secretaire du l.> I'Vvrier devaif, ce seinble, avoir'fait cesser tout pretexte a de nouvelles dilVuultes au siijet de eette action en bornaire, ou li des observations en faveur de i.es ciiens et coiitre la Clmironne. 11 crut pourtaiit, on i'cri\-ant le 1!) I'Vvrier a M. CHetr;r, au sujet dt! la IVtition des Troprietaires de .Mille-N'aciies, devoir revenir A la ehars, et envisairer comme ayant (luehpie importance, la seule piece iiivoipu'e .'i I'appui de ees protendus droits, le Procil's- Ver- bal de Moueher V Kt cependaiit il s'enHjau;e frravement dans la deriii(:'r(; partie de ceile leltre, '• ii se livrer a des reclierches jiour olitenir les •• renseij;iiemeiis m'cessaires, " pour se mettre a >' nu-mede soumettic ii la con>iiKraiion de Son Excellence, son humble opinion sur le merite " de rappUcatioii des Proprietaircs de Mille-Vaehes !" Une discussion a ce sujet ne pent itre d'auciiii interct dans ee numienl. Jc dois me con- tenter de nouveau de renvover au Uapport ([ue M. TAvoeat-tieneral Vanfelson crut devoir mettre le 1!) I'Vvrier sous h's yeux du donverneur sur cetto Petition. On y verra, comme je I'ai aussi observe, s'il ('tait necessaire de reclierches liien laborieuses pour iiidiquer ce que les al- Icruesdes I'roprietaires de la Sei^Mieurie de Milie-Vaehes, pour faire revoquer les instruetums du (u.uvern.-iir au snjet de eette aciion, avaient de futile, (^umt :i M. Stuart, je me conten- terai d'ajouter (pie s'il n'etait pas evident (pi'il (-tait dans eette occasion en proie a I'lnflucnce des prtiju.-'ds, des errours, des piissions dc ses ciiens, on serait portc a so demander s'il etait [0 of (irioviuiccs. • Voycz sa l.-t'rp a M. Stuart, N.i. -'"), Appoiidicc du Rn|iport du t oiiilte dcu Gricft. t Aiijifiidicc de U U'ttri> do M. Stuart. 8(1 ..,.,; „,. ,„„. woulil 111" iiitluwd to HMk wlutlior it pr..j,ullcv. of errors ot tl'M'''*''"'"^'' ''''';'': 7;;,, l.'^,;^, ....uia l.av. .ultill.Ml will, honor to U-r. |.o.Ml.l.- that, «.v.... up to 7''V'':' !^:„, I c hnnortuut functions with which h. wa« hiii.Mit; and with advai.ti.fro t.. the i.uMiiinHUt, I iiivixtoil .■' .liHcussio.i of tliis porlioi. of Mr. Stimrfs aiinwor. It is„s.U.ss to dw..ll lon«.r on ';•;"; V j, ..vhll-nt : that which tlu- Co.n.nittoo The ooMcli.sio.i to he arrived at Iron. I»- ' / .. , ;, r,„|uire.l i.othi.i- h'Hs than the ha. itMdf arrived at upon the t-JM'-- '- ; ^^ ,., ,.,1,.. ,,;... .....Icruke that pro- " repeated aii.l poMtlvi. orders ..t the governor '■ ^•^■'■;';"-:!' . . , ,,., •• eharue.! l.v the Committee ..f haviny; |,/ivei. „n erroneous opiu- Mr. htuart is, he >a>s, ^ ' ""^^ ..n'l.ehdf of the Hudson's ISav Company, praMUi;- to " ion resiieclinu; a peiiiioii pustnu ,i, .i,„iiois ■nul scdieiiln'Mnirdon lor tiiose oi •■ ""''■"'•■•' '^"'^;;i''ll ;:";"';;. i'ln in' ^i'::':.;"^ ^.-ii ..> "their servants who li.d .Ion. so, ».'">• - ,j ' „hose interests were opposed to :z:': "'"""•"" '■'"""■ •• Crown itseil. I'irst, aeeordinic ilinir t" l'i'"> " «'"rrupf moiiv lie iil'terwari •' Advoeate lis " throws (Hit, and (jives i t to I liiis heen 1,'ratuitousiy tipplied to liis eomluct opiidoiis ot ai or I^iw Dllicer of the frown le nn( ii ion" wldeh he lias niveii. 'l"hi» opinion far iVoin heinu; eensu ralde, is, lie appn heiids entitled to the iipprolmtion of hiN Majesty's Hovernnieiit, \e. It is s'eareely po-.>ilde to iX] ilain iiw Mr. .Stuart eoiiUl hav I lVei| uen itlv deeeived hini- 80 ■If as to tlie nature i f tl e eiiar;fes vhiel I he pretem i.roujilit t.. his ehar-e, in their eonnee.ion on. side of the ipiestloll : mil onh, wliieli eann( hiin, instead of we il even I vith reirard to tiiat, he puts K to repel. He never looks at llie laets lie never sees more than one forth secondary eonsiderations witli anotlier th< ot M'rve Ills eaiise, ai iilu nintr tlieiii. id facts whieli streli-lheli the ell i-liar"es hrouirlit aiiuiiist In tlie lii>t piae.', H ,>t a .pieslioii now of an erriir mere ly; still less of all error of an orilinarv descripti fal>ity of an opinion ^jiveii l>\ iiid ilestitute of iniporlanei an Ad\oeate. ( If even it eun he sanl that the truth n wiiuhl not ot itseil ir otiier Crown otiieer. eoii>titute an olVeiiee we shtnild l>e uii alile to draw any ec iiielusioii favourahle to Mr. Stiinrt f detail in the shape of law or jurispi aiii on tills oeeasio Milijects o an opinion, at one t,o the eon'>e(pienee> w taiiee. n. It was not, t, in the tirst jdaee. upon poMits o ,f doetrine only, or even npiui udeiiie that his opinion was reti ■d. It Wi il tiie same time, i its to aets of iinportanee in ttieliiselv. I witli reference l.ich iiiu>t tlow t'roiii them, a nd which ininlil t'ccoin lie of still '1' hich may a|>ply to suhjec •ts o if ihi s nature. hat of the first rules of puldie iiuu-.t r\ of tliis ran Id not have k. If lie he a straii lity, forms an essei til r,r to tlie one or the othei itial' part 'of the duty of a funetioii- liis otliec is a liurdeii which ho slioii allow ■d himself to take up : it ts I.eyond his powers, and he cannot preservt t. Advice on his part. hieh shoidd I.e ill direct oppositioi, f. the-e pnnci| inncilMes. iitory to tla- di-iiitv of the f.overnment. to ij. neeessarilv I'c vpoliation, e( il taith, tiie practical consequences i)f which would ■ould not he excusa .l,le uiuh'r the pretence, that tlu'V were tli^ ilVi ct of error After the sketch 1 have -iveu of the disposition o ,fll,e laws: of the rules ofjnrispr rudenci ,,f the slate of the province ol Low r (. aiiada, willi retireiice to th e eominerce wi th the Indiana uarticiilarlv in tliat pa 1 . . * . • .11 lart o lion o if the l\in;;'s l'ost« si 1 let of eomiiry, sitimtiM^^^l do not think it necessary if tiie province where tlu known under the app I'ihi to return to the discussion of a siil)j<'ct whu I, i», in a nianner. a Iready exhausted, and I shall eontioi' mysi ■If t o remarks ,pon the pi.ssa-es in this p.-rtmii o feature. I shalli.e easil:. '-'-I •" interpretation, to whicli he ,f Mr. Stuart' alls ell ililed to show t hat he dh wer whicii may present some novel 1 not understand the nature of tiic rules ot union, ine 'i'his oj rely the interest app ays, aiK 1 that. al>o\ e al 111' mistook tiieir apidicalion II |,y me on a (piesiion ol | i.f tl was jjivei idividiiais iiiiniediately c ,f iiililic law, not aflectiiiL lar^r.., ami was formed un.ler tiie iiiobt perfect coiivic t, liut those of the pro- tion of its heiiii; lejjal and cor- iineerned in i " viiice at '' rect, which convielion 1 still retail It is true that the proMii eial ordinances in iiuestion, ant 1 of wiiich 1 lia\ e give lllslllO lis, were, in fatt, pu ,blic 1 IWS. II the dis- Lct wliftluT it li lioiior to licli llU WllM irt'N illlM\V»T. C'lHiiinitttH- 'Ns than tliu ki- that pro- iiiooiis I'piii- , jiriiN iiiy; to for ilioM' of Ic^id tliat 1 (. oppi'si'il to tll0^e lit' tlu! his coiidia't. liiiioiiM of nil l,iiMly, he e has J-ivfii. |)|irol)ution of fccivtd liim- ;s at till- tai'l-. loro than oiu- •onsidcratioiis Kiiijlit ai;ainst 111 '.■riiir til an till' trutli )!• not of itsi'lt to Mr. Sttiart (ir I'Vfii upon lii-.'d. It was with nfiii'iiei! i^rcati-r inipor- of this natun-, (if a fiiiirtion- riU-n \>hii'li Im aniiot jiri'st'ivi- (h'lii^atory to f wiiii'ii would thi'V wore the jurix|)ruti t'trnnijCH illusions, il out jm romplir nvcc lioiniour pour lui Pt avec avuntam' pour !•• Clouvirni'inoiil l.s iuiportmitcn fcuit'tioiis dout il ctuit churgei' II est iiiutilodo K'arntorpluH lon|r-tt'inpH li discuter cctlci purtie do lartponic de M Stuart. I.a conelusicui a tiriT do son |.ropri' I'xpost' I'st uvidenunent telle (pii- le tJoinite a, tiree lui-intiuf .It's faits prouvis d.'vaiit lui, " qu'il n'a fallu ri, nioiiiH »pu' li's ordri"* n'pcti'S et »' piwitifs du Gouverni'ur-on-l'lu'f pour le forcur ti })roci'd.«r, ' sur cettc actio D.'S riponsBS dc M. Stuart, (pmnt iiwin opinion nlativi'iui-nt a la IV-titioii do hi Compa- «nii! d.' la Haio d'lludson, li'uihniti' li ol.li'uir mu' licnce pour voiidre vt disirihuir des hoissonsfoiti's aux Sauvaff.'s, I't li' pardon do SI'S I'Miployis. .. „ , , M Stuart i'st,dil-il, " an-usc par Ic Coiniti;' d'avoir .hunu- iiiic opinion orronfc, '• re- «» lativi'iiu'iit li mil' IVtition do hi CouipaKuio rlo la l?i.io .'Hudson, d. niaiulant li otro autorisi'i. a " vondreot dislrihuor dos lioissoiis fortos aiix Sauvai;o-, ot on donnaiit ootto opiiuon," a;outc- t-il, '• on alli^nio ipio j'l'tais oiilraino jiar lo di'sir d. sorvir les intorits do nios cli lis opposi'S a " coux du looatairo ilii Hoi, ot par uno ooiisicpionie lu'i'fssairo a ooux ^k• la Counwine." IVahord, siiivantlui, " cV's uiio imputation j,fratuite." 11 iiifidonto onsnite, en donnant i"i ontoudroipic I'.rrour dans line " opini(.ii d'nn Avoeat ou Oftieier du la (.'ouroniio ne saurint " fonslitnor no delit, eiifiii, iU'onipto jiour sa justification sur la justosso ot IVxactitudo de I'o- " pillion ipi'il a (h.iinoo t'olto opinion J'ion loin do nioritor la oonsure lui doiiue des " litres 11 I'lipprolmtloii du (louvorni'iiiont de Sa Majeste, etc." II n'est xueres possihie de s'exprupier eoniinont M. Stuart a pn sc meproiidro aiissi ronsfaiinnont sur la nature des aeeusathuis ipi'il protend repousser. II ii'onvisaire jaiiiais los flits nortos li saehartfo dans lour ouehaliioinont. II nc voit jamais ((u'uii eote do la ipiestion, il no pivsoiite i.ar I'.la iiiinie iiositions des Lois, des lo^^les de la Jusisprudence, ,U' r.'lat de la I'roviiioo du' Has-(.'anadm relativemeiit an C'otnnieree avee les Sauvayres, surtout (hiiis hi partie do la Province ou so trouve i'otondiie de jiays eoiimi sous le iioin de Tostes du lloi. jo no erois pas dov.iir roveiiir a la di>oiis.si(ni d'uii sujet ipii est en (piehpie sorte deja .puiso- je me boruoiai aiissi li dos romaripios snr los passanes iU- eotte iiartio do la roiionso de m' Slilart, ipii peuvoiit pnsoiiter ipiehpio trait do nouveauto. II me sora facile do taire voir ipi'il n'a pas saisi la nature des ri:'^los d'iiitorpiotatioii ([u'll iuvixpie, et que par-dessus tout il s'o>t trompo dans lour applioatimi. _ . , j. . • " Cetto opinion, dit-ii, il I'a dounoe sur line ipiestiou de loi puliliqiie qui n atteetait pas •• seulemeiit los intorits dos iiidividus, imiiiodiatonieiit eonceriKs : mais eeiix de la Province •• ontiire. II i'avait adoptoe d'apris la omiviotion cpi'olle otait exacte et legale, et iL y est ■' resto attache." , ., . i ■- • r •. «„ II ost vrai ipio K's Onhinnanees I'roviiicialos dont il est ipiestiuii, ot dont J ai lait eon- mitre les dispositions etaient en eftet des Kiis publiques. ' Kemarquons witli tho vu'ws or \m\n\i- juMur, " v'V, , ■"_,.,' ,,_ 'rivato iiitcivst. which nrorornK..ltVomtU.ir,.ronu.lpau.n,tl ell tn^^^^^^^^ j ^_^^_. , ^^,,,, ^.,5^^. ,„- decision of tho Courts, wh.ch en. '1'^->X''": , j .;, lE 'lo^ ,hcso consicK-rations ; but I fornKil an.l j-ositivc laws._ I conhl ijn-at -\'' '•';;;•; 1,,,, .self that tl.oso trnths are ,u.t con,rosin.c a Trcat^iso "'' ^->^'^'^'"" \^., ^ 7, " ^,, U .harai'V <.f cvi-K'ncc. ..ntcl in a n.anncr s.lhncntly clear '""' ' ^'^^ ' ^;':;' „\. „■ ,,i,,i, .icw of th am nt :- What .onhl hocon.c of society, ot a 1'!' ! '-j^.r V I .;,,,;,,,, ..f the n.o„u-n,. ,l,is basis, if these rules conhl --;;; J^^J ;'^ ,1^^ 1^ uiiviauais, such as tat. or tavo.. or even .>f the ..leas .,f jusuee an.l mcnjs ot '^'^ "2„i,.,r ,„ ,hut in which Mr. Stuart found n.i-ht. from on.' .lay t.. an..ther. i-laee^m a situaluni suuUar himself at that lime in Lower Canada . observed, that since tho repeal of this Sulhco it to call to our reeollectmn what ''' ;' •/ f .^ ' ,,^,,,i,,,, ,,;,„ the l!..lians, an.l portion of the ordinance of 1777, -'^'';';^,;;,':;,' 'I out .akin. ..ut a licence fbr Vartienlarlv ..f selliuo; and .l.stnbutiu- t.. ?''.';'' '7/;' J,,„,i,,„,a ,0 has "the Kinjz's I'.^sts. hat in>r,H.;e. in the w.-^I.tu ^■''''''•■■y^'^^*^■''\"^^'' '' 'j . 1... le.s.'es. and this durinu- • , s,!,nh..e lor the ..xciu.ive n allie wuh .he n.l a s . ;>- ' ^ ,;:/,„.„ii;, 1, ,he repeal ... „..arl half a cntvry : '''i- '<'iP''l''>'ri' '^!'' ''''V" '''''\' " : /j ^ force for this j-art of the Ihe onacfnents r.da.in, ... thes. ,,n,h>Iu.,ens ha. l';; ^ ^ :V i^ L had ha.l the U-ct of a province. Tho s.ipula.i.n. tor th.s m.,nopol> >'. a ... ol „f rondcrinjr Lvul t.nvanls then. .... the part ol the (...vernnu n. ' ^ _ .^^ ;,, ^^,„„,„ f„, ^],, ^um f thi .,ul t.nvanls then. .... the part ol the (...vernnuM, '^ , . . ,.,, ;„ ,„„,„ f„r the sum i;iS'^::!'t;;tr'J.;;'rx:' J - r"-^'"'« '•• •> '■ >" ' «"-"" "'"".S.:;;, t:;;;i: ». .- ...^ -™> : '''•■,:';-':;;;;;™';;i;i:i ";:;:;;:™; rs'- ''- s,m«'s July ...apply i.i...«-" >" ■' -'■';■"'- ' "";,, , , ..i7. ■ !..■ «l.i * 1"^ 'I'""''' '"'"I"' „,l,cr ..f t.o „pp..-i..- ..pi.. .."-. I..' il'- l"".";-;:; ,,'' , ,'; ,-s.„MV ..„r».-lv,.. tl,.,l .l...y .ve,.. t:^ t:i>:fztj,i:st „.!n;;tp:;,.r;^;;,; ■« ...1™, '•■- *;••- inif of censure .'' , . ,„„,,,!.,,1 will, facts, aif as .lestitute ot suii- ^^'''^'i:';;;r;;;:,';r::i;:i^r^....o".a.n...rin.h^ „,.,,uin, ..f «•';:-";•-, -"';;;':;;;::; '.::;'' ;^rious, a..d a.... spr.a.i^.. .ua,. that the .■stabh^huu.nls wh.T. .1 i» ^arri. .1 on ■ r.. > ^^ .lill.'r.ul parts ot llir aiffVre,.t parts ..f 1 - ()-nla. ^; -;[; ^j^, ^ ^^ ";,; ':;i, j^ distrihut.d spirit..o..s li.p.o.^ « pr..vinc.! earr.e.l .... th.'.r tra.h' "iH. tlu " '" " ,| ,^.^. „.halevor." » I, ,J...n. (as ha.l been d....e f..r f..r.y years '•;■'"" '.' ;„„,^ ^ .,,• L.,wer Cana.la \Vh..rc, in the fi.-st plac. ar.. these ^^'''''''^ "'V .Z ,,,. , ,,o ithis is .l.o Ki..u's I'os.s. whor.. it is exte..siv.dy earrie.l ou U th.' '-'-" SJ m < a-.'^v vo^l. ....tice, it is b..yona If it b.' carri.-.l .... .■ls..vvh..r.. ... .!..■ .-pp.'s. o dne ... n "" ^ , ,,,• j,,.. „r.li.,a...v t,,. I.ona Sault an.l in the western nju.. n.s, wh. .e ' . " ^ ,, ! J'' ,,,,a .,,„t that which is . ,..,v Mr ^...art w.u.l.'i .'.ot, d.mb.less, protend that that which is of 17!ll. a luonce is nnnecossar). .Mr. Muai. < l,,,i,ortai.ce. varrie.l on i.> the inter.ne.liatc .lislncts .s, ... laet, ol u,.) s^rua ..nporiauie ^^^^^^ 99 IS, in support ou|j;lit to ho of woiiiiding .11(1 there is a ws of a public e in liarniony ist necessarily It (if oi>inioiis istcncy hy the n Kinir's Posts, and this dnriiiu' if the repeal ol • this ]'art of the 1 the erteet of a in>. of ronderin^^ turn for the smn le lease granted , was it not Mr. ices of the one or le should adoju. fs that they wer.' fled in the sense heen eorreet in lit he less desiTV- i destitute of suji- hertjrutuitous, or m's himself vliiii icnie importanir, 1' >priad in main, ■rent parts of tln' Npirilnous li(piui~ atever." of l.ower Canada i the Kini^'s Posts. )tiee, it is beyond IS of til" ordinane<' I that that which is Rcmarqttonsmalutonarit que, ,Ti6me quand ilest neccssalre de pcser ''^^ praeutions oppo- ' 'i- !,..; Hpsnnelles on iuvodue drs pr iicipes de droit privc, la raisou de decider doit bc dreVi s Ss Sa^ stabiles par le Le.islateur, au risque de froisser les int rets tirer Ues "K'«f,S^:'V*_. .. ,;' ^„. ,,,,„ ;,,(lividus enirajfes dans ces contestations. A plus forte Z^'^An^^^^^^^r£:L desiS d-une nature puhllque, la balitice doit- rasoi., qnana iisa^ii. , .,i, ;,;„,,,,,, ge trouvc en harinouie avec les vues dc I^i:;S;:;;o:;i:Cu :;mmm^^^ <.- aoUeut ...cessairement I'cmporter sur .„Ue dc oniiTotis < d se forment a la'suite .le leur promulgat on, de I'usage. Llle acquiert do I^si' ■ ceT^ -s .b'cisions ,les trihunaux qui Rnissent elles-.ne.nes en deruiere analyse par n r Ir 1 ut. ite e I'cini.ire des lois formelles et positives. Je pourrais etendrc de beaucoup acquerir 1 au r te c ' «'J , .' -^ ^^ ,,.^,,t' as uu traitc de Legislation que je compose. ',wrSr;i.!^:Je:uS';;m; presentees dlie mauicre assez claire et asse. exacte '""■^Woloi'Ip^^'roit^ q-lc^- cote plausible si I'ou pouvait • ^I'Te SZ ii n do ces Ordonnances isolement et Indepen.lamment do toutes les cn- env. ager \'^^^^^^^',. ,',ait-il permis .I'abord a M. Stuart de remettre en question .„nsta.K-e.dont J^ai ru omi t l ^^^,^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ reh.tivement a Jtfara-Se placer .tus une situath.n' comme celle dans laquelle M- Stuart se trouvait alors ''"n ^if^liiffii^ de'e rai-peler ee que j'ai ftdt observer d'abord, que depuis robrogation de ceUe • rrdo nance le 1777, r dative a la d fense de commercer ayee les Sauvages, et su - •rd;t!.;v:!:;;r;Vd;Lrihue;des..is..;s^rt.^ exelusifavee les b.unagis u.laM m in. L; PnbroUtion des dispositions, relatives a ces stipulation eut etc mar.pK-e tui c.un de '' .""''''^' ^Z; ^ '; ^ , ].^ i'>rovinee. La stipulation .Shihitions, f «;:;; 1--- -;£::i';;- ' !rtS':;^. eux de la\.art d. .10 oe mo.un.olv e ';^. ^ 1-/^^; ' ^.,„ ,,e t^ure valoir ee privilege, seule eotupensiUiou :r:;;^;= nt^;sp:^r;-u\"t;:;:r de la omme qu^ls versaicu eluupie aunee dans les eollVcs ),intre de <'^-;:i;-;-;3:r'^:ne':^ .. o Vel^ehir^ c^s dispositions, il est ale de se eou- ^"^ " mVl^ ^.u , " ' u rt^mssement interpretees quMl le pretend. Au eontraire elles ^''^^'' ■ le X.' ■ les presentaient naturellement. Mais encore une io.s, quand b,e. l;"i;^,;I'; d,!;;>.:a;;rl I'exaeiitude pour elle, les demarches auxquelles il a eu recours pour la a-api^riptJ I!;' dolSnes, et qu'il raiso.Itie d'apres des supi.osU.ons gratu.tes ou que les f.ucs '■"'"n-X;;d'^"on'^;n rapportait a la .na.dere .lo.it M. Stuart s'expritne eu parlant de ee nme;^^:;:':^ Sau..g.i:on devrait croire ^ifj' -;!;;- .^^;:;;;;f ZS:T^Ss t ,,.bUsseuu.s on n s. ta.t,^U ^--.uu^np^;;; li^XllllLal^.li le'commerce J. les S^iu- '"^ !"t^;r ^ i M e Sr niaietU des boissons conuue ils I'avaiet.t t dt depu.s quaraute :: -r 'i;L:ur^i^d ces etabi..m... i^-;-t'^i ^r^s^drvli!^ ^s^s^ ritaiblement sur u.i plan etendu a 1 V''''! .^ ^,,"^ "'';'., ''," ,,„, .uention particulicre, c'est taitailleurs dat.s la part.e opposee, qui nu to ''^^ ;>; [ ^^"^ ,J7 , ^ontu.^ 1791, il nVst ll:r kituLit. intcrmcdiaircs soit en eflV^t d'une tres-gra.ide unportance. ^^^^ _^^^ M 90 i:von were it true that Mr. Stuart's assertion was foinidea on facts, U»c truth is, that those hc\> eouia l)e no more imnortant tlian the eoninu-ree itself, and that they were certain y not of ,» nature to oxeite attentioli. nor to nrovoke proceedings against the dehnnuents. With regard to the King's I'osts, in particular, I do not think that it can l.e shown tlint up to the tune at which this rivaWv coininenced between T.ainpson and the Hudson s Hay Company, after the .Xal.liMnnent of'tlm hitter in the seigniory of IMille Vaches, any person did so with impunity within the district of country known uiuhr the anpellation of Kings Posts, to the preju. ice .,t- those who possessed a lea-"e. The following observations will throw a new light upon this '" '''Mrrstuart preten.ls, that 'f the Company's scryants were subject to a fine, for having «' s.dd or distributed, without a li. ...ice, spirituous liquors to the Indians, Mr. Uiinpson, a> well as his servants, not havii,.- .. licence, w.nihl have been, ''subject to prosecutions similar to those instituted aiiainst the servants of the Company. IV.w could Mr htuart have d.u.e otherwise than see, tJ.at the lease of the King's I'osts, stipulating tor the right, and the cxelu- sive ri-ht, oftradinir with the Indians, was of itself the most formal licence which could he ..ranted to a lessee. ' Even supposing that it was informal, it would have been easy, doubtless, at any time, to sup,.ly its place by an cxi'.ress licence. Is this a consideration ot suthcicnt un- iKirtaiicc to induce us to dwell on the di>eussi(ni of it ? ... ,- -n r • Mr Stuart i.uts f.nth. in support of l.is opinion, another consideration, ol a still more fri- volous nature : " If the governor," he says, " refused tliese licences, the subordinate oth- •• eers ahove-inentioned inid't I'^'ve l>e. n .eferred to for licences, as having the same power •• as the (iovernor to grant them. Inthis*tate of thingN one or other of two consequences •■ n.nst have occiim l: either licences vv.,uld have been granted iiuliscrini.natc y, to all app i- •• eants for then,, or they would have been conlined to a few favoured individuals, with Mr. •• Laiupson at their head. In the forme.- ciuse, the provi>iun ot Jie ordinance would have •• been virtuallv, an.i as to all practical purposes, nullifie.l, and Mr. I.ampson, an.l other - lu.liaii trader; seeking an exclusive ri..;bt of trading with the Indians, could have ac(pured ■• no advaiita..-e from a partial exercise ol the Ciovernor's power." vS;c. Mr. .Stuart never ti.i.l> anv one but I.ami.son to light against, and his clients to support. He always i.pplics himself to "secondary c.nsidcrations, for the purpose ot tlience druwing • reiieral conclusions. i .1 • I need not obscrle. in the first pl.te, that the plan to be adopte.l to remedy this i..e- ten.Ud inconvenience of the indefinite i.iulliplication of the licences, could not be a very ilirticidtoMc; but, however, the faets again >ubvert this supiiosition. _ , ■ at • The ,lis,K,siii..Ms of the oidinance ..f 1777, which entrusted the (.overnor. or his Majes- tv-^a..eu-s or superintendant> f.ir Indi.n, affairs, or his Majesty's e.miman.lants ot ti.e dit- Urent furt^ in the province. ,.r fr.,Iu^.ulI other persons as the tiovernor sh.md authorise lor tliat nuri.ose with the i.ower of grai i.ig these licences, referre.l more particularly to tliat .;i,!ri<-tofihepr..viMee nf Quebec whi.h .ornis, in fact, that of Ipper Canada, since sepa- ,ared tVoai that of Lower Canada. TL.' district which has since aciiuircd the name ol I pper Canada, was not settled. A number ..I ...ilitary posts were tlierc, situate.l in the niidst ot the Indians : at the I.ea.l -f eaeh ..f v, 11 '. was an olhcer in cmmand. 1 ardly any ol tliese ,„.sta, even at tl.at tinu-, remained in i!m part which now forms I.ower Canada. 1 am no aware that in thi. part a Mi.uie plac- can h actual!) pointed out, wher.^ there ean be any ground ■ or fearing danger from an authoritative act of this kind, even had not the <,..v..rnor or t om- mander-in Chief, by virtue ..f the authority with which he is clothe.l, the means ot preventing it Nothing niore'i^ n-cessary for the purpose of showing how ehimerical tlu-e coiisidera- """'ib-m.- whatid.a must we form, a> t.. Mr. .Stuart', .leclamath.ns upon the danger arising from - rivalry an.! conflicting interests and from actions of this vexatious d.^scription, •• winch must" have varie.l without number;" from the danger ot scemg autlior.ty use.l indis- ercetiv ; " fremi the fear of licences Iwia- granted to Mune tavonred individuals, and vMlhheld •• from others," injurious to the gener.d ii.lerests of the Province / W luit are we to tluiik ol these sentiments- of'imperious ,/»/r/. whicli .d.liged him to arn st in /,«/iw (alte; orty years .) the train of injurious c.mse.pieiues uldeh. he sajs, " he has described, and which must have re- " ,ulted from tlie sucessof Mr. l.ampson's pretensions, which have been since supported by .. the Committee of tirievanees, and. ...it would appear, aLso by the House o Assembly '• iimtll '" !• inallv, what arc wc to thi:d.. in seeing Uiin abuudoii hiuuseU tu all that retTiinl- " ' ' nation fill that tlicso lialy not of /ith regard :he time at , after tlie h impunity e j)ri'ju(lice t upon tliis for luninir )nii" siniilnr t have done il the exehi- i-h could 1)0 ,-, donhth-»s, utlieient im- till more fri- rdinate oHi- same power onsecpiences to all appli- Is, with Mr. would have I, and other live aeijuind 4 to support, lice drawjnjr dy this i)re- it he a very jr liis Majes- [s of the dif- uld authorise alarly U< that ., since sepa- nie of I'pper the nddst of any of tliese a. I am not le any irrouud rnor or C'oiu- of proventini; •se euasidera- lanjjer arising; s description, ty used indis- and \Nithhelil ive to tiiiuk of ty years !) the nust liave re- supported by of Assembly 1 that reerinii- natioa Qiiand il scrait \Tai do dire que rasscrtlon de M. Stuart seralt foudee sur des faits, cVst que ce'< faits ne scraient pas plus iuqiortans que le commerce en lui-meme, et qu'ils n'etaieut surement pas dc nat\irc a exciter I'attcntion et a provoquerdes demarches centre les dclinquaus. Pouree qui est des Postcs du Iloi en particulier, je no croispasque I'o; put souteuir que jus- (pi'ii I'epoquc ou cctte rivalite s'est ftablie entrc T.ampson et la Comp .;uie de la Raie d'I{ui r > !.. _.. t... .1. !>.. ..!.,_:. ■. .1....! :i „ .» -i... 1 Quelle idee peut-oii so faire des-lors des declamations dc M. Stuart, sur le danger d< •« " rivalites, des eonflits d'interet (pii enfanteraieiit des vexations qui seraient multiplier ii I'in- " fini. sur celui ile voir I'autorite s'exercer d'une n-airere iudiserete.'' (^uel serupule ! de voir aeconler " il des iudividus, objetsde la favour, des lie<'nces iiu prejudice du commerce gen^'ral " et de riadustrie de tons e' chiicun ?" C.,ie penser de ces seatimens d'uii tkroir imperii ii.r qui riiuraieat force li prevenir in limine, (apres quarante iiiis !) les " consequences fuiiestes dont " il a, dit-il, preseiite le tableau qui seriiient resultees du succes des pretentions de M. Lamp- " Hon souteaues par le C'omite des (Iriefs. et depiiis, li ce cpi'il parait, par I'Assemblee elle- " ineuie." Que penser eatiii, en le voyunt li ee sujet, s'abuadoaaer iitoat ce que les recrimina- tions pcuvcnt avoir dc plas anier contrc I'Asseuiblce, en lui opposant su iwrfaite conviction que cetty 92 lion tint lliis opinion, tlio object of his oensiiro is ipjj.u »■"> v 'fj„t„.. «,„ Sincer-.' as tins coiivution niiivlit l>o, it woiiKi noi lui. 1 Ml • 1 • 1 • 1 . 1 „ ,.■=„.. f.ip iii(lu]"-ciice to nil uuliviiiunl, could not invest iiu piicli illusion, whidi inifrlif, be a loasoii tor uuiui^tnvi. actsofa^ul,lien,au^vi.htla^c.lmractorofi■moc^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^.^^^.^^j 1 must not occupy Xi^t^l i ^1^^'^' ^^^^ -"--y *« ^"'^ «^^'"' consequences wl.u ,, ^ ' '^S , t k- Zl b invi.lious in its exercise, so ruinous to :: t^^S::^t-:2::^t:S^^. roUcy, ana so injurious to the general interests ot the " '''h niTv be e-isilv nerceivcl, when consi.lering the real state of tlio country in this respect, that l:^J:::Ax^ .i-.-; is pain,eafro,n i^,a,ina,^oi, = '^i ::;!;;;r.T.rSc'"nS::: the «.tnn..e ..Iwervations to be found at the conclusion ot these ( eclan ation,,, as to tiit i cces «"si^ -"Slch nil^t have resulted tVoni them, not only to solicit from the l^^nnoal e.ish^t^e '< the imnu-.liate repeal of the ordinance in question, and it retuscd to obtain it tiom im " '"Ker'aJl niat r 'fplsscd within these few vears, what a vast train of thoughts is this i.lea, iMCiK^t t . '. i.hs, much confidence bv Mr. Stuart, calculated to suggest, not .mly ,. the in (,111,111 lo ii^iit I : . \r,.;„wnvMinisters ' What n reason ior seeking the inter- ; ;,fi:;r:;\tv;;;; ;;; < : ;i^'^^ "»•' ■ •"-'»,•'-" '^r: y': Mntioiioi lut ini lu.ii V „rp«Pnt them«e ves, without the necessity of my :::;S Lg ti:.. oi;; "' ^rL^t ::l SS, t. Mr. Sluart has agnm been ^ fhr mis- t tis h'inclble desire to recriminate, as not to see ^;.-^V;^^ ^ ''^ "^.^ i.ct could in the slightest degree, give rise to an observation ot this n.itnrc, tlit guanlen ,,,,; n wlic. lu C%.mn,inee'e'ipressed itself, did not even leave tl- .Warance « a reexf to authorize it; and that, on the contrary, the extreme prudence with which this i::;t"n of the r'^rt l; drawn u/,, entitled the Committee to his praise, ...stead ot ..lent.ng i> censv.rc. Or AIn STf^m's Ans^tr to thf. Rr.rROAcn « ron havinc, in Suits wuEiiEtN- a Pabi- NFR AN.; TVO OKT..U AuENTS OK TMK IlinsON's HaV CoMl-ANV WERE SENTENCED TO i'^vEs AN. TwKSTV-i.,rn IIoins- lMru.s..NMrNT, &c., cnst.t, -ted ....mself as ™ rnv.H ATE. eU-.UTE. ...MSEEV TC, ...tUCt :.tE THEM TO UE EXEMl^PE,. EUOM T.T: 1'avments ok the TrNEs imposed, &c. All tJmt portion o'" ^ir. Stuart's answer >vhich has reference to this subject, is a tissue of th.i^m.S^elSrdinary c .trndictions. He deiiies. first t at " '^ J^ 1^ 'H;^^: - Advocate" of the d-tVn lants. S.'condly, he denies " that he exerted h.mstlt to procure « them to be exernnte.l irom the pi.vment of the fees imposed on them. , „ , .„ ivr. Aft huvin,,r'ead this paragraph over and over again, we may ask ourselves how Mr. St.nrV cou a i ave mken upon himself to deny the truth of an imputatn.n founded upon f r prov^ , a .a of wnich hi makes the most formal avowal \n tins portion of his answer _^ C i be su..p..sea that this aenial could have for a pretext the literal sense of tho wonirrsed by the Committee in this report ? Would he pretend that n, construing the ex- ;:^zt2£ the i.nput.tion of hav ig c«,./.«f ty"'g u,rsettiuiSl thejudg. M.ts rendered ngninst the defendants, under the pretences I We InSd! trLivefeei. how pressinTlu* 4'i"i">'-». «'ven to Lord Aylmer upon^th.s ea 'feci eonvlc- ilated to bo ,0. iusion ; and invest tUt> the direful to his own, I ruinous to erests of tlif tliis respect, eriu silence tiie " neces- lA'ifislatiirc I it from the , is this idea, t only to the ig the inter- iipou it, this jssity of my n 80 far mis- Lhat this sui>- the guarded earance of a li whidi thii I of mcritinn cctte opinion, oinet de sa « censure, est cxacte et k^gale, qu'elle eta.t de nature n e re emmem. f^ ment iltile diitee par un sentiment d'obligation, etc." Cette conviction pour etre smeere ne sorait pas moinsle fruit d'une illusion ;-et cette dlusiou qui nourrait etre un motif dindul- HenceiilY-gard d'un particulier ne saurait donner le caracterc de I innocence aux actes d iiii homnic public. Je ne dois pas plus m'occuper de relever ce que dit M. Stuart, des consequences funestes nui, suivantlui, devaient rcsulter de I'opinion contraire a la sienne, de ce que h monopoleilu Lmerce nvec les Sauvmjcs nnrnit de dawjerenx dam la pratique, de rumeux pour les mdividus de si pen d'aecord aver les principes de la police publique, si contraire aux uHcr^ts oena-nux d, t Province, etc. 11 est aise de v<.ir en considen.nt I'otat reel du Pays sous ce rapport, que le tabkiu de COS .lanj^ers est trace d'ima^ination, mais je ne saurais passer sous sileuce 1 observa- tt iX n-e qui se trouve a la suite dl ees declamations, sur la nccess.te qui devrait en resul er, no a seul2ment^«ya-/m.e,- ^ la Legislature Provinciah pour ha dvmanderruhro,,at,ou IZSuede rOrdonnancc en question ; mais dans le cas de refus de la solhater du Parkment Jmpiriul, Apres tout ce qui s'est pass6depuis un certain nombrc d'ann<:-es, quelle vaste carriere de reflexh ns, cette idee miseau jour avec tant de confiance par M Stuart, est de na ure aouvnr mm siulement aux habitans du Canada, mais aux Ministres de Sa Majeste ! Quel motif pour demander I'interventiou du Gouvernoment, du Parlement de I'Empire? Ce serait un sujct te- cond si le temps me permettait de m'y arreter. Elles se presenteront sans que j a.e besom de ies iudiquer. Mais je d..is remarquer a mon tour que M. Stuart a encore ete egare par son invincible desirderecrimiuerau point de ne pas voir que dans la supposition meme que le IF.IN A PaKT- ENTKNCrn Td HIMSELF AS ;i) lUOM TIIF. ct, is a tissue ed himself the L>lf to procure lives how Mr. founded upon is answer ? I sense of the itruing the ex- was not appli- s sec whether, ■d the slightest isc, in the fir ft (tained writs ot e have spoken. r. Stuart, who, rpus. who took t of nullifying etcnccs I nave mer upon \.\\\* subject De I a IlEPONSE DE M. StUAUT AU nEPUOCHE DE S ETIIE CONSTITUE' L AvOCAT D tV ,,FS ASSOCIE'S ET DE DF.fX DES A«ENS DE l.A CoMPAGN.E DE LA BaIE D HlDSON, CON-DAMVE's a I-'aMENDE et a UN EMPniSONNEMENT DE VINGT-QU.VIRE HEUUES, ET • D'woin FAIT DES EFFOIITS POIMI I.ES EXEMPTER DU PAIEMENT DE L AMENDE COMME LA CHOSE LUI EST IMPUTE'E DANS LE UaPPOIIT DU CoMITE*. Toute la nartie do la reponsc de M. Stuart A ce sujet est un tissu des plus ^trahges contra, dictions. II no <7«'.7 Be soil constitue FArocat de ces defendeurs. En second heu il me qu d ad fai des efforts pour les exempter des amendes auxquelles ils avaient ete condamnes. Apr^s avoir luetreh.ec pa agraphe, on pent se demander comment M. Stuart a pu prendre sur lu, de mer la^^rhl d'une iinputatimi appuyee sur des faits constans, dont il fait I'aveu le plus formel dans cette partie de sa rtponse ? Pourrait-onsupposer que cetto d.5ntSle8 Magistrals. II a continue de le faire d'abord apres avoir ob enu des habea. wen leur faveur, puis ensuite les certiorari dont il a ete question. II est b.en Evident que 2es ces d-marches divalent etre concertees avec M. Stuart, qu de plus a pla^^e nrec lu, en eur faveur sur les hal>eas corpus qui a fait des demarches pour plaider de '"»^f»« ,«"; l^,« "Jf;"; rari U'efFet de faire declarer nulset mettre de cote les jugemens reudus centre les ddfendeurs, sols les pr 'textes dont i'ai rendu compte. On a ^-u ce que ses avis araient de pressant anpr^s de lira^A^ mer a ce ijet. Eiifin, li entrc auUes chores, M. Primrose avait exh.be ropimon 94 subject were. I^astly, and aniong^ otlior tliingsj Mr. Primrose lias ? It is un- necessary to add, that quite a different interest was in question ; and that it was a «piestion of an interest which was connected with honour and good faith, — the foundation of Govern- ment authority. Is it not umlertaking Mr. Stuart's defence against himself to refuse to be- lieve, that he did not himself know any other rule than the amount of this sinn, by which to mersure the extent as well as the importance of the duties imposed on hint upon this occasion ? Or Mr. Stuart's Answer to the Rki'Roach for havinc;, " is his Augument on the " Whits of IIaueas Corit*, made i se of Exprek.sions whkm were indecorous " AND even offensive TOWARDS THE MaUISTRATES WHO HAD PRONOUNCED THE V J** SENTENCES." Mr. Sluart thinks proper to touch upon this passage of the report of the Committee, although there is nothing in the resolutions direetJy relating to this (luestion. He contents himself also by siinjjy denying this charge. He, howe\er, avers, " that he used strong " terms, such as the case seemea to require, to represent tho vexatious awl oppressive cha- " racier of the whole proceeilifig." Oa seeing lum characterise- hero the proceedings of the Magistrates as reratious aruf oia>re$giv€, in his letter addressed to the .Sccrcutry of State, we may ««3«ly imagine in what oolours 95 Tl's written llcnts ; and nii^lit fitn\ VL" of duty so. TlllH tllilljf WtTl' portion of i.s.>>il)ility of at the con- /c(\, to the ivals of the rits of cer- and whi'ii » t my iiiteii- iiK'd as At- istpoiiod to )i! my daty, .It was thi' •rests of the knew not to ' thus, iiftve8 by the ? It is un- I a (piestion of Ciovern- efnse to be- i)y which to tin occasion ? (<<;rltc lie M. Stuart aux Magistrals pour lee engager u ne pas prononcer contFC ses clicns j U ne I'avait pas fuit de lui-incme et sans I'aveu dc M. Stuart. IVun autre cote le Barreau de Quebec est nombreux. Lea defendeurs, les cliens de ^. Stuart, pouvaient trouver parmieux des Avocats pour se joindre k M. Primrose. Aucun mo- tif imjturieux do devoir plus que de necessite ne pouvait des-lors forcer M. Stuart a se nicttre sur les rungs. C'openduiit il I'a fait. C'etait bicn la sans doute se constituer VAvocat des de/eii- deitrs. Si la chose n'ctait i)as dcjadeinontree, le reste de I'expose meme de M. Stuart dans vette partie de sa rcponse, suffirait pour lever tous les doutes, si des doutes etaient possibles. Mais commesi ce n'ctait pas assez des faits, immcdiatc.mcnt a la suite de ces duneeations, M. Smart, incaiiable de restcr d'aceord avec lui-memc, ajoute, comme je I'ai observe, a la forco des pieuves prodiutes deviuit le Comite, les aveux les plus formels, des faits portes a sa charge. i:couti)iis-lo encore lui-nume. Aj)rvs le rapport dit certiorari, " (piand la motion pour faire »' auuuUer les sentences rendues contre cux, etquand la cause allait etre plaidee, il iiitima a la '■• Cotrr son intention dcfaire, en quulite de Procureur-General, connaltre son opinion quant d ess " ronvictions, ce qu'il li'aurait pu taire," ajoute-t-il, " parce que la cause aurait ^te remise a •• un autre ternie," " II regardait, comme son devoir, en sa qualito de Procureur-G6n6- '• ral. de ne pas f/arder le silence dans cette occasion." " C'ctait le devoir du Procureur- " Geiu-ral dans ime (piestion qui affectait les inturets du Gouvernenicnt etdu peiiple, de smitenir " que ce qui it'etaitpas lei/al Ctuit illeijal, etc." C'est a la suite de ces dunegations qu'il tient ce langage. II s'exprlme ainsi, npres avoir avomj de meme qu'il avail paru comme Avovat des defendeurs, sur Vordre A'habeas corpus, et in- siste sur fe droit qu'ils ucaitntde denlnnder d etre decharges ; el on a vu que c'etait sous lepri- ti'Xte a la nuUite des jugemens qui les condamnaieul a I'amende ! M. Stuart termine, en faisanl remarquer a-peu-pres sur le Ion de la plaisanterie, que " la « somniode JC7 10 0, inontant de la part qui serait revenu au Gouvernementde cesamendes, " n'etuit p;is une consideration pecnniaire qui put avoir d'effet sur liu relatiwment^ a son de- •> voir. Sur ce point, ses sentimcnssonl absolunient opposes a ropiuion du Comite." _ ^^ II est triste d'etre force de relevcr des erreurs de cette nature. M. Stuart _a-t-il pu se P<-'«"T,; snader (pi'il ne fiit (piestion (jue d'lin mtC^rvt puremcnt pccuniaire dans les motifs (pii onl porte . le Comite a se plaiiidre de sa conduite sur cet article. C'est la assuix-ment encore une etrange ^ •listraetioii. Comnienl a-t-il pu iniairiiier que le Comite eiil pu se ravaler a des considerations", ^ iiussi minces? Que rimportaucc qu'il mettait aux considil-rations de son devoir envers la Cou-^^^^ ronne se n'-glat a ses yeu.\ sur le inontant de la soinme qui serait revenue a la Couronne^ par^^, ta percepticm de ces arueiides? II n'est pas neccssaire d'ajouter que c'6tMt d'un tout autre intf-..^ rM dont iUtail question, de celui qui se lie A I'lwnneur, a la bonne foi, base de I'autonte d jih ^^ C.ouvcniemont. N'est-ce i)as ])iendre la dofense de INI. Stuarl contre lui-meme, que dc re-^^. laser de croire qu'il ne eonnut lui-mi'ine d'autre rcl'gle que le montaiit de cette somme pour me-; ,^ >urer I'tl-teudue comme riinportance des devoirs qu'elle lui imposait dans cette occasion ? ENT ON THE INDKCOUOUS UNCE1» THK Committee, He contents used strong pressivc cha- eratious anif gine in what ooloura l)¥ i\ Rf-ponse nE M. Stuaut au iiKpnociiE »' avoir, en PLAinANT SL'R LES Habkas (■oni'lS, FAIT ISAC.E de TEUMES yUI ULESSAIKNT LES CONVENANCES, ET OFFENSANTti I'oi a i.Es Magistrats. M Stuart croit devoir incidenter sur le pa<^iago du Rapport du Comili.', qiioiqu'il ne tronve rieii dans les rd-sulutions qui s'y rapporteut directement. II se contente aussi d'opposer a ce r.nrociie une simple denegution. II avoue cependant qu'il a fait usage d'erpresssionsfortespottr raructeriscr, comme les ciramstancea re.ritjmicnt tous leurs precedes qui etaient vexatmres ct^ „/V"t|v^ i'e vovant si.rnaler ici les procedes des Magistrats comme vexatoires et oppresifs,d&aU w Icttre adreskc au-Sccictaire d'Etat, on peut ais«3meut imaginer de quelles couleurs il a da se servu H III another view, wc rnloiirs he must have nalntca the plctuTC before the courts of justice. 'w colours he musin , , ^.^ ^^^ ^^ discussion, judge what Mr. St^arf^ «s?t? er^tSa^^^^^^^^^^ The'n.anner in which he expresses himself n his peti. Muart couMmi «-.<= N ^^^Ji, „„J in tlio niiswers now in question, with regard to al! who tion to the King, in his memoir, and m the «''«^J^ , ^^.^..^h, the C^ommittee of the have made compla.nt-s afjanst ^ "-;« Jj^^.^f/^'^^^^^^^^ '^ the individuals or th. puhlic men Asscnnbly, he Assembly '«« f' ."^^f „ J^*" , ,!""Vf faults laid to his charge, offers a subject 1 .- ' :'\Ta2 rdonrmnce^s gu Itv of faults laid to his eharge, offers a subject ;:^':;;ir;^;'^wKl.tt=;. ^ also su«ice to pomt them out, and to r.fe. rtjfer to the report of the Committee upon this subject. Cv \1 , Sti'abt's Answer to the iMPinATios of having " witholt any siFruiENr ^' « ':AU tIkNEO the SKRVANl. OK THE LessEE OF THE ^-^J^:;^^^ .. .HEIR UesM>ENcE at the... IWs, AN.. DRAOOED THEM TO QtKmx AS 1 «''«>•- « y"s; BRor.^HT B.u.s of In...ctment ac.a.nst them, w.uch ^'^r;^.;"' .••'^";''' .. \lo NOT JfST.F.AREE nV THE CRCIMSTANC ES ATTENniNO THEM, « "' :^' "J J » STILL MORE ( ULPAnLE NEGLECT OF DUTV, HE FAVOURED HIS CLIENTS, AND 0« ANTED " TO THEM .Ml'lNlTV." Mr Smart airai.. meets this p.Tssaffc of the report of the Committee by de.iials or asscr- .ions?wich::S^X;n, f.i.nsdt' wi.f t).e c.ire of confuting the ^^^^^^^l^':;^; more than for the purp..se of suj.porti..g ins <.w.. alloKnitums. It were ° l''^'^^;*' ^ JJ^"*,^;^ the subject, we must presume that the Committee has been deciurd hy ^' ^ *;^'««^^';^;'™ iiSd individ..ils, b,.t that in none of them ^^-^ j} '^^r iTla^C Za'' Zn :-iE;e^di;!it^4;s;i."'r^ ;;.::;2rSStSi:^;:rr:;L^^^^^^ '"'^^.at w^Sn int- S pW^r^in be a .c.eral denial of H.e^ .. pr.. of ^.ich cannot be destroj^.l! of wlu.t, a vain alle«ati '''"''- •'"'".^/;\'^' ''",;,,, ':.t„,i j,.. M,. reference, when, iudepen.UM.tlv of proof, the facts' are established "'"> .''''" ""'2/^, Sf nT' How -iLrain ca.i he return to doirmatical assert.ons, with regard to Lampsoii and T'l ?i'. S...if, a,|.,„.,c,.« conwuua in thi. ,.«rl ol tl.o leUC .1,kI, .Icci- »„,. r„r- "'■"' Om"-,"™"!!; ot the time of y,,„ wl.ici, ™, s.Wl,.! f..r (.ki„B the |,r«cc.,.,li»|,.» in nnc,- ,i™ :^irn;^^;,...™..^f ;|.o n,nnW, ,.fj^^.-.^ r^'itizr:;,:i=r:x,i £ o^iuC^^^^^^^^ means, nearly infallible, of ruining the eommercc of the Kings Lessee «ith tht inauns, '""z^v^^j;:nt^Kr;.Si'ri..,• c,„npn, ,,n. .,y.,is.^^ " had resisted." Vpon 87 r view, wc ! whnt Mr. in his i>eti- to all who littoc of the piihlic men !rs a subject >d to rtjfer to gervir poqr en faire le tableau (lovant les Cours do Justice. D'un autre cote, on peut aussi a'apres les ecliautiliouH quo j'ai pr^»entts upal)les des fautes (jui liii etulent reprochees, offre des tenner de eoniparaison qui ne peuvtit ueres tromper sur eette inatiere. mesuHire de ki iiidiquer et de renvoyer au ra;)i;urt du Couiite sur eet article. 11 doit aussi siffuieni Posts fhom AS PnisoN- rnivoi.ors, Miii.L, nv A ND UUANTEU ials or asser- his charge, vc him upon ic statements errors more had " been cannot h.ive ..Mr. Lamp- scaped arrcbt Quebec irc of crimes gorous cxer- 0U8 outrages, c bufHciently ri/, and upon (roof of wliieli 1 truth, when lositicns have ittcd by Mr. Lampson and tence of pro- ivc j)roof that ■j>, and to dis- rve some par- tings in ques- ■ them; of tiie tances pointed ame so many ; Indiuiii), and ition, charged uber of otliers the matfibtrate M'Leod, who, red and more, I'pon DB I.A RePONSE 0PP0SF,E PAK M. StUAUT A 1,'niPUTATION d' AVOIR, " SANS CAUSE SUF- « FISANTK force' I.F.H SEUVITEURS 1)U I.OCA FAIUl'. DES PosTE:: i)U lloi A LAISSEU " IJ-.rU RESIDENCE, DE I.ES AVOIR TUAINe's A QlEBEC COMME PUISONNIERS, d'aVOIU •' roUTE' eONTRE EIX DES ACCfS.TIONS FRIVOI.ES PENDANT QUE PAR UNE NF.GLI- " (iENCE ENCORE PI.l'S lOl'PAIlI.E DE SON DEVOIR, H. FAVORISAIT KES CLIENS ET " LEUU ASSURAIT l'iMPUNITE'." M Stuart oppose encore a ce passage du Rapport du Comite des dcnegations, ou des .issertions, sans s'oeenper du soin d'ebraider les fails portes a sa charge plus que d'appuyer ses nropresallegues. Si on I'en croit, il taut presumer que le " Comite a ete trompe par le te- '• moigna<'e d'individus (]ui ont depose faussement. II n'est toinbe dans aueune erreur plus " contraire a Li vcrite que sur cct article. Ce n'est que par un oulre et pour cause suffisante " nu'ils ont pu itre souinis aux ineonvenieiis d'une arrestation. Le Comite ne connaissiut pas « la resistance opposce a rexecution de I't.rdre de M. Christie de lesarreter™...— par les ser- •' viteurs de M. Lampson, qui auraient toulc- au pied I'autoritii publuiue." lis I'ont eludee.— « lis se sont presentcs a Quebec (juand lis I'ont juge a propos,— ont ete udinis a caution. M Stuart revient ensuite au tal)leau des crimes (pi'il a imputes a Lampson et a ses serviteurs, et pretend que " sans les mesures qu'il a adoptees, le sang aurait eoule." Lnhn, illuisulht pour sajustiHcation.derenvoyer aux accusations " luises sous les yeux des Grands Jures et " qu'ils ont rapportees, centre eux." De quel poids peuvent etre d'abord des dcncgations generales de fails dont la preuve ne peut etre ebranlee, oude vains allegues que le temoignage est contraire a la veritf, quand on nepeut en c(.nstater la faussetc relalivemenl a aucnn des points sur lesquels roulent les depo- sitions, quaml, indepeiidainment de la preuve, les tails sont consliins tt avoues par M. Stuart .■' Comment encore pent il revenir a des assertions tranehantes toucliant Lamps*)n et ses em- ployes qu'il peint ici de no-u'cau, sous les trails du crime, sous prelexte d'aceusaUons intentees contre eux, comme si e'etait la des preuves deinonslralives ipi'ils sonl coupables .'' Mais je vais passer a I'exameu des faits, et diseuter les moyens de M. Stuart qui meritent quelqu attention particuliere dans cettu partie de sa lettre. \ raison de I'epoque de ranni:e dont on faisait cholx pour adopter les nrocedes en question, centre les employes de Lampson, du nombre de ceux qui en elaient I'objet, de la nature du eommerce qui ,;e tail aux Posies du Roi, et enfin, des cireonstanees indiquees dans ie temoi- irnajre produit devant le Cmiiite, toutes ecs demarches devenaicnt autant de moyens a-peu-pres infaillibles de miner le eommerce du loeataire du Roi uvec les Sauvages, et de le hure passer entre les mains de ses rivaux. Un des serviteurs de la Compagnie de la Bate d lludson, avait par sa deposition charge M'Load, un des " prineipaux commis de Lampson, de lu| avo'r. avec '< un nombre d'autres des employes de eelni-ci, vole des provisions et uutres eilets. M. Christie le Magistral qui avait re(,-u la deposition, donna un ordre pour arreler M'Leod, lequel aurait *uivant M. Stuart " avec uiie centaine d'autres rcsiste " et refuse de s y rendre. N. Upon this, fresh depoftitions eharired W\.wA of bcinff ffuilty ofrMwtintf the MafriHlTalo'd order, a.ul Mr Christie wna soiieitod to is»uc a tVe«h wa'raiit agaiiwt M'L«od and hiH coin- paiiit'nx, in rosnoct of this now oharco. , , ,, i Mr. Chrislie, upon roflection. seemH to iuivo l.ecn, as has been jfenoraily the ciwe since in the province, so struck with the Hinf^ularity of lhe«.. proceedings, as to refuse, at hr«t, the warrant which was applied for ! The C.npany's Agent went inunediately t.. n.ake his coin- phiints upon thissuUiect to the Adn.inistrator of the Government, Sir Jmnes Kempt, who r*- f,-rred the matter to Mr. Stuart, in order to ohlain from i,im an opnnon tor hiH gnnlance. Mr. .-tuart couhi not he ignorant of all these proceedin,rs cluirge, as he was, acconhng to hiH own account, in his capacity of Attorney-deneral uith the comluct of every thmg hav.nir reter- ciu-e to crin.i.ml prosecutions in the province, and that, as we have seen, exehis.vciy. 1 do not .speak of his cmncclion with the Company or liieir agents, whose a.lvot.itc i>e was. t was on the otli of An-'ust. IKlt), tliat this commmiicati.m from Sir James Kempt wiW addressed to him. Mr. Stua'rfs diligence in giving him his advice, and in doing it in a positive and i.ressin.r manner, as on all those occasions on which his opinions were in harmony with the intcresuof his clients, contrasts strangely with hiseoiulnet with reference to other subjects, and i.articularlv to the mHon .as tLat of a man an actual stranger to the interests, preju.hces, and passions of his clients. The rapidity of these man.ruAics did not leave time for seeking inf..rmation of Mr Clrislie n Umt nught be the motives for his ref.i«.l, as it wouhl have been pruden ai T( Mr. smart to have done. Mr. Stuart -Iocs not enter into any explanation as .Mhi r« wliich ....uhl iml-iee him t. use so much activity in '-, l\--;-<'";f ' ^'I'J '.^' ^ o" of condemning Mr. i;hristie's conduct, which he censures on this side he Atlantic with rlu. bitterness': without our knowing whetl^er, here n.ore ^^'^^J'^^j;;';:^'':::'^ ^au.ted with the nature of the charge brought aga.i.s him; ^^ '^_^' ,/'%.'" /^J^^J,, ^'i*. Tmrd ■ wh.ther, in fine, he gave him an opportttntft, of .lefeiulmg hims.-lf. If in order to ac :;:;nfforthis Uiduc, tlu. g'^avity of the^harge wa, alleged; the enormity of Uie crime. • V'id« the docuBieut in the AjipcndiiL to Mr. Stu«tt'» Answer. 99 latriMirate's 1(1 iiii com-' > oise Hince it HrHt, tlie so his com- )t, who re- ancr. Mr. to IiIh own ivinir rtfcr* I (K> not lis. It was LS nddrcSMcd )ositivo nrd )y with thi> nl>i('Ol.M, nnd nd nolarios. rc?ut64l to dc-tail, and IS attributed nature and iiis feelings *ul>stuntiufed rraiit a^iinst iinptnous re- ioii, willi rc- ; toinuled on •ation on two ltIj' nj)on tiio was not less of the wur- ■. Christie to (fidavits may Aceordiiii^ e IVnce, the .T, and have hetlier it was ■lients. lation of Mr. been prudent xplanation as s, for the pur- Atlantic with maile him ac- it him on his in order to ac- of tlie crimeH wliich Sur ce, dc nouvellcs dcf-positions aumiorit charg6 M'Lcod, comme coupablo de rc's'ittnno<> A I'ordro du Mayjistrat, et soilicit.- do M. Ciiribtie un nouvel ordre d'arrestation coutrc M'l.,(»od ct sen conipa ;fnons pour raison de cette nouyeile eliarf^e. M. Christie, ap.os reHexions, parait avoir ete, comme on I'a eto generalcment depuis dans la Province, frappo ariicipiuite mxessoiris ojtns IcJ'ait* Cost la CO que M. Stuart appelle une opinion. On peut voir au moins d'un coup si c'ttiiit celle d'un hommc absolument etranger aux intcrcts, aux prejugos, aux passions de ►es cliens. « I^ rapidito de cos maiueuvre* ne luissait pas Ic temps An deinander des rcnseignemcns :i M. Christie, do s'infoi-nier de lui quels pouvaient otre le» motifs de son refus, comme il ont 6te de la part de M. Stuart prudent et juste dc le faire. M. Stuart n'entrc dans aucune explicn- tion des raisons qui pouvaient le jwrter A remettre tant d'activite datis ses demarches, pour con- dainncr la conduito do ^L I'hrlstie, (ju'll censure de ce cote de TOcoan avec la memo amer- tume sans que Ton sache si, ici i)lus i'« ; the prossinj; ncPOii»i • hut llii-i' niKtivos wcro illusory, (ind lliiit tliis ilotiinu' • i . Mr. Sfn.irl'"* i>roc.MMliiiir«, mid to foiiipl-t.-lv jnslify ll»" oi'inioii ol tlio ( oimnittcc lit i!« ulont> Kiitficiciit tu rhuructerisc Mr. t'liristii' I'oniiil hiiiisclfiiiKlcr flic iu'0<>«'>i ty of lonforininjf to Mr. Stimrt'H viowi, Tho former i^ not \nw to.l,f..n,l |.iins,-W. M.Mi.ifrlit hwv wotWc** whirl. \xoul.n.av.> juMilic.l hiro if ho h!iiiiionM tfivi-n l>y \V.« h: mvo licrii iilroad «l hv Mr. Smart to tin- (iovornois \vori> a.l statn|U'il ofiillv til the di.> of profound uisdoiii. Mot. in o.ily takiofj; the r.H|..Mtiv.- faetH hor... as reci| nv.wod, what are we to think of Mr. .Smart, who i.roduc.s, hinisolt\ this (huiiimMt in mjii- jiort of his answers to tin- iliarijcs of th i'lony was il Ix'c, w Um'Ihii !\, wlicn wf think that this iircicndrd ho til ri'S|MHt to tho "ianic « hi- Mihioit of the hill whivli ho prosonltd to iho (jrand .lury of llio fourt of (^u ■- I afterward- read him a lesson, whirh lie riuvivi'd with so much docililj , ho hiinsolf roiiiarks, ot t/iiir rx/uin/, with W'v liavo soon that it oiidod liy liaviiifr row It oat, am d whioh ho rclifritnisly ohovod, in jircsonlinir, as IToots l.ill f. don loaiionr ; if iho Civil Courts in contosts n|)on tlio sanu- or aiialoi^'ous suhjoets nil! wliicli, asat'oiin roroiirso to tho jiirisdiilion 'I'ho t'hnr^-o of /;Vo« V, hronnht at first atjainst oiu'ht of l.amiison's sorvants, torstop. iravo rise to two now prosocntioiis against a groator minihor, wa<, to say tho loust ot ii, tstaiiiod widi frivolity and injiislico. In vain niii,^lit it lu- )iiotondod that tho frivolity of this rharfro of thoff, would not, strutiy s|.oakiii-. sorvo as a niolivo to justify tho oi.posjiiou wl.ioh Mr. Stuart iirot. uds to liavo usod to tho oxooniion i>f tlu' inniristrato's order, l.v tho aoeiisod iiartios, if thoy wore, in hut, ^milty. One of tho <;rav»'st faults whieh it is iiossil.lo for a man i>lacod in tliis situation to oomniit, is to provoko. by" proceedings stamped with tho die of imprudoiieo and of lo\ily, rosistanio to tlu> nufhoritios.' In .h-inir so. the respect duo to the laws is destroyed, the authority ot them is thus at an end. makiiiir them aj-pear unjust in the eyes of tho public. Mr. Stuart's conduct, roijanlid in this liicht, would not bo more t xciisable. In point r ( anada, unless un.lor i>articular circumstances, to >j;ivo notice of it to those against wh.uu such charges are brotiLjhl, in or.l.T t.i <.riv.' them an opiiortmiily of avoiding, at tho commencement, in- eotiveiii.-ruM.s, an.l to .^rive bail imm.'.lial.dv b.b.n' th.' n.arest magistrate. The distance at which tho I'.intc's Posts are from Queb.'o, ■might have prompted this indulgence towards th.- accused parlies. If the ofl'oiices in (piesti.m had not been treated as b-hmious, the accuse. pjirfios might, at least, have been taken before the niagistralos living nearest to tluirresi- drnce, for tho purp.KO of giving bail for their aiarent gravity ot tlu- eharges, on the conlrarv, fiirnihed pretences for comiulling them to submit to the iiicoii- venicncos, not merelv of a loi absence, but of incareerali.m. Amongst lu »ucl» u iniaincr a« to clear up ull doubts. I (HUTS — ill till' 101 cles illuMonii ct qiw cc nocumcnt oii voir .icja si U'>* opinions ipi.. M. Stuart donnuit aiix (ionv.-rnpurs rtaiiMit toutos nmrqiues an coin d'lnu- pr«)»onlo dolit ( Un n Ml qu'on avait tiiii par avoir rocours li la Jurisdiotioii dos Ctuiis Civilos, daiiH dos contesta- tions sur los ininios objots, ou siir dos ol)jols analoguos. La cliartro do crinio (Jtlonw) portoe d'ahord o(Uitro luiit dos sorvitours do I.ainpson, ot (|ui on a par ontio coup oiitaiito deux nou- \ olios contrc un plus j^rand iioiiil)io, otait an inoiiis ontaclioo do fiivolito coniiae d'injusHce. En vain, protondrait-on (]iio la frivolito do cotto accnsation do v;istrat par los aconsossi toutofois ils s'on otaiont rondus cou- paldos. IJiio dos fautos los plus jrravos as tait un crime dos delits dont il est qiioslioi )u aii.aitau ununs pu con- duiro les aeeuscs dovant les Mai;istrats, denieuiaiit dans los les plus rapproclu^s do Icur rt'sidenco i.our y donnor caution Ak^ lour eoniparution. Au e.mtrairo, la ^ravite apparente des accusations fouinissait (les pretextes de los forcer a snhii 1.-. ine(Uiveuiens irmie loiigue alt- K'lico et a la fois de rincaiceration. Enti'aulros voxatinus de eotte nature luut dos omployes de Lampson furont d'un coup arraelies a lours Tostes— eouduits a Outlioc ct traiiu - dans ca pris(nis. M. Stuart s'opposii i'l co (pi'ils fiissont adini> A caution. II auiait voiilu nu'iiip les retenir, apn^ lo Rapport des Orands .Iur(:-s(pii avaiont rojot.:- les accusations du criiue (fdonn). II a protondu onsuile (pi'ils no poiivaient pas Inivrrsir ; c'ost-a-diro, oxigor quo lour proce-- no so tit (piodans un ' rmo sui.se(piont. II -o plaint aincrcinent do lour couduitoa cet cgard dans sa lottro an S(>eritaire d'Etat, eommo s'iN avaiont coniinis uno fauto "^ravo, on r(:>clamant un droit inc(uUostal.lo(pian(l dans lo fait, cVtait ruiiitiuc inoyen qu'ils pus.sont av(ur de so pro- curer des ti^'inoius poyr lour justification ! • •, Comment un svst(;-mo do cotto nature c(nistainnunt suivi par iM. Stuart, aurait-il pn nc pas paraitro ontaclit." do frivolito coinnu> (riHiiistico? D'aillours sur cct article coinme sur tant d'autros, n'a-t-il pas ionte au poids de la pren\ e jiroduite dovant lo Coinito par le choix «•>««* ctraitjcos moyons do (iefenso? Si la conelusioi. a tirerdos fiiits, avait pu presenter quel«iu. difli- cuUii.il lcs ii caractcriscs lui-mcmc, de luaiiitl-rc uccliiircir tous lesdoutes, Obaervotw J IDft, I should observe, that I have argiied, putting a case most favot able to Mr. Stuart, as though '.he offence of the accused parties had been confirmed— although, in fact, they are not vet tried. 'Mr. Stuart, liowever, pretends, that lie i.i.,.uld rely «ipon bills found by tlie Grand Jury, for the purpose of proving of how grove ami serious a nature tlioy were, &e. Mr. Stuart must know, as well as any body, that bills, found by the (.rand Juries, are not evi- dence of the criminality of him against whom they are directed. If tiny raise a presump- tion of crime, how much greater reason is there that, when a bill is thrown out, the cir- cumstance should raise a ))rcsumption of innocence more entitled to rtsjicct. it has been seen, that Mr. Stuart had not acted upon this principle when he renewed, against the Sorel electors, bills, which had been at first thrown .lut. 15nt, lastly, we may mo, by the result of this, with what facility the presumption of crime, which results from the fimling of a bill by a Grand Jury, can oceasioiudly be destroyed when the accused parties take their trial. It !nay he added, that a Committee of Grievances, charged with inquiring into proceedings adopted with reference to these indictments, doubtless, had very sntlieient motives for pronouncing that they were accompanied with injustice, even after the finding of the Griuid Juries, and before they had undergone the test of a trial. Were it a (piestion of opposing presumption to presumption, can it be thought that.tlio charges brought, at the instance of f.ampson, or of his sirvants, must appear contemptible / The'^facts there in question do not apply to ordinary offences; and, to a certain degree, merelv of a prirate nature. They were also of such a nature as to ac(piire groat notoriety. The fate which they met with, cannot militate in favour of those who were the object of tliem. The moment which was selected, at which no witness was upon the spot to s'luport them before the Grand Jury, would of itself be calculated to give rise to suspicions uniu- vourablo to the accused parties. We have already seen, that Mr. Stuart had not taken any trouble to place himself in a situation to jiroduce witnesses in support of them; and it will be necossiiry to return to this subject immediately. But, lastly, four of these indictments wore for maliciously and feloniously shooting at cer- xAn of Lampson's servants or others; a fifth, for robbery. I should, besides upon this subject, refer to the depositions anne ved to the report of the Committee, in the .Vppondi.x, If the gravity of the charges brought, on I'le part of tlie Company, were sufl5cient to arouse Mr. Stuart's /eal, how hajipened it that those of which we have just spoken, did not prove a more powerful exeitcmont still? I should observe, en pasmnt, that the excesses complained of by I.ftmpson, at that time, were very similar to tiiose which were committed, not mauy years since, in the north-west of North .America, — of a suftieiently serious character to become, at that time, the object of attention oi» the part of his Majesty's Government, which took stops for suppressing them. These acts of violence were of a nature to introduce into the King's Posts those .scenes ot robbery and murder which had been, for a time, attemhmt upon what was called the eom- meri'-e with the Indijuis in the north-west. \\'e know in what ctuitest the Hudson's Hay Company was engaged. I do not believe its members ca|)able of allowing themselves to be let!, by an intcrestetl feeling, so fariisto have been desirous of seeing Air. Stuart support, on their parts, this system of violence in their servants, or their agents, iii Lowor Ciuiada ; still less of deliberately calculating on the produce of crime, and of making it the subject of their speculation " ' - i . - ingn, like those However, were the sus|)icions of those who witnessid these proeeetl- who were the victims of them, destitute of all foundation? Cotdd they pm'uade themst-lves that these proceedings had not for object to ceneoal in a manner, these excesses, imdcr the cloak of the sanction of authority, anil particularly of that ot the courts of justice.^ I must venture to think, that tliis conduct was not more entitled to the gratitude of the Membors of this Comi>any, than it was worthy of their approbation. The following considerations will add fresh weight to these observations: — In order to follow Mr. Stuart, I am now under the necessity of returning to fact* «-hteh have been alreiidy stated, as proving the partiality with which he conducted himself mth regard to the iTimiiud prosecutions, which, in his character of Att(|rney-General, ho was charged with instituting and conducting in the Courts, its woll at the insUnce and on behalf of the Company, as on tlii-.t of the servants, and on the part of I«im|)son. We have seen that, in the former, bills had been presented to the Granmpagnie de la Haie d'lludson tut engagoe, Je ne erois pas ses membres capables de so laisser dnmiucr par le sentiment de I'inta-et an point .I'avoir pu dosirer de voir M. Stuart seconder en leur favour ce systeme de violence de la part (le lours serviteurs ou de leurs agens dans lo Has-Can-da, encore moius de calculer de sang fioid le produit du crime, et d'en faire uu objet do lours spi'culations. Cepond.uit les 8oup90iis (le oeux qui eUiiont temoins de ces procJdos comme de ceux qui eu (•taieiit les victimos etnicnt- ils destitues de tout foiidomont ? Pouvaiont-ils se persuader que ces d'inarehcs n'eussent jifts pour but de violor en (piehpie sorte ces exees, sous Tappurence de la sanction de rautcrit6 et surtout de cello des Cours de .Tustice ? .I'ose. jienser que eette conduite no saurait etre un litre ii la reconnaissance iles Membres de tvtte Compaguie plus qu'elle n'etait digue de leur approbation. Los considerations qui vont suivre ajonteront un nouveau poiils li ces observations :— Timr ftuivre M. Stuart, je suis maintenant dans la niH'essite de revenir sur des faits qui • ■• . 1 .•!•.. 1 "■=' 'utait conduit, relatlvcmcnt iutenter et de ellc des em- j>l.>V(^«etdaiM'int^ret de Lampson. On a vu que les prcmi(:-res avaient 61(5 souniiscs aux (frauds .lures devant lesquelsles ti-moins avaient et6 produits, et qu'elles avaient^te rnpporteea eoinme fondles contre les accuses, tandis que les secondes avaient etc ignotfes, parce que M. Stuart Pimr ftuivre IVI. fstuart, je suis maintenani nans la necessiie is were, therefore, perfevlli, aware of the obligalim under which he was, to be ready " with eridtnce to support the indictments to be preferred at the instance of his .servants. A« '' ammuniealionfrom Ike Alloruey-C.enrral, on this liead, was necessary, or could be expected; •' nor was any siUieited, by liltir, or othtrwise," ^c. I shall now discuss these arguments in defence, successively ; — Mr Stuart asMcrfH. in the (ii-*t plac<<, as a fact, that T-ainjJson's servants were privatv miweciitors • and this he repeats on various occasions, as thougii it were an incontestable and well-kiiown'fact. It will sutheo, in order to destroy the entire fabric of theso arguments upon this subject, to observe, that thl* assertion is destitute even of pretext. 'Ihere is J.ineUdii'r more.— According to Mr. St luirfs own expose, I. ampscn's servants were not private «ros,ruf,"rs; thev even could not be so. If any other person than Mr. Stuart cnild have acted as prosecutor, it wcnihl not have been l.uinpK.ui'H servants, but I.ampson himself, who -would have acted in this capacity, and of whom no mention is made, as private prosecutor, iu. << n, without self in ob- urse to lii» tie expense is cliargfesi tos : ou the iltee. We iiig that iu as he pre- ■e to prove 1^ from the ^e broMf^ht Iter, ail ex- icribe here, ' tlie (liscus- he Lessee of uHst a num- the Indium ,erraiifs and Utorney-Cie- ', wrote ojfi- seml ^ftir the ring thottyht • to iiidicatt- irisefi, when '10 wilitcssex, ', who threw attorney of rd that thcij sure of the iutif. Here the proof of r established, some of the itif they were 'red on their • discharged, prepare and 'le. charges of pson and his I, to he ready errant s. JV'i> f be expected ; were private iiito.stablu aiiit Hi' arnd.u.ting crin.inal prosecutions ; lastly, that any other person than right of »''';''"""7,""' ,,_,.. .^. ,,, institute, or to conduct any prosecutions for his clients, 1;;S:1^>:11h:- 1" .If t!:;sa^^^^ though he .U pronmed it. Neither «ui ^'^•sr lr,S";.d';;!t!!r^;f;;:;r.:So ?^^^ oonvniced .wt tw d... tfiues wvre ot'iu to correct, curt.un has not the less continued to eave the Auorne)- (Vneralin ^ eriuslve possession of the functions of prosecutor in the Courts of King, """win bv virt>.e of regul.-.tions, adopted by the Executive Council for many year, n.«t 'Iffutonuv eneral rec.ives fees 'upon each indictment which is sent before the pvst, the 'Y/"7,> [";;;' ^,„i .ji,, „,„n. considerable fees on every occasion on which ; mi. be r 4a le . Hut slu.uld at least observe, that the Att<.rney-( eneral of the I'ro- ; -."e'l; thus in"r "I;.! in the preservation of a custom which ensures to him a spee.es of mo- ""'"''in!^h;:r^l;!:on; t^'iZ a.at of which we have just spoken. As though it were S: in t ;;i::i^; h-tWrn^a^'lL imlic,mei.t, in Kngland, is signed only by the officer "'""iet'us'i-.in remark, that a bailiff (Iluissier), employed by Mr Attorney-General. ;;:7;:?;-s';; /r'c^^r : •;: 'Ihe :;; en^sl;"..^ t;.ese\Lceedin^ are defrayed out^f l-'sums vited everv year by the Assembly, for ,he contingent expenses incurred in the admi- ''"'l';:;;if by'tiui'f'niM-rovislons of a provincial statute, witnesses who ai. poor and „.,dde ,oG:.ar thee pens<. to Ihich they are s/.bjeCed when sumnunud at the instance of the row . to 1 .ear l>e ore the criminal courts, are i-aid out of the public funds. iVnce' t Wl ows that, in point of fact, there is really no ,>nrat,- prosecutor m Lower Tunul nd tl it is th ■ Att.rnev-<. "eneral who, up to the present time, has p.rlormed, to Jf ex iuiJ.^ al Ltler persons," the functions of prosecutor. Hence, we may ask how the exilusu.n oi uu oui i ' , ,. s,,,. ^t ■ and how he could have itsserted and . „ .„ p..>, .i,h , .;.. or .;r-;r,L'^r: 'sr"-s,,'S Si:"";"."i:.St'r a- r. mfMi.r<-> of wliich we .poke in the u,,on taia«(i in the botood Report of th« ComniiUM of UrieTaucct. 107 nor direct r the cir- , I should ird to tlic of Kiiifr's t, that the i capacity , ida." Il'is ersoii tlian Lampsou's ottcn that, t had been :. Mais jc dois faire observer au moins quo le Procureur-(;(:ncral de la Province se trouvc par la interesse a la conservation d uu usage qui lui assure uu espece de monopole avantageux a safortuue. Uu autre usage deeoulc de celul dont il vient d'etre questiort. Comme si e'etalt un ingr*:- dientessentielal'Acte d'accusation (Indictment J, le Procurcur-Gencral appose sa signature au has do I'Acte d'accusation (Indictment) auquel le Greffier de la Couronne met aussi la sienne, au lieu que, si je suis bien inforuiJ, cet Acte n'est signe, en Angleterre, que par 1 Offieier de "Ssons encore qu'iin lluissier on (Bailif) employe par M. le Procureur-Genenil, a*- signeou so charge de faire assignor les temoins que cet Offieier de la Couronne crmt devoir prmluire devant les (irands ou les Petits .lures a I'appui des accusations qu il porte dans les cours; ct due les depenses que ces demarches entrainent sont payees a memos les soinmes que I Assem- blee vote ohaque annee jiour les depenses contiiigentes attachees a I'Administratioa de la .lus- tiee en matieres Ctiminelles. (L) ..,,,. ^- ii, Kiifin, en vertu d.'S dispositions d'un Stiitut Provincial, les temoins pauvres et incav/idjle« de soutenir les depei.H>sauxquel!es ils sont scumis quand ils sont assignes a para.tre devant lc« Cours Criminelles, a la requisition de la Couronne, sont payes a memo les deniers publics. 11 s'ensuit que dans le lait, 11 n'y a reellemant point A' Accusatcur pnvc dans le Bas- Canad.u ctque e'est le Procureur-Geiieral qui, jusqu'a present, a fait exclusivement a tout autre les fonctions d'accusateur. On pout se demander dos-lors, comment Uuites ces conside- rations ont pu echapper a ^L Stuart, et comment il a i)U avancer et soutenir a tantde reprise-s dans cette partic de su lettreque les serviteurs de Lampson CtmcntJcarsaieurs proves (private prosccutorl) par rapport aux accusations en nt tliev could not, how eoiild tliey con-, si,U.rtl.omselvcsol.l.;,n;.l to 1 c dilio:>"t, 'I"'' .'''*;'^ '*;,,„,, i„ „il rosn.cts, an exclusive juris- wl.on Mr. Attoriu.y-C!onoral cxerci«-.i, in tins "7^' '"",', V ; , ' dicti«n> NVas it not, on tl.e ^^X^Zi'^:^^^^^^^ l^ one .nuld have boon There w even u,.on tins ^^^ 'I- " ^;'' ;'i ,„,, ,„,-,ro observed, not Lan.,.son's ser- consulered as a /»vm^. /''•''r" ';;'■";;,; Ueetlv interested in the sueeess of tlu.vo pro- vants, hut Lan.].son hnnseit really a>>d '''"' . '' ,V ;,„ .^ ,,„•,„,, „,,,,,r«ft>r-if his ser>ants .eeutions. If he -<;'<> XfE'St ^e^^, ^lul tCXv'couh. aet of tl.e.nselve^it eouhl have persuaded ''•',-">''^''^'''"'. ' '^/ 've aPi-lied to Mr. Stuart tor the purpose of inst.tut- is easv to iu.apue that '''S^^'t ,S " ue^ <" ve relied upon hiux lo eonduet then, in iusr these proseculinus. , ' '".y;!'"" '' , 'V ';,„,,„,, .i;,, ,,„. act from choiee ; he yielded to ,l.e courts. In leavin, them ^^^^^^ ;' ^ ^X^, tie result would not be i^.vour- .on upon this subjeet : '.'y^';' "J';' ""Vi^stunrt earried his diseo,.tentment, when it was endea- :u..,istanee he was obli-e.l to have '•^•^•""';^''; ^^.„- ,, -(1,,^ ,],, dutv of Lampoon nor of his Ad- Noth uir more is recpnred to show that it was ni itlitr tiu (luij i voeates to .^U "or to hold Ihnr ,ntnrsscs in rra,l.,„.s ''''^^P;;!^-^^'^;^ rntertaiu no idea of beiuir oMisred to oeenpy themselves «i.h inattir> whuu o>, this hrn.f, uy,s unr,snn,,or rould br rrpM^^^^^^^ .^^^^^. nut even supposing Mr ^'uar o.u d - - ' ^ ^ " ^.P^, ^ [\J\,. ^.,„ ^n's Adv^ tain whether he'iu.en.led to proeeed or not upon »'- V -;;;; ,"f^,, ,;'7, r," ,;:r3^^ f,r.n,te prnsrrutor,. It may also, at least, be remarke, u.lh tru h, tlm tl > '^ «- M '' "i;rs;:a;t thinks it extremely importaiUto dwell upon !|;'- ^'^ "^,;^Jrr J^^;' te^ CV„..V, one of Lampson's Advocates, .lepos..d to h.vu,.^ writ eu '''7' j'"^^^; ''';;;',, V'^.^™ of ti" eriminal eon'rt. for the purpose of .seertain.n, troin ;\-,; 'f/ ^ ' ,:"-^ ^7. .^ I tion to present the bills which he w.. instructed to l';;-^:;; n ^^l"K ee m d^ to the ;:::n;rth!:ri:b:b:^^^ b;;j^^'h^;;:T£;^^^^^^^^^ covtai.. .hat ,he> ^^-^'^-' '^'''''f''^ ;^^ l^^''^'^^^ lon^ arguments, into which helms It wou d now aiUH'ar useless to tollou :Mr. .>uiaii in u ii„ „ „,ri,.,iv «ni.ikiiiir ...tered, for the purpose of persuading ns .hat Mr. (o..v s letter Id no^^^ Sm itteifS eonvev the sens' which he put up.u, it, in il.v.n- ovidenee before \''« ^; " ^ Hiat that which .he witness llad .lid, as to the -"-7-7'''" ^;^':J, ):; 'C: f a^ bail written him upon this subjeet, was a tissue ot tal>.;l.ood. he ^^''"^J''-^' '^' Mr. Stuart is fonn'led up•;">; i/.supporte.l bv ine.l.te.able evidence, -;;'-- ;if.;\;;;:7::::''';^ b'lJ ^'lU faUehood of the depositions relHtiutr to Mr. (.1111 s letter, ot ^^""^ ',7., , partieularlv. Hut,' >ts I have already said more than once, I «"" "^ .''^ ' 7- ' ^^ . 1" with of defence' which Mr. S.uart has thou-h. proper to employ, as calculated to just. ., w. .^ reirard to the ehanjes brought atrains. him before his Majesty's Government. M> duty .. to follow him in tl.e jiath which he has laid down. Accortling liey con^^ ur.e Ihem, ive juris- ;ivp boon oil's ser- hc^c pro- servants iclvt'S — it f iiistitut- •t them ill nolded to u" favour- er, iiniler en Ijinip- k-ns endea- ao;ino that tooiv ijreat , to whoso of his A(l- thf y could n essential y-Gcnrraly c illusixn. Ill's Advo- s part? r to nscer- servants ax er applied ),' were not, . upon hiin- cuton, aud whic-h y\r. (» the term < his inten- Mr. Stuart only to the lury, at the so uselessly i; same tinio hieh he has \ speakiiiji;, uittee ; and uled tliat ho I'^lit ajrninst w^, Liwtly, he truth or ut to tipeak o the means fy liini, with [y duly is to AcconUiig 109 I'c'-tMcntpa". tt'iln rm po«v»ient I'itre, comtne lu choBO ek evidonte, co^nracnt poimlent-ils- «e croireobliffcsftdosdiliKonceH u mnv kurs tf.,win$ vr£ls i\ k» ptoduire, qmuid M. le 1 rocu- reiir.G6n(5al exervait u cet ^-gurd et sous tout rapport, une junsdict.oa exclusive.'' netait-co pas au eontrairo pour lui un devoir ossentiel d'y veilier, _ ^ II est memo sur cet article une consideration decisive. Si qu«lqii un cut pu ctre considero comme Av.cmalcur privfi (primUe prosecutor) c'cut etc, cmume je I'ai observe plus haut, lum les emuloves de I.»unpson, mais Lampson lui-mcme, ventahlement et seal dux-ctement intc- resso dans Ic succes do ces poursuites. S'il uvait i.u se consulerer connne J.c«,.«?f ^r pr,ve, si 'es emoloves avaientpusc persuader qu'ils Tetaient et qu'.ls pouva.ent ag.r d eux-memes,il est ais6 de se.-.tir qu'ils no se scraient pas adresscs a M. Stuart, pour intenter ces poursu.tes Is nc « seraient Luroment pas repose sur lui du soin de les condu.re dans les Cours • Ln les lui lissantcntreles mains Lampson n'a-issait pas de son choix, il cmla.t a la loi de _ k necessity.-. ^^Z^^i^^^, il '-"t etcT>nerreur, il n'en resulterait rieu en tayeur de M. Stuart oui.e pretend pas se justilier sur cette cousi.leration. Au surplus, dans ces c.rconstances extra- crdimiircs, c'cut ite pour lui une obliiratioii d'cclairer Lampsou sur ce point; cequilnu ^'" ^'o'n a vu d'aillpurs jusqu'.i quel point :M. Stuart etait susceptible de mecontontement n.rmd on tenU.it de lui faire i)artagcr ses fonctions avec quelque autre, ct il est aise de penser c I -mipson dont le sort etait entre les mains do M. Stuart, rolativement aces accusations, se scrait bieuKarde de huurter ses prejuft-.s sur un point aussi dOlicat pour cclui au ministers diKiuel il se trouvait force d'avoir lecours. . .,, .. . . > 11 n'en fant pas davanta},'e i.our (aire voir que cc n'etaitiu a L.-.mpson m a ses Avocats ii •iirir a tenir lenrs temoins pr,Hs n ,'f>e produUs, entiu qu ils ne pouvaient avoir aucuno idee de /W>/);/«^V.«des'occuperde soius qui faisaient partic essentielle des devoirs attaches aux tone- tions cxclusives de M. Stuart. . .. s ■ m. ft -t Comment M. Stuart peutil pretendre des-lors qn'aucune communication d ce sujet n etint ni'-ces'..u _ '.•.•.,.,.'; i.. ..,/,.:,.„t„r l.w !.i.<.i.s!it ons nu'il etait charffe d'lntenter I'lindes \vocats(e l.ampsoii,aae u'M' lui a».i.. .u..c,.n..v, ....... V .^ -— - - ,,,.,» oo r sW de lui s'il ivait iniention de presenter les accusations qu'il eta.t charge d intenter d" l^.t^-rMde Lampson. II insiste sur le sens pixcis des termes pour faire voir quelle Xi import qu'aux poursuites (p.-H .. intentces depuis et soum.scs avec efticacito aux grands urlii^lnstance.lesslrviteursde la t'ompagnie centre les employes de Lampson, et non de eXs qu'il :i M inutilement presentees a I'instance do ceux-ci coutre les premiers avec la certi- tude (lu'elles devaieiit etre njnori'r.i comme clles I'oiit etc en eftet. Ildevrait maintenant paraltro assez inutile de suivre M. Stuart dans les longs raisonne- I ,w I. suue's il s'est enga.r6 pour essayer de persuader que la lettre de M. (.ugy ne '"'"'' t^itiiXic^eneM avail donne, en depos.-mt devant le Comite, ':?";i;;; ;e n^ e "IcISn avait declare au siyet de la communication qu'il pn|tonr qu'il s'est trace. Suivant n :i : I no Acoordinc to Mr. Stuart, Mr. Guffv's letter to him was written " for a totally different .. pun-oso. Vie conoratulatos hin.seir,- and it i*," l.e says, - peeul.arly fortu.mte for me " tC Imvins preserved this letter, I an. enabled, by the produet.on of .t, to ials.fy most » eonclusivolv this unfounded imputation on n.y el.araeter and my honor. Mr. (;u.;y-. letter " relate.," he adds, " exe us.vely to the eharj-es ma.le, not by, but .' a-ni t the a.r,„ts and servants of the Kin^r's I'osts, for certa.n trespasses upon the per- «> s5 nd r p; V ol- the a-.nt. of the Hudson's Hay Company ; and as to these Mr. Ou^y .. desires to know whether it was n.y intention to try then, at the ..ext ensu.njj term, i^e. Mr Stuart comments ni>on this letter as thoujth, «ith rPRurd to a eommunieatiou of this ,n ;.re e, der he eire.n.' stances, the mere literal mean>n^^ ot the words could be .n th.s nature '•" '^ "; . , ^,i,,,„ssion of a partic.dar rule of uran.mar, or of the most subtle TT ' wl in nSo W is it possible for him to persua.le himself that the words of £ l^U h^r e.^ amfitted ; mea.li,.,, when Mr. Cluiy addressed him upon the s.d,,ect ,, oseJu i ns o be i,.stitute i. med f.o.n it wxs, that Mr. Clugy would not t^ike upo,. h.ui.eli to .ned.l e d.rcetly V h the f . et ons of Stuart, the " auxiliary of the Courts and the Grand Jury, ehar|red ' in tit. n.r and conducting prosecutions, on the part of the Crqwa in the cnm.nal " eourt'" Vrnfif wc cunsi.ler Low much Mr. Stuart avoided shar-ng w.tl. any one ".e fu. Ss wit! vhich he was h.vested, he ought rather to have bee., obl.ged o h..n, ban to unctions w ii "^ , , emUavoured to impress h.s luiu.e w.th the stamp of ;S:;''X e^ 'k'i^^ •-" ^^^^^y ^ li^l-l^-oa befor,. U.e Co.nmittc.. ' 'h c'tter\... t a loi..t^ave aro..sed Mr. Stuarfs attc.tion, a..d .uade h.m teel the i.eeess.ty . f o , m . nica.in.r to IMr. La.n,.son's Advocates, or to h.s servants, or, ,., hue, to lamp- ;,n sXi re ntcded to institute also, i,. the following term, opposite prosect.ons ; and a I which, fro.n the very .mture of the thi..g, .u* t was a., object o he i«|r e«. si. lid be proceedcl i.. ul oue a..d the «une ti.ue, consistently w.th the vews of the pa.t.es, ""'rSd^'m that these motives never entered Mr. Stnarfs n.i..d. |ccording to hi, ow.. a •co.mV he did not eve., take the trouble of answer...g Mr. Ougy. He g.ves reasons f.rr this, wllieh arc not less extraordinary than the rest ot bis comluet upon th.s occas.on, "'"'1 'shlSi:'':;:;:' 'ihU^-bjcet. can to mi,.d what I observed, that i.. consid^ing what hisfunS , as^Attorney-Ceneral, possessed of cxcl..sivc, he could not rely on Lampson . erva is re than on La.npson hin.self, or his Advccates, tor ..eee>..ary d.hgence ...procuring vi .e cs s,.pport the charges brought i.. their behalf, and to subm.t the.u to the Gru.,.i J. 1.. pobt'of fact, he was the only A.lvocate who appeared for, a..d who acted on h ha f of /he Crow.., in these prosecutio,.s. He received lees tor ..istJtut.,.g and con- li tit lun.; he had a subalte'n olf.eer in his servk-e, -barged w.th m.dertak.ng .nfenor u ; "a d paid out of the revcMiues of the I'rovince. He...v. how could l.e consider h.,n- S r^d-^ed from this obligatio,. .^ Even supp..sing he thought proper to relieve himsel, of this duty, and to rely ti^r the perfor.m.nce of it upon Lampson, h.s Advocates, or h.s serva'-ts; could he not t'eel the necessity of at le.tst re.iuir.ng some of them to se« to it.' \nd he did not think .proper even to answer Mr. (lugy i • . nc c, . would a-ain look !.t n.atters m the same ,>oi..t of v.ew as that .n which Mr. Stuart presents then. ; and admit that he eouhl, to a certain degree regard Mr. I.ampson a servants ^JTn r/'rJ«/*/or.. and their Advocates lu* charged by them m this capacity wi I. watch- in/ heir be «s in' these causes. At a..y rate, in that sU.te ot tl.n.gs these Advocates 'ml ne. orm o.ilv a secondary character i.. the business, a..d support under h.m the prose- cutions which he 'instituted a.id conducted, charged, as he says he wiu.. w.Ui the co.iduct "* '''Tience Mr. Stuart could not, without violating all the rules of reciprc.cal confidence t« be observed between Advocates charged together with supporting or defending a »-'«'^'^' PJ«J m y different ite for me ulsify must ot by, bill un tlu! per- Mr. Ciiigy in," &c. inicatiou of M)ul(i be in most subtle he words of the siibji'ct lii-li he was v, serve ns i> was at the )rets it as a ;olf that Mr. Stuart couUl idle directly y," charf^cd tliki criminal my one *hu liin, than to ihti stamp uf Committee. Jio necessity e, to Lump- irosecutions ; the purticH, tiie parties, ir iiis vccasiun, iderinfT what I Lanipson's in procurioff the Grand ho acted on li'r and cori- ikin^ infcrntr .•onsider )iim- lieve liiraself icutes, or his to see to it? II Mr. Stuart son's servants r with watch- jO Advocates im the prosc- 1 the conduct confidence to a cause, pro- ceed 111 Sun-ant M. Stnnrt, Uv lettrc que M. Cufvy lui n I'crite avail pour but un " objet absolii- " mcnt different," il s'applaudit, " c'est un sin^'u'lier bonhour pour lui d'avoir conserve cettc lcttri> " puisqu'eii la produisaiit il pent fairc voir de la maniere la plus claire la faussetu do cctte nt- " tanuc contre son caracterc et son honncur !" '< I«'\lct,trede M. Gugy, I'un des Avocats de M. I nmpson, dit-d, " a rapport cxclufci- •« vemcnt non aux charges aiticuloes par les agens et les scrvitenrs du Incataire dos Postes^du » Roi, maisacellcsqui etaient porTeos contre enx ii raison dc certaines voicsdo fait coniniise-* " contre la personno ct les propriites de la Coniiiagnic de la l^aie d'lludson, et il dv'sire savoir «' de moi si c'est mon intention de Icur faire leur i)roces dans le terme suivant." M. Stuart comtncnte cette Icttre comme si, relativement li nnc comniunicatum de cctte nature dans les circonstances, il pouvait etre uniquemeiit (piestion du sens purenicnt littoral des mots, et comme s'il s'a-rissait a la fois et cxclusivement u.Ker of sacrifieit.ff their eo.nmon intcrc-Ms. He d.d nothing of this k.u, . He prt- t.nds that it was not his dutv to do it, an.i others were obhged to ,,erJorm these duties, tan '""1;;'*;.r;;:;;'Sn;: that, independently of any other ...umstanc, these witnesses were at a great distance in the int.Ti..r of the eountry, ni Indian eountries. 1 he e.xpenee ..men,hint on their journey to (^.ek-e, was not ah.ne an ohje.t of '"M'-^'^^''^^'^" '""• Their ahsenee was essentially injurious t< the interests ot the eomnu-ree ot " '"J^" « *; '^^'^^ more i.artieularly on aeeount of the nature of that, there earned on. How could it.be e 1. J 'i 1 mi-"-- "^ «•»■ '""'^ A.lvoeates, to expose himse , without motive, to ruinous ineoi'venienees, with references to c-auses, in the eou.luet of which he exercised neither u.fl«< *'""''■ Sir •'snmrr had informed neither Lampson, his servants, nor their Advocates, that it was their .iutv to be ready with the witnesses for llu< purpose of sn,.porting the prosecutmns Xh he was about to institute on the part of the King's Lessee: he had not desired them to collect these witnesses; still less had be specified to them any precise time at which be mieht consider their pre>.ence necessary for the purpose of support, nu' these prosecutions. Nevertheless he presente.l to the (irand .Jury of the Court of (^uebee bills ii. proseeutioiis instituted against l.ainpson's servants, with the confirmed hupe that they must be tound : |,ec=.«se he had upon the spot the witM.sses necess.ry to support them : and u> submitted to the (irand .lurv, at the same time, bills in prosecutions which h.' ha.l instituted on b.ha f ol - Lampson, an-fat the instance of his servants, whom he terms /-nr^/. /.ro.,. i Suite of the vicarious tone adopted in this part of his answer, we must think thau he enterulined some d.mbt as to its elV.eacv. He the., also comes t.. what he terms his reason> - for not having answered Mr. Cugv. Let us again s.e what he says. '• Ihe private i-rosecutor " ,0 be consulted on the charges atiainst Mr. Lampson's servants was the agent o he " Hudson's l}av Company, who resides at (^.ebee. I had lell that place to attend the "criminal court at .Montreal, about ten days before the receipt ot the letter o Mr. (.ngy. «• who was perfectly aware of the time of mv departure, and iiiight most readily liave obtained " the d.s-ired information from me while m. the spot with the private prosecutor iUid himselt. " If he had communicated with me personally, or in writing, while I was slill at (Quebec, 1 " should imme.Iiat..|v have sent (m the private juosecutor, and have ascertained w-^^.ether h.' " wouhl Ik. ready for' trial in tlu- course of the term or not, and have informed Mr. (.ugy "ac«.rdin.rly; but being at the distance of two hundred miles from the private prosecutor, '« I e■ ' '"• interite ^^mmuns. U n'en u rien fait. U pr^- icml qu'il ii'ctaii t'a« «"'*«»K ' ae d'autres cwicat obligemlu romblir ces devuir». L'illusioii pciU-«;ilcaU«»»fi»i»loiB ? Obscrvons maintenutu qu'iiidependainment ilo toute autre circonstancc, ccs temoins etaicnt" a une irraude distance dans I'interieur des tcrres, des pays sauva),,'es. I.es depeuses qu'entrai- nait lenr voyajre a (Quebec n'etaieat pas seules uii objet do consideration imnortiiut. Leur absence etaitessenfiellement niiisible aux intercts da commerce da locataire du Uui, et pluM particuliiTeiiient a raison de la nature de celui (pii s'y fait : Comment pouvait-il etre du devou de Lampscui on de ses Avoeats do s'ex|ioser li des inconvi'niens ruineiix, wans motif relutivc- me lit a des causes sur k coiiduite desqiitUes ils u'exervment ui mflucnce ni jurisdiction f M. Stuart n'avait infonne ui Lainpson, ni ses sorviteurs, ni leurs Avoeats qu'ils dussent «e char>'er du soiii de se tniir pretsavee les temoins pour soutenir les accusations qu'il devait intentcr tlans les interet , du locataire du lloi, il ne les avait point requis de les lui procurer, il leur avait ei necessaire pour . . • , t .Iiiri'8 de la Cour de Quebec les accusatiiuis jiortees eontre les scrvileurs de l^mpson avcc i'l eairi- < les uiteret , du locaraire iiu ivoi, ii ne les avaii pmnL leipiin nc lua nn |iiui.uin, jueore inoins inditpie uii temps precis dans lequel il pouvait juf?er leur presence )ur soutenir ees accusations. 11 pieseutait eependunt et soumcttait aux Ciramls Cour de Quebec les accusatiiuis portees eontre les scrviteurs de I^mpson avcc i'espoir assure (pi'elles devaicnt itre rapporti'es parcc qn'il avait sur les lieux les temoins neces- eairisponr les appuyer devant les Grands .lures, et il leur soumettait en mime temps celles qu'il ivait 11 iiiteiiierdaus I'liiteret de Lainpson et a I'instauce de ses serviteurs qu'il qualilie tV .kcusuleurs prin's et pour lescpiels il etait cense aijir, sans leur cii doniier le moindre avis, sans aueun tenioin, et par l;'i minie avec la certitude que ees accusations seraient necessairemeiu iimonrs par les Grands Jures ! C'dinnient I.aiupson ou ses Avoeats i)ouviuent-ils soupvouner que M. Stuart put se resoudre a adopter uu procedc de cette nature, surtout apres avoir rcvu la letti. doiit il yieiit d'etre question ? A u reste M. Stuart aurnit pu lui-mt'ine fairc quelqiie dilifjence. II connaissait les temoinn i". produire. II pn'paiait Us Aetes d'Aixiisation (Iii de Lampson etait I'ageut de la «' Compazine de la l?aie d'Huilsou qui rt'sklc a Qm'btc J'avais laisse I'eiu' oit pour aller •' assisteriila ('•>ur Criniinrlle li Montreal, environ dix jours avant d'avoir revueette lettre de •' M. Gugy cpii avait parfaito conimissaiice du temps de luou depart, et qui aurait pu avoir «' i'infoniiation qu'il desirait de moi sur les lieux, ou tie V .kcusattur pnveUii-mimv. S'il " avait communique jivee moi persoiinellemeiit ou par ecrit pendant que j'etais a Quebec, " fuurnis nivoyi' c/uirticr F ArntttuU nr privi et j'aurais su de lui ussuiemeut s'il aurait etc pret '« pour le proeis ou non, et j'eii aurais en consequence iiiforme M. Gugy : muis ttaiit a la " distance de ifi iix cctis viillis de CAauMiti iir ptive je ne pouvais pas avoir de commuuication " avec lui, et jiar cette raison je ne pouvais pas rendre n ponse li M. Gugy daiis hi negative " ni dans raffirmalive sur le sujet de sa lettre, etc." Telle est la reponse que M. Stuart oppose au temoignage relatlvemcnt a la Icttr.^ en question en lapreiiant dans le Sens retreci qu'il lui doiine, dapres I'interpretation que j'ai iiidi^ < ueeplushaut. II est aise de seiitir en meme temps qu'ello est destinee ii retuter le t^moi- tjnage do M. Gugy en envisageant cette lettre sous le meme point de vue sous lequel ceiui-ci Va presentee, etcomme elie a et/ envisagee par le Comite. Nous aliens voir ce que I'ou dojt nenser dc cette tentative de M. Stuart pour se laver. Suivant M. Stuart les serviteiirs de Lampson devaicnt, conime on I'a vu plus hv Jt, sun* avis prealable tenir leurs temoins prets en tout temps et -a toute heure. Soit. On devrait pen- •ersaiis doute qu'aui ycux de M. Stuart, c'etait uue obligation reciproque tant pour les seivi- im 114 ciprocal oblipation, binding a, well on the servants or^^" ^^^ ^J^^Zr\",2 l"Srf;;i:r;;^-;.tl:jrS.:^ wl.aher l. ...^ be ready., uial .. or .u.t, in order to Inform Mr. Cuigy" „ff,ototion on the part of Mr. «b,orv.- upon this snt-joct, that the d.Mance .^ ;/ »^:";" ';'";;^,; '^USv ii.d Sunday, per- ,he ,.o,t. which leave, eitljor e.ty .... every day "'(.^Ao be thought ofMr. Stnarfs a^scr- forms (lie journey in n.ueh less than tw.. days. \\ hat w lo ot u.oug ,lon. as to the i.nposMl.ili.y of sending; a,, a,.su. ^ to Mr tn.)J ■ , ,,f ^,,„, ,^.f„, ,„ I shall ..ot take the trouble of ^'iT\^^ZZX "S he confi,.e. hi.nself t. the letter i.. question, ... this part of Mr. Stuar U ""^^ ",' ,,^, .,„,,ecuti..n8 whieh he ronsiderin;; this letter as ..ot ,.os„!.ly refern..K to » 1 '"'^ ]'' J 'J;^ ^,, ; ,, ),« pretends he r,fterwar.is"i,.stituted a^aL.st Ui.nps.,,. s -" »>f -»;' ♦'7,,;' ^ '^ ^^ ^ is terLd iranr- -.IwHdd draw, that their inte..t,on was to ^^^^rX^"^^ ^^'l^^. t., ,,raw his infere..ee ; ./,„. That his sihnre was suth.jent, fr.un ^sl. eh ';' '''' f^^^ J , ;, Vo^n the eirc..,n8t«..ee of no .. ,„., that no i..jury was or eouhi je s..Hta ...mI I M(- |^"" ' , \,.^. ■ ,,ii,. whioh ^rsiiarl'^iiv^hir:^;; ::;'Xi:t h^oSi^e.^:;^^ i» ^"^ '-^fl:'Slt:tn; :::>:; ;Si!i:^.rti.in.^ In settin, f^-rth the f.cts, of whieh ^^f y- -,--;-^ " ^^t^ C i'n^.^ clii Meh.c, hi. letter. » Sul.e.,..e,.tly, ' he sa s -/'.Xd his letter ; 1 told him 1 had, and had " Mr. tiutry ...Mu.red of me whether ''• <1 "^ ^ ' ^ ,„ ,„rt-,ie„tly aware; and ..otl.i.ig " not answered it, for reitsons of which he must Iunl Iko. sumcn j »' further was said respectini; the letter." „„,„„n,I,..l that this laconic obser- :^.ir^;;™:.i^ :^l;l^,::r,.!s,^;y;lJ•■;.5=t,. Ifiwiri" . ..„. „™,,,„, ,.,.,.„ wi.l. -hr „.,,vl.H,,„ ,1... .hoy .....M I- ;.;'"'"^. ■"„'^;^" , :;.' ,t". i.. 1... ..■ .I.»t.l..' Ci..„.l y u on the \m- for trial ; of Mr. .-s in thi* tlie pro- he fune- rtiided nHtin(r to : tho pro- it was hit this sul>- itrcul and Bice it to and thiit iduy, \n't- Tt's asscr- ; refers to himself tn wliieh he eteuds he E-d trail r- iiifereiue ; anee of no villi whii'li ily ill the have had, ragraj)h of at (Juphec, t, and had lid nuthin^ onic ohscr- Irawii from that time ligal, upon isons at that whieli Mr. klr. Stiiart'» id there not itiuiiti which d, prepared udson's Ihiy id Jury." the former, them on the It the Grand ) could give former, Mr. incp ; and it lared iiidict- e explained, '' which Its tears ou lo» agenn do la Compagiuc que poiir Ijiinpson ot ien employes. Cent tout 1e contrwre, M. Stuart auriiit eu hesoin de consulter "I'Ageiit de In Compajjiiie, Accimatcur prive, pourna- « voir »'il ^Uit pnH pour Ic proces, ou non," pour pouvoir en iuformer M. Gugy ? Obsorvons en second lieu que M. Stuart mot nne <5trnnge affe.tntion n«8«ervir An teTmc* A' 4ccumtiur» pritrs M. Lampson n'eii po ivait souflfrir puT'. |ii:' se seryiteijrs n'e- " talent pas prets pour leiir proces et qu'ils re(pierraiefit du deiid." Sa.K la ^f.vite uyec la- quelle M. Stuart' s'exprinie, on pourrait se moprendre ot ne voir qu*: nc ;»luisinit...-'e acer^e ct cruellc nuiant qu'Injuste, dans ces remarques. 11 est difficile df se former une idi'o bien exacte du hut que M. .S- n apu se proposer, en articulant les faits dont il reiitl eompte dans le reste de ce paragrape do sa lettre. " Sub- " sequeuuueut," dit-il, " lors de I'ouverture de la four C'rimi:ielle a (Juebec, M. Gujfy iiu •' demantla si j'avais re(,u sa lettre. .Te lui dis (pie je I'avais revue ; mais que je ne lui avain " pas repondii pour r/cs' niUnus (fiii t'fniiiit iii>si : />ii//t(il>li:i, ttilne/nt r it adit dc. phis Ave '• awet." II faut eroire que M. Stuart ctait aiipareinmeiit persuade que cette observation la- conique suffisait li M. tiugy pour le inettre en lUit de devonir toiites les inductions a tirer de sa lettre siiivaiit M. Stuart et dont il a prosfiito \y Tableau. Sou extri'ine reserve alors contraste fortement avec la longueui- dcs explieiiiions dont il est maintenant predigue SUf 1« aiemc sujet. " *" ' On pcut deniander si M. Stuart n'aurait pus du faire c(mnaitre alors ces raisons a, M. Cingy, (pii prcbablemeiit nesV tail jamais doute de I'interpretation qu'il aviiit donnee a sa lettre, et n'aurait i>u l'ai)preiidre qu'eii lisaiit cette partie de la niionse de M. Stuart (pii I'acCTise d.- 'fiiussete dans sa (h'position deviiut le Comite, s'il n'y avail eu entre lui, M. Stuart et >1. Viud\'lson a ee sejet s ser\ iteurs de la Compagnie de la IJaie d'lludsoii q\io contre ceux de Lampon, je •< les soiiinis aux (iraiids .lures." Quel sentiment de devoir que eelui qui le portait a suii- niettre les accusations contre les premiers avee la certitude qu'elles seraieiii njnonefi, faute de ti'nioins pour les soutenir dans I'iiitoret du Locataire du U:.i ; et les secomles, avee I'espoir li- pcn-pres certuiiKpie lesliraiids .lures les rapporternieiit <>n Coiir eonime fondees, puree qu'il pioduisait (b'vant eux les temoins cpii pouvai«"nt deposvr a leurapiuii ! _ " 11 estp.irlaitenieiit vrai," eoiitinue-t-il, "([ue eomine je jiresentais les pretn^c^e^ I'A- " vocat de M. bimpson me fit faire I'obserx ation ((ue (piehpies-uns des temoins n'etaient pasptc- •» sens, et il est encore vrai (pie je lui repondis que n' «'(V((iY /;n« ma /ante if que fm-ais pn- <' uari Its acks J" accusation f Indictments J conmu: I'itait mon devoir dc fain, enteiidant par pare ks ces 11« « wluch made it incumbent upon me to pi-epare indictmenU _oa tha depowOonB which had « bcenput into my bands." Did not Mr. StJart, iu holdiug th.o kngunge, add contemptuoui ''''"^{«t!"iccording to Mr. Gug^-, Mr. Stuart, previously to presenting the bills of indict- ment to the Grand Jury, buvin-r asked bim wla-tbor tlunr wUuess.s wore arrived ho asked Jjn Stuart in return, wk-tber be bad received bis (Mr. Gu.^y's) letter. I do not speak ot Vhe answer which was given to this stified, I apprehend, in concluding tbat the animadversion is entirely without tounda- " ""T'ainnot make up my mind to dwell n,,ou this portion of IVIr Stuart's answer. It is sufficient that 1 have g vei.'it such as be has bimsell given it, to enable us to lei that .t mill- tTtes !^ainst the facts: that bis own arowals, in fact, are sufticient of themselves to support tlie charges brought against liim in tbe Conuiuttee's report. As TO WHAT Mn. Stuaut says, is answf.u to Till- Parsagk ok Tin: Rf.vout ot n i. COMMITTKK, WHUII IMl'lTKS TO HIM Till: AunF.ST OI l.AMI>S..N, rNm.IlTlll, I Hi.- TKNCF. OK A ChaIUU. OF Prnjl RV IN UISl'KCT OK lUS AFFIDAVIT, CJVJ.S KN StllOllP OF HIS Action or Rkvendication, &c. Indenendenlly of all tiie other circumstances by which Mr. Stuart has been deluded, U was difficult foi him not to mislead himself by (bus selecting isolate.l passages ot the report of the Committee, in order t.i comment upon them, instead ot answering .hiectly the resein- lions, which pointed out, in a (.r.-cise manner, the charges brought agamst bim. 1 he cttecl of this error is to place him continually in a false j-osition and ... like ">;'''"7' /'';*" ''^ him to lose sight of the (p.estio... He here again confines h.mselt to ;.n isolated fact, ...sU..(l of looking at it in connection with others as it is prese.ited by the C onni.ittee. .„,„„,, Mr, Stuart i.relen.ls to establish his jiistifieation upon the str.ct legal right ot .letendants, in an action of rfniuliratum, to institute against the plaintilla pn.see.it.o.i tor perjury, it, in suppl =i.g tbe afti.lavit necessary to institute it, he has a.^s.rte.l a tlm.g to he ti..e, wh.e . .c knew't.. be fiiUe. Such is in tact, the nature of tl.e .harge br..u;;ht aganist Lamps.,,, at hu inslanc*- of the airents or servants of the t'on.pany, in respect ot h.s alh.laMt give., tor I i. purpose of causing the sei/.ure from them of tl.e furs wh.cb he cia..ned as his prop.rtN, hy the rt.Vion c.. o iuuify himself. lie expresses himself ..pon th.s s..l.|oct as follows:-" Ihe delc..'--' ;;,;;r^S; I comme on le h.i avait fait observer, furcnt necessa.rement »,/«oncy. Cependant, edits qui tHaient portees eontre eux, fureut rapportees par les Grand .lures Anrcs tout ce que I'on vientde voir, il n'en ajoute pas moins que s'il « n'avait pas sounas .. ces .etcsd'aecusa\,n a I'insUnee des serviteurs de Lampson ^F':^^^ "^^t « accuse dc nartialite. II a rempli son devoir et il n'a pas eehappe a la censure, la 1 "'^^c o^ >' "s intentions, la sagesse de la eonduite n'a pu le ^.arantir de cette aecusatn.n. 11 se crou " justifie en tirant pour conclusion qu'elle est absolument deuuee de tondement. Te ne Duis mc resondrc A m'arrtter a cette partie de la reponse de M. Stuart. II uio .uflitllvrpr'^nt^e telle qu'il h. don..e lni-men,e pour .p.e I'on^jte Ij)^ -^l^^'--^ lesfaits, que ses propres aveux enfin, sutHsc-nt d'eux-memcs pour servir d appui au.x aeuisa,. tions que le llapport du Cumite comporte contrc Im. f ■ '11 lUT OF Till. 11 1 r. 1'rk- IN SUl'l'OUT en deluded, if the report the reselu- 'I'he effect er, to eause fact, instead f defendants, erjnry, if, i" 10, whieli lie ipsiin, at the iveii for the propirty, by Dii's affidavit, laiits to insii- f Coniiuiltce lis elimts, a i Coniniitiee, m of shewinp; • iits with tlie as well of liis <, or even to dcfendiiuts in .anipson with perjury, .•^^VKUKSTATION nE LaMPSON, S„IS VUr.TKXTK ..'l^NE ACCUSATION DE PA.U UUK 1. VNS BUN Affidavit uonne' a l'apih i de sa uevenduation, etc. Independanunentde unites les autres clreonstmiees qui <'"» f'"» \'^"f "'^ ';,yi,:;;;";;;^^ .-lut dirticile pour lul de ne pas s'ejrarer en prenant ainsi des passa-e .ktaches du l.appoit ^X^,^ *"•" m' sit!;; piXnd 'iair^a justification sur Ic strict droit lo.al de defendeurs poursuWi. dans ulie a'ionli^l^^endieation, i porter eontre le ;lV--f-:, ^^ -j:;-^;;;:: ^ '3^;..: .„ .lonnant l'at]irn.ati..n (Affidnril) neec^saire T""^ ^'-JT;^'?/' ;^. '; : .!~.t b no e o parj ire eontre lui s'il s'en etait ren.lu eoupable, comn.e si e J;**' \^ "j ^ / n S ^^ Stuart nn crime d'une demarche de ses eliens ,,ru-Uma^ Uvah '^'^^^^oJ^^V^ >^ niont .les antresfaits presentes parle Comite, auxqucls celui .lont d est question s. •^'"''ir^Llie'de cette dissertation, M. Stuart qui nc voit que I'-ousathm de P;>j- -^^J;; „; A demontrer la fimssete des ftiHs qui donnent a cette 'l*-'""''^'';V>;^;^j;' ^^^ -iS nt^a x delitdontilse trouve charge A rais.m de - -'"l-»«;'""'- ^^ ^^'^Z.^ U "" 'le A piirlics engagees dau» ccs contfslations, ni memc a se jubtUier. > ou . tommt i ^ ^^ «(! tujeU 118 . , . j^ .1 . „ajj„„;i -,,,1 nrofsceded aflpi'mst liim flccofdindy, with the ..fioi«„t lo Wld Mr. I^™[>»'»'» ''"''"" JJw h,l5c™i,.l or clp.l.te for » ro- .. ™« h,,„......l I. '»"'•'?"«' I,., ,UI,ovor«l.o» 1 coulJ ex.rc»« no octroi, .,,d " Tuedv, not adopteil by me, but by oiiur pcisuu^ '• ♦"%f '^■'' ^ \':,i;i'sr3'';l'''conm trate;^^ V"';^; ,ji,i „„j ,„„,•„,, i„elf to so narrow an inquiry ; it M n.anner questioned ( o <^^JJ'^>»^ « ,,,^i^,^. cons.doration, .u to the probable innocent., not even ^^^ ''l'"" j^^ J ^^^4 n than ,o the purticnh.rand well-known cireum- :;a!:r Ke^llo "onlralii.i.^^1-' n.ight invest thi. accusation with a character, at leant. ''''"i-tMrs2:f the 'kin,'. Attorney-General, defended, at this time, in the Civil ;fS:'CT^Su^ wl^t^^'^il^^r'un; V"l>V».o advocate o^ .he Cu,,oa»c„ui„wui, ,1,0 Htidsm,-. l?av t'""M'a"y. aavoeate of the d. tendanW in (he aciioH 1„ t :w e.w.juncture .^ Mr. St ar , be ,,j. i,„,„^t„ ,/,. r.r*».Ar,//«»/: nay, *•''"•' IrVluh'e «iv U.al they .lid not take his ...Ivic.. upon this :;;. :;,^'r ^s.!o;T:t thS^ti-i::s t,A..nm^^^^ -{ns:r l;,r:;::u:lt;l'y^^^ tii; dShmt;';:brS:'u^s .^I^rsu i. ... , ven in question, St.i-irt olides over tliis subject, instead of com- ?' ""•■ ^?r-r"lu i. s' o^m^£s' tldttkalso. that it is n.y duty to refer. S;::r£:^;;i:i.'; trt!r;iS'e;;d':ce':;.;!l documents whid. .om. par. o^ a.^. Krou... U. report "'"'•lliSdarihe same time observe, tl.t no part of this ;"l';---:j;;^ ~XS ^;;it;.f rr I, : r;r^^^^ loav say so, in a personal conll.ct w.lh the Mn^ ^ ' " \. ,„ ,,,;,, „, ,„„,i, „..^ hi, s..va,U.. reck.m t.pon , W -M;;;; ^ l^,, ;t'^^ ^I;;;.s:^^ r'ck.: upon the possi- , with the davits be- hold 8uf- 11 pending • for a re- Diitrol, and •h is in no iry ; it du\ • innocence \vn ctrciim- :er, at least, the Civil ssed them- is contained ■ Comimny, •ed himself, tlv ; in iin- e conducted and con'lf that h«j •luart thinks which is not tcaii of coni- luiy to refer, id liie report nswers which nisunderhtond in tlie Civil which ercn, d tfranted, or 1 personsliav- of his duties irum. \Vlial facing, if wr iiupson, more wiiii so much lOii tlie p')ssi- s, in in>titul- I exercised an ppmireil «>ther e expcnee ol t ersaries .-' ets plae('e- n;^ period. h« iiU'U out in tht- nport 91» " Lea dufeiideurs s'etaiem apparemment cms en droit de charger Lampson de parjure dans " cet \ffidudit, et avaient en consequence precede contre lui avec I'assistance d'un homme dc " profession employe a cet effet. Ces Affidavits dresses par cet homme de profession aurment •' le sciMeparu sutllaans\w}ix ohWgcx M. Lampson a donner caution I'accusatiou est en- »< core pendante II est absolument etrange qu'on lui impute d'etre coupable ou crimmel, a '« raisond'uu Acte qui n'est pas de lui, raais d'autrcs person nes sur lesquelles il ne pouvait " exercer aucun controle, dont il ne pent etre aucunement rcsponsable, etc." Comment M. Stuart a-t-il pu concentrer son attention sur ce point qui n est nuUcment este. Le Comite ne s'est pits renferme dans ce cadre etroit, il ne s'cst pas meme arrete ii msideration isolce et exclusive de la probabilite de I'innocence de Lampson relativemeiit a Affidavit, plus que des circonstances particulicres et assez iiotoires de toute cette attaire pouvaient douner au moins un caractcre de Icgeretu sinon dc maliguitc a <;ette accii- conteste. Le Comito ne s'est pu. - la consideration isolce et exclusive de la probabilite de I'innocence de Lampson relativemeiit a «oli qui pouvi sation. . . , , , Mais M. Stuart, Procureur du lloi, defendait a cette epoque des hommes poursiiivih par lampson pour s'ttre empares d'effets que celui-ci rcclamait a titre de proprietaire en vertu des Htipulatioiis de sou Bail. M. Stuart etait en memo temps ouvertemciit I'Avocat de la Conipu- le dont les dufeiideurs etaient les employes. On a v« dans quelle situation il s'etait place giiie v 1 ment aux poursuites crini rinterit des accuses qui se 'is-ii-vis de la Couroiine ct de son Loeataire en portant raction eii reintegrande, en preiumt a defense de Cowie et autres dans les actions de poses. On a deju observe que, lans parlor de ses devoirs, conime premier Offieier de la Couronne, c'etait violer les r.'-trl'es les plus communes desonvenances. (}iie penser, en le vovant, au moyen de cette ac- eiisnlion de parjure s'engager pour ainsi dire dans une lutte corps a eorjis avec le Loeataire du Hoi ■• Comuieiit Lami)son plus cuilt of the accused, lul ""» ^^<^' " , , , ^^ to this aecusat.on, as he K,il, even a presumptu.n «> ;""^;; ^ ;^,J :, .f on s.. mant- other occasions. In a subse- ,,„l a.,ue ^v.rh regard t. t e ^ »"• ^. ^^^. (.,,,-a .lurymen, who found a true „„..„t term, he jm^sen te.l .' ^^ !' "J'j;; '^ ' , n,,,,, to subn.it to a trial. They were fina ly liiil^itielh i:rirlvi;n:rS\ii:nw;\.ears^,f suchsufteriug astheseUmd of struggle. l,rli.g with tlu-ui.' ,,, „„j ,,,. ;^r„orant of the sensaUon This attnr n.ade a ^^-^^'^;J^i ^\^^^^, ,^„,, ,,,, „f a nature f. suggest to Mr. which it had prodiuvd. ^^ l>at p.isM.i ai relapse, uiuler circumstances .Vruart useful reflecions, «"< J'' T" 'l''" *'" '''^,.^X' m s -^^^ "='ture to destroy „.hich would necessarily be followed by more b J'' ; r.' ^^-^j.^;,,,, „„,t,rs. It may ,nore couM-leteU .he confi.lence.n the '"'^-^-^'V,,;, ,"."!.«.. foresee the conse- he a.ke.1 Lw. after this exper.ence, he c o dd » ' ^ ^ ! ^^J ,,i^,,if, .ith regard to the .^ncnccs of the in.-ousisteut s.tuatn.n tn ^ '> f J' J ' ''y , 1 ., l.ampson, and to his ser- ?>own-to th. Hudson's l'^^' ^ "7"''y.\" " ., '^i ^ k^^^^^^ va„,s. How could he have done "''";" '^^J""^,,^ , , . k, that the\/mr7. of perjury f , .eems to me useless to combat Mr. ^^' ' " ^ . 2,^^^ „„, „„„t ,„ore importance, a^dn. Lau.pson ,. f^'' '!'''>>!' J _;^ V^'^^;^ and which are -i;Su^w;e:'":^!sT^^^^^^ •MVit ll..'.K-fi>i»"' "■<''■'"'' ""■^'•■'"■'"'r;,, .'•;;, 'l,. in,!.,.-.- Iiim 1.. opo.s l.i« ""T"" t:it1::^,t;:'::.::S;:t.:l:^:.'^:^ v^'-t'-'- "- "■"""' ' there answers. O, M.. STM»T'S AnsWB„« T.. T„. Rr»0,.VT,OV, ...■ T,.F. CoM.HTT.r. liuself with gliding over M.me of t''^""' "^^ ; , ain for the purpose of answering them ,. .,, „• ,,, ,..i,M,s to dwell on -;:';;'^; '; \; JV' enutnlralions contained in these .i,l, nsserthms and '';■'-; ^^'r .dp "Hur^Wdch this discussion should have turned, i::!":!!;:;: .i' 1::.:;;;^;^ ;^^ Iigl.t V m .L whole course of hi. answer, to the accu.. tjoiis of tlie .Assembly. He, . Vid. Mr. Gu,^-. U.r<«iu«u Wfor. lh« Committee of the eonsc- •gard to the (i to his ser- • "/ Vrrpiry iniportanee, i rrv"nrlrrZrfa«<« ; elle n'a suremcnt pas beaucoup plus d'lmportance rektivement a jTeTci^irqueC declamations qui rcviennent si souvent sur les rangs et que I'on re roirve S":.tTcl1t. quisuivantlui " aurajt par ce precede, par une d,.^^^^^^^ » ment arrets le cours de kjustice, substitue sa decision a celle des Grands et Fetits Jures . II ne lui en faut pas davantage cependant pour « exprimer le sentiment de sa surprise de « ce qu'il se trouve mpliquu dans cette charge," et pour terminer en disantrelaivement aux passages " qu'il a extraifs du Troisieme Rapport du Cgm.te qu'il les a refutes en tout. rSt pernis de croire qu'il devru se trouver assez pen de personnes capables de par a- ier son etonnement, plus que sa confiance dans les moyens qu'il a employes pour se lavar dea fSpations c,u'ellJs l-oniportent. II est u-peu-pres impossible qu'apres refl«xiou li n aU pa» lui-meme seuti ce qui se trouve de vague dans ses repouses. rKF. t lie ronleiits slightest alti'ii- iiswering them taiiu'd in these Id have turned, i to the accusa- Ile, Des reponses de M. Stuabt aux Resolutions du Comtte'. Fnfin M Stuart en vient aux R<;>solutions du Comite. Mais il se contente de glisser snr nuelcfulunc; JSs comme si elles ne meritaient pas la plus legcre attention. S'll daigne StTr a quelnues autre*, c'est pour leur opposer encore des a..8ertions et des denegutions ega. emciiVvaXs. comme si les enunciations lie ces resolutions renferment, n'etablissaient pa» e SaMe, p.rs sur lesquels cette diseLion aurait du rouler, et qu'.l a si consUmment perdus de vucdans tout le cours de ses reponses aux accusaUous de I Aswiablee. II 1831. i2g He, however, Jmiu the truth of the two first, 'iirch, in fact, is unquestionable,— that the Attorney-ClentTul, in his private practice, ought ;.ot to act in a manner to find him- self in opposition to the interests of tlie Crown and of tlie public, and doi-s not add a word upon this subject. It has been seen whetlier these very answers do not funush jjroof ot his having entirely forgotten them,— that ihey were, as regarded him, but, thooreticul truths, which, in practice, he has openly and constantly violated. . , , , , , . If he dwells upon that part of the third resi.'l-n- n, which declares that the Attorney- (leneral, "by reason of his salary and fees, has r. ■ nctd of practising as an Attorney in " the Courts on behalf of individuals,"* it is for the purpose of remarking, first, that the sidary and fees oi the Attornev-General are, in fiicl, the same as they have been for thirty ve-irs p'usf that the profits of ids predecessors even exceeded those that he has received ; that there is no inconMrntibiiitv between his functions as Atto.-iey-General and those of his profession on behalf of individuals ; lastly, " that the labour performe(l by him otficially '• would be compensated bv a larger amount of income if performed for private individuals." We have seen what' Mr. Stuart himself stated to be the amount of the income at- tached to his place. There is not a (lovernor of any of the North American^ colonies (with tiie exception of Lower Canada) who receives so considerable an income. This cir- cnmst^mce would not, at leiist, have told in favour of those who went so far as to dis- tribute, of their own authoritv, ami at their discretion, and without the inte'vention of tlK> Legislature, so large a proitortion of our public revenue, as that which has been the sub- ject of a contest, and so sharply and so greatly prolonged between them and U.t. Commoita of Lower Canada, who asserted their rigi.t, against the Members of the Loi.ii Yiiministra- titm, to re.rulate the expenditure of tin- public funds, levied upon the people m Hie province, whom they represented in the I'rovineUi! I'afHament. They did not, with relerem ,- to this >iubiect, give proof of strict attention. However, it mav have been rem;!,!i d, .ui readi- ui mv observau ms upon Mr. Stuarts memoir, that tiie Executive Council, struck at la^t wi-t, .;,. .xeessivt expenditure attending eriainal prosecutions in the Courts of Kinu^'s Bench, hao mhpts-l re-s.-iutions rpon this sub- iect, vhich the Ivxecutive (lovernment had communic.ued in Ih. Stuart, He must have "regarded u>em as orders ; they were, in faeu rules of cm.b^tl u»,iij;atory uj.on him. We have se.-ii ■ ..-it he constantlv transgressed them during vears I'! ■. • distn*'^ ot Montreal, and under |.artinrlar circumsUinces, whic!' rendered inor. bindii.^; upon him the obligation of conforming te die principles of proper eeonomy thireii! |Mxed.t As to Mr. smart'., lussertiou. that he wi.uld ha\e nuule more consideral)le profits ot Ins labour if he had i>een emploved bv imiividuals, it might be asked which member <>f ll'* Har in the Province. not-v-Jlistaiuling the circumstance of the union of the functions of adro- cate and attornev in the siine persons, it is, wh .>e income arising from his profession ap- proaches the sum of between Sour and five thoiiHana pounds, the sum to which Mr. Stuart, in his Memoir agjiinst Lord Av'eier, calculated bis ,.> amount? 1 have a ready remarked that the income arising out of the greatest territorial fortunes of individuals in the country did not api)roacli this: that the ari'.unt of compensation attached to his labour placed him, .•w far as regiirds the ,/ua>,lui„, almost v.:mn the sam.- footing as the greater number of the Secretaries of Suite in Kngland, whi.. most assuredly the salaries attached to their place* are far below the amount of the incomes attached to the fortunes in landed property ot any considerable value ,,.,.■ i. /• i • jr t ' It remains also to know what Mr. Stuart means by lh> fstahhsheil r,r,hts of his qfftcr .' Houbtless it is not any more the right of augmenting his profits by pleading for individuals in an interest opposed to t'iat of the Crown, or of its honour, than that ot instituting in the Courts of Kinu's Heriiii, prosecutions for petit larceny or minor offences.— for the theft of pincers, of the value of two shillings, or of a hammer, of the fourth part ot that value, or for simple assaults,— when they would bring with them for his fees alone, an '■•M'*;"'*^-' |«id out of the i.nblic revenue, of from seven to eight times more than they would have cost at the Quarter Sessions. , << , • i .• What ar." we to siiy also to this repetition of the assertion, that this resolution '• seems to have bciii grounded, exclusively, on tic statements and opinions of the counsel "and attornev of Mr. I.jimpHon, which could not have deriveil any particular reeommenda- •« tions from their disintereste.lness or accuracy." What a reproach on the part of Mr. Stuari to .Mr. I^mpson's advocates ! ^"'■'^ • But vide the Iti-kolutiou ilte'if- f Vide llic Obgorvations on Mr. Stuart's Memoir. .3 estionable, — tu find him- it luld a word . pruuf of his ctical truths, he Attoriiey- Attorney in \t%t, that the en for thirty .'CLived ; that those of liis lim officially ndividuals." t> income at- icau colonies c. This cir- lir as to dis- ention of thi' X'pn the sub- trc Coninio;!!' i Administra- the province, erent to this Mr. Stuart's ure attending pon tiiis suh- ile must have in him. We Vlontrt'al, and obligation of profits of his ember of tlie ■tions of advo- {)rof<'ssion ap- b Mr. Stuart, idy remarked in the country ir placed him, umber of the II their place* d property of (tf his officr. ? for individuals instituting in — for the theft of that value, ', an expense, sy would have this resolution of the counsel • rccommenda- ; of Mr. Stuart After »rt'g Memoir. i 1^ cure«!?nT^r!i'^"*'*'''^".''*'''w" ^P'TJ'^'''"' *!"• en cffet est incontestable, que le Pro- Tx i" t'Sri e la ^'!f '" '"■'*':'"/ nr "' ^f' P"' '''^'"" ^*^ ""''"^■''' " «« t^""^^^ en opposition aux interets de la Couronne et du public, ot n'ajoute pas un mot d'observation sur ce suiet On a vu s. ces r^ponses memes ne fournissent pas la preuve qu'il les a meconnues! qu'efles n'ont S pourlu. que des ventosdepurestheorie,qu'il aouvertement ctconstammentvioldes dans kpratique. fnrn'®'" ^'.""u'" •" ''"i P'""*'.'' '^^ ''itroisieme qui declare que le Procureur-General n'est Das W i^r •' 't"V "' l'o"oralres du Procureur-General sunt les memes actuellem^ent qS i cr W ''"Vt' '^' ''T' '"'' "^t P™'^'^ ^' ''' predecesseurs etaient mCme au-dem. ?.;n/; t^ ' 1 ' •J"''"y^P«i"ton en favour des partjculiers. Enfin « que les travaux exiles '• 'i.^^'PZ:;:::^:'^^''''''''' '■- ^- — ^ -"-'^ nu^considerables s'if s n V a lyi^^ P " '^'""' ' 7""^ ^^^ /?',""'.* P°'*^'' lui-mtme les revenus attaches a sa place. 11 n V a p,is de Go-v.^rmMu d'une des Cobnies du continent de PAmerinue du Nord aui en re solvent d'iuisbi cons . ev.J> es, excente celul du IW- r-m-?! ^"'"-"'1".^ ^^ f ""^^ <1V • mr;,jsnasd,'.nnsrif.n f..v,.,„ I '-""Ipfv"' "^ iJa'.-Canada. Ccttccirconstance n'aurait au U-uXl ttTns r ntrrn^'''\'\ r-'-',P'"*'""""' a distribuer de leur propre autoritu et publkSue ccUe a u r P k" f% ^^'^'^'''""^ »"« «"«^i g'-a"de proportion de notre revenu ent e ux et e C~L f^'i T '-""testation et si vivement et si long-temp., prolongco So, wl r ^"^') ""^^<'" Bas-(anada,qu. soutenaient contre les Membresde PAdmiuis- r^: 1 r- . I" ";"'';^V"^'" ladepense desDcniers Publics prelevcs sur le peuple qJel les la preuve a une surveillance bien oxacto. ""j" ou^ u't I'S'Tf '"- "" P"f """"I""'-' '^'l li«''"t jnes observations sur le Mcmoire de M. Stuart, S .elles 1 c^ (^-u d^^'lT^' "f^t ^''''' t ''^'P"'^'' qu'entrainalent le« poursuites «U 3o nent Fv'lV^ ■ '''• ^^"'' "^V "dopte a ce sujet des Resolutions que le Gou- yeu.x. C etait en effet des regies de comiuite obligatoires pour lul. On a vu nu'il les avait constamiuent transgressces pendant des annees .lans^le Distrkt de Montreal c tins des d rSrXKin™ '•"' -''"'^'-'\''!:TS I'l- 1— >tes pour lui Pobligation de Te confo - uitr aux vues d une sago economie qu'elle lui prescrivait. ( I ) Quant a Pa.ssertionde M. Stuart <,u'il aurait retire des profits plus considerables des tra- iMmfrait d^m-ind"?""?"^ 7'^":' f "'* '""r'^^' ^"" "--"^■- - ^--^ '''^ panicul er , Tn pouirait deraander quel est dans la Province le Membre du Barreau, dont malgre la reunion d.^s fonc ions d' Avocat et de Procureur dans les memes personnes, le gains .le frofessio^Tp. prochent a la somnie d'entre quatre et cinq mille louis, ,1 laqudle M. Stuart'^Sau;, o "mL moire contre Lord Aylmer, porie eeux qu'.i retirait? J'ai d^ a fait remarquer que le ev-enu tTjlZT """!•' '*^"''"V^''^- :'« particuliers dans le plivs n'en app^chalt pas, qie le montant .les compensations attachees a ses travaux le mettait .p.ant a la quotite 1 Ic mene Teur r.. s.!! IT- " f''''^T '''^'*'^' -" Angleterre, ou assurement les'salaires attaches A [•onsiKibir ■" ''"-'^■''""'' '•" '"""''■"'' ^'^^ '•'^^■'-"""« ^'ttaches aux pr.iprletes foncieres un peu llesterait aussi a savoir ce que M. Stuart entend par les droits itahlis de son Office. Ce contraire a celui .lo la Couronne ou a son honueur, plus que celui de porter dans les Cours ,lu Hanc du Uoi, ,les poursuites pour ,ie petits larcins ou de minces dclits pour le vol ,Ie pincettes de deux schelings,ou pour un marteau du quart de cette valeur, ..u pour de simple assauts, quand diesentrainaiont p.iur s.-s honoraires seulem..nt une .lepense payee a nien.e le revenu {.ubi.c de sept a hu.t tois plus forte qu'elles n'auraient coi'ite dans la Session de Quartier. Que dire aussi de cette n'petilion de Passertion que ces " lU'.solutions sont uniquemeut appuyesssurdesrenseiguemcus.lonnees par le Procureur et PA vocat de M. Lampson, les- quels, dit-i', nese seraientpas rendus recommandables par leur exactitude et par leur desinte- " resseinent f" irsi (1.) Les observations sur le Memoire de M. Stuart. .1 V i »4 After the samplfs wo have seen of the opmions ami spntimenU which he put forth in Ins memoir, aud in tl.is letter to the Secretary of Sute, I leave it to be seen whether they- would Kain l.y a comparison wluch might be made of them w.lh those ot Mr. l^'np«on» a^lvocau;*, which he attacks upon this lubject in coucluduig this glossary upon the third ''''"' To i.'o fourth and to the fifth rrsolutions, Mr. Stuart contents himself with opposing the assertion, that " he luu already shown, most conclusive y, that the Co.nmmeo ot C.riev- - aiiccs was led into error that he nover placed Inmselt in opposition to the interests ot " the Crown that the whole report of the Committee, aud tho resolutions appended to «> it have been constructed on this tallacy suggested by Mr. Lampson. Ihen he borrows a couple of Latin words, and adds, in scholastic language, that the consequence drawn by the C^ommittee did not flow from the premises; and this is apparently suthcient in his eyes for the purpose of producing conviction ; that is to say, that he considers hiinselt arrived at a triumnhaiit onod crat dnnomtraiuhnn before having commenced his thesis. io tlie sixth, he again opposes his bare assertion, that the acU ot injustice and ot par- tiality witli which he is charged, " consisted in acts of official duty, by which tlic laws ui a '• strictly legal course, were enforced against persons charged with crimes, &c. How can Mr Stuart consider that he Ikls justified himself, with respect to the charge of partiality, dther with reference to the prosecutions which he was charged with instituting at Uie 5n«bmce of the (^ompany or of their servants, and of Lampson or his servants, rospec- tivelv. or with regard to his conduct in the arguments in which he shared, and the various proceedings which he took in the Courte or with the Executive Government, uih)u thu subject ? . . ,, • 1 He also assures us that the rights and interests of the Crown were in no way concerned in tho civil causes with which he was intrusted on behalf of individuals. It is, however, atter a voir of reflection, that Mr. Stuart speaks with this assurance of his conduct in bringing the 'action en nh,t,vrm„/r, .)f which we have spoken, agt.inst Lampson ; m uiidemking the de- fence of those against whom Lampson brought the mti,m ,n rnrn,hr,Uio» • lastly, in the steps taken by him with reference to the qui tarn action brought by i.mton. I should refer, upon this sp.b'iect, to the sketch which I have given in these observalioi.s. I astlv he concludes by observing, that the seventh resolution, rcquestmg <« to dis- " miss him from the otSee of Attorney-C.eneral, predicated on the preceding resolution, " and on the smtement contained in the report (.f the Comnnttec ot Grievances, both ot " which have been sh..wn to be wholly groundless, ainounls to a prayer ol punishment '• wliere there has been no ofl"ence." „ , , . , , i Incredible as the thintr would appear, to this is confined Ins remarks upon tlio resolu- tions declaratory of the ..ff'enccs of which he is accused. I'resh .ibsorvations on my part unoii this subject would only uselessly prolong the .liscussion. I'seless protestations ot inno- cence, vague assertions, denials of a similar charac'er, can have no power to destroy facUs esuddished and proved, ai.-d founded on public notoriety, the evidence of whicli tacts is strengthened by his own avowah. As TO Mn. Stiaut's rnEsii Answers to some Pahts of tiif. Sfcond Report OK THE CoMMiriEE OV GllIEVANtES, UIS( LSSEU IN Ills M1..MOIU. ATr. Stuart leaves the first and third reports of the rommittee, which he thinks, he savs. he has answered in a victorious manner, to return to the port it, it is difficult to explain how Mr. Stuart could have considered himselt justifiert in imputing au ollcuce of so grave a character to thin wiines». ^ tS5 put forth in lietber they l^inpHon'ii II the third th opposing of Clriev- intere8ts of ippcndud to u borrows a ruwn hy the [lis eyes for arrived at u and of par- 10 luwH in a '. How can )f partiality, uiiifj at tlic Ills, rcspec- 1 tiie \arious t, iipou this ly concerned ever, after a bringing tiic kiufi; the de- in lite aiteps I refer, upon )g " to dis- r resolution, ices, hotli of puniblunciit n tlio resrdii- I on my part tiuns of inno- (iestriiy facUf liicli facts is «■ ressoment ?" Quel reproche de la part de M. Stuart aux A vocats do M, Lampson ! Apr^n let 6chantillons que I'on a vns dos opinions et dcs scntimens qii'il a mis au jour dans son M^fmoire et dnns cetto lettre au Secretaire d'Etat. Jelaisse a penser s'ils gagneraient a la comparaison que Ton en pourrait faire avec ceux des Avocats de M. Lampson qu'il attaque sous ce rapport en tcrininant cette gloae sur la troisieme Resolution ? A laquatricmeet a la cin(iui6me Resolutions, M. Stuart se contente d'opposer I'assertion ** qu'il a fait voir que Ic Coniito des Griefs a 6t4 entraino dans I'crreur qu'il ne s'ost jamais Jamais " mis en opposition aux interets do la Couronne, qu'il est trop evident que tout le Rapport du " Comite et les Resolutions sont appuyes sur Ics sophismes dc M. Lampson." Puis il cm- prunte unc couple de mots latins, et ajoute dans le langage de I'ecole que la consequence que le Comite a tiree ne decoulait pas des prtrnisse«, et cela suffit appiiremment li ses yeux pour devoir produirc la conviction. C'est-a-dire, qu'il se croit rendu a un triomphaiit (juod crat dcmomtran- dmn avant d'avoir entam6 sa thdse. A la sixlemr, il oppose encore son assertion nue que les actes d'injustice et de partialite qui lui sont reprochis '• eonsistaient en actes dc devoir officicl par lesquels les lois out etc mises en '« force d'unc manicre strictement legale contre dcs personnes accusees de crime." Com- ment M. Stuart peut-il se croire lave de I'accusation de partialite relativement aux ac- cusations qu'il etait charge de porter reciproquement a I'instance de la Compagnie ou de sea serviteurs ct li rinstance de Lampson ou de ses em|)loye3, aussi bien que par rapport a sa con- duite dans les discussions auxquellesila pris part a toutes ses demarches qu'il u adopt.ii . .tlm.'inn I'ara- " iii.t, Jos. C/Kir/xmnmii, Ctilhrriitr (iuijtion, and JuHfph Jielh,t sign these accounts. 'Hie rereijits j)roduce.i by Mr. Stuart h'l- at the bottom of two accounts, which make together only si.r puiinJii three i/iiUiiiys and sijpfnee,— :i simi very far short of thirty pniind.i. Tiie names of the persons whom Delegalle points out, in the second portion of this extract from his depoMtion, as being of the number of those, with reference to whom he had executed warrants, ar(! I'ltrtidin, C/idrUmneaH, Jkllerose ; we have seen by Delegailc'-i de- position, that they were not the only person**. In the settled accounts, produced by Mr. Stuart, not one of these latter names are found. In the first, for tme pound tiro shtllimis and sijpiiur, are the names of liurkner, St. Mirhfl and Courmiytr, who are named in the first p;irt of the extract from the ileposi- tion. In the second, are those of AUiird, Clii/miod, .Wee/, Aiinsant ami Ctuitarti, all lorm- ing part of the number of those whom Mr. Stuart prosecuted in consequence of the Sorel eh?ction. Coukl Mr. .Stuart per-i.ide himself that the ])roduetion of these receipts could jirove the falsity of Di-ltgaile's depletion ? He must have seen that tlnre was mcreh a want oj exactness in the first part, and that it was the second part to which the "iine - alluded when he said that he had not been paid tlioNC thirty puirnds, the aicounts as to which arc in (juestion in the arrest of the persons whose names are not found in the settle ac- counts marked Nos. 'IC} and "27, inserted at length in the appi-tulix ■. '^Ir. Stii-rt's letter » Doubtless, it is not surprising that the Conimittee did not recj . o more precise ex phi- naliims, or that the witness failed to give any precise exiilanations himself, upon a subject which was not at all in (piestion ; Ixstly, as to a circumstance which was brought but inci- dentally under the notice of tlii t'ommittee. .Mr. .Stuart a.sserts, upon tJii» subject, " that the charges to which !;e (Delegalle) reiprs, •* according to the rules which goierii such matters in Lower Canada, were payable i»y the " private proweutors at whose instance his services were performed." It must ap|)ear astonishing, doubtles.s, that Mr. Stuart can quote, as reeeived, a rule which, in fact, ha.s no existeuce in Lower Caimda, there being, as we have cleuti 'lown ir • Vid« hi* depoaitioD iu the Second Repn: of the Committee of (ir««»aiice». Jut of March, If Jl. 127 .h tht A\(- t Ktiidavit i UlBliaCCii :e to siifu l.t. ^ t prott'iiils liiin, the il) aik iic- Ifnhm St. ;, bocauHc Jr. S'rhon loulil huv*' hrr claims ///» I'lirn- d arastod I ainuuiited ould never tuart refor* tor, acct)r V a want of iK">s alliidt'd as to which • scttU'i ac- U'tter recise t.\|ila- (in a subject ;ht but iiici- Brallf) n iprt, pblc by the ■ivpil, a r«!»r ri hown ii- DcIeji^Ue avait ontre autre* chosps di^pomd que M. Stuart, mccontpnt des difficulties qu'il iui Bvait oj)poHtes d'abord risifjner uii Affidavit qu'il exigeait, I'avait me ii.ict- qu'il se souviendrait de Iui ; «]ue ces menaces avaieiit eu leiir execution, M. Stuart ayant, eiitre autres refuse df- puis de signer sen coinptes pour I'urrestation de plusieurs personnes coutru lesquellea il y avait des charges de portees. En donnant »a deposition relativement a I'objet siir lequel M. Stuart pr( I fournir la preuve de la faussete dont il raeeuse, le ti'iiioin declare qu'ii Montreal, " allu iii porter le " coinpte de ee qui hii etait di'i commc Huissier, pour avoir arrete Ifiis du ^ounioyer, la " Veuve .S'<. Mic/ul et Ihichmr, le I'rociireur-Cienoral Iui dit qu'il nc le [laierait pas, parce *' qu'il lie I'avait pas supporte a son Klection de Sorel, ot d'nller se fairc payer par M. Nelson : ♦' ceia se passa dans la Mavion Iloiinf, ou il Iui repitii encore qu'il sc ressouviendrait de Iui, " et ensuite il le mil li la portc. II avait plusieurs autrarle d'un couipte pour I'arres- tatioii de Coiirnuytr, de la Veuve St. Michel et rle Buehner, En second lieu, il est positive- ment question d'aiitres comptes (ju'il avait contre le Gouveriiement pour avoir entre autres con- duit de Sorel, Parattis, Vharhunneau, (iaijiion et lielleruse. "^os comptes, dit-il, se /nem- taietU a trente louts qu'il a entii roiiieiit perdus, parce que M. lu I'rocureur-General n'a pas voulu signer les <'omptes. LcsnCjUsproduitspar M. Stuart sc trouvent au bas de deux comj. , ([ui nc forment en- semble que six livreslnns srheliiufs et deiiii: ce qui est loin de former la somine de trente loui$. Les noms de personnes que Delegalle indiijie dans la seconde partie de cet extrait de sa deposition eoinne etant du noinbre de ( lies, rilativeinent aux([uellcs il avait execute des or- dres d'arrestation, Houl i'anidt.s, Churkmneau, liellerose \ on voit par la deposition de Delegalle, qu'ils n'etaii'iit pas les seuls. Da.i les comptes acqu.i ('s produits par M. Stuart, il ne se trouve pas un seul de ces derniei's noms. Dans le prenmir, d'une livre dtnix schelings et demise trouvent les noms de Buckner, de St. Michel et de Ci ." Aoyer, qui so .t noinmes dans la j .emiere partie de I'extrait de la deposition Dans le , . )nd, se "roi.vent ceux A'Allard, de Claprood, de Neven, dAussantet ili 'am, tons faisant parr 't ceux que M. Stuart a poursuivis en conse- quence de I'Electioii de Sorel. M. Stuart i-t-il pu se persiia ;uo la production de ces re<,us pouvait constatcr la faus- sete dela ilcpoMtionde Delegalle 11 aura 'u voi qu'il n'y avait qu'un dcfaut d'exactitude duns la premiere partie, et que cViaita las^ " pai ie que le tcmoiii faisait allusion en disant qu'il n'avait pasetf pave deees frenlc louis i cs i ompii . se rapportent a I'arrestation des personnes dont les noms ne se trouvent pas dans le.s iptes acquittes, marques Nos. 26 et 27, insefc i au long dans rAppendice dt- !a lettre de M. Stu.u t. 11 n'est pas surprenant >ans douio que le ( omite n'ait pas exige des explications plus pr6»- cises, ou que le inoin ait Uianque d'en donner lui-meme d'exactcs sur un objet qui n'ltait uullenieiit en question, enfin sur une circonstanee (iui n'etait mis.- qu'incidemment devant le Comite. M. Stuart avancc a ce sujot que les " Items auxquels Delegaiii' fait allusion dans sou '* temoig ittge -(ont suivant les regies re(,-uesen Canada sur ces ma'i(r<'S payables par les ao- " cusateurs pr da ( private /imsecutors J a I'instance desquels rouvrj^-i a ete fait." 11 devra parui're eton: 4uit sans doutc que M. Stuart j>uissf invoquer : omme <«,-ue une regie, qui de fuic u' pas d'existcuce ca Canada, n'y ayant punt d'aci usaieurs prives, commeon I'a fait voir J, ibJl. (1. Veil 8a dr|totition daus le Second lUpport du Comitides Ciriets, ler Mars \nM. 196 • porUon of theie oUervutions, no private proiioutnri there. It i», then, the Attorney- Grneral t«. whoiu the .luties at.uih ; ami it was Mr. S. .rf. .L.ty U. certify the uccoui.ts furuisheU hiiu by UeleKulie, if he hatl .lone the l.u»i.ieM there .et dowu; auU which ». a. we huM- seen, Hfierwurd.t iiuiil for out of the pulilie Jiiuus. . , , It i. rlKht to remark here, that, ha.l there been a private t>ro,ecutor, w.Ui reference «o U.0 per...ns charged with perjury at S.rel, it wouUl have been Mr. Stuart himself. W hen .peakil.^' of them, and of tl'e proMceutions wh.cii he lu.Utute.l ■;«'""«' them, he exprem-. tirnself, in vario.m places of his memoir, u. havuuj proaecuUd. He holcU the name language invuriubly. Mr. Stuart should have piu.l out of hu own pocket the .urns there mentioned, as well a; all other expense* of this kind, relating to the borel election. It m for him to say whether thev w.re not pai Mr. Stuart has observed, with respect to these nffid.xus.M. extraordinary a sii.Mee after the manner in which he expresse.l himself as to the otlu^rde- positions which swell hi> memoir, it ...ay be said, at east, that this si euce !;• tl- ^'J^,^ ." nrudenco. In point of fact, Mr. Stuart must have telt the joke ot introducing the 1 oetor .f Physic into he seem— of apiualing to him as t<. the character and veracity ot a witi, .s. 1 tt Ik I should content myself by referring, upon this subject, to those of my ol>serva. Uon ui Mr. Stu.irf. memoir which refer to the Doctor's affidavits, for the purpose <,f seen^ whether hi, affidavits are of a niture to show that he himself is worthy of much coiih- dence. The Doctor .Iwells upon Delegalle's poverty. If the probity of a man is to be ^^sJrcd by the amount of his f..rtu,ie, the Doctor, who wiis toun.l not U, have la uleiirniorv of Sor.d. that /<. uouhl nport him tn th. Covtrnnr. INIr. Stuart .puil.h.s that by ealliuir it another /ru-iVi/ matter: and adds, that it has been ma;,mft,d into un,>ort>„we, aud misr^res.nted as a subject ..f complaint. This attack is like many oth..rs. It would seem Sat tlas assertion of misrepres.uUtiou should be enough for h.m, without taking the rouble ' tu point out upon what it is founded. It is only neceswiry to cast a glai.c« over the jiu- • Vid« Nos. -ill KOd 24 of ths Appsadix to Mr. Stuart'i LelUr. m . 1 • I i.n. nn.. nii»rp imrtin (Ib Cf« obMefvaUons. <"e«t done aii Pro«Mirpiir-r;^ii^r«l Z^ '«" M. Stuart do corUHcr le. co.npt.. ,u. Del.^.lU- lui JriS" H-il -vJt fait Ic^ouvraKc, .,ui n'y trouvuic.t umnjucn. .t o Jor .yjenjic rhargfs. lie niakes, will.oui kn.)ving it, an epigram against h.mscit, " in apologising tor the - length of the statements, and the minuteness of the .letaiU into wh.eh he has been eoni- '■ i.elled to enter, as not chargeable (Ui him, but being a consequence of the form in whicl. " the accusations a>'ainst liim have been made." lie then returns again to the consuU'rations upon which he so hd.oriouslv dwelt in his memoir and in this letter to tlie S.-cretarv of otale, as to the "mode of proceeding against public colonial odirers the injustice ot such a "proceeding waiving all objeetions as to form, it has been Ids an.Mous desire, la tl.is " particular instance, to meet the charges of the Assembly, or of individuals, in wliatever " form, and througli whatever channels thev might be conveyed." . ,, , If one could take .hese passages of 'Mr. Stuart's letter f.. the Secretary of State, ,d.>tractedlv, ..r were thev tVumd in my obscrvati.nis, could they be regarded in any other i;.ht than a joke, as regards the importance with wldch Mr. St,;art invests his formal objec tlons, which .0 free or upecijiv '\\\\r tor tho been coni- I) in \\ liii'li ;^i(l(•^ations •y of iStato, of siicli :i iro, ill tliis 1 whatever of Statr, , any othor rinal olijcf- as 1 liavi' ly the rnlfs ention and I vauses of s Majesty's CVIMI C'liuld wliic'li have vhioli miirht )f a pnhljc his actions )rfservat:oii thpy hold ; lovornin*>nt, ijaiii do, by for him to idi nui nrenait ouvertcnicnt son pnrti, qulsc compromettait par ses communications a cc sujet ct aes menaces a M. Kelly, ot il sera nis;' de voir si ccs menaces faites et rononvellues alors par "M Stuart ;i 1' A gent de la Seigninnie poiivaient paraltre an Connte indi;,nies de son attention. Ktiiit-ce hiune vircomtonce trivinl,: ? Aurait-.Uc i>u I'l^tre en elle-numc ? Ce n'ctait sdrc- jnent pas qnand piles so rattachaient essentiellement a dcs considerations d'uiie aussi grando impor^ancu ^ que M. Stuart, en debutant dans Ic dernier paragraphc do cetto Icttrc an Secre- taire d'Ktat, aupelle unc " justification de sa conduite dans tons les details." llaiierdu de vuc les llesolntionsduCoinlie eiuuuiativcs des delits portes a sa charge, et il parle commo si les Rapports de CO Coiniu avaieiit etc mis '•■en friobe a !a place des char":cs sptciales." II fait sans s'en douter uiie cpigrainme centre lui-nu'me, en jiarlaiit de la _" jtrebite de raecusatiou '• ponrexcuser la longueur ile son expiise et des details dans lesciueis i! a ttu ioree d'eiitrer." _ 11 en revient encore aux eonsideiations sur lesipielles il s'est si laborieuseiiient appesanti dans son Memoireet dans cettelettrc an .Secviltairc d'Elatsi.r le "mode de precedercoiitio '• les Ollicicrs dans les Colonies, sur ses dangers, laissant de cote toutes les objections do " forme, son desir a et.'' de repondre en detail et d'uiie maniere satisfaisant.> aux charges d« " I'Assembleo on d'individus soul; (pieitpie forme, par «R7,^W'/;^^^ purl.euiier, in^rit urlieit luvoquee en faveur d'un f.u.ctioiniaire pubhe. Les e-ouverne- nen n^'m" somlerlu eouseience de rhomme public ; ce sout ses actioijs qn us doivent n^ daSs -i le des pcuples, dans eelui de I'cudre a la .;onservat.on duquel lis soiit pepo.e*, ^mI. J^ii^orite aL L tie.iiient le sceptre, dans celu. de la justice qui en est la base. A m.el ti.re d.-.s-l«rs M. Stuart peut-il compter sur la protection d'un Gouverncmentdont il „ fmd 1 x p ods les priceipcs par sa eondui.e, c.mme il les renverse. ait encore par es doc les r Liielles il I pra 'ndu la jusllher, s'il lui elait possible de les laire tnou>phcr. 1 to discuss iiaps, somc- And 1 have >r to the Se- tturcs to tho seiission u|i- on many of not thougiit so abstained (Vom Couur.si'oNnANCE F.NTiir. M. SruMiT Vl-Ml-.NT A I.'aCTIOK DK UOUNACi; rr i.'AvocAT-Gi-.Ni-nAT. ISI. Vanfelsun, iiEi.ATt- l-aidusuivrcM. Stuar!. Je ne crois pas avoir omis do discuter aucune dtvs parties do ' V V. „1 1.. tfiits an fddeau que i'ai esquisse des taits, a la consideration desqucU ^'':;:; "i" ; i^ a " ;< ..ra paii initHe .U ^nrcharger cette repli.iue dobserv.ti.ms sur : lu e u I • ux . c trouveu. presentes dans le Rapport du Comite, sur lesquels M. Stuart 'n ,• u e Apropos de faire I remar.p.e, .ni nuxcpiels il n'a rien oppose Je me suis ab- ",: ; u s i J, rlrlc de plusieurs docunicns sans importance, ou rclatils a des points qm e- 132 frnm «l>«.klntf of various document, either destitute of Importance, "'/^''^th.g ^o pointl ^SSh^re not contested. I adopted tlm conduct, particularly when he has not tJioughl ^k::SV:^ZS7^'Z!t:i:iT^^cr particularly to his delay in instituting *e a^T^^^t ;hich Mr. A;;-.-Oene^ Va^ ^U. act ^^o^^^ him; HuVct8 upon winch lie J»^^ / jf^ ^^,,l™thLorrespondencc whic^^ place. Ti^ZT'Z:^':r^Mr%:2ls.u,^.^ the (Governor's Secretary, upon '^" wi'have seen with what in to tlS Xct-feat.res the more worthy of attention, because mai.y of the.a *"Trtl;ir'!j U;r;o'h"'?;-L,arv, 1«),, whid. I ha., already .p.oted, Mr. Glegg intimatedto Mr. Stuart the desire of hi; K.xeellency, Lord Ayhner, that he should joaUly ^trilr. Vanaiso.;; on every Sutur.lay. "boginuing with the l^th report whether any, «. and *h;.t progress ha.l been made in the busine(=s dnrmg the past week. Were L U. consult onlv Mr. Stuart's expose, independently of a 1 the ev,dence p o- duoed in support of the charges of the Assembly, we might easdy -^-'j ''--'^J^;' «'„; J the feelings which he entertain..!, it was ditficuk f..r h.m to act m concert with, and to umte his efforts cniiallv to tlu.se .-f Mr. A.lv.>eat.-n bv tlu-se .l..enments. that they could not agree. Mi. ^"^r;*"^'^!? ofthe Uth of rebruarv, ad.lressed to Mr. (Hegg, in sending hnn the repor which, accord- r„Vto he le er . le (»th, -should be a j.dnt report, to be signed by hi.n«.lt and tic «i^.':te^^neral." inl^.n,; him, "that to prevent any nnseonstau.tion on accou.^ o^ « the absence ofthe signature ..f the Advocate-Ci.M.eral t.. the r.jort "' 'l"^' Z^''^;^!^"^""^ "* « 8|.r„ature onlv," observes. " This rei.ort, t..gether with the documents relerred to in i^ «;; e t., tV A.lvoea,.a;eneral, iceompanie.l by a letter fr.nn '-^'^ /'-^^^^^.^^i « he cncurre.! in the rep..rt, t.. .ign it : if n..t, to note his .l.ssent a tie ^f f«°' « ' « Bn(i, in either cas.-, t.. return the r.port to me. that I m.gh transmit it to his Lxce knc> « n lv,"l' ad. Is, - the report, and d..eument were returned to me by the Advocate-C.e- ^i:;:!! will: ;li;v.hat singular lett..r. addressed to myself; -tunatuig his ;^entfr.^tl.. « report, and his refusal t.. .i^n it. Tiwler these e.rcumsU.nces the 7' /f" '"^^f ^^ ^ .. trans,nitt..l bv mo to his Kxcelloney with my ^':.-'»t"- ""»y--v '^f Lusftinrhi: - th.U I am unaware of any better course than that above a.h ,rted f"r ^^ fy'f^^- ' « Kxclleiuv's particular desire to have a ou.t re,H,n; ami with his ''^^"''V'^u ' 1 « mission, I si'hH pursue the same course in future, unless I receive his hxcellency . " order to tho e.iritrarv."t .... • e ... .,.>♦ .>.>.,« ■> Mr. Stuart, so jirodigal ..f commentaries at.d of dissertatio.is of ^'^ -"-y •"• * " crowd ..f .ubio..,s, whiVh p.rss..ss n..t the slightest in,p..rt,m.o, "'^Vf ''''"'"'; v.^orwodf contents hiniolf with ins.'r.intc his ..wn b.ttor in his appen.lix, and .b.es n..t say .nie w d f Mr. Vanfels.u.Vansw..r, wlneh, on aee.n.nt ..f its nnportanoe to l- -'l.'i f J*'^ '^'''^'* brought against Mr. Stuart, is transcribe at length ,n the rop..r of the t ""> "^«- intro- Tlns lortor fro.n Vr. Vanfels.... is dated the l-th of iebruary. .'Y'" ; '^ " . ^„..trrv lin..s 1„. tolls him «• Itlml that vou havo taken ujion yours.-ll to a.livpt a < ours.. «Sy imv.: ;.Mi:;':;;e i;;.o.i upou-betwoo,. .. whe.. i h.ui tho i--^--',y- - « the 7ih ..Itinm, when it was set.h.l tho .original grant ..f M;llc I 'f ', J^"^ .^! . '':' J.'. "Ciuirod. and that w.- shoul.l aseortain who wore tl'^-'-P'-'M'"^''^'^^/' , ' f^^,'^^^ f.^ ^^^ -t tie 1 pr,KM,rod. and sont you the v.tv sumo .lay ; of tl>c nam-s o» the Pf"!'"' '^^ » ^'^^ ..nishedVou a list on ,.. ).^. of tho sa.n.- month. ^^^ ];iZ:Li:J'l^::^ *' already •• nislien you a use on in;' ii:m oi »"<■ »••"" •■■■_ •• but to raiisc a tuUir to be appointed to the minor, • L.tter m»rlo. 17 (•^\). to poinM >t thought ituting the ction with I cannot ,ook place, tary, upon a of Bcciiijj >st« of the luit a tul)) - sable delay, iw foatufeK, jiy of them Mr. Glopfg iild, jointly liether any, idenre pro- I's that with in 1 ont pavticuliermc-nt rapport a»x dc- laisQ.'ila n.i. u inlentJr I'acti.u, de ho'rnairc dans la.pu.le M rAvodt-Gcn^ral Vanfe .on de- Si conjointemcnt avec lui, ol>jetssurles,,urlsil_a si fortenient appuye Avautdoter- n,i«er!ienesaurai. me dispenser d'a.peler encore un instant I'attent.on surles pieces de la c" rleii ndanee qui a eu lieu entre ^L Stuart et M. Vanfelson, comme avec le S.cr6ta,re du tiouverneur ii ee sujet. , ,, , i n- 1/ j„ ,,„;- m i>A„„n..f On a vu avee quelle indignation M. Stuart avalt repousse d'abord l'uh:e de vo r M. 1 A oca - GcS'ral se reu.dr a lui nour soutenir le, hMcvits de la Couronne dans cet e act.on quelle re- m . ^nce il avait m.u.tree A I'lulenter, da.,s < le rapiu.rt du Goniitc. . ^ . , ,. ... C'ette lettre de M. N'anfelson etait du l--> de I' cvrier. Apres quelques ligiies qui scrvimiiit de nreambiile, il lui dit : '• .le tr.uive .pie vous avez pris sur vous .I'adopter (me luarclio rn- .' tierement ditlVrente de celle dont nous etions convenus ensemble, .piaiul j ai eu 1 ho-nieur .le «' me reiicontrer avee veas le 7 du mois dernier, .pian.l il tut accorde que la rw«r.v,,w/i r/c «' MiU,-Vaclus ttuit Iv litrr uirissairc et que nou» ctablirions.pu ctaient les co-propriaaires de .' hi seiLmcuri.s ie me suis pv.cure le litre et v.ius I'ai envoye le nuine jour, .le v.,us ai doune " une iLste .hs -loms des pr..p. ictaires le 1 2 .lu nuine mois. 11 ne r.-stait qu a faire luunmor un ^' tuteura-x mineurs ll.d.ert Dunn, sileur mere n'etait pas dcja nommc-e a celte charge, et de • Lctlrc marquee No. 17 tie I'Appcndics de la lettre de M. Stuart. 1»4 . , , ,.,„nfnr to bo appoioted to tJie abaentees «. nlrcmly that arpolntment,) and to cause a ^ [f*"' ^^".efluire^ but little time and labour, .< Tl.o steps nocessary to eiTcot those appointments rcq ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^.^ ^^^ ^^^ - , '''T ntEtl. natter, a.o taken by you until the very «< No procefdings or stalls, however, to am auce uii- _ ' ...i ....i,..„„.„ t„ ,„».. vou write '• !a.. ''l]\''fl ■^ ,i^i y.n, ,vouid hiyve the goodness to « (he .5th inst., wherein he cone udes ''> /^'I'^^f b ciuse nnlii the result of an appliea- .< postpone the eom.nencement ot P-;'^^-"''''?,- / " ^'J";^; E^eellency, the Covernir-in- 4,Jn, wl,ic.h tluM'-priotorsare abou to 1-^^^^ i„i onjoin^tly for the Crown, " Chlof, .hall be known, with ^^''^'^ 'I'l'' 5'' .'"'.; ^^.j;,; j^, ,,,,^ „.., nor, the course by .> luv? 'no.hlno- to do ..• to say Not, ^''O e o e o u , y ^^^^^.^^^ . ...u taken, I deem it nght, tor my ") J" ;^^, J '"'V.. I herewith return the rq.ort, with ::-':';i;;.-:;sv^.;u;:^"::?c:;;:;n^;; vr's^^ ^omd stin stron„y reeommend » ,1,, .,,„rse a-reed upon oripnuliy ^''J'V- '';'';;;'--';{^^ Secretary, wi,h desi|rnatin,? that of Mr. Mr. S.uarfcontents hnnself, m h,> letter to the -^^^^^^^ ^,_^. y^.^.-,^,^^. „f ^,,,, ^hal ^■anfelM.na.s...«»W<«^^.«i/"/«r.; I"'; \ ''>'''! '^yj' i„ his proceedings, for the purpose of h,. u~e 'i'^ 'S^' ^'^ ;j;,, „ ,,hich he backed. He ae- ;^:rt'S.:r=:f^;^rd;u:;ra^^;:Lt'Lii: a. a ..Ime, hi. havin, ,iven Instrne. lii.ii-, for coinuieuciiig ihi-. actum ! j_ • Vidi? tliis littiT, m ■mM i.'., in t!>c Appendix to tl.o llctort of ibc Coramlttee. 1.33 " faire nomincr un curateiir-aux absens. Les di'marclics n^cessaires pour fuire faire les no- " minations n'exiijoaient que pen de temps ct de travail. Voiis ii'adoptcz copeadant ni proci;- " dus Tiiaucuiu's demarches pour avaiiccr I'affaire jusqu'au (iernier jour de Janvier ; maissaiis " communication avee moi ct liors dema eonnaissance vousdcrivez unc lettre a I'Honoruble J. "Stewart, tine autre de meme date au Secr^'tairc Civil sur le sujet en question, communiea- " tionsque je rcf^arde comme contraircs a cequi etait convenu entre iiousde bonne henro en *' Janvier et caiisant dans mon opinion tui delai qui ne pent so justifier. Comme ii parait j)ar '' la lettre de rilonorable J. Stewart, du 5 du conrant, dans Ijiquello il conclut par vous))rii:r " d'avoir la l)oiite ile.difFurer a proeedcr dans cettc cause jiisqu'a ce que Ic resultiit d'une appli- *' cation que les proprietaires sont sur le point de faire a Son Excellence soit conun, ap])liea- " tion avfc laquelle ajrissant conjointemcnt pour la Cotironno, nous n'avons rien a dire ni a faire. " C'est pour(juoi, n'approuvant en aucune maniere la marcho que vous avez adoptee, je crois " devoir pour ma justiiication, vefiuser de si<;fner votre rapport, ayant eiivoye le mien ce matin. " Je vous renvoie ce rapport avee les trois copies de la lettre qui raccompagneut ct recommaii- *' deraisdc nouveau fortemeiit de suivre la marche d'abord convenue, -f t i1ii;i;i liat of Mr. State tiiat nirpose of ing for tlio [)rietors «>t . He «c- :;n instruc- M, Stuart so contente dans sa lettro au Secretaire de qualifier celle de M. Vanfelson de hinguliere ; et il assure dans sf ^'l" P^.^';"!;;:'^..^;, ' ^"y^^^, purpose of infusing into his answers a confusion calculated to defy.all the efforts of UKdvsis. Indeed his work, on this accot.nt. has sometimes presented me with Si c Uie. learly insurmountable. I found myself obliged to quote, at ength tl c pa , in his production, which I thought it necessary to discuss I could not l^ M that. It- 1 contined myself to a mere summary, I should be accused of no - ng always understood the sense, which frequently appeared to mc Icu.t comprehend; of having exaggerated ''i^, ^'"""'/Vl^'It'^LS e butedtr him some of an incredible character. How, in fact, was it possible to di t r ,uish at once all those errors, which abound in the midst of this niass S mate .als, of every kind, embodied in a disorder, cleverly ^«"trived for the purpose ot concealing them, or of investing them with some appearance of pro- ^'^''S'tlus distance from the seat of the events, the knowledge of which was ne- ccssiryto serve as a guide in this labyrinth, it was again, my indispensable duty Jo li them entire l>efore those who. to enable them to ^'"^^^f "Vl'lsr „g , hnd not the means of making those researches into winch I f"^'''; ,\w le- cess nv that I shoidd plunge myseK. or who might not feel the nc-ces ity of omg so f venture to assert, Uiat the sketch which I have given o the lacts and ot circumstances, the 'considcratu.n of winch was -^^-^^'^'^'y ,';;i::^''^^;^ that of the subjects of this discussion, is not unworthy o< approbat on On t n side the Atlantic, the absence of those n.e.nsot comparison ^■;:;; ^' '';^;,^ ; J^*;^; void in my observations which nothing, could have supnhcd. Had '^'J^ ^^^^ ' to point thc-m <,ut, I should have justly deservec roproacl. ; I should h v ■ at on c forgottr.>n wha' 1 oued to my countiy. and to the (Jovernment. as well as a bub- icct as a Citi/cn ; what 1 owed to mysclt. ^ For the purpose of placing the truti. of these observatu.ns in a st>Il moic apparent ligh . it remains for me to bring under our view, at one glance, some o the features of .Mr. Stuart's doctrines; of his c.mduct ; of Ins answers to the charges of the Assembly. Throughout there is "he ^^""«. -'•^^'-■^^'7'/;?, J^'' " principles as of tacts ; it is a tissu- of inevplu-able contradiction . A ' ^ ' . '"^ stamped with the die . f frivolit. . u of u.ju.t.ce. is impressed Mth that ot it - tem;rar>ce and violent His m..us of justdication are insults. Ins explanations of his conduct, worse in atrocious, , ,• . i ^^,^n \lr. JMuait const.u, , .hows himself to be a stranger to the first rules of con- . stitut.onai law. and to. practice of '•''[j'^'";f ^"^^ \''^' l'''";-''' f";/tirX^" dence in criuunal matters, and to those of public molality. In the hrst plict, he accuses the Common, of Lower Cana.h of the most cnmmal assump ion o power ; of having arrogateii to (///(/" // ,!,iuica ut use;/ Laurt, q, ,f Grand and Petit Jur,, ; oj hatvnj tried, convicted, ami putm/ud him o/ ^ RECAPITULATION ET CONCLUSION. il perform, ;rwhelme(l iidcr palat- ilents must le of these loicc of the s position ; lews might irth liis ar- ai t, for the the eftbrts etl me witli at length, s. I could be accused ared to me iving attri- , it possible f til is mass L'd for the mce ot pro- lich was nc- 'iisable duty 1 their bear- d it was ne- lity of iloing sets and of ncctcd with 111. Oil this I have Lit a I neglected have at oiuc ell as a Sub- a 'i lill morv ncc, some ot swers to the 1, as well of l11 that is not h that of iti- explanatioiis rules of con- s of jurispru- if first place, ssumption ot nf accuser, of tmltcd him of their Pret d'arrivcr, cnfin, au terme de la carri^re que je me suis trouv6 oblig6 de fournir, ildoit m'etre permis de remarqucr de nouveau, que si ces observations sont herissees de details dcnuos d'onlre, de cette clarte propre a adoucir ce que ies sujcts que j'avois \ discuter ont de rude, il ncfaudrait pas s'en prendre unique- mcnt a I'inferiorite de mes talcns. J'ai droit a quelque Julgencej une partie de ces imperfections etait inevitable. Je nV'tais pas plus le maiti e du plan de mon travail que du choix des sujets que j'ai traites. JNl. Stuart avait pris sa position d'avance ; il me fullait combattre sur son terrain, Quclles qu'aient pu (tre ses vues, il est sur au nioins, que la manicrc dont il apresente ses moyens de defense a tout I'efFet d'un systeme com- bing avec art, pour jeter dans ses reponses une confusipn propre a dejoiier tous lestrtbrls de I'analyse. Aussi m*a-t-eile presentde par fois des difficultcs;\-peu- prcs insurmontable. Je me suis vu forcr de rapporter au long Ies passages de ces productions queje croyais devoir discuter. J'ai du ciaindre qui si je me hornais a prrsenter de simples rcsumi's, on no m'accusat de n'en avoir pas toujourssaisi le sens qui m'a paru souvent difficile a pinctrer, d'avoir exagerd ses erreurs, ou de lui en avoir attribute d'incroyables. Comment, en eft'et, distinguer d'un coup toutes celles qui fourmillent au milieu de cet amas de matcriaux de toute esjiece, cntasses dms un desordrc habilenient mi'nage pour Ies voiler et leur donner quelque vernis de vraisemblance? A cette distance du foyer des evencmens dont la connaissance (^-tait n^ces- saire poiu- servir de fil dans ce labyrinthe, c'ctait encore un devoir indispensable pour nioi de lesmettre dans Icur enticr sous Ics yeux dc ceux qui pour en saisir Ies rapports navaient pas Ies moyens de se livrer aux recherches dans lesquelles je me suis trouvt'' dans la necessite de m'enfonccr, ou qui pouvaient n'en passentir iebisoiii. Jose dire que le tableau que j'ai trace des fails ct des circonstances dont la consideration se trouvait essenticlleiuent liee a cille des objets de cette discussion, n'est |)as indigne d'approbation. De ce cote de lOcean, I'absence de ces termes dc coinparaison aurait laisse dans mes observations un vide auquel rien n'aurait pu supplier. J'aurais mcrite de justes rcproches si j'avais ncg!ig6 de Ics indiquer. J aurais a la fois manque a ce (|ue je devais ii mon pays, et au Gou- vernement et conimo sujet et comme citoyeii, et ace queje me devais ;\ moi- UKinc. I'our achever de mettre la veriie de ces observations dans un jour encore plus Irappant, il me restea rapprochcr quelques traits des doctrines de M. Stuart, de sa conduite, de ses reponses aux accusations de rAssemblee. Cest partout le memc renvcrscment de princijies comme de faits ; cest un tissu dc contradic- tion inexplicables. Tout ce qui n'est pas marque au coin dcla frivolite ou de I'iiijiisticeist frappc a Ct lui de I'empoitenient et de la violence. Ses moyens de justification son des insultes, Ies ex[)lications de sa conduite plus que des outrages. M. Stuart se niontrc constammeut ctranger aux prcmii'-rcs regies du droit constitutioniiel et a la pratique du Parlciiient, aux principes de la jurisprudence C11 matieres criminellcs et a ceux ile la morale publiquc. II accuse d'abord Ies Conimuius du Has-Canada de la plus criniinelle usurpation, de shelve arrogees a ill Join t't it pouvoir et Ies functions dc cours, de grands et de pciiis Jurcs^ enfin de tavoir Iheir otcn aulhoriU,. Ami these ticry attacks arc .lircctoa n-aius a branch o the Le-hhuurc, which, confinin- itself strictly w.thm the hmits of .ts j.insclirt.on, proceocled. according to received forms, to the cnq.ury mto 1... comh.ct winch La hccr-nc the subject of complaint on the part ot the country which .tre,,ro. seutcd, :u, 1 whose onran it was in bringing them under the no icc ot 1 >;» ^jUcs- ty's ( lovcrnment. And it is o.i account oi thes^ proceedings that he open > im- putes to them, that the.f have disre-ardrd the pnnaples xchichjon,, the m/claint. resounded throughout the entire Province. I e- sides the thing being impossible, the Citizens are supposed to take cognizanco ot all that passes in this branch of the Government, particularly nuutcrs of this kin.l. A runclionarv under thisGovemmmt, it was his duty to pay constant at cnt.on to it. lie was upon the spot -, he had even appeared bctorc them : could he be ta ''l^'^^Ji'^l^'^^^^ ^^ Lower Canada arc not alone the object of this extraordinary censure ; Mr. Stuart reproaches with the same bitterness, the Administrator of the Government, Lord Aylmer. for not having made him acquainled xotth these vrocecdin-s. Such are his ideas ol the obligations attached to him who ropnsentcd his Sovei^ign in the Province; ol two of the branches of Government with re-ard to hfm ! And ii is to lli^ Ma)osty's Government that he holds tms lun- ,'^. >i ""''"what are we to think of Mr. Stuart, who could have oifered these considera- tions as serious objections ? If he could have felt hovv frivolous they were, what idea did he entertain of His Majesty's Ministers, to *.c able to persuade himsclt that the cnnfi.ient tone with whicii he appeals to the > considerations was calcu- lated to induce th. in to consider them ot importan • .; .■ Mr. Stuart couMders it also an otlencc, on the |Mr'. of tlie ( ommons of Lower Canada, to have examined xcititesses in his absence, uv/Ao ./ having required his pre- sence, -.Hhout havinu jurnish.d an oppo, ; unit if /i>r cross-examination on his part. _ Leavin.routoVthenuestio" (onsulerations which apply to received princi- ples; to thc'practico of Parliament; to necessity, let us content ourselves with observing, that this charge is brought by a man whose duty it was to institute daily and to conduct in the Courts, pios.outions in which bills were found by the Grand Jury, after proceedings ot a |,recisely similar nature ' He .messo far as to assert, tliat the i videiicc contained in their depositions is inadmrssihie, under the i-reienee that the v^knessi:, v^vu- not upon th.ir oath, thou'di their evidentv- was taken aceonling to the form prescribed l)y law, bctorc a tribunal which possessed iurisdiction ; which could punish any prevarication, and which, above all, could' not proceed in any other uuniier without rendering itself, in fact, guilty of a criminal assumption ol power. These are, nevertheless, according to him, proccedings,Av/?<5/// with iriri(ii- Inrilif, insulficienni, and nullitij, which arc too evident h/ repH^aminl to reason ana justice to nnuire oliseivatinn. i i ir Hut if these be errors, if crimes, thev would be such as the Lnglisii 1 louse ofConimons has committed for ceutiiries; they would be th.^se ot tae law itself, , ... .1 . ,, ... .1,;., K ,,.1, of th ' • -over'ixK^iit, fit pi'oceet Ilia- whicil luriusnes no unu I niL-.m:,, lat.h- .>,...)< ■! Of III. .. nv.!....!-,.ii, , .. in an enquiry into die conduct ol public ofhcers. Hence liic effect o Mi. Oil l(ll t ^ A h of the ilirtion, t, wliicli it repre- i Miijcs- cnly im- i/i'<(nard ^ntativcs mig/'t he {crcising iiUl Mr. iisk per- jrpose of gs, when ce. I'e- izance of :liis kind, attention J Id he bo lord! nary iiiistrutor :i)Hh these prt scntcd lent with this hm- :onsidera- 'eic, what le himsiH .vas calcu- of Lower y/ his pre- s part. cd piiiici- „'lvc3 with ) institute tomul by li'positions thiir octh, tiw, l)cl'orc varication, rciulcriiig ith inrgU' yc(L'lc low pronre autoritc. E t ces sordcs iougucuses sont di- iiTccs coin, unc branche do la ligislnturc 4«i, se rcnfermant exaclcir-nt dans Icsbornrsilesattrib 'tions.a ^)ron Id-suivant os foi les -■ iies a 1 exam, do sa condnitc c! venue robjct drsplaintes du pnys .iU'el c rpprcsotait et dont clO titait l'oi"anc en Ic8 portant . vant Ic Gouvcrnement do ha Majeste. Lt c est a raison de°ccs demarche I lu'il leiir impute hauteinent d avoir violc tous les/mn- rip€s qui sont la sauvc-sarile flcs droits et de lajhrUme de tous les Utoycns ! Si on s'en rapportait a lui, ciles scraient cga ment C( -cables de ne pas I'avoir pnpcllr dcvant elicH ptmv Uentendrv, de nc Tavoir pas reqiu ^^ se defendie, commc .ic I. ^dte pour ciles line obligation dccourir: -devant de lui ct do rcqueru- sa preset '. avant de faire un acte de Icur jurisdiction, cr nunc trdninal de grandc Enqucte dans !e pays. M. Sm at ponvait-il igiiorer que c ciatt a lui de se pre- scnter dcvant dies, de demander la penniss m de se faire entendre, de leur donner des explications ile saconduiic pour se disculpcr ? II assure qu'il n'avait aucune idee de Icurs proc('dt's, quanJlc bruit de'^cs plaintes re tcntissait dans toutc la I'r. -vincc. Outre que la chose ^ait impussibJc. les Citoycns sont tenusde prendre connaissaiice de tout cc qui se passe dans ccttc ')rand.c du Couvcrncir.eut, surtoul en ce genre. Fonctionnaire sons r- Gouv. n. lueiit, c'.'tait un devoir pour lui d'y donner uiie attention constant rtait hurleslieux, il avaitmiuu' i)aru i'"vant dies, pouvait-d Otic pus nourvu ? , , > /^ , Les Communes du Bas-Canada nc sont pas seules en bntte a ces ctran,^. i- surch. ; il r( nroche avec la mtine ;iuuitumr a I'Adniinistrateur du Gouvcrn- nt, 1 ord Aylmer, de ne I i a\oir pas/wi/ ro/i/niUre kiirs proeidcs, dene les lin avuir pas cormnwiiiims. dl. ait ses idct- des obligations de cdui <|.ii icp.rscntait son Souverain dans Province, de deux des -inches du Gouvernement a son cgard ! Et c'est ;i celui il^ Sa Majeste qu'il tier laugage ! Que pen M Stuart qui a pu pi sonter ces conside 'ions rommc des objections sent us... ^ S'il apu scnti: oqu'dlcs avaicnt de frivolcs, .ludleulce avail- il des Ministres dc Sa Majeste pour se persiuuler (pie Ic ton trandiant avec le(, il les invoque ctait capable de leur en imposer ? M. Stuart fait encore un crime aux Communes du Bas-Canada d'avoir interro'^edesiemoinshoi's de sa presriice, sans I'avoir reipcisc, sniis l\aoir uppele dev'itttelles, sans lui avoir fourni le.^ moijens dc les traiupteslwiuicr l.aissant de cote les considerations qui se rattachcm aux principes rc^us, a la pratique clii I'arlcment.a la ncccssite, couttMitons-noiis d'obscrver que cette aceusaliou est noitcei.arun homme dont to dc^ oir Otait d'intcutcr jouiud Cmeiit et dc suivre Ilans los cours des accusations portees par les grands .Jure, a la suite de proades exactcnient semblables ! . , , - • I'- ll va jusqira soutenir que la prcuvc qui rcsulte de leur dcpo-uon o- uiadmissi- blc sous prctexte que les temuiiis netaiciif p,is assermentes, i]ui\nd lU .1 posaientsui- vant les formes voulues par les h.is devant un tribuualqui avait juns.l t ion ; qui pou- vait les punir de leur prevarication, el qui, au surplus, nc pouvait y iler autrement sans se reiidre, en diet, coupable d'uno crimindle usurpation. Cc sont la pourtant suivant lui, .os procedes frappes dirregularite, d'in.wtfi- sancr et de mdlile qui rqmgnenl si evulemrnvnl a lajuslicc, quit nc crott pas avoir hesoin den ve>iir d des olmrvations jjonrquon en soil (omamcu. Mais sice sont la deserieuis ct des crimes, ce sera.eut ceux des Communes d-^n.'-lcterre dcpuis des sieclcs, ce seraient ceux des lois dies meiiics qui nc fourmssent aucu.i autre moycn a cette brand.e du (iouverncmeut de proceder a lexamen dc la conduite des uilicicrs publico. Lu resultat do-, dociiiues do . h »> 1 1 KU I *>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) y / O 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■^ liU 12.2 :: 1^ 1.4 2.0 1.8 1.6 V] '/a e, ■e, jh o "l M ^/W/ 7 PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY US80 (716) 872-4503 1^ 1 4^...w Stuart's doctrines would Ve to shelter the Functionaries from all controul iq the Colonies, and to place them above all authority. To such objectio f< i xu »u.;.. uujoctions does Mr. Stuart repeatedly return. It is to these mo- tives that he appeals, with as much gravity as vehemence, in order to impress on His Majesty the necessity of dismissing, with contempt, the complamts ot the Commons of Lower Canada. He insists on the danger of obliging him to an- swer these complaints. It would be, he says, to seta banefu example I All hope of seeing thencefortli honourable men enter or remain tn public service, xeotild '^ "such are the lessons he reads to His Majesty's Government. Adopting this svstem, the public Functionaries would enjoy an inviolability which would place them as well above the Sovcrcitrn as beyond tiie reach of the law. The force of truth has drawn from tlie most ardent partizans of the doctrine of passive 6bediencc. the avowal, that when all hope of obtaining justice from a Government is once lost to the people, all the liens of moral obligation which bound them, are at an end, leaving no other power than that force which degrades equally those who exercise it and those which it curbs. And it is a man who but lately performed the functions of Attorney General in Lower Canada, who would lead the Colonial Government into this principle of anarchy. I cannot be accused of having exaggerated his errors. In pointing them out I have bor. owed lii.s own expressions. , r » I lay aside a ciowd of other objections, if possible, still less worthy ot at- tentiop in order to point out some features of his conduct in the Province, or opinions which he there put forth, and which he upholds, or which he slill ap- peals to, as entitling him to approbation. Exercising the exclusive functions of prosecutor, with salaries and emolu- ments which, placed him, as far as regarded income, above all his fellow -citizens, he could, nevertheUss, for years, make prosecutions in the Criminal Courts an ob- ject of speculation ; a means of enriching himself at the expense of the justice due as well to individuals as to the public ! Instead of instituting, or leaving to be instituted, in the (^larter Sessions, those cases in which this Court possessed jurisdiction, he cai.ied them into other Courts, at an expense which, in fees alone received by him out of the revenue of the Province, were from seven to eight tim.s more considerable than in tlio Quarter Sessions. In vain did the \'^;'';:j'"5^^ ^f '^i'^ S^ assumed martial power Led on by the Attorney-Ge e a , ^J^J^J |^^^^^^^^ ^^^ , i^^^ed the laws by over the Citizens. -^ '^ ^^^ >,1 i 'wX" to his o.l. lie employed ,t ,n order ^° '^^Xnslw n. tl^^^ itself by dietaling to the people the It lor the purpose ot ensiavni u.c ^"-b , ■■^ ^, Commons of the conn- try, or lor ^''^ Pu » " ;- ^^'^ complaints, and of reducing ihem to sdencc. the purpose o stdhngthem^^^^^^ ^^^ . ^^^^^.^^^ ^,,^, ^^ b,. Error leads. b> an unconqiua Martial, \vh(,sc authority was comes a torrent I'\^^*-'P'-^"^'?/'i',^ ".^/;\V, ul<^^ed to pay fines and condemned to L ,m o"Jers sorv.cUt.1,0 .a,no tiuro as a vehicle or .^ ^ Tlic press sroaued also uiuler the vve.sli .of outra insult, aces heaped on those who .ere^i^':;;^:cs:7ir Sr;^^ i^^Si^g^^ ^^^«'-- -'^'- •■ V, V Mole Te^S^^^^^ Olhccrs, the Assembly and its ^^I.'^^^:;,' ^' "-V, '^'eated like a mob of seditious were wounded by tl>c "u.st atrociou .dumn s '^^^^^ ' necessarily pro- .crsons; of rebels and traitors ^^^^^'^""^"^.rt, the author of 'this voked. Thescpubl.cationsNscrc. in tlicejcst guilty, only those who new system of (lovernmen , crimes. "':,/;f^/'','or their country, and of ddenlled their honor. ^^-j;;V^;^^' - ^^^ ^^nie oHhe Iaws/;hich it their tellc.w-cit.zons ! l.e ^avc t itm up lo °^^c^^,]^ ^ith the shield ot .as his duty to u^e ^-; ^ ;- PJ^^l'm ^ ^larts. He opened and ^^X^'^Z:"^:^:::^^^ ;:. '; ^vhiC. was rewarded by favours and t.r- ^"'"■■'n ri.rtinns took nlicc in the midst of these storms. Mr. Stuart olFered Ihc Lections to>k ! ce " ^^.^^^,,^i ^,,^,^scs oj pojurij ,self at that ot Sorcl where, '"-^c"' '"^'n « ^,„, ■^^^y ,vho nmseli at i.uu "' ^^T'^ Vhe>^'''i'nin he considered those persons only guilty who :,c,e very nuwro,^. ^' V^,!*^. ;'-;' ^^^/'J,,, ..,,ilty of a crime in taking tiie oath it had voted aguins him ^ '"-> '^ * !^^ ,itod tlu- ri-ht of those who voted in was his own work. He had openU ' M'" '^^^ '^^^ „ ,,^^^i ^,„,,,,^, ^^ hir, his favour, to take the oath under ^''"f; ' ^ ^.^X^^'" f,"";^ ^ A.^e it ; he had pro. cliaracterof .\ttorney-(iencral.ui «^^ / ;' ^^^^/'^^l^.i ..^ the others, bills at „Hsed and insured them impunity ,",V, ^ ^^\^, ;'''J 'k^;;'.., u,,,,!.. lie obtained first Ihn.wn out by the ^-'-^I^V l'^ wis Lcome the xmv s(.ul, a Special Court iromthisAd.uinistration of winching ash e^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ircbl- bdl. against tlu.sc i. eu cxcoptinu. against those who had votc.l iiiiii^lr,;;;;;:;;' ;:; a- ':-- o;;:tT;;t.,a; or ;„e^.,rt, «hose .... .. h.. '•^"°",1;l;Co,.r.o. Over at an -.f;/- -^^^J'-f ,tS: Xe Gran.T j'ry. Ki„KS lleneli. 1 .lo not s,,eak e,t e '^1 .^'^ |^' °f ( ',,; ^^a'^.y „,en »lu, nuist o, „!■ Mr. St.,arf. ellorls '° '■"'''^, '''^X^ 't 'o oh ev,, that after havh.g la- :,avo eoi,.cide>l with h,s s'.-'t""™ ; ,^;;" ", ' '"Sy, to convert the aulhorhy r lent of vengeance, lie was at last defeated. j^^ Ill justi- , to Sir apinions this con- ;o revive h'd since 1 pmvcr laws by mployecl ;ople the he coiin- istly, i'oT en it be- srity was Lnnncd to without e acts of \vs. The luisc who ind these :oiKlitions seditious arily pro- DF of this those who ry, and of ;, whicli it D shieUl of pcned and rs and tbr- :iit offered of pc/juri/ jTuiity who liieoath, it voted in ided to hir, Q had j)io. rs, hills at [u obtained ccial Conrl 1 presented )mmitted at I had voted lusc he had 10 Court ol Irand Jury. 1 who nuist ■ having !a- lic authority to an instiu- Lel wLiuu.c .0..0, ^«u. , . qu'il donnait a son pre- decesseur nour guidcr ces demarches dans sesconjonctures. II y place avec con- fiance son avis au Comto Ei^lliouGie d'exhumer de la poiissiere de I'oiibli les ordon- nanctsde Milice de Taiiclen Co^iseil Legislatif c/ec/ar^es ahrogees depuis deja pres ' quarante ans par Ic Parlement de la Province ! I itrainc par le Procureur-Gcncral, le Comte Dalhousie se saisissait du nouvoir martial pour I'exercer sur les citoyens sans lautorite du Parlement. II le uiettaita la place dcs lois nour les forcer a plierleurs volontcs a la sienne. II I'employait pour asseivir la Legislature -lle-meme en dictant au peuple le choix dcs membrcs qui devaient le reprcsenler dans les Communes du Pays, ou pourpunirune resistance qui I'irritait, enfin pour etouffer leurs plaintes et les reduireau silence. L'erreur m(;ne par nne pente invincible a I'injustice, et alors c est un tor- rent. Indc'pendamment des cours niartiales dont I'autorite s'exer5ait sur les simples niiliciens condamn^s a des amendes et a 1a prison, le Gouverneur destituait les officiers de milice par centaines, sans aucune. forme de proces, plus que d'examen, comme il destituait des Magistrals dont les actes de juris- diction, ou les opinions ne se trouvaient pas en liarmonie avec ses vues. Les ordresgeni^'raux servaient en memo tems de vt'hicule ii I'insulte. La presse gemissait alafois sous le poids d'outrages prodigals a ceux qui etaient en butte"" a ces actes arbitraires. C'etait les Magistrats et les officiers, I'Assemblte et ses Membres, les citoyens de tons les rangs et dans toutes les classes qui etaientd^chir('s par les calomnies les plus atroces, traites comme un ramas de seditieux, de rebelles et de traitres. Elles devaient aussi neces- sairement provoqner des publications pour les repousser. Aux yeux de M. Stuirt artisan de ce nouveau systi^me de Gouverncment, ces reclamations I'taient des crimes. 11 ne voyait des coupables que narmi ceux qui defendaient leur honneur, leur reputation, ceux du pays et de leurs concitoyens . Us les dt'vouait a la vengeance des lois qu'il ctait charg^ d'lnvoquer ponr leur protec- tion, tandis qu'il couvrait de I'eside de lautorite, ceux qui itc, jchaient coritre eux ces traits envenimes. II onvrait, il laissait libre pour eux la carnere de I'injure dont les faveiirs et la fortune devenaient le pnx. Les (Elections se faisaient au milieu de ces orages. M. Stuart se presentait ■\ celle de Sorcl, ou, de son aveu, il se commit des parjures en grand nombre. II n'a vu encore la dcs coupables que parmi ceu:c qui a\ aient vote contre lui. Si le scrmentqu'ils avaient prfte etait un crime, il etait son ouvrage. II avaitsoutenu iiautcment le droit de ceux qui votaienten sa fliveur, de le preter dans des circon- stancessemblables. lien avait appele a sa qualite de Procureur-General pour les determiner a le prcler, il leur avait promis, il leur a assure 1 impunity. 11 a norte contre les autres des accusations rejettces d'abord par les grands jurcs de la Cour du Banc du lloi. II ohtint de cctie atlministration dont d etait devenu l'\me une cours speciale d'oyer et terminer, devant laquellc il renouvellait ces accusations et en portait de nouvelles contre ces eleetenrsetauiies pour des debts supposes commis dans les Elections, et lo-itessans exceptions dingees contre ceux qui avaient vote contre luiou dans un interet contraire au parti qu il avaitpris. Cctte Cour d'Oycrcteinte, il faisr.it revivrc ces accusations dans la Cour du Banc du Hoi. Je laisse de cote la composition du corps de grands .lur^s comme les ertbrts dc M. Stuart pour faire jugcr les accuses par des hommes qui devaient iiartager ses sentimens. Quil n.e suflise dobserver quaprcs avoir travai le ncndantpresdetrois ans avec i.ne activite brulante a faire servir 1 autorite des I'ours, les formes protectriccs del'innoncence dinstrument de ses vengeances, il a succomue be ! B Indiquons r r 10 Let us point out again another link of tins chain Mr. Stuart cndenvonrccl to intim Ite the Sord Electors, in order to oblige them to give lura th.ir sut. fmLes i.t the Govern or himself was upon tiie »pot. Cast u.to the whu-lpool. e^couUl not resist tl»e impetus given him by Mr. Stuart; and he u, uc tsup- orted him with all his power. To act in an interest opposed to that ot tic Attorr r.elral. became, in his eyes, .n oflence agamst the state, the pun.sl . mS of >V Hich must fall upon the very children of thegudty paitv. He threat- ^n' d tlJ Rector of the place, that he would complam ol h.m to Ins Bishop, and eve to the Secretary ot' SiUe, in England, with respect to this fault committed Tvh sfa er 'rie Govenur forbad him his house and his presence, a. though tlii lloton hepa'tof the lather had rendered the approach of the son conta- J ou M . slulrt. on his part, amongst other things, threatened Mr. \V ellcs. an oSr of tiie Ciovernmcnt. that he wc.uld report him to the Governor for not be- ing sufhcienilv zealous in obtaining that success to which he aspired. ^ Mr Stuart has not even endeavoured to repe the truth of these facts. As to hi tiircats to Mr. Welles, he contents himself with answering hat it was a S nV^^^^^^^^^ As regards all the rest, he meets it by vam declamations merely by Sent rocriminrtions, which he himself refutes. He accuses the wit- nesses of suppression of facts, which are not even in question, in he affidavits which TeoiW ^^^^^^ depositions. Those of these affidavits to which he appeals with he fi eatest conHdenJe are, besides, stamped with the die of worse than error and ncoSstency. Th.y might be considered as concocted with a perfid.uu^ view, "r rpun'ose of adding ridicule to the injustice of a desperate cause, which Mr Stuart pleads against'himself, by going farther in self-.ncrimiuation, by his own avowals, than the Assembly has goi.o in its charges against him. To return to Mr. Stuarts conduct in the Province. A calm had succeded to these tempestuous ye;us. Mr. Stuart seems to have envied the Prnvince its moments of serenity. ^Ic would willingly have directed Sir James Kempt in the ame path tluU he had laid down for his predecessor. We sec him. in the report of fhe 20th October. 1 HMO. trace a lively sketch of what he calls the crimes of the Defendants; labour to peisude him of the urgent necessity .or these pro- secutions. It is useless to dwell upon these considerations; but can I help re- rSa kin.r that, in this reforl, he goes the length of cherishing the vilest prejudices S those whom he endeavoured to ruin? He dwells for the purpose of ob- sen ng. that one of tin m was an bishuan - that he rcas ,n uites. II est inutile de s'arreter i\ ces considerations ; mais puis je me dispenser de faire remarquer que dans < ^ nipport, il va jusqu'a caresser les plus vils prejug^s contre ceux qu'il s'cffor^aic do perdre ? li s'arrc^te avec complaisance a faire remarquer que I'un d'eux est tf«;< <^/'//7fl«loyea to 'end ato t v^ I o^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^. ^J^^.^ ,„„/^ to iuslitutc, at the mstaiiccot "'«'•■""• ',|"' ,,,,,,,, ,i.,„ [„ support of those striking. Ho F»J"C«' »""«»" ,'''^:^,,„tservri;.^^^ "'=">. bills wEich he pr«ente,l '»•'"'''} f''^^''' 'o'Z\. to the Tourt as lound. He which relatcJ to -'■l'-;-^ °" '■j, ^ r«Wc7charged the tcnpauy's servants, ;;sJ,o''t;t'wS,;i::^:s;:pprbe^,and;^^^^^^^^^ i^iS^l f.ldr:?o Ui:i"of all K X°o; ' PstTce ; he 'answered J... with »"VS:"er;^t^riil".S^^™»^instU™pso,,.sscr.n,s.r '"'" TwTlV 1^." w r .t ot -^^^^^ the':Vssembly. ,n his letter to the Se- '?"? ' M^ SM ,'r^^^ .dcasSdutyorol- prop i.ty, when we see inn, bnng ,n an l;etst"d;«oi-r.o"La.nL,,,as'K^^ lr,;nte!t t u^if .f v^'-Vi'rirlo iLT'oVbirE °:. tdut pulalions containe.l n, Im case / » 'j^J "J *f °;^ ie„t,, a„ai„st the plaintifl' !he Magistrates to g.c j.idgme m '^'"' J' ,J,f^'^\" „•„.„«,, If? rfhat aro .„d in an ""7 ,f "i;[°«'J;;„, '"Jf l^nho lad been fined, will, rererence to the „enls pronounced aga,„st < f ", l;?^ f / i'e'j ,f jtlio,?, which cor'^f.rn, tl,c,e X-,ts:b,':u;r,?eSe:iU'b "r^-i b\,i.,ea^ .l,e aelcndants. when we '"•''S-it: 'IVtld'^cf wIlllTe^ilVto le rr;ri^^^ wh,chl,e wa, c„. „„st::l to'ln^i't,^, cvu-^n interest favorable J-Ha. of U.,-. ^^i^,^- pound of contradretory l'"«:'-=""B '^ ' » " ' " '^ "^ .cb i, was his duly to •"' "i^-'Utlf c leT.r.ir^'wl,'' nl t b'ro;Kir.t.'"alter having instttute, the ^cir »V It-^™'" i'. t^o" ™- ■" •'" advcr-e interesl, an J not yet concluded ; fdvo^rrrai'i^nrcis,,,,. »hi j.^ -c^t;;-f,;i':; it ,ii;x7e'. tion. kdgc. H» 13 contrast )t' those nfalliblc liis duty 111' more of thoso i'-hIs of >IrAds.c^^^^^^ ^^^ ,,„, ^^ Lastly, peremp cry «^ 'j f,;;7„% ^\"',' {^^ of Stat.-. Mr. Stuart does not form tl.'scluty . and u. 1 e r to.^ - ^-^^^^ -^ ^^ ,^,^.„,;^,i„„ Lord Ayimer', ;!;:iMo Xnt o,::^,.r:unbut^ this deh.y. or which he himself wa, the sole ""'^^ «v an inconsiste.,cy .vhich p-ssesse,, perhaps, still something more of absurd, By an "consisie ncy i ^^ .^^^ .^^,^ contrary to jns- tr^U:Z^^^^ ^^rhnie.\v for bavin, required him to institute i He CO Sm.dto it. as thou.H. this order, had it been unjust, should huve.m- iosed siknce oT, the dictates of his conscience. Had such been the case, would ^'"^iinS;^;r.^m.;;^c^a;:':^rrr;;c;m an blo.-.orugn to all senHmentsof parti.^lUv-to the thirst of'goia or vengeance? Might not the appearance of w£L li s a s^ r h, t'^ ininstic, llnch are the means of the. ncpi.r- Tng honours and emoluments, which should be the recompense ot services are- '''''\vim n'dhection had Mr. Stuart givon to the Administration at the moment that lo d Vvirerl the reins !^ With wIkU art did Mr- Stuart. kee,>.ng nmseif out of view, put the tlovemor forward, and convert the lunct.ons wh ch oTx™ he Sovereign's name, into a tool for enslaving the members ot th. ar and tl e no aries. in order .o compel ihem to pay lum. the Attorney C.eneral ataxwhkhhe mpocdonthen.of his own autho.ity and lor lus own proht ; to Jhreate tie m.hlic with a general overthrow of their fortunes; the members of hese 1 o SsS^^ rnin? as the effect of tho.r rtfusal to submit to this aHx- travtx inTnvc.se. w.ti. the .lenen.lance and degradation of these pro es- ons TiK-"e proceedings produee.l au universal discontent win. h was but too :;:r *fbm.doc^ ' M. Stu^t !:,mo,ued it in a manner, by a owmg "l--- toHoj^ about in the mostciuel uncerlaiutv. whilst he concealed hi> own uritltr a ve i or the most !n;rtr:b:e secrecy lie received, at the same tune, the tribute winch '"'^ioti:;Cr;.^cl;";^s::::^r:';M!;r-thissul,ect. he adopt, the same sys^m. i( . n!^l i.T> nhv •ill the art of a wilv diplomatist, for the purpose of evading he o S ' idt'o^ to ,hesub,ec| ; coutrad,ctorv a".r nt obje tioris, lecrimiuations equally futile. He .lesc-ribes the proceed- S on the part of the members of these prof, ssions to resist h.in, as aets o se- iSn as Iv. he throws out. as though by chance. ,n coneluding them an eni'on qua y repugnant t. the law and to the nature o the ihmg itse.l am wlHcl he never al'oved to come to light in the I'rovu.ee. He assert, gravely tha hemen^^^^^^^^^^ har received a commis-ion during pleasuiv. by virtue of u o ncial la^^ that is to sav. that instead of acquiring a right by the act which C:;^;;^s'T^Jir ctry into 'the piofession. they -"'^ "'I ;. tiuht V"w m^' u,l,irl. t>roiiidce or error, caprice or the passions of the das, might at any mo n u de, n e them. He luul not c<,nsi.lJred either the I'rov.nce. or Us admmis- t.u or wonhv of receiving these lessons of jurisprudence. He reserved hem t.at.on, worthy oircce ^^^ ,h, Sccielarv . f State that bethinks His Maje-it) 3 Uo^vnimet.i, - - oroner lur proper 15 soekinj; or which f obtain- ossession received J to pcr- (loes not Aylmcr's 3 the sole )f absuril, ■y to j"s- I institatc have iin- se, would timents of lurance of ifcd. lie whose ad- nislimeiit, 3ir acqnir- ice<, a le- le moment , keoi'ing ons which jcrs of the y (icneral, profit ; to lembcrs of I this arbi- cse profes- is but too DUH to float M- a veil of jutc which Tie system, of evading iitradctory e procecd- :irts of sc- iT them, an itseif, and ;rav> ly that virtue of a 3 act which a favour of at any mo- its adminis- irved them It he thinks proper * 11 faisait et rcnouvellait dcs demarches auprc'-s de Lord Aylmer pour lui dc- mander desordres beaucoup jjIus qu'inutiles relativement a ces Documens, dont il ^tait lui-meme de son devoir de faire la recherche, comme il avait le droit ct les moyens de les obtenir. II s'adressait encore a lui sous ce pr< tcxtc quand il se Ifouvait deja en possession du titre neccssaire pour intenter cette action, quand il I'avait recu des mains de iM. I'Avocat-General. Enfin il a fallu des ordres percmptoircs pour le forcer a s'acquittcrde ce de- voir ; et dans sa Icttre au Secrc tairc d'Etat, M. Stuart n'en assure pas moins qii'il a mis la plus grande activite a seconder les vues de Lord Aylmer, auquel il reprocho hautement ces delais, dont il ctait lui-meme I'uniquc artisan. Par une contradiction qui a pcut ctre encore quelque chose de plus bizarre, il rcpresente cette action dont il etait I'auteur comme un acte contraire ;\ la justice. II fait un amor re|)rochc a Lord Aylmer de I'injonction quil lui dounait de I'inten. tcr. II s'y conformait, comme si cet ordre avait dii imposer sih-nce aux cris de sa conscience, ^11 ctait injuste. Dans ce cas n'eut-ce pas etc pour lui un devoir ri- gourcux d'y resister ? Cette conduitc (louvait-elle paraitre dcgagee de toutc souillure etrangire i\ tout sentiment de partialite, a la soif de Tor ou dt; la vengeance ? Pourrait-on n'y pas voir partout les marques de la frivolite ou I'empreinte de I'injustice ? II est aisii de voir a quel sort un Gouverneur est expose dans les Colonies. II peut devenir I'instrument de I'ambitiou ou dcrinleret de eeux dont il cstoblige de prendre les avis. Us echappcnt ;\ la censure, coinmc au chatiment, taudis qu'il est responsabled'erreurset d'injustices qui sont pour eux des moyens d'obtenir des honneurs.des tmolumens qui devraient etre le prix des services, la ri^cora- pense dn merite. Quelle direction M. Stuart avait donnc a I'administration du moment ou Lord Aylmer en pr^nait les rdnt s ! Avcc quel art se derobant lui-meme aux re- gards, il le mettait en scene, et faisait servir les fonctions qu'il exercait au nom du Souverain, d'instrumentpour asscrvir les mcmbrcs du Barreau et les Notaires,pour les forcer a lui payer a lui-meme un tribut cjuil leur imposait de son autorite et il son profit; pour prtsenter au public le bouleversemeut universel des fortunes; aux membres de ces professions la mine comme le n'sultat de leur refus dese soumet- tre a cet impot arbitf aire, dans tons k s cas la depcndance et I'avilissement de ces professions. Ces demarches faisaicnt eelorre un mccontentcment universel qui n'ctait que trop fonde. M. Stuart le fomentait en quelque sorte en laissant flot- ter Ls opinions au gre de la plus cru. lie incertitude, uendant qu'il cachait les sienues sous le voile du secret le plus impenetrable, II percevait en mtme terns le tribut qu'il arrachait a la faiblcsse, au be.>o;n ou a la crainte. Dans le cours de ses repouses stir cet article, il suit la meme marchc. II met en univre tout I'art d'lnie diplomatie diliec pour cluder la question. 11 entasse les considerations etraug^res, les raisouncmens contradictoires, des o! jections, des recriminations egalemcnt futiles. II peint les demarc! ; 'e ces professions pour lui rtsist.r comme des actesde sedition. Enfin, il jette 'u les terminanl. cumme au hazard une assertion qui repugne rgalemeut a la ioi comme a la nature de la chose elle-meme, et a laqutlle il navait pas ose laisscr voir le jour dans la Province. II avancegravement que les membres du Barreau re9oivent une Commission sous bou plaisir, en vertu d'une Ioi provinciale ; c'cst-a-dire qu'au lieu d acquerir un droit par I'acte qui constate leur entne en profession, ils n'obtiendraient qu'une faveurquelesprejugcsou Terreur, les capiicesou les passions du jour pourraient a chaque instant leur enlever. II navait pas cru la Province ni son administration dignes de recevoirccs le9ons de jurisprudence. II les res.rvait pour le Gouveriie- ment dc Sa Majeste. Et c'estau Secretaire d'Etat qu'il croit devoir fuire hom- raage de cette dccouvcrte ! U la presente sans commcntaire. On doit lea croire ** SUV 16 , • 1- I i}« »:.»<> u ti;'i»liniit comment. We arc to believe to raise their voice ^Pf "^^ ^'",JJi;'^^;i;;;:jX, ^lu.h so imperiously required Spannp ot lus «'';'f'-\" '\\; 'j Xf an excess, in the service of his explanations on h.s P^.^t. He . s ,^ro hg. ot . o .^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^. ^^ ^^ cicnts; and to prevail on l.oia Ayiiner *^^^ ^ j. , , ^-^h .h^h evidently Us to -f- ^::'^:7-'V;l;!;Z;f lands ^f his rivals, he held o the Cro 1 '';;^«' ',,,,„,;,,• reJcnvint; these iinportnnit.es. The He sei/ed, w. h avidit>, cvciy . 1 y picudiuKs kill of ardour, in order to Ik in ih - Socrefirv of State that he addresses ihes. coinpUunts ! It is to tnt .-^ccreiar^ ui ...i embrace even the functions In his projects of 'l"'"''''^'"' //^ ^^ ^' ^.^ J "^.^^^^^^^^ ,he administrator the of the Kxecut.ve <.'"^''"7'-'';^-. .,/''' ^^Vj^/^.u^un^ him in support of the SrLa?£i i-..r":nv; :nt»l;i,o"u. .escvo, i.ulg. in his own cause. w,.„ rcBiira to l.a,n|«oii's l'""'""- (,„,.„,„„r ,liat Mr. Altomey (Icneial had bro„«l,t an """<^>'"PI«;»' •'.'",;; ''^'i.rtoknoLto.ul.im wI.cIIk r, in point ol tact, r];;L^^l^.ni;c^,rt,:!'i::^,^^i,,.,o..u.,.;on^ Stnarta,snrcaian,tl,attl,ecomrar.v„aj,.^ .^^^ """ 'ronl .Ulm r«: ;U . ' n" i - "iZtcc IhrtlKT than by roljins. on Mr. '"' ,T"X.:':,rn ,r irirro^inr hrir^C-onU. t.n. nrovc t„c ,ec,i.nJc ,,rli'con:;;:;rV,aLn^,ar,.a..t|,t,,cj.r,o.« those with which he was invested in the lioMiRt, i.... —i -i -- i^ecomes ;obclicrc iiulc him- icc, have i)g dared rcfiuireil ice of his ; lil'ect of ISC wliicli his rivals. ic3. 'riiii 11 order to lings were which he se actions !d to ihcm cm to dc- hiimitt; of iisive man- littatt'd to idcd by it. :; functions istratiji- the iport of the ice. Lord five him up I this is also ctter to the me, of not .•ause, with lad broiiglit he acted in iiuunication )int of fact, ction. Ml. iiiin at til, iir of Lainp- yiiig on Mv. I witli insti- ccoiiiiianied .'tter written every cti'ort ;irlfiilly con- ^edings were letter for the the facts to of it. ur his views, them at one his answers, the rectitude :ioiis such as J this degree becomes t7 ^Hr sa parole, et le Ministre doit «nr la nifime autoiit6 «e persuader que le^ Avocats et les Notaircs se soiit renilus avec la I'rovince entit-rv dignes de in ven- geance des lois pour avoir os6 {"lever lu voix centre uq aote d'oppressionl Avare de »C9 avi« dans des circo-stances qui cxigeaient si imp^riensemcnt de 8n part des explicalions, il cu 6ta.t prodigue a I'exces pour scrvir ses cliens, ct engager Lord Ayimer a le Kccondcr dans d.s mesiires dont leffet <:tait en- Jemment de falrc perdre a Lampson les profits du Bail qu'il tendit de la Cou» ronne, pour les farrc passer entic les mains de ses rivaux. II saisissait avec aviditc toutes les occasions de renoiiveller ces instances. Lc s opinions qu'il Ini communi- quait, ctaieiitautant de plaidoyers pleins de chaleur pour I'amener :\ fairc cause commune avec lui. Ces demarclies ne suffisaient pas encore a I'ardetn- de son kMc. 11 faisait mettre I'une de celles qu'il lui avail donnees sous les ycux des Mauistro*' saisis des actions portre.s contrc ses cliens; il la leur faisait presenter :.iir Iv- siege, invoquercomme une autorite pour les determiner a prononcer en leur favcur dans un inlcret contraire a la fois a celui des demandeurs, do Lampson et de la Couionni'. II les insultaient ensuite dans les iribunaiix parcc quMsavaient re- fust de rendic la sentence qn'il lour avait dicite. De ce c6te de I'Oceun, il leur fait grid d'avoir osc uen tcarter- C'est «u Secretaire d'Etat quil adresse ces piamtes ! Dans ses projels de domination, il embrassait jusqn'aux fonctions du Gou- vcrnemeut pAcculif II preiendait intcrdire .'i I'Administrateur jusciu'au droit de requerir I'Avocat-Giniral de se joindrc :\ lui pour suutenir les intrr.lts de la Couronne dans une action portee "devant une Cour de Justice Civile I ^Lord Ayimer n'a pas toujours defrre d'uno maniere aveuglc a ses opinions, il ii'a pas voulu lui abandonner les renes de lAdministration que son Souverain lui avait confice : Et c'est aussi iin des griefs que M. Stuart portc il sa charge dans sa lettre au Secretaire d'Ktat. II va jusi^u'a lui faire un crime de ne I'avoir pas rendu formellement et sans reserve jugc de sa propre cause lelativeinent a la requete do Lampson. , , . Lampson lui repr^sentait que M. Ic Procureur-General avait portc- centre lui Taction en itintt'gratide, et qu'il y agissait dans nn int6rC't contraire i\celui de la Couronne, Lord Ayimer faisait connaitre cettc alh'gu6 a M. Stuart ct son desir de savoir de lui, si en eft'et, les intt'irts dc la Couronne etaient pour quelque chose danscette action: M. Stuart lui assurait le contraire, et lui suggcrait en nit^me terns Taction dc homage, au nom dc la Couronne en f'aveur de Lampson. Lord Ayimer ne pouvait potisser plus loin la contiance que de s'en rapporler J M.Stuart 8ur cct arlicle, de suivre sa suggestion ct de le charger d'intenter cjlte action. Ces commuihcations pleines do franchise Etaient accompagm-es de tcmoiguages narticuliersd'estime et de bienveillance dans une lettre ecrite sous le sceau d'uno iniimeconfianee; et M. Stuart sepuise en efforts pour persuader au Secretaire d'Etat que Lord Ayimer lui avait artificieusement derobe la connaissance de celte requete, que toute< ces demarches etnient le fruit d'un syst^me de basse dissimu- lation. IlenanpelL?, cettc lettre la mi'me pour soutenir cette accusation plus qu'absurdc, dcmcntie par les fails quil invoque, par les documens quil produit ])our I'appuyer. Si M. Stuart avait e« pour lui la v6ritc comme la sagesse dans ses opinions ou dans ses vues, ses actions ne scraicnt pas moins condamnables. puisqu'il leur don- nait a la fois le caractere de lerreur et de linjustice. Dans ses r^ponses, elles pre». tent celui d'une imraoralite encore plus fortement prononc6e. ta 111 lOt becomesa crune. fVom U.e -ment that W .ho i, m^]c^a by ^^--s to a.1 the weight of authority m order to ^»ke t r^im ^. ^^. ^^^ ^^,,^^j^„^^^ „f fathom the deptl of men s hearts j ^ook jnt^J^^ ,,,, ,,,,e, of justice, and ac- the public man. His act ons must be w^.o»ea Mr. Stuart, weighed cording to tlic interests o society. ^^^'^^^/r^^J , ,^,„ ^h^.^ whom he has Z^S^:;^^^:^^:^^ ILJu. Lo.. . cover at once wuh shame and contempt ? , , , , • „ .«v f urn dwell unon an important reflection, which arises, I should agam, in ">/ ';"•; .^'' 'P^.-^', \^i,^ complaints of the Inhabi- amouK many others, out f j'"^ »;"'^' '^"Xjented as^i^^^^^^^^ a. tainted tantsof (he country have been ^/Xreriiio r S^ b^ve adopted these :;:! -SSrlrS S;Xr^gi.^^S weight, an the In which more exact idea^ on thib subject, o-l"' " . . . jj j „oiluiig of my own to inR beyond our present l.m.ts what an ^ca must be tor Kl o ^ ^^.^^^^.^_^ .^ ..hicl, received .ts '^^'^^ /.?;^^^^'j, "^^^^ vhicl Hatter men's inclinations AVhocan be '^"°;^" °' ^ '^,,*°'7:l.f ^.^ of the progress of injustice, for arbitrary conduct, and ^ '^ .^"^ « ", ;?''''{vf,,°„,,,,t hav" been the cunse- ^vhen u.-rest-auicd by the curb o I e l.iw^ co .iuct of nferior Officers in nutt- quenccs of these p,.naples '",P;'^^,^^;;; J',^,,3'^, ^^ ch exclusive functions. ;f,"ir |,o»cr for ,l,c ,,,,,,,0,0 of conccncn,U,,g 'l-f.'™;, ,' ' ; | ^l ' ? f i holMK obliRcl to Bi.e cxplanalton, ot >,s •' j ^ ■ .'^ ,„ ^ 2wl,„ complain, :-f;:';ir;u:>;::;;:s::,i:";ii.i;;nKM::^o-':t^^^^^^^^^ '"■"v;rof;:r uvi-oV^n,::.^''. ;,'; m;. s.„a,t. co„.,oc, i,, >„..-.- h,. of . Inu Pk. ed It the head of public Olliccrs (mnnsUre puhlic), n. Lower tanada, UuU,rol' II '«'... it c«rmsa,.l cl,arac.cr, utvcttlcJ for the ,.u'l'«« »' ""-"K rs toadil t cannot :ic!u:c of and ac- weiglicd im he has )nce wiili ich arises, e Inhabi- as tainted pted these art which it to give parison ! \ my own to drawn of elf. How rithout go- linistration direction 'i iiclinations in i net ICC, the conse- ?rs in mat- functions, tlicy might [\ advance- i1 A'lminis- fl lend iiitn iuring tiieir ors as rules idigiuint at L>ans of de- complain, h1, or to be- tcr point of vcr Canada, lie fellings, k become :i icrgy of the ge him into 1 lowed him- those whoiu nore borrow inst him arc !ie witnesses, heap of un- ; oi ruiriing bin) ; I 19. II se retranche sur la purete de ses intentions. Pourrait-elle faire preuve da la rectitnde de sa conduite ? Dans un homme charge de fonctions comme celles dont il se trouvait rev^u dans la Province. I'd us.on portee^ ce degre devient un crime, du moment oC, celui quelle egare tente d app^santir 1 autonte pour la faire triompher. Un gouvernement ne pent scruter le fond des ccBiirs. sonder les re- plis Ae la conscience de I'homme public ; ce sont ses actions, qu'd doM peser dans a balance de la justice et de I'int^rot de la social, reumes. Comment celle de M Stuart pesees .\ ce poids pourraient-elles Temporter sur ce qui est du h tout un peuple, Atousceuxquilnes'est pas contents detraiteravec mjustice, mais qu d sefforce de couvrir ;\ la fois de honte et de mepris ? .„.„„„; nVt pn Je dois encore a mon tour m'arreter ;\ ne ri flexion importan e qui n ait en- tre tant d'autres de ce suiet fccond. On a souvent repn^-sente les p.aintes des ha- bitans du pays commc importunes, entachees d"un sentiment d aigreur e t d exagfe- ration. Lintcrct a dft s'emparer de ces considerations et mettre i\ les Ian e % aloir toute I'habilete dont la passion est capable. Les faits que cette discussion pre- sentcneseraient-ilspaspropresadonnerenfin aux idees une direction plus exacte de ce cote de TOcran ? Quels termcs de comparaison ! On ne pourra pas m ac- cuser moi.mcme d'cxageration, je n'ai rien mis du mien dans ce tableau ; J en ^i pris tous Ics traits dans celui que M. Stuart a trace de sa propre conduite et de ses opinions dans la vue de se juslifier. Quel nomhre d'autres ^galcment f rappans, li ri'v cut etL' facile dy aiouter ! mais sans sortir de ce cadre, quelle idee ( oit-or. se n,.Cd-meadmrnyationquirece^ I'impulsion de M Stuart nt;me,is sans leq.'e es fonc- tioPs attVhecs :, une ma;.ist,aUire d'un autre aussi reley. ^l'-'^'^"'"^' I " .f"" inurun peuple en m.meteinsqu'ellcs paralvsont t.uite IVneigie di Couvt ne- c t a • ssete de la position dans liquelle il s'etait pl ..ce poi.va.t le jeter dans c s;arts Comment sVx,:li<,u..r la violence a laquelle il sVst laisse emporter, apres avoir mis l'( .cean enti'e lui et ceux qu'il dcnonce au lieu de ropondre h leurs plaintes / Kuipruntons encore son pinr.eau. nans ses nponses. tous ceux qui les ont porta-s contre lui ''<'"Vl'mors?uI courables oi. des complices de leurs dcsordres. Les depositions drs tcuioins qui conitatent les faits poi' tes a sa charge ne forment quMm --"'^ ;ige de taii^et s pnnssee. iusoua fixtinvajrauce, enfant.'es par le desirde le pe.dre, ce sera t k. ./,i:..„ .1 -u i,v,.„. T .« f'o.»it.'' a falsitie les faits ou les a suppnmcs poui secoi.cltr dtlire de la haiiic. Le Comite a lalsitie ces 20 fcro»sl.t unan.mousiy by the Co mmnns «| ^"^^ „^i^, j^'j^^Jij- /„,ere orguni/ed source. a,-e only a tjss,,e of calumny g^iL tignorance, unite.l for the purpose portion of the people, blinded ^y^^'"',.^^^ 5 ' f , ; „ , ;' f j,;, virtuous ettorts ksacrifing him to H.e bases veng^^^^^^^ ^^.,^j ^^^^ In endeavourmg to s em X^^^^'^.'^J^^^^^^^^ authoriues. hardly one of tns oceanof corn pt.o . An o^^^ ^.^^^^ ^^^^^^^, ^^^y. .^ ^y^^, ' ' A"h'; e^^ ^''^"'' do directs them >v.lli the same "itc'^gaSureSlulual .ho administers it. He pa.nts hm. .npe.hd.ous ,17 bitterness; to ""^''-'^^•I'^^f,^'"" " ,, V .,,,,horitv • to make it once more the in- niisled; to become again ^he organ of autom^ ^ ^^^ iernor. whom he has cndoavourcd ^;-»^P;;;%° .^^^^^Vcits -a favour that he asks U is not an act ot .-l"'g^""cc tl ^..^ia b? a sen e. ce v^•hich whilst it clea.s h.ne it on their suk-, and by ih it me.ins to ^ ".''' '^ \"- s,„ut the nalin of victory rl-iim toresnect the title to confidence. In giving .Mr- Muart tnepaim o *"-^" v rfnouJisliing.heir fc.olii.gsof respect lor tl.c (.ove,nm;nt, uud ol stru,„M,u.m„ "^" il;;u7,i„„t rcpea. i., .ho la,, ny of hope "f "^'--.s it;;:-;,!,'?,^:;^' ., -u:-„ V ,„..!,. t.l,r«,. Snvt'reiirn remns by law. His tlirone is uit source Ih^ie u'il^u'lVfiow '.u^Joml, allVhc ,,a.ts o. the i.ol.ucul boJy. .u ..r.,.stl,e„ d or su|r> e charges re in their orgitni/ed e purpose rms etlbrts dely over lily one of is an Otli- the same pt-rtidious le motives to its ap- 1 claims to las steeped i.ch he has lore the in- c<, which he istrution of with a Go- hat he asks ilst it cleats Msuadc my- Misions ? he guilty, as vt'^f irds entertain a e forced to its \vroni;s, iib!e cliurac- thhik itselt those which ■piihic mo* jt a Ciovcrn- t'aliou of ita tinlh, know- tlOVCI 1), IS to opini.iii, the hn of victory traiiiiccd iu Colonics; in neiitaiy rules all the hisio- organi/ation iiart has prc- \ie the laniels ivi s to assign ir the jiirpose strengthening las not ceased 1 is Ihe source to stii-ngtheu thu ffl -*c;«r4m». *,rA;M« T e? accusations port^es k runanimit6 par les Communes do B^C SSmems^^^^^^^^^^^^ leur source, ne set^aient qu'nn tissu de no'rce,r Cerrassembleenese™^^ H/"-^ part, organe a un peuple Hvr"\une ignorance brntale. renni pour I immoler a d. l&ches vengeance ,le punirdesesvertueux efforts en travaillant a opposer une d.gue au ^^b '^ "lerit Su cd me SenI il a sum .g6 dans cet Ocea ^ de corruption. Lntre ou es les au- ^;S^nsUtnee.. Apein^meseuled. :• , ^^es d.^m.vememen^ a ed,|^^ ces traits brulans, et c'est un Ofticier de c ^"^^["^'"f " . ' 1 1^ 11 k S'l il les dirige avec le meme emportement tontre celui qui 1 admu.ibtrc. 11 le punl gous les traits de la perfidie. Tels sont la condnite. les doctrines, les molifs que M Stuart presente air Gouvernement de Sa Majesty c.mme lui assurant des droits a son approbation, a h con InuS of. an retiur d'e ses faveurs ! Vo.la ses titres poui -m-r mo^^^ au milieu d'nn peuple indigne qu il a abreuve d armerlum. P« 'fP ^"' ^/^ direct ion d'une administration qu'il a egan'e. pour redevenir o gat e ^e Ut^t^^J^^^ enfairel'instrumentdesahaine.pour reprendre sa place dans !" ^ou. > dcvant lesqnelles il a imprime a sou mi.mtire une ft tnssureqtn retomba sur ad mn s- tratiun de la justice ellememe, pour exercer de nouv.au les fo cum |»- ' P "^» haute confianceuupres d'un Gouverneur auquel il atrava.ll.aauache. 1 honncur. Ce n'est pas un acte dindulgenceque M. Stuart soUicite, une faveur qu'il demande cesUm droit qu il rechune. 11 exige hautement une sentence qui. eu fc Tav n ; les maJque tou^ a la fois du sceau de i:u.ianue. ^o.n...,on^v-^de. qne le (^m.vernement de Sa M ijest^ s'abaissera.t a cou.;onner ^^ l''« "^"^'^^^^^ \ ^ Cc n'estpas non pins seulemcnt d'une injustice qn'.l presse lesM ni.tresde se rendre c . , bl s en lui assurant ce triom,,he. c'est d'un acie du pl"; ^o^^am SrTs pou les llabitans du Bas-Canada. Mais des peuples avu.s sont ^eu^. ca^ p'l^tes dt. senti.nent de I'apalhie quand .Is sont traites avec uu :gn,t • ^ 1. sont forces d'ober. ils le sont Lssi de hair. L'nijusttce pent re, e. ses^^t^^^^ terns eu efface le souvenir ; le mqxisje, grave eu '^^''^^'^''^'^^^^'{'^ guerissent. la cicatrice reste. Quel Gouvernement pent so c.oneinttre.s. a dc ^"'M:;si;:S:oi.!;'a;X^-'--^^-ations? Indep3„damment de celles oui tkm t n P a d .ec ment aux principes de notre Gouvernement. a ceux de E';rr ;:.!.:q,.e.:n'.i est.il p^/; ^^ ^if ^Sieitr^:,;^^^^^ ':^ ^^Z:Tv^!:^' tc:::::^^^'^ ^'c tant de vente. les Kunicres de la mcttre de lenr cote, des assurer pai la i »-"M' '*^ i. ndme de la victoire ment et affermir son autoritc ! Mais je dois le rep^ter. le dernier rayon de I'espoir ^'f [^"j^^'^^i^Ude ^ou foss^- de luire nour un peuple dont le souverain regne par les lots. Gestclcsou Xequ'rioTi decoder Umme de sa source pour se repandre dans toutes le^ 23 , . . '.11 r»„..- «,«™ ;t rinnot be in the power o( an individual the ties which unite them. ?"C^™°'^^','£J°\o break it and trample under mcnt, after having endeavoured to cover them with opprobrium. LETTER TO LORD VISCOUNT GODERICH. HIS majesty's SF.CllETARY OF STATE FOR TIIK COLONIES, My Lord, Mr Stuart, at the conchision of his letter, has thought proper to abandon Ihccharirc's pointed out in the first and third Reports of the Committee. ,n order o return to' the second, uhicl. he iuul endeavoured to answer by his Memoir; Lut he has. among>t other thin.trs, been mistaken as to Delegalle's evidence, w ueh he thouglu he cmild destroy, by appealing to a lact foreign to that as to n^ud Iklegallo had deposed. And he again produces an a.tidiv.t ol the Doco o Physic, \-on IfHaud, which can only prove his inexhaustible fecundity in this '''^' I could have taken this opportunity of adding some remarks to those already to be lonnd in n,y observations upon the Memoir niih reference to the JjH^' ^ms which accompauv It. had I nut demonstrated then- actual nulhty. aid shown. tlKaiiu.c of'thJ Doctor, and of the elder St. Germain in P-.^:-' ;.;•/ ;^^.,"'; >; nnon which Mr. Stuart could have placed any reliance - had the lact, statcti by these two witnesses, possessed auN appearance of probab.aty, were ratl.er calcu- l.ted to Ihrnish matter for joke could I have ventured upon one,) than for .0- ""''Vh.uliele'i''; another of these nflidavits, that of Mr. Giecn, winch, without po..essing any importance in Use f, rccpiires some t.e^h remarks on my pa.t b.eause iTs coutents e.lltd forth the Uei.ort transmitted by me to the Colonial ntiice.onthe lir^t o. May; a Report made by a ComMUttee of the Assembly i„ ilr last Session ol the I'roMuc.al rarluimeut. and winch throws the greatest li.-IU«. ithe truth of my observations, wuh re-ard to tins spmes ot evidence -TontheiustiKss of those which refer particdarly to that of Mr. Creeu-and. -.have all, which adds new weij^lu to many uf the considerations to be found ui the recai.itulation which terminates my reiilics to Mr. Stuart s answers. Mr (ireens aflldavit was given ou the Itli oi'ApnI. 1- s tliem n 'his aHuiayit, and adds, that '« thh evidence m the partiaihrs, though ^nm bejnr.thc ^l"''>>'' '■'^ uasmt reduced lo uriling, it hating been staled hjj the Ma::ber oj the Umvuttic, ndivldual lie uniler s resent- 2'jS parties du corps politique, rcsserrer les liens qui les unissent. Encore imefoisi Sc peut etre au pouvoir d'un indlvidu de l«i en arracher le sceptre, de le b riser et d'en fouler auxpieds les tronfonsmutilfis pour .nsulter aux victimes de ses re.- Bcntimens, aprcs avoir travaille i\ les couvrir d'opprobre. H. LETT RE AU LORD V ICO MTE G O D E R I C H, SKCRKTAIUE d'eTAT DE SA MAJESTE' POUR LKS COLONIES. abandon ?, in order i Memoir; CO, which ; to wliicli Doctor ot ty in this )sc already c ;itlulavits lul shown, tliose only stated, by Llier calcu- lun lor sc •h, witliont 1 my part. le Colonial Assembly he fi;reatest i' evidence reen — and, )o found in is to say, a the course teeof Gric- i I'cbrnary, k'licc detuds nstitnted at lis aflidavifc, ,' Chiiniii/tce, ■ Committfc, Mr MVLORD, M. Stuart .\ la fin dc sa lettre a cru devoir abandonncr les accusations ar- ticnlees dans le premier ct le troisieme rapport dn Comiic punr revcnir an second anqnei il avait tente de repondre duns son memoire ; mais il s'cst entre antres mepris sur la deposition de Dele^alle, dont il a cm dOtrnire le t^'moi^Miage en invo- quant un fait etranger a celui snr leqiiel Delegalle avait de-post-. II prodnit encore, du Docteur en m(5decine Von Iffland, un affidavit qui ne pcut faire preuve que de son in6puisable fecondite en cc genre. .faurais pu saisircctte occasion d'ajoutcr quclques remarques a celles qui sc trouvent di-jii dans mes observations sur le memoire relativcmcnt aur affidavits qui I'accompagnont, si je n'avais pas demontre leur nullite absolue, et fait voir surtout que ccux du Docteur et de St. Germain peie, les sculs sur lesquels ^L Stuart au- rait pu compter, si les faits articnles par ces deux temoins avaient eu quelqu'ombre lie vraisemblance, etaient plutut propres l\ fournir maliere a des plaisantenes, (si j'avais \\\x me les permeltre,) qu'a une discussion sc'rieuse. Mais il est un autre dc ccsafiidavits, celui de M. Green, qui sans importance en lui.meme exige poiirtant de ma part de nouvelles remarques. parce que son contemi a provoqu.- le Rapport que jai mis au l]urcaii Colon al le premier de ■Mai laiti.ar un Comittl- de I'Assemblce dans la derniere Session du 1 ariement Provincial et qui jette le plus grand jour sur la vtritc de mes observations quant ■i cettecspecede preuve, sur la justesse de celles qui re;,'ardent celiii de M. Grcca en particnlier, cnlin et jiar-dessus tout qui ajoiite un nouvcau poids a plusieurs lies considerations qui se trouvent dans la recapitulation qui tcrmine mesrephques aux renonses dc M. Stuart. . „ . ^ ,• j L'aflidavit de lAL Green a etc donne Ic 4 Avril 1831 ; c'cst-adire pen de terns apivs la Session du I'ark'ment Provincial, pendant laquelle il avait paru ct donnc sa deposition dcvant Ic Coniite dcs Uriels. Dans cetaftidavit, il d/clarc qn'intcrroge le CG Fevrier dcvant le Comite, il ■ avait en repondant donne comme partie de son tcnioignage des details relatits a il conduitc de M. Stuart quant ar,x poursuitcs intentees dans la Session tie Ouarlierdu District de Quebec. II les specific dans cct affidavit et ajoute que •' ce lvnw} "' ' Jilled . VM..thi..«d.v-.. A,p.nd.. to th.B.ponol th. (..---H^ ^PP'l" Vi'da i'ieport of Committee, Evidenc*. 25 ience tea* eponent't igto Mr. It of fact, the Com- ;rted it in t, was not hjcct, was r accusing I and mu- jsed to his ihis impu- =ssion, de- [lommittee. leroiis wit- Li Mr. La- :eedings of could bear is suppres- bcloie the Mr Lalon- ihim. Mr. before the less, proved my. Tlieir at the time Mr. Stuart, tness, before it time, and a day, dif- thut it took ;s, who were even Mem- ;r. Green an n if he had jmmunicated ? draji of an •Jwien to me ; }pi/ he sent to draft of the orney Central ippose he had Jilkd " quipr6posait V interrogation en r^ponse de laquelle le temoignage fut dotinc qii'il " n'etail pas mcessairc de coudier par ccrii cctte parlie du temoignage du de- •' posanl." * . . • r «i II est inutile de revenir sur cette partie de ce tomoignage qui, suivant 1 ath- dayit i\c M. Green, n'aurail pas etc rcdigee par ccrit. On a pu voir qu'en eifet clle aurait etc inutile, s'ilTavait donncc, et qu'aprcs tout le Comitc n'aurait pas merits la plus Icgcre censure de ne I'avoir pas insercc dans son rapport puisqu'en ettet. il nVtait nuilomcnt question de la conduite de M. Stuart dans le District de Qu(:bcc, enfin qu'ilnVtaitiechorchc qu';\ raison dc cclle quil avait tenue dans celui dc Montreal a cct ogaril. Mais M. Stuart en a appele ;\ cet affidavit pour accuser haulerocnt M. La- fontaine et le Comitc d'avoir supprimc et mutilu volontairement le temoignage de M. CJreen dans uu inturet contrairc ii la vcritc et a sa justification. M. Lafontame a du naturellement se plaindre de cette iuiputation. Cost ce qu'il a fait par Petition a la Chambre pendant la dcrnicre Session, en demandant une enquete pour sa propre justification et celle du Comitc. La Chambre a fait proccder k une investigation laborieuse durant laquelle des temoins ont cti; interroges en grand nombre, le Comitc qui en etait charge a cnteridu et M. Lafontaiiie et M, Green, enfin a fait un examen rigoureux des proced('s du Comite de I'annce pr^- ccdente ct toutes les circonstances qui pouvaient avoir rapport a cet objet. II resulte maintenant dc cctte enquete la preuvc que Ic fait de cette sup- pression comme celui de la mutilation de la partie pretendue du temoignage donnc au Coniite, sent des chimeres, M.Green avait etc interroge le 2G Fevrier 1831, mais M. Lafontaine ne I'avait pas interroge, navait meme eu aucune conversation avec lui, M. Green n'avait fait aucune declaration de la nature de celle dont il rend compte dans son aliidavit, ou unalogne, devant le Comite. Ce sont la encore des choses bien extraordinaires, mais enfin ce sont des Lits constatc^-s de manierca ne pas laisser au doute meme nn prctextc. Lcnr verite n'cst pas seulcment attestee par la deposition des temoins prcjsens lors de I'examen de M. Green, elle lest par lui-meme. Quelque terns apresla Session de I'annce derniere, il eut avec M. Stuart un entretien au sujet de loxamen qu'il avait subi devant le Comite comme temoin. II parait quesamenioire I'aurait alors trahi et qu'il aurait attribue a M. Lafon- taine une conversation qu'il avait eue un jour diflerent de celui de son examen, qu'il se trouvait dans la piece ou le Comite tenait ses seances avec quelques autres temoins qui devaient paraitrc devant le Comite, et (lue ces temoins n'etaient pas meme membres de la Chambre, qu'enfin M. Lafontaine n'y prit iHicune part. M. Stuart croyant sans doute voir dans les faits rapport^s par M. Green un moyen d'attaquer les membres du Comite, lui demanda s il avait aucune opposi- tion il lui donner son affidavit des faits dont il lui avait fait part. M. Green s'y preta, ctprepara, dit-il, un prqjet (Faffidavit dont la teneur etait la mcmc que celle dc I'q/fidavit imprime, mais dans son prqjet qu'il lui remit it nes'ij trouvait pas d'eJ'plications (hivendos) .... elles Jurent ajoutees dans /« copic au net qu'il lui renvoya et qu'il a aisermentee. t 11 y a plus encore. M. Green croit que dans le prqjet, il avait ete laisse un hlancpourla date et quedayis laCopie que M. le Procureur General lui envoi/a pour itre assermentee le blmc etait rempli par cejour (2G Fevrier) et ajouta, je suppose W ■ » Voyoz cct Affidavit, Appcndice du Rapport du Comito marquu A. ct Mumoire de M. Stuart. Appendico No. 2, f Voycz rapport du Comite, Timoignajes. D 26 /f /A.^ ;n from the document he had before him ; that is, the printed report. And J ^r.^!^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lngo charaeto. I coiiia point out many ^^^'"/'['-""'S enouch to prove the truth of mv ..ith regard to t'n* afHcavit ; bu I have sa^pug^^^^^ ^^^,,^^^j ,^,^.^ obs.rvalions upon this kind "^^^'^'^"^,7,1 A of Mr. Green particularly, whose a Committee o^' the C..nu.ons and ^^^h^ h^^^^^^^^^ j^P^j ^J^ affidavit, coupled with those of the F^"^^ | ^ , ^is innoce,u:e, and the according to Mr. Stuart, at once-n ^ v^^^"/'^^ ^^„ ^hich was calculated to criminal suppression, of part ot Mr. ^^rcen s - u justify him! I r^^o t»,P Committee. Mr. Green observes, " the Attorney c».™Vi^ rw- ^ * srr ««.•» ^'-". ■■'■ -« ^ "'» "" "-^"^ subordinate to him." | v^vino- ^iiid elsewhere, that he is Clerk ^ . ■ _-• :„„l «.n»«r>pc whirh isi HI ,e J usticcs of the I'eace at ijueuec, --"''- " V ^^i^^^i.^. L,,„y, he was jurisdicti..n of which .xtonds over twelve Lou es nU l ^,,[„f .^ese itthattime Law Clerk of the House oAs^e^^^^^^^^^^ P .j^^ ^,,^,, h, functions, in one an^ the same > son. -' 1 p proportionate to \ttornev Uenerai in mu i iwt...^^, ^-..■- — - "c;,ro.-eromce., » ho are hi, inliriors; »hat weight .hey might add to h,s Opinions and to his adyicc. i>esides what the sreater part The following are some which deserve to h; here again pointed out. '■■'- -iSi^srs^s^S^S this subject, the allidavits of three respt from a sense of justice and a rc-ardjur truth him Las'.lv, Xihich, according to from a sense ofr^st.cc and a '"^^^ '/!'';; 'J '/-,;,./ , ,„„,„./ Jnm by the Assembly.% him are a cumpldc rcjutalnm of the ^7, -^f' ^' °"\!j J,,,t of Mr. Ciale, )»e.etof..re The first of th se affi lavus, as we ha e «f"« ^^^ " ,, .ed to England Justice of the I'eace and ^^'-i^^^"^ I'S ^rc^aXTor Cug into play. in IH-e, to support the system '> G^v^nment org^n^ ^^n^^^^.^^ ^^ ^„^, by Mr. Stuart. The second ,s that « .fj'' -^ \V Mr. Delisle, their Clerk. P^ace i:ilhe s, me Court; »«t V. be th r . 's tlu^ ot .^^^^^^^ ■„ ^^her All three agree in •••^''^^"'•"f ^^* j. f ';e J^^^^ at the Quarter Ses. Courts, the p.os.c;tions which ''''"'''' ''"^^.'''"'-"'t of funds to meet the en- sions. to a fcehng .f duty to "J'f •^;; > •'- ^i,^„;/", ,t i o sav, that from mo- penseofinstilu.ing them at th. Z'^;^^ ,^?f^^^^^^^^ for the lives ol- economy, it ^^^'^^''^^^^.^^^ ,' ^^t'^^eror eH t times more considerable benefit of the Attorney Genera ' "^'j,;^;/" .„^,';" .'Jiops been instituted in this than would 1. ,ve been incurre, had ^hese p o eci ^^^^ ^^^^ • Vl<)p Ropiirt of CommiUm! Evidence, t VI.Ip Mr Stiiiirt'> Memoir. Andl arocter, \ of my before wliose prove, ami the lateil to Utorney I Officer is Clerk District icxtends e Clerks ions, the ', he was of these that he ionate to jnd him- jnciions, lid exer- i to his ater part rt of this her facts :rvutions. ion upon [ave them -ordrng to issemhlij.% )eretofi»re England into play, ice of the eir Clerk. in other after Ses- Bt the en- from uio- le for the nsideruble ;d in this sums were if Quebec, ^finin^ the IS who was examined \pps I 27 suppose quit Pavait rmpli cfapris les Documens qui etaient devant lui (M. Stuart,) c'est-d'flire, le rapport imprime du Omite. Etje suppose maintenant qti'il ne lui est pas venu dam I* esprit que In dale ftU une chose de consequence. * Je pourra;s indiquer h Vaiitns '-irconstanees qui no sout pas moins etran- glares relativement a cet atft.iu It ; miiis en voila bien assez pour justifier la v6rite de mes observations sur cette cspece de temoignage oppos6 a celui qui est produit devant un Comit6 des Communes, et par rapport a celui de M. Green en particu- lier, dont lath'davit reuni a ceux du fertile Docteur Von Iffland prouverait pour- tant snivant M. Stuart, a la fois d'unc manicre victoneuse son innocewce et la suppression criminelle de la partie do celui de M. Green qui e'tait propre a le ^"^ 'Datissesrdponses devant le Comitc M. Green observe que M. le Procureur du RoiestunhiutOJuier dans la Cour du Banc du Roi dans laquelle tl lui est Officitr surbordonne- % ,, ^ ^ i , Co sontsespropres termes, apres avoir dit ailleurs qu'd est Ur^er de la Couronne dans cette Cour. Je dois ajouter que cest de cette Cour pour le District de Quebec en matieres criminelles dont il est question, et que sa juris- diction emhrasse quatorze des Comtes de la Province. M. Green est en outre Tun des Greffiers des .luges .\ Paix do Quebec et de la Cour de Session de Quartier, dont la jurisdiction s'etend sur douze des Cointes de ce District. Enfin il 6taitalorsen mcme tens Gieffior en loi de la Chambre d'Assemblee. Une reunion de places et de ces di verses fonctions dans une meme personne, devraient fairesupposer a celui qui en est revetu une ^-Itvation d'idces et de sentimens pro- portionnes h leur importance. La facilite avec laquelle M. Green a pu se preter a ces demarches pent faire voir quelle influence un homme revetu de fonctions aussi exclusives que le sunt celles du Procureur General dans la Provinco. pou- vaitexcrcer sur les otHci.rs (jui lui sont inferieurs, quel poids ellcs pouvaient ajouter k scs opinions et a ses avis. Mais ind( pendammen' de ce terme de comparaison, et outre ce que le con- tenu de la phipart des affidavits produits par M. Stuart a de singuher, le rapport de ce tlernier Comitc presente encore relativement au meme sujet quelques autrcs fails bien capables de me laver du soup9i)n d'exaguation dans mes ohser- vations. En voici (iiielques-uus Mui meiitent d'etre signahs ici de nouveau. M. Stuart a produit a I'appui de ses moyens de justification sur cet article les affidavits de trois inilividm respectables, dit-il, qui les ont doimes par un scnti- rnt'vt de jiislicc et de respect pour la u'rite . . . .^ Enjin qiu pi ouvent en tuus. points la faussete de I accusation portce coiilre lui d cet egard. § Comme on I'a vu, le premier de ces affidavits est celui de M. Gale, ci-dcvant Juge a Paix et President de la Session de Quartier, depute eri Angleterre en "ihOs, pour souteuir le systeme z li' Mi'iiioirc ill- M. Stuart. : J VojU Icttrc .le M. Stiuirt u Lord (Joderich du ii Oetobre 1831, du Memo.re dans 1 App^uJic.. ffHf ' 28 exan.lnea aurin, the last Session, that ^-^Z::!^^!':^ ^^^^^'^^ an.ountca, for l>^9.to «ve -nu ral roumls^.h.!^^^ ^^. ^,^.^ Quebec, amounted only to tlnce 'JI>"aied.^ le.. i?wcNvcrc.tol)elievc">ir(jl.le npnnthc snlyect, Mr. V)ut they again r.re facts. c-stcd Ml ili^tortni-; it .^ \> t "^\S •^':_„„ • . ^i' ,. „*„„, thcv nntiht ^lluJrl^tcd i.) distorting .t :' ^ e ''^7 -^" ";;': i;-^^:^,^,^ steps they might \VlKlt bo led nnder the pretence of dnect, g t c com - - — .^ . ^.^^,^i ^^ve been are ve to think, .ho. ot tins st.p on t e P t ol M, ^^^e^". ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ .Mnleavonred to denounce, as an act ot ^y"^; ">'.'' '/''^;^,,„,,. ,y ,i,eir confi- ' L-«; tV;";r.'^o »;,rancc of the n,o.t ..ofouod respce- with which, I have the honor 10 be. my Lord, Your Lordbhip's obedient and very humbh servant, 1). B VKiER. london Coffee House. Ludgate Hill, 2-,'d May, 1832. The Ri"ht Honorable 1 ord Viscount Goderich, Secretary oflstate for the Colonial Uepart.nent. &c. &c. &c. • Ucport ol the Committee Evitifuce. f Heiiorlol tbet-'omiuittcc. 29 I'un ties t^moins qui a 6i6 examine pendant la derni^rc Session, que la somrae votce pour le District de Montreal ^ait en 1829 de cinq cens louis, tandis que Cfclle qui ijtait accoidoo pour celui de Quebec nYtait que de trois cens, * en peu plus de deux tiers de cette derniiire somme avaient suffit pour faire face ii toute la dcpense dans le District de Q .6bec, tandis que Ton n'avait pas meme employ^ pour Montreal la vingt-cinquieme partie de la somme vot6e. Le surplus de la dcpense que M.le Procurourfieneraloccasionnait a la Povince, ses honoraires compris.n'en <;tait pas moins paye ;\ m6me le revenu public, et cependant si Ion en croyait M. Gale, M. Stuart aurait viol6 son devoir s'il avail tenu une autie conduite ! On devrait penser d'abord que cc sont la aussi des choses i\ peine croyables ; mais ce sont encore des faits. Ce sont \k aussi les tableaux mis sous les yeux du Gouverneraent de Sa Majesty avec le sceau du serment ! Mais si des renseignemens de cette espfece ont pu lui etre donnas, accompagnd de cet acte solemnel de religion pour en attester la v6rit6 et I'exactitudc, que penser de ceux qui, par fois ont pu lui parvenir dans les Coursordinaires des affaires, quand le pr^juge, I'erreur, ou la passion avaient inl^ret de les ddfigurer ? On a pu voir quels avis ou pouvait se croire autoris6 ^ donner i\ des Gouverneurs, dans quelles d-marches on pouvait les entrainer sous pr^texte de diriger la marche de 1' Administration. Que penser aussi relativement ^ cette d-marche de M. Green, si Ton a pu tenter de d^noncer comme un acte de tyrannic la declaration de lAssembU-e qu'il setait mis par li\ dans me pontion d neplus mSriter sa confiance ! t Quel vaste champ ouvert k la reflexion ! J'ailaisse de c6tc pi usieurs traits dignes de remarquedans ce rapport et dois meborner k ce» observations, d'autant que xM. Stuart n'en a pu fournir lui m^me aucune sur ce rapport. Je dois faire observer qu'il ne peut pas se plaindre de n'avoir eu personne sur les Ueux pour surveiller les proctd^s du Comitd charge de cette Enquete, ou qu'il ait 6te exclusivement compose des membies de I'Assem- blee qu'il accuse d'avoir conjure sa perte. Son propre frfere ^tait membre du Comite, a interrog6 les temoins a plusieurs reprises. Avocat d'une reputation et detalens distingu(:-8, il a suivi cette affaire avec I'attention dont elle etait digne, etfaitce que la justice aurait exige de lui quant bien meme il n'y aurait pas et6 port6 par un sentiment d'attachement pour celui qui s'y trouvait interess{5. Je prie votre Seigneurie de vouloir bien agr^er les sentimens duprofond respect avec lequel j'ai I'honneur d'etre. Sou humble et obeissant serviteur, (Sign6) London Coffee House, Ludgate Hill, 22 Mai 1832. A Sa Seigneurie, Lord Viscount Goderich, Secretaire d'Etat pour les Colonies, etc., etc, etc. D. B. VIGER. * Rapport du Comili'. Ti'inoigDiige. £ <; I(rrf REMARKS Of THE HONORABLE DENIS BENJAMIN VIGEll, RELATIVE TO THE (GRIEVANCES SET FORTH IN THE ADDRESS 01' TUK COMMONS Ol- LOWEll CANADA OBSERVATIONS 1)E L HONORABLE DENIS BENJAMIN VIGER, UELATIVKS AUX ClUIEl'S ARTICULES DANS LADRESSE DES COMMUNES DU BASCAXADA. REM AUKS, &c, Sir, In the conversations I have had with the Colonial Minister, since my arrival in England, it has become necessary to enter into explanations, ana after- w-irds to submit to him in writing, observations and statements ot tacts re- lative to the Grievances set forth in the Address of the Commons of the Provmce. I was for some time enga^rcd in that vork whicii I had to leave off, m order to occupy myself wholly witii Mr. Stuart's Memorial, which has since necessarily absorbed my time, and almost exclusively concentrated my attention. I have alreadv had occasion when 1 sent you the Copy of the first observa- tions which I laid before Lor.l Goderich, respecting the proceedings of the As. sembly towards .Mr. Stuart, to state to you the great ength of his Memorial which was afterwards communicated to me, and on winch 1 informed you that I laboured without intermission, which I am yet doing. I mentioned also to you the variety and complication of the topics whicii it includes. His Lordship having expressed to me his wish that I shouhi communicate to lum my observations on that subject, in proportion as I could prepare them, I thought it my duty to send him as 1 did on tiie '29tli of September, those winch I considered as in a proper state to submit to him; I shall soon transmit some others to him, and will continue to emnlov myself in doing this, until the work is hnally got through. I could wish to be able to communicate to you, for the Assembly, tlioso observations in proportion as 1 send them to the Ministcv. but, in truth, time has absolutely been wanting for copying them, I have already had the honor of informing you that the young C.cntlemau whom I employ, does not suthce for the labour which circumstances require from him, whatever be his application and his assiduity, with which I must say that I am perlectly satisfied. 1 will transmit them to you as soon as possible. i r i i .i In the mean time I have availed of a period when he was beforehand with mc. to cause him to make a copy of tiic considerations which I laid before I ord Viscount Goderich, on the l«Jth of September, on ilie subject ot thetwohrst articles of general Grievances complained of by the Assembly, and on w nch I had interviews with his Lordship. I iiad made drafts ol several others, but to wliich I could not put the last stroke, on account ot tiie necessity in which 1 afterwards found myself of incessantly working upon my obscrsations on Mr. Stuart s Memorial. . I ought, no doubt, at the same time, on this occasion, enter into some ex- planations respecting the observations o'" which I send you a Copy. It is just now absolutely impossible. I can assure you tiiat 1 have not one moment at my disposal. I have also to solicit through your means the iiulul-ence ol tiie As- sembly Uesides my Correspondence, which is not inconsiderable, 1 venture to flatter myself that when the House see Mr. Stuarts Memorial, and the remaiks it could not fail to draxv from me, they will be convinced that 1 iiave done all that depended upon me, to second their just \iews, and those ot the Country^ OBSERVATIONS, etc. Monsieur, Dans les entrcticns que j'ai cus avec Ics Minis»;res des Colonies dopuis mon arrivee en Angleterre, il est clevenu ndcessairo d'entrer en explications, et en- fin do lui soumettrc par (^crit des observations et des tableaux des faits relatifs aux Griefs articules dans I'Adresse des Communes de !a Province. Je me livrais dejadepuis du terns a ce travail, quil m'a fallu laisser pour m'occuper en entier du Memoirede M. Stuart qui a du necessaircment depuis absorber mon terns et concentrer mon attention d'une manicre a peu pres exclusive. J'ai dc'ja eu occasion en vous envoyant Copie des premieres observations que j'ai raises sous los yeux du Lord Goderich relativement aux demarches de I'Assemblc^e centre M. Stuart de vous faire part de la longueur de son M^moire dont j'avais eu ensuite communication, et sur lequel je vous mandais que je travallais sans reli\chc comme je le fais encore. Je vous parlais aussi de la varicte des objets qu'il renferme et de leur complication. Sa Seigneurie m'ayant t^moign6 le desir d'avoir communication de mes observations a ce sujet, k mesure que je pourrais les preparer, j'ai cru devoir lui envoyer en effet le 29 Septembre, cellcs que je croyais en etat de lui ctre soumises. Je lui en remettrai quelques autresces jours-ci, etcontinuerai b. m'occuper de ce travail jusqu'il ce qu'il soit entierement terminc. Je voudrais pouvoir vous communiquer ces observations pour I'Assemblee, a mesure que je les cnvoie au Ministre ; raais en verite le temsa absolument manque pour en faiie les Copies. J'ai dcja eu I'honneur de vous demander que lejeune Monsieur que j'emploie ne pent suffire au travail que les circonstances existent de lui, quelles que soient son application et son assiduite, dont je dois dire que j'ai a me louer. Je vous les transmettrai aussitot que possible. En attendant, j'ai profite du moment ou il avait quelqu'avance sur moi, pour lui faire faire une Co|)ie des considerations que j'ai raises sous les yeux de Sa articles I entretiens avec mettre la derniere main, a raison de la neccssite ou je me suis trouve ensuite de travailler constamment a mes observations sur le Memoire de M.Stuart. Je devrais en meme tems, sans doutc, entrer dans ce moment dans quelques explications relativement aux observations dont je vol's envoie Copie, la cnose est absolument impossible pour le moment Je puis vous assurer que je n'ai aucun monuMit a ma disposition. Je sollicite aussi par votre cntremise I'indul- gence de I'Assemblee. Outre ma correspondance qui ne laisse pas que d'etre considerable, j'ose me flatter que quaiul elle verra le iMemoire de M. Stuart et les observations qu'il a du provoquor de ma part, ello sera convaincue que j'ai fait tout ce qui pouvait dependrc de moi pour seconder sesjustes vueset celles . du ^'" ^I'Leg, Sir. you will accept of the assurance of respect with which 1 liavc the honor to be. Your obetlicnt servant, (Signed,) 1). r.. VIGEK. London, 0th October, 1 S3 1. The llonble. J. L. Papincau, Esquire, Speaker of the I louse of Assembly of Lower Canada, kc. kc. kc. REMARKS ON THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN CANADA. , r^ ,-. ThoUcurcscntations of the House of Assembly of Lower 1st GuiKV.Nc I. :- 1 ?ViSo deserve especial attention. It is not with- Canada. on the subject ol \^'",'^;^''"' ';;"''?' i.occclcncr of all others contained out M.thceni grounds tl.at tins ^■'''ry'^"",,'',';,*^^ '".V.'f, ^^^^^^^ facts which n,av ,„ their AddK^ss to the Ku,g and i>a.kun nt i^^^^^^^^^ .^ ,^^,,-, be cited on this subject, would al.o be ^^'> ^ a^ co „cvertheless, not bo i„g correct opinions with respect to many ;' he. • t nu c ^ ^^^,^ _ exacted Iha't 1 should outer into v.ry '^"'^^ ■"^''"'\\'^^/ ^^^ f , " ^^^^^^ fn.m which Bu't It is at least requisite to point out ^^^.^^^^^^^ 2^, „u.st be taken it will be easy to draw sure conclusions. \et to do Jun^s, up at an cali^ r period. , . „. -ppts the Religious, Moral and Civil The I'lulowments winch had for th> a ''^f'']'^'^ ( o„auest, w. ro grand nud Education of the Inhabitants ot --"-^^;,,'j^'\"^,;'i^ ,', ' Tis ecause it did not noble. Jf the iruit. they produced have ";;"^; th^r^f^-??^!:-^ -'^'^^-' ""^'^ '■^- always distinguisl.od ^'^ "l-;;;^^;; ^ 'tnl^er;?^^^ local Adunuistration havng. not t^ionu some p u.s whiH. were moie^ - J- ,,;;;;;;^^ -^,., ^ They !;;;a;i;:;.:^:irn:r-ui;!r 'i' cxthict..; of the order of ..esuus, wh.oh nng c (Ill Pays. Jc puis au moins dire avec vcrite que j'ai employ^ toutce que j'ai de nioyens, ct que si jc u'ai pas fait davantage ce n'est pas faute d'explication, c'est faulc de talens pour fairc micux. Je vous prie Monsieur de recevoir les assurances du respect avec lequel J'ai I'honneur d'etre, Votre obeissant Serviteur, D. B. VIGER. Lnndres, 6 Octobre 1831. L'Hon. J. L. Papineau, Ecr., Orateur de PAssemblec du Bas-Canada, etc., etc., etc. >!)li-!imeuts, REMARQUES SUR L'ETAT DE L'EDUCATION EN CANADA. Icr. Grief.— Les representations de I'Assemblee du Bas^Canada relativement a rEdiication, nicritent uno attention particulicre. Ce n'est pas sans raison que cc Griif sc trouve prcccder tons les autres dans son adresse au Roi et au I'arlcmont. Les fails nombicux que I'on pourrait iuvoqucr ;\ ce sujet seraient aussi bion proprcs ;\ servir de termcs dc coinparaison pour aider n se former une opinion oxactc par rapport ii bcaucoup d'autrcs On ne doit pas neaninoins sattcndrc a mo voir cntrer dans des details tres-circonstancies dans un ouvrage comme cclui-ci. II est necessaire au moins d'indiquer quelques-uns des plus imjiortans dont "l sera facile dc tirer des conclusions sures. Mais pour cela, il faut prendre les cboses d'un peu plus baut. Les dotations qui avaient eu pour objct I'Education religieuse, morale et civile des Ilabitaiis du Canada avant la ConquOte f^taient grandes et nobles. Si les fruits qu'elies avaient produits navaient pas etc plus beureux, c'est qu'il n'ctait pas dans la nature du (Jouvernemcnt auquel la Colonic etait assujettie de stimulerl't'inuiation, (pi'au contraire il devaitnt'cessairementla paraliser. D'ailleurs, dans Ic Canada, plus cpie dans aucune autre Colonic Fran9aise peut-ctre, a raison dc quclques circonstancos particulirrcs qui no sont pas de mon sujet, les gouts et les habitudes du jjciiple etaient devcnus a-pcu-pres exclusivement militaires. Son education dcvait etre generalement trc^'s-negligec, quels que fussent les jnoyens de sc la procurer, j)arce quelle lui etait inutile. C'est en etfet celle du peuple k proprement parler dont il est iei question. Quant ;\ celle que I'on re9oit dans les Colleges, outre qucUiues autres etablissemens de ce genre qui attestent des vues ctciidues, les Jesuitcs avaient I'tabli .\ (Juebcc un College qui etait un des plus beaux temples que I'on ait encore elevi's aux sciences dans I'Ameriquedu Nord, il etait gecn anin^cu " I i , ,„„.;.,„ f,„. takiti" possession the of pro- countries < l, I .rn.shecl (.overnn.ent ^^^ ''"'''! j,;'j',^!"j,,,t in iM^Mand iere pertvthut ''f"fi';;;:";';;tJ"^rtv L;^ eseheut to the King cvou I'f ^^'^^'l^^Vf.-^ of u .1 .. o the rcqn.st of Lord Amherst, a promise ,vh..h lie '";K;:\,f; r ^^^',,2'' ^Kepiesentations made by the people of Canu- had bein made to give it to mm. _ iv i inei-oiiiii.^. -: ,:i';i,V.n..riL's of eii-m'^MUcnt contracted witii Lord Aiii- I'^V'^^n'riH iil^ UrSt^U';Kli;;ment granted an Annuity to his herst cotild not be '' f'"- '"^ ' ^yii.., after this, would suppose that f„„ily to stand '"f,^'^\^ "!^^ ^7^,^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Z\ still continue, to be minaged by ''n 't\dmirst ruion x^^^^^^^^^^^ ■•---ed the whole of the revenue ''■' '"''r-^^ f i c'^l trofthe representations of the people of the C ountry "'■''"■^ \l n f the \ s bly in particular, to whom, even this y.ar, they have '^^''T ; m i sH e 1^^^^^ of liose Uevenucs. and o( the purp.,ses to which retuscd to lu. m.li a ^^^" «:" „„^, t,, „„k, i,is r.^ccLons upon this, they were api.hod. j/f ''^^\ ^V'J-Vc,Ue, the Semn.uries of Quebec and Mon- After the la lot ^'^ ^ w ■ > t\,r kmIv resnectivelv. alouc intended tor tho treal. -l^ch establ.shmcMit. w^ e oi^ ^^^^ ^^ ^,^^ ,,^,^^_ formation \' ''f ' ''' l . rcCidnii. y.'.uth have sine, been enabled to cation provKled therein, ^v eu Ic ^ ;"'^^^'''^! >; ' ^ ^ y ^ ,„„st be said receive that which is ^'-'-'1 [."' ,^ '" i sucl w y as to deserve the gratitude S-^v^:7J;:n.i;r'^;b;S;le;;ed C:^.!^;;; as th^ nave deserved and obtained ''-' ^,:;::wrKs-;:^ other establishments in the P-h.ce devoted to Eleniei. tary..U.cati;u, with meat, of, onning^^ land, and ^^'"^ '> '^''^I'^V ih: ^ n^^^^^^^^^ ^'^^''^^ emulation, and to endeavoured to avail of ^'''•^^. ,''.'' ,\;' j , , ' i„ isoi. thev conceived the ,^ ^ m nrn ' vl ich Schools' llu-v ...ul.l tim, l,:,vo .he ,.,U„o ,l,r«-l,o,> anyolliu "« ' V ,1, i„ance ors.'Vcial laia.livJj "rmlk- lioai tilt place :;^e.:t"seil:.l".;a;;' t''tZ:^^^ »l.rn„«„t b. lutl. incl,n„l to l.t.n ,0 Ihii. petitions aii.l still l^stho Cori.oration itsull. (1.) F"v ln^tau■ c in FUiitjia »n<\ in I'rustia. Our Ton aurait pu laisscr se perpetucr commeoa I'avait fait ailleurs (I.) sans danger, fournit un motif an Gouvcrncmerit de prendre possession des biens qui leur appartcnaicnt dans la Colonic. On avait nicme persuade an Gouvernement en Angleterre que c'etait une aiibaine dont le lloi pouvait disposer, et sur la deiuande de Lord Amherst on lui avait promis de lui en faire le don. Des rcpriscntations des Citoyens du Canada arreti^rent I'execution de cet etrange ])rojct qui n'allait pas moins qu'a faire h un individu le don de biens dont les .Icsuites n'ctaient en rcalite que les di'positaires, qui etaient entre leurs mains des foiidations pieuses dont les revenus etaicnten effet consacres a I'education des Ilabitans du Pays. Aussi, sur la dcinaiule du Gouvernement d'Angleterre qui se voyait des lors hors d'etat de rem[)lir I'cspcce dengagement qu'il avait contract^ envers Lord Amherst, le Parlemcnt Britannique accorda a sa famille une rente viagere pour lui tcnir lieu deccs biens. Qui dcvrait croirequ'ils sont ncanmoins restes et sont encore dans cc moment n'gis par 1' Administration locale qui en a per9UJU8qu'a present les revenus, en depit des reclamations du peuplc du Pays, et de I'AssembU'een particulier, a laquelle, encore cette annec, elle a refuse de mettre sous sesyeux un tabkau de ces revenus et des objets auxquels ils {taient em- ploy(jS ! Laissons a chacun a liiire scs reflexions. Le Colli'ge des ,I('suitcs ttant tombt'-, les Stminaires de Quebec et de Montreal, dont rctablissement avait respectivement pour but autrefois de former sculcment des I'kclesiastiques, ont succes.sivenient etcndu le plan d'l'ducation de leurs iMaisonSj dans Icsqudies les jeunes Canadians out pu depuis recevoir celle que Ion donne ordinaironient dans les Colleges d'Lurope. On pent dire qu'ils ont rcmpli cette tache de nianirre a acquerir des titres a la reconnaissance de tout Gouvernement sage et cclairc, eomme ils ont mtrite et obtenu celle du pays lui-mcme. II se trouvait aussi dans la Province d'aiitres etablissemens consacres ;\ I'Education elementaire ; des nioyens d'en former avouis par les Lois du Pays ou que I'on aurait pu aisuncnt mettre en (luvre d'accord avec ces Lois-l.i memes. L'Administration ne sest nulkment occupie de profiter de ces principes de vie pour exciter I'emulation et les faire fructiHer on multiplier, mais eufln en milduiit- cent-un elle songea a cxecuter un projet, forme depuis dija du tems. de I'etablisse- ment d'uno Corporation, qui ombras>erait en quelque sorte tout le Pays et qui dirigcrait I'iulucation dans toutes ses parties, mi^me I'Education elementaire, jusque dans les phis petits details. Cette Corporation devait se composer plus tard, commeoii la vu en effot ;i-peu-prcs exclusivement, de Protestans de I'Eglise Episcopalo il Angleterre dans un Pays ou la Population des neuf-dixiemes des Ilabitans est Catholique, ou la tres-grande majoritc du leste se compose de Protestans dissidens de I'Eglise d'Angleterre. Ce fiit I'objit d'un Bill soumis k la Chambre d'AsseudjIee, a hujiielle on proposa aussi de mettre sous la jurisdic- tion de cette Corporation, tons les etablissemens d'Education drji existans, sans aueune distinction I On proposa de memo et encore plus si rieusement de forcer les Ilabitans de toutes les l»aroisses a faire la de'pense de batir des Ecoles, dont la Coiporation devieiuirait proprii taire, dont le (iouverneur nommerait les Maitres, c'est-a-iliie, la Corporation sous son nom, les deplaceiait et les remplacerait, dont clK' auiait enlin par la exclusivement la ilireetion et la conduite, sans que les Ilabitans des Paroisses, ou aucun d eux. pussent avoir d autres droits a cet egard que celui de faire d'humbles repi-si iitations a un Gouverneur qui pourrait se trouvera plusieurs CLUtaints de mille du lieu ou I'Ecole serait (:'tablie, ou peu dispose a acceder a leurs prieres, encore moins la Corporation elle-mtme. Nos ( I.) Par exeinplc eu Riissieet en Prusie. r)UT Commons had till than been in the habit of pushing their complaisance ^^^j^:;^ "?- Fbi^^^ ^« ^^^^ -"s Colleges and o^'-' -^'^.mons ot t-t n^^^^^^^^^ ^^^. ^^^^ ^^^^.^^^^^ [rr^^osc" hiclf ^^^^^^^ ^"'^l voluntarily place under its junsd.ction. A the sUc time power was given to the Corporation, of wlueh the whole ex- At the same J'^^ -^ P ^ry^- ^,,j^t ^hcy were not even put under the tent was '^^^^ ^^^ut 'ants of Mnrn.ain, required by our laws, i.i order to necessity ot tak g out patcM capable of becoming landed proprietors. ^'="%^t;r"Xr^; illiuo^imatc the authors of this n.asure, finished . 7,kin Jt" rs hat wire toe, well founded speedily to give wav to conhdence. ^l^,r^rS t m^^^^ Inhabitants of the' Country, the Catholics, and the Ihe gieattsipari ui i k,., f.-ol ., rcnucnancc, which events justihed, VriJoJduir^S; " 1. h d the nlul^^f the., the School Masters of '\ ? 1 P^to be wl oil t^^^ of those who were the most interested in ;;rchinrov r le tl' -^^^ l^-"^'>'^^ which could not but be expec H^Lh tint the Corporation Schools have been few u. number; and that h.;' i' rt; into iK^d he effect of placing the most serious obstacles in the w^v ;!i' the progress of Kducat.on, instead of contributing to encourage and pro- ^'"^'how in fact could it be expected to see the people, the Members of the rlnJvTud.inhoscvvho possessed any inriuence in the country, take any inte- tieigy, aud =*'' '^^J';? ' ^^'^ trom the superintendence, as well as from terestin '»'« ^^^^^ !^ ^X Iv m^^^^^^ ^vl.oUv excluded; and which might, ''■ th7;;',?c to ^fucl oi .tl ll prodice inconveniencies. any remedies for which Tust eXtUc alw^s dilHcL^ obtained, and would depend upon the must evidently dc aiway ^ j strani ion\wne^^ in this respect owe equal protection to a n. .ens "nd ought to leave them in possession of all pleuftude ol nght, which t leheV^^^^^^ to parents in superintendiu, and clueet.ng the l.ducat.on o Xi cSren, o .hat it may harmonize with the religious doctrines to winch ^v are themsebcs attached. 1 tlnnk also, with the Inhabitants of Lower C a- 7. hat even w-re there any thintr to apprehend from any exclusive doctrme h. in Scho^X Veedo.n of discussion which .rises from the liberty of tau;^hl in Schools, trie irccuui^ ^ ^^^.^ ^^^.^^^^ nnd serves as a count the prci^s %u poi'«e to gu; Hicf for cnhirhteiiing t!ie J)U rd against any abuses that may arise from the lieedom ol uistruv. llOil itself. lloturniiii Nos Communes avaicnt jusque lu et6 dans I'habitude de pousser bien loia la complaisance envers I'Administration ; celle-ci les mit par li A une trop rude ^'preuve. Aussi n'sisterent elles au moins en partie, aux propositions qu'on leur fit a cct ^gard. La jurisdiction de cette Corporation fnt born^e aiix Colk-ges ou aiitres ctablissemeiis de ce genre qii'el'e formerait. Elles ne voulurent pas non plus consentir a voir Ics Habitans des Faroisses forces ;\ batir des Ecoles, mais mirent entre ses mains celles qnils batiraient et metlraient volontairement sous sa jiirisd ction. On donna en m^mc terns a cette Corporation un pouvoir donton ne sentit pas sans doutetoute I'ctendne alors ; cVtait de navoir pas meme besoin de prendre des Lcttres d'amortis>ement, requises par nos Lois, pour mettre ies Commnnautrs a meme de devcnir proprirtaires en vertu des Actes par lesquels elles peiivent acquerir des propiietc's t'oncicres ! L'esprit qui avail paru animer Ies auteurs de cette mesurefinit par exciter des craintfs trop fondces pour pouxoir bien vite faire place a la confiance. La plus grande partie des Habitans du Pays, Ies Catholiques et le Cleig6 en parti- culicr, devaient epiouvcr une repugnance que Ies cvcnemens devaient justifier a voir s'ctablirau milieu deux des Kcoles, des Maitres absolument independans de ceux qui se trouvaient Ies plus interesses a Ies surveiller. Le r^sultat a 6t6 comme on devait s'y attendre, que Ies Ecoles de la Corporation se sont peu multiplices, et que cct Acte aeu reellement I'etfet de mettre des obstacles tres- serieux au progrcs de I'Education, au lieu de contribuer a la repandre et a la propager. Comment en effet auroit-on pu s'attendre a voir le Peuple, Ies Membres du Clergc ettous ceux qui pouvaient avoir quelque influence dans le pays, s'interes- ser vivemcnt a I'ctabliss.-mcnt d'Ecoles, a la surveillance commea laconduite desquellcs ils devaient se trouver absolument ctrangers, qui pouvaient relative- mcnta I'Education elle-mt'me entrainerdes inconveniens auxquels le remede serait cvidcmment toujours difficile et dcpendrait de la volonte d'un Gouverneur ou d'une Corporation etrangere i lle-mi-me a ceux qui pourraient reclamer une assistance, que ceux-ci pouvaient refuser inipunement ? Qu'il me soit permis de remarqucr, en passant, que Ic plan de I'lnstitution Royale, tel quil avail ete conf u d'abord, etait quelque chose de pis que le n gimc universitaire ctabli en France par Bonaparte, conserve pi:r Ies Bourbons, el a-peu-pres semblable a cel'ji que rAdministration Ilollandaise qui a gouverne la Belgique, a suivi elle-meme dans cc dernier pays. On sait h quelles reclamations il a si souvent et si juste- mcnt donnc lieu. " On a pu voir aussi que retabiissemenl de cette Corporation meme avec CCS modifications ne pouvait produire d'autres eflicts que ceux qui di'coulent toujours des Institutions qui se rajiprochent plus ou moins des prin* cipes du monopolc. .le dois observer en meme tems que dansl'etal actuel de la .Soci( tr, dans Ies Provinces Hritanniques de I'Amerique du Nord, et surtout dans le Bas-Canada, on ne saurait adopter un regime exclusif, sons ce rapport comme sous bcancoup d'autres, sans faire egalemcnt le mal du Gouvernement el des gouverncs, sans faire naitrc des prejugi's, inspirer la defiance, enfin allumer le feu de divisions ct dc liaines au lieu de nonrrir I'union el la paix en meme tems que Icmulation qui ont toujoms des rtsullats heureux. Suivanl nous le Gouvernettient doit sur cct article une protection egale a tons Ies Citoyens, ct doit leur laisser cxercer dans toutc sa pK nitude le droit que nous cioyons appartenir aux parens, dc surveiller, de dirigcr lEducation de Icurs enfans, de maniere ;\ ce qu'elle se trouve en harmonic avec Ies doctrines religieuscs auxquelles ils sont eux-m6mes attaches. Jc ponsc aussi avec Ies Habitans du Bas-Canada, que quand bien rni^me il y aurait quelque chose a craindre des doctrines exclusives enseignees dans Ies Ecoles, la liberte de la discussion qui decoule de celle de la presse suffit pour t'clairer I'opinion publique, et servir de contre poids, pour parer aux abus qui pourraient rcsuller de la liberie de I'enseignement iui-mcme. C Revcnant 10 Returnine more especially to the Corporation established 'oy the Act of 1801, experience at lt«nglh mtule the Achninistnition ot the count,/ Icel lie impotoncy of their efibrts to maintain this exclusive system. It was then determmed to solicit instructions from the Government in iM.glaml to divulc the Corporation of the Royal Institution into two branches, one ol them to consist of 1 rotcstants, and the other of Catholics, who were respectively to supcrmtcnd the Schools attended by persons beloni.in>. to their several ncrsuasions ; but the CNperience and discussions that had gone before had also thrown new lights on this .mpor- tant subiect The Protestant Dissenters from the ( luirch of hngland conid not themselves relish a measure which would leave them m the shade. As to the Catholics who had already established Institutions, and who desiie no better than to see them supported and multiplied if required, to-cthcr with the same liberty to those who ditier from them in religious opinions, they too refused to accede to this The nair.e of Lord Dalhousie to whom tiiis new plan was ascribed, and under whose Administration the original one had arisen, could not inspire much confidence When it was a^ain brought in question by Sir James Kempt, who both deserved and hail obtained confidence, it would not pass in our Commons. The Catholics desire that freedom for others winch they demand for themselves. They do not demand any exclusive favours although they have the mimencal force of the country for them. And whatever may be the mode of thinking of anv one with respect to Education, I believe that, under these circumstances, soVar from condemning these sentiments and conduct ot the Catholics, they ought to appear, as they^eally are, woithy of praise. We must now remark that during the whole time these matters were going on. and untd these latter years, the presses that were on the side of the Adminis- tralion caused the Province to resouml with repioaches, too often ac ompanied by insults, to the Inhabitants of the country relating to the state of Education, aiid tiicse i.assed the Ocean. Amongst many ( tlier occasions, they did not fad profusely to bestow them upon us, espeeially on tiiosc of our Petitions against the famous project of the I'nion of the two Provinces in 1-22, and respectmg the (Grievances that Lower Canada complained of in addressing the (.oyernment of His Majesty and Parliamenf. in 1S2S. The large number of marks that \yere found at the foot of those Petitions proved the small progress of Lleinentary Ldu- cation amongst the old Canadians. Tliese reproaches were insults added to injus- tice Whilst proof demonstrated that the system of I'lementaiy Lducalion pur- sued under ihe spirit of the Act of 1M)1, could in no wise promote education in the country, and that it contributed on the contrary, to arrest its progress, and that in spite of the monev annually voted by our Assemb y for the support of those Schools, our Commons renewed fiom time to time, their endeavours to eetthe other branches of the Legislature to adoi)t, m one lorm or other, some measure adapted to provide the people with the means of i)rocuring that instruc- tion of which they were in want, and to awaken the desire of it. And yet it w. s not till one thousand eight huiuheil and twenty four, that, for the first time, they were able to obtain the consent of the two other branches, for permitting \\\Q Fairiqiies (VM\i\\ Vestri.s.) to purchase the land required, upon which to raise an annuity upon mortgage, to a pretty small amount, in order that one fourth of their income might be emploved in establisiiing and supporting h!c- mentary Schools in the respective Parishes. That is to say, m fact, to establish and support them at the expense of their Inhabitants themselves. It is thus that the local Administration sheweil their zeal for the encouragement of Elementary Education in particular ! ,. , .• i This is not all. Those who shewed their desire to encourage Education by pouring forth reproaches and insults towards the Country and its Inhabitants, did not either spare the Catholic Clergy in particular, whom they accused of be- ma. iu enemies. Nevertheless, the Members of this body, equally friends of ^^ Religion 11 Revcnant plusparticiiliriomcnt <\ la Corporation (J'tabiie par I'Acte de 1801, rexpcrience u fait a la fin sentir a rAdministration du Pays rimpuissance de ses efforts pour soulenir cc systuine cxclusif. On en est venu a solliciter du Gouver- ncmentd'Anglclerro dos instructions pour divisor la Corporation dc I'lnstitution Hoyalc en deux branches, dont I'une scrait composce de Protestans et I'autre de Catholiques, qui siuveilleraient respectivemcnt les Ecoles frcquent(jes de mdme par les pci mncs de leur Communion ; niais I'experience du passe et les discus- sions avait iiissi jett- de nouvcHes lumitres sur cc snjct important. Les Pro- testans dissiu (le I'Kglise d'Angliteiic ne devaient pas eux-memes goiiter une niesurequi les aurait laisscs dans I'ombrc. (^uant aux Catholiques qui ont d(y^ dcs etablisscmcns tout formes, etqui ne desircnt que de les voir se soutenir et se multiplier au besoin avcc la memo liberty a ccux qui pensent dificremment d'eux sur cos matieres de Religion, ilsn'ont pasvoulu non plus y prcter la main. Le iiom du Comtc Dalliousie, auqucl ce nouveau projet se rattachait, et que J'on avait vucclore sous son Administration, n'avait pas du inspirer une grande con- fiance, (^uand il fut remis sur les rangs, mome par Sir James Kempt, qui I'avait nu'riti'o, obteiuie, il nc put passer dans nos Communes. Les Catholiques veu- lont la liberto pour les autrcs commc ils lexigont pour eux-memes. lis ne de- sirent pas de favours eyclusivcs, quoiqu'ils aicnt [jotir cux la force numerique dans le Pays. Kt quelle que soit lamanicre dcpenserde chacun a 1 egard del'Educa- tion, je crois que dans ces circonstanccs, bien loin de lour en faire un Crime, ces sentimcns ct cotte conduite doivent paraitre commc ils le sont reellement, dignes d'dogc. 11 f'ant maintcnant observer que pendant que toutes ces choses se passaient ctjusqu'a cos deriiirres annocs, les Presses qui ctaient en faveur de I'Adminis- tration faisaient rctcntir ia Province do rcprochos trop souvent accompagnes dinsultcs aux Habitans du Pays ct qui passaient lOccan, relativement a I'^tat dcl'Kducation. Kn bcaucoup d'occasions, on n"a pas manque de nous les pro- digucr, surtout a projjos do nos Kcqcc'tcs, contre cefameux projet d'Union des deux Provinces on IS'2'J, et rclalivemcnt aux Griefs dont celle du Bas-Canada se plai'^nait en Padressaiit au Gouvernemcnt do Sa Majeste et au Parlement en ls'J8. Lc grand nnmbrc do marque-^ qui so trouvaient au bas de ces Re- quotos, attestait le pen do progrrs do I'Education lilcmentairc parnii les anciens Canadiens. Cos rcproches olaiont dos outrages ajoutos a I'injustice, Pendant que dos preuves do fait domontraicnt que le systi'-me d'Educatiou fili^-mentaire adoptoilans le sous do lActe do 1801, no pouvait nullement avancer I'Education dans le Pays, qu'il contribuait au contraire a en arroter les progrcs et ce en depit de somnu's voteosclia{]uo amioo par 1' Assombli'o pour le soutien des Ecoles, nos Communos faisaient et rcnouvelaiont do temps a autres leurs efforts pour faire adopter aux autrcs Bianchos de la Legislature sous une forme ou sous une autre quolque nicsure projjrc a fournir au ptuple du Pays les moyons de se procurer 1 instruction dont il avait bcsoiu, et don faire naitrc lc disir. Et pourtant ce n'est qu'on mil-liuit-cent-vingt-(piatre, pour la premiere fbis, qu'elle a pu obtenir I'assentimi nt des deux autrcs hraiiclios pour permettre aux Fabriques d'acquerir dos Terroins exigus, dcs routes (onstitutesd'un assoz faible montant, enfin d'em- ployer un quart de lours revcnus pour c'tablir et soutenir des Ecoles Elementaires dans leurs Paroissos roq)octivos, cost-a-dire, dans le fait de les (^tablir et de los soutenir aux do|).ns de louis Habitans eux-momcs. C'est ainsi que rAdministration locale a temoigne son zole pour lavancement de TEducation Elcmentairo en particulier ! Co nest pas tout. Ccux qui te'moignaicnt leur dcsir de propager I'Educa- tion par dcs rcproches et dos insultos prodigues au Pays et a ses Habitans, ne los cparj^uaioiit pas non jilus au Clerge Catholique en particulier, qu'ils accu- paiorjt V//k:o o ti c 'muts which as wc know arc their the Law.. o>[--t-, ';-|;;;;' rt,ct ...rto:s became uuW ; whencelor- auxdianes and completion, tnai .iii u ysi- ward their heirs -"--' f^;^";;,;! ,^ l^'^f ,,op,.,ation, and the snperficics of Let us now f,;''^,,; j.^.^"^' j.^^.'^/i^^endaU cultivation, notwilhstand- works of beneficence and ut.hty, and ^^'''f ,;V,^; >";,/,;', ority even that equally in vain. A cliange may occ , . , K.ft to the (iovernmcnt vl ct ,"r clitv undo,- wind,, o„ ll.cso „ccasio„s, m.l,v„l„alH or age s T'f' " ^^ll-* nfnriK r f the casc lu short, miist not those difticull.es, which aic !.;t^r„lfw%cc";Mng,t;;,y cvia:,,,,y ca,c„la,ca, ,,aa,.a:„ C„ .ake .,,. peo,,,. IS iig mcti xtendi'd establish sc liiiuU cil from re tlieir encclor- ficies of llistaiul- litiitioiis the v;i- coiiiit of 3|)lo, and circmn- spirit of slcil also ts ; have of 111 e 111- not been t for one His Ma- icbec luul cars .;go. iistitiition ;Ii it had, lied witli tioii with \ we have ot tliesc gratitude t of these ty in our even that ■it the avi- ttinsjj hold esigned of e Colonial , won Id be Kn;^Mli be ovenimcnt to solicit, lo after all, .tions, and ly oHcr an is of a na- jnired also , or agents that a prc- whcther to hicc delays e most usc- for want of rate know- , which arc I the people foci aux homines le scr.timcnt do Icurs obligations morales, en m^me terns qu'ellc ctendrait la sphere de leurs aiitrcs coniiaissanccs, avaicnt a plusieurs reprises t*availle a en etablir dans leurs Paroisses, avaient consacr(i des biens, des sommes de dcnicrs a cet objet respectable. 11 lesiilte des Lois on dc la Jurisprudence des Coiirs, qui est comme on salt lanxiliaire et Ic complement, que toutes ces nullcs ct des lors Icurs Iluitiers s'cn emparaient. lonc'tions etaicnt Disons maintenant, que I'augmcntation dc la Population ct celle de 1; mens en ou supcrHcie du terrain sur lc(|uelics Canadiens ont etcnclii leurs defriche dt'pit (!cs obstacles, cxigaient une augmentation proportionnee de Colleges _.. detablissimens semblables pour lendre rKducation accessible aux Knfans des Habitans des dittlrentes parties de In Province lioignees des Villes, a raison de cct eloigncment ou de la dirt'erence des inoycns des Hahitans des Campagnes, d'avec ceux des Villes pour subvcnir a cette depcnse. Des Cures aisds on ('conoir.cs, guides par Ic veritable esprit de la Religion, animes par les sentimens qu'elle inspire aux homines vcrtueux,- aides anssi par fbis de Icnrs Concitoyens laiVpi OS, qui les partagcaient, out iorme quatrc ou cinqetablissemens de cette nalure, auxcpiels ils auraient voulu eux memes attachcr des Miens propres ales souteiiir :— On n'a jtisqu'a present pu obtenir du Gouveriiement des Lcttrci Tatcntes que pour line seule de ccs Maisons d' Education. Encore c'est du (:;ouvernenient dcSa Majesto en Angleterre aupics duqucl I'Eveque Catholique de (iutbcca pu lessolliciter en personnc, quand il y a passe il y a environ dix ans. II rcste ;i savoir si, sans cette circonstance, cct Ktablissement ne scrait pas encore anjourd'hui dans Ittat equivoque ou il setait trouve jusque la dej;\ depiiis plusieurs aniii'es. (^landaux demarches que I'on a tentecs aupres duGouverne- jiicMt Coliiiial en sollicitant en meme terns son intervention aupres de celui de Sa Majeste pour consolider les autres Ktablissemcns duiit ou vieiit dc parler, elles u'ont pioduit encore aucun diet. Les Proprietaircs de ces biens partout aiilcuis nu ritcraicnt et obtiendraieut la reconnaissance du Public ct la co-opera- tion active du (Jouvcruement pour soutenir Ccsa?uvre8 de bienfaisanceet d'utilit^ nieme de neeessile publique, dans notre Province. lis ne pcuvent trouver do la part do 1 antorite lixecutive, la protection necessaire pour mettre ccs biens il I'abri delavidite de leurs hcriticrs, auxquels lenr niort fournirait les movens de s'eii emparer ct d'en privcr It ins Concitoyens, auxquels ils sont dcsliiies,' II est aise de scntiratissi que jusqn'a present ties demarches aupr.n ca.,«c more a.u more to u,meci:Uo thcprolcclionairorclecl by their union w.th the Mother <.;>""try u Sv i croasin- importance for the advantage ol the Mother (oi.ntry itself, aud Uivm. to ihenMit;! is Ibundcclon the principles ot justice and rcc.proc.ry ^ The ahu8cs%vhich might arise from the l.berty vvh.ch II.h Majesty s Go- vcrnme t mi-'ht leave .o the C'oh.ny in this matter, as Nvell as m many other CO lo the east in the ^v•orhl, outweigh the advantages winch won d result f,o i reci procah to both countries. Here, even amongst mauy others, an i Z t in (' S?H ils-ir. adapted to throw full light uhou that truth. lucon- S cosmnv '^^^^ =»'h> iiav'e no doubt resulted (Vom some of the prov>..ons oniSvct passed vilhin the three la>t year.s for the encouragemen Of Ide- 1 tarv K h.oUic.n in Lower Canada. The precipitaUo.i with which Laws had o .'"rict > a country in which the course of public aflaus had been nearly 1 Ik N runted for so many years, and the want of experience, necessarily : ;;;' I ^w J d t!; ;.« c.;.nmkd. .'l-ieh U... aheady been e.uleavoured to be corecte b>Ml.ch^^^^ Act passed on that subject this year. But it is not less t e to sav a the same time, that liducatiou and the tasU- for acquiring ,t. have true to baj. ai imc Pmvince duriii" that per od of time than during- the Z^:Z:^lvr^^-^^^^^^^^^^ !"-'■• ^•"«';^ the principles of la;^; 'ch f;;rnJ p.t of... c.em..s of cur C^,ern.n..tJ,e c.^^^ und.. i;'^^=:'''u;:\ir^[.;:'irp^^ to individuals, ihe tran- ^^''?^r^t:.^::^:itZ:i^S^^^^^ that ..avc been ra^ed in Lower Sab. a^^inst the erection of new Parishes, as regards the Cathohcs.- A^st al t ' P rishes that have been cle./nrl" e-ccted smce the Conquest, would be ollow m' the princi,,les of Law which a,peared to be received in the cown wiUesect^t their property, in the burying grounds, in the lam on which lu3 r rSs an INrsoi a-i-houses are erected, ,1c jure, exactly in the same situa- have already .lunv,, '^'^»\;;f";;;''^J^:S%:r^^"'^ !» » l-'tnro ncccsa- :!,r,nuoV:c:?;'nu;;';,J;.c;:;''ifX''l.o'or u. ivovmco. „.,ici, „„, give, "'' 'N»Vi'lTT"'rp,vUI»' siTo'!'- .he |m.,...»l «l,ich wc have aUo »«,. a,i«. Nor«ill 1 "' P.""-"' .11 i„„, „.. ,1,,! Seiiiiiiarv "I Montreal, loiiml. il, more IS '"■ 'Z u,r?a°:V- ha"^!" t / « :<,^rZ ./'. Vo,,»,n, Vr« In >. ' kV OMhl iiavc boon ma.lo use oCwi.h tUe .iover.uncnt ol \\^ Mnli' V ' ,im ice Mimsle.siiilo siicl, a slop. wl,iclMvo>,l.l J.istly l.ave lUrowu ofauthout) over.oc^ ^verr flying from their native country to avoid the ; !b''t3 Oi itti » " — '"•■ (,., Scell.«Aad.e«c.f.l.e (ommonHO." Loner Caaadu to the Rtr. Journal 3d M,uch. 1830, I 1/5 more to iiintry, a self, auii ty's Go- r others, III result licis, an lllOOIl- rovifions of Klo- ^aws liail 2i\ nearly ;cc8sarily reel to be s not IcHs r i(, llllVO nin{>' tlio iiciplcs of cil under y for evil riie tran- I raised in tliolii'S. — LNt, would e country viiicli tl\o uuc sitiia- just conic le conside- with that , would be Dverninent u; interest e neccssa- lias given seen arise, uU'd, more ic Countnj. Mument ot ivve thrown ulioii, who , in churj,'o sacred and t up in the ' the right I feeling of •y to avolil house, now the lauded I Destroy A laquclle son union avec la Mrro-Patric, une importance croissante journrllo- nient |iour I'uvantage dc la Mi^ro-l'atrie clle-mi'-me, luidonncnt dcs droits fondes «iM" des principes dc justice ct ilc recipiocite''' Lcs abi du la libcr 1.! (J dc Sa ut pourraient nai Majeste laisscrait sur cot article .'i la Colonic comnic sisi uucoiip il autres, nc satuaiont le nioins du nionde balancer lcs avantages qui oti resulteraicnt rccipro- quftincnt pour les deux Pays. Jci il so prt'sentc ini^'uie, cntrc beaucoup d'autrcs, un fait important proprc .i mettre cette vt rite dans tout son jour. 11 pent etrc ri'sultc, il est result^' sans doutc dcs inconvcniensdc quelqucs-unes des dispositions des Actcs passes depuis trois ana pour 'encourag. ment ile riulucation elemc'i- taire dans lu Uas-Canada, I.a precipitation avec laciuellc il a fallu pajscr des Ijois dans un Pays ou le cours dcs Affaires publiques se trouvait ;\-|-eu-prtis iuterrompu depuis taut d'aimdcs, et lo defaut d'expiricncc ont di'i nec< ssairemcut laisser ^•chappcr bien des fautes auxquellcs on a dija travaillr a porter rcmi'dc dans Ic dernier Aete passe a ce sujet cettc annce. Mais il n'en est pas nioins vrai dediro en mrmi' tems que riOducation et le gout dc I'acquerir, a fait pendant ceiio ospacc de tems dans la IVovince plus de progrcs que dans les quarante anuees aui out prt'ci de. C'est un fait qui est demontrc. laudrait-il detruirc les principes e libertc qui entrcnt dans les elLUiens de notre (iouvernement sous le prctexte bannal (juon en pourrait abuser? (Juel reniede que le despotisme ! C'est pour un Corps Politique commcla niort pour lesindividus — l.a Paix qu'il fait rcgncr est la paix dcs 'Pombeatix. J'aurai bientnt occasion de parler ties obstacles que I'on a siiscites dans le Uas-Canada a la formation de nouvellcs Paroisses par rapport aux Catholiques. La presque totaliti: des Paroisses ctablies niaintenant de fait depuis la Conquetc se trouverait aussi d'aprcs les principes de jurisprudence qui paraissaient re^us dans lo Pays par rapport aux biens qu'elles possedeut, au\ Cinietieres, auv terreins sur lesquels les Kglises, lcs Preshytcres sont batis, exactement dans le nu'mc etat d'incertitude que les Ctablisseniens d'Educatiou dont il vient d'etre question. Quel ctat tU- choscs ! Je reviendrai snr ce sujet dont la consideration qui se lie a celui-ci, j)eut se rattachcr aussi naturellement a ccile tPun autre des (jriefs articuKs par I'Assemblec. D'ailleurs, il scrait inutile dc s'appesantir sur cette matii;rc sur laquclle le Gouvcrnemcnt de Sa Majeste a dcja tcmoiguc des dis- positions, et adoi)t( des niesures dans rinteret de la Justice envers nous. On no I'indique aussi que jjarce que c'est un tiait qui entre ni'cessaircmcnt dans le tableau de I'ctat de la Province qui a donne lieu aux dunarches dc lAsseuiblc'c. .Ic no parlerai pas non plus dans ce moment du projet que nous avons vu cclore, aussi, de mcttre la main sur lcs possessions ilu Scminaire dc Montreal, foiuU'esil y a drja plusdun Siccle et demi pour P Iiis/nictioti dcs Ilahitaiis du Pays (1.) De (piels pictextes on avait pu se scrvir auprcs du CJouvernement de Sa Majeste pour engager les IMinistres dans ccs demarches qui avaient alors jetcajuste titre la Province dans la consternation! Des Membres dc cette Maisou, qui outre qu'ilsnc sont que les dcpositaires de ces Biens, des fiileicom- niissaires a la charge dc foiulalions qui devaicnt ctre pourcux plusquc pour tons autres, sacrecs et inviolahles, qui n'ctaient pas mome Sujcts nt's dc Sa Majeste, eleves dans la doctrine de I'ohcissance passive, habitues a ri'gler leurs idccs des droits attaches a I'autoritc sur cellos de la force, qui avaient etc accueillis en Canaila par un sentimt nt d'humanitc a une epoque ou ils fuyaieiit Icur terra natale pourcvitcr la mort qui j)lanait sur Icur tcte, et surtout'le Chef de cettc Maisou, pour le moment afl'aihli par I'agc et les inlirmitcs jjarticulicrcs, aurait pu disposer des proprictcs loncicres et attachees i\ cet ctablissement dans ccs circons- lances ! luuantir lcs droits des Ilabitans du Pays a ces Ibndations. ( 1 ) N'oyi'Z l'Atlic«sc doa (.'umuuiius lUi IS.u-t'iuiiula an Itoi, Juiiiual, ;J Miins lt*;>0. Je 10 I sliall leave aside all the reflections which subjects of this nature are pro- I snail ledve .iMuv, ai t , ..-i. „,,.i cons derations, which arc also of a p.r to awaken, and a .^''"^^ / ^^^^^^^tld 1 ad us too far for a Memoir like this. .Kuuietofind M>lace l.crc a. 1 cy wouid^i a^^^ remarking that, while the But can I decline, "> '^""^l;'; "K " ^^^^ Education oi the Cou°Urv were placed Estates of the ^"^f^ ^n^^^f j,";/ : yet that their rents we.e recovered, and under 'io.na.ne r^ ' .If I'r "ction of the^ local Administration, independently of made use of "^^^J' , '^J,; ,^jj'"" u,t it was refused at several times, as has been the Legislature oi the ^o"' ^^ ' J;. ^i,^. Assembly a Schedule, with a statement :^X:^;^';;:St^ i-^pl'^-'^ - ^ne we wee reproached in ^L:^n r^and ^vcii on j>is side^f tlje Ocea. -— ^^^-^;j;^-^ "''n '"'1 hZe Ulll^r a Colieg o^^mlSLuipon one oftlie most elevated mentioned '^^^/y''^.' 7^^ rCoim^^^^^^^ iacii.- the public stp.arc. perhaps the most parts ot Che ( ^l"'' "* ^ tha Co leg wal conv'erted into a dwelling for troops, treq.ientedpar ulthcC v.t at^^oueg ^,.^,^,^, ^j ti,i. Temple of Science into 1 arracks? Sen res I ':\';^^^: .^J^^^ ' " ,,, f,om entering into the place exclude, as is their duty, ^,^,^^ ^^^^ 'f;'' ..^^m^^ Science and of Morals- where their lathers r^M>^'"-^;'\ « ^^'j ;^,,|^^^^^,? '^,tX-d the bitterness of our Com- Aud we are at times ''"M''" ,\\^^i,\'i'^,, '';,,;,, ^Jui,,, possess no le.s importance plaints on tins head, as ^^'-^ ';'"'";! ,':'.\'t\,,cl, iL the eyes of an enlighten- ed 0;Si;:;;u,tk:';h;;;^f ll-l'^M-e^t;^ those, ustlce .l Calm in behalf of our Countrvmen ! CiUANTS OF rilE WASTE LANDS OF TIIK CROWX. oi ruu-vvvcF — rhe diticulties which the Inhabitants of the country have on this subject. hey have, h '' ' '^^•^^^^^^^^^^^ npobabl v vet are, objects of in other hand, those lands have or a ' ^^^ ; J ^^"^^^J, Len crow/ied hy suc- terested spee.ilat.ons. wiueh '^ 7'/ *" '' '^ , j^ soire of whom do not cess. Large quantities have ^^ ;,.f;" \f, J' , ":''„,. remained in an uncleared .eside in the Province. ^ ';^^ ' :^ ,^;;^;i^7- ' On this ubject, the lacts contained ,tate. and are iheretore ^v.tl.u t d > --^ ^^ i„ the Evidence ^^^"'"P'-^^Vl .^(' ,n m 18-'^ be referred to. In like man- I„q)er.al Farl.auient upon heUi^n^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^,, .^,^ ,,^^.^1,^,^.,, ''"V^'^iTi'^iA o .u4 si" . ve been pro'du'eed by the mode bv which the produced, and "'^'•'^"' "', , ''V,. ,,,„,i„ ..cscrvcd for the Crown, and lor the Pro- '■'; T"":^- "trt ,0 . . c « I r^.^tantly felt. AscUs have ,rc,.,c,„ly out » fact ol lUiic 1 1 c 1 1 '^^^^^^^^ Proviticc, to facilitate to those |.cr»oiis S",:! !.t,r;:,r:t';h"."ue::'t: ; ;;;:>'c," nei of o„e »in«l Ca,,aa,., .,o,,K.t lu "" Jl,oT,-,d ronnections with the old population oi the country, x uo uu. ..no., them who iiad connccumis >>ii' i i ^^.j^^ ^^^^^, 17 are pro- ilso of a ike this, hile the ) pUicod red, und lently of las been atciiient ached in empt, ot iistances elevated the most )!• troops, Science lie place Morals — )ur Coni- ipoitaiice iilighteu- bohalf ol Je laisse dc ciHc toutcs les reflexions quciles siijets de cette nature sont pro- prcs .1 faire et une foiile de details ct de considerations qui seraient aussi de na- ture a trouver place ici, qui nous meneraient trop loin pour un exposii comme celui-ci. IMaispourrai-je me refuser en terminant sur cet artiele de remarnuer tpie prndant que les biensdcs Jesuites fondes pour I'Education du i'ays ctaient mis en regie, coinme ils le sont encore, que les revenus en etaient per9us ct em- ployes sous la direction deradministration locale, iiidependammcnt de la Legisla- ture du Pays, que Ton rei'usait et a plusieurs reprises, comme on I'a fait eiicore cette ann(;e, d'en mettre sous les yeux de rAsseinblec un Tableau, avcc un etat de ces reveni's ctde Icurcmploi, pendant enfin que Ton nous reprochait dans notre piopre Pays, et de ce coIl' mime de I'Ocean, avec un mepiis cruel ce que Ton ap- pellait notre ignorance, sans parler des autres circonstances que I'on a indiquees plusliaut, on convertissait Icnr superbe Colk'i;e, etabli sur une des parties les l>lus ('levees de la capitale du pa_>3, en face de la i)lace puhlique, peut-etre la plus frequcnteede ce ville, en logenient pour des troupes, on en faisait une Cazeriio ! .... Des Sentiiiellcs placees a chaque poite de ce Temple de la Science, pcuvcnt, doiveiit fermer a la jeuncsse Canadienne Icntree du lieu on ses pijrcs allaieut rece- voir a la fois les lemons de la science avec celles des mopurs Et on nous re- l)roche jiar fois ce que Ion appellc I'amertume de nos plaintes sur cet article comme sur beaucoup d'autres qui n'ont pas une moindre im|)(jrtance a nos yeux, qui doivent en avoir une moins egale aux yeux d'un (louvcrnementeclaire, comme celui de Sa Alajcstc dont nous reclamons la justice en favcurde nos concitoyens. ntry have expatiate On the ccts of in cd hy suc- •in (lo not uncleared contained ions of the like man- have been wliiili the or the I'ro- to the set- hose lands tjoct, point frequently )se persons Until late he Country tn amongst onut know 3 who were a, and who would CONCKSSION DES TEIIRES DE LA COURONNE. Les difhcultts que les Ilabitaiis du Pays ont eprouvees pour en obtenir sont trop connues pour quil soit necessaire de s'appcsantir sur cet objet. lis en ont »'te a peu-pr(S exclus de fait. Dun autre cote ces tenes ont etc longtcms, sont peut-etre encore des objets de speculations iiitnessecs qui maiheureuscmcnt out t'-te trop souvent couroniu'es de succes. Des quantites consi^lerables en ont tte accordecs a iles particiilicrs dont quclqucs ims resident hois dc la Province. Kllcs sont rcst.cs en giaiuie partie sans defriehomcnt et |)ar cette raison sans culture. On pent voir a ce sujet les faits consignes dans le temoignage qui accompagne le Rapport du Comite des Communes du I'arlement Imp;' rial sur les C'aiiadas cu 1^^'js. ()ii pout dc nit'mc consnltcr ce document important sur I'efTct qu'a eu et devait necessairenunt avoir la manirre dont on a place dans les Townships les terrcs rescrvees ;'i la Cotironne et an Clcrge Protestant, un des plus grands obsta- cles possibles au difrichement et a la culture de ces terres. La condiiite que I'onageniTalement tenue a IVgard de ces terrcs a retarde et retarde encore letir etablissement. Je dois a ce sujet iiuliquor un fiiit dont on seiitira d'un co'ip limpurtance. On a souvent nomme des Agensde diffcrentes parties do la Province pour facilitcr i\ ceux qui pourraient en de'mandor les moyens de les ohtenir. Jusqu'a ces dernieres aiinecs, je nc saclie pas nirme qn'il y ait cu des pers'jiines du pays an nombre de ces Ageiis, je n'ai jamais connu 'i:n seul (>anadien parmi eux, ayaiit des liaisons avcc I'ancienne pojjulation ; jignore s'il .s'cntrouvc iiKiiiucnant, maisje saisqiie quelques-uns etaieiit des eiraiigers venus pour s'etablir iluns le Canada des pays voisins, ct ipii devaient necessairement fa- voriser ccu\ avec lesfpiels ils avaient'dcs liaisons. Ce n'cst pas que jc vcuillc donncr 18 woiiia natm-allv favour those miU whom they were connected. I do not mean Tto L uSood that I should wish to exch.do strangers whose mdnstry may It to be unucmoou ^"-'^ rountrv. 1 am o an exartly contrary opinion, contribute to the prosperity ot ^h- ^o "^-^^ ; ; , ^ '^^ „f cxch.sivc fa. Nothing wouUl be more «PPf;f\\ '^^i ,,^"0 t I wouuf only observe that the vour. even if we ourselves we e '^^.^^^^s ot it l l,,u,h\V,uts of the proportion ought to have be n t 1 u .^^^ ^ .^^^ ^,. ,,,^ ,.„. country, tlie native P«P- ^:.;"' 'n'^'Vunon all others. They might even, in some vemnientupon th. he. as^- - ^^itdhtL. as natLs ^- the country as T/nTu il Ic e3^ who! in flict, must entertain an innate feeling of affection for thercountry a dot' attachment to the CJovernment, ot which they have given their country anu ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^,^^^ ,^^^^ ^^^^ ^,,^ ,^33^. Cgirof:;^d to whom ihe least attention lias been paid, whenever grants of '"' "It ^e^t^^'thc system is now changed, and that those lands are now sold I answer, in the first place, that there were good reasons for granting lands tratu tously to the population of the country especially, and to such as came to fettle in it^'P''" ^vhose industry and character depencance could be placed;- Sec^idy. that there ou-^ht to exist in the country itself the means of an efhc.ent sipSendenceover those who are charged with the management of so impor- r" part of the Administration, in order that they may be sensible of the neces. U^of^stc?K conforming to the rules of justice, to the reasonable desires of the comitry Inthe presenr situation ofaifairs. th.y are m a state of absolute in- Senendence Tlicy are scarcely responsible but to the Government in Lngland. Sere necnl nothing more to ccnvince us that the controul over them can hardly ''"Su'lhK'dM^ri^^sZlh^'-quisite to observe, that the question is not re- lative to ; V h als employed in the functions relating to this object or to Accuse o. Same them ; it is the system that is vicious. I iraiilmg tlicin to be ac- tuated by tepu est i.tentioPS, and possessed of the most respectable talents, hel mui niost cases be wanting in the knowledge necessary tor properly iuU fiSS in those situations. Nor can they be so sensible of he necessity ofEown^' their constant attention upon these matters, as tliey would were they tosee 2 rselves bound to suffer the consequences of torgett.ng their obligations, rornegligence. or even of the want ot abilities or of activity in performing *'"'"i have on this subiect to remark that the former Attorney General did feel the nee Sy of remedying some of the abuses that had crep into the conduct pL led with regard to tht grants of land, and ol the evils which had arisen from C lie introduced a Hill into our Ilnuse of ( ommons m 1^.'.. to remove he S venience which had ari.en from the i,nprovuU-nce with which grants of the waste Ian s.,f the Crown had been made. II.s pn.motion to a seat in one ot our Con ts of King's IJench which operated to deprive Inm ot us seat m the Assem- E p" nl d h.m from following up that object We know that since t ha per od the circumstances in which the country has found itse have rendered it ca cely possible to pay attention to this in a manner that would be ertectual. The Assembly complain ot the delays and expenses to which people have been already subjected Ihen the obtaining ot' Mown lands came in question; S respecfto the grants of ^U.ich it would have been an object ot great inte- Tes to .atlbrd the greatest facilities to those who might be reckoned upon for hei. setlemcnt. It is a matter of i-retty great notoriety that that object has be^r or tC neglected. The situation u, which the Province now isu, that been '"""^f ^^ J^ ,,i^ jj^.^ , ,„,„t further here record a vet recent tact, on which his M.,iesty's Mnusters .nay easily procure -cunuc inionuauun iat wil leave nothing more to from six to seven month ago, there were be wished for. I believe to be well informed that only still remaining in the offices of the Kx cutivc 19 iicntciulro qu'il fUlliit cxcliiro les ('trangcrs dont l'indus suites. II avait iritroduit dans la ("liambrc de iios Communes ea 1825 \m Hill pour porter rcmedc aux inconvenions qui avaicut suivil'imprevoyance avec laqucllo on avait fait des concessions de ces terres de la Couronne. Sa promotion a un siege dans unc de nos Coins du Banc du Roi, qui par contre coup eut I'effet de le privcr de sou si 'ge dans I'Asscmblec, lempeclu'rcnt de suivre cet objet. On salt que depuis cetto epo,|UC les circonstauccs dans Icsquellcs le pays s'est trouv6 n'ont gueres pcrmis qu'on put s'en occupcr d'une manierc ellicace. 1/ Assemblec se j)!aint desdelais et des depcnscs auxquels on a deja etc ex- pose quand il a i to question d'obtonir dc* terres de la Couronne, relativemcnt ;\ la Concession desquelles il eut etc d'un si graml intcret de donner les plus grandes faeilitf's a ceux sur lesquels ou aurait pu compter |)our les faire etablir. li est d'une assez grande notoriete que cet objet a ete plus que neglige. L'e'tat dans le- qiiel se trouvc la Province a cet egard le demontre. Mais je dois ici signaler un fait encore recent, ct Pur lequel les Miiiistres de Sa Majeste pourraient aiscment nlitcuir des rcuReigncmons exacts (jui Hc laisscraient rien a desirer, Je crois etre bien informs (pi'il n'y a pas jjIus dc six a sept mois, il .se trouvait encore au-des- sus de trois ccns Patentes ou titres dc terres promises depuis longtcms, et que les Conccssionnaires '2(^ ccutivc Government upwar luiJ been |jrom vc;u> been soliciting in vuin. els of tl.rce InnulicJ Patents or Titles for hinds which I for which the i^iuiueos luive tor ten ised ii lout' u'hili' iigo, aiu kl that at last, in tliis last spring, I believe I can ai f the I'rovincial Parliament, this important mat- ^vnul(^ hive sutliced to place those who were asking h.r those patents, in a situa- to'^iinth^ 'aJ of, at length exercising ^yf}^;^]^;;^^^:;^;:^'^;, ncrtv which on-ht to b. long to them, and which intact did belong to tiicm n itVoI Scpomises ot the Provincial (Government, and which have been, o e;derme t uspended for so long a period of time it does n..t belong to V SI hiect be present moment, to draw attention to those who may, m that • pe t-* be particiilarl V deserving of blame. 1 1 is the simple fact that here con es iiiTies'tion! and that; no m.re Uian other., lecjuires a commentary. It sutlice. also to siir-iori conclusions which it is iiseh ss to point out. Hefor. proceeding to some other particular matters which belong to that ofwhch Ian at presx-nt treating, I most here introdiiee what is much more snJ.u a in an idea which has been put forth in many ol the wri nigs which have '^ peared in C'anada, with an assurance that might impose on the good tailh of il 'ide of the Atlan ic. It has been said and repeated that the Canadians car- d eir blind attachment to their Institutions sa lar as not to be ^vdhng o he r talk of receiving grants from Government ot allodial lands (lands in lice and coLon socc g^,^.nincumbered with any dues, and that they had an ex- Xsivc P edilectioni lands subjected to r.nts, lod.s^ ct f.«/o and other Se.gnio- r I lialUs • This certainly might bo considered as a jest ; nothing, however ap- e r fo avebeeti n-.ore serious than that assertion, and the commentaries which ften accompanied it, however comic they may now appear I will not dwell po It fu 1 er U i sufficient to place the matter in its true light, to cause its n- cu o us at ire to be telt. The fait is that the Canadians, until within a certain ■ mbe of cars back, could generally acquire with the greatest ease lands m the S gn uH^tt m.de,;te quit^ents. aLl that^the ^^'^^^^^ ^ ^^Zl those Scigncuries have increased with a facility proportuMud to the cas) ttims on which they coulu be obtained. , , ... Can it be believed that if similar means had been em [loved to d aw t ei attontio to the f rcn and common scoccage lands, and that on the '-•'"'trary they had ,ot beer, repulsed by obstacles, they would have refused, as is pretended, the ' i^^ of 1 nd fie and d srngaged fron, all dues and rents, and pre erred o .set- Tie „po. lands that were liablAo them ? It is really expusing one-selt, and laying one If open to lidicule, bv adopting a tone of gravity m describing the fo l.v " uV'whimsical opinions. ll n^ertheless often becomes a mat er of ind^- ponsable necessity in discussing matters of public interest relating to Lowei ^''"'We have spoken generally of the Crown lands, and of the necessity of grant- ing them and 'ausing'them to be settled. Coming to details .elating to o j c hich mav he eonnec^ted with this, .several other tacts may be pomted m, w h ch deserve -MUticular attention, inasmuch as they have been considered ""d I > t^ poop of the cnuntrv, or by the solieilude of the Assembly who r. pre.scnt hem vhose wishes have been tVu'strated on this subject, as upon ^^\:^^}'^^^±\ piejudiccofthe interests of the Province, as well as ot those ol the (-oveimnent ''''"Vcar. ago. . 'ar^e number of Farmers would have hastened to f^^'^^^^ Imdsof the .Sei.niiories beloni-ing to the .lesuils, which make part of the I) s- Inet cd nuie Rivers. «nd have bJ^n m the hands of the C-v. rnniont since m extinction in ranada of that Religious Order. ^Itinay^bei.^^^^^ been such a long < \ast field to tiie agr nicrous families se lelav in giantnig ttio'^e l-nu! icultiiral indiistrv of the young peo tiled in tiie first concession of those Seigniories, pic belonging to the iiu ies, or which arc to 21 ConCessionnaircs sollicitaient vainement dcpjis des annees dans les Bureaux dii Gouvernement Exc'cutif. Je crois pouvoir njouter qu'enfiti, ce printems dernier, immt'diatcmcnt h la suite de la Session du Farlcment Provincial, on s'est occupe de cet objut important. Je crois de monie que le resultat a du titre que quelques mois auront suffi pour mettre ceux qui demaudaient ces litres en Hat de les obte- nir et d'exercer enfin les droits at.'.ach^^s a la propriety qui devait leur appartenir, qui leur appartenait en effet eii vert a des promesses du Gouvernement de la Pro- vince, et qui se sont trouv^-s suspendus i\ leur detriment pendant un si long es- paccdetems, II n'est pas de mon siijet dans ce moment de fixer I'attention de ceux qui a cet ogard peuvent plus particulierement meriter la censure. C'est du simple fait dont il doit clre question, et celui-ci, non plus que d'autres, n'a pas besoin de commentaire. II suffit aussi pour appuyer des conclusions qu'il est inu- tile d'indiquer. Avant de passer a quelques sujets particuliers qui se rattachent a celui que jetraitedans ce moment, je dois relever icicc qu'il y a de beaucoup plus que sin- gulicr dans uue idee niise au jour dans plusieurs des ccrits que le Canada a vu cclore.avec une assurance qui a pu en imposer h la bonne foi de ce cote de I'Ocean. On a dit et rcpeteque lesCanadienspoussaient laveuglement de I'attachement k leurs institutions jusqu'a ne vouloirpas'entendreparlerdeprendredu Gouvernement des Concessions de terras allodiales et dcgag^es de toute redevance ; qu'ilsavaient une pr(5dilcction exclusive pour les terres assujetties ;\ dts rentes, lodset ventes, et autres droits seiijneuriaux ! On devraii croire que c'etaitl;\ sans doute une plai- santerie. Rien n'etait pourtant plus scrieux que cette assertion, et les commen< taires dont elle a etc souvent accompagnee, quelque comiques qu'ils puissent niaintenant paraitre. Je ne m'y arreterai pas d'avantage. II suftit d'avoir mis la chose sous son veritable jour pour en faire sentir le ridicule. Le fait est que les Canadiens jusqu'a il y a uncertain nombre d'annees pouvaient gendralement ac- qiierir avec la plus grande facilite des terres dans les seigneuries moyennant des rentes moderets, et que les etablissemens et les dcfrichemcns dans ces seigneuries se sont avanccs avec une facilite proportionnee aux facilites qu'ils ont eprouvees pour s'y placer. Peut-on supposer que si on eiit employe des moyens analogues pour tourner leur attention vers les terres allodiales, qu'au contraire ils n'eussenl pas etc rebutts par des obstacles, ils eussent repouss6commc on le pretend le don de terres libres et degagees de toutes redevances, auraient prefcr6 dc s'ttablir sur cclles qui en etaient chargees ? C'est r(;c!lemcnt s'exposer soi-meme et prctcr la flanc au ridi- cule que de conserver un ton de gravite en signalant la bizarrerie de semblables opinions. Ce devient pourtant souvent une necessity indispensable quand on discute des objets d'interet public rclativementau Bas-Canada. On aparle gcneralementdes terres dc la Couronne, de la nccessite deles conccileret de les faire otablir. Venant a des details relativcment a des objets qui peuvent se raltacher a cclui-ci, on peut indiqucr quelques autres fails qui mcritent une attention [ai'ticulicre d'autant qu'ils I'ont etc, de celle du peuple du pays ou de la sollicitude de I'Assemblee quilerepresente, dont les va-ux ont h6 hustrt'cs sur ce point comme sur beaucoup d'autres interets de la Province, comme de ceux du Gouvernement lui m^me. Depuis des annees, des Cultivateurs en grand nombre se scraient empresses dc s'etablir dans cclles des Seigneuries des .lesuites qui font partic du District dcsTiois-Rivier*'? et sont entre les mains du Gouvernement depuis I'extinction de cet ordre de Ueligieux dans le Canada. On peut se demander pourquoi I'on a rctardi: si longteins i\ conceder de ces terres et ;\ ouvrir par ce moyen un champ vastG ;\ I'industrie a-;iicole des jeiines gens des families nombreuses qui habitent les premieres concessions dc ces Seigneuries, ou qui se trouvent dans les Seigneu- V ries o.> to be found in the neighbouring Seigniories, who have been left to stagnate m |clle.^s^? It is more than probable that now these lands of the JesuUs w.ll be '"^'^Lltttu:; be observed that U . an obligation imposed by our laws ontl^^gll^urs to cau. tl^ Seig^ur.s t^^^^^ l„'^'Sme^;orsro;%'ug:? ;« trrist in settS^g^l/e^amp. ^of faith. '"'" OnrSXnce S' worthy of remark on this subject is. that whilst so Igree an exten of land has been left uncultivated, large Se.gnem.es belonging to InTvfduals and even to Communities, have beco.ne covered w.lh nhabitants. I h '4 o ad^ in the Seigneuries belonging to the latter, every ih.ng displays the easy circumstances of the grantees, and that thee .s probably no one part of America, which enjoys so large a share of happiness. I can mention another (act equally dcservi.ig of attention, of this nature, relatms to the District of Three Rivers. A largo extct ot land mak.ng pa.^, of the ea e oJ he Forges and Ironworks, k.iown by the name o J^orgos,> Sl Mauncc s let by the ExVculive Govern.nent i., beha 11 o the '.ounce, and the rent .spn.d every /ear into the Public Chest. Part of this and .s s.tuated a most tn the im- nee fate neighbourhood ot the thief Town ol th.t U.str.ct. to wh.cl. it has g.ven hs ame There are only o.ie or two Concess.ons on the banks o the R.ver St. Lawrence in this part, whilst the Inhabitants might have spiead themselves .n thelnland depths, which remain still in the same state as at the t.me <. the cl.s- coveryo the 'country. Y.t the neighbouring Inhabitants have for a long t.me cover) o» "'^ „nrmlv nravcd for concessions of land behind the lands aU Sl'STo. fhelSsi;;-^ River I know that difticulties have bee,; rS arisinc they say, from the lease of those la.ids adjo....ng being co.nprised in U.a; of the Forges, the value ot which might thereby experience so.ne d.m.nu- "on It has been opposed that such co.icess.o.is would be h..rtt..l to the.r cxplo- r^on it has even been said that these lands do not present any expectation ot easy cult^v t on. or possess any great fertility. It may be observed on tins subject. 2 taking for gra, ted the presumption of the danger there would be of see.ng t he r nt oft e Forges diminished, th.s slight inconvenience could not. .. dub.tably. he nbceUire leastinthe world, against the adva.itages that wouh accrue to the country by the settlement of thousands of fa.n.hes. and the cult.vat.on ot he soil of theL la..d8. As to the reaso..s tor opposmg .t drawn f.om he pro- bablediMty of eultivafng these lands, or from the.r want of tert.l.ty they an- nut wortl' considering. Such considerations can alone regard those who m.ght undeitakc to clear them; that is their business. , r , n ^ \Vhi c I am upon this topic, I must point out another fact, ecp.a ly worthy of the' attention of U.s Majesty s Government, and that w.ll serve to shew m how far might be necessary that a more free and ample scope should be left to the I ecislaturc of the country, and in particular to the Assembly, to enable them lalSir more efticiently ... developin,^ the resources ot the cou,.t.y. There is a large extent of territory m the County ot Sag.ie.iay, known as well before as since the ('onq.ict under the na.ne of '/'^ A'"^"^ /^':*/*-. «l"^i' "'^^ formerly let out by the Fre.ich (iover.iment. Wr. know that the K.ngs of Irancc were possessed, at the sa.ne ti.nc of the Le,.slat>ve a..d hxecnt.vc power, and rve,l in many pointsof a distinct judicia.y power, wh.r . a.v properly separated andbaanced by the principles of a well regulated Gov-Tnn.ent. I he leases ^hd. were given of tlfese pLts conveyed the excl.jsive right of trading w.th the Indians of those territories, with prohib.tio.is to all others, except the lessees, to trke^mv nan therein under penalties more or less severe. After the Conq..est. the Administration wh.cl. was establ.sl.ed ... our i'rov.nce. leta.nod many, .oo many of the Ibrms which approximated it to the old l-.ench Government ; and. by a natural co..sc(iucnce, adopted both princples and practices, which w.rc rnate in will be 3ur laws rants of prcsent- of faitli* whilst so nging to abitaiits. displays one part , relating rt of tlic Maurice, lit ispriid 1 the im- las given River St. iseives in f tliedis- ong time lands al- ave been loinprised 2 diminii- eir oxplo- ctation of s subject, seeing tlic lubitably, accrue to ivation of I the pro- , they arc ho might ly worthy o shew, ill be left to lablc them known as which was of France lower, and .separate;! riic leases ig with the lessees, to Conquest, itiuny, too nent ; and, vliich Wire not 23 ncs Toisines que Ton a laisses croupir dans Tindolence ? II est pliis que prob£d[>l9 que ces terres des Jesuites seraient maintenant couvertes d'Habitans. On doit observer d'ailleurs que c'est unc obligation imposee par nos lois aux •eigneurs de faire etablir leurs Seigneuries ct d'en conceder les terres, Le Ciou- rcrnement se trouvant en possession de ces biens, et reprcsentant les ancieus po8- sesscurs, dcvait donner le premier I'exeniple do la fidelity a s'acquitter de ce de>- Sei eesscurs, voir. Une circonstance bien digne de remarquc a ec sujet, c'est que pendant que Ton laissait una ctendue aussi considerable de terre sans culture, de grandes Sei- gneuries appartenantades individus, ou nieme des Communautes, se sont cou- vertes d'Habitans. Jedois ajouter que dans les Seigneuries qui appartiennent k CCS derni^res tout annonce I'aisance des Coucessionnaires, et que, dans le faitii n'y a probablement pas une seule contree dans I'Anierique qui jouisse dune aussi grande portion do bonlieur ! Jc pourrais signaler un autre fait ('galement digne d'attention en ce genre, rclativement au District des Trois-liivicres. Une grande «^^tt ndue de terrain qui fait partie du Bail des Forges et Fourneaux a fer, connus sous le nom de Forges de St. Maurice, est afiermec par le Gouvernement Exiicutif au profit de la Province, ct le prix du Bail entre chaque annee dans les coftres publics. Une partie de ce terreinest presque dans le voisinage immediat de la villa Capitale de ce District, auquel elle a donne son nom. II n'y a qii'una ou deux concessions sur le bord du fleuve St. Laurent dans cet endroit, taiidis que les llabitans auraient pu s e- tendre dans les profondeurs qui sont encore dans le meme etat que lors de la d6- couverte du pays. Cependant les Habitans voisins sollicitent vainement et de- inandent avec ardeur et depuis long terns, des concessions de terres dans la pro- fondeur des terres deja cultivces sur le bord du fleuve. Je sais que Ton a parle des diflicultt's provenant, disait-on, du bail de ces terrains voisins compris dans celuides Forges dont la valeur pourrait cprouver par la quelque diminution. On a oppos6 que CCS concessions pourraient nuire a leur exploitation, on a etejusqua dire que ces terreins n'ofi'raient pas I'espoir d'une culture facile ou d'une grande fertilite. On peut observer a ce sujet quen supposant fondce la consideration du danger de voir diminuer le prix du loyer du Bail des Forges, cc Icger inconvenient ne saurait sans doute balancer le moins du monde les avantages que le pays recueillerait de le- tablisseraent de milliers de faunlles et du dcfrichement de ces terres. Quant aux raisons dopposition tirces de la probabilitc de la diiiiculte de la culture de ces terres ou de leur manque de fertilite, elles ne mt litcnt pas qu'on s'y arrete. Ces considerations ne peuvent regarder que ceux qui entre pieadraient de les defricbex- ; ce serait leur affaire. Pendant que je suis sur ce chapitrc, je dois signaler un autre fait tgJileraent digne de I'attention du Gouvernement de Sa Majeste, et qui peut faire voir jusqu'd quel |)oint il serait necessaire pour lui de laisser une carriere plus libre et ample a la Legislature du Pays, et en particulier a rAsserablee, pour la mettre en ctat de travaiiler avec plus d eflicacitc au d^veloppement des ressources du pays. II est une etendue considerable de pays dans le Comte de Saguenay, coinme des avant comme depuis la connuetc, sous Ic nom de Pastes du lioi, qui etaient afleruies autrefois par le Gouvcrnemett Francois. On salt que les Rois de France claient revitus a la fois de i'autoritc Legislative et executive, et' nieme k beau- coup d'cgard, du pouvoir judiciaire, disdnctcg, separes a juste titre et ba- lances dans les principcs d'un Gouvernement bien regie. Les baux qui se faisaient dc ces Postes comportaient le droit de commerce cxclusif avec les sauvages de ces coutrees, et defenses ii tons autres qu'aux premiers d'y prendre part, sous des peiucB plus ou moins sevt'res. Apres la conquete, I'Administrationquisetablit dans n.otre P.rovincc consorva beaucowp trop des formes qui la rapprochaient de I'uncien Gouvernement Fran^ais, et par une consequence natnrelle, elle adopta ft des principcs el des pratiques qui n'avaient pas moins d'analogie avec ceux que I'on 24 not less analogdus to those that had then been followed Since the Conquest, the Administration, down to (he present time, continued to let to farm those Posts in the same mode, granting to those who took the lease the exclusive pri- vilege of trading with the Indians. Very serious doubts have arisen m the lo- vince as to the validity of that clause in the lease. It remains to be shewn how the Administration can, of itself and without the concurrence of the Provincial Par- liament. interdict any Subject of His Majesty, other than those to >v Horn they may please to permit'it, the right of going into that tcrntorv to trade. If those are rLonssutficient to justify the necessity of subjecting tl.at trade to his r.. fforous monopoly, it does not seem that it appertained to the Lxecutive alone to iu Ige of them. Such a power ought to belong to the Legis aturc of the country. In leoendently of the principles of public law of Lngland, and of undeniable maKims it may be observed that the Hudson's Bay Company, although they may, in the te'rmsoftheir Charter granted by one of the Charles', claim this privi ege, as well as the right of soil, through the extent of the territory granted to them, it has not been maintained that that part of their Charter that gave them a mo- noDolv of trade in this territory, could authorize the exercise of it. As there is no regular Government in these territories, which in lact are as yet only occu- Died by Indian tribes, recourse could not be had to any local authorities to ob- tain it ; it has been found necessary, in late years, to recur to the supreme autho- rity of the Parliament of England to estiiblish it in favour of the Hudson s Hay Company. Nor has it been granted, if my recollection is correct, but for a pret- ty limited period of time. ,./-,, ,1 .^ ^ Hut it must be remarked, with regard to that part of Canada, that a great proportion of the superficies of the soil is capable of cultivation. I ''e climate is not worse than that of the rest of the District of Quebec, whid, is filled with a happy population, and glittering with the fruits of cultivation noivvit.i.tanding the severity of its climate, which we arc informed is more favorable m many paits of the Saguenay. (1.) . . . ... • r .u The Assembly, without entering into the examination and discussion ot the questions of law which might arise relative to the validity of the provisions of that lease, which conveys a monopoly of trade, has already made representations to the Executive Government as to the necessity of causing that territory to be settled, and reduce it under the dominion of agriculture. t is not necessiiry to expatiate upon the matter no more than upon the preceding, to shew that ex- tending cuhivation through that part of the Province, would, withou compa- rison, be more beneficial to the Province, and to the nation in general, than any profits that can be made by the fur trade with the Indians, whatever may be the benefits which accrue to the individu.ds who are engaged in it. On the other hand, nothing could be more easy than to frame, rven in the I rovince, Icgisla- live provisions that would have the effect to cause those territories to be cleared and cultivated, without even injuring the fur trade, during a long space of time. But the present state of affairs, the difference between the views ot the local Administration and the people of the country and their Representatives, motives of personal interest, the credit of those upon whose conduct and sentiments they may have infiuence, may likewise for a long time create and promote obstacles adapted to cause illusion, and to destroy the endeavours and wishes of those who are sensible of the advantages and impoitancc of these plans of settlement, clear- iiig, and culture, and the numberless benefits that would be the result of their being put in execution. • ^i r .i Moreover, who can be so blind as not to sec that, independently of these general considerations, which ought to be a motive for leaving an ample juris- diction to the Province in these matters : there is one which alone, and of itsclt, oucht to be decisive. The rent of the Eorges of St. Maurice belongs to the 1 ro- vince. as does that of the King's l>osts. Hence 1 shall nul neen. no uoi.oi lo labour to maintain that it belongs to the Legislature of the country lo regulate every inquest, Ti those iive pri- ihe Fro- wn how cial Par- am they If those ) this ri* alone to country, deniable icy may, irivilege, to them, n a mo- s there is ily occn- !S to ob- 10 antho- on's Hay )r a pret- it a great :liinate is ed with a if:tanding any parts on of the kisions of spntations ory to be :essary to w that ex- it compa- than any ay be tlie the other e, icgisla- be cleared •e of time, f the local s, motives nents they ; obstacles those who ent, clear- lit of their \y of these uple jiiris- d of itself, to the Pro- ) utnibt, to to regulate every Ion siiiv.iit alors. L'Administralion a depnis la Conquete jiisqu'a present con- tinue a afl'crmer ecu postcs do la nieinc nKinii're, en accordant ;i ceux qui ])renaient cc Hail, le piivilegc cxclusif dii commerce avec los sauvagcs. Ils*estelcv6 des doutcs bien sericux duns la Province sur la validite de cettc Clause du Rail. II rcste M saviiir comment radm;')! 'ation pent d'elle-mCme, ct sans le concours du Parlement Provincial, inlerdire . tout sujot do Sa Majesti" outre que ceux aux- quels elle vent bien I'accordcr, !i3 droit d'cntrcr dans ce territoire pour y faire ie commerce. S'il sc trouve des raisons capables dcjustifier la nccessite d'assujettir ce commerce a ce nionopole ri^oreux, ce ne pinitetroeescmble a I'Executif seul a en jiiger. Ce pouvoir ilevrait appartonir a la Lcgislatmc du Pays. Independam- tnent du pri'.icipe du droit pnbl.c anglais, et des maxii,;js positives, on pourrait observer qu J la (^ouipa^nie de la IV.ii,; d'IIiid>oii, quoiqiiclle pi'itaux termes de la Cliarte, accord e par I'une des Cliartes, reclamcr ce privilege, en nieme tems que le droit ail sol dans l\tendui.' de terrciii qui lui est assignee. On n'a pas cm que la partie dj cettc (Miartc qui com])ortait le droit an nionopole du commerce en sa faveor, dans ce territoire, piif en autoriser I'cxercice. (\)muie il n'y a point de Gouverneincnt regulier daiv; ecs pays qui, dans le tait ne soiit encore habitcs que par des peiiplcs sauvagcs, on ne pouvait avoir recours aux autorites locales pour I'obtenir. il a I'allii daus ecs dernitres annces recourir a I'autoritc supreme du Parleinent d'Ang'.eterrc pour rdtablr en favcur de la Compiignic de la Bale d'lludson. Kncorc n"a-t-il I'tu accorde, si mes souvenirs ne me trouipcnt pas, que jiour line p 'riode de temsasscz limiteo. Mais il faut observer quant u cette partie du Canada quil se trouve une grande portion (le la superlicie d;i terrein, siiscc|)tible de culture Le climat n'est pas inlV-rieiir a cclui du reste du District de Quebec, convert d'une population lieurense, brillant ile cultiite en depit do la severitc du climat, que I'on assure etre plus favorable dans plusieiirs ])a'ties du Sagiienay. L'.Asscmblee saiiseulrer dans I'oxainen et la discussion des questions de droit c|ui poiirroii-nt s\ lever an siijet de la validite de.^ Clauses de ce Hail, qui compor- tent le inonoi)ole du Coniincrce, a dej i fait au Goiivernement EKc'ciitif des repre- sentations sur la iieeessite ile fairo etablir cesterreins et do les conquerir a I'Agri- cultiire. II n'csl pas 11 cessaire ile s"appes uitir sur cet objct plus que sur les prece- dens pour faire voir que I'extension des defrichemens dans cette parlie dt; la l*ro- vince scrait sans air.'iine comparaison plus avantagetiso pour clle, aussi bien que la nation en gen iil, quo les profits (jui pouvent resulter du commerce des pelleteries avec les sauvagcs, quelqiu puisse ctre Pavantagc (jiii en levient pour les particu- liers qui s'y troiivent eiiga^rs. D'un autre cote rien ne scrait plus facile meme que d'adopter dans la Province des dispositions Legislatives qui auraient i"cffet de taire iK ('richer et etablir cos tones, sans nicme nuiie au commerce des pelleteries jieiulaut nil ties long cspace fie terns. Mais I'ctat actuel iles clioses, la ditference de^ v;ies lie rAilmiiiistration locale et du peiiple du I'ays et de ses representans, dos motifs d'inti'ivt personnel, Ic credit de ceux sur la condnitc et les sentimens desqiiels ils pouvent aussi peiulant longtcnis faire naitre et nourrir des ditticultes propres a laire illusion, a |)aralisor los vcrux de ceux qui scntent I'importance de COS projets d'etablissement, de defriclicmcnt et de culture, et les avantages sans nombrc qui seraient le resnltat de leiir miso a execution. Cependant comment no doit-on pas voir qu'independammcnt de ecs conside- rations gciierales (pii devraiont jiortera laisscr a la Province une jurisdiction am- ple sur cesobjets, il en est une qui, seulc et d'elle-nii^me dcvrait etre decisive. Les rovenus des liaux des Forges St. ^Laurice appartienncnt a la Province comme ceux des Postcs du Roi. .Je n'ai pas besoin sans doute des-Iors de travailler a faire (J 30 every thing that relates to the management of these territorial rights, for the ad- vantaae of the country. ^ • i »• l1ut, finthor with regard to tins object, we uu.st recur to a consideration, always essential as respects the Cloniul (iovcrnment. Motives of interest, whe- ther public or private; well or ill-understood, may give occasion to create di I- ficult es, to stop or bewilder the local Admin.strat.oiu In these cases it will still be necessary to appeal to the Government of 11. s Majesty in Lngland. But then let me ask, what means Ministers can possess, at the distance they are- situated from the snot, to form a judgment between the people who prefer claims ot this natmc. and the small number of those who oppose the wishes expressed by the body who represent the people. My Lord, At the last interview wliieh 1 had the honor to have with your Lordship. I communicated to you some observations upon the measures which the I'a, Lament may adopt from time to time, lor the .egulat.on of the ( om- nierce ..f the K mpi".e, which may alfeet the Coiomes 1 he eonsideratum oi this sibieet is connec t'ed wth the thinl head in the A.ldress ot the Assembly of Lower Canada, of the H)lh of March. 1 have ahvady submitted to your Lord- shin a Memoir respecting the two tirst. I have sketched out some remarks re- ative to the thirdl which I should have wished to revise. Couipelled, however, for the moment, to pay attention to other matters according to the wishes ex- pressed to me by vour Lordship, I do not think, after the interview I have had ^ h your LordshiJ. on that sul jeet. that 1 ought to defer laying those I emarks before you, even iu the .tatc in which they are ; I venture to hope that the coSerltions they contain will not all be found unworthy of the attention of His Majesty's Government. I beg your Lordship to accept the assurances of the profound respect with which I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedt. humble servant, (Signed.) D. B. VlGEll. London CofTcc House, Ludgate Hill, 29th Oct. 18;3L 'To Lord Viscount C.oderich, Colonial Miinster, ,&c. l\c. &:c. a? fiiirc voir nuc ce serail a la Lrgislaturc dii Pays a leglcr tout cc qui a rapport ^ la coiuluite (Ic CCS bicns pour I'avaiitage iki Pays. Mais il faut encore par rapport a cet objct en rovenir ii unc consitiuration tou- jours csscnticlle, par rapport au (Jouveniemerit do la Colonic. Les motifs d'int^-- rcts particiiliers on publics, bicn ou inal entcndus, peuvent donncr lieu dc sus- citer des ditt'iculti's, arriur on (garer I'administration locale. II f'audrait encore dansccs cas sotrouver dans la necessitc d'un appel au Gouverncinont de 8a Maje8t6 en Anglctcrre. Mais alorr^ jc dcmanderai, quels moyens Ics Ministres peuvent avoir a la distance ou ils sont des lieux, de juger entre le peuplc qui forme des re- clamations dc cotte njitiu'e et Ic petit nombre dc ceux qui sopposcnt aux vceux ex- primcs par le corps qui le rcprisente ? My Loud, Lorsde la derniire audience qi.ej'ai cu I'honneur davoir de Votre Sei- gneurie.je lui ai fait part de quclques observations sur Ics mesures que le Parle- ment peut adopter de lems a autres pour rcgler le Commerce de I'Empire et qui peuvent aff'octer les Colonics. Sa consideration dc cc sujet se trouvc Vi^q k celle du troisiimc des articles de I'Adrcssc dc TAsscmblL-e du Bas-Canada du 16 Mars. J'ai dij;i soumis a Votre Scign-niric lui travail sur les deux premiers. J'avais esquisse relativemcnt au troisiemc quclques observations que j'aurais pu desirer retrancher. OMigi- de me livrcr pour le moment a d'autres soinsd'apr^s le de desirmeme dont Votre Scigneurie m'a fait part,je ne crois pas, apres I'entretien que j'ai cue avcc elle a ce siijct, liovoir rclardcr dc les lui mettrc sons les yeux. Mt'me dans lYtat ou clle>< sc trouvent j'ose espcrcr que ics considerations qui s'y trouvent exposees ne seront pas toutcs indigncs de I'attention du Gouvernement de Sa Majeste. Jeprie \'otrc Seigneurie de rccovoir les assurances du profond respect avec Icqucl f J'ai rhonuiur d'etre, Votre tres-liumblc et Obeissant Serviteur. (Signe) D.B. VIGER. London Coffee House, Lndgate Hill, 2'«» '«"P ^ '''"^' *'"l^'"^"' Government to prot. c;t them bvme nsotVeen^ l>v privih^jr. s. or hy restnetums only serves KMUM-ede thC ^their p mgres.. instead' of promoting' their dev lopement he modern H To vo the' KuropJan Nations fnrnish ineontestahle proofs ol l'"^t;"l '•-- S ncc th^ " i'l^''^^ ages. Commerce and Industry ha^e onlv beoun to lour.sh. Irom tl c mo nent. and in proportion as the sy.t. n, of exelus.ve laws and -"-nopo hes was cparted from, or enlirdv abandoned. It appears to me. nevertheless, tiat lis ho "me with the rule I have just poi,>ted out. as w.ih a I others which re- ntc politics, to morals, and to legislation. It may have its exceptions. A natlnnuy find itself placed in particular circumstances, u) wh.eh the ne.ess. v ofirh exceptions, or of some moditication of the rule, may he connected w.th tiK P incmh of seMpreservatmn. which is always the supreme huvot a commu- n y 'a wel as for an i.uhv.dnal. It n.ay likewise also (low from rec.procal .-.gh s resuithm f^om the n.uiual dutie,, which dillerent people tornung a natu.u owe to e" other du^ Nvhieh are themselves founded upon the community of nrtcrests ^hich binds tl.en. together, and which constitutes among them, u, many res- pects A sp.ccies of partnership. I have lo view the question iu this last point of view. In cyunining it we c^n not ose si.d, of the Vriue.ples of monopoly received and to l.wed by mo- Snnatlo" in rescrving'to tllemseUes tl- trade of the. Colomes. «.:^ undoubtedlv bo another thing it that trade was entuely free, and opm to all us ImHscnminately. The considenuion o, the ^f -^'^^ -i: [^nve '1 :m trious nowerful and wealthy nation, as the Knglish nat on i.. might .Itiivc torn r:^^l" :.^' ^rfectly free Irade f„r Us ( olonies. ■ .' ol the ';-;;-;;;:"'^T, '^^ migi,t result from it, is foreign to the matter wlu.h I luue to discuss, argue from the state of things as I find them in eMstcnce. Let us endeavour to apply th. principles which 1 have laid down iu con- sidermgtireSuve situation of' Knglaud and of her North American t olomes. Although Great .hitain which alone of all the European nalio... retains any and that we are lermitteil to trade \sith foreign parts, t is not the kss tuie t .at, in f.c tl e monopoly of our trade is yet in the han.l- ot ( ..eat 1 r.tai... 1 h.s mm oH i^ t c'-'^^ -^ t'-^ exceptions that shackle it, ot the b.jrthe.. o duties on the natural produce or of the industry of other e of the Mother Countrv. and in <..-der to p.otect her intic^ a Ii^^^^^ 'l''"-^ »'"l'^'>i^'l (-'vemnict, u. .mposmu those duties excr- cisesr""l which belongs to it : but it may be at least perin.tt. d to enqmre. w hetl e n ere does ..ot result from all these circu.usta.,ces themse ves a spec.es o' iX Colonies to clai.n su...e favour from the Mother (o.intry cac.- hu'l to yield a compensation. At least it appca.s as .f such a claim would be founded upon the principles ot just reciprocity. Besides, giving u momen t s consideration to the matter, I th conviction that he.e the quest. on i must arise Colony, as some persons mi stance take the hies not solelv iclatc to the intciv-ts of the ght p reteiK 1, and :i> has been alleged. Let us, for in- nersons nugui piciLim, ■■■■>' "^ ■■•• ■ — -o- .•.it hmbcr Trade, by way of comparison. Ceita.nly at, hrst s.gh is r I the U'ah'd in )lllUMplC I its own ct tlicm » im|icilo niodciii truth. — sli, from lopolics, L'ss, that i\\\c\\ ic- 10118. A U'cossity till with cuiunui- al riglits II owe to interests laiiv ros- ing It we by mo- lt woi'Ul icii to all an iiidus- rive 1 1(1 in iicies tliat I IllhSt I, III con- Ionics, ;taiiis any h ' system (olonies, true that, tin. This of duties allows us to protect ilies excr- ) enquire, , a species try calcu- woiild be conviction r.ts the sale of the timber which, without that, would have to be destroyed, at great cost, and by laborious exertions. But at the same time all the members of those families who proceed to form new settlements are so many consumers of Englisir maniifac. turcs, for which they pay, in the first instance, out of the proceeds of the timber they sell to the Eiiglisli merchants, and afterwards out of the produce of their cul- tivation when once their lands have got so far. Are these advantages lo be des- pised? I could easily point out many others, well capable of more than com- pensating the Inhabitants of the .Mother Country for paying something moie in the price of that article of trade, under the present system of protecting duties, in favour of tiuib^'r from the Colonies. It will be no doubt sufKcient to shew that England cannot incur those losses which arc pictured in a way to produce de- ception. I have before said that I argue ui on the principles of the monopoly ill eifect existing, and to which our tradL" is subjected in favour of the Mother Country ; and not upon such grounds as the matter might be argued perhaps, if, in this resj)ect all prohibitory and restrictive laws were wholly abandoned. Reverting to the benefits which Englaiul may derive from the protection she gives to this particular branch of our trade, and continue lo argue upon the same pruiciples, 1 will add that us this monopoly does in fact exist, it follows that the whole trade b. tweon the Colony and the Mother Country is carried on by British Subjects, the goods that are imported or exported are conveyed by British vessels, Biitidi Sailors compose their crews ; gouds of llnglish manufac- ture arc almost exclusively such as are consiuned in the Colonies, who pav for them by means of the profits they derive from their trade with the Mother Coun- try. And this trade increases in proportion to the protection atfbrded to it by the Mother Country. Upon this head as upon many others facts are all. Only examine, for instance, the rajjidity with which the niimbcr of vessels which come to load wood in »lic ports oi' tiie British Provinces in North America, has au<'. meiited since the adoption of the system of protecting duties for this species of produce, and I believe it will be easy to be convinceii that at le;ist the real in- terests of Great Britain have suffered nothing, wlnlsr, in the mean time, it has produced numerous advantages to the Colonies, which in their final result must reciprocally tend to that of the metropolitan State itself, and increase with the same rapidity. I do not speak of the ilisatlvantagcs that must accrue to England in dividing with another nation, tlie louding and employing of ships and sailors; with llii.° sia, tor example; of the dangers of the Huctuation to which that trade might be exposed in case of a war with that power, iis has ulreadv hapnened • of the difle- rence ill (lividinjr 31 jl'Anffleterre pour prot^^er e ComLrce d.ns .? ^^^ le Gouvernement enfinn'aurait pas la liberie de s p c^,u r dt £ ^"Z'm ' ^'"PJ' ^""^''^ ceiin qu'il est oblig^ de raver a ra^ison rlJc Jmr,-? -f m P"'^ »" ^essous de qui viennent. par example S NouveT I3r ,n J^r f '/'x" '",/""<^"'- '^^ ^^"'^ Canada. Maintenant sans reve. , ^k .o. T f ' '^ i '''' ^ouvelle Ecosse oi. du Anglais exerce sur no rrromme'ce e au?mot,r "^°"''';°'^^"« '« P^uple nousaccorderquelqne comnensat^n on ,•!, ^"\'"°tifs qui en doivent resuKer de ce done rien pour la GrSottZ '"' ''"/'"-^Je^'" Q'^'i' nous impose, n'est Colonies, donffa rosperi ' £^ T ''f ^"'°''^''' ^' Commerce de ses Sa protectio'n q Pe le acco 1 en^n,'! ^°f- ''' ?" ^^^7 Commerce ? d'abordlVftetdefae^iliterlSTi st.n rrS "'"' ^'^.^ ^"'^ ^' ^' ^^^ vraJ. en offrant a ceux qui fbrmem eo>> 4 -t ?■!•''"'"' ''. ' '"""'"" ^'^ '^'^''"^^ partie de l'Amcriq".e du No d d , ess u ces v^lT"? '^r " f "'"^ '''->"« ^^"<^ lu.-mcme par la vente de Bois/q e sa s col. d ' P^'^'.f ^'« ^'.^"•^ '"" clefrichement par un travail des plus pcnib es^ Vhis en n ..1 /'" '^''''''^. '' 8'"i"''^ ^••^"■« ^ t families qui vont fonner ce not/ve' x t.l iT/p "'' '""' '^^ ^^^^'"^'es des mateursdesobjetsdemannfhcturwUp n 'T''^^ ?"''"^ ^« ^«"som. Bois qu'ils vendent a ses negoe ns e cts mt'eTm ' ^""r' ^' f "''' ^" '"«^«» '^^s qtiand une fois leurs Terres "nt In ex loi' .Hr^' '« ^''"''''''.''^ leur culture, ^^mepriser? JVn pourrait aisemen inZff^^^^^ ^'^ont-ce la des avantage^ capablesetau.deladeconinense.rsin-n^ °^ '^''"*'""' '-^"^"''^ ^^^^ HuibitantdelaMc^re^'^TdTra^n X-"^ '' '^^ "'^■'^'^^^''t^' Po «" article de Commerce dan lets 6me Si dW,''''''' Pour lo prix de^et des B,.is des Colonies. llsuHitsinsl.^tP I r ^'•^'' ''"^ P^^^^^ctions en faveur • nioment, PAnoJeterre ne pe t e^r-o > ir ', '?"', '""" ^"^ .^'^^"^ ' '"^^''^'t mane du ^ie faire illusion. , Je Pai ^k J t ^ ano n 'l !' °" ^"' ^'" ^^''^'^^""^ '^^Pal^'es fait auquel notre Commerci est i'smetf i n T ''' ,''''r'P^''^ '^^ '"""opol^ ^e comn.e on p„„rrait peuti'e le f hi e s? s ^ clt'^T'^ '^' '" /^^^''-'^-l^atrie/ et non celuidesLoisiuohibitivesourc;,,ictiv.s """'" "" "l^^n^ionnait en entier accc-d:?^^;;-- ^;s-:..T :;;^rrsr s'^^-' "^ '^ p--^-nu'e.ie les memes pricipcs. j ajoutcai one c^ni, Zm . ' /'"f^.""^."^ ton ours dans "HmequetoutleCou,mercoeu HesrooZet^^^^ ^f ^"' il -sensuit de Snjcts Briranniques, ce so.u des WisseCl^f.,V ■'•'"■''' sefaitpardes Marchan.lises importeesou ex, ort'V^'o^Io ?;'';'', T .1''"'^''''''^' '^^ qincomposentles l^quipages, ce sonMV^,^ ; i? ;'"'^r ''' 1.^^ '^ ti'ande.Bretagne sent consommes ::-pi„.p,"s ;xc-l.^ivMnentn.u- . j'^^''''^^''':'^ Anglaise ^qui les pi.,f ts de leur Commerce avec la EKtHo ^tTP''' '^^ payent ameme >'"son de la protcciion .iue I'Ai.uleterre lui-l-cnrd. ^ ^°'"'"^l'-'c s'accroit en beaucoup datitres Ics fa ts sont Tout O .'on n^ '' "* ''""""'^ *^0"^'ne sur r;.piditMenombredcs\\,i.ssoa,x ; vie ne tsoT"^ '"V '^^""P'' "''"^'^ ^^^"^ des IVovinces Britanniqu.s, clanV' m Z " ,u N^ ^ ^"'^ ^^"^ '^« ^^^'ts Pon aadoptc le s.-stenu'd-Imp^ts p o ct ledge of the details than I have myself upon those matters. But, in fine, it ap- pears to me that, independently of these, which may not be without importance, I have adduced reasons that are pretty strong to prove that the principle of ex- ception I have invoked is not devoid offoundation. We now come to another consideration which is connected with the essen- tial principles of justice on the part of the .Mother Country towards the Colonies, and as one appertaining to political economy. The prosperity of the commerce of a country can only be built upon a reasonable certainty, a well founded hope of profit to be made upon the capital employed. If the measures adopted by the Government be changed from one day to another, such changes may in the same way produce the loss of those profits or even of the capital itself. It is evi- dent that commerce woidd be destroyed, that the nation must suffer as much as individuals, and that a common and univcisal ruin would be the consequence. The Province of Lower Canada demands from Great Biitain to guarantee them from this danger, in the course of exercising her right to make laws and regulations which effeit the interests of the trade and commerce of her Colonies. A fluctuation in the measures adopted by IJis Majesty's Government would ex- pose the .Merchants of the Colonies to very fatal consequences; the apprehen- sions alone of this danger would suffice to paralyze the efforts of industry. Let us remark, with legard to the timber trade, that the system of protecting duties has had the effect ol'causing many individuals in the Colonies who arc engaged in it, to invest considerable sums, in matters conutcted with it, among others, in the consiruotion of saw-mills, of establishments for squaring, sawing, and dres- sing the timber destined for exportation. What would be the result of sudden changes in the laws which have established that system upon the ])ermanence of which they had a right to depend ? The loss of the capital invested and perhaps the ruin of a great number of them who had engaged in these speculations. It is useless to enter into further details on this sul)ject. That I have confined my- self to speaking of the timber trade, is because it has been the subject of a warm debate during the last Session of Parliament, and that it lias drawn the attention of the (ioveriuiient and of the public, on this side of the Atlantic, and that of the Inhabitants of the Colonies themselves, especially of those who are engaged in this important trade. The reflections which have here been made are equally applicable to all the other regulations, which are within the province and juris- diction of the Imperial Parliament, with relation to the commeice of the Colonies. 1 will add that even if that which has now been in question, should itself be re- garded as subjected to an exception with regard to the principles I invoke, they would not the less, in general, bo deserving of the attention of those who direct the operations of Goverimient, that is, as to all the other objects to which these principles may be applicable. n the Nor- )se Inhabi- iomc otiiers norc know- fine, it ap- mportance, ;iple ofex- tlie cssen- e Colonies, commerce indeil hope )lod by the nay in the It is evi- IS much as qijcnce. > guarantee e laws and r Colonies, . would ex- I appreheii- istry. Let ting duties engaged in others, in , and dres- of sudden nanence of nd perhaps ations. It nfined my- of a warm e attention nd that ot c engaged ire equally : andjuris- e Colonies. tseU' be re- voke, they vho direct hich these 33 d ja^-rrlNC'e deladifll-rencequ'ildoit y avoir dans le dibit des objets de Mann- acture Anglaisf dans les I'ays du Nord de TEiirope, et ceux de I'AmiMirjue dont les Habitans en d notre partie de -,. . . Joivent consomnier d'avantajre. „^ .„...^ ^^. concuierations ot qnelques autres de la meme nature i ceux qui ont et plus de Joisu pour fane des recherches, et plus de connaissaiices de delails que ie n'en ai mo.-mnue sur ccs malieres Mais enfin il me semble quindependamment de CLles-cquipourraient n'ctre pas sans importance, j'ai donne des raisons assez deT.i Cent''''' "''"'"' ''"^ P""t:ipe d'exception que j'ai invoque n'est pas denue „-« .n)-'i"""f '7'"/.'^"''"^ •^""e ''"tre consideration qui se rattache a des principes .?. n 'ni '^rr''' ^'%'" P"" ^''" '" Mt^re-PatJie envers les Colonies comme d econom.e ppl.t.que. La prosperite du Commerce d'un Pays ne peut etre appuyte que sur une cerftude raisonnable, un e.poir fond6 du p/ofita fairesur les L.ipitaux qu on y emploie. Si les mesures adoptees par un Gouvernement h oeSc de ces^nr"!*""'' ^ '''"■'"' "^ '^''^"g-"^"^ pourraient enlrainer de m^me er, hi n,A / >' ? '' ^'Pm""'" eux-mcmes. On con9oitque le Commerce pariicuheis ; qu une ruine commune et universellc en serait le resultat. F.a 1 lovince du Bas-Canada demande que la Grande-Bretagne la ffarantisse de ce d.n^er. en exer^^int son droit de faire des reglemens qui affc^tent i«tf nSSs h. Conimcrce de ses Co on.es. Sa fluctuation dans les mesures adopteesTar le (,ouyernema,t dc Sa Majeste exposerait les Commer9ans des Colonie 'a d s consequences lunestes la cra.nteseule de ce danger suftiiait pour paralyser les crio ts de 1 Industrie. Observons par rappo.tau Commerce des Bois que le {yst.me dai.s ksCoIon.es. ;\e.yv.ver des Capitaux considerables, entr'aulres obiets I enger des Mouhns. u, , :.anufactures pour cquarri.-, scier, faconU • "eTBois dcst...es a I'ex, ortat.on. Quel serait le resuitat d'un changemen sub . dans le. l1n.r ?"t^ctabhce.systt.me sur la permanence duquefils doivent compte La pe.te deb Capitaux employes et peut-etre la ruine d'un grand ncr-Kl-e de ceux qui se sont engages dans ces speculations. II est inutile d'entrer dans :^:;::-:ur^^;';:rlf-r'' 'T ^'^^ '"^"'^ ' P^''^^^'" commerce d^^S ces qu.lacftlest.jet dune discussion vivc pendant la dcrni^re Sesion du rS'lJ^l^dl'M^-'^:'""-'"^-'^ '' ^^' Pul^'ic cle ce CcS^ de sont eiiiiiiiji's lu .labitans des Colonieb^ elles-memes, surtout parmi ceux qui ,_, ans ce Co.Timerce important. Les reflexions que Ion vient de nieltic au jour sontcgaleme.it applicables a tous les aut.es r^glimens qui son e rosso, t c . le la jur.sd.ct.on du Parlement Imp.^rial. relativement au Wmmerce danslesCoon.es. Jajoute.ai que si celui dont il vient d^tre question pZa't lu...ncme ct.e roga.dc com.ne sujet a une exception, relativement a..x piCipes nllf.ln'^'r' "? seiait pas moins digne en general de I'altentionde ce^ux qu.d...ocntlcsope.at.onsdu Gouvernement pour tous les autres auxqueU ces pniiciix's peuvent ctie appheables. '«u.Miueio ces