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Yoift CoMM!TTF.i% to vviiom was roferred that part of the Journals of last Session, containing the Letter of the Speaker of the House of Assembly of Lower C^anada, with certain Resolutions of tlmi House, accompanying the sanity BF.O LEAVE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING REPORT: The subject to which the attention of your Committee has been directed, can be most con- veniently treated under two distinct heads : First — The Resolutions of the Honorable the House of Assembly of Lower Canada. Second — The Letter of Mr. Speaker Papin -^au. Those Resolutions, it seems, were adopted by The ResoimioM .1 II /• A 1 I n .^1 T n • • adopted with the ex- ihe Iriouse of Assembly of the Lower rrovuce m pectation of similar February last, and apparently with the expectation ^'^"'? '" *^® »'»**' - "^ . . .1 . *^ I '^ 1 Provinces. and hope, that similar views were taken, and a co- operation for similar purposes might be obtained, in the Sister Colonies of North America, but more especially in this Province. The first of these Resolutions declares — "That This expecjMioo " this House, in its exertions to procure a redress expre>'8cdi.uhefirii . . 11-11 nesoluti(»n. " of the various grievances under which the peo- " pie of this Province labour, and to introduce a " good and responsible system of Local Govern- ** ment, have, in addition to the other weighty and " substantial reasons by which it has been guided, " been greatly encouraged by the hope and expec- " tation that any amelioration in the political insti- " tutions of the Colony, would be followed, of " right, by similar advantages to our brethren in- " habiting the Sister Provinces of British North " America." I It ia erid«nl (o this Coinmlttee what form of Government was to be let aside in favor of llie new one recommended. Macliinery of Govern- ment the same in both Provinces, altho' in some respects the laws differ. LiJ»erty of the Catho- lic religion guaran- teed to Lower Canada by the treaty of Paris in 1763. Population at that time about 70,000. Increase of Territory rendered additional Governments neces- sary. U. E. Loyalists invited to settle in thedifferient Provinces. 2 The introduction of what is termed "a good and responsible system of Local Government," and tho extension of "similar advantages" to other Colo- nies, are the main points of this Resolution. With regard to the former, your Committee are at least able to form a conclusive opinion of the form of Government which is to be set aside in favour of some other which the Assembly of Lower Canada style "good and responsible;" since the Consti- tutional Charter of the two Colonies is identical — and although the laws relating to civil rights and property differ, (and that difference can be no cause of complaint for the Assembly of Lower Canada,) the machinery of the Local Government, and the general principles of its administration are the same in both Provinces. By the Treaty of Paris, in 1763, Canada, with its dependencies, (then in the possession of Great Britain, by conquest.) was ceded to His Majesty George the Third, who, by that Treaty, guaran- teed to the Canadians the liberty of the Catholic Rehgion; and also permission to any of them, who were desirous to do so, to sell their property, and emigrate at any time within eighteen months from the ratification of that Treaty. The population at that time did not exceed 70,000. The great acquisition of territory in North America, which Great Britain gained, rendered the creation of additional Colonial Governments necessary for these newly conquered countries ; and at the same time, with a view of encouraging settlers in them, lands were offered to officers and men who had served in the late War. In the Proclamation of 7th October, 1763, provision was made for the Civil Government, which was entrusted in each Colony to a Governor and Council, who had power to erect courts of Judicature, to determine in all cases, civil or criminal, according to law and equity, as near as might be, in conformity to the laws of England, giving an appeal to the Privy Council. ThQ Government of the Provingg of Quebec was thus a tute 1 at tha pal pi objec a Coi taxati were Laws and t minal I (with I tythes I curso I cannc I passe I Cana I which them cxiste them appoi of the ofber subje again those therei (to til in all and t duall ofQi its CO! its ur whos to th< the A emig migh whic these 3 i thus administered until the year 1 774,wlien the Sta- tute 14th Geo. III. was passed. The inhabitants at that time amourted to aboui 90,000, the princi- pal part of whom were of French extraction. The objects of that law appear to have been to provide a Council for all the affairs of the Province, except taxation, in which Council the French Canadians were eligible to a seat: to establish the French Laws, and trial according thereto in civil cases, — and the English Laws, with Trial by Jury, in cri- minal : to secure to the Roman Catholic Clergy, (with certain exceptions,) their estates, as well as tythes from those of their own persuasion. A most cursory examination of the details of this Act, cannot fail to lead to the conclusion that it was passed with an earnest desire to give to the French Canadians the free enjoyment of those laws to which they had been accustomed ; to secure to them the full exercise of their religion, as it had existed prior to the Conquest ; and to extend to them the right of being Members of the Council, appointed to advise the Governor in the conduct of their local affairs. It was an Act^ in short, full of benefits and privileges for those newly acquired subjects of the Crown ; and it was complained against, at the time of its passing, as depriving those persons of British origin wlio had, or might thereafter become inhabitants of Canada, of the (to them) highly valued privilege of Trial by Jury in all cases, civil or criminal. Between this period and the passing of the Act of 1791, a change gra- dually took place in the population of the Province of Quebec — British capitalists became engaged in its commerce : British emigrants began to settle on its uncultivated lands : while numbers of those, whose unconquerable loyalty had kept them faithful to the British Crown during all the vicissitudes of the American Revolutionary War, were induced to emigrate to that Province as a refuge, where they might enjoy that Government and those rights which they had sacrificed all to sustain. Each of these classes of persons was strongly attached, by Governnieut of the Province of Quebec till 1.74. Number or inhabitants about 90,000. Statute, 14th Geo. 3rd, passed. Object of that Statute. Passed with a view te give to the French Canadians, the enjoyment of iheir laws — the free eier- cise of their religion, &.C., and the right to seats in the Governor's Council. Act complained of at the time, as being inimical to British feelings. Between that period and 1791 Britisli Emi- grants began to arrive, and Loyalists who had suffered during the American Revolution. J Proclamation* had been iuue«i, that in Canada they should enjoy the Constitution to which they were attached. To redeem the pledge given to each party the Province of Que- bec was divided into Upper and Lower Canada. 1791. Constitutional Act pas- sed, conferring the further privilege of making their own laws subject to revision in certain cases. habit and principle, to tiic luvva und constitution of the Mother Country; and indeed different Pro- clamations had, from time to time, promised, more particularly to the U.E. Loyalists, that in Canada they should still enjoy the benefit of that Consti- tution to which they were so warmly attached. Pledged, however, as the faith of the Government was, and bound by every consideration to fulfil the just expectation of such settlers, the interests of the French Canadians were not overlooked; and with a view to do justice to the former classes, without infringing on any thing that had been granted or promised to the latter, the Province of Quebec was divided into Upper and Lower Ca- nada. The Act of 1791 — the Constitutional Charter of these Provinces was passed, by which, in addition to the advantages already secured to the French Canadians, they had power further conferred upon them to provide for the establish- ment of such laws for their own peace, welfare, and good government, as they should consider roost advisable. In granting this Legislative authority, there was a power of revision, however, reserved to the Crown to prevent any particular measure, injurious to the public welfare, being inconsiderately adopted. The degree of inde- pendence necessary for the freedom and prosperity of the people of both Provinces, was unreservedly granted, while the connexion with Great Britain was secured — the King himself being one of the branches of the Legislature of each Province : and thereby ample security was afforded for the pros- perity and safety of the Provinces and of the whole Empire. This Constitution That such tt Coustitutiou ought to have been •houid have been con- considefcd a boou by any people, and more espe- Sidered a boon by the . .^ , , •' . •' *^ , » >->, *^ French Canadians, cially by onc who, prior to thc ccssion to Great Gritain, appears not to have had the smallest share in Self-Government, can scarcely be questioned ; and your Committee could scarcely have supposed that the desire expressed in the first Resolution, Constitution formed on the model of that oftheMotherCountry. a "1 I contr itution It Pro- I, more >anada Jonsti- ached. •nment ilfil the ests of i; and ;lasses, I been ince of er Ca- utional which, ired to further ablish- ^elfare, insider islative >vvever, rticular , being f inde- sperity 3rvedly Britain 1 of the e: and e pros- ) whole e been 3 espe- Great it share ioned ; pposed >lution| to introduce " a good and responsible system of Local Government," could have originated in any other cause than that the Constitutional Charter had not been carried into effect: a reference to a reference to ih« , .. , ,. ii'ii second Keiolution the second Resolution however dispels this doubt, shewi the real object and shews what are *• the grievances" complained L^wer Can"dalto°be— of, and what is understood by the terms "a good and responsible system of Local Government;" and your Committee defer remarking upon the "similar advantages" which this Province might expect to gain from the attainment "of their objects by the House of Assembly of Lower Canada, until they have examined what these objects are. These are stated in the second Resolution to be : ** To render the Executive Council directly re- To reiw'er the Execu- • t J ^ ^t Ti ^ ^- £> ^^ 1 • five Council responti sponsible to the Representatives oi the people, in bieio ihepeo|ie. conformity with the principles and practice of the British Constitution, as they obtain in the United Kingdom. " To extend the principle of election to the Le- xjmt the Legisiatife gislative Council, wliich branch of the Provincial Coun, ii shaii be eiec- Legislature has hitherto proved, by reason of its independence of the people, and of its imperfect and vicious Constitution, insufficient to perform the functions for which it was designee. " To place under the constitutional and salutary Revenues of the Pro- control of this House the whole of the Revenues con^trorof^th" Legig* levied in this Province, from whatever source '""'^«- arising. "To abolish pluralities, or the cumulation in To abolish piuraUtiei. one person of several or incompatible offices. "To procure the repeal of certain Statutes t? procure the repeal ■t y*- J t •iTT^i' • I'll of certain Acts of the passed by the Imperial Parliament, in which the imperial Parliament, people of this Province are not, and cannot be represented ; which acts are an infringement of the rights and privileges of the TiCgislature of this Colony, and are injurious to the interests of the people thereof. !' Benefit! oftheto Tcforms. " To obtain over the internal aliaira of iU'iH w7i«e"X°'"rroi Province, and over the management and settle- over the internal nf- mcnt of the wild lands thereof, (for the advantage fair, of .hi. Province ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^j, ^j^^^^^ ^^ j^j^ Majost/s Sub- jects therein, without distinction) that wholesome and necessary control which springs from the principles of the Constitution itself, and of right belongs to the Legislature, and more particularly to this House, as the Representatives of the people. " Which reforms are specially calculated to promote the happiness of His Majesty's Subjects in this Province — to draw more close the tics which attach the Colony to the British Empire^ and can in no way prejudice or injure the interests of any of the Sister I'rovinces." To examine into every one of these " Reforms" would extend this Report to a most inconvenient length, and your Committee have therefore judged it better to confine their attention to the two lead- ing topics of the Executive and Legislative Coun- cils, because in them is to be found ample reason why, in the opinion of your Committee, the people of this Province ought not, through their Repre- sentatives, and would not, in their individual capa- city, co-operate in furthering the views expressed in this Resolution. , . , The question regardinff the Executive Council Union of the three . . ^ ° °^ |. lyy Eitatetthebest feature it IS perhaps uuneccssary to discuss. JNeverwas of the British Consti- jj^g public opiuiou more clcarly, more emphatically expressed, than on that very subject, at the late general Election. A large majority of your Hon- orable House was, as your Committee firmly believe, returned as advocating principles and Nomination of the opiuious diametrically opposed to those contained Legislative Council by j^j ^j^jg sccoud Rcsolutiou. Your Committee, the Crown no new • n theory. however, cannot let pass tlie opportunity oi ex- pressing their opinion, that the Governor, Lieu- tenant Governor, or person administering the Government of this Province, is entrusted with the exercise of the Royal Prerogative within the Committee confine their remaiks to the leading topics of the Executive and Legis- lative Councils. Composition of the Legislative Council considered. same, is com reign impar his ofl vation Subje imperi tain a bility, or des portio to trai sibilit^ and pi istcriii Const to the stabili and u this C On I princi ^ mittet found Mona Govei chara Britis a free with tion thoug with rank happi Legis being Gove the d our same, and tliat lie, (and not the Executive Council) is constitutionally responsible, as well to the Sove- reign as to the people of this Province, for the impartial and upright performance of the duties of his office — a responsibility essential to the preser- vation of the rights and liberties of His Majesty's Subjects in Upper Canada, and which it is the imperative duty of their Representatives to main- tain and enforce, and not to suffer that responsi- bihty, so far as depends on them, to be weakened or destroyed, by transferring the whole or any portion of it to other parties ; and that any attempt to transfer to the Executive Council this respon- sibility, and as a necessary consequence the power and patronage vested by law in the person admin- istering the Government, is in derogation of the Constitutional Charter, and would be dangerous to the liberties of the people — injurious to the stability of our social and political Institutions — and utterly destructive of the ties which attach this Colony to the British Empire. On the subject of the extension of the elective principle to the Legislative Council, your Com- mittee have equally decided, and they trust well founded views. The union of the three Estates — Monarch, Aristocracy, and Democracy, in the Government, has been always considered the characteristic and most valuable feature of the British Constitution ; and with a view of securing a free and well-balanced system of Government, with the Kingly power for its head, the interven- tion of a third estate, independent of the people, though possessing the same common interests with them, and of the Crown, though deriving rank from it, has been found productive of the happiest results ; and so far from the creation of Legislative Councils nominated by the Crown being a new theory or experiment in Colonial Government, the Constitution of other Colonies, the date of which is long antecedent to that of our own, abundantly proves, alike, their existence An elective Legiila* tive Council would give to the people a double representatiou, and the bnlnnced nys- tem of Government be destroyed. Sucli an experiment would, in the opinion ofthe Coinmiltee, lead to a dissolution of our connection witli ths Biitish Empire. The late General Eleo- tion decisive of public opinion, with respect to the Executive Council. Opinion of tlie Com- mittee on that subject. His Majesty's Repre- sentative alone respon* sible to His Majesty and the people ; 8 And cannot ir«nir«r and Utility *, Biid vour Committee lliid it difficult that resnontibility .•' ' , •' , i • i ■ i < . without Tioiation of to conccive how a change, which would make the Charter,"''"*'"""' Legislative Council elective, nud so give the peo- ple a double representation, each branch being in every respect independent of the Crown, could have any other eflect than to render the whole system democratic, and, as your Committee be- lieve, inevitably to lead to a separation from the Parent State. Where the Chief Magistrate is elective there can be no reason why all the re- maining branches of the Legislature should not be so likewise — but such a state of things would, in the opinion of your Committee, be incompati- ble with Monarchical Institutions, and as a neces- sary consequence, must, if adopted, be destructive of our existence as an integral portion rf the Brit- ish Empire. For reasons already expressed, your Committee pass by the other ^^ reforms'''' suggested, and take up the third Resolution, which is in the following words : — "Resolved — That it has long been the aim of the enemies of these Colonies, by deliberate and un- founded misrepresentations, to engender dissen- sions and bad feelings between the people thereof, in the hope of preventing all union of purpose among the people, and of thereby preventing the reform of those abuses and evils of which the people have so frequently complained, and which are connived at or upheld for the advantage of a minority hitherto unjustly possessing, and still endeavoring to maintaim a political ascendancy in this Provmce, contrary to the principles of all good government." Upon this your Committee will ofler only one remark. They do not pretend to judge how far jenfafiojiwoftheaffairj the statcmcrts therein contained may be true as regards Lower Canada ; but with regard to this Province, they can with great sincerity assert, that although there have been "deliberate and vs- ForNDED misrepresentations f^ as well before as The third Resolution. Committee trusts that the aim of those who have made miarepre of this Province will be defeated. '3 imcult kc tlic e peo- i'mg in could whole ee bo- )m the •ate is he re- lid not would, mpati- neces- ructivo e Brit- imitteo id take lowing n of the md un- dissen- thereof, )urpose ing the ich the 1 which ge of a nd still ndancy s of ail nly one [low far true as to this 3rt, that nd UN- fore as ■■.;4 ■'•i 'I I Fourth Resolution aincc the ndoplion ol this Ilcaolutioii l>y the Assembly of Lower Canada, in regard to the allairs of this Province, yet they confidently hope and believe that the aini of those who have made them to suit their own unhallowed purposes, will be defeated by the firm determination of your Honorable House, on all occasions, *' to maintain " our happy Constitution inviolate" — and at the " same time, to correct cautiously, yet cflectually, ** all real grievances." With respect to the fourth Resolution, which is as follows : — "Resolved — That this House has seen with extreme concern a Speech delivered at the open- ing of the present Session of the Legislature of Upper Canada, by His Excellency Sir John Colborne, late Lieutenant Governor of that Pro- vince, at a moment when his sudden recal re- flected particularly on the merits of his Adminis- tration, in which it is stated that the affairs of this Province had exercised an injurious influence on the interests of Upper Canada — had tended appa- rently to discourage Emigration and the transfer of capital to that country, and had acted disad- vantageously in respect to the terms on which the large Loan authorised by the Legislature of that Province was recently negotiated in England ; — that such a statement is calculated to misrepre- sent the views of this House ; to prejudice the I)eople of these Provinces against each other; to disturb that good understanding which ought to j)revail, and which has hitherto prevailed between the said people ; and in place thereof to sow dis- cord aud animosity among the several classes of His Majesty's Subjects in these Provinces." Your Committee feel it right in the first place opinion of the Aasem- to remark, that whatever may be the opinion of K j.^'coTbonl??" the House of Assembly of Lower Canada, on the administration incor merits of the adminissration of His Excellency '^'■^' Sir John ColboiMc, lac universal public testimonies B if t. ; » it s- > The fifih Resolution states, that the Assem* bly of Lower Cai.ada repudiates any design to embarrass the Up- per Province in her endeavours to improve her political condition 10 of respect that were shewn to him on his depar- ture from the Trovince, have abundantly proved in what Hght his character and conduct were The dUsentions In the viewed among US. And your Committee would l'^aZJtr!hei!Z^ further remark, that in their opinion it would be rests of Upper Canada. jj]|g ^q deny that the disscHsions in the Lower Province have produced an injurious influence on Emigration, as well as on the financial arrange- ments of Upper Canar^a, and will, if they con- tinue, be daily more prejudicial to our general welfare. The next Resolution declares — "That strong in the rectitude of tlieir intentions and principles, and moved alone by a desire to introduce order and responsibility into their political institutions, in the place of the disorder and abuse which now unhappily prevail, this House, and the people whom it represents, indignantly repudiate all de- sign to injure the interests or embarrass the exer- tions of the people of Upper Canada, in whose welfare the people of this Province feel a lively interest, and for whose patriotic exertions to im- prove their political and social condition, this House entertains a sincere respect ; and this House is gratified to perceive that the Representatives of the Sister Province have done this House the justice to acquit it of being the cause of any dis- sensions or embarrassments existing in the Co- lony ; and this House firmly repeat, that those dissensions and embarrassments proceeded from the defective constitution of the Legislative Coun- cil of these Colonies, and from the continued unconstitutional exercise by the same persons, of Executive, Legislative, and Judicial functions — from which causes have resulted the abuses of which the people of this Province have so long and so justly complained." Tht Commute* ar« Your Committee are not aware tha* tVe House not tware that any of Assembly of Lowcr Canada havo hver been irp't'dr.!;rA'::m. charged with a design "to injure the interests or bly ofLowM Canada, embarrass the exertions" of the people of this Her embarfassraents proceed from the de- fective Constitution of *he Legislative Coun- cil, and from tlie exer- cise, by the same per- ions, of Executive, Legislative and judi- cial functions. 11 iepar- )roved were would aid be Lower ice on range- ^ con- eneral strong ciples, order utions, ;h now people all de- e exer- whose lively to im- n, this i House itatives use the ny dis- be Co- 1: those d from 5 Coun- titinr.ed sons, of tions — uses of 30 long \ HouBe 3r been rests or of this Province. The dissensions unfortunately prevail- ing there have caused, in the minds of most reflect- ing men among us, both regret and anxiety; and the expression of that feeling is natural aud just, when we have reason to believe that our interests have sustained a prejudice, in many respects, from the peculiar position of public affairs in the Sister Province. tFnder ordinary circumstances, your Committee would have avoided the expression of % any opinion on the affairs of Lower Canada, and they now disclaim all wish to pronounce upon their concerns, further than to the extent of a discussion of matters affecting the interests of this Province, and naturally springing from a consideration of the Resolutions transmitted to this House. The brief review taken by your Committee of the history of the Province of Quebec, and its separation into Upper and Lower Canada, and of the amelioration of its political condition by suc- cessive acts of grace and favour, has led them to the conclusion, that every disposition has been indicated by the Home Government to provide for the peace andwelfareof all classes of His Majesty's subjects, inhabiting the Canadas, and to afford them the protection of liberal institutions, and of laws subject to their own revision. That in the practical operation of these institutions some dif- ficulties might arise, was naturally to be expected, nor should it be matter of surprise that there may have gradually crept in some abuses which require amendment and reform. To all just com- plaints, your Committee feel assured, a ready at- tention would be given ; and the careful investi- gatien, by the Flouse of Commons, of the affairs of the Canadas in 1828, togetlier with the ample information afforded by Government at that time, proves, to the satisfaction of your Committee, that every readiness has been shewn by His Majesty and the Imperir' Parliament, to remove every such abuse, and to give to the people here every redress that circumstances might require. With this belief I nor do they desire (o discuss the concerns of the Sister Provinca, further than as thej tend to affect the inte- rests of UpperCanada. r! ' Such a discussion naturally springs from a consideration of the Resolutions transmit- ted. Committee arrive at the conclusion, that every disposition has been sliewn hy the Home Government to provide for the peace and welfare of the Canadas. The investigation by the House of Com- mons, in 1828, and the information afforded by Government at that time, proves the cor- rectness of this opi- nion. Continced urtlie trutli of the same, they deeply regret the tone of the Resolutions transmitted, and The spirit in which they were conceived and adopted. Nor can they withhold their sympathy for the treatment shewn to their fellow subjects of British origin in Lower Canada — a Province won by Brit- ish arms. Situated as Upper Canada is every mate- rial change in Lower Canada must nfiect the Upper Province also When a Member of the House of Commons makes such a declara- tion as Mr. Roebuck is reported to have done, Committee think it right to deny their be- lief of the truth of the assertion. The b-gfa tense of national honor and friendly feelings of the American Govern- ment, would prevent their lending their aid to any traitorous con- tpiracy. 12 on the one hauJ, aiul stroiiy m lljcii' conviction of the excellence of onr Constitution as it is, on the other, your Committee perceive, with lively regret and alarm, the tone of these Resolutions, and the spirit in which these or similar measures have been latterly insisted on by the House of Assembly which adopted them ; nor can they withhold an expression of deep sympathy for their fellow-sub- jects of British origin in the Lower Province, who seem, in some respects, to be treated, and who have been almost denounced as foreigners and ir*- truders in a Colony which was won by the enter- prise and heroic courage of British warriors. Geographically situated as Upper Canada is, and governed under the same Constitution with the lister Province, whatever change occurs in their form of Government, or whatever remedies the Imperial Parliament may adopt for the cure of the evils now prevailing there, must, in some degree, and perhaps to an extent not now contemplated, affect us likewise. When a Member of the Bri- tish House of Commons, the salaried Agent of the Assembly of Lower Canada, declared in his place, (as Mr. Roebuck is reported to have declared,) that in the neighbourhood of Lower Canada "there were 13,000,000 of Republicans, who, as soon as the flag of Rebellion should he unfurled, would rally round it, and trample in the dust the whole " establishment," your Committee think it right for your Honorable House promptly to declare, that, in their opinion, the few traitors in either Province, who would desire to hoist the standard of revolt, are so sensible of their weakness, that there is no fear of such an effort being made ; and that should they be rash enough to attempt it in the expectation of foreign support, they would look in vain for aid from the United States, whose Government has. been actuated by feelings of the most friendly and pacific character towards the British Empire, and whose high sense of national honour would always prevent their lending their aid to a traitorous conspiracy. Whatever course r I may I Lowe the o] thatn the pi and ti adopt subje< Moth sight conce (( 13 that and Committee trusts that whatever course may be adopted towards Lower Canada, the rights of this Province will not be endangered by temporising con- cession. Impressed with the conviction that the adoption of the prin- ciples contained in the Resolutions would in- evitably lead to a Re- publican Government recommend an ad- dress to His Majesty, solemnly disavowing any participation in (he sentiments con- tained therein. may be taken with regard to the affairs of the Lower Province, your Committee cannot let shp the opportunity of expressing their anxious hope, that no consideration will induce a departure from the principles contained in the Charter of 1791, and that in any remedial measurers which may be adopted, the preservation of our rights as British subjects, and of our intimate connexion with the Mother Country, as a Colony, will never be lost sight of or endangered by weak and temporizing concession. Your Committee, after this examination of these Resolutions, have arrived at the conclusion, that to pursue the course which has been followed in the Lower Province, and to espouse the principles avowed and insisted on by the House of Assem- bly there, would be contrary to the wishes as well as the interests of Upper Canada ; would shake our system of Government to its centre, and would rapidly and inevitably tend to establish a Repub- lican form of Government among us. Impressed with this conviction, your Committee feel it their duty to submit to your Honorable House the pro- priety of presenting an humble address to His Majesty, solemnly disavowing the sentiments con- tained in these Resolutions, and earnestly depre- cating any departure from the principles of our Constitution, or the adoption of any course of policy calculated to weaken the ties which attach this Colony to the British Empire. After this review of the Resolutions, to which committee advert to your Committee have felt it their duty to devote ^^'- »'"pi"eaus letter. their best attention, there remains little for them to do, but to advert to the Letter of Mr. Speaker Papineau. By the last Resolution, he was authorised to The last Resolution transmit copies thereof to the several Assemblies ^"p"'-'?.!?,'"^ ?/'"''' i»TT r-i 1 1 /» 1 1 CN« i-» • er rapnitau to trans- 01 Upper Canada, and of the other Sister rrovm- mit the series, ces, "and to express the desire of this House "cordially to co-operate with the said Assemblies i U' I 1.11 14 ** in all constitutional measures calculated to pro- mote the mutual interests of these Colonies." Under this authority alone Mr. Papineau wrote bis letter. ■I I I I Mr. Papineau not au> thorised to insult the Government or Assem- bly of this Province Mr. Papineau alone responsible for this violation of courtesy and decorum. The whole tenor of this letter is such, that it would have b -en passed over in silent contempt, had it not been found on the Journals of the IJonsc The late period of the Session at which it was reported, alone, prevented thai consi- deration of the letter which would have pre- vented the Journals from being disgraced by its appearance on them. It is under the authority of this latter clause that Mr. Papineau has assumed to write this Letter, which, in addition to a lengthened com- mentary on the Resolutions, contains some ex- pressions to which your Committee beg to draw the attention of your Honorable House. — In refer- ence to one of the Imperial Statutes, imposing certain duties, Mr. Papineau remarks — " It is true " that the Government of Upper Canada induced *' a bribed or unwary Parliament to petition for the " ••evival and continuation of those taxes.'" Your Committee find nothing in the Resolutions giving authority to Mr. Papineau to use language in- sulting to the Government of this Colony, or to a former House of Assembly : nor do they believe that the House of Assembly of Lower ever de- signed such an unwarrantable and indecent course should be followed. For this violation of decorum, and of the courtesy due from one Legislature to another, Mr. Papineau stands solely responsible ; but your Committee think it beneath the dignity of your Honorable House to take further notice of so base and unfounded a calumny. The tenor of the whole letter is, in the opinion of your Committee, of a purely rebellious character; and the sentiments of the writer will find nothing but execration from the inhabitants of this Province. It carries its antidote in itself, and is so utterly revolting to a loyal and well disposed mind, that while deserving of every punishment, it requires no confutation, and would have been passed over by your Committee in silent contempt, without even this brief notice, if it were not to be found on the Journals of your Honorable House. The late period of the past Session when it was laid on the table of the House — two months after the Resolutions were adopted, gnd rather more than one month after the date of the Letter — prevented the late House of Assembly from taking the sub- i 15 ject into consideration. This delay is unaccounted for, and is to be regretted ; for your Committee are satisfied that had there been time for con- sideration, the Journals of the Assembly would not have been disgraced by the Letter of Mr. Speaker Papineau. All which is respectfully submitted. HENRY SHERWOOD, Chairman. Committe Room, House of Assembly, February 22, 1837. / fl^ ^^/. ,:■-(- f ^l^-''f t-r'L' U/<.-i^ /t-^/iC.f^r'^ ir- ^L 5^/-A v' l< A '^-a Printed by order of the Commons House of Assembly. R. STANTON, PRINTER.