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 1 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
I^&E 
 
 V 
 
 N( 
 
 
AN 
 
 ENQUIRY 
 
 INTO 
 
 I'lIE EVILS OF GENERAL SUFFRAGE 
 
 ■',- '^^** 
 
 AND FREQUENT ELECTIONS 
 
 m 
 
 ;iK' :.:•••. 
 
 • • ' f » 
 
 LOWER tiANADAV 
 
 BY CAMILLUS. 
 
 f^^ : J0^ ln**'>y) 
 
 Now PtDEAT DICERE QUOD NON PUDEAT SENTIRE, 
 
 MONTREAL: 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY NAHUM MOWER, 
 
 At the PrintiDg-Office of the Canadian Courant, 
 
 Uo. 38, St. Paul Street. 
 
 1810. 
 
 fit 
 
 \0'[ 
 
 i5 
 
"HHHHPnSi 
 
 I 
 
 11^ 
 
 • • • «' . 
 
 "». 
 
 work, 
 submii 
 that i 
 Whctk 
 ter to 
 the t{ 
 lose tk 
 to be i 
 for oh 
 ibepi 
 
 n 
 
 he hi 
 andt 
 ever, 
 ties I 
 
 as th( 
 who 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 >gi s < t*« 
 
 THE writer efihe following pag£s^ ts engaged in a 
 work, of ivhick thy form an inconsiderable part. He 
 submitted them to the inspection of a friend, who thought 
 that the immeaiate publication of ihem might b/e useful. 
 Whether this expectation will be realized it not for the wri' 
 ter to determine. Much of the value of publications onfugi" 
 five topics^ depends on the state of the public mind .'—they 
 lose their value when the objects to which they refer cease 
 to be interesting. This is perhaps a sufficient apology 
 for obtruding such a performance as the present before 
 the public.-^ 
 
 The author is determined to remain in concealment. 
 He has not indulged Jpimself in any illiberal personality ; 
 and therefore incurs no responsibility to any. person what' 
 ever. He does not court applause ; and the " immuni- 
 ties of invisibility" secure him from censure. Humble 
 as the pretensions of his work may be, thsre are many 
 who would not admit ihem were his name in the title 
 page ; and not a few who might rate them bey end their 
 
 lOtTUi 
 
■— I .._. 
 
 '".'i-J.,!.... 
 
 / 
 
 ir 
 
 meriu The author, mt the work, would become the subject 
 ofcritichm.^He has not like the French writer animated I 
 himself with the hope of pleasing all the world ; and being i 
 insensible to the approbation of a large portion of it, dis. * 
 misses his opinions with ''frigid indifference:^ 
 " la me omnis spes est mihi." 
 
 Montreal, 20th AprD, 18 jo, 
 
 It I 
 
 I 
 
 @- 
 
 * 
 
 were 
 
 ■m0^. 
 
come tie subject 
 'titer animated 
 "^Id ; and being 
 rtion of it, disr 
 
 /^,X^^.»J,Ja 
 
 
 
 ■m 
 
 
 w. 
 
 tl. 
 
 AN ENQUIRY, &C. 
 
 mitemm 
 
 LONG before the late unlawful and unprece- 
 dented attempt ot the House of Assembly, to arro, 
 gate to itself powers with which the Constitution 
 invested the higher branches of the Government, 
 reflecting men foresaw, that certain needy and ambi- 
 tious characters, would tak.; some decided step, in or- 
 der to prove to the Governor General, that, if he 
 wished to conduct the administration in quiet, they 
 must be conciliatcd.-^^^^Th'is policy was recommended 
 by precedent ; and its former success justified their 
 expectations :- — Besides, it was the only way in which 
 pel sons of moderate abilities and popular character 
 among the common people, could force themselves 
 into places of trust and emolument, and make the 
 Governtnent contribute to their support.^-Former 
 Governors, harf adopted a mode of drawing into the 
 service of the State, or neutralizing persons of this 
 description, which was highly unjust and impolitic : 
 r— Since to stop the mouth of one seditious man 
 with a bribe, is the sure method to open a thousand 
 still more clamourous and insatiable. — It discourages 
 and disheartenij the loyal and well disponed part of 
 His Majesty's subjects j and invites those who are 
 the least qualified on every account to discharge any 
 public trust, to atteippt to overawe the Government, 
 in order to obtain a share in its administration, or 
 lay it under contribution. — ^I'he House of Assembly 
 and a seditious news-paper, were the engines which 
 were put in motion for thoi.e purposes j in* both of 
 
mmmmmi 
 
 mmm 
 
 and order, as to threaten mn« ''°?*«"'P' of decency 
 . to the Province, and brinH^ T""" =onsequenc<i 
 ministration int^ comSin ?., "*'*^' "^ ">= »d- 
 bouring States ; whose Gov^,-' "'"' °^ "'^ ""gh- 
 terestedin the progress tST'"' '^^ deeply In- 
 fection were makfn?nTh5 ^j''"^""'™* ="«» disaf. 
 House of Assembly ler7Ji?M''T*Sogues '■) the 
 
 Fould be made on U^^ S 7^''"= '*" *'"!='' 
 
 their opposition lb„t T °^ '•''^ Governor by 
 
 . fidinc/^ith which that Z-f •r'*^''^ ^y ""= ™n^ 
 
 theenemiesofGreatBri ain'^'^ T It" T"''' '"^P'™ 
 
 consulted only tl". fe " or;I"^A''''°*"^'''W 
 
 werctoimand aoDotL^ "i' Governours an| 
 
 . not have succumbeXsach ^'1' ^"."^-He coulj 
 
 ting his own cha««,^ 5 \^*''l'' '"'''out forgee. 
 
 an|responsib,tr.ro„^^^ic^ia "' '"'^'^"^ 
 
 to the worst men Tn-"'"'^^""'" Canada give. 
 
 ' ">inistration, and put the hf ^•- '° '"""""" ""^ »d! 
 
 of the State n LonTrdv if '''""'?\'"'' ''^^^Uy 
 
 I shall adduce, {harthe' cLJ- °^ "■' •"="'y P^oofe 
 
 ter fitted to enjoy a ulc""^""'^"^"- ''' "ot bet- 
 
 « the time Ke cLour"'"^"'.' "'="' he was 
 
 ments have not reached h?riT'*^'"'^''" ''"P-'ove- 
 
 •■"pccts a living unchi^d" "" '^"''-^ in most 
 
 Norman peasant! in the r£l "("-f ™t»tion of the 
 
 "e the lessons which h/f^ -f ^"".'^ ^IV.-Nor 
 
 'iter his charactl'Tor I'he'better!!"'''"^ "^ ^ 
 
 ^^^^^^;::^^^ «'- Canadian 
 
 most powerful obsVrurHL . ■ """■ =-''« "»« 
 
 been the discouragemen To T ""P™^«">e„t, has 
 
 __agem?m to FREE enq;,irv, which 
 
 ■f The renson why I >{ — ~ 
 
and laws, ^^ 
 'pt of decency 
 consequences 
 er of the ad- 
 of the neigh- 
 ^as deeply in- 
 Jnt and disaf. 
 ^gues iq the 
 • effect which 
 Governor by 
 ' by the con- 
 ould inspire 
 owever,they 
 :rnour; and 
 — He could 
 hout forgct- 
 of the high 
 
 e democrat- 
 -anada gives 
 rass the ad- 
 trapquility 
 lany proofs 
 is not bet- 
 fian he was 
 » improve* 
 13 in most 
 ion of the 
 UV.— Nor 
 g likely to 
 
 ,1 
 
 Canadian 
 :--but the 
 nent, has 
 *v, which 
 
 «6 and indi. 
 
 
 makes man both rational and active ; calls all m5\Ji ^ 
 faculties into exertion j and gives him a correct view ! ^ ^ 
 of his moral, social and political relations ; — ■which 
 softens and humanizes the ferocity of his nature 
 and raises him to fliat dignity in the scale of think- 
 ing beings to which he was originally destined.— ♦ 
 
 Much as I am an enemy to the wild and fanciful 
 productions of human vanity which suppose man 
 capable of self-government, and as sincerely as I 
 contemn and deride those theories, which suppose 
 that virtue is sufficiently attractive to draw him away 
 from the influence of inordinate passions*^! canned 
 on the other hand concur in opinion with those 
 who despondingly believe that 
 
 " The world was made for Casar" 
 and that the multitude are only fit to be mere pas. 
 bive slaves ; who ought to be content if they be per* 
 mitted tb live without stripes and contumely.— 
 This however was the state of the Canadian peasant 
 before the conquest of Canada by Great Britain. J 
 The clergy directed his moral as the seigniors did ' 
 his physical powers. — ^The haute, moyenneet basse jus. 
 ftce, gave the Lord a right to hang, whip, or impris- 
 on his tenants, and extort from them ths fruits of 
 their labor ; and their redress by ^peal to the 
 Council at Quebec was little more than nominaLf-— 
 The church and state had a common interest ; and 
 it produced just such a race of men as was congeni- 
 al with the genius and policy of the government.-- 
 it made the people stupid, abject, submissive and in- 
 dolent ;land the fear that they would assimilate to 
 the English character, adopt his opinions, and in ^ 
 
 * '^ Ingenuas didici:sse fideliter artes cmollet mores j aec aiuit 
 esse feros.-* 
 
 f AIthoii(>h Seigniors kept judges on their estates for these 
 purposes, I cuusidcr the judicial power as virtuiiliy tested in 
 themselves. 
 
i '• 
 
 i Hme cease to be Frenchmen h^^ Ir-^f .i i 
 
 funics the government .™erfere. wSM f"' =""* 
 
 i chensfied, ''/est** C:,^ th^ ^^cniiiy cultivated and 
 
 niav be testcH hv •»„ • — * whicl) I draw, 
 n>on ^„se _ ^ "''P'""'^^. «=«mples and com- ; 
 
 a code of^im nln.-^ r= ^"^ "L" ^""q^^^d ™ch 
 Ti^wrlt, ^ • J ^» ^» eat Britain gave to her 
 
 was less invidious than formerly ; and the concen 
 ration of authority, justice and Vunishment in the" 
 
 P le flut^rv h' •"■"/'"" =""°"S all classes of peo! 
 pie, a falutary dependance on the government and 
 an emulation of loyalty and zeal, /hich f"; con^ 
 
 ■3 
 
 I '1- \ 
 
 ) 
 
 «jlsk);«ij»i(frss»«Sj* 
 
 i 
 
^t them, anj 
 it continue to 
 ch either the 
 se motives of 
 J them. Dif- 
 on and Char- 
 position to all 
 imon arts and 
 iltivated and 
 en say) " tbe 
 be lost.—.^^ 
 
 prejudice or 
 '* for having 
 1 simple des. 
 
 is not a sub- 
 •nly question 
 d may hon- 
 c made from 
 hiclj I draw, 
 > and com- 
 
 luthorises a 
 quered such 
 necessary to 
 jave to her 
 5f her own 
 stripped of 
 both were 
 in this case 
 Great Brit, 
 vindictive 
 t though it 
 he concen- 
 ent, in the 
 ses of peo- 
 ment, and 
 irhaps con- 
 
 l 
 
 
 tributcd to preserve the Canadians from the mania 
 which spread itself throughout the other parts of 
 British America. 
 
 Statesmen and Generals are apt to ascribe to their 
 fOwn wisdom and address, those prosperous events 
 which are often produced by causes and combina- 
 tions beyond their agency and control j and with 
 •as little reason are charged with disasters, which no 
 human skill or prudence could have averted. Lord 
 Dorchester, who, during the war between the colo- 
 nies and parent state was Governor of Canada, fan- 
 cied that the loyalty of the Canadians, was owing to 
 their docility and his own address ; and thought 
 that the obedience of the subjects could not be bar- 
 ter rewarded and secured, than by freeing them 
 from that very dependence^ which was in fact one 
 principal cause of their obedience. He therefore 
 gave every possible aid to those who were desirous 
 to change the form of the Colonial Government : — 
 An act was accordingly passed in the 3 ist year of His 
 Majesty's reign, by which one branch of the gov- 
 ernment of the colony, was placed completely in the 
 hands of the people. It would seem to be the ex- 
 treme of arrogance to accuse Lord Dorchester and 
 His Majesty's Ministers with ignorance or negligence 
 in the adoption of this measure ; but when 'we con- 
 sider t,hat great men are apt to abstract and general- 
 ize without sufficient regard to particulars, it is not 
 wonderful that they should sometimes fall into er. 
 ror. If His Lordship was really the author of this 
 law, he must have had no other ideas of the analogy 
 between the system of government and the necessi- 
 ties and state of the governed, than Procrustes of 
 his iron bed, to whose dimensions the subject, 
 whether long or short, was fitted. Without consid- 
 ering whether the children of the state were of 
 reasonable discretion^ he was determined to take them 
 
 fi 
 
% 
 
 I 
 
 I .i 
 
 -' 
 
 Id 
 
 tVle!'"^/''''^'^'' ^^^^^^ "«t stop to enquire 
 
 the con^r/et f \hi. hvnXr'"? l^ ^^"^ ^^^P^^^ 
 oinpn Ao •/• nyp^>tn.esis or the sage Montc^ 
 
 quieu. As it it were poasibJe to remov/hv T • , 
 
 integrity of the ^trtr- "^ ""^ Rovemment and 
 icgiuyortiic state; sufficient knowledge to cm,,-,* 
 
 er freedom ri 1^ I"''', ^"''•'« ^esc howcv! 
 er heedom (I mean fokiicgl freedm) is little better 
 than vice, folly, envy, jealousy and every jreatTnrf 
 every mean passion withont'tuition or Restraint 
 It was a max m of the sieatest m^^J j 
 I times, that " Cotitrol ought^ be^trgt^L' di" 
 rect ratio of passion as well as in the inver e of 
 ,, knowledge and reason." Without a rnmr^r 
 •t power, s„^ckn,ly strops, placed somwhee,odtf 
 .. cannot exist m security and repose. Whoever de'^ 
 ^ n.es this, IS referred to the history of free govern 
 ments, with whose ruins the map'^of titne is^ trew-' 
 ed, and whose temporary splendor only servesTo 
 throw a feeble light on the crLes and m^iserj'th y 
 W produced. I shall perhaps be exultingll told 
 tha Great Britain alone furnishes sufficient eviden e 
 of the fallacy of this argument. I will „ot conte,^? 
 myself wuh answering that a single exception on?y 
 proves the general rule ; because it is at least demon- 
 strable that the deniocrttic ingredient does not pre- 
 dmunau, but u mbordmaU to the other parts of the 
 
 * 
 
 'd 111 
 
 '.{ 
 
op to enquire 
 rising from the 
 have adopted 
 sage Montcs- 
 yt by legisla- 
 ) sclf-govern- 
 nd education 
 nent when \i 
 Canada could 
 principles of 
 perty to con- 
 : electors and 
 ernment and 
 Jge to guard 
 icient virtue 
 :hesc howev. 
 i little better 
 ^y great and 
 or restraint. 
 V of modern; 
 ig in the rli- 
 ; inverse of 
 controling 
 ere, society 
 /^hoever de- 
 ■ee govern- 
 le is itrew- 
 ly serves to 
 Misery they 
 Itingly told 
 nt evidence 
 lot content 
 ption only 
 ast demon- 
 3es not pre- 
 arts of the 
 
 ti 
 
 
 I 
 
 cornpositjonof that Ooverpment. The last census 
 . of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire- 
 land gives it a population of a^o^t sixteen millions, 
 „and subsequent authorities rate it at eighteen mil- 
 i^lions : Of these not more than five hundred thou- 
 I sand persons have any manner of connexion with 
 the government,* or any thing to do with the laws 
 but obey them : and of the representatives of these 
 five hundred thousand in the House of Commons, 
 at least six tenths are under the immediaie infiuence 
 of the crown and of illustrious families. Of the re- 
 mainder, a very considerable share is deeply interest- 
 ed in the safety, tranquility and glory of the nation ; 
 and bound by every motive which can regulate and 
 govern men's actions, to unite with and support the 
 executive branch of the government. This limited 
 representation and controling and all pervading in- 
 fluence of the higrher classes of society, has been the 
 subject of u-'.reniitted complaint and bitter invective 
 among the demagogues of Great Britain from the 
 unweildy Bedford, who (as Burke describes him) 
 ** lay floating many a rood in the ocean of royal bounty" 
 down to thelov/est yelperfor liberty in the train of 
 Sir Francis Burdet. Had these stale quacks succeed- 
 ed in their endeavors to introduce a more general 
 suffrage ; had they been able to place the defnocrat- 
 ic branch as C(;mpletely in the hands oi the great 
 mass of the population as it is now in Canada^ Old 
 England might now be sought for oiily amidst the 
 rubbish of revolution ; and the temple of Bririsli jus- 
 tice which rears her venerable dome amidst the 
 wreck ofsurrounding states, subverted laws and mil- 
 lions of wretches, groaning beneath n:.3ery and op^ 
 
 * Mr. Burke rated thfim at 
 .with Ireland. 
 
 only 400,0003 Lcforc the iinioo 
 
 m^>,'{r^ 
 
It 
 
 i -l 
 
 
 gratitude to benefactors, conhi^af in" lV° P'!;'"''' 
 rental tenderness ; i„ order moreeff li ""* P*" 
 trpduce their philanthropic chemfnf " J '° '"• 
 
 "ent. in am correct inKatement 'fr^""' 
 mons of Great Britain » LiT^ ! .v "' ' '* '''« =<»»- 
 
 described woild benttTete^r*'"?'"'^ ' *"« 
 let n,e seriously enquire what Unn" "•"l"""" ''"''' 
 ppct from the alsemll of Swef c" nada° ITI" "' 
 nates directly from th=n,(mir-j-? •' *'"'''«?"»- 
 population f^n aTsemllytt :^ """^'"f 
 
 sing the maximum of pr^owrtv virf,?^ ?f """P"" 
 valour of the state hmiiu •v'^'l'"^' '"'^"'s »nd 
 
 try inn or a crn^'^Vat cofh'lS"-^^^ '•^"''- 
 men notaries, attornics afd aT.orn' 'l:^;^^ ^ "^• 
 try clowns dranr. sellers and bankrupts- ""' '''"'^■ 
 Mack devib and white, bluedevil, and^rev 
 M.n^U,m,ngU, minsle,yauthat mingle Z''!- 
 
 Men of candour and inoderafm,, 1 i ' 
 
 smile at this picture : but I can ', ?, ""'' ^'"°*" '"• 
 Icct among the member, ,-.,, i "."* "oment se- 
 
 candidates! persons enough t!""^ '"'' '^T ''^'^ =>^' 
 ^vhich by the by not one ?„ r ""'^'"' "" S^'up, of 
 
 son why\e is' ^ TeX' o/'parliaXr ^^'h"?- 
 from mc to reproach any man wirhTl, " ^ " 
 
 hi- occupation or the nan o« net f i"^"'™"'' "^ 
 Noneoflshas\hedhec,io ofh own fr''^'';"^- 
 
 >vho distributes her gifts as^he pleases R,? ■,'•""' 
 JncxcusaWc error U) take nmin'^f'"' " '* '" 
 ^.n wH„ .,, , una^^-CdiX rorV s!?.r 
 ficc a pos.t>yc good at the shrine of pcrfoiiaTyanit;!^; 
 
 iust b 
 aracl 
 lurce 
 ilhe Ca 
 ^ Iha> 
 
 '|io infl 
 
 # Jnslj 
 ^ith tl 
 ■||o offic 
 
 Ifnade i 
 fcerit 2 
 ftv to c 
 
 #na wi 
 jWity cr 
 
 ^evil CO! 
 
 ^dilate.- 
 
 Igogues 
 
 fed and 
 
 ■•|5emina 
 inuinde 
 ithcre I 
 and sea 
 ;vdespoii( 
 |poHtica 
 
 .^s^m^mma^a^.,. 
 
 ■*' ■ m^-: 
 
demolished by 
 reformers in 
 priiijary vir- 
 ice to parents, 
 elity and pa. 
 tuaiJy to in. 
 seif-govern- 
 :» if the com. 
 raints I have 
 jacobin club, 
 e have to ex- 
 i» which ema- 
 inate mass of 
 land compri- 
 talents and 
 1^ of a coun- 
 with gentle. 
 'erks, coun- 
 
 may. *' 
 
 y frown or 
 moment se- 
 nse who arc, 
 he ^roup, of 
 a good rea- 
 t^ar be it 
 leanness of 
 is capacity, 
 education, 
 nial to his 
 to nature, 
 'ut it is an 
 in obliga- 
 r to sac^i- 
 vanity..^^ 
 
 11 
 
 To expect from a Ho ise of Assembly thus com- 
 
 )sed, union, wisdom and moderation, is to expect 
 
 rhat neither experience or reason will warrant.-— 
 
 A spirit of in ovation ; a foolish desire to make the 
 
 "^fovernment feel the power of the lowest branch of 
 
 \ ; a profuse display of attachment to the crown an4 
 
 dilated zeal for liberty tnd freedom, and privilege, 
 
 lust be (as they have ever been) the distinguishing 
 
 ^aracteristics of .uch a body, — flowing from such a 
 
 lurce; and accountable to such a tribunal as that of 
 
 fhe Canadian public. 
 
 % I have already shewn, that the Commons of Eng. 
 
 land, qualified, limited and influenced as it is, ha« 
 
 }n fact very little, analogy to that of Lower Canada. 
 
 i— — In Canada the Executive Government has 
 
 tio influence in the Commons, and very little out 
 
 pi it. The patronage, limited and comparative • 
 
 ;|y insignificant as it is, does not rest exclusively 
 
 U'ith the Kings representative. Many appointments 
 
 ,%o offices in Canada are made in Engl^pd ; and if 
 
 made injudiciously,— without regard to individual 
 
 ,inerit and local circumstances, have a direct tenden- 
 
 i^y to diminish the influence of the 6overnor ; on 
 
 #^hom every officer ought to feel his dependence, 
 
 tnd with whom he ought to cooperate. It is in re- 
 ^ lity creating a kind of Imperium in Imperio, on the 
 Icyil consequences ofwhich it cannot be necessary to 
 
 .dilate Of the «^a;r en place,'* as the dema- 
 
 |g"gues call them, some are about to be disqualifl- 
 |cd and (since unfounded jealousies have been dis- 
 ';^seminated among the people) very few of the rc- 
 
 '||iuinder ran obtain a seat in Parliament.- If 
 
 ^there be illustrious families, they have no power 
 
 'and scarce any influence. Of the former they were 
 
 'despoiled by the policy which at length introduced 
 
 political equality into the jwhole mass of popul^. 
 
f-|;; -^^^ 
 
 :i!( I 
 
 i<Sh- 
 
 »in?S,i:Llbll^;fc^^^ 'eye, ., „•, 
 
 towards persons rfranfcll •""'"='' '" "''serve 
 deference and reswct so'. !"'"« ""■ '°"»"«' ">« 
 nation which lSmem:i:?tr,ra''/I"''''^'''- 
 
 5h« distinction, ?i? ^ihtet?/'"" ^''"'•^<= <^ 
 •ng. The first use he makes of ,hl '"'' ~"?^"'*- 
 
 hV^We those who by p"?sonalL^- P-""""' '^ '° 
 wise, mayiave excited wH^ superiority or other. 
 
 propensity II nZl^ ^T^ 7 ^''''<^ i ">d thk 
 
 "refolly e^xd^ed by m?less and , K T ^f"^"'' « 
 als who are induced bvamkl^f '"rbulent individu. 
 
 ceiveand misS him TW ^^"P ''"^ «° de. 
 tershW vanity and self io J :??'■"'=*' "'«<' 8^'-' 
 ded to regardlJer'y man'':a:h1m'""b?" '"'"'■, 
 
 ty f disco^ntenT^d wtHrsS" ""l^-'hori" 
 member of the noHti?,! ? f"""'"" and ranlc as a 
 every thin^ w4h1f S S V '"t ^''"""^"^ "^ 
 mora, imfginatio.; "p',; Lo d' 'bV L^' flatr' "' ". 
 knaves, and DcrvertpHhtr o ^- ^^. ^^^tcry of 
 has worked sKdnder^sl F^^ Philosophy Jhici, 
 rudi«,ents he is alr^adTa^^^^^^^^^^ and with whose 
 
 vanccd in the doctrines of the L^r^*, ^,^r ^'' '^• 
 to vote for anv mJ «.K ""^^ ''^''^* ^^^ refuses 
 
 own . fkl ^ ^''^^ opinions arc unlike hi^ 
 
 own ,^ th. consequence of which is, that the repl!; 
 
 ^^ Lei 
 An 
 
 Let 
 
 «^rt of 
 
 Bpeculj 
 
 ttberal 
 
 ind ef] 
 
 if inoi 
 
 if deg( 
 
 over tl 
 
 ?|nd CO 
 
 iach 01 
 
 hate 
 
 leen n 
 
 'xtort( 
 
 *icral n 
 
 imong 
 
 ^Bimini: 
 
 J\noth( 
 t woul 
 jplectioi 
 |is to ei 
 |)ers in 
 plinc, 
 (k)neof 
 
 li 
 
hed, that durinJ|ntative must by degrees become analagous in atf 
 ?niors could scfl|spects to the constituent : and in order to obtain 
 ants to v(ite foipdecided control ovci* public opinion and become 
 ^^i^opular mattfhe must have been guifty of so many 
 :an concessions j submitted to so many kinds of 
 gradation, and run througk such a series of dis- 
 nulatiOn and dishonor, as to be totally disqualified^ 
 be a member of a wise and virtuous legislature. 
 
 to level all dis. 
 d by th^ late ex.; 
 •oden shocd pea^ 
 >med to observe 
 >r ^ortuue, that 
 to thesubordi. 
 ■» and the coni. 
 I ve established ; 
 the producing 
 and source cf 
 
 many contend- 
 ' power, is to 
 ority cr other- 
 
 " • I will not doit, 
 
 Lest I surceas^to honor luy own truth, 
 And by my body's action, ttack my mind 
 A mobt inherent baseness." 
 
 Let me now seriously, ask, whether these are the 
 >rt of legislatois from whose concurrent labors and 
 leculations this rising colony is to expect great and 
 beral measures j or the mother country hearty 
 tred J and this f^^ efficient cooperation in defending the standard 
 so general, is #^ morals and humanity ; in arresting the progress 
 ilent individu. ^^ <^^Seneracy ; and diffusing lustre and happiness 
 upidity to de. P^^ ^^e path of life ? No; it is not in the nature 
 cal creed flat- ' *"^ constitution of such persons to be emulous of 
 s soon persua- ^'^^*^ ^^^^^ m acts of loyahy and liberal policy.— 
 « his natural Whatever good they have hitherto performed has 
 interested in ^^^" me2in and dwarfish ; and even that has been 
 nder authori. , f xtorted from then, by the few enlightened and lib- 
 md rank as a ^^^^ men whom accident has occasionally placed 
 distrustful of ^^^'PS tbem ; the number of whom will soon be 
 standard of a f^immished by that spirit which is now so prevalent, 
 flattery of jAnother election would complete the work. Indeed 
 isophy which .. f^ would have been effected ere now, had the last 
 1 with whose election been postponed to a more distant period, so 
 Thus far ad- *s to enable the democrats to circulate seditious pa^ 
 '/, he refuses t^P m sufficient numbers, and to train, and discL 
 re unlike his pli"c, and " instruct the common people," To hear 
 It the repr<;, j)One of those disorganizers speak on the subject of 
 
! J.' 
 
 I/' 
 
 
 .ihelior 
 ommo 
 ultitu 
 fa fre 
 :qijally 
 
 the late dissolution of theTvovincialPirUametit, dnJ|ualifiec 
 would be apt to suppose, that all the c\^xn^^xx ^T^ 
 contradiction and tumult of absurdity by which it,^Je, ar 
 
 SinnT. ^"^/r'^"'''^"^'^^ nothing more than th Kpeo 
 blunders oi honest ignorance. Tell him of the turbu. British 
 knee, Illegality and follv of his conduct ; he pms W«^ 
 
 a most subdued tone of voice, he replies " /.L./zr^E^other 
 htenje me sun trompSr He has nothing but fh. love 
 of his fellow creatures in his mind, and « la douce 
 humanite * in his mouth.* 
 
 The men who meditated the maiTacres and con 
 
 fhf ^'mh' ? ^''"f "' "^^'^ ^" *^'^^ «"^^^^d behaviour *equaiiy 
 Uie mildest, gentlest, tamest creatures in the world. S^^^ 
 rhey could not (says an elegant writerf^ bear the If he 
 
 Snr^'lt'^- ^''^''' ''^' ^" ^^^ great J^tfeH^h 
 crim^na^s. The slightest severity of justice made Vigour 
 ^flesh creep. Had any one told the unforturS |Si 
 
 e^^Sr^i^^^'"'^r ^"^ ^y whomth. CJw: 
 f^?'l^ \ju^ monarchy under which they.%arts ar 
 flounshed would be subverted, they would not hj, Ciblic 
 pmed him as a visionary, but have turned from ^ountl 
 him as a ^^ mau<cau plaisanu" Yet we have all %x^\x 
 
 SEEN WHAT HAS HAPPENED. ^^ivil 01 
 
 No opinion is more general than that the Cana. Itinuall 
 
 fulofall His Majesty's colonial subjects. This opin- they v 
 ion seems to^be^derived from a co!i.parison of S ^ 
 
 conduct with that of the English Colonies in the r 
 
 r .irn^.^'"^'' '^ '' not very Strange that they 
 should fall intoerrour and make g..neral and u^i! 
 
 * fn fhe history of every people that I h Je met wiih /'saia 
 B..r«nGeorgc)Iu,va.iabiy find i..at *he ,no.t unpriul e Z 
 
 accust* 
 I sion t< 
 
 confoi 
 I counti 
 
 '.ii thcms 
 prejuc 
 esscntii 
 
 i- (of w^ 
 other 
 
 ,i''^ 
 
of the turbu. 
 t ; he puts his 
 humility and 
 es ''^ peut-etnl 
 
 irliametit, dn<J|ualified coftclusions. Let us examine the histo- 
 
 le clamour of iry of the colony from the conquest to the present 
 by which it^ |ime, and discover, if possible, what motive or pretext, 
 nore than the iiie people here could have had to be hostile to the 
 ritish nation, when the rebellion broke out in 
 america. Is that history in fact any thing but a 
 ecord of the favours confered on them by the 
 ^.».-^.,, ,-nother country ; and the efforts of her ministers to 
 \ but thef ]ove«Simeliorate the condition in which they found the 
 nd *Ia douce Jommon people. They found them the slaves of a 
 mnultitude of masters ; and made them the subjects 
 :res and con. pf a free government ; of iaws whose rules applied 
 ird behaviour fjcqually to the high and the low, the abject and au- 
 1 the world. %ust, the lord and the vassal- The ancient religion 
 erf) bear the iofthe inhabitants, was not merely tolerated ; it was 
 the greatest ifcherished and invigorated by royal munificence. The 
 justice made J J-igour of the feudal law was abolished ; justice was 
 unfortunate :^dministered without partiality or delay ; protec- 
 y whom theyltion was gratuitously rendered ; and agriculture, 
 which they-Jarts and industry encouraged by exemption from 
 luld not have .public burdens, and in many instances rewarded by 
 urned from ^bounties. They could not, like the other colonies, 
 ^E HAVE ALL gurgc in their justification the loss of any privilege, 
 1J civil or political ; as their privileges had been con- 
 Itinually augmenting. They could not complain 
 ^Uhat they were taxed without their consent ; since 
 1 they were not taxed at all.' They had always been 
 J accustomed to unmeasured, unconditional submis- 
 
 -- I sion to their superiors ; while the other colonists, in 
 
 er than the conformity with the ancient usages of their native 
 J« that they . country and ancestors, had always legislated for 
 t themselves. Their manners, habits, information, 
 prejudices, education, and motives of action, »were 
 essentially and radically different. Of their loyalty,^ 
 (of which so much is said) during the war with the 
 other colonies, I should be glad to know where the 
 
 at the Cana. 
 pi and duti. 
 This opin- 
 ison of their 
 lies in their 
 
 ral and un. 
 
 net wiih, (saiil 
 riucipled usui- 
 '0 |HK)r man's 
 
 
¥ 
 
 
 great transa^: 
 
 verm 
 other 
 
 I 
 
 evidence of it is re corded^In what 
 tion shall wc find that wai like spirit. resistlMs 
 and ardent attachtnent to the c?own wWch thri' ^^^ne, 
 sta,-tlaw.g.versotthed,y, tell us Is a sure ple2 «."'""' 
 / that a spiru of disaffection and revolt can find „ 
 / place m a Canadian's bosom ?-If there 1^ ^ ., 
 I monuitent erected to immortalize the Canadia f 
 name, I should be truly sorry to pass it unnott 
 n tins exam.na..on of their claim to the distincS* - 
 
 they assume. Unfortur.afdy the history of S"!? 
 
 gomery, ot Arnold, of Hazen and Livin/ston, i n„, 1/ """ 
 out of pnnt. I wish it were ; and to prove the sin «''= '*'' 
 centyotthat wish, I vyiU (as the players say) «/"' f^-^ ^'' 
 tie curtmn drop," at this scene of the political drama ?""''>' 
 
 I, , ' *•>« P°' 
 
 1.1-t roe not name it lo jou, you cliaste stars." ii^nd sal 
 
 v'llc^^rew c^^hr'T • '^"^= ^"g'o.An.erican,.|af gh 
 \^o threw off their allegiance; nor will I join inSenceo 
 
 because they did not turn round and bite the hand ment i 
 hat broke t!ieir fetters, and by whose bounty SXi 
 
 if'^uc ^"^f^'-ii"i^f I find to^sgi^i: 
 
 in (he conduct of this colony, that during the last iof the 
 Jfteen years of unexampled (rial and peril^^^ Cl^ 
 discover one act of high minded sympath/ancf^n IkS 
 
 LW^!r''^"rV-^''r ^"^^^"- While'thenS 
 Lion has watched in the portico of the Temple and 
 
 guarded every avenue to it from the approach of 
 
 the insidious Tyger ; they have, cat like, hi n in a 
 
 corner, slumbering and purring on a velvet cushion 
 
 heedless ot the toil and suffering and sacrifices Lnd 
 
 danger, to which their princely, generous protector 
 
 was exposed i !~.Yet without a single motive to di.- 
 
 atlcction, and with every inducement of gratitude 
 
 and interest, tosympatiiizeand co operate with the 
 
 strikes 
 nature 
 lights 
 rate, s( 
 that i 
 Wit hoi 
 to reci 
 return 
 doubU 
 conim 
 
11 
 
 great tran*! f^vernment ; largely and deeply the debtor of the 
 
 ^sistless valour ^°'^^'" ^o^^^^Xi^'^^ ^^/ ^?^"^^ them from the 
 which thf^\,r! 4F^ness, barbarism and misery ot their ancient 
 
 ndition — we are called upon to do homage to their 
 eUty, because they did not join in the levok of 
 c oith.?.r colonies, and reward kindness with per- 
 
 which the up. 
 
 a sure pledge 
 It can find nc 
 re be such i 
 the Canadian; 
 
 it unnoticed^, 
 he distinctioni 
 -ory of Mont, 
 ingston, is not 
 prove the sin 
 
 It is so painful a thing to forebode evil, and un- 
 nk the aflfections fron^ those golden prospects which 
 pnstitute the present happiness of the far greater pare 
 ►f mankind, that it is difficult to persuade many of 
 he thinking part of the people, that the pcUitical fe- 
 pirer which now rages, is any thing more than a tem- 
 
 )litical d 1 |>orary paroxysm -which will soon subside and leave 
 
 arama. :^^^ political body in its former state of soundness 
 
 ste stars." and sanity. They fancy that the seasonable iiuer- 
 
 |)osition of the King's representative ; the proof's he 
 
 lo- Americans, Jias given that he will neither truckle to the inso- 
 
 nll I join in |4ence of faction ; nor compromise the just rights 
 
 ^le of Canada, %and dignity of the higher branches of the govern- 
 
 )ite the hand vHient, in order to conciliate the audacious and soothe 
 
 bounty they vthe licentious, — that these will restore and insure 
 
 ind to praise-%tranquility for the future. The power and firmness 
 
 Liring the last ^i^f the supreme authority may indeed restore a tern- 
 
 eril, I C2innot ^porary tranquility ; but the malady will not be erad- 
 
 ithy and gen. ticated. Democracy is a permanent disease, which 
 
 hile the noble {strikes deep root in the corruption of our comraofi 
 
 Temple and i nature. Its passion is wild and inordinate. It dc- 
 
 approach of .1 lights in difficulties and disdains every thing mode- 
 
 ke, hin in a » rate, solid and secure. Its nature is so anomalous, 
 
 Ivet cushion, thiit it thrives amidst difficulties j and is detealed 
 
 sacrifices and .^ without feeling a sense of disgrace. It slumbers only 
 
 us protector feto recruit its strength andshirpen its appetite ; and 
 
 notivetodis- -returns upon its foe when least expected, with re- 
 
 of gratitude i doubled force and keener vengeance. France is its 
 
 ate with the ,«, common parent j supplies it wii.h frc^h vigor an.d 
 
 \ 
 
S6 
 
 m 
 
 nutriment ; and watches it with unabated affection 
 in every quarter' of the civilized world. From that 
 nation it " si'rung forth full armed," like Ml 
 nerva from the head of Jove ; and like the goddess 
 , in some Cf her attributes, can travel unseen, assume 
 I every shape and speak every language suited to the 
 * variolas and ever varying taste of man. To the 
 . poor it promises plenty ; to the indolent ease ; to the 
 licentious exemption from restraint ; to the ambi 
 - tious glcry ; to the philanthropist a return of the 
 golden agj ; and to every one happiness ! With 
 the awfui Jcssons we have had, it were idle to enquire 
 whether it has kept any of its promises. There arc 
 however, still projectors and experimenters enough 
 with their retorts and crucibles ready to decompose 
 every venerable and useful institution ; in the hope 
 of enriching themselves out of the dross and lumber 
 of their great political laboratory. To talk of any 
 immediate danger from democracy in Canada, would 
 perhaps indicate an unjustifiable wane of confidence 
 in the power and wisdom of the British iiation.— 
 The question is not whether she could annihilate the 
 whole population of Canada, aiid run a ploughshare 
 t'lrough the cities of Montreal and Quebec. No one 
 indeed doubts her ability ; or ought to suppose that 
 she has proiitcd so little of the lessons she has had 
 during the lust thirty years as to temporize a mo. 
 ment with rcbeiiion : but it is a most benevolent, 
 important, ;\nd interesting enquiry, By what MEANr, 
 
 IT MAY IN rUTL'RI;. BH rREVENT£D, WITH THE LEAST 
 VIOLENCE AND INCON VENIli NCE. 
 
 I have already endeavored to demonstrate from 
 reason andjactx^ that tiie Canadian peasantry neither 
 are, nor ror many years can be, so generally instruct, 
 ed, as to have clear and distinct notions of a free 
 government. Tlie proportion of those who can read 
 
 liid writ 
 *1|ion of t 
 line to f 
 
 iry fev 
 
 iththe 
 
 ntract 
 
 e dist 
 
 rfornn 
 
 itted 
 
 lional d 
 
 on pe 
 
 lended 
 
 ^Sio plac 
 
 |||ion at 
 
 i%he go\ 
 
 t^conseq' 
 
 ,|jernor; 
 
 ' -f of thei 
 
 :f-cility \ 
 
 / .unitini 
 
 Selves, 
 
 ; •ment," 
 
 ,*who a 
 
 % There 
 
 .il^ment 
 
 ,;lThey 
 
 ^ 1 ecom 
 
 ^i; liberal 
 
 '''¥ passes 
 
 ■,1 <hat r 
 
 dered 
 
 f * I 
 
 cvccpt 
 liable, 
 larcc I 
 CJ'iIs 
 I grcsbic 
 
■^)0igmmf"i'4-t*t 
 
 2 the goddes! 
 iscen, assume 
 : suited to the 
 an. To the 
 t ease ; to the 
 to the ambi. 
 return of the 
 ness ! With 
 ile to enquire 4 
 I. There arc ^ 
 nters enough 
 
 ated affection^ttd write, to the whole population, with the excep- 
 From that Ikon of the two commercial towns, is not quite as 
 ED," like Mi. ^ne to five hundred ; and of this small pfo^brtion, 
 
 . .L J . ^^^^ except the notaries have much ifltercoursd 
 
 ith the common people. The notary makes all their 
 ntracts, marriage settlements and wiUs ; directs 
 e distribution of property among successors j and 
 jrforms almost every act which requires to be com-, 
 nitted to writing. In the difcharge of his protes- 
 ional duties, he obtains an ascendency over the com-, 
 ion people, which has almost superseded or sus-^ 
 icnded every other. T here are few appoiiitments ;! 
 lo places of profit or honor ; no points ot distmc. , 
 mcib ciiuugn iirion at which men of this profession can arrive in 
 :o decompose ' |he government. They reach the height ot their 
 in the hope ^Consequence when they are commissionedby the gov- 
 
 ;s and lumber fr^ernor ; and would not be known beyond the precincts 
 • talk of any ^bf their respective parishes, were it not ror the ta- 
 mada, would %cility which the house of assembly affords them, ot 
 )f confidence ^uniting with oihers equally disaffected with them- 
 ish iiation.- W.ves, and forming a party against the govern- 
 innihilate the ■ -inent,* 1 hese are the " tribe of vulgar politicians 
 . ploughshare -who are (says Burke) "the lowest of our species.— 
 Dec. No one % There is no trade so vile and mechanical as goyern- 
 supposethat nicnt in their hands. Virtue is not their habit.-- 
 3 she has had : They arc out of themselves in any course of conduct 
 )orize amo.'#recommendedonlybyconscienceandglory. A large, 
 benevolent, Wliheral,and prospective view of the interests of states, 
 WHAT MEANS J-passes with them for romance : and the principles 
 II THE LEASTil that rccommcnd it, for the wanderings ot a disor- 
 € dered imagination. Littleness m obj ect and m 
 
 .nstrare from no'^ian'^ mToTsider mc bound to e«uniorate all the 
 
 in ry neither ^^^ VJ^^, to which tl.is and all other GENERAL ro.iTioNS are 
 
 •ally instruct, if ji^blL ^Vh^•n I speak uf any class of peoi^e, I .;;';ly ^^;^*^j^^ 
 
 )hs of a free '" ' •- - ■'■~ 
 
 who can read 
 
 Un-^ niniorit y of thcni. I hope this exr.ta-.atiou « .11 s.lcnce fha 
 caAls of those who would find fault beyond the measure of traus-. 
 gresbion. 
 
 mm 
 
'J^ 
 
 if-: 
 
 y- 
 
 
 
 weans to them appears soundness and sobriety. 
 I They think there is nothing worth pursuit but that 
 
 which they can handle, which th3y can measure with 
 ,. a two foot rule, which they can count upon their 
 
 fingers." 
 
 The principal end of the elective franchise in Low.i 
 er Canada, is to give to people of this class, an oppor-j 
 tunfty to meddle in affairs of state v and if that priy.j 
 ilegc were removed entirely, these are the only per.! 
 sons who would lament it. Some of their cons, itu- 
 ents might sympathize with them for a week or a 
 month : but it would not last longer. The morti- 
 fication and disappointment of these little great men, 
 would in reality benefit themselves and their families, 
 by leaving them at home to mind their business, an4 
 enjoy civil liberty, while it would giye repose to the 
 people, and leave the government to the care of 
 those M'ho have no motive to abuse the trust : who 
 have too much information to mistake their duty : 
 and are too strongly bound by character and property, 
 to neglect it through design. As to the common 
 people, they are mere passive instruments in the 
 hands of their leaders. I'his is evident to every 
 man of observation and candour. The recent ap- 
 peals which the governor' has made to ihem, with so 
 muchrreaspn and judgment ; with such an exposi- 
 tion of the causes that made those appeals necessary ; 
 and such sincere and liberal assurances that his prin- 
 cipal motive was their prosperity and tht: preserve- 
 tion of the just rights of the crov/n and government, 
 from whic h their happiness .ind security are insepa- 
 rable ^ AH prove that the/ are mere corrupt than I 
 will yet allow my?3cif to suppose, or that those whose 
 triumph depended on being ab^•3 to dcreive them, 
 possess over them a most dangerous and permanent 
 ^g^cendency j and that in either case, an House. of ^^. 
 
 '^ 
 
 jtfnhly pi 
 
 ped, is r 
 
 ' ' \r calcu 
 
 wernni 
 
 Whil 
 
 n, I w 
 
 ce wl 
 
 'm an ( 
 
 here 
 
 ;he wh 
 
 d to d 
 
 &nd jus 
 
 classes 
 
 %iually 
 
 viuch as 
 
 ^ic ene 
 
 ■y^ritaln 
 
 Si)ossibl 
 
 ' howev 
 
 and ap 
 
 ,. Jiave a 
 
 fy hur 
 
 fsubjec' 
 
 ty of 
 
 guage, 
 
 in its 
 
 has be 
 
 tures 
 
 it is r< 
 
 a sufli 
 
 pable i 
 
 liOckc 
 ^iy which 
 ■"*■' true li 
 
md sobtiety. 
 suit but that 
 measure with 
 t upon their 
 
 chisc in Low.1 
 xj, an oppor. 
 i if that priv-S 
 the only per. 
 leir cons, itu- 
 a week or a 
 
 Tiie morti- 
 le great men, 
 heir families, 
 business, an4 
 Jpose to the 
 the care of 
 trust : who 
 
 their duty : 
 ind property, 
 he common 
 lents in the 
 t to every 
 
 recent ap- 
 lem, with so 
 
 an exposj- 
 s necessary j 
 hat his prin- 
 ii: prcserva- 
 ;overnmcnt, 
 { are inscp4- 
 Tupt than I 
 those whose I 
 reive them, 
 
 pernnanent 
 House' of J^, 
 
 /,/y proceeding from a suffrage so gcfitral and unquAi :' 
 ifieJ isnot suited to the state of society in Lower Canada, 
 
 ■ ^r calculated to promote the dignity and security of the ^ 
 ,vernmcnt, and indi^. dual happiness. ^ > 
 k While I solemnly and deliberately record this opm- 
 tn, I with equal sincerity protest against any inter- 
 nee which uncandid men may draw from it, that I 
 ^m an enemy to free governments in the abstract, 
 ^here knowledge is generally diffused throughout 
 !he whole body of electors ; and they are accustom- 
 
 ^d to discern with accuracy the bounds which reason 
 Ind justice pi^scribe to the privileges of the different 
 classes of people ; where property is not very une- 
 flually distributed, and the situation of the country 
 ;?uch as to be in little danger from foreign or domea- 
 : tic enemies ; a free government like that of Great 
 Britain, would unquestionably produce the greatest 
 possible degree of human happiness. But freedom, 
 Lwever well men may suppose that they understand 
 and appreciate its blessings ; however they may 
 have accustomed themselves to associate with it eve- 
 ry human good, is, (undefined and unadjusted to the 
 subject to which it refers,) a word of more dup ici. 
 ty of signification, than any in the LngliE'i lan- 
 guage * The crimes which have been committed 
 ^in it's name; the madness and ihjustice of which it 
 ^ has been so prolific, ought to make reasonable crea- 
 
 ■ tures consider/,o////V^//r^^^o;« as a blessing only when 
 it is restrained by positive rules, accompanied with 
 
 . a sufficient sanction, in such a manner as to be tnca. 
 ^able of degenerating into Ucentiousncss and produ- 
 
 ♦ " .If to break loose from the conduct «^f reason, (says Mr- 
 ' Locke) and to want that restraint of examuiatiun and judgment 
 l.hich keeps us from ehusing or doing, the wo^s. In, liberty, 
 true liberty, maJmcn and ioM arc the only frecracn. 
 
:^^*mmmmli 
 
 n 
 
 i : 
 
 _1 
 
 i/ «ing worse evils than it was intendeJ trt prevent.* 
 
 :' fnT^r*-""?' " *^'"?«"°f convenience and science 
 
 I and so far from deriving its origin from a state <i 
 
 nature. in which all are free ; isa system of benevo 
 
 • IT//" w'° *^- "'.''''''''' "f'hs human race in,. 
 
 her 5r> ^ '■ .="^J"1'.'"S ''nd securing to every mem. 
 
 ber of that society, his relative arid dUtributive propor. 
 
 lion of power and privilege. 
 
 ^ It cannot therefore comport with the true spirit 
 
 nr Zj; government to give the meanest or lowest 
 , or most profligate of the people, aright or rather a 
 
 ^rtlls ? Tl- "''■""=' respectable, learned an 
 rnrin ^Mle«'?ns, onafooiingofpolitied equality ;1 
 
 bly representatives to tax that property, or abridge 
 those distinctions, which it is the chief ^nd of gov 
 mm*" ?••«"'■ ^r^e principal stimulant o^hul 
 man acton as weil as the means of human enjoyment. 
 
 so feS^fro™7- '"^^"""^'^ "/«^r«.„ J/i. Yet 
 so tar li, It from being represented in the parliament 
 ct Canada, that the candidate who /. r.ot supported by 
 
 Lucio.-AV[^^^hxnv^now,Claudio? Wh.nce comes this re. 
 
 CLAumo.-From too mud, liberty, my Ludo, liberty. 
 As surfeit IS (he fathor of much f^'t, ^ 
 ho every scope, by the immod'rute mn, 
 luriis to restraint. ' 
 
 + Whilst wc admit that all men h.ve an equal ri^ht to defeml 
 fhemsclv.,s we must not mistake this for art ass.mmi an that . 
 
 ta?i„ ih "^"i 'r^' '" "''^'"^^ "■• ^''^* ''''-^y .hoi d ^on^i t h 
 axmg the mdustnous and skilful who have acn„irel muc 
 .n order (o enmh the lazy and prol!i,ate uho may hi e ariml 
 nothm., or nho may have nasted all they could r^ach 
 
 [Feug. Tot,. Scii-.Nci:. 
 
 
 ■itjiight 1 
 
 t life I 
 ch mi 
 lection 
 ri?spect' 
 ime tbi 
 way in 
 
 . itu 
 
 derstoc 
 <;al stati 
 general 
 the law 
 amend 
 |ection 
 jthe mo 
 On eart 
 ■IHlpnu 
 Sugges 
 greater 
 derstai 
 tranqu 
 desire ; 
 
 
d to prevent.* 
 ce and science, 
 om a state ol 
 em of benevo 
 iman race in & 
 to every mem 
 ^ibutive propor. 
 
 the true spirii 
 nest or lowest 
 it or rather a 
 e, learned and 
 ical equality ; \ 
 )use of Assem- 
 :y, or abridge 
 :fend of gov. 
 nuiant of hu- 
 an enjoyment. 
 sentation. Yet 
 he parliament 
 supported by 
 
 of frfe(Jom is vp. 
 icio and ClauiJi J, 
 
 comes this re. 
 
 o, liberty. i 
 
 ast, 
 
 tC USf, 
 
 1 right to defend 
 
 imptian that nil 
 
 .hou!d consist in 
 
 u-qiiir«(l niuci;, 
 
 »y have aujiuiml 
 
 reach. 
 
 'oL. Scii-Nci;. 
 
 2^ 
 
 )pen of property at elections, is nine times in ten 
 successful. The danger to which society is exposed 
 om the prevalence of such a political evil, must be 
 rious to every man who will take the trouble to 
 isider its tendency. "Property, (saysPaley) is 
 sweetner of human toil; the substitute for coer- 
 0011 ; the reconciler of labour with liberty. It is 
 nioreover the stimulant of enterprize in all projects 
 ^nd an<iertakings ; as well as of diligence in the most 
 ^neficial arts and employments. ^Now did afllu- 
 ttiCQ when possessed contribute nothing to happiness, 
 <jtr nothing beyond the mere supply of necessaries ; 
 ind the secret should come to be discovered, we 
 iflight be in danger of losing great part of the uses 
 Vfhxch are at present derived to us through this im- 
 Jlortant medium. Not only would the tranquility 
 ^ life be put in periLby the want of a motive to at- 
 rfich men to their private concerns ; but the satis. 
 lliction which all men receive from success in their 
 respective occupations (which collectively consti- 
 tute the great mass of human comfort,) would be done a- 
 way i?i its very principle.** 
 
 . if I have been so fortunate as to make myself un- 
 derstood in the analysis I have given of the politi- 
 cal state of Lower Canada, in relation to tb? right of 
 general suffrage, it must be evident to ray reader, that 
 .the law establishing an House of Assembly require-i 
 -amendment- The experiment was (afver ail the ob- 
 jections that have been urged against it) worthy of 
 Hthe most truly free, moral, and enlightened nation 
 %n earth. But time and opportunity, which detect 
 01 practical errors, have pointed out its defects, and 
 suggest an immediate remedy. Those who are the 
 greatest advocates of rational liberty ; who best un- 
 derstand it ; and are most deeply interested in the 
 tranquility, prosperity and integrity of the colony, 
 desire and expect this remedy. The whole I'nglish 
 
 D 
 
'•fsm^mmmi-. 
 
 '■^i i 
 
 26 
 
 part of the population ; the whole body of tlie clef, 
 gy ; all the men of rank and property and respecta- 
 bility, both English and Canadian, desire a change 
 from principle ; and a very great number of the 
 common people, {habitam, as they are called) would 
 be glad to be permitted to enjoy in peace and secu- 
 rity, the fruits of their fields and the protection of 
 the laws ; both of which are put in jeopardy by gen. 
 eral suffrage, frequent elections, and the evils which 
 they engender. The mode of effecting the change 
 I shall now submit with all due deference to those 
 who feel an interest in the subject. It is ; That an 
 humble petition be presented to His Majesty's gov. 
 ernment, praying that the act of the 31st of His Ma. 
 jest) 's reign may be altered in the following panic- 
 ulars. 1st. That instead of making any person eli. 
 gible to sit in parliament, no person should be qual. 
 ificd to be a representative in the House of Assem- 
 bly, who is not at the time of his election and for 
 one year previous thereto, a proprietor of real estate, 
 yielding a clear income of one hundred pounds ster- 
 ling ; or possessed of two thousand pounds in per- 
 sonal property, over and above all debts, claims and 
 demands of any nature whatsoever. 
 
 2d. That no person should be entitled to vote at 
 an election for a member to serve in the House of 
 Assembly, who during one whole year next prccc- 
 ding and at the time of the election, was not posses, 
 sed of a clear income from real estate as proprietor 
 thereof, of the yearly value of twenty pounds ster- 
 ling— or a tenant paying one hundred dollars annu- 
 al rent — or a possessor of a personal property to the 
 amount of five hundred pounds sterling. 
 
 3. That the governor and council should be em. 
 powered to determine and declare by proclamation 
 or Ofriicrwise,what number of representatives a coun- 
 ty should be entitled to send to the Uoube of Assem. 
 
 county 
 tic lega 
 
 
 ■dtah 
 
■■<smt0K 
 
 a; 
 
 fit iWb'' predicated on a calculation of the compound ra- 
 dyof the cler.|^ ^^ territory and population ; and where any 
 y and respecta. ^jj^nty is so large as to make it inconvenient for all 
 esire a change £|^ j^gj^l ^^^pj^g ^^ assemble in one place, that the 
 umber or the :^,„^„«^ ^„A rrMinrJl eVinnlrl havp nnwer as afore, 
 called) would 
 leace and secu- 
 
 ; protection of 
 Dpardy by gen. 
 he evils which 
 
 ernor and council should have power as afore. 
 
 i to divide such counties into two or more coun- 
 
 , as the case niay Ija : and also to erect and es- 
 
 •lish new counties. 
 
 4. That every member of Parliament should be 
 
 , - , «le to read and write in his vernacular tongue, and 
 
 ig the change ^derstand the English language well enough to 
 rence to those >^v,n slate it into his own language. 
 Et is ; That an '; ^ ^^f^at English schools should be established in 
 Majesty's gov, jpyerv parish throughout the colony, containing one 
 
 ist of His Ma. j^^n^red families. 
 
 lowing panic. j> 5 ji^.^^ after the expiration of five years the 
 iny person eli- g^^li^l^ language only should be the language used 
 hould be qual- ^ j^^^ Majesty's courts of justice, and in all legal pro- 
 use of Assem- j^edings except in such extraordinary cases where the 
 action and for j^ages of the said courts might see fit to allow a de- 
 • of real estate, ^gfation from the general rule, 
 i pounds ster- y_ Xhat after the expiration of seven years from 
 3unds in per- ^^ passing of the said law, the English language on- 
 ts, claims and |^ should be the language used in parliament and in 
 till parliamentary proceedings and records, and in all 
 Public offices and ofRces or places of record. 
 
 I am aware that these changes would meet with 
 the most decided opposition from the dernagogues 
 who are interested in keeping the people ignorant 
 
 led to vote at 
 the House of 
 ir next prccc- 
 as not posses. 
 
 as proprietor ,,^nd preventing all assimilation to the English char- 
 
 pouiiQs ster 
 dollars aiinu- 
 operty to the 
 
 Vy 
 
 hould be em. 
 proclamation 
 ativesacoun- 
 ube of Assem. 
 
 •acter ; which opposition however can be rcfercd to 
 iio reasonable or justifiable motive ; since if it becon- 
 jistentwith the true interests of the Canadians and 
 English, that they should be in reality as they are nov?- 
 inally, one people ; those who oppose their assimila- 
 tion' are enemies to" both. They can only become 
 ppe people by similarity of language, laws, education. 
 
■/-I 
 
 'i'!!l!!! 
 
 28 
 
 manners and habits. Thece constitute the mind arMdian < 
 moral system of man ; and to its varieties may b, '^nort 
 ascribed the various characters of nations. I pur re Sn Ci 
 • hgion out of the question ; because I do not considc tit or 
 It a subject of human legislation. Men are now ci 
 ther too liberal or too indiflerent to the salvation cl 
 their neighbours, to propagate a favourite doctrirl 
 by violence, or murder one another for the love ol 
 Heaven. If the hermit Peter were to preach a cruA 
 sade in these times, his hearers would be more apt t( " 
 put a strait waistcoat on him than follow his stan 
 dard to Palestine. I am not sure however, that thf itsanaai 
 cold bU)oded ferocity of infidel philosophy, and pc l^ist h 
 litical fanatacisni, has changed men's hearts for th; Wkcles 
 better since the fourteenth century. It is however Monsr 
 very certain that pious zeal, if it exist at all, is in no 
 danger of producing injury to the present genera- 
 tion. On the contrary, every well wisher to morals 
 and human happiness, must lament its decline and 
 the spirit which has succeeded it. „ raise 
 
 If the Canadians would seriously reflect on the '#lio a 
 benefits which would result to themselves from their ^ev d' 
 entire incorporation into the English population, the "Whom 
 candid and mtelligent part of them would find strong. Ilbour 
 er motives to become the advocates of the proposed fnden 
 alteration in the Constitution, than any Englishman :«ie ra 
 can possibly feel. Why are they considered incom- . ^ilinc 
 petent to fill all the highest offices under the govern-' ' Ibus. ^ 
 ment ? The disaffected will ascribe it to the partial!, 
 ty of the chief magistrate in favor of Englishmc.i. 
 But IS this not contradicted by other facts '? Has the 
 chief magistrate any control over the means by which 
 Englishmen enrich themselves and rise to distinction 
 in the various departments of civil life ? Does he 
 close -up the avenues to success or celebrity in ari.^;, 
 m arms, in commerce ? To what cause shall we a^' 
 tnbe It that iheie is not in the whole Province a i,\\~. 
 
 osc 
 Horatio 
 jpothet 
 J>le of 
 and e 
 1760.' 
 Jjcculi 
 natior 
 elate J 
 
 'hi 
 
\' % 
 
 tc the mind ar.i 
 arieties may h 
 ions. I put re 
 do not considc 
 en are now ti 
 the salvation c 
 ourite doctriu 
 for the love o 
 o preach a cru 
 be more apt t( 
 3llow hib Stan 
 ^ever, that th; 
 3phy, and po 
 hearts for th; 
 It is however 
 at all, is in no 
 xsent genera- 
 sher to morale 
 ts decline and 
 
 reflect on the 
 ves from their 
 opulation, the 
 Id find strong, 
 the proposed 
 y Englishman 
 idered incoin- 
 -r the govern- 
 
 the partiali- 
 ' Engiishmcu. 
 lets ? Has the 
 ;ans by which 
 to distinction 
 e ? Does he 
 brity in ari^, 
 
 1 shall we ;u- 
 fovince a (.'a- 
 
 29 
 
 jpdian commercial house engaged in the import or 
 'litport trade ; not one Canadian who owns a ship or 
 even (as far as I have been able to discover) an intc- 
 t^t or share in a ship ? Why h^s mediocrity set 
 her seal on all their efforts and pursuits ? 'The answer 
 inay be found in the policy of those who endeavour 
 ^^ preserve the Canadian Character J* -^In the sys- 
 .i of the drivellers I have been describing. ^ 
 It is in my opinion no small inducement to the : 
 ' jnroposed changes, that they will in time do away all \ 
 "^osc invidious distinctions, which now exist betweeu 
 Canadian and Englishman. These distinctions must 
 CtJtist however so long as there remain so many ob- 
 ilkcles to their speaking, feeling and acting alike. — 
 ^onsr. Talleyrand, who is undoubtedly orthodox ^ 
 (|«thority, with many of our unfledged as well as 
 ':tcran statesmen in this colony, expresses him- 
 ilf on this subject with his usual acumen and in- 
 
 "l^nuity. " Jn insurmountable barrier (says he) 
 
 IS raised up between people of a different language, 
 Who cannot utter a word without recollecting that 
 Aey do not belong to the same country ; between 
 ."Shorn every transmission of thought is an irksome 
 labour, and not an enjoyment ; who never come to • 
 Understand each other thoroughly ; and with whom t 
 Ihe result of conversation after the fatigue of una- 
 ■Vailing efforts, is to find themselves mutually ridicu- 
 lous. DijfSrence of manners, latiguagc and character, 
 '■impose insuperable barriers to their union with and incor- 
 poration into the same people.** In p^oof of this hy- , 
 Bothcsis, Tallyrand cites the present state of the p o- ^ 
 •fie of Canada, whom he considers " as coj' «;1 •'/ V; 
 tnd entirely Frenchmen as they were in rht; 
 , 1760." If what he says be true in the abstrai. 
 peculiarly applicable is' it to a FrenchmaiN -^ 
 national vanity nes :r forsakes him ; whose : 
 dated by every event which imparts splendou 
 
 w 
 
 "iP^. 
 
 uQ 
 
'i; !:!,!i 
 
 r: ^'i! 
 
 i ■",,•:! 
 
 i 
 
 I \ 
 
 n!.^i4 
 
 30 
 
 French name ; and who"fcels his distributive shar,^ 
 
 of that splendour, thrilling through every nerve, d^. P< 
 
 lating every muscle, and Identifying him with th, file, whl 
 
 performeis in the great drama, which is acting o:zlU te 
 
 the theatre of Europe i I do not say that the "loy 1 , 
 
 al Canadians ' felt any such emotions at the news ®"' "^ 
 
 the affair at Austerlit;^, at Jena, at Wagram, and th. 
 
 series of victories which Buonaparte has obtained.-,- 
 
 On th. contrary, I sincerely believe that many, ven m- u 
 
 many of them have mourned at the success of 5- ."^ 
 
 monstea, who has spread rapine, violence and mise W^' l-l 
 
 ry ftrand wide. The balefbl effects of these e^^t 1 ^"f * 
 
 have been as correctly estimated by the friends ol fc°"/ ° 
 
 religion, mora s and humanity in Canada as in am*^^ rf- 
 
 part cf the world. Yet since such things were permh^. ?!^f'' 
 
 ted by Providence ; and the mind Abstracted the i?"'''^" 
 
 mere struggle for superiority from all its evil conse- t^"^ 
 
 fiuences, it was not easy for the best of them to avoid ^^Zl^ 
 
 ltX7i V^ complacency, that Frenchmen tri. f °?^,^ 
 
 pmphed ! Time and a gradual incorpoiiation of the % ffft 
 
 Canadian into the English character can alone d S 
 
 away these impression. It is idle to think of mat ^Zn. 
 
 ing Canada always an useful appendage of the Brit. l^J 
 
 jsh empire on any other plan*.* The intrigues of ^Z, 
 
 foreign states, joined to the indefatigable labours of. |Ph,^ 
 
 domestic traitors, will in time produce wonders, un. t^'} 
 
 Jess they b e counteracted by #./ ../ and radical meau "^^ 
 
 ^_,. . "~ - . . tbanth 
 
 d.S(,iiSMoi of wh.cl, I reserve to a future occasion. My present fjfens il 
 purpose being merely to rouse those who are deeply fn feres (ed ^ ' I 
 •n he .nte,r.ty , peace and prosperity of the colon/, ^o a sense ^""T' 
 
 of their duly and the danger which threatens them. When e^il Strikes 
 IS fnrPsP..... ,i .. ^,>.. ... .;r attcndi 
 
 men ol 
 «♦ like 
 taken ( 
 bleat u 
 
 . ," " J, ? "-^ "aiiK"^-! wiiitn tnreatens them. When etil 
 
 1. foresee.,, ,1 ,s more capiy prevented. We ought not to disre. 
 gard the oppo.ifon of disaffected men merely because they do 
 not begin w.th open rebellion. '' No man, (says PaulusyLil. 
 IJu^rcver b. gun his atten.pt against goTcrnment' with an enor. 
 
 fw^r'""; T ''^'^'^"•S in the malk,tmathrs breaks down 
 tfse fences of the greatest." 
 
 Ml .? 
 
 kikiliii 
 
mi 
 
 'S!S^SBBi 
 
 itributivc ihai 
 very nerve, dl 
 him with thi 
 ch is acting oi 
 that the " loy 
 at the news o 
 igram, and thi 
 as obtained, 
 at many, very 
 
 success of ; 
 nee and mise 
 f these events, 
 the friends oi 
 ada as in any 
 s were permit, 
 bstracted the 
 its evil conse. 
 them to avoid 
 renchmen tri. 
 )i:ation of the 
 
 can alone do 
 hink of mat 
 e of the Brit. 
 I intrigues of 
 )Ie labours of 
 wonders, un- 
 i radical meas. 
 
 I is a matter the 
 )n. My prt'scnt 
 iceply interested 
 )n^, to a sense 
 m. When vmU 
 flit not to disre- 
 ccause they do 
 f-sPaulusyEmil. 
 with an cnor. 
 's breaks down 
 
 iins. Politics, (says Montesquieu) is like a smooth 
 file, which cuts slowly and attains its end by gradu- 
 a],;^ld tedious progression. 
 
 But what reason have we to expect that amidst tlit 
 iety and importance of great national concerns 
 hich his Majesty's ministers are engaged, they 
 bestow that attention upon a distant colony^ 
 ,_ ich \xiould enable them to take an accurate view 
 ^ its true situation ; to examine the mechanism of 
 ^institutions; and repair such part of it as might 
 Iwrout of order or disproportioned to the remainder ? 
 #I^e frequent changes of ministry ; the fluctuation 
 oipolitical parties, and the objects of personal grat- 
 iijcation, which are at once the cause and effect* of 
 lifiCquent mutations in the executive branch of the 
 jyllperial government, prevent the secretary for the 
 gonial department, from bestowing that continui- 
 ^ of thought and investigation necessary to provide 
 m^ effectual remedy. Besides it may with great reason. 
 ti^ supposed that if a material alteration in the constL 
 ti^ion of the colony had been found necessary, the 
 individuals who are more immediately interested, 
 Kirould take upon themselves the trouble of arrangmg 
 ^1 the preliminary detail ; make a formal representa- 
 tion of their wants ; and pursue such a course as 
 fe would leave his Majesty's government little more 
 ttlian the ratification of the law. The path of duty 
 lideed is plain enough ; but it unfortunately hap- 
 ^ns in most countries with whose history 1 am ac^ 
 ^||uainted, that political evils have been permitted to 
 ^jtrike such deep root, that their removal was always 
 attended with much pain and some danger. The 
 men of property and consequence are, says Walpolc, 
 «« like sheep. They lie quietly to have their fleece* 
 •taken off." He might have added that thdy seldoua 
 bleat until the. k.n\fc.is at their throat when their dis- 
 
 
^^^^'^'iiiii^Si'^if- 
 
 Ni'i'i 
 
 If : 
 
 l> 1 
 
 tress through their own foJly becomes a subject 
 ridicule rather than sympathy. 
 
 u T'Tf'? *° *''cjc.f, 4hry crop ihe flow'ry food. 
 And kiss the hand just raised to shed their blood." 
 
 Content with their present prosperous conditioj 
 they arc more careful to enjoy than perpetuate it 
 and confine their views to the narrow circle of 
 month ora year instead of securing to posterity thoc| 
 blessmgs ot which they so largely partake. A vi, 
 sionary hope that reason will .-^ome time preside an 
 the multitude obey her mandates, leads them to tlid 
 brink of the precipice before they open their eyes tJ 
 the danger towards which thty were from the beffinl 
 ning of their journey proceeding. They occasion] 
 ally feel solicitude, but it evaporates in fruitless wishJ 
 es and Idle anticipation. They call upon Herculesl 
 before they put a finger to the wheel ; and foolishly 
 build their hopes upon some miraculous interposiJ 
 tion which like the horizon always flics as they purj 
 sue it.-.This is the portrait which history and expe 
 rience draws of people who have most at stake in so." 
 ciety, and are most deeply interested in its prosperiJ 
 ty and preservation.— Livy, Tacitus, Gibbon and 
 the history of our own times abound with instances. 
 Ihc supine will forget these truths ; the timid will 
 not dare to act upon them ; the prudent have some 
 tault to find with the mode of obtainino- redrc'-s • 
 men of high spirit will smile at my fo?cbodinc.s | 
 and all will tacitly agree to do nothing at the very 
 moment when inaction is the worst and most danJ 
 gerous of possible things.— rhcse are inv fears • but 
 contrary to my expectation should any 'thin^ I have 
 written excite them to confederate and do their du 
 ty, I saall enjoy a secret satisfaction in havinjr con- 
 tiibuted even this trijU to the stock of publicliappi. 
 
 CAMILLL'S. 
 
 k 
 
 Si!