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•: -2

[' '- -i'' .' ■■■■■.' ~'\.

FIRST REPORT

OF THE

Central Commiftcp of the inhahitants of

Whose riElits wore liHhl»< to hv afl»'0(»*d by the provisions of th^ Natiiralizatioli
Bill*, rcservfd last scssiuii of parliaineit fo'.- th(^ rojiil assi-nf.

JK8SE KETCIIUM, Chairman.
Tork, Pec. li th 1827.

YORK:

IMiiied at tbe Office of tli << ('olonlal Advorate, by William Lyon Mackenzie, Printer to <h*

II0118P of AsHnnbly.

Puhlishi'd by onhr of the Committee.

,4 statement of the proceedings uduptcd by Rohrrt Randal, Esquire, M. P. du-
ring his mission to London, as tht bearer of the petition from, and agent on,
behalf of the people of Upper Canada, whose ngfits might have be'-n affected
by the prov sions of the Naturalization Bills which passed the two houses of the
j)rovinciat parlianunt at its last session. Laid before the central committee-
at York, on the lOth December 1827.

Instructions to Robert Randal, Esqiiirw M. P. from the rnmmittno of tbe
inhabitants of II. t'- whose rights are afr»ct«-d by ilie provisions v>f the Nal«-
rali-/,ation Hill.

Til lioberi lia.iaal lii^q. (t member of the provincial parliament of

Upper Cana<Ja.
Dear Sir:—

The undersigned, being the central conamittee appointed lo nominale
instruct, and correspond with a fit and proper person to proceed to Loodod
on behalf of a laige portion of the inhabitants of this provlnrc, whose ci il
lights are deeply affected by the pr.ivirti«ms of the Naturalization bill of
laal session, and nliicb has been re^ervtd for His iVIajesty's .visent : have
made choice of you .s their .igeit, and as the agetil" i.f th.' pirsonis whose
p«tilioiis to the nrili-!) Purliamint have been eutmsu-d to fti< ir (the commit-
tee's) charge; thi'j are ready o defray, from i\nd out of (h-- funds placed
in Ibeir h^.ods by the petitioiiers, your expenses on the journey, and here-
with enclose to you said petitions.

Your instructions are; to proceed forthwith to London in the capacity of
agent for tiie petiiioiiers against the Naturalizjiiio.i Bill ui last Session, aid
on your arrival there, lo cause said petitions to be laid before parliaiiiein liy
.•» member of tlie Hcojse of Commons, and further that you takf such other
nil' isiireh as you may deem most expedient to oblaia for the petiiioners ihcir
itqu»'Hts as expre'«sed in tbe pray< 1 of (heir prtiiioii.

JKS^K KKTCHUM, I JOSKFH, SHKPHERD, K,

ALi:X. BURNSIUE, | THO.WAS tiTUVELL. \ Comuiiitce.

York, Aj ril Ilth, IBiT.

Additional Tnstnictions from the con,nnltee enfrust«*d by the people (»f TJp-
per Caaada affected by the provisions of the luitnralizatii 11 bill r^^, ,\.(1 |„-t
session for His Majesty's asse t, to iiubi;ri itariUvt, Liiipiive /*t. 1'. j.geiiij
fer the petitioners against gaiiil bill.

I .4

*' f%^

...u<2;^~

Report on run

Mr. Rnniliil i? parlinilarly ri qiifslrd tii Ijij tli»- petition of the people hernns
the iij;ht IiuimhiimM.' Gfors;*' Canning, ii m«'nib<T o( tln' British Parliatni'iit,
and of the prt hhhI ndininistration, hi'fi»r»" he tHkcH any oilier steps lu iiccfMn-

t)li^li thi- iiliji'ci of his mitision. This he is tu do as Houn as possible after,
lis arrival in Lon>loii.

jrSSP KRT<'HU1V1, (

Ar.KX.BUItNSIDE. J

JO'^KPH SHEPHI RD, ? Committee.

THOMAS STOVKLL, \

York U. C. April II I8ii>7.

To Messrs. Jesse Ketehnm, Alexi.iidi-r Rnrnside, Joseph Shepherd, and
Thiimas Stoyell, the seli'de-unmittee of the inh;ibitaiits of Upp* r Canada,
whose riKhts nud privileguH were threatened by the provisions of the laio
natural' /;af ion biMs.

GKNTLK5IK.N :

In ohedienre to your instructions, of which the nhovc arc a true copy, I
proceeded last spring to London carrying with me the petition of the people.
On my arrivnl in thut rity on the 24tn Slay last I immediately waited upon
the rifjht hononraide G< orge Canning, who very politely referred me to tho
Colonial Department. F accordingly presented my credentials lo the right
ho.'ouniLIe Mr. Wilmot Morton, together with a copy of the Cpper Canada
petition.

On the 7th June I hi-d the honour of an interview with Mr. Wilmot Horlon,
on the siihjeft of my mission.

On the 12th June, Mr. Hntne the member for Aberdeen whs pleased to
present the petition of the people relativu to naturalization, in the house
of (Commons.

It was ordered tn *»«' ""•inteH.

On the Idth June a tiill to naturalize certain persons M-stdcm lu lUx pro-
Tince of Upper Can ida wns ordered by the Hou^e of Commons to be brought
in by Mr. Wilmot Hi>rton, Mr. Alti»rney General, and Mr. Solicitor Gene-
ral ; but as its provisions did not meet my approbation it was not proceed-
ed in, but layover for amendment at that late period of the session.

On the 21st June i received the following note from the under secretary
of state.

" Mr. Wilmot H<»rton presents his compliments to Mr. Randal, and re*
quests that he »vill call at the Colonial Office at half past 12 tomorrow.
DowHinif Street 21sf June 1827."

On the 22Md June I accordingly waited upon the right honourable gentler-
man, and had another interview with him upon the several matters con-
tained in the petition.

On the same day I received from Mr. Hume and Mr. Warburton, two
of the members of the Brilisli Parliament, an interesting statement which be-
ing important to the petitioners is herewith respectfully submitted to your
consideration.

Bryanstone Square, &2nd June 1887.

Sir:— Asyon were not present, last night, when the Cannda Clergy Reserves
Bill wi'S read a third tiirie. we think it necessary to inform yon of what pas-
sed in the Honse of Cinnmoiis at that time respecting the civil rights of those
by whom you were deputed lo this country.

Mr. Hume requested " to k'Hiw from Mr. Horton whether, as he did not
"consid'rit necessary to persevere in the intention of bringing in th'- Bill
** for seitlini; the civil rights of those who had petitioned the House (for whicli
"tho House haJ •' uiven liim leave on the ISlh inst.) the British Govern-
" ment would rieod out such instructions to theGovernmei^' of Upper Caiia-

* <)h as would sccMro the speedy eelUement of all the exibting doubtb boihr

Amen QrE«<Tiov.

■" as fo N'tturalization and ih' i .<• to pro|HTly. That it was TK'Cfssnry for
«' tin- |t«Mr<' and pMtsperity uf that Province that thtsedoiibtii should be srttlrd
•' IK -\tfv lily an po.^sibl♦'."

Mr. Hortoii, in his place, answered, "that he agreed with Mr. Hume a9
*' tii thi' importance of liavin<r all tlieM- points speedily settled, and that :i
" would be the immediate care oT the British Govern nier.*- o send out f(»rfh-
"with such instructions as should answer their wishes and orderu (as r«!-
"peiitedly declared) being carried into elTccf , and in such a manner as left not
"a doubt In his mind of every thin^ beinp done by the Government and
" Legislative As->eiiiMy of lT|i|i».p C:in;i(l)i for that purpose; and thai, if un-
" fortiMialely any difficulties should arise, butnhich he couU: not foresee,
•' he should most iind(Kibledly iutrudnce in the ensuing Session a Bill to carry
•' fliise objects into effect."

Mr. Hume replied *> that he was perfectly satisfied with the statement of
•'the Rinht Flonorable Gentleman, and placed perfect reliance on his decla-
*' ration that every thinft promised would be done."

We hope that this public declaration in Parliament, and in the letter from
Mr. Norton to you will satisfy yoin- mind that the Covern nent intend in
gi«od faith and sincerity to do justice to the persons you represent in thla
country.

We would also state as our opinion that, at this late period of the Session,
anil in the present state of the administration, the mode, to he adopted by the
Colonial Government is, on the v\hole, the best that can be followed, and wo
most anxiously hope it may be attended with all the desired effects.

We may state that Mr. Alexander Baring, .VI. P. expressed to Mr. Hume
his anxious hope that the Government would settle all the dnulits and fears
no V existing as they pr mis d to do, and that lie waa antisAcd wilti the mea-
sures j)»uposed bv Mr. Hurton. *

We remam, Your obedient Servants,
JOSKPH HUME.
UK.MIV WAKBURTOX,
Mr. R. Randal, ) „ .„ » oo r* • l...

Deputed from Petitioners iu Upper Canada. \ . «" " at 22 Do« n.ng bt.

Having entrusted the petition of the people to Mr. flume. I took the li-
berty of asking him several important questions then to relating ; — These,
together with that truly'honourable and patriotic njember's repiier, are her»>
with submitted.

Questions put by Mr. Randal to
the Honourable Joseph Hume, mem-
ber of the Imperial Parliament, June
23d, 1827.

l«t. Is His Majesty's Assent to
be .'ithhetd from the Naturalization
Bii that passed the Legislative As-
sembly of Upper Canada the last
Session ?

2nd. Is tke petition from Upper
Canada, presented to the house of
Commons by you, entered on the
Journals of the House of Commons ?
3rd. Can that petition he taken into
cunsideratiim in the ensuing Session
of the Imperial Farliaiuent t'

Answers by Mr. Hume, June 24tti

'.i;27.

1st. Certainly— ^-Mv. Horton has
stated that his majesty's assent shall be
suspended & orders sent oui to pass
an act to carry into cfft ct the inteu»
tions of the British government, as
stated in Mr. Horton's letter of June
10, 1827, to you —

2nd. Yes; and yo»i shall receire
a copy cf the votes of the house ia
which it is printed.

Srd. Certainly — Any member of the
House may then bring lorwaru any
measures unit, which thi^ tirc^ juno
qsiu|>etuit t» do;

thly

WI'WI'

:-ll

Rm'ORT OV TIIK

4lh. Will llip nu'lifs k. pn\il.-n.- ■
thitH<> |iprK<MM wild ^♦•lilcd ill U||) i
p<'f (^HiiHftii sine*' I7'!3, on 'h • t\
pr<'Ms inviiiitiiiii of tin* Ooxfiiniiriii
of U|»|itT Caiiiidt fi'inn tinj«» In tinic
fli'il the sanctum of Ih** \rls of the
BiiiiHli Pi<rli»im«tit, he |)ics«'r\»'«| un-
til .iln- (loiihis lately riii><«'(l us to
tlH-iil»'i iR duly 'latiiriilizi'd snhjcrtH.
b.' (iiiiilly sitili'd. (either l»y Art of
till- !.t n;i«l.iti\»' .'\ssfinlily of L'pjm i
<■' . > .! i.r hy Acl of the Jiiijiurial
PariiiUiicutJ

5t!i. It would l»e salisfartory to
Jtt»' to li ivi o H<'ial copies of ihi- eor
r(>ii)>oiul(>nr«^ Ihiit li.ispiisst'd hftwrni
Wr. Hortori and inys»'lf sinrc my ;ir-
riviil ill Kiit^liiiid imIU tM-r.ir iiit
House uf Commons— can that he
done ?

ei!i. Ah tiic discontent and unplea-
sant feeiinj; ivliicln!xist in Tpper Ca-
nada extends also to Lower Canada
and to the other IJritisli Colonies in
No't'i A n I'iiM ; can any means be
fliopted t<( procure the appointment
of a cominiission of 2 or 3 competent
gentlemen to proceed to these Pro
vinces and enquire, on the spi)t, into
all the complaints and grievances
t^hJch may exist there ?

7fh, Will yo!i (rive notice in the
House of CoiTiiU'iiis be.forti the ad
H.miiment >fi he House, that you will
orii)^ forwird 111" state »»f Upper Ca-
nada in the iieM Session of the Im-
perial Parliameiii, if the complaints
r» uMi'dmt; our Civil llij^hts and other
g'c.inds of co..(i>l ij I ii- • not redres-
«e(l r kkOii^ar ilAiNDAL.

4th. [ understand ft to he the fntct-
(ion of lyor I (iiiderich, Secretary to
the Coluiues. as stated privately to
me and pnhiicly in the house of com-
mons hy l\lr. Morton, to suspend hii»
majesty's approbation of the hill Ute-
ly passed in Tpper (7anada (a» stated
above) nr.d to send dear and distinct
orders to the executive government
there, to that efleet. and the sfrnnp.'St
recommendation to the legislative as-
sembly to pass, as speedily as possibh;
an act or acts to settle all I'heue doubts
and secure to fht S" settlers all thr;
riii^hfs and privile^'es they enjoyed, un-
challensred until 1820; —

.\fid further, that if any objecti-
ons should arise, or di ficulties be
raised, in the Legislative .\ssemhly to
carry these wishes and intenti-ns of
the British Coveriimenl into effect-
lie (Mr. IFortcm) will in the next Ses-
sion introduce a Bill into the Imperi-
al Parliament to do so.

.'jth. There cannot, I think, be any
objeclion to that bein^done : and Mr.
Morton has infurnoed me that he iii-
tiju<U sc to do.

6tli, I have been bo strongly im-
pressed with the opinhm, that the
British Gi»vernment can only acquire
a competent knowledge of the real
situation of the Provinces, by the en-
quiry of a com- mission on the spot
in each of these places, that I took
the liberty since your arrival in En-
gland, of su^gestini:; that course to Mr.
Morton ; and, allhiuigh he is not pre-
p.ired lodoso immediately, for rea-
sons he has slated, I think his opinion
is, th. tthe British Gt>veriiment vill
adopt that course next year.

7th, I will now give notice in par-
liament; Ik. if supplied with all the
reijiiisife information to make mc
completely master of the several
grievances, lately stated by you, I
shall brinjjjthe state of these provinces
before Parliament iu the ensuing ses-
sion.

JOSEPH HUME.

'f*4:r^*-..v';^^lafc-»,^

'-='■*■'* A --•« J

'^rfijH^-'

■»*-<»••»

he int«»-
••■t.iiy to

atfly t»
I'of cnin-
ipend his

hill I itc-
;is sfiitt'd
d liisfinct
vcrniiunt
sfrnnj;t.'st
il.itivi- aa-
is i)ossili|H
«»' Houlits
rs all thf!
oyed, un-

y ohjecti-
ullics he
^I'ftihly to
Kiiti'-ris ot

O I'fffCt —

ni'Xt Ses-
le Iiii|»t'ri-

k, ho nny
: and Mr.
hat he iu-

onfijly im-
that the
ly acquire
f the real
ly the en-
th« spot
at I took
vn\ in Rn-
r»e to Mr.
H not pre-
for rea-
ls opinion
ment viH

c*' HI par-
h all the
make me
seveial
ly you, I
provinces
luipg ses-

UME.

AlIF.X QlTF,STl6V. G

ftu tlic $01h June I addrrsscd the ri^hl lionoiirable :<ecrptary for the rolo-
Hi) s.iM r.didws : —

Ml. liandal regrets that liin duty to the inhuhilnnis of Uppei i'linada. for
U'liom he is aj^eiil, rinistraiii.^ him tos^ate to Lord Godcrith, llie nttessiiy of
reri'ivi.i-- fioni Mir* MajeslyN (invenmnii: this afli mou , in auinver lo Ihe
prayer of a |)i'litii)ii which Mr. Kainlal had the liouonr I • hriiii» 'o W.r liar f)f
the Itritiiih llniiseof Comino;ii on the ni^ht of tlie l^illi inhlani, thai he (Mr.
li.) may have sutKeient Ijmi! in eousider the heHiiii;;s 4if llie Hrilin^s mIiIcU
he may he liouourt d with, previous to hi-i aiiswerin;; the same, bt^foru the.
hour in which the lluuiie of (.'ommons sit-t on to-nioiio«v.

27 Wood Hi. corner Mill Dank. Westmin«ter,

Ju/it iliith lb-27.
The Right Honourable Tiord Outleiich. f

Downing ft'lreet. ^

iVr. Wilmot Hurtun'd reply is dated the same day, and is Iierewithsu'j-
inilled.

Downing Street, <iath June l!J-i7.

IR,—

Fctio. Lord Goderirh has had under his consideration the copy whidi

you transmitteil t» tills department, of the petition addresseu to Par-
liament, hy certain Land-holders and others, inhahitants of the irovince

•J of Ujiper Canada, ilia Lord.sliip directs me to express his rejin 1 that
the measures adopted hy iiis Majes-ty's (loveiiinient in the last yi;.r, on
the suhject of Aliens in Uj»per L'anada, hav<' not proved satisfactory to
all the parties, for whose relief ll;ey wen: intended.

Whatever ohjections may have arisen to the . etails of those im-a-
sures, they were recommended l»y Lord JJathursl, exclusively in the

3 spirit of conciliation, and in the lulief that no further concession wag
desired, I .or, I HniliurHt liad adopitd e\iry means in his power, to as-
certain whether the alt»'r:<<»""o »>i«itli lie (.ityt eieu in tlie 1 aw, wotdcl
satisfy the inhal»itants of Upper Uanada, an>l his Lorjsliip hail the
strongest grounds Ibrunlitiputing tlie cordial concurrence of a// classes ol'

i S(tcietyin the IV ivince. .\lthiiu.^h it now appears that some misconcep-
tion was entertained, as to the r«al ohject of the parties inttie^tei: in this
question, yet the Lieutenant (jiovtrnor and Legislative L'ouncd of I p-
per Canada, cannot be considered responsihie iiir thcjse parts of the jire-
sent Bill which have excite I the most earnest opposition. Lord L>..th-
urst's instructions to tin; Lieutenant (jovernor, founded as they were,

» upon his Lordship's impression, that tlie ine.isnres proposed >voul . he
satisfactory, were peremptory and left the Local (iovernor no discretion
on the suhject, witli regard to tlie measures now to he anopted hy hi^
Majesty's Covernment, for setting this question at kist. 1 am instructed
by Lord Goderich to make to you the following comraunicathin, with

respect to the heat mode of folluvung up his JHajt sty's conciliatory in-
tentions as expressed hy the late ftecretary of State.

The decision of his Majesty in Conned upon the liills respecting aliens
transmitted at the close of the last session of the Fruvnicial l'arliaiu< nt,
will he suspended until the tinal decision of the (luestion:; which have
been brought into disc us don.

7 Lord Goaericli is re.idy to admit that all the rights and privileges of
British Subjects slionhl be imparted t(» the whole of that class of Per-
sons who have settl.- 1 in Upper Canada in reliance upon any assurance
from his Majesty s Government t-.at they should be received in that
character.

It will of course be convenient to define more clearly the particulai"
I individuals in favour of whom this concession shouhi he made. They
may thu'ufore be arrange i under tlie lour IbUowinif heads:—

m^y.^

_i-vsj»:.^ .: L,

I,"

B Rrpokt ev thl:

FuLlo. Pir«it— .All pprsnn* wIjo have rrceivisd Oiants of Trfiiid (i«in the Vm
vincial (ifi)v»'rnmciit.

S j.ditlly— \ll iHTHotm who have hclil any piihlir (iHici-a in thf Provinrr.
Thirdly— All pirsoiis who have at any tinv I»»'»mi a<linitf»*(l Ity tlu;
9 Provincial Govrrnmnit, or \U olFicrrs, to tike ihr oath of alli'Kianrc.

Fourthly—All prrxons rt-sidcnt. in llppt-r ('anada who had thrir set-
tled place of ahodi* In thf Province pnvioiisly to the year Ul-iO. To
each of these Four TlusHes of Pt isons, the privil(!;;fs of Knglirth birth
would be {^ranted without any condition or (pialifiration.

The cliildren or metre reini»te descendants of any such persons who
iO luay be dead would he admitted to the same privilcs;es which their pa-
rents or ancestors if now livin;; could claim.

It will however, be midorstood that any person rlainiinti; to exercise
any privilc;;e of a British subject who has not yet taken the oilli of hI-
lemance, must l'ir?t tike that oath or make the corresponiliiijr aHiiina-
X\ tion, ifiie be one oftijose persons whom the lawofthe province has re-
lieved from the obligation of taking jiaths.

The secon I case to be considered, is that of persons not falling within
any of the piece lins; descriptions but who havc^ at present their doiuicile
in Upper Can I. la, haviii};; resorted to the province sn!ise(|!ii'ntly to the
V- year 1840. I iin iiiected by Lord Goderich to communi te to yui
his opinion, that all per^-ous of this class who desire to be natiirdized afi
British subje« ts shoul I be admitted to that prixilepe. But with i-es|). ct
to them, the three foUowins; conditions woiil' be required, liis', that
they should have complete I a resi lence of -iiv.u ye irs befxie (liy
are pirmitted to.'!C(juire the privileges in (piestiou. Sicon liy that tluj
IS should take the oath of allegiance or mak • the correripoudiiiu' allinna-
tion, and thirdly, that their nann's should be registered in sum ;'m die
olfice by some time to be fixed for that purposie. in in- !er tliat t >:iy be
known what particular persons have avaiie 1 themselves of the proposed
indulj^encc.
X4 It will be uuderstooj thatall these rules are to he reiro8pectl>e only.
The terms upon which it mty be prop, r to natuiidize perscms hereal'ler
res >rtiiij; to Upper Canada or to any other of his Majesty's forei;^n p,,s-
WHsi.ins miy proliably at in early period engage the distinct attention
of His M ijesty's (iovenunent.

It Will also be necessary to observe that the proposed enactineuts ur
j^ not to have t!ie rflfi-ct of repealing any existing Btatute of the pr<ivi:ice
or any act ol'p i Tiainejt.

There are nn ly ijue.-tions of property connected with this subject ii nm
•w.iich it would be very ditfic dt tofonu any li'li.iile oomioi in this coiiu-
try. I am however lirecte 1 to state that there w(Uj1 1 be no obj.-c-
tiua to an enactment, which shoul I in s'ibstauce provide that the title
}Ji of the Ciowu s lo il 1 not b.' set U!> t't leO-at a. ly title to lands acquired
by iiiy prion, or by the Parents <>r V ic-stors of i.jy 1\m-h.iii. uatuializ-
ei uii l.r t;ie proposed act. The uir nitcrid lilRculty would arise in
ca3 'H where the a< kiiowledgine t of tiie IJrilish character of .my in.tivi-
,^7 Juil night lefeat tile le/al ri;^ht of iiv other piivatf [)erson. Up m tliat
suoje* i Lor i Go lerich can of course state only iin general principles
wnich it appears to iiiin just an i r • sonable to establish The necessity
of miro lucing \\\ |) irtic.dar exceptions must be referred to the wisdom
of the Provincial Parliament.

Thegenerd principles to which I advert are the fodowing. Property

^% which is now held by titles wiiich in strictness of Law might he invdid

on ;iccouut of the foreisu liiMi ^il' Uii- pespiif hoi i.r or of my of jiis

P;e lec'-s.sors lu lit lo he cuniirmeu, if th« i>ru8ent koidiir h naturalized

Ttaucr \.\if^ lutcuacd act.

■lif

Jikk'/

Alien QiJFsrroN.

(1 the I'n*

Priiviiicr.
Htl by tlic
'Kiuncc.

th«'ir art-
li;-2(». To
;liHh birth

rsoMs who

I tfn'ir pa-

o fxcrriso

II i(li of !ll-
jr afliniia-
iifeh.ihie-

liti<^ wiMiiu
r iloinirile
ntly to tlio

\f to \nn

iir:ili/.('il afi
"nh r«'S|(. ct
I'iiNi. that
I'fxM' (hy
' that Ihi y
\j iillli'iia-
»in ■ I'lrilic
t t Kiy be
■ |)r'>|><irie(i

vi\\r only.
s hcrralKM'
*i«i;^n p.,s.
t attention

ineuts irr
e provliicc

bjfct II ion

this cotm-

no obj>c-

it the "title

s anjiiirfil

iiatmnhz-

iilil arise in

tny iiilivi-

llpm that

principh'S

' necessity

u* wislotii

Property
b«' iiivilid
my of his
laturalized

l» on

Bijt il" any nrrsoii h in posansHion (tf property, which ho Iirn arfj> n-d

I t\w urouml of th(! forci;?n birth of any other in lividiial, that poHM'9»
HJon ouutiit not now to biMlistiirbtMi, or in shorter tT.ns, tii,. |e«i| ,|isa.
hility of any iiatnrahzed alien, or of his |tre leressorH, shonhl not b*
HJioweil to impeach any title, except those which were actnally i.npeached
before the pronii;l;;ation of the law.

It shonl J l»c provided that thoHe rules rrspectinR property are to have
their operation from the iC.th diiy of .May lll^fl, the .lay on which the
act WHH passed for enabling the le;;islatiire cf Upper Canada to impart,
all the privile{reH of I'^niiiish birth to aliens.

As yon have been deputed to rej)resent the interests of the purtiiyi
more immediately affected by the recent measm-es. and as you h \e
presented a petition to parlinment on their behalf, Ijord (iodericli iiaf
deemed it expedient that you should be apprized of the view which liJH
Lordnhip lias taken of tl-e suliject.

I have the honor to he

Hlr.

(flifned)
KoBEiiT Randal, Esi^i/ihi::.

Your most obedient
Humble servant,

It. VV. HORTON.

The importance of the last received communication from the colonial
department, toRcther with the many |)oints embraced therein, reipiiied niy
most careful consideration ; accordin;;ly, on the 'iUth June, I sent a letter to
the colonial office ct)ntainin<<; my opinions of the n)easures contemplated h^
Lord Vscount Goderich. A true copy is hereto annexed.

June i'Jth, 1027.

No. 27 Wood Street, Mill Bank, Westminster.

Sir,

1 have the honour to acknowledpre the n-ceipt of your corr.inunication da,-
Ird the 28th mstant, and the pleasure I feel that Lord (joderich has t^iven his
consideration to the copy which I transmitteil to the Ctdmiial Department oi
his Majesty's fiovernment, of the Petition addressed to the British Parliament,
by certain land-holders and otiiers, inhabitants of the Province of Uppi-r CV
iiada.

I have also to acknowhidi^e my great satisfaction at perceiving at the sever?'*
mterviews. with which you have honoured me, that there is a sincere and aiix/
ious disposition on the part of his Majesty's (loverninent to comply with the
prayers and representations made by a large portion of his Majesty's sultjects ia
Upper Canada.

I beg to state what I have so earnestly endeavoured to impress upon you, that
it is of the utmost importance to the peace and happiness of that Province,
that the fears and doubts, respecting their situation, (the pctitumers of L'pper
Canada,) as to their civil rights and the tenure of their properly con£:e«]uent on
them, should be settled as expeditiously as possible, and that no grounds of
variation from the wishes and intenti(nis of his Majesty's Government should be
risked with the authorities in that province.

I have therefore mo=t rcspectfidly to submit to yovi, that after the proceedings
which have been taken by the government in Upper Canada, purporting to be
in obedience to the direction signified to that govertmient in I^jrd Hathurst's
despatch of .Slst August 1C26, it is extremely desirable that His Majesty's gov-
ernment in England should immediately adopt measures here to carry into ef-
fect their intentions.

It may not in England appear of much consequence that this subject should
he delayed another year, and perhaps when I foresee, that after the lapse of
^uchttsie of uacertaiiity and dissatisfaction, the pctitionurt* may again have to

«.&►*►....--

...i^.^--^''

RkI'ORT 01* TIIW

I I

apfM-nr at tlir Imrof Ihr Hrili«'ii r.iii.imfiit, to rliiim tln-ir prdlcclfoii: I fuu
ax-nrr joii, llmt lit- iiiiimM!ini»» mcIIU imnt of ||h'c«» t«u snlijirtx is (if ihi-iuoHt
vital iiii|iortiitirn to tin- peare, lia|tpiiifHx, an I \v« Hiir)' nt I |>| rr CimiulH, nm I
Hi'Hf liii,iif>ly vi^nt'irt! til iir/"tii«' n'rniiHi U-ralion of m) r '|iirst and of th«' n*-
niifst of all (III' |)<'titiiMii r ; tliat yon will \m»';, into |i,ii'Iiai)ifnt thf till ofwiiirli
yo'i t^avc notice, whi»li uoiil I aii(tw»rrv«Ty ohjeit wr liavi- in vi«'w, ami a»-
•lUif adv. iiit !',•;••» to till- pro* in.'»', of wliirli 1 cannot vwf yniinn iKU'iiniitr iiit-a.

The prayiTiif the petition fiom I'lnxr (^ul:l'ln wliicli I had th<> honour tu
br.np; to the liar of tlip llorinuralili llnnHf of ('nniniont*, and the jnMii c of
which yon \vt re pleased in yoin' jilace t<» apprnv*-, is, that tin Imperial I'arliu-
im-nl wotdd redress their 'grievances and not leave tin in to Iip ealt uitli liy the
pnivinci d t;iivi rninent, divided, ^nd diflVrini; as their lute pr(tceedini;s huve
proved thcnj to be.

I do therefore, must anxioiiHly ami nooHt resptctfidly, h.< you rv^uu\ the
peace, happines!> mid welfire of |l|onsaiids w Im have devoted themselves ttt
•npport his Majesty's Oovernment for near half accntnry, and « ho haveheen
proud ill Ihenaine a' d litle of British snlijecls diirinu, that lime, reqnisi you
nill Niihinit to liOid (Soderich my lunnhle solicitatinn, that the hill of whicll
yon have i^ivcn notice in the Imierial parliament should he |>r)>ceeded ii.
^^hnl IV isihe whject of my niis><ion, and in my hnmhle hiil sincere opiuioii,
founded on an intiinale knowledge of the fe lni)j;s and wishes of the province
of LJ(iper C.inada, no other means ivill answer the ohjecl in view— than 151
in'^ s.iiisfaetion, and security to those, who relyiiif; on the faiih «»f acts of th»!
Biilish parli;iment and on the proclanjations of His .M-ijesly's Oovernment
in (/|»per ('anada, ideniilled themselves at i5"eal sacrifices in the ruipport nf
His .Majesty's )rovernn)ent in that province and of ihe honour of the Uriiisli
name. 1 iiiinihly be*; tu stat", that I ii^ne ronsnlteil those |i;entli'meo in
whose jiid((nient i have full it li.ince, and their opini(Hl^ U|i,ree entirely witli
thone 1 have now stated, and I do implore ynnrrecoiisid4-ration of my re<piest
as ol the nnisi vitui iinportaoi^e to the welCire of the Province of Upper Ca-
Oad.i, and of Mm .VI«)i—fyV lnyal snK)t.ct« therein

1 alao consider it my duly to lay before you a cirrum<«tiinre thul may b«»-
come of very consider.ible imt ortanre to the peace of Upper Canada, .lod
which I mo«t anxiously entreat his Majesty's* (Jovernment will keep in view.,
ill ;;ivin|^ iMstriictions to Ihe Government of Upp^r Canada, for the settleni^nt
fif the civil rights of the settlers in that Province.

^ IJy the coiistitiition of U|)per ('anada, the L'^islative Assembly must be
^ linked every foir years. Tliree sessions have passed, and the next electiou

ill take pi, n-e in . I mil' Ift'iK, and it appears absolutely necessary that the

i lestioii of natuializilion shotdd be settled heftire that time, to prevent iho

ij.spnles that in ly then take pi ice ; as Ihe voti-s of those who hav*- voted fop

• hirty years may, in the present understandini; of the law, be rhallengeil

,1 d n fused.

I med not point out to you the consetpn'nce:) ihat may follow such a state
of tiiin|;s, if all doubts are not before then put at rest.

I f-ei however, after the kind and friendly spirit you have manifested to the
people of Upper Canada, io all the coinniimiCHlions I have had with you,
till' it is only oeressary for me to bring this subject to your notice, to ensuru
dU' attention to it.

With the first 14 piges in your communication of the 2^th instant now he-
fori lie, I nost humbly submit Ihat the object of lljs Majesty's Government
and of the Petitioners, would be obtained oy a short bill pas^ill}; the Impi rial
Parliament recitiny, the 4 classes to be afl'ected, (i'ages 8 &. 9) and secoi dly
en iMinjf, that each nf these classes of persons in Up; er Canada, shall enjoy,
ail ih)* privileges of Knglish birth, without any condition or qiialilication, a id
th .1 they shall lie, ai.fi he held tti Have been entitled to all the ri!;hts, \> ivileg.
•> id imnemi )••« of liiitisii burn Buhjtcls nonvillibliuidinj; any aclorl^w dc*
€hiioii to tht; cuiiiiaiy ih«rt;uf.

A I ir.v (ii rPTioN.

>ll : 1 tail
if th«' iniiNf
iiula, iiiK I

oC thf n--
ill orchil li
V, and as-
iiittc ii!f<i.
hitiiiiiir tu

jiiHti<i' of
rial I'liiliu-
litli hy tlie
liii|;!t liuve

•■Ki<rii the
riiflv*"* In
have Ihm'H

|ll»s( \()U

(if whirl)
et'dcd ii,,
I' opiuiou,
' prmim-e
tliaii (;i
n'ts of I he
>v»'riiim'nt

ll|)|)ill'| of

X' Itritirtli
llt'iiifM in
inly willi
ly ie<|iit'»t
Jii|>t.'r Ca-

may

DcKJU,

iiid
;> in vii-w.,
leltUniMiit

must \m
It fifrtinu

liiHt the
i'V«iit cho

voted fop
liallfiigfd

li a stiitc

ted to the
tilh yoii,
i» ensuru

now he-

^♦•rrinitiit
Im|'< rial
seroj «||y
II «nj<iy',
tion, a id
|> ivilrg*

r luw dc*

And thnt t1i«> ('hildr«>n nr iiiort rfnioli* «l»'xi'«'iul>uil<i iiid hi*ir!i of all Riirli
pirson^ who inny hr drad or mIihII die hi-lon Ihf |tii-MM|; of lliix fii'l, hliidl l)i>
;idiiidH-d to lh<' Ham)' |>ritil« (;i H nd iit;l)lx, xs ihi ir |i;irriil>^, anrc'toiM, or ri la-
tioh'j, if ii(»«\ liuii;(, < iMild ijaiin midfi iIhh propuxi d liil . I am of o|iiuiori that
th»- atio«i* Mliort aod •«iin|i|r •■na4'tin)'iitr« uliitli could not lit- iui!«iiodi'iitlo*>d
l«oidd afliird all the rtlit f that I Holici' all which thf |irotiiii f ran di^iii.

With rfspt-rt lo tin* '2d tmhi of |i»'r»oiiH not fdlinj; und«r th»* 1 claM>»»>. al-
ready notii'fd (F. II 1'2. I.). !v 11 ) I think that the 7 y<'ar« rfsidtiM-i' nl'n-y
1)1-2*), ihf takinK till* oath of all. ';;ianr<' and tin- rr;;i!tli'iinK that allrt;!!.!!!^ at
htit'tofor*'. wil' MH't-t the a|i|»r<>lt,ili(>.i if all rla!*M'H in thr I'r'innii-. Hir, I
mil'*! ohji-ct to lilt! modi' pn^tcrilied in the hill litt-ly pass* d in I |>(i«'i ( niiida
for iiatiiratiKalion, wherfthi* a;;*', pariMit'snaiiic, hii« placi' of l)irih,iind Hhju-
raiiiiii of all other icovfiiiinint^ S(v. art* ici|uiii'd.

I inoMt rfupet'tfidly sii'nnir th.it if (is staled in F. \b.) the proponid " ♦•n»
aclmfiilM, uri' not to havi- tin- • flVt t <>f rt [xalinn any exir-iinn .^liilnie oi the
province or any act of till- Uri'ish |>aili.>nnMit," they will eflVctnally rt luler
th> jiiHlice and the henefScent inienlions of His Alaje-^ty'ti (Jovirninent nn^ii-
tory, and of no • ITeci.

And I htind>ly corn-eivf, that mm Ihc douhtu re|iectini; ci«il ri|i;htrt i;d the
claims (i) titlen lo I roperty , aioMi horn c< ntiiruclii i>^ |i;i%i n hy Ihe law < ilicers
of the crowii, and ilnon^i^h thiir i'X|'i.fi'aliot. nl theexi'.iiiK Liilish I. w^, it
docn not appear po><>ihle tti net thnite doubts xatinfaciorily ai d hI hy aiiyothcr
means, or in any other way, ihan by a hill of the Imperial I'arliaineiil, > ith*
cr n-xnectiiiK such acts, <ir di claratory---lhi'i these act ne\tr weie intemh d|
or did not apply topre\ent iht 4 claHtteit in IJppt-r Canada fmm enjnyint; all
the riichtit (if Britixh horn Suhjettn.

As the ralmii g of dinihts and fears respertintc litlt <> tti prnperty in Upper
Cinii'da, is «>f the most \ital importance to its prtisperity and peace, 1 \en*
tmetosulirit the particular attentiim of His Majesty's G<>«rrnmeiit t*i iliat
•uhject, and I would »uj;i;est, thai inste.id of the iiistructjins proposed (i'. P-
III i*> i\, to the {;oti inni< lit in Upper Canada) llial a siio:-) rhniHe bhonul be
iiist^rledin the hill respecliiiK nalnrali'A tion, lo tht f<i||oi\inK pin port.

Cl.iiise A. — That from and after ti;e passiiiK u\ this at i, i.o prsun nr the
representative of any person declared lo lie < iititit d hy this act to the ws,' Ik,
privileges and immiinities of Hrilish hiilh, shi I he disinrln d in the posMt >>Mnt,
or precluded from the lecovi ry of any lands, lenemi nts, tir Inreditaint i ly,
in the Provitice of Upper Canada, tin the ijrnund, that such persons or ilieir
representatives, lliroii;;li whom he m ihcy may claim, was an alit ii, Uu;, e-
very title, right, and claim shall remain and he as valid and as good, as they
were ctinsidered l<i he and In h.ivc heen previous lo the year IIH), as if ni>
upniions, of either thel.iw ollicers of the trown, ortletisioii of the courts of
jur-lice had been given in respect to the rights and claims of foreign proles-
lanis.

Having a most rrt^poni'iblc trust to execute from ni j fellow subjects in Up-
per Cainada, and convinced of its greai importance by my tiwn individual
case Hs an exainjile ; I most hunilily, but most eaniesily and respei'fullj, ao-
llcit your cordial attention to tlie prayt r ol their petition.

1 have till' hill or to he, .^ir,

Vour tn.edieiil huiiili'e servutiti
UOUEUT UAAD.VL.

^o tlio Risbt Honor.nhie.
U. \V. Hoi ton, M. P. kc. kc.
Colonial Otiice, DovvningSlri el

kc.

On tht> same evening I had iho hoMour to rerelve from Vr. Hnme a letter
on the snhject tif my mission, eiiclnsing a pi id ' -li 'i jup. it,>. to

the Commotes' Jonrnals. containing: the pt lilioii ui the ^tu^lti oi tui» cvlun^.
Tiie«u ducumcnU uru berevvilli buLiuitltdi

)

li'

'4i

ft i!^' t

1ft

Report in the

Bryinstonc Square, June 89tl) lfl£f;

Bkar flm,

I liitvc iitiwthp ploa^nrr to send you n copy of llu< prlition from \hc iiihabi«
tiiMts (il rj|)|UT Cii'Mti.i, whirh I prcstMilfd lo tlif lloust" of Commons oo I lie
l'2ili of J'm>- inst.int. and wliicli is pr'nitfd in th** votes of tliu House (as No.
111701 Hod cln-ulatfd to evi-ry inrmbcr of the Commons.

I 'Host coni^i-atnl tic yon iiiid liu- PetitM)uerH on the prompt attention paid
to the pr.iyer «»f tlu-ir petition Ity tlie Coloninl Dtpartment, and in the very
atisioiis desire Mr. Mo (oi hits miinifeHttd lo me, in my interviews with him,
to do the fullest justice to the Petitioners.

I lieR- 1(» Hs-un- you th;it I have had much satisfaction in assisting you nnd
the petitioners, and I sliail at :ill limes have pleHsure in forwardinj; the just
•wishes of the iuh.il)itanls «»f Upper Canada, where I am aware abuses take
place which reipiire the superintend. mce of the parent state to correct.

I would further ohsi rve to yon that much abuse lakes place abroad and is
'allowed to continut, from Ihe (government iit liome remaining in ignorance
of the truth, and I »oidd strongly nconimend the Inhabitants of every Colo-
ny to send to the Colonial Secretary in I jondun their statements of grievance,
as I am confident from the dispositi(Mi manifested by Mr. Horloo and Lord
Goderich in y<uir case, that they are anxious to promote the peace and wel-
fare of the Colonies, by remo\ingall well grounded causes of complaint.

Wishing you a speedy and safe conveyance to the Province. I remain

Your Obe't humble .Serv't,

JOSEPH HUME
Mr. Robert Randal, ifc. $fc. tfe.

COPIRD FROM THK VOTES OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Votes, k,c.] lil° die Junii. \&'i7. 1351

(N°. 1«7!).)

Petition of inhabitants of Upper Canada, complaining of an act of the House

of Assembly relating to registration of Aliens.

Presented by Mr. Ilume.

" A Petition of the Subsciibers. His Majesty's dutiful and loyai subjects oi'
Briti h birth or descent, or of British American birth or descent, &tc. Inhabi-
tants of il>e Province of Upper Canada, in British North America, was pre-
sented and read : setting forth. That the Petitioners, presuming on the well
known rights of Englishmen, rijchls in whii h they ardently desire fully to par-
ticipate, humbly bfg leave to rejiresent that nothing shortof the severest afHic-
tioir could have driven them to pray for the interference of the House in their
behaif; the Petitioners pass over in silence the many grievances which have
long called for redress, and which have continued lo increase in that Colony,
in defiance of public opinion though frequently and strongly expressed ; but an
tinhappy policy now spreads a melancholy gloom over the tvhole face of that
Country, and threatens a large portion of the petitioners with the annihilation
of their most valued and long enjoyed civil rights, unless they com|»ly with
terras most humiliating to the character^they have so long exercised mi peace^
and loyally suppoi-ted in war; a large portion of the inhabitants uf Upper Ca-
nada consists ofpersons who, after the peace of I7t!3, came in great numbere
into that Province from the United States of America, with the knowledge ap-
probation, and encouragement of His Majesty'sGovernment; most tif the Po
titioners are of that class, and have from the earliest settlement of Upper Ca-
nadaheen tdmitted, .ind uniformly ccmsidered to be entitled, to all the rights
and privileges, and subject both in peace and war, to all the duties, responsibili-
ties, and obligations of natural-born British subjects ; their confidence w>\rs not
merely reposed in the faith of proclamations, not merely in the prevailing and
until lately, unquestioned construction of the Ihw in favour of their alb )(rance
iiol merely in the repeated reetignition of llnir rights by the Proviiieiil Lo-
?is!:ihire, but they btlieved that the 80th Geo.S. c. 27, oasscdby thtJUritifh

)>.*

^%J.

<^-

■^

Ai.ir:\ (Vi'KSrrftv.

rtrliament ^xpi'PHsly for thi'iriiivitittiitn into His ^T.^jcsty's Vort/i AmfTtcan
ti Mt irii's, w.Mili! iiifiiHialily affind ih«'m, in Ihcfiijiiyini'iit of fhrir liberliiw, a
Bcrtirily which no niithoiily l<'ssth;in a htaliitc could violate or di-*!'"'!! : in nil
civil transariions in tht* Provinrc, the PetiiionerB havn invariably been consi-
dered as British siibject!»; ihey h;*" • taken and held I uid by e;rMnt. purchase,
dense, marriuj^e. and inheritam e ; a very large fnntioii of the iiiitivated land
in the Province either is nmv held cr hax been held and transferred by th' m
without any queitim , until litdy, of their legal capacity to do o; they have
been appointed l(» various oflic.s of trnsi and honour undir the Colonial Go-
yernm«tnt ; they cheerfully served in the Miliiia, as well in peace, as in the
iaie war with iheUniti-d States nf Anwiat, and manv of them have been re-
ceiving the British pension since that period, in coiisequei ce of wounds re-
ceived in that severe and trying ctoiflict ; they have conlinuiilly held Kciits in
the Pi o\incial Legislature, and various Provincial Stalntes (particularly the
5 Hh Gi'< . .S. c. 4.) i;ivel)een passed upon the [irinciple that they wt re to all in-
tents and purposes British subjects : they have become connected, in all
the relatiofis «>f social life, witli the other itdiabitants of the Province, aiid
have contributed by tlieir industry and good order to the tranquility and wel-
fare, and by their acknowledged Itravery and l«>y;ilty, to the security and do-
fence of the Province ; the Petitioners have pioved how justly they appreci-
ate the rights they have si> long enjoyed, and hov fully tliey arc entitled to
the confidence, protection and paternal care of His M ijesty's Governm 'nt by
the fidelity with wh.chthey adhered to the Royal standard in the recent contest
wto'n a powerful energy penetrated into the heart of their Ci>untry, and laid
wt-te their towns and villages with fire, sword, and rapine under these cir-
cumstances the Petitioners fondly expected that His Miijesty's Government
would never i-egard them in any other light than as British subjects, and if
from any new ifiscovery in the construction of the Law. their long enjoyed ci-
vil rights were likely to be qne-tioned in the Courts of Justice, they had in-
dulged more than a hope that a general Law would have been passed, simple
and comprehensive, at once eslahlisbing tU«ir pri>ileges beyond the reach
of doubt, and ciMifirining the usage of neiirlj half a century; but to
their mortification, Ihey find that the Provicial Government hnveembiirras-
Sed the constitutional discretion of the House of Assembly, with certain des-
patches prescribing the nature of the remedy to be provided, and threatening
the refusal of the Royal Assent to any measure not complying with fhesie ia-
structions; underthis (as the Humble Petitioners consider) unlue influence,
th-' House of Assembly, after along protracted debate (in which members
were equally divided for several days) have at last submitted to pass a Bill, un-
der th« authority of a late act of the Imperial Parliament, conforming to these
instructions, imposing on a majority of the Petitioners terms distressing to
ttieir feelings, ruinous to their iijterest, and wholly at vari;»iice with the for-
mer instructions of his Majesty's Government upon this subject, as transmitt-
ed by Earl Balhurst, and dated •i.iii of July ia25 ; on this Bill, as now pas-
sed, the Members of the House of Assembly were so long, and so equally di-
videdj that there was a tie in the Coininitttee of the whole, and a tie in the
House for a whole week, during which lime the question for receiving the
report of the Bill as amended was four limes negatived by the casting
voice of the Speaker; and the question for its passing after a third reading, otice
negatived in like manner, yet it was again put on the Order of the day, ad
finally passed with«>ut further amendment; by this Bill many of the Petitionere
who have sustained the character of good and loyal' British subjects in that
province for nearly forty ye;.,s, arc ciunpelled to register themselves as Alien8»
before they can long''- exercise their linig-enjoyed civil liberties ; this provision
the humble Petitioners view as most degrading, for although Aliei.s are gen-
erally at first regurdi d with suspicion in all countries, and subjected to many
Catilious provisions, resuliMig from a n;iluraland perhaps prudent jealousy, yet
l^rsoDB fs hu have been rbcu^uiacd as subjecttt for nearly half a century, en-

:ilt.'

\' I

1 1

Rkfori' ov the

joyed all llu'irrigliU and piivilfj;<-^. Id HUl'li. . mil manfully d»'f«'nd.Nl the bjine
i:i tirnrs of pi-rii, cannot bnl l\il asliaio.-il and indi^iii.uif at lli»! tlu)n;:;iil iliat,
with ri';:ard lo Uh'OI. sncli pioviyion^ should \)v dttiiH-d nuffssarv or rxpe-
ditiit; tilt- ft-elings of many of Hit- |\linooer.s are fuillier woui.di-'d lii}ond
expression, wlirn lin-y aii- coin|iillt^d l>) llie |>!d()os«d Law, at llii' ihtiI of
tlii:i utU'r ruin, lo com*- forward in a fortign ciiaracttr, and repial that allt gi-
anre vvhifh Iht-y havr already frt-quenlly lonfiruu'dniider oath, and sealt'd «illl
Iht'ir lilood, in d«'lVniling the Frovinte a„aiiisl an invading enemy ; and wlule
tilt y thus secure local privileges in Upjxr Canada, they must acknowledge
themselves traitors to their native Cou.itiy, in coiisequ.«nce id'haviijg taken up
arms against it during the late w.ir ; il is also most linmdiating tiial when lln-y
have thus, as i!iey conceive, dej^radid themsel\es, they heeome British suhjecla
only in Vpptr Canada, and on en.erin;; any nlher pait of His lajisly's J>o-
minifMis. they must, under the jiioposed Law, resume the character and diaa-
Lililics of Aliens, wliiliii. in tlie event of travelling through the Unit d lsiat<^
of Anie'iva, the universal renunciation of allegiance ftT ever, covers ihem
with confusion, and condemns ihiin as traitors ; thus w hi reier they go, they
ftel ihemsehi s pointed at h) the tiiigir of scorn ; and wlide His Majesty s oth-
er sulijecis rviay acquire foreign alle|;;,iance, and realize the commercial and
Other ad\ant.ges aflorded hy the same, liny are impiisoiied in a manner in
Uppvr Canada, and cannot, under ilie proposed Law, enjoy theiigtiti' imd priv-
ilt ges of British suhjtcls heyoiid iis limits, w hich w holly exelndes litem even
from a free oarticipation in the contemplated canal na\igationhet«een Lakt On-
ton'oand Monlrml in Lmctr Canada, w liicii is the first inaikel for tlie|)iodni"e of
that province: in I' pptr Canada, \\u-i\ they are doomed to be registered m a
booli, to siigmatize them amidst the rest of the ccnnmunity, and to alftnd to
the enemy, upon any futnie invasion, an index wlierehy to distinguish those
wlio (according lo tile municipal laws of the invadirs) were fitted tinly f«M- the
gilihel ; at tile same time that liie I'l titioners register themselves as new -made
sulijects. they are compelled, under the proposed Law, to rerounce for ever
a'l allegiance to every (tther Slate or jiower, which the Honourahit the Le-
gijialivc Council of that Province, ill their Jleport upon this very question
iastyear, declared to he inconsistent with high feeling, honour, and probity,
and suited to the lefuoe of society ; finally, while the proposed Law profesd-
es to relifve thein from their emharrassmeiit, it operates as a severe penal
enactment, for every man will he ruined who from any cause omits to comply
with its pro\isions ; it is impossible lor the Peiitioners to point out the various
4Mii>,es that may lead to this conlingeucy, but one, very likely to occur, in the
opinion ofihe Fetitioiiers, will arise from the circumstance thata large portion
of the persons liable to the provisions of the pr«»p08ed Law ar" the descen-
dants of Germans, who are w'h(dly unacfpiainled with the English language,
and having enjoyed their rights and piiMleges for thirty or forty years, in the
«xercisL' of theirpeaceful agricultural pursuits in a remole and thinly settled.
Country, cannot at this late period be convinced of the necessity of comply-
ing with such obligations ; and should the proposed measure pass into a Law
ia that pi'uviiice, a great majority of them "ill not only he deprived of tlieir
civil rights, by reason of omitting to comply with its provisions, but also be
stripped of the verj farms which they have so long cultivattd; the humble
Petitioners challenge the authorities in Canada to point out any thing in their
conduct from the first foundation of the Province up to the present lime,
Avhich can justify this refined cru.lty towards them, and therefore most hum-
bly pray the House to i,iterfere i,i ilieir behalf, so that the Uoyj.l Assent may
not be given to the said Bil', and that the House may he i;f ciously pleased
to pass a Bill at once confirming the usage of nearly half a centni y, and cloth-
ing, without humiliation, the h>imble Petitioners with those citil liberties
which they have long enjoyed, for whici llu". have already fought and bletX..
►md for which they are ready cheerfully to fight agairx."

el
ml

Al-IK.N' Q,;'KST!ON'.

•n the Friday prpvioiis to ilu' pi-orojijaiidii of parriampfit I had Hip hniioiir
of Itiiiit; ailiuiltiHi to a |M>i'soiial iii>ervii tv with the rii;lil liorouralilf Lord
Godi-iicli, at IIh" ('oloiii.il OlHct-, Downing; Strtt-t.

Toe prorogrttioii of pailiiinntt l»y commission took pl.i. r on tlic Cod dny
ef Joly ; I was iodi-hted to the polilrin'ss of iMr. W'ilinot Hortoii for an ad-
misHJoii into Xhv Iloiist' of Loid" on tliMtdiiy.

Thi' Hon. a, id K<'V. tin- \rclid.'acon of York heitij; alxcit to f ikc lii< dcpip-
turn for Upp«'r Canad i. I av.ul>-d inysHlf of his ki id oH'or to lay hcfore yoa
a hrit'f act-oiint of my pntrcediiigs up to tUe drd July.

On the 4th July I felt it my duty to address Lord God<Tich iii thu f(d-
(owing tertns.

No. 27 Wood Street, Mill Bank Westminster, 2tth July 1827.
IVIy Lord:

I bpg to pxprfsa my warm ackno«lrd;rm('nts for tlit- honour
you did me on thi* 29th ult.— -by the interview resperting the alf lirs of ITp-
per Canada,— for the kuidly and friendly manner in whl«h you exjinssed
yourself respecting the riaims of the Petitioners in th.it frovinn-, and f<»r
the unequivocal and taiidid declaration yon mide ; that it was your intent-
ion---immediately to forward orders to the Goveriunent there to adopt sueli
measures as should afford the fullest relief to the Petitioners, who are now
suffering und>T the diuihts that have heen raised respecting our rights.

It was your Lordship's opinion, that the instruclious to the Colonial Go-
vernment of Upper Canada,— -of which I have been honoured with a eopVt
might be amended in several of the classes, and mneh shortenod in th»'ii' pro-
risioMs, so as to meet the beneficent views of His iMHJt'sty's Government, in
confirming the unequivocal rights of Englishmen to tlie Petitioners.

Your LurJshif) expressed your own repuzn:«nro to th<; uhjuratioo &v. The
impeachment of property, and the period from which it may take place, re-
Ciuireu « grave reflection, and if I may express my humble, but candid opin-
ion ; by striking out all the clauses, from the lUli page, the instructions will
then be concise and explicit.

Your Lordship, will dome much honor^ to direct, thct your pleasMrc may
be made know to me ; whether I am to be honored with a copy of another
letter of instructions to the Government of [Jpp.T Canada on the subject of
the correspondence between the Right Honorable R. W. Morton an<l myself,—
and the copy that I now hold, to be given up. And as it was highly satisfacto-
ry to me, to hear Imm your Lordship, that if any thin?; should occur, to
prevent the Government and Legisl iture of Upper C.niada from carrying into
effect the intentions of your Lordship, that it w ould be your care in the ensu-
ing session of Parliament to introduce a Bill into the Imperial Parliament to ef-
fect these objects.

I have file liojior to be,
!\ly Lord,
Your Lor (ship's Most Obedient and
To H'vnide Servant

The Right Honourable 1 ROBERT RANDAL.

Lord Goderich, >

Downing Street. ) — —

On the evening of the 5th I was gratified by pprcelving, in his Lordship's
reply, that it Avas the intention of the British government to meet the ob-
jeciions I had in ide to part oi the detail of .Mr. VV^ilmot Hortou's letter,
and to keep the national faitli in the strictest and fullest sense with the An-
glo .\merican3 in Upper Canada.

Downing Street, 5th July, 1827.

Sir,

I am directed by Lord Ooderich to inform you with reference to the va-

v';:

wmmmm

lit
■I

Rkport on the

ri ma onmmiinloations, vvritffii and iiersuuiiil, which you have iiiul with thiM
iH'patmt'nt, airi nn rc cspfcially to tin- iiiterviiw ivhicli y<iii \\ia\ uith his
l^nrdship, — that In- will send ''ut to Up|H'r Canada, the draft oCsinh a Natu-
ralization Bill as his Lordfdiip would have heen prepared to rfcommi'nd, hud
it hcen deemed exptMlienf to have introduced a Itritish act upon that sul)-
jcet, and the provisions of which will meet the ohjection which you offered to
t!i( detail of part of the letter which was sent to you, uiid which has since been
withdrawn.

HIh Lordship will also direct the Lieutenant Governor to hrinR thi' subject
of iVaturalization l)(';'>n! Ihi^ .\>'s« inbly at the earliest period. From the' nu-
tur' of the instructions which his Lordship proposes to S've, he cannot doubt
that the result will be, the passing of a pr ivinci.d law which will fairly nuet
the wishes . fthe petitioners who intrusted lo you the chaige of their interests,
an I terminate satisfactorily a Question, which is necessarily of the highest in-
terest to the inhabitants of the i'ruviece of Upper Canada.

1 am !Sir,

Your most obedt. Servant,
(Signed) II. VV. HORTON.

R. Randal, Esquire. . "

■M

pli
ce

an(

for

inj;

\ i

On the 13th Jidy I had the honour to inch)"*? for your consideration a
fill iher account of my p'oceedings as a^ent for the petitioners. I thnreia
slated tt» you the final determination of his majesty's council, and expressed
m> entire satiafactitu at our s^rjciDUs soverei;;n's intentions towards a nu--
mi-rous loyal and faithful portion of his subjects in British America-
It is a pleasure forme to state to you that from Mr. Warbnrton, Mr. Alex-
ander Baring, Sir F'»'»<'is Burdett, >Ir. Broui2;ham. Alderman Wood, and
several other leading uir-iutM ■■» ..f tli„ impeii;,! |i:uiiament, to whom I was
introduced, ( received kind and iVii udly i.ssura )crs of their anxious wishes
that an early declaratory provision miy;lit be made, grantiit^ to all the peliti-
OUi-rs in Upper Canada the ri;;hts ol KiKjjIishmtn.

B It it is to Mr. Hume that the mosi grateful acknowledgmeiits of the Ca-
nadi lU peopit* are due under provid<uce, at this momentnous crisis in tiieir
afFiiij. His attention to theii interests was unremitting, and he contributed
in iterially to the d.-feat of the naturalization bills. Mr. Hutne possesses j^n at
influ'iice ill the British House of Commons, and takes an active and important
pan in the public business of the empire; he is deservedly respected by all
pa' lies, and I trust that his maidy conduit towards the pe«»ple of this beau-
tiful and iuterestins pro\ince will uoi be for{;otten. but that his name and the
important s -rvice he has done us, will be remembered by Canadians with
gratitude and affectionate regard.

I have also to lay before you Mr. H ime's last letter to myself, which If
now acted upon in the colony, a;;reealdy to the suggestions of the patriotic
writer, may prove of infinite servi< e to the | cople. We are nnrepreeeiiled
in the imperial legislature, and unable at all times to obtain redress of griev»
anc "i at the hands of the colonial administrations, it is therefore a great sa-
tisfaction for us to ascert:iin that there aie members of the imperial parlia-
ment iviioare both able and willing to plead our cause, and to interest them-
selves fur us in obtaining aremedy for uur Just and reasonable complaints.

London 21st July 1827.
Dear Sir,

As you ask my advice what should be done by the inhabitants of Uppe9
Canada to obtain redk'ess for the numerous abuses which you state to exist
now in the administration of the law, the Post otfice department, &.c, U-c,
in I hat pro\ince, I h.ve only to repeat that the reason of much of the evil
.being alluwe4 to t;wuttuu« s« iuiig, and so injurioualjf to tUe intereets of the

-^^'t^

<^jt.-~iir^}

jrf.«"B«ej-

^ >-,•"•

Ar.IFN QUFSTION.

riblony, is, the nffpr if^norance in which wv. urv in this coniifry resppctinK iht
aff;iir!< ol' thf (■t>U>ni('8, and in particuhir, rf:iptcling the British colonics- in
North Anfu-ricn.

It has hft'n tlie pulley and piartice to discoiintenanre in England all <«p-
plications from tliene colonies, atid to stifli- fV»Ty complaint ; and anch pro-
ceedingh have hecn too succci*>trul. I ivonid, therefore, advise yonr adopting,
on you.- rflurn. a re^ ilar Oi'Kani74td means »»f keeping the British pnhlic ;
and, particularly, the independent memb«'rs of the Im))erial Parliament in-
formed of all the complaints and fjriev.mces which yon have to make, and
to furnish them >«ith tin- inean" uCopposnig them in Parliament, orof ap| ly-
inj; to the proper office to have redress.

There is always expense in pi intin;;, copying; kc, the various papers to af-
ford the information requisite to make memheru aware and to put government
on the ulert respecting the colonies, that some person should be appointed
altho' not publicly ucki ouledged, with whom a committee at York in Upper
Canada should correspond, and a person fit to do all that might be found
necessary at a rtasona! Ie« xpiiise, who would ke.i-p the conuuitteu infurined
on every subject relating t(» that province.

In any way that my strvices can be of use to the colony I shall willingly
aid in the reforinatimi of the abuses that exls*., and shall, if required so to
do, look out for a prtiper person who should be able to perform the duties fo!"
you which I have pointed out.

Wishing you a pleasant passage back, I remain

Yours sincf relv,

JOSEPH HUME.

ItoBERT Randal, Esquire.

I was unable to wait upon you immediately on my arrival in Cnnndu. Iiav-
ing during the voyage to New y<Mk received a violent hurt in my side which
almost proved fatal. I was long in poor health, but so soon as my stn ii',;th
Ihas permitted, 1 have laid before you in person a full detail of my proceedings
on behalf of the people.

I have the honour to be. Gentlemen,

Your faithful humble Servant,
(Signed) ROBERT RANDAL.

FIRST REPORT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
To Robert Randal, Esquire, M. P.
Sir:

We the committee of York, on the alien cpicstion. welome your return froia
your agency ami congratulate you on the success thereof.--And wi offer you ouv
grateful acknowledgenientsand thanks, forourselves and for all those who have
honored us with their confidence, or entrusted to our care their petitions and sub-
scriptions ; for the devotedaess, the zeal, the ability, and the success, with
ivhich you have discharged tlie trust and duties confided to your hands:

For by your agency, under the autiior of all events, a large portion of the
inhabitants of Upper Canada have obtained so pntmpt so full an ack'iow-
ledgmentof ' ;ir rights, petitioned for to the imperial government, and such an
assurance of their being secured beyond any question, as to restore ctmfidence
to the heart, aiul strentfth to the hands.

The Jmprovemenis that were suspended are resumed,— -the mills which
were abandoned for s. while and those that were bud. !i ig are now in active oper-
ation, the freeholder sets his former value on hisestate,-~the man that had
thoughts of leaving l-pper Cana.la ftn vtr, now fi els it to be his jice of set-
tled abo.ie; and he who was beginning to look oii his h(. use .'is halei'id. as i'j
was to be held by a degraded and tuicvrtaiu teuuie, ovw regards it ofi hw eeiSf

UKr»DKr o\ tmp: Alui.v Qirr.sriON*.

i »

i I

T\v\^, Mir, y >'i 'vivr' biei t'ii» 'i 1 1 tur -i i^*' it Li c mfic niu'^ the Commiria«^
ft!) I "V'lriU n I'lv t»t'i"rs. i i tti 'ir I )y «lci):ifUivir,(\ expri'sse 1. ir» tlunr stfitO'
m • If n 1 1 • h-»l \ >ril, i 1 'vliich tlicy H;«y : " VVf lo not tliiiik tlit- imperial i:»r-
'*-vnw'ii wi-thiitii tiiltH liwi tit atiri l;;^ our civil ri;;hti, make void the
"Ki'i^'s dertJs, i»r c'nu;;;!?. liter, or in liit! new coiiJition:!."
VVt! have thn limoiir to In*,

l)f ir Sir, Yo'ir raithriil Hprvants,
J):S«;E KRTCJlrM, Chairmm | THO v] \S STOVKLL, > ^ .„,.
\L\iK. RIUl\SID :. I JOrfCl'II SIIKPHKUD. \ «'<'»»'"'"'«•

York, December iztli lac?. *' , \,.

Kin;;-Slnet, York, 13th Drcemher 1827.
Otr urwRf:-—! h:iV(' the honor to acknowlflt;!' your letter, appriving of
mT c:)ii liict astUi' a^ent of the iuhahitaiits ofthiH province who petitione:! the
Bi'iti^h Pa.rli,iia(Mit a^iinst the Vaturalization Bill of list session uf the Colunit4
Legislature; yi)ur apjir )'»itii»'i iiFirU u" ^reat pleasurts

I rumain, Oe it it-men, •

Your viTy liuniMe si'rv'f,

IMIJllKT IIVNDAL. .^

To Messrs. Jesse Ketchum, I Thomas Htoyrll &. !: . ■

Alex in ItT Fiunisi;l(', 1 J 'S -ph Siieph«!rd : .<

Tilo Ca.itral Co.n nitt'-e o.i the X ituralization Hill.

(Junnrtt.cr. Ruo/ii, York, \4th Dec. 1827.
Sri ;— We the central com nittoe to whom were entrusted the petitions
•fif sevTxl thoiHin I ptirsoiis, pnyin;; that the alien l>ill inii^ht not pass into n
] nv. bt'i; ro reM ^t.u t.. tW.. .>u»wp ip»>rH of the lay for a copy of our lirst report.
We are satisfied that Mr. Ilan lal, thr a^i'nton hehalf of tne pethloiiers, hath
done li'' I'J^y. h:if h cvevtM- ,n i ''i the H )iise of -\ssemhly may feel disposed
tf» riiwirl him for his trouhln, we have no assurance that any hill for th>it pur-
p()s.« will pa s into a law.

W • havu ruiicived, without personal solicitation, in snhsrripti<ms, hichHing;
the mmies suhscrihe 1 towards IMr. llan ials jouriey to Kni!;land in 1826. a
8'i'n. whic'i, h -i 15J led'icted from his actual expenses as a Ivancel hy us iluring
his late mission to Ijon ion, tvill l.'ave a halance Ine us hy tiie puhlic of £100
currency. Th're has also heen other cxpensi-s incurred for printing 2000 copies
of o ir first rt^pnrt, which will soon he r<?a ly for delivery grath ; and several
continsuncies may occur, for which moo'-y may he wanted, hcfore the alien
♦question is finally set at rest. We lil not wish to urge a new suhscription at a*
earlier perio I, hecaiise we were aware, that, in proportion to their means, the
pe »pii! "^v »uld com ■ forw ir I an I relieve ns fro n the lehts \v- have assiuned on
thwir hehalf : ani we coul i do no less than pay Mr. R's dishurseme its.

We respectfully re | nest, that, with as little delay as possihl •, you will tnke
the iiidosei suliscription list, an I use your hest person d endeavours to ohtaia
in yo IT neii^hhourlioo 1, such a sum as the people's means may eiialde them to
coitrihute, an 1 th it yon sm I sai I lists lille I up, to us hy an early mail, say w ilh-
in three or four weeks at firthest, addressed to " MR; .IKSSK KE'rCHL.M —
YOilK," enclosing at same time such a sum of money a-i you shall have
he,' I aide to collect towarils repayin;; us fur an aJvaiice made on behalf itf the
oounlry.

Phase to say liow ma ly copies of our first report will he wanted in your place,
and they shall he sent, free of charj^e.

We remain. Your ohe'Uent servants,
JESSE KETC:H -I. Chrv.mu j J')sni'li SIIEPIIERD,

' - ALEXANDER iitUi\Sli>L, | TllOjiA.S «TOYELi-. ^-

-*-.^ *";: -■-

- ' y.

■f*