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ADDRESS

THE HAMILTON BRANCH

OF THE

BRITISH AMERICAN LEAGUE,

WITH THt

BY-LAWS,

FOR THE GUIDANCE OF THE ASSOCIATION.

HAMILTON :

PRINTED AT THE SPECTATOR OFFICE.

1849.

•=0 O ^N^ \ A

t::-^

JUN20 1935
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

PRESIDENT :

JOHN YOUNG.

VICE-PRESIDENTS :

J. O. HATT;
KICHARD JUSON ;
-/E. S. lOJNNED Y ; and
Dr. MACKELCAN.

treasurer :
THOMAS RAMSAY.

COR. SECRETARY :

ROBERT R. SMHxEY.

EEC. SECRETARY :

A. LOGIE.

ADDRESS.

When a number of men associate together for any parti-
cular purpose, and hold out invitations to their fellow-
subjects to join their ranks, an explanation of the objects
for which they have united is naturally expected.

Every man, unbiassed by prejudice, who looks calmly
upon the condition of the Colony, and reflects on events
as they pass before him, must admit that a state of de-
pression, uncertainty, and well-founded dissatisfaction, ex-
ists throughout the land. Possessing a country of almost
boundless extent — a climate of acknowledged salubrity —
a soil, the fertility of which is not surpassed — a people
intelligent, enterprising, and industrious, and having the
means of attaining competence and happiness within the
reach of all — we are evidently making but little progress.
The blessings which Providence has, with a bounteous
hand, scattered around us, are passed by unregarded.
Wrangling and turmoil h^ve taken the place of peace and
contentment. Men are contending earnestly for a shadow,
whilst the substance is permitted to escape unnoticed.
Our fathers cleared the forests, and laid the foundation of
goodly cities : their sons, instead of imitating so noble an
example, and striving manfully, shoulder to shoulder, to
develope the incalcidable resources of the favored land
which they inherit, are struggling but to reach and hold
the reins of power ; or, still more deplorable, are engaged
in perpetuating a warfare of races.

The transcript of the British Constitution which has
been bestowed upon us, has either been perverted from its
original purpose, or is unsuited for a Colony so pecidiarly
situated as ours. The Legislative Union of the Provinces
has but engendered discord and disunion among the peo-
ple. The nicely balanced Estates of the Realm, which

Tfvrm flip Vinnaf nf PTT^n^Tr Hw+rtn ««/-» I»i 4-l>I<-. T>«^-.^w,-„ «4.

present, entirely unknown. The Legislative Council hfw
been rendered subservient to, and is but an echo of the
House of Ai .emhlj ; and the Eepresentative of Her Ma-
jesty is held, by his advisers, to be responsible solely to
the people whom he governs, without any deference being
paid to the power by which he is appointed.

Instead of becoming an united, prosperous Province —
British in fact as well as in name — we are liampered and
entirely controlled by a Race cherishing prejudices,wliich,
for centuries, have descended from father to son, and
which threaten, in our day, to lead to the most serious
and. deplorable consequences. Apart from their bitter
prejudices and silly dreams of Nationality, entertained
despite the rapid influx of a British population, the lead-
ers of the people who inhabit the Eastern section of the
Province, have systematically opposed all improvement
andprogi-ess, whether social or political ;— and, instead of
passmglaws and adopting customs calculated to render
the Pro\dnce essentially British, and thus afford the fullest
liberty and happiness to their credulous and ill-informed
countrymen, these leaders have perpetuated a crude Feu-
dal system, which has proved too onerous even for the
country from which they boast their origin.

To comprehend the vast power which the French pop-
ulation exercise over the affairs of the Province, we have
but to reflect upon the cordial unanimity with which they
act upon every question that arises, whilst the British in-
habitants, following^ the example of all really free govern-
ments, are di^^ded into parties entertaining quite distinct
and opposite opinions upon important public questions.
The union of the French, with even the weakest of these
parties, is almost certain to give them a preponderance
sufficient to control the administration ; and as those who
possess the power are naturally enabled to dictate their
terms of support, we find one section of the Province
made subservient to the other, and laws forced upon Up-
per Canada, despite the remonstrances and opposition of
her representatives, which are not extended to, and would
not be tolerated in. Lower Canada. By this means public
opinion is disregarded, nnd can scarcely be br

Council hfw
cho of the
•f Her Ma-
e solely to
rence being

Province —
ipered and
lices, which,
son, and
ost serious
beir bitter
entertained
I, the lead-
ion of the
provement
instead of
to render
. the fullest
U'informed
crude Feu-
en for the

rench pop-
3, we have
v^hich they
British in-
•ee govern-
ite distinct

questions.
3t of these
)onderance

those who
3tate their

Province

upon Up-
)ositior. of
rnd would
ans public

bear upon those who control the affairs of the country.
The legislation of the Session just closed shows, fniiher,
that the French are determined on adding, if possible, to
the great influence which they already possess. Their
Representation scheme, which was barely defeated, pro-
vided for an increase of French over British constituencies
in Lower Canada of fully one-third; and the Election
Bill, which is now the law of the land, exteiids the fran-
chise to French settlers possessing merely bonds for deeds,
or contracts for the purchase of lands which they occupy ;
whilst in Upper Canada, the same class of settlers are de-
prived of all privileges, and even Freoholdei-s must have
held their titles a longer period than the law previously
pro\dded. So glaring a case of injustice and partiality
is quite sufficient to show the real designs of our French
rulers, and the impossibility of reconciling them to a con-
stitutional mode of procedure.

Turning from the political and social to the commercial
condition of the Colony, we are equally unable to express
satisfaction, or reconcile ourselves to the existing order
of things. Financial embarrassments, and every difficulty
calculated to retard the advancement of the Province,
stare us in the face, with but little apparent prospect of
improvement. The various expedients attempted in order
to lessen our troubles, have proved worse than useless.
They have but added to the load which we were unable

to move.

^i.^-

The advantages which we formerly possessed in the
markets of the Mother Country have been taken from us,
and we have been unable to obtain anything in return. The
balance of trade is largely against us. We cannot exchange
our productions for those of other countries,^ except under
great disadvantages, and we are unable to dispose of them
at aught approaching a remunerating price at home. Our
manufactures are depressed ; our imports greatly exceed
our exports ; our mechanics are, at their own doors, barely
able to compete with foreigners, whilst they are studiously
excluded from a market ;ibroad ; and evei - branch of in-
dustry is struggling against the unparalleled depression
Tvhich exists througnont the land.

lo acid to the discontent whicli sucli a state of affairs w
calculated to create, the expenses of Government are ex-
cessive, and constantly increasing ; whilst measures aro
passed into law which are totally unsuited to this vountr
and comparatively poor country. A mass of uncalled for
and ill-digested legislation finds its way annually into our
statutes ; and one act is not thoroughly tested ere another,
entirely novel and establishing directly opposite princi-
ples, is forced mto operation, for an equally brief and
uncertain existence. i j ^

It is for the purpose of taking these matters, and others
winch It IS at present unnecessary to enumerate, into con-
sideration, that the British American League, with which
we have associated ourselves, has been formed

The onginators of the Association do not presume to
express an opinion, or decide upon the remedy which may
be applied. The;^ lay the subject open to their fellow
countrymen, and mvite their co-operation in adopting the
most feasible mode of bringing about a more healthy state
ot attairs A Convention, to be composed of Deleirates
from each branch, according to numbei-s, to meet at some
central place, will afford a favorable opportunity for deli-
beration; and for deciding upon the course which, under
the circumstances, should be pursued. The maintenance,

''^!r^.i!'^""''"''''c5^''^^'' ^^ -"- connexion of this Colony
with the Parent State, and the recommendation of such
measur^is ns are calculated to strengthen and unite us toi?e-
ther, andm^e us m every respect an integral portion of
the mighty Empire of which we form a part, will be the
hrst and most important duty of those who now address you.
Inviting the attention of the inhabitants of the Western
Country to the Circular of the Presiding Officers in Mon-
treal which has been extensivly publislied, we solicit the

countenance and co-operation ofall who desire to take a
part in the present movement.

JOHN YOUNG, Presidfxt.
ROBERT R. SMILEY, Cob. Secretarf.
A. LOGIE, Recording Secretary.

v.-

BY-LAWS

e of affuirs w
luent are ex-
neasures are
) this young
uncalled for
ally into our
ere another,
osite princi-
y brief and

S and others
tte, into con-
with which
I.

presume to
' which may
their fellow
dopting the
ealthy state
f Delegates
leet at some
ity for deli-
hich, under
maintenance,
this Colony
on of such
lite us toge-

portion of
will be the
-ddress you,
tie Western
rs in Mon-
3 solicit the

to take a

SECRETARY.
'ARY.

THE IIAJVIILTON BKiVNCH

THE BRITISH AMERICAN LEAGUE.

I. — ^The name of this Association shall be, provisionally,
The Hamilton Branou of the British Ameiucan
League.
II. — ^The object of the League shall be — the maintenanoQ
and promotion, by all Constitutional means, of the
general interests of the Province.
III. — Any person signing the Register, and paying an An-
nual Subscription of mt more than 58., or less than
Is. 3d., shall bo a of the League.

IV, — ^Tho League shall " he first Wednesday of

each Month, in st, -id at such hour c^ the

Executive Commi from time to time

appoint,
v.— The Annual Meeting of the i^eague, for the Election
of Officers, anxl the transaction of other business,
shall be held on the first Wednesday of August.
VI. — Special Meetings of the League shall be held when-
ever summoned by the President ; and he shall be
bound to issue such Summons on the written appli-
cation of any twenty or more Membei's, stating the
special business in question.
VII.— Every Member, on payhicj Msi Siibscriptimi^ shall
be furnished with a Ticket of Membership ; and no
person, who has not received such Ticket, shall be
admitted to any of the Meetings of the League.
VIII. — ^The Officers of the League shall be elected annually
hy ballot^ or otherwise ; and shall consist of — a Pre-
sident, four Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding
Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer.
IX. — ^I'hese Oflicei's, together with nine other Members to
be chosen at the same time, shall constitute the
Executive Committee of the League.
X. — ^The President shall preside at the Meetings of the
League, or of the Executive Committee, ancl pre-
serve order therein. In either case, he shall only
be entitled to a casting vote.

XL— The Vice-PreHidentf^, in the order of seniority, shall
IMjrtbrm all the duties of the President during tlif
Jibsence oi* illness of that Officer.

JXII. — The Corresjwnding Secretary shall, under the super-
intendence of the Executive Committee, conduct
the correspondence of the League, of which ha
shall keep a record.

XIIL- The Recording Secretary shall keep an .accurate
record of the transactions of the League, and of the
Executive Committee.

Xiy. — The Treasurer shall receive and take chai-ge of
the Funds of the League ; he shall pay all draft*!
drawn on him by the President, and countersigned
by the Recording Secretary, and none other ; and
shall keep a regular account of the financial con-
cerns of the League.

XV. — The Executive Committee shall have full power to
superintend the correspondence of the League ; to
appropi-iate its funds; and generally to conduct the
affairs thereof, in accordance ^vith these Rules.

XVL — ^The Executive Committee shall meet weekly, on
such evening and under such regulations as thoy
may from time to time subscribe ; and shall also
meet at other times when specially summoned by
the President. At all Meetings of the Executive
Committee, seven shall form a quorum.

XVIL— -On the occurrence of any vacancy in the Execu-
tive Committee, the same shall be filled at the next
Monthly Meeting of the League, by the election of
a Member to serve until the next Annual Election.

XVIIL — The President and Vice-Presidents of the Town-
ship Brmiches of the I^eague, within the bounds of
the Gore District, shall be considered Honorary
Members of the Hamilton Branch, and eligible to
attend its Monthly Meetings.

XIX. — ^No alteration shall be made in these Rules, unless
at a general Meeting of the League, after notice of
the intended motion at the general Meeting imme-
diately preceding.

ilority, shall
■> during tlu'

er the super-
tee, conauct
t* which \w

ail .icciirate
\ and of the

3 chai'ge of
y all drafts
nntersigried
other ; and
lancial con-
ill power to
League ; to
conauct the
Rules.

weekly, on
jns as thoy
I. shall also
nmoned by
3 Executive

the Execu-
at the next
election of
al Election.

the Town-
! bounds of

Honorary
eligible to

ules, unless
T notice of ^
ting imme-