In the autumn of 1837, we find him tendering his services to the Government as a volunteer, to aid in the putting down of the rebellion. It appears that he had previously been one of the signatories to a memorial presented to the Earl of Gosford, the Governor-General, pointing out the advisability of adopting some efficient means of defence against the treasonable operations of Mr. Papineau and his adherents. He was enrolled as a Captain in the Quebec Light Infantry on the 27th of November, and did duty with his company during the ensuing winter in keeping night-guard on the citadel. This is the only noteworthy public incident connected with his residence in Quebec. In 1840 he returned to Montreal, and entered into partnership in a wholesale mercantile business with Mr. Harrison Stephens, under the style of Stephens, Young & Co. The business was largely devoted to the Western trade, and Mr. Young thus had his attention prominently directed to the subject of inland navigation. His observations on this and kindred subjects were destined, as will presently be seen, to have important results. His interest, however, was not confined to economic questions. He watched the progress of events with a keen eye, and soon began to be recognized by the citizens of Montreal as an enterprising and public-spirited man. He first came conspicuously before the public of Montreal towards the close of the year 1841. The birth of the Prince of Wales on the 9th of November had given rise to a gushing loyalty on the part of the inhabitants, and a large sum of money was raised to commemorate the event by a costly banquet. Mr. Young's loyalty was undoubted, but his patriotism took a practical and philanthropical shape. At a largely attended public meeting he opposed the expenditure of a large sum in providing a feast which would leave no beneficial traces behind it. He advocated the application of the fund to the purchase of a tract of three hundred acres of land in the neighbourhood of the city, and to the erection thereon of an asylum for the poor. His motion to this effect was carried by a considerable majority, but it was subsequently rescinded, and the money was spent as had first been proposed. It may be mentioned in this connection that when the Prince of Wales visited Montreal nearly nineteen years afterwards, Mr. Young was Chairman of the Reception Committee.