The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1Roger, Charles
History
The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1
Roger, Charles
Canada -- History
wanted to tax the lands of the country people, that the House would
only consent to tax wine, and that for such perverseness he had
dissolved the Assembly. Inhabitants of St. Denis! the Governor General
never had the most distant idea of taxing the people at all. The
assertion was directly false. When the House offered to pay the civil
list, he could not move without the King's instructions. But in despair
of producing instances from what he had done, the traitorous had spoken
of that which he intended to do. It was boldly said that Sir James
Craig intended to oppress the Canadians. Base and daring fabricators of
falsehood! on what part of his life did they found such assertions?
What did the inhabitants of St. Denis know of him or of his intentions?
Let Canadians inquire concerning him of the heads of their church. The
heads of the church were men of knowledge, honor, and learning, who had
had opportunities of knowing him, and they ought to be looked to for
advice and information. The leaders of faction and the demagogues of a
party associated not with him, and could not know him. Why should he be
an oppressor? Was it to serve the King, the whole tenor of whose life
had been honorable and virtuous? Was it for himself that he should
practice oppression? For what should he be an oppressor? Ambition could
not prompt him, with a life ebbing slowly to a close, under the
pressure of a disease acquired in the service of his country. He only
looked forward to pass the remaining period of his life in the comfort
of retirement, among his friends. He remained in Canada simply in
obedience to the commands of his King. What power could he desire? For
what wealth would he be an oppressor? Those who knew him, knew that he
had never regarded wealth, and then, he could not enjoy it. He cared
not for the value of the country laid at his feet. He would prefer to
power and wealth a single instance of having contributed to the
happiness and prosperity of the people whom he had been sent to govern.
He warned all to be on their guard against the artful suggestions of
wicked and designing men. He begged that all would use their best
endeavours to prevent the evil effects of incendiary and traitorous
doings. And he strictly charged and commanded all magistrates, captains
of militia, peace officers, and others, of His Majesty's good subjects
to bring to punishment such as circulated false news, tending, in any
manner, to inflame the public mind and to disturb the public peace and
tranquillity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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