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
been confined by government, "only looking to its security and the
public tranquillity," and that when Mr. Bedard expressed a sense of
that error, of which he was ignorant, he would be immediately enlarged.
Mr. Bedard replied courteously, but declined admitting any error, which
he had not made, or of confessing to any crime of which he was not
guilty. The Governor had heard of the resolutions of the House, and
expected the presentation of the address embodying them, when he
received an application from the elder Papineau, one of the committee,
requesting a private conference on the subject of the resolutions. That
conference only drew from His Excellency the remark that:--"No
consideration, Sir, shall induce me to consent to the liberation of Mr.
Bedard, at the instance of the House of Assembly, either as a matter of
right, or as a favor, nor will I now consent to his being enlarged on
any terms during the sitting of the present session, and I will not
hesitate to inform you of the motives by which I have been induced to
come to this resolution. I know that the general language of the
members, has encouraged the idea which universally prevails, that the
House of Assembly will release Mr. Bedard; an idea so firmly
established that there is not a doubt entertained upon it in the
province. The time is therefore come, when I feel that the security as
well as the dignity of the King's government, imperiously require that
the people should be made to understand the true limits of the rights
of the respective parts of the government, and that it is not that of
the House of Assembly to rule the country." And Mr. Bedard, sensible of
having done no wrong, remained in gaol until the Parliament was
prorogued, as an example to the people that there was no public opinion
worth heeding, in the province, and that the power of the Governor was
something superior to that of the Assembly. The Assembly went to work
after having made the fruitless attempt to liberate Mr. Bedard, and
passed as many bills as were required. The "gaols" bill was temporarily
continued: the repairs of the Castle of St. Lewis having cost L14,980,
instead of L7,000, as contemplated, the additional outlay was voted;
L50,000 were voted towards the erection of suitable parliament
buildings. The Alien Act and that for the Preservation of the
Government were continued, together with the Militia Act, to March
1813; the bill to disqualify judges from being elected to the Assembly
passed both Houses, and to these the Governor assented, proroguing the
Parliament afterwards with great pleasure. Communication with Europe
had been difficult during the winter, on account of the impediments
thrown in the way of American commerce. The Princess Charlotte had
died, and the sovereign himself had become alarmingly indisposed. A new
Act of non-intercourse had been passed in the American Congress. He had
seen among the Acts passed, and to which he had just declared His
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account