The Express.
London, England, 1858-09-14 00:00:00

WORKING OF RESPONSIBLEGOVERNMENT

IN CANADA.

(1101 t OVI OWN

Imo.)

TORONTO, Avotst 30.

The events of the last month in Canada ought..... to
excite some interest in England, affecting as they do
the whole relations of the colony with the mother.
country. The Macdonald Ministry were defeated
on the "seat of government question" in the Assembly
by a majority of fourteen, and the next morning
sent in their resignations to the Governor-General.
This occurred on Thursday, Jaly 28. Mr. Brown,
the leader of the Upper Canada opposition, was at
once sent for, and received from his Excellency the
fullest assurances that he would be supported by
the head of the government in forming a Mi-
nistry. Mr. Brown asked time to consult his friends,
and called Mr. Dorion, the Lower Canada leader
of the opposition, into his counsels. Neither of these
gentlemen, and only one or two of their party, had
ever been in office before, and some time was neces-
sary to arrange the details of the new ministry ; but,
still further, the two leaders went to work deter.
mined to find some basis of policy upon the quo.
i tions which divide the two provinces, which, with.
out involving a sacrifice of principle on their part.
might serve as a compromise between the contend..
ing faction,. This took some time to accomplish,
1 and it was not till Saturday afternoon that Mr.
Brown informed his Excellency that he was ready
to accept office. In the meantime, the supporters of
the late goverment met, and resolved that they
would stand by their late leaders, and show the
now ministry no mercy. In these meetings it
was freely stated that the Governor-General was
personally opposed to the incoming ministry, that
he would grant neither a prorogation nor a dissolu-
tion, and that it the majority which supported Mso.
donald (except on the seat of government question)
only adhered to each other, the new ministry coda
not carry on. The attitude thus assumed by a ma-
lority of the House, and the difficulties which existed
Ito reference to the policy of the new government,
made the majority of people believe that it would
fail; and it is said that the Governor started with
surprise when he was informed that its arrange.
mente were nearly completed. Some doubts still
existed as to the final settlement of the offices is
Lower Canada, but it was known on Sunday
that the Government had been finally formed,
and that some of the most infitientiel
Lower Canadians, who had been politically
opposed to Mr. Brown and Mr. Dorion, had joined it,
and were likely to add considerable strength to the
combination. On Sunday night everything was
going smoothly, and it was supposed that the new
government would be able to overcome all its diffi-
culties, when the Governor-General's secretary de-
livered to Mr. Brown the following memorandum:
His Excellency the Governor-General wishes Mr. Brown
to consider this memorandum, and to communicate it to the
gentlemen whose names he proposes to submit to his Excel-
lency as members of the new government.
The Governor-General gives no pledge or promiar, express
or implied, with reference to dissolving parliament. When
advice Is tendered to his Excellency on this subject, he eM
make up his mind according to the circumstances then exist.
ing, and the reasons then Lid before him.
The Governor-General has no objection to prorogue the
parliament without the members of the new administration
taking their sesta In the present session. But, if he does so,
it ought, his Excellency thinks, to be on an express under-
'tattling that parliament shall meet again as soon as possible
—pay in November or December. Until the new ministers
meet parliament, his Excellency has no aseurance that they
possess the confidence of the majority of the house.
The business transacted in the interval ought, in hisopi-
nion, to be confined to matters necessary for the ordinary
administrution of the government of the province.
If parliament is prorogued, hie Exoellency would think It
very desirable that the bill for the registration of voters, and
that containing the prohibition of fraudulent assignments
end gifts by traders, should be proceeded with and biome
law—subject, of court*, to such moitlicatiens as the wisdom
of either house may suggest. Beddesthis, airy item of sup-
ply absolutely necessary should be provided for by a voted
credit, and the money for repairs of the canals, which cannot
be postponed, should be voted.
His Excellency can hardly prorogue until these necessary
steps are taken. If parliament merely adjourns, until sus
the re-election of the members of the government, the arm
Is different, and the rerponsibility is on the house itself. •
prorogation is the act of Ma Excellency, and in this porti•
outer caae such act would be performed without the ablest/
ministers. who had already received the confidence of mike
ment. Ws Excellency's own opinion would be in favour d
proroguing, If the conditions above specified can be talks!,
and if Mr. Brown and his colleagues see so objection.
(Signed) Enwene HILLD.
Government House, Toronto, July 31, 1858.
If the Queen had forwarded such a missive to Lord
Derby immediately after the formation of his
government, and before it had been sworn in, I
imagine that it would be considered a stretch of
authority beyond what the prerogative justifies, end
I assure you that in Canada it is not thought lese
improper on the part of the Governor-General. His
Excellency took it upon himself' to prescribe what
measures should be passed during tho session and
what should bo laid aside, when parliament should
meet, and when it should be prorogued. He declined
to say whether he would grant a dissolution before
be was asked, and in fact arranged everything just
as it he were responsible to the people, and not a
mere nominee of Downing-street. The new ministry
at once saw that they were about to come
into antagonism with the Governor, and earnestly
considered what they should do. To abandon the
field to their opponents would be to declare their
inability to carry on the affairs of the country, and
that they would not do. lf, indeed, the Governor
had positively refused to grant a dissolution, they
might have done so, for they were ready to admit
that in the present House it would be difficalt to
obtain a majority without the power of dissolution
in their hand's; but Sir Edmund Head was too cun-
ning for that. It will be observed that he declined
either to promise or refuse until the question arose.
They resolved to adopt what they considered the
strictly oonatitutional course, one which would place
them rightly before their constituents nod the
country.
Mr. Brown addressed the following letter to his
Excellency :
Mr. Brown hes the honour to acknowledge receipt of his
Excellency the Governor-General's note of lest sight. with
scoompanying memorandum. Before receiving hitiEnctl7..
kncy's note Mr. Brown had successfully fulfilled the gar
matured to him by the Governer•General, and ell to yr
pared, at the appointed hour this morning, to Adana hil 1s
Excellency's approval the names of the gentlemen what se
proposes to be associated with hinvellAn the maw
meet. Mr. Brown respectfully submits that, until till/
mourned the functions of oonsUtettiocal advisers of the
he and his proposed colleagues will not be in • position to
. cuss the important maaaurea and questions of public POW
?tittered to in his Excellency's memorandum.
'f he Governor-General accepted the rebuke, sad
the ministry was sworn in on Monday morning. Oa
the afternoon of that day, when the house met, the
formation of the new government was annonoced.
The house was requested to go on with the loonies
until after the elections, and the writs were IlleVell
for. The first writ was that for Montreal, and tbs.
opposition then took the extraordinary course St
moving an amendment granting the issue, bet es-
pressing their want of confidenps in the new govern:
meat. The opposition had made a full mustet s!
their forces, while the government, not expecting sus
a step, were weak in numbers, and ten minister
were absent from the house. The oonsequenes wee
the amendment to the writ was carried by 10'07 Ina
majority. Previous to the honor meeting, the minienel
asked his Excellency fora prorogation, and it IT
positively refused. On the following morning tie
council met and formally demanded a diasolutica 6
the Assembly. It was refused, and the government
resigned. Mr. Gilt, a gentleman without a #lO.
follower in the House of Assembly, and of co MI?:
mice in the country, waseent tor, but declined tie'
attempt the task of forming a government, aid i
Cartier, the French leader of the Macdonald into
was called in. The result was the re-inetatemeat ,
the old set, with the Exception of Messrs. Cayley Ins
Loranger, whose planes were supplied by Maio!.
Galt and Sherwood. When this was across.sk!az
Messrs. Brown and Dorion and their supportell,lr
that the resignation:, the calling in of themseln
and the refusal of a dissolution, wore all part!ll.
plot to secure to the Macdonald-Cartier cosh? II
new lease •of office, and the greatest in
_,....
nation was displayed in the house t 7
Conduct of the Governor-General. Worse, bow