The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-14 00:00:00

went for both, and to mite the people within them, in an
common feeling of attachment to British institutions and.
British connexions, the anion is decreed by her Majesty's
government ; and that treasure alone, if based on just prin-
ciples, appears adequate ‘o the occasion.
Those principles in the opinion of her Majesty's advisers
are, a just regard to the claims of either province, in adjust-
ing the terms of the unim, the maintenance of the three es-
tates of the provincial legiSlature, the settlement of a perma-
nent civil list, for securirg the independence of the judges—
and to the executive government, that freedom of action
which is necessary for the public good • and the establish-
ment of a system of hoes! government, adapted to the wants
of the people.
It was with great satisfaction that her Majesty's Govern-
ment learnt that upon the question of the union itself the
House of Assembly had pronounced their decided judgment
daring the last session ; and it only remains for the Gover-
nor-general noa• to wrife- their assent to the terms upon
which it is sought to be effected.
That decision was orcle7ed, accompanied with recommenda-
tions, to which the Go;crnment could not agree—bat the.
Governor-general entertains no doubt, that under the altered
circumstances they will no more be revived. It will be for
the Imperial Parliament, guided by their intimate knowledge
of constitutional law, and free from the bias of local feelings
and interests to arrange the details of the measure.
The first of the terms of re-union to which the governor-
general desires the assent of the House of Assembly is the
equal representation of each province in the united legisla-
•ture. Considering the amount of the population of Lower
Canada, this propoSition might seem to place that province
in a less favourable position than Upper Canada. But under
the circumstances in which this province was placed, with the
increasing population to be expected from emigration, and
having regard to the commercial and agricultural enterprise
of its inhabitants, an equal apportionment of representation
appears desirable. • —

• 4,
Lhe second stipulation to be made is the grant of a suffi-
cient civil list. The propriety of rendering the judicial bench
independent alike of the executive and of the legislature, and
of furnishing the means of carrying on the indispensable ser-
vices of the government, admits of no question, and has been
affirmed by the parliament of Upper Canada, in the acts
passed by them for effecting those objects. In determining
the amount of the civil list, the. House of Assembly may be
assured that the salaries and expenses to be paid from it will
be calculated from her Majesty's government, with a strict
regard to economy, and the state of thesprovincial finances.
Thirdly, the governor-general is prepared to recommend
to parliament .that as much of the existing debt of Upper
Canada as has been contracted for public works of a general
nature, should, after the union, be charged on the joint reve-
nue of the united province. Adverting to-the nature of the
works, for which this debt.was contractetL and the advantage
which must result from them to Lower Canada, it is not un-
just that that province should bear a proportion of their ex-
pense.
On these principles-the governor-general is of opinion that
a re-union of the two provinces may be effected, equitable
itict satisfactory in its terms, and beneficial in its results to
all classes. He submits them to the consideration of the
House of Assemblv, in the full conviction of their impor-
tance, and in the hope that they will receive the assent of
the house: Fortified by the expression of their opinion, her
Majesty's government and parliament will be able at once to
apply themselves to the full development of the scheme, and
to the consideration of. the provisions by which it may be
carried into effect with the greatest advantage to the people
of both provinces.
If, in the course of their proceedings, the House of As-
sembly should desire any information which it is in the power
of the governor-general to afford, they will find him ready
and anxious to communicate with them frankly and fully,
and to aid, by all means in his power, that settlement on
which he firmly believes that the future prosperity and ad-
vancement of these colonies mainly depend.