The Wilmingtonian., 1824-01-22
EXAMINATION OF
DOCTOR MARRIOTT.

from which we copy the following account o' epe
singular and diyerting behaviour of DR.. Marriott,
the Advocate General of George iii. who was
examined before the British Parliament concern
ling the religion and laws of Qnebec and tound
means from his incompatible wit and subillty, to
defeat the purposes for which he was brought
o the bar, on the Sd of June 17741
| Mr. MAcKwonrH MY. Chairman, ] desire TO
know OF the gentleman at the bar, what wouta
be the best establishment oflaws for the province
lof Quebec, in his opinion.
| DR. MARnlor.-lt is difficult to -ay upon any
subject, in this world, what is best for any maj,
or set of men in speculation that which succeeds
best in public and private life is best and there
ilfore cannot tell what will be best tor the Cana
|dians
| @. Does lie think that the Canadians would
chuse the system Of English law or the frencht
i A. do not know single Canadian. never
Twas in Canada.
/ O. Does the gentleman think that the COM
rImerce of this country, and the province, @ouio
l|be hurt by revival Of the French laws IN Cases
,|of property
i A. cannot tell. -
! q. Does he know any thing Of the state OF ga.
J |nada
a. What know is from such papers as have
been laid before me, by order of the King in coun-
,lcil, and by information from other persons.
Il CART. PHIpps. @. desire to ask if he under'
Stands the French law?
A, find it very difficult to understand any law.
O. Does he know the power OF the frehcn
king, under the constitution OF the French la@sf
A. do not well understand the constitution OF
France never was in France. 1t Is very nara
thing for foreigner to obtain an adequate idea
of the constitution of another country Inc con-
d stitution of ones own requires great deai OF
'close application and study wish understood
vit better; and that many other people wouia
!. .Istudy it more, and understand 1t DETER uiao
oltear they do. -
al @. Does he understand the consttutioh VI i'e'
! landl
Il Mr.. DEMpsrRn. @. Does he think it :xPed..
a ent to give the province OF Quebec any part OF
. 1.-The French Constitution
A. The question is upon the word expea'enf.
"A O. l mean, will it be wise and prudentf
/. A By the words expedent, wise and prudent,
nII understand the question to mean, whether "
a will be politically wise and prudent, ExPedleh'
oIcy is ministerial language. 1T word OF state
J|State expedcncy--It means that high policy, that
lgreat arcanum, the sublime of government ex-
y nItended almost beyond the reach OF human WIS.,
e e|dom. Few men can pry into TINS sort of KNOW
elledge Few can comprehend it. am sure l 10
e not.
u @. The gentleman. by the nature OF his oflice'
\ and preatly informed as he is from his connec-
"A lions with government, and his own reading' .nuss
know much concerning the actual state OF me
ls province of Quebec !: desire he viii answer What
sort of Government he would give 70 ,G
: lection of ali knowledge. human and divine. IL IS
:. not the work of days. of months, OF years. but OF
. - apes For me to answer that gentlemau's ques-
: ton: What sort of government would give 10
o. =. the province" must be the valnest OF men.
n'g @. From such papers and Informa.'ons as nave
% been laid before the gentleman for ms considera-
,tion. desire to know in general what IS his
Idea of civil establishment tor the province ~
question; the properest to be given 1t by the le
IN gislature of this country!
~ ~ A. It depends upon most extensive know.
rI ledge, infinite indeed of the relations OF men and
n things, times and circumstances; the positions OF
:, both countries; the manners and genius OF the
the wants of the province; the views OF
sdthe mother country the conduct of the neighoor-
. ling colonies; the state ofthe nation, Wis vs or
:. respecting them and the designs of the rest OF
IN nIEurope. These relations change every moment:
ID this vast political prospect is forever doubtful
,,and floating it contains too many objects for my
AZ ~ short vision and poor comprehension. My an
10 swer therefore to the question what is the pro-
establishment for the province in question,
10 be given by the legislature OF this country is,
j. cannot tell.
10 Ba. WILLIAM BunKE.-rhere is an absurdity
q in this answer. The gentleman spoke OF an nti-
e. mite knowledge OF men and things tunes and CIR
I'd cumstances, and yet says, he cannot tell.
,e HousE.-Read the minutes.
se TThe Clerk read the Minutes, as Mr.. burKe
lylhad represented themJ :.
~ DR. MAnRIoT. They we're not my words.-it
,d|depends upon most extensive knowiedge. &c
yeithat is, the question depends. The words 1 ae-
,nl peuds,' were left out. (Repeats as above
iii A MsMnEa.-A clear mistake in Mr. burke' an
.v|Ir;cism; il was blunder Of his own making.
~ @ would ask the gentleman at the bar, II ne
h.s ever read any thing of the laws of France
believe he has great deal
a.. have read little of the French law.
n.| O Does he understand it.!
nfI Not the stile of it, nor its forms very we'll.
nJ % What does he me.n by the ste OF It!
!. A. There is in every civsed country, in which
:. 1 svstcm of civil laws is established, language
atlas there are in every art and science words and
,g phrases peculiar to them, only understood by the
to persons who practise those arts and Sciences
d,lcorrect myself-not always understood perfect
SLY even by them. for they frequently dispute
d about the force and meaning. The law therefore
e. calls these arts crafts and mysteries The french
ovlhaye serious word fur the stile OF law ihey
call it yARooS. We u.arously use Il 'AhsoN. IL
Isl is cant word.