Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-10-16
No, 1873

'"'f-' "ahIlNl5tTillBH u JuslCc III any pDiltlLhL
case.
To encourage and stimulate in my arduous task.
had great mad worthy objects in view. My aim was
IN elevate the Province Lower Canada 10 thoroughly
British character. 10 hnS rs people the sovereignty
of Britain, by making them all paftcpators in those
high privileges, conducive al 10 freedom and or
der, which have long been the plory Of Englshmen [
hoped TO confer united people, more extensive
enjoyment OF free and responsible government, and
merge the petty jeaousies OF small community, and
the odious animosities et orgin IN the higher feelings
OF nobler and more comprehensive nationality.
To give effect To these purposes, it was necessary
that nay powers of government should be strong
they were extensive-,hat | should be known have
the means OF aciiHg well Judging for myself with
perpetual control by distant authorities 1t
we'll indeed, if such were the ordinary tenure OF gov
eminent in colonies and that your local administration
should always enjoy much of the confidence OF those
with whom rests the ultimate decision Of your affairs
that might rely being allowed carry its
pelicy 10 complexion and being supported in giving
effect TO its promises and It's commands But in the
sent posture OF your affairs necessary that the
most unusual confidence should accompany the delega
ton OF most unusual authority and that, in addition
to such great legal powers the Government here should
possess all the moral force that could be derived from
the that It's would be final and its engage
mens rcigiousy observed. 1t is not by stiHed pow
dubious authority. that the present danger
be averted the found alton laid OF better order OF
things.
had reason to believe that armed with all the
power which I thought requisite, by the commissions
and instructions under the royal sign manual with which
| was charged Governor Genera al and High Commits
sioner-by the authority vested in me and my Council,
by the act of the Imperial Leeslature-and by the
general appreciation ct my appointment which all par
ties were pleased 10 also trusted that should
enjoy throughout the Of my adminstr alton all
the strength which the cordial and s,eadast support Of
the authorities at home alone give TO their distant
officers and that PARTY feeling would refrain from
molesting whilst occupied in maintaining the ineg
rity of the British Empire.
In these Just expectations have been painfully dis
| appointed From the very CONNIE ncement of my task
the mlnutest details ct Administration been
exposed to nces.aat criticism in spirit which has
evinced entire ignorance Of the of this country
and the only mode in which the supremacy of the British
Crown here be upheld and exercised Those who
have in the British Legislature, systematically depre-
cia,ed my powers, and the Ministers of the Crown by
their ac acquiescence theren have produced the eff
feet OF making clear that my authority is made
quate for the emergency which called it into existence
Al length an act Of my government, the first and
snportant which was brought under the notice of the
authorizes AT home, has been snnuled and the entire
policy, of which that a small though essential
part has thus been defeated.
The disposal Of the political prisoners was from tho
first, matter foreign 10 my mission With a view
the more easy attainment of the great objects conlem
plated that question ought have been settled before
nay arrival But as il essential to my plans for the
future tranquility and improvement Of he Colony that
should commence by alsyny actual irritation, had in
the hrs rlace TO determine the fate Of those who
under prosecution, aud to provide for the present
security Of the Province by removing the danger
disurbers ots peace. For these ends the ordinary
tribunals, trial has clearly shown. afforded
! me no means. Judicial proceedings would only have
| agated the public mind fresh = would have put
ia evidence the sympathy Of a large portion Of the
people with rebellion ald would have given to the
disafeced generally fresh assurance of impunity for
political guilt An acqattal in the face Of the clesrest
evidence, which iusti6ed in having anticipated A
inevitable would have the leaders % the insurrec
ton at liberty absolved from crime and exalted in the
eyes Of their deluded counymen as the innocent VIC
tins 81 an unjust imprisonment and vhdictive charge
looked on these rs mischiefs which was bouEd n
avert The axarri.a nF he
70 me- could not without trial AID conviction, take
any measures Of purely penal characters but thought
myself sshed 10 availing myself Of an acknowledge
ment OF guilt and adopting measures Of precsution
against a small Humber Of the most culpable or most
dangerous Of the accused.
Whether better mode OF acting could have been
devised Tor the emergency. is now immaera This is
the owe that has been adoEtedhe discussion which ID
ut hrst excited has passed away, and those who were
most inclined condemn It's leniency had scsu
esccd in, or submitted TO IT, The good effects which
must necessarily have resulted from any settlement Of
this difficult question had begun show themselyes-
OF these the principal were the general orprov, Of my
policy by the people Of the United States and the con-
sequen cessation Of American sympathy with any NJ
tempt 90 disturb the Canadas THIS result has been
most gratifying tome nasnuch has gone far
complete restoration OF that good will between You and
a great aud kindred nation which have taken every
means in my power TO cultivate. and which earnestly
enreat you TO cherish as essential your peace and
prosperity.
Its also very satisfactory to me 70 find tia, The rec
utude Of my policy has hardly been disputed at home
and that the dissowance of the Ordinance proceeds
from doubts Of It's substantial merits but from the
importance which has been attached supposed tech
nical error in the assumption Of power which ifI had
il not, ought TO have had
The particular defect in the Ordinance which has beea
made the ground Oft dissowsnce, wa, occasioned
not by my misaking the extent Of my powers but by
my reliance the readiness Of Parliament supply
their asJhcicucy ia Of need For the purpose OF
relieving the prisoners from all APP rehepsons of being
treated ordinary cosvcts and the loyal inhabitants
OF the province from the dread of their immediate re-
turn words inserted in the Ordinanc respecting
the disposal Of them " Bermuda which we're known
be Imperative was perfectly aware that my powers
exteaded t. landing the prisoners the shores Of Ber
iRuda but no further. knew that they could not be
forclbly detained ia that island without the operation
Of The Imperial Legislature That cooperation | had
right ~ expect, because tho vas pursuing
was pointed out ~ numerous Acts ~ The Imperial and
Provincial Legislatures shall have occasion here
AFTER most fully prove. also dd believe that,
had not the precedence Fl these Acts o Parliament
Government aud Legislature anxisus tor the peace,
OF this unhappy country and ~ TIE integrity OF the Bril-
tish empire would MOI sa,hce 70 petty ,eChniealty
The vast benefits wh.sh ny entire policy promised and
had nlready In 4 Great measure secured. | trusted
they would tsse ca that great and benehcent pur.
pose should sot he frustrated by any error eror there
was which they could rectfy, tn vast Of any power
whish they could supply finally that if they found the
Ordinance cooperative they would give il eaect-ifil.
legal tbsftkey would make il law
Tbis snail aid has been extended 10 me even Cor
his great object and the usefulness Of my delegated
poser expires with the loss ef that support from the su