North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-08-05
FOR EEGN.
UNION OF THE CANADAS.
House ofLords, soM June, 1910.

House ofLords, S0M June, 1910.
The following is a sketch of the debates
10 the House of Lords, on the second
reading OF the Bill for the Union Oh the
Canadas.
Lord Melbourne after presenting Pc
the citizens of Quebec, proposed the Sc
cond reading Of the bill, saying that this
measure was recommended by the present
Special Council Of Lower Canada, the
Legislature Of Upper Canada, by Lord
Durham, by Mr.. Thomson and by great
number Of the Inhabitants Of Canada He
dwelt upon the importance of the mea-
sure and the necessity Of finally checking
The spirit OF disatfection which had lately
manifested itself in the Canadas. Similar
complaints produced separation from its
ancient American colonies, an event which
would not have occurred, had the parties
been united at the seat of the Empire.
He trusted therefore that the measure
would be calmly and deliberately discussed
for the arrangement of the affairs OF Can
ada could not be delayed. The present
system of government adopted in 1888
must cease with the first opportunity The
ministry were accused Of hardness upon
this subject. Lord VI. afterwards explain
ed the principal clauses in the bill, and
he observed "that it is provided that the
affairs OF the Legislative Assembly be con-
Quoted in the English language" The
other clauses are the same as already pub
lished except the withdrawal Of the clause
relative TO the establishment of Counses
Of the District in the House Of Commons,
on the 18th June. After a discourse, in
which nothing new nor remarkable in point
of argument was ELECTED, he closed by re-
commencing this measure to favorable
notice.
The Duke of Wellington differed in
opinion with Lord Melbourne as to the
urgency OF the immediate settlement Of
the Canada question. He wanted time
and more correct information. He was
sure that the present bill would require
some further alterations in Committee.
He observed in this country an increasing
desire TO dispense with its colonies and
foster the growth Of Repnbicanism there.
The desire OF separation between Eng
land and her North American Colonies,
was expressed by very numerous party
among whom were many individuals for
whom he entertained the highest respect.
He entreated their Lordships TO consider
well the consequences resulting from the
OF the present bill. II Upper
Canada were in possession of a port of
entry on the ST. Lawrence, its prosperity
and union with this country would have
nothing to fear from Lower Canada. They
the forming of Legislature
of three or four nations, and OF
people of dozen different religious per-
suasions, including Roman Catholics ii !
was absolutely impossible to depend unon
such an assembly. IF their Lordships !
should go into committee on the bill, he |
would have several amendments TO propose !
among others, would be one, to assemble |
de MORO the Legislature of Upper Canada
for up TO the time Of the publication oil
Lord John Russel's despatch (ol 2Sd Oct. |
1892 but little was said Of the Union or |
Of Responsible government and in the
addresses sent from Upper Canada, they
called for a responsibility Of its local gov
eminent rather than the Union.
Count Gosford considered the bill as an /
unjust and most arbitrary measure. The |
debt Of the Upper Province created for lis
Jwn particular objects and benefits was
10 be saddled upon Lower Cana
la. That could not fail 10 produce discon- |
lent. Ii might be possible, that so univer- /
'al was the dissatisfaction with the present
Special Council Of Lower Canada thatan
Expression may have escaped them that
union wonld be preferable to the present
system; still the mass OF the population
was most decidedly opposed 10 The union. |
He thought that with a few alterations.
he government prescribed by the 81. Geo
III could be introduced with advantage. |
He concluded by saying that he should