North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-08-26
Original.
HISTORY or LOWER CANADA.
(coSrINuED.1

(coSTINUED.)
Let Us now return 20 the frs, meeting of
the Provincial Parliament which took place
at Quebec, 18th Dec. 1874. All the mem
bers elected were in attendance. They were
sworn in according to the 29lh section Of
the Constitutional act by the Hon. Pierre
Pauet, Joachim Williams and james
Monk who had been appointed for that
purpose by the Lieutenant Governor. AZ
ter this ceremony they were summoned 10
the Legislative Council W hen HIS Excel
leucy Alured Clark Esq. babe them to cleo;
smong themselves Speaker, whose nom
nation was to be submitted to him for his
spprobation on the 20th OF the same month
The members having returned to their
seats, motion of adjournment to the next
day was carried, when at ten O'Clock of that
day the House having re-assembled, Mr.
Duniere the member for Hertford seconded
by Mr.. p 4. De Bonnie the member for
luth, Hipscu tHht y. N. dHcts tUc
member for the Upper Town of @ uebec be
nominated Speaker of the House. Great
objections were Immediately raised against
the elevation of that gentleman 10 the
Speakershp. Mr.. Panet was wholly I'M
acquainted with the English language and
consequently could not express himself in
that idom, nor could he read the excellent
suthors on the British Constitution and to
which he would be obliged to have recourse,
10 more than one case, TO settle questions
left TO his decision as the head and organ
oIthst body. We are ready to acknowledge
that no worthier or more talented man
could be found within the Province than
M Panet, yet as the Legislative proceed
Ings were 10 be recorded in both the
French and English languages, il seems 10
Us that the first Parliament Of Lower
canada would have shown more wisdom
10 naming Speaker conversant with both
languages. Several motions in amend
meat having been brought forward, offer
ing some other candidates for this aIl-im-
poF'ant station, the original motion, was
haaly carried by majority OF 10 votes ;
. lor Mr.. Panet's election and IS a.
gslnsiit.
On the appointed day, the House me,
according 10 the Governors command and
BENG summoned to the Legislative Coun-
81, Mr.. Panel, the elected speaker, address
e tue Governor in the French language
aaa gave His Excellency translated copy
CIT The choice Of the Assembly was
soaarmed by the Governor, who delivered
"speech in the English language tran
ashon Of which was read by the Hon.
T. Pane, in the French language. There
V" nothing remarkable in this speech OF
'as Governor, and the fact is, it did not
''ea recommend any useful measures and
'" h''ed up with sonorous expressions
gratitude towards the King OF Great
a' VINO, IN his pateTnal care and anx-
w ior his beloved subjects of Lower Can
= had granted them perfect model OF
70 glorious Constitution Of their mother
~aa'fy, for which the Provincial Parlia-
!" was expected to thank His Majesty.
va was the import of the Governors
Peeea. The same day a message was
'es'Ted BY the House from the Governor
s'alng them to determine the Quorum Of
d" body.
M. Walker then moved that the
r'SSa Of His Exeelleney should be taken
- Zoe consideration of the House on the
"s'y' This motion having been grant