North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-01-09
Original.
HISTORY or LOWER CANADA.
(ceNTINunp.)

CONTINUED
The suffering and degrading state to
which the Province had Seen subjected
fof long series Of years together with the
proposition Of The government to settle the
financial question, were matters If too
t'ch importance to be debated otherwise
thau by fu,l House. Consequently
cs ef the House for the S.h of March,
vas decided upon. Mr.. Nelson's propos-
Iuans on the state oisthc Pruvinee, en-
hjaced several important topics, amongst
cthars il alluded to the defective state 81
education in the country, oecas0ned
by th. government which vet kept the
jcspits' Estates from TIRE people & which
a'h not fu6liIs promise made IN 1901, Of
giving public lands ~ encourage the diiiu-
sion 81 irarnjag among the Canadian peo-
Pc i alluded also IL the abusive end
uncQual distribution Of the public ands
and to the power Of the Imperial PaTla-
mcn, to Iegislaie On the commercial mat
'rfs Of the Colony, which had proved in
May occasions 10 be 'raught with great
rs7dyagiages to the prosperity Of the
e'aHiry. ispoke OF The right that the
people oughtto have 10 settle themselves
fAtir municipal affairs ard said n word a.
tant The uncertainty and confession on pro-
ysftv matter, created bv the Introduction
ri d,.Ic5ehi codes Of law, ana which had
been increased hy the Imperial Fegisa ion
since there existed Colonial LeFiSla-
t1fr. After having spoken of the imrro-
uiely 81 the Judges meddliag with pole
iias, it went on to speak al the unequal
distribution of lucrative offices at the dis
,uisai Of the local Executive, which Offices
we're the prices OF bribery and partlz-
aaship. II laid at the door Of those indi-
viduas holding these Offices, tho cause ei
nllihe difficulties then existing between
The Imperial government and the Colony,
and charged them with neglect and mat
tcntion in the discharge Of their respec,
tive duties According to Mr.. Nelson''
propositions the responsibility and aecoun-
liability Of the public officers were not sulfi
cicni they had by their Bankruptcy al.
ready inflicted irreparahle injury, both up
m individuals end the Province IN general
it also represented that the evil arising
from this state oil things, had been reader
ed worse by the eaactng Of Imperial laws
without the consent Of the Colony, rem
dsriag certain temporary taxes permanent
and to be paid to those irresponsible Off
Gers over whom the House could have M
salulary confront |, represented more
over that the choice of those members To
compose the Legislative Council was near
ly trusted to men opposed to the true IN
terests Of the country, 10 public fune,iona
ries holding commission under the crows
during pleasure, from which they derived
enormous salaries, And lastly II reprssen
ted tha, the report Of ,he COMMITTEE ei lh'
House Of Commons had hot beeu fellowe'
aaa adhered to, and that the country sui
rsred Immensely from such state
things.
Whilst Mr.. Nelson 10 his proposition
which be laid before the Heuse, was de
pietinx the tree state Of the affairs o! IN
Province, the comnitlee Of the public &C
counts came forward and represented 4
the Assembly that, inssmneh as the Col
osisl Minister in England had not yet fol
filed towards Lower Canada the most i'm
porlnnt reeoHmeBdstisss Of thu eomniiis
o. the House Of Commons appointed u