The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08
CANADIAN CORR ESPONDENCE.

TORONTO, April %, 1851.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
That the people of Canada formerly had griev-
ances Of which to complain, few persons, who are
acquainted with its history, and are disposed to
act in spirit Of candor, will deny; and that
there existed dominant party in this and the
neighboring Provinces, sufficiently influential at
the Colonial Office in England to prevent the re-
--'i'~---,'~s---y a. --..aAs NJ nnmplaint will
| oligarchy ruled the country, "-s axol,a.a
all Offices of power, honor, and emolument, large
proportion, probably four-ffths of the national
population Of Lower Canada.
1t was this state of things which produced the
revolt Of the honest Canadians of Lower Canada,
in ls37-'3s, In which they were followed by q
dsaffected portion of the people Of Upper Cana
ds, who were permitted, owing to the supineness
| of Sir Francis b. Head, the then Lieutenant Gov
ernor, to organize themselves within short dis
tanoe of Toronto, and to march upon the city,
with certainty Of success which their hating
when within four or Ave miles Of this place, and
the accidental death of their most efficient leader,
owing to a fall from his horse, alone prevented.
These ill-concocted rebelions, however, were
quashed by the promptitude with which an ade-
quate military force was despatched from Eng
land and, since that period, the British Govern.
ment have been actively employed In removing
all reasonable grounds Of complaint, by the sur
render Of the rights of the Grown to the migrant
ed lands In the colony to the Provincial Legisa.
ture, they paying the civil list which was former
ly betrayed by England-the consolidation Of the
Imperial with the Provincial duties, snd the equi
table division Of the clergy reserves among the
various Protestant ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Roman
Catholics being provided for by an act passed In
the early part Of the reign Of George III, pre-
vious TO the division of Canada into two Prov
inces and, finally, by giving to the North Amer
lean colonies what is termed responsible Govern
ment, by which the advisers Of the Governor no
longer form compact body impcrvions to public
opinion, and utterly regardless Of popular senti-
hsnt and the family compact was scattered 10 the
winds
1t would seem, therefore, that nothing remained
for the inhabitants of this valuable sppendage OF
the British Empire but sedulously 10 set about
improving its vast national advantages and avail
inc themselves Of It's resources and burying for
ever their petty feuds and jealouses to join, heart
In hand, In the laudable endeavor to promote the
prosperity Of their common country
But, unfortunately, religious animosity-in this
Province particularly-was combined with po-
litical differences the clergy reserves, which 1t
Was supposed, at the time the act or Parliament
passed had been finally disposed Of still remained
as bone Of contention and the Tory party, with
a conviction that, should the popular voice pre-
vail In the administration Of the Government
their days would be numbered, having hrst siren
uously opposed the introduction OF responsible
Government, have, since Its establishment, OBJ
structed Its operation by every means In their
power, and directed against 1t an infatuated and
determined opposition.
The result Of these unnatural and unhappy d.
visions has been 10 give TO the Franco-C Canadians
In the Assembly counteracting influence, which
every Government must propitiats, to enable 1t TO
carry out it's measures and retain Its power; and
the effect Of this state Of things 10 most disastrous
upon the Legislature and to the advancement and
permanent welfare Of the Province
To this circumstance Is refersble the absurd
arrangement that was made, subsequent to the
burning Of the Parliament House at Montreal,
which followed the passage Of the act for the psy-
msnt Of Losses sustained during the rebellion In
Lower Canals, which were caused by the wanton
destruction Of private property, by which the In.
nocent suffered with the guilty, to whom thu
royal clsmsncy WAS subsequently, extended.
BY this arrangement 1t was understood that th'
seat of Government, during every alternate foul
years, should be ct Quebec end Toronto th
former, 10 Is wsll-known, being strongly fOrti
asd place In Lower Canada, and the other u
open town, near the head Of Lake Ontario, whicl
was held for time By the Americans during th'
last war
J This shifting and changing Of the seat Of Gov