The sun., 1907-08-25

awe of the British Government, appeared
10 be drawing nearer and nearer to the
British malcontents.
IEI.
Naturally enough, the Quebec act. tend
ing to ALLEVIATE Canada from England, made
the American colonies tenfold more snx-
ious to win her. Prof Smith does not
overlook the fact that it has been de-
MED that any good grounds for colonial
alarm could be found in the act. In the
complaint that Papists had been favored
the Prime Minister. Lord North. would
see only moonshine. IL ia certain that in
the debates Of Parlia ment on the bill little
was said about concealed sinister designs
against the Thirteen Colonies and this little
provoked no attention on the administra-
ton benches. It. has. moreover. been
urged that had the Ministers desired to aim
a law against the troublesome people south
Of Canada they would have been as open
about it as they were when they passed
the Boston Port bill at the same session.
Our author submits however, that the idea
OF humoring Roman Catholics in Canada,
so that they might be ready for use against
Protestant colonists to the south, Rit really
existed in the mind Of Lord North, was
one that he must have felt strong wish to
hide from the British public at that stage
This would have been true, even though he
believed that the British people would per-
init such an instrument Of coercion TO be
drawn. should the colonies actually rebel
and blood really flow. That the Boston
Port bill would enrage America signifed
Ia tn ord Ia. I.ae II
Papists to cut the throats OF British Prot
estants was liable TO madden England
unless the fighting blood Of Englishmen
should have become thoroughly afiame.
The Opposition speakers for their part
had no time for deep reflection on the pos
sibilites OF the Quebec bill. which was
pushed with all possible speed. through
both houses. that already we're thoroughly
tired out by a long and exciting session.
1t is true that Col Barre pointed the finger
OF deep suspicion at it, and drove Lord
North to admit that il would allow French
Canadians to serve in British army against
the American colonists; that Edmund
Burke denounced IL as -mischevous BILL
and Lord Chatham Numbered against it,
Under it,. he predicted Canada would be
used some day to quell British Americans.
From the concerted and persistent refusal
OF the supporters OF the Government to
reply 10 such suspicion and prophecy Prof
Smith is disposed to believe that there was
an understanding on the part OF the North
Administration to -le low and soy nothing
as to the possible uses OF their project.
The value ot the Northern Province az q
check on the Thirteen Colonies had been
RI FNAtntAd NJ nv
American and even English observers, aud
can hardly fail to have been appreciated
by Lord North
Az our author points out. however. 10 |
is Of paramount importance to consider
not what Lord North's Government secretly
intended but what the American colonists
believed to be the purpose Of the Quebec
act. The keen eye Of Alexander Hamilton,
young al he was. pierced the purpose
through and through, and his ringing voice
warned the colonies that the great peril
was near at hand the inevitable effect
Of the privileges assured TO Catholics by
the Quebec act would be to I'LL with Papists
the region between the Great Lakes and
the Ohio. so that these colonies in time
will find themselves encompassed with
hosts Of neigh bors, disatfected
toward them because Of difference both
In religion. and In government John
Adams. writing under the signature OF
-Novanglus.' charged that "the Port
bill. Charter bill. Murder bill and Quebec
bill. making altogether such a frightful
system as would have terrified any people
who did not prefer liberty to life. were all
at once.' Joseph Reed writing
to Lord Dartmouth in September, i774,
told him that -the spirit Of the American
people gradually rose. when il might have
been expected TO decline. till the Quebec |
bill added fuel to the fire." Richard Henry
Les warned Samuel Adams in February,
1875. OF the intention OF the British Ministry
TO -employ a military force. chiefly from J
Canada. II necessary"
Many believed that Popery would soon
be forced upon the Thirteen Colonies. The !
town OF Stamford in Connecticut denounced
the Quebec act as -an attempt not barely TO
destroy our civil liberties but an open dec
aration that our religious privileges which
our fathers plolged their native country
10 enjoy were very soon to he abolished |
Official bodies weightier than Stamford |
town meetings took the matter up. In |
Septeml or. I77t. Cumberland county, Mass.
recommended that preparations for de- |
fence be made. -as the very extraordinary |
and alarming act for establishing the |
Roman Catholic religion and French laws |
IN Canada might introduce the French or !
Indians into our frontier towns In i,g '