The Population of Lower Canada is computed at about One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Souls, nine-tenths of whom reside in the Parishes before described, distinct from the Towns, and from these are drawn the Canadian Militia, which amount to 37,904 between the ages of 16 and 60. In the Parishes here alluded to, there are 292 Captains of Militia, who are chosen from amongst the most respectable of the Canadian Habitants (the Etat Majors amounting to 16, being in general chosen from among the Seigneurs); and here it is necessary to inform Your Grace how far under the dominion of France the Body of the People were regulated in all Public Matters by the Officers of Militia; the Captains of Militia and the Curés, being the persons employed to issue and enforce the Public ordinances, and through the authority thus delegated to them by Government, possessed considerable influence in their respective Parishes.

Although under His Majesty's Government these powers have in a great measure been withdrawn, especially since the establishment of the new Constitution, there still remains in the minds of the Canadians, a certain consequence attached to the character of Captain of Militia, and as I have before observed to Your Grace it is still customary on all public occasions to employ this useful Class of People to perform many services for Government, which they had hitherto done without other Reward than merely that arising in their own minds from the honour and respectability of the appointment; but this tho' sufficient to render it desirable is, as they feel, by no means an equal return for the considerable Portion of their time so employed. If then by means of an honorary and pecuniary reward, or by any plan that may be so approved of by the Executive Council, this class of the Canadians would be brought to consider themselves as the immediate Officers of the Crown, and peculiarly attached to the Interest of Government, there is no doubt that such an influence, from the circumstance of being equally diffused over the whole Province would effectually tend to keep alive among the great Body of the people, that spirit of Zeal and Loyalty for Monarchical Government which I believe to be natural to the Canadians, but which for want of an immediate class to whom they can look up, and from

their having no immediate connexion with the Executive Power, is in danger of becoming extinct.

That Loyalty is a lively principle in the hearts of the Canadians I have no doubt, if I may judge from the expressions of satisfaction which are shewn by all Ranks, whenever the Representative of His Majesty only passes through the Country; this I myself experienced (though at that time generally unknown) in the Tour I lately made through the Province.

There are several other means besides those I have already stated by which I am convinced a proper bias may be maintained in the minds of the Canadians, such as, I should hope, would secure the Province against any internal Commotion or Disaffection, the details of which I shall reserve until I shall receive Your Grace's sanction to trouble you further on this head, particularly as in order to give Your Grace a complete idea of this subject and the extent of my plan, it will be necessary to solicit your attention while I lay before you a sketch of the relative Expences of the Civil Department of Lower Canada, and the Military expenditures of the Canadas, by which it will appear how little proportion exists in the expences of those Departments, and what a considerable saving may hereafter accrue to Government, if according to the Plan proposed, and by a more liberal allotment to the Civil Expenditure, such an Influence could be attained over the minds of the Canadians as might in the course of time not only secure the Province from any Interior Commotion or disaffection but likewise ensure the co-operation of the Inhabitants in the defence of the Province against the attempts of a foreign Enemy without the aid of such a Considerable Military Establishment as the Mother - Country has hitherto maintained in this part of His Majesty's Dominions.

The deficiency of the Revenue, upon the average of the last five years of the Civil Expenditure, amounts, as will appear in the paper I have the honour to transmit, to £12,000 per annum, and the Military expence of the two Canadas, according to the best Information I can collect to about £260,000, this Expence would, in case of any Tumult or Insurrection in the Country, or of a war with the neighbouring States, most probably be double its present amount, and this Consideration alone

DEFECTS OF THE ASSEMBLY

119

shows, how infinitely important it is to the MotherCountry, that Your Grace should be made acquainted, while there is yet time, with every means by which the Influence of the Crown may be increased and the hands of the Executive Power strengthened.

But there is another Consideration of perhaps greater importance than any above mentioned: Could such an Influence be obtained throughout the Province by means of the Priests and the Captains of Militia, as I have ventured to look forward to, that Influence when fully established might also be employed so as at all Times to ensure a Majority in favour of the Government in the House of Assembly, and to secure the election in that House of such men, as from their Education and knowledge of Business are most likely to see the real Interests of the Province in their true light, and not to be deluded by the fallacious arguments of any popular speaker from giving their entire support to the Executive Government. The defect of such an Influence over the Elections lessens the respectability of that Assembly in a very great degree, and particularly as from the absolute want which. has so long existed of the means of Education and the inability of the Canadians to support the Expence that would attend sending their sons to the Mother-Country for that purpose, there are at present scarcely any rising men, and but few men of Talent among the Canadian Gentry.

From this and other Causes the Business of the House of Assembly is transacted with so little system, or regularity, that the oldest members are sometimes unable to form a judgment of what is likely to be the Result of their deliberations on the most common subjects.

While a due Preponderance on the side of Government is so manifestly wanting in the Assembly, it is considered by the well-wishers of Government as a fortunate circumstance that the Revenue is not equal to the Expenditure, and Your Grace will immediately see the necessity on this account of preserving, in appearance at least, that disposition in a greater or less degree, as there is reason to apprehend that in case the Province could be induced to tax itself in a degree equal to the calls of the Executive Government, the Right of Regulation and Control over the whole would probably be aspired to by the

Assembly, which could not fail of producing the most injurious consequences to the Colonial Government, rendering it from that moment dependent on the will of a popular Assembly.

The burthen which is at present thrown upon the Mother-Country will be fully Compensated for, whenever the sums that shall arise from the sale of the Waste Lands begin to come in, and particularly if (as appears by the despatch of the 13th July, 1797, to Gen. Prescott, to have been in contemplation) it should be determined to appropriate the moneys arising from these sales to the purchase of Stock in the English Funds, and the Interest of this Stock to go in aid of the Civil Expenditures of the Province, in such manner as the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury may direct.

The Quantity of Land which from first to last will have been at the disposal of Government is computed at about One hundred and fifty Townships, equal to Ten million of Acres, which have actually been applied for, including as is supposed the principal part of the Ungranted Lands in Lower Canada that are deemed convenient and fit for cultivation.

Of the above about Thirty-five Townships only are in contemplation to be granted in the original Terms proposed in the year 1792, consequently one hundred and fifteen Townships will remain for the future disposition of the Crown, exclusive of the Church and Crown reserves, consisting of five-sevenths set apart in the Townships already granted.

The Wealth, Power and Influence that must accrue to the Parent State when these Lands become settled is an object of self-evident magnitude, and must in time make a full return for whatever will be found necessary in the meanwhile to support and secure so valuable a colony.

I flatter myself there can be no doubt that the Liberality with which His Majesty has lately been pleased to provide the means of Education in the Province, will go a great way to secure the affection and Loyalty of the rising Generation, who would otherwise be in danger of imbibing Principles inimical to His

1 Experience after 1818, when the offer of the Assembly to provide for the civil expenses of the province was accepted, justified Milnes's apprehensions.

EDUCATION AND RELIGION

121

Majesty's mild and paternal Government, by the necessity which has hitherto existed of their being sent to the neighbouring states for Education.1

The respectable footing upon which the Protestant Church is about to be put in Quebec will likewise tend to increase Consideration which ought to prevail for the Established Church.2

When I began this Dispatch I did not foresee the length into which I have inevitably been drawn, but trust I shall stand excused in the opinion of Your Grace by the motives that have actuated me in this research, and I may truly say I have no other view than a full and conscientious discharge of all the duties that belong to the situation which His Majesty has been pleased to entrust to me.

I have the Honour to be, My Lord, Your Grace's most obedient and most humble servant, ROBT. S. MILNES.

1 A Bill for establishing free schools for the teaching of English, and for "the incorporation of the Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning was carried in the session of 1800-1801, but remained without effect, largely owing to the opposition of the Roman Catholic clergy. See Kingsford, op. cit., vii. 480-482.

2 In 1799 the Duke of Portland, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, had given a site for an Anglican cathedral, and a small annual grant. See Kingsford, op. cit., vii. 475-476.