"Without going so far as to accuse the Assembly of a deliberate design to check the settlement and improvement of Lower Canada, it cannot be denied that they looked with considerable jealousy and dislike on the increase and prosperity of what they regarded as a foreign and hostile race; they looked on the Province as the patrimony of their own race; they viewed it not as a country to be settled, but as one already settled; and instead of legislating in the American spirit, and first providing for the future population of the Province, their primary care was, in the spirit of legislation which prevails in the Old World, to guard the interests and feelings of the present race of inhabitants to whom they considered the new-comers as subordinate. They refused to increase the burdens of the country by imposing taxes to meet the expenditure required for improvement, and they also refused to direct to that object any of the funds previously devoted to other purposes. The improvement of the harbour at Montreal was suspended from a political antipathy to a leading English merchant who had been the most active of the Commissioners, and by whom it had been conducted with the most admirable success. It is but just to say that some of the works which the Assembly authorized and encouraged were undertaken on a scale of due moderation and satisfactorily perfected and brought into operation. Others, especially the great communications which I have mentioned above, the Assembly showed a great reluctance to promote or even permit.

"The treasonable attempt of the French party to carry its political objects into effect by an appeal to arms brought these hostile races into general and armed collision. I will not dwell on the melancholy scenes exhibited in the progress of the contest, or the fierce passions which held an unchecked sway during the insurrection or immediately after its suppression. It is not difficult to conceive how greatly the evils, which I have described as previously existing have been aggravated by the war; how terror and revenge nourished in each portion of the population a bitter and irreconcilable hatred to each other, and to the institutions of the country. The French population who had for some time exercised a great and increasing power through the medium of the House of Assembly, found their hopes unexpectedly prostrated in the dust. The physical force which they had vaunted was called into

action and proved to be utterly inefficient. The hopes of recovering their previous ascendency under a constitution, similar to that suspended, almost ceased to exist. Removed from all actual share in the government of their country, they brood in sullen silence over the memory of their fallen countrymen, of their burnt villages, of their ruined property, of their extinguished ascendency and their humbled nationality. To the Government and the English they ascribe these wrongs and nourish against both an indiscriminating and eternal animosity."

Had he remained in Canada for a longer period he no doubt would have modified his opinion with regard to the French race. But his Report was to be of great value, and the difficulties he pointed out, sometimes with exaggeration, helped Lord Sydenham and Lord Elgin and others to steer clear of the rocks and shoals.

His work in Canada practically ended his public career. On July 26, 1839, he made his last speech in defence of his Canadian policy. In the following year, at the age of forty-eight, on July 28, death ended a career which, despite its many failures, had in it still much of promise.

17

CHAPTER XIX.

LORD SYDENHAM.

The Early Career of Poulett Thomson-Begins Business Life in St. Petersburg-Physical Collapse and a lengthy Visit to the Health Resorts of Europe-A Fine Linguist-In an English Counting-House-Further Residence in Russia-One of the Keenest-Sighted and Most Polished Young Men of his Time-A Friend of Mr. Huskisson's-Becomes a Candidate for the Borough of Dover-His Business Friends Opposed to this Step-A Power in the House of Commons-His Attitude Towards Free Trade-Appointed Vice-President of the Board of Trade-An Able Parliamentarian and Diplomat-Takes an Interest in the Canadian Situation Created by the Rebellion of 1837-Given a Choice between the Chancellorship of the Exchequer and the Government of Canada-Goes to Canada as Governor-General-Confident of Being Able to Grapple with the Critical Situation in British North America-Finds the People Friendly towards Him-A Strong Antipathy towards him among the Tories of Upper Canada-Working for the Union- His Triumphant Words with Regard to his Success-Deals with the Clergy Reserves Question -Stands Aloof from both Political Parties-The Union Proclaimed-Suffers from IllHealth-Meets with a Fatal Accident-His Death.

M

R. CHARLES EDWARD POULETT THOMSON was to follow in the wake of Lord Durham to endeavor to settle the difficulties that the noble and eccentric Lord had failed to settle, or, to be more just, had been prevented from settling by the interference of the Home government with his actions in British North America. Poulett Thomson, as he is known to Canadian historians, was the son of an English merchant. He was born at Waverley September 13, 1799. His life, therefore, began with the last century. He received his education not in any of the large public schools but at a small private school. His father's business was an extensive one and had an important branch at St. Petersburg. Young Thomson was early taken from school and sent to that wealthy and fashionable city to begin a business career. While in St. Petersburg, on this his first visit, although a lad of only sixteen, he continued to improve his mind and to mingle freely with the society life of the city. However, after two years' residence his health broke down and he was obliged to return to his native land. He made but a brief sojourn in England and then visited

the continent where he spent nearly a year in the pleasure and health resorts of Italy, Switzerland and France. The rest and change of climate completely restored him to health and he returned to London to begin once more & mercantile life.

Although he had been taken from school at the early age of sixteen he had an excellent equipment for the battle of life. He had been ever a close reader and during his residence in Russia, Germany, Italy and France had set himself assiduously to the study of the languages of these countries and spoke them with great fluency. He felt that he was fitted for something higher than a counting-house and, anxious to put his fine linguistic powers to use, sought employment on some foreign embassy. However, this was not to be and he remained in London at his desk for several years. His business abilities were recognized in the house and he was given a partnership, and was once more sent to St. Petersburg. He spent nearly two years in the land of the Czar and while there journeyed much through the country, visiting the principal points of trade, and, in his observations in the journal which he kept, showed a fine knowledge of men and affairs. He left Russia in 1824 and before returning to London spent some months in Vienna and Paris. His application to business, his study of books, his contact with society, his visits to the great centres of art and learning all went to the shaping of his character, and when he returned to London in 1824 after the death of his mother, he was recognized as one of the keenest-sighted and most polished of the young men of his time.

In the year 1825, he was carried away by mining speculations that were taking place in America, and, like many another Englishman then and since, lost heavily through his over-confidence in the promoters of schemes in the New World. However, his losses do not seem to have effected him much, and that same year he became interested in the great questions that Mr. Huskisson and other Reformers were bringing to the front. His study of and interest in these questions brought him into contact with such men as Mr. Mill, Mr. Hume, Mr. Warburton and Mr. Bentham. These men did not a little to form his mind on economic and social questions. They and other Liberals were attracted by his wisdom, his brilliancy as a speaker and his

extensive knowledge of the great trade questions of his time. He was asked by them to become a candidate for the borough of Dover; and having a genuine enthusiasm for reform, decided to stand for the House of Commons. This step was not approved of by the firm of Thomson & Sons, who had little sympathy with the agitation of the Liberals. His father and eldest brother endeavored to persuade him to give up his intention of standing for Dover. It was, they maintained, contrary to the interests of their business. They even went so far as to threaten a dissolution of partnership, but Poulett Thomson heeded not their prayers or threats, but went on with the contest and won after a hard fight. It is interesting to note, in this age when political corruption is so much talked about, that the expenses of this election came to no less than £3,000.

He soon became a very active member of the House, and voted and spoke on many of the measures that were introduced by his Reform fellow members. When questions regarding England's foreign trade came up he spoke with power and knowledge, and through his wide experience on the continent and in business, was able to throw many lights on the questions that held the attention of the House. Mr. Huskisson admiringly said of him after one of his speeches that "he showed an extraordinary degree of acuteness and knowledge in respect to the commerce and navigation of the country." He was a consistent Reformer, and spoke in favor of vote by ballot, changing of the navigation laws, greater civil and religious liberty for his countrymen, and introduced a bill for the repeal of the usury laws. He was a tower of strength to Mr. Huskisson, who was beginning his battle for free trade. A speech delivered by him in the early stages of this struggle was one of the ablest ever heard in the House of Commons on the question. In the course of this speech he said: "I am no rash theorist,—I am not desirous of carrying a favorite principle into operation at the expense of existing interests; but I maintain that your only course is ■ gradual, a progressive, but a steady approach to a free system; and I maintain, without fear of contradiction, that the very essence of manufacturing and commercial industry, is freedom from legislative interference and legislative protection. Attempt to assist its course by protective enactments, by