Canadiana, containing sketches of Upper Canada and the crisis in its political affairs [microform]

1837·14.8 MB·English

by  Wells, W. B. (William Benjamin), 1809-1881

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//
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CANADIANA:
CONTAINING
SKETCHES OF UPPER CANADA,
I
AND THE
CRISIS IN ITS POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
IN TWO PARTS.
'
" All thatbearthisarevillains, • • • *
NottorouseupatthegreatcallofNalurP,
Andcheck thegrowthofthesedomesticspoilers,
Thatmakeusslaves,andtell us,'tisour Charter."
Otwat.
BY
•I
W. B. WELLS,
BARRISTER-AT-LAW, AND ME»fBER OF THE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT.
^1
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,
BY C. AND W. REYNELL, LITTLE PULTENEY STREET."
1837.
LONDON:
PRINTID BY C. AN1> W. RKYNELl.,
LITTLE rULTKN-EV STREET.
'
PREFACE.
Circumstances over which the writer had no control have
induced the present publication. He crossed the Atlantic with
the intention, although not for the express purpose, of com-
municating to the Colonial Secretary all the information in his
power concerning the present troubles in the Canadas. Two
gentlemen of the highest intelligence and popularity had pre-
ceded him, who were, in a manner, the agents from the Liberals
of the Upper Province. They were refused an audience by my
Lord Glenelg, and great was tnewriter's surprise, on his arrival,
in finding that they had already left England in disgust. The
boasted right of petitioning was denied them, and the object of
their journey failed. A verbal communication with men of
^i
intelligence, coming 4,000 miles as the agents of a numerous 7i '
class of his Majesty's subjects, could at least do no injury to
those interested in good government. It would naturally be
supposed that they would be heard more as a matter of right,
than of condescension on the part of the Colonial Secretary.
Unwilling to encounter so harsh a repulse, but still anxious to
be of service in the important crisis which even the Ministerial-
ists are forced to acknowledge, the only resource left was an
appeal to the public through the medium of the press, however
unfit the writer found himself for such an undertaking.
Although the affairs of Canada have undergone much discus-
sion, the subject can never be exhausted while their grievances
remain unredressed. The zealous friends of those Colonies, in
London, have done all in their power towards an amelioration of
their institutions; but without success. Engaged in an arduous
struggle at home, with interests at stake far beyond comparison
:i
with those of a new country, yet it is a theme of grateful
acknowledgment that they have looked beyond the general
question, to one of minor, but no less interesting, character.
When the vacillating conduct of the "Whig Government is now
undergoing a genertd scrutiny, any collateral evidence from the
Colonies, Drought forward in corroboration of their inefficiency,
may have an influence for the good ofall.
7
Independent ofthevast extent and richness ofterritoryknown
I'ls the Canudas, and the usefulness of their trade; laying aside
the sympathy naturally feltforapeoplestrugglingfortheirrights,
thousands of whom are emigrants from this land of their birth
and early affections, the nation have a direct interest in investi-
gating the result of Colonial policy. In these days ofretrench-
ment, they have a right to ask, of what use has been the
Colonial Official Establishment? And whether it is kept up at
great expense, with all its train of under secretaries, counsel,
clerks, &c., merely to multiply the machinery of government,
andextend the conveniencesofpatronage? Orwhetherthe Colo-
nial Minister is to receive a high salary from the public revenue,
for the sole purpose of appearing a worthy successor of Lord
Hillsborough;* pocketing the emoluments, and acting as a mute
conformer to Ministerialmovementsinthe UpperHouse? While
other diseased parts are undergoing proper treatment, the esta-
blishment in Downing street, affording so snug a lodgment
for sinecurists and idlers, may demand an examination. Public
opinion, well directed here, might save numerous items in the
expenditure, while in the mean time the neglected Canadians
would derive very great advantage from the investigation.
Since the present Secretary accepted the seals, he has done
worse than nothing, by displaying the most determined hostility
to what were once called Whig principles there. When the
Reform Bill became a law, it was hailed in i different hemis-
phere with quite as much rejoicing as by its fnends here. They
expected immediate good results to themselves, as being a
portion of the empire. The Earl of Ripon, Lord Stanley, and
Mr Spring Rice, never did any good, out .nucli mischief, by
their superintendence in the Colonial Department. This was
all passed over with patience, in expectation of better days,
when the new system of things came more fully into operation.
To them succeeded Lord Glenelg, and under his management
• This office was first createdin the reign of Queen Anne, expressly for
the managementoftheaffairsofScotlandduring therebellion in that country.
At the peaceit was discontinued, until again revived atthe commencement
of the troubles in America, and Lord Hillsborough was made the Secretary.
Under his direction the thirteen Colonies were lost. He is accused by
"Junius" of displaying "neitherabilities norgood sense;'* that "his treat-
ment of the Colonies,added to his refusal to present apetitionfrom oneof
them (a directbreach ofthedeclarationofrigilts), willnaturally throw them
into aflame. I protest, Sir, I am astonished at theinfatuation which seems
to have directed his whole conduct." Should Lord Glenelg, a Scotchman,
whose countrymen firstgaveoccasion for the situation he now holds, be the
means of discovering its uselcssness after still greater sacrifices, the whole
train of circumstances will be surprising. The similarity of hischaracterto
that of Lord Hillsborough must appear strikmg.
X
——
;
never were their liberties so boldly invaded. To compare his
ritoryknown sway with that of the professed Tory, Sir George Murray,
laying aside would be an insult to the latter gentleman. Information as to
r theirrights, the interests of the Canadians, emanating from the highest
)f tiieir birth sources, has lately almost overflooded the Colonial Office, which
st in investi- was not conveyed to Sir George Murray; and yet the Admi-
i ofretrench- nistration of the Tory may well stand comparison with that of
as been the the miscalled Whig. The former at least did one good act.
is kept up at He soundly admonisher. Sir P. Maitland, and removed him, for
ies, counsel, his unjustifiable conduct, to make way for Sir .1. Colbornc
government, while the latter removed Sir J. Colbornc, who began to show
herthe Colo- signs ofyielding to the popular cause, and sent, in his stead. Sir
blic revenue, Francis Bond Head, who has become too notorious in several
ssor of Lord different capacities to require observation on his character at
i)g as a mute jiresent. The Major-General was succeeded by the Major \n\ /
•use? While the waggon train, by which the Canadian aversion to military/ ^f^^;;;^--
iU, the esta- co»i/;iaw(i was increased instead of diminished. Still more were?'** ^'^^L-
a lodgment they mortified by the much greater falling off in the civil than^^'T^^
ion. Public in the military respectability. His late conduct has led to com-
items in the plaints much louder than the wretched pauper is enabled to
i Canadians raise. That these complaints are well founded is attempted
ition. herein to be shown. Should it not clearly appear thatthecause
le has done of Reform has been made to retrograde, instead of advance,
led hostility under Whigmanagement, thefaultmustbein the humble writer,
When
the and not in the conduct of my Lord Glenelg, and hisprolese Sir
rent hemis- F. B. Head.
lere. They The hopes held out by the Reform Bill—the anxieties and
as being a Matchingsfor a prosperous change, which all were led to expect,
Stanley, and have met with disappointment and insult. Were nothing more
nischief, by done, they at least fancied a Governor would be sent, whowould
This was
preserve the dignity of his station, and outwardly appear an
)etter days, honest representation of Majesty. They had no reason to
laonpaegraetmieonnt, eoxrptehcattic'fbuhbibslpea-rbtlyo,wewrou;ldornoonteownlhyo,gotobesyuoitndhistheowrenaliptyu,rpobsuet ^i
expressly for i>eyond what the conventioiis of society forbid to be termed
that country. innocent fiction.
>nimencenient The parturient throes in the vicinity of Downing street must
heacSceucrseetdarbyy. have been j;rievous in the extreme, in inflicting on the Colonists
t "his treat- a bantling of so ethereal a character. At one moment dancing
i from oneof attendance in the counting-house of his speculating employers,
' throw them receiving his instructions for a descent upon South America
which seems the next in full flight across the Atlantic—across the Pampas
Scotchman,
lolds, be the down in the bowels —of the Republican Cordilleras, thirsting for
s, the whole unfingered—t;easures next he is found a lounger and scribbler
characterto at Nassau again, heis lost in the rural parishes in Kent, an