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Report of the Quebec Constitutional Association: Difference between revisions
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Report of the Quebec Constitutional Association (view source)
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That at a meeting of the Executive Committee, held on the 10th December last, Messrs. Aylwin, Duval, Neilson, | That at a meeting of the Executive Committee, held on the 10th December last, Messrs. Aylwin, Duval, Neilson, Pemberton and Stuart were appointed a Sub-Committee on the said resolutions. | ||
On the 22nd December, a draft of a proposed Report was read at a meeting of the Executive Committee, and left on the table for the consideration of the members, but not reported till the 5th instant, at a meeting specially called to take the Report into consideration. The meeting, after receiving, reading and discussing the Report, adjourned to the following day, at 3 o'clock, P. M., and ordered all the members to be again notified of the adjournment. | On the 22nd December, a draft of a proposed Report was read at a meeting of the Executive Committee, and left on the table for the consideration of the members, but not reported till the 5th instant, at a meeting specially called to take the Report into consideration. The meeting, after receiving, reading and discussing the Report, adjourned to the following day, at 3 o'clock, P.M., and ordered all the members to be again notified of the adjournment. | ||
At this meeting, the Report and resolutions, with some amendments, were finally agreed to, and it was ordered to be printed and distributed, and a general meeting of the Association and Signers of the petitions to be called for Thursday, the 21st instant, to which meeting the said Report and resolutions, as subjoined, are now respectfully submitted. "A. Stuart, Chairman. " T. C. Aylwin, Acting Secretary. | |||
Committee Rooms, No. 13, St. Lewis Street. | Committee Rooms, No. 13, St. Lewis Street. | ||
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The Sub-Committee to whom was referred the resolve of the general meeting of the Quebec Constitutional Association and the signers of the petitions to His Majesty and both Houses of the Imperial Parliament, praying for justice, and protection in their rights as British subjects; which resolve, dated 28th November last, requested the Executive Committee ' to prepare Resolutions on the present state of public affairs, as regards the complaints contained in their petitions,' | The Sub-Committee to whom was referred the resolve of the general meeting of the Quebec Constitutional Association and the signers of the petitions to His Majesty and both Houses of the Imperial Parliament, praying for justice, and protection in their rights as British subjects; which resolve, dated 28th November last, requested the Executive Committee ' to prepare Resolutions on the present state of public affairs, as regards the complaints contained in their petitions,' | ||
REPORT : | REPORT: | ||
That they have bestowed on the said reference that serious consideration which is due from all those entrusted by their fellow-citizens with the performance of a public duty, but more particularly when their rights and liberties are concerned, and they have made a constitutional appeal to the supreme authorities of the Empire for justice. | That they have bestowed on the said reference that serious consideration which is due from all those entrusted by their fellow-citizens with the performance of a public duty, but more particularly when their rights and liberties are concerned, and they have made a constitutional appeal to the supreme authorities of the Empire for justice. | ||
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The complaints of the Petitioners as set forth in their petitions, are:— | The complaints of the Petitioners as set forth in their petitions, are:— | ||
1st.—That they are deprived of a fair and equitable representation in the Provincial Assembly : | 1st.—That they are deprived of a fair and equitable representation in the Provincial Assembly: | ||
2nd.—That the powers of the Assembly, under the Act of the British Parliament, by which it is constituted, as one of the three branches of the Provincial Legislature, have been exercised to the injury of the Petitioners, and the disturbance of the quiet and prosperity of the Province: | 2nd.—That the powers of the Assembly, under the Act of the British Parliament, by which it is constituted, as one of the three branches of the Provincial Legislature, have been exercised to the injury of the Petitioners, and the disturbance of the quiet and prosperity of the Province: | ||
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3rd—That the increased powers improvidently conceded to the Assembly by the British Parliament have been abused, for the avowed purpose of subverting the Constitution of the Government as established by the said Act, and for the subjugation of the Petitioners to ' arbitrary rule and control, through the instrumentality of a majority acting and held together under the impulses of national prejudices and feelings: | 3rd—That the increased powers improvidently conceded to the Assembly by the British Parliament have been abused, for the avowed purpose of subverting the Constitution of the Government as established by the said Act, and for the subjugation of the Petitioners to ' arbitrary rule and control, through the instrumentality of a majority acting and held together under the impulses of national prejudices and feelings: | ||
4th.—That in consequence of the proceedings of the Assembly in furtherance of the said ends, the property of the Petitioners and the rewards of labor and industry have diminished in value by the decrease of public confidence in their security, and the continuance of various abuses, while funds derived from permanent taxes, levied for the public uses, as may be directed by law, are pledged by the Assembly in furtherance of their aforesaid ends : | 4th.—That in consequence of the proceedings of the Assembly in furtherance of the said ends, the property of the Petitioners and the rewards of labor and industry have diminished in value by the decrease of public confidence in their security, and the continuance of various abuses, while funds derived from permanent taxes, levied for the public uses, as may be directed by law, are pledged by the Assembly in furtherance of their aforesaid ends: | ||
5th.—That the Judges are held in a state of annual dependence, on the Assembly for their subsistence, while the Administration of Justice and the Judiciary system-, as regulated in 1794, is become insufficient, and in many cases entailing ruinous expenses, amounting to a denial of justice : | 5th.—That the Judges are held in a state of annual dependence, on the Assembly for their subsistence, while the Administration of Justice and the Judiciary system-, as regulated in 1794, is become insufficient, and in many cases entailing ruinous expenses, amounting to a denial of justice: | ||
6th.—That His Majesty's Executive Council for the affairs of the Province, both as respects the number and composition of its members, is inefficient for the purposes of its institution : | 6th.—That His Majesty's Executive Council for the affairs of the Province, both as respects the number and composition of its members, is inefficient for the purposes of its institution: | ||
7th.—That proper regulations ought to be adopted by the Crown in the exercise of its prerogative of calling to seats in the Legislative Council, so as to ensure the selection of fully qualified persons. | 7th.—That proper regulations ought to be adopted by the Crown in the exercise of its prerogative of calling to seats in the Legislative Council, so as to ensure the selection of fully qualified persons. | ||
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A Commission has indeed been appointed by His Majesty, to inquire into alleged grievances in the administration of the local Government, and this inquiry embraces the complaints of the Petitioners. The Commission, consisting of three persons, arrived at Quebec, the 23rd August last. | A Commission has indeed been appointed by His Majesty, to inquire into alleged grievances in the administration of the local Government, and this inquiry embraces the complaints of the Petitioners. The Commission, consisting of three persons, arrived at Quebec, the 23rd August last. | ||
On the 9th of October, the Executive Committee applied to the Commission, through its Secretary, expressing their readiness to support the petitions to His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament. The resolutions of the Committee and answer of the Commissioners, dated 12th October, have been published, and may be referred to. On the 15th December instant, a letter from the Secretary was received, stating the | On the 9th of October, the Executive Committee applied to the Commission, through its Secretary, expressing their readiness to support the petitions to His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament. The resolutions of the Committee and answer of the Commissioners, dated 12th October, have been published, and may be referred to. On the 15th December instant, a letter from the Secretary was received, stating the readiness of the Commissioners to receive information, and listen to representations on the part of the Association, which has led to the first examination of two deputations of the Executive Committee on the 23rd instant. | ||
With the measure of sending out a Commission of enquiry, was connected a change of the person entrusted by His Majesty with the chief Government of the Province and the new Governor was placed at the head of the Commission. | With the measure of sending out a Commission of enquiry, was connected a change of the person entrusted by His Majesty with the chief Government of the Province and the new Governor was placed at the head of the Commission. | ||
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Upon the whole matter referred, the Sub-Committee is of opinion that in the present state of public affairs as regards the complaints of the petitioners, there is nothing that authorizes a relaxation of vigilance ; but rather, while they continue to respect and bestow proper confidence in public authorities derived from His Majesty, the petitioners ought to lose no time in acting more in concert, and, being thrown chiefly on their own resources, they ought to come to an understanding as to the means which they can most effectually employ to maintain their rights as British subjects under the established Constitution ; thus asserting their claim to the high character of their ancestors, and of the great majority of the people who inhabit the northern parts of this continent. For these purposes the Sub-Committee conceive that it would be expedient that the petitioners, throughout the whole Province, by means of persons selected from among themselves, should consult together, in the view of giving effect to their petitions, and ensuring the permanency of their connexion with the Mother Country under Constitutional Government, and the general quiet, prosperity, and .happiness of this important part of the British North American Colonies. | Upon the whole matter referred, the Sub-Committee is of opinion that in the present state of public affairs as regards the complaints of the petitioners, there is nothing that authorizes a relaxation of vigilance ; but rather, while they continue to respect and bestow proper confidence in public authorities derived from His Majesty, the petitioners ought to lose no time in acting more in concert, and, being thrown chiefly on their own resources, they ought to come to an understanding as to the means which they can most effectually employ to maintain their rights as British subjects under the established Constitution ; thus asserting their claim to the high character of their ancestors, and of the great majority of the people who inhabit the northern parts of this continent. For these purposes the Sub-Committee conceive that it would be expedient that the petitioners, throughout the whole Province, by means of persons selected from among themselves, should consult together, in the view of giving effect to their petitions, and ensuring the permanency of their connexion with the Mother Country under Constitutional Government, and the general quiet, prosperity, and .happiness of this important part of the British North American Colonies. | ||
- The Sub-Committee most respectfully submit the following Resolutions, with a view to their being reported to a General Meeting, should they be concur - ed in by the Executive Committee :— | - The Sub-Committee most respectfully submit the following Resolutions, with a view to their being reported to a General Meeting, should they be concur - ed in by the Executive Committee:— | ||
1st.—Resolved that this meeting has seen with regret that no remedy has hitherto been afforded to the evils of which they complained in their humble petitions to His Majesty and both Houses of the Imperial Parliament, presented at the last session thereof. | 1st.—Resolved that this meeting has seen with regret that no remedy has hitherto been afforded to the evils of which they complained in their humble petitions to His Majesty and both Houses of the Imperial Parliament, presented at the last session thereof. | ||