I7GG

i-elicf is iiiorc (:')ini)l(!t(î aiid spécifie, and adapted to siipply tlie defects dt allay Lho rigonr ni' lliose riilos.

« 4. l<\)iirllily, in criminal cases, whn tlior lliey ha cajjital ollencos or inisdeiiKiaiiors, it is liighly fitting (as far as iiiay be) that tlie laws of Englaiid bo adoptod, in the description and quality of the ofFence itself, in the manner of proceeding to charge the party, to bail or detain him, to arraign, try, convict, and condemn him. The certainty, the lenity of the English administration of Justice, and the benefits of this constitution, will be more peculiarly and essentially felt by His Majesty's Canadian subjects in matters of Crown Law, which touch the life, liberty, and property of the subject, than in the conformity of his Courts to the English rules, in matters of tenure, or the succession and aliénation of real and personal estâtes. This certainty, and this lenity are the benefits intended by His Majesty's Royal Proclamation, so far as concerns Judicature Thèse are irrevocably granted, and ought to be secured to his Canadian subjects, according to his Royal Word. For this purpose, it may not be improper, upon the appointment of a new Governor, with a new Commission revised and conside red by your Lordships, to direct that Governor to publish an explanatory Proclamation in the Province, to quiet the minds of the people, as to the true meaning of the Royal Proclamation of October, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, in respect to their local customs and usages, more especially in titles to land and cases of real property.

« 5. Fifthly, in rules of process and the practice of the Courts, we beg leave to suggest, that it may be expédient to order the new Chief Justice, with the assistance of the other Judges to be appointed, and the Attorney General of Québec, to consider and prépare a suitable plan,

adapted to the jnrisdiction of the differont Courts, and the convenience of the suitors. The forms of proceeding ought to b(i simple, easy, and as summary and ex[)editioiis, as may consist with the advancemeiit of right and the proteclioii of innocence. Useful hinls may be taken, not only from the Suprême Courts at Westminster, but from theijracticeof the Courts in Wales, and from many of the Colonies. Some time will be necessarv, before such a plan can be fratned, and expérience alone can perfect it. As soon as they shall hâve prepared it, the Governor and Council may enact it by Ordinance, and transmit the same in the accustomed manner, to be laid before His Majesty for his Royal Approbation. »

Malgré les raisons de haute politique et de sage équité qui les avaient motivées, les recommandations de ces deux jurisconsultes éminents restèrent cependant sans effet pour le moment. Ce ne fut que l'année suivante qu'une enquête eut lieu d'une manière plus approfondie.

Le 5 Mai 1766 (1), le Gouverneur Murray donne la commission suivante de Député Prévost-Marshal :

((Whereas his présent most gracions Majesty by his letter patent bearing date 23rd day of September, in the third year of his reign, granted the office and place of Provost-Marshall of the Province of Canada (now called the Province of Quebec) to Nicholas Turner, of the Kingdom of Great Britain, for life, to be executed by himself or his sufïicient Deputy or Deputies.

« And whereas by reason of the great extent of this Province and the number of its inhabitants, it has been judged necessary to divided the said Province into two Districts that is to say the District of Québec and the District of Montréal.

«And whereas also it is highly neces-

(1) Masères. Several Commissions, p.

sary that Depiity's for executiiig said office of Provost-Marshall should be severally appointed for the said two Districts, therefore and conformable to his Majesty's instructions and being well assured of the prudence, ability and integrity of Joseph Gridley, Esq., of the City of Québec, hâve thought fit to appoint him and I do by thèse présents constitute and appoint him the said Joseph Gridley to be Deputy Provost-Marshall of the City and District of Québec (in the room of Joseph Walker deceased) with full power and authority to receive and enjoy ail the powers juridiction and authorities whatsoever to the same belonging and appartaining during pleasure.

«He, the said Gridley in ail things duly observing and performing ail and every the instructions and rules hereunto annexed for the due and better performance of thèse duty therein. »

Le 2 Juin 1766, Edward Antill est reçu avocat en vertu d'une commission du Gouverne nr.

Le 28 Juin 1766, le Gouverneur Murray quitte le Canada, le gouvernement de la province est de droit entre les mains du plus ancien Conseiller : Paulus Emilius Irving. Le Brigadier -général Carleton succède à Murray comme Lieutenantgouverneur.

Le 1er Juillet 1766 (1), conformément aux instructions nouvelles, le Gouverneur et son Conseil rendaient une Ordonnance pour changer et réformer l'Ordonnance du 17 Septembre 1764, dans laquelle on se sert des termes mêmes des instructions (2).

Le 1er Juillet 1766 (3), une Ordonnance est rendue pour changer le terme de la

(1) Ordonnances, etc., p. 73.

(2) Cotte Ordonnance et les trois autres sont signées par Paulus Emilius Irving, Président du Conseil de Sa Majesté, Commandant-en-Clief de cette Province et Lieutenant-Colonel des Troupes de Sa Majesté.

(3) Ordonnances, etc., p. 75.

Cour inférieure des Plaidoyers Communs pour la Ville et District de Montréal, en cette Province, le 11 Septembre au lieu du 1 1 Juillet.

Le 7 Juillet 1766 (1), une Ordonnance est rendue pour accorder des licences pour détailler du rum et autres boissons fortes, et pour supprimer les maisons qui n'ont pas de licence.

Le 26 Juillet 1766 (2), une Ordonnance est rendue pour amender celle du 17 Septembre 1764, pour régler et établir les Cours de Judicature, en ajoutant aux termes d'Hillaire et de la Trinité, un autre terme appelé St. Michel, ayant lieu le 15 Octobre.

Le 25 Septembre 1766 (3), William Hey, est nommé Juge-en Chef, en remplacement de William Gregory ; sa commission est dans les mômes termes que celle de ce dernier.

Cette nomination était motivée par la nécessité dans laquelle le gouverneur se trouvait de susx)endre le Juge-en- Chef Gregory de ses fonctions et de le faire rappeler en Angleterre (4).

Le 25 Septembre 1766 (5), Francis Masères est nommé Procureur-Général en remplacement de George Suckling. La commission est dans les mêmes termes. Il occupa cette charge jusqu'en 1769.

M. Masères (6), nous apprend que la province de Québec a été sans évoque depuis 1760 jusqu'à 1766, lorsque Mgr.

Briand reçut la permission d'y revenir comme tel avec une pension du gouvernement anglais de £200 sterling. Il n'eut qu'une permission verbale, sans obtenir de licence, ou autre autorité

(1) Ordonnances, etc., p. 77.

(2) Id., p. 79.

(3) Masères, Several Commissions, p. 125.

(4) Gameau, 111, 312.

(5) Masères, Several Commissions, p. 129.

(6) Additional Paper s Conceming the Province of Québec, 137.

Smith, History of Canada, II, 3S.

écrite, soit du Roi ou de ses ministres. IY3quit6, du bon sons, bien qu'ils ne Il y a, d'apW's lui, raison d(i (Toin; q\io fussent pas du conseil, des hommes enfin ce nîtour a été elbîctué sous condition qui préféraient le bien du roi et de s^ts restrictive et que sa mission ne devait sujets à des alfections désordonnées, à consister qu'à ordonner des prêtres, con- des vues de parti et à des intérêts persacrer les églises et cimetières et remplir sonnels et serviles etc., Ces insinuations, certains emplois inoffensifs. Il lui était dé- quoiqu'indirectes, furent bien comprises fendu de se servir des peines spirituelles, des anciens conseillers : ils ployèrent la principalement d'user du pouvoir d'ex- tète et laissèrent passer l'orage. Le Conseil communier les personnes, ou de les priver fut recomposé comme suit: le Juge-endes sacrements, et de plus il ne pouvait in - Chef Hey , le Surintendant - général terdire les prêtres ou les suspendre de Charles Stev^art, H. T. Cramahé, John leur exercise spirituel ou de prohiber le Goldfrap, Thomas Mills, Samuel Holland, service divin dans les égUses et chapelles Walter Murray, Thomas Dunn, François de la province. M. Masères suppose tout Mounier, Benjamin Price et James Cuhtcela, et ne parle avec certitude que du bert. Comme on le voit ce sont Irving retour de l'Evêque, qui s'est refusé aux et Mabane qui furent exclus du Conseil, honneurs dus à son rang, en disant qu'il Le 23 Février 1767 (1), Sir H. Moore, n'était pas venu dans la province pour Gouverneur de New-York, écrit la lettre être un évêque comme l'avaient été ses g^^i^ante à Lord Shelburne, recommanprédécesseurs sous le gouvernement fran- ^^^^ ^ William Smith, qui devint plus çais : qu'il ne voulait être qu'un simple ^^rd Juge-en-Chef, comme membre du faiseur de prêtres. » Ceci était en Juin 1 766, Conseil * mais peu de temps après il revêtit le costume d'évêque, et exerça tous les pouvoirs " ^y Lords, de sa charge. « ï t>eg leave to recommend to your Comme nous l'avons déjà dit, Carleton Lordships Wm. Smith, Jr., as a person prit les rênes de l'administration des every way qualified to succeed his famains du conseiller Irving, qui les tenait ther, Wilham Smith, Sr., Esq., who is depuis le départ du Général Murray quel- willing to resign his seat as a member of ques semaines auparavant; et l'un des pre. His Majesty's Council hère in favor of miersactesdecetadministrateur, le28No- his son; Wm. Smith, Sr., is not only a vembre 1766 (1), fut de retrancher de son member of the Council but likewise one conseil le même Irving et un autre fonc- of the Judges of the Suprême Court, and tionnaire, favori de son prédécesseur. Il as he is far advanced in years \vill reanégligea aussi les anciens membres qui dily resign his place at the Council crurent devoir faire des représentations à Board, provided he can be succeeded in it cet égard, mais envers lesquels il ne fut by his son. It is necessary for me to inpas moins dédaigneux dans ses paroles form your Lordships that the proposai que dans sa conduite. Il leur répondit was not made by Mr. Smith, Sr., but qu'il consulterait les conseillers qu'il that it was mentioned to him at my incroirait capables de lui donner les meil- stance and request, as I was desirous of leurs avis, qu'il prendrait aussi l'opinion having his son in the Council, and it is des amis de la vérité, de la franchise, de on the terms of being succeeded by him

that he consents to resign his seat. I bave

(1) Registres du Conseil,

Smith, II, 40.

Garneau, III, 318. (1) Hisiorical Documents, etc., VI, 879.

heard that several persons hâve been recommended as members of the Gouncil to the Lords Gommissioners for Trade and Plantations by others whose knowledge of them must arise chielly from a correspondance of letters occasioned by commercial interestsand that their names now stand upon the lists, but I apprehend that the persons so recommended tho' of great intogrity in their private dealings, may perhaps not be possessed of those abilities necessary for the carrying on of government, and be a means rather to distress than assist His Majesty's Governor hère.

« This is far from being the case with Mr. Smith, Jr., in whose favor this letter is wrote ; he is now at the head of the Profession of the Law and will be of great service in Gouncil, as his opinions may always be depended on, not ouly from his knowledge of the law but his integrity. He is connected with the best families in this Province, is of unblemished character and high in the estimation of every one hère. After saying ail this your Lsrdships will not be surprised at my desiring to hâve this mark of His Majesty's favor conferred on one who is so capable of meriting it by his services. I hâve the honor to be with great respect. »

Le 28 Février 1767 (l), le Capitaine Disney est accusé d'avoir mutilé Walker mais il est aussi acquitté. Un nommé McGovock est accusé de parjure, ainsi que Walker et sa femme pour avoir juré que Disney était présent lors de l'attentat, lorsque Valibi de ce dernier avait été amplement prouvé. Ainsi Walker ne fut heureux en aucune manière.

Dans le printemps de 1767 (2), Guy Garleton, craignant les mauvaises conséquences qui résulteraient de l'opération

(1) Smith. History of Canada, II, 25.

(2) Masères. Collection of Seteral Commissions, ^.

rigoureuses des diverses lois du gouvernement qui ont introduit le droit Anglais dans la Colonie, avait chargé Masères de préparer une Ordonnance pour faire revivre et continuer plusieurs anciennes lois de la province qui subsistaient lors de la conquête en 1759, relativement à la propriété foncière, octroyées par des concessions du Roi de France. Masères se mit à l'œuvre et prépara l'Ordonnance demandée, mais son étendue et son importance conseillèrent à Garleton de la soumettre au Roi avant de la proposer à son Conseil. Cette Ordonnance réalisait l'idée favorite de Masères : l'introduction des lois anglaises comme loi générale et des lois françaises comme loi spéciale sur certaines matières déterminées.

Le 2 Juin 1767 (l), des documents concernant l'état de Québec sont transmis à la Chambre des Lords et la résolution suivante soumise par Lord Botetourt rapporteur du Comité, chargé de les examiner, est adoptée : « That it appears to this Committee, that the province of Québec, for a considérable time past, lias wanted, and does now stand in need of further régulations and provisions, relating to its civil government and religions establishment. »

Le 26 Juin 1767 (2), le Roi en son Conseil Privé désavoue l'Ordonnance passée ^ar le gouverneur de Québec et son Con'iseil, en date du 17 Juillet 1766, concernant les licences pour vendre en détail des boissons enivrantes. Dans cet acte de désaveu, on rappelle au souvenir du Conseil de cette Province, qu'il ne peut faire d'Ordonnance qui affecte la vie, les membres ou la liberté du sujet ou qui impose quelque devoir ou taxe. L'Ordonnance désavouée tombait dans cette

(1) Cobbett's Parliam^ntary History, XVI, 361. Cavendish. Québec Act, p. 208.

(2) Masères. Several Commissions, 142.

LK DROrr CÎVÎL CANAOrKN.

cat('îgorio. ("onimo on lo voit, tonte la législation du Conseil (h; Québec (hîpnis 1704 à 177'i a été (Mitachét; d'illégalité, conniK^ onlropassant les pouvoirs législatifs du Conseil. Masères reconnaît luimômc qu'il était prcsqu'impossible d(î faire des Ordonnances, qui ne tombassent pas dans c(îtte catégorie d'exclusion (l).

Le 30 Juiu 1707, Thomas Locke est reçu avocat en vertu d'une Commission du Gouverneur.

Le 28 Juillet 1767 (2), le Lieutenant- Gouverneur Guy Carletou donne la commission suivante pour les fonctions de Coroner, greffier de la paix pour le district de Montréal et greffier de toutes les Cours de Justice dans le district :

rt Know ye that we, having taken into our royal considération the loyalty, integrity, and hability of our trusty and well beloved John Burke Esq., hâve constituted and appointed and by thèse présent do appoint and constitute him the said John Burke to be our Coroner in and for the District and city of Montréal in our Province of Québec, and likewise to be clerk of the peace in ail and every other Court or Courts holden by any of our Judges of the said Province in the City and District aforesaid, to hâve hold and enjoy the said offices and places, together with ail and singular the rights, fées, profits, privilèges and advantages hereunto belonging or in any wise appartaining to him the said John Burke for and during our pleasure and his résidence in the said Province with liberty to exercise the same if he shall so think fit by his sufficient Deputy or Deputies for whom he shall be. responsible.

« And we do hereby annul and détermine our former grant of the ofîice of Coroner and clerk of the peace in the

(1) Masères. Several Commissions, pp. 26, 27 et 143.

(2) Id , p. ia3.

soveral courts held for and within the city and District of Montréal within our said Province of Queb«ic mado unto the said John Burke by our letters patent under the public seal of the said Province, in the lOth day of October last in the year of our lord 1700, and do déclare direct and appoint that this our présent grant of the offi/:es herein before mentioned to the said John Burke by thèse our présent letters, shall be of the same force, virtue and effect as they whould hâve been if the said former lettèr jjatent had never been made. »

Le 0 Août 1707 (I), le Lieutenant-Gouverneur Guy Carleton donne ia Commission suivante pour la fonction de Juge de paix :

« Know all men by thèse our présent letters, that we hâve assigned you, John Schlosser, Esquire, captain of a company in the first battalion of our Royal American Régiment of foot, to be one of our justices to keep our peace in our district of Montréal in our province of Québec, and to keep and cause to be kept all ordinances and statutes for the good of the peace and for préservation of the same .and for the quiet rule and government of our people made, in all and singular their articles according to the force, form and effect of the same ; and to chastise and punish all persons that offend againt the form of those ordinances or statutes, or any one of them, in the aforesaid District, as it ought to be done according to the form of those ordinances and statutes ; and to cause to come before you all those who to any one or more of our people concerning their bodies or the firing of their hou ses hâve used threats, to find sufficient security for the peace, or their goodbehaviour, towards us and our people and if they shall refuse to find such

(1) Masères. Several Commissions, p. 135.

security, then them in our prisons, until hereafter shall there happen to be done

they shall find such security, to cause to or attempted inwhatmannersoever; and

be safely kept. to inspect ail indictments so before you

« And we hâve likewise assigned you, and one or more of our said justices for

in conjunction with one or more of the our said district of Montréal, properly by

justices assigned to keep our peace in us authorized thereunto, taken or to be

the district of Montréal aforesaid in our taken ; or before other late our justices

province of Québec, properly by us au- of the peace in the aforesaid district

thorized thereunto, to inquire the truth made or taken, and not yet determined ;

more fully by the oath of good and and to make and continue processes

lawfull men of the aforesaid district, by thereupon against ail and singular the

whom the truth of the matter shall be persons indicted, or who before you

the better knov^n, of ail and ail manner and our other justices of our district

of félonies, poisonnings, trespasses, fores- aforesaid hereafter shall happen to be

tallings, regratings, and extortions what- indicted, until they can be taken, sur-

soever ; and of ail and singular other render themselves, or be outlawed ; and

crimes and offences,ofwhich the justices to hear and détermine ail and singular

of our peace may and ought lawfully to the félonies, poisonings, trespasses, fores-

inquire, by whomsoever, and after what tallings, regratings, ingrossings, extortions

manner soever in the said district done unlaw^full assemblies, indictements afore-

or perpetrated, or which shall happen to said, and ail and singular other the pre-

be there done or attempted ; and also of mises, according to the laws and statutes

ail those who in the District aforesaid in of that part of our kingdom of Great

companies against our peace, in distur- BritaincalledEnglandandthe ordinances

bance of our people, with armed force of our said province of Québec, as in the

hâve gone or rode or hereafter shall pre- like case it bas been accustomed or ought

sume to go or ride ; and also of ail those to be done ; and the same offenders and

who hâve there lain in wait, or hereafter every of them, for their offences by fines,

shall présume to lie in wait, to maim ransoms, amerciaments, forfeitures, and

or eut, or kiil our people ; and also of ail other means, as according ta the laws and

victuallers, and ail and singular other customs of England or form of the ordi-

persons who in the abuse of weights and nances and statutes of England and of

measures, or in selling victuals against our province of Québec aforesaid, it bas

the form of the ordinances and statutes been accustomed or ought to be done, to

of England or of our said province of chastise and punish.

Québec, or an/ one of them, therefore « Provided always, that if a case of

made or introduced in our said province difilculty upon the détermination of any

for the commonbenefitof our said province of the premises before you conjointly

of Québec and our people thereof, bave with any one or more of our justices of

ofTended or attempted, or hereafter shall the peace of our district of Montréal

présume in the said district to offend or aforesaid, properly by us authorized

attempt ; and of ail and singular articles thereunto, shall happen to arise, that then

and circumstances, and ail other things you let jugment in no wise be given

whatsoever that concern the premises, thereon before you in conjunction with

or any of them, by whomsoever and after one or more of our justices in our said dis-

what manner soever in our aforesaid trict, unless in the présence of our chief

district done or perpetrated, or which justice of our said province of Québec.

M-: DROIT Civil. CANADIKN.

« And TMKFtKroiiK wc cfniiiiiaïKl yoii, tliat to th(î l\(;ei)i!ig tlu! poaccî, Oniiiianccs and statiitds afr)r(^sai(l, and ail and singiilai- othor tlie prcmiscs, you dilij^n.'iitly apply yoursolf; and Ihat at c(3rlain days and placos as yon and aiiy ont; ov more, or any other two, of our jnsticesassignod to k('(>p i1h3 poace in and for our district of Montréal afor(3said in our province aforesaid, shall appoint for thèse purposes, into the premises ye make iuiiuiries, and ail and singular the premises hear and détermine, and perform and fulfill them in the aforesaid form, doing therein what to justice appertain according to the laws and customs of England and the Ordonnance of our Province of Québec aforesaid ; heaving to us the amerciament and other things to us therefrom belonging. »

Le 7 Août 1767 (1), le Lieutenant-Gouverneur Guy Carleton accorde le ivrit (fe dedimus potestatem dans la forme s ni vante :

« Know ye that we hâve thought fit to impower you and we do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority to tender and administer unto John Schlosser, Esq., Captain of the Company in the first Battalion of Our Royal American Régiment of foot, whom we hâve constituted and appointed a justice of the peace for the District of Montréal aforesaid, the oaths of allegiance, supremacy and abjuration mentioned and ordained in an act of parliament of Great Britain made in the first year of the reign of his late Majesty King George, the first intitle.d «An act for the better security of His Majesty's persons and government and the succession of the crown in the heirs of the late Princess Dowager of Hanover, being protestants and for extinguishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales and his open and secret

(1) Registres du Conseil Militaire de Québec, p. 139.

abetlors»; and to roceive from him the d(3('laration mentioned aiid ocdainod in

anrl by an act of parliament made in the 2rith year of the reigri of his late Majesty King Charles, the second in the said act mentioned to be made and suscrib(3d ; and also to reçoive from him his snscription to the said oaths for tlie dne execntion and performance of the office of jnstice of the peace in the usual form ; and of wh it you shall do herein you are to make return forthwith into our Register's office for our high Court of Chancery of our said Province together with this our writ.»

Le 28 Août 1767(1), un ordre de Sa Majesté en Conseil fait demander aux Gouverneur et officiers en loi un rapport sur l'administration de la justice dans la Province de Québec.

Dans le commencement de l'année 1 768, François Joseph Cugnet est nommé secrétaire du Gouverneur et du Conseil pour la partie française, chargé de traduire en cette langue les lois, ordres et règlements sous la direction du Gouverneur et du Conseil et de rechercher et examiner les anciens édits, les arrêts du Conseil Supéteur et des autres Cours sous la domination française.

Dans cette même année 1768, une Commission de Grand Voyer est accordée à Joseph Gaspard Chaussegros de Léry.

Le 16 Janvier 1768 (2), le Gouverneur de New -York, Sir Henry Moore écrit au Comte de Shelburne pour définir la ligne parallèle de division entre la Province de New- York et celle de Québec.

Le Conseil Privé du Roi prend cette matière importante sous considération.

Les Juges de Paix avaient une juridiction civile pour le recouvrement de sommes n'excédant pas £ 3. 15 sterling,

(1) Masêres. Several Commissions, p. 1.

(2) Id., 141.

juridiction qu'ils ont conservée j'usqu'en parer les commissions, k But, » dit- il,

1770 (1). « uponmore fully considering the peculiar

En 1705 (2), les Lords du Commerce and délicate situation of the province with s'étaient adressés au Procureur-Général, respect to the article of religion, and some Sir Fletcher Norton, et au Solliciteur-Gé- claims of property in the churches, made néral. Sir William de Grey, pour savoir : on belialf of the Roman Catholic inhabiuSi les sujets de Sa Majesté, étant Catho tants of those parishes, which required a liques Romains et résidant dans les pays very serions and deliberate discussion, cédés à Sa Majesté par le Traité de Paris, his Excellency did not think it expédient ne sont pas sujets, dans ces colonies, aux to grant thèse gentlemen commissions of incapacités, inhabilités et pénalités aux- this form, under the seal of the proquelles les Catholiques Romains dans ce vince, but in lieu thereof gave them liroyaume sont sujets par les lois. » Ils ré- cences to preach and perform divine serpondirentque non, et le 18 Janvier 1768, vice according to the cérémonies of the ils présentèrent leur rapport au Conseil Church of England in the respective pa- Privé sur cette question : «Que les divers rishes of Québec, Three Rivers and Monactes du Parlement qui imposent les in- treal, under his hand and private seal. )) habilités et les pénalités sur le public Masères ne parle qu'en passant (1), du exerçant la rehgion Cathohque romaine, procès que les Anglais résidant dans la ne s'étendent pas au Canada ; et que Sa colonie intentèrent au Général Murray Majesté n'est pas capable, en vertu de sa en Février 1768. Garneau (2), est plus prérogative, d'abolir le Doyen et le Cha- explicite. Ces loyaux sujets qui n'aspitre de Québec, non plus que d'exempter piraient qu'à la proscription entière des les habitants protestants de payer des catholiques, n'espérant plus influencer dîmes aux personnes légalement nommées Murray pour l'engager à favoriser leurs pour les recevoir^ des Catholiques Ro- vues ambitieuses, ils portèrent à Londres ï^^iïis. » clés accusations contre son administration

Le Roi avait envoyé, au commence- et excitèrent des querelles dans la colonie,

ment de 1768, trois ordres au gouverneur où l'on vit tout à coup les villes remplies

ou commandant-en-chef, le requérant de de trouble et de confusion, et les gouver-

nommer trois ministres de l'Eglise d'An- nants et leurs partisans se quereller entre

gleterre, comme recteurs des églises eux. Le Général Murray fut accusé de

paroissiales de Québec, TroisRivières et favoriser le parti militaire. Les plaintes

Montréal. Le révérend M. David François de ses ennemis appuyées par les mar-

de MontmoUin, natif de Suisse, qui avait chands de Londres, qui profitèrent de

résidé plus de vingt ans en Angleterre, cette circonstance pour présenter une pé-

fut indiqué comme recteur de Québec ;le tition au bureau du commerce contre son

révérend M. Veyssière, un catholique ré- administration et en faveur de l'établisse-

formé et même un ex-moine Récollet, ment d'une chambre élective, engagèrent

comme recteur des Trois-Rivières, et le la métropole à rappeler ce gouverneur,

révérend M. DeLisle, natif de France et ré- qui fut plutôt sacrifié à la sympathie qu'il

formé de naissance, comme recteur de semblait porter aux Canadiens qu'à des

Montréal. Masères (3), fut chargé de pré- abus de pouvoir. Murray repassé à Lon

dres n'eut besoin que de mettre devant

(1) Masères. Papers on Québec. 9.

(2) id.,303. (1) Several Commissions, 806.

(3) Several Commissions, 148. (2) Histoire du Canada, III, 313.

les yeux des ministres l(j njcensoinent qu'il avait fait faire en ITOS (](; la {«opiilation (lu Canada, pour démontrer l'absurdité du projet d'exclure les catholiqu(;s du gouvernement, puisque d'après ce recensement il n'y avait que 500 protestants sur 69,275 habitants. Le Comité du Conseil Privé du Roi, chargé de conduire l'investigation, fit rapport que les charges portées contre lui étaient scandaleuses et mal fondées ; mais son acquittement ne le fit point revenir en Canada.

Le 12 Avril 1768 (1), Carleton reçoit sa commission de gouverneur.

Le 23 Avril 1768 (2), le Lieutenant- Gouverneur Guy Carleton est nommé Vice-Amiral.

Le 28 Avril 1768 (3), James Potts est nommé Juge de la Cour de Vice-Amirauté. Sa commission est dans les termes suivants (4) :

« George the Third by the Grâce of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith : To Our Beloved James Potts, Esquire, Greeting : We do by thèse présents make, ordain, nominate and appoint you the said James Potts Esquire, to be Our commissary in Our Province of Québec in America and Territories thereunto belonging hereby granting unto you full power to take cognizance of and proceed in ail causes civil and maritime and in complaints, contests, olfences or suspected offences, crimes, pleas, debts, exchanges, policies of Assurance, accounts, charter-parties, Bills of Loading of Ships and ail matters and contracts which in any manner whatsoever relate to Freight due for Ships hired and let eut, Transport money or Martime usuary (otherwise Bottomry) or which do any wise concern, suits,

(1) Smith, II, 42.

(2) Admiralty reports, Lower Canada, 390.

(3) Id., 391.

(4) Archives du Ministère du secrétaire d'itat.

trespasses, injuries, extortions, demands and affairs civil and maritime whatsoever betvveen Mfirchants or betw<,*en owners and i)roprietors of Shi[)S or other vessels and Mercliants or other persons whomsoever, with such owners and proprietors of Ships and ail other vessels whatsoever employed or used or between any other persons howsoever had, made, begun, or contracted for any mattor, cause or thing business or injury whatsoever donc or to be done as well in upon or by the sea or public Streams, fresh waters, ports, rivers creeks and places overflowed whatsoever within the ebbing and flowing of the Sea or high water mark, as upon any of the shores or Banks adjoining to them, or either of them together with ail and singular their Incidents, Emergencies, dependencies, annexed and connexed causes whatsoever and such causes, complaints, contracts and other the premises above said or any of them howsoever the same may happen to arise be contracted, had or done to hear and détermine, (according to the civil and Maritime laws and Customs of Our high court of Admiralty of England in Our Province of Québec aforesaid and Territories thereof and thereunto belonging whatsoever and also with power to sit and hold courts in any cities, towns and places in Our Province of Québec aforesaid for the hearing and determining of ail such causes and businesses together with ail and singular the Incidents, Emergencies, Dependencies, annexed and connexed causes whatsoever ; and to proceed judicially and according toLaw in administering Justice therein and moreover to compel witnesses in case they withdraw themselves for interest, fear, favor or ill will or any other cause whatsoever) ; to give e\ddence to the truth in ail and every the causes above mentioned according to the exigencies of the Law ; and further to take ail manner of recognizances, cautions, obligations and

stipulations as well to our use as at the instance of any parties for agreements or debts and other causes and businesses whatsoever ; and to put the same in exécution and to cause and command them to be executed. Also duly to search and inquire of and concerning ail goods of Traitors, Pirates, Manslayers, Félons Fugitives and Félons of themselves and concerning the bodies of persons drowned, killed or by any other means coming to their death in the Sea or in any Ports, Rivers, Public Streams or Greeks and Places over flowed. And also concerning Mayhem happening in the af oresaid places and engins and toyls and nets prohibited and unlawful and the occupiers thereof, and moreover concerning fishes Royal namely : WhaJes, Kiggs, Grampusses, Dolphins,Sturgeons and ail other fishes whatsoever which are of a great or very large bulk or fatness by right or custom, any ways used belongingto us and to the office of our High Admirai of England ; And also of and concerning ail casualties of Sea Goods wrecked, Flotzon, Jetzon Lagon, Shares things cast over board and wreck of the Sea and ail goods taken or to be taken as Derelict or by chance found or to be found ; and ail other trespasses, misdemeanours, offences, enormitys and maritime crimes whatsoever done and committed or to be done and committed as well in and upon the High Sea as ail Ports Rivers, fresh waters and creeks and Shores of the Sea to High water mark from ail first Bridges towards the Sea in and throughout our Province of Québec aforesaid and Maritime coasts thereof and thereunto belonging howsoever. whensoever or by what means soever arising or happening and ail such things as are discovered and found out as also ail fines, mulets, amercements and compositions due and to be due in that behalf to tax modéra te, demand, collect and levy and to cause the same to be demanded, levied

and collected and according to Law to compel and command them to be paid.

And also to proceed in ail and every the causes and businesses above recited and and in ail other contracta, causes, contempts and offences whatsoever, howsoever contraeted or arising so that the goods of persons of the debtors may be found within the jurisdiction of the Vice Admiralty in Our Province of Québec aforesaid according to the civil and maritime Laws and Gustoms of Our said . high court of Admiralty of England anciently used and by ail other lawful ways, means and methods according to the best of your skill and knowledge.

And ail such causes and contracts to hear, examine, discuss, and finally détermine, saving nevertheless the right of appealing to Our aforsaid High Court of Admiralty of England and to the Judge or Président of the said Court for the time being : And Saving always the right of Our said High Court of Admiralty of England and also of the Judge and Registrar of the same Court from whom or either of them it is not Our intention in any thing to derogate by thèse présents ; And also to arrest and to cause and command to be arrested ail Ships, persons, things, goods, wares, and merchandises for the premises and every of them and further causes whatsoever concerning the same wheresoever they shall be met with or found within Our Province of Québec and Territories of the same either within Liberties or without ; And to compel ail manner of persons in that behalf as the case shall require to appear and to answer with power of using any temporal coercion and inflicting any other penalty or mulet according to the Laws and customs aforesaid ; and to do and administer Justice according to the right, order and cause of the Law snmmarily and plainîy looking only into the truth of the fact ;

TJ-: DROIT (:i\ IL CANADIEN.