CHAPITRE V
GOirV'ERNExMENT LÉGISLATIF.
nu-noi.
Le Général Haldimand remplace le Gouverneur Carleton. — Actes du nouveau gouverneur. — Suspension des tribunaux^ la loi martiale est en vigueur. — Peter Livius^ Jugeen-Chef. — Guerre de Pindépendance américaine. — Le Canada perd une partie de son territoire par la reconnaissance de C Indépendance Américaine par P Angleterre. — Henry Hamilton est nommé Lieutenant-Gouverneur^ en remplacement d' Haldimand., et peu après le Gouverneur Carleton revient sous le nom de Lord Dorchester. — Ses diverses commissions et instructions. — Destitution du Juge-en-Chef Livius par Carleton et
sa réinstallation par le Conseil Privé d' Angleterre. — Emprisonnement de du Calvet. — Son livre. — Agitations en Canada. — Difficultés relativement à la construction d'' églises et aux titres des concessions. — Toute une paroisse est excommuniée. — Kneller^ Procureur Gé néral. — Conseil législatif. — Composition de ce corps. — Ses travaux. — Pétitions pour et contre un gouvernement représentatif. — Enquête sur l'administration de la justice^ etc. — Tentative du juge Smith de substituer les lois anglaises aux lois françaises. — Nouvelle division territoriale du Canada. — Pétitions à V Angleterre. — Intervention des marchands à Londres. — Projet de Constitution de Grenville envoyé à Lord Dorchester., qui passe à Londres m 1791 . — Le Général Hope est nommé Lieutenant- Gouverneur.^ en l'absence de Lord Dorchester ; mais il décède presqu' aussitôt. — Le général Alured Clarke le remplace. — Pitt introduit l'Acte Constitutionnel dans le Parlement. — Débats. — Uacte est adopté par les deux chambres sans division. — Proclamation du lieutenant gouverneur Clarke et division du Canada en deux provinces.
Suivant du Calvet (1), le Québec- Act 'i vint prononcer, par l'organe de la législature, non pas la sentence fulminante, (le I^arlement d'Angleterre est incapable, du moins intentionnellement, d'asservir), mais l'installation réelle, quoique non méditée, de l'asservissement de la Province. II est étonnant que la nature de cette législation, j'entends sa propriété ou son impropriété, ait été jusqu'à ce jour un mystère impénétrable à toute l'Angleterre ; c'est-à-dire à ses plus respectables têtes, à ses plus grands politiques et à ses plus savants hommes d'Etat. Les uns canonisent le Bill de Québec et l'exaltent jusqu'aux nues, comme le plus beau
(1) Appel à la Justice de l'Etat, 143
chef-d'œuvre de la politique quisoitjamais émané de la sagesse du Sénat britannique, tandisque les autres le foudroient d'anathème, comme un monstre enfanté dans les ateliers du Despotisme, pour la vexation complète de ses sujets. » Le môme auteur ajoute encore (1) : « dans cette institution nouvelle, pour un domaine britannique, le Parlement n'a pu être animé d'aucune autre intention que de nous replacer sous l'empire de la jurisprudence primitive, qui nous avait gouvernés sous la domination de nos premiers souverains^ par ce qu'il sait très bien, que son autorité législative ne s'étend pas au delà de cette restauration. Cette jurisprudence, sans doute plus assortie aux notions précoces, dont nous avons été imbus par l'éducation, plus analogue aux titres primitifs de nos propriétés, et conséquemment mieux ajustée à leur conservation légale, enfin intimant de plus, une loi, au moins de convenance, de n'être administrés, que dans le langage naturel que nous tenons de l'enfance ; envisagé sous ces traits, le Bill de Québec est en effet le plus beau chef-d'œuvre de politique, dont la sage condescendance de la législature ait pu gratifier nos besoins et nos goûts : ce Bill nous a ouvert l'entrée des dignités publiques.»
Le 22 Août 1774 (2), Masères informe comme suit les Anglais de Québec de ce qui s'est passé lors de la discussion de l'Acte de Québec :
i< I understand that you hâve expressed a désire to reçoive an ansvver to the lotter with vvhich you honoured me last winter concerning your pétition for an house of assembly, and that you hâve been surprised at my not sending one. J may perhaps hâve been wanting in respect to you upon that occasion ; and, if I hâve, I beg your pardon for it : but
(1) Appel à la justice de TEtat, 142.
(2) An account of the British, etc., page 223.
m\ LK DROH' Civil. CANADIEN. (1774-1774)
tho tnio roasori of iiiy iiot writiii^^ was protestant. Iii short it has apjHtared in so
l)(^ca\is(î I considci'cfl llHjanswor I wroto \>:u\ a li^'^hî to th<î lovors of liberty and
to tho rominittoo at Quchock (whirh was th«i protestant n-ligion, that the dnko of
a protty full ono and of which 1 horewilh Olonnestor, (thongh reniarkahle for lh(;
sond yoH a (•0[)y,) as an ansvvor to hoth niodi-ration of hiscondnct and hisgonoral
comniittocs, which I supposée! to rorres- disiK)sition to comi)ly with the King's
pond together and to commnnicato to pleasnre,) thonght fit to voto against it.
each olhor ail the papors they either «As I had prepared a dranght of an
sent or received concerning the matter of Act of Parliamf?nt for establishing a le-
their application to the King. Since my gislative Gouncil in the province of Que-
writing that answer an act of Parliament beck, I am apprehensive that, from the
has been passed which seems to put an similitudeof the names, Imay be thought
end to ail hopes of success in your to approve of the législative Coimcil esta-
endeavours to obtain an assembly, liaving blished by this Act, and perha[>s to bave
erected a législative council in its stead contributed towardsitsbeingestablished ;
withoui any limitation of time, and whereas in truth 1 utterly disapprove it,
enlarged the province to such a degree and bave done ail that lay in my little
as to make an assembly an impraticable power to prevent its passing. I therefore
method of government. The merchants beg leave to point out to you the diffe-
of London who were concerned in the rence between the législative Gouncil
Qïiebec trade, petitioned the House of w^hif'h I had proposed and that which is
Gommons against this act, but without established by this Act. In the first place,
success ; and the Gityof London addressed that which I had proposed was to bave
his Majesty to refuse bis royal essent to been only for seven years, after which I
it, to as little purpose. It repeals and hoped it might be found practicable to
annuls the King's proclamation ofOctober bave an Assembly this, which is
1763, with respect to the province of established by the act, is without limita- Québec ; and gives the popish priests a tion of time ; so that the accomplishment légal right to their tythes from ail of the King's promise in his proclama- Roman - Gatholicks, which Sir Jeffery tion, to summon an Assembly as soon as Amherst had refused them at the ca- the situation and circumstances of the pitulation. This is disapproved of by great province will permit, is removed quite numbers of dispassionate people hère, as out of sight. Secondly, the former legisgoing beyond a toleration of the popish lative Gouncil was to consist only of proreligion, and, in a great measure, esta- testants ; because, if papists are fit to be blishing it, by imposing a tax of the members of such a Gouncil, they must twenty-sixth bushel of corn npon forty- likewise be fit to be assembly-men ; and nine landholders out of fiftyfor the in that case there is no pretence for not maintenance of priests to teach it. At the calling an assembly at présent, agreeably same time the act makes no provition for to the King's promise in his proclamathe teaching the protestant religion, but tion. But this législative Gouncil may only impowers the King to do so out of consist of either protestants or papits : the tythes due from protestant land- nay, they may be ail papists, and even holders, if he shall so please. So that, popish priests for aught that is enacted to upon the whole, the act seems likely to the contrary in this act. Thirdly, the perpetuate the Roman-Gatholick religion, former législative Gouncil was for the old rather than gradually to introduce the province of Quebeck only, which is of a
size capable of being governed by an assembly ; by which mearis the introduction of that constitutional mode of government in some years hence was kept in view, in case the number of protestants should suffîciently increase in the pro. vince to make it proper ; whereas the législative Gouncil is invested with anthority over acountry too extensive to be governed by an assembly, if the inhabitants of it should ail be protestants; which gives room to apprehend that the whole design of even having an assembly is laid aside. Fourthly, the former législative Gouncil was to consist of thirty one raembers, of whom seventeen were to be necessary to make a board. This may consist of only seventeen members of whom nine may make a board. Fiftly, in the former législative Gouncil the members were to be whoUy independent of the governour, neither liable to be removed nor suspended byhim, but only by the King ; but in this act there is nothing to prevent the King from communicating to his governour a power of suspending or removing the members of this Gouncil at his pleasure. Sixthly, in the former législative Gouncil the members were to hâve been paid for their attendance ; which was done with a view to procure a full attendance, and thereby to give weight and dignity to the ordinances they should make : but in the présent législative Gouncil the members are not to be paid, and therefore will not perhaps attend in considérable numbers, but will leave the business to to be transacted by those who hâve offices in the government, or who are othervise most dépendent on the governour, and disposed to be subservient to his pleasure. There is certainly some danger of an inconvenience of this kind, though I heartily wish the event may shew it to be very small. Thèse diiïerences betvveen the two législative Goun-
cils, will, I hope, acquit me in your opinions, gentlemen, of the suspicion of having in any degree contributed to the establishment of that which is appointed by this act.
« You will further observe that this act revives the whole French law, in the lump, concerning civil matters : the words of the act, are, concerning matters of property and civil rights. It was objected to this clause in the house of Gommons where alone this act met with a full discassion, having passed the house of Lords, as I hâve been assured, almost without opposition, and as a matter of course, and without calling any witnesses to support the allégations upon which the bill was grounded,) that by it the English laws concerning personal liberty, and the writ of Habeas Gorpus were abolished, and the French practice of imprisoning subjects at the King's pleasure by letters de cachet^ or orders under the King's hand and seal, without assigning any cause for such imprisonment, would become lawful. Mr. Dunning declared it to be his opinion that it would be so : for that, as Personal liberty is a civil right, and the act says that in ail matters of property and civil rights resort shall be had to the laws of Ganada, and not to the laws of England, it must follow that, if a man was deprived of his liberty by a lettre de cachet^ and his fiends were to apply to the chief justice for his discharge, the chief justice would be bound to answer that, as ihis was a matler concerning a civil right, heniust proceed by the laws of Ganada, which atîbrded a man no relief wlien be was imprisoned by the King's lellve de caclwi.
tt It was therefore moved that a short clause to introduce the English law concerning the writ of Habeas Gorpus for the recoveiy of personal liberty, should be inserted in the act. But the Ministry oppOï>eJ il, and threw it ont, notwithstan-
GDG
LK DUOIT CAWL CANAUIKN.
diiifç thfiy (IciclanMl th(;y li.ul iio Ihouf^lit of iiilrodiiciii^ tin» practir;»; of issijiij;^ leltrcs decaclirl. 'Pliis scciiKjd vcry sli-aii^^; to inariy iMîOplc, iM.'caiiso a clauso of tliis kiiid vvas not only iiocessary lo Ui<; honoiir of tlio crown to fulfil, in a very iniporlant artioh», Iho King's promise to liis Hi'itish siil)je(:ts in th(î proclamation of October 17Gli, of tho onjoymfîiit of tho benofit of tho lavvs of England, but must likewise bave been agréable to the Canadians ont of tenderness to wbom this revival of the French laws in civil matters is said by the patrons of this act to bave been made. For il cannot be supposed that they would be adverse to so excellent a method of protecting their personal liberty.
« Further, it was objected in the House of Gommons to the same clause concerning the revival of the French law^ upon ail matters of property and civil rights, that it takes away the trial by jury in ail those cases. And it was thereupon proposed that a clause should be inserted in the bill for preserving the trial by jury in civil matters as well as in criminal, at least upon the footing it has been upon in the Court of Gommon Pleas in that province ever since the establisment of the civil government, of an option in either of the parties to hâve the cause tried by a jury, if they so thought fit. And it was alledged in support of this motion, that an option to do a thing or let it alone, is generally agréable to people and that in the présent case this option had been allowed for ten years.
and found to be agreeable to the Ganadians ; because many of them had made use of it, in causes of considérable conséquence, to obtain a jury to décide the matter in dispute, rather than ieave it wholly to the détermination of the judges .For it had been testified at the bar of the house by several witnesses that, in causes of that Kind, the Gana-
dians had oft<îiior rhoson to hâve a jury than not. It was further said in Ix'half of this nir)tion for an 0[)tional jury, that it was higlily necessary for lh<' satisfaction of the British inhabitants of the provinc»* and was a niost essential {jarl of lhos<* benefits of the laws of England whirj»
the King had proinisfîd to grant th(.'iii by lus proclamation. But, notwilhstan ding thèse augments, (to which no answers, or very slight ones, were given,) the motion was rejected.
« Mr. Hey, the Ghief Justiceof the pro vince, was very instrumental in preventing the Franch law from being revived upon criminal matters as well as civil. In that point, he has succeeded so far as to obtain a continuance of the English law upon that subject in ail ils extent : which I présume, will be considered as a great service to the province, and more especially to the British inhabitants of it.
« I am in hopesthat your new législative Gouncil will restore to you the writ of Habeas Corpus^ and the trial by jury in civil cases, when the parties désire it, or, at least, when the Judge thinks it proper, by an ordinance for that purpose. But it would certainly hâve been more satisfactory to hâve had them established by the late act of parliament.
<s I greàtly suspect that this act of parliament will not be agréable even to the Ganadians, when they come to examine it carefully and understand it thoroughly. For, in the article of religion, I dare say many of them will think they were full as happily circumstanced before, when they had a most complète toleration of their manner of worship, but without a compulsive obligation to pay the priests their tythes, as now that this act has been so kind as to impose that obligation upon them, and with respect to civil matters, the loss of the Writ of Habeas Corpus and of their option of having their civil
contests decided by the Jury or not, as they like best, will hardly be considered by them as advantages. And in the affair of the législative council I am persuaded they will find themselves greaily disappointed. For in a mémorial which accompanied their last pétition, and which, together with the pétition, was laid before the House of Gommons, they désire to hâve a législative council rather than an assembly only for a few years, till the province shall be able to pay the taxes necessary for the support of the civil govérnment ; because they consider the province as too poor to pay those taxes at présent, and they suppose that they shali be obHged to pay them as soon as an assembly ia established, but not before : so that their désire of being governed by a législative council is grounded on the supposition that in that case they shall pay no taxes. But now they will find that they may be taxed, though they hâve no assembly. For another act of parliament bas been passed at the same time with this, for imposuig certain duties in the province ; which, though they are, 1 believe, very moderate and judicioiis, will certain ly be disagreabie to them, who made that strange préférence of a législative council to an assembly merely for the sake of avoiding them.
Mr. de Lotbinière is extreniely displeased with this législative council, and calls it a most dospotick instrument of govérnment. He S'iys expressly that, of the two, he should less dislike an assembly of protestants only, agreeably to the king's commission. And truly, upon the whole, I beUeve that would hâve been the best method of governing the province, while it remained of its former moderate magnitude, and pvon still, while the remote parts of it continue uninhabited. And I am not without hopes that, after some trial of this new législative council, the Canadians themselves will come to be of
the same opinion with Monsieur de Lotbinière, that a protestant assembly is a better instrument of govérnment than this législative council, and that they will join with the, British inhabitants in a pétition to hâve one established. Such a pétition would, I dare say, be complied with, more especially if it contained an acknowledgmentof the suprême authority of parliament, and a déclaration of their willingness to consent to any test that should be thought necessary to be imposed upon the members of such future assembly, expressing their sensé of its subordination to the authority of parliament, and their readiness to obey ail acts of parliament without exception or reserve. This 1 believe to be the only way by which you are likely to obtain the establishment of an assembly. I am informed that the province of Maryland bas been governed in this manner by an assembly of protestants only, ever since its first settlement, notwithstanding the majority of the inhabitants hâve been Roman Gatholicks, and are so still, though not in so great a proportion as formely. And yet no disturbance bas happened there from the jealousy, or dissatisfaction of the Roman-Gatholicks at being excluded from the assembly : but, on the contrary, they bave entrusted the care of their interests to their protestant neighbours with pleasure and alacrity, knowing that the temporal interests of the protestants in the province were the same with their own, and that the protestants would be more likely, (from the less confined genius of their religion, their fewer fasts and holidays, lesssubjection to the priesthood, better éducation, and greater degree of knowledge,) to take good care of them than they should themselves. And, if Britons born, and the descendants of Briton born who bave never acknowledged any temporal sovereign but the
(iOB
LK DHOIT Civil. CANAOIKN.
kiiiK of Knf^land, b.'ivo not tlioiif^lil il a h.'inlsliip to \n^ cxcliided froiii LIkî ass^mblv of Marylaiid on accoiml of Un; .,,u\vim IH-inciplos of lln.ir ndi^non, which madc tlitun subjoc^l to Ukî foreigu iurisdictiou of tlio hishop of Rome m anintnals, it suroly oii^^ht iiol to be thou-lit so by tbe Caiiadians, vvbo wore 80 latoly tbe subjccts of tbe Km- of France, and in arms for raany years toaetbcr against tbe crown of England.
Yet tbe Catbolicksmigbt be permitted to elect, tbough not to be elected members of tbe assembly: and tbat wonld give tbem a sufficient, and a very considérable influence in tbe government. I beartily wish that you may persuade many of tbe Ganadians to be of tbe same opinion with M. de Lotbinière upon tbis subject, and to join witb you in expressmg a désire to be governed by a protestant assembly ratber than by this législative council, and in acknowledgmg tbe suprême autbority of parliament : and then, 1 doubt not, your request will be complied witb ; but not otberwise.
, Tbe news-papers and other prmts wiU inform you of tbe particulars of the proceedings of tbe House of Gommons upon tbis biU ; in wbich Mr Mackworth Mr Dunning, Mr Tbomas Townshend, Jur Golonel Barré, governor Johnstone, Mr Dempster and Mr Edmund Burke, exerted tbemselves most in opposition to the bill and did procure some considérable amendements to be made to it. And tbe same papers will like wise shew you how much tbe bill bas been disliked by tbe people at large, by tbe uumber of letters written against it for tbe space of more than two months together. There are, however, two clauses in the bill, (besides tbat above mentioned for continumg the laws of England in the province upon criminalmatters,) which I présume will be agréable to the generality of the inhabiuintof the province, of both nations. There
an', a flanso to impower pensons possess(id cilbcr of land or p(;r8<jnal estatf to disposcî of tb(!ni as they think proi^^M-, l,y their last will and t(îsUim(;nt, and tbe cla.iscî wbich probibits the législative council from imposing any duties or taxes ; tbough there they bave added an exception which some persons will be apt to think too large. And the clause whicb revives the laws^ of Ganada on civil matters is generally thought to be reasonable enough so far as it relates ouly to the tenures of land, the mode of conveying it, and the rules of dower and inheritance, (wbich seem necessary to the family peace of the Ganadians,) butis blamed onlv for its very great extent, by means of the words, in matters ofproperty and civil rùjhts, by which the writ of Habeas Corpus, and the right of having a trial by jury in actions of false imprisonment, battery, and slander, and for other injuries, are thought to be taken away, and a heap of French laws upon thèse and other subjects introduced in their stead, wbich our judges neither do know nor are likely to know, and therefore will not be well able to administer. This distinction was mentioned in the printed case of the merchants trading to Quebeck, which was distributed to the members of both bouses of pal•liamen^ and of wbich I am mformed some copies hâve been sent into Ganada : and several of the gentlemen who spoke in opposi- , tion to the bill made use of this distinc- j tion in their speeches, and expressed a I readiness to consent to a revival of so much of the former French laws as re-j lated to the tenures, conveyances and inheritance of land: but wished tbat in other matters in which the revival of tùe French laws did not seem to be necessarj to the happiness of the Ganadians, the English laws might continue to be OD served, as this would g^adually tend t. produce an union of manuers of affection
between the two nations. Thèse are the principal observations that hâve occurred to me concerning this act of parliament, and the fate of your pétition for an assembly, as w^orthy of your notice and attention. And therefore with thom I shall conclude this long, and I fear tedions epistle, I remain, gentlemen, &.C., &i.c. »
Le 16 Septembre 1774 (1), Frederick Haldimand reçoit sa commission de Vice- Amiral.
Les délégués des Colonies de New- Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut,New York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, les comtés de Newcastle, Kent et Sussex du Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina et South Carolina, députés par les habitants de ces colonies, pour les représenter dans un Congrès général à Philadelphie, dans la province de Pennsylvanie, aux fins de se consulter ensemble pour trouver les meilleurs modes pour obtenir le redressement de leurs tristes griefs, s'étant en conséquence assemblés le 26 Octobre 1774 (2), prirent en leur sérieuse considération Tétat des affaires publiques, et envoyèrent aux habitants du Canada une Adresse dans laquelle ils leur demandaient de nommer des députés pour les représenter dans le Congrès continental qui devait avoir lieu à Philadelphie le 10 Mai 1775. A ce congrès préliminaire, Ton avait adopté la résolution suivante : « Que nous considérons la violation de vos droits {Province de Québec) par l'acte tendant à changer le gouvernement de votre province, comme une violation des nôtres, et que vous devez être invités à accéder à notre confédération, qui n'a pas d'autres objets que la parfaite sécurité des droits
(1) Stuart's. Admiralty Reports, 390.
(2) A letter to the Inhabitants of the Province of Québec Extract from the Minutes of the Congress. Philadelphla, 1774.
naturels et civils de tous les membi'es constituants, confoi^mément aux circonstances respectives, et la conservation d'une connection heureuse et durable avec la Grande-Bretagne, sur des principes salutaires et constitutionnels. Pour obtenir ce que nous désirons, nous avons adressé une humble et loyale adresse à Sa Majesté, priant pour le redressement de vos griefs et des nôtres ; et nous nous sommes associés pour arrêter toutes les importations avec la Grande Bi-etagne et l'Irlande, après le premier Décembre et toutes les exportations dans ces royaumes et les Indes Occidentales, après le 10 Septembre prochain, à moins que ces griefs ne soient jedressés. »
Le 12 Novembre 1774 (1), les trois requêtes suivantes sont signées par les Canadiens pour demander des changements à l'Acte de Québec ou son rappel:
« To the King's mosC excellent Majesty^
« The Pétition of your Majesty's niost loyal and dutiful ancient Subjects settled in the Province of Quebeck, « Most humbly sheweth,
«That we, upon the faith of your sacred Majesty's royal proclamation bearing date the seventh day of October, which v^as in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, did come and settle ourselves in the said province, purchasing houses and lands, and carrying on extensive trade, commerce and agi'iculture, whereby the value of the land and wealth of its inhabitants are more than doubled ; during ail which time we humbly crave leave to say that we hâve paid a ready and dutiful obe dience to government, and bave lived in peace and amity with your Majesty's new subjects. Nevertheless we find, and with unutterable grief présume to say, that by a late act of parliament, intitled^
(1) Masères, An account, etc^ {v 23&.
« An Art for Ihe miaking morr rffrnlufil provision for Ihc (jovcrniiient of Ihc. Province of Qurbcrk in Norlh Anifrica^n w(; are dol»riv(Ml of the franchis(^s grantod by yoiir Majesly's royal pred(3cessors, .ind by us inhoritod from oiir forofatb«irs; tbat vve bave lost i\w, prot(»ctioii of tbo l^iglish laws, so iinivorsally adinirod for lb(3ir wisdom and hîiiity, and wbicb we bavo over bold in tbo highest vénération, and in their stead tbe laws of Canada are to be introduced, to wbicb we are utter strangei's, disgraceful to us as Britons, and in tbeir conséquences ruinous to our properties, as we thereby lose the invaluable privilège of trials by juries. Tbat in matters of a criminal nature the habeas corpus act is dissolved, and we are subjected to arbitrary fines and imprisonment at the will of the Governor and Council, who may at pleasure render the certainty of the criminal laws of no effect, by the great power that is granted. to them of making altérations in the same.
« We therefore most humbly implore your Majesty to take our unhappy state into your royal considération, and grant us such relief as your Majesty in your royal wisdom shall think meet. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. »
Il y a six noms canadiens- français parmi les signataires de cette pétition.
« To the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled^ « The Pétition of his Majesty's loyal and
dutiful his ancient Subjects settled in
the Province of Quebeck, « Humbly sheweth,
« That since the commencement of civil. government in this province, your •lordships, humble petitioners, under the protection of the English law granted us by his sacred Majesty's royal proclamation, bearing date the seventh day of
Orlohr.v wbicb was in tbe year of our Loir) 011(3 Iboiisand seven bundred and Kixty llinMJ, iiav(j l)e(;ii oncourag«id to adventnn; tluîir pro|Kirti(»s in trade, estâtes and agriculture, to a very considc»rable amouiit, tlierel)y rendering tbo provinco a valuable acquisition to Great Hrilain : Tbat, to tbeir inexpressible grief, tbey find, by an Act of parliament intitled. <(Act for making more effectuai provision for the government of the province of Qurbc-ck in North • Américain th(3y are deprived of tbe liabeas corpus act and trial by juries, are subjected to arbitrary fines and imprisonment, and liable to be tried both in civil cases and matters of a criminal nature, not by known and permanent laws, but by ordinances and edicts which the Governor and Council are impowered to make void at their will and pleasure, which must render our persons and properties insecure and bas already deeply wounded the crédit of the country, and confined our views in trade to very narrow limits. In this cruel state of appréhension and uncertainty, we humbly implore your lordships' favourable interposition, as the hereditary guardians of the rights of the people, that the said act may be repealed or amended, and that your humble petitioners may enjoy their constitutional rights, privilèges, and franchises heretofore granted to ail his Majesty's dutiful subjects, &c., &c. »
« To the Honourable the Gommons of Great Britain in Parliament assembled.
(( The humble Pétition and Mémorial of his Majesty's ancient Subjects the Seigneurs, Freeholders, Merchants, Traders, and others settled in his Majesty's Province of Quebeck, '< Sheweth,
«That, under the sanction of his Majesty's royal proclamation bearing date
the seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, wliich gracioiisly i)romises to ail persons inhabiting in, or resorting to this province, his royal protection for the enjoyment of the benefit of the laws of the realm of England, until assemblies should be called therein, they did corne and settle themselves in this province, having entriisted their own properties, as well as very considérable snms of their friends, in goods and merchandizes, from Great-Britain, and entrusted the same into the hands of the Canadians, as well for the purpose of internai trade in the province, as for ontsets in carrying on the traffîck of furs and peltries in the Indian countries and fisheries below Quebeck, many of them having purchased lands and houses and been employed in agriculture, and the exportation of grain and other produce to foreign markets, to the great benefit and émolument of the said province, which has flourished chiefly by the iniustry and enterprising spirit of the said mbjects, who, under the protection of 3ritish laws, and by the assistance of innual supplies of British manufactures, ind other goods and merchandize obtailed upon crédit from the merchants of Ireat Britain, hâve been enabled to carry n at least four parts in five of ail the nports and exports which are princially made in British bottoms, the latter DDsisting of furs, peltries, wheat, fish, il, pot-ash, lumber, and other countr y prouce : and for the more convenient carnng on of the said trade and commerce, ley hâve built wharfs and store houses a very great expence, insomuch that e property, real and personal, now in •itish hands, or by them entrusted to madians at a long crédit, is one half of e whole value of the province, exclure of the wealth of the différent commities; which your petitioners hâve
in part set forth in the humble pétition to his most excellent Majesty, dated at Quebeck, the thirty first day of December, which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventythree ; humbly praying that he would be graciously pleased to require his governour or commander-in-chief to call a gênerai assembly, in such manner, and of such constitution and form, as to his Majesty's royal wisdom should seem best adapted to secure the peace, welfarc, and goodgovernmentof this province. Wherefore with deep concern they observe, that in certain examinations taken before yourjionourable house, the British subjects hère hâve been grossly abused and misrepresented, as well as to their numbers as in their importance in this province. For the number of the new subjects has, we humbly conçoive, been greatly exaggerated, it being, by the last computation, about seventy-five thousand; whereas, by an enumeration of the British subjects, they amount at this time to upwards of three thousand soûls, besides many that we cannot immediately ascertain that are dispersed in the Indian countries carrying on trafilckwith the savages, besides the merchants and traders with their families settled at Détroit and its dependencies, and at the fisheries below Quebeck. And whereas an act of parliament has lately passed, intituled « An Act for the making more effectuai provision for the government of the province of Quebeck in North-America,^ which is said to hâve been passed upon the principles of humanity and justice, and at the pressing instance and request of the new subjects, signified to his Majesty by an humble pétition setting forth their dislike to the British laws and form of government, and praying, in the name of ail the inhabitants and citizens of the province, to hâve the French institutes in their stead, and a total abolition of
trials by .jniy, lo-<'llu'r willi a rap;icity ol" holding' plafM^sol' lioiioni' .iii'l tnist, m common wiUi lus Majrsly's aiici.M.t siibiects. Wu crav(3 Itiavo to iiifonii yoiir honoiirable housc, thaï tlio said iM-litioii was nevci iinparled to th(! iiilial.ilaiits in g(Mi(M-al (Ihat is) tlui fnioholdcîrs, iikm-chanls and traders, who are e(inally alarmed with ns at thc Canadian laws bemto take place, but was in a secret manner carried about and signed by a few of the scignenrs, chevaliers, advocates, and others in their confidence, at the suggestions, and under the influence of Iheir priests ; who, under colour of French laws, bave obtained an act of parhament which deprives bis Majesty's ancient subjects of ail their rights and franchises, destroys the Habeas Corpus act, and the inestimable privilège of trial by juries, the only security against the venality of a corrupt judge, and gives unlimited power to the Governor and Council to alter the criminal laws ; which act bas already struck a damp upon the crédit of the country, and alarmed ail your humble petitioners with the just appréhensions of arbitrary fines and imprisonment, and which, if it takes place, will oblige them to quit the province, or in the end, it must accomplish their ruin, and impoverish or hurt their gênerons creditors, the merchants in Great Britain, &c. To prevent which, your petitioners most humbly pray that the said act may be repealed or amended, and that they may bave the benefit and protection of the^English laws, in so far as relates to personal property ; and that their liberty may be ascertained according to their ancient constitutional rights and privilèges heretofore granted to ail bis Majesty's dutiful subjects throughout the liritish empire. And, &c., &c. »
Le 8 Décembre 1774 (l), Guy Carleton
l.nr.- une proclamation pour annoncer la mis.' .Ml vigueur de l'Acte de Qnélxic.
\j. 20 l)éc(;mbre 1774 (l), la lettre suivante circulait parmi les canadiensfrançais :
« Quclfiues Anglais travaillent à nous indisposer contre les derniei-s actes du parlfMuent qui règlent le gouvernement d(; cette province. Ils déclam»Mit surtout contre l'introduction de la loi française, qu'ils vous représentent comme favorisant la tyrannie. Leurs émissaires répandent parmi les pereonnes peu instruites, que nous allons voir revivre les lettres de cachet; qu'on nous enlèvera nos biens malgré nous ; qu'on nous traînera à la guerre et dans les prisons ; qu'on nous accablera d'impôts; que la justice sera administrée d'une manière arbitraire ; que nos gouverneurs seront despotiques : que? la loi Anglaise nous eût été plus avauta. geuse. Mais la fausseté de ces imputa tions, ne saute-t elle pas aux yeux ? Y a t-il quelque connexion entre les loii françaises et les lettres de cachet, le prisons, la guerre, les impôts et le despo tisme des gouverneurs ? Sous cette loi, la vérité, vos procès ne seront plus décidé par un corps de jurés, où président soi vent l'ignorance et la partialité. Mais ser; ce un mal ? La justice anglaise est el moins coûteuse ? Aimeriez-vous que v enfants héritassent à l'Anglaise, tout l'aine, rien aux cadets? Seriez-vous bi(j aise quon vous concédât vos terres a^* taux de l'Angleterre? Voudriez -vc paver la dixme à dixième gerbe, romi en Angleterre ? La loi française N'est-e pas plus claire, plus simple ? n'est-e pas écrite dans une langue que vo entendez? I^ loi française a donc pc vous toute sorte d'avantages : et anglais judicieux, (tels qu'il s'en troi un grand nombre dans la colonie,) c
1V1 >^^ dp l'Etat T> 100. (1) Masères, An account, etc., p. 264,
(2) Chisholmc's Papers, M.bS, de l t^tat, p. iw. v
viennent qu'on ne pourra nous la refuser avec équité.
« Aussi n'est-ce pas là le point qui choque d'avantage ces citoyens envieux dans les actes du parlement dont ils voudraient obtenir la révocation. Le voici, ce point, qu'ils vous cachent, mais qui se défend entre eux. L'un de ces actes non seulement vous permet le libre exercice de la religion catholique, mais il vous dispense de serments qui y sont cou traires, et par là il vous ouvre une porte aux emplois et aux charges de la province. Voilà ce qui les révolte ! Voilà ce qui les fait dire dans les papiers publics : «Que c'est un acte détestable, abominable, qui autorise une religion sanguinaire, qui répand partout l'impiété, les meurtres, la rébellion. » Ces expressions violentes nous marquent leur caractère, et le chagrin qu'ils ont de n'avoir point une assemblée, dont ils se proposaient de vous exclure en exigeant de vous des serments que votre religion ne vous aurait pas permis de prêter, comme ils ont fait à la Grenade. Par ce moyen ils se seraient vus seuls maîtres de régler tous vos intérêts, civils, politiques et religieux. Vous pouvez vous instruire de leurs desseins en lisant les adresses qu'ils ont envoyées à Londres. Ils y représentent au roy. « Que les sujets protestants sont en assez grand nombre en cette province pour y établir une assemblée. » Ce mot nous les démasque. Une poignée d'hommes, que le commerce avantageux qu'ils ont fait avec nous vient, pour la plupart, de tirer de la poussière, veulent devenir nos maîtres et nous réduire à l'esclavage le plus dur. Je le répète. Je ne parle que des Anglais du comité de Montréal et de quelques marchands de Québec, qui demandent la révocation de cet acte. 11 faut que ces gens là nous croient bien bouchés et bien aveugles sur nos propres intérêts, pour nous proposer de nous opposer à un acte, que nous avons de-
mandé ; qui a conté bien des soins et des sollications aux personnes respectables qui s'étaient chargées de nos intérêts ; qui nous a été octroyé par notre très gracieux Souverain comme une marque de bienveillance toute particulière ; qui a été reçu de notre part avec les marques de la joie la plus vive et la plus grande reconnaissance,ayant tous signé, il y a peu de jours, une adresse à Sa Majesté pour lui en faire nosremarciments. Ne serait ce pas nous rendre ridicules que de nous déclarer contre un acte qui nous accorde ce que nous demandions, le libre exercice de notre religion, l'usage de nosanciennei lois, l'extension des limites de notre province? Nos prétendus amis n'er ont tant d'horreur que parcequ'ils trouvent qu'il nous est trop favorable. Il est vrai que ces actes établissent un impôt sur les boissons. Mais n'y en avait-il pas du temps des Français. N'est-il pas juste que nous contribuions aux dépenses et aux charges de la province ? Cette taxe n'estelle pas modérée et assise sur les objets les moins nécessaires à la vie ? Ouvrez donc les yeux, chers Canadiens, qui pouvez vous être laissés séduire par des ennemis qui veulent vous engager à servir la haine qu'ils vous portent et à vous faire perdre l'affection de votre souverain. J'oubliais une de leurs objections. On parle de la levée d'un régiment Canadien. On se sert de cette circonstance pour vous dire qu'on vous forcera à vous enrôler et à aller faire la guerre au loin : et, d'un bienfait qu'on a sollicité pour vous, on vous en fait un objet de terreur. Serait-ce donc un malheur pour la colonie s'il y avait un régiment Canadien de quatre à cinq cents hommes, dont tous les oQiciers seraient Canadiens? Cela ne rendrait-il pas à quantité de familles respectables un lustre qui réjaillirait sur toute la colonie ? On augure mal de votre courage, puisqu'on cherche à vous effrayer par là. Il me reste bien des
i.K [)i{()rr crvfL canadien.
choses à vous diic : mais j(3 serrais IroiJ long. »
Le 30 Dùcemhro 1774 (l),(;iiy CaiNaoïi reçoit sa ('Oiiiiiiission (h) Vie»; Aiiiir.il.
Les iiislriictions, qui ont accompagné la commission du (lonvcM-ncui* (^ailclon, le 3 Janvier 1775, après l'adoption du Qucbec-Acùj ne sont pas dans les Archives de l'Etat. L'explication de cette absence regrettable se trouve dans un pamphlet publié à Londres en 1771) (2), par le Jugeen-Chef Livius, ([ui avait été destitué j)ar Carleton, pour avoir simplement demandé à la séance du Conseil du 23 Avril 1778, que le Gouverneur communiquât aux membres de son Conseil, les instructions qu'il avait reçues avec sa commission. Le but de cette communication était de constater la juridiction du Conseil et sa compétence à faire des lois. Carleton s'y refusa et fut tellement froissé de cette demande qui lui paraissait plus qu'indiscrète, suspendit le moteur ou plutôt destitua le Juge-en-Chef Livius.
Il est impossible de retrouver en entier le texte de ces instructions. Livius, dans son pamphlet, n'en cite que neuf articles. La réponse aux observations des Juges des Plaidoyers Communs dont il sera bientôt parlé n'en reproduit qu'un article. L'abbé Ferland, dans ses observations à l'Histoire de l'Abbé Brasseur, ne fait que des extraits de l'article 21. Voici le texte de ces extraits tels que publiés dans ces divers ouvrages :
« 2o It is our further will and pleasure, that any five of the said Council shall constitute a Board of Council for transacting ail business, in which their ad-
(1) Stuart's. Admiralty Reporte, p. 390.
(2) Proceedings between Sir Guy Carleton, K.B., late Governor of the Province of Québec, and Peter Livius, Esquire, Chief Justice of the said Province, with the Représentation of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations thereupon ; The Report of the Lords Committee of Council, and his Majesty order in Council, 1779.
vicf aïKJ cons(Mit may bo rerjuinite, acts of législation on! y «;xcepted (in whicli case yon ai»; not lo art withont a majority of lin; wliolci. And it is our furlln.T will and i)l(;asure, that the mernbers of our said Council shall hâve and enjoy ail iIk; powers, privilèges, and émoluments, enjoyed by tlie memhei-s of our Councils in our oth(;r plantations ; and aiso such oth(;rs, as an; contain(;d and direcled, in our said commission under our Great Seal of Great Britain, and in thèse our instructions to vou, .and that they shall meet together at such time and times, place and places, as you in your discrétion shall think necossary, except when they meet for the purpose of législation, in which case they are to be assembled at the town of Québec only.
« 7o You are forthvvith to communicate such and so many of those our instructions to our said Council, wherein their advice and consent and mentioned requisite ; as likewise ail such others, from time to time, as you shall fmd convenient for our service to be imparted to them.
«8» You are to permit the members of our said Council, to hâve and enjoy freedom of debate, and vote in ail affairs of public concern, that may be debated in Council.
« 9o And whereas by the aforesaid act, passed in the fourteenth year of our reign, entituled. « An act for making more effectuai provision for the government of the province of Québec in Nortti- America ; » it is further enacted and provided, that the Council for the affairs of the said province, to be constituted and appointed in manner therein directed, or the major part thereof, shall hâve power and authority to make ordinances for the peace, welfare, and good government of the said province, with the consent of our Governor, or in his absence, of the Lieutenant Governor, or Commander in Chief for the time being, provided that
no ordinance ehall be passed unless upon effect, until the same shall hâve received
some urgent occasion, at any meeting of our approbation.
the Gouncil, except between the first day « That no ordinance be passed relative
of January and the first day of May. And to the trade,, commerce or fisheries of
v^hereas the state and condition of our the said Province, by which the in-
said province do require, that immédiate habitants thereaf shall be put upon a
provision should be made by law for a more advantageous footing than any of
great variety of arrangements and regu- his Majesty's subjetcs either of this King-
lations essentially necessary to the go- dom or the Plantations,
vernment, it is therefore our will and «That no ordinance respecting private
pleasure, that y ou do, witbin a conve property be passed without a clause sus-
nient time, issue sumraons for the assem- pendmg its exécution, until our royal
bling of our said Gouncil in their legis- will and pleasure is known, nor v/ilhout
lative capacity, either on the first day of a saving of the right of us, our heirs and
April next, or as soon after as may be successors, and of ail bodies politic and
convenient, in order to deliberate upon corporate ; and of ail other persons, ex-
and frame such ordinances, as the condi- cept such as are mentioned in ihe s.iid
tion of ajQ'airs within our said province ordinance, and those claiming by, iVom,
shall require, and as shall, in your and and under them ; and before s'ch ordi-
theirjudgment,befitand necessary for the nance is passed, proof must be raade be-
welfare of our said province and the ter- fore you in Gouncil, and entered in the
ritories thereunto belonging. Gouncil books, that public notification
« IQo You are nevertheless to take es was made of the party's intention to ap-
pecial care, that no ordinance be passed ply for suc'" ordinar ce in the î:cve.'al pa-
at any meetiagof the Gouncil, where less rish churc-^c.^., "v'^C-'' the lands in ques-
than a majority of the Gouncil is pre- t'cn Te, fer ihrf^e su.ndaysat lers-. sacces-
sent; or at any time, except between the sively before any sach ordinar.jc sliall
first day of January and the first day of be proposed ; and yoii are to transmit
May as aforesaid, unless upon some ur- and annex to the said ordinance i certi-
gent occasion ; ia which case every Mem- ficate under your kand, that ihz same
ber thereof, résident at Québec, or v/ithin passea though ail the forms ?.bove-men-
fi.fty miles thereof, shall be personally tioned.
summoned to attend the same. « That no ordinance shall dg enacted
((That no ordinance be passed forlaying for a le?s lime than two years. except in
any taxes or duties, such rates and taxes cases of imminent necessity, or immédiate
only excepted, as the inhabitants of any tc^porary expediency; and you ?liall
town or district may be au;.uori'^ed to net rs-e^iact s.ny ordinance, to which our
assess, levy and apply within the said assert shall hâve been onco refused,
town or district fo? making rcads, erec- without express lcav« for that ;;Vi.n-pose
ting and repairing public buildiv:^s or first cbtçined from us. upon a .v II re-
for any other pnrpose, respecting: the prcsei^ta^ion by you, tobe made io us by
locrJ. conv3nience and economy cf such one of our principal Sec.^-e taries n'^fitate,
town or d).:;tvict. and to our Gomminsioners for 7:.^ild and
« Thai; no oruinai;ce toucl 'p.^- rcIVicn, Pir ^nations, for their inTormaliDn of the
or by wIA^h any p^ii^'imenl may be r63.sons and necessity for pa^sir;^ such
imiic'ed j^reater than rine or iTnr'ri^pn- oj-dinance ; i"'or give your assent to any
ment for ôhree mcnths, be made to tal^e ordinance Ter BCpeaîing any other or-
J.K DHOIT ClVrr. CANADIKN.
(lin.'iiifc, wliicli halli pass<Ml in yoiir g()V(inim(Mil, aiid shall liave rf;coiv(;d oiir royal approbation, iiiiloss you take carc, tliat Ihoro bo a clauso iiiserted thoroin, suspend iiif,^ and doforriii/^ the execnlion Miorcof, nu (il our ploasure be knovvn concorning tho same.
>( 11" In Iho considération ofwhatmay b(; necessary to be provided for by law, within our said Province, as created and established by thcaforcsaid act, intitnled a An Act for making more elfectnal provision for tbe government of tbe Province of Québec in North-America, » a great variety of objects hold themselves forth to ihe attention of tiie législative Gouncil.
12« (l) The establishment of Courts, and a proper mode of administering civil and criminal justice throughout the whole extent of our Province, according to the principles declared in the said act for making more effectuai provision for the government thereof, demand the greatestcare and circumspection ; for, as on the one hand, it is our gracions purpose, conformable to the spirit and intention of the said Act of Parliament, that our Ganadian subjects should hâve the benefit and use of their own law, usages and customs, in ail controversies respecting titles of land, and the tenure, descent, aliénation, incumbrances, and settlement of real estâtes, and the distribution of personal property of persons dying intestate ; so on the other hand, it will be the duty of ihe législative Gouncil to consider v^ell in framing such ordinances, as may be necessary for the establishment of courts of justice, and for the better administration of justice, v^hether the laws of England may not be, if not altogether, at least in part, the rule of décision in ail
(1) Cet article est repi-odnit aussi dans la réponse de M. Monk à l'Introduction aux Observations des I uges etc., page 66, dont il sera ci-après parlé.
cases of [nTSinuil actiori.s, grounded iipon debts, promises, con tracts and agreements, whether of a mercantile or other nature ; and also of wrongs, projxjr to be comjKMi.sated in (lamag«»s ; and more osjHMially when» our natiiral b<jrn subjects of Great-Britain, Indand, or our other Plantations, reslding at Québec, or who may resoi t thither, or hâve crédit or proj)erty within the sanir», may happen to be either piaintifTor défendant, in any civil suit of such a nature.
'( 13^ Security to personal liberty, is a fnndamenlal principle of justice in ail free governments ; and the making due provision for that purpose, is an object the législature of Québec ought never to lose sight of ; nor can they foUow a better example than that which the common law of this kingdom hath set, in the provision made for a writ of habeas corpus, which is the right of every British subject in this kingdom.
'( 17o You shall not displace any of the Judges, Justices of the peace, or other ofïicers or ministers, without good and sufïicient cause, which your shall signify to us by one of our principal Secretaries of State, or to our Gommissioners for Trade and Plantations for their , information (1). »
«21" G'est notre volonté et notre bon plaisir :
<( io Que... toute correspondance avec une juridiction ecclésiastique quelconque, de quelque nature ou de quelque sorte qu'elle soit, soit prohibée, sous les peines les plus sévères.
(( 2« Qu'aucun pouvoir épiscopal ou vicariat ne soit exercé dans notre dite province, par une personne professant la religion de TEglise de Ronle. excepté le^^
(1) Proceedings between Sir Guy Carleton, K.B., Late Governor of the Province of Québec, and Peter Livius, Bsquire, Chief Justice of the said Prorince,
Ac, Ac, p. as.
pouvoirs qui sont essentiellement et absolument nécessaires au libre exercice de ia religion romaine, et dans ce cas, ils ne seront exercés qu'avec une licence ou permission de vous, sous le grand sceau de notre dite province... et aucun individu ne recevra les ordres sacrés, ou n'aura le soin des âmes sans une licence tenue et obtenue de vous pour cette fin.
«4» Qu'aucun individu, professant la religion de l'Eglise de Rome, ne sera nommé desservant d'une paroisse, dans laquelle la majorité des habitants demandera la nomination d'un ministre protestant ; dans ce dernier cas, le desservant sera protestant, et aura droit à recevoir toutes les dîmes payables dans telle paroisse; néanmoins les catholiques romains pourront avoir l'usage de l'église pour le libre exercice de leur religion, aux heures où elle ne sera pas occupée par les protestants pour leurs services religieux.
« 7o Que tous les desservants de paroisse posséderont leurs bénéfices durant bonne conduite ; cependant s'ils sont convaincus d'offenses criminelles ou de menées séditieuses pour troubler la paix et la tranquillité de notre gouvernement, ils seront suspendus ou privés de leurs bénéfices par vous, de l'avis ou du consentement de la majorité de votre Con- .seil.
« 8o Que les ecclésiastiques qui jugeront à propos d'entrer dans le saint état du mariage seront affranchis de toutes peines auxquelles pourrait les assujétir l'autorité du siège de Rome pour cet acte.
«12f> ...Que tous les missionnaires qui sont établis parmi les sauvages, soit par l'autorité des Jésuites, soit par celle de tout autre pouvoir ecclésiastique, soient retirés graduellement, à telles époques et de telles manières que le demanderont le bon plaisir des sauvages et la sûreté publique, et que des missionnaires pro
testants soient nommés à leur place (1). »
Ces articles, dit l'abbé Ferland (2), sont suivis d'une longue série d'instructioîis, dirigées conti'e l'église catholique, et toujours mises en avant comme ne gênant aucunement le libre exercice de la religion de l'église romaine.
Lors de l'invasion de l'armée améi'icaine, le Général Carleton (3) ordonna à \m seigneur canadien d'enrôler ses censitaires, pour rt pousser l'ennemi. Ce seigneur le fit sur un si haut ton que les censitaires lui répondirent qu'ils n'étaient plus les sujets du Roi de France, mais du Roi d'Angleterre, et qu'ils n'étaient plus tenus de lui obéir comme à leur seigneur. Ce seigneur éiait presqu'un enfant et les censitaires ne voulaient pas souffrir d'être commandés par lui. Ils offraient cependant leurs services. Il en fut de même dans toutes les parties du pays.
Le G Avril 1775 (4), Peter Livius est nommé Juge de la Cour de Vice-Amirauté.
Malgré que l'acte de Québec fût sanctionné le 22 Juin 1775 (5) et que par cet acte toutes les cours de justice fussent abolies le b'i" Mai 1775, le Conseil Législatif laissa la Province sans tribunaux jusqu'au 15 Octobre 1775. Aucune action civile ne fut instituée dans cet intervalle. Le Juge-en-Chef Hey avait proposé au conseil de rétablir les lois commerciales anglaises et le procès par jury à l'option des parties et du consentement du tribunal ; mais le conseil s'y refusa. Le Gouverneur Carleton pour prévenir le désordre que susciterait fabolition des tribunaux nomma trois magistrats (ju'il
(1) L'abbé Ferland. Observations d V Histoire dr rabbé Brasseur, p. 28.
(2) Id-, p. 29.
(3) Masôres. Paper s on Québec, 72.
MacMuUen. History of Canada, p. 201.
(4) Stuart. AdmiraUy^s Reports, 391.
(5) Mîisères. Paper s on Québec, 151.
LK Dliori' Civil. CANADIKN.
inTri-ITT.jj
ajuK'la Consorvatoiirs (](\ la !*ai\ pon:- !♦• (iisli'icf, (In QiiôIhîc <;l aulaiil pour Ir (lisfricl (Itî MoiiliJ'al. C(!ux (jui on! ('-ti'' iioiiinirs j)()iir Qhi;1)(m: (Haiciil MM. Adam Mabaiio, Thoinas Dmm et Claude Panel.
Les doux [)remi(;rs avaient été Juges de la Cour dos Plaidoyers Communs pour le district de Québec avant l'abolition des tî'ibunaux, M. Panet était un Avocat et Notaire cathoIi(|ue. A Montréal les conservateurs de la Paix étaient MM. le Capitaine John Fraser, Jolin Marteilhe et René Ovide Hertel de Rouville. Les deux premiers avaient aussi été Juges des Plaidoyers Communs et le dernier, Juge à Trois-Rivières sous la domination française.
Il y avait sept ans (I) M. Vincelet, seigneur de rislet avait donné, à la requisi tion de l'Eveque dans sa visite, un terrain de huit arpents en superficie, à la condition qu'on bâtirait l'Eglise sur ce terrain. M. Vincelet y fit construire à ses frais un très vaste presbytère, dans lequel on pouvait dire la messe, en attendant que l'Eglise fut construite : le curé y était logé. Au bout de deux ans, Mgr. Briand, à la demande des habitants du haut de la paroisse, détermina ailleurs un lieu où l'Eglise devait être bâtie. Elle s'éleva insensiblement et après trois années on la compléta de manière à y pouvoir dire la m.esse. La condition n'étant pas remplie, M. Vincelet reprit son terrain et la maison qu'il y avait construite. L'Eveque lui fait signifier par le curé que ce qu'il a donné à l'église, il ne peut le retirer; et qu'en coREcquence s'il ne remet pas le terrain au curé, il l'excommunierait avec toute sa famille. M. Vincelet n'en fit rien et garda son terrain. Le prélat, lui fit signifier par le cm ' Tevcommunication, ainsi qu'à son épouse, dans le cas où elle aurait été du mêir.e 1 3ji:ixr.QX)X. Alors M. Vincelet le pourL:uld;:, et, en pleine Cour, lui reprocha
ses furcMirs, ses violence» et son ambition de vouloir se rendre d(;spoti<iue dan* le pays, h; traita de ix'rfnrba:eur du repos [lublic. La Cour garda un jjrofond silence pfMidanl que M. Vinc(det jarla et (die ordonna que vu que la clause conditionnelle n'avait pas été ol>S(jrvée, le terrain rf^tournerait à M. Vincelet, et condannia r?]vé(|ue.
Par une des clauses de l'Acte de Québec les cours de justice furent abolies, comme on vient de le voir. Cette claui> ; annulait les Ordonnances adoptées [tnv 'e gouverneur et le Conseil et comme conséquence tout ce que ces ordonnances avaient créé et établi. Malheureusement l'acte de Québec en détruisant les tribunaux existants ne pourvoyaient pas à leur remplacement. C'était donc une mesuT-e de prudence que Carleton prenait en réinstallant les juges des Plaidoyers Communs sous un autre nom.
Le jour où les tribunaux furent abolis, le l^r Mai 1775, le buste du Roi, à Montréal, fut couvert de noir, une mitre mise sur sa tête, et l'inscription suivante se lisait : « Voici le Pape du Canada et le Sot des Anglais.» Ce iféuit pas un cas pendable, tel est l'avis de Masères (l). Cependant un M. de Bellestre, membre du nouveau conseil législatif, croyant loyal d'y trouver matière à pendre, se serait trouvé froissé d'entendre dire près de lui par un jeune anglais du nom de Franks, qu'en Angleterre on ne pendait pas pour si peu. Une altercation survint entre M. de Bellestre et M. Franks, il s'en suivit des coups de poing. M. Franks voulut se plaindre aux juges, qui refusèrent de l'entendre. Ces mômes juges consentirent cependant à entendre M. de Bellestre. 11 le fit arrêter. Nous lisons ce qui suit dans l'acte d'emprisonnement :
(( Nous, ayant égard à la dite plainte, et considérant combien tout bon citoven
(1) Mmièic-, V,; iclyy l^apers, 120.
(1) Jdditional Paper s, 165.
doit envisager avec horreur un acte aussi atroce, ei que par conséquent^ tous les propos qui tendent à dire que c'est peu de chose, doivent être réputés criminels. » Le gouverneur Garleton fit ouvrir les portes de la prison au prisonnier.
Le 25 Mai 1775 (1), les officiers en loi de la Couronne font l'intéressant Rapport suivant sur les prétentions du seigneur de Lolbinière. On y voit la discussion sar la propriété du lac Champlain :
«Pursuant to your Lordships' order, dated the 17th day of June 1772, we hâve taken into considération the pétition of Michael Chartier de Lotbinière, Chevalier and styling hiniself Seigneur d'Alainville and d'Hocquart, setting forth amongst other things that he has been deprived and dispossessed of his two Lordships of d'Alainville and d'Hocquart, situated at the head of Lake Champlain, in a most advantageous position and consisting of the best and richest land in the Province of New-York to v^hich they w^ere annexed eighteen months after the Treaty of peace and huinbly praying for the reasons therein contained that he may be reinstated in the full enjoyment of his said tw^o Lordships, in the same manne r as when under the government of France, and that he may be reimbursed of the expenses he has been at in endeavoring to obtain redress therein and to be indemnified for having been kept ont of his estate and property for so long a time as well as for the damage his said estâtes may bave sustained, whereupon we beg leave to report to your Lordships :
« That the pétition of Monsr. de Lotbinière refers to two Tracts of land under very différent circumstances.
«With regard to that tract which is claimed by the petitioner under a t-itle derived from a purchase made by him, of Monsr. de Hocquart, in April 1763,
" (1) Manuscrit de la Société Historique de Québec. Archives de Londres.
after the conclusions of the Peace with P>ance,^it consists of two Seigneuries which amongst several other Seigneuries were granted by the most Christian King, under his authority, by the Governor of Canada upon Lake Champlain, after France had in violation of the rights of the Crown of Great Britain usurped the possession of the late and circumjacent country and forcibly maintained that possessioa^y erccting i:i Lhc year 1731 a fortress at Crown Point.
« It appears by the most authentic évidence upon the books of our office that Lake Champlain and the circumjacent country were at ail times claimed by the 5 Nations of Indians, as part of their possessions and that by agreement with them, the land on bothsides of the Lake to a very great extent was granted by the Governor of New- York to British subjects long before any possession appears to hâve been taken by the Crown of France, which having by the express stipulation of the 15th article of the Treaty of Utrecht acknowledged the sovereignty of the Crown of Great Britain over the five Nations, had upon every principle of justice and eqnity precluded itself from claira to the possession of any part of their Terri tory.
«Upon thèse grounds it was that erecting a Fort at Crown Point in 1731, was then and ever after complained of as an encroachment on the British Territories and a violation of our rights, and so careful were the ministers of this country to préserve those rights, that when in conséquence of the treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle, commissioners or commissaries were in the year 1750, appointed to settle with commissaries on the part of France, the limits of each others possessions in North America, they were instructed to iiisist that France had no right to any possession on the South side of the River St. Lawrence.
M-: DHDIT CIVIL CANADIEN.
