GENTLEMEN

« 1 have the honouf to transmit to you two references made to us by his Majesty’s command : and in order to save time, engaged as you are in so great a variety of business, I take the liberty of sending you some few observations on the second reference, it being expected that our report should be very full on this subject ; and which report will be circulated wherever the society exists. I will make any day or place agreeable to me, to settle our report, wbich will best suit yourselves, if you will fix it together and favour me with notice a few days before.

« In order to answer fully the purpose of the reference, 1 apprehend it is necessary to enter into a detail, and to keep

(1) Ordonnances, etc., p. 43.

(2) Marriott (James). Procureur-Géneral, Plan of a Code of Lawsfor the Province of Quebec. p, 246 (Appendix.)

(3) Mr. Norton, and Mr. De Grey.

(4) By the Right Honourable the earlof Halifax, his Majesty’s principal secretary of state; a copy of an arrêt of the parliament of Paris n been obtained,

the institute of the society constantly in view.

« In answer to the questions :

« What estate is vested in the communities or societies of Jesuits, which they occupy in houses ar lands in Canada ?

«a Whether they could, without powers from the father-general or superior, before the expiration of the eighteen months allowed for the sale of estates under the treaty of Paris, and now can make a good title thereto?

« And whether the general or superior, residing at Rome, and never having been in Canada, could have given, and now can give, powers to make a legal title for the sale of such possessions ?

«1 beg leave to observe, that, besides the Jesuits of the less Observance, who are to be found in every part of the world, concealed agents of the society, laymen as well as priests, persons who have been married as well as those who have never married, and of all conditions and employments of life (the whole order amounting to twenty thousand men in the year 1710, and since increased in porportion to the enterprising genius of that society in the course of half a century) the known communities of the Jesuits in Canada are the missions.

«The missions are, properly speaking, draughts from the houses of the professed ; (agreeably to the plan of this order, founded by a military man on military principles) they are engaged by their fourth vow to go to any part of the world where the Pope, or their general shall send them, non petilo viatico. The missions are so called in their institute, in distinction to the houses of the pro.

tessed, and from the houses of the novi.

ciats and colleges. The missions, like the professed, are all under a vow of poverty, and mendicants by institution; and as the professed hold estates in trust for the

noviciats and colleges, and the rest of the society, having nothing for themselves, otherwise than indireetly, (for they never beg notwithstanding their institute) so the missons, who are detachments from the professed, hold estates in the same manner. If the estates are donations, then they are held for such uses as the founders, by grant, gift, or devise, shall have directed, and for such further uses as the father-general shall direct; inasmuch as all donations are constantly accepted by the order, and ratified by the general, with this special salvo, commonly known and supposed to be acquiesced in by the donors or their representatives, a tamen ut in omnibus instituti ratio servetur. And if the estates are acquired by purchase out of the surplus of the funds destined ad libitum by the general for the support of the colleges, or out of profits arising from commerce or personal industry, then the missions hold these estates for the benefit of the whole society, wheresoever dispersed over the whole world, but united under one sovereign head domiciled at Rome, whose power over his whole order being unlimited, he is the sole proprietor, and, as it were, the heart of the whole body, into which, and from which, all property has a constant flux and reflux by a circulation of the system in all its parts. So that the estates of the society must be considered in the pos- - ssion of one man, the general of the -der ; who is always by birth an Italian, an actual subject ecclesiastical and civil ofthe Roman pontif; upon whom he acknowledges a kind of feudal dependence, rather than an implicit obedience, (the father-general having some times resisted, and being in some respects independent, even of papal authority) being in all other relations an absolute sovereign over his own vassals, who are independent of every civil government under which they reside ; to

which they cannot be United an a civil essence by the nature of their institute, without ceasing to be what their institute makes them, a distinct nation in the midst of nations, and an empire in the midst of empires. As all other regulars, according to the canon law, are servänts of their monastery, so the individuals of the society of Jesuits according to their institute are the servants, or rather slaves of their order ; and according to the rule of law, by which qguidquid acquiritur servo acquiritur domino, they have no property of their own.

«Itis remarkable, that the order (of which the province of France makes but a very small part) has been only tolerated provisionally in that kingdom, and upon probation of good behaviour, without ever having had any legal complete establishment, as a part of the ecclesiastical and civif constitution of the realm. The general of the order has constantly refused the conditions of the original admission made by the acts of the assembly at Poissy of the Gallican church, and has also refused the conditions of the re-admission of the society on the same terms after their expulsion, (which re-admission was granted by the royal edict, in virtue of a treaty between the crown of France and the papal see) because the terms of re-admission were radically subversive of the whole order. To the original acts of admission all subsequent edicts in their favour have had a retrospect. So that the arrêt of expulsion remained always liable to execucution; and the members of the order were merely as inmates, occupants of houses and fands in France, and in the extent of the dominions of that crown, supject to resumption.

«From all these premises, it seems conclusive that the titles of the society passed, together with the dominions ceded to Great Britain, (in which domi-

À in a civil titute, withitute makes e midst of Le midst of , ACCording us of their ls of the ) their insther slaves to the rule acCquiritur have no

: order (of makes but ÿ tolerated and upon without complete he ecclen of the r has conis of the he acts of Gallican the cone society xpulsion, ed by the between apal see) ion were brder. To all subselave had it of exto execue order pants of dinthe Crown,

t seems e society minions h domi-

nions those possessions were situated) attended with no better qualifications than those titles had by the laws and constitution of the realm of France, previous to the conquest and cession of those countries. But it seems further to be clear, that those titles are now in a worse condition since the conquest and cession : for till that period they were only in abeyance, and suspended upon a principle of probationary toleration ; but by virtue of the natural law of arms and conquest of countries, confirmed by acts of the 1aw of nations, by solemn cession and guaranty, the possessions of the society lost of course all civil protection by the fate of war; but much more 80 by the only power, whose authority and intervention could have preserved the property of these possessions to their supposed owners, having withdrawn its tolerance and protection, and deserted them, as à derelict at the mercy and entirely free disposition of the crown of Great Britain, by making no provision in the articles of cession to serve the pretended rights ofthe community ofJesuits; nor indeed of any other ecclesiastical community, which latter might have been under a more favourable view, having a civil being, and each house possessing a separate property, distinct from others of the same order; whereas the order of Jesuits, contrary to all other regulars, is one indivisible order, aggregate indeed by its own institute, but not incorporated by the laws of France ; and the fathergencral never having been an inhabitant of Canada, nor a subject to the King of France, he could not retire and avail himself of the fourth article of the definitive treaty, nor sell his estates, nor withdraw his effects within the time limited. In a few words, the society of Jesuits had not and cannot have any estate in Canada, legally and completely vested in them at any time, an therefore

could not, and cannot transfer the ‘me before nor after the term of e,,: een months, so as to make a good title to purchasers, either with or without the powers or ratification of the father-general; who as he could not retire, so he cannot retain any possessions in Canada, since the time limited for the sales of estates there agreeably to the terms of the treaty ; because he is as incapable of becoming a British subject, as he was of being a French subject : nor can the individuals of the communities of the Jesuits in Canada, take or transfer what the father-general cannot take or transfer; nor can they, having but one common stock with all other communities of their order, in every part of the globe, hold immoveable possessions, to be applied for the joint benefit of those communities which are resident in foreign states; and which may become the enemies of his Majesty and his government.

« In answer to the question, Whether the persons in possession hold the same as trustees for the general, or for the whole society of Jesuits, and in that case, whether such trust is not void in law ? what forfeitures is incurred thereby? and to whom ?

«I beg leave to observe, that vyhoever the persons are, who occupy the possessions in question, they must be understood to hold the same as trustees for the head and members of the one indivisible society, and political body of Jesuits, of ecclesiastical and temporal union, forming, according to their institute, one church and monarchical government, with territorial jurisdiction independent of all-civil authorities under which the members of the society are occasionally dispersed, and without stability of domicil ; that such trusts are therefore, from the very nature of this institution, inadmissible by the law of nations and of all civil governments ; they are void both in

ms,

law and in fact, because there is no legal corporate body civilly established to take the use; but an alien sovereign, and aliens his subjects, who were and are utterly incapable, by the very nature of their institute, of any civil existence.

The possessions, therefore, of the society of Jesuits in Canada, in every views of the case, are lapsed to his Majesty by

\ right of conquest, and acquired sovereignty ; by dereliction of the supreme : power itself of whose good pleasure these

poss .ons were lately held, no provision häving been made for them by it in the act of cession ; by the want ofan original complete title in a body incapable of legal taking, holding, and transferring ; by the nature of defective trusts founded upon such defective titles; and by the noncompliance of the order, with the provisional terms of their re-admission, as probationary occupants, only protempore, into the dominions of France, domiciled in the person of their father-general at Rome, subject to the execution and effect of the arret which was passed by the original tribunals for their expulsion in 1594, to which they are still liable, for never having observed, but openly rejected, the conditions of their first admission, which are the conditions of the second, and farther, are liable, ipso facto, whenever they should be hurtful and dangerous to the realm.

« In answer to the last question.

« What will be the proper methods to be pursued to discover such trusts ?

« Ï conceive, with submission, that it would be an effectual method to discover such trusts, as well as a great benefit for the civil and ecclesiastical establishment of the ceded colonies, if his Majesty should be pleased to order a general survey of all estates in them to be-made, and to establish an office of register and record, and for the authentic copying

and enrollment of all title deeds, grants, and assignments of lands and houses held in the provinces of Canada and Louisiana ; and to appoint commissioners to make such a survey, to call for and examine persons and writings, and to transmit the records from year to year into che registry of the high court of chancery of Great Britain, «nd to make a particular report to his Majesty of the same, so far as relates to lands, or houses, possessed, now or late, by any religious communities, or persons, or applied by any persons for their benefit, and to discover all concealed trusts for any purposes prejudicial to his Majesty’s rights, aud the interests of his realm.

« All which considerations, gentlemen, I have the honour to submit to your reflections before we draw up our report:

as the institute of the society is so very extraordinary, and our decision upon these important points depends entirely on its nature, Ï have annexed extracts which are taken from indubitable authorities. You must be very sensible, that an air of answering upon s0 complicated a bussiness in three lines, will not serve the purpose of the king’s ministers, who desire to be yerfectly informed : and I shall not regret my particular trouble on this, or any other occasion, if I have the satisfaction of your approbation in diminishing, in any degree, your share of our joint labours, which are of much consequence, in this case particularly, for his Majesty's service.»

« Proofs and Extracts relating to the constitution of the Society of Jesuits, annexed to the Letter to the Attorney and Solicitor- General.

« Concerning the Jesuits of the less

Observance, see the account taken by

Etienne Pasquier from a Jesuit; Re-

eds, grants, ouses held Louisiana ; rs to make nd examine ransmit the o che regishancery of , particular ame, SO far possessed, communiy any perliscover all oses prejuaud the in-

gentlemen, LO your reur report :

is SO very sion upon ls entirely 24 extracts ble authosible, that )mplicated | not serve sters, who ed:and Ii trouble on L'have the n in dimi- * share of of much rticularly,

the constis, anneed 1 Solicitor-

the less taken by suit; Re-

cherches de Pasquier (1) The bull of Sixtus V. 29th September 1587, gave the society a power of setting up congregations in all their houses, and in all places, locis sub gubernio societatis existentibus, and to connect and unite these congregations with the congregation at Rome, et primariæ Romanæ aggregandi. So that these immense congregations of lay brothers form in every kingdom but one body, having the same spirit, interests, views and government, with the congregation at Rome. Vide Institutum societatis Jesu, auctoritate congregationis generalis XVIIT, meliorem in ordinem digestum, auctum et recusum Pragæ.

Typis universitatis Carolo-Ferdinandæ in Collegio societatis Jesu ad S. Clementium, 1757.

« Father Jouvency says (2), that in 1710, the society had six hundred and twelve colleges, three hundred and forty houses of residence, fifty-nine noviciats, two hundred missions, twenty - four houses of professed : the whole divided into thirty-seven provinces. The extent of these thirty-seven provinces, or territories of the society, may be judged of from the consideration that all France forms but five ; which are called the provinces of France, Champagne, Guienne, Toulouse, and Lyons. The missions are attached to some one of these provinces, or make themselves separate missions.

According to father Jouvency, the number of the Jesuits of the four classes was in the year 1710, où their own list, nineteen thousand, nine hundred and ninety-eight. It is easy to judge from the enterprising spirit of the society, how much that number must have increased in fifty-five years since. The four classes are as follows : first, the professed, called

(1) Tom. IL. L iii, c. 44, p, 838. in fin tom. II. L 11, p.

(2) Histoite de la Société, p, 067.

in their constitution societas professa ; se: cond, the coadjutors ; third, the scholars, students, and approved scholastics ; fourth, all those who, without being of the three former classes, have taken a resolution to live and die in the society, and are in probation till it shall be decided into which of the three other classes they shall be admitted (1).

« The houses of residence, which are three hundred and forty, are the houses of the missions out of Europe.

« The missions are under a vow of poverty : it is the general rule of the institute of the whole society. hæc minima congregatio, sic paupertatem accipiendo, ut nec velit, nec possit reditus ullos, ad suam sustentationem, nec ad quidvis aliud habere (2).

« {n the first bull obtained by them from Pius V. 1571, the terms are, declaratur societas ex instituti ratione mendicans, aliisque mendicantium ordinibus commemoratur et privilegiis æquatur ; and in the disposing and granting part, the Pope says, quia ipsa societas mendicans existit quippequæ exejusinstituto et constitutionibus apostolica auctoritate confirmatis bona stabilia possidere nequit, sed in certis eleemosynis fileliumque largitaribus et subventionibus vivit.

« That the houses of residence of the missions are not independant of the general body appears by the very form of the let.

ters of authorization, wich the provincial gives for the place of superior-general of the missions of any particular province ; and these powers are extended by special powers, or narrowed at the pleasure of the father-general. The powers given are in personas et loca quæ in illis partibus ad societatem pertinent: therefore those

(1) 1natit. Soc. Jes, tom. i. p. 841, constit. part v. ©. 1, in declar. v. ibid, p. 402. Exam. gen. cç, 1 sect. 8, et seq.

(2) Exam. gen. cap, i, sect, 1.

persons and places form no establishments separate and independent from the common mass of the society ; but the authority is reserved as to all contracts; non tamen alienationum, obligationum, seu gravaminum quæ cCollegium vel societas subire debeat ; in which case a special authority is made : requisite : so that the whole property of the houses of the missions is clearly in the fathergeneral. Vide Memoire à consulter, published on the part of the Father Jesuits in case of Father de la Valette, p. 23.

«The bulls of Gregory XI, 1576, 1582, vest all property in the father.

general. It recites, bona stabilia et immobilia seu quasi sfAbibe (in the language of our law, chattels real) nec non et pretiosa mobilia cujuscunque qualitatis et facultatis, domorum tum professarum, tum probationis, collegiorum, et aliorum locorum ubilibet consistentinm, informatione extra judicialiter ac summariè, et simpliciter acceptà veletiâm ed omnino omissd ; reserving to himself to judge of the utility of the alienations or assignments : simpliciter, absque figurâ judicii ; nec ad venditionum communicationem, etaliarum hujusmodi alienationum, utilitatis seu neccessitatis, aut in equivalentia vel meliora boni pretii convertionis vel aliam demonstrationem teneri.

« The unlimited extént of the general's power further appears {1}, generàlis, cum

primum electus est, potest plenam ex-

ercere jurisdictionem in omnes sub ejus obedientiâ degentes ubicumque commorantur, etiam exemptos, etiam quascumque facultates habentes.

«The general has granted to him by it, in wniversos ejusdem societatis socios et personas sub ejus obedientiâ degentes ubilibet commorantes. The provincials are as lieutenant-generals of the father-

() Compendium privilegiorum et gratiarum So-

ciet. Jesu, vel Instit, Soc. Jes. tom. 1. p. 305, Verbo Generalis, sec, 1

generalissimo. A generale præposito, ut à capite, universa facultas provincialium egreditur, ac per eos ad locales, per hos autem ad singulares personas descendat.

The missions are subject as well as the rest of the communities, Ab eodem capite, vel saltem eo suam facultatem communi cante et rem approbante, missiones procedunt. Vide Instit, soc. Jesu,, p. 424.

Constit. part. 8. cap. 1.2 6. Idem generalis in missionibus omnem habet potestatem.

par. 9. Bull of Gregory XIV. 1591, ibid & 2. It appears that the members of the society are merely agents of the general, and though furnished ostensibly with his powers, quam vis aliis inferioribus præpositis, vel visitatoribus, vel commissariis suam facult. ‘2m communicet, generalis poterit approbare vel rescindere quod illi fecerint : how unlimited is the submission, in a system subversive of all good faith ! semper ei obedientiam et reverentiam ut qui vices Christi gerit, præstare oportebit : how shocking the impiety of an order thus constituted | «Gregory XIV. confirmed in his bull the present sovereignty of the fathergeneral ; the terms are, universam gubernandi rationem Ignatius fundator monarchicam et in definitionibus unius superioris arbitrio contentam esse decrevit. Præter cætera quamplurima, illud sequitur commodi ut universus ordo ad monarchicam gubernationem compos us maxime servetur unitus, ipsiusque membra per universum orbem dispersa, per omnimodam hanc subordinationém suo capini colligata promptius ac facilius ad varias funectiones juxta eorum peculiarem vocationem et speciale votum dirigi ac moveri possint. And the bull anathematises all who shall oppose their privileges, whether kings, states, or prelates, upon any account or pretence whatever, and that the order shall be immutable even by the holy See itself, and independent; and what is more extraordinary,

sito, ut à ncialium s, per hos lescendat.

1l as the 1m capite, :ommuni ones pro- , p. 424.

generalis )testatem. 91, ibid 8 of the so- | general, with his ibus præ- Imissariis generalis quod illi the subve of all lam et reerit, præe impiety

his bull e fatherrsam gudator mos unius sse decre-

a, illud s ordo ad bMmpos us que mempersa, per pném suo acilius ad

peculiaum dirigi ll anatheeir privi-

prelates, vhatever, mutable

indepenbrdinary,

that if any pope shall décree hereafter to the contrary, the general shall annul the decrees, and reinstate the society in his own sole authority. Toties in pristinum et cum in quo antea quomodo libet erant stalum restituta, reposita, et plenariè reintegrata, per præpositum generalem fore et esse, suosque effectus sortiri et obtinere.

« The Jesuits of Spain and Portugal, desirous of a reform from this unlimited slavery to which they were subjected in 1593, petitioned pope Clement in these words :

«Liçet generalis habeatsuos consiliarios tamen non tenetur stare ipsorum concilio sed est dominus dominantium et facit quod vult nullis legibus adstrictus : unde mortificat et vivificat : deprimit et exaltat quem vult, ac si esset Deus, qui liber est ab omni perturbatione et non posset errare.

« The subordination and constant correspondence of all the members of the society with the father-general appears to be such, that the whole society are as

‘ ifit were always before him (1).

« The members of the society devote themselves, the movements of their minds and bodies to the disposition of the father-general (2), to be as dead carcasses without volition or life of their own, and as a Staff in a man's hand to be directed at his:will (3). They: are to discover every thing they know or think to the fathergeneral, relating to the society, and to themselves (4). The revenues are to be laid before him (5).

() Instit, Soc. Jesu, V.ii. p. 125, 126, Regalæ Soc. Art. de forma scribendi,

(2) Epist, præpos. general. p. 24.

(3) Const. p. 6. c. 2 $ 1 Inst, Soc. Jesu, vol, i. p. 407, {b. p. 408: Examen. Gen. cap. iii, $ 12 Ibid, p. 844, 845; Declar. tb. p.345, Exam. Gener, cap. iv. 88. ibid, p. 347. ibid, c. iv.,S 86, 88, 40, ibid, p. 8561, ibid. c. 1v, 8 85.'1bid. 850.

(4) Constit. p. 9, ©. iii. $ 19. ibid. p. 480.

(6) Constit, p..8, 0. vi. 8 8, ibid, 442,

« Whatever is accepted by the pro:

vincial and sub-governors of the order, is always accepted under a reservation for the ratification of the father-general.

Vide Decree of the Congregation 1558.

Bull of Pius V. 1568. Bull of Gregory XIIL 1576. Decree of 1581, in the formulary of the act annexed to it. Vide Acceptation of P. Viole of the college of Tournon, arid procurator of the general, October 28th 1560. Vide Act:of Acceptation of the Hotel d’Anville by Claude Mathieu, 12th January 1580, provincial of the society of France, which runs, tant en son nom que de tout le dit ordre et qui a promis de faire ratifier la dite acceptation au R. P. général de la société dans siæ mois prochain venant (1).

« Vide Contract in 1622, between the mayor and echevins of the city of Angoulême, for the college of that city, and father Cotton, provincial of Guienne, who passed it, sous l’aveu et autorité du très reverendissime P. Mutio Vitteleschi general de leur congrégation résident à Rome, duquel il se fait fort, et a promis de fournir lettres d'acceptation et ratification. Vide Recueil des pièces imprimées par le Mandement du Recteur en 1626, p. 7.

« Vide the same Reservation to the father-general, in the Contract of P.

Boette, made in 1623, for the college of Sens, with the mayor and echevins of that city, ibid. p. 75. The powers of the superiors to P. Boette are, sub bene placito patris generalis, cujus sit rem totam confirmare, potestatem fecientis obligandi societatem.

« Vide ibid. p. 184. Arret of the Parliament of Aix in Provence. Vide in the same terms, sub bene placito, &c., the acceptation of the seminary of Strasbourg in 1683

« In 1591, the donation made by De la

() Histoire dela Ville de Paris, par Felibien, tom, iii, p. 782,

Eee

Grange, who turned Jesuit, was made to the company in the hands of the father Claude Aquavia, general (1). This donation, was disputed by the donor’s family.

« In 1730 the society accepted of the foundation of a:college made by a canon of Autun provisionally. On ther supplication to the general, his rescript authorised them to accept it, but with a salvo respecting the disposal of the revenues of the foundation ; a tamen ‘ut in omni.

bus tnstituti nostri ratio servetur (2).

« In the deed of the 1st Feb. 1745, by which father Diousidon, rector of the college of Bourdeaux;, accepted the donation of ten thousand livres made to the professed housein that city, and approved by the general, it ends thus Le tout sous le bon plaisir de notre R. P. général, et selon l'esprit de nos constitutions.

« In the article 1609, proposed by the father Nevelet, rector of the college of Rheims, for uniting that college, with university, and in the decree of the 18th Oct. the very first clause is, saluis instituti sui legibus et privilegiis quibus a sede apostolica donati sunt.

« In the cause of De la Malte, before the grand council, 1750, the ratification of the father.general was produced.

« In the case of a contractmade by two Jesuits with the university of Caen, in 1609, the society insisting that the fathergeneral had not given his consent, they obtained the contract to be declared null; and tbey produced the letters patent, whereby the contract was s0 declared in a cause they had with the university of Caen in 1720.

« The university of Paris made good use of this very same precedent against the society, by showing in a suit with the university of Rheims in 1724, that

(1) Arret dans le Recueil de plaidoyers notables, Paris 1645, p. 186, &c.

œuvres de M. Cochin. t&, 4 Memoire pour les 1GuTS

the decree of 1609, and the transaction of 1617, which they pretended had united the society with the university of Rheims, were not ratified by the fathergeneral, and therefore were null.

« The union of all the houses of the missions in general, and of the missions and houses of New France or Canada in particular with the body of the society, appears from the contract of father Biart, superior of New France or Canada, and father Ennemond Massie, in 1611, in which they stipulated on one part, tant pour eux, que pour le province de France, et la dite compagnie de Jesus (the contract related to the cargo of a ship bound to Canada), and on the other part, viz. of the merchants contractors, the terms were les officiers y consentent que les dits Jesuites, tant en leur nom qu'en la qualité susdite jouissent ei ayent à leur profit la totale moitié de toutes et chacunes des marchandises, profits, et autres choses, circonstances et dépendances. So that the province of France, the province of Canada, and the whole company are indivisible in their interest and property. The university of Paris produced an authenticated copy of this contract in a law suit with the Jesuits in 1644 (1). It shows that the house of the missions depends upon the province, the province upon the society, andthat all the missionaries and its members are but agents of the company, which isunited, as we have already shown, under one principal director of unlimited authority.

« These ideas of the society, and of the titles to its possessions, are confirmed by the pieces written by Jesuits, and published by the authority of their order in their famous dispute with all the rest of the regulars on the occasion of the edict of the emperor Ferdinand IL in 1629, for restoring the estates of the empire which

(1) Apologie de l'université. Imprimée, 1648,

saction of d united ersity of e father-

s of the

missions Canada in e society, her Biart, nada, and 1611, in part, {ant e France,

contract bound to rt, viz. Of he terms ue les dits la qualité vr profit la s des mar- S, CirCOnsSthe projf Canada, visible in Le univer- \enticated suit with 8 that the > upon the e society,

and its company, > already rector of

and of the firmed by and publir order in he rest of f the edict | 1629, for ire which

the protestants had taken away. The champions of the Jesuits insisted, that no other orders could take but themselves, because the fraternities where distinct, which once held those endowments, and were now extinguished ; that they, the Jesuits, were, on the contrary, one indivisible order: that the generals and visitors of those fraternities which were local, had only a power as to the regular discipline of each separate monasterv ; but that these visitors were not (as in the order of them the Jesuits) like their general, able to change persons and properties, ad libitum. Vide, the work of father Layman, printed at Dilingen in Suabiâ, cum facultate superiorum, intitled, Justa defensio S:nctissimi Pontificis, Augustissimi Cæsaris, S. C. R. Cardinalium. Æpiscoporum, Principum, et aliorum domum Minimæ Societatis Jesu, in causà Monasteriorum extinctorum et bonorum Ecclesiasticorum vacantium.

Father Jean Crusius, who wrote at the same time a book, entitled : Astré inextincti Eclipsis seu deliquium, uses these words which deseive attention, and affect the case of a conquered country, Generalis ipse, tanquam caput unius veri corporis politici, jurisdictionem habet quasi terri.

torialem; nam ipsius jurisdictio non personis solum, sed etiam terris, rebus, bonis collegiorum terminatur: competit bonorum collegiorum ab hoste occupatorum, vel etiam personalis collegiorum illorum tempore invasionis repetitio; quæ in hujusmodi casu negatur aliis aliorum ordinum præsidibus ; cum nec verum illorum Religiosi corpus constituunt politicum, sed tantum familiæ aliquod plane piEsoTon. And the father says, Societas, late accepta, est Domina bonorum & rerum suorum collegiorum, atque possidet cum illis bona corporata: quia scholares indifferenter & indiscriminatim se habent ad omnia collegia societatis ; nec enim vovent hujus vel illius Loci

stabilitatem, ideoque ad nutum admodum R. P. Generalis ex uno in aliud transfe.

runtur collegium. Secus res habet in ordine Sancti Benedicti, quia Professi illius voto se obligant ad stabilitatem claustri.

« Father Layman, in his book, called, Censura Astrologiæ Ecclesiasticæ, et Astri inextincti, makes his own order to constitute of itself a church (1). Cum manifestum sit in societate nostra membra ejus.omnia, sub uno generali capite constitula.& gubernata, unius Ecclesiæ corpus constituere.

« From this view of the nature of the institute of the society, it clearly appears a priori, that it was impossible that the society could gain a civil existence, as a corporate body of ecclesiastics, in France ; and it was far from the inclinations of the society to be considered as subjects of any jurisdiction but their own. For this reason in the famous attempt which they made to be incorporated with the university of Paris in 1564, and aninterrogatory being put to them, what they were in France ? seculars, regulars or monks ? their answer was, repeatedly to the question, nos sumus in Gallia tales quales denominabit nos curia.

« Ît was to preserve this independency of the order from all civil states whatsoever, under wich its members reside, thatthe generals have frequently opposed, and effectually resisted the Popes themselves, by having made themselves necessary to the papal See.

« Thus all the attemps to lessen the power of the father-general, and to change the constitution of the order have never suoceeded; Paul IV. Pius V. Sixtus V, Clement VIIL. attempted it in vain. And when the parliament of Paris consented to re-establish the Jesuits under certain reservations, as before they had been admitted provisionally in the assembly

(1) Censur 8, p, 78.

at Poissy, the re-admission was in consequence of the solicitations of Henry IV, and in consequence of his treaty with the Pope ; the Pope acquainted the King and the King the parliament, in respect to the articles que le général des Jésuites ne s'én contentait pas et ne les voulait approuver, disant qu’ils éloient contre leurs statuts, dont le dit général écrivit au roi lettres qui pouvaient être présentées, et ne sont encore les articles approuvés par lui.

The King added, that it was a great point gained of the Pope, to admit the order in no other way. The parliament entered it upon their registers, that the Pope had desired the King to establish the Jesuits, comme ils étoient auparavant V'arrét de la cour de 1594, and re-established them accordingly.

« It may not be improper to insert the spécial clauses of the act of Poissy ; which if acquiesced in, the Jesuits must have quitted France. The first consideration was, that they should not be received as a religious society. Second, that they should take another name. Third, ‘that they should submit to'the jurisdiction, superintendence, and correction of the episcopal diocesan. Fourth, that the company should not :attempt any. thing to the prejudice of the bishops, chaptrers, rectors, universities, nor of the other orders. Fifth, that they should conform themselves to the ancient laws, renouncingexpressedly and previously all the privileges contained in their bulls, inconsistent with the. foregoïng : articles.

Autrement à faute de faire ou qu'à l'avenir tls'en obtiennent d'autres, les présentes de. mevreront nulles et de nul effet et vertu.

Anil the act concludes, with à salvo, sauf le droit de la dite assemblée et d'autrui en toutes choses : and when thé act came to be registered by the parliament, the:conditions expressed Were confirmed, and the conclusions upon the articles were, that the Jesuits were received quant à

présent, &c., à la charge de les rejeter siet quand çi après ds seroient découverts étre nuisibles ou faire préjudice au bien et état du royaume.

« The Jesuits allowed all these conditions and provisions of their original admission to exist, according to the act of the assembly of Poissy (none of which the society either have fulfilled, or could possibly fulfil from the nature of their institution) among the pieces which they produced before the French king in 1715, in order to obtain the declaration of the 16th of July, the words are, qu’ils conviennent de bonne foi, que par l'acte de Poissy, et par l'acte de la cour qui en ordome l'enrégistrement, ils ne furent reçus comme religieux Vide Inventaire imprimé, signé De Sacy, avocat. P. Hazon, Jesuite, procureur-général de la province de France, page 6.

«The distinction they have endeavoured to set up, between thé colleges and the order, is neither supported by fact, nor by the institute of the society. For it appears from all the foregoing proofs of their institute, that there is one chain of dependence; that the colleges are not distinct as communities from the body ; that the professed Religious- hold in trust for the colleges : and, therefore, the conclusion is, that if, according to their own confession, the Religious of the order of Jesuits are not received as persons capable:of a civil existence, they are incapable of the trusts, and then the colleges are incapable of the uses. Thus every thing, built upon the foundation of this anomalous society, falls to the ground together. And it is no wonder, that an institution, which seems contrived, with a subtlétÿ more than human, to subvertthe lawsof every country ecclesiastical and civil, should find in thé law of every country an obstacle to its establishment, »

jeter siet verts étre jen el état

se condioriginal the act of of which or could > of their ich they g in 1715, nn of the u'ils conl'acte de Jui en or- ‘ent reçus aire im- . Hazon, province

ndeavoueges and by fact, y. Forit proofs of chain of are not le body ; hold in fore, the to their

of the d as perthey are hen ‘the es. Thus andation

to the wonder,

find in stacle ‘to

Le 15 Mai 1765 (1), une Ordonnance est rendue « pour ajouter à une Ordonnance publiée le premier d'Octobre dernier, pour régler et établir le cours des monnaies dans cette Province.» Le but de cette Ordonnance est d'expliquer que:la première Ordonnance n’a pas été rendue dans l'intention de consentir le paiement des espèces convenues avant le 1er Janvier 1765 par les espèces y mentionnées. Dans ce cas, les parties contractantes pourront donner en paiement la même valeur convenue. C'est ce qui explique le grand nombre de décisions maintenant le paiement de la monnaie stipulée. “

Le 24 Mai 1765, John Burke, Arthur Davidson, Louis FE Courville. Gerald Fitzgerald, Antoine Foucher, Guillaume Guillemin, Edward William Grant, Thomas Hall, Henry Kneller, Jean-Baptiste Lebrun sont. reçus avocats en vertu d’une commission du Gouverneur.

Le 31 Mai 1765 (2), une Ordonnance est rendue touchant les soldats et mariniers, pour prévenir la désertion et pour. em.

pêcher qu’ils. ne soient emprisonnés pour dettes, ou, sous prétexte de dettes, et pour libérer les soldats qui ‘sont actuellement en pu pour dettes...

Le 3 Juin 1765.(3), une Ordonnance est rendue pour renvoyer. (ou ajourner) le prochain terme de la Trinité et tous les autres termes qui s’'en.suiyront à l'aveuir et pour faire entendre et déterminer de certaines offenses à la ville des Trois Rivières en cette Province. Le terme de la Trinité commençait le 21 Juin ; par cette Ordonnance, il est renvoyé au Îer Août pour la commodité des habitants.

Il est question, dans cette Ordonnance, d’un procès qui s’instruit contre plusieurs personnesaccusées d'avoir mutilé Thomas

Walker, négociant à Montréal, dans la.

(1) Ordonnances, etc., p. 50.

(2) Id., p. 58.

(3) Id, p. 67.

nuit du 6 Décembre 1764 et d'autres per:

sonnes accusées d'émeute.

Masères donne. toute la procédure de ce procès qui. a beaucoup fait de bruit dans son temps.,, Walker, d'après le récit de Smith (1), était Juge de Paix, et sur le refus du Capitaine Payne de livrer un logement qu'il avait cessé d'occuper et.qui avait été. destiné pour: uue occupation militaire, il sigoa un, mandat d’arrestation. Mal lui en prit; car dans la nuit, des hommes au visage noircipénétrèrent chez lui, le mutilèrent et le laissèrent, sur,de carreau, La recherche des coupables, devint. difficile : une récampense :de cent guinées fut offerte par. le Roi:et,autant par, Walker: des mandats d’arrestation furent lancés à tort et à travers et; il.suffisait d’un..simple soupçon pour, donner lieu à ce procédé, qui.r'était.rien, Moins que désagréable, vu: la: suspension du bref d'Habeas Corpus..Les accusés furent jugés à Trois-Rivières, et furent acquittés.

Walker se.rendit.en Angletarre.pour, attaquer.la légalité de ce nouveau tribunal ; mais sang SUCCÈS: 10) |

: En, reférant.aux registres des aniances rendues à la Cour. des Plaidoyers Commuus, tant.de Québec que de Montréal, on‘constate que tous les: procédés:se faisaient en français, et Shoiqué la-:déno-

mination de la Cour‘indique-uné origine

anglaise, les décisions sont presque, toujours basées sur la loi: er LÀ En voici un exemple :

Dans une cause de Guérerèen Deselle contre Paul-Denis Thibaudeau, la: Demanderesse poursuit le Défendeur, son époux, en séparation de ‘biens à cause de la dissipation et mauvaise:conduite du dit Défendeur, La Cour rend:le Juge ment suivant: «Parties, ouies, attendu que la cause-de l’action a.été, mue avant le dix Octobre 1764 et qu’elle doit être jugée suivant les lois et coutumes fran-

History of Canada, 11 15.

çaises, la Cour ordonne que la Demanderesse sera et demeurera séparée de biens d'avec le dit Défendeur, son mary, pour en jouir à part et divis, ainsi que de ceux qui lui sont échus par succession par devant son mariage avec le dit Défendeur, et attendu la renonciation que la dite Demanderesse entend faire à la communauté, d’entre elle et son dit mari, condamne le Défendeur à lui payer et rembourser la somme de 800 livres ou schellings de cette Province échus à la dite Demanderesse de la succession de sa mère ; le condamne en outre à acquitter, garantir et indemniser la dite Demanderesse de toutes les sornmes pour lesquelles elle s'est obligée solidairement avec lui; les dépens compensés » (1).

Le 10 Juillet 1765 (2), Thomas Mills est nommé Receveur-Général pour percevoir les revenus de la Province.

Le 13 Novembre 1765 (3), une Ordonnance est rendue pour régler et établir le mesurage du bois de chauffage qu’on exportera en vente en cette province. La corde est de la longueur de huit pieds, haute de quatre pieds, mesure française.

La longueur du bois entre les deux coupes

est fixée à deux sant et demi. La vente du bois de chauffage dans les villes se

fait sur les mafthés publics et non ailleurs, à peine d'amende et de confiscation.

Le 27 Novembre 1765 (4), une Ordonnance est rendue pour faciliter et régler la Fourniture du Bois de chauffage aux troupes de Sa Majesté en garnison dans cette Province ; et pour déclarer que tous pouvoirs, de quelque capitaine ou autre officier de milice que ce soit, établis en cette Province avant la conquête d'icelle

(:) Registre des sentences rendues par la Cour des Plaidoyers Communs de Montréal, commencée le 11 Fév. 1765, fol, 53, verso,

(2) Masères. Several Commissions, 158.

(3) Ordonnances, etc,, p "1.

et continués ensuite jusqu’à l'époque du Gouvernement civil britannique en icelle, ont été abolis et anéantis par l’établissement du dit Gouvernement.

En 1765 (1), Mgr. Briand envoie une requête à George LIT pour obtenir que les biens des Jésuites soient rendus à leur destination primitive, le soutien de l’éducation et l’entretien des missions.

Le 24 Février 1766 (2), le Roi envoie de nouvelles instructions très-importantes au Gouverneur-Général Murray au sujet du choix des jurés et de l'admission des avocats :

« Whereas it hath been represented to Us, that many evil consequences may be justly apprehended to ensue to our Province of Quebec from an ordinance for regulating and establishing the currency of that Province, published by you on the 14th of September 1764, as well as from a subsequent one explanatory thereof dated the 4th of October 1764, in framing which ordinances it does appear to Us, that the spirit and intent of the British Laws (and in particular an act of the sixth year of Queen Anne for ascertaining the rates of foreign silver coins in the Plantations) have not been sufficiently attended to. It is therefore our will and pleasure, and you are hereby strictly enjoined and required, in case you see reason, from the particular circumstances of our Province of Quehec, which makes it necessary to depart from the rates established by the above act of the sixth of Queen Anne, that you do upon suck sufficient grounds frame and compose an ordinance, as shall seem to you best adapted to the uses and interest of our said Province, and as nearly as convenience will admit of, correspondent to the said act, which ordinance s0 framed and composed, you are hereby di-

(1) L'abbé Ferland. Observations, eto., p. 6, (3) Registres oficiels de l'Etat,

époque du e en icelle, l'établisse-

nvoie une mir que les dus à leur n de l’éduns.

oi envoie mportantes ay au sujet nission des

‘esented to ces may be o our Proinance for e Currency by you on as well as 1atory ther 1764, in loes appear ent of the r an act of > for ascerlver coins been suffrefore our re hereby d, in case icular cir- Df Quehec, epatt from ove act of at you do rame and Il seem to nd interest nearly as espondent ve s0 frahereby di-

rected to transmit, before it be put in force, for our Royal allowance and appro bation.»

«We having taken into our Royal consideration the ordinance enacted and published by you on the 17th day of September 1764, for establising Courts of Judicature in our Province of Quebec and it appearing to Us, that the welfare and happiness of our loving subjects there, which will ever be objects of our care and attention do require, that the said ordinance should be altered and amended in several provisions ofit, which tend to restrain our Canadian Subjects in those privileges they are entitled to enjoy in common with our natural born subjects. It is therefore our Royal will and pleasure and you are hereby directed and required, forthwith upou the receipt of this our Instruction, to enact and publish an ordinance, declaring that all our subjects in our said Province of Quebec without distinction are intitled to be empanelled, and to sit and act as jurors, in all causes civil and criminal cognizable by any of the Courts ot Judicature within our said Province ; and also declaring, that for the more equal and impartial distribution of Justice in civil causes or actions between British born subjects and British born subjects, the juries in such causes or actions are to be composed of British born subjects only ; That in all causes or actions between Canadians and Canadians the juries are to be composed of Canadians only; And in all causes or actions between British born subjects and Canadians the juries are to be composed of an equal number of each, if required by either of the parties in any of the above mentioned instances ; And it is our further will and pleasure that it be also declared by the said ordivance, that our Canadian Subjects shall be permitted and allowed to practice, as

Barristers, Advocates, Attornies and Proctors, in all or any of the Courts within our said Province, under such regulations as shall be prescribed by the said Courts respectively for persons in general under those descriptions; And it is our further will and pleasure, that the said ordinance so to be published by you, shall continue in force, until our further pleasure shall be Known thereupon ; And that so much of the ordinance of the 17th Ôf September 1764 as shall not be thereby altered and changed, shall be declared to be temporary only.»

Le 27 Mars 1766 (1), une Ordonnance est rendue pour faire réparer et raccomoder les grands chemins en cette province,

Le 6 Avril 1766, le Gouverneur nomme le Capitaine Schlosser Juge de Paix pour le District de Montréal.

Le 7 Avril 1766 (2, pendant que le Général Murray était Gouverneur-en-Chef, le Roi nomme Guy Carleton (plus tard Lord Dorchester) lieutenant-gouverneur de la Province. Il ne doit en exercer les fonctions que dans le cas de décès ou d'absence du Gouverneur-en-Chef.

Le nouvel ordre établi par le Gouverneur et son Conseil attira des plaintes générales. Le mémoire qui les contenait ayant été référé aux officiers en loi de la Couronne MM. Yorke et de Grey. Ces derniers firent, le 14 Avril 1766 (3), le rapport suivant, recommandable par son importance et son impartialité :

« To the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee for Plantation Affairs.

« My Lords— In humble obedience to your order cf the nineteenth of No-

(1) Ordonnances, etc., p. 69.

(2) Registre de la Cour militaire de Québec du 28 Nov. 1761 au 4 Août 1761.

(3) Masères, Several Commissions, 17.

Smith. Zlistory of Canada, II, 27.

Garneau, 111, 821.

DeMontigny. Histoire du Droit Canadien, 205.

A — ass pe

cnchasine DEEE ee

| Do | 1h | |

vember last, wherein it is recited, that His Majesty having been pleased to refer to your Lordships, several Memorials and Petitions from his Subjects in Canada, as well British as French, complaining of several of the ordinances and proceedings of the Governor and Council of Quebec, and of the present establishment *of Courts of Judicature and other civil constitutions, your Lordships had on that day, taken the said papers into your consideration, together with a report made thereupon by the Lords Commis.

sioners for Trade and Plantations, dated the secorA day of September last, and finding, that the said Lords Commissioners had proposed another system of Judicature to be substituted in lieu of that which is now subsisting, you thought it proper to order, that the said Memorials, Petitions and Report, (which were thereunto annexed,) should be referred to us, to consider and report our opinion and observations thereon, together with such alterations to be made in what is proposed in the said Report of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, and such other regulations and propositions as we should think fit to suggest, for the forming of a proper plan of Civil Government for the said Province of Quebec ; and to that end, we were directed to take into our consideration such parts of the annexed Report of Governor Murray upon the state of the said Province, as relate to the Civil Government thereof, whilst the same was annexed to the Crown of. France ; and we were also required to send for Lewis Cramahé, Esq., Secretary to Governor Murray, and Fowler Walker, Esq., Agent for the said Province of Quebec, who were ordered to attend us from time to time, to give us such further lights and information, as might be requisite for the purpose before mentioned.

« We have perused the several papers

referred to us, together with the said two Reports, and have also been attended by the gentlemen named in your order, and upon the whole matter beg leave humbly to submit to your Lordships, such reflections as have occurred to us, in the course of that imperfect consideration, which we have been able, at this busy season of the year, to give to the great subject of the Civil Government of Quebec, and the propositions made by the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations.

«My Lords, it is evident that two very principal sources of the disorders of the province have been:

«1. First the attempt to carry on the administration of Justice, without the aid of the natives, not merely in new forms, but totally in an unknown tongue, by which means the parties understood nothing of what was pleaded or dete:mined, having neither Canadian Advocates and Solicitorsto conduct their causes, nor CanadiandJurors to give verdicts, even in causes between Canadians only, nor Judges conversant in the French language to declare the law, and to pronounce judgment. This must cause the real mischiefs of ignorance, oppression, and corruption, or else, what is almost equal in government to the mischiefs themselves, the suspicion and imputation of them.

«2. The second and a great source of the disorder was, the alarm taken at the construction put upon His Majesty’s Proclamation of October, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, as if it were his Royal intention by his Judges and Officers in that country, at once to abolish all the usages and customs of Canada, with the rough hand of a conqueror, rather than in true spirit of a lawful Sovereign ; and not so much to extend the protection and benefit of his English laws to his new subjects, by securing their lives, liberties, and pro-

e said two tended by >rder, and e humbly ich reflecs,, in the ideration, this busy the great t of Quele by the and Plan-

two very rs of the

ry on the hout the y in new n tongue, nderstood or dete:an Advoir causes, icts, even pnly, uor language ronounce real misand corequal in emselves, them.

source Of en at the Majesty’s thousand , as if it s Judges once to stoms of of a conirit of a much to

perties with more certainty than in former times, as to impose new, unnecessary, and arbitrary rules (especially in the titles to land, and in the modes of descent, alienation, and settlement) which might tend to confound and subvert rights, instead of supporting them.

« 1. To the first of these evils, the order made by your Lordships on the fifteenth of November last, founded on the Report of the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, requiring the Governor or Commander in Chief of the Province (by an additional instruction) to publish an Ordinance for admitting Canadian Jurors in the several cases therein expressed ; and for permitting Canadian Advocates, Attorneys and Proctors, under regulations, provides an adequate remedy.

« 2. To the second evil, the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, by their Report, have applied themselves with great care, ability, and judgment to suggest remedies, by pointing out the defects in the late ordinance of September, one thousand seven hundred and sixtyfour, and reforming the Constitution of Justice. We concur with their Lordships in the objections made to that Ordinance, and upon the several articles of the plan laid down in that Report, the following observations occur to us, both for the confirmation and improvement of them.

«14. The first article proposes a Court of Chancery, consisting of the Governor ana Council, who shall also be a Court of Appeals, from whom an appeal will lie to the King in Council. By this article, the Lords of Trade very rightly mean to invest the Governor and Council with two different jurisdictions; the one, as a Court of Equity, to give relief, originally, in that capacity ; the other, as a Court of Error, to review in the second instance, ‘he judgments of the Court of Common Law, mentioned in the next article.

«2. The second article proposes a supe-

rior Court of ordinary Jurisdiction, uni.

ting all the proper powers in criminal and civil cases and matters of Revenue. In this Court, it is recommended, that a Chief Justice should preside, assisted by three puisné Judges. These are required to be conversant in the French Language, and that one of them particularly should be knowing in the French Usages.

«This proposition appears to us well couceived. And we submit to your Lordships, whether it may not be advisable, that they should be instructed to confer sometimes with the Canadian Lawyers, most respected for learning, integrity, and conduct, who may prove of the greatest assistance to English Judges.

Competent salaries, for the encouragement of worthy and able men, seem absolutely necessary in this establishment, with a due distinction between the chief Justice and his brethren. The new Judge of Vice Admiralty for America, has appointments of eight hundred pounds per annum.

«3. The third article relates to terms for the sitting of the Superior Court at Quebec, either according to the terms appointed at Westminster, or as may be more convenient. This matter must be accommodated to the seasons, ‘climate, and convenience of the people in their tillage and other general employments.

Therefore it seems proper to be left to the future judgment of the Governor, Chief Justice, and principal Servants of the Crown, entrusted with the government of the Province, and ought to be fixed by ordinance.

«4. The fourth article proposes four Sessions Of Assize, Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery at Quebec, with like special Commissions once or oftener in the year, at Trois Rivières and Montreal.

We submit to your Lordships, that it may be unnecessary to lay down any particular rules for holding four Sessions,

in the manner mentioned at Quebec; because all civil and criminal causes, arising in that district, may be tried at bar in term time, or (as the legal expression is) in bank, by order of the Judges, or under the general powers of the Supreme Court. As to the Circuit Courts to be held once or perhaps twice in the year (which seems better) at Trois Rivières and Montreal, we think that it may be proper to require, that the Judges shall continue in each of those places, at the least, for a certain number of days, to give time and opportunity for the resort of parties, and the convenient dispatch of business, in like manner as was done by Henry the Eighth, in establishing the Courts of Great Sessions for Wales, and by Parliament in His late Majesty’s reign, when the Circuit Courts were settled for Scotland.

«5. The fifth article recommends the distribution of the Province into three Counties or Districts, of which Quebec, Montreal, and Three Rivers shall be the three Capital Towns, and that an annual Sheriff shall be named, for each. We are humbly of opinion that this distribution of the Province is more natural and convenient than the plan lately followed by the Governor and Council, and it will be more agreable to the people, asit is conformable to their ancient division of the Country. But, considering the difficulty of procuring English and Protestant Sheriffs, especially at Trois Rivières, (where at present only two persons, who are half-pay officers, reside, thus qualified, } it may deserve consideration, whether such Sheriff should not serve longer than one year, tillsuch time as the gradual increase of the inhabitants may facilitate an annual rotation ; orwhether the annual Sheriff of Quebec may not also serve that office for Trois Rivières. This will oblige him to appoint two Deputies or Under-Sheriffs, that is, one

for each District ; and if this method be taken, the Sheriff may be made an annual officer, because Quebec can afford a sufficient number of proper persons to supply the rotation; and Montreal (it is agreed } can do the like.

«6. The sixth article proposes to give the Justices of Peace, in the three several districts, at their general Quarter Sessions, power to determine finally all causes not exceeding the value of ten pounds, (the title to lands not being in question), with a Jury where it exceeds five pounds ; and without one. where it falls under that sum. It gives also to two Justices in Petty Sessions, similar authority, in similar cases, where the value ofthe matter in dispute is not more than forty shillings.

The latter authority appears to us well proposed ; but we submit, whether it may not be better to reserve the jurisdiction in matters exceeding that value as far as ten pounds to be determined in Quebec, by proceeding in nature of the Civil Bill in Ireland, before the Judges of the Superior Court, or by proceeding in nature of the Summary Bench Actions at Barbadoes ; and in like manner, in the Circuit Courts at Trois-Rivières and Montreal twice in the year. The value of ten pounds is considerable in such a Colony; and the reputation of the Justices of the Peace, is as yet, scarce enough established for such a jurisdiction. Under this article we beg leave to suggest, that in the Commission of the Peace for each distric:, it may be useful and popular, and endear His Majesty’s government to his new subjects, if one or two Canadians should be appointed Justices, with the others who are British, particularly if Protestants can be found fit for that office.

«7. The seventh and last mentioned in the Report of the Lords for Trade, on which we shall observe, is that article, whereinthey propose, that in all cases where rights or claims are founded on

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events prior to the conquest of Canada, the several Courts shall be governed in their proceedings by the French usages and customs, which have heretofore prevailed in respect to such property.

«This proposition is undoubtedly right as far as it goes, in respect of cases which happened antecede ‘t to the conquest ; but we beg leave to cake occasion from hence, to enlarge a little on this subject of the rule of judgment to be observed in the Courts of Quebec, as it is of the greatest moment to the honor and justice of the Crown, and to the peace and prosperity of the Province.

«THERE is not a maxim of the Common Law more certain, than that a conquered people retain their ancient customs till the conqueror shall declare new laws. To change at once the laws and manners of a settled country must be attended with hardship and violence; aud therefore wise conquerors, having provided for the security of their dominion, proceed gently, and indulge their conquered subjects in all local customs, which are in their own nature indifferent, and which have been received as rules of propriety, or have obtained the force of laws. It is the more material, that this policy be pursued in Canada, because itis a great and ancient Colony, longsettled, and much cultivated by French subjects, who now inhabit it to the number of eighty or one hundred thousand. Therefore we are humbly of opinion, that the Judges to’ be employed by His Majesty in this Province, will answer all the ends of their trust, both as to the King and the People, if their conduct in Judicature be modelled by the following general rules :

«1. First, in all personal actions grounded upon debts, promises, contracts, and agreements, whether of a mercantile or other nature, and upon wrongs proper to be compensated in damages, to reflect, that the substantial maxims of Law and

Justice are every where the same, The modes of proceeding and trial, and perhaps, in some degree also, the strict rules of evidence, may vary ; but the Judges in the Province of Quehec, cannot materially err, either against the laws of England, or the ancient customs of Canada, if in those cases they 100k to those substantial maxims.

«2, Secondly, in all suits or actions relating to Titles of Land, the descent, alienation, settlements, and incurnbrances of real property, we are humbly of opinion, that it would be oppressive to disturb, without much and wise deliberation, and the aid of laws hereafter to be enacted to the Province, the local customs and usages now prevailing there.

To introduce, at one stroke, the English law of real estates, with English modes of conveyancing, rules of descent, and construction of deeds, must occasion infiuite confusion and injustice. British subjects, who purchase lands there, may, and ought to conform to the fixed local rules of property in Canada, as they do in particular parts of the realm, or in the other dominions of the Crown. The English Judges sent from hence, may soon instruct themselves, by the assistance of Canadian Lawyers and intelligent persons, in such rules, and may judge by the customs of Canada, as your Lordships do in causes from Jersey, by the custom of Normandy. It seems reasonable also, that the rules for the distribution of personal property in cases of Intestacy, and the modes of assigning and conveying it, should be adhered to for the present.

«3. Thirdly, in all suits entertained before the Governor and Council, as a Court of Chancery or Equity, it is obvious that the general rules of Law and Justice must be the same as in the other Courts, according to the subject-matter of the suit, with this difference only, that the

relief is more complete and specific, and adapted to supply the defects or allay the rigour of those rules.

«4, Fourthly, in criminal cases, whe ther they be capital offences or misdemeanors, it is highly fitting (as far as may be) that the laws of Englar:ä be adopted, in the description and quality of the offence itself, in tue 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 feli by His Majestys 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 ä:1d alienation of real and personal estates. This certainty, and this lenity are the benefits intended by His Majesty's Royal Proclamation, s0 far as concerns Judicature These 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 expedient to order the new Chief Justice, with the assistance of the other Judges to be appointed, and the Attorney General of Quebec, to consider and preyare a suitable plan,

adapted to the jurisdiction of the different Courts, and the convenience of the suitors. The forms of proceeding ought to be simple, easy, and as summary and expeditious, as may consist with the advancement of right and the protection of innaence. Useful hints may be taken, not only from the Supreme Courts at Westminster, but from the practice of the Courts in Wales, and from many of the Colonies. Some time wi'l be necessary, before such a plan can be framed, and experience alone can perfect it. As soon as they shall have 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 Mur-

ray donne la commission suivante de Député Prévost-Marshal :

«Whereas his present most gracious 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 sufficient 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 Lo divided the said Province into two Districts that is to say the District vf Quebec and the District of Montreal.

«And whereas also it is highly neces-

(1) Masères, Several Commissions, p.

nan nan quel inst

1e different e of the ing ought nmary and th the adotection of be taken, Courts at cticeof the any of the necessary, ‘amed, and it, As soon it, the Goct it by Orime in the laid before probation. »

e politique aient motile ces deux rent cepenit. Ce ne fut enquête eut fondie.

rneur Mur-

third year e and place rovince of ince of Quee Kingdom be executed Deputy or

judged neovince into

sary that Deputy’s for executing 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 Quebec, have thought fit to appoint him and I do by these presents constitute and appoint him the said Joseph Gridley to be Deputy Provost-Marshall of the City and District of Quebec (in the room of Joseph Walk:r deceased) with full power and authority to receive and enjoy all the powers juridiction and authorities whatsoever to the same belonging and appartaining during pleasure.

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

Le ? Juin 1766, Edward Antill est reçu avocat en vertu d’une commission du Gouverneur.

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 Lieutenant.

gouverneur.

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

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

(1) Ordonnances, etc,, p. 78.

(2) Cette Ordonnance et les trois autres sont signées par PAC. JMILIUS IRVING, Président du Conseil de Sa Majesté, Commandant-en-Chef “e cette Province et Lieutenant-Colonel des Troupes de Sa Ma- Jesté.

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

Cour inférieure des Piaidoyers Communs pour la Ville et District de Montréal, en cette Province, le 11 Septembre au lieu du 11 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 He, est nommé Juge-en Chef, en remplacement de William Gregory ; sa commission est dans les mêmes termes que celle de ce dernier.

Cette nomination était motivée par la nécessité dans laquelle le gouverneur se trouvait de suspendre le Juge-en- Chef Gregory de ses fonctions et de le faire rapneler 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 évêque 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., D. 79.

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

(4) Garneau, LLI, 812,

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

(6) Additional Papers Concerning the Province of Quebec, 137.

Smith, History of Canada, II, 38.

écrite, soit du Roi ou de ses ministres.

Il y a, d’après lui, raison de croire que ce retour a été effectué sous condition restrictive et que sa mission ne devait consister qu’à ordonner des prêtres, consacrer les églises et cimetières et remplir certains emplois inoffensifs. Il lui était défendu de se servir des peines spirituelles, principalement d’user du pouvoir d’excommunier les personnes, ou de les priver des sacrements, et de plus il ne pouvaitinterdire les prêtres ou les suspendre de leur exercise spirituel ou de prohiber le service divin dans les églises et chapelles de la province. M. Masères suppose tout cela, et ne parle avec certitude que du retour de l’Evêque, qui s’est refusé aux honneurs dus à son rang, en disant qu’il n'etait pas venu dans la province pour être un évêque comme l'avaient été ses prédécesseurs sous le gouvernement français: qu'il ne voulait être qu’un simple faiseur de prêtres.» Geci était en Juin 1766, mais peu de temps après il revêtit le costume d’évêque, et exerça tous les pouvoirs de sa charge.

Comme nous l'avons déjà dit, Carleton prit les rènes de l'administration des mains du conseiller [rving, qui les tenait depuis le départ du Général Murray quelques semaines auparavant ; et l’un des pre.

miersactés de cet administrateur, le 28 Novembre 1766 (1), fut de retrancher de son conseil le même Irving et un autre fonctionnaire, favori de son prédécesseur. Il négligea aussi les anciens membres qui crurent devoir faire des représentations à cet égard, mais envers lesquels il ne fut pas moins dédaigneux dans ses paroles que dans sa conduite. Il leur répondit qu'il consulterait les conseillers qu’il croirait capables de lui donner les meilleurs avis, qu’il prendrait aussi l'opinion des amis de la vérité, de la franchise, de

(1) Registres du Conseil,

Smith, II, 40.

Garneau, LII, 818.

l'équité, du bon sens, bien qu’ils ne fussent pas du conseil, des hommes enfin qui préféraient le bien du roi et de ses sujets à des affections désordonnées, à des vues de parti et à des intérêts personnels el serviles etc., Ces insinuations, quoiqu’indirectes, furent bien comprises des anciens conseillers : ils ployèrent la tête et laissèrent passer l'orage. Le Conseil fut recomposé comme suit: le Juge-en- Chef Hey, le Surintendant - général Charles Stewart, H. T. Cramahé, John Goldfrap, Thomas Mills, Samuel Holland, Walter Murray, Thomas Dunn, François Mounier, Benjamin Price et James Cuhtbert. Comme on le voit ce sont Irving et Mabane qui furent exclus dun Conseil.

Le 23 Février 1767 (1), Sir H. Moore, Gouverneur de New-York, écrit la lettre suivante à Lord Shelburne, recommandant M. William Smith, qui devint plus tard Juge-en-Chef, comme membre du Conseil :

«My Lords,

«I beg leave to recommend to your Lordships Wm. Smith, dr., as a person every way qualified to succeed his father, William Smith, Sr. Esq., who is willing to resign his seat as a member of His Majesty’s Council here in favor of his son; Wm. Smith, Sr., is not only a member of the Council but likewise one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and as he is far advanced in years will readily resign his place at the Council Board, provided he can be succeeded in it by his son. It is necessary for me to inform your Lordships that the proposal was not made by Mr. Smith, Sr, but that it was mentioned to him at my instance and request, as I was desirous of having his son in the Council, and it is on the terms of being succeeded by him that he consents to resign his seat. I have

(1) Historical Documents, ete., VI, 379,

qu'ils ne names enfin i et de ses données, à itérêts persinuations, | comprises oyèrent la Le Conseil le Juge-ent- général ahé, John 1 Holland, 1, François imes Cuhtont Irving nm Conseil.

H. Moore, rit la lettre "ecommandevint plus embre du

d to your s a person ed his faq., who is member of ha favor of not only a kewise one Court, and s will reae Council eeded init me to in-

proposal , Sr, but at my inesirous of , and it is bd by him bat, I have

heard that several persons have been recommended as members of the Council to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations by others whose knowledge of them must arise chiefly from a correspondance of letters occasioned by commercial interests and that their names now stand upon the lists, but I apprehend that the persons so recommended tho’ of great integrity 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 here.

«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 Council, as his opinions may always be depended on, not only from his knowledge of the law bnt his integrity. He is connected with the best families in this Province, is of unblemished character and high in the estimation of every one here. After saying all this your Lsrdships will not be surprised at my desiring to have this mark of His Majesty’s favor conferred on one who is so capable of meriting it by his services. I have the honor to be with great respect. »

Le 28 Février 1767 (1), 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 l’alibi de ce dernier avait été amplement prouvé. Ainsi Walker ne fut beureux en aucune manière.

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

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

(2) Masèdres, Collection of Several Commissions, 68,

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 Carleton 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 ? Juin 1767 (1), 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 Quebec, for a considerable time past, has wanted, and does now stand in need'of further regulations and provisions, relating to its civil government and religious establishment. »

Le 26 Juin 17957 (2), le Roi en son Conseil Privé désavoue l'Ordonnance passée par le gouverneur de Québec et son Conseil, 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 Parliamentary History, XVI, 861 Cavéndish, Quebec Act, p. 208.

(2) Masères, Several Commissions, 142,

catégorie. Comme on le voit, toute la législation du Conseil de Québec depuis 1764 à 1774 a été entachée d'illégalité, comme outrepassant les pouvoirs législatifs du Conseil. Masères reconnait luimême qu'il était presqu'impossible de faire des Ordonnances, qui ne tombassent pas dans cette catégorie d'exclusion (1).

Le 30 Juin 1767, Thomas Locke est reçu avocat en vertu d’une Commission du Gouverneur.

Le 28 Juiilet 1767 (2), le Lieutenant- Gouverneur Guy Carleton 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:

« Know Ye that we, having taken into our r‘yal consideration the loyalty, integrity, and hability of our trusty and well beloved John Burke Esq., have constituted and appointed and by these present do appoint and constitute him the said John Burke to be our Coroner in and for the District and city of Montreal in our Province of Quebec, and likewise to be clerk of the peace in all and every other Court or Courts holden by any of our Judges of the said Province in the City and District aforesaid, to have hold and enjoy the said offices and places, together with all and singular the rights, fees, profits, privileges and advantages hereunto belonging or in any wise appartaining to him the said John Burke for and during our pleasure and his residence 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 determine our former grant of the office of Coroner and clerk of the peace in the

(1) Masères. Several Commissions, pp, 26, 27 et 148, (2) Id , p. 133,

several courts held for and within the city and District of Montreal within our said Province of Quebec made unto the said John Burke by our letters patent under the public seal of the said Province, in the 16th day of October last in the year of our lord 1766, and dodeclare direct and appoint that this our present grant of the offices herein before mentioned to the said John Burke by these our present letters, shall be of the same force, virtue and effect as they whould have been if the said former letter patent had never been made. »

Le 6 Août 1767 (1), le Lieutenant-Gouverneur Guy Carleton donne la Commission suivante pour la fonction de Juge de paix :

« Know azz men by these our present letters, that we have assigned you, John Schlosser, Esquire, captain of a company in the first battalion of our Royal American Regiment of foot, to be one of our justices to keep our peace in our district of Montreal in our province of Quebec, and to keep and cause to be kept all

ordinances and statutes for the good

of the peace and for preservation 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 houses have used threats, to find sufficient security for the peace, or their good behaviour, towards us and our peo.

ple and if they shall refuse to find such

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

ithin the ithin our unto the rs patent said Proer last in Lo declare r present ore menby these the same r whould er patent

ant-Goula Comction de

r present ou, John company al Amerine of our r district F Quebec, kept all the good servation aiet rule le made, es accoreffect of unish all form of any one ict, as it the form tes; and all those r people firing of , to find , or their our peo.

d such

security, then them in our prisons, until they shall find such security, to cause to be safely kept.

« And we have likewise assigned you, in conjunction with one or more of the justices assigned to keep our peace in the district of Montreal aforesaid in our province of Quebec, properly by us authorized thereunto, to inquire the truth more fully by the oath of good and lawfull men of the aforesaid district, by whom the truth of the matter shall be the better known, of all and all manner of felonies, poisonnings, trespasses, forestallings, regratings, and extortions whatsoever ; and of all and singuiar other crimes and offences, of which the justices of our peace may and ought lawfully to inquire, by whomsoever, and after what manner soever in the said district done or perpetrated, or which shall happen to be there done or attempted ; and also of all those who in the District aforesaid in companies against our peace, in disturbance of our people, with armed force have gone or rode or hereafter shall presume to go or ride ; and also of all those who have there lain in wait, or hereafter shall presume to lie in wait, to maim or cut, or kill our people ; and also of all victuallers, and all and singular other persons who in the abuse of weights and measures, or in selling victuals against the form of the ordinances and statutes of England or of our said province of Quebec, or any one of them, therefore made or introduced in our said province for the common benefit of our said province of Quebec and our people thereof, have offended or attempted, or hereafter shall presume in the said district to offend or attempt ; and of all and singular articles and circumstances, and all other things whatsoever that concern the premises, or any of them, by whomsoever and after what manner soever in our aforesaid district done or perpetrated, or which

hereafter shall there happen to be done or attempted in what manner soever ; and to inspect all indictments so before you and one or more of our said justices for our said district of Montreal, properly by us authorized thereunto, taken or to be taken ; or before other late our justices of the peace in the aforesaid district made or taken, and not yet determined ; and to make and continue processes thereupon against all and singular the persons indicted, or who before you and our other justices of our district aforesaid hereafter shall happen to be indicted, until they can be taken, surrender themselves, or be outlawed ; and to hear and determine all and singular the felonies, poisonings, trespasses, forestallings, regratings, ingrossings, extortions unlawfull assemblies, indictements aforesaid, and all and singular other the premises, according to the laws and statutes of that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England and the ordinances of our said province of Quebec, as in the like case it has been accustomed or ought to be done; and the same offenders and every of them, for their offences by fines, ransoms, amerciaments, forfeitures, and other means, as according to the laws and customs of England or form of the ordinances and statutes of England and of our province of Quebec aforesaid, it has been accustomed or ought to be done, to chastise and punish.

« Provided always, that if a case of difflculty upon the determination of any of the premises before you conjointly with any one or more of our justices of the peace of our disirict of Montreal aforesaid, properly by us authorized thereunto, shall happen to arise, that then you let jugment in no wise be given thereon before you in conjunction with one or more of our justices in our said district, unless in the presence of our chief justice of our said province of Quebec.

« AND THEREFORE We Command you, that to the keeping the peace, Ordinances and statutes aforesaid, and all and singular other the premises, you diligently apply yourself ; and that at certain days and places as you and any one or more, or any other two, of our justices assigned to keep the peace in and for our district of Montreal aforesaid in our province aforesaid, shall appoint for these purposes, into the premises ye make inquiries, and all and singular the premises hear and determine, 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 Quebec 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 writ de dedimus potestatem dans la forme suivante :

« Know Ye that we have 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 Com.

pany in the first Battalion of Our Royal American Regiment of foot, whom re have constituted and appointed a justice of the peace for the District of Montreal 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 intitled «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.

abettors»; and to receive from him the declaration mentioned and ordained in and by an act of parliament made in the 25th year of the reign of his late Majesty King Charles, the second in the said act mentioned to be made and suscribed ; and also to receive from him his suscription to the said oaths for the due execution and performance of the office of justice of the peace in the usual form ; and of what 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 Aout 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 1768, 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 d éry.

Le 16 Janvier 1768 (?), 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) Masères. Several Commissions, p. 1.

(2) Id,, 141.

par Mor de ] rési fut.

rév fort con révi for!

Moi

\ him the dained in

made in f his late nd in the > and susn him his r the due the office ual form ; | you are ) our Re- Court of > together

de Sa Ma.

aux Gou- \pport sur ns la Pro-

mée 1768, mé secréseil pour aduire en glements ur et du miner les eil Supédomina-

me Comcordée à uéry.

iverneur bre écrit éfinir la e la Pro- Québec.

nd cette ration.

à juridicent de sterling,

juridiction qu'ils ont conservée j'usqu’en 1770 (1).

En 1765 (2), les Lords du Commerce s'étaient adressés au Procureur-Général, Sir Fletcher Norton, et au Solliciteur-Général, Sir William de Grey, pour savoir :

«Si les sujets de Sa Majesté, étant Catho liques Romains et résidant dans les pays cédés à Sa Majesté par le Traité de Paris, ne sont pas sujets, dans ces colonies, aux incapacités, inhabilités et pénalités auxquelles les Cacholiques Romains dans ce royaume sont sujets par les lois.» Ils répondirent que non, et le 18 Janvier 1768, ils présentèrent leur rapport au Conseil Privé sur cette question : «Que les divers actes du Parlement qui imposent les inhabilités et les pénalités sur le public exerçant la religion Catholique romaine, ue s'étendent pas au Canada ; et que Sa Majesté n’est pas capable, en vertu de sa prérogative, d’abolir le Doyen et le Chapitre de Québec, non plus que d'exempter les habitants protestants de parer des dimes aux personnes légalement nommées pour les recevoir des Catholiques Romains. »

Le Roi avait envoyé, au commence.

ment de 1768, trois ordres au gouverneur ou commandant-en-chef, le requérant de nommer trois minis‘res de l'Eglise d’Angleterre, comme ‘ecteurs des églises paroissiales de Québec, Trois-Rivières et Montréal. Le révérend M. David François de Montmollin, natif de Suisse, qui avait résidé plus de vingt ans en Angleterre, fat indiqué comme recteur de Québec ; le révérend M. Veyssière, un catholique réformé et même un ex-moine Récollet, comme recteur des Trois-Rivières, et le révérend M. DeLisle, natif de France et réformé de naissance, comme rocteur de Montréal. Masères (3), fut chargé de pré-

(1) Masères. Papers on Quebec. 9.

(2) d., 308, (3) Several Commissions, 145.

parer les commissions. «But,» dit-il, «upon more fully considering the peculiar and delicate situation of the province with respect to the article of religion, and some claims of property in the churehes, made on behalf of the Roman Catholic inhabitants of those parishes, which required a very serious and deliberate discussion, his Excellency did not think it expedient to grant these gentlemen commissions of this form, under the seal of the province, but in lieu thereof gave them licences to preach and perform divine service according to the ceremonies of the Church of England in the respective parishes of Quebec, Three Rivers and Montreal, under his hand and private seal.»

Masères ne parle qu’en passant (1), du procès que les Anglais résidant dans la colonie intentèrent au Général Murray en Février 1768. Garneau (2), est plus explicite. Ces loyaux sujets qui n'as piraient qu’à la proscription entière des catholiques, n’espérant plus influencer Murray pour l’engager à favoriser leurs vues ambitieuses, ils portèrent à Londres des accusations contre son administration etexcitèrent des querelles dans la colonie, où l’on vit tout à coup les villes remplies de trouble et de confusion, et les gouvernants et leurs partisans se quereller entre eux. Le Général Murray fut accusé de favoriser le parti militaire. Les plaintes de ses ennemis appuyées par les marchands de Londres, qui profitèrent de cette circonstance pour présenter une pétilion au bureau du commerce contre son administration et en faveur de l’établissement d’une chambre élective, engagèrent la métropole à rappeler ce gouverneur, qui fut plutôt sacrifié à la sympathie qu'il semblait porter aux Canadiens qu'à des abus de pouvoir. Murray repassé à Lon dres n’eut besoin que de mettre devant

(1) Several Commissions, 306.

(2) Histoire du Canada, 1IE, 318.

les yeux des ministres le recensement qu’il avait fait faire en 1765 de la population du Canada, pour démontrer l’absurdité du projet d’exclure les catholiques 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-Ami-

rauté. Sa commission est dans les termes

suivants (4) :

« GEORGE the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith : ‘To Our Beloved James Potts, Esquire, Greeting :

We do by these presents make, ordain, nominate and appoint you the said James Potts Esquire, to be Our commissary in Our Province of Quebec in America and Territories thereunto belonging hereby granting unto you full power to take cognizance of and proceed in all causes civil and maritime and in complaints, contests, offences or suspected offences, crimes, pleas, debts, exchanges, policies of Assurance, accounts, charter-parties, Bills of Loading of Ships and all matters and contracts which in any manner whatsoever relate to Freight due for Ships hired and let out, Transport money or Martime usuary (otherwise Bottomry) or which do any wise concern, suits,

(1) Smitb, LI, 42,

(2) Admiralty reports, Lower Canada, 390.

(3) Ja, 391.

(4) Archives du Ministère du secrétaire d'Etat,

trespasses, injuries, extortions, demands and affairs civil and maritime whatsoever between Merchants or between owners and proprietors of Ships or other vessels and Merchants or other persons whomsoever, with such owners and proprietors of Ships and all other vessels whatsoever employed or used or between any other persons howsoever had, made, begun, or contracted for any matter, cause or thing business or injury whatsoever done 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 all 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 determine, (according to the civil and Maritime laws and Customs of Our high court of Admiralty of England in Our Province of Quebec aforesaid and Territories thereof and thereunto beloñging whatsoever and also with power tc sit and hold courts in any cities, towns and places in Our Province of Quebec aforesaid for the hearing and determining of all such causes and businesses together with all and singular the Incidents, Emergencies, Dependencies, annexed and connexed causes whatsoever ; and to proceed judicially and according to Law in administering Justice therein and moreover to compel witnesses in case they withdraw themselves for interest, fear, favor or ill will crany other cause whatsoever) ; togive evidencetothe truth in all and every the causes above mentioned according to the exigencies of the Law ; and further to take all manner of recognizances, cautions, obligationsand

stip inst:

debt wha tion be e:

inqu Trai Fugi conc kille their Rive Plac May] and and :

and 1 mely phin:

soeve bulk Ways ofou of ar Good Shar of th taker to be misde marit comn as We Ports Shoré from and t afore:

there!

soeve or ha disco:

mulc!

due a mode to ca

s, demands whatsoever en owners her vessels ons whomproprietors whatsoever any other , begun, or se or thing * done or to y the sea or ports, rivers ved what- | fowing of 18 Upon any ng to them, ith all and gencies, deexed causes complaints, nises above soever the contracted, determine, iritime laws ourt of Ad- Province of ries thereof tsoever and 1d courts in in Our Pro:

the hearing causes and nd singular Dependenauses whaticially and ring Justice el witnesses selves for rany other dencetothe auses above xigencies of all manner igationsand

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 execution and to cause and command them to be executed. Also duly to search and inquire of and concerning all goods of Traitors, Pirates, Manslayers, Felons Fugitives and Felons 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 Creeks and Places over flowed. And also concerning Mayhem happening inthe aforesaid places and engins and toyls and nets prohibited and unlawful and the occupiers thereof, and moreover concerning fishes Royal namely : Whales, Kiggs,. Grampusses, Dolphins, Sturgeons and all other fishes whatsoever which are of a great or very large bulk or fatness by right or custom, any ways used belongingto us and tothe office ofour High Admiral of England ; And also of and concerning all casualties of Sea Goods wrecked, Flotzon, Jetzon Lagon, Shares things cast over board and wreck of the Sea and all goods taken or to be taken as Derelict or by chance found or to be found; and all 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 all Ports Rivers, fresh waters and creeks and Shores of the Sea to High water mark from all first Bridges towards the Sea in and throughout our Province of Quebec aforesaid and Maritime coasts thereof and thereunto belonging howsoever. whensoever or by what means soever arising or happening and all such things as are discovered and found out as also all fines, mulcts, amercements and compositions due and to be due in that behalf to tax moderate, 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 all and every the causes and businesses above recited and and in all other contracts, causes, contemptsand offences whatsoever, howsoever:

contracted or arising so that the goods of persons of the debtors may be found within the jurisdiction of the Vice Ad.

mirally in Our Province of Quebec aforesaid according to the civil and maritime Laws and Customs of Our said high court of Admiralty of England anciently used and by all other lawful ways, means and methods according to the best of your skill and knowledge.

Aud all such causes and contracts to hear, examine, discuss, and finally determine, saving nevertheless the right of appealing to Our aforsaid High Court of Admiralty of England and to the Judge or President 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 these presents ; And also to arrest and to cause and command to be arrested all 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 Quebec and Territories of the same either within Liberties or without ; And to compel all n:*nner 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 mulct according to the Laws and customs aforesaid ; and to do and administer Justice according to the right, order and cause of the Law summarily and plainly looking only into the truth of the fact ;

And We empower you in this behalf to fine, correct, punish, chastize and reform and imprison and cause and command to be imprisoned in any gaols being within Our Province of Quebec aforesaid, and Maritime places of the same the parties guilty and violators of the law and jurisdiction of Our Admiraity aforesaid and usurpers, delbinquants and contumacious absenters, masters of Ships, mariners, rowers fishermen, Shipwrights and other w- a and artificers whomsoever, exer: Any kind of maritime affairs, as we.i according to the aforesaid civil and maritime Laws and Ordinances and Customs aforesaid and their demerits as according to the Statutes and Ordinances aforesaid and these of Our Kingdom of Great Britain for the Admiralty of England in that behalf made and provided ; and to deliver and absolutely discharge and cause and command to be discharged whatsoever persons imprisoned in such cases who are to be delivered ; and to promulge and interpose all manner of sentences and decrees and to put the samein execution with cognizance and jurisdiction of whatsoever other causes civil and maritime which relate to the Sea or which any manner of ways respect or concern the Sea or passage over the same or Naval or Maritime voyages performed or to be performed or the maritime jurisdiction above said, with power also to proceed in the same according to the civil and maritime Laws and Customs of Our aforesaid Court anciently used as well those of mere office mixed or promoted as at the instance of any party as the case shall require and seem convenient : And We do by these presents which are to conti« nue during Our Royal will and pleasure only further give and grant unto you James Potts, Esquire, Our said Commissary, the power of taking and receiving all and every the wages, fees, pro-

fits, advantages and commodities whatsoever in any manner due and anciently belonging to the said office according to the customs of Our High Court of Admiralty of England, committing unto you Our power and authority concerning all and singular the premises in the several places above expressed, saving in all things the prerogative of Our High Court of Admiralty of England aforesaid together with power of deputing and surrogating in your place for and concerning the premises one or more deputy or deputies as often as you shall think fit.

Further We do in Our name command and firmly and strictly charge all and singular Our Governors, Commanders, Justices of the Peace, Mayors, Sheriffs, Marshalls, Keepers of all Our Gaols and Prisons, Bailiffs, Constables and all other Our officers and ministers and faithful and liege subjects, in and throughout Our Province of Quebec aforesaid and the territories thereof and thereunto belonging, that in the execution of this Our Commission then or from time to time aiding, assisting and yield obedience in all things as is fitting unto you and your Deputy whomsoever under pain of the Law and the peril which will fall thereon. Given at London, in the High Court of Admiralty of England.»

Le 17 Mai 1768 (1), le Lieutenant-Gouverneur Carleton devant s’absenter de Québec pour aller à Montréal, donne sous le grand sçeau une Commission au Jugeen-Chef Hey pour entendre, juger et déterminer deux causes en équité, qui étaient pendantes devant lui depuis plusieurs années.

Le 12 Août 1768 (2), le Conseil Privé du Roi prend en considération la demande du Gouverneur de New-York, Sir Henry Moore, de fixer la ligne de di-

(1) Archives de l'Etat.

(2) Mnsères, Several Commissions, 142.

ties whatnd ancienlice accor:igh Court ommitting ority conremises in sed, saving Our High l aforesaid 1g and surnd concerdeputy or | think fit.

command ce all and nmanders, s, Sheriffs, Gaols and d all other id faithful ghout Our d and the nto belonf this Our ne to time edience in 1 and your ain of the Il fall thethe High 1, »

bnant-Goubsenter de donne sous n au Jugeger et déqui étaient plusieurs

hseil Privé ion la deew-York, gne de di-

vision entre cette Province et celle de Québec. La parallèle 45e de latitude nord, telle que désignée dans la: Proclamation royale de 1763, est reconnue comme la pius conforme aux positions géographiques et la plus exacte comme division de frontière. Elle est encore aujourd’hui la ligne de division entre le Canada et la République américaine.

Le 12 Octobre 1768 (1), Jonathan Sewell est nommé Juge de la Cour de Vice- Amirauté.

Le 31 Décembre 1768, Valentin Joutard est reçu avocat «1 vertu d’une commission du Gouverneur.

En 1769, John Dumas St, Martin est nommé Maître en Chancellerie.

Le 27 Février 1769 (2), M. Masères, procureur-général de la Province de Québec, sur l’ordre du Conseil Privé, transmet au Gouverneur Guy Carleton un rapport sur l’état des lois et de l'administration de la justice dans cette province. Ce rapport, de l’aveu même de M. Masères (3), ne rencontra pas l'approbation du Gouverneur. Il en fut préparé un autre. Celui-ci eut plus de succès. Le Gouverneur, malgré que tous les rapports demandés devaient être envoyés au Conseil Privé, ne voulut pas dans un rapport, approuvé par lui, voir l'énoncé des principes en vertu desquels on voulait prétendre que le corps entier des lois anglaises avait été introduit dans la colonie, non plus les divers modes qui pouvaient s'offrir à la discussion sur le système judiciaire à être suivi. Ce rapport, reflétant la secrète pensée du Gouverneur, posait énergiquement un système exclusif, qui pouvait se résumer comme suit : en matières criminelles les lois anglaises seules devaient être suivies, tandis qu’en matières civiles les lois françaises avaient la prédominance.

(1) Admiralty reports, 391.

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

(3) -Zd., p. 40,

Voici des extraits de ce Rapport (1) :

«1. Whether any and what defects are now subsisting in the present state of Judicature in Quebec.

« 2, Whether the Canadians are or think themselves aggrieved. according to the present administration of Justice therein ; and in what respects, together whith our opinion of any alterations or amendements that we can propose for the general benefit of the Province, and that they be transmitted in form of Ordinances, but not passed, by the Governor, GhiefJustice, and Attorney General. Ifthey differ, different opinions, with reasons for such differences.

«They then represented—That the laws of England were generally thought to be in force.

« The commission of the Chief Justice refers to them. He was to decide according to the Laws and Customs of England, and the Laws, Ordinances, Rules and Regulations of Your Majest'ys Province of Quebec, hereafter in that behalf to us ordained and made. That the Ordinance of the seventeenth of September, one thousand seven hundred and sixty four, set forth and erected a superior Court or King's Bench, an Inferior Court of Common Pleas, to decide in all causes above £10. Appeal to King's Bench in all above £20. Juäges of this Court are to determine according to Equity, regarding laws of England and ordinances of the Province, under £ 5 before a single Justice, above £ 5 and under £ 10, before a single Justice or others, at Weekly or Quarter Sessions.

«Then the Report sets forth the Ordinance of the sixth of November, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four. On which it is observed : That all the Lands in the Province whose owners died since the tenth of August, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, are subject to

(1) Smith, 11, 42

Gäv LE DROIT CIVIL CANADIEN.

English law of Inheritance, Custom of Dower, Rules of Forfeitures, Escheat.

« These ordinances have been transmitted and never disallowed. Canadian laws since supposed to be abolished, and Judges conceive themselves bound to proceed according to the English laws.

« Besides, there are public instruments in support of the supposition : Statute of 1 Elizabeth, Chap. 1. abolishing authority of the Bishop of Rome, vide fol. 16, 17, 24, 27. This clearly extends to after acquisitions of the Crown.

« Statute 15 CG». 2, Chap. 7, fol. 7.

u Statutes 7 and William 3. Chap. 22.

«a We suppose other Acts of Trade less positive in terms, extend also. Hence the Governor's Commission directs him to take the oath prescribed for Plantation Governors relating to Trade. And the Commissioners of the Customs have appointed a Collector at Quebec to carry them into execution. They also understand Statute of 12 Anne, Statute 2, Chap.

10, for preserving Ships stranded, and the 4th Geo. 1, Chap. 12, making it perpetual.

The Attorney and Solicitor General in June, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven, gave an opinion to the Board of Trade, that it extends to the Plantations, and this opinion is transmitted to the Governor of Quebec.

« These before the Conquest of Quebec ; there are other Statutes passed since, as

« 4. Geo. 111. Chap. 11. continuing that part of 8th Geo. 1, concerning importation of naval stores. À copy of this is sent to the Collector of Quebec.

«4. Geo. 111. Chap. 19, an Act for importing Salt, &c.

«4. Geo. 111. Chap. 15, for granting duties.

« Besides these Statutes there is a series of public instruments for introduciug Laws of England. :

«The Article of Capitulation is one

thousand seven hundred aud sixty. vide Articles 42, 27, 30.

« The Treaty fo Peace of tenth of February, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three. Article four, That Canadians are to have Romish Religion as far as laws of England permis.

«The Proclamation of October, one thousand seven hundred sixty-three. Upon which they observe :—The British Subjects in the Colony understand English Laws to be thereby ir‘roduced, and not the municipal laws of a conquered people continued. That they emigrated on this confidence.

« The late Governor so understood it, who by the Ordinance of September, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four did not mean to overturn all the Canada laws, but to erect Courts for exercised English law, supposed to be already introduced.

«The Lords of Trade understood it so, for in the beventh and last articles of their Report of second September, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, upon Memorials complaining of the Ordinances of the Governor and Council, proposes : — That in all cases where Rights or Claims are founded on events prior to the Conquest of Canada, the several Courts should be governed in their proceedings by the French usages and customs, which have heretofore prevailed in respect to such property.

«lt is clear then, that if upon events posterior to that Conquest, then the Courts are to be governed by English laws.

« We know that the Attorney and Solicitor General, in April, one thousand seven hundred and sixty six, understood the Proclamation in a more confiued sense, as introductive of only some fewer parts of the law of England, particularly beneficial to English Subjects, and not of the whole body of the laws. This they took to be the purport of the word in the Pro-