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QUEBEC, 15th November 1822. SIR, The Inhabitants of this Country have heard, with the most profound concern, that, in the last Session of the Imperial Legislature, a Bill was introduced in the Honourable the Commons House of Parliament, purporting an union of the Legislatures of Upper and Lower Canada, upon terms extremely disadvantageous, and deeply humiliating to the interests and feelings of the latter Province. The Canadians were however well assured that no measure affecting their rights would ever pass that Honorable House, until those for whom it was intended had an opportunity of being heard; and, accordingly when it was ascertained that the Bill had been postponed for that express purpose, (the Provincial Legislature not being in Session) measures were immediately taken in various parts of both Provinces to address an humble Petition to His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament against it, At a very general, numerous and respectable Meeting of the Inhabitants of the District of Quebec, a Committee was chosen for the purpose of preparing and forwarding these Petitions, which are now in a state of forwardness; but, as it will necessarily require a considerable time to enable the Inhabitants of this very extensive and populous District to subscribe the same, especially at this season of the year; and as it is feared that before they can be forwarded and presented, the Bill may have been again revived, the Committee beg leave to enclose a copy of their Resolve of the 31st October last, and entreat that you will use your influence with the Members of the Honorable the House of Commons, to prevent the Bill from being passed before the Petitions from this Country shall have been presented, The Committee assure you that His Majesty's Canadian Subjects, relying with the most perfect confidence on his paternal solicitude, and the wisdom and justice of Parliament, are fully assured that the Bill will not pass, when it is known in England that the Honorable movers of it were misinformed in a manner to lead them to believe that the measure was beneficial to the Country, and would be highly acceptable to the Canadians; an assertion as unfounded as it is injurious to the spirit and patriotism of the People. a vast majority of whom, in both Provinces, are decidedly and unalterably averse to the proposed union, under any condition whatever, and much more so under those of the Bill in question. By
Order and on behalf of the Constitutional Committee for the City & District
of Quebec, L. DE SALABERRY -Chairman. E. TETU & W°' HENDERSON Secretaries JEAN
BÉLANGE Source: Adam SHORTT and Arthur G. DOUGHTY, Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada, 1819-1828, Ottawa, 1935. |