constables, and on the man persisting, he received several blows and was carried off as dead.

When this disturbance took place, no one had arms; and, on the troops approaching, several of them for defence picked up some of the stones broken for macadamising the street : both parties then threw stones at each other. The electors made no further attempt either in the way of assault or defence; yet the troops were ordered to fire, not over, but at this body of Canadians, which an ordinary constabulary force could, however, as easily have dispersed as they could any common drunken squabble in London.

Three Canadians were killed on the spot, and several were wounded. Colonel Mackintosh was certainly incautious in acquiescing readily to the request of the magistrates, although he would not be justified in refusing to lend them assistance in preserving the peace.

It must be observed, that if the constabulary force was unable to preserve the peace, and it became necessary to bring in military assistance, the soldiers should have first fired over their heads. The poor Canadians, some of whom were no doubt excited, were subjected to a direct volley of shot, when at a distance of from 340 to 380 feet.

It must also be remarked, that the Canadians had no arms of any kind, not even a stick; and at the time of the massacre, the greater number had gone away with Mr. Tracey; that the constables were all provided with heavy batons; and, as has been proved since, there was neither serious ground for alarm, nor any necessity for calling out the troops, but for the

Eell on

the

2526 and 27 April 183

en the 28 and 30 April and 1st 2 and 3 Me D' from the 5th to the close.

of the Poll on the 22 này

Temporary Railing in front of the Poll and Fabriqu
Position of the Troops (15 Reg. Jon the 21st May on

at the Place d'Armes about 3 o'clock.

Position of the Troops at past 3 o'clock until the
Poll at 5 o'clock.

First advance of the Troops where they formed afte
Second advance and Position where they fired
Last advance, from which they came back to thes
remained during the right with 2 Field Pieces
Place where Casimer Chauvin was killed.
Place where François Longuedoc was killed
Place where Pierre Billet was killed
House struck by one of the balls.

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FORTIFICATION

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purpose, if possible, of rousing the indignation of the electors to some act of violence.

The Canadians also complain, that when a legal inquiry was afterwards instituted, the nomination of the jury, the trifling cognisances in which the parties were bound, and the manner of conducting the inquest, were all managed with partiality.

The mighty consequence of preserving the affection and loyalty of his Majesty's subjects in Canada, and the great value of that country, have never been justly appreciated. The present state of Canada requires the most serious attention of the imperial government. The measures which claim the first attention, are, allowing the legislature to manage their local affairs; an impartial appointment of all persons in places of profit and trust; and placing the whole revenue at the disposal of the Colonial Parliament. By wise policy, this vast province may be long secured to the British empire.

CHAP. XI.

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS OF CANADA. - QUEBEC ACT. - PARTITION OF THE PROVINCE. - COUNTIES AND REPRESENTATION. - COUTUME DE PARIS. - NEW DIVISION OF THE PROVINCE. - CONSTITUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. - ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAWS. - DISTRICTS.- DISTRICTS. - COURTS, JUDGES, LAWYERS, NOTARIES. - CANADIAN LAWS, ESTATES, AND TENURES. REVENUE. - CIVIL LIST. - MILITARY FORCE. - PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS. - PUBLIC BURDENS AND EXPENDITURE, ETC.

THE Quebec Act, which passed in the year 1774, fixed the boundaries of Canada. It then comprehended the lower and upper provinces, according to their present limits, and also a vast tract of country lying between Lake Erie and the Ohio and Mississippi, and extending north from the St. Lawrence to the latitude of 52°, being the boundary of Hudson's Bay. The British were afterwards wheedled, certainly not forced, out of the latter valuable territory. By this act all former provisions made for the province were declared null and void; and it enacted also, "That his Majesty's subjects professing the religion of the Church of Rome, in the said province of Quebec, may have, hold, and enjoy, the free exercise of the religion of the Church of Rome, subject to the king's supremacy, (as by Act 1 Elizabeth,) and that the clergy of the said church may hold, receive, and enjoy, their accustomed dues and rights with respect to such persons only as shall profess