LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN CANADA. 49 
exercised a considerable weight in the community, but not to the degree that the 
representative of the church enjoyed. From the earliest time in the history of the colony, 
we find the Roman Catholic church exercising a dominant influence—an influence, it 
must be admitted, discreetly and wisely used for the welfare of the people committed to 
its spiritual care.' Next to the curé in importance was the captain of militia, who was 
exceedingly useful in the absence of civil authorities in carrying out the orders and 
instructions of the government in the parishes. The whole province was formed into 
a militia district so that, in times of war, the inhabitants might be obliged to perform 
military service under the French governor. In times of peace, these militia officers 
executed the orders of the governor and intendant in all matters affecting the king. A 
captain was appointed for each parish, and in some of the larger divisions there were 
two or three.” 
By reference to the numerous ordinances of the intendant, we can see pretty 
accurately how such local matters as the construction, maintenance, and repair of roads 
and bridges were managed in the seigniories and parishes. In case it was considered 
necessary to build a church or presbytery, the intendant authorized the habitants to 
assemble for the purpose of choosing from among themselves four persons to make, with 
the curé, the seignior, and the captain of the militia, an estimate of the expense of the 
structure. It was the special care of the captain of the militia to look after the work, 
and see that each parishioner did his full share.* It was only in church matters, in fact, 
that the people of a parish had a voice, and even in these, as we see, they did not take 
the initiative. The Quebec authorities must in all such cases first issue an ordinance. 
All the roads and bridges of the colony were under the supervision of the grand 
voyer, or superintendent of highways, appointed by the king. We find in the proceedings 
of the council on the Ist of February, 1706, the regulations which governed this impor- 
tant oïlicer in the discharge of his duties. He was obliged to visit all the seigniories 
at certain times of the year and make provision for the highways wherever necessary. 
The roads and other local improvements were constructed after consultation with the 
proprietors of lands and the most responsible persons of the place, at the expense of the 
people immediately interested. All the work was performed under the direction of the 
captain of militia in the parish.‘ 
The position of the people in French Canada for a century and a half has been tersely 
set forth by the writers to whom we have frequently referred: “ Without education, 
without an opportunity of taking part in public affairs, without an interest in the public 
offices, all of which were filled up by persons sent out by the Government, the Canadian 
people were obliged to seek, in the clearing of the forest, in the cultivation of the field, 
in the chase, and in adventure, the means of livelihood, and hardly ever busied themselves 
with public matters. Sometimes they thought they were becoming ‘a people’ on this 

duty it was to drill the able-bodied men of the neighborhood... . . Next in honor came the local judge, if any 
there was, and the church-wardens” Parkman’s Old Régime, p. 387. The precedence in church and processions 
was regulated by ordinance. See Doutre et Lareau, p. 242. 
1“ Lower Canada had, when we received it at the conquest, two institutions which alone preserved the sem- 
blance of order and civilisation in the community—the Catholic Church and the militia, which was so constituted 
and used as partially to supply the want of better civil institutions.” Lord Durham’s Report, p. 31. 
? Doutre et Lareau, p. 136. ’ Edits et ordonnances, ii. 295. 
* Edits et ordonnances, ii. 135, 
Sec. IL. 1886. 7. 
