LXXXVI ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
The papers during that period deal with matters of great interest ; 
the proposed union in 1822 of the two provinces, with the arguments for 
and against the proposal, which, it is well known did not take effect till 
twenty years later; the report on grievances, the questions between 
Upper and Lower Canada respecting the re-union, and other subjects 
held at the time to be of vital importance. 
“ For Upper Canada transcripts have been received to 1829, cover- 
ing the period of Sir Peregrine Maitland’s administration and the 
beginning of Sir John Colborne’s. 
“To judge by the current histories of Upper Canada, the knowledge 
of the domestic politics of that province at the beginning of this century 
appears to be very limited, only a few vague generalities being given. 
‘It has, therefore, been thought desirable to publish at some length the 
correspondence during the administration of President Grant, and part 
of that of Lieutenant-Governor Gore. The leader of the opposition to 
the government, appears to have been Mr. Justice Thorpe, who is referred 
to in no laudatory terms in the histories of the province.” 
The sentiments expressed by this “hot, political partisan,” his fiery 
attack on General Hunter and the comments of Chief Justice Allcock on 
his fiery colleague, afford quite a study in the present day. 
In Lower Canada, Sir Robert Shore Milnes seems anxious to increase 
the crown revenues, from properties belonging to it, and advocates the 
extinction of the feudal tenure of lands. 
There appears to have been a considerable amount of friction between 
Chief Justice Osgoode and the Lieutenant-Governor, the latter being 
supported by all the executive councillors. 
A conversation between Monsgr. Plessis and Attorney-General 
Sewell, in which Queen Mary gets some hard hits, is published in this 
report. 
1893.—The report for 1893, opens with a letter, dated 16th Novem- 
ber, 1807, on Indian affairs, received by Sir John Johnson, from Herman 
Witrius Ryland, civil secretary to Sir James Henry Craig. 
As this clever functionary’s correspondence occupies considerable 
space in our colonial archives, a short sketch of his career may not be 
out of place. 
Herman Witrius Ryland had landed in Quebec in 1795, as secretary 
to Lord Dorchester. His scholarly training, brilliant parts, general in- 
formation and attachment to British institutions, as well as his social 
position, gave him the ear of every governor, (except Sir George Prevost) 
for close on twenty years. 
It was during the stormy period of the war between England and 
the United States that the Hon. Mr. Ryland, with the advice of the able 
Chief Justice Sewell, was in reality entrusted with the helm of state. 
As the historian Robert Christie observes, Ryland was considered 
