110 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Trade — who now received the title "Lords of Trade" — were members 

 of the Privy Council. 



The powers of the Board were very extensive but not in all 

 matters and at all times perfectly definite (5) : at the time of the 

 Conquest of Canada it was largely an administrative body, one of the 

 most important of whose functions was the furnishing of information 

 and advice to Parliament and the Great Ofificers of the Crown on 

 colonial matters. 



The Treaty of Paris having been concluded, Lord Egremont, 

 Secretary of State, requested the Board of Trade to take under con- 

 sideration and advise as to what new Governments should be formed in 

 North America and what form should be adopted for such new Gov- 

 ernments, suggesting that it might be a proper object of consideration 

 how far it was expedient to retain or depart from the forms established 

 by France in these Colonies. (6). 



In an admirable report, the Board, June 8, 1763, recommended 

 {inter alia) that a "Government" should be formed for Canada, with 

 a Governor and Council under His Majesty's Commission with instruc- 

 tions adapted to the needs of the Country (7). The Board of Trade 

 urged the settlement of Canada by encouraging those in the old 

 North American Colonies to form new settlements and by giving land 

 to Officers and Soldiers who had distinguished themselves during the 

 war (7). This suggestion was also approved (8). 



The Board by Message of July 14, 1763, were informed that 

 James Murray had been selected as Governor of Canada and they 

 were directed to draft a Commission and Instructions for him (9). 

 Apparently it was when considering the Commission and Instructions, 

 that the Board changed their views as to the proper form of Govern- 

 ment for Canada: we find that in a Report, October 4, 1763, made to 

 Halifax they say "It appears to us upon a Revision of the Report 

 * * of the 8th of June last, that it will be expedient for His 

 Majesty's Service and give Confidence and Encouragement to such 

 persons as are inclined to become Settlers in the new Colonies that 

 an immediate and public Declaration should be made of the intended 

 permanent constitution and that the power of calling Assemblies should 

 be inserted in the first Commissions" (10). 



Having prepared the draft Commission and Instructions, they 

 transmitted the documents with a Report in which they say that 

 "they conceived it to be Your Majesty's Royal Intention that the 

 Form and Constitution of Government in these new Colonies" (includ- 

 ing Canada) "should be as near as may be similar to what has been 

 established in those Colonies which are under Your Majesty's immedi- 

 ate Government:" and they accordingly prepared Commissions 



