[SHORTT] PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 69 
given were quite acceptable and what was of much greater importance 
to the habitants, was the fact that they were paid in metallic money, 
which, in turn, was able to purchase the necessary imported goods at 
fairly moderate rates. The official classes, however, had little to 
dispose of but their services. To furnish them with suitable employ- 
ment, a continuation of the system of lavish issues of paper money, 
to be redeemed by the British Government, in support of a large mili- 
tary and official establishment was strongly urged by the noblesse 
and heartily supported by the British Officers in command of the 
colony. 
The rising difficulties between the Home Government and the 
older English colonies to the south gave practical point to the urgent 
recommendations of the Canadian Governors. This ultimately 
resulted in the larger measure of the Quebec Act, intended to restore 
Canada to the position of an exclusively French and Indian territory 
to be utilized for the purpose of keeping the English colonies in due 
subjection to the British Government. The purpose of this measure 
being fully recognized, alike in Britain and America, together with the 
other American legislation of the year 1774 and the consequent action 
taken on both sides, precluded the possibility of reconciliation and the 
American Revolutionary War was definitely entered upon. 
The body of the French-Canadian people resolutely refused to 
respond to the call to arms on the part of the Governor, the noblesse 
and the Church, representing the restored feudal authority in Canada. 
Instead of Canada proving one of the chief agencies by which the 
American colonies were to be brought to heel, Canada itself was almost 
lost through a small and poorly equipped colonial invasion before the 
hastily summoned British troops from England could arrive. The 
necessity to garrison Canada instead of utilizing it as an ally against 
the colonies, and other important miscalculations of Governor Carleton 
and his Canadian officials had a very material effect upon the ultimate 
outcome of the Revolution. Economically, however, the effect upon 
Canada was very beneficial, for, though the Canadians would not 
fight for Britain, they were eager enough to furnish supplies for the 
British armies when a local market was furnished at war prices. The 
result was that, protected from further invasion by American armies, 
the French-Canadians enjoyed a period of exceptional prosperity from 
1776 to the close of the Revolutionary War in 1783. Even after peace 
was restored, the disillusionment which the British authorities had 
received was so complete that for over half a century to come Britain 
maintained in Canada, at her own expense, very considerable garri- 
sons, the supplies for which were mainly obtained in the country and 
paid for in cash. This outlay was further augmented by the con- 
