32 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



in the name of the Prince Regent for their assurances of attachment 

 and support in reply to his speech at the opening of the preceding 

 session and added that "His Royal Highness placed that confidence 

 in the courage and loyalty of His Majesty's Canadian subjects which 

 made him equally fearless of the result of any direct attack upon them 

 and of any insidious attempts to alienate their affections from his 

 government." In accordance with powers previously vested in him 

 by the legislature he had called out the militia to assist in the defence of 

 the province and "with the most cheering satisfaction had been a 

 witness of that public spirit, that steady order, and that love of their 

 country, their religion, and their laws which they had manifested on 

 that occasion and which by animating and uniting all classes of His 

 Majesty's subjects, could not fail, under Divine Providence, to make 

 them safe at home and respected abroad." 



He remarked that the great benefits derived to the public service 

 from the operation of the Army Bills Act were apparent and recom- 

 mended it to their consideration for renewal and extension. A careful 

 revision and amendment of the militia law was also expedient and he 

 again intimated that it might become necessary to resort to martial 

 law in an emergency and asked their approval. The speedy transaction 

 of business was strongly urged. 



The address from the Assembly in reply said : — 



"We feel it incumbent on us to state to Your Excellency that not 

 only that part of His Majesty's subjects who have been placed in your 

 immediate view but the entire population of the country, are devoted 

 to the cause and will cheerfully make every sacrifice which the safety 

 of their country and its future happiness may require at this truly 

 important and critical conjuncture, thereby assuring to themselves a 

 superior claim to the confidence and affection of their beloved sovereign. " 

 They declared their satisfaction that the campaign had ended 

 "without the effusion of blood, without loss of territory, and without 

 interruption to the most important habits of peace by recourse to 

 martial law. To the energetic yet mild and conciliatory measures of 

 Your Excellency and to the devotion of His Majesty's Canadian 

 subjects, we ascribe that happy and honourable termination." 



Prévost affably assured them that their sentiments were worthy 

 of the representatives of a loyal, brave, and enlightened people. 



Since his arrival in the province he had in fact made most stren- 

 uous efforts to promote internal harmony and conciliate those members 

 of the legislative assembly who had been actively hostile to his pred- 

 ecessor. This was observed with considerable annoyance by in- 

 fluential members of the English party. John Blackwood informed 

 a correspondent that "our Governor seems to be trying rather a 



