64 Our Colonies : f July, 



been allowed to exist for so many years in a British colony, without 

 any communication or reference having been made to parliament on the 

 subject." 



The Committee have ascertained also, that Mr. Caldwell, who had 

 been for many years acting as receiver-general, was, in 1823, a defaulter 

 for 96,000/. of the public money ; and, although some balances had 

 been stated up to 1819, no acquittal from the treasury could be traced 

 of a later date than 1814 ; " and it appeared, by documents then pro- 

 duced, that the fact of his deficiency was known for a considerable time 

 before he was suspended." 



They recommend prudently, though in this respect somewhat too late, 

 that, for the future, efficient securities sliould be taken, and audits regu- 

 lai'ly made of the accounts of receivers and sheriffs, of the insolvency 

 of the latter of which officers instances have within a few years occurred. 



With respect to the estates of the Jesuits, fallen by the dissolution of 

 that order into the hands of the CroAvn, they have not been able to obtain 

 sufficient evidence. On this point their recommendation may be called 

 vague ; but it is one which nevertheless demands immediate attention, 

 because they recommend the proceeds, whatever they may be, to be 

 applied to the important purposes of general education. 



One of the most serious of the charges which the petitioners from 

 the Seigneuries have made, is, that t;he members of the legislative coun- 

 cils, being for the most part employed under the government, have in 

 many instances rejected the propositions made by the House of Assem- 

 bly, whenever those propositions were unpalateable to the governor. 

 The Committee, with a very praiseworthy moderation, forbear to enter 

 into the particular complaints, but they strongly recommend : — 



" That a more independent character should be given to these bodies ; that 

 the majority of their members should not consist of persons holding offices at 

 the pleasure of the crown, and that any other measures that may tend to con- 

 nect more intimately this branch of the constitution with the interest of the 

 Colonies, would be attended with the greatest advantage. With respect to 

 the judges, with the exception only of the Chief Justice, whose presence on 

 particular occasions might be necessary, your Committee entertain no doubt 

 that they had better not be involved in the political business of the House. 

 Upon similar grounds it appears to your Committee, that it is not desirable 

 that judges should hold seats in the executive council." 



The question of the union of the two Canadas is one of great difficidty 

 in itself, and that difficulty is not lessened by the strong excitement of 

 public feeling which prevails in the colonies on this subject. On one 

 hand it is described as the certain cure for all the- evils of which the 

 colonists have to complain ; and on the other, as a measure unjust in 

 itself, and fraught with ruin to the best interests of the British power 

 established there.* On this point the Committee say simply they are not 



• The evidence of Mr. Parker on this subject is very important, and is not less re- 

 markable for the energy with which his opinions are expressed, than for the sound view he 

 takes of a subject with wliich his experience and observation must have made him inti- 

 mately acquainted. 



Q. Do you tliink that the unsettled lands that now exist in Lower Canada should be left 

 to the descendants of the French Canadians to occupy them, as they may be hereafter able 

 to. do ; or that it would be wise to adopt such institutions as would encourage the settle- 

 ment of individuals from this side of the water? — A. I would encoiurage the French Cana- 

 dians ; they are the only people you can depend upon, tlie population of the other pro- 

 vincea is of a mixed character, a great many loyal, brave, and good men, no doubt, 



