STATUTES, PROCLAMATIONS, RULES, OEDEES, ETC. 899 



of Canada, or according to the Forms prescribed by the Laws of 

 England. 



" XI. And whereas the Certainty and Lenity of the Criminal Law 

 of England, and the Benefits and Advantages resulting from the Use 

 of it, have been sensibly felt by the Inhabitants, from an Experience 

 of more than nine Years, during which it has been uniformly ad- 

 ministered ; " be it therefore further enacted by the Authority 

 537 aforesaid, That the same shall continue to be administered, and 

 shall be observed as Law in the Province of Quebec, as well in 

 the Description and Quality of the Offence as in the Method of Pros- 

 ecution and Trial; and the Punishments and Forfeitures thereby 

 inflicted to the Exclusion of every other Rule of Criminal Law, or 

 Mode of Proceeding thereon, which did or might prevail in the said 

 Province before the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 

 and sixty-four ; any Thing in this Act to the contrary thereof in any 

 respect notwithstanding; subject nevertheless to such Alterations 

 and Amendments as the Governor, Lieutenant-governor, or Comman- 

 der in Chief for the Time being, by and with the Advice and Con- 

 sent of the legislative Council of the said Province, hereafter to be 

 appointed, shall, from Time to Time, cause to be made therein, in 

 Manner herein-after directed. 



" XII. And whereas it may be necessary to ordain many Regula- 

 tions for the future Welfare and good Government of the Province 

 of Quebec, the occasions of which cannot now be forseen, nor, with- 

 out much Delay and Inconvenience, be provided for, without intrust- 

 ing that Authority, for a certain Time, and under proper Restric- 

 tions, to Persons Resident there : And whereas it is at present inexpe- 

 dient to call an Assembly ; " be it therefore enacted by the Authority 

 aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful for his Majesty, his Heirs 

 and Successors, by Warrant under his or their Signet or Sign 

 Manual, and with the Advice of the Privy Council, to constitute and 

 appoint a Council for the Affairs of the Provii^^of Quebec, to con- 

 sist of such Persons resident there, not exceedWP twenty-three, nor 

 less than seventeen, as his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, shall be 

 pleased to appoint; and, upon the Death, Removal, or Absence of 

 any of the Members of the said Council, in like Manner to constitute 

 and appoint such and so many other Person or Persons as shall be 

 necessary to supply the Vacancy or Vacancies; which Council, so 

 appointed and nominated, or the Major part thereof, shall have 

 Power and Authority to make Ordinances for the Peace, Welfare, 

 and good Government, of the said Province, with the Consent of his 

 Majesty's Governor, or, in his Absence, of the Lieutenant-governor, 

 or Commander in Chief for the Time being. 



XIII. Provided always, That nothing in this Act contained shall 

 extend to authorise or impower the said legislative Council to lay 

 any Taxes or Duties within the said Province, such Rates and Taxes 

 only excepted as the Inhabitants of any Town or District within the 

 said Province may be authorised by the said Council to assess, levy, 

 and apply, within the said Town or District, for the Purpose of 

 Making Roads, erecting and repairing public Buildings, or for any 

 other Purpose respecting the local Convenience and Economy of such 

 Town or District. 



XIV. Provided also, and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, 

 That every Ordinance so to be made, shall, within six Months, be 



