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stitution, consists of fifteen members (although 

 at present that number is increased), all of 

 whom are appointed b j mandamus from the 

 king, and may be termed the second estate of 

 the province; and, with the third branch or 

 house of assembly, forms the provincial par- 

 liament. The governor is invested with power 

 to prorogue, and in the exercise of his own 

 discretion, to dissolve the parliament; to give 

 the royal assent or refusal to bills passed by it, 

 or to reserve them in cases of doubt or dif- 

 ficulty, until his majesty "s pleasure be made 

 known thereon. Such acts as receive the go- 

 vernor's assent are usually put into immediate 

 force, but he is enjoined to have copies of 

 them transmitted to England, that they may 

 receive the approbation of the king in council, 

 and his majesty has the right, with the advice 

 of his council, to cancel any act so passed by 

 the provincial parliament within two years 

 from the date of its arrival in England; but 

 hitherto its wisdom has been so well directed 

 in the arduous task of legislating, that there is 

 no instance on record of this prerogative ever 

 having been exercised. The acts that emanate 

 from the provincial parliament are all of a local 

 nature, such, for instance, as providing for the 

 internal regulations of the country through the 

 various departments ; for its defence as far as 



