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LETTER XXV. 
Of the Constitution, Government, Laws, and 
Religion of the Provinces of Upper and Lower 
Canada;—Estimate of the Expenses of the 
Civil List, of the Military Establishment, and 
the Presents to the Indians.—Salaries of cer¬ 
tain Officers of the Crown.—Imports and 
Exports. — Taxes , 
Quebec. 
FROM the time that Canada was ceded to 
Great Britain until the year 1774, the inter¬ 
nal affairs of the province were regulated by 
the ordinance of the governor alone. In pur¬ 
suance of the Quebec Bill, which was then 
passed, a legislative council was appointed by 
his Majesty in the country; the number of 
members was limited to twenty-three. This 
council had full power to make all such ordi¬ 
nances and regulations as were thought expe¬ 
dient for the welfare of the province; but it 
was prohibited from levying any taxes, except 
for the purpose of making roads, repairing 
public buildings, or the like. Every ordinance 
was to be laid before the governor, for his 
Majesty's approbation, within six months from 
the time it was passed, and no ordinance, im¬ 
posing a greater punishment on any person or 
